Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Land Cover Heterogeneity on Soil Moisture Retrieval Using Active Microwave Remote Sensing Data

This study addresses the issue of the variability and heterogeneity problems that are expected from a sensor with a larger footprint having homogenous and heterogeneous sub-pixels. Improved understanding of spatial variability of soil surface characteristics such as land cover and vegetation in larger footprint are critical in remote sensing based soil moisture retrieval. This study analyzes the sub-pixel variability (standard deviation of sub- grid pixels) of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and SAR backscatter. Back- propagation neural network was used for soil moisture retrieval from active microwave remote sensing data from Southern Great Plains of Oklahoma. The effect of land cover heterogeneity (number of different vegetation species within pixels) on soil moisture retrieval using active microwave remote sensing data was investigated. The presence of heterogeneous vegetation cover reduced the accuracy of the derived soil moisture using microwave remote sensing data. The results from this study can be used to characterize the uncertainty in soil moisture retrieval in the context of Soil Moisture Active and Passive (SMAP) mission which will have larger footprint.
A Digest and Pattern Matching-Based Intrusion Detection Engine

Intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDSs/IPSs) heavily rely on signature databases and pattern matching (PM) techniques to identify network attacks. The engines of such systems often employ traditional PM algorithms to search for telltale patterns in network flows. The observations that real-world network traffic is largely legitimate and that telltales manifested by exploits rarely appear in network streams lead us to the proposal of Fingerprinter. This framework integrates fingerprinting and PM methods to rapidly distinguish well-behaved from malicious traffic. Fingerprinter produces concise digests or fingerprints for attack signatures during its programming phase. In its querying phase, the framework quickly identifies attack-free connections by transforming input traffic into its fingerprint space and matching its digest against those of attack signatures. If the legitimacy of a stream cannot be determined by fingerprints alone, our framework uses the Boyer–Moore algorithm to ascertain whether attack signatures appear in the stream. To reduce false matches, we resort to multiple fingerprinting techniques including Bloom–Filter and Rabin–Fingerprint. Experimentation with a prototype and a variety of traces has helped us establish that Fingerprinter significantly accelerates the attack detection process.
Universe opacity and EBL

The observed extragalactic background light (EBL) is affected by light attenuation due to absorption of light by galactic and intergalactic dust in the Universe. Even galactic opacity of 10-20 percent and minute universe intergalactic opacity of $0.01\,\mathrm{mag}\,h\,\mathrm{Gpc}^{-1}$ at the local Universe have a significant impact on the EBL because obscuration of galaxies and density of intergalactic dust increase with redshift as $\left(1+z\right)^3$. Consequently, intergalactic opacity increases and the Universe becomes considerably opaque at $z > 3$. Adopting realistic values for galactic and intergalactic opacity, the estimates of the EBL for the expanding dusty universe are close to observations. The luminosity density evolution fits well measurements. The model reproduces a steep increase of the luminosity density at $z 3.5$.
Phase Synchronization and invariant measures in sinusoidally perturbed chaotic systems

We show that, in periodically perturbed chaotic systems, Phase Synchronization appears, associated to a special type of stroboscopic map, in which not only averages quantities are equal to invariants of the perturbation, the angular frequency, but the map is strongly non‐equivalent to the attractor. In cases where there is not phase synchronization, basic sets can still be found, but they are almost equivalent to the attractor, meaning that when there is not Phase Synchronization, the observation of the attractor by the stroboscopic map tells one few information about the final state of a typical initial condition. We base our statements in experimental and numerical results from the sinusoidally perturbed Chua’s circuit.
Asymmetric scaling on network packet processors in the dark silicon era

