Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stabilization of Oklahoma Expansive Soils using Lime and Class C Fly Ash

This study uses lime and class C fly ash, an industrial byproduct of electric power production produced from burning lignite and subbituminous coal, to study the plasticity reduction in highly expensive natural clays from Idabel, Oklahoma. This study is important, especially in Oklahoma, because most of the native soils are expansive and cause seasonal damage to roadways and structures. The addition of lime or fly ash helps to arrest the shrinkage and swelling behavior of soil. Four soil samples with the same AASHTO classification were used in this study to show shrinkage variability within a soil group with the addition of lime and class C fly ash. The plasticity reduction in this study was quantified using the linear shrinkage test. It was found that soils classified within the same AASHTO group had varying shrinkage characteristics. It was also found that both lime and fly ash reduced the lienar shrinkage, however, the addition of lime reduced the linear shrinkage to a greater degree than the same percentage of class C fly ash. Even though it takes much less lime than fly ash to reduce the plasticity of a highly expansive soil, it may be less expensive to utilize fly ash, whichmore » is a waste product of electric power production. Lime also has a lower unit weight than fly ash so weight percentage results may be misleading. « less
Improving CDR Performance via Estimation

A dual-loop CDR can be viewed as a simple phase-estimator. Different estimators can be built by changing the phase DAC control logic. Three different 0.13mum estimators for a 3Gb/s serial link are presented. These estimators address dual-loop CDR limitations including lock time, frequency range, and jitter tolerance in non-mesochronous systems
Urban Evolution: The Role of Water

The structure, function, and services of urban ecosystems evolve over time scales from seconds to centuries as Earth’s population grows, infrastructure ages, and sociopolitical values alter them. In order to systematically study changes over time, the concept of “urban evolution” was proposed. It allows urban planning, management, and restoration to move beyond reactive management to predictive management based on past observations of consistent patterns. Here, we define and review a glossary of core concepts for studying urban evolution, which includes the mechanisms of urban selective pressure and urban adaptation. Urban selective pressure is an environmental or societal driver contributing to urban adaptation. Urban adaptation is the sequential process by which an urban structure, function, or services becomes more fitted to its changing environment or human choices. The role of water is vital to driving urban evolution as demonstrated by historical changes in drainage, sewage flows, hydrologic pulses, and long-term chemistry. In the current paper, we show how hydrologic traits evolve across successive generations of urban ecosystems via shifts in selective pressures and adaptations over time. We explore multiple empirical examples including evolving: (1) urban drainage from stream burial to stormwater management; (2) sewage flows and water quality in response to wastewater treatment; (3) amplification of hydrologic pulses due to the interaction between urbanization and climate variability; and (4) salinization and alkalinization of fresh water due to human inputs and accelerated weathering. Finally, we propose a new conceptual model for the evolution of urban waters from the Industrial Revolution to the present day based on empirical trends and historical information. Ultimately, we propose that water itself is a critical driver of urban evolution that forces urban adaptation, which transforms the structure, function, and services of urban landscapes, waterways, and civilizations over time.
The Mesozoic to Early Cenozoic Magmatism of the Benue Trough (Nigeria); Geochemical Evidence for the Involvement of the St Helena Plume

C. COULON*, P. VIDAL, C. DUPUY, P. BAUDIN, M. POPOFF*, H. MALUSKI AND D. HERMITTE 'PETROLOGIE MAGMATIQUE, URA 1277, CEREGE, BP 80, 15545 AIX EN PROVENCE CEDEX 4, FRANCE 'CENTRE DE RECHERCHES VOLCANOLOGIQUES, URA 10, 63038 CLERMONT FERRAND CEDEX, FRANCE 'CENTRE GEOLOGIO.UE ET GEOPHYSIO.UE, CNRS, PLACE BATAILLON, J4095 MONTPELLIER CEDEX, FRANCE *INSTITUT DE GEODYNAMIQ.UE, URA 1279, UNIVERSITE DE NICE—SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, AVENUE EINSTEIN, 06560 VALBONNE, FRANCE LABORATOIRE DE GEOCHRONOLOGIE—GEOCHIMIE, URA 176J, PLACE BATAILLON, 34095 MONTPELLIER CEDEX, FRANCE
Mesoscopic Model of Actin-Based Propulsion

