Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Supervised High-Resolution Dual-Polarization SAR Image Classification by Finite Mixtures and Copulas

In this paper, a novel supervised classification approach is proposed for high-resolution dual-polarization (dual-pol) amplitude satellite synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. A novel probability density function (pdf) model of the dual-pol SAR data is developed that combines finite mixture modeling for marginal probability density functions estimation and copulas for multivariate distribution modeling. The finite mixture modeling is performed via a recently proposed SAR-specific dictionary-based stochastic expectation maximization approach to SAR amplitude pdf estimation. For modeling the joint distribution of dual-pol data the statistical concept of copulas is employed, and a novel dictionary-based copula-selection method method is proposed. In order to take into account the contextual information, the developed joint pdf model is combined with a Markov random field approach for Bayesian image classification. The accuracy of the developed dual-pol supervised classification approach is validated and compared with benchmark approaches on two high-resolution dual-pol TerraSAR-X scenes, acquired during an epidemiological study. A corresponding single-channel version of the classification algorithm is also developed and validated on a single polarization COSMO-SkyMed scene.
Unexpected Diversity and Expression of Avian Endogenous Retroviruses

ABSTRACT Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) were identified and characterized in three avian genomes to gain insight into early retroviral evolution. Using the computer program RetroTector to detect relatively intact ERVs, we identified 500 ERVs in the chicken genome, 150 in the turkey genome, and 1,200 in the zebra finch genome. Previous studies suggested that endogenous alpharetroviruses were present in chicken genomes. In this analysis, a small number of alpharetroviruses were seen in the chicken and turkey genomes; however, these were greatly outnumbered by beta-like, gamma-like, and alphabeta proviruses. While the avian ERVs belonged to the same major groups as mammalian ERVs, they were more heterogeneous. In particular, the beta-like viruses revealed an evolutionary continuum with the gradual acquisition and loss of betaretroviral markers and a transition from beta to alphabeta and then to alpharetroviruses. Thus, it appears that birds may resemble a melting pot for early ERV evolution. Many of the ERVs were integrated in clusters on chromosomes, often near centromeres. About 25% of the chicken ERVs were in or near cellular transcription units; this is nearly random. The majority of these integrations were in the sense orientation in introns. A higher-than-random number of integrations were >100 kb from the nearest gene. Deep-sequencing studies of chicken embryo fibroblasts revealed that about 20% of the 500 ERVs were transcribed and translated. A subset of these were also transcribed in vivo in chickens, showing tissue-specific patterns of expression. IMPORTANCE Studies of avian endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) have given us a glimpse of an earlier retroviral world. Three different classes of ERVs were observed with many features of mammalian retroviruses, as well as some important differences. Many avian ERVs were transcribed and translated. Studies of avian endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) have given us a glimpse of an earlier retroviral world. Three different classes of ERVs were observed with many features of mammalian retroviruses, as well as some important differences. Many avian ERVs were transcribed and translated.
Base Station Cooperation With Feedback Optimization: A Large System Analysis

In this paper, we study feedback optimization problems that maximize the users' signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) in a two-cell multiple-input multiple-output broadcast channel. Assuming the users learn their direct and interfering channels perfectly, they can feed back this information to the base stations (BSs) over the uplink channels. The BSs then use the channel information to design their transmission scheme. Two types of feedback are considered: 1) analog and 2) digital. In the analog feedback case, the users send their unquantized and uncoded channel state information (CSI) over the uplink channels. In this context, given a user's fixed transmit power, we investigate how he/she should optimally allocate it to feed back the direct and interfering (or cross) CSI for two types of BS cooperation schemes, namely, multicell processing (MCP) and coordinated beamforming. In the digital feedback case, the direct and cross link channel vectors of each user are quantized separately, each using the random vector quantization scheme, with different size codebooks. The users then send the index of the quantization vector in the corresponding codebook to the BSs. Similar to the feedback optimization problem for the analog feedback, we investigate the optimal bit partitioning for the direct and interfering link for both types of cooperation. We focus on regularized channel inversion precoding structures and perform our analysis in the large system limit in which the number of users per cell (K) and the number of antennas per BS (N) tend to infinity with their ratio β = (K/N) held fixed. We show that for both types of cooperation, for some values of interfering channel gain, usually at low values, no cooperation between the BSs is preferred. This is because, for these values of cross channel gain, the channel estimates for the cross link are not accurate enough for their knowledge to contribute to improving the SINR and there is no benefit in doing BS cooperation under that condition. We also show that for the MCP scheme, unlike in the perfect CSI case, the SINR improves only when the interfering channel gain is above a certain threshold.
Performance of six diagnostic tests to screen for Chagas disease in blood banks andprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection among donors with inconclusive serologyscreening based on the analysis of epidemiological variables

