julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
More value through greater differentiation: Gender differences in value beliefs about math.
2014-10-27

Expectancy-value theory (Eccles et al., 1983) is a prominent approach to explaining gender differences in math-related academic choices, with value beliefs acting as an important explanatory factor. Expectancy-value theory defines 4 value components: intrinsic value, attainment value, utility value, and cost. The present study followed up on inconsistencies in research findings on gender differences in math values that might partially be due to differences in the operationalization of the value construct. To this end, we examined if subfacets of the 4 value components could be established empirically and if gender differences could be found on these facets. A total of 1,868 9th-grade students completed a set of 37 items assessing their value beliefs in mathematics. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the conceptual differentiation of value beliefs into a total of 11 value facets. Whereas the factor structure was invariant across gender, there were considerable differences in mean levels favoring boys on some but not all value facets. These gender differences depended not only on the value component but also on the specific facet under consideration. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Voc from a Morphology Point of View: the Influence of Molecular Orientation on the Open Circuit Voltage of Organic Planar Heterojunction Solar Cells
2014-10-27

The film morphology and device performance of planar heterojunction solar cells based on the molecular donor material α-sexithiophene (6T) are investigated. Planar heterojunctions of 6T with two different acceptor molecules, the C60 fullerene and diindenoperylene (DIP), have been prepared. The growth temperature of the 6T bottom layer has been varied between room temperature and 100 °C for each acceptor. By means of X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption, we show that the crystallinity and the molecular orientation of 6T is influenced by the preparation conditions and that the 6T film templates the growth of the subsequent acceptor layer. These structural changes are accompanied by changes in the characteristic parameters of the corresponding photovoltaic cells. This is most prominently observed as a shift of the open circuit voltage (Voc): In the case of 6T/C60 heterojunctions, Voc decreases from 0.4 to 0.3 V, approximately, if the growth temperature of 6T is increased from room temperature to 100 °C. By contrast, Voc increases from about 1.2 V to almost 1.4 V in the case of 6T/DIP solar cells under the same conditions. We attribute these changes upon substrate heating to increased recombination in the C60 case while an orientation dependent intermolecular coupling seems to change the origin of the photovoltaic gap in the DIP case.
Iron and Arsenic Speciation and Distribution in Organic Flocs from Streambeds of an Arsenic-Enriched Peatland
2014-10-27

Iron-rich organic flocs are frequently observed in surface waters of wetlands and show a high affinity for trace metal(loid)s. To date, spectroscopic speciation analyses of Fe and trace elements in these mineral-organic matter (OM) associations are missing. In this study, we investigated the speciation and distribution of Fe and As in flocs collected from low-flow streams (pH 5.3-6.3) of the naturally As-enriched peatland Gola di Lago (Switzerland) using (57)Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and synchrotron X-ray techniques. The flocs were rich in acid carbohydrates and contained up to 22.1 wt % Fe, 34.9 wt % C, and 2620 mg/kg As. Mössbauer analyses revealed small quantities (<5%) of Fe(II) and Fe(III)-OM complexes and the predominance of ferrihydrite (∼ Fe(5)HO(8) · 4H2O, 51-59%) and lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH, 34-46%). The latter was not observed by synchrotron X-ray diffraction, implying a coherent scattering domain size of <10 nm. Iron X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) confirmed the Mössbauer results, and bulk As XAS indicated the prevalence of arsenate (71-84%) in the flocs. Shell-fit analyses showed that As was entirely sorbed to Fe(III)-(oxyhydr)oxides and that both arsenate and arsenite exclusively formed monodentate-binuclear ("bridging") complexes (R(As-Fe) = 3.31-3.34 Å). Microfocused X-ray fluorescence spectrometry documented a strong correlation between As and Fe in the flocs. These analyses also revealed intense As hotspots coinciding with abundant freshwater green algae (Closterium spp.). Microfocused As X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra collected at algae-specific points identified up to 29% As(III), which, in combination with ∼ 5% As(III) detected at Fe-rich points, suggests As(V) bioreduction in the algae. Our findings imply that floc (bio)organics serve primarily as nucleation sites for the precipitation of nanocrystalline Fe(III)-(oxyhydr)oxides, rendering flocs effective sorbents for trace metal(loid)s. Thus, Fe-rich freshwater flocs likely play a pivotal role for the speciation and cycling of trace elements in wetlands.
Winning the game: brain processes in expert, young elite and amateur table tennis players
2014-10-27

