julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Dataset for publication "In Situ Monitoring of the Al(110)-[EMImCl]:AlCl3 Interface by Reflection Anisotropy Spectroscopy"
2023-10-23

Dataset are obtained from Reflection anisotropy spectroscopy, CV, SEM/EDX, and computaitonal RAS The data are sorted according to the Figures of the paper. Abstract of the paper: Recently, Al-batteries (AlBs) have become promising candidates for post-lithium batteries, with [EMImCl]:AlCl3 (1:1.5) as the most commonly used electrolyte. However, progress in the development of AlBs is currently hindered by the lack of understanding of its solid-electrolyte interface. Monitoring the structure of this interface under operational conditions by complementary spectroscopy could help to identify and overcome bottlenecks of the system. Reflection anisotropy spectroscopy (RAS), an optical in situ technique, provides access to physical and chemical properties of electrochemical interfaces on an atomistic level. Herein, we report the first example of RAS as an in situ characterization technique for non-aqueous battery systems, investigating an Al(110)-based model system. During chemical pre-treatment in [EMImCl]:AlCl3 , the Al(110) surface passivation film is modified. The oxide film is partially etched while an inhomogeneous passivation layer forms, increasing the surface roughness. Upon electrochemical cycling, applied potential-dependent oscillations of the anisotropy are observed and demonstrate the applicability of RAS to monitor phenomena such as plating/stripping and surface passivation in real-time.
Rationale for the Development of a Novel Clinical Grading Scale for Postoperative Facial Nerve Function: Results of a Multidisciplinary International Working Group
2023-10-24

Objective The objective of the current study was to present the results of an international working group survey identifying perceived limitations of existing facial nerve grading scales to inform the development of a novel grading scale for assessing early postoperative facial paralysis that incorporates regional scoring and is anchored in recovery prognosis and risk of associated complications. Study Design Survey. Setting A working group of 48 multidisciplinary clinicians with expertise in skull base, cerebellopontine angle, temporal bone, or parotid gland surgery. Results House-Brackmann grade is the most widely used system to assess facial nerve function among working group members (81%), although more than half (54%) agreed that the system they currently use does not adequately estimate the risk of associated complications, such as corneal injury, and confidence in interrater and intrarater reliability is generally low. Simplicity was ranked as the most important attribute of a novel postoperative facial nerve grading system to increase the likelihood of adoption, followed by reliability and accuracy. There was widespread consensus (91%) that the eye is the most critical facial region to focus on in the early postoperative setting. Conclusions Members were invited to submit proposed grading systems in alignment with the objectives of the working group for subsequent validation. From these data, we plan to develop a simple, clinically anchored, and reproducible staging system with regional scoring for assessing early postoperative facial nerve function after surgery of the skull base, cerebellopontine angle, temporal bone, or parotid gland.
Dataset for the article "Blindly separated spontaneous network-level oscillations predict corticospinal excitability"
2023-10-24

This repository contains a dataset supporting results in the manuscript: Ermolova, M., Metsomaa, J., Belardinelli, P., Zrenner, C., & Ziemann, U. (2024). Blindly separated spontaneous network-level oscillations predict corticospinal excitability. Journal of Neural Engineering, 21(3), 036041. REFTEP dataset: TMS-EEG experiment on awake healthy human subjects. Single-pulse TMS was applied in resting state over primary motor cortex, with simultaneous EEG recording from the scalp and EMG recording from hand muscles. The dataset is intended for use by the code published at: https://github.com/mariaermolova/CSPAnalysis. The dataset is structured as follows: each .mat file corresponds to a single subject and contains a matlab structure with the following substructs. 1. EEG data from 1.5 sec. before each TMS pulse (eeg). The data was preprocessed: bad trials and channels removed, signals detrended, ICA components corresponding to oculographic artefacts removed. 2. EEG channel locations on the scalp (chanlocs) and indices of channels removed during preprocessing (removedChannels). 3. Peak-to-peak amplitudes of Motor Evoked Potentials for each trial (mepSize) and excitability labels for each trial based on the amplitude of the corresponding MEP (labels). Labels correspond to high (1) vs low (0) MEP amplitude.
Preparation of Nanosized Pharmaceutical Formulations by Dual Centrifugation
2023-10-25

