Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seismic expression of depositional sequences associated with expansion and contraction of ice sheets on the northwestern Antarctic Peninsula continental shelf

Abstract We present results from seismic stratigraphical analysis of a regional grid of intermediate-resolution seismic profiles from the Antarctic Peninsula continental shelf that reveal greater complexity in the stratigraphical record than has been previously recognized using lower-resolution seismic records. Widespread unconformities and prograding stratal patterns are interpreted as subglacial erosional surfaces and proglacial depositional systems respectively. Two types of units are recognized, aggrading-shelf units and prograding-slope units. Aggrading-shelf units display minimal slope progradation (less than 2 to 3 km) beyond the pre-existing shelf edge. Units of this type are composed of either acoustically layered prograding foresets or acoustically chaotic seismic facies. Unit thicknesses vary along the shelf from less than 20 ms two-way travel time to more than 200 ms. Low-angle foresets downlap and partially fill palaeotroughs that were formed during prior glacial advances. Foresets are interpreted as proglacial depositional surfaces. The zones of active proglacial deposition were lobate in shape and ranged in width from a few kilometres to more than 30 km. Toplap truncations of foresets result from ice-sheet expansion over proglacial deposits. Glacial erosion on the shelf was concentrated along the axes of ice streams to form deep troughs. Slope progradation occurred mainly near the mouths of these troughs. Prograding-slope units exhibit local slope progradation in excess of 2 to 3 km beyond the location of the pre-existing shelf edge. Shifts in the position of troughs indicate lateral shifts in the positions of ice streams. Hence, sedimentation on the outer shelf and upper slope is point-sourced, not line-sourced, and individual units change from progradational to aggradational along the margin. It is not possible to interpret the ice-sheet grounding history of the shelf using changes in stratal stacking patterns without constraining these lateral changes. However, detailed mapping of prograding-slope units does reveal regional trends that imply glacial periods when greater quantities of sediment were eroded from the shelf and deposited on the slope. We interpret prograding-slope units as having been formed during relatively long-duration glacial expansions. Ice-sheet retreat from the shelf probably occurred rapidly, as indicated by a lack of backstepping proglacial deposits.
A General Machine Learning Model for Assessing Fruit Quality Using Deep Image Features

Fruit quality is a critical factor in the produce industry, affecting producers, distributors, consumers, and the economy. High-quality fruits are more appealing, nutritious, and safe, boosting consumer satisfaction and revenue for producers. Artificial intelligence can aid in assessing the quality of fruit using images. This paper presents a general machine learning model for assessing fruit quality using deep image features. This model leverages the learning capabilities of the recent successful networks for image classification called vision transformers (ViT). The ViT model is built and trained with a combination of various fruit datasets and taught to distinguish between good and rotten fruit images based on their visual appearance and not predefined quality attributes. The general model demonstrated impressive results in accurately identifying the quality of various fruits, such as apples (with a 99.50% accuracy), cucumbers (99%), grapes (100%), kakis (99.50%), oranges (99.50%), papayas (98%), peaches (98%), tomatoes (99.50%), and watermelons (98%). However, it showed slightly lower performance in identifying guavas (97%), lemons (97%), limes (97.50%), mangoes (97.50%), pears (97%), and pomegranates (97%).
Heart Rate Variability-Based Obstructive Sleep Apnea Events Classification Using Microwave Doppler Radar

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep disorder that consists of multiple episodes of partial or complete closure (apnea, hypopnea) of the upper airway during sleep and underdiagnosed problems as there is no reliable portable in-home sleep monitoring system. Doppler radar system is gaining attention as an in-home sleep monitoring system due to its non-contact and unobtrusive form of measurement. Prior research on Radar-based sleep monitoring systems mostly focused on distinguishing apnea and normal breathing patterns using radar-reflected signal amplitude that can't distinguish accurately apnea and hypopnea events. Apnea and hypopnea events were distinguished using effective radar cross-section (ERCS) for short-scale study and ERCS changes with sleeping postures and so on. In this work, we proposed a heart rate variability-based robust feature extraction technique to distinguish different sleep disorder events such as apnea, hypopnea, and normal breathing. HRV-based feature extraction technique was employed on ten consented OSA participants' clinical studies to find a distinguishable feature known as the power of the low-frequency band (0.04-0.15 Hz) and high-frequency band (HF) (0.15-0.4 Hz). The extracted hyper-feature (HF and LF) was then integrated with the traditional Machine learning classifiers (ML) including k-nearest neighbors (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), and random forest. SVM outperformed other classifiers with an accuracy of 97% for distinguishing different OSA events that also supersedes other reported results (ERCS). The proposed method has several potential applications including in-home sleep monitoring, OSA severity detection, respiratory disorder detection, and so on.
Contribution to the technological characterization of two widely used Portuguese dimension stones: the ‘Semi-rijo’ and ‘Moca Creme’ stones

