julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Sex-Specific Associations of Testosterone With Metabolic Traits
2019-03-13

<b>Background:</b> Testosterone levels are differentially linked with diabetes risk in men and women: lower testosterone levels in men and higher testosterone levels in women are associated with type 2 diabetes, though, the mechanisms are not fully clear. We addressed sex-specific links between testosterone and major pathogenetic mechanisms of diabetes. <b>Methods:</b> We analyzed data of 623 subjects (202 male, 345 female without, and 76 female with oral contraceptive therapy [OCT]) for whom insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion were assessed by oral glucose tolerance test. Body fat percentage was assessed by bioelectrical impedance. Testosterone was measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay; free testosterone and Framingham risk score were calculated. <b>Results:</b> There were significant interactions between testosterone and sex for all tested metabolic traits. Increasing testosterone was associated with less body fat, elevated insulin sensitivity, and reduced glycemia, independent of adiposity in men. In women without OCT, testosterone correlated with more body fat, insulin resistance, and higher glucose concentrations. Testosterone was not associated with insulin secretion in either sex, but with lower Framingham risk score in men and higher Framingham risk score in women. <b>Conclusions:</b> Similar to diabetes risk, insulin resistance has different association directions with testosterone levels in males and females. Insulin resistance could therefore constitute the best biological candidate linking testosterone levels and diabetes prevalence. The question of antiandrogen therapy being able to improve metabolism, glucose tolerance and cardiovascular risk in women was not clarified in our study but should be reviewed with higher numbers in a carefully matched study to reduce the influence of confounding variables.
Oscillatory EEG Changes During Arithmetic Learning in Children
2019-03-13

Most studies have investigated brain activation changes after the course of arithmetic learning, and the question remains whether these changes are detectable during the course of learning, i.e., before memory consolidation. Twenty-four fifth graders solved multiplication problems while ongoing electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded. The arithmetic training revealed reduced errors together with a power increase in theta (4-7 Hz) but not in lower alpha (8-10 Hz) or upper alpha (10-13 Hz) bands. We conclude that increases in theta power subserved a shift from slow, procedural strategies to more efficient, automated procedural and retrieval strategies, which led to more efficient performance.
Structural and conformational stability of hemocyanin from the garden snailCornu aspersum
2019-03-13

Abstract Various aspects of biomedical applications of molluscan hemocyanins, associated with their immunogenic properties and antitumor activity, promoted us to perform structural studies on these glycoproteins. The stability and reassociation behavior of native Cornu aspersum hemocyanin (CaH) are studied in the presence of different concentrations of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ ions and pH values using electron microscopy. Higher concentrations of those ions led to a more rapid reassociation of CaH, resulting in stable multidecamers with different lengths. The conformational changes of native CaH are investigated within a wide pH-temperature range by UV circular dichroism. The relatively small changes of initial [θ] λ indicated that many secondary structural elements are preserved, even at high temperatures above 80°C, especially at neutral pH. The mechanism of thermal unfolding of CaH has a complicated character, and the process is irreversible. The conformational stability of the native didecameric aggregates of CaH toward various denaturants indicates that hydrophilic and polar forces stabilize the quaternary structure. For the first time, the unfolding of native CaH in water solutions in the presence of four different denaturants is investigated. The free energy of stabilization in water, ∆G D H 2 O , was calculated in the range of 15.48–16.95 kJ mol −1 . The presented results will facilitate the further investigation of the properties and potential applications of CaH.
Palladium-Catalyzed Tandem Isomerization/Hydrothiolation of Allylarenes
2019-03-14

Herein we report a tandem olefin migration/hydrothiolation of allyl benzenes facilitated by an in situ generated palladium hydride. A catalyst system composed of palladium acetate and bidentate ligand dtbpx (1,2-bis(di-tert-butylphosphinomethyl)benzene in the presence of catalytic amounts of triflic acid led to the tandem transformation, which furnished benzylic thioethers. The reaction exhibits high regioselectivity and can be conducted under mild conditions. The robustness of the catalyst is displayed through reactions with coordinating thiols.
Comparing apples and oranges: Curricular intensification reforms can change the meaning of students’ grades!
2019-03-14

