Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation and correction of NOAA-21 VIIRS day night band stray light and comparison with SNPP and NOAA-20

NOAA-21 satellite was successfully launched on November 10, 2023 and joins the SNPP and NOAA-20 missions under NOAA Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) to provide continuation of Earth system observations. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instruments onboard the SNPP, NOAA-20 and NOAA-21 satellites provide sustained long-term Earth observation data accumulating to over a decade. The unique VIIRS Day/Night Band (DNB) observations particularly have a wide range of applications such as geophysical and socio-economic studies and natural disaster assessment. As learned from SNPP and NOAA-20 DNB, there was stray light over high latitude regions (with spacecraft solar zenith angle less than 118.4 degree) in DNB images over both northern and southern hemispheres. Efforts in prelaunch preparation have been devoted to reducing NOAA-21 DNB stray light. The post-launch assessment indicates that there are traces of stray light in the NOAA-21 DNB image, but with a significant reduction in stray light magnitude in comparison with both SNPP and NOAA-20 DNB. This paper presents the development and application of stray light correction for NOAA-21 DNB. Furthermore, the spatial distribution and magnitude of DNB stray light of NOAA-21 are assessed and compared with SNPP and NOAA-20. DNB images with no major artificial or auroral lights over the northern and southern hemispheres on new moon days are selected for comparison. It is found that NOAA-21 DNB stray light over both hemispheres is reduced by ~40 to 60% (depending on the along scan zone) in comparison with NOAA-20 DNB, which confirms the effectiveness of the prelaunch efforts in reducing the NOAA-21 DNB stray light.
Central Tanzanian tectonic map: A step forward to decipher Proterozoic structural events in the East African Orogen

On the basis of a compilation of geological maps from central Tanzania coupled with structural and petrological studies a distinction is made between the tectonic evolution of the 1.8–2.0 Ga Usagaran orogeny and the 650–580 Ma Pan‐African orogeny in the Mozambique Belt. The geometry of both orogens is determined by displacement partitioning around the indenting Tanzania Craton. The Usagaran Belt formed by strike‐slip tectonics in an island arc regime. By contrast, the Mozambique Belt formed by westward thrust propagation during oblique collision of east and west Gondwana. This resulted in a first stage of lower crustal strike slip with isobaric cooling in the eastern hinterland. Continuous forward propagation of thrusts and coeval hinterland extension accompanied an isothermal decompression phase in all units. Displacement partitioning along the oblique continental margin triggered the formation of two crustal‐scale Neoproterozoic shear belts, the dextral Central Tanzanian Shear Belt and the sinistral Kiboriani Shear Belt.
Impacts of regional warming on long‐term hypolimnetic anoxia and dissolved oxygen concentration in a deep lake

Although few reports have described long‐term continuous anoxia in aquatic systems, Lake Ikeda in Japan experienced such conditions in the hypolimnion from 1990 to 2010. The present study aimed to assess temporal fluctuations in the lake's thermal stability from 1978 to 2011 to understand the influence of regional climate change on hypolimnetic anoxia in this lake. Because complete vertical mixing, which supplies dissolved oxygen (DO) to the hypolimnion, potentially occurs on February, we calculated the Schmidt stability index (S) in February and compared it with hypolimnetic DO dynamics. Vertical water temperature profiles were calculated using a one‐dimensional model, and calculated temperatures and meteorological data were used to analyse annual fluctuations in water temperatures, thermocline depth, meteorological variables and S. We estimated that mean annual air and volume‐weighted water temperatures increased by 0.028 and 0.033 °C year−1, respectively, from 1978 to 2011. Between 1986 and 1990, S and water temperature increased abruptly, probably due to a large upwards trend in air temperature (+0.239 °C year−1). We hypothesize that a mixing regime that lacked overturn took effect at this time and that this regime lasted until 2011, when S was particularly small. These results demonstrate that abrupt climate warming in the late 1980s likely triggered the termination of complete mixing and caused the 21‐year period of successive anoxia in Lake Ikeda. We conclude that the lake response to a rapid shift in regional climate conditions was a key factor in changing the hypolimnetic water environment and that thermal stability in winter is a critical environmental factor controlling the mixing regime and anoxic conditions in deep lakes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DEFORMATION OF SUBDUCTED OCEANIC LITHOSPHERE

