julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Nostalgia and Propaganda in Picturebooks about German History
2024-12-31

This paper investigates the multiple dimensions of picturebooks about flight by analysing six picturebooks that focus on Germany as a place or destination of flight. First, a general script of flight is developed to pinpoint the textual and visual strategies in relation to key issues associated with flight. Second, the paper elaborates on nostalgia as a prominent feature of certain picturebooks on flight. Finally, the paper investigates the procedures employed by picturebook makers to appeal to the readers’ empathy to the extent of using propaganda messages. With respect to the selected picturebooks, three refugee movements can be discerned: flight from the National Socialist dictatorship, refugee movements in the postwar years from Eastern Europe to Germany, and escape from East Germany to West Germany after the erection of the Berlin Wall in 1961. Against this backdrop, the paper demonstrates how the interplay of nostalgia and propaganda in these picturebooks is calibrated.
TIPPo: A User-Friendly Tool for De Novo Assembly of Organellar Genomes with High-Fidelity Data
2025-01-01

Abstract Plant cells have two major organelles with their own genomes: chloroplasts and mitochondria. While chloroplast genomes tend to be structurally conserved, the mitochondrial genomes of plants, which are much larger than those of animals, are characterized by complex structural variation. We introduce TIPPo, a user-friendly, reference-free assembly tool that uses PacBio high-fidelity long-read data and that does not rely on genomes from related species or nuclear genome information for the assembly of organellar genomes. TIPPo employs a deep learning model for initial read classification and leverages k-mer counting for further refinement, significantly reducing the impact of nuclear insertions of organellar DNA on the assembly process. We used TIPPo to completely assemble a set of 54 complete chloroplast genomes. No other tool was able to completely assemble this set. TIPPo is comparable with PMAT in assembling mitochondrial genomes from most species but does achieve even higher completeness for several species. We also used the assembled organelle genomes to identify instances of nuclear plastid DNA (NUPTs) and nuclear mitochondrial DNA (NUMTs) insertions. The cumulative length of NUPTs/NUMTs positively correlates with the size of the nuclear genome, suggesting that insertions occur stochastically. NUPTs/NUMTs show predominantly C:G to T:A changes, with the mutated cytosines typically found in CG and CHG contexts, suggesting that degradation of NUPT and NUMT sequences is driven by the known elevated mutation rate of methylated cytosines. Small interfering RNA loci are enriched in NUPTs and NUMTs, consistent with the RdDM pathway mediating DNA methylation in these sequences.
Toward industrial C8 production: oxygen intrusion drives renewable n-caprylate production from ethanol and acetate via intermediate metabolite production
2025-01-01

A simplified open culture chain elongation process with ethanol and acetate to produce renewable n -caprylate without adding yeast extract showed a trophic hierarchy between aerobic, facultative anaerobic, and fully anaerobic microbial species.
Deep Learning Superresolution for Simultaneous Multislice Parallel Imaging–Accelerated Knee MRI Using Arthroscopy Validation
2025-01-01

Deep learning superresolution simultaneous multislice parallel imaging–accelerated knee MRI provided excellent image quality and improved diagnostic performance for articular cartilage defects while maintaining performance for meniscus and ligament tears.
ERK activation waves coordinate mechanical cell competition leading to collective elimination via extrusion of bacterially infected cells
2025-01-01

Epithelial cells respond to infection with the intracellular bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes by altering their mechanics to promote collective infected cell extrusion (CICE) and limit infection spread across cell monolayers. However, the underlying biochemical pathways remain elusive. Here, using in vitro (epithelial monolayers) and in vivo (zebrafish larvae) models of infection with L. monocytogenes or Shigella flexneri, we explored the role of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity waves in coordinating the mechanical battle between infected and surrounder uninfected cells that leads to CICE. We discovered that when ERK waves are suppressed, cells fail to exhibit alterations in cell shape and kinematics associated with CICE and behave more like quiescent uninfected monolayers. In particular, uninfected cells surrounding infection foci are unable to polarize, reinforce their monolayer stresses, and promote CICE. Our findings reveal that crosstalk between ERK waves and cell mechanics is key to collective elimination of large domains of infected cells.
Antarctic bacterial natural products: from genomic insights to drug discovery
2025-01-01

The article highlights the available data on Antarctic bacteria, their biosynthetic potential, and the successful NP discoveries while addressing the challenges in NP research and advocating for systematic, collaborative research in Antarctica.
Prognostic factors in patients with localized and metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. A report from two studies and two registries of the Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe CWS
2025-01-01

