julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Assessing Antisite Defect and Impurity Concentrations in Bi2Te3 Based Thin Films by High‐Accuracy Chemical Analysis
2013-04-26

Abstract In Bi 2 Te 3 ‐based materials charge‐carrier densities are determined by antisite defects and controlling these defects is a key issue for thermoelectric and topological insulator materials. Bi‐Te thin films with high‐quality thermoelectric properties are deposited using a nano‐alloying approach by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and sputtering. The in‐plane transport properties are measured at room temperature as a function of charge‐carrier density. High‐accuracy chemical analysis by wavelength‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (WDX) is applied for the first time to these Bi 2 Te 3 ‐based thin films. The acquisition conditions for WDX spectrometry are established using Monte Carlo simulations for the electron trajectories, which guarantees a high lateral resolution and rules out stray radiation generated in the substrate of the films. In contrast to energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (EDX), which is usually applied, WDX offers unprecedented accuracy for measuring antisite defect concentrations and thus has a high impact on improving the quality of thin films. The charge‐carrier densities are calculated from the WDX results according to the point‐defect model of Miller and Li and the thermopower and electrical conductivity are calculated for different charge‐carrier densities by solving the linearized Boltzmann transport equation. A good quantitative agreement is found for the dependence of the thermopower on stoichiometry, whereas the electrical conductivity is sensitively affected by contaminants.
Safety and efficacy of linagliptin in type 2 diabetes patients with common renal and cardiovascular risk factors
2013-04-26

Dipeptidyl-peptidase-IV (DPP-4) inhibitors have become an important orally active drug class for the treatment of type 2 diabetes as second-line therapy after metformin failure or as monotherapy or combination therapy with other drugs when metformin is not tolerated or contraindicated. DPP-4 inhibitors act mainly by increasing endogenous incretin hormone concentrations. They stimulate insulin secretion and inhibit glucagon secretion in a glucose-dependent manner with a significantly lower risk for hypoglycaemia than sulfonylureas. Furthermore, DPP-4 inhibitors are weight neutral. Linagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor that is eliminated by a hepatobiliary route, whereas the other DPP-4 inhibitors available today show a renal elimination. Therefore, it can be used in normal kidney function as well as in all stages of chronic kidney disease to stage 5 (glomerular filtration rate &lt;15 ml/min/1.73 m 2 ) without dose adjustments. Linagliptin was noninferior to metformin and sulfonylureas in clinical studies. In recent studies, it showed a superior safety profile over sulfonylurea treatment regarding hypoglycaemia and weight gain. More patients reached an HbA1c &lt;7% without hypoglycaemia and weight gain with linagliptin compared with glimepiride. The safety profile with respect to a composite cardiovascular endpoint and stroke was also favourable for linagliptin, most likely due to a higher incidence of hypoglycaemia associated with glimepiride therapy and titration. This review gives an overview on the efficacy and safety of linagliptin in comparison with other antidiabetic drugs in type 2 diabetes patients with renal and cardiovascular risk factors as well as an outlook on the perspective for linagliptin in this patient population in the future.
Competition for Gβγ dimers mediates a specific cross-talk between stimulatory and inhibitory G protein α subunits of the adenylyl cyclase in cardiomyocytes
2013-04-26

Heterotrimeric G proteins are key regulators of signaling pathways in mammalian cells. Beyond G protein-coupled receptors, the amount and mutual ratio of specific G protein α, β, and γ subunits determine the G protein signaling. However, little is known about mechanisms that regulate the concentration and composition of G protein subunits at the plasma membrane. Here, we show a novel cross-talk between stimulatory and inhibitory G protein α subunits (Gα) that is mediated by G protein βγ dimers and controls the abundance of specific Gα subunits at the plasma membrane. Firstly, we observed in heart tissue from constitutively Gαi2- and Gαi3-deficient mice that the loss of Gαi2 and Gαi3 was accompanied by a slight increase in the protein content of the nontargeted Gαi isoform. Therefore, we analyzed whether overexpression of selected Gα subunits conversely impairs endogenous G protein α and β subunit levels in cardiomyocytes. Integration of overexpressed Gαi2 subunits into heterotrimeric G proteins was verified by co-immunoprecipitation. Adenoviral expression of increasing amounts of Gαi2 led to a reduction of Gαi3 (up to 90 %) and Gαs (up to 75 %) protein levels. Likewise, increasing amounts of adenovirally expressed Gαs resulted in a linear 75 % decrease in both Gαi2 and Gαi3 protein levels. In contrast, overexpression of either Gαi or Gαs isoform did not influence the amount of Gαo and Gαq, both of which are not involved in the regulation of adenylyl cyclase activity. The mRNA expression of the disappearing endogenous Gα subunits was not affected, indicating a posttranslational mechanism. Interestingly, the amount of endogenous G protein βγ dimers was not altered by any Gα overexpression. However, the increase of Gβγ level by adenoviral expression prevented the loss of endogenous Gαs and Gαi3 in Gαi2 overexpressing cardiomyocytes. Thus, our results provide evidence for a novel mechanism cross-regulating adenylyl cyclase-modulating Gαi isoforms and Gαs proteins. The Gα subunits apparently compete for a limited amount of Gβγ dimers, which are required for G protein heterotrimer formation at the plasma membrane.
Interspecific Variations of Inner Ear Structure in the Deep‐Sea Fish Family Melamphaidae
2013-04-27

ABSTRACT Inner ear structures are compared among three major genera of the deep‐sea fish family Melamphaidae (bigscales and ridgeheads). Substantial interspecific variation is found in the saccular otoliths, including the presence of a unique otolithic “spur” in the genera Melamphaes and Poromitra . The variation in the saccular otolith is correlated with an increase in the number of hair bundle orientation groups on the sensory epithelia from the genera Scopelogadus to Poromitra to Melamphaes . The diverse structural variations found in the saccule may reflect the evolutionary history of these species. The sensory hair cell bundles in this family have the most variable shapes yet encountered in fish ears. In the saccule, most of the hair bundles are 15–20 μm high, an exceptional height for fish otolithic end organs. These bundles have large numbers of stereovilli, including some that reach the length of the kinocilium. In the utricle, the striolar region separates into two unusually shaped areas that have not been described in any other vertebrates. The brains in all species have a relatively small olfactory bulb and optic tectum, as well as an enlarged posterior cerebellar region that is likely to be involved in inner ear and lateral line (octavolateral) functions. Data from melamphaids support the hypothesis that specialized anatomical structures are found in the ears of some (if not most) deep‐sea fishes, presumably enhancing their hearing sensitivity. Anat Rec, 296:1064–1082, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The entotympanic in late fetal artiodactyla (Mammalia)
2013-04-27

ABSTRACT The entotympanic is a neomorphic component of the bulla tympanica of placental mammals. Ontogenetically, its rostral component seems to be derived from the tubal cartilage, whereas its caudal component is normally connected with the sheath of the tympanohyal; the present study indicates additional sources of the caudal entotympanic. The entotympanics develop in late fetal or early postnatal life as cartilaginous structures, but in most taxa they ossifiy endochondrally as “os bullae”. This skeletal element is absent only in a few placental orders, among them the Artiodactyla. Because it is present in their sister taxa within the Scrotifera, it is likely to be reduced secondarily in the even‐toed mammals. The study of histological serial sections of late fetal stages of several artiodactyl species shows that vestigial cartilaginous homologues of the entotympanics are invariably present, contrary to statements in the literature. In a few perinatal stages even secondary ossifications or calcifications of the entotympanic cartilages can be observed. The tubal cartilage of artiodactyls also continues into an anterior tegmen tympani (new term) that forms the floor of the fossa muscularis major. J. Morphol. 274:926–939, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Professional competence of teachers: Effects on instructional quality and student development.
2013-04-29

