julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Collective, communicative and cultural memories: examples of local historiography from northern Kyrgyzstan
2012-09-01

In recent years several historical publications have appeared in Kyrgyzstan which are far from homogeneous in terms of style, form and content. In this article, two very different local histories written by Kyrgyz authors from the same village are analysed and compared. The first author is a former kolkhoz president who produced two books that basically cover the time from the end of the nineteenth to the end of the twentieth century. His work is strongly (auto)biographical and focuses on individual achievements and personal experiences. The second author is a mathematician who wrote two books about the history of his own descent category (uruu). His work combines oral history (sanjyra) with written sources. The two authors create very different images of 'esteemed people' (ardaktuu adamdar), yet they exhibit a common interest in producing a narrative that links the deeds of one's own people (family or descent group) with the history of particular places (pastures, villages or regions). Taking up these observations, the author argues that local histories relate to different types of memory and are far from uniform with regard to their composition, sources, methods and narrative strategies. Yet, despite their diversity, the newly developed genres of 'written collective memory' provide the idea of social continuity by stressing connections between past and present, and between people, land and morality. This may indeed be one reason why collective memories, which were suppressed for many decades, have become so popular in times of rapid social transformation.
Distance-Constrained Force-Directed Process Mapping for MPSoC Architectures
2012-09-01

In this paper, we present a novel approach for automated mapping of software processes onto the cores of MPSoC architectures using a regular packet-based communication infrastructure. During the mapping determination, the communication distance as well as the routing algorithm for packet-based communication are taken into account. The basic idea of the developed approach is the reduction of communication conflicts on the communication network links for reducing the overall communication latency and hence for increasing the total system performance. The presented approach is based on the idea of force-directed scheduling (FDS) from high-level synthesis and uses forces for determining an optimized process mapping. The approach constrains the cores, that are used for the calculation of possible mappings, by the communication distance of the communicating processes. We present results obtained from an advanced driver assistance system on a Tilera TILEPro64 processor.
Cross-Strait Relations and the Way Forward: Observations from a European Integration Perspective
2012-09-01

The new policy platform in Taiwan of economic liberalization toward the Chinese mainland which was inaugurated by President Ma Ying-jeou (Ma Yingjiu) in 2008 has been the source of both expectation and anxiety. While some observers believe that this policy of rapprochement will usher in an era of cross-Strait prosperity and peace, others are concerned about Taiwan's de facto sovereignty as well as the negative economic impacts that the liberalization policy might entail. In particular, it has often been claimed (or feared) that the liberalization process will lead to some form of political integration between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. In this article, I wish to offer some insights into the current state of cross-Strait interactions derived from the European integration process.
Liberalist Variation in Taiwan: Four Democratization Orientations
2012-09-01

In this paper I analyse how Taiwanese liberalist scholars have discursively and operationally shaped the meanings of Taiwanese democratization via a mix of liberal values and nationalist concerns. I will argue that a valid understanding of democratization in Taiwan has never emerged in a way that adequately responds to a liberalist perspective of the country's ongoing political development. Instead, such an understanding has been subjectively influenced by liberal intellectuals writing on the subject. In other words, current discourses in Taiwan represent efforts on the part of scholars to manage connections between liberalist values and nationalist concerns rather than shared views regarding facts emerging from Taiwanese democratization. In this paper I discuss four types of liberalist orientations to Taiwanese democratization – universal, moderate, pragmatic and nationalist – in the contexts of national-identity constraints, a balance between liberal values and national identity, and flexibility regarding liberalist and nationalist concerns. I conclude that democratization research in Taiwan reflects an aspect of knowledge production formulated by the relationship between the researcher and the subject under study.
No Winds of Change: Taiwan's 2012 National Elections and the Post-Election Fallout
2012-09-01

