julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Flight initiation distance and escape behavior in the black redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)
2019-04-05

Abstract There are many anti‐predatory escape strategies in animals. A well‐established method to assess escape behavior is the flight initiation distance (FID), which is the distance between prey and predator at which an animal flees. Previous studies in various species throughout the animal kingdom have shown that group size, urbanization, and distance to refuge and body mass affect FID. In most species, FID increases if body mass, group size or distance to refuge decreases. However, how age and sexual dimorphism affect FID is rather unknown. Here, we assess the escape behavior and FID of the black redstart ( Phoenicurus ochruros ), a small turdid passerine. When approached by a human, males initiated flights later, that is allowing a closer approach than females. Males of this species are more conspicuous, and therefore, may exhibit aposematism to deter potential predators or are less fearful than females. Additionally, juveniles fled at shorter distances and fled to lower heights than adults. Lastly, concerning escape strategy, black redstarts, unless other passerine birds, fled less often into cover, but rather onto open or elevated spots. Black redstarts are especially prone to predation by ambushing predators that might hide in cover. Hence, this species most likely has a higher chance of escaping by fleeing to an open spot rather than to a potentially risky cover.
Value Beliefs About Math
2019-04-05

Abstract. This study proposed an improved representation of the factor structure of the Gaspard et al. (2015) value beliefs about math scale relying on bifactor exploratory structural equation modeling (B-ESEM). Using a convenience sample of 537 Italian students (327 males; M age = 18.2), our results supported the superiority of a B-ESEM solution including nine specific factors (intrinsic, importance of achievement, personal importance, utility for school/job, utility for life, social utility, effort required, opportunity cost, and emotional cost) and one global value factor. The results further revealed that the specific factors (with the exception of personal importance) retained meaning over and above participants’ global levels of value. Finally, our results confirmed that global value beliefs predicted career aspirations, whereas expectancies of success remained the strongest predictor of math achievement.
Tropicalized Quartics and Canonical Embeddings for Tropical Curves of Genus 3
2019-04-05

Abstract In [8], it was shown that not all abstract non-hyperelliptic tropical curves of genus can be realized as a tropicalization of a quartic in . In this paper, we focus on the interior of the maximal cones in the moduli space and classify all curves, which can be realized as a faithful tropicalization in a tropical plane. Reflecting the algebro-geometric world, we show that these are all curves but the tropicalizations of realizably hyperelliptic algebraic curves. Our approach is constructive: for a curve that is not the tropicalization of a hyperelliptic algebraic curve, we explicitly construct a realizable model of the tropical plane in and a faithfully tropicalized quartic in it. These constructions rely on modifications resp. tropical refinements. Conversely, we prove that the tropicalizations of hyperelliptic algebraic curves cannot be embedded in such a fashion. For that, we rely on the theory of tropical divisors and embeddings from linear systems [3, 21] and recent advances in the realizability of sections of the tropical canonical divisor [30].
From outburst to quiescence: spectroscopic evolution of V1838 Aql imbedded in a bow-shock nebula
2019-04-05

We analyse new optical spectroscopic, direct-image and X-ray observations of the recently&#13;\\ndiscovered a high-proper motion cataclysmic variable V1838 Aql. The data were obtained&#13;\\nduring its 2013 superoutburst and its subsequent quiescent state. An extended emission around&#13;\\nthe source was observed up to 30 d after the peak of the superoutburst, interpreted it as a bow&#13;\\nshock formed by a quasi-continuous outflow from the source in quiescence. The head of the&#13;\\nbow shock is coincident with the high-proper motion vector of the source (v⊥ = 123 ± 5 km&#13;\\ns−1) at a distance of d = 202 ± 7 pc. The object was detected as a weak X-ray source&#13;\\n(0.015 ± 0.002 counts s−1) in the plateau of the superoutburst and its flux lowered by two&#13;\\ntimes in quiescence (0.007 ± 0.002 counts s−1). Spectroscopic observations in quiescence we&#13;\\nconfirmed the orbital period value Porb = 0.0545 ± 0.0026 d, consistent with early-superhump&#13;\\nestimates, and the following orbital parameters: γ = −21 ± 3 km s−1 and K1 = 53 ± 3 km&#13;\\ns−1. The white dwarf is revealed as the system approaches quiescence, which enables us to&#13;\\ninfer the effective temperature of the primary Teff = 11 600 ± 400 K. The donor temperature&#13;\\nis estimated 2200K and suggestive of a system approaching the period minimum. Doppler&#13;\\nmaps in quiescence show the presence of the hotspot in He I line at the expected accretion&#13;\\ndisc-stream shock position and an unusual structure of the accretion disc in Hα.
Development of an Emotion-Sensitive mHealth Approach for Mood-State Recognition in Bipolar Disorder (Preprint)
2019-04-05

