julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Organic and inorganic carbon in the topsoil of the Mongolian and Tibetan grasslands: pattern, control and implications
2012-06-27

Abstract. Soil carbon (C) is the largest C pool in the terrestrial biosphere and includes both inorganic and organic components. Studying patterns and controls of soil C help us to understand and estimate potential responses of soil C to global change in the future. Here we analyzed topsoil data of 81 sites obtained from a regional survey across grasslands in the Inner Mongolia and on the Tibetan Plateau during 2006–2007, attempting to find the patterns and controls of soil inorganic carbon (SIC) and soil organic carbon (SOC). The averages of inorganic and organic carbon in the topsoil (0–20 cm) across the study region were 0.38% and 3.63%, ranging between 0.00–2.92% and 0.32–26.17% respectively. Both SIC and SOC in the Tibetan grasslands (0.51% and 5.24% respectively) were higher than those in the Inner Mongolian grasslands (0.21% and 1.61%). Regression tree analyses showed that the spatial pattern of SIC and SOC were controlled by different factors. Chemical and physical processes of soil formation drive the spatial pattern of SIC, while biotic processes drive the spatial pattern of SOC. SIC was controlled by soil acidification and other processes depending on soil pH. Vegetation type is the most important variable driving the spatial pattern of SOC. According to our models, given the acidification rate in Chinese grassland soils in the future is the same as that in Chinese cropland soils during the past two decades: 0.27 and 0.48 units per 20 yr in the Inner Mongolian grasslands and the Tibetan grasslands respectively, it will lead to a 30% and 53% decrease in SIC in the Inner Mongolian grasslands and the Tibetan grasslands respectively. However, negative relationship between soil pH and SOC suggests that acidification will inhibit decomposition of SOC, thus will not lead to a significant general loss of carbon from soils in these regions.
Poisoning Attacks against Support Vector Machines
2012-06-27

We investigate a family of poisoning attacks against Support Vector Machines (SVM). Such attacks inject specially crafted training data that increases the SVM’s test error. Central to the motivation for these attacks is the fact that most learning algorithms assume that their training data comes from a natural or well-behaved distribution. However, this assumption does not generally hold in security-sensitive settings. As we demonstrate, an intelligent adversary can, to some extent, predict the change of the SVM’s decision function due to malicious input and use this ability to construct malicious data. The proposed attack uses a gradient ascent strategy in which the gradient is computed based on properties of the SVM’s optimal solution. This method can be kernelized and enables the attack to be constructed in the input space even for non-linear kernels. We experimentally demonstrate that our gradient ascent procedure reliably identifies good local maxima of the non-convex validation error surface, which significantly increases the classifier’s test error. 1.
Early Pottery at 20,000 Years Ago in Xianrendong Cave, China
2012-06-28

Pots and Crocks The invention of pottery allowed for more secure storage of food than was provided by baskets or hide pouches, and the vessels could also be used in cooking. The earliest pottery has been thought to have appeared in China and Japan ∼18,000 years ago, several thousands of years before the advent of agriculture. Wu et al. (p. 1696 ); see the Perspective by Shelach ) have now dated broken pieces of pottery from a cave in China, the earliest of which date to ∼20,000 years ago, the time of the Last Glacial Maximum. Scorch marks on many pieces imply that the pottery was used in cooking.
Routinely available biomarkers improve prediction of long-term mortality in stable coronary artery disease: the Vienna and Ludwigshafen Coronary Artery Disease (VILCAD) risk score
2012-06-28

The VILCAD score based on a routinely available set of risk factors, measures of cardiac function, and comorbidities outperforms established risk prediction algorithms and might improve the identification of high-risk patients for a more intensive treatment.
Photonic Crystal Light Collectors in Fish Retina Improve Vision in Turbid Water
2012-06-28

Seeing in the Dark Elephantnose fish are known to use electrosensing to navigate their murky freshwater environment. However, unlike some other animals from dark environments, they have retained their eyes and some dependence on vision. While most vertebrate vision optimizes either photon catch (for increased light capture) or visual acuity, Kreysing et al. (p. 1700 ) show that the unique structures of the grouped retinae found in the eyes of this species matches rod and cone sensitivity, which allows for the simultaneous use of both types of photoreceptors over a large range of dim light intensities.
Intracellular cyclophilin A is an important Ca2+ regulator in platelets and critically involved in arterial thrombus formation
2012-06-28

