julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Rank-1 Matrix Differential Equations for Structured Eigenvalue Optimization.
2023-07-11

.A new approach to solving eigenvalue optimization problems for large structured matrices is proposed and studied. The class of optimization problems considered is related to computing structured pseudospectra and their extremal points, and to structured matrix nearness problems such as computing the distance to instability or to singularity under structured perturbations. The perturbation structure can be a general linear structure. We focus on the practically important cases of large matrices with a given sparsity pattern and on perturbation matrices with given range and corange. It is known that analogous eigenvalue optimization for unstructured complex matrices favorably works with rank-1 matrices. The novelty of the present paper is that structured eigenvalue optimization can still be performed with rank-1 matrices, which yields a significant reduction of storage and in some cases of the computational cost. Optimizers are shown to be rank-1 matrices orthogonally projected onto the given structure. This is used in the numerical algorithms. The numerical approach comes in two different versions. If the rank-1 matrices projected onto the structure form a manifold and if the orthogonal projection onto the corresponding tangent spaces is known and computationally inexpensive, as is the case for matrices with given range and corange, then the method relies on a gradient system on this manifold. Otherwise, in particular for matrices with a given sparsity pattern, the method relies on the orthogonal projection of the free gradient onto the tangent space of the manifold of complex rank-1 matrices. The solution of this rank-1 system is then projected onto the structure. It is shown that there is a bijective correspondence between the stationary points of the gradient system on the structure space and of the rank-1 system. Near a local minimizer the rank-1 tangent projection is very close to the identity map, and so the computationally favorable rank-1 projected system behaves locally like the gradient system. Numerical experiments illustrate the two approaches for large matrices with a given sparsity pattern and for perturbation matrices with given range and corange.Keywordsstructured matrix nearness problemsstructured pseudospectrumpseudospectral abscissapseudospectral radiusrank-1 perturbationslow-rank dynamicsgradient systemMSC codes15A1865F15
Sex differences in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis after adenoviral vaccination against COVID-19
2023-07-11

Introduction: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis associated with vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (CVST-VITT) is a severe disease with high mortality. There are few data on sex differences in CVST-VITT. The aim of our study was to investigate the differences in presentation, treatment, clinical course, complications, and outcome of CVST-VITT between women and men. Patients and methods: We used data from an ongoing international registry on CVST-VITT. VITT was diagnosed according to the Pavord criteria. We compared the characteristics of CVST-VITT in women and men. Results: Of 133 patients with possible, probable, or definite CVST-VITT, 102 (77%) were women. Women were slightly younger [median age 42 (IQR 28–54) vs 45 (28–56)], presented more often with coma (26% vs 10%) and had a lower platelet count at presentation [median (IQR) 50x10 9 /L (28–79) vs 68 (30–125)] than men. The nadir platelet count was lower in women [median (IQR) 34 (19–62) vs 53 (20–92)]. More women received endovascular treatment than men (15% vs 6%). Rates of treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins were similar (63% vs 66%), as were new venous thromboembolic events (14% vs 14%) and major bleeding complications (30% vs 20%). Rates of good functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-2, 42% vs 45%) and in-hospital death (39% vs 41%) did not differ. Discussion and conclusions: Three quarters of CVST-VITT patients in this study were women. Women were more severely affected at presentation, but clinical course and outcome did not differ between women and men. VITT-specific treatments were overall similar, but more women received endovascular treatment.
Multivariate fMRI responses in superior temporal cortex predict visual contributions to, and individual differences in, the intelligibility of noisy speech
2023-07-11