This study investigates teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge, professional beliefs, work-related motivation, and self-regulation as aspects of their professional competence. Specifically, it examines how these aspects impact instruction and, in turn, student outcomes. In a nationally representative sample of 194 German secondary school mathematics classes, multiple measures were used to assess teacher competence, instructional quality, and students’ achievement and motivation. The effect of teachers’ professional competence on student outcomes was estimated in a 1-year repeated-measures design. Two-level structural equation models revealed positive effects of teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge, enthusiasm for teaching, and self-regulatory skills on instructional quality, which in turn affected student outcomes. In contrast, teachers’ general academic ability did not affect their instruction. The multidimensional model of teachers’ professional competence introduced in this article seems suited to stimulate further research on the personal indicators of teacher quality.
Atomic weights of the elements 2011 (IUPAC Technical Report)
2013-04-29

The biennial review of atomic-weight determinations and other cognate data has resulted in changes for the standard atomic weights of five elements. The atomic weight of bromine has changed from 79.904(1) to the interval [79.901, 79.907], germanium from 72.63(1) to 72.630(8), indium from 114.818(3) to 114.818(1), magnesium from 24.3050(6) to the interval [24.304, 24.307], and mercury from 200.59(2) to 200.592(3). For bromine and magnesium, assignment of intervals for the new standard atomic weights reflects the common occurrence of variations in the atomic weights of those elements in normal terrestrial materials.
Late Neogene magnetostratigraphy in the western Qaidam Basin (NE Tibetan Plateau) and its constraints on active tectonic uplift and progressive evolution of growth strata
2013-04-29

The Qaidam Basin as the largest intermontane basin of the NE Tibetan Plateau is the ideal place to provide constraints on depositional and tectonic patters. To determine its tectonic deformation history and progressive evolution of growth strata we conducted paleomagnetic study on the late-Neogene stratigraphic section in the western Qaidam Basin. A magnetostratigraphic study of the well exposed 805 m Qigequan section at the Qigequan anticline in the western Qaidam Basin reveals twelve pairs of normal and reversed polarity zones which can be readily correlated with chrons C1n-3Ar of the Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale (GPTS). From this correlation we can conclude that the Shizigou and the Qigequan formations were formed at &gt;6.9 Ma-2.5 Ma and 2.5-0.4 Ma, respectively. Accumulation rates determined from our chronology, together with the occurrence of unconformities suggest four phases of tectonic uplift which began at about 3.6 Ma, 2.5 Ma, 1.1 Ma and 0.8 Ma. The results also suggest that offlap growth strata according to the limb rotation model on the anticlinorium started to occur at similar to 8.2 Ma. They progressively become younger from the frontal region of the Altyn Tagh Mts. (similar to 8.2 Ma) to the southwestern basin (similar to 2.5 Ma) and to further east of the Qaidam Basin (&lt;2.5 Ma), caused by fault-propagation-folding in the Qaidam Basin, rapid uplift and fast exhumation of the NE Tibetan Plateau at those times. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Prognostic Factors of Melanoma Patients with Satellite or In-Transit Metastasis at the Time of Stage III Diagnosis
2013-04-29

Lymph node involvement was confirmed as the most important prognostic factor for melanoma patients with loco-regional skin metastasis including those with unknown primary tumor and stage I/II patients with skin recurrence. Consideration of the tumor thickness and of the number of involved lymph nodes instead of the exclusive differentiation into presence vs. absence of nodal disease may allow a more accurate prediction of prognosis for patients with satellite or in-transit metastases.
The use of a polylactide‐based copolymer as a temporary skin substitute in deep dermal burns: 1‐year follow‐up results of a prospective clinical noninferiority trial
2013-04-29

Abstract Deep dermal burns can be covered with different kind of materials and techniques; one of them is a polylactide‐based temporary skin substitute. The aim of this study was to intraindividually compare its 1‐year outcome with the results obtained by use of autologous skin grafts in patients suffering from deep dermal burns. A prospective noninferiority trial was designed in order to assess skin quality and scar formation by use of subjective ( V ancouver S car S cale; P atient and O bserver S car A ssessment S cale) and objective (noninvasive cutometry) burn scar assessment tools. All items of the P atient and O bserver S car A ssessment S cale, except vascularity, were found to be noninferior in the areas covered with the temporary skin substitute vs. autologous skin. Results of objective scar evaluation showed comparable viscoelastic parameters without reaching noninferiority. Overall, the outcome of deep dermal burns covered with a polylactide‐based temporary skin substitute revealed satisfactory results in terms of scar formation and skin quality as compared with autologous skin. This paper supports its use in deep dermal burns, where autologous skin donor sites require either to be reserved for coverage of full‐thickness skin defects in severe burns or to be saved for reduction of additional morbidity in selected patient collectives.
Gauss collocation methods for efficient structure preserving integration of post-Newtonian equations of motion
2013-04-29

