julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Na Duong (northern Vietnam) - an exceptional window into Eocene ecosystems from Southeast Asia
2018-08-31

Today, the continental ecosystems of Southeast Asia represent a global biodiversity hotspot. From a deep-time perspective, however, very little is known about the formation of this hotspot. In particular, the evolutionary and biogeographic roots of numerous terrestrial biota are unknown, and ecosystemic information, especially for the Paleogene, is unavailable. The Na Duong Basin in northern Vietnam has yielded a remarkable diversity of Paleogene vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant fossils, and is thus one of the few localities in Southeast Asia allowing for multi-focused investigation of this period. We present stratigraphic, paleontologic, and paleoecologic results from the 220 m thick Na Duong section derived from magnetostratigraphy, biochronology, vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant taxonomy, and biomarker analysis. Only the upper 40 m of the section show the original magnetization, prohibiting any further magnetostratigraphic interpretation. The affinities of two newly described mammal species, Bakalovia orientalis nov. sp. (Anthracotheriidae) and Epiaceratherium naduongense nov. sp. (Rhinocerotidae), suggest an Eocene, late Bartonian to Priabonian age (39-35 Ma). High biodiversity is recorded for unionid mussels (five species), freshwater fishes (nine taxa, including Planktophaga minuta nov. gen. et sp.), turtles (five to six taxa), and crocodiles (three taxa), and long-term stability of Southeast Asian unionid and fish faunas is demonstrated. Fossil leaves, wood and resin document azonal and zonal vegetation; dipterocarp trees were identified from resin exudate spectroscopy. In-situ tree-stump horizons allow for calculation of tree density (600 specimens/ha) and maximum canopy height (35m); both values resemble those of recent Southeast Asian peat swamp forests. Environment changed abruptly from a swamp forest to a tropical to warm sub-tropical lake of fluctuating water depth. The strong biogeographic link between the Eocene mammal faunas from Na Duong and Europe highlights the importance of Southeast Asia as a source region for trans-continental mammal dispersal along the northern Tethys margin.
Financial Constraints and the Margins of FDI
2018-08-31

Recent literature on multinational firms has stressed the importance of low productivity as a barrier to the cross-border expansion of firms. But firms may also need external finance to shoulder the costs of entering foreign markets. We develop a model of multinational firms facing real and financial barriers to foreign direct investment (FDI), and we analyze their im-pact on the FDI decision (the extensive margin) and foreign affiliate sales (the intensive margin). We provide empirical evidence based on a detailed dataset of German multinationals which contains information on parent-level and affiliate-level financial constraints as well as on the location the foreign affiliates. We find that financial factors constrain firms’ foreign investment decisions, an effect felt in particular by large firms. Financial constraints at the parent level matter for the extensive, but less so for the intensive margin. For the intensive margin, financial constraints at the affiliate level are relatively more important.
Empty-Set Effects in Quantifier Interpretation
2018-08-31

This paper proposes a novel, cognitively motivated theory of natural language quantification and presents experimental evidence for it. Taking into account recent findings from number cognition the theory readily explains (1) that the restrictor argument of natural language quantifiers universally has a domain-relativizing function and (2) that monotone decreasing quantifiers are often more difficult to process than increasing quantifiers. In the proposed theory, quantifiers that do not have the empty set as a witness set are simpler to evaluate than those that do (what we call empty-set quantifiers). This explains enhanced difficulty of monotone decreasing quantifiers because they are always empty-set quantifiers. Furthermore, quantificational complexity is predicted to be extraordinarily high if such an empty-set quantifier has to be evaluated in a situation in which its scope is empty (what we call empty-set situations). These predictions were tested in three experiments investigating the online comprehension and the verification of quantified sentences. The first experiment established empty-set effects, i.e., enhanced difficulty during the online interpretation and the evaluation of empty-set quantifiers relative to non-empty-set quantifiers, particularly during the evaluation of empty-set situations. The second experiment supports our claim that empty-set effects have to be distinguished from monotonicity effects. Empty-set effects were observed for the non-monotone Boolean combination of quantifiers none or three dots relative to one or three dots. The third experiment shows that the proposed theory of quantificational complexity is not limited to simply quantified sentences but can account for doubly quantified sentences, too. It was manipulated whether the first and/or the second quantifier were empty-set quantifiers. The experiment shows that the difficulty of empty-set quantifiers adds up in a cumulative fashion – a finding only expected under a 'recursive' version of the proposed theory.
Myocardial expression of the anaphylatoxin receptor C3aR is associated with cardiac inflammation and prognosis in patients with non‐ischaemic heart failure
2018-08-31

