julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Spin-orbit term in the nuclear shell model
2021-02-04

Quasi-nuclear systems, representing nuclei with variable size, are studied to\\ninvestigate the occurrence of the spin-orbit term in the nuclear mean field in\\nthe transition from infinite nuclear matter to finite nuclei. Relativistic as\\nwell as non-relativistic mean field calculations based on models for the\\nnucleon-nucleon ( ) interaction, which fit the scattering data, are\\nconsidered. A very strong correlation between the strength of the spin-orbit\\nterm and radius of the nuclear system is observed. The origin of the spin-orbit\\nterm is analyzed by inspecting the contributions of the different partial waves\\nand various mesons in a One-Boson-Exchange model of the interaction. The\\ninfluence of correlation effects and the enhancement of the small component of\\nDirac spinors for nucleons in the nuclear medium is discussed.\\n
Acoustic velocity measurements for detecting the crystal orientationfabrics of a temperate ice core
2021-02-04

Abstract. The crystal orientation fabrics (COF) in ice cores provides detailed information, such as grain size and distribution and the orientation of the crystals in relation to the large-scale glacier flow. These data are relevant for a profound understanding of the dynamics and deformation history of glaciers and ice sheets. The intrinsic, mechanical anisotropy of the ice crystals causes an anisotropy of the polycrystalline ice of glaciers and affects the velocity of acoustic waves propagating through the ice. Here, we employ such acoustic waves to obtain the seismic anisotropy of ice core samples and compare the results with calculated acoustic velocities derived from COF analyses. These samples originate from an ice core from Rhonegletscher, a temperate glacier in the Swiss Alps. Point-contact transducers transmit ultrasonic p-waves with a dominant frequency of 1 MHz into the ice core samples and measure variations of the travel times of these waves for a set of azimuthal angles. In addition, the elasticity tensor is obtained from laboratory-measured COF and calculate the associated seismic velocities. We compare these COF-derived velocity profiles with the measured ultrasonic profiles. Especially in the presence of large ice grains, these two methods show significantly different velocities since the ultrasonic measurements examine a limited volume of the ice core whereas the COF-derived velocities are integrated over larger parts of the core. This discrepancy between the ultrasonic and COF-derived profiles decreases with an increasing number of grains that is available within the sampling volume and both methods provide concise results in presence of a similar amount of grains. We also explore the limitations of ultrasonic measurements and provide suggestions for improving their results. These ultrasonic measurements could be employed continuously along the ice cores. They are suitable to support the COF analyses by bridging the gaps between discrete measurements, since these ultrasonic measurements can be acquired within minutes and do not require an extensive preparation of ice samples when using point-contact transducers.
Guideline: Vulvovaginal candidosis (AWMF 015/072, level S2k)
2021-02-05

Abstract Approximately 70‐75% of women will have vulvovaginal candidosis (VVC) at least once in their lifetime. In premenopausal, pregnant, asymptomatic and healthy women and women with acute VVC, Candida albicans is the predominant species. The diagnosis of VVC should be based on clinical symptoms and microscopic detection of pseudohyphae. Symptoms alone do not allow reliable differentiation of the causes of vaginitis. In recurrent or complicated cases, diagnostics should involve fungal culture with species identification. Serological determination of antibody titres has no role in VVC. Before the induction of therapy, VVC should always be medically confirmed. Acute VVC can be treated with local imidazoles, polyenes or ciclopirox olamine, using vaginal tablets, ovules or creams. Triazoles can also be prescribed orally, together with antifungal creams, for the treatment of the vulva. Commonly available antimycotics are generally well tolerated, and the different regimens show similarly good results. Antiseptics are potentially effective but act against the physiological vaginal flora. Neither a woman with asymptomatic colonisation nor an asymptomatic sexual partner should be treated. Women with chronic recurrent Candida albicans vulvovaginitis should undergo dose‐reducing maintenance therapy with oral triazoles. Unnecessary antimycotic therapies should always be avoided, and non‐ albicans vaginitis should be treated with alternative antifungal agents. In the last 6 weeks of pregnancy, women should receive antifungal treatment to reduce the risk of vertical transmission, oral thrush and diaper dermatitis of the newborn. Local treatment is preferred during pregnancy.
Development of directed and random exploration in children
2021-02-05

