Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Second Eigenvalue of the Google Matrix

We determine analytically the modulus of the second eigenvalue for the web hyperlink matrix used by Google for computing PageRank. Specifically, we prove the following statement: ``For any matrix $A=[cP + (1-c)E]^T$, where $P$ is an $n \times n$ row-stochastic matrix, $E$ is a strictly positive $n \times n$ rank-one row-stochastic matrix, and $0 \leq c \leq 1$, the second eigenvalue of $A$ has modulus $|\lambda_2| \leq c$. Furthermore, if $P$ has at least two irreducible closed subsets, the second eigenvalue $\lambda_2 = c$. '' This statement has implications for the convergence rate of the standard PageRank algorithm as the web scales, for the stability of PageRank to perturbations to the link structure of the web, for the detection of Google spammers, and for the design of algorithms to speed up PageRank.
CHL1 Is a Dual-Affinity Nitrate Transporter of Arabidopsis Involved in Multiple Phases of Nitrate Uptake

Higher plants have both high- and low-affinity nitrate uptake systems. These systems are generally thought to be genetically distinct. Here, we demonstrate that a well-known low-affinity nitrate uptake mutant of Arabidopsis, chl1, is also defective in high-affinity nitrate uptake. Two to 3 hr after nitrate induction, uptake activities of various chl1 mutants at 250 μM nitrate (a high-affinity concentration) were only 18 to 30% of those of wild-type plants. In these mutants, both the inducible phase and the constitutive phase of high-affinity nitrate uptake activities were reduced, with the inducible phase being severely reduced. Expressing a CHL1 cDNA driven by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter in a transgenic chl1 plant effectively recovered the defect in high-affinity uptake for the constitutive phase but not for the induced phase, which is consistent with the constitutive level of CHL1 expression in the transgenic plant. Kinetic analysis of nitrate uptake by CHL1-injected Xenopus oocytes displayed a biphasic pattern with a Michaelis–Menten Km value of ~50 μM for the high-affinity phase and ~4 mM for the low-affinity phase. These results indicate that in addition to being a low-affinity nitrate transporter, as previously recognized, CHL1 is also involved in both the inducible and constitutive phases of high-affinity nitrate uptake in Arabidopsis.
Differences in warming trends between coastal upwelling areas and the adjacent ocean

The SST variability observed during the last century both at coastal and ocean locations will be analyzed in terms of upwelling and the thermohaline circulation intensity. Then, the differences in the variability of temperature and heat content between coastal and ocean locations will be analyzed for the upper 700 m from 1975 to 2006 providing information about the vertical structure of temperature changes. As far as we know a similar analysis has never been done before in this area, where only SST patterns had been considered. Changes in the water masses more relevant along the Atlantic continental shelf of the Iberian Peninsula (ENACW and MW) will be also analyzed from seventies on. For this purpose, trends in salinity and temperature corresponding to the ENACW and MW isopycnal will be analyzed to determine the rate of change of ENACW and MW. This analysis will allow knowing the influence of water masses in trends of Atlantic water vertical profiles. The study of ocean warming in this region will continue analyzing the existence of trends in the frequency of extreme hot days over the satellite era (1982-2011). More specifially, the differences between ocean and coastal trends will be analyzed both at seasonal and annual scale. Similar studies will be extended first to the Moroccan sub- region of the Canary Upwelling Ecosystem and then along the Benguela Current System. Both regions characterized by persistent upwelling through the year although with seasonal variations. In the Moroccan sub- region of the Canary Upwelling Ecosystem, regional differences in the SST warming rates between coast and ocean locations at the same latitude will be analyzed in terms of local forcing factors like wind and air temperature and remote forcing factors like atmospheric circulation patterns from 1982 to 2010. Finally, the differences in coastal and ocean SST trends will be studied along the Benguela Current System analyzing the key role played by the persistent coastal upwelling. New research, which will constitute a continuation of the analysis carried out in this manuscript, should be addressed to analyze the differences observed in temperature and salinity trends at coastal and ocean locations in other upwelling regions like the California Current System, Peru, the Somalia coast or the western coast of Australia taking into account remote (atmospheric modes, ocean circulations) and local (wind, upwelling) forcing factors.
RRPSS: An architecture for rapid reconstruction of pervasive service composition

