julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Effect of central and peripheral cone- and rod-specific stimulation on the pupillary light reflex
2021-11-26

Abstract Purpose To assess the effect of central and peripheral stimulation on the pupillary light reflex. The aim was to detect possible differences between cone- and rod-driven reactions. Methods Relative maximal pupil constriction amplitude (relMCA) and latency to constriction onset (latency) to cone- and rod-specific stimuli of 30 healthy participants (24 ± 5 years (standard deviation)) were measured using chromatic pupil campimetry. Cone- and rod-specific stimuli had different intensities and wavelengths according to the Standards in Pupillography. Five filled circles with radii of 3°, 5°, 10°, 20° and 40° and four rings with a constant outer radius of 40° and inner radii of 3°, 5°, 10° and 20° were used as stimuli. Results For cone-and rod-specific stimuli, relMCA increased with the stimulus area for both, circles and rings. However, increasing the area of a cone-specific ring by minimizing its inner radius with constant outer radius increased relMCA significantly stronger than the same did for a rod-specific ring. For cones and rods, a circle stimulus with a radius of 40° created a lower relMCA than the summation of the relMCAs to the corresponding ring and circle stimuli which combined create a 40° circle-stimulus. Latency was longer for rods than for cones. It decreased with increasing stimulus area for circle stimuli while it stayed nearly constant with increasing ring stimulus area for cone- and rod-specific stimuli. Conclusion The effect of central stimulation on relMCA is more dominant for cone-specific stimuli than for rod-specific stimuli while latency dynamics are similar for both conditions.
Assignment Strategies Modulate Students’ Academic Performance in an Online Learning Environment During First and Second COVID-19 Related School Closures
2021-11-26

A growing number of studies seek to evaluate the impact of school closures during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While most studies reported severe learning losses in students, some studies found positive effects of school closures on academic performance. However, it is still unclear which factors contribute to the differential effects observed in these studies. In this article, we examine the impact of assignment strategies for problem sets on the academic performance of students (n 16,000 from grades 4-10 who calculated 170,000 problem sets) in an online learning environment for mathematics, during the first and second period of pandemic-related school closures in Germany. We observed that, if teachers repeatedly assigned single problem sets (i.e., a small chunk of on average eight mathematical problems) to their class, students’ performance increased significantly during both periods of school closures compared to the same periods in the previous year (without school closures). In contrast, our analyses also indicated that, if teachers assigned bundles of problem sets (i.e., large chunks) or when students self-selected problem sets, students’ performance did not increase significantly. Moreover, students’ performance was generally higher when single problem sets were assigned, compared to the other two assignment types. We conclude that teachers’ way of using the online learning environment in general, and their strategy of assigning problem sets in particular can have a positive effect on students’ performance in mathematics
Research note: The COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on scientific work in German sociology
2021-11-26

Abstract Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientific work is highly affected by the governments’ measures taken to reduce the spread of the virus. With closing colleges, universities, and kindergartens, scientists had to adapt to new forms of working procedures. Immediately after the peak of the first COVID-19 wave in Germany, we surveyed in professors and postdoctoral researchers in the field of German sociology in May 2020 to investigate how their work is constrained by these measures. In this research note, we present the results of this survey. They show that the position in the sociological field as well as demographic factors affect the degree to which sociologists feel constrained in their work. Postdoctoral sociologists feel more restricted in their work than professors, and qualitatively working sociologists more restricted than quantitatively working sociologists. Moreover, being a woman and having children under the age of 14 years increases the probability that sociologists expect to research less. Our empirical results shed some light on the effect of COVID-19 measures on working routines and inequality in Higher Education during the pandemic.
Postprandial dynamics of proglucagon cleavage products and their relation to metabolic health
2021-11-26

