Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Model-Based Polarimetric SAR Decomposition: An L1 Regularization Approach

Model-based polarimetric decompositions are often used to generate scene classifications from polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (POLSAR) imagery. The classification quality largely depends on whether the adopted polarimetric scattering mechanisms match the major in-scene scattering mechanisms. However, in-scene scattering variations still cause potential mismatches, resulting in unphysical or inaccurate decomposition results. The robustness of model-based polarimetric decompositions remains a general concern. In this article, we address the robustness of model-based polarimetric decomposition to variations of the in-scene scattering mechanisms using simulated datasets. The known simulated scattering mechanisms provide the needed “ground truth” against which we quantitatively evaluate the robustness of polarimetric decompositions. Accurate retrieval of known scattering mechanisms from simulated polarimetric data led us to develop a robust model-based decomposition. We propose a new approach to solve model-based decomposition by employing an <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L_{1}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-regularized optimization procedure, which automatically selects a set of optimal polarimetric scattering mechanisms and guarantees nonnegative powers for the selected scattering mechanisms. We illustrate this <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L_{1}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> model decomposition by employing both simulated datasets and actual POLSAR imagery. Our new <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L_{1}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-regularized approach to POLSAR model-based decomposition that mitigates observed biases seen in earlier decompositions provides robust scattering mechanism estimates and eliminates unphysical, negative scattering powers.
Evaluation to Prognostic Staging System of Multiple Myeloma in Novel Agent Era

Purpose This study was to evaluate existing staging system of multiple myeloma (MM) in the real world. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 886 newly diagnosed MM from two institutions. Results The overall survival (OS) of eligible patients was 61.0 months. R-ISS held a larger receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) area (0.603) than that of ISS (0.573) and DS staging system (0.567). In the group of immunomodulatory agents-based regimens, the median OS was 92.0 months in R-ISS I, 63.0 months in R-ISS II and 18.0 months in R-ISS III (p<0.0001). In the group of proteasome inhibitors-based regimens, the median OS was 102.0 months in R-ISS I, 63.0 months in R-ISS II and 22.0 months in R-ISS III (p<0.0001). In different subgroups grouped according to Age, HGB, CREA and Ca, R-ISS also had a good stratification effect. Patients in R-ISS II were further analyzed, which accounted for 69.9% of all R-ISS patients. Using univariable and multivariable Cox analysis, Age>65 years (p=0.001), HGB<100g/L (p<0.001), elevated LDH (p=0.001) and Ca (p=0.010) were independent factors indicating worse prognosis for R-ISS II. Conclusion R-ISS remains a valuable staging system in the real world of new drug era. But patients classified in R-ISS II still have large heterogeneity.
Dynamics of the evolution of the strategic management concept: From the planning school to the neostrategic approach

Purpose: Strategic management has been developing in business theory and practice for over 50 years. Presently, it constitutes the main area of research interest in management science. The contemporary conditions of business operations create new challenges for strategic management, such as the use of dynamic capabilities in strategy building, relational strategies, networking of organizations, technology development and automation of processes, and global strategies. These challenges are often referred to as neostrategic management. The purpose of this publication is to present the findings of research concerning new strategic management concepts and challenges. Methodology: The main research method of this article was a narrative literature review. On the basis of the research, the development of the concepts as well as contemporary trends and challenges of strategic management were characterized. There is also a synthesis of the problems and research results presented in the articles in this special issue of JEMI. Findings: Various schools and approaches to strategy formulation have been created. They indicate different factors that allow for success in strategic management such as: setting long-term goals, selection of programs and their execution plans (planning school); connection of the enterprise with the environment (evolutionary school); focusing attention on competitive advantage and achieved performance (position-based school); focus on one’s own resources and competences (resource school); use of opportunities and creating innovation (simple rules school); selection of the best option and orientation in business management (real options school); or eclectic perspectives, integrating the listed approaches. The strategic management concept has two dimensions. The first dimension is related to the emergence of subsequent, new strategic management concepts, which often hark back to the previous schools and approaches. The second dimension of development applies to operationalization and adjustment of the previous concepts to the changing conditions. Implications for theory and practice: The paper characterizes the research results presented in the articles included in this JEMI issue. They deal with various problems and challenges in the field of strategic management, such as the relationship between market dynamics, market orientation and performance of enterprises; the innovativeness of companies as a contemporary strategic orientation of companies; the strategy implementation and the management of the organization change; problems of strategic management of the development of the city. Originality and value: The problems presented in the study relate to challenges and new concepts in strategic management. They enrich the existing knowledge on the development of strategic management, and also create inspiration for further research in this area.
Stress and Self-Management Efficacy of COVID-19 among Community-Dwelling Elderly

