julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Metabolic Patterns in Chronic Multiple Sclerosis Lesions and Normal-appearing White Matter: Intraindividual Comparison by Using 2D MR Spectroscopic Imaging
2016-05-31

Purpose To perform a direct metabolic comparison of chronic lesions and diffusely injured normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) in multiple sclerosis (MS). Materials and Methods In this institutional review board-approved study, with the written informed consent of all patients, two-dimensional magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging data in 46 patients with relapsing-remitting MS (median disease duration, 0.8 year) were analyzed by using the spectral quantification tool LCModel. Metabolic patterns were evaluated for non-gadolinium-enhancing chronic lesions and the corresponding contralateral NAWM. The sensitivity of the method was assessed by reproducing the known metabolic differences between cortical gray matter (GM) and NAWM. In addition to individual spectra, averaged spectra were calculated by accumulating free induction decays over all subjects to yield an increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and in turn, to allow improved curve fitting as demonstrated by lower error bounds for low-concentration metabolites. Metabolite concentrations were statistically tested for intraindividual differences (paired t tests) to avoid effects resulting from variations in disease severity or treatment. Results Differences between the metabolite concentrations in the NAWM and the cortical GM were highly significant (P < .001), demonstrating the reliability of the spectral analysis used here. The spectral patterns of the individual and averaged spectra of chronic lesions and NAWM were qualitatively very similar at visual inspection. Furthermore, in the quantitative comparison, the estimated metabolite concentrations showed only slight differences (P > .07). Owing to increased SNRs in the averaged spectra compared with individual spectra (eg, for chronic lesions, 63 vs 28.4 ± 4.1), it was possible to reliably (Cramér-Rao lower bound [CRLB], <20%) estimate scyllo-inositol levels with a CRLB of 14%. Conclusion These findings revealed that NAWM exhibits the same metabolic changes as chronic white matter lesions, even very early in the disease course, further supporting the view that such lesions may not be as relevant as widely assumed. <sup>©</sup> RSNA, 2016.
Improved CT Imaging for Mastoid Emissary Vein Visualization Prior to Posterior Fossa Approaches
2016-05-31

<b>Background</b> The clinical relevance of emissary veins (EVs) is often neglected. However, for posterior fossa approaches, especially in semisitting positions, these transosseous connections become potentially life threatening. Therefore, knowledge of the presence and configuration of EVs is essential in preoperative planning. We report on the use of preoperative computed tomography (CT) imaging techniques to visualize EVs reliably. <b>Methods</b> A total of 100 consecutive patients were evaluated by helical CT in bone window mode reconstructed using the standard technique (4.5-mm slices) and the high-resolution technique (1 mm) for the posterior fossa. The presence and size of the EVs, their entry point in the sigmoid sinus, their predilection site, and their visibility using either CT technique were evaluated. Statistical analyses included a comparison of the data from both sides of the head. <b>Results</b> We noted impressive anatomical variations (high standard deviations) in the number, size, and intraosseous length of the EVs among the study population and between the sides (right and left) of an individual patient; however, no statistical significance was observed for any of these parameters. The detection rate of EVs in thin-slice CT scans versus standard CT scans is significantly different (<i>p</i> = 0.0001 on both sides). <b>Conclusions</b> Thin-slice CT is essential in the preoperative planning of posterior fossa approaches to identify the presence and the course of EVs, reducing preventable approach-related morbidity during surgery.
Viagra releases the brakes on melanoma growth
2016-05-31

Use of the phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) blocker sildenafil (Viagra) has been linked to an increased risk of melanoma. In a recent study we discovered a growth-promoting cGMP pathway in melanoma cells. cGMP degradation via PDE5 acts as a brake on this pathway. Inhibition of PDE5 releases this brake, providing a mechanism for the promelanoma effects of sildenafil.
Human dignity and education – A Protestant view
2016-05-31

