julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Selective and sensitive spectral signals on confocal Raman spectroscopy for detection of ex vivo skin lipid properties
2020-06-05

Abstract Spectral signals of stratum corneum (SC) acquired from confocal Raman spectroscopy (CRS) are employed to track lipid variations and the most sensitive and efficient signals are of high interest. Herein, 1% of sodium lauryl sulfate treated SC was compared to water‐treated one to evaluate statistical difference of spectral signals concerning lipid content, SC thickness and lipid molecular structures. Results showed that peak ratio of 1425 to 1490 cm −1 and 1630 to 1710 cm −1 in fingerprint region and Gaussian‐function deconvoluted lipid‐keratin peak ratio in high wavenumber (HWN) region were both responsive for analyzing lipid content. SC thickness measurement using the full width of half‐maximum (FWHM) of 2920 to 2960 cm −1 signal presented good sensitivity. Nevertheless, the shift of peak 2850 cm −1 indicated less sensitivity compared to trans‐gauche peak signals and 1300 cm −1 peak position for lipid conformation analysis. Meanwhile, the ratio of peak 2880 and 2850 cm −1 indicating lipid lateral packing structure presented to be less responsive. More strikingly, FWHM of peak 2850 cm −1 appeared to be unable for lipid lateral packing order analysis in our study. In summary, this research can serve as a pilot study for further investigation of direct drug delivery and interaction between topical applied compounds and skin components.
Material-Dependent Formation and Degradation of Bone Matrix—Comparison of Two Cryogels
2020-06-05

Cryogels represent ideal carriers for bone tissue engineering. We recently described the osteogenic potential of cryogels with different protein additives, e.g., platelet-rich plasma (PRP). However, these scaffolds raised concerns as different toxic substances are required for their preparation. Therefore, we developed another gelatin (GEL)-based cryogel. This study aimed to compare the two scaffolds regarding their physical characteristics and their influence on osteogenic and osteoclastic cells. Compared to the PRP scaffolds, GEL scaffolds had both larger pores and thicker walls, resulting in a lower connective density. PRP scaffolds, with crystalized calcium phosphates on the surface, were significantly stiffer but less mineralized than GEL scaffolds with hydroxyapatite incorporated within the matrix. The GEL scaffolds favored adherence and proliferation of the osteogenic SCP-1 and SaOS-2 cells. Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels seemed to be induced by GEL scaffolds. Levels of other osteoblast and osteoclast markers were comparable between the two scaffolds. After 14 days, mineral content and stiffness of the cryogels were increased by SCP-1 and SaOS-2 cells, especially of PRP scaffolds. THP-1 cell-derived osteoclastic cells only reduced mineral content and stiffness of PRP cryogels. In summary, both scaffolds present powerful advantages; however, the possibility to altered mineral content and stiffness may be decisive when it comes to using PRP or GEL scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.
Thermal spectra of thin accretion discs of finite thickness around Kerr black holes
2020-06-05

ABSTRACT The analysis of the thermal spectrum of geometrically thin and optically thick accretion discs of black holes, the so-called continuum-fitting method, is one of the leading techniques for measuring black hole spins. Current models normally approximate the disc as infinitesimally thin, while in reality the disc thickness is finite and increases as the black hole mass accretion rate increases. Here we present an XSPEC model to calculate the multitemperature blackbody spectrum of a thin accretion disc of finite thickness around a Kerr black hole. We test our new model with an RXTE observation of the black hole binary GRS 1915+105. We find that the spin value inferred with the new model is slightly higher than the spin value obtained with a model with an infinitesimally thin disc, but the difference is small and the effect is currently subdominant with respect to other sources of uncertainties in the final spin measurement.
Photoexcitation of Ge9− Clusters in THF: New Insights into the Ultrafast Relaxation Dynamics and the Influence of the Cation
2020-06-05

