Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transient stresses at Parkfield, California, produced by the M 7.4 Landers earthquake of June 28, 1992: Observations from the UPSAR dense seismograph array

The M 7.4 Landers earthquake triggered widespread seismicity in the western United States. Because the transient dynamic stresses induced at regional distances by the Landers surface waves are much larger than the expected static stresses, the magnitude and the characteristics of the dynamic stresses may bear upon the earthquake triggering mechanism. The Landers earthquake was recorded on the UPSAR (U.S. Geological Survey Parkfield Small Aperture Array) array, a group of 14 triaxial accelerometers located within a 1-square-km region 10 km southwest of the town of Parkfield, California, 412 km northwest of the Landers epicenter. No triggered earthquakes were observed at Parkfield. Multiple filter analysis shows that the displacements, obtained by double integration, are dominated by the fundamental mode Love and Rayleigh modes, with some higher-mode contributions for periods shorter than 10 s. Most of the surface waves propagated along the great circle path from Landers, but a late arriving surface wave appears to have been scattered from the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We used a standard geodetic inversion procedure to determine the surface strain and stress tensors as functions of time from the observed displacements. Peak dynamic strains and stresses at Earth's surface are about 7 μstrain and 0.035 MPa, respectively, and they have a flat amplitude spectrum between 2-s and 15-s period. These stresses agree well with stresses predicted from a simple equation using the ground velocity spectrum observed at a single station. Peak stresses ranged from about 0.035 MPa at the surface to about 0.12 MPa between 2 and 14 km depth, with the sharp increase of stress away from the surface resulting from the rapid increase of rigidity with depth and from the influence of mode shapes. Because of the free-surface boundary conditions, the horizontal components of the stress tensor tend to dominate in the top 5–6 km of the crust, which might cause triggered seismicity to have strike-slip or normal mechanisms. Comparison of dynamic stresses induced by the Landers, Loma Prieta, and Petrolia earthquakes at a variety of sites indicates that the Landers stresses were not spectacularly larger than those induced by the other sources. Landers dynamic stresses were comparable to Coalinga static stresses at Parkfield. The effective strain caused by Landers at Parkfield, where no earthquakes were triggered, are the same amplitude as those at some sites in Nevada where earthquakes were triggered. Comparing various authors' observations of dynamic stresses, there is no obvious characteristic of these stresses that correlates with the triggered seismicity.
The role of competitive advantage as a mediator of knowledge management, learning orientation and innovation on the performance of batik SMEs in Bangkalan regency, Indonesia

This study examines the influence of knowledge management, learning orientation and innovation on the performance of 272 batik SMEs in Bangkalan Regency. The findings reveal that these factors significantly impact SME performance. The development of distinctive batik products with distinctive themes and a wide variety of offers in comparison to competitors serves a significant function as a mediator. Knowledge management facilitates the generation of new knowledge and ideas for product development whereas learning orientation focuses on developing employee capabilities and skills. SME innovation involves the early adoption of new products, variation development and the creation of superior offerings. This study highlights the importance of knowledge management, learning orientation and innovation in driving batik performance. It emphasizes the significance of competitive advantage in creating unique batik products and diversifying the product range to outperform competitors.
Production velocity of sea spray droplets

[1] The sea spray generation function dF/dr0 predicts the rate at which droplets of initial radius r0 are produced at the sea surface. Because this function is not readily measurable in the marine environment, however, it is often inferred from measurements of the near-surface droplet concentration, C(r0), through an assumed velocity scale, the effective spray production velocity. This paper proceeds in reverse, though: It uses a reliable estimate of dF/dr0 and 13 sets of measurements of C(r0) over the ocean to calculate the implied effective production velocity, Veff, for droplets with initial radii r0 from 5 to 300 μm. It then compares these Veff values with four candidate expressions for this production velocity: the dry-deposition velocity, VDh; the mean wind speed at the significant wave amplitude (A1/3), the standard deviation in vertical droplet velocity, σwd; and laboratory measurements of the ejection velocity of jet droplets, Vej. The velocity scales and Vej agree best with the implied Veff values for 20 ≤ r0 ≤ 300 μm. The deposition velocity, VDh, which is the velocity most commonly used in this application, agrees worst with the Veff values. For droplets with r0 less than about 20 μm, the analysis also rejects the main hypothesis: that dF/dr0 and C(r0) can be related through a velocity scale. These smaller droplets simply have residence times that are too long for spray concentrations to be in local equilibrium with the spray production rate.
CraSen: A Phase Variation Passive Sensor Node for Metallic Structural Health Monitoring

