Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Advanced Techniques based on Mathematical Morphology for the Analysis of Remote Sensing Images

Remote sensing optical images of very high geometrical resolution can provide a precise and detailed representation of the surveyed scene. Thus, the spatial information contained in these images is fundamental for any application requiring the analysis of the image. However, modeling the spatial information is not a trivial task. We addressed this problem by using operators defined in the mathematical morphology framework in order to extract spatial features from the image. In this thesis novel techniques based on mathematical morphology are presented and investigated for the analysis of remote sensing optical images addressing different applications. Attribute Profiles (APs) are proposed as a novel generalization based on attribute filters of the Morphological Profile operator. Attribute filters are connected operators which can process an image by removing flat zones according to a given criterion. They are flexible operators since they can transform an image according to many different attributes (e.g., geometrical, textural and spectral). Furthermore, Extended Attribute Profiles (EAPs), a generalization of APs, are presented for the analysis of hyperspectral images. The EAPs are employed for including spatial features in the thematic classification of hyperspectral images. Two techniques dealing with EAPs and dimensionality reduction transformations are proposed and applied in image classification. In greater detail, one of the techniques is based on Independent Component Analysis and the other one deals with feature extraction techniques. Moreover, a technique based on APs for extracting features for the detection of buildings in a scene is investigated. Approaches that process an image by considering both bright and dark components of a scene are investigated. In particular, the effect of applying attribute filters in an alternating sequential setting is investigated. Furthermore, the concept of Self-Dual Attribute Profile (SDAP) is introduced. SDAPs are APs built on an inclusion tree instead of a min- and max-tree, providing an operator that performs a multilevel filtering of both the bright and dark components of an image. Techniques developed for applications different from image classification are also considered. In greater detail, a general approach for image simplification based on attribute filters is proposed. Finally, two change detection techniques are developed. The experimental analysis performed with the novel techniques developed in this thesis demonstrates an improvement in terms of accuracies in different fields of application when compared to other state of the art methods.
Heat shock protein 90 from Escherichia coli collaborates with the DnaK chaperone system in client protein remodeling

Molecular chaperones are proteins that assist the folding, unfolding, and remodeling of other proteins. In eukaryotes, heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) proteins are essential ATP-dependent molecular chaperones that remodel and activate hundreds of client proteins with the assistance of cochaperones. In Escherichia coli, the activity of the Hsp90 homolog, HtpG, has remained elusive. To explore the mechanism of action of E. coli Hsp90, we used in vitro protein reactivation assays. We found that E. coli Hsp90 promotes reactivation of heat-inactivated luciferase in a reaction that requires the prokaryotic Hsp70 chaperone system, known as the DnaK system. An Hsp90 ATPase inhibitor, geldanamycin, inhibits luciferase reactivation demonstrating the importance of the ATP-dependent chaperone activity of E. coli Hsp90 during client protein remodeling. Reactivation also depends upon the ATP-dependent chaperone activity of the DnaK system. Our results suggest that the DnaK system acts first on the client protein, and then E. coli Hsp90 and the DnaK system collaborate synergistically to complete remodeling of the client protein. Results indicate that E. coli Hsp90 and DnaK interact in vivo and in vitro, providing additional evidence to suggest that E. coli Hsp90 and the DnaK system function together.
NBTI Reliability of P-Channel Transistors With Diamond-Like Carbon Liner Having Ultrahigh Compressive Stress

Negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) characteristics of p-channel field-effect transistors (p-FETs) with diamond-like carbon (DLC) liner stressor having ultrahigh compressive stress (~ 5 GPa) are investigated for the first time. Ultrafast measurement was employed for NBTI study. Power law slopes ranging from ~ 0.058 to ~ 0.072 are reported here. P-FETs with higher channel strain show greater threshold voltage shift (DeltaVth) and transconductance degradation than those with lower or no channel strain under the same NBT stress condition Vstress. Strained p-FETs with Si S/D and DLC stressors are projected to have an NBTI lifetime of ten years at VG = -0.99 V using Eox power law lifetime extrapolation model or at VG = -0.76 V using the exponential Vstress model.
Multistandard-compliant receiver architecture with low-voltage implementation

Multistandard-compliant wireless transceivers with low-voltage low-power implementation are in great demand to match the proliferation of multiple WLANs and the continuous scaling of CMOS technologies. This paper proposes both the architecture and the corresponding circuit techniques to implement a low-IF/zero-IF reconfigurable receiver IF-to-baseband chip for IEEE 802.11a/b/g WLAN. Optimum low-voltage circuit techniques enabled a successful operation at 1 V in 0.35-μm CMOS.
Interestingness Measures for Rare Association Rules and Periodic-Frequent Patterns

Data mining is the process of discovering significant and potentially useful knowledge in the form of patterns from the data. As a result, the notion of interestingness is very important for extracting useful knowledge patterns. Numerous interestingness measures have been discussed in the literature to assess the interestingness of a knowledge pattern. In this thesis, we focus on selecting a right interestingness measure for mining association rules, in particular rare association rules. Association rule mining is an important knowledge discovery technique in the field of data mining. It involves finding interesting associations between the sets of objects in a transactional database. A rare association rule is an association rule with items having low support. In many real-world applications, rare association rules can provide useful information to the users. Typically, association rules are extracted with support and con f idence measures. Several other interestingness measures, such as li f t and all-con f idence, have also been used to extract association rules. Each interestingness measure has its own selection bias that justifies the significance of an association rule over others. Thus, there exists no single interestingness measure which is better than others in all application domains. Each interestingness measure has a set of properties. A framework exists in the literature which suggests to select a measure based on the properties of interest to the user. However, it is unclear which properties a user should consider for mining rare association rules. In this thesis, we have analyzed the properties of different interestingness measures and suggest the properties which the user should consider for extracting rare association rules. The experimental results from real-world datasets show that the measures satisfying the prescribed properties can efficiently extract rare association rules.
Insulin-Sensitive and Insulin-Resistant Variants in NIDDM

To define the sequence of events that is involved in the pathogenesis of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), we studied 16 NIDDM individuals (15 of 16 Black patients) with a mean age of 44 yr who had been near normoglycemic for 2–91 mo while off of antidiabetic medicine. With the euglycemic insulin clamp at 100 (μU/ml insulin, we defined two populations, one with normal peripheral insulin sensitivity (glucose disposal 7.51 ± 0.97 mg · kg−1 · min−1) and the other with insulin resistance (glucose disposal 3.35 ± 0.58 mg · kg−1 · min−1; P <.001). The populations did not differ in age, degree of obesity, fasting plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, clinical presentation, or clinical course. Basal plasma insulin levels were normal in the sensitive group and significantly elevated in the resistant group. Islet cell cytoplasmic antibodies were absent in all patients. Insulin action on the liver was normal in both groups. Basal hepatic glucose production measured with D-[3−3H]glucose was lower in the insulin-resistant group (1.53 ± 0.11 mg · kg−1 · min−1) than in the insulin-sensitive group (1.88 ± 0.06 mg · kg1 · min−1) or normal control subjects (1.93 ± 0.05 mg · kg−1 · min1). The decreased basal hepatic glucose production appeared to be secondary to the twofold higher fasting plasma insulin level seen in the insulin-resistant group. The insulin concentration necessary to suppress basal hepatic glucose production by 50% was 29.6 μU/ml in the insulin-sensitive group and 30.5 μU/ml in the insulin-resistant group. The absolute insulin-secretory responses to oral glucose and intravenous glucagon were significantly lower (50%) in the insulin-sensitive group than in the insulin-resistant group, whose absolute responses were similar to normal control subjects. Compared with individuals with impaired glucose tolerance, the insulin response to oral glucose in the insulin-resistant group was somewhat reduced. We hypothesize that NIDDM in this particular population consists of two subpopulations, one with primary insulin deficiency and normal insulin action and the other with primary peripheral insulin resistance and a mild impairment in glucose-mediated insulin secretion. In both, insulin action in the liver was initially normal.
Early treatment of acute stress disorder in children with major burn injury

