julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Motor cortical excitability and pre‐supplementary motor area neurochemistry in healthy adults with substantia nigra hyperechogenicity
2022-11-10

Abstract Substantia nigra (SN) hyperechogenicity, viewed with transcranial ultrasound, is a risk marker for Parkinson's disease. We hypothesized that SN hyperechogenicity in healthy adults aged 50–70 years is associated with reduced short‐interval intracortical inhibition in primary motor cortex, and that the reduced intracortical inhibition is associated with neurochemical markers of activity in the pre‐supplementary motor area (pre‐SMA). Short‐interval intracortical inhibition and intracortical facilitation in primary motor cortex was assessed with paired‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation in 23 healthy adults with normal ( n = 14; 61 ± 7 yrs) or abnormally enlarged (hyperechogenic; n = 9; 60 ± 6 yrs) area of SN echogenicity. Thirteen of these participants (7 SN− and 6 SN+) also underwent brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy to investigate pre‐SMA neurochemistry. There was no relationship between area of SN echogenicity and short‐interval intracortical inhibition in the ipsilateral primary motor cortex. There was a significant positive relationship, however, between area of echogenicity in the right SN and the magnitude of intracortical facilitation in the right (ipsilateral) primary motor cortex ( p = .005; multivariate regression), evidenced by the amplitude of the conditioned motor evoked potential (MEP) at the 10–12 ms interstimulus interval. This relationship was not present on the left side. Pre‐SMA glutamate did not predict primary motor cortex inhibition or facilitation. The results suggest that SN hyperechogenicity in healthy older adults may be associated with changes in excitability of motor cortical circuitry. The results advance understanding of brain changes in healthy older adults at risk of Parkinson's disease.
Analysis of Fast Fluorescence Kinetics of a Single Cyanobacterium Trapped in an Optical Microcavity
2022-11-10

Photosynthesis is one the most important biological processes on earth, producing life-giving oxygen and is the basis for a large variety of plant products. Measurable properties of photosynthesis provide information about its biophysical state and, in turn, the physiological conditions of a photoautotrophic organism. For instance, chlorophyll fluorescence of an intact photosystem is not linear as in the case of a single fluorescent dye in solution, but shows temporal changes related to the quantum yield of the photosystem. Commercial photosystem analyzers already use the fluorescence kinetics characteristics of photosystems to infer the viability of organisms under investigation. Here, we provide a novel approach based on an optical Fabry-P&amp;eacute;rot microcavity or that enables the readout of photosynthetic properties and activity for an individual cyanobacterium. This approach offers a completely new dimension of information, which would normally be lost due to averaging in ensemble measurements obtained from a large population of bacteria.
Classification of Tragedies and Comedies in Calderón de la Barca's Comedias Nuevas
2022-11-10

&lt;p&gt;Data publication accompanying the research article "&lt;a href="https://doi.org/10.17175/2022_012"&gt;Classification of Tragedies and Comedies in Calder&oacute;n de la Barca&rsquo;s Comedias Nuevas&lt;/a&gt;"&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;The data publication contains the R code used for the analysis, the full text of all 112 Calderonian Comedias Nuevas (only the spoken text, no stage directions; zip-archive "Fulltexts"), the verbs, nouns, and adjectives of the 112 Comedias Nuevas (zip-archive "POS-texts"), a zip-archive containing 36 identified tragedies ("Tragedies"), a zip-archive containing 25 identified comedies ("Comedies"), and a csv file containing the classifications of all 112 dramas achieved with four clustering methods ("Annex-112-dramas-and-their-classificiation.csv").&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;All 112 Calderonian "Comedias Nuevas" have been published as part of the Calder&oacute;n Drama Corpus within the Drama Corpora Project (DraCor), see &lt;a href="https://dracor.org/cal"&gt;https://dracor.org/cal&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
Edit blindness is not related to immersion and presence in Hollywood movies
2022-11-10

The concept of presence describes participants’ feelings of “being there” – in a mediated setting such as a virtual environment or a Hollywood movie. Consistently, it has been reported that higher levels of immersion (i.e. providing richer information) are related to higher presence levels. Immersion and presence are measured, asking participants to report their state of mind. The present study links presence to edit blindness – a concept also known as being sensitive to the richness of information (filmic cut detection is impaired for films with a soundtrack compared to films without a soundtrack). We investigated whether edit blindness might be considered a behavioral correlate of presence or immersion. Participants watched short excerpts of Hollywood movies (with vs. without a soundtrack) in two experimental sessions; they were asked (1) to detect filmic cuts in one session and (2) to rate experienced immersion and presence after each clip in another session. While audiovisual films elicited a reduced cut detection performance, longer cut detection times, and higher presence ratings, the behavioral measures of edit blindness were related neither with immersion nor presence ratings. We thus conclude that the self-reported and the behavioral measures of media reception are not readily equivalent.
Expert opinion on the use of transvaginal sonography for presurgical staging and classification of endometriosis
2022-11-11

