Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Individual tree segmentation over large areas using airborne LiDAR point cloud and very high resolution optical imagery

Timely and accurate measurements of forest parameters are critical for ecosystem studies, sustainable forest resources management, monitoring and planning. This paper presents a processing chain for individual tree segmentation over large areas with airborne LiDAR 3D point cloud and very high resolution (VHR) optical imagery. The proposed processing chain consists of forest stand level delineation with optical imagery, individual tree segmentation with Canopy Height Model (CHM) derived from LiDAR point cloud, rough characterization of trees at forest stand level, and point clustering of individual tree with an Adaptive Mean Shift 3D (AMS3D) algorithm. The processing chain is developed with the expectation of supporting operational forest inventory at individual tree level. Experiment is conducted using LiDAR data acquired in Ventoux region, France. Results suggest that the proposed processing chain can be successfully adopted for individual tree characterization over large areas with different forest stands.
Evaluating open-source cloud computing solutions

Cloud computing is becoming a mainstream technology in enterprise environment, promising more efficient use of hardware resources through virtualization, elastic computing facilities and secure management of user applications. Various cloud computing architectures are emerging and several commercial and open source products on the market advertise a rich feature-set. While commercial vendors try to give potential users the (not necessarily unbiased) tools to reason on the comparative advantages of their product, the open source community trusts users to make a well-informed selection on their own. In this paper we take a look at the open source cloud solutions and discuss the criteria that can be used to evaluate the stability, performance and features of open source clouds, and compare some available solutions. The evaluation criteria focus on three main components of a cloud solution — the storage layer, the virtualization layer, and the management layer. In addition, we explain the motivation for application of open source cloud solutions from an enterprise perspective, and discuss the potential benefits of these solutions for private cloud computing environments.
Sunspot random walk and 22‐year variation

We examine two stochastic models for consistency with observed long‐term secular trends in sunspot number and a faint, but semi‐persistent, 22‐yr signal: (1) a null hypothesis, a simple one‐parameter log‐normal random‐walk model of sunspot‐number cycle‐to‐cycle change, and, (2) an alternative hypothesis, a two‐parameter random‐walk model with an imposed 22‐yr alternating amplitude. The observed secular trend in sunspots, seen from solar cycle 5 to 23, would not be an unlikely result of the accumulation of multiple random‐walk steps. Statistical tests show that a 22‐yr signal can be resolved in historical sunspot data; that is, the probability is low that it would be realized from random data. On the other hand, the 22‐yr signal has a small amplitude compared to random variation, and so it has a relatively small effect on sunspot predictions. Many published predictions for cycle 24 sunspots fall within the dispersion of previous cycle‐to‐cycle sunspot differences. The probability is low that the Sun will, with the accumulation of random steps over the next few cycles, walk down to a Dalton‐like minimum. Our models support published interpretations of sunspot secular variation and 22‐yr variation resulting from cycle‐to‐cycle accumulation of dynamo‐generated magnetic energy.
Bcl-2 expression significantly correlates with thymidylate synthase expression in colorectal cancer patients.

AIM To examine the expression of thymidylate synthase (TS) and oncoprotein Bcl-2 in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, and to determine their mutual relationship, association to therapeutic response and impact on disease outcome. METHODS Tumor samples from 67 patients with CRC, who were treated at advanced stage with either irinotecan alone or in combination with 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin, were analyzed for expression of TS and Bcl-2 using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS A significant linear correlation between lower expression levels of Bcl-2 and lower levels of TS expression was found (P = 0.033). Patients with high levels of both TS and Bcl-2 expression had a significantly longer disease-free survival (DFS) (42.6 mo vs 5.4 mo, n = 25) than those with low TS/Bcl-2 index (P = 0.001). Tumors with low levels of both TS and Bcl-2 were associated with a longer survival with metastasis (WMS) interval in the whole patients group (n = 67, P = 0.035). TS/Bcl-2 index was not significantly related to disease-specific survival. CONCLUSION The present data suggest that CRC patients with low TS/Bcl-2 demonstrate a significantly shorter DFS and longer WMS.
GENERAL BEHAVIOR AND VEGETATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE HABITATS OF ASSAMESE MONKEY (Macaca assamensis McClelland, 1840) ALONG KALIGANDAKI RIVER BANK, WESTERN NEPAL

