julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
HDAC inhibition in thecpfl1mouse protects degenerating cone photoreceptorsin vivo
2016-08-15

Cone photoreceptor cell death as it occurs in certain hereditary retinal diseases is devastating, with the affected patients suffering from a loss of accurate and colour vision. Regrettably, these hereditary cone diseases are still untreatable to date. Thus, the identification of substances able to block or restrain cone cell death is of primary importance. We studied the neuroprotective effects of a histone deacetylase inhibitor, Trichostatin A (TSA), in a mouse model of inherited, primary cone degeneration (cpfl1). We show that HDAC inhibition protects cpfl1 cones in vitro, in retinal explant cultures. More importantly, in vivo, a single intravitreal TSA injection significantly increased cone survival for up to 16 days post-injection. In addition, the abnormal, incomplete cone migration pattern in the cpfl1 retina was significantly improved by HDAC inhibition. These findings suggest a crucial role for HDAC activity in primary cone degeneration and highlight a new avenue for future therapy developments for cone dystrophies and retinal diseases associated with impaired cone migration.
Modern precipitation δ18O and trajectory analysis over the Himalaya‐Tibet Orogen from ECHAM5‐wiso simulations
2016-08-15

Abstract Variations in oxygen isotope ratios (δ 18 O) measured from modern precipitation and geologic archives provide a promising tool for understanding modern and past climate dynamics and tracking elevation changes over geologic time. In areas of extreme topography, such as the Tibetan Plateau, the interpretation of δ 18 O has proven challenging. This study investigates the climate controls on temporal (daily and 6 h intervals) and spatial variations in present‐day precipitation δ 18 O (δ 18 O p ) across the Tibetan Plateau using a 30 year record produced from the European Centre/Hamburg ECHAM5‐wiso global atmospheric general circulation model (GCM). Results indicate spatial and temporal agreement between model‐predicted δ 18 O p and observations. Large daily δ 18 O p variations of −25 to +5‰ occur over the Tibetan Plateau throughout the 30 simulation years, along with interannual δ 18 O p variations of ~2‰. Analysis of extreme daily δ 18 O p indicates that extreme low values coincide with extreme highs in precipitation amount. During the summer, monsoon vapor transport from the north and southwest of the plateau generally corresponds with high δ 18 O p , whereas vapor transport from the Indian Ocean corresponds with average to low δ 18 O p . Thus, vapor source variations are one important cause of the spatial‐temporal differences in δ 18 O p . Comparison of GCM and Rayleigh Distillation Model (RDM)‐predicted δ 18 O p indicates a modest agreement for the Himalaya region (averaged over 86°–94°E), confirming application of the simpler RDM approach for estimating δ 18 O p lapse rates across Himalaya.
How to become a Bayesian in eight easy steps: An annotated reading list
2016-08-15

In this guide, we present a reading list to serve as a concise introduction to Bayesian data analysis. The introduction is geared toward reviewers, editors, and interested researchers who are new to Bayesian statistics. We provide commentary for eight recommended sources, which together cover the theoretical and practical cornerstones of Bayesian statistics in psychology and related sciences.
Prioritizing Regression Tests for Desktop and Web-Applications based on the Execution Frequency of Modified Code
2016-08-15

Regression testing can be very time expensive when running all available test cases. Test prioritization seeks to find faults early by reordering tests. Existing techniques decide in which order tests should be run based on coverage data, knowledge of code changes, historical data of prior test execution or a combination of them. Others postpone tests if similar ones are already selected for early execution. However, these approaches do not take into account that tests which appear similar still might explore different parts of the application's state space and thus can result in different test outcome. Approaches based on structural coverage or on historical data might ignore small tests focusing on behavior that rarely changes. In this paper, we present a novel prioritization technique that is based on the frequencies with which modified code parts are executed by the tests. Our technique assumes that multiple executions of a modified code part (under different contexts) have a higher chance to reveal faults than a single execution of this code. For this purpose, we use both the output of regression test selection as well as test traces obtained during test development. We propose multiple variants of our technique, including a feedback mechanism to optimize the prioritization order dynamically, and compare them in an evaluation of Java-based applications to existing approaches using the standard APFD metric. The results show that our technique is highly competitive.
Gauge fixing in lattice QCD with multi-GPUs∗
2016-08-15