Dual centrifugation (DC) is an innovative in-vial homogenization and in-vial nanomilling technique that has been in use for the preparation of liposomes for more than one decade. Since then, DC has continuously been developed for preparing various liposomes and other lipid nanoparticles including emulsions and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) as well as polymersomes and nanocrystals. Improvements in equipment technology have been achieved over the past decade, so that DC is now on its way to becoming the quasi-standard for the simple, fast, and aseptic production of lipid nanoparticles and nanocrystals in small and medium batch sizes, including the possibility of simple and fast formulation screening or bedside preparations of therapeutic nanoparticles. More than 68 publications in which DC was used to produce nanoparticles have appeared since then, justifying an initial review of the use of DC for pharmaceutical nanotechnology.
Soft matter roadmap*
2023-10-25

Abstract Soft materials are usually defined as materials made of mesoscopic entities, often self-organised, sensitive to thermal fluctuations and to weak perturbations. Archetypal examples are colloids, polymers, amphiphiles, liquid crystals, foams. The importance of soft materials in everyday commodity products, as well as in technological applications, is enormous, and controlling or improving their properties is the focus of many efforts. From a fundamental perspective, the possibility of manipulating soft material properties, by tuning interactions between constituents and by applying external perturbations, gives rise to an almost unlimited variety in physical properties. Together with the relative ease to observe and characterise them, this renders soft matter systems powerful model systems to investigate statistical physics phenomena, many of them relevant as well to hard condensed matter systems. Understanding the emerging properties from mesoscale constituents still poses enormous challenges, which have stimulated a wealth of new experimental approaches, including the synthesis of new systems with, e.g. tailored self-assembling properties, or novel experimental techniques in imaging, scattering or rheology. Theoretical and numerical methods, and coarse-grained models, have become central to predict physical properties of soft materials, while computational approaches that also use machine learning tools are playing a progressively major role in many investigations. This Roadmap intends to give a broad overview of recent and possible future activities in the field of soft materials, with experts covering various developments and challenges in material synthesis and characterisation, instrumental, simulation and theoretical methods as well as general concepts.
Large-scale application of palaeoproteomics (Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry; ZooMS) in two Palaeolithic faunal assemblages from China
2023-10-25

The application of Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS) on Pleistocene sites in Europe and northern Asia has resulted in the discovery of important new hominin fossils and has expanded the range of identified fauna. However, no systematic, large-scale application of ZooMS on Palaeolithic sites in East Asia has been attempted thus far. Here, we analyse 866 morphologically non-diagnostic bones from Jinsitai Cave in northeast China and Yumidong Cave in South China, from archaeological horizons dating to 150–10 ka BP. Bones from both sites revealed a high degree of collagen preservation and potentially time-related deamidation patterns, despite being located in very distinct environmental settings. At Jinsitai, we identified 31 camel bones, five of which were radiocarbon dated to 37–20 ka BP. All dated specimens correspond to colder periods of Marine Isotope Stages 3 and 2. We regard the presence of camels at Jinsitai as evidence of wild camels being a megafauna taxon targeted, most likely by early modern humans, during their expansion across northeast Asia. This large-scale application of ZooMS in China highlights the potential of the method for furthering our knowledge of the palaeoanthropological and zooarchaeological records of East Asia.
Dynamics of abdominal symptoms during the start of a new therapy with elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor using the novel CFAbd-day2day questionnaire
2023-10-25

