Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Radiometric Aerial Triangulation for the Equalization of Digital Aerial Images and Orthoimages

Atmospheric haze variations, temporal differences, atmosphere’s or ground surfaces’ and Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF), are well-known sources of radiometric heterogeneities in aerial images. It is necessary to correct them for many applications, such as the generation of large seamless mosaics of orthoimages, or land-cover classifications. This contribution describes a method for equalizing digital aerial images based on a parametric, semiempirical radiometric model. The model’s parameters are computed through a global least-squares minimization process, using radiometric tie-points in overlapping areas between images. The method may be called a “radiometric aerial triangulation” since its principle is quite similar to a standard aerial triangulation. It leads to a relative equalization between images, keeping their original contrast and color information. The method has been successfully applied operationally to more than forty projects comprising three to four thousands digital images each, for the creation of orthoimages over France. The results are good as long as atmospheric conditions are favorable and stable.
The Practice Boundaries of Advanced Practice Nurses: An Economic and Legal Analysis

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of State regulation that determines the extent of professional independence of advanced practice nurses (APNs). We find that in States where APNs have acquired a substantial amount of professional independence, the earnings of APNs are substantially lower, and those of physicians’ assistants (PAs) are substantially higher, than in other States. These results are striking since PAs are in direct competition with APNs; the only real operational difference between these groups is that PAs are salaried employees who must work under the supervision of a physician. The implication is that physicians have responded to an increase in professional independence of APNs by hiring fewer APNs and more PAs. The finding that earnings of APNs decline when they attain more professional autonomy vis-à-vis physicians reinforces work by Sass and Nichols on physical therapists.
Determination of heavy metals in surface and ground water in an around (Agrang Block) Raipur District, Chhattisgarh, India.

The study was carried out to assess surface and ground water quality of the (Arang Block) Raipur District, Chhattisgarh. The study area is situated between latitude 21.195 and longitude 81.967 . Water quality is one of the most important concerns. The heavy metals up to ppm. levels in drinking water quality may be cause serious health problems and also cause cancer. In this study we make an attempt to know the concentration of three heavy metals in ground water and surface water in different locations of (Arang Block). For this study 36 water samples were collected in pre-monsoon May-Jun 2013. These samples were subjected to analysis for three elements like Pb, Cr and Ca by using UV-VIS-NIR. Spectrophotometer is most advanced technique for determination of trace metal concentration. The concentration of these metals was compared with drinking water quality limits given by the World Health Organization (WHO) 4 th edition in 2011. Key words—Water quality - Trace metals - spectrophotometer - Arang - WHO ——————————  ——————————
Seismic Hazard in the Intermountain West

The 2014 national seismic-hazard model for the conterminous United States incorporates new scientific results and important model adjustments. The current model includes updates to the historical catalog, which is spatially smoothed using both fixed-length and adaptive-length smoothing kernels. Fault-source characterization improved by adding faults, revising rates of activity, and incorporating new results from combined inversions of geologic and geodetic data. The update also includes a new suite of published ground motion models. Changes in probabilistic ground motion are generally less than 10% in most of the Intermountain West compared to the prior assessment, and ground-motion hazard in four Intermountain West cities illustrates the range and magnitude of change in the region. Seismic hazard at reference sites in Boise and Reno increased as much as 10%, whereas hazard in Salt Lake City decreased 5–6%. The largest change was in Las Vegas, where hazard increased 32–35%.
Geochemistry of exposed granulite facies terrains and lower crustal xenoliths in Mexico

