julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Murine Lymphocyte Labeling by <sup>64</sup>Cu-Antibody Receptor Targeting for <em>In Vivo </em> Cell Trafficking by PET/CT
2017-04-29

This protocol illustrates the production of 64Cu and the chelator conjugation/radiolabeling of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) followed by murine lymphocyte cell culture and 64Cu-antibody receptor targeting of the cells. In vitro evaluation of the radiolabel and non-invasive in vivo cell tracking in an animal model of an airway delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction (DTHR) by PET/CT are described. In detail, the conjugation of a mAb with the chelator 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) is shown. Following the production of radioactive 64Cu, radiolabeling of the DOTA-conjugated mAb is described. Next, the expansion of chicken ovalbumin (cOVA)-specific CD4+ interferon (IFN)-γ-producing T helper cells (cOVA-TH1) and the subsequent radiolabeling of the cOVA-TH1 cells are depicted. Various in vitro techniques are presented to evaluate the effects of 64Cu-radiolabeling on the cells, such as the determination of cell viability by trypan blue exclusion, the staining for apoptosis with Annexin V for flow cytometry, and the assessment of functionality by IFN-γ enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, the determination of the radioactive uptake into the cells and the labeling stability are described in detail. This protocol further describes how to perform cell tracking studies in an animal model for an airway DTHR and, therefore, the induction of cOVA-induced acute airway DHTR in BALB/c mice is included. Finally, a robust PET/CT workflow including image acquisition, reconstruction, and analysis is presented. The 64Cu-antibody receptor targeting approach with subsequent receptor internalization provides high specificity and stability, reduced cellular toxicity, and low efflux rates compared to common PET-tracers for cell labeling, e.g.64Cu-pyruvaldehyde bis(N4-methylthiosemicarbazone) (64Cu-PTSM). Finally, our approach enables non-invasive in vivo cell tracking by PET/CT with an optimal signal-to-background ratio for 48 h. This experimental approach can be transferred to different animal models and cell types with membrane-bound receptors that are internalized.
Plasma copeptin and metabolic dysfunction in individuals with bipolar disorder
2017-04-30

Aim This study aimed to compare plasma copeptin levels, the c‐terminal of provasopressin, between individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) and healthy controls and to assess the relation between copeptin and metabolic parameters. Methods We measured plasma levels of copeptin in individuals with BD ( n = 55) and healthy controls ( n = 21). Information related to psychiatric/medical history, as well as to metabolic comorbidities and laboratorial parameters was also captured. Insulin resistance and β‐cell function in basal state were calculated from fasting plasma glucose and C‐peptide using the HOMA2 calculator. Impaired glucose metabolism was defined as pre‐diabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus. Copeptin, adiponectin, and leptin plasma levels were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results Plasma copeptin levels were lower in individuals with BD, relative to healthy controls ( P &lt; 0.001). There were significant interactions between BD and plasma copeptin on β‐cell function (rate ratio [RR] = 1.048; P = 0.030) and on leptin levels (RR = 1.087; P = 0.012), indicating that there was a positive correlation between these markers in the BD group, but a negative one in healthy controls. Finally, in individuals with BD only, the association between β‐cell function, body mass index (RR = 1.007; P &lt; 0.001), and insulin resistance (RR = 1.001; P = 0.037) was moderated by copeptin levels. Conclusion Copeptin levels were lower in individuals with BD than in healthy controls. There were differential associations between copeptin and metabolic parameters within the BD and healthy control subgroups, suggesting an association between abnormal copeptin and metabolic dysregulation only in the BD population.
Sleep and somatic complaints in university students
2017-05-01

More than one-third (36.9%) reported poor sleep as assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Somatoform syndrome was identified in 23.5%, and the prevalence of any FSS was 12.8%. Self-reported sleep quality, sleep onset latency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medications, and daytime dysfunctioning were significant predictors of somatoform syndrome, whereas sleep efficiency and sleep duration influenced somatic complaints indirectly. Moderate correlations were found between stress, anxiety, somatoform syndrome, depression, and overall sleep quality. The effect of somatic complaints on sleep quality was associated with the severity of depression. Anxiety shows direct effects on somatization and depression but only indirect associations with sleep quality.
New NR5A1 mutations and phenotypic variations of gonadal dysgenesis
2017-05-01

