Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An evolutionary method to achieve stable superpixel tracking

Object tracking is a hot and hard problem in the computer vision study area.We deal with large objects,which are challenged in many aspects,such as the factors of lighting, size, posture, disturbance, occlusion, and so on.The superpixel tracking method has been proposed to deal with this problem. Unlike many other approaches, it is robust in all the mentioned aspects to some extent. It is very flexible to deal with non-rigid objects just like the meanshift of color histogram does,but can be more advanced, since it takes advantage of the segmented local color histogram. Here we first introduce the adaptive superpixel tracking algorithm, which is comprised by two parts, modeling and confidence mapping using the color features of superpixels.We model them by clustering, just like the "bags of words" method does, and build the cluster confidence.The model is adaptive since it just learns from some latest tracked frames, which can accumulate errors and lead to drift easily. So we propose a refined model, which incorporates the kalman filter's ideas to this problem, by integrating the current model and the new model as an evolutionary one, to better adapt to the object variation and disturbance in subsequent frames, thus achieve more stable tracking. The evolutionary model is achieved by reclustering the cluster centers of the two models, to make new cluster centers and new cluster confidences. We allocate different weight to them, if the current model gets more weight, then the evolutionary model will be more stable, otherwise it will be more adaptive. Finally we give some experiment comparisons between the evolutionary model and the adaptive one. For most cases, when the scene of the object is stable, namely there is no big sudden light change or color change, the evolutionary model outperforms the adaptive one. The reason is that the adaptive one easily learns from other objects. But when the scene suffers big sudden change, the evolutionary model can’t quickly adapt to it and get failed, while the adaptive one may make it. In a word, the method is devised to achieve more stable tracking for stable scene applications.
Stochastic imaging of reservoir properties using probalistic neural networks

A key problem in Reservoir Characterization concerns the description and visualization of reservoir heterogeneities as represented by properties such as porosity, permeability, etc. The inherent nonuniqueness associated with this problem has prompted considerable interest in the development and application of Stochastic Imaging techniques. Such techniques are designed to generate a family of equiprobable images of these properties each image being consistent with all the available quantitative (well-logs, cores, seismic derived constraint intervals, well-test information) and qualitative (geological interpretations) information, and its spatial correlation characteristics. These stochastic images may be viewed as samples from approximations to the “optimal” Bayesian posterior distribution on the unknown properties. Statistical analysis of the “spread” of this distribution allows for the quantification of risk/uncertainty associated with the spatial variability of these properties. This paper presents a probabilistic neural network (PNN) approach for Stochastic Imaging. The network configuration is chosen so as to exploit prior knowledge of the forms of the underlying joint distributions of the reservoir properties. The PNN approach is expected to have significantly improved computational performance relative to currently used stochastic imaging algorithms, while simplifying the process of inferring the spatial statistics of the underlying process, and implicitly utilizing its higher order moments. The paper presents results of an evaluation of the PNN neural network stochastic imaging algorithm on a synthetic data set and also for imaging porosity and permeability in (“real”) test reservoir description applications. CT1.2
Potassium‐argon dating by activation with fast neutrons

When a potassium-bearing mineral is irradiated by a neutron flux containing a significant fraction of fast neutrons, 270-year Ar39 is produced by the K39 (n, p) reaction, and this may be used as a basis for measuring the potassium-argon age of the mineral. Wanke and Konig [1959] described such a method in which counting techniques were used to detect the Ar39, as well as Ar41 produced by the Ar40 (n, γ) reaction. A calculation of the potassium content for a single sample would require a knowledge of the flux-energy distribution in the reactor and the excitation function of the K39 (n, p) reaction. The uncertainties of this calculation can be avoided, however, by comparing the (Ar40/Ar39) ratio in the unknown sample with that quantity in a sample of known age, given the same irradiation.
Mémoire d’Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches

Membres du jury M. Stephane CANU, professor, INSA de Rouen, examiner M. Laurent CARRARO, professor, Télécom Saint-Etienne, examiner M. Fabrice GAMBOA, professor, Université Paul Sabatier, reviewer M. Bertrand IOOSS, expert researcher, HDR, Electricité de France, examiner M. Joachim KUNERT, professor, Technishe Universität Dortmund, reviewer M. Henry WYNN, professor, London School of Economics, reviewer
Invasao biologica de Pinus elliottii var. elliottii no Parque Estadual do Rio Vermelho, Florianopolis, SC

