julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamics and non-Gaussian Measures in the Covariant Variational Approach to Yang-Mills Theory
2019-09-12

The covariant variational approach to Yang-Mills theory is further developed. After discussing the foundations of the method both at zero and finite temperature, we briefly recall the effective action for the Polyakov loop and the critical properties of the deconfinement phase transition within this approach. The thermodynamics of pure Yang-Mills theory are studied in detail and the resulting equation of state is compared to lattice data. While there is good agreement in the deconfined (high-temperature) phase, a small but non-zero pressure is predicted in the confined phase at low temperatures, in contrast to physical expectations. We propose possible improvements to address this issue. Finally, we discuss the combination of the variational approach with Dyson-Schwinger techniques and argue that the method can be used as a tool to determine the optimal vertices for a truncated set of Dyson-Schwinger equations. We briefly lay out how this technique could be applied to Yang-Mills theory at zero temperature.
Layer 4 of mouse neocortex differs in cell types and circuit organization between sensory areas
2019-09-13

Abstract Layer 4 (L4) of mammalian neocortex plays a crucial role in cortical information processing, yet a complete census of its cell types and connectivity remains elusive. Using whole-cell recordings with morphological recovery, we identified one major excitatory and seven inhibitory types of neurons in L4 of adult mouse visual cortex (V1). Nearly all excitatory neurons were pyramidal and all somatostatin-positive (SOM + ) non-fast-spiking interneurons were Martinotti cells. In contrast, in somatosensory cortex (S1), excitatory neurons were mostly stellate and SOM + interneurons were non-Martinotti. These morphologically distinct SOM + interneurons corresponded to different transcriptomic cell types and were differentially integrated into the local circuit with only S1 neurons receiving local excitatory input. We propose that cell type specific circuit motifs, such as the Martinotti/pyramidal and non-Martinotti/stellate pairs, are used across the cortex as building blocks to assemble cortical circuits.
Staphylococcus aureusLpl protein triggers human host cell invasion via activation of Hsp90 receptor
2019-09-13

Staphylococcus aureus is a facultative intracellular pathogen. Recently, it has been shown that the protein part of the lipoprotein-like lipoproteins (Lpls), encoded by the lpl cluster comprising of 10 lpls paralogue genes, increases pathogenicity, delays the G2/M phase transition, and also triggers host cell invasion. Here, we show that a recombinant Lpl1 protein without the lipid moiety binds directly to the isoforms of the human heat shock proteins Hsp90α and Hsp90ß. Synthetic peptides covering the Lpl1 sequence caused a twofold to fivefold increase of S. aureus invasion in HaCaT cells. Antibodies against Hsp90 decrease S. aureus invasion in HaCaT cells and in primary human keratinocytes. Additionally, inhibition of ATPase function of Hsp90 or silencing Hsp90α expression by siRNA also decreased the S. aureus invasion in HaCaT cells. Although the Hsp90ß is constitutively expressed, the Hsp90α isoform is heat-inducible and appears to play a major role in Lpl1 interaction. Pre-incubation of HaCaT cells at 39°C increased both the Hsp90α expression and S. aureus invasion. Lpl1-Hsp90 interaction induces F-actin formation, thus, triggering an endocytosis-like internalisation. Here, we uncovered a new host cell invasion principle on the basis of Lpl-Hsp90 interaction.
Promoting stigma coping and empowerment in patients with schizophrenia and depression: results of a cluster-RCT
2019-09-13