Abstract Background The histologic classification of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) as alveolar (aRMS) or embryonal (eRMS) is of prognostic importance, with the aRMS being associated with a worse outcome. Specific gene fusions ( PAX3/7 :: FOXO1 ) found in the majority of aRMS have been recognized as markers associated with poor prognosis and are included in current risk stratification instead of histologic subtypes in localized disease. In metastatic disease, the independent prognostic significance of fusion status has not been definitively established. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate survival outcomes of patients with localized and metastatic aRMS and its association with fusion status and subtype ( PAX3/7 :: FOXO1 , FOXO1 break), and clinical prognostic factors. Methods A total of 470 patients with aRMS ≤21 years of age enrolled in two CWS‐trials and two registries was eligible for the analysis. Results The 5‐year event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) rates for all patients with localized vs. metastatic tumors were: 56% and 65% vs. 18% and 22%, respectively. Of the 368 (78%) tumors tested, specific fusion was found in 330 (90%), considered “fusion positive” FP ( PAX3 :: FOXO1 in 280, PAX7 :: FOXO1 in 49, FOXO1 break in 59 tumors). In patients with localized tumors, univariate analysis revealed that clinical group, tumor invasiveness (T1 vs.T2), regional lymph node involvement (N0 vs. N1) and FOXO1 fusion were significantly associated with EFS and OS, tumor size and PAX variant with OS only. In patients with metastatic aRMS, age, bone/marrow (B/BM) metastases, FOXO1 fusion and PAX variant were associated with EFS and OS, T status with OS only. Multivariate analysis identified PAX3 :: FOXO1 fusion as an independent adverse prognostic factor for EFS in patients with localized disease and for EFS and OS in patients with metastatic disease, B/BM metastases for EFS. Conclusion PAX3 :: FOXO1 fusion should replace FOXO1 fusion as an adverse prognostic factor in risk stratification. The prognostic relevance of PAX7 :: FOXO1 ‐positive and FOXO1 fusion negative aRMS, along with the clinical factors described in this report, allows further refinement of risk assessment of patients with localized and metastatic aRMS.
Flexible mechano-optical sensors from mechanoluminescence to mechanoplasmonics: designs, applications, and prospects
2025-01-01

This review summarizes the mechanisms, developments, and applications of flexible mechano-optical sensors using mechanoluminescence and mechanoplasmonics for robust sensing applications, while addressing challenges and prospects for their integration.
The role of exploration and exploitation in primate communication
2025-01-01

The concepts of social learning and exploration have been central to debates in comparative cognition research. While their roles in the origins of human cumulative culture on the one hand and creativity on the other have been highlighted, the two concepts have mostly been studied separately. In this article, we examine the relationship between adopting similar or different behaviours within a group, focusing on how exploration and exploitation shape primate communication systems. Using a comparative approach, we discuss how similarity and differentiation of communicative behaviour can be viewed as two endpoints on a continuum, impacting both individual- and group-level behavioural variation. While group-level variation is evident in some ape behaviours (e.g. foraging traditions), individual variation in communicative behaviour appears to outweigh group-level differences, making a widespread communicative culture in apes unlikely. Drawing parallels to language acquisition in human infants, we propose that ape communication follows an exploration–exploitation trajectory, with initial exploration gradually giving way to focused exploitation of genetically predisposed and/or individually developed communicative repertoires. By integrating the individual and social learning processes underlying communicative behaviour, we can gain a deeper understanding of how exploration–exploitation tensions shape communication systems across species.
Flotillins in membrane trafficking and physiopathology
2025-01-01

Abstract Flotillin 1 and 2 are highly conserved and homologous members of the stomatin, prohibitin, flotillin, HflK/C (SPFH) family. These ubiquitous proteins assemble into hetero‐oligomers at the cytoplasmic membrane in sphingolipid‐enriched domains. Flotillins play crucial roles in various cellular processes, likely by concentrating sphingosine. They primarily act as scaffolding protein complexes within membrane microdomains (also called lipid rafts) and induce endocytosis and trafficking. Their diverse cargos in the upregulated flotillin–induced trafficking (UFIT) pathway, including tyrosine kinase receptors, adhesion molecules, and neurotransmitter receptors, link them to a wide range of cellular processes and diseases. Consequently, flotillin upregulation has been associated with various pathological conditions such as cancer, metabolic disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. Flotillins may also be co‐opted by pathogens to facilitate their entry and growth within host cells. In this review, we examined recent advancements in elucidating the structure and functions of the flotillin protein complex, including its implications in favoring the generation of sphingosine 1‐phosphate, an essential bioactive lipid. We emphasized how the recent cryo‐electron microscopy (cryo‐EM) structure of a truncated cone‐shaped cage composed of 22 copies of flotillin 1 and 2 subunits has enhanced our understanding of the flotillin complex organization within membrane microdomains and its role in membrane remodeling. We also explored how flotillin upregulation can perturb endosomal trafficking and contribute to various pathologies. A comprehensive understanding of flotillin oligomer organization and function is crucial to developing targeted therapies for diseases associated with flotillin overexpression.
Volitional spatial attention is lateralized in crows
2025-01-01

