julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
A cognitive composite for genetic frontotemporal dementia: GENFI‐cog
2021-12-01

Abstract Background Development of endpoints for clinical trials in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is increasingly urgent. In other neurodegenerative diseases composite scores are often used as outcome measures but are, as of yet, lacking in FTD. The aim of this study was to create gene‐specific cognitive composite scores for MAPT , GRN and C9orf72 mutation carriers and provide recommendations on recruitment and trial duration. Method 69 C9orf72 , 41 GRN , 28 MAPT mutation carriers with a CDR® plus NACC‐FTLD global score ≥0.5 and 275 controls completed a neuropsychological battery covering five cognitive domains. Logistic regression was used to identify the combination of tests that discriminated best between mutation carrier groups and controls. Weighted averages of the test scores in the models were calculated based on the regression coefficients (GENFI‐cog). Sample size estimates were calculated for individual tests and composite. The treatment effect was estimated as the mean difference between CDR® plus NACC‐FTLD 0.5 and 1 groups. Time‐to‐event analysis was used to determine the fraction of patients within GENFI that converted from CDR® plus NACC‐FTLD 0.5 to ≥1. Result The most sensitive model in C9orf72 mutation carriers included a combination of executive, social cognitive and visuoconstructive tests (Table 1). A combination of executive, social cognitive, semantic and memory tests was most sensitive in GRN mutation carriers, and a combination of social cognitive, attention, semantic and memory tests in MAPT mutation carriers, resulted in the most sensitive model. The estimated sample size to detect a treatment effect was lower for the composite than for most individual tests (Table 2). A Kaplan‐Meier curve (Figure 1) showed that after three years 50% of individuals convert from CDR® plus NACC‐FTLD global score 0.5 to 1 or more. Conclusion We created gene‐specific cognitive composite scores for C9orf72, GRN and MAPT mutation carriers (GENFI‐cog) which resulted in substantially lower estimated sample sizes to detect a treatment effect than most individual cognitive tests. Only 50% of patients with a CDR® plus NACC‐FTLD of 0.5 convert to ≥1 in a three‐year period. GENFI‐cog has potential as a cognitive endpoint for upcoming trials and the results from this study provide important information concerning trial duration and sample sizes.
Association between SCD‐Plus features and GDS factors in subjective cognitive decline and healthy controls in the studies DELCODE and SILCODE
2021-12-01

Abstract Background A previous study showed a subjective cognitive decline (SCD) related factorial score derived from the geriatric depression scale (GDS, 30 items) to predict cognitive decline within a group of healthy elderlies in interaction with amyloid status[1]. On the other hand, several features associated with SCD (SCD plus), including subjective decline in the memory domain, concerns about cognitive decline, onset within five years and over 60 years old, and cognitive performance worse than other people, have been proposed to increase the likelihood of preclinical AD in subjects with SCD[2]. Here, we test the association between SCD plus features and GDS factorial scores in two independent cohorts from Germany and China. Method The 15‐items GDS(GDS15) and the SCD plus score, which was assessed with the SCD‐interview[3] and which summarizes SCD plus features, were obtained from two cohorts, the DZNE‐Longitudinal Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Study (DELCODE, 230HC/361SCD), and the Sino Longitudinal Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Study(SILCODE, 99HC/135SCD). Non‐negative matrix factorization[4, 5] was applied to the GDS items from the two cohorts separately with the number of factors ranging from 2 to 9. The optimal number of factors, in terms of stability and generalizability, was identified by using cross‐validation in 5.000 split‐half analyses in each cohort. Partial correlations between SCD plus scores and individual loadings on each factor derived from the optimal factor structure were calculated, controlling for age, sex, education years, and the loadings on other factors. Result For both cohorts, the three‐factorial‐solution revealed the best generalizability (lowest out‐of‐sample increased reconstruction error of individual GDS scores), as well as good stability of item‐to‐factor assignment. Partial correlations revealed significant association of SCD plus score with two factors in the DELCODE cohort (positive mood:r=‐0.20,p=1x10 ‐6 ;cognition/anxiety:r=0.41,p=8.1x10 ‐25 ), and with two factors in the SILCODE cohort (positive mood:r=‐0.18,p=0.007; memory problem:r=0.51,p=2.6 x 10 ‐16 )(figure 1). Conclusion The present work corroborate the previous finding [1] that a SCD related factor can be derived from GDS. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the individual loadings on this factor are strongly associated with SCD plus features in two independent cohorts. Interestingly, the item assigned to the SCD related factor are different between two cohorts.
The JUNO OSIRIS Detector
2021-12-01

