julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Tumour Progression Stage-Dependent Secretion of YB-1 Stimulates Melanoma Cell Migration and Invasion
2020-08-18

Secreted factors play an important role in intercellular communication. Therefore, they are not only indispensable for the regulation of various physiological processes but can also decisively advance the development and progression of tumours. In the context of inflammatory disease, Y-box binding protein 1 (YB-1) is actively secreted and the extracellular protein promotes cell proliferation and migration. In malignant melanoma, intracellular YB-1 expression increases during melanoma progression and represents an unfavourable prognostic marker. Here, we show active secretion of YB-1 from melanoma cells as opposed to benign cells of the skin. Intriguingly, YB-1 secretion correlates with the stage of melanoma progression and depends on a calcium- and ATP-dependent non-classical secretory pathway leading to the occurrence of YB-1 in the extracellular space as a free protein. Along with an elevated YB-1 secretion of melanoma cells in the metastatic growth phase, extracellular YB-1 exerts a stimulating effect on melanoma cell migration, invasion, and tumourigenicity. Collectively, these data suggest that secreted YB-1 plays a functional role in melanoma cell biology, stimulating metastasis, and may serve as a novel biomarker in malignant melanoma that reflects tumour aggressiveness.
Direct Visualization of Phase-Locking of Large Josephson Junction Arrays by Surface Electromagnetic Waves
2020-08-18

Phase-locking of oscillators leads to superradiant amplification of the\\nemission power. This is particularly important for development of THz sources,\\nwhich suffer from low emission efficacy. In this work we study large Josephson\\njunction arrays containing several thousands of Nb-based junctions. Using\\nlow-temperature scanning laser microscopy we observe that at certain bias\\nconditions two-dimensional standing-wave patterns are formed, manifesting\\nglobal synchronization of the arrays. Analysis of standing waves indicates that\\nthey are formed by surface plasmon type electromagnetic waves propagating at\\nthe electrode/substrate interface. Thus we demonstrate that surface waves\\nprovide an effective mechanism for long-range coupling and phase-locking of\\nlarge junction arrays.\\n
Predicting the fMRI Signal Fluctuation with Recurrent Neural Networks Trained on Vascular Network Dynamics
2020-08-18

Abstract Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) studies have revealed specific low-frequency hemodynamic signal fluctuations (&amp;lt;0.1 Hz) in the brain, which could be related to neuronal oscillations through the neurovascular coupling mechanism. Given the vascular origin of the fMRI signal, it remains challenging to separate the neural correlates of global rs-fMRI signal fluctuations from other confounding sources. However, the slow-oscillation detected from individual vessels by single-vessel fMRI presents strong correlation to neural oscillations. Here, we use recurrent neural networks (RNNs) to predict the future temporal evolution of the rs-fMRI slow oscillation from both rodent and human brains. The RNNs trained with vessel-specific rs-fMRI signals encode the unique brain oscillatory dynamic feature, presenting more effective prediction than the conventional autoregressive model. This RNN-based predictive modeling of rs-fMRI datasets from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) reveals brain state-specific characteristics, demonstrating an inverse relationship between the global rs-fMRI signal fluctuation with the internal default-mode network (DMN) correlation. The RNN prediction method presents a unique data-driven encoding scheme to specify potential brain state differences based on the global fMRI signal fluctuation, but not solely dependent on the global variance.
Humidity related magnetite alteration in an experimental setup
2020-08-18

SUMMARY Low-temperature oxidation (LTO) of magnetite is an alteration process which occurs under normal atmospheric conditions, causing maghemitization. The use of magnetic properties as palaeoclimate proxies requires improved understanding of how humidity and temperature affect such processes. We exposed natural magnetite, with grain size ranging from &amp;lt;1 to ∼30 μm, to different humidity conditions at room temperature and 70 °C for 1 yr. Changes in room temperature setups were very minor, but in all 70 °C setups alteration was detected by magnetic and mineralogical properties. Lowering of the Verwey transition temperature (Tv) turned out to be the most sensitive indicator of LTO, and also lattice constants correlate well with the shift of Tv. Thermomagnetic curves and XRD-results indicate that LTO affects the entire volume of the particles rather than only surface layers. The sample exposed to high relative humidity (rH) &amp;gt;90 per cent at 70 °C showed the strongest degree of LTO with an increase of the oxidation degree by ∼3 per cent according to Tv, and it was the only setup where partial alteration to hematite was indicated by Mössbauer analysis. The sample with extremely dry conditions (rH of ∼5 per cent) at 70 °C, and the sample that was exposed to cycles of high and low humidity in 2-weeks alternation at 70 °C, both revealed a smaller degree of LTO. The smallest change of the high temperature setups was observed for the sample with intermediate rH of ∼13 per cent. The results suggest a non-linear sensitivity of magnetite alteration to humidity conditions, high humidity strongly favours alteration, but alteration is strongly reduced when extreme humidity alternates with dry conditions, suggesting an importance of seasonality in natural weathering.
Articulatory Variability is Reduced by Repetition and Predictability
2020-08-18

