Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automatic cloud top height determination in mountainous areas using a cost-effective time-lapse camera system

Abstract. A new method is presented for the determination of cloud top heights using the footage of a time-lapse camera that is placed above a frequently occurring cloud layer in a mountain valley. Contact points between cloud tops and underlying terrain are automatically detected in the camera image based on differences in the brightness, texture and movement of cloudy and non-cloudy areas. The height of the detected cloud top positions is determined by comparison with a digital elevation model projected to the view of the camera. The technique has been validated using data about the cloud immersion of a second camera as well as via visual assessment. The validation shows a high detection quality, especially regarding the requirements for the validation of satellite cloud top retrieval algorithms.
Southern ( SAIS ) 5-18-2013 EVALUATING THE PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION SECURITY : A BALANCED SCORECARD APPROACH

This paper, a research in progress, presents a balanced scorecard based framework for managing and evaluating the performance of information security in organizations. Acknowledging the multi-dimensionality of information security and the various value propositions of different constituents, we contend that for organizations to maximize the value of their information security effort, they should strike a balance between four information security capabilities pertaining to four perspectives: the financial, the customer, the internal processes, and the learning and growth perspectives. The proposed framework supplements the traditional financial perspective with three non-financial perspectives and thus accounts for the qualitative and intangible benefits of information security. Furthermore, it captures the technical and socio-organizational dimensions of information security. Finally, the proposed framework, through its robust theoretical and methodological foundation, holds the promise of maximizing the effectiveness of the information security endeavor in organizations.
Fabrication and characteristics of visible light active TiO2 films by reduction treatment in carbon powder

Abstract TiO2 film balls were fabricated by mechanical coating technique and the following high temperature oxidation, reduction reaction by carbon powder. The films were characterised by X-ray diffraction, SEM and electron probe microanalyser. X-ray diffraction revealed that rutile TiO2 films were formed during the oxidation and reserved in the following reduction reaction. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that the films had a composite microstructure of TiO2 and Ti films. After the reduction reaction, the films showed enhanced photocatalytic activity under ultraviolet (UV) or visible light irradiation. Absorption spectra analysis proved that the films’ absorption spectra extended towards visible light. The balance of crystallinity and specific surface area is considered to be the main influencing factor of photocatalytic activity under UV light irradiation. The red shift of TiO2 films’ absorption spectra due to the introduction of oxygen vacancy in the reduction reaction is believed to be the crucial reason of improving the visible light photocatalytic activity significantly.
Inequality and Health : Long-Run Evidence from a Panel of Countries

Is mortality higher in countries that are more unequal? To answer this question, we use a new source of data on inequality: tax data on the share of the richest 10 percent of the population. Within countries, changes in top income shares have been shown to proxy changes in other inequality measures, such as the Gini coefficient. Using data on top income shares from Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, the UK and the US over the period 1905-2002, we investigate the relationship between inequality, life expectancy, and infant mortality. In the absence of country and year fixed effects, we find a positive relationship between inequality and mortality rates. However, in our preferred fixed effects specification, the relationship becomes small and statistically insignificant. Nor do we find support for the hypothesis that changes in the income share of the richest ten percent affect homicide or suicide rates.
Leadership with Individual Rewards and Punishments: Do Incentives Reinforce Leading by Example?

Leading by example is considered as an important means to influence followers and to increase team performance. In most organizations, however, leading by example does not come alone. To influence followers, leaders simultaneously use a variety of instruments. Most frequently, leaders possess power to administer positive and negative incentives to followers. Do these incentives reinforce the impact of leading by example on team performance? Because of confounding factors, it is difficult to investigate leading by example using field data. Here, we investigate the effects of leading by example and its interaction with incentives on team performance in controlled laboratory experiments. We find that incentives are more effective in fostering team performance than leading by example as such. Surprisingly, leading by example’s effect on team performance interacts negatively with incentives, interestingly more so with rewards than with punishments.
Collective signaling behavior in a networked-oscillator model

We propose and study the collective behavior of a model of networked signaling objects that incorporates several ingredients of real-life systems. These ingredients include spatial inhomogeneity with grouping of signaling objects, signal attenuation with distance, and delayed and impulsive coupling between non-identical signaling objects. Depending on the coupling strength and/or time-delay effect, the model exhibits completely, partially, and locally collective signaling behavior. In particular, a correlated signaling (CS) behavior is observed in which there exist time durations when nearly a constant fraction of oscillators in the system are in the signaling state. These time durations are much longer than the duration of a spike when a single oscillator signals, and they are separated by regular intervals in which nearly all oscillators are silent. Such CS behavior is similar to that observed in biological systems such as fireflies, cicadas, crickets, and frogs. The robustness of the CS behavior against noise is also studied. It is found that properly adjusting the coupling strength and noise level could enhance the correlated behavior. r 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Nutrient inputs from the watershed and coastal eutrophication in the Florida keys

