julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Experimental Solubility Approach to Determine PDMS–Water Partition Constants and PDMS Activity Coefficients
2016-02-16

Freely dissolved aqueous concentration and chemical activity are important determinants of contaminant transport, fate, and toxic potential. Both parameters are commonly quantified using Solid Phase Micro-Extraction (SPME) based on a sorptive polymer such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). This method requires the PDMS-water partition constants, KPDMSw, or activity coefficient to be known. For superhydrophobic contaminants (log KOW >6), application of existing methods to measure these parameters is challenging, and independent measures to validate KPDMSw values would be beneficial. We developed a simple, rapid method to directly measure PDMS solubilities of solid contaminants, SPDMS(S), which together with literature thermodynamic properties was then used to estimate KPDMSw and activity coefficients in PDMS. PDMS solubility for the test compounds (log KOW 7.2-8.3) ranged over 3 orders of magnitude (4.1-5700 μM), and was dependent on compound class. For polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), solubility-derived KPDMSw increased linearly with hydrophobicity, consistent with trends previously reported for less chlorinated congeners. In contrast, subcooled liquid PDMS solubilities, SPDMS(L), were approximately constant within a compound class. SPDMS(S) and KPDMSw can therefore be predicted for a compound class with reasonable robustness based solely on the class-specific SPDMS(L) and a particular congener's entropy of fusion, melting point, and aqueous solubility.
Alpha‐synuclein gene variants may predict neurostimulation outcome
2016-02-16

Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article at the publisher's website. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
The Problem of Mammographic Breast Density – The Position of the DEGUM Working Group on Breast Ultrasound
2016-02-16

Mammographic breast density correlates with breast cancer risk and also with the number of false-negative calls. In the USA these facts lead to the "Breast Density and Mammography Reporting Act" of 2011. In the case of mammographically dense breasts, the Working Group on Breast Ultrasound in Germany recommends explaining the advantages of adjunct imaging to women, depending on the individual breast cancer risk. Due to the particular structure of German healthcare, quality-assured breast ultrasound would be the first choice. Possible overdiagnosis, costs, potentially increased emotional stress should be addressed. In high familial breast cancer risk, genetic counselling and an intensified early detection program should be performed.
Conformal Willmore tori in ℝ4
2016-02-16

Abstract For every two-dimensional torus <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <m:msup> <m:mi>T</m:mi> <m:mn>2</m:mn> </m:msup> </m:math> {T^{2}} and every k <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <m:mo>∈</m:mo> </m:math> \\in <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <m:mi>N</m:mi> </m:math> \\mathbb{N} , <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <m:mrow> <m:mi>k</m:mi> <m:mo>≥</m:mo> <m:mn>3</m:mn> </m:mrow> </m:math> {k\\geq 3} , we construct a conformal Willmore immersion f : <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <m:msup> <m:mi>T</m:mi> <m:mn>2</m:mn> </m:msup> </m:math> T^{2} <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <m:mo>→</m:mo> </m:math> \\to <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <m:msup> <m:mi>R</m:mi> <m:mn>4</m:mn> </m:msup> </m:math> \\mathbb{R}^{4} with exactly one point of density k and Willmore energy 4π k . Moreover, we show that the energy value <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <m:mrow> <m:mn>8</m:mn> <m:mo>⁢</m:mo> <m:mi>π</m:mi> </m:mrow> </m:math> {8\\pi} cannot be attained by such an immersion. Additionally, we characterize the branched double covers <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <m:msup> <m:mi>T</m:mi> <m:mn>2</m:mn> </m:msup> </m:math> T^{2} <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <m:mo>→</m:mo> </m:math> \\to <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <m:msup> <m:mi>S</m:mi> <m:mn>2</m:mn> </m:msup> </m:math> S^{2} <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <m:mo>×</m:mo> </m:math> \\times <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <m:mo>{</m:mo> </m:math> \\{ 0 <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <m:mo>}</m:mo> </m:math> \\} as the only branched conformal immersions, up to Möbius transformations of <m:math xmlns:m="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <m:msup> <m:mi>R</m:mi> <m:mn>4</m:mn> </m:msup> </m:math>
Emotion Elicitation: A Comparison of Pictures and Films
2016-02-17