Taiwan held its first combined national elections on 14 January 2012. Though the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the largest opposition party, fared much better in the Legislative Yuan elections than it did in 2008, DPP presidential contender Tsai Ying-wen's (Cai Yingwen) clear defeat at the hands of the Kuomintang (KMT, Guomindang) incumbent, Ma Ying-jeou (Ma Yingjiu), in the presidential race came as a surprise. The article examines the election campaigns of both Tsai and Ma, summarizes the election results, and analyses the reasons why the DPP failed to retake the presidency. It then discusses the postelection debate within the DPP on the future of its China policy and ponders what can be expected from the second Ma administration.
A Logical Characterization of Extended TAGs.
2012-09-01

Context-free tree grammars, originally introduced by Rounds ((Rounds, 1970)), are powerful grammar devices for the definition of tree languages. In the present paper, we consider a subclass of the class of context-free tree languages, namely the class of monadic simple context-free tree languages. For this class of context-free tree languages, a faithful rendering of extended TAGs, we show that it can be given a simple logical characterization in terms of monadic second-order transductions.
Engineering the Prover Interface
2012-09-01

Practical prover interfaces are sizeable pieces of software, whose construction and maintenance requires an extensive amount of effort and resources. This paper addresses the engineering aspects of such developments. Using non-functional properties as quality attributes for software, we discuss which properties are particularly relevant to prover interfaces and demonstrate, by the example of the I3P interface for Isabelle, how judicious architectural and design decisions lead to an interface software possessing these properties. By a comparison with other proposed interfaces, we argue that our considerations can be applied beyond the example project.
Heterogeneous and homogenous emphysema both respond to lung volume reduction coil treatment
2012-09-01

Rationale: The Lung Volume Reduction Coil (LVRC, PneumRx USA) is a bronchoscopic device for the treatment of patients with heterogeneous emphysema. In this study we investigated if the LVRC has potential in the treatment of homogenous emphysema. Methods: Using a post-hoc blinded CT analysis we tested the impact of degree of heterogeneity on 6-month outcome in patients after bilateral LVRC treatment in two recent trials ([NCT01220908][1], [NCT01328899][2]). First, digital lobar CT emphysema scores were assessed using the % destruction below -950HU for both lungs. <25% difference between the ipsilateral lobes of both lungs was regarded homogeneous. Secondly, a visual pattern approach was used grading from 0 (no damage) to 4 (bullous disease). A difference of ≤1 point in one of the lungs was regarded as homogeneous disease. Results: 53 patients, 61.8y (±7.4), FEV1 33.8%pred (±9.8), RV 246%pred (±53) RV/TLC 60.6 (±9.1) were analyzed. Digital CT analyses identified 15 homogenous cases with a ΔFEV1 +7.8% (±11.9), ΔRV -0.77L (±0.55), Δ6MWD +41m (±85), ΔSGRQ -13.4pts (±11.3) and 38 heterogeneous cases with a ΔFEV1 +15.9% (±31.8), ΔRV -0.48L (±0.83), Δ6MWD +42m (±80), ΔSGRQ -10.9pts (±15.3). The visual approach resulted in 34 homogeneous cases with a ΔFEV1 +10% (±16), ΔRV -0.49L (±0.66), Δ6MWD +44m (±85), ΔSGRQ -9.6pts (±12.9), and 29 heterogeneous cases with a ΔFEV1 +18.3% (±37), ΔRV -0.61L (±0.85), Δ6MWD +42m (±59), ΔSGRQ -13.4pts (±15.3). Only FEV1 was different (p<0.01) between the two phenotypes. Conclusion: LVRC treatment also results in significant and clinically relevant improvements in patients with homogenous emphysema. These results warrant a prospective evaluation on LVRC in homogenous disease. [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT01220908&atom=%2Ferj%2F40%2FSuppl_56%2F4731.atom [2]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT01328899&atom=%2Ferj%2F40%2FSuppl_56%2F4731.atom
OP23.03: First trimester combined screening with PLGF, free β‐HCG and PAPP‐A
2012-09-01

