Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Environmental and Socioeconomic Impacts of Increasing Rubber Plantations in Menglun Township, Southwest China

Abstract Significant changes in land use and land cover have occurred in Menglun Township, Xishuangbanna Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China. This is a region of high agro-ecological diversity representative of the general biophysical and socioeconomic conditions of Xishuangbanna. An analysis of satellite images showed that from 1988 to 2003, rubber plantations increased by 324%; this expansion generally occurred at the expense of forests and shifting agriculture. Most rubber expansion was in the lowland areas, where suitable microclimates and proximity to roads favored the development of the rubber industry. Economically, all the villages showed an improved living standard; from 1988 to 2003, the total net income of the township increased from CNY 4 million (US$ 0.49 million) to CNY 44 million (US$ 5.49 million). The increasing population and rising living standard of the area will put greater pressure on the environment and available land resources. Although the government considers rubber and other plantations such as tea and sugar to be ‘green industries,’ the loss of tropical rainforest and agricultural lands (including diverse shifting agriculture) suggests that the potential impacts of policies to promote green industries should be considered carefully. Communities such as those in northern Laos, where the rubber industry is now expanding rapidly, are likely to experience a similar scenario.
Physics and simulation of transport processes in hybrid organic semiconductor devices

Organic semiconductors and nanomaterials promise to potentially form the basis for future efficient and cost-effective large area optoelectronic devices, such as lightemitting diodes and solar cells. Although these materials’ amorphous nature allow utilization of cheap, high-throughput manufacturing techniques, it poses a unique challenge: the physics of carrier and excitation transport in amorphous semiconductors is fundamentally different from their crystalline semiconductor counterparts. Excitations remain localized on single molecules or nanocrystals; the drift-diffusion equations, which describe carrier transport in delocalized states near thermal equilibrium, are no longer valid. A computational model for device operation would give researchers a powerful tool to design and improve devices. This work presents a novel one-dimensional discrete model that combines the computational speed of simulations based on the drift-diffusion equations with the accuracy and flexibility of Monte Carlo simulations. The one-dimensional model is shown to be exactly equivalent to the drift-diffusion model in the limits of small applied field, narrow densities of state, and low carrier concentrations. In this limit, the Einstein relation for Brownian motion holds and the transport parameters in the one-dimensional discrete model can be directly estimated from experimentally-measurable quantities. The model is implemented in an object-oriented Python computational framework. Finally, two test cases are numerically studied: an initial, test device with fictitious parameters and a well-known organic light-emitting diode. Preliminary results demonstrate reproduce experimental current-voltage characteristics over a wide range of bias voltages. Thesis Supervisor: Professor Vladimir Bulovic Title: Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Thesis Supervisor: Professor Marin Soljacic Title: Department of Physics
CHILDREN BETTER AT IGNORING ?

Does speaking more than one language help a child perform better on certain types of cognitive tasks? One possibility is that bilingualism confers either specific or general cognitive advantages on tasks that require selective attention to one dimension over another (e.g., Bialystok, 2001; Hilchey & Klein, 2011). Other studies have looked for such an advantage but found none (e.g., Morton & Harper, 2007; Paap & Greenberg, 2013). The present study compared monolingual and bilingual children’s performance on a numerical discrimination task, which required children to ignore area and attend to number. Ninety-two children, ages 3 to 6 years, were asked which of two arrays of dots had “more dots. ” Half of the trials were congruent, where the numerically greater array was also larger in total area, and half were incongruent, where the numerically greater array was smaller in total area. All children performed better on congruent than on incongruent trials. Older children were more successful than younger children at ignoring area in favor of number. Bilingual children did not perform differently from monolingual children either in number discrimination itself (i.e., identifying which array had more dots) or at selectively attending to number. The present study thus finds no evidence of a bilingual advantage on this task for children of this age.
Learning Deep Representations for Natural Language Processing Applications

Recently, the literature shows that the representation of the data plays a crucial role in machine learning applications. Hence, several methods were born to learn the best representation for a given problem, as is the case of Deep Neural Networks and Multiple Kernel Learning. These methods reduce the human effort in designing good representations while increasing the expressiveness of the learning algorithms. In this project, the representation learning is analyzed from two different viewpoints. The former aims to develop novel technologies and models to learn the representation, mainly focusing on Embeddings, Multiple Kernel Learning, Deep Neural Networks, and their combination. The latter aims to provide a proof-of-concept of these methods on real-world Natural Language Processing tasks, such as the Named Entity Recognition and large-scale document classification in the biomedical domain.
Spatial Downscaling of SMAP Soil Moisture using MODIS Land Surface Temperature and Greenness during SMAPVEX 15

