Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rephotography Using Image Collections

This paper proposes a novel system that “rephotographs” a historical photograph with a collection of images. Rather than finding the accurate viewpoint of the historical photo, users only need to take a number of photographs around the target scene. We adopt the structure from motion technique to estimate the spatial relationship among these photographs, and construct a set of 3D point cloud. Based on the user‐specified correspondences between the projected 3D point cloud and historical photograph, the camera parameters of the historical photograph are estimated. We then combine forward and backward warping images to render the result. Finally, inpainting and content‐preserving warping are used to refine it, and the photograph at the same viewpoint of the historical one is produced by this photo collection.
Relations Expansion: Extracting Relationship Instances from the Web

In this paper, we propose a Relation Expansion framework, which uses a few seed sentences marked up with two entities to expand a set of sentences containing target relations. During the expansion process, label propagation algorithm is used to select the most confident entity pairs and context patterns. The label propagation algorithm is a graph based semi-supervised learning method which models the entire data set as a weighted graph and the label score is propagated on this graph. We test the proposed framework with four relationships, the results show that the label propagation is quite competitive comparing with existing methods.
QoE and Energy Aware Resource Allocation in Small Cell Networks With Power Selection, Load Management, and Channel Allocation

With the ever-growing number of mobile users and the rapid growth of wireless data service requirement, quality of experience (QoE) has emerged as an essential indicator for users, service providers, and operators. Meanwhile, to improve coverage and serve users, a lot of small cell base stations (SBSs) must be installed, and a great amount of energy is consumed. However, as far as is known, there are few works that have studied the combinatorial problem of QoE and energy aware SBS management, which jointly implements power selection, load management (SU allocation), and channel allocation. This paper investigates the problem of QoE and energy aware SBS management, which consists of power selection, load management, and channel allocation. In this paper, we resort to cloud technologies to solve such a complicated combinatorial problem and employ an iterative approach in which two subproblems are alternatively assigned and optimized at each iteration, i.e., 1) transmission power and load joint management and 2) channel allocation. We propose a two-dimensional-action extended weakly acyclic game theoretical scheme to optimize the two subproblems distributedly and iteratively. We define a novel two-dimensional-action pure strategy Nash equilibrium (2D-NE) and prove that at least one 2D-NE exists in the proposed game. With the help of cloud, we propose two kinds of better response algorithms to achieve 2D-NE of the proposed game $G_w$ . Moreover, simulation results show that the proposed approach could achieve a good QoE-energy utility performance and a high QoE energy efficiency.
The induction of secondary cytolytic T lymphocytes by solubilized membrane proteins

Membrane-bound antigens responsible for induction of a secondary allogeneic murine cytolytic T-cell (CTL) response have been obtained in a soluble, biologically active form by deoxycholate solubilization of tumor cell plasma membranes. The active proteins are soluble by the criteria of both ultracentrifugation and gel filtration. The immunological specificity of the induced CTL and removal of the activity from solution by treatment with B6 anti-P815 (anti-H-2d) antiserum and Protein A-Sepharose demonstrate that the CTL-inducing activity is dependent upon solubilized major histocompatibility complex antigens.
Substrate requirements and kinetic analysis of the cortisol effects on uridine uptake and incorporation by mouse lymphoma P1798 cells in vitro.

Summary Cortisol markedly suppressed in vitro utilization of uridine-3H by corticoid-sensitive mouse lymphoma P1798 cells. Corticoid-resistant cells were not affected. Inhibition did not depend on reduced uptake of exogenous carbohydrate precursors since similar effects were obtained in glucose-free, pyruvate-free medium. Omission of glucose and pyruvate per se did not influence uridine-3H uptake and incorporation by tumor cells, but it substantially decreased nucleoside utilization by rat thymocytes. However, cortisol inhibited uridine-3H transport by thymocytes, whether or not glucose and/or pyruvate were present. Neither glucose alone nor glucose plus pyruvate could maintain maximal levels of uridine-3H uptake by P1798 lymphocytes. When tumor cells were incubated in a balanced salt solution supplemented with glucose alone or with glucose and pyruvate, cortisol inhibition of nucleoside utilization was approximately one-half of that observed in complete medium. Similar results were obtained in medium containing salts plus glutamine, even though uptake and incorporation of uridine were practically restored to control levels. Addition of the remaining amino acids to the glutamine-containing balanced salt solution reconstituted the full cortisol inhibition. Glucocorticoid treatment had no effect on tumor uridine kinase activity but decreased Vmax of uridine-3H uptake without affecting apparent Km. Our results suggest that reduced incorporation of uridine-3H into RNA after exposure of P1798 lymphocytes to glucocorticoids is a consequence of diminished precursor transport rather than of decreased phosphorylation and may not depend on prior inhibition of glucose uptake.
Symbiotic robot organisms: REPLICATOR and SYMBRION projects