To examine placental growth factor (PlGF) in euploid and trisomy 21 pregnancies at 11–13 weeks of gestation and to model the impact on first trimester combined screening. PlGF was measured in the stored surplus of 509 (409 euploid and 100 trisomic fetuses) serum samples that have been derived from prospective first trimester combined screening for trisomy 21 at 11 to 13 weeks. The effect of the additional measurement of PlGF at the time of combined screening was investigated by simulating fetal NT measurements and MoM values for PAPP-A, free β-hCG, and PlGF for 20.000 euploid and 20.000 trisomy 21 pregnancies. Patient specific combined risks were calculated based on maternal age and fetal NT and in addition either free β-hCG, PAPP-A and PlGF, PAPP-A and PlGF or free β-hCG and PlGF. In euploid fetuses, median PlGF MoM was 1.0 (95% CI 0.96–1.04). In trisomy 21, median PlGF MoM was 0.73 (95% CI 0.70–0.80) MoM, which was significantly lower than in euploid pregnacies (P < 0.0001). Modelled detection and false-positive rates for first trimester combined screening without PlGF were 85% and 2.7% for a fixed risk cut-off of 1:100. The addition of PlGF incresed the detection rate to 87% and reduced the false-positive rate to 2.6%, respectively. Screening by maternal and fetal NT in combination with PlGF and PAPP-A or in combination with PlGF and free β-hCG provides detection rates of 82% and 79% for false-positive rates of 2.7% and 3.0%, respectively. In pregnancies with trisomy 21 PlGF is reduced. The impact on the overal screening performance for trisomy 21 is low and does not justify the measurement of PlGF solely for trisomy 21. However, as the measurement of PlGF aims to assess the risk for pre-eclampsia rather than for trisomy 21, a further improvement in screening for trisomy 21 can be considered as a positive side effect.
The Few Leading the Many: Foreign Affiliates and Business Cycle Comovement
2012-09-01

This paper uses micro-data on balance sheets, trade, and the nationality of ownership of firms in France to investigate the effect of foreign multinationals on business cycle comovement. We first show that foreign affiliates, which represent a tiny fraction of all firms, are responsible for a high share of employment, value added, and trade both at the national and at the regional levels. We also show that the distribution of foreign affiliates across regions differs with the nationality of the parent. We then show that foreign affiliates increase the comovement of activities between their region of location and their country of ownership. We find that intra-firm trade in intermediate inputs is a significant channel of influence of business cycle comovement. These findings suggest that a non-negligible part of business cycle comovement is driven by a few multinational companies, and that the international transmission of shocks is partly due to linkages between affiliates and their foreign parents.
Evaluating the Diagnostic and Chemotherapeutic Potential of Vancomycin- Derived Imaging Conjugates
2012-09-01

The main use of glycopeptide antibiotics is treatment of infections which are resistant to the commonly used β- lactam antibiotics. Antitumor activity has also been reported for some glycopeptide antibiotics like bleomycin. In the present study we investigated the chemotherapeutic and diagnostic potential of two imaging agent derivatives of the glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin. For the first conjugate, vancomycin was coupled to the fluorescent dye rhodamine, used in confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). The second conjugate consisted of vancomycin coupled to gadolinium-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraacetic acid (GdDOTA), a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent. The cellular uptake, specificity, and the accessibility by imaging methods of the two vancomycin conjugates was evaluated on 8 human cell lines (one benign, 7 malignant) by CLSM, FACS, and MRI experiments. Cytotoxicity of both vancomycin conjugates was determined in the FACS experiments with the annexin test indicating disrupted cell membranes. Some of the malignant cell lines showed clearly stronger uptake than the others and the benign cell line was among the cell lines with the lowest uptake. In the annexin test the cytotoxicity could be correlated to the conjugate uptake for all cell lines. The intracellular uptake of the vancomycin conjugates and the increased uptake into some of the malignant cell lines were interesting findings which should be further pursued.
Computation of motion direction in the vertebrate retina
2012-09-01

