julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Review And Meta- Analysis Of The Relationship Between Brain Data And The Outcome In Disorders Of Consciousness
2018-05-11

A systematic search revealed 68 empirical studies of neurophysiological [EEG, event-related<br> brain potential (ERP), fMRI, PET] variables as potential outcome predictors in<br> patients with Disorders of Consciousness (diagnoses Unresponsive Wakefulness<br> Syndrome [UWS] and Minimally Conscious State [MCS]). Data of 47 publications could<br> be presented in a quantitative manner and systematically reviewed. Insufficient power<br> and the lack of an appropriate description of patient selection each characterized about<br> a half of all publications. In more than 80% studies, neurologists who evaluated the<br> patients’ outcomes were familiar with the results of neurophysiological tests conducted<br> before, and may, therefore, have been influenced by this knowledge. In most subsamples<br> of datasets, effect size significantly correlated with its standard error, indicating<br> publication bias toward positive results. Neurophysiological data predicted the transition<br> from UWS to MCS substantially better than they predicted the recovery of consciousness<br> (i.e., the transition from UWS or MCS to exit-MCS). A meta-analysis was carried<br> out for predictor groups including at least three independent studies with N &gt; 10 per<br> predictor per improvement criterion (i.e., transition to MCS versus recovery). Oscillatory<br> EEG responses were the only predictor group whose effect attained significance for both<br> improvement criteria. Other perspective variables, whose true prognostic value should<br> be explored in future studies, are sleep spindles in the EEG and the somatosensory<br> cortical response N20. Contrary to what could be expected on the basis of neuroscience<br> theory, the poorest prognostic effects were shown for fMRI responses to stimulation<br> and for the ERP component P300. The meta-analytic results should be regarded as<br> preliminary given the presence of numerous biases in the data.
Community structure and plant growth-promoting potential of cultivable bacteria isolated from Cameroon soil
2018-05-12

Exploiting native plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in Cameroonian agro-ecosystems provides a means to improve plant-microbe interactions that may enhance ecosystem sustainability and agricultural productivity in an environmentally eco-friendly way. Consequently, we aimed to investigate the community structure and functional PGPR diversity of maize grown in Cameroon. Native bacteria isolated from Cameroon maize rhizosphere soil were identified by partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing and screened for traits particularly relevant for Cameroon low-fertility soil conditions, such as their abilities to tolerate high concentrations of salt, and their plant growth- promoting potential. Genetic and functional diversity was characterized according to their phylogenetic affiliation. A total of 143 bacteria were identified and assigned to 3 phyla (Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria), 13 families and 20 genera. Bacillus (31.5%), Arthrobacter (17.5%), and Sinomonas (13.3%) were the most abundant genera identified among all the isolates. Based on their in vitro characterization, 88.1% were salt tolerant at 2% NaCl, but only 16.8% could tolerate 8% NaCl, 50.4% solubilized phosphate, 10.5% possessed the nifH gene, and 19.6% produced siderophores. Six isolates affiliated to the most abundant genera identified in this work, Bacillus and Arthrobacter, carrying multiple or only single tested traits were selected to evaluate their growth- promoting potential in an in vitro maize germination assay. Three strains possessing multiple traits induced significantly increased hypocotyl and root length of maize seeds compared to non-inoculated control seeds. Our results indicate the potential of selected indigenous Cameroon rhizobacteria to enhance maize growth.
Multilevel policy implementation: exploring organisational coordination – the case of the German Swimming Federation’s national training framework implementation
2018-05-12

