julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Non-LTE spectral models for the gaseous debris-disk component\\n of Ton 345
2014-11-05

\\n Context. For a fraction of single white dwarfs with debris disks, an\\n additional gaseous disk was discovered. Both dust and gas are thought to be created by the\\n disruption of planetary bodies.\\n Aims. The composition of the extrasolar planetary material can directly\\n be analyzed in the gaseous disk component, and the disk dynamics might be accessible by\\n investigating the temporal behavior of the Ca <sc>ii</sc> infrared emission triplet,\\n hallmark of the gas disk.\\n Methods. We obtained new optical spectra for the first helium-dominated\\n white dwarf for which a gas disk was discovered (<ext-link ext-link-type="aoi">Ton\\n 345</ext-link>) and modeled the non-LTE spectra of viscous gas disks composed of carbon,\\n oxygen, magnesium, silicon, sulfur, and calcium with chemical abundances typical for solar\\n system asteroids. Iron and its possible line-blanketing effects on the model structure and\\n spectral energy distribution was still neglected. A set of models with different radii,\\n effective temperatures, and surface densities as well as chondritic and bulk-Earth\\n abundances was computed and compared with the observed line profiles of the Ca <sc>ii</sc>\\n infrared triplet.\\n Results. Our models suggest that the Ca <sc>ii</sc> emission stems from\\n a rather narrow gas ring with a radial extent of R = 0.44–0.94\\n R⊙, a uniform surface density\\n Σ = 0.3 g\\n cm-2, and an effective temperature of Teff ≈ 6000 K.\\n The often assumed chemical mixtures derived from photospheric abundances in polluted white\\n dwarfs – similar to a chondritic or bulk-Earth composition – produce unobserved emission\\n lines in the model and therefore have to be altered. We do not detect any line-profile\\n variability on timescales of hours, but we confirm the long-term trend over the past\\n decade for the red-blue asymmetry of the double-peaked lines.\\n
On the Pleotropic Actions of Mineralocorticoids
2014-11-05

Classical effects of mineralocorticoids include stimulation of Na&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt; reabsorption and K&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt; secretion in the kidney and other epithelia including colon and several glands. Moreover, mineralocorticoids enhance the excretion of Mg&lt;sup&gt;2+&lt;/sup&gt; and renal tubular H&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt; secretion. The renal salt retention following mineralocorticoid excess leads to extracellular volume expansion and hypertension. The increase of blood pressure following mineralocorticoid excess is, however, not only the result of volume expansion but may result from stiff endothelial cell syndrome impairing the release of vasodilating nitric oxide. Beyond that, mineralocorticoids are involved in the regulation of a wide variety of further functions, including cardiac fibrosis, platelet activation, neuronal function and survival, inflammation as well as vascular and tissue fibrosis and calcification. Those functions are briefly discussed in this short introduction to the special issue. Beyond that, further contributions of this special issue amplify on mineralocorticoid-induced sodium appetite and renal salt retention, the role of mineralocorticoids in the regulation of acid-base balance, the involvement of aldosterone and its receptors in major depression, the mineralocorticoid stimulation of inflammation and tissue fibrosis and the effect of aldosterone on osteoinductive signaling and vascular calcification. Clearly, still much is to be learned about the various ramifications of mineralocorticoid-sensitive physiology and pathophysiology.
A Conserved Peptide Pattern from a Widespread Microbial Virulence Factor Triggers Pattern-Induced Immunity in Arabidopsis
2014-11-06

