Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolved and Random Perturbation Methods for Calculating Model Sensitivities and Covariances

Different ways of perturbing the initial condition of an ensemble of forecasts for the purpose of calculating sensitivity or covariance fields of model variables are examined. The three methods considered are: random perturbations at each grid-point, smoothed random perturbations, and perturbations that are evolved by the model through time from an earlier set of perturbations. A very large ensemble of model runs using spatially discrete perturbations is also compared for validation purposes. An ensemble size of 2000 members is used so as to reduce the noise in sensitivity fields. Covariances found from the three methods are highly accurate and nearly identical for any perturbation method. The calculation of sensitivity fields, however, is more dependent on the perturbation method. For the cases of evolved or smoothed perturbations, the spatial correlation of the perturbations leads to an inherent smoothing of the sensitivity fields. Sensitivity structures of scales smaller than the perturbation correlation distance can not be found. This is a particular problem for the evolved perturbations in the boundary layer. Furthermore, the spatial correlation of initial perturbations makes the calculation of sensitivity values inaccurate unless the complicated problem of separating the combined effects of correlated perturbations on the forecast is dealt with. Consequently, mathematically correct sensitivity values are only found by using initial perturbation fields that are spatially completely random.
Best Practices On Flood Prevention Protection And Mitigation

Flood Protection: Best Practices for Businesses Flood Panel Global warming, rising sea levels and rapidly growing cities are placing immense pressure on coastal cities, towns and subsistence communities. The U.S. Population Reference Bureau estimates that almost 6 billion people will be living within 200 kilometres of a coastline by 2025 – close to double the number in 2003. Population growth – along with . Continue reading "Best practices for .
Effects of media violence on health-related outcomes among young men.

OBJECTIVE To test the effects of media violence exposure on blood pressure, negative affect, hostile social information processing, uncooperative behavior, and attitudes toward health risk behaviors among young men varying in lifetime violence exposure within the home and community. DESIGN Experimental laboratory study. SETTING University campus situated within an urban environment. PARTICIPANTS One hundred male undergraduates aged 18 to 21 years. INTERVENTION Men who had previously reported differing amounts of lifetime home and community violence were randomly assigned to play The Simpsons: Hit and Run (low-violence condition) or Grand Theft Auto III (high-violence condition). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Systolic and diastolic blood pressure; negative affect; hostile social information processing; uncooperative behavior; and permissive attitudes toward violence, alcohol use, marijuana use, and sexual activity without condom use. RESULTS Men randomly assigned to play Grand Theft Auto III exhibited greater increases in diastolic blood pressure from a baseline rest period to game play, greater negative affect, more permissive attitudes toward using alcohol and marijuana, and more uncooperative behavior in comparison with men randomly assigned to play The Simpsons. Only among participants with greater exposure to home and community violence, play of Grand Theft Auto III led to elevated systolic blood pressure in comparison with play of The Simpsons (mean, 13 vs 5 mm Hg). CONCLUSIONS Media violence exposure may play a role in the development of negative attitudes and behaviors related to health. Although youth growing up in violent homes and communities may become more physiologically aroused by media violence exposure, all youth appear to be at risk for potentially negative outcomes.
Differential effects of lipid-lowering therapies on stroke prevention: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

BACKGROUND Previous overviews suggested that hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins), but not other lipid-lowering therapy (LLT), may reduce stroke incidence in coronary patients. OBJECTIVE To investigate the amplitude and sources of heterogeneity of LLT effects on stroke prevention. METHODS We searched the literature from 1966 to 2001 and then conducted a meta-analysis including randomized trials of primary and secondary coronary heart disease prevention, testing statins, nonstatin drugs, diet, or other interventions and providing data on stroke incidence. RESULTS The meta-analysis (38 trials, 83 161 patients, mean follow-up of 4.7 years) showed a significant relative risk reduction (RRR) of strokes by LLT of 17% (P<.001), without significant heterogeneity between trials and between subgroups according to either the type of prevention (primary or secondary) or the type of LLT. The most substantial effects were obtained, however, with statins (RRR, 26%). Effect model analysis showed that treatment benefit appeared constant whatever the risk of stroke, suggesting that LLT may be effective in a population with a higher risk of stroke. Weighted regression showed a significant correlation between RRR of stroke and total cholesterol levels (baseline, final, and change). Only final cholesterol allowed clear separation between benefit (RRR>0) and no effect (RRR<0) of LLT on stroke incidence, with a cutoff for benefit of 232 mg/dL (6.0 mmol/L). CONCLUSION Lipid-lowering therapy reduces stroke incidence in coronary patients, especially when total cholesterol level is lowered to less than 232 mg/dL (6.0 mmol/L), which explains the best results being obtained with statins.
SIFT based robust image watermarking resistant to resolution scaling

