Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Convolutional Neural Networks for On-Board Cloud Screening

A cloud screening unit on a satellite platform for Earth observation can play an important role in optimizing communication resources by selecting images with interesting content while skipping those that are highly contaminated by clouds. In this study, we address the cloud screening problem by investigating an encoder–decoder convolutional neural network (CNN). CNNs usually employ millions of parameters to provide high accuracy; on the other hand, the satellite platform imposes hardware constraints on the processing unit. Hence, to allow an onboard implementation, we investigate experimentally several solutions to reduce the resource consumption by CNN while preserving its classification accuracy. We experimentally explore approaches such as halving the computation precision, using fewer spectral bands, reducing the input size, decreasing the number of network filters and also making use of shallower networks, with the constraint that the resulting CNN must have sufficiently small memory footprint to fit the memory of a low-power accelerator for embedded systems. The trade-off between the network performance and resource consumption has been studied over the publicly available SPARCS dataset. Finally, we show that the proposed network can be implemented on the satellite board while performing with reasonably high accuracy compared with the state-of-the-art.
District-wise forest area variation in Sri Lanka from 1992 to 2001 for supporting the National Physical Planning Policy

Sri Lanka does not have a prior experience in preparing a National Physical Planning for its integrated development. The National Physical Planning Department has not only setup a GIS Laboratory to cater to National Physical Planning of Sri Lanka, but it also ventured into acquiring a full Landsat 7 ETM+ coverage of the Island for 1999-2001 in the purpose of updating the island-wide Land Use Mapping. Being a humid tropical country, the large extent of close canopy forest, being mainly primary forest, is the second most important natural resource asset (after water) to be considered for the future development of the Island. Closed Canopy forest mapping was undertaken by the staff of the GIS laboratory on the purpose of deriving district-wise information of forest cover changes over the last 20 years. The method used for classification of the forest land cover was a semi-automated update of previously available map, by means of region growing tools available in GIS/RS typical software. A set of 3 Districts of fast decreasing forest cover and of 5 Districts of substantial increase of forest cover have been identified out of 25 districts of Sri Lanka in the period of 1992-2001. District changes highlight planning policies options of critical importance for the implementation of the National Policy at District level.
The prevalence of oropharyngeal carcinoma caused by HPV infections in the U.S.: A review

The incidence and association between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and oropharyngeal carcinoma has increased in recent years, despite a decline in other causes of oral cancer from smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. HPV infection, particularly serotype 16 (HPV-16), is recognized as a significant player in the onset of HPV positive oral cavity and oropharyngeal carcinoma. The prevalence of HPV positive oropharyngeal carcinoma tends to be generally higher in men, more common in Caucasians and can be attributed to high-risk sexual practices. While the significance of HPV vaccination for oropharyngeal carcinoma prevention is controversial, research supports the possibility that the available vaccine may be effective in reducing the incidence of oral neoplasms caused by HPV. This paper reviews the relationship between HPV and oral cancer prevalence in the United States.
Prediction of Success or Fail of Students on Different Educational Majors at the End of the High School with Artificial Neural Networks Methods

 Abstract —The main objective of departments of education is providing quality education for students. One of the methods to achieve a high level of quality in education system is knowledge discovery for prediction of students' enrollment in a specific field. This knowledge is hidden in educational and motivational data. It is extractable by data mining techniques. The present article is designed to justify the capabilities of data mining methods in education by presenting a data mining method. In this research classification is used for evaluating the students' performance. There are many methods for predicting students' Performance in different fields. Here artificial neural (ANN) is used. With this method we extract the knowledge which describes the students' performance in the final exams. This method is suitable for identifying appropriate field for the students and they will succeed in the field.
effects of a neuromotor reeducation program on postural control and musculoskeletal injury incidence