Cooperation and competition among stand - alone swarm agents can increase the collective fitness of the whole system. An interesting form of collective system is demonstrated by some bacteria and fungi, which can build symbiotic organisms. Symbiotic communities can enable new functional capabilities which allow all members to survive better in their environment. In this article we show an overview of two large European projects dealing with new collective robotic systems which utilize principles derived from natural symbiosis. The paper provides also an overview of typical hardware, software and methodological challenges arose along these projects, as well as some prototypes and on-going experiments available on this stage.
Ab initio quantum mechanics analysis of imidazole C-H...O water hydrogen bonding and a molecular mechanics forcefield correction.

While it is well established that classical hydrogen bonds play an important role in enzyme structure, function and dynamics, the role of weaker, but 'activated' C-H donor hydrogen bonds is poorly understood. The most important such case involves histidine which often plays a direct role in enzyme catalysis and possesses the most acidic C-H donor group of the standard amino acids. In the present study, we obtained optimized geometries and hydrogen bond interaction energies for C-H.O hydrogen bonded complexes between methane, ethylene, benzene, acetylene, and imidazole with water at the MP2-FC/6-31++G(2d,2p) and MP2-FC/aug-cc-pVDZ/MP2-FC/6-31++G(2d,2p) levels of theory. A strong linear relationship is obtained between the stability of the various hydrogen bonded complexes and both separation distances for H.O and C----O. In general, these calculations indicate that C-H.O interactions can be classified as hydrogen bonding interactions, albeit significantly weaker than the classical hydrogen bonds, but significantly stronger than just van der Waals interactions. For instance, while the electronic energy of stabilization at the MP2-FC/aug-cc-pVDZ/MP2-FC/6-31++G(2d,2p) level of theory of a water O-H.O water hydrogen bond is 4.36 kcal/mol more stable than the methane C-H.O water interaction, the water-water hydrogen bond is only 2.06 kcal/mol more stable than the imidazole Ce-H.O water hydrogen bond. Neglecting this latter hydrogen bonding interaction is obviously unacceptable. We next compare the potential energy surfaces for the imidazole Ce-H.O water and imidazole Na-H.O hydrogen bonded complexes computed at the MP2/6-31++G(2d,2p) level of theory with the potential energy surface computed using the AMBER molecular mechanics program and forcefields. While the Weiner et al and Cornell et al AMBER forcefields reasonably account for the imidazole N-H.O water interaction, these forcefields do not adequately account for the imidazole Ce-H.O water hydrogen bond. A forcefield modification is offered that results in excellent agreement between the ab initio and molecular mechanics geometry and energy for this C-H.O hydrogen bonded complex.
An Overview of the Annex System

This paper describes the security and network architecture of the Annex system, a family of technologies for secure and pervasive communication and information processing that we have developed at the Australian Government's Defence Science and Technology Organisation. Our security architecture is built on top of a distributed object-capability system, which we believe provides an ideal platform for developing very high assurance devices. Our network architecture revolves around next generation networking technologies, including Mobile IPv6 and 802.11i wireless networking, but includes a small number of important extensions to improve security, robustness and mobility in the military context. A particular and unique contribution of our work is the tight integration of our very strong security architecture with next generation networking technologies. To complete the paper we describe our reference implementation of the Annex security and networking architecture, which consists of a number of devices known collectively as the Annex Ensemble.
Importance of Adopting a Drought Policy

This research aims at exploring the importance of Drought Policy at International, National and Local level. Water, its importance and effects of its scarcity were discussed. The impact of climate change on drought in the 21st century is intense as this disaster is frequently reoccurring in many regions around the world regardless of the climatic conditions and geographic location. Australia is the only country that has adopted a Drought Policy in the world. Georgia State in the United State also has a Drought Policy in place. The Drought Policies were briefly reviewed to show the importance of adopting such policy. The policy provides safety net to affected victims. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2013. v2n12p69
An empirical relationship between the concentration of resuspended sediment and near bottom wave-orbital velocity

Five deployments of a boundary layer probe were undertaken on the Long Island inner continental shelf between 1976 and 1978. The probe measured suspended sediment concentration and fluid velocity 100 cm above the bottom. Multivariate analysis of the data from all deployments shows that surface wave activity is the major determinant of suspended sediment concentration. Concentration is found to be proportional to the wave orbital velocity when the velocity is above a threshold value. Both the threshold value (WST) and the proportionality constant (β) seem to depend on the composition of the local sediment substrate; WST increasing with the mean size of the coarse fraction, β increasing with the amount of fine-grained (<62 µ) material.
Natural hydrocarbons, urbanization, and urban ozone

