Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does V-NIR based Image Enhancement Come with Better Features?

Image enhancement using the visible (V) and near-infrared (NIR) usually enhances useful image details. The enhanced images are evaluated by observers perception, instead of quantitative feature evaluation. Thus, can we say that these enhanced images using NIR information has better features in comparison to the computed features in the Red, Green, and Blue color channels directly? In this work, we present a new method to enhance the visible images using NIR information via edge-preserving filters, and also investigate which method performs best from a image features standpoint. We then show that our proposed enhancement method produces more stable features than the existing state-of-the-art methods.
Static and adaptive data replication algorithms for fast information access in large distributed systems

Creating replicas of frequently accessed objects across a read-intensive network can result in large bandwidth savings which, in turn, can lead to reduction in user response time. On the contrary, data replication in the presence of writes incurs extra cost due to multiple updates. The set of sites at which an object is replicated constitutes its replication scheme. Finding an optimal replication scheme that minimizes the amount of network traffic given read and write frequencies for various objects, is NP-complete in general. We propose two heuristics to deal with this problem for static read and write patterns. The first is a simple and fast greedy heuristic that yields good solutions when the system is predominantly read-oriented. The second is a genetic algorithm that through an efficient exploration of the solution space provides better solutions for cases where the greedy heuristic does not perform well. We also propose an extended genetic algorithm that rapidly adapts to the dynamically changing characteristics such as the frequency of reads and writes for particular objects.
RSM: A Broadcast Available Multi-channel MAC Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks

Multi-channel technology can reduce the interference and improve the performance. Based on the receiver directed transmission (RDT) multi-channel MAC protocols, we propose the RSM protocol by using split time mechanism to address the multi-channel broadcast problem in RDT protocol. As shown in the simulation experiment results, the RSM protocol can be applied to multi-hop wireless sensor networks.
First-Principles Study of Mo Segregation in MoNi(111): Effects of Chemisorbed Atomic Oxygen

Segregation at metal alloy surfaces is an important issue because many electrochemical and catalytic properties are directly correlated to the surface composition. We have performed density functional theory calculations for Mo segregation in MoNi(111) in the presence of chemisorbed atomic oxygen. In particular, the coverage dependence and possible adsorption-induced segregation phenomena are addressed by investigating segregation energies of the Mo atom in MoNi(111). The theoretical calculated results show that the Mo atom prefers to be embedded in the bulk for the clean MoNi(111), while it segregates to the top-most layer when the oxygen coverage is thicker than 1/9 monolayer (ML). Furthermore, we analyze the densities of states for the clean and oxygen-chemisorbed MoNi(111), and see a strong covalent bonding between Mo d-band states and O p-states. The present study provides valuable insight for exploring practical applications of Ni-based alloys as hydrogen evolution electrodes.
Financial Crisis and Its Impact on the Economies of China and India

The study will focus on the current financial crisis and its impact on the growth, trade and employment in emerging market economies (EMEs) namely China and India. The emerging market economies are characterized as transitional, which means that they are in the process of moving from a closed to an open market economy. It is said that by adoption of neoliberal policies, the economy will suppose to lead to a better economic performance levels, as well as transparency and efficiency in the capital market. The proponents of the ‘neoliberal economic policies’ always maintained that it is working and as a consequence, for example, the Indian economy is growing at high rates, the stock market is booming, foreign reserve is at a comfortably high level. The ‘free trade’ policy is making availability of a variety of goods unimaginable earlier as a mark of the benefits of globalization. The ‘invisible hand’ of the market, tries to pretend that market operates in isolation. On the basis most recent available data and studies the author has examined the impact of financial crisis on the economic growth and various sectors of the economies in China and India. Finally, the author finds the argument that China emerging as the alterative engine of growth for the world economy is too ambitious. Some have suggested that a ‘decoupled Asia’ through its own growth and expanding domestic demands would ensure higher imports demands for its growing economies and thus limit the economic slowdown in the developed economies. But this is unlikely due to: the US, EU and Japan together account for more than half of China’s exports, and as recession deepens, it is bound to affect export sector and overall economic activity in China.
Load-Balancing - The Essential Factor in Communication Network of Distributed System

The load balancing is vital factor in communication networks of distributed system. The main purpose of this factor is to assign arriving or internally generated tasks or jobs among processing nodes of a distributed system in such a way that provides the highest utilization of the system resources and also maintain the fairness to the jobs. If the load balancing is not implemented properly, it decreases the QoS of real-time applications. It also hampers the effectiveness, accuracy of the data transmission technique, scheduling and processing time of the technique. So, it is essential to consider the factor that affects the load in the network. The main requirement of the load balancing in the system is, the two nodes can have direct communication only if their distance is under certain threshold, low bandwidth and nodes are energy constraint. Therefore, it is crucial to balance the number of packets passed by each node. In this paper, the focus is on the techniques that are designed specially to balance the load that exhibit adaptive approach for providing efficient and effective performance in the distributed system.
Heterogeneity in Income Tax Incidence: Are the Wages of Dangerous Jobs More Responsive to Tax Changes than the Wages of Safe Jobs?

