julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Neuroimaging and electrophysiology techniques unveiling the mystery of disorders of consciousness: a narrative review
2024-09-01

The diagnosis and prognosis of disorders of consciousness pose challenges for clinics because human consciousness is still a mysterious and unknown phenomenon. Scientists and clinicians are seeking evidence from neuroimaging and electrophysiology to explore the biological and pathological mechanisms of human consciousness. They attempt to provide new insights into the neuronal foundations of consciousness injury and recovery. These findings have improved the accuracy of the clinical diagnosis and prognosis of disorders of consciousness to some extent. However, they are still not clearly sorted out. Herein, we structure the available knowledge on the basis of neuroimaging (including positron emission tomography, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and functional near-infrared spectroscopy) and electrophysiology (spontaneous electroencephalography, event-related potentials, brain–computer interfaces, and transcranial magnetic stimulation-evoked electroencephalography) studies and their associations with disorders of consciousness-relevant clinical practice. Our aim is to promote their translation into the clinical management of patients with disorders of consciousness.
Vastus Lateralis Transfer for Reconstruction of Hip Abduction following Superior Gluteal Nerve Injury
2024-09-01

Summary: A 71-year-old man who had hip abductor insufficiency due to a chronic injury to the right superior gluteal nerve injury after lipoma resection presented to our outpatient clinic 1.5 years postoperatively with persistent pain, atrophy of the gluteus medius muscle, and Trendelenburg sign with a corresponding limp. A magnetic resonance imaging scan and neurophysiological diagnostics confirmed a chronic lesion of the superior gluteal nerve with completed reinnervation and absent pathological spontaneous activity, excluding neurosurgical options to restore hip abduction. Following interdisciplinary evaluation of the patient’s case, we performed a vastus lateralis transfer in May 2023 to stabilize the right hip joint. The entire vastus lateralis muscle was carefully freed from the surrounding tissue, and its attachment to the quadriceps tendon was separated. The proximal section of the lateral vastus was then fixed to the ilium and greater trochanter, while the muscle’s distal portion was sutured to a more proximal part of the quadriceps muscle. The postoperative course was without any complications, and the patient left the hospital with an abduction splint 10 days after surgery. When he presented to our outpatient clinic 10 weeks after surgery, he reported a significantly improved gait and reduction of pain. Trendelenburg sign was now absent, but right knee function was not impaired and the patient was able to ambulate without the regular need for an orthosis. A transfer of the vastus lateralis muscle is therefore a valuable option to restore hip abductor function in cases of chronic nerve lesions which exclude neurosurgical options.
Distribution of mHealth applications in Germany: analysis of the FeverApp registry
2024-09-01

Objective In this observational study, we determined the distribution of mHealth applications (apps) in Germany using data from the FeverApp registry. Methods The registry data were processed to assess general monthly trends in app distribution, and a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model was decomposed to investigate time series. A sample comparison was made matching data from cold-called against self-registered distributers of the FeverApp. Results Among 881 pediatric and adolescent medical practices, 27,300 app users were recruited between 2019 and August 2023. The number of monthly recruited users increased steadily. A seasonal trend was observed, showing a higher distribution in winter months. Self-registered pediatric practices did not recruit significantly more app users than cold-called practices, with approximately every 25th family recruited in both groups. Conclusions The trend of more app sign-ups during winter is likely related to the flu season in Germany. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors of the practices seem to have a large impact on the distribution. We observed a positive trend in the app distribution. Seasonal febrile infections and individual distribution methods among practices influence the distribution of the FeverApp in Germany. Family factors may have a greater influence than the motivation of distributing practices.
Predictors of measles-rubella vaccination status in the Savannah Region, Ghana: A cross-sectional study among caregivers of children aged 18–59 months
2024-09-01

Inadequate caregiver knowledge, poor geographical access to health services, poor healthcare worker attitude, and non-institutional management of AEFI significantly contributed to the low MR vaccination uptake in the Savannah Region. Adopting tailored approaches to addressing these factors could improve vaccination coverage.
Aesthetic and functional outcomes in full thickness nasal alar reconstruction: Insights from patients on conchal cartilage and nasolabial‐folded‐flap
2024-09-01

