Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A new method of reconstructing VHE γ-ray spectra: the Template Background Spectrum

Context. Very-high-energy (VHE, E > 0. 1T eV)γ-ray emission regions with angular extents comparable to the field-of-view of current imaging air-Cherenkov telescopes (IACT) require additional observations of source-free regions to estimate the background contribution to the energy spectrum. This reduces the effective observation time and deteriorates the sensitivity. Aims. A new method of reconstructing spectra from IACT data without the need of additional observations of source-free regions is developed. Its application is not restricted to any specific IACT or data format. Methods. On the basis of the template background method, which defines the background in air-shower parameter space, a new spectral reconstruction method from IACT data is developed and studied, the Template Background Spectrum (TBS); TBS is tested on published H.E. S.S. data and H.E. S.S. results. Results. Good agreement is found between VHE γ-ray spectra reported by the H.E. S.S. collaboration and those re-analysed with TBS. This includes analyses of point-like sources, sources in crowded regions, and of very extended sources down to sources with fluxes of a few percent of the Crab nebula flux and excess-to-background ratios around 0.1. However, the TBS background normalisation introduces new statistical and systematic errors which are accounted for, but may constitute a limiting case for very faint extended sources. Conclusions. The TBS method enables the spectral reconstruction of data when other methods are hampered or even fail. It does not need dedicated observations of VHE γ-ray-free regions (e.g. as the On/Off background does) and circumvents known geometrical limitations to which other methods (e.g. the reflected-region background) for reconstructing spectral information of VHE γ-ray emission regions are prone to; TBS would be, in specific cases, the only feasible way to reconstruct energy spectra.
Cognitive Evolution and Religion: Cognition and Religious Evolution

This paper presents contemporary cognitive approaches to the evolution of religious beliefs. Arguments are put forward that different types of beliefs, or ‘modes of religiosity’, occur as a result of a number of evolutionary factors (biological, cultural, socio-political etc). At the same time, religions across the world retain a significant level of common and shared elements, also explained in evolutionary terms.
Predictors of Perforated Appendix among Children

Objective: This study explores whether nominal demographics, symptoms, signs and laboratory predictors can determine a perforated appendix in pediatric population at an urban community hospital. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed including variables such as demographics, clinical signs, symptoms and laboratory predictors. The patient population consisted of all children between the ages of 0 and 18 years who were treated for acute appendicitis between January 2014-December 2014. Patients with perforated appendicitis were identified using coding data. Results: During the 1-year period, 74 patients were treated for appendicitis. Using correlation and logistic regression, nineteen variables were assessed for any relationship to a ruptured appendix in these patients. No substantial correlations were detected. Conclusions: There have been reports of racial and socioeconomic disparities with regards to perforated appendicitis in children. However, there is not enough evidence in the literature that supports the prediction of perforated appendix based on clinical and laboratory values. This study, at Saint Anthony Hospital, found no correlation between socioeconomic status, clinical presentation, laboratory values and ruptured appendix.
Applying Bayesian networks and belief propagation to error correction coding

