Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Assessment of Machine-Learning Techniques for Land Use and Land Cover Classification of the Brazilian Tropical Savanna Using ALOS-2/PALSAR-2 Polarimetric Images

This study proposes a workflow for land use and land cover (LULC) classification of Advanced Land Observing Satellite-2 (ALOS-2) Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar-2 (PALSAR-2) images of the Brazilian tropical savanna (Cerrado) biome. The following LULC classes were considered: forestlands; shrublands; grasslands; reforestations; croplands; pasturelands; bare soils/straws; urban areas; and water reservoirs. The proposed approach combines polarimetric attributes, image segmentation, and machine-learning procedures. A set of 125 attributes was generated using polarimetric ALOS-2/PALSAR-2 images, including the van Zyl, Freeman–Durden, Yamaguchi, and Cloude–Pottier target decomposition components, incoherent polarimetric parameters (biomass indices and polarization ratios), and HH-, HV-, VH-, and VV-polarized amplitude images. These attributes were classified using the Naive Bayes (NB), DT J48 (DT = decision tree), Random Forest (RF), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithms. The RF, MLP, and SVM classifiers presented the most accurate performances. NB and DT J48 classifiers showed a lower performance in relation to the RF, MLP, and SVM. The DT J48 classifier was the most suitable algorithm for discriminating urban areas and natural vegetation cover. The proposed workflow can be replicated for other SAR images with different acquisition modes or for other types of vegetation domains.
Transient mobilisation of pipe-wall adhered material in drinking water distribution systems

Discolouration, an aesthetic indicator of drinking water quality, affects approximately 6.7 million customers annually in the UK and is perceived to mask other water quality failures. Existing management techniques cannot explain all of these discolouration failures. Therefore, understanding the processes and forces that lead to discolouration is crucial. Material associated with discolouration is mobilised from the pipe wall when its adherence strength is exceeded by imposed hydraulic forces. Transient events generate significant dynamic forces, yet, there is currently little conclusive evidence exploring their influence on mobilisation of material. This study aims to determine, for the first time, if transient forces can mobilise of material adhered to the pipe-wall, which cannot be mobilised by steady state flows at the same initial or final conditions. An innovative, rigorous laboratory experiment was designed to test this aim. Replicated adhered material was created using magnetic particles inside the pipe and an electromagnet external to the pipe, so that controlled current through the electromagnet quantified adherence force experienced by the magnetic particles. Hydraulic steady state and transient tests, for a range of flow rate and pressure conditions, were conducted to determine the current at which mobilisation occurred. A key contribution of this research was the confirmation that valve closing and valve opening transients cause mobilisation of adhered material, where steady state cannot. This is substantial finding, particularly for valve closing transients as the steady state force reduces during the valve movement. Mobilisation must be due to the dynamic forces generated by the transient. An observationally driven analysis led to development of a function to capture the magnitude of the hydraulic force generated during transients. The one dimensional function was termed the ‘Peak Dynamic Force’ and begins to quantify transient induced forces that lead to mobilisation of pipe-wall adhered material. The work presented within this thesis is unique in that it consistently isolated transient forces and quantified their mobilisation ability. This dynamic ability has theoretical and practical implications, and could ultimately lead to the development of effective management strategies for improving drinking water quality.
The Use of UAV Mounted Sensors for Precise Detection of Bark Beetle Infestation

