Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
E cient Restoration of Multicolor Images withIndependent

We consider the problem of maximum a posteriori (MAP) restoration of multicolor images where each pixel has been degraded by independent arbitrary noise. We assume that the prior distribution is given by a Markov random eld with only pairwise site interactions. Two classes of site interactions are considered: two-valued site interactions, which form a generalized Potts model; and linear site interactions. We give eecient algorithms based on graph cuts for both classes. The MAP estimate for a generalized Potts model can be computed by solving a multiway minimum cut problem on a graph. While this graph problem is computationally intractable, there are fast algorithms for computing provably good approximations. The MAP estimate with linear site interactions can be computed exactly by solving a minimum cut problem on a graph. This can be performed in nearly linear time.
Structure and composition of bacterial and fungal community in soil under soybean monoculture in the Brazilian Cerrado

Soybean is the most important oilseed cultivated in the world and Brazil is the second major producer. Expansion of soybean cultivation has direct and indirect impacts on natural habitats of high conservation value, such as the Brazilian savannas (Cerrado). In addition to deforestation, land conversion includes the use of fertilizers and pesticides and can lead to changes in the soil microbial communities. This study evaluated the soil bacterial and fungal communities and the microbial biomass C in a native Cerrado and in a similar no-tillage soybean monoculture area using PCR-DGGE and sequencing of bands. Compared to the native area, microbial biomass C was lower in the soybean area and cluster analysis indicated that the structure of soil microbial communities differed. 16S and 18S rDNA dendrograms analysis did not show differences between row and inter-row samples, but microbial biomass C values were higher in inter-rows during soybean fructification and harvest. The study pointed to different responses and alterations in bacterial and fungal communities due to soil cover changes (fallow x growth period) and crop development. These changes might be related to differences in the pattern of root exudates affecting the soil microbial community. Among the bands chosen for sequencing there was a predominance of actinobacteria, γ-proteobacteria and ascomycetous divisions. Even under no-tillage management methods, the soil microbial community was affected due to changes in the soil cover and crop development, hence warning of the impacts caused by changes in land use.
Prevention of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy by a polyamine-reduced diet—NEUROXAPOL: protocol of a prospective, randomised, controlled, single-blind and monocentric trial

Introduction Oxaliplatin remains the most widely used chemotherapeutic agent for treating advanced colorectal cancer but its efficacy is hampered by dose-limiting neurotoxicity manifested by a painful polyneuropathy. Oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) is characterised by acute and transient cold hyperaesthesia in the hours and days following oxaliplatin infusion (>90% of patients), but also by retarded chronic neuropathy due to the repetition of chemotherapy cycles (30–50% of patients). OIPN impairs the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients and no preventive or curative strategies have as yet proven effective. A polyamine-reduced diet (PRD) has recently demonstrated its efficacy to prevent OIPN in animals without adverse effects. Methods and analysis The NEUROXAPOL trial is a prospective, randomised, controlled, single-blind, monocentric and interventional study. This trial is aimed at evaluating the efficacy and feasibility of a PRD compared to a normal polyamine containing diet to prevent OIPN in patients treated by oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. Patients (n=40 per group) will be randomly assigned to receive either a PRD or a normal diet before and during the chemotherapy regimen. The main objectives are to improve the cold pain thresholds, neuropathic pain symptoms, comorbidities (anxiety and depression) and HRQOL of patients. The primary end point is the assessment of cold pain thresholds 2 weeks after the third cycle of chemotherapy. The secondary end points are the evaluation of thermal pain thresholds, the grade of neuropathy, neuropathic pain, symptoms of anxiety and depression and HRQOL, until the 12th cycle of chemotherapy. Ethics and dissemination The study was approved by an independent medical ethics committee 1 (CPP Sud Est 1, Saint Etienne, France) and registered by the competent French authority (ANSM, Saint Denis, France). The results will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at international congresses. Trial registration number NCT01775449.
The Relationship between Mindful Awareness and Cognitive Performance among U.S. Military Service Members and Veterans

Mindfulness training has been shown to reduce stress and improve performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between mindfulness and cognition in U.S. military service members and veterans (n = 236). Volunteers completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), and two attention and memory measures: the running memory continuous performance task (CPT) and the standard continuous performance task (SCP). MAAS scores were negatively correlated with mean RT on both the CPT and SCP (r’s = -.14 and -.18, respectively, p < .05). FFMQ scores were positively correlated with correct responses (r = .15) and throughput scores (r = .14) on the CPT and negatively correlated with mean RT on the SCP (r’s = -.15, p < .05). Greater mindfulness was associated with better performance on two sustained attention tasks, suggesting mindfulness is linked with improved management of continuous information, without distraction or impulsive reaction.
EDA: AN EVOLUTIONARY DECODING ALGORITHM FOR STATISTICAL MACHINE TRANSLATION

In a statistical machine translation system (SMTS), decoding is the process of finding the most likely translation based on a statistical model, according to previously learned parameters. The success of an SMTS is strongly dependent on the quality of its decoder. Most of the SMTS's published in current literature use approaches based on traditional optimization methods and heuristics. On the other hand, over the last few years there has been a rapid increase in the use of metaheuristics. These kinds of techniques have shown to be able to solve difficult search problems in an efficient way for a wide number of applications. This paper proposes a new approach based on evolutionary hybrid algorithms to translate sentences in a specific technical context. The algorithm has been enhanced by adaptive parameter control. The tests are carried out in the context of Spanish and then translated to English. The experimental results validate the superior performance of our method in contrast to a statistical greedy decoder. We also compare our new approach to the existing public domain general translators.
A search for thermally emitting isolated neutron stars in the 2XMMp catalogue

The relatively large number of nearby radio-quiet and thermally emitting isolated neutron stars (INSs) discovered in the ROSAT AllSky Survey, dubbed the “Magnificent Seven”, suggests that they belong to a formerly neglected major component of the overall INS population. So far, attempts to discover similar INSs beyond the solar vicinity failed to confirm any reliable candidate. The good positional accuracy and soft X-ray sensitivity of the EPIC cameras onboard the XMM-Newton satellite allow us to efficiently search for new thermally emitting INSs. We used the 2XMMp catalogue to select sources with no catalogued candidate counterparts and with X-ray spectra similar to those of the Magnificent Seven, but seen at greater distances and thus undergoing higher interstellar absorptions. Identifications in more than 170 astronomical catalogues and visual screening allowed us to select fewer than 30 good INS candidates. In order to rule out alternative identifications, we obtained deep ESO-VLT and SOAR optical imaging for the X-ray brightest candidates. We report here on the optical follow-up results of our search and discuss the possible nature of 8 of our candidates. A high X-ray-to-optical flux ratio together with a stable flux and soft X-ray spectrum make the brightest source of our sample, 2XMM J104608.7-594306, a newly discovered thermally emitting INS. The X-ray source 2XMM J010642.3+005032 has no evident optical counterpart and should be further investigated. The remaining X-ray sources are most probably identified with cataclysmic variables and active galactic nuclei, as inferred from the colours and flux ratios of their likely optical counterparts. Beyond the finding of new thermally emitting INSs, our study aims at constraining the space density of this Galactic population at great distances and at determining whether their apparently high density is a local anomaly or not.
Toward optimal real-time transcoding using requantization in the DCT domain

Real-time multimedia applications often require efficient bit-rate reduction. This is mainly done by requantization, usually in the DCT domain. This work introduces theoretical rate-distortion analysis that allows for straightforward selection of the quantization step needed to achieve a given bit-rate. The analysis is based on the Laplace-like distribution of DCT coefficients in the transform domain and on the structure of the quantizers commonly used in image coding. We show that the proposed transcoding design achieves efficient compression at relatively low distortion, while keeping the computational complexity very low, allowing for real-time implementation.
Parents like me: biosociality and lay expertise in self-help groups of parents of screen-positive newborns

