Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using topographic lidar to map flood risk from storm-surge events for Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

As part of a recent project to determine coastal impacts of climate change and sea-level rise on Prince Edward Island (PEI), airborne scanning laser altimetry (lidar) was employed to acquire high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) and other landscape information. The study area included both the Charlottetown urban area and an extensive portion of the rural North Shore of PEI. Problems with the lidar data included data gaps and incorrect classification of "ground" and "non-ground" laser hits along the waterfront. Accurate representation of wharves and other waterfront features in the DEM was achieved by combining "ground" and "non-ground" data. The importance of calibration and validation in lidar data acquisition and interpretation was demonstrated by three independent validation exercises that uncovered and adjusted for a vertical offset attributed to calibration problems. The ground DEM was adjusted to hydrographic chart datum and used to model flood extent at three storm-surge water levels, one observed in the record storm of 21 January 2000 and two higher levels representing flood scenarios under rising sea level. Flood modelling was executed in a geographic information system (GIS) on the gridded ground DEM. The resulting binary grids were vectorized along the flooding limit. Low-lying areas isolated from free exchange with the harbour were excluded from the flood area. Vectors depicting the storm-surge water lines for the three flood scenarios were implemented on the geographic information system (GIS) in the city planning department and overlain on property boundary and assessment layers. This study demonstrated that validated DEMs derived from airborne lidar data are efficient and adequate tools for mapping flood risk hazard zones in coastal communities.
Norges Teknisk-naturvitenskapelige Universitet Estimation and Prediction in Spatial Models with Block Composite Likelihoods Using Parallel Computing Estimation and Prediction in Spatial Models with Block Composite Likelihoods Using Parallel Computing

A block composite likelihood model is developed for estimation and prediction in large spatial datasets. The composite likelihood is constructed from the joint densities of pairs of adjacent spatial blocks. This allows large datasets to be split into many smaller datasets, each of which can be evaluated separately, and combined through a simple summation. Estimates for unknown parameters as well as optimal spatial predictions under the block composite model are obtained. Asymptotic variances for both parameter estimates and predictions are computed using Godambe sandwich matrices. In addition to the considerable increases in computational efficiency it achieves, the composite structure also obviates the need to load entire datasets into memory at once, completely avoiding memory limitations imposed by massive datasets. Moreover, computing time can be drastically reduced even further by distributing the operations using parallel computing. A simulation study shows that composite likelihood estimates and predictions, as well as their corresponding asymptotic confidence intervals, are competitive with those based on the full likelihood. The procedure is demonstrated on one dataset from the mining industry and one dataset of satellite retrievals. The real-data examples show that the block composite results tend to outperform two competitors; the predictive process model and fixed rank Kriging.
Fiber-Optic Temperature Sensor Using a Fabry–Pérot Cavity Filled With Gas of Variable Pressure

We report a high-temperature fiber-optic sensor based on measuring the spectral fringes of a Fabry-Pérot (FP) cavity on a microstructure fiber (MF) when the gas pressure in the cavity is varied through the holes in the MF. Theoretical analysis shows that the absolute temperature can be deduced from the slope of the spectral shift versus pressure curve, which requires no calibration and is insensitive to the FP cavity length variations. For demonstration, we fabricated a miniature sensor whose FP cavity is formed by sandwiching a fuse-silica tube between a side-hole MF and a solid-core fiber. Using the holes in the MF as gas channels, the pressure in the FP cavity is controlled. The sensor was tested for operation above 1000°C. Strain-insensitive temperature measurement was demonstrated at ambient temperature for a strain range up to 3600 με.
Brand Personality of the Premier League of Iran's Soccer - Strategies and Consequences