Few studies have been made about injury incidence in male amateur football teams, as well as about the effects of a neuromotor task training program in the prevention of injuries.We aimedto analyze the effects of an eight-week exercise program of neuromotor training on postural control and injury incidence in amateur male football players.Players of a team of 2B Portuguese Division (n=31, Mean -22.94 ± 4.12 years) participated in the study. Postural sway measures (centre of pressure, initial peak force and time to stabilization) were evaluated with a force platform within functional tests, before and after the application of an exercise program, which included football specific tasks like jumping and passing a ball with single leg landing. Injury assessment was made prospectively during the entire 2012-2013 season and there were 36 injuries registered. The mean injury incidence after intervention in the Training Group (TG) was lower than in the Control Group (CG), including ligament injuries (1.71 vs 3.11 injuries/1000h)and muscle injuries (1.37 vs 2.05 injuries/1000h). A significant improvement in postural control was observed in TG, demonstrated by the decrease of initial peak force (total of 45%) and time to stabilization (total of 50.9%) after a single leg landing. The application of this eight-week exercise neuromotor program had positive effects on the improvement of postural control, as well as on the reduction of injury incidence and time-loss after a ligament and muscle injury in amateur football players. *Corresponding author: João Coito, Human Kinetics Faculty of Lisbon, Estrada da Costa 1499-002 Dafundo, Algés, Tel: +00351964804596; Email: joaocoito_@hotmail.com Citation: Coito J, Oliveira R, Melo F (2016) Effects of a Neuromotor Reeducation Program on Postural Control and Musculoskeletal Injury Incidence of Amateur Football Players. J Orthop Res Ther 2016: 27-33. Received Date: August 17, 2016; Accepted Date: 24 September, 2016; Published Date: 30 September, 2016
Gender Differences in Pedagogical Interaction of Information Communication Technology Among Science and Mathematics Teachers in Public Secondary Schools in Kieni West Subcounty , Nyeri County , Kenya

The importance of pedagogical integration of ICT in Kenya and globally cannot be overemphasized. It is becoming increasingly apparent that all aspects of people’s lives including the way education is taught and delivered are greatly influenced by developments in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). This study was carried out to investigate gender differences in pedagogical interaction of Information Communication Technology among science and mathematics teachers in public secondary schools in Kieni West subcounty,Nyeri county,Kenya.The objectives of the study are to (i) establish gender differences in E-learning preparedness in teaching and learning (ii) explore gender differences in attainment of computer skills in teaching and learning and (iii) examine how the proficiency of ICTs influences ICT integration in teaching and learning. Questionnaires were administered to 18 male and 11 female sciences and mathematics teachers. Findings indicated that 81.3% and 30% of the male and female teachers respectively had no usage on power point. Further 72% and 63.6% of the male and female teachers had no access to computers. Gender differences were realized in E-learning preparedness as well as in ICT skills attainment among science and mathematics teachers in public secondary schools in the district. The study recommends that all teachers need to be trained on the basic computer skills.
Crowd Simulation Using Informed Virtual Geospatial Environments

Crowd is an emergent phenomenon raised by the local interactions of a large number of individuals. Managing these interactions implies both low level mechanisms such as navigation and path planning in virtual environments, and high level behaviors qualified as social behaviors. Most existing simulation models deal with the navigation process, leading to the emergence of macroscopically identifiable groups. However, these models do not provide means to individuals to reason about groups, and so to take into account groups in social behaviors. In this paper, we propose a novel behavioral approach to simulate high-level decision mechanisms based on social characteristics. These mechanisms enable the support of social agents evolving in informed virtual geospatial environments. We show that this agent-based model allows taking into account different psychological and sociological theories in order to provide realistic and sophisticated groups management. Finally, we show the interest of our approach to crowd simulation thanks to its application to the simulation of crowd control in urban environments. Key-Words: Social Agents, Virtual Humans, Informed Virtual Geospatial Environments, Social Behavior, Crowd Simulation.
Seed Germination Differences between G 1 yphosateRe 5 istant and-Susceptible Italian RyegrasS Populations