We present a comprehensive femtosecond (fs) transient absorption study of the [Ge9(Hyp)3]− (Hyp = Si(SiMe3)3) cluster solvated in tetrahydrofuran (THF) with special emphasis on intra- and intermolecular charge transfer mechanisms which can be tuned by exchange of the counterion and by dimerization of the cluster. The examination of the visible and the near infrared (NIR) spectral range reveals four different processes of cluster dynamics after UV (267/258 nm) photoexcitation related to charge transfer to solvent and localized excited states in the cluster. The resulting transient absorption is mainly observed in the NIR region. In the UV-Vis range transient absorption of the (neutral) cluster core with similar dynamics can be observed. By transferring concepts of: (i) charge transfer to the solvent known from solvated Na− in THF and (ii) charge transfer in bulk-like materials on metalloid cluster systems containing [Ge9(Hyp)3]− moieties, we can nicely interpret the experimental findings for the different compounds. The first process occurs on a fs timescale and is attributed to localization of the excited electron in the quasi-conduction band/excited state which competes with a charge transfer to the solvent. The latter leads to an excess electron initially located in the vicinity of the parent cluster within the same solvent shell. In a second step, it can recombine with the cluster core with time constants in the picosecond (ps) timescale. Some electrons can escape the influence of the cluster leading to a solvated electron or after interaction with a cation to a contact pair both with lifetimes exceeding our experimentally accessible time window of 1 nanosecond (ns). An additional time constant on a tens of ps timescale is pronounced in the UV-Vis range which can be attributed to the recombination rate of the excited state or quasi conduction band of Ge9−. In the dimer, the excess electron cannot escape the molecule due to strong trapping by the Zn cation that links the two cluster cores.
Anatomic and functional asymmetries interactively shape human early visual cortex responses
2020-06-05

Early visual processing is surprisingly flexible even in the adult brain. This flexibility involves both long-term structural plasticity and online adaptations conveyed by top-down feedback. Although this view is supported by rich evidence from both human behavioral studies and invasive electrophysiology in nonhuman models, it has proven difficult to close the gap between species. In particular, it remains debated whether noninvasive measures of neural activity can capture top-down modulations of the earliest stages of processing in the human visual cortex. We previously reported modulations of retinotopic C1, the earliest component of the human visual evoked potential. However, these effects were selectively observed in the upper visual field (UVF). Here we test whether this asymmetry is linked to an interaction between differences in spatial resolution across the visual field and the specific stimuli used in previous studies. We measured visual evoked potentials in response to task-irrelevant, high-contrast textures of different densities in a comparatively large sample of healthy volunteers (N = 31) using high-density electroencephalogram. Our results show differential response profiles for upper and lower hemifields, with UVF responses saturating at higher stimulus densities. In contrast, lower visual field responses did not increase, and even showed a tendency toward a decrease at the highest density tested. We propose that these findings reflect feature- and task-specific pooling of signals from retinotopic regions with different sensitivity profiles. Such complex interactions between anatomic and functional asymmetries need to be considered to resolve whether human early visual cortex activity is modulated by top-down factors.
Surgeons’ participation in the development of collaboration and management competencies in undergraduate medical education
2020-06-05

The teaching of professional roles in medical education is an interdisciplinary concern. However, surgeons require specific standards of professionalism for certain context-based situations. In addition to communication, studies require collaboration, leadership, error-/conflict-management, patient-safety and decision-making as essential competencies for surgeons. Standards for corresponding competencies are defined in special chapters of the German National Competency-based Learning Objectives for Undergraduate Medical Education (NKLM; chapter 8, 10). The current study asks whether these chapters are adequately taught in surgical curricula. Eight German faculties contributed to analysing mapping data considering surgical courses of undergraduate programs. All faculties used the MERlin mapping platform and agreed on procedures for data collection and processing. Sub-competency and objective coverage, as well as the achievement of the competency level were mapped. Overall counts of explicit citations were used for analysis. Collaboration within the medical team is a strongly represented topic. In contrast, interprofessional cooperation, particularly in healthcare sector issues is less represented. Patient safety and dealing with errors and complications is most emphasized for the Manager/Leader, while time management, career planning and leadership are not addressed. Overall, the involvement of surgery in teaching the competencies of the Collaborator and Manager/Leader is currently low. However, there are indications of a curricular development towards explicit teaching of these roles in surgery. Moreover, implicitly taught roles are numerous, which indicates a beginning awareness of professional roles.
Reaching the quantum Hall regime with rotating Rydberg-dressed atoms
2020-06-05

