julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Validation of Monte Carlo Simulations for an analysis chain in H.E.S.S.
2023-04-19

Imaging Air Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs) detect very high energetic (VHE) gamma rays. They observe the Cherenkov light emitted in electromagnetic shower cascades that gamma rays induce in the atmosphere. A precise reconstruction of the primary photon energy and the source flux depends heavily on accurate Monte Carlo (MC) simulations of the shower propagation and the detector response, and therefore also on adequate assumptions about the atmosphere at the site and time of a measurement. Here, we present the results of an extensive validation of the MC simulations for an analysis chain of the H.E.S.S. experiment with special focus on the recently installed FlashCam camera on the large 28 m telescope. One goal of this work was to create a flexible and easy-to-use framework to facilitate the detailed validation of MC simulations also for past and future phases of the H.E.S.S. experiment. Guided by the underlying physics, the detector simulation and the atmospheric transmission profiles were gradually improved until low level parameters such as cosmic ray (CR) trigger rates matched within a few percent between simulations and observational data. This led to instrument response functions (IRFs) with which the analysis of current H.E.S.S. data can ultimately be carried out within percent accuracy, substantially improving earlier simulations.
Gaze-based Metrics of Cognitive Load in a Conjunctive Visual Memory Task
2023-04-19

Measurement of Cognitive Load (CL) is of considerable importance to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) as it relates to ease of learn- and usability. Numerous methods have been used for this purpose, both subjective and objective. The former relies on perception of expended effort subject to confounding factors. Among objective measures, eye tracking has demonstrated its effectiveness as a precise and non-invasive alternative. Since eye-tracking indices have mainly been tested in tasks involving single visual properties (e.g., shape), this work aims to compare their sensitivity to conjunctive features. Specifically, this study evaluates the Low/High Index of Pupillary Activity (LHIPA) and microsaccade magnitude in the Color Visual Short-Term Memory (CVSTM) task versus the previously validated n-back task. Results show LHIPA and microsaccade magnitude are as effective in discerning baseline and task in CVSTM as in n-back, replicating earlier results and extending their reliability for evaluation of CL in tasks involving multivalent conjunctive features.
Acidosis-mediated increase in IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 expression on cancer cells as an immune escape mechanism in solid tumors
2023-04-19

Abstract Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer therapy, yet the efficacy of these treatments is often limited by the heterogeneous and hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME) of solid tumors. In the TME, PD-L1 expression on cancer cells is mainly regulated by IFN-γ, which induces T cell exhaustion and enables tumor immune evasion. In this study, we demonstrate that acidosis, a common characteristic of solid tumors, significantly increases IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 expression on aggressive cancer cells, thus promoting immune escape. Using preclinical models, we found that acidosis enhances the genomic expression and phosphorylation of STAT1, and the translation of STAT1 mRNA by eukaryotic initiation factor 4F (elF4F), resulting in an increased PD-L1 expression. We observed this effect in murine and human anti-PD-L1-responsive tumor cell lines, but not in anti-PD-L1-nonresponsive tumor cell lines. In vivo studies fully validated our in vitro findings and revealed that neutralizing the acidic extracellular tumor pH by sodium bicarbonate treatment suppresses IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 expression and promotes immune cell infiltration in responsive tumors and thus reduces tumor growth. However, this effect was not observed in anti-PD-L1-nonresponsive tumors. In vivo experiments in tumor-bearing IFN-γ-/- mice validated the dependency on immune cell-derived IFN-γ for acidosis-mediated cancer cell PD-L1 induction and tumor immune escape. Thus, acidosis and IFN-γ-induced elevation of PD-L1 expression on cancer cells represent a previously unknown immune escape mechanism that may serve as a novel biomarker for anti-PD-L1/PD-1 treatment response.These findings have important implications for the development of new strategies to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy in cancer patients.
Supplementary material to 'Gamma Cascades in Gadolinium Isotopes'
2023-04-19

