julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
The Beep-Speed Illusion: Non-Spatial Tones Increase the Perceived Speed of Visual Objects
2021-09-01

Coinciding auditory information alters early processing of visual scenes, however, the interplay between audio-visual integration and selective visual attention is far from being understood. Here, we introduce the beep-speed illusion revealing both the impact of audio-visual integration on attentional guidance as well as perceptual consequences following the selective allocation of visual attention toward audio-visually synchronized objects. We observed the illusion with displays involving two simultaneously moving objects that change their motion trajectories occasionally, but only the direction changes of one object are accompanied by spatially uninformative tones. Whereas this object always moved with 4.5 deg/s, we varied the speed of the other, purely visual object across trials. The task of the participants was to indicate which of the two discs moved faster. From these answers, we calculated the point of subjective equality (i.e. the speed of the visual object at which both objects appeared to move at the same speed). We observed a selective increase in perceived object speed (4-8%) of the audio-visually synchronized object (Exp. 1a) which persists when preventing eye movements (Exp. 1b). When the coinciding tones were replaced with temporally matched color changes of the synchronized object, we observed a comparable illusory increase in perceived speed, whereas presenting color changes of a surrounding frame instead of tones had no effect (Exp. 2). Finally, the illusion even emerged with spatially incongruent tones (Exp. 3). Taken together, our pattern of results suggests that audio-visual synchrony attracts visual attention towards the coinciding visual object, leading to an increase in speed-perception. Although future research is necessary to explore the boundary conditions of the beep-speed illusion, the striking phenomenology as well as quantifiability of the illusory increase in perceived object speed render this illusion a promising road for a better understanding of the interplay between audio-visual integration and attentional selection.
I see something you don’t see: The influence of the learning context on object correspondence.
2021-09-01

Spatio-temporal as well as feature information play an important role for establishing object correspondence, i.e., determine how new information is integrated into existing object representations. It is unclear, however, how these two factors interact and why their influence can be found to be more or less strong. Here, we investigated if the learning context can influence this process. We used the Ternus display, an ambiguous apparent motion, in which three elements can be perceived as moving independently (element motion) or together as a group (group motion). Which percept is seen depends on how correspondence has been resolved. In a first phase we manipulated the learning context by showing two groups of participants different types of Ternus displays: for group one we manipulated the spatio-temporal information by modifying the interstimulus interval (ISI) between the Ternus elements, while for group two we kept the ISI constant and manipulated the feature information of the Ternus elements, using differently colored elements to bias the percept either towards group or element motion. In a second phase we showed both groups the same Ternus displays, for which the ISI as well as the feature bias was manipulated. Participants were asked in both phases to indicate whether they perceived element or group motion. If the learning context influences correspondence, we expected that participants would learn which factor is more meaningful to determine correspondence and thus to find different pattern of results for both groups in phase two, despite the displays being identical. In particular, for group one the ISI should have a stronger effect while for group two the feature bias should be stronger. This is exactly what we found, suggesting that which factor is more important for solving object correspondence – spatio-temporal or feature information – can be influenced by the learning context.
Through the Looking-Glass at 150: Eight Retakes
2021-09-01

ABSTRACT This collection of eight different essays describes the thoughts and impressions from rereading Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There on the sesquicentennial of its publication. The responses offer new impressions and explore the novel from various perspectives, including language, ambiguities, chess, intertexuality, and humor. The consensus is that nothing in this tale is simple.
An individualized proactive e-health intervention promoting a lifestyle against depression: Results of a randomized controlled trial over 24 months
2021-09-01

Purpose We developed a fully automated e-health intervention promoting a depression-preventive lifestyle. Here, we present preliminary results from a proof-of-concept study among non-treatment seekers.
Latent alcohol use patterns and their link to depressive symptomatology in medical care patients
2021-09-01

Purpose Alcohol use disorders have been consistently associated with co-occurrent depressive disorders. However, a lack of research exists on co-occurrent depressive symptoms over the full range of alcohol use.
Does transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation affect vagally mediated heart rate variability? A living and interactive Bayesian meta‐analysis
2021-09-02

