julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Household Solid Waste Generation and Composition by Building Type in Da Nang, Vietnam
2019-11-05

This study assesses the quantity and composition of household solid waste (HSW) in the City of Da Nang and proposes a transparent and standardised method for its assessment through a combination of very-high-resolution (VHR) satellite imagery, field surveys, questionnaires, and solid waste measurements on the ground. This was carried out in order to identify underutilised resources and to obtain discrete planning values at city level. The procedure proved to be a suitable method for reliable data gathering. To describe HSW generation, 818 valid datasets, subdivided into five building types, and their location were used. The average HSW generation rate was 297 g per capita per day. Within a total of 19 subcategories, organic waste had a share of 62.9%. The specific generation and composition of HSW correlates positively with both the building type and the spatial location within the city. The most HSW (509 g per capita per day), by far, was generated in the ‘villa-type’ building while in the ‘basic-type’ building, this was the least (167 g per capita per day). Taking into account the number of individual buildings, the total HSW generation in Da Nang in 2015 was estimated between 109,844 and 164,455 tonnes per year, which corresponds to about one-third to one-half of the total municipal solid waste.
Interhemispherically dynamic representation of an eye movement-related activity in mouse frontal cortex
2019-11-05

Cortical plasticity is fundamental to motor recovery following cortical perturbation. However, it is still unclear how this plasticity is induced at a functional circuit level. Here, we investigated motor recovery and underlying neural plasticity upon optogenetic suppression of a cortical area for eye movement. Using a visually-guided eye movement task in mice, we suppressed a portion of the secondary motor cortex (MOs) that encodes contraversive eye movement. Optogenetic unilateral suppression severely impaired contraversive movement on the first day. However, on subsequent days the suppression became inefficient and capability for the movement was restored. Longitudinal two-photon calcium imaging revealed that the regained capability was accompanied by an increased number of neurons encoding for ipsiversive movement in the unsuppressed contralateral MOs. Additional suppression of the contralateral MOs impaired the recovered movement again, indicating a compensatory mechanism. Our findings demonstrate that repeated optogenetic suppression leads to functional recovery mediated by the contralateral hemisphere.
Data-driven computational models reveal perceptual simulation in word processing
2019-11-05

In their strongest formulation, theories of grounded cognition claim that concepts are made up of sensorimotor information. Following such equivalence, perceptual properties of objects should consistently influence processing, even in purely linguistic tasks, where perceptual information is neither solicited nor required. Previous studies have tested this prediction in semantic priming tasks, but they have not observed perceptual influences on participants’ performances. However, those findings suffer from critical shortcomings, which may have prevented potential visually grounded/perceptual effects from being detected. Here, we investigate this topic by applying an innovative method expected to increase the sensitivity in detecting such perceptual effects. Specifically, we adopt an objective, data-driven, computational approach to independently quantify vision-based and language-based similarities for prime-target pairs on a continuous scale. We test whether these measures predict behavioural performance in a semantic priming mega-study with various experimental settings. Vision-based similarity is found to facilitate performance, but a dissociation between vision-based and language-based effects was also observed. Thus, in line with theories of grounded cognition, perceptual properties can facilitate word processing even in purely linguistic tasks, but the behavioural dissociation at the same time challenges strong claims of sensorimotor and conceptual equivalence.
Moral Character, Commitment, and Persistence
2019-11-05

Virtue ethicists assume that the notion of (moral) character should hold a prominent place in our moral thought. In this paper, I offer an argument in support of this view. Central to my argument is a reflection on what it means to be committed to a principle of action. I argue that the notion of commitment is inherently connected to the notion of moral character in two ways. The first is based on the idea that an action that expresses our character is an action that we own in the most substantial way. I suggest that the notion of owning one’s action can be cashed out through the idea of committing to a practical principle. The second connection arises from the thought that the notion of moral character refers to a persistent, enduring moral identity. I argue that in order for a person to be genuinely committed to a principle, she must act in accord with it in a way that is not merely consistent, but persistent across a number of situations. Accordingly, to say of someone that they are committed to a principle of action is eo ipso to ascribe them an enduring moral character. Against this background, I turn to a reading of Aristotle’s notion of virtue as hexis prohairetike as a paradigm example of how the idea of enduring moral commitment may be spelled out in more specific detail.
Language learning as uncertainty reduction: The role of prediction error in linguistic generalization and item learning
2019-11-05

