Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Idol dataset: a database on religious idols and its recognition with deep networks

Idols are rich descriptors capturing both visual and historical information about temples and therefore enhance the process of documenting and managing cultural heritage of a place. There are very limited annotated databases for artistic cultural heritage images especially for idols. To meet this need, we collected, annotated, and prepared a new database of Hindu Religious Idols. The first version of Idol dataset contains 14,592 images collected from Internet by querying three major search engines using 150 name manifestations related keywords about 31 idol categories. Correctly identifying a particular God/Goddess image in the form of paintings, photographs and sculptures is crucial. In this paper, we investigate the use of deep neural networks to solve the problem of recognizing religious idols. To achieve this result, the network is first pre-trained on 10 ImageNets and selected Densenet121 which outperforms the other networks. A modified Densenet architecture is proposed with a softmax output for idol recognition to achieve 74.9% and 84.28% of Top1 and Top 2 Rank Accuracies respectively on imbalanced learning and 74.93% and 84.02% Top1 and Top2 Rank accuracies respectively for weighted loss learning.
Behavior Improvement of Raft Foundation on Port-Said Soft Clay Utilizing Geofoam

The construction on the soft clay which extends in many areas in Egypt is considered a big challenge. The soil of Port-Said is one of the inverted soils such as Frankfurt and Shanghais. Herein, extended poly-styrene (EPS) geofoam was used to replace the soft soil in order to control settlement under raft foundation. In this study, a two-dimensional finite difference numerical method was adopted. This numerical method was first verified against experimental data and then used for the analysis of the raft using EPS in a parametric study. The parametric study was extended to consider the change of the density and thickness of geofoam layers and the number of floors. Comparison was made between cases with geofoam replacement and those without geofoam. Discussion for the numerical results was performed and conclusions were drawn.
S3 DMT-Net: improving soft sharing based multi-task CNN using task-specific distillation and cross-task interactions

We deal with the problem of multi-task learning (MTL) in the context of performing multiple related visual dense prediction tasks from single image inputs. The soft-sharing-based deep MTL Convnets (CNN) have separate networks for each of the tasks with additional constraints on the model parameters. Although such MTL models have shown convincing performances for tasks including semantic segmentation, depth estimation, and surface normal estimation from monocular images, they have two inherent bottlenecks: i) the constraints imposed on such models do not in general leverage the inter-task information which otherwise can boost the joint training, and ii) the performances of the individual task-specific networks are not explicitly optimized. We hypothesize that the MTL performance can be enhanced comprehensively if the aforesaid issues are taken into account in soft-sharing-based MTL models. To this end, we introduce a novel MTL architecture in this paper called S3 DMT-Net, where i) the task-specific networks are trained under the notion of self-distillation, which aims at inheriting the features from the deeper layers into the shallower layers, thus enriching the capacity of the network, and ii) the idea of cross-task interactions are utilized where the feature-maps of the task-specific encoders are shared amongst each other. We validate the model performance on two scenes: indoor (NYUv2 and Mini Taskonomy) and urban (CityScapes and ISPRS), where substantial improvements are recorded for all the tasks over the existing literature.
An encoder-decoder based deep architecture for visible to near infrared image transformation

Near-infrared (NIR) band is also one of the exciting wavelength ranges, besides optical range, to the human visual perception system. The NIR band shares various attributes with visible spectrum range. NIR images have the potential for better representation of vegetation and certain details of a scene that are sometimes opaque to RGB wavelengths. In this paper, we propose a dual encoder-decoder based architecture with different depths for transforming RGB images to NIR images. This network handles scale variations in data and helps to reduce artifacts in the transformed image domain. Two different resolutions of the input image are subjected to feature extraction by a series of five consecutive convolution and ReLu layers. Then, their corresponding aggregated features are assembled and up-sampled to regress over the ground truth NIR image. We consider two datasets with different resolutions and properties, EPFL and OMSIV, which provide corresponding RGB-NIR pairs of images of natural scenes. We train and test our network on both the datasets and evaluate its qualitative and quantitative performance. The results of our network in transforming RGB images to NIR images are found to be interesting which are demonstrated through various examples.
Automated tree generation using grammar & particle system

Trees are an integral part of many outdoor scenes and are rendered in a wide variety of computer applications like computer games, movies, simulations, architectural models, AR and VR. This has led to increasing demand for realistic, intuitive, lightweight and easy to produce computer-generated trees. The current approaches at 3D tree generation using a library of trees lack variations in structure and are repetitive. This paper presents an extended grammar-based automated solution for 3D tree generation that can model a wide range of species, both Western and Indian. For the foliage, we adopt a particle system approach that models the leaf, its size, orientation and changes. The proposed solution additionally allows control for individual trees, thus modelling the tree growth variations, changes in foliage across seasons, and leaf structure. This enables the generation of virtual forests with different tree compositions. In addition, a Blender add-on has been developed for use and will be released.
An Operation Evaluation of ADS-B and CDTI during Airport Surface and Final Approach Operations