Telecommunication standards utilise numerous different subsystems to improve the quality of voice and data communications. One of these subsystems is tasked with error detection and control within the transmitted streams. This is accomplished using numerous different error correction codes for various scenarios. This article investigates the use of a Bayesian network as a universal channel decoder for the two main branches of algebraic codes. This graph-based approach is visually intuitive and is found to produce similar results to the best performing decoders in use today. A graphical representation of a multi-path channel equaliser is incorporated into the Bayesian network, obtaining near optimal performance. References G. Colavolpe. On LDPC codes over channels with memory. IEEE T. Wirel. Commun. , 5(7):1757–1766, 2006. doi:10.1109/TWC.2006. 1673087 . C. Douillard, M. Jezequel, C. Berrou, A. Picart, P. Didier, and A. Glavieux. Iterative correction of intersymbol interference: Turbo-equalization. Eur. T. Telecommun. , 6(5):507–511, 1995. doi:10.1002/ett.4460060506 . R. G. Gallager. Low-density parity-check codes . PhD thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1963. http://www.rle. mit.edu/rgallager/documents/ldpc.pdf . R. J. McEliece, D. J. C. MacKay, and J.-F. Cheng. Turbo decoding as an instance of Pearl's ``belief propagation'' algorithm. IEEE J. Sel. Area. Comm. , 16(2):140–152, 1998. doi:10.1109/49.661103 H. C. Myburgh, J. C Olivier, and A. J. van Zyl. Reduced complexity turbo equalization using a dynamic bayesian network. EURASIP J. Adv. Sig. Pr. , 2012:136, 2012. doi:10.1186/1687-6180-2012-136 . J. Pearl. Fusion, propagation, and structuring in belief networks. Artif. Intell. , 29(3):241–288, 1986. doi:10.1016/0004-3702(86)90072-X . J. Pearl. Probabilistic reasoning in intelligent systems: networks of plausible inference . Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, 1988. J. G. Proakis and D. G. Manolakis. Digital communications McGraw-Hill New York, 1995. International Telecommunication Union. Requirements related to technical performance for IMT-Advanced radio interface(s). Technical report, http://www.itu. int/pub/R-REP-M.2134-2008 , 2008. A. J. Viterbi. Error bounds for convolutional codes and an asymptotically optimum decoding algorithm. IEEE T. Inform. Theory , 13(2):260–269, 1967. doi:10.1109/TIT.1967. 1054010 .
Time to depth conversion and uncertainty characterization for SAGD base of pay in the McMurray formation

Summary The Athabasca Oil Sands of northern Alberta are a source of vast amounts of bitumen, estimated at approximately 1.7 trillion barrels. In-situ technologies, primarily Steam-Assisted-Gravity-Drainage (SAGD), are economically viable recovery schemes for almost two thirds of these enormous resources. A key aspect of deployment of SAGD as the recovery technique is proper horizontal well placement. A very important factor in a successful horizontal well placement is accurate detection of the SAGD base of pay surface and quantification of the associated uncertainty of the reservoir conformance. In this study, the target reservoir is characterized by stacked fluvio-estuarine channels of clean sand deposited within an overall transgressive system tract, where the SAGD base of pay is often characterized by either the Devonian or the so-called “middle McMurray” composite incision surface. The primary source of data to identify the SAGD base of pay are the well tops, while seismic data that are picked in the time domain are often treated as a soft secondary source of information. The focus in this study is to apply geostatistical tools to model the SAGD base of pay by using (1) well tops only, (2) well tops and seismic patches that are often available in the first pass and prior to picking of the full surface in the time domain, and (3) well tops and the fully picked seismic surface. For this purpose, geostatistical techniques such as Ordinary Kriging (OK), Kriging with Error (KERR) and Kriging with External Drift (KED) are applied, and the calculation of a linear velocity model is exercised. The results show the range and structure of spatial correlation of error and its associated anisotropy, as well as the value of seismic data integration in reduction of uncertainty in the modeling of SAGD base of pay.
The Westerbork Hydrogen Accretion in LOcal GAlaxieS (HALOGAS) survey I. Survey description and pilot observations

We introduce a new, very deep neutral hydrogen (H i) survey being performed with the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT). The Westerbork Hydrogen Accretion in LOcal GAlaxieS (HALOGAS) Survey is producing an archive of some of the most sensitive H i observations available, on the angular scales which are most useful for studying faint, diffuse gas in and around nearby galaxies. The survey data are being used to perform careful modeling of the galaxies, characterizing their gas content, morphology, and kinematics, with the primary goal of revealing the global characteristics of cold gas accretion onto spiral galaxies in the local Universe. In this paper, we describe the survey sample selection, the data acquisition, reduction, and analysis, and present the data products obtained during our pilot program, which consists of UGC 2082, NGC 672, NGC 925, and NGC 4565. The observations reveal a first glimpse of the picture that the full HALOGAS project aims to illuminate: the properties of accreting H i in different types of spirals, and across a range of galactic environments. None of the pilot survey galaxies hosts an H i halo of the scale of NGC 891, but all show varying indications of halo gas features. We compare the properties of detected features in the pilot survey galaxies with their global characteristics, and discuss similarities and differences with NGC 891 and NGC 2403.
The dielectric response of stator end-winding stress-grading

