Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toward a sensor-based threat warning system for patrols in MOUT scenarios

Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) require the capability to perceive and to analyse the situation around a patrol in order to recognize potential threats. Human operators can only observe a limited field of regard. Sensors can enhance the field of regard up to 360°, but then the amount of data cannot be fully exploited by a human operator any more. For this reason an intelligent assistance system is required that monitors the circumference of a moving platform and warns the driver of a threatening situation. One first processing step of such a system is the recognition of humans. There are numerous approaches to the detection of humans, mainly from stationary cameras. Moving cameras play a role in the field of pedestrian protection from a moving road vehicle. There are two principal differences to this latter application domain. Firstly, the threat in a MOUT scenario potentially arises from humans in the scene. Secondly, not only the trajectories of individual humans are relevant, but also the motion and the behavior of groups of humans. As a first step towards an assistance system that automatically warns drivers in a MOUT scenario, we implemented an approach to the detection of humans in video images and applied them to a relevant set of image sequences taken in a MOUT scenario. In the paper we assess the obtained results and outline further research activities.
A Rapid Optimization Scheme for the Simultaneous Optimization of S-Parameters and Radiation Patterns

For solving multiobjective electromagnetic (EM) problems, heuristic algorithms and surrogate-assisted models are widely utilized. However, most of the existing optimization schemes are not efficient and comprehensive when optimizing the S-parameters and radiation patterns of an antenna. This is caused by the high computational cost of EM simulations and the lack of universal antenna parametric models. To address this problem, a rapid optimization scheme based on surrogate-assisted parametric models (SAPMs) is proposed. Different from traditional surrogate-assisted models, the proposed model is utilized for mapping from design parameters to characteristic coefficients of the parametric models. In this way, the EM responses with regard to different design parameters can be predicted. The proposed scheme is implemented by a model-search-valid iteration and further validated on a patch antenna, an SIW cavity-backed slot antenna, and a flat-topped Fabry–Pérot cavity antenna. The validation results indicate that S-parameters and radiation patterns of an antenna can be simultaneously optimized with high efficiency. Compared with relevant works, the optimization efficiency and solution quality of the proposed scheme show a marked promotion, manifesting as the total time cost is significantly reduced to less than 30% and even only 6% of the time required in the state-of-the-art work.
The Role of Environmental Traditional Knowledge on Biodiversity Conservation in the Shir–Ahmad Wildlife Refuge– Iran

Traditional knowledge, indigenous knowledge or even local knowledge’s are refer to those kind of knowledge’s that local community are in believes and these are critical and necessary for surviving, over those region. The aim of this research is regarding to understanding the role of these traditional knowledge in environmental protection and biodiversity conservation in the Shir-Ahmad wildlife refuge in SabzevarIran with the help of questionnaire survey and floristic study of this wildlife and the villages near the study region. The Role of Environmental Traditional Knowledge on Biodiversity Conservation in the Shir-Ahmad Wildlife RefugeIran
Turbulent flow over and within a porous bed

The characteristics of turbulent flow in open channels with a porous bed are studied numerically and experimentally. The “microscopic” approach is followed, by which the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations are solved numerically in conjunction with a low-Re κ-e turbulence model above and within the porous bed. The latter is represented by a bundle of cylindrical rods of certain diameter and spacing, resulting in permeability \iK ranging from 5.5490×10\U-7\N to 4.1070×10\U-4\N m² and porosity φ from 0.4404 to 0.8286. Mean velocities and turbulent stresses are measured for φ= 0.8286 using hot-film anemometry. Emphasis is given to the effect of Darcy number Da on the flow properties over and within the porous region. Computed and experimental velocities in the free flow are shown to decrease with increasing Da due to the strong momentum exchange near the porous medium/free flow interface and the corresponding penetration of turbulence into the porous layer for highly permeable beds. Computed discharge indicates the significant reduction of the channel capacity, compared to the situation with an impermeable bed. On the contrary, laminar flow computations, along with analytical solutions and measurements, indicate opposite effects of the porous medium on the free flow.
A new small and dim targets detection and recognition algorithm based on infrared dual bands imaging system