Repeating the movements associated with activities such as drawing or sports typically leads to improvements in kinematic behavior: these movements become faster, smoother, and exhibit less variation. Likewise, practice has also been shown to lead to faster and smoother movement trajectories in speech articulation. However, little is known about its effect on articulatory variability. To address this, we investigate the extent to which repetition and predictability influence the articulation of the frequent German word “sie” [zi] (they). We find that articulatory variability is proportional to speaking rate and the duration of [zi], and that overall variability decreases as [zi] is repeated during the experiment. Lower variability is also observed as the conditional probability of [zi] increases, and the greatest reduction in variability occurs during the execution of the vocalic target of [i]. These results indicate that practice can produce observable differences in the articulation of even the most common gestures used in speech.
The Membrane Transporter OAT7 (SLC22A9) Is Not a Susceptibility Factor for Osteoporosis in Europeans
2020-08-18

Bone production, maintenance, and modeling are a well-balanced process involving mineralization by osteoblasts and resorption by osteoclasts. Sex steroid hormones, including their conjugated forms, contribute majorly to maintaining this balance. Recently, variants in the <i>SLC22A9</i> gene have been associated with osteoporosis in Korean females. We had recently shown that <i>SLC22A9</i>, encoding organic anion transporter 7 (OAT7), is an uptake transporter of estrone sulfate and identified several genetic variants in Europeans leading to functional consequences <i>in vitro</i>. We therefore hypothesized that <i>SLC22A9</i> genetic variants may contribute to the pathophysiology of osteoporosis in Europeans. To test this hypothesis, we examined the associations of <i>SLC22A9</i> variants with bone quality, fractures, and bone turnover markers. We genotyped <i>SLC22A9</i> variants in 5,701 (2,930 female) subjects (age range, 20-93 years) extracted from the population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP and SHIP-TREND) covered by the Illumina Infinium HumanExome BeadChip version v1.0 (Exome Chip). Descriptive data (e.g., history of fractures), ultrasonography of the calcaneus, as well as serum concentrations of carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen, and vitamin D were determined. Comprehensive statistical analyses revealed no association between low-frequency and rare <i>SLC22A9</i> variants and bone quality, fractures, and bone turnover markers. Our results indicate that single genetic <i>SLC22A9</i> variants do not have a major impact on osteoporosis risk prediction in Europeans, yet findings need to be replicated in larger-scale studies.
Cover Feature: Multivalent ions and biomolecules: Attempting a comprehensive perspective (ChemPhysChem 16/2020)
2020-08-18

The Cover Feature illustrates the manifold and complex effects of multivalent ions on biological and soft matter systems. Besides specific binding modes and ion–ion correlations, multivalent ions control the assembly and phase behavior of systems ranging from proteins over nucleic acids to surfactants, motivating an interdisciplinary perspective. More information can be found in the Review by Olga Matsarskaia, Felix Roosen-Runge, and Frank Schreiber.
Principals between exploitation and exploration: Results of a nationwide study on ambidexterity of school leaders
2020-08-19

