Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Text Separation from Graphics by Analyzing Stroke Width Variety in Persian City Maps

Text segmentation is a live research field with vast new areas to be explored. Separating text layer from graphics is a fundamental step to exploit text and graphics information. The language used in the map is a challenging issue in text layer separation problem. All current methods are proposed for non-Persian language maps. In Persian, text strings are composed of one or more subwords. Each subword is also composed of one to several letters connected together. Therefore, the components of the text strings in Persian are more diverse in terms of size and geometric form than in English. Thus, the overlapping of the Persian text and the lines usually produces a complex structure that the existing methods cannot handle with the necessary efficiency. For this purpose, the stroke width variety of the input map is calculated, and then the average line width of graphics is estimated by analyzing the content of stroke width. After finding the average width of graphical lines, we classify the complex structure into text and graphics in pixel level. We evaluate our method on some variety of full crossing text and graphics in Persian maps and show that some promising results in terms of precision and recall (above 80% and 90%, respectively) are obtained.
Predicting growing stock volume of scots pine stands using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery and airborne image-derived point clouds

Estimation of forest stand parameters using remotely sensed data has considerable significance for sustainable forest management. Wide and free access to the collection of medium-resolution optical multispectral Sentinel-2 satellite images is very important for the practical application of remote sensing technology in forestry. This study assessed the accuracy of Sentinel-2-based growing stock volume predictive models of single canopy layer Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands. We also investigated whether the inclusion of Sentinel-2 data improved the accuracy of models based on airborne image-derived point cloud data (IPC). A multiple linear regression (LM) and random forest (RF) methods were tested for generating predictive models. The measurements from 94 circular field plots (400 m2) were used as reference data. In general, the LM method provided more accurate models than the RF method. Models created using only Sentinel-2A images had low prediction accuracy and were characterized by a high root mean square error (RMSE%) of 35.14% and a low coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.24. Fusion of IPC data with Sentinel-2 reflectance values provided the most accurate model: RMSE% = 16.95% and R2 = 0.82. However, comparable accuracy was obtained using the IPC-based model: RMSE% = 17.26% and R2 = 0.81. The results showed that for single canopy layer Scots pine dominated stands the incorporation of Sentinel-2 satellite images into IPC-based growing stock volume predictive models did not significantly improve the model accuracy. From an operational point of view, the additional utilization of Sentinel-2 data is not justified in this context.
Intravenous versus Ultrasound Guided Thoracic Paravertebral Morphine-Dexmedetomidine Combination in Patients with Multiple Rib Fractures

Background: Severe pain caused by multiple rib fractures (MRF) can compromise oxygenation, ventilation and pulmonary functions so can affect patient outcome. Adequate pain control helps to avoid these complications. Thoracic paravertebral analgesia is comparable to thoracic epidural with fewer side effects. Methods: Seventy-five patients were randomly allocated into three groups, (n=25 each). Group (GM) received intravenous morphine with a loading dose of 0.1-0.2 mg/kg followed by PCA bolus of 1mg with a six min lockout. Group (GMD) received also intravenous morphine with a loading dose of 0.1-0.2 mg/kg then PCA bolus of 1 mg morphine plus 5 μg dexmedetomidine with a six min lockout. Group (GPV) received paravertebral morphine loading dose of 0.2 mg/kg then PCA bolus of 0.1 ml/kg of a solution with a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml morphine mixed with 1 μg/ml dexmedetomidine and 60 min lockout. Any patient with VAS score more than 4, a top-up dose was given until VAS ≤ 4 Results: No significant difference between the three groups as regards age, BMI, sex, and ASA. Road traffic accident was the main cause of blunt chest trauma (64%, 76% and 68% in GM, GMD, and GPV respectively). Total morphine requirements were significantly lower in GMD and GPV than GM and in GPV than GMD (GM=190.9 ± 45.26, GMD=117.1 ± 31.9 and GPV=86.2 ± 21.7). There was a significant decrease in nausea and vomiting in GMD and GPV than GM. No significant difference in RR between the three groups although 8 patients in GM developed respiratory depression which was significantly higher than in GMD (2 patients) and GPV (0 patient). No significant difference in HR, MAP, and SpO2 between the groups. VAS scores at rest and with cough were significantly lower in both GMD and GPV than GM. FVC, FEV1 and PaO2/FiO2 ratio were significantly increased and PaCO2 significantly decrease in GMD and GPV than GM. Conclusion: Adding dexmedetomidine to morphine either TPV or IV PCA significantly decreases VAS scores, improves pulmonary functions and also decrease morphine consumption with fewer side effects in patients with MRF.
Review on Demosaicking via Directional Linear Minimum Mean Square Error Estimation

The digital cameras test scenes utilize a color channel cluster of mosaic example (e.g., the Bayer example). The demosaicking of the color samples in [4] is basic to the picture essence. It displays another shading demosaicking procedure of ideal directional sifting of the greenred and greenblue contrast signals. Expecting it that the essential distinction signals (PDS) between the green and the red/blue channels are low pass, the missing green samples are robustly decided in both even and additionally vertical bearing by the direct least mean square-mistake estimation (LMMSE) procedure. These directional evaluations will be then ideally intertwined to further enhance the green gauges. In conclusion, guided by the demosaicked full-determination green channel, the other two shading channels are recreated from the LMMSE separated and intertwined PDS.
The 2013 SESAME Multimedia Event Detection and Recounting System

The SESAME team submitted runs as a full participant in the MED13 evaluation, and submitted video, motion, and audio features; high-level semantic concepts for visual objects, scenes, persons, and actions; automatic speech recognition (ASR); and video optical character recognition (OCR). The individual types of features and concepts produced a total of eight event classifiers. We combined the event detection results for these classifiers using arithmetic mean and log-likelihood ratio fusion methods, and developed and applied a method for selecting the detection threshold. The SESAME system generated event recountings by selecting intervals based on the semantic concepts, and on concepts recognized by ASR and OCR. Our major findings are:  Our strategy of first selecting the most informative interval for a video, and then determining the most appropriate event-related semantic concepts within that interval to display for multimedia event recounting (MER), produced the best ObsTextScore in the evaluation. (The ObsTextScore measures the judges’ responses to the question “How well does the text of this observation describe the snippet(s)? ”. )
BUILDING LATE-TYPE SPIRAL GALAXIES BY IN-SITU AND EX-SITU STAR FORMATION

We analyze the formation and evolution of the stellar components in “Eris,” a 120 pc resolution cosmological hydrodynamic simulation of a late-type spiral galaxy. The simulation includes the effects of a uniform UV background, a delayed-radiative-cooling scheme for supernova feedback, and a star formation recipe based on a high gas density threshold. It allows a detailed study of the relative contributions of “in-situ” (within the main host) and “ex-situ” (within satellite galaxies) star formation to each major Galactic component in a close Milky Way analog. We investigate these two star-formation channels as a function of galactocentric distance, along different lines of sight above and along the disk plane, and as a function of cosmic time. We find that: (1) approximately 70% of today's stars formed in-situ; (2) more than two thirds of the ex-situ stars formed within satellites after infall; (3) the majority of ex-situ stars are found today in the disk and in the bulge; (4) the stellar halo is dominated by ex-situ stars, whereas in-situ stars dominate the mass profile at distances ≲ 5 kpc from the center at high latitudes; and (5) approximately 25% of the inner, r ≲ 20 kpc, halo is composed of in-situ stars that have been displaced from their original birth sites during Eris' early assembly history.
Ambient Noise and Teleseismic Signals Recorded by Ocean-Bottom Seismometers Offshore Eastern Taiwan