Abstract How direction of image motion is detected as early as at the level of the vertebrate eye has been intensively studied in retina research. Although the first direction-selective (DS) retinal ganglion cells were already described in the 1960s and have since then been in the focus of many studies, scientists are still puzzled by the intricacy of the neuronal circuits and computational mechanisms underlying retinal direction selectivity. The fact that the retina can be easily isolated and studied in a Petri dish-by presenting light stimuli while recording from the various cell types in the retinal circuits-in combination with the extensive anatomical, molecular and physiological knowledge about this part of the brain presents a unique opportunity for studying this intriguing visual circuit in detail. This article provides a brief overview of the history of research on retinal direction selectivity, but then focuses on the past decade and the progress achieved, in particular driven by methodological advances in optical recording techniques, molecular genetics approaches and large-scale ultrastructural reconstructions. As it turns out, retinal direction selectivity is a complex, multi-tiered computation, involving dendrite-intrinsic mechanisms as well as several types of network interactions on the basis of highly selective, likely genetically predetermined synaptic connectivity. Moreover, DS ganglion cell types appear to be more diverse than previously thought, differing not only in their preferred direction and response polarity, but also in physiology, DS mechanism, dendritic morphology and, importantly, the target area of their projections in the brain.
Modified mRNA encoding Foxp3 protects against allergic asthma in mice by rebalancing T helper cell responses through an IL-23 / IL-17A-dependent mechanism
2012-09-01

Chemically modified mRNA has recently shown life-saving efficacy in a murine model of a rare, genetic lung disease, Surfactant Protein-B deficiency, by inducing therapeutic levels of protein expression while circumventing the threat of genomic integration often associated with viral vectors (Kormann et al, Nat Biotechnol. 2011 Feb; 29(2):154-7). To translate this novel therapeutic tool into a high prevalence disease model, we investigated whether modified mRNA could restore immune balance and alleviate disease severity in Th2-driven allergic asthma. We show that intratracheal delivery of modified mRNA coding for the regulatory T cell factor Foxp3 rebalanced pulmonary T helper cell responses, modulated innate immune cell recruitment, and protected from allergen-induced tissue inflammation and goblet cell metaplasia. Protection against asthma was achieved following delivery of modified mRNA either before or after the onset of allergen challenge, demonstrating its potential as both a preventative and a therapeutic. Mechanistically, Foxp3 upregulation was critical in downregulating IL-23 and IL-17 production, and recombinant IL-23 or IL-17 expression during challenge abolished protection conferred by Foxp3 mRNA. Taken together, our results provide evidence that chemically modified Foxp3 mRNA protects against allergic asthma in vivo, which may pave the way for considering modified mRNA as a safe therapeutic tool for the treatment of asthma, allergy and beyond.
OC20.01: The prefrontal space ratio in second and third trimester screening for chromosomal abnormalities
2012-09-01

To evaluate the prefrontal space ratio (PFSR) in second-and third trimester euploid and aneuploid fetuses. Retrospective study utilizing stored midsagittal 2D images of second and third trimester fetal faces that were recorded during prenatal ultrasound examinations at the Department of Prenatal Medicine at University of Tuebingen/ Germany and at a private centre for prenatal medicine in Nuernberg / Germany. For the normal range, 279 euploid pregnancies between 15 and 40 weeks were used. The results were compared with 134 aneuploid cases between 15 and 40 weeks of gestation (trisomy 21 n = 91, trisomy 18 n = 42, trisomy 13 n = 14, triploidy n = 7). For the ratio measurement, a line was drawn between the leading edge of the mandible and the maxilla (MM line) and extended in front of the forehead. The ratio of the distance between the leading edge of the skull and the leading edge of the skin (d1) to the distance between the skin and the point where the MM line was intercepted (d2) was calculated. The PFSP ratio was determined by dividing d2 by d1. In the eupoid and the pooled aneuploid group, median gestational age at the time of ultrasound examination 21.1 (range 15.0–40.0) and 22.4 (range 14.1–40.3) weeks of gestation. In the euploid group mean PFSP ratio was 0.97. In fetuses with trisomy 21, 18, 13 and triploidy, PFSP ratio was 0.21, 0.25, 0.55 and 0.51. For trisomy 21, 18 and triploidy but not for trisomy 13, the difference was statistically significant (trisomy 21, 18 and triploidy P < 0.0001, trisomy 13 P = 0.175). The PFSP ratio was below the 5th centile in 13 (4.7%) euploid fetuses and in 72 (79.1%) fetuses with trisomy 21, 35 (83.3%) with trisomy 18 fetuses, 8 (57.1%) with trisomy 13 and 3 (42.9%) of triploidy, respectively. The PFSP ratio is a simple and effective marker in second and third trimester screening for chromosomal abnormalities.
OP07.04: Effect of bias in the CRL measurement on first trimester screening for trisomy 21
2012-09-01

