Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Database Models for Geographic Information System Applications

Geographic Information Systems are increasingly widespread in modern applications and research. The field has expanded tremendously since its inception in the 1970s, and has recently gained popularity and practicality with the rise of faster and cheaper processing and display technologies. Today GIS models are used to represent such complex datasets as city planning and public works infrastructure, automated traffic systems and highway management, regional and nationwide emergency response areas, detailed scientific research data, and large scale crop, mineral, and other natural resource surveys. The data storage and processing requirements for GIS systems are quite different from most databases. GIS relys on a high level of spatial and temporal relationship mapping as well as the ability to handle continuous data inputs and queries which do not always decompose well to discrete storage entities. This paper aims to examine the various models which have been proposed and developed to represent dynamic geographic and spatio-temporal data. It is intended as an overview and evaluation of existing research for those who desire a concise survey of models used in GIS.
Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises

Corporate governance is defined as the structures and processes by which companies are directed and controlled. Good corporate governance helps companies operate more efficiently, improve access to capital, mitigate risk, and safeguard against mismanagement. It makes companies more accountable and transparent to investors and gives them the tools to respond to stakeholder concerns. Corporate governance also contributes to development. Increased access to capital encourages new investments, boosts economic growth, and provides employment opportunities.
Learning a dynamic policy by using policy gradient: application to biped walking

This paper discusses a method in which periodic motion, such as biped walking, is acquired by the framework of reinforced learning. For an object with multiple degrees of freedom, it is in general difficult to acquire the policy by reinforced learning. There must be a framework of learning which is matched to the motion task under consideration. From this viewpoint, this paper proposes “dynamic policy,” that is, a policy with internal state and dynamics. Its learning procedure is then considered. When periodic motion such as biped walking is to be acquired by learning, dynamical entrainment to the control object can be utilized if the policy has internal dynamics. Furthermore, by providing a policy with internal state, the controller is made robust to time delay and noise in the sensor inputs. The use of the policy gradient is discussed as a method of learning the policy without explicitly considering its internal state. As an example, dynamic policy is applied to a three-link biped walking robot model. The dynamic policy in this example is realized by a feedback controller based on a neural oscillator and sensor inputs. By using the policy gradient, appropriate rules for sensor feedback to the neural oscillator are learned by trial and error. It is shown by simulation that a dynamic policy realizing biped walking is acquired. The method is further applied to a five-link biped walking robot in order to investigate the possibility of extension to a system with multiple degrees of freedom. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(4): 25–38, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.20441
The effects of testosterone on a viral infection in greenfinches (Carduelis chloris): an experimental test of the immunocompetence-handicap hypothesis

The immunocompetence–handicap hypothesis suggests that the honesty of quality signals could be guaranteed if testosterone (T) suppresses immune function while enhancing male ornaments. In addition, it has been proposed that the cost of enhancing ornaments should be highest for males with small ornaments. Recently, the assertion that T causes obligate immunosuppression has been questioned. In this study, we tested whether elevated T levels would increase susceptibility to a viral infection, and whether this hypothesized effect would be most pronounced in males with small ornaments. We surgically inserted T implants into 15 male greenfinches (Carduelis chloris) and control implants into a further 15 males. All birds were then infected with a naturally occurring virus (Sindbis virus, Alphavirus genus), and each bird's daily viraemia (blood virus concentration) was measured for seven days. The specific antibody response was measured for eight weeks. T–implanted males did not exhibit increased viraemia or decreased antibody response, and males with small and large ornaments did not respond differently to T implantation. We did, however, find that T implantation decreased viraemia early in the course of the infection and increased viraemia late in the infection. Thus, our results demonstrate that T may act both to increase and to decrease viraemia.
Endogenous nitrogen oxides and bronchodilator S-nitrosothiols in human airways.

Recent discoveries suggesting essential bioactivities of nitric oxide (NO.) in the lung are difficult to reconcile with the established pulmonary cytotoxicity of this common air pollutant. These conflicting observations suggest that metabolic intermediaries may exist in the lung to modulate the bioactivity and toxicity of NO. We report that S-nitrosothiols (RS-NO), predominantly the adduct with glutathione, are present at nano- to micromolar concentrations in the airways of normal subjects and that their levels vary in different human pathophysiologic states. These endogenous RS-NO are long-lived, potent relaxants of human airways under physiological O2 concentrations. Moreover, RS-NO form in high concentrations upon administration of NO. gas. Nitrite (10-20 microM) is found in airway lining fluid in concentrations linearly proportional to leukocyte counts, suggestive of local NO. metabolism. NO. itself was not detected either free in solution or in complexes with transition metals. These observations may provide insight into the means by which NO. is packaged in biological systems to preserve its bioactivity and limit its potential O2-dependent toxicity and suggest an important role for NO. in regulation of airway luminal homeostasis.
The effects of pre-harvest and post-harvest factors on the nutritional quality of strawberry fruits: A review