Abstract Stone weathering and durability are two major concerns widely recognized within construction, cultural heritage and monument stone decay assessment and conservation works. This paper aims to complement the technological data on the two commercial varieties of Portuguese dimension stones (‘Semi-rijo’ and ‘Moca Creme’), widely used in pavement and cladding inside and outside buildings. New data on the pore structures (fluid transport–related properties) and the durability (salt crystallization tests) of these limestones are presented. The pore structure was studied by a combined application of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and mercury injection porosimetry. Fluid migration physical tests (open and free porosity, capillary imbibition and Hirschwald coefficient) were also performed, according to Portuguese and French standards. The resistance to salt crystallization was determined using the Portuguese standard NP EN 12370. An integrated analysis of all data has allowed a comparison of the results of the durability tests with characteristics of the pore network and properties related to fluid transport as well as petrographical features of the stones. The open porosity and freely-interconnected pores accessible to water after 48 hours (N48) seem to be the main features controlling their durability.
On and off the ice: A case study of the involvement of parents in competitive youth hockey

Initially played for fun, friendship, and an opportunity to exercise, hockey has since become a Canadian tradition rendering it an obsessively competitive culture year-round (Russell, 2000). Several incidents of inappropriate parental behaviours at minor hockey games have recently received national media attention (Robidoux & Bocksnick, 2010). Hence, it is critical that parents examine their own beliefs and attitudes regarding what they believe youth sports should be all about (Heinzmann, 2002), which highlights the need for research in the area of parental involvement in youth hockey. The purpose of this case study was to investigate the involvement of parents in competitive youth hockey from a symbolic interactionist perspective. More specifically, the purpose was: (a) to explore how parents create their role within the competitive youth hockey culture, and (b) to explore how parents perceive and deal with prevailing issues of aggression within the hockey environment. The study focused on a 'Peewee AA' (11-12 years old) boys' hockey team (parents, players, coaches) registered in a minor hockey association. Within this specific team, three families were also recruited to serve as multiple cases from which in-depth accounts were portrayed. Data were collected throughout a hockey season using: direct observation, participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and in-depth interviews. Findings of this study showed that youth hockey becomes a "lifestyle", whereby the demands were remarkably comparable to that of a professional endeavour, allotting minimal time for "kids to be kids". Parents acknowledged that issues of aggression arise as competition increases, yet they somehow did not recognize themselves as complicit contributors to their existence. Rather, they projected blame on the conflicting yet prevailing beliefs embedded in the culture. While parents expected their children to behave in the manner they deemed "acceptable", much of their own observed behaviours displayed incongruence, creating a sometimes hostile environment among parents, whereby policies were neglected and responsibility for helping ensure a healthy and respectful environment was disregarded. Findings highlight the need for parents, with the support of the larger youth hockey movement, to be held accountable for their behaviours as much as they need to be responsible for sustaining this cultural creation. Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Janice Ahola-Sidaway Internal Evaluators: Dr. Cynthia Morawski, Dr. Michael Robidoux, Dr. David Smith External Evaluator: Dr. Kevin Young (University of Calgary)
Petrogenesis of Indosinian Granitoids in Middle‐Segment of South Qinling Tectonic Belt: Constraints from Sr‐Nd Isotopic Systematics

South Qinling Tectonic Belt (SQTB) is located between the Shangzhou‐Danfeng and Mianxian‐Lueyang sutures. There are a lot of early Mesozoic granitoid plutons in its middle segment, comprising the Dongjiangkou‐Zhashui granitoid plutons at the northeast, Huayang‐Wulong‐Laocheng granitoid plutons at the central part, Xiba granitoid pluton at the northwest and Guangtoushan‐Liuba granitoid plutons at the southwest. These Indonisian granitoids contain a mass of various scale mafic enclaves, which show sometimes clear boundaries and sometimes transitional boundaries with their host granitoids. These granitoids also exhibit metaluminous to peraluminous series, commonly higher Mg# and a wide range of petrochemistry from low‐K tholeiite series, through mid‐K and high‐K calc‐alkaline series to shoshonite series and predominated samples are attributed to mid‐K and high‐K calc‐alkaline series. Detailed analyses in Sr‐Nd isotopic systematics and petrochemistry reveal that there may be regionally initial granitoid magma of the Indonisian granitoid plutons, comprising Dongjiangkou‐Zhashui, Huayang‐Wulong‐Laocheng, Xiba, and Guangtoushan‐Liuba granitoid plutons, which were produced by hybrids of magmas in various degrees, and the initial magmas were derived from both the mantle and the lower continental crust (LCC) sources in the SQTB. The initial granitoid magma further did the magma hybrid with the magmas from the LCC, crystallization fractionation, and assimilation with upper crustal materials during their emplacement to produce these granitoid plutons in the SQTB. These magmatism processes are most likely to occur under continent marginal arc and syn‐collision to post‐collision tectonic backgrounds.
Comparison of biomechanical analysis results using different musculoskeletal models for children with cerebral palsy

