Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hyperspectral fluorescence lifetime imaging for optical biopsy

Abstract. A hyperspectral fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) instrument is developed to study endogenous fluorophores in biological tissue as an optical biopsy tool. This instrument is able to spectrally, temporally, and spatially resolve fluorescence signal, thus providing multidimensional information to assist clinical tissue diagnosis. An acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) is used to realize rapid wavelength switch, and a photomultiplier tube and a high-speed digitizer are used to collect the time-resolved fluorescence decay at each wavelength in real time. The performance of this instrument has been characterized and validated on fluorescence tissue phantoms and fresh porcine skin specimens. This dual-arm AOTF design achieves high spectral throughput while allowing microsecond nonsequential, random wavelength switching, which is highly desirable for time-critical applications. In the results reported here, a motorized scanning stage is used to realize spatial scanning for two-dimensional images, while a rapid beam steering technique is feasible and being developed in an ongoing project.
Liouville type theorems for conformal Gaussian curvature equation

In this note, we study Liouville type theorem for conformal Gaussian curvature equation (also called the mean field equation) $$ -\Delta u=K(x)e^u, in R^2 $$ where $K(x)$ is a smooth function on $R^2$. When $K(x)=K(x_1)$ is a sign-changing smooth function in the real line $R$, we have a non-existence result for the finite total curvature solutions. When $K$ is monotone non-decreasing along every ray starting at origin, we can prove a non-existence result too. We use moving plane method and moving sphere method.
Rhythm-Based Segmentation of Popular Chinese Music

We present a new method to segment popular music based on rhythm. By computing a shortest path based on the self-similarity matrix calculated from a model of rhythm, segmenting boundaries are found along the diagonal of the matrix. The cost of a new segment is optimized by matching manual and automatic segment boundaries. We compile a small song database of 21 randomly selected popular Chinese songs which come from Chinese Mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The segmenting results on the small corpus show that 78% manual segmentation points are detected and 74% automatic segmentation points are correct. Automatic segmentation achieved 100% correct detection for 5 songs. The results are very encouraging.
A Machine Learning Approach for the Identification of Bengali Noun-Noun Compound Multiword Expressions

This paper presents a machine learning approach for identification of Bengali multiword expressions (MWE) which are bigram nominal compounds. Our proposed approach has two steps: (1) candidate extraction using chunk information and various heuristic rules and (2) training the machine learning algorithm called Random Forest to classify the candidates into two groups: bigram nominal compound MWE or not bigram nominal compound MWE. A variety of association measures, syntactic and linguistic clues and a set of WordNet-based similarity features have been used for our MWE identification task. The approach presented in this paper can be used to identify bigram nominal compound MWE in Bengali running text.
MCT1 and MCT4 Expression During Myocardial Ischemic-Reperfusion Injury in the Isolated Rat Heart

Background/Aims: Myocardium ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury can be caused by imbalances in cellular metabolism. Lactate, transported by monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs), has been implicated as a mechanism in this process. The present study was designed to investigate the expression and functional role of MCTs in rat hearts during ischemia and reperfusion. Methods: Langendorff-perfused rat hearts were subjected to 20 minutes stabilization, 30 minutes of global ischemia and 60 minutes reperfusion. Hearts were collected serially for detecting expression changes in MCT1, MCT4 during myocardial I/R injury and lactate concentration was measured. Post-ischemic left ventricular function and infract size were determined at end-point, followed by the pretreatment of D-lactate, a competitive inhibitor of MCTs. Results: MCT4 was significantly increased following global ischemia and MCT1 expression was increased during the early stages of reperfusion in isolated rat hearts, while the expression of the ancillary protein CD147 was increased during I/R injury. We determined increases in AMPK phosphorylation status, which was significantly elevated following ischemia and early reperfusion. Blocking monocarboxylate transport by competitive inhibition with D-lactate caused decreased left ventricular performance and increased infarct size. Conclusion: Increased MCT4 expression facilitates lactate extrusion during the ischemic period, while increased MCT1 may facilitate lactate transport into and out of cells simultaneously during early reperfusion, with increases in AMPK phosphorylation status during the myocardial I/R period. Lactate transport by MCTs has a profound protective effect during myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury.
Digital reporting formats : users' perceptions, preferences and performances