A invasao biologica e conceituada como o processo de introducao e adaptacao de especies exoticas nos ecossistemas naturais, as quais se tornam invasoras, causando alteracoes ecologicas. Especies com alta capacidade invasora, como Pinus elliottii , tendem a inibir a sucessao ecologica. Em 1962, foi criada a Estacao Florestal do Rio Vermelho, no municipio de Florianopolis, SC, onde foram testadas 25 especies de Pinus spp . em 500 ha de restinga. Apos 40 anos de plantio, aproximadamente 250 ha de dunas e restingas adjacentes aos plantios foram contaminadas por Pinus elliottii var. elliottii. Para a avaliacao da capacidade invasora, foram amostrados o banco e chuva de sementes em tres ambientes: i) interior de talhao de Pinus elliottii var. elliottii ; ii) bordadura do mesmo talhao de Pinus elliottii var. elliottii ; e iii) restinga arborea conservada. No banco de sementes nao foi observada emergencia de plântulas de Pinus spp. , sugerindo que suas sementes nao permanecam viaveis no solo. Ja a chuva de sementes durante o ano foi continua, dispersando cerca de dois milhoes de sementes viaveis.ha -1 . ano -1 . Se por um lado a inexistencia de sementes de Pinus spp . no banco pode parecer uma vantagem, a chuva de sementes continua representa uma ameaca constante para a reinfestacao dessa especie na area. Palavras-chave : Banco de sementes; chuva de sementes; restauracao ecologica. Abstract Biological invasion of Pinus elliottii var. elliottii in Rio Vermelho State Park, Florianopolis, SC . Biological invasion is defined as the process of introduction and adaptation of non-native species into natural ecosystems which become invasive and cause ecological changes. Species with high invasive capacity, such as Pinus elliottii , tend to inhibit ecological succession. In 1962 the Forestry Station of Rio Vermelho in Florianopolis-SC was created, and 25 species of pine tested in 500 ha of dunes. After 40 years, approximately 250 ha of dunes and restingas, adjacent to the plantations were invaded by Pinus elliottii var. elliottii . In order to evaluate its invasive capacity, the seed bank and seed rain were sampled in three habitat types: i) inner stand of Pinus elliottii var. elliottii ii) stand border; and iii) preserved mature restinga with tree covering. Seedling emergence of pines was not observed in the seed bank, suggesting that the seeds do not remain viable in the soil. The seed rain was continuous throughout the year, generating about two million viable seeds.ha -1 . year -1 . If the lack of a seed bank may seem an advantage, the continuous seed rain represents a constant threat to the re-infestation of the species in the park. Keywords : Seed bank; seed rain; ecological restoration, invasive pines .
Understanding Inequality Trends:Microsimulation Decomposition for Italy

This paper suggests overcoming some limitations of traditional inequality decomposition methods by developing a combination of Burtless (1999) and DiNardo et al. (1996), two different microsimulation methods for decomposing inequality. By using this combination it is possible to take into consideration the dispersion of income sources as well as the socio-demographic evolution of the population under study, in a single framework and across many years. This methodology maximizes clarity of results and allows one to easily perform tests on results. An application to Italian household inequality is provided to analyze marginal and joint effects of demographic trends and changed dispersion of different income factors between 1977 and 2002.
Empirical study of behavior of clay shale slopes. Volume 1

Abstract : This study was undertaken to determine the factors that lead to instability in clay shale, and thus to provide a basis for assessing the probable long-term stability of high crater slopes in clay shales. The conclusion is reached that future design crater slopes must be based on experiences with conventionally excavated slopes. Furthermore, the design of cratered slopes must be conservative, although no experience indicates that the slope inclination must be as flat as the residual angle of internal friction of the site materials.
User-Friendly Tail Bounds for Matrix Martingales

This report presents probability inequalities for sums of adapted sequences of random, self-adjoint matrices. The results frame simple, easily verifiable hypotheses on the summands, and they yield strong conclusions about the large-deviation behavior of the maximum eigenvalue of the sum. The methods also specialize to sums of independent random matrices.
Obliquity‐dominated glacio‐eustatic sea level change in the early Oligocene: evidence from the shallow marine siliciclastic Rupelian stratotype (Boom Formation, Belgium)

Our results prove that glacio‐eustatic sea level oscillations in the early Oligocene were dominantly obliquity controlled with additional influence of the ∼100‐ and 405‐kyr eccentricity cycles. This was derived from spectral analysis of resistivity records from an extended downhole section of the Boom Clay succession in Belgium, that reveals a prevailing obliquity control on the laterally persistent metre‐scale alternations of shallow marine silt‐ and claystones in the Rupelian historical stratotype succession. These direct measurements of sea level variations in a shallow marine setting corroborate that variations with similar frequencies in benthonic oxygen isotope records from the open ocean indeed reflect, at least partly, ice volume change. A very tentative astronomical tuning has been established for the Boom Clay succession which awaits future confirmation with the addition of more accurate age calibration points.
Flame characteristics, temperature-time curves, and rate of spread in fires propagating in a bed of Pinus pinaster needles

