Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Topographic controls upon soil macropore flow

Macropores are important components of soil hydrology. The spatial distribution of macropore flow as a proportion of saturated hydraulic conductivity was tested on six humid–temperate slopes using transects of tension infiltrometer measurements. Automated water table and overland flow monitoring allowed the timing of, and differentiation between, saturation‐excess overland flow and infiltration‐excess overland flow occurrence on the slopes to be determined and related to tension‐infiltrometer measurements. Two slopes were covered with blanket peat, two with stagnohumic gleys and two with brown earth soils. None of the slopes had been disturbed by agricultural activity within the last 20 years. This controlled the potential for tillage impacts on macropores. The proportion of near‐surface macropore flow to saturated hydraulic conductivity was found to vary according to slope position. The spatial patterns were not the same for all hillslopes. On the four non‐peat slopes there was a relationship between locations of overland flow occurrence and reduced macroporosity. This relationship did not exist for the peat slopes investigated because they experienced overland flow across their whole slope surfaces. Nevertheless, they still had a distinctive spatial pattern of macropore flow according to slope position. For the other soils tested, parts of slopes that were susceptible to saturation‐excess overland flow (e.g. hilltoes or flat hilltops) tended to have least macropore flow. To a lesser extent, for the parts of slopes susceptible to infiltration‐excess overland flow, the proportion of macropore flow as a component of infiltration was also smaller compared with the rest of the slope. The roles of macropore creation and macropore infilling by sheet wash are discussed, and it is noted that the combination of these may result in distinctive topographically controlled spatial patterns of macropore flow. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Extraction of Key Projects Information Based on Object-Oriented Method: A Case Study of the Beijing South Railway Station

Facing the monitoring demand to the progress of key project using remote sensing technology, the Beijing-Tianjin inter-city railway project (Beijing South Railway Station) was taken for example and the high resolution remote sensing image of 2005 (before project) and 2007 (in project) were used as data source. At first, we built land-use classification index system. Then land-use information of South station and its surrounding was extracted using object-oriented method, which provided data basis for the monitoring and evaluation of key project. Results show that: the object oriented method has a much higher precision and efficiency than the traditional information extraction methods with classification accuracy 85.98% and 92.92%, Kappa coefficient 0.824 and 0.9085 respectively.
Exploring the Choice for Default Systems

This paper investigates the role the default effect plays in choosing IT systems. This paper presents two studies concerning the acceptance of Gmail (vs. a self-hosted mailing system) and of legal (vs. illegal) movie downloading. Classic factors such as the perceived usefulness and ease of use of a system hardly explain the intent to use default systems. Including the perception of an alternative system in the model significantly increases the R2 of the intent to use the default system. Social influence plays a much bigger role in explaining the intent to use default systems than in the intent to use alternative systems.
Heterogeneous ice nucleation ability of crystalline sodium chloride dihydrate particles

The aerosol and cloud chamber AIDA (Aerosol Interactions and Dynamics in the Atmosphere) of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology has been used to quantify the deposition mode ice nucleation ability of airborne crystalline sodium chloride dihydrate (NaCl ∙ 2H2O) particles with median diameters between 0.06 and 1.1 µm. For this purpose, expansion cooling experiments with starting temperatures from 235 to 216 K were conducted. Recently, supermicron‐sized NaCl ∙ 2H2O particles deposited onto a surface have been observed to be ice‐active in the deposition mode at temperatures below 238 K, requiring a median threshold ice saturation ratio of only 1.02 in the range from 238 to 221 K. In AIDA, heterogeneous ice nucleation by NaCl ∙ 2H2O was first detected at a temperature of 227.1 K with a concomitant threshold ice saturation ratio of 1.25. Above that temperature, the crystallized salt particles underwent a deliquescence transition to form aqueous NaCl solution droplets upon increasing relative humidity. At nucleation temperatures below 225 K, the inferred threshold ice saturation ratios varied between 1.15 and 1.20. The number concentration of the nucleated ice crystals was related to the surface area of the seed aerosol particles to deduce the ice nucleation active surface site (INAS) density of the aerosol population as a function of the ice supersaturation. Maximum INAS densities of about 6 ⋅ 1010 m−2 at an ice saturation ratio of 1.20 were found for temperatures below 225 K. These INAS densities are similar to those recently derived for deposition mode ice nucleation on mineral dust particles.
Computing and processing correspondences with functional maps

