Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High contrast spectroscopy testbed (HCST): experimental results with an apodized vortex coronagraph

The High Contrast Spectroscopy Testbed (HCST) in the Exoplanet Technology laboratory (ETlab) at Caltech is an in-air testbed hosting all key components necessary to demonstrate coronagraphic performance in broadband light with the vortex coronagraph. The testbed was recently upgraded with the aim of closing the remaining technological gaps in terms of pupil segmentation and to demonstrate our main objective: achieving 10−8 contrast in broadband light. As part of the HCST redesign, a new apodizer has been manufactured using carbon nanotubes acting as microdots to encode a grayscale pattern. This technology presents a very low reflectance conducive to highly efficient amplitude apodization. We demonstrate raw contrasts of 1 × 10−8 with the apodized vortex coronagraph, both in narrowband and broadband light (10% bandwidth), and with the use of wavefront control. The use of an apodizer enables to deal with the diffraction caused by the segment gaps and successfully eliminates this source of starlight leakage for the vortex coronagraph to the 10−8 level.
Local Adaptation in Natural Populations of Toona ciliata var. pubescens Is Driven by Precipitation and Temperature: Evidence from Microsatellite Markers

Environmental factors are strong drivers of local adaptation in forest tree species. Toona ciliata var. pubescens, an endangered tree species endemic to China, is widely distributed across Eastern and Southwestern China. In this study, we used 8 genomic microsatellite markers and 17 EST-SSR markers across nine populations from the Yunnan–Kweichow Plateau and Eastern China, to explore the adaptive variation and genetic structure of T. ciliata var. pubescens. Patterns of population structure were apparent using a Bayesian clustering program, STRUCTURE, which identified four distinct clusters. We identified four outlier loci that were potentially under selection using the Dirichlet-multinomial and hierarchic simulation models. Through the Mantel test, it was found that geographic and climatic factors have jointly affected the genetic structure of T. ciliata var. pubescens in the study area. Based on redundancy analysis (RDA), it was shown that the correlation between climatic variables associated with variation is stronger than that of geographic variables. It is worth mentioning that the eight alleles from outlier loci have potentially adaptive and are associated with either precipitation or temperature variables. All analyses revealed high genetic diversity and significant genetic differentiation in the populations of T. ciliata var. pubescens. This indicated that the climatic variables including precipitation and temperature are drivers of local adaptation in the populations of T. ciliata var. pubescens.
Determination of magnetic properties of rocks by analysis of demagnetization curves: Hematite-ilmenite bearing rocks from SW Sweden

Granulites from the high-grade Sveconorwegian (corresponding to Grenvillian) gneiss terrane of SW Sweden were investigated in order to relate magnetic properties to the granulite facies mineralogy and the amphibolite facies retrograde mineralogy. We used standard paleomagnetic techniques, susceptibility measurements, electron and optical microscopy, and a new way to analyze demagnetization curves based on vector difference sums. The new technique allowed quantitation of the relative contributions of partial natural remanent magnetization (NRM) components as well as numerical extraction of thermal and coercive force (alternating field, AF) unblocking data. Two major components were identified, one stable which is carried by hematite-ilmenite, and one less stable carried by multidomain (MD) magnetite. The age of the hematite-ilmenite component is circa 930 Ma, and it has steep negative inclination, coercivities in excess of 150 mT, and unblocking temperatures between 540 degrees C and 640 degrees C. Two corresponding poles are reported (1) paleolatitude/paleolongitude (plat/plong) (218 degrees/- 24.3) with Dp/Dm (9.4 degrees/9.9 degrees) (paleopole) and (2) plat/plong (203 degrees/-51 degrees) with D-p/D-m (4.4 degrees/5.6 degrees) (VGP). The MD magnetite component is a recent or Cretaceous-Paleogene, steeply positive inclined NRM component associated with strong induced magnetization (plat/plong 2 degrees/-74 degrees and D-p/D-m 11 degrees/14 degrees (VGP). The MD magnetite was unblocked at conditions of 6-40 mT and 60-400 degrees C. Our new analysis method was successful in showing that retrograde amphibole formation strongly decreases the importance of the hematite-ilmenite component on behalf of the MD magnetite. It has a diminishing effect on a negative aeromagnetic anomaly in the area. The 930 Ma components constitute 80-0% of the vector difference sums depending on rock composition. However, as this fraction goes down to 60%, the induced magnetization seems to outweigh the hematite-ilmenite influence on aeromagnetic anomalies due to its opposite direction. These rocks still have a strong and stable hematite-ilmenite dominated NRM. (Less)
Short‐term variability in isotopic composition of precipitation: A case study from the Midwestern United States

