Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Best Hyperspectral Features for LAI Estimation Using Partial Least Squares Regression

Abstract: The use of spectral features to estimate leaf area index (LAI) is generally considered a challenging task for hyperspectral data. In this study, the hyperspectral reflectance of winter wheat was se lected to optimize the selection of spectral features and to evaluate their performance in modeling LAI at various grow th stages during 2008 and 2009. We extracted hyperspectral featur es using different techniques, including reflectance spectra and first derivative spectra, absorption and reflectance position and vegetation indices. In order to find the best subset of features with the best predictive accuracy, partial least squares regression (PLSR) and variable importance in projection (VIP) were applied to estimated LAI values. The results indicated that the red edge–NIR spectral region (680 nm–1300 nm) was the most sensitive to LAI. Most features in this region exhibited a high correlation with LAI and had higher VIP values, especially the first derivative waveband at 750 nm (
Turbo Decoding of Multiple Descriptions with Quantized Frame Expansions

— We address the joint use of a heterogeneous source of redundancy in a coding chain: multiple description coding and channel coding where the redundancy on the source symbols and on the transmitted bits are generated by quantized frame expansions and convolu-tional coding, respectively. The received signal is viewed as the noisy output of a serial concatenated coding system, and a turbo-type decoder that relies on a soft information exchange between its decoding blocks is proposed to iteratively reconstruct the source signal. EXIT charts are used to characterize the convergence behavior of the proposed iterative receiver, which in turn is used to select system parameters such as the channel code. The turbo receiver is simulated for 2 5 frame expansions where the results indicate a significant gain achieved by the decoding iteration both in the erasure and no erasure cases. I. INTRODUCTION Frame expansion is considered as an effective measure of multiple description coding against erasures by the source coding community, whereas channel coding is often preferred for error protection in communications applications. In this paper, we consider a joint scheme making use of these two sources of redundancy in a coding chain. Observing that the MD and channel encoders form a serial concatenated coding system, we propose a turbo-type receiver scheme that exchanges extrinsic information between the two decoding modules in order to perform joint decoding iteratively. A similar problem has been addressed in [1] where the source redundancy is created by multiple description scalar quantization (MDSQ) [2]. Despite its design simplicity, MDSQ has the disadvantage of being limited to only two descriptions. In this paper, we consider a more general MD problem with any number of inputs and outputs, for this reason we form the source descriptions with quantized frame expansions (QFE) [3], [4]. In the proposed system, the frame expanded coefficients are scalar quantized, mapped onto binary code-words and encoded by a convolutional encoder after interleaving. Note that from the receiver point of view the QFE-MD encoder and the channel encoder can be observed as a serial concatenated coding system, and as in [1] joint decoding can be performed iteratively. This requires, however, the source reconstructor to be a " soft-input, soft-output " (SISO) module like the channel decoder so that it is suitable for iterative processing. For this reason we propose a reconstruction algorithm that accepts and generates soft probabilistic information in the form of log …
A Semantic and Multidisciplinary Model for Professional and Social Networks Analysis

By bridge-building between the classical models of social networks analysis, ontologies engineering and physics, our work defines a multidisciplinary model of professional social networks analysis, dedicated to human and social capital management in enterprises and institutions. We introduce a semantic process of social graphs static and dynamic analysis, based on the enterprise content and producing decisional tools for the performance management. This approach is in line with the Socio prise project, in partnership with a leader software engineering company for human capital management. Socio prise is funded by the French State Secretariat at the prospective and development of digital economy.
An Error Driven 3D Face Modeling Scheme Based on Partial Differential Equations

With the rapid development of computer graphics, the Partial Differential Equations (PDE) based geometry reconstruction technique has recently been considered as a powerful tool for 3D face modeling. However, the challenge on the accuracy of the reconstructed 3D face still exists due to the diversity of facial expressions. In this paper, an error driven 3D face modeling scheme based on PDE is proposed. Given a required error threshold, the proposed 3D face modeling scheme will dynamically select the boundary curves and iteratively approach to the required PDE based 3D face model under the control of the error distribution strategy. Experiments have shown the feasibility of the proposed scheme. And the generated 3D face model features the higher flexibility and the descriptive ability.
Intraperitoneal Infusion of Neutral-pH Superoxidized Solution in Rats: Evaluation of Toxicity and Complications on Peritoneal Surface and Liver

