Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhancing land use classification with fusing dual-polarized TerraSAR-X and multispectral RapidEye data

Abstract. The contribution of dual-polarized synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to optical data for the accuracy of land use classification is investigated. For this purpose, different image fusion algorithms are implemented to achieve spatially improved images while preserving the spectral information. To compare the performance of the fusion techniques, both the microwave X-band dual-polarized TerraSAR-X data and the multispectral (MS) optical image RapidEye data are used. Our test site, Gediz Basin, covers both agricultural fields and artificial structures. Before the classification phase, four data fusion approaches: (1) adjustable SAR-MS fusion, (2) Ehlers fusion, (3) high-pass filtering, and (4) Bayesian data fusion are applied. The quality of the fused images was evaluated with statistical analyses. In this respect, several methods are performed for quality assessments. Then the classification performances of the fused images are also investigated using the support vector machines as a kernel-based method, the random forests as an ensemble learning method, the fundamental k-nearest neighbor, and the maximum likelihood classifier methods comparatively. Experiments provide promising results for the fusion of dual polarimetric SAR data and optical data in land use/cover mapping.
Distance Semantics for Relevance-Sensitive Belief Revision Extended Abstract 1

The AGM postulates [4], [1] are widely regarded to have captured much of what is involved in the process of rational belief revision. Recently however, Parikh [7] observed that despite their success, the AGM postulates are rather liberal in their treatment of the notion of relevance. More precisely, Parikh argues that during belief revision a rational agent does not change her entire belief corpus, but only the portion of it that is relevant to the new information. This intuition of local change, Parikh claims, is not fully captured by the AGM postulates. To remedy this shortcoming, Parikh introduced an additional axiom, named (P), as a supplement to the AGM postulates. Loosely speaking, axiom (P) says that when new information φ is received, only part of the initial belief set K will be affected; namely the part that shares common propositional variables with the minimal language of φ. Parikh’s approach is also known as the language splitting model. Our main goal in this paper is to provide possible-world semantics for axiom (P). In particular, we examine new constraints on systems of spheres and, building on Grove’s representation result [5], we prove that in the presence of the AGM postulates, axiom (P) is sound and complete with respect to these new semantic constraints. What is particularly pleasing about our result is that the new constraints on systems of spheres are in fact not new at all; they essentially generalize a very natural condition that predates axiom (P) and has been motivated independently by Winslett in the context of Reasoning about Action [12]. In the course of formulating semantics for axiom (P) we observed that there are in fact two possible readings of this axiom, which we call the strong and the weak versions of (P). In the full text of this article, [10], both versions are studied. Herein however we confine the discussion to the weak version of axiom (P).
Evaluation of Zosteric Acid for Mitigating Biofilm Formation of Pseudomonas putida Isolated from a Membrane Bioreactor System

This study provides data to define an efficient biocide-free strategy based on zosteric acid to counteract biofilm formation on the membranes of submerged bioreactor system plants. 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic analysis showed that gammaproteobacteria was the prevalent taxa on fouled membranes of an Italian wastewater plant. Pseudomonas was the prevalent genus among the cultivable membrane-fouler bacteria and Pseudomonas putida was selected as the target microorganism to test the efficacy of the antifoulant. Zosteric acid was not a source of carbon and energy for P. putida cells and, at 200 mg/L, it caused a reduction of bacterial coverage by 80%. Biofilm experiments confirmed the compound caused a significant decrease in biomass (−97%) and thickness (−50%), and it induced a migration activity of the peritrichous flagellated P. putida over the polycarbonate surface not amenable to a biofilm phenotype. The low octanol-water partitioning coefficient and the high water solubility suggested a low bioaccumulation potential and the water compartment as its main environmental recipient and capacitor. Preliminary ecotoxicological tests did not highlight direct toxicity effects toward Daphnia magna. For green algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata an effect was observed at concentrations above 100 mg/L with a significant growth of protozoa that may be connected to a concurrent algal growth inhibition.
Residency performance of graduates from a problem‐based and a conventional curriculum

Summary. Performance of 130 graduates in residency from a community‐oriented, problem‐based medical curriculum, and from a parallel, conventional track, were compared on eight dimensions: knowledge, communication with patients, independent learning ability, teamwork, patient education, critical thinking ability, attention to health care costs, and self‐assessment. Ratings were obtained from three evaluators: a doctor‐supervisor, a nurse and the resident him/herself. The study was undertaken to identify differences between graduates from the two curricular tracks. Differences were observed in the areas of health care costs (supervisors) and communication with patients (residents), and a trend was observed in patient education (supervisors) and knowledge (nurses). The outcomes of the study are discussed in light of the literature on residency performance, and in terms of the educational experiences that characterize the two medical curricula.
Swift and XMM-Newton Observations of the Extraordinary Gamma-Ray Burst 060729: More than 125 Days of X-Ray Afterglow

We report the results of the Swift and XMM-Newton observations of the Swift -discovered GRB 060729 (T90 = 115 s). The afterglow of this burst was exceptionally bright in X-rays as well as at UV/optical wavelengths, showing an unusually long slow decay phase (α = 0.14 ± 0.02), suggesting a larger energy injection phase at early times than in other bursts. The X-ray light curve displays a break at about 60 ks after the burst. The X-ray decay slope after the break is α = 1.29 ± 0.03. Up to 125 days after the burst we do not detect a jet break, suggesting that the jet opening angle is larger than 28°. We find that the X-ray spectra of the early phase change dramatically and can all be fitted by an absorbed single-power-law models or alternatively by a blackbody plus power-law model. The power-law fits show that the X-ray spectrum becomes steeper while the absorption column density decreases. In the blackbody model the temperature decreases from kT = 0.6 to 0.1 keV between 85 and 160 s after the burst in the rest frame. The afterglow was clearly detected up to 9 days after the burst in all six UVOT filters and in UVW1 even for 31 days. A break at about 50 ks is clearly detected in all six UVOT filters from a shallow decay slope of about 0.3 and a steeper decay slope of 1.3. The XMM-Newton observations started about 12 hr after the burst and show a typical afterglow X-ray spectrum with βX = 1.1 and absorption column density of 1 × 1021 cm-2.
Minimally Constrained Elbow Implant Arthroplasty: The Discovery Elbow System

The Discovery Elbow System (Biomet Orthopedics, Warsaw, Ind) is the latest generation of elbow replacement systems. Its minimally constrained design provides more closely matching articular surfaces, avoids use of a true hinge, and anatomically reproduces the axis of elbow motion. Improved instruments facilitate its implantation. The anatomic positioning of the humeral condyles allows for preservation of the ulnar collateral ligament to help share in implant loading. Elbow replacement reliably restores a painless functional arc of motion in almost all patients. Historically, elbow implant survivorship has been better in low-demand patients who have been functionally compromised by diffuse disease than in posttraumatic or osteoarthritic patients who otherwise are active and have no significant disabilities other than their elbows. The decision to proceed with elbow replacement should be made considering both age and activity level.
Ecomorphological analysis of trophic niche partitioning in a tropical savannah bat community

The exceptional diversity of neotropical bat communities is sustained by an intricate partitioning of available resources among the member species. Trophical specialization is considered an important evolutionary avenue towards niche partitioning in neotropical phyllostomid bats. From an ancestral insectivorous condition, phyllostomids evolved into highly specialized frugivorous, carnivorous, nectarivorous, piscivorous and even sanguivorous species. Previously, correlations between cranial morphology and trophic ecology within this group have been documented. Here, we examine the evolutionary relationships between bite force and head shape in over 20 species of bats from a single tropical savannah bat community. The results show that bite force increases exponentially with body size across all species examined. Despite the significant differences between large dietary groups using traditional analysis (i.e. non–phylogenetic) and the strong evolutionary correlations between body mass and bite force, phylogenetic analyses indicated no differences in bite performance between insectivorous, omnivorous and frugivorous bats. Comparisons of three species with highly specialized feeding habits (nectarivory, piscivory and sanguivory) with the rest of the species in the community indicate that specialization into these niches comes at the expense of bite performance and, hence, may result in a reduction of the trophic niche breadth.
Uterine ALK3 is essential during the window of implantation

Significance In the assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinic, pregnancy is defined by the rise of human chorionic gonadotropin upon embryo implantation. Achieving embryo implantation is a major roadblock to the success of ART; it is estimated that only 50% of transferred embryos implant in patients seeking ART, and that half of these embryos are subsequently lost. Thus, understanding the molecular pathways during the window of implantation will improve ART success. In this study, we conditionally deleted activin-like kinase 3 (ALK3) in mice and demonstrate that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling via ALK3 defines uterine receptivity. This mouse model will be a valuable research tool for studying implantation failure in women, and the results herein will contribute to our knowledge regarding female infertility. The window of implantation is defined by the inhibition of uterine epithelial proliferation, structural epithelial cell remodeling, and attenuated estrogen (E2) response. These changes occur via paracrine signaling between the uterine epithelium and stroma. Because implantation defects are a major cause of infertility in women, identifying these signaling pathways will improve infertility interventions. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are TGF-β family members that regulate the postimplantation and midgestation stages of pregnancy. In this study, we discovered that signaling via activin-like kinase 3 (ALK3/BMPR1A), a BMP type 1 receptor, is necessary for blastocyst attachment. Conditional knockout (cKO) of ALK3 in the uterus was obtained by producing Alk3flox/flox-Pgr-cre–positive females. Alk3 cKO mice are sterile and have defects in the luminal uterine epithelium, including increased microvilli density and maintenance of apical cell polarity. Moreover, Alk3 cKO mice exhibit an elevated uterine E2 response and unopposed epithelial cell proliferation during the window of implantation. We determined that dual transcriptional regulation of Kruppel-like factor 15 (Klf15), by both the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) transcription factor SMAD family member 4 (SMAD4) and progesterone receptor (PR), is necessary to inhibit uterine epithelial cell proliferation, a key step for embryo implantation. Our findings present a convergence of BMP and steroid hormone signaling pathways in the regulation of uterine receptivity.
Social Connection, Judgments of Similarity and Intergroup Relations

forms of connecting with outgroup members are also effective in creating positive outcomes. Conceptual ways to bring the self to the outgroup, such as approach-avoidance training, in which participants use a joystick to approach outgroup members and avoid in-group members, are able to reduce implicit prejudice against outgroup members (Phills, Kawakami, Tabi, Nadolny & Inzlicht, 2011). This effect is not due to the physical act of approaching and avoiding, but also works when approaching and avoiding are done with circles on a computer screen that represent the self and outgroup members, allowing participants to conceptually bring the self and outgroup categories closer together. A particularly powerful way of connecting with an outgroup is to form intergroup friendships. Research by Page-Gould, Mendoza-Denton and Tropp (2008) reveals numerous positive benefits of outgroup friendship, such as decreased intergroup anxiety, positive interaction expectations and less stress on a physiological level. These positive effects are true not only for the cross-group friend, but carry over to other members of the outgroup (Page-Gould, Mendoza-Denton, Alegre & Siy, 2010). The mechanism for these effects appears to be an increasing association of the outgroup with the self, in terms of groupmembership, and the traits associated with the outgroup (Davies, Tropp, Aron, Pettigrew & Wright, 2011; Davies, Wright & Aron, 2011). In other words, closeness with the outgroup friend creates a conceptual overlap of the self with the other, leading to the inclusion of membership and traits of the outgroup with
Treatment of Naïve Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Genotypes 2 and 3 with Pegylated Interferon Alpha and Ribavirin in a Real World Setting: Relevance for the New Era of DAA

Evidence based clinical guidelines are implemented to treat patients efficiently that include efficacy, tolerability but also health economic considerations. This is of particular relevance to the new direct acting antiviral agents that have revolutionized treatment of chronic hepatitis C. For hepatitis C genotypes 2/3 interferon free treatment is already available with sofosbuvir plus ribavirin. However, treatment with sofosbuvir-based regimens is 10–20 times more expensive compared to pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin (PegIFN/RBV). It has to be discussed if PegIFN/RBV is still an option for easy to treat patients. We assessed the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C genotypes 2/3 with PegIFN/RBV in a real world setting according to the latest German guidelines. Overall, 1006 patients were recruited into a prospective patient registry with 959 having started treatment. The intention-to-treat analysis showed poor SVR (GT2 61%, GT3 47%) while patients with adherence had excellent SVR in the per protocol analysis (GT2 96%, GT3 90%). According to guidelines, 283 patients were candidates for shorter treatment duration, namely a treatment of 16 weeks (baseline HCV-RNA <800.000 IU/mL, no cirrhosis and RVR). However, 65% of these easy to treat patients have been treated longer than recommended that resulted in higher costs but not higher SVR rates. In conclusion, treatment with PegIFN/RBV in a real world setting can be highly effective yet similar effective than PegIFN± sofosbuvir/RBV in well-selected naïve G2/3 patients. Full adherence to guidelines could be further improved, because it would be important in the new era with DAA, especially to safe resources.
Character-level and Multi-channel Convolutional Neural Networks for Large-scale Authorship Attribution

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have demonstrated superior capability for extracting information from raw signals in computer vision. Recently, character-level and multi-channel CNNs have exhibited excellent performance for sentence classification tasks. We apply CNNs to large-scale authorship attribution, which aims to determine an unknown text's author among many candidate authors, motivated by their ability to process character-level signals and to differentiate between a large number of classes, while making fast predictions in comparison to state-of-the-art approaches. We extensively evaluate CNN-based approaches that leverage word and character channels and compare them against state-of-the-art methods for a large range of author numbers, shedding new light on traditional approaches. We show that character-level CNNs outperform the state-of-the-art on four out of five datasets in different domains. Additionally, we present the first application of authorship attribution to reddit.
Physical attractiveness and sex as modulatory factors of empathic brain responses to pain

Empathy is a process that comprises affective sharing, imagining, and understanding the emotions and mental states of others. The brain structures involved in empathy for physical pain include the anterior insula (AI), and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). High empathy may lead people to undertake pro-social behavior. It is important to understand how this process can be changed, and what factors these empathic responses depend on. Physical attractiveness is a major social and evolutional cue, playing a role in the formation of interpersonal evaluation. The aim of the study was to determine how attractiveness affects the level of empathy both in relation to self-rated behavior and in terms of activation of specific empathy-related brain regions. Twenty-seven subjects (14 female and 13 male) were studied using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) method while they were watching short video scenes involving physically more and less attractive men and women who exhibited pain responses. In the absence of behavioral effects in compassion ratings, we observed stronger activation in empathic brain structures (ACC; AI) for less attractive men and for attractive women than for attractive men. Evolutionary psychology studies suggest that beauty is valued more highly in females than males, which might lead observers to empathize more strongly with the attractive woman than the men. Attractive mens’ faces are typically associated with enhanced masculine facial characteristics and are considered to possess fewer desirable personality traits compared with feminized faces. This could explain why more empathy was shown to less attractive men. In conclusion, the study showed that the attractiveness and sex of a model are important modulators of empathy for pain.
Methodology for turbulence code validation: Quantification of simulation-experiment agreement and application to the TORPEX experiment

