julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Basic Properties and Parameters of Superconductors
2016-07-15

Abstract This chapter shows that the main ingredient of the superconducting state is that electron pairs form a macroscopic matter wave. The well‐defined phase of the matter wave leads to the ideal diamagnetism at not too large fields and to the vortex state in type‐II superconductors. The chapter introduces important length scales like the London penetration depth λ L , the Ginzburg–Landau coherence length ξ GL , and the BCS coherence length ξ 0 . The rationale that the phenomenon of superconductivity in high‐temperature superconductors (HTS) can be conceptually reduced to the physics of the CuO 2 layers has evolved to more 2D view in terms of CuO 2 planes. In order to put the superconducting proximity phenomenon into a broader context, the chapter commences with a simplest version of the proximity effect (PE) by considering a relatively trivial case of a metal–insulator (MI) contact. Finally, tunneling, flux pinning, losses and numerical modeling of superconductors are discussed.
Timing matters: open‐loop stimulation does not improve overnight consolidation of word pairs in humans
2016-07-16

Abstract The application of auditory clicks during non‐rapid eye movement ( NREM ) sleep phase‐locked to the up state of the slow oscillation (closed‐loop stimulation) has previously been shown to enhance the consolidation of declarative memories. We designed and applied sequences of three clicks during deep NREM sleep to achieve a quasi‐phase‐dependent open‐loop stimulation. This stimulation was successful in eliciting slow oscillation power in the stimulation period. Although fast and slow spindle power were markedly decreased during the stimulation period, memory consolidation did not differ from control. During putative up states fast spindle power remained, however, at control levels. We conclude that concurrence of slow oscillations and fast spindles suffices to maintain memory consolidation at control levels despite an overall decreased spindle activity.
Polydiglycosylphosphate Transferase PdtA (SCO2578) of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) Is Crucial for Proper Sporulation and Apical Tip Extension under Stress Conditions
2016-07-16

ABSTRACT Although anionic glycopolymers are crucial components of the Gram-positive cell envelope, the relevance of anionic glycopolymers for vegetative growth and morphological differentiation of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) is unknown. Here, we show that the LytR-CpsA-Psr (LCP) protein PdtA (SCO2578), a TagV-like glycopolymer transferase, has a dual function in the S. coelicolor A3(2) life cycle. Despite the presence of 10 additional LCP homologs, PdtA is crucial for proper sporulation. The integrity of the spore envelope was severely affected in a pdtA deletion mutant, resulting in 34% nonviable spores. pdtA deletion caused a significant reduction in the polydiglycosylphosphate content of the spore envelope. Beyond that, apical tip extension and normal branching of vegetative mycelium were severely impaired on high-salt medium. This growth defect coincided with the mislocalization of peptidoglycan synthesis. Thus, PdtA itself or the polydiglycosylphosphate attached to the peptidoglycan by the glycopolymer transferase PdtA also has a crucial function in apical tip extension of vegetative hyphae under stress conditions. IMPORTANCE Anionic glycopolymers are underappreciated components of the Gram-positive cell envelope. They provide rigidity to the cell wall and position extracellular enzymes involved in peptidoglycan remodeling. Although Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2), the model organism for bacterial antibiotic production, is known to produce two distinct cell wall-linked glycopolymers, teichulosonic acid and polydiglycosylphosphate, the role of these glycopolymers in the S. coelicolor A3(2) life cycle has not been addressed so far. This study reveals a crucial function of the anionic glycopolymer polydiglycosylphosphate for the growth and morphological differentiation of S. coelicolor A3(2). Polydiglycosylphosphate is attached to the spore wall by the LytR-CpsA-Psr protein PdtA (SCO2578), a component of the Streptomyces spore wall-synthesizing complex (SSSC), to ensure the integrity of the spore envelope. Surprisingly, PdtA also has a crucial role in vegetative growth under stress conditions and is required for proper peptidoglycan incorporation during apical tip extension.
eXTP: Enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarization mission
2016-07-18

