julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Parkinson disease GWAS
2015-02-07

In the last 10 years, rapid advances in high-throughput genotyping technologies as well as an increase in computational power have enabled the large-scale assessment of genetic risk factors for complex diseases, by genotyping hundreds of thousands to millions of genetic variants—usually single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)—in large cohorts. These studies have become widely known as genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and allow for an unbiased interrogation of the entire human genome regarding any conceivable trait with a heritable component.
Rare‐Earth Metal Complexes with Terminal Imido Ligands
2015-02-09

Abstract Imide complexes [(Tp t Bu,Me )Y(=NC 6 H 3 Me 2 ‐2,6)(DMAP)] and [(Tp t Bu,Me )Lu{=NC 6 H 3 (CF 3 ) 2 ‐3,5}(DMAP)] were obtained by Lewis base induced methane elimination of the corresponding methyl/anilide complexes, which were synthesized from [(Tp t Bu,Me )LuMe 2 ] and [(Tp t Bu,Me )YMe(GaMe 4 )], respectively. Terminal Ln=N bonding is evidenced by very short Ln–N distances [min. 1.993(5) Å] and almost linear Ln–N–C(aryl) bond angles.
Representational deficit or processing effect? An electrophysiological study of noun-noun compound processing by very advanced L2 speakers of English
2015-02-09

The processing of English noun-noun compounds (NNCs) was investigated to identify the extent and nature of differences between the performance of native speakers of English and advanced Spanish and German non-native speakers of English. The study sought to establish whether the word order of the equivalent structure in the non-native speakers' mothertongue (L1) had an influence on their processing of NNCs in their second language (L2), and whether this influence was due to differences in grammatical representation (i.e., incomplete acquisition of the relevant structure) or processing effects. Two mask-primed lexical decision experiments were conducted in which compounds were presented with their constituent nouns in licit vs. reversed order. The first experiment used a speeded lexical decision task with reaction time registration, and the second a delayed lexical decision task with EEG registration. There were no significant group differences in accuracy in the licit word order condition, suggesting that the grammatical representation had been fully acquired by the non-native speakers. However, the Spanish speakers made slightly more errors with the reversed order and had longer response times, suggesting an L1 interference effect (as the reverse order matches the licit word order in Spanish). The EEG data, analyzed with generalized additive mixed models, further supported this hypothesis. The EEG waveform of the non-native speakers was characterized by a slightly later onset N400 in the violation condition (reversed constituent order). Compound frequency predicted the amplitude of the EEG signal for the licit word order for native speakers, but for the reversed constituent order for Spanish speakers-the licit order in their L1-supporting the hypothesis that Spanish speakers are affected by interferences from their L1. The pattern of results for the German speakers in the violation condition suggested a strong conflict arising due to licit constituents being presented in an order that conflicts with the expected order in both their L1 and L2.
Search for the Cosmic Neutrino Background
2015-02-09

One expects three Cosmic Backgrounds: (1) The Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) originated 380000 years after the Big Bang (BB). (2) The Neutrino Background decoupled about one second after the BB, while (3) the Cosmic Gravitational Wave Background created by the inflationary expansion decoupled directly after the BB. Only the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) has been detected and is well studied. Its spectrum follows Planck's black body radiation formula and shows a remarkable constant temperature of T0γ ≈ 2.7 K independent of the direction. The present photon density is about 370 photons per cm3. The size of the hot spots, which deviates only in the fifth decimal of the temperature from the average value, tells us, that the universe is flat. About 380 000 years after the Big Bang at a temperature of T0γ = 3000 K already in the matter dominated era the electrons combine with the protons and 4He and the photons move freely in the neutral universe and form the CMB. So the temperature and distribution of the photons give us information of the universe 380 000 years after the Big Bang. The Cosmic Neutrino Background (CνB) decoupled from matter already one second after the BB at a temperature of about 1010 K. Today their temperature is ~ 1.95 K and the average density is 56 electron-neutrinos and the total density of all neutrinos about 336 per cm3. Measurement of these neutrinos is an extremely challenging experimental problem which can hardly be solved with the present technologies. On the other hand it represents a tempting opportunity to check one of the key elements of the Big Bang Cosmology and to probe the early stages of the universe. The search for the CνB with the induced beta decay νe+3H → 3He + e− using KATRIN (KArlsruhe TRItium Neutrino experiment) is the topic of this contribution.
Disembedded markets as a mirror of society
2015-02-09

