Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seismic Investigation of Highway Pavement Failures in Parts of Southeastern Nigeria

ABSTRACT P-wave and S-wave seismic refraction methods were used to investigate highway pavement failures at various locations on some highways in southeastern Nigeria. The locations are: 1) Ochon, on Obubra–Ikom Highway, 2) a bridge approach and Ikot-Abasi Eyop, both on Ikot-Ekpene–Umuahia Road, and 3) four locations on Calabar–Itu Highway. These highways traverse different geologic units, including sand, shale, marl, and claystone. The intercept-time method and Hagedoorn's Plus-Minus method were used in the analysis of the seismic data. Both the P- and S-wave methods generally delineated two layers, and in some locations a third layer. In combination, both types of surveys were employed to delineate and evaluate the quality and state of the subgrade at the failed locations, and at stable segments adopted as controls for the investigations. The qualities of the subgrades were evaluated based on elastic constants of Young's modulus, bulk modulus, and compressibility. Young's modulus values obtained for fai.
Prediction of daily flow duration curves and streamflow for ungauged catchments using regional flow duration curves

Abstract A method is presented to predict flow duration curves (FDCs) and streamflow for ungauged catchments in the Mid-Atlantic Region, USA. Twenty-nine catchments were selected from the Appalachian Plateau, Ridge and Valley, and Piedmont physiographic provinces to develop and test the proposed method. Using a step-wise multiple regression analysis, the dominant landscape and climate descriptors were identified and regional FDC models were developed for each province. Predictive performance of the proposed method was estimated using data from three evaluation sites that were not included in parameter estimation for the regional FDC models. The results of this study show that climate and geomorphological descriptors strongly influence the hydrology of the Appalachian Plateau and some Ridge and Valley catchments, whereas soil and geomorphological descriptors strongly influence the hydrology of the Piedmont and some Ridge and Valley catchments. Streamflow values calculated by the drainage area ratio method and those reconstructed by the FDC method were compared with the observed streamflow values. The results indicate that the FDC-based method shows great promise for predicting streamflow in ungauged basins.
Orogenic Evolution of the Ural Mountains: Results from an Integrated Seismic Experiment

Results of the URSEIS '95 integrated seismic experiment document the lithospheric structure of an intact Paleozoic collisional orogen in the Ural Mountains. Hybrid-source seismic reflection and refraction data provide images of a crustal-scale collisional fabric and a pronounced crustal root preserved since Paleozoic time. Mantle reflections are observed at depths of more than 150 kilometers, possibly representing the base of the lithosphere. The Urals do not conform to existing models of postorogenic evolution involving large-scale extension, which may be a consequence of an incomplete or arrested collisional process that has led to the preservation of the largest continental landmass.
Distribution of demersal fish in the south-western Barents Sea

The composition of the demersal fish fauna of the Barents Sea, and the ranges of most of the fish species, have been relatively poorly known. From 257 bottom trawl hauls distributed in a uniform grid pattern over the southwestern part of the Barents Sea in summer 2000, all fish were identified. The sampled area included the Polar Front zone where warm Atlantic water meets cold (subzero) polar water. The material was used to map the distribution of the demersal fish species, and to analyse their distribution in relation to temperature, depth and salinity. Fifty-eight species were recorded. A fauna characterized by Gadidae and Scorpaenidae was found in the warmer part of the sea, whereas a cold-water fauna of mainly Cottidae, Zoarcidae and Stichaeidae was evident from the Polar Front zone and northwards. In logistic regression analyses temperature was the most important factor associated with the distribution of species (for 26 of the 27 species analysed), but associations with salinity (19 species) and depth (15 species) were also found. The mapping considerably revised the distribution in relation to previous knowledge for 37 species, and the new and more accurate range maps provided here may serve as baseline information for future monitoring of the fish fauna in the Barents Sea.
Red tides of the dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans associated with eutrophication in the Sea of Marmara (the Dardanelles, Turkey)

Abstract This investigation focused on weekly variations in cell density and volume of the dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans between March 2001 and January 2004 in the Dardanelles. March–June and October–December periods were excessive bloom periods. During the bloom periods the density of N. scintillans reached 2.20 × 10 5 cells L − 1 with a volume of 1.32 × 10 12 μ m 3 L − 1 . In addition to the high surface density, there was an increase in subsurface waters during the blooms. The bloom of N. scintillans , like that of diatom and other dinoflagellate blooms, was associated not only with eutrophication, but also with stable temperatures and salinities.
A new 27 ky high resolution East Antarctic climate record