&lt;p&gt;The two data files contain a list of 10^7 gamma cascades in Gd-156 and Gd-158 each.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;The gamma cascades are calculated within the framework of the statistical Hauser-Feshbach model for neutron capture on Gd-155 and Gd-157. The neutron energy was set to 5 keV. The data set relate to Figs.6&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;and 14 of the publication.&lt;/p&gt;
Supplementary material to 'Gamma Cascades in Gadolinium Isotopes'
2023-04-19

The two data files contain a list of 10^7 gamma cascades in Gd-156 and Gd-158 each. The gamma cascades are calculated within the framework of the statistical Hauser-Feshbach model for neutron capture on Gd-155 and Gd-157. The neutron energy was set to 5 keV. The data set relate to Figs.6 and 14 of the publication.
The paleo-synanthropic niche: a first attempt to define animal’s adaptation to a human-made micro-environment in the Late Pleistocene
2023-04-20

Abstract Synanthropic behavior, i.e., the behavior of wild animals that benefit from a shared ecology with humans, has existed long before the sedentarization of Homo sapiens during the Neolithic, around 10,000 years ago. This study describes and discusses the concept of an older animal-human relationship: paleo-synanthropic behavior and the associated paleo-synanthropic niche. Key features of this new niche are anthropogenic food waste from mobile hunter-gatherers as a stable food base for small opportunistic scavengers and a human-near environment safe from large predators. By linking the niche to human behavior rather than to a specific location or structure, this niche was accessible for a long time, even in the Late Pleistocene. Like modern synanthropic animals, members of the paleo-synanthropic niche experienced an increase in population density and a decrease in home range. This, in turn, made it easier for humans to capture these animals and use them as resources for meat, fur, or feathers, as seen in the zooarchaeological record of many European Late Pleistocene sites. As a disadvantage, diseases such as zoonoses may have spread more easily.
Decreased feeding rates of the copepod Acartia tonsa when exposed to playback harbor traffic noise
2023-04-20

Introduction Copepods present the largest and most diverse group of zooplankton and their feeding behavior can affect top-down and bottom-up processes. Thus, how efficient feeding is executed determines the abundance of copepods’ prey and their predators and, with that, carbon transfer and storage in ecosystems. The rise of anthropogenic underwater noise from shipping, oil exploration and exploitation, wind farm construction and operation, and more, is increasingly changing the marine acoustic environment. This acoustic pollution can have detrimental effects on biological life. Studies on this topic increasingly indicate that anthropogenic underwater noise adversely affects primary producers, marine mammals, fish, and invertebrates. However, little data exist on the effects of anthropogenic underwater noise on the feeding behavior of zooplankton. Methods Here, we investigated the ingestion and clearance rates of the copepod Acartia tonsa on a motile phytoplankton as a function of prey density under ambient aquarium sound conditions and, when exposed to playback, harbor traffic noise. Results We measured significantly decreased ingestion rates and clearance rates of A. tonsa when exposed to harbor noise compared to ambient conditions. The negative impact of noise on the ingestion rates was found at all given phytoplankton cell densities between 1k to 10k cells ml −1 . Clearance rates were fitted to the Rogers random predator equation which revealed significantly decreased capture rates on phytoplankton under the exposure of harbor noise while handling times remained the same in both sound treatments. Discussion Our results call for follow-up studies to focus on noise driven community-effects in field experiments to confirm laboratory results and to predict the outcome of a changing world with multiple stressors. Further, the underlying mechanism on how noise affects the feeding behavior of copepods is still unknown. Noise may distract copepods or mask hydromechanical cues of the prey. Noise may also adversely affect copepod physiology or morphology that would lead to changes in the feeding behavior. All potential mechanisms need to be investigated rigorously in future experiments.
Creation of a structured molecular genomics report for Germany as a local adaption of HL7’s Genomic Reporting Implementation Guide
2023-04-20