Background. Brand Personality (BP) is one of the most commonly used concepts in marketing literature, and academicians and marketers believe in its benefits. Today, brand personality plays an important role in strategic management and it is considered as one of the most important tactics of an organization to gain a Competitive Advantage (CA). Objectives. This paper aims to investigate the factors that cause the growth and development of brand personality of the Premier League of Iran's Soccer and identify the actions and interactions resulting from this phenomenon, and the results and consequences of the use of these actions and interactions. Methods. To this end, the present study was conducted in the framework of a qualitative approach using the Grounded Theory (GT) method. The data collection tools included semi - structured in- depth interviews. Using the purposive sampling method, 23 individuals including academic elites, experts familiar with brand management issues in sports, certified managers and sports practitioners in soccer league organization, club managers, and sports media and brand specialists, were selected and interviewed. The obtained data were analyzed using the three-step process of open, axial and selective codings. Results. Based on the results obtained from the open coding of the qualitative interviews, 103 attributes were identified with regards to the factors that shape Premier League brand personality. The findings indicate that there are 83 effective attributes in the brand personality phenomenon and its growth and development. The required strategies and consequences of the brand personality in the Premier League of Iran's Soccer were classified into 9 concepts, including organizational attributes, team attributes, function, fans, direct resources, indirect resources, performance attributes, non-performance attributes, brand strength and relationships. Conclusion. Considering the key concepts associated with the formation of the brand personality of Premier League, namely the organizational attributes, team attributes, function and fans, executives and planners of the premier league of soccer can act and interact based on the provided strategies, so as to obtain the expected results, that is, emergence of the brand personality of premier league, and the consequences of this emergence, such as two-way relationship with the customers and potential beneficiaries, and to strengthen the brand success variables such as the image, attitude, purchase preferences and services provided by the league.
Gata3 Is a Critical Regulator of Cochlear Wiring

Spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) play a key role in hearing by rapidly and faithfully transmitting signals from the cochlea to the brain. Identification of the transcriptional networks that ensure the proper specification and wiring of SGNs during development will lay the foundation for efforts to rewire a damaged cochlea. Here, we show that the transcription factor Gata3, which is expressed in SGNs throughout their development, is essential for formation of the intricately patterned connections in the cochlea. We generated conditional knock-out mice in which Gata3 is deleted after SGNs are specified. Cochlear wiring is severely disrupted in these animals, with premature extension of neurites that follow highly abnormal trajectories toward their targets, as shown using in vitro neurite outgrowth assays together with time-lapse imaging of whole embryonic cochleae. Expression profiling of mutant neurons revealed a broad shift in gene expression toward a more differentiated state, concomitant with minor changes in SGN identity. Thus, Gata3 appears to serve as an “intermediate regulator” that guides SGNs through differentiation and preserves the auditory fate. As the first auditory-specific regulator of SGN development, Gata3 provides a useful molecular entry point for efforts to engineer SGNs for the restoration of hearing.
Exploring ESA to Improve Word Relatedness

Explicit Semantic Analysis (ESA) is an approach to calculate the semantic relatedness between two words or natural language texts with the help of concepts grounded in human cognition. ESA usage has received much attention in the field of natural language processing, information retrieval and text analysis, however, performance of the approach depends on several parameters that are included in the model, and also on the text data type used for evaluation. In this paper, we investigate the behavior of using different number of Wikipedia articles in building ESA model, for calculating the semantic relatedness for different types of text pairs: word-word, phrasephrase and document-document. With our findings, we further propose an approach to improve the ESA semantic relatedness scores for words by enriching the words with their explicit context such as synonyms, glosses and Wikipedia definitions.
Phase II clinical trial of intralesional administration of the oncolytic adenovirus ONYX-015 in patients with hepatobiliary tumors with correlative p53 studies.