Pictures and film clips are widely used and accepted stimuli to elicit emotions. Based on theoretical arguments it is often assumed that the emotional effects of films exceed those of pictures, but to date this assumption has not been investigated directly. The aim of the present study was to compare pictures and films in terms of their capacity to induce emotions verified by means of explicit measures. Stimuli were (a) single pictures presented for 6 s, (b) a set of three consecutive pictures with emotionally congruent contents presented for 2 s each, (c) short film clips with a duration of 6 s. A total of 144 participants rated their emotion and arousal states following stimulus presentation. Repeated-measures ANOVAs revealed that the film clips and 3-picture version were as effective as the classical 1-picture method to elicit positive emotions, however, modulation toward positive valence was little. Modulation toward negative valence was more effective in general. Film clips were less effective than pictorial stimuli in producing the corresponding emotion states (all p < 0.001) and were less arousing (all p ≤ 0.02). Possible reasons for these unexpected results are discussed.
Bilateral representations of touch in the primary somatosensory cortex
2016-02-17

According to current textbook knowledge, the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) supports unilateral tactile representations, whereas structures beyond SI, in particular the secondary somatosensory cortex (SII), support bilateral tactile representations. However, dexterous and well-coordinated bimanual motor tasks require early integration of bilateral tactile information. Sequential processing, first of unilateral and subsequently of bilateral sensory information, might not be sufficient to accomplish these tasks. This view of sequential processing in the somatosensory system might therefore be questioned, at least for demanding bimanual tasks. Evidence from the last 15 years is forcing a revision of this textbook notion. Studies in animals and humans indicate that SI is more than a simple relay for unilateral sensory information and, together with SII, contributes to the integration of somatosensory inputs from both sides of the body. Here, we review a series of recent works from our own and other laboratories in favour of interactions between tactile stimuli on the two sides of the body at early stages of processing. We focus on tactile processing, although a similar logic may also apply to other aspects of somatosensation. We begin by describing the basic anatomy and physiology of interhemispheric transfer, drawing on neurophysiological studies in animals and behavioural studies in humans that showed tactile interactions between body sides, both in healthy and in brain-damaged individuals. Then we describe the neural substrates of bilateral interactions in somatosensation as revealed by neurophysiological work in animals and neuroimaging studies in humans (i.e., functional magnetic resonance imaging, magnetoencephalography, and transcranial magnetic stimulation). Finally, we conclude with considerations on the dilemma of how efficiently integrating bilateral sensory information at early processing stages can coexist with more lateralized representations of somatosensory input, in the context of motor control.
Daptomycin Tolerance in the Staphylococcus aureus pitA6 Mutant Is Due to Upregulation of the dlt Operon
2016-02-17

ABSTRACT Understanding the mechanisms of how bacteria become tolerant toward antibiotics during clinical therapy is a very important object. In a previous study, we showed that increased daptomycin (DAP) tolerance of Staphylococcus aureus was due to a point mutation in pitA (inorganic phosphate transporter) that led to intracellular accumulation of both inorganic phosphate (P i ) and polyphosphate (polyP). DAP tolerance in the pitA6 mutant differs from classical resistance mechanisms since there is no increase in the MIC. In this follow-up study, we demonstrate that DAP tolerance in the pitA6 mutant is not triggered by the accumulation of polyP. Transcriptome analysis revealed that 234 genes were at least 2.0-fold differentially expressed in the mutant. Particularly, genes involved in protein biosynthesis, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and replication and maintenance of DNA were downregulated. However, the most important change was the upregulation of the dlt operon, which is induced by the accumulation of intracellular P i . The GraXRS system, known as an activator of the dlt operon ( d -alanylation of teichoic acids) and of the mprF gene (multiple peptide resistance factor), is not involved in DAP tolerance of the pitA6 mutant. In conclusion, DAP tolerance of the pitA6 mutant is due to an upregulation of the dlt operon, triggered directly or indirectly by the accumulation of P i .
The consistent difference in red fluorescence in fishes across a 15 m depth gradient is triggered by ambient brightness, not by ambient spectrum
2016-02-17