Microbe- or host damage-derived patterns mediate activation of pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) in plants. Microbial virulence factor (effector)-triggered immunity (ETI) constitutes a second layer of plant protection against microbial attack. Various necrosis and ethylene-inducing peptide 1 (Nep1)-like proteins (NLPs) produced by bacterial, oomycete and fungal microbes are phytotoxic virulence factors that exert immunogenic activities through phytotoxin-induced host cell damage. We here show that multiple cytotoxic NLPs also carry a pattern of 20 amino acid residues (nlp20) that triggers immunity-associated plant defenses and immunity to microbial infection in Arabidopsis thaliana and related plant species with similar characteristics as the prototype pattern, bacterial flagellin. Characteristic differences in flagellin and nlp20 plant responses exist however, as nlp20s fail to trigger extracellular alkalinization in Arabidopsis cell suspensions and seedling growth inhibition. Immunogenic nlp20 peptide motifs are frequently found in bacterial, oomycete and fungal NLPs. Such an unusually broad taxonomic distribution within three phylogenetic kingdoms is unprecedented among microbe-derived triggers of immune responses in either metazoans or plants. Our findings suggest that cytotoxic NLPs carrying immunogenic nlp20 motifs trigger PTI in two ways as typical patterns and by inflicting host cell damage. We further propose that conserved structures within a microbial virulence factor might have driven the emergence of a plant pattern recognition system mediating PTI. As this is reminiscent of the evolution of immune receptors mediating ETI, our findings support the idea that there is a continuum between PTI and ETI.
What learning theories can teach us in designing neurofeedback treatments
2014-11-06

Popular definitions of neurofeedback point out that neurofeedback is a process of operant conditioning which leads to self-regulation of brain activity. Self-regulation of brain activity is considered to be a skill. The aim of this paper is to clarify that not only operant conditioning plays a role in the acquisition of this skill. In order to design the learning process additional references have to be derived from classical conditioning, two-process-theory and in particular from skill learning and research into motivational aspects. The impact of learning by trial and error, cueing of behavior, feedback, reinforcement, and knowledge of results as well as transfer of self-regulation skills into everyday life will be analyzed in this paper. In addition to these learning theory basics this paper tries to summarize the knowledge about acquisition of self-regulation from neurofeedback studies with a main emphasis on clinical populations. As a conclusion it is hypothesized that learning to self-regulate has to be offered in a psychotherapeutic, i.e., behavior therapy framework.
Impact of Aldosterone on Osteoinductive Signaling and Vascular Calcification
2014-11-06

Vascular calcification is frequently found already in early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and is associated with high cardiovascular risk. The process of vascular calcification is not considered a passive phenomenon but involves, at least in part, phenotypical transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Following exposure to excessive extracellular phosphate concentrations, VSMCs undergo a reprogramming into osteo-/chondroblast-like cells. Such ‘vascular osteoinduction' is characterized by expression of osteogenic transcription factors and triggered by increased phosphate concentrations. A key role in this process is assigned to cellular phosphate transporters, most notably the type III sodium-dependent phosphate transporter Pit1. Pit1 expression is stimulated by mineralocorticoid receptor activation. Therefore, aldosterone participates in the phenotypical transformation of VSMCs. In preclinical models, aldosterone antagonism reduces vascular osteoinduction. Patients with CKD suffer from hyperphosphatemia predisposing to vascular osteogenic transformation, potentially further fostered by concomitant hyperaldosteronism. Clearly, additional research is required to define the role of aldosterone in the regulation of osteogenic signaling and the consecutive vascular calcification in CKD, but more generally also other diseases associated with excessive vascular calcification and even in individuals without overt disease.
Mineralocorticoid and SGK1-Sensitive Inflammation and Tissue Fibrosis
2014-11-06

Effects of mineralocorticoids are not restricted to regulation of epithelial salt transport, extracellular volume and blood pressure; mineralocorticoids also influence a wide variety of seemingly unrelated functions such as inflammation and fibrosis. The present brief review addresses the role of mineralocorticoids in the orchestration of these latter processes. Mineralocorticoids foster inflammation as well as vascular, cardiac, renal and peritoneal fibrosis. Mechanisms involved in mineralocorticoid-sensitive inflammation and fibrosis include the serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1), which is genomically upregulated by mineralocorticoids and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), and stimulated by mineralocorticoid-sensitive phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase. SGK1 upregulates the inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor-&amp;#954;B, which in turn stimulates the expression of diverse inflammatory mediators including connective tissue growth factor. Moreover, SGK1 inhibits the degradation of the TGF-β-dependent transcription factors Smad2/3. Mineralocorticoids foster the development of T&lt;sub&gt;H&lt;/sub&gt;17 cells, which is compromised following SGK1 deletion. Excessive SGK1 expression is observed in a wide variety of fibrosing diseases including lung fibrosis, diabetic nephropathy, glomerulonephritis, obstructive kidney disease, experimental nephrotic syndrome, obstructive nephropathy, liver cirrhosis, fibrosing pancreatitis, peritoneal fibrosis, Crohn's disease and celiac disease. The untoward inflammatory and fibrosing effects of mineralocorticoids could be blunted or even reversed by mineralocorticoid receptor blockers, which may thus be considered in the treatment of inflammatory and/or fibrosing disease.
Governance a Latin America perspective
2014-11-06