Teacher-assigned grades provide important information that is used by universities and colleges to make admission decisions and by employers to make hiring decisions. Besides grades, the results of standardized achievement tests are frequently used for student selection and allocation. However, correlations between the two achievement measures are far from perfect, and researchers have argued that this discrepancy can be at least partially attributed to norm-referenced grading, which is based on the composition of performance in a class. In this study, we investigated the results of a curricular intensification reform, which introduced changes in the distribution of student performance by making enrollment in certain courses mandatory. We investigated whether the reform resulted in changes in the relationship between standardized achievement-test results and teacher-assigned grades. We analyzed cohort control design data from two large representative samples of students from two German states (Baden-Württemberg: N = 5,574; Thuringia: N = 2,202) before and after the reform. Results indicated that students who received a certain grade before the reform (e.g., a grade of A, B, C, or D) differed in their standardized test performance from students who received the same grade after the reform. Furthermore, in math, course-level-specific reform effects on the association between grades and standardized test performance were found to vary between groups of students receiving good and poor grades. Implications for educational policy and school reforms and suggestions for grading are discussed.
Serotonergic, Dopaminergic, and Noradrenergic Modulation of Erotic Stimulus Processing in the Male Human Brain
2019-03-14

Human sexual behavior is mediated by a complex interplay of cerebral and spinal centers, as well as hormonal, peripheral, and autonomic functions. Neuroimaging studies identified central neural signatures of human sexual responses comprising neural emotional, motivational, autonomic, and cognitive components. However, empirical evidence regarding the neuromodulation of these neural signatures of human sexual responses was scarce for decades. Pharmacological functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) provides a valuable tool to examine the interaction between neuromodulator systems and functional network anatomy relevant for human sexual behavior. In addition, this approach enables the examination of potential neural mechanisms regarding treatment-related sexual dysfunction under psychopharmacological agents. In this article, we introduce common neurobiological concepts regarding cerebral sexual responses based on neuroimaging findings and we discuss challenges and findings regarding investigating the neuromodulation of neural sexual stimulus processing. In particular, we summarize findings from our research program investigating how neural correlates of sexual stimulus processing are modulated by serotonergic, dopaminergic, and noradrenergic antidepressant medication in healthy males.
Unbounded number line estimation as a measure of numerical estimation
2019-03-14

Number magnitude estimation has been investigated over the last decades using different tasks including non-symbolic numerosity but also number line estimation tasks. Recently, a bi-directional mapping process was suggested for numerosity estimation accounting for underestimation in a perception version of the task (i.e., indicating the number of non-symbolic dots in a set) and overestimation in the corresponding production task (i.e., produce the number of dots indicated by a symbolic number). In the present study, we evaluated the generalizability of these estimation biases in perception and production tasks to bounded and unbounded number line estimation. Importantly, target numbers were underestimated/overestimated by participants in the perception/production version of numerosity estimation as well as unbounded number line estimation. However, this pattern was reversed for bounded number line estimation. Thereby, the present data indicate a conceptual similarity of unbounded number line estimation and the established non-symbolic numerosity estimation task as a measure of numerical estimation. Accordingly, this corroborates the notion that unbounded number line estimation may reflect a purer measure of number magnitude representation than the bounded task version. Furthermore, our findings strengthen the bi-directional mapping hypothesis for numerical estimation by providing evidence for its generalizability to unbounded number line estimation for the first time.
Characterization of the spontaneous light emission of the PMTs used in the Double Chooz experiment
2019-03-14

During the commissioning of the first of the two detectors of the Double Chooz experiment, an unexpected and dominant background caused by the emission of light inside the optical volume has been observed. A specific study of the ensemble of phenomena called Light Noise has been carried out in-situ, and in an external laboratory, in order to characterize the signals and to identify the possible processes underlying the effect. Some mechanisms of instrumental noise originating from the PMTs were identified and it has been found that the leading one arises from the light emission localized on the photomultiplier base and produced by the combined effect of heat and high voltage across the transparent epoxy resin covering the electric components. The correlation of the rate and the amplitude of the signal with the temperature has been observed. For the first detector in operation the induced background has been mitigated using online and offline analysis selections based on timing and light pattern of the signals, while a modification of the photomultiplier assembly has been implemented for the second detector in order to blacken the PMT bases.
Television Sport Journalism at the UEFA Euro 2016 Championships: A Comparison of Live Commentary From Four Countries
2019-03-14

Football’s (soccer’s) EURO 2016 in France marked a high point for sport journalism and broadcasting. Due to the implementation of a uniform multilateral image feed by the European Football Association (UEFA), differences in the verbal live commentary became significant. This study investigated commentary of the live television broadcasts of 4 matches in a specific country. Using social identity and self-categorization, a mixed-methods analysis was employed to quantitatively analyze the commentary and qualitatively assess content for notions of nationalism, patriotism, or globalization. Instead of notions of ideological nationalism, coverage emphasized sporting action and Europeanization of the event. Excluding forms of “banal nationalism” like introducing the teams and playing national anthems, live commentary presented fair or positive patriotism, together with remarks of transnational friendship and comradeship of the players. Based on the increasing frequency of sport organizations using similar image feeds in the future, a decreasing relevance for live commentary by national broadcasters is discussed.
The Role of Riemann’s Zeta Function in Mathematics and Physics †,‡
2019-03-14