In this work, a passive microwave sensor node, named Phavar CraSen, is proposed for metallic structural health monitoring (SHM). The working principle is based on zero-power harmonic generation to insulate the sensor node signal at 2.45 GHz from the interrogation signal’s channel at 1.225 GHz. In order to modulate sensing data with the carrier signal, a six-port modulator is integrated with four capacitive comb-like sensing structures, “CombS. ” Different characteristics of the metal surface cracks make the sensors as variable impedance loads for the modulator. The CraSen sensor offers robustness and higher sensitivity, due to its phase sensing parameter, compared to the frequency or magnitude variation sensors for damage detections. The main features of CraSen offer advantages in terms of simplicity, low cost, easy fabrication, and measurement. Applying this sensing method provides strong potential in developing smart structures for eliminating in-person inspection and maintenance as well as preventing serious structural failures.
A C-Arm-Free Minimally Invasive Technique for Spinal Surgery: Cervical and Thoracic Spine

Background and Objectives: C-arm-free MIS techniques can offer significantly reduced rates of postoperative complications such as inadequate decompression, blood loss, and instrumentation misplacement. Another advantageous long-term aspect is the notably diminished exposure to radiation, which is known to cause malignant changes. This study emphasizes that, in some cases of spinal conditions that require a procedural intervention, C-arm-free MIS techniques hold stronger indications than open surgeries guided by image intensifiers. Materials and Methods: This study includes a retrospective analysis and review of various cervical and thoracic spinal procedures, performed in our hospital, applying C-arm-free techniques. The course of this study explains the basic steps of the procedures and demonstrates postoperative and intraoperative results. For anterior cervical surgery, we performed OPLL resection, while for posterior cervical surgery, we performed posterior fossa decompression for Chiari malformation, minimally invasive cervical pedicle screw fixation (MICEPS), and modified Goel technique with C1 lateral mass screw for atlantoaxial subluxation. Regarding the thoracic spine, we performed anterior correction for Lenke type 5 scoliosis and transdiscal screw fixation for diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis fractures. Results: C-arm-free techniques are safe procedures that provide precise and high-quality postoperative results by offering sufficient spine alignment and adequate decompression depending on the case. Navigation can offer significant assistance in the absence of normal anatomical landmarks, yet the surgeon should always appraise the quality of the information received from the software. Conclusions: Navigated C-arm-free techniques are safe and precise procedures implemented in the treatment of surgically demanding conditions. They can significantly increase accuracy while decreasing operative time. They represent the advancement in the field of spine surgery and are hailed as the future of the same.
An analytical solution for the nonlinear distribution of effective and total stresses in vertical backfilled stopes

The increasing use of backfill in underground mines requires a proper evaluation of the stress state in and around the filled openings. This is, however, a relatively complex issue due, in part, to the large contrast in strength and stiffness between the backfill material and surrounding rock mass. In recent years, it has been shown that arching theory, based on limit equilibrium analysis, can be used to estimate the stress distribution in backfilled stopes. Nonetheless, many simplifications are involved in such analytical solutions and this affects the precision and significance of the calculated results. In this paper, a previously developed solution is enhanced by introducing the combined effects of non-uniform vertical stress distribution and positive pore water pressure. This leads to a more representative analytical solution, as demonstrated by successful comparisons with numerical simulations. The results indicate that the proposed solution can be used to estimate the effective and total stress state in submerged or partially submerged backfilled stopes with a simple geometry.
The relationship between self-regulated learning behaviors and academic performance in web-based courses

