Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cusp-like plasma in high altitudes: a statistical study of the width and location of the cusp from Magion-4

Abstract. The width of the cusp region is an indicator of the strength of the merging process and the degree of opening of the magnetosphere. During three years, the Magion-4 satellite, as part of the Interball project, has collected a unique data set of cusp-like plasma observations in middle and high altitudes. For a comparison of high- and low-altitude cusp determination, we map our observations of cusp-like plasma along the magnetic field lines down to the Earth’s surface. We use the Tsyganenko and Stern 1996 model of the magnetospheric magnetic field for the mapping, taking actual solar wind and IMF parameters from the Wind observations. The footprint positions show substantial latitudinal dependence on the dipole tilt angle. We fit this dependence with a linear function and subtract this function from observed cusp position. This process allows us to study both statistical width and location of the inspected region as a function of the solar wind and IMF parameters. Our processing of the Magion-4 measurements shows that high-altitude regions occupied by the cusp-like plasma (cusp and cleft) are projected onto a much broader area (in magnetic local time as well as in a latitude) than that determined in low altitudes. The trends of the shift of the cusp position with changes in the IMF direction established by low-altitude observations have been confirmed. Key words. Magnetospheric physics (magnetopause, cusp and boundary layer; solar wind – magnetosphere interactions)
Meteorological Events Affecting Cold-Air Pools in a Small Basin

Meteorological events affecting the evolution of temperature inversions or cold-air pools in the 1-km-diameter, high-altitude (;1300 m MSL) Grunloch basin in the eastern Alps are investigated using data from lines of temperature dataloggers running up the basin sidewalls, nearby weather stations, and weather charts. Nighttime cold-air-pool events observed from October 2001 to June 2002 are categorized into undisturbed inversion evo- lution, late buildups, early breakups, mixing events, layered erosion at the inversion top, temperature disturbances occurring in the lower or upper elevations of the pool, and inversion buildup caused by the temporary clearing of clouds. In addition, persistent multiday cold-air pools are sometimes seen. Analyses show that strong winds and cloud cover are the governing meteorological parameters that cause the inversion behavior to deviate from its undisturbed state, but wind direction can also play an important role in the life cycle of the cold-air pools, because it governs the interaction with steep or gentle slopes of theunderlying topography. Undisturbed cold-air pools are unusual in the Grunloch basin. A schematic diagram illustrates the different types of cold-air-pool events.
Hop Count Based Packet Processing Approach to Counter DDoS Attacks

Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are posing major threat to today’s essential Internet service. The need to protect servers and connected systems is an important aspect in network security. Hence this research work proposes a novel approach called Hop Count based Packet processing to counter DDoS attacks. DDoS attacks are difficult to identify at the source since the attackers use spoofed IP addresses. But it is not possible for the attackers to spoof the Hop Count value in the IPV6 header. This research work utilizes this idea to counter the attacks and it is assumed that all the systems in the current Internet architecture are located within a maximum hop count value of 255. In this approach the packets from the systems at the same hop count and traversing through the same router are marked with the same identification number. This number is derived by the concatenation of the 32 bits of the IP address of the router path and the encrypted value of the hop count. At the receiving side of the router interface the hop count value of the incoming packet is checked with the already stored value. This technique provides an advantage of immediately filtering the traffic after receiving just one attack packet and it does not require any change in the existing protocols. Thus this technique has a significant potential in reducing the threats caused by the DDoS attacks.
Gorilla: A Fast, Scalable, In-Memory Time Series Database

Large-scale internet services aim to remain highly available and responsive in the presence of unexpected failures. Providing this service often requires monitoring and analyzing tens of millions of measurements per second across a large number of systems, and one particularly effective solution is to store and query such measurements in a time series database (TSDB). A key challenge in the design of TSDBs is how to strike the right balance between efficiency, scalability, and reliability. In this paper we introduce Gorilla, Facebook's in-memory TSDB. Our insight is that users of monitoring systems do not place much emphasis on individual data points but rather on aggregate analysis, and recent data points are of much higher value than older points to quickly detect and diagnose the root cause of an ongoing problem. Gorilla optimizes for remaining highly available for writes and reads, even in the face of failures, at the expense of possibly dropping small amounts of data on the write path. To improve query efficiency, we aggressively leverage compression techniques such as delta-of-delta timestamps and XOR'd floating point values to reduce Gorilla's storage footprint by 10x. This allows us to store Gorilla's data in memory, reducing query latency by 73x and improving query throughput by 14x when compared to a traditional database (HBase)-backed time series data. This performance improvement has unlocked new monitoring and debugging tools, such as time series correlation search and more dense visualization tools. Gorilla also gracefully handles failures from a single-node to entire regions with little to no operational overhead.
Finding Commercially Attractive User Innovations: A Test of Lead User Theory