We show that the positive association between fluorescence and depth observed in the field can be fully explained by ambient light brightness, with no detectable additional effect of spectral composition. We propose that this change is achieved by adjusting the ratio of melanophores and fluorescent iridophores in the iris.
Inflammatory Contribution of Platelets Revisited: New Players in the Arena of Inflammation
2016-02-17

Platelet-derived mediators, either in an autocrine or paracrine mode of action, regulate systemic and vascular inflammation as well as contribute to innate immune defense and also to regenerative mechanisms. This review reevaluates the impact of inflammatory mediators such as CXC-chemokine-Ligands, their receptors in modulating platelet functions and platelet survival, thereby influencing inflammatory or regenerative processes. We further explore the contribution of cyclophilin A and C-reactive protein in regulating thrombotic and hemostatic attributes of platelets. Moreover, we emphasize on the role of platelets as active components bridging the innate and adaptive immune responses, toll-like receptors on platelets, platelet interactions with the complement system, and platelet-derived thrombocidins exhibiting direct antimicrobial properties. As highlighted in this review, the multifaceted aspects of platelets and platelet-derived factors encourage further investigations in this intriguing and expansive but largely uncharted area of research in platelet biology.
Components of Mathematics Anxiety: Factor Modeling of the MARS30-Brief
2016-02-17

Mathematics anxiety involves feelings of tension, discomfort, high arousal, and physiological reactivity interfering with number manipulation and mathematical problem solving. Several factor analytic models indicate that mathematics anxiety is rather a multidimensional than unique construct. However, the factor structure of mathematics anxiety has not been fully clarified by now. This issue shall be addressed in the current study. The Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale (MARS) is a reliable measure of mathematics anxiety (Richardson and Suinn, 1972), for which several reduced forms have been developed. Most recently, a shortened version of the MARS (MARS30-brief) with comparable reliability was published. Different studies suggest that mathematics anxiety involves up to seven different factors. Here we examined the factor structure of the MARS30-brief by means of confirmatory factor analysis. The best model fit was obtained by a six-factor model, dismembering the known two general factors "Mathematical Test Anxiety" (MTA) and "Numerical Anxiety" (NA) in three factors each. However, a more parsimonious 5-factor model with two sub-factors for MTA and three for NA fitted the data comparably well. Factors were differentially susceptible to sex differences and differences between majors. Measurement invariance for sex was established.
A numerical efficient way to minimize classical density functional theory
2016-02-17

The minimization of the functional of the grand potential within the framework of classical density functional theory in three spatial dimensions can be numerically very demanding. The Picard iteration, that is often employed, is very simple and robust but can be rather slow. While a number of different algorithms for optimization problems have been suggested, there is still great need for additional strategies. Here, we present an approach based on the limited memory Broyden algorithm that is efficient and relatively simple to implement. We demonstrate the performance of this algorithm with the minimization of an inhomogeneous bulk structure of a fluid with competing interactions. For the problems we studied, we find that the presented algorithm improves performance by roughly a factor of three.
Dynamical friction for supersonic motion in a homogeneous gaseous medium
2016-02-17