Widespread use of septic tanks in the Florida Keys increase the nutrient concentrations of limestone groundwaters that discharge into shallow nearshore waters, resulting in coastal eutrophication. This study characterizes watershed nutrient inputs, transformations, and effects along a land-sea gradient stratified into four ecosystems that occur with increasing distance from land: manmade canal systems (receiving waters of nutrient inputs), seagrass meadows, patch reefs, and offshore bank reefs. Soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), the primary limiting nutrient, was significantly elevated in canal systems compared to the other ecosystems, while dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN; NH4+ and NO3−) a secondary limiting nutrient, was elevated both in canal systems and seagrass meadows. SRP and NH4+ concentrations decreased to low concentrations within approximately 1 km and 3 km from land, respectively. DIN and SRP accounted for their greatest contribution (up to 30%) of total N and P pools in canals, compared to dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) that dominated (up to 68%) the total N and P pools at the offshore bank reefs. Particulate N and P fractions were also elevated (up to 48%) in canals and nearshore seagrass meadows, indicating rapid biological uptake of DIN and SRP into organic particles. Chlorophylla and turbidity were also elevated in canal systems and seagrass meadows; chlorophylla was maximal during summer when maximum watershed nutrient input occurs, whereas turbidity was maximal during winter due to seasonally maximum wind conditions and sediment resuspension. DO was negatively correlated with NH4+ and SRP; hypoxia (DO<2.5 mg l−1) frequently occurred in nutrient-enriched canal systems and seagrass meadows, especially during the warm summer months. These findings correlate with recent (<5 years) observations of increasing algal blooms, seagrass epiphytization and die-off, and loss of coral cover on patch and bank reef ecosystems, suggesting that nearshore waters of the Florida Keys have entered a stage of critical eutrophication.
InVision : a System Using Vision Patterns to Understand User Attention

This research demonstrates a new approach that uses patterns of eye motion for object selection in an eye tracking interface. The analysis of eye motion on the pattern level can deliver three values to an eye tracking interface: selection speed, reliability, and a more complete understanding of user attention. Current eye tracking interfaces use fixation as a means of target acquisition and/or selection. There are several problems with this approach concerning issues of selection speed, system reliability and the understanding of user attention. This research builds a system, called InVision, to demonstrate how the analysis of eye fixation at the pattern level can help provide solutions to these problems. First, selection speed is quick through the use of pattern identification as a means of selection. Second, pattern correlation can add reliability to an eye tracking interface. Finally, the ability to understand the context of a user's eye motion is provided through pattern interpretation. Thesis Supervisor: Ted Selker Title: Associate Professor, MIT Media Laboratory
Innovation Labs: Leveraging Openness for Radical Innovation?

A growing range of public, private and civic organisations, from Unicef through Nesta to NHS, now run units known as “innovation labs”. The hopeful assumption they share is that labs, by building on openness among other features, can generate promising solutions to grand challenges of systemic nature. Despite their seeming proliferation and popularisation, the underlying innovation principles embodied by labs have, however, received scant academic attention. This is a missed opportunity, because innovation labs appear to leverage openness for radical innovation in an unusual fashion. Indeed, in this exploratory paper we draw on original interview data and online self-descriptions to illustrate that, beyond convening “uncommon partners” across organisational boundaries, labs apply the principle of openness throughout the innovation process, including the experimentation and development phases. While the emergence of labs clearly forms part of a broader trend towards openness, we show how it transcends established conceptualisations of open innovation (Chesbrough, 2006), open science (David, 1998) or open government (Janssen et al., 2012).
Probability, odds and random chance: the difficult task of modulating the epigenetic profile of cloned embryos

Since the beginning of modern embryology, scientists have wondered about how a small number of totipotent embryonic cells can become an individual with a wide variety of organs and tissues with distinct functions. Also, the idea of generating a cloned animal using a nucleus from a donor cell is not recent. However, it has taken years of research to achieve this goal, especially regarding mechanisms of cell reprogramming required to return a differentiated cell to totipotency. Cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has been a valuable tool to understand epigenetic mechanisms related to cellular reprogramming. However, cloning efficiency is still low, with a low percentage of embryos resulting in healthy animals. The high attrition rate is associated with incomplete or abnormal epigenetic reprogramming, such that many cloned embryos have DNA methylation patterns different than controls, resulting in faulty gene expression and subsequent developmental failures. Attempts to improve genome reprogramming by modulation of oocyte quality and/or somatic cell plasticity, thereby increasing cloning efficiency and preventing detrimental effects on development, have proven ineffective. The recent development of DNA editing techniques may facilitate an improved understanding of cellular reprogramming and the role of DNA methylation in development. These novel tools may lead to new means to modulate epigenetic programming and inheritance, and hold great promise to assist in epigenetic remodeling of the donor nucleus. Such strategies are likely to improve the odds for successful cloning.
Implementasi Maximum Power Point Tracking pada Photovoltaic Berbasis P&O-Fuzzy

Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) technology is an alternative solution to improve efficiency of solar cells (photovoltaic). The main part of MPPT technology is DC-DC converter circuit and control algorithm. This paper proposes a control algorithm Perturbation and Observe (PO change of power and change of voltage, produced by the solar cell. MPPT technology has been tested using solar cells with a capacity of 50 Watt as a source of electrical energy, battery 12V/45aH as energy storage, and resistor as load. The test results indicate that the P&O algorithm has an efficiency of 86% with rise time (tr) and steady state time (ts) at 0.45 seconds, while the P&O-Fuzzy algorithm has an efficiency of 89% with rise time (tr) and steady state time (ts) at 0.3 seconds.
układzie krwiotwórczym Macrophages and their function in hematopoietic system

Streszczenie Makrofagi są komórkami prezentującymi antygen. Wykazują dwa główne rodzaje polaryzacji: aktywowany klasycznie typ M1 i alternatywnie typ M2, w zależności od rodzaju sygnałów aktywujących, to jest odpowiednio: interferonu (IFN) i/lub substancji bakteryjnych oraz interleukin IL-4 i IL-13. Jednocześnie makrofagi wykazują dużą zmienność charakteru polaryzacji w odpowiedzi na zmiany mikrośrodowiska. W szpiku makrofagi występują w wyspach erytroblastycznych jako główny regulator procesu dojrzewania erytrocytów oraz w niszach hematopoetycznych komórek macierzystych i progenitorowych, wpływając na ich przemieszczanie. W węzłach chłonnych wyróżnia się makrofagi zatoki podtorebkowej oraz makrofagi zatoki rdzeniowej i rdzenia węzła. Makrofagi podtorebkowe wykazują wysoką zdolność fagocytarną wobec patogenów pochodzących z limfy, a makrofagi części rdzeniowej podtrzymują przeżycie komórek plazmatycznych (tzw. krótko żyjących). W śledzionie makrofagi rozmieszczone w strefie brzeżnej fagocytują patogeny pochodzące z krwi i wytwarzają interferon g. W miazdze czerwonej makrofagi fagocytują apoptotyczne erytrocyty i przechowują żelazo uwolnione z hemoglobiny w postaci ferrytyny. Makrofagi są obecne w nowotworach układu krwiotwórczego, podobnie jak w guzach litych. W szpiczaku mnogim uczestniczą w angiogenezie, między innymi tworząc „pseudonaczynia” włosowate, i zwiększają tolerancję na komórki szpiczakowe, współdziałając z komórkami immunosupresyjnymi pochodzenia mieloidalnego. W chłoniaku ziarniczym wysoką liczebność makrofagów uważa się za niekorzystny czynnik rokowniczy, a w chłoniakach nieziarniczych z komórek B stwierdzono ich udział w procesie neoangiogenezy. W przewlekłej białaczce limfocytowej jako tak zwane komórki odżywczopodobne przedłużają czas przeżycia limfocytów białaczkowych B, chroniąc je przed apoptozą. Trwają próby in vitro stosowania terapii lenalidomidem, w której niszczone są nie tylko limfocyty białaczkowe B, ale i makrofagi. Słowa kluczowe: makrofagi, makrofagi w szpiku, makrofagi w układzie chłonnym, makrofagi w nowotworach układu krwiotwórczego i chłonnego J. Transf. Med. 2014; 7: 84–92
Effects of CFSs produced by lactic acid bacteria in combination with grape seed extract on the microbial quality of ready-to-eat baby leaf vegetables

Abstract The effects of the combined use of cell-free supernatant (CFS) and grape seed extract (GSE) in inhibiting the growth of pre-existing and inoculated foodborne bacteria on mixed, ready-to-eat (RTE) baby leaf vegetables were examined. Lactobacillus brevis WK12 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides WK32 produced significantly more acetic and lactic acid than citric, malic, succinic, or fumaric acids after 24 h of fermentation. The inhibition zone sizes observed when Lactobacillus brevis WK12 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides WK32 CFSs and 0.1% GSE were used in combination were much greater than those observed when either of the CFSs alone was used on agar plates. The application of 5% CFS from Lactobacillus brevis WK12 or Leuconostoc mesenteroides WK32 in combination with 0.1% GSE reduced the total counts of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, coliforms, and yeasts/molds in RTE baby leaf vegetable samples by 2.01, 1.74, and 1.87 log CFU/g, respectively, compared with those determined in the control. Combined CFS and GSE treatment reduced Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes counts by 1.72 and 2.89 log CFU/g, respectively. These results suggest that the combined CFS and GSE treatment may act as a natural disinfectant, enhancing the safety of RTE baby leaf vegetables.
Radioaktif di Botteng dan Takandeang, Mamuju, Sulawesi Barat Resistivity and Conductivity Pattern of Rock Containing Radioactive Minerals in Botteng and Takandeang, Mamuju, West Sulawesi

