Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ultrafast Laser-Based Spectroscopy and Sensing: Applications in LIBS, CARS, and THz Spectroscopy

Ultrafast pulsed lasers find application in a range of spectroscopy and sensing techniques including laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), coherent Raman spectroscopy, and terahertz (THz) spectroscopy. Whether based on absorption or emission processes, the characteristics of these techniques are heavily influenced by the use of ultrafast pulses in the signal generation process. Depending on the energy of the pulses used, the essential laser interaction process can primarily involve lattice vibrations, molecular rotations, or a combination of excited states produced by laser heating. While some of these techniques are currently confined to sensing at close ranges, others can be implemented for remote spectroscopic sensing owing principally to the laser pulse duration. We present a review of ultrafast laser-based spectroscopy techniques and discuss the use of these techniques to current and potential chemical and environmental sensing applications.
Identification of gene regulatory networks from time course gene expression data

Several methods have been proposed to infer gene regulatory networks from time course gene expression data. As the number of genes is much larger than the number of time points at which gene expression (mRNA concentration) is measured, most existing methods need some ad hoc assumptions to infer a unique gene regulatory network from time course gene expression data. It is well known that gene regulatory networks are sparse and stable. However, inferred network from most existing methods may not be stable. In this paper we propose a method to infer sparse and stable gene regulatory networks from time course gene expression data. Instead of ad hoc assumption, we formulate the inference of sparse and stable gene regulatory networks as constraint optimization problems, which can be easily solved. To investigate the performance of our proposed method, computational experiments are conducted on synthetic datasets.
Methods for fast skeleton sketching

Rigging characters for animation is a tedious task traditionally accomplished by extrusions of joints and direct bone manipulations. This work introduces different methods and concepts for a fast and effective sketching interface for skeleton creation. Unlike previous work on sketching motion paths [Thorne et al. 2004] or spline deformation [Blanco and Oliveira 2008], this is a direct way to create and adapt complex deformation skeletons on any character.
Familiarity Bias and Physiological Responses in Contagious Yawning by Dogs Support Link to Empathy

In humans, the susceptibility to yawn contagion has been theoretically and empirically related to our capacity for empathy. Because of its relevance to evolutionary biology, this phenomenon has been the focus of recent investigations in non-human species. In line with the empathic hypothesis, contagious yawning has been shown to correlate with the level of social attachment in several primate species. Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) have also shown the ability to yawn contagiously. To date, however, the social modulation of dog contagious yawning has received contradictory support and alternative explanations (i.e., yawn as a mild distress response) could explain positive evidence. The present study aims to replicate contagious yawning in dogs and to discriminate between the two possible mediating mechanisms (i.e., empathic vs. distress related response). Twenty-five dogs observed familiar (dog’s owner) and unfamiliar human models (experimenter) acting out a yawn or control mouth movements. Concurrent physiological measures (heart rate) were additionally monitored for twenty-one of the subjects. The occurrence of yawn contagion was significantly higher during the yawning condition than during the control mouth movements. Furthermore, the dogs yawned more frequently when watching the familiar model than the unfamiliar one demonstrating that the contagiousness of yawning in dogs correlated with the level of emotional proximity. Moreover, subjects’ heart rate did not differ among conditions suggesting that the phenomenon of contagious yawning in dogs is unrelated to stressful events. Our findings are consistent with the view that contagious yawning is modulated by affective components of the behavior and may indicate that rudimentary forms of empathy could be present in domesticated dogs.
ROLE OF THE MITOCHONDRIAL GENOME DURING EARLY DEVELOPMENT IN MICE

The role of the mitochondrial genome in early development and differentiation was studied in mouse embryos cultured in vitro from the two to four cell stage to the blastocyst (about 100 cells). During this period the mitochondria undergo morphological differentiation: progressive enlargement followed by an increase in matrix density, in number of cristae, and in number of mitochondrial ribosomes. Mitochondrial ribosomal and transfer RNA synthesis occurs from the 8 to 16 cell stage on and contributes to the establishment of a mitochondrial protein-synthesizing system. Inhibition of mitochondrial RNA- and protein-synthesis by 0.1 µg/ml of ethidium bromide or 31.2 µg/ml of chloramphenicol permits essentially normal embryo development and cellular differentiation. Mitochondrial morphogenesis is also nearly normal except for the appearance of dilated and vesicular cristae in blastocyst mitochondria. Such blastocysts are capable of normal postimplantation development when transplanted into the uteri of foster mothers. Higher concentrations of these inhibitors have general toxic effects and arrest embryo development. It is concluded that mitochondrial differentiation in the early mouse embryo occurs through the progressive transformation of the preexisting mitochondria and is largely controlled by the nucleocytoplasmic system. Mitochondrial protein synthesis is required for the normal structural organization of the cristae in blastocyst mitochondria. Embryo development and cellular differentiation up to the blastocyst stage are not dependent on mitochondrial genetic activity.
EGULARIZATION UNDER THE I NDEPENDENCE OF M ECHANISMS A SSUMPTION