Abstract The Online Scintillator Internal Radioactivity Investigation System (OSIRIS) is a 20-ton liquid scintillator detector currently under construction at the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO) in Kaiping, China. OSIRIS features 76 newly developed, “intelligent PMTs” (iPMTs) surrounding a cylindrical acrylic vessel enclosed in a Cherenkov muon veto. Two calibration systems, an Automated Calibration Unit (ACU) and a laser calibration system are available. The detector will be integrated into the Liquid Handling System (LHS) of JUNO. The main purpose of OSIRIS is the monitoring of the radiopurity of the liquid scintillator during the filling phase of JUNO, measuring contamination levels of 238 U, 232 Th, 85 Kr, 210 Po and 14 C. A consecutive physics phase addressing solar neutrinos and 0 νββ decay is foreseen.
Searching signals of dark matter from unidentified Fermi-LAT objects with H.E.S.S
2021-12-01

Abstract Milky Way-sized galaxies harbor a population of unmerged dark matter subhalos, as shown from cosmological N-body simulations. These subhalos could shine in gamma-rays and be eventually detected as unidentified sources in gamma-ray surveys. From a thorough selection of unidentified Fermi-LAT Objects (UFOs), we observe four UFOs with H.E.S.S. and we search for very high-energy (VHE, E ≥ 100 GeV) gamma-ray emission. Considering dark matter masses above a few hundred GeV, the observed UFOs could be identified as dark matter subhalos, given their hard gamma-ray spectra in the few-ten-to-hundred GeV energy range. Since no significant very-high-energy gamma-ray emission is detected in any of the four UFOs dataset nor in the combined one, we derive constraints on the product of the velocity-weighted annihilation cross-section 〈 συ 〉 by the J-factor for the dark matter models. We derive 95% CL upper limits on 〈 συ 〉 J in W + W − and τ + τ − annihilation channels for the TeV dark matter particles. Considering thermal WIMPs, we derive constraints on the J-factors from the H.E.S.S. observations. Assuming model-dependent predictions from cosmological N-body simulations on the J-factor distribution for Milky Way-sized galaxies, the dark matter models with masses greater than 0.3 TeV for the UFO emissions can be ruled out at high confidence level.
When One Becomes Two
2021-12-01

In the Netherlands, where cycling is part of the “national habitus,” bicycle infrastructure is remarkably similar to car infrastructure. This article explores man–machine hybridization in the context of this spatial environment made for bikes, analyzing it through notions of human/nonhuman hybrids, cyborg bodies, and automobilized persons. The perceptions of urban cyclists who temporarily cannot cycle are explored, based on interviews with bike repair shop customers in Amsterdam. How does a broken bike impact their perception of themselves and the city? Within the sample, cyclists attribute an essential, corporeal value to their vehicles, regarding them as extensions of the body. Cycling is considered the natural way of moving through urban space, associated with freedom and independence; switching to public transportation induces feelings of dependence and handicap.
Short-Chain Fatty Acid and FFAR2 Activation – A New Option for Treating Infections?
2021-12-02

