julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Self-Regulation of the Posterior–Frontal Brain Activity with Real-Time fMRI Neurofeedback to Influence Perceptual Discrimination
2024-07-16

The Global Neuronal Workspace (GNW) hypothesis states that the visual percept is available to conscious awareness only if recurrent long-distance interactions among distributed brain regions activate neural circuitry extending from the posterior areas to prefrontal regions above a certain excitation threshold. To directly test this hypothesis, we trained 14 human participants to increase blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signals with real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (rtfMRI)-based neurofeedback simultaneously in four specific regions of the occipital, temporal, insular and prefrontal parts of the brain. Specifically, we hypothesized that the up-regulation of the mean BOLD activity in the posterior–frontal brain regions lowers the perceptual threshold for visual stimuli, while down-regulation raises the threshold. Our results showed that participants could perform up-regulation (Wilcoxon test, session 1: p = 0.022; session 4: p = 0.041) of the posterior–frontal brain activity, but not down-regulation. Furthermore, the up-regulation training led to a significant reduction in the visual perceptual threshold, but no substantial change in perceptual threshold was observed after the down-regulation training. These findings show that the up-regulation of the posterior–frontal regions improves the perceptual discrimination of the stimuli. However, further questions as to whether the posterior–frontal regions can be down-regulated at all, and whether down-regulation raises the perceptual threshold, remain unanswered.
A Newly Dated Late Pleistocene and Holocene Archaeological Assemblage from Bukhtarma Cave in the Southern Altai Piedmont, East Kazakhstan
2024-07-16

Abstract The Altai mountains contain a number of cave and rockshelter sites that have given crucial information about human evolution in Asia. Most of these caves are located in the Gornyi Altai of Siberia, while the southern flank of the range remains much less known. Bukhtarma Cave was a karstic cave located near the former village of Peshchera, on the banks of the Bukhtarma River running through the foothills of the southern (Kazakh) Altai mountains. The Soviet East Kazakhstan Archaeological Expedition carried several excavation campaigns in the cave in the early to mid 1950s, discovering Paleolithic stone tools as well as animal bones. The collections were split between the East Kazakhstan Regional Museum of Local History in Öskemen (the lithic and part of the faunal collection) and the Zoological Institute in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) (most of the fauna). Subsequently, the site was flooded by the construction of the Bukhtarma Reservoir in 1958, such that further fieldwork is impossible. However, in 2020, we reanalyzed the zooarchaeological collections and obtained several 14 C dates. Based on the excavation documentation and the newly obtained dates exclusively taken from cut marked and carnivore-modified bone, we reconstruct at least three Paleolithic archaeological horizons, spanning the time between ca. 47–30 ka cal BP and exhibiting Middle and Upper Paleolithic characteristics, as well as the remains of several Holocene occupations, the latest of which dates to the Bronze Age. We present here a summary of the lithic and faunal assemblage and draw general conclusions about the site’s placement within the regional Paleolithic.
Granulation compared to co-application of biochar plus mineral fertilizer and its impacts on crop growth and nutrient leaching
2024-07-17

Abstract Mechanized biochar field application remains challenging due to biochar’s poor flowability and bulk density. Granulation of biochar with fertilizer provides a product ready for application with well-established machinery. However, it’s unknown whether granulated biochar-based fertilizers (gBBF) are as effective as co-application of non-granulated biochar with fertilizer. Here, we compared a gBBF with a mineral compound fertilizer (control), and with a non-granulated biochar that was co-applied at a rate of 1.1 t ha −1 with the fertilizer in a white cabbage greenhouse pot trial. Half the pots received heavy rain simulation treatments to investigate nutrient leaching. Crop yields were not significantly increased by biochar without leaching compared to the control. With leaching, cabbage yield increased with gBBF and biochar-co-application by 14% ( p &gt; 0.05) and 34% ( p &lt; 0.05), respectively. Nitrogen leaching was reduced by 26–35% with both biochar amendments. Biochar significantly reduced potassium, magnesium, and sulfur leaching. Most nitrogen associated with gBBF was released during the trial and the granulated biochar regained its microporosity. Enriching fertilizers with biochar by granulation or co-application can improve crop yields and decrease nutrient leaching. While the gBBF yielded less biomass compared to biochar co-application, improved mechanized field application after granulation could facilitate the implementation of biochar application in agriculture.
Risk factors and the level of laboratory biomarkers abnormalities amongst COVID-19 admitted patients with acute kidney injury: A retrospective cross-sectional study
2024-07-17