Broadband records from ocean-bottom seismometers deployed in the Okinawa trough and the Huatung basin were analyzed to provide seafloor noise characteristics and the detection thresholds for teleseismic body and surface waves. Ambient noise levels on the horizontal components are 10-40 dB higher than on the vertical component, with the sensor seated on the surface of the sediment. On the vertical components, infragravity waves are 10-30 dB more energetic at the shallower Okinawa trough sites (≤2000 m depth) than at the deeper Huatung basin site (~4700 m). From 0.03 to 0.2 Hz, the Huatung basin noise levels are comparable to that of the broadband stations in Taiwan on a quiet day. The microseism peaks (~0.2-0.5 Hz) of OBSs reach or exceed the high noise model of continental stations. At regional distances M(subscript w) 6.5 is required for recording prominent Rayleigh waves if the source radiation is unfavorable, but 6.2 is sufficient for a favorable focal mechanism. Several tens to over one hundred high-fidelity P, P(subscript diff) and PKP waveforms have been recorded per year by OBSs at high corner frequency of 0.1 Hz with a minimum M(subscript w) 5.3-6.0. The number of recording drops to less than 5 per year at 1 Hz with M(subscript w)≥6.4 and distances less than 90°.
Parameterization of PBL Processes in an Atmospheric General Circulation Model: Description and Preliminary Assessment

Abstract This paper presents the basic features of a newly developed planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterization, and the performance assessment of a version of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Atmospheric General Circulation Model (AGCM) to which the parameterization is incorporated. The UCLA AGCM traditionally uses a framework in which a sigma-type vertical coordinate for the PBL shares a coordinate surface with the free atmosphere at the PBL top. This framework facilitates an explicit representation of processes concentrated near the PBL top, which is crucially important especially for predicting PBL clouds. In the new framework, multiple layers are introduced between the PBL top and earth’s surface, allowing for predictions of the vertical profiles of potential temperature, total water mixing ratio, and horizontal winds within the PBL. The vertically integrated “bulk” turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) is also predicted for the PBL. The PBL-top mass entrainment is determined through a.
Quantum simulation of rainbow gravity by nonlocal nonlinearity

Rainbow gravity modifies general relativity by introducing an energy dependent metric, which is expected to have a role in the quantum theory of black holes and in quantum gravity at Planck energy scale. We show that rainbow gravity can be simulated in the laboratory by nonlinear waves in nonlocal media, as those occurring in Bose-condensed gases and nonlinear optics. We reveal that at a classical level, a nonlocal nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation may emulate the curved space time in proximity of a rotating black hole as dictated by the rainbow gravity scenario. We also demonstrate that a fully quantized analysis is possible. By the positive $\mathcal{P}$-representation, we study superradiance and show that the instability of a black-hole and the existence of an event horizon are inhibited by an energy dependent metric. Our results open the way to a number of fascinating experimental tests of quantum gravity theories and quantum field theory in curved manifolds, and also demonstrate that these theories may be novel tools for open problems in nonlinear quantum physics.
How do We Train Deep Architectures ?

Theoretical results suggest that in order to learn the kind of complicated functions that can represent highlevel abstractions (e.g. in vision, language, and other AI-level tasks), one may need deep architectures. Deep architectures are composed of multiple levels of non-linear operations, such as in neural nets with many hidden layers or in complicated propositional formulae re-using many sub-formulae. Searching the parameter space of deep architectures is a difficult task, but learning algorithms such as those for Deep Belief Networks have recently been proposed to tackle this problem with notable success, beating the state-of-the-art in certain areas. This paper discusses the motivations and principles regarding learning algorithms for deep architectures, in particular those exploiting as building blocks unsupervised learning of single-layer models such as Restricted Boltzmann Machines, used to construct deeper models such as Deep Belief Networks.
Optical properties of refractory metal based thin films