This study was focused on Macaca assamensis general behavior and vegetation associated with their habitats in Kaligandaki River Basin at Baglung and Parbat Districts of Nepal. The field survey was conducted from December, 2015 to May, 2016 to explore the Assamese Macaque general behavior and vegetation associated with their habitats. Total area of 104.70 km2 was surveyed, vegetation analysis was done by random quadrates sampling method and behavioral data were collected by scan sampling method. A total of 47 individuals of Assamese Macaques ( Macaca assamensis ) were counted in four different troops. Total of 2240 scan samples were recorded from the four different troops during this study period the scan samples revealed that foraging was 47%, moving 28%, resting 14% and grooming 11%. In the context of daily activity pattern for aging time of Assamese monkey was found to be highest 54% in 15:00 to 18:00 observational phase and lowest 40% in the observational phase of 12.00 to 15.00 hours. Moving time of the Assamese monkey was found to be highest 33% in 12.00 to 15.00 observational phase and lowest 22% at 15:00 to 18:00 observational phase, resting time of Assamese monkey was found to be highest 15% in 09:00 to 12:00 hours and lowest 13% in 15:00 to 18:00 observational phase and Assamese monkey were seen mostly grooming 13% in 12.00 to 15.00 hours and lowest 10% in 15:00 to 18:00 observational phase. By quadrate sampling, 58 plant species with 716 number were recorded. Sal ( Sorea robusta ) was the dominant plant species with relative density 31.42% and relative frequency 8.376% which was followed by Tiju (Diospyros malabarica) with relative density 10.93% and relative frequency 8.376%. Journal of Institute of Science and Technology Volume 22, Issue 1, July 2017, page: 110-119
On the quasilinearity of the Einstein-'Gauss-Bonnet' gravity field equations

We review some properties of the Einstein-\Gauss-Bonnet" equations for gravity|also called the Einstein-Lanczos equations in ve and six dimensions, and the Lovelock equations in higher dimensions. We illustrate, by means of simple Kaluza-Klein and brane cosmological models, some consequences of the quasi-linearity of these equations on the Cauchy problem and structure of characteristics (a point rst studied by Yvonne Choquet-Bruhat), as well as on \junction conditions".
Effect of 3-day intensive dietary therapy during admission in women after diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE To determine the impact of 3-day intensive dietary therapy during admission on glycemic control. MATERIAL AND METHOD GDM women, with level of fasting blood glucose (FBS) at or above 105 mg/dl on their oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), were hospitalized. After 3-day intensive dietary therapy, the women were stratified by FBS value and mean 2-hour postprandial blood glucose. Those with poor glycemic control, FBS at or above 105 mg/dl, were prescribed insulin therapy. RESULT Between 1 August 2001 to 31 December 2002, a total of 9861 pregnant women were screened for clinical risk factors of GDM at their first antenatal visits, and 4663 had at least 1 risk. After 50-gm glucose challenge test and 100-gm OGTT GDM was diagnosed in 300 women. Only 18% (54 in 300 cases) of GDM had level of FBS at or above 105 mg/dl on OGTT. They were admitted in a special ward for further investigation and initial management. After 3 days of intensive dietary therapy, the FBS and mean 2-hour postprandial blood glucose level were monitored and stratified in 3 groups. Only 42.6% of admission group (23 in 54 cases) still had FBS at or above 105 mg/dl and required insulin therapy (group 1). One third (18 in 54 cases) could avoid insulin therapy due to the level of FBS below 105 mg/dl and mean 2-hour postprandial blood glucose below 120 mg/dl (group 2). This second group was discharged, and due to attend the high risk pregnancy clinic a few weeks later The third group (group 3), comprising one fourth (13 in 54 cases), had FBS below 105 mg/dl but had a mean 2-hour postprandial blood glucose at or above 120 mg/dl. This third group were also discharged and were monitored glycemic profile by FBS and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose every time during their visits to the high risk pregnancy clinic. According to criteria of 2-hour postprandial blood glucose at or above 120 mg/dl on two or more occasions within a 1-2 weeks interval, no one in group 3 needed insulin therapy afterward CONCLUSION GDM women with FBS at or above 105 mg/dl on their OGTT, should be prescribed intensive dietary therapy alone for 3 days inside hospital rather than initiating insulin immediately after diagnosis. One third had a benefit of avoiding insulin therapy. Only 42% failed to achieve good glycemic control and still needed insulin therapy. One fourth showed optimal glycemic control after this intervention (FBS below 105 mg/dl) but had mean 2-hour postprandial blood glucose at or above 120 mg/dl. Longer trial of dietary therapy should be considered in this last group to avoid over treatment of insulin therapy.
Receding Horizon "Next-Best-View" Planner for 3D Exploration

