Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improvements to mechanical direct seeder design guided by the optimal sowing depth of soft spinifex (Triodia pungens)

The ability to reliably and efficiently restore degraded ecosystems at scale is a major challenge. Restoration on a mine site typically consists of either the planting of cultivated nursery stock or the direct seeding of seed onto site to reinstate native plants and ecosystems. At scale, planting seedlings can be extremely costly and time consuming and therefore, restoration practitioners have moved towards mechanical direct seeding methods. In many circumstances, however, mechanical direct seeding is unreliable and most mechanisms lack the versatility needed to plant a variety of native species in a range of sowing environments. Results of a global survey of restoration practitioners uncovered that seeding depth precision and accuracy is extremely important when distributing many native seeds. In order to guide improvements to the design of native seeders that are used in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, we studied the maximum and optimal emergence depth of a species crucial to restoration in the region, Triodia pungens (soft spinifex). Results showed that the current practice of broadcasting seeds on the soil surface may be inadequate to facilitate germination, and that covering seeds to 5 mm yields optimal emergence. Seedling emergence dropped off considerably at 10 mm with almost no emergence occurring once seeds were sown to 30 mm. Most mechanical seeders currently in operation are unable to control depth to this level of precision, particularly on the rocky and uneven terrain associated with mine waste dumps. Future designs should focus on improving depth control in such conditions.
Development of a distinct submarine depositional system on a topographically complex Niger Delta slope

The deep‐water Niger Delta continental slope is a prolific petroleum province. A key challenge in unlocking the potential of such petroleum provinces is in understanding the internal architecture and associated controlling factors of deep‐water depositional systems. Here, we used high‐resolution 3D seismic data to analyse the development of a submarine system on the midslope of the Niger continental margin: the Bakama Submarine Depositional System (BSDS). Over 18 km down dip, the BSDS evolves from lobes through straight channels to lobes again.
Geodetic Observations of Time‐Variable Glacial Isostatic Adjustment in Southeast Alaska and Its Implications for Earth Rheology

Global Positioning System observations in Southeast Alaska show evidence for interannual variations in uplift rates, which are consistent with an acceleration of mass loss rates across the region from the 1990s to 2012. We constructed an updated regional loading model based on updated twentieth century average deglaciation estimates. This model features a larger mass loss rate overall than the model used in previous studies. We adopted a viscosity model with an upper and lower mantle viscosity from VM5a but with a low viscosity asthenosphere as in previous regional studies. We varied the asthenospheric thickness, asthenospheric viscosity, and lithospheric thickness to find the Earth model that best fits the data, which has a lithospheric thickness of 55 km and an asthenosphere with thickness 230 km and viscosity 3 × 1019 Pa s. There is a strong tradeoff between the asthenosphere thickness and viscosity, and different estimates or assumptions about the asthenospheric thickness is one of the main causes of the varying viscosity estimates of previous studies. We find a higher viscosity than previous studies in part because we find that a thicker asthenosphere fits the data better than a thinner one and also because the higher twentieth century mass loss rate compared to earlier studies requires a higher viscosity to predict the same uplift rates. Vertical velocities predicted by the model drop rapidly with distance from the ice masses, while horizontal velocities are smaller but extend for a longer distance.
Estimation for forest biomass and coverage using Satellite data in small scale area, Mongolia

The estimation of forest biomass using satellite data has received increasing attention for several reason in Mongolia. Since forest in Mongolia is decreasing and it is important to estimate forest resources using satellite data. This research aims to apply recently launched Sentinel-1B Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) C-band and optical Sentinel-2B satellite data for estimation forest biomass and coverage and develop model for the study area. The study area is small scale forestry area named by Khanbuyan community, Bulgan province is situated in the Northern part of Mongolia. Boreal and montane forest belts of larch is dominated in this area. Sentinel-1B was used for estimation forest biomass and multispectral bands of Sentinel-2B applied for forest classification map. We used regression analysis to develop the model using Sentinel-1B and Sentinel-2B VV and VH polarizations for Sentinel-1B and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for Sentinel-2B were applied in this research. Ground truth data was collected in July 2016 and September 2016 for forest coverage and biomass measurements. NDVI and backscatter coefficients for polarizations VV and VH of Sentinel-1B 2016 were related to ground truth biomass for modeling. Comparison of the model and ground truth measurements for above ground biomass have a good agreement.
Five pollination guilds of aroids (Araceae) at Mulu National Park (Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo)