Mutations in NR5A1 have been reported as a frequent cause of 46,XY disorders of sex development (DSD) associated to a broad phenotypic spectrum ranging from infertility, ambiguous genitalia, anorchia to gonadal dygenesis and female genitalia. Here we present the clinical follow up of four 46,XY DSD patients with three novel heterozygous mutations in the NR5A1 gene leading to a p.T40P missense mutation and a p.18DKVSG22del nonframeshift deletion in the DNA-binding domain and a familiar p.Y211Tfs*83 frameshift mutation. Functional analysis of the missense and nonframeshift mutation revealed a deleterious character with loss of DNA-binding and transactivation capacity. Both, the mutations in the DNA-binding domain, as well as the familiar frameshift mutation are associated with highly variable endocrine values and phenotypic appearance. Phenotypes vary from males with spontaneous puberty, substantial testosterone production and possible fertility to females with and without Müllerian structures and primary amenorrhea. Exome sequencing of the sibling's family revealed TBX2 as a possible modifier of gonadal development in patients with NR5A1 mutations.
Processes governing arsenic retardation on Pleistocene sediments: Adsorption experiments and model‐based analysis
2017-05-01

Abstract In many countries of south/south‐east Asia, reliance on Pleistocene aquifers for the supply of low‐arsenic groundwater has created the risk of inducing migration of high‐arsenic groundwater from adjacent Holocene aquifers. Adsorption of arsenic onto mineral surfaces of Pleistocene sediments is an effective attenuation mechanism. However, little is known about the sorption under anoxic conditions, in particular the behavior of arsenite. We report the results of anoxic batch experiments investigating arsenite (1–25 μmol/L) adsorption onto Pleistocene sediments under a range of field‐relevant conditions. The sorption of arsenite was nonlinear and decreased with increasing phosphate concentrations (3–60 μmol/L) while pH (range 6–8) had no effect on total arsenic sorption. To simulate the sorption experiments, we developed surface complexation models of varying complexity. The simulated concentrations of arsenite, arsenate, and phosphate were in good agreement for the isotherm and phosphate experiments while secondary geochemical processes affected the pH experiments. For the latter, the model‐based analysis suggests that the formation of solution complexes between organic buffers and Mn(II) ions promoted the oxidation of arsenite involving naturally occurring Mn‐oxides. Upscaling the batch experiment model to a reactive transport model for Pleistocene aquifers demonstrates strong arsenic retardation and could have useful implications in the management of arsenic‐free Pleistocene aquifers.
Hierarchical Bayesian measurement models for continuous reproduction of visual features from working memory
2017-05-01

The article presents Bayesian hierarchical modeling frameworks for two measurement models for visual working memory. The models can be applied to the distributions of responses on a circular feature dimension, as obtained with the continuous reproduction (a.k.a. delayed estimation) task. The first measurement model is a mixture model that describes the response distributions as a mixture of one (Zhang & Luck, 2008) or several (Bays, Catalao, & Husain, 2009) von-Mises distribution(s) and a uniform distribution. The second model is a novel, interference-based measurement model. We present parameter recovery simulations for both models, demonstrating that the hierarchical framework enables precise parameter estimates when a small number of trials are compensated by a large number of subjects. Simulations with the mixture model show that the Bayesian hierarchical framework minimizes the previously observed estimation bias for memory precision in conditions of low performance. Unbiased and reasonably precise parameter estimates can also be obtained from the interference measurement model, though some parameters of this model demand a relatively large amount of data for precise measurement. Both models are applied to two experimental data sets. Experiment 1 measures the effect of memory set size on the model parameters. Experiment 2 provides evidence for the assumption in the interference model that the target feature tends to be confused with features of those nontargets that are close to the target on the dimension used as retrieval cue.
Decreasing nutrient concentrations in soils and trees with increasing elevation across a treeline ecotone in Rolwaling Himal, Nepal
2017-05-01