Oxygen and deuterium isotopes in precipitation were analysed to define local isotopic trends in Iowa, US. The area is far inland from an oceanic source and the observed averages of δ18O and δ D are − 6·43‰ and − 41·35‰ for Ames, − 7·53‰ and − 51·33‰ for Cedar Falls, and − 6·01‰ and − 38·19‰ for Iowa City, respectively. Although these data generally follow global trends, they are different when compared to a semi‐arid mid‐continental location in North Platt, Nebraska. The local meteoric water lines of Iowa are δ D = 7·68 δ18O + 8·0 for Ames, δ D = 7·62 δ18O + 6·07 for Cedar Falls, and δ D = 7·78 δ18O + 8·61 for Iowa City. The current Iowa study compares well with a study conducted in Ames, Iowa, 10 years earlier. The differences between Iowa and Nebraska studies are attributed to a variable climate across the northern Great Plains ranging from sub‐humid in the east to semi‐arid in the west. Iowa being further east in the region is more strongly influenced by a moist sub‐humid to humid climate fed by the tropical air stream from the Gulf of Mexico. The average d‐excess values are 10·06‰ for Ames, 8·92‰ for Cedar Falls and 9·92‰ for Iowa City. Eighty seven percent of the samples are within the global d‐excess range of 0‰ and 20‰. The results are similar to previous studies, including those by National Atmospheric Deposition Programs and International Atomic Energy Agency. It appears that the impact of recycled water or secondary evaporation on δ18O values of area precipitation is minimal. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new perspective on oil slick detection from space by NOAA satellites

In this paper an extension of the Split Window Technique algorithm, to account for small surface emissivity variations, is presented. This algorithm has been used, along with an adaptive filtering pattern recognition approach, in order to detect oil spills on the sea surface under the assumptions of thermal equilibrium between the oil polluted areas and the surrounding water, of weak horizontal sea surface temperature gradients (i.e., <1°C) in the area of interest and of a horizontal uniform atmospheric water vapour distribution over the discharged area. AVHRR/2 data acquired both on the Gulf of Genoa in April 1991 during an oil pollution episode following the wreck of the Haven tanker and on the Persian Gulf during war operations in January-February 1991 were considered. Comparing satellite retrieved polluted areas with in situ observations available in literature and high spatial resolution satellite observations (Landsat and SPOT), the algorithm has proved to supply satisfactory results in detecting oil contaminated areas.
A reconstruction of mid–summer temperatures from ring–widths of scots pine since ad 50 in northern fennoscandia

We have reconstructed mid–summer (July) temperatures using a master ring–width chronology of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) for northern Fennoscandia, covering nearly the last two millennia. The chronology is constructed from 93 living trees and 275 dead trees collected between 68 ∘ and 70 ∘ N, 20 ∘ and 30 ∘ E. In standardization, negative exponential functions and, alternatively, regression lines were applied. Because of a strong autocorrelation in the data, we used a model structure including 2–year lagging and a 3–year leading predicter along with the master chronology in the transfer function. Over one–half of the dependent climate variance was retrieved in our final reconstruction model. We indicate the largest temperature anomalies of individual summers as well as longer–term temperature variability starting from ad 50.
Seismic structure of the upper mantle beneath the United States by three‐dimensional inversion of body wave arrival times

Summary. Teleseismic P and S arrival times to North American stations are obtained from the ISC bulletins for the 10-yr period 1964–73, and relative travel-time delays are calculated with respect to standard tables. Station anomalies as well as variations of the delays with azimuth and epicentral distance from station are analysed, and the location of the velocity anomalies responsible for them is discussed. Inversion of the P delays to infer upper mantle velocity structure down to a depth of 700 km is obtained using three-dimensional blocks, as proposed by Aki, Christofferson & Husebye. Three layers can be resolved in this depth range. It is found that the heterogeneities responsible for the travel-time delays are primarily located in the first 250 km of the upper mantle, and that they correlate with surface features. Significant heterogeneities subsist to depths of at least 700 km and their broad scale pattern also correlates with the surface features: in the third layer (500 to 700 km depth) there is an increase of velocity from the West to the East of the United States, while the second layer (250 to 450 km depth) exhibits a reversed pattern. A tentative interpretation of these deeper anomalies is made, as being due mainly to topography of the major upper mantle discontinuities, near 400 and 650 km depth.
Community Preparedness to Recurrent Flood Disasters in Babessi, Rural Cameroon