There is a need for interventions supporting patients with mental health conditions in coping with stigma and discrimination. A psycho-educational group therapy module to promote stigma coping and empowerment (STEM) was developed and tested for efficacy in patients with schizophrenia or depression. 30 clinical centers participated in a cluster-randomized clinical trial, representing a broad spectrum of mental health care settings: in-patient (acute treatment, rehabilitation), out-patient, and day-hospitals. As randomized, patients in the intervention group clusters/centers received an illness-specific eight sessions standard psychoeducational group therapy plus three specific sessions on stigma coping and empowerment ('STEM'). In the control group clusters the same standard psychoeducational group therapy was extended to 11 sessions followed by one booster session in both conditions. In total, N = 462 patients were included in the analysis (N = 117 with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, ICD-10 F2x; N = 345 with depression, ICD-10 F31.3-F31.5, F32-F34, and F43.2). Clinical and stigma-related measures were assessed before and directly after treatment, as well as after 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months (M12). Primary outcome was improvement in quality of life (QoL) assessed with the WHO-QOL-BREF between pre-assessment and M12 analyzed by mixed models and adjusted for pre-treatment differences. Overall, QoL and secondary outcome measures (symptoms, functioning, compliance, internalized stigma, self-esteem, empowerment) improved significantly, but there was no significant difference between intervention and control group. The short STEM module has proven its practicability as an add-on in different settings in routine mental health care. The overall increase in empowerment in both, schizophrenia and depression, indicates patients' treatment benefit. However, factors contributing to improvement need to be explored.The study has been registered in the following trial registers. ClinicalTrials.gov: https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/ Registration number: NCT01655368. DRKS: https://www.drks.de/drks_web/ Registration number: DRKS00004217.
Identification and injury to the inferior hypogastric plexus in nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy
2019-09-13

Abstract Waterjet dissection of the inferior hypogastric plexus (IHP) resulted in a more rapid return of normal urodynamics than blunt dissection (control group) in patients who received laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (NSRH) in a randomized controlled study. However, the definite reasons for these results were unknown. This subgroup analysis compared the neural areas and impairment in the IHP uterine branches harvested during NSRH as an alternative to the IHP vesical branches between the waterjet and control groups. This study included samples from 30 eligible patients in each group of the trial NCT03020238. At least one specimen from each side of the IHP uterine branches was resected. The tissues were scanned, images were captured, and the neural component areas were calculated using the image segmentation method. Immunohistochemical staining was used to evaluate neural impairment. The control and waterjet groups had similar areas of whole tissues sent for evaluation. However, the control group had significantly fewer areas (median 272158 versus 200439 μm 2 , p = 0.044) and a lower percentage (median 4.9% versus 3.0%, p = 0.011) of neural tissues. No significant changes in immunohistochemical staining were found between the two groups. For patients with residual urine ≤100 and &gt;100 ml at 14 days after NSRH (42 and 18 patients, respectively), there were significantly different percentages of neural tissues in the resected samples (p &lt; 0.001). Hence, Due to the accurate identification of IHP during NSRH, the waterjet dissection technique achieved better urodynamic results.
Rapid Lump Examination (RLE) – a bedside 3‐dimensional microscopy of tumor specimens
2019-09-13

Summary Background Due to rising skin cancer incidence rates there is an urgent need for a quick, reliable and cost‐effective therapy. Previous studies showed that fresh tumor tissue and margins could be directly examined microscopically with high sensitivity and specificity. Objective Comparing the accuracy of rapid lump examination (RLE) for the detection of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) during micrographic surgery with formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded hematoxylin and eosin (HE)‐stained sections. Methods and Materials 382 specimens of 118 excised samples with suspected BCC were examined with RLE and compared with formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded HE‐stained sections. For RLE, following a standardized 60 sec staining protocol, the fresh tissue samples were observed directly with a stereomicroscope. Results For BCC, RLE had a high but insufficient diagnostic accuracy compared to the gold standard of formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded HE‐stained sections. The sensitivity was 76 % (95 % CI = [66.18 %; 84.5 %]) and specificity was 91 % (95 % CI = [86.73 %; 93.75 %]). Conclusions RLE is a fast and simple technique for microscopically controlled surgery (MCS) of basal cell carcinomas that requires training. The experience of the examiner has a major influence on the results. RLE has great potential to speed up the workflow in Mohs surgery but should be improved in the future.
Temporal Patterns of Mating Activity in Alpine Newts, Ichthyosaura alpestris
2019-09-13