This paper introduces a new architectural technique called asymmetric scaling on heterogeneous multi-core network processor architectures to mitigate the problem of dark silicon in future process technologies. In asymmetric scaling, the number of low power cores is increased at a higher rate than the number of high performance cores over process generations. Using an analytical model we show that coupled with fixed voltage-frequency scaling, asymmetric scaling can maintain the power density of the chip at the same level for several process generations, while increasing computational capabilities according to Dennardian scaling. Asymmetric scaling aligns nicely with the application characteristics on a network packet processor. To illustrate the concept, we discuss the Layerscape network processor architecture that incorporates a general purpose layer of high performance cores with an accelerated packet processing layer of low power cores. We discuss several techniques that can be applied to reduce the power density of low power cores. Using a representative packet forwarding workload, we show that shallow-pipeline, dual-issue, in-order cores with appropriate hardware acceleration and limited on-chip memory are a good choice for the low power processor layer.
CELLULAR DIFFERENTIATION OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM OF MICE

Marrow cells and 5 x 107 thymocytes of unprimed (C57BL/6 x DBA/2)F1, (C57BL/10 x WB)F1 and (C3H x C57BL)F1 donor mice were mixed in vitro and transplanted into X-irradiated syngeneic hosts. Upon injection of sheep erythrocytes, splenic plaque-forming cells (PFC) secreting IgM (direct PFC or IgG (indirect PFC) hemolytic antibody were enumerated at the time of peak responses. By grading the numbers of marrow cells, inocula were found that contained few immunocompetent cells reaching the recipient spleens, interacting with thymocytes or other accessory cells (or both), and generating PFC. The frequency of responses in BDF1 mice conformed to Poisson statistics, indicating that immunocompetent marrow cells participated in a single-hit interaction limiting PFC responses. The marrow cells assayed were not restricted for the antibody class (IgM versus IgG) to be secreted by mature PFC. Unrestricted marrow cells could have been either the precursors of PFC or accessory cells. Different results were obtained in BWF1 and C3BF1 mice. The frequency of responses in relation to the number of marrow cells grafted did not follow Poisson statistics, and the limiting cells were restricted for antibody class. Presumably, immunocompetent cells of these strains were more heterogeneous than those of BDF1 mice and participated in a multiplicity of cell-to-cell interactions. The strain differences reflected inherent properties of marrow cells and not influences of the environment in which PFC were produced. The results confirmed for bone marrow the heterogeneity of immunocompetent cells reported by others for spleen, and suggested that genetic factors such as "immune response" genes regulate cellular differentiation also for functions other than those related to antibody specificity.
Theoretical Radii of Extrasolar Giant Planets: The Cases of TrES-4, XO-3b, and HAT-P-1b

To explain their observed radii, we present theoretical radius-age trajectories for the extrasolar giant planets (EGPs) TrES-4, XO-3b, and HAT-P-1b. We factor in variations in atmospheric opacity, the presence of an inner heavy-element core, and possible heating due to orbital tidal dissipation. A small, yet nonzero, degree of core heating is needed to explain the observed radius of TrES-4, unless its atmospheric opacity is significantly larger than a value equivalent to that at 10 × solar metallicity with equilibrium molecular abundances. This heating rate is reasonable, and corresponds for an energy dissipation parameter (Qp) of ~103.8 to an eccentricity of ~0.01, assuming 3 × solar atmospheric opacity and a heavy-element core of Mc = 30 M⊕. For XO-3b, which has an observed orbital eccentricity of 0.26, we show that tidal heating needs to be taken into account to explain its observed radius. Furthermore, we reexamine the core mass needed for HAT-P-1b in light of new measurements and find that it now generally follows the correlation between stellar metallicity and core mass suggested recently. Given various core heating rates, theoretical grids and fitting formulae for a giant planet’s equilibrium radius and equilibration timescale are provided for planet masses Mp = 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 MJ with a = 0.02–0.06 AU, orbiting a G2 V star. When the equilibration timescale is much shorter than that of tidal heating variation, the “effective age” of the planet is shortened, resulting in evolutionary trajectories more like those of younger EGPs. Motivated by the work of B. Jackson et al., we suggest that this effect could indeed be important in better explaining some observed transit radii.
Coxeter groups, hyperbolic cubes and acute triangulations