Firms and governments are increasingly interested in learning to exploit the value of lead user innovations for commercial advantage. Improvements to lead user theory are needed to inform and guide these efforts. In this paper we empirically test and confirm the basic tenants of lead user theory. We also discover some new refinements and related practical applications. Using a sample of users and user-innovators drawn from the extreme sport of kite surfing, we analyze the relationship between the commercial attractiveness of innovations developed by users and the intensity of the lead user characteristics those users display. We provide a first empirical analysis of the independent effects of its two key component variables. In our empirical study of user modifications to kite surfing equipment, we find that both components independently contribute to identifying commercially attractive user innovations. Component 1 (the "high expected benefits" dimension) predicts innovation likelihood, and component 2 (the "ahead of the trend" dimension) predicts both the commercial attractiveness of a given set of user-developed innovations and innovation likelihood due to a newly-proposed innovation supply side effect. We conclude that the component variables in the lead user definition are indeed independent dimensions and so neither can be dropped without loss of information - an important matter for lead user theory. We also find that adding measures of users' local resources can improve the ability of the lead user construct to identify commercially-attractive innovations under some conditions. The findings we report have practical as well as theoretical import. Product modification and development has been found to be a relatively common user behavior in many fields. Thus, from 10% to nearly 40% of users report having modified or developed a product for in-house use in the case of industrial products, or for personal use in the case of consumer products, in fields sampled to date. As a practical matter, therefore, it is important to find ways to selectively identify the user innovations that manufacturers will find to be the basis for commercially attractive products in the collectivity of user-developed innovations. We discuss the implications of these findings for theory and also for practical applications of the lead user construct, i.e. how variables used in lead user studies can profitably be adapted to fit specific study contexts and purposes.
Feature-based level of service classification for traffic surveillance

A novel level of service (LOS) estimation approach based on the extraction of three local visual features is presented. The feature set comprises KLT motion vectors and Sobel edges, and is fed into a Gaussian radial-basis-function (GRBF) network to classify the prevailing LOS. The whole approach is designed and implemented to run on smart cameras in real-time and has been evaluated with a comprehensive set of real-world training and test video data from a national motorway. The evaluations in daylight environments have shown an average accuracy of LOS classification of 86.2% on an Atom-based smart camera, with a maximum reachable processing frame rate of 12.5 frames/sec. Incorrect classified samples differed from the ground truth by only one level. The comparisons are done with observation data from sensors utilizing a combination of Doppler radar, ultrasound, and passive infrared technologies.
The relationships between the seriousness of leisure activities, social support and school adaptation among Asian international students in the U.S.

Abstract Although social support is a significant contributor of school adaptation, Asian international students tend to have a lack of social support. To build up social support, leisure engagement could be an effective way for Asian international students. In particular, taking leisure seriously may have important effects on Asian international students to build strong social networks and obtain a sense of belonging to help them adapt to school. A total of 190 Korean and Chinese international students were focused to explore the relationships between the seriousness of leisure activities, social support and school adaptation among Asian international students attending U.S. colleges/universities using structural equation modeling. While the model showed an acceptable model fit to the sample data, the results indicate that engaging in leisure seriously has a positive association with gaining social support from friends. Furthermore, social support from friends was not only a predictor of school adaptation but also acted as a mediator between the seriousness of leisure activities and school adaptation. We also found that the seriousness of leisure involvement maintained a direct effect on school adaptation. This study advocated the importance of serious leisure engagement in the lives of Asian international students adapting to college.
A Uniform Analysis of the Lyα Forest at z = 0-5. I. The Sample and Distribution of Clouds at z > 1.7

We present moderate-resolution data for 39 quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) at z ≈ 2 obtained at the Multiple Mirror Telescope. These data are combined with spectra of comparable resolution of 60 QSOs with redshifts greater than 1.7 found in the literature to investigate the distribution of Lyα forest lines in redshift and equivalent width. We find a value for γ, the parameter describing the number distribution of Lyα forest lines in redshift, of 1.88 ± 0.22 for lines stronger than a rest equivalent width of 0.32 Å, in good agreement with some previous studies. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied to the data, and it is found that this single power law is a good fit over the relevant redshift ranges. Simulations of the Lyα forest were performed to determine the completeness of the line lists and to test how well the analysis recovers the underlying line statistics, given this level of completeness.
Use of the Wasserman equation in optimization of the duration of the power ramp in a cardiopulmonary exercise test: a study of Brazilian men

