julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Predicting fixation densities over time from early visual processing
2018-09-01

Bottom-up saliency is often cited as a factor driving the choice of fixation locations of human observers, based on the (partial) success of saliency models to predict fixation densities in free viewing. However, these observations are only weak evidence for a causal role of bottom-up saliency in natural viewing behaviour. To test bottom-up saliency more directly, we analyse the performance of a number of saliency models---including our own saliency model based on our recently published model of early visual processing (Schütt & Wichmann, 2017, JoV)---as well as the theoretical limits for predictions over time. On free viewing data our model performs better than classical bottom-up saliency models, but worse than the current deep learning based saliency models incorporating higher-level information like knowledge about objects. However, on search data all saliency models perform worse than the optimal image independent prediction. We observe that the fixation density in free viewing is not stationary over time, but changes over the course of a trial. It starts with a pronounced central fixation bias on the first chosen fixation, which is nonetheless influenced by image content. Starting with the 2nd to 3rd fixation, the fixation density is already well predicted by later densities, but more concentrated. From there the fixation distribution broadens until it reaches a stationary distribution around the 10th fixation. Taken together these observations argue against bottom-up saliency as a mechanistic explanation for eye movement control after the initial orienting reaction in the first one to two saccades, although we confirm the predictive value of early visual representations for fixation locations. The fixation distribution is, first, not well described by any stationary density, second, is predicted better when including object information and, third, is badly predicted by any saliency model in a search task. Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2018
A Semi-Virtualized Testbed Cluster with a Centralized Server for Networking Education
2018-09-01

Hands-on computer networking labs are essential in many computer science curricula. They are conducted either on physical testbeds consisting of PCs, routers, switches, cables, etc., or on fully virtualized testbeds. The latter consist of only virtual machines (VM) that can be interconnected via software configuration. Fully virtualized testbeds require less resources (hardware, space, energy) than physical testbeds but students miss important hands-on experience with networking equipment. In this work, we present a semi-virtualized testbed: students are given physical access to networking interfaces of VMs via patch panels so that they can interconnect them through cables. Similarly to virtualized testbeds, the semi-virtualized testbed requires only little hardware and maintenance effort while preserving the hands-on experience of physical testbeds. We present a Python-based orchestration platform for several virtual student workspaces on a single physical server. Each virtual student workspace contains several VMs acting as clients, servers, and routers that can be configured by students. It is made available to a physical workspace on a 19-inch cabinet consisting of a thin client and patch panels allowing students to physically interconnect their VMs with cables.
Restoration of Laser Evoked Potentials (LEP) in Patients Receiving Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) Stimulation
2018-09-01

Introduction: Chronic localized neuropathic pain represents a medical condition of difficult treatment. Recently, a novel target for neuromodulation, i.e., stimulation of the dorsal root ganglion (DRGS), has been shown effective in the management of neuropathic pain. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of DRG stimulation are not well established.
D-Wave, and Not SEP or MEP, Is the Best Electrophysiological Predictor of Postoperative Deficit after Surgery for Spinal Cord Tumors
2018-09-01

Introduction: Surgery for intraspinal tumors represent a challenging situation, where the chances of new sensorimotor déficits are considerably high. Electrophysiological monitoring might contribute to surgery security, nevertheless, its efficacy, especially the best modality to predict unfavorable outcome, is still a matter of intense controversy. Therefore, we asked whether sensory-, motor evoked potentials (SEP and MEP), and D-waves are efficacious in predicting neurological morbidity.
Electrophysiological Predictors of Hearing Deterioration Based on AEP Monitoring During the Posterior Fossa Approach for the Surgical Resection of Petroclival Meningiomas
2018-09-01

The surgical strategy in tumors located in the cerebello-pontine angle involves minimal manipulation of the cranial nerves and brain stem. In fact, the manipulation of these structures and any eventual damage to them are the most important factors associated with postoperative functional outcome and quality of life. Intraoperative electrophysiological monitorization (IOM) is essential to minimize the manipulation to these structures. Nevertheless, little data are available regarding the efficacy of IOM in preventing functional deficits.
I22 Intranasal administration of mesenchymal stem cells ameliorates the abnormal dopamine transmission system and inflammatory reaction in the R6/2 mouse model of huntington disease
2018-09-01

