Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Key-point Detection based Fast CU Decision for HEVC Intra Encoding

As the most recent video coding standard, High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) adopts various novel techniques, including a quad-tree based coding unit (CU) structure and additional angular modes used for intra encoding. These new techniques achieve a notable improvement in coding efficiency at the penalty of significant computational complexity increase. Thus, a fast HEVC coding algorithm is highly desirable. In this paper, we propose a fast intra CU decision algorithm for HEVC to reduce the coding complexity, mainly based on a key-point detection. A CU block is considered to have multiple gradients and is early split if corner points are detected inside the block. On the other hand, a CU block without corner points is treated to be terminated when its RD cost is also small according to statistics of the previous frames. The proposed fast algorithm achieves over 62% encoding time reduction with 3.66%, 2.82%, and 2.53% BD-Rate loss for Y, U, and V components, averagely. The experimental results show that the proposed method is efficient to fast decide CU size in HEVC intra coding, even though only static parameters are applied to all test sequences.
A Structured Approach to Review and Refine Architecture Documentation

Over time a software architecture documentation can stray from the original path. In particular when the development is done in distributed self organizing teams. To refine an existing architecture to adapt to an evolved situation you need to answer what should be captured in the architecture and who knows what it should contain. In this study I suggest a process to first find what needs to be refined by comparing an architectural description against a scenario description. The output from that process is used to find what to capture in the refined design by interviews with developers. And finally the resulting design is validated against a group of stakeholders. This process shows an impact both on the architecture and on aspects of the organization.
Bayesian testing of fuzzy parametric hypotheses from fuzzy information

Dans cet article, nous etendons le probleme du test des parametres au cas ou l'information disponible et les hypotheses considerees sont des sous-ensembles flous de l'espace d'echantillon et de l'espace des parametres respectivement. Une telle extension sera caracterisee comme un probleme special de decision floue lorsque nous nous placons dans le cadre Bayesien. En outre, le principe bayesien des tests sera etendu et nous analyserons certaines de ses proprietes
Health-Related Quality of Life as a Predictor of Mortality Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

ContextHealth-related quality of life has not been evaluated as a predictor of mortality following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Evaluation of health status as a mortality predictor may be useful for preoperative risk stratification.ObjectiveTo determine whether the Physical and Mental Component Summary scores from the preoperative Short-Form 36 (SF-36) health status survey predict mortality following CABG surgery after adjustment for known clinical risk variables.DesignProspective cohort study conducted between September 1992 and December 1996.SettingFourteen Veterans Affairs hospitals.PatientsOf the 3956 patients undergoing CABG surgery only and who were enrolled in the Processes, Structures, and Outcomes of Care in Cardiac Surgery study, the 2480 who completed a preoperative SF-36.Main Outcome MeasureAll-cause mortality within 180 days after surgery.ResultsA total of 117 deaths (4.7%) occurred within 180 days of CABG surgery. The Physical Component Summary of the preoperative SF-36 was a statistically significant risk factor for 6-month mortality after adjustment for known clinical risk factors for mortality following CABG surgery. In multivariate analysis, a 10-point lower SF-36 Physical Component Summary score had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.39 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-1.77; P=.006) for predicting mortality. The SF-36 Mental Component Summary score was not associated with 6-month mortality in multivariate analyses (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.92-1.29; P=.31). ConclusionsThe Physical Component Summary score from the preoperative SF-36 is an independent risk factor for mortality following CABG surgery. The baseline Mental Component Summary score does not appear to be predictive of mortality. Preoperative patient self-report of the physical component of health status may be helpful for risk stratification and clinical decision making for patients undergoing CABG surgery.
A Algorithm for Static Gesture recognition Using combination of object features