This study aimed to analyze the agreement between measurements of unloaded oxygen uptake and peak oxygen uptake based on equations proposed by Wasserman and on real measurements directly obtained with the ergospirometry system. We performed an incremental cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), which was applied to two groups of sedentary male subjects: one apparently healthy group (HG, n=12) and the other had stable coronary artery disease (n=16). The mean age in the HG was 47±4 years and that in the coronary artery disease group (CG) was 57±8 years. Both groups performed CPET on a cycle ergometer with a ramp-type protocol at an intensity that was calculated according to the Wasserman equation. In the HG, there was no significant difference between measurements predicted by the formula and real measurements obtained in CPET in the unloaded condition. However, at peak effort, a significant difference was observed between oxygen uptake (V˙O2)peak(predicted)and V˙O2peak(real)(nonparametric Wilcoxon test). In the CG, there was a significant difference of 116.26 mL/min between the predicted values by the formula and the real values obtained in the unloaded condition. A significant difference in peak effort was found, where V˙O2peak(real)was 40% lower than V˙O2peak(predicted)(nonparametric Wilcoxon test). There was no agreement between the real and predicted measurements as analyzed by Lin’s coefficient or the Bland and Altman model. The Wasserman formula does not appear to be appropriate for prediction of functional capacity of volunteers. Therefore, this formula cannot precisely predict the increase in power in incremental CPET on a cycle ergometer.
Evolutionary Computation Applications F1.3 Control

This section reviews the use of evolutionary optimization techniques in automatic controller design. Specific technologies reviewed include linear control and nonlinear control using neural, fuzzy, and rule-based systems. A brief overview of evolutionary robotics is given as it pertains to both high-and low-level controller design. This section reviews the use of evolutionary optimization techniques in automatic controller design. Because evolutionary search is amenable to a broad spectrum of optimization problems, including control system design, reformulation of the underlying search paradigm is usually unnecessary for this particular application. However, the designer still must consider the traditional issues in formulating an optimal control problem: the system model, the state and input constraints, and the performance index. Optimal control of a system implies that an optimal control signal u * is generated such that the dynamic system which subscribes to the state equations ˙ x(t) = f (x(t), u(t), t) (F1.3.1) follows an admissible trajectory x that minimizes a performance index such as J = h(x(t f), t f) + t f t o g(x(t), u(t), t) dt (F1.3.2) where functions h and g are scalar. In defense of an iterative numerical approach, as undertaken with evolutionary optimization techniques, Ogata (1995, p 567) points out that 'except for special cases, the optimal control problem may be so complicated that a computational solution has to be obtained'. It is noted that a design that minimizes a particular arbitrary performance index is not necessarily optimal in light of other performance indices, and the designer should not only strive for optimality, but should also consider the robustness of the design. Before reviewing some applications of evolutionary computation (EC) to the controller design problem, it is worthwhile to consider some of the ramifications of using EC for on-line (adaptive) and off-line (nonadaptive) control system optimization. The idea of optimizing a set of n controllers directly driving a single plant as shown in figure F1.3. 1 is usually not viable except in certain applications (e.g. robotics). It is more common to optimize the set of candidate controllers via simulation using a model of the plant. Once an acceptable controller has been evolved, it can then be implemented on the actual system, although this design approach may constrain the designer to the utilization of a nonadaptive controller. EC can also be applied in the system identification phase for self-tuning controllers where traditional design methods are implemented for determining the control …
Glycosylation of Twisted Gastrulation is Required for BMP Binding and Activity during Craniofacial Development

Twisted gastrulation (TWSG1) is a conserved, secreted glycoprotein that modulates signaling of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in the extracellular space. Deletion of exon 4 of mouse Twsg1 (mTwsg1) is associated with significant craniofacial defects. However, little is understood about the biochemical properties of the corresponding region of the protein. We have uncovered a significant role for exon 4 sequences as encoding the only two glycosylation sites of the mTWSG1 protein. Deletion of the entire exon 4 or mutation of both glycosylation sites within exon 4 abolishes glycosylation of mTWSG1. Importantly, we find that constructs with mutated glycosylation sites have significantly reduced BMP binding activity. We further show that glycosylation and activity of TWSG1 recombinant proteins vary markedly by cellular source. Non-glycosylated mTWSG1 made in E. coli has both reduced affinity for BMPs, as shown by surface plasmon resonance analysis, and reduced BMP inhibitory activity in a mandibular explant culture system compared to glycosylated proteins made in insect cells or murine myeloma cells. This study highlights an essential role for glycosylation in Twisted gastrulation action.
Structure-Affinity Properties of a High-Affinity Ligand of FKBP12 Studied by Molecular Simulations of a Binding Intermediate

