julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Exploring aortic stiffness in aging mice: a comprehensive methodological overview
2024-12-02

Stiffening of the vascular network is associated with the early stages of vascular aging, leading to cardiovascular disorders (hypertension), renal failures, or neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's). Unfortunately, many people remain undiagnosed because diagnostic methods are either unsuitable for a large population or unfamiliar to clinicians which favor the hypertension evaluation. In preclinical research, stiffness studies are often partially conducted. We think that the evaluation of aortic stiffness is essential as it would improve our understanding of aging diseases progression. We propose here a systematic method using decision trees in a multi-scale and multimodal approaches. Our method was evaluated by analyzing the aortic situation in old and young mice. We demonstrate that both the endothelial and smooth muscle cells exhibit pronounced functional alterations in favor of constriction. Additionally, there is significant remodeling of the extracellular matrix, leading to a drastic degradation of elastic fibers and the accumulation of collagen in the aortic wall. This series of changes contributes to the development of vascular rigidity, a preliminary stage of arterial hypertension. Our results suggest that our method should improve preclinical understanding and encourage clinicians to equip themselves with tools for assessing vascular function, as it is an essential issue for preventing numerous pathologies.
Positron emission tomography (PET) tracer enables imaging of high CD73 expression in cancer
2024-12-02

Abstract Ecto-5’-nucleotidase (CD73) is a potential new drug target for cancer immunotherapy. Its overexpression is associated with various aggressive cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and pancreatic cancer, making it a promising target for diagnostic imaging. Besides antibodies, small molecule CD73 inhibitors have been developed and are currently in clinical trials. This study aimed to develop and evaluate fluorine-18 labeled high-affinity CD73 inhibitors as tracers for the non-invasive positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of CD73 expression in cancer. Two CD73 inhibitors were selected for radiolabeling based on their high potency (K i values of ca. 1 nM), and favorable pharmacokinetic properties providing [ 18 F]PSB-19427 ([ 18 F] 1 ) and [ 18 F]MRS-4648 ([ 18 F] 2 ). Ex vivo imaging studies on human breast cancer tissues indicated specific binding of both radiotracers. Subsequent in vivo studies proved [ 18 F] 1 to be superior due to its long elimination half-life and its accumulation in TNBC and pancreatic cancer tissues, suggesting its potential as a versatile PET tracer for imaging various solid tumors. [ 18 F] 1 significantly outperformed [ 18 F]FDG in visualizing triple-negative breast cancer, offering potential advantages over [ 18 F]FDG in terms of specificity and diagnostic accuracy. Thus, [ 18 F] 1 is a PET tracer with outstanding properties suitable for broad application in cancer diagnosis and potentially in therapy control. Based on these results, further clinical development of PET tracers targeting CD73 is warranted. One Sentence Summary A PET tracer for imaging CD73 expression was developed, enabling cancer diagnosis.
Earth system responses to different levels of greenhouse gas emissions mitigation
2024-12-02

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions are the main driver of climate change, with global warming increasing almost linearly with cumulative CO 2 emissions. Hence, future warming will primarily result from future emissions of CO 2 with contributions from other greenhouse gases (mostly CH 4 and N 2 O) and aerosols. Climate projections of the 21st century, such as those assessed by the IPCC, are provided from comprehensive climate models, also called Earth System models, driven by scenarios of the 21st century evolution of emissions from those climate forcers. While it seems now inevitable that the world will reach 1.5°C of warming above pre-industrial levels by the early 2030s, the extent to which we exceed this warming level and how quickly we may be able to reduce temperatures again depends strongly on global activity taken now to limit emissions. In this paper, we review the current understanding on Earth system changes under two highly contrasted possible future worlds. We first focus on high-end scenarios, where anthropogenic emissions continue to increase over the course of the 21st century, leading to large warming levels, associated impacts on all components of the Earth System, and increased risks of triggering tipping points. We then assess low-end scenarios, where anthropogenic emissions rapidly decline, reaching net zero and potentially becoming net negative before the end of the 21st century. Such “overshoot” scenarios lead to a peak in global warming followed by a slow decline in global temperature, with some degree of reversibility in the global carbon cycle and key Earth system components. We also review paleoclimatic information relevant to these two contrasting future worlds. Paleoclimate evidence for geo-biosphere interactions shows that stabilizing feedbacks operate on millennial or longer timescales, whereas destabilizing feedbacks and tipping cascades occurred also on shorter timescales.
Black Hole and Equipotential Photon Surface Uniqueness in Four-Dimensional Asymptotically Flat Electrostatic Electro-Vacuum Spacetimes
2024-12-02