Lüdtke, Deike U., Foerster, Katharina (2019): Temporal Patterns of Mating Activity in Alpine Newts, Ichthyosaura alpestris. Journal of Herpetology (London, England) 53 (3): 245-251, DOI: 10.1670/18-129, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1670/18-129
CoRoT-18 b: Analysis of high-precision transit light curves with starspot features
2019-09-13

When a planet occults a spotty area on a stellar surface, the flux increases and a characteristic feature in a light curve - a bump - is observed. Among the planets detected by the CoRoT-mission CoRoT-18 is especially interesting as it exhibited spot crossings that we have analysed in detail. We used four ground-based observations obtained at a 1.5-m telescope in Spain and the 13 available CoRoT-transits to refine and constrain stellar, planetary and geometrical parameters of the system. We found that the derived physical properties slightly deviate from the previously published values, most likely due to the different treatment of the stellar activity. Following a spot over several transits enabled us to measure the stellar rotation period and the spin-orbit alignment. Our derived values of Prot=5.19 +/- 0.03 d and Lambda=6 +/- 13 deg are in agreement with the literature values that were obtained with other methods. Although we cannot exclude a very old age for CoRoT-18, our observations support the young star hypothesis and, hence, yield constraints on the time-scale of planet formation and migration.
Claudin-12 deficiency causes nerve barrier breakdown, mechanical hypersensitivity and painfulness in polyneuropathy
2019-09-14

Abstract Peripheral nerves and their axons are shielded by the blood-nerve and the myelin barrier, but understanding of how these barriers impact nociception is limited. Here, we identified a regulatory axis of the tight junction protein claudin-12, sex-dependently controlling perineurial and myelin barrier integrity. In nerve biopsies, claudin-12 in Schwann cells was lost in male and postmenopausal female patients with painful but not painless polyneuropathy. Global Cldn12 gene-knockout selectively increased perineurial/myelin barrier leakage, damaged tight junction protein expression and morphology, increased proinflammatory cytokines and induced mechanical hypersensitivity in naïve and neuropathic male mice, respectively. Other barriers and neurological function remained intact. In vitro transfection studies documented claudin-12 plasma membrane localisation without interaction with other tight junction proteins or intrinsic sealing properties. Rather, claudin-12 had a regulatory tight junction protein function on the myelin barrier via the morphogen SHH in vivo in Cldn12-KO and after local siRNA knockdown. Fertile female mice were completely protected. Collectively, these studies reveal the critical role of claudin-12 maintaining the myelin barrier and highlight restoration of the claudin-12/SHH pathway as a potential target for painful neuropathy.
Gravitational lensing by a magnetized compact object in the presence of plasma
2019-09-15

In the weak field approximation, we study the gravitational lensing by spherical symmetric compact object immersed in magnetic field in the presence of magnetized plasma. The external magnetic field causes the split of the deflection angle of the photon, Einstein ring and Einstein cross as the counterpart of the Zeeman effect. In particular, the magnetic field affects the magnification of images, creating additional components. We also study the time delay of an electromagnetic signal due to the geometry and the gravitational field around the lensing source. We show that the time delay of the electromagnetic signal strongly depends on the plasma parameters, and it slightly decreases in the plasma in comparison with that in vacuum.
Chronotype, Social Jet Lag, and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Early Adolescence
2019-09-16

Evening chronotypes and social jet lag were associated with greater adiposity in adolescent girls but not adolescent boys. Interventions aimed at improving sleep schedules may be useful for obesity prevention, especially in girls.
Arabidopsis ITPK1 and ITPK2 Have an Evolutionarily Conserved Phytic Acid Kinase Activity
2019-09-16