Abstract While oral glucose ingestion typically leads to a decrease in circulating glucagon levels, a substantial number of persons display stable or rising glucagon concentrations when assessed by radioimmunoassay (RIA). However, these assays show cross-reactivity to other proglucagon cleavage products. Recently, more specific assays became available, therefore we systematically assessed glucagon and other proglucagon cleavage products and their relation to metabolic health. We used samples from 52 oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) that were randomly selected from an extensively phenotyped study cohort. Glucagon concentrations quantified with RIA were non-suppressed at 2 hours of the OGTT in 36 % of the samples. Non-suppressors showed lower fasting glucagon levels compared to suppressors (p=0.011). Similar to RIA measurements, ELISA-derived fasting glucagon was lower in non - suppressors (p&lt;0.001). Glucagon 1-61 as well as glicentin kinetics were significantly different between suppressors and non - suppressors (p=0.004 and p=0.002, respectively) with higher concentrations of both hormones in non- suppressors . Levels of insulin, C-peptide, and free fatty acids were comparable between groups. Non -suppressors were leaner and had lower plasma glucose concentrations (p=0.03 and p=0.047, respectively). Despite comparable liver fat content and insulin sensitivity (p≥0.3), they had lower 2-hour post-challenge glucose (p=0.01). Glucagon 1-61, glicentin and GLP-1 partially account for RIA-derived glucagon measurements due to cross-reactivity of the assay. However, this contribution is small, since the investigated proglucagon cleavage products contribute less than 10% to the variation in RIA measured glucagon. Altered glucagon levels and higher post-challenge incretins are associated with a healthier metabolic phenotype that is known to be indicative for reduced cardiovascular risk, cancer incidence, and mortality.
Synthesis, hydrogen bond interactions and crystal structure elucidation of some stable 2H-imidazolium salts
2021-11-26

Abstract Reaction of 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene ( 1 ) with phthalimide, quinazolinedione, thiophenole and 4-pyridinethiole led to the formation of the hydrogen-bonded salts, imidazolium phthalimide ( 2 ), imidazolium quinazolinedione ( 3 ), imidazolium thiophenolate ( 4 ) and imidazolium 4-pyridinethiolate ( 5 ), respectively, in good yield. In crystals of 2 , the anion is linked to the imidazolium cation by a C–H···O hydrogen bond, while in 3 and 5 C–H···N hydrogen bonds are observed. In 4 , the imidazolium ion is linked to the anion by C–H···S hydrogen bonds. In compounds 2 , 3 and 5 , the interionic hydrogen bonds are close to linearity, while the interionic hydrogen bond angle in 4 is 148.5(9)°.
A panel of CSF proteins separates genetic frontotemporal dementia from presymptomatic mutation carriers: a GENFI study
2021-11-27

Abstract Background A detailed understanding of the pathological processes involved in genetic frontotemporal dementia is critical in order to provide the patients with an optimal future treatment. Protein levels in CSF have the potential to reflect different pathophysiological processes in the brain. We aimed to identify and evaluate panels of CSF proteins with potential to separate symptomatic individuals from individuals without clinical symptoms (unaffected), as well as presymptomatic individuals from mutation non-carriers. Methods A multiplexed antibody-based suspension bead array was used to analyse levels of 111 proteins in CSF samples from 221 individuals from families with genetic frontotemporal dementia. The data was explored using LASSO and Random forest. Results When comparing affected individuals with unaffected individuals, 14 proteins were identified as potentially important for the separation. Among these, four were identified as most important, namely neurofilament medium polypeptide (NEFM), neuronal pentraxin 2 (NPTX2), neurosecretory protein VGF (VGF) and aquaporin 4 (AQP4). The combined profile of these four proteins successfully separated the two groups, with higher levels of NEFM and AQP4 and lower levels of NPTX2 in affected compared to unaffected individuals. VGF contributed to the models, but the levels were not significantly lower in affected individuals. Next, when comparing presymptomatic GRN and C9orf72 mutation carriers in proximity to symptom onset with mutation non-carriers, six proteins were identified with a potential to contribute to a separation, including progranulin (GRN). Conclusion In conclusion, we have identified several proteins with the combined potential to separate affected individuals from unaffected individuals, as well as proteins with potential to contribute to the separation between presymptomatic individuals and mutation non-carriers. Further studies are needed to continue the investigation of these proteins and their potential association to the pathophysiological mechanisms in genetic FTD.
Dual and opposing roles of EIN3 reveal a generation conflict during seed growth
2021-11-27