The human innate immune system is equipped with multiple mechanisms to detect microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) to fight bacterial infections. The metabolite short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) acetate, propionate and butyrate are released by multiple bacteria or are food ingredients. SCFA production, especially acetate production, is usually essential for bacteria, and knockout of pathways involved in acetate production strongly impairs bacterial fitness. Because host organisms use SCFAs as MAMPs and alter immune reactions in response to SCFAs, interventions that modulate SCFA levels can be a new strategy for infection control. The interaction between SCFAs and host cells has been primarily investigated in the intestinal lumen because of the high local levels of SCFAs released by bacterial microbiome members. However, members of not only the intestinal microbiome but also the skin microbiome produce SCFAs, which are known ligands of the seven-transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptor FFAR2. In addition to enterocytes, FFAR2 is expressed on other human cell types, including leukocytes, especially neutrophils. This finding is in line with other research that determined that targeted activation of FFAR2 diminishes susceptibility toward various types of infection by bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumonia, Citrobacter rodentium , and Staphylococcus aureus but also by viruses such as respiratory syncytial and influenza viruses. Thus, our immune system appears to be able to use FFAR2-dependent detection of SCFAs for perceiving and even averting severe infections. We summarize recent advances in understanding the role of SCFAs and FFAR2 in various infection types and propose the manipulation of this receptor as an additional therapeutic strategy to fight infections.
Towards regulation of Endocrine Disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in water resources using bioassays – A guide to developing a testing strategy
2021-12-02

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are found in every environmental medium and are chemically diverse. Their presence in water resources can negatively impact the health of both human and wildlife. Currently, there are no mandatory screening mandates or regulations for EDC levels in complex water samples globally. Bioassays, which allow quantifying in vivo or in vitro biological effects of chemicals are used commonly to assess acute toxicity in water. The existing OECD framework to identify single-compound EDCs offers a set of bioassays that are validated for the Estrogen-, Androgen-, and Thyroid hormones, and for Steroidogenesis pathways (EATS). In this review, we discussed bioassays that could be potentially used to screen EDCs in water resources, including in vivo and in vitro bioassays using invertebrates, fish, amphibians, and/or mammalians species. Strengths and weaknesses of samples preparation for complex water samples are discussed. We also review how to calculate the Effect-Based Trigger values, which could serve as thresholds to determine if a given water sample poses a risk based on existing quality standards. This work aims to assist governments and regulatory agencies in developing a testing strategy towards regulation of EDCs in water resources worldwide. The main recommendations include 1) opting for internationally validated cell reporter in vitro bioassays to reduce animal use & cost; 2) testing for cell viability (a critical parameter) when using in vitro bioassays; and 3) evaluating the recovery of the water sample preparation method selected. This review also highlights future research avenues for the EDC screening revolution (e.g., 3D tissue culture, transgenic animals, OMICs, and Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs)).
Perceptual-Motor and Perceptual-Cognitive Skill Acquisition in Soccer: A Systematic Review on the Influence of Practice Design and Coaching Behavior
2021-12-02

Facilitating players' skill acquisition is a major challenge within sport coaches' work which should be supported by evidence-based recommendations outlining the most effective practice and coaching methods. This systematic review aimed at accumulating empirical knowledge on the influence of practice design and coaching behavior on perceptual-motor and perceptual-cognitive skill acquisition in soccer. A systematic search was carried out according to the PRISMA guidelines across the databases SPORTDiscus, PsycInfo, MEDLINE, and Web of Science to identify soccer-specific intervention studies conducted in applied experimental settings (search date: 22 nd November 2020). The systematic search yielded 8,295 distinct hits which underwent an independent screening process. Finally, 34 eligible articles, comprising of 35 individual studies, were identified and reviewed regarding their theoretical frameworks, methodological approaches and quality, as well as the interventions' effectiveness. These studies were classified into the following two groups: Eighteen studies investigated the theory-driven instructional approaches Differential Learning, Teaching Games for Understanding, and Non-linear Pedagogy. Another seventeen studies, most of them not grounded within a theoretical framework, examined specific aspects of practice task design or coaches' instructions. The Downs and Black checklist and the Template for Intervention Description and Replication were applied to assess the quality in reporting, risk of bias, and the quality of interventions' description. Based on these assessments, the included research was of moderate quality, however, with large differences across individual studies. The quantitative synthesis of results revealed empirical support for the effectiveness of coaching methodologies aiming at encouraging players' self-exploration within representative scenarios to promote technical and tactical skills. Nevertheless, “traditional” repetition-based approaches also achieved improvements with respect to players' technical outcomes, yet, their impact on match-play performance remains widely unexplored. In the light of the large methodological heterogeneity of the included studies (e.g., outcomes or control groups' practice activities), the presented results need to be interpreted by taking the respective intervention characteristics into account. Overall, the current evidence needs to be extended by theory-driven, high-quality studies within controlled experimental designs to allow more consolidated and evidence-based recommendations for coaches' work.
Effects of Measuring Devices and Sampling Strategies on the Interpretation of Monitoring Data for Long-Term Trend Analysis
2021-12-02