Background Superoxidized water (SOW) is known to be a potent disinfectant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity and complications on the peritoneal surface and liver after infusion of pH-neutral SOW into the peritoneal cavity of rats. Material/Methods Thirty Wistar-Albino rats weighing 250–300 g were randomly divided into 3 groups (10 rats/group). Group1 (control group) rats received single dose of 10 mg/kg saline solution intraperitoneally. Group 2 (single-dose group) rats received a single dose of 10 mg/kg pH-neutral SOW intraperitoneally. Group 3 (multiple-doses group) rats received multiple doses of 10 mg/kg pH-neutral SOW intraperitoneally on days 1, 3, and 5. All animals were killed at 1 week after infusion. Blood specimens were taken to the laboratory and macroscopic and microscopic examinations were performed on each rat. Results All 30 rats survived after the infusion. The gross-macroscopic examinations revealed no pathologic findings in any of the 3 groups. The microscopic examination of peritoneum and liver showed no signs of toxicity or complications in any of the 3 groups. There were no statistically significant differences among the 3 groups with regards to the blood biochemistry, including hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea, or creatinine levels (p>0.05). However, the leucocyte counts were lower in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2, but this was not statistically significant (p=0.189). Conclusions Intraperitoneal infusion of pH-neutral SOW does not result in any significant toxicity or complications on the liver and peritoneal surface. However, multiple infusions lead to low leucocyte counts and future studies with longer follow-up times are needed.
The Eastward Enlargement of the European Monetary Union

The enlargement of the European monetary union to include new EU Member States (NMs) will not lead to higher expected inflation in the enlarged euro area, but only to some redistribution of inflation at the country level, if the policy framework of the monetary authority remains invariant. Shocks to the real exchange rate may affect instead aggregate inflation, if member countries' economic structure differs. The numerical results indicate that the impact on steady state inflation of the current euro area is limited if participating countries are weighted on the basis of nominal GDP and if the upward pressure on the real exchange rate is postulated to be in line with most estimates of the Balassa-Samuelson effect. In the event of real exchange rate or country-specific supply shocks in NMs, the consequences are found to be limited for the current and the enlarged euro area, but sizeable for the NMs themselves.
A modified (t, n) threshold proxy signature scheme based on the RSA cryptosystem

Recently, a threshold proxy signature scheme based on RSA cryptosystem to enhance the flexibility of traditional proxy signature scheme has been proposed by Hwang et al. However, this new threshold proxy signature scheme is still unworkable because there is some security weakness, such as the similar to RSA reblocking problem and each proxy signer can not find out the Lagrange coefficient, exist in this new scheme. In this paper, we not only give some security flaws to show that their scheme is insecure but also provide a feasible scheme to solve the open problem.
SELF-GENERATING VARIABLES IN A COINTEGRATED VAR FRAMEWORK

A variable is defined to be self-generating if it can be forecast efficiently from its own past only. Conditions are derived for certain linear combinations to be self-generating in error correction models. Interestingly, there are only two candidates for self-generation in an error correction model. They are cointegrating relationships and common stochastic trends defined by Gonzalo and Granger (1995). The usefulness of self-generation as a multivariate-modelling tool is investigated. A simple testing procedure is also presented. Some interesting economic hypothesis can be easily tested in the self-generation framework. For example, for forward exchange rate to have forecasting power for the future movements in spot rate, the latter should not be self-generating. Given that they are cointegrated, the spot exchange rate should not be a common stochastic trend, which can be easily tested. We also provide additional examples.
Fate of Z(N) walls in hot holographic QCD

We first study ZN walls/interfaces in a deconfined phase of Witten's D4-brane background of pure SU(N) Yang-Mills theory, motivated by a recent work in the case of N = 4 SYM. Similarly to it, we propose that for a large wall charge k ~ N, it is described by k D2-branes blown up into a NS5-brane wrapping S3 inside S4 via Myers effect, and we calculate the tension by suitable U-duality. We find a precise Casimir scaling for the tension formula. We then study the fate of ZN-vacua in a presence of fundamental flavors in quenched approximation via gauge/gravity correspondence. In the case of D3/D7 system where one can vary the mass mq of flavors, we show that there is a phase transition at Tc ~ mq, below which the ZN-vacua survive while they are lifted above the critical temperature. We analytically calculate the energy lift of k'th vacua in the massless case, both in the D3/D7 system and in the Sakai-Sugimoto model.
Analysis of Cryptographic Algorithms' Characters in Binary File

Analysis of cryptographic algorithms is becoming more and more important in information security and malware analysis community. In this paper we have studied the static and dynamic characters of cryptography algorithms in program application by reversing a great lot of samples, and have summarized the static characters as crypto constants, lots of bit wise and arithmetic, logical expression, leaf functions and standard library by IDA. For dynamic characters, we have applied pin-tool to extract the characters as dynamic constants, dynamic statistic and memory operation data. Each static and dynamic character also has relevant sample to validate. Lastly, general comparisons have also been taken between these two kind characters and also have brought forward the future work.
Troglitazone Attenuates TGF-β1-Induced EMT in Alveolar Epithelial Cells via a PPARγ-Independent Mechanism

Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonists are effective antifibrotic agents in a number of tissues. Effects of these agents on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of primary alveolar epithelial cells (AEC) and potential mechanisms underlying effects on EMT have not been well delineated. We examined effects of troglitazone, a synthetic PPARγ agonist, on transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced EMT in primary rat AEC and an alveolar epithelial type II (AT2) cell line (RLE-6TN). TGF-β1 (2.5 ng/mL) induced EMT in both cell types, as evidenced by acquisition of spindle-like morphology, increased expression of the mesenchymal marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and downregulation of the tight junctional protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1). Concurrent treatment with troglitazone (or rosiglitazone), ameliorated effects of TGF-β1. Furthermore, following stimulation with TGF-β1 for 6 days, troglitazone reversed EMT-related morphological changes and restored both epithelial and mesenchymal markers to control levels. Treatment with GW9662 (an irreversible PPARγ antagonist), or overexpression of a PPARγ dominant negative construct, failed to inhibit these effects of troglitazone in AEC. Troglitazone not only attenuated TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation of Akt and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β, but also inhibited nuclear translocation of β-catenin, phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 and upregulation of the EMT-associated transcription factor SNAI1. These results demonstrate inhibitory actions of troglitazone on TGF-β1-induced EMT in AEC via a PPARγ-independent mechanism likely through inhibition of β-catenin-dependent signaling downstream of TGF-β1, supporting a role for interactions between TGF-β and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways in EMT.
The Luminosity Functions of Old and Intermediate-Age Globular Clusters in NGC 3610

The Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 on board the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) has been used to obtain high-resolution images of NGC 3610, a dynamically young elliptical galaxy in a group environment. These observations supersede shorter, undithered HST observations in which an intermediate-age population of globular clusters was discovered. The new observations show the bimodal color distribution of globular clusters more clearly, with peaks at V-I = 0.95 and 1.17. The luminosity function of the blue metal-poor population of clusters in NGC 3610 turns over, consistent with a Gaussian distribution with a peak MV ≈ -7.0, similar to old globular cluster populations in elliptical galaxies. The red metal-rich population of clusters has a luminosity function that is more extended toward both the bright and faint ends, as expected for a cluster population of intermediate age. It is well fitted by a power law ϕ(L)dL ∝ Lα dL, with an exponent of α = -1.78 ± 0.05, or α = -1.90 ± 0.07 when corrected for observational scatter. A Kolmogorov-Smirnov test confirms the significant difference between the luminosity functions of the red and blue clusters, with a probability of less than 0.1% that they come from the same population. A comparison with the Fall & Zhang cluster disruption models shows marginal agreement with the observed data when comparing both the luminosity functions and the mean color distributions, although there are differences in detail. In particular, there is no clear evidence of the predicted turnover at the faint end, although deeper observations will be required to make a definitive test. A by-product of the analysis is the demonstration that at any given metallicity the peak of the luminosity function should remain nearly constant from 1.5 to 12 Gyr, since the effect of the disruption of faint clusters is almost perfectly balanced by the fading of the clusters. This may help explain the apparent universality of the peak of the globular cluster luminosity function.
SURFACE IMPEDANCE OF CYCLINDERS AND WEDGES : A NEUMANN APPROACH

It is shown that the surface impedance operator of a general cylinder is a multiple of the Green-Neumann operator. Closed-form solutions for the Neumann kernel of the circular cylinder and the wedge yield new formulas for the surface impedance in terms of the radius of the cylinder and the wedge angle. The results are validated by numerical experiments.
Nurminen Method for Confidence Intervals of the Difference in Binomial Proportions from Stratified 2 x 2 Samples

The Miettinen & Nurminen (1985) method is often used for constructing confidence intervals of the difference in binomial proportions from stratified 2x2 samples. However, the weighting strategy proposed in their paper requires an iterative procedure to implement, which is nested within another iterative procedure for finding the confidence limits. This paper examines the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel (CMH) weighting strategy that does not require an iterative procedure to implement. Compared to the weighting strategy proposed in their original paper, the new weighting strategy does not affect the performance of the resulting confidence intervals while significantly reducing the computational time.
Fast Algorithms for Simultaneous Optimization of Performance , Energy and Temperature in DAG Scheduling on Multi-Core Processors