Despite the striking progress in the field of quantum gases, one of their\\nmuch anticipated application -- the simulation of quantum Hall states --\\nremains elusive: all experimental approaches so far failed in reaching a\\nsufficiently small ratio between atom and vortex densities. In this paper we\\nconsider rotating Rydberg--dressed atoms in magnetic traps: these gases offer\\nstrong and tunable non-local repulsive interactions and very low densities;\\nhence they provide an exceptional platform to reach the quantum Hall regime.\\nBased on the Lindemann criterion and the analysis of the interplay of the\\nlength scales of the system, we show that there exists an optimal value of the\\ndressing parameters that minimizes the ratio between the filling factor of the\\nsystem and its critical value to enter the Hall regime, thus making it possible\\nto reach this strongly--correlated phase for more than 1000 atoms under\\nrealistic conditions.\\n
Joint Optimization of Measurement and Modeling Strategies With Application to Radial Flow in Stratified Aquifers
2020-06-05

Abstract When applying environmental models, the choice of model complexity and the design of field campaigns depend on each other and on the modeling/prediction goal. We propose jointly optimizing model complexity and data collection (design) by maximizing the expected performance for the modeling goal. We use ensembles of highly resolved virtual realities and of less complex modeling variants that differ in their degrees of upscaling and simplified parameterization. For each design under consideration, we simulate hypothetical measurement data (subject to noise) with all realizations of all models. To mimic model calibration with hypothetical data, we identify pairs of best fitting realizations between virtual reality and each model variant for each design. Then, we emulate model choice by selecting (across the model variants, for each design and for each virtual reality) the pair that shows the best predictive match in the modeling goal. Finally, we identify the model/design combination that offers, on average over all virtual realities, the best predictive match. As a test application, we consider a heterogeneous, stratified aquifer, in which the stratification enhances hydraulic anisotropy on the macroscale. We define two different modeling goals: (a) estimating the hydraulic conductivity tensor upscaled to the full aquifer thickness and (b) predicting the pumping rate needed to dewater a construction pit. Our results indicate that jointly optimizing observation networks and model selection can reduce the prediction uncertainty of parameters at lower experimental costs. We also show that the involved trade‐offs between model complexity and required design depend on the target quantity.
Crystallographic analysis of temperate ice on Rhonegletscher, Swiss Alps
2020-06-05

Abstract. The crystal orientation fabric (COF) was studied at an ice core that was obtained from the temperate Rhonegletscher, located in the Central Swiss Alps. Seven samples, extracted at depths between 2 and 79 m, were analysed with an automatic fabric analyser. The COF analysis revealed conspicuous four-maxima patterns of the c-axis orientations at all depths. Additional data, such as microstructural images, produced during the ice sample preparation process, were considered to interpret these patterns. Furthermore, repeated high-precision Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) surveying allowed the local glacier flow direction to be determined. The relative movements of the individual surveying points indicated horizontal compressive stresses parallel to the glacier flow. Finally, numerical modelling of the ice flow permitted to estimate the local stress distribution. An integrated analysis of all the data sets provided an explanation for the observed four-maximum patterns in the COF. The average azimuths and colatitudes of the c-axes of the individual core samples align with the compressive stress directions obtained from numerical modelling. The clustering of the c-axes in four maxima surrounding the predominant compressive stress direction is most likely the result of a fast migration recrystallisation in combination with the presence of significant shear stresses. This interpretation is supported by air bubble analysis of the LASM images. Our results indicate that COF studies, which were so far predominantly performed at cold ice samples from the polar regions, can also provide valuable insights on the stress and strain distribution within temperate glaciers.
Utopische Potenziale des Idyllischen in der Narration: Ivan Gončarovs Oblomovka und Jan Nerudas Kleinseite
2020-06-05

