Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using convolutional features and a sparse autoencoder for land-use scene classification

ABSTRACT In this article, we propose a novel approach based on convolutional features and sparse autoencoder (AE) for scene-level land-use (LU) classification. This approach starts by generating an initial feature representation of the scenes under analysis from a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) pre-learned on a large amount of labelled data from an auxiliary domain. Then these convolutional features are fed as input to a sparse AE for learning a new suitable representation in an unsupervised manner. After this pre-training phase, we propose two different scenarios for building the classification system. In the first scenario, we add a softmax layer on the top of the AE encoding layer and then fine-tune the resulting network in a supervised manner using the target training images available at hand. Then we classify the test images based on the posterior probabilities provided by the softmax layer. In the second scenario, we view the classification problem from a reconstruction perspective. To this end we train several class-specific AEs (i.e. one AE per class) and then classify the test images based on the reconstruction error. Experimental results conducted on the University of California (UC) Merced and Banja-Luka LU public data sets confirm the superiority of the proposed approach compared to state-of-the-art methods.
A Growth State Transition Model as Driver for Business Process Management in Small Medium Enterprises

Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Enterprise Information Systems (ICEIS 2017) - Volume 3, Porto, Portugal, 26-29 April 2017. Due to copyright restrictions, the attached PDF file only contains the abstract of the full text item. For access to the full text item, please consult the publisher's website
Scalable Sequential Spectral Clustering

In the past decades, Spectral Clustering (SC) has become one of the most effective clustering approaches. Although it has been widely used, one significant drawback of SC is its expensive computation cost. Many efforts have been devoted to accelerating SC algorithms and promising results have been achieved. However, most of the existing algorithms rely on the assumption that data can be stored in the computer memory. When data cannot fit in the memory, these algorithms will suffer severe performance degradations. In order to overcome this issue, we propose a novel sequential SC algorithm for tackling large-scale clustering with limited computational resources, \textit{e.g.}, memory. We begin with investigating an effective way of approximating the graph affinity matrix via leveraging a bipartite graph. Then we choose a smart graph construction and optimization strategy to avoid random access to data. These efforts lead to an efficient SC algorithm whose memory usage is independent of the number of input data points. Extensive experiments carried out on large datasets demonstrate that the proposed sequential SC algorithm is up to a thousand times faster than the state-of-the-arts.
Stakeholder engagement and corporate social and environmental reporting : are companies meeting their accountability obligations?

The practice of corporate social and environmental (SE) reporting is adopted by many companies. The reason for such reporting varies but this study focuses on exploring the application of normative stakeholder theory. This theoretical position posits that the claims of stakeholders should be considered by management whatever the influence they may have on the ability of management to generate profit. Assuming stakeholders do require corporate SE reporting, such reporting becomes a vehicle to provide information on how these claims are fulfilled. In this way management are able to discharge their obligation to be accountable to stakeholders. However, if management lack sufficient information about these claims or the expectations of stakeholders they may not be able to, or may not fully meet the accountability obligations that normative stakeholder theory would suggest they have. In effect the development of corporate SE reports could be assisted if it is known whether or not management are sufficiently informed of these claims, and the types of information that stakeholders are demanding. One way to explore this is to consider the nature of stakeholder engagement. This study has found there is limited research which has explored the methods adopted by management to engage with stakeholders. Equally much of the research has focused on the information needs of shareholders and other investors rather than stakeholders with non-financial interests in organisational activities. Therefore, this study concentrates on corporate stakeholders with non-financial interests, namely NGOs operating in Australia, and their information needs with regards to a single industry, the Australian mining industry. Stakeholder engagement practices undertaken by mining companies and NGOs to explore NGOs’ information needs as well as whether the SE disclosures of mining companies then address those information needs are investigated. The data collected by performing the content analysis of mining companies’ reports, and conducting surveys of both NGOs and mining companies as well as a small number of interviews with the representatives of NGOs, show that there is a discrepancy between the information that NGOs wish to see disclosed and what mining companies believe NGOs wish to see disclosed. In relation to the engagement undertaken by both companies and NGOs, the data shows a low level of engagement. However, when the engagement takes place, the methods adopted by both parties appear to coincide. With regards to the resultant disclosure of the social and environmental information by mining companies, the evidence supports earlier research which suggests that even after consulting stakeholders as to their information needs, they are not addressed in corporate reports.
Magnetic resonance imaging and mood disorders. Localization of white matter and other subcortical abnormalities.

BACKGROUND Recent reports in the literature document an association between focal white matter abnormalities in bipolar as well as unipolar mood disorder. The importance of this finding and other associated anatomic differences is uncertain. METHODS We examined the volume of abnormal white matter and other brain volumes using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging analysis. We explored the relationship of these variables with diagnosis, cognitive function, and clinical variables in 36 patients with bipolar disorder, 30 patients with unipolar disorder, and 26 control subjects who were free from significant medical and neurologic illness. RESULTS Younger patients with bipolar disorder (but not similarly aged patients with unipolar disorder or controls) have an increased volume of abnormal white matter. Data also indicate that the total volume of abnormal white matter may be associated with increased cognitive impairment, increased rate of psychiatric illness in the family, and onset after adolescence. CONCLUSION Patients with bipolar disorder demonstrate a pattern of subcortical brain morphologic abnormalities and cognitive impairment.
Eosinophil cationic protein, myeloperoxidase and tryptase in children with asthma and atopic dermatitis

Serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), tryptase, total IgE and differential blood cell counts were studied in atopic children with: 1) moderate to severe asthma using inhaled steroids and symptom‐free for the last 3 weeks (n= 13), 2) mild asthma with sporadic symptoms, using only inhaled β2‐agonists < 3 times/week (n= 15), 3) acute asthmatic attacks admitted to hospital (n= 12), 4) mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (n= 14). Fifteen children without any history of atopy served as controls. ECP, MPO, tryptase and IgE were measured in serum by radioimmunoassays (RIA). The symptom‐free children with inhaled steroids had similar median ECP and MPO values as the controls, 8.0 and 360 μg/l, vs. 9.0 and 310 μg/l, while both ECP and MPO were significantly (p < 0.001) increased in the symptom‐free children without anti‐inflammatory treatment, 32 and 887 μg/l and in those with acute asthma, 28 and 860 μg/l. The children with atopic dermatitis had increased ECP but normal MPO levels, 16.0 and 455 μg/l. Tryptase in serum was not measurable in any patient. All groups except the control group had significantly elevated total IgE levels. The results indicate that in atopic children serum ECP is a good marker of ongoing asthma or atopic dermatitis. The normal levels of ECP and MPO in the children with asthma using inhaled steroids seem to reflect successful anti‐inflammatory treatment. The increased levels of ECP and MPO in the children with mild asthma and no anti‐inflammatory treatment may indirectly reflect airway inflammation.
Comparison of Pre-Processing and Classification Techniques for Single-Trial and Multi-Trial P300-Based Brain Computer Interfaces