We have proposed two algorithms for simultaneously optimizing performance, energy, and temperature while scheduling a set of tasks on a multi-core system (PET-Scheduling). The proposed algorithms differ in the way they use task allocation and voltage selection decisions to obtain multiple schedules (trade-off solutions) with a wide range of values along each objective. PET-PPF combines a power and performance-aware allocation scheme with probabilistic voltage selection to obtain these trade-off solutions. PET-DCP, on the other hand, first adjusts the task execution times using probabilistic voltage selection before leveraging a performance-optimal scheduler to generate the final schedule. Our results on several application task graphs demonstrate that both of the proposed algorithms can obtain the trade-off curves comprising of multiple solutions to the PET-Scheduling problem. PET-DCP, however, is able to achieve identical energy and thermal improvements as that of PET-PPF but at the same time degrades the performance by as much as 1.5 times less than that of the PET-PPF.
Study Protocol on Cognitive Performance in Bulgaria, Croatia, and the Netherlands: The Normacog Brief Battery

The Normacog Brief Battery (NBB) provides a comprehensive overview of an individual’s cognitive functioning within a short amount of time. It was originally developed for the Spanish population in Spain. However, there is a considerable need for brief batteries in clinical neuropsychological assessment, especially in eastern European countries. Cultural background and other individual characteristics—such as age, level of education, and sex—are shown to influence both cognition and patients’ performance on neuropsychological tests. Therefore, it is important to develop understanding of how and why culture impacts on cognitive testing and determine which sociodemographic variables affect cognitive performance. The current study aims to translate, adapt, and standardize the NBB in Bulgaria, Croatia, and the Netherlands, and to analyze the effect of sex, age, and education level on cognitive performance between these three countries. This brief battery assesses eleven cognitive domains, including those most currently relevant in cognition such as premorbid intelligence, attention, executive function, processing speed, and memory. The translation and adaptation of the battery for different cultures will be done using the back-translation process. After exclusion criteria, the current study will include a total sample of 300 participants (≥18 years old). The samples of 100 participants per country will be balanced through the consideration of their age and level of education. Effects of the sociodemographic variables (age, level of education, and sex) on cognitive performance are expected. Furthermore, this relationship is expected to differ across countries. A multivariate hierarchical linear regression will be used and exploratory analysis will be carried out to investigate further effects. The results will be particularly valuable for future research and assessment in cognitive performance. The growing demand for accurate and fast neuropsychological assessment shows the importance of creating a universal brief assessment tool for wider cross-cultural application.
The efficacy of Alahmady ring implantation in the management of neovascular glaucoma

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Alahmady ring implantation in the management of neovascular glaucoma. Methods A total of 15 eyes of 15 patients with intractable neovascular glaucoma with intraocular pressure (IOP) ≥28 mmHg not responding to medical treatment were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had poor visual acuity and underwent Alahmady ring implantation. The ring was designed from fenestrated silicon tube used in lacrimal surgeries and was implanted subsclerally after passing it through the anterior chamber. Patients were followed up for at least 24 months. Success in this study was defined based on IOP ≥8 mmHg and <21 mmHg, with not more than 1 glaucoma drug, and improvement of patient symptoms and signs with maximum use of beta blocker as antiglaucoma drug. Results A total of 15 eyes of 15 patients (9 males [60%] and 6 females [40%]) were analyzed in this study. The mean IOP before surgery was 38.6 mmHg (standard deviation [SD]: 6.98) and it was 14.05 mmHg (SD =7.57) after surgery. The follow-up range was 24–36 months. Success of silicon drainage device was defined as an IOP <21 mmHg on the last follow-up visit. Medications included only beta-blockers and topical steroids for those who were without severe complications or for those who were not in a condition to undergo a further glaucoma surgery. Conclusion Alahmady ring implantation proves to be a good surgical option for neovascular glaucoma; however, a longer follow-up period is recommended.
A thermodynamical formalism describing mechanical interactions

The dynamical behavior of an overdamped mechanical model devoid of any usual thermal effects is analyzed by a formalism that is similar to usual thermodynamics, and completely independent of any ad hoc assumption of a probability distribution of states in phase space of the mechanical model. It leads to the definition of a new entropy function, which does not coincide with the usual thermodynamical entropy. The new step making the difference to previous studies of this system is the identification of two non-equivalent mechanical interaction mechanisms, which are defined and identified as work and pseudo-heat. Together with the introduced effective temperature θ, they make it possible to characterize the equivalent to isothermal, adiabatic, isobaric, and isochoric processes. Three statements, formally analogous to the zeroth, first, and second law of thermodynamics, are issued. The statement of the second law results from the asymmetry in the way energy can be exchanged along the two processes. A Carnot cycle is defined, for which the efficiency is expressed in terms of θ in the operating pseudo-heat reservoirs. The analogous Clausius theorem for the system operating an arbitrary reversible cycle is proved, leading to the new entropy function. Consequences of the extension of thermodynamic formalism to mechanical models with different processes of transferring energy are discussed.