Neural networks provide a powerful framework for learning the association between input and response variables and making accurate predictions and offer promise in using the rapidly growing volume of health care data to surface causal relationships that cannot necessarily be tested in randomized clinical trials. In pursuit of models whose predictive power comes maximally from causal variables, we propose a novel causal regularizer based on the independence of mechanisms assumption. We use the causal regularizer to steer deep neural network architectures towards causally-interpretable solutions. We perform a large-scale analysis of electronic health records. Our causally-regularized algorithm outperforms its L1-regularized counterpart both in predictive performance as well as causal relevance. Finally, we show that the proposed causal regularizer can be used together with representation learning algorithms to yield up to 20% improvement in the causality score of the generated hypotheses.
Parallel high-performance computing of Bayes estimation for signal processing and metrology the open source parallel Bayesian toolbox

The Bayesian theorem is the most used instrument for stochastic inferencing in nonlinear dynamic systems. The algorithmic implementations of the recursive Bayesian estimation for arbitrary systems are the particle filters (PFs). They are sampling-based sequential Monte-Carlo methods, which generate, a set of samples to compute an approximation of the Bayesian posterior probability density function. Thus, the PF faces the problem of high computational burden, since it converges to the true posterior when number of particles Np → ∞. In order to solve these computational problems a highly parallelized C++ library, called Parallel Bayesian Toolbox (PBT), for implementing Bayes filters (BFs) was developed and released as open-source software, for the first time [1]. It features a high level language interface for numerical calculations and very efficient usage of available central processing units (CPUs) and graphics processing units (GPUs). This significantly increases the computational throughput without the need of special hardware such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).
Hemodynamic Consequences of the Injection of Radiopaque Material

The hemodynamic changes resulting from injection of radiopaque material into the left heart in a series of patients undergong cineangiographic studies have been reported. The hypertonicity of radiopaque materials appears to be responsible for much of the observed reaction. The mechanism whereby hypertonic solutions produce the observed physiologic changes remains unknown.Changes observed in patients could be reproduced in experimental animals. The combined experimental and clinical data show that left atrial pressure increases, left atrial pulse contour alters, stroke output increases, heart rate is much unchanged, peripheral artery pressure falls, hematocrit level falls, and myocardial contractile force decreases mildly and transiently.The difference between the physiologic effects of injecting hypertonic media into the right and left sides of the circulation is discussed.Because the pressure changes are easy to monitor and parallel the other features of the hemodynamic reaction, it is good to wait until pressures have returned to the pre-angiographic level before proceeding with the injection of more radiopaque material. This usually requires 15 minutes.
Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells alleviate acute myocarditis by modulating endoplasmic reticulum stress and extracellular signal regulated 1/2-mediated apoptosis

Acute myocarditis is a non-ischemic inflammatory disease of the myocardium, and there is currently no standard treatment. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can alleviate myosin-induced myocarditis; however, the mechanism has not been clearly elucidated. In the present study, the authors investigated the ability of human umbilical cordMSCs (HuMSCs) to attenuate myocardial injury and dysfunction during the acute phase of experimental myocarditis. Male Lewis rats (aged 8 weeks) were injected with porcine myosin to induce myocarditis. Cultured HuMSCs (1×106 cells/rat) were intravenously injected 10 days following myosin injection. A total of 3 weeks following injection, this resulted in severe inflammation and significant deterioration of cardiac function. HuMSC transplantation attenuated infiltration of inflammatory cells and adverse cardiac remodeling, as well as reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, it was identified that HuMSC transplantation suppressed endoplasmic reticulum stress and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 signaling in experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM). The reduced number of TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells in myocardial sections from HuMSC-treated EAM rats compared with control demonstrates HuMSCs' anti-apoptotic function. Based on these data, the author suggested that treatment with HuMSCs inhibits myocardial apoptosis in EAM rats, ultimately protecting them from myocardial damage. The conclusion demonstrated that HuMSC transplantation attenuates myocardial injury and dysfunction in a rat model of acute myocarditis, potentially via regulation of ER stress, ERK1/2 signaling and induction of cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
Toward efficient task assignment and motion planning for large-scale underwater missions