PURPOSE ONYX-015 is a genetically modified adenovirus with a deletion of the E1B early gene and is therefore designed to replicate preferentially in p53-mutated cells. A Phase II trial of intralesional ONYX-015 was conducted in patients with hepatobiliary tumors to determine the safety and efficacy of such a treatment. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN All patients had biopsy-proven, measurable tumors of the liver, gall bladder, or bile ducts that were beyond the scope of surgical resection. Patients received intralesional injections of ONYX-015 at either 6 x 10(9) or 1 x 10(10) plaque-forming units/lesion up to a total dose of 3 x 10(10) plaque-forming units, and i.p. injections were allowed in patients with malignant ascites. The status of p53 was assessed by immunohistochemistry or Affymetrix GeneChip microarray analysis. Studies were conducted for viral shedding and for the presence of antiadenoviral antibodies before and after the injection of ONYX-015. Patients were assessed for response and toxicity. RESULTS Twenty patients were enrolled, and 19 patients were eligible. Half of the patients had primary bile duct carcinomas. Serious toxicities (> grade 2) were uncommon and included hepatic toxicity (three patients), anemia (one patient), infection (one patient), and cardiac toxicity (one patient, atrial fibrillation). Sixteen patients were evaluable for response. Among these evaluable patients, 1 of 16 (6.3%) had a partial response, 1 of 16 (6.3%) had prolonged disease stabilization (49 weeks), and 8 of 16 (50%) had a >50% reduction in tumor markers. Of the 19 eligible patients, 18 (94.7%) had specimens available for p53 analysis. Fifteen of these 18 patients (83.3%) had evidence of p53 mutation by one or both methods, although the methods correlated poorly. Viral shedding was confined to bile (two of two patients) and ascites (four of four patients). Pretreatment adenoviral antibodies were present in 14 of 14 patients and increased by 33.2% after ONYX-015 treatment. CONCLUSIONS Intralesional treatment with ONYX-015 in patients with hepatobiliary tumors is safe and well tolerated, and some patients had evidence of an anticancer effect. The high incidence of p53 mutations in these tumors makes this a logical population in which to test this therapy but precludes definitive evaluation about the necessity of a p53 mutation for ONYX-015 clinical activity.
Decoder-Side Super-Resolution and Frame Interpolation for Improved H.264 Video Coding

In literature decoder-side motion estimation is shown to improve video coding efficiency of both H.264 and HEVC standards. In this paper we introduce enhanced skip and direct modes for H.264 coding using decoder-side super-resolution (SR) and frame interpolation. P- and B-frames are down sampled and H.264 encoded at lower resolution (LR). Then reconstructed LR frames are super-resolved using decoder-side motion estimation. Alternatively for B-frames, bidirectional true motion estimation is performed to synthesize a B-frame from its reference frames. For P-frames, bicubic interpolation of the LR frame is used as an alternative to SR reconstruction. A rate-distortion optimal mode selection algorithm determines for each MB which of the two reconstructions to use as skip/direct mode prediction. Simulations indicate an average of 1.04 dB PSNR improvement or 23.0% bit rate reduction at low bit rates when compared to H.264 standard. Average PSNR gains reach as high as 3.95 dB depending on the video content and frame rate.
ON THE STABILITY OF SOME HIERARCHICAL RANK STRUCTURED MATRIX ALGORITHMS

In this paper, we investigate the numerical error propagation and provide systematic backward stability analysis for some hierarchical rank structured matrix algorithms. We prove the backward stability of various important hierarchically semiseparable (HSS) methods, such as HSS matrix-vector multiplications, HSS ULV linear system solutions, HSS linear least squares solutions, HSS inversions, and some variations. Concrete backward error bounds are given, including a structured backward error for the solution in terms of the structured factors. The error propagation factors involve only low-degree powers of the maximum off-diagonal numerical rank and the logarithm of the matrix size. Thus, as compared with the corresponding standard dense matrix algorithms, the HSS algorithms not only are faster but also have much better stability. We also show that factorization-based HSS solutions are usually preferred, while inversion-based ones may suffer from numerical instability. The analysis builds a comprehensive framework for understanding the backward stability of hierarchical rank structured methods. The error propagation patterns also provide insights into the improvement of other types of structured solvers and the design of new stable hierarchical structured algorithms. Some numerical examples are included to support the studies.
Indexter : A Computational Model of the Event-Indexing Situation Model for Characterizing Narratives

