Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hybrid System for Simultaneous Fluorescence and X-Ray Computed Tomography

A hybrid imaging system for simultaneous fluorescence tomography and X-ray computed tomography (XCT) of small animals has been developed and presented. The system capitalizes on the imaging power of a 360 °-projection free-space fluorescence tomography system, implemented within a microcomputed tomography scanner. Image acquisition is based on techniques that automatically adjust a series of imaging parameters to offer a high dynamic range dataset. Image segmentation further allows the incorporation of structural priors in the optical reconstruction problem to improve the imaging performance. The functional system characteristics are showcased, and images from a brain imaging study are shown, which are reconstructed using XCT-derived priors into the optical forward problem.
Interaction with caveolin‐1 modulates vascular ATP‐sensitive potassium (KATP) channel activity

ATP‐sensitive potassium channels (KATP channels) of arterial smooth muscle are important regulators of arterial tone, and hence blood flow, in response to vasoactive transmitters. Recent biochemical and electron microscopic evidence suggests that these channels localise to small vesicular invaginations of the plasma membrane, known as caveolae, and interact with the caveolae‐associated protein, caveolin. Here we report that interaction with caveolin functionally regulates the activity of the vascular subtype of KATP channel, Kir6.1/SUR2B. Pinacidil‐evoked recombinant whole‐cell Kir6.1/SUR2B currents recorded in HEK293 cells stably expressing caveolin‐1 (69.6 ± 8.3 pA pF−1, n= 8) were found to be significantly smaller than currents recorded in caveolin‐null cells (179.7 ± 35.9 pA pF−1, n= 6; P < 0.05) indicating that interaction with caveolin may inhibit channel activity. Inclusion in the pipette‐filling solution of a peptide corresponding to the scaffolding domain of caveolin‐1 had a similar inhibitory effect on whole‐cell Kir6.1/SUR2B currents as co‐expression with full‐length caveolin‐1, while a scrambled version of the same peptide had no effect. Interestingly, intracellular dialysis of vascular smooth muscle cells with the caveolin‐1 scaffolding domain peptide (SDP) also caused inhibition of pinacidil‐evoked native whole‐cell KATP currents, indicating that a significant proportion of vascular KATP channels are susceptible to block by exogenously applied SDP. In cell‐attached recordings of Kir6.1/SUR2B single channel activity, the presence of caveolin‐1 significantly reduced channel open probability (from 0.05 ± 0.01 to 0.005 ± 0.001; P < 0.05) and the amount of time spent in a relatively long‐lived open state. These changes in kinetic behaviour can be explained by a caveolin‐induced shift in the channel's sensitivity to its physiological regulator MgADP. Our findings thus suggest that interaction with caveolin‐1 suppresses vascular‐type KATP channel activity. Since caveolin expression is regulated by cellular free cholesterol and plasma levels of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), this interaction may have implications in both the physiological and pathophysiological control of vascular function.
Assessment of support vector machines and convolutional neural networks to detect snoring using Emfit mattress

Snoring (SN) is an essential feature of sleep breathing disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In this study, we evaluate epoch-based snoring detection methods using an unobtrusive electromechanical film transducer (Emfit) mattress sensor using polysomnography recordings as a reference. Two different approaches were investigated: a support vector machine (SVM) classifier fed with a subset of spectral features and convolutional neural network (CNN) fed with spectrograms. Representative 10-min normal breathing (NB) and SN periods were selected for analysis in 30 subjects and divided into thirty-second epochs. In the evaluation, average results over 10 fold Monte Carlo cross-validation with 80% training and 20% test split were reported. Highest performance was achieved using CNN, with 92% sensitivity, 96% specificity, 94% accuracy, and 0.983 area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AROC). Results showed a 6% average increase of performance of the CNN over SVM and greater robustness, and similar performance to ambient microphones.
Antecedents of political market orientation in Britain and Sweden: analysis and future research propositions

During the last 20 years, political marketing has become a widespread phenomenon around the world. However, most of the research concerning political marketing has been carried out in countries such as the United States and Britain. Thus, in order to understand the antecedents of political marketing, as well as its effectiveness as an electoral strategy, there is a need for comparative research including countries that differ significantly from the U.S. and Britain. One such country is Sweden. Thus, the purpose of this article is to compare and analyze Sweden and Britain with regard to two analytical research questions: (1) What differences are there between Britain and Sweden that might be relevant in understanding why parties choose to be sales- or market-oriented? (2) What are the implications with regards to differences between countries and between parties within countries that might help to explain why some parties in some countries are more likely than others to be market-oriented?
UTILITY OF FIBEROPTIC BRONCHOSCOPY FOR RETRIEVAL OF ASPIRATED HEADSCARF PINS