A thorough and reliable assessment of changes in sea surface water temperatures (SSWTs) is essential for understanding the effects of global warming on long-term trends in marine ecosystems and their communities. The first long-term temperature measurements were established almost a century ago, especially in coastal areas, and some of them are still in operation. However, while in earlier times these measurements were done by hand every day, current environmental long-term observation stations (ELTOS) are often fully automated and integrated in cabled underwater observatories (UWOs). With this new technology, year-round measurements became feasible even in remote or difficult to access areas, such as coastal areas of the Arctic Ocean in winter, where measurements were almost impossible just a decade ago. In this context, there is a question over what extent the sampling frequency and accuracy influence results in long-term monitoring approaches. In this paper, we address this with a combination of lab experiments on sensor accuracy and precision and a simulated sampling program with different sampling frequencies based on a continuous water temperature dataset from Svalbard, Arctic, from 2012 to 2017. Our laboratory experiments showed that temperature measurements with 12 different temperature sensor types at different price ranges all provided measurements accurate enough to resolve temperature changes over years on a level discussed in the literature when addressing climate change effects in coastal waters. However, the experiments also revealed that some sensors are more suitable for measuring absolute temperature changes over time, while others are more suitable for determining relative temperature changes. Our simulated sampling program in Svalbard coastal waters over 5 years revealed that the selection of a proper sampling frequency is most relevant for discriminating significant long-term temperature changes from random daily, seasonal, or interannual fluctuations. While hourly and daily sampling could deliver reliable, stable, and comparable results concerning temperature increases over time, weekly sampling was less able to reliably detect overall significant trends. With even lower sampling frequencies (monthly sampling), no significant temperature trend over time could be detected. Although the results were obtained for a specific site, they are transferable to other aquatic research questions and non-polar regions.
Diagnostic Yield of Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy Compared to Transbronchial Forceps Biopsy in Patients with Sarcoidosis in a Prospective, Randomized, Multicentre Cross-Over Trial
2021-12-02

Background: Transbronchial lung forceps biopsy (TBLF) is of limited value for the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease (ILD). However, in cases with predominantly peribronchial pathology, such as sarcoidosis, TBLF is considered to be diagnostic in most cases. The present study examines whether transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) is superior to TBLF in terms of diagnostic yield in cases of sarcoidosis. Methods: In this post hoc analysis of a prospective, randomized, controlled, multicentre study, 359 patients with ILD requiring diagnostic bronchoscopic tissue sampling were included. TBLF and TBLC were both used for each patient in a randomized order. Histological assessment was undertaken on each biopsy and determined whether sarcoid was a consideration. Results: A histological diagnosis of sarcoidosis was established in 17 of 272 cases for which histopathology was available. In 6 out of 17 patients, compatible findings were seen with both TBLC and TBLF. In 10 patients, where the diagnosis of sarcoidosis was confirmed by TBLC, TBLF did not provide a diagnosis. In one patient, TBLF but not TBLC confirmed the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Conclusions: In this post hoc analysis, the histological diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made significantly more often by TBLC than by TBLF. As in other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs), the use of TBLC should be considered when sarcoidosis is suspected.
Solution Phase Reactivity of Dibenzo[c,e][1,2]azaborinine: Activation and Insertion into Si‐E Single Bonds (E=H, OSi(CH3)3, F, Cl) by a BN‐Aryne
2021-12-02