Abstract We study four-dimensional asymptotically flat electrostatic electro-vacuum spacetimes with a connected black hole, photon sphere, or equipotential photon surface inner boundary. Our analysis, inspired by the potential theory approach by Agostiniani–Mazzieri, allows to give self-contained proofs of known uniqueness theorems of the sub-extremal, extremal, and super-extremal Reissner–Nordström spacetimes. We also obtain new results for connected photon spheres and equipotential photon surfaces in the extremal case. Finally, we provide, up to a restriction on the range of their radii, the uniqueness result for connected (both non-degenerate and degenerate) equipotential photon surfaces in the super-extremal case, not yet treated in the literature.
When neuromodulation met control theory
2024-12-02

Abstract The brain is a highly complex physical system made of assemblies of neurons that work together to accomplish elaborate tasks such as motor control, memory and perception. How these parts work together has been studied for decades by neuroscientists using neuroimaging, psychological manipulations, and neurostimulation. Neurostimulation has gained particular interest, given the possibility to perturb the brain and elicit a specific response. This response depends on different parameters such as the intensity, the location and the timing of the stimulation. However, most of the studies performed so far used previously established protocols without considering the ongoing brain activity and, thus, without adaptively targeting the stimulation. In control theory, this approach is called open-loop control, and it is always paired with a different form of control called closed-loop, in which the current activity of the brain is used to establish the next stimulation. Recently, neuroscientists are beginning to shift from classical fixed neuromodulation studies to closed-loop experiments. This new approach allows the control of brain activity based on responses to stimulation and thus to personalize individual treatment in clinical conditions. Here, we review this new approach by introducing control theory and focusing on how these aspects are applied in brain studies. We also present the different stimulation techniques and the control approaches used to steer the brain. Finally, we explore how the closed-loop framework will revolutionize the way the human brain can be studied, including a discussion on open questions and an outlook on future advances.
The Relationships Between Jews and Muslims in the Past and Present—Pedagogical Implications from an Islamic Religious Education Perspective in a German Context
2024-12-02

This article explores the historical and contemporary relationships between Jews and Muslims, with a focus on the implications for Islamic religious education. It highlights the complexity of Jewish–Muslim relations, characterized by periods of coexistence and conflict. Early Islamic history reveals an inclusive community of believers encompassing pious Jews and Christians, challenging modern perceptions of inherent antagonism. The article examines the evolution of these relationships, noting significant changes influenced by political dynamics. In Germany, political discourses further shape mutual perceptions, often exacerbating tensions between Jewish and Muslim communities. Educationally, the article advocates for addressing distorted perspectives and emphasizes the value of intertextual analysis of the Quran and the Torah.
The role of motivation in selection processes—comparing sports and business
2024-12-02

Talent identification and selection in sports pose significant challenges, necessitating a nuanced understanding of factors influencing athletes’ elite-level potential. While physical and physiological aspects have conventionally played roles in the selection process, also other constructs of talent development have to be considered. Various talent models have included psychological aspects, especially motivation, as either moderators or catalysts. Based on empirical evidence of the relationship between motivation and performance, different views are hold in which form motivation should be used for talent selection. Considering the hierarchical model of achievement motivation and self-determination theory, the importance of different motivational dimensions in talent selection is assessed. This study extends its focus beyond sports, exploring whether differences and similarities between sports and business in their selection processes exist. The objective is to discern whether scouts, coaches and recruiters prioritize motivational dimensions differently. Along with the statistical analyses [conjoint analysis, analytical hierarchy processes (AHP) and constant-sum procedures], this research aims to provide insights into the weighted importance of diverse motivational dimensions and their influence on the decision-intention of decision-makers. The study aims to provide exploratory insights into how motivational dimensions could inform talent selection processes by comparing different contexts. This research may offer a first step to further investigate practical applications for talent identification and selection processes with insights from other contexts.
Anthologische Autorschaft und Kollektionspoetik in Martin Opitz’ Florilegium variorum epigrammatum (1639)
2024-12-02

Abstract This article examines the role of collections and anthologies in the work of Martin Opitz (1597–1639). In order to distinguish between different functions of anthological authorship and ‘collection poetics’, it introduces three categories auctor – collector – editor and discusses them using examples from Opitz’s works: In the case of the Teutsche Poemata (Collection A), Julius W. Zincgref exploits the role of auctor , which Opitz regains with his Breslau Collection B. Bernhard Nüßler presents himself in the Silvae as the legitimate editor of Opitz’ Latin poems. In the two volumes of the Florilegium variorum epigrammatum (Danzig 1639), Opitz himself – following his teacher Elias Cüchler – collects and translates Greek and Latin epigrams from antiquity and the early modern period. The anthology seeks to demonstrate the linguistic richness of German by comparing it with the ancient languages. Through its chronological order (from antiquity to modern times) the Florilegium becomes an anthological literary history that includes both literary and inscriptional epigrams.
Tilting the Scales toward EGFR Mutant Selectivity: Expanding the Scope of Bivalent “Type V” Kinase Inhibitors
2024-12-03