The supersonic motion of gravitating objects through a gaseous medium\\nconstitutes a classical problem in theoretical astrophysics. Its application\\ncovers a broad range of objects and scales from planets up to galaxies.\\nEspecially the dynamical friction, caused by the forming wake behind the\\nobject, plays an important role for the dynamics of the system. To calculate\\nthe dynamical friction, standard formulae, based on linear theory are often\\nused. It is our goal to check the general validity of these formulae and\\nprovide suitable expressions for the dynamical friction acting on the moving\\nobject, based on the basic physical parameters of the problem. We perform\\nsequences of high resolution numerical studies of rigid bodies moving\\nsupersonically through a homogeneous medium, and calculate the total drag\\nacting on the object, which is the sum of gravitational and hydro drag. We\\nstudy cases without gravity with purely hydrodynamical drag, as well as\\ngravitating objects. From the final equilibrium state of the simulations, we\\ncompute for gravitating objects the dynamical friction by direct numerical\\nintegration of the gravitational pull acting on the embedded object. The\\nnumerical experiments confirm the known scaling laws for the dependence of the\\ndynamical friction on the basic physical parameters as derived in earlier\\nsemi-analytical studies. As a new important result we find that the shock's\\nstand-off distance is revealed as the minimum spatial interaction scale of\\ndynamical friction. Below this radius, the gas settles into a hydrostatic\\nstate, which causes no net gravitational pull onto the moving body. Finally, we\\nderive an analytic estimate for the stand-off distance that can be used to\\ncalculate the dynamical friction force.\\n
Implantability, Complications, and Follow-Up After Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Stent-Shunt Creation With the 6F Self-Expanding Sinus-SuperFlex-Visual Stent
2016-02-17

The sinus-SuperFlex-Visual stent system can be safely deployed as a TIPSS device. The pressure gradient reduction was clinically sufficient to treat the patients' symptoms, and periprocedural complications were due to the TIPSS procedure per se rather than to the particular stent system employed in this study.
TRPC6 G757D Loss-of-Function Mutation Associates with FSGS
2016-02-18

FSGS is a CKD with heavy proteinuria that eventually progresses to ESRD. Hereditary forms of FSGS have been linked to mutations in the transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily C, member 6 ( TRPC6 ) gene encoding a nonselective cation channel. Most of these TRPC6 mutations cause a gain-of-function phenotype, leading to calcium–triggered podocyte cell death, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. We studied the molecular effect of disease-related mutations using tridimensional in silico modeling of tetrameric TRPC6. Our results indicated that G757 is localized in a domain forming a TRPC6-TRPC6 interface and predicted that the amino acid exchange G757D causes local steric hindrance and disruption of the channel complex. Notably, functional characterization of model interface domain mutants suggested a loss-of-function phenotype. We then characterized 19 human FSGS–related TRPC6 mutations, the majority of which caused gain-of-function mutations. However, five mutations (N125S, L395A, G757D, L780P, and R895L) caused a loss-of-function phenotype. Coexpression of wild-type TRPC6 and TRPC6 G757D, mimicking heterozygosity observed in patients, revealed a dominant negative effect of TRPC6 G757D. Our comprehensive analysis of human disease–causing TRPC6 mutations reveals loss of TRPC6 function as an additional concept of hereditary FSGS and provides molecular insights into the mechanism responsible for the loss-of-function phenotype of TRPC6 G757D in humans.
ADHD Symptoms in Adolescents’ Everyday Life: Fluctuations and Symptom Structure Within and Between Individuals
2016-02-18

Objective: This study investigated whether self-reported ADHD symptoms fluctuate substantially within adolescents from day to day, and examined the underlying symptom factor structure on a within- and between-person level. Method: Adolescents ( N = 166) rated their ADHD symptoms over the phone on eight consecutive evenings (total ratings: n = 1,264). Results: ADHD symptoms showed substantial fluctuations within adolescents from day to day, as indicated by within-person standard deviations and intraclass correlation coefficients. Both a two-level factor model with three correlated factors (inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity) and a two-level bifactor model with a general ADHD symptom factor and a specific inattention factor provided acceptable to good accounts of the structure underlying daily ADHD symptom ratings on the between- and the within-person level. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that adolescents’ ADHD symptoms fluctuate from day to day and highlights the need for intensive diagnostic processes with repeated symptom assessments and interventions that address symptom fluctuations.
Selective attention impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
2016-02-18