eXTP is a science mission designed to study the state of matter under extreme conditions of density, gravity and magnetism. Primary targets include isolated and binary neutron stars, strong magnetic field systems like magnetars, and stellar-mass and supermassive black holes. The mission carries a unique and unprecedented suite of state-of-the-art scientific instruments enabling for the first time ever the simultaneous spectral-timing-polarimetry studies of cosmic sources in the energy range from 0.5-30 keV (and beyond). Key elements of the payload are: the Spectroscopic Focusing Array (SFA) - a set of 11 X-ray optics for a total effective area of about 0.9 m^2 and 0.6 m^2 at 2 keV and 6 keV respectively, equipped with Silicon Drift Detectors offering &lt;180 eV spectral resolution; the Large Area Detector (LAD) - a deployable set of 640 Silicon Drift Detectors, for a total effective area of about 3.4 m^2, between 6 and 10 keV, and spectral resolution &lt;250 eV; the Polarimetry Focusing Array (PFA) - a set of 2 X-ray telescope, for a total effective area of 250 cm^2 at 2 keV, equipped with imaging gas pixel photoelectric polarimeters; the Wide Field Monitor (WFM) - a set of 3 coded mask wide field units, equipped with position-sensitive Silicon Drift Detectors, each covering a 90 degrees x 90 degrees FoV. The eXTP international consortium includes mostly major institutions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Universities in China, as well as major institutions in several European countries and the United States. The predecessor of eXTP, the XTP mission concept, has been selected and funded as one of the so-called background missions in the Strategic Priority Space Science Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences since 2011. The strong European participation has significantly enhanced the scientific capabilities of eXTP. The planned launch date of the mission is earlier than 2025.
Search for astrophysical rotating Ellis wormholes with x-ray reflection spectroscopy
2016-07-18

Recently, two of us have found numerically rotating Ellis wormholes as solutions of 4-dimensional Einstein gravity coupled to a phantom field. In this paper, we investigate possible observational signatures to identify similar objects in the Universe. These symmetric wormholes have a mass and are compact, so they may look like black holes. We study the iron line profile in the X-ray reflection spectrum of a thin accretion disk around rotating Ellis wormholes and we find some specific observational signatures that can be used to distinguish these objects from Kerr black holes. We simulate some observations with XIS/Suzaku assuming typical parameters for a bright AGN and we conclude that current X-ray missions cannot apply strong constraints.
Particle dynamics in discs with turbulence generated by the vertical shear instability
2016-07-18

Among the candidates for generating turbulence in accretion discs in\\nsituations with low intrinsic ionization the vertical shear instability (VSI)\\nhas become an interesting candidate, as it relies purely on a vertical gradient\\nin the angular velocity. Existing simulations have shown that -values a\\nfew times can be generated. The particle growth in the early planet\\nformation phase is determined by the dynamics of dust particles. Here, we\\naddress in particular the efficiency of VSI-turbulence in concentrating\\nparticles in order to generate overdensities and low collision velocities. We\\nperform 3D numerical hydrodynamical simulations of accretion discs around young\\nstars that include radiative transport and irradiation from the central star.\\nThe motion of particles within a size range of a fraction of mm up to several m\\nis followed using standard drag formula. We confirm that under realistic\\nconditions the VSI is able to generate turbulence in full 3D protoplanetary\\ndiscs. The irradiated disc shows turbulence within 10 to 60au. The mean radial\\nmotion of the gas is such that it is directed inward near the midplane and\\noutward in the surface layers. We find that large particles drift inward with\\nthe expected speed, while small particles can experience phases of outward\\ndrift. Additionally, the particles show bunching behaviour with overdensities\\nreaching 5 times the average value, which is strongest for dimensionless\\nstopping times around unity. Particles in a VSI-turbulent discs are\\nconcentrated in large scale turbulent eddies and show low relative speeds that\\nallow for growing collisions. The reached overdensities will also allow for the\\nonset streaming instabilities further enhancing particle growth. The outward\\ndrift for small particles at higher disk elevations allows for the transport of\\nprocessed high temperature material in the Solar System to larger distances.\\n
Job rotation and employee performance – evidence from a longitudinal study in the financial services industry
2016-07-18

