Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Single Image Superresolution Using Maximizing Self-Similarity Prior

Single image superresolution (SISR) requires only one low-resolution (LR) image as its input which thus strongly motivates researchers to improve the technology. The property that small image patches tend to recur themselves across different scales is very important and widely used in image processing and computer vision community. In this paper, we develop a new approach for solving the problem of SISR by generalizing this property. The main idea of our approach takes advantage of a generic prior that assumes that a randomly selected patch in the underlying high-resolution (HR) image should visually resemble as much as possible with some patch extracted from the input low-resolution (LR) image. Observing the proposed prior, our approach deploys a cost function and applies an iterative scheme to estimate the optimal HR image. For solving the cost function, we introduce Gaussian mixture model (GMM) to train on a sampled data set for approximating the joint probability density function (PDF) of input image with different scales. Through extensive comparative experiments, this paper demonstrates that the visual fidelity of our proposed method is often superior to those generated by other state-of-the-art algorithms as determined through both perceptual judgment and quantitative measures.
A New Species of Frog-Eyed Gecko, Genus Teratoscincus Strauch, 1863 (Squamata: Sauria: Sphaerodactylidae), from Central Iran

In this study we present an analysis of morphological and molecular (COI mtDNA) variation within the genus Teratoscincus and describe a new species, Teratoscincus mesriensis sp. nov. from environs of Mesr, Isfahan Province in Central Iran. The new species can be distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of morphological characters: (1) position of enlarged dorsal scales, which not cover the occipital region on the dorsal surface of head; (2) comparatively high number of scales across midbody; (3) maximal body size reaching SVLmax 93.6 mm. We also provide a COI-based barcoding estimation of diversity of the genus Teratoscincus. Moreover, our new morphological and molecular data indicate that the population of T. scincus from Ferghana Valley (Uzbekistan and Tajikistan), previously described as a subspecies T. scincus rustamowi, is differentiated from other populations of T. scincus complex on species level; we provide a revised diagnosis and propose a full species status for this geographically isolated form as Teratoscincus rustamowi stat. nov. Diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the genus Teratoscincus are discussed.
Yolk Dynamics in Amphibian Embryos

In this paper we study the role of gravity in the development of freshly fertilized amphibian eggs in the hope that it will lead to a deeper un- derstanding of the consequences of procreation in a microgravity environment. We formulate and solve mathematical models for the rotation of the egg and the settling of the yolk platelets. The model for rotation utilizes solid body mechanics and we find that there is an initial "up righting" phase consistent with experiments on the correct timescale. Our model for yolk-platelet mo- tion involves the two-phase flow of yolk and albumin. We reduce this model to a one-dimensional hyperbolic nonlinear partial differential equation which we solve using the method of characteristics. The yolk settling times are con- sistent with experiments. Our work suggests that yolk motion is needed for the correct development of embryos.
Nutraceutical Peptides from Lactoferrin

Lactoferrin belongs to the transferrin protein superfamily and is a major component of the mammalian innate immune system. Proteolytic cleavage of either human or bovine lactoferrin results in the generation of several peptides, most of which manifest the protective activities of Lactoferrin. It is worth noting that these peptides may be naturally produced in the human intestine after milk ingestion. Interestingly, peptides deriving from proteolytic cleavage of Ovotransferrin, a Lactoferrin homologous protein present in reptiles and birds, displays the same protective activities. This mini-review summarizes the most relevant protective activities of peptides deriving from Lactoferrin and Ovotransferrin.
The contributions of the three-dimensional cartography for geomorphologic studies in small watersheds of the Chapada Diamantina, Brazil

This research is mainly aimed to identify the geological and geomorphological structure of watersheds that influence some of the processes of hydrology, from a 3D model, created with tweens numerical terrain models and satellite images. The study area represented located in Northeastern Brazil, state of Bahia, municipality of Lencois and makes reference to three watersheds. The creation of the model was based on the manipulation of altimetry data from of images orbital’s interferometric the Topodata and SRTM projects, with the support of the images QuickBird, plus some field campaigns of investigation and use of the Navigation System and Global positioning (GPS - GNSS). In possession of these data ,have been applied specific techniques of remote sensing and geoprocessing in GIS with ArcGIS 10.1 software. With the use of geostatistics tools, using filters and optimal arrangement of spectral bands was possible to extract a greater number of information physical and environmental and propose a three-dimensional model that simulates the shapes of the land in a watershed. The results show that with the modeling three-dimensional was possible to identify with a good accuracy level, the slope, types of topographic compartments, structural geology of faults through lineaments and deformation and the dynamics of runoff and infiltration the hydrographic system. With such a model is also evident in the intense correlation structural geology, compartments and hydrological processes.
Effect of Microwave Radiation on the Synthesis of Poly ( 3-hexylthiophene ) and the Subsequent Photovoltaic Performance of CdS / P 3 HT Solar Cells

Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is a semiconductor polymer that has been proved to be a good electron donor in organic or hybrid solar cells. In this work, a detailed study of P3HT synthesis in CH 2 Cl 2 solvent by oxidativemethod with and withoutMWassistance has been conducted. Effects of synthesis process parameters on the physical properties of P3HT products and their application in hybrid CdS/P3HT photovoltaic devices were studied. It is observed that the use of MW as well as the reaction time affected the reaction yield and properties of the polymer products. It was found that, by the traditional method (without MW), the maximum yield and the properties of the polymer products were similar after 2 h or 24 h of synthesis. The optimal reaction time with MW for P3HT polymerization in CH 2 Cl 2 solvent was 1 h, and the obtained P3HT product showed similar or better properties than those P3HT polymers synthesized by the traditional method in the same solvent. The effect of using MW during the synthesis was to increase yield and crystal size of P3HT. Larger energy conversion efficiency of ITO/CdS/P3HT/CP-Au devices was obtained when the P3HT product had higher molecular weight and head/tail-head/tail (HT-HT) triad contents.
EFFECTIVENESS OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE: AN ALTERNATIVE METRIC ON THE PERFORMANCE OF LISTED CHINESE COMPANIES

We analyse a panel data set covering the years 2001 to 2005 and comprised of a stratified sample of A, AB and AH non financial companies listed on China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges to provide empirical evidence on the influence of corporate control and governance characteristics on the quality and independence of corporate decision making in these companies. The characteristics considered are the level of concentration in and type of ownership of the companies, particularly high levels of government and foreign ownership, and the composition (expertise) and size of the companies’ two boards. Performance outcomes, and by association the quality and independence of corporate policy decisions, are measured in the form of firm bad debt to accounts receivable ratio (/AR). We find that for our sample firms’ concentration of ownership, including state and foreign ownership, and board size and independence are significant factors in determining the levels of the bad debt ratio.
Empirical Studies on Exchange Rate Puzzles and Volatility

textabstractDit proefschrift bestaat uit vijf empirische studies die gerelateerd zijn aan wisselkoersen. De eerste twee studies behandelen de fundamentele theorie van de Koopkrachtpariteit (KKP) die poneert dat goederen in verschillende landen dezelfde prijs zouden moeten hebben als deze in dezelfde valuta uitgedrukt zou zijn. De belangrijkste conclusie van deze studies is dat de veelvuldig gebruikte methodologie waarbij de restrictie geldt dat de halfwaardetijd homogeen is in een panel bestaande uit reele wisselkoersen, een dramatisch effect kan hebben op de conclusies voor de geldigheid van de KKP hypothese. De derde en vierde studie richten zich op een andere fundamentele economische theorie, de Ongedekte Interest Pariteit (OIP). OIP poneert dat het verwachte wisselkoersverschil gelijk is aan de termijnpremie. De lineaire modellen, die in de derde studie zijn gebruikt, zijn niet in staat om de dynamiek beter te beschrijven dan het standaard, zogeheten Random Walk model. Voor de niet-lineaire modellen in de vierde studie geldt echter dat OIP niet kan worden verworpen. De laatste studie betreft het meten van de wisselkoersvolatiliteit. Het multivariate Stochastische Volatiliteitsmodel wordt besproken, dat op efficiente wijze wordt geschat doordat gebruik wordt gemaakt van de verdelings-eigenschappen van de volatiliteitsmaatstaf die gebaseerd is op de hoogste en laagste koersen. De geschatte valuta-specifieke volatiliteit-reeksen, die onttrokken worden van de wisselkoersvolatiliteit-reeksen, weten de gebeurtenissen die zich in de wisselkoersen voordoen goed weer te geven. De vijf studies uit dit proefschrift bieden een aantal geavanceerde empirische modellen dat nieuwe inzichten geeft in de dynamiek en determinanten van wisselkoersen.
The Impact of Home Country Institutions on Corporate Technological Entrepreneurship via R&D Investments and Virtual World Presence *

In this study, we seek to understand how four dimensions of national business systems surrounding the corporate headquarters of multinational firms influence corporate technological entrepreneurship (CTE). After controlling for fairly well–established antecedents of corporate technological entrepreneurship at the firm and industry levels, we find that national–level predictors explain considerable variance above and beyond our control variables. Furthermore, we find that various national–level dimensions influence different measures of CTE. Overall, our study points to the remarkably strong role of home institutional context for understanding two types of technological entrepreneurship pursued by relatively large, multinational firms based in 24 different economies.
The Study of Overload Effects on Fatigue-Crack-Growth Behavior by Neutron Diffraction