This is an abstract of a conference paper. It was accepted for publication in Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry and the definitive final version can be found at https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2018-EHDN.258
The Empress, the Elector and the Painter
2018-09-01

German MS. 2 is a previously unstudied armorial dating from the mid-sixteenth century. This article shows that it was produced in the workshop of Lucas Cranach the Younger for Elector August of Saxony, and that it was copied from an earlier armorial of c .1500 which was kept in Cranach’s workshop, probably as reference material. Much of the original content and structure of this ‘old armorial’ has been preserved in Rylands German 2. On this basis, the original armorial can be located in a late fifteenth-century Upper German tradition of armorial manuscripts known as the ‘Bodensee’ group. It was also closely linked to the Habsburg dynasty, and appears to have been dedicated to Empress Bianca Maria Sforza. The armorial therefore opens significant new perspectives on the relationships between artists and heraldry and between women and heraldic knowledge, and on ways of visualising the Holy Roman Empire through heraldry.
B05 Environment-driven influences and neuroprotection in the BACHD RAT model for huntington disease
2018-09-01

<h3>Background</h3> Huntington disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by a mutation in the huntingtin (HTT) gene. Despite being a monogenic disease, environmental factors can modulate HD phenotype. Specifically, environmental enrichment (EE) in animal models influenced markers of brain pathology, altered behavior and caused expression changes. Yet, the molecular mechanisms mediating the gene-environment interplay in the context of mHTT remain elusive. <h3>Aims</h3> Determining preventive as well as rehabilitative effects of the EE and shedding light on the underlying molecular mechanisms as to how EE influence HD characteristics. <h3>Methods</h3> We used the BACHD rats expressing full-length human mHTT together with wildtype littermates, and we housed the animals either in standard environment (SE) or EE, the later applied exclusively or first housed <i>in SE</i> until developing signs of pathology and then migrated to the EE. We assessed phenotypical, immunohistochemical responses and profiled transcriptome for changes through EE exposure. <h3>Results</h3> Behavioral characterization together with gene expression profiles after 6 months of EE will be presented. EE prevented impairments in cognitive abilities in BACHD rats and modulated striatal gene expression. <h3>Conclusions</h3> This initial data points towards early preventive effects from EE and modulation of the BACHD phenotype.
A50 Hypothalamic suppression of mutant huntingtin restored proteins involved in energy metabolism
2018-09-01

<h3>Background</h3> In Huntington disease (HD), the negative impacts of metabolic dysfunctions heavily affects the quality of life of patients. As energy metabolism is centrally regulated by the hypothalamus via a number of proteins, we hypothesize that mutant huntingtin (mHTT) disrupts selective proteins resulting in metabolic disturbances. <h3>Aims</h3> To investigate disruptions of energy metabolism caused by mHTT in the hypothalamus. <h3>Methods</h3> A viral-mediated microRNA that could downregulate both wild-type and mutant HTT was administered to the hypothalamus of BACHD rats using bilateral stereotaxic injections. To compare the effects of mHTT downregulation at the time of intervention, BACHD rats were treated at 1 and 6 months of age, which correspond to the early disease and symptomatic stages respectively. Wild-type littermates treated with vector formulation buffer and BACHD rats treated with an empty vector were included as control groups. Brain tissues were harvested 5 months post-treatment for protein analyses. <h3>Results</h3> Our findings showed that, protein expressions of neuropeptide Y receptor 5 (NPY5R), orexin receptor 1 (OX1R) and leptin receptor were significantly altered in at least one of the disease stages in the hypothalamus of the empty vector-treated BACHD rats when compared to the wild-type littermates. Downregulation of mHTT in the hypothalamus restored the protein expressions of NPY5R, OX1R and leptin receptor in the hypothalamus to respective levels as in the wild-type littermates. <h3>Conclusions</h3> The physiological functions of the hypothalamus are disrupted by mHTT in HD. Nevertheless, mHTT suppression in the hypothalamus can be an effective approach for restoring the perturbed neuroendocrine axes regulating energy metabolism.
B03 Behavioral characterization of homozygous BACHD rats
2018-09-01