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the floral biology and pollinators of 21 aroid species representing 10 genera at Mulu National Park to ascertain if additional guilds were active in this, one of the most florally diverse plant families in the tropics. Extensive field observations on floral biology, including inflorescence development stages, floral traits, and pollinator rewards, identification of pollinators and their behaviour(s), were undertaken. Reproductive success was calculated and compared among taxa. Anthetic duration of unisexual-flowered taxa was 1–4 days, compared with 4–18 days in bisexual-flowered taxa. Floral traits such as floral odour, restricted access to the female zone during pistillate anthesis, presence of sacrificial floral tissues and anthetic duration affected the type and number of pollinators. Diptera are the most likely pollinators for Aglaonema, Alocasia, Pothos and species of Schismatoglottideae; Coleoptera are the pollinators for Amorphophallus, Anadendrum (together with thrips), Homalomena, Lasia and Schismatoglottis; Thysanoptera (thrips) is one of the pollinators for Anadendrum; Hemiptera (Miridae) pollinates Lasia spinosa and Pothos insignis. Hymenoptera (Apidae) are pollinators for Alocasia sarawakensis and Amorphophallus hewittii. Alocasia sarawakensis, Amorphophallus hewittii, Anadendrum sp. , Homalomena (all species), Lasia spinosa, Pothos insignis and Schismatoglottis (all species) apply a generalist pollination system, while Aglaonema nitidum and A. simplex, Alocasia princeps, Amorphophallus julaihii, Phymatarum borneense and Pothos scandens are specialists.
Abstract 365: Extracorporeal Cardiac Shock Wave Therapy Ameliorates Left Ventricular Remodeling after Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Pigs

We have previously demonstrated that low-energy extracorporeal cardiac shock wave (SW) therapy effectively induces angiogenesis and improves cardiac function in a porcine model of chronic myocardial ischemia and in patients with end-stage coronary artery disease. We also have recently demonstrated that SW therapy improves left ventricular (LV) remodeling after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) caused by a permanent coronary artery ligation in pigs in vivo . However, in the clinical setting, most of the patients with AMI receive reperfusion therapy. In this study, we thus examined whether our SW therapy ameliorates LV remodeling after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in pigs. Sixteen pigs were subjected to ischemia (90 min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery) and reperfusion using a balloon catheter. Three hours after the reperfusion, they were randomly assigned to the 2 groups with or without the SW therapy to the ischemic border zone (0.09 mJ/mm 2 , 200 pulses/spot, 9 spots/animal, n=8 each) on day 1, 3 and 5. Control group received the same procedures but without the SW therapy on the same schedule. After I/R, the maximum serum concentrations of cardiac troponin T were comparable between the 2 groups, indicating the comparable extent of myocardial I/R injury. Furthermore, on day 1 after I/R and before the SW treatment, LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and wall thickening fraction (WTF) of ischemic border zone were all comparable between the 2 groups. Four weeks after I/R, LVEDV was markedly increased and LVEDP was elevated in the control group, and both indices of LV remodeling were significantly ameliorated in the SW group (LVEDV, 100±7 vs. 130±9 ml; LVEDP, 4±1 vs. 11±2 mmHg, both P 2 , P in vivo .
Silicic magmatism in the upper crust and relationships to caldera-forming eruptions: insights from the Takidani magmatic system in Central Japan

The Takidani Pluton in Central Japan is one of the youngest exposed plutons in the world. It presents a sub-volcanic magmatic reservoir that is associated with voluminous caldera-forming eruptions including the Nyukawa PFD and Chayano–Ebisutoge PD. The pluton is vertically zoned comprising at least six distinct lithological units of granodiorites and granites. Textural and geochemical evidence for melt extraction from a crystal-rich magma is preserved in the upper section of the pluton. Thermodynamic simulations and thermal modelling suggest that rhyolitic magma had sufficient time to segregate before solidification supporting an origin by fractional crystallisation. Geochemical analyses, however, indicate that the generation of the rhyolites of the Chayano–Ebisutoge PD was dominated by crustal melting processes. The Takidani Pluton and the dacitic Nyukawa PFD are petrogenetically linked supporting conceptual models of crystal mush remobilisation. This study provides new insights into the magmatic plumbing systems of large caldera-forming eruptions.
Imaging near-surface sharp lateral variations with surface-wave methods — Part 1: Detection and location