The ice core recently drilled at the Dome Concordia site on the East Antarctic plateau provides a new high resolution isotope record covering part of the last glacial, the last transition and the Holocene. The two step shape of the deglaciation is remarkably similar for all the ice cores now available on the East Antarctic plateau. The first warming trend ends about 14000 years ago and is followed by the well marked Antarctic Cold Reversal (ACR) with a secondary peak common to all records. During the deglaciation, there are more similarities between the near coastal site of Taylor Dome and inland East Antarctica than between Taylor Dome and central Greenland. However, the results for EPICA do appear to confirm the Taylor Dome timescale after about 14 ka, showing cooling into the ACR roughly in phase between Greenland and Antarctica. While the overall deglacial pattern is asynchronous, this suggests that the now classical picture of a temperature seesaw between Antarctica and Greenland may be too simplistic.
Human Resources Professionalism in Public Administration: Efforts to Achieve Good Governance and Organizational Performance Improvement in the Era of Bureaucratic Reform

This study highlights the significance of professionalism in human resources within public administration to achieve good governance and improve employee and organizational performance. The research methodology used was library research, involving text and discourse analysis to gather data from relevant literature on the topic. The study’s findings indicate that the implementation of good governance in government bureaucracy is crucial for enhancing both employee and organizational performance. To achieve this, professionalism in human resources within public administration is essential, and the North Kalimantan government has adopted an alternative technocratic concept to support it. This concept emphasizes professional orientations and expertise. To develop the capacity of public servants, the North Kalimantan government has initiated a capacity-building program in collaboration with various universities in Indonesia. The program targets three domains and levels: individual, organizational, and strategic policy systems. Leadership plays a critical role in the success of the capacity-building program. Keywords: bureaucratic, good governance, professionalism, reform, organizational performance
Effectiveness of a Digital Health Application for the Treatment of Diabetes Type II—A Pilot Study

(1) Background: This study aimed at providing preliminary evidence for mebix, an app-based treatment program for patients with diabetes mellitus type II. The main target was to show a positive healthcare impact as defined by improved blood glucose control, i.e., reduced HbA1c values. (2) Methods: For this, a 3-month, prospective, open-label trial with an intraindividual control group was conducted. Participants received the mebix intervention for 3 months. HbA1c values were observed every 3 months: retrospectively, at baseline, and 3 months after the start of using the app. Additionally, weight and patients’ reported outcomes (well-being, diabetes-related distress, and self-management) were assessed. Data generated within the app were summarized and analyzed (steps, physical activity, fulfilled tasks, and food logs). (3) Results: After the usage of mebix for 3 months, participants significantly reduced their HbA1c levels (−1.0 ± 0.8%). Moreover, improvements in weight, well-being, and self-management as well as a reduction in diabetes-related distress were observed. App-generated data mainly supported the other main finding, that higher baseline HbA1c values lead to higher reductions. Overall, the study provided preliminary evidence that mebix can help patients improve metabolic and psychological health outcomes.
Interobserver Variability in Semen Analysis: Findings From a Quality Control Initiative

Introduction For laboratory tests, precision and accuracy are indispensable to ensure reliable results for both clinical diagnosis and research endeavors. The accuracy and reliability of results are important because they have an impact on both patient management and research. In this study, we evaluated the inter-observer variability between a trained technician and two academic residents, which acted both as a quality control measure as well as an assessment of training outcomes. Material and methods Freshly obtained semen samples from 28 subjects coming to the andrology laboratory were used. Semen analysis was performed by a regular technician permanently posted in the laboratory and two residents on completion of their posting in the andrology laboratory. All three examined the same sample after liquefaction for assessment of sperm motility, sperm concentration, sperm vitality, and sperm morphology. Semen analysis was done as per the recommendations of the WHO. Results The results of the study are presented as a coefficient of variation (CV), S charts, and Bland-Altman plot where we evaluated the interobserver variability in parameters on semen analysis of the same sample by three different assessors. The mean CV for sperm concentration across the samples was 6.24%. For sperm vitality, sperm morphology, and sperm motility the mean CV was 10.14%, 2.66%, and 8.11%, respectively. The S chart and Bland-Altman plot found a few random errors in measurements. Conclusion Regular quality control assessments are essential and should be implemented in andrology laboratories to ensure accurate and reliable results. Proper training of laboratory personnel is also vital for consistent outcomes. Other measures such as equipment calibration, use of high-quality reagents, and standard reporting are also crucial for the best results from a laboratory.
Positive Gravity Anomaly Over The Sydney Basin

