Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ground‐Motion Prediction Equations for Shallow Crustal and Upper‐Mantle Earthquakes in Japan Using Site Class and Simple Geometric Attenuation Functions

In this article, ground‐motion prediction equations (GMPEs) based on the horizontal components of the strong‐motion records from shallow crustal and upper‐mantle earthquakes in Japan are presented. We assembled a large dataset from earthquakes with a moment magnitude ( M w) over 4.9 and a reliable earthquake category (the tectonic location of earthquakes) up to the end of 2012. The GMPEs were based on a set of simple geometric attenuation functions. A bilinear magnitude‐scaling function hinged at M w 7.1 was adopted, with the scaling rates for large events being much smaller than those for the smaller events. Site classes based on site period were used as site terms, and nonlinear site terms were included. We modeled the effect of volcanic zones using an anelastic attenuation coefficient applied to a horizontal portion of the seismic‐wave travel distance within volcanic zones. Most strong‐motion records in our dataset are from stations with a measured shear‐wave velocity profile down to engineering bedrock. A small number of records are from stations with inferred site classes using the response spectral ratio of the horizontal‐to‐vertical components or geologic description of the surface soil layers. We tested the effect of site information quality by comparing the goodness‐of‐fit parameters from the model with and without the sites with inferred site classes. Our results suggest that the site information quality made a significant difference for spectral periods over 0.7 s, that is, the exclusion of sites with inferred site classes improves the model fit significantly. The within‐event residuals were approximately separated into within‐site and between‐site components, and the corresponding standard deviations were calculated. The approximate separation allows for the possibility of adopting different standard deviations for different site classes in a probabilistic seismic‐hazard analysis if desired. Online Material: References for fault rupture plane models, earthquake records and volcanic zones information, illustration of site information quality effect, standard deviations for between‐event, within‐event, between‐site and within‐site residual, and the distribution of between‐event and within‐event residuals.
Microscale characteristics of homogeneous freezing events in cirrus clouds

We investigate homogeneous freezing of aqueous aerosol particles, a fundamental ice formation process in cirrus clouds. We estimate freezing time scales and vertical extensions of freezing layers, demonstrating that such freezing events are highly transient and localized. While time scales decrease with increasing vertical velocity driving ice nucleation, layer depths are weak functions of the vertical velocity. Our results are used to discuss possible effects of turbulent diffusion and entrainment‐mixing on homogeneous freezing in cirrus. Large turbulent diffusivity acts to broaden water vapor‐depleted freezing layers and facilitate sedimentation of freshly nucleated ice crystals out of them into ice‐supersaturated air. Homogeneous freezing events could be affected by microscale turbulence in episodes of intense turbulence dissipation rates, although such episodes are rare. We conjecture that freezing layers are broader in the case of heterogeneous ice nucleation and effects of sedimentation on nucleation increase in importance. Our findings point to the difficulty of inferring nucleated cirrus ice crystal numbers from measurements and place tight constraints on cirrus models with regard to spatial and temporal resolution.
Integral Valorization of Posidonia oceanica Balls: An Abundant and Potential Biomass

Posidonia oceanica balls (POB), a kind of seagrass, are a significant environmental issue since they are annually discharged onto beaches. Their current usefulness limits interest in their management and enhances the environmental problem. Therefore, in this research, the potential of this lignocellulosic biomass was studied from a holistic biorefinery point of view. To this end, an in-depth study was carried out to select the best pathway for the integral valorization of POBs. First, an autohydrolysis process was studied for the recovery of oligosaccharides. Then, a delignification stage was applied, where, in addition to studying different delignification methods, the influence of the autohydrolysis pre-treatment was also investigated. Finally, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were obtained through a chemo-mechanical treatment. The results showed that autohydrolysis not only improved the delignification process and its products, but also allowed the hemicelluloses to be valorized. Acetoformosolv delignification proved to be the most successful in terms of lignin and cellulose properties. However, alkaline delignification was able to extract the highest amount of lignin with low purity. CNFs were also successfully produced from bleached solids. Therefore, the potential of POB as a feedstock for a biorefinery was confirmed, and the pathway should be chosen according to the requirements of the desired end products.
AI, Data Curation and the Data Readiness of Heritage Collections: Exploring the Swedish Newspaper Archive at KBLab

The increasing availability of digital material and tools for large-scale computational analysis has produced a growing interest in big data approaches in the humanities and social sciences. However, the vital role of data curation as a precondition for such projects remains underappreciated. This paper details the work of KBLab at the National Library of Sweden in testing AI tools to help curate the digitized newspaper archive and make it more amenable to quantitative, machine learning-based research. It provides a description of the library’s newspaper data to offer orientation to researchers interested in the material, before turning to recount the results of our exploration with automated data curation. It concludes by sketching possible next steps for these exploratory efforts, as well as situating this project within a broader recent turn to conceptualize and prioritize the notion of data readiness. Its principal argument is in drawing attention to data curation as an essential part of any digital research project, not something prior to or external from the research process.
New structure transistors for advanced technology node CMOS ICs

ABSTRACT Over recent decades, advancements in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) have mainly relied on structural innovations in transistors. From planar transistors to the fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) and gate-all-around FET (GAAFET), more gate electrodes have been added to three-dimensional (3D) channels with enhanced control and carrier conductance to provide higher electrostatic integrity and higher operating currents within the same device footprint. Beyond the 1-nm node, Moore’s law scaling is no longer expected to be applicable to geometrical shrinkage. Vertical transistor stacking, e.g. in complementary FETs (CFET), 3D stack (3DS) FETs and vertical-channel transistors (VFET), for enhanced density and variable circuit or system design represents a revolutionary scaling approach for sustained IC development. Herein, innovative works on specific structures, key process breakthroughs, shrinking cell sizes and design methodologies for transistor structure research and development are reviewed. