Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Learning Visual Representation Clusters for Cross-View Geo-Location

Cross-view geo-location is a crucial research field that determines the geographic location from images taken from different viewpoints. It is often studied as a retrieval task, where the query images are with unknown locations, and the database includes images with geo-tags from a different platform. Learning image representations by neural networks is an important step, and one typical training method is using a classification loss, where cross-view images of the same locations are considered the same category. However, existing methods only focus on pushing the representation distances of different categories while ignoring the intracategory representation distances of samples from different platforms. Considering that controlling the intracategory distance can help to guide the model to extract compact category-sharing representations from cross-view images, we propose a categorized cluster loss to learn separate and compact representation clusters. Categorized cluster loss can supervise the network to learn invariant information from samples of different platforms by constraining both the intercategory and intracategory feature distances. Meanwhile, we design a category-view-stratified sampling strategy, which samples balanced inputs in terms of both category and view in each batch during the learning process. We implemented our approach with a lightweight OSNet-based network and achieved higher accuracy with fewer parameters on a typical and challenging cross-view geo-location dataset than most state-of-the-art (SOTA) methods.
in InN

We report high-pressure optical absorption measurements on InN epilayers with a range of free-electron concentrations between 5×10 17 and 1.6×10 19 cm − 3 in order to investigate the effect of free carriers on the pressure coefficient of the optical band-gap of wurtzite InN. With increasing carrier concentration, we observe a decrease of the absolute value of the optical band-gap pressure coefficient of wurtzite InN. Analysis of our data based on the k · p model allows us to obtain a pressure coefficient of 32 meV/GPa for the fundamental band-gap of intrinsic wurtzite InN. Additionally, optical absorption measurements on a 5.7-µm-thick InN epilayer at pressures above the wurtzite-to-rocksalt transition has allowed us to obtain an accurate determination of the indirect band-gap energy of rocksalt InN as a function of pressure. Around the phase transition (≈15 GPa), a value of 0.7 eV is obtained whose pressure coefficient is around 23 meV/GPa.
ECONOMIC PAPERS

This study analyzes the effects of a missing high school graduation cohort on firms’ training provision and trainees’ wages. An exogenous school reform varying at the state and year level caused the missing cohort to occur. Using administrative social security data on all trainees and training firms, we show that firms provide less training by reducing their overall number of hired apprentices. We also show that the pool of firms that offer training in the year of the missing cohort shifts towards a higher share of low wage firms. After keeping firm characteristics constant, the findings indicate that the missing cohort increases training wages measured at the start of training. Further analyses shed light on the opposite case of dual cohorts, which we find to increase training provision and to decrease training wages. The evidence also shows that high and low wage firms differ in how they adjust training provision in response to a dual cohort. JEL-Code: J21, J24, J31
ICT and Productivity Growth Within Value Chains

To what extent have economies become better off because of the diffusion of information and communication technologies (ICT)? We analyze this question based on a growth accounting approach at the level of final output. This approach traces productivity improvements not within sectors but within value chains. It allows judging in a better way to what extent more or better products have become available to final users, in particular consumers, as a result of the diffusion of ICT. A main result is that more than half of the productivity gains related to ICT capital deepening for manufactured goods are contributed by upstream industries. The major part of this contribution is domestic rather than foreign. Moreover, the high sectoral growth in total factor productivity (TFP) in the ICT sector contributes only moderately to TFP growth in non-ICT value chains via the use of intermediates.
CYCLIC TRIAXIAL TEST OF DYNAMIC SOIL PROPERTIES FOR WIDE STRAIN RANGE

ABSTRACT Dynamic material properties of soil needed for the nonlinear analysis of earthquake response of the ground have usually been measured in the laboratory using the torsional column shear device. The cyclic triaxial test, despite its easier accessibility and handling for practicing engineers, has seldom been looked upon as a rational way to make a reliable measurement of dynamic properties. In this experimental study a highly sensitive gap sensor and a sealed load transducer are introduced inside the triaxial cell to eliminate the frictions of the conventional displacement sensor and the loading piston. A series of cyclic triaxial tests featuring these improvements have been carried out for saturated Toyoura sand with various void ratios and confining pressures, disclosing the following facts. (i) Reliable measurements of the shear modulus and its strain dependent variation within a wide strain range of the order of 10-6 to 10-3 are possible with the improved cyclic loading test, permitting a direct connection with the insitu shear wave velocity. (ii) An essentially good agreement of the modulus is quantitatively recognizable between the triaxial test and the torsional shear test, implying that the different stress and confining conditions inherent to the individual testing devices give no significant effect on the evaluation of the modulus. (iii) This test gives a reasonable hysteretic damping ratio as well as its strain dependency although the damping ratios measured by other researchers with different testing devices widely differ from each other indicating the difficulties for evaluating accurate damping ratio.
Spatial Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon Density in Anhui Province Based on GIS

