Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Personal Identification Using Palmprint Images

Biometric identifiers take distinctive characteristics into consideration which are robust parameters for recognition. In this paper, we present a novel and efficient approach for personal identification using texture based palmprint technology. The method has three steps – preprocessing, feature extraction and matching. In preprocessing, we have proposed a new method for ROI extraction using three valley points and two additional points on the hand image. Features are extracted using discrete cosine transform (DCT) and finally five distance classifiers are used to find the recognition rate. CASIA palmprint database is used to evaluate the performance of the model. The experimental results offer 97% recognition rate with total execution time less than 200ms per test, which is suitable for on-line identification system as well. It has been observed that the holistic DCT is little faster than the block-wise DCT for the proposed method. MATLAB R2015a is used to simulate the model.
Introduction : definition of angioedema and differentiation between histaminergic and bradykininergic angioedema

The “complement system” is one of the effector pathways of the immune system against microorganisms and tumor cells. The complement system can be activated through three major pathways: classical, lectin, and alternative. The sequential activation through the generation of complex enzymes from inactive zymogens produces a cascade in which a capable enzyme generates a large number of active downstream molecules. C1 inhibitor (C1‐INH) is a serine protease inhibitor (serpin) that regulates the following closely interrelated proteolytic pathways: complement system, coagulation system, contact system, and fibrinolysis system. The absence or malfunction of C1‐INH results in the presence of attacks of angioedema (AE) due to uncontrolled activation of the con‐ tact system, with the generation of bradykinin (BK), a vasoactive peptide released from high‐molecular‐weight kininogen (HMWK). Some drugs that inhibit the catabolism of BK have been implicated in the development of AE. These include angiotensin‐ converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP‐IV) inhibitors, aminopeptidase P (APP) inhibitors, and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitors. We describe in this chapter the biochemistry pathways implicated in the pathophysiology of bradykininergic angioedema (BK‐AE) and the role of the complement system in the prototype of BK‐AE, in hereditary angioedema with C1‐INH deficiency (C1‐INH‐HAE), and also in acquired angioedema with C1‐INH deficiency (C1‐INH‐AAE).
Stock Market Listing and Corporate Policy: Evidence from Reforms to Japanese Corporate Law

We study how the tradeoff between stock liquidity and stock market scrutiny affects various aspects of corporate policy, using data that cover public and private companies in Japan. We exploit legal reforms as the source of exogenous variation in stock market listing. The sample used in our main analysis consists of firms whose ownership is concentrated. This sample construction helps us mitigates the agency problems that come from the separation of ownership and control. We find that listing reduces debt financing, especially dependence on long-term debt. In addition, we determine that listing improves profitability. These findings support the importance of stock liquidity. However, we also provide evidence that is not consistent with theories on stock liquidity, by reporting that stock market listing does not reduce cash holdings. We discover that it increases capital expenditures and decreases R&D expenses. The two contrasting effects demonstrate the relevance of short-termism pressure from the stock market. We also observe that listing reduces tax aggressiveness, in line with theories that emphasize the role of stock market scrutiny. Our findings suggest that the liquidity-scrutiny tradeoff of stock market listing has heterogeneous effects on firm policy, depending on its nature.
Greedy Nyström Approximation