SUMMARY The deformation of subducted oceanic lithosphere is revealed by detailed studies of the distribution of seismicity in Benioff zones and by the increasingly well-resolved images of the upper mantle obtained by seismic P-wave tomography. By using numerical experiments based on a simplified dynamical model of a subducted lithospheric slab, we test the idea that the observed deformation of the subducted slab results from a balance between internal buoyancy forces and the viscous stresses associated with deformation. The simplified model assumes that the lithosphere has uniform physical properties, it is denser and much more viscous than the upper mantle, and its penetration below 670 km depth is resisted by a step-like density increase at that level. The primary determinant of the style of deformation is the buoyancy number, F, a ratio of buoyancy stress generated by the mass anomaly in the slab to the stress associated with viscous deformation at a strain rate U,/L, defined in terms of subduction rate U, and slab thickness L. For a small buoyancy number, deformation of the slab is dominated by viscous flexure. For large F, down-dip extension of the slab appears to dominate, and a buckling instability of the slab is observed if there is resistance to penetration of the 670 km level. The transition value of F at which this change in behaviour is observed is about 0.05 for constant viscosity, and about 0.2 for stressdependent viscosity with a stress versus strain-rate exponent of n = 3. With n = 3, a boudinage-type instability of the slab is observed for large F. Penetration of the slab below the 670 km level depends on the density contrast between slab and lower mantle. Resisted only by the density difference, the slab may initially penetrate several hundred kilometres below the 670 km level (for plausible density parameters) before a buckling instability causes this part of the slab to rotate and ascend. Comparison of the deforming slab geometry and stress field with seismicity distribution and tomographic images from the Tonga subduction zone suggests that the effective buoyancy number F for this slab is approximately equal to the transition value that we determined experimentally. We use this constraint to estimate average rheological parameters for the Tonga slab which, when compared with published creep deformation laws for olivine, are consistent with the average temperature of the slab being about 0.4 to 0.45 times the melting temperature, based on constitutive laws for olivine. At shallow depths (< 100 km) these temperatures correspond to around 590°C for wet olivine or around 700°C for dry olivine.
The effect of silicate weathering on global temperature and atmospheric CO2

Models of the carbon cycle, used to calculate atmospheric CO2 levels and mean global surface temperatures over geologic time, rely heavily on estimates of CO2 consumed by chemical weathering. Weathering of calcium and magnesium silicates is the primary sink for atmospheric CO2, yet alkali feldspar dissolution rates or data from carbonate aquifers have generally been used as model inputs instead. The latter causes calculated CO2 levels and temperatures to be anomalously high in the model of Berner et al. (1983) (for example, temperatures of 24°C and 19°C are calculated for the Cretaceous and Eocene, respectively). When Ca and Mg silicate weathering rates are used as primary inputs instead, ambient temperatures and atmospheric CO2 levels are calculated to be significantly closer to recent preindustrial levels (global mean temperatures of ∼20.5°C and 17.5°C in the Cretaceous and Eocene, respectively), indicating an appreciably tighter coupling between chemical weathering and climate.
Basis Pursuit Receiver Function

Abstract Receiver functions (RFs) are derived by deconvolution of the horizontal (radial or transverse) component of ground motion from the vertical component, which segregates the PS phases. Many methods have been proposed to employ deconvolution in frequency as well as in time domain. These methods vary in their approaches to impose regularization that addresses the stability problem. Here, we present application of a new time‐domain deconvolution technique called basis pursuit deconvolution (BPD) that has recently been applied to seismic exploration data. Unlike conventional deconvolution methods, the BPD uses an L1 norm constraint on model reflectivity to impose sparsity. In addition, it uses an overcomplete wedge dictionary based on a dipole reflectivity series to define model constraints, which can achieve higher resolution than that obtained by the traditional methods. We demonstrate successful application of BPD based RF estimation from synthetic data for a crustal model with a near‐surface thin layer of thickness 5, 7, 10, and 15 km. The BPD can resolve these thin layers better with much improved signal‐to‐noise ratio than the conventional methods. Finally, we demonstrate application of the BPD receiver function (BPRF) method to a field dataset from Kutch, India, where near‐surface sedimentary layers are known to be present. The BPRFs are able to resolve reflections from these layers very well.
Object-oriented semantic labelling of spectral–spatial LiDAR point cloud for urban land cover classification and buildings detection

The urban land cover mapping and automated extraction of building boundaries is a crucial step in generating three-dimensional city models. This study proposes an object-based point cloud labelling technique to semantically label light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data captured over an urban scene. Spectral data from multispectral images are also used to complement the geometrical information from LiDAR data. Initial object primitives are created using a modified colour-based region growing technique. Multiple classifier system is then applied on the features extracted from the segments for classification and also for reducing the subjectivity involved in the selection of classifier and improving the precision of the results. The proposed methodology produces two outputs: (i) urban land cover classes and (ii) buildings masks which are further reconstructed and vectorized into three-dimensional buildings footprints. Experiments carried out on three airborne LiDAR datasets show that the proposed technique successfully discriminates urban land covers and detect urban buildings.
Microwave land surface emissivities estimated from SSM/I observations