Seed size critically affects grain yield of crops and hence represents a key breeding target. The development of embryo-nourishing endosperm is a key driver of seed expansion. We here report unexpected dual roles of the transcription factor EIN3 in regulating seed size. These EIN3 functions have remained largely undiscovered because they oppose each other. Capitalizing on the analysis of multiple ethylene biosynthesis mutants, we demonstrate that EIN3 represses endosperm and seed development in a pathway regulated by ethylene. We, in addition, provide evidence that EIN3-mediated synergid nucleus disintegration promotes endosperm expansion. Interestingly, synergid nucleus disintegration is not affected in various ethylene biosynthesis mutants, suggesting that this promoting function of EIN3 is independent of ethylene. Whereas the growth-inhibitory ethylene-dependent EIN3 action appears to be encoded by sporophytic tissue, the growth-promoting role of EIN3 is induced by fertilization, revealing a generation conflict that converges toward the key signaling component EIN3.
Do all patients in the epilepsy monitoring unit experience the same level of comfort? A quantitative exploratory secondary analysis
2021-11-27

Abstract Aims To find out which variables may be associated with comfort of patients in an epilepsy monitoring unit. Design Exploratory, quantitative study design. Methods Data were collected from October 2018 to November 2019 in Austria and Southern Germany. A total of 267 patients of 10 epilepsy centres completed the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit Comfort Questionnaire which is based on Kolcaba's General Comfort Questionnaire. Secondary data analysis were conducted by using descriptive statistics and an exploratory model building approach, including different linear regression models and several sensitivity analyses. Results Total comfort scores ranged from 83 to 235 points. Gender, occupation and centre turned out to be possible influential variables. On average, women had a total comfort score 4.69 points higher than men, and retired persons 28.2 points higher than high school students ≥18 years. Comfort scores of younger patients were lower than those of older patients. However, age did not show a statistically significant effect. The same could be observed in marital status and educational levels. Conclusion When implementing comfort measures, nurses must be aware of variables which could influence the intervention negatively. Especially, high school students ≥18 years should be supported by epilepsy specialist nurses, in order to reduce uncertainty, anxiety and discomfort. But, since the identified variables account only for a small proportion of the inter‐individual variability in comfort scores, further studies are needed to find out additional relevant aspects and to examine centre‐specific effects more closely. Impact Nurses ensure patient comfort during a hospital stay. However, there are variables that may impair the effectiveness of the nursing measures. Our study showed that the experience of comfort was highly individual and could be explained by sociodemographic variables only to a limited extent. Nurses must be aware that additional factors, such as the situation in the individual setting, may be relevant.
Mural cell SRF controls pericyte migration, vessel patterning and blood flow
2021-11-27

Abstract Rationale Pericytes (PCs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs), collectively known as mural cells (MCs), are recruited through PDGFB-PDGFRB signaling. MCs are essential for vascular integrity, and their loss has been associated with numerous diseases. Most of this knowledge is based on studies in which MCs are insufficiently recruited or fully absent upon inducible ablation. In contrast, little is known about the physiological consequences that result from impairment of specific MC functions. Objective Here, we characterize the role of the transcription factor serum response factor (SRF) in MCs and study its function in developmental and pathological contexts. Methods and Results We generated a mouse model of MC-specific inducible Srf gene deletion and studied its consequences during retinal angiogenesis. By postnatal day (P)6, PCs lacking SRF were morphologically abnormal and failed to properly co-migrate with angiogenic sprouts. As a consequence, PC-deficient vessels at the retinal sprouting front became dilated and leaky. By P12, also the vSMCs had lost SRF, which coincided with the formation of pathological arteriovenous (AV) shunts. Mechanistically, we show that PDGFB-dependent SRF activation is mediated via MRTF co-factors. We further show that MRTF-SRF signaling promotes pathological PC activation during ischemic retinopathy. RNA-sequencing, immunohistology, in vivo live imaging and in vitro experiments demonstrated that SRF regulates expression of contractile SMC proteins essential to maintain the vascular tone. Conclusions SRF is crucial for distinct functions in PCs and vSMCs. SRF directs PC migration downstream of PDGFRB signaling and mediates pathological PC activation during ischemic retinopathy. In vSMCs, SRF is essential for expression of the contractile machinery, and its deletion triggers formation of AV shunts. These essential roles in physiological and pathological contexts provide a rational for novel therapeutic approaches through targeting SRF activity in MCs.
The Hubbard Model: A Computational Perspective
2021-11-29