The environment of pervasive computing is heterogeneous, dynamic and open, thus the probability of failures, such as device, network, and service failures, is increased. In this paper, we propose an architecture to improve the availability and reliability of pervasive service composition. It can rapidly achieve failure-capture and recovery. To analyze the process of the reconstruction of pervasive service composition proposed, we use ASM (Abstract State Machines) ground models to validate its correctness.
Identification and Immunological Characterization of Three Potential Vaccinogens against Cryptosporidium Species

ABSTRACT Cryptosporidiosis is a ubiquitous infectious disease, caused by the protozoan parasites Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum, leading to acute, persistent, and chronic diarrhea with life-threatening consequences in immunocompromised individuals. In developing countries, cryptosporidiosis in early childhood has been associated with subsequent significant impairment in growth, physical fitness, and intellectual abilities. Currently, vaccines are unavailable and chemotherapeutics are toxic and impractical, and agents for immunoprophylaxis or treatment of cryptosporidiosis are a high priority. Availability of the genome sequences for C. hominis and C. parvum provides new opportunities to procure and examine novel vaccine candidates. Using the novel approach of “reverse vaccinology,” we identified several new potential vaccine candidates. Three of these antigens—Cp15, profilin, and a Cryptosporidium apyrase—were delivered in heterologous prime-boost regimens as fusions with cytolysin A (ClyA) in a Salmonella live vaccine vector and as purified recombinant antigens, and they were found to induce specific and potent humoral and cellular immune responses, suggesting their potential as new vaccinogens against Cryptosporidium infection.
Interior Color and Psychological Functioning in a University Residence Hall

The research exploited a unique architectural setting of a university residence hall composed by six separate buildings that matched for every architectural detail and differed only for the interior color (violet, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red). Four hundred and forty-three students living in the six buildings for an average of 13.33 months participated in a study that assessed color preference (hue and lightness), lightness preference, and the effects of color on studying and mood. The results showed a preference for blue interiors, followed by green, violet, orange, yellow, and red. A preference bias was found for the specific color in which the student lived. Gender differences emerged for the preference of blue and violet. Room-lightness was significantly affected by the interior color. Room ceiling was preferred white. Blue as interior color was considered to facilitate studying activity. The use of differentiated colors in the six buildings was evaluated to significantly facilitate orienting and wayfinding. A significant relation was found between a calm mood and preference for blue.
Ocean Wave Integral Parameter Measurements Using Envisat ASAR Wave Mode Data

An empirical algorithm to retrieve integral ocean wave parameters such as significant wave height (SWH), mean wave period, and wave height of waves with period larger than 12 s (H12) from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images over sea surface is presented. The algorithm is an extension to the Envisat Advanced SAR (ASAR) wave mode data based on the CWAVE approach developed for ERS-2 SAR wave mode data and is thus called CWAVE_ENV (CWAVE for Envisat). Calibrated ASAR images are used as the only source of input without needing prior information from an ocean wave model (WAM) as the standard algorithms used in weather centers. This algorithm makes SAR an independent instrument measuring integrated wave parameters like SWH and mean wave period to altimeter quality. A global data set of 25 000 pairs of ASAR wave mode images and collocated reanalysis WAM results from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is used to tune CWAVE_ENV model coefficients. Validation conducted by comparing the retrieved SWH to in situ buoy measurements shows a scatter index of 0.24 and 0.16 when compared to the ECMWF reanalysis WAM. Two case studies are presented to evaluate the performance of the CWAVE_ENV algorithm for high sea state. A North Atlantic storm during which SWH is above 18 m as observed by SAR and Radar Altimeter simultaneously is analyzed. For an extreme swell case that occurred in the Indian Ocean, the potential of using SWH measurements from ASAR wave mode data derived by the CWAVE_ENV algorithm is demonstrated.
Heterogeneous gain distributions in neural networks I:The stationary case

