Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An image alignment based framework for ground vehicle tracking from an air-borne platform

Ground vehicle tracking is an important component of Aerial Video Surveillance System (AVS), which has important military and civilian uses. This paper presents an image alignment based framework for ground vehicle tracking from an air-borne platform, which can precisely track a pointed out vehicle and get back it when it reappear. We track a set of point features of the selected vehicle by the technique of image alignment. An edge feature-based outlier rejection criterion, a Kalman filter and a reappearance verification program are used to make the proposed tracking system perform excellently under complicated conditions. Experimental results on real aerial images show that the proposed framework is rational and robust.
Using InSAR to detect active deformation associated with faults in Suban field, South Sumatra Basin, Indonesia

Abstract Suban field in southern Sumatra, Indonesia, is a fractured carbonate/crystalline wet-gas reservoir in a tectonically active island-arc setting. Reservoir-scale right-oblique reverse faults and folds that have trapped the hydrocarbons have been related previously to deformation in the back-arc setting of Sumatra associated with oblique subduction of the Indo-Australian Plate at the Sunda trench. Increased well productivity in some parts of the field was inferred to correlate with completing wells in the damage zones of critically stressed faults. Satellite interferometry acquired in 2008 through 2011 involving specially stacked and filtered interferograms, following prior applications to heavy-oil fields and Arctic sea ice, reveals active deformation in Suban field. Several areas of localized subsidence potentially exceeding ∼5 mm/yr have been identified in the field. Horizontal movements of comparable magnitude were resolved above the major right-oblique, critically stressed fault zone in the sou.
Composite imaging of auroral forms and convective flows during a substorm cycle

[1] Measurements obtained with the electronically steerable Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR) and collocated all-sky camera were used to construct composite images of ionospheric convective flows and auroral forms during a substorm cycle (onset 26 March 2008, 1146 UT). PFISR was configured to sample an array of 5 × 5 regularly spaced beams on a pulse-by-pulse basis, from which velocity vectors were computed via statistical inversion of groups of beams. Flow fields were resolved at 30 km spatial resolution at 2 min temporal resolution over a 100 × 100 km field and then geographically registered with all-sky imagery recorded at 20 s cadence. An analysis of the composite images has revealed interesting contrasts between growth-, expansion-, and recovery-phase auroras, for example, (1) anticorrelation of ion velocity (electric field) and luminosity (plasma density, hence, conductance) in both space and time during growth phase and expansion phase; (2) identical flow (magnitude and direction) inside and outside the aurora during recovery phase; (3) a large tangential flow component along auroral boundaries during both growth and recovery phase (consistent with electric field directed into the aurora), irrespective of the orientation of the arc boundary; and (4) large relative drift (∼2 km/s) between auroral forms and convective flow during recovery phase. These features are interpreted in the context of previous ground-based and space-borne observations. Future PFISR experiments are expected to enable flow field construction at 30 s cadence, which will resolve Alfven transit time dynamics to putative substorm initiation regions and significantly clarify the observations presented herein.
The Arctic-Alpine and Montane Mosses of the Gulf of St. Lawrence Region Part I: Montane Element

Abstract. Montane mosses are an important component of the flora in the Gulf of St. Lawrence region, where many species are rare and/or disjunct from the Arctic or the Western Cordillera. This paper presents an annotated list for 44 montane species as documentation for conservation work and future studies. One species, Orthotrichum rupestre, is reported new to the region from Newfoundland. Occurrence in the Gulf region, global distribution, literature references, and conservation status are given for all taxa.
Mindoro Strait and Sibutu Passage transports estimated from satellite data