<sec> <title>UNSTRUCTURED</title> Internet- and mobile-based approaches have become increasingly significant to psychological research in the field of bipolar disorders. While research suggests that emotional aspects of bipolar disorders are substantially related to the social and global functioning or the suicidality of patients, these aspects have so far not sufficiently been considered within the context of mobile-based disease management approaches. As a multiprofessional research team, we have developed a new and emotion-sensitive assistance system, which we have adapted to the needs of patients with bipolar disorder. Next to the analysis of self-assessments, third-party assessments, and sensor data, the new assistance system analyzes audio and video data of these patients regarding their emotional content or the presence of emotional cues. In this viewpoint, we describe the theoretical and technological basis of our emotion-sensitive approach and do not present empirical data or a proof of concept. To our knowledge, the new assistance system incorporates the first mobile-based approach to analyze emotional expressions of patients with bipolar disorder. As a next step, the validity and feasibility of our emotion-sensitive approach must be evaluated. In the future, it might benefit diagnostic, prognostic, or even therapeutic purposes and complement existing systems with the help of new and intuitive interaction models. </sec>
Plant functional trait shifts explain concurrent changes in the structure and function of grassland soil microbial communities
2019-04-06

Abstract Land‐use intensification drives changes in microbial communities and the soil functions they regulate, but the mechanisms underlying these changes are poorly understood as land use can affect soil communities both directly (e.g. via changes in soil fertility) and indirectly (e.g. via changes in plant inputs). The speed of microbial responses is also poorly understood. For instance, whether it is long‐term legacies or short‐term changes in land‐use intensity that drive changes in microbial communities. To address these topics, we measured multiple microbial functions, bacterial and fungal biomass and abiotic soil properties at two time intervals 3 years apart. This was performed in 150 grassland sites differing greatly in management intensity across three German regions. Observed changes in microbial soil properties were related to both long‐term means and short‐term changes in: abiotic soil properties, land‐use intensity, community abundance‐weighted means of plant functional traits and plant biomass properties in regression and structural equation models. Plant traits, particularly leaf phosphorus, and soil pH were the best predictors of change in soil microbial function, as well as fungal and bacterial biomass, while land‐use intensity showed weaker effects. Indirect legacy effects, in which microbial change was explained by the effects of long‐term land‐use intensity on plant traits, were important, thus indicating a time lag between plant community and microbial change. Whenever the effects of short‐term changes in land‐use intensity were present, they acted directly on soil microorganisms. Synthesis . The results provide new evidence that soil communities and their functioning respond to short‐term changes in land‐use intensity, but that both rapid and longer time‐scale responses to changes in plant functional traits are at least of equal importance. This suggests that management which shapes plant communities may be an effective means of managing soil communities and the functions and services they provide.
Ring1b-dependent epigenetic remodelling is an essential prerequisite for pancreatic carcinogenesis
2019-04-06