Both organizational and management research suggest that schools and their leaders need to be ambidextrous to secure prosperity and long-term survival in dynamic environments characterized by competition and innovation. In this context, ambidexterity refers to the ability to simultaneously pursue exploitation and exploration and thus to deliver efficiency, control and incremental improvements while embracing flexibility, autonomy and discontinuous innovation. Using a unique, randomized and representative data set of N = 405 principals, we present findings on principals’ exploitation and exploration. The results indicate: (a) that principals engage far more often in exploitative than in explorative activities; (b) that exploitative activities in schools are executed at the expense of explorative activities; and (c) that explorative and ambidextrous activities of principals are positively associated with the (perceived) competition between schools. The study brings a novel perspective to educational research and demonstrates that applying the concept of ambidexterity has the potential to further our understanding of effective educational leadership and management.
High spatial resolution analysis of H2O in silicate glass using attenuated total reflection FTIR spectroscopy coupled with a focal plane array detector
2020-08-19

High resolution spectroscopic techniques that are used to determine volatile concentration in geological glasses are on the forefront for determining small scale degassing or hydration processes. Several spectroscopic methods are used for this purpose but they mostly require complicated sample preparation. Here, these methods are extended by the use of attenuated total reflectance (ATR) FTIR spectroscopy coupled with a focal plane array detector (FPA). ATR-FTIR spectroscopy requires only singly polished samples. The coupling to an FPA detector, which is novel for the analysis of volatile bearing glasses, enables spatial resolution on a micrometer scale. An ATR-FPA calibration to quantify H2O concentration in peralkaline rhyolitic glass is presented, which is comparable to conventional ATR calibrations using a single element detector. The results confirm that calibrations for different glass compositions are comparable after correction for glass density as suggested by a previous study. A method is developed to compare calibrations obtained with ATR objectives that have different angles of incidence. Despite the larger errors that come with the use of an FPA detector, the method allows the detection of H2O concentration gradients on a micrometer scale. The ATR-FPA calibration was applied to experimentally vesiculated melts that were quenched to glasses. It was possible to resolve only several μm-sized H2O resorption halos around vesicles that formed during isobaric cooling. Besides vesiculated glasses, the new method may enable the analysis of small melt inclusions and partially crystallized glasses and may allow the spatially resolved analysis of CO2 dissolved in silicate glasses.
Improved De Novo Draft Genome Sequence of the Nocavionin-Producing Type Strain Nocardia terpenica IFM 0706 and Comparative Genomics with the Closely Related Strain Nocardia terpenica IFM 0406
2020-08-19

We report an improved de novo draft genome sequence of the human-pathogenic strain Nocardia terpenica IFM 0706 T . The resequencing unveiled that the genome size is larger than anticipated, reducing significantly the number of contigs and building a basis for comparison with the closely related strain N. terpenica IFM 0406.
Late Miocene remains from Venta del Moro (Iberian Peninsula) provide further insights on the dispersal of crocodiles across the late Miocene Tethys
2020-08-19

Abstract The dispersal of Crocodylus from Africa to Europe during the Miocene is not well understood. A small collection of cranial fragments and postcranial elements from the latest Miocene (6.2 Ma) site of Venta del Moro (Valencia, Spain) have previously been referred to Crocodylus cf. C. checchiai Maccagno, 1947 without accompanying descriptions. Here we describe and figure for the first time the crocodylian remains from Venta del Moro, which represent at least two individuals. Our comparisons indicate that this material clearly does not belong to Diplocynodon or Tomistoma —the only two other crocodylians described so far for the European late Miocene. The material is only tentatively referred to cf. Crocodylus sp. because the apomorphies of this genus are not preserved and a referral to C. checchiai cannot be supported on a morphological basis. However, it is likely that this late Miocene species, originally described from Libya (As Sahabi) and later identified also in Kenya, could have dispersed across the Mediterranean Basin multiple times and colonized the southern areas of Mediterranean Europe, as evidenced by several Crocodylus or Crocodylus -like remains described during the past years.
Synthesis and Properties of N1-(indan-5-yl)amidrazones Incorporating Piperazines and Related Congeners
2020-08-19

A selected set of new N1-(indan-5-yl)amidrazones 4a-p, encompassing piperazines or related amines, has been prepared via interaction of the hydrazonoyl chloride 3 (derived from 5-aminoindane) with the appropriate sec-cyclic amine in the presence of triethylamine. Their suggested structures are supported by IR, &lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;H NMR, &lt;sup&gt;13&lt;/sup&gt;C NMR, high-resolution MS (ESI) spectral data, and further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography for 4k. These novel compounds were screened for their antitumor activity against breast cancer cells (MCF7 and T47D); amongst all of them, only compound 4o, incorporating N-(pyrimidin-2-yl)piperazine, was fairly active with IC&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt; values of 69 μM and 61 μM, respectively.
Seven-day Fasting as a multimodal complex intervention for Adults with Type 1 Diabetes –&nbsp;Feasibility, Benefit and Safety in a Controlled Pilot Study
2020-08-19