In the Marxist tradition, capitalism is understood as a commodified society based on markets. The article argues that the ultimate justification of this position does not lie in any ‘materialistic’ approach, but in the disembedding of markets that was the result of the historical ‘Great Transformation’ analysed by Karl Polanyi. Disembedded markets are not an economic subsystem within society but take the place of the most encompassing social system, which Durkheim had reserved for religion. The article distinguishes between spatial, social, material and temporal dimensions of disembedding, thereby elaborating and correcting the analysis of Karl Polanyi. As a genuine form of society, disembedded markets give rise to the epistemological dilemma, which, as Luhmann had shown, is fundamental to any encompassing social theory: Society as a whole cannot be viewed by any observer. According to this viewpoint, economic theories take on ‘theological’ functions, as they provide rationality and legitimacy to a reality that is unknowable.
Compromised white matter integrity in obesity
2015-02-10

Summary Obesity is associated with both structural and functional changes of the central nervous system. While gray matter alterations in obesity point to a consistent reduction with increasing body mass index ( BMI ), volumetric changes in white matter are more complex and less conclusive. Hence, more recently, diffusion tensor imaging ( DTI ) has been employed as a highly sensitive tool to investigate microstructural changes in white matter structure. Parameters of diffusivity and anisotropy are used to evaluate white matter and fibre integrity as well as axonal and myelin degeneration. Fractional anisotropy ( FA ) is the most commonly used parameter as it is the best estimate of fibre integrity. The focus of this review was on the relationship between obesity and brain alterations assessed by DTI . Altogether, these studies have shown a loss of white matter integrity with obesity‐related factors, especially in tracts within the limbic system and those connecting the temporal and frontal lobe. More specifically, multiple studies found an inverse association between BMI and FA in the corpus callosum, fornix, cingulum and corona radiata in elderly and young adults as well as children. Furthermore, significant interactions were observed between BMI and age, pointing to accelerated ageing of white matter structure in obese.
Massive migration from the steppe is a source for Indo-European languages in Europe
2015-02-10

We generated genome-wide data from 69 Europeans who lived between 8,000-3,000 years ago by enriching ancient DNA libraries for a target set of almost four hundred thousand polymorphisms. Enrichment of these positions decreases the sequencing required for genome-wide ancient DNA analysis by a median of around 250-fold, allowing us to study an order of magnitude more individuals than previous studies and to obtain new insights about the past. We show that the populations of western and far eastern Europe followed opposite trajectories between 8,000-5,000 years ago. At the beginning of the Neolithic period in Europe, ~8,000-7,000 years ago, closely related groups of early farmers appeared in Germany, Hungary, and Spain, different from indigenous hunter-gatherers, whereas Russia was inhabited by a distinctive population of hunter-gatherers with high affinity to a ~24,000 year old Siberian6. By ~6,000-5,000 years ago, a resurgence of hunter-gatherer ancestry had occurred throughout much of Europe, but in Russia, the Yamnaya steppe herders of this time were descended not only from the preceding eastern European hunter-gatherers, but from a population of Near Eastern ancestry. Western and Eastern Europe came into contact ~4,500 years ago, as the Late Neolithic Corded Ware people from Germany traced ~3/4 of their ancestry to the Yamnaya, documenting a massive migration into the heartland of Europe from its eastern periphery. This steppe ancestry persisted in all sampled central Europeans until at least ~3,000 years ago, and is ubiquitous in present-day Europeans. These results provide support for the theory of a steppe origin of at least some of the Indo-European languages of Europe.
An Eocene–Miocene continuous rock magnetic record from the sediments in the Xining Basin, NW China: indication for Cenozoic persistent drying driven by global cooling and Tibetan Plateau uplift
2015-02-10

