pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Cerebrospinal fluid of newly diagnosed amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients exhibits abnormal levels of selenium species including elevated selenite

AbstractExposure to selenium, and particularly to its inorganic forms, has been hypothesized as a risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fast progressing motor neuron disease with poorly understood etiology. However, no information is known about levels of inorganic and some organic selenium species in the central nervous system of ALS patients, and recent observations suggest that peripheral biomarkers of exposure are unable to predict these levels for several Se species including the inorganic forms. Using a hospital-referred case–control series and advanced selenium speciation methods, we compared the chemical species of selenium in cerebrospinal fluid from 38 ALS patients to those of 38 reference neurological patients matched on age and gender. We found that higher concentrations of inorganic selenium in the form of selenite and of human serum albumin-bound selenium were associated with increased ALS risk (relative risks 3.9 (95% confidence interval 1.2–11.0) and 1.7 (1.0–2.9) for 0.1μg/L increase). Conversely, lower concentrations of selenoprotein P-bound selenium were associated with increased risk (relative risk 0.2 for 1μg/L increase, 95% confidence interval 0.04–0.8). The associations were stronger among cases age 50 years or older, who are postulated to have lower rates of genetic disease origin. These results suggest that excess selenite and human serum albumin bound-selenium and low levels of selenoprotein P-bound selenium in the central nervous system, which may be related, may play a role in ALS etiology
Performance of Sediment Transport Simulations on NVIDIA's Kepler Architecture

AbstractAiming to understand how high-performance CUDA programming can be done for NVIDIA's new Kepler architecture, we have investigated a specific case of simulating sediment transport. The arisen stencil computations have distinct features connected to the two nonlinear partial differential equations that constitute the mathematical model. Consequently, the required CUDA programming effort differs for the two corresponding CUDA kernel functions. While Kepler's new read-only data cache brings enough benefits for one kernel function, performance of the other kernel function is further enhanceable through using the shared memory and so-called halo threads. The highest achieved performance of the stencil computation amounts to 190.45 GFLOPs on a Tesla K20 GPU
Assessing the solvation mechanism of C60(OH)24 in aqueous solution

AbstractUsing molecular dynamics simulations, combined with the thermodynamic integration algorithm, we examine the hydration mechanism of C60(OH)24 under ambient conditions. We analyze its structural features, dynamics, and hydration free energy. Our results have been compared with a pristine fullerene aqueous system. Despite the number of hydroxyl groups in the fullerenol, its hydration entropy is rather similar to that calculated for C60. On the other hand, we have calculated a dramatically negative free energy of about −354kJ/mol for the fullerenol, whereas pure fullerene presents a positive value of about 59kJ/mol. On this basis, our study indicates that the hydration of C60(OH)24 is guided by an enthalpy-driven process
Solar system effects in Schwarzschild–de Sitter space–time

AbstractThe Schwarzschild–de Sitter space–time describes the gravitational field of a spherically symmetric mass in a universe with cosmological constant Λ. Based on this space–time we calculate Solar system effects like gravitational redshift, light deflection, gravitational time delay, perihelion shift, geodetic or de Sitter precession, as well as the influence of Λ on a Doppler measurement, used to determine the velocity of the Pioneer 10 and 11 spacecraft. For Λ=Λ0∼10−52 m−2 the cosmological constant plays no role for all of these effects, while a value of Λ∼−10−37 m−2, if hypothetically held responsible for the Pioneer anomaly, is not compatible with the perihelion shift
c,b quark masses and fD(s),fB(s) decay constants from pseudoscalar sum rules in full QCD to order αs2

AbstractThe pseudoscalar sum rules of the heavy–light quark systems are used for extracting simultaneously the c,b quark masses and the decay constants fD(s),fB(s) of the D(s),B(s) mesons. To order αs2, one obtains the running quark masses: m̄c(mc)=(1.10±0.04) GeV, m̄b(mb)=(4.05±0.06) GeV implying m̄b(MZ)=(2.65±0.05) GeV; the perturbative pole masses: Mc=(1.46±0.04) GeV, Mb=(4.69±0.06) GeV; and the decay constants: fD=(205±20) MeV, fB=(203±23) MeV and fDs=(235±24) MeV, fBs=(236±30) MeV, in the normalization where fπ=130.56 MeV. The fitted values of the pole and running masses satisfy quite well their three-loop perturbative relation. The value fD≃fB confirms earlier findings from the sum rule that the 1/MP heavy quark symmetry scaling law is affected by large 1/MP corrections
c-Map for Born–Infeld theories