Taking current discussions on the relationship between human dignity as a human right and education as his starting point the author pursues the possibility of interpreting this relationship from a Protestant perspective based on the biblical understanding of the likeness of God. Since this understanding has not been at the centre of the majority view in Protestant educational thinking the author tries to uncover a minority tradition that has made the likeness of God the basis of education (Melanchthon, Comenius, and others). In another step, the author describes four foundational perspectives for making the likeness of God and human dignity the basis for education today, addressing education beyond utilitarianism, justice in education and education for justice, interreligious education and special commitment to children’s rights. In all four respects Protestantism can make important contributions but there is also a need for the renewal of Protestantism’s understanding of education in light of future challenges.
Erratum for Laufer et al., Coexistence of Microaerophilic, Nitrate-Reducing, and Phototrophic Fe(II) Oxidizers and Fe(III) Reducers in Coastal Marine Sediment
2016-05-31

Volume 82, no. 5, p. 1433–1447, 2016. Page 1436, column 2, lines 51–52: “accession numbers LN986435 to LN986485” should be “accession numbers [LN896435][1] to [LN896485][2].” Supplemental material, Table S2: Accession numbers LN986435 to LN986485 should be [LN896435][1] to [LN896485][2
Image Style Transfer Using Convolutional Neural Networks
2016-06-01

Rendering the semantic content of an image in different styles is a difficult image processing task. Arguably, a major limiting factor for previous approaches has been the lack of image representations that explicitly represent semantic information and, thus, allow to separate image content from style. Here we use image representations derived from Convolutional Neural Networks optimised for object recognition, which make high level image information explicit. We introduce A Neural Algorithm of Artistic Style that can separate and recombine the image content and style of natural images. The algorithm allows us to produce new images of high perceptual quality that combine the content of an arbitrary photograph with the appearance of numerous wellknown artworks. Our results provide new insights into the deep image representations learned by Convolutional Neural Networks and demonstrate their potential for high level image synthesis and manipulation.
Crucial Role of Vitamin D in the Musculoskeletal System
2016-06-01

Vitamin D is well known to exert multiple functions in bone biology, autoimmune diseases, cell growth, inflammation or neuromuscular and other immune functions. It is a fat-soluble vitamin present in many foods. It can be endogenously produced by ultraviolet rays from sunlight when the skin is exposed to initiate vitamin D synthesis. However, since vitamin D is biologically inert when obtained from sun exposure or diet, it must first be activated in human beings before functioning. The kidney and the liver play here a crucial role by hydroxylation of vitamin D to 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the liver and to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in the kidney. In the past decades, it has been proven that vitamin D deficiency is involved in many diseases. Due to vitamin D’s central role in the musculoskeletal system and consequently the strong negative impact on bone health in cases of vitamin D deficiency, our aim was to underline its importance in bone physiology by summarizing recent findings on the correlation of vitamin D status and rickets, osteomalacia, osteopenia, primary and secondary osteoporosis as well as sarcopenia and musculoskeletal pain. While these diseases all positively correlate with a vitamin D deficiency, there is a great controversy regarding the appropriate vitamin D supplementation as both positive and negative effects on bone mineral density, musculoskeletal pain and incidence of falls are reported.
Probabilistic pragmatics, or why Bayes’ rule is probably important for pragmatics
2016-06-01

Abstract Probabilistic pragmatics aspires to explain certain regularities of language use and interpretation as behavior of speakers and listeners who want to satisfy their conversational interests in a context that may contain a substantial amount of uncertainty. This approach differs substantially from more familiar approaches in theoretical pragmatics. To set it apart, we here work out some of its key distinguishing features and show, by way of some simple examples, how probabilistic pragmatics instantiates these.
Temporal patterns of damage and decay kinetics of DNA retrieved from plant herbarium specimens
2016-06-01