There is a growing interest in refractory metal thin films for a range of emerging nanophotonic applications including high temperature plasmonic structures and infrared superconducting single photon detectors. We present a detailed comparison of optical properties for key representative materials in this class (NbN, NbTiN, TiN and MoSi) with texture varying from crystalline to amorphous. NbN, NbTiN and MoSi have been grown in an ultra-high vacuum sputter deposition system. Two different techniques (sputtering and atomic layer deposition) have been employed to deposit TiN. We have carried out variable angle ellipsometric measurements of optical properties from ultraviolet to mid infrared wavelengths. We compare with high resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis of microstructure. Sputter deposited TiN and MoSi have shown the highest optical absorption in the infrared wavelengths relative to NbN, NbTiN or ALD deposited TiN. We have also modelled the performance of a semi-infinite metal air interface as a plasmonic structure with the above mentioned refractory metal based thin films as the plasmonic components. This study has implications in the design of next generation superconducting nanowire single photon detector or plasmonic nanostructure based devices.
Seedling Quality: History, Application, and Plant Attributes

Since the early 20th century, silviculturists have recognized the importance of planting seedlings with desirable attributes, and that these attributes are associated with successful seedling survival and growth after outplanting. Over the ensuing century, concepts on what is meant by a quality seedling have evolved to the point that these assessments now provide value to both the nursery practitioner growing seedlings and the forester planting seedlings. Various seedling quality assessment procedures that measure numerous morphological and physiological plant attributes have been designed and applied. This paper examines the historical development of the discipline of seedling quality, as well as where it is today. It also examines how seedling quality is employed in forest restoration programs and the attributes that are measured to define quality. The intent is to provide readers with an overall perspective on the field of seedling quality and the people who developed this discipline from an idea into an operational reality.
Data‐Driven Crowd Motion Control With Multi‐Touch Gestures

Controlling a crowd using multi‐touch devices appeals to the computer games and animation industries, as such devices provide a high‐dimensional control signal that can effectively define the crowd formation and movement. However, existing works relying on pre‐defined control schemes require the users to learn a scheme that may not be intuitive. We propose a data‐driven gesture‐based crowd control system, in which the control scheme is learned from example gestures provided by different users. In particular, we build a database with pairwise samples of gestures and crowd motions. To effectively generalize the gesture style of different users, such as the use of different numbers of fingers, we propose a set of gesture features for representing a set of hand gesture trajectories. Similarly, to represent crowd motion trajectories of different numbers of characters over time, we propose a set of crowd motion features that are extracted from a Gaussian mixture model. Given a run‐time gesture, our system extracts the K nearest gestures from the database and interpolates the corresponding crowd motions in order to generate the run‐time control. Our system is accurate and efficient, making it suitable for real‐time applications such as real‐time strategy games and interactive animation controls.
Crosslinker mobility weakens transient polymer networks

Transient networks composed of polymers connected by short-lived bonds are a common design theme for biological and synthetic materials. Transient bonds can provide mechanical rigidity, while still allowing for viscoelastic flows on timescales longer than the bond lifetime. In many biological polymer networks, such as the actin cytoskeleton, the short-lived bonds are formed by accessory proteins that diffuse away after unbinding. By contrast, bonds in synthetic networks, such as the pendant groups of telechelic polymers, can only rebind in the same location. Using a recently developed theoretical model of the fracturing of viscoelastic materials, we here investigate the effect of linker mobility on the bond dynamics of a network under stress. We find that although mean-field properties such as the average bond linker lifetime are barely affected by bond mobility, networks crosslinked by mobile bonds fracture more readily due to “leaking” of linkers from crack areas to less-stressed regions within the network. We propose a theoretical model to describe the redistribution of mobile linkers, which we validate by simulations. Our work offers insight into a potential tradeoff that cells face, between fracture strength versus the modularity and tight dynamic control offered by mobile linkers.
ACCENT IN ALARYNGEAL SPEECH : PROOF OF AN “ ALTERNATIVE PITCH SYSTEM ” ?