Near-surface sharp lateral variations can be either a target of investigation or an issue for the reconstruction of reliable subsurface models in surface-wave (SW) prospecting. Effective and computationally fast methods are consequently required for detection and location of these shallow heterogeneities. Four SW-based techniques, chosen between available literature methods, are tested for detection and location purposes. All of the techniques are updated for multifold data and then systematically applied on new synthetic and field data. The selected methods are based on computation of the energy, energy decay exponent, attenuation coefficient, and autospectrum. The multifold upgrade is based on the stacking of the computed parameters for single-shot or single-offset records and improves readability and interpretation of the final results. Detection and location capabilities are extensively evaluated on a variety of 2D synthetic models, simulating different target geometries, embedment conditions, and impedance contrasts with respect to the background. The methods are then validated on two field cases: a shallow low-velocity body in a sedimentary sequence and a hard-rock site with two embedded subvertical open fractures. For a quantitative comparison, the horizontal gradients of the four parameters are analyzed to establish uniform criteria for location estimation. All of the methods indicate ability in detecting and locating lateral variations having lower acoustic impedance than the surrounding material, with errors generally comparable or lower than the geophone spacing. More difficulties are encountered in locating targets with higher acoustic impedance than the background, especially in the presence of weak lateral contrasts, high embedment depths, and small dimensions of the object.
High-speed Railway Fastener Detection Using Minima Significant Region and Local Binary Patterns

Railway fastener is an important part of the railway system. Keeping the fasteners effective is essential to ensure the safe operation of the railway, so abnormal railway fastener detection is a main task of railway maintenance. With the development of railway system, the traditional manual fastener detection method has been unable to meet the application requirements, because it is very slow, costly, and dangerous. In this paper, we propose a novel method for abnormal fastener detection based on computer vision, which can detect missing fasteners automatically. In this method, Minima Significant Region is extracted in order to improve the fastener localization accuracy. Then, fastener recognition is operated using local binary features and Support Vector Machine classifier based on the fastener sub-images which are obtained by fastener localization. The proposed method is evaluated in our own database which is obtained by railway inspection system in different environments. The experimental results have shown improved performance against the state-of-the-art algorithm.
Effects of forestry on summertime low flows and physical fish habitat in snowmelt‐dominant headwater catchments of the Pacific Northwest

Periods of summertime low flows are often critical for fish. This study quantified the impacts of forest clear‐cutting on summertime low flows and fish habitat and how they evolved through time in two snowmelt‐dominant headwater catchments in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada. A paired‐catchment analysis was applied to July–September water yield, the number of days each year with flow less than 10% of mean annual discharge, and daily streamflow for each calendar day. The postharvest time series were divided into treatment periods of approximately 6–10 years, which were analysed independently to evaluate how the effects of forestry changed through time. An instream flow assessment using a physical habitat simulation‐style approach was used to relate streamflow to the availability of physical habitat for resident rainbow trout. About two decades after the onset of logging and as the extent of logging increased to approximately 50% of the catchments, reductions in daily summertime low flows became more significant for the July–September yield (43%) and for the analysis by calendar day (11–68%). Reductions in summertime low flows were most pronounced in the catchment with the longest postharvest time series. On the basis of the temporal patterns of response, we hypothesize that the delayed reductions in late‐summer flow represent the combined effects of a persistent advance in snowmelt timing in combination with at least a partial recovery of transpiration and interception loss from the regenerating forests. These results indicate that asymptotic hydrological recovery as time progresses following logging is not suitable for understanding the impacts of forest harvesting on summertime low flows. Additionally, these reductions in streamflow corresponded to persistent decreases in modelled fish habitat availability that typically ranged from 20% to 50% during the summer low‐flow period in one of the catchments, suggesting that forest harvest may have substantial delayed effects on rearing salmonids in headwater streams.
Imaging zero-offset 3-D P-cable data with CRS method

Standard seismic acquisition and processing require appropriate source–receiver offsets. P-cable technology represents the opposite, namely, very short source–receiver offsets at the price of increased spatial and lateral resolution with a high-frequency source. To use this advantage, a processing flow excluding offset information is required. This aim can be achieved with a processing tuned to diffractions because point diffractions scatter the same information in the offset and midpoint direction. Usually, diffractions are small amplitude events and a careful diffraction separation is required as a first step. We suggest the strategy to use a multiparameter stacking operator, for example, common-reflection surface, and stack along the midpoint direction. The obtained kinematic wave-front attributes are used to calculate time-migration velocities. A diffractivity map serves as a filter to refine the velocities. This strategy is applied to a 3-D P-cable data set to obtain a time-migrated image.
Norms for Fitness, Performance, and Health

This title is useful as a textbook for students in sport and exercise science. Also, as a useful reference for health and fitness professionals, exercise physiologists, specialists in sports medicine and coaches. Readers can evaluate their students, clients and research subjects in terms of heath and fitness based on the normative values provided in the book. The book includes normative data for various aspects of fitness, such as strength, endurance, anaerobic and aerobic capacity, body composition, flexibility, speed and agility. It looks at health norms to measure cardiovascular values, blood lipids, bone density and energy expenditure. It aims to provide information on the importance and benefits of fitness and health testing for various populations.
Does Earlier and Increased Spring Plant Growth Lead to Reduced Summer Soil Moisture and Plant Growth on Landscapes Typical of Tundra-Taiga Interface?