Proposed a static gesture recognition method for identifying characteristics of the object in combination. With the feature vector composed of five features, such as the number of fingers, gesture outline convex defect characteristics, the length and area of contour and Hu matrix, we adopted the template-matching method to conduct the matching of featured parameters. Experiments show that the method successfully recognized static gestures under complex background and could reduce the impact of environmental change simultaneously.
EFFECTS OF DISTINCT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND MEDITATION PROGRAMS ON QUALITY OF LIFE AND DEPRESSION LEVELS IN ACTIVE ELDERLY WOMEN

Sedentary aging can evolve to depression which interferes both qualitatively and quantitatively on elderly’s quality of life. The present study compared quality of life and depression levels between sedentary and active elderly women. For this, a correlational ex post facto study was employed, the sample was divided in four groups: dance group (DG, n=23; age=70.79±6.36 years-old); weight training group; meditation group and control group. The protocols used in evaluations were World Health Organization Quality of Life Group-old questionnaire (quality of life) and Beck Depression Inventory (depression). In multiple comparisons the results found were satisfying (p<0.05) in dom2, dom3, QVG, dom1 and dom4 variables. Depression also revealed satisfying results: DGxCG (IC=-48.00,-8.86), WGxCG (IC=-53.55,-7.95) and MGxCG (IC=-61.71,-16.11). These results indicate that exercise programs have provoked satisfying results, contributing to better quality of life and depression levels when compared to those presented by the sedentary elderly women. Key Words: quality of life; depression; weight training; meditation and dance.
The Short-term and Long-term Effects of High-fat Diet on Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis

Diet is an important factor in regulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN). Diets that are high in saturated fatty acids have been shown to be associated with reduction in AHN specially in early developmental stages of the animal. Furthermore, these observed diet effects on AHN may be involved in mediating the cognitive impairments in animals on high-fat diets. The experiments presented in this thesis aimed to examine the shortterm and long-term effects of a 4-week or 8-week period of high-fat diet (HFD; 45% of total energy contributed by saturated fatty acids) on AHN in young adult rats. Different stages of AHN were examined in this study including the proliferation, differentiation and maturation stages. Overall, contrary to what was expected, HFD did not cause a significant change in the level of AHN in any of the stages studied.
Xylitol Production from Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) by Candida tropicalis Y-27405

This is the study which reported the use of, Water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) for xylitol production. In this study a simple reliable and efficient hydrolysis by dilute acid hydrolysis using 2% (v/v) H 2 SO 4 was carried out at 1210C for 60 min. The acid pretreatment was concentrated under vacuum using rotavapor and further detoxified using overliming and subsequent activated charcoal treatment. The sugars achieved after concentration and detoxification (50±0.3g/l) was subjected to xylitol fermentation using Candida tropicalis Y-27405. A maximum xylitol concentration of 32.5g/l was obtained after 48 hr of fermentation, with a yield of 0.65gxylitol/g xylose and productivity of 0.67g/l/h.
Media Images and Experiences of Being a Jew in the Swedish City of Malmö

A series of high-profile incidents in and after 2008 placed Malmö in southern Sweden on the national and international map as a place that was unsafe for people identified as Jews. The primary aim of this article is to explore and exemplify what it is like to live with Jewish identity in Malmö within a framework of how the media reports anti-Semitism and how this group copes with being the potential target of anti-Semitic harassment and hate crime. Based on interviews with people with Jewish identity in Malmö, we analyze and discuss their experiences using different themes, such as violent and everyday anti-Semitism, the local impact of the Israel–Palestine conflict, how media images affect their lives, and how exposure and vulnerability are dealt with. The findings are important in terms of both possible long-term measures against anti-Semitism and as immediate support for those targeted.
Some numerical results with a selective eddy-viscosity model for Large-Eddy Simulations

We present some numerical simulations with a selective version of the original Smagorinsky model on the 3D vortex tubes reconnection problem and the decaying 3D incompressible isotropic turbulence case. The selective procedure used here follows an idea proposed by the mecanicists [7] that we interpret through a mathematical criterium suggested by Constantin & Fefferman [5] concerning the regularity of the vorticity field direction. Numerical results show the efficiency of the selective model over the original model. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification. 35Q30, 81T80, 65N30.
An eddy covariance mesonet to measure the effect of forest age on land–atmosphere exchange