Objective: This study examines retrospectively the response rate of pediatric burn survivors with acute stress disorder to either imipramine or fluoxetine. Methods: On retrospective chart review, 128 intensive care unit patients (85 boys, 43 girls) with 52% ± 20% total body surface area burn, length of stay of 32.8 ± 25.2 days, mean age of 9.1 ± 4.7 yrs, and age range of 13 months to 19 yrs met criteria for acute stress disorder after ≥2 days of symptoms and were treated with either imipramine or fluoxetine. If significant improvement did not occur within 7 days, the medication was either increased or switched to the other class. Results: Initially, 104 patients were treated with imipramine and 24 with fluoxetine. A total of 84 patients responded to imipramine: seven of these patients required a higher dose. A total of 18 patients responded to initial fluoxetine treatment. Of 26 nonresponders to the initial medication, 13 imipramine failures and one fluoxetine failure refused further treatment. The other 12 responded to the second medication. Therefore, 114 of 128 treated patients (89%) responded to either fluoxetine (mean dose, 0.30 ± 0.14 mg/kg) or imipramine (mean dose, 1.30 ± 0.55 mg/kg). Response was independent of sex and age but was less for those with burns of >60% total body surface area. The side effects of each medication were not significant. Most patients continued treatment for ≥3 months; some required 6 months of treatment before successful discontinuation. Conclusions: Early treatment of acute stress disorder with either imipramine or fluoxetine is often able to reduce its symptoms. This is a review of a single hospital’s experience in managing psychiatric distress in this very high-risk group of burned children. Additional clinical studies are needed before generalizing these findings.
Age-dependent changes in beta-adrenoceptor function in human detrusors and possible mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE To study age-dependent changes in beta-adrenergic responsiveness and their possible mechanisms. METHODS Responsiveness to the beta-adrenergic agonists isoprenaline, BRL37344, forskolin, and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (DBcAMP) was examined in samples from 10 older patients by using a cellular function test. A radioligand binding assay was performed using the non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor ligand [3H]-dihydroalprenolol ([3H]-DHA). Specimens from 10 young men were used as controls. RESULTS There were no age-dependent changes in contractile response to KCl. The relaxation responses to isoprenaline, BRL37344, and forskolin decreased in the aged group by 15.0%, 17.6%, and 12.6%, respectively (P < 0.001). The pD2 values for isoprenaline and BRL37344 also declined significantly. There was no difference in the responsiveness to dibutyryl cyclic AMP (DBcAMP) between the two groups; the maximum binding site decreased significantly with increasing age, but the equilibrium-dissociation constant did not change. CONCLUSIONS There is an age-related decline in beta-adrenergic responsiveness which might be one of the causative factors of reduced bladder compliance in the elderly. A decrease in cAMP level caused by reduced receptor density and adenylyl cyclase activity might be the underlying molecular mechanism of the changes in beta-adrenergic responsiveness.
Identification of a Sialidase Encoded in the Human Major Histocompatibility Complex*

Mammalian sialidases are important in modulating the sialic acid content of cell-surface and intracellular glycoproteins. However, the full extent of this enzyme family and the physical and biochemical properties of its individual members are unclear. We have identified a novel gene, G9, in the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC), that encodes a 415-amino acid protein sharing 21-28% sequence identity with the bacterial sialidases and containing three copies of the Asp-block motif characteristic of these enzymes. The level of sequence identity between human G9 and a cytosolic sialidase identified in rat and hamster (28-29%) is much less than would be expected for analogous proteins in these species, suggesting that G9 is distinct from the cytosolic enzyme. Expression of G9 in insect cells has confirmed that it encodes a sialidase, which shows optimal activity at pH 4.6, but appears to have limited substrate specificity. The G9 protein carries an N-terminal signal sequence and immunofluorescence staining of COS7 cells expressing recombinant G9 shows localization of this sialidase exclusively to the endoplasmic reticulum. The location of the G9 gene, within the human MHC, corresponds to that of the murine Neu-1 locus, suggesting that these are analogous genes. One of the functions attributed to Neu-1 is the up-regulation of sialidase activity during T cell activation.
Cognitive correlates with functional outcomes after anoxic brain injury: A case-controlled comparison with traumatic brain injury

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of inpatient rehabilitation in adults who have sustained an anoxic brain injury (AnBI). Secondly, to identify areas of cognition that predict functional outcomes at discharge. Design: Retrospective, matched case-controlled study. Methods: Ten patients with moderate-to-severe AnBI and 10 patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), treated in an inpatient neurorehabilitation programme, were matched on age, acute care length of stay and admission Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Functional outcome was assessed using the FIM and Disability Rating Scale (DRS). Results: Patients with AnBI performed worse on all measures of functional outcome relative to patients with TBI. Patients with AnBI achieved significantly lower FIM motor and cognitive gain compared with patients with TBI (11.5, SD 13.6 vs. 31.0, SD 19.7 and 2.4, SD 3.9 vs. 7.5, SD 4.2, respectively (p < 0.02)). DRS data showed similar trends of functional improvement between the groups. Several neuropsychometric tests correlated with functional outcome (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Patients with AnBI had worse functional outcomes following rehabilitation than patients with TBI, confirming the results of previous reports. Poor cognitive function predicted poor functional outcomes on the FIM and somewhat on the DRS. Research is needed to assess why these differences occur and to improve or develop new effective rehabilitation treatments for AnBI.
Cooperative 3D mapping under underwater communication constraints

Marine robots are so far mainly restricted to usage in open sea application where 2D maps are sufficient, however, full 3D information becomes more and more important in complex scenarios. These include complex inspection, construction, or maintenance missions that involve non-trivial structures as for example in oil- and gas-production and transport, underwater archeology, or harbor applications. In this paper, we present a graph based multi-robot mapping method that requires minimal communication bandwidth between the robots. We show that using this method, it is feasible to construct a large scale map under realistic bandwidth constraints imposed by available underwater sonic modems.
Growth Inhibition by Acycloguanosine of Herpesviruses Isolated from Human Infections