In the last years, the nutritional quality of fruits has been widely evaluated and requested by consumers, mainly because of the health effects they provide. As known, these benefits can be due to micronutrients, as vitamins and minerals, but also to phenolic compounds, as flavonoids and ellagitannins. In this context, strawberries represent a very good choice for a diet low in saturated fats and sodium and, at the same time they are rich in fiber, potassium and other minerals, vitamins, and antioxidant phytochemicals: all elements that are currently considered as the essential constituents of a well-balanced diet. However, the nutritional quality of strawberry fruits can be considerably affected by several pre-harvest and post-harvest conditions, which, in most cases, may decrease the nutrient and the phytochemical contents of this fruit. This paper reviews and updates the current knowledge on the nutritional and phytochemical composition of strawberry, paying particular attention on the role played by the genotype, the maturity, the environment, the storage and the processing on the nutritional quality of this fruit.
Comparative Resistance of Phage Isolates of Four Genotypes of F-Specific RNA Bacteriophages to Various Inactivation Processes

ABSTRACT The effect of natural inactivation in freshwater, chlorination, ammonia, extreme pHs, temperature, and salt content on phage inactivation was evaluated on mixtures of F-specific RNA bacteriophage isolates belonging to genotypes I, II, III, and IV. The bacteriophages studied were previously but recently isolated from natural samples, characterized as F-specific RNA bacteriophages and genotyped by plaque hybridization with genotype-specific probes. Natural inactivation in river water was modeled by in situ incubation of bacteriophages inside submerged dialysis tubes. After several days bacteriophages of genotype I showed the highest persistence, which was significantly different from that of bacteriophages of genotype II, IV, or III. The pattern of resistance of phages belonging to the various genotypes to extreme pHs, ammonia, temperature, salt concentration, and chlorination was similar. In all cases, phages of genotype I showed the highest persistence, followed by the phages of genotypes II, III, and IV. The phages of genotypes III and IV were the least resistant to all treatments, and resistance of genotypes III and IV to the treatments was similar. Bacteriophages of genotype II showed intermediate resistance to some of the treatments. The resistance of four phages of genotype I to natural inactivation and chlorination did not differ significantly. These results indicate that genotypes III and IV are much more sensitive to environmental stresses and to treatments than the other genotypes, especially than genotype I. This should be taken into consideration in future studies aimed at using genotypes of F-specific RNA bacteriophages to fingerprint the origin of fecal pollution.
A Phospholipid-modified Polystyrene—Polyisobutylene— Polystyrene (SIBS) Triblock Polymer for Enhanced Hemocompatibility and Potential Use in Artificial Heart Valves

Poly(styrene-block-isobutylene-block-styrene) (`SIBS') is selected for a novel trileaflet heart valve due to its high resistance to oxidation, hydrolysis, and enzyme attack. SIBS is modified using six different phospholipids and its mechanical properties characterized by tensile stress, peel strength, shear strength, contact angle, and surface energy, and then for hemocompatibility by studying the adhesion of fluorescently labeled platelets in a parallel plate chamber under physiological flow conditions. Phospholipid modification decreases SIBS tensile stress (at 45% strain) by 30% and reduces platelet adhesion by a factor of 10, thereby improving its hemocompatibility and its potential use as a synthetic heart valve.
Investigation of pulsed micro-discharges and ozone production by dielectric barrier discharges

In this work, pulsed micro-discharges produced by dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) with a sub-millimeter gap were electrically-characterized under ac voltage at 100 Hz and at 5 kHz. Ozone production was investigated for different discharge gap lengths and pressures. The aim of the work was to understand the statistics of filamentary current pulses and their relationship to the reduced electric field and the ozone production efficiency. A transient sinusoidal voltage of 200 cycles was employed to reduce the heating effects in the ozone-synthesis process. It was shown that the amplitude of the filamentary current pulses measured over 200 voltage cycles conformed to a Gaussian distribution. The mean filamentary current and ozone production efficiency measured at 100 Hz and at 5 kHz were almost the same. The ozone production efficiency was found to increase with increasing pressure from 1 bar to 2 bar, and the gap length from 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm. The maximum ozone production efficiency achieved in the work was 217 g/kWh, with a gap length of 0.5 mm, 2.0 bar absolute pressure, and an applied voltage of 5.5 kV at 5 kHz.
Physiological Properties of Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors Reconstituted from the Vertebrate β2 Subunit and Drosophilaα Subunits

