Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Handcrafted and Deep Trackers: A Review of Recent Object Tracking Approaches

In recent years visual object tracking has become a very active research area. An increasing number of tracking algorithms are being proposed each year. It is because tracking has wide applications in various real world problems such as human-computer interaction, autonomous vehicles, robotics, surveillance and security just to name a few. In the current study, we review latest trends and advances in the tracking area and evaluate the robustness of different trackers based on the feature extraction methods. The first part of this work comprises a comprehensive survey of the recently proposed trackers. We broadly categorize trackers into Correlation Filter based Trackers (CFTs) and Non-CFTs. Each category is further classified into various types based on the architecture and the tracking mechanism. In the second part, we experimentally evaluated 24 recent trackers for robustness, and compared handcrafted and deep feature based trackers. We observe that trackers using deep features performed better, though in some cases a fusion of both increased performance significantly. In order to overcome the drawbacks of the existing benchmarks, a new benchmark Object Tracking and Temple Color (OTTC) has also been proposed and used in the evaluation of different algorithms. We analyze the performance of trackers over eleven different challenges in OTTC, and three other benchmarks. Our study concludes that Discriminative Correlation Filter (DCF) based trackers perform better than the others. Our study also reveals that inclusion of different types of regularizations over DCF often results in boosted tracking performance. Finally, we sum up our study by pointing out some insights and indicating future trends in visual object tracking field.
Connectivity Modelling of Heterogeneous Systems: Analysis and Field Study

A statistical approach is proposed and validated against a realistic field dataset to model connectivity of heterogeneous systems such as low to intermediate net-to- gross reservoirs. An object based technique is used to model the spatial distribution of aligned isotropic and anisotropic facies bodies. The connectivity of the model is estimated using percolation theory. First account is made to evaluate the effect of the aspect ratio of the facies. The outcome is two universal curves for the connectivity and its associated uncertainty which can be used to estimate the connectivity of all sorts of body sizes and aspect ratios very quickly. The approach is then developed to be applicable for variable body sizes as well as a system with oriented bodies. An effective size based on the square root of the average area of bodies is used to represent the distribution of body sizes. For systems with oriented bodies, a new aspect ratio is defined and the reduced percolation thresholds of the system are determined. The results show that with above changes the universal curves are still applicable for both orientated and variable size systems. Finally, a conventional facies modelling of a carbonate layered reservoir is used to be compared with the results of the proposed method. The comparisons were in good agreement. It is found that the new method gave reliable and broad estimate of connectivity of the system in compare with exact and uncertain results from modelling of real data, while the first one is so fast, the latter is so costly and time consuming. This framework can be further extended to evaluate recovery factor and sweep efficiency of a reservoir. The technique can also be used for preliminary evaluation of a reservoir as a quick method which offers fast estimates of important parameters of a reservoir based on its simple basic data.
On the timing between terrestrial gamma ray flashes, radio atmospherics, and optical lightning emission

On 25 October 2012 the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscope Imager (RHESSI) and the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellites passed over a thunderstorm on the coast of Sri Lanka. RHESSI observed a terrestrial gamma ray flash (TGF) originating from this thunderstorm. Optical measurements of the causative lightning stroke were made by the lightning imaging sensor (LIS) on board TRMM. The World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) detected the very low frequency (VLF) radio emissions from the lightning stroke. The geolocation from WWLLN, which we also assume is the TGF source location, was in the convective core of the cloud. By using new information about both RHESSI and LIS timing accuracy, we find that the peak in the TGF light curve occurs 230 μs before the WWLLN time. Analysis of the optical signal from LIS shows that within the uncertainties, we cannot conclude which comes first: the gamma emission or the optical emission. We have also applied the new information about the LIS timing on a previously published event by Østgaard et al. (2012). Also for this event we are not able to conclude which signal comes first. More accurate instruments are needed in order to get the exact timing between the TGF and the optical signal.
A New Measurement of CO 2 Eddy Flux in the Nearshore Atmospheric Surface Layer

Fluxes of CO2 in the atmospheric surface layer have been measured at a shoreline site by the eddy correlation method using a new CO2 sensor with greater sensitivity than the ones used in earlier studies. In this experiment, preliminary to more extensive measurements at an offshore site, 13 upward and downward fluxes were observed to respond to differences in pCO 2 between water and air. As in an earlier study, a negative correlation of CO2 flux was found with hourly change in wind speed.
Effect of aging on viability, vigour and chromosomal damage in pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds

The mechanism of loss of viability and vigour in seeds is by no means resolved. In this study seeds were exposed to high temperature and high humidity, a technique widely used to study seed storability and deterioration. The effect of environmental treatments on seed germ inability, seedling vigour, electrolyte leakage and chromosomal aberration in pea seeds was compared. Ageing treatment showed rapid and significant reductions in rate of seed germination and seedling vigour. Loss of viability and declining vigour were associated with the increased leakage and chromosomal aberrations. The common effect of seed ageing on the seeds integrity is described as function
The importance of external climate forcing for the variability and trends of coastal upwelling in past and future climate

Abstract. The eastern boundary upwelling systems, located in the subtropics at the eastern boundary of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and mainly driven by the trade winds, are the major coastal upwelling regions. Previous studies have suggested that the intensity of upwelling in these areas in the past centuries may have been influenced by the external radiative forcing, for instance by changes in solar irradiance, and it will also be influenced in the future by the increasing atmospheric greenhouse gases. Here, we analyse the impact of the external climate forcing on these upwelling systems in ensembles of simulations of two Earth system models. The ensembles contain three simulations for each period covering the past millennium (900–1849) and the 20th century (1850–2005). One of these Earth system models additionally includes the near future (2006–2100). Using a set of simulations, differing only in their initial conditions, enables us to test whether the observed variability and trends are driven by the external radiative forcing. Our analysis shows that the variability of the simulated upwelling is largely not affected by the external forcing and that, generally, there are no significant trends in the periods covering the past and future. Only in future simulations with the strongest increase of greenhouse gas concentrations the upwelling trends are significant and appear in all members of the ensemble.
Unsupervised Co-Learning on G-Manifolds Across Irreducible Representations

We introduce a novel co-learning paradigm for manifolds naturally equipped with a group action, motivated by recent developments on learning a manifold from attached fibre bundle structures. We utilize a representation theoretic mechanism that canonically associates multiple independent vector bundles over a common base manifold, which provides multiple views for the geometry of the underlying manifold. The consistency across these fibre bundles provide a common base for performing unsupervised manifold co-learning through the redundancy created artificially across irreducible representations of the transformation group. We demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed algorithmic paradigm through drastically improved robust nearest neighbor search and community detection on rotation-invariant cryo-electron microscopy image analysis.
Consequences of Influence Tactics Used With Subordinates, Peers, and the Boss

A field study was conducted to discover how a manager's use of nine different influence tactics is related to target task commitment and the manager's effectiveness. The variables were measured with a questionnaire filled out by subordinates, peers, and the boss of each manager. The most effective tactics were rational persuasion, inspirational appeal, and consultation; the least effective were pressure, coalition, and legitimating. Ingratiation and exchange were moderately effective for influencing subordinates and peers but were not effective for influencing superiors. Inspirational appeal, ingratiation, and pressure were used most in a downward direction; personal appeal, exchange, and legitimating were used most in a lateral direction, coalitions were used most in lateral and upward directions; and rational persuasion was used most in an upward direction
Mechanical Properties of Particleboard Made from Rice Husk

This study was conducted to develop particleboard formed from rice husk particles by hot pressing with a PVA (Polyvinyl alcohol) binder. A preform was prepared using mixed rice husk particles, PVA powder, and purified water. The rice husk particle and the PVA binder contents were fixed at 80:20. The rice husk particleboard was fabricated using the hot pressing method. The flexural strength and modulus of resulting particleboard were investigated. Results showed that mainly, the rice husk particleboard satisfied the reference flexural strength (flexural strength is 13 MPa or more) of base type 13 particleboard according to JIS A 5908. However, it exceeded the reference density even for flexural modulus higher than 2.5 GPa.
A Direct $\tilde{O}(1/\epsilon)$ Iteration Parallel Algorithm for Optimal Transport

Optimal transportation, or computing the Wasserstein or ``earth mover's'' distance between two distributions, is a fundamental primitive which arises in many learning and statistical settings. We give an algorithm which solves this problem to additive $\epsilon$ with $\tilde{O}(1/\epsilon)$ parallel depth, and $\tilde{O}\left(n^2/\epsilon\right)$ work. Barring a breakthrough on a long-standing algorithmic open problem, this is optimal for first-order methods. Blanchet et. al. '18, Quanrud '19 obtained similar runtimes through reductions to positive linear programming and matrix scaling. However, these reduction-based algorithms use complicated subroutines which may be deemed impractical due to requiring solvers for second-order iterations (matrix scaling) or non-parallelizability (positive LP). The fastest practical algorithms run in time $\tilde{O}(\min(n^2 / \epsilon^2, n^{2.5} / \epsilon))$ (Dvurechensky et. al. '18, Lin et. al. '19). We bridge this gap by providing a parallel, first-order, $\tilde{O}(1/\epsilon)$ iteration algorithm without worse dependence on dimension, and provide preliminary experimental evidence that our algorithm may enjoy improved practical performance. We obtain this runtime via a primal-dual extragradient method, motivated by recent theoretical improvements to maximum flow (Sherman '17).
Weather Conditions Associated with the Release and Dispersal of Zymoseptoria tritici Spores in the Argentine Pampas Region