Abstract Introduction Nasal alar defects pose significant challenges due to the nose's central role in facial aesthetics and function. Various causes, including skin cancer resection, necessitate effective reconstruction techniques. Despite several available methods, identifying an ideal approach remains elusive. Methods This study introduces a single‐stage reconstruction technique employing the nasolabial‐folded‐flap (NFL) with conchal cartilage support. A structured patient questionnaire evaluated functional and aesthetic outcomes, pain, healing and satisfaction. The survey involved six patients who underwent nasal reconstruction using this approach in 12 months. Results Patients expressed high satisfaction with functional and aesthetic outcomes. Functional aspects received very satisfactory ratings (mean 1.7), with aesthetically appealing results (mean 2). Reconstructed noses harmonized well with patients' faces (mean 2), with a moderate impact on daily activities (mean 2.7). Mild pain was occasionally reported (median 2.2) and healing was perceived as very successful (median 1.5). Patients were highly satisfied with care and support (median 1) and felt adequately informed (median 1.5). They strongly recommended this reconstruction technique to others (median 1). Discussion The NFL with conchal cartilage support proves versatile and cosmetically pleasing in single‐stage reconstruction for full‐thickness nasal alar defects. Patients demonstrated a strong willingness to recommend this approach to individuals with similar defects, showcasing its potential advantages. Despite limitations, our findings underscore the prospects of this technique in nasal reconstruction.
Pangenomic context reveals the extent of intraspecific plant NLR evolution
2024-09-02

Nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) proteins are a major component of the plant immune system, which directly or indirectly detect molecular signals of pathogen invasion. Despite their critical role, the processes by which NLR genes diversify remain poorly characterised due to the extraordinary sequence, structural, and regulatory variability of NLRs, even among closely related individuals. To understand the evolution of NLR diversity in Arabidopsis thaliana, we leverage graph-based methods to define pangenomic NLR neighbourhoods in 17 genetically diverse genomes. We integrate full-length transcript and transposable element information to exhaustively annotate all intact and degraded NLRs, enabling exploration of the processes that underpin the birth, death and maintenance of NLR diversity within a species. Our main finding is that many uncorrelated mutational processes create NLR diversity, and that there is no single metric that captures on its own the true extent of NLR structural and sequence variation. This immense diversity in plant immune system diversification allows populations to survive the constant onslaught of pathogens, not unlike vertebrate adaptive immunity, where variation is also generated by a variety of complementary mechanisms, albeit at the level of individuals.
Taxonomic and stable isotope analyses of mammal remains from the Lateglacial site of Grotta Polesini (central Italy): Paleoenviromental implications
2024-09-02

ABSTRACT Grotta Polesini is one of the most famous paleontological and archaeological sites of central Italy, which testifies to its human occupation during the Lateglacial. The site comprises a cave system where systematic excavation campaigns have been carried out since the 1950s. In 1974, 656 mammal remains were collected but never studied. This fossil collection is here described for the first time through taxonomic and stable isotope analyses of the enamel of selected mammal teeth. The aim is to reconstruct the paleoenvironmental and climatic conditions of the site and to offer new information on terrestrial ecosystems during the Lateglacial in central Italy. The faunal assemblage studied herein, in addition to other species reported in previous works, suggests cold climate conditions. We also describe a right radius of an adult individual of Homo sapiens , increasing the human fossil record of the site. Carbon isotope data point to a scenario dominated by C3 plants in open and dry habitats, such as grasslands and steppes, in accordance with the pollen data from central Italy. The oxygen isotope data suggest the use of water resources with a local origin, i.e. local precipitation and surface waters with a provenance from the nearby Apennine chain. The ecology of the taxa influenced the oxygen isotope values, especially in the case of semi‐obligate to non‐obligate drinker species.
“How handy was early hominin ‘know‐how’?” An experimental approach exploring efficient early stone tool use
2024-09-02

Abstract Objectives The appearance of early lithic industries has been associated with the gradual development of unique biomechanical and cognitive abilities in hominins, including human‐like precision grasping and basic learning and/or communicating capacities. These include tools used for activities exclusively associated with hominin contexts (cutting flakes) and hammerstones utilized for behaviors shared with non‐human primates (e.g., nut‐cracking). However, no previous experimental research has focused on comparing the factors affecting efficiency between these two key behavioral patterns and their evolutionary implications. Materials and Methods Here, we address this gap with an experimental design involving participants with varying tool‐related experience levels (i.e., no experience, theoretical‐only experience, and extensive practical knapping expertise) to monitor their success rates, biometrics, and surface electromyography (sEMG) recordings from eight important hand and forearm muscles. Results Our results showed that practical experience had a substantial impact on flake‐cutting efficiency, allowing participants to achieve greater success rates with substantially less muscle effort. This relationship between success rates and muscle effort was not observed for the nut‐cracking task. Moreover, even though practical experience did not significantly benefit nut‐cracking success, experts exhibited increased rates of self‐improvement in that task. Discussion Altogether, these experimental findings suggest that the ability to practice and retain tool‐using knowledge played a fundamental role in the subsistence strategies and adaptability of early hominins, potentially providing the cognitive basis for conceptualizing the first intentional tool production strategies.
Gut Analysis Toolbox – automating quantitative analysis of enteric neurons
2024-09-02