We deployed a mesonet of year‐round eddy covariance towers in boreal forest stands that last burned in ∼1850, ∼1930, 1964, 1981, 1989, 1998, and 2003 to understand how CO2 exchange and evapotranspiration change during secondary succession. We used MODIS imagery to establish that the tower sites were representative of the patterns of secondary succession in the region, and Landsat images to show that the individual stands have changed over the last 22 years in ways that match the spatially derived trends. The eddy covariance towers were well matched, with similar equipment and programs, which maximized site‐to‐site precision and allowed us to operate the network in an efficient manner. The six oldest sites were fully operational for ∼90% of the growing season and ∼70% of the dormant season from 2001 or 2002 to 2004, with most of the missing data caused by low battery charge or bad signals from the sonic anemometers. The rates of midday growing‐season CO2 uptake recovered to preburn levels within 4 years of fire. The seasonality of land–atmosphere exchange and growing‐season length changed markedly with stand age. The foliage in the younger stands (1989, 1998, and 2003 burns) was almost entirely deciduous, which resulted in comparatively short growing seasons that lasted ∼65 days. In contrast, the older stands (1850, 1930, 1964, and 1981) were mostly evergreen, which resulted in comparatively long growing seasons that lasted ∼130 days. The eddy covariance mesonet approach we describe could be used within the context of other ecological experimental designs such as controlled manipulations and gradient comparisons.
Culture and Migration: a Tale about Fear and Hope (with an Empirical Analysis on European Union Case)

The human movements across borders, societies and cultures are not running in an “empty space”: the structural characteristics of the economic systems, the institutional architecture of societies, the cultural paradigm and the power relations between different social groups, all define the magnitude and the limits of such movements. If the “hard” economic migration determinants are extensively explained in an abundant literature, the “soft” psychological/cultural determinants of “leave your old life” decision are less analyzed. This paper advances a model for the interactions between these factors and the economic ones and tries to explain their influences. The main output consists in the thesis that the “soft” variables matters in an extended explanation of migration and that their exclusion pictures a too abstract analysis of intrinsic migration motifs.
Vision-Based Autonomous Human Tracking Mobile Robot

Tracking moving objects is one of the most important but problematic features of motion analysis and understanding. In order to effectively interact robots with people in close proximity, the systems must first be able to detect, track, and follow people. Following a human with a mobile robot arises in many different service robotic applications. This paper proposes to build an autonomous human tracking mobile robot which can solve the occlusion problem during tracking. The robot can make human tracking efficiently by analysing the information obtained from a camera which is equipped on the top of the robot. The system performs human detection by using Histogram of Oriented Gradient (HOG) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithms and then uses HSV (Hue Saturation Value) color system for detecting stranger. If the detected human is stranger, robot will make tracking. During the process, the robot needs to track the stranger without missing. So, Kalman filter is used to solve this problem. Kalman filter can estimate the target human when the human is occluded with walls or something. This paper describes the processing results and experimental results of a mobile robot which will track unmarked human efficiently and handle the occlusion using vision sensor and Kalman filter.
Seppo Orjasniemi The effect of openness in a small open monetary union Bank of Finland

In this paper we build a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model of a small open monetary union with optimal monetary and fiscal policy, to study the transmission of country specific shocks and associated exchange rate fluctuations. We show that movements of the monetary union’s exchange rate stabilize the output fluctuations inside the monetary union, reducing the need for fiscal stabilization. We also show that, under the optimal policy, fluctuations in the exchange rate and the union-wide aggregates are affected by the differences in the degree of nominal rigidities among the monetary union member countries.
Comparing the effectiveness of three acoustic emission procedures for predicting strengths of finger-joints from tropical African hardwoods

