Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extracting Moving Objects More Accurately: A CDA Contour Optimizer

In the area of change detection, there were a rare number of optimization methods. Most of the optimization methods that are used by change detection are morphological transformation or median filtering, which cannot best optimize change detection algorithm. In this paper, a general post-processing algorithm for change detection is proposed. We believe that some problems cannot be avoided in the area of change detection such as 1) region of moving object generated by change detection is slightly larger than the ground-truth and 2) there are always some disjoint and small regions that are independent from the moving objects. To address the problem, our method can optimize the change detection algorithm bases on the idea of edge detection, which can remove the wrong edge or pixel. In the experiments, more than 20 change detection algorithms that include the best algorithm in ChangeDetection.net are selected. Most of these change detection algorithms are optimized by the proposed method on PWC, Precision, and FMeasure, where, our optimized algorithm named FgSegNet_v2 is better than all other algorithms in the CDnet. The best-optimized margin of PWC is 0.64, and the fast speed is 548FPS on CPU. Our approach can better resolve the afore-mentioned problems that cannot be avoided and is general and fast. The experiments can be reproduced with C++ on Github https://github.com/walty19950301/CDA-contour-optimizer.
Multi‐level dilated convolutional neural network for brain tumour segmentation and multi‐view‐based radiomics for overall survival prediction

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most high‐risk and grievous tumour in the brain that causes the death of more than 50% of the patients within one to 2 years after diagnosis. Accurate detection and prognosis of this disease are critical to provide essential guidelines for treatment planning. This study proposed using a deep learning‐based network for the GBM segmentation and radiomic features for the patient's overall survival (OS) time prediction. The segmentation model used in this study was a modified U‐Net‐based deep 3D multi‐level dilated convolutional neural network. It uses multiple kernels of altered sizes to capture contextual information at different levels. The proposed scheme for OS time prediction overcomes the problem of information loss caused by the derivation of features in a single view due to the variation in the neighbouring pixels of the tumorous region. The selected features were based on texture, shape, and volume. These features were computed from the segmented components of tumour in axial, coronal, and sagittal views of magnetic resonance imaging slices. The proposed models were trained and evaluated on the BraTS 2019 dataset. Experimental results of OS time prediction on the validation data have showed an accuracy of 48.3%, with the mean squared error of 92 599.598. On the validation data, the segmentation model achieved a mean dice similarity coefficient of 0.75, 0.89, and 0.80 for enhancing tumour, whole tumour, and tumour core, respectively. Future work is warranted to improve the overall performance of OS time prediction based on the findings in this study.
Seasonal Precipitation and Soil Moisture Relationships Across Forests and Woodlands in the Southwestern United States

Precipitation [P: mm] controls forest and woodland dynamics in the southwestern United States (SWUS) by altering soil moisture [θ: mm3 mm−3] availability, but the influence of P on θ is complex, varying across space and time. We evaluated seasonal P and θ relationships at shallow (0–20 cm) and intermediate (50 cm) soil depths for nine semiarid forest and woodland sites (56 total years), which comprised three elevation gradients in the SWUS. We developed time‐varying definitions of winter (snow accumulation), spring (moisture recharge), and summer (moisture deficit), and determined how these sites exhibited similar P influence on θ across depths in the soil profile, between seasons, and in seasons with above‐ and below‐average P. Higher elevation sites (>2,800 m) experienced greater winter P, longer springs, and shorter summers compared to lower elevation sites (<2,500 m). Seasons with above‐ and below‐average P reduced elevation‐associated differences. θ at 0–20 cm was generally decoupled from θ at 50 cm in seasons with average and below‐average P, imparted by differences in spring and summer rainfall versus winter snowfall. Notably, across‐season influence of θ (e.g., a season’s similarity to subsequent seasons) was high when the first season experienced above‐ or below‐average P, and the subsequent season experienced average P, illustrating an important temporal connection initiated by wet and dry conditions. These results illustrate similarities in P‐θ relationships across widely differing ecosystems in the SWUS, and elucidate how these relationships may be altered in a changing climate.
MTM- and SIW-Inspired Bowtie Antenna Loaded with AMC for 5G mm-Wave Applications