This study focuses on patterns of communication and interaction for peer support, which develop among parents of screen-positive children in the socio-medical space created by the diagnostic uncertainty of newborn screening, the limitations of established patient support groups and the daily challenges of screen-positive care management. Based on semi-structured interviews conducted in 2015–2017 with 34 Israeli parents whose child is screen positive, we describe and analyze the spontaneous grouping of parents using the WhatsApp instant messaging service for smartphones. These self-help groups did not reflect an attempt to forge an alternative movement of de-medicalization but rather to provide satisfactory answers to shared problems of care management under diagnostic uncertainty. These self-help groups are further discussed as a form of biosociality and lay expertise where elements of communication such as simplicity, reciprocity, and deliberative democracy serve as a complementary mirror-image of the asymmetrical patient–doctor communication.
From India to Canada: An Autoethnographic Account of an International Student’s Decision to Settle as a Self-Initiated Expatriate

Abstract:International students can be a source of skilled workers for many industrialized countries with an aging population. However, it is unclear if international students would stay after completing their studies, given booming economies in their home countries. The present paper explores the decision processes international students make when contemplating whether to stay or return home after completing their studies. The paper is based on an autoethnographic account of an international student who studied in Canada, and follows her journey as an international student through to settlement as a self-initiated expatriate. Initially, personal factors (such as family encouragement), public policy, and employer practices “pushed” the student to repatriate back to her country of origin after her studies. However, personal ambitions (such as travel and career development opportunities) and prospects for a better life “pulled” her back to Canada. Personal agency and positive experiences also contributed to her adjustment and success as a self-initiated expatriate. The present paper adds to existing literature on the “push” and “pull” dynamic of international student retention in the host country. It further enhances our understanding of why international students decide to remain in the country following the completion of their studies. Résumé:Pour de nombreux pays industrialisés dont la population vieillit, les étudiants internationaux peuvent fournir une source de travailleurs qualifiés. Cependant, compte-tenu de l’essor économique dans leur pays d’origine, il n’est pas toujours évident que les étudiants internationaux restent à l’issue de leurs études. Cet article analyse les processus décisionnels des étudiants internationaux ayant terminé leurs études, lorsqu’ils envisagent soit de rester dans leur pays hôte soit de rentrer chez eux . Cette étude est basée sur un compte-rendu auto-éthnographique d’une étudiante internationale au Canada, et suit son parcours jusqu’à sa décision d’immigrer. Au départ, des facteurs personnels (tel que l’encouragement de sa famille), les politiques publiques, et les pratiques de ses employeurs ont «poussé» l’étudiante à retourner dans son pays d’origine à l’issue de ses études. Cependant, ses ambitions personnelles (telles que les possibilités de voyage et d’avancement professionnel) ainsi que le rêve d’une vie meilleure l’ont “attiré” vers le Canada. L’autonomie et les expériences positives ont également contribuées à son ajustement et à son succès en tant qu’immigrante. Cette étude contribue à la littérature existante sur la dynamique des facteurs d’incitation et d’attraction associés à la rétention internationale des étudiants dans le pays hôte. Cela améliore encore notre compréhension de la raison pour laquelle les étudiants internationaux décident de rester dans le pays hôte à l’issue de leurs études.
Pseudo-Newtonian models for the equilibrium structures of rotating relativistic stars

We obtain equilibrium solutions for rotating compact stars, including special relativistic effects. The gravity is assumed to be Newtonian, but we use the active mass density, which takes into account all energies such as the motion of the fluid, internal energy and pressure energy in addition to the rest-mass energy, in computing the gravitational potential using Poisson's equation. Such a treatment could be applicable to neutron stars with relativistic motions or a relativistic equation of state. We applied Hachisu's self-consistent field (SCF) method to find spheroidal as well as toroidal sequences of equilibrium solutions. Our solutions show better agreement with general relativistic solutions than the Newtonian relativistic hydrodynamic approach, which does not take into account the active mass. Physical quantities such as the peak density and equatorial radii in our solutions agree with the general relativistic ones to within 5 per cent. Therefore our approach can be used as a simple alternative to the fully relativistic one when a large number of model calculations is necessary, as it requires much fewer computational resources.
RESILIENCE THINKING IN LANDSCAPE PLANNING : A TRANSDISCIPLINARY FRAMEWORK AND A CASE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION CHENG , CHINGWEN