In this paper, a novel image watermarking scheme is proposed which is robust to resolution scaling. In the proposed method, SIFT (Scale Invariant Feature Transform) features are used which are invariant to rotation, translation and scaling. Most of the existing watermarking algorithms that uses SIFT features, fail to retain the watermark when the image is heavily scaled down. In the proposed scheme, a context coherent object or patch is inserted in the image such that it generates strong SIFT features. These newly generated SIFT features themselves work as a watermark. Since the SIFT features are invariant to scaling, these features can be extracted from any image resolution with high probability. The experimental results support the contention that the proposed method is considerably robust against resolution scaling.
The Throughput of Underwater Networks: Analysis and Validation using a Ray Tracing Simulator

We propose a theoretical framework to evaluate the expected throughput of underwater networks over an ensemble of node topologies and propagation environments. The analysis is based on the assumptions that the transmitters are spatially distributed according to a Poisson point process, and that the channel follows a Rayleigh fading distribution, with a mean that is determined by spreading loss and frequency-dependent absorption. We evaluate the probability of a successful transmission, i.e., the probability that the signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio at the typical receiver is greater than a given threshold, and determine the maximum network throughput density over the transmitter density and the operating frequency. The theoretical results are validated using a realistic underwater channel simulator based on ray tracing. It is demonstrated that, for a number of practical scenarios, the theoretical and simulated throughput match provided that the spreading-loss exponent is appropriately fitted to the simulation scenario. Overall, the proposed framework provides easy-to-obtain network throughput results, which can be used as a complement or an alternative to time-costly, deployment-dependent network simulations.
A Dynamic Schedule Based on Integrated Time Performance Prediction

Grid computing has a significant impact on the next generation information infrastructure where job schedules plan an important role. High performance grid schedule must select the appropriate resources which meet the requirement of the clients and ensure the jobs can be finished within deadline. However, current time-based grid schedule only consider part of the time factors to estimate the job execution. In this paper we have presented a new integrated approach for dynamic schedule based on time performance prediction. The algorithm has been introduced to calculate the dynamic priority and the shortest total execution time.
Effect of the Drying Process on the Intensification of Phenolic Compounds Recovery from Grape Pomace Using Accelerated Solvent Extraction

In light of their environmental and economic interests, food byproducts have been increasingly exploited and valorized for their richness in dietary fibers and antioxidants. Phenolic compounds are antioxidant bioactive molecules highly present in grape byproducts. Herein, the accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) of phenolic compounds from wet and dried grape pomace, at 45 °C, was conducted and the highest phenolic compounds yield (PCY) for wet (16.2 g GAE/100 g DM) and dry (7.28 g GAE/100 g DM) grape pomace extracts were obtained with 70% ethanol/water solvent at 140 °C. The PCY obtained from wet pomace was up to two times better compared to the dry byproduct and up to 15 times better compared to the same food matrices treated with conventional methods. With regard to Resveratrol, the corresponding dry pomace extract had a better free radical scavenging activity (49.12%) than the wet extract (39.8%). The drying pretreatment process seems to ameliorate the antiradical activity, especially when the extraction by ASE is performed at temperatures above 100 °C. HPLC-DAD analysis showed that the diversity of the flavonoid and the non-flavonoid compounds found in the extracts was seriously affected by the extraction temperature and the pretreatment of the raw material. This diversity seems to play a key role in the scavenging activity demonstrated by the extracts. Our results emphasize on ASE usage as a promising method for the preparation of highly concentrated and bioactive phenolic extracts that could be used in several industrial applications.
Analysis and design of energy-oriented security protocols for Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, we first review the architecture of the Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), and then the communication protocol stack and other technical backgrounds are analyzed, providing theoretical basis for further study of WSN routing protocols and algorithms. On energy supply, the paper studies how to improve the network life cycle by effective use of node energy, an event-driven clustering routing algorithm is proposed; in terms of security, against the popular belief that public key cryptographic schemes are not practical for sensors, a secure network communication mechanism based on ECC is proposed. Finally, the simulation results show the efficiency of event-driven clustering routing algorithm; and the energy loss of the security mechanism is analyzed, thereby we can ensure the security of communication in the context of saving energy. Keywords-Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), Routing Protocol, Node Localization, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN)
CMAC neural network Variable structure control of electrohydraulic servo systems using fuzzy