Over the past four decades, satellite observations have shown intensified global greening. At the same time, widespread browning and reversal of or stalled greening have been reported at high latitudes. One of the main reasons for this browning/lack of greening is thought to be warming-induced water stress, i.e., soil moisture depletion caused by earlier spring growth and increased summer evapotranspiration. To investigate these phenomena, we use MODIS collection 6, Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies third-generation (GIMMS) normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI3g), and Global Land Evaporation Amsterdam Model (GLEAM) satellite-based root-zone soil moisture data. The study area was the Far North of Ontario (FNO), 453,788 km2 of heterogeneous landscape typical of the tundra-taiga interface, consisting of unmanaged boreal forests growing on mineral and peat soils, wetlands, and the most southerly area of tundra. The results indicate that the increased plant growth in spring leads to decreased summer growth. Lower summer soil moisture is related to increased spring plant growth in areas with lower soil moisture content. We also found that earlier start of growing season leads to decreased summer and peak season maximum plant growth. In conclusion, increased spring plant growth and earlier start of growing season deplete summer soil moisture and decrease the overall summer plant growth even in temperature-limited high latitude ecosystems. Our findings contribute to evolving understanding of changes in vegetation dynamics in relation to climate in northern high latitude terrestrial ecosystems.
Canopy structure in Late Cretaceous and Paleocene forests as reconstructed from carbon isotope analyses of fossil leaves

While modern forests have their origin in the diversification and expansion of angiosperms in the Late Cretaceous and early Cenozoic, it is unclear whether the rise of closed-canopy tropical rainforests preceded or followed the end-Cretaceous extinction. The “canopy effect” is a strong vertical gradient in the carbon isotope (δ13C) composition of leaves in modern closed-canopy forests that could serve as a proxy signature for canopy structure in ancient forests. To test this, we report measurements of the carbon isotope composition of nearly 200 fossil angiosperm leaves from two localities in the Paleocene Cerrejón Formation and one locality in the Maastrichtian Guaduas Formation of Colombia. Leaves from one Cerrejón fossil assemblage deposited in a small fluvial channel exhibited a 6.3‰ range in δ13C, consistent with a closed-canopy forest. Carbon isotope values from lacustrine sediments in the Cerrejón Formation had a range of 3.3‰, consistent with vegetation along a lake edge. An even-narrower range of δ13C values (2.7‰) was observed for a leaf assemblage recovered from the Cretaceous Guaduas Formation, and suggests vegetation with an open canopy structure. Carbon isotope fractionation by Late Cretaceous and early Paleogene leaves was in all cases similar to that by modern relatives, consistent with estimates of low atmospheric CO2 during this time period. This study confirms other lines of evidence suggesting that closed-canopy forests in tropical South America existed by the late Paleocene, and fails to find isotopic evidence for a closed-canopy forest in the Cretaceous.
Solar Powered BLDC Motor with HCC Fed Water Pumping System for Irrigation

: This project deals with the cost-effective BLDC motor drive powered from solar photovoltaic system with HCC fed water pumping system for irrigation. BLDC motor is preferred over other brush-based motors for its unique features like high efficiency, high torque and simple structure with low noise. As solar power is abundant and available at any place so the solar photovoltaic (SPV) array system is considered as the source. The modified incremental conductance maximum power point technique (MPPT) is used because of its advantage of providing soft starting to BLDC motor. To extract maximum available power from SPV array a buck-boost converter is used. By using conventional control strategies torque ripples are present, by introducing Hysteresis Current Control (HCC) torque ripple can be minimised. The main objective of this paper is to minimize the torque ripples occurring in BLDC motor drive using Hysteresis Current Control, which is simulated using MATLAB/SIMULINK platform.
Semiconducting Transparent Thin Films

A comprehensive account of the properties, growth and applications of semiconducting transparent thin films, this book provides a single source reference for researchers in the field. It discusses the underlying physics of such films, and their commercial applications in such areas as gas sensors and temperature control coatings in the aerospace industry. It is clearly written, with sections on the different materials, different growth techniques, electrical properties, optical properties, and selected applications, for coatings, sensors, detectors and display devices.It is a valuable reference tool for the established researcher, and provides a comprehensive introcution to the subject for graduates of electrical and electronic engineering.The international team of authors, under the leadership of one of the world's authorities on the subject have written a book which has become the standard work in the field.