This study investigated self-regulated learning behaviors and their relationships with academic performance in web-based courses. The participants (n = 106) were distance learners taking humanities and technical coursed offered by a community college in Virginia. Data was collected using 28 items from the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire and 5 demographically related items. Data analysis included factor analyses, multivariate analysis of variance, and regression analyses. The employment of self-regulated learning behaviors differed between humanities and technical courses (p = .0138). Time and study environment management (p = .0009) and intrinsic goal orientation (p = .0373) categories reported significant findings in their relationship to academic performance. The factors affiliated with time and study environment management and intrinsic goal orientation were used as predictors in the development of a mathematical formula used to predict academic success in a web-based course. These predictors explain 21 percent of the variance in the academic success rating calculated using the mathematical formula developed from this study.
Avian Trichomoniasis Prevalence in Domesticated Pigeons in Thi-Qar Province, Iraq

Abstract | Avian trichomoniasis is a disease that is spread globally in wild and domesticated birds, especially pigeons, caused by the parasite Trichomonas gallinae and known as canker. The complications of this illness include lesions in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The present study's goal would be to study the prevalence of T. gallinae in domesticated pigeons in Thi-Qar province, Iraq, utilizing the internal transcribed spacer1-5.8s rRNA-internal transcribed spacer2 gene. A total of 405 pigeons including 160 of Alzajil pigeons, 160 of red pigeons and 85 of Arafali pigeons were collected from local markets for the period from September 2022 to May 2023, the infection rates were 38.13, 37.50, and 42.35 respectively. The study noted a non-significant difference at p. value < 0.05 in distribution of T. gallinae according to bird's species. The study found that infection rate is higher in squabs than adults in all pigeons of the three groups. There was no effect of sex on the prevalence rates. As for the months in which the samples were collected the study found there is significant difference at p. value < 0.05 of parasite distribution according to collection months, the highest infection rate was recorded in November 68.89 while the lowest isolated parasite was in April 17.78. Key words | Thi-Qar province, avian trichomoniasis, pigeons, light microscope.
Discrete Element Modeling of Contact Creep and Aging in Sand

In this study, aging in dry, clean sand induced by contact creep is investigated through numerical simulations using the discrete element method. Simulation results demonstrate that contact creep initiates the redistribution of contact forces. Although contact creep produces a very small decrease in porosity (approximately 1.7%), a significant change in the contact force distribution is produced in the aged sample. The contact forces ultimately become more uniform in both magnitude and spatial distribution. This homogenization of contact forces leads to more stable force chains and therefore produces an increase in the small-strain stiffness, early strength, and dilatancy in the aged sample. Such increases are not found in the sample prepared to the same porosity as the aged sample but without aging. This is because, in generating this sample, the contact creep is not allowed and therefore its associated contact force distribution is less homogenized compared with that in the aged sample.
Effect of In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion on Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities in Cherry Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme)

We investigated the impact of simulated in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on the levels of total polyphenols, total flavonoids, carotenoids, and antioxidant capacity in cherry tomatoes. The initial total polyphenol content of fresh tomatoes was 220.51 μg GAE/g, which decreased to 203.24 μg GAE/g after 120 min of stomach treatment and further decreased to 138.23 μg GAE/g after 120 min of small intestine treatment. Similarly, the initial total flavonoid content in fresh tomatoes was 43.28 μg QE/g, but after 120 min of small intestine digestion, it decreased by approximately 50.72% to 21.33 μg QE/g. Lycopene, lutein, and β-carotene also experienced a decrease of 69.71∼78.38% during the digestion process compared to fresh tomatoes. The antioxidant activity exhibited a reduction of 34.95∼37.67% compared to fresh tomatoes after digestion in the stomach and intestines. The bioactive compounds present in tomatoes undergo decomposition and conversion into other substances during digestion, and these degradation products are believed to inhibit the growth of SK-Hep1 human hepatoma cells while enhancing antioxidant activity within the intracellular environment.
Dingo (Canis dingo) extirpation and associated trophic restructuring as a mechanism influencing shrub encroachment in arid Australia