Abstract Non‐invasive brain stimulation techniques, such as transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), have considerable potential for clinical use. Beneficial effects of taVNS have been demonstrated on symptoms in patients with mental or neurological disorders as well as transdiagnostic dimensions, including mood and motivation. However, since taVNS research is still an emerging field, the underlying neurophysiological processes are not yet fully understood, and the replicability of findings on biomarkers of taVNS effects has been questioned. The objective of this analysis was to synthesize the current evidence concerning the effects of taVNS on vagally mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV), a candidate biomarker that has, so far, received most attention in the field. We performed a living Bayesian random effects meta‐analysis. To keep the synthesis of evidence transparent and up to date as new studies are being published, we developed a Shiny web app that regularly incorporates new results and enables users to modify study selection criteria to evaluate the robustness of the inference across potential confounds. Our analysis focuses on 16 single‐blind studies comparing taVNS versus sham in healthy participants. The meta‐analysis provides strong evidence for the null hypothesis ( g = 0.014, CI shortest = [−0.103, 0.132], BF 01 = 24.678), indicating that acute taVNS does not alter vmHRV compared to sham. To conclude, there is no support for the hypothesis that vmHRV is a robust biomarker for acute taVNS. By increasing transparency and timeliness, the concept of living meta‐analyses can lead to transformational benefits in emerging fields such as non‐invasive brain stimulation.
It takes two to tango: How scientific reasoning and self-regulation processes impact argumentation quality
2021-09-02

Background Improving scientific reasoning and argumentation are central aims of science education. Because of their complex nature, self-regulation is important for successful scientific reasoning. This study provides a first attempt to investigate how scientific reasoning and self-regulation processes conjointly impact argumentation quality.Methods In a study with university students (N = 30), we used fine-grained process data of scientific reasoning and self-regulation during inquiry learning to investigate how the co-occurrences between scientific reasoning and self-regulation processes are associated with argumentation quality.Findings When modeling the co-occurrence of scientific reasoning and self-regulation processes using epistemic network analysis, differences between students showing either high or low argumentation quality become apparent. Students who showed high argumentation quality engaged in different scientific reasoning processes together more often than students with low argumentation quality, and they made more connections between self-regulation and scientific reasoning processes.Contribution These findings offer educational implications for teaching scientific reasoning. Integrating self-regulation and scientific reasoning during instruction could be beneficial for improving scientific reasoning and argumentation.
Retrodeformation of the Steinheim Cranium: Insights into the Evolution of Neanderthals
2021-09-02

A number of different approaches are currently available to digitally restore the symmetry of a specimen deformed by taphonomic processes. These tools include mirroring and retrodeformation to approximate the original shape of an object by symmetrisation. Retrodeformation has the potential to return a rather faithful representation of the original shape, but its power is limited by the availability of bilateral landmarks. A recent protocol proposed by Schlager and colleagues (2018) overcomes this issue by using bilateral landmarks and curves as well as semilandmarks. Here we applied this protocol to the Middle Pleistocene human cranium from Steinheim (Germany), the holotype of an abandoned species named Homo steinheimensis. The peculiar morphology of this fossil, associated with the taphonomic deformation of the entire cranium and the lack of a large portion of the right side of the face, has given rise to different hypotheses over its phylogenetic position. The reconstruction presented here sheds new light on the taphonomic origin of some features observed on this crucial specimen and results in a morphology consistent with its attribution to the Neanderthal lineage.
Metabolic Switch and Cytotoxic Effect of Metformin on Burkitt Lymphoma
2021-09-02