Abstract Objective The objective was to develop a dataset definition, information model, and FHIR® specification for key data elements contained in a German molecular genomics (MolGen) report to facilitate genomic and phenotype integration in electronic health records. Materials and Methods A dedicated expert group participating in the German Medical Informatics Initiative reviewed information contained in MolGen reports, determined the key elements, and formulated a dataset definition. HL7’s Genomics Reporting Implementation Guide (IG) was adopted as a basis for the FHIR® specification which was subjected to a public ballot. In addition, elements in the MolGen dataset were mapped to the fields defined in ISO/TS 20428:2017 standard to evaluate compliance. Results A core dataset of 76 data elements, clustered into 6 categories was created to represent all key information of German MolGen reports. Based on this, a FHIR specification with 16 profiles, 14 derived from HL7®’s Genomics Reporting IG and 2 additional profiles (of the FamilyMemberHistory and RiskAssessment resources), was developed. Five example resource bundles show how our adaptation of an international standard can be used to model MolGen report data that was requested following oncological or rare disease indications. Furthermore, the map of the MolGen report data elements to the fields defined by the ISO/TC 20428:2017 standard, confirmed the presence of the majority of required fields. Conclusions Our report serves as a template for other research initiatives attempting to create a standard format for unstructured genomic report data. Use of standard formats facilitates integration of genomic data into electronic health records for clinical decision support.
Elucidating Structure Formation in Highly Oriented Triple Cation Perovskite Films
2023-04-20

Abstract Metal halide perovskites are an emerging class of crystalline semiconductors of great interest for application in optoelectronics. Their properties are dictated not only by their composition, but also by their crystalline structure and microstructure. While significant efforts are dedicated to the development of strategies for microstructural control, significantly less is known about the processes that govern the formation of their crystalline structure in thin films, in particular in the context of crystalline orientation. This work investigates the formation of highly oriented triple cation perovskite films fabricated by utilizing a range of alcohols as an antisolvent. Examining the film formation by in situ grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering reveals the presence of a short‐lived highly oriented crystalline intermediate, which is identified as FAI‐PbI 2 ‐xDMSO. The intermediate phase templates the crystallization of the perovskite layer, resulting in highly oriented perovskite layers. The formation of this dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) containing intermediate is triggered by the selective removal of N,N ‐dimethylformamide (DMF) when alcohols are used as an antisolvent, consequently leading to differing degrees of orientation depending on the antisolvent properties. Finally, this work demonstrates that photovoltaic devices fabricated from the highly oriented films, are superior to those with a random polycrystalline structure in terms of both performance and stability.
Nanometer-Scale Structure Property of WS2 Flakes by Nonlinear Optical Microscopy: Implications for Optical Frequency Converted Signals
2023-04-20

Structural irregularities have attracted increasing attention in two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), whose impacts on the electronic structure cannot be neglected. Here, nonlinear optical spectroscopy and microscopy are used to investigate these effects in tungsten disulfide (WS2) flakes based on the spatially resolved second harmonic generation (SHG) and room-temperature two-photon photoluminescence (2PPL). Notably, SHG intensity appears the strongest at these flake edges, which is anticorrelated with the room-temperature 2PPL response in monolayer WS2. This work provides a convenient method to probe the second-order susceptibility of TMDCs for the purpose of achieving a high optical frequency converted signal for nonlinear optical applications.
Snapshot CEST++: Advancing rapid whole‐brain APTw‐CEST MRI at 3 T
2023-04-20

Abstract APTw CEST MRI suffers from long preparation times and consequently long acquisition times (~5 min). Recently, a consensus on the preparation module for clinical APTw CEST at 3 T was found in the community, and we present a fast whole‐brain APTw CEST MRI sequence following this consensus preparation of pulsed RF irradiation of 2 s duration at 90% RF duty‐cycle and a B 1,rms of 2 μT. After optimization of the snapshot CEST approach for APTw imaging regarding flip angle, voxel size and frequency offset sampling, we extend it by undersampled GRE acquisition and compressed sensing reconstruction. This allows 2 mm isotropic whole‐brain APTw imaging for clinical research at 3 T below 2 min. With this sequence, a fast snapshot APTw imaging method is now available for larger clinical studies of brain tumors.
Phase-specific stimulation of the human brain with real-time measurement instead of prediction
2023-04-20