This paper investigates a feasible configuration of slotted bowtie antenna based on MTM and SIW properties for 5G millimeter-wave applications. To realize the proposed slotted bowtie antenna in a compact dimension with high performances, the MTM and SIW concepts are implemented by applying the trapezoidal slots on the top surface of the antenna and metallic via holes through the substrate layer connecting the top surface to the ground plane. The antenna has been fed with a simple microstip-line which is connected to a waveguide-port. It is shown that the slotted bowtie antenna with a small dimension of 30 16 0.8 mm3 operates over a measured wideband of 32–34.6 GHz with the fractional bandwidth, average gain, and radiation efficiency of 7.8%, 3.2 dBi, and 50%, respectively. To improve the antenna's performance, the artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) properties have been employed on the ground plane by loading vertical and linear slots with various lengths. The AMC slots are aligned under the trapezoidal slots on the top surface to transfer the maximum electromagnetic signals to them for optimum radiation. The proposed method enlarges the antenna’s effective aperture area, keeping constant its physical dimensions. The proposed AMC-loaded antenna covers wider frequency range of 30–37 GHz in measurement, which corresponds to 21% fractional bandwidth. The average experimental gain and radiation efficiency have been increased to 5.5 dBi and 66.5%, respectively, which illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed AMC-loaded antenna. The results confirm that the proposed slotted bowtie antenna with advantages of compact dimension, wide bandwidth, high gain and efficiency, low profile, being cost-effective, simple design, and easy fabrication process, which makes it applicable for mass production, can be a good candidate for 5G millimeter-wave applications.
Evidence of Brood Parasitism and Quantification of Rangewide Overlap between the Olive Warbler and Brown-headed Cowbird

Brood parasitism is a fascinating natural history phenomenon that provides a window into the coevolution of antagonistic interactions. many ecological and evolutionary aspects of brood parasitism remain unknown, and new hosts of brood parasites are still being discovered. We document the second instance of brood parasitism of the olive Warbler (Peucedramus taeniatus) by the Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater). apparent lack of habitat and elevation overlap across the ranges of these two species prompted us to examine how frequently they come into contact. We analyzed >3 million olive Warbler and Brown-headed Cowbird occurrence records from two open-source repositories, eBird and GBiF, to examine both synchronous and asynchronous locality overlap during the breeding season. We found that the two species were documented together simultaneously in only 3.1% of analyzed instances, but that they co-occurred in similar habitat types and/or at similar elevations at 11.8% of localities analyzed across the olive Warbler’s range. additional research on aspects of ecology and evolution, such as host selection, the cowbird’s diurnal patterns of movement, and the dynamics of intracellular pathogens infecting brood parasites and their hosts, may shed light more broadly on the ecological interactions and mechanisms underlying brood parasitism. obligate avian brood parasites lay their eggs in the nests of heterospecific hosts and rely on hosts to raise young. all five cowbird species in the genus Molothrus (family: icteridae) parasitize avian hosts, and their selection of hosts varies from specialized to generalized (Lanyon 1992, Lowther 2018). the most widespread and generalist cowbird is the Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), which lays its eggs in the nests of >220 host species (Brown 1994). it has been suggested that Brown-headed Cowbirds may prefer smaller-bodied hosts, that they may avoid large or aggressive hosts with strong defensive capabilities (strausberger and ashley 1997), and that they may select for host nests with a certain number of eggs and/or eggs of a certain size (White et al. 2007, 2009). Cowbirds’ host selection remains challenging to study, and field observations of brood parasitism are a valuable way through which this type of ecological interaction is documented. on the morning of 2 august 2020, we encountered an adult female olive Warbler (Peucedramus taeniatus) feeding a Brown-headed Cowbird fledgling near Burro Peak, southwestern new mexico (32.5930° n, 108.4302° W, ~2370 m elevation; photo on this issue’s inside back cover) in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and oak (Quercus sp.) forest. the cowbird fledgling was first seen perched on an exposed oak branch and was located by its persistent, highpitched begging calls. to our surprise, the cowbird fledgling was fed twice by the adult olive Warbler over the course of ~3 minutes. each feeding lasted
The Analysis of Banana Peels are used as Water Purifying Materials

