Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Application of regularized Richardson–Lucy algorithm for deconvolution of confocal microscopy images

Although confocal microscopes have considerably smaller contribution of out‐of‐focus light than widefield microscopes, the confocal images can still be enhanced mathematically if the optical and data acquisition effects are accounted for. For that, several deconvolution algorithms have been proposed. As a practical solution, maximum‐likelihood algorithms with regularization have been used. However, the choice of regularization parameters is often unknown although it has considerable effect on the result of deconvolution process. The aims of this work were: to find good estimates of deconvolution parameters; and to develop an open source software package that would allow testing different deconvolution algorithms and that would be easy to use in practice. Here, Richardson–Lucy algorithm has been implemented together with the total variation regularization in an open source software package IOCBio Microscope. The influence of total variation regularization on deconvolution process is determined by one parameter. We derived a formula to estimate this regularization parameter automatically from the images as the algorithm progresses. To assess the effectiveness of this algorithm, synthetic images were composed on the basis of confocal images of rat cardiomyocytes. From the analysis of deconvolved results, we have determined under which conditions our estimation of total variation regularization parameter gives good results. The estimated total variation regularization parameter can be monitored during deconvolution process and used as a stopping criterion. An inverse relation between the optimal regularization parameter and the peak signal‐to‐noise ratio of an image is shown. Finally, we demonstrate the use of the developed software by deconvolving images of rat cardiomyocytes with stained mitochondria and sarcolemma obtained by confocal and widefield microscopes.
Can contact-free measurement of heartbeat signal be used in forensics?

Biometrics and soft biometrics characteristics are of great importance in forensics applications for identifying criminals and law enforcement. Developing new biometrics and soft biometrics are therefore of interest of many applications, among them forensics. Heartbeat signals have been previously used as biometrics, but they have been measured using contact-based sensors. This paper extracts heartbeat signals, using a contact-free method by a simple webcam. The extracted signals in this case are not as precise as those that can be extracted using contact-based sensors. However, the contact-free extracted heartbeat signals are shown in this paper to have some potentials to be used as soft biometrics. Promising experimental results on a public database, have shown that utilizing these signals can improve the accuracy of spoofing detection in a face recognition system.
Real-time high resolution 2D-plus-depth video generation using time-of-flight sensor

In this paper, a high resolution 2D-plus-depth video acquisition facility is presented, combining a traditional color camera with an up-to-date Time-of-Flight (TOF) depth sensor. In order to solve the low resolution problem of the TOF depth image and the misalignment problem between depth and color images without increasing computational complexity, we introduce a method called upsampling mapping which combines the traditional homography mapping and bilinear upsampling method in a natural way. Using this acquisition facility and our method, 2D-plus-depth video can be accessed in real-time (27 frames per second). By comparing our method with other 2D-plus-depth video generation algorithms, we demonstrate that our method outperforms in acquisition frame rate and 2D-plus-depth video quality especially in edge area, which makes our method more suitable for applications requiring high resolution real-time 2D-plus-depth information such as the 3D television system.
Back To The Epilogue: Evading Control Flow Guard via Unaligned Targets

Attackers use memory corruption vulnerabilities to compromise systems by hijacking control flow towards attacker-controlled code. Over time, researchers proposed several countermeasures, such as Address Space Layout Randomization, Write XOR Execute and Control Flow Integrity (CFI). CFI is one of the most promising solutions, enforcing control flow to adhere to statically determined valid execution paths. To trade with the execution and storage overhead, practical CFI implementations enforce coarser version of CFI. One of the most widely deployed implementations of CFI is the one proposed by Microsoft, named Control Flow Guard (CFG). CFG is currently in place on all Windows operating systems, from Windows 8.1 to the most recent update of Windows 10 (at the time of writing), accounting for more than 500 million machines. In this paper, we show a significant design vulnerability in Windows CFG and propose a specific attack to exploit it: the Back to The Epilogue (BATE) attack. We show that with BATE an attacker can completely evade from CFG and transfer control to any location, thus obtaining arbitrary code execution. BATE leverages the tradeoff of CFG between precision, performance, and backwards compatibility; in particular, the latter one motivates 16-byte address granularity in some circumstances. This vulnerability, inherent to the CFG design, allows us to call portions of code (gadgets) that should not be allowed, and that we can chain together to escape CFG. These gadgets are very common: we ran a thorough evaluation of Windows system libraries, and found many high value targets – exploitable gadgets in code loaded by almost all the applications on 32-bit systems and by web browsers on 64-bit. We also demonstrate the real-world feasibility of our attack by using it to build a remote code execution exploit against the Microsoft Edge web browser running on 64-bit Windows 10. Finally, we discuss possible countermeasures to BATE.
A new environmentally resistant cell type from Dictyostelium