Job rotation, i.e. a lateral transfer of an employee between jobs within a company, is frequently used as a means to develop employees, learn about their abilities as well as to motivate them. We investigate the determinants and performance effects of job rotation empirically by analyzing a large panel data-set covering the German banking and financial services sector. In particular, we study (i) how prior individual performance affects the propensity to rotate and (ii) how performance changes after the rotation. We find that while both, low- and high-performers rotate, lateral moves are more frequent among low performers. However, those having been rotated between jobs achieve a higher performance in subsequent years as compared to other non-rotating employees in a comparable position. Interestingly, this effect is driven by high performers, whereas for low performers, we find no significant relationship between job rotation and future performance. The results thus suggest that firms should focus their job rotation programs on high performers and should not expect that low performers achieve performance gains when being rotated to a different function.
Exploiting Maximum Entropy method and ASTER data for assessing debris flow and debris slide susceptibility for the Giampilieri catchment (north‐eastern Sicily, Italy)
2016-07-18

Abstract This study aims at evaluating the performance of the Maximum Entropy method in assessing landslide susceptibility, exploiting topographic and multispectral remote sensing predictors. We selected the catchment of the Giampilieri stream, which is located in the north‐eastern sector of Sicily (southern Italy), as test site. On 1 October 2009, a storm rainfall triggered in this area hundreds of debris flow/avalanche phenomena causing extensive economical damage and loss of life. Within this area a presence‐only‐based statistical method was applied to obtain susceptibility models capable of distinguishing future activation sites of debris flow and debris slide, which where the main source of failure mechanisms for flow or avalanche type propagation. The set of predictors used in this experiment comprised primary and secondary topographic attributes, derived by processing a high resolution digital elevation model, CORINE land cover data and a set of vegetation and mineral indices obtained by processing multispectral ASTER images. All the selected data sources are dated before the disaster. A spatially random partition technique was adopted for validation, generating 50 replicates for each of the two considered movement typologies in order to assess accuracy, precision and reliability of the models. The debris slide and debris flow susceptibility models produced high performances with the first type being the best fit. The evaluation of the probability estimates around the mean value for each mapped pixel shows an inverted relation, with the most robust models corresponding to the debris flows. With respect to the role of each predictor within the modelling phase, debris flows appeared to be primarily controlled by topographic attributes whilst the debris slides were better explained by remotely sensed derived indices, particularly by the occurrence of previous wildfires across the slope. The overall excellent performances of the two models suggest promising perspectives for the application of presence‐only methods and remote sensing derived predictors. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.
The connection between teaching and learning: Linking teaching quality and metacognitive strategy use in primary school
2016-07-18

Background In order for teaching to be successful, students need to be actively involved in learning. However, research on teaching effectiveness often neglects students’ learning activities. Although it is assumed that effective teaching promotes the use of beneficial learning activities, empirical evidence for this connection is still limited. Aims This study aimed to investigate the connection between effective teaching and reported learning activities. We hypothesize specific relations between a three‐dimensional model of teaching quality (i.e., cognitive activation, supportive climate, and classroom management) and students’ reported use of metacognitive strategies. Students’ intrinsic motivation is considered as a mediator and a moderator of this connection. Sample N = 1,052 students from 53 German primary school classes and their science teachers participated. Methods Data were collected through classroom or video observation and questionnaires over a period of approximately 2 months. Multilevel analysis was utilized to test our hypotheses. Results Each dimension of teaching quality positively predicted students’ reported use of metacognitive strategies. For supportive climate, this connection was mediated by students’ intrinsic motivation. Cognitive activation negatively predicted the slopes between students’ reported metacognitive strategy use and motivation. Conclusions The results support the notion that effective teaching is connected to learning activities and stress the importance of students’ learning motivation. Results from the cross‐level interaction could indicate that especially less motivated students’ reported metacognitive strategy use might be supported by cognitively activating teaching.
Oncogenic Ras triggers hyperproliferation and impairs polarized colonic morphogenesis by autocrine ErbB3 signaling
2016-07-18

