Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An unmanned aerial vehicle for autonomous forestry cutover edge survey.

A proof of concept unmanned aerial system capable of navigating the edge defined by the boundary of forest and cutover has been developed. Following gathering of low altitude imagery of forest cutover edges, two image classifiers were developed to classify regions of an image as forest or not-forest from RGB images. The first proposed method, based on selection of hue, saturation, and brightness, achieved a classification accuracy of 83.2%. The second proposed method, based on a SVM classifier, achieved a higher classification of 90.2% by using textural information to avoid false positives. The two methods were combined in order to accurately identify the cutover edge and fit a linear line. A proportional control system was used to generate navigational instructions based on the position and orientation of the line within a frame from a downward facing camera onboard a UAV. Mavlink commands were generated on an external computer onboard the UAV and sent to a Pixhawk flight computer to control a UAV. Successful performance of the proposed combined cutover edge identification algorithm was demonstrated in simulation with an average error of 26.2 pixels, approximately corresponding to a metric value of only 2.4 m. The simulated accuracy of this system compares favourably to a similar automated UAV system (Rathinam et al. [2007]) whose average positional error was 7 m.
Harbour porpoises ( Phocoena phocoena ) in the North Atlantic: Biological parameters

Biological parameters for harbour porpoises are reviewed throughout their range in the North Atlantic. Most information is based on studies of a combination of directed catches, bycatches and strandings. All these sources are valuable for providing biological information, but each carries some bias when it comes to interpretation of parameters, especially those involving age structure. Information on age-related parameters, reproduction and growth is presented and assessed by region and/or population, of which there may be 14 throughout the North Atlantic. Among age related parameters, maximum longevity recorded is 24 years; maximal rate of population growth is probably 9.4% but in the range 5-10%; mortality is highest in year 1, and 3 years; ovulation rates fall in the range 0.64 - 0.988 corpus per year, and reproductive interval is 1.01-1.57 years; pregnancy rates are generally in the range 0.74 - 0.986 per year, meaning that not all females produce a calf every year; there is seasonal breeding/mating in the period June–August; gestation lasts 10-11 months; parturition generally occurs between mid-May to mid-July; duration of lactation is uncertain, but is probably at least 8 months; size at birth is usually in the range 65-75 cm with a maximum size of about 80 cm. Sex ratio is biased to males throughout life: 1.1-1.2 males : 1.0 females in the foetal stage, and 1.1-1.7 males : 1.0 females post-natal. Growth parameters indicate an asymptotic length and weight that varies with population, but usually falls in the range 153-163 cm and 55-65 kg for females and 141-149 cm and 46-51 kg for males. Growth models used for length and weight are typically based on von Bertalanffy and Gompertz models. Length at sexual maturity also varies with population, but is usually in the range 138-147 cm for females and 127-135 cm for males. There is no information based on vertebral epiphyseal fusion to indicate age at physical maturity. Foetal growth appears normal, but there is uncertainty about the existence of embryonic diapause. Size/age at weaning are uncertain, but size may be 8 months; however, entirely independent feeding may not occur until about 10 months.
Efficient Repeating Segments Discovery in Music using Adaptive Motif Generation Algorithm

This paper introduces an efficient unsupervised algorithm to discover motifs in multivariate data sequence. Specifically, we apply our proposed work to detect repeating segments on music feature vectors. The proposed algorithm, namely Adaptive Motif Generation, scans the music features online to construct a list of repeating candidate segments in linear time. The candidate list is then used to populate a sparse self-similarity matrix for further processing to generate the final selections. The experimental results showed that the proposed approach was able to obtain similar average F1 score compared to the traditional self-similarity approach with significant reduction in computational cost and memory usage.
Electrophoretic Aspects of Blood Serum Proteins of the Genus Apodemus in the Black Sea Region

Globulin and albumin proteins of Apodemus populations in the Black Sea region were examined using SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulphate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). There were 7-11 bands in the globulin region and 1-3 bands in the prealbumin zone. It was determined that there were variations in both the globulin region and the prealbumin zone in populations of this genus. A band was observed in the postalbumin zone with different electrophoretic mobilities including slow and fast. This different mobility in the postalbumin zone separated Apodemus specimens into two different populations in sympatry. These findings showed that at least two populations of the genus Apodemus live in the Black Sea region instead of one.
Differential regulation of the attachment of KSHV infected human B cells to ECM by KSHV encoded gB and cellular V integrins