Let C(L) be the right‐angled Coxeter group defined by an abstract triangulation L of S2 . We show that C(L) is isomorphic to a hyperbolic right‐angled reflection group if and only if L can be realized as an acute triangulation. The proof relies on the theory of CAT(‐1) spaces. A corollary is that an abstract triangulation of S2 can be realized as an acute triangulation exactly when it satisfies a combinatorial condition called ‘flag no‐square’. We also study generalizations of this result to other angle bounds, other planar surfaces and other dimensions.
Design and Implementation of Low Power and Highly Scaled DCT Architecture with CORDIC Algorithm

This project deals with the hardware implementation of the DCT and IDCT algorithm in a more efficient way by the use of CORDIC algorithm. DCT and IDCT are the most widely used transform technique in Digital Image Processing and Digital Signal Processing. This project presents an efficient approach for multiplier less implementation for N-point DCT approximation, which based on coordinate rotation digital computer (CORDIC) algorithm which makes use of shift and add operation for computation. The proposed algorithm is the most popular because of its computational efficiency and structural simplicity. It has advantages such as regular data flow, uniform post scaling factor, arithmetic sequence rotation angels. In this project an Npoint DCT is deduced using two N/2-point DCTs by using orthogonal properties of DCT and IDCT,and also adders are replaced by carry skip adder [1]. Signal flow of 8-point DCT and IDCT CORDIC algorithm are coded and functionality of the design will check using ModelSim simulator. The design will synthesize using Cadence and Xilinx ISE Synthesis tool and the bit file will dumped to a Spartan 3 FPGA kit.
Differential influences of Fc gamma receptor blocking on the effects of certolizumab pegol and infliximab on human monocytes

Abstract Objectives: To compare the effects of certolizumab pegol (CZP) and infliximab (IFX) on human monocytes. Methods: Highly purified monocytes from healthy donors were cultured with CZP, IFX, control IgG1, or polyethylene glycol (PEG) at pharmacological attainable concentrations in culture medium with 10% autologous normal human serum (NHS) or with fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 24 h, after which the supernatants were replaced by fresh culture medium containing LPS. After additional 24 h of incubation, the supernatants were assayed for TNF-α and IL-6. In some experiments, the cells were harvested after 1 h of stimulation with LPS for analysis of mRNA for TNF-α by quantitative PCR. Results: Pre-incubation of monocytes with CZP or IFX reduced the production of TNF-α in subsequent cultures stimulated by LPS in a dose-dependent manner. The suppressive effects of IFX on the TNF-α production were significantly diminished, but those of CZP were rather enhanced, in cultures with autologous NHS compared with in cultures with FBS. Addition of IgG, but not IgG F(ab′)2 fragments, significantly inhibited the suppressive effects of IFX on the production of TNF-α and IL-6, whereas either IgG or IgG F(ab′)2 fragments had no significant influences on the suppressive effects of CZP. Furthermore, pre-incubation with CZP or IFX significantly inhibited the expression of mRNA for TNF-α and IL-6 in monocytes compared with PEG or IgG. Conclusion: These results indicate that the mechanism of action of CZP is different from that of IFX. Thus, CZP suppresses the production of proinflammatory cytokines independently of Fc receptors, whereas the suppressive effects of IFX on human monocytes are almost totally dependent on the interaction with Fc receptors.
Disentangling the synchrotron and inverse Compton variability in the X-ray emission of the intermediate BL Lacertae object S5 0716+71