The trace element compositions of 13 samples from exposed granulite facies terrains and 17 granulitic lower crustal xenoliths were determined using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer to constrain the composition and evolution of the Mexican lower crust. Most xenoliths found are pyroxeneplagioclase orthogneisses, although quartzo-feldspathic paragneisses form up to 50% of the xenolith population in some areas. Lithologies in the exposed terrains consist of pelitic and carbonate-rich paragneisses, charnockites, and less abundant basic, intermediate, and felsic orthogneisses. Both xenoliths and exposed granulites generally have low abundances of incompatible elements such as K, Rb, Th, and U. The xenoliths, however, often have lower abundances of these elements than the exposed granulites. High K/Rb ratios, coupled with an inverse correlation between K2O and K/Rb, indicate that most samples from the Mexican lower crust are depleted in both K and Rb. Furthermore, Th/U ratios similar to upper crustal materials and high La/Th ratios suggest depletion in both Th and U relative to average crustal material. Removal of a melt phase, either after the crystallization of cumulates or following a partial melting event, can explain many of the chemical features observed and may be responsible for the elemental depletions. Some samples, however, appear to have been unaffected during their residence in the lower crust and chemically resemble their presumed protoliths. Available geobarometric data suggest that xenoliths equilibrated near the crust/mantle boundary (∼10 kbar) and represent the lowermost crust, while the exposed granulites equilibrated at shallower crustal levels (∼7 kbar). Thus the differences observed between the xenoliths and exposed granulites indicate that there may be chemical and lithologic zonation in the Mexican lower crust. The lowermost crust in Mexico consists of crystallized basaltic liquids, cumulates, and/or residue after the removal of a partial melt as well as garnet-rich metasediments.
Aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinoma – a rare malignant tumor of the sweat glands: two case reports and a review of the literature

Aggressive digital papillary adenocarcinomas are rare malignant tumors often located on the digits of the hand. Due to lack of pain, slow growth, and an inconspicuous appearance, diagnosis is often missed or delayed. We report two cases and review the present literature to give recommendations for diagnosis and treatment.
THE EFFECT OF DISTURBANCEON HARBOR SEAL HAUL OUT PATTERNS AT BOLINAS LAGOON, CALIFORNIA 1

We studied harbor seals at Bolinas Lagoon, California, from May 1978 to June 1979. Field observation and two time lapse motion picture cameras were used to monitor the numbers of seals and of distur­ bances, and to provide information on tidal height. Peak numbers occurred during the summer. During nonbreeding seasons, high numbers occurred at low tides, and during the breeding season they occurred in early afternoon except when haul out areas were flooded. Seals were disturbed by humans on 71% ofdays monitored; people in canoes were the primary source ofdisturbance. Human activities closer than 100 m caused seals to leave haul out sites more than activities at greater distances.
Tectonostratigraphy of the northern Monviso Meta-ophiolite Complex (Western Alps)

The Monviso Meta-Ophiolite Complex is a remnant of the Piedmont-Ligurian oceanic lithosphere stacked in the Western Alps, andconsisting of dismembered HP meta-ophiolite sequences. In thiswork, focused on the northern sector of the Complex, we differen -tiate six tectonic units which structural, petrographic and stratigraphiccharacteristics are described in detail and discussed in thelight of a comparison with the overall geology of the MonvisoMeta-Ophiolite Complex. The structural evolution has been referredto i) an early syn-eclogitic deformation phase (D1), ii) a main deformationphase (D2) occurred in the blueschist- to greenschist-faciestransition and characterized by the development of a regional foliation(S2) that is parallel to the tectonic contacts and to the axialplane of map-scale W-verging folds, and iii) a late-metamorphicdeformation phase (D3) characterized by westward extensionaltectonic. The northern Monviso Meta-Ophiolite Complex is characterizedby a poor preservation of HP paragenesis and a widespreadoverprint of the blueschist- to greenschist-facies metamorphism,but the occurrence of garnet-, omphacite-, talc- and lawsoniteassemblagein a Fe-Ti metagabbro indicates P-T eclogitic conditions(2.5-2.7 GPa for 550-570 �C) very similar to those calculated in thesouthern sector of the Complex. The stratigraphic characteristics ofthe meta-ophiolite sequences point out that, differently from thesouthern sector of the Complex where basalt-poor and basalt-richoceanic units have been distinguished, in the northern MonvisoMeta-Ophiolite Complex the different types of metasedimentsmay be the key to restore the oceanic tectonostratigraphy, markedby gabbro and mantle peridotite exposition on a puzzle-like oceanfloor where basalt effusion and different sedimentation processestook place.
A fossil giant tortoise from the Mehrten Formation of Northern California - eScholarship