A methodology for plasma turbulence code validation is discussed, focusing on quantitative assessment of the agreement between experiments and simulations. The present work extends the analysis carried out in a previous paper [P. Ricci et al., Phys. Plasmas 16, 055703 (2009)] where the validation observables were introduced. Here, it is discussed how to quantify the agreement between experiments and simulations with respect to each observable, how to define a metric to evaluate this agreement globally, and—finally—how to assess the quality of a validation procedure. The methodology is then applied to the simulation of the basic plasma physics experiment TORPEX [A. Fasoli et al., Phys. Plasmas 13, 055902 (2006)], considering both two-dimensional and three-dimensional simulation models.
American Meteorological Society Monthly Weather Review Early Online Release a Comparison of the Hybrid and Ensrf Analysis Schemes in the Presence of Model Errors Due to Unresolved Scales

This is a preliminary PDF of the author-produced manuscript that has been peer-reviewed and accepted for publication. Since it is being posted so soon after acceptance, it has not yet been copyedited, formatted, or processed by AMS Publications. This preliminary version of the manuscript may be downloaded, distributed, and cited, but please be aware that there will be visual differences and possibly some content differences between this version and the final published version. Abstract A hybrid analysis scheme is compared with an ensemble square root filter (EnSRF) analysis scheme in the presence of model errors, as a follow-up to a previous perfect-model comparison. In the hybrid scheme, the ensemble perturbations are updated by the ensemble transform Kalman filter (ETKF) and the ensemble mean is updated with a hybrid ensemble and static background-error covariance. The experiments were conducted with a two-layer primitive equation model. The true state was a T127 simulation. Data assimilation experiments were conducted at T31 resolution (the number of complex spectral coefficients is 3168), assimilating imperfect observations drawn from the T127 nature run. By design, the magnitude of the truncation error was large, which provided a test on the ability of both schemes to deal with model error. Additive noise was used to parameterize model errors in the background ensemble for both schemes. In the first set of experiments, additive noise was drawn from a large inventory of historical forecast errors and in the second set of experiments, it was drawn from a large inventory of differences between forecasts and analyses. The static covariance was computed correspondingly from the two inventories. The hybrid analysis was statistically significantly more accurate than the EnSRF analysis. The improvement of the hybrid over the EnSRF was smaller when differences of forecasts and analyses were used to form the random noise and the static covariance. The EnSRF analysis was more sensitive to the size of the ensemble than the hybrid. A series of tests were conducted to understand why the EnSRF performed worse than the hybrid. It was shown that the inferior performance of the EnSRF was likely due to the 3 sampling error in the estimation of the model-error covariance in the mean update and the less balanced EnSRF initial conditions due to the extra localizations used in the EnSRF.
The Effect of Bovine Milk on the Growth of Bombyx mori

Abstract Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) is a well-studied Lepidopteran model system because of its morphology, life cycle, and economic importance. Many scientists have placed importance on enhancing the economic traits of B. mori because it's larvae, silkworms, are vital in the production of silk. In this study, the effect of bovine milk on B. mori growth was tested. Bovine milk contains several components that aid in healthy growth. The treatment was given to fifth instar B. mori larvae because the fifth instar period is when B. mori eats voraciously and shows maximum growth among all its larval stages. The larvae were treated with fresh mulberry, Morus L. (Rosales: Moraceae), leaves and mulberry leaves dipped in milk from the first day of the fifth instar. Treatments were given on alternate days, and the silkworms were weighed every day to determine whether milk had any role in enhancing the weight of the larvae. Cocoon weights were measured, as the weight indicates the approximate amount of silk that can be reeled. The results showed that larvae gained 82.5% more weight by the end of fifth instar larval when fed with mulberry leaves dipped in milk than when fed with fresh mulberry leaves without milk. The larvae fed with milk-treated leaves gained 310% weight from day 1 to day 7 of the fifth instar, while the larvae fed with fresh leaves gained 153% weight in the same timespan. In addition, cocoon weight increased by 8% when milk was added compared to when it was not. These results suggest that B. mori larvae can be fed mulberry leaves treated with bovine milk for better growth rate and increased silk production.