During the load-controlled high-cycle fatigue test, when the overload was applied, it is shown that from the crack-growth rate (da/dN) versus stress-intensity-factor range (∆K) curve, the crack-growth rate decreased, following the overload, which indicates the crack-closure phenomenon. The crack-growth-retardation period was observed after the overload. The goal of this study is to investigate the deformation evolution during tensile loading and unloading cycles using neutron diffraction. Neutron diffraction is used to investigate the crack-closure phenomenon by measuring the changes in the elastic-lattice-strain profiles around the fatigue-crack tip in a compact-tension (CT) specimen during tensile loading and unloading cycles. Spatially-resolved-strain measurements were performed to determine the in-plane and through-thickness lattice-strain profiles ahead of the crack tip under a constant tensile load. The strain scanning was repeated under various applied loads ranging from 667 to 6,667 N. Subsequently, an overload at 8,889N was applied. The strain scans repeated. After the overload, large compressive strain fields were observed close to the crack tip, indicative of the crack-closure phenomena.
A Broker based architecture to control robots in a simulated environment

We present an extension to the Aglets platform in order to support brokering services agencies in a transparent process for the agent designer. This architecture is constructed to provide a set of functionalities, not originally available in the core Aglet environment. These include, white page service, group formation and yellow page support in a distributed and mobile agent environment. The extension was developed in three directions, new environment agents, new agent architectures and an extended agent live cycle model. We also extend the Aglet message model in order to support KQML like directives and speech acts. With these modifications, we encapsulate the Aglets environment in a set of new facilities that provide the designer with a set of higher-level tools to develop his agents. We use this platform to control a team of robots in a simulated environment, providing a complex communication channel to the robots, extending the original features providing a white pages service and a GPS like facility.
Methodology for Transformation of Individual Scan Data into Realistic Animated Human Models

Animating individual scan data in an efficient and easy way is still quite a big challenge. Even more if anatomical correctness is required concerning the deformation by body movement. We present a methodology for transforming individual scan data into realistic animated human models by adapting the scan data to a template model based on anthropometric coherences (skeleton, muscles, tendons and chondrals). The methodology is demonstrated for a female body. It can be used for a male body or even fictive creatures as well. For modeling and animation 3ds Max is used, but the technique is not fixed to a specific commercial system. This approach allows an easy examination of the correlation between the posture of a person and the ideal pattern for a specific pose or movement. As the pose of an athlete differs significantly from the standard standing pose this solution can be used for garment design for high-performance sports. Another possible application is the construction and comparison of patterns in standing and sitting position to be used for wheel-chaired people.
How does the cosmic large-scale structure bias the Hubble diagram?

The Hubble diagram is one of the cornerstones of observational cosmology. It is usually analysed assuming that, on average, the underlying relation between magnitude and redshift matches the prediction of a Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker model. However, the inhomogeneity of the Universe generically biases these observables, mainly due to peculiar velocities and gravitational lensing, in a way that depends on the notion of average used in theoretical calculations. In this article, we carefully derive the notion of average which corresponds to the observation of the Hubble diagram. We then calculate its bias at second-order in cosmological perturbations, and estimate the consequences on the inference of cosmological parameters, for various current and future surveys. We find that this bias deeply affects direct estimations of the evolution of the dark-energy equation of state. However, errors in the standard inference of cosmological parameters remain smaller than observational uncertainties, even though they reach percent level on some parameters; they reduce to sub-percent level if an optimal distance indicator is used.
Skin-Spar Failure Detection of a Composite Winglet Using FBG Sensors

Winglets are introduced into modern aircraft to reduce wing aerodynamic drag and to consequently optimize the fuel burn per mission. In order to be aerodynamically effective, these devices are installed at thewing tip section; thiswing region is generally characterized by relevant oscillations induced by flights maneuvers and gust. The present work is focused on the validation of a continuous monitoring system based on fiber Bragg grating sensors and frequency domain analysis to detect physical condition of a skin-spar bonding failure in a composite winglet for in-service purposes. Optical fibers are used as deformation sensors. Short Time Fast Fourier Transform (STFT) analysis is applied to analyze the occurrence of structural response deviations on the base of strain data. Obtained results showed high accuracy in estimating static and dynamic deformations and great potentials in detecting structural failure occurrences.
Evaluating Online Hot Instruction Sequence Profilers for Dynamically Reconfigurable Functional Units