National governing bodies of sport depend on the collaboration of their member organisations. However, regional entities and local sports clubs possess high degrees of autonomy, and their goals may differ from the national objectives. This paper examines the nature of multilevel policy implementation, aiming to foster an understanding of the underlying coordination mechanisms across organisational levels. For this purpose, a conceptual framework based on Willke's distinction of regulative media (i.e. power, money, knowledge) is introduced. The paper investigates multilevel policy implementation by using a single case study, comprising data from organisational documents and semi-structured interviews. Findings indicate that not only local sports clubs, but also regional governing bodies, play a crucial role as intermediaries in the implementation context. The paper shows that pressure (i.e. authority without power), although a common code of practice, does not foster policy implementation. Lack of congruence between the numerous decentralised funding authorities' objectives handicaps the multilevel synchronisation of implementation efforts. Moreover, the absence of binding communication channels across organisational levels is identified as prejudicial for a knowledge-based regulation of multilevel policy implementation. Furthermore, the analysis uncovers the complexity of policy implementation, identifying manifold interrelations of the regulative media.
Climate Change-Induced Shift of Tree Growth Sensitivity at a Central Himalayan Treeline Ecotone
2018-05-13

Himalayan treelines are exposed to above average climate change impact, resulting in complex tree growth–climate relationships for Himalayan Silver Fir (Abies spectabilis (D. Don) Spach) at central Himalayan treelines. The majority of recent studies detected current tree growth sensitivity to dry conditions during pre-monsoon seasons. The aim of this study was to analyze growth–climate relationships for more than a century for a treeline ecotone in east-central Nepal and to test for Blue Intensity (BI; used as a surrogate of maximum late wood density) as climate proxy. We determined the relationships of Abies spectabilis radial tree growth and BI to climate by correlating both to temperature, precipitation and drought index data. The results showed a significantly unstable dendroclimatic signal over time. Climate warming-induced moisture deficits during pre-monsoon seasons became a major factor limiting radial tree growth during recent decades. Earlier in time, the dendroclimatic signal was weaker, predominantly reflecting a positive relationship of tree growth and summer temperature. Compared to radial tree growth, BI showed a different but strong climate signal. Temporally unstable correlations may be attributed to increasing effects of above-average rates of climate warming. An extended network of Himalayan tree-ring sites is needed to further analyze cause–effect relationships and to solve this attribution problem.
The Ventral Anterior Temporal Lobe has a Necessary Role in Exception Word Reading
2018-05-13

An influential account of reading holds that words with exceptional spelling-to-sound correspondences (e.g., PINT) are read via activation of their lexical-semantic representations, supported by the anterior temporal lobe (ATL). This account has been inconclusive because it is based on neuropsychological evidence, in which lesion-deficit relationships are difficult to localize precisely, and functional neuroimaging data, which is spatially precise but cannot demonstrate whether the ATL activity is necessary for exception word reading. To address these issues, we used a technique with good spatial specificity-repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)-to demonstrate a necessary role of ATL in exception word reading. Following rTMS to left ventral ATL, healthy Japanese adults made more regularization errors in reading Japanese exception words. We successfully simulated these results in a computational model in which exception word reading was underpinned by semantic activations. The ATL is critically and selectively involved in reading exception words.
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging to assess diffuse renal pathology: a systematic review and statement paper
2018-05-14

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) is a non-invasive method sensitive to local water motion in the tissue. As a tool to probe the microstructure, including the presence and potentially the degree of renal fibrosis, DWI has the potential to become an effective imaging biomarker. The aim of this review is to discuss the current status of renal DWI in diffuse renal diseases. DWI biomarkers can be classified in the following three main categories: (i) the apparent diffusion coefficient-an overall measure of water diffusion and microcirculation in the tissue; (ii) true diffusion, pseudodiffusion and flowing fraction-providing separate information on diffusion and perfusion or tubular flow; and (iii) fractional anisotropy-measuring the microstructural orientation. An overview of human studies applying renal DWI in diffuse pathologies is given, demonstrating not only the feasibility and intra-study reproducibility of DWI but also highlighting the need for standardization of methods, additional validation and qualification. The current and future role of renal DWI in clinical practice is reviewed, emphasizing its potential as a surrogate and monitoring biomarker for interstitial fibrosis in chronic kidney disease, as well as a surrogate biomarker for the inflammation in acute kidney diseases that may impact patient selection for renal biopsy in acute graft rejection. As part of the international COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) action PARENCHIMA (Magnetic Resonance Imaging Biomarkers for Chronic Kidney Disease), aimed at eliminating the barriers to the clinical use of functional renal magnetic resonance imaging, this article provides practical recommendations for future design of clinical studies and the use of renal DWI in clinical practice.
Insulin suppresses the production of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23)
2018-05-14