Tibetan Plateau uplift and global cooling have generally been thought to have caused the drying of the Asian inland, but how and when these factors drove the aridification is unknown. The Xining Basin at the NE Tibetan Plateau received continuous Eocene-Miocene fine-grained sediments, providing an excellent opportunity to address this question. Here we present detailed rock magnetic and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) analyses for a well-dated Cenozoic sedimentary record from the Xiejia section in the basin. Magnetic susceptibility (chi), saturation magnetization (Ms) and saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) in this section show a long-term decreasing trend from similar to 52 to similar to 25 Ma, well coinciding with global cooling and drying in the region, and an increasing trend since similar to 25 Ma, which is in contrast to the further progressing aridification of the basin. Thermomagnetic results and DRS-determined hematite contents suggest that the relative content of magnetite and hematite is the main control on the chi, Ms and SIRM values. We argue that the long-term Eocene-Oligocene global cooling increased the drying of the Asian inland, lowering the lake level and exposing a larger area to low temperature oxidation for longer times, thus producing more hematite and leading to the decreasing trend of magnetic concentration parameters from similar to 52 to similar to 25 Ma. An intensive uplift of the NE Tibetan Plateau since similar to 25 Ma, associated with a change in the sedimentary source, might be responsible for the increase of chi, Ms and SIRM after 25 Ma.
Severe Pulmonary Embolism with Negative D-Dimer-Testing
2015-02-10

A 46 year old female Caucasian was admitted with shortness of breath on exertion, productive cough and hemoptysis few days of duration without any other chronicle diseases. She had recent history of sigmadiverticulitis treated with antibiotic and hysterectomy a year ago because of hypermenorrhoe. Vital signs were stable without any clinical signs of a deep venous thrombosis. The electrocardiogram (ECG) showed sinus rhythm with an incomplete right bundle branch block. Laboratory tests revealed a negative d-dimer (Latex-method). We assessed a contrast enhanced computed tomography scan (CT) of the chest illustrating surprisingly a severe pulmonary embolism in the right lung (main bronchus of the lower lob). Several further examinations ruled out malignant diseases or favorable thrombosis. Treatment of the patient was established using low molecular weight heparin (subcutaneously administered), switched to rivaroxaban at the end of the in-hospital duration. Discharge was carried out after eight days in stable conditions. Anticoagulation was prescribed for three months. D-dimer testing is clinically established to rule out embolism/ thrombosis laboratorial despite of arterial or venous location. This is a unique case, where the laboratorial testing failed to detect a severe pulmonary embolism while the sensitivity for the d-dimer testing tends in general high. Clinically, the imaging approach (computed tomography scan of the chest) reflects “the gold standard” for pulmonary embolism in contrast to the d-dimer testing.
Tako-Tsubo Cardiomyopathy through Adalimumab
2015-02-10

A 66-year old woman was admitted with typical clinical signs of angina pectoris. In her history only a chronic rheumatoid arthritis, treated through Adalimumab was reported. The electrocardiograph (ECG) showed sinus rhythm with terminal negative T-waves in V1-V6 without any ST-elevations. Laboratory tests revealed a positive Troponin-I level and the transthoracic echo showed a reduced left ventricular (LV) function by apical akinesia. We immediately performed cardiac catheterization to rule out the suspected coronary artery disease and documented surprisingly a Tako-Tsubo Cardiomyopathy with severe reduced LV function and signs of apical ballooning. Personnel distress, feeling of severe pain, any kind of anger, or anxiety could not be stated in the case history. A further invasive electrophysiological testing ruled out arrhythmias as trigger mechanisms for the Tako-Tsubo Cardiomyopathy. We stopped the Adalimumab therapy and could directly illustrate improved LV function to the normal status under resolved healthy conditions. This is the first time to report Adalimumab as cause for Tako-Tsubo Cardiomyopathy while there is to date literally no direct effect of TNF-alpha antibodies on the myocardium published - lacking any sympathetic nervous stress.
European Bison as a Refugee Species? Evidence from Isotopic Data on Early Holocene Bison and Other Large Herbivores in Northern Europe
2015-02-11

