Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using Imaging Spectroscopy to Study Ecosystem Processes and Properties

Abstract Remote sensing data provide essential input for today's climate and ecosystem models. It is generally agreed that many model processes are not accurately depicted by current remotely sensed indices of vegetation and that new observational capabilities are needed at different spatial and spectral scales to reduce uncertainty. Recent advances in materials and optics have allowed the development of smaller, more stable, accurately calibrated imaging spectrometers that can quantify biophysical properties on the basis of the spectral absorbing and scattering characteristics of the land surface. Airborne and spaceborne imaging spectrometers, which measure large numbers (hundreds) of narrow spectral bands, are becoming more widely available from government and commercial sources; thus, it is increasingly feasible to use data from imaging spectroscopy for environmental research. In contrast to multispectral sensors, imaging spectroscopy produces quantitative estimates of biophysical absorptions, which can be used to improve scientific understanding of ecosystem functioning and properties. We present the recent advances in imaging spectroscopy and new capabilities for using it to quantify a range of ecological variables.
A method of controlling the base station correlation for MIMO-OTA based on Jakes model

This paper presents a methodology of controlling the spatial correlation of BS (base station) antenna realized by a bilateral fading emulator for MIMO-OTA (Over-The-Air) testing. On the basis of Jakes theory, the base station correlation is controlled by setting the initial phases of scatterers in a two-dimensional fading emulator. The experimental results show that the designed correlation coefficient of an uplink channel using the proposed method agrees well with the theoretical value. Further, it is confirmed that the channel capacity of uplink channel can be controlled when the base station and mobile terminal correlations are changed simultaneously.
Satellite observations of formaldehyde over North America from GOME

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is an important indicator of tropospheric hydrocarbon emissions and photochemical activity. We present HCHO observations over North America for July 1996 from the GOME instrument on‐board the ESA ERS‐2 satellite. Slant columns are determined to < 4 × 1015 molecules cm−2 sensitivity by directly fitting GOME radiance measurements. These show a distinct enhancement over the southeastern United States, consistent with a large regional source from oxidation of non‐methane hydrocarbons including in particular isoprene. Conversion of slant to vertical columns is done by combining species vertical distribution information from the GEOS‐CHEM 3‐D tropospheric chemistry and transport model with scattering weights from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory LIDORT multiple scattering radiative transfer model. The results demonstrate the ability to measure HCHO from space in typical continental atmospheres, and imply that space‐based measurements of HCHO may provide valuable information on emission fluxes of reactive hydrocarbons.
Indonesian Traditional Market Flexibility Amidst State Promoted Market Competition

The penetration of modern supermarkets is believed to be the cause of the declining role of traditional markets and street vendors in Indonesia. Nevertheless, the competition between state-promoted markets and traditional markets is rarely discussed, both adaptation of market institution and strategy of market actors. This research outlined a theoretical understanding of the dynamics of traditional markets, along the concepts of market flexibility as an adaptation strategy and coordination problems as market actor strategies. The researchers empirically reflect the strategies of four traditional vegetable markets that still survive from tight competition—both the market itself as a social institution, and the strategies of actors involved in market transactions. The traditional market builds flexibility by: (1) Specifying commodities, (2) segmenting customers, (3) changing market operating hour, (4) modifying transportation to operate more efficiently, and (5) low cost market management. At the actor level, competition problems are resolved by utilizing an emotional sentiment of friendship social relations; the formation of prices is determined by developing effective networks of information; and the cooperation problem is dealt with by building a system of punishment and reward based on informal mechanisms. This finding verifies the thesis stating that market competitiveness is determined by institutional flexibility against competition and the ability of market actors to build effective social interactions to maintain market sustainability. Based on the above explanation, further research needs to be focused on calculating how much efficiency is built due to market flexibility, both the transaction cost and the production cost in a quantitative manner. At the actor level, it is necessary to delineate the strategies being built, whether based on pure rational or economic and moral or non-economic considerations in solving coordination problems in the market.
Life-Cycle Earning Capacity and the OJT Investment Model