<h3>Background</h3> Behavioral changes in Huntington's disease (HD) are directly associated with the dysfunction and degeneration of certain brain areas, most prominently striatum and cortex. The sole cause of developing HD is the expansion of an unstable repeat of CAG base triplets in the coding region of the Huntingtin gene, HTT. The BACHD rat overexpresses full length human mutant huntingtin with 97 alternating CAA/CAG repeats and is thus a well suited genetic animal model of HD. <h3>Aims</h3> To analyze homozygous BACHD rats for motor, learning as well as memory deficits and compare data with results of heterozygous BACHD rats who are already well characterized for their behavioral phenotype. <h3>Methods</h3> Two and five months old homozygous animals were analyzed for motor as well as learning, memory and relearning deficits. <h3>Results</h3> Our results show motor deficits analyzed with the grip strength test and RotaRod in homozygous BACHD rats at the age of two and five months. Additional analyses in the Barnes maze test showed initial learning, memory and relearning deficits at the age of two months, which were further increased at the age of 5 months. Further analysis in the passive avoidance test revealed emotional learning deficits of 2 months old homozygous BACHD rats. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Our results show that homozygous BACHD rats present a very early motor and cognitive phenotype. Cognitive deficits already start at the young age of two months and therefore appear much earlier compared to heterozygous BACHD rats. Although homozygous animals need to be further characterized, our data already suggest that homozygous BACHD rats will be of great importance for future HD research. Testing new compounds that influence HD disease progression could be facilitated, since treatment could be significantly shortened compared to heterozygous BACHD rats.
A41 Olfactory bulb atrophy and caspase activation observed early in the bachd transgenic lines
2018-09-01

Olfactory dysfunction is observed in several neurological disorders, including Huntington disease (HD), and correlates with global cognitive performance, depression and degeneration of olfactory regions in the brain. Despite clear evidence demonstrating olfactory dysfunction in HD patients, only limited details are available in murine models and the underlying mechanisms are unknown. In order to determine if alterations in the olfactory bulb (OB) are observed in HD we assessed OB morphology from 3 to 12 months of age in the BACHD rat models (TG5 and TG9). A significant decrease in OB weight was observed at 6 and 12 months of age compared to WT. We also detected increased mRNA and protein expression of mhtt in the OB of TG5 compared to TG9 at specific ages. Despite the higher expression of mhtt in the TG5 OBs, there was increased nuclear accumulation of htt in the OB of TG9 compared to WT and TG5 rats. As we observed atrophy of the OB in the BACHD rats we assessed for caspase activation, a known mechanism underlying the cell death observed in HD. We characterized caspase-3,–6, −8 and −9 mRNA and protein expression levels in the OB of the BACHD rat models at 3, 6 and 12 months of age. Early alterations in caspase mRNA and protein expression were detected in the TG9 and TG5 lines. However, the changes observed in the mRNA and protein levels are in some cases discordant, suggesting that the caspase protein modifications detected may be more attributable to post-translational modifications. The caspase activation studies support that cell death may be increased in the rodent HD OB and further our understanding of the olfactory dysfunction and the role of caspases in the pathogenesis of HD.
B06 Social and sexual behavior changes in the BACHD RAT model
2018-09-01

<h3>Background</h3> Social behavior related symptoms and sexual disturbances are frequently reported in Huntington disease (HD) patients, but scarcely studied in animal models. The BACHD rat model for HD carries the human full length mutated HTT with 97 CAG-CAA repeats and reproduces several HD-like features. <h3>Aims</h3> This study aims to characterize multiple aspects of social and sexual behavior in BACHD rats. <h3>Methods/techniques</h3> Rats were subjected to social interaction test, three chamber social test and mating test. While the social interaction test was applied longitudinally, three chamber and mating tests were administered in different age cohorts. <h3>Results/outcome</h3> BACHD rats showed a mild impairment in preference for novelty at 7 months as well as changes in different parameters of social interaction that were detectable by 2 months. Transgenic rats showed also increased sexual performance at the age of 3 months and a normalization of most sexual parameters at 7 months. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Our results indicate disturbed social and sexual phenotypes in the BACHD rat model. Relating these behavioral phenotypes to neurobiological alterations in relevant brain areas will help to clarify their nature and translatability to the human condition.
FS: Bioelectronic Medicine
2018-09-01