At a global scale, tree growth in alpine treeline ecotones is limited by low temperatures. At a local scale, however, tree growth at its upper limit depends on multiple interactions of influencing factors and mechanisms. The aim of our research was to understand local scale effects of soil properties and nutrient cycling on tree growth limitation, and their interactions with other abiotic and biotic factors in a near-natural Himalayan treeline ecotone. Soil samples of different soil horizons, litter, decomposition layers, and foliage samples of standing biomass were collected in four altitudinal zones along three slopes, and were analysed for exchangeable cations and nutrient concentrations, respectively. Additionally, soil and air temperature, soil moisture, precipitation, and tree physiognomy patterns were evaluated. Both soil nutrients and foliar macronutrient concentrations of nitrogen (N), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), and foliar phosphorus (P) decrease significantly with elevation. Foliar manganese (Mn) concentrations, by contrast, are extraordinarily high at high elevation sites. Potential constraining factors on tree growth were identified using multivariate statistical approaches. We propose that tree growth, treeline position and vegetation composition are affected by nutrient limitation, which in turn, is governed by low soil temperatures and influenced by soil moisture conditions.
Input-output functions of the nonlinear-distortion component of distortion-product otoacoustic emissions in normal and hearing-impaired human ears
2017-05-01

Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) arise in the cochlea in response to two tones with frequencies f1 and f2 and mainly consist of two components, a nonlinear-distortion and a coherent-reflection component. Wave interference between these components limits the accuracy of DPOAEs when evaluating the function of the cochlea with conventional continuous stimulus tones. Here, DPOAE components are separated in the time domain from DPOAE signals elicited with short stimulus pulses. The extracted nonlinear-distortion components are used to derive estimated distortion-product thresholds (EDPTs) from semi-logarithmic input-output (I/O) functions for 20 normal-hearing and 21 hearing-impaired subjects. I/O functions were measured with frequency-specific stimulus levels at eight frequencies f2 = 1,..., 8 kHz (f2/f1 = 1.2). For comparison, DPOAEs were also elicited with continuous primary tones. Both acquisition paradigms yielded EDPTs, which significantly correlated with behavioral thresholds (p &amp;lt; 0.001) and enabled derivation of estimated hearing thresholds (EHTs) from EDPTs using a linear regression relationship. DPOAE-component separation in the time domain significantly reduced the standard deviation of EHTs compared to that derived from continuous DPOAEs (p &amp;lt; 0.01). In conclusion, using frequency-specific stimulus levels and DPOAE-component separation increases the reliability of DPOAE I/O functions for assessing cochlear function and estimating behavioral thresholds.
Performance comparison of resilience mechanisms for stateless multicast using BIER
2017-05-01

Bit Indexed Explicit Replication (BIER) is a novel multicast forwarding scheme for IP networks that avoids states in replicating routers by encoding the multicast information into a bit string in the packet header. In addition, the BIER-TE variant encodes the multicast tree in the header and allows for network programmability. We propose the use of maximally redundant trees (MRTs) for 1+1 protection in BIER that currently lacks this feature. We further discuss three different fast reroute (FRR) protection schemes for BIER-TE we have proposed in the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). They use header modification only (HM), rely on point-to-point tunnels (PPT), or leverage BIER-in-BIER encapsulation (BBE). We compare them regarding protection coverage, path lengths, traffic loads, required network capacity, state requirements and overhead in a large number of networks. The results serve the discussions in IETF where BIER and BIER-TE are currently standardized.
Surgical treatment of rhinophyma: experience from a German cohort of 70 patients
2017-05-01