This study examines users� perceptions of three digital reporting formats: PDF, HTML and XBRL. Using public accounting practitioners as participants, this study examines users� perceptions of different reporting formats used in disseminating financial information. This study includes examining the link between users� perceptions and preferred reporting format and whether these perceptions are similar to the quality of their decision in the completion of a specific task. This study follows Davis (1989, p. 320) who defined perceptions into 2: perceived usefulness as �the degree a user believes that a particular aid would enhance his performance� and perceived ease of use as �the degree to which a user believes that using a particular aid would reduce or be free of effort�. The results indicate that users� perceptions of usefulness among the digital reporting formats differ significantly. However, perceptions of ease of use are similar across the three digital reporting formats. Users� perceptions are also found to influence their preferred reporting format. The findings also show that users� perceptions of usefulness are analogous to their decision accuracy for HTML and XBRL formats but not for PDF format. Perceptions of ease of use, however, do not correspond to actual cognitive effort for all reporting formats. The results indicate that if more advanced forms of digital reporting are to be encouraged, there is also the need for users to be made more aware of the benefits to be gained from the different forms of reporting.
Visualization of Peripheral Pulmonary Artery Red Thrombi Utilizing Optical Coherence Tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a new imaging technique capable of obtaining high-resolution intravascular images and has been used in interventional cardiology. However, an application of OCT in pulmonary arteries had seldom been documented. In this case, OCT imaging is performed in peripheral pulmonary arteries and shows mural red thrombi. Subsequently, the red thrombi are aspirated and confirmed by a histological examination. These findings suggest that OCT may be a useful tool to depict peripheral pulmonary artery thrombi.
Bacterial Community Variation in Human Body Habitats Across Space and Time

Growing on You The human gut and skin harbor diverse microbial communities that are known to vary strikingly among individuals. Here, Costello et al. (p. 1694, published online 5 November) analyzed microbial diversity among several distinct body habitats (including the gut, mouth, inside the ears and nose, and skin) of the same person at different times. They found that body habitat had more influence on microbial community composition than temporal differences and variation among people. Some skin locations, such as the index finger, back of the knee, and sole of the foot, on occasion harbored higher microbial diversity than the gut or oral cavity. The composition of microbial communities on the human body is primarily determined by their location. Elucidating the biogeography of bacterial communities on the human body is critical for establishing healthy baselines from which to detect differences associated with diseases. To obtain an integrated view of the spatial and temporal distribution of the human microbiota, we surveyed bacteria from up to 27 sites in seven to nine healthy adults on four occasions. We found that community composition was determined primarily by body habitat. Within habitats, interpersonal variability was high, whereas individuals exhibited minimal temporal variability. Several skin locations harbored more diverse communities than the gut and mouth, and skin locations differed in their community assembly patterns. These results indicate that our microbiota, although personalized, varies systematically across body habitats and time; such trends may ultimately reveal how microbiome changes cause or prevent disease.
Multi-View Co-Training of Transliteration Model

This paper discusses a new approach to training of transliteration model from unlabeled data for transliteration extraction. We start with an inquiry into the formulation of transliteration model by considering different transliteration strategies as a multi-view problem, where each view exploits a natural division of transliteration features, such as phonemebased, grapheme-based or hybrid features. Then we introduce a multi-view Cotraining algorithm, which leverages compatible and partially uncorrelated information across different views to effectively boost the model from unlabeled data. Applying this algorithm to transliteration extraction, the results show that it not only circumvents the need of data labeling, but also achieves performance close to that of supervised learning, where manual labeling is required for all training samples.
Inband device-to-device relays in cellular networks

A new design for two-hop opportunistic relaying in cellular networks is proposed, with the objective of throughput improvement. We propose using idle UEs in a cellular system with better channel to the base station to relay traffic for active UEs. One of the key ideas proposed is the use of (only) uplink spectrum for the Access links, and corresponding interference management schemes for managing interference between Access and Backhaul links. The proposed algorithms and architecture show a median throughput gain of 110% for downlink and 40% for uplink in system simulations performed according to the 3GPP methodology.
J ul 2 00 2 Parameter Estimation of Sigmoid Superpositions

Superposition of sigmoid function over a finite time interval is shown to be equivalent to the linear combination of the solutions of a linearly parameterized system of logistic differential equations. Due to the linearity with respect to the parameters of the system, it is possible to design an effective procedure for parameter adjustment. Stability properties of this procedure are analyzed. Strategies shown in earlier studies to facilitate learning such as randomization of a learning sequence and adding specially designed disturbances during the learning phase are requirements for guaranteeing convergence in the learning scheme proposed.
Development of a Confocal Optical System Design for Molecular Imaging Applications of Biochip