Abstract Gynecological ultrasonography plays a central role in the management of endometriosis. The rapid technical development as well as the currently increasing evidence for non-invasive diagnostic methods require an updated compilation of recommendations for the use of ultrasound in the management of endometriosis. The present work aims to highlight the accuracy of sonography for diagnosing and classifying endometriosis and will formulate the present list of key messages and recommendations. This paper aims to demonstrate the accuracy of TVS in the diagnosis and classification of endometriosis and to discuss the clinical applications and consequences of TVS findings for indication, surgical planning and assessment of associated risk factors. (1) Sophisticated ultrasound is the primary imaging modality recommended for suspected endometriosis. The examination procedure should be performed according to the IDEA Consensus. (2) Surgical intervention to confirm the diagnosis alone is not recommended. A preoperative imaging procedure with TVS and/or MRI is strongly recommended. (3) Ultrasound examination does not allow the definitive exclusion of endometriosis. (4) The examination is primarily transvaginal and should always be combined with a speculum and a bimanual examination. (5) Additional transabdominal ultrasonography may enhance the accuracy of the examination in case of extra pelvic disease, extensive findings or limited transvaginal access. (6) Sonographic assessment of both kidneys is mandatory when deep endometriosis (DE) and endometrioma are suspected. (7) Endometriomas are well defined by sonographic criteria. When evaluating the ovaries, the use of IOTA criteria is recommended. (8) The description of sonographic findings of deep endometriosis should be systematically recorded and performed using IDEA terminology. (9) Adenomyosis uteri has sonographically well-defined criteria (MUSA) that allow for detection with high sensitivity and specificity. MRI is not superior to differentiated skilled ultrasonography. (10) Classification of the extent of findings should be done according to the #Enzian classification. The current data situation proves the best possible prediction of the intraoperative situs of endometriosis (exclusive peritoneum) for the non-invasive application of the #Enzian classification. (11) Transvaginal sonographic examination by an experienced examiner is not inferior to MRI diagnostics regarding sensitivity and specificity in the prediction of the extent of deep endometriosis. (12) The major advantage of non-invasive imaging and classification of endometriosis is the differentiated planning or possible avoidance of surgical interventions. The recommendations represent the opinion of experts in the field of non-invasive and invasive diagnostics as well as therapy of endometriosis. They were developed with the participation of the following national and international societies: DEGUM, ÖGUM, SGUM, SEF, AGEM/DGGG, and EEL.
A micro-geoarchaeological view on stratigraphy and site formation processes in the Middle, Upper and Epi-Paleolithic layers of Sefunim Cave, Mt. Carmel, Israel
2022-11-11

Abstract This paper presents a micro-geoarchaeological study carried out on the sedimentary sequence exposed at the entrance of Sefunim Cave, Israel, a sequence that spans from the Middle Paleolithic to the early Epipaleolithic periods. Using FTIR and micromorphological techniques, we investigated the stratigraphic sequence to reconstruct patterns of site use and archaeological formation processes. We identified formation processes that are common among Paleolithic caves sites in the Southern Levant, mainly the deposition of local terra rossa through colluvial sedimentation. Taphonomic disturbances of the deposits range from minimal to moderate, exhibited mainly by root and burrowing activity, but with no evidence for significant transport of archaeological materials. While the upper layers (II–III) are decalcified, the precipitation of secondary calcite results in increasing cementation of the sediments with depth in the lower layers (V–VII). We observed variation at the microscopic scale and identified an inverse correlation between human and carnivore activity throughout the layers. We observed human activity by the presence of micro-archaeological materials such as chert, bone, charcoal, rubified clay, burnt bone and shell, and wood ash. We observed carnivore activity by the presence of phosphatic grains and coprolite fragments as well as chewed and digested bones. We conclude that human activity at the site was characterized by episodes of varying intensity, based on the frequency of archaeological finds within the different layers. The alternating episodes of human and carnivore activity at Sefunim Cave may demonstrate the close-knit interactions and reciprocal relations that humans and carnivore shared at Paleolithic caves.
To read or not to read? Motives for reading negative COVID-19 news.
2022-11-11