Only thin-film electrodes can meet the demands of highly selective and high channel-count electrical neural stimulations.They are used in neural applications to ensure efficacious stimulations and recordings.In comparison to the often used platinum-iridium electrodes in active implantable medical devices, such as for cardiac pacemakers, thin-film platinum as standard material has been widely used in micromachined neural interfaces with the advantage of a very high miniaturization level.For clinical applications a high longevity and integrity of the electrode metallization is important for safe and reliable stimulation.In this work we investigate the influence of typical stimulation protocols for clinical neural stimulation on flexible polyimide-based thin-film platinum electrodes for neuroprostheses.Different fabrication processes of sputter deposited and evaporated thin-film metallization have been compared and evaluated based on stability during biphasic stimulation electrochemical analysis of the electrode surface.For biphasic stimulation, 120 million cathodic-first, charge balanced pulses with a charge density of 60 μC/cm 2 and a frequency of 500 Hz were applied, corresponding to standard neural stimulation protocols.Both sputter deposited and evaporated platinum thin-films showed similar electrochemical surface properties and therefore no dependencies on the different fabrication processes.The electrochemical analysis showed that the surface roughness of the thin-film was not altered significantly by the stimulation.Directly after stimulation, cyclic voltammetry showed a larger and negatively shifted platinum oxide reduction peak.This indicates that the oxidation of the electrode surface during stimulation exceeded the PtO monolayer range.However, this effect was shown to be fully reversible as confirmed by further cyclic voltammetry.No degradation or irreversible change of the thin-film electrodes due to the stimulation was observed.The presented in vitro data suggest that platinum thin-film electrodes can be used for typical stimulation protocols without any deviation in electrochemical characteristics.A temporarily observed oxidation of the electrode surface during stimulation is fully reversible.From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the electrode integrity is maintained during electrical stimulation.
檢察官定位與指令拘束──德國法的視角啟發 Discussion on the Position of Prosecutors and the Restriction on Orders Regarding Prosecutorial Matters—From the Perspective of German Law
2018-09-01

檢察官扮演介於法官與警察之間的法律守護人,不但必須履行客觀義務與遵守法定原則,更須將法價值的實現作為其存在的根本意義,而與一個把法律當作工作制約的行政官有所區別。檢察官在憲法的權力分立意義上屬於行政權,而不在憲法第七章有關「司法」的規範範圍內。因此,憲法第 80 條對於從事審判工作的法官,要求 須依據法律獨立審判,卻未明文對檢察官做此要求;立法機關更在法院組織法第 63 條與第 64 條分別規定,檢察總長與檢察長對檢察官的指揮監督權以及職務承繼權與移轉權。不過,在刑事程序的任務上,檢察官與刑事法官皆屬廣義的刑事司法機關,透過彼此的分工與制衡,發現真實,並實現保障人權價值在內的司法正義(司法院大法官釋字第 392 號參照)。因此,在追求 法律意旨實現的誡命下,司法人員人事條例第 3 條將檢察官與法官合稱為「司法官」,實屬妥適。由於檢察官在刑事程序的任務趨近於法官,自須使檢察官猶如法官般地,得以依其確信認事用法。檢察官不同於一般行政公務員,對於上級指令權的限制,亦不能只求不違背法令即可,而須考量到檢察官的司法屬性。據此,檢察首長不應透過指令權強迫檢察官違反自己確信行事,如欲貫徹自己觀點,亦只能行使職務承繼權、職務移轉權,以維持檢察官的司法屬性。 Prosecutor, as the guardian of law subduing between judiciary and police, may not only comply with objective obligation principle of legality, but especially regard demonstrating the legal value as their essential mission. In contrary, executive official, who regards the law as a bound toward the policies, is fundamentally distinct from prosecution system. Under the scheme of separation of powers in constitution, prosecutor was assigned to the executive branch, so the Section 7 (Judiciary) did not include prosecution system within; hence, Constitution Article 80 only dictated that judges shall hold trials independently. Besides, Legislative Yuan had separately entitled the right of instruction and supervision and the right to take over or commission official tasks to prosecutor general and chief prosecutor in Article 63 and 64 of Court Constitution Act. However, within discharging duty in criminal proceedings, prosecutors and judges are both regarded as the generalized judiciary, which counterbalanced and duty-divided with each other to discover the legal fact within cases, and to accomplish the judicial justice and the human right protection (see Interpretation No. 392 of Judicial Yuan). Thus, at the behest of the law, it is accurate to position prosecutor and judge as “judicature” jointly in Article 3 of Jurisdiction Personnel Management Act. There is an obligation for prosecutors to identify cases within the opinio juris, since the role of prosecutor resemble judges under the criminal proceedings. Consequently, the restriction on the right to command between superior and subordinate prosecutor could not only submit to the law, but also ponder the character as judicature, which significantly dissimilar from general executive public official. Whereupon, prosecutor general could not oblige subordinate prosecutors to alter their opinio juris by the right to command. So as to the implementation of the opinio juris of prosecutor general himself/herself, in case of discrediting the judicature character of prosecutor, he/she could only exercise the right to retract or transfer.
Borderdispositifsand border effects. Exploring the nexus between transnationalism and border studies
2018-09-03

