julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Asia and the Saudi-Iranian “Cold War”: The Desirability of Non-Alignment, the Prospects for Détente, and the Chances of an Asian Peace Initiative
2020-04-02

The Saudi-Iranian enmity is a central element in the Middle East’s post-2011 violence. These two countries are at ‘Cold War,’ backing proxy allies, which fuels many of the region’s conflicts. Hence, any attempt at regional pacification will require mediation between Saudi Arabia and Iran by powerful neutral stakeholders. To that end, this paper suggests an initiative by the Persian Gulf’s most important economic partners, China and India, an idea benefiting from their leverage-enhancing hydrocarbon market importance as well as their ‘non-aligned status’ in the conflict. Using the historical analogy of the 20th century Cold War between East and West as a loose framework, the paper identifies possible diplomatic and institutional mechanisms to achieve a Gulf détente and peace. It argues that these may be found in the historic Helsinki Accords and that a similar approach to the Saudi-Iranian Cold War should be attempted to prevent further regional and global conflict.
Disconnection somewhere down the line: Multivariate lesion-symptom mapping of the line bisection error
2020-04-02

Abstract Line Bisection is a simple task frequently used in stroke patients to diagnose disorders of spatial perception characterized by a directional bisection bias to the ipsilesional side. However, previous anatomical and behavioural findings are contradictory, and the diagnostic validity of the line bisection task has been challenged. We hereby aimed to re-analyse the anatomical basis of pathological line bisection by using multivariate lesion-symptom mapping and disconnection-symptom mapping based on support vector regression in a sample of 163 right hemispheric acute stroke patients. In line with some previous studies, we observed that pathological line bisection was related to more than a single focal lesion location. Cortical damage primarily to right parietal areas, particularly the inferior parietal lobe, including the angular gyrus, as well as damage to the right basal ganglia contributed to the pathology. In contrast to some previous studies, an involvement of frontal cortical brain areas in the line bisection task was not observed. Subcortically, damage to the right superior longitudinal fasciculus (I, II and III) and arcuate fasciculus as well as the internal capsule was associated with line bisection errors. Moreover, white matter damage of interhemispheric fibre bundles, such as the anterior commissure and posterior parts of the corpus callosum projecting into the left hemisphere, was predictive of pathological deviation in the line bisection task.
Downward remagnetization of a ∼74-m-thick zone in lake sediments from palaeo-Lake Idaho (NW United States)—Locating the Gauss/Matuyama geomagnetic boundary within a dual-polarity zone
2020-04-02

SUMMARY Remagnetization is an important issue in palaeomagnetism. Here, we discuss an extraordinarily thick (∼74 m) dual-polarity transition zone between the Gauss and Matuyama Chrons. The studied succession is from a drill core through lacustrine sediments of palaeo-Lake Idaho (Snake River Plain, NW United States of America) that are intercalated with basalt units. We identified detrital Ti-rich titanomagnetite and magnetite in lamellar exsolutions as the main carriers of a primary remanence, likely derived from the basalts that erupted in the Snake River Plain. Stepwise thermal demagnetization revealed a single-component remanent magnetization with reversed and normal polarities above and below the transition zone, respectively. Based on rock-magnetic results, microscopic observations, and previously known events in the evolution of palaeo-Lake Idaho, the reversed-polarity component in the transition zone represents a secondary chemical remanent magnetization caused by magnetic mineral alteration or partial neo-formation of magnetite, in association with strong depletion of the primary detrital magnetic minerals that affected a wide depth range below the level where the remagnetization event occurred. This remagnetization event was most likely related to lake-level lowering and partial desiccation of palaeo-Lake Idaho. Understanding the nature and origin of the remagnetization allows to identify the polarity boundary in the unusual case of a secondary magnetization with reversed polarity produced downward in a sequence to an extraordinary large depth. Based on available age information, the observed reversal represents the Gauss/Matuyama boundary, which provides an important age constraint for palaeoclimatic interpretation of the succession.
Structural Basis for EGFR Mutant Inhibition by Trisubstituted Imidazole Inhibitors
2020-04-03