Abstract Aim The aim of this study is to analyse the prognostic value of complement anaphylatoxin receptors in patients with non‐ischaemic cardiomyopathy undergoing endomyocardial biopsy. Methods and results In 102 patients (72.5% male patients, median age 54 years) with non‐ischaemic cardiomyopathy, myocardial expression of C3aR was assessed among other parameters. The primary study endpoint was a composite of death, heart transplantation, heart failure‐related re‐hospitalization, and deterioration of left ventricular ejection fraction within a mean follow‐up of 11.9 months. The number of cells, which stained positive for C3aR, was significantly increased in patients with inflammatory compared with non‐inflammatory cardiomyopathy (1.75 ± 0.31 cells in inflammatory cardiomyopathy vs. 0.94 ± 0.26 in non‐inflammatory cardiomyopathy, P = 0.049). Subsequently, positive expression for C3aR was judged based on a semi‐quantitative scoring system. Significantly, more patients with positive MHCII and CD68 expression showed an increased number of C3aR‐positive cells. C3aR expression based on this score was more pronounced in patients with human herpesvirus 6 viral genome detection. Kaplan–Meier curves illustrate that the C3aR‐negative group reached the primary endpoint significantly more often (mean follow‐up 11.9 months, log rank 5.963, P = 0.015). Lack of C3aR expression was a strong independent predictor for the primary endpoint in Cox regression analysis [hazard ratio 0.46 (0.26–0.82, P = 0.009)]. Conclusions C3aR‐positive cells are found more often in patients with inflammatory cardiomyopathy. The relevance of C3aR‐positive cells in patients with non‐ischaemic cardiomyopathy should be further evaluated as potential predictors or modulators of adverse cardiac remodelling, the substrate of progressive heart failure.
Antenatal treatment options for primary cytomegalovirus infections
2018-08-31

Purpose of review Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is by far the most common fetal viral infection. It carries a risk of long-term sequelae for the neonate; though the severity depends on the gestational age at the time of infection. Improvement in primary prevention of a CMV infection during pregnancy can be achieved by providing information regarding hygiene to the mother. Once a maternal infection occurs, treatment options include prevention of maternal-fetal transmission and, once transmission occurs, attempts to reduce the severity of its effect on the fetus. Recent findings Several recent studies have shown that providing detailed information regarding the effects of CMV on the fetus and providing common sense hygiene advice reduced new primary infections by more than 75%. In cases with a documented maternal primary CMV infection, treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins have been tried to reduce maternal fetal transmission with a variable degree of success. In the randomized controlled study of Revello et al. , immunoglobulins did not reduce the transmission rate. In a recent study, immunoglobulins were given only to women with very recent first trimester infections. In this study, the transmission rate was 2.5%, which is significantly less than expected. Leruez-Ville et al. treated mothers with known transmission of CMV to the fetus with 8 g of valaciclovir daily. They observed a significant reduction in the number of neonatal symptoms in the treated cases. Summary Protocols are available to prevent primary CMV infections during pregnancy and, in cases where an infection does occur, steps can be taken to reduce its effect on the fetus thereby reducing the chance of long-term sequelae.
The footprints of neuroscience in Alexandria during the 3rd-century BC: Herophilus and Erasistratus
2018-08-31