Previous approaches to computational models of narrative have successfully considered the internal coherence of the narrative’s structure. However, narratives are also externally focused and authors often design their stories to affect users in specific ways. In order to better characterize the audience in the process of modeling narrative, we introduce Indexter: a computational model of the Event-Indexing Situation Model, a cognitive framework which predicts the salience of previously experienced events in memory based on the current event the audience is experiencing. We approach computational models of narrative from a foundational perspective, and feel that salience is at the core of comprehension. If a particular narrative phenomenon can be expressed in terms of salience in a person’s memory, the phenomenon, in principle, is representable in our model. This paper provides the fundamental bases of our approach as a springboard for future work which will use this model to reason about the audience’s mental state, and to generate narrative fabula and discourse intended to achieve a specific narrative effect.
Ligation of α-Dystroglycan on Podocytes Induces Intracellular Signaling: A New Mechanism for Podocyte Effacement?

Background α-Dystroglycan is a negatively charged glycoprotein that covers the apical and basolateral membrane of the podocyte. Its transmembrane binding to the cytoskeleton is regulated via tyrosine phosphorylation (pY892) of β-dystroglycan. At the basolateral side α-dystroglycan binds the glomerular basement membrane. At the apical membrane, it plays a role in the maintenance of the filtration slit. In this study, we evaluated whether ligation of α-dystroglycan with specific antibodies or natural ligands induces intracellular signaling, and whether there is an effect on podocyte architecture. Methodology/Principal Findings Conditionally immortalized podocytes were exposed in vitro to antibodies to α-dystroglycan, and to fibronectin, biglycan, laminin and agrin. Intracellular calcium fluxes, phosphorylation of β-dystroglycan and podocyte architecture were studied. Antibodies to α-dystroglycan could specifically induce calcium signaling. Fibronectin also induced calcium signaling, and led to dephosphorylation of pY892 in β-dystroglycan. Ligation of α-dystroglycan resulted in an altered actin architecture, a decreased number of podocyte pedicles and a more flattened appearance of the podocyte. Conclusions/Significance We conclude that ligation of α-dystroglycan on podocytes induces intracellular calcium signaling, which leads to an altered cytoskeleton architecture akin to the situation of foot process effacement. In particular the ability of fibronectin to induce intracellular signaling events is of interest, since the expression and excretion of this protein is upregulated in several proteinuric diseases. Therefore, fibronectin-induced signaling via dystroglycan may be a novel mechanism for foot process effacement in proteinuric diseases.
Electroporators based on digital formation of arbitrarily-shaped electroporation pulses.

Abstract We have designed and constructed a Digital Poration System (DPS), a versatile device for electrotreatment of biological objects by electric field pulses. The feature distinguishing DPS from the currently available electroporators that are based on capacitor discharge through the load is the use of a digital-to-analog converter card as the pulse generator, with further amplification of the pulse by both voltage and current. The pulse shape is arbitrarily programmable in DPS and includes bipolar pulses, unlike other electroporators, which provide only unipolar exponentially decaying and rectangular pulses. In DPS, many of the drawbacks inherent in other electroporators have been eliminated, including the need for additional external pulse analyzer (optimizer) monitoring and logging the electroporation processes, the need to recharge the capacitor before any new pulse, poor precision in setting and measuring the pulse parameters, the need for an additional generator of a long-lasting low-voltage sig.
Decision support system on the grid