The bark beetle (Ips typographus) disturbance represents serious environmental and economic issue and presents a major challenge for forest management. A timely detection of bark beetle infestation is therefore necessary to reduce losses. Besides wood production, a bark beetle outbreak affects the forest ecosystem in many other ways including the water cycle, nutrient cycle, or carbon fixation. On that account, (not just) European temperate coniferous forests may become endangered ecosystems. Our study was performed in the unmanaged zone of the Krkonoše Mountains National Park in the northern part of the Czech Republic where the natural spreading of bark beetle is slow and, therefore, allow us to continuously monitor the infested trees that are, in contrast to managed forests, not being removed. The aim of this work is to evaluate possibilities of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-mounted low-cost RGB and modified near-infrared sensors for detection of different stages of infested trees at the individual level, using a retrospective time series for recognition of still green but already infested trees (so-called green attack). A mosaic was created from the UAV imagery, radiometrically calibrated for surface reflectance, and five vegetation indices were calculated; the reference data about the stage of bark beetle infestation was obtained through a combination of field survey and visual interpretation of an orthomosaic. The differences of vegetation indices between infested and healthy trees over four time points were statistically evaluated and classified using the Maximum Likelihood classifier. Achieved results confirm our assumptions that it is possible to use a low-cost UAV-based sensor for detection of various stages of bark beetle infestation across seasons; with increasing time after infection, distinguishing infested trees from healthy ones grows easier. The best performance was achieved by the Greenness Index with overall accuracy of 78%–96% across the time periods. The performance of the indices based on near-infrared band was lower.
Morphology of Ionospheric Sporadic E Layer Intensity Based on COSMIC Occultation Data in the Midlatitude and Low‐Latitude Regions

Ionospheric sporadic E layer is thin irregularity with much higher plasma density in the ionospheric E region (~90‐120 km). Morphology of sporadic E intensity is investigated by using the COSMIC radio occultation data during 2007‐2012. Maximum gradient value of total electron content fluctuation is defined as Smax index, and it shows good linear relationship with the sporadic E intensity parameter (ordinary critical frequency, foEs) in the low‐latitude and midlatitude regions. By using this Smax index as the sporadic E layer intensity, distribution of sporadic E intensity is obtained. Some known features are confirmed such as the hemisphere summer enhancement, diurnal and semidiurnal behavior, and intensity depression anomaly regions. New findings are also obtained, especially the different behavior pattern in the low‐latitude region. (1) Both positive and negative correlations exist between sporadic E intensity and solar activity, and this correlation also shows complex magnetic latitude dependency. (2) Weaker seasonal variation is found in the low‐latitude region. Besides, hemisphere asymmetries of sporadic E intensity/location are also found during the equinox. (3) Longitudinal wave number‐4 feature of sporadic E intensity is prominent in the lower latitude region, which may be related to the diurnal eastward wave number‐3 tide. In a word, it is feasible to investigate the sporadic E layer intensity distribution based on radio occultation data, which also allows for a global morphology analysis.
Undrained monotonic shear behavior of marine soft clay after long-term cyclic loading

Abstract In the coastal area, nearshore and offshore structures have been or will be built in marine soft clay deposits that have experienced long-term cyclic loads. Therefore, the mechanical behavior of marine clay after long-term cyclic loading needs to be investigated. In this research, a series of monotonic and cyclic triaxial tests were carried out to investigate the postcyclic mechanical behavior of the marine soft clay. The postcyclic water pore pressure, shear strength and secant stiffness are discussed by comparing the results with the standard monotonic test (without cyclic loading). It is very interesting that the postcyclic behavior of marine soft clay specimen is similar to the behavior of overconsolidated specimen, that is, the specimen shows apparent overconsolidation behavior after long-term cyclic loading. Then relationship between the overconsolidation ratio and the apparent overconsolidation ratio is established on the basis of the theory of equivalent overconsolidation. Finally, a validation formula is proposed which can predict the postcyclic undrained shear strength of marine soft clay.
Pitch Angle Scattering of Sub‐MeV Relativistic Electrons by Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves

Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves have long been considered to be a significant loss mechanism for relativistic electrons. This has most often been attributed to resonant interactions with the highest amplitude waves. But recent observations have suggested that the dominant energy of electrons precipitated to the atmosphere may often be relatively low, less than 1 MeV, whereas the minimum resonant energy of the highest amplitude waves is often greater than 2 MeV. Here we use relativistic electron test particle simulations in the wavefields of a hybrid code simulation of EMIC waves in dipole geometry in order to show that significant pitch angle scattering can occur due to interaction with low‐amplitude short‐wavelength EMIC waves. In the case we examined, these waves are in the H band (at frequencies above the He+ gyrofrequency), even though the highest amplitude waves were in the He band frequency range (below the He+ gyrofrequency). We also present wave power distributions for 29 EMIC simulations in straight magnetic field line geometry that show that the high wave number portion of the spectrum is in every case mostly due to the H band waves. Though He band waves are often associated with relativistic electron precipitation, it is possible that the He band waves do not directly scatter the sub‐megaelectron volts (sub‐MeV) electrons, but that the presence of He band waves is associated with high plasma density which lowers the minimum resonant energy so that these electrons can more easily resonate with the H band waves.
A long-term (2002 to 2017) record of closed-path and open-path eddy covariance CO2 net ecosystem exchange fluxes from the Siberian Arctic

Abstract. Ground-based observations of land–atmosphere fluxes are necessary to progressively improve global climate models. Observed data can be used for model evaluation and to develop or tune process models. In arctic permafrost regions, climate–carbon feedbacks are amplified. Therefore, increased efforts to better represent these regions in global climate models have been made in recent years. We present a multi-annual time series of land–atmosphere carbon dioxide fluxes measured in situ with the eddy covariance technique in the Siberian Arctic (72∘22′ N, 126∘30′ E). The site is part of the international network of eddy covariance flux observation stations (FLUXNET; site ID: Ru-Sam). The data set includes consistently processed fluxes based on concentration measurements of closed-path and open-path gas analyzers. With parallel records from both sensor types, we were able to apply a site-specific correction to open-path fluxes. This correction is necessary due to a deterioration of data, caused by heat generated by the electronics of open-path gas analyzers. Parameterizing this correction for subperiods of distinct sensor setups yielded good agreement between open- and closed-path fluxes. We compiled a long-term (2002 to 2017) carbon dioxide flux time series that we additionally gap-filled with a standardized approach. The data set was uploaded to the Pangaea database and can be accessed through https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.892751.
Diversity, Distribution and Relative Abundance of Avian Fauna of Nansebo Forest, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia

Birds are one of the components of biodiversity. Avian community studies are effective tools for monitoring a forest ecosystem. The status of birds in the present study areas is very little known. Therefore, the objective of the study was to assess species composition and relative abundance of birds at Nansebo forest in southern Ethiopia. To this end, a stratified random sampling technique was employed. Accordingly, to collect data for the study, the whole habitat of the study area was divided into dominant vegetation types. Accordingly, Moist Afromontane forest and modified habitat were identified in Nansebo forest. A line transects count aided by binocular was employed to investigate avian species diversity and relative abundance. Accordingly, 20 transect lines of 1km with a width of 0.25km or less was used to cover 27.75% of the area in Nansebo forest. Quantitative Biodiversity indices such as H’,E ,γ and α to measure species richness were used to calculate the bird species diversity and two way- ANOVA was used to test for significant variation in species richness and abundance per season among habitats. A total of 105 bird species consisting of 1endemic, 8 near endemics, 1 globally threatened and 9 Palearctic migrants were recorded in Nansebo forest. Species richness and abundance varied between the three habitats in Nansebo forest. There was significant difference in species richness among habitats in Nansebo forest (F1, 18=94.657 P=0.000) at 0.001 significance level. In Nansebo forest the highest Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H’ = 4.17) was recorded from the modified habitat. It can be concluded that the area has high species diversity including endemics and endangered species. It can also be good potential for bird watching tourism that can integrate economic gain with biodiversity conservation. Hence, urgent conservation measures and further detail research is recommended to conserve the bird species. Keywords/Phrases : Avian species, Habitat types, Species richness, Species similarity DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/9-5-04 Publication date :March 31 st 2019
Preliminary Evaluation of GPM‐IMERG Rainfall Estimates Over Three Distinct Climate Zones With APHRODITE