ABSTRACT The enteric nervous system (ENS) consists of an extensive network of neurons and glial cells embedded within the wall of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Alterations in neuronal distribution and function are strongly associated with GI dysfunction. Current methods for assessing neuronal distribution suffer from undersampling, partly due to challenges associated with imaging and analyzing large tissue areas, and operator bias due to manual analysis. We present the Gut Analysis Toolbox (GAT), an image analysis tool designed for characterization of enteric neurons and their neurochemical coding using two-dimensional images of GI wholemount preparations. GAT is developed in Fiji, has a user-friendly interface, and offers rapid and accurate segmentation via custom deep learning (DL)-based cell segmentation models developed using StarDist, as well as a ganglia segmentation model in deepImageJ. We apply proximal neighbor-based spatial analysis to reveal differences in cellular distribution across gut regions using a public dataset. In summary, GAT provides an easy-to-use toolbox to streamline routine image analysis tasks in ENS research. GAT enhances throughput, allowing rapid unbiased analysis of larger tissue areas, multiple neuronal markers and numerous samples.
The effect of mosses on the relocation of SOC and total N due to soil erosion and percolation in a disturbed temperate forest
2024-09-02

Forests cover one-third of the global land and are important components of carbon and nitrogen cycling. Anthropogenic disturbances, such as forest road systems or skid trails for timber harvesting, can dramatically change the nutrient cycling in these ecosystems. Skid trails increase soil erosion and thus the displacement of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (N t ). Additionally, runoff transports high amounts of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), which can have a negative impact on aquatic ecosystems. One of the most important countermeasures against soil erosion is the quick recolonization of vegetation. To date, the extent to which natural vegetation succession influences the relocation of SOC and N t , and in particular the role of mosses in this context, has not been well investigated. This study investigates the influence of natural vegetation succession and in particular of mosses on the displacement process of SOC and N t as well as DOC caused by soil erosion. To this end, we combine the results of a field study using in-situ rainfall simulations with small-scale runoff plots in skid trails of the Schönbuch Nature Park in southwestern Germany with the results of ex-situ rainfall simulation experiments with infiltration boxes containing the substrate from the respective skid trails. The eroded sediments of skid trails were on average enriched in SOC by 16% and in N t by 35% compared to the original soil, which lead to a decrease of the C/N ratio in sediments. As vegetation succession progressed, the displacement of SOC and N t was reduced, confirmed by a negative correlation between the enrichment ratios of SOC (ER SOC ), N t and total vegetation cover. However, mosses tended to reduce ER SOC more than vascular plants. Additionally, mosses significantly decreased DOC concentration in surface runoff compared to bare soils, while no difference in DOC concentration in percolated water could be observed. Future research should explore the role of mosses in the storage of SOC and N t in the soil and their impact on soil stability. Thus, utilizing mosses could potentially minimize environmental impacts from soil disturbances in forests.
Heterogeneity in Students’ Perceptions of Teaching Quality: A Marker of Adaptive Teaching?
2024-09-02

Background: Students attending the same class can vary greatly in their perceptions of the teaching quality of the same lessons with the same teacher; however, the current understanding of heterogeneity in students’ perceptions of teaching quality, its sources, and implications remains limited. Aims: This study investigated whether heterogeneity in students’ perceptions of teaching quality within classes may indicate that the teacher’s instruction is not equally adaptive for all students. Sample: We used longitudinal data from the TALIS Global Teaching InSights study (N = 19,659 students, N = 679 mathematics teachers, across eight countries). Methods: We ran multigroup latent change score models to examine the effect of increases in student- and teacher-reported adaptive teaching on changes in (a) student-rated teaching quality (clarity of instruction, autonomy support, cognitive engagement, and classroom disruptions) and, importantly, (b) changes in heterogeneity in students’ perceptions of these dimensions.Results: Increases in adaptive teaching were associated with more positive and less heterogenous perceptions of clarity and autonomy support within classes. Increases in adaptive teaching predicted higher levels of cognitive engagement but did not significantly predict heterogeneity in students’ perceptions of cognitive engagement. Increases in adaptive teaching were linked to less classroom disruptions and more heterogeneous perceptions of disruptions within classes. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that adaptive teaching can explain the extent of heterogeneity in students’ perceptions of several teaching quality dimensions. This underscores the substantive value of considering heterogeneity in student perceptions as a meaningful construct.
The longitudinal patterns of depression subtypes and stressors in depression severity in the Canadian longitudinal study on aging (CLSA)
2024-09-02