vii Table of contents. xi CHAPTER 1: General Introduction. 1 1.1 Top predators as trophic regulators. 2 1.1.1 Top predators and trophic cascades. 4 1.1.2 Mesopredator release hypothesis. 6 1.2 The dingo, Australia’s top dog. 8 1.3 Small and medium-sized mammal (< 5 kg) effects on vegetation dynamics. 11 1.4 Shrub encroachment. 13 1.4. 1 Shrub encroachment – mechanisms. 15 1.5 Thesis objectives. 19 1.6 References. 23 CHAPTER 2: Shrub encroachment in an arid landscape is linked to extirpation of a top-predator. 38
Collateral Enforcement and Strategic Behavior: Evidence from a Foreclosure Moratorium in Greece∗

We exploit the introduction of a foreclosure moratorium and a debt-discharge process in Greece that mitigate the repossession risk of primary residence mortgages to separate strategic from non-strategic delinquencies. We find considerable heterogeneity in strategic behavior among homeowners. Even though 37% of delinquencies are strategic, only 22% of borrowers who are able to pay stop servicing their mortgage, despite the banks’ inability to repossess the house. Our findings suggest that factors beyond collateral enforcement and pecuniary costs—borrower sophistication, prior engagement in moral hazard, banking relationships, and liquidity preference—play an important role in strategic behavior.
Dynamics of coupled diffusive and decompressive bubble growth in magmatic systems

Bubble growth in an ascending parcel of magma is controlled both by diffusion of oversaturated volatiles and decompression as the magma rises. We have developed a numerical model which explores the processes involved in water exsolution from basaltic and rhyolitic melts rising at a constant rate from magma chamber depths of 4 and 1 km. While the model does not attempt to simulate natural eruptions, it sheds light on the processes which control eruptive behavior under various conditions. Ascent rates are defined such that a constant rate of decompression dP/dt is maintained. A variety of initial ascent rates are considered in the model, from 1 m/s to 100 m/s for basalts, and from a few centimeters per second to 10 m/s for rhyolite, at the base of the conduit. The model results indicate that for any reasonable ascent rate, basaltic melt degasses at a rate sufficient to keep the dissolved volatile concentration at equilibrium with the decreasing ambient pressure. Rhyolitic melt reaches the surface at equilibrium if its ascent rate is less than 1 m/s, but it can erupt with high oversaturation at greater ascent rates. The latter may lead to explosive eruptions. If the ascent rate of rhyolite is 10 m/s or more, then melt barely degasses at all in the conduit and erupts with the highest oversaturation possible. For the case of slow magma rise, bubble growth is limited by decompression. For the case of rapid magma rise, bubble growth is limited by diffusion. The results of our simple model do not accurately simulate natural volcanic eruptions, but suggest that subsequent, more complex models may be able to simulate eruptions using the insights regarding diffusive and decompressive bubble growth processes explored in this study. Numerical modeling of volcanic degassing may eventually lead to better prediction of eruption timing, energetics and hazards of active volcanoes.
Barley Response to Soil Water Depletion Levels, 2000

This research represents the first year of a project to determine when to irrigate barley based on soil water depletion levels. The purpose of this work is to establish the optimum irrigation timing based on depletion of plant available water in the soil. A field experiment was conducted at the Maricopa Agricultural Center testing irrigation of barley at 35, 50, 65, and 80% depletion of plant available water in the soil for two barley varieties, Baretta and Max. Grain yields averaged over the two varieties were 8415, 7735, 7512, and 4553 lbs/acre for the 35, 50, 65, and 80% depletion levels, respectively. The results of this study indicate irrigating at 35% soil water depletion is optimal for barley grain yield.
PEDOT-Coated PLA Fibers Electrospun from Solutions Incorporating Fe(III)Tosylate in Different Solvents by Vapor-Phase Polymerization for Neural Regeneration

