Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deriving nationwide estimates of forest variables for Sweden using Landsat ETM + and field data

The use of satellite data in forest inventories makes it possible to do a wall-to-wall mapping of forest variables. This type of raster databases with estimated forest variables provides a great potential for planning how the forest resources should be utilized, and can be used as input ecological models. There are different remote sensing methods that can be used to map forest resources. One is the k-nearest neighbours (kNN) method that has been successfully tested and evaluated in different countries. In this method, multiple forest variables are simultaneously calculated for individual pixels as weighted mean values of spectrally nearby field samples. The objective of this project is to derive raster databases with estimates of forest variables, for example volume and tree height, for the whole of Sweden. This is done by combing Landsat ETM+ data and field data from the Swedish National Forest Inventory (NFI) using the kNN algorithm. Approximately 40 Landsat ETM+ scenes will be used in the project. The accuracy obtained for estimated variables can be considered poor on the pixel level. However, the accuracy will improve quickly when estimated variables are aggregated into larger areas. In Sweden, the accuracy for stem volume per hectare, for example, will be in the order of 15 % (RMSE), when calculated for an area of approximately 150 ha. The project is carried out in co-operation with the Swedish National Board of Forestry, the Regional Forestry Boards, and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.
Near-duplicate keyframe detection based on gray-scale pyramid

The exponential growth of online videos imposes urgent demands on near-duplicate video detection. Near-duplicate keyframe detection is at the base of near-duplicate video detection. In this paper, based on the analysis of the state-of-the-art of near-duplicate keyframe detection, GrayScale Pyramid (GSP) is processed for improving the global feature of color histogram. By constructing the spatial pyramid of luminance and cutting scale, the algorithm enhances illumination and cutting scale transform robustness of global feature. The experiments show that the GSP is more robust than color histogram in detection of illumination transformed and scale transformed near-duplicate keyframe, while for the other transformation, the validity of them is almost the same.
Development of a Model System to Evaluate Local Recurrence in Osteosarcoma and Assessment of the Effects of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2

Purpose: It is increasingly relevant to better define what constitutes an adequate surgical margin in an effort to improve reconstructive longevity and functional outcomes following osteosarcoma surgery. In addition, nonunion remains a challenging problem in some patients following allograft reconstruction. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) could enhance osseous union, but has been historically avoided due to concerns that it may promote tumor recurrence. Experimental Design: An orthotopic xenograft murine model was utilized to describe the natural temporal course of osteosarcoma growth. Tumors were treated either with surgery alone, surgery and single-agent chemotherapy, or surgery and dual-agent chemotherapy to assess the relationship between surgical margin and local recurrence. The effect of BMP-2 on local recurrence was similarly assessed. Results: Osteosarcoma tumor growth was categorized into reproducible phases. Margins greater than 997 μm resulted in local control following surgery alone. Margins greater than 36 μm resulted in local control following surgery and single-agent chemotherapy. Margins greater than 12 μm resulted in local control following surgery and dual-agent chemotherapy. The application of exogenous BMP-2 does not confer an increased risk of local recurrence. Conclusions: This model reliably reproduces the clinical, radiographic, and surgical conditions encountered in human osteosarcoma. It successfully incorporates relevant chemotherapy, further paralleling the human experience. Surgical margins required to achieve local control in osteosarcoma can be reduced using single-agent chemotherapy and further decreased using dual-agent chemotherapy. The application of BMP-2 does not increase local recurrence in this model. Clin Cancer Res; 21(13); 3003–12. ©2014 AACR. See related commentary by Weiss, p. 2889
The empirical upper limit for mass loss of cool main sequence stars

The knowledge of mass loss rates due to thermal winds in cool dwarfs is of crucial importance for modeling the evolution of physical parameters of main sequence single and binary stars. Very few, sometimes contradictory, measurements of such mass loss rates exist up to now. We present a new, independent method of measuring an amount of mass lost by a star during its past life. It is based on the comparison of the present mass distribution of solar type stars in an open cluster with the calculated distribution under an assumption that stars with masses lower than Mlim have lost an amount of mass equal to ΔM. The actual value of ΔM or its upper limit is found from the best fit. Analysis of four clusters: Pleiades, NGC 6996, Hyades and Praesepe gave upper limits for ΔM in three of them and the inconclusive result for Pleiades. The most restrictive limit was obtained for Praesepe indicating that the average mass loss rate of cool dwarfs in this cluster was lower than 6 × 10–11 M⊙/yr. With more accurate mass determinations of the solar type members of selected open clusters, including those of spectral type K, the method will provide more stringent limits for mass loss of cool dwarfs. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Informetric analyses on the world wide web: methodological approaches to 'webometrics'