In this work, we present the hitherto most efficient and accurate method for\\nthe numerical integration of post-Newtonian equations of motion. We first\\ntransform the Poisson system as given by the post-Newtonian approximation to\\ncanonically symplectic form. Then we apply Gauss Runge-Kutta schemes to\\nnumerically integrate the resulting equations. This yields a convenient method\\nfor the structure preserving long-time integration of post-Newtonian equations\\nof motion. In extensive numerical experiments, this approach turns out to be\\nfaster and more accurate i) than previously proposed structure preserving\\nsplitting schemes and ii) than standard explicit Runge-Kutta methods.\\n
Fundamentals of balanced steady state free precession MRI
2013-04-30

Balanced steady state free precession (balanced SSFP) has become increasingly popular for research and clinical applications, offering a very high signal-to-noise ratio and a T2 /T1 -weighted image contrast. This review article gives an overview on the basic principles of this fast imaging technique as well as possibilities for contrast modification. The first part focuses on the fundamental principles of balanced SSFP signal formation in the transient phase and in the steady state. In the second part, balanced SSFP imaging, contrast, and basic mechanisms for contrast modification are revisited and contemporary clinical applications are discussed.
Reductive Dechlorination of TCE by Chemical Model Systems in Comparison to Dehalogenating Bacteria: Insights from Dual Element Isotope Analysis (13C/12C, 37Cl/35Cl)
2013-04-30

Chloroethenes like trichloroethene (TCE) are prevalent environmental contaminants, which may be degraded through reductive dechlorination. Chemical models such as cobalamine (vitamin B12) and its simplified analogue cobaloxime have served to mimic microbial reductive dechlorination. To test whether in vitro and in vivo mechanisms agree, we combined carbon and chlorine isotope measurements of TCE. Degradation-associated enrichment factors ε(carbon) and ε(chlorine) (i.e., molecular-average isotope effects) were -12.2‰ ± 0.5‰ and -3.6‰ ± 0.1‰ with Geobacter lovleyi strain SZ; -9.1‰ ± 0.6‰ and -2.7‰ ± 0.6‰ with Desulfitobacterium hafniense Y51; -16.1‰ ± 0.9‰ and -4.0‰ ± 0.2‰ with the enzymatic cofactor cobalamin; -21.3‰ ± 0.5‰ and -3.5‰ ± 0.1‰ with cobaloxime. Dual element isotope slopes m = Δδ(13)C/ Δδ(37)Cl ≈ ε(carbon)/ε(chlorine) of TCE showed strong agreement between biotransformations (3.4 to 3.8) and cobalamin (3.9), but differed markedly for cobaloxime (6.1). These results (i) suggest a similar biodegradation mechanism despite different microbial strains, (ii) indicate that transformation with isolated cobalamin resembles in vivo transformation and (iii) suggest a different mechanism with cobaloxime. This model reactant should therefore be used with caution. Our results demonstrate the power of two-dimensional isotope analyses to characterize and distinguish between reaction mechanisms in whole cell experiments and in vitro model systems.
Exploring the bonding of large hydrocarbons on noble metals: Diindoperylene on Cu(111), Ag(111), and Au(111)
2013-04-30