People were confronted with a barrage of negative news during the COVID-19 crisis. This study investigated how anticipated psychological impact predicted decisions to read personalized and factual COVID-19 news. First, participants chose, based on headlines, whether they wanted to read news articles (or not). Then, all headlines were rated on a set of motivational dimensions. In order to test confirmatory hypotheses, the data was divided into an exploration (n = 398) and validation dataset (n = 399). Using multilevel modelling, we found robust support for four preregistered hypotheses: choice for negative COVID-19 news was positively predicted by 1) personal vs. factual news; 2) the anticipated amount of knowledge acquisition; 3) the anticipated relevance to one’s own personal situation; and 4) participant’s sense of moral duty. Moreover, exploratory findings suggested a positive relationship between headline choice and anticipated compassion, a negative relationship with anticipated inappropriateness and gratitude, and a quadratic relationship with anticipated strength of feelings. These results support the idea that negative content offers informational value, both in terms of understanding negative events, and in terms of preparing for these events. Furthermore, engagement with negative content can be motivated by moral values.
Hübner, Fahrbach, Lachner, &amp; Scherer (2022). What predicts students’ future ICT literacy?
2022-11-11

Information and communication technology (ICT) literacy is key to solving future societal challenges and to leading an independent and responsible life in an increasingly globalized and digitalized world. Hence, countries around the world have promoted research on students’ ICT skills and their inclusion in curricula. Despite these efforts, little is known about what predicts future ICT literacy, and prior research has almost exclusively conducted cross-sectional studies. In the present study, we addressed this gap by using data from a large-scale longitudinal study of 6,810 students in 311 schools from Germany. These students participated in the National Educational Panel Study over the course of secondary school (in Grades 6, 9, and 12). We were particularly interested in investigating potential spillover effects from skills and dispositions that are inherently fostered in school on ICT development. Thus, we considered a rich set of different types of predictors related to the students’ social, cultural, demographic, and learning backgrounds; their subject-specific motivation; and the composition of their schools, and we assessed the extent to which these variables explained variation in ICT literacy development at two key stages in the educational system (Grades 9 and 12). Our results indicated that prior ICT literacy was the most important predictor of future ICT literacy but more so for the development between Grades 9 and 12. In addition, variables related to the students’ learning background, followed by variables related to the composition of their schools and students’ subject-specific motivation explained future ICT literacy. Overall, the predictors explained between 49% and 67% of the variation in future ICT literacy. Our longitudinal findings suggest that the learning environment and students’ skills and dispositions are crucial for understanding ICT development and are indicative of the deliberate design of ICT interventions.
Reducing alertness does not affect line bisection bias in neurotypical participants
2022-11-11

Alertness, or one’s general readiness to respond to stimulation, has previously been shown to affect spatial attention. However, most of this previous research focused on speeded, laboratory-based reaction tasks, as opposed to the classical line bisection task typically used to diagnose deficits of spatial attention in clinical settings. McIntosh et al. (2005) provide a form of line bisection task which they argue can more sensitively assess spatial attention. Ninety-eight participants were presented with this line bisection task, once with and once without spatial cues, and both before and after a 50-minute vigilance task that aimed to decrease alertness. A single participant was excluded due to potentially inconsistent behaviour in the task, leaving 97 participants for the full analyses. While participants were, on a group level, less alert after the 50-minute vigilance task, they showed none of the hypothesised effects of reduced alertness on spatial attention in the line bisection task, regardless of with or without spatial cues. Yet, they did show the proposed effect of decreased alertness leading to a lower level of general attention. This suggests that alertness has no effect on spatial attention, as measured by a line bisection task, in neurotypical participants. We thus conclude that, in neurotypical participants, the effect of alertness on spatial attention can be examined more sensitively with tasks requiring a speeded response compared to unspeeded tasks.
Resta-like preconditioning for self-consistent field iterations in the linearized augmented planewave method
2022-11-11

Abstract Convergence in self-consistent-field cycles can be a major computational bottleneck of density-functional theory calculations. We propose a Resta-like preconditioning method for full-potential all-electron calculations in the linearized augmented planewave method to smoothly converge to self-consistency. We implemented this preconditioner in the exciting code and apply it to the two semiconducting systems of MoS 2 slabs and P-rich GaP(100) surfaces as well as the metallic system Au(111), containing a sufficiently large amount of vacuum. Two magnetic systems of 19-atoms Fe and Co are also considered. Our calculations demonstrate that the implemented scheme performs reliably as well as more efficiently regardless of system size, suppressing long-range charge sloshing. While the suitability of this preconditioning higher for semiconducting systems, the convergence for metals is, depending on the system, only slightly de- or increased and thus still trustworthy to apply. Furthermore, a mixing algorithm with the preconditioner shows an improvement over that with the Kerker preconditioner for the investigated semiconducting systems.
Impact of Initial Operative Urgency on Short-Term Outcomes in Patients Treated with ECMO Due to Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock
2022-11-13