Therapeutic solutions for injuries in the peripheral nervous system are limited and not existing in the case of the central nervous system. The electrical stimulation of cells through a cell-supporting conductive scaffold may contribute to new therapeutic solutions for nerve regeneration. In this work, biocompatible Polylactic acid (PLA) fibrous scaffolds incorporating Fe(III)Tosylate (FeTos) were produced by electrospinning a mixture of PLA/FeTos solutions towards a rotating cylinder, inducing fiber alignment. Fibers were coated with the conductive polymer Poly(3,4 ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) formed by vapor-phase polymerization of EDOT at 70 °C for 2 h. Different solvents (ETH, DMF and THF) were used as FeTos solvents to investigate the impact on the scaffold’s conductivity. Scaffold conductivity was estimated to be as high as 1.50 × 10−1 S/cm when FeTos was dissolved in DMF. In vitro tests were performed to evaluate possible scaffold cytotoxicity, following ISO 10993-5, revealing no cytotoxic effects. Differentiation and growth of cells from the neural cell line SH-SY5Y seeded on the scaffolds were also assessed, with neuritic extensions observed in cells differentiated in neurons with retinoic acid. These extensions tended to follow the preferential alignment of the scaffold fibers.
Endocrine Disorders in Adult Beta-Thalassemia Patients: Insights from a Long-Term Follow-Up

Objective: There are limited studies regarding endocrine complications in Turkish adult thalassemic patients. Data regarding newly emerging endocrine complications in the long-term monitoring of adult patients with beta-thalassemia are also quite limited. Methods: The study was a single-center cohort study involving 103 adult patients with beta-thalassemia. Results: The most frequent endocrine disorder was vitamin D insufficiency (69%), whereas the most common endocrine complications were hypogonadism (56%) and osteoporosis (37%), in thalasse-mic patients. Three or more endocrine disorders were present in 42% of the patients. Patients with hypogonadism had higher ferritin levels ( P = .014), lower hemoglobin concentrations ( P = .028), and increased myocardial iron deposition ( P = .002) compared to those without hypogonadism. There was also a link between 5-year calculated mean ferritin levels and fasting plasma glucose ( r = 0.29, P = .004) and 75 g oral glucose tolerance test second-hour glucose levels (r = 0.46 r = 0.46, P = .001). Osteoporosis was more common in patients with hypogonadism (51% vs. 21%, P = .003) and diabetes (75% vs. 35%, P = .027). The remaining endocrine problems, on the other hand, were not linked to thalassemia-related characteristics or each other. In 3 and 5 years of follow-up, 16% and 12% of patients developed a new endocrine–metabolic complication, respectively, with osteoporosis and prediabetes/diabetes being the most common. Conclusion: A significant proportion of adult thalassemic patients have multiple endocrine–metabolic complications. All patients with thalassemia major, regardless of their ferritin levels, should be evaluated for the occurrence of endocrine complications. Endocrinologists should be especially vigi-lant during long-term follow-up for the development of glucose metabolism disorders and osteoporosis in adult thalassemic patients.
EverGraze: the productive management of perennial grazing systems in extreme drought

EverGraze is a national research and delivery project developing profitable perennial-based livestock systems which aims to increase profit by 50% while improving environmental outcomes. Four sheep grazing systems were tested near Tarcutta NSW during the drought of 2006/07. The apparent plant density of lucerne (Medicago sativa) pasture was maintained between years, phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) retained 70-90% of plants while tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) density declined by 50%. The persistence of both lucerne and fescue did not decline with higher stocking intensities. Groundcover in December 2006 and May 2007 at the autumn rains was similar between grazing systems. Minimum lucerne groundcover was between 40 and 60%, while phalaris and fescue was maintained above 60%. Ewes in the higher stocking rate systems were removed from plots to a containment area earlier to protect pastures, and returned later after the seasonal break. It is concluded that productive pastures can be maintained through extreme droughts with suitable grazing management. The flexibility of different grazing systems in terms of generating cash flow and potential for stock sale to counter seasonal conditions in adverse years should be considered.