This paper presents a novel path planning algorithm for the autonomous exploration of unknown space using aerial robotic platforms. The proposed planner employs a receding horizon “next-best-view” scheme: In an online computed random tree it finds the best branch, the quality of which is determined by the amount of unmapped space that can be explored. Only the first edge of this branch is executed at every planning step, while repetition of this procedure leads to complete exploration results. The proposed planner is capable of running online, onboard a robot with limited resources. Its high performance is evaluated in detailed simulation studies as well as in a challenging real world experiment using a rotorcraft micro aerial vehicle. Analysis on the computational complexity of the algorithm is provided and its good scaling properties enable the handling of large scale and complex problem setups.
The Zebra Finch Paradox: Song Is Little Changed, But Number of Neurons Doubles

New neurons are added to the high vocal center (HVC) of adult males in seasonally breeding songbirds such as the canary (Serinus canaria) that learns new songs in adulthood, and the song sparrow (Melospiza melodia) that does not. In both cases, the new neurons numerically replace others that have died, resulting in a seasonal fluctuation in HVC volume and neuron number. Peaks in neuronal replacement in both species occur in the fall when breeding is over and song is variable. New neurons are added, too, to the HVC of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) that do not learn new songs in adulthood and whose song remains stereotyped throughout the year. Here, we show that, in contrast to the observations in seasonal songbirds, neurons added to the zebra finch HVC are not part of a replacement process. Rather, they lead to a doubling in the number of neurons that project from HVC to the robust nucleus of the arcopallium (RA). As this happens, HVC volume remains constant and the packing density of its neurons increases. The HVC-RA neurons are part of a descending pathway that carries the pattern of learned song; some HVC-RA neurons are also responsive to song playback. The addition of HVC-RA neurons happens in zebra finches housed singly, but becomes more acute if the birds are housed communally. We speculate that new neurons added to the adult HVC may help with the production or perception of learned song, or both.
Adaptive observer for parabolic PDEs with uncertain parameter in the boundary condition

We are considering the problem of state observation for a class of infinite dimensional systems. The latter are modelled by a parabolic PDE and a boundary condition involving an unknown parameter. The problem is dealt with using an adaptive observer that provides online estimates of the system (spatially distributed) state and the unknown parameters. The observer is formally shown to be exponentially convergent under an ad-hoc persistent excitation condition.
Endocardial cushion and myocardial defects after cardiac myocyte-specific conditional deletion of the bone morphogenetic protein receptor ALK3

Receptors for bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) superfamily, are persistently expressed during cardiac development, yet mice lacking type II or type IA BMP receptors die at gastrulation and cannot be used to assess potential later roles in creation of the heart. Here, we used a Cre/lox system for cardiac myocyte-specific deletion of the type IA BMP receptor, ALK3. ALK3 was specifically required at mid-gestation for normal development of the trabeculae, compact myocardium, interventricular septum, and endocardial cushion. Cardiac muscle lacking ALK3 was specifically deficient in expressing TGFβ2, an established paracrine mediator of cushion morphogenesis. Hence, ALK3 is essential, beyond just the egg cylinder stage, for myocyte-dependent functions and signals in cardiac organogenesis.
Paired Gang Scheduling