Assessment of repeatability of the CRL measurement and examine the effect on first trimester combined screening. Intra- and inter-operator repeatability of CRL measurement at 11–13 weeks was assessed 124 cases by two operators. The raw data was transformed into gestational age and intra- and interoperator repeatability was examined by within operator SD and SD of differences of the measurements of both operators. Modelling techniques were used to assess the impact of CRL measurement error in general population screening and in the individual screening performance. The impact of errors in the CRL measurement were investigated by simulating fetal NT measurements and MoM values for PAPP-A and free β-hCG for 500.000 euploid and 500.000 trisomy 21 pregnancies at 12 weeks of gestation and adding and subtracting up to 10 mm to each CRL value and recalculating patient specific risks. Within operator SD of the CRL measurement was 1.27 days of gestation. The SD of the differences of the CRL measurements of both operators was 1.37 days of gestation. In general population based screening, a CRL measurement error SD of 5 mm accounts for an estimated 5% of the SD of log MoM PAPP-A and less than 1% of the SD of log MoM free β-hCG. Modelling the effect of removing this measurement error on overall screening performance showed a minimal impact. For a risk cut-off of 1 in 100 the benefit, in terms of overall screening performance would be an increase in detection rate of about 1% and a reduction in false positive rate of less than 0.1%. In view of the operator specific screening performance, a continuous 5 mm underestimation of the CRL reduces the detection rate from 84% to 79% and the false positive rate from 2.4% to 1.2%, respectively. With a continuous 5 mm overestimation the rates would be 88% and 5.6%. The impact of the interoperator variability of the CRL measurements on patient specific risks needs to be taken into account when interpreting first trimester screening results. A systematic under- or overestimation of the CRL should be avoided.
OP28.08: Position of the conus medullaris in fetuses with skeletal dysplasia
2012-09-01

To examine whether reduced conus distance (CD) measurement may be a marker for impaired growth of the fetal trunk in fetuses with skeletal dysplasia and whether in these cases CD is different than in fetuses with tethered cord due to closed spina bifida. 254 normal cases, 22 pregnancies with skeletal dysplasia and 7 with closed spina bifida were included. Linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship with the femur length, the gestational age and the bipartietal diameter. CD measurements in skeletal dysplasia and closed spina bifida were compared using z-scores. Z-scores were smallest in fetuses with closed spina bifida (−4.8 on the basis of the femur length, P < 0.0001). In fetuses with skeletal dysplasia, CD was also shortened, but less pronounced with z-scores of − 2.5 based on the gestational age and 3.1 based the biparietal diameter (P < 0.0001). Z-scores based on the femur length in normal fetuses were not significantly different (P = 0.828). Short CD is associated with certain types of skeletal dysplasia and with tethering of the spinal cord associated with skin covered spinal dysraphism. As such, measuring the CD may be helpful in diagnosing these conditions.
A Tunable 350–780 GHz CW solid state oscillator of intrinsic Josephson junctions in a high-Tc superconductor
2012-09-01

We report on THz emission measurements and low temperature scanning laser imaging of Bi <inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf> Sr <inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf> CaCu <inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf> O <inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">8</inf> intrinsic Josephson junction stacks. Coherent emission is observed at large dc input power, where a hot spot and a standing wave, formed in the "cold" part of the stack, coexist. By changing bias current and bath temperature the emission frequency can be varied over a wide range of 350–780 GHz; the variation matches the well-known Josephson-frequency relation. The linewidth of radiation, recently measured with an integrated superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) receiver, is as narrow as 6 MHz, much smaller than expected from a purely cavity-induced synchronization. Thus, an additional mechanism seems to play a role. Some scenarios, related to the presence of the hot spot, are discussed.