Stress at first acoustic emission event-count, as well as cumulative event-count at 80 percent of mean failure stress and cumulative event-count at 80 percent of mean proportional limit stress were separately regressed on strengths of finger-joints from Obeche (Triplochiton scleroxylon), Makore (Tieghemella heckelii) and Moabi (Baillonella toxisperma). The regression suggested that all the three acoustic emission properties could be used to non-destructively predict the ultimate tensile and bending strengths of finger-joints from the three hardwoods. However, stress at first event-count seemed most suitable for predicting ultimate tensile strength of finger-joints from the three species, whilst cumulative event-count at 80 percent of mean failure stress seemed best for modulus of rupture. Correlation coefficients obtained for the prediction models developed were, generally, good and statistically significant ( = 0.05).
Thermal Analysis of MIRIS Space Observation Camera for Verification of Passive Cooling

We conducted thermal analyses and cooling tests of the space observation camera (SOC) of the multi-purpose infrared imaging system (MIRIS) to verify passive cooling. The thermal analyses were conducted with NX 7.0 TMG for two cases of attitude of the MIRIS: for the worst hot case and normal case. Through the thermal analyses of the flight model, it was found that even in the worst case the telescope could be cooled to less than . This is similar to the results of the passive cooling test (). For the normal attitude case of the analysis, on the other hand, the SOC telescope was cooled to about in 10 days. Based on the results of these analyses and the test, it was determined that the telescope of the MIRIS SOC could be successfully cooled to below with passive cooling. The SOC is, therefore, expected to have optimal performance under cooled conditions in orbit.
The Turkish Positive Perception Scale: A Contribution to its Validity and Reliability

This study aims to conduct Turkish reliability and validity studies on Positive Perception Scale and make this scale available for Turkish researches. The study was conducted on a total of 243 people being 116 girls (47.7%) and 127 boys (52.3%) whose ages differed between 17 and 32 (Mean: 20.93, Sd: 2.41). Language validity form was used to determine the language validity of the positive perception scale. Being obtained from two experts, Cohen Kappa fit indices was found . 76 for Turkish language validity of the scale; it was found . 72 for foreign language validity. Structural validity values of the scale were determined by GFI, AGFI, CFI, RMSEA, χ2 and χ2/sdrates obtained from confirmatory factor analysis. In this scope, validity of three-factor model of the original scale was tested. The findings showed that this construct of the original scale was valid in Turkish culture as well (RMSEA= .07, CFI= .94, GFI .96, AGFI= .91 and χ2/sd2.46). Oxford Happiness Scale and Life Satisfaction Scale were used to determine the criterion validity of the Positive Perception Scale. It was observed that there were significant relationships between positive perception and happiness (r=.55, p<.001) and life satisfaction (r=.60, p<.001). The reliability coefficients of the scale determined within the scope of Turkish adaptation studies were found to be . 73 for self in past sub-dimension; . 65 for self-ability sub-dimensions and . 76 for human nature sub-dimension. Internal consistency coefficient of the whole scale was . 80. Finally, it was found that Turkish adaptation of the positive perception scale was valid and reliable.
Phytochemical Composition and Evaluation of the Antioxidant Activity of the Ethanolic Extract of Calendula suffruticosa subsp. suffruticosa Vahl