Context. The possibility to detect simultaneously in the X-ray band the synchrotron and Inverse Compton (IC) emission of intermediate BL Lac objects offers the unique opportunity to study contemporaneously the low- and high-energy tails of the electron distribution in the jets of these sources. Aims. We attempted to disentangle the X-ray spectral variability properties of both the low- and high-energy ends of the synchrotron and Inverse Compton emission of the intermediate BL Lac object S5 0716+71. Methods. We carried out spectral, temporal and cross-correlation analyses of the data from a long XMM- Newton pointing of S5 0716+71 and we compared our findings with previous results from past X-ray observations. Results. Strong variability was detected during the XMM exposure. Both the synchrotron and Inverse Compton components were found to vary on time scales of hours, implying a size of the emitting region of $R\la 0.7\delta /(1+z)$ light-hours. The synchrotron emission was discovered to become dominant during episodes of flaring activity, following a harder-when-brighter trend. Tight correlations were observed between variations in different energy bands. Upper limits on time lags between the soft and hard X-ray light curves are of the order of a few hundred seconds.
Generating Live Sports Updates from Twitter by Finding Good Reporters

Twitter has emerged as a platform for crowds to express their opinions. Many Twitter users post their opinions, impressions, and statuses of televised events such as sports events. However, since the volume of such posts is extremely huge, it requires a lot of time and effort to understand what happens within events. We propose a method of generating live sports updates from Twitter posts on an event. Our method selects descriptive and prompt tweets that are posted within a short time after important sub events by exploiting users called good reporters, who promptly explain what is happening at each moment throughout the event. The experimental results indicated that our new technique generated more comprehensive updates than other methods presented in previous work.
A study of mobile VoIP performance in wireless broadband networks

OF DOCTORAL DISSERTATION HELSINKI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNLOGY P.O. BOX 1000, FI-02015 TKK http://www.tkk. fi Author Andres Arjona Name of the dissertation A Study of Mobile VoIP Performance in Wireless Broa db nd Networks Manuscript submitted 8.6. 2009 Manuscript revised 23.9. 2009 Date of the defense 12.10. 2009 Monograph Article dissertation (summary + original articles ) Faculty Information and Natural Sciences Department Computer Science and Enginee ri g Field of research Telecommunications Opponent(s) Dr. Ryuji Wakikawa Supervisor Professor Antti Ylä-Jääski
User Interface for an In-Home Environment

This paper describes the development of novel user interface concepts for an in-home environment. If interaction devices at various places in a house are interconnected through an in-home network, people are no longer restricted to a location where a device with a particular functionality is located. Instead, they are even able to start an activity (such as watching a movie or making a videophone call) in one room and continue it in another room of the house. Two user interface concepts are described that enable this relocation of activities. In addition, a user interface is described for local activity handling, such as beginning and ending activities and switching between activities. We followed an iterative and user-centered approach with several evaluations during the process. A fully working in-home network was implemented and evaluated with both UI experts and potential end-users.
Impact of CYP2B6 983T>C polymorphism on non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor plasma concentrations in HIV-infected patients.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of CYP2B6 polymorphisms (according to ethnicity) and the influence of heterozygosity and homozygosity on plasma concentrations of efavirenz and nevirapine. METHODS Following written informed consent, 225 Caucasians and 146 Blacks were recruited from the German Competence Network for HIV/AIDS. Plasma concentrations of efavirenz and nevirapine were assessed by HPLC, and genotyping for 516G>T, 983T>C and 1459T>C polymorphisms in CYP2B6 was conducted by real-time PCR-based allelic discrimination. RESULTS The minor allele frequency for 516G>T, 983T>C and 1459T>C was 0.29, 0 and 0.08 in Caucasians and 0.34, 0.07 and 0.02 in Blacks, respectively. Two Black patients with the 983C allele receiving efavirenz were identified and both were withdrawn from therapy within 1 week of sampling due to toxicity. In multivariate analyses, efavirenz and nevirapine plasma concentrations were significantly associated with 983T>C (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.02, respectively), 516G>T (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.002, respectively) and time of drug analysis post-dose (P < 0.0001 for both). Body mass index was independently related to efavirenz (P = 0.04) but not nevirapine concentrations, and age was related to nevirapine (P = 0.05) but not efavirenz concentrations. Consistent with other studies, 1459C>T was not associated with plasma concentrations of either drug (P > 0.05 for both drugs). CONCLUSIONS This is the first report that the 983T>C genotype (part of the CYP2B6*18 haplotype) impacts on nevirapine plasma concentrations and the first study to assess the impact of 983C homozygosity on efavirenz concentrations. These data have implications for administration of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors to Black patients.
Comparative phylogeography of African savannah ungulates 1