Here we present the cuLGT 1 code for gauge fixing in lattice gauge field theories with graphic processing units (GPUs). Implementations for SU(3) Coulomb, Landau and maximally Abelian gauge fixing are available and the overrelaxation, stochastic relaxation and simulated annealing algorithms are supported. Performance results for single and multi-GPUs are given. PACS numbers: 11.15.Ha, 12.38.Gc 1.
Are there any stable magnetic fields in barotropic stars?
2016-08-16

We construct barotropic stellar equilibria, containing magnetic fields with both poloidal and toroidal field components. We extend earlier results by exploring the effect of different magnetic field and current distributions. Our results suggest that the boundary treatment plays a major role in determining whether the poloidal or toroidal field component is globally dominant. Using time evolutions we provide the first stability test for mixed poloidal–toroidal fields in barotropic stars, finding that all these fields suffer instabilities due to one of the field components: these are localized around the pole for toroidal-dominated equilibria and in the closed-field line region for poloidal-dominated equilibria. Rotation provides only partial stabilization. There appears to be very limited scope for the existence of stable magnetic fields in barotropic stars. We discuss what additional physics from real stars may allow for stable fields.
Treating gravity in thin-disk simulations
2016-08-16

Context. In 2D-simulations of thin gaseous disks with embedded planets or self-gravity the gravitational potential needs to be smoothed to avoid singularities in the numerical evaluation of the gravitational potential or force. The softening prescription used in 2D needs to be adjusted properly to correctly resemble the realistic case of vertically extended 3D disks. Aims. We analyze the embedded planet and the self-gravity case and provide a method to evaluate the required smoothing in 2D simulations of thin disks. Methods. Starting from the averaged hydrodynamic equations and using a vertically isothermal disk model, we calculated the force to be used in 2D simulations. We compared our results to the often used Plummer form of the potential, which runs as ∝ 1/(r2 + ε2)1/2. For that purpose we computed the required smoothing length ε as a function of distance r to the planet or to a disk element within a self-gravitating disk. Results. We find that for longer distances ε is determined solely by the vertical disk thickness H. For the planet case we find that outside r ≈ H a value of ε = 0.7H describes the averaged force very well, while in the self-gravitating disk the value needs to be higher, ε = 1.2H. For shorter distances the smoothing needs to be reduced significantly. Comparing torque densities of 3D and 2D simulations we show that the modification to the vertical density stratification as induced by an embedded planet needs to be taken into account to obtain agreeing results. Conclusions. It is very important to use the correct value of ε in 2D simulations to obtain a realistic outcome. In disk fragmentation simulations the choice of ε can determine whether a disk will fragment or not. Because a wrong smoothing length can change even the direction of migration, it is very important to include the effect of the planet on the local scale height in 2D planet-disk simulations. We provide an approximate and fast method for this purpose that agrees very well with full 3D simulations.
Monolayers of hard rods on planar substrates. I. Equilibrium
2016-08-16

The equilibrium properties of hard rod monolayers are investigated in a lattice model (where position and orientation of a rod are restricted to discrete values) as well as in an off-lattice model featuring spherocylinders with continuous positional and orientational degrees of freedom. Both models are treated using density functional theory and Monte Carlo simulations. Upon increasing the density of rods in the monolayer, there is a continuous ordering of the rods along the monolayer normal (“standing up” transition). The continuous transition also persists in the case of an external potential which favors flat-lying rods in the monolayer. This behavior is found in both the lattice and the continuum models. For the lattice model, we find very good agreement between the results from the specific DFT used (lattice fundamental measure theory) and simulations. The properties of lattice fundamental measure theory are further illustrated by the phase diagrams of bulk hard rods in two and three dimensions.
Outcome of dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies with spontaneous PPROM before 24 weeks’ gestation
2016-08-16

Dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies with PPROM prior to 24 + 0 weeks' gestation have a 60% chance of delivering at >24 weeks. Survival rates without major complications in twins with and without PPROM are 40% and 70%, respectively.
Synergistic Modulation of γ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A Receptor-Mediated Synaptic Inhibition in Cortical Networks by Allopregnanolone and Propofol
2016-08-16

BACKGROUND: The neuroactive steroid allopregnanolone (ALLO) is an endogenous allosteric modulator of γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA A ) receptors. There is evidence that ALLO, at physiologically relevant concentrations, modulates GABA A receptor function in the cerebral cortex. The widely used anesthetic agent propofol and ALLO share a similar mode of molecular action. Here, we ask how GABA A receptor-mediated synaptic inhibition and action potential firing of neurons in cultured cortical slices are altered by either ALLO or propofol or by coapplying both agents. METHODS: We explored the effects of ALLO and propofol on spontaneous action potential activity of neocortical neurons in organotypic slices cultured from C57BL6 mice by performing extracellular multiunit recordings. Furthermore, we carried out whole-cell voltage-clamp experiments to quantify the drug effects on GABA A receptor-mediated tonic and phasic currents. RESULTS: We found that ALLO (100 nM) decreased multiunit action potential firing of neocortical neurons by approximately 21%. Moreover, the duration of GABA A receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) was prolonged (mean Δdecay time prolongation: 12.9 ± 2.2 milliseconds; n = 23), and a bicuculline-sensitive tonic current was induced (mean Δbaseline shift: −24.6 ± 13.6 pA; P = .002; n = 6). A subanesthetic concentration of propofol (250 nM) decreased the discharge rates of cortical neurons to a similar degree as ALLO (100 nM). ALLO and propofol administered in combination acted in an additive manner to reduce action potential firing. However, during ALLO administration, propofol was significantly more effective in enhancing GABAergic synaptic transmission. Propofol (250 nM) prolonged the inhibitory postsynaptic currents decay times by 10.4 ± 6.1 milliseconds (n = 9) with ALLO added to the bathing solution; in the absence of ALLO, however, propofol prolonged the decay time by only 3.8 ± 2 milliseconds (n = 13). CONCLUSIONS: In cortical neurons, GABA A receptor-mediated synaptic transmission is potentiated by ALLO and propofol in a synergistic manner, whereas the effects on spontaneous action potential activity appear additive. A coapplication of neurosteroids and propofol in general anesthesia and intensive care medicine may open new ways to reduce anesthetic dose requirements and, thus, avoid undesired anesthetic-induced side effects.
Multivariate Complexity Analysis of Swap Bribery
2016-08-16

We consider the computational complexity of a problem modeling bribery in the context of voting systems. In the scenario of Swap Bribery, each voter assigns a certain price for swapping the positions of two consecutive candidates in his preference ranking. The question is whether it is possible, without exceeding a given budget, to bribe the voters in a way that the preferred candidate wins in the election. We initiate a parameterized and multivariate complexity analysis of Swap Bribery, focusing on the case of k-approval. We investigate how different cost functions affect the computational complexity of the problem. We identify a special case of k-approval for which the problem can be solved in polynomial time, whereas we prove NP-hardness for a slightly more general scenario. We obtain fixed-parameter tractability as well as W[1]-hardness results for certain natural parameters.
Snap‐Shots of a Reduction Pathway: The Reaction of WCl6 with Copper Powder
2016-08-16