With a view to explaining the structure-affinity properties of the ligands of the protein FKBP12, we characterized a binding intermediate state between this protein and a high-affinity ligand. Indeed, the nature and extent of the intermolecular contacts developed in such a species may play a role on its stability and, hence, on the overall association rate. To find the binding intermediate, a molecular simulation protocol was used to unbind the ligand by gradually decreasing the biasing forces introduced. The intermediate was subsequently refined with 17 independent stochastic boundary molecular dynamics simulations that provide a consistent picture of the intermediate state. In this state, the core region of the ligand remains stable, notably because of the two anchoring oxygen atoms that correspond to recurrent motifs found in all FKBP12 ligand core structures. Besides, the non-core regions participate in numerous transient intermolecular and intramolecular contacts. The dynamic aspect of most of the contacts seems important both for the ligand to retain at least a part of its configurational entropy and for avoiding a trapped state along the binding pathway. Since the transient and anchoring contacts contribute to increasing the stability of the intermediate, as a corollary, the dissociation rate constant of this intermediate should be decreased, resulting in an increase of the affinity constant . The present results support our previous conclusions and provide a coherent rationale for explaining the prevalence in high-affinity ligands of (i) the two oxygen atoms found in carbonyl or sulfonyl groups of dissimilar core structures and of (ii) symmetric or pseudo-symmetric mobile groups of atoms found as non-core moieties. Another interesting aspect of the intermediate is the distortion of the flexible 80 s loop of the protein, mainly in its tip region, that promotes the accessibility to the bound state.
Iterative phase reconstruction of wiener filtered signals

This paper deals with phase estimation in the framework of underdetermined blind source separation, using an estimated spectrogram of the source and its associated Wiener filter. By thresholding the Wiener mask, two domains are defined on the spectrogram : a confidence domain where the phase is kept as the phase of the mixture, and its complement where the phase is updated with a projection similar to the widely-used Griffin and Lim technique. We show that with this simple technique, the choice of parameters results in a simple trade-off between distortion and interference. Experiments show that this technique brings significant improvements over the classical Wiener filter, while being much faster than other iterative methods.
NT-3 Replacement with Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Redirects Vestibular Nerve Fibers to the Cochlea

Survival of inner ear sensory neurons depends on two neurotrophins, BDNF and NT-3, and their respective receptors, TrkB and TrkC. Because both receptors are present in the same neuron, it has been suggested that BDNF and NT-3 are functionally redundant in promoting neuronal survival. Knock-in of one ligand into the locus of the other one confirmed this hypothesis for the cochlea, leaving open the question of why two neurotrophins are required for proper innervation of the mammalian ear. Here, we show that the precise spatiotemporal pattern of expression of the two neurotrophins is essential for proper patterning of the inner ear innervation. Mice expressing BDNF under the control of the NT-3 promoter develop exuberant projections of vestibular sensory neurons to the basal turn of the cochlea. This projection can be enhanced by combining the transgene with a null mutation of BDNF. However, vestibular fibers rerouted into the cochlea do not reach hair cells and remain outside the organ of Corti, suggesting a chemotactic role for neurotrophins on these fibers. Our data provide genetic evidence that neurotrophins in the ear exert both survival and axon guidance roles.
The Structure and Distribution of Benthic Communities on a Shallow Seamount (Cobb Seamount, Northeast Pacific Ocean)

Partially owing to their isolation and remote distribution, research on seamounts is still in its infancy, with few comprehensive datasets and empirical evidence supporting or refuting prevailing ecological paradigms. As anthropogenic activity in the high seas increases, so does the need for better understanding of seamount ecosystems and factors that influence the distribution of sensitive benthic communities. This study used quantitative community analyses to detail the structure, diversity, and distribution of benthic mega-epifauna communities on Cobb Seamount, a shallow seamount in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. Underwater vehicles were used to visually survey the benthos and seafloor in ~1600 images (~5 m2 in size) between 34 and 1154 m depth. The analyses of 74 taxa from 11 phyla resulted in the identification of nine communities. Each community was typified by taxa considered to provide biological structure and/or be a primary producer. The majority of the community-defining taxa were either cold-water corals, sponges, or algae. Communities were generally distributed as bands encircling the seamount, and depth was consistently shown to be the strongest environmental proxy of the community-structuring processes. The remaining variability in community structure was partially explained by substrate type, rugosity, and slope. The study used environmental metrics, derived from ship-based multibeam bathymetry, to model the distribution of communities on the seamount. This model was successfully applied to map the distribution of communities on a 220 km2 region of Cobb Seamount. The results of the study support the paradigms that seamounts are diversity 'hotspots', that the majority of seamount communities are at risk to disturbance from bottom fishing, and that seamounts are refugia for biota, while refuting the idea that seamounts have high endemism.