Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Digital governance and information technologies in local action groups (LAGs)

Abstract LEADER has been an outstanding example, within the European normative institutional model, of progress towards territorial governance. The application of this policy has been organised through local action groups (LAGs). This study aims to develop the analysis of the existing relationship between rural development and territorial governance by looking at the usefulness of digitalisation processes in providing access to the information available in these LAGs. The paper will attempt to measure digital governance with the DGOVERNANCE_LAG tool to evaluate digital access to the information provided by the groups. There will be an analysis of the information openly available online offered by the 251 LAGs in Spain. This information will be scrutinised using a methodology composed of 21 indicators. The results obtained display an average of 50.33%, being very high in the relationships between the groups and their citizens but showing that internal modernisation still needs to be improved and oriented towards the handling of resources and the development of elements that encourage the decision-making process.
Red Alder, Alnus rubra, as a potential mitigating factor for wildlife habitat following clearcut logging in southeastern Alaska

Within-stand variation in understory species composition and biomass was studied in 16 even-aged stands of mixed Red Alder Sitka Spruce Western Hemlock (Alnus rubra Picea sitchensis Tsuga heterophylla) forest. The sites were upland sites, and the stands were 28-39 years old. We compared understory within three categories of microsite types: Red Alder-dominated, conifer-dominated, and mixed alder-conifer. Biomass of forbs and ferns differed significantly (P < 0.05) between microsite types, being greatest in alder microsites, least in conifer microsites, and intermediate in mixed alderconifer microsites for all of the following: Circaea alpina, Galium triflorum, Tiarella trifoliata, Viola glabella, Athyrium filix-femina, Gymnocarpium dryopteris, Thelypteris phegopteris, total forbs, total ferns, and total herbs. Shrub biomass also was greatest in alder microsites but was least in mixed microsites and intermediate in conifer microsites (P < 0.05 for Rubus spectabilis leaves and total shrub leaves). The greater shrub biomass in conifer than mixed microsites resulted from several large patches of poor tree regeneration within 7 of the 16 stands; the other 9 stands had very low understory biomass in their conifer microsites, which is consistent with published studies of understory dynamics in even-aged stands of the region. The results illustrate two important conclusions regarding current understanding of secondary succession following clearcutting in southeastern Alaska: (1) inclusion of Red Alder in the regenerating stand may result in much greater understory biomass than occurs in pure conifer stands; and (2) extrapolation of data from small, uniform, fully-stocked research stands to the landscape level may underestimate understory biomass from poorly stocked patches. Both conclusions have important implications for wildlife habitat in terms of understory vegetation for food and cover. The potential of Red Alder as a mitigating factor for wildlife habitat following clearcutting in the region needs additional study of disturbance-site-understory interactions. Our results, however, indicate that an understory-exclusionary stage of secondary succession is not necessarily the only successional pathway following clearcutting in southeastern Alaska.
Epipolar based structured light pattern design for 3-D reconstruction of moving surfaces

In this paper, we address a robust matching technique based on coded structured lighting (SL) to achieve real-time 3-D reconstructions. To that purpose, most existing approaches involve color or grey levels coding but they are well-known to be sensitive to spectral properties and texture of the viewed surfaces. Therefore, the overall robustness of the proposed technique comes first from the geometrical features used in conjunction with the SL neighbourhood scheme to carry out pattern coding. Second, a desired minimum Hamming distance between features' codewords drives the pattern design. This is suited for autonomous navigation in unknown environments as this parameter enables codewords correction capabilities during the decoding stage in real-time. Furthermore, we take advantage of the known epipolar geometry by including projective invariants between corresponding epipolar lines directly in the pattern components. Thus, the final pattern displays relocated and reoriented (cuneiform) features along the epipolar lines. This grouping also contributes to reduce the search space more and results in a significantly less constrained coding. Finally, we show how this coding and this non-grid based pattern offer efficient and fast correction of mislabeled features due to blurring, spectral harmful effects and surfaces discontinuities prior to the 3-D reconstruction of real scenes.
A productivity review study on TRA and TAM literature using bibliometric methodology

This study is a productivity review on the literature gleaned from SSCI, SCIE databases concerning the TRA and TAM of Web of Science created by ISL The result indicats that the number of literature productions on TRA and TAM is still growing. The main research development country is the United States, and from the analysis of the distribution of language, English is the most popular language for TRA and TAM literature. Moreover, by applying bibliometric techniques (Lotka's Law, Price's Law and 80/20 Law), this study investigated literature growth and author productivity from 1982 to 2009. The research findings show that a relatively large percentage of authors (82.48%) contributed only one article, which is a much higher percentage than the 60% found in Lotka's original data. According to the K-S test, the distribution of frequency indexes of author productivity match Lotka's law, but Price's Law and the 80/20 Rule don't apply to this study.
Estimating Mean Frequency for Narrowband Lowpass Signals by Pisarenko Harmonic Decomposition

This paper presents a mean frequency estimation method for narrowband lowpass signals. The fundamental idea of this method is that the single frequency approximation for a narrowband lowpass signal embedded in white noise using Pisarenko harmonic decomposition (PHD) algorithm is approximately the power-weighted mean frequency of the signal. In this method, Fourier transform as an indispensable processing link in the conventional power spectrum estimation is given up as well as the convolution effects between the real frequency spectrum and the frequency spectrum of data intercepting window function caused by limited data length are excluded. Experimental results show that the PHD method outperforms the commonly used mean frequency estimation method based on Fourier transform
INTEGRATION OF A DETAILED GROUNDWATER MODEL INTO A REGIONAL ( HSPF ) MODEL

Expansion of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (STIA) requires the importation of about 20 million cubic yards of fill. The fill would create an embankment up to 160 feet thick. Permitting requires the prediction of changes to flows in adjacent streams. The primary analysis tool was a basin-wide HSPF model supported by GIs. However, independent modeling of groundwater flows within the embankment predicted flow lags that could not be simulated by HSPF. Therefore, modeling of the embankment was conducted using a combination of numerical groundwater models. The groundwater analysis yielded daily lateral groundwater flows from soils at the base of the embankment, and downward leakage to a regional aquifer under the embankment. The lateral groundwater flows were imported back into HSPF as discharges directly to the stream, and the downward groundwater flows were imported back into the HSPF active groundwater reservoir. By this approach, water on and in the embankment was modeled independent of HSPF by methods that considered physical groundwater hydraulic variables, and reinserted back into HSPF at appropriate times and locations.
Sparsifying and sampling of large graphs for efficient dense subgraph detection

Dense subgraph detection is one of the most important topics in graph analysis. Most previous work on this issue assume an adjacency list or a stream of edges for the target graph. In most real applications however, the underlying graphs only allow navigational access by following links from one node to another. In this paper, we propose a dense subgraph detection technique under the navigational access model. We use neighborhood density to measure dense components in a graph and develop an efficient dense subgraph finding algorithm. Preliminary experiments are carried out to evaluate the proposed scheme.
Application-driven floorplan-aware voltage island design

Among the different methods of reducing power for core-based system-on-chip (SoC) designs, the voltage island technique has gained in popularity. Assigning cores to the different supply voltages and floorplanning to create contiguous voltage islands are the two important steps in the design process. We propose a new application-driven, floorplan-aware approach to voltage partitioning and island creation with the objective of reducing overall SoC power, area and runtime. Previous approaches used the voltage assignment table as the starting point for voltage island creation. In this paper, we present a technique to generate a voltage assignment table using dynamic programming. Next, we partition the cores into islands, based on the Power State Model (PSM) of the application, and connectivity information used in floorplanning. Finally, solutions are sent to the floorplanner in sequence until a valid solution is reached. Compared to previously reported techniques, a 10% reduction in power and 8% reduction in area are achieved using our approach, with an average runtime improvement of 2.3X.
Graph-cut rate-distortion optimization for subband image compression

We present a new rate-distortion optimization algorithm based on graph-cuts that can encode efficiently the coefficients of a critically sampled or even redundant non orthogonal transform. The basic idea is to construct a specialized graph such that its minimum cut minimizes an energy functional. We propose to use the graph-cut mechanism for the minimization of the rate-distortion Lagrangian function. To this aim, we have designed a graph able to represent the decomposition subbands and take into consideration their correlations in a biorthogonal multiresolution representation. The method yields good compression results compared to the state-of-art JPEG2000 codec, as well as a general improvement in visual quality.
Solution of the Kalman filtering problem in control and modeling of a double inverted pendulum with rolling friction

The problem of control and dynamical modeling of a unicycle-cyclist system treated as a double inverted pendulum with rolling friction and vibrating in the plane that is perpendicular to the direction of movement is studied. The object of analysis consists of two basic parts: the wheel and the double pendulum. The equations of motion have been derived using the Lagrange equation of the second kind. The kinematic excitation has been applied to the cyclist. The aim of control is to maintain the unicy- clecyclist system in an unstable equilibrium around given angular position. Control moment of force has been applied to the wheel in a numerical procedure performed in Simulink. Kalman filtering problem has been solved basing on the feedback control system and functions included in Control System Toolbox of MATLAB. The proposed approach could be extended in future to solve some dynamical problem of transverse vibrations.
Effects of age on electrophysiological correlates of speech processing in a dynamic “cocktail-party” situation