Purpose: Flood is a recurrent natural disaster that has caused enormous human and material damage in many places and continues to hit rural communities at an alarming rate. Flood affects the community extensively and it is crucial for them to be prepared to reduce the risk faced in the event of a flood disaster. The need to improve on education, local flood disaster committee, public awareness and early warnings as preparedness measures to prevent and manage flood disasters by rural communities is therefore indispensable. This study aims to determine the current level of flood preparedness amongst households in Babessi, Cameroon as well as other contributing factors to preparedness such as the availability of flood forecast and early warning and public awareness to prepare for floods. Methodology: This study used the mixed methods approach that combined descriptive and analytical perspectives. It collected and analyzed both qualitative and quantitative data concurrently and sequentially and integrated data at one or more stages in the process. Using a structured questionnaire, data was purposively and randomly selected from 317 households from the same. Quantitative data were supplemented by 7 key informant interviews and 2 focused group discussions. All quantitative data generated from the questionnaires were entered into a template designed in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20). The data were cleaned and later on analyzed using both SPSS and Microsoft Excel 2013. For qualitative data (FGDs and KIIs), they were recorded in the field using Dictaphones (voice recorder) and later on transcribed and typed into a word processing program (Microsoft Word 2013). The transcribed data were analyzed using Nvivo version 11, and themes were established in relation to research objective. Results were presented using tables, figures and charts. Findings: Using descriptive analysis, the findings indicated that the preparedness measures were mostly stocking of equipment (sand and sand bags) followed by emergency savings, stocking of emergency relief materials (food, water and drugs). Availability of flood forecast and early warning systems, education and public awareness were low overall preparedness level. The population of Babessi needs heightened sensitization on the impending dangers of flood hazard and be encouraged to participate in implementing the adopted strategies to prevent and manage subsequent flood disasters. Recommendations: The Social Representations Theory (SRT) informed this study. A social representation is a system of values, ideas and practices regarding a given social object, as well as the elaboration of that object by a group for the purpose of communicating and behaving. For policy, to enhance information dissemination, investments should be made in improving communication infrastructure and disseminating timely and accurate information about flood risks, early warnings, evacuation procedures, and available support services.
Analytical Model for Gravity and Rayleigh-Wave Investigation in the Layered Ocean–Earth Structure

In terms of the linear theory of elasticity we analyze the gravity and Rayleigh-wave excitation and propagation process in a three-layered ocean–Earth model, which includes a superficial liquid layer and two layers of sediments—soft and hard. To compute the oceanic surface-wave dispersion function, the Thomson-Haskell matrix method is used. The solution is obtained by applying the normal mode formalism to the flat, homogeneous, layered ocean–Earth structure. Based on this theory, the spectra of the excitation functions are investigated in detail for 45° thrust, dip-slip, and strike-slip point sources in the half-space. A numerical experiment reveals that the rigidity of the rock exerts a strong influence on both gravity and Rayleigh waves. In the case of Rayleigh waves, a layered structure of the bottom strongly affects the propagation process. The main focus of the present study is to model tsunami and tsunamigenic events. It is well known from observations that earthquakes that generate abnormally large tsunamis are mostly thrust events, characterized by long source duration (2–4 times longer than typical earthquakes of similar moment) and shallow source depth, and are located near the trench axis. Meanwhile, typical tsunamigenic earthquakes are generally dip-slip and thrust events with depths between 15 and 50 km. On this basis, and using the distributed model of seismic source, the influence of source mechanism, location, and source duration on the tsunami-wave amplitude are investigated here. The results of our model computations of the seismic sea waves from tsunami- and tsunamigenic earthquake are in good agreement with real observation data.
Optimized YOLOv7 for Small Target Detection in Aerial Images Captured by Drone

—It is challenging to detect small targets in aerial images captured by drones due to variations in target sizes and occlusions arising from the surrounding environment. This study proposes an optimized object detection algorithm based on YOLOv7 to address the above-mentioned challenges. The proposed method comprises the design of a Genetic Kmeans (1-IoU) clustering algorithm to obtain customized anchor boxes that more significantly apply to the dataset. Moreover, the SPPFCSPC_group structure is optimized using group convolutions to reduce model parameters. The fusion of Spatial Pyramid Pooling-Fast (SPPF) and Cross Stage Partial (CSP) structures leads to increased detection accuracy and enhanced multi-scale feature fusion network. Furthermore, a Detect Head is incorporated into the classification phase for more accurate position and class predictions. According to experimental findings, the optimized YOLOv7 algorithm performs quite well on the VisDrone2019 dataset in terms of detection accuracy. Compared with the original YOLOv7 algorithm, the optimized version shows a 0.18% increase in the Average Precision (AP), a reduction of 5.7 M model parameters, and a 1.12 Frames Per Second (FPS) improvement in the frame rate. With the above-described enhancements in AP and parameter reduction, the precision of small target detection and the real-time detection speed are increased notably. In general, the optimized YOLOv7 algorithm offers superior accuracy and real-time capability, thus making it well-suited for small target detection tasks in real-time drone aerial photography.
Relationship between river surface level and fish assemblage in the Ocklawaha River, Florida

