Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection of Ocean Fronts from Spaceborne SAR Images

The paper discusses the interaction of short surface waves with shearing and converging current. On the basis of the spectral perturbations caused by the interaction, the influences of the interaction on the ocean surface wave spectral density and gradients are analyzed. A two-scale electromagnetic scattering model explains not only the interaction between short-wave and radar backscatter, but also the interaction between long-wave and radar backscattering. Then SAR imaging mechanism of ocean fronts is derived. In SAR images, the scale of ocean fronts is 2～3 orders larger than that of sea waves. Most of wave information is filtered out by the 2-D spatial spectrum analytics. Then the characteristic information of ocean fronts is extracted by digital image processing technology. Thus, information processing means by which characteristic information of ocean fronts can be extracted from SAR images is constructed.
Experimental Investigation on the Performance of a Vortex Pump using Winglets

Vortex pumps can impel fluids that contain solid and fibrous materials with a minimized risk of clogging. A semi-open impeller and a large volute width at its front chamber characterize vortex pumps, whose operating principle is assumed to be by a vortex that is formed in the front chamber. Compared to conventional centrifugal pumps, the efficiency of vortex pumps is overall low. Not surprisingly, many attempts have been made to improve the efficiency of vortex pumps. One attempt is to add winglets to the blade tip. This addition separates a large part of the impeller channel from the front chamber of the pump. The resulting design resembles a front shroud (compare Figure 1).
Kernel-Based Methods for Hypothesis Testing: A Unified View

Kernel-based methods provide a rich and elegant framework for developing nonparametric detection procedures for signal processing. Several recently proposed procedures can be simply described using basic concepts of reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS) embeddings of probability distributions, mainly mean elements and covariance operators. We propose a unified view of these tools and draw relationships with information divergences between distributions.
Rainfields: The Australian Bureau of Meteorology System for Quantitative Precipitation Estimation, and It's Use in Hydrological Modelling

The Bureau of Meteorology has developed the Rainfields system to produce quantitative radar based rainfall estimates. This paper discusses some of the technical and scientific aspects of the rainfields system for quantitative rainfall estimation, including radar quality control, issues in converting reflectivity to rainfall, and other initiatives to improve the rainfall estimates. This paper also discusses how radar quantitative precipitation estimates are being tested on real time hydrologic models within the Bureau, and presents an example of their use.
Qualitative Analysis of Traditional Italian Dishes: FTIR Approach

Italian cuisine and its traditional recipes experience an ever-increasing popularity around the world. The “Integrated Approach” is the key to modern food research and the innovative challenge for analyzing and modeling agro-food systems in their totality. The present study aims at applying and evaluating Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for the analysis of complex food matrices and food preparations. Nine traditional Italian recipes, including First courses, One-dish meals, Side courses, and Desserts, were selected and experimentally prepared. Prior to their analysis via FTIR spectroscopy, the samples were homogenized and lyophilized. The IR spectroscopic characterization and the assignment of the main bands was carried out. Numerous peaks, which correspond to functional groups and modes of vibration of the individual components, were highlighted. The spectra are affected by both the preparation procedures, the cooking methods, and the cooking time. The qualitative analysis of the major functional groups can serve as a basis for a discrimination of the products and the investigation of fraud. For this purpose, the FTIR spectra were evaluated using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Our results show how the utilization of vibrational spectroscopy combined with a well-established chemometric data analysis method represents a potentially powerful tool in research linked to the food sector and beyond. This study is a first step towards the development of new indicators of food quality.
From COP12 in Nairobi (2006) to COP15 in Copenhagen (2009): Coverage of climate change in online spanish-speaking media