Discriminative theories frame language learning as a process of reducing uncertainty about the meaning of an utterance by discriminating informative from uninformative cues via the mechanisms of prediction error and cue competition. Previous work showed that discriminative learning is affected by the order in which information is presented during language learning. Specifically, learning suffixes, where complex stems precede affixes, promotes better generalization than prefixing, which tends to promote better item-learning instead. We explored this in two large-scale web-based artificial language learning experiments with adult learners (total N = 434), as well as two computational simulations implementing a discriminative learning model. While we did not find an overall benefit of suffixing over prefixing in generalization, consistent with our theoretical and computational predictions, we found that participants in the prefix condition were unable to discriminate between frequent, but uninformative cues and low-frequency, informative cues. This resulted in them being more likely to show incorrect overgeneralization of that feature for low frequency test items than participants in the suffix condition. We did not find a benefit of prefixing in item learning (although there was overall better item-learning of low type-frequency items), which we discuss in terms of the methodological limitations of our empirical paradigm. Taken together, these results underline the crucial role prediction error plays in learning linguistic generalization, and have implications for how generalization interacts with item-learning.
Global Pharmacogenomics Within Precision Medicine: Challenges and Opportunities
2019-11-06

K.M.G. is a cofounder of Apricity Therapeutics, Inc. As Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (CPT), K.M.G. was not involved in the review or decision process for this paper. M.S. is an unpaid member of numerous scientific advisory boards. A.R.S. receives compensation as a full-time employee of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. M.V.R. receives investigator-initiated research funding from Servier. R.F.T. has consulted for Apotex, Quinn Emanuel, and Ethismos, is an unpaid member of numerous scientific advisory boards, and was an associate editor for CPT at the time of writing. R.F.T. was not involved in the review or decision process for this paper. The other authors declare no conflicts of interest. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
Recent Challenges of the Ecosystems Services Approach from an Interdisciplinary Point of View
2019-11-06

The ecosystem services approach has attracted tremendous attention from policymaking, planning and interdisciplinary sciences over the last decades. Despite its broad acknowledgement worldwide, there are a number of well-known conceptual and methodological limitations that impair its use and practical operationalisation. A brief discussion of these deficits is conducted from the integrated perspective of natural and social sciences. The paper then critically addresses the question of whether and to what extent the diversity, complexity and hybridity of the human-nature context should be shaped into a uniform scheme, disregarding the differing scales of the social, economic and ecological processes, functions and the trade-offs between them.
TELEOLOGY OF THE PRACTICAL IN ARISTOTLE: THE MEANING OF “ΠΡAΞΙΣ”
2019-11-06

Abstract I show that in his De motu animalium Aristoteles proposes a teleology of the practical on the most general zoological level, i.e. on the level common to humans and self-moving animals. A teleology of the practical is a teleological account of the highest practical goals of animal and human self-motion. I argue that Aristotle conceives of such highest practical goals as goals that are contingently related to their realizations. Animal and human self-motion is the kind of action in which certain state of affairs that realize values are mechanized.
The Draft Whole-Genome Sequence of the Antibiotic Producer Empedobacter haloabium ATCC 31962 Provides Indications for Its Taxonomic Reclassification
2019-11-06

Strain ATCC 31962 was formerly taxonomically classified as Empedobacter haloabium and reported to be the producer of the lipopeptide antibiotic empedopeptin. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of ATCC 31962, which encodes regions that suggest a distinct biosynthetic capacity and suggests its taxonomic reclassification.
Draft Genome Sequence of Nonomuraea sp. Strain C10, a Producer of Brartemicin, Isolated from a Mud Dauber Wasp Nest in Nepal
2019-11-06

Nonomuraea sp. strain C10 produces the cytotoxic natural product brartemicin. Here, we report its draft genome sequence to get insight into brartemicin biosynthesis and to enable genome mining for novel secondary metabolites.
Banking Globalization
2019-11-06

Abstract The financial crisis has renewed interest in the globalization of the banking industry, the patterns of entry into foreign markets, and the effects of complex banking organizations. There is a rich body of literature on international banks, which has recently been expanded by the improved theoretical modeling of the international banking firm and by focusing on implications for (systemic) risk. In this chapter, we focus on three main questions. First, what are the determinants of cross-border entry through acquisitions of commercial banks? Second, what are the effects of cross-border entry on complexity and the efficiency of banks? Third, what are the risk effects of international bank acquisitions, in particular with regard to systemic risk? We begin with a brief summary of the stylized facts, and we conclude with implications for researchers and policymakers.
The status of imported Barremian-Bedoulian flint in north-eastern Iberia during the Middle Neolithic. Insights from the variscite mines of Gavà (Barcelona)
2019-11-06