Introduction: Infection with SARS-CoV-2 might lead to severe acute kidney injury (AKI) with high morbidity and mortality. Various incidence rates of AKI have been reported among hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Our study aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with AKI in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and the relevant changes in their blood biomarkers compared to COVID-19 patients without AKI. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 262 COVID-19-confirmed hospitalized patients were enrolled in the Department of Internal Medicine at Bohlool teaching hospital, Iran, from September 2019 to January 2020. Then, the information related to demographics, medical history, comorbid conditions, and clinical and laboratory findings was documented. Patients were categorized into two groups: Patients without AKI and patients with AKI. Results: We detected 130 (49.6%) patients with AKI among the total number of 262 patients admitted with COVID-19. A total of 68 (25.9%) patients had severe disease, and fever (47.1%) was the most common presenting symptom. Older age, comorbid cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and severe COVID-19 were significantly associated with higher risk of AKI. Abnormal levels of white blood cells (WBC), neutrophil count, hemoglobin (Hb), prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), direct bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, potassium (K), ferritin (in female patients), albumin (Alb), pH, and oxygen saturation (SPO2 ) was significantly associated with a higher risk of developing AKI in COVID-19 patients. Conclusion: AKI was a common condition among COVID-19 patients in our sample. Our study confirms the effect of COVID-19 on the developing of AKI. The association between blood biomarkers, including hematologic and inflammatory markers indicate their potential role in the impairment of kidney function.
Approaches of wearable and implantable biosensor towards of developing in precision medicine
2024-07-18

In the relentless pursuit of precision medicine, the intersection of cutting-edge technology and healthcare has given rise to a transformative era. At the forefront of this revolution stands the burgeoning field of wearable and implantable biosensors, promising a paradigm shift in how we monitor, analyze, and tailor medical interventions. As these miniature marvels seamlessly integrate with the human body, they weave a tapestry of real-time health data, offering unprecedented insights into individual physiological landscapes. This log embarks on a journey into the realm of wearable and implantable biosensors, where the convergence of biology and technology heralds a new dawn in personalized healthcare. Here, we explore the intricate web of innovations, challenges, and the immense potential these bioelectronics sentinels hold in sculpting the future of precision medicine.
Mechanisms of biochar-based organic fertilizers enhancing maize yield on a Chinese Chernozem: Root traits, soil quality and soil microorganisms
2024-07-18

The Chinese Chernozems face extreme challenges of soil degradation and crop productivity decline. Biochar-based organic fertilizer (BOF) is effectively applied to improve crop yield and soil quality. Nonetheless, the mechanisms involved in yield enhancement in interaction with root traits, soil quality, and microorganisms after BOF application remain unclear. Herein, a two-year field experiment with three BOF rates [3.0 Mg ha−1 (BOF3), 6.0 Mg ha−1 (BOF6), 9.0 Mg ha−1 (BOF9)] was conducted to evaluate the impact of BOF on root traits, soil quality, and soil microorganisms, with no BOF applied as control treatment (CK). Compared to CK, BOF increased maize yield by 9.1 ∼ 32.0 % in the second year of application, and the highest yield (16.1 Mg ha−1) was obtained with BOF6. BOF increased the plant growth index by 29.7 ∼ 98.9 %, mainly attributed to the increase in root volume (2.4 ∼ 57.4 %), aboveground biomass (31.4 ∼ 44.0 %), and nitrogen (N) uptake (123.2 ∼ 216.0 %). The soil quality index was increased not only in the topsoil (27.7 ∼ 31.1 %) but also in the subsoil (22.7 ∼ 25.1 %) with BOF, particularly with the two highest rates (BOF6 and BOF9). This was mainly ascribed to the notable increase in microbial biomass carbon, total N, NH4+-N, and N-acquiring enzyme activity (normalized by leucine aminopeptidase and alkaline phosphatase). Moreover, BOF increased the abundance of Actinobacteria, Mortierellomycota at 0–40 cm, Chloroflexi at 0–20 cm, Acidobacteriota, and Ascomycota at 20–40 cm, which confirmed their key roles in activating soil nutrient and subsequent enhancing soil quality and stimulating plant growth. Overall, biochar-based organic fertilizer with a rate of 6.0 Mg ha−1 is a promising fertilizer regime to enhance soil quality by regulating soil keystone taxa, thereby boosting maize growth and yield on the Chernozem soil.
Microbiome and pancreatic cancer: time to think about chemotherapy
2024-07-18

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive cancer characterized by late diagnosis, rapid progression, and a high mortality rate. Its complex biology, characterized by a dense, stromal tumor environment with an immunosuppressive milieu, contributes to resistance against standard treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. This comprehensive review explores the dynamic role of the microbiome in modulating chemotherapy efficacy and outcomes in PDAC. It delves into the microbiome's impact on drug metabolism and resistance, and the interaction between microbial elements, drugs, and human biology. We also highlight the significance of specific bacterial species and microbial enzymes in influencing drug action and the immune response in the tumor microenvironment. Cutting-edge methodologies, including artificial intelligence, low-biomass microbiome analysis and patient-derived organoid models, are discussed, offering insights into the nuanced interactions between microbes and cancer cells. The potential of microbiome-based interventions as adjuncts to conventional PDAC treatments are discussed, paving the way for personalized therapy approaches. This review synthesizes recent research to provide an in-depth understanding of how the microbiome affects chemotherapy efficacy. It focuses on elucidating key mechanisms and identifying existing knowledge gaps. Addressing these gaps is crucial for enhancing personalized medicine and refining cancer treatment strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Toward a unified perspective on assessment models, part I: Foundations of a framework
2024-07-18