Background and aims Besides well-defined genetic alterations, the dedifferentiation of mature acinar cells is an important prerequisite for pancreatic carcinogenesis. Acinar-specific genes controlling cell homeostasis are extensively downregulated during cancer development; however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Now, we devised a novel in vitro strategy to determine genome-wide dynamics in the epigenetic landscape in pancreatic carcinogenesis. Design With our in vitro carcinogenic sequence, we performed global gene expression analysis and ChIP sequencing for the histone modifications H3K4me3, H3K27me3 and H2AK119ub. Followed by a comprehensive bioinformatic approach, we captured gene clusters with extensive epigenetic and transcriptional remodelling. Relevance of Ring1b-catalysed H2AK119ub in acinar cell reprogramming was studied in an inducible Ring1b knockout mouse model. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Ring1b ablation as well as drug-induced Ring1b inhibition were functionally characterised in pancreatic cancer cells. Results The epigenome is vigorously modified during pancreatic carcinogenesis, defining cellular identity. Particularly, regulatory acinar cell transcription factors are epigenetically silenced by the Ring1b-catalysed histone modification H2AK119ub in acinar-to-ductal metaplasia and pancreatic cancer cells. Ring1b knockout mice showed greatly impaired acinar cell dedifferentiation and pancreatic tumour formation due to a retained expression of acinar differentiation genes. Depletion or drug-induced inhibition of Ring1b promoted tumour cell reprogramming towards a less aggressive phenotype. Conclusions Our data provide substantial evidence that the epigenetic silencing of acinar cell fate genes is a mandatory event in the development and progression of pancreatic cancer. Targeting the epigenetic repressor Ring1b could offer new therapeutic options.
The Role of Motor Learning on Measures of Physical Requirements and Motor Variability During Repetitive Screwing
2019-04-06

We investigated whether physical requirements and motor variability decreased over days in novices during a repetitive screwing task. Fifty-seven subjects performed one hour of repetitive screwing and fastening on three days, separated by 2–7 days. The average physical requirement and relative cycle-to-cycle variability (coefficient of variation, i.e., CV) were calculated from continuous recordings of electromyography of four arm muscles (biceps brachii, triceps brachii, flexor carpi radialis, extensor digitorum), forearm acceleration, and electrocardiography. Muscle activity levels, heart rate, and forearm acceleration decreased from day 1 to day 2 (range: ~4% to ~20%) and/or 3 (range: ~4% to ~28%). Not all muscles showed a similar pattern. Activity of the extensor digitorum and biceps brachii decreased already between days 1 and 2 (range: ~6% to ~13%), whereas activity of the flexor carpi radialis and triceps brachii decreased between days 1 and 3 (range: ~13% to ~20%). No changes in physical requirement were detected between days 2 and 3. Relative motor variability did not change across days, except that variability of forearm acceleration increased from day 1 to 3 (~5%). This study found consistent changes in physical requirements and indicated that several arm muscles show earlier decreases of muscular activity, like the extensor digitorum, compared to other body parts, like the flexor carpi radialis. Moreover, movement strategies may develop differently than muscle activation strategies, based on the different developments of physical requirements and motor variability. The development of physical requirements in industrial tasks is part of daily living and starts at task onset, highlighting the importance of task familiarization and the randomization of experimental conditions in scientific studies.
Exogenous Delivery of Link N mRNA into Chondrocytes and MSCs—The Potential Role in Increasing Anabolic Response
2019-04-06

Musculoskeletal disorders, such as osteoarthritis and intervertebral disc degeneration are causes of morbidity, which concomitantly burdens the health and social care systems worldwide, with massive costs. Link N peptide has recently been described as a novel anabolic stimulator for intervertebral disc repair. In this study, we analyzed the influence on anabolic response, by delivering synthetic Link N encoding mRNA into primary human chondrocytes and mesenchymal stromal cells (SCP1 cells). Furthermore, both cell types were seeded on knitted titanium scaffolds, and the influence of Link N peptide mRNA for possible tissue engineering applications was investigated. Synthetic modified Link N mRNA was efficiently delivered into both cell types and cell transfection resulted in an enhanced expression of aggrecan, Sox 9, and type II collagen with a decreased expression of type X collagen. Interestingly, despite increased expression of BMP2 and BMP7, BMP signaling was repressed and TGFβ signaling was boosted by Link N transfection in mesenchymal stromal cells, suggesting possible regulatory mechanisms. Thus, the exogenous delivery of Link N peptide mRNA into cells augmented an anabolic response and thereby increased extracellular matrix synthesis. Considering these findings, we suppose that the cultivation of cells on knitted titanium scaffolds and the exogenous delivery of Link N peptide mRNA into cells could mechanically support the stability of tissue-engineered constructs and improve the synthesis of extracellular matrix by seeded cells. This method can provide a potent strategy for articular cartilage and intervertebral disc regeneration.
Parkinson's disease age at onset genome‐wide association study: Defining heritability, genetic loci, and α‐synuclein mechanisms
2019-04-07

Abstract Background Increasing evidence supports an extensive and complex genetic contribution to PD. Previous genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have shed light on the genetic basis of risk for this disease. However, the genetic determinants of PD age at onset are largely unknown. Objectives To identify the genetic determinants of PD age at onset. Methods Using genetic data of 28,568 PD cases, we performed a genome‐wide association study based on PD age at onset. Results We estimated that the heritability of PD age at onset attributed to common genetic variation was ∼0.11, lower than the overall heritability of risk for PD (∼0.27), likely, in part, because of the subjective nature of this measure. We found two genome‐wide significant association signals, one at SNCA and the other a protein‐coding variant in TMEM175 , both of which are known PD risk loci and a Bonferroni‐corrected significant effect at other known PD risk loci, GBA , INPP5F/BAG3, FAM47E/SCARB2 , and MCCC1 . Notably, SNCA, TMEM175, SCARB2, BAG3 , and GBA have all been shown to be implicated in α‐synuclein aggregation pathways. Remarkably, other well‐established PD risk loci, such as GCH1 and MAPT , did not show a significant effect on age at onset of PD. Conclusions Overall, we have performed the largest age at onset of PD genome‐wide association studies to date, and our results show that not all PD risk loci influence age at onset with significant differences between risk alleles for age at onset. This provides a compelling picture, both within the context of functional characterization of disease‐linked genetic variability and in defining differences between risk alleles for age at onset, or frank risk for disease. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Efficacy of the OTSC System in the treatment of GI bleeding and wall defects: a PMCF meta-analysis
2019-04-07

Since its market launch in 2007, the endoscopic OTSC clipping system has been the object of intensive clinical research. These data were systematically collected for post-market clinical follow-up (PMCF). The aim of the study was the systematic review of the efficacy and safety of the OTSC System. The PMCF database was systematically searched for clinical data on OTSC therapy of GI hemorrhage (H), acute leaks/perforations (AL) and chronic leaks/fistulae (CL). Major outcomes were successful clip application and durable hemostasis/closure of defects. Comprehensive pooled success proportions were established by meta-analytical methods. Four-hundred-fifty-seven publications were reviewed. Fifty-eight articles comprising 1868 patients fulfilled criteria to be included in the analysis. These consisted of retrospective analyses, prospective observational trials, one randomized-controlled trial (STING) and one quasi-controlled study (FLETRock). The pooled proportion analysis revealed high overall proportions of technical success: H - mean 93.0% [95%CI 90.2-95.4], AL-mean 89.7% [95%CI 85.9-92.9] and CL-mean 83.8% [95%CI 76.9-89.7]. Pooled durable clinical success proportions were: H-mean 87.5% [95%CI 80.5-93.2], AL-mean 81.4% [95%CI 77.0-85.3] and CL-mean 63.0% [95%CI 53.0-72.3]. By pooling all clinical data gained, we conclude that OTSC application in GI hemorrhage and closure of GI lesions is safe and effective in real clinical use.
Evaluation of short folded dipole antennas as receive elements of ultra‐high‐field human head array
2019-04-07

Purpose To improve the receive (Rx) performance of a human head transceiver (TxRx) array at 9.4T without compromising its transmit (Tx) performance, a novel 16‐element array was developed, constructed, and tested. Methods We designed and constructed a phased array, which consists of 8 TxRx surface loops placed in a single row and circumscribing a head, and 8 Rx‐only short folded dipole antennas. Dipoles were positioned along the central axis of each transceiver loop perpendicular to its surface. We evaluated the effect of Rx dipoles on the Tx efficiency of the array and maximum local specific absorption rate (SAR) as compared to the array of 8 surface loops only. We also compared the new array to a 16‐channel array of the same size consisting of 8 TxRx surface loops and 8 Rx‐only vertical loops in terms of Tx efficiency, SAR, and signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). Results The new array improves both peripheral (up to 2 times) and central (1.17 times) SNR as compared to the 16‐element array of the same geometry consisting of 8 TxRx surface loops and 8 Rx‐only vertical loops. We demonstrated that an addition of actively detuned Rx‐only dipole elements produces only a small decrease (~7%) of the transmit field and a small increase (&lt;7%) of the maximum local SAR. Conclusion As a proof of concept, we developed and constructed a prototype of a 9.4T (400 MHz) head array consisting of 8 TxRx surface loops and 8 Rx‐only short optimized folded dipoles. We demonstrated that at ultra‐high field, dipoles outperformed Rx‐only vertical loops in vivo.
Iron minerals inhibit the growth of Pseudomonas brassicacearum J12 via a free-radical mechanism: implications for soil carbon storage
2019-04-08

Abstract. Natural minerals in soil can inhibit the growth of bacteria that protect organic carbon from decay. However, the mechanism inhibiting the bacterial growth remains poorly understood. Here, using a series of cultivation experiments and biological, chemical and synchrotron-based spectral analyses, we showed that kaolinite, hematite, goethite and ferrihydrite had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of the model bacteria Pseudomonas brassicacearum J12, which was more prominent with a concentration of 25 mg mL−1 than it was with either 10 or 5 mg mL−1. In contrast, montmorillonite promoted the growth of J12. Compared to Al-containing minerals, Fe(III)-containing minerals produced more hydroxyl radical (HO⚫) that has high efficiency for the inhibition of J12. Moreover, a significant positive correlation between HO⚫ radical and Fe(II) was found, suggesting that Fe(II) contributes to the generation of HO⚫. Furthermore, both micro X-ray fluorescence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies indicated that surface Fe(III) was reduced to Fe(II), which can produce HO⚫ through the well-known Fenton reaction series. Together, these findings indicate that the reduced surface Fe(II) derived from Fe(III)-containing minerals inhibits the growth of Pseudomonas brassicacearum J12 via a free-radical mechanism, which may serve as a ubiquitous mechanism between iron minerals and all of the heterotrophic bacteria in view of taxonomically and ecologically diverse heterotrophic bacteria from terrestrial environments as a vast source of superoxide.
A novel method to predict dark diversity using unconstrained ordination analysis
2019-04-08

Abstract Questions Species pools are the product of complex ecological and evolutionary mechanisms, operating over a range of spatial scales. Here, we focus on species absent from local sites but with the potential to establish within communities — known as dark diversity. Methods for estimating dark diversity are still being developed and need to be compared, as well as tested for the type, and amount, of reference data needed to calibrate these methods. Location South Bohemia (48°58′ N, 14°28′ E) and Železné Hory (49°52′ N, 15°34′ E), Czech Republic. Method We compared a widely accepted algorithm to estimate species pools (Beals smoothing index, based on species co‐occurrence) against a novel method based on an unconstrained ordination ( UNO ). Following previous work, we used spatially nested sampling for target plots, with the dark diversity estimates computed from smaller plots validated against additional species present in larger plots, and a reference dataset (Czech National Phytosociological Database of &gt;30,000 plots as global reference data). We determined which method provides the best estimate of dark diversity with an index termed the “Success Rate Index”. Results When using the whole reference dataset (national scale), both UNO and Beals provided comparable predictions of dark diversity that were better than null expectations based on species frequency. However, when predicting from regionally restricted spatial scales, UNO performed significantly better than Beals. UNO also tended to detect less common species better than Beals. The success rate of combining UNO and Beals slightly outperformed the results obtained from the single methods, but only with the largest reference dataset. Conclusions The UNO method provides a consistently reliable estimate of dark diversity, particularly when the reference dataset is size‐limited. For future calculations, we urge caution regarding the choice of dark diversity methods with respect to the reference data available, and how different methods handle species of high, and low, occurrence frequency.