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) has two modes replication: latent and lytic replication. Reactivation from latency is dictated, in part, by the cell cycle. Herein, we have attempted to delineate the importance of cell cycle in KSHV pathogenesis by exploring the expression pattern of cell surface receptors during different phases of the cell cycle. V integrin expression is augmented during S phase in fibroblasts, epithelial, and KSHV infected cells. Using a Matrigel system, we pioneer the concept that KSHV infected primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cells can attach to extracellular matrix proteins. This attachment is mediated primarily via V integrins or virally encoded gB, and occurs preferentially in cells from S phase or cells from S phase actively supporting a lytic infection, respectively. Such an ability of infected B cells to attach to endothelial cells may also aid in the dissemination of infection. The keystone of this work is that for the first time, we describe the ability of KSHV infected B cells to preferentially use cellular ( V) or viral (gB) receptors to specifically bind cells, depending upon the stage of the cell cycle and infection.
Broadband Circular Polarization Antenna Based on Inverted Suspended Circular Patch with Square Slot

In this paper, an inverted suspended circular patch with square slot design is proposed for broadband circular polarized antenna. The antenna was designed based on L-probe technique and air gap of 10 mm distance between substrate and copper ground. L-probe technique is used in this antenna design to feed the 50 Ohm SMA connector signal through the feedline to the antenna structure. The proposed antenna had been designed and simulated by using computer simulation technology (CST) software. This antenna design is targeted for wireless local area network (WLAN) application which operating frequency at 2.4 GHz. Antenna performances in term of return loss, resonant frequency, bandwidth, gain, axial ratio, directivity, total efficiency and radiation pattern at the design frequency are analyzed. Result of simulation show that the proposed antenna achieved axial ratio below 3 dB which is 0.62 dB with return loss -35.60 dB at targeted frequency. Comparison result of simulation and measurement show that the return loss bandwidth (RLBW) and realized gain of the antenna at 2.4 GHz frequency decreases from 556 MHz to 354 MHz with gain 7.76 dB to 4.54 dB. However, the proposed antenna covers a wider bandwidth of 2.4 GHz where both simulation and measurement bandwidth is over 350 MHz.
The potential and pitfalls of using simple dental metrics to infer the diets of African antelopes (Mammalia: Bovidae)

The use of mesowear to infer diets of extinct species is fast becoming widespread in palaeoecological studies. Nevertheless, traditional mesowear analyses suffer from a specimen number limitation, in that a minimum number of specimens identified to the species level is necessary to make accurate dietary predictions. This is problematic in many fossil African antelope (Mammalia: Bovidae) assemblages, where isolated teeth cannot always be assigned to species. Hereweexplore the possibility of using simple dental metrics to predict diets on the basis of individual teeth as well as gnathic rows using linear discriminant function analyses.We find that browsers are accurately classified at both the individual and species levels, across all models and tooth positions. Mixed feeders and grazers are classified accurately only sometimes, and this is probably a reflection of the more limited sample size of larger bodied species in our study. Body size was a highly significant predictor of the inaccurate classifications obtained in our models, with larger bodied species tending to grazing classifications and smaller bodied species browsing classifications. Nevertheless, the models correctly classify the majority of specimens we examined to their correct trophic group, as determined through stable isotope analyses or as defined through the literature. The methods outlined hold some promise for determining the diets of isolated fossil specimens unassigned to species in a simple manner and, when used in conjunction with other palaeodietary and palaeoecological proxies, may help determine palaeoenvironments more accurately.
Method development and its validation for quantitative simultaneous determination of Latanoprost, Timolol and Benzalkonium chloride in ophthalmic solution by RP-HPLC

Background and the purpose of the study: To develop a simple, rapid and accurate HPLC method for simultaneous quantitative determination of Latanoprost, Timolol and Benzalkonium chloride (BAK) in ophthalmic solution. Method: Chromatographic separation was achieved with PDA detector using Inertsil C18, 300 x 3.9mm, 5µ reverse phase analytical column. The mobile phase consist of buffer: acetonitrile (40: 60 v/v), was passed through the column at flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. The method was performed at wavelength gradient . The experiment was carried out at 30 o C. Results: The calibration curves were linear in the concentration range of 25% to 150% of the working concentration (r2 > 0.999). The lower limit of quantification was 0.8, 0.9 and 0.6 for Timolol, BAK and Latanoprost respectively. Conclusion: The developed procedure was used for simultaneous quantitative estimation of Latanoprost, Timolol and Benzalkonium chloride (BAK) in ophthalmic solution. Developed method was validated as per ICH Q2 (R1), and most useful for academic as well as industrial scale. Key words: Latanoprost, Timolol, Benzalkonium Chloride, RP HPLC, Validation.
Segmentation and wake removal of seafaring vessels in optical satellite images