Abstract Background The responsiveness of the human brain to external input fluctuates. Timing the external perturbation with regard to the oscillatory brain state may improve the intended stimulation effects. However, current brain state-dependent interventions targeting phases of the oscillatory cycle need to apply prediction algorithms to compensate for latencies between measurement and stimulation, and are therefore imprecise. Objective We investigated the phase-specific precision of a novel non-predictive approach on the basis of integrated real-time measurement and brain stimulation. Methods Applying a simulation, we estimated the circular standard deviation (SD) to hit 2, 4, 8, 16 or 32 equidistant phase bins of the oscillatory cycle with high precision. Furthermore, we used electroencephalography-triggered transcranial magnetic stimulation in healthy subjects to empirically determine the precision of hitting the targeted phase of the oscillatory cycle for 10 different frequencies from 4Hz to 40Hz using our approach. Results The simulation revealed that SDs of less than 17.6°, 9.7°, 5.1°, 2.5°, and 1.3° were necessary to precisely hit 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 distinct phase bins of the oscillatory cycle. By completing measurement, signal-processing and stimulation with a round-time of 1ms, our empirical approach achieved SDs of 0.4° at 4Hz to 4.3° at 40Hz. This facilitates selective targeting of 32 phases (at 4Hz), 16 phases (at 8, 12, 16, 20, 24Hz) and 8 phases (at 28, 32, 36, 40Hz), respectively. Conclusion Integrated real-time measurement and stimulation circumvents the need for prediction and results in more precise phase-specific brain stimulation than with state-of-the-art procedures.
Zwitterionic Carbazole Ligands Enhance the Stability and Performance of Perovskite Nanocrystals in Light Emitting Diodes
2023-04-20

We introduce a new carbazole-based zwitterionic ligand (DCzGPC) synthesized via Yamaguchi esterification which enhances the efficiency of lead halide perovskite (LHP) nanocrystals (NCs) in light emitting diodes (LED). A facile ligand exchange of the native ligand shell, monitored by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, enables more stable and efficient LHP NCs. The improved stability is demonstrated in solution and solid-state LEDs, where the NCs exhibit prolonged luminescence lifetimes and improved luminance, respectively. These results represent a promising strategy to enhance the stability of LHP NCs and to tune their optoelectronic properties for further application in LEDs or solar cells.
Etiology, Classification, Diagnostics, and Conservative Management of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus. 2023 Recommendations of the Working Group “Clinical Tissue Regeneration” of the German Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology
2023-04-21

The working group, “Clinical Tissue Regeneration” of the German Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology (DGOU) issues this paper to update their guidelines. Methods Peer-reviewed literature was analyzed regarding different topics relevant to osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) treatment. This process concluded with a statement for each topic reflecting the best scientific evidence available for a particular diagnostic or therapeutic concept, including the grade of recommendation. Besides the scientific evidence, all group members rated the statements to identify possible gaps between literature and current clinical practice. Conclusion In patients with minimal symptoms, OLT progression to ankle osteoarthritis is unlikely. Risk factors for progression are the depth of the lesion on MRI, subchondral cyst formation, and the extent of bone marrow edema. Conservative management is the adaptation of activities to the performance of the ankle joint. A follow-up imaging after 12 months helps not to miss any progression. It is impossible to estimate the probability of success of conservative management from initial symptoms and imaging. Cast immobilization is an option in OLTs in children, with a success rate of approximately 50%, although complete healing, estimated from imaging, is rare. In adults, improvement by conservative management ranges between 45% and 59%. Rest and restrictions for sports activities seem to be more successful than immobilization. Intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid and platelet-rich plasma can improve pain and functional scores for more than 6 months. If 3 months of conservative management does not improve symptoms, surgery can be recommended.
Higher-education course characteristics relate to academic procrastination: a multivariate two-level analysis
2023-04-21