This study investigates the Mindoro Strait and Sibutu Passage transports using remotely‐sensed sea surface height (SSH) and ocean‐bottom‐pressure (OBP) data. The analysis reveals the existence of a persistent baroclinic pressure gradient that drives a deepwater overflow from the South China Sea into the Sulu Sea. The application of hydraulic theory combined with the “geostrophic control” formula yields a mean transport estimate of about 2.4 Sv (1 Sv = 106 m3 s−1) through the Mindoro Strait and about 2.8 Sv through the Sibutu Passage. Most of this water enters the Sulu Sea through the bottom layer of the Mindoro Strait and exits the Sulu Sea in the upper layer of the Sibutu Passage. The analysis also provides the first satellite‐based observational evidence on the seasonal and interannual variation of the Mindoro Strait and Sibutu Passage transports for the period from January 2004 to December 2007.
Leptin promotes the growth of breast cancer by upregulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway

The present study aimed to investigate the role of leptin in the growth of breast cancer. In the present study, expression of leptin in tumor tissues and adjacent tissues was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Serum leptin in patients with breast cancer and normal healthy controls was detected by ELISA. Different concentrations of leptin were used to treat breast cancer cells, and cell proliferation was detected by cell proliferation assay. Interactions between leptin and Wnt/β-catenin were evaluated by western blotting. It was demonstrated that expression of leptin mRNA was significantly higher in tumor tissues than in adjacent tissues in 43 out of 48 patients. Serum level of leptin was significantly higher in patients with breast cancer than in normal controls. Leptin promoted the proliferation of breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Leptin significantly increased the expression level of β-catenin in breast cancer cells. Treatment with Wnt inhibitor reduced the enhancing effects of leptin on proliferation of breast cancer cells. The results of the present study therefore indicate that leptin may promote the growth of breast cancer by upregulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
Homeobox B4 inhibits breast cancer cell migration by directly binding to StAR-related lipid transfer domain protein 13

The present study aimed to investigate the role of homeobox B4 (HOXB4) in breast cancer. Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas data revealed that HOXB4 expression was positively associated with expression of the StAR-related lipid transfer domain protein 13 (STARD13), and the overall survival of patients with breast cancer. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays demonstrated that HOXB4 expression was downregulated in breast cancer tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues and was additionally positively associated with STARD13 expression. HOXB4 promoted STARD13 expression in breast cancer cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays confirmed that HOXB4 directly bound to the STARD13 promoter. Additionally, HOXB4 inhibited breast cancer cell migration and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition through the STARD13/Ras homolog (Rho) family member A/Rho associated protein kinase signaling pathway. HOXB4 overexpression enhanced the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to doxorubicin and reversed resistance in doxorubicin-resistant cells. Overall, the results indicated that HOXB4 inhibited breast cancer cell migration and enhanced the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to doxorubicin by targeting STARD13.
Sediment Yield and Water Quality from a Steep-Slope Surface Mine Spoil

ABSTRACT SEDIMENT yield and storm runoff water quality from a steep-slope, back-to-contour, coal surface mining spoil in the New River Basin of Tennessee were monitored for a period of three years. Sediment and mineral constituent concentrations observed in storm runoff from the spoil increased to a maximum 1.1 to 1.3 years following the completion of mining, then declined. This increase was associated with the loss of mulch provided at reclamation and the onset of rill and gully erosion. Maximum sediment yield also occurred within this period. By the end of the third (3rd) year following mining, a dense and uniform vegetative cover had become established on the spoil. Sediment, iron, and manganese concentrations decreased to premining levels and met Federal mine effluent standards. Calcium and magnesium concentrations, however, remained elevated above premining levels indicating chemical weathering of the spoil surface continued after sediment production had subsided. The runoff studied is non-acid.
MYCL promotes the progression of triple-negative breast cancer by activating the JAK/STAT3 pathway