Rhinophyma is a deforming soft tissue hyperplasia of the nose and surgical removal represents the treatment of choice. Comprehensive data on surgical therapy and the impact of rhinophyma on patient quality of life are lacking. Patients who received surgery for rhinophyma between 2006 and 2015 were retrospectively evaluated for postoperative complications, clinical outcome, recurrence of rhinophyma, and the impact of rhinophyma on daily life. A total of 143 patients were treated with superficial tumour decortication by scalpel under tumescent anaesthesia. Outcomes were determined by clinical review, clinical files, and a patient questionnaire. Of 143 patients, 70 answered the questionnaire and were included in this study with a mean follow-up time of 54 months. Cosmetic results were evaluated as very good or good in 77% of patients. The majority of patients (87%) were very satisfied or satisfied with the postoperative result. Surgical treatment of rhinophyma improved patients' quality of life in 67% of patients. Recurrence of rhinophyma was detected in 38% of patients. Surgery is an effective therapy for rhinophyma with excellent outcome.
LS-ELAS: Line segment based efficient large scale stereo matching
2017-05-01

We present LS-ELAS, a line segment extension to the ELAS algorithm, which increases the performance and robustness. LS-ELAS is a binocular dense stereo matching algorithm, which computes the disparities in constant time for most of the pixels in the image and in linear time for a small subset of the pixels (support points). Our approach is based on line segments to determine the support points instead of uniformly selecting them over the image range. This way we find very informative support points which preserve the depth discontinuity. The prior of our Bayesian stereo matching method is based on a set of line segments and a set of support points. Both sets are given to a constrained Delaunay triangulation to generate a triangulation mesh which is aware of possible depth discontinuities. We further increased the accuracy by using an adaptive method to sample candidate points along edge segments. We evaluated our algorithm on the Middlebury benchmark.
Whose Job Will be Taken Over by a Computer? The Role of Personality in Predicting Job Computerizability over the Lifespan
2017-05-01

Economists estimate that 47% of US jobs will be computerized in the future. This paper tests the prospective role of a comprehensive range personality factors on selection into more (or less) computerizable jobs. We used a US representative high school sample ( N = 346 660) and a longitudinal design. At baseline, we measured social background, intelligence, personality traits and vocational interests. In two follow–ups (11 and 50 years later), we recorded occupations and coded their probability of being computerized based on the skills required and technological developments. Multiple regressions showed that, regardless of social background, people who were more intelligent, mature, interested in arts, and sciences at baseline, and selected into jobs that had a lower probability of computerization. On average, a one standard deviation increase in each of these traits predicted an average of 4 percentage points drop in the probability of one's job of being computerized. At the US population level, this is equivalent with saving 5.8 million people from losing their future careers to computerization. Most effects replicated across time. Path analyses showed that educational attainment mediated these effects and some direct effects remained. This highlights the importance of personality on occupational selection and in shaping the labour market. Copyright © 2017 European Association of Personality Psychology
Path following control of skid-steered wheeled mobile robots at higher speeds on different terrain types
2017-05-01

A new nonlinear control law for path following with skid-steered mobile robots is proposed. A terrain dependent kinematic model is utilized in path coordinates, and the kinematic parameters are experimentally evaluated. A kinematic path following control is developed using the Lyapunov approach. A separate linear velocity control is then proposed, taking reachable curvatures and actuator saturation into account. The proposed approach is experimentally evaluated in different terrain scenarios, and compared with two other state-of-the-art algorithms. The skid-steered vehicle used for the experiments is the Robotnik Summit XL, a well known commercial mobile robot.
Hydrological Signatures Based on Event Runoff Coefficients in Rural Catchments of the Iberian Peninsula
2017-05-01