In the past years, several theories for assessment have been developed within the overlapping fields of Psychometrics and Mathematical Psychology. The most notable are Item Response Theory (IRT), Cognitive Diagnostic Assessment (CDA), and Knowledge Structure Theory (KST). In spite of their common goals, these frameworks have been developed largely independently, focusing on slightly different aspects. Yet various connections between them can be found in literature. In this contribution, Part I of a three-part work, a unified perspective is suggested that uses two primitives (structure and process) and two operations (factorization and reparametrization) to derive IRT, CDA, and KST models. A Taxonomy of models is built using a two- processes sequential approach that captures the similarities between the conditional probabilities featured in these models and separates them into a first process modeling the effects of individual ability on item mastering, and a second process representing the effects of pure chance on item solving.
Methyltransferases from RiPP pathways: shaping the landscape of natural product chemistry
2024-07-18

This review article aims to highlight the role of methyltransferases within the context of ribosomally synthesised and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP) natural products. Methyltransferases play a pivotal role in the biosynthesis of diverse natural products with unique chemical structures and bioactivities. They are highly chemo-, regio-, and stereoselective allowing methylation at various positions. The different possible acceptor regions in ribosomally synthesised peptides are described in this article. Furthermore, we will discuss the potential application of these methyltransferases as powerful biocatalytic tools in the synthesis of modified peptides and other bioactive compounds. By providing an overview of the various methylation options available, this review is intended to emphasise the biocatalytic potential of RiPP methyltransferases and their impact on the field of natural product chemistry.
Revisiting the dead time effects of Insight-HXMT/ME on timing analysis
2024-07-18

ABSTRACT Dead time is a common instrumental effect of X-ray detectors, which would alter the behaviour of timing properties of astronomical signals, such as distorting the shape of power density spectra (PDS), affecting the root-mean-square of potential quasi-periodic oscillation signals, etc. We revisit the effects of the dead time of Medium Energy X-ray telescope (ME) onboard Insight-HXMT based on the simulation of electronic read-out mechanism that causes the dead time and the real data. We investigate dead time effects on the pulse profile as well as the quasi–periodic oscillation (QPO) signals. The dead time coefficient suggests a linear correlation with the observed count rate in each phase bin of the pulse profile according to the simulation of periodic signal as well as the real data observed on Swift J0243.6+6124. The Fourier-amplitude-difference (FAD) method could well recover the intrinsic shape of the observed PDS in the case that the PDS is from two identical detectors. We apply this technique on ME, by splitting the nine FPGA modules into two groups. The results indicate that the FAD technique suits the case when two groups of detectors are not largely different; and the recovered PDS of Sco X-1 observed by ME slightly enhances the significance of the previously known QPO signal, meanwhile the root-mean-square of QPO is significantly improved. We provide the FAD correction tool implemented in HXMTDAS for users in the future to better analyse QPO signals.
Temporal Evolution of Defects and Related Electric Properties in He-Irradiated YBa2Cu3O7−δ Thin Films
2024-07-18

Thin films of the superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) were modified by low-energy light-ion irradiation employing collimated or focused He+ beams, and the long-term stability of irradiation-induced defects was investigated. For films irradiated with collimated beams, the resistance was measured in situ during and after irradiation and analyzed using a phenomenological model. The formation and stability of irradiation-induced defects are highly influenced by temperature. Thermal annealing experiments conducted in an Ar atmosphere at various temperatures demonstrated a decrease in resistivity and allowed us to determine diffusion coefficients and the activation energy ΔE=(0.31±0.03) eV for diffusive oxygen rearrangement within the YBCO unit cell basal plane. Additionally, thin YBCO films, nanostructured by focused He+-beam irradiation into vortex pinning arrays, displayed significant commensurability effects in magnetic fields. Despite the strong modulation of defect densities in these pinning arrays, oxygen diffusion during room-temperature annealing over almost six years did not compromise the signatures of vortex matching, which remained precisely at their magnetic fields predicted by the pattern geometry. Moreover, the critical current increased substantially within the entire magnetic field range after long-term storage in dry air. These findings underscore the potential of ion irradiation in tailoring the superconducting properties of thin YBCO films.
Exploring person-specific associations of situational motivation and readiness with leisure-time physical activity effort and experience
2024-07-18