(1) compared with amateurs and young elite, expert table tennis players are characterized by enhanced cortical activation in the motor and fronto-parietal cortex during motor imagery in response to table tennis videos; (2) in elite athletes, world rank points are associated with stronger cortical activation. To this aim, electroencephalographic data were recorded in 14 expert, 15 amateur and 15 young elite right-handed table tennis players. All subjects watched videos of a serve and imagined themselves responding with a specific table tennis stroke. With reference to a baseline period, power decrease/increase of the sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) during the pretask- and task period indexed the cortical activation/deactivation (event-related desynchronization/synchronization, ERD/ERS). Regarding hypothesis (1), 8-10 Hz SMR ERD was stronger in elite athletes than in amateurs with an intermediate ERD in young elite athletes in the motor cortex. Regarding hypothesis (2), there was no correlation between ERD/ERS in the motor cortex and world rank points in elite experts, but a weaker ERD in the fronto-parietal cortex was associated with higher world rank points. These results suggest that motor skill in table tennis is associated with focused excitability of the motor cortex during reaction, movement planning and execution with high attentional demands. Among elite experts, less activation of the fronto-parietal attention network may be necessary to become a world champion.
A Decision Support Tool for Appropriate Glucose-Lowering Therapy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
2014-10-27

A novel decision support tool based on the ADA/EASD 2012 position statement and a systematic analysis of expert opinion has been developed to help healthcare professionals to individualize glucose-lowering therapy in daily clinical situations.
Three-dimensional laparoscopy and thoracoscopy in children and adults: A prospective clinical trial
2014-10-27

Advantages of 3D over 2D were mainly considered to be of relevant benefit in adults. Subjective advantages were seen in children and adults for stereoscopic depth perception, better visualization of anatomical structures and understanding of the anatomy, as well as for complex maneuvers such as suturing.
Modern multimodality diagnosis of portal vein infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma and expected changes during current therapies
2014-10-27

Diagnosis of malignant portal vein infiltration and especially differentiation from bland thrombosis is challenging for most imaging techniques. The use of contrast-enhanced real-time modern imaging modalities like contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), volume perfusion CT (VPCT), or dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) with dedicated postprocessing tools provides additional support in difficult cases and is therefore recommended. The purpose of this review is to present a practical overview of strengths and limitations of modern imaging techniques in the diagnosis of malignant infiltration of the portal vein by hepatocellular carcinoma and to describe subsequent changes during therapy.
Resveratrol post-transcriptionally regulates pro-inflammatory gene expression via regulation of KSRP RNA binding activity
2014-10-28

Resveratrol shows beneficial effects in inflammation-based diseases like cancer, cardiovascular and chronic inflammatory diseases. Therefore, the molecular mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory resveratrol effects deserve more attention. In human epithelial DLD-1 and monocytic Mono Mac 6 cells resveratrol decreased the expression of iNOS, IL-8 and TNF-α by reducing mRNA stability without inhibition of the promoter activity. Shown by pharmacological and siRNA-mediated inhibition, the observed effects are SIRT1-independent. Target-fishing and drug responsive target stability experiments showed selective binding of resveratrol to the RNA-binding protein KSRP, a central post-transcriptional regulator of pro-inflammatory gene expression. Knockdown of KSRP expression prevented resveratrol-induced mRNA destabilization in human and murine cells. Resveratrol did not change KSRP expression, but immunoprecipitation experiments indicated that resveratrol reduces the p38 MAPK-related inhibitory KSRP threonine phosphorylation, without blocking p38 MAPK activation or activity. Mutation of the p38 MAPK target site in KSRP blocked the resveratrol effect on pro-inflammatory gene expression. In addition, resveratrol incubation enhanced KSRP-exosome interaction, which is important for mRNA degradation. Finally, resveratrol incubation enhanced its intra-cellular binding to the IL-8, iNOS and TNF-α mRNA. Therefore, modulation of KSRP mRNA binding activity and, thereby, enhancement of mRNA degradation seems to be the common denominator of many anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol.
Accessing word meaning in beginning second language learners: Lexical or conceptual mediation?
2014-10-28

We tested the predictions of the Revised Hierarchical Model (Kroll &amp; Stewart, 1994) to examine how children map novel words to concepts during early stages of L2 learning. Fifth grade Dutch L2 learners with 8 months of English instruction performed a translation recognition task followed by translation production in both directions. The children were already sensitive to L2 word meaning in translation recognition, showing longer RTs and lower accuracies for semantically related than semantically unrelated word pairs. In translation production, they were faster in backward than forward direction as predicted by the RHM. Critically, these children had learned L2 words in contexts enriched by pictures and listening/speaking exercises. Depending on the task, Dutch beginning L2 learners exploit conceptual information during L2 processing and map L2 word-forms to concepts. This study also contributes to accumulating evidence that manner of L2 instruction may majorly impact the activation of lexical and conceptual information during translation.
Enhanced Eryptosis Following Juglone Exposure
2014-10-28