Abstract Platelet adhesion and aggregation play a critical role in primary hemostasis. Uncontrolled platelet activation leads to pathologic thrombus formation and organ failure. The decisive central step for different processes of platelet activation is the increase in cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i). Activation-dependent depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores triggers Ca2+ entry from the extracellular space. Stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) has been identified as a Ca2+ sensor that regulates store-operated Ca2+ entry through activation of the pore-forming subunit Orai1, the major store-operated Ca2+ entry channel in platelets. In the present study, we show for the first time that the chaperone protein cyclophilin A (CyPA) acts as a Ca2+ modulator in platelets. CyPA deficiency strongly blunted activation-induced Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores and Ca2+ influx from the extracellular compartment and thus impaired platelet activation substantially. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of the Ca2+ sensor STIM1 was abrogated upon CyPA deficiency, as shown by immunoprecipitation studies. In a mouse model of arterial thrombosis, CyPA-deficient mice were protected against arterial thrombosis, whereas bleeding time was not affected. The results of the present study identified CyPA as an important Ca2+ regulator in platelets, a critical mechanism for arterial thrombosis.
Prolonged percutaneous SNM testing does not cause infection‐related explanation
2012-06-28

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Sacral neuromodulation ( SNM ) is an effective treatment option of different pelvic‐related dysfunctions. SNM evaluation by either temporary or permanent electrodes is generally accepted. Extended testing with temporary electrodes has been reported on before but less is known about infection‐related risks during prolonged evaluation with definitive electrodes. The present findings show that prolonged testing (mean = 52.3 days) with permanent electrodes does not increase infection‐associated explantation rates, although bacterial colonization was found in more than one‐third of the patients. Prolonged SNM evaluation under everyday conditions might improve long‐term success. Objective To evaluate the impact of prolonged stage 1 testing on bacterial electrode colonization, infection and treatment success. Materials and Methods In all, 21 patients who underwent sacral neuromodulation ( SNM ) for periods ≥1 month were prospectively evaluated; nine patients had overactive bladder syndrome ( OAB ), 10 had urinary retention, two had faecal incontinence ( FI ), and 13 had diabetes and overweight/obesity. After stage 1 testing electrode extension leads were microbiologically analysed to assess bacterial colonization. The primary measurements were pre‐ and post‐ SNM treatment comparisons based on patient‐agreed criteria using an increased 70% minimum improvement rate; secondary measurements were bacterial colonization and impact of infection. Results The mean stage 1 evaluation period was 52.3 days; 16 patients (76%) progressed to stage 2, and five patients were explanted due to inadequate improvement (&lt;70%). There was bacterial colonization in 42.9% of patients and 38.2% of extension leads. Stage 2 patients showed no infection or wound‐healing disorders at a mean follow‐up of 33.9 months. The success rate for stage 2 implantation treatment was 94%. Conclusions There are few studies in the literature evaluating SNM testing periods vs the risk of clinically relevant implant infection rates. The present study shows that prolonged testing could potentially enhance treatment efficacy without infection‐related explantations of the chronic implant, despite the identification of bacteria. SNM ‐implanted patients with diabetes mellitus or obesity should be followed closely. Clinicians might consider using prolonged testing under everyday conditions. Prolonged SNM stage 1 testing is a very effective minimally invasive treatment option to evaluate pelvic‐related dysfunction.
Dual Inhibition of Phosphodiesterase-4 and p38 MAP Kinase: A Strategy for Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Diseases
2012-06-28

The rationale for selecting p38α MAPK as a target for pharmacological intervention was based on the elucidation of its key role in the regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, the observations that p38α MAPK is highly activated in inflamed tissue from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and on the demonstrated anti-inflammatory efficacy of many p38 MAPK inhibitors in experimental disease models, which was associated with cytokine suppression. Unfortunately, the efficacy of all p38α MAPK inhibitors, which were advanced to clinical trials, was not superior to that of placebo. Although the exact molecular mechanism behind this unexpected outcome has not yet been elucidated, p38 MAPK is generally no longer considered as a valid target for treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. Inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) are also potent anti-inflammatory drugs and many candidates were advanced to clinical development. However, in vivo, the drug-mediated PDE4-inhibition is associated with nausea and emesis as major side-effects and so far, for most PDE4-inhibitors, the therapeutic window was not big enough to achieve a significant clinical benefit at tolerated doses. p38 MAPK inhibitors of the chemical class of pyridinylimidazoles have been intensely investigated and, since the discovery of SB203580, many derivatives with substantially improved kinase selectivity and reduced liver toxicity potential have been described. As a matter of serendipity, rather than as a result of rational design, a subset of the class of 2-methanesulfinyl imidazoles, which are less potent p38α/β MAPK inhibitors, also showed affinity to PDE4 and inhibit this target at sub-μM concentrations. Results of first experimental in-vivo models of acute and chronic inflammation suggest that a moderate inhibition of p38α MAPK contributes the anti-inflammatory effect of PDE4-inhibitors, which could translate into clinical efficacy at sub-ematogenic doses.
The Overcrowded Borazine Derivative of Hexabenzotriphenylene Obtained through Dehydrohalogenation
2012-06-29