Based on GIS technique,soil database and spatial distribution patterns of soil organic carbon density of Anhui was established.The relationships between the soil organic carbon density and land use,soil type,terrain factors were investigated.The results showed that the range of soil organic carbon density is between 0.92 kg/m2 and 40.97 kg/m2 in 0-100 cm profile depth,average 10.39 kg/m2.The range of soil organic carbon density was mainly between 3 kg/m2 and 19 kg/m2,which accounts for 89.72% of the total area.The maximum value of soil organic carbon density is in mountain meadow soil and the minimum is in fluvo-aquic soil,yellow cinnamon soil and lithosol in different soil types.The maximum is in forestland,minimum is in the farmland in different land uses;soil organic carbon density had the high correlation with elevation.The mean soil organic carbon density gradually increased with slope and rainfall.Soil organic carbon density increased from north to south in Anhui Province.
Clinical Outcomes of Upfront Primary Tumor Resection in Synchronous Unresectable Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Simple Summary The role of upfront primary tumor resection (PTR) in patients with unresectable synchronous metastatic colorectal cancer without severe symptoms remains controversial. This study aimed to report the clinical outcomes of synchronous unresectable stage IV colorectal cancer patients with or without upfront PTR. A subgroup analysis was performed to determine clinical characteristics associated with better PTR outcomes. In this retrospective study, upfront PTR was not associated with overall survival (OS) after adjusting for other variables. Subgroup analysis revealed that the male sex, good performance, the T3 stage, the M1a stage, <2 organ metastases, and the administration of targeted agents, especially bevacizumab, seemed to be related to survival benefits after PTR. Upfront PTR could be considered in some subgroups, but these findings require larger studies to verify. Abstract The role of upfront primary tumor resection (PTR) in patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer without severe symptoms remains controversial. We retrospectively analyzed the role of PTR in overall survival (OS) in this population. Among the 205 patients who enrolled, the PTR group (n = 42) showed better performance (p = 0.061), had higher frequencies of right-sided origin (p = 0.058), the T4 stage (p = 0.003), the M1a stage (p = 0.012), and <2 organ metastases (p = 0.002), and received fewer targeted agents (p = 0.011) than the chemotherapy group (n = 163). The PTR group showed a trend for longer OS (20.5 versus 16.0 months, p = 0.064) but was not related to OS in Cox regression multivariate analysis (p = 0.220). The male sex (p = 0.061), a good performance status (p = 0.078), the T3 stage (p = 0.060), the M1a stage (p = 0.042), <2 organ metastases (p = 0.035), an RAS wild tumor (p = 0.054), and the administration of targeted agents (p = 0.037), especially bevacizumab (p = 0.067), seemed to be related to PTR benefits. Upfront PTR could be considered beneficial in some subgroups, but these findings require larger studies to verify.
Novel Remineralizing and Antibiofilm Low-Shrinkage-Stress Nanocomposites to Inhibit Salivary Biofilms and Protect Tooth Structures

Recurrent caries remain a persistent concern, often linked to microleakage and a lack of bioactivity in contemporary dental composites. Our study aims to address this issue by developing a low-shrinkage-stress nanocomposite with antibiofilm and remineralization capabilities, thus countering the progression of recurrent caries. In the present study, we formulated low-shrinkage-stress nanocomposites by combining triethylene glycol divinylbenzyl ether and urethane dimethacrylate, incorporating dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate (DMADDM), along with nanoparticles of calcium fluoride (nCaF2) and nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP). The biofilm viability, biofilm metabolic activity, lactic acid production, and ion release were evaluated. The novel formulations containing 3% DMADDM exhibited a potent antibiofilm activity, exhibiting a 4-log reduction in the human salivary biofilm CFUs compared to controls (p < 0.001). Additionally, significant reductions were observed in biofilm biomass and lactic acid (p < 0.05). By integrating both 10% NACP and 10% nCaF2 into one formulation, efficient ion release was achieved, yielding concentrations of 3.02 ± 0.21 mmol/L for Ca, 0.5 ± 0.05 mmol/L for P, and 0.37 ± 0.01 mmol/L for F ions. The innovative mixture of DMADDM, NACP, and nCaF2 displayed strong antibiofilm effects on salivary biofilm while concomitantly releasing a significant amount of remineralizing ions. This nanocomposite is a promising dental material with antibiofilm and remineralization capacities, with the potential to reduce polymerization-related microleakage and recurrent caries.
Classical and Quantum Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensing

Surface plasmon resonance is an optical phenomenon first discovered in 1902. The phenomenon has since had many applications, particularly in biosensing. In this paper, we review surface plasmon resonance-based biosensing, look at recent progress made in integrating quantum resources to develop surface plasmon resonance-based biosensors into a class of surface plasmon resonance biosensors commonly referred to as quantum surface plasmon resonance biosensors, and examine the advantages which quantum biosensors bring. We will review recent experimental and theoretical work showing that making use of quantum states of light offers a great enhancement in the precision of our biosensor, as they can go below the shot-noise limit (standard quantum limit) of precision in intensity noise detection. An overview of the surface plasmon resonance mechanism, its applications, and some limitations, as well as a report on recent research to address certain limitations and quantum-based surface plasmon resonance sensing, are provided.
Convolutional deep learning network for InSAR phase denoising and unwrapping

Interferometric phase unwrapping is one of the most challenging research topics for the remote sensing community. Recovering and correctly estimating the true interferometric phase signal from the received wrapped one provides critical information about changes in the Earth’s surface over time. Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) has been widely used to extract such displacement estimates. However, InSAR images are affected often by a particular type of noise known as Gaussian. The presence of Gaussian noise in InSAR data can make the phase unwrapping process more difficult. In this paper, we introduce a convolutional deep learning-based network to perform simultaneous interferometric phase denoising and unwrapping. Quantitative and qualitative evaluations, made on synthetic and real world InSAR data, show that the proposed approach is able to produce accurate results even in the presence of strong noise.
Validating a Safety Culture Toolkit for Aviation

Safety culture has ranked as a top human factors challenge for aviation maintenance, but there is a lack of actionable guidance for properly assessing and improving safety culture. As part of its efforts to promote a positive safety culture in aviation maintenance, the researchers developed and validated a new safety culture toolkit. The toolkit consists of a customizable survey, scoring guidance, and a roadmap for safety culture improvement. The data from n = 987 participants across five participating organizations supported the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model. Safety culture was a significant predictor of both Individual and Organizational Outcomes, with Individual Outcomes partially mediating the impact of safety culture on Organizational Outcomes. These results provided initial evidence of the content and predictive validity.
Non-Steroidal Estrogens Inhibit Influenza Virus by Interacting with Hemagglutinin and Preventing Viral Fusion

Influenza virus is one of the main causes of respiratory infections worldwide. Despite the availability of seasonal vaccines and antivirals, influenza virus infections cause an important health and economic burden. Therefore, the need to identify alternative antiviral strategies persists. In this study, we identified non-steroidal estrogens as potent inhibitors of influenza virus due to their interaction with the hemagglutinin protein, preventing viral entry. This activity is maintained in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. Therefore, we found a new domain to target on the hemagglutinin and a class of compounds that could be further optimized for influenza treatment.
The impact of shelterbelts in North Island East Coast dryland regions

Shelterbelts are a feature of the New Zealand landscape and in the dryland East Coast regions of the North Island, are seen in a diversity of planting patterns, species and silvicultural practices. To date, their economic benefits have not been assessed, partly because of the difficulty in evaluating the many interrelated pasture, soil, animal and forestry factors. Recent shelterbelt research in New Zealand has been conducted as a collaborative approach by AgResearch, Forest Research and Hort Research. Results of pasture, soil and tree measurements in the East Coast region indicate that shelterbelts, however managed, do not significantly increase pasture production in the sheltered zone. The competitive effects of trees reduce soil moisture in zones close to the shelter, which also encourages the accumulation of dung and urine nutrients in this zone by animals seeking protection. The modification in resting patterns as a result of shelter may be reflected in improved animal welfare and production but this was not measured. The value of timber from shelterbelts on the East Coast indicates that they have a role in diversifying farming income and offering a modified land use, which will help to sustain productive farming practices.
Factors affecting the ongoing pregnancy rate in women with repeated implantation failure undergoing an endometrial receptivity array

Objective In this retrospective study, we analyzed factors influencing the ongoing pregnancy rate (PR) in women with repeated implantation failure (RIF) undergoing embryo transfer with endometrial receptivity array (ERA). Methods Eighty-three consecutive personalized embryo transfers (pETs) with ERA, from 54 women with RIF, were selected from June 2020 to April 2022. Vitrified blastocyst transfer was timed based on ERA results. Results The ongoing PR per pET was 33.7%. Using ERA, the endometrium was identified as pre-receptive in 26 cycles, early receptive in 25 cycles, receptive in 31 cycles, and late receptive in one cycle. With cycles categorized into three receptivity phases (pre-receptive, early receptive, or receptive), no significant differences were found in the clinical PR (27.3%, 55.6%, and 40%, respectively) or ongoing PR (9.1%, 55.6%, and 40%, respectively) after a single blastocyst transfer. Similarly, no significant differences were observed in the clinical PR or ongoing PR after the transfer of two or more blastocysts. Among women with ongoing pregnancy relative to those without, age at first pET was significantly lower (35 years vs. 39 years, p=0.001), while blastocyst score (23 vs. 18, p=0.012) and the proportion of blastocyst scores >18 (71.4% vs. 38.9%, p=0.005) were significantly higher. In multiple logistic regression analysis, the woman’s age (odds ratio [OR], 0.814; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.706 to 0.940; p=0.005) and blastocyst score >18 (OR, 3.052; 95% CI, 1.075 to 8.665; p=0.036) were identified as significant factors influencing ongoing pregnancy. Conclusion In pET with ERA, ongoing pregnancy was closely associated with woman’s age and blastocyst quality.
Advances in Metabolic Engineering of Pichia pastoris Strains as Powerful Cell Factories