Here we study the effects of inducible oncogenic K-Ras (G12V) expression on the polarized morphogenesis of colonic epithelial cells. We provide evidence that the autocrine production of heregulins, ligands for the ErbB3 receptor tyrosine kinase, is responsible for the hyperproliferation and aberrant 3D morphogenesis upon oncogenic K-Ras expression. This is in line with results obtained in primary intestinal organoid cultures, in which exogenous heregulin is shown to interfere with normal tissue architecture. Importantly, ErbB3 inhibition and heregulin gene silencing rescued K-RasG12V-induced features of cell transformation. Together with the increased ErbB3 positivity detected in human high-grade primary colorectal cancers, our findings provide support for an autocrine signaling loop engaged by oncogenic K-Ras involving ErbB3 that contributes to the dedifferentiation of the intestinal epithelium during tumor initiation and progression.
Effects of tDCS on motor learning and memory formation: a consensus and critical position paper
2016-07-18

Abstract Motor skills are required for activities of daily living. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied in association with motor skill learning has been investigated as a tool for enhancing training effects in health and disease. Here, we review the published literature investigating whether tDCS can facilitate the acquisition and retention of motor skills and adaptation. A majority of reports focused on the application of tDCS with the anode placed over the primary motor cortex (M1) during motor skill acquisition, while some evaluated tDCS applied over the cerebellum during adaptation of existing motor skills. Work in multiple laboratories is under way to develop a mechanistic understanding of tDCS effects on different forms of learning and to optimize stimulation protocols. Efforts are required to improve reproducibility and standardization. Overall, reproducibility remains to be fully tested, effect sizes with present techniques are moderate (up to d= 0.5) (Hashemirad, Zoghi, Fitzgerald, &amp; Jaberzadeh, 2016) and the basis of inter-individual variability in tDCS effects is incompletely understood. It is recommended that future studies explicitly state in the Methods the exploratory (hypothesis-generating) or hypothesis-driven (confirmatory) nature of the experimental designs. General research practices could be improved with prospective pre-registration of hypothesis-based investigations, more emphasis on the detailed description of methods (including all pertinent details to enable future modeling of induced current and experimental replication) and use of post-publication open data repositories. A checklist is proposed for reporting tDCS investigations in a way that can improve efforts to assess reproducibility.
Compliance of Clinical Pathways in Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Evaluation of Different Implementation Methods
2016-07-18

Abstract Background Clinical pathways aim to standardize perioperative and postoperative care of surgical procedures and are shown to result in a significant optimization associated with cost reduction. The aim of this study was to establish the impact of two different implementations forms of clinical pathways on the pathway compliance and resulting costs. Methods Data of patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholecystolithiasis were collected over two different periods: using a clinical pathway in the form of a paper‐based checklist, or a clinical pathway integrated into the paper‐based medical treatment and nursing documentation. Outcome measures were compliance of the clinical pathway and total costs per case. Results The compliance was significantly higher using integrated pathways compared to paper‐based checklists ( n = 117 of 123, 95 % vs 54 of 118, 46 %; p &lt; 0.001). Mean total costs (€2206 vs €2458, p = 0.027) and length of hospital stay (2.13 vs 2.77 days, p &lt; 0.001) were significantly reduced by the integrated clinical pathway compared to checklists. Further, the variation of costs per case and variation of length of hospital stay were significantly smaller with integrated clinical pathway (±€440 vs ±€538, p = 0.039 and ±0.53 vs ±0.68 days, p &lt; 0.001, respectively). No difference regarding postoperative complication was observed ( n = 3 vs. 4 events; p = 0.67). Conclusion Integrated clinical pathways display a significant higher compliance compared to checklists resulting in reduced total costs, shorter hospital stay and a smaller variation of cost, making it a useful tool in process controlling and planning.
Neurodegeneration With Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA) Syndromes Presenting With Late‐Onset Craniocervical Dystonia: An Illustrative Case Series
2016-07-18