Influence of environmental factors on germination and emergence of Italian ryegrass [LoIium perenne L. subsp. multiflorim (Lam.) Husn. ], ineluding g1yphosatereSi5tant populations is lacking. Such knowledge would help improve our understanding of the biology and ecology of this problem species which could in turn, aid in its management. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of temperature, light, pH, salt and osmotic stress, shikimic acid and planting depth on germination of glyphosateresistant (R) and susceptible (5) Italian ryegrass populations. Overall, germination of both populations of Italian ryegrass was highest at 13 °C and decreased when temperature increased to 20 or 27 °C under both light and dark conditions. Light stimulated germination (y%) compared to darkness (41%) at 13 °C, but light had no effect on germination at 20 and 27 °C. The resistant population had higher germination (69-87%) compared to the susceptible (37-57%) at a pH range of 4-7. Seed germination decreased as NaCl concentration increased from 20-160 mM and osmotic potential increased from o (distilled water) to -o.8 MPa in both populations. Germination of the Rand S populations decreased from 76% to 25% and 67% to 12%, respectively, as shikimic acid concentration increased from o16 mM. Seedling emergence was highest from seed placed on the soil surface. Seedling emergence was less than 7% from seed planted at a 0.5 cm depth and no seedlings emerged from seed planted below 2.5 cm for both populations. Both populations germinated under a broad range of environmental conditions used in the study, however, the R population was higher than the S population. INTRODUCTION Glyphosate [N (phosphonO methyO glycine] is a non-selective, broad spectrum, systemic, post-emergence herbicide that has been used extensively throughout the world over the past three decades. With the commercialization of glyphosate-resistant crops in the mid 19905, glyphosate is now widely used for weed control in glyphosate-resistant crops in addition to non crop lands. The -. intense use of glyphosate in resistant crops has increased the selection pressure on many weed species and several species have developed glyphosate resistance. To date, 16 weed species are reported to be resistant to glyphosate (Heap, 2009). We have reported a three-fold resistance to glyphosate in two 'YK Nand&a, Mississippi State University, P0 Box 197, Stoneville, MS 38776; D.H. Poston, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., P0 Box 386, Stoneville, MS 38776; K.N. Reddy, USDA-ARS, P0 Box 350, Stoneville, MS 38776. *corresponding author (E-mail: vnandola@dreC.mS5teSt1) Received 3' Octo-
Feeding preferences and foraging behaviour in the Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris

In flocks of Alpine Accentors (Prunella collaris), we observed the foraging behaviour of birds when they were foraging on a grid containing clumps of seeds. We measured the feeding rate, diet diversity, individual and seasonal feeding preferences and dominance in birds. Producing and scrounging were frequently observed and they often involved aggressive interactions. Most birds used both tactics to obtain food. We found that foraging method was not related to dominance. No significant differences in feeding rate and diet diversity were detected between dominant and subordinate birds. The Alpine Accentors showed a strong degree of heterogenity in their food specialisations in different seasons. Calculations of nutritive values of diet showed that birds received relatively more carbohydrates in the autumn than in spring or winter. In the “snowy” seasons, the diet contained a relatively high number of lipids. Birds also had significant individual food preferences.
Life history and description of the larva of Acrotaeniostola spiralis ( Diptera : Tephritidae : Dacinae : Gastrozonini ) , an Oriental fruit fly inhabiting bamboo twigs

The life history of the bamboo-infesting fruit fly Acrotaeniostola spiralis was studied in northern Thailand. Acrotaeniostola spiralis larvae fed on the apical meristem and surrounding soft tissue of bamboo twigs of Pseudoxytenanthera albociliata. Every infested twig was occupied by one larva. The larva created a feeding tunnel, 32 to 67 mm long and between 0.9 and 3.8 mm wide. Feeding activity of the larva caused the apical leaf of the twig to turn yellow and die. The females deposited their eggs under the margins of rolled apical leaves. The freshly emerged larvae squeezed their way through the folds of these leaves towards the growing point of the bamboo twig. Mature larvae abandoned their feeding sites for pupariation and flies emerged 10–11 days after pupariation. Flies were recorded in the field between the end of April and beginning of December and their larvae between mid-June and beginning of December, indicating that A. spiralis is probably multivoltine. A larva maturing at the end of December remained dormant during the hot season and the fly emerged at the end of April. The external morphology and cephalopharyngeal skeleton of the third instar larva of the genus Acrotaeniostola is described for the first time. The main distinguishing characteristics found for A. spiralis larvae are their very long and slim body shape and their reduced facial mask lacking oral ridges. These are probably adaptations to life in the very narrow bamboo twigs. Bamboo twigs displaying withered apical leaves were sometimes occupied by other flies (for example, Chloropidae), as well as beetle larvae or caterpillars.
Political Bias in Hiring People Consider Political Opponents as Less Hireable Than Others Without Weighting Criteria to Justify why