Three cDNAs (ALS, Dα2 and ARD) isolated from the nervous system of Drosophila and encoding putative nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits were expressed in Xenopus oocytes in order to study their functional properties. Functional receptors could not be reconstituted from any of these subunits taken singly or in twos and threes. In contrast, large evoked currents (in the μA range) were consistently observed upon agonist application on oocytes co‐injected with ALS or Dα2 in combination with the chick β2 structural subunit. The ALS/β2 and Dα2/β2 receptors are highly sensitive to acetylcholine and nicotine, and their physiological properties resemble those of native or reconstituted receptors from vertebrates. Although the physiological properties of ALS/β2 and Dα2/β2 receptors are quite similar, clear differences appear in their pharmacological profiles. The ALS/β2 receptor is highly sensitive to α‐bungarotoxin while the Dα2/β2 receptor is totally insensitive to this agent. These results demonstrate that the Drosophila ALS and Dα2 cDNAs encode neuronal nicotinic subunits responding to physiological concentrations of the agonists acetylcholine and nicotine.
A Study on the Realization Mechanism of CSR in China

This paper is to study how to construct a realization mechanism for European banks to help them take social responsibilities. For this purpose, this paper uses textual analysis method to study the literature for banks and CSR in Europe and then summarize the functions of banks in European economics and society. This paper uses case study to construct a realization mechanism for European banks which contains three parts: for EU, for state and for other stakeholders. At last, this paper studies further details for every part about how European banks should take their responsibilities. Keywords—CSR; EU; Bank; Realization mechanism
Derivatives, Operational Hedging and Access to Liquidity as Tools for Risk Management: Results from a Questionnaire.

A firm may manage risks with financial derivatives, by operationally hedging and/or by securing access to liquidity. To provide evidence on the relative importance of these risk management practices we conducted a survey of a sample of Swedish firms (n=804). On observable criteria the sample is representative of the population of Swedish non-financial firms with at least five employees. Ensuring access to liquidity is deemed to be the most important way of managing risk, followed by operational hedging strategies. Hedging with financial derivatives is assigned the lowest importance for management of risks. Closely held firms use operational means of managing risk to a greater extent than widely held firms, but derivatives to a lesser extent. Firms that hedge financially almost always use operational hedges as well, which has implications for how to interpret existing evidence on the role of derivatives for firm valuation. Financially more sophisticated firms are more likely to engage in all forms of risk management. The ability to finance profitable new investments is the most important motivation for managing risk, in line with Froot, Stein, and Scharfstein (1993).
Pilot line processing of 18.6% efficient rear surface passivated large area solar cells

We use the recently introduced Silicon Nitride Thermal Oxidation (SiNTO) process for the industrial fabrication of silicon solar cells that feature a thermal oxide passivated rear surface and local rear contacts. The SiNTO process represents an innovative approach for the fabrication of a passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC), since the front end part from the conventional process sequence is maintained. We apply mostly industrial production equipment using Czochralski silicon wafers that are partly processed in an industrial production line. Conventional screen printing is used for the formation of the front contacts. A stable conversion efficiency of 18.6% (independently confirmed) is achieved for a PERC device fabricated from conventional boron doped Cz-Silicon by means of the SiNTO process. The average efficiency of a batch of 24 SiNTO cells is 18.4%, measured after fabrication (not stabilized). A test module fabricated from 16 SiNTO solar cells features a fill factor of 76.2% and an open circuit voltage of 10.16 V, corresponding to an average of 635 mV per cell.
PENERAPAN SISTEM SALES MANAGEMENT MENGGUNAKAN OPENERP DENGAN METODE RAPID APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT

Penerapan teknologi dan sistem informasi dalam suatu perusahaan merupakan kebutuhan yang sangan penting saat ini, terutama pada perusahaan yang memiliki proses bisnins yang komplek dengan sekala menengah ke atas. PT. Genta Trikarya merupakan produsen gitar dalam negri yang sedang berkembang, hasil dari produksinya 90% di exportkan ke berbagai negara di dunia. Selama ini PT. Genta Trikarya sering mengalami kendala belum terintegrasinya bagisan marketing dan produksi, serta dalam pendataan baik itu stok barang,serta rekap data hasil penjualan. Sehingga penerapan ERP menggunakan aplikasi OpenERP ini dirasakan dapat membantumengatasi masalah yang dihadapi PT.Genta Trikarya serta meningkatkan produktifitas PT. Genta Trikarya. Kata Kunci : Sales Management, OpenERP, RAD, Make to order
Distributed Realcast: A Channel-Adaptive Video Broadcast Delivery Scheme