Abstract Are young children just random explorers who learn serendipitously? Or are even young children guided by uncertainty‐directed sampling, seeking to explore in a systematic fashion? We study how children between the ages of 4 and 9 search in an explore–exploit task with spatially correlated rewards, where exhaustive exploration is infeasible and not all options can be experienced. By combining behavioral data with a computational model that decomposes search into similarity‐based generalization, uncertainty‐directed exploration, and random exploration, we map out developmental trajectories of generalization and exploration. The behavioral data show strong developmental differences in children's capability to exploit environmental structure, with performance and adaptiveness of sampling decisions increasing with age. Through model‐based analyses, we disentangle different forms of exploration, finding signature of both uncertainty‐directed and random exploration. The amount of random exploration strongly decreases as children get older, supporting the notion of a developmental “cooling off” process that modulates the randomness in sampling. However, even at the youngest age range, children do not solely rely on random exploration. Even as random exploration begins to taper off, children are actively seeking out options with high uncertainty in a goal‐directed fashion, and using inductive inferences to generalize their experience to novel options. Our findings provide critical insights into the behavioral and computational principles underlying the developmental trajectory of learning and exploration.
Altitude and the distributional typology of language structure: Ejectives and beyond
2021-02-05

The first decades of the 21st century have witnessed a renewed interest in the relationship between language structure and the various social and ecological niches in which the languages of the world are used and against the background of which they evolved. In this context, Everett (2013) argued for direct geographical influences on the sound structure of languages. It was observed that ejective consonants, produced with a sudden burst of non-pulmonic air to a salient acoustic effect, tend to occur in high-altitude environments in which these sounds may be adaptive due to a reduced articulatory effort and/or to prevent desiccation. Here, we evaluate this claim and at the same time place it into a broader context. We observe that the distribution of another class of typologically unusual sounds, uvulars, is highly similar to that of ejectives, but that the proposed explanations are not available to account for the similar geographical patterning of uvulars. Hence, we test an alternative explanatory account that would posit indirect rather than direct environmental influences on language structure that are mediated by anthropological factors, in particular the relative sociolinguistic isolation of speech communities at the highest altitudes. Applying Bayesian Logistic Mixed Effects Regression to a large database of phonological inventories of the world’s languages, however, we do not find strong support for either a correlation of ejectives or uvulars with high-altitude environments, though the association is somewhat stronger for ejectives than uvulars. A phylogenetic exploration of the development of both classes of sounds in two large language families spoken in widely different environments, Indo-European and Sino-Tibetan, together with a qualitative assessment of the dedicated literature, in contrast, suggests a strong role of language contact rather than environmental factors.
Medium-resolution spectrum of the exoplanet HIP 65426 b
2021-02-05

Medium-resolution integral-field spectrographs (IFS) coupled with adaptive-optics such as Keck/OSIRIS, VLT/MUSE, or SINFONI are appearing as a new avenue for enhancing the detection and characterization capabilities of young, gas giant exoplanets at large heliocentric distances (&gt;5 au). We analyzed K -band VLT/SINFONI medium-resolution ( R λ ~5577) observations of the young giant exoplanet HIP 65426 b. Our dedicated IFS data analysis toolkit ( TExTRIS ) optimized the cube building, star registration, and allowed for the extraction of the planet spectrum. A Bayesian inference with the nested sampling algorithm coupled with the self-consistent forward atmospheric models BT-SETTL15 and Exo-REM using the ForMoSA tool yields T eff = 1560 ± 100 K, log( g ) ≤ 4.40 dex, [M/H] = 0.05 −0.22 +0.24 dex, and an upper limit on the C/O (≤0.55). The object is also re-detected with the so-called “molecular mapping” technique. The technique yields consistent atmospheric parameters, but the loss of the planet pseudo-continuum in the process degrades or modifies the constraints on these parameters. The solar to sub-solar C/O ratio suggests an enrichment by solids at formation if the planet was formed beyond the water snowline (≥20 au) by core accretion (CA hereafter). However, a formation by gravitational instability (GI hereafter) cannot be ruled out. The metallicity is compatible with the bulk enrichment of massive Jovian planets from the Bern planet population models. Finally, we measure a radial velocity of 26 ± 15 km s −1 compatible with our revised measurement on the star. This is the fourth imaged exoplanet for which a radial velocity can be evaluated, illustrating the potential of such observations for assessing the coevolution of imaged systems belonging to star forming regions, such as HIP 65426.
COVID-19 in Autoinflammatory Diseases with Immunosuppressive Treatment
2021-02-05