RESUMEN Desde la perspectiva del framing, el presente trabajo analiza el tratamiento informativo del cambio climático (CC) durante las cumbres internacionales de Nairobi (COP12, 2006), Bali (COP13, 2007), Poznan (COP14, 2008) y Copenhague (COP15, 2009) en 30 medios digitales en español. Los resultados del análisis de contenido de 372 textos informativos muestran que las fuentes predominantes son los políticos y que su aparición en los textos tiende a mostrar un marco de conformidad. El estudio concluye que más de la mitad de las noticias proviene de servicios de agencias y se evidencia la ausencia de temas relacionados con el cambio climático en la agenda local. ABSTRACT Using framing approach, this paper analyses the coverage of Climate Change (CC) issues during the international Summits of Nairobi (COP12-2006), Bali (COP13-2007), Poznan (OP14-2008) and Copenhagen (COP15-2009). We carried out a content analysis of 372 news items from 30 Spanish-speaking online media. The results indicate that the most quoted sources are the politicians, and when they appear the news items tend to show a frame of conformity. The investigation concludes that more than half of the news comes from wire services and it is demonstrated the absence of topics related with the CC in the local agenda. RESUMO A partir da perspectiva de enquadramento, este artigo analisa a cobertura da imprensa sobre as mudanças climáticas (CC) durante as cúpulas internacionais de Nairóbi (COP12, 2006), Bali (COP13, 2007), Poznan (COP14, 2008) e Copenhague (COP15, 2009) em 30 meios digitais espanhóis. Os resultados da análise de conteúdo de 372 textos informativos mostram que as fontes predominantes são os políticos e que sua aparição nos textos tende a mostrar um marco de conformidade. O estudo conclui que mais da metade vem de serviços de agências de notícias e a ausência de questões relacionadas com as alterações climáticas na agenda local é evidente. De la Cumbre de Nairobi (2006) a Copenhague (2009): cobertura del cambio climático en medios digitales en español Da cúpula de Nairobi (2006) para Copenhague (2009): cobertura da mudança climática na mídia digital em espanhol
The Gaia-ESO Survey: characterisation of the [α/Fe] sequences in the Milky Way discs

Context. High-resolution spectroscopic surveys of stars indicate that the Milky Way thin and thick discs follow different paths in the chemical space defined by [alpha/Fe] vs. [Fe/H], possibly suggesting different formation mechanisms for each of these structures. Aims. We investigate, using the Gaia-ESO Survey internal Data-Release 2, the properties of the double sequence of the Milky Way discs, which are defined chemically as the high-alpha and low-alpha populations. We discuss their compatibility with discs defined by other means, such as metallicity, kinematics, or positions. Methods. This investigation uses two different approaches: in velocity space, for stars located in the extended solar neighbourhood; and, in chemical space, for stars at different ranges of Galactocentric radii and heights from the Galactic mid-plane. The separation we find in velocity space allows us to investigate, using a novel approach, the extent of metallicity of each of the two chemical sequences, without making any assumption about the shape of their metallicity distribution functions. Then, using the separation in chemical space, adopting the magnesium abundance as a tracer of the alpha-elements, we characterise the spatial variation of the slopes of the [alpha/Fe] [Fe/H] sequences for the thick and thin discs and the way in which the relative proportions of the two discs change across the Galaxy. Results. We find that the thick disc, defined as the stars tracing the high-alpha sequence, extends up to super-solar metallicities ([Fe/H] approximate to + 0.2 dex), and the thin disc, defined as the stars tracing the low-alpha sequence, extends at least down to [Fe/H] approximate to 0.8 dex, with hints pointing towards even lower values. Radial and vertical gradients in alpha-abundances are found for the thin disc, with mild spatial variations in its [alpha/Fe] [Fe/H] paths, whereas for the thick disc we do not detect any spatial variations of this kind. This is in agreement with results obtained recently from other high-resolution spectroscopic surveys. Conclusions. The small variations in the spatial [alpha/Fe] [Fe/H] paths of the thin disc do not allow us to distinguish between formation models of this structure. On the other hand, the lack of radial gradients and [alpha/Fe] [Fe/H] variations for the thick disc indicate that the mechanism responsible for the mixing of metals in the young Galaxy (e.g. radial stellar migration or turbulent gaseous disc) was more efficient before the (present) thin disc started forming.
Multi-Objective Optimization of Folsom Reservoir Operation

Contemporary reservoir systems often require operators to meet a variety of objectives, which frequently complicate water management decisions. In addition, many reservoir objectives have non-linear relationships and are difficult to implement using traditional optimization techniques. A practical application of multi-objective optimization is developed for Folsom Reservoir near Sacramento, California where water delivery, hydropower and downstream temperature control are desired. In the summer and early fall fishery habitat is managed by regulating river temperatures downstream of Folsom reservoir. Downstream temperature is adjusted by the volume and location of release from the reservoir. However, temperature management can impose a cost to hydropower generation if colder temperature water bypasses the hydropower turbines. The objectives are to minimize delivery target deviation, minimize downstream temperature target exceedance, and maximize hydropower generation. In this application, optimal seasonal reservoir release decisions are found using a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm and a one-dimensional hydrodynamic reservoir temperature model. Seasonal reservoir release policies, June through November, from two scenarios are examined to evaluate tradeoffs between objectives. Results suggest alternate release strategies to minimize costs to water delivery, temperature target exceedance, and hydropower generation. Model sensitivity, limitations and recommendations for future development are also discussed.
Robust Orbit Determination and Classification: A Learning Theoretic Approach