In this paper, infrared radiation characteristics in different bands of flight targets, background and decoys are analyzed. According to the analytical results, a new small and dim targets detection and recognition algorithm based on infrared dual bands is present. Infrared dual bands imaging system includes infrared mid-wavelength imaging system and infrared long-wavelength imaging system. Images from these two imaging system are registered in time and space firstly. After background suppression, then the small and dim targets are detected from MW infrared images and LW infrared images respectively. At last, by using spatial correlation and spectral correlation of targets, interferes and decoys are eliminated from target candidates. The genuine targets are separated and recognized. The algorithm is applied to simulation dual bands images and real infrared dual band images. The experimental results show that the algorithm present in this paper is effective.
Mineralogy Drives Bacterial Biogeography of Hydrothermally Inactive Seafloor Sulfide Deposits

Mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal venting creates sulfide deposits containing gradients in mineralogy, fluid chemistry, and temperature. Even when hydrothermal circulation ceases, sulfides are known to host microbial communities. The relationship between mineralogy and microbial community composition in low-temperature, rock-hosted systems has not been resolved at any spatial scale, local or global. To examine the hypothesis that geochemistry of seafloor deposits is a dominant parameter driving environmental pressure for bacterial communities at low-temperature, the shared community membership, richness, and structure was measured using 16S rRNA gene sequences. The focus of the study was on hydrothermally inactive seafloor deposits from multiple locations within one deposit (e.g., single extinct chimney), within one vent field (intra-vent field), and among globally distributed vent fields from three ocean basins (inter-vent field). Distinct mineral substrates, such as hydrothermally inactive sulfides versus basalts, host different communities at low temperature in spite of close geographic proximity and contact with the same hydrothermally influenced deep-sea water. Furthermore, bacterial communities inhabiting hydrothermally inactive sulfide deposits from geographically distant locations cluster together in community cladograms to the exclusion of other deep-sea substrates and settings. From this study, we conclude that at low temperature, mineralogy was a more important variable determining microbial community composition than geographic factors. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Geomicrobiology Journal to view the supplemental file.
Estimating nonaqueous phase liquid spatial variability using partitioning tracer higher temporal moments

The use of interwell partitioning tracers to quantify the amount of nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) in porous media has been demonstrated in several laboratory and field tests. The primary emphasis of work to date has been on the use of first temporal moments of tracer breakthrough curve (BTC) data to estimate the average NAPL saturation. Here we extend the data analysis to the use of tracer BTC second and third temporal moments to estimate the statistical parameters characterizing the NAPL spatial distribution. In particular, we examine the fraction f of the streamlines that contain NAPL and the mean and standard deviation of the distribution of streamline trajectory‐average NAPL saturations. Two models are presented based on discretizing tracer swept volumes into contaminated and uncontaminated zones. The models are applied to data from three‐dimensional numerical simulations, two‐dimensional flow laboratory experiments, and field tests at two sites (Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and a dry cleaner in Jacksonville, Florida). For all cases considered here, good agreement was found between expected (measured) and estimated values of f, the fraction of the tracer swept zone that contained NAPL. The effects of nonlinear and nonequilibrium partitioning as well as correlations between NAPL saturation and saturated hydraulic conductivity are also considered.
Land use changes and trends in Human Appropriation of Above Ground Net Primary Production (HANPP) in India (1961–98)

