julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Retinal Infarction: A Pilot Study on the Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Thrombolysis and Underlying Aetiologies
2022-08-22

Background: Treatment of non-arteritic central retinal artery occlusion is still inconsistent. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and describe the prevalence of co-occurring ischemic brain lesions in patients with acute visual loss due to ischemia. Methods: We analysed 38 consecutive patients with acute visual loss between January 2015 and June 2020. Patients presenting within 4.5 h of symptom onset without any contraindication were treated with IVT. Patients underwent neurologic and ophthalmologic examination and diagnostic workup for the underlying aetiology. Follow-up was performed after 3 and 12 months. Results: Patients treated with IVT had a significantly better functional outcome at discharge compared to patients treated conservatively. No additional ischemic brain lesions were detected (0 of 38). Three patients had extracranial carotid artery stenosis ≥50%. Atrial fibrillation was present in four patients, three of whom already received oral anticoagulation. In the remaining 31 patients no embolic source was detected. However, the number of plaques were rated mild to moderate. Within three months, one patient developed transient visual loss while another suffered a contralateral transient ischemic attack. Conclusions: IVT may represent a safe and effective treatment option in patients with isolated visual loss due to ischemia. The aetiology was atherosclerotic burden rather than embolism caused by carotid stenosis or atrial fibrillation, bringing the current diagnostic procedure and therapy into question. Randomized trials are necessary to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IV thrombolysis and clarify the aetiology of isolated visual loss due to ischemia.
Training of psychotherapists in post-conflict regions: A Community case study in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
2022-08-22

The number of wars in the world is on the rise. A number of studies have documented the devastating impact on the public and especially public mental health. Health care systems in low- and lower-middle income countries that are frequently already challenged by the existing mental health services gap cannot provide the necessary care for those displaced by war with existing services. This is especially the case in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) after the invasion of the terror organization ISIS in 2014. Most projects in post-conflict areas focus on short term basic psychological services and do not contribute to sustainable long-term capacity building of mental health services. An “Institute for Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology” was therefore founded in order to train local specialists on a professional level with evidence-based methods adapted to culture and create sustainable long-term structures for psychotherapeutic treatment in the KRI. To achieve this, a number of measures were implemented, including the creation of a “Master of Advanced Studies of Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology” in collaboration with local communities and the regional University. Two cohorts of students have successfully finished the master’s program and a third cohort are expected to graduate in 2023. Improving the capacity of local health care services to provide low-barrier, professional psychotherapeutic care in post-conflict regions supported by the innovative model presented in this article can be expected to improve the burden of psychological problems and contribute to peacebuilding.
3D geodynamic-geomorphologic modelling of deformation and exhumation at curved plate boundaries: Implications for the southern Alaskan plate corner
2022-08-22

Abstract Plate corners with extreme exhumation rates are important because they offer a perspective for understanding the interactions between tectonics and surface processes. The southern Alaskan margin with its curved convergent plate boundary and associated zones of localized uplift is a prime location to study active orogeny. Here, we present the results of fully-coupled thermo-mechanical (geodynamic) and geomorphologic numerical modelling, the design of which captures the key features of the studied area: subduction of oceanic lithosphere (Pacific plate) is adjacent to a pronounced asymmetric indenter dipping at a shallow angle (Yakutat microplate), which in turn is bounded to the east by a dextral strike-slip shear zone (Fairweather fault). The resulting first-order deformation/rock uplift patterns show strong similarities with observations. In particular, relatively young thermochronological ages are reproduced along the plate-bounding (Fairweather) transform fault and in the area of its transition to convergence (the St. Elias syntaxis). The focused exhumation of the Chugach Core also finds its equivalent in model predicted zones of high rock uplift rates in an isolated region above the indenter. From these results, we suggest that the general exhumation patterns observed in southern Alaska are controlled by mutually reinforcing effects of tectonic deformation and surface erosion processes.
Risky business: policy uncertainty and investment
2022-08-22

Abstract Previous work has shown that nonlinear taxation can affect the willingness to undertake risky investments. We show that similar results can arise if agents are uncertain regarding future tax rates. Uncertain taxes distort investment decisions when tax rates are correlated with marginal productivity. We demonstrate this result in a simple theoretical framework, which can also explain some well-known results on the effects of tax progressivity and tax asymmetry on investment. Time-series estimates for the post-WW2 era suggest a negative correlation between effective tax rates and total factor productivity in the USA, yielding an effect on firm investment equivalent to an investment subsidy of around 1 percent. Our results have wide-ranging implications for a variety of tax-related work, including effective tax rates, optimal audit policy, and principal-agent problems between investors and managers.
Sub-percent precision measurement of neutrino oscillation parameters with JUNO*
2022-08-23

Abstract JUNO is a multi-purpose neutrino observatory under construction in the south of China. This publication presents new sensitivity estimates for the measurement of the , , , and oscillation parameters using reactor antineutrinos, which is one of the primary physics goals of the experiment. The sensitivities are obtained using the best knowledge available to date on the location and overburden of the experimental site, the nuclear reactors in the surrounding area and beyond, the detector response uncertainties, and the reactor antineutrino spectral shape constraints expected from the TAO satellite detector. It is found that the and oscillation parameters will be determined to 0.5% precision or better in six years of data collection. In the same period, the parameter will be determined to about % precision for each mass ordering hypothesis. The new precision represents approximately an order of magnitude improvement over existing constraints for these three parameters.
DeepTLF: robust deep neural networks for heterogeneous tabular data
2022-08-23

Abstract Although deep neural networks (DNNs) constitute the state of the art in many tasks based on visual, audio, or text data, their performance on heterogeneous, tabular data is typically inferior to that of decision tree ensembles. To bridge the gap between the difficulty of DNNs to handle tabular data and leverage the flexibility of deep learning under input heterogeneity, we propose DeepTLF , a framework for deep tabular learning. The core idea of our method is to transform the heterogeneous input data into homogeneous data to boost the performance of DNNs considerably. For the transformation step, we develop a novel knowledge distillations approach, TreeDrivenEncoder , which exploits the structure of decision trees trained on the available heterogeneous data to map the original input vectors onto homogeneous vectors that a DNN can use to improve the predictive performance. Within the proposed framework, we also address the issue of the multimodal learning, since it is challenging to apply decision tree ensemble methods when other data modalities are present. Through extensive and challenging experiments on various real-world datasets, we demonstrate that the DeepTLF pipeline leads to higher predictive performance. On average, our framework shows 19.6% performance improvement in comparison to DNNs. The DeepTLF code is publicly available .
Burning, dumping, and site use during the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic at Hohle Fels Cave, SW Germany
2022-08-23

Abstract Dumped deposits are a valuable source of information for inferring past behaviour. They provide insights into site maintenance, social organization and settlement dynamics. Hohle Fels Cave in SW Germany offers a unique opportunity to investigate the importance of dumping and site maintenance during the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic of the Swabian Jura. In this paper, we analyse anthropogenic deposits at Hohle Fels employing micromorphology and fabric analysis in order to reconstruct their formation and understand the human behaviours behind their accumulation. Our study indicates that dumping residues from combustion features in the interior of Hohle Fels Cave has a long history extending back to Neanderthal occupation at the site during the Middle Palaeolithic. Despite some reworking via down-slope movement, most of the features demonstrate that the site’s inhabitants dumped burnt material, which was previously the fuel for domestic hearths, in specific locations within the cave. The intentionality of the action and the characteristics of the features provide important information for reconstructing the mode and spatial organization of occupations at the site. The combustion features from the Middle Palaeolithic allow us to reassess the hypothesis that Neanderthals’ use of the site was less intense and documented a lesser degree of spatial patterning than subsequent Upper Palaeolithic occupations. This research also provides insight for examining the regional variability of pyrotechnology and site maintenance during the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic.
Expression and subcellular localization ofUSH1C/harmonin in human retina provides insights into pathomechanisms and therapy
2022-08-23

Abstract Usher syndrome (USH) is the most common form of hereditary deaf-blindness in humans. USH is a complex genetic disorder, assigned to three clinical subtypes differing in onset, course and severity, with USH1 being the most severe. Rodent USH1 models do not reflect the ocular phenotype observed in human patients to date; hence, little is known about the pathophysiology of USH1 in the human eye. One of the USH1 genes, USH1C, exhibits extensive alternative splicing and encodes numerous harmonin protein isoforms that function as scaffolds for organizing the USH interactome. RNA-seq analysis of human retinae uncovered harmonin_a1 as the most abundant transcript of USH1C. Bulk RNA-seq analysis and immunoblotting showed abundant expression of harmonin in Müller glia cells (MGCs) and retinal neurons. Furthermore, harmonin was localized in the terminal endfeet and apical microvilli of MGCs, presynaptic region (pedicle) of cones and outer segments (OS) of rods as well as at adhesive junctions between MGCs and photoreceptor cells (PRCs) in the outer limiting membrane (OLM). Our data provide evidence for the interaction of harmonin with OLM molecules in PRCs and MGCs and rhodopsin in PRCs. Subcellular expression and colocalization of harmonin correlate with the clinical phenotype observed in USH1C patients. We also demonstrate that primary cilia defects in USH1C patient-derived fibroblasts could be reverted by the delivery of harmonin_a1 transcript isoform. Our studies thus provide novel insights into PRC cell biology, USH1C pathophysiology and development of gene therapy treatment(s).
Circulating miR-200 Family and CTCs in Metastatic Breast Cancer before, during, and after a New Line of Systemic Treatment
2022-08-23

The extracellular circulating microRNA (miR)-200 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition and, thus, plays an essential role in the metastatic cascade and has shown itself to be a promising prognostic and predictive biomarker in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Expression levels of the plasma miR-200 family were analyzed in relationship to systemic treatment, circulating tumor cells (CTC) count, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Expression of miR-200a, miR-200b, miR-200c, miR-141, and miR-429, and CTC status (CTC-positive ≥ 5 CTC/7.5 mL) was assessed in 47 patients at baseline (BL), after the first completed cycle of a new line of systemic therapy (1C), and upon the progression of disease (PD). MiR-200a, miR-200b, and miR-141 expression was reduced at 1C compared to BL. Upon PD, all miR-200s were upregulated compared to 1C. At all timepoints, the levels of miR-200s were elevated in CTC-positive versus CTC-negative patients. Further, heightened miR-200s expression and positive CTC status were associated with poorer OS at BL and 1C. In MBC patients, circulating miR-200 family members decreased after one cycle of a new line of systemic therapy, were elevated during PD, and were indicative of CTC status. Notably, increased levels of miR-200s and elevated CTC count correlated with poorer OS and PFS. As such, both are promising biomarkers for optimizing the clinical management of MBC.
Phonon dressing of a facilitated one-dimensional Rydberg lattice gas
2022-08-23

We study the dynamics of a one-dimensional Rydberg lattice gas under facilitation (anti-blockade) conditions which implements a so-called kinetically constrained spin system. Here an atom can only be excited to a Rydberg state when one of its neighbors is already excited. Once two or more atoms are simultaneously excited mechanical forces emerge, which couple the internal electronic dynamics of this many-body system to external vibrational degrees of freedom in the lattice. This electron-phonon coupling results in a so-called phonon dressing of many-body states which in turn impacts on the facilitation dynamics. In our theoretical study we focus on a scenario in which all energy scales are sufficiently separated such that a perturbative treatment of the coupling between electronic and vibrational states is possible. This allows to analytically derive an effective Hamiltonian for the evolution of clusters of consecutive Rydberg excitations in the presence of phonon dressing. We analyze the spectrum of this Hamiltonian and show --- by employing Fano resonance theory --- that the interaction between Rydberg excitations and lattice vibrations leads to the emergence of slowly decaying bound states that inhibit fast relaxation of certain initial states.
Picomolar detection limits for glyphosate by two‐dimensional column‐coupled isotachophoresis/capillary zone electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry
2022-08-23

Capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry often lacks sufficient limits of detection for trace substances in the environment due to its low loadability. To overcome this problem, we conducted a feasibility study for column‐coupling isotachophoresis to capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry. The first dimension isotachophoresis preconcentrated the analytes. The column‐coupling of both dimensions was achieved by a hybrid capillary microfluidic chip setup. Reliable analyte transfer by voltage switching was enabled by an in‐chip capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detector placed around the channel of the common section between two T‐shaped crossings in the chip connecting both dimensions. This eliminated the need to calculate the moment of analyte transfer. A commercial capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry instrument with easily installable adaptations operated the setup. Prior to coupling isotachophoresis with capillary zone electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry, both dimensions were optimized individually by simulations and verified experimentally. Both dimensions were able to stack/separate all degradation products of glyphosate, the most important herbicide applied worldwide. The first dimension isotachophoresis also removed phosphate, which is a critical matrix component in many environmental samples. Enrichment and separation of glyphosate and its main degradation product aminomethylphosphonic acid by the two‐dimensional setup provided an excellent limit of detection of 150 pM (25 ng/L) for glyphosate.
Dietary preferences and feeding strategies of Colombian highland woolly monkeys
2022-08-23

Abstract Primates are very selective in the foods they include in their diets with foraging strategies that respond to spatial and temporal changes in resource availability, distribution and quality. Colombian woolly monkeys ( Lagothrix lagotricha lugens ), one of the largest primate species in the Americas, feed mainly on fruits, but they also eat a high percentage of arthropods. This differs from closely related Atelid species that supplement their diet with leaves. In an 11 month study, we investigated the foraging strategies of this endemic monkey and assessed how resource availability affects dietary selection. Using behavioural, phenological, arthropod sampling and metabarcoding methods, we recorded respectively foraging time, forest productivity, arthropod availability in the forest and arthropod consumption. Scat samples and capturing canopy substrates (i.e. moss, bromeliads, aerial insects) were used for assigning arthropod taxonomy. The most important resource in the diet was fruits (54%), followed by arthropods (28%). Resource availability predicted feeding time for arthropods but not for fruits. Further, there was a positive relationship between feeding time on fruits and arthropods, suggesting that eating both resources during the same periods might work as an optimal strategy to maximize nutrient intake. Woolly monkeys preferred and avoided some fruit and arthropod items available in their home range, choosing a wide variety of arthropods. Geometrid moths (Lepidoptera) were the most important and consistent insects eaten over time. We found no differences in the type of arthropods adults and juveniles ate, but adults invested more time foraging for this resource, especially in moss. Although woolly monkeys are generalist foragers, they do not select their food items randomly or opportunistically.
“Look straight ahead” – A new test to diagnose spatial neglect by computed tomography
2022-08-23

Abstract Spatial neglect is the dominant behavioral disorder after right hemisphere brain lesions. Reliable diagnosis by formal neuropsychological testing is often achieved only later during hospitalization, leading to delays in targeted therapies. We propose a way to diagnose spatial neglect right at admission. We measured the conjugated eye deviation (CED) on the initial computed tomography (CT) scans, in combination with the verbal instruction “Please look straight ahead” during the scan. The command was implemented in the scanner program and automatically played before a cranial CT started. This prospective study included a total 46 consecutive subjects (16 patients with first ever right brain damage and no spatial neglect, 12 patients with first ever right brain damage and spatial neglect, and 18 healthy controls). The right brain damaged groups were submitted to paper pencil tests to access the diagnosis of a spatial neglect after radiological confirmation of the brain damage during the initial phase of their hospitalisation. This procedure allowed us to define a cut-off value of 14.1 degrees of CED to the ipsilesional side to differentiate right hemispheric stroke patients with versus without spatial neglect with a confidence interval of 99%. This simple addition to a radiological routine procedure provides a new tool to help diagnose spatial neglect at the earliest stage possible and thus offers the possibility of providing patients with optimized rehabilitative therapy from a very early stage on.
Multiparametric Dual-Time-Point [18F]FDG PET/MRI for Lymph Node Staging in Patients with Untreated FIGO I/II Cervical Carcinoma
2022-08-23

[18F]FDG PET/MRI was shown to have limited sensitivity for N-staging in FIGO I/II cervical carcinoma. Therefore, this prospective study aimed to investigate the additional value of multiparametric dual-time-point PET/MRI and to assess potential influencing factors for lymph node metastasis (LNM) detection. A total of 63 patients underwent whole-body dual-time-point [18F]FDG PET/MRI 60 + 90 min p.i., and 251 LN were evaluated visually, quantified multiparametrically, and correlated with histology. Grading of the primary tumor (G2/G3) had a significant impact on visual detection (sens: 8.3%/31%). The best single parameter for LNM detection was SUVavg, however, with a significant loss of discriminatory power in G2 vs. G3 tumors (AUC: 0.673/0.901). The independent predictors SUVavg, ∆SUVpeak, LN sphericity, ADC, and histologic grade were included in the logistic-regression-based malignancy score (MS) for multiparametric analysis. Application of MS enhanced AUCs, especially in G2 tumors (AUC: G2:0.769; G3:0.877) and improved the accuracy for single LNM from 34.5% to 55.5% compared with the best univariate parameter SUVavg. Compared with visual analysis, the use of the malignancy score increased the overall sensitivity from 31.0% to 79.3% (Youden optimum) with a moderate decrease in specificity from 98.3% to 75.6%. These findings indicate that multiparametric evaluation of dual-time-point PET/MRI has the potential to improve accuracy compared with visual interpretation and enables sufficient N-staging also in G2 cervical carcinoma.
Heterogeneity in firms’ recruitment practices: New evidence from representative employer data
2022-08-23

The hiring and recruitment process is one of the main challenges to the success of companies and a significant driver of total labor costs. We use representative employer data for German private-sector establishments with at least 50 employees to explore recent developments in employer search, selection, and screening activities over the years of 2012–2018. We document changes in hiring policies over time and address heterogeneity across establishments related to size, ownership, and industry sector. Our results show that although establishment characteristics are correlated with different facets of hiring behavior, there is no homogeneous pattern for employer search and selection instruments. We highlight differences of hiring practices targeted at managerial versus non-managerial new hires. Finally, we outline potential mechanisms and research gaps for future work and discuss managerial implications. JEL Codes: J21, J63, M51
„Aber was, […] wenn es nicht so ist?“ Ambivalente Figurationen der Zeit in Daniel Kehlmanns ‚Mahlers Zeit‘
2022-08-23

Abstract Daniel Kehlmann’s novel Mahlers Zeit questions the role of time as a fundamental tool through which humans access the world. While the novel’s protagonist believes that he can debunk the linearity of time, the narration of the text remains ambiguous about whether or not he is right. As the text oscillates between different conceptions of time—each presented as plausible only to be denied again—it develops an image of the world as an inscrutable place where humans cannot transcend the sphere of phenomena because they are always thrown back to their sensorium. The unmediated juxtaposition of the incompatible that prevents obtaining metaphysical certainty implies a rejection of the concepts of Magical Realism as well as Surrealism, both of which presuppose a knowledge of the metaphysical structure of the narrated world. Therefore, Mahlers Zeit requires a different classification: Gebrochener Realismus (Broken Realism). Moreover, because of the strict functionality of the moments of uncertainty, the category of Gebrochener Realismus is even more appropriate than Todorov’s fantastic.