According to the refugee species concept, increasing replacement of open steppe by forest cover after the last glacial period and human pressure had together forced European bison (Bison bonasus)--the largest extant terrestrial mammal of Europe--into forests as a refuge habitat. The consequent decreased fitness and population density led to the gradual extinction of the species. Understanding the pre-refugee ecology of the species may help its conservation management and ensure its long time survival. In view of this, we investigated the abundance of stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) in radiocarbon dated skeletal remains of European bison and other large herbivores--aurochs (Bos primigenius), moose (Alces alces), and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)--from the Early Holocene of northern Europe to reconstruct their dietary habits and pattern of habitat use in conditions of low human influence. Carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions in collagen of the ungulate species in northern central Europe during the Early Holocene showed significant differences in the habitat use and the diet of these herbivores. The values of the δ13C and δ15N isotopes reflected the use of open habitats by bison, with their diet intermediate between that of aurochs (grazer) and of moose (browser). Our results show that, despite the partial overlap in carbon and nitrogen isotopic values of some species, Early Holocene large ungulates avoided competition by selection of different habitats or different food sources within similar environments. Although Early Holocene bison and Late Pleistocene steppe bison utilized open habitats, their diets were significantly different, as reflected by their δ15N values. Additional isotopic analyses show that modern populations of European bison utilize much more forested habitats than Early Holocene bison, which supports the refugee status of the species.
Chemistry of Stannylene‐Based Lewis Pairs: Dynamic Tin Coordination Switching Between Donor and Acceptor Character
2015-02-11

Abstract The coordination chemistry of cyclic stannylene‐based intramolecular Lewis pairs is presented. The P→Sn adducts were treated with [Ni(COD) 2 ] and [Pd(PCy 3 ) 2 ] (COD=1,5‐cyclooctadiene, PCy 3 =tricyclohexylphosphine). In the isolated coordination compounds the stannylene moiety acts either as an acceptor or a donor ligand. Examples of a dynamic switch between these two coordination modes of the PSn ligand are illustrated and the structures in the solid state together with heteronuclear NMR spectroscopic findings are discussed. In the case of a Ni 0 complex, 119 Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy of the uncoordinated and coordinated phosphastannirane ligand is presented.
Emotional memory can be persistently weakened by suppressing cortisol during retrieval
2015-02-11

Cortisol's effects on memory follow an inverted U-shaped function such that memory retrieval is impaired with very low concentrations, presumably due to insufficient activation of high-affine mineralocorticoid receptors (MR), or with very high concentrations, due to predominant low-affine glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activation. Through corresponding changes in re-encoding, the retrieval effect of cortisol might translate into a persistent change of the retrieved memory. We tested whether partial suppression of morning cortisol synthesis by metyrapone, leading to intermediate, circadian nadir-like levels with presumed predominant MR activation, improves retrieval, particularly of emotional memory, and persistently changes the memory. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, within-subject cross-over design, 18 men were orally administered metyrapone (1g) vs. placebo at 4:00 AM to suppress the morning cortisol rise. Retrieval of emotional and neutral texts and pictures (learned 3 days earlier) was assessed 4h after substance administration and a second time one week later. Metyrapone suppressed endogenous cortisol release to circadian nadir-equivalent levels at the time of retrieval testing. Contrary to our expectations, metyrapone significantly impaired free recall of emotional texts (p<.05), whereas retrieval of neutral texts or pictures remained unaffected. One week later, participants still showed lower memory for emotional texts in the metyrapone than placebo condition (p<.05). Our finding that suppressing morning cortisol to nadir-like concentrations not only impairs acute retrieval, but also persistently weakens emotional memories corroborates the concept that retrieval effects of cortisol produce persistent memory changes, possibly by affecting re-encoding.
Effects of Athletic Training on the Spinal Curvature in Child Athletes
2015-02-11