Governance has gained increasing prominence, not only among public policy and administration studies, but also among practitioners. The interest in governance reflects that in our contemporary soci...
Odometry for Ground Moving Agents by Optic Flow Recorded with Optical Mouse Chips
2014-11-06

Optical mouse chips—equipped with adequate lenses—can serve as small, light, precise, fast, and cheap motion sensors monitoring optic flow induced by self motion of an agent in a contrasted environment. We present a device that extracts self motion parameters exclusively from flow in eight mouse sensors. Four pairs of sensors with opposite azimuth are mounted on a sensor head, each individual sensor looking down with 45 elevation. The head is mounted on a carriage and is moved at constant height above a textured planar ground. The calibration procedure and tests on the precision of self motion estimates are reported.
Modeling the EUV spectra of optically thick boundary layers of dwarf novae in outburst
2014-11-06

\\n Context. Disk accretion onto weakly magnetized white dwarfs (WDs) in cataclysmic variables (CVs) leads to the formation of a boundary layer (BL) between the accretion disk and the WD, where the accreted matter loses its excess kinetic energy and angular momentum. It is assumed that angular momentum is effectively transported in the BL, but the transport mechanism is still unknown.\\n Aims. Here we compute detailed model spectra of recently published optically thick one-dimensional radial BL models and qualitatively compare them with observed soft X-ray/extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectra of dwarf novae in outburst. \\n Methods. Every considered BL model with given effective temperature and surface density radial distribution is divided into a number of rings, and for each ring, a structure model along the vertical direction is computed using the stellar-atmosphere method. The ring spectra are then combined into a BL spectrum taking Doppler broadening and limb darkening into account.\\n Results. Two sets of model BL spectra are computed, the first of them consists of BL models with fixed WD mass (1 M⊙) and various relative WD angular velocities (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 break-up velocities), while the other deals with a fixed relative angular velocity (0.8 break-up velocity) and various WD masses (0.8, 1, and 1.2 M⊙). The model spectra show broad absorption features because of blending of numerous absorption lines, and emission-like features at spectral regions with only a few strong absorption lines. The model spectra are very similar to observed soft X-ray/EUV spectra of SS Cyg and U Gem in outburst. The observed SS Cyg spectrum could be fitted by BL model spectra with WD masses 0.8−1 M⊙ and relative angular velocities 0.6−0.8 break up velocities. These BL models also reproduce the observed ratio of BL luminosity and disk luminosity. The difference between the observed and the BL model spectra is similar to a hot optically thin plasma spectrum and could be associated with the spectrum of outflowing plasma with a mass loss rate compatible with the BL mass accretion rate.\\n Conclusions. The suggested method of computing BL spectra seems very promising and can be applied to other BL models for comparison with EUV spectra of dwarf novae in outburst.\\n
FcgRIIIA (CD16)-expressing monocytes mediate the depletion of tumor-infiltrating Tregs via Ipilimumab-dependent ADCC in melanoma patients
2014-11-06

Meeting abstracts Enhancing immune responses with immune-modulatory monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed to inhibitory immune-receptors is a promising modality in cancer therapy. Clinical efficacy has been demonstrated with antibodies blocking inhibitory immune checkpoints such as CTLA-4 or PD-1/
Self-adjuvanted RNActive® vaccines provide a promising platform for combination therapies with checkpoint inhibitors
2014-11-06