The present study aimed to investigate the underlying regulatory mechanism of MYCL proto-oncogene (MYCL) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) progression. In vitro experiments were performed to confirm the functional roles of MYCL in TNBC, and its effects on the JAK/STAT3 pathway through flow cytometric analysis, colony formation, wound healing and Transwell assays. In addition, the GSE45498 dataset demonstrated that MYCL was upregulated in TNBC and that it was significantly related to poor survival of patients with TNBC. Knockdown of MYCL induced the apoptosis, and suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion of TNBC cells by inhibiting the JAK/STAT3 pathway. Notably, MYCL could activate the JAK/STAT3 pathway, whereas inhibition of the JAK/STAT3 pathway could eliminate the effect of MYCL on TNBC cells. Knockdown of MYCL also suppressed the growth of TNBC xenograft tumors. In conclusion, MYCL could promote TNBC progression by activating the JAK/STAT3 pathway.
Discovery of rules in urban public facility distribution based on DBSCAN clustering algorithm

Recently Spatial Data Mining (SDM) has been recognized as a powerful technology that can complement traditional GIS to facilitate urban planning and management since it can be used to discover interesting, implicit knowledge from spatial database. DBSCAN spatial clustering algorithm as a SDM method is able to effectively discover clusters of arbitrary shape in large database with noise points. In this paper we applied this algorithm to detect distribution patterns of urban public facilities in a developed city, including primary school, high school and commercial facilities. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis were carried out to investigate how to determine optimal values of input parameters for DBSCAN algorithm, and the distribution patterns of public facilities were assessed against urban planning design standard using the algorithm.
Tracing groundwater nitrate sources in the Dakar suburban area: an isotopic multi‐tracer approach

The Dakar region is a mega city with multiple contaminant sources from urban expansion as well as industrial and agricultural activities. The major part of the region is underlain by unconfined sandy aquifer, which is vulnerable to contaminants derived from human land use. At present, the contaminated groundwater which extends over a large area in the suburban zone of Thiaroye poses a threat to the future of this valuable resource, and more specifically, a health threat. This study focuses on nitrate pollution occurrences and associated processes using nitrate isotope data (15NNO3, 18ONO3) combined with environmental isotopic tracers (18O, 2H, and 3H). Samples from 36 wells were collected to determine the level, distribution, and sources of contamination in relation to land use. Results indicate that shallow groundwater in the urbanized area of Thiaroye shows distinct evidence of surface contamination with nitrate as much as 300 mg/l NO3−. In rural area not serviced by water supply distribution network, much higher NO3− contents were found in few wells due to household and livestock feedlots. In most groundwater samples δ15N values ranged from + 10 to + 22‰, indicative of predominantly human and animal wastes. This was confirmed by environmental isotope data which suggest a mixture of polluted recharge waters. By using the dual δ15N vs δ18O as well as δ15N vs NO3− approach, denitrification may occur to some extent but it is blurred by mixing with new infiltrated nitrates and cycling derived from continuous leaky septic system. Results suggest that nitrate contamination of the aquifer is a consequence of unregulated urbanisation (homemade latrines), continuing contaminant transfer in shallow water depth where aerobic conditions prevail. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of Cartographic Analysis for Determining the Morphometric Features of Selected Groups of Glacial Configuration Forms

Abstract Using a hypsometric map, an analysis was performed of selected morphometric features of topographic profiles differing in terms of origin. The research was based on uniform source materials, namely topographic maps of Poland on a scale of 1:10 000. The spatial distribution of morphometric features has been presented using geometrical cartograms. Summary cartograms, based on normalised and summed up values of individual features, were also developed. A comparative analysis of cartograms was performed in order to establish dominant features. It was established that each of the researched genetic topographic profile types has characteristic morphometric features. Getting its meaning may be helpful when determining the origin and age of topographic profiles. It was also demonstrated that when analysing the morphometry of terrain, it is sufficient to consider dominant features only.
Restoration of an Oil-Contaminated St. Lawrence River Shoreline: Bioremediation and Phytoremediation

