julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Searching the Non‐Accreting White Dwarf Population in eROSITA Data
2025-01-01

ABSTRACT eROSITA is the soft X‐ray instrument aboard the Spectrum Roentgen Gamma (SRG) satellite that is most sensitive in the energy range between 0.2 and 2.3 keV. Between December 2019 and December 2021, eROSITA completed four all‐sky surveys, producing all‐sky X‐ray source lists and sky maps of unprecedented depth. In the energy range between 0.2 keV and 1 keV, we detected about 38,000 sources with a hardness ratio below −0.94, covering a small sample of known white dwarfs found with eROSITA in the dataset to which the German eROSITA consortium has rights (half sky). Two hundred and sixty four of these soft sources have a probability of more than 90% to be a white dwarf. This is more than the 175 white dwarfs ROSAT found in the whole sky. Here we present the results of a pilot study to increase the sensitivity of eROSITA for soft sources by extending the detection threshold down to 0.1 keV. First tests with dedicated sky regions are promising.
Challenges in Regulating Synthetic New Psychoactive Substances: Lessons from Japan's Generic Scheduling against Hexahydrocannabihexol
2025-01-01

On December 2, 2023, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) announced an ordinance regulating the possession, consumption, and distribution of hexahydrocannabihexol (HHCH) except for medical purposes. HHCH, a synthetic cannabinoid, has been linked to central nervous system symptoms, including nausea, dizziness, and numbness, presumably due to its structural similarity to tetrahydrocannabinol. This regulatory action reflects Japan's historical drug regulation approach, which has evolved to address synthetic substances not covered by earlier laws. The emergence of new psychoactive substances has led to increased poisoning cases and necessitated Japan to introduce a generic scheduling system and collectively regulate these compounds. Despite the reduction in designer drug-related arrests following system implementation, recent trends have shown a resurgence in arrests, partly because of the increased online accessibility of these substances. The persistence of HHCH gummy manufacturers highlights the limitations of current regulations. Thus, enhancing health literacy and social responsibility among consumers and proactive measures by healthcare professionals are essential to mitigate the public health risks associated with these emerging substances. Regulatory frameworks should prioritize public health over economic benefits.
All that glitters is not gold: The false-symbol problem in archaeology
2025-01-01

Abstract Stibbard-Hawkes forcefully alerts us to the pitfall of false-negative reasoning in symbolic archaeology. We highlight the twin problem of false-positive reasoning in what we call the “false-symbol problem.” False symbols are intuitively special entities that, owing to their non-utilitarian nature, invite symbolic interpretation. But they are not symbolic. We link the false-symbol problem to work in comparative primate cognition, taking “primate art” as our main example.
Archaeology retains a central role for studying the behavioral and cognitive evolution of our species and genus
2025-01-01

Abstract Our species' behavioral and cognitive evolution constitute a key research topic across many scientific disciplines. Based on ethnographic hunter-gatherer data, Stibbard-Hawkes challenges the common link made between past material culture and cognitive capacities. Despite this adequate criticism, archaeology must retain a central role for studying these issues due to its unique access to relevant empirical evidence in deep time.
Behavioural modernity is dead: Long live behavioural modernity
2025-01-01

Abstract Using Neanderthal symbolism, I extend on Stibbard-Hawkes to show that reconsidering the link between cognitive capacity and material culture extends beyond matters of preservation. A reconceptualization of behavioural modernity inclusive of both extant and extinct populations must begin with an honest theoretical separation of biological and behavioural modernity, which requires to critically engage with how we frame the underlying questions.
Decision making, symmetry and structure: Justifying causal interventions
2025-01-01