Previous studies have shown that characteristics like gender and ethnicity can affect the possibility to be hired. Decisions in hiring may also be justified by weighting the importance of hiring criteria and can thus seem unbiased. In other areas, bias due to political affiliation have been noted to be even more pronounced than bias due to ethnicity. However, effects of candidates’ political affiliation in hiring are not equally researched. This study aimed to fill this blank. Participants (N = 283) were randomized to a between-subjects design; A third read a resumé from a candidate affiliating with the The Left Party, a third read a resumé from a candidate affiliating with The Sweden Democrats, a party at the right end of the spectrum, and a third read a resumé from a candidate with no political affiliation. After reading the resumés, participants evaluated the hireability of their candidate. They also stated which hiring criteria, experience or education, was considered most important in this evaluation. Results showed that participants evaluated candidates with divergent political affiliation from the own as less hireable than candidates with unknown political affiliation, or a political affiliation more similar to the own. Cues of political affiliation may thus be a disadvantage for an individual, applying for a job. However, biased evaluations were not justified to seem unbiased by weighting criteria. It is suggested that social norms do not imply hiding political bias to the same degree as bias due to for example gender or ethnicity.
Evaluation of the Genomic Basis for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are the most common neurodegenerative disorders related to aging. Though several risk factors are shared between these two diseases, the exact relationship between these two diseases is still unknown. In this paper, we analyzed how these diseases relate to each other from a genomics viewpoint. Using an extensive literature search, we accumulated the list of genes from the major genome-wide association (GWAS) studies. However, we found only one gene (HLA-DRB5) reported in these GWAS studies that are common between AD and PD. We also listed all the miRNAs that have been previously reported for AD and PD. Here we found 15 different miRNAs that were reported in both diseases. In order to get better insights, we predicted the gene coexpression network for both AD and PD. Network analysis on these networks show six clusters of genes related to AD and four clusters of genes related to PD.
Utilization of Mixed Leaves Litter for Converting into Vermicompost by Using an Epigeic Earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae

The processed mixed leaves litter with cured cow dung was mixed in different proportions viz., 50:50, 60:40 and 70:30 (each concentration in triplicates) and filled in the plastic trays, individually. Hundred Eudrilus eugeniae adult earthworms were introduced into each of these trays. Simultaneously, a control for each of these concentrations was prepared and maintained without earthworms. The conversion ratio of mixed leaves litter into vermicompost was found to be more or less similar in all the concentrations. However, the cocoons and young ones production was found to be little higher in 50:50 proportions than the other two proportions. Further, vermicompost obtained from all the three concentrations has desired level of plant nutrients for uptake. The results of the present study suggest that the mixed leaves litter with cured cow dung at anyone of these three concentrations can be used for converting into value added vermicompost by utilizing the earthworm E. eugeniae.
Opinion formation models on networks based on game theory

Sociophysics is a field that studies social behaviour using theories and techniques from topics such as statistical physics. In particular, it has become fashionable to use Monte Carlo simulations to explain and predict sociological phenomena. The Deffuant model is a popular mathematical model in sociophysics. Each individual holds an opinion in a certain real interval, and the opinion distribution of the population evolves with sequential random pairwise encounters. A pair of interacting individuals update their opinions towards a compromise if and only if their opinions differ by less than a given threshold called ‘confidence bound’. Incorporating network structure allows one to take into account heterogeneity of interactions in a population. We study the Deffuant model on networks by considering different network structures and interaction mechanisms between pairs of individuals. In particular, we show how convergence time and the number of opinion groups at equilibrium are affected by network topology, confidence bound, the number of participating agents, and their willingness to change their minds. We use numerical simulations to explore the opinion dynamics of the Deffuant model on networks and conduct regression analysis to model observed phenomena. Acknowledgements I would like to thank my supervisors for their patient guidance and sage advice throughout this project. I am also grateful to Dr John D. Hunter and other contributors to the MATPLOTLIB library for Python.
Problème du Consensus dans le Modèle Homonyme

So far, the distributed computing community has either assumed that all the processes of a distributed system have distinct identifiers or, more rarely, that the processes are anonymous and have no identifiers. These are two extremes of the same general model: namely, n processes use l different identifiers, where 1 l n. We call this model homonymous model. To determine the power of homonymous model as well as the importance of identifiers in distributed computing, this thesis studies the consensus problem, one of the most famous distributed computing problem. We give necessary and sufficient conditions on the number of identifiers for solving consensus in a distributed system with t faulty processes in the synchronous case. We show that in crash, send omission and general omission failures model, the uniform consensus is solvable even if processes are anonymous. Thus, identifiers are not useful in that case. However identifiers become important in Byzantine failures model: 3t + 1 identifiers is necessary and sufficient for Byzantine agreement. Surprisingly the number of identifiers must be greater than n+3t 2 in presence of three facets of uncertainty: partial synchrony, Byzantine failures and homonyms. This demonstrates two differences from the classical model (which has l = n): there are situations where relaxing synchrony to partial synchrony renders agreement impossible, and, in the partially synchronous case, increasing the number of correct processes can actually make it harder to reach agreement.