An autonomous underwater vehicle needs to possess a certain degree of autonomy for any particular underwater mission to fulfil the mission objectives successfully and ensure its safety in all stages of the mission in a large-scale operating field. In this article, a novel combinatorial conflict-free task assignment strategy, consisting of an interactive engagement of a local path planner and an adaptive global route planner, is introduced. The method takes advantage of the heuristic search potency of the particle swarm optimization algorithm to address the discrete nature of routing-task assignment approach and the complexity of nondeterministic polynomial-time-hard path planning problem. The proposed hybrid method is highly efficient as a consequence of its reactive guidance framework that guarantees successful completion of missions particularly in cluttered environments. To examine the performance of the method in a context of mission productivity, mission time management, and vehicle safety, a series of simulation studies are undertaken. The results of simulations declare that the proposed method is reliable and robust, particularly in dealing with uncertainties, and it can significantly enhance the level of a vehicle’s autonomy by relying on its reactive nature and capability of providing fast feasible solutions.
Virtual-topology adaptation for mixed-line-rate optical WDM networks under dynamic traffic

In the mixed-line-rate (MLR) wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) networks, each wavelength of fiber can provide different bandwidths (in 10/40/100 Gbps) by using different modulation types. Since the MLR-WDM technique is becoming the key and a cost-efficiency technique for the network upgrading, the problem for supporting virtual topology reconfiguration (VTR) becomes a very important issue. In this paper, the VTR problem for a MLR-WDM network is studied under dynamic traffic demand. By monitoring traffic of the lightpaths, a heuristic adaptation method is proposed to follow the changes in traffic without a priori knowledge of the future traffic pattern. The proposed can achieve the load balances by either adjusting (increasingly or decreasingly), adding or deleting one or more lightpaths at a time. Simulation experiments employing the adaptation algorithm on realistic network scenarios reveal interesting effects of the various system parameters. Specifically, we find that this method adapts very well to the changes in the offered traffic on MLR-WDM networks.
Correlation between Central Venous Pressure and Inferior Vena Cava Sonographic Diameter; Determining the Best Anatomic Location

Introduction: The correlation of central venous pressure (CVP) with inferior vena cava (IVC) sonographic diameter has been reported in several studies. However, few studies have attempted to find the best anatomic location of measurement. Therefore, the purpose of this study was determining the best anatomic location to find precise correlation between CVP and IVC diameter using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Methods: In the present diagnostic accuracy study, patients in need of central venous catheterization and TEE were enrolled. Maximum diameter of IVC were measured during expiratory phase of respiratory cycle at the level of diaphragm, 2cm above the diaphragm and at the point of entry into the right atrium using SonoSite TEE device. CVP was measured using an electronic transducer connected to the central venous line. The best location for sonography was determined via calculating and comparing area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve (AUC). Results: 39 patients were enrolled (53.8% female). Mean CVP was 6.8 ± 1.4 mmHg and 25 (64.1%) patients had normal CVP, while 14 (35.9%) showed elevated CVP (> 6 mmHg). Evaluating AUC showed that IVC diameter (p = 0.01), aorta diameter (p = 0.01) and IVC / aorta ratio (p = 0.004) had acceptable correlation with CVP. Point of entry of IVC into the right atrium with AUC of 0.98 (95% CI: 0.95 – 1.00) was the location of highest correlation with CVP. Conclusion: Based on the present findings, the IVC sonographic diameter and IVC / aorta ratio had acceptable correlation with CVP at the level of IVC entry into the right atrium.
Assessment on the contact factors of a sandwich soft finger model – An experimental investigation

Abstract The bio-mechanics of skin and bone play a crucial role in dexterous object manipulations and artificial robotic gripper design. Establishing a quantitative relationship between imposed loads and contact factors is necessary to understand the governing mechanics behind it. Towards this goal, experimental investigations on the contact parameters of a sandwich soft fingertip comprising a soft layer and solid core are presented. The influence of soft layer stratum and material grades on the power law equation is investigated by introducing a new dimensionless parameter – Power Factor. The results clearly indicate that the power index “γ” is dependent on the material as well as shell thickness and in addition the proportionality constant “C” is dependent on the geometry. Also, the magnitude of both the constants increases with power factor and saturates at a value of ≈1.25. Numerical simulation is performed to support the experimental results. Finally, an optimum ratio of power factor is determined and the number ≈1.25 is critical in designing the artificial robotic sandwich fingertip.
Effect of Excision of Avascular Bleb and Advancement of Adjacent Conjunctiva for Treatment of Hypotony