This article introduces the application of informetric methods to the World Wide Web (WWW), also called Webometrics. A case study presents a workable method for general informetric analyses of the WWW. In detail, the paper describes a number of specific informetric analysis parameters. As a case study the Danish proportion of the WWW is compared to those of other Nordic countries. The methodological approach is comparable with common bibliometric analyses of the ISI citation databases. Among other results the analyses demonstrate that Denmark would seem to fall seriously behind the other Nordic countries with respect to visibility on the Net and compared to its position in scientific databases.
“Candidatus Fokinia solitaria”, a Novel “Stand-Alone” Symbiotic Lineage of Midichloriaceae (Rickettsiales)

Recently, the family Midichloriaceae has been described within the bacterial order Rickettsiales. It includes a variety of bacterial endosymbionts detected in different metazoan host species belonging to Placozoa, Cnidaria, Arthropoda and Vertebrata. Representatives of Midichloriaceae are also considered possible etiological agents of certain animal diseases. Midichloriaceae have been found also in protists like ciliates and amoebae. The present work describes a new bacterial endosymbiont, “Candidatus Fokinia solitaria”, retrieved from three different strains of a novel Paramecium species isolated from a wastewater treatment plant in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). Symbionts were characterized through the full-cycle rRNA approach: SSU rRNA gene sequencing and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with three species-specific oligonucleotide probes. In electron micrographs, the tiny rod-shaped endosymbionts (1.2 x 0.25–0.35 μm in size) were not surrounded by a symbiontophorous vacuole and were located in the peripheral host cytoplasm, stratified in the host cortex in between the trichocysts or just below them. Frequently, they occurred inside autolysosomes. Phylogenetic analyses of Midichloriaceae apparently show different evolutionary pathways within the family. Some genera, such as “Ca. Midichloria” and “Ca. Lariskella”, have been retrieved frequently and independently in different hosts and environmental surveys. On the contrary, others, such as Lyticum, “Ca. Anadelfobacter”, “Ca. Defluviella” and the presently described “Ca. Fokinia solitaria”, have been found only occasionally and associated to specific host species. These last are the only representatives in their own branches thus far. Present data do not allow to infer whether these genera, which we named “stand-alone lineages”, are an indication of poorly sampled organisms, thus underrepresented in GenBank, or represent fast evolving, highly adapted evolutionary lineages.
Probabilistic analysis of sampling based path planning algorithms

In this paper we investigate probabilistic completeness and asymptotic optimality of various existing randomized sampling based algorithms such as, probabilistic roadmap methods (PRM) and its many variants. We give new alternate proofs to many such existing theorems regarding probabilistic completeness and asymptotic optimality, in both incremental and independent random problem model framework.
A Power Control Scheme for Directional MAC Protocols in MANET

Higher throughput gains and prolonged life time can be achieved for mobile ad hoc networks (MANET) with nodes equipped with directional antennas. The employment of directional antennas can enhance the spatial reuse by allowing concurrent communications to occur within the same vicinity. Another advantage of directional antennas is the higher gain resulted from its directivity, which can be utilized to reduce the transmission power during a directional transmission. In order to maximize the throughput and energy gains from directional antennas, we propose in this paper a transmission power control scheme for directional medium access protocol (MAC) protocols. The proposed scheme can be integrated to any directional MAC protocol that adopts a single channel for transmission and reception of IEEE 802.11 frames. The proposed power control scheme exploits the temporal directional transmission power correlations that exist between the IEEE 802.11 frames (RTS/CTS/DATA/ACK) for successful communication. Simulation results for different topologies are used to demonstrate the significant throughput and energy gains that can be obtained under the investigated scheme.
Cooperation between Peer-to-peer Networks and ISPs

Peer-to-peer networks have become a prevailing platform to support large volume data transfer on the Internet. However, the relative independency between the P2P layer and the underlying network layer degrades network performance. In this paper, we propose a light-weighted scheme to support cooperation between P2P networks and ISP infrastructures. In this method, edge routers act as traffic lights. When the monitored links indicate incoming congestion or come into "critical use" state, they turn "red" to P2P packets, forcing them to search for alternative paths. Meanwhile, the edge routers collect location information for P2P networks and use it to improve their performance. Evaluation results from various simulations prove that our scheme can improve the performance of P2P applications and underlying ISP networks.
Energy-aware adaptive network resource management

Resource over-provisioning is common practice in network infrastructures. Coupled with energy unaware networking protocols, this can lead to periods of resource underutilization and constant energy consumption irrespective of the traffic load conditions. Driven by the rising cost of energy - and therefore OPEX - and increasing environmental consciousness, research in power saving techniques has recently received significant attention. Unlike the majority of previous work in the area, which has focused on centralized offline approaches, in this paper we propose an online approach by which the capacity of the network can be adapted in a decentralized fashion. Based on the modular architectures of modern IP routers, adaptation is achieved by configuring individual line cards to enter sleep mode. Re-configuration is performed periodically by intelligent ingress nodes that coordinate their actions in order to control the traffic distribution in the network, according to the actual demand. We evaluate our approach using real network topologies and traffic traces. In the case of the GEANT network, the proposed approach can, on average, reduce the energy to power the required line cards by 46% for a maximum utilization below 65%, and by 18% under heavily loaded conditions.
Exploring cross-linguistic vocabulary effects on brain structures using voxel-based morphometry