The availability of new technologies for both the flight deck and air traffic control facilities is creating new capabilities for enhanced aircraft operations. With the introduction of these new technologies comes a need to evaluate their effectiveness in both laboratory and operational settings. Two such technologies, Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast (ADS-B), and Cockpit Display of Traffic Information (CDTI) with and without a surface map, were demonstrated during an Operational Evaluation in the Ohio Valley. The main focus of the study was a comparison of flight crew navigational performance, traffic, and runway occupancy awareness, with and without a surface map on their CDTI displays during airport surface and final approach operations. Sixteen commercial, government, corporate, and general aviation crews participated in the evaluation, flying a variety of aircraft ranging from Boeing 727s to the Piper Aztecs. Aircraft GPS track position data, in flight observer reports, post-flight structured interviews, and post-flight questionnaires were used to support data collection. Flight crews reported that the CDTI enhanced their situational and traffic awareness. They also reported that when the CDTI included a surface map, surface navigational and traffic awareness were further enhanced. Pilots also reported that utilizing the CDTI did not interfere with other cockpit tasks. Finally, the addition of a surface map enhanced flight crews' awareness of runway status. These findings suggest that system efficiency and safety will be enhanced with the introduction of a CDTI which includes airport surface maps.
Physical and Mechanical Properties of Historic Building Materials: Towards Documentation and Conservation of Qusayr Amra in Jordan

The current study investigates the chemical and physical properties of the stone building material used in Qusayr Amra, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Jordan. The chemical weathering impact of salt crystallization on these stones was evaluated with the goal of improving conservation efforts. Thermodynamic data from the tested samples using Runsalt software showed that Halite, Sylvite and Calcium Nitrate were the main potential soluble salts. High resolution 3D models and scans were produced using laser scanning in order to provide reference data and improve monitoring of the changes that affect the building. The results of this research point to the possibility of reducing the problems in the building by changing the current environmental conditions around the building and thus mitigating the major deterioration factor in this site due to the crystallization and distribution of salt.
Assessing the curriculum and profile of pedagogical professionals for new employment opportunities

ABSTRACT The aim of this article is to analyze the extent to which students and teachers in the Degree in Pedagogy perceive the training they receive is consistent with employment opportunities in specific professional areas. To do so, we have examined the relationship between students’ and teachers’ perceptions on the training they receive and its connection to employment opportunitiesthrough a descriptive, exploratory, and correlational study. The results show that students perceive the courses in the Degree in Pedagogy enhance professional and employment opportunities to a lesser extent than teachers deem. For both groups, the area of the Degree in Pedagogy with the greatest representation in the professional world is that of ‘Research and Education’. Additionally, both groups believed that the practical training students receive is highly useful for their professional career. The ‘Society and Culture’ and ‘Training and Business’ areas were found to be the less represented throughout the degree.
The omics of our lives: practices and policies of direct-to-consumer epigenetic and microbiomic testing companies

While much attention has gone towards ethical, legal, and social implications of direct-to-consumer genetic testing over the past decades, the rise of new forms of consumer omics has largely escaped scrutiny. In this paper, we analyze the product descriptions, promotional messages, terms of service, and privacy policies of five epigenetic and seven microbiomic testing companies. The advent of such tests online represents a significant shift in consumer omics, from a focus on inherited molecules with genetic tests, to broader interest for information about the lives of individuals, such as chronological and biological age, exposures, and lifestyle. Building on previous literature about direct-to-consumer genetic testing, and taking this shift into account, we identify limitations, gaps and inconsistencies in current practices and policies of the new companies. Best practice standards and regulations applicable across different omic sample and data types is a necessary first step in the promotion of responsible consumer omics.
Establishing a facility to measure packed column hydrodynamics