This paper aims at the segmentation of seafaring vessels in optical satellite images, which allows an accurate length estimation. In maritime situation awareness, vessel length is an important parameter to classify a vessel. The proposed segmentation system consists of robust foreground-background separation, wake detection and ship-wake separation, simultaneous position and profile clustering and a special module for small vessel segmentation. We compared our system with a baseline implementation on 53 vessels that were observed with GeoEye-1. The results show that the relative L1 error in the length estimation is reduced from 3.9 to 0.5, which is an improvement of 87%. We learned that the wake removal is an important element for the accurate segmentation and length estimation of ships.
Assessing Seasonal Asymmetric Price Transmission in Ghanaian Tomato Markets With the Johansen Estimation Method

We assess market integration and price transmission of perishable agricultural produce in Sub-Saharan Africa by studying Ghanaian tomato markets which are characterized by pronounced seasonality in production and trade flows. We analyse the tomato markets of Ghana by simultaneously regarding its five most important markets, Navrongo, Techiman, Kumasi, Tamale and Accra, in a multivariate asymmetric price transmission framework. The estimation of the model is based on a unique dataset and on a modified version of the Johansen estimation procedure which is suitable for estimating such multivariate models. We estimate the price transmission parameters for four regimes which are a combination of the seasonal patterns in trade flows and asymmetries in the long-run price equilibrium between the most important production region (Techiman) and the most important consumption centre for tomatoes (Accra). We find strong evidence for integration of the five markets. In general, price transmission appears to be fast. Disequilibria mainly trigger price responses in the two production regions of Navrongo and Techiman. The regimes are found to matter for the whole system of tomato markets. Disequilibrium is shown to spillover between the price relationships. Consequently, tomato markets in Ghana appear to be integrated and function very well since price signals are rapidly passed through the country.
Everywhere Race!: A Social Mobile Platform for Sport Engagement and Motivation

A lot of medical researches demonstrate that in the last decades there has been a serious increase of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and correlated pathologies. These studies emphasize the key role of a healthy lifestyle in the prevention and cure of these kind of health problems. A healthy lifestyle can be broadly summarized in terms of regular physical activity, a balanced diet, a positive outlook and absence of harmful substances such as alcohol and tobacco. Researchers around the world are experimenting with new techniques and technologies to support and motivate people in their daily physical activity. Ubiquitous mobile devices and their intrinsic relationship with social networks are becoming one of the most popular persuasive technologies adopted in this research area. In this paper we present and evaluate an innovative mobile Android application, called Everywhere Race! , designed to motivate people in a wide range of speed- based sport activities. The peculiarity of the application consists in its groundbreaking way to engage people in sports. Thanks to an intensive usage of social networks and its fun-oriented design it makes it possible, for the first time ever, to compete in real-time with people from all over the world as in a real competition. A preliminary evaluation of the application, conducted on 35 users, shows that the application motivates both non-habitual sportsmen to start working out and habitual ones to keep on exercising.
A Modified Fixed-Newton's Method Via Mid-Point Approach for Nonlinear Systems of Equations

The major shortcomings of Classical Newton's method for nonlinear equations entail computation of Jacobian matrix and solving systems of n linear equations in every iteration. Mostly function derivatives are quit costly and Jacobian is computationally expensive which requires storage of matrix in each iteration. The appealing approach is based on Fixed Newton's but the method mostly requires high number of iteration as the dimension of the systems increases due to less Jacobian information in every iteration. In this paper, we introduce a new procedure via two-step scheme that will reduce the well known shortcomings of Fixed and classical Newton methods. Numerical experiments are carried out which shows that, the proposed method is very encouraging are presented.
Approximate Solutions of Fisher's Type Equations with Variable Coefficients

The spectral collocation approximations based on Legendre polynomials are used to compute the numerical solution of time-dependent Fisher’s type problems. The spatial derivatives are collocated at a Legendre-Gauss-Lobatto interpolation nodes. The proposed method has the advantage of reducing the problem to a system of ordinary differential equations in time. The four-stage A-stable implicit Runge-Kutta scheme is applied to solve the resulted system of first order in time. Numerical results show that the Legendre-Gauss-Lobatto collocation method is of high accuracy and is efficient for solving the Fisher’s type equations. Also the results demonstrate that the proposed method is powerful algorithm for solving the nonlinear partial differential equations.
Use of the Malaise trap to assess the biodiversity of parasitoids ( Hymenoptera : Eulophidae ) in Israel