Background: Elexacaftor–tezacaftor–ivacaftor (ETI) is a novel, highly effective CFTR modulator combination proven to enhance lung function and body weight in people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) carrying a F508del mutation. Recently, we revealed significant reductions in abdominal symptoms (AS) in German, British, and Irish pwCF after 24–26 weeks of ETI using the CFAbd-Score, the first patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) specifically developed and validated for pwCF following FDA guidelines. Notably, many pwCF reported marked changes in their AS during the first days of the new treatment. To capture these immediate effects, we developed the CFAbd-day2day, a CF-specific GI-diary, following FDA and COSMIN guidelines. Aim: To prospectively capture the immediate dynamics of AS using the CFAbd-day2day 14 days before and 14–28 days after ETI initiation. In addition, we aim to provide validation steps of the novel PROM concerning sensitivity to changes. Methods: To develop the CFAbd-day2day, focus groups (community voice = pwCF and their proxies and CF specialists from different fields) were repeatedly consulted. Before and during the new ETI therapy, pwCF prospectively scored AS on a daily basis with the CFAbd-day2day. Results: Altogether, 45 pwCF attended in five CF centers prospectively completed the CFAbd-day2day before (mean ± sd:14 ± 7 days) and after (mean ± sd: 28 ± 23 days) ETI initiation. On the one hand, cumulative scores significantly decreased during the 3–4-week time frame after ETI initiation, compared to 2 weeks prior to therapy. On the other hand, many patients who revealed a relatively stable level of AS before ETI reported changes during the first days of treatment with the highly effective CFTR modulators. Factors like pain and flatulence increased in up to 21% of patients during the first 14 days of therapy, but they improved during days 15–27. Conclusion: The CFAbd-day2day, specifically developed and in the process of validation to prospectively capture GI symptoms in pwCF, provides new substantial insights into the dynamics of AS in pwCF receiving a new treatment with ETI. This novel tool is also helpful in prospectively monitoring patients with specific GI problems. International implementation and further validation steps of the diary are ongoing.
Radiotherapy and long‐term sequelae in pediatric patients with parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma: Results of two Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe (CWS) trials and one registry
2023-10-25

Abstract Background Parameningeal location of rhabdomyosarcoma (PM RMS) is known to be an unfavorable prognostic factor. Scarce data are available on radiotherapy (RT) concepts with regard to outcome. Methods Treatment and outcome of 395 children with PM RMS registered within two Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe (CWS) trials and one registry (1995–2021) were evaluated. Results Patients were IRS group II ( n = 15) and III ( n = 380) and received systemic treatment according to the enrolled protocols: I2VA ( n = 172), VAIA/CEVAIE ( n = 223). Delayed resection was performed in 88/395 (22%) patients, and RT was additionally given in 79/88 (90%) resected patients. RT was the predominant local treatment in 355/395 (90%) patients: hyperfractionated accelerated photon (HART; n = 77), conventionally fractionated photon ( n = 91) or proton beam ( n = 126), brachytherapy ( n = 4), heavy ions ( n = 1), not available ( n = 56). In the subgroup of RT as only local treatment ( n = 278), no intracranial tumor extension and complete remission at end of treatment were significant positive prognostic factors. No significant difference on tumor outcome was seen between different radiotherapy concepts. Long‐term toxicity with mostly endocrinological and visual deficiencies was reported in 161/279 (58%) surviving patients with a lower trend after proton beam RT (48%) when compared to HART or conventionally fractionated photon RT (71% and 72%, respectively). Ten‐year event‐free and overall survival in the overall group were 62% (±5, 95% confidence interval [CI]) and 67% (±5, 95% CI); in the RT‐only group 67% (±6, 95% CI) and 71% (±6, 95% CI), respectively. Conclusion CWS data confirm the recent RT concept in PM RMS. Long‐term sequelae as endocrinological and visual deficiencies need to be addressed.
Testing the δ-Kerr metric with black hole x-ray data
2023-10-25