Evaluation of Global Precipitation Measurement‐Integrated Multi‐satellitE Retrieval for GPM (GPM‐IMERG) final precipitation product is performed over Japan, Nepal, and Philippines regions against further improved APHRODITE‐2 V1801R1 product. The evolution is carried out for nearly two consecutive years 2014–2015. Various qualitative and quantitative statistical indices such as mean bias, root‐mean‐square error, correlation coefficient, false alarming ratio, and probability of detection are considered to evaluate GPM‐IMERG precipitation estimates with APHRODITE‐2. Intraseasonal variability of two products is shown to explore the seasonal dependency of GPM‐IMERG performance. The performance of GPM‐IMERG research product with respect to rainfall intensity is shown by the cumulative probability distribution of target and reference data sets. Percentile‐based statistics is implemented for evaluating the advantages of GPM‐IMERG over Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission‐3B42 while detecting the light and heavy rainfall events during wet/dry seasons. The overall performance of GPM‐IMERG seems to be good over Japan followed by Philippines and Nepal regions. This feature is clearly evidenced in terms of mean bias, root‐mean‐square error, and correlation magnitudes over three regions. GPM‐IMERG shows ability to follow the intraseasonal variability as shown by APHRODITE‐2 product with minor differences observed in precipitation maximum values during rainy season. Good agreement is seen between GPM‐IMERG and APHRODITE‐2 at different rainfall intensities except underestimation during heavy rainfall events. GPM‐IMERG seems to be improved in detecting light/heavy rainfall event magnitude than TRM‐3B42. However, the performance of both data sets encountered clear dependency on seasons.
A study on work characteristics and morbidity pattern of coal mine workers in South India

Background: Globally, coal mining is one of the dangerous occupations which leads to hazardous effects to coal mine workers due to production and dispersion of coal dust. These workers face more survival and working pressure than normal workers. Hypertension, diabetes and chronic respiratory symptoms are more prevalent in coal miners than normal population. This study was conducted with the objective to know the working pattern of coal mine workers and to know their habits and morbidity pattern.Methods: A descriptive study was conducted in one of the coal mines during October 2016 to December 2017. 846 coal mine workers were included in the study.Results: 480 (56.74%) workers belong to the age group of 50-60 yrs. Present study includes 696 underground mine workers and 150 surface workers. 222 (26.23%) workers had a habit of smoking, alcohol consumption is seen in 96 (11.35%) of surface workers and 480 (56.73%) of underground workers. In present study prevalence of hypertension is 19.15%, prevalence of diabetes is 16.31% and the prevalence of symptoms of chronic respiratory disease is 28.38%. Conclusions: The current study has shown a higher prevalence of diabetes than national prevalence and showed a lesser prevalence of hypertension than national prevalence which may be probably due to other causes rather than occupational stress alone. Morbidity is more than the normal population hence health education is done among workers regarding chronic diseases and their risk factors.
Rainwater Harvesting for Agricultural Irrigation: An Analysis of Global Research

Within a context of scarce water resources for agriculture, rainwater harvesting constitutes a promising alternative that has been studied by different disciplines in recent years. This article analyses the dynamics of global research on rainwater harvesting for agricultural irrigation over the last two decades. To do this, qualitative systematic analysis and quantitative bibliometric analysis have been carried out. The results reveal that this line of research is becoming increasingly important within research on irrigation. Environmental sciences and agricultural and biological sciences are the most relevant subject areas. Agricultural Water Management, Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, and Irrigation and Drainage are the journals that have published the most articles on the subject. India, China, the United States (USA), South Africa, and the Netherlands are the countries that lead this line of research. Although significant progress has been made in this subject area, it is necessary to increase the number of studies on the capacity of rainwater harvesting systems to cover irrigation needs in different farming contexts, the factors that determine their adoption by farmers, the economic and financial feasibility of their implementation, and their contribution to mitigating global climate change.
AN ASSESSMENT OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR PARTICULATE MATTERS CONCENTRATIONS AT TWO HOSPITALS IN KASHAN, IRAN

