Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aerial sequence image mosaic using reduced sift descriptors

Sequence image mosaic is an important and effective method to build a large "panoramic" scene which includes two main steps: image registration and intensity blending. In this paper, SIFT feature points are used to match images. SIFT are invariant to rotation, translation and scale changes, but the significant drawback is the high dimensional feature descriptor which lead to the expensive computation. So reduced SIFT descriptors are proposed to increase the speed of image registration. Linear combination methods of the matching points' gray-values are used for intensity blending. The experiments show that our method is useful and has high registration accuracy.
Effects of humanization and gene shuffling on immunogenicity and antigen binding of anti‐tag‐72 single‐chain Fvs

One major constraint in the clinical application of murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) is the development of a human antimurine antibody response. The immunogenicity of MAbs can be minimized by replacing nonhuman regions with corresponding human sequences. The studies reported in our article were undertaken to analyze the immunoreactivity and the immunogenicity of the CC49 single‐chain antibody fragments (scFvs): (i) an scFv construct comprised of mouse CC49 VL and VH (m/m scFv), (ii) a light chain shuffled scFv with human VL (Hum4 VL) and mouse CC49 VH (h/m scFv), and (iii) a humanized scFv assembled from Hum4 VL and CC49 VH complementary determining regions (CDRs) grafted onto a VH framework of MAb 21/28′ CL (h/CDR scFv). The CC49 scFvs competed for an antigen binding site with CC49 IgG in a similar fashion in a competition radioimmunoassay and were able to inhibit the binding of CC49 IgG to the antigen completely. The immunogenicity of CC49 scFvs was tested using sera with antiidiotypic antibodies to MAb CC49 obtained from patients treated by CC49 IgG in clinical trials. All tested sera exhibited the highest reactivity to the m/m scFv. However, the sera demonstrated differential reactivities to h/CDR scFv and h/m scFv. Replacement of the mouse chain in h/m scFv and h/CDR scFv decreased or completely averted serum reactivity. Our studies compared for the first time the antigen binding and immunogenicity of different scFv constructs containing the mouse, CDR grafted or human variable chains. These results indicate that the humanized CC49 scFv is potentially an important agent for imaging and therapeutic applications with TAG‐72‐positive tumors. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Opaque Petrology and the Stability of Natural Remanent Magnetism in Basaltic Rocks

Summary The relationships between opaque petrological properties and stability of natural remanent magnetism have been examined using data from 514 basaltic specimens of tertiary-quaternary and Carboniferous-Devonian ages. Titanomagnetite deuteric (high temperature) oxidation state is found to be the dominant factor in controlling stability in both age groups. Titanomagnetite granulation—a low temperature alteration which we believe long postdates eruption—seems to influence stability only when unusually highly developed. Titanomagnetite overall grain size, as defined here, has little if any influence on stability over the size range in which the majority of specimens are found, even when only specimens in which titanomagnetite deuteric oxidation is absent are considered. Tests of the identity of natural remanence with original thermoremanence are discussed and it is concluded that this identity can often be demonstrated for Tertiary basaltic units and at least sometimes for older material.
A GCM assessment of atmospheric seasonal predictability associated with soil moisture anomalies over North America

The impact of soil moisture anomalies on the seasonal mean atmospheric predictability over North America is investigated on the basis of a 100-year simulation by an atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM). It is shown that soil moisture anomalies have the smallest persistence during the late spring and summer months, yet the associated near-surface atmospheric climate anomalies are the largest. The causes for this seasonality are traced to the seasonal variation of the surface evaporation and the modulating control of the atmospheric dynamic variability. It is also shown that the dominant spatial modes of interannual soil moisture variability in late spring can have different degrees of interaction with the surface climate. To what extent do initial soil moisture anomalies and their subsequent evolution impact the atmospheric variability? This question is of relevance if the soil moisture anomalies are to be observed and are used as one of the initial conditions in seasonal climate forecast. To investigate this, we carried out additional AGCM experiments for which soil moisture anomalies are initialized as the extreme states from the control simulation. It is found that the relationship between the soil moisture and the near-surface atmospheric anomalies in these additional experiments is similar to those obtained in the control simulation. This leads us to the conclusions that (1) there is a certain potential for seasonal predictability of the atmospheric surface climate anomalies duc to interannual variations in the soil moisture, and (2) the effect of the soil moisture anomalies, however, is mostly confined to the near-surface climate variability with little impact on the dynamic variability in the atmosphere, for example, in the upper troposphere. We conclude that atmospheric potential predictability associated with soil moisture anomalies is modest and confined to summer months. Any realization of this predictability depends on correctly observing and initializing large-scale soil moisture anomalies. These conclusions are based on a particular AGCM and its land surface parameterization scheme. More thorough investigations with more sophisticated land surface schemes are certainly warranted.
Identification of Hookworm DAF-16/FOXO Response Elements and Direct Gene Targets