AbstractThe c-map of four dimensional non-linear theories of electromagnetism is considered both in the rigid case and in its coupling to gravity. In this way theories with antisymmetric tensors and scalars are obtained, and the three non-linear representations of N = 2 supersymmetry partially broken to N = 1 related. The manifest Sp(2n) and U(n) covariance of these theories in their multifield extensions is also exhibited. This construction extends to H-invariant non-linear theories of Born–Infeld type with non-dynamical scalars spanning a symmetric coset manifold G/H and the vector field strengths and their duals in a symplectic representation of G as is the case for extended supergravity
Fractional P(ϕ)1-processes and Gibbs measures

AbstractWe define and prove existence of fractional P(ϕ)1-processes as random processes generated by fractional Schrödinger semigroups with Kato-decomposable potentials. Also, we show that the measure of such a process is a Gibbs measure with respect to the same potential. We give conditions of its uniqueness and characterize its support relating this with intrinsic ultracontractivity properties of the semigroup and the fall-off of the ground state. To achieve that we establish and analyse these properties first
Impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilator response in patients with pulmonary fibrosis

SummaryBackgroundRecent epidemiological evidence indicates an association between cardiovascular diseases and pulmonary fibrosis. The vascular endothelium acts to maintain vascular homeostasis through multiple mechanisms and impaired endothelial function can contribute to the development, progression and clinical expression of atherosclerosis.MethodsWe consecutively recruited 39 newly-diagnosed chronic interstitial pneumonitis/fibrosis patients without any specific etiology. We assessed endothelium-dependent vasodilator response of patients using digital pulse amplitude tonometry and compared the reactive hyperemia index (RHI) with age-, sex- and body mass index-matched control subjects (n = 30). We further investigated the relationships between RHI and clinical characteristics, laboratory cardiovascular risk factors, disease-related factors and circulating levels of inflammatory biomarkers.ResultsRHI was significantly lower in patients with chronic interstitial pneumonitis/fibrosis than in control subjects (p = 0.02). While circulating levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HbA1c and fasting glucose did not differ significantly between groups, patients with chronic interstitial pneumonitis/fibrosis had significantly lower high density lipoprotein levels and higher low density lipoprotein levels as compared with control subjects. Regarding disease-related factors, RHI was significantly associated with the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference, 6-min walk distance and end-exercise oxygen saturation. Additionally, circulating levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 were inversely correlated with RHI.ConclusionsWe confirmed a possible link between pulmonary fibrosis and cardiovascular disease by demonstrating an impairment of endothelium-dependent vasodilator response, which was significantly associated with the severity of pulmonary fibrosis and circulating levels of adhesion molecules
Search for a standard model-like Higgs boson in the μ+μ− and e+e− decay channels at the LHC

AbstractA search is presented for a standard model-like Higgs boson decaying to the μ+μ− or e+e− final states based on proton–proton collisions recorded by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC. The data correspond to integrated luminosities of 5.0 fb−1 at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV and 19.7 fb−1 at 8 TeV for the μ+μ− search, and of 19.7 fb−1 at 8 TeV for the e+e− search. Upper limits on the production cross section times branching fraction at the 95% confidence level are reported for Higgs boson masses in the range from 120 to 150 GeV. For a Higgs boson with a mass of 125 GeV decaying to μ+μ−, the observed (expected) upper limit on the production rate is found to be 7.4 (6.5−1.9+2.8) times the standard model value. This corresponds to an upper limit on the branching fraction of 0.0016. Similarly, for e+e−, an upper limit of 0.0019 is placed on the branching fraction, which is ≈3.7×105 times the standard model value. These results, together with recent evidence of the 125 GeV boson coupling to τ-leptons with a larger branching fraction consistent with the standard model, confirm that the leptonic couplings of the new boson are not flavour-universal
Common but different: The expanding realm of Cladosporium