Diphospho-<i>myo</i>-inositol polyphosphates, also termed inositol pyrophosphates, are molecular messengers containing at least one high-energy phosphoanhydride bond and regulate a wide range of cellular processes in eukaryotes. While inositol pyrophosphates InsP<sub>7</sub> and InsP<sub>8</sub> are present in different plant species, both the identity of enzymes responsible for InsP<sub>7</sub> synthesis and the isomer identity of plant InsP<sub>7</sub> remain unknown. This study demonstrates that <i>Arabidopsis</i> ITPK1 and ITPK2 catalyze the phosphorylation of phytic acid (InsP<sub>6</sub>) to the symmetric InsP<sub>7</sub> isomer 5-InsP<sub>7</sub> and that the InsP<sub>6</sub> kinase activity of ITPK enzymes is evolutionarily conserved from humans to plants. We also show by <sup>31</sup>P nuclear magnetic resonance that plant InsP<sub>7</sub> is structurally identical to the <i>in vitro</i> InsP<sub>6</sub> kinase products of ITPK1 and ITPK2. Our findings lay the biochemical and genetic basis for uncovering physiological processes regulated by 5-InsP<sub>7</sub> in plants.
Anion channel SLAH3 is a regulatory target of chitin receptor-associated kinase PBL27 in microbial stomatal closure
2019-09-16

In plants, antimicrobial immune responses involve the cellular release of anions and are responsible for the closure of stomatal pores. Detection of microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) induces currents mediated via slow-type (S-type) anion channels by a yet not understood mechanism. Here, we show that stomatal closure to fungal chitin is conferred by the major PRRs for chitin recognition, LYK5 and CERK1, the receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase PBL27, and the SLAH3 anion channel. PBL27 has the capacity to phosphorylate SLAH3, of which S127 and S189 are required to activate SLAH3. Full activation of the channel entails CERK1, depending on PBL27. Importantly, both S127 and S189 residues of SLAH3 are required for chitin-induced stomatal closure and anti-fungal immunity at the whole leaf level. Our results demonstrate a short signal transduction module from MAMP recognition to anion channel activation, and independent of ABA-induced SLAH3 activation.
Atp6ap2 deletion causes extensive vacuolation that consumes the insulin content of pancreatic β cells
2019-09-16

Significance Cells maintain several mechanisms to ensure their survival, including the removal of old or damaged proteins and organelles. This process must be balanced: too little turnover results in the accumulation of cellular “junk,” while excessive removal can deplete the cell and organism of key components. Here, we show that Atp6ap2 in the pancreatic β cell is essential for insulin granule turnover, as its absence resulted in the accumulation of oversized cytosolic vacuoles which conceivably account for excessive granule degradation, and thereby leads to impaired insulin secretion and diabetes.
Is faster better? A randomised crossover study comparing algorithms for closed-loop automatic oxygen control
2019-09-16

Objective Closed-loop automatic control (CLAC) of the fractional inspired oxygen (FiO 2 ) improved oxygen administration to preterm infants on respiratory support. We investigated whether a revised CLAC algorithm (CLAC fast , ≤2 FiO 2 adjustments/min), compared with routine manual control (RMC only ), increased the proportion of time with arterial haemoglobin oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry within prespecified target ranges (Target%) while not being inferior to the original algorithm (CLAC slow : ≤0.3 FiO 2 adjustments/min). Design Unblinded randomised controlled crossover study comparing three modes of FiO 2 control in random order for 8 hours each: RMC supported by CLAC fast was compared with RMC only and RMC supported by CLAC slow . A computer-generated list of random numbers using a block size of six was used for the allocation sequence. Setting Two German tertiary university neonatal intensive care units. Patients Of 23 randomised patients, 19 were analysed (mean±SD gestational age 27±2 weeks; age at randomisation 24±10 days) on non-invasive (n=18) or invasive (n=1) respiratory support at FiO 2 &gt;0.21. Main outcome measure Target%. Results Mean±SD [95% CI] Target% was 68%±11% [65% to 71%] for CLAC fast versus 65%±11% [61% to 68%] for CLAC slow versus 58%±11% [55% to 62%] for RMC only . Prespecified hypothesis tests of: (A) superiority of CLAC fast versus RMC only and (B) non-inferiority of CLAC fast versus CLAC slow with margin of 5% yielded one-sided p values of &lt;0.001 for both comparisons. Conclusions This revised and faster CLAC algorithm was still superior to routine care in infants on respiratory support and not inferior to a previously tested slower algorithm. Trial registration number NCT03163108 .
The Future of the Landscape Education for Democracy Programme
2019-09-16

