Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Retrieval of leaf water content for maize seedlings in visible near infrared and thermal infrared spectra

It is very important to quantify water content of leaf for monitoring vegetation using hyperspectral remote sensing. Taking maize seedlings as example, spectra in visible near infrared region (VNIR, 0.4-2.5μm) and thermal infrared region (TIR, 8-14μm) were measured simultaneously. Narrow-band simple ratio water index (SRWI), simple difference water index (DWI) and normalized difference indices (NDWI) were calculated respectively for both VNIR and TIR spectra. According to correlation analysis and model validation, it is found that (1) the VNIR proved highly sensitive spectral region and hold promise for the estimation of leaf water content, and (2) SRWIVNIR is the most accurate index for the retrieval of leaf water content of maize seedlings (R2 = 0.78, RMSE = 2.52%).
Cell Type-Specific Role of the Retinoblastoma/E2F Pathway during Arabidopsis Leaf Development1

Organogenesis in plants is almost entirely a postembryonic process. This unique feature implies a strict coupling of cell proliferation and differentiation, including cell division, arrest, cell cycle reactivation, endoreplication, and differentiation. The plant retinoblastoma-related (RBR) protein modulates the activity of E2F transcription factors to restrict cell proliferation. Arabidopsis contains a single RBR gene, and its loss of function precludes gamete formation and early development. To determine the relevance of the RBR/E2F pathway during organogenesis, outside its involvement in cell division, we have used an inducible system to inactivate RBR function and release E2F activity. Here, we have focused on leaves where cell proliferation and differentiation are temporally and developmentally regulated. Our results reveal that RBR restricts cell division early during leaf development when cell proliferation predominates, while it regulates endocycle occurrence at later stages. Moreover, shortly after leaving the cell cycle, most of leaf epidermal pavement cells retain the ability to reenter the cell cycle and proliferate, but maintain epidermal cell fate. On the contrary, mesophyll cells in the inner layers do not respond in this way to RBR loss of activity. We conclude that there exists a distinct response of different cells to RBR inactivation in terms of maintaining the balance between cell division and endoreplication during Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaf development.
The Spirit of the Welfare State? Adaptation in the Demand for Social Insurance

Young generations demand substantially more social insurance than older generations, although program rules have been constant for decades. I postulate a model in which the utility of claiming social insurance benefits depends on older generations’ past behavior. The intertemporal mechanism estimated can account for half of the younger generations’ higher demand for social insurance benefits. Instrumenting for older generations’ behavior using mortality rates reveals an even stronger influence of reference group behavior on individual demand. The analysis suggests that behavioral responses estimated by natural experiments could strongly underestimate the true long-run elasticities relevant for the fiscal sustainability of the welfare state.
THE IMPACT OF THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC TRANSITION ON FERTILITY AND FAMILY FORMATION IN MONGOLIA

Mongolia has never been a member of the USSR, but the collapse of the Soviet Union deeply affected this country. While a growing body of literature documents the consequences of this collapse on fertility and family formation behaviour for the former socialist countries in Central and Eastern Europe, the Baltic countries, Russia and Ukraine, and more recently, countries in Central Asia, Mongolia received only limited attention. This paper aims to fill this gap. As a consequence of the transition to democracy and a market economy, Mongolia experienced an impressive fertility reduction; total fertility fell from 4.6 children per woman to 2.5 between 1989 and 1993. Through the application of the synthetic parity progression ratios method to the 1998 Reproductive Health Survey data, this study analyses the reproductive responses of Mongolian couples in a context of deep social and economic changes. Paralleling other ex-socialist countries, it is shown that the transition affected the reproductive behaviour in Mongolia. Marriage declined discernibly for Mongolian women, but was shortly followed by a first birth. The changes took place at parities higher than two. These results suggest that people adjust their reproductive behaviour according to strongly-rooted cultural values that balance the standard economic motivations.
Striatal dopamine in early-onset primary torsion dystonia with the DYT1 mutation

Article abstract Although nigrostriatal dopaminergic dysfunction has been suggested in early onset primary torsion dystonia (PTD) with the DYT1 mutation, the actual status of brain dopamine (DA) is unknown. In a DYT1 mutation–positive autopsy patient with PTD, we found that nigral cellularity was normal and that subregional striatal DA levels were within the control range, except for those in the rostral portions of the putamen and caudate nucleus (50% to 54% of control means). Our data suggest that the DYT1 mutation is not associated with significant damage to the nigrostriatal DA system, in keeping with the absence of parkinsonism and levodopa response in this disorder.
Antibiotic susceptibility of Bacillus species.