Acquired drug resistance in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutant non-small-cell lung cancer is a persistent challenge in cancer therapy. Previous studies of trisubstituted imidazole inhibitors led to the serendipitous discovery of inhibitors that target the drug resistant EGFR(L858R/T790M/C797S) mutant with nanomolar potencies in a reversible binding mechanism. To dissect the molecular basis for their activity, we determined the binding modes of several trisubstituted imidazole inhibitors in complex with the EGFR kinase domain with X-ray crystallography. These structures reveal that the imidazole core acts as an H-bond acceptor for the catalytic lysine (K745) in the "αC-helix out" inactive state. Selective N-methylation of the H-bond accepting nitrogen ablates inhibitor potency, confirming the role of the K745 H-bond in potent, noncovalent inhibition of the C797S variant. Insights from these studies offer new strategies for developing next generation inhibitors targeting EGFR in non-small-cell lung cancer.
Training Decision Trees as Replacement for Convolution Layers
2020-04-03

We present an alternative layer to convolution layers in convolutional neural networks (CNNs). Our approach reduces the complexity of convolutions by replacing it with binary decisions. Those binary decisions are used as indexes to conditional distributions where each weight represents a leaf in a decision tree. This means that only the indices to the weights need to be determined once, thus reducing the complexity of convolutions by the depth of the output tensor. Index computation is performed by simple binary decisions that require fewer cycles compared to conventionally used multiplications. In addition, we show how convolutions can be replaced by binary decisions. These binary decisions form indices in the conditional distributions and we show how they are used to replace 2D weight matrices as well as 3D weight tensors. These new layers can be trained like convolution layers in CNNs based on the backpropagation algorithm, for which we provide a formalization. Our results on multiple publicly available data sets show that our approach performs similar to conventional neuronal networks. Beyond the formalized reduction of complexity and the improved qualitative performance, we show the runtime improvement empirically compared to convolution layers.
High-resolution distributed vertical strain and velocity from repeat borehole logging by optical televiewer: Derwael Ice Rise, Antarctica
2020-04-03

Abstract Direct measurements of spatially distributed vertical strain within ice masses are scientifically valuable but challenging to acquire. We use manual marker tracking and automatic cross correlation between two repeat optical televiewer (OPTV) images of an ~100 m-long borehole at Derwael Ice Rise (DIR), Antarctica, to reconstruct discretised, vertical strain rate and velocity at millimetre resolution. The resulting profiles decay with depth, from −0.07 a −1 at the surface to ~−0.002 a −1 towards the base in strain and from −1.3 m a −1 at the surface to ~−0.5 m a −1 towards the base in velocity. Both profiles also show substantial local variability. Three coffee-can markers installed at different depths into adjacent boreholes record consistent strain rates and velocities, although averaged over longer depth ranges and subject to greater uncertainty. Measured strain-rate profiles generally compare closely with output from a 2-D ice-flow model, while the former additionally reveal substantial high-resolution variability. We conclude that repeat OPTV borehole logging represents an effective means of measuring distributed vertical strain at millimetre scale, revealing high-resolution variability along the uppermost ~100 m of DIR, Antarctica.
Dermoscopy Training Effect on Diagnostic Accuracy of Skin Lesions in Canadian Family Medicine Physicians Using the Triage Amalgamated Dermoscopic Algorithm
2020-04-03

Background: Accurate identification of cutaneous lesions is an essential skill for family medicine physicians (FMPs). Studies show significant improvement in skin cancer detection with dermoscopy use. Frontline FMPs are an ideal target group for dermoscopy training. The 3-step Triage Amalgamated Dermoscopic Algorithm (TADA) facilitates high sensitivity and specificity for pigmented and nonpigmented skin lesions. Step I requires unequivocal identification of dermoscopic features for 1 of 3 benign skin lesions: angioma, dermatofibroma, or seborrheic keratosis. If absent, steps II and III are applied assessing for features of architectural disorder and malignancies with organized, symmetric patterns, respectively.&#x0D; Objective: To assess FMPs’ diagnostic accuracy of benign and malignant skin lesions before and after training in TADA step I.&#x0D; Methods: In this repeated-measures observational study, 33 dermoscopy-naive FMPs attending an introductory dermoscopy workshop each assessed gross and corresponding dermoscopic photographic images of 50 pigmented and nonpigmented skin lesions (23 benign, 27 malignant) for features of TADA step I lesions before and after training. Analyses compared diagnostic accuracy in relation to training and baseline physician characteristics.&#x0D; Results: Diagnostic accuracy improved from 76.4% to 90.8% (P &lt; 0.001) and from 85.0% to 90.0% (P = 0.01), respectively, for all lesions and for all TADA I lesions. Female sex was significant as a predictor of individual posttraining performance (all lesions combined, P = 0.02).&#x0D; Conclusions: Results show significant improvement in diagnostic accuracies for benign and malignant skin lesions with introductory dermoscopy training using TADA step I. This will reduce unnecessary benign lesion excision and enhance referral sensitivity, conserving specialist resources.
Precursor flares of short gamma-ray bursts from crust yielding due to tidal resonances in coalescing binaries of rotating, magnetized neutron stars
2020-04-03