Altered cellular energetic metabolism has recently emerged as important feature of neoplastic cells. Indeed, interfering with cancer cell metabolism might represent a suitable therapeutic strategy. In this study, we aimed to assess glucose metabolism activation in human lymphomas and evaluate how metformin can exert its action on lymphoma cells. We studied a large series of human lymphomas (N = 252) and an in vitro model of Burkitt lymphoma (BL) cells. We combined molecular biology techniques, including global gene expression profiling (GEP) analysis, quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting, and biochemical assays, aimed to assess pentose phosphate pathway, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and aerobic glycolysis rates. We found that glucose metabolism is overall enhanced in most lymphoma subtypes, based on gene expression profiling (GEP), with general shift to aerobic glycolysis. By contrast, normal B cells only showed an overall increase in glucose usage during germinal center transition. Interestingly, not only highly proliferating aggressive lymphomas but also indolent ones, like marginal zone lymphomas, showed the phenomenon. Consistently, genes involved in glycolysis were confirmed to be overexpressed in BL cells by qPCR. Biochemical assays showed that while aerobic glycolysis is increased, TCA cycle is reduced. Finally, we showed that metformin can induce cell death in BL cells by stressing cellular metabolism through the induction of GLUT1, PKM2, and LDHA. In conclusion, we unveiled glucose metabolism abnormalities in human lymphomas and characterized the mechanism of action of metformin in Burkitt lymphoma model.
Polite practices of acquisition: how German elites shopped for clothes, 1770–1820
2021-09-02

This article discusses the ways in which German landed elites acquired clothing in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. To explore their practices of acquisition and engagement with the world of goods, the article draws on a wide range of archival material: private and mercantile correspondence, account books, and merchants' bills. It identifies how contemporaries learned about fashions, the role played by artisans and shopkeepers as arbiters of taste, and how friends, relatives, and agents assisted in the procurement of goods. By highlighting how notions of rank, status, and taste influenced consumer choices, and how traditional and modern practices interlinked, the article offers a corrective to the (assumed) “backwardness” of German retailing and shopping practices, revealing a set of practices and motivations which look remarkably similar to those seen in Britain, France, and the Low Countries.
Arachnoid membrane as a source of sphingosine-1-phosphate that regulates mouse middle cerebral artery tone
2021-09-02

Growing evidence indicates that perivascular tissue is critical to modulate vessel function. We hypothesized that the arachnoid membrane surrounding middle cerebral artery (MCA) regulates its function via sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)-induced vasoconstriction. The MCA from 3- to 9-month-old male and female wild-type (Oncine France 1 and C57BL/6) mice and sphingosine kinase 2 knockout (SphK2-/-) mice in the C57BL/6 background was mounted in pressure myographs with and without arachnoid membrane. Raman microspectroscopy and imaging were used for in situ detection of S1P. The presence of arachnoid tissue was associated with reduced external and lumen MCA diameters, and with an increase in basal tone regardless of sex and strain background. Strong S1P-positive signals were detected in the arachnoid surrounding the MCA wall in both mice models, as well as in a human post-mortem specimen. Selective S1P receptor 3 antagonist TY 52156 markedly reduced both MCA vasoconstriction induced by exogenous S1P and arachnoid-dependent basal tone increase. Compared to 3-month-old mice, the arachnoid-mediated contractile influence persisted in 9-month-old mice despite a decline in arachnoid S1P deposits. Genetic deletion of SphK2 decreased arachnoid S1P content and vasoconstriction. This is the first experimental evidence that arachnoid membrane regulates the MCA tone mediated by S1P.
On the probability of lymph node negativity in pN0-staged prostate cancer—a theoretically derived rule of thumb for adjuvant needs
2021-09-02