Meeting abstracts Two-component mRNA vaccines (RNActive®) combine high antigen expression with strong immune stimulation. Intradermal injections of RNActive® vaccines induced balanced, potent and long-lasting immune responses which can be boosted via repetitive vaccinations. Although the strong
Geomorphic domains in the Eastern Alps – Insights from Surface Processes Modelling
2014-11-06

Introduction The Eastern Alps, being a target of geoscientific research for centuries, have also attracted the attention of geomorphologists. Based on the spectacular plateau-like geomorphic features and summit levels, there is a long-lasting debate on the post-Oligocene geomorphic evolution. Some authors suggested numerous planation surfaces, while some others consider the observable paleosurface relicts as stages of only a few denudation/sedimentation phases. (Frisch & al. 2000 gives an overview on this issue.). The situation is complicated by the increased uplift rate in the Quaternary and the effect of the glaciation. Indeed, the complexity of the geomorphic features, including elevated flat-lying or tilted plateaus, U-shaped deep valleys with hanging valleys on the sidewalls, discrete summit level groups and elongated drainage pattern, needs to be explained in detail. Beside of the tectonic dismembering through strike-slip motions and nappe formation, a possible argumentation can be based on the wide variety of lithologies present in the region. Commonly, the different geomorphic characteristics of an area are attributed mainly to the diverse erodibility properties of the underlying rocks. On the other hand, our earlier results based on statistical analysis of DEM of the recent topography showed that the Eastern Alps can be divided into different characteristic domains (Frisch & al. 2000). These domains correspond to tectonic units with similar uplift history, but the units themselves show lithological heterogeneity suggesting that the lithology plays a secondary role, assuming that the uplift rate is moderate or high (Szekely & al., 2002). In the last decade, owing to the exponentially increasing computer power, major advancements have been made in the understanding of surface processes through the development of the Surface Processes Modelling (SPM). Beside the classic geomorphic methods, this digital modelling technique became available to analyse the dynamics of the surface evolution. Here we present some results of a few simplistic SPM-model settings and evaluate the resulting geomorphic patterns.
Synthesis and SHG Properties of Two New Cyanurates: Sr3(O3C3N3)2 (SCY) and Eu3(O3C3N3)2 (ECY)
2014-11-07

The new cyanurates Sr3(O3C3N3)2 (SCY) and Eu3(O3C3N3)2 (ECY) were prepared via exothermic solid state metathesis reactions from MCl2 (M = Sr, Eu) and K(OCN) in silica tubes at 525 °C. Both structures were characterized by means of powder and single crystal X-ray diffraction, and their structures are shown to crystallize with the noncentrosymmetric space group R3c (No. 161). Infrared spectra and nonlinear optical properties (NLO) of SCY and ECY are reported in comparison to those of CCY and β-BaB2O4 (β-BBO).
Optimizing the spin sensitivity of grain boundary junction nanoSQUIDs—towards detection of small spin systems with single-spin resolution
2014-11-07

We present an optimization study of the spin sensitivity of nanoSQUIDs based on resistively shunted grain boundary Josephson junctions. In addition the dc SQUIDs contain a narrow constriction onto which a small magnetic particle can be placed (with its magnetic moment in the plane of the SQUID loop and perpendicular to the grain boundary) for efficient coupling of its stray magnetic field to the SQUID loop. The separation of the location of optimum coupling from the junctions allows for an independent optimization of the coupling factor and junction properties. We present different methods for calculating (for a magnetic nanoparticle placed 10\\,nm above the constriction) as a function of device geometry and show that those yield consistent results. Furthermore, by numerical simulations we obtain a general expression for the dependence of the SQUID inductance on geometrical parameters of our devices, which allows to estimate their impact on the spectral density of flux noise of the SQUIDs in the thermal white noise regime. Our analysis of the dependence of and on the geometric parameters of the SQUID layout yields a spin sensitivity of a few ( is the Bohr magneton) for optimized parameters, respecting technological constraints. However, by comparison with experimentally realized devices we find significantly larger values for the measured white flux noise, as compared to our theoretical predictions. Still, a spin sensitivity on the order of for optimized devices seems to be realistic.
Josephson junctions with tunable current-phase relation
2014-11-07