A combined differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)/X‐ray diffraction (XRD) methodology is used to search and identify compounds in the Cu/W/Cl system based on the successive reaction of WCl 6 with copper powder. Thermal effects monitored by DSC are used to detect reaction pathways and phase formations of compounds. A series of five new and one already known compounds is discovered as crystalline phases in the Cu/W/Cl system and structurally characterized by XRD. The reaction of WCl 6 with elemental copper begins at temperatures as low as 60 °C with the formation of crystalline powders of α‐Cu x WCl 6 . Continuing reaction stages include the successive formation of crystalline phases β‐Cu x WCl 6 , γ‐Cu x WCl 6 , α‐Cu 2 W 2 Cl 10 , β‐Cu 2 W 2 Cl 10 , and Cu 2 [W 6 Cl 14 ].
Migration of massive planets in accreting disks
2016-08-17

Aims. Massive planets that open a gap in the accretion disk are believed to migrate with exactly the viscous speed of the disk, a regime termed type II migration. Population synthesis models indicate that standard type II migration is too rapid to be in agreement with the observations. We study the migration of massive planets between 2 × 10−4 and 2 × 10−3 M corresponding to 0.2 to 2 Jupiter masses MJ in order to estimate the migration rate in comparison to type II migration. Methods. We follow the evolution of planets embedded in two-dimensional, locally isothermal disks with non-zero mass accretion which is explicitly modelled using suitable in- and outflow boundary conditions to ensure a specific accretion rate. After a certain relaxation time we release the planet and measure its migration through the disk and the dependence on parameters such as viscosity, accretion rate and planet mass. We study accreting and non-accretion planets. Results. The inferred migration rate of the planet is determined entirely by the disk torques acting on it and is completely independent of the viscous inflow velocity, so there is no classical type II migration regime. Depending on the local disk mass the migration rate can be faster or slower than type II migration. From the torques and the accretion rate profile in the disk we see that the gap formed by the planet does not separate the inner from the outer disk as necessary for type II migration, rather gas crosses the gap or is accreted onto the planet. Key words. Protoplanetary disks – Planet-disk interactions 1.
Voluntary Disclosure and Analyst Forecast
2016-08-17

Empiricists document that firms more often voluntarily disclose bad news than good news and link this pessimism to managers’ increased incentives not to fall short of earnings expectations. This paper analyzes the voluntary disclosure of a manager’s private information by explicitly considering her incentives to meet or beat an analyst’s earnings forecast. The model predicts that managers who face strong incentives to meet or beat these forecasts more frequently disclose bad news than good news in order to guide analysts’ expectations about future earnings downward. This pessimism is higher in markets with less informed managers and may hold even if the manager has strong incentives for high stock prices and meet-or-beat incentives are comparably low.
Content aware quantization: Requantization of high dynamic range baseband signals based on visual masking by noise and texture
2016-08-17

High dynamic range imaging is currently being introduced to television, cinema and computer games. While it has been found that a fixed encoding for high dynamic range imagery needs at least 11 to 12 bits of tonal resolution, current mainstream image transmission interfaces, codecs and file formats are limited to 10 bits. To be able to use current generation imaging pipelines, this paper presents a baseband quantization scheme that exploits content characteristics to reduce the needed tonal resolution per image. The method is of low computational complexity and provides robust performance on a wide range of content types in different viewing environments and applications.
Finding a 24-day orbital period for the X-ray binary 1A 1118-616
2016-08-17

\\n We report the first determination of the binary period and orbital ephemeris of the Be X-ray binary containing the pulsar 1A 1118-616 (35 years after the discovery of the source). The orbital period is found to be Porb = 24.0 ± 0.4days. The source was observed by RXTE during its last large X-ray outburst in January 2009, which peaked at MJD 54845.4, by taking short observations every few days, covering an elapsed time comparable to the orbital period. Using the phase connection technique, pulse arrival time delays could be measured and an orbital solution determined. The data are consistent with a circular orbit and the time of 90 degrees longitude was found to be Tπ/2 = MJD 54845.37(10), which is coincident with that of the peak X-ray flux. \\n
ERGODICITY FOR A STOCHASTIC GEODESIC EQUATION IN THE TANGENT BUNDLE OF THE 2D SPHERE
2016-08-17

