julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Motor Speech Phenotypes of Frontotemporal Dementia, Primary Progressive Aphasia, and Progressive Apraxia of Speech
2017-03-14

Purpose Our purpose was to create a comprehensive review of speech impairment in frontotemporal dementia (FTD), primary progressive aphasia (PPA), and progressive apraxia of speech in order to identify the most effective measures for diagnosis and monitoring, and to elucidate associations between speech and neuroimaging. Method Speech and neuroimaging data described in studies of FTD and PPA were systematically reviewed. A meta-analysis was conducted for speech measures that were used consistently in multiple studies. Results The methods and nomenclature used to describe speech in these disorders varied between studies. Our meta-analysis identified 3 speech measures which differentiate variants or healthy control-group participants (e.g., nonfluent and logopenic variants of PPA from all other groups, behavioral-variant FTD from a control group). Deficits within the frontal-lobe speech networks are linked to motor speech profiles of the nonfluent variant of PPA and progressive apraxia of speech. Motor speech impairment is rarely reported in semantic and logopenic variants of PPA. Limited data are available on motor speech impairment in the behavioral variant of FTD. Conclusions Our review identified several measures of speech which may assist with diagnosis and classification, and consolidated the brain–behavior associations relating to speech in FTD, PPA, and progressive apraxia of speech.
The Dynamic Interplay between Recorded Music and Live Concerts: The Role of Piracy, Unbundling, and Artist Characteristics
2017-03-14

The business model for musicians relies on selling recorded music and selling concert tickets. Traditionally, demand for one format (e.g., concerts) would stimulate demand for the other format (e.g., recorded music) and vice versa, leading to an upward demand spiral. However, the market for recorded music is under pressure due to piracy and the unbundling of albums, which also entail threats for the traditional demand spiral. Despite the fundamental importance of recorded music and live concerts for the multibillion-dollar music industry, no prior research has studied their dynamic interplay. This study fills this void by developing new theory on how piracy, unbundling, artist fame, and music quality affect dynamic cross-format elasticities between record demand and concert demand. The theory is tested with a unique data set covering weekly concert and recorded music revenues for close to 400 artists across more than six years in the world's third-largest music market, Germany. The cross-format elasticity of record on concert revenue is much stronger than the reverse elasticity of concert on record revenue. The results show the key role of piracy, unbundling, and artist characteristics on these cross-format elasticities, which have implications for the business model of the music industry.
PLA2G6 mutations associated with a continuous clinical spectrum from neuroaxonal dystrophy to hereditary spastic paraplegia
2017-03-14

PLA2G6 ‐associated neurodegeneration ( PLAN ) and hereditary spastic paraplegia ( HSP ) are 2 groups of heterogeneous neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we report PLA2G6 gene mutations in 3 families from Turkey, Morocco, and Romania. Two affected Turkish siblings presenting HSP adds the disease to PLAN phenotypes. They were homozygous for the PLA2G6 missense c. 2239C &gt;T, p. Arg747Trp variant and the ages of onset were 9 and 21. Parkinsonism, dystonia or cognitive decline were not the clinical elements in these patients contrary to the cases that has been previously reported with the same variant, however, iron accumulation was evident in their cranial magnetic resonance imaging. The Moroccan patient was homozygous for a novel missense c. 1786C &gt;T, p. Leu596Phe variant and the Romanian patient had 2 novel mutations; c. 1898C &gt;T, p. Ala633Val and c.1765_1768del, p. Ser589ThrfsTer76 . Both of these patients conformed better to childhood onset PLAN with the age of onset at 4 and 7 years, respectively. Interestingly, all identified mutations were affecting the highly conserved patatin‐like phospholipase domain of the PLA2G6 protein.
Nutritional control of IL-23/Th17-mediated autoimmune disease through HO-1/STAT3 activation
2017-03-14