The SMAP (Soil Moisture Active Passive) mission provides global surface soil moisture product at 36 km resolution from its L-band radiometer. While the coarse resolution is satisfactory to many applications there are also a lot of applications which would benefit from a higher resolution soil moisture product. In this paper the SMAP radiometer-based soil moisture product was downscaled to 1 km using MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data, and validated against airborne data from the PALS (Passive Active Lband System) instrument. The downscaling approach uses MODIS land surface temperature and normalized difference vegetation index to construct soil evaporative efficiency, which is used to downscale the SMAP soil moisture. The algorithm was applied to one SMAP pixel during the SMAP Validation Experiment 2015 (SMAPVEX15) in a semiarid study area for validation of the approach. The results showed that the approach had reasonable skill (root mean square difference of 0.053 m3/m3 for 1-km resolution and 0.037 m3/m3 for 3-km resolution) in resolving high resolution soil moisture features within the coarse scale pixel. The success benefits from the fact that the surface temperature in this region is controlled by soil evaporation, the topographical variation within the chosen pixel area is relatively moderate and the vegetation density is relatively low over most parts of the pixel. The analysis showed that the combination of the SMAP and MODIS data under these conditions can result in a high resolution soil moisture product with an accuracy suitable for many applications.
A Cloud Based Automated Anomaly Detection Framework

A Cloud Based Automated Anomaly Detection Framework PRATHIBHA DATTA KUMAR, MS The University of Texas at Arlington, 2014 Supervising Professor: David Levine A machine-to-machine (M2M) communications network hosts millions of heterogeneous devices such as for vehicle tracking, medical services, and home automation and security services. These devices exchange thousands of messages over cellular networks. These messages are Signaling System No. 7 (SS7) messages of various types like authentication, mobility management, and many more, resulting in tera bytes of SS7 signaling traffic data over a period of days. The data generated is diverse, depending on several factors like device activity, hardware manufacturers, and radio / tower interaction. This inherent diversity makes anomaly detection in a M2M network challenging. With millions of messages to analyze, high computation machines are necessary. In this thesis, an automated data mining framework on the cloud, to detect anomalous devices in the traffic data is presented. Unsupervised learning such as cluster analysis is a useful tool here given the lack of static behavioral patterns of devices and numerous ways in which they can fail. Datasets extracted from a leading M2M service provider’s network featuring millions of devices are analyzed. The case
Operating Room Cost versus Outcome in Elective Colectomy

Objectives: Surgeons and health systems face challenges in achieving healthcare cost containment without compromising patient outcome. This study objective was to correlate operating room costs of elective colectomies with their outcome. Design: Retrospective observational study. Statistical analysis included t-test, ANOVA and Spearman correlation between continuous variables. Setting: Tertiary care medical center. Patients: 114 consecutive patients who underwent an elective colectomy were analyzed collectively and in subgroups by type of Operation: Laparoscopic right colectomy, Open right colectomy, Laparoscopic left colectomy, Open left colectomy, Open total colectomy/proctectomy, Laparoscopic converted to open colectomy. Operating room cost was calculated as charges for equipment utilized and personnel cost. Main Outcome Measures: Outcome was expressed as a weighted numerical score for each patient, ranging from 0 to 10. The score took into account hospital length of stay, complications, 30-day readmission and mortality Results: Colectomy cost ranged from $387 to $8262 (mean=$2176 ± 1244). The mean outcome score was 8.01 ± 2.4 (p=0.091). Operating room cost did not correlate with outcome, collectively or per subgroup. Conclusions: Higher operating room expenditures did not achieve a superior outcome for elective colectomy. This preliminary work may prompt further analyses of resource utilization versus outcome in surgical practice.
Analisis Misalignment Citra Multispektral Terhadap Citra Pankromatik Pada Data Worldview-2

The standard data of Worldview-2 owned by LAPAN is Ortho-Ready Standard level 2 (OR2A) data consisting of 4 multispectral bands (blue, green, red, NIR) and one panchromatic band each 2 m and 0,5 m spatial resolution. Both images have different metadata and RPC, making it possible to perform geometric corrections separately. This paper discusses the analysis of the inaccuracies of multispectral image positions to panchromatic images compared to those that have been systematically geometric corrected. The method used is fast fourier transform phase matching by taking 500 binding points between the two images. The measurement results prove that the multispectral image of the Worldview-2 data of the OR2A level has a larger shift compared with multispectral image that has been systematically geometric corrected. The multispectral image of the OR2A data shifts are 2,14 m on the X-axis and 0,42 m on the Y-axis. While the multispectral image that has been systematically geometric corrected shifts are 1,72 m on the X-axis and 0,54 m on the Y-axis.ABSTRAKData standar Worldview-2 yang dimiliki oleh LAPAN merupakan data Ortho-Ready Standard level 2 (OR2A) yang terdiri dari 4 kanal multispektral (biru, hijau, merah, NIR) dan satu kanal pankromatik masing-masing memiliki resolusi spasial 2 meter dan 0,5 meter. Kedua kanal tersebut memiliki metadata dan RPC yang berbeda, sehingga memungkinkan untuk melakukan koreksi geometrik secara terpisah. Tulisan ini membahas tentang analisis misalignment citra multispektral terhadap citra pankromatik dibandingkan dengan yang telah terkoreksi geometrik sistematik. Metode yang digunakan adalah fast fourier transform phase matching dengan mengambil 500 titik ikat antara kedua citra tersebut. Hasil pengukuran membuktikan bahwa citra multispektral data Worldview-2 level OR2A memiliki pergeseran yang lebih besar dibandingkan dengan citra multispektral yang terkoreksi geometrik sistematik. Citra multispektral data OR2A bergeser 2,14 meter pada sumbu X dan 0,42 meter pada sumbu Y. Sedangkan citra multispektral data terkoreksi geometrik sistematik bergeser 1,72 meter pada sumbu X dan 0,54 meter pada sumbu Y.
Message routing algorithms for static task scheduling