Objective The frequent occurrence of inconclusive serology in blood banks and the absence of a gold standard test for Chagas'disease led us to examine the efficacy of the blood culture test and five commercial tests (ELISA, IIF, HAI, c-ELISA, rec-ELISA) used in screening blood donors for Chagas disease, as well as to investigate the prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection among donors with inconclusive serology screening in respect to some epidemiological variables. Methods To obtain estimates of interest we considered a Bayesian latent class model with inclusion of covariates from the logit link. Results A better performance was observed with some categories of epidemiological variables. In addition, all pairs of tests (excluding the blood culture test) presented as good alternatives for both screening (sensitivity > 99.96% in parallel testing) and for confirmation (specificity > 99.93% in serial testing) of Chagas disease. The prevalence of 13.30% observed in the stratum of donors with inconclusive serology, means that probably most of these are non-reactive serology. In addition, depending on the level of specific epidemiological variables, the absence of infection can be predicted with a probability of 100% in this group from the pairs of tests using parallel testing. Conclusion The epidemiological variables can lead to improved test results and thus assist in the clarification of inconclusive serology screening results. Moreover, all combinations of pairs using the five commercial tests are good alternatives to confirm results.
Ground surface deformation patterns, magma supply, and magma storage at Okmok volcano, Alaska, from InSAR analysis

eruption, magma storage had increased by 3.7– 5.2 ×1 0 7 m 3 or 85–100% of the 1997 eruption volume. We propose that the supply rate decreased in response to the diminishing pressure gradient between the shallow storage zone and a deeper magma source region. Eventuallytheeffectsofcontinuingmagmasupplyandvesiculationofstoredmagmacaused acriticalpressurethresholdtobeexceeded,triggeringthe2008eruption.Asimilarpatternof initially rapid inflation followed by oscillatory but generally slowing inflation was observed prior to the 1997 eruption. In both cases, withdrawal of magma during the eruptions depressurized the shallow storage zone, causing significant volcano‐wide subsidence and initiating a new intereruption deformation cycle.
Molecular evolution of imprinted genes: no evidence for antagonistic coevolution

Genomically imprinted genes are those for which expression is dependent on the sex of the parent from which they are derived. Numerous theories have been proposed for the evolution of genomic imprinting; one theory is that it is an intra–individual manifestation of classical parent–offspring conflict. This theory is unique in predicting that an arms race may develop between maternally and paternally derived genes for the control of foetal growth demands. Such antagonistic coevolution may be mediated through changes in the structure of the proteins concerned. Comparable coevolution is the most likely explanation for the rapid changes seen in antigenic components of parasites and antigen recognition components of immune systems. We have examined the evolution of insulin–like growth factor (Igf2) and its antagonistic receptor (Igf2r) and find that, in contrast to immune genes, at the sites of mutual binding they are highly conserved. In addition, we have analysed the rate of molecular evolution of seven imprinted genes (including Igf2 and Igf2r), sequenced in both mouse and rat, and find that this is the same as that of non–imprinted receptors and significantly lower than that of immune genes (controlling for differences in mutation rate). Contrary to the expectations of the conflict hypothesis, we hence find no evidence for antagonistic coevolution of imprinted genes mediated by changes in sequence.
Nuclear composition and heating in accreting neutron-star crusts

Nuclearreactionsin accreting neutron-starcrustsand theheatreleaseaccom panying them arestudied, underdierentassum ptionsconcerningthecom position oftheouterm ostlayerform ed oftheashesofX-ray bursts. Particularexam plesofashescontaining nuclideswith A ' 90 110 areconsidered and com pared with a standard A = 56 case.In allcases,evolution ofa crustshellisfollowed from 10 8 g cm 3 to a few tim es10 13 g cm 3 . The totalcrustalheati produced in the non-equilibrium processes in the accreting crustis1:1 1:5 M eV perone accreted nucleon.Thecom position oftheaccreted crustatdensitiesexceeding thethreshold forthepycnonuclear fusion (� > 10 12 g cm 3 )isessentially independentoftheassum ed initialcom position oftheX-ray burstashes.
Prolonged Sedation with Propofol in the Rat Does Not Result in Sleep Deprivation