COVID-19 disease increases interleukin (IL)-1β release. Anti-IL-1-treatment is effective in IL-1-mediated autoinflammatory diseases (AID). This case series presents COVID-19 in patients with IL-1-mediated and unclassified AID with immunosuppressive therapy (IT). Patient 1 is a 34-year-old woman with an unclassified AID and methotrexate. Patients 2 and 3 (14-year-old girl and 12-year-old boy, respectively) have a Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndrome (NLRP3 p.Q703K heterozygous, CAPS) treated with canakinumab 150 mg/month since three and five years, respectively. Patient 4 is a 15-year-old girl who has had familial Mediterranean fever (MEFV p.M694V homozygous) for 3 years treated with canakinumab 150 mg/month and colchicine. All patients had a mild acute COVID-19 course, particularly the adolescent patients. A few weeks after COVID-19 recovery, both CAPS patients developed increased AID activity, necessitating anti-IL-1-treatment intensification in one patient. At day 100, one out of four patients (25%) showed positive antibody response to SARS-CoV-2. This is one of the first reports providing follow-up data about COVID-19 in AID. The risk for severe acute COVID-19 disease was mild/moderate, but increased AID activity post-COVID-19 was detected. Follow-up data and data combination are needed to expand understanding of COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 immunity in AID and the role of IT.
Off‐pump coronary artery bypass grafting for patients with severely reduced ventricular function—A justified strategy?
2021-02-05

OPCAB-surgery is a safe and effective option for patients with reduced EF. Furthermore, it does not come at the expense of less complete revascularization or increased coronary re-intervention during early follow-up.
Time-Frequency Representation of Motor Evoked Potentials in Brain Tumor Patients
2021-02-05

Background: The integrity of the motor system can be examined by applying navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) to the cortex. The corresponding motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) in the target muscles are mirroring the status of the human motor system, far beyond corticospinal integrity. Commonly used time domain features of MEPs (e.g., peak-to-peak amplitudes and onset latencies) exert a high inter-subject and intra-subject variability. Frequency domain analysis might help to resolve or quantify disease-related MEP changes, e.g., in brain tumor patients. The aim of the present study was to describe the time-frequency representation of MEPs in brain tumor patients, its relation to clinical and imaging findings, and the differences to healthy subject. Methods: This prospective study compared 12 healthy subjects with 12 consecutive brain tumor patients (with and without a paresis) applying nTMS mapping. Resulting MEPs were evaluated in the time series domain (i.e., amplitudes and latencies). After transformation into the frequency domain using a Morlet wavelet approach, event-related spectral perturbation (ERSP), and inter-trial coherence (ITC) were calculated and compared to diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) results. Results: There were no significant differences in the time series characteristics between groups. MEPs were projecting to a frequency band between 30 and 300 Hz with a local maximum around 100 Hz for both healthy subjects and patients. However, there was ERSP reduction for higher frequencies (&amp;gt;100 Hz) in patients in contrast to healthy subjects. This deceleration was mirrored in an increase of the inter-peak MEP latencies. Patients with a paresis showed an additional disturbance in ITC in these frequencies. There was no correlation between the CST integrity (as measured by DTI) and the MEP parameters. Conclusion: Time-frequency analysis may provide additional information above and beyond classical MEP time domain features and the status of the corticospinal system in brain tumor patients. This first evaluation indicates that brain tumors might affect cortical physiology and the responsiveness of the cortex to TMS resulting in a temporal dispersion of the corticospinal transmission.
Arginase 1+ IL‐10+ polymorphonuclear myeloid‐derived suppressor cells are elevated in patients with active pemphigus and correlate with an increased Th2/Th1 response
2021-02-05