Understanding the relationship between river flows and levels and fish communities is important to setting minimum flow and level regulations designed to prevent ecological harm. We reviewed a long‐term Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission data set from the Ocklawaha River, Florida, to evaluate trends in fish abundance and fish communities relative to historical river levels. Fish data were collected using electrofishing at the Ocklawaha River, Florida, during 1983–1994. Electrofishing data were used to estimate catch per minute and biomass per minute of selected species, fish diversity, richness and evenness. Catch rate variables were compared among years and significant differences in abundance and community indices were related to historical water levels using multiple regression models. Results indicated that differences in abundance and community indices among years were more common at the site with increased river level variability. Regression models indicated that fish abundance and species richness were positively related to river levels, and species diversity was negatively related to variability in river level during the two years prior to sampling. Spotted sunfish Lepomis punctatus exhibited the most variability in species‐specific catch per effort and spotted sunfish abundance was positively related to river levels. Low river levels negatively influenced fish abundance and fish communities, and minimum flows in Florida should manage for the periodicity of low flow events to prevent sequential years of adverse effects on fish populations. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Video Analysis of Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy Using a Transformer Network

Although wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) detects small bowel diseases effectively, it has some limitations. For example, the reading process can be time consuming due to the numerous images generated per case and the lesion detection accuracy may rely on the operators’ skills and experiences. Hence, many researchers have recently developed deep-learning-based methods to address these limitations. However, they tend to select only a portion of the images from a given WCE video and analyze each image individually. In this study, we note that more information can be extracted from the unused frames and the temporal relations of sequential frames. Specifically, to increase the accuracy of lesion detection without depending on experts’ frame selection skills, we suggest using whole video frames as the input to the deep learning system. Thus, we propose a new Transformer-architecture-based neural encoder that takes the entire video as the input, exploiting the power of the Transformer architecture to extract long-term global correlation within and between the input frames. Subsequently, we can capture the temporal context of the input frames and the attentional features within a frame. Tests on benchmark datasets of four WCE videos showed 95.1% sensitivity and 83.4% specificity. These results may significantly advance automated lesion detection techniques for WCE images.
MULTEXT-EAST: Multilingual Text Tools and Corpora for Central and Eastern European Languages.

MULTEXT is a European Union project to identify and develop language resources, language-related software, and standards to make the resources maximally usable. MULTEXT-EAST is a spinoff project to develop significant resources for six Central and Eastern European (CEE) languages (Bulgarian, Czech, Estonian, Hungarian, Romanian, Slovenian) and adapt existing tools and standards to them. MULTEXT has developed a corpus encoding standard (CES), and MULTEXT-EAST is applying it to texts in the six languages. This has led to major revision of the CES, particularly to accommodate additional character sets. MULTEXT-EAST is building an annotated multilingual corpus composed of materials comparable to MULTEXT's, including: (1) at least 100,000 words of fiction and newspaper text in each of the CEE languages; (2) parallel translations of the same fictional text; and (3) a small corpus of spoken texts in each language. MULTEXT-EAST has adapted and extended MULTEXT language-dependent materials (lexicons, morphological rules, etc.) for its six languages. Guidelines for linguistic software development are also in progress. A list of participating organizations is appended.
Sounding the plume of the 18 August 2000 eruption of Miyakejima volcano (Japan) using GPS

We processed 79 days of GPS data collected at four stations on Miyakejima volcano (Japan) before and during its eruption in 2000. This period includes a strong seismic swarm (27 June to 8 July) followed by five eruptions (8 and 14–15 July, 10, 18, and 29 August). Surface motion is strong during the seismic swarm, then remains almost steady during eruptions. However, during each eruption, we found anomalous values of the LC (ionosphere free) double differences, especially on 18 August, with a peak of 0.6 cycles (i.e., an apparent 290 mm increase of the satellite‐station range). We cannot explain these anomalies by temporary ground displacements during the events. Instead, we propose that they are due to path delay effects in the hot volcanic plume. By adapting a seismic tomography algorithm, the refractivity anomaly and the inferred temperature in the plume is mapped in time and space.
How is Corruption Portrayed in the Brazilian Media? An Analysis of Corruption in News Portals and Twitter

Considering that the media influence the construction and deconstruction of reality to operate in social narratives. This article analyzes the representation of corruption in the Brazilian media, especially in news portals and on Twitter. The main aim of the study is to capture the representation of corruption in contrast with the news portals and social media, in order to map the recurrences, scandals, actors involved, convergences, and divergences between the two communication vehicles. Results show that there is a different representation of corruption in the two kinds of media, which despite dialogizing with each other through the news grid, have different approaches. In the portals, corruption refers to the denunciation of scandals involving political actors and investigations, whereas on Twitter the phenomenon stands for morality, religiosity, party disputes, 2022 elections, and old scandals. The relevance of the study occurs when addressing the different forms that corruption takes in both environments.