Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ICESat vegetation product evaluation with airborne lidar data in China

Spaceborne large footprint lidar (ICESat GLAS) has acquired over 250 million lidar observations over forest regions globally, an unprecedented dataset of vegetation heights. The ICESat Vegetation Product (IVP) was developed aimed at a global forest height dataset. Because of its high vertical resolution, large spatial extent and 70 m footprint characteristics, it is difficult to validate this product with other available remote sensing product or field measurements. To evaluation the IVP product in China, airborne waveform data was collected along several ICESat GLAS obits in the Southwest and West of China. The preliminary results show that the R2 is 0.41 and RMSE is 2.69 m between the vegetation height from airborne data and ICESat Vegetation Product at forest stand level in most cases. For those cases where the GLAS shots and airborne datasets gave very difference results, the airborne lidar data were synthesis to GLAS waveform and compared with the GLAS waveform. Those waveforms from fluctuated terrain also have several peaks and large waveform extent, which cased error in forest height estimation.
Efficacy of a Computerized Intervention on HIV and Intimate Partner Violence Among Substance-Using Women in Community Corrections: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES To test the efficacy of a computerized, group-based HIV and intimate partner violence (IPV) intervention on reducing IPV victimization among substance-using women mandated to community corrections. METHODS Between November 2009 and January 2012, we randomly allocated 306 women from community corrections in New York City to 3 study arms of a computerized HIV and IPV prevention trial: (1) 4 group sessions intervention with computerized self-paced IPV prevention modules (Computerized Women on the Road to Health [WORTH]), (2) traditional HIV and IPV prevention intervention group covering the same HIV and IPV content as Computerized WORTH without computers (Traditional WORTH), and (3) a Wellness Promotion control group. Primary outcomes were physical, injurious, and sexual IPV victimization in the previous 6 months at 12-month follow-up. RESULTS Computerized WORTH participants reported significantly lower risk of physical IPV victimization, severe injurious IPV victimization, and severe sexual IPV victimization at 12-month follow-up when compared with control participants. No significant differences were seen between Traditional WORTH and control participants for any IPV outcomes. CONCLUSIONS The efficacy of Computerized WORTH across multiple IPV outcomes highlights the promise of integrating computerized, self-paced IPV prevention modules in HIV prevention groups.
Will open ocean oxygen stress intensify under climate change

Abstract Global warming is expected to reduce oxygen solubility and vertical exchange in theocean, changes which would be expected to result in an increase in the volume ofhypoxic waters. A simulation made with a full earth system model with dynamical 5 atmosphere, ocean, sea ice and biogeochemical cycling shows that this holds true ifthe condition for hypoxia is set relatively high. However, the volume of the most hypoxicwaters does not increase under global warming, as these waters actually become moreoxygenated. We show that the rise in oxygen is associated with a drop in ventilationtime. A term-by-term analysis within the least oxygenated waters shows an increased 10 supply of oxygen due to lateral diﬀusion. compensating an increase in remineralizationwithin these highly hypoxic waters. This lateral diﬀusive ﬂux is the result of an increaseof ventilation along the Chilean coast, as a drying of the region under global warmingopens up a region of wintertime convection in our model. 1 Introduction
A Cauchy-density-based rate controller for H.264/AVC in low-delay environments