The abundance of Zymoseptoria tritici ascospores and conidia in a field was examined throughout two one-year periods (1998-1999 and 1999-2000) establishing the relationship between spore release and weather variables. Radiation, temperature, intensity of rainfall, and relative humidity significantly affected the dispersal of ascospores and pycnidiospores of this pathogen. Spore traps collected both types of spores, at weekly intervals, at two different stages of the wheat crop (vegetative and wheat stubble stages) and different distances from the sources. Ascospores were the predominant sources of inoculum in the field. The numbers of ascospores and pycnidiospores declined with the increase of distance from the sources. The release of pycnidiospores was associated with the increase in rainfall intensity 7 days before the released event and the increase in radiation 60 days before the same event. Relative humidity 3 and 15 days before the release event was positively correlated with ascospores release and negatively correlated with radiation and temperature in all the sampling interval. Also for the first time, a positive correlation between radiation and pycnidiospores dispersal is reported. Understanding the relationship between environment conditions and spores dispersal event could improve the control strategies of the disease.
From organizing for innovation to innovating for organization: how co-design fosters change in organizations

Amongst the plethora of methods that have been developed over the years to involve users, suppliers, buyers or other stakeholders in the design of new objects, co-design has been advertised as a way to generate innovation in a more efficient and more inclusive manner. Yet, empirical evidence that demonstrates its innovativeness is still hard to come by. Moreover, the fact that co-design workshops are gatherings of participants with little design credentials and often no prior relationships raises serious doubts on its potential to generate novelty. In this paper1, we study the contextual elements of 21 workshops in order to better understand what codesign really yields in terms of design outputs and relational outcomes. Our data suggest that codesign emerges in crisis situations and that it is best used as a two-time intervention. We also suggest using collaborative design activities as a way to bring about change through innovation.
The Dark Side of Fiscal Stimulus

The output multiplier turns negative before a deficit spending program expires. We show the generality of this unpleasant finding for the standard real business cycle model. We then calibrate an extended model for the US and demonstrate how fiscal stimulus slows down economic recovery from recession in the medium-run. We discuss the slowdown from recovery w.r. t. alternative assumptions about the size and persistence of the initial shock (severity of the recession), the assumed power of the impact multiplier, and the scale and duration of the stimulus program. We also show that results are quantitatively very similar independent from whether a recession was caused by an efficiency wedge (input-financing frictions) or a labor wedge (labor market frictions). Capital stock and output are always below their laissez-faire level of recovery when fiscal stimulus expires.
Coaching high achievers.

This investigation used semistructured interviews with coaches (n 7) and high achievers (n 14) from business and sports to identify common characteristics of high achievers that are important to take into account when coaching them, coaching needs of high achievers, and key implications for the practice of coaching high achievers. Content analysis grouped the data into themes. Findings suggest that a “onesize-fits-all” approach to coaching may be inappropriate and a number of factors need to be taken into account when coaching high achievers. Of fundamental importance is the need to establish a coaching relationship built on trust and mutual respect. The impact of the coaching is determined by a number of factors, including the coach being challenging, flexible, and adding value quickly.
Candida albicans and napkin dermatitis: relationship and lesion severity correlation

Introduction: Napkin Dermatitis (ND) is a common problem in infancy that affects almost every child during the early months and years of their lifetime. It is a skin disease that becomes a challenge for both parents and physicians because of its frequency and difficulty in eliminating all of the causative factors in diapered infants. Usually Napkin dermatitis is self-limiting but when associated with Candida albicans ( C. albicans ) seems to be moderate to severe. Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine the colonization of C. albicans in children with Napkin dermatitis and to correlate between intensity of C. albicans colonization and the severity of napkin rash. Patients and Methods: This case-controlled study was conducted at Qassim University pediatric outpatient clinics, during the period from August 2014 to July 2015. Sixty patients with diaper dermatitis and 33 healthy controls were enrolled to this study. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained from the parents of each participant using questionnaires Paired (stool and skin) samples were collected from all cases and healthy control children. The samples were cultured on differential and selective chromogenic medium for isolation and initial identification of candida species. Identification confirmation of the isolates was determined by the Vitek 2 compact automated system. Results: Diaper dermatitis shows significant outcome to washing diaper area (per day) (P = 0.001), History of diarrhea last 7 Days (P < 0.001), skin lab results (+/-) for Candida albicans , (P < 0.001), skin colony count, (P < 0.001), However, there is no correlation to age (P = 0.828), gender (P = 0.368) and feeding style (P = 0.401). Conclusion: The severity score of napkin dermatitis was significantly observed among cases with diaper dermatitis (p-value < 0.001) and control children (p-value < 0.001) respectively. Keywords: Candida albicans , Napkin dermatitis, Diaper dermatitis, Vitek 2 compact system, Qassim
Results of closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation in tibia plateau fractures