Humans have the unique ability to decode the rapid stream of language elements that constitute speech, even when it is contaminated by noise. Two reliable observations about noisy speech perception are that seeing the face of the talker improves intelligibility and the existence of individual differences in the ability to perceive noisy speech. We introduce a multivariate BOLD fMRI measure that explains both observations. In two independent fMRI studies, clear and noisy speech was presented in visual, auditory and audiovisual formats to thirty-seven participants who rated intelligibility. An event-related design was used to sort noisy speech trials by their intelligibility. Individual-differences multidimensional scaling was applied to fMRI response patterns in superior temporal cortex and the dissimilarity between responses to clear speech and noisy (but intelligible) speech was measured. Neural dissimilarity was less for audiovisual speech than auditory-only speech, corresponding to the greater intelligibility of noisy audiovisual speech. Dissimilarity was less in participants with better noisy speech perception, corresponding to individual differences. These relationships held for both single word and entire sentence stimuli, suggesting that they were driven by intelligibility rather than the specific stimuli tested. A neural measure of perceptual intelligibility may aid in the development of strategies for helping those with impaired speech perception.
Mind the gap ‐ A brief echo and some contributions from eating disorder experts from other European countries
2023-07-11

Abstract Recently, Davey et al. (2023) outlined several recommendations for future care, policy and research for patients with eating disorders which is primarily focused on the UK health care system. Our commentary aims at contributing several aspects from other European countries and emphasises the need for stronger European collaboration, joint initiatives and a strategic plan to foster clinical and research concepts in the eating disorder field, especially in a time of multiple (global) crises and restricted resources.
Extracellular lactate as an alternative energy source for retinal bipolar cells
2023-07-11

Abstract Retinal bipolar and amacrine cells receive visual information from photoreceptors and participate in the first steps of image processing in the retina. Several studies have suggested the operation of aerobic glycolysis and a lactate shuttle system in the retina due to the high production of this metabolite under aerobic conditions. However, whether bipolar cells form part of this metabolic circuit remains unclear. Here, we show that the lactate transporter MCT2 is functionally expressed in inner retinal neurons and demonstrate their ability to consume extracellular lactate as an alternative to glucose. In rod bipolar cells, lactate is used to maintain homeostasis of various ions and electrical responses. Overall, our data contribute to a better understanding of inner retinal metabolism.
Bacterial Pathogen Infection Triggers Magic Spot Nucleotide Signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana Chloroplasts through Specific RelA/SpoT Homologues
2023-07-12

Magic spot nucleotides (p)ppGpp are important signaling molecules in bacteria and plants. In the latter, RelA-SpoT homologue (RSH) enzymes are responsible for (p)ppGpp turnover. Profiling of (p)ppGpp is more difficult in plants than in bacteria due to lower concentrations and more severe matrix effects. Here, we report that capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry (CE-MS) can be deployed to study (p)ppGpp abundance and identity in <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i>. This goal is achieved by combining a titanium dioxide extraction protocol and pre-spiking with chemically synthesized stable isotope-labeled internal reference compounds. The high sensitivity and separation efficiency of CE-MS enables monitoring of changes in (p)ppGpp levels in <i>A. thaliana</i> upon infection with the pathogen <i>Pseudomonas syringae</i> pv. <i>tomato (PstDC3000)</i>. We observed a significant increase of ppGpp post infection that is also stimulated by the flagellin peptide flg22 only. This increase depends on functional flg22 receptor FLS2 and its interacting kinase BAK1 indicating that pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) receptor-mediated signaling controls ppGpp levels. Transcript analyses showed an upregulation of <i>RSH2</i> upon flg22 treatment and both <i>RSH2</i> and <i>RSH3</i> after <i>PstDC3000</i> infection. <i>Arabidopsis</i> mutants deficient in RSH2 and RSH3 activity display no ppGpp accumulation upon infection and flg22 treatment, supporting the involvement of these synthases in PAMP-triggered innate immune responses to pathogens within the chloroplast.
HDAC inhibition delays photoreceptor loss in Pde6b mutant mice of retinitis pigmentosa: insights from scRNA-seq and CUT&Tag
2023-07-12