Aim: Calendula suffruticosa ssp. suffruticosa Vahl, Medicinal and Aromatic plant, spontaneous and widespread in the Mediterranean region and in the Northeast of Algeria, is widely used by the local population for its medicinal properties. Methods: The chemical composition of the ethanolic extract of Calendula suffruticosa was established for the first time using GC / MS. The antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extract was evaluated in vitro by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) test, the FRAP assay and β-carotene bleaching assay. Results: sixty-four compounds are identified by GC/MS analysis, six are predominant: α-linoleic acid (24.20%), linoleic acid (23.58%), Stigmasterol (8.53%), 2-Metyl-Z-4-tetradecene (6.62%) And α-Bisabolol (1.70%). The free radical scavenging by DPPH method indicated that the ethanolic extract of C. suffruticosa showed a very high antioxydant activity with an IC50 = 0.017 ± 1.00 mg / ml. This extract also showed an ability to reduce very high iron with a maximum optical density of 1.157 at a concentration of 0.5 mg / ml and an antioxidant activity compared to the β-carotene / linoleic acid test of order of 75 ± 1.02%. Conclusion: These results show for the first time the richness of phytochemicals and the strong antioxidant activity of the species Calendula suffruticosa endemic to north-east of Algeria.
Rate- and Temperature-Dependent Fracture Characteristics of Asphaltic Paving Mixtures

Cracking in asphaltic pavement layers causes primary failure of the roadway structure, and the fracture resistance and characteristics of asphalt mixtures significantly influence the service life of asphaltic roadways. A better understanding of the fracture process is considered a necessary step to the proper development of design-analysis procedures for asphaltic mixtures and pavement structures. However, such effort involves many challenges because of the complex nature of asphaltic materials. In this study, experiments were conducted using uniaxial compressive specimens to characterize the linear viscoelastic properties and semi-circular bending (SCB) specimens to characterize fracture behavior of a typical dense-graded asphalt paving mixture subjected to various loading rates and at different temperatures. The SCB fracture test was also incorporated with a digital image correlation (DIC) system and finite-element model simulations including material viscoelasticity and cohesive-zone fracture to effectively capture local fracture processes and resulting fracture properties. The test results and model simulations clearly demonstrate that: (1) the rate- and temperature-dependent fracture characteristics need to be identified at the local fracture process zone, and (2) the rate- and temperature-dependent fracture properties are necessary in the structural design of asphaltic pavements with which a wide range of strain rates and service temperatures is usually associated.
Pathological and Phytochemical Investigation of Neuronal Lipofuscinosis Caused by Asphodelus aestivus in Sheep: I. Pathological Findings

A severe neurologic syndrome accompained by intense neuronal pigmentation was described in sheep exposed to Asphodelus aestivus in Turkey. The clinical signs were similar in all the sheep affected, and the condition was usually characterized by progressive paresis, ataxia and convulsion. At necropsy, yellowish-brown discoloration in the brain and spinal cord were consistently seen. A microscopical examination revealed abundant yellowish-brown pigment granules in the cytoplasm of the larger neurons. Similar pigment granules were also observed in extraneuronal tissues. The histochemical features of the pigments were consistent with those of lipofuscin. The available evidence suggests that the tissue pigmentation was related to the consumption of A. aestivus. When the outbreaks occurred in both pastures, this plant was predominant and many A. aestivus leaves had been eaten by the sheep. The present study was the first to evaluate the clinical and pathological findings of neuronal lipofuscinosis in sheep associated with ingestion of A. aestivus in Turkey.
Time-Dependent Behavior of Shrinkage Strain for Early Age Concrete Affected by Temperature Variation

Shrinkage has been proven to be an important property of early age concrete. The shrinkage strain leads to inherent engineering problems, such as cracking and loss of prestress. Atmospheric temperature is an important factor in shrinkage strain. However, current research does not provide much attention to the effect of atmospheric temperature on shrinkage of early age concrete. In this paper, a laboratory study was undertaken to present the time-dependent shrinkage of early age concrete under temperature variation. A newly developed Material Deformation Tester (MDT), which can simulate consecutive variation of atmospheric temperature, was used to collect the shrinkage strain of specimens and temperature data. A numerical model was established to describe the thermoelastic strain of a specimen. The results show that (1) there are several sharp shrinkages up to 600 μ for early age concrete in the first 3 days; (2) the absolute value of shrinkage strain is larger than thermal strain; and (3) the difference of shrinkage strain under temperature variation or constant temperature is up to 500 μ.