Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shear Modulus and Damping of Soils

The shear modulus (G) and damping ratio (D) of two natural clays and both siliceous and carbonatic pluvially-deposited dry sands have been measured at the authors' laboratory by means of a Resonant Column/Torsional Shear apparatus for a strain range of 0·0001% up to 1%. Different kinds of tests were performed on hollow cylindrical specimens off all the: (a) monotonic loading torsional shear tests at constant stress rate, (b) cyclic loading torsional shear tests at constant strain rate or at constant frequency and (c) Resonant Column tests. The results of the above tests enabled the authors to analyse the influence of strain level (a), loading rate (a), number of loading cycles (N) and type of loading (monotonic or cyclic) on the measured values of G and D. Les auteurs ont mesure le module de cisaillement (G) et le rapport d'amortissement (D) de deux argiles naturelles et de depots pluviaux de sables secs silicieux et carbonatitiques dans leur laboratoire a I'aide d'essais a colonne resonante et.
Study protocol of a phase II clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of neoadjuvant intraperitoneal and systemic albumin-bound paclitaxel combined with camrelizumab and S-1 in the treatment of patients with exfoliative cell-positive gastric cancer

Background Currently, gastric cancer with positive lavage cytology without gross peritoneal dissemination (GC-CY1) is a special type of metastatic form with poor prognosis. Consensus guidelines on treatment strategies for patients with GC-CY1 have not been established. This study involves a single-arm, prospective, phase II clinical trial to examine the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant intraperitoneal and systemic (NIPS) albumin-bound paclitaxel combined with Camrelizumab and S-1 in the treatment of GC-CY1 patients. Methods/design This is a prospective single-center exploratory study, and the primary endpoints of the trial are R0 resection rate and conversion rate of abdominal free cancer cells (FCCs), with secondary endpoints of 3-year progression-free survival (PFS); 3-year overall survival (OS); objective remission rate (ORR); disease control rate (DCR); safety and TRG classification. Discussion This study is the first to apply NIPS albumin-bound paclitaxel combined with Camrelizumab and S-1 to the conversion therapy of GC-CY1 patients. It is speculated that this combination of regimens will increase the negative conversion rate of FCCs by 20%, which will provide innovative insights into conversion treatment ideas for GC-CY1 patients to be managed in a more comprehensive and optimized manner. Clinical trial registration http://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT05410847.
Elasticity of germanate and silicate spinels at high pressure

Compressional and shear wave velocities have been measured as functions of pressure to 3 GPa for a suite of low-porosity, isotropic, polycrystalline germanate and silicate spinels using the phase-comparison variant of ultrasonic pulse interferometry. Curvature in velocity-pressure trends below a threshold pressure of order 1.5 GPa is caused by closure of microcracks and imperfect acoustic coupling between the specimen and the acoustic buffer rod. Pressure derivatives of wave velocity are determined from linear velocity-pressure trends above this threshold pressure. Previous work on sintered polycrystals of comparable acoustic quality has demonstrated that pressure derivatives determined in this way match those of the ideal zero-porosity aggregate within 10%. The measured derivatives are used to calculate the pressure derivatives dK/dP and dG/dP of the bulk and shear moduli. Although systematic variation of dK/dP with composition is not evident, variation of dG/dP with K/G within the silicate and germanate series suggests a likely value of dG/dP ∼ 1.9 for γ-Mg2SiO4.
An explanation for the east–west asymmetry of the Io plasma torus