Introduction: Musculoskeletal model-based simulations have gained popularity as a tool for analyzing human movement biomechanics. However, when examining the same gait, different models with varying anatomical data and assumptions may produce inconsistent biomechanical results. This inconsistency is particularly relevant for children with cerebral palsy, who often exhibit multiple pathological gait patterns that can impact model outputs. Methods: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of selecting musculoskeletal models on the biomechanical analysis results in children with cerebral palsy. Gait data were collected from multiple participants at slow, medium, and fast velocities. Joint kinematics, joint dynamics, and muscle activation were calculated using six popular musculoskeletal models within a biomechanical simulation environment. Results: The degree of inconsistency, measured as the root-mean-square deviation, in kinematic and kinetic results produced by the different models ranged from 4% to 40% joint motion range and 0%–28% joint moment range, respectively. The correlation between the results of the different models (both kinematic and kinetic) was good (R > 0.85, P < 0.01), with a stronger correlation observed in the kinetic results. Four of the six models showed a positive correlation between the simulated muscle activation of rectus femoris and the surface EMG, while all models exhibited a positive correlation between the activation of medial gastrocnemius and the surface EMG (P < 0.01). Discussion: These results provide insights into the consistency of model results, factors influencing consistency, characteristics of each model’s outputs, mechanisms underlying these characteristics, and feasible applications for each model. By elucidating the impact of model selection on biomechanical analysis outcomes, this study advances the field’s understanding of musculoskeletal modeling and its implications for clinical gait analysis model decision-making in children with cerebral palsy.
Biomechanical comparison of bone staple techniques for stabilizing tibial tuberosity fractures

This study compared the biomechanical properties of bone-stapling techniques with those of other fixation methods used for stabilizing tibial tuberosity fractures using 3-dimensionally (3D)-printed canine bone models. Twenty-eight 3D-printed bone models made from computed tomography scan files were used. Tibial tuberosity fractures were simulated using osteotomy. All samples were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 was stabilized with a pin and tension-band wire; group 2, with a pin and an 8 mm-wide bone staple; group 3, with 2 horizontally aligned pins and an 8 mm-wide bone staple; and group 4 with a 10 mm-wide bone staple. Tensile force was applied with vertical distraction until failure occurred. The load and displacement were recorded during the tests. The groups were compared based on the load required to cause displacements of 1, 2, and 3 mm. The maximum failure loads and modes were recorded. The loads at all displacements in group 4 were greater than those in groups 1, 2, and 3. The loads at 1, 2, and 3 mm displacements were similar in groups 1 and 3. There was no significant difference between groups 1 and 3. Groups 1 and 4 provided greater maximum failure loads than groups 2 and 3. Failure occurred because of tearing of the nylon rope, tibial fracture, wire breakage, pin bending, and fracture around the bone staple insertion. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that the bone-stapling technique is an acceptable alternative to tension-band wire fixation for the stabilization of tibial tuberosity fractures in canine bone models.
Advancements in Additive Manufacturing of Tantalum via the Laser Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB/M): A Comprehensive Review

Additive manufacturing (AM) exhibits a prime increment in manufacturing technology development. The last few decades have witnessed massive improvement in this field of research, including the growth in the process, equipment, and materials. Irrespective of compelling technological advancements, technical challenges provoke the application and development of these technologies. Metal additive manufacturing is considered a prime sector of the industrial revolution. Various metal AM techniques, including Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Laser Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB/M), and Electron Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-EB/M), have been developed according to materials and process classifications. PBF-LB/M is considered one of the most suitable choices for metallic materials. PBF-LB/M of tantalum has become a hot topic of research in the current century owing to the high biocompatibility of tantalum and its high-end safety applications. PBF-LB/M of porous Ta can direct unexplored research prospects in biomedical and orthopedics by adapting mechanical and biomedical properties and pioneering implant designs with predictable features. This review primarily examines the current advancements in the additive manufacturing of tantalum and related alloys using the PBF-LB/M process. The analysis encompasses the evaluation of process parameters, mechanical properties, and potential biological applications. This will offer the reader valuable insights into the present state of PBF-LB/M for tantalum alloys.
On the Use of a Localized Huygens’ Surface Scheme for the Adaptive H-Refinement of Multiscale Problems