Abstract The relationship between the idyll and narration has a paradoxical nature: In its state of complete harmony, the idyll is beyond any change or development. In terms of narration, however, this poses a fundamental difficulty. This was a problem already recognized in Schiller’s reflections on the idyll in the context of the philosophy of history, expounded in his essay On Naïve and Sentimental Poetry ( Über naive und sentimentale Dichtung ). By depicting a golden age, i. e., a state that can only ever be appreciated in retrospect, the idyll, according to Schiller, inspires, above all, the pursuit of such a state of harmony in the present. In identification of the idyllic consciousness, representation can only take the form of endangerment by external threats, and in certain cases, the successful overcoming of these threats. Conversely, it is only possible to show the idyll as a state not yet realized, still to be pursued from a perspective outside of the idyllic consciousness. Consequently, the device of a distant, masterful narrator is instrumental to the nuanced depiction of both Prague’s Lesser Quarter (Malá Strana or Kleinseite) in Jan Neruda’s eponymous tales and the Oblomovka country estate in Ivan Gončarov’s novel Oblomov . In both instances, the narrative allows for a critique of the premature realization of pseudo-idyll. Furthermore, the idyll is put into perspective so that beyond signifying loss, its potential to inspire visions of the future is summoned.
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium colonizing patients on hospital admission in Germany: prevalence and molecular epidemiology
2020-06-06

Abstract Objectives To analyse the rectal carriage rate and the molecular epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) recovered from patients upon hospital admission. Methods Adult patients were screened at six German university hospitals from five different federal states upon hospital admission for rectal colonization with VREfm between 2014 and 2018. Molecular characterization of VREfm was performed by WGS followed by MLST and core-genome MLST analysis. Results Of 16350 patients recruited, 263 were colonized with VREfm, with increasing prevalence rates during the 5 year study period (from 0.8% to 2.6%). In total, 78.5% of the VREfm were vanB positive and 20.2% vanA positive, while 1.2% harboured both vanA and vanB. The predominant ST was ST117 (56.7%) followed by ST80 (15%), ST203 (10.9%), ST78 (5.7%) and ST17 (3.2%). ST117/vanB VREfm isolates formed a large cluster of 96 closely related isolates extending across all six study centres and four smaller clusters comprising 13, 5, 4 and 3 isolates each. In contrast, among the other STs inter-regional clonal relatedness was rarely observed. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the largest admission prevalence and molecular epidemiology study of VREfm. These data provide insight into the epidemiology of VREfm at six German university hospitals and demonstrate the remarkable inter-regional clonal expansion of the ST117/vanB VREfm clone.
Surgical management of peripheral nerve sheath tumours in children, with special consideration of neurofibromatoses
2020-06-06

Abstract Introduction Peripheral nerve sheath tumours in children are a rare and heterogeneous group, consisting mostly of benign tumours as well as malignant neoplasms. Especially in the paediatric population, diagnostics and indication for therapy pose relevant challenges for neurosurgeons and paediatric neurologists alike. Most paediatric cases that need surgical intervention are associated to neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Methods We retrospectively reviewed all paediatric cases treated at the Department of Neurosurgery in Tübingen between 2006 and 2017 for peripheral nerve sheath tumours. We analysed clinical signs, symptoms, histology, association to an underlying phacomatosis and sensory/motor function. Results Of the 82 identified patients, the majority had NF1 (76.8%). Nine children bore a sporadic tumour without underlying phacomatosis (11%), 8 had NF2 (9.8%) and 2 schwannomatosis (2.4%), A total of 168 surgical interventions were performed, and 206 tumours were removed. Indication for surgery was in most instances significant tumour growth (45.2%) followed by pain (33.9%). New deficits led to surgery in 12.5% of interventions; malignancy was suspected in 8.3%. Histopathology revealed mostly neurofibromas (82.5%), divided into cutaneous neurofibromas (10.7%), infiltrating plexiform neurofibromas (25.7%) and peripheral nerve-born neurofibromas (46.1%). 12.1% of tumours were schwannomas, 2.9% MPNST, 1.5% ganglioneuroma ( n = 3) and 1 hybrid-neurofibroma and perineurinoma each. Leading symptoms, such as pain and motor and sensory deficits, improved after 125/166 interventions (74.4%), remained unchanged following 39 interventions (23.2%) and worsened in 4 occasions (2.4%). Conclusion Surgery is safe and effective for (neurofibromatosis associated) peripheral nerve sheath tumours in the paediatric population; however, management needs a multidisciplinary setting. We propose early surgical resection in paediatric patients with peripheral nerve sheath tumours with significant growth, or pain, or motor deficit, or suspected malignancy.
The magazine as a medium of cultural translation
2020-06-06