Successful speech perception in multi-speaker environments depends on auditory scene analysis, comprising auditory object segregation and grouping, and on focusing attention toward the speaker of interest. Changes in speaker settings (e.g., in speaker position) require object re-selection and attention re-focusing. Here, we tested the processing of changes in a realistic multi-speaker scenario in younger and older adults, employing a speech-perception task, and event-related potential (ERP) measures. Sequences of short words (combinations of company names and values) were simultaneously presented via four loudspeakers at different locations, and the participants responded to the value of a target company. Voice and position of the speaker of the target information were kept constant for a variable number of trials and then changed. Relative to the pre-change level, changes caused higher error rates, and more so in older than younger adults. The ERP analysis revealed stronger fronto-central N2 and N400 components in younger adults, suggesting a more effective inhibition of concurrent speech stimuli and enhanced language processing. The difference ERPs (post-change minus pre-change) indicated a change-related N400 and late positive complex (LPC) over parietal areas in both groups. Only the older adults showed an additional frontal LPC, suggesting increased allocation of attentional resources after changes in speaker settings. In sum, changes in speaker settings are critical events for speech perception in multi-speaker environments. Especially older persons show deficits that could be based on less flexible inhibitory control and increased distraction.
Color model-based real-time learning for road following

Road following is an important skill vital to the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles. Over the past few decades, a large number of road following computer vision systems have been developed. All of these systems have limitations in their capabilities, arising from assumptions of idealized conditions. The systems show dependency on highly structured roads, road homogeneity, simplified road shapes, and idealized lighting conditions. In the real world, the systems are only effective in specialized cases. This paper proposes a vision system that is capable of dealing with many of these limitations, accurately segmenting unstructured, nonhomogeneous roads of arbitrary shape under various lighting conditions. The system uses color classification and learning to construct and use multiple road and background models. Color models are constructed on a frame by frame basis and used to segment each color image into road and background by estimating the probability that a pixel belongs to a particular model. The models are constructed and learned independently of road shape, allowing the segmentation of arbitrary road shapes. Temporal fusion is used in the stabilization of the results. Preliminary testing demonstrates the system's effectiveness on roads not handled by previous systems
Working Memory and Cognitive Flexibility Training Reveals No Relationship to Fluid Intelligence in College Students

Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina Asheville, Asheville, North Carolina,28804; Department of Mathematics, University of North Carolina Asheville, Asheville, North Carolina,28804; Department of Biology, University of North Carolina Asheville, Asheville, North Carolina,28804; Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, University of North Carolina Asheville, Asheville, North Carolina,28804
Observations of three-dimensional needle deflection during insertion into soft tissue

Accurate needle placement is important during percutaneous needle insertion procedures such as biopsy and brachytherapy. However, needle-tissue interactions may cause the needle to deviate from its intended path. In this paper, we have investigated the effects of insertion velocity, tip bevel angle and insertion profile on needle deflection in three-dimensional space (in-plane and out-of-plane). Experiments are done using soft-tissue simulant and chicken liver. The needle tip is tracked during insertion using stereoscopic cameras and an electromagnetic tracker. Experimental results show that the in-plane and out-of-plane deflection decreases, as insertion velocity increases. Varying the bevel angle from 30° to 60° is shown to decrease the in-plane deflection, and increase the out-of-plane deflection. The addition of rotational motion during continuous linear insertion decreases both the in-plane and out-of-plane deflection. Tapping during insertion does not produce significant reduction in the in-plane or out-of-plane deflection. An increase in the insertion velocity from 10 mm/s to 300 mm/s during insertion into chicken liver results in the decrease and increase in the in-plane and out-of-plane deflection, respectively. A monotonic increase in the out-of-plane deflection as insertion velocity increases is probably caused by the needle slipping while penetrating the outer capsule of the liver. The results of this study can be used to develop an accurate model of needle-tissue interactions.
Evidence for a Direct Effect of the NAD+ Precursor Acipimox on Muscle Mitochondrial Function in Humans

Recent preclinical studies showed the potential of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) precursors to increase oxidative phosphorylation and improve metabolic health, but human data are lacking. We hypothesize that the nicotinic acid derivative acipimox, an NAD+ precursor, would directly affect mitochondrial function independent of reductions in nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations. In a multicenter randomized crossover trial, 21 patients with type 2 diabetes (age 57.7 ± 1.1 years, BMI 33.4 ± 0.8 kg/m2) received either placebo or acipimox 250 mg three times daily dosage for 2 weeks. Acipimox treatment increased plasma NEFA levels (759 ± 44 vs. 1,135 ± 97 μmol/L for placebo vs. acipimox, P < 0.01) owing to a previously described rebound effect. As a result, skeletal muscle lipid content increased and insulin sensitivity decreased. Despite the elevated plasma NEFA levels, ex vivo mitochondrial respiration in skeletal muscle increased. Subsequently, we showed that acipimox treatment resulted in a robust elevation in expression of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial gene sets and a mitonuclear protein imbalance, which may indicate activation of the mitochondrial unfolded protein response. Further studies in C2C12 myotubes confirmed a direct effect of acipimox on NAD+ levels, mitonuclear protein imbalance, and mitochondrial oxidative capacity. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate that NAD+ boosters can also directly affect skeletal muscle mitochondrial function in humans.
In Vivo Hip Joint Loading during Post-Operative Physiotherapeutic Exercises