For Dutch, F0 variation, intensity and duration are the main cues for accentuation in normal speech. As es ophageal (E) and tracheo-esophageal (T-E) speakers have reduced control over these parameters, accentuating words may be problematic. Normal and (T-)E speakers read paired sentences, differing only with regard to the accentuation of content words. In a listening experiment, it was found that the percentage correctly identified accent was above chance for each speaker gr oup, although lower for E speakers than for normal and T-E speakers. Acoustic analyses showed that most (T-)E speakers used the same parameters as normal speakers to indicate accent, alt hough the individual acoustic profiles of alaryngeal speakers varied considerably. In alaryngeal speakers, estimated F0 and perceived pitch frequently mismatched, suggesting that some of them produced pitch through an “alternative system”, which may serve as a permanent substitute for F0, or as a back-up if and when control over F0 falters.
Study on phase function in Monte Carlo transmission characteristics of poly-disperse aerosol

Henyey-Greenstein (H-G) phase function is typically used as an approximation to Mie phase function and its shortcomings have been discussed in numerous papers. But the judicious criterion of when the H-G phase function would be valid is still ambiguous. In this paper, we use the direct sample phase function method in transmittance calculation. A com- parison of the direct sample phase function method and the H-G phase function is presented. The percentage of the multiple scattering in Monte Carlo transfer computations is discussed. Numerical results showed that using H-G phase function led to underestimating the transmittance. The deflection of root means square error can be used as a criterion. Although the exact calculation of sample phase function requires slightly more com- putation time, the rigorous phase function simulation method has an im- portant role in the Monte Carlo radiative transfer computation problems. C 2011 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). (DOI: 10.1117/1.3530109)
Contribution Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Completed Suicide

Most research regarding posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicide has focused on suicidal ideation or attempts; no known study of the association between PTSD and completed suicide in a population-based sample has been reported. This study examined the association between PTSD and completed suicide in a populationbased sample. Data were obtained from the nationwide Danish health and administrative registries, which include data on all 5.4 million residents of Denmark. All suicides between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 2006, were included, and controls were selected from a sample of all Danish residents. Using this nested case-control design, the authors examined 9,612 suicide cases and 199,306 controls matched to cases on gender, date of birth, and time. Thirty-eight suicide cases (0.40%) and 95 controls (0.05%) were diagnosed with PTSD. The odds ratio associating PTSD with suicide was 9.8 (95% confidence interval: 6.7, 15). The association between PTSD and completed suicide remained after controlling for psychiatric and demographic confounders (odds ratio 1⁄4 5.3, 95% confidence interval: 3.4, 8.1). Additionally, persons with PTSD and depression had a greater rate of suicide than expected based on their independent effects. In conclusion, a registry-based diagnosis of PTSD based on International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, is a risk factor for completed suicide.
Survey of tools for Linked Data consumption

There is lots of data published as Linked (Open) Data (LOD/LD). At the same time, there is also a multitude of tools for publication of LD. However, potential LD consumers still have difficulty discovering, accessing and exploiting LD. This is because compared to consumption of traditional data formats such as XML and CSV files, there is a distinct lack of tools for consumption of LD. The promoters of LD use the well-known 5-star Open Data deployment scheme to suggest that consumption of LD is a better experience once the consumer knows RDF and related technologies. This suggestion, however, falls short when the consumers search for an appropriate tooling support for LD consumption. In this paper we define a LD consumption process. Based on this process and current literature, we define a set of 34 requirements a hypothetical Linked Data Consumption Platform (LDCP) should ideally fulfill. We cover those requirements with a set of 94 evaluation criteria. We survey 110 tools identified as potential candidates for an LDCP, eliminating them in 3 rounds until 16 candidates for remain. We evaluate the 16 candidates using our 94 criteria. Based on this evaluation we show which parts of the LD consumption process are covered by the 16 candidates. Finally, we identify 8 tools which satisfy our requirements on being a LDCP. We also show that there are important LD consumption steps which are not sufficiently covered by existing tools. The authors of LDCP implementations may use our paper to decide about directions of future development of their tools. The paper can also be used as an introductory text to LD consumption.