A novel confocal optical system design and a dual laser confocal scanner have been developed to meet the requirements of highly sensitive detection of biomolecules on microarray chips, which is characterized by a long working distance (wd>3.0 mm), high numerical aperture (NA=0.72), and only 3 materials and 7 lenses used. This confocal optical system has a high scanning resolution, an excellent contrast and signal-to-noise ratio, and an efficiency of collected fluorescence of more than 2-fold better than that of other commercial confocal biochip scanners. The scanner is as equally good for the molecular imaging detection of enclosed biochips as for the detection of biological samples on a slide surface covered with a cover-slip glass. Some applications of gene and protein imagings using the dual laser confocal scanner are described.
Cache optimization for CPU-GPU heterogeneous processors∗

Microprocessors combining CPU and GPU cores using a common last-level cache pose new challenges to cache management algorithms. Since GPU cores feature much higher data access rates than CPU cores, the majority of the available cache space will be used by GPU applications, leaving only very limited cache capacity for CPU applications, which may be disadvantageous for overall system performance. This paper introduces a novel cache management algorithm that aims at determining an optimal split of cache capacity between CPU and GPU applications.
Management Control and Value-based Management: Compatible or not?

This paper elaborates on the effects of Value-based Management (VBM) on the Management Control System in three Dutch (multinational) organizations. The cases show that communication about the rationale of VBM and how it affects activities and decisions are more relevant for acceptance, than a metric-approach in which the calculations are explained into detail. In that view, other tools are used, such as Balanced Scorecards, value trees, or Activity-based Costing, while involving all functions throughout the entire organization, such as strategy, human resources, and production. What seems to be most important is that target setting, remuneration and rewarding are aligned with the value drivers, holding people accountable for the activities they control.
The circumnuclear material in the Galactic Centre: a clue to the accretion process

On the basis of 'sticky particle' calculations, it is argued that the gas features observed within 10 pc of the Galactic Centre - the circumnuclear disc (CND) and the ionized gas filaments - as well as the newly formed stars in the inner 1 pc can be understood in terms of tidal capture and disruption of gas clouds on low angular momentum orbits in a potential containing a point mass. The calculations demonstrate that a dissipative component forms a 'dispersion ring', an asymmetric elliptical torus precessing counter to the direction of rotation, and that this shape can be maintained for many orbital periods. For a range of plausible initial conditions, such a structure can explain the morphology and kinematics of the CND and of the most conspicuous ionized filament. While forming the dispersion ring, a small cloud with low specific angular momentum is drawn into a long filament which repeatedly collides with itself at high velocity. The compression in strong shocks is likely to lead to star formation even in the near tidal field of the point mass. This process may have general relevance to accretion on to massive black holes in normal and active galactic nuclei.
A Study of Role Stresses in Top and Middle Management

In the present study, attempt is made to explore the types of role stresses experienced by top and middle management personnel and to establish the degree of relationship among these role stress variables. ‘ORS Scale’ developed and standardized by Pareek (1983) was administered on a sample of 221 top managers and 326 middle managers. This scale measures ten types of role stresses as well as overall role stress. Critical ratio test, median test and Pearson’s product moment coefficients of correlation were used to analyse the data. Findings of the study revealed that Middle managers (MMG) scored significantly higher on interrole distance, personal inadequacy, self-role distance and resource inadequacy. Role expectation conflict, role ambiguity and overall role stress were also found to be significantly higher in case of middle managers (MMG) as compared to top managers (TMG). Out of 55 coefficients of correlation among role stress factors, 53 for top managers and 51 for middle managers emerged as statistically significant. In the light of findings, implications of the study are also discussed.
A single- vs. multi-item self-rated health status measure: a 21-country study