One of the most interesting and unexplained spatial structures in the Io plasma torus located near Io's orbit about Jupiter is the east–west (or alternatively dawn-dusk) asymmetry in the planetocentric distance of the so called plasma “ribbon,” the brightest and most prominently observed radial feature of the torus. The average radial position of the ribbon on the sky plane in both its ground-based measured S+ optical emission (6716 A, 6731 A) and its Voyager measured S++ ultraviolet emission (685 A) is observed to be located closer to the planet and well within Io's orbit when it is west of Jupiter at the dusk (or receding) ansa and farther from the planet and very near Io's orbit when it is east of Jupiter at the dawn (or approaching) ansa. In addition, the ribbon is also observed to move about this average position as a function of its ansa System III longitude. It is shown that the location of this asymmetrical radial structure for the S+ ribbon arises naturally in the presence of an east–west electric field from a space and time dependent plasma source that is highly concentrated at Io's instantaneous orbital location (and hence initially located at a constant distance from the planet) and a plasma transport rate that increases radially outward. Model calculations reproduce both the observed average east–west asymmetry and the System III longitude dependence of the S+ ribbon location in the plasma torus. In the absence of an east–west electric field, however, the model-calculated density peak for the S+ ribbon is located essentially symmetrically about Jupiter just inside Io's orbit and does not exhibit the observed east–west asymmetry. Since the S+ ribbon during its slow outward transport will undergo electron impact ionization, the radial location of the S++ ribbon can be expected to be created naturally with the same System III longitude dependence as for the S+ ribbon and at a position radially just beyond that of the S+ ribbon, as has been observed.
Early Prediction of Lower Limb Prostheses Locomotion Mode Transition Based on Terrain Recognition

Terrain classification and feature recognition are key to the locomotion mode switching of lower limb prosthesis and also help to improve the unnatural gait of amputees. This article aims to propose a terrain early recognition system for lower limb prostheses. Laser range sensors and inertial measurement units (IMUs) were fixed on the lower limb, and a multi-sensor information fusion and geometric classification method for a priori identification of terrain transformations and estimation of key terrain feature parameters, including slope, height, and width. Ten healthy subjects and two hip amputees participated in the classification experiments with five terrains. The classification accuracy of the system for five terrains was 98.67% indoor and 95.33% outdoor, and the terrain classification accuracy of amputees remained consistent with that of healthy subjects. The average error of terrain feature recognition was 4.37%, including 4.52% in the amputation group, which was only 0.17% higher than that in the healthy. The system can be fixed to the lower limbs and recognize five terrains and terrain features before a gait cycle.
Transfusion increased skin blood flow when initially low in volume-resuscitated patients without acute bleeding

Background Alterations in skin blood flow is a marker of inadequate tissue perfusion in critically ill patients after initial resuscitation. The effects of red blood cell transfusions (RBCT) on skin perfusion are not described in this setting. We evaluated the effects of red blood cell transfusions on skin tissue perfusion in critically ill patients without acute bleeding after initial resuscitation. Methods A prospective observational study included 175 non-bleeding adult patients after fluid resuscitation requiring red blood cell transfusions. Using laser Doppler, we measured finger skin blood flow (SBF) at skin basal temperature (SBFBT), together with mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), hemoglobin (Hb), central venous pressure (CVP), lactate, and central or mixed venous oxygen saturation before and 1 h after RBCT. SBF responders were those with a 20% increase in SBFBT after RBCT. Results Overall, SBFBT did not significantly change after RBCT [from 79.8 (4.3–479.4) to 83.4 (4.9–561.6); p = 0.67]. A relative increase equal to or more than 20% in SBFBT after RBCT (SBF responders) was observed in 77/175 of RBCT (44%). SBF responders had significantly lower SBFBT [41.3 (4.3–279.3) vs. 136.3 (6.5–479.4) perfusion units; p < 0.01], mixed or central venous oxygen saturation (62.5 ± 9.2 vs. 67.3% ± 12.0%; p < 0.01) and CVP (8.3 ± 5.1 vs. 10.3 ± 5.6 mmHg; p = 0.03) at baseline than non-responders. SBFBT increased in responders [from 41.3 (4.3–279.3) to 93.1 (9.8–561.6) perfusion units; p < 0.01], and decreased in the non-responders [from 136.3 (6.5–479.4) to 80.0 (4.9–540.8) perfusion units; p < 0.01] after RBCT. Pre-transfusion SBFBT was independently associated with a 20% increase in SBFBT after RBCT. Baseline SBFBT had an area under receiver operator characteristic of 0.73 (95% CI, 0.68–0.83) to predict SBFBT increase; A SBFBT of 73.0 perfusion units (PU) had a sensitivity of 71.4% and a specificity of 70.4% to predict SBFBT increase after RBCT. No significant differences in SBFBT were observed after RBCT in different subgroup analyses. Conclusion The skin blood flow is globally unaltered by red blood cell transfusions in non-bleeding critically ill patients after initial resuscitation. However, a lower SBFBT at baseline was associated with a relative increase in skin tissue perfusion after RBCT.
Shape analysis of the preorbital bar in caviomorph rodents