Given that there are neural markers for the acquisition of a non-verbal skill, we review evidence of neural markers for the acquisition of vocabulary. Acquiring vocabulary is critical to learning one's native language and to learning other languages. Acquisition requires the ability to link an object concept (meaning) to sound. Is there a region sensitive to vocabulary knowledge? For monolingual English speakers, increased vocabulary knowledge correlates with increased grey matter density in a region of the parietal cortex that is well-located to mediate an association between meaning and sound (the posterior supramarginal gyrus). Further this region also shows sensitivity to acquiring a second language. Relative to monolingual English speakers, Italian–English bilinguals show increased grey matter density in the same region. Differences as well as commonalities might exist in the neural markers for vocabulary where lexical distinctions are also signalled by tone. Relative to monolingual English, Chinese multilingual speakers, like European multilinguals, show increased grey matter density in the parietal region observed previously. However, irrespective of ethnicity, Chinese speakers (both Asian and European) also show highly significant increased grey matter density in two right hemisphere regions (the superior temporal gyrus and the inferior frontal gyrus). They also show increased grey matter density in two left hemisphere regions (middle temporal and superior temporal gyrus). Such increases may reflect additional resources required to process tonal distinctions for lexical purposes or to store tonal differences in order to distinguish lexical items. We conclude with a discussion of future lines of enquiry.
Gangliosides alter morphology and growth of astrocytes and increase the activity of choline acetyltransferase in cultures of dissociated septal cells

Administration of gangliosides has been reported to stimulate regeneration of motoneurons and of central dopaminergic and cholinergic neurons. To shed light on the mechanism by which gangliosides mediate the effects on cholinergic neurons, we studied their actions on cultures of cells dissociated from the septal area of fetal rat brains. These cultures contain cholinergic neurons, which, in vivo, give rise to the cholinergic septo-hippocampal pathway. Gangliosides produced prominent changes in the morphological appearance of the cultures. In contrast to control cultures, which contained many process-bearing cells and a confluent layer of flat cells, there were no flat cells in cultures grown in the presence of gangliosides (0.2 to 0.8 mg/ml of medium). Using immunocytochemical visualization of the astrocytic marker glial fibrillary acid protein, it was shown that all astrocytes in cultures grown in the presence of gangliosides exhibited the morphology of process-bearing cells, whereas in control cultures astrocytes represented the majority of the flat cells. Furthermore, gangliosides attenuated astrocytic proliferation. The effects of gangliosides apparently were not mediated by cAMP, since they could be differentiated from actions of forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase. Astrocytic growth and morphology were affected by ganglioside mixtures of various sources and composition and also by the pure gangliosides GM1 and GD1a, whereas lipid and carbohydrate components of gangliosides were ineffective. In contrast to the prominent effects on astrocytes, gangliosides failed to significantly alter survival or fiber growth of cholinergic neurons.
XTC: A Throughput Control Mechanism for Xen-Based Virtualized Software Routers

Xen is a tool for hardware virtualization often used to build virtual routers. Xen, however, does not assure the fundamental requirement of network isolation among these routers. This work proposes XTC (Xen Throughput Control) to fill this gap, and therefore, to guarantee multiple network coexistence without interference. XTC sets the amount of CPU allocated to each virtual router according to the maximum throughput allowed. Xen behavior is modeled by using experimental data, and based on these data, XTC is designed using feedback control. Results obtained in a testbed demonstrate the XTC ability to isolate virtual network capacities and to adapt to system changes.
Time varying attitude control strategies for the Myriade satellites

This paper studies time-varying structures for satellite attitude control systems. The considered satellites are from the Myriade family developed by the French Space Agency (CNES). Analysis of the existing control law and control requirements show that model reference control is suitable provided that the reference model is time-varying. A model reference linear parameter varying (LPV) strategy is thus considered and a synthesis procedure ensuring closed-loop stability and tracking of a time varying model is given. A different time-varying scheme allowing model following is simple adaptive control (SAC). After recalling the stability conditions for this structure, the two control laws are compared and applied to a simulation model of the DEMETER satellite, part of the Myriade program.
Coils to β-sheets transitions and simulated structural interactions in human SOX4 and syntenin protein: An in silico insight into the cytological regulation: Computational approach for determination of the cell fate in humans