Barremian-Bedoulian flint from the Vaucluse region (western Provence, SE France), is traditionally considered one of the most significant chrono-cultural markers of the Chasséen culture during the Middle Neolithic (end of the 5th and beginning of the 4th millennium BC). Diffusion of Provençal flints became massive during the first half of the 4th millennium BC, penetrating in several neighbouring cultural spheres such as the Sepulcros de Fosa culture in north-eastern Iberia. The integrated study of the lithic assemblages from the variscite mines of Gavà (Barcelona) and its contextualization within the Sepulcros de Fosa culture in north-eastern Iberia have revealed unexpected complexity in the modes of consumption, use and status of imported Barremian-Bedoulian industries in north-eastern Iberia during the 5th to 4th millennia cal. BC transition. Local communities within this region, already controlling extraction and regional diffusion of variscite ornaments, exerted control over the fluxes of Vauclusian flint south of the Pyrenees, where it had a triple status (functional, symbolic and both). In addition, the results provide complementary data to better understand relevant aspects of the nature and organisation of Barremian-Bedoulian flint exploitation and early supply systems at the Provençal producing sites during the later phase of the Chasséen culture.
GD2-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T cells prevent metastasis formation by elimination of breast cancer stem-like cells
2019-11-07

Expression of the disialoganglioside GD2 has been identified as a marker antigen associated with a breast cancer stem-like cell (BCSC) phenotype. Here, we report on the evaluation of GD2 as a BCSC-specific target antigen for immunotherapy. GD2 expression was confirmed at variable degree in a set of breast cancer cell lines, predominantly in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). To target GD2, we have generated novel anti-GD2 chimeric antigen receptors (GD2-CAR), based on single-chain variable fragments (scFv) derived from the monoclonal antibody (mAb) ch14.18, also known as dinutuximab beta. Expressed on T cells, GD2-CARs mediated specific GD2-dependent T-cell activation and target cell lysis. In contrast to previously described GD2-CARs, no signs of exhaustion by tonic signaling were found. Importantly, application of GD2-CAR expressing T cells (GD2-CAR-T) in an orthotopic xenograft model of TNBC (MDA-MB-231) halted local tumor progression and completely prevented lung metastasis formation. In line with the BCSC model, GD2 expression was only found in a subpopulation (4-6%) of MDA-MB-231 cells before injection. Significant expansion of GD2-CAR-T in tumor-bearing mice as well as T-cell infiltrates in the primary tumor and the lungs were found, indicating site-specific activation of GD2-CAR-T. Our data strongly support previous findings of GD2 as a BCSC-associated antigen. GD2-targeted immunotherapies have been extensively studied in human. In conclusion, GD2-CAR-T should be considered a promising novel approach for GD2-positive breast cancer, especially to eliminate disseminated tumor cells and prevent metastasis formation.
Don’t blame the teacher? The need to account for classroom characteristics in evaluations of teaching quality.
2019-11-07

Previous research provides evidence that ratings from students and external observers can deliver reliable and valid measures of teaching quality. However, there is still a lack of research on how stable these measures are across time and classes, which is particularly important when they are used for evaluations. We addressed this issue in 3 different studies from Germany. Study 1 examined stability over time using a longitudinal sample of 174 teachers and 106 classes. The results show that student ratings of teaching quality are relatively stable when the same class rates the same teacher in 2 subsequent school years. However, we also found teacher-independent stabilities, which occurred when the same students rated different teachers. Study 2 examined stabilities in student ratings across classes. In this study, each teacher (N = 95) was evaluated by 2 different classes (N = 190). The results of a 3-level model reveal rather low stabilities across classes within teachers. Study 3 drew on a unique dataset in which 1 single teacher taught the same content to 30 different classes of the same grade level. Teaching quality as rated by students and external observers varied considerably between these classes. Differences in teaching quality were related to student learning, and the motivation of students in a class was a significant predictor of differences in teaching quality. In summary, the results of these studies show that both researchers and policymakers should be cautious when interpreting measures of teaching quality as indicators of teacher quality. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)
Detection and Characterization of Human Enteroviruses, Human Cosaviruses, and a New Human Parechovirus Type in Healthy Individuals in Osun State, Nigeria, 2016/2017
2019-11-07

Human enteroviruses and human parechoviruses are associated with a broad range of diseases and even severe and fatal conditions. For human cosaviruses, the etiological role is yet unknown. Little is known about the circulation of non-polio enteroviruses, human parechoviruses, and human cosaviruses in Nigeria. A total of 113 stool samples were collected from healthy individuals in Osun State between February 2016 and May 2017. RT-PCR assays targeting the 5′ non-coding region (5′ -NCR) were used to screen for human enteroviruses, human parechoviruses, and human cosaviruses. For human enteroviruses, species-specific RT-PCR assays targeting the VP1 regions were used for molecular typing. Inoculation was carried out on RD-A, CaCo-2, HEp-2C, and L20B cell lines to compare molecular and virological assays. Ten samples tested positive for enterovirus RNA with 11 strains detected, including CV-A13 (n = 3), E-18 (n = 2), CV-A20 (n = 1), CV-A24 (n = 1), EV-C99 (n = 1), and EV-C116 (n = 2). Three samples tested positive for human parechovirus RNA, and full genome sequencing on two samples allowed assignment to a new Parechovirus A type (HPeV-19). Thirty-three samples tested positive for cosavirus with assignment to species Cosavirus D and Cosavirus A based on the 5′-NCR region. Screening of stool samples collected from healthy individuals in Nigeria in 2016 and 2017 revealed a high diversity of circulating human enteroviruses, human parechoviruses, and human cosaviruses. Molecular assays for genotyping showed substantial benefits compared with those of cell-culture assays.
Sublamina‐specific organization of the blood brain barrier in the mouse olfactory nerve layer
2019-11-07