Abstract We can use structural causal models (SCMs) to help us evaluate the consequences of actions given data. SCMs identify actions with structural interventions. A careful decision maker may wonder whether this identification is justified. We seek such a justification. We begin with decision models , which map actions to distributions over outcomes but avoid additional causal assumptions. We then examine assumptions that could justify causal interventions, with a focus on symmetry. First, we introduce conditionally independent and identical responses (CIIR), a generalisation of the IID assumption to decision models. CIIR justifies identifying actions with interventions, but is often an implausible assumption. We consider an alternative: precedent is the assumption that “what I can do has been done before, and its consequences observed,” and is generally more plausible than CIIR. We show that precedent together with independence of causal mechanisms (ICM) and an observed conditional independence can justify identifying actions with causal interventions. ICM has been proposed as an alternative foundation for causal modelling, but this work suggests that it may in fact justify the interventional interpretation of causal models.
The immunopeptidomic landscape of ependymomas provides actionable antigens for T-cell-based immunotherapy
2025-01-01

Abstract Background Ependymoma are primary tumors of the nervous system. Due to their growth pattern, many ependymomas can be managed with neurosurgical resection alone. A substantial proportion of these tumors recurs or displays infiltrative growth patterns. Further established therapeutic options include radiation therapy. Systemic treatment options include platinum-based therapeutic regimes or a combination of lapatinib and temozolomide. Peptide-based immunotherapy represents a promising therapeutic strategy relying on the induction of tumor-specific T cells targeting human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-presented peptides. Our work aimed to analyze the landscape of naturally presented HLA class I and II ligands of primary ependymomas (EPN) to delineate EPN-associated antigens. Methods We investigated 22 EPN tissue samples using a comparative mass spectrometry-based immunopeptidomic approach. Additionally, EPN-specific antigens were functionally characterized in T-cell-based immunogenicity assays. Results We discovered a subset of EPN-exclusive peptides including HLA-A*02 and HLA-A*25/HLA-A*26–restricted HLA ligands and identified a small panel of cancer/testis antigens (CTAs)-derived HLA ligands. Furthermore, we outlined immunopeptidomic alterations in different ependymoma subgroups and progressive ependymoma. Subsequently, we performed functional characterization of the previously identified HLA-A*02:01 restricted peptide FLDS to demonstrate immunogenicity in vitro. Conclusion The immunopeptidome landscape of EPNs provides actionable targets that could further be explored as a T cell-based immunotherapeutic strategy in this tumor entity.
Coronal alignment does not enable to predict the degree of femoral and tibial torsion
2025-01-01

Abstract Purpose Malalignment of the lower extremity can affect one, two or all three anatomic planes. We hypothesized an influence between the malalignment of the coronal and axial planes. Methods A total of 356 lower extremities of 226 patients were included. Femoral and tibial torsion were assessed in computer tomographic scans while frontal plane alignment was measured in long‐leg standing radiographs. The mechanical angles were for knee phenotyping according to the coronal plane alignment of the knee classification. The correlation between the coronal alignment and torsional profile was analyzed. The population was divided into three groups according to leg alignment (valgus, neutral, varus) and gender. Results As the coronal alignment changed from valgus to varus the tibial external torsion increased ( r = 0.35; p &lt; 0.001). Femoral internal torsion increased as well but only in the male subgroup ( r = −0.34; p &lt; 0.001). Both femoral internal torsion and tibial external torsion increased with higher mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA) but were not related to mechanical medial proximal tibial angle. A distinct pattern of results concerning knee phenotypes in relation to femoral and tibial torsion was found. Conclusion Tibial torsion correlated with increasing varus alignment while both femoral and tibial torsion correlated with higher mLDFA, but the correlations were weak. Therefore, the coronal alignment does not enable to predict the degree of femoral and tibial torsion. This study demonstrates that an individual approach to each patient with lower limb malalignment is unavoidable. Level of Evidence Level III.
P0866 Upadacitinib improves symptomatic, biochemical, and intestinal ultrasound parameters in active UC patients up to one year after treatment induction – one year interim results from the IBD-DACH study EUROPE
2025-01-01

