Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sub pixel location identification using super resolved multilooking CHRIS data

CHRIS /Proba is a multiviewing hyperspectral sensor that monitors the earth in five different zenith angles +55°, +36°, nadir, −36° and −55° with a spatial resolution of 17 m and within a spectral range of 400–1050 nm in mode 3. These multiviewing images are suitable for constructing a super resolved high resolution image that can reveal the mixed pixel of the hyperspectral image. In the present work, an attempt is made to find the location of various features constituted within the 17m mixed pixel of the CHRIS image using various super resolution reconstruction techniques. Four different super resolution reconstruction techniques namely interpolation, iterative back projection, projection on to convex sets (POCS) and robust super resolution were tried on the −36, nadir and +36 images to construct a super resolved high resolution 5.6 m image. The results of super resolution reconstruction were compared with the scaled nadir image and bicubic convoluted image for comparision of the spatial and spectral property preservance. A support vector machine classification of the best super resolved high resolution image was performed to analyse the location of the sub pixel features. Validation of the obtained results was performed using the spectral unmixing fraction images and the 5.6 m classified LISS IV image.
Market, Entrepreneurial Orientations and Performance of SMEs Hotels in Nanyuki Town, Kenya

Purpose: The study sought to investigate the effect of market (MO) and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on the performance of SMEs hotel enterprises in Nanyuki town, Kenya.Methodology: A sample size of 30 SMEs hotels who are registered with Laikipia County revenue collection office was selected using simple random sampling technique. 24 completed questionnaires were returned showing a response rate of 80%. Data was analyzed with the aid of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) computer software. Correlation, Anova and Multiple regressions were the main analysis tools. Findings: The results of the study indicated that market and entrepreneurial orientations have a positive influence on the performance of the small-scale hotels. The six independent variables that were studied, explain 74.5 % of the performance of the SMEs hotels in Nanyuki town.Unique contribution to the theory, practice and policy: The policy makers will be able to obtain a clear guide on policy direction with respect to market and entrepreneurial orientation for further improvements of small and medium hotel enterprises in Kenya. Further, the study will increase the knowledge and awareness to the hotel managers on how to create customer value and enhance competitiveness within the small and medium hotel enterprises in Kenya. The studies on market and entrepreneurial orientations will help in improving small and medium enterprises and in particular hotel performance toward achieving Kenya’s objectives of vision 2030.
The environmental challenge of HIV/AIDS: A perspective on the importance of addressing HIV for environmental sustainability in sub-Saharan Africa

HIV/AIDS affects people from every country, however the countries which are most affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic are also some of the most highly affected by other prominent global challenges such as environmental degradation, and vice versa. This is no coincidence. This paper explores some of the direct and indirect interactions between HIV/AIDS and environmental issues which underpin this trend. These interactions include feedback mechanisms such as the loss of local biodiversity resulting in increased poverty in a community, which in turn increases vulnerability to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Another example is the adoption of less sustainable agricultural practices in HIV/AIDS affected communities (because of reduced labour capacity) leading to decreased nutrition, which in turn also results in both a higher rate of both HIV transmission and progression of HIV to AIDS (via decreased immune system function). Once the reciprocal influence of HIV/AIDS and environmental issues on each other is acknowledged, it follows that measures taken to address either HIV/AIDS or the inter-connected global environmental challenges can be most effective when undertaken with an integrated and holistic scope.
A Global Climatology of Baroclinically Influenced Tropical Cyclogenesis

AbstractTropical cyclogenesis is generally considered to occur in regions devoid of baroclinic structures; however, an appreciable number of tropical cyclones (TCs) form in baroclinic environments each year. A global climatology of these baroclinically influenced TC developments is presented in this study. An objective classification strategy is developed that focuses on the characteristics of the environmental state rather than on properties of the vortex, thus allowing for a pointwise “development pathway” classification of reanalysis data. The resulting climatology shows that variability within basins arises primarily as a result of local surface thermal contrasts and the positions of time-mean features on the subtropical tropopause. The pathway analyses are sampled to generate a global climatology of 1948–2010 TC developments classified by baroclinic influence: nonbaroclinic (70%), low-level baroclinic (9%), trough induced (5%), weak tropical transition (11%), and strong tropical transition (5%). All .
Measuring and Managing Fluid Overload in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Fluid management is one of the regular aspects of care in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) setting, and its importance has been stressed in previous studies. Fluid resus -citation, as part of fluid management, may be needed to maintain intravascular vol - ume, and prior studies showed that early aggressive fluid resuscitation may improve outcome in critical illness, especially in endothelial-dysfunction associated conditions. Unfortunately, this routine management often leads to the development of positive fluid balance and, consequently, fluid overload. Many evidences have stated that excessive fluid administration is closely associated with negative effects for children who were admitted in PICU. Moreover, fluid balance before PICU admission is also important because uncertainty about quantification fluid balance before admission can lead to underestimated fluid overload.
An evaluation on the true statistical relevance of Jensen's alpha trough simulation: An application for Germany