ABSTRACT The purpose of this field study was to evaluate bioremediation and phytoremediation in restoring an oil-contaminated freshwater shoreline. Weathered Mesa light crude oil was released intentionally onto small plots in the upper intertidal zone of a study site located along the St. Lawrence River. Treatments were established to examine the effect of nutrient addition and the role of plants (Scirpus pungens) on the removal of oil constituents from the contaminated plots. Fertilizers under evaluation included sodium nitrate, prilled ammonium nitrate, and triple super phosphate. Composite core samples were collected after 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 21 weeks for identification of remaining oil constituents by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). To account for differences because of physical washout, all oil constituents were normalized to the conservative biomarker hopane. Although bioremediation and phytoremediation treatments achieved slightly better degradation of hydrocarbons than natural.
Direct observation of OH production from the ozonolysis of olefins

Ozone olefin reactions may be a significant source of OH in the urban atmosphere, but current evidence for OH production is indirect and contested. We report the first direct observation of OH radicals from the reaction of ozone with a series of olefins (ethene, isoprene, trans‐2‐butene and 2,3 dimethyl‐2‐butene) in 4–6 torr of nitrogen. Using LIF to directly observe the steady‐state of OH produced by the initial ozone‐olefin reaction and subsequently destroyed by the OH‐olefin reaction, we are able to establish OH yields broadly consistent with indirect values. The identification of the OH is unequivocal, and there is no indication that it is produced by a secondary process. To support these observations, we present a complete ab‐initio potential energy surface for the O3‐ethene reaction, extending from the reactants to available products.
Venus Radar Mapper (VRM): Multimode Radar System Design

The surface of Venus has remained a relative mystery because of the very dense atmosphere that is opaque to visible radiation and, thus, normal photographic techniques used to explore the other terrestrial objects in the solar system are useless. The atmosphere is, however, almost transparent to radar waves and images of the surface have been produced via earth based and orbital radars. The technique of obtaining radar images of a surface is variously called side looking radar, imaging radar, or synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The radar requires a moving platform in which the antenna is side looking. High resolution is obtained in the cross-track or range direction by conventional radar pulse encoding. In the along-track or azimuth direction, the resolution would normally be the real antenna beam width, but for the SAR case, a much longer antenna (or much sharper beam) is obtained by moving past a surface target as shown in Figure 1, and then combining the echoes from many pulses, by using the doppler data, to obtain the images.
Influences of band-correlated noise on FVC by VI-isoline based LMM: characteristic behavior of propagated error

Fraction of vegetation cover (FVC) has been used for environmental studies of both regional and global scale, and data products of similar kinds have been generated from several agencies. Although there are differences in sensors/datasets used and algorithms employed among those products, many of those use spectral mixture analysis either directly or indirectly, and/or assume an essence of spectral mixture in their models. In the FVC estimations, noises in reflectance spectra of both target and endmember are propagated into the estimated FVC. Those propagation mechanisms such as patterns and degree of influences need to be clarified analytically, where this study tries to contribute. The objective of this study is to investigate characteristics of the noise propagation into the estimated FVC based on one of the linear mixture models known as VI-isoline based LMM. In order to facilitate analytical discussions, the number of endmember spectra is limited into two. In addition, a band-correlated noise is assumed in both reflectance spectrum of a target pixel and endmember spectra of vegetation and non-vegetation surfaces. The propagated error in FVC from those spectra is analytically derived. The derived expressions indicated that the characteristic behavior of the propagated errors exists such that there are certain conditions among the band correlated noises which result in the cancellations of propagated errors on FVC value (it looks as if the spectra are noise-free). Findings of this study would reveal unknown behavior of the propagated noise, and would contribute better understanding of FVC retrieval algorithms of this kind.
A primer on the geological occurrence of gas hydrate

Abstract Natural gas hydrates occur world-wide in polar regions, usually associated with onshore and offshore permafrost, and in sediment of outer continental and insular margins. The total amount of methane in gas hydrates probably exceeds 1019 g of methane carbon. Three aspects of gas hydrates are important: their fossil fuel resource potential; their role as a submarine geohazard; and their effects on global climate change. Because gas hydrates represent a large amount of methane within 2000 m of the Earth’s surface, they are considered to be an unconventional, unproven source of fossil fuel. Because gas hydrates are metastable, changes of pressure and temperature affect their stability. Destabilized gas hydrates beneath the sea floor lead to geological hazards such as submarine slumps and slides, examples of which are found world-wide. Destabilized gas hydrates may also affect climate through the release of methane, a ‘greenhouse’ gas, which may enhance global warming and be a factor in global climate change.
Dust measurements in the Jovian magnetosphere