Conventional gang scheduling has the disadvantage that when processes perform I/O or blocking communication, their processors remain idle because alternative processes cannot be run independently of their own gangs. To alleviate this problem, we suggest a slight relaxation of this rule: match gangs that make heavy use of the CPU with gangs that make light use of the CPU (presumably due to I/O or communication activity), and schedule such pairs together, allowing the local scheduler on each node to select either of the two processes at any instant. As I/O-intensive gangs make light use of the CPU, this only causes a minor degradation in the service to compute-bound jobs. This degradation is more than offset by the overall improvement in system performance due to the better utilization of the resources.
Norrin Protected Blood–Brain Barrier Via Frizzled-4/&bgr;-Catenin Pathway After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Rats

Background and Purpose— Norrin and its receptor Frizzled-4 have important roles in the blood–brain barrier development. This study is to investigate a potential role and mechanism of Norrin/Frizzled-4 on protecting blood–brain barrier integrity after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Methods— One hundred and seventy-eight male Sprague–Dawley rats were used. SAH model was induced by endovascular perforation. Frizzled-4 small interfering RNA was injected intracerebroventricularly 48 hours before SAH. Norrin was administrated intracerebroventricularly 3 hours after SAH. SAH grade, neurological scores, brain water content, Evans blue extravasation, western blots, and immunofluorescence were used to study the mechanisms of Norrin and its receptor regulation protein TSPAN12, as well as neurological outcome. Results— Endogenous Norrin and TSPAN12 expression were increased after SAH, and Norrin was colocalized with astrocytes marker glial fibrillary acidic protein in cortex. Exogenous Norrin treatment significantly alleviated neurobehavioral dysfunction, reduced brain water content and Evans blue extravasation, promoted &bgr;-catenin nuclear translocation, and increased Occludin, VE-Cadherin, and ZO-1 expressions. These effects were abolished by Frizzled-4 small interfering RNA pretreated before SAH. Conclusions— Norrin protected blood–brain barrier integrity and improved neurological outcome after SAH, and the action of Norrin appeared mediated by Frizzled-4 receptor activation, which promoted &bgr;-catenin nuclear translocation, which then enhanced Occludin, VE-Cadherin, and ZO-1 expression. Norrin might have potential to protect blood–brain barrier after SAH.
Response to thalidomide in progressive multiple myeloma is not mediated by inhibition of angiogenic cytokine secretion

Thalidomide (Thal) is a drug with anti‐angiogenic properties. To explore whether the effect of Thal on angiogenesis is associated with a reduction of angiogenic cytokine levels in progressive multiple myeloma (MM), plasma levels of basic fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, interleukin 6, tumour necrosis factor‐α and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were measured in 51 patients at 0, 3 and 6 months of Thal therapy. After 6 months of treatment, 26 patients were considered to be responsive to Thal therapy, including 17 minimal responses, eight partial responses and one complete response. Only HGF (decreasing, P = 0·02) in the group of responsive patients showed a statistically significant change over a period of 6 months. Because HGF levels are known to correlate to MM tumour burden, we conclude that the mechanism of action of Thal in MM is not caused by a specific inhibition of angiogenic cytokine secretion.
A continental scale trophic cascade from wolves through coyotes to foxes.