Two heuristic-based routing algorithms are presented. They take into account the need for precise information about intertask data communication which in aa message-passing, single-stage, n-dimensional network environment includes the communication delay for sending certain amounts of data at a certain moment through certain links. They also attempt to provide the best routes for communication, as well as the communication delay information on the routes. The difficulty is that for a given set of links, the communication delay can be different if the message is sent through at a different moment. The communication delay is influenced by current traffic on the links. The algorithms not only accurately compute the times that are needed to send messages from multiple-source processing elements (PEs) to a destination PE, but also indicate the paths that are used to transfer the messages. Each of the algorithms can be used in the static scheduling algorithms to computer the time needed to transfer messages in a multiprocessor system. The author also indicates that the optimal routing problem is NP-complete. <<ETX>>
The pecking order theory in the context of small and medium - sized enterprises: a note

The financial choices of SMEs clearly fit the pecking order theory (POT) for three main reasons. Firstly, SMEs undergo a problem of financial gap, in both terms of supply gap and knowledge gap. Secondly, in SMEs there is unity of interests between insiders (i.e. current shareholders and their managers who, very often, are the same individuals), as well as a high information asymmetry between insiders and outsiders (investors). Finally, owners of SMEs strongly avoid relinquishing control, even in case of rights offerings if current shareholders cannot afford to buy extra securities. There is possibility for further research which tries to empirically confirm the relevance of the POT in the context of Italian SMEs.
Version Stock-dependent uncertainty and optimal resource exploitation

The probability that an agent takes a certain action or a certain event occurs depends often on the actions taken by some agents. If this probability depends not only on current actions but on the sum of all past actions, these stock-dependent risks imply an intertemporal effect. In the present paper, we analyse this problem using an example concerning the exploitation of a non-renewable, exhaustible common-pool resource. The paper discusses resource extraction policies under endogenous closure risks which depend on the accumulated stock of extracted resources. It turns out that the optimal time path of resource extractions requires a tax rate which surmounts both the no-risk and second-best tax which tackles the problem by a mere evaluation of the expected exhaustibility stock We wish to thank Kai Konrad for useful comments on a predecessor of this paper. The usual disclaimer applies.
A Finding , evaluating the best evidence

s we discussed in the May/June 2009 issue of the Banfield Journal, evidence-based veterinary medicine (EBVM) uses the best available research evidence along with clinical expertise, client preferences, patient needs and available resources to make the most informed clinical decisions. EBVM may suggest the best approach to a specific clinical problem, but it is the practitioner who integrates all this knowledge to recommend the best course of care. EBVM includes these steps: 1) Ask an answerable clinical question; 2) Find the best evidence to answer the question; 3) Critically appraise the evidence for its validity and usefulness; 4) Apply this evidence by integrating the appraisal results with clinical expertise, patient needs and client values; 5) Implement and evaluate the outcomes.
Review Article: Quantum Nanophotonics in Diamond

The past decade has seen great advances in developing color centers in diamond for sensing, quantum information processing, and tests of quantum foundations. Increasingly, the success of these applications as well as fundamental investigations of light-matter interaction depend on improved control of optical interactions with color centers -- from better fluorescence collection to efficient and precise coupling with confined single optical modes. Wide ranging research efforts have been undertaken to address these demands through advanced nanofabrication of diamond. This review will cover recent advances in diamond nano- and microphotonic structures for efficient light collection, color center to nanocavity coupling, hybrid integration of diamond devices with other material systems, and the wide range of fabrication methods that have enabled these complex photonic diamond systems.
Clinical and Molecular Characterization of Patients with Distal I I q Deletions