In particular, Riemann’s impact on mathematics and physics alike is demonstrated using methods originating from the theory of numbers and from quantum electrodynamics, i.e., from the behavior of an electron in a prescribed external electromagnetic field. More specifically, we employ Riemann’s zeta function to regularize the otherwise infinite results of the so-called Heisenberg–Euler Lagrangian. As a spin-off, we also calculate some integrals that are useful in mathematics and physics.
What is learned in approach-avoidance tasks? On the scope and generalizability of approach-avoidance effects
2019-03-14

Previous research has shown that approaching a stimulus makes it more positive, while avoiding a stimulus makes it more negative. The present research demonstrates that approach-avoidance behaviors have the potential to charge stimulus attributes such as color with evaluative meaning. This evaluation carries over to other stimuli with that feature. We address the latter point by assessing the influence of colors that were approached or avoided on the perceived attractiveness of persons wearing those colors. We show that wearing a certain color makes people appear more attractive when this color is associated with approach rather than avoidance. In line with a self-perception account of these effects, we obtained approach-avoidance effects on stimulus attributes only when participants carried out approach-avoidance behaviors towards these colors or imagined doing so. This set of experiments adds to the evaluative learning literature by demonstrating approach-avoidance effects on stimulus attributes and that these effects carry over to new classes of stimuli and new tasks. Moreover, we systematically investigated boundary conditions for these effects. Finally, with this research we introduce an ontogenetic perspective to research into colors and their influence on psychological functioning.
Advice Taking under Uncertainty: The Impact of Genuine Advice versus Arbitrary Anchors on Judgment
2019-03-14

A major module of rational advice taking consists in the metacognitive ability to distinguish between credible advice and arbitrary anchors. Accordingly, we investigated the extent to which framing the very same information as either advice or anchor exerts a differential influence on quantitative judgments. Four experiments showed that although arbitrary anchors were given lower weight than advice, they nevertheless exerted a systematic impact on final judgments. Degree of integration was related to subjective confidence only in the advice condition, but not in the anchoring condition, suggesting that arbitrary anchors were not considered informative. Framing the source of advice as a human being versus as a computer did not affect our results. Only the aboutness of advice, that is, whether it targeted the focal judgment item, determined its influence on final judgments and on confidence. On the one hand, these findings speak to the (partial) sensitivity of human judges to the source and validity of advice under uncertainty. On the other hand, the persevering effect of arbitrary anchors demonstrates the dependence of judgments on unauthorized influences. Both findings together highlight the need to study advice taking from a metacognitive perspective.
Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated T and NK-Cell Lymphoproliferative Diseases
2019-03-15

EBV-associated T and NK-cell lymphoproliferative diseases (EBV-T/NK LPDs) are characterized by the transformation and proliferation of EBV-infected T or NK cells. The 2016 revised World Health Organization classification recognizes the following EBV-positive lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD): chronic active EBV infection (CAEBV) of T- and NK-cell type (cutaneous and systemic forms), systemic EBV-positive T-cell lymphoma of childhood, aggressive NK-cell leukemia, extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, and the new provisional entity primary EBV-positive nodal T/NK-cell lymphoma. EBV-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), although not included in the WHO classification because it is a reactive, inflammatory disease, is included in this review because it can be life-threatening and may have overlapping features with other EBV+ T/NK LPDs. EBV+ T/NK LPDs are rare diseases difficult to diagnose and manage properly, because some LPDs have unusual presentations, and discrepancies between clinical and histological findings might be encountered. Furthermore, EBV+ T/NK disorders share some clinico-pathological features, and may evolve into other categories during the clinical course, including malignant transformation of CAEBV. Here, we review the EBV+ T/NK LPDs in terms of their definitions, clinical features, histology, immunophenotype, molecular findings, and pathogenesis. This review aims to increase our understanding and awareness of the differential diagnosis among the different EBV+ T/NK LPDs. New insights into the genetic characteristics of these disorders will also be discussed.
Pairing in nuclear matter and finite nuclei
2019-03-15

Effects of pairing with isospin and are systematically studied in a model, which is based on a realistic nucleon-nucleon interaction and allows to describe the transition from infinite nuclear matter to finite nuclei. Special attention is paid to the development of the spin-orbit term in the mean field of nucleons in finite nuclei. The spin-orbit term yields a drastic suppression of proton-neutron pairing but does not lead to a complete disappearance in finite nuclei. Arguments are presented, why no clear evidence of pairing can be observed in the binding energies of finite nuclei.
Acquired arteriovenous fistula of a finger
2019-03-15