The highly specialised masticatory apparatus of rodents raises interesting questions about how their skull withstands the intensive and sustained forces produced by biting on hard items. In these mammals, major systematics were explored for a long time based on the adductor muscles’ architecture and the related bony structures. The infraorbital foramen stands out, where a hypertrophied head of the zygomaticomandibular muscle passes through—in hystricomorphous rodents—as a direct consequence of the lateral and posterior shift of the preorbital bar. Interestingly, this bar moved laterally and backwards—enlarging the foramen—but it never disappeared throughout evolution, even showing morphological convergence among rodents. Previous research proposed this bar as behaving mechanically similar to the postorbital bar in ungulates, i.e., a safety structure against torsion stress while chewing. We analysed its morphology by mathematically modelling it under bending and torsion scenarios (linearly and elliptically shaped, respectively), and as for biting load propagation (catenary curve). Although the preorbital bar primarily seems to be shaped for withstanding torsional stress (as the postorbital bar in ungulates) and as an escaping point for force propagation, these forces are not a consequence of chewing and grinding foods, but preventing the zygomatic arch from failing when the powerful laterally‐displaced jaw adductor muscles are pulling the dentary upwards at biting.
SISCAL project: establishing an internet-based delivery of near-real-time data products on coastal areas and lakes from satellite imagery

SISCAL (Satellite-based Information System on Coastal Areas and Lakes) is a pan-European project dedicated to develop facilities to provide end-users with customized and easy-to-use data for environmental monitoring of coastal areas and lakes. The main task will be to create a software system providing Near-Real-Time information on the aquatic environment (using instruments such as AVHRR, MODIS or MERIS) and ancillary GIS-data. These products will be tailored to individual customers needs, allowing them to exploit Earth Observation (EO) data without extensive in-house knowledge. This way, SISCAL aims at closing the gap between research institutes, satellite data providers and the actual end-users. Data and information exchange will entirely take place over the internet, from the acquisition of satellite data raw from the providers to the dissemination of finalized data products to the end-users. The focus of SISCAL is set on the optimal integration of existing techniques. The co-operation between the ten SISCAL partners, including four end-users representative of public authorities from local to national scale, aims at strengthening the operational use of EO data in the management of coastal areas and lakes.
Four-Dimensional Local Boundary Surfaces of an Isotropically Consolidated Loose Sand

ABSTRACT Undrained anisotropy, together with the undrained response to monotonic as well as cyclic rotation of principal stress directions, of an isotropically consolidated loose Ham River sand has been investigated by performing three series of hollow cylinder tests. The initial anisotropy of the sand when subjected to a single consolidation pressure was successfully established in the first series of tests, each using different, but fixed in each test, values of α (i.e., the direction of major principal stress relative to the vertical deposition direction) at different b values (i.e., the relative magnitude of intermediate principal stress). The response against monotonic principal stress rotation was also examined in the second series of tests, in which the total stress path defined using the shear stress, t, and α was varied in various manner with b fixed at 0.5. In the third series of tests, the response to cyclic changes of both α and b was examined, and the results were interpreted with the comparative behaviour of the monotonic loading tests with different combinations of α and b. It was found that the sand’s undrained anisotropy and cyclic response could be interpreted by invoking the concept of undrained local boundary surface (LBS). The four-dimensional LBS could be visualized in (t, p′, α) space as a family of superimposed three-dimensional shapes with different b values.
Phosphorus and Potassium Distribution in Soil Following Long-Term Deep-Band Fertilization in Different Tillage Systems