Banana peels are generally considered to be waste usually thrown away, but in fact it has important benefits to clear water. The purpose of this study is to use banana peels to clear dirty water from rivers. The process used is filtered coated water using gravel sand, charcoal, palm fiber and the final filter layer is banana peels that acts as a place to disinfect raw water against germs and bacteria still present in the water. The results obtained indicate that water purification using banana peels meets the criteria for physical testing, including water levels with a pH between 7.0 8.5, and does not interfere with the taste and smell of water. Rainwater and river water can be used as cleaning water because the pH meets all requirements but cannot be used as clean water because bacteriologically all samples do not meet the drinking water
Use of the dry-spell seasonal forecast in crop management decisions

Climate forecasts have shown the potential for improving the resilience of agriculture to climate change. The usefulness of climate forecasts for applications in agriculture can be enhanced if the forecasts are translated into agricultural outlooks, in which the information is targeted for decision-making. The sequence of dry periods is necessary for successful crop management decisions, especially in dry season planting. This paper investigates how well the Climate Forecast System version 2 (CFSv2) seasonal forecasts predict the dry spell (DS) over the Indonesia region. The seasonal forecasts were downscaled using the constructed analogue method and, in turn, were corrected with TRMM 3B42 rainfall data to match daily precipitation totals. The DS is defined as rainfall less than 5 mm day−1 for ≥10 consecutive days. Accuracy of the DS prediction was assessed using the Brier Score (BS) method for December-January-February (DJF) and June-July-August (JJA) periods. The results demonstrate that the highest accuracy of the DS forecast occurred in JJA in southern part Indonesia with a range of the BS value between 0-0.2 (>80%). The operational DS seasonal forecasts are needed to manage agriculture practices for the upcoming planting season such as the choice of a crop/variety, supplementary irrigation, and crop water requirement.
A NDO Based Attack Detection Observer and Isolation Strategy in Distributed DC Microgrid with FDIA

In this paper, an isolation scheme is proposed to mitigate adverse effects of false data injection attack (FDIA) in cyber layer of distributed DC microgrids. Firstly, the attack signal in communication link is effectively estimated by the nonlinear disturbance observer (NDO). Secondly, an isolation mechanism is designed to distributively insulate the misbehaving agent of cooperative control, and further to mitigate adverse effects on voltage regulation and power sharing in DC microgrids. Thirdly, considering the changes in load distribution during the process of isolation, a domination controller for stabilizing DC/DC boost converter is introduced to ensure the rapid voltage convergence with accurate tracking over a wide operating range. Simulation results are conducted on an islanded DC MG test system to verify the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Physical activity levels during physical education in Spanish children

Introduction: Physical education (PE) can contribute to total daily physical activity (PA) among children. In consequence, the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport has developed 16 teaching units focused on increasing PA levels during PE lessons, called Unidades Didácticas Activas (UDA; Active Teaching Units). Objectives: The goal of this study was to compare whether children participating in UDA lessons spent more time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) than children participating in traditional lessons. Design: Quasi-experimental design. Methods: A total of 355 children (8–9 years old, 53.9% boys) from 7 schools in Granada participated in the study. Students were divided into two groups: a traditional PE group (n = 204) and a UDA group (n = 151). Time spent in MVPA was assessed using tri-axial accelerometers. Results: Time spent in MVPA was higher in the group engaged in the UDA lessons compared to the group that received traditional lessons (13.6 vs 15.2 minutes, p = .021, Standard Error = 0.27). The percentage of children who met international MVPA recommendations was similar for both groups (UDAs: 12.7% and traditional: 13.2%, p = .504). Conclusions: UDA lessons and their methodology favoured greater participation in MVPA compared to a traditional PE approach. It will be important to change PE methodology (including duration, frequency and focus) to achieve MVPA goals.
Prospective mathematics teachers making sense of multiplication algorithm