Introduction. Tibial plateau fractures are common injuries that require anatomic reduction to obtain the best functional results. Advances in mechanization and the acceleration of travel has been accompanied by an increase in the number and severity of fractures, and those of the tibial plateau are not an exception. This fracture constitutes approximately 1% of all fractures. The primary goal in the management of proximal tibial articular fracture is a stable, congruous, pain-free, mobile joint. Objectives. To study the technique, results, and complications of percutaneous cancellous screw fixation for tibial plateau fractures. Materials and method. 22 patients treated with percutaneous screw fixation were followed-up for a period of 18 months and their functional outcome assessed according to the Modified Delamarter functional scoring system. Results. According to the Modified Delamarter functional scoring system, a 91% – excellent to satisfactory result was achieved, and 9% poor results due to non-union at the fracture site. Conclusions. Closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation for tibial plateau fractures is minimally invasive. It reduces the length of hospital stay and costs, enables early mobilization with minimal instrumentation, and achieves satisfactory outcomes.
Pathology of Staging of Early Colorectal Lesions During Surveillance Programmes

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the second most common cancer in women after carcinoma of the breast and the third most common cancer in men after carcinoma of the prostate and lung with a lifetime risk in the UK of one in 16 for men and one in 20 for women (C-R-UK, 2011). In 2008, around 40,000 people in the UK were diagnosed with bowel cancer and approximately 16,000 died from the disease. In the same year, there were an approximately 334,000 new cases of CRC in the European Union (GLOBOCAN, 2008). The lowest rates for both men and women were in Greece and the highest rates for men were in Hungary and for women in Denmark. Rates for the UK for men and women were below the EU27 average (C-R-UK, 2011). Worldwide, every year, more than 1 million will develop CRC (Parkin et al., 2005). Over 90% of CRC is sporadic in nature and affects 25 per 100 000 per year of individuals aged 45–55, but over 300 per 100 000 per year in individuals aged 75 and over (West et al., 2008). Internationally, the UK has an incidence of CRC close to the average for all EU countries, which is slightly lower than that for Australia, New Zealand and North America (Halloran, 2009). Survival rates in individuals with CRC have increased substantially in the past few years, possibly as a result of early diagnosis and improved treatment. Although substantial information about risk factors exists, about 75% of diagnoses are in patients with no apparent risk factors other than old age (ACS, 2011), however, the 5-year survival is still less than 60% in most European countries (Verdecchia et al., 2007).
Experimental and analytical studies of solute transport during run‐off over vegetated surfaces

Solute transport in overland flow is considered as one of the main contributors to water pollution. Although many models of pollutant transport mechanism from soil to run‐off water have been proposed, the characteristics of solute transport accompanying the water run‐off over vegetated surface have not been well studied. In this study, a series of laboratory experiments were conducted to study the solute transport over vegetated surfaces. Based on the experimental results, an idea of the “stationary water layer” in run‐off was proposed. Applying the complete mixing theory in the stationary water layer, an analytical solute transport model was developed with the assumption that the upper run‐off completely mixes with the underlying water in the stationary water layer for each site. The results show that the predictions made by the present model are in good agreement with the measured experimental data. For the vegetated surfaces, the depth of stationary water layer is related to the rainfall intensity, bed slope, and vegetation density. The analytical solution shows that the maximum solute transport occurs at the time of concentration. This study advances our understanding of the mechanisms of solute transport over vegetated areas.
High Load of Deformed Wing Virus and Varroa destructor Infestation Are Related to Weakness of Honey Bee Colonies in Southern Spain

Many factors, including pathogens, contribute to the continuing losses of colonies of the honey bee Apis mellifera, which has led to steady population decline. In particular, colony losses have been linked to deformed wing virus (DWV) and the Varroa destructor mite. To clarify the potential role of these two pathogens in honey bee colony weakening and loss, we sampled colonies in southern Spain during a 21-month period and analyzed the samples for loads of four viruses and varroa. Loads of DWV and black queen cell virus as well as varroa infestation negatively correlated with colony vigor as measured using the subjective colony strength method. Logistic regression identified varroa and DWV as the main factors involved in colony weakening. Our results confirm that varroa and DWV play a key role in triggering colony weakening in southern Spain and provide evidence that experienced beekeepers’ and technicians’ assessments of colony vigor can accurately estimate colony strength.