Abstract Background Upadacitinib (UPA), a reversible and selective Janus kinase-inhibitor was approved for the treatment of moderate-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) in 2022 (1). Despite substantial evidence from pivotal trials, multinational, prospective real-world (RW) data remains limited. We report symptomatic, biochemical, and intestinal ultrasound (IUS) data after one year of UPA therapy in a large, multinational RW UC cohort. Methods EUROPE is an ongoing, prospective, non-interventional, multi-country study in active UC patients who initiate UPA therapy. Primary study aim is to assess RW effectiveness and the predictive value of early (IUS) response for outcomes at week 52 (W52). Here, we show symptomatic, biochemical, and IUS results (bowel wall thickness, BWT) at baseline (BL), W8 and W52 of 111 UC patients. Safety data was available for 263 patients ((≥ 1 dose of UPA). Results Here, 111 UC patients (59.5% male, median age 37.6 (28.0 - 49.6) yrs, median disease duration 6.95 (2.36 – 12.65) yrs) with a visit at W52 were included. Of these, 50.5% (n = 56) had pancolitis and 88.3% (n = 98) were advanced therapy experienced. Of note, 39.8% (n = 39) of the latter had been exposed to ≥ 3 biologicals. Patients had signs of active inflammation at BL (median FCal: 727 (263 – 1500) μg/g, median CRP: 6.45 (1.3 – 20.5) mg/L) with BL steroid use in 46.8% of patients (n = 52). At W8 after UPA induction, the rate of patients in symptomatic remission significantly increased from 19.8% (n = 22) at BL to 69.4% (n = 77) at 8W and to 67.6% (n = 75) at W52 (both p &amp;lt; 0.001 vs. BL, fig.1). Fecal calprotectin and CRP decreased until W8 and remained low until W52 (table 1). BWT in the sigmoid colon decreased from median 5 (3.9-6) mm at BL to 3 (2 – 4) mm at W8 and to 2.85 (2 – 3.6) mm at W52. Of note, patients with a BWT ≤ 3mm at W8 demonstrated higher rates of symptomatic remission at W52 vs those with BWT &amp;gt; 3mm (62.0% vs. 38.0%). In 263 patients, 52.9% adverse events were detected (139 events, 60 patients) of which most were non-serious (SAEs: 8.4% (n = 22). One acute myocardial infarction and 8 thromboembolic events were detected (in 6 patients, one event was a pulmonary embolism. Conclusion In this one-year interim analysis of the EUROPE study, UPA treatment in UC was associated with a positive benefit/risk profile including clinical, biochemical, and IUS improvements. Patients achieving BWT normalisation at 8W were more likely to be in symptomatic remission after one year compared to those without BWT normalisation. References 1. Current SmPC Upadacitinib
Report on the activities of the Madâ’in Sâlih Archaeological Project at Umm Zarb in 2024
2025-01-01

This report present the results of the survey undertaken at Umm Zarb, a pre-Islamic and Islamic site located some 130 km south of the city of al-ʿUlā in North-West Arabia. The site includes two ancient forts, a caravanserail, and settlements. The report includes a description of the structures and of their architecture, suggests dates for some of them—based on C14 analyses and the study of the pottery—and gives parallels.
MicroRNA Expression in High‐Grade B‐Cell Lymphoma With 11q Aberration
2025-01-01