Organisms of the genus Bacillus are aerobic, sporeforming, usually gram-positive rods which, with the exception of Bacillus anthracis, have been implicated infrequently in human disease. These organisms are ubiquitous and commonly occur as contaminants in cultures of clinical material. However, well-documented cases of disseminated infection with these organisms in man have been described [1-3]. Recently, we observed a fatal case of pneumonia and bacteremia due to Bacillus cereus in a patient with subacute lymphocytic leukemia. Lack of information on the susceptibility of Bacillus species to antimicrobial agents was a handicap in treating this patient. Patients with markedly impaired host resistance are now frequently encountered, and information on the antimicrobial susceptibility of "non-pathogenic" bacteria that may infect these patients is desirable. For this reason, the in-vitro susceptibilities to selected antibiotics of 49 strains representing six species of Bacillus were studied.
Determinants of the component structure of intraday return distributions

There is existing evidence of equity returns having a mixture distribution with multiple component structures. Following the increasing interest in intraday trading, this article examines determinants of intraday equity return distributions and finds that greater information flow and stock liquidity reduce the number of components while greater heterogeneity amongst traders increases the number of components. These results show that when empirically modelling intraday return distributions allowance needs to be made for their time varying nature and the fact that they are conditional on the liquidity and information flow of a stock. In addition, the results reinforce the recent emphasis by market regulators on information flow and liquidity being key to increasing transparency and reducing uncertainty (multiple components in the return distribution).
Writability Improvement in Perpendicular Recording Media Using Crystalline Soft Underlayer Materials

Perpendicular recording media technology faces limitation in the writability of media with high anisotropy. Therefore, alternative methods are sought to overcome this problem. Heat-assisted magnetic recording may give rise to high areal densities, but the technological process will take time. We have studied methods to improve the writability in perpendicular recording media using crystalline soft underlayer (C-SUL) materials with fcc(111) texture. One of the recording media designs consists of a simple insertion of C-SUL material between the nonmagnetic intermediate layers, thus providing a path for magnetic flux during the writing. In the alternative methods, part of the nonmagnetic intermediate layer material was replaced with C-SUL material. Overwrite improvement was observed in both the cases, indicating that the C-SUL material will play a major role in improving writability in recording media.
THE EXPERIENCES OF LATINA STUDENTS AT A PREDOMINANTLY WHITE UNIVERSITY

Dr. Ellen M. Broido, Advisor This qualitative study used focus groups to explore and understand the experiences of 13 self-identified Latina students who were attending a predominantly White university in the Midwest. The use of Chicana feminist theory and academic and social integration theory helped frame the study. Similarities and differences among Latinas, as well as an exploration of the intersections of gender, race, ethnicity, and culture in relation to the experiences of Latinas while attending college at a predominantly White university in the Midwest were highlighted. Through the exploration of their lived experiences, participants identified the factors and conditions affecting their experiences in college, how family and culture shaped their experiences, and how their perceptions of the campus environment shaped their experiences while in college. The results of this study suggest that maintaining close ties to family members, having a space on campus to practice and enjoy Latino culture, being resilient, and finding their niche in the campus environment through programs focused on underrepresented students were the keys to their persistence in college. Another major finding of this study, that requires further study, is the undesirable change in the relationship between Latina mothers and daughters as the daughter furthers her education. Many participants’ close relationships with their mothers were instrumental to their enrolling in college yet tension arose between mother and daughter as the daughter progressed toward graduation.
Body mass index is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Chinese elderly

Background There is limited information on the association between metabolic syndrome components including body mass index (BMI) and type 2 diabetes mellitus in elderly Chinese population. Therefore, we investigated whether components of metabolic syndrome are associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus in elderly. Methods A total of 479 hospitalized patients (aged 65–95 years) with recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus were studied retrospectively in a cross-sectional study and compared with 183 subjects with prediabetes and 62 subjects without glucose metabolism abnormalities. Results BMI (24.69±3.59 versus 23.92±3.08 and 23.56±3.25 kg/m2), blood pressure, cholesterol, triglyceride, liver enzymes and prevalence of fatty liver were higher in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as compared with elderly subjects with prediabetes or normal glucose metabolism separately (all P<0.05). Multivariable regression analysis showed that BMI was associated positively with insulin resistance and inversely with insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus group (all P<0.05). Conclusion Higher BMI was associated with increased insulin resistance and decreased insulin sensitivity in elderly Asian population with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
The Vienna negotiations on the final status for Kosovo