Two theoretical models dominate current understanding of actin-based propulsion: microscopic polymerization ratchet model predicts that growing and writhing actin filaments generate forces and movements, while macroscopic elastic propulsion model suggests that deformation and stress of growing actin gel are responsible for the propulsion. We examine both experimentally and computationally the 2D movement of ellipsoidal beads propelled by actin tails and show that neither of the two models can explain the observed bistability of the orientation of the beads. To explain the data, we develop a 2D hybrid mesoscopic model by reconciling these two models such that individual actin filaments undergoing nucleation, elongation, attachment, detachment and capping are embedded into the boundary of a node-spring viscoelastic network representing the macroscopic actin gel. Stochastic simulations of this ‘in silico’ actin network show that the combined effects of the macroscopic elastic deformation and microscopic ratchets can explain the observed bistable orientation of the actin-propelled ellipsoidal beads. To test the theory further, we analyze observed distribution of the curvatures of the trajectories and show that the hybrid model's predictions fit the data. Finally, we demonstrate that the model can explain both concave-up and concave-down force-velocity relations for growing actin networks depending on the characteristic time scale and network recoil. To summarize, we propose that both microscopic polymerization ratchets and macroscopic stresses of the deformable actin network are responsible for the force and movement generation.
On the complexity of minimizing the OBDD size for incompletely specified functions

The problem of constructing an OBDD cover of minimal size for an incompletely specified Boolean function arises in several applications in the CAD domain, e.g., the verification of sequential machines and the construction of OBDD's for incompletely specified circuits. The complexity of this problem is determined. The decision problem is NP-complete. Efficient approximation algorithms exist only if NP=P.
Unsupervised Deep Unrolled Reconstruction Using Regularization by Denoising

—Deep learning methods have been successfully used in various computer vision tasks. Inspired by that success, deep learning has been explored in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reconstruction. In particular, integrating deep learning and model-based optimization methods has shown considerable advantages. However, a large amount of labeled training data is typically needed for high reconstruction quality, which is challenging for some MRI applications. In this paper, we propose a novel reconstruction method, named DURED-Net, that enables interpretable unsupervised learning for MR image reconstruction by combining an unsupervised denoising network and a plug-and-play method. We aim to boost the reconstruction performance of unsupervised learning by adding an explicit prior that utilizes imaging physics. Specifically, the leverage of a denoising network for MRI reconstruction is achieved using Regularization by Denoising (RED). Experiment results demonstrate that the proposed method requires a reduced amount of training data to achieve high reconstruction quality.
Transforming Very Large Models in the Cloud: a Research Roadmap

Model transformations are widely used by Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) platforms to apply different kinds of operations over models, such as model translation, evolution or composition. However, existing solutions are not designed to handle very large models (VLMs), thus facing scalability issues. Coupling MDE with cloud-based platforms may help solving these issues. Since cloud-based platforms are relatively new, researchers still need to investigate if/how/when MDE solutions can benefit from them. In this paper, we investigate the problem of transforming VLMs in the Cloud by addressing the two phases of 1) model storage and 2) model transformation execution in the Cloud. For both aspects we identify a set of research questions, possible solutions and probable challenges researchers may face.
Integrated tracking and classification: an application of hybrid state estimation

In this paper we present a framework in which the general hybrid filtering or state estimation problem can be formulated. The problem of joint tracking and classification can be formulated in this framework as well as the problem of multiple model filtering with additional mode observations. In this formulation the state vector is decomposed into a continuous (kinematic) component and a discrete (mode and/or class) component. We also suppose that there are two types of measurements. Measurements that are related tot eh continuous part of the state (e.g. bearing and range measurements in a radar application) and measurements that are related to the discrete part of the state (e.g. radar cross section measurements). We will derive an optimal filter for this problem and will show how this filter can be implemented numerically.
Early rice exploitation in the lower Yangzi valley: What are we missing?

Recent interpretations of the archaeology of domesticated rice evolution and the development of agriculture in the Lower Yangzi Valley are being informed by new genetic, palaeoenvironmental, archaeological and archaeobotanical data. This paper explores current views on early rice production in the region and attempts to expand the discourse to provoke exploration of new and modified questions. Rice-specific botanical through large-scale ecological issues and causality are examined. This paper argues that understanding rice domestication and production, although important, should not be the exclusive goal of research on early agriculture in the Yangzi Valley. Despite the preliminary nature of the investigations at Kuahuqiao (c. 8000–7000 cal. BP), evidence of resource management, and potential domesticated resources or their ancestors that includes pig (Sus scrofa), peach (Prunus persica), apricot (P. armeniaca), Japanese apricot (P. mume), foxnut (Euryale ferox) and water chestnut (Trapa spp.) underscore the need to broaden the scope of inquiry on early food/resource production. The complexities of the archaeological and environmental record in the Yangzi valley indicate that nuanced, complex explanations for rice domestication and agricultural origins rather than deterministic, single cause explanations are necessary in order to move forward.
Evaluation of IT/is Outsourcing Projects using the DEA Methodology