Abstract Treatment of 9‐chloro‐9‐bora‐10‐azaphenanthrene with potassium hexamethyldisilazide yields the borazine derivative of hexabenzotriphenylene ( 4 ). This compound, the formal trimer of 9,10‐azaboraphenanthryne ( 6 ), is soluble in organic solvents and was fully characterized. The tetramer of 6 is formed as a byproduct in the previously described high‐temperature synthesis of 4 .
Allele Summation of Diabetes Risk Genes Predicts Impaired Glucose Tolerance in Female and Obese Individuals
2012-06-29

We found that T2D genetic risk alleles cause an increased risk for IGT. This effect was not present in male, lean and insulin sensitive subjects, suggesting a protective role of beneficial environmental factors on the genetic risk.
Enterococcus faecium Stimulates Human Neutrophils via the Formyl-Peptide Receptor 2
2012-06-29

The human formyl-peptide receptor 2 (FPR2/ALX) senses phenol-soluble modulin (PSM) peptide toxins produced by pathogenic staphylococcal species and plays a crucial role in directing neutrophil influx during staphylococcal infection. However, it has remained unclear if FPR2 responds also to molecules from other bacterial pathogens. Here we analyzed a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens and found that apart from staphylococci only certain enterococcal strains have the capacity to stimulate FPR2/ALX. Most of the analyzed Enterococcus faecium but only sporadic Enterococcus faecalis strains released FPR2/ALX-stimulating molecules leading to neutrophil calcium ion fluxes, chemotaxis, and complement receptor upregulation. Among ten test strains vancomycin-resistant E. faecium had a significantly higher capacity to stimulate FPR2/ALX than vancomycin-susceptible strains, suggesting an association of strong FPR2/ALX activation with health-care associated strains. The enterococcal FPR2/ALX agonists were found to be peptides or proteins, which appear, however, to be unrelated to staphylococcal PSMs in sequence and physicochemical properties. Enterococci are among the most frequent invasive bacterial pathogens but the basis of enterococcal virulence and immune activation has remained incompletely understood. Our study indicates that previously unrecognized proteinaceous agonists contribute to Enterococcus-host interaction and underscores the importance of FPR2/ALX in host defense against major endogenous bacterial pathogens.
Body iron stores and risk of type 2 diabetes: results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Potsdam study
2012-06-30

High ferritin levels are associated with higher risk of type 2 diabetes independently of established diabetes risk factors and a range of diabetes biomarkers whereas soluble transferrin receptor concentrations are not related to risk. These results support the hypothesis that higher iron stores below the level of haemochromatosis are associated with risk of type 2 diabetes.
Professor Leon Kozłowski as a man, scientist, politician and his influence into Wrocław archaeology
2012-06-30

The most outstanding archaeologist and professor at John Casimir University in Lviv as well as and a acknowledged politician (among others the Prime Minister (1934– 1935) of the Second Republic of Poland) was Professor Leon Kozłowski (1892–1944), a student of E. Majewski from Warsaw, R.R. Schmidt from the University of Tübingen and W. Demetrykiewicz from the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. As a professor of John Casimir University he cooperated with V. Gordon Childe from the UK and H. Breuil from France, the most outstanding archaeologists in Europe at that time. His publications stand out with a clear and well-argued reasoning, great dash and thorough knowledge of the materials and concepts of the time. He was also an excellent teacher of many Polish and Ukrainian archaeologists. After 1939, he was imprisoned and tortured in the Soviet Union and Germany, where he died in unknown circumstances in 1944. Among his pupils was Helena Cehak-Hołubowiczowa (1902–1979), who, with her husband Włodzimierz Hołubowicz (1908–1962), worked in the years 1931–1939 at the Stefan Batory University in Vilnius and between 1943 and 1945 they were the forced labourers in Austria. They both, since 1950, were employed at the University of Wroclaw and developed archaeology according to the ideas of Leon Kozłowski. Włodzimierz Hołubowicz developed the methodics and methodology of archaeology and Helena Cehak-Hołubowiczowa dealt with the religious beliefs of prehistoric and early medieval societies. Th ey educated many students who are now employees of the Institute of Archaeology at the University of Wroclaw, and other institutions.
Models, forests, and trees of York English:Was/werevariation as a case study for statistical practice
2012-07-01