Identifying determinants of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) often relies on population-level (nomothetic) averages, potentially overlooking person-specific (idiographic) associations. This study uses an idiographic perspective to explore how subjective readiness and motives for LTPA relate to volitional effort (duration, intensity) and affective experience (pleasure, displeasure). We also highlight the potential for different interpretations when data are averaged within individuals and assessed using a variable-centered approach. Participants (N = 22, 25±8 years old, 54.5% women) were asked to continue their regular PA patterns for 10 weeks. Ecological momentary assessment procedures allowed participants to provide pre-activity reports (physical, cognitive, emotional readiness and situational motive for activity) and post-activity reports (activity type, duration, perceived exertion, ratings of affective valence). Spearman rank correlation was implemented to interpret within- and between-person associations. Data visualization approaches were used to showcase person-specific differences in associations. Participants provided 519 reports of LTPA (24±11 events/person), which displayed between- and within-person variety in type, duration, intensity, and affective experience. Exemplar cases highlight discrepancies in interpretation based on level of analysis, such that the nomothetic association (rho = .42, p = .05; 95% CI -.02, .72) between motive to replenish energy and LTPA duration was observed in only one within-person analysis (41% were weak-to-large inverse effects). Alternatively, the negligible nomothetic association (rho = .02, p = .93; 95% CI -.41, .44) between physical readiness and LTPA-related affect did not reflect the 59% of within-person analyses showing moderate-to-large, positive effects. Future research aiming to identify determinants of LTPA effort and experience should integrate contemporary, idiographic analyses in early-stage research for developing person-specific strategies for LTPA promotion.
CSF Sphingolipids in Parkinson Disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies with and without GBA1 variants
2024-07-18

<title>Abstract</title> Variants in <italic>GBA1</italic> result in dysregulated sphingolipids. We investigated five CSF sphingolipid species in a multicenter cohort comprising people with Parkinson’s Disease and Dementia with Lewy bodies with and without <italic>GBA1</italic> variants and healthy controls. We found no increase of sphingolipid species in heterozygous <italic>GBA1</italic> variant carriers. Sphingolipid levels had no effect on development of cognitive impairment. Thereby, CSF Sphingolipids seem not useful as state marker in Parkinson’s Disease.
SMERF: Streamable Memory Efficient Radiance Fields for Real-Time Large-Scene Exploration
2024-07-19

Recent techniques for real-time view synthesis have rapidly advanced in fidelity and speed, and modern methods are capable of rendering near-photorealistic scenes at interactive frame rates. At the same time, a tension has arisen between explicit scene representations amenable to rasterization and neural fields built on ray marching, with state-of-the-art instances of the latter surpassing the former in quality while being prohibitively expensive for real-time applications. We introduce SMERF, a view synthesis approach that achieves state-of-the-art accuracy among real-time methods on large scenes with footprints up to 300 m 2 at a volumetric resolution of 3.5 mm 3 . Our method is built upon two primary contributions: a hierarchical model partitioning scheme, which increases model capacity while constraining compute and memory consumption, and a distillation training strategy that simultaneously yields high fidelity and internal consistency. Our method enables full six degrees of freedom navigation in a web browser and renders in real-time on commodity smartphones and laptops. Extensive experiments show that our method exceeds the state-of-the-art in real-time novel view synthesis by 0.78 dB on standard benchmarks and 1.78 dB on large scenes, renders frames three orders of magnitude faster than state-of-the-art radiance field models, and achieves real-time performance across a wide variety of commodity devices, including smartphones. We encourage readers to explore these models interactively at our project website: https://smerf-3d.github.io.
Binary Opacity Grids: Capturing Fine Geometric Detail for Mesh-Based View Synthesis
2024-07-19

While surface-based view synthesis algorithms are appealing due to their low computational requirements, they often struggle to reproduce thin structures. In contrast, more expensive methods that model the scene's geometry as a volumetric density field (e.g. NeRF) excel at reconstructing fine geometric detail. However, density fields often represent geometry in a "fuzzy" manner, which hinders exact localization of the surface. In this work, we modify density fields to encourage them to converge towards surfaces, without compromising their ability to reconstruct thin structures. First, we employ a discrete opacity grid representation instead of a continuous density field, which allows opacity values to discontinuously transition from zero to one at the surface. Second, we anti-alias by casting multiple rays per pixel, which allows occlusion boundaries and subpixel structures to be modelled without using semi-transparent voxels. Third, we minimize the binary entropy of the opacity values, which facilitates the extraction of surface geometry by encouraging opacity values to binarize towards the end of training. Lastly, we develop a fusion-based meshing strategy followed by mesh simplification and appearance model fitting. The compact meshes produced by our model can be rendered in real-time on mobile devices and achieve significantly higher view synthesis quality compared to existing mesh-based approaches. Our interactive webdemo is available at https://binary-opacity-grid.github.io.