SOX4; a crucial human protein acts as a transcriptional regulator for accurately determining the cytological regulations in human beginning from the embryonic development. It thus is aided by its only binding protein partner; human syntenin who binds to the C-terminal domain of SOX4 protein. Wet laboratory documentation well documents the interaction of proteins on this regard but the residual level analysis via optimization and simulation operation remains yet undisclosed. So, for the purpose, the essential responsible domain sequence of SOX4 protein was extracted thus the protein was modeled via the satisfaction of its several stereo-chemical properties. The human syntenin protein structure was there-after extracted from its experimentally validated crystal structure. Docking simulations of the two proteins further formed the essential protein complex, which then underwent necessary optimization and molecular dynamics simulation. Residual involvement from the pre optimized and post simulated protein-protein complex was evaluated and compared individually, with a focus on the pattern of binding. The doubling up of the predominant ionic interactions and side chain-side chain interactions poses the final simulated complex to be greatly interactive one. Mainly, polar positively charged; His14 from syntenin and Ser8 from the C-terminal protein domain of SOX4 protein aided in the stronger interactions, with His14 forming three predominant interactions solely. Furthermore, Asp10 from syntenin and Glu11 from SOX4 C-terminal domain also remained for increasing the strength of the duo protein complex. Statistically significant evaluations from free energy of folding, net area available for solvent accessibility along-with the conformational shifts from coils to β-sheets in the protein complex additionally affirms the simulated complex structure to increase its stability and conformational strength post optimization and simulation. Therefore, this current molecular level optimized exploration provides a novel scope to scrutinize the residual interactive pattern and the most stable interactive protein structure dependable for the proper cytological regulation in humans. For the upcoming research, it thereby instigates the clinical and biomedical field for cell fate determinations and neurogeny.
Tuberculosis and nutrition: disease perceptions and health seeking behavior of household contacts in the Peruvian Amazon.

SETTING Households of TB patients in the Peruvian Amazon. OBJECTIVE To investigate how knowledge and beliefs of household contacts about TB affected health seeking behavior. DESIGN Interviews with 73 patients finishing treatment and 79 of their adult household contacts. RESULTS Contacts were knowledgeable about free screening and treatment, but contacts who noted weight loss, not cough, were more likely to be screened for TB (P = 0.03). Forty-two per cent reported that TB was prevented by nutrition, 28% by separating eating utensils, and only 19% by avoiding a coughing patient. Only one household contact reported being stigmatized. Stigma centered upon nutrition, and only 12% knew of the association between TB and HIV. Only 14% had a BMI < 20, yet 30% reported regularly going to sleep hungry. Free food packages were reported to be the most important reason for treatment adherence by 33% of patients. CONCLUSION Contacts misperceived TB as a nutritional disease and did not fear airborne transmission, which should be corrected by public health education. Weight loss, and not cough, led to screening. Stigma appeared to be minimized because risk was perceived as personal, through malnutrition, rather than exposure-based. Nutritional incentives that utilize these beliefs may reduce diagnostic delay and enhance treatment adherence.
A Framework for Privacy-Aware Computing on Hybrid Clouds with Mixed-Sensitivity Data

Security and privacy have long been the primary concerns of cloud computing platforms. Hybrid clouds provide potentials for handling data separately based on their sensitivity, harnessing the heterogeneous architecture. In this paper, we design and implement a privacy-aware framework to address data privacy challenges by supporting sensitive data segregation on hybrid clouds. Specifically, we model data sensitivity in a comprehensive and dynamic manner using a set of tagging mechanisms, which include a coarse-grained file level tagging, a fine-grained line level tagging, temporal and spatial tagging. The framework can also process data dynamically generated on-the-fly. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this framework using a big data application, and the experimental results show that the privacy-aware framework successfully enables data sensitivity protection while providing good performance.
Understanding Contributor Withdrawal from Online Communities: The Role of Cognitive Dissonance and Emotional Change

Contributors’ withdrawal from online communities is threatening the sustainability of those communities, especially those that have entered mature and saturated stages. Drawing upon organizational withdrawal research, this article re-conceptualizes contributor withdrawal in the context of online communities. To explain the underlying mechanisms by which contributors withdraw from online communities, we introduce a theory of contributor withdrawal that emphasizes within-individual variances on the changes of cognition, emotions, and behaviors, rather than across-individual variances on the final (or average) states. In light of affective events theory, contributors’ cognitive dissonances between the community they experience and the community they expected are identified as distal causes of contributor withdrawal through the mediation of emotional changes. We also propose a typology of cognitive dissonances towards online communities and the structure of emotional change. We then discuss the moderating impacts of affective dispositions and sense-making on the cognitive dissonance-emotional change relationship, and the mediating impacts of changes in attitude and expectation on emotional change-withdrawal behavior relationships.