This paper describes the serendipitous discovery and first characterization of a new resistant cell type from Dictyostelium, for which the name aspidocyte (from aspis: Greek for shield) is proposed. These cells are induced from amoebae by a range of toxins including heavy metals and antibiotics, and were first detected by their striking resistance to detergent lysis. Aspidocytes are separate, rounded or irregular-shaped cells, which are immotile but remain fully viable; once the toxic stress is removed, they revert to amoeboid cells within an hour. Induction takes a few hours and is completely blocked by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. Aspidocytes lack a cell wall and their resistance to detergent lysis is active, requiring continued energy metabolism, and may be assisted by a complete cessation of endocytosis, as measured by uptake of the dye FM1-43. Microarray analysis shows that aspidocytes have a distinct pattern of gene expression, with a number of genes up-regulated that are predicted to be involved in lipid metabolism. Aspidocytes were initially detected in a hypersensitive mutant, in which the AMP deaminase gene is disrupted, suggesting that the inductive pathway involves AMP levels or metabolism. Since aspidocytes can also be induced from wild-type cells and are much more resistant than amoebae to a membrane-disrupting antibiotic, it is possible that they are an adaptation allowing Dictyostelium cells to survive a sudden onslaught of toxins in the wild.
Reconfigurable adaptive RAKE receiver for wideband CDMA systems

Conventional RAKE receiver is near-far limited in code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems. Linear minimum mean squared error (LMMSE) criterion can be used to obtain near-far resistant single-user receivers. Depending on the optimization criterion different adaptive receivers are obtained. A novel adaptive LMMSE-RAKE receiver based on two different LMMSE criteria is presented. The receiver combines the conventional RAKE receiver and single-user LMMSE receivers. Depending on a quality indicator the receiver switches itself to different modes depending on the radio channel conditions. According to the simulation results the novel receiver concept remarkably improves the performance of the conventional RAKE receivers under various channel conditions and data rates.
A Quantitative Evaluation of the RAPL Power Control System

We evaluate Intel’s RAPL power control system, which allows users to set a power limit and then tunes processor behavior to respect that limit. We evaluate RAPL by setting power limits and running a number of standard benchmarks. We quantify RAPL along ﬁve metrics: stability, accuracy, settling time, overshoot, and efﬁciency. The ﬁrst four are standard measures for evaluating con-trol systems. The last recognizes that any power control approach should deliver the highest possible performance achievable within the power limit. Our results show that RAPL performs well on the four standard metrics, but some benchmarks fail to achieve maximum performance. At high power limits, the average performance is within 90% of optimal. At middle power limits, it is 86% of optimal. At low power limits, the average performance is less than 65% of optimal.
Generative models, brain function and neuroimaging.

The representational capacity and inherent function of any neuron, neuronal population or cortical area in the brain is dynamic and context-sensitive. Functional integration, or interactions among brain systems, that employ driving (bottom up) and backward (top-down) connections, mediate this adaptive and contextual specialisation. A critical consequence is that neuronal responses, in any given cortical area, can represent different things at different times. This can have fundamental implications for the design of brain imaging experiments and the interpretation of their results. Our arguments are developed under generative models of brain function, where higher-level systems provide a prediction of the inputs to lower-level regions. Conflict between the two is resolved by changes in the higher-level representations, which are driven by the ensuing error in lower regions, until the mismatch is "cancelled". From this perspective the specialisation of any region is determined both by bottom-up driving inputs and by top-down predictions. Specialisation is therefore not an intrinsic property of any region but depends on both forward and backward connections with other areas. Because the latter have access to the context in which the inputs are generated they are in a position to modulate the selectivity or specialisation of lower areas. The implications for classical models (e.g., classical receptive fields in electrophysiology, classical specialisation in neuroimaging and connectionism in cognitive models) are severe and suggest these models may provide incomplete accounts of real brain architectures. Here we focus on the implications for cognitive neuroscience in the context of neuroimaging.
Optimal Processing Conditions of Boswellia carteri Birdw. Using Response Surface Methodology