The use of propofol provides sedation without prolonging emergence in patients in the Intensive Care Unit. When prolonged, however, continuous sedation may overlap with naturally occurring sleep periods and potentially increase the risk of sleep deprivation. We modified an established rat model of sleep to determine whether prolonged, continuous sedation results in sleep deprivation. Rats were continuously sedated for a 12-h period overlapping completely with their normal sleep phase. Electroencephalogram (EEG) and movement data were collected before and after the sedation period. Rats were evaluated for EEG and movement evidence of sleep deprivation after sedation. When compared with baseline, the time spent in rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep was decreased during the first 4 h after sedation. The duration of non-REM sleep bouts was not altered. Power in the &dgr; band (0.5–4 Hz) during non-REM sleep was diminished during the first 2 h only. Movements were reduced during the first hour after emergence from sedation only. In summary, no EEG or behavioral evidence of sleep deprivation was observed on emergence from sedation. These results imply that sedation is associated with a restorative process reversing the na-tural accumulation of sleep need that occurs during wakefulness.
Development and Validity of a 2-Item Screen to Identify Families at Risk for Food Insecurity

OBJECTIVES: To develop a brief screen to identify families at risk for food insecurity (FI) and to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and convergent validity of the screen. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Caregivers of children (age: birth through 3 years) from 7 urban medical centers completed the US Department of Agriculture 18-item Household Food Security Survey (HFSS), reports of child health, hospitalizations in their lifetime, and developmental risk. Children were weighed and measured. An FI screen was developed on the basis of affirmative HFSS responses among food-insecure families. Sensitivity and specificity were evaluated. Convergent validity (the correspondence between the FI screen and theoretically related variables) was assessed with logistic regression, adjusted for covariates including study site; the caregivers' race/ethnicity, US-born versus immigrant status, marital status, education, and employment; history of breastfeeding; child's gender; and the child's low birth weight status. RESULTS: The sample included 30 098 families, 23% of which were food insecure. HFSS questions 1 and 2 were most frequently endorsed among food-insecure families (92.5% and 81.9%, respectively). An affirmative response to either question 1 or 2 had a sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 83% and was associated with increased risk of reported poor/fair child health (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.56; P < .001), hospitalizations in their lifetime (aOR: 1.17; P < .001), and developmental risk (aOR: 1.60; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: A 2-item FI screen was sensitive, specific, and valid among low-income families with young children. The FI screen rapidly identifies households at risk for FI, enabling providers to target services that ameliorate the health and developmental consequences associated with FI.
Efficient Allocation of Periodic Feedback Channels in Broadband Wireless Networks

Advanced wireless technologies such as multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) require each mobile station (MS) to send a lot of feedback to the base station. This periodic feedback consumes much of the uplink bandwidth. This expensive bandwidth is very often viewed as a major obstacle to the deployment of MIMO and other advanced closed-loop wireless technologies. This paper is the first to propose a framework for efficient allocation of periodic feedback channels to the nodes of a wireless network. Several relevant optimization problems are defined and efficient algorithms for solving them are presented. A scheme for deciding when the base station (BS) should invoke each algorithm is also proposed and shown through simulations to perform very well.
The Psychological Structure of Humility

Psychological inquiry into humility has advanced considerably over the past decade, yet this literature suffers from 2 notable limitations. First, there is no clear consensus among researchers about what humility is, and conceptualizations vary considerably across studies. Second, researchers have uniformly operationalized humility as a positive, socially desirable construct, while dismissing evidence from lay opinion and theological and philosophical traditions suggesting that humility may also have a darker side. To redress these issues, we conducted the first comprehensive, bottom-up analysis of the psychological structure of humility. Here we report 5 studies (total N = 1,479) that involve: (a) cluster analysis and categorization of humility-related words, generated by both lay persons and academic experts; (b) exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of momentary and dispositional humility experiences; and (c) experimental induction of a momentary humility experience. Across these studies, we found converging evidence that humility can take 2 distinct forms, which we labeled “appreciative” and “self-abasing” humility. Appreciative humility tends to be elicited by personal success, involve action tendencies oriented toward celebrating others, and is positively associated with dispositions such as authentic pride, guilt, and prestige-based status. In contrast, self-abasing humility tends to be elicited by personal failure, involves negative self-evaluations and action tendencies oriented toward hiding from others’ evaluations, and is associated with dispositions such as shame, low self-esteem, and submissiveness. Together, these findings provide a systematic and empirically grounded understanding of humility.
Non-essential changes in version histories