Income taxes distort the relationship between wages and non-taxable amenities. When the marginal tax rate increases, amenities become more valuable as the compensating differential for low-amenity jobs is taxed away. While there is evidence that the provision of amenities responds to taxes, the literature has ignored the consequences for job characteristics which cannot fully-adjust. This paper compares the wage response of dangerous jobs to the wage response of safe jobs. When tax rates increase, we should see the pre-tax compensating differential for on-the-job risk increase. Empirically, this paper finds large differences in the wage response of jobs based on their riskiness.
Polystyrene Attached Pt(IV)–Azomethine, Synthesis and Immobilization of Glucose Oxidase Enzyme

Modified polystyrene with Pt(IV)–azomethine (APS–Sch–Pt) was synthesized by means of condensation and demonstrated to be a promising enzyme support by studying the enzymatic properties of glucose oxidase enzyme (GOx) immobilized on it. The characteristics of the immobilized glucose oxidase (APS–Sch–Pt–GOx) enzyme showed two optimum pH values that were pH = 4.0 and pH = 7. The insertion of stable Pt(IV)–azomethine spacers between the polystyrene backbone and the immobilized GOx, (APS–Sch–Pt–GOx), increases the enzymes’ activity and improves their affinity towards the substrate even at pH = 4. The influence of temperature, reusability and storage capacity on the free and immobilized glucose oxidase enzyme was investigated. The storage stability of the immobilized glucose oxidase was shown to be eleven months in dry conditions at +4 °C.
Online Selection of Discriminative Pixel-Pair Feature for Tracking

A novel visual tracking algorithm is proposed in this paper. The algorithm plays an important role in a cooperative driving support system (DSSS) that is aimed at reducing traffic fatalities and injuries. The input to the algorithm is a gray-scale image for every video frame from a roadside camera, and the algorithm can be used to detect the existence of vehicles on the road and then track their trajectories. In this algorithm, discriminative pixel-pair feature selection is adopted to discriminate between an image patch with an object in the correct position and image patches with objects in an incorrect position. The proposed algorithm showed stable and precise tracking performance when implemented in various illumination conditions and traffic conditions; the performance was especially good for the low-contrast vehicles running against a high-contrast background.
A novel multi-channel access scheme in cognitive ad hoc networks

Multi-channel access is often used to improve the throughput and spectral efficiency of cognitive ad hoc networks. However, there have been few methods for satisfying the requirements of secondary users while using multiple channels simultaneously. In this paper, we propose a novel multi-channel access scheme for QoS supporting. Considering the time-varying channel characteristics, we propose to calculate the Expected Transmission Time (ETT) of each secondary user based on the channel status estimate. Then, the spectrum access problem is formulated as a constrained optimization problem. The solution gives the optimal multi-channel spectrum access under the QoS constraints of secondary users. Experiment results show that our method meets the requirements of secondary users while effectively improving the stability of channel access.
Layer-Specific Refinement of Visual Cortex Function after Eye Opening in the Awake Mouse

The laminar structure and conserved cellular organization of mouse visual cortex provide a useful model to determine the mechanisms underlying the development of visual system function. However, the normal development of many receptive field properties has not yet been thoroughly quantified, particularly with respect to layer identity and in the absence of anesthesia. Here, we use multisite electrophysiological recording in the awake mouse across an extended period of development, starting at eye opening, to measure receptive field properties and behavioral-state modulation of responsiveness. We find selective responses for orientation, direction, and spatial frequency at eye opening, which are similar across cortical layers. After this initial similarity, we observe layer-specific maturation of orientation selectivity, direction selectivity, and linearity over the following week. Developmental increases in selectivity are most robust and similar between layers 2–4, whereas layers 5 and 6 undergo distinct refinement patterns. Finally, we studied layer-specific behavioral-state modulation of cortical activity and observed a striking reorganization in the effects of running on response gain. During week 1 after eye opening, running increases responsiveness in layers 4 and 5, whereas in adulthood, the effects of running are most pronounced in layer 2/3. Together, these data demonstrate that response selectivity is present in all layers of the primary visual cortex (V1) at eye opening in the awake mouse and identify the features of basic V1 function that are further shaped over this early developmental period in a layer-specific manner.
The Role of Self Regulatory Strength in the Expectancy-Value Model: Explaining Differences in Academic Effort as a Function of Race and Class.