Summary. Arteriovenous fistulae are defined as congenital or acquired abnormal direct communications between an artery and a vein leading to abnormal blood circulation. This report describes an unusual manifestation of an acquired peripheral arteriovenous fistula with a high shunt volume of 410 ml/min following a fracture of the 5th finger.
Towards immersive stereo vision from a mobile platform
2019-03-15

In this paper, we propose a novel method for the 3D reconstruction of urban scenes using a front-facing stereo camera in a vehicle. Our point-based approach warps an active region of the reconstructed point cloud to the next frame and uses an extended information filter for the temporal fusion of clustered disparity estimates in pixel bins. We splat the information of projected pixels according to subpixel weights and discard uncertain points. This method allows us to remove redundant points required for the reconstruction and at the same time presents a significantly denser model than competing approaches with improved disparity estimates. Our approach avoids common visual artifacts like spurious objects in the reconstruction. This results in a reconstruction with higher visual fidelity compared to other approaches, which is important for immersive applications. We compare our proposed system to other approaches in a quantitative and qualitative evaluation on the KITTI odometry dataset.
A consistency account of advice taking: Integrating the effects of advice consensus and advice distance
2019-03-15

Which factors determine how individuals utilize advice? Previous research focused on either the consensus or the proximity of advice. We develop a general account of advice taking, arguing that both consensus and proximity influence the consistency (or variance) of the information on hand. From this account, we derive a number of predictions regarding the effects of consensus, distance, and amount of advice on confidence, judgment revision, and advice weighting. Across three experiments, we orthogonally manipulated the distance and consensus of advice. The amount of advice was either measured (Experiments 1 and 2) or manipulated (Experiment 3). The results provide strong support for our consistency account of advice taking. It allows explaining a complex pattern of findings that neither consensus nor proximity alone can account for. This research advances our theoretical understanding of advice taking, while adding to a broader literature that highlights the importance of consistency of information for judgment and decision making.
A consistency account of advice taking: Integrating the effects of advice consensus and advice distance
2019-03-15

&lt;p&gt;Which factors determine how individuals utilize advice? Previous research focused on either the consensus or the proximity of advice. We develop a general account of advice taking, arguing that both consensus and proximity influence the consistency (or variance) of the information on hand. From this account, we derive a number of predictions regarding the effects of consensus, distance, and amount of advice on confidence gains, judgment revision, and advice weighting. In two experiments, we manipulated advice distance continuously and consensus orthogonally to distance, while observing the amount of advice that individuals sampled. The results provide strong support for our consistency account of advice taking. It allows explaining a complex pattern of findings that neither consensus nor proximity alone can account for. This research advances our theoretical understanding of advice taking, while adding to a broader literature that highlights the importance of consistency of information for judgment and decision making.&lt;/p&gt;
Immunogenicity of the Currently Recommended Pneumococcal Vaccination Schedule in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
2019-03-16

Abstract Background Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk of invasive pneumococcal infections. Therefore, vaccination with the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) followed by 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) 2 months later is recommended. However, the level of immunogenicity induced by this vaccination schedule in IBD patients with and without immunosuppressive medication remains unclear. Methods We prospectively assessed the immunogenicity of PCV13 followed by PPSV23 in IBD patients by measuring serotype-specific pneumococcal immunoglobulin G antibody concentrations at baseline and 4–8 weeks postvaccination. Response to vaccination was defined as a postvaccination antibody concentration ≥1.3 μg/mL for 70% of the measured serotypes. We analyzed the immunogenic effect of 4 different medication regimens: (1) conventional immunomodulators (ie, oral prednisolone &amp;gt;10 mg/day, thiopurines, methotrexate); (2) anti–tumor necrosis factor agents; (3) combination therapy; and (4) no treatment with immunosuppressive agents (control group). Results One hundred forty-one IBD patients were included, of whom 37 were controls. Adequate response to vaccination was 59% (61/104) in patients using immunosuppressive agents (groups 1–3) vs 81% (30/37) in controls (odds ratio, 0.33 [95% confidence interval, .13–.82]). A combination of different immunosuppressive drugs most severely impaired the immune response to pneumococcal vaccination (response, 52% [15/29]). Conclusions Although the sequential vaccination schedule of PCV13 followed by PPSV23 is safe, immunogenic, and thus beneficial in the majority of IBD patients, those receiving immunosuppressive agents, and especially those receiving combination therapy, have an impaired immune response compared to controls. Therefore, preferably, vaccinations should be administered before the initiation of immunosuppressive therapy. Clinical Trials Registration Dutch trial register #6315.