Using the Atlanta metropolitan area as a case study, the authors examine the effects of urbanization and its associated heat island on urban ozone concentrations. Air quality data from Atlanta suggest that urban ozone concentrations are enhanced by increases in ambient temperature. Model calculations suggest that this enhancement is caused by the effect of temperature on the atmospheric chemistry of peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN), as well as the temperature dependence of natural and anthropogenic hydrocarbon emissions. A comparison of summertime temperatures in Atlanta and a nearby rural station, suggests that Atlanta's temperature over the past 15 years has increased by about 2{degree}C due to urbanization and its concomitant intensification of the urban heat island. Numerical simulations using conditions of a typical summertime day in Atlanta suggest that this rise in temperature could have, (1) resulted in a significant increase in the net emissions of natural hydrocarbons in the area in spite of the loss of about 20% of the areas forests over the same period, and (2) negated the beneficial effects on summertime ozone concentrations that would have been obtained from a 50% reduction in anthropogenic hydrocarbon emissions. Because a NO{sub x}-based ozone abatement strategy appears to be less sensitive tomore » temperature increases than does a hydrocarbon-based strategy, a NO{sub x} strategy may prove to be more effective in the future if temperatures continue to rise as a result of urbanization and the greenhouse effect. « less
On the Structure of the Skull of a Pliosaur

In the present communication I propose to give a short account of the cranial structure of the Plesiosaurian reptile known as Pliosaurus ferox (Sauvage), a very fine skull of which has recently been acquired by the British Museum. Like so many other reptilian fossils from the Oxford Clay, this specimen was obtained in the neighbourhood of Peterborough by A. N. Leeds, Esq. , F.G. S. , who has expended much time, patience, and skill in fitting together the numerous fragments into which the bones were found broken. The result, however, is well worth the trouble taken, and the specimen is now perhaps the finest Pliosaur skull known. The extreme length from the occipital condyle to the anterior extremity is 112 cm. , while the width at the quadrate region, perhaps somewhat exaggerated by crushing, is 50 cm. The desription of this skull is facilitated by the great similarity which exists between it and that of Peloneustes philarchus, of which an account has already appeared. This similarity is so striking that it seemed not impossible that the present specimen might be merely the skull of an old individual of Peloneustes: but there are a number of differences which tend to show that such is not the case. In the first place, the total number of teeth in the upper jaw of Peloneustes is greater, and there are six instead of five in the premaxilla; it is, however, possible that a premaxillary tooth might be lost in growth, since this actually occurs in Crocodilus porosus, so
Ferulic Acid Produced by Lactobacillus fermentum NCIMB 5221 ReducesSymptoms of Metabolic Syndrome in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract The gut microbiota is an intricate community of thousands of bacterial species living in the gastrointestinal tract critical for vitamin synthesis, mineral absorption, digestion of otherwise indigestible fibers and the extraction of energy from food. Recently, the health of the gut microbiota’s community architecture has become linked to energy-regulatory diseases including metabolic syndrome: a collection of symptoms including hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, high blood pressure, increased abdominal fat and triglyceride levels. However, the mechanism of communication between the gut microbiota and the host energy metabolism remains elusive. The current study shows that ferulic acid (FA) produced by the intrinsic ferulic acid esterase activity of the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus fermentum NCIMB 5221 (Lf5221) can dose-dependently rescue the phenotypic markers of diet-induced diabetes and obesity in Drosophila melanogaster. In Drosophila exposed to either a high-sugar or high-fat diet, living Lf5221 at 2.5 or 7.5 × 109 CFU/ml media effectively rescued whole-body weight, glucose, trehalose and triglyceride levels. All of the aforementioned effects were lost in heat-inactivated bacteria indicating that a metabolic product is responsible. Likewise, FA at 0.5 mM in the metabolically challenged Drosophila models reared similar effects on the physiological markers while also reducing hyperglycemia in the circulating hemolymph. On the signaling level, the high-sugar diet predictably had an elevated expression of the Drosophila insulin-like peptides 2, 3 and 5 and in the high-fat diet, an increase in fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase expression. On both diets, Lf5221 and FA rescued gene expression, at different concentrations, to the level of controls. Examining the mechanistic gene expression, both Lf5221 and FA rescued expression of dFOXO and dTOR, but not dAkt indicating that FA produced by Lf5221 is acting on one of the downstream-signaling molecules from the insulin receptor, possibly dTOR: an overall energy regulator in flies and humans alike. The present study for the first time outlines a streamlined mechanism for how the gut microbiota communicates with the host’s energy-regulating metabolism. Proper supplementation with ferulic acid esterase active probiotics such as Lf5221 could potentially prevent or alleviate symptoms of metabolic syndrome and other energy-regulating diseases including diabetes, obesity and neurodegeneration.
A geometric criterion for shape-based non-rigid correspondence