Tillage and fertilizer placement affect soil-test P (STP) and K (STK) distribution in topsoil but little is known about stratification after deep banding. This study investigated lateral and vertical STP and STK stratification after deep-banding fertilizers for corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] managed with no-till or chisel-disk tillage. Soil samples were collected from selected plots of 10 Iowa trials (five for P and five for K) having 4-yr treatment histories. Treatments sampled (three replications of each) were no-till and chisel-disk tillage with or without deep-band fertilization. Either 28 kg P ha -1 yr -1 or 66 kg K ha -1 yr -1 was banded 13 to 18 cm deep and spaced 76 cm. Crop rows were planted on top of the fertilizer bands. Soil samples were collected at 5-cm increments to a 30-cm depth from band/row (BR) and interband/interrow (IBR) positions. Vertical nutrient stratification was observed for all treatments but was more evident for BR with no-till. Lateral stratification was not observed in nonfertilized plots. At a 5-cm depth, both nutrients were higher for BR than for IBR only with no-till management. At a 5- to 15-cm depth both nutrients were higher for BR than for IBR with both tillage systems, but at deeper depths lateral stratification was less evident across nutrients and sites. Vertical and lateral stratification were more pronounced for STP than for STK. Higher crop K uptake and recycling than for P could explain this difference. The results indicate that vertical and lateral stratification due to deep-band fertilization is of concern when planning soil sampling for no-till and may also be of concern for chisel-disk tillage.
Iron disulfide minerals and the genesis of roll-type uranium deposits

Iron disulfide (FeS/sub 2/) minerals in host rocks for roll-type uranium deposits that contain fossil vegetal (organic) matter differ in abundance, distribution, texture, and sulfur isotopic ratios from FeS/sub 2/ minerals in host rocks for deposits that do not contain fossil vegetal matter. In three south Texas deposits lacking such organic matter, preore FeS/sub 2/ is dominantly euhedral pyrite. This preore pyrite formed in close proximity to fault zones in response to solutions emanating from these faults. In these deposits, ore-stage FeS/sub 2/ is dominantly marcasite that occurs as overgrowths on preore pyrite in the ore zone and as far as 400 m downdip from the altered tongue. In three deposits (two in Wyoming and one in Texas) that contain organic matter, preore FeS/sub 2/ is also dominantly pyrite, but it occurs commonly as framboids and as replacements of plant fragments. This preore pyrite formed by bacterial sulfate reduction during early diagenesis and may be isotopically distinct from pyrite formed from fault-related fluids. Orestage FeS/sub 2/ in these deposits is primarily pyrite. Geochemical conditions favoring pyrite formation (such as bacterial control on pH and sulfur speciation) suggest that bacterial sulfate reduction provided sulfide for ore-stage pyrite in deposits which containmore » organic matter. In contrast, abiologic sulfur transformations (involving elemental sulfur or metastable sulfur oxyanions) tend to produce ore-stage marcasite in deposits that do not contain organic matter. The contrasting origins of ore-stage FeS/sub 2/ minerals in host rocks with and without organic matter are consistent with previously proposed biogenic and nonbiogenic theories for the origin of roll-type deposits. « less
Sharp mantle transition from cratons to Cordillera in southwestern Canada

The Western Canada Sedimentary Basin marks the transition from the old North American continental lithosphere to young accreted terranes. Earlier studies in this region have suggested a large number of intricate basement domains as well as major seismic velocity gradients in the mantle. To investigate the effect of the accretion and subduction on the mantle structure beneath the western margin of the North American Craton, we analyze P‐to‐S converted waves from upper mantle discontinuities from the Canadian Rockies and Alberta Network, a regional broadband seismic array based in Alberta, Canada. The depths of the 410 and 660 km seismic discontinuities are correlated and, on average, are 9 km and 7 km greater than their respective global estimates. The largest depression is observed beneath the Rocky Mountain foreland belt in southern Alberta, which highlights a steep southward/westward structural gradient from the cratons to Cordillera at lithospheric mantle depths. The severity of the depressions, especially in the southernmost Alberta, may be triggered by diffuse partial melt or increased water content above the 410 km discontinuity. This result is corroborated by locally increased impedance contrast across the 410 km discontinuity and a strongly depressed 660 km discontinuity. A relic Mesozoic slab fragment may be partially responsible for the deep olivine phase boundary at the base of the upper mantle.
Description and validation of a limb scatter retrieval method for Odin/OSIRIS