Background: Tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration is a worldwide health problem which often results in life threatening complications. Headscarf pin aspiration is a common and unique form of foreign body aspiration among young Muslim women. Rigid bronchoscopy (RB) is considered the standard procedure for retrieval. Standard flexible bronchoscopy (FOB) is used increasingly in the treatment of tracheobronchial headscarf pins aspiration in adults. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the utility (use) of FOB for the retrieval (extraction) of aspirated headscarf pins. Materials and Methods: Patients with the diagnosis of headscarf pin aspiration admitted to Sulaimanyah Teaching Hospital, department of cardiothoracic and vascular Surgery from January 2008 to September 2011 were included in the study. Standard FOB procedure using an oral approach with patient in recumbent position, under local anesthesia and conscious sedation was performed as the primary tool for retrieval. Results: A total of 20 cases were admitted during the study period. The mean age of the sample was 24 years (10-40 years). All patients presented with cough while two of them had hemoptysis (10%) and five had unilateral wheeze on chest auscultation (25%). The aspirated pin was successfully retrieved in 19/20 cases (95%) during the first attempt of FOB. However, FOB was not successful in 1/20 case (5%). The aspirated pin was successfully retrieved by RB under general anesthesia. Conclusions: FOB is a safe and successful method when performed by an experienced bronchoscopist, well educated staff, and at a well equipped bronchoscopy unit. Headscarf pin aspiration is a relatively common form of foreign body aspiration among young Muslim Iraqi women. It commonly occurs when women hold the pins in their teeth while wearing the hejaab and talking to others at the same time.
Shifting regimes of governance in the coffee market: From secular crisis to a new equilibrium?

ABSTRACT This paper employs a global value chains (GVC) perspective to recent developments in the coffee market, associated with the behavior of market structure in a context of widening spreads around declining prices and affirms that due to their imperfect inclusion in the global economy, primary markets have entered ‘terminal crisis’. The paper asserts that while the role of state-territorial regimes of governance has noticeably weakened in the current (‘terminal crisis’) context, the combined strategic positioning of (‘related’) players, residing at highly imperfect, monopolized nodes has become the key shaper of development and this has had a de-stabilizing effect on the poorest. The paper observes that systemic crisis appears to be resolvable, subject to the ability of emerging new redistributive outcomes to reposition the coffee system at a qualitatively new equilibrium. In contributing to a more systematic (value-chain centered) line of enquiry on the relationship between development and inequality, the paper analytically expands key relationships in the GVC framework (using extra inputs from strategic management, economic trade and convention theory) and offers to policymaking a framework for ‘combating’ falling terms of trade in primary markets by means of new economic relations.
Manual and automatic tone annotation: the case of an endangered language from north vietnam "mo piu"

The goal of our study is twofold. First, the results of two approaches in a tone annotation task are presented: a manual approach provided by the system MISTRAL+ and an automatic approach provided by the system PROSOTRAN. Second, an attempt is made here to determine the number and the patterns of the Mo Piu language tones with respect to the pitch slope and the tone level. It is found that both approaches of the tone annotation yield similar results on the speech material studied: tone patterns detected by the two systems are mainly falling (68% in the manual detection and 55% in the automatic detection) and flat tones (30% in manual detection and 43% in automatic detection) while rising tones are detected very seldom by the two systems (only 2% of the patterns are considered as rising ones). The agreement between the two systems is quite high: 70% of the detected tones have the same pitch movement (rising or flat) and only 4% of the tones detected by the two systems are completely different (neither the slope direction nor the tone levels are identical). The main tone patterns detected in our study are /41, 43, 54/ as falling slopes and /33/ as a plateau.
An approach for the higher efficiency in the HIT cells

The highest conversion efficiency to date of 21.5% (confirmed by AIST) with a size of 100.3 cm/sup 2/ has been achieved in an HIT cell. Because of this high efficiency and the cell's superior temperature characteristics, HIT cells are highly regarded by consumers. Sanyo will increase the production volume of cells and modules to meet the demand both inside and outside of Japan. We have been investigating suitable materials based on Sanyo's technology for fabricating high-quality a-Si solar cells to obtain higher build-in potential and control the junction properties, and have been studying how to treat the surface to create a good interface without introducing any damage. We will continue our efforts to obtain even higher levels of conversion efficiency by using the high potential that this structure has.
Essays on impact of information technology