Numerous techniques involve mining change data captured in software archives to assist engineering efforts, for example to identify components that tend to evolve together. We observed that important changes to software artifacts are sometimes accompanied by numerous non-essential modifications, such as local variable refactorings, or textual differences induced as part of a rename refactoring. We developed a tool-supported technique for detecting non-essential code differences in the revision histories of software systems. We used our technique to investigate code changes in over 24,000 change sets gathered from the change histories of seven long-lived open-source systems. We found that up to 15.5% of a system's method updates were due solely to non-essential differences. We also report on numerous observations on the distribution of non-essential differences in change history and their potential impact on change-based analyses.
COMPETITION‐DEPENDENT ABSCISSION OF SELF‐POLLINATED FLOWERS OF PHORMIUM TENAX (AGAVACEAE): A SECOND ACTION OF SELF‐INCOMPATIBILITY AT THE WHOLE FLOWER LEVEL?

The relative success of fruit from paired self‐ and cross‐pollinations was examined in Phormium tenax when the contrasted pollinations were separated by different distances on the same and different inflorescences. We determined whether the retention of selfed fruits differed from that of crossed fruits and whether it depended on the level of competition with crossed fruit, the number of seeds per fruit, and/or the presence of earlier developing fruit. We found that the success of selfed fruits is determined by the degree of competition with crossed fruits and may be an expression of self‐incompatibility. Competition‐dependence of the abscission of selfed flowers has not been documented previously. It is parallel to cryptic self‐incompatibility in which individual self‐pollen grains are not as successful as cross‐pollen when competing on the same pistil. The competition‐dependent abscission of self‐pollinations considered here, however, operates at the level of whole flowers. The phenomenon of competition‐dependent abscission of selfed flowers in P. tenax also has implications for the measurement and interpretation of self‐incompatibility in other species. Self‐incompatibility is a quantitative phenomenon. The facultative success of selfing shows that the effective strength of self‐incompatibility can be highly susceptible to the conditions of competition under which it is measured. The competition‐dependent abscission of selfed flowers allows a high level of outcrossing to be achieved while it assures seed set when pollinations are scarce. Several other causes of intermediate selfing frequencies can also be explained by this “best‐of‐both‐worlds” hypothesis.
Pattern and component motion selectivity in cortical area PMLS of the cat

Visual motion perception is one of the most prominent functions performed by the mammalian cerebral cortex. The moving images are commonly considered to be processed in two stages. The first‐stage neurons are sensitive to the motion of one‐dimensional orientated components, and their outputs are combined at the second stage to perceive the global motion of the whole pattern. Alternatively, the pattern motion may be signalled by monitoring a distinctive feature of the image, such as a line‐end or a corner. In the present study, a series of ‘random‐line’ patterns were used to measure the direction‐tuning responses of 138 neurons in the posteromedial lateral suprasylvian area of the cat. The novel stimuli comprised identical thin line segments, with a length : width ratio no less than 10 : 1, which were moved perpendicularly or obliquely to their common orientation during the recordings. When the component lines were much shorter than the size of receptive field, the majority of cells were selective to the direction of pattern motion while only a small subset was sensitive to the direction of component motion. However, the response profiles of most cells became more component‐motion selective with the increment of orientation element in stimulus by elongating the component lines in the patterns. These findings imply that the two‐stage theory might be incomplete for modelling the visual motion analysis. Even at relatively low levels of the visual system, some kind of nonorientation‐based processing may coexist with the orientation‐sensitive processing in a dynamic competition, where one rises as the other falls depending upon the strength of the orientation element in the stimulus, so that under some circumstances it becomes possible to signal the veridical direction of pattern motion.
Why is it necessary to use a damage model to simulate the mechanical behavior of concrete under drying and leaching?

ABSTRACT Short and long-term behaviors of concrete structures are of importance when dealing with durability aspects. One particular interesting aspect is the change in microstructure of concrete submitted to drying or leaching processes, and a potentially induced cracking pattern. Experimental investigations which focus on the effect of the dimensions of aggregates over cracks are proposed in this paper. The samples are submitted to accelerated leaching or to drying, and the evolution of their microstructure is regularly recorded by means of X-ray microtomography. A method is then proposed to study the cracking pattern, which appears to be greatly dependant of the size of inclusions. In particular, it appears that a larger diameter of inclusions tends to increase the crack opening.