Herbaria archive a record of changes of worldwide plant biodiversity harbouring millions of specimens that contain DNA suitable for genome sequencing. To profit from this resource, it is fundamental to understand in detail the process of DNA degradation in herbarium specimens. We investigated patterns of DNA fragmentation and nucleotide misincorporation by analysing 86 herbarium samples spanning the last 300 years using Illumina shotgun sequencing. We found an exponential decay relationship between DNA fragmentation and time, and estimated a per nucleotide fragmentation rate of 1.66 × 10 −4 per year, which is six times faster than the rate estimated for ancient bones. Additionally, we found that strand breaks occur specially before purines, and that depurination-driven DNA breakage occurs constantly through time and can to a great extent explain decreasing fragment length over time. Similar to what has been found analysing ancient DNA from bones, we found a strong correlation between the deamination-driven accumulation of cytosine to thymine substitutions and time, which reinforces the importance of substitution patterns to authenticate the ancient/historical nature of DNA fragments. Accurate estimations of DNA degradation through time will allow informed decisions about laboratory and computational procedures to take advantage of the vast collection of worldwide herbarium specimens.
Young adolescent girls are at high risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa: an observational multicountry study
2016-06-01

Objectives One of Africa's most important challenges is to improve maternal and neonatal health. The identification of groups at highest risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes is important for developing and implementing targeted prevention programmes. This study assessed whether young adolescent girls constitute a group at increased risk for adverse birth outcomes among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa. Setting Data were collected prospectively as part of a large randomised controlled clinical trial evaluating intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy ( NCT00811421 —Clinical Trials.gov), conducted between September 2009 and December 2013 in Benin, Gabon, Mozambique and Tanzania. Participants Of 4749 participants, pregnancy outcomes were collected for 4388 deliveries with 4183 live births including 83 multiple gestations. Of 4100 mothers with a singleton live birth delivery, 24% (975/4100) were adolescents (≤19 years of age) and 6% (248/4100) were aged ≤16 years. Primary and secondary outcome measures Primary outcomes of this predefined analysis were preterm delivery and low birth weight. Results The overall prevalence of low birthweight infants and preterm delivery was 10% (371/3851) and 4% (159/3862), respectively. Mothers aged ≤16 years showed higher risk for the delivery of a low birthweight infant (OR: 1.96; 95% CI 1.35 to 2.83). Similarly, preterm delivery was associated with young maternal age (≤16 years; OR: 2.62; 95% CI 1.59 to 4.30). In a subanalysis restricted to primiparous women: preterm delivery, OR 4.28; 95% CI 2.05 to 8.93; low birth weight, OR: 1.29; 95% CI 0.82 to 2.01. Conclusions Young maternal age increases the risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes and it is a stronger predictor for low birth weight and preterm delivery than other established risk factors in sub-Saharan Africa. This finding highlights the need to improve adolescent reproductive health in sub-Saharan Africa. Trial registration number NCT00811421; Post-results.
Efficient Large-Scale Approximate Nearest Neighbor Search on the GPU
2016-06-01

We present a new approach for efficient approximate nearest neighbor (ANN)\\nsearch in high dimensional spaces, extending the idea of Product Quantization.\\nWe propose a two-level product and vector quantization tree that reduces the\\nnumber of vector comparisons required during tree traversal. Our approach also\\nincludes a novel highly parallelizable re-ranking method for candidate vectors\\nby efficiently reusing already computed intermediate values. Due to its small\\nmemory footprint during traversal, the method lends itself to an efficient,\\nparallel GPU implementation. This Product Quantization Tree (PQT) approach\\nsignificantly outperforms recent state of the art methods for high dimensional\\nnearest neighbor queries on standard reference datasets. Ours is the first work\\nthat demonstrates GPU performance superior to CPU performance on high\\ndimensional, large scale ANN problems in time-critical real-world applications,\\nlike loop-closing in videos.\\n
Quality Assessment of Urinary Stone Analysis: Results of a Multicenter Study of Laboratories in Europe
2016-06-01