Hydrological signatures are indices that help to describe the behavior of catchments. These indices can also be used to transfer information from gauged to ungauged catchments. In this study, different approaches were evaluated to determine volumetric runoff coefficients in 18 small/ medium experimental gauged catchments of the Iberian Peninsula and to fit runoff calculations based on precipitation data for gauged and ungauged catchments. Using data derived from 1962 events, rainfall-runoff relationships were characterized and compared in order to evaluate the various hydrological response patterns. Volumetric run off coefficients and cumulative runoff and precipitation ratios of the events that generated runoff (Rcum) minimized the root mean square error. A linear fit for the estimation of Rcum in ungauged catchments was based on mean annual precipitation, rates of infiltration, the fraction of forest-land use, and the catchment channel length. Despite high catchment heterogeneity, Rcum resulted in a suitable parameter to evaluate hydrological variability in rural gauged and ungauged catchments. In 50% of the catchments, the precipitation accounted for less than 50% of the runoff variation. Annual precipitation, antecedent rainfall, and base flow did not have a high significance in rainfall-runoff relationships, which illustrates the heterogeneity of hydrological responses. Our results highlight the need for signature characterizations of small/medium rural catchments because they are the sources of runoff and sediment discharge into rivers, and it is more economical and efficient to take action to mitigate runoff in rural locations.
Pull out Strength of Dual Outer Diameter Pedicle Screws Compared to Uncemented and Cemented Standard Pedicle Screws: A Biomechanical in vitro Study
2017-05-01

Objective To analyze the potential of the dual outer diameter screw and systematically evaluate the pull‐out force of the dual outer diameter screw compared to the uncemented and cemented standard pedicle screws with special regard to the pedicle diameter and the vertebra level. Methods Sixty vertebrae of five human spines (T 6 –L 5 ) were sorted into three study groups for pairwise comparison of the uncemented dual outer diameter screw, the uncemented standard screw, and the cemented standard screw, and randomized with respect to bone mineral density ( BMD ) and vertebra level. The vertebrae were instrumented, insertion torque was determined, and pull‐out testing was performed using a material testing machine. Failure load was evaluated in pairwise comparison within each study group. The screw‐to‐pedicle diameter ratio was determined and the uncemented dual outer diameter and standard screws were compared for different ratios as well as vertebra levels. Results Significantly increased pull‐out forces were measured for the cemented standard screw compared to the uncemented standard screw (+689 N, P &lt; 0.001) and the dual outer diameter screw (+403 N, P &lt; 0.001). Comparing the dual outer diameter screw to the uncemented standard screw in the total study group, a distinct but not significant increase was measured (+149 N, P = 0.114). Further analysis of these two screws, however, revealed a significant increase of pull‐out force for the dual outer diameter screw in the lumbar region (+247 N, P = 0.040), as well as for a screw‐to‐pedicle diameter ratio between 0.6 and 1 (+ 488 N, P = 0.028). Conclusions For clinical application, cement augmentation remains the gold standard for increasing screw stability. According to our results, the use of a dual outer diameter screw is an interesting option to increase screw stability in the lumbar region without cement augmentation. For the thoracic region, however, the screw‐to‐pedicle diameter should be checked and attention should be paid to screw cut out, if the dual outer diameter screw is considered.
Dark-photon search using data from CRESST-II Phase 2
2017-05-01

\\n Identifying the nature and origin of dark matter is one of the major challenges for modern astro and particle physics. Direct dark-matter searches aim at an observation of dark-matter particles interacting within detectors. The focus of several such searches is on interactions with nuclei as provided e.g. by weakly interacting massive particles. However, there is a variety of dark-matter candidates favoring interactions with electrons rather than with nuclei. One example are dark photons, i.e., long-lived vector particles with a kinetic mixing to standard-model photons. In this work we present constraints on this kinetic mixing based on data from CRESST-II Phase 2 corresponding to an exposure before cuts of 52 kg-days. These constraints improve the existing ones for dark-photon masses between 0.3 and 0.7 keV/c .\\n
Demo: Scalable and reliable software-defined multicast with BIER and P4
2017-05-01

We present an architecture for software-defined multicast that provides scalable and reliable multicast services. We consider the Bit Indexed Explicit Replication (BIER) architecture and Traffic Engineering for BIER (BIER-TE) for packet transport to mitigate scalability concerns of traditional IP multicast. We briefly discuss the advantages of an SDN-based multicast architecture leveraging BIER and discuss implementation options: OpenFlow and the P4 language. We present our prototype based on P4. We implement traditional IP multicast and several BIER variants that may be deployed simultaneously with the prototype. We present various demo scenarios that show the feasibility and the advantages of this architecture.