We study heterogeneous distribution of gains in neural fields using techniques of quantum mechanics by exploiting a relationship of our model and the time-independent Schrodinger equation. We show that specific relationships between the connectivity kernel and the gain of the population can explain the behavior of the neural field in simulations. In particular, we show this relationships for the gating of activity between two regions (step potential), the propagation of activity throughout another region (barrier) and, most importantly, the existence of bumps in gain-contained regions (gain well). Our results constitute specific predictions that can be tested in vivo or in vitro.
TRANSFORMING GEOLOGICAL AND LANDISLIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY MAPPING DATA TO LINKED (OPEN) DATA FOR HAZARD MANAGEMENT

Η έλλeιψη eνημέρωσης για τους πληθυσμούς που eίναι eκτeθeιμένοι σe κατολισθητικούς κινδύνους eίναι μια κοινωνικο-οικονομική συνιστώσα της τρωτότητας του κοινωνικού ιστού και μπορeί να αυξήσeι τον κίνδυνο απώλeιας ζωών και υποδομών. Οι χρήστeς αυτών των πληροφοριών χρeιάζονται πολλά δeδομένα από κατολισθητικές πeριοχές έτσι ώστe να καταστήσουν τις υπάρχουσeς υποδομές πιο ανθeκτικές σe πιθανό καταστροφικό συμβάν. Πιο συγκeκριμένα, οι ιδιωτικοί και δημόσιοι οργανισμοί θα έχουν πχ τη δυνατότητα να eπιλέξουν μeταξύ διαφορeτικών χρήσeων γης για να eλαχιστοποιηθeί ο κίνδυνος υπαρχόντων υποδομών ή για τη μeίωση του ίδιου του κινδύνου (μέσω μέτρων άμβλυνσης του). Από την άλλη πλeυρά, οι χωροτάκτeς μπορούν να πάρουν πιο ρeαλιστικές αποφάσeις πριν να προγραμματίσουν νέeς υποδομές, σe 1684 πeριοχές μe υψηλό κατολισθητικό κίνδυνο. Έχουμe eφαρμόσeι νέα eργαλeία για να αναπτύξουμe υπηρeσίeς που eίναι διαθέσιμeς σe κάθe eνδιαφeρόμeνο, για τον eντοπισμό πeριοχών eπιδeκτικών σe κατολισθήσeις και που βασίζονται σe διαδικτυακές υπηρeσίeς προκeιμένου να παράσχουμe στους eνδιαφeρόμeνους φορeίς πολύτιμeς πληροφορίeς σχeτικά μe την παλιότeρη κατανομή των κατολισθήσeων σe μια πeριοχή, τον τύπο των πeτρωμάτων, τις βροχοπτώσeις κλπ μe σκοπό να διαμορφώσουν πολιτικές χρήσης και να αξιολογήσουν μια eπικeίμeνη κατολίσθηση.
The Development of Auditory Perception in Children after Auditory Brainstem Implantation

Auditory brainstem implants (ABIs) can provide useful auditory perception and language development in deaf children who are not able to use a cochlear implant (CI). We prospectively followed up a consecutive group of 64 deaf children up to 12 years following ABI surgery. The etiology of deafness in these children was: cochlear nerve aplasia in 49, auditory neuropathy in 1, cochlear malformations in 8, bilateral cochlear postmeningitic ossification in 3, neurofibromatosis type 2 in 2, and bilateral cochlear fractures due to a head injury in 1. Thirty-five children had other congenital nonauditory disabilities. Twenty-two children had previous CIs with no benefit. Fifty-eight children were fitted with the Cochlear 24 ABI device and 6 with the MedEl ABI device, and all children followed the same rehabilitation program. Auditory perceptual abilities were evaluated on the Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP) scale. No child was lost to follow-up, and there were no exclusions from the study. All children showed significant improvement in auditory perception with implant experience. Seven children (11%) were able to achieve the highest score on the CAP test; they were able to converse on the telephone within 3 years of implantation. Twenty children (31.3%) achieved open set speech recognition (CAP score of 5 or greater) and 30 (46.9%) achieved a CAP level of 4 or greater. Of the 29 children without nonauditory disabilities, 18 (62%) achieved a CAP score of 5 or greater with the ABI. All children showed continued improvements in auditory skills over time. The long-term results of ABI surgery reveal significant auditory benefit in most children, and open set auditory recognition in many. i 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Optimal Configuration of Omega-Kappa FF-SAR Processing for Specular and Non-Specular Targets in Altimetric Data: The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich Study Case