An extensive set of experiments was carried out in order to collect data to validate fire propagation models being developed in the context of an European research project. The experiments were performed in a dedicated burning tray (2.0 m × 0.70 m working section), where wind velocity, fuel moisture content and slope were varied to study fire propagation in beds of Pinus pinaster needles. All the runs were videotaped and, from the recordings, information on flame geometry (i.e. flame height, flame length and flame angle) and rate of spread was obtained. Temperature measurements were also carried out by a small tower of six thermocouples at different heights above the fuel bed. Results show that headfire rate of spread increases steeply with wind speed for wind-driven fires but does not depend on wind speed for backing fire spread rates. Rate of spread increases slightly with slope for up-hill propagation, and is not slope dependent for down-hill cases. Rate of spread decreases when fuel moisture content increases. Flame angle and flame height are also dependent on wind velocity, slope, and fuel moisture content. The importance of temperature for fire propagation is discussed, emphasizing the role of radiation heat transfer in the process. Correlations between temperature and other indicators of fire behaviour (namely the rate of spread) are presented. Results are discussed and compared. The results obtained provide a good database for the assessment of fire propagation models.
A Comparison of Long Coastal Trapped Wave Theory with Observations off Peru

Abstract The agreement between coastal trapped wave theory and observation is studied for the case of observations made off Peru during the 1977 CUEA JOINT-II experiment. Wave properties are calculated using a numerical model with realistic, horizontally uniform stratification and realistic bottom topography. These properties are then explored as a function of the ratio of the first internal Rossby radius of deformation to the shelf-slope width. The agreement of observed and calculated first-mode, free wave phase speeds (230 cm s−1) is excellent, while modal structures agree more poorly. A forced wave calculation, using observed winds and currents as input, is used to hindcast alongshore currents and sea level in the frequency band where Smith (1978) observed free coastal trapped waves during 1977. The model suggests that most of the observed sea level and alongshore velocity fluctuations in the 5–10 day period band are due to free waves originating equatorward of 5°'s, while winds between 5°'s and .
Effects of Biochar Amendment on Soil Thermal Conductivity, Reflectance, and Temperature

Little information is available regarding the effects of biochar amendment on soil thermal properties and soil temperature, especially under field conditions. The possible changes in soil thermal conductivity, surface reflectance, and temperature resulting from biochar addition might affect other biophysical–chemical processes in the soil. We examined the effects of biochar amendment on the thermal conductivity, surface reflectance, and temperature of soil. Soil thermal conductivity, reflectance, and temperature at a 5-cm depth were measured and monitored in an experimental field using a portable soil thermal property analyzer, a portable full-range spectrometer, and temperature and water potential probes. The field was located in the North China Plain and had been cropped in a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–maize (Zea mays L.) system for 5 yr. With biochar amendment, soil thermal conductivity was decreased significantly by 3.48 and 7.49% with 4.5 (B4.5) and 9.0 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (B9.0) of biochar addition, respectively, which was consistent with a decrease in soil bulk density. Soil water potential slightly increased under B4.5 treatment but decreased under B9.0 treatment relative to the control. Reflectance increased in the near-ultraviolet and blue-light wavelengths (350–513 nm) and decreased in the infrared wavelength range (520–2350 nm) with biochar amendment. Biochar amendment reduced diurnal soil-temperature fluctuations on both daily and seasonal scales, although the annual average daily soil temperatures at a 5-cm depth showed no significant difference among treatments. Comparison with the control showed that biochar treatment moderated soil temperature extremes, lowering the temperature when soil temperature was high and raising it when soil temperature was low. This moderating capability was mostly within ±0.4 and ±0.8°C for mean daily temperature and mean diurnal temperature of soil, respectively. The effect of biochar amendment on soil temperatures can be explained by the combined action of changes in soil thermal conductivity and reflectance.
Utilization Methods and Generation DEMs by Using Aerial Photographs

The flood caused landslide disaster each year because of climate change. And the change of topography from an earthquake makes topographical analysis impossible. This paper performed an investigation about a utilization methods and generation DEM(Digital Elevation Model) after digital aerial photographs quickly when the topographical change happens. Stereo imagery that was collected through digital aerial photographs made a generation of DEM possible. A standard deviation of generated DEM is 0.864m which is somewhat high but shows the real topography. As a result, it should be possible to generate DEM by using aerial photographs in case of the change of topography.
Forest Inventory and Analysis Database of the United States of America (FIA)