Abstract The nutritional curcumin (CUR) is beneficial in cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. The molecular mechanisms underlying this food-mediated silencing of inflammatory immune responses are poorly understood. By investigating antigen-specific immune responses we found that dietary CUR impairs the differentiation of Th1/Th17 cells in vivo during encephalomyelitis and instead promoted Th2 cells. In contrast, feeding CUR had no inhibitory effect on ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation. Mechanistically, we found that CUR induces an anti-inflammatory phenotype in dendritic cells (DC) with enhanced STAT3 phosphorylation and suppressed expression of Il12b and Il23a . On the molecular level CUR readily induced NRF2-sensitive heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) mRNA and protein in LPS-activated DC. HO-1 enhanced STAT3 phosphorylation, which enriched to Il12b and Il23a loci and negatively regulated their transcription. These findings demonstrate the underlying mechanism through which a nutritional can interfere with the immune response. CUR silences IL-23/Th17-mediated pathology by enhancing HO-1/STAT3 interaction in DC.
Intranasal insulin decreases circulating cortisol concentrations during early sleep in elderly humans
2017-03-14

Aging is associated with increases in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity that can predispose to metabolic and cognitive impairments. We investigated in elderly and young subjects whether intranasal insulin administration to the human brain reduces early-sleep nadir concentrations of adrenocorticotropin and cortisol, that is, indicators of baseline HPA axis activity. In within-subject comparisons, intranasal insulin (160 IU) or placebo was administered to 14 elderly (mean age 70.0 years) and 30 young (23.6 years) healthy subjects before bedtime. Sleep was polysomnographically assessed and blood samples were repeatedly collected. Elderly compared with young participants displayed increased early-sleep cortisol concentrations (p < 0.04) and reductions in slow wave and REM sleep (p < 0.001). Insulin administration reduced cortisol levels between 2300 hours and 0020 hours in the elderly (p = 0.03) but not young participants (p = 0.56; p = 0.003 for interaction). Findings indicate that central nervous insulin acts as an inhibitory signal in basal HPA axis activity regulation and suggest that intranasal insulin may normalize sleep-associated stress axis activity in older age.
Differences in Inflammation Patterns Induced by African and Asian Burkholderia pseudomallei Isolates in Mice
2017-03-14

Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of melioidosis, an emerging tropical disease of high mortality. Sub-Saharan Africa represents potential melioidosis “hotspots”; however, to date, only a few cases have been reported. Here in, we compared the inflammatory patterns induced by a B. pseudomallei strain recently isolated from a fatal Gabonese case with the Thai reference strain B. pseudomallei -1026b and Burkholderia thailandensis -E264. Ex vivo, no differences were observed in terms of cellular responsiveness between strains. However, when compared with the B. pseudomallei -1026b strain, the Gabonese isolate was significantly less virulent in terms of bacterial dissemination, inflammatory response, and organ damage in mice. Genomic comparison between strains showed differences in regions containing a fimbriae/adhesion virulence protein. In addition to a lack of microbiology facilities, differences in virulence of Burkholderia strains might contribute to the diverse global clinical occurrence of melioidosis.
High-order evolving surface finite element method for parabolic problems on evolving surfaces
2017-03-14

High-order spatial discretisations and full discretisations of parabolic partial differential equations on evolving surfaces are studied. We prove convergence of the high-order evolving surface finite element method, by showing high-order versions of geometric approximation errors and perturbation error estimates and by the careful error analysis of a modified Ritz map. Furthermore, convergence of full discretisations using backward difference formulae and implicit Runge-Kutta methods are also shown.
The C32 alkane-1,15-diol as a proxy of late Quaternary riverine input in coastal margins
2017-03-14

Abstract. The study of past sedimentary records from coastal margins allows us to reconstruct variations of terrestrial input into the marine realm and to gain insight into continental climatic variability. There are numerous organic proxies for tracing terrestrial input into marine environments but none that strictly reflect riverine organic matter input. Here, we test the fractional abundance of the C32 alkane 1,15-diol relative to all 1,13- and 1,15-diols (F1,15-C32) as a tracer of riverine input in the marine realm in surface and Quaternary (0–45 ka) sediments on the shelf off the Zambezi and nearby smaller rivers in the Mozambique Channel (western Indian Ocean). A Quaternary (0–22 ka) sediment record off the Nile River mouth in the Eastern Mediterranean was also studied for diols. For the Mozambique Channel, surface sediments of sites most proximal to Mozambique rivers showed the highest F1,15-C32 (up to 10 %). The sedimentary record shows high (15–35 %) pre-Holocene F1,15-C32 and low (
Human melanoma cells resistant to MAPK inhibitors can be effectively targeted by inhibition of the p90 ribosomal S6 kinase
2017-03-15