After stone removal, accurate analysis of urinary stone composition is the most crucial laboratory diagnostic procedure for the treatment and recurrence prevention in the stone-forming patient. The most common techniques for routine analysis of stones are infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and chemical analysis. The aim of the present study was to assess the quality of urinary stone analysis of laboratories in Europe. Nine laboratories from eight European countries participated in six quality control surveys for urinary calculi analyses of the Reference Institute for Bioanalytics, Bonn, Germany, between 2010 and 2014. Each participant received the same blinded test samples for stone analysis. A total of 24 samples, comprising pure substances and mixtures of two or three components, were analysed. The evaluation of the quality of the laboratory in the present study was based on the attainment of 75% of the maximum total points, i.e. 99 points. The methods of stone analysis used were infrared spectroscopy (n = 7), chemical analysis (n = 1) and X-ray diffraction (n = 1). In the present study only 56% of the laboratories, four using infrared spectroscopy and one using X-ray diffraction, fulfilled the quality requirements. According to the current standard, chemical analysis is considered to be insufficient for stone analysis, whereas infrared spectroscopy or X-ray diffraction is mandatory. However, the poor results of infrared spectroscopy highlight the importance of equipment, reference spectra and qualification of the staff for an accurate analysis of stone composition. Regular quality control is essential in carrying out routine stone analysis.
Developmental changes of cognitive vocal control in monkeys
2016-06-01

ABSTRACT The evolutionary origins of human language are obscured by the scarcity of essential linguistic characteristics in non-human primate communication systems. Volitional control of vocal utterances is one such indispensable feature of language. We investigated the ability of two monkeys to volitionally utter species-specific calls over many years. Both monkeys reliably vocalized on command during juvenile periods, but discontinued this controlled vocal behavior in adulthood. This emerging disability was confined to volitional vocal production, as the monkeys continued to vocalize spontaneously. In addition, they continued to use hand movements as instructed responses during adulthood. This greater vocal flexibility of monkeys early in ontogeny supports the neoteny hypothesis in human evolution. This suggests that linguistic capabilities were enabled via an expansion of the juvenile period during the development of humans.
On a class of nonlocal wave equations from applications
2016-06-01

We study equations from the area of peridynamics, which is a nonlocal extension of elasticity. The governing equations form a system of nonlocal wave equations. We take a novel approach by applying operator theory methods in a systematic way. On the unbounded domain Rn, we present three main results. As main result 1, we find that the governing operator is a bounded function of the governing operator of classical elasticity. As main result 2, a consequence of main result 1, we prove that the peridynamic solutions strongly converge to the classical solutions by utilizing, for the first time, strong resolvent convergence. In addition, main result 1 allows us to incorporate local boundary conditions, in particular, into peridynamics. This avenue of research is developed in companion papers, providing a remedy for boundary effects. As main result 3, employing spherical Bessel functions, we give a new practical series representation of the solution which allows straightforward numerical treatment with symbolic computation.
Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, impaired glucose metabolism, and bipolar disorder course
2016-06-01

Objectives The neurotrophin brain‐derived neurotrophic factor ( BDNF ) has been proposed as a potential biomarker in bipolar disorder ( BD ). However, current evidence is limited and results have been highly heterogeneous. This study aimed to assess the moderating effect of impaired glucose metabolism ( IGM ) on plasma levels of BDNF in individuals with BD , and on the relationship between BDNF and variables of illness course. Methods We measured and compared the plasma levels of BDNF in individuals with BD (n=57) and healthy controls (n=26). IGM was operationalized as pre‐diabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus. Information related to current and past psychiatric/medical history, as well as prescription of pharmacological treatments was also captured. Results Individuals with BD had lower levels of BDNF , relative to healthy controls, after adjustment for age, gender, current medications, smoking, alcohol use, and IGM ( P =.046). There was no effect of IGM ( P =.860) and no interaction between BD diagnosis and IGM ( P =.893). Peripheral BDNF levels were positively correlated with lifetime depressive episodes ( P &lt;.001), psychiatric hospitalizations ( P =.001) and suicide attempts ( P =.021). IGM moderated the association between BDNF and the number of previous mood episodes ( P &lt;.001), wherein there was a positive correlation in euglycemic participants and a negative correlation in individuals with IGM . Conclusions BD is independently associated with lower levels of BDNF ; IGM may modify the relationship between BDNF and BD course, suggesting an interactive effect of BDNF with metabolic status on illness progression.
Meningioma arising in the hypoglossal canal: the midline suboccipital subtonsillar approach
2016-06-01