Abstract Aims/Hypothesis: Intermittent as well as prolonged fasting are receiving considerable attention and appear favorable in conditions like the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, rheumatic diseases and others. Fasting for people with type 1 diabetes is generally considered too risky. However, the ability and possibility to change from carbohydrate to ketone-based fuel supply may also be relevant for people with type 1 diabetes. The aim of this patient-led research was to investigate the feasibility, benefit and safety of a seven-day multimodal fasting intervention in people with type 1 diabetes. Methods: A non-randomized controlled pilot study, with 20 participants with and 10 without type 1 diabetes with data acquisition toking place prior, post and four months after the intervention and daily during intervention. Results: 29 of 30 participants finished the intervention. Mean ß-hydroxybutyrate as representative ketone body increased to 2.8 ± 1.9 mmol/L on day 7 while average glucose remained between 4.9 ± 1.5 to 7.5 ± 2.3 mmol/L89 [± 27 and 136 ± 40 mg/dL]. Fasting-related side effects were all temporary, and slightly more prevalent in those with type 1 diabetes. Mean daily insulin dose was adjusted from 24.4 (3-50) IU on the day before fasting to 7.6 (0-26.7) IU on day 7. Quality of life (WHO-5) normalized from 54.0 ± 4.4 to 68.8 ± 15.0 (p = 0.01) after fasting. The was a decrease from before until the follow -up four month late of weight from 77.6 ± 20.4 kg to 76.6 ± 20.9 kg (p = 0.023) and for the BMI from (27.68 ± 7.04) to (26.74 ± 7.15) kg/m 2 (p = 0.008). Diastolic blood pressure increased from 69.75 ± 11.41 mmHg to 75.74 ± 8.42 mmHg (p = 0.028) and stayed in a healthy range on average. Conclusions/Interpretation: This study demonstrates the feasibility, benefits and safety aspects of a 7-day fast in adults with type 1 diabetes.
Landscape Conflicts—A Theoretical Approach Based on the Three Worlds Theory of Karl Popper and the Conflict Theory of Ralf Dahrendorf, Illustrated by the Example of the Energy System Transformation in Germany
2020-08-20

On the basis of Karl Popper’s Three Worlds Theory, a theoretical approach to landscape can be derived, which includes the physical foundations of landscape (Landscape 1), the individual construction and emotions drawn from and placed upon landscape (Landscape 2), and social conventions regarding landscape (Landscape 3). These three landscape dimensions are connected via Landscape 2, which also provides an approach for the systematic investigation of the relations between the dimensions. Ralf Dahrendorf’s conflict theory in turn serves as a theoretical framework for when the different connections develop in a conflictual way and how these can be regulated. Dahrendorf sees a principled productivity of conflicts, providing they are settled fairly. On the basis of the conditions he has developed for just such a conflict settlement, the implementation of the energy system transformation is examined against the background of its consequences for the landscape, with the result that essential conditions for an orderly settlement of conflicts are not fulfilled, thereby contributing to the polarization of society.
Distinct Mutation Patterns Reveal Melanoma Subtypes and Influence Immunotherapy Response in Advanced Melanoma Patients
2020-08-20