Binding multiple sites within proteins with bivalent compounds is a strategy for developing uniquely active agents. A new class of dual-site inhibitors has emerged targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) anchored to both the orthosteric (ATP) and allosteric sites. Despite proof-of-concept successes, enabling selectivity against oncogenic activating mutations has not been achieved and classifying these inhibitors among kinase inhibitors remains underexplored. This study investigates the structure-activity relationships, binding modes, and biological activity of ATP-allosteric bivalent inhibitors (AABIs). We find that AABIs selectively inhibit drug-resistant EGFR mutants (L858R/T790M and L858R/T790M/C797S) by anchoring a methyl isoindolinone moiety along the αC-helix channel of the allosteric site. In contrast, related Type I<sup>1</sup>/<sub>2</sub> inhibitors target wild-type EGFR but are less effective against resistant mutants. This shift in selectivity demonstrates that mutant-selective AABIs classify as "Type V" bivalent inhibitors.
Prenatal Maternal Psychological Stress (PMPS) and Its Effect on the Maternal and Neonatal Outcome: A Retrospective Cohort Study
2024-12-03

Background/Objectives: Prenatal psychology studies show that stress, depression, and psychological stress during pregnancy can have a significant impact on maternal and fetal health and are highly prevalent. The aim of the study was to compare maternal and neonatal short-term outcomes in pregnant women* (the asterisk (*) is used at the appropriate places in this text to indicate that all genders are included) with a history of prenatal maternal psychological stress (PMPS) with those of pregnant women* not exposed to PMPS to determine differences and identify risk factors. Methods: Statistical tests for differences and relative risks between the groups were carried out with the perinatal data of University Hospital Tübingen from 2022 using IBM SPSS. Results: The study shows that PMPS has significant negative effects on various parameters, including the rate of premature births, preeclampsia, induction of birth, birth duration, and fetal asphyxia, as well as the birth weight of the children and their Apgar values (an assessment of newborn health scored shortly after birth). In addition, the risk of PMPS increases in women* with stillbirths and two or more previous miscarriages. However, the practical relevance must be critically scrutinized and confirmed by bigger studies. Conclusions: PMPS has a significant impact on the maternal and neonatal birth outcomes and must be identified as a risk factor in pregnancy. There is still a need for further research with larger samples, more balanced groups, and multivariate regression models to generate detailed, more transferable results and a deeper insight into the significant effects of PMPS and the role midwives can play in helping it.
Beyond larks and owls: Revisiting the circadian typology using the MESSi scale and a cluster‐based approach
2024-12-03

Summary Chronopsychological research typically applied the morningness‐eveningness dimension, resulting in a distinction between morning, intermediate, and evening chronotypes. However, in recent years, new measures have been developed that transcend the traditional "morning larks" vs. "night owls" dichotomy and better capture the complexity of individual differences in circadian rhythmicity. One such measure that addresses the multidimensional character of the circadian rhythm is the Morningness‐Eveningness‐Stability Scale improved (MESSi) which comprises three dimensions: morning affect, eveningness, and distinctness. However, delineating specific chronotypes using the cut‐off points, as was commonly done for other established scales, is not possible in the case of MESSi due to its multidimensionality. In the present paper, we provide a first attempt to introduce a cluster‐based approach to deal with MESSi scores. For this purpose, we determined the number of clusters to be extracted using data from our previous study conducted in Poland ( N = 1106). Next, we attempted to replicate this cluster solution in another Polish sample ( N = 768) and a German sample ( N = 637). Finally, we also intended to illustrate how individuals assigned to the established clusters differ in terms of sleep parameters and other differential variables such as positive and negative affect, personality traits, depressive and anxiety symptoms, self‐regulation, and self‐efficacy. After segmenting MESSi scores by cluster analysis in the three samples we found support for a four‐cluster solution, including four circadian profiles which we propose to label "intermediate‐finches", "hardy larks", "night owls", and "vulnerable larks". This is the first attempt to introduce a cluster‐based, multi‐dimensional approach to dealing with MESSi scores.
Quasi-optimal sampling from Gibbs states via non-commutative optimal transport metrics
2024-12-03