Dust measurements have been obtained with the dust detector onboard the Galileo spacecraft inside a distance of about 60RJ from Jupiter (Jupiter radius, RJ = 71,492 km) during two periods of about 8 days around Galileo's closest approaches to Ganymede on 27 June and on 6 Sept 1996. The impact rate of submicrometer‐sized particles fluctuated by a factor of several hundred with a period of about 10 hours, implying that their trajectories are strongly affected by the interaction with the Jovian magnetic field. Concentrations of small dust impacts were detected at the times of Ganymede closest approaches that could be secondary ejecta particles generated upon impact of other particles onto Ganymede's surface. Micrometer‐sized dust particles, which could be on bound orbits about Jupiter, are concentrated in the inner Jovian system inside about 20RJ from Jupiter.
Deformation across the Pacific-North America plate boundary near San Francisco, California

We have detected a narrow zone of compression between the Coast Ranges and the Great Valley, and we have estimated slip rates for the San Andreas, Rodgers Creek, and Green Valley faults just north of San Francisco. These results are based on an analysis of campaign and continuous Global Positioning System (GPS) data collected between 1992 and 2000 in central California. The zone of compression between the Coast Ranges and the Great Valley is 25 km wide. The observations clearly show 3.8±1.5 mm yr−1 of shortening over this narrow zone. The strike slip components are best fit by a model with 20.8±1.9 mm yr−1 slip on the San Andreas fault, 10.3±2.6 mm yr−1 on the Rodgers Creek fault, and 8.1±2.1 mm yr−1 on the Green Valley fault. The Pacific-Sierra Nevada-Great Valley motion totals 39.2±3.8 mm yr−1 across a zone that is 120 km wide (at the latitude of San Francisco). Standard deviations are one σ. The geodetic results suggest a higher than geologic rate for the Green Valley fault. The geodetic results also suggest an inconsistency between geologic estimates of the San Andreas rate and seismologic estimates of the depth of locking on the San Andreas fault. The only convergence observed is in the narrow zone along the border between the Great Valley and the Coast Ranges.
Indexing seasonal abundance of humpback whales around Abrolhos Archipelago, Bahia, Brazil

The waters surrounding Abrolhos Archipelago, Brazil, serve as one of several winter grounds for southern-hemisphere humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ). Development of tourism in this region has caused concern over disturbance effects to breeding and nursing whales. To document the chronology of humpback abundance around Abrolhos, three years of visual-scan data obtained during July through November 1998-2000 were analyzed. During 1-hour scans, observers visually tracked all groups within 9.3km and nearly 360° around a land-based theodolite station to determine group size, composition and behavior. Including only groups of known size, hourly counts (n=462) of adult and calf humpback whales ranged from 0-31 and 0-9, respectively. Group size could not be determined for 255 of 2146 groups observed. Humpback whale abundance was seasonal: there were few in early July when surveys began, peaked in early September, and then gradually declined to zero by late November. Based on Poisson regression, the annual chronology of whale occupancy was relatively invariant. Peak counts averaged about 15 adult whales per hour. Although no evidence was found that the timing of peak counts varied, peak abundance varied among years, and more whales were seen during morning than afternoon. The mean number of adults per group did not vary over time (year, day of year, or time of day), but the likelihood of group size being indeterminate varied predictably. Thus, indices of abundance could be adjusted by assuming that the size of indeterminate groups equals mean group size. Calf abundance varied with adult abundance, and the proportion of groups with calves increased from July through November. The high frequency of groups containing a calf (49.8%) within 9.3km of the Abrolhos Archipelago demonstrated the importance of this area for calves, and proper management is recommended.