The spacetime around astrophysical black holes is thought to be described by\\nthe Kerr solution. However, even within general relativity, there is not yet a\\nproof that the final product of the complete collapse of an uncharged body can\\nonly be a Kerr black hole. We can thus speculate on the possibility that the\\nspacetime around astrophysical black holes may be described by other solutions\\nof the Einstein Equations and we can test such a hypothesis with observations.\\nIn this work, we consider the -Kerr metric, which is an exact solution\\nof the field equations in vacuum and can be obtained from a non-linear\\nsuperposition of the Kerr metric with a static axially symmetric solution,\\noften referred to as the -metric. The parameter quantifies\\nthe departure of the source from the Kerr metric and for we recover the\\nKerr solution. From the analysis of the reflection features in the X-ray\\nspectrum of the Galactic black hole in EXO 1846-031, we find \\n(90% CL), which is consistent with the hypothesis that the spacetime around the\\ncompact object in EXO 1846-031 is a Kerr black hole but does not entirely rule\\nout the -Kerr metric.\\n
Science journalism and a multi-directional science-policy-society dialogue are needed to foster public awareness for biodiversity and its conservation
2023-10-25

Biodiversity is the manifestation of life on our planet and provides manifold benefits for humans. Yet we destroy ecosystems and drive species to extinction. We submit that anthropogenic biodiversity loss does not yet receive sufficient public attention, although biodiversity conservation and its sustainable use are key to mitigate global crises. Effective communication of biodiversity-related knowledge with diverse audiences is therefore crucial and should contribute to ensuring that evidence guides environmental decision-making. In this context, it is essential to stimulate multi-directional dialogues between science, policy, and society. Here, we suggest Dos and Don’ts that can guide science communication for scientists working in biodiversity research and beyond. Moreover, we emphasize the role of science journalism and other institutions specialized in science communication in critically mediating the complexity of scientific knowledge.
Boolean percolation on digraphs and random exchange processes
2023-10-25

Abstract We study in a general graph-theoretic formulation a long-range percolation model introduced by Lamperti [27]. For various underlying digraphs, we discuss connections between this model and random exchange processes. We clarify, for all , under which conditions the lattices and are essentially covered in this model. Moreover, for all , we establish that it is impossible to cover the directed n -ary tree in our model.
Large-scale brainstem neuroimaging and genetic analyses provide new insights into the neuronal mechanisms of hypertension
2023-10-25

Abstract Background While brainstem regions are central regulators of blood pressure, the neuronal mechanisms underlying their role in hypertension remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the structural and genetic relationships between global and regional brainstem volumes and blood pressure. Methods Using magnetic resonance imaging data from n=32,666 UK Biobank participants, we assessed the association of volumes of the whole brainstem and its main regions with blood pressure. We applied powerful statistical genetic tools, including bivariate causal mixture modeling (MiXeR) and conjunctional false discovery rate (conjFDR), to summary statistics from genome-wide association studies of brainstem volumes (n=27,034) and blood pressure (n=318,891) and evaluated their genetic architectures. Results We observed negative associations between the whole brainstem and medulla oblongata volumes and systolic blood and pulse pressure, and positive relationships between midbrain and pons volumes and blood pressure traits when adjusting for the whole brainstem volume (all ∣r∣ 0.03-0.05, p≤0.0042). We observed the largest genetic overlap for the whole brainstem, sharing between 54% and 69% of its trait-influencing variants with blood pressure. We identified 42 shared loci between brainstem volumes and blood pressure traits and mapped these to 83 genes, implicating molecular pathways linked to the development of the brainstem, cranial nerves, and sympathetic neurons, and to metal ion transport and cell-matrix adhesions. Conclusions The present findings support a link between brainstem structures and blood pressure and provide new insights into their shared genetic underpinnings. The overlapping genetic architectures and mapped genes offer new mechanistic information about the roles of brainstem regions in hypertension.
Beneficial effects of intermittent fasting in NASH and subsequent HCC development are executed by concerted PPARα and PCK1 action in hepatocytes
2023-10-25