Abstract. We study ergodic properties of stochastic geometric wave equations on a particular model with the target being the 2D sphere while considering the space variable-independent solutions only. This simplification leads to a degenerate stochastic equation in the tangent bundle of the 2D sphere. Studying this equation, we prove existence and non-uniqueness of invariant probability measures for the original problem and we obtain also results on attractivity towards an invariant measure. We also present a suitable numerical scheme for approximating the solutions subject to a sphere constraint. 1.
Neogene amphibians and reptiles (Caudata, Anura, Gekotta, Lacertilia, Testudines) from south of Western Siberia, Russia and Northeastern Kazakhstan
2016-08-17

Background. Now-a-day territory of Western Siberia has the poorest diversity of amphibians and reptiles within the Palaearctic Realm, influenced by unfavourable climate. Less is known about the origin and emergence of it. Aside from better-explored European Neogene records of amphibians and reptiles, the Neogene herpetofauna of Western Asia is understudied. The few available studies on amphibian and reptile fossil assemblages need critical reviews and new interpretations considering the latest knowledge of the European record. The comparison with European record will provide data on palaeobiogeographic affiliations of the region as well as origin and emergence of the now-a-day fauna of Western Siberia. Beside these, a study providing overview about the earliest occurences of certain amphibian linages, that can be used for the calibration of the molecular clocks, is missing. Methods and Results. The amphibian and reptile fauna from over 40 Western Siberian, Russia and Northeastern Kazakhian localities ranging from Middle Miocene to Early Pleistocene has been studied. In the study the published data has been considered and critically reviewed and newly interpreted. More then 50 amphibian and reptile taxa has been identified belonging to families Hynobiidae, Cryptobranchidae, Salamandridae, Palaeobatrachidae, Bombinatoridae, Pelobatidae, Hylidae, Bufonidae, Ranidae, Gekkonidae, Lacertidae and Emydidae. Palaeobiogeographic analysis for those group has been done. For 12 localities, palaeoprecipitation values have been estimated using the bioclimatic analysis of herpetofaunal assemblage. Conclusions. The Neogene assemblage of Westren Sibera is dominated by groups (Palaeobatrachidae, Bombina, Hyla , Bufo bufo ) with European affinities. A small part of assemblage includes Eastern Palaearctic taxa (e.g. Hynobiidae, Tylototriton , Bufotes viridis, R . arvalis ). For several taxa (e.g. Mioproteus, Hyla, Bombina ) the Western Siberian records of represent the most east Eurasian records of these groups. The most divers faunas are found in the Middle Miocene, whereas the poorest towards Early Pleistocene. This tendency could be referred to the progressive global cooling of the climate in Northern Hemisphere. Our results showed higher-amplitude changes of precipitation development in Western Siberia from Early Miocene to Pliocene, than earlier assumed.
The digital data processing concepts of the LOFT mission
2016-08-17

The Large Observatory for X-ray Timing (LOFT) is one of the five mission candidates that were considered by ESA for an M3 mission (with a launch opportunity in 2022- 2024). LOFT features two instruments: the Large Area Detector (LAD) and the Wide Field Monitor (WFM). The LAD is a 10 m2-class instrument with approximately 15 times the collecting area of the largest timing mission so far (RXTE) for the first time combined with CCD-class spectral resolution. The WFM will continuously monitor the sky and recognise changes in source states, detect transient and bursting phenomena and will allow the mission to respond to this. Observing the brightest X-ray sources with the effective area of the LAD leads to enormous data rates that need to be processed on several levels, filtered and compressed in real-time already on board. The WFM data processing on the other hand puts rather low constraints on the data rate but requires algorithms to find the photon interaction location on the detector and then to deconvolve the detector image in order to obtain the sky coordinates of observed transient sources. In the following, we want to give an overview of the data handling concepts that were developed during the study phase.