ABSTRACT Mature aggressive B‐cell lymphomas, such as Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL), show variations in microRNA (miRNA) expression. The entity of High‐grade B‐cell lymphoma with 11q aberration (HGBCL‐11q) shares several biological features with both BL and DLBCL but data on its miRNA expression profile are yet scarce. Hence, this study aims to analyze the potential differences in miRNA expression of HGBCL‐11q compared to BL and DLBCL. We evaluated the expression profiles of 2083 miRNAs in 25 HGCBL‐11q, 7 BL, 131 DLBCL, and tonsils using the HTG EdgeSeq miRNA whole transcriptome assay. Uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) and differential gene expression analyses based on DESeq2 were carried out. UMAP analysis of miRNA expression did not reveal distinct groups among the studied lymphomas. However, differential gene expression investigations detected sets of overexpressed miRNAs in HGBCL‐11q when compared to BL (miR‐9‐3p, miR‐9‐5p, miR‐3919, miR‐129‐1‐3p, miR‐129‐2‐3p, miR‐331‐3p, miR‐196b‐5p, and miR‐28‐5p) and DLBCL (miR‐3919, miR‐1290, miR‐4538, and miR‐4791), respectively. Notably, miR‐3919 showed heterogeneous but significantly higher expression ( p ‐value &lt; 0.001) in HGBCL‐11q than in both, BL and DLBCL. We identified a group of differentially expressed miRNAs between HGBCL‐11q vs. BL and DLBCL, with miR‐3919 as the most commonly and recurrently overexpressed miRNA in HGBCL‐11q.
Assessment of cardiac structure and function 1.5 years after COVID-19: results from the EPILOC study
2025-01-01

Abstract Background Impaired left and right ventricular function have been observed mainly in hospitalized patients with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. The long-term cardiac sequelae have not yet been conclusively clarified in large, well-defined cohorts. In addition, it is not yet certain whether cardiac function is related to persistent cardiopulmonary symptoms or reduced exercise capacity after COVID-19. Purpose Differences in cardiac structure and function in patients with suspected post-COVID syndrome (PCS) and in recovered control patients (CON) were analysed with regard to the association with cardiopulmonary symptoms and physical performance. Methods In this multicentre study, transthoracic echocardiography was performed in 1154 individuals (49±12 years, 760 women) 1.5 years after SARS-CoV-2 infection (October 2020 till April 2021) in southwest Germany. Left and right ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV/RV GLS) and RV free wall strain (FWS) were determined with post-processing software in 679 PCS and 475 CON. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was performed with a ramp protocol on a bicycle ergometer. Results PCS showed lower LV GLS (-20.25% vs. -20.73%, p=0.003), diastolic function (E/A 1.16 vs. 1.21, p=0.022) and TAPSE (24.45 vs. 25.05, p=0.022) compared to CON, while RV strain values did not differ. Echocardiographic parameters were within the normal clinical reference range. LV GLS was negatively associated with VO2max (p=0.004) and positively associated with rapid physical exhaustion (p=0.050), but not with cardiopulmonary symptoms. Conclusions Significantly reduced cardiac function in PCS compared to CON 1.5 years after SARS-CoV-2 infection could indicate long-term left myocardium involvement, while signs of RV involvement were inconsistent. The differences between the groups appear to be small and could be explained by deconditioning due to PCS or the more frequent presence of cardiovascular disease in PCS. Nevertheless, it cannot be ruled out that a slight reduction in cardiac function and physical performance could be a long-term consequence of COVID-19 in patients with persistent symptoms. Further (long-term) studies are therefore necessary to investigate the connection between persistent exercise intolerance and cardiac involvement. This could lead to further diagnostic steps and therapy recommendations.
Socialisation of Emotion Regulation in Preschool Classrooms: How Do Peers Matter?
2025-01-01

ABSTRACT The development of emotional competence is an important milestone during early childhood. Beyond early experience within the family, the (preschool) classroom is a relevant socialisation context, and both teachers and peers may contribute to children's emotion‐related outcomes. Tracking changes in the emotion regulation competence of N = 173 preschool children (age in months: M = 43.3, SD = 6.6, 45% girls) over 6 months, the current study investigated whether and how peers contribute to differences in the development of emotion regulation in preschool classrooms. The research questions were addressed by examining three different kinds of peer groups: Classroom‐level peer group, friendship group, and high‐status peers (social network centrality). Teachers rated children's emotion regulation competence and empathic co‐regulation behaviour—referring to preschoolers' supportive responses to their peers' emotional expressions—at three assessment points. Multilevel growth modelling provided evidence that friendship‐group empathic co‐regulation (empathy, helping, and comforting behaviour) predicted changes in preschoolers' emotion regulation over time, confirming that friendship groups influence young children's emotional development.
Evaluation of the E-Psycho-Oncological Short-Term Intervention “By Your Side” to Reduce Cancer-Related Distress: A Pilot Study
2025-01-01