Significance Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) regulates phosphate and vitamin D metabolism and induces left heart hypertrophy. The importance of FGF23 is supported by the consequences of FGF23 deficiency: FGF23-deficient mice have a significantly reduced life span and recapitulate human age-associated diseases. Moreover, FGF23 has gained attention as a potential disease biomarker due to its positive correlation with disease activity, progression, and outcome in chronic kidney disease or cardiovascular disorders. It is, however, not entirely clear whether FGF23 merely indicates disease or actively contributes to disease progression. Therefore, it is important to explore the regulation of FGF23 production, which is similarly incompletely understood. Our paper identifies fundamental insulin/IGF1-dependent PI3K/Akt/FOXO1 signaling as a key suppressor of FGF23 formation.
The genetic nomenclature of recessive cerebellar ataxias
2018-05-14

ABSTRACT The recessive cerebellar ataxias are a large group of degenerative and metabolic disorders, the diagnostic management of which is difficult because of the enormous clinical and genetic heterogeneity. Because of several limitations, the current classification systems provide insufficient guidance for clinicians and researchers. Here, we propose a new nomenclature for the genetically confirmed recessive cerebellar ataxias according to the principles and criteria laid down by the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Task Force on Classification and Nomenclature of Genetic Movement Disorders. We apply stringent criteria for considering an association between gene and phenotype to be established. The newly proposed list of recessively inherited cerebellar ataxias includes 62 disorders that were assigned an ATX prefix, followed by the gene name, because these typically present with ataxia as a predominant and/or consistent feature. An additional 30 disorders that often combine ataxia with a predominant or consistent other movement disorder received a double prefix (e.g., ATX/HSP). We also identified a group of 89 entities that usually present with complex nonataxia phenotypes, but may occasionally present with cerebellar ataxia. These are listed separately without the ATX prefix. This new, transparent and adaptable nomenclature of the recessive cerebellar ataxias will facilitate the clinical recognition of recessive ataxias, guide diagnostic testing in ataxia patients, and help in interpreting genetic findings. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A map of climate change-driven natural selection in Arabidopsis thaliana
2018-05-14

Through the lens of evolution, climate change is an agent of natural selection that forces populations to change and adapt, or face extinction. Current assessments of the risk of biodiversity associated with climate change 1 , however, do not typically take into account the genetic makeup of populations and how natural selection impacts it 2 . We made use of the extensive genome information in Arabidopsis thaliana and measured how rainfall-manipulation affected the fitness of 517 natural lines grown in Spain and Germany. This allowed us to directly infer selection along the genome 3 . Natural selection was particularly strong in the hot-dry Spanish location, killing 63% of lines and significantly changing the frequency of ~5% of all genome-wide variants. A significant portion of this climate-driven natural selection over variants was predictable from signatures of local adaptation (R 2 =29-52%), as genetic variants found in geographic areas with climates more similar to the experimental sites were positively selected. Field-validated predictions across the species range indicated that Mediterranean and Western Siberian populations — at the edges of the species’ environmental limits — currently experience the strongest climate-driven selection. With more frequent droughts and rising temperatures in Europe 4 , we forecast an increase in directional natural selection moving northwards from the southern end, and putting many native A. thaliana populations at evolutionary risk.
Search for γ-Ray Line Signals from Dark Matter Annihilations in the Inner Galactic Halo from 10 Years of Observations with H.E.S.S.
2018-05-15