The Nyström method is an efficient technique which obtains a low-rank approximation of a large kernel matrix based on a subset of its columns. The quality of the Nyström approximation highly depends on the subset of columns used, which are usually selected using random sampling. This paper presents a novel recursive algorithm for calculating the Nyström approximation, and an effective greedy criterion for column selection1. 1 The Nyström method The Nyström method obtains a low-rank approximation of a kernel matrix using a subset of its columns. This method has been used in many large-scale applications in machine learning and data mining, including efficient learning of kernel-based models, fast dimension reduction, and efficient spectral clustering. Let K be an n × n kernel matrix defined over n data instances. The Nyström method starts by sampling k n columns of K. Let S be the set of the indices of the sampled columns, D be an n × k matrix which consists of the sampled columns, and A be a k × k matrix whose elements are {Kij : i, j ∈ S}, where Kij denotes the element of K at row i and column j. The Nyström method calculates a rank-k approximation of K based on S as [1]: K̃S = DA −1DT , (1) The Nyström method can also be used to approximate the d ≤ k leading singular values and vectors of K using those of A [1]. In addition, the approximate singular values and vectors of K can be used to map data points to a d-dimensional space, where the kernel over the data points represents a rank-d approximation of K, which is referred to as K̃S,d throughout the rest of the paper. The quality of the Nyström approximation highly depends on the subset of selected columns. Different sampling schemes have been used with the Nyström method. These schemes include: uniform sampling [1], which has been the most common technique for column selection; non-uniform sampling [2, 3], using probabilities calculated based on the kernel matrix; adaptive sampling [4, 5], in which probabilities are updated based on intermediate Nyström approximations; and deterministic sampling [6, 7], where columns are selected such that some criterion function is optimized. 2 Recursive Nyström approximation This section proposes a novel recursive algorithm for calculating Nystrom̈ approximation. Let l ∈ S be the index of one of the sampled columns, α be the l-th diagonal element of K, δ be the l-th column of K, and β be a column vector of length k − 1 whose elements are {Kil : i ∈ S \ {l}}. Without loss of generality, the rows and columns of K, A and D can be rearranged such that the first row and column correspond to l: A = [ α β β Γ ] , D = [ δ ∆ ] (2) An extended version of this paper is currently under review at the Journal of Machine Learning Research.
Follow Up of GW170817 and Its Electromagnetic Counterpart by Australian-Led Observing Programmes

Abstract The discovery of the first electromagnetic counterpart to a gravitational wave signal has generated follow-up observations by over 50 facilities world-wide, ushering in the new era of multi-messenger astronomy. In this paper, we present follow-up observations of the gravitational wave event GW170817 and its electromagnetic counterpart SSS17a/DLT17ck (IAU label AT2017gfo) by 14 Australian telescopes and partner observatories as part of Australian-based and Australian-led research programs. We report early- to late-time multi-wavelength observations, including optical imaging and spectroscopy, mid-infrared imaging, radio imaging, and searches for fast radio bursts. Our optical spectra reveal that the transient source emission cooled from approximately 6 400 K to 2 100 K over a 7-d period and produced no significant optical emission lines. The spectral profiles, cooling rate, and photometric light curves are consistent with the expected outburst and subsequent processes of a binary neutron star merger. Star formation in the host galaxy probably ceased at least a Gyr ago, although there is evidence for a galaxy merger. Binary pulsars with short (100 Myr) decay times are therefore unlikely progenitors, but pulsars like PSR B1534+12 with its 2.7 Gyr coalescence time could produce such a merger. The displacement (~2.2 kpc) of the binary star system from the centre of the main galaxy is not unusual for stars in the host galaxy or stars originating in the merging galaxy, and therefore any constraints on the kick velocity imparted to the progenitor are poor.
Kernel Fisher Discriminant Analysis Based on a Regularized Method for Multiclassification and Application in Lithological Identification

This study aimed to construct a kernel Fisher discriminant analysis (KFDA) method from well logs for lithology identification purposes. KFDA, via the use of a kernel trick, greatly improves the multiclassification accuracy compared with Fisher discriminant analysis (FDA). The optimal kernel Fisher projection of KFDA can be expressed as a generalized characteristic equation. However, it is difficult to solve the characteristic equation; therefore, a regularized method is used for it. In the absence of a method to determine the value of the regularized parameter, it is often determined based on expert human experience or is specified by tests. In this paper, it is proposed to use an improved KFDA (IKFDA) to obtain the optimal regularized parameter by means of a numerical method. The approach exploits the optimal regularized parameter selection ability of KFDA to obtain improved classification results. The method is simple and not computationally complex. The IKFDA was applied to the Iris data sets for training and testing purposes and subsequently to lithology data sets. The experimental results illustrated that it is possible to successfully separate data that is nonlinearly separable, thereby confirming that the method is effective.
Joint inversion of receiver functions and surface waves with enhanced preconditioning on densely distributed CNDSN stations: Crustal and upper mantle structure beneath China