Abstract Purpose The extent of lymphadenectomy and clinical features influence the risk of occult nodes in node-negative prostate cancer. We derived a simple estimation model for the negative predictive value (npv) of histopathologically node-negative prostate cancer patients (pN0) to guide adjuvant treatment. Methods Approximations of sensitivities in detecting lymph node metastasis from current publications depending on the number of removed lymph nodes were used for a theoretical deduction of a simplified formulation of npv assuming a false node positivity of 0. Results A theoretical formula of npv = p(N0IpN0) = (100 − prevalence) / (100 − sensitivity × prevalence) was calculated (sensitivity and preoperative prevalence in %). Depending on the number of removed lymph nodes (nLN), the sensitivity of pN0-staged prostate cancer was derived for three sensitivity levels accordingly: sensitivity = f(nLN) = 9 × nLN /100 for 0 ≤ nLN ≤ 8 and f(nLN) = (nLN + 70) /100 for 9 ≤ nLN ≤ 29 and f(nLN) = 1 for nLN ≥ 30. Conclusion We developed a theoretical formula for estimation of the npv in pN0-staged prostate cancer patients. It is a sine qua non to use the formula in a clinically experienced context before deciding to electively irradiate pelvic lymph nodes or to intensify adjuvant systemic treatment.
High-addition segmented refractive bifocal intraocular lens in inactive age-related macular degeneration: A multicenter pilot study
2021-09-02

This multicenter, open-label study aimed to determine the safety and functional outcome of a high-addition segmented refractive bifocal intraocular lens (IOL) in late inactive age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Twenty eyes of 20 patients were enrolled and followed until 12 months after the intervention. Patients underwent cataract surgery with implantation of a LS-313 MF80 segmented refractive bifocal intraocular lens with a near addition of +8.0 D (Teleon Surgical Vertriebs GmbH, Berlin, Germany). The main outcome measures were distance corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA) and safety as determined by intra- and post-operative complications. Secondary outcomes included distance corrected visual acuity (CDVA), uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA), the need for magnification to read newspaper, preferred reading distance, speed and performance (logRAD), as well as patient satisfaction. Mean DCNVA improved from 0.95 (±0.19) to 0.74 (±0.35) logMAR, until 6 months after surgery, P&lt;0.05. CDVA improved from 0.70 (±0.23) to 0.59 (±0.30) logMAR, UDVA from 0.94 (±0.25) to 0.69 (±0.34) logMAR, UNVA from 1.08 (±0.19) to 0.87 (±0.43) logMAR. The mean need for magnification decreased from 2.9- to 2.3-fold, preferred reading distance from 23 to 20 cm. No intraoperative complications occurred during any of the surgeries. One patient lost &gt; 2 lines of CDVA between 6 and 12 months, in another case, the study IOL was exchanged for a monofocal one due to dysphotopsia and decreased CDVA. Implantation of a segmented refractive bifocal IOL with +8.0 D addition improves near and distance vision in patients with late AMD and has a satisfactory safety profile.
Plasma levels of sPD-1 and PD-1 genetic variants are associated with hepatitis B infection and related liver disease progression
2021-09-02

Abstract Background Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) variants and circulating levels of soluble PD-1 are associated with susceptibility to malignant and infectious disease. This study aimed to examine the association of PD-1.5 and PD-1.9 variants, and plasma sPD-1 levels with HBV infection and disease progression. Methods The study cohort consists of HBV-infected adults (n = 513) stratified by clinical course, including chronic hepatitis B (CHB, n = 173), liver cirrhosis (LC, n = 134), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, n = 206), and matched healthy controls (HC, n = 196). The PD-1.5 (rs2227981 C/T) and PD-1.9 (rs2227982 C/T) genetic variants were genotyped by Sanger sequencing, and then sPD-1 levels were quantified by enzyme immunoassay. Results The plasma sPD-1 levels were significantly high among HBV patients. The highest plasma sPD-1 levels were observed in CHB patients, followed by the LC and HCC groups. In addition, the plasma sPD-1 levels correlated positively with liver inflammation (aspartate transaminase, AST: rho = 0.57, P &lt; 0.0001 and alanine aminotransferase, ALT: rho = 0.57, P &lt; 0.0001) and were positively correlated with liver fibrosis (AST to Platelet Ratio Index, APRI score: rho = 0.53, P &lt; 0.0001). The PD-1.9 TT genotype was less frequent in CHB patients compared to LC, HCC and HCC + LC patients in both codominant and recessive models (P &lt; 0.01) and was found to be a risk factor for HCC predisposition [HCC vs. non-HCC: OR = 2.0 (95% CI: 1.13–3.7), P adj =0.017]. The PD-1.5 CT genotype was associated with a reduced risk of acquiring HCC [OR = 0.6 (95%CI: 0.4–0.9), P adj =0.031]. Conclusion Our study concludes that sPD-1 levels are associated with liver inflammation and progression of liver fibrosis and the PD-1.5 and PD-1.9 variants are associated with HBV infection and progression of liver disease.
Primary immunosuppressive TNI-based conditioning regimens in pediatric patients treated with haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation
2021-09-02