Abstract View Supplementary Video 1 Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation ( NBIA ) mostly has its disease onset in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood and usually presents with predominant bulbar and axial dystonia along with signs such as spasticity, indicating an involvement of additional neurological systems. Because of their early onset and presentation with a combination of dystonia plus other neurological symptoms, they are usually not considered as differential diagnosis for late‐onset isolated (idiopathic) craniocervical dystonia. In this case series, we present 4 genetically proven cases of NBIA (including neuroferritinopathy, pantothenate‐kinase‐associated neurodegeneration, and aceruloplasminemia) with late disease onset, which resembled isolated adult‐onset craniocervical dystonia at disease onset. We also want to highlight the importance of taking NBIA into consideration when dealing with putatively isolated late‐onset dystonias and of picking up unusual signs at later stages of the disease.
Genome-Wide Meta-Analyses of Breast, Ovarian, and Prostate Cancer Association Studies Identify Multiple New Susceptibility Loci Shared by at Least Two Cancer Types
2016-07-19

Abstract Breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers are hormone-related and may have a shared genetic basis, but this has not been investigated systematically by genome-wide association (GWA) studies. Meta-analyses combining the largest GWA meta-analysis data sets for these cancers totaling 112,349 cases and 116,421 controls of European ancestry, all together and in pairs, identified at P &amp;lt; 10−8 seven new cross-cancer loci: three associated with susceptibility to all three cancers (rs17041869/2q13/BCL2L11; rs7937840/11q12/INCENP; rs1469713/19p13/GATAD2A), two breast and ovarian cancer risk loci (rs200182588/9q31/SMC2; rs8037137/15q26/RCCD1), and two breast and prostate cancer risk loci (rs5013329/1p34/NSUN4; rs9375701/6q23/L3MBTL3). Index variants in five additional regions previously associated with only one cancer also showed clear association with a second cancer type. Cell-type–specific expression quantitative trait locus and enhancer–gene interaction annotations suggested target genes with potential cross-cancer roles at the new loci. Pathway analysis revealed significant enrichment of death receptor signaling genes near loci with P &amp;lt; 10−5 in the three-cancer meta-analysis. Significance: We demonstrate that combining large-scale GWA meta-analysis findings across cancer types can identify completely new risk loci common to breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers. We show that the identification of such cross-cancer risk loci has the potential to shed new light on the shared biology underlying these hormone-related cancers. Cancer Discov; 6(9); 1052–67. ©2016 AACR. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 932
New methods for the assessment of Parkinson's disease (2005 to 2015): A systematic review
2016-07-19

ABSTRACT Background The past decade has witnessed a highly dynamic and growing expansion of novel methods aimed at improving the assessment of Parkinson's disease with technology (NAM‐PD) in laboratory, clinical, and home environments. However, the current state of NAM‐PD regarding their maturity, feasibility, and usefulness in assessing the main PD features has not been systematically evaluated. Methods A systematic review of articles published in the field from 2005 to 2015 was performed. Of 9,503 publications identified in PubMed and the Web of Science, 848 full papers were evaluated, and 588 original articles were assessed to evaluate the technological, demographic, clinimetric, and technology transfer readiness parameters of NAM‐PD. Results Of the studies, 65% included fewer than 30 patients, &lt; 50% employed a standard methodology to validate diagnostic tests, 8% confirmed their results in a different dataset, and 87% occurred in a clinic or lab. The axial features domain was the most frequently studied, followed by bradykinesia. Rigidity and nonmotor domains were rarely investigated. Only 6% of the systems reached a technology level that justified the hope of being included in clinical assessments in a useful time period. Conclusions This systematic evaluation provides an overview of the current options for quantitative assessment of PD and what can be expected in the near future. There is a particular need for standardized and collaborative studies to confirm the results of preliminary initiatives, assess domains that are currently underinvestigated, and better validate the existing and upcoming NAM‐PD. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society