A prominent positive gravity anomaly overlies the Macdonald trough in the Sydney basin. Allowing for isostatic compensation and the effect of sedimentary rocks, the anomaly is determined to have an amplitude of 440 GU (mms-2) and a width of 60 km. The anomaly is smoothed using cubic splines, FFT and IFFT. It is interpreted by a large mafic body of density 2.9 g cm-3 underlying the basin to a depth of 13.5 km. A 12 km wide zone with a small positive density contrast underlies the body within the lower crust.The steep western boundary of the body represents a major basement fault underlying the Lapstone monocline and Kurrajong Fault System.The anomaly is a member of the Meandarra Gravity Ridge which marks a zone of crustal extension within which dominant nature of intrusion is mafic in character.
Effects of surface characteristics on infiltration patterns in an arid shrub desert

Precipitation is often the sole source of water replenishment in arid and semi‐arid areas and, thus, plays a pertinent role in sustaining desert ecosystems. Revegetation over 40 years using mainly Artemisia ordosica and Caragana korshinskii at Shapotou Desert Experimental Research Station near Lanzhou, China, has established a dwarf‐shrub and microbiotic soil crust cover on the stabilized sand dunes. The redistribution of infiltrated moisture through percolation, root extraction, and evapotranspiration pathways was investigated. Three sets of time‐domain reflectometry (TDR) probes were inserted horizontally at 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 cm depths below the ground surface in a soil pit. The three sets of TDR probes were installed in dwarf‐shrub sites of A. ordosica and C. korshinskii community with and without a microbiotic soil crust cover, and an additional set was placed in a bare sand dune area that had neither vegetation nor a microbiotic soil crust present. Volumetric soil moisture content was recorded at hourly intervals and used in the assessment of infiltration for the different surface covers. Infiltration varied greatly, from 7·5 cm to more than 45 cm, depending upon rainfall quantity and soil surface conditions. In the shrub community area without microbiotic soil crust cover, infiltration increased due to preferential flow associated with root tunnels. The microbiotic soil crust cover had a significant negative influence on the infiltration for small rainfall events (∼10 mm), restricting the infiltration depth to less than 20 cm and increasing soil moisture content just beneath the soil profile of 10 cm, whereas it was not as strong or clear for larger rainfall events (∼60 mm). For small rainfall events, the wetting front depth for the three kinds of surface cover was as follows: shrub community without microbiotic soil crust > bare area > shrub community with microbiotic soil crust. In contrast, for large rainfall events, infiltration was similar in shrub communities with and without microbiotic soil crust cover, but significantly higher than measured in the bare area. Soil water extraction by roots associated with evapotranspiration restricted the wetting front penetration after 1 to 3 h of rainfall. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Remote Sensing Monitoring of Volcanic Ash Clouds Based on PCA Method

Volcanic ash clouds threaten the aviation safety and cause global environmental effects. It is possible to effectively monitor the volcanic ash cloud with the aid of thermal infrared remote sensing technology. Principal component analysis (PCA) is able to remove the inter-band correlation and eliminate the data redundancy of remote sensing data. Taking the Eyjafjallajokull volcanic ash clouds formed on 15 and 19 April 2010 as an example, in this paper, the PCA method is used to monitor the volcanic ash cloud based on MODIS bands selection; the USGS standard spectral database and the volcanic absorbing aerosol index (AAI) are applied as contrasts to the monitoring result. The results indicate that: the PCA method is much simpler; its spectral matching rates reach 74.65 and 76.35%, respectively; and the PCA method has higher consistency with volcanic AAI distribution.
Empirical assessment of coral Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios as climate proxies using colonies grown at different temperatures

Coral strontium/calcium (Sr/Ca) and magnesium/calcium (Mg/Ca) ratios might be useful for reconstructing past sea surface temperature (SST) in tropical oceans where instrumental data are limited. However, the link between coral skeletal trace elements and SST is disputed, and biological factors such as skeletal growth rate may also affect trace elements in a coral. We studied the relationships between growth rate and SST and Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios using corals (Porites spp.) cultured in thermostated tanks. Sr/Ca was controlled primarily by SST, while Mg/Ca mainly reflected the growth rate with negligible contribution from species on both the variations. These relationships are consistent with modeled results of cation partitioning during aragonite crystal formation.
A 1.5-μW Fully-Integrated Keyword Spotting SoC in 28-nm CMOS With Skip-RNN and Fast-Settling Analog Frontend for Adaptive Frame Skipping

We propose a fully integrated low-power keyword spotting (KWS) system on chip (SoC) with content-adaptive frame subsampling, implemented in 28-nm CMOS technology. The system is co-optimized from end-to-end including the analog frontend (AFE) and digital backend with a skip-recurrent neural network (RNN) KWS algorithm. The SoC performs dynamic power gating based on the decision from the skip-RNN algorithm that allows opportunistic frame skipping to reduce the power consumption without compromising the KWS accuracy. The design employs a fast-stabilizing AFE, enabling fast OFF to ON transitions with a settling time of less than 1 ms. A low-power feature extractor (FE) and RNN classifier sprint with a relatively fast clock to minimize the latency of the frame-skipping decision and to minimize the leakage power overhead. The SoC integrates a custom-designed latch-based always-on ON-chip memory to reduce leakage power to store all RNN weights on the chip. The proposed system achieves 1.48 $\mu \text{W}$ with an average of 76% skip ratio across frames, achieving 92.8% accuracy on a 7-class subset of the GSCD dataset. This work represents a significant step toward a low-power KWS SoC with content-adaptive frame subsampling for energy-efficient, deep-learning-enabled Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices.
Statistical Evaluation of the Jason-1 Operational Sensor Data Record Special Issue: Jason-1 Calibration/Validation