The Hubbard model is the simplest model of interacting fermions on a lattice and is of similar importance to correlated electron physics as the Ising model is to statistical mechanics or the fruit fly to biomedical science. Despite its simplicity, the model exhibits an incredible wealth of phases, phase transitions, and exotic correlation phenomena. Although analytical methods have provided a qualitative description of the model in certain limits, numerical tools have shown impressive progress in achieving quantitative accurate results over the past several years. This article gives an introduction to the model, motivates common questions, and illustrates the progress that has been achieved over recent years in revealing various aspects of the correlation physics of the model.
Uniting Group-Transfer and Ring-Opening Polymerization─Block Copolymers from Functional Michael-Type Monomers and Lactones
2021-11-29

Herein, the consecutive group-transfer polymerization (GTP) of the Michael-type monomer 2-vinylpyridine (2VP) and ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (CL) or (−)-menthide (M) using a monometallic and a bimetallic 2-methoxaminethylamino-bis(phenolate) yttrium catalyst for the synthesis of AB- and BAB-type block copolymers (P2VP-b-PCL and P2VP-b-PM) are reported. Using the more demanding (−)-menthide, further insights into the catalytic nature of this combinatorial polymerization approach were gained using a kinetic copolymerization approach. These investigations revealed a living-type polymerization, for the initial GTP sequence as well as the subsequent ROP. To show the influence of the coordination strength of the monomers to the metal center, the addition sequence is alternated, uncovering a lower coordination strength of Michael-type monomer 2VP to the metal than that of lactones. Quenching of the active propagating chain end during ROP chain growth showed a coordination–insertion mechanism for the polymerization of CL and M initiated by an acyl-oxygen cleavage of lactones by the active P2VP chain. The AB- and BAB-type block copolymers of P2VP with PCL or PM showed the formation of precisely defined micelles in an acidic medium, and thermal transitions of the copolymers were shown to be microphase separation-influenced.
Nx4 Reduced Susceptibility to Distraction in an Attention Modulation Task
2021-11-29

Background: Stress adversely affects the attentional focus, the active concentration on stimuli, and increases susceptibility to distraction. To experimentally explore the susceptibility to distraction, the Attention Modulation by Salience Task (AMST) is a validated paradigm measuring reaction times (RT) for processing auditory information while presenting task-irrelevant visual distractors of high or low salience. We extended the AMST by an emotional dimension of distractors and an EEG-based evaluation. We then investigated the effect of the stress-relieving medication Neurexan (Nx4) on the participants' susceptibility to distraction. Methods: Data from a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial (NEURIM study; ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT02602275) were exploratively reanalyzed post-hoc . In this trial, 39 participants received a single dose of placebo or Nx4 immediately before the AMST. Participants had to discriminate two different tone modulations (ascending or descending) while simultaneously perceiving task-irrelevant pictures of different salience (high or low) or valence (negative or positive) as distractors. Using EEG recordings, RT and the event-related potential (ERP) components N1, N2, and N3 were analyzed as markers for susceptibility to distraction. Results: In the placebo condition, we could replicate the previously reported task effects of salient distractors with longer RT for high salient distractors on the behavioral level. On the electrophysiological level, we observed significantly increased amplitudes of the N2 and N3 ERP components for positive emotional pictures. In terms of drug effect, we found evidence that Nx4 reduced distractibility by emotional distractors. The effect was shown by significantly reduced amplitudes of N2 and N3 ERP components and reduced RT for the positive valence domain under Nx4 compared to placebo. The Nx4 effects on RT and ERP components also showed a significant correlation. Conclusion: Emotional distractors in addition to the previously used salience distractors and the EEG based evaluation of ERPs valuably complement the AMST. Salient distractors were affecting attentional processes earlier, while valent distractors show modulatory effects later. Our results suggest that Nx4 has beneficial effects on attention by inhibiting the effect of task-irrelevant information and reducing susceptibility to emotionally distracting stimuli. The observation of a beneficial impact of Nx4 on attention regulation is supportive of Nx4's claim as a stress-relieving medication.
Three-Dimensional Quantification of Facial Asymmetry in Children with Positional Cranial Deformity
2021-11-29