The purpose of this study was to examine the spinal posture in young athletes depending on training intensity. The spinal curvature of 245 children, age 8 to 12 years, was evaluated using rasterstereography. According to their weekly training time group 1 (mean age: 9.54 ± 1.18) did 2-6, group 2 (mean age: 9.49 ± 0.87) did 6-15 and group 3 (mean age: 9.68 ± 0.87) did over 15 hours of training. Group 1 had a significantly higher weight (p = 0.028) (33.86 ± 7. kg) than those of the more active groups (30.67 ± 6.49 kg and 29.46 ± 4.33 kg). The mean kyphotic angle decreased significantly (p < 0.001) with the amount of training per week from 46.86 ± 8.2° in group 1 to 40.08 ± 8° in group 3. We also found a significant decrease (p = 0.047) in lateral deviation with training from group 1 with 5.3 ± 3 mm to group 2 with 4.1 ± 1.6 mm. The results of our study suggest that higher training time can be associated with lower weight and decreases in thoracic kyphosis and lateral deviation of the spine.
Nicotine receptors mediating sensorimotor gating and its enhancement by systemic nicotine
2015-02-11

Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of startle occurs when intensity stimuli precede stronger startle-inducing stimuli by 10-1000 ms. PPI deficits are found in individuals with schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders, and they correlate with other cognitive impairments. Animal research and clinical studies have demonstrated that both PPI and cognitive function can be enhanced by nicotine. PPI has been shown to be mediated, at least in part, by mesopontine cholinergic neurons that project to pontine startle neurons and activate muscarinic and potentially nicotine receptors (nAChRs). The subtypes and anatomical location of nAChRs involved in mediating and modulating PPI remain unresolved. We tested the hypothesis that nAChRs that are expressed by pontine startle neurons contribute to PPI. We also explored whether or not these pontine receptors are responsible for the nicotine enhancement of PPI. While systemic administration of nAChR antagonists had limited effects on PPI, PnC microinfusions of the non-α7nAChR preferring antagonist TMPH, but not of the α7nAChR antagonist MLA, into the PnC significantly reduced PPI. Electrophysiological recordings from startle-mediating PnC neurons confirmed that nicotine affects excitability of PnC neurons, which could be antagonized by TMPH, but not by MLA, indicating the expression of non-α7nAChR. In contrast, systemic nicotine enhancement of PPI was only reversed by systemic MLA and not by TMPH or local microinfusions of MLA into the PnC. In summary, our data indicate that non-α7nAChRs in the PnC contribute to PPI at stimulus intervals of 100 ms or less, whereas activation of α7nAChRs in other brain areas is responsible for the systemic nicotine enhancement of PPI. This is important knowledge for the correct interpretation of behavioral, preclinical, and clinical data as well as for developing drugs for the amelioration of PPI deficits and the enhancement of cognitive function.
Tailoring block‐copolyesters by reactive blending of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate using statistical design of experiments
2015-02-11

ABSTRACT Block‐copolyesters of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) were synthesized via reactive extrusion. The influence of processing parameters on the material properties on a molecular scale like degree of trans‐esterification, block length, and degree of randomness were investigated. The varied process factors were extrusion temperature and rotational speed. The effects of process parameter variation were investigated by 1 H‐NMR‐spectroscopy. The experimental results show a clear dependence of the molecular properties on the processing conditions. By using statistical experimental design (DoE), it was possible to prepare defined copolyesters from PET and PEN without addition of further chemicals. With a degree of randomness between 0.05 and 0.5, the presence of an actual copolyester was confirmed when appropriate extrusion conditions were applied. The reactive extrusion process was confirmed to be suitable to produce defined block‐copolyesters in a predictable and reproducible way. It was possible to produce designed sequence lengths, which could be adjusted within a range of 11–136 repeating units in the case of PET and, in the case of PEN, of 2.5–26. The produced materials can be used as barrier materials or barrier coatings to protect substrates against molecular oxygen and water vapour, e.g., in organic photovoltaic applications or food packaging. The described method is a one‐pot alternative method to the previously described chemical recycling pathway. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132 , 41997.