The Jason-1 satellite altimeter mission represents a first step towards operational oceanography from satellite altimeter missions. An operational data product, the Operational Sensor Data Record (OSDR), provides measurements from the on-board altimeter and radiometer within 3–5 h of real time. This data product is a wind and wave product that is aimed towards near-real–time meteorological applications. A higher accuracy and more detailed data product, the Interim Geophysical Data Record (IGDR), that is better suited to detailed scientific studies of ocean topography, is available no sooner than 2–3 days from real time. The measurements reported on the OSDR primarily differ from those on the IGDR in that the OSDR reports measurements derived from on-board processing of the altimeter waveforms, while ground retracking of the waveforms is performed for the IGDR. The altimeter-derived measurements on the OSDR are validated through a statistical evaluation of the differences between data on the OSDR and IGDR. In doing so, the impact of ground retracking of the altimeter waveforms is also illustrated.
A Wideband Transition Design Technique From RWG to SIW Technologies

Efficient wide-band transitions play a critical role in integrating substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) and air-filled substrate-integrated waveguide (AFSIW) systems with conventional rectangular waveguide (RWG) systems in millimeter wave communication. However, existing techniques lack a systematic design approach, overlook mode purity, encounter performance issues, involve tedious optimizations, and feature complex structures. This paper presents a first-of-its-kind design technique that addresses these limitations, enabling seamless transitions from RWG to both SIW and AFSIW. For the first time, a clear and systematic design flow is introduced, covering both transition scenarios. The proposed technique eliminates the need for separate design procedures, simplifying the process, reducing complexity, and offering a cost-effective solution with state-of-the-art performance. The key innovation lies in the analytical expression for the shortest transition length, derived for both SIW and AFSIW cases, facilitating the design process and optimizing transition performance. The effectiveness of the design flow is extensively validated through four design examples, evaluating mode purity, reflection coefficient, and insertion loss. The results demonstrate excellent performances, confirming the accuracy of the approach. Furthermore, a fabricated prototype achieves remarkable results with an insertion loss of 0.35 dB and a relative bandwidth of 40%, exhibiting state-of-the-art performances when compared to reported works in the literature. In summary, the novel design technique enables seamless wide-band transitions from RWG to both SIW and AFSIW, offering a unified approach with state-of-the-art performance.
Temperature variations on the Tibetan Plateau over the last two millennia

The paleoclimate data recovered from ice cores, tree rings and lake sediments indicate regional features of climatic change on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) during the last 2000 years. The composite temperature reconstructions indicate that several main climatic episodes, such as the “Little Ice Age” between 1400 and 1900, the “Medieval Warm Period” in 1150–1400, a less warm period in 800–1100, and an earlier cold period between the 3rd and 5th centuries, occurred in the TP. In addition, temperature varied from region to region. The period from AD 800 to 1100, which was warm in northeastern TP, was contemporaneous with cooling in the western and southern TP. The southern TP experienced warming between 1150 and 1400. For western TP, the δ18O records of the Guliya ice core indicate that the period 1250–1500 witnessed a clear warming. Large-scale trends in the temperature history from northeastern TP are more similar to those in eastern China than are the trends from the Guliya ice cap far to the west and southern TP. The most prominent similarities between the temperature variations of the TP and eastern China are such cold phases as 1100–1150, 1500–1550, 1650–1700 and 1800–1850, and the latter three cold events match with three widespread glacial advances which occurred on the TP during the Little Ice Age.
Particulate dynamics, dissolved and total load, in two small basins, northern Pennines, UK

ABSTRACT Suspended sediment and dissolved load were measured in two upland piedmont gravel-bedded streams for one year. In addition, the input of major cations from precipitation and the cation content of springs within the basins were monitored. The dynamics of the suspended load through a series of storm flows are examined in relation to sediment supply and progressive exhaustion effects. The variation in the grain size of the inorganic fraction of the particulate load during the passage of the floods is detailed and variations in the organic content of the load assessed. Two distinct models of dissolved cation concentration response to stream discharge variations are proposed which reflect differences in basin geology. Finally total load calculations are presented for the year.