The accuracy of the Cauchy probability density function for modeling of the discrete cosine transform coefficient distribution has already been proved for the frame layer of the rate control subsystem of a hybrid video coder. Nevertheless, in some specific applications operating in real-time low-delay environments, a basic unit layer is recommended in order to provide a good trade-off between quality and delay control. In this paper, a novel basic unit bit allocation for H.264/AVC is proposed based on a simplified Cauchy probability density function source modeling. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm improves the average peak signal-to-noise ratio in 0.28 and 0.35 dB with respect to two well-known rate control schemes, while maintaining similar peak signal-to-noise ratio standard deviation and buffer occupancy evolution.
Periodontal disease and dental caries from Krapina Neanderthal to contemporary man - skeletal studies.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was the quantification of alveolar bone resorption as well as the number and percentage of teeth with dental caries. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four samples of jaws and single teeth were studied from four time periods, i.e. from the Krapina Neanderthals (KN) who reportedly lived over 130,000 years ago, and groups of humans from the 1(st), 10(th) and 20(th) centuries. Resorption of the alveolar bone of the jaws was quantified by the tooth-cervical-height (TCH) index. Diagnosis of dental caries was made by inspection and with a dental probe. TCH-index was calculated for a total of 1097 teeth from 135 jaws. Decay was calculated for a total of 3579 teeth. RESULTS Resorptive changes of the alveolar bone in KN and 1(st) century man were more pronounced on the vestibular surface than interdentally (p<0.05), while no significant difference could be confirmed for 10(th) and 20(th) century man (p=0.1). The number (percentage) of decayed teeth was 0 (0%, n=281 teeth) in KN, 15 (1.7%; n=860 teeth) in 1(st) century, 24 (3.4%; n=697 teeth) in 10(th) century, and 207 (11.9%, n=1741 teeth) in 20(th) century. CONCLUSION On the basis of our results it may be postulated that in contemporary man in relation to KN, the accumulation of plaque pathogens in the interdental space is substantially greater than on the vestibular side. These findings have practical, educational and preventive value for oral hygiene improvement, especially of the interdental space, which should help decrease the prevalence of periodontal disease and dental caries, and improve oral as well as general health.
Early oral feeding after pancreatoduodenectomy enhances recovery without increasing morbidity.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a change in the routine feeding strategy applied after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) from nasojejunal tube (NJT) feeding to early oral feeding improved clinical outcomes. METHODS An observational cohort study was performed in 102 consecutive patients undergoing PD. In period 1 (n = 51, historical controls), the routine postoperative feeding strategy was NJT feeding. This was changed to a protocol of early oral feeding with on-demand NJT feeding in period 2 (n = 51, consecutive prospective cohort). The primary outcome was time to resumption of adequate oral intake. RESULTS The baseline characteristics of study subjects in both periods were comparable. In period 1, 98% (n = 50) of patients received NJT feeding, whereas in period 2, 53% (n = 27) of patients did so [for delayed gastric empting (DGE) (n = 20) or preoperative malnutrition (n = 7)]. The time to resumption of adequate oral intake significantly decreased from 12 days in period 1 to 9 days in period 2 (P = 0.015), and the length of hospital stay shortened from 18 days in period 1 to 13 days in period 2 (P = 0.015). Overall, there were no differences in the incidences of complications of Clavien-Dindo Grade III or higher, DGE, pancreatic fistula, postoperative haemorrhage and mortality between the two periods. CONCLUSIONS The introduction of an early oral feeding strategy after PD reduced the time to resumption of adequate oral intake and length of hospital stay without negatively impacting postoperative morbidity.
A Comparative Study of Common Uses of Selected Modelling Tools for Evaluating Rainwater Harvesting Strategies

In a similar way to as they are commonly used in industry, results from PURRS (v7.2), MUSIC (v3) and Spreadsheet modelling tools were compared for evaluating rainwater harvesting strategies. Input data to each model was selected as advised by user guidelines, including climate files, suggested water demands and time-steps. Models were run with climate data of unequal duration and time-step, which highlighted significant differences between modelled outcomes. Using climate data of equal duration still resulted in major differences. The reasons for these differences are explained as a function of the duration and time-step of climate data, the time-step and diurnal patterns of indoor/outdoor water demand and tank configuration. Results imply that the length and time-step of climate inputs, the distribution and time-step of daily water demand and rainwater tank configuration are significant factors in robustly evaluating mains water savings for a range of Australian climates.
A Secure Cluster-Based Multipath Routing Protocol for WMSNs