This study attempted to provide basic data to develop a nursing intervention for managing communicable diseases in the elderly by identifying the relationship between COVID-19 stress and self-management efficacy perceived by elderly individuals. Data were collected from 133 participants using a structured questionnaire on general characteristics, COVID-19 stress, and self-management efficacy. Data analysis included a t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation coefficients. The results revealed that COVID-19 stress differed according to occupation, educational attainment, economic status, and subjective health status, while self-management efficacy differed according to subjective health status. COVID-19 stress correlated positively with self-management efficacy, and there was a positive correlation in the prevention and home-management areas, among the lower areas. Therefore, appropriate COVID-19 stress among elderly individuals can act as a factor to increase the efficacy of prevention and home-management. As the pandemic continues, repeated studies should expand the range of participants and changes by period.
THE DIETARY INTAKE OF MALE AND FEMALE BODYBUILDERS DURING COMPETITION PREPARATION

Background The growing popularity of the sport of bodybuilding has led to the creation of new categories such as men’s physique, classic physique, figure, fitness, and bikini where little is known of the dietary strategies of these newer divisions. The primary aim of this study was to assess the kcal and macronutrient intake of bodybuilders during three time points of competition preparation and distinguish these strategies between divisions. Methods This observational cross-sectional study consisted of one hundred fortyfive participants (90 men aged 31.5 + 8.9 and 55 women aged 31.7 + 7.4). Participants completed a modified version of the Dietary Assessment of a Natural Bodybuilding Population Questionnaire which has been used in previous research assessing diet during three time points. At each time point, participants recorded dietary intake over a 24-hour period. Participants were categorized according to their competitive division and grouped together for dietary analysis (Bodybuilding: BB, Men’s Physique: MP, and Women’s Divisions: WD). Kcal and macronutrient analysis was performed using MyFitnessPal. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine and compare the kcal and macronutrient intake expressed in grams and g/kg bodyweight between competitive divisions during the three time points of competition preparation. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results Mean kcal and macronutrient intake in all groups significantly decreased from the initial to end time period (p < 0.05). Mean kcal intake of BB was significantly greater than MP and WD at all time periods (p < 0.05). Mean kcal intake of MP was significantly greater than WD at all time periods (p < 0.05). Mean CHO intake of BB was significantly greater compared to MP and WD at all time points (p < 0.05). Mean CHO intake of MP was significantly greater compared to WD only at the initial time point of competition preparation (p < 0.05). Mean PRO intake of BB was significantly greater than WD at all time points (p < 0.05). Also, mean PRO intake of MP was significantly greater than WD at all times points (p < 0.05). Fat (g/kg BW) intake was significantly greater in BB compared to WD at all time points (p < 0.05). Conclusions Competitors in the bodybuilding division consumed a greater amount of kcals and carbohydrates throughout the entirety of competition preparation compared to other divisions. Greater kcal and carbohydrate intake could theoretically be contributed to greater muscle mass and starting weight as different divisions place different expectations on competitors. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to differentiate dietary strategies between competitive divisions. However, future research is needed to increase generalizability for all divisions.
Preparation of PVDF-CNT composite

Limitations of ceramic piezomaterials (brittleness, toxicity of lead-containing samples, difficulties of complicated shapes preparations, etc.) call for the research in the field of piezoelectric polymers. One of them is polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). It could be prepared in various forms: thin films, bulk samples, fibers. PVDF fibers attract the most attention because of high flexibility, lightweight, mechanical stability, chemical inertness. Properties of PVDF fibers can be tuned using dopant material: ceramic particles, metal nanoparticles, graphite materials as graphene oxide or carbon nanotubes (CNT).
Energy in the 21st century

Analyse de l'evolution de la consommation energetique americaine, notamment dans le secteur des transports, de 1850 a l'an 2000. Prevision de la demande energetique mondiale, a long terme et etude des defis technologiques et environnementaux pour arriver a la satisfaire dans le cadre d'un developpement durable.
Factors Influencing Stem Career Interests in High School Students with Disabilities

Studies in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) have focused considerably on issues related to underrepresented groups’ participation in STEM disciplines. Students with disabilities are among the groups that are underrepresented in STEM careers worldwide. The problem is of great concern as persons with disabilities are rarely found in stem career fields. This study investigated whether and to what extent the selected factors predict STEM career interest in students with disabilities in senior secondary schools in Nigeria. A quantitative approach was utilized in the study, using descriptive research design. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, three subscales were of the interest in STEM career questionnaire developed by Halim et al., (2018), and stem Career Interest Survey (STEM-CIS) (Kier et al., 2014). Data analyses were conducted using descriptive statistic and regression analyses. Descriptive statistics showed that participants recorded high score in social influences on STEM career interests (Mean= 3.42, SD=.69) and poor perception of STEM career (Mean=2.45, SD=.72)among students with disabilities. Regression analysis showed that interest in STEM career fields, such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics related careers were predicted by social influences, perception of STEM career and STEM self-efficacy in the participants. It was concluded that social influences, perception of STEM careers and STEM self-efficacy were the major determinants of STEM career interests in students with disabilities. These findings can be used to inform career counseling and research.
Modeling trophic webs in freshwater fishpond systems using Ecopath: towards better polyculture management

Freshwater pond polyculture faces many challenges in Europe. Appropriate tools must be developed to better understand and manage trophic interactions in pond ecosystems. The objective of our study was to understand the trophic interactions and make inference on the fish diet in common carp polyculture through a combination of experiments and trophic web modeling. We conducted an experiment in small fishponds of common carp polyculture reared with roach and perch and used Ecopath with Ecosim software to characterize the food web. Two replicates of 3 treatments were performed: a semi-extensive pond with low fish density and no formulated feed, an intensive pond with twice the fish density and formulated feed and an intensive pond coupled with a planted lagoon. Ten trophic groups were defined to describe the food web. The modeling procedure enabled us to estimate the diets of each trophic group. The fish diet in fed and non-fed treatments differed greatly since the carp fed mainly on formulated feed when available. The roach exhibited trophic plasticity by adapting their diet to the available resources. The benthic macroinvertebrates and zooplankton were preyed upon intensively; they became the limiting factors for fish production and depended on phytoplankton availability. Detritus and phytoplankton were the main sources of nutrients in all treatments but were not used efficiently. These results provide several insights for improving polyculture. In particular, they promote better management of zooplankton and macroinvertebrates as food sources for target species and a better balance in fish assemblages for more efficient use of resources.
AN OVERVIEW OF CRIME ANALYSIS, PREVENTION AND PREDICTION USING DATA MINING BASED ON REAL TIME AND LOCATION DATA

Crime analysis and prevention is a systematic approach for identifying and analyzing patterns and trends in crime. The system can predict regions which have high probability for crime occurrence and can visualize crime prone areas. With the increasing advent of computerized systems, crime data analysts can help the Law enforcement officers to speed up the process of solving crimes. Using the concept of data mining, real time and location data, the system can extract unknown, useful information from an unstructured data. Here we have an approach between computer science and criminal justice to develop a data mining, real time and location data procedure that can help solve crimes faster. Instead of focusing on causes of crime occurrence like criminal background of offender, political enmity etc. we are focusing mainly on crime factors of each day. To have a better response towards criminal activity, it is very important that one should understand the patterns in crime. I analyses these patterns by taking crime datasets from the Nigeria Police zone six (6) Calabar, Cross River State and town planning bodies. This dataset includes different streets of the city of Calabar. The major aim of this mission is to expect which category of crime is most probably to take place at a detailed time and places in Calabar.
Economics for nature protection and resource conservation from the Russian Empire to the USSR: Achievements, failures and conflicts

Considering the attention paid to nature protection throughout the history of economics, it would be worthwhile to evaluate the scientific thought in the Russian Empire, the USSR and Russia concerning an environmentally oriented economy. The review presents an analysis of research works on this topic — from Vernadsky’s concept of the biosphere and environmentally oriented management in the USSR to the modern scientists’ ideas. In the USSR, economics of nature conservation studied the strongest interconnections between society and the ecological environment for further depleting and preventing pollution. The study identifies the leading researchers and outlines the main concepts of how the economy can reflect environmental protection and support sustainability.
Cross-fertilization of knowledge and technologies in collaborative research projects