Aero-engines are extremely reliable machines and operational failures are rare. However, currently great effort is being put into reducing the number of in-flight engine shutdowns, aborted take-offs and flight delays through the use of advanced engine health monitoring technology. This represents a benefit to society through reduced delays, reduced anxiety and reduced cost of ownership of aircraft. This is reflected in a change of emphasis within aero-engine companies where, instead of selling engines to customers, there is a fundamental shift to adoption of power-by-the-hour contracts. In these contracts, airlines make fixed regular payments based on the hours flown and the engine manufacturer retains responsibility for maintaining the engine. To support this new approach, improvements in in-flight monitoring of engines are being introduced with the collection of much more detailed data on the operation of the engine. At the same time advances have been made in Internet technologies providing a worldwide network of computers that can be used to access and process that data. The explosion of available knowledge within those large datasets also presents its own problems and here it is necessary to work on advanced decision support systems to identify the useful information in the data and provide knowledge-based advice between individual aircraft, airline repair and overhaul bases, world-wide data warehouses and the engine manufacturer. This paper presents a practical framework in which to build such a system that is inherent in the emerging Grid computing paradigm that provides the necessary computing resources. A demonstrator system already developed and implemented in the UK E-Science Grid project, DAME, is introduced.
Precoding for coded communication on block fading channels and cooperative communications

We study precoding for the outage probability minimization of block fading (BF) channels and BF relay channels. Recently, an upper bound on the outage probability with precoding was established for BF channels, but only for high instantaneous SNR. This upper bound is much easier to minimize than the actual outage probability, so that optimal precoding matrices can be determined without much computational effort. Here, we provide a proof for the upper bound on the outage probability at low instantaneous SNR. Next, the structure of the precoding matrix is simplified so that it can be easily constructed for an arbitrary number of blocks in the BF channel. Finally, we apply this technique to cooperative communications.
Hydrologic Restoration in the Urban Environment Using Green Roofs

Abstract: Loss of natural soil and vegetation within the urban environment can significantly affect the hydrologic cycle by increasing storm water runoff rates and volumes. In order to mitigate these modifications in urban areas engineered systems are developed, such as green roofs, to mimic and replace functions (evapo-transpiration, infiltration, percolation) which have been altered due to the impact of human development. Green roofs, also known as vegetated roof covers, eco-roofs or nature roofs, are composite complex layered structures with specific environmental benefits. They are increasingly being used as a source control measure for urban storm water management. Indeed, they are able to re-establish the natural water cycle processes and to operate hydrologic control over storm water runoff with a derived peak flow attenuation, runoff volume reduction and increase of the time of concentration. Furthermore green roofs exhibit the capacity to reduce storm water pollution; they generally act as a storage device, consequently pollutants are accumulated in the substrate layer and released when intensive rainwater washes them out. In order to investigate the hydrologic response of a green roof, the University of Genova recently developed a joint laboratory and full-scale monitoring programme by installing a “controlled” laboratory test-bed with known rainfall input and a companion green roof experimental site (40 cm depth) in the town of Genoa. In the paper, data collected during the monitoring programme are presented and compared with literature data.
Fall predictors in the community dwelling elderly: a cross sectional and prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES To ascertain the risk factors for falls, stumbles and recurrent falls in a cohort of elderly people with mean age of 76.7-/+6.1 years. METHODS 137 community dwelling elderly living independently or in assisted living institutions participated in the study. Each subject was assessed by history, physical examination and physical performance tests at the beginning and end of study. Falls and stumbles were recorded in a falls dairy for 1 year. RESULTS Significant predictors of being a faller were a history of falls at baseline (Odds Ratio (OR) = 3.85, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.56 - 9.50), depression (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.02 - 1.38) and timed rise (Incident Rate Ratio (IRR) = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.03 - 1.50). For predicting recurrent fallers Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curves were as follows: 0.71 (95%CI 0.61-0.81) for timed up and go, 0.67 (95%CI 0.56-0.78) for timed rise and 0.70 (95%CI 0.60-0.80) for timed walk fast pace. CONCLUSIONS Timed rise was the single most important test that was able to predict both a first time faller and recurrent faller. Timed up and go was the most significant test to predict recurrent fallers.