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of excision of avascular bleb and advancement of adjacent conjunctiva (EBAC) for treatment of hypotony after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC). Methods Fifteen patients (17 eyes) who received EBAC for correction of hypotony between September 1996 and October 2008 were reviewed retrospectively. The main outcomes were intraocular pressure (IOP) and postoperative complications. Results Hypotony (IOP <6 mmHg) of eight eyes (47.1%, seven patients) was caused by bleb perforation. Of these, two eyes (two patients) had a history of trauma. Hypotony appeared at 33.9±30.8 months, and EBAC was performed at 48.2±35.3 months after trabeculectomy with MMC. The mean follow-up period was 38.3±29.8 months. The qualified success rate of EBAC was 100% at 51 months after EBAC, and the complete success rate of EBAC was 76.5% at six months and 70.6% at 51 months, as determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Post-EBAC complications included blepharoptosis in four eyes (23.5%) and bleb perforation in one (5.9%). The blepharoptosis resolved within one month after EBAC in two patients. However, in the other patients, mild blepharoptosis remained at 17 and 22 months postoperatively. Conclusions EBAC was found to be an effective method for treatment of hypotony after trabeculectomy with MMC, and postoperative blepharoptosis was a major complication.
Microbial Community Structure After Long-Term ( 31 Years ) of Conservation Tillage under Continuous Cotton in West Tennessee

1 University of Tennessee – Knoxville, Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, 2506 E.J. Chapman Drive Knoxville, TN 37996-4531. Email: lmbuthia@utk.edu 2 USDA-ARS, Lubbock, TXCropping Systems Research Laboratory, Wind Erosion and Water Conservation Unit Background Microbial abundance and activity of microbial communities are key factors attributed to soil quality improvements in conservation agricultural (CA) practices due to their critical role in biogeochemical cycling. To gain insight on the importance of these shifts, it would be necessary to know the structure and composition of the microbial community after long-term (CA) practices and how this may have impacted soil biochemical properties. The objective of this project was to conduct a comparative analysis of the microbial community structure and activity of soils under a long term CA practices under continuous cotton production (31 years) in West Tennessee.
Gamma Profile Analysis for Stress, Texture and Grain Size

Two-dimensional X-ray diffraction pattern can be described by the diffraction intensity distribution in both 2θ and γ directions. The 2D pattern can be reduced to two kinds of profiles: 2θ-profile and γ-profile. The 2θ-profile can be evaluated for phase identification, crystal structure refinement and many applications with many existing algorithms and software. The γ-profile contains information on texture, stress, and crystal grain size. This article introduces the concept and fundamental algorithms for stress, texture and crystal size analysis by γ-profile analysis.
Perception of "tonal focus" in Greek

The present paper reports on the way tonal correlates of focus impact its identification in Greek simple declaratives. The material was based on 4 utterances with different focus placement. Manipulation of the F0 contour and duration of the original utterances resulted in a list of 18 utterances, repeated 10 times each, and presented randomly to each of 10 informants. The informants were asked to indicate what part of each utterance bore focus. The results showed that: (1) F0 is the most reliable parameter for focus perception, especially the rate of tonal rise/fall, (2) duration expansion is not sufficient for focus perception, and (3) combining F0 and duration affects successful focus identification.
Eye Location and Eye State Detection in Facial Images with Unconstrained Background

This paper presents an efficient approach to achieve fast and accurate eye states detection in still gray level images with unconstrained background. The structure of eye region is used as a robust cue to find eye pair candidates. Eyes are located by eye verification using SVMs. The eye contour information is used to detect whether eyes are open or closed after locating eyes. The proposed method is robust to deal with illumination changes, moderate rotations, glasses wearing and partial face occlusions. The proposed method is evaluated on the BioID face database and experimental results demonstrate its effectiveness.
Contemporary Accounting Research Lien entre la participation des cadres dans les capitaux propres et la taille des cabinets d ’ expertise comptable

The finance literature identifies two agency problems between managers and outside shareholders. First, there is a divergence-of-interests problem as management ownership falls. Second, there is an offsetting entrenchment problem when management ownership increases within intermediate regions of ownership. Agency problems are mitigated through contracting, but contracts are often based on accounting numbers prepared by management. Because accounting numbers must be reliable for contracts to be enforced, agency theory predicts a demand for higher-quality auditors when agency problems are more severe. However, extant studies find no significant or robust relation between management ownership and audit firm size. In contrast to extant research, this study samples unlisted companies rather than listed companies for two reasons. First, the monitoring value of auditing may be higher in unlisted companies because they are less vulnerable to takeover and they are required to disclose much less nonaccounting information to shareholders. Second, unlisted companies have greater variation in management ownership, which permits more powerful tests of the demand for auditing as ownership varies between 0 percent and 100 percent. Consistent with a divergence-of-interests effect, the association between management ownership and audit firm size is found to be significantly negative within low and high regions of management ownership. The association is flatter and slightly positive within intermediate regions of management ownership, suggesting the existence of an opposite entrenchment effect. The negative association and the nonlinearity is consistent with the finance literature and with the predictions of agency theory.