Hesperotestudo is a genus of giant tortoise that existed from the Oligocene to the Pleistocene of North and Central America. Recorded occurrences in the United States are plentiful; however, California seems to be an exception. Literature on Hesperotestudo in California is limited to faunal lists in papers, with few detailed descriptions. Here we review the literature on the genus, describe and identify specimens found in the upper Mehrten Formation (late Miocene-early Pliocene) exposed in the Central Valley of California at Turlock and Modesto Reservoirs, Stanislaus County, and address their implications for early Pliocene California biogeography and climate. All fossils described are from the collections of the University of California Museum of Paleontology (UCMP). The largest specimen from the Mehrten is a peripheral from an animal with an estimated carapace length over one meter. The specimens were compared first to modern material of Gopherus, the only other tortoise genus from the late Miocene-early Pliocene of California, and then to measurements from the literature of the three species of Hesperotestudo to which it could most likely be referred: H. osborniana, H. orthopygia, and H. campester. Based on characteristics and measurements of the carapace and plastron, these specimens are assigned to H. orthopygia. Hesperotestudo orthopygia is a species known primarily from the Great Plains region, so its presence in California during the late Miocene-early Pliocene indicates that it expanded west into California at this time. Large tortoises are not very tolerant of frost conditions, possibly indicating a relatively frost free climate for this area at the time. This agrees with previous estimates of annual temperature records based on plant fossils from the upper Mehrten Formation, in particular the presence of Persea, an avocado relative, which is also frost sensitive.
Timing of bunch pruning enhances bunch and fruit qualities of 'PITA 24' plantain (Musa AAB) hybrid

*Corresponding author: paul.baiyeri@unn.edu. ng or paulkayodebaiyeri@yahoo.com Original submitted on 3rd February 2010. Published online at www.biosciences. elewa.org on September 10, 2010 ABSTRACT Objective: Reports on the effects of sink-source modifications on banana fruit growth differ between studies; and may be related to differences in fruit age at the time of bunch pruning. This study investigated the post-anthesis period at which bunch pruning would be most effective in enhancing post harvest qualities of ‘PITA 24’ plantain hybrid. Methodology and results: Bunch pruning (i.e., removal of two distal hands and the male bud) was applied at full anthesis (at opening of last female hand) and at weekly intervals of 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks thereafter. These were compared to a non-prune control in a randomized complete block design. Data were collected at harvest on bunch weight, hand and fruit count, bulking duration, bunch-fill index (BFI) and number of properly-filled fruits (PFF) per bunch. Others were harvest index (HI), fruit weight, length and girth, pulp dry matter content and fruit edible proportion. Bunch and fruit quality traits generally improved with bunch pruning until 3 weeks after the full anthesis, but best fruit traits were obtained when pruning was applied immediately after the opening of the last female hand. There was a drop in BFI, PFF, HI, fruit yield and individual fruit size when bunch pruning was delayed for 4 weeks after full bunch anthesis. Conclusion and application of findings: Our results confirmed that bunch and fruit qualities of plantains could be improved through a judicious and timely application of bunch pruning. Bunch pruning management should not be delayed beyond 3 weeks after the opening of the last female hand for optimum result.
Identiﬁcation and characterization of transcription factor IIIA and ribosomal protein L5 from Arabidopsis thaliana