In this study, the full-focusing (FF) algorithm is reviewed with the objective of optimizing it for processing data from different types of surfaces probed in altimetry. In particular, this work aims to provide a set of optimal FF processing parameters for the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich (S6-MF) mission. The S6-MF satellite carries an advanced radar altimeter offering a wide range of potential FF-based applications which are just beginning to be explored and require prior optimization of this processing. In S6-MF, the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) altimeter acquisitions are known to be aliased in the along-track direction. Depending on the target, aliasing can be tolerated or may be a severe impairment to provide the level of performance expected from FF processing. Another key aspect to consider in this optimization study is the unprecedented resolution of the FF processing, which results in a higher posting rate than the standard SAR processing. This work investigates the relationship between posting rate and noise levels and provides recommendations for optimal algorithm configurations in various scenarios, including transponder, open ocean, and specular targets like sea-ice and inland water scenes. The Omega–Kappa (WK) algorithm, which has demonstrated superior CPU efficiency compared to the back-projection (BP) algorithm, is considered for this study. But, unlike BP, it operates in the Doppler frequency domain, necessitating further precise spectral and time domain settings. Based on the results of this work, real case studies using S6-MF acquisitions are presented. We first compare S6-MF FF radargrams with Sentinel-1 (S1) images to showcase the potential of optimally configured FF processing. For highly specular surfaces such as sea-ice, distinct techniques are employed for lead signature identification. S1 relies on image-based lineic reconstruction, while S6-MF utilizes phase coherency of focalized pulses for lead detection. The study also delves into two-dimensional wave spectra derived from the amplitude modulation of image/radargrams, with a focus on a coastal example. This case is especially intriguing, as it vividly illustrates different sea states characterized by varying spectral peak positions over time.
Biologically inspired object tracking: A modular approach with distributed particle like sensors

Innovation in computing technology especially in embedded processors capabilities has opened up the boundaries for an enormous potential to facilitate automation in domestic consumer market normally for the sake of added safety and reliability [1][2]. These applications also demand real time processing capabilities for example as required in Surveillance. Although majority of research in computer vision revolves around adopting an analytical approach to this problem, but trackers solely dependent on such algorithms e.g. Kalman filters [3] are not always feasible due to the presence of non-linearity or non gaussian like state space distributions. On the other hand particles based approach [4] requires intensive computing and hence could fail to comply with situations needing real time interventions. This paper is an attempt to highlight such issues and to propose a modular but evolutionary tracking algorithm based on particle swarm optimization [5], distributed sensors in relevant search space and on an algorithm that dynamically changes the complexity based on scene conditions. To reduce the amount of processing a global best search space is first formulated using selective histogram back projection algorithm. The prediction step projects the prior shape contour of the object of interest onto the current frame and by selective initial positioning of the particles forming a swarm explores the search space as in Fig1. Therefore this controlled dynamics inspired by a modular approach to explore relevant search space not only dramatically decreases the required no of particles in our experiments as compared to the traditional particle swarm approach but also proves more robust and thus facilitates real time tracking of an object in video.
Experimental Brain Infarcts in Cats: II. Ischemic Brain Edema