The new characteristics of Wireless Multimedia Sensor Network (WMSN) and its design issues brought by handling different traffic classes of multimedia content (video streams, audio, and still images) as well as scalar data over the network, make the proposed routing protocols for typical WSNs not directly applicable for WMSNs. Handling real-time multimedia data requires both energy efficiency and QoS assurance in order to ensure efficient utility of different capabilities of sensor resources and correct delivery of collected information. In this paper, we propose a Secure Cluster-based Multipath Routing protocol for WMSNs, SCMR, to satisfy the requirements of delivering different data types and support high data rate multimedia traffic. SCMR exploits the hierarchical structure of powerful cluster heads and the optimized multiple paths to support timeliness and reliable high data rate multimedia communication with minimum energy dissipation. Also, we present a light-weight distributed security mechanism of key management in order to secure the communication between sensor nodes and protect the network against different types of attacks. Performance evaluation from simulation results demonstrates a significant performance improvement comparing with existing protocols (which do not even provide any kind of security feature) in terms of average end-to-end delay, network throughput, packet delivery ratio, and energy consumption.
Global Optimization versus Deterministic Pruning for the Classification of Remotely Sensed Imagery

The effect of pruning neural network structures in remote sensing is investigated. Standard pruning methods, i.e., Optimal Brain Damage and Optimal Brain Surgeon, are compared with pruning based on a genetic algorithm. Direct coding is used to represent the links of the network for optimization with a canonical genetic algorithm using binary representation. The results show that the genetic algorithm is the only method able to discover a significantly better neural network structure. The main drawback of the genetic approach is the extensive training time required.
Sobre la identidad del fragmento craneal atribuido a Homo sp. en Venta Mlcena (Orce Granada)

Se analiza la morfologia de la cara interna del fragmento craneal de Venta Micena atribuido inicialmente al genero Homo. Se detecta la presencia de la sutura coronal a cuatro centimetros del punto lambda. Ello, conjuntamente a las fuertes impresiones digitales del endocraneo y la presencia de una cresta del proceso oseo tentorial hacen imposible la adscripcion de esta pieza al genero Homo. , atribuyendose a Equus stenonis.
Time-Constrained Temporal Logic Control of Multi-Affine Systems

Abstract We consider the problem of controlling a dynamical system such that its trajectories satisfy a temporal logic property in a given amount of time. We focus on multi-affine systems and specifications given as syntactically co-safe linear temporal logic formulas over rectangular regions in the state space. The proposed algorithm is based on the estimation of time bounds for facet reachability problems and solving a time optimal reachability problem on the product between a weighted transition system and an automaton that enforces the satisfaction of the specification. A random optimization algorithm is used to iteratively improve the solution.
Submillimeter observations of the J2142-4423 Lyα protocluster at z = 2.38

Aims. We present observations aimed at exploring both the nature of Lyα emitting nebulae ("Lyα blobs") at z=2.38 and the way they trace large scale structure (LSS), by exploring their proximity to "maximum starbursts" through submillimeter emission. Our most important objectives are to make a census of associated submillimeter galaxies (SMGs), check their properties, and look for a possible overdensity in the protocluster J2142-4426 at z=2.38. Methods: We used the newly commissioned Large APEX Bolometer Camera (LABoCa) on the Atacama Pathfinder EXperiment (APEX) telescope, in its Science Verification phase, to carry out a deep 10' × 10' map at 870 μm}, and we performed multiple checks of the quality of data processing and source extraction. Results: Our map, the first published deep image, confirms the capabilities of APEX/LABoCa as the most efficient current equipment for wide and deep submm mapping. Twenty-two sources were securely extracted with 870 μm flux densities in the range 3-21 mJy, rms noise ~0.8-2.4 mJy, and far-IR luminosities probably in the range ~5-20 x 10^(12) L_⊙. Only one of the four 50 kpc-extended Lyα blobs has a secure 870 μm counterpart. The 870 μm source counts in the whole area are marginally higher than in the SHADES SCUBA survey, with a possible over-density around this blob. The majority of the 3.6-24 μm SEDs of the submillimeter sources indicate they are starburst dominated, with redshifts mostly ≳2. However, there is evidence of a high-z AGN in ~30% of the sources.
Proper complex random processes with applications to information theory