We study the problem of sampling from and preparing quantum Gibbs states of local commuting Hamiltonians on hypercubic lattices of arbitrary dimension. We prove that any such Gibbs state which satisfies a clustering condition that we coin decay of matrix-valued quantum conditional mutual information (MCMI) can be quasi-optimally prepared on a quantum computer. We do this by controlling the mixing time of the corresponding Davies evolution in a normalized quantum Wasserstein distance of order one. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that such a non-commutative transport metric has been used in the study of quantum dynamics, and the first time quasi-rapid mixing is implied by solely an explicit clustering condition. Our result is based on a weak approximate tensorization and a weak modified logarithmic Sobolev inequality for such systems, as well as a new general weak transport cost inequality. If we furthermore assume a constraint on the local gap of the thermalizing dynamics, we obtain rapid mixing in trace distance for interactions beyond the range of two, thereby extending the state-of-the-art results that only cover the nearest neighbor case. We conclude by showing that systems that admit effective local Hamiltonians, like quantum CSS codes at high temperature, satisfy this MCMI decay and can thus be efficiently prepared and sampled from.
Impact of MEK Inhibition on Childhood RASopathy-Associated Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
2024-12-04

There is an unmet medical need to treat patients with severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy leading to heart failure and death in children carrying pathogenic activating variants in the RAS/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. A retrospective analysis of 61 patients provides evidence for decreased mortality and morbidity with improved cardiac status in patients with RASopathy with severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy receiving mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibition (n = 30) vs those with standard-of-care treatment (n = 31). Side effects were not life threatening and were manageable. The data presented suggest that personalized therapies targeting underlying signaling pathway abnormalities might be effective in critically ill patients with RASopathy warranting clinical investigation.
Bi-Directional Gaze-Based Communication: A Review
2024-12-04

Bi-directional gaze-based communication offers an intuitive and natural way for users to interact with systems. This approach utilizes the user’s gaze not only to communicate intent but also to obtain feedback, which promotes mutual understanding and trust between the user and the system. In this review, we explore the state of the art in gaze-based communication, focusing on both directions: From user to system and from system to user. First, we examine how eye-tracking data is processed and utilized for communication from the user to the system. This includes a range of techniques for gaze-based interaction and the critical role of intent prediction, which enhances the system’s ability to anticipate the user’s needs. Next, we analyze the reverse pathway—how systems provide feedback to users via various channels, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Finally, we discuss the potential integration of these two communication streams, paving the way for more intuitive and efficient gaze-based interaction models, especially in the context of Artificial Intelligence. Our overview emphasizes the future prospects for combining these approaches to create seamless, trust-building communication between users and systems. Ensuring that these systems are designed with a focus on usability and accessibility will be critical to making them effective communication tools for a wide range of users.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder delivered via internet videoconferencing: a manualized sensor-assisted feasibility approach
2024-12-04

Abstract Background Between 1 and 4% of children and adolescents suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) worldwide, but the majority of these young people do not have access to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a first-line treatment. CBT delivered via online videoconferencing (vCBT) offers a new way to provide young people with therapy, especially in the home environment where symptoms usually occur. Methods In this study, we investigated the feasibility of a newly revised vCBT manual, symptom change during treatment, and effects on family life and social functioning. 20 patients with OCD, aged 12–18 years, were treated during 14 weekly sessions while using a multimodal sensor system that assessed their physiological and behavioral responses during therapy. Treatment was delivered in real time via an online videoconferencing platform. Measurements of feasibility, acceptance, and implementation were evaluated descriptively, and clinical measures were assessed with t tests. Results The primary results showed that patients and parents perceived the manual-based vCBT as feasible and easy to understand. According to the therapists’ ratings, all treatment modules and the content could be carried out in accordance with the manual. As a secondary outcome, OCD symptoms improved significantly during treatment ( p &lt;.001, d = 1.87), revealed by an average decrease of more than half in the Children’s Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS) score. As the psychotherapy could be implemented directly in the patients’ home environment, low barriers to participation were reported, and the majority of participants reported improvements in family life after treatment. Conclusions In summary, the results of this feasibility study indicated a successful application of manual-based psychotherapy delivered via videoconferencing for pediatric OCD supported by a sensor system. This method should be further investigated in future randomized controlled trials with larger patient samples. Clinical trial registration : [ www.ClinicalTrials.gov ], identifier [NCT05291611], first submission: 2021-12-10.
Interactions of transcranial magnetic stimulation with brain oscillations: a narrative review
2024-12-04

Brain responses to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can be recorded with electroencephalography (EEG) and comprise TMS-evoked potentials and TMS-induced oscillations. Repetitive TMS may entrain endogenous brain oscillations. In turn, ongoing brain oscillations prior to the TMS pulse can influence the effects of the TMS pulse. These intricate TMS-EEG and EEG-TMS interactions are increasingly attracting the interest of researchers and clinicians. This review surveys the literature of TMS and its interactions with brain oscillations as measured by EEG in health and disease.