In cats, the early development of Ischemlc brain edema was studied 1 to 4 noun after transor-bital occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA). Two groups of animals were compared: those in which blood flow in the territory of the MCA decreased below the threshold of 10–15 ml/100 g/min (critical ischemia) and those in which it remained above this level (non-critical ischemia). In animals with critical ischemia, water content in the cortex of the MCA territory increased from 80.7 ± 0.4 to 83.0 ± 03 vol.% (means ± SE) within 4 h. Edema was associated with an increase in tissue os-molality by 16–22 mosm/kg w.w. , and a rise of sodium from 262 ± 9 to 454 ± 13 meq/kg d.w. and a decrease of potassium from 442 ± 20 to 305 ± 32 meq/kg d.w. The sodium/potassium ratio rose from 0.60 ± 0.03 to 1.55 ± 0.17. The water and electrolyte disturbances were accompanied by a major shift of extracellular fluid into the intracellular compartment, as evidenced by the increase in cortical impedance from 282 to 660 ohm/cm within 2 h. According to the Maxwell equation, this reflects a narrowing of the extracellular space from 19.8 to 11.4%. Brain volume was continuously monitored using an induction transducer; swelling began within a few minutes of vascular occlusion, and it continued throughout the 4 h observation period. During this time the blood-brain barrier remained intact as evidenced by the absence of Evans blue staining. Edema was associated with disturbances of the energy producing metabolism, but there was DO strict correlation with either lactate or the concentration of high energy phosphates. In animals without critical ischemia, i.e. in which blood flow remained above 10–15 ml/100 g/min, edema was absent despite a distinct deterioration of the energy state of the brain. Edema was also absent in the border zone, in the territory of the posterior cerebral artery and in the contralateral hemisphere of animals with both critical and non-critical ischemia. It is concluded that the early ischemic brain edema following middle cerebral artery occlusion is of the cytotoxic type, that it develops at a flow rate below 10–15 ml/100 g/min, and that it is not strictly correlated with the energy state of the brain.
The Role of Eccentric Strength in 180° Turns in Female Soccer Players

Previous studies have reported an association between eccentric strength (ECC-STR) and change of direction (COD) ability. Little is known about how ECC-STR facilitates COD maneuvers. The aim of this study was to examine the role of ECC-STR during a 180° COD task in 18 female soccer players. Each player performed six trials of a 180° COD task whereby three-dimensional motion data from 10 Qualisys Pro-Reflex infrared cameras (240 Hz) and ground reaction forces (GRFs) from two AMTI force platforms (1200 Hz) were collected. Relative eccentric knee extensor (ECC-EXT) and flexor (ECC-FLEX) peak torque was collected from both limbs at 60°·s−1 using a Kin Com isokinetic dynamometer. Large correlations were revealed between COD performance (time to complete 5 m approach, 180° turn, 5 m return) and ECC-EXT (R = −0.674) and ECC-FLEX (R = −0.603). Moderate to large correlations were observed between approach velocity (AV) and COD performance (R = −0.484) and ECC-EXT (R = 0.724). Stronger participants (n = 9) recorded significantly (p < 0.05) faster AV (4.01 ± 0.18 vs. 3.74 ± 0.24 m·s−1, d = 1.27) and a greater reduction in velocity (−1.55 ± 0.17 vs. −1.37 ± 0.21 m·s−1, d = −0.94) during penultimate contact than weaker (n = 9) subjects. Greater ECC-STR is associated with faster COD performance in female soccer players, as stronger players are better able to decelerate during penultimate contact from faster approach velocities.
Are self-organizing biochemical networks emergent?

Biochemical networks are often called upon to illustrate emergent properties of living systems. In this contribution, I question such emergentist claims by means of theoretical work on genetic regulatory models and random Boolean networks. If the existence of a critical connectivity Kc of such networks has often been coined "emergent" or "irreducible", I propose on the contrary that the existence of a critical connectivity Kc is indeed mathematically explainable in network theory. This conclusion also applies to many other types of formal networks and weakens the emergentist claim attached to bio-molecular networks, and by extension to living systems.
HTTPS: a Phishing Attack in a Network

In this paper, we discuss the possibility of finding phishing attacks even in cases where the victim sees in their web browser, the same URL as the legitimate website with the padlock and the HTTPS certificate. This attack is not easy to detect due to the fact that it complies with security measures as a legitimate HTTPS connection. We perform the attack with a web server and a fake certificate authority. The web server hosts the phishing website, whereas the fake certificate authority, issues the certificates for the website. The success of this attack occurs when the victim or the attacker exports the certificates into the web browser. With this paper we prove that some web browsers are vulnerable to this attack, despite their having their own certificate authorities list.