The covariance of complex random variables and processes, when defined consistently with the corresponding notion for real random variables, is shown to be determined by the usual complex covariance together with a quantity called the pseudo-covariance. A characterization of uncorrelatedness and wide-sense stationarity in terms of covariance and pseudo-covariance is given. Complex random variables and processes with a vanishing pseudo-covariance are called proper. It is shown that properness is preserved under affine transformations and that the complex-multivariate Gaussian density assumes a natural form only for proper random variables. The maximum-entropy theorem is generalized to the complex-multivariate case. The differential entropy of a complex random vector with a fixed correlation matrix is shown to be maximum if and only if the random vector is proper, Gaussian, and zero-mean. The notion of circular stationarity is introduced. For the class of proper complex random processes, a discrete Fourier transform correspondence is derived relating circular stationarity in the time domain to uncorrelatedness in the frequency domain. An application of the theory is presented. >
Functional Development of Fat Absorption in Term and Preterm Neonates Strongly Correlates with Ability to Absorb Long-Chain Fatty Acids from Intestinal Lumen

Our goal for this study was to determine whether the maturation of fat absorption in neonatal life is functionally related to an increased ability to hydrolyze dietary fat, to absorb long-chain fatty acids, or to do both. In 16 preterm and in eight term neonates, the intestinal ability to hydrolyze triacylglycerols and the capacity to absorb long-chain fatty acids were determined at several times between birth and 5 mo after the term age. These processes were compared with the percentage of fat absorption (formula-fed infants) or with fecal fat excretion (breast-fed infants). The functional capacity to digest triacylglycerols and to absorb the lipolytic products was evaluated by measuring serum concentrations of the lipolytic product [1-13C]palmitate after the enteral administration of tri-1-13C palmitoyl-glycerol. Long-chain fatty acids absorption (i.e. independent of lipolysis) was determined by measuring serum concentrations of [1-13C]stearate after its enteral administration. The efficacy of fat absorption increased in preterm infants (formula-fed) from 91.2 ± 1.1% (mean ± SEM) at 32.3 wk postconceptional age (PCA) to 97.3 ± 0.6% at 53.6 wk PCA (p < 0.001), and in term infants from 91.7 ± 1.8% (40.0 wk PCA) to 97.4 ± 1.3% (58.9 wk PCA, p = 0.07). Both the serum concentration of [1-13C]stearate and that of [1-13C]palmitate appeared highly correlated with the efficacy of fat absorption (r = 0.82, p = 0.02; and r = 0.91, p = 0.004; respectively) and with PCA (r = 0.99, p < 0.001; and r = 0.85, p < 0.02; respectively). These results indicate that the functional development of fat absorption in preterm and term infants is related to the capacity to absorb long-chain fatty acids from the intestine.
Pinning a complex dynamical network to its equilibrium

It is now known that the complexity of network topology has a great impact on the stabilization of complex dynamical networks. In this work, we study the control of random networks and scale-free networks. Conditions are investigated for globally or locally stabilizing such networks. Our strategy is to apply local feedback control to a small fraction of network nodes. We propose the concept of virtual control for microscopic dynamics throughout the process with different pinning schemes for both random networks and scale-free networks. We explain the main reason why significantly less local controllers are required by specifically pinning the most highly connected nodes in a scale-free network than those required by the randomly pinning scheme, and why there is no significant difference between specifically and randomly pinning schemes for controlling random dynamical networks. We also study the synchronization phenomenon of controlled dynamical networks in the stabilization process, both analytically and numerically.
Experimental Evaluation of a Lexicon- and Corpus-based Ensemble for Multi-way Sentiment Analysis

We describe a probabilistic approach that combines information obtained from a lexicon with information obtained from a Naive Bayes (NB) classifier for multi-way sentiment analysis. Our approach also employs grammatical structures to perform adjustments for negations, modifiers and sentence connectives. The performance of this method is compared with that of an NB classifier with feature selection, and MCST – a state-of-the-art system. The results of our evaluation show that the performance of our hybrid approach is at least as good as that of these systems. We also examine the influence of three factors on performance: (1) sentiment-ambiguous sentences, (2) probability of the most probable star rating, and (3) coverage of the lexicon and the NB classifier. Our results indicate that the consideration of these factors supports the identification of regions of improved reliability for sentiment analysis.
Localization method based on omnidirectional stereoscopic vision and dead-reckoning