The Vienna negotiations on the final status for Kosovo were an impossible project. It was clear at the outset that both parties would not be able to find common ground on the status issue. However, the talks focused on the practical issues of governance in Kosovo, such as decentralization, community rights and cultural heritage. It was thought that these could be addressed, initially at least, in a status-neutral way. While the parties did not manage to agree on all or most of these problems, the UN Special Envoy, Martti Ahtisaari, generated a comprehensive proposal offering compromise solutions that should have been acceptable to both sides. The recommendation of the Special Envoy in favour of supervised independence was deliberately separated from the comprehensive proposal. It was thought that the UN Security Council would at least endorse the proposal, even if it was ultimately unwilling to pronounce itself in favour of independence. The issue of status might then be settled outside the Council. However, when it appeared to some states on the Council that endorsement of the substantive Ahtisaari plan would in fact be tantamount to acceptance of independence, this avenue was closed.
Social age deadlines for the childbearing of women and men

BACKGROUND This study examines whether social age deadlines exist for childbearing in women and men, how they vary across countries, whether they are lower than actual biological deadlines and whether they are associated with childbearing at later ages and the availability of assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs). METHODS This study is based on the European Social Survey, Round 3 (2006–2007), which covers 25 countries. Data were gathered on social age deadlines for childbearing in women (21 909 cases) and men (21 239 cases) from samples of representative community-dwelling populations aged 15 and older. RESULTS Social age deadlines for childbearing were perceived more frequently for women than men. These deadlines are often lower than actual biological limits, and for women and men alike: 57.2% of respondents perceived a maternal social age deadline ≤40 years of age; 46.2% of the respondents perceived a paternal social age deadline ≤45 years of age. There is also considerable variability in deadlines across countries, as well as within them. At the country level, the presence of social age deadlines for the childbearing of women was negatively associated with birth rates at advanced ages and the prevalence of ART, and later deadlines were positively associated with these factors. CONCLUSIONS It is important to understand the factors that increase and limit late fertility. While biological factors condition fertility, so do social expectations. These findings provide widespread evidence across Europe that social limits exist alongside biological ones, though both sets of factors are more binding for women.
Family outcomes from a randomized control trial of relapse prevention therapy in first-episode psychosis.

OBJECTIVE We have previously reported that our combined individual and family cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) relapse prevention therapy (RPT) was effective in reducing relapse rates compared to treatment as usual (TAU) within a specialist program for young, first-episode psychosis patients who had reached remission on positive symptoms. Here, we report the outcomes for family participants of DSM-IV-diagnosed first-episode psychosis patients recruited between November 2003 and May 2005 over a 2.5-year follow-up period. The primary hypothesis was that, compared to family members receiving TAU, family participants who received RPT would have significantly improved appraisals of stressors related to caregiving. Secondary hypotheses were that RPT would be associated with reduced expressed emotion and improved psychological distress. METHOD Family members were assessed at baseline and at 7-month, 12-month, 18-month, 24-month, and 30-month follow-up on appraisal of caregiving, expressed emotion, and psychological distress using the Experience of Caregiving Inventory, The Family Questionnaire, and the General Health Questionnaire of 28 Items, respectively. The family component of RPT was based on family behavioral therapy for schizophrenia with a specific focus on psychoeducation and CBT for relapse prevention. RESULTS Thirty-two families received RPT, and 31 families received TAU. There were significant group effects for aspects of the appraisal of caregiving, including negative symptoms, positive personal experiences, and total positive score on the Experience of Caregiving Inventory. Time effects were evident for emotional overinvolvement and for aspects of the appraisal of caregiving. There were no significant effects for psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS The relatives of patients who received RPT perceived less stress related to their relative's negative symptoms and an increase in perceived opportunities to make a positive contribution to the care of their relative compared to carers in the TAU condition. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for relapse prevention showed promise in improving the experience of caregiving for family members of first-episode psychosis patients over a 2.5-year follow-up period. TRIAL REGISTRATION anzctr.org. au Identifier: ACTRN12605000514606.
Treatment of children with relapsed soft tissue sarcoma: report of the German CESS/CWS REZ 91 trial.