Like humans and many other animal species, birds exhibit left–right asymmetries in certain behaviours due to differences in hemispheric brain functions. While the lateralization of sensory and motor functions is well established in birds, the potential lateralization of high-level executive control functions, such as volitional attention, remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that carrion crows exhibit more pronounced volitional (endogenous) attention for stimuli monocularly viewed with the left eye and thus in the left visual hemifield. We trained four crows on Posner-like spatial cueing tasks using informative cues to evaluate their volitional top-down attention. The crows detected cued targets using either the left or right eye. As a measure of volitional attention, we calculated reaction time differences for detecting targets that were correctly (validly) and incorrectly (invalidly) cued, separately for the left and right visual hemifields. We found that cued targets were detected more quickly and efficiently in the left visual field compared with the right visual field. Because the left-eye system of the crow’s brain processes information primarily from the left visual hemifield, these findings suggest that crows, like humans, exhibit superior executive control of attention in the left-eye/right hemisphere system of their brains.
Altered food liking in depression is driven by macronutrient composition
2025-01-01

Abstract Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by changes in appetite and body weight as well as blunted reward sensitivity (‘anhedonia’). However, it is not well understood which mechanisms are driving changes in reward sensitivity, specifically regarding food. Here, we used a sample of 117 participants (54 patients with MDD and 63 healthy control participants [HCPs]) who completed a food cue reactivity task with ratings of wanting and liking for 60 food and 20 non-food items. To evaluate which components of the food may contribute to altered ratings in depression, we tested for associations with macronutrients of the depicted items. In line with previous studies, we found reduced ratings of food wanting ( p = .003) but not liking ( p = .23) in patients with MDD compared to matched HCPs. Adding macronutrient composition to the models of wanting and liking substantially improved their fit ( p s &lt; .001). Compared to carbohydrate-rich foods, patients with MDD reported lower liking and wanting ratings for high-fat and high-protein foods. Moreover, patients with MDD showed weaker correlations in their preferences for carbohydrate- versus fat- or protein-rich foods ( p s &lt; .001), pointing to potential disturbances in metabolic signaling. To conclude, our results suggest that depression-related alterations in food reward ratings are more specific to the macronutrient composition of the food than previously anticipated, hinting at disturbances in gut–brain signaling. These findings raise the intriguing question of whether interventions targeting the gut could help normalize aberrant reward signals for foods rich in fat or protein.
AMIGOS-3 multi-sensor stations and the climate, ice and ocean conditions at Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf during 2020–22
2025-01-01

Abstract The Automated Meteorology—Ice—Geophysics Observation System 3 (AMIGOS-3) is a multi-sensor on-ice ocean mooring and weather, camera and precision GPS measurement station, controlled by a Python script. The station is designed to be deployed on floating ice in the polar regions and operate unattended for up to several years. Ocean mooring sensors (SeaBird MicroCAT and Nortek Aquadopp) record conductivity, temperature and depth (reported at 10 min intervals), and current velocity (hourly intervals). A Silixa XT fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing system provides a temperature profile time-series through the ice and ocean column with a cadence of 6 d −1 to 1 week −1 depending on available station power. A subset of the station data is telemetered by Iridium modem. Two-way communication, using both single-burst data and file transfer protocols, facilitates station data collection changes and power management. Power is supplied by solar panels and a sealed lead-acid battery system. Two AMIGOS-3 systems were installed on the Thwaites Eastern Ice Shelf in January 2020, providing data well into 2022. We discuss the components of the system and present several of the data sets, summarizing observed climate, ice and ocean conditions.
Interactions of Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells and Dopaminergic Neurons in the Mouse Substantia Nigra
2025-01-01

ABSTRACT Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disease caused by the death of dopaminergic neurons within the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) region of the midbrain. Recent genomic and single cell sequencing data identified oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) to confer genetic risk in PD, but their biological role is unknown. Although SNpc dopaminergic neurons are scarcely or thinly myelinated, there is a gap in the knowledge concerning the physiological interactions between dopaminergic neurons and oligodendroglia. We sought to investigate the distribution of OPCs with regard to the myelination state in the mouse substantia nigra (SN) by high‐resolution imaging to provide a morphological assessment of OPC‐dopaminergic neuron interactions and quantification of cell numbers across different age groups. OPCs are evenly distributed in the midbrain throughout the lifespan and they physically interact with both the soma and axons of dopaminergic neurons. The presence of OPCs and their interaction with dopaminergic neurons does not correlate with the distribution of myelin. Myelination is sparse in the SNpc, including dopaminergic fibers originating from the SNpc and projecting through the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNpr). We report that OPCs and dopaminergic neurons exist in a 1:1 ratio in the SNpc, with OPCs accounting for 15%–16% of all cells in the region across all age groups. This description of OPC‐dopaminergic neuron interaction in the midbrain provides a first look at their longitudinal distribution in mice, suggesting additional functions of OPCs beyond their differentiation into myelinating oligodendrocytes. image
Functional Brain Networks Underlying Autobiographical Event Simulation: An Update
2025-01-01