Orbit determination involves estimation of a non-linear mapping from feature vectors associated with the position of the spacecraft to its orbital parameters. The de facto standard in orbit determination in real-world scenarios for spacecraft has been linearized estimators such as the extended Kalman filter. Such an estimator, while very accurate and convergent over its linear region, is hard to generalize over arbitrary gravitational potentials and diverse sets of measurements. It is also challenging to perform exact mathematical characterizations of the Kalman filter performance over such general systems. Here we present a new approach to orbit determination as a learning problem involving distribution regression and, also, for the multiple-spacecraft scenario, a transfer learning system for classification of feature vectors associated with spacecraft, and provide some associated analysis of such systems.
MASS2, Modular Aquatic Simulation System in Two Dimensions, Theory and Numerical Methods

The Modular Aquatic Simulation System in Two Dimensions (MASS2) is a two-dimensional, depth-averaged hydrodynamics and transport model. The model simulates time varying distributions of depth-averaged velocities, water surface elevations, and water quality constituents. MASS2 uses a structured, multi-block, boundary-fitted, curvilinear computational mesh, which allows the simulation of very complex riverine or estuarine networks. The blocks may be of varying resolution, which allows high resolution to be used only where needed. MASS2 can simulate a wide variety of hydrodynamic conditions, including supercritical flow and hydraulic jumps. It can also simulate a wide variety of water quality conditions, including sediment, conservative or decaying contaminants, sediment-sorbed contaminants, water temperature, and total dissolved gas. Any number of these constituents may be simulated simultaneously. In addition, transport simulations may be performed using pre-calculated hydrodynamic conditions, allowing long-term transport simulations unencumbered by the more intensive hydrodynamic calculations, or repeated transport simulations without re-simulating hydrodynamics. This report documents the theory and numerical methods used in MASS2. In addition, the results are presented from several of hydrodynamic and transport validation tests to which MASS2 was subjected. The companion user manual documents the application of MASS2.
OBTAINING MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS FROM ADIPOSE TISSUE OR MURIN ORIGIN: EXPERIMENTAL STUDY.

1 Phd School in Surgical Biotechnology and Regenerative Medicine. School of Medicine – School of Biotechnology, University of Palermo, Italy. 2 DICHIRONS Department, School of Medicine. University of Palermo. Italy. 3 Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia A.Mirri, Palermo, Italy. 4 AUOP “P. Giaccone”, Universitary Hospital, Palermo, Italy. 5 School of Biotechnology, University of Palermo, Italy. 6 Euromediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (IEMEST), Palermo, Italy.
Alfalfa and the nitrogen cycle in the Corn Belt

ABSTRACT: Use of legumes, such as alfalfa, in cropping systems is often recommended as a means of reducing or eliminating nitrate pollution from agriculture. We analyzed literature that supports this recommendation and used published estimates to calculate the net input of N2 fixed by alfalfa to the agricultural N cycle in the Corn Belt. Although alfalfa occupies only 8% of the cropland, it fixes more than 1 billion kg N annually, compared to 4 billion kg fertilizer N applied to all crops in the eight-state region. Alfalfa can contribute symbiotically fixed N2 to soil both directly, through mineralization of plant residues and accretion from growing plants, and indirectly, through the recycling of manure porn animals fed alfalfa. Producers often fail to reduce N applications on corn planted after alfalfa after manure application. Our calculations demonstrate that the amount of fertilizer N applied to corn could be reduced by as much as 14% without reducing yields.
Under Consideration for Publication in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming Applying Prolog to Develop Distributed Systems

Development of distributed systems is a difficult task. Declarative programming techniques hold a promising potential for effectively supporting programmer in this challenge. While Datalog-based languages have been actively explored for programming distributed systems, Prolog received relatively little attention in this application area so far. In this paper we present a Prolog-based programming system, called DAHL, for the declarative development of distributed systems. DAHL extends Prolog with an event-driven control mechanism and built-in networking procedures. Our experimental evaluation using a distributed hash-table data structure, a protocol for achieving Byzantine fault tolerance, and a distributed software model checker – all implemented in DAHL – indicates the viability of the approach.
Under Consideration for Publication in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming Xsb: Extending Prolog with Tabled Logic Programming