Background: The extent of facial involvement in positional plagiocephaly is only little investigated so far. Investigation methods that take into account the challenging anatomical conditions and growth of infants’ faces are desirable. In this study, the authors established a new three-dimensional photogrammetry quantification method evaluating pretherapeutic and posttherapeutic facial asymmetry in positional plagiocephaly. Furthermore, a facial asymmetry index was established and evaluated. Methods: Three-dimensional photographs of 100 children undergoing treatment with head orthoses were analyzed by constructing a standardized interindividual coordinate system. Defining landmarks, section planes, and point coordinates with a computer-aided design software, both sides of the faces were compared. Facial asymmetry was quantified by measuring differences between left and right sides and pretherapeutic and posttherapeutic changes in each patient. The facial asymmetry index was calculated by putting the absolute differences in relation with the coordinates of the nonaffected side. Results: Present results indicate that positional plagiocephaly results in a distinct facial asymmetry (range, −3.8 to 9.6 mm) in nearly all spatial directions and facial regions. Helmet therapy led to a significant reduction ( p &lt; 0.05) of intraindividual facial asymmetry (median change in facial asymmetry index, −1.9 to 3.1 percent). However, no correlation of the Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index and facial asymmetry (Spearman rank correlation coefficient, ρ = –0.09 to 0.47) has been seen. According to these results, severe occipital deformation does not necessarily provoke distinct facial asymmetry. Conclusions: Present three-dimensional photogrammetry method allows the longitudinal quantification of facial involvement in positional plagiocephaly. Asymmetry has been determined in all facial regions. The facial asymmetry decreased through helmet therapy but was not eliminated completely.
Safely Inserting Neonatal Chest Drains
2021-11-29

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Background:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Inserting a chest drain for a left-sided neonatal pneumothorax carries a risk of penetrating the pericardium. We identified reference ranges for the chest wall thickness (CWT) and distance between the pericardium and parietal pleura to improve safety of chest tube insertion. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Method:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; We prospectively measured the CWT using ultrasound in 20 neonates (body weight [BW] 640–2,700 g, age &amp;#x3c;10 days) at the usual site of puncture in the 4th and 5th intercostal space (ICS). Furthermore, we measured the minimal distance between the parietal pleura and the cardiac silhouette in 131 neonatal chest X-rays (birth weight, 420–4,930 g [divided into 11 weight groups]; age &amp;#x3c;10 days). Both data sets were transformed into weight-dependent percentiles (Ps). We considered the difference between the sum of P 2.5 for the CWT plus P 2.5 for pleura-heart distance minus P 97.5 for the CWT as a safe corridor for placing the tip of the needle. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; At both ICSs, curves for the above metrics did not cross, indicating a narrow but safe corridor for each BW with at least 97.5% probability. This safety corridor was 4.6–5.2 mm wide for the 4th and 2.8–3.4 mm for the 5th ICS. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; These data offer a reference for left-sided chest drain insertion for BW &amp;#x3c;2,700 g, which may help to improve safety of the procedure.