Pichia pastoris is the most widely used microorganism for the production of secreted industrial proteins and therapeutic proteins. Recently, this yeast has been repurposed as a cell factory for the production of chemicals and natural products. In this review, the general physiological properties of P. pastoris are summarized and the readily available genetic tools and elements are described, including strains, expression vectors, promoters, gene editing technology mediated by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9, and adaptive laboratory evolution. Moreover, the recent achievements in P. pastoris-based biosynthesis of proteins, natural products, and other compounds are highlighted. The existing issues and possible solutions are also discussed for the construction of efficient P. pastoris cell factories.
36. DATA REPORT: STABLE ISOTOPIC STRATIGRAPHY OF THE PALEOGENE PELAGIC CAP AT SITE 865, ALLISON GUYOT1

Intensive stable isotopic investigations were conducted on the upper Paleocene to upper Eocene pelagic cap sequence recovered at Site 865, Allison Guyot, Mid-Pacific Mountains. The sequence consists of calcareous ooze with an unusually high content of well-preserved planktonic foraminifers. Benthic foraminifers, although exceptionally rare, are also nearly unaltered. Isotopic analyses were performed on three separate planktonic (species of Acarinina, Morozovella, and Subbotina) and four benthic taxa (species of Cibicidoides and Lenticulina, Gavelinella beccariiformis, and Nuttallides truempyi). We present results of detailed stable isotopic investigations (δ 18 θ and δ13C) of the uppermost Paleocene and lowermost Eocene intervals in two holes (865B and 865C) and of the entire upper Paleocene to upper Eocene in Hole 865B.
Refinement of Paleobathymetric Curves of Paleocene - Early Eocene Sequences in Selected Wells of Cambay Basin

Micropaleontological and palynological data pertaining to Paleocene-Early Eocene sequences is generated in three wells of Cambay Basin namely, A-1, B-1 and C-1. Besides re-interpreted the already generated data for more precise age determination, paleoenvironmental interpretation and estimation of paleobathymetry of the subsurface sequences in nine wells namely, D-1, E-1, F-1, G-1, H-1, I-1, J-1, K-1 and L-1 The paleobathymetric curves have also been compared with the eustatic sea level curve to know the relationship of local bathymetric changes with those of eustatic curves. In some wells the local paleobathymetric curves are not matching with the eustatic sea level curves which can be attributed to the local tectonics.
Financial Deepening & Income Inequality: Evidence From Indonesia

Financial deepening is a term used to measure the quality of improvement in the provision of financial services. Financial deepening can be seen as one of the factors affecting income inequality. The focus of financial deepening in this research using a credit ratio is a ratio of total credit released by commercial banks in each province compared to the province’s GDP and the bank ratio is the ratio of the number of bank branches per million population of the province. The discussion of this research is limited to using country data from 34 provinces in Indonesia from 2005-2021. The results show that the various indicators that measure financial deepening have an impact on increasing inequality during the observation period. This condition shows that financial services, especially banking access through the ratio of the number of banks and also the development of the credit ratio, have not been able to reduce income inequality. The government needs to evaluate policies and improve the quality of sustainable financial services to achieve a more even distribution of income so that income inequality can be reduced.
Dynamic stiffness analysis of asphalt mixtures for nondestructive pavement performance assessment

Ground-based Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) has been developed as an effective tool for non-invasiveness pavement performance assessment. It is well known that asphalt pavement properties such as density and void content are important parameters that directly affect pavement quality and durability. The dynamic stiffness method is an innovative NDT testing technique which measures dynamic response of the material. In this work, laboratory experimental data about the dynamic stiffness are collected by standardized tests on laboratory Marshall cylindrical bituminous samples. The method performs the analysis of the sinusoidal excitation spectrum (frequency and amplitude) in two random and continuous sweep signals. Both signal are compared for the determination of the bulk density and air void content of the asphalt mixtures. The results show that, by using the dynamic stiffness test, it is possible to generate models with high accuracy in determining the densities and void contents of different bituminous mixtures. Therefore, this method can be potentially considered as an effective non-invasiveness tool for evaluating pavement quality and durability. This research paves the way for the development of a novel procedure introducing several advances implementing a ground-based Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) method based on "dynamic stiffness" for a more effective assets monitoring focused on road pavements.