The clinical availability of small molecule inhibitors specifically targeting mutated BRAF marked a significant breakthrough in melanoma therapy. Despite a dramatic anti-tumour activity and improved patient survival, rapidly emerging resistance, however, greatly limits the clinical benefit. The majority of the already described resistance mechanisms involve a reactivation of the MAPK signalling pathway. The p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK), a downstream effector of the MAPK signalling cascade, has been reported to enhance survival of melanoma cells in response to chemotherapy. Here, we can show that RSK activity is significantly increased in human melanoma cells with acquired resistance to the BRAFV600E/K inhibitor vemurafenib. Interestingly, inhibition of RSK signalling markedly impairs the viability of vemurafenib resistant melanoma cells and is effective both in two-dimensional and in three-dimensional culture systems, especially in a chronic, long-term application. The effect of RSK inhibition can be partly replicated by downregulation of the well-known RSK target, Y-box binding protein 1 (YB-1). Intriguingly, RSK inhibition also retains its efficacy in melanoma cells with combined resistance to vemurafenib and the MEK inhibitor trametinib. These data suggest that active RSK signalling might be an attractive novel therapeutic target in melanoma with acquired resistance to MAPK pathway inhibitors.
Luminescent Ni0 Diisocyanide Chelates as Analogues of CuI Diimine Complexes
2017-03-15

Abstract The first two homoleptic Ni 0 isocyanide complexes that exhibit photoluminescence from long‐lived excited states are presented. Electrochemical studies indicate that in one of the complexes significant geometrical distortion occurs upon metal oxidation. The observation of luminescence, even though currently restricted to low temperatures, is an important proof‐of‐concept in the search for earth‐abundant alternatives to photoactive complexes made from precious metals. The prospect of using Ni 0 isocyanide complexes as luminophores, photoredox catalysts, or dyes in solar cells, is highly attractive.
Appropriation and Emulation in the Earliest Sculptures from Zincirli (Iron Age Samʾal)
2017-03-15

Monumental structures clad in relief-carved stone orthostats adorned cities across the fragmented political and ethnolinguistic landscape of the Iron Age Syro-Hittite kingdoms. This building practice passed down from the Hurro-Hittite Late Bronze Age evoked a collective memory of legitimate authority and was important for the construction of royal sovereignty. Differences among individual monuments suggest how Syro-Hittite rulers may have deployed monumental construction to navigate an “eventful” history by adapting it to current political exigencies. This article reevaluates the date of orthostats found in the South Gate of Zincirli, Turkey (ancient Samʾal), applying a seriation approach to the comparison of their stylistic details and iconographic themes and motifs with sculptural groups from other sites. The conclusion that the orthostats date to the early 10th century B.C.E. and are thus older than the ninth-century refoundation of the city suggests that they were recycled from an earlier Neo-Hittite site, proposed to be nearby Pancarlı. The appropriation of architectural spolia in the South Gate and the emulation or imitation of older works in the Citadel Gate by the founders of a new regime reveal a dialectic between the embrace and rejection of traditional Hittite sources of authority.
Intra- and inter-rater reliability of lower leg waterplethysmography, bioelectrical impedance and muscle twitch force for the use in standing work evaluation
2017-03-15