Background The infective stage of the parasitic nematode hookworm is developmentally arrested in the environment and needs to infect a specific host to complete its life cycle. The canine hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum) is an excellent model for investigating human hookworm infections. The transcription factor of A. caninum, Ac-DAF-16, which has a characteristic fork head or “winged helix” DNA binding domain (DBD), has been implicated in the resumption of hookworm development in the host. However, the precise roles of Ac-DAF-16 in hookworm parasitism and its downstream targets are unknown. In the present study, we combined molecular techniques and bioinformatics to identify a group of Ac-DAF-16 binding sites and target genes. Methodology/Principal Findings The DNA binding domain of Ac-DAF-16 was used to select genomic fragments by in vitro genomic selection. Twenty four bound genomic fragments were analyzed for the presence of the DAF-16 family binding element (DBE) and possible alternative Ac-DAF-16 bind motifs. The 22 genes linked to these genomic fragments were identified using bioinformatics tools and defined as candidate direct gene targets of Ac-DAF-16. Their developmental stage-specific expression patterns were examined. Also, a new putative DAF-16 binding element was identified. Conclusions/Significance Our results show that Ac-DAF-16 is involved in diverse biological processes throughout hookworm development. Further investigation of these target genes will provide insights into the molecular basis by which Ac-DAF-16 regulates its downstream gene network in hookworm infection.
Ultra-fast aliasing analysis using CLA: a million lines of C code in a second

We describe the design and implementation of a system for very fast points-to analysis. On code bases of about million lines of unpreprocessed C code, our system performs field-based Andersen-style points-to analysis in less than a second and uses less than 10MB of memory. Our two main contributions are a database-centric analysis architecture called compile-link-analyze (CLA), and a new algorithm for implementing dynamic transitive closure. Our points-to analysis system is built into a forward data-dependence analysis tool that is deployed within Lucent to help with consistent type modifications to large legacy C code bases.
Causality-Based Model for User Profile Construction from Behavior Sequences

This paper presents a novel model for user profile construction using causal relationships. Causal relationships are extracted from behavior sequences to build user profiles. Our model first discovers significant patterns by adapting a new sequence clustering algorithm, and then discovers pattern associations using normalized mutual information (NMI). Causal relationships between significant patterns are then extracted using the transfer entropy approach. These relationships are used to construct causal graphs of activities, to generate the user profile. In extensive experiments on a variety of datasets, we empirically demonstrate that these causality-based profiles yield a significant increase in performance on activity prediction.
Inferring Phylogeny and Introgression using RADseq Data: An Example from Flowering Plants (Pedicularis: Orobanchaceae)

Phylogenetic relationships among recently diverged species are often difficult to resolve due to insufficient phylogenetic signal in available markers and/or conflict among gene trees. Here we explore the use of reduced-representation genome sequencing, specifically in the form of restriction-site associated DNA (RAD), for phylogenetic inference and the detection of ancestral hybridization in non-model organisms. As a case study, we investigate Pedicularis section Cyathophora, a systematically recalcitrant clade of flowering plants in the broomrape family (Orobanchaceae). Two methods of phylogenetic inference, maximum likelihood and Bayesian concordance, were applied to data sets that included as many as 40,000 RAD loci. Both methods yielded similar topologies that included two major clades: a “rex-thamnophila” clade, composed of two species and several subspecies with relatively low floral diversity, and geographically widespread distributions at lower elevations, and a “superba” clade, composed of three species characterized by relatively high floral diversity and isolated geographic distributions at higher elevations. Levels of molecular divergence between subspecies in the rex-thamnophila clade are similar to those between species in the superba clade. Using Patterson’s D-statistic test, including a novel extension of the method that enables finer-grained resolution of introgression among multiple candidate taxa by removing the effect of their shared ancestry, we detect significant introgression among nearly all taxa in the rex-thamnophila clade, but not between clades or among taxa within the superba clade. These results suggest an important role for geographic isolation in the emergence of species barriers, by facilitating local adaptation and differentiation in the absence of homogenizing gene flow. [Concordance factors; genotyping-by-sequencing; hybridization; partitioned D-statistic test; Pedicularis; restriction-site associated DNA. ]
- 1-Business Process Diagrams : An UML Extension