The outsourcing of services related to Information Technology and Information Systems (IT/IS) is seen by many organizations as a tool for achieving strategic objectives. Reducing costs, focusing on core capabilities and improving business/process performance are held to be the main reasons for investing in IT/IS outsourcing. However, the process of outsourcing is complex and involves considering not only the benefits but also evaluating investments and the risks inherent in making decisions during this process. When planning to outsource these services, companies are faced with a choice of different projects, suppliers and contract settings. Reaching appropriate decisions is crucial to achieving the desired goals, and the consequent success of investments. This research in progress paper presents a model for assessing and prioritizing different IT/IS outsourcing projects. This model uses the methodology of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and allows consideration to be given not only to the intrinsic aspects of such projects (cost, schedule, benefits, customization, etc.), but also the characteristics of the proponent company. Therefore, the proposed model aims to assist companies in evaluating different projects for outsourcing operations related to IT/IS.
Rock physics analysis for time‐lapse seismic at Schiehallion Field, North Sea

Rock physics analysis plays a vital role in time‐lapse seismic interpretation because it provides the link between changes in rock and fluid properties and the resulting seismic data response. In this case study of the Schiehallion Field, we discuss a number of issues that commonly arise in rock physics analyses for time‐lapse studies. We show that:
A new projection of sea level change in response to collapse of marine sectors of the Antarctic Ice Sheet

We present gravitationally self-consistent predictions of sea level change that would follow the disappearance of either the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) or marine sectors of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS). Our predictions are based on a state-of-the-art pseudo-spectral sea level algorithm that incorporates deformational, gravitational and rotational effects on sea level, as well as the migration of shorelines due to both local sea-level variations and changes in the extent of marine-based ice cover. If we define the effective eustatic value (EEV) as the geographically uniform rise in sea level once all marine-based sectors have been filled with water, then we find that some locations can experience a sea level rise that is ∼40 per cent higher than the EEV. This enhancement is due to the migration of water away from the zone of melting in response to the loss of gravitational attraction towards the ice sheet (load self-attraction), the expulsion of water from marine areas as these regions rebound due to the unloading, and the feedback into sea level of a contemporaneous perturbation in Earth rotation. In the WAIS case, this peak enhancement is twice the value predicted in a previous projection that did not include expulsion of water from exposed marine-sectors of the West Antarctic or rotational feedback. The peak enhancements occur over the coasts of the United States and in the Indian Ocean in the WAIS melt scenario, and over the south Atlantic and northwest Pacific in the EAIS scenario. We conclude that accurate projections of the sea level hazard associated with ongoing global warming should be based on a theory that includes the complete suite of physical processes described above.
Cooperation through self-assembly in multi-robot systems

This article illustrates the methods and results of two sets of experiments in which a group of mobile robots, called s-bots, are required to physically connect to each other, that is, to self-assemble, to cope with environmental conditions that prevent them from carrying out their task individually. The first set of experiments is a pioneering study on the utility of self-assembling robots to address relatively complex scenarios, such as cooperative object transport. The results of our work suggest that the s-bots possess hardware characteristics which facilitate the design of control mechanisms for autonomous self-assembly. The control architecture we developed proved particularly successful in guiding the robots engaged in the cooperative transport task. However, the results also showed that some features of the robots' controllers had a disruptive effect on their performances. The second set of experiments is an attempt to enhance the adaptiveness of our multi-robot system. In particular, we aim to synthesise an integrated (i.e., not-modular) decision-making mechanism which allows the s-bot to autonomously decide whether or not environmental contingencies require self-assembly. The results show that it is possible to synthesize, by using evolutionary computation techniques, artificial neural networks that integrate both the mechanisms for sensory-motor coordination and for decision making required by the robots in the context of self-assembly.
Estimation of an in vivo fitness landscape experienced by HIV-1 under drug selective pressure useful for prediction of drug resistance evolution during treatment

MOTIVATION HIV-1 antiviral resistance is a major cause of antiviral treatment failure. The in vivo fitness landscape experienced by the virus in presence of treatment could in principle be used to determine both the susceptibility of the virus to the treatment and the genetic barrier to resistance. We propose a method to estimate this fitness landscape from cross-sectional clinical genetic sequence data of different subtypes, by reverse engineering the required selective pressure for HIV-1 sequences obtained from treatment naive patients, to evolve towards sequences obtained from treated patients. The method was evaluated for recovering 10 random fictive selective pressures in simulation experiments, and for modeling the selective pressure under treatment with the protease inhibitor nelfinavir. RESULTS The estimated fitness function under nelfinavir treatment considered fitness contributions of 114 mutations at 48 sites. Estimated fitness correlated significantly with the in vitro resistance phenotype in 519 matched genotype-phenotype pairs (R(2) = 0.47 (0.41 - 0.54)) and variation in predicted evolution under nelfinavir selective pressure correlated significantly with observed in vivo evolution during nelfinavir treatment for 39 mutations (with FDR = 0.05). AVAILABILITY The software is available on request from the authors, and data sets are available from http://jose.med.kuleuven.be/~kdforc0/nfv-fitness-data/.
Gradient Backpropagation Through Combinatorial Algorithms: Identity with Projection Works