As evidenced by the coincident detections of GW170817 and GRB 170817A, short\\ngamma-ray bursts are likely associated with neutron star-neutron star merger\\nevents. Although rare, some bursts display episodes of early emission, with\\nprecursor flares being observed up to seconds prior to the main\\nburst. As the stars inspiral due to gravitational wave emission, the exertion\\nof mutual tidal forces leads to the excitation of stellar oscillation modes,\\nwhich may come into resonance with the orbital motion. Mode amplitudes increase\\nsubstantially during a period of resonance as tidal energy is deposited into\\nthe star. The neutron star crust experiences shear stress due to the\\noscillations and, if the resonant amplitudes are large enough, may become\\nover-strained. This over-straining can lead to fractures or quakes which\\nrelease energy, thereby fueling precursor activity prior to the merger. Using\\nsome simple Maclaurin spheroid models, we investigate the influence of magnetic\\nfields and rapid rotation on tidally-forced - and - modes, and connect\\nthe associated eigenfrequencies with the orbital frequencies corresponding to\\nprecursor events seen in, for example, GRB 090510.\\n
Deep XMM-Newton observations of the northern disc of M31
2020-04-03

Aims. We use new deep XMM-Newton observations of the northern disc of M31 to trace the hot interstellar medium (ISM) in unprecedented detail and to characterise the physical properties of the X-ray emitting plasmas. Methods. We used all XMM-Newton data up to and including our new observations to produce the most detailed image yet of the hot ISM plasma in a grand design spiral galaxy such as our own. We compared the X-ray morphology to multi-wavelength studies in the literature to set it in the context of the multi-phase ISM. We performed spectral analyses on the extended emission using our new observations as they offer sufficient depth and count statistics to constrain the plasma properties. Data from the Panchromatic Hubble Andromeda Treasury were used to estimate the energy injected by massive stars and their supernovae. We compared these results to the hot gas properties. Results. The brightest emission regions were found to be correlated with populations of massive stars, notably in the 10 kpc star-forming ring. The plasma temperatures in the ring regions are ~0.2 up to ~0.6 keV. We suggest this emission is hot ISM heated in massive stellar clusters and superbubbles. We derived X-ray luminosities, densities, and pressures for the gas in each region. We also found large extended emission filling low density gaps in the dust morphology of the northern disc, notably between the 5 and 10 kpc star-forming rings. We propose that the hot gas was heated and expelled into the gaps by the populations of massive stars in the rings. Conclusions. It is clear that the massive stellar populations are responsible for heating the ISM to X-ray emitting temperatures, filling their surroundings, and possibly driving the hot gas into the low density regions. Overall, the morphology and spectra of the hot gas in the northern disc of M31 is similar to other galaxy discs.
Papillary tumor of the pineal region: a single-center experience
2020-04-03

Abstract Papillary tumor of the pineal region (PTPR) is a rare entity. Its clinical presentation is diverse, and establishing an accurate and timely diagnosis may be challenging. Treatment recommendations are based on the evidence level of case series. Recently, several key advances have been made for immunohistochemical characterization, molecular diagnostics, and neurosurgical treatment of PTPR. Here, we describe our single-center experience.
A 2-year longitudinal study of neuropsychological functioning, psychosocial adjustment and rehospitalisation in schizophrenia and major depression
2020-04-03

Abstract Neuropsychological functioning turns out to be a rate-limiting factor in psychiatry. However, little is known when comparing neuropsychological and psychosocial functioning in inpatients with schizophrenia or severe depression in their treatment pathways including add-on psychoeducation or the latter combined with cognitive behavioral therapy up to 2-year follow-up. To evaluate this question, we investigated these variables in two randomised controlled trials including 196 patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia and 177 patients with major depression. Outcome measures were assessed in the hospital at pre- and posttreatment and following discharge until 2-year follow-up. We focused on neuropsychological and psychosocial functioning regarding its differences and changes over time in data of two pooled trials. There were significant time effects indicating gains in knowledge about the illness, short and medium-term memory (VLMT) and psychosocial functioning (GAF), however, the latter was the only variable showing a time x study/diagnosis interaction effect at 2-year follow-up, showing significant better outcome in depression compared to schizophrenia. Moderator analysis showed no changes in psychosocial and neuropsychological functioning in schizophrenia and in affective disorders due to age, duration of illness or sex. Looking at the rehospitalisation rates there were no significant differences between both disorders. Both groups treated with psychoeducation or a combination of psychoeducation and CBT improved in neuropsychological and psychosocial functioning as well as knowledge about the illness at 2-year follow-up, however, patients with major depression showed greater gains in psychosocial functioning compared to patients with schizophrenia. Possible implications of these findings were discussed.
Phase alignment of low-frequency neural activity to the amplitude envelope of speech reflects evoked responses to acoustic edges, not oscillatory entrainment
2020-04-03