Abstract Purpose This retrospective analysis aims to address the toxicity and efficacy of a modified total nodal irradiation (TNI)-based conditioning regimen before haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in pediatric patients. Materials and methods Patient data including long-term follow-up were evaluated of 7 pediatric patients with malignant ( n = 2) and non-malignant diseases ( n = 5) who were treated by a primary TNI-based conditioning regimen. TNI was performed using anterior/posterior opposing fields. All patients received 7 Gy single-dose TNI combined with systemic agents followed by an infusion of peripheral blood stem cells ( n = 7). All children had haploidentical family donors. Results Engraftment was reached in 6/7 children after a median time of 9.5 days; 1 child had primary graft failure but was successfully reconditioned shortly thereafter. After an average follow-up time of 103.5 months (range 8.8–138.5 months), event-free (EFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 71.4% and 85.7%, respectively. One child with a non-malignant disease died 8.8 months after transplantation due to a relapse and a multiple organ failure. Follow-up data was available for 5/6 long-term survivors with a median follow-up (FU) of 106.2 months (range 54.5–138.5 months). Hypothyroidism and deficiency of sexual hormones was present in 3/5 patients each. Mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) after TNI was 71%; mean vital capacity (VC) was 78%. Growth failure (&lt; 10th percentile) occurred in 2/5 patients (height) and 1/5 patient (weight). No secondary malignancies were reported. Conclusion In this group of patients, a primary single-dose 7 Gy TNI-based conditioning regimen before HCT in pediatric patients allowed sustained engraftment combined with a tolerable toxicity profile leading to long-term OS/EFS. Late toxicity after a median FU of over 9 years includes growth failure, manageable hormonal deficiencies, and acceptable decrease in lung function.
Tumor Cell IDO Enhances Immune Suppression and Decreases Survival Independent of Tryptophan Metabolism in Glioblastoma
2021-09-03

Abstract Purpose: Glioblastoma (GBM) is an incurable primary brain tumor that has not benefited from immunotherapy to date. More than 90% of GBM expresses the tryptophan (Trp) metabolic enzyme, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO). This observation supported the historical hypothesis that IDO suppresses the antitumor immune response solely through a mechanism that requires intratumoral Trp depletion. However, recent findings led us to investigate the alternative hypothesis that IDO suppresses the anti-GBM immune response independent of its association with Trp metabolism. Experimental Design: IDO-deficient GBM cell lines reconstituted with IDO wild-type or IDO enzyme–null cDNA were created and validated in vitro and in vivo. Microarray analysis was conducted to search for genes that IDO regulates, followed by the analysis of human GBM cell lines, patient GBM and plasma, and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Ex vivo cell coculture assays, syngeneic and humanized mouse GBM models, were used to test the alternative hypothesis. Results: Nonenzymic tumor cell IDO activity decreased the survival of experimental animals and increased the expression of complement factor H (CFH) and its isoform, factor H like protein 1 (FHL-1) in human GBM. Tumor cell IDO increased CFH and FHL-1 expression independent of Trp metabolism. Increased intratumoral CFH and FHL-1 levels were associated with poorer survival among patients with glioma. Similar to IDO effects, GBM cell FHL-1 expression increased intratumoral regulatory T cells (Treg) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells while it decreased overall survival in mice with GBM. Conclusions: Our study reveals a nonmetabolic IDO-mediated enhancement of CFH expression and provides a new therapeutic target for patients with GBM.