Introduction After hip surgery, it is the orthopedist’s decision to allow full weight bearing to prevent complications or to prescribe partial weight bearing for bone ingrowth or fracture consolidation. While most loading conditions in the hip joint during activities of daily living are known, it remains unclear how demanding physiotherapeutic exercises are. Recommendations for clinical rehabilitation have been established, but these guidelines vary and have not been scientifically confirmed. The aim of this study was to provide a basis for practical recommendations by determining the hip joint contact forces and moments that act during physiotherapeutic activities. Methods Joint contact loads were telemetrically measured in 6 patients using instrumented hip endoprostheses. The resultant hip contact force, the torque around the implant stem, and the bending moment in the neck were determined for 13 common physiotherapeutic exercises, classified as weight bearing, isometric, long lever arm, or dynamic exercises, and compared to the loads during walking. Results With peak values up to 441%BW, weight bearing exercises caused the highest forces among all exercises; in some patients they exceeded those during walking. During voluntary isometric contractions, the peak loads ranged widely and potentially reached high levels, depending on the intensity of the contraction. Long lever arms and dynamic exercises caused loads that were distributed around 50% of those during walking. Conclusion Weight bearing exercises should be avoided or handled cautiously within the early post-operative period. The hip joint loads during isometric exercises depend strongly on the contraction intensity. Nonetheless, most physiotherapeutic exercises seem to be non-hazardous when considering the load magnitudes, even though the loads were much higher than expected. When deciding between partial and full weight bearing, physicians should consider the loads relative to those caused by activities of daily living.
Implementing Trauma-Informed Care in Correctional Treatment and Supervision

ABSTRACT This article provides a rationale for trauma-informed care (TIC) in correctional services, and challenges readers to think about offending behavior through the lens of trauma. Based on interdisciplinary research and cross-theoretical literature, TIC can help in our quest to develop relevant and successful programs, practices, and policies, and the best methods for delivering them. Using Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s core principles of TIC, this article will make suggestions for the implementation of trauma-informed service delivery and practices across correctional settings. The authors translate trauma-informed concepts into practice behaviors through the acronym SHARE (safety, hope, autonomy, respect, empathy), which honors the principles of TIC recommended by SAMHSA and the principles of effective correctional rehabilitation. TIC in corrections may help improve the desired outcomes of successful re-entry and reduced recidivism.
A comparison of some neural and non-neural methods for identification of phytoplankton from flow cytometry data

Four artificial neural network paradigms (multilayer perceptron networks, learning vector quantization networks, and radial and asymmetric basis function networks) and two statistical methods (parametric statistical classification by modelling each class with Gaussian distributions, and non-parametric density estimation via the K-nearest neighbour method) were compared for their ability to identify seven freshwater and five marine phytoplankton species from flow cytometric data. Kohonen self-organizing maps were also used to examine similarities between species. Optimized networks and statistical methods performed similarly, correctly identifying between 86.8% and 90.1% of data from freshwater species, and between 81.3% and 84.1% of data from marine species. Choice of identification technique must therefore be made on the basis of other criteria. We highlight the way each method partitions the data space and thereby separates the data clusters, and discuss the relative merits of each with reference to complexity of data boundaries, training time, analysis time and behaviour when presented with 'novel' data.
unimelb: Topic Modelling-based Word Sense Induction

This paper describes our system for shared task 13 “Word Sense Induction for Graded and Non-Graded Senses” of SemEval-2013. The task is on word sense induction (WSI), and builds on earlier SemEval WSI tasks in exploring the possibility of multiple senses being compatible to varying degrees with a single contextual instance: participants are asked to grade senses rather than selecting a single sense like most word sense disambiguation (WSD) settings. The evaluation measures are designed to assess how well a system perceives the different senses in a contextual instance. We adopt a previously-proposed WSI methodology for the task, which is based on a Hierarchical Dirichlet Process (HDP), a nonparametric topic model. Our system requires no parameter tuning, uses the English ukWaC as an external resource, and achieves encouraging results over the shared task.