Objective: A large number of patients with cancer experience distress, but not all of them receive adequate psychological support. The e-psycho-oncological short-term intervention “By your Side” was developed to offer evidence-based and low-threshold support for cancer patients dealing with distress. Methods: A longitudinal intervention pilot study was conducted from 4 March 2022 to 4 January 2023. N = 91 participants took part in the study. N = 82 completed the first module, while n = 23 successfully completed the whole intervention and were included in the final data analyses. “By your Side” consists of 16 modules based on cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction. Differences in distress between the baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and follow-up (T2) were analyzed using an ANCOVA and post-hoc t-tests. Secondary outcomes (anxiety, depression, mindfulness, and self-efficacy) were also compared between measuring points, using ANOVAs and post-hoc tests. Results: A significant reduction ( p adj = 0.014, d = 0.654) in distress from baseline (T0, M = 52.68, SD = 16.34) to follow-up (T2, M = 43.84, SD = 17.59) was observed. There was a significant decrease in anxiety symptoms and a significant increase in mindfulness and self-efficacy. The user’s satisfaction ( M = 28.00, range 8-32) and the usability ( M = 89.57, range 0-100) of the intervention were high. Conclusion: The study provides preliminary evidence that the e-psycho-oncological short-term intervention “By your Side” can successfully reduce the distress of cancer patients. The high dropout rate (74.7%) must be taken into account. Trial registration: German Clinical Trial Register ( https://www.drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00036001 ), DRKS number: 00036001 (retrospectively registered)
The complexity of human subjective experience during binocular rivalry
2025-01-01

Abstract Our subjective experience of the sensory information is rich and complex. Yet, typical cognitive and perception psychology paradigms reduce it to a few predefined discrete categories, like yes/no answers or the Likert scales. In the current study, we examined the complexity of subjective visual experience during binocular rivalry, a major experimental paradigm used to study conscious visual perception and its neural mechanisms. Binocular rivalry occurs when the two eyes are presented with two different images that cannot be fused into a uniform percept. As a result, the conscious perception alternates between the two images with brief transition phases in between. Fifty-two subjects viewed binocular rivalry produced by pairs of stimuli with different visual information (images, orthogonal gratings, or moving dots). After each rivalry period, they indicated how many different transition types they perceived and described their perception of each transition type. Using content analysis, we identified 20 unique categories over all subjects, sessions, and stimuli. On average, participants reported 2–3 unique transition categories for each visual stimulus combination. The categories were consistent for each observer over time but varied across participants and stimulus content. Our results show that perceptual transitions during binocular rivalry appear in different forms and depend on the specific visual stimulus content that induces rivalry. Our findings have implications for neuroimaging studies of binocular rivalry, which may yield different results depending on the exact experience of transitions. They also demonstrate how the complexity of subjective visual experience may be underestimated in traditional perception paradigms.
Diverging Roads: Theory-Based vs. Machine Learning-Implied Stock Risk Premia
2025-01-01

Abstract We compare the performance of theory-based and machine learning (ML) methods for quantifying equity risk premia and assess hybrid strategies that combine the two very different philosophies. The theory-based approach offers advantages at a one-month investment horizon, in particular, if daily frequency risk premium estimates (RPE) are needed. At the one-year horizon, ML has an edge, especially using theory-based RPE as additional feature variables. For a hybrid strategy called Theory with ML Assistance, we employ ML to account for the approximation errors of the theory-based approach. Employing random forests or an ensemble of ML models for theory support yields promising results.