AbstractThe genus Cladosporium (Cladosporiaceae, Dothideomycetes), which represents one of the largest genera of dematiaceous hyphomycetes, has been intensively investigated during the past decade. In the process, three major species complexes (C. cladosporioides, C. herbarum and C. sphaerospermum) were resolved based on morphology and DNA phylogeny, and a monographic revision of the genus (s. lat.) published reflecting the current taxonomic status quo. In the present study a further 19 new species are described based on phylogenetic characters (nuclear ribosomal RNA gene operon, including the internal transcribed spacer regions ITS1 and ITS2, as well as partial actin and translation elongation factor 1-α gene sequences) and morphological differences. For a selection of the species with ornamented conidia, scanning electron microscopic photos were prepared to illustrate the different types of surface ornamentation. Surprisingly, during this study Cladosporium ramotenellum was found to be a quite common saprobic species, being widely distributed and occurring on various substrates. Therefore, an emended species description is provided. Furthermore, the host range and distribution data for several previously described species are also expanded
New investigations at Kalambo Falls, Zambia: Luminescence chronology, site formation, and archaeological significance

AbstractFluvial deposits can provide excellent archives of early hominin activity but may be complex to interpret, especially without extensive geochronology. The Stone Age site of Kalambo Falls, northern Zambia, has yielded a rich artefact record from dominantly fluvial deposits, but its significance has been restricted by uncertainties over site formation processes and a limited chronology. Our new investigations in the centre of the Kalambo Basin have used luminescence to provide a chronology and have provided key insights into the geomorphological and sedimentological processes involved in site formation. Excavations reveal a complex assemblage of channel and floodplain deposits. Single grain quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) measurements provide the most accurate age estimates for the youngest sediments, but in older deposits the OSL signal from some grains is saturated. A different luminescence signal from quartz, thermally transferred OSL (TT-OSL), can date these older deposits. OSL and TT-OSL results are combined to provide a chronology for the site. Ages indicate four phases of punctuated deposition by the dominantly laterally migrating and vertically aggrading Kalambo River (∼500–300 ka, ∼300–50 ka, ∼50–30 ka, ∼1.5–0.49 ka), followed by deep incision and renewed lateral migration at a lower topographic level. A conceptual model for site formation provides the basis for improved interpretation of the generation, preservation, and visibility of the Kalambo archaeological record. This model highlights the important role of intrinsic meander dynamics in site formation and does not necessarily require complex interpretations that invoke periodic blocking of the Kalambo River, as has previously been suggested. The oldest luminescence ages place the Mode 2/3 transition between ∼500 and 300 ka, consistent with other African and Asian sites where a similar transition can be found. The study approach adopted here can potentially be applied to other fluvial Stone Age sites throughout Africa and beyond
Distribution of dissolved water in magmatic glass records growth and resorption of bubbles

AbstractVolcanic eruptions are driven by the growth of gas bubbles in magma. Bubbles grow when dissolved volatile species, principally water, diffuse through the silicate melt and exsolve at the bubble wall. On rapid cooling, the melt quenches to glass, preserving the spatial distribution of water concentration around the bubbles (now vesicles), offering a window into pre-eruptive conditions. We measure the water distribution around vesicles in experimentally-vesiculated samples, with high spatial resolution. We find that, contrary to expectation, water concentration increases towards vesicles, indicating that water is resorbed from bubbles during cooling; textural evidence suggests that resorption occurs largely before the melt solidifies. Speciation data indicate that the molecular water distribution records resorption, whilst the hydroxyl distribution records earlier decompressive growth. Our results challenge the emerging paradigm that resorption indicates fluctuating pressure conditions, and lay the foundations for a new tool for reconstructing the eruptive history of natural volcanic products
A Y-shaped RNA structure in the 3′ untranslated region together with the trans-activator and core promoter of Red clover necrotic mosaic virus RNA2 is required for its negative-strand RNA synthesis