Indoor air quality has gained great attention, mainly due to the large amount of time which people spend indoors. The complex hospital environment requires a special attention to ensure healthful indoor air quality to protect patients and healthcare workers against hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections and occupational diseases. Since a few studies have been done in this area, therefore the aim of the study is to determine the respirable particles concentrations in the indoor and outdoor air at two hospitals in Kashan. Indoor and outdoor PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were measured using a real time dust monitor during 3 months in the operating room, children, and ICU's wards. The collected data were then analyzed using SPSS version 16 and Excel version 2010. The results showed a significant relationship between PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in the indoor and outdoor air at two hospitals (P=.05). PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were different in all of the studied wards (P=.05). The highest average PM10 was in the children's ward in one of the hospitals. Accordingly the respirable particles concentration were higher than WHO guideline in the indoor and outdoor air in the both of hospitals, So utilizing sufficient and efficient ventilation systems within the hospitals would can be useful in being better indoor air quality and reducing the respirable particulates matter concentration.
Depth Determination of the 2010 El Mayor‐Cucapah Earthquake Sequence (M ≥ 4.0)

The 2010 MW 7.2 El Mayor‐Cucapah earthquake ruptured a zone of ~120 km in length in northern Baja California. The geographic distribution of this earthquake sequence was well constrained by waveform relocation. The depth distribution, however, was poorly determined as it is near the edge of, or outside, the Southern California Seismic Network. Here we use two complementary methods to constrain the focal depths of moderate‐sized events (M ≥ 4.0) in this sequence. We first determine the absolute earthquake depth by modeling the regional depth phases at high frequencies (~1 Hz). We mainly focus on Pn and its depth phases pPn and sPn, which arrive early at regional distance and are less contaminated by crustal multiples. To facilitate depth phase identification and to improve signal‐to‐noise ratio, we take advantage of the dense Southern California Seismic Network and use array analysis to align and stack Pn waveforms. For events without clear depth phases, we further determine their relative depths with respect to those with known depths using differential travel times of the Pn, direct P, and direct S phases recorded for event pairs. Focal depths of 93 out of 122 M ≥ 4.0 events are tightly constrained with absolute uncertainty of about 1 km. Aftershocks are clustered in the depth range of 3–10 km, suggesting a relatively shallow seismogenic zone, consistent with high surface heat flow in this region. Most aftershocks are located outside or near the lower terminus of coseismic high‐slip patches of the main shock, which may be governed by residual strains, local stress concentration, or postseismic slip.
Measurement of Road Surface Deformation Using Images Captured from UAVs

This paper presents a methodology for measuring road surface deformation due to terrain instability processes. The methodology is based on ultra-high resolution images acquired from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Flights are georeferenced by means of Structure from Motion (SfM) techniques. Dense point clouds, obtained using the multiple-view stereo (MVS) approach, are used to generate digital surface models (DSM) and high resolution orthophotographs (0.02 m GSD). The methodology has been applied to an unstable area located in La Guardia (Jaen, Southern Spain), where an active landslide was identified. This landslide affected some roads and accesses to a highway at the landslide foot. The detailed road deformation was monitored between 2012 and 2015 by means of eleven UAV flights of ultrahigh resolution covering an area of about 260 m × 90 m. The accuracy of the analysis has been established in 0.02 ± 0.01 m in XY and 0.04 ± 0.02 m in Z. Large deformations in the order of two meters were registered in the total period analyzed that resulted in maximum average rates of 0.62 m/month in the unstable area. Some boundary conditions were considered because of the low required flying height (<50 m above ground level) in order to achieve a suitable image GSD, the fast landslide dynamic, continuous maintenance works on the affected roads and dramatic seasonal vegetation changes throughout the monitoring period. Finally, we have analyzed the relation of displacements to rainfalls in the area, finding a significant correlation between the two variables, as well as two different reactivation episodes.