The outcomes of patients with PCS and following ECMO therapy are associated with several preoperative risk factors. Our aim was to compare clinical presentation, ECMO-related data and in-hospital outcomes of patients treated with ECMO due to PCS after cardiac surgery, in regard to elective or emergent cardiac surgery procedures. Between April 2006 and October 2016, 164 consecutive patients that received VA-ECMO therapy due to PCS were identified and included in this retrospective cohort study. The patients were divided into groups based on the urgency of the initial procedures performed: elective group (ELG; n = 95) and an emergency group (EMG; n = 69). To compare the unequal patient groups, a propensity score-based matching (PSM) was applied (ELG, n = 56 vs. EMG, n = 56). The EMG primarily received ECMO intraoperatively (p ≤ 0.001). In contrast, the ELG were needed ECMO support more frequently postoperatively (p &lt; 0.001). In-hospital mortality accounted for 71% (n = 40) in the ELG and 76% (n = 43) in the EMG (p = 0.518). Outcome data showed no major differences in the (abdominal ischemia (p = 0.371); septic shock (p = 0.393): rhythm disturbances (p = 0.575); emergency re-thoracotomy (p = 0.418)) between the groups. The urgency of the initial procedures performed is secondary in patients suffering PCS and following ECMO. In this regard, PCS itself seems to trigger outcomes in cardiac surgery ECMO patients substantially.
Bone modifications by the giant hyaenaPachycrocuta brevirostrison large-sized ungulate carcasses from the Lower Pleistocene site of Tsiotra Vryssi (Mygdonia Basin, Greece)
2022-11-13

The Early Pleistocene mammal communities of Europe are characterised by a great diversity of large carnivorans. Among them, the largest ever hyaenid, Pachycrocuta brevirostris, a fierce predator with great bone-cracking adaptations that has left its taphonomic signature on several fossiliferous sites. Here, we perform a rigorous taphonomic analysis focusing on bone surface modifications and damage patterns on large-sized ungulate bones from the site Tsiotra Vryssi (1.78 to ~1.5 Ma; Mygdonia Basin, Greece), aiming to identify the main biotic agent responsible for the modifications. Results reveal significant carnivore ravaging of the assemblage, and selective consumption of bones/bone portions related to nutrient value. Comparisons with modifications on similar-sized ungulate carcasses produced by extant and extinct predators, and similarities with Pachycrocuta-modified assemblages, indicate that Pachycrocuta was the principal agent of modification. Overall, this study not only provides taphonomic evidence for the interpretation of Tsiotra Vryssi, but also offers insights into the palaeobiology, and particularly carcass consumption behaviour of the giant hyaena. Hence, it advances our knowledge on carnivoran guild dynamics and prey–predator relationships during this epoch and has important implications for the investigations of the subsistence behaviour of the meat-eating hominins, who entered Eurasia at ~1.8 Ma, roughly synchronously with Pachycrocuta.
When your border and my border differ: Spatial regionalisation and route choice depends on perceived landmark categorization
2022-11-13

Humans spontaneously structure spatial environments into a hierarchy of regions. Besides connectivity and boundaries, sensory or functional similarities of landmarks have been shown to influence construction of regions. In natural spaces, regions and places are usually named and these names provide additional cues for the cognitive construction of regions. In this study we investigate the role of semantic similarities of place names in the formation of regions in a virtual environment with homogeneous connectivity. Place names were selected and distributed in a way that two alternative semantic categorizations were possible which corresponded to two equally valid regionalisations of the same environment. Region perception was assessed by having subjects choose between two equidistant routes crossing different numbers of region boundaries (classification consistent route choice). In a priming phase, subjects were biased to sort the landmark names in one or the other categorization scheme. In the test phase, subjects preferably selected routes with a lower number of region crossings according to the categorization previously discovered. The results show that perceived semantic similarity of place names does affect route choice and the formation of spatial regions.
Improving OFF‐State Bias‐Stress Stability in High‐Mobility Conjugated Polymer Transistors with an Antisolvent Treatment
2022-11-14

Abstract Conjugated polymer field‐effect transistors are emerging as an enabling technology for flexible electronics due to their excellent mechanical properties combined with sufficiently high charge‐carrier mobilities and compatibility with large‐area, low‐temperature processing. However, their electrical stability remains a concern. ON‐state (accumulation mode) bias‐stress instabilities in organic semiconductors have been widely studied, and multiple mitigation strategies have been suggested. In contrast, OFF‐state (depletion mode) bias‐stress instabilities remain poorly understood despite being crucial for many applications in which the transistors are held in their OFF‐state for most of the time. Here, a simple method of using an antisolvent treatment is presented to achieve significant improvements in OFF‐state bias‐stress and environmental stability as well as general device performance for one of the best performing polymers, solution‐processable indacenodithiophene‐ co ‐benzothiadiazole (IDT‐BT). IDT‐BT is weakly crystalline, and the notable improvements to an antisolvent‐induced, increased degree of crystallinity, resulting in a lower probability of electron trapping and the removal of charge traps is attributed. The work highlights the importance of the microstructure in weakly crystalline polymer films and offers a simple processing strategy for achieving the reliability required for applications in flexible electronics.