Although UML offers models that can be used to describe business processes, many practitioners nevertheless prefer to employ languages that are specifically designed for this purpose. These business process languages typically provide only a weak integration with software modeling languages such as UML. To enhance the support of software development we therefore suggest to extend UML’s activity diagrams with a business process semantics which leads us to Business Process Diagrams (BPDs). We show how to derive BPDs from the well-known business process language of Event-driven Process Chains (EPCs). We use Petri nets as a common formal process meta model for both.
Gravity anomalies from retracked ERS and Geosat altimetry over the Great Lakes: Accuracy assessment and problems

Lake waters are a useful area for investigating the response of the Earth's gravity field to topographical density variations, since lake beds represent large density contrasts between water and rock. However, our ability to investigate relations between lake bathymetry and gravity field effects is limited because of relatively sparse gravity data coverage over most lake surfaces, and the inability of satellite-derived gravity fields to capture the high frequency response to density effects. Satellite altimetry may provide an alternate method to determine a dense gravity field at surfaces of large inland lakes. We calculate satellite altimetry derived free-air (FA) anomalies over the Great Lakes in Canada, and evaluate them in terms of resolution and accuracy. The anomalies are compared to those calculated from the GRACE-derived EIGEN-GL04C gravity field to test for bias, and from shipborne or airborne results (where available) to test the accuracy of their determination of the high frequency component of the gravity field. Our results show that accuracies may reach less than 10 mgal, both in terms of bias and higher frequency effects, but are often tens of milligals. Furthermore, we find that altimetry does provide a higher resolution gravity field than satellite-derived gravity fields, and so if the accuracy can be improved in later efforts, it will be a useful tool for investigations of topographical density effects of lake waters.
Analysis of Mean Access Delay in Variable-Window CSMA

The paper addresses the problem of the mean access delay characteristics in term of the channel load for networked sensor/control systems in LonWorks/EIA-709 technology. The system modelling is focused on the Media Access Control protocol that provides the load prediction and determines the key network characteristics. The network model assumes the consistency of load prediction between the nodes, and that the Transaction Control Sublayer does not introduce limitations on the data transmission. The latter means that the numbers of concurrent outgoing transactions being in progress are unlimited. Furthermore, it is assumed that the destination addresses of transmitted messages are distributed rather than concentrated on particular nodes. The analytical approach based on Markov chains is applied. The calculation of transition probabilities of the Markov chain is exemplified by the load scenario where all the transactions are acknowledged, unicast, and the optional collision detection is enabled. On the basis of the stochastic analysis, the probabilities of a successful transmission and collision, respectively, are computed. Furthermore, the numerical results of the mean access delay are reported. The simulative validation of analytical results is provided.
Stellilabium erratum, a comedy of blunders

Se describe Stellilabium erratum , una especie de Tapanti y el valle del Rio Pejibaye, de planta y flores relativamente grandes para el genero. La columna y el labelo son trilobados y los lobulos laterales de la columna llevan setas conspicuas.
Long-Term Dependence of Annual Peak Flows of Canadian Rivers: Two Decades Later

Both short- and long-term dependence of the peak flow series of 90 Canadian rivers were analyzed two decades ago. It showed that although short-term dependence was practically absent for most of the flow series, significant long-term dependence was present for a large number of rivers tested. With 20 or more years of additional data available today, the authors analyzed 57 rivers (only 57/90 were suitable for analysis) for: a) short-term dependence using several parametric and non-parametric tests; b) long-term dependence using a resampling-based Hurst’s K; and c) trend using Mann-Kendall’s test. Results showed that as expected, short-term dependence is practically absent in all rivers before or after the additional data. However, the percentage of rivers showing long-term dependence remains high. The trend test showed that most of the rivers showed no trends before or after the additional records were added. However, several rivers showed a downward trend, and a few showed an upward trend before and after the additional records were added. This study showed that sample statistics and the associated statistical significance tests can change unpredictably over time. Hence engineering decisions made in the past need to be re-visited and cannot assumed to remain unchanged especially when dealing with natural phenomenon such as annual peak flows.
Factors associated with surface-level caries incidence in children aged 9 to 13: the Iowa Fluoride Study.