Abstract The amplitude envelope of speech is crucial for accurate comprehension. Considered a key stage in speech processing, the phase of neural activity in the theta-delta bands (1 - 10 Hz) tracks the phase of the speech amplitude envelope during listening. However, the mechanisms underlying this envelope representation have been heavily debated. A dominant model posits that envelope tracking reflects entrainment of endogenous low-frequency oscillations to the speech envelope. Alternatively, envelope tracking reflects a series of evoked responses to acoustic landmarks within the envelope. It has proven challenging to distinguish these two mechanisms. To address this, we recorded magnetoencephalography while participants listened to natural speech, and compared the neural phase patterns to the predictions of two computational models: An oscillatory entrainment model and a model of evoked responses to peaks in the rate of envelope change. Critically, we also presented speech at slowed rates, where the spectrotemporal predictions of the two models diverge. Our analyses revealed transient theta phase-locking in regular speech, as predicted by both models. However, for slow speech we found transient theta and delta phase-locking, a pattern that was fully compatible with the evoked response model but could not be explained by the oscillatory entrainment model. Furthermore, encoding of acoustic edge magnitudes was invariant to contextual speech rate, demonstrating speech rate normalization of acoustic edge representations. Taken together, our results suggest that neural phase locking to the speech envelope is more likely to reflect discrete representation of transient information rather than oscillatory entrainment.
The views of physicians and nurses on the potentials of an electronic assessment system for recognizing the needs of patients in palliative care
2020-04-04

Abstract Objectives Patients in oncological and palliative care (PC) often have complex needs, which require a comprehensive treatment approach. The assessment of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) has been shown to improve identification of patient needs and foster adjustment of treatment. This study explores occupational routines, attitudes and expectations of physicians and nurses with regards to a planned electronic assessment system of PROs. Methods Ten physicians and nine nurses from various PC settings in Southern Germany were interviewed. The interviews were analysed with qualitative content analysis. Results The interviewees were sceptical about the quality of data generated through a patient self-assessment system. They criticised the rigidity of the electronic assessment questionnaire, which the interviewees noted may not fit the profile of all palliative patients. They feared the loss of personal contact between medical staff and patients and favoured in-person conversation and on-site observations on site over the potential system. Interviewees saw potential in being able to discover unseen needs from some patients. Interviewees evaluated the system positively in the case that the system served to broadly orient care plans without affecting or reducing the patient-caregiver relationship. Conclusions A significant portion of the results touch upon the symbolic acceptance of the suggested system, which stands for an increasing standardisation and technisation of medicine where interpersonal contact and the professional expertise are marginalized. The study results can provide insight for processes and communication in the run-up to and during the implementation of electronic assessment systems.
Lin28 reprograms inner ear glia to a neuronal fate
2020-04-04

Abstract Sensorineural hearing loss is irreversible and can be caused by loss of auditory neurons. Regeneration of neural cells from endogenous cells may offer a future tool to restore the auditory circuit and to enhance the performance of implantable hearing devices. Neurons and glial cells in the peripheral nervous system are closely related and originate from a common progenitor. Prior work in our lab indicated that in the early postnatal mouse inner ear, proteolipid protein 1 (Plp1) expressing glial cells could act as progenitor cells for neurons in vitro. Here, we used a transgenic mouse model to transiently overexpress Lin28, a neural stem cell regulator, in Plp1-positive glial cells. Lin28 promoted proliferation and conversion of auditory glial cells into neurons in vitro. To study the effects of Lin28 on endogenous glial cells after loss of auditory neurons in vivo, we produced a model of auditory neuropathy by selectively damaging auditory neurons with ouabain. After neural damage was confirmed by the auditory brainstem response, we briefly upregulated the Lin28 in Plp1-expressing inner ear glial cells. One month later, we analyzed the cochlea for neural marker expression by quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. We found that transient Lin28 overexpression in Plp1-expressing glial cells induced expression of neural stem cell markers and subsequent conversion into neurons. This suggests the potential for inner ear glia to be converted into neurons as a regeneration therapy for neural replacement in auditory neuropathy.