This work proposes a domain decomposition method (DDM) based on Huygens’ equivalence principle to efficiently perform an adaptive h-refinement technique for the electromagnetic analysis of multiscale structures via surface integral equations (SIEs). The procedure starts with the discretization of the structure under analysis via an initial coarse mesh, divided into domains. Then, each domain is treated independently, and the coupling to the rest of the object is obtained through the electric and magnetic current densities on the equivalent Huygens’ surfaces (EHSs), surrounding each domain. From the initial solution, the error is estimated on the whole structure, and an adaptive h-refinement is applied accordingly. Both the error estimation and the adaptive h-refined solution are obtained through the defined EHSs, keeping the problem local. The adaptive h-refinement is obtained by a nonconformal submeshing, where multibranch Rao–Wilton–Glisson (MB-RWG) basis functions are defined. Numerical experiments of multiscale perfect-electric-conductor (PEC) structures in air, analyzed via the combined field integral equation, show the performance of the proposed approach.
A shear experiment over the Natih field in Oman: pilot seismic and borehole data

An experimental multicomponent three‐dimensional (3D) seismic survey has been carried out over the Natih field in Oman. This paper describes the small‐scale two‐dimensional experiment carried out beforehand, and how the results obtained from this pilot were used to assess the feasibility of a nine‐component three‐dimensional (9C3D) operation as well as to determine the field parameters for the field‐scale 3D survey. It also describes the two VSPs and a wireline shear log, acquired in conjunction with the pilot experiment, and the importance of such borehole data for establishing the correct time‐to‐depth relationship for the seismic data and for providing an independent check on the seismic interpretation. The observation of cusps in the offset VSP indicated the strong anisotropy of the Fiqa shales overlying the Natih reservoir.
Simulation of pollutant transport in homogeneous coastal zones with application to Lake Ontario

On the basis of extensive current measurements in Lake Ontario near Pickering, empirical impulse response functions have been obtained which permit computation of coastal currents in this region from routine wind observations at Toronto Island Airport. The model may be expected to simulate about 75% of the variance of the actual currents in this region and to produce very reliable indications of alongshore current directions and reversals. The empirical model for coastal currents has been combined with a stochastic dispersion model using microcomputer technologies to predict the behavior of contaminant spills in the nearshore zone of Lake Ontario. The model has been verified with the thermal effluent data collected near the Pickering Nuclear Power Generating Station.
COMPARISON OF A LIQUEFACTION THEORY WITH FIELD OBSERVATIONS

In this note, the authors compare some well known liquefaction results obtained by Seed and his co-workers at the University of California with extant field liquefaction data derived mainly from Japanese earthquakes. The comparison reveals Seed's results to be generally over-conservative for small earthquakes and possibly unconservative for very large earthquakes. (TRRL)
Worst-case scenario analysis of physical demands in elite men handball players by playing position through big data analytics

The physical demands of intermittent sports require a preparation based, by definition, on high-intensity actions and variable recovery periods. Innovative local positioning systems make it possible to track players during matches and collect their distance, speed, and acceleration data. The purpose of this study was to describe the worst-case scenarios of high-performance handball players within 5-minute periods and per playing position. The sample was composed of 180 players (27 goalkeepers, 44 wings, 56 backs, 23 centre backs and 30 line players) belonging to the first eight highest ranked teams participating in the European Men’s Handball Championship held in January 2022. They were followed during the 28 matches they played through a local positioning system worn on their upper bodies. Total and high-speed distance covered (m), pace (m/min), player load (a.u.) and high-intensity accelerations and decelerations (n) were recorded for the twelve 5-min periods of each match. Data on full-time player average and peak demands were included in the analysis according to each playing position. A systematic three-phase analysis process was designed: 1) information capture of match activities and context through sensor networks, the LPS system, and WebScraping techniques; 2) information processing based on big data analytics; 3) extraction of results based on a descriptive analytics approach. The descriptive cross-sectional study of worst-case scenarios revealed an ~17% increment in total distance covered and pace, with a distinct ~51% spike in high-intensity actions. Significant differences between playing positions were found, with effect sizes ranging from moderate to very large (0.7–5.1). Line players, in particular, showed a lower running pace peak (~10 m/min) and wings ran longer distances at high speed (> 4.4 m/s) than the rest of the field players (~76 m). The worst-case scenario assessment of handball player locomotion demands will help handball coaches and physical trainers to design tasks that replicate these crucial match moments, thus improving performance based on a position-specific approach.