The P300 component of Event Related Brain Potentials (ERP) is commonly used in Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) to translate the intentio ns of an individual into commands for external devices. The P300 response, however, resides in a s ignal environment of high background noise. Consequently, the main problem in developing a P300-based BCI lies in identifying the P300 response in the presence of this noise. Traditionally, atten uating the background activity of P300 data is done by averaging multiple trials of recorded signals. This method, though effective, suffers two drawbacks. First, collecting multiple trials of data is time c onsuming and delays the BCI response. Second, latency distortions may appear in the averaged result due t o variable time-locking of the P300 in the individu al trials. Problem statement: The use of single-trial P300 data overcomes both t hese shortcomings. However, single-trial data must be properly denoise d to allow for reliable BCI operation. Single-trial P300-based BCIs have been implemented using a variety of signal processing techniques and classification methodologies. However, comparing the accuracies of these systems to other multi-trial systems is likely to include the comparison of more than just the trial format (single-trial/multi-tri al) as the data quality and recording circumstances are li kely to be dissimilar. Approach: This issue was directly addressed by comparing the performance comparison of three different preprocessing agents and three classification methodologies on the same data set over both the single-trial and multi-trial settings. The P300 data set of BCI Competition II w as used to facilitate this comparison. Results: The LDA classifier exhibited the best performance in cl assifying unseen P300 spatiotemporal features in both the single-trial (74.19%) and multi-trial form at (100%). It is also very efficient in terms of computational and memory requirements. Conclusion: This study can serve as a general guide for practitioners developing single-trial and multi-tri al P300-based BCI systems, particularly for selecti ng appropriate pre-processing agents and classificatio n methodologies for inclusion. The possibilities fo r future study include the investigation of double-tr ial and triple-trial P300 system based on the LDA classifier. The time savings of such approaches wil l still be significant. It is very likely that such systems would benefit from accuracies higher than t he one obtained in this study for single-trial LDA (74.19%).
Stereopsis From a Performance Perspective

Purpose. A patient can demonstrate a poor stereoscopic test or task performance for reasons inherent within the test/task itself for reasons dependent on normal physiology common to all human subjects, and also for reasons that are outside of normal physiology and are unique or idiosyncratic to a particular person’s visual system. This article reviews the literature for the first two reasons, but emphasizes the pathophysiology involved in the idiosyncratic and abnormal reasons. Results. Using control systems analysis, it is shown that deficits in stereoscopic performance can be explained by reference to the quantitative aspect of stereoscopic threshold and qualitative aspects such as speed of response, reliability–robustness, and strength of percept. The relationship between fixation disparity and stereopsis is seen to be central to this explanation. Conclusions. Proceeding from diagnosis to treatment, control systems analysis offers physiologically based explanations for the corrective procedures necessary to ameliorate abnormal conditions. Several topics for applied research in stereopsis are suggested.
Long term pathological sequelae of neonatal endotracheal intubation

Abstract In neonates, acquired subglottic stenosis (SGS) is the most serious long term complication of endotracheal intubation. In this case report, we describe the pathological changes in the larynx of a child who died two years after successful treatment, involving corrective surgery, for neonatally acquired SGS. Stenosis, due to dense fibrous connective tissue, was still present at death. However, there was evidence that there had been growth of the laryngeal cartilages. Disruption of the laryngeal cartilages was present anteriorly due to the antecedent surgery but major cricoid cartilage injury secondary to intubation was not seen. The crico-arytenoid joints demonstrated ankylosis and to this was attributed the abnormal quality of voice noted in the child at follow-up. The pathological changes are considered in relation to the pathology of endotracheal intubation and pathogenesis of acquired subglottic stenosis.
Airway Inflammation and Bronchial Remodelling in Toluene Diisocyanate‐exposed BALB/c Mouse Model

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI), a highly reactive industrial chemical, is one of the leading causes of occupation‐related asthma in industrialized countries. The pathogenesis of TDI‐induced asthma, however, remains not fully understood, in part due to lack of appropriate animal models. Twenty five female BALB/c mice (age: 8 weeks) were randomly divided into 5 groups: Ovabumin (OVA); OVA peptide amino acid residues No. 323–339 (Pep); TDI; alum and physiological saline. Mice were intraperitoneally injected with 25 μg OVA or pep absorbed on 300 μg alum, 300 μg alum or saline on days 0, 7 and 14. For the TDI group, mice were sensitized subcutaneously with 20 μl neat TDI on day 0; 20 μl of TDI in olive oil (1:10) on days 7 and 14; on days 21–23. Then each group was challenged intranasally with 20 μl of 1% OVA, 1% Pep, 1% TDI, 10% alum and saline respectively. On day 28, mice were killed under pentothal anesthesia. The results demonstrated that neutrophil‐dominant inflammation with a few eosinophil infiltration occurred in the peri‐bronchial and peri‐vascular regions of the lungs. This was accompanied by hyperplasia/hypertrophy of cells lining the airways and mucus production as shown by HE staining. Positive immunohistochemical MBP staining in parenchyma was also shown. Th2 cytokine IL‐4 and IgE production were significant increased 5 days after last challenge while IFN‐γ level was below the detection limit. Conclusion: the clear elevation of IL‐4 and IgE could allow to conclude a possible Th2‐like dominated allergic response in TDI‐exposed BALB/c mouse model.
Dose escalation by image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy leads to an increase in pain relief for spinal metastases: a comparison study with a regimen of 30 Gy in 10 fractions