Abstract Our research project seeks to understand periodical publications as a medium of cultural translation. This article explains some of the practical challenges which must be confronted when building a digital corpus which transcends the logic of national archives. Focusing on a specific journal, La Gaceta Literaria , the article then proceeds to explore data visualizations in a mixed-method approach which aims at building a bridge between quantitative and qualitative analyses. The project also explores the periodical’s ambition to construct a global community from an Ibero-American perspective, an aim not without (neo)imperialistic implications. It does so with a particular focus on the role of translation, and the use of various languages used within the journal in order to reach this goal.
An innovative approach for HLA typing, molecular tumor testing and the validation of tumor exclusive antigens
2020-06-06

Disclaimer This manuscript has been withdrawn by the corresponding author, as it was submitted and made public in bioRxiv without knowledge and the full consent of all the authors listed. The co-authors are therefore not responsible for the contents of this manuscript. For this reason, the submitting author has chosen to withdraw this preprint as a precautionary measure and would like to state that this work should not be cited as a reference. For any related questions that may arise, please contact the corresponding author.
Only Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells from Cord Blood Are Susceptible to Malignant Transformation by MLL-AF4 Translocations
2020-06-07

Mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) (KMT2A) rearrangements (KMT2Ar) play a crucial role in leukemogenesis. Dependent on age, major differences exist regarding disease frequency, main fusion partners and prognosis. In infants, up to 80% of acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) bear a MLL translocation and half of them are t(4;11), resulting in a poor prognosis. In contrast, in adults only 10% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) bear t(9;11) with an intermediate prognosis. The reasons for these differences are poorly understood. Recently, we established an efficient CRISPR/Cas9-based KMT2Ar model in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) derived from human cord blood (huCB) and faithfully mimicked the underlying biology of the disease. Here, we applied this model to HSPCs from adult bone marrow (huBM) to investigate the impact of the cell of origin and fusion partner on disease development. Both genome-edited infant and adult KMT2Ar cells showed monoclonal outgrowth with an immature morphology, myelomonocytic phenotype and elevated KMT2Ar target gene expression comparable to patient cells. Strikingly, all KMT2Ar cells presented with indefinite growth potential except for MLL-AF4 huBM cells ceasing proliferation after 80 days. We uncovered FFAR2, an epigenetic tumor suppressor, as potentially responsible for the inability of MLL-AF4 to immortalize adult cells under myeloid conditions.
Periodic Fluorescence Variations of CdSe Quantum Dots Coupled to\\n Aryleneethynylenes with Aggregation Induced Emission
2020-06-07

CdSe nanocrystals and aggregates of an aryleneethynylene derivative are\\nassembled into a hybrid thin film with dual fluorescence from both\\nfluorophores. Under continuous excitation, the nanocrystals and the molecules\\nexhibit anti-correlated fluorescence intensity variations, which become\\nperiodic at low temperature. We attribute this to a structure-dependent\\naggregation induced emission of the aryleneethynylene derivative, which impacts\\nthe rate of excitation energy transfer between the molecules and nanocrystals.\\nEnergy transfer also affects the electric transport properties of the hybrid\\nmaterial under optical excitation. This work highlights that combining\\nsemiconductor nanocrystals with molecular aggregates, which exhibit aggregation\\ninduced emission, can result in unprecedented emerging optical properties.\\n