vii Chapter 1: Introduction . 1 Chapter 2: Literature Review . 4 Chapter 3: Method . 69 Chapter 4: Results . 78 Chapter 5: Discussion . 96 References . 117
Using Formal Verification to Reduce Test Space of Fault-Tolerant Programs

Testing object-oriented programs is still a hard task, despite many studies on criteria to better cover the test space. Test criteria establish requirements one want to achieve in testing programs to help in finding software defects. On the other hand, program verification guarantees that a program preserves its specification but its application is not very straightforward in many cases. Both program testing and verification are expensive tasks and could be used to complement each other.This paper presents a new approach to automate and integrate testing and program verification for fault-tolerant systems. In this approach we show how to assess information from programs verification in order to reduce the test space regarding exceptions definition/use testing criteria. As properties on exception-handling mechanisms are checked using a model checker(Java PathFinder), programs are traced. Information from these traces can be used to realize how much testing criteria have been covered, reducing the further program test space.
Bayesian variable selection and data integration for biological regulatory networks

A substantial focus of research in molecular biology are gene regulatory networks: the set of transcription factors and target genes which control the involvement of different biological processes in living cells. Previous statistical approaches for identifying gene regulatory networks have used gene expression data, ChIP binding data or promoter sequence data, but each of these resources provides only partial information. We present a Bayesian hierarchical model that integrates all three data types in a principled variable selection framework. The gene expression data are modeled as a function of the unknown gene regulatory network which has an informed prior distribution based upon both ChIP binding and promoter sequence data. We also present a variable weighting methodology for the principled balancing of multiple sources of prior information. We apply our procedure to the discovery of gene regulatory relationships in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Yeast) for which we can use several external sources of information to validate our results. Our inferred relationships show greater biological relevance on the external validation measures than previous data integration methods. Our model also estimates synergistic and antagonistic interactions between transcription factors, many of which are validated by previous studies. We also evaluate the results from our procedure for the weighting for multiple sources of prior information. Finally, we discuss our methodology in the context of previous approaches to data integration and Bayesian variable selection.
Niche and Neutral Processes Together Determine Diversity Loss in Response to Fertilization in an Alpine Meadow Community

Fertilization via nutrient deposition and agricultural inputs is one of the most important factors driving decreases in plant diversity. However, we still do not fully understand which processes (niche process or neutral process) are more important in leading to decreases in plant diversity caused by fertilization. A hypothesis-based approach was used to test the relative importance of niche versus neutral processes along a fertilization gradient in an alpine meadow community on the eastern Tibetan plateau, China. Niche overlap values were calculated for species biomass, and the null model was used to generate the values of niche overlap expected at random. A linear regression modeling was used to evaluate the relationship between functional traits (specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, and leaf total nitrogen concentration) and species relative abundance. Our results demonstrated that observed niche overlap for species biomass was significantly higher than expected at lower fertilization gradients. Moreover, we also found a significantly negative correlation between species relative abundance and specific leaf area and leaf dry matter content, but a significantly positive correlation between relative abundance and leaf nitrogen concentration at lower fertilization gradients. However, these relationships were not significant at higher fertilization gradients. We concluded that community assembly is dynamic progression along the environmental gradients, and niche and neutral processes may together determine species diversity loss in response to fertilization.
Ambient Air Pollution and Newborn Size and Adiposity at Birth: Differences by Maternal Ethnicity (the Born in Bradford Study Cohort)