Hypoglossal canal meningiomas (HCMs) are extremely rare, and a consensus has yet to be reached regarding the most appropriate treatment approach for these types of tumors. Surgical procedures to the hypoglossal canal are often complex and lengthy, and are often associated with high rates of morbidity. Several approaches have been used to remove such lesions. Most of these approaches have been adapted from methods used for jugular foramen surgery. Our goal is to present an approach that improves visualization of the hypoglossal canal, thus reducing this pathology's risk of morbidity. In this report, we describe one case of HCM in which the tumor was safely and effectively removed by the midline subtonsillar approach, which allows for a direct primary intradural visualization of the hypoglossal canal. There was no postoperative complication in the patient. The length of follow-up was 73 months, and there has been no recurrence of the tumor.
Impact analysis of AUTOSAR energy saving mechanisms for automotive networks
2016-06-01

In this paper we perform an impact analysis of the AUTOSAR energy saving mechanisms partial networking and pretended networking for automotive networks. We developed novel energy management strategies by exploiting these mechanisms. The strategies are integrated in a multi-level power management framework, which consists of three levels. Based on these strategies, we performed experiments on two production-class Electric Vehicles (EVs) measuring the energy consumption of the Electronic Control Units (ECUs). Results show up to 75.4% energy saving impact on the ECUs energy consumption on our test drives.
Nuit Debout: Frankreich gerät in Bewegung!
2016-06-01

France is in motion! In spring 2016, a huge movement against the French labor law reform formed and is since then protesting in the streets and squares all over France. The article examines these struggles and asks, why the movement is currently on the rise. It discusses the struggles in relation to the general crisis dynamics and focuses on the protests of trade unions and civil society (Nuit Debout). Furthermore, the labor law reform of the Valls-Government is being illustrated in the context of the recent French labor market policy and its continuities.
Testing the Kerr nature of black hole candidates using iron line reverberation mapping in the Cardoso-Pani-Rico framework
2016-06-01

The iron Kα line commonly observed in the x-ray spectrum of black hole candidates is produced by x-ray fluorescence of the inner accretion disk. This line can potentially be quite a powerful tool to probe the spacetime geometry around these objects and test the Kerr black hole hypothesis. In a previous paper, we studied the ability to constrain possible deviations from the Kerr solution from the standard time-integrated iron line spectrum within the Cardoso-Pani-Rico framework. In the present work, we expand on that study and consider iron line reverberation mapping in the Cardoso-Pani-Rico framework. That is, we consider the time evolution of the iron line profile in response to fluctuations in the x-ray primary source. Our simulations clearly show that the time informatio n in reverberation mapping can better constrain the background metric than the time-integrated approach, and this is true, notably, for the deformation parameter ε[subscript 3][superscript r], which is only weakly informed by a time-integrated observation.
Computing automorphisms of Mori dream spaces
2016-06-01

We present an algorithm to compute the automorphism group of a Mori dream space. As an example calculation, we determine the automorphism groups of singular cubic surfaces with general parameters. The strategy is to study graded automorphisms of affine algebras graded by a finitely generated abelian groups and apply the results to the Cox ring. Besides the application to Mori dream spaces, our results could be used for symmetry based computing, e.g. for Gröbner bases or tropical varieties.
HG-68COMBINED ALTERATIONS IN MAPK PATHWAY GENES, CDKN2A/B AND ATRX CHARACTERIZE ANAPLASTIC PILOCYTIC ASTROCYTOMA
2016-06-01

Introduction: Tumors with histological features of pilocytic astrocytoma but with increased mitotic activity and additional high grade features (i.e. microvascular proliferation, necrosis) have been designated anaplastic pilocytic astrocytomas (APA). Patients with such tumors are thought to have an [for full text, please go to the a.m. URL]