We consider a 0- Josephson junction consisting of asymmetric 0 and \\nregions of different lengths and having different critical\\ncurrent densities and . If both segments are rather short,\\nthe whole junction can be described by an \\\\emph{effective} current-phase\\nrelation for the spatially averaged phase , which includes the usual term\\n , a \\\\emph{negative} second harmonic term\\n as well as the unusual term tunable\\nby magnetic field . Thus one obtains an electronically tunable current-phase\\nrelation. At H=0 this corresponds to the Josephson junction.\\n
Corrections to Wigner type phase space methods
2014-11-07

Over decades, the time evolution of Wigner functions along classical\\nHamiltonian flows has been used for approximating key signatures of molecular\\nquantum systems. Such approximations are for example the Wigner phase space\\nmethod, the linearized semiclassical initial value representation, or the\\nstatistical quasiclassical method. The mathematical backbone of these\\napproximations is Egorov's theorem. In this paper, we reformulate the\\nwell-known second order correction to Egorov's theorem as a system of ordinary\\ndifferential equations and derive an algorithm with improved asymptotic\\naccuracy for the computation of expectation values. For models with easily\\nevaluated higher order derivatives of the classical Hamiltonian, the new\\nalgorithm's corrections are computationally less expensive than the leading\\norder Wigner method. Numerical test calculations for a two-dimensional\\ntorsional system confirm the theoretical accuracy and efficiency of the new\\nmethod.\\n
A Motivational Determinant of Facial Emotion Recognition: Regulatory Focus Affects Recognition of Emotions in Faces
2014-11-07

Two studies examined an unexplored motivational determinant of facial emotion recognition: observer regulatory focus. It was predicted that a promotion focus would enhance facial emotion recognition relative to a prevention focus because the attentional strategies associated with promotion focus enhance performance on well-learned or innate tasks - such as facial emotion recognition. In Study 1, a promotion or a prevention focus was experimentally induced and better facial emotion recognition was observed in a promotion focus compared to a prevention focus. In Study 2, individual differences in chronic regulatory focus were assessed and attention allocation was measured using eye tracking during the facial emotion recognition task. Results indicated that the positive relation between a promotion focus and facial emotion recognition is mediated by shorter fixation duration on the face which reflects a pattern of attention allocation matched to the eager strategy in a promotion focus (i.e., striving to make hits). A prevention focus did not have an impact neither on perceptual processing nor on facial emotion recognition. Taken together, these findings demonstrate important mechanisms and consequences of observer motivational orientation for facial emotion recognition.
Effect of blood on ROM diagnosis accuracy of PAMG-1 and IGFBP-1 detecting rapid tests
2014-11-08

Abstract Vaginal bleeding may be present in up to 30% of patients presenting with signs and symptoms of a rupture of the fetal membranes (ROM). The presence of blood may lead to false positive results with biochemical markers. The data presented in this study came from a multi-centric prospective observational clinical study that, for the first time, systematically evaluated the performance of placental alpha microglobulin-1 (PAMG-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) detecting tests in 151 women with vaginal bleedings as well as signs and symptoms indicative of ROM. Our data showed better performance for the PAMG-1 compared with the IGFBP-1 detecting tests in all quality parameters evaluated. In detail, sensitivity (SN) was 97.8% (91.0%), specificity (SP) was 91.5% (75.0%), positive predictive value (PPV) was 94.6% (83.5%) and negative predictive value (NPV) was 96.4% (85.7%) for PAMG-1 tests (and IGFBP-1 tests, respectively). A major difference between both tests was related to the number of non-evaluable test results (e.g., hidden bands due to blood smear on the test strips). While 2% of all results were not evaluable for PAMG-1 tests, this artifact appeared in 11% of the results obtained with IGFBP-1 tests. This difference and also those in Specificity and PPV were statistically significant, demonstrating superiority of PAMG-1 over IGFBP-1 detecting tests. In conclusion, the PAMG-1 detecting test was significantly less susceptible to interference by blood than the IGFBP-1 detecting test.