Background Exposure to ambient air pollution has been associated with reduced size of newborns; however, the modifying effect of maternal ethnicity remains little explored among South Asians. Objectives We investigated ethnic differences in the association between ambient air pollution and newborn’s size. Method Pregnant women were recruited between 2007 and 2010 for the Born in Bradford cohort study, in England. Exposures to particulate matter (≤ 10 μm, PM10; ≤ 2.5 μm, PM2.5), PM2.5 absorbance, and nitrogen oxides (NOx, NO2) were estimated using land-use regressions models. Using multivariate linear regression models, we evaluated effect modification by maternal ethnicity (“white British” or “Pakistani origin,” self-reported) on the associations of air pollution and birth weight, head circumference, and triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness. Results A 5-μg/m3 increase in mean third trimester PM2.5 was associated with significantly lower birth weight and smaller head circumference in children of white British mothers (–43 g; 95% CI: –76, –10 and –0.28 cm; 95% CI: –0.39, –0.17, respectively), but not in children of Pakistani origin (9 g; 95% CI: –17, 35 and –0.08 cm; 95% CI: –0.17, 0.01, respectively) (pint = 0.03 and < 0.001). In contrast, PM2.5 was associated with significantly larger triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses in children of Pakistani origin (0.17 mm; 95% CI: 0.08, 0.25 and 0.21 mm; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.29, respectively), but not in white British children (–0.02 mm; 95% CI: –0.14, 0.01 and 0.06 mm; 95% CI: –0.06, 0.18, respectively) (pint = 0.06 and 0.11). Patterns of associations for PM10 and PM2.5 absorbance according to ethnicity were similar to those for PM2.5, but associations of the outcomes with NO2 and NOx were mostly nonsignificant in both ethnic groups. Conclusions Our results suggest that associations of ambient PM exposures with newborn size and adiposity differ between white British and Pakistani origin infants. Citation Schembari A, de Hoogh K, Pedersen M, Dadvand P, Martinez D, Hoek G, Petherick ES, Wright J, Nieuwenhuijsen MJ. 2015. Ambient air pollution and newborn size and adiposity at birth: differences by maternal ethnicity (the Born in Bradford study cohort). Environ Health Perspect 123:1208–1215; http://dx.doi. org/10.1289/ehp.1408675
Towards the Secure Initialisation of a Personal Distributed Environment

The Personal Distributed Environment, or PDE, represents a new concept of a computer network that takes a user-centric view of personal devices to create a purely virtual personal network. A PDE integrates all devices that are relevant to a user, regardless of their location, current role, or their specific capabilities. In this paper we present an overview of the PDE concept and describe how such an environment may be constructed. Since the user’s devices may be located in several different security domains, our focus is on the secure initialisation of the PDE and to that end, we introduce a step-bystep procedure describing how user’s devices will join the network in a secure manner.
Ontology View Extraction: An Approach Based on Ontological Meta-properties

Ontologies have been applied in Computer Science to ensure the semantic interoperability among multiple systems. With the increasing of ontologies availability, many approaches for promoting the share and reuse of ontologies have been investigated in recent years, like ontology module extraction (modularization) and ontology view extraction. Approaches for ontology module extraction are used for extracting modules in large ontologies. On the other hand, ontology views have been used for providing to the user only the parts of the ontology that are useful for a given task. Thus, both ontology views and ontology modules encapsulate a subset of the original ontology, but they have different purposes. The literature has explored the ontological meta-properties (such as identity and rigidity) for guiding the modeling decisions that are made during the ontology engineering process. Some of these meta-properties were formalized in foundational ontologies like UFO (Unified foundational ontology). In this paper, we explore the use of ontological meta-properties for extracting ontology views. We propose a characterization of the notion of well-founded ontology view, considering the ontological meta-properties of the concepts. Besides that, we also propose a language-independent algorithm for sub-ontology extraction that is guided by ontological meta-properties. Finally, we present a case study for illustrating the application of our approach.
Targeted advertising with consumer search: an economic analysis of keywords advertising

This article investigates the role of a search engine as an intermediary between firms and consumers. Search engines enable firms to target consumers who have revealed some specific needs through their query. In a framework with horizontal product differentiation, imperfect product information and in which consumers incur search costs, I show that introducing a "neutral" targeted advertising mechanism reduces social inefficiencies and tends to reduce the equilibrium price. Moreover, the accuracy of the mechanism has a non monotonic effect on the price of the good: the price is lowest when the accuracy is intermediate.
Experiments on sediment deposition by overland flow

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of sediment concentration, slope and discharge on sediment deposition rates and patterns associated with a reduction in bed slope. Analysis of the data shows that up to a certain unit discharge a simple settling equation without a transport term gives a good prediction of the sediment delivery ratio and the grain-size distribution of the deposited and the exported material. Only when this critical unit discharge is exceeded do properties of the overland flow influence the sediment delivery outcomes. The presently available data do not allow the best model for predicting deposition rates in this domain to be identified, but clearly indicate the necessity of a threshold value in any transport or re-entrainment function which is used to model deposition.