Purpose This research aimed to ascertain the neuroprotective effect of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition on retinal photoreceptors in Pde6b rd1 mice, a model of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) . Methods Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) explored HDAC and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-related gene expression in both Pde6b -mutant rd1 and wild-type (WT) mice. The CUT&amp;Tag method was employed to examine the functions of HDAC in rd1 mice. Organotypic retinal explant cultures from WT and rd1 mice were exposed to the HDAC inhibitor SAHA (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid) postnatally, from day 5 to day 11. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was applied to quantify the percentage of photoreceptor loss in the outer nuclear layer (ONL). HDAC activity was confirmed to be inhibited by SAHA through an HDAC activity assay. Moreover, the study evaluated PARP activity, a key driver of the initial response to DNA damage during photoreceptor degeneration, following HDAC inhibition. Results The scRNA-seq revealed that diverse roles of HDAC and PARP isoforms in photoreceptor cell death. HDAC-related genes appeared to regulate cell death and primary immunodeficiency. Alterations in HDAC activity were consistent with the TUNEL-positive cells in the ONL at different time points. Notably, SAHA significantly postponed photoreceptor loss and decreased HDAC and PARP activity, thereby implicating both in the same degenerative pathway. Conclusions This study highlights that the interaction between HDAC inhibition and PARP can delay photoreceptor cell death, proposing a promising therapeutic approach for RP.
“Reflective practice” in physical education
2023-07-12

Abstract Physical education (PE) is rooted in a historically evolved subject culture that goes largely unquestioned in everyday teaching and learning. It is characterized by a normative primacy of movement practices, placing it in a precarious relationship with the intellectual practices required by sports pedagogy and school curricula. The present case study is based on praxeological classroom research and examines how didactic interferences between intellectual reserves and movement reserves are represented in the principle of “reflective practice” in PE. To reconstruct key orientations toward the interfering practices of teaching and learning that guide teachers’ actions, we conducted six expert interviews in a PE development project in North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) and analyzed the interview data based on the coding procedure of grounded theory. The reconstructed orientations guiding PE teachers’ actions can be described according to three key dimensions: On the temporal level, one key interference is the scarcity of time for movement. On the spatial level, the space of the gymnasium often stands in the way of establishing and routinizing intellectual practices. On the media level, the use of written forms in PE classes appears to be regarded as a requirement that is imposed upon teachers and that should be kept to a minimum. The results are particularly relevant to research on the institutional professionalization of PE teachers.
Chasing the right tail: How the ER membrane complex recognizes its substrates
2023-07-12

Tail-anchored proteins are tethered to membranes of the ER, mitochondria, and peroxisomes. In this issue, Pleiner and colleagues (2023. J. Cell Biol.https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.202212007) show that the ER membrane complex (EMC) uses an inbuilt charge-dependent selectivity filter to specifically insert ER tail-anchored proteins according to their topology signals and to prevent the misincorporation of mitochondrial proteins.
Identification and synthesis of ( Z )‐3′‐hydroxy clomiphene as a new potential doping‐relevant metabolite of clomiphene
2023-07-12

A recent study addressed the possibility of unintentional ingestion of clomiphene through residues in chicken eggs. The method developed here helped distinguish between microdose intake of ( E / Z )‐clomiphene citrate and consumption of clomiphene‐containing eggs by the urinary pattern of four mono‐hydroxylated clomiphene metabolites. However, reanalyses of doping‐control samples, which showed an adverse analytical finding for clomiphene, revealed a hydroxy clomiphene (HC) isomer that was not found after microdose intake or after consumption of clomiphene‐containing eggs and could not be assigned to any of the available reference compounds. The aim of the present follow‐up study was to identify this HC isomer and to characterize this metabolite with respect to its potential properties as long‐term metabolite in doping controls. Methods ( E / Z )‐3′‐HC and ( E / Z )‐4′‐HC were synthesized involving the McMurry reaction. An ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) method was developed and optimized after a derivatization step with dansyl chloride to separate eight HC isomers. Using this method, urine samples from a controlled clomiphene administration study were analyzed, in which male study participants received therapeutic doses of clomiphene for 30 days and collected urine samples for up to 8 months. Thus, isomer‐specific HC elimination profiles could be monitored. Results The metabolite previously found in doping‐control samples was identified as ( Z )‐3′‐HC. The elimination profiles of the different HCs confirmed previous results, with ( Z )‐3‐HC being the most abundant urinary hydroxy metabolite shortly after administration. A new finding was that the data suggest that ( Z )‐3′‐HC is excreted at higher relative concentrations only several weeks after drug intake. Conclusion These findings might be of particular importance in sport drug testing as they can assist in the decision‐making process to distinguish between intentional doping and inadvertent exposure to clomiphene via food contamination.
An Insight into Humans Helping Robots: The Role of Knowledge, Attitudes, Anthropomorphic Cues, and Context of Use
2023-07-12