The performance of the mobile video broadcast is weakened when applying the traditional broadcast scheme which is forced to pick a single bit rate supported by the worst receiver. It leads to the drawback that receivers with better channels cannot obtain better video qualities. This paper proposed distributed Realcast, an analog video delivery scheme based on real value transmission, to provide differentiated video service. It utilizes a series of linear operations to encode video without digital processing so that the channel noise is proportional to the distortion in video pixels and achieve channel adaptive transmission. Meanwhile, a distributed video coding scheme combining the frame difference method and the coset coding is proposed to realize the efficient video compression and prevent error propagation. In addition, distributed Realcast performs the motion compensated extrapolation method at both the encoder and decoder to avoid the transmission of motion vectors and release the stress of limited bandwidth. Simulation results indicate that distributed realcast outperforms Softcast, a representative analog video broadcast scheme, by nearly 3db.
Throughput monotonicity in communication networks with blocking: properties and counterexamples

The authors study the effect of increasing buffer capacities on the performance of queuing networks that use probabilistic or state-dependent routing. The approach is to establish strong stochastic ordering relations on several performance measures using sample path arguments. In particular, it is proved that the throughput is monotonically increasing with respect to an overall capacity vector in networks with exponential service times, or deterministic service times and synchronous transmission. However, in networks with deterministic service times and asynchronous transmission this property may not hold, as seen through a counterexample. A simple retransmission algorithm is proposed to overcome this problem. Finally, the monotonicity property is also shown to hold in tandem networks with exponential servers where blocked customers are retransmitted rather than rejected. <<ETX>>
A Method for Filling Holes in Objects of Medical Images Using Region Labeling and Run Length Encoding Schemes

This paper presents a new method for filling holes in objects of binary images. Further it analyses the performance of other existing holes filling operations in binary form of medical images. Hole filling operations are widely used in medical image processing today. Almost all the medical image processing operations produce a binary form of original image at any stage. The binary images are normally produced by simple segmentation techniques such as thresholding. They contain foreground objects surrounded by background regions. Some times a set of background regions lie completely within the foreground regions due to imperfection in the binary conversion identified by the optimal thersholding. It is known as hole within the foreground objects. Hence a hole is an area of dark pixels surrounded by light pixels. Variety of holes filling operations are developed and used by researchers for medical image analysis study. They are Areafill operation, Morphological operation, and Floodfill operation. Sometimes a combination of these methods along with image subtraction is used to identify the holes effectively. The existing operations are required user intervention either to start the process of refine the results. The user intervention is application oriented and subject specific knowledge is required to run the process. We have developed an automatic algorithm for filling holes that appear within the binary mask. The proposed approach is based on Run Length Encoded Data (RLED) of binary image and region labeling procedure. Usually in medical imaging, the scanned organs are surrounded by air in the form of dark background. Using this expert knowledge the holes within objects are identified and removed using runs of holes and image limits. The proposed operation is fully automatic and no user intervention is required at any stage. This automatic process is best suitable holes filling module in any brain image analysis pipeline.
Multivariate Change Detection in Multispectral , Multitemporal Images

This paper introduces a new orthogonal transfonn the multivariate change detection (MeD) transfonn based on an established multivariate statistical technique canonical correlation analysis. The theory for canonical correlation analysis is sketched and modified to be more directly applicable in our context. As opposed to traditional univariate change detection schemes our scheme transforms two sets of multivariate observations (e.g. two multispectral satellite images aquired at different points in time) into a difference between two linear combinations of the original variables explaining maximal change (Le. the difference explaining maximal variance) in all variables simultaneously. A case study using multispectral SPOT data from 1987 and 1989 covering coffee and pineapple plantations near Thika, Kiamhu District, Kenya, shows the usefulness of this new concept.
Impact evaluation of national export promotion programs on export firms using contrast groups

This article assesses the impact of export promotion programs (EPP) on the export sales of the firms. The analysis is conducted with longitudinal data, contrasting groups of users and non-users, and ex-ante and ex-post data. The export sales data are obtained from the official database of the National Customs Service of Chile, to the region under study, from 2002-2011. The methodology used to assess the impact of this public policy is difference in difference (DID) with matching. Although the ex-ante and ex-post differences in export performance between users and non-users are positive, when comparing the groups that have used the programs, the results did not point out significant differences. The study raises the challenge to further analyse the impact of this public policy exploring other quantitative indicators of export performance available in official databases.