i Abstract Distillation continues to be the most widely used method of separation in the processing industry, in spite of its inherently low thermodynamic efficiency. Two of the critical distillation research needs that arose from the US-Initiative Vision 2020 were to develop a better understanding of the physical phenomena as well as developing better predictive models. Also, characterisation of modern packing materials is required to assist in the CO2 capture optimisation. This thesis deals with both these aspects by establishing a facility that can accurately measure the hydraulic capacity of packed columns. This setup eliminates mass transfer and specific attention can be given to the hydrodynamic behaviour of packed columns. Two phenomena that have a large impact on the mass transfer efficiency of packing materials are the loading and flooding point. The loading point is signified by the following: a. ) where the packed column hold-up increases, b. ) higher increase in pressure drop, and c. ) a decrease in Height Equivalent to a Theoretical Plate (HETP). The onset of flooding is where the shear forces between the gas and liquid become so large (relative to the gravitational forces) that a net upwards movement of liquid occurs, resulting in liquid droplets being heavily entrained. This is normally accompanied by a sharp increase in HETP, pressure drop and liquid hold-up. The prediction of these operating limits is of great value but, despite the many contributions that were made from 1960 to 2010, there is still room for improvement. The operating region of particular interest is between the loading and flooding point, especially for fluids with physical properties significantly different from that of water. In the past, this operating region was not of great importance, but industries are constantly striving to increase their production with minimal capital expenditure. Thus, packed columns are being pushed to their limits and a good understanding of the phenomena occurring near these operational limits is now required. A 400 mm diameter glass packed bed setup (with a bed height of 3000 mm) was designed and constructed to test the effect of the following parameters on packed bed pressure drop and liquid hold-up: • Gas and liquid physical properties • Gas and liquid rates • Type of packing (either random or structured) The experimental setup has been designed so that in the future the influences of the above mentioned parameters on entrainment can also be measured. Initially, hydrodynamic tests on random packing materials (1.5” Pall® Rings, 1.5” IMTP®, 1.5” Intalox® UltraTM) were conducted over a liquid range of 6 122 m 3 /(m 2 ·h). Through a
Optimization of the characteristic angles of both front and rear McPherson suspensions on a circular track using multi-body numerical simulation

Abstract The research reported in this paper aims to simulate the road-holding of a virtual vehicle using multi-body simulation to estimate both the contact forces between the tyre and ground and the roll motion when cornering. Furthermore, the effect of the characteristic angles on the variation in the forces of the tyre in contact with the ground is studied to determine optimal values for these angles. Emphasis is placed on an average-class vehicle, of which both the external dimensions and mass are chosen appropriately, with a McPherson suspension mounted on both the front and the rear. The characteristic values of the camber and toe-in angles, in both the front and the rear, are optimized for motion in the curve under constant traction. The results of numerical simulation are compared with results from the theory of stability in the curve (given the vertical configuration of the vehicle).
THE IMPACT OF GREEN EXERCISE ON TEST OF PERFORMANCE STRATEGIES, PHYSICAL VARIABLES AND COUNTER-TIME PERFORMANCE FOR EGYPTIAN EPEE FENCERS

Purpose. Green exercise refers to physical exercise undertaken in natural environments. this study aimed to investigated the impact of green exercise on Test of Performance Strategies (TOPS), physical variables and countertime performance for Egyptian epee fencers Methods. Twenty professional Epee fencers (mean ± SD age, 21.2 ± 2.05 years. High, 179.64 ± 7.31 cm. Weight, 77.22 ± 6.77 kg). Training experience 10.12 ± 2.11 years), all participations divided into equally to (2) groups (experimental groups -10 Epee fencers) and (control group -10 Epee fencers) from the Egyptian fencing clubs, the experimental group performed the green exercises (outdoor) which contain (warm up, stretch, and body weight exercises) for (8) weeks, and the control group practiced the traditional training only into the hall (indoor). Only the part of warm up is the different between the two groups . The data collected from counter-time performance test by using off camera 100 frames / second). And Physical abilities tests (flexibility, agility) before and after the programs for the two groups. Results. Significant changes between posttests scores for the control and experimental groups (P≤ 0.05) in physical tests and counter time performance, (TOPS) variables in training Goal setting, Activation, Attentional control for experimental group, and (TOPS) in competition Goal setting, Activation, Negative thinking. However no significant differences were shown between other variables (P≥ 0.05). Conclusions. Under the condition of our study, green exercise intervention for eight weeks has a beneficial effect on Test of Performance Strategies (TOPS), physical variables and counter-time performance for Egyptian epee fencers.
The Regulation of Cyberspace: Control in the Online Environment

Part A: Mapping the Cyber-Regulatory Environment 1. Coffee Pots and Protocols: The Role of the Cyberlawyer 2. Regulatory Competition and Webs of Regulation Part B: Regulatory Tools and Digital Content 3. Environmental Design and Control 4. Code Controls and Controlling Code 5. Online Communities 6. Competition and Indirect Controls 7. Cyber Laws and Cyber Law-Making Part C: Regulating Cyberspace: Challenges and Opportunities 8. Regulating Cyberspace 9. Embracing Uncertainty
Three phase voltage-fed space vector modulated soft-switching PFC rectifier with instantaneous power feedback scheme