Top-down processes, via the direct and indirect effects of interspecific competitive killing (no consumption of the kill) or intraguild predation (consumption of the kill), can potentially influence the spatial distribution of terrestrial predators, but few studies have demonstrated the phenomenon at a continental scale. For example, in North America, grey wolves Canis lupus are known to kill coyotes Canis latrans, and coyotes, in turn, may kill foxes Vulpes spp. , but the spatial effects of these competitive interactions at large scales are unknown. Here, we analyse fur return data across eight jurisdictions in North America to test whether the presence or absence of wolves has caused a continent-wide shift in coyote and red fox Vulpes vulpes density. Our results support the existence of a continental scale cascade whereby coyotes outnumber red foxes in areas where wolves have been extirpated by humans, whereas red foxes outnumber coyotes in areas where wolves are present. However, for a distance of up to 200 km on the edge of wolf distribution, there is a transition zone where the effects of top-down control are weakened, possibly due to the rapid dispersal and reinvasion capabilities of coyotes into areas where wolves are sporadically distributed or at low densities. Our results have implications for understanding how the restoration of wolf populations across North America could potentially affect co-occurring predators and prey. We conclude that large carnivores may need to occupy large continuous areas to facilitate among-carnivore cascades and that studies of small areas may not be indicative of the effects of top-down mesopredator control.
The building-up of social relationships: behavioural types, social networks and cooperative breeding in a cichlid

Consistent individual differences in behavioural types may not only cause variation in life-history decisions, but may also affect the choice of social partners and sociality in general. Here, we tested whether and how behavioural type influences the establishment of social ties using the cooperatively breeding cichlid, Neolamprologus pulcher. In a habitat saturation experiment with individuals pre-tested for behavioural type, we first analysed whether behavioural type affected the likelihood of settlement (i.e. social status), group sizes, and the types of dominant and subordinate individuals accepted as group members. Corrected for effects of body size and sex, the behavioural type did not affect settlement. However, bold dominant males only accepted smaller females, and grouped with bold subordinates, while shy dominant males accepted larger females than themselves, and grouped with shy subordinates. Second, we analysed the relationships between behavioural type and the aggressiveness or affiliation social network. Behavioural type significantly affected the number and quality of connections within the two networks. We show that behavioural types affect group composition, social networks and status achieved, in interaction with body size. Thus, the interactions within groups may depend not only on age, size and sex, but also on the behavioural type of the individuals involved.
ISOLATION OF A GOLGI APPARATUS-RICH FRACTION FROM RAT LIVER

The thiamine pyrophosphatase (the enzyme [s] catalyzing the release of inorganic phosphate with thiamine pyrophosphate as the substrate) activities of Golgi apparatus-, plasma membrane-, endoplasmic reticulum-, and mitochondria-rich fractions from rat liver were compared at pH 8. Activity was concentrated in the Golgi apparatus fractions, which, on a protein basis, had a specific activity six to eight times that of the total homogenates or purified endoplasmic reticulum fractions. However, only 1–3% of the total activity was recovered in the Golgi apparatus fractions under conditions where 30–50% of the UDPgalactose:N-acetylglucosamine-galactosyl transferase activity was recovered. Considering both recovery of galactosyl transferase and fraction purity, we estimate that approximately 10% of the total thiamine pyrophosphatase activity of the liver was localized within the Golgi apparatus, with a specific activity of about ten times that of the total homogenate. Cytochemically, reaction product was found in the cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum as well as in the Golgi apparatus. This is in contrast to results obtained in most other tissues, where reaction product was restricted to the Golgi apparatus. Thus, enzymes of rat liver catalyzing the hydrolysis of thiamine pyrophosphate, although concentrated in the Golgi apparatus, are widely distributed among other cell components in this tissue.
Derivatives of Erythropoietin That Are Tissue Protective But Not Erythropoietic

Erythropoietin (EPO) is both hematopoietic and tissue protective, putatively through interaction with different receptors. We generated receptor subtype–selective ligands allowing the separation of EPO's bioactivities at the cellular level and in animals. Carbamylated EPO (CEPO) or certain EPO mutants did not bind to the classical EPO receptor (EPOR) and did not show any hematopoietic activity in human cell signaling assays or upon chronic dosing in different animal species. Nevertheless, CEPO and various nonhematopoietic mutants were cytoprotective in vitro and conferred neuroprotection against stroke, spinal cord compression, diabetic neuropathy, and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis at a potency and efficacy comparable to EPO.