Objectives. Prolonged standing is associated with multiple risk factors for musculoskeletal and venous disorders. In Germany over 50% of the working population spend most of their working time in a standing position. Basic understanding of prolonged standing physiology is lacking. We therefore plan to investigate the influence of 5 h standing (including breaks) on lower limb oedema measured by waterplethysmography (WP) and bioelectrical impedance (BI) and fatigue in the triceps surae muscle using muscle twitch force (MTF). In order to interpret our results, test-retest and inter-rater reliability of these measurement methods was evaluated first. Approach. 20 subjects (9 female) were included to test each method three times (M1, M2, M3) in 30 min periods with two raters (R1, R2) on separate days. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC; 2,1), standard error of measurement (SEM) and smallest real difference (SRD) were calculated for both raters. Main results. The SEM and SRD calculated for WP were 27 and 75 ml, respectively, for R1 and 23 and 64 ml, respectively, for R2 with an ICC of 0.98 (p < 0.0001). Statistically significant mean differences between M1 and M2 (R1 = 23 ml, p = 0.004; R2 = 19 ml, p = 0.027) but not significant mean differences between M2 and M3 (R1 = −6 ml, p = 0.45; R2 = 4 ml, p = 0.27) were calculated for both raters. BI data revealed SEM and SRD values of 3.8 and 10.5 Ω, respectively, for R1 and 3.4 and 9.4 Ω, respectively, for R2 with an ICC of 0.24 (p = 0.001). The differences between M1 and M2 (R1 = 3.9 Ω, p = 0.0001; R2 = 2.4 Ω, p = 0.049) and between M2 and M3 (R1 = 2.3 Ω, p = 0.012; R2 = 2.0 Ω, p = 0.008) were found to be statistically significant for both raters. SEM and SRD for MTF were 0.19 and 0.53 N, respectively, for R1 and 0.23 and 0.64 N, respectively, for R2 with an ICC of 0.71 (p < 0.0001). Mean differences between M1 and M2 were statistically significant for rater 1 but not for rater 2 (R1 = 0.13 N, p = 0.022; R2 = 0.12 N, p = 0.082) and the same was found for the difference between M2 and M3 for both raters (R1 = 0.04 N, p = 0.37; R2 = 0.08 N, p = 0.12). Significance. All three measurement methods showed good reliability and should be suitable for detecting effects of standing work on oedema development and fatigue as seen in previous results of long term standing experiments. Inter-rater reliability is found to be satisfactory as well, demonstrated by the small differences in SEM values of R1 and R2. Statistically significant differences shown for all three measurement methods could be due to lacking standardisation of leg placement and thus an actual lower leg volume change between measurements, indicating possibilities for further improvement of SEM values.
β -[18F]Fluoro Azomycin Arabinoside (β -[18F]FAZA): Synthesis, Radiofluorination and Preliminary PET Imaging of Murine A431 Tumors
2017-03-15

The synthesis of β-FAZA and β-[18F]FAZA are reported. Radiofluorination of β-Ac2TsAZA and the deprotection of β-Ac2[18F]FAZA were facile, but led to a more complex mixture of radiofluorinated by-products than observed with the corresponding precursor of α-[18F]FAZA. PET images were indicative of hypoxia-selective accumulation of β-[18F]FAZA in tumor.
Spectroscopy
2017-03-15

Abstract Spectroscopy, the study of electromagnetic radiation and its interaction with matter as a function of frequency or wavelength, is a versatile and powerful tool for investigating atomic and molecular structure, as well as for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Optical spectroscopy is surveyed emphasizing its applicability for qualitative and quantitative laboratory and process analysis and for monitoring atmospheric pollutants. Absorption, emission (from excited samples, and radiometry of ambient thermal emission), scattering (elastic and Raman), and luminescence (fluorescence and phosphorescence) spectroscopies are discussed for the different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum: radio and microwaves, mid‐ and near‐infrared, molecular ultraviolet–visible absorption, atomic absorption and emission, X‐ray, and γ‐ray, in each case discussing instrumentation, sampling, and applications. Special techniques covered include null‐background detection, nonlinear Raman spectroscopy and other laser‐induced processes, optical activity, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Modern ultrasensitive spectroscopies being developed for analytical use are briefly reviewed.
Validity, precision and limitations of seismic rockfall monitoring
2017-03-16