1 ABSTRACT Climate change and urbanization have exacerbated environmental hazards and affect health, safety, and welfare of society. Resilience thinking provides a foundation for landscape planning framework to investigate social-ecological drivers and outcomes in the linked social-ecological systems. Transdisciplinary approach includes organizational, institutional, and interdisciplinary hierarchies and collaborations and plays an important role in redefining issues and building consensus for achieving common goals. The proposed transdisciplinary planning framework aims to build adaptive capacity through a revolving feedback loop. A case study from the Boston Metro Area Urban Long-Term Research Area-Exploratory project demonstrated the use of the proposed planning framework. Growth scenarios were developed through transdisciplinary panning process. The study evaluated planning innovations in growth strategy (e.g., infill redevelopment) and green infrastructure (e.g., stormwater detention) for climate change adaptation. Climate changeinduced flooding risks, served as social-ecological outcomes, were measured through integration of flooding hazard index and social vulnerability index under multiple climate change and land use scenarios in the Charles River watershed. The results from empirical study support the role of integrating anticipated climate change-induced social and ecological impacts into spatial planning decisions to mitigate impacts, minimize exposure of hazards, and increase adaptive capacity. In addition, innovations in green infrastructure planning and design serve as climate change adaptation strategies. Applying the transdisciplinary planning framework, the findings can be used to inform decision-making and prioritize climate change adaptation strategies to serve the needs of the socially vulnerable groups. The study provides an insight of integrating transdisciplinary approach in landscape planning for building social-ecological resilience. 1.1
Closing In on ΩM: The Amplitude of Mass Fluctuations from Galaxy Clusters and the Lyα Forest

We estimate the present-day value of the matter density parameter ΩM by combining constraints from the galaxy cluster mass function with Croft et al.'s recent measurement of the mass power spectrum, P(k), from Lyα forest data. The key assumption of the method is that cosmic structure formed by gravitational instability from Gaussian primordial fluctuations. For a specified value of ΩM, matching the observed cluster mass function then fixes the value of σ8, the rms amplitude of mass fluctuations in 8 h-1 Mpc spheres, and it thus determines the normalization of P(k) at z = 0. The value of ΩM also determines the ratio of P(k) at z = 0 to P(k) at z = 2.5, the central redshift of the Lyα forest data; the ratio is different for an open universe (Λ = 0) or a flat universe. Because the Lyα forest measurement only reaches comoving scales 2π/k ~ 15-20 h-1 Mpc, the derived value of ΩM depends on the value of the power spectrum shape parameter Γ, which determines the relative contribution of larger scale modes to σ8. Adopting Γ = 0.2, a value favored by galaxy clustering data, we find ΩM = 0.46+0.12-0.10 for an open universe and ΩM = 0.34+0.13-0.09 for a flat universe (1 σ errors, not including the uncertainty in cluster normalization). Cluster-normalized models with ΩM = 1 predict too low an amplitude for P(k) at z = 2.5, while models with ΩM = 0.1 predict too high an amplitude. The more general best-fit parameter combination is ΩM + 0.2ΩΛ ≈ 0.46 + 1.3(Γ - 0.2), where ΩΛ ≡ Λ/3H20. Analysis of larger, existing samples of QSO spectra could greatly improve the measurement of P(k) from the Lyα forest, allowing a determination of ΩM by this method with a precision of ~15%, limited mainly by uncertainty in the cluster mass function.
Working Long Hours and Its Impact on Family Life: Experiences of Women Professionals and Managers in Sri Lanka