After two decades of development, the human capital investment model has been thoroughly incorporated into the language and thinking of labor economists and is central to most analyses of earnings determination. The principal innovation of this development is the focus on earning capacity and human wealth; incomes over time are determined by individuals' choices of investment patterns and by competitive returns on past investments. By this theory, individuals make a series of compensating choices (presumed to be rationally based); these investment choices imply that lifetime labor earnings will be more equally distributed than cross-sectional labor incomes. If such is the case, considerable caution is required in comparing cross-sectional earnings for individuals at different career points or across race and sex groupings. The empirical usefulness of this theory rests on the ability to characterize parsimoniously the systematic investment patterns of individuals. In the case of formal schooling, where the investigation has been most extensive, empirical analysis utilizing observed data on the quantity of schooling (and, at times, on its quality as well) is fairly straightforward. Application of the theory to life-cycle differences in earnings, the subject of this paper, is more problematic, because post-school investments are not directly observed and because a wide variety of specific activities might reasonably be construed as "investments. " The central role of unobservables and maintained hypotheses about the pattern of individual investments implies that the postschooling investment model in a fundamental sense cannot be "tested" in full generality. However, the influential work of Jacob Mincer [1974] showed how the model could be applied to life-cycle earnings differences if the optimal investment patterns of individuals could be described in terms of observable characteristics. Mincer focused on the activity of on-the-job training (OJT). While he considered a variety of possible investment patterns, OJT investment rates that are linear functions of labor market experience have received the most attention. These investment patterns imply that individual (log) earnings are a quadratic function of experience the "standard" empirical model. More complete
Algorithms for Personnel Scheduling Enhanced by Machine Learning Techniques

Many algorithms solving combinatorial problems can be found in the literature since researchers deal with these problems for many decades. The algorithms are mostly designed following a model-based approach. This means that the focus is on a rigorous description of an algorithm based on a deep understanding of the considered problem. However, this approach does not take into account work with data (i.e., processing of data in order to let data drive the algorithm) even though it generates data flows. This can be seen as a flaw since a lot of arbitrary already calculated data is present inside the algorithm iterations, but it is not used anymore in the future steps of algorithm generally. In this thesis, our goal is to overcome this flaw and, thus, to improve the classical algorithms regarding speed and robustness. To do that, we introduce a data-driven approach which is combined with the standard model-based approach to get advantages of both approaches and also to negate their disadvantages. The nurse rostering problem was chosen as a principal problem for the thesis. It is a very-well known NP-hard combinatorial problem assigning shifts to nurses in order to create a roster concerning many various constraints. Highquality rosters then have a positive impact on the entire hospital including its patients. Three different approaches for the nurse rostering problem are proposed to demonstrate the feasibility of our ideas. First, a neural network classifier was designed to evaluate the solution changes made inside of a tabu search algorithm. Second, a regression model was used to obtain a tight upper bound for a pricing problem in the branch-and-price algorithm. Third, an estimator of algorithm runtime was developed to improve the behavior of a complex client-server scheduling system. All proposed approaches were verified on real-world benchmark instances. The experiments show that each approach achieved significant improvements. Moreover, the neural network classifier is robust enough to handle small changes in an input instance. Furthermore, the regression model was designed as a problem-independent, i.e., it can be used in other domains without any major modifications. Finally, the scheduling system with the estimator almost equaled the average quality achieved by the scheduling system with the exact knowledge about the instance runtime for some cases.
Poverty Reduction in Urban China: The Impact of Cash Transfers

The extent to which social protection programmes in general, and targeted programmes in particular, actually alleviate poverty has been a central issue in development debates for decades. The objective of this article is to contribute to the debate by empirically examining the poverty-alleviation effects of one of the largest targeted programmes in the world: the Minimum Living Standard Assistance (MLSA) or Dibao in China. Using newly available data on MLSA spending and a unique panel survey dataset covering the 1993 to 2009 period, this research investigates the impact of the MLSA on poverty alleviation. The analyses using fixed-effects and random-effects logit models and hierarchical liner models offer insights that go beyond the existing studies on the subject. Findings from the study confirm that targeted social protection programmes are an effective tool for reducing poverty.
Nickel effects on two maize ( Zea mays ) cultivars : growth, structure, Ni concentration, and localization

The toxic effects of nickel on maize growth and structure and the accumulation and distribution of Ni in the plant were investigated. Two cultivars of maize, each with a different sensitivity to Ni, were grown on nutrient solution with different nickel concentrations for a period of 8 days. The sensitive and tolerant cultivars exhibited reduction in root and shoot growth with Ni concentrations greater than 20 μM and 40 μM, respectively. The toxic effects of nickel on the structure and ultrastructure of maize roots and leaves were studied by light microscopy and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. With 60 μM Ni, the sensitive cultivar showed a strong reduction in root mitotic activity (80%). Statoliths were absent in cells of the root cap, while leaves contained large amounts of starch in the chloroplasts of their bundle sheath cells. This suggests a decrease in carbohydrate transport between the leaves and the roots. The tissue localization of Ni by the dimethylglyoxim and silver sulphide metho.
Inquiry-based science instruction—what is it and does it matter? Results from a research synthesis years 1984 to 2002