Abstract Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells, which are characterized by their capability to suppress T‐cell responses. While MDSCs have been traditionally associated with cancer diseases, their role as regulators of autoimmune diseases is emerging. Pemphigus is a chronic autoimmune blistering skin disease characterized by dysregulated T‐cell responses and autoantibody production. The role of MDSCs in pemphigus disease has not been defined yet. The aim of this study was to characterize MDSCs in pemphigus patients and to dissect their relationship with CD4 + T‐cell subsets and clinical disease assessments. For this purpose, we performed a cross‐sectional analysis of 20 patients with pemphigus. Our results indicate that a population of CD66b + CD11b + polymorphonuclear‐like MDSCs (PMN‐MDSCs) is expanded in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell fraction of pemphigus patients compared to age‐matched healthy donors. These PMN‐MDSCs have the capability of suppressing allogeneic T‐cell proliferation in vitro and show increased expression of characteristic effector molecules such as arginase I and interleukin‐10. We further demonstrate that PMN‐MDSCs are especially expanded in patients with active pemphigus, but not in patients in remission. Moreover, MDSC frequencies correlate with an increased Th2/Th1 cell ratio. In conclusion, the identification of a functional PMN‐MDSC population suggests a possible role of these cells as regulators of Th cell responses in pemphigus.
IgA autoantibodies target pulmonary surfactant in patients with severe COVID-19
2021-02-05

ABSTRACT Complications affecting the lung are hallmarks of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While there is evidence for autoimmunity in severe COVID-19, the exact mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we established a prospective observational cohort to study lung specific autoantibodies (auto-Abs). Incubation of plasma from severe COVID-19 patients with healthy human lung tissue revealed the presence of IgA antibodies binding to surfactant-producing pneumocytes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and protein pull-downs using porcine surfactant confirmed the presence of auto-Abs binding to surfactant proteins in severe COVID-19 patients. Mass spectrometry and ELISAs with recombinant proteins identified IgA auto-Abs that target human surfactant proteins B and C. In line with these findings, lungs of deceased COVID-19 patients showed reduced pulmonary surfactant. Our data suggest that IgA-driven autoimmunity against surfactant may result in disease progression of COVID-19.
Negativity about Europe: Does it propel parties’ media visibility?
2021-02-05

Abstract In recent decades, the prevalence of negative communication has intensified across the world. In this article, we seek to understand the mechanisms that spread negativity about a unified Europe. We study the specific conditions under which negative party communication boosts media visibility, focusing on the role of country-specific party conflicts on European Union (EU) integration. Our analysis is based on content analysis data of parties’ press releases and media coverage in the 12 weeks preceding the 2014 European Parliamentary elections in seven countries (Austria, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal, and the United Kingdom). We find that EU-negative party communication by and large does not matter for party visibility in the media, though the results provide scant evidence that cross-national differences relate to a country’s party conflict.
Estimating the risk of outbreaks of COVID-19 associated with shore leave by merchant ship crews: simulation studies for New Zealand.
2021-02-05

This modelling work suggests that the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 through shore leave from international shipping crews is likely, even after long voyages. But the risk can be substantially mitigated by control measures such as PCR testing and mask use.
Estimation of the SARS-CoV-2 infection fatality rate in Germany
2021-02-05