This chapter reflects how the LED project has achieved systemic change, institutional learning and sustainability. The introduction of the LED course into the educational systems of five universities in four European countries has been challenging because it required capacity building at various levels: building a joint body of knowledge; testing, evaluating and revising teaching and learning methods; learning ICT skills; adapting to virtual team work; becoming a reflective educator - to name only the most relevant ones. In parallel, this new capacity had to be validated, ideally by full curricular integration of the new course, which required systemic change. The LED team therefore had to be in constant dialogue with its institutional environments and work hard to disseminate its outcomes from the beginning of the project. This process was very similar to the aims of the LED course itself: it enabled a community to work together, to create something which they cannot create alone and to consider this outcome as an added value that needs to be maintained. The sustainability concept of the LED programme therefore builds on three mutually reinforcing pillars: the LED course, the LED resources and the LED certificate. Each is explained in more detail in this chapter. We conclude with an emerging participatory and transdisciplinary methodology for landscape democracy, the landscape biography.
Undergraduate Medical Students’ Search for Health Information Online: Explanatory Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)
2019-09-16

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Previous research shows that being a “digital native” or growing up in a digital environment does not necessarily lead to increased digital competencies, such as digital health literacy or evaluation of webpage quality. </sec> <sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> This study showed how medical students searched for health information online, specifically the recommended testing for histamine intolerance, by comparing the use of various search engines (Google, Medisuch, and a website of the student’s choice) to find out more about search strategies in future health professionals. As Medisuch presents a qualitatively better search engine, we assumed that medical students using this search engine might find valid information faster on more reliable webpages, and might recommend the correct diagnostic steps for histamine intolerance to their patients more often than students using a generic search engine like Google. </sec> <sec> <title>METHODS</title> Medical students in their third year of study were asked to find the relevant diagnostic steps of histamine intolerance online. They were randomly assigned to use one search engine: Google, their personal choice, or Medisuch. Their process of seeking information online was video recorded. </sec> <sec> <title>RESULTS</title> In total, 140 medical students participated in this study. The total number of webpages found did not differ among the groups (&lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt;=.52). Students using Medisuch (&lt;i&gt;P&lt;/i&gt;=.02) correctly identified the elimination diet as a relevant diagnostic step more frequently. The provocation test was reported by almost half of the students independent of the search engine used. In general, medical students commonly identified trustworthy webpages in all three groups (Google: 36/44, 82%; free choice: 31/36; 86%; and Medisuch: 35/45, 78%). </sec> <sec> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> The results indicate that medical students were able to find trustworthy health-related information online independent of the search engine used. Medical students that are digital natives seem to have proper internet skills and a knowledge of how to use them. They entered specific medical terms (evidence-based diagnostic steps) or names of reliable webpages (DocCheck) in the search engines to gain correct information. However, it remains to be seen if this behavior can be called true “digital literacy”. </sec>
The impact of thin‐capitalization rules on the location of multinational firms’ foreign affiliates
2019-09-17

Abstract This paper examines how restrictions on the tax deductibility of interest cost affect location choices of multinational corporations (MNCs). Many countries have introduced so‐called thin‐capitalization rules (TCRs) to prevent MNCs from shifting their tax base to countries with lower tax rates. As of 2012, in our sample of 172 countries, 61 countries have implemented a TCR. Using information on nearly all new foreign investments of German MNCs, we provide a number of new and interesting insights in how TCRs affect the decision of where to locate foreign entities. In particular, stricter TCRs are found to negatively affect location choices of MNCs. Our results include estimates of own‐ and cross‐elasticities of location choice and also novel results on the relative importance of tax base vs. tax rate effects. We finally provide estimates for different uncoordinated as well as coordinated policy scenarios.