This paper presents results from dielectric response (DR) measurements with varied amplitude and frequency of the applied voltage, made on test-bars consisting of non-linear resistive stress-grading materials applied to the surface of insulation with linear and low loss characteristics. The results indicate the DR characteristics of stress-graded regions in stator insulation systems, and the significance of these parts on the measured DR of a whole winding or coil. For routine diagnostic tests it is not practicable to avoid measuring the stress-grading’s component of the DR, so recognition of the voltage and frequency dependent characteristics of the stress-grading is important if DR data is to be used to determine the condition of other parts of the stator insulation.
Potassium silicate-induced resistance against blackfly in seedlings of Citrus reticulata

Introduction. Citrus trees in Brazil are often attacked by the blackfly, Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby. The induction of resistance to control this pest is required to maintain the sanitary and nutritional quality of the crop. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of silicon in the form of potassium silicate (K2 SiO3 ) to modify the activity of enzymes involved in the defence of Citrus reticulata and to find any correlation between the activity of these enzymes and the development of A. woglumi . Materials and methods. The study was conducted in a greenhouse using seedlings of C. reticulate cv. ‘Dancy’ in the following one-application treatments: T1 : Infestation with A. woglumi and no K2 SiO3 (control, “C”); T2 : No A. woglumi and no K2 SiO3 (absolute control “AC”); T3 : 17 g L-1 K2 SiO +A. woglumi , T4 : 35 g L-1 K2 SiO +A. woglumi ; T5 : 52 g L-1 K2 SiO +A. woglumi ; and T6 : 70 g L-1 K2 SiO +A. woglumi . To perform the enzymatic analyses, one leaf was removed separately from each mandarin seedling after 10, 30, 50, 70, and 90 days of continuous feeding of A. woglumi . The activity of peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase was assessed. Results and discussion. The correlation between peroxidase activity and A. woglumi development was positive. The peroxidase and polyphenol activities indicated strong induction of plant defences against A. woglumi . The increase in peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase activity revealed the induction of synthesis of compounds for plant defence against A. woglumi, but this effect depended on the time of A. woglumi feeding and on the concentration of silicon. Conclusion . Silicon was shown to be an elicitor that potentiates the defence mechanisms of C. reticulata to A. woglumi .
Application of Snakehead Fish to Increase Liver Function of Rats after Experiencing Physiological Stress

Physiological stress due to nutritional deficiency accompanied by excessive activity can cause problems of energy deficiency required by the body. Energy shortage can affect the body weight, as well as the weight and histology of the liver. This study was conducted to examine and analyze the effect of snakehead fish meat supplementation in feed toward body weight, weight and hepatic histology in animals experiencing physiological stress. This study used 20 male Wistar rats consisting of 5 treatments with 4 replications. The treatment in this study consisted of control (P0) and treatment (P1: 5%, P2: 10%, P3: 15%, P4: 20%) groups. This research used Completely Randomized Design (RAL). The variables measured in this study were body weight, hepatic weight, central venous diameter and hepatocytes in the test animals. The data obtained were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 5% significance level and continued with Duncan test with 5% significance. The result of data analysis showed that fish snakehead fish supplementation in feed gave a significant effect to body weight, weight and histology of animal liver. Concentrations of snakehead fish supplements can increase the body weight, hepatic weight, and hepatic histology which was indicated by higher central venous and hepatocyte diameter values compared to other controls and treatments. The conclusion of this research is the provision of snakehead fish supplement (Channia striata) can increase the body weight, hepatic weight, central venous and hepatocytes diameter of Wistar rats with the most influential concentration of 20%. This evidence is useful in studying the mechanism of liver repair due to stress
Thermodynamic origin of the slow free exciton photoluminescence rise in GaAs