Purpose Under the existing condition that the optimum radiotherapy regimen for spinal metastases is controversial, this study investigates the benefits of dose escalation by image-guided intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IG-IMRT) with 60–66 Gy in 20–30 fractions for spinal metastases. Results In the dose-escalation group, each D50 of planning gross tumor volume (PGTV) was above 60 Gy and each Dmax of spinal cord planning organ at risk volume (PRV) was below 48 Gy. The median biological effective dose (BED) of Dmax of spinal cord was lower in the dose-escalation group compared with that in the 30-Gy group (69.70 Gy vs. 83.16 Gy, p < 0.001). After one month and three months of the radiotherapy, pain responses were better in the dose-escalation group than those in the 30-Gy group (p = 0.005 and p = 0.024), and the complete pain relief rates were respectively 73.69% and 34.29% (p = 0.006), 73.69% and 41.38% (p = 0.028) in two compared groups. In the dose-escalation group, there is a trend of a longer duration of pain relief, a longer overall survival and a lower incidence of acute radiation toxicities. No late radiation toxicities were observed in both groups. Materials and Methods Dosimetric parameters and clinical outcomes, including pain response, duration of pain relief, radiation toxicities and overall survival, were compared among twenty-five metastatic spinal lesions irradiated with the dose-escalation regimen and among forty-four lesions treated with the 30-Gy regimen. Conclusions Conventionally-fractionated IG-IMRT for spinal metastases could escalate dose to the vertebral lesions while sparing the spinal cord, achieving a better pain relief without increasing radiation complications.
The Effects of Good Corporate Governance and Audit Quality on Earnings Management

A number of previous empirical studies have attempted to reveal the existence of earnings management. However, a research that focuses on how to alleviate the earnings management practices committed by managers is still insufficiently available. This study is aimed to examine the effects of Good Corporate Governance (GCG) and audit quality on earnings management. The presence of Board of Commisioner and Audit Commitee in Indonesian Manufacturing Public Listed Companies serves as the proxy of GCG. On the other hand, KAP (public accounting firm) size, dichotomous variables and an assumption that big four auditors perform higher audit quality compared to non-big four auditor serve as the proxy of the audit quality. To echo the prior research, earnings management is measured by employing discretionary accruals modified by Jone (1995). 151 manufacturing listed companies were determined as the population and 86 public listed companies were eventually opted for the sample. Purposive sampling method was employed and regression was performed to analyze the data. The results showed that (1) accounting firms size does not yield significant effects on earnings management. It indicates that neither big four nor non-big four can significantly detect the existence of earnings management undertaken by manager through the audit they administer; (2) Board of Commisioner and Audit Commitee also do not generate significant effects on earnings management. It indicates that good corporate governance proxied by the existence of Board Commisioner and Audit Commitee do not necessarily alleviate the earnings management practices. Keywords: Earnings management, audit quality, good corporate governance
Identification of alpha-1L and alpha-1A adrenoceptors in human prostate by tissue segment binding.

PURPOSE Silodosin (KMD-3213 or [(-)-1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-5-[(2R)-2-({2-[2-(2,2,2trifluoroethoxy)phenoxy]ethyl}amino)propyl]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-7-carboxamide]) (Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Matsumoto, Japan) is a selective antagonist for alpha-1A and alpha-1L adrenoceptors. Using this tritiated ligand the 2 alpha-1 adrenoceptors were examined in binding studies with intact tissue segments and membrane preparations of human prostate, and compared with functionally identified alpha-1 adrenoceptor. MATERIALS AND METHODS Binding assays with tissue segments and membrane preparations of human prostate samples were performed using [3H]-silodosin and binding affinities for various drugs were estimated. In functional experiments antagonist affinities were evaluated from the inhibitory potency against the contractile response to noradrenaline. RESULTS [3H]-silodosin bound to intact segments and membrane preparations of human prostate with subnanomolar affinity. [3H]-silodosin binding sites in intact segments were divided into 2 distinct components with different affinities for prazosin and RS-17053 (N-[2(2-cyclopropylmethoxyphenoxy)ethyl]-5-chloro-alpha, alpha-dimethyl1H-indole-3-ethanamine hydrochloride) (Research Biochemicals International, Natick, Massachusetts), while binding in membrane preparations showed single high affinity for these drugs. [3H]-silodosin binding sites also showed high affinity for silodosin and tamsulosin but low sensitivity to BMY 7378 (8-(2-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl)ethyl)-8-azaspiro(4.5)decane-7,9-dione) (Research Biochemicals International) in intact segments and in membrane preparations. In functional experiments silodosin and tamsulosin potently inhibited the contractile response to noradrenaline but prazosin, RS-17053 and BMY 7378 showed low antagonistic affinity. CONCLUSIONS The current binding studies in human prostate samples clearly show that alpha-1L and alpha-1A adrenoceptors coexist as pharmacologically distinct entities in intact tissues but not in crude membrane preparations. Also, alpha-1 adrenoceptors involved in the contractile response to noradrenaline are the alpha-1L subtype.
Reduced model of discrete‐time dynamic image segmentation system and its bifurcation analysis

We have developed a discrete‐time dynamic image segmentation system consisting of chaotic neurons and a global inhibitor. Our system receives an image with isolated regions and can output segmented images in time series based on oscillatory responses of chaotic neurons. In this article, we derive a reduced model to find intrinsic properties of the system of dynamic image segmentation. Using numerical method for analyzing dynamical systems, we investigated bifurcation phenomena of a fixed point observed in the reduced model. As the results, in a model of two coupled chaotic neurons, we found that a set of Neimark‐Sacker bifurcations causes the generation of an in‐phase oscillatory response, which is unsuitable for the purpose of dynamic image segmentation. The bifurcation analysis gives appropriate parameter values to exclude the generation of in‐phase oscillatory responses, i.e., our dynamic image segmentation system can work well. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 19, 283–289, 2009
Managing the introduction of expensive medical procedures: use of a registry

Objectives: To explore how the adoption of medical innovations challenges tax-financed health systems, drawing from the case of sirolimus eluting stents, a promising and costly innovation for percutaneous coronary interventions. Methods: The coverage decisions for the new stents adopted in Emilia-Romagna, an Italian region, are described. The innovation was adopted through a process combining the development of clinical guidelines targeting their use to selected clinical indications, negotiation with the manufacturer for reducing price, and the organization of a registry for monitoring its patterns of utilization and assessing its effectiveness. Results: Overall, 17% of the 6276 patients included in the registry over a 12-month period had the new stent. Wide differences between published trials on sirolimus eluting stents and actual clinical practice emerged. The new stents were frequently (23%) used in combination with traditional bare metal stents, and for indications (acute myocardial infarction and multivessel coronary disease) never included in clinical experiments (25% and 8% of the cases, respectively). Patients' outcomes were also different, the overall rate of major adverse cardiac events being relatively higher (12%) than that shown in clinical trials. Conclusions: The actions undertaken for the new stents allowed a timely, and at the same time targeted and monitored, adoption of the innovation. This experience highlights how policy decisions related to new medical products could benefit from the availability of clinical databases providing key information on how innovations are actually used and on their impact on clinical practice.