Land use change has the potential to influence energy flows, standing crop and biomass turnover at a variety of scales. To understand and quantify the impact of land use change on natural systems, interdisciplinary approaches and concepts linking biophysical and socioeconomic factors are needed. One such approach for analysing the socioeconomic energy flows from land use changes is Human Appropriated Net Primary Production (HANPP). HANPP is defined as the difference between the net primary production of potential vegetation and the actual net primary production remaining in vegetation after harvest. In this study, we used HANPP to quantify the energy flows consequent upon land use/land cover change from 1961 to 1998 in India. Data from the Food and Agricultural Organization Statistics (FAOSTAT) covering land use/land cover estimates, crop production, harvest and fertilizer use data have been used to analyse the trends in HANPP. Land use changes between 1961 and 1998 indicate a small increase in agricultural areas from 58.2% to 60.8% and in forest and woodland areas from 19.0% to 23.2%. Actual above ground net primary production of vegetation increased from 1280.58 to 1818.23 Tg, an increase of approximately 1.4 times over 37 years. Although population increased exponentially, human appropriation of photosynthetic products did not rise as much due to increases in forest cover and agricultural production. Although the HANPP concept is a useful approach to analyse the trends in photosynthetic products brought about by land use changes and harvesting, more robust indicators are needed to understand the impacts associated with these changes. We discuss the relevance of the HANPP analysis results by focusing on land use/land cover change and exploring the inter-linkages between energy flows and environment.
Natural biopolymer-based hydrogels as designer matrices for organoid cultures

Matrigel, a mouse sarcoma-derived extract, is considered the gold standard for organoid cultures. However, it has several drawbacks, including inconsistent and ill-defined composition, varying quality between batches, and potential cancer-related health risks. These factors highlight the need to develop chemically defined alternatives to Matrigel. Natural biopolymers derived from living organisms have emerged as promising substitutes capable of creating chemically defined extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking materials to support organoids in a 3-dimensional (3D) environment. This article provides an overview of natural biopolymeric hydrogel-based bioengineering approaches for constructing 3D matrices resembling artificial ECM for organoid cultures. It discusses the latest developments in utilizing natural biopolymers to direct the growth, differentiation, and maturation of organoids, along with their translational applications in the fields of bioengineering and biomedicine. Additionally, the article offers perspectives on multidisciplinary research on natural biopolymer-based hydrogels for more practical applications as next-generation matrices for organoid cultures.
Interleukin 1β-Induced Production of H2O2 Contributes to Reduced Sigmoid Colonic Circular Smooth Muscle Contractility in Ulcerative Colitis

We have shown that neurokinin A-induced contraction of human sigmoid circular muscle (HSCM) is reduced in patients with ulcerative colitis and that interleukin (IL)-1β may play a role in this change. We now examine changes in the signal transduction pathway mediating neurokinin A-induced contraction of HSCM and explore the role of IL-1β and of H2O2 in these changes. In Fura 2-AM-loaded ulcerative colitis HSCM cells, neurokinin A- and caffeine-induced peak Ca2+ increase and cell shortening were significantly reduced. In normal cells, neurokinin A-induced contraction was decreased by protein kinase C inhibitor chelerythrine and by calmodulin inhibitor CGS9343B [1,3-dihydro-1-[1-[(4-methyl-4H,6H-pyrrolo[1,2-a][4,1]-benzoxazepin-4-yl)methyl]-4-piperidinyl]-2H-benzimidazol-2-one (1:1) maleate]. In ulcerative colitis muscle cells, contraction was inhibited only by chelerythrine but not by CGS9343B. IL-1β treatment of normal HSCM strips and cells reproduced the changes observed in ulcerative colitis. IL-1β-induced reduction in caffeine-induced peak Ca2+ increase and contraction was reversed by catalase, suggesting a role of H2O2. IL-1β-induced H2O2 production was inhibited by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase inhibitor PD98059 (2′-amino-3′-methoxyflavone) and by cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) inhibitor AACOCF3 (arachidonyltrifluoromethyl ketone), but neither by p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 [4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-imidazole] nor by nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) inhibitory peptide NF-κB SN50 (H-Ala-Ala-Val-Ala-Leu-Leu-Pro-Ala-Val-Leu-Leu-Ala-Leu-Leu-Ala-Pro-Val-Gln-Arg-Lys-Arg-Gln-Lys-Leu-Met-Pro-OH). IL-1β significantly increased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1)/ERK2 MAPKs and cPLA2 and IL-1β-induced cPLA2 phosphorylation was blocked by PD98059. We conclude that Ca2+ stores of HSCM cells may be reduced in ulcerative colitis and that the signal transduction pathway of neurokinin A-induced contraction switches from calmodulin- and protein kinase C-dependent in normal cells to protein kinase C-dependent in ulcerative colitis cells. IL-1β reproduces these changes, possibly by production of H2O2 via sequential activation of MAPKs (ERK1/ERK2) and cPLA2.
Modeling cross L shell impacts of magnetopause shadowing and ULF wave radial diffusion in the Van Allen belts