This paper presents a system of absolute localization based on the cooperation of a stereoscopic omnidirectional vision system and a dead-reckoning system. To do it we use an original perception system which allows our omnidirectional vision sensor SYCLOP to move along a rail. We address the problem of building the sensorial model with the help of the two stereoscopic omnidirectional images. To solve this problem we propose an approach based on the fusion of several criteria which will be made according to Dempster-Shafer rules. We then exploit this sensorial model to localize the robot thanks to matching the sensorial primitives with the environment map. We use the dead-reckoning prediction to decrease the combinatory aspect of the matching algorithm. We analyze the performance of our global absolute localization system on several robots' elementary moves, in an indoor environment.
Epidural Anesthesia and Analgesia Decrease the Postoperative Incidence of Insulin Resistance in Preoperative Insulin-Resistant Subjects Only

BACKGROUND:Insulin resistance (IR) is a feature of the endocrine stress response to surgery. It is not known whether a preoperative state of IR would affect the postoperative endocrine response. We sought to characterize the preoperative state of IR in a group of patients undergoing elective hip and knee arthroplasty, and to determine to what extent perioperative epidural analgesia modifies the postoperative state of IR in those who are and are not insulin-resistant before surgery. METHODS:Sixty patients undergoing either hip or knee arthroplasty were screened by using the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) in two populations: insulin-resistant patients and noninsulin-resistant patients, whereas HOMA is fasting insulin (&mgr;U/mL) × fasting glucose (mmol/L)/22.5. The patients belonging to each population were then randomly assigned to receive either intraoperative epidural blockade followed by postoperative epidural analgesia (epidural group) or general anesthesia followed by patient-controlled analgesia (control group). Analgesia was assessed with visual analog scale up to 48 h after surgery and HOMA was repeated at the end of surgery and 48 h after surgery to determine the postoperative state of IR. RESULTS:Epidural anesthesia and analgesia significantly influenced the postoperative HOMA score (smaller proportion of IR) in the postoperative period only in those patients who were insulin-resistant before surgery (P < 0.01). In contrast, noninsulin-resistant patients had a similar postoperative proportion of IR between the epidural and control groups (P > 0.05). At rest and during movement, visual analog scale scores were not different between groups at the end of surgery and in the first and second days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS:Epidural anesthesia and analgesia compared to general anesthesia followed by patient-controlled analgesia decreased the incidence of IR soon after surgery and 48 h after surgery only in patients who were insulin-resistant before surgery.
Effective hydraulic conductivity for gradually varying flow

Consider the problem of flow in a porous medium with hydraulic conductivity which fluctuates locally about a mean value. The flow is unsteady but gradually or slowly varying, i.e., the correlation length of head fluctuations is considerably larger than the correlation length of hydraulic-conductivity fluctuations. The equations which must be satisfied by the effective conductivity tensor are derived under general conditions using a method of volume averaging and spatial moments. The generality of the derived equations is shown by replicating some known results.
Eurographics/ Ieee-vgtc Symposium on Visualization 2010 Isosurface Similarity Maps

In this paper, we introduce the concept of isosurface similarity maps for the visualization of volume data. Iso-surface similarity maps present structural information of a volume data set by depicting similarities between individual isosurfaces quantified by a robust information-theoretic measure. Unlike conventional histograms, they are not based on the frequency of isovalues and/or derivatives and therefore provide complementary information. We demonstrate that this new representation can be used to guide transfer function design and visualization parameter specification. Furthermore, we use isosurface similarity to develop an automatic parameter-free method for identifying representative isovalues. Using real-world data sets, we show that isosurface similarity maps can be a useful addition to conventional classification techniques.