The savannah biome of sub‐Saharan Africa harbours the highest diversity of ungulates (hoofed mammals) on Earth. In this review, we compile population genetic data from 19 codistributed ungulate taxa of the savannah biome and find striking concordance in the phylogeographic structuring of species. Data from across taxa reveal distinct regional lineages, which reflect the survival and divergence of populations in isolated savannah refugia during the climatic oscillations of the Pleistocene. Data from taxa across trophic levels suggest distinct savannah refugia were present in West, East, Southern and South‐West Africa. Furthermore, differing Pleistocene evolutionary biogeographic scenarios are proposed for East and Southern Africa, supported by palaeoclimatic data and the fossil record. Environmental instability in East Africa facilitated several spatial and temporal refugia and is reflected in the high inter‐ and intraspecific diversity of the region. In contrast, phylogeographic data suggest a stable, long‐standing savannah refuge in the south.
Real-time target localization and tracking by N-ocular stereo

In recent years, various practical systems using multiple vision sensors have been proposed. In this paper, as an application of such vision systems, we propose a real-time human tracking system consisting of multiple omnidirectional vision sensors (ODVSs). The system measures people's locations by N-ocular stereo, which is an extension of trinocular stereo, from omnidirectional images taken with the ODVSs. In addition, the system employs several compensation methods for observation errors in order to achieve robust measurement. We have evaluated the proposed methods in the experimentation using four compact ODVSs we have originally developed.
Novel full-cycle-coupler-based optical add-drop multiplexer and performance characteristics at 40-Gb/s WDM networks

A novel configuration of an interferometric device, based on a full-cycle full (100%) coupler structure, loaded with a Bragg grating symmetrically placed into the uniform coupler waist, is proposed for use as an optical add-drop multiplexer (OADM) with simultaneously optimized add and drop actions. A general method for designing a suitable Bragg grating for optimal inscription in to the uniform coupler waist is also proposed for use in to the device design and development. The performance of the device is characterized at 40-Gb/s wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) networks using theoretical systems simulations and is compared directly with other alternative OADM architectures.
Functions and Mechanisms of Intrinsic Motivations The Knowledge Versus Competence Distinction

Mammals, and humans in particular, are endowed with an exceptional capacity for cumulative learning. This capacity crucially depends on the presence of intrinsic motivations, that is, motivations that are directly related not to an organism’s survival and reproduction but rather to its ability to learn. Recently, there have been a number of attempts to model and reproduce intrinsic motivations in artificial systems. Different kinds of intrinsic motivations have been proposed both in psychology and in machine learning and robotics: some are based on the knowledge of the learning system, while others are based on its competence. In this contribution, we discuss the distinction between knowledge-based and competence-based intrinsic motivations with respect to both the functional roles that motivations play in learning and the mechanisms by which those functions are implemented. In particular, after arguing that the principal function of intrinsic motivations consists in allowing the development of a repertoire of skills (rather than of knowledge), we suggest that at least two different sub-functions can be identified: (a) discovering which skills might be acquired and (b) deciding which skill to train when. We propose that in biological organisms, knowledge-based intrinsic motivation mechanisms might implement the former function, whereas competencebased mechanisms might underlie the latter one. M. Mirolli ( ) G. Baldassarre Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie della Cognizione, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome, Italy e-mail: marco.mirolli@istc.cnr. it; gianluca.baldassarre@istc.cnr. it G. Baldassarre and M. Mirolli (eds.), Intrinsically Motivated Learning in Natural and Artificial Systems, DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-32375-1 3, © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013 49 50 M. Mirolli and G. Baldassarre