Robots are increasingly present in our society. Their successful integration depends, however, on understanding and fostering pro-social behavior towards robots, in this case, helping. To better understand people’s reported willingness to help robots across different contexts (delivery, medical, service, and security), we conducted two preregistered studies on a German-speaking population (N = 415, and N = 542, representative of age and gender). We assessed attitudes, knowledge about robots, and anthropomorphism and investigated their effect on reported willingness to help. Results show that positive attitudes significantly predicted reported higher willingness to help. Contrary to our hypothesis, having more knowledge about robots increased reported willingness to help. Additionally, we found no effect of anthropomorphism, neither in the form of robot appearance nor as participant’s own view about robots, on reported willingness to help. Furthermore, results point to a context-dependency for willingness to help with participants preferring to help robots in a medical context compared to a security one, for example. Our findings thus highlight the relevance of knowledge and attitudes in understanding helping behavior towards robots. Additionally, our results raise questions about the relevance of anthropomorphism in pro-sociality towards robots.
Using panopticism to theorize the social role of the body in competitive gaming and electronic sport
2023-07-12

The role of the body is a common topic for discussions concerning competitive gaming, also known as electronic sport (esport). In esport, the focus on the body shifts from its physical presence towards digitality and therefore differs significantly compared to traditional sports. It is therefore questionable whether disciplinary mechanisms typical for sport that originate from the physical body being surveyed can be observed in competitive gaming as well. This conceptual paper uses Michel Foucault's concept of panopticism to theorize what consequences of deviant or normative behaviour can be derived from a (partially) absent physical corporeality in esport. Our approach reveals that esport and competitive gaming are lacking disciplinary mechanisms typical for traditional sports. We introduce the term dysopticon as a concept where players are not exposed to surveillance like in traditional sports, because of a perceived absence of the players’ physical bodies while competing. This can result in arbitrariness and deviant behaviour but also be an opportunity for inclusion or self-expression regardless of hegemonic corporeal norms and standards. Stakeholders, including players, clubs, associations, and corporations, can build upon these insights to develop and promote esport beneficially for sport and society.
Enhancing European capabilities for application of multi-omics studies in biology and biomedicine space research
2023-07-12

Following on from the NASA twins' study, there has been a tremendous interest in the use of omics techniques in spaceflight. Individual space agencies, NASA's GeneLab, JAXA's ibSLS, and the ESA-funded Space Omics Topical Team and the International Standards for Space Omics Processing (ISSOP) groups have established several initiatives to support this growth. Here, we present recommendations from the Space Omics Topical Team to promote standard application of space omics in Europe. We focus on four main themes: i) continued participation in and coordination with international omics endeavors, ii) strengthening of the European space omics infrastructure including workforce and facilities, iii) capitalizing on the emerging opportunities in the commercial space sector, and iv) capitalizing on the emerging opportunities in human subjects research.
Multiscale entropy analysis of combined EEG-fNIRS measurement in preterm neonates
2023-07-12