We present shear wave velocity structure beneath China by joint modeling of teleseismic receiver function and Rayleigh wave group velocity dispersion data observed at +1000 permanent broadband seismic stations in the Chinese National Digital Seismic Network (CNDSN). A ray‐parameter‐based stacking method is employed to minimize artifacts in stacking receiver functions from different sources. The Rayleigh wave dispersion curve is extracted from group velocity tomographic models at all applicable periods. Enhanced preconditions are applied on the linearized iterative inversion to regularize and balance multiple types of data. The velocity profile inversion at each station starts from an initial model derived from sediments, crustal thickness, Vp/Vs ratio and Pn/Sn models. This multistep approach not only reduces uncertainty and nonuniqueness of the velocity inversion but also efficiently fills information gap in each data set. We then generate a 3‐D S velocity model by combining and smoothing all the 1‐D models. The obtained 3‐D model reveals crustal and upper mantle velocity structures that are well correlated with tectonic features of China, for example, our model shows a clear east‐west bimodal distribution at 35 km deep, low velocity in the crust beneath central and eastern Tibetan plateau, and sedimentary structure in major cratons and basins. Our model is consistent with existing tomographic models in large scale but provides more structural details in regional and local scales.
Improvement on the Nutritive Quality of Napier Grass Silage Through Inoculation of Lactobacillus Plantarum and Formic Acid

The potential availability of forage feed is high, but in reality this potential has not been able to meet the requirement of feed both in sustainable quantity and quality. Silage made with the use of liquid fermentation additive (FA) can be a solution for those problems. The use of different levels of FA and addition of Lactobacillus plantarum bacteria as well as formic acid were expected to improve the nutritive quality of napier grass silage. The first experiment was designed to measure the fermentative quality of napier grass silage. The treatments used were the levels of FA, L. plantarum, and formic acid supplementations. The experiment used a completely randomized design with a 3x2x2 factorial arrangement with 3 replications. The first factor was the level of liquid FA (5%, 7.5%, and 10%), and the second factor was the inoculation of L. plantarum (without and with inoculation of the L. plantarum), and the third factor was the addition of formic acid (without and with the addition of 0.15% formic acid). The second experiment was aimed to evaluate chemical and microbiological characteristics, and in vitro digestibility of selected napier grass silage. The results showed that napier grass silage from all treatments showed good qualities. There were interactions between FA, L. plantarum, and formic acid on DM content (P<0.05) and ammonia production (P<0.01). The use of FA showed an interaction (P<0.01) with the addition of L. plantarum and formic acid in Fleigh point. Ammonia production in rumen (P<0.01), total VFA (P<0.05), and in vitro digestibility (P<0.01) were significantly affected by the treatments. The optimal level of liquid FA was 7.5%. Based on the nutritive quality of silage, L. plantarum addition was as effective as control treatment to improve nutritive quality of napier grass silage through the increased of fermentation characteristics i.e., low pH, high DM product, high fermentation product (VFA), and digestible on rumen. Formic acid reduced ammonia production during ensiling and fermentation in rumen, but it was less effective in inhibiting the fermentation process when it was combined with L. plantarum.
Modeling daily stream flow using plant evapotranspiration method