Abstract Juglone, a quinone isolated from Juglans mandshurica Maxim , has previously been shown to be effective against malignancy. The effect is at least partially due to stimulation of suicidal death or apoptosis of tumour cells. On the other hand, juglone has been shown to counteract apoptosis, for example, of neurons. In analogy to apoptosis of nucleated cells, erythrocytes may enter eryptosis, a suicidal death characterized by cell shrinkage and breakdown of phosphatidylserine asymmetry of the cell membrane with phosphatidylserine exposure at the erythrocyte surface. Stimulators of eryptosis include increase in cytosolic Ca 2+ activity [(Ca 2+ ) i ]. This study explored whether juglone stimulates eryptosis. To this end, erythrocyte volume was estimated from forward scatter, phosphatidylserine exposure at the erythrocyte surface from FITC annexin V binding, ceramide abundance from binding of fluorescent antibodies in flow cytometry and cytosolic ATP with a luciferin–luciferase‐based assay. As a result, a 24‐hr exposure of human erythrocytes to juglone (5 μM) significantly decreased erythrocyte forward scatter. Juglone (1–5 μM) significantly increased the percentage of annexin V binding cells. Juglone (5 μM) significantly increased ceramide abundance at the erythrocyte surface and decreased erythrocyte ATP concentration. The effect of juglone (10 μM) on annexin V binding was slightly but significantly blunted by removal of extracellular Ca 2+ and by addition of protein kinase C ( PKC ) inhibitor staurosporine (1 μM). In conclusion, juglone stimulates suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis at least in part by upregulation of ceramide abundance, energy depletion and activation of PKC .
Supervised learning sets benchmark for robust spike rate inference from calcium imaging signals
2014-10-28

Summary A fundamental challenge in calcium imaging has been to infer spike rates of neurons from the measured noisy calcium fluorescence traces. We systematically evaluate a range of spike inference algorithms on a large benchmark dataset (&gt;100.000 spikes) recorded from varying neural tissue (V1 and retina) using different calcium indicators (OGB-1 and GCaMP6). We introduce a new algorithm based on supervised learning in flexible probabilistic models and show that it outperforms all previously published techniques. Importantly, it even performs better than other algorithms when applied to entirely new datasets for which no simultaneously recorded data is available. Future data acquired in new experimental conditions can easily be used to further improve its spike prediction accuracy and generalization performance. Finally, we show that comparing algorithms on artificial data is not informative about performance on real data, suggesting that benchmark datasets such as the one we provide may greatly facilitate future algorithmic developments.
Constraining duty cycles through a Bayesian technique
2014-10-28

The duty cycle (DC) of astrophysical sources is generally defined as the\\nfraction of time during which the sources are active. However, DCs are\\ngenerally not provided with statistical uncertainties, since the standard\\napproach is to perform Monte Carlo bootstrap simulations to evaluate them,\\nwhich can be quite time consuming for a large sample of sources. As an\\nalternative, considerably less time-consuming approach, we derived the\\ntheoretical expectation value for the DC and its error for sources whose state\\nis one of two possible, mutually exclusive states, inactive (off) or flaring\\n(on), as based on a finite set of independent observational data points.\\nFollowing a Bayesian approach, we derived the analytical expression for the\\nposterior, the conjugated distribution adopted as prior, and the expectation\\nvalue and variance. We applied our method to the specific case of the\\ninactivity duty cycle (IDC) for supergiant fast X-ray transients. We also\\nstudied IDC as a function of the number of observations in the sample. Finally,\\nwe compare the results with the theoretical expectations. We found excellent\\nagreement with our findings based on the standard bootstrap method. Our\\nBayesian treatment can be applied to all sets of independent observations of\\ntwo-state sources, such as active galactic nuclei, X-ray binaries, etc. In\\naddition to being far less time consuming than bootstrap methods, the\\nadditional strength of this approach becomes obvious when considering a\\nwell-populated class of sources ( ) for which the prior can\\nbe fully characterized by fitting the distribution of the observed DCs for all\\nsources in the class, so that, through the prior, one can further constrain the\\nDC of a new source by exploiting the information acquired on the DC\\ndistribution derived from the other sources. [Abridged]\\n
Late pre‐Islamic burials at Mleiha, Emirate of Sharjah (UAE)
2014-10-28