Abstract The boron‐nitrogen analogue of ortho ‐benzyne, 1,2‐azaborinine, is a reactive intermediate that features a formal boron‐nitrogen triple bond. We here show by combining experimental and computational techniques that the Lewis acidity of the boron center of dibenzo[c,e][1,2]azaborinine allows interaction with the silicon containing single bonds Si−E through the silicon bonding partner E (E=F, Cl, OR, H). The binding to boron activates the Si−E bonds for subsequent insertion reaction. This shows that the BN‐aryne is a ferocious species that even can activate and insert into the very strong Si−F bond.
The Effect of Gender, Grade, Time and Chronotype on Computational Thinking: Longitudinal Study
2021-12-02

Problem-solving and critical thinking are associated with 21st century skills and have gained popularity as computational thinking skills in recent decades. Having such skills has become a must for all ages/grade levels. This study was conducted to examine the effects of grade level, gender, chronotype, and time on computational thinking skills. To this end, the study was designed to follow a longitudinal research model. Participants were 436 secondary school students. Computational thinking test scores were collected from the students at certain time intervals. Results indicate that computational thinking skills are independent of gender, time, and chronotype but differ significantly depending on grade level. The interaction between grade level and time of testing also has a significant impact on computational thinking skills. The difference in grade level can be interpreted as taking an information technologies course increases computational thinking. The results suggest that such courses should be promoted to children at a young age. The joint effect of gender, grade level, and chronotype were not statistically significant and it is recommended to conduct future studies to investigate this result.
Nonlinear evolution and nonuniqueness of scalarized neutron stars
2021-12-02

It was recently shown, that in a class of tensor-multi-scalar theories of\\ngravity with a nontrivial target space metric, there exist scalarized neutron\\nstar solutions. An important property of these compact objects is that the\\nscalar charge is zero and therefore, the binary pulsar experiments can not\\nimpose constraints based on the absence of scalar dipole radiation. Moreover,\\nthe structure of the solutions is very complicated. For a fixed central energy\\ndensity up to three neutron star solutions can exist -- one general\\nrelativistic and two scalarized, that is quite different from the scalarization\\nin other alternative theories of gravity. In the present paper we address the\\nstability of these solutions using two independent approaches -- solving the\\nlinearized radial perturbation equations and performing nonlinear simulations\\nin spherical symmetry. The results show that the change of stability occurs at\\nthe maximum mass models and all solutions before that point are stable. This\\nleads to the interesting consequence that there exists a stable part of the\\nscalarized branch close to the bifurcation point where the mass of the star\\nincreases with the decrease of the central energy density.\\n
Different rates of cognitive decline in autosomal dominant and late‐onset Alzheimer disease
2021-12-02

Abstract As prevention trials advance with autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease (ADAD) participants, understanding the similarities and differences between ADAD and “sporadic” late‐onset AD (LOAD) is critical to determine generalizability of findings between these cohorts. Cognitive trajectories of ADAD mutation carriers (MCs) and autopsy‐confirmed LOAD individuals were compared to address this question. Longitudinal rates of change on cognitive measures were compared in ADAD MCs (n = 310) and autopsy‐confirmed LOAD participants (n = 163) before and after symptom onset (estimated/observed). LOAD participants declined more rapidly in the presymptomatic (preclinical) period and performed more poorly at symptom onset than ADAD participants on a cognitive composite. After symptom onset, however, the younger ADAD MCs declined more rapidly. The similar but not identical cognitive trajectories (declining but at different rates) for ADAD and LOAD suggest common AD pathologies but with some differences.
Study of a carbazole–bromobenzothiadiazole derived fluorescent molecular rotor: crystal structure, redox activity, and solvatofluorochromic effects
2021-12-02

A carbazole–benzothiadiazole based molecular rotor was systematically examined by experimental and modelling studies. The results disclosed interesting amphoteric redox activity and TICT emission that is sensitive to solvent polarity and viscosity.