The general investigation activities of radioactive minerals in Mamuju Area, West Sulawesi is a respon of the environmental radioactivity measurement result, which shows the existence of high radioactivity value. High radioactive mineral content found in Botteng and Takandeang Villages. From the outcrops, they composed of leucite-basalt rocks; meanwhile the subsurface characteristics of this area are unknown. To characterize the subsurface geology, related to uranium and thorium mineralization in Botteng and Takandeang area, geophysical measurement conducted using resistivity and Induced Polarization (IP) methods. The measurements carried out using Wenner and dipole-dipole configurations. The measurements started with the creation of six measurement paths where three lines: GF/BTGY-01, GF/BTGK-02, and GF/BTGK-04 are in Botteng and three other lines: GF/TKDK-01, GF/TKDK-07 and, GF/TKDY-06 are in Takandeang. Measurements conducted by crossing the surface radiometric anomaly distribution. The result showed anomaly occurences on autobreccia distribution in GF/TKDY-6, GF/TKDK-07, and GF/BTGK-04 locations. Several mineralization indication on surface identified in GF/BTGK-0, and GF/TKDK-01 sections, charaterized by chargeability anomalies more than 25.14 ms and 81.4 ms respectively. All significant anomalies are recomended as drilling location.
Reclaiming Data Ownership: Differential Privacy in a Decentralized Setting

In the field of privacy-preserving data mining the common practice has been to gather data from the users, centralize it in a single database, and employ various anonymization techniques to protect the personally identifiable information contained within the data. Both theoretical analyses and real-world examples of data breaches have proven that these methods have severe shortcomings in protecting an individual’s privacy. A breakthrough may have been achieved in 2006 when a method called differential privacy was proposed as a mathematical guarantee for the privacy of each record in a data set. Since then, an avenue of research has been to make this concept work in a distributed setting. In this thesis we propose a decentralized framework that allows users to perform classification after aggregating their locally trained models in a privacy-preserving manner. We describe a series of experiments on the tuning of each major parameter involved, and show the effects of these on the privacy-utility trade-off. We also compare our classification performance to other cases in the literature and show how we achieve competitive performance. Based on our results, we have produced a set of criteria for applying differential privacy to a machine learning application, as well as two business sectors where we see potential for a successful system. We hope that our research will pave the way for distributed applications where users maintain control of their own data, and use it for learning without giving up their privacy.
Can the Administrative State be Tamed

The modern American administrative state is a regime of lawmaking by ad hoc managed democracy. It is the product of modern affluence and technology—which have reduced political transactions costs, increased demands for government intervention, and enabled Congress to supply the increased demands by transferring lawmaking to executive agencies. Specialized, hierarchical agencies can employ communication and information technology much more thoroughly than a conflict-riven legislature, and thereby generate law on a much larger scale. Today’s administrative state departs from traditional rule-of-law values in important respects; understanding its roots in affluence and technology points to both constraints and opportunities for legal reformers. 1. I NTRODUCTION
How do Mergers and Acquisitions Affect Bondholders in Europe? Evidence on the Impact and Spillover of Governance and Legal Standards

This paper contributes to the comparative corporate governance literature by showing how cross-country differences in governance and legal standards affect the bondholder wealth effects of European merger and acquisitions (M&As). Using investment-grade Eurobonds, we find some remarkable results.Firstly, M&As involving European firms are considerably more bondholderfriendly than are US domestic deals.Bidding firm bondholders earn economically significant positive returns, while target bondholders incur positive but insignificant returns. Overall, acquisitions do generate value to European bidding firms, but most of the wealth effect is captured by the bondholders.Secondly, bondholder gains in both bidding and target firms are systematically higher in M&As that involve Continental European firms.Thirdly, bidder abnormal bond returns are lower in cross-border deals.However, this is counterbalanced if creditor rights and the efficiency of credit contract enforcement are stronger in the target country. There is also strong evidence that, consistent with crossborder spillovers, improved creditor protection redistributes wealth from shareholders to bondholders.Finally, we document that bondholder wealth changes are subject to changes in asset risk and to a negative listing effect similar to that previously reported for changes in shareholder wealth.