Multiplication algorithm is broadly used in Indonesian classroom as a technique to multiply two-digits or more numbers. Traditionally, it is introduced as a set of memorized procedures. Hence, despite of its popularity, multiplication algorithm is hardly understood by the students. To understand the root of problem in teaching multiplication, this study aims a t elaborating the abilities of prospective mathematics teachers in making sense the multiplication algorithm. To gather the data, we conducted a survey using written test. The participants were 50 students of mathematics education study program in a state university in Bali, Indonesia. The data were analysed using descriptive quantitative method. From the findings, it is found that 18% of participants were able to explain the logic behind the procedures. Furthermore. the analysis shows the prospective mathematics teachers encountered difficulty in explaining multiplication algorithm due to their inability to making sense the process.
Combinatorial Usage of Sumac Unriped Fruit Extract (Rhus Coriaria) and Tannic Acid Enhanced Synergistic Anti-Angiogenic Effect on Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay

Rhus coriaria (sumac) naturally grows worldwide and contains many phytochemicals. Tannic acid is frequently used for treating medical conditions. The aim of this study is to determine the synergistic effects of methanolic and acetonic extracts of Rhus coriaria’s from unriped fruits in combination with tannic acid on angiogenesis by using the Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) assay. The effects of methanol and acetone extracts of Sumac (MES and AES, respectively, at a final concentration of 5 mg/mL for both) and tannic acid (Tan 1.25 and 5 mg/mL) alone or in combination were examined for their effect on angiogenesis by applying the CAM assay. CAM assay results showed that AES is more effective than MES on suppressing angiogenesis. Tannic acid started to show antiangiogenic effects at the concentration of 5 mg/ mL. When AES and tannic acid were used in combination at a dose of 5 mg/mL each, a very strong antiangiogenic effect was observed (score; 1.1±0.131, p<0.001). The combinatorial usage of AES and tannic acid may result in strong suppression of angiogenesis, an effect that is shown in this study for the first time. Based on this observation, combinatorial usage of sumac extracts and tannic acid could be promising as a new antiangiogenic therapy.
Blast and Fragmentation Studies of a Scaled Down Artillery Shell-Simulation and Experimental Approaches

Blast and fragmentation of a scaled down model of standard artillery shell is investigated experimentally and numerically. Simple experimental techniques are employed in this study to measure the fragments’ velocity, mass and spatial distribution. Fragments of mass ranging from tens of milligram(s) to 6.4 grams are produced with velocities ranging from 960 to 1555 m/s. The cylindrical part of the shell has larger contribution among high velocity fragments ~1369-1555m/s than the conical and rear parts due to higher charge to mass (C/M) ratio. Overpressure of 44.2psi (304.7kPa) is measured at stand-off distance of 0.550m. The numerical simulation of fragmentation is carried out using Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) solver available in ANSYS AUTODYN. A coupled Euler-ALE (Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian) approach is used to simulate the shell blast propagation in the surrounding air. A good agreement is achieved between the simulation and experimental results. The investigation can help in the development of protective configurations against the damaging effects of blast and fragmentation.
Spatially and temporally non-uniform plasmas: microdischarges from the perspective of molecules in a packed bed plasma reactor

Dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) typically operate in the filamentary regime and thus exhibit great spatial and temporal non-uniformity. In order to optimize DBDs for various applications, such as in plasma catalysis, more fundamental insight is needed. Here, we consider how the millions of microdischarges, characteristic for a DBD, influence individual gas molecules. We use a Monte Carlo approach to determine the number of microdischarges to which a single molecule would be exposed, by means of particle tracing simulations through a full-scale packed bed DBD reactor, as well as an empty DBD reactor. We find that the fraction of microdischarges to which the molecules are exposed can be approximated as the microdischarge volume over the entire reactor gas volume. The use of this concept provides good agreement between a plasma-catalytic kinetics model and experiments for plasma-catalytic NH3 synthesis. We also show that the concept of the fraction of microdischarges indicates the efficiency by which the plasma power is transferred to the gas molecules. This generalised concept is also applicable for other spatially and temporally non-uniform plasmas.
Optimisation du procédé de séchage d’organogels par le dioxyde de carbone supercritique

Le sechage d’organogels, gels composes d’un organogelateur de type acide amine dissous dans un solvant, conduit a la formation d’aerogels, solides tres legers et tres poreux. Ces aerogels constituent entre autres de tres bons isolants thermiques. La preparation des aerogels necessitent plusieurs etapes. Ce procede supercritique est compose de trois etapes : preparation de CO2 supercritique, sechage d’organogel dans l’autoclave en le balayant par un courant de CO2 et separation de CO2-solvant au sein d’une cascade de trois separateurs cyclones. Dans cette etude, les deux dernieres etapes ont ete abordees afin d’optimiser les parametres du procede. Les solvants utilises sont la tetraline et le toluene. La cinetique de sechage au sein de l’autoclave a ete etudiee, trois approches differentes ont ete explorees : le transport de tetraline dans le CO2 supercritique au sein du gel est gouverne uniquement par le phenomene de diffusion dans les deux premieres, il est regi par les phenomenes de diffusion et de convection dans la troisieme approche. Les equations de transfert de matiere ont ete resolues a l’aide de deux logiciels numeriques Matlab et ANSYS-Fluent. La troisieme approche semble donner les resultats les plus coherents avec les resultats experimentaux. La comprehension des raisons du dysfonctionnement des separateurs cycloniques en aval de l’autoclave pour le cas du toluene a necessite deux etudes : une etude hydrodynamique MFN a permis de simuler le transport des fluides au sein du premier separateur cyclone, a l’aide du logiciel ANSYS-Fluent. Cette etude a montre que le toluene liquide n’etait pas entraine dans la sortie gaz du cyclone, indiquant ainsi que l’hydrodynamique favorise la separation. Afin d’expliquer ce dysfonctionnement, une etude thermodynamique portant sur les deux solvants, toluene et tetraline a ete realisee. La separation cyclonique a ete consideree comme un simple etage theorique et simulee avec le logiciel PRO/II. Cette etude a bien explique les resultats experimentaux pour les deux solvants et a permis d’optimiser les parametres du procede
Simulation of Railway Lines with a Simplified Interlocking System

This paper deals with railway lines with low traffic intensity where trains are operated under simplified conditions. Those conditions are stated in a regulation, and there is no interlocking system on the line. The whole railway operation is organized according to a regulation in cooperation with the train crew. For the calculation of the throughput, we can use analytic or simulation methods. On those lines there is a big problem with the common working methods because of special circumstances on each line, which are influencing the technological times and reliability of the calculation. The simplified conditions are the transforming of regular interlocking systems on the administrative level. Therefore, it is very complicated to use a common simulation model. Most of the simulation tools are not able to work with it. The motivation of this paper is to prove that modern simulation tools are usable for that specific condition as well. The simulation model was built in SW OpenTrack which is able to modify its functions to figure out each technological action to ensure the correct function of the model. This functionality is described in the paper in general and implemented on a case study.
Effects of Parallel Structure and Serial Structure on Convolutional Neural Networks

Based on KERAS’ FASHION_MNIST data set, a convolutional neural network with serial structure and parallel structure was set up for training. The serial structure can be used for deep feature mining and the parallel structure can be used to describe the first impression. The results show that the parallel structure has better effect and faster speed for simple images.