We use time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) spectroscopy to unequivocally clarify the microscopic origin of the nanosecond free exciton photoluminescence rise in GaAs at low temperatures. In crucial distinction from previous work, we examine the TRPL of the GaAs free exciton second LO-phonon replica. This enables us to simultaneously monitor the unambiguous time evolution of the total exciton population and the cooling dynamics of the initially hot free exciton ensemble. We demonstrate by a model based on the Saha equation and the experimentally determined cooling behavior that the long-debated slow photoluminescence rise is caused by time-dependent shifts in the thermodynamic quasiequilibrium between free excitons and the uncorrelated electron-hole plasma.
The Geometric Traveling Salesman Problem in the Heisenberg Group

In the Heisenberg group H (endowed with its Carnot-Carathéodory structure), we prove that a compact set E ⊂ H which satisfies an analog of Peter Jones’ geometric lemma is contained in a rectifiable curve. This quantitative condition is given in terms of Heisenberg β numbers which measure how well the set E is approximated by Heisenberg straight lines.
The Effects of Social Activities and Fear of Death on Depression in the Elderly

The purpose of this study, using relevant socio-demographic variables, is to identify depression in the elderly, and to obtain basic information necessary for the development of senior counseling programs by analyzing the relative effects of socio-demographic variables, social activities, and fear of death on the level of geriatric depression. The subjects were 217 elderly individuals living in Seoul and Kyunggi Province, Korea. This study was conducted between February 22nd and March 15th of 2010, and the data were collected using questionnaires of Geriatric Depression Scale, Social Activities Scale, and Fear of Death Scale. Using SPSS/WIN15.0 software, the analysis of the data revealed the following. First, among the relevant socio-demographic variables, age, marital status, education, health condition, economic status, the period of retirement, and support provider affected depression in elderly individuals. Second, geriatric depression was negatively correlated with the level of social activities, but was positively correlated with fear of death. Third, education, health condition, economic status, number of social groups, painful death, and life after death were predictive of depression in the elderly. The implications of this study’s findings on social work practice are also discussed, along with some future research directions.
Conflict-of-Interest Reforms and Analysts' Research Biases

This study examines the consequences of the series of reforms targeting investment banking–related conflicts of interest. The authors compare and contrast optimism biases in analysts’ stock recommendations and earnings forecasts across different types of analyst firms in the postreform period of 2004 to 2007 versus the prereform period of 1998 to 2001. The authors document a significant reduction in the relative optimism of sanctioned investment bank analysts’ stock recommendations but not in their earnings forecasts. Moreover, the authors find little change in the profitability of their stock recommendations but detect a drop in the accuracy of earnings forecasts made by investment bank analysts. In sum, the reforms achieve the objective of mitigating the apparent optimism in investment bank stock recommendations, but they do not provide benefit to investors in terms of more profitable recommendations or more accurate earnings forecasts.
Congo Red Removal by Hno3-modified Resorcinol-formaldehyde Carbon Gels

Resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) carbon gel has gained much attention in various commercial applications including electro-catalysis, ion exchange resin and hydrogen and electrical energy storage owing to its highly sensitive nanostructure. In this work, the resorcinol-formaldehyde carbon gels were synthesised via a sol-gel method from polymerisation of resorcinol and formaldehyde with sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) as a catalyst. Different resorcinol to catalyst (R/C) ratios (mol/mol) of 1,000 (RC3) and 2,000 (RC4) were used, and the effect of nitric acid (HNO3) modification was investigated. The oxidised RC3 and RC4 were denoted as RC7 and RC8,. It was found that a further increase in R/C ratio above 1,000 caused a decline in surface area, pore volume and pore size. RC7 gave the highest surface area of 711.49 m2/g with pore size of 7.68 nm. The HNO3 modification step increased the surface area of RC7, but slightly decreased the surface area of RC8 probably due to crystallisation of the gel to graphite. Adsorptive study was carried out using congo red (CR) as an adsorbate. The carbon gels with higher surface area, pore volume and pore size exhibit a better CR adsorption performance. The HNO3-modified resorcinol-formaldehyde carbon gels gave a better performance for the removal of congo red. The kinetics data of congo red adsorption could be explained by the pseudosecond- order kinetic model. The maximum adsorption of congo red on resorcinol-formaldehyde carbon gel is comparable to other adsorbents and activated carbons.
Representations and Control in Atari Games Using Reinforcement Learning