Abstract The role and molecular mechanisms of intermittent fasting (IF) in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and its transition to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are unknown. Here, we identified that an IF 5:2 regimen (two non-consecutive days of food deprivation per week), initiated in the active phase of mice, prevents/ameliorates NASH and fibrosis as well as reduces subsequent HCC development without affecting total calorie intake. The timing, length and number of fasting cycles as well as the type of NASH diet were all critical parameters determining the effectiveness of the fasting benefits. Combined proteomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses identified that PPARα and glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-PCK1 act co-operatively as hepatic executors of the fasting response by promoting fatty acid catabolism and gluconeogenesis whilst suppressing anabolic lipogenesis. In line, PPARα targets and PCK1 were reduced in human NASH. Additionally, dynamic [ 18 F]FDG-PET analysis in vivo revealed increased [ 18 F]FDG uptake/retention and enhanced gluconeogenesis in the liver upon fasting (in accordance with PPARα and GR-PCK1 activation) when assessed by compartmental modelling. Hepatocyte-specific GR deletion only partially abrogated the hepatic fasting response. In contrast, the combined knockdown of Ppara and Pck1 in vivo abolished the beneficial outcomes of fasting against inflammation and fibrosis, confirming their causal relationship in integrating systemic signalling in hepatocytes. Notably, PPARα agonist pemafibrate recapitulated key aspects of hepatic fasting signalling at a molecular level. Therefore, IF or pharmacological mimetics of the PPARα and/or GR-PCK1 axis could be a viable intervention against NASH and subsequent liver cancer. One-Sentence Summary Intermittent fasting protects against fatty liver disease and liver cancer through concerted PPARα and GR-PCK1 action in hepatocytes.
Seeing the teacher through my peers’ eyes? A social network study on adolescents' teaching quality perceptions
2023-10-25

Classrooms are social arenas, and during adolescence, the importance of peer relations peaks. Prior research has documented the pervasive influence that peers can exert on many aspects of adolescents’ lives, including their academic outcomes. However, knowledge on whether adolescents’ perceptions of their teacher and the quality of the teacher’s instruction are also prone to peer influences is lacking so far. The present longitudinal study with four measurement points (N = 248 German adolescents) addressed this gap. We focused on teaching quality in terms of the perceived level of teacher support in mathematics classes. Longitudinal social network analysis (a Bayesian random-coefficient multilevel version of Stochastic Actor-Oriented models, SAOMs) were employed to investigate whether (a) friends become more similar in their teaching quality perceptions (influence effects) and/or whether (b) students with initially more similar perceptions of teaching quality were more likely to become friends (selection effects). In addition, we explored whether (c) students with more positive teaching quality perceptions had a better (or worse) social standing in that they were more (or less) likely to be nominated as friends by their classmates and/or were more (or less) likely to nominate other classmates as friends. The results did not yield support for influence effects or for selection effects. However, students who rated their teacher’s instruction more positively were better integrated socially. This study adds to research on the role of peers in adolescence and enhances our understanding of peer influences on students’ perceptions of instruction.
Relocating exploitation
2023-10-25

Abstract In light of recent trends toward “jobless growth” and increased wagelessness, a debate has arisen concerning whether there is an “outside” of capitalism. Surplus populations that are superfluous to the needs of the capitalist class can, it has been argued, constitute this “outside,” with some among them sustaining a living unscathed by capitalist exploitation. However, in my case study of tenant shopkeepers in South Korea, I demonstrate how supposedly superfluous livelihood activities are subsumed in exploitative capitalist relations when the urban commercial properties in which tenants make their livelihoods become high- return, speculative commodities. By identifying how and when exploitation can be activated well beyond the employment relationship, or even the “disguised” employment relationship, I call for extending the concept of exploitation to include these frontiers of capitalist extraction.