Abstract. Rockfall in deglaciated mountain valleys is perhaps the most important post-glacial geomorphic process for determining the rates and patterns of valley wall erosion. Furthermore, rockfall poses a significant hazard to inhabitants and motivates the monitoring for rockfall occurrence in populated areas. Traditional rockfall detection methods, such as aerial photography and Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) data evaluation provide constraints on the location and released volume of rock, but have limitations due to significant time lags or integration times between surveys, and deliver limited information on rockfall triggering mechanisms and the dynamics of individual events. Environmental seismology, the study of seismic signals emitted by processes at the Earth's surface, provides a complementary solution to these shortcomings. This approach is limited amongst others by the strength of the signals emitted by a source and their transformation and attenuation towards receivers. To test the ability of seismic methods to identify and locate small rockfalls, and to characterise their dynamics, we surveyed a 2.16 km2 large, near vertical cliff section of the Lauterbrunnen Valley in the Swiss Alps with a TLS and six broadband seismometers. During 37 days in autumn 2014, ten TLS-detected rockfalls with volumes ranging from 0.053 &amp;amp;pm; 0.004 to 2.338 &amp;amp;pm; 0.085 m3 were independently detected and located by the seismic approach, with a deviation of 81−29+59 m (about 7 % of the average inter-station distance of the seismometer network). Further potential rockfalls were detected outside the TLS-surveyed cliff area. The onset of individual events can be determined within a few milliseconds, and their dynamics can be resolved into distinct phases, such as detachment, free fall, intermittent impact, fragmentation, arrival at the talus slope and subsequent slope activity. The small rockfall volumes in this area require significant supervision during data processing: 2175 initially picked potential events reduced to 511 potential events after applying automatic rejection criteria. The 511 events needed to be inspected manually to reveal 19 short earthquakes and 37 potential rockfalls, including the ten TLS-detected events. Rockfalls do not show a relationship to released seismic energy or peak amplitude at this spatial scale due to the dominance of process-inherent factors, such as fall height, degree of fragmentation and distribution, and subsequent talus slope activity. The combination of TLS and environmental seismology provides a detailed validation of seismic detection of small volume rockfalls, and revealed unprecedented temporal, spatial and geometric details about rockfalls in steep mountainous terrain.
Birch Bark Dry Extract by Supercritical Fluid Technology: Extract Characterisation and Use for Stabilisation of Semisolid Systems
2017-03-16

Triterpene compounds like betulin, betulinic acid, erythrodiol, oleanolic acid and lupeol are known for many pharmacological effects. All these substances are found in the outer bark of birch. Apart from its pharmacological effects, birch bark extract can be used to stabilise semisolid systems. Normally, birch bark extract is produced for this purpose by extraction with organic solvents. Employing supercritical fluid technology, our aim was to develop a birch bark dry extract suitable for stabilisation of lipophilic gels with improved properties while avoiding the use of toxic solvents. With supercritical carbon dioxide, three different particle formation methods from supercritical solutions have been tested. First, particle deposition was performed from a supercritical solution in an expansion chamber. Second, the Rapid Expansion of Supercritical Solutions (RESS) method was used for particle generation. Third, a modified RESS-procedure, forming the particles directly into the thereby gelated liquid, was developed. All three methods gave yields from 1% to 5.8%, depending on the techniques employed. The triterpene composition of the three extracts was comparable: all three gave more stable oleogels compared to the use of an extract obtained by organic solvent extraction. Characterizing the rheological behaviour of these gels, a faster gelling effect was seen together with a lower concentration of the extract required for the gel formation with the supercritical fluid (SCF)-extracts. This confirms the superiority of the supercritical fluid produced extracts with regard to the oleogel forming properties.
Synthesis, Luminescence and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Homoleptic Tetracyanamidogermanates ARE[Ge(CN2)4] (A = K, Cs, and RE = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd)
2017-03-16

Two new series of tetracyanamidogermanates were prepared by solid‐state reaction of appropriate amounts of RE F 3 ( RE = rare earth), A 2 [GeF 6 ] ( A = alkaline), and Li 2 (CN 2 ) in evacuated silica tubes. Powder X‐ray diffraction patterns of crystalline samples of K RE [Ge(CN 2 ) 4 ] and Cs RE [Ge(CN 2 ) 4 ] were indexed isotypically to K RE [Si(CN 2 ) 4 ] and Rb RE [Ge(CN 2 ) 4 ], respectively. Luminescence properties of Ce 3+ , Eu 3+ , and Tb 3+ doped compounds and non‐linear optical properties (NLO) of K RE [Ge(CN 2 ) 4 ] are reported.
Plasma‐assisted self‐formation of nanotip arrays on the surface of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films
2017-03-16

In this paper, we report on the phenomenon of nanostructure self‐formation on the surface of Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 (CIGS) thin films during inductively coupled argon plasma treatment with its duration varied from 10 to 120 s. The initial films were grown on glass substrates using the selenization technique. During the CIGS film surface treatment in the high‐density low‐pressure radio‐frequency inductively coupled argon plasma there took place a formation of arrays of uniform vertical nanostructures, which shape with increasing processing duration changed from nanocones to nanorods and back to nanocones. A model of the nanotip plasma‐assisted self‐formation associated with the implementation of micromasking and vapor–liquid–solid mechanisms involving metallic In‐Ga (In‐Ga‐Cu) liquid alloy droplets is proposed.