The goal of the Inquiry Synthesis Project was to synthesize findings from research conducted between 1984 and 2002 to address the research question, What is the impact of inquiry science instruction on K-12 student outcomes? The timeframe of 1984 to 2002 was selected to continue a line of synthesis work last completed in 1983 by Bredderman (Bredderman (1983) Review of Educational Research 53: 499-518) and Shymansky, Kyle, and Alport (Shymansky et al. (1983) Journal of Research in Science Teaching 20: 387-404), and to accommodate a practicable cut- off date given the research project timeline, which ran from 2001 to 2006. The research question for the project was addressed by developing a conceptual framework that clarifies and specifies what is meant by ''inquiry-based science instruction,'' and by using a mixed-methodology approach to analyze both numerical and text data describing the impact of instruction on K-12 student science conceptual learning. Various findings across 138 analyzed studies indicate a clear, positive trend favoring inquiry-based instructional practices, particularly instruction that emphasizes student active thinking and drawing conclusions from data. Teaching strategies that actively engage students in the learning process through scientific investigations are more likely to increase conceptual understanding than are strategies that rely on more passive techniques, which are often necessary in the current standardized-assessment laden educational environment.
Fictitious domain methods for two‐phase flow energy balance computations in nuclear components

This paper is dedicated to the numerical simulation of nuclear components (cores and steam generators) by fictitious domain methods. The fictitious domain approach consists in immersing the physical domain under study in a Cartesian domain, called the fictitious domain, and in performing the numerical resolution on this fictitious domain. The calculation times are then efficiently reduced by the use of fast solvers. In counterpart, one has to handle with an immersed boundary, generally non‐aligned with the Cartesian mesh, which can be non‐trivial.
A Top-K Keyword Search for Supporting Semantics in Relational Databases: A Top-K Keyword Search for Supporting Semantics in Relational Databases

In order to enhance the search results of keyword search in relational databases, semantic relationship among relations and tuples is employed and a semantic ranking function is proposed. In addition to considering current ranking principles, the proposed semantic ranking function provides new metrics to measure query relevance. Based on it, two Top-k search algorithms BA (blocking algorithm) and EBA (early-stopping blocking algorithm) are presented. EBA improves BA by providing a filtering threshold to terminate iterations as early as possible. Finally, experimental results show the semantic ranking function guarantees a search result with high precision and recall, and the proposed BA and EBA algorithms improve query performance of existing approaches.
High-Frequency Isolated Three-phase PV Grid-Tie Converter Based a New Boost Inverter Topology

This paper proposes a new topology for a three-phase PV grid-tie converter. The Whole system consists of two-stage, high-frequency boost inverter cascaded by rectifier-inverter system. A single-phase high-frequency transformer is used to link both stages and provide galvanic isolation between the AC and DC sides. In the first stage, a new single-stage high-frequency boost inverter is proposed to boost and convert the DC output voltage of the PV array to a high-frequency single-phase square waveform and to realize maximum power point tracking (MPPT). The second stage is rectifier-inverter system that interfaces the first stage to three-phase grid connected. The 5kW three phase grid connected proposed system has many features such as rising the inverter output voltage level, MPPT, galvanic isolation, small size, high reliability, and light weight. In addition, a grid side controller is used to inject a sinusoidal current into the grid at unity power factor. The proposed topology has been verified analytically by using PSIM software.
Evaluation of binaural renderers: Localization

Binaural renderers can be used to reproduce spatial audio over headphones. A number of different renderers have recently become commercially available for use in creating immersive audio content. High-quality spatial audio can be used to significantly enhance experiences in a number of different media applications, such as virtual, mixed and augmented reality, computer games, and music and movie. A large multi-phase experiment evaluating six commercial binaural renderers was performed. This paper presents the methodology, evaluation criteria, and main findings of the horizontal-plane source localization experiment carried out with these renderers. Significant differences between renderers’ regional localization accuracy were found. Consistent with previous research, subjects tended to localize better in the front and back of the head than at the sides. Differences between renderer performance at the side regions heavily contributed to their overall regional localization accuracy.
Enhanced Filter based access control for web based cloud

In this paper, we present a new fine-grained two-factor authentication (2FA) get to control system for electronic distributed computing administrations. In particular, in our proposed 2FA get to control framework, a property based get to control component is executed with the need of both a client mystery key and a lightweight security gadget. As a client can't get to the system on the off chance that they don't hold both, the component can upgrade the security of the system, particularly in those situations where numerous clients have a similar PC for online cloud administrations. What's more, characteristic based control in the system additionally empowers the cloud server to limit the entrance to those clients with a similar arrangement of traits while safeguarding client protection, i.e., the cloud server just realizes that the client satisfies the required predicate, yet has no clue on the exact identity of the client. At last, we additionally do a reenactment to show the practicability of our proposed 2FA system.
Codificador de vídeo baseado na transformada de ôndulas 3D