Abstract Astrocytes constitute the main glial component of the mammalian blood brain barrier (BBB). However, in the olfactory bulb (OB), the olfactory nerve layer (ONL) is almost devoid of astrocytes, raising the question which glial cells are part of the BBB. We used mice expressing EGFP in astrocytes and tdTomato in olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), a specialized type of glial cells in the ONL, to unequivocally identify both glial cell types and investigate their contribution to the BBB in the olfactory bulb. OECs were located exclusively in the ONL, while somata of astrocytes were located in deeper layers and extended processes in the inner sublamina of the ONL. These processes surrounded blood vessels and contained aquaporin‐4, an astrocytic protein enriched at the BBB. In the outer sublamina of the ONL, in contrast, blood vessels were surrounded by aquaporin‐4‐negative processes of OECs. Transcardial perfusion of blood vessels with lanthanum and subsequent visualization by electron microscopy showed that blood vessels enwrapped by OECs possessed intact tight junctions. In acute olfactory bulb preparations, injection of fluorescent glucose 6‐NBDG into blood vessels resulted in labeling of OECs, indicating glucose transport from the perivascular space into OECs. In addition, Ca 2+ transients in OECs in the outer sublamina evoked vasoconstriction, whereas Ca 2+ signaling in OECs of the inner sublamina had no effect on adjacent blood vessels. Our results demonstrate that the BBB in the inner sublamina of the ONL contains astrocytes, while in the outer ONL OECs are part of the BBB.
Context-specific regulation of cell survival by a miRNA-controlled BIM rheostat
2019-11-07

Knockout of the ubiquitously expressed miRNA-17∼92 cluster in mice produces a lethal developmental lung defect, skeletal abnormalities, and blocked B lymphopoiesis. A shared target of miR-17∼92 miRNAs is the pro-apoptotic protein BIM, central to life-death decisions in mammalian cells. To clarify the contribution of miR-17∼92:Bim interactions to the complex miR-17∼92 knockout phenotype, we used a system of conditional mutagenesis of the nine Bim 3′ UTR miR-17∼92 seed matches. Blocking miR-17∼92:Bim interactions early in development phenocopied the lethal lung phenotype of miR-17∼92 ablation and generated a skeletal kinky tail. In the hematopoietic system, instead of causing the predicted B cell developmental block, it produced a selective inability of B cells to resist cellular stress; and prevented B and T cell hyperplasia caused by Bim haploinsufficiency. Thus, the interaction of miR-17∼92 with a single target is essential for life, and BIM regulation by miRNAs serves as a rheostat controlling cell survival in specific physiological contexts.
Plant-Soil Feedbacks of Plantago lanceolata in the Field Depend on Plant Origin and Herbivory
2019-11-07

Soil biota involved in plant-soil feedbacks (PSFs) have an impact on the growth of plant individuals. So far, studies investigating the role of soil-biota mediated PSFs in plant performance were mostly performed in greenhouses and focused predominantly on species differences, whereas the contribution of PSFs to plant performance under field conditions and intraspecific variation in PSFs among plant populations remain poorly investigated. Here, we performed a PSF pot experiment under field conditions to study intraspecific variation in plant responses to soil biota. We used seeds from multiple seed families of Plantago lanceolata L. together with Plantago-conditioned soils from contrasting habitats (three non-fertilized pastures vs. three fertilized mown pastures) to test whether plants show a positive or negative response to their parental soil biota. We furthermore tested whether these PSFs depend on abiotic habitat factors and insect herbivory. To this end, we reciprocally transplanted plants and their soil biota between the two habitat types and excluded aboveground herbivores from half of the plants, respectively. When grown without herbivores, plants from both habitat types showed similar and neutral PSFs independently of the transplant site. In contrast, in the presence of herbivores, PSFs for plants from non-fertilized pastures were negative in both habitats (i.e., plants performed better when they grew with foreign soil biota), whereas PSFs for plants from fertilized mown-pastures remained neutral. Our results suggest that soil biota alone might only play a minor role for performance of P. lanceolata and that the outcome of soil-biota mediated PSFs is modulated by effects of herbivores in different habitats.