Objectives: Data have been collected on self-rated health using a single question on how individuals rate their health in cross-sectional surveys carried out in a large number of countries. Doubts have been expressed about the validity of this measure and this was the main reason to undertake the current study. Study Design: Data of 21 cross-sectional surveys were analyzed derived from the World Health Survey (WHS) carried out among adults in 2002-2003. Methods: We compared the single-item self-rated health measure with a multi-item health status index. Information on both types of measures was available from WHS. The multi-item index was constructed using data on functional limitations in daily activities. Results: The relationship of age with the multi-item health status index was linear while the relationship of age with self-rated health deviated from linearity in the younger and the oldest age groups. Both measures were compared with two criterion variables: life expectancy at age 20 and self-reported chronic conditions. The multi-item index was more strongly related to life expectancy and to chronic conditions than was the single-item self-rated health measure. Conclusions: The multi-item health status index could be a stronger predictor of mortality than the single-item self-rated health measure. It is recommended to rely in health surveys as much as possible on multi-item health status measures. Single-item self-rated health measures should continue to be used in situations where there are no other alternatives available, but researchers and policy makers should be aware of their limitations.
A Binary Variable Model for Affinity Propagation

Affinity propagation (AP) was recently introduced as an unsupervised learning algorithm for exemplar-based clustering. We present a derivation of AP that is much simpler than the original one and is based on a quite different graphical model. The new model allows easy derivations of message updates for extensions and modifications of the standard AP algorithm. We demonstrate this by adjusting the new AP model to represent the capacitated clustering problem. For those wishing to investigate or extend the graphical model of the AP algorithm, we suggest using this new formulation since it allows a simpler and more intuitive model manipulation.
Goal-based security components for cloud storage security framework: a preliminary study

There are a variety of ways to ensure the security of data in the cloud depending on the set of anticipated concerns. Many cloud storage secure data either by encrypting data on transfer, or by encrypting data at rest. These security protections seem very different, and currently there are no common goalbased security components for comparing them. In this paper we investigate the security components forming security, which ensures data are securely protected in cloud storage. We will show security components that were extracted by synthesising existing security frameworks and industry accepted standards to satisfy the concerns for which there is little extant research. The components are also mapped to security concerns happening in the cloud. A triangulation method was applied to investigate the important security components. This exploratory research has been considered by security experts and practitioners who confirmed the proposed framework.
An Alternative Approach to Behavior Interventions: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

A pproximately 10% of schoolaged children experience emotional and behavioral problems that are serious enough to require professional attention (Kauffman, 2005). According to the U.S. Department of Education (2012) more than 420,000 school-aged students between the ages of 3 and 21 qualify for special education services under the category of emotional or behavioral disability (EBD). Of those students, 81% participate in some portion of general education classes in public schools while receiving behavioral supports and academic accommodations. The National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS-2) (Institute of Education Sciences, 2011; NLTS-2 Data Brief, 2004; U.S. Department of Education, 2011) indicated that students with EBD still have a difficult time performing successfully in school and postschool environments. According to the NLTS-2 and the IES (2011) 25% of students with EBD have poor social skills as compared with their peers in the general education population. In addition, almost 75% have been suspended or expelled at least once, and 14% are more likely to receive Ds or Fs on their report card as compared with all students with disabilities. It is also reported that less than half of students with EBD have received a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma, and more than 40% have dropped out of school. Bradley, Doolittle, and Bartolotta (2008) summarized from the NLTS-2 that early intervention and prevention programs show promise for improving student behavior; however, students with EBD are at risk of becoming resistant to behavioral, social, and academic interventions as they move through the school system. Furthermore, school systems aim to reduce negative school behaviors, but they have a difficult time identifying effective and feasible programs to implement on a broad scale in the classroom or school environment that will bring about the change they desire (Everett, Kann, & McReynolds, 1997). One approach to the growing problem of school-related conduct and behavior problems with students with EBD may be to provide training in stress reduction (Barnes, Bauza, & Treiber, 2003; Meiklejohn et al., 2012) in the form of a type of meditation called mindfulness-based stress reduction.
Reformulating Empirical Macro-econometric Modelling

The policy implications of estimated macro-econometric systems depend on the formulations of their equations, the methodology of empirical model selection and evaluation, the techniques of policy analysis, and their forecast performance. Drawing on recent results in the theory of forecasting, we question the role of `rational expectations'; criticize a common approach to testing economic theories; show that impulse-response methods of evaluating policy are seriously flawed; and question the mechanistic derivation of forecasts from econometric systems. In their place, we propose that expectations should be treated as instrumental to agents' decisions; discuss a powerful new approach to the empirical modelling of econometric relationships; offer viable alternatives to studying policy implications; and note modifications to forecasting devices that can enhance their robustness to unanticipated structural breaks. Keywords; economic policy analysis, macro-econometric systems, empirical model selection and evaluation, forecasting, rational expectations, impulse-response analysis, structural breaks