Neste artigo apresenta-se um codificador de video baseado na transformada de ondulas, com interface do tipo Windows®, desenvolvido em Borland C++ Builder v5.0. O codificador tira partido das caracteristicas da estrutura hierarquica 3D de coeficientes da DWT, resultante da sua aplicacao no dominio do tempo e do espaco. O utilizador escolhe a sequencia a codificar (armazenada em ficheiro), o numero de tramas, o nivel de decisao, e a ondula a considerar na DWT no espaco, podendo obter resultados do desempenho do codificador, e guardar esses valores em ficheiros compativeis com Microsoft® Excel. Pode, tambem, visualizar alguns resultados intermedios do processo de codificacao, nomeadamente a decomposicao por aplicacao da DWT no tempo e no espaco, conferindo a este trabalho, tambem, um cariz didactico.
Covariance tapering for anisotropic nonsta-tionary Gaussian random fields with appli-cation to large scale spatial data sets

Estimating the covariance structure of spatial random processes is an important step in spatial data analysis. Maximum likelihood estimation is a popular method in spatial models based on Gaussian random fields. But calculating the likelihood in large scale data sets is computationally infeasible due to the heavy computation of the precision matrix. One way to mitigate this issue, which is due to Furrer et al. (2006), is to “taper” the covariance matrix. While most of the results in the current literature focus on isotropic tapering for stationary Gaussian processes, there are many cases in application that require modeling of anisotropy and/or nonstationarity. In this article, we propose a nonstationary parametric model, in which the underlying Gaussian random field may have different regularities in different directions, thus can be applied to model anisotropy. Using the theory of equivalence of Gaussian measures under nonstationary assumption, strong consistency of the tapered likelihood based estimation of the variance component under fixed domain asymptotics are derived by putting mild conditions on the spectral behavior of the tapering covariance function. The procedure is illustrated with numerical simulation.
Microbiota Control of Malaria Transmission 1

15 Stable mutualistic interactions between multicellular organisms and microbes are an 16 evolutionarily conserved process with major impact to host physiology and fitness. 17 Humans establish such interactions with a consortium of microorganisms known as the 18 microbiota. Despite the mutualistic nature of these interactions, some bacterial 19 components of the human microbiota express immunogenic glycans that elicit glycan20 specific antibody (Ab) responses. The ensuing circulating Ab are protective against 21 infections by pathogens that express those glycans, as demonstrated for Plasmodium, the 22 causative agent of malaria. Presumably, a similar protective Ab response acts against 23 other vector-borne diseases. 24 25 Microbiota and Natural Antibodies 26 Humans establish structured and often-mutualistic interactions with their microbiota (see 27 Glossary), which are vertically transmitted and, to some extent, maintained throughout 28 Manuscript Click here to download Manuscript Manuscript_TREPAR-D-15-00050 AC.doc
Nutrient provinces in the sea: Concentration ratios, reaction rate ratios, and ideal covariation

Global distributions of the ratios of the concentrations of nitrate + nitrite (= [N]) and phosphate (= [P]) are evaluated from Geochemical Ocean Sections Study (GEOSECS) and Transient Tracers in the Ocean (TTO) data sets. If large oceanic regions (or provinces) can be identified on the basis of constant [N]: [P] ratios, then the distribution equation for a reactive variable shows that the ratio of the net reaction rates involving N and P in each one is equal to its concentration ratio. Organisms within the interiors of the provinces would then be in balance with the ratios in which the nutrients are present, producing a non-fractionated or “ideal” nutrient covariation. Such provinces can be observed throughout the ocean. Notable features are as follows: (1) Between the euphotic zone and 500 m in the west central North Atlantic is a large region in which N-P regeneration produces very high [N]:[P] ratios: ∼50 mol mol−1. Potential causes are 18° Water formation, coccolithophorid growth, nitrogen fixation, or atmospheric fixed-nitrogen deposition. (2) Most oligotrophic surface waters seem to have [N]:[P] between 0 and 3 mol mol−1, implying that the net removal ratio of N and P in those waters is 0–3 mol mol−1. (3) Below 600 m, the ocean contains large provinces with N-P regeneration ratios of 12–18 mol mol−1. The dominant ratio is slightly sub-Redfield at 14.5–15 mol mol−1, with the entire Indian Ocean below 3000 m being ideally covariant at 14.7 mol mol−1. The northeastern Pacific has provinces with very low regeneration ratios (<14 mol mol−1). Vertical boundaries between deep provinces in the western Pacific and eastern Atlantic suggest that particles from immediately above control regeneration ratios, whereas the more horizontal boundaries between western Atlantic provinces appear to reflect a greater importance of horizontally transported particles in water masses like Antarctic Intermediate Water. N-P reaction rate ratios along deep isopycnal surfaces are quite variable.