We present a benchmark study for the adsorption of a large π-conjugated organic molecule on different noble metal surfaces, which is based on x-ray standing wave (XSW) measurements and density functional theory calculations with van der Waals (vdW) interactions. The bonding distances of diindenoperylene on Cu(111), Ag(111), and Au(111) surfaces (2.51, 3.01, and 3.10 Å, respectively) determined with the normal-incidence XSW technique are compared with calculations. Excellent agreement with the experimental data, i.e., deviations less than 0.1 Å, is achieved using the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) functional with vdW interactions that include the collective response of substrate electrons (the PBE+vdWsurf method). It is noteworthy that the calculations show that the vdW contribution to the adsorption energy increases in the order Au(111)&lt;Ag(111)&lt;Cu(111).
Synthesis ofd-Abrines by Palladium-catalyzed Reaction of ortho-Iodoanilines withN-Boc-N-methylalanyl-substituted Acetaldehyde and Acetylene
2013-04-30

A novel strategy to N-Boc-N-methyl--tryptophans (abrine derivatives) was developed that relies on the palladium-catalyzed annulation of ortho-iodoanilines 12 with either N-Boc-N-methyl-propargylglycine 16 or aldehyde 11. Both 11 and 16 can be prepared from d-serine. An alternative route to propargylglycine 16 utilizes an enantioselective propargylation reaction of glycine imine 17.
Prepackaged central line kits reduce procedural mistakes during central line insertion: a randomized controlled prospective trial
2013-04-30

Abstract Background Central line catheter insertion is a complex procedure with a high cognitive load for novices. Providing a prepackaged all-inclusive kit is a simple measure that may reduce the cognitive load. We assessed whether the use of prepackaged all-inclusive central line insertion kits reduces procedural mistakes during central line catheter insertion by novices. Methods Thirty final year medical students and recently qualified physicians were randomized into two equal groups. One group used a prepackaged all-inclusive kit and the other used a standard kit containing only the central vein catheter and all other separately packaged components provided in a materials cart. The procedure was videotaped and analyzed by two blinded raters using a checklist. Both groups performed central line catheter insertion on a manikin, assisted by nursing students. Results The prepackaged kit group outperformed the standard kit group in four of the five quality indicators: procedure duration (26:26 ± 3:50 min vs. 31:27 ± 5:57 min, p = .01); major technical mistakes (3.1 ± 1.4 vs. 4.8 ± 2.6, p = .03); minor technical mistakes (5.2 ± 1.7 vs. 8.0 ± 3.2, p = .01); and correct steps (83 ± 5% vs. 75 ± 11%, p = .02). The difference for breaches of aseptic technique (1.2 ± 0.8 vs. 3.0 ± 3.6, p = .06) was not statistically significant. Conclusions Prepackaged all-inclusive kits for novices improved the procedure quality and saved staff time resources in a controlled simulation environment. Future studies are needed to address whether central line kits also improve patient safety in hospital settings.
Electrically charged dilaton black holes in an external magnetic field
2013-04-30

In the present paper we construct a new solution to the Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton gravity equations describing electrically charged dilaton black holes immersed in a strong external magnetic field and we study its properties. The black holes described by the solution are rotating but with zero total angular momentum and possess an ergoregion confined in a neighborhood of the horizon. Our results also show that the external magnetic field does not affect the black hole thermodynamics.
GLOBALLY-CONSTANT SPEED OF LIGHT C : A BONANZA IN PHYSICS
2013-04-30

The historical twist that the universal constancy of the speed of light, c , got abandoned for more than a century is recalled. The proposed new situation – global constancy of c – is described in some detail. Its uplifting consequences include a new metrology and a new cosmology.
From the Stability Pact to ESM - What Next?
2013-04-30

Europe is struggling with the resolution of the severe debt crisis and is in the process of overhauling its institutional set up.One element of the reform agenda is the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) which is intended to provide liquidity assistance to countries in case financial stability in the Euro Area is at stake.The ESM shall enter into force in July 2012, following ratification of the member states.It will have five instruments at its disposal: direct loans to countries, purchases of assets on the primary or secondary market, contingent credit lines, and funds for bank recapitalization.In this contribution, it is argued that establishing an explicit crisis resolution mechanism is in principle useful.However, the ESM is defined too broadly, and its scope should be limited to the provision of emergency liquidity assistance only under narrowly defined circumstances.Using the option to recapitalize banks might help addressing a potential debt overhang problem.Yet, the current framework has deficiencies in this regard and lacks the necessary backing by complementary institutional reforms, notably a regime for cross-border bank resolution.