Mutual fund managers' ability to generate continuous positive value in excess to a relevant benchmark index is a crucial aspect for its evaluation. Focusing on the German market, in this research we apply several simulation methods that avoid statistical problems related to multiple hypothesis testing in traditional financial techniques. By doing so we obtain a threshold value that delimits what is considered the true null hypothesis. Our main result is that managers'' action are of little significance with only a small part of them adding excess value to mutual funds they run.
Deep or aggregate habit formation? Evidence from a new-Keynesian business cycle model

Habit formation is a fixture of contemporary new-Keynesian models. The vast majority assume that agents form habits strictly over consumption of an aggregate good, leaving open the question of whether it might be preferable to have them form habits over differentiated products instead–an arrangement known as deep habits. I answer this question by estimating a model that nests both habit concepts as special cases. Estimates reveal that the data favor a specification in which consumption habits are stronger at the product level than at the aggregate level. A mix of significance tests and simulation results indicate that including deep habits greatly improves model fit, most notably with regard to inflation dynamics.
Characterization and functional properties of gelatin extracted from goatskin

Gelatin from goatskin pretreated with hydrochloric acid and extracted with distilled water at 60o C for 9 hours was characterized and compared to that of bovine skin gelatin (BSG). A yield of 10.26% (wet weight basis) was obtained. Goatskin gelatin (GSG) had high protein (86.58%), suitable moisture (9.58%), low fat (1.46%) and low ash (0.11%) content. The functional properties of GSG including gel strength (301 g bloom) and emulsion activity index (94.27%) were higher than the functional properties of BSG including gel strength (192 g bloom) and emulsion activity index (49.74%). The foaming property of GSG (102%) was lower than that of BSG (164.67%). This study shows that GSG has a high potential for application as a source of commercial gelatin.
Variation in the morphology of the wings of the endangered grass-feeding butterfly Coenonympha oedippus (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) in response to contrasting habitats

At the southern limit of its range the endangered butterfly Coenonympha oedippus inhabits grasslands (wet, dry) that differ significantly in the abundance of its larval hostplants (wet > dry) and mean annual air temperature (wet dry) or in degree, in the two sexes the relative area of eyespots on hindwing had opposite patterns (males: dry > wet; females: wet > dry) and was more pronounced in males than in females. The differences in wing shape between ecotypes were detected only in the hindwings of males, with more rounded apex in the dry than in the wet ecotype. We discuss the life-history traits, behavioural strategies and selection mechanisms, which largely account for the sex- and ecotype-specific variation in wing morphology.
Discrete-Time Optimal Control of Photovoltaic Grid-Connected Inverter Based on Particle Swarm Optimization

This paper is concerned with the problem of optimal control of photovoltaic grid-connected inverter. Firstly, the discrete-time nonlinear mathematical model of single-phase photovoltaic grid-connected inverter in the rotating coordinate system is constructed by the Delta operator, which simplifies the control process and facilitates direct digital realization. Then, a novel optimal control method which is significant to achieve trajectory tracking for photovoltaic grid-connected inverter is developed by constructing a control Lyapunov functional against the difficulty of solving HJB (Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman) partial differential equations. More importantly, the performance matrix of the controller which is very meaningful to many performance indicators of the system is also optimized via the particle swarm optimization. Finally, two numerical examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Einkorn: A Potential Candidate for Developing High Lutein Wheat

L'Einkorn est un ble diploide (Triticum monococcum L.) contenant des taux eleves de proteines et presentant une pigmentation jaune. Il permettrait la fabrication de produits de cuissons enrichis en carotenoides et en proteines. Des bles riches en carotenoides, et plus particulierement en luteine, sont etudies, en vue de produire des produits cerealiers possedant des activites fonctionnelles.
Inflation method for ensemble Kalman filter in soil hydrology

Abstract. The ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) is a popular data assimilation method in soil hydrology. In this context, it is used to estimate states and parameters simultaneously. Due to unrepresented model errors and a limited ensemble size, state and parameter uncertainties can become too small during assimilation. Inflation methods are capable of increasing state uncertainties, but typically struggle with soil hydrologic applications. We propose a multiplicative inflation method specifically designed for the needs in soil hydrology. It employs a Kalman filter within the EnKF to estimate inflation factors based on the difference between measurements and mean forecast state within the EnKF. We demonstrate its capabilities on a small soil hydrologic test case. The method is capable of adjusting inflation factors to spatiotemporally varying model errors. It successfully transfers the inflation to parameters in the augmented state, which leads to an improved estimation.
Value Creation of a Business Customer in Nature-based Tourism Service