Inhibition by acycloguanosine (ACG) of plaque formation by harpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), varicella-zoster virus, and cytomegalovirus was studied. Seventeen clinical isolates of HSV-1 were inhibited by ACG at a mean 50% inhibitory dose (ID50) of 0.15 ± 0.09 μM. The mean ID50 for 10 isolates of HSV-2 was 1.62 ± 0.76 μM, and for four isolates of varicella-zoster virus it was 3.75 ± 1.30 μM. The ID50's for two cytomegalovirus isolates were 100 and 160 μM, and for four additional isolates of cytomegalovirus no end point (ID50) was reached at 200 μM. ACG at a concentration of 200 μM had no effect on deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in human fibroblast cells and only inhibited thymidine incorporation by Vero cells by one-third. These studies demonstrated the antiviral activity of ACG against clinical isolates of HSV-1, HSV-2, and varicella-zoster virus and the lack of toxicity to monkey or human cells in culture at concentrations which markedly inhibited these viruses. ACG had little effect on cytomegalovirus at concentrations in excess of 100 μM.
Planning discourse by modelling audience interpretation strategies

One of the major problems facing designers of computer systems which are to use natural language to achieve their aims is that of finding a way to integrate all of the information which is needed to produce reasonable texts. Amongst these types of information, one of the most complex and hardest to use is knowledge of the intended audience of the text. This thesis proposes an architecture for text planning which places the text planning system's model of its intended audience at the heart of the planning system. The proposed architecture is based upon ideas from research into planning in Artificial Intelligence which are extended to cover some simple types of multiagent planning. This planning model and the representation which supports it are first discussed informally and then presented in a fairly formal manner. Various simple types of audience model are then encoded within the model and discussed in terms of their effects on the linguistic competence of the resulting text planner. A computer system named Riple has been implemented which embodies the mech¬ anisms discussed in this thesis.
A First-Order Logic of Probability and Only Knowing in Unbounded Domains

Only knowing captures the intuitive notion that the beliefs of an agent are precisely those that follow from its knowledge base. It has previously been shown to be useful in characterizing knowledge-based reasoners, especially in a quantified setting. While this allows us to reason about incomplete knowledge in the sense of not knowing whether a formula is true or not, there are many applications where one would like to reason about the degree of belief in a formula. In this work, we propose a new general first-order account of probability and only knowing that admits knowledge bases with incomplete and probabilistic specifications. Beliefs and non-beliefs are then shown to emerge as a direct logical consequence of the sentences of the knowledge base at a corresponding level of specificity.
The Impact of Internal Migration on Local Labour Markets in Thailand

We estimate the impact of internal migration on local labour markets in Thailand.Using an instrumental variable approach based on weather and distance we estimate an exogenous measure of the net migration in ow into each region. Our results show that instrumenting for the possible endogeneity of net inward migration is crucial to the analysis. The results suggest substantial adjustments in hours worked and weekly wages in response to short term changes in labour supply for low skilled males. We find no effect on high skilled workers. A theoretical section shows that a reduction in hours per worker in response to an increase in inward migration is consistent with the predictions of a standard search model.
From EDI to Internet commerce: the BHP Steel experience

Discusses the issue of business‐to‐business e‐commerce implementation and the factors affecting it, considering the appropriateness of the various theories which underpin research into systems implementation (primarily diffusion of innovation and traditional change management theory). Describes the results of a case study of BHP Steel, the largest steel producer and one of the largest companies in Australia, which is a leader in e‐commerce implementation. The results suggest that, over time, the driving force for e‐commerce changed significantly. From an initial push to improve current business processes by adopting EDI to achieve savings and improve efficiency, the company came to be driven by a desire for greater supplier involvement and customer service in later implementations. Discusses the ways in which BHP Steel’s e‐commerce innovations have changed and suggests that, in addition to considering the characteristics of the innovation process, other more contextual aspects of implementation (such as the social system in which the innovation evolves and the timing of the innovation’s introduction) be considered in an inter‐organizational context.
Transistor Mismatch Properties in Deep-Submicrometer CMOS Technologies

Transistor mismatch data and analysis from poly/SiON and high-k/metal-gate (HKMG) bulk CMOS technologies are presented. It is found that the traditional mismatch figure of merit from the Pelgrom plot (AVT) continuously scales down as technology advances. Furthermore, the AVT values for both nFET and pFET in the HKMG technology are significantly reduced from poly/SiON technologies. By normalizing the mismatch data against electrical oxide thickness (TINV) , threshold voltage (VTH), and effective work function, a direct comparison of the mismatch data from various technologies is made. The differences in nFET and pFET mismatch behaviors in both poly/SiON and HKMG technologies are discussed in detail. Correlation between transistor VTH mismatch and flicker noise variation is observed in both poly/SiON and HKMG technologies. Finally, it is quantitatively demonstrated that effective work function variation does not generate significant VTH variability in the present HKMG technology.