This paper presents a novel variable structure control (VSC) scheme based on the use of fuzzy cerebellar model articulation controller (FCMAC) for the control of electrohydraulic position servo systems. FCMAC is used to develop an adaptive equivalent control law by learning the uncertainties resulting from unmodelled dynamics and external disturbances. This feature makes it possible to use a small gain of the discontinuous control while satisfying the existence condition of the sliding mode in the presence of large uncertainties. As a result, the chattering is suppressed greatly, while the merits of the traditional VSC are maintained. The actual switching function is used to update the FCMAC weights and the existence of the sliding mode is proved. The simulations and experiments on a typical electrohydraulic position servo system are conducted to verify the effectiveness and robustness of the control scheme. Nomenclature a i,j Association cell A Association cell vector A p Cylinder piston cross sectional area (m 2) B p Viscous friction coeffcient (N.s/m) c Constant vector C d Discharge coeffcient (dimensionless) C t Total leakage coeffcient (m 5 /N.s) d 0 Estimated nominal value of d(·) d(t) External disturbance e(k) Closed-loop error at time step k f L External disturbance force (N) F L Driving force of the cylinder (N) f(·) Nonlinear function g 0 Estimated nominal value of g(·) gg(·) Nonlinear function I Applied current to the servo valve (A) i, j, k Serial numbers K a Gain of the ampliier (A/V) K f Gain of sensor transducer (V/m) K sv Servo valve gain (m/A) k 0 Positive gain of the discontinuous control term k 1 Positive constant M Middle association cell vectors m i,j Middle association cell M t Equivalent load mass (kg) n g Generalization size p L Load pressure (MPa) p s Supply pressure (MPa) Q L Load ow (m 3 /s) r Response of FCMAC s Switching function sgn(.) Signum function T Sampling time interval (s) u eq Equivalent control u n Output of FCMAC u s Discontinuous control V t Total uid volume (m 3) W Area gradient of the valve (m) W Weight vector x State vector of the system x v Servo valve displacement (m) X Input space of FCMAC y p Cylinder piston output (m) y r Reference input of the system (V) b Learning rate Jiang et al. 187 b e Fluid bulk modulus (N/m 2) d(x,t) Sum of uncertain …
The Impact of Demographic Change, Co-Morbidity and European Care Policies on the Choice of Care Arrangement

Recent literature on long-term care looks at the substitutability of informal and professional home-based care arrangements. Other factors that influence the utilization of informal care instead of formal care have been ignored in conditional analyses so far. However, regressors that represent demographic change and the development of co-morbidity are of crucial interest to forecast the future choice between different care services. Therefore, I use SHARE data from 2004 as they contain rich information on illnesses, health limitations, and health behavior. I estimate bivariate and multivariate probit models to identify the determinants of different care arrangements, namely informal care, professional home-based care, or a combination of both types, as well as living in a nursing home. Unobserved factors that affect all forms of care arrangements simultaneously can be accounted for. Moreover, I use data on European long-term care expenditure to examine the effects that public spending has on the choice of care arrangements. Simulations of different scenarios of demographic change illustrate that the developments in frailty are decisive for the future care market structure.
Effects of Running Velocity on Running Kinetics and Kinematics

Brughelli, M, Cronin, J, and Chaouachi, A. Effects of running velocity on running kinetics and kinematics. J Strength Cond Res 25(4): 933-939, 2011-Sixteen semiprofessional Australian football players performed running bouts at incremental velocities of 40, 60, 80, and 100% of their maximum velocity on a Woodway nonmotorized force treadmill. As running velocity increased from 40 to 60%, peak vertical and peak horizontal forces increased by 14.3% (effect size [ES] = 1.0) and 34.4% (ES = 4.2), respectively. The changes in peak vertical and peak horizontal forces from 60 to 80% were 1.0% (ES = 0.05) and 21.0% (ES = 2.9), respectively. Finally, the changes in peak vertical and peak horizontal forces from 80% to maximum were 2.0% (ES = 0.1) and 24.3% (ES = 3.4). In addition, both stride frequency and stride length significantly increased with each incremental velocity (p < 0.05). Conversely, contact times and the vertical displacement of the center of mass significantly decreased with increased running velocity (p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between horizontal force and maximum running velocity (r = 0.47). For the kinematic variables, only stride length was found to have a significant positive correlation with maximum running velocity (r = 0.66). It would seem that increasing maximal sprint velocity may be more dependent on horizontal force production as opposed to vertical force production.
An evaluation of high-throughput approaches to QTL mapping in S. cerevisiae