AbstractAbstractProcrastination is a widespread phenomenon in higher education. Recently, specific aspects of the higher education course context have been theoretically linked to procrastination. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to integrate specific course characteristics (e.g., feedback structure, social norms, clarity of assignments), examine in which way they relate to procrastination, and if this relation can be explained by the satisfaction of basic needs for autonomy, relatedness, and competence. We conducted a multivariate two-level study with a sample of 90 courses with 1,809 students from different faculties and semesters. Results imply that academic procrastination is associated with specific course characteristics to a considerable degree. Basic need satisfaction was negatively related to academic procrastination at a medium level on both, the individual student level as well as the course level. Moreover, basic need satisfaction explained the relations between specific course characteristics and procrastination.Keywords: Academic procrastinationhigher education course characteristicsbasic need satisfactionautonomyrelatednesscompetence AcknowledgementsWe would like to thank Farah Bestler for her help during data collection.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingThis research was supported by grants from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research awarded to Markus Dresel under grant number 01PX16011B.
Pyruvate-conjugation of PEGylated liposomes for targeted drug delivery to retinal photoreceptors
2023-04-21

Despite several promising candidates, there is a paucity of drug treatments available for patients suffering from retinal diseases. An important reason for this is the lack of suitable delivery systems that can achieve sufficiently high drug uptake in the retina and its photoreceptors. A promising and versatile method for drug delivery to specific cell types involves transporter-targeted liposomes, i.e., liposomes surface-coated with substrates for transporter proteins highly expressed on the target cell. We identified strong lactate transporter (monocarboxylate transporter, MCT) expression on photoreceptors as a potential target for drug delivery vehicles. To evaluate MCT suitability for drug targeting, we used PEG-coated liposomes and conjugated these with different monocarboxylates, including lactate, pyruvate, and cysteine. Monocarboxylate-conjugated and dye-loaded liposomes were tested on both human-derived cell-lines and murine retinal explant cultures. We found that liposomes conjugated with pyruvate consistently displayed higher cell uptake than unconjugated liposomes or liposomes conjugated with lactate or cysteine. Pharmacological inhibition of MCT1 and MCT2 reduced internalization, suggesting an MCT-dependent uptake mechanism. Notably, pyruvate-conjugated liposomes loaded with the drug candidate CN04 reduced photoreceptor cell death in the murine rd1 retinal degeneration model while free drug solutions could not achieve the same therapeutic effect. Our study thus highlights pyruvate-conjugated liposomes as a promising system for drug delivery to retinal photoreceptors, as well as other neuronal cell types displaying high expression of MCT-type proteins.
Intraoperative active and passive breaks during minimally invasive surgery influence upper extremity physical strain and physical stress response—A controlled, randomized cross-over, laboratory trial
2023-04-21

Abstract Objective Investigate the effect of passive, active or no intra-operative work breaks on static, median and peak muscular activity, muscular fatigue, upper body postures, heart rate, and heart rate variability. Background Although laparoscopic surgery is preferred over open surgery for the benefit of the patient, it puts the surgeons at higher risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders especially due to the less dynamic and awkward working posture. The organizational intervention intraoperative work break is a workplace strategy that has previously demonstrated positive effects in small-scale intervention studies. Methods Twenty-one surgeons were exposed to three 90-min conditions: no breaks, 2.5-min passive (standing rest) or active (targeted stretching and mobilization exercises) breaks after 30-min work blocks. Muscular activity and fatigue of back, shoulder and forearm muscles were assessed by surface electromyography; upper body posture, i.e., spinal curvature, by inclination sensors; and heart rate and variability (HRV) by electrocardiography. Generalized estimating equations were used for statistical analyses. This study (NCT03715816) was conducted from March 2019 to October 2020. Results The HRV-metric SDNN tended to be higher, but not statistically significantly, in the intervention conditions compared to the control condition. No statistically significant effects of both interventions were detected for muscular activity, joint angles or heart rate. Conclusion Intraoperative work breaks, whether passive or active, may counteract shoulder muscular fatigue and increase heart rate variability. This tendency may play a role in a reduced risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders and acute physical stress responses.