We present simulations of the outer electron radiation belt using a new ULF wave‐driven radial diffusion model, including empirical representations of loss due to chorus and plasmaspheric hiss. With an outer boundary condition constrained by in situ electron flux observations, we focus on the impacts of magnetopause shadowing and outward radial diffusion in the heart of the radiation belt. Third invariant conserving solutions are combined to simulate the L shell and time dependence of the differential flux at a fixed energy. Results for the geomagnetically quiet year of 2008 demonstrate not only remarkable cross L shell impacts from magnetopause shadowing but also excellent agreement with the in situ observations even though no internal acceleration source is included in the model. Our model demonstrates powerful utility for capturing the cross‐L impacts of magnetopause shadowing with significant prospects for improved space weather forecasting. The potential role of the plasmasphere in creating a third belt is also discussed.
Ichneumonid wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae): their classification and biology

The hymenopteran family Ichneumonidae compriises one of the largest single animal families. With around 2,300 British species, almost 10% of British insect species are ichneumonids. They can be found everywhere and studying them is very rewarding, but it is not without its difficulties. This book provides an extensively illustrated key for the identification of the 35 subfamilies of Ichneumonidae known to occur in Britain and Ireland (plus Brachycyrtinae, not yet found here). This is supported by chapters for each subfamily giving a comprehensive review of current knowledge on systematics, biology and host relations together with notes on useful recognition features and references to the most relevant species-level identification literature concerning the British Isels. Included in each British and Irish subfamily account is a folio of photographs covering all recognside tribes.
The impact of the Indonesian Throughflow and tidal mixing on the summertime sea surface temperature in the western Indonesian Seas

[1] A numerical model is used to investigate how the Indonesian Throughflow and tidal mixing are affecting the seasonal cycle of the sea surface temperature (SST) in the Indonesian Seas. The SST in these seas is considered to play a major role on the development of the Australian Summer Monsoon. Based on a quantitative assessment of the heat budget, the Indonesian Throughflow is found to affect the SST in the western Indonesian Seas primarily during Austral summer. The Throughflow advects the warm water from the Pacific and maintains the warm SST when the Northwestern Monsoonal wind induces coastal upwelling along the northern side of the Nusa Tenggara and cools the SST. Such balance is supported by observations. The hydrographic sections show the isotherms tilting upward toward the northern coast of the Nusa Tenggara when satellite observations show slight decrease of the SST in the region. Tidal mixing is found to cool the SST during summer the most. This is because the Northwest Monsoonal wind induces coastal upwelling near where strong tidal mixing above seamount occurs and brings the tidally well-mixed upper thermocline water to the surface. The surface Ekman flow also spreads this cool water around the Banda Sea where tidal mixing does not occur. The impact of tidal mixing on the SST is also found to come largely from that occurring above seamounts. The impact of tidal mixing on the continental shelves is limited to shelf-breaks because cold subsurface water is necessary for enhanced vertical mixing to cool the SST.
Storage of carbon dioxide by greening the oceans