Worldwide studies of professional and managerial dual-earner couples in specific professions have indicated that with the double burdens of work and family, working long hours limit women’s career aspirations. Based on in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 40 respondents, this article examines how long working hours in the banking and health sectors impact professional and managerial mothers’ family life and health, and how the latter perceive motherhood roles. Though there was evidence of negative effects of long hours especially on childcare and children’s cognitive development, while rationalising their decision on combining motherhood and paid work, mothers interviewed valued their full-time employment.
Evidence-Based Staffing in High Schools: Using Student Achievement Data in Teacher Hiring, Evaluation, and Assignment

ABSTRACT Recent research has demonstrated that elementary school leaders, under pressure to meet benchmarks set by state and federal governments, have begun “staffing to the test,” moving to tested grades and subjects teachers whose previous students made substantive learning gains. This is particularly true in lower-performing schools or schools that recently experienced a drop in performance, as measured by the grade they received from the state accountability system. What is not known, however, is how widespread this phenomenon has become. Moreover, little is known about whether and how performance data is used by administrators of high schools, where scheduling complexity is amplified by graduation requirements, larger enrollments, and credentialing requirements that mandate teachers to be certified in all the subjects that they teach. By surveying high school principals in Florida and Texas, this article attempts to fill this gap.
Der Simulator „SimCo“ als Tool der TA

Das Simulationsframework „SimCo“ erlaubt es, die Steuerung komplexer, netzwerkformiger, soziotechnischer (Infrastruktur-)Systeme zu untersuchen – beispielsweise die des Verkehrs- oder Energiesystems. SimCo basiert auf den Prinzipien der agentenbasierten Modellierung und Simulation. Dynamiken auf der Systemebene werden durch die Interaktion einer Vielzahl strategisch handelnder, heterogener Agenten erzeugt. Mit Hilfe von Simulationsexperimenten lassen sich unterschiedliche Szenarien (mit politisch definierten Zielvorstellungen) hinsichtlich ihrer Wirksamkeit sowie moglicher nicht-intendierter Nebenfolgen testen, denn der Steuerungserfolg hangt letztlich von den Reaktionen der Agenten auf der Mikro-Ebene ab. Ein abstraktes, urbanes Verkehrssystem dient als Anwendungsfall und lasst eine Mischung aus weichen und harten Steuerungsmasnahmen vielversprechend erscheinen.
Distributed real time modelling of an aerospace vehicle

The simulation of aerospace vehicles is a challenging job as it consists of various expensive, fragile and unique subsystems. Apart from this, these systems are electrically connected and dynamically operated with the state of the art simulation setup. The first release of the software embedded in them may not fulfil its complete requirements, which may lead to failure of subsystems. So simulation should be done at zero risk. Hence before connecting the hardware, all subsystems should be modelled in real time distributed environment. This paper describes the design and development of real time modelling and testing in distributed environment in cost effective manner for aerospace vehicle.
All tree-level amplitudes in = 4 SYM

We give an explicit formula for all tree amplitudes in = 4 SYM, derived by solving the recently presented supersymmetric tree-level recursion relations. The result is given in a compact, manifestly supersymmetric form and we show how to extract from it all possible component amplitudes for an arbitrary number of external particles and any arrangement of external particles and helicities. We focus particularly on extracting gluon amplitudes which are valid for any gauge theory. The formula for all tree-level amplitudes is given in terms of nested sums of dual superconformal invariants and it therefore manifestly respects both conventional and dual superconformal symmetry.
MREPATT: detection and analysis of exact consecutive repeats in genomic sequences

UNLABELLED We have developed a program to determine the number, length and position of exact consecutive repeats of short sequences in DNA fragments or whole genomes. The program also gives the statistical significance of results by comparing them with those expected for a random sequence generated according to a Markovian model. AVAILABILITY MREPATT can be accessed on line at http://www.lsi. upc.es/~alggen under the RESEARCH and SEARCH links.