Notions of similarity and correspondence between geometric shapes and images are central to many tasks in geometry processing, computer vision, and computer graphics. The goal of this course is to familiarize the audience with a set of recent techniques that greatly facilitate the computation of mappings or correspondences between geometric datasets, such as 3D shapes or 2D images by formulating them as mappings between functions rather than points or triangles. Methods based on the functional map framework have recently led to state-of-the-art results in problems as diverse as non-rigid shape matching, image co-segmentation and even some aspects of tangent vector field design. One challenge in adopting these methods in practice, however, is that their exposition often assumes a significant amount of background in geometry processing, spectral methods and functional analysis, which can make it difficult to gain an intuition about their performance or about their applicability to real-life problems. In this course, we try to provide all the tools necessary to appreciate and use these techniques, while assuming very little background knowledge. We also give a unifying treatment of these techniques, which may be difficult to extract from the individual publications and, at the same time, hint at the generality of this point of view, which can help tackle many problems in the analysis and creation of visual content. This course is structured as a half day course. We will assume that the participants have knowledge of basic linear algebra and some knowledge of differential geometry, to the extent of being familiar with the concepts of a manifold and a tangent vector space. We will discuss in detail the functional approach to finding correspondences between non-rigid shapes, the design and analysis of tangent vector fields on surfaces, consistent map estimation in networks of shapes and applications to shape and image segmentation, shape variability analysis, and other areas.
Validation of a Three-Dimensional Numerical Code in the Simulation of Pseudo-Natural Meandering Flows

Validation of a three-dimensional finite volume code solving the Navierâ€“Stokes equations with the standard k-epsilon turbulence model is conducted using a high quality and high spatial resolution data set. The data set was collected from a large-scale meandering channel with a self-formed fixed bed, and comprises detailed bed profiling and laser Doppler anemometer velocity measurements. Comparisons of the computed primary and secondary velocities are made with those observed and it is found that the lateral momentum transfer is generally under predicted. At the apices this results in the predicted position of the primary velocity maximum having a bias towards the channel center, compared to the position where it has been measured. Using a simplified two zone roughness distribution whereby a separate roughness height was prescribed for the channel center and channel sides relative to a single distributed roughness height, generally led to a slightly improved longitudinal velocity distribution; the higher velocities were located nearer to the outside of the bend. Improving both the free surface calculation and scheme for discretization of the convection terms led to no appreciable difference in the computed velocity distributions. A more detailed study involving turbulence measurements and bed form height distribution should discriminate whether using distributed roughness height is a precursor to using an anisotropic turbulence representation for the accurate prediction of three-dimensional river flows.
A novel neutralization sensitive and subdominant RAP-1-related antigen (RRA) is expressed by Babesia bovis merozoites

SUMMARY Objective. The Babesia bovis genome encodes a rap-1 related gene denominated RAP-1 related antigen (RRA). In this study, we analysed the pattern of expression, immunogenicity and functional relevance of RRA. Methods. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the program Phylip. Expression of rra was analysed by Northern blots, RT-PCR, immunoprecipitation, Western blots and immunofluorescence. RRA antigenicity was tested by T-cell proliferation and Western blot analysis, and functional relevance was determined in an in vitro neutralization assay. Results. RRA is more closely related to RAP-1b of Babesia bigemina than to B. bovis RAP-1, and it is highly conserved among distinct strains. Transcriptional analysis suggests lower numbers of rra transcripts compared to rap-1. Immunoprecipitation of metabolically labelled B. bovis proteins with antibodies against synthetic peptides representing predicted antigenic regions of RRA confirmed the expression of a ∼43 kDa RRA in cultured merozoites. Antibodies present in B. bovis hyperimmune sera, but not in field-infected cattle sera, reacted weakly with recombinant RRA, and no significant stimulation was obtained using recombinant RRA as antigen in T-cell proliferation assays, indicating that RRA is a subdominant antigen. Antibodies against RRA synthetic peptides reacted with merozoites using immunofluorescence, and were able to significantly inhibit erythrocyte invasion in in vitro neutralization tests, suggesting functional relevance for parasite survival. Conclusion. B. bovis express a novel subdominant RAP-1-like molecule that may contribute to erythrocyte invasion and/or egression by the parasite.
Management of diabetes across the course of disease: minimizing obesity-associated complications

Obesity increases the risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and this in turn correlates with an elevated probability of long-term diabetes complications once diabetes is established. Interventions aimed at lowering weight via changes in diet and lifestyle have repeatedly been shown to improve glycemic control in patients with T2DM and even to reverse early disease. Weight gain, a potential side effect of treatment for patients with T2DM, is also an important concern, and it has been noted that weight increases associated with antidiabetes therapy may blunt cardiovascular risk reductions achieved by decreasing blood glucose. Among older agents, metformin and acarbose have the lowest risk for weight gain, while sulfonylureas, meglitinides, and thiazolidinediones are all associated with weight increases. Clinical trial results have also consistently demonstrated that treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and amylin lowers weight, and that dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors are weight neutral in patients with T2DM. Conventional human insulin formulations are known to increase weight in patients with T2DM. However, some insulin analogs, particularly insulin detemir, have lower liability for this adverse event. The use of both pharmacologic and surgical therapies aimed at treating obesity rather than lowering blood glucose have the potential to improve glycemic control and even resolve T2DM in some patients.
A New Instrument to Measure Quality of Life of Heart Failure Family Caregivers

Background and Purpose:Family caregivers of heart failure (HF) patients experience poor physical and mental health leading to poor quality of life. Although several quality-of-life measures exist, they are often too generic to capture the unique experience of this population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Family Caregiver Quality of Life (FAMQOL) Scale that was designed to assess the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of quality of life among caregivers of HF patients. Sample and Methods:Psychometric testing of the FAMQOL with 100 HF family caregivers was conducted using item analysis, Cronbach &agr;, intraclass correlation, factor analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression guided by a conceptual model. Caregivers were predominately female (89%), white, (73%), and spouses (62%). Results:Evidence of internal consistency reliability (&agr; = .89) was provided for the FAMQOL, with item-total correlations of 0.39 to 0.74. Two-week test-retest reliability was supported by an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.91. Using a 1-factor solution and principal axis factoring, loadings ranged from 0.31 to 0.78, with 41% of the variance explained by the first factor (eigenvalue = 6.5). With hierarchical multiple regression, 56% of the FAMQOL variance was explained by model constructs (F8,91 = 16.56, P < .001). Criterion-related validity was supported by correlations with SF-36 General (r = 0.45, P < .001) and Mental (r = 0.59, P < .001) Health subscales and Bakas Caregiving Outcomes Scale (r = 0.73, P < .001). Evidence of internal and test-retest reliability and construct and criterion validity was provided for physical, psychological, and social well-being subscales. Conclusions:The 16-item FAMQOL is a brief, easy-to-administer instrument that has evidence of reliability and validity in HF family caregivers. Physical, psychological, and social well-being can be measured with 4-item subscales. The FAMQOL scale could serve as a valuable measure in research, as well as an assessment tool to identify caregivers in need of intervention.
Recent progress on high wind-speed retrieval from multi-polarization SAR imagery: a review

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is a useful instrument for monitoring typhoons, hurricanes, and tropical cyclones from space. In this article, we summarize high wind-speed retrieval and validation methods for multi-polarization SAR. Compared to co-polarized geophysical model functions, we show that a cross-polarized wind-speed retrieval model is potentially able to estimate wind speed under extreme weather conditions. The resulting wind speeds are validated using in situ buoy observations, and airborne Stepped-Frequency Microwave Radiometer (SFMR) and spaceborne scatterometer measurements, as well as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hurricane Research Division’s Hurricane Wind Analysis System (H*Wind) data. We also analyse the effect of intense rainfall on SAR-derived winds. The wind-speed retrieval accuracy can be improved in cases where the normalized radar cross sections (NRCSs) are suitably modified in rainfall areas.
Formal verification of mixed-signal circuits using extended PSL

As an alternative approach, analyzing hybrid property, the formal method using extended PSL to express specification of mixed-signal circuits is addressed in this paper. With the ability to modeling discrete and continuous dynamic system, Hybrid Automata is adopted in verification of mixed-signal circuits. We extend the PSL to HAPSL (Hybrid Automata Based PSL) with Hybrid Automata, and define EBNF grammar for the syntax of HAPSL. The continuous temporal property and probabilistic property of mixed-signal circuit can be abstracted by HAPSL. Model Checking is proposed as a formal verifying methodology, in which an on-the- fly checking is preformed for the continuous temporal property, and the checking of probabilistic property is based on hypothesis test. We illustrated this method by analyzing two mixed-signal circuits. The specification of circuit that depends on continuous variables and stochastic process is expressed by HAPSL sentences.
Timed I/O automata: a complete specification theory for real-time systems