Spectral lines are among the most powerful signatures for dark matter (DM) annihilation searches in very-high-energy γ rays. The central region of the Milky Way halo is one of the most promising targets given its large amount of DM and proximity to Earth. We report on a search for a monoenergetic spectral line from self-annihilations of DM particles in the energy range from 300 GeV to 70 TeV using a two-dimensional maximum likelihood method taking advantage of both the spectral and spatial features of the signal versus background. The analysis makes use of Galactic center observations accumulated over ten years (2004-2014) with the H.E.S.S. array of ground-based Cherenkov telescopes. No significant γ-ray excess above the background is found. We derive upper limits on the annihilation cross section ⟨σv⟩ for monoenergetic DM lines at the level of 4×10^{-28} cm^{3} s^{-1} at 1 TeV, assuming an Einasto DM profile for the Milky Way halo. For a DM mass of 1 TeV, they improve over the previous ones by a factor of 6. The present constraints are the strongest obtained so far for DM particles in the mass range 300 GeV-70 TeV. Ground-based γ-ray observations have reached sufficient sensitivity to explore relevant velocity-averaged cross sections for DM annihilation into two γ-ray photons at the level expected from the thermal relic density for TeV DM particles.
Manipulating the Alpha Level Cannot Cure Significance Testing
2018-05-15

We argue that making accept/reject decisions on scientific hypotheses, including a recent call for changing the canonical alpha level from <i>p</i> = 0.05 to <i>p</i> = 0.005, is deleterious for the finding of new discoveries and the progress of science. Given that blanket and variable alpha levels both are problematic, it is sensible to dispense with significance testing altogether. There are alternatives that address study design and sample size much more directly than significance testing does; but none of the statistical tools should be taken as the new magic method giving clear-cut mechanical answers. Inference should not be based on single studies at all, but on cumulative evidence from multiple independent studies. When evaluating the strength of the evidence, we should consider, for example, auxiliary assumptions, the strength of the experimental design, and implications for applications. To boil all this down to a binary decision based on a <i>p</i>-value threshold of 0.05, 0.01, 0.005, or anything else, is not acceptable.
Role of BASIC PENTACYSTEINE transcription factors in a subset of cytokinin signaling responses
2018-05-15

Summary Cytokinin plays diverse roles in plant growth and development, generally acting by modulating gene transcription in target tissues. The type‐B Arabidopsis response regulators (ARR) transcription factors have emerged as primary targets of cytokinin signaling and are required for essentially all cytokinin‐mediated changes in gene expression. The diversity of cytokinin function is likely imparted by the activity of various transcription factors working with the type‐B ARRs to alter specific sets of target genes. One potential set of co‐regulators modulating the cytokinin response are the BARLEY B‐RECOMBINANT/BASIC PENTACYSTEINE (BBR/BPC) family of plant‐specific transcription factors. Here, we show that disruption of multiple BPC s results in reduced sensitivity to cytokinin. Further, the BPCs are necessary for the induction of a subset of genes in response to cytokinin. We identified direct in vivo targets of BPC6 using ChIP‐Seq and found an enrichment of promoters of genes differentially expressed in response to cytokinin. Further, a significant number of BPC6 regulated genes are also direct targets of the type‐B ARRs. Potential cis ‐binding elements for a number of other transcription factors linked to cytokinin action are enriched in the BPC binding fragments, including those for the cytokinin response factors (CRFs). In addition, several BPCs interact with a subset of type‐A ARRs. Consistent with these results, a significant number of genes whose expression is altered in bpc mutant roots are also mis‐expressed in crf1 , 3 , 5 , 6 and type‐A arr3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 15 mutant roots. These results suggest that the BPCs are part of a complex network of transcription factors that are involved in the response to cytokinin.
An Integrated Environment for Learning Design
2018-05-15