The history of two monumental grave buildings (nos. 4 and 5), excavated in area P of the late pre‐Islamic city of Mleiha, has been studied in detail. Like all other tombs excavated up to the present day in Mleiha, their chambers had been emptied in ancient times. They were found devoid of human remains and grave‐goods. In the upper parts of the grave fills, however, skeletal remains were encountered. One of the skeletons was radiocarbon dated to AD 623–656, the time of the Islamisation of south‐east Arabia. A radiocarbon date of 384–233 BC for a wooden beam from the same tomb showed that it was built during the late pre‐Islamic period ( PIR ‐A). These dates and stratigraphic observations made clear that the interments were intrusive. The surrounding sediments were deposited by flooding. Directly underneath the skull of the dated skeleton, a layer of sandy loam was encountered, showing mud cracks. To understand the relationship between the burial and these deposits, micromorphological analyses of the surrounding sediments were conducted. The microstructural organisation of the sedimentary components implied that the skull was interred as part of a burial, and not deposited by natural processes.
Satsurblia: New Insights of Human Response and Survival across the Last Glacial Maximum in the Southern Caucasus
2014-10-29

The region of western Georgia (Imereti) has been a major geographic corridor for human migrations during the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic (MP/UP). Knowledge of the MP and UP in this region, however, stems mostly from a small number of recent excavations at the sites of Ortvale Klde, Dzudzuana, Bondi, and Kotias Klde. These provide an absolute chronology for the Late MP and MP-UP transition, but only a partial perspective on the nature and timing of UP occupations, and limited data on how human groups in this region responded to the harsh climatic oscillations between 37,000-11,500 years before present. Here we report new UP archaeological sequences from fieldwork in Satsurblia cavein the same region. A series of living surfaces with combustion features, faunal remains, stone and bone tools, and ornaments provide new information about human occupations in this region (a) prior to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) at 25.5-24.4 ka cal. BP and (b) after the LGM at 17.9-16.2 ka cal. BP. The latter provides new evidence in the southern Caucasus for human occupation immediately after the LGM. The results of the campaigns in Satsurblia and Dzudzuana suggest that at present the most plausible scenario is one of a hiatus in the occupation of this region during the LGM (between 24.4-17.9 ka cal. BP). Analysis of the living surfaces at Satsurblia offers information about human activities such as the production and utilisation of lithics and bone tools, butchering, cooking and consumption of meat and wild cereals, the utilisation of fibers, and the use of certain woods. Microfaunal and palynological analyses point to fluctuations in the climate with consequent shifts in vegetation and the faunal spectrum not only before and after the LGM, but also during the two millennia following the end of the LGM.
The Intimin periplasmic domain mediates dimerisation and binding to peptidoglycan
2014-10-29

Summary I ntimin and I nvasin are prototypical inverse ( T ype V e) autotransporters and important virulence factors of enteropathogenic E scherichia coli and Y ersinia spp . respectively. In addition to a C ‐terminal extracellular domain and a β‐barrel transmembrane domain, both proteins also contain a short N ‐terminal periplasmic domain that, in I ntimin, includes a lysin motif ( LysM ), which is thought to mediate binding to peptidoglycan. We show that the periplasmic domain of I ntimin does bind to peptidoglycan both in vitro and in vivo , but only under acidic conditions. We were able to determine a dissociation constant of 0.8 μM for this interaction, whereas the I nvasin periplasmic domain, which lacks a LysM , bound only weakly in vitro and failed to bind peptidoglycan in vivo . We present the solution structure of the I ntimin LysM , which has an additional α‐helix conserved within inverse autotransporter L ys M s but lacking in others. In contrast to previous reports, we demonstrate that the periplasmic domain of I ntimin mediates dimerisation. We further show that dimerisation and peptidoglycan binding are general features of LysM ‐containing inverse autotransporters. Peptidoglycan binding by the periplasmic domain in the infection process may aid in resisting mechanical and chemical stress during transit through the gastrointestinal tract.
Three dimensional (3D) histology in daily routine: practical implementation and its evaluation
2014-10-29

Summary Background The continuous evaluation of the edges of a tumor by means of three‐dimensional (3D) histology often appears complicated and require the surgeon and dermatopathologist to work together closely. We present clear rules that allow communication between all parties involved and then verify their application in daily routine. Methods Tissue processing, interpretation of results, as well as communication between the surgeon and the dermatopathologist are based on an algorithm with the aid of exact times and embedding cassettes, which allow precise topographic orientation. We evaluated the use of this method in daily clinic practice, taking into account 947 operated basal cell carcinomas in regard to the development of recurrent tumors. Results At a median follow‐up of 47 months, 10 of the 947 operated basal cell carcinomas (1.1 %) recurred. Sclerodermiform basal cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas which could not be curatively resected (R0 resection) during the initial surgery showed a significantly higher recurrence rate (p &lt; 0.05 and p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions Standardized rules for dealing with excised tissue allow an effective application of 3D histology in daily clinical practice. 3D histology results in low recurrence rates. Sclerodermiform basal cell carcinomas which could not be curatively resected (R0 resection) were identified as a risk group for the development of recurrent tumors.