Thus far, no transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA) from higher plants has been cloned and characterized. We have cloned and characterized TFIIIA and ribosomal protein L5 from Arabidopsis thaliana . Primary sequence comparison revealed a high divergence of At TFIIIA and a relatively high conservation of At L5 when compared with other organisms. The At TFIIIA cDNA encodes a protein with nine Cys 2 -His 2 -type zinc ﬁngers, a 23 amino acid spacer between ﬁngers 1 and 2, a 66 amino acid spacer between ﬁngers 4 and 5, and a 50 amino acid non-ﬁnger C-terminal tail. Aside from the amino acids required for proper zinc ﬁnger folding, At TFIIIA is highly divergent from other known TFIIIAs. At TFIIIA can bind 5S rDNA, as well as 5S rRNA, and efﬁciently stimulates the transcription of an Arabidopsis 5S rRNA gene in vitro . At L5 identity was conﬁrmed by demonstrating that this protein binds to 5S rRNA but not to 5S rDNA. Protoplast transient expression assays with green ﬂuorescent protein fusion proteins revealed that At TFIIIA is absent from the cytoplasm and concentrated at several nuclear foci including the nucleolus. At L5 protein accumulates in the nucleus, especially in the nucleolus, and is also present in the cytoplasm.
Mapping the aerodynamic roughness of the Greenland ice sheet surface using ICESat-2

<p>The roughness of a natural surface is an important parameter in atmospheric models, as it determines the intensity of turbulent transfer between the atmosphere and the surface. Unfortunately, this parameter is often poorly known, especially in remote areas where neither high-resolution elevation models nor eddy-covariance measurements are available. </p><p>In this study, we take advantage of the measurements of the ICESat-2 satellite laser altimeter. We use the geolocated photons product (ATL03) to retrieve a 1-m resolution surface elevation product over the K-transect (West Greenland ice sheet). In combination with a bulk drag partitioning model, the retrieved surface elevation is used to estimate the aerodynamic roughness length (z<sub>0m</sub>) of the surface. </p><p>We demonstrate the high precision of the retrieved ICESat-2 elevation using co-located UAV photogrammetry, and then evaluate the modelled aerodynamic roughness against multiple in situ eddy-covariance observations. The results point out the importance to use a bulk drag model over a more empirical formulation. </p><p>The currently available ATL03 geolocated photons are used to map the aerodynamic roughness along the K-transect (2018-2020). We find a considerable spatiotemporal variability in z<sub>0m</sub>, ranging between 10<sup>&#8722;4</sup> m for a smooth snow surface to more than 10<sup>&#8722;1</sup> m for rough crevassed areas, which confirms the need to incorporate a variable aerodynamic roughness in atmospheric models over ice sheets. </p>
A sail-backed suchian from the Heshanggou Formation (Early Triassic: Olenekian) of China

ABSTRACT The two major lineages of extant archosaurs, crocodylians and avians, diverged in the Triassic, but the details and timing of this event are incompletely understood. Fragmentary and phylogenetically uninformative specimens, in addition to poor temporal constraints on rock units from the Early and Middle Triassic, typify obstacles in identifying early archosaurs. This paper re-describes the partial skeleton of the only known specimen of Xilousuchus sapingensis Wu, 1981 from the Early Triassic Heshanggou Formation in north-central China. Originally assigned to the non-archosaurian archosauriform clade Proterosuchidae, an extensive phylogenetic analysis posits X. sapingensis as a crown-group archosaur within Suchia, thus making this taxon the unequivocally oldest known member of Archosauria. The age and phylogenetic position of X. sapingensis indicate that many archosaurs, including all major clades of non-archosaurian archosauriforms, the avianline, ornithosuchids, aetosaurs and paracrocodylomorph lineages, must have diverged by the end of the Early Triassic. X. sapingensis is part of a possible clade of sail-backed poposauroids that were common components of archosaur assemblages during the Early to Middle Triassic.
Integrated crop management of hot pepper (Capsicum spp.) under tropical lowland conditions: Effects of mulch on crop performance and production

SummaryThe effects of mulches were investigated within integrated crop management (ICM) of hot pepper in tropical lowland sites. Mulch materials consisted of rice straw and white or silvery plastic foils. Mulches affected soil temperature, light reflection, and soil nutrient concentrations after the last harvest. Rice straw mulch reduced soil temperature, induced faster plant growth, advanced mid-fruiting time, and resulted in higher potassium contents in leaves, but had no effect on crop producton. Plastic mulches increased soil temperature, induced faster plant growth and earlier fruiting, reduced phosphorus concentration in leaves and fruits, and increased nitrogen concentration in leaves and fruits. Yield and mean fruit weight of healthy fruits were increased and earliness of harvesting was enhanced. Improved crop performance and production with increase of fertilizer efficiency, control of evaporation, leaching and soil erosion makes plastic mulches suitable for use in ICM. To minimize the negative s.
The Lebanese–Syrian crisis: impact of influx of Syrian refugees to an already weak state