In hydrological models, soil conservation services (SCS) are one of the most widely used procedures to calculate the curve number (CN) in rainfall run-off simulation. Recently, another new CN accounting procedure has been mentioned, namely the plant evapotranspiration (ET) method or simply known as the plant ET method. This method is embedded in the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model which has been developed for watersheds covered by shallow soils or soils with low storage characteristics. It uses antecedent climate and plant evapotranspiration for calculation of daily curve number. In this study, the same method had been used to simulate the daily stream flow for Roodan watershed located in the southern part of Iran. The watershed covers 10570 km2 and its climate is arid to semi-arid. The modeling process required data from digital elevation model (DEM), land use map, and soil map. It also required daily meteorological data which were collected from weather stations from 1988 to 2008. Other than that, the Sequential Uncertainty Fitting-2 (SUFI-2) algorithm was utilized for calibration and uncertainty analysis of daily stream flow. Criteria of modeling performance were determined through the Nash-Sutcliffe and coefficient of determination for calibration and validation. For calibration, the values were reported at 0.66 and 0.68 respectively and for validation; the values were 0.51 and 0.55. Moreover, percentiles of absolute error between observed and simulated data in calibration and validation period were calculated to be less than 21.78 and 6.37 (m3/s) for 95% of the data. The results were found to be satisfactory under the climatic conditions of the study area.
Direct Method for Rapid Prototyping of Near-Optimal Aircraft Trajectories

Adirectmethod fora real-timegenerationofnear-optimal spatialtrajectoriesofshort-term maneuversonboard a e ying vehiclewith predetermined thrust history isintroduced. Thepaperstarts with a survey about the founders of the direct methods of calculus of variations and their followers in e ight mechanics, both in Russia and in the United States. It then describes a new direct method based on three cues: high-order polynomials from the virtual arc as a reference function for aircraft’ s coordinates, a preset history of one of the controls (thrust), and a few optimization parameters. The trajectory optimization problem is transformed into a nonlinear programming problem and then solved numerically using an appropriate algorithm in accelerated scale of time. A series of examples is presented. Calculated near-optimal trajectory is compared with real e ight data, and with the solution obtainedbyPontryagin’ smaximumprinciple.Fastconvergenceofthenumericalalgorithm,whichhasbeenalready implemented and tested onboard a real aircraft, is illustrated. Nomenclature aik = polynomial coefe cients g = acceleration due to gravity J = cost function j = quantity pertaining to the jth time node m = aircraft mass N = number of nodes n = polynomial order ¯ n = relative revolutions of engine’ s rotor nx, nz = tangential and normal projections of load factor, respectively Sh = penalty function T, ¯ T = total thrust and relative thrust (fraction of maximum thrust), respectively t = time t ¤
Monitoring muscle damage markers during a four-week downhill walking exercise program

Resumo—“Monitoramento de marcadores de dano muscular durante um programa de quatro semanas de treinamento de caminhada em declive. ” Exercicios excentricos costumam induzir dano muscular (DM). O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar respostas aerobias e de DM a sessoes de caminhada em declive (CaED) em adultos. Oito voluntarios realizaram um programa periodizado de treinamento de CaED. A dor muscular (DMIT) foi coletada durante todos os dias de treinamento. A atividade serica de creatina quinase (CK) foi coletada antes da primeira sessao e ao final das semanas 1-4. O consumo de oxigenio (VO 2 ) e a percepcao de esforco (PE) foram coletados durante a ultima sessao de treinamento de cada semana. Aumentos na DMIT foram identificados no terceiro e quarto dias de treinamento. Os valores de CK se apresentaram aumentados na terceira semana. Nao foram identificadas diferencas nos valores obtidos de VO2 e PE. Concluimos que sessoes de CaED induzem DM, porem este nao afeta sessoes posteriores. Portanto, a CaED pode ser utilizada como um metodo de treinamento, possibilitando sua periodizacao. Palavras-chaves: caminhada em declive, dano muscular, treinamento
Páramos habitados: desafíos para la gobernanza ambiental de la alta montaña en Colombia