Dissecting the molecular basis of quantitative traits is a significant challenge, and is essential for understanding complex diseases. Even in model organisms, precisely determining causative genes and their interactions has remained elusive, due in part to difficulty in narrowing intervals to single genes, and in detecting epistasis or linked quantitative trait loci. These difficulties are exacerbated by limitations in experimental design, such as low numbers of analyzed individuals, and polymorphisms between parental genomes. We address these challenges by applying three independent high-throughput approaches for QTL mapping to map the genetic variants underlying eleven phenotypes in two genetically distant Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, namely: 1) individual analysis of over 700 meiotic segregants, 2) bulk segregant analysis, and 3) reciprocal hemizygosity analysis, a new genome-wide method we developed. We identified differences in the performance of each approach and, by combining them, identified eight polymorphic genes that affect eight different phenotypes: colony shape, flocculation, growth on non-fermentable carbon sources, and resistance to drugs, salt, and heat. Our results demonstrate the power of individual segregant analysis to dissect quantitative trait loci and address the underestimated contribution of interactions between variants. We also reveal confounding factors like mutations and aneuploidy in pooled approaches, providing valuable lessons for future designs of complex trait mapping studies.
Fingertips Detection Algorithm Based on Skin Colour Filtering and Distance Transformation

Multi-Fingertip location algorithm is always difficult and hot in Finger-based human-computer interaction systems. There are two major difficulties in this field: 1) obtaining accurate hand binary image, 2) locating fingertips in hand binary image. This article presented a multi-fingertip real-time track and location algorithm based on skin colour and distance transformation. The algorithm consists of the following steps. First, it use elliptical boundary model to detect skin colour of human hand in YCbCr colour spaces. After that, we use distance transformation to filter finger from hand, leaving palm area only. Meanwhile, it uses zero and first moment to calculate center of gravity of palm. Then the initial position of fingertips and finger-roots can be located by pixels of hand edge to the center of gravity of palm. Last, it accurately locates fingertips according to the position relationship between fingertips and finger-roots. Experimental results show fingertips can be located quickly and accurately by the algorithm, which fully meets the requirements of real-time computing tasks.
Life expectancy in cerebral palsy: an update

This paper clarifies and updates some issues of life expectancy in cerebral palsy. These are: (1) the definition of life expectancy and how it is calculated; (2) the secular trends that have occurred since the data for the 1998 paper were collected; (3) revised estimates reflecting improvements of some of the analytical methods and statistics provided in that paper; (4) comparison of life expectancies among countries; (5) issues regarding quality of care; and (6) consideration of prospective life expectations in addition to current life expectancy.
ONSET DETECTION BASED ON FUSION OF SIMPLS AND SUPERFLUX

In this paper, an onset detection method based on Simple Partial Least Squares (SIMPLS) is proposed and a system of fusing SIMPLS and SuperFlux is introduced. SIMPLS is an efficient approach to partial least squares regression which has been applied to classification tasks. To detect onsets in an audio file, the file is sampled discretely into frames and the signals are transferred into frequency domain. The information is then fed into SIMPLS to predict a short time frame is onset or not. A score is obtained for each frame as the possibility of being an onset, and post processing is conducted to pick the peaks. SuperFlux is a robust and fast onset detection method proposed by S. Böck et al. We combine the detection results of SIMPLS and SuperFlux on the decision level. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method could generate better F1-measure value than the individual methods.
Voltage stability assessment index for recognition of proper bus for load shedding

Nowadays, voltage stability of large interconnected power systems due to the multiplicity of the power system operation and control components, complicated configuration and overall performance of the systems have been recognized as a complex problem for identification of the fundamental mechanism of voltage stability. Contributory factors to voltage instability in power systems are heavy loading and faults occur in the system. Treating to alleviate heavy loading at the stressed bus requires selection of the proper bus, and it became a challenge to find and predict it easily especially in an interconnected system. In this paper, an assessment index of voltage stability is derived with supports of linear algebra through the Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) and Pseudo-inverse of the power flow Jacobian matrix. Singular values and right eigenvector are applied as indicators of load shedding recognition. Meanwhile, VSM (Voltage Stability Margin) enhancement is pursued through load shedding with ranking of sensitivity for assessment index. Finally, the study is tested on the IEEE 14-bus and 23-bus case studies as a point of reference were carried out to illustrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed assessment index.