This article presents data on the species diversity of eulophids of Israel (63 species from 25 genera), following a one-year study using a Malaise trap. These data are compared with the existing material in Israel, identified over the course of 50 years (44 species from 27 genera). The use of the Malaise trap is a promising method, especially in areas with high aridity. The bimodal seasonal dynamics in the number of specimens was determined. The Shannon index of diversity (H) varies as does the number of specimens and species, diminishing in summer and increasing from October to January. The seasonal fluctuations in Eulophidae parasitoids were recorded in Israel for the first time. The reasons are discussed for these fluctuations, which are associated with a high level of biodiversity (H) and inhomogeneity (low J) in the Eulophidae. KEywords: Parasitic wasps, new records, fauna, Israel
To What Extent Do Public Interest and Private Interest Affect Regulations? An Empirical Investigation of Firms in Japan

Through an empirical analysis of firms in Japan, this paper investigates to what extent the public interest and the private interest theories, respectively, explain the actual regulatory process. Our estimation findings are as follows. First, the explanatory power of the public interest theory is higher in non-public utility industries, while that of the private interest theory is higher in public utility industries. Second, rapidly growing industries become less regulated as they no longer need government protection. Third, highly competitive industries become more regulated so as to retain profit for individual companies. Fourth, price level has different implications among industries. The negative coefficient in non-public utility industries supports the public interest theory, while the positive coefficient in public utility industries supports the private interest theory.
In vitro antiviral activity of dieckol and phlorofucofuroeckol-A isolated from edible brown alga Eisenia bicyclis against murine norovirus

Copyright © 2015 The Korean Society of Phycology 241 http://e-algae.kr pISSN: 1226-2617 eISSN: 2093-0860 In vitro antiviral activity of dieckol and phlorofucofuroeckol-A isolated from edible brown alga Eisenia bicyclis against murine norovirus Sung-Hwan Eom, Sun-Young Moon, Dae-Sung Lee, Hyo-Jung Kim, Kunbawui Park, Eun-Woo Lee, Tae Hoon Kim, Yong-Hyun Chung, Myung-Suk Lee and Young-Mog Kim* Korea Food Research Institute, Sungnam 463-746, Korea Department of Interdisciplinary Program of Biomedical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Korea National Marine Biodiversity Institutes of Korea, Seocheon 325-902, Korea Department of Food Science and Technology, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Korea Food Safety Research Division, National Fisheries Research & Development Institute, Busan 619-705, Korea Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dongeui University, Busan 614-714, Korea Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Daegu University, Gyeongsan 712-714, Korea Department of Ecological Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Korea Department of Microbiology, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Korea
Prediction of residential mortgage contract rates

In this thesis, we have examined the predictability of the effective yield of residential mortgage loan rates as a function of economic variables which would be available to a loan officer preparing to set a loan rate. Of the possible explanatory regressor variables, the 10-year interest rate is most highly correlated with effective yield. Since this is a case where the sample sizes (number of loans made per month) vary widely, the major new statistical idea introduced in this thesis is that of the weighted autoregressive first order model [WAR(1)]. The procedure used in this thesis to obtain the [WAR(1)] estimates is based on iteratively reweighted least squares methods. INDEX WORDS: Weighted Autoregression Model; Autoregressive Error Model; Effective Yield. PREDICTION OF RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE CONTRACT RATES
Incremental Information Content of Financial and Non-Financial Performance Measures

Previous research has yielded mixed results concerning the connections between financial and non-financial measures of performance; furthermore, the relative value of these measures has yet to be effectively investigated. This paper contributes to the discussion of non-financial metrics by investigating the predictive value of multiple non-financial performance measures as compared to financial performance measures. This analysis includes quarterly panel data gathered from 31 US airline companies during the period of 2003-2007, to test the hypothesis that non-financial measures are in fact leading indicators for lagged financial performance and therefore have greater incremental information content than that provided by financial measures. The results of this study indicate that various non-financial performance measures can be leading indicators for lagged accounting numbers. Consequently, non-financial measures have an incremental information content advantage over conventional accounting numbers. Finally, the lag-search results suggest that the benefits in improving non-financial measures of performance would take place in the short-term. Thus, they can be included in managers’ compensation plans to encourage enhanced performance.
Does Opening a Stock Exchange Increase Economic Growth?

We examine the connection between the creation of stock exchanges and economic growth with a new set of data on economic growth that spans a longer time period than generally available. We find that economic growth increases relative to the rest of the world after a stock exchange opens. Our evidence indicates that increased growth of productivity is the primary way that a stock exchange increases the growth rate of output, rather than an increase in the growth rate of physical capital. We also find that financial deepening is rapid before the creation of a stock exchange and slower subsequently.