Paramos and high mountain ecosystems are widely recognized in Colombia due to their distinguished value in biological and social terms, as well as their relevance in the supply of ecosystem services. The valuation presented here is founded on both scientific and traditional knowledge, in addition to the recent legal framework of the last decade. Although civil society and the high courts have played fundamental roles in the development of public policy for the conservation of such ecosystems, the close relation of society with these ecosystems is often overlooked. Through figures such as productive activities and the establishment of governmental land-use planning figures and social organizations, communities have been using such ecosystems during decades and in some cases centuries. Additionally, paramos are affected by global climate change. This document makes contributions towards the formulation of an integrated perspective about the territorial dynamics of the Colombian paramo and high mountain ecosystems, their present state, and future trends of change. For this purpose, the areas of paramo complexes inside the Sistema Nacional de Areas Protegidas (National System of Protected Areas—Sinap for its initials in Spanish) and collective territories are identified, along with some of the challenges for land use planning and the conflicts associated with mining, agriculture, and cattle raising. These elements are analyzed to establish opportunities and difficulties in environmental governance of biodiversity and ecosystem services, a subject that is especially relevant in the scenario of the implementation of peace agreements in the country.
Characterizing entanglement in qubits created with spatially correlated twin photons

We characterize entanglement in two-qubit pure states encoded in transverse momenta of twin photons obtained from spontaneous parametric down-conversion. Two alternate methods are employed: (i) measurement of conditional interference patterns and (ii) measurement of the marginal probability that yields the single-photon interference pattern. Both methods are local with classical communication and rely on Schmidt decomposition of the quantum state, which is generated by letting the photons propagate through an appropriate lens system. In both cases we can obtain the concurrence either through the Schmidt coefficients in the first method or directly relating the concurrence to the visibility of the interference pattern in the second one.
Income and consumption expenditure by households groups in National accounts

In this paper we aim at estimating some significant items of the Italian National Accounts (NA henceforth) by households groups using micro survey data and NA figures simultaneously. Particularly we attempt to estimate disposable income and consumption expenditure by households groups, identified by social or economic characteristics of the family. We take NA macro data as the top to be disaggregated by groups of households according to patterns coming from micro data sources on income and consumption expenditure. The crucial question is how to reconcile NA macro data with micro data from surveys on households budgets. As a matter of fact both approaches (macro and micro) try to measure the same phenomena but figures are often considerably different. Part of the paper is devoted to the comparison of NA and household budget surveys macro data in order to point out the main differences. Surveys on households budgets do not always provide unambiguous information on overlapping or economic related monetary variables. As a consequence the disaggregation of NA aggregates moving from micro data sources may lead to incoherent results. We propose here to apply statistical matching in order to get a set of coherent data on households budgets. In particular we apply statistical matching to merge the Bank of Italy Survey on Household Income and Wealth (SHIW henceforth) and the ISTAT Survey on Households Budgets (HBS) for the years 2002 and 2004. For this last year we try to match the HBS and the European Survey on income and living conditions (EU-SILC) as well. The matched data set provide indicators for splitting NA income and consumption expenditure by household groups. JEL codes: E01, C40
Electrical and Spectroscopic Studies of the CdO Substituted Lead Vanadate Glass System vs Crystalline Form

Results of the direct current (DC) Electrical Conductivity, thermoelectric power and Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) of CdO substituted PbO-V2O5 glass system are reported. Conduction in these glasses is found to be electronic and the hoping of polaron seems to be the dominant process in the transport mechanism. There is a remarkable decrease in the activation energy for conduction in the annealed and devitrified samples when compared to their amorphous counter parts. It is observed that there is remarkable improvement in the conductivity of the crystalline samples when compared to their amorphous counter parts. The thermoelectric power measurements indicates that the amorphous samples are n-type at room temperature where as the crystalline samples are p-type at room temperature. In crystalline samples the hyperfine structure is nearly smeared out and a relatively broad line with an isotropic g value characterizes the spectra.
Bayesian analysis for linearized multi-stage models in quantal bioassay

Bayesian methods for estimating dose response curves from linearized multi-stage models in quantal bioassay are studied. A Gibbs sampling approach with data augmentation is employed to compute the Bayes estimates. In addition, estimation of the “relative additional risk” and the “risk specific dose” is studied. Model selection based on conditional predictive ordinates from cross-validated data is developed. Model adequacy is addressed by means of a posterior predictive tail-area test.