A specification theory combines notions of specifications and implementations with a satisfaction relation, a refinement relation and a set of operators supporting stepwise design. We develop a complete specifification framework for real-time systems using Timed I/O Automata as the specification formalism, with the semantics expressed in terms of Timed I/O Transition Systems. We provide constructs for refinement, consistency checking, logical and structural composition, and quotient of specifications --- all indispensable ingredients of a compositional design methodology. The theory is implemented on top of an engine for timed games, Uppaal-tiga, and illustrated with a small case study.
General PMSM d,q-model using optimized interpolated absolute and differential inductance surfaces

Widely used permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs) often show a significant inductance variation near and above the rated current values due to saturation. When the inductances are no longer constant, the model equations have to be modified. This paper proposes new, extended equations, which are as similar as possible to the linearized equations, to make the conversion of existing control schemes to the new approach as easy as possible. In addition, methods to measure the inductances needed for the new PMSM equations are explained together with an efficient implementation of the inductances.
Comparison of Ribosomal RNA Removal Methods for Transcriptome Sequencing Workflows in Teleost Fish

ABSTRACT RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) is becoming the standard for transcriptome analysis. Removal of contaminating ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a priority in the preparation of libraries suitable for sequencing. These methods have been well documented in mammals but typically require some optimization for lower vertebrates. Three commercial kits, including Dynabeads mRNA Purification Kit, RiboMinus Eukaryote System v2, and Ribo-Zero Gold rRNA Removal Kit were examined for the ability to remove rRNAs from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) RNA isolations. Total RNA was isolated from liver and muscle tissue samples (n = 24) and rRNAs removed using one of the three kits. Samples were analyzed visually on the Agilent Bioanalyzer and by Illumina RNA-seq, screening for Oncorhynchus rRNAs. There were significant differences between the kits in regards to their ability to remove rRNA, ranging from 2.74% – 10.94% rRNA sequences left behind per kit on average. Using the Bioanalyzer to evaluate ribosomal contamination in rRNA-depleted samples for RNA-Seq was good for detecting samples with higher concentrations of rRNA (>5%), but not very accurate at lower levels. Although all three kits were able to remove a substantial portion of the rRNA from different fish tissues, the Ribo-Zero Gold rRNA Removal Kit eliminated significantly more contaminating ribosomal RNAs than the others.
Trade of a problem-solving task

This paper focuses on a task allocation problem, particularly in cases where the task is to find a solution to a search problem or a constraint satisfaction problem. If the search problem is difficult to solve, a contractor may fail to find a solution. Here, the more computational resources, such as the CPU time, the contractor invests in solving the search problem, the more likely a solution will be found. This brings about a new problem in which a contractee has to find an appropriate quality level in task achievement as well as to efficiently allocate a task among contractors. For example, if the contractee asks the contractor to find a solution with certainty, the payment from the contractee to the contractor may exceed the contractee's benefit from obtaining a solution, which discourages the contractee from trading a task. However, it is difficult to solve this problem because the contractee cannot ascertain the contractor's problem-solving ability such as the amount of available resources and knowledge (e.g. algorithms, heuristics) nor monitor how many resources are actually invested in solving the allocated task. To solve this problem, we propose a task allocation mechanism that is able to choose an appropriate quality level in task achievement and prove that this mechanism guarantees that each contractor reveals its true information. Moreover, we show that our mechanism can increase the contractee's utility compared with a simple auction mechanism by using computer simulations.
Differential entropy feature for EEG-based emotion classification

EEG-based emotion recognition has been studied for a long time. In this paper, a new effective EEG feature named differential entropy is proposed to represent the characteristics associated with emotional states. Differential entropy (DE) and its combination on symmetrical electrodes (Differential asymmetry, DASM; and rational asymmetry, RASM) are compared with traditional frequency domain feature (energy spectrum, ES). The average classification accuracies using features DE, DASM, RASM, and ES on EEG data collected in our experiment are 84.22%, 80.96%, 83.28%, and 76.56%, respectively. This result indicates that DE is more suited for emotion recognition than traditional feature, ES. It is also confirmed that EEG signals on frequency band Gamma relates to emotional states more closely than other frequency bands. Feature smoothing method- linear dynamical system (LDS), and feature selection algorithm- minimal-redundancy-maximal-relevance (MRMR) algorithm also help to increase the accuracies and efficiencies of EEG-based emotion classifiers.