The article argues that transnationalism and border studies offer complementary perspectives where each can inspire the other. Based on two case studies, the notions of border dispositifs and border effects are developed as analytical lenses for researching and conceptualising the nexus between transnational migration and border regimes. While the border dispositifs perspective facilitates a de-reification of borders and shifts the focus on how inequalities are produced by specific border locations and situations, the border effects perspectives reifies the notion of border in order to capture structural effects which border regimes have on transnational migrants' lives. Finally, the article introduces the notion of border capital to theorise effects that borders have on resources of persons who are mobile across borders. It aims at capturing the impact of borders on inequalities between mobile and sedentary persons.
Intragenic Meiotic Crossovers Generate Novel Alleles with Transgressive Expression Levels
2018-09-03

Meiotic recombination is an evolutionary force that generates new genetic diversity upon which selection can act. Whereas multiple studies have assessed genome-wide patterns of recombination and specific cases of intragenic recombination, few studies have assessed intragenic recombination genome-wide in higher eukaryotes. We identified recombination events within or near genes in a population of maize recombinant inbred lines (RILs) using RNA-sequencing data. Our results are consistent with case studies that have shown that intragenic crossovers cluster at the 5' ends of some genes. Further, we identified cases of intragenic crossovers that generate transgressive transcript accumulation patterns, that is, recombinant alleles displayed higher or lower levels of expression than did nonrecombinant alleles in any of ∼100 RILs, implicating intragenic recombination in the generation of new variants upon which selection can act. Thousands of apparent gene conversion events were identified, allowing us to estimate the genome-wide rate of gene conversion at SNP sites (4.9 × 10-5). The density of syntenic genes (i.e., those conserved at the same genomic locations since the divergence of maize and sorghum) exhibits a substantial correlation with crossover frequency, whereas the density of nonsyntenic genes (i.e., those which have transposed or been lost subsequent to the divergence of maize and sorghum) shows little correlation, suggesting that crossovers occur at higher rates in syntenic genes than in nonsyntenic genes. Increased rates of crossovers in syntenic genes could be either a consequence of the evolutionary conservation of synteny or a biological process that helps to maintain synteny.
Informal Alliance
2018-09-03

Informal Alliance is the first archive-based history of the secretive Bilderberg Group, the high-level transatlantic elite network founded at the height of the Cold War. Making extensive use of the recently opened Bilderberg Group archives as well as a wide range of private and official collections, it shows the significance of informal diplomacy in a fast-changing world of Cold War, decolonization, and globalization. By analyzing the global mindset of the postwar transatlantic elite and by focusing on private, transnational modes of communication and coordination, this study provides important new insights into the history of transatlantic relations, anti-Americanism, Western anti-communism, and European integration during the 1950s and 1960s. Informal Alliance also debunks the persistent myth that the Bilderberg Group was created by the CIA and repudiates widespread conspiracy theories alleging that Bilderberg was some sort of secret world government.