Microwave emissivities of land surfaces are estimated from special sensor microwave/imager (SSM/I) observations by removing the contributions from the atmosphere, clouds, and rain using ancillary satellite data (International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) and TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) products). In the first step, cloud-free SSM/I observations are isolated with the help of collocated visible/infrared satellite observations (ISCCP data). The cloud-free atmospheric contribution is then calculated, from an estimate of the local atmospheric temperature-humidity profile (TOVS retrieval). Finally, with the surface skin temperature derived from IR observations (ISCCP estimate), the surface emissivity is calculated for all the SSM/I channels. As an exploration the method is applied to the SSM/I data for four months in 1991 within the Meteosat observation area. The magnitude and fluctuations of the atmospheric contributions are estimated along with the effect of surface temperature variations. Correspondences between geographical and seasonal patterns of the emissivities and topography, vegetation, flooding, and snow cover are analyzed. The potential for using microwave emissivities to monitor vegetation phenology and surface properties at regional and continental scale is investigated, and the possibility of retrieving atmospheric parameters (water vapor content, cloud liquid water path, and precipitation) over land is discussed.
Adaptive Learning and Sliding Mode Control for a Magnetic Microrobot Precision Tracking With Uncertainties

Magnetic microrobots have potential applications in many medical diagnosis and treatment due to the unique characteristics in biological fine manipulation, such as precise drug delivery and hyperthermia. Precise and robust trajectory tracking control of magnetic microrobots under complex disturbances and uncertain dynamic model is still one of the most important and challenging steps in achieving ideal applications. This letter develops a learning based adaptive sliding mode control (LBASMC) method to address the unknown dynamic parameters and complex external disturbances. A radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) based state feedback control strategy can effectively estimate the uncertainties online from the state and desired trajectories, rather than the model-based control. Besides, to overcome the nonparametric unknown disturbances, an adaptive sliding mode control strategy is designed. The controller require as little knowledge of system parameters as possible. Subsequently, according to the Lyapunov theory, the closed-loop finite time convergence stable system is guaranteed. Finally, the two experimental researches are conducted on our developed electromagnetic manipulation system to validate the effectiveness of the designed control approach.
Nonsuicidal self injury among young adults and adolescents: Historical, cultural and clinical understandings

ABSTRACT This article reviews the nature and prevalence of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suggests how it can be better recognized and treated in the mental health community. Throughout history, NSSI has been a core element of many types of rituals (e.g. cultural, religious, spiritual, and healing rituals) and is now also regarded as a pathological expression of emotional pain, particularly in Western cultures, where its occurrence has increased dramatically since the 1980s. NSSI involves the direct and deliberate self-infliction of bodily harm without suicidal intent. Self-injury can be viewed as a distinct mental health disorder, a defining criterion of other mental disorders, or a transient response to trauma or stress. Notwithstanding its etiology, NSSI should become a more salient aspect of psychiatric evaluation and intervention considering its frequency of occurrence and deleterious consequences, especially among young people. The current article consists of six sections that describe the terminology associated with NSSI; its general prevalence, measurement, and variability (age, race, and gender); its relationship with other psychiatric illness; and its diagnosis and treatment.
Evaluating MJO event initiation and decay in the skeleton model using an RMM‐like index

The Madden‐Julian oscillation (MJO) skeleton model is a low‐order dynamic model that is capable of simulating many of the observed features of the MJO. This study develops a model‐based “MJO” index that is similar to the well‐known real‐time multivariate MJO (RMM) index to better facilitate comparison between the skeleton model and observational data. Multivariate and univariate empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analyses were performed on the convective heating and zonal wind data taken from the skeleton model for simulations forced with an idealized warm pool and observed sea surface temperatures (SSTs). The leading EOF modes indicated a wave number 1 convectively coupled circulation anomaly with zonal asymmetries that closely resembled the observed RMM EOFs, especially when the model was forced with observed SSTs. The RMM‐like index was used to compute an MJO climatology and document the occurrence of primary, continuing, and terminating MJO events in the skeleton model. The overall amount of MJO activity and event lengths compared reasonably well to observations for such a simple model. Attempts at reconciling the observed geographic distribution of individual MJO initiation and termination events were not successful for the stochastic simulations, though stochasticity is necessary in order to produce composite MJOs that initiate and decay with time scales similar to observations. Finally, analysis indicates that the existence of slow‐moving, eastward traveling waves with higher wave numbers (k ≈ 12) embedded within the large‐scale flow often precedes MJO termination in the skeleton model.
Impact of Future Climate Change on Runoff in the Head Region of the Yellow River