In this paper we describe the kinds of value that were created within the field of naturebased tourism service from the perspective of a host in a role of a business customer. The qualitative research was conducted by using the laddering technique based on a meansend chain model of 40 theme interviews. The findings indicated that the customer’s value created in nature-based tourism includes the following: “feeling of impressiveness”; “feeling of indulging oneself, pleasure, and joy”; “feeling of beauty of nature”; “feeling of healthiness”; and “feeling of hospitality”. Based on the findings, only an individual can experience and create value requiring personal evaluation. Customer value is created in the context of interactive situations, both from short-term experiences and from long-term memories and emotions linked to previous memories. The main theoretical contribution is to understand the theoretical concept of customer value, where the customer’s life and previous experiences have a role in individual value creation. Other participants also have a role in one’s value creation, and value is shared in an interactive process. The practical contribution helps a nature-based tourism entrepreneur develop the service and a value proposition as well as to support the customer’s value creation process.
Introducing Joint Research Project «Quantum Ampere» for the realisation of the new SI ampere

The metrology community lately has adopted the long-term aim of basing the SI unit system on fundamental constants of nature. The base electrical unit, the ampere, will then be re-defined in terms of a fixed value of the elementary charge e . The most direct realization of the new ampere definition requires controlling the number of electrons which flow in a unit time interval, and of counting the errors occurring in this process of clocking single electrons. State of the art nanofabrication technology allows the fabrication of single-electron transport devices - known as single-electron pumps - which generate electric current by moving electrons one at a time. These devices are capable of delivering currents of about 100 pA with an accuracy at the 1 part per million level. Also, ultrasensitive single-electron detectors have been explored that allow electric charge detection on a resolution level below e . The European Joint Research Project presented here, undertaken by a consortium of several research institutes, aims at further developing the best existing concepts of single-electron pumps and to combine them with single-electron detectors for creating highly accurate quantum current sources, to be used as future current standards. Furthermore, necessary current measurement instrumentation will be developed. The paper comprises the project aims and the main results achieved so far.
The role of the frailty in survival studies

The focus is mainly, but, not solely, on longitudinal randomised controlled clinical trials. The paper aims to delineate the role of frailty in the modern analysis of such trials and also in longitudinal survival studies. Our approach exploits recent developments in statistical modelling and in estimation methods, for example, in non-PH survival modelling, covariance modelling and in h-likelihood inference. We illustrate our approach and findings with examples from the literature.
Marketing Culture and Perceived Customer Satisfaction in Non-Profit Service Organizations

The aim of this study is to investigate the employees’ and managements’ perceptions of multidimensional structure of marketing culture and their effects on perceived long-term customer satisfaction. The public schools were selected to conduct the study on as non-profit service organizations. 474 teachers and school principals from 17 schools participated in the field study. Service quality, interpersonal relationships, professionalism, and innovativeness dimensions of marketing culture have significant effects on long-term customer satisfaction. Contributions of the paper may listed as (1) expanding marketing culture scale of Webster (1993) by adding several new items to dimensions based on current literature in order to adapt items to Turkish culture, (2) services marketing culture scale was adapted to non-profit organizations, in specific to the school context, (3) developing a single dimensional perceived customer satisfaction scale specifically for school-settings which measure in what extend school personnel consider themselves satisfy their clienteles.
Deposition of nitrogen and phosphorus on the Baltic Sea: seasonal patterns and nitrogen isotope composition