Online profiling methodologies are studied for exploiting dynamic optimization. On a dynamic optimizable system with online profilers, it has to get accurate profile in early step of the program execution for effective execution. However, for getting more effective profile by online profiling, it has to satisfy “Rapidness” and “Accuracy”. They are conflicted requirements. Therefore, it has to choose trade-off point at implementation. We focused into online Hot Instruction Sequence (HIS) profiler to exploit reconfigurable functional units. To circumstantiate the effectiveness of online HIS profiling, we build some evaluation models for experimental evaluation. Our profiler models are SC/DM, SC/FA and JC/DM. These models have different policy of event counting and table lookup. Our event counting policies are simple-counting or jumble-counting. On the other hand, table lookup policies are direct-map or full-associative. In our experimental evaluation, SC/FA and JC/DM models scored higher accuracy than SC/DM. The JC/DM model is able to implement by lower cost for table lookup, but it scored high accuracy comparable to SC/FA. key words: online profiling, dynamically reconfigurable computing, hardware profiling
The Effect of Multicultural Experience in Conflicts Management Styles: Mediation of Cultural Intelligence and Self-monitoring

Conflict is an inevitable reality both in personal and in organizational life. For being inevitable, the conflict must be managed Defined as a process that occurs when one party feels adversely affected by another (e.g., De Dreu, 1997 the conflict management styles can be analysed as a function of personality variables. In this respect the cultural intelligence, self-monitoring and self-interdependent seem to be relevant variables, since characterised by flexibility and interest in other aspects present in conflict management styles. In this study, we propose that cultural intelligence, associated with the self-interdependent and self-monitoring, can have a positive impact on the choice of most effective interpersonal conflict resolution styles. Being cultural intelligence an attribute of extreme importance, we still sought to determine how the quantity and quality of intercultural contact and self-interdependent present themselves as predictors of it. With a sample of 399 individuals, the proposed model suggests that high levels of cultural intelligence mediated by a high self monitoring and selfinterdependent positively affect and predict the conflict resolution styles adopted. Given the need to develop abilities aimed at increasing the skills of conflict resolution, this study adds to the existing literature new predictors, contributing to the welfare and performance of human resources, and consequently to success and organizational effectiveness.
To Adopt or Not to Adopt Proportional Representation: The Politics of Institutional Choice

In September 1864, the Association Internationale pour le Progres des Sciences Sociales met in Amsterdam to examine the system of proportional representation (PR) which had just been proposed by Thomas Hare. The meeting signalled a growing interest in systems of PR across the more democratic nations of the world – some of which had already begun experimenting with it. Sixty years later, the majority of existing democracies, including Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland, had adopted PR for the election of their national legislatures. Why did so many countries decide to shift to PR? Why did the shift occur at a given point in time, not earlier or later? Why did some countries never move to PR? These are the questions that we address in this Note. We are interested in exploring the factors that influenced the decision to adopt PR at the turn of the twentieth century. We argue that two factors of considerable theoretical relevance were particularly important in facilitating the shift to PR: the spread of democratic ideas and the presence of a majority (usually two-round) system and, as a consequence, a multi-party system. Carstairs's classic history of electoral systems shows that at the turn of the twentieth century there was a strong demand for PR, which was linked to a more general demand for democratization. As Carstairs notes, there was a general movement in the direction of more democratic political institutions which took several different forms … There was a movement for the establishment or strengthening of parliamentary institutions … Extensions of the franchise for parliamentary elections enabled an increasingly large proportion of the population to gain representation in parliament … With these developments it became a matter of increasing concern that the elected members of parliament and the parties they supported should fairly represent the various interests and opinions of the electorate.
Influences of Organizational Culture in the Adoption of Agile Methodologies in Information Systems Development A Systematic Mapping [Influences of Organizational Culture in the Adoption of Agile Methodologies in Information Systems Development: A Systematic Mapping]

Information Systems (IS) industry has been pressured to deliver software products under reduced time-to-market and restrict budget. Agile Methodologies (AM) have been adopted to meet those aforementioned needs by the adoption of self-managing teams, iterative development cycles, fast delivery, and focus on functional software. Adoption of AM requires a suitable organizational environment, with significant changes in the employees' behavior and in the working processes, impacting, and suffering the impact of Organizational Culture (OC). In this direction, methods, actions, and policies must be thought to align the company's OC to the use of AM, in such a way that both can benefit each other. However, there is a lack of proposals that systematically investigate how to align both OC and AM. In this sense, a systematic mapping study (SMS) was conducted to identify studies that associate OC in initiatives of AM adoption. This paper presents the state-of-the-art about the influence of OC in the adoption of AM. The main contribution of this paper is bringing up an overview of the area, indicating perspectives of research, and exposing (i) a list of actions which have been reported to align OC and AM; (ii) OC factors recognized as essential to the successful adoption of AM; and (iii) the perceptions on a lack of awareness about the influence of OC in IT organizations.