The paradigm of Tabled Logic Programming (TLP) is now supported by a number of Pro-for this are partly theoretical: tabling ensures termination and optimal known complexity for queries to a large class of programs. However the overriding reasons are practical. TLP allows sophisticated programs to be written concisely and efficiently, especially when mechanisms such as tabled negation and call and answer subsumption are supported. As a result TLP has now been used in a variety of applications from program analysis to querying over the semantic web. This paper provides a survey of TLP and its applications as implemented in XSB Prolog, along with discussion of how XSB supports tabling with dynamically changing code, and in a multi-threaded environment.
Under Consideration for Publication in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming Justifying Answer Sets Using Argumentation

An answer set is a plain set of literals which has no further structure that would explain why certain literals are part of it and why others are not. We show how argumentation theory can help to explain why a literal is or is not contained in a given answer set by defining two justification methods, both of which make use of the correspondence between answer sets of a logic program and stable extensions of the Assumption-Based Argumen-tation (ABA) framework constructed from the same logic program. Attack Trees justify a literal in argumentation-theoretic terms, i.e. using arguments and attacks between them, whereas ABA-Based Answer Set Justifications express the same justification structure in logic programming terms, that is using literals and their relationships. Interestingly, an ABA-Based Answer Set Justification corresponds to an admissible fragment of the answer set in question, and an Attack Tree corresponds to an admissible fragment of the stable extension corresponding to this answer set.
Under Consideration for Publication in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming a Module System for Domain-specific Languages

Domain-specific languages (DSLs) are routinely created to simplify difficult or specialized programming tasks. They expose useful abstractions and design patterns in the form of language constructs, provide static semantics to eagerly detect misuse of these constructs, and dynamic semantics to completely define how language constructs interact. However, implementing and composing DSLs is a non-trivial task, and there is a lack of tools and techniques. We address this problem by presenting a complete module system over LP for DSL construction , reuse, and composition. LP is already useful for DSL design, because it supports executable language specifications using notations familiar to language designers. We extend LP with a module system that is simple (with a few concepts), succinct (for key DSL specification scenarios), and composable (on the level of languages, compilers, and programs). These design choices reflect our use of LP for industrial DSL design. Our module system has been implemented in the formula language, and was used to build key Windows 8 device drivers via DSLs. Though we present our module system as it actually appears in our formula language, our emphasis is on concepts adaptable to other LP languages.
Under Consideration for Publication in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming Compiling Finite Domain Constraints to Sat with Bee

We present BEE, a compiler which enables to encode finite domain constraint problems to CNF. Using BEE both eases the encoding process for the user and also performs transformations to simplify constraints and optimize their encoding to CNF. These optimizations are based primarily on equi-propagation and on partial evaluation, and also on the idea that a given constraint may have various possible CNF encodings. Often, the better encoding choice is made after constraint simplification. BEE is written in Prolog and integrates directly with a SAT solver through a suitable Prolog interface. We demonstrate that constraint simplification is often highly beneficial when solving hard finite domain constraint problems. A BEE implementation is available with this paper.
Under Consideration for Publication in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming Reasoning about Complex Networks: a Logic Programming Approach

Reasoning about complex networks has in recent years become an important topic of study due to its many applications: the adoption of commercial products, spread of disease, the diffusion of an idea, etc. In this paper, we present the MANCaLog language, a formalism based on logic programming that satisfies a set of desiderata proposed in previous work as recommendations for the development of approaches to reasoning in complex networks. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first formalism that satisfies all such criteria. We first focus on algorithms for finding minimal models (on which multi-attribute analysis can be done), and then on how this formalism can be applied in certain real world scenarios. Towards this end, we study the problem of deciding group membership in social networks: given a social network and a set of groups where group membership of only some of the individuals in the network is known, we wish to determine a degree of membership for the remaining group-individual pairs. We develop a prototype implementation that we use to obtain experimental results on two real world datasets, including a current social network of criminal gangs in a major U.S. city. We then show how the assignment of degree of membership to nodes in this case allows for a better understanding of the criminal gang problem when combined with other social network mining techniques—including detection of subgroups and identification of core group members—which would not be possible without further identification of additional group members.
Under Consideration for Publication in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming towards an Efficient Prolog System by Code Introspection

To appear in Theory and Practice of Logic Programming (TPLP). Several Prolog interpreters are based on the Warren Abstract Machine (WAM), an elegant model to compile Prolog programs. In order to improve the performance several strategies have been proposed, such as: optimize the selection of clauses, specialize the unification, global analysis, native code generation and tabling. This paper proposes a different strategy to implement an efficient Prolog System, the creation of specialized emulators on the fly. The proposed strategy was implemented and evaluated at YAP Prolog System, and the experimental evaluation showed interesting results.