Embedding discrete solvers as differentiable layers has given modern deep learning architectures combinatorial expressivity and discrete reasoning capabilities. The derivative of these solvers is zero or undeﬁned, therefore a meaningful replacement is crucial for effective gradient-based learning. Prior works rely on smoothing the solver with input perturbations, relaxing the solver to continuous problems, or interpolating the loss landscape with techniques that typically require additional solver calls, introduce extra hyper-parameters or compromise performance. We propose a principled approach to exploit the geometry of the discrete solution space to treat the solver as a negative identity on the backward pass and further provide a theoretical justiﬁcation. Our experiments demonstrate that such a straightforward hyper-parameter-free approach is on-par with or outperforms previous more complex methods on numerous experiments such as Traveling Salesman Problem, Shortest Path, Deep Graph Matching, and backpropagating through discrete sam-plers. Furthermore, we substitute the previously proposed problem-speciﬁc and label-dependent margin by a generic regularization procedure that prevents cost collapse and increases robustness.
Currents and electric fields in the ionosphere due to field‐aligned auroral currents

Static electric field and current patterns due to the field-aligned Birkeland currents in the auroral zone have been examined. The model uses currents approximating those reported by Iijima and Potemra (1976a,b) as input to a global model of the ionospheric conductivities in which interhemispheric coupling along field lines is included. The model reproduces the main features of the high-latitude current and voltage system and the penetration of these currents within the plasmasphere. The calculated values of the dawn to dusk electric field across the polar cap varied from 17 mV/m for the winter solstice to 4.6 mV/m for the summer solstice. Electric fields in the auroral zone are compared with satellite measurements under similar conditions. The electric fields due to the current system decrease from maximum values of 4.5 mV/m at 45° latitude to 0.45 mV/m at 20° and 0.32 mV/m at the equator. The maximum layer current density in the equatorial electrojet due to the current system was calculated to be of the order of 15 mA/m at around 1600 MLT. The energy inputs from the given input currents were calculated to vary from 8 × 1010 W in the winter hemisphere to 4 × 1010 W in the summer hemisphere.
Sony Pictures Imageworks

Modeling a face and rendering it in a manner that appears realistic is a hard problem in itself, and remarkable progress to achieve realistic looking faces has been made from a modeling perspective [1, 6, 13, 15, 16, 2] as well as a rendering perspective [5, 11, 12]. At last years Siggraph 2005, the course of Digital Face Cloning described relevant material to this end. An even bigger problem is animating the digital face in a realistic and believable manner that stands up to close scrutiny, where even the slightest incorrectness in the animated performance becomes egregiously unacceptable. While good facial animation (stylized and realistic) can be attempted via traditional key frame techniques by skilled animators, it is complicated and often a time consuming task especially as the desired results approach realistic imagery. When an exact replica of an actor's performance is desired, many processes today work by tracking features on the actor face and using information derived from these tracked features to directly drive the digital character. These features, range from a few marker samples [3], curves or contours [15] on the face and even a deforming surface of the face [2, 16]. This may seem like a one stop process where the derived data of the performance of an act can be made to programmatically translate to animations on a digital CG face. On the contrary, given today's technologies in capture, retargeting and animation, this can turn out to be a rather involved process depending on the quality of data, the exactness/realness required in the final animation, facial calibration and often requires expertise of both artists (trackers, facial riggers, technical animators) and software technology to make the end product happen. Also, setting up a facial pipeline that involves many actors' performances captured simultaneously to ultimately produce hundreds of shots, with the need to embrace inputs and controls from artists/animators can be quite a challenge. This course documents attempts to explain some of the processes that we have understood and by which we have gained experience by working on Columbia's Monster House and other motion capture-reliant shows at Sony Pictures Imageworks.The document is organized by first explaining general ideas on what constitutes a performance in section 1. Section 2 explains how facial performance is captured using motion capture technologies at Imageworks. The next section 3 explains the background research that forms the basis of our facial system at Imageworks -- FACS, which was initially devised by Paul Eckman et al. Although FACS has been used widely in research and literature [7], at Sony Pictures Imageworks we have used it on motion captured facial data to drive character faces. The following sections 4, 5, 6 explain how motion captured facial data is processed, stabilized, cleaned and finally retargeted onto a digital face. Finally, we conclude with a motivating discussion that relates to artistic versus software problems in driving a digital face with a performance.