In the first half of the 3rd-century BC in Alexandria, the Greek physicians Herophilus of Chalcedon (ca. 330 to ca. 260 BC) and Erasistratus of Chios (ca. 315 to ca. 240 BC) became the first scientists in antiquity to comprehensively study the anatomical underpinnings and the physiological properties of mind processes. Their scientific theories were based on experimental evidence arising from anatomical human dissection studies. Among their neuroscientific achievements were the discovery of the cranial nerves, the meninges, the dural sinuses and the ventricles; the delineation of the motor and sensory nerves; the appraisal of the brain as the seat of consciousness and human intellect; and the attribution of neurological disease to dysfunction of the nervous system. This paper will discuss the short-lived historical circumstances that enabled the ground-breaking progress in the domain of brain sciences during the Hellenistic period. In addition, this paper will examine the intriguing social, political and cultural interplays that determined the resonance of Herophilus and Erasistratus’s work and influenced the course of history of neuroscience.
Generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line from a patient with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy carrying a KCNA2 (p.Leu328Val) mutation
2018-08-31

Mutations in the KCNA2 gene, coding for the voltage-gated K<sup>+</sup> channel K<sub>v</sub>1.2, can cause developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. K<sub>v</sub>1.2 channels play an important role in the repolarization phase of an action potential in nerve cells. Here, we reprogrammed human skin fibroblasts from a 13-year-old male patient with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy carrying a point mutation (c.982T>G, p.Leu328Val) in KCNA2 to human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) (HIHDNEi001-A). The cells maintained a normal karyotype and their pluripotency state was verified by the expression and staining of several pluripotency markers and capability to differentiate into all three germ layers.
Assessing Metagenomic Signals Recovered from Lyuba, a 42,000-Year-Old Permafrost-Preserved Woolly Mammoth Calf
2018-08-31

The reconstruction of ancient metagenomes from archaeological material, and their implication in human health and evolution, is one of the most recent advances in paleomicrobiological studies. However, as for all ancient DNA (aDNA) studies, environmental and laboratory contamination need to be specifically addressed. Here we attempted to reconstruct the tissue-specific metagenomes of a 42,000-year-old, permafrost-preserved woolly mammoth calf through shotgun high-throughput sequencing. We analyzed the taxonomic composition of all tissue samples together with environmental and non-template experimental controls and compared them to metagenomes obtained from permafrost and elephant fecal samples. Preliminary results suggested the presence of tissue-specific metagenomic signals. We identified bacterial species that were present in only one experimental sample, absent from controls, and consistent with the nature of the samples. However, we failed to further authenticate any of these signals and conclude that, even when experimental samples are distinct from environmental and laboratory controls, this does not necessarily indicate endogenous presence of ancient host-associated microbiomic signals.
β-actin mRNA interactome mapping by proximity biotinylation
2018-08-31

Abstract The molecular function and fate of mRNAs are controlled by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). However, identification of the interacting proteome of a specific mRNA in vivo is still very challenging. Based on the widely-used RNA tagging with MS2 aptamers for RNA visualization, we developed a novel RNA proximity biotinylation (RNA-BioID) method by tethering biotin ligase (BirA*) via MS2 coat protein (MCP) at the 3’-UTR of endogenous MS2 tagged β-actin mRNA (MBS) in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). We demonstrate the dynamics of the β-actin mRNA interactome by characterizing its changes upon serum-induced localization of the mRNA. Apart from the previously known interactors, we identified over 60 additional β-actin associated RBPs by RNA-BioID. Among them the KH-domain containing protein FUBP3/MARTA2 has shown to be required for β-actin mRNA localization. We found that FUBP3 binds to the 3’-UTR of β-actin mRNA, is essential for β-actin mRNA localization but does not interact with the characterized β-actin zipcode element. RNA-BioID provides a tool to identify new mRNA interactors and to study the dynamic view of the interacting proteome of endogenous mRNAs in space and time. Significance statement Transport of specific mRNAs to defined sites in the cytoplasm allows local protein production and contributes to cell polarity, embryogenesis, and neuronal function. These localized mRNAs contain signals (zipcodes) that help directing them to their destination site. Zipcodes are recognized by RNA-binding proteins that, with the help of molecular motor proteins and supplementary factors, mediate mRNA trafficking. To identify all proteins assembling with a localized mRNA we advanced a proximity labeling method (BioID) by tethering a biotin ligase to the 3’ untranslated region of mRNA encoding the conserved beta-actin protein. We demonstrate that this method allows the identification of novel, functionally important proteins that are required for mRNA localization.
Factorial validity of attitudes towards heterogeneous student groups
2018-08-31

Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht die Konstruktvaliditat eines Instrumentariums, das kognitive, affektive und behaviourale Einstellungen sowie motivationale Orientierungen von N = 879 Lehramtsstudierenden bezuglich heterogener Lerngruppen erfasst. Dieses Instrumentarium erfasst Einstellungen und motivationale Orientierungen zu sozialer, leistungsbezogener und kultureller Heterogenitat jeweils in den Dimensionen Kosten, Nutzen, negative Emotionen, eigener kompetenter Umgang und intrinsisch-motivationale Orientierung. Um die faktorielle Validitat dieses Instrumentariums zu untersuchen wurden konfirmatorische Mehrebenenfaktorenanalysen durchgefuhrt, welche die theoretisch postulierte Struktur sowohl je Heterogenitatsform und Person (drei funf-dimensionale Einstellungen, within-person Ebene) als auch je Person (funf-dimensionale Einstellungen, uber die Heterogenitatsformen gemittelt, between-person Ebene) simultan prufen. Die theoretisch postulierte Struktur des Instruments konnte sowohl auf within-person als auch auf between-person Ebene (mit ebenenvarianten ?-kongenerischen Messmodellen) bestatigt werden. Eine Betrachtung von Intraklassenkorrelationskoeffizienten der Items und latenten Faktoren sowie der pradiktiven Effekte der Form von Heterogenitat auf die Auspragung der Dimensionen impliziert zudem, dass das Instrumentarium die Einstellungen der Lehramtsstudierenden sowohl in deren Dimensionen als auch in deren Formen zu differenzieren vermag, was als ein starker Beleg fur die Konstruktvaliditat des Instrumentes gewertet wird.
NuSTAR and NICER reveal IGR J17591–2342 as a new accreting millisecond X-ray pulsar
2018-09-01

We report the discovery by the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array ( NuSTAR ) and the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) of the accreting millisecond X-ray pulsar IGR J17591–2342. Coherent X-ray pulsations around 527.4 Hz (1.9 ms) with a clear Doppler modulation were detected. This implies an orbital period of ∼8.8 h and a projected semi-major axis of ∼1.23 lt-s. With the binary mass function, we estimate a minimum companion mass of 0.42 M ⊙ , obtained assuming a neutron star mass of 1.4 M ⊙ and an inclination angle lower than 60°, as suggested by the absence of eclipses or dips in the light curve of the source. The broad-band energy spectrum, obtained by combining NuSTAR , swift and INTEGRAL observations, is dominated by Comptonisation of soft thermal seed photons with a temperature of ∼0.7 keV by electrons heated to 21 keV. We also detect black-body-like thermal direct emission that is compatible with an emission region of a few kilometers and a temperature compatible with the seed source of Comptonisation. A weak Gaussian line centred on the iron K α complex can be interpreted as a signature of disc reflection. A similar spectrum characterises the NICER spectra, which was measured when the outburst faded.
Three-dimensional tumor cell cultures employed in virotherapy research
2018-09-01

Oncolytic virotherapy constitutes an upcoming alternative treatment option for a broad spectrum of cancer entities. However, despite great research efforts, there is still only a single US Food and Drug Administration/European Medicines Agency-approved oncolytic virus available for clinical use. One reason for that is the gap between promising preclinical data and limited clinical success. Since oncolytic viruses are biological agents, they might require more realistic in vitro tumor models than common monolayer tumor cell cultures to provide meaningful predictive preclinical evaluation results. For more realistic invitro tumor models, three-dimensional tumor cell-culture systems can be employed in preclinical virotherapy research. This review provides an overview of spheroid and hydrogel tumor cell cultures, organotypic tumor-tissue slices, organotypic raft cultures, and tumor organoids utilized in the context of oncolytic virotherapy. Furthermore, we also discuss advantages, disadvantages, techniques, and difficulties of these three-dimensional tumor cell-culture systems when applied specifically in virotherapy research.
Timing of Okhotsk Sea Plate Collision With Eurasia Plate: Zircon U‐Pb Age Constraints From the Sakhalin Island, Russian Far East
2018-09-01