Learning design tools aim at supporting practitioners in their task of creating more innovative and effective computer-supported learning situations. Despite there being a myriad of proposed tools, their use presents challenges that recent studies link with practitioners' varied pedagogical approaches and context restrictions, as well as with barriers to practical application derived from the fact that most tools only cover limited functionality and do not support cooperation between practitioners. In this paper we investigate whether it is possible to provide a flexible community system that supports multiple learning design tasks. We propose an Integrated Learning Design Environment (ILDE), which is a networked system integrating collaboration functions, design editors and middleware that enables deployment of the designed learning situations into Virtual Learning Environments. We describe the iterative user-centered process adopted in the design of ILDE as well as its architecture. The architecture is implemented to show its feasibility and that it is capable of providing the targeted functionality. We also present the results of its use in training workshops with 148 practitioners from five different institutions in vocational training, higher and adult education. Some of the learning designs were deployed in VLEs and enacted with students in real learning situations.
Structural, optical, and electrical properties of unintentionally doped NiO layers grown on MgO by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy
2018-05-15

NiO layers were grown on MgO(100), MgO(110), and MgO(111) substrates by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy under Ni-flux limited growth conditions. Single crystalline growth with a cube-on-cube epitaxial relationship was confirmed by X-ray diffraction measurements for all used growth conditions and substrates except MgO(111). A detailed growth series on MgO(100) was prepared using substrate temperatures ranging from 20 °C to 900 °C to investigate the influence on the layer characteristics. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy indicated close-to-stoichiometric layers with an oxygen content of ≈47 at. % and ≈50 at. % grown under low and high O-flux, respectively. All NiO layers had a root-mean-square surface roughness below 1 nm, measured by atomic force microscopy, except for rougher layers grown at 900 °C or using molecular oxygen. Growth at 900 °C led to a significant diffusion of Mg from the substrate into the film. The relative intensity of the quasi-forbidden one-phonon Raman peak is introduced as a gauge of the crystal quality, indicating the highest layer quality for growth at low oxygen flux and high growth temperature, likely due to the resulting high adatom diffusion length during growth. The optical and electrical properties were investigated by spectroscopic ellipsometry and resistance measurements, respectively. All NiO layers were transparent with an optical bandgap around 3.6 eV and semi-insulating at room temperature. However, changes upon exposure to reducing or oxidizing gases of the resistance of a representative layer at elevated temperature were able to confirm p-type conductivity, highlighting their suitability as a model system for research on oxide-based gas sensing.
Variants of PEAR1 Are Associated With Outcome in Patients With ACS and Stable CAD Undergoing PCI
2018-05-15

<b>Introduction:</b> Platelet endothelial aggregation receptor 1 (PEAR1) triggers platelet aggregation and is expressed in platelets and endothelial cells. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) showed an association between platelet function and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in <i>PEAR1</i>. <b>Methods:</b> In 582 consecutive patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) or acute coronary syndrome (ACS) scheduled for PCI and treated with ASA and Clopidogrel, Prasugrel, or Ticagrelor, SNP analysis for rs12566888, rs2768759, rs41273215, rs3737224, and rs822442 was performed. During a follow-up period of 365 days after initial PCI, all patients were tracked for a primary endpoint, defined as a combined endpoint consisting of either time to death, myocardial infarction (MI) or ischemic stroke. All cause mortality, MI and ischemic stroke were defined as secondary endpoints. <b>Results:</b> Multivariable Cox model analysis for the primary endpoint revealed a significantly increased risk in homozygous <i>PEAR1</i> rs2768759 minor allele carriers (hazard ratio, 3.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-7.13, <i>p</i> = 0.006). Moreover, <i>PEAR1</i> rs12566888 minor allele carriers also showed an increased risk in all patients (hazard ratio, 1.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.87-3.27, <i>p</i> = 0.122), which was marginally significant in male patients (hazard ratio, 2.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-4.43, <i>p</i> = 0.045; <i>n</i> = 425). <b>Conclusions:</b> To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study showing that distinct genetic variants of <i>PEAR1</i> are associated with cardiovascular prognosis in high risk patients undergoing PCI and treated with dual anti platelet therapy.