Extensive vegetation inventories established with a probabilistic design are an indispensable tool in describing distributions of species and community types and detecting changes in composition in response to climate or other drivers. The Forest Inventory and Analysis Program measures vegetation in permanent plots on forested lands across the United States of America (GIVD ID NA-US-001). Plot sizes and protocols for measuring tree species are standardized across the country. Additional standardized protocols have been implemented to measure the abundance of non-tree vascular plant and epiphytic lichen species. Research using this and re-lated regional datasets have provided new insights into the key biophysical drivers of community composition and their importance at different spatial scales. Studies have also explored regional differences in species diversity patterns, documented the importance of non-native species, and described the importance of environment and management on the distribution of selected species. Although representation of locally rare community types may be low, the probabilistic sample ensures that ecological drivers are regionally sig-nificant and that results are representative of a region as a whole. Remeasurement of permanent plots provides direct evidence of vege-tation change and enables detection of impacts due to climate, natural disturbance, and forest management.
Enhancing Distribution Network Flexibility Through Residential Flexibility Provision

A model for incorporating flexibility provision in distribution networks is proposed to overcome challenges such as balancing and congestion, ultimately enhancing the network's flexibility. This model involves using residential flexibility from home appliances as part of a demand response program that modifies their consumption profiles. The model utilizes various flexible load resources, enabling the rescheduling of shifting/real-time home appliances to accommodate the peak demand of the distribution system operator (DSO). We model this problem as mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) and propose the use of a cooperative coevolution strategy with time-related grouping (CC-TRG) to effectively solve the complex problem. Our experimental results show that aggregators can fulfill the DSO's flexibility requirements by rescheduling home appliance loads over a 24-hour range and minimizing the remuneration costs for end-users, ultimately leading to a more sustainable distribution network with enhanced flexibility.
Assisted Localization of MAVs for Navigation in Indoor Environments Using Fiducial Markers

Micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) are often limited due to weight or cost constraints. This results in low sensor variety and sometimes even in low sensor quality. For example, many MAVs only offer a single RGB camera to capture the environment, apart from simple distance sensors. On the other side, maps of complex environments are typically captured using depth sensors like Lidar, which are not found on such drones. For MAVs to still benefit from and use these maps, it is necessary to implement a connection layer that enables the localization of the MAV in these maps. In this paper, we propose to use fiducial markers that can be recorded by an assisting device, e.g., a mobile phone or tablet, responsible for map creation. These fiducial markers have a known pose in the map and can be detected by a drone's RGB camera to localize itself. We show that the markers are localized in the map creation process with high precision and that the drone is able to determine its pose based on detected markers. Furthermore, we present a ROS 2 based drone controller for a Ryze Tello EDU MAV that uses an occupancy voxel map for navigation.
Structure mapping on enhanced Landsat images of southern Brazil; tectonic control of mineralization and speculations on metallogeny

Computer enhancement, particularly contrast‐stretching, reveals a previously unnoticed east‐west structural zone across a Landsat image of the southern Brazilian Precambrian shield. In this zone occur the only known economic or near‐economic deposits of gold, tin, and copper. Such deposits are typically localized by small east‐west structural elements. Non‐economic copper occurrences elsewhere in the region appear to be related to major northeast‐ and northwest‐trending lineaments mapped on Landsat images. Mineral exploration should be primarily directed at the main east‐west lineament, but two other possible east‐west zones might be worthwhile targets also. The major east‐west lineament projects through a break in the continental shelf, across the Atlantic along a large transoceanic fracture zone and into the African continent along a mapped tectonic trend that goes through an area that produces copper, gold, and tin. Global geophysical data suggest that the mapped east‐west trend in South America is a s.
WATER QUALITY OF AN INTENSWE AGRICULTURAL WATERSHED IN QUEBEC 1

ABSTRACT: . Under a watershed based approach being examined by the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture to accelerate the adoption of conservation practices, a study on the impacts of agricultural practices on the St. Esprit watershed was initiated in the fall of 1993. The water quality of this 26 km2 intensive agricultural watershed was studied over an 18 month period. Water samples taken at the outlet of the watershed were analyzed for nitrate, phosphate, suspended sediment, and atrazine. Water quality data were analyzed to establish seasonal trends in pollutant concentration and load in the watercourse. Spring snowmelt was identified as a significant period of pollutant material export. All pollutant materials displayed seasonal variability in the export process. Peak pollutant concentrations were associated with high flow events. Mean observed pollutant concentrations did not exceed drinking water quality standards.
Morphological shared-weight neural networks: a tool for automatic target recognition beyond the visible spectrum

Morphological shared-weight neural networks (MSNN) combine the feature extraction capability of mathematical morphology with the function mapping capability of neural networks. This provides a trainable mechanism for translation invariant object detection using a variety of imaging sensors, including TV, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR). We provide an overview of previous results and new results with laser radar (LADAR). We present three sets of experiments. In the first set of experiments we use the MSNN to detect different types of targets simultaneously. In the second set we use the MSNN to detect only a particular type of target. In the third set we test a novel scenario: we train the MSNN to recognize a particular type of target using very few examples. A detection rate of 86% with a reasonable number of false alarms was achieved in the first set of experiments and a detection rate of close to 100% with very few false alarms was achieved in the second and third sets of experiments.