A geometric criterion is developed for establishing shape based non rigid correspondence between plane curves. Unlike previous efforts, the criterion does not use rigid invariants of shape. Instead, shapes are compared non rigidly from the vantage point of the correspondence. Geometric invariants are proposed for curves whose shapes can be exactly matched by a non rigid correspondence. The invariants are based on angular deviations of convex and concave segments of the curves. Examples of correspondences between curves obtained from medical images are provided. <<ETX>>
Drought Indices Based on the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis and Ensemble NLDAS

Abstract Drought indices derived from the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) are compared with indices derived from the ensemble North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS) and the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) over the United States. Uncertainties in soil moisture, runoff, and evapotranspiration (E) from three systems are assessed by comparing them with limited observations, including E from the AmeriFlux data, soil moisture from the Oklahoma Mesonet and the Illinois State Water Survey, and streamflow data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The CFSR has positive precipitation (P) biases over the western mountains, the Pacific Northwest, and the Ohio River valley in winter and spring. In summer, it has positive biases over the Southeast and large negative biases over the Great Plains. These errors limit the ability to use the standardized precipitation indices (SPIs) derived from the CFSR to measure the severity of meteorological droughts. To compare with the P analyses, t.
Exploring the energy landscape of biopolymers using single molecule force spectroscopy and molecular simulations

In recent years, single molecule force techniques have opened a new avenue to decipher the folding landscapes of biopolymers by allowing us to watch and manipulate the dynamics of individual proteins and nucleic acids. In single molecule force experiments, quantitative analyses of measurements employing sound theoretical models and molecular simulations play central role more than any other field. With a brief description of basic theories for force mechanics and molecular simulation technique using self-organized polymer (SOP) model, this chapter will discuss various issues in single molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) experiments, which include pulling speed dependent unfolding pathway, measurement of energy landscape roughness, the in uence of molecular handles in optical tweezers on measurement and molecular motion, and folding dynamics of biopolymers under force quench condition.
Continuous Flow Method for Rapid Measurement of Soil Hydraulic Properties: I. Experimental Considerations

Soil hydraulic properties are important in many vadose zone processes, but the measurement of these properties is usually tedious and often difficult. We describe a continuous flow method that allows very rapid and accurate measurement of hydraulic conductivity, K(h), and moisture retention, θ(h), functions including hysteresis. The experimental design described here employs simultaneous tensiometry and water flow measurements that are easily automated. The design provides a highly versatile approach to controlling draining and/or wetting rates. The analysis uses a combination of direct Darcian analysis and numerical inversion of Richards' equation for estimation of the hydraulic properties. This combination allows for estimation of wetting and/or draining K(h) and θ(h) over the entire tensiometer range of measurement, while retaining the physical significance of the hydraulic parameter estimates. Estimation of K(h) and θ(h) to lower soil water pressures can be accomplished by supplying the inverse analysis with an independently measured water content such as θ(1.5 MPa). The key to applying the inverse analysis to variably saturated conditions unambiguously is identification of the air‐entry pressure of the draining soil. We show how the air‐entry pressure can be identified from an inflection in the soil water pressure and changes in drainage flux. The air entry identification is verified by measurement of the soil air pressure. The continuous flow approach is applied successfully to a variety of soil textures and structures. The effects of drainage rate and range of measurement are also demonstrated and discussed.
Spatial Patterns and Determinants of Winter Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Concentrations in an Urban Environment

The purpose of this article is to describe determinants and spatial patterns of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) in Phoenix, Arizona. Specifically, we use geographic information systems (GIS) and regression-based analyses to identify the human and biological factors that contribute to spatial and temporal variations in near-surface (2-meter height) atmospheric CO2 levels. We use these factors to create estimated surfaces of CO2 concentrations for the area. We evaluate the surfaces using records of CO2 from independent monitoring stations and transects. To investigate the temporal patterns and variations in CO2 concentrations, we estimate CO2 surfaces for the early mornings and the afternoons, on weekdays when traffic is heavy and spatially focused and on weekends when it is lighter and more spatially dispersed. Findings suggest there is a distinct relationship between the structure of Phoenix CO2 levels and spatial patterns of human activities and vegetation densities. Morning CO2 levels are higher than afternoon levels and correspond closely to the density of traffic, population, and employment. The spatial structure of human activity explains the pattern of CO2 better on weekdays than on weekends. CO2 surfaces reflect declining densities of human activity with distance from the city center, the pattern of irrigated agriculture in the Phoenix area, and riparian habitats on the urban fringe. Spatial and temporal patterns of CO2 concentrations are useful in understanding urban climate and ecosystem processes.