Aim The current study aims to characterize the longitudinal patterns of depression subtypes and investigate the associations among the stability of depression subtypes, COVID‐19‐related stressors, and depression severity. Methods The study utilized data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, which is a national, long‐term study of Canadian adults aged 45 and older ( n = 12,957). Latent profile analysis was used to identify latent depression subtypes. Latent transition analysis was then applied to assess the stability of these subtypes over time. Hierarchical multivariate linear regression was used to explore the relationships among these identified depression subtypes, COVID‐19‐related stressors, and depression severity among males and females, respectively. Results Distinct depression subtypes were identified. Except for atypical depression, other depression subtypes showed greater stability over time. We also found that melancholic depression (B = 9.432) and typical depression (B = 6.677) were strongly associated with depression severity during the pandemic. Health‐related stressors (B = 0.840), conflict (B = 3.639), difficulties accessing resources (B = 0.927), separation from family (B = 0.840), and caregiving experience (B = 0.764), were significantly associated with increased depression severity. Sex‐specific analyses also revealed differences in the associations between stressors and depression severity between males and females. Conclusions This study contributes valuable insights into the latent clustering of depression subtypes and their stability. Stressors were associated with increased depression severity, with distinct associations observed among males and females. These findings have implications for targeted early interventions and integrated clinical management strategies by providing the evidence base for tailored mental health care during and after the pandemic.
Restoring a natural skeleton of a premature infant from the early twentieth century
2024-09-02

Abstract Traditional anatomical preparations as they are often found in university collections are both historical treasure and moral responsibility of the hosting institutions. These remains not only represent the tradition and history of anatomical science and education, but above all are the remains of human beings and thus should be treated with dignity. While the discussion on public display of historical human remains is ongoing, the responsibility to keep them in an optimal state of preservation is not in question. However, most time-honored anatomical collections do or did not have the financial and/or technical capacity to keep these high standards, underlining the need for exchange of technical know-how between anatomical institutes and the support of restoration/conservation professionals. Here, we present a state-of-the-art conservation and restoration of a fetal natural skeleton from the early twentieth century along with the professional documentation of restoration-measures. Therefore, we used modern photo- and video documentation, including photogrammetry, as well as UV- and x-ray-examinations to record historical and new restoration procedures. We carried out measures to reconstitute the structural stability of the skeleton. Moreover, we replaced lost parts of the left foot skeleton, and critically discuss the legitimacy of body part replacement in historical specimens. We are convinced, that similar cases of insufficiently preserved specimens can be found in most anatomical collections. Therefore, this article is not only intended to document the state-of-the-art conservation and restoration of a natural skeleton, but also serve as an inspiration for similar campaigns in other institutions in the future.
Application of cryo-FIB-SEM for investigating organelle ultrastructure in guard cells of higher plants
2024-09-02

Abstract Stomata are vital for CO2 and water vapor exchange, with guard cells’ aperture and ultrastructure highly responsive to environmental cues. However, traditional methods for studying guard cell ultrastructure, which rely on chemical fixation and embedding, often distort cell morphology and compromise membrane integrity, leaving no suitable methodology until now. In contrast, plunge-freezing in liquid ethane rapidly preserves cells in a near-native vitreous state for cryogenic electron microscopy. Using this approach, we applied Cryo-Focused Ion Beam-Scanning Electron Microscopy (cryo- FIB-SEM) to study the guard cell ultrastructure of Vicia faba , a higher plant model chosen for its sensitivity to external factors and ease of epidermis isolation, advancing beyond previous cryo-FIB-SEM applications in lower plant algae. The results firstly introduced cryo-FIB-SEM volume imaging, enabling subcellular ultrastructure visualization of higher plants like V. faba in a vitrified, unaltered state. 3D models of organelles such as stromules, chloroplast protrusions, chloroplasts, starch granules, mitochondria, and vacuoles were reconstructed from cryo-FIB-SEM volumetric data, with their surface area and volume initially determined using manual segmentation. Future studies using this near-native volume imaging technique hold promise for investigating how environmental factors like drought or salinity influence stomatal behavior and the morphology of guard cells and their organelles.
Adapting seasonal beekeeping patterns in western Norway
2024-09-02

This paper is about how Western Norway beekeepers synchronise their practices to perceived patterns of seasonal rhythms and adapt their timings and ways of working as they sense shifts in these rhythmic seasonal patterns associated with climatic and environmental (and social) change. It contributes to work on adaptation governance with an emphasis on the time sensitivity of adaptive action in institutions – the importance of taking the right action at the right time – and that this timing is coordinated at the convergence of multiple temporalities across human and more-than-human worlds, within temporal assemblages. The research was conducted in close collaboration with beekeepers over the 2021/2022 seasons and found them to be temporally literate practitioners that are capable of gauging shifts in temporalities, drawing on diverse temporal frameworks (both formal and informal), and recalibrating. Recalibration came both in small incremental micro-manoeuvres to maintain synchrony in a seasonal pattern, or collective efforts to fundamentally adapt or reconfiguring seasonal patterns when patterns fail to ‘hold’. From this perspective, the paper centres and elevates temporal synchronisation in adaption, with attention to the institutionalised capacity of temporally competent practitioners to make use of and recraft the cultural frameworks governing timings.