Abstract What is the explanation for vigorous variation between was and were in plural existential constructions, and what is the optimal tool for analyzing it? Previous studies of this phenomenon have used the variable rule program, a generalized linear model; however, recent developments in statistics have introduced new tools, including mixed-effects models, random forests, and conditional inference trees that may open additional possibilities for data exploration, analysis, and interpretation. In a step-by-step demonstration, we show how this well-known variable benefits from these complementary techniques. Mixed-effects models provide a principled way of assessing the importance of random-effect factors such as the individuals in the sample. Random forests provide information about the importance of predictors, whether factorial or continuous, and do so also for unbalanced designs with high multicollinearity, cases for which the family of linear models is less appropriate. Conditional inference trees straightforwardly visualize how multiple predictors operate in tandem. Taken together, the results confirm that polarity, distance from verb to plural element, and the nature of the DP are significant predictors. Ongoing linguistic change and social reallocation via morphologization are operational. Furthermore, the results make predictions that can be tested in future research. We conclude that variationist research can be substantially enriched by an expanded tool kit.
Serum markers lactate dehydrogenase and S100B predict independently disease outcome in melanoma patients with distant metastasis
2012-07-01

The serum markers LDH and S100B were both found to be prognostic factors in melanoma patients with distant metastasis. Furthermore, complete metastasectomy had an independent favourable prognostic impact in particular for the patient subgroup with normal LDH and S100B values.
Practical Finite State Optimality Theory
2012-07-01

Previous work for encoding Optimality Theory grammars as finite-state transducers has included two prominent approaches: the socalled ‘counting’ method where constraint violations are counted and filtered out to some set limit of approximability in a finite-state system, and the ‘matching’ method, where constraint violations in alternative strings are matched through violation alignment in order to remove suboptimal candidates. In this paper we extend the matching approach to show how not only markedness constraints, but also faithfulness constraints and the interaction of the two types of constraints can be captured by the matching method. This often produces exact and small FST representations for OT grammars which we illustrate with two practical example grammars. We also provide a new proof of nonregularity of simple OT grammars.
Rare hereditary diseases with defects in DNA-repair
2012-07-01

The human genome is constantly exposed to various sources of DNA damage. Ineffective protection from this damage leads to genetic instability which can ultimately give rise to somatic disease, causing mutations. Therefore our organism commands a number of highly conserved and effective mechanisms responsible for DNA repair. If these repair mechanisms are defective due to germline mutations in relevant genes, rare diseases with DNA repair deficiencies can arise. Today, a limited number of rare hereditary diseases characterized by genetic defects of DNA repair mechanisms is known, comprising ataxia telangiectasia, Nijmegen breakage syndrome, Werner syndrome, Bloom Syndrome, Fanconi anemia, xeroderma pigmentosum, Cockayne syndrome, trichothiodystrophy. Although heterogeneous in respect to selected symptoms, these rare disorders share many clinical features such as growth retardation, neurological disorders, premature ageing, skin alterations including abnormal pigmentation, telangiectasia, xerosis cutis, pathological wound healing as well as an increased risk of developing different types of cancer. Based on the clinical similarities of symptoms as well as the predominant diagnostic technology available, many of these rare disorders were formerly classified as genodermatoses with cancer predisposition or chromosomal breakage symptoms. These pathological conditions not only severely impair patients with these rare genetic diseases but also represent symptoms affecting large parts of the general population.
Platelets in Angiogenesis
2012-07-01

Platelets hold an important function as first line of response to seal wounds after vascular and tissue injury. However, they are much more than just a component of the haemostatic system. They are involved in tissue regeneration and play a role in different pathologic conditions such as atherosclerosis or tumour progression. Angiogenesis being involved in these processes, as well, may represent one of the (patho-) physiological mechanisms, which are modulated by platelets thereby affecting disease. In other diseases involving inflammation, the role of platelets for endothelial cells, which are the most important cell type in angiogenesis, is well established. Recent effort has now highlighted a potential role of platelets and platelet derived mediators for angiogenesis. This article reviews our current understanding of the role of platelets for angiogenesis and how this knowledge could affect future directions in research and therapy.
Adverse Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Remediation in Schizophrenia
2012-07-01

This study examined the frequency and extent of detrimental effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for psychosis. In a randomized clinical trial, we investigated the efficacy of CBT for the reduction of negative symptoms as compared with cognitive remediation (CR) in schizophrenia patients (n = 198). Safety was addressed through assessment of severe adverse events (SAEs), which were defined as suicides, suicide attempts, suicidal crises, and severe symptom exacerbations over a period of 12 months after inclusion in the study. Monthly assessments with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms allowed for the analysis of symptom increases during the treatment. There were no suicides in the trial. SAEs were observed in 10 CBT and 5 CR patients. Increases in negative symptoms occurred in 64 CBT and 58 CR patients. These differences were not significant. The maximum increase in negative symptoms under treatment, as compared with the baseline, was equal to an effect size of -0.66 in CBT patients and -0.77 in CR patients. Thus, the SAE rate was comparable between both interventions and was relatively low, given the severity of the psychotic disorder. Therapists should be aware of a subgroup of patients who show symptom increases with large effect sizes and might require more intensive care.