Value derived from IT in terms of its impact on performance is contingent on the presence of many other synergistic factors. This paper provides a comprehensive analytical survey of research literature about different complementary organizational assets that when coupled with IT can lead to higher firm performance. It attempts to provide a useful list of organizational variables that should be considered by IS researchers who are interested in investigating whether interactions between IT and different organizational assets/factors can explain more precisely the relationship between IT investments and firm performance. We not only describe the state of research in the important area of IT-related intangible assets but also provide analytical reasoning and insights to explain the various findings and to help researchers and practitioners attain a comprehensive understanding of the topic expeditiously. For each organizational factor that we point out, we suggest various avenues of future academic research to further improve our understanding of how investments in that factor complement IT investments.
Firm Ownership, Product Differentiation and Welfare

The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of firm ownership in a differentiated industry. We find there is no effect on product differentiation and welfare due to ownership ratio change between private and state so long as the private (state) ownership in a partially state-owned firm remains at least half (less than half). However, when the private (state) ownership in the partially state-owned firm falls below half (rises more than half), the degree of product differentiation increases (decreases) whereas welfare decreases (increases) in the share of private (state) ownership; and thus the extent of private or state ownership matters.
National intellectual capital assessment models: a literature review

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on national intellectual capital (NIC) in order to identify and compare the main models to measure and report IC at the country level and to examine the differences from and similarities to the IC approach for firms. Design/methodology/approach – A systematic literature review was carried out using three scientific databases and the five most important journals. Additional information was also reviewed. The search covered the period from January 2000 to December 2012. The models to measure intangibles were analyzed and compared using qualitative and quantitative techniques. Findings – The literature review shows that although such literature is still nascent and relatively scarce, there is growing interest in measuring, reporting, and managing IC for countries as a whole. NIC studies have been published in a small number of journals and more theoretical work is required. There are two main types of methods to assess and report on NIC. Despite.
Role of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) in treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review.

Authors' objectives To perform a systematic review of the efficacy of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) compounds (oral and topical) in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), both ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), in the acute phase for inducing remission and for the prevention of relapses or recurrences. Also, to evaluate the influence of several factors (such as dosage schedule, disease localisation and type of formulation) on the efficacy of 5-ASA therapy in IBD.
The current and future role of business schools

Purpose – Considerable debate since the global financial crisis has been evident concerning the role of business schools. This article aims to outline the authors’ research on their role.Design/methodology/approach – The paper begins with an overview of the significant literature highlighting the current debates impacting on business schools and their leaders. From this the authors argue that the most significant challenge is the role business schools should play in the resolution of urgent global issues. The paper then details and analyses the research and provides recommendations.Findings – The authors argue that the most significant challenge is the role business schools should play in the resolution of urgent global issues. The main finding from the research was that the leaders of participating business schools did not convey the impression that steering business toward helping humanity achieve a sustainable future and tackling urgent global issues was seen by them as one of their main current or fut.
Quantitative Optoacoustic Signal Extraction Using Sparse Signal Representation

We report on a new quantification methodology of optoacoustic tomographic reconstructions under heterogeneous illumination conditions representative of realistic whole-body imaging scenarios. Our method relies on the differences in the spatial characteristics of the absorption coefficient and the optical energy density within the medium. By using sparse-representation based decomposition, we exploit these different characteristics to extract both the absorption coefficient and the photon density within the imaged object from the optoacoustic image. In contrast to previous methods, this algorithm is not based on the solution of theoretical light transport equations and it does not require explicit knowledge of the illumination geometry or the optical properties of the object and other unknown or loosely defined experimental parameters, leading to highly robust performance. The method was successfully examined with numerically and experimentally generated data and was found to be ideally suited for practical implementations in tomographic schemes of varying complexity, including multiprojection illumination systems and multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) studies of tissue biomarkers.
Mathematical and Economic Theory of Road Pricing

This book provides the most recent methodological advances in applying advanced modeling techniques to road pricing. Distinguished from other monographs that have focused on the empirical aspects, policy experiences, and environmental issues of road congestion and road pricing, most studies presented in the book are carried out within the general network equilibrium context with rigorous optimization and economic theories. Topics discussed in the book include: fundamentals of traffic equilibrium problems; principle of marginal-cost road pricing; models and algorithms for the general second-best road pricing problems; discriminatory and anonymous road pricing; social and spatial equities; Pareto pricing and revenue refunding schemes; pricing, capacity choice and financing; simultaneous determination of toll levels and locations; sequential pricing experiments with limited information; bounding the efficiency of road pricing; and dynamic road pricing. It is valuable for any academic or professional reader interested in or involved in implementing road pricing.
Evaluation of Local 3-D Point Cloud Descriptors in Terms of Suitability for Object Classification