Abstract Assessing the infection fatality rate (IFR) of SARS-CoV-2 is one of the most controversial issues during the pandemic. Due to asymptomatic or mild courses of COVID-19, many infections remain undetected. Reported case fatality rates - COVID-19-associated deaths divided by number of detected infections - are therefore poor estimates of the IFR. Endogenous changes of the population at risk of a SARS-CoV-2 infection, changing test practices and an improved understanding of the pathogenesis of COVID-19 further exacerbate the estimation of the IFR. Here, we propose a strategy to estimate the IFR of SARS-CoV-2 in Germany that combines official data on reported cases and fatalities supplied by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) with data from seroepidemiological studies in two infection hotspots, the Austrian town Ischgl and the German municipality Gangelt, respectively. For this purpose, we use the law of total probability to derive an approximate formula for the IFR that is based on a set of assumptions regarding data quality and test specificity and sensitivity. The resulting estimate of the IFR in Germany of 0.83% (95% CI: [0.69%; 0.98%]) that is based on a combination of the RKI and Ischgl data is notably higher than the IFR estimate reported in the Gangelt study (0.36% [0.29%; 0.45%]). It is closer to the consolidated estimate based on a meta-analysis (0.68% [0.53%; 0.82%]), where the difference can be explained by Germany's disadvantageous age structure. As a result of virus mutations, vaccination strategies, and improved therapy, a re-estimation of the IFR will eventually be mandated; the proposed method is able to account for such developments.
Sample data for the paper: Extending the CMDI Universe: Metadata for Bioinformatics Data by Olaf Brandt, Holger Gauza, Steve Kaminski, Mario Trojan, Thorsten Trippel and Johannes Werner submitted to CLARIN2020 Post-Conference Proceedings
2021-02-05

This data set contains the sample data referenced in the paper: Extending the CMDI Universe: Metadata for Bioinformatics Data by Olaf Brandt, Holger Gauza, Steve Kaminski, Mario Trojan, Thorsten Trippel and Johannes Werner submitted to CLARIN2020 Post-Conference Proceedings. It contains the two XSchemas mentioned and one sample data set.
The Mutation Matters: CSF Profiles of GCase, Sphingolipids, α‐Synuclein in PDGBA
2021-02-06

ABSTRACT Background With pathway‐specific trials in PD associated with variants in the glucocerebrosidase gene (PD GBA ) under way, we need markers that confirm the impact of genetic variants in patient‐derived biofluids in order to allow patient stratification merely based on genetics and that might serve as biochemical read‐out for target engagement. Objective To explore GBA‐pathway‐specific biomarker profiles cross‐sectionally (TUEPAC‐MIGAP, PPMI) and longitudinally (PPMI). Methods We measured enzyme activity of the lysosomal glucocerebrosidase, CSF levels of glucosylceramides (upstream substrate of glucocerebrosidase), CSF levels of ceramides (downstream product of glucocerebrosidase), lactosylceramides, sphingosines, sphingomyelin (by‐products) and CSF levels of total α‐synuclein in PD GBA patients compared to PD GBA_wildtype patients. Results Cross‐sectionally in both cohorts and longitudinally in PPMI: (1) glucocerebrosidase activity was significantly lower in PD GBA compared to PD GBA_wildtype . (2) CSF levels of upstream substrates (glucosylceramides species) were higher in PD GBA compared to PD GBA_wildtype . (3) CSF levels of total α‐synuclein were lower in PD GBA compared to PD GBA_wildtype . All of these findings were most pronounced in PD GBA with severe mutations (PD GBA_severe ). Cross‐sectionally in TUEPAC‐MIGAP and longitudinally in PPMI, CSF levels of downstream‐products (ceramides) were higher in PD GBA_severe . Cross‐sectionally in TUEPAC‐MIGAP by‐products sphinganine and sphingosine‐1‐phosphate and longitudinally in PPMI species of by‐products lactosylceramides and sphingomyelin were higher in PD GBA_severe . Interpretation These findings confirm that GBA mutations have a relevant functional impact on biomarker profiles in patients. Bridging the gap between genetics and biochemical profiles now allows patient stratification for clinical trials merely based on mutation status. Importantly, all findings were most prominent in PD GBA with severe variants. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society