Purpose This paper aims to explore how the cross-fertilization of knowledge and technologies in EU-funded research projects, including serious games and gamification, is influenced by the following variables: multidisciplinarity, knowledge base and organizations (number and diversity). The interrelation of actors and projects form a network of innovation. The largest contribution to cross-fertilization comes from the multidisciplinary nature of projects and the previous knowledge and technology of actors. The analysis draws on the understanding of how consortia perform as an innovation network, what their outcomes are and what capabilities are needed to reap value. Design/methodology/approach All the research projects including serious games and/or gamification, funded by the EU-Horizon 2020 work programme, have been analyzed to test the hypotheses in this paper. The study sample covers the period between 2014 and 2016 (June), selecting the 87 research projects that comprised 519 organizations as coordinators and participants, and 597 observations – because more organizations participate in more than one project. The data were complemented by documentary and external database analysis. Findings To create cross-fertilization of knowledge and technologies, the following emphasis should be placed on projects: partners concern various disciplines; partners have an extensive knowledge base for generating novel combinations and added-value technologies; there is a diverse typology of partners with unique knowledge and skills; and there is a limited number of organizations not too closely connected to provide cross-fertilization. Research limitations/implications First, the database sample covers a period of 30 months. The authors’ attention was focused on this period because H2020 prioritized for the first time the serious games and gamification with two specific calls (ICT-21–14 and ICT-24–16) and, second, for the explosion of projects including these technologies in the past years (Adkins, 2017). These facts can be understood as a way to push the research to higher technology readiness levels (TRLs) and introducing the end-user in the co-creation and co-development along the value chain. Second, an additional limitation makes reference to the European focus of the projects, missing strong regional initiatives not identified and studied. Originality/value This paper has attempted to explore and define theoretically and empirically the characteristics found in the cross-fertilization of collaborative research projects, emphasizing which variables, and how, need to be stimulated to benefit more multidisciplinary consortia and accelerate the process of innovation.
Association of subcortical gray-matter volumes with life-course-persistent antisocial behavior in a population-representative longitudinal birth cohort

Abstract Neuropsychological evidence supports the developmental taxonomy theory of antisocial behavior, suggesting that abnormal brain development distinguishes life-course-persistent from adolescence-limited antisocial behavior. Recent neuroimaging work confirmed that prospectively-measured life-course-persistent antisocial behavior is associated with differences in cortical brain structure. Whether this extends to subcortical brain structures remains uninvestigated. This study compared subcortical gray-matter volumes between 672 members of the Dunedin Study previously defined as exhibiting life-course-persistent, adolescence-limited or low-level antisocial behavior based on repeated assessments at ages 7–26 years. Gray-matter volumes of 10 subcortical structures were compared across groups. The life-course-persistent group had lower volumes of amygdala, brain stem, cerebellum, hippocampus, pallidum, thalamus, and ventral diencephalon compared to the low-antisocial group. Differences between life-course-persistent and adolescence-limited individuals were comparable in effect size to differences between life-course-persistent and low-antisocial individuals, but were not statistically significant due to less statistical power. Gray-matter volumes in adolescence-limited individuals were near the norm in this population-representative cohort and similar to volumes in low-antisocial individuals. Although this study could not establish causal links between brain volume and antisocial behavior, it constitutes new biological evidence that all people with antisocial behavior are not the same, supporting a need for greater developmental and diagnostic precision in clinical, forensic, and policy-based interventions.
Generating a Mouse Model of Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage by Applying High-Pressure Focused Ultrasound

Intracerebral hemorrhage defines a category of neurological disease that spans the full range of possible clinical outcomes. At one end of the spectrum is hemorrhagic stroke, an oftendebilitating neurologic condition with substantial morbidity and mortality while cerebral microhemorrhage at the other end of the spectrum can go completely unnoticed as they are often asymptomatic. Despite the distinct clinical outcomes both conditions share a common risk factor, uncontrolled hypertension. Here we set out to generate a novel mouse model of intracerebral hemorrhage with pressure as the mode of hemorrhage induction. To conduct our studies, we utilize high pressure focused ultrasound in combination with injected microbubbles to cause hemorrhage. We applied this technique at two different pressures resulting in striatal hemorrhage induction with distinct phenotypic outcomes. Following induction at the higher-pressure, mice show evidence of lateral motor deficit and other signs of impairment. Mice with hemorrhage induced at the lower pressure show no behavioral signs of neurological deficit. We employ immunofluorescence and western blotting to understand the cellular responses to intracerebral hemorrhage in these mice. We find evidence of inflammation and cell death following high-pressure induction of intracerebral hemorrhage. Lower pressure induction of intracerebral hemorrhage lacks signs of cell death but shows apparent inflammation. We have created a novel