The detection of somatic driver mutations by next-generation sequencing (NGS) is becoming increasingly important in the care of advanced melanoma patients. In our study, we evaluated the NGS results of 82 melanoma patients from clinical routine in 2017. Besides determining the tumor mutational burden (TMB) and annotation of all genetic driver alterations, we investigated their potential as a predictor for resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and as a distinguishing feature between melanoma subtypes. Melanomas of unknown primary had a similar mutation pattern and TMB to cutaneous melanoma, which hints at its cutaneous origin. Besides the typical hotspot mutation in BRAF and NRAS, we frequently observed CDKN2A deletions. Acral and mucosal melanomas were dominated by CNV alterations affecting PDGFRA, KIT, CDK4, RICTOR, CCND2 and CHEK2. Uveal melanoma often had somatic SNVs in GNA11/Q and amplification of MYC in all cases. A significantly higher incidence of BRAF V600 mutations and EGFR amplifications, PTEN and TP53 deletions was found in patients with disease progression while on ICI. Thus, NGS might help to characterize melanoma subtypes more precisely and to identify possible resistance mechanisms to ICI therapy. Nevertheless, NGS based studies, including larger cohorts, are needed to support potential genetic ICI resistance mechanisms.
Enhanced NO2-Sensing Properties of Au-Loaded Porous In2O3 Gas Sensors at Low Operating Temperatures
2020-08-20

NO2-sensing properties of semiconductor gas sensors using porous In2O3 powders loaded with and without 0.5 wt% Au (Au/In2O3 and In2O3 sensors, respectively) were examined in wet air (70% relative humidity at 25 °C). In addition, the effects of Au loading on the increased NO2 response were discussed on the basis of NO2 adsorption/desorption properties on the oxide surface. The NO2 response of the Au/In2O3 sensor monotonically increased with a decrease in the operating temperature, and the Au/In2O3 sensor showed higher NO2 responses than those of the In2O3 sensor at a temperature of 100 °C or lower. In addition, the response time of the Au/In2O3 sensor was much shorter than that of the In2O3 sensor at 30 °C. The analysis based on the Freundlich adsorption mechanism suggested that the Au loading increased the adsorption strength of NO2 on the In2O3 surface. Moreover, the Au loading was also quite effective in decreasing the baseline resistance of the In2O3 sensor in wet air (i.e., increasing the number of free electrons in the In2O3), which resulted in an increase in the number of negatively charged NO2 species on the In2O3 surface. The Au/In2O3 sensor showed high response to the low concentration of NO2 (ratio of resistance in target gas to that in air: ca. 133 to 0.1 ppm) and excellent NO2 selectivity against CO and ethanol, especially at 100 °C.
Comparing perceived psychosocial working conditions of nurses and physicians in two university hospitals in Germany with other German professionals - feasibility of scale conversion between two versions of the German Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ)
2020-08-20

Abstract Background In 2015, the WorkSafeMed study assessed, amongst others, perceived psychosocial working conditions in nurses ( n = 567) and physicians ( n = 381) from two German university hospitals using scales from the German standard version of the COPSOQ (Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire). This standard version is based on the international COPSOQ I and II. Since 2017, a further developed version of the German COPSOQ (G-COPSOQ III) has been available and data from this version are stored in the German COPSOQ database. The aim of the present study was to compare scales depicting perceived psychosocial workloads and strain in hospital staff from the WorkSafeMed study with reference data (hospital care nurses, general hospital physicians, reference values across all occupations) from the German COPSOQ database (2012–2017). As preliminary work, we explored whether a conversion of COPSOQ scales based on data from the WorkSafeMed study to the G-COPSOQ III scales was possible. Methods We applied a multistep approach for conversion. First, we compared 17 COPSOQ scales used in the WorkSafeMed study with the corresponding scales from the G-COPSOQ III according to content and then decided if a conversion was appropriate. If possible, we converted WorkSafeMed scales - the converted scales comprised the same content and number of items as in G-COPSOQ III. An explorative statistical analysis for each original and converted WorkSafeMed scale followed detecting possible statistical and relevant differences between the scales. We then compared converted WorkSafeMed scales with reference data from the German COPSOQ database. Results Based on the comparison undertaken according to content, a conversion was possible for 16 scales. Using the data from the WorkSafeMed study, the statistical analysis showed only differences between original and converted COPSOQ scales “control over working time” (mean 40.2 vs. 51.8, d Cohen = 0.56) and “social relations” (mean 55.6 vs. 41.8, d Cohen = − 0.55). Comparing converted WorkSafeMed scales with reference data revealed higher values for “quantitative demands” , “work-privacy-conflict”, and “job satisfaction” in the WorkSafeMed sample . Conclusions The conversion of WorkSafeMed scales was appropriate, allowed a comparison with three reference values in the German COPSOQ database and revealed some implications for improving psychosocial working conditions of nurses and physicians in university hospitals in Germany.