The widespread use of fossil energy results in the release of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere at an average rate of 5.9 petagrams of carbon per year (Pg C yr-1; 1 Pg = 1015 g) (Sabine et al., Chapter 2, this volume). The resulting rapid increase of atmospheric CO2 is a major factor in global warming (Houghton et al. 2001). Because of the potential risks of climate change, it is crucial to consider how to curb fossil-fuel CO2 emissions and whether techniques are available to absorb atmospheric CO2. Such a consideration requires weighing the economic, societal, and environmental costs of climate change relative to those of reducing CO2 emissions and implementing CO2 sequestration. The oceans absorb roughly 30 percent of contemporary CO2 emissions caused by human activity (Sabine et al., Chapter 2, this volume). Sluggish exchange between surface waters and the deep ocean sets the maximum rate for net oceanic CO2 uptake and makes it a slow process relative to the rapid anthropogenic CO2 release. If anthropogenic CO2 emissions were stopped now, the oceans would eventually take up 70–80 percent of the CO2 emissions, over a period of several centuries (Maier-Reimer and Hasselmann 1987; Archer et al. 1997). Past and current oceanic CO2 uptake reduces the capacity for future oceanic CO2 absorption (Matear and Hirst 1999). It also influences oceanic pH (Archer et al. 1998), calcification (Gattuso et al. 1998; Riebesell et al. 2000), and the marine ecosystem (Houghton et al. 2001). Warming of surface waters and possible changes in oceanic circulation caused by climate change will have indirect effects on the physical and biological carbon pumps in the oceans (Sarmiento et al. 1998; Matear and Hirst 1999). These changes will provide positive, as well as negative, feedbacks on oceanic CO2 uptake, the atmospheric CO2 content, and climate change. Because the oceans absorb so much of the CO2 emitted by human activity, it is not
The effectiveness of N2O in depleting stratospheric ozone

Recently, it was shown that of the ozone‐depleting substances currently emitted, N2O emissions (the primary source of stratospheric NOx) dominate, and are likely to do so throughout the 21st century. To investigate the links between N2O and NOx concentrations, and the effects of NOxon ozone in a changing climate, the evolution of stratospheric ozone from 1960 to 2100 was simulated using the NIWA‐SOCOL chemistry‐climate model. The yield of NOx from N2O is reduced due to stratospheric cooling and a strengthening of the Brewer‐Dobson circulation. After accounting for the reduced NOx yield, additional weakening of the primary NOxcycle is attributed to reduced availability of atomic oxygen, due to a) stratospheric cooling decreasing the atomic oxygen/ozone ratio, and b) enhanced rates of chlorine‐catalyzed ozone loss cycles around 2000 and enhanced rates of HOx‐induced ozone depletion. Our results suggest that the effects of N2O on ozone depend on both the radiative and chemical environment of the upper stratosphere, specifically CO2‐induced cooling of the stratosphere and elevated CH4 emissions which enhance HOx‐induced ozone loss and remove the availability of atomic oxygen to participate in NOx ozone loss cycles.
Scale‐aware integral constraints on autoconversion and accretion in regional and global climate models

We describe a novel method to constrain autoconversion and accretion rates in climate models. The method offers two desirable features that might ultimately help to effectively eliminate autoconversion efficiency as a free tuning parameter in climate models. Firstly, it can be constrained based on concurrent observations of column integrated cloud properties, namely cloud droplet number concentration, liquid water path, and precipitation rate. Secondly, the scale‐dependency of autoconversion can be incorporated and resolved explicitly. The new method was implemented into the University of Hawaii’s regional climate model iRAM. A series of test integrations were performed at horizontal resolutions ranging from 0.25° × 0.25° to 2° × 2°. The constrained approach was compared with a conventional approach commonly found in current climate models. Comparisons with an observational climatology of cloud liquid water path reveal significant improvements, in particular a better consistency between different model resolutions.