OBJECTIVE As dental caries can progress throughout a person's lifetime, understanding caries risk factors unique to specific life phases is important. This study aims to assess caries incidence and risk factors for young adolescents. METHODS Participants in the longitudinal Iowa Fluoride Study were assessed for dental caries at approximately age 9 and again at age 13. These participants also filled out questionnaires concerning water sources, oral health habits, beverage intakes, parent education and family income. Caries progression (D2+ F) was analyzed at the surface level. Mixed effects logistic regression was used to assess associations between surface-specific first molar occlusal caries incidence and risk factors. RESULTS Caries incidence was quite low except on the first molar occlusal surfaces. In initial models of specific risk factors, incidence was positively associated with the surface having a D1 lesion at baseline, low family income, having untreated decay or fillings on other teeth at baseline, lower home water fluoride level, and higher soda pop consumption. In the final multiple variable model, significant interactions were found between tooth brushing frequency and initial D1 status, and also between family income and home tap water fluoride level. CONCLUSIONS D2+ F incidence on first molar occlusal surfaces in these young adolescents was associated with prior caries experience on other teeth as well as prior evidence of a D1 lesion on the occlusal surface. More frequent tooth brushing was protective of sound surfaces, and fluoride in home tap water was also protective, but significantly more so for adolescents in low-income families.
Rhönite paragenesis in pyroxenite xenoliths, Mount Sidley volcano, Marie Byrd Land, West Antarctica

Abstract Rhönite occurs in lower crustal pyroxenite xenoliths erupted in phonolite from the Mount Sidley composite volcano, Marie Byrd Land, Antarctica, as a localized breakdown product, with plagioclase, clinopyroxene, ± olivine ± Ti-magnetite + melt, of kaersutite, and as microphenocrysts (with olivine, plagioclase, clinopyroxene) in pockets of basanitic melt. Rhönite after kaersutite has a more NaSi-rich/ CaAl-poor composition, lower Ti, and formed at higher oxidation (~NNO) conditions than rhönite occurring as microphenocrysts in basanite. Comparison with experimentally determined rhönite stability in understaturated alkali basalt and as a reaction product after Ti-amphibole indicates that the Mount Sidley rhönite (and associated minerals) formed between 1090 and 1190ºC at <0.5 kbar, presumably during temporary residence of the xenoliths in a shallow magma chamber below the volcanic edifice.
Secure File Allocation and Caching in Large-scale Distributed Systems

In this paper, we present a file allocation and caching scheme that guarantees high assurance, availability, and load balancing in a large-scale distributed file system that can support dynamic updates of authorization policies. The scheme uses fragmentation and replication to store files with high security requirements in a system composed of a majority of low-security servers. We develop mechanisms to fragment files, to allocate them into multiple servers, and to cache them as close as possible to their readers while preserving the security requirement of the files, providing load-balancing, and reducing delay of read operations. The system offers a trade-off between performance and security that is dynamically tunable according to the current level of threat. We validate our mechanisms with extensive simulations in an Internet-like network.
Deep Brain Stimulation for Intractable Chronic Cluster Headache: Proposals for Patient Selection

Cluster headache is the most severe of the primary headaches. Positron emission tomography and functional MRI studies have shown that the ipsilateral posterior hypothalamus is activated during cluster headache attacks and is structurally asymmetric in these patients. These changes are highly specific for the condition and suggest that the cluster headache generator may be located in that brain area; they further suggest that electrical stimulation of that region might produce clinical improvement in chronic cluster headache sufferers refractory to medical therapy. In five patients with severe intractable chronic cluster headache, hypothalamic electrical stimulation produced complete and long-term pain relief with no relevant side-effects. We therefore consider it essential to propose criteria for selecting chronic cluster headache patients for hypothalamic deep brain stimulation before this procedure is undertaken at other academic medical centres.
Positioning Food Cultures: ‘Alternative’ Food as Distinctive Consumer Practice

Many sociological studies to date have explored the role of food in marking distinctions between groups. Less well understood is how ‘alternative’ means of food consumption become figured in such relations. Drawing on accounts of food practice derived from 20 in-depth interviews and a two-year period of participant observation, this article considers the role of class culture in the practice of alternative food consumption. As participants speak their position, expressions of class arise through discussions of food practice. Having explored how food plays a part in marking boundaries of distinction between foods ‘for us’ and ‘for them’, we are reminded that in reproducing certain ideas about proper eating, we confine our imagining of alternative food futures to a limited politics of the possible. The article highlights implications for future development of equitable alternatives to conventional foodways.
Development and Display of Multiple-Objective Project Impacts

This research develops and illustrates composite trade-off functions that can be used to display the relationship between the economic efficiency and environmental quality impacts of investment in a water resource project. The composite trade-off model is applied to analysis of some aspects of environmental quality and economic efficiency in a Soil Conservation Service small watershed project. This application demonstrates the feasibility of using this technique and describes some environmental enhancement occurring through land treatment programs.