The head region of the Yellow River is the key area where climate change would affect the hydrological process, since it is in a high elevation and cold area. Temperature and precipitation are two important meteorologic factors influencing the hydrological process. In this study, runoff change was evaluated as a result of the hydrological process change and an evaluation of runoff response to the two factors was made. Data derived from the results of seven general circulation models (GCMs) under two intergovernmental panel on climate change scenarios (A2 and B2) were used as future climate scenarios. First, factual and future climate change is analyzed according to data observed and obtained from GCMs. It was found that temperature has been increasing since 1961 and would continue in the future. The change in future precipitation also showed an increasing tendency. Then, a distributed hydrologic model, taking into account the effect of snow and frozen soil, was developed based on observed data in order to investigate the impact of temperature and precipitation change on runoff. Simulated runoff corresponding to climate scenarios indicates that the runoff amount would change lightly before 2020 and then would decrease approximately 5% per year. Analysis of runoff characteristics showed that runoff would increase in the dry season, resulting in relatively uniform distribution of seasonal runoff. Large variablility in annual runoff in the future implies a high probability and severity of flooding as well as droughts.
Herpes simplex virus infection and the risk of dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Aim: The authors aimed to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the association between herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection and the risk of developing dementia. Methods: The authors searched the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. The authors included any randomized control trials and controlled observational studies that investigated the prevalence of dementia in HSV-infected patients and HSV-free control group. Also, if the studies measured the levels of HSV antibodies and incidence of these antibodies in patients with dementia compared with a healthy control group. Results: After a comprehensive literature search, 19 studies were included in the meta-analysis with 342 535 patients included in the analysis. The pooled analysis showed a statistically significant association between Alzheimer’s disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and increased levels of IgG titer group [mean difference (MD) = 0.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.36–1.63, P-value = 0.002], (MD = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.26–1.35, P-value = 0.004), respectively. Additionally, the generic inverse variance showed a statistically significant association between the HSV group and increased incidence of dementia compared with the no HSV control group [risk ratio (RR) = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.18–2.29, P-value <0.00001]. Moreover, this analysis showed no statistically significant difference between the AD group and the control group in anti-HSV IgM titer n (%) outcome (RR = 1.35, 95% CI = 0.91–2.01, P-value = 0.14), respectively. Conclusion: This study revealed that AD and MCI patients have increased levels of IgG antibodies titer against HSV infection. The study showed a significant association between HSV infection and increased incidence of dementia. Thus, regular follow-up of HSV patients’ IgG titer levels could be useful in the prevention of dementia in these patients.
Observing systemic conflict: The emotional affect on pastors in the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa

The Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa (NRCA) did not escape this existential crisis of conflict. It manifests in various ways resulting in the bleeding of congregations, the exodus of congregants and the closure of congregations, as many congregants that declare themselves as members of the Church do not attend worship services or participate in the Holy Communion and exit the church. The study was conducted in the NRCA to determine the effect and response formation of observed conflict by ministers in their respective congregations. The results of the study indicate that pastors and/or ministers do suffer emotional trauma because of the conflict in the congregation which, according to their own statements results in a loss of role performance. We provide an overview of the problem statement and methodology of the study. We discuss an abbreviated, theoretical perspective on conflict as a social phenomenon. We present the findings of our study and conclude with an abbreviated process to equip pastors with the necessary emotional maturity and self-management.Contribution: This study uncovers emotional trauma experienced by ministers, affecting their role performance. We offer a succinct problem statement, research methodology, and propose a scientifically informed process to enhance ministers’ emotional resilience within the NRCA.
Novel Fluoroquinolones with Possible Antibacterial Activity in Gram-Negative Resistant Pathogens: In Silico Drug Discovery

Antibiotic resistance is a global threat to public health, and the search for new antibacterial therapies is a current research priority. The aim of this in silico study was to test nine new fluoroquinolones previously designed with potential leishmanicidal activity against Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhi, all of which are considered by the World Health Organization to resistant pathogens of global concern, through molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using wild-type (WT) and mutant-type (MT) DNA gyrases as biological targets. Our results showed that compound 9FQ had the best binding energy with the active site of E. coli in both molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Compound 9FQ interacted with residues of quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) in GyrA and GyrB chains, which are important to enzyme activity and through which it could block DNA replication. In addition to compound 9FQ, compound 1FQ also showed a good affinity for DNA gyrase. Thus, these newly designed molecules could have antibacterial activity against Gram-negative microorganisms. These findings represent a promising starting point for further investigation through in vitro assays, which can validate the hypothesis and potentially facilitate the development of novel antibiotic drugs.