This paper investigates existing methods for local 3-D feature description with special regards to their suitability for object classification based on 3-D point cloud data. We choose five approved descriptors, namely Spin Images, Point Feature Histogram, Fast Point Feature Histogram, Signature of Histograms of Orientations, and Unique Shape Context and evaluate them with a commonly used classification pipeline on a large scale 3-D object dataset comprising more than 200000 different point clouds. Of particular interest are the details of the choice of all parameters associated with the classification pipeline. The point clouds are classified by using support vector machines. Fast Point Feature Histogram proves to be the best descriptor for the method of object classification used in this evaluation.
The Implications of Risk and Irreversibility for the Measurement of Marginal Effective Tax Rates on Capital

The implications of risk and irreversibility for the measurement of marginal effective tax rates on capital are examined. It is shown that, when capital is irreversible, the marginal effective tax rate is an increasing function of systematic and unsystematic capital and income risk. The tax system may, thus, distort investments in risky capital to a much greater extent than is implied by previous research that ignored irreversibilities. Marginal effective tax rate calculations based upon the Canadian corporate tax system are provided.
Why do firms pay stock dividends: Is it just a stock split?

This paper examines why firms choose to pay stock dividends. Using a sample of listed Chinese firms we find that older, more profitable firms with lower leverage, higher levels of retained earnings, private ownership prior to listing, that invest more in fixed assets and operate in regions with lower shareholder protection are more likely to pay stock dividends. Consistent with stock dividends substituting for stock splits, our evidence indicates that the initiation of a stock dividend is associated with a significant positive market reaction and increased analyst following. These results suggest that firms use stock dividends to attract analysts’ attention. In addition, the positive announcement effect for stock dividends increases with the size of the split factor, suggesting that management use stock dividends to keep the firm’s stock price within its acceptable trading range.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE BUDGET SIZE AND POWER INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA.

The paper investigated the relationship that existed between Capital Expenditure Budget Size (CEBS) and Power Infrastructural Development (PID) in Nigeria. The study adopted a cross sectional survey research design where primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire at a point in time and analyzed using Analysis of Variance and Regression. The results of the analysis showed that there was no significant relationship between CEBS and PID in Nigeria (p>0.05) indicating an acceptance of null hypothesis that there is no significant relationship between CEBS and PID. Also, the correlation coefficient (R) results of . 025 showed positive but weak correlation between the variables and R-squared of the regression of -. 001 as the fraction of the variation in the dependent variable PID as predicted by independent inference CEBS means -. 1%. Â The study concluded that power infrastructural development in Nigeria was not commensurate with size of capital expenditure budget. This was attributed to poor implementation policy, inadequate budget execution, corruption and weak accountability in Nigerian public sector. Â
The Use Of Capital Budgeting And Cost Of Capital Estimation Methods In Swedish-Listed Companies

In this paper Swedish listed companies’ use of capital budgeting and cost of capital estimation methods in 2005 and 2008 are examined. The relation between company characteristics and choice of methods is investigated and both within-country longitudinal and cross-country comparisons are made. Larger companies seem to have used capital budgeting methods more frequently than smaller companies. When compared to U.S. and continental European companies, Swedish listed companies employed capital budgeting methods less frequently. In 2005 the most common method for establishing the cost of equity was by asking the investors what return they required. By 2008 CAPM was instead the most utilised method, which could indicate greater sophistication. The use of project risk when evaluating investments also seems to have gained in popularity, while the use of company risk declined. Overall, the use of sophisticated capital budgeting and cost of capital estimation methods seem to be rising and the use of less sophisticated methods declining.
Real Business Cycle Models

This paper attempts to provide an evaluation of both strengths and weaknesses of the real business cycle (RBC) approach to the analysis of macroeconomic fluctuations. It begins with a description of the basic analytical structure typically employed, one in which individual households make consumption and labor supply decisions while producing output from capital and labor inputs, hired on competitive markets, according to a technology that is subject to stochastic shocks. It then explores conditions on parameter values that are needed for a model of this type to yield fluctuations that provide a good quantitative match to those observed in the postwar U.S. quarterly data. The plausibility of the hypothesis that (unobservable) aggregate technology shocks have the requisite variability is considered and problems with certain cross correlations are noted. Relevant evidence obtained by formal econometric methods is summarized and a few tentative conclusions regarding business cycle research are suggested.