'Division of Medical Genetics, University of California, San Diego, and 'Molecular Genetics Lab, The Salk Institute, La Jolla; 3Division of Dysmorphology and Genetics, Children's Hospital, San Diego; 4Department of Genetics, Kaiser Permanente Medical Group, San Jose; 5Department of Pediatrics, Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson; 'Center for Human Genetics, U.Z Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium; 7Department of Pathology and Cytogenetics, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, and 8Medical Genetics Service, Eastern General Hospital, Edinburgh; 9Division of Clinical Genetics and Dysmorphology, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles; '°Division of Genetics, University of South Florida, Tampa; "Clinica Pediatrica I Universita' di Catania, Catania, Italy; "2Murdoch Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne; '3CSS Hospital, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy; and '4Department of Cytogenetics, Oakwood Hospital, Dearborn, Ml
Fear-then-relief compliance technique – roots and historical evidence

Research on emotion conducted so far has usually ignored situations where the person experiences a certain emotion, but where the external stimulus that evoked and upholds this emotion suddenly disappears. This kind of situation, however, is relatively common in everyday life. This article attempts to recognize certain consequences of those conditions under which the stimuli justifying our experience of such emotional states as fear or anxiety suddenly disappear. Research done to data by the author and his colleagues indicates increased compliance of the subject when addressed with various requests, commands or suggestion in the situation termed here “emotional see-saw” or “fear-then-relief”.
Reproductive Biology of the Red-Giant Flying Squirrel, Petaurista petaurista, in Taiwan

Reproductive characteristics of red-giant flying squirrels ( Petauristapetaurista ) were studied from December 1981 to November 1982 in Taiwan. We collected 216 adults (116 males, 100 females) and 65 immatures (23 males, 42 females). The sex ratio of adults did not deviate from 1:1 ratio ( P > 0.05). Adult females tended to be heavier than adult males (1,334 and 1,260 g, respectively, P 56 g. This species is a seasonal breeder with low reproductive rates, which may be a result of a low predation rate combined with their high degree of folivory.
Innovating imaging in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: an ongoing quest

This thesis focusses on the ongoing quest of imaging in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The innovations within the field of imaging in JIA are discussed, in order to increase the added value of imaging in the evaluation of disease activity and the management of patients with JIA. The thesis is divided in three parts, with topics covering both the knee and wrist (Part I), knee only (Part II) and wrist only (III). In general, the following items are discussed: international collaboration on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in JIA, preferred locations for JIA on MRI of the knee and wrist, comparison of MRI of the knee between unaffected children and clinically active JIA patients, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in the knee and wrist and bone health of JIA patients as determined on X-ray of the hand.
Motor Adaptation during Slip-Perturbed Gait in Older Adults

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate adaptations to slip perturbations using a customized separated-belt treadmill in older adults. [Subjects] Forty-five healthy older subjects participated in this study. [Methods] Participants were requested to continue to walk against 20 slip perturbations during a 5-minute period. The magnitudes of the reactive responses were evaluated with the use of a tri-axial accelerometer attached to the subject's pelvis. Also, the latency to the onset of EMG activity and the magnitude of EMG activity were measured using surface electrodes placed on both sides of the erector spinae, rectus abdominis, biceps femoris, vastus medialis (VM), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), and tibialis anterior muscles. [Results] The magnitude of the reactive response in the second half of the perturbed walk was significantly more decreased than during the first half (p < 0.01). Decreases in the magnitude of EMG were also observed from VM and GM muscles (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively), but the latency of each of the muscles was unchanged. [Conclusion] In conclusion, adaptations that may have contributed to the prevention of falls occurred in older adults. These adaptations might have been accomplished by a change in magnitude of muscle activity rather than by a change in timing.
Availability of inorganic and organic bound copper and zinc fed at physiological levels to fattening pigs

To evaluate the availability of organic and inorganic copper and zinc, two experiments were conducted with 24 castrated crossbred pigs in each experiment, covering a body weight range from 71 kg to 81 kg. In both experiments, the animals were randomly allocated to 4 groups with 6 animals each. 10 mg copper and 30 mg zinc were added to the diets in experiment 1. In experiment 2, 20 mg copper and 70 mg zinc were supplemented. Copper and zinc were supplemented in both experiments as inorganic sulfates or as organic copper and zinc produced by chelation of copper and zinc with partially hydrolysed soybean protein in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. As the concentration of coeruloplasmin increased in experiment 1 and the concentration of copper in plasma was higher in experiment 2 when organic copper was supplemented, it can be concluded that organic copper has a higher availability as compared to inorganic copper. The addition of organic zinc to the diets increased copper digestibility in both experiments and plasma copper and coeruloplasmin in experiment 2. At 20 mg dietary copper and 70 mg dietary zinc, a higher digestibility of organic zinc could be observed as compared to inorganic zinc. It can therefore be concluded that the depressive effect of zinc on copper availability is lower for organic zinc as compared to inorganic zinc.