Abstract fMRI studies typically explore changes in the BOLD signal underlying discrete cognitive processes that occur over milliseconds to a few seconds. However, autobiographical cognition is a protracted process and requires fMRI tasks with longer trials to capture the temporal dynamics of the underlying brain networks. In the current study, we provided an updated analysis of the fMRI data obtained from a published autobiographical event simulation study, with a slow event-related design (34-sec trials), that involved participants recalling past, imagining past, and imagining future autobiographical events, as well as completing a semantic association control task. Our updated analysis using Constrained Principal Component Analysis for fMRI retrieved two networks reported in the original study: (1) the Default Mode Network, which activated during the autobiographical event simulation conditions but deactivated during the control condition, and (2) the Multiple Demand Network, which activated early in all conditions during the construction of the required representations (i.e., autobiographical events or semantic associates). Two novel networks also emerged: (1) the Response Network, which activated during the scale-rating phase, and (2) the Maintaining Internal Attention Network, which, while active in all conditions during the elaboration of details associated with the simulated events, was more strongly engaged during the imagination and semantic association control conditions. Our findings suggest that the Default Mode Network does not support autobiographical simulation alone, but it co-activates with the Multiple Demand Network and Maintaining Internal Attention Network, with the timing of activations depending on evolving task demands during the simulation process.
The true atomistic structure of a disordered crystal: a computational study on the photon upconverting material β-NaYF4 and its Er3+-, Tm3+-, and Yb3+-doped derivates
2025-01-01

True atomic positions were determined for β-NaYF 4 (:Ln 3+ ) using density functional theory. The arrangement of the F − ions closest to doping sites is strongly affected by the occupation of disordered sites reducing their effective point group to C 1 .
Impact of Constructive Narratives About Climate Change on Learned Helplessness and Motivation to Engage in Climate Action
2025-01-01

Currently, news is dominated by the negative impacts of climate change rather than by solutions. Based on previous research, we propose that the standard way of reporting (problem-focused) leads to learned helplessness and decreases motivation to engage in climate action. On the other hand, using constructive narratives (solution-focused) should decrease helplessness and increase motivation to engage in climate action. We thus conducted an experiment with N = 1,359 participants (quota-based sample of the German population). Results showed that reading constructive narratives significantly decreased participants’ helplessness ratings. On the other hand, standard narratives increased climate change attitudes. Furthermore, mediation analysis hinted toward a relationship between a decrease in helplessness and higher motivation to act. As constructive narratives effectively reduced helplessness and reduced helplessness, in turn, was related to higher motivation to act, they could support climate change mitigation by increasing climate action and thereby become a powerful tool within climate change communication.
Perilla frutescens Leaf-Derived Extracellular Vesicle-Like Particles Carry Pab-miR-396a-5p to Alleviate Psoriasis by Modulating IL-17 Signaling
2025-01-01

Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disorder, remains challenging to treat due to poor skin barrier penetration, limited efficacy, and adverse effects of current therapies. Natural plant-derived extracellular vesicle-like particles (EVPs) have emerged as biocompatible carriers for bioactive molecules. Among various medicinal plants screened, Perilla frutescens leaf-derived EVPs (PLEVPs) exhibited strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. By incorporating PLEVPs into a hydrogel formulation, we enhanced their stability, retention at psoriatic lesions, and transdermal delivery efficiency. In vivo studies demonstrated that the PLEVPs markedly alleviated psoriasis symptoms in both preventive and therapeutic mouse models, outperforming conventional treatments. This effect was attributed to reduced oxidative stress, modulation of Treg cells, and promotion of keratinocyte apoptosis. Transcriptomic analysis revealed enrichment of the interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling pathway, a major driver of psoriasis, while small RNA sequencing identified pab-miR396a-5p, an endogenous microRNA (miRNA) within PLEVPs, as a key regulator. Mechanistic studies showed that pab-miR396a-5p targets the 3′-untranslated region of plant heat shock protein 83a, a homolog of mammalian heat shock protein 90, leading to the suppression of nuclear factor-kappa B and Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription signaling, inhibiting the IL-17 signaling pathway. Validation using lipid nanoparticles encapsulating pab-miR396a-5p mimics confirmed comparable therapeutic effects. This study highlights the potential of plant-derived EVPs as carriers of endogenous miRNAs, enabling interkingdom communication and offering a scalable platform for psoriasis therapy.