BACKGROUND The present study was performed to evaluate the possibilities of relapse treatment in patients heavily pretreated for a soft tissue sarcoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Prospective, multicenter study in 44 soft tissue sarcoma (STS) patients with first relapse. Primary diagnosis was embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RME) in 17 patients, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (RMA) in 13, primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) in 6, and miscellaneous soft tissue sarcomas in 8 patients. Initial chemotherapy consisted of carboplatin/etoposide combination (150 mg/m2 each, days 1 to 4) followed by local therapy including surgical treatment and, whenever possible, radiotherapy. RESULTS In 11/17 patients without primary tumor resection, CR or PR was achieved following the initial two cycles of chemotherapy (61%). The probability of event-free survival (pEFS) for RME patients was 0.41 +/- 0.12 at 5 years, and 0.25 +/- 0.12 for RMA patients. But, in contrast no PNET patient or patient with another soft-tissue sarcoma achieved long-term remission. Additional local radiotherapy significantly (P = 0.002) improved pEFS (3-year estimates of 0.23 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.1 +/- 0.1 in patients without radiotherapy). CONCLUSIONS In patients with RME, relapse treatment employing a carboplatin/etoposide combination may induce a second remission in approximately 40% of patients. Surgical excision and additional local radiotherapy seem to be essential to maintain a stable remission. In patients with RMA or PNET, however, this treatment strategy is of no long-term benefit.
HTTP/2 Tsunami: Investigating HTTP/2 proxy amplification DDoS attacks

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks cause significant damage to computer systems by taking a system offline. Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), is the most commonly used protocol for web services. The HTTP protocol has recently received a major update to HTTP/2. This new protocol provides increased functionality, however this poses a threat from DDoS due to the larger attack surface. HTTP/2 implements novel compression techniques to reduce bandwidth, in this paper we explore this compression technology to providing understanding on its risk from DDoS, specifically in a HTTP/2 to HTTP/1 proxy deployment. We implement a testbed and measure the bandwidth to show that a amplification attack is possible which is comparable to the current largest amplification attacks.
Impact of Supply Voltage and Frequency on the Soft Error Rate of Logic Circuits

Alpha particle irradiations of 28-nm combinational logic and flip-flop circuits under different supply voltage and frequency operating conditions are investigated. Results indicate that while the supply voltage has a strong impact on the alpha particle soft error rate of flip-flops, the combinational logic error rate is relatively unaffected by supply voltage variation. Simulations are used to explain the results and highlight the differences between low-LET alpha particle irradiation and heavy-ion irradiation as far as voltage dependence of the logic soft error rate is concerned. Moreover, frequency has a much stronger impact on the logic soft error rate as compared to the flip-flop soft error rate. As a result, the frequency at which soft errors from combinational logic circuits will exceed errors from flip-flops decreases as the voltage increases. The impact of these observations is discussed in the context of soft-error mitigation strategies.
The Evolving Spatial Structure of South African Cities: A Reflection on the Influence of Spatial Planning Policies

Abstract The need to transform the structure and morphology of South African cities remained high on the policy agenda of all three spheres of government in South Africa since 1994. The influence of a range of spatial policies and planning instruments aimed at achieving more compact urban structures and higher densities are evaluated through the application of a range of density indicators and models. A number of defining characteristics and distinct variations of density models applicable to South African cities are identified and compared to the profile of some international cities. The results confirm modest increases in densities and changes to urban form, as envisaged by spatial policies and plans. The observed patterns and changes suggest an emerging trend of more decentralized urban structures in South Africa.
Classes and Recognition of Curve Contact Graphs,

Contact graphs are a special kind of intersection graphs of geometrical objects in which the objects are not allowed to cross but only to touch each other. Contact graphs of simple curves, and line segments as a special case, in the plane are considered. Various classes of contact graphs are introduced and the inclusions between them are described, also the recognition of the contact graphs is studied. As one of the main results, it is proved that the recognition of 3-contact graphs isNP-complete for planar graphs, while the same question for planar triangulations is polynomial.
DENOISING OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES USING MINIMUM DESCRIPTION LENGTH PRINCIPLE

Magnetic resonance (MR) images are routinely used for medical diagnosis. Denoising of these images to enhance their clinical usability has been an active area of research. This paper considers the thresholding based appproaches for image denoising. The paper investigates the use of appropriate basis for image representation and the choice of an appropriate threshold. The use of wavelet packets and Minimum Desciption Length (MDL) based thresholding is proposed.