Abstract The Late Mesozoic to Cenozoic evolution of Northeast Asia involves successive subduction of the Pacific oceanic crust and amalgamation of the Eurasia, North American, and Okhotsk Sea Plates. The timing of plate collision is essential for understanding the tectonic evolution of Northeast Asia. In this study, we focus on the Okhotsk Sea Plate collision with the Eurasia Plate along the Sakhalin Island, Russian Far East, which is a highly controversial problem, especially about the timing of collision. In order to determine exact timing for this collision, we report zircon U‐Pb data from both the East Sakhalin accretionary complex and postcollisional granitic plutons in the Sakhalin Island. Detrital zircon data from four metasedimentary rocks show that the Sikhote‐Alin orogenic belt is the main provenance for the East Sakhalin accretionary complex. Meanwhile, the youngest detrital zircon age constrains the maximum depositional age of East Sakhalin accretionary complex later than 49 Ma. Both Langeri and Val'za plutons are made of peraluminous S‐type granite. Four granitic samples yielded consistent ages at 36–38 Ma, indicating that both plutons were emplaced at the middle Eocene. Their generation is considered to have been derived through crustal anatexis of accretionary wedge in the lower crust shortly after tectonic thickening caused by the Okhotsk Sea Plate collision with the Eurasia Plate. Consequently, our age data constrain that the Okhotsk Sea Plate and Eurasia Plate collision occurred in the middle Eocene between 49 and 38 Ma. This age range is consistent with late Eocene uncomformity identified in the Sakhalin Island and Okhotsk Sea.
Active optical antennas driven by inelastic electron tunneling
2018-09-01

Abstract In this review, we focus on the experimental demonstration of enhanced emission from single plasmonic tunneling junctions consisting of coupled nano antennas or noble metal tips on metallic substrates in scanning tunneling microscopy. Electromagnetic coupling between resonant plasmonic oscillations of two closely spaced noble metal particles leads to a strongly enhanced optical near field in the gap between. Electron beam lithography or wet chemical synthesis enables accurate control of the shape, aspect ratio, and gap size of the structures, which determines the spectral shape, position, and width of the plasmonic resonances. Many emerging nano-photonic technologies depend on the careful control of such localized resonances, including optical nano antennas for high-sensitivity sensors, nanoscale control of active devices, and improved photovoltaic devices. The results discussed here show how optical enhancement inside the plasmonic cavity can be further increased by a stronger localization via tunneling. Inelastic electron tunneling emission from a plasmonic junction allows for new analytical applications. Furthermore, the reviewed concepts represent the basis for novel ultra-small, fast, optically, and electronically switchable devices and could find applications in high-speed signal processing and optical telecommunications.
Reinforcement of barrier function – skin repair formulations to deliver physiological lipids into skin
2018-09-01

Abstract Objective The aim of the study was to develop formulations to deliver physiological lipids into skin in an attempt to repair defective barrier function. Methods Physiological cholesterol and linoleic acid were incorporated into basic cream and non‐ionic cream to prepare skin repair formulations. Homogeneity and storage stability of the developed creams were examined by polarized light microscopy. Ex vivo evaluation was conducted using lipid‐deficient skin samples and confocal Raman microspectroscopy. A 7‐day in vivo study was performed on volunteers to study the repairing efficacy. Results Homogeneous texture was seen in the prepared skin repair formulations. The application of the creams led to substantially increased lipid levels compared to the reference in the lipid‐deficient skin in ex vivo study. Twice‐a‐day application of the skin repair creams provided a reinforcement of the skin barrier as transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was significantly decreased. Conclusion The skin repair creams showed excellent efficacy in skin recovery. They have great potentials for treating impaired skin barrier associated with depletion of lipids in stratum corneum.