In this paper we present the Modified Onion Peeling (MOP) inversion method, which is for the first time used to retrieve vertical profiles of stratospheric trace gases from Odin/OSIRIS limb scatter measurements. Since the original publication of the method in 2002, the method has undergone major modifications discussed here. The MOP method now uses a spectral microwindow for the NO 2 retrieval, instead of the wide UV-visible band used for the ozone, air, and aerosol retrievals. We give a brief description of the algorithm itself and show its performance with both simulated and real data. Retrieved ozone and NO 2 profiles from the OSIRIS measurements were compared with data from the GOMOS and HALOE instruments. No more than 5% difference was found between OSIRIS daytime and GOMOS nighttime ozone profiles between 21 and 45 km. The difference between OSIRIS and HALOE sunset NO 2 mixing ratio profiles was at most 25% between 20 and 40 km. The neutral air density was compared with the ECMWF analyzed data and around 5% difference was found at altitudes from 20 to 55 km. However, OSIRIS observations yield as much as 80% greater aerosols number density than GOMOS observations between 15 and 35 km. These validation results indicate that the quality of MOP ozone, NO 2 , and neutral air is good. The new version of the method introduced here is also easily expanded to retrieve additional species of interest.
Public Transport and Sustainable Urbanism: Global Lesson

Transit oriented development (TOD) is a viable model for transportation and land-use integration in many rapidly developing cities of the world, including those in Asia. TOD is a straightforward concept: concentrate a mix of moderately dense and pedestrian-friendly development around transit stations to promote transit riding, increased walk and bicycle travel, and other alternatives to the use of private cars. In a way, Asian cities have historically been transit oriented, featuring fine-grain mixes of land uses, plentiful pathways for pedestrians and cyclists, and ample transit services on major roads. However, the recent ascendancy in car ownership and rising incomes are unraveling the historical transit-supportive urban forms of many Asian cities, giving rising to an increasingly car-dependent built form. By focusing new construction and redevelopment in and around transit nodes, TOD is viewed as a promising tool for curbing sprawl and the car dependence it spawns. By channeling public investments into struggling inner-city settings, some hope TOD can breath new life and vitality into areas of need. And by creating more walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods with good transit connectivity, TOD is thought to appeal to the lifestyle preferences of a growing demographic, like childless couples, young professionals, and empty-nesters.
Agronomic performance and remote sensing assessment of organic and mineral fertilization in rice fields

Introduction Rice heavily relies on nitrogen fertilizers, posing environmental, resource, and geopolitical challenges. This study explores sustainable alternatives like animal manure and remote sensing for resource-efficient rice cultivation. It aims to assess the long-term impact of organic fertilization and remote sensing monitoring on agronomic traits, yield, and nutrition. Methods A six-year experiment in rice fields evaluated fertilization strategies, including pig slurry (PS) and chicken manure (CM) with mineral fertilizers (MIN), MIN-only, and zero-fertilization. Traits, yield, spectral responses, and nutrient content were measured. Sentinel-2 remote sensing tracked crop development. Results Cost-effective organic fertilizers (PS and CM) caused a 13% and 15% yield reduction but still doubled zero-fertilization yield. PS reduced nitrogen leaching. Heavy metals in rice grains were present at safe amounts. Organic-fertilized crops showed nitrogen deficiency at the late vegetative stages, affecting yield. Sentinel-2 detected nutrient deficiencies through NDVI. Discussion Organic fertilizers, especially PS, reduce nitrogen loss, benefiting the environment. However, they come with yield trade-offs and nutrient management challenges that can be managed and balanced with reduced additional mineral applications. Sentinel-2 remote sensing helps manage nutrient deficiencies. In summary, this research favors cost-effective organic fertilizers with improved nutrient management for sustainable rice production.