Arcade Learning Environment (ALE) is a challenging framework composed of dozens of qualitatively different Atari 2600 games and thus an ideal testbed for general AI competency. Similar to many other complex reinforcement learning domains, finding a good representation to predict expected cumulative rewards has been proven to be the key in success in ALE.Many recent approaches utilize non-linear function approximations and neural networks, which incur a high computational cost. This thesis presents a simple, computationally practical, linear feature representation BlobPROST (blob pairwise offsets in space and time)whose performance is competitive compared with the current state-of-the art results generated by Deep Q-Networks (DQN). In addition, we provide a simple and reproducible benchmark for the sake of comparison to future work in the ALE. Moreover this thesis tries to address two major drawbacks inherent in linear function approximations: 1) finding “right” sets of features itself is challenging and 2) usually there exists a subset of features that captures the most representation power while others are just “useless”. In order to address the two issues, a new framework called A-BPROS (adaptive blob pairwise offsets in space) which is inspired and built upon Blob-PROST, is developed as a method for feature expansion in ALE. Initial results suggest in term of representation power more work needs to be done to make A-BPROS as competitive as Blob-PORST while in terms of memory saving, A-BPROS is promising. Finally, future works are discussed.
Complex saddle points in the Gross-Witten-Wadia matrix model

We give an exhaustive characterization of the complex saddle point configurations of the Gross-WittenWadia matrix model in the large-N limit. In particular, we characterize the cases in which the saddles accumulate in one, two, or three arcs, in terms of the values of the coupling constant and of the fraction of the total unit density that is supported in one of the arcs, and derive an explicit condition for gap closing associated with nonvacuum saddles. By applying the idea of large-N instanton we also give direct analytic derivations of the weak- coupling and strong-coupling instanton actions.
Action and attitudes matter: International public opinion towards the European Union

Descriptive studies on the European Union’s global image reveal generally favourable feelings towards the European Union on the part of citizens outside Europe. However, European Union perceptions vary considerably across countries. This article argues that these patterns can be analytically explained by taking context and individual factors into account. European Union behaviour and an individual’s supranationalist attitude should exert a substantial impact on citizens’ feelings. A multi-level model confirms the expectations. These findings imply practically that the behaviour of the European Union and other International Organizations shapes public opinion and that it might, in the future, negatively influence global public opinion towards the European Union.
Efficient CSR-Based Sparse Matrix-Vector Multiplication on GPU

Sparse matrix-vector multiplication (SpMV) is an important operation in computational science and needs be accelerated because it often represents the dominant cost in many widely used iterative methods and eigenvalue problems. We achieve this objective by proposing a novel SpMV algorithm based on the compressed sparse row (CSR) on the GPU. Our method dynamically assigns different numbers of rows to each thread block and executes different optimization implementations on the basis of the number of rows it involves for each block. The process of accesses to the CSR arrays is fully coalesced, and the GPU’s DRAM bandwidth is efficiently utilized by loading data into the shared memory, which alleviates the bottleneck of many existing CSR-based algorithms (i.e., CSR-scalar and CSR-vector). Test results on C2050 and K20c GPUs show that our method outperforms a perfect-CSR algorithm that inspires our work, the vendor tuned CUSPARSE V6.5 and CUSP V0.5. 1, and three popular algorithms clSpMV, CSR5, and CSR-Adaptive.