Objective of this study was to evaluate attentional control mechanisms in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using an auditory event-related potentials (ERPs) paradigm. Fifteen mild to moderate ALS patients and 15 healthy controls were administered a brief neuropsychological test battery and an ERPs paradigm assessing selective attention. Four types of auditory stimuli were presented in random order: short standard (200 Hz, 200 ms), long standard (200 Hz, 500 ms), short deviant (1000 Hz, 200 ms) and long deviant (1000 Hz, 500 ms). Participants had to respond to the long deviant stimuli only. During the task the electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded. The N200, P300 and re-orienting negativity (RON) ERP components were analysed. Compared to controls ALS patients showed reduced amplitudes and delayed latencies of N200, P300 and RON. These results could be attributable to both an alteration in change detection resulting in a reduction of the allocation and re-orientation of attentional resources or a general slowing or reduction of neural processing efficiency in the same system. The ERPs results support the hypothesis that ALS involves extramotor cognitive functions including auditory attentional processing at all processing stages, early (200 ms) and late (300-600 ms). These data prove the usefulness and sensitivity of the auditory ERPs in detection of cognitive functions in ALS patients.
Do We Need Basic Research in Cardiac Surgery?
2016-02-18

Thinking about the daily practice of cardiac surgery, genetically altered mouse models, polymerase chain reactions, western blots, and other laboratory tools are the last that comes to mind. It is, therefore, not surprising that the pursuit of such basic science activities by practicing surgeons and those in training is often limited. However, there is an innate connection between these two seemingly different disciplines. To address and visualize this connection, we propose the following three hypotheses. First, cardiac surgery would not be at its present level of expertise without fundamental contributions of basic science. Second, without practicing cardiac surgeons performing basic research and translating their results to clinical practice next to their daily work, our ability to care for cardiac surgery patients would be poorer. Third, basic science training for those aiming to become practicing cardiac surgeons improves their ability to properly care for their patients. Finally, we will discuss some potentially even unexpected implications for our currently changing daily clinical practice.
An Occlusion Culling Toolkit for OpenSG PLUS
2016-02-18

Image-space occlusion culling is an useful approach to reduce the rendering load of large polygonal models in scienti c computing, mechanical engineering, or virtual medicine. Like most large model techniques, occlusion culling trades overhead costs with the rendering costs of the possibly occluded geometry. In this paper we present an occlusion culling toolkit for OpenSG. The toolkit includes three different image space techniques utilizing graphics hardware. These techniques are supported by other software techniques to optimize the occlusion culling queries. All techniques are conservative and usable with dynamic scenes, because no precomputing is necessary.
The Hominin Sites and Paleolakes Drilling Project: inferring the environmental context of human evolution from eastern African rift lake deposits
2016-02-19

Abstract. The role that climate and environmental history may have played in influencing human evolution has been the focus of considerable interest and controversy among paleoanthropologists for decades. Prior attempts to understand the environmental history side of this equation have centered around the study of outcrop sediments and fossils adjacent to where fossil hominins (ancestors or close relatives of modern humans) are found, or from the study of deep sea drill cores. However, outcrop sediments are often highly weathered and thus are unsuitable for some types of paleoclimatic records, and deep sea core records come from long distances away from the actual fossil and stone tool remains. The Hominin Sites and Paleolakes Drilling Project (HSPDP) was developed to address these issues. The project has focused its efforts on the eastern African Rift Valley, where much of the evidence for early hominins has been recovered. We have collected about 2 km of sediment drill core from six basins in Kenya and Ethiopia, in lake deposits immediately adjacent to important fossil hominin and archaeological sites. Collectively these cores cover in time many of the key transitions and critical intervals in human evolutionary history over the last 4 Ma, such as the earliest stone tools, the origin of our own genus Homo, and the earliest anatomically modern Homo sapiens. Here we document the initial field, physical property, and core description results of the 2012–2014 HSPDP coring campaign.