This paper presents performance evaluations in steady and transient-states of quasi-resonant commutated bridge arm link three phase PFC rectifier with instantaneous power feedback and DC output voltage regulation loops. This three phase PFC rectifier topology is based upon digitally-modulated sinewave space vector processing, which can operate under a principle of ZVS-PWM transition due to auxiliary quasi-resonant commutation circuit incorporated into each three phase bridge arm. In the first place, a practical design of auxiliary resonant commutation circuit with current source type load model is graphically described on the basis of its state variable analysis. In the second place, the digital control system of three phase voltage-fed soft-switched PWM converter suitable and acceptable for high power utility applications is implemented on the synchronous rotating d-q coordinate axis. Finally, a novel prototype of this three phase PFC rectifier operating at soft-switching PWM strategy is evaluated as compared with hard switching PWM three phase PFC rectifier in terms of computer-aided simulation results.
Enhancing the success of new dams implantation under semi-arid climate, based on a multicriteria analysis approach: Case of Marrakech region (Central Morocco)

Abstract Water management has become one of the major interests in arid and semi-arid regions. Scientists have suggested different criteria and methodologies for the identification of suitable dam sites. According to our literature review, we have used two major methodologies for the selection of suitable dam site location: geographic information system and remote sensing (GIS/RS) and multicriteria analysis (MCA) integrated with GIS/RS. The most common criteria used for the selection of suitable dam sites were slope, rainfall, land use land cover, soil type, lithology, lineament density, and hydrographic typology. All the factors were superimposed to prepare the synthesis map of water-harvesting structures, each thematic layer’s weight was determined, and storage water potential indices were calculated using water accumulation conditions. According to the water-harvesting location map, where the spatial distribution of the excellent (5%), very good (9%), and good (17%) aptitude classes is established in the northeast and central parts of the westward zone, the average located in the center of the zone. Study and weak are located south of the map; the area of moderate (25%) to poor (44%) suitability is situated in the south and southwest zone. The MCA was validated using an existing dam across the study area, where the MCA provides for the dam located in the good and moderate zones. The approach adopted in this study can be applied for any other location globally to identify potential dam-construction sites. From the point of view of the literature of multicriteria analyses of water recovery, areas unsuitable for surface water harvesting and dam projects are suitable for groundwater recharge.
Systematic multi‐level analysis of an organelle proteome reveals new peroxisomal functions

Seventy years following the discovery of peroxisomes, their proteome remains undefined. Uncovering the complete peroxisomal proteome, the peroxi-ome, is crucial for understanding peroxisomal activities and cellular metabolism. We used high-content microscopy to uncover the peroxi-ome of the model eukaryote – Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This strategy enabled us to expand the known organellar proteome by ∼40% and paved the way for performing systematic, whole-organellar proteome assays. Coupled with targeted experiments this allowed us to discover new peroxisomal functions. By characterizing the sub-organellar localization and protein targeting dependencies into the organelle, we unveiled non-canonical targeting routes. Metabolomic analysis of the peroxi-ome revealed the role of several newly-identified resident enzymes. Importantly, we found a regulatory role of peroxisomes during gluconeogenesis, which is fundamental for understanding cellular metabolism. With the current recognition that peroxisomes play a crucial part in organismal physiology, our approach lays the foundation for deep characterization of peroxisome function in health and disease.
Synthetic Condensed-Phase Signaling Expands Kinase Specificity and Responds to Macromolecular Crowding

Liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) can concentrate biomolecules and accelerate reactions within membraneless organelles. For example, the nucleolus and PML-nuclear bodies are thought to create network hubs by bringing signaling molecules such as kinases and substrates together. However, the mechanisms and principles connecting mesoscale organization to signaling dynamics are difficult to dissect due to the pleiotropic effects associated with disrupting endogenous condensates. Here, we recruited multiple distinct kinases and substrates into synthetic LLPS systems to create new phosphorylation reactions within condensates, and generally found increased activity and broadened specificity. Dynamic phosphorylation within condensates could drive cell-cycle-dependent localization changes. Detailed comparison of phosphorylation of clients with varying recruitment valency and affinity into condensates comprised of either flexible or rigid scaffolds revealed unexpected principles. First, high client concentration within condensates is important, but is not the main factor for efficient multi-site phosphorylation. Rather, the availability of a large number of excess client binding sites, together with a flexible scaffold is crucial. Finally, phosphorylation within a suboptimal, flexible condensate was modulated by changes in macromolecular crowding. Thus, condensates readily generate new signaling connections and can create sensors that respond to perturbations to the biophysical properties of the cytoplasm.