Abstract. Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen and phosphorus on the central Baltic Sea (Baltic Proper) was estimated monthly at two coastal stations and two isolated islands in 2001 and 2002. Yearly nitrogen deposition ranged between 387 and 727 mg N m−2 yr−1 (average 617) and was composed of ~10% organic N and approximately equal amounts of ammonium and nitrate. Winter nitrate peaks at the isolated islands possibly indicated ship emissions. Load weighted δ15N of deposited N was 3.7‰ and 0.35‰ at the coastal stations and the isolated islands respectively. Winter δ15N was ~3‰ lighter than in summer, reflecting winter dominance of nitrate. The light isotopic composition of deposited nitrogen may cause overestimates of nitrogen fixation in basin-wide isotopic budgeting, whereas relatively heavy deposition of ammonium during summer instead may cause underestimates of fixation in budgets of the upper mixed layer. δ15N in atmospherically deposited nitrate and ammonium was estimated by regression to −7.9 and 13.5‰ respectively. Phosphorus deposition showed no clear seasonal pattern and was considerably lower at the isolated islands. Organic P constituted 20–40% of annual P deposition. P deposition is unlikely to be a major source for cyanobacterial blooms but may potentially prolong an ongoing bloom.
Transmission Mechanism of Lewy Body-Like α-Synucleinopathies in Dopaminergic Neurons Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Grafting of cells in Parkinson's disease (PD) results in a prion-like infection, exhibiting a Lewy body-like pathology, caused by the recipient cells. The transmission mechanism of Lewy bodies is not completely understood. Therefore, a research idea with a novel experimental strategy is proposed to investigate the transmission mechanism of αsynuclein pathology using PD patient-derived human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) in an in vitro human cellular and molecular PD model and in vivo mouse PD model for dopaminergic neuron transplantation.
MIGRATION OF HYDROGEN GUEST MOLECULES THROUGH CLATHRATE CAGES.

Electronic structure calculations are performed to determine the barriers to migration of molecular hydrogen in clathrate cages. The barriers are used in a chemical reaction rate expression to determine the rate of H2 migration and the diffusion coefficient for the hydrogen guest molecules. Calculations are performed for migration of hydrogen guests through pentagonal and hexagonal clathrate cage faces. Cage faces where the water molecules obey the water rules and cage faces with Bjerrum L and D defects are considered. The migration barriers were calculated to be ≈25 kcal/mol from the pentagonal faces and between 5 to 6 kcal/mol for the hexagonal faces, depending on the orientation of the hydrogen molecule.
The Fluctuation Niche in Plants

Classical approaches to niche in coexisting plants have undervalued temporal fluctuations. We propose that fluctuation niche is an important dimension of the total niche and interacts with habitat and life-history niches to provide a better understanding of the multidimensional niche space where ecological interactions occur. To scale a fluctuation niche, it is necessary to relate environmental constrictions or species performance not only to the absolute values of the usual environmental and ecophysiological variables but also to their variances or other measures of variability. We use Mediterranean plant communities as examples, because they present characteristic large seasonal and interannual fluctuations in water and nutrient availabilities, along an episodic-constant gradient, and because the plant responses include a number of syndromes coupled to this gradient.
A novel approach to solve transient stability constrained optimal power flow problems

This paper proposes an approach to solve the transient stability constraint optimal power flow (TSC-OPF) problem. The transient stability constraints are expressed as the critical clearing time (CCT) of different contingencies, and are approximated using artificial neural networks (ANNs). The ANNs provide a nonlinear, differentiable mapping between the load flow variables and the CCT. As a result, the TSC-OPF with multiple transient stability constraints can be solved very efficiently with little additional computational burden. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated with the IEEE 39 bus and the IEEE 300 bus systems.
A Key Innovation in Animal Evolution, the Emergence of Neurogenesis: Cellular and Molecular Cues from Cnidarian Nervous Systems

The emergence of neurogenesis led to the acquisition of an efficient neuromuscular transmission in eumetazoans, as shown by cnidarians that use evolutionarily-conserved neurophysiological principles to crumple, feed, swim. However, the cnidarian neuroanatomies are quite diverse and reconstructing the urcnidarian nervous system is not an easy task. Three types of characters shared by anthozoans and medusozoans appear plesiomorphic: 1) three cell types that all cnidarians differentiate, neurosensory cells, ganglionic neurons and nematocytes (cnidocytes) that combine mechano-chemosensation and venom secretion; 2) a chemical conduction through nerve nets and nerve rings, those being considered as annular central nervous systems; 3) a larval apical sensory organ that initiates metamorphosis. Other characters receive a disputed origin: 1) the neural stem cell(s), multipotent interstitial stem cell in hydrozoans, not identified in other classes; 2) the electrical conduction through neurons and epithelial cells present only in hydrozoans; 3) the embryonic origin of the nervous system; 4) the medusa sensory organs, ocelli or lens-eyes for light, statocysts for pressure, lacking in anthozoans. Nevertheless numerous gene families that regulate bilaterian neurogenesis are expressed during cnidarian neurogenesis, e.g. cnidarian eyes express Pax, Six and opsin, supporting a common origin for vision. However data establishing a clear picture of the cnidarian neurogenic circuitry are currently missing. Finally many “neurogenic” gene families likely arose and evolved in the absence of neurogenesis, as exemplified by Porifera that express them but lack synaptic transmission. Therefore some eumetazoan-specific families, missing in Porifera as ParaHox/Hox-like and Otx-like genes, might have contributed to the emergence of neurogenesis.