Background Lebanon, a small Middle Eastern country facing constant political and national unity challenges with a population of approximately 300,000 Palestinian and Iraqi refugees, has welcomed more than 1.2 million Office of the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)-registered Syrian refugees since 2012. The Government of Lebanon considers individuals who crossed Lebanese–Syrian borders since 2011 as “displaced”, emphasizing its long-standing position that Lebanon is not a state for refugees, refusing to establish camps, and adopting a policy paper to reduce their numbers in October 2014. Humanitarian response to the Syrian influx to Lebanon has been constantly assembling with the UNHCR as the main acting body and the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan as the latest plan for 2016. Methods Review of secondary data from gray literature and reports focusing on the influx of Syrian refugees to Lebanon by visiting databases covering humanitarian response in complex emergencies. Limitations include obtaining majority of the data from gray literature and changing statistics due to the instability of the situation. Results The influx of Syrian refugees to Lebanon, an already weak and vulnerable state, has negatively impacted life in Lebanon on different levels including increasing demographics, regressing economy, exhausting social services, complicating politics, and decreasing security as well as worsened the life of displaced Syrians themselves. Conclusion Displaced Syrians and Lebanese people share aggravating hardships of a mutual and precarious crisis resulting from the Syrian influx to Lebanon. Although a lot of response has been initiated, both populations still lack much of their basic needs due to lack of funding and nonsustainable program initiatives. The two major recommendations for future interventions are to ensure continuous and effective monitoring and sustainability in order to alleviate current and future suffering in Lebanon.
Population seroprevalence of human papillomavirus types 6, 11, 16, and 18 in men, women, and children in Australia.

BACKGROUND Representative population-based data on human papillomavirus (HPV) epidemiology are important for public health decision making but are difficult to obtain. Seroepidemiology is a valuable tool, although the relationship between HPV infection and seropositivity is incomplete. METHODS We obtained a large representative sample using residual diagnostic test serum samples obtained from individuals aged 0-69 years (1247 samples from male patients and 1523 samples from female patients) in Australia. Serum antibody levels to HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18 were measured using an immunoassay. RESULTS Overall, seroprevalence of HPV types 6 and 16 was higher than seroprevalence of HPV types 11 and 18. Among female patients, peak HPV seropositivity occurred among those who were 30-39 years of age for types 6, 16, and 18 (22%, 22%, and 10.5%, respectively) and among those who were 40-49 years of age for HPV 11 (11.8%). Among male subjects, peak HPV seropositivity occurred among those who were 40-49 years of age for types 6 and 11 (15.4% and 9.1%, respectively) and among those who were 50-59 years of age for types 16 and 18 (14.3% and 8.2%, respectively). No cases of HPV seropositivity were detected in individuals <10 years of age. CONCLUSIONS Australian seroepidemiological data, showing differing age-specific patterns of HPV seropositivity in male and female patients, are likely to be generalizable to other developed countries and add to other data supporting completion of HPV vaccination before adolescence.
Combining sketch and tone for pencil drawing production

We propose a new system to produce pencil drawing from natural images. The results contain various natural strokes and patterns, and are structurally representative. They are accomplished by novelly combining the tone and stroke structures, which complement each other in generating visually constrained results. Prior knowledge on pencil drawing is also incorporated, making the two basic functions robust against noise, strong texture, and significant illumination variation. In light of edge, shadow, and shading information conveyance, our pencil drawing system establishes a style that artists use to understand visual data and draw them. Meanwhile, it lets the results contain rich and well-ordered lines to vividly express the original scene.