Abstract In nature, biological systems such as the human brain are characterized by complex and non-linear dynamics. One way of quantifying signal complexity is Multiscale Entropy (MSE), which is suitable for structures with long-range correlation at different time scales. In developmental neuroscience, MSE can be taken as an index of brain maturation, and can differentiate between healthy and pathological development. In our current work, we explored the developmental trends of MSE on the basis of 30 simultaneous EEG – fNIRS recordings in premature infants between 27 and 34 weeks of gestational age (wGA). To explore potential factors impacting MSE, we determined the relation between MSE and the EEG Power Spectrum Density (PSD) and Spontaneous Activity Transients (SATs). As a result, via wGA, the MSE calculated on the EEG increases, thus reflecting the maturational processes in the brain networks, whereas in the fNIRS, MSE decreases, which might indicate a maturation of the brain blood supply. Moreover, we propose that the EEG power in the beta band (13-30 Hz) might be the main contributor to MSE in the EEG. Finally, we highlight the importance of SATs in determining MSE as calculated from the fNIRS recordings. Highlights Biological systems show complex and non-linear dynamics. With Multiscale Entropy (MSE) we studied simultaneous EEG-fNIRS in premature infants. MSE in the EEG increases over gestational age, MSE in the fNIRS decreases. EEG power spectrum density and spontaneous activity transients contribute to MSE.
Taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) in Africa and Europe by using mitochondrial Cox1 and nuclear ITS2 markers
2023-07-12

Abstract Background Black flies are present worldwide and are represented by 2,348 species (2,331 living species and 17 fossils) classified under 31 genera. In Africa, 124 species of black flies have been described, of which 55 are known to occur in Cameroon. However, these identifications are all based on morphology and, for S. damnosum only, on cytotaxonomic studies. Little has yet been achieved by modern molecular genetic techniques. In this study, we have applied DNA-based techniques to investigate the diversity and evolution of Simulium flies to improve vector control. Methods Simulium larvae and pupae were randomly collected from various Simulium breeding sites in rivers from five countries (Cameroon, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Nigeria and Germany). Adult Simulium flies were caught on humans in Cameroon, Nigeria and Ethiopia. Pupal gills were examined and photographed in a drop of polyvinyl-lactophenol. Genomic DNA was extracted and the CoxI and ITS2 genes were targeted by the polymerase chain reaction. The amplification products were sequenced and trees were drawn. Sequences were refined using Geneious Prime and evolutionary analyses were conducted in Mega-X 10.5. Results More than 54 sample collections were included in this study, of which about 1,000 individual larvae, pupae or adult flies from the various sites were examined. Twenty-five species were identified on the basis of their morphology and DNA-sequencing: Simulium damnosum s.l.; S. unicornutum; S. katangae; S. hisurtum; S. cervicornutum; S. schoutedeni; S. alcocki; S. dentulosum (A; B and C); S. ruficorne; S. hargreavesi v. medusaeforme; S. hargreavesi; S. adersi; S. pseudequinum; S. (Eusimulium) latipes; S. (Odagmia) ornatum; S. (Wilhelmia) equinum; S. vorax; S. nigritarsis duboisi; S. kenyae; S. velutinum; S. aureum; S. angustipes; S. bovis; S. tuberosum; S. rodhaini ). Sequences of the previously undescribed species are deposited in GenBank. Conclusions We show, for the first time, the relationship between the morphology and molecular data of some black flies from Cameroon, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tunisia and Germany. These data are important for understanding the transmission and life-cycles of Simulium -borne parasites: Moreover, knowledge concerning the various members of the S. damnosum complex in the rainforest and savannah is a prerequisite for the successful elimination of the parasite Onchocerca volvulus in Africa.
Bulk-to-boundary propagators with arbitrary total angular momentum $J$ in soft-wall AdS/QCD
2023-07-12

We derive the equations of motion for the bulk-to-boundary propagators of the anti-de Sitter (AdS) boson and fermion fields with arbitrary total angular momentum , in a soft-wall AdS/QCD model and solve it analytically. It provides the opportunity to study transition form factors induced by these bulk-to-boundary propagators, both for on-shell and off-shell hadrons. This is a continuation of our study of hadron form factors induced by the bulk-to-boundary propagator with total angular momentum (e.g., electromagnetic form factors of mesons, nucleons, and nucleon resonances).