Background: Boswellia carteri Bridw. is being widely used for its anti-inflammatory properties, as well as for wound healing, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory properties, and boswellic acids (BAs) are considered to be the main active constituents. Objectives: To investigate optimal conditions of stir-baking process for the resin of B. carteri with vinegar of using response surface methodology (RSM). Materials and Methods: The concentration of acetic acid, heating temperature, and heating time were set as influential factors, and the yields of chemical compounds were the response values which were optimally designed by a Box–Behnken design. The amounts of 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA) and α-boswellic acid (αBA) in B. carteri resin were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Results: Maximum amounts of KBA and αBA in B. carteri resin were obtained using 6% acetic acid for 10 min at 90°C in preliminary test. Two factor interactions, such as acetic acid concentration–heating temperature and heating temperature–heating time, were significantly observed by multiple regression analysis. Optimal processing conditions from RSM were 5.83% for acetic acid concentration, 9.56 min for heating time, and 89.87°C for heating temperature. Under the modified conditions, the experimental value of the response was 11.25 mg/g, which was similar to the predicted value. Conclusions: The results suggest that the optimal conditions for the stir-baking process of B. carteri resin were determined by RSM, which was reliable and applicable to practical processing of herbal medicine. Abbreviations used: BAs: Boswellic acids; KBA: 11 keto β boswellic acid; αBA: α boswellic acid; BBD: Box–Behnken design; RSM: Response surface method; HPLC: High performance liquid chromatography; LOD: Limits of determination; LOQ: Limits of quantification; RSD: Relative standard deviation; ANOVA: Analysis of variance.
A model for double notches and bifurcated components in radio profiles of pulsars and magnetars - Evidence for the parallel acceleration maser in pulsar magnetosphere

Context: Averaged pulse profiles of three nearby pulsars: B1929+10, J0437-4715 and B0950+08 exhibit unusual "double notches". These W-like looking features consist of two adjacent V-shaped dips that approach each other at increasing observation frequency nu_obs roughly at a rate Deltaâˆ� nu_obs-1/2, where Delta is the separation between the notches' minima. Aims: We show that basic properties of the notches, namely their W-like look and the rate of their converging can be understood within a narrow class of models of coherent radio emission from pulsars: the free electron maser models based on coherent inverse Compton scattering of parallel oscillations of ambient electric field. Methods: The observed properties of the pulsars imply that the Fourier spectrum of the wiggler-like oscillations is narrow and that the broad-band character of the radio emission reflects the width of the electron energy distribution. Results: Such a model provides a natural explanation for the frequency-independent separation between the main pulse and interpulse of B0950+08 as well as for the lack of radius to frequency mapping in the conal-like emission of J0437-4715. The frequency behaviour of the main pulse in the profile of the first radio magnetar XTE J1810-197 can also be explained within this model. Appendices are only available in electronic form at http://www.aanda. org
School Mental Health Services: Signpost for Out-of-School Service Utilization in Adolescents with Mental Disorders? A Nationally Representative United States Cohort

Background School mental health services are important contact points for children and adolescents with mental disorders, but their ability to provide comprehensive treatment is limited. The main objective was to estimate in mentally disordered adolescents of a nationally representative United States cohort the role of school mental health services as guide to mental health care in different out-of-school service sectors. Methods Analyses are based on weighted data (N = 6483) from the United States National Comorbidity Survey Replication Adolescent Supplement (participants' age: 13–18 years). Lifetime DSM-IV mental disorders were assessed using the fully structured WHO CIDI interview, complemented by parent report. Adolescents and parents provided information on mental health service use across multiple sectors, based on the Service Assessment for Children and Adolescents. Results School mental health service use predicted subsequent out-of-school service utilization for mental disorders i) in the medical specialty sector, in adolescents with affective (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.01, confidence interval (CI) = 1.77–5.12), anxiety (HR = 3.87, CI = 1.97–7.64), behavior (HR = 2.49, CI = 1.62–3.82), substance use (HR = 4.12, CI = 1.87–9.04), and eating (HR = 10.72, CI = 2.31–49.70) disorders, and any mental disorder (HR = 2.97, CI = 1.94–4.54), and ii) in other service sectors, in adolescents with anxiety (HR = 3.15, CI = 2.17–4.56), behavior (HR = 1.99, CI = 1.29–3.06), and substance use (HR = 2.48, CI = 1.57–3.94) disorders, and any mental disorder (HR = 2.33, CI = 1.54–3.53), but iii) not in the mental health specialty sector. Conclusions Our findings indicate that in the United States, school mental health services may serve as guide to out-of-school service utilization for mental disorders especially in the medical specialty sector across various mental disorders, thereby highlighting the relevance of school mental health services in the trajectory of mental care. In light of the missing link between school mental health services and mental health specialty services, the promotion of a stronger collaboration between these sectors should be considered regarding the potential to improve and guarantee adequate mental care at early life stages.
In vitro anticancer effects of two novel phenanthroindolizidine alkaloid compounds on human colon and liver cancer cells

Malignant cancer is one of the most serious diseases threatening the health of human beings. Natural plant alkaloids exhibit multiple biological functions, including inhibition of cell proliferation, and may have potential anticancer activity. However, most natural alkaloids may not be suitable for human therapies owing to instability, poor dissolubility and potential side effects. To improve their anticancer activity and drug effect, the present study aimed to develop new alkaloid derivatives, the phenanthroindolizidine alkaloid compounds, and evaluated their potential antitumor effects on human cancer cells in vitro. Among the several newly synthesized analogues of phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids (PAs), the compounds YS306 and YS206 exhibited an increased growth inhibition activity on HepG2 liver cancer cells and on HCT116 and HT29 colon cancer cells, with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations in the micromolar range. YS206 and YS306 (5 µg/ml) both significantly induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and notably decreased cell distribution at the G0/G1 and S phase. In addition, these two molecules significantly inhibited cancer cell migration, as analyzed by the wound-healing and Transwell assays. However, neither YS306 nor YS206 exhibited observable effects on apoptosis. Therefore, chemical structure modifications of natural PAs based on anticancer activity assessments may be feasible in the development of new cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
"Has trade structure any importance in the transmission of currency shocks? An empirical application for Central and Eastern European acceding countries to EU"

The object of this study is to assess the role of trade structure and firms pricing behaviour in the transmission of currency shocks across geographically close countries. The analysis will focus on identifying and comparing the degree of vulnerability to currency shocks of Central Eastern European Acceding countries (CEEACs) to EU. According to our results, data seem to suggest that, with an export similarity index of over 80 and low pass-through, the most vulnerable countries to a devaluation arising in Slovak Republic, Latvia and Estonia, respectively, are Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia. Nevertheless, Slovenia, Hungary and Poland, having a very high pass-through and a high share of bilateral trade within a region, can actually limit the extent of beggar-thy neighbour effects while the opposite applies to the remaining countries. Furthermore, Estonia, Czech and Slovak Republic, are relatively less integrated with the EU. The lower trade integration with the EU might suggest that these countries, which significantly trade also with non EU countries, could be also somewhat more exposed to external demand shocks originating from third countries
Face alignment via joint-AAM

In this paper, a joint active appearance model (joint-AAM) framework is proposed for face alignment. The object function consists of more than one active appearance model and some constraint items. It can be optimized through the efficient project-out inverse compositional (POIC) fitting algorithm. By transferring the low dimensional parameter space to the high one, the facial shape can be converged to the acceptable solution easier by joint-AAM comparing to single AAM, especially if the initial solutions locate on each side of the optimal solution. In multi-view case, different AAMs are jointed if the true view is far from the initial views. In single view case, different initial solutions of one AAM can be jointed to handle poor initialization or exaggerative expressions. Alternatively, 3D shape model is employed to impose stronger shape constraints on joint-AAM. A geometrical explanation is given to describe the reason of the robustness of the joint-AAM. The experiments demonstrate its accuracy, robustness and efficiency. The acronyms in this paper are listed in Tab. 1.
A Novel Iterative Demodulation and Decoding Scheme with Convolutional Coding and Co-ordinate Interleaving

A novel iterative demodulation and decoding (ID) scheme is proposed for bit interleaved coded modulation (BICM) using co-ordinate interleaving (also known as signal space diversity (SSD)) and the rotation of a signal constellation in a fading channel. A soft-input soft-output demodulator is extended to incorporate SSD and iterative demodulation. It is shown that a well-considered choice of rotation angle for a specific signal constellation and labeling using SSD over a Rayleigh fading channel leads to a significant gain over conventional BICM-ID. Furthermore, the optimum rotation angle is found to be dependent upon the symbol labeling and the number of iterations performed between the decoder and the demodulator for convolutional codes.
Gibbs sampling for 2D cane structure extraction from images

In this paper we are interested in recovering 2D tree structure of vines from binary images. We propose a bottom-up approach that firstly segments an input image into cane parts, and second infer their connectivity by using Gibbs Sampling. Our approach is similar to previous work on vine structure inference [1], but instead of the use of heuristics for connecting cane parts, our method uses Gibbs sampling which has been successfully used in similar computer vision tasks [2]. We show comparative results against [1], and we provide directions on how this work could be extended in the future.