AbstractRed clover necrotic mosaic virus (RCNMV) is a positive-strand RNA virus with a bipartite genome. RNA1 encodes N-terminally overlapping replication proteins, p27 and p88. RNA2 is replicated efficiently by the replication proteins supplied in trans, whereas RNA1 needs p88 preferentially in cis for its replication. cis-Acting elements required for RNA2 replication have been mapped to the 3′ terminal stem–loop structure conserved between RNA1 and RNA2, and to the protein-coding region including the trans-activator. Here, we have identified a Y-shaped RNA structure with three-way RNA junctions predicted in the 3′ untranslated region of RNA2 as a novel element required for negative-strand synthesis using an in vitro translation/replication system. We also show that, in addition to the 3′ terminal core promoter, several RNA elements including the trans-activator are also required for negative-strand synthesis. Functional roles and structural requirements of these cis-acting elements in RCNMV RNA replication are discussed
First determination of the one-proton induced Non-Mesonic Weak Decay width of p-shell Λ-Hypernuclei

AbstractPrevious studies of proton and neutron spectra from Non-Mesonic Weak Decay of eight Λ-Hypernuclei (A=5–16) have been revisited. New values of the ratio of the two-nucleon and the one-proton induced decay widths, Γ2N/Γp, are obtained from single proton spectra, Γ2N/Γp=0.50±0.24, and from neutron and proton coincidence spectra, Γ2N/Γp=0.36±0.14stat−0.04sys+0.05sys, in full agreement with previously published ones. With these values, a method is developed to extract the one-proton induced decay width in units of the free Λ decay width, Γp/ΓΛ, without resorting to Intra Nuclear Cascade models but by exploiting only experimental data, under the assumption of a linear dependence on A of the Final State Interaction contribution. This is the first systematic determination ever done and it agrees within the errors with recent theoretical calculations
Transitions between vortex rings, and monopole–antimonopole chains

AbstractIn monopole–antimonopole chain solutions of SU(2) Yang–Mills–Higgs theory the Higgs field vanishes at m isolated points along the symmetry axis, whereas in vortex ring solutions the Higgs field vanishes along one or more rings, centered around the symmetry axis. We investigate how these static axially symmetric solutions depend on the strength of the Higgs selfcoupling λ. We show, that as the coupling is getting large, new branches of solutions appear at critical values of λ. Exhibiting a different node structure, these give rise to transitions between vortex rings and monopole–antimonopole chains
GPI-anchored proteins and glycoconjugates segregate into lipid rafts in Kinetoplastida

AbstractThe plasma membranes of the divergent eukaryotic parasites, Leishmania and Trypanosoma, are highly specialised, with a thick coat of glycoconjugates and glycoproteins playing a central role in virulence. Unusually, the majority of these surface macro-molecules are attached to the plasma membrane via a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. In mammalian cells and yeast, many GPI-anchored molecules associate with sphingolipid and cholesterol-rich detergent-resistant membranes, known as lipid rafts. Here we show that GPI-anchored parasite macro-molecules (but not the dual acylated Leishmania surface protein (hydrophilic acylated surface protein) or a subset of the GPI-anchored glycoinositol phospholipid glycolipids) are enriched in a sphingolipid/sterol-rich fraction resistant to cold detergent extraction. This observation is consistent with the presence of functional lipid rafts in these ancient, highly polarised organisms
Historical Oslo on a Handheld Device – A Mobile Augmented Reality Application

AbstractMobile augmented reality (AR) applications can provide just-in-time information based on the user's preferences and context and thus improve the tourist experience. Due to various problems, the potential of this technology has yet to be fully exploited. In this paper, we present the design, implementation and evaluation of a mobile AR application for historical Oslo that aims to bring history to life by providing historical pictures of a location, depending on the direction in which the camera is pointing. This application can run offline and is designed as a generic framework where a similar application for a new city can be created by simply replacing the city-specific database
Effect of fibers and whole grain content on quality attributes of extruded cereals

AbstractIncorporation of fiber in cereals may lead to quality issues, thus decreasing consumer acceptance. This is partially due to deterioration of the microstructure, one of the primary quality attributes of cereals. The objective of this study was to better understand the mechanisms by which dietary fibers affect the quality of cereal products during extrusioncooking. The study quantified the effect of amount and type of fiber and whole grain on (i) texture, (ii) structure, and (iii) rehydration properties of extruded cereals. New innovative methods were applied and combined with traditional techniques to characterize both the structure and the rehydration properties. Extruded cereals were produced using a starch-based recipe (whole and wheat flours) and two sources of fibers (oat bran concentrate and wheat bran). The oat and wheat bran levels used in this study were 0, 10, and 20%. The different mixtures were extruded in a pilot twinscrew extruder BC21 (Clextral) and then sugar coated after drying. Mechanical properties of extruded cereals were investigated by compression test. The cellular structure was observed by X-ray tomography. The quality of coating (thickness, homogeneity) was analyzed by optical coherence tomography. The rehydration properties of such cereals in milk were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging and optical coherence tomography. This work revealed that structure assessment of extruded cereals may lead to a better understanding of the effect of fiber addition on texture and rehydration properties. The application of innovative methods, such as optical coherence tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, was found to be useful to quantify the structural properties
Spin label electron paramagnetic resonance study in thylakoid membranes from a new herbicide-resistant D1 mutant from soybean cell cultures deficient in fatty acid desaturation

AbstractThe effect of fatty acid desaturation on lipid fluidity in thylakoid membranes isolated from the STR7 mutant was investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) using spin label probes. The spectra of both 5- and 16-n-doxylstearic acid probes were measured as a function of the temperature between 10 and 305 K and compared to those of the wild type. This complete thermal evolution provides a wider picture of the dynamics. The spectra of the 5-n-doxylstearic acid probe as well as their temperature evolution were identical in both STR7 mutant and wild type thylakoids. However, differences were found with the 16-n-doxylstearic acid probe at temperatures between 230 and 305 K. The differences in the thermal evolution of the EPR spectra can be interpreted as a 5–10 K shift toward higher temperatures of the probe motional rates in the STR7 mutant as compared with that in the wild type. At temperatures below 230 K no differences were observed. The results indicated that the lipid motion in the outermost region of the thylakoids is the same in the STR7 mutant as in the wild type while the fluidity in the inner region of the STR7 mutant membrane decreases. Our data point out a picture of the STR7 thylakoid membrane in which the lipid motion is slower most probably as a consequence of fatty acid desaturation deficiency
Covariant hamiltonian spin dynamics in curved space–time

AbstractThe dynamics of spinning particles in curved space–time is discussed, emphasizing the hamiltonian formulation. Different choices of hamiltonians allow for the description of different gravitating systems. We give full results for the simplest case with minimal hamiltonian, constructing constants of motion including spin. The analysis is illustrated by the example of motion in Schwarzschild space–time. We also discuss a non-minimal extension of the hamiltonian giving rise to a gravitational equivalent of the Stern–Gerlach force. We show that this extension respects a large class of known constants of motion for the minimal case
Dermal Vγ4+ γδ T Cells Possess a Migratory Potency to the Draining Lymph Nodes and Modulate CD8+ T-Cell Activity through TNF-α Production

A large number of gamma delta T cells (γδ T cells) are located within epithelial tissues including the skin. In mice, epidermal and dermal γδ T cells consist of distinct subsets and have specific roles in cutaneous immune responses. A recent study demonstrated that γδ T cells and cutaneous dendritic cells migrate from the skin to the draining lymph nodes (LNs). However, it remains unclear whether they regulate the antigen-specific immune response within the LNs. Herein, we investigated their properties and role in the LNs using the Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) infection model. In vivo cell labeling analysis revealed that most of the migratory subset comprised dermal Vγ4+ cells. This population transmigrated from the skin to the LNs in a Gi-coupled chemokine receptor–independent manner. By depleting Vγ4+ cells, the intranodal expansion of CD8+ T cell against BCG was significantly attenuated. In addition, in vitro analysis revealed that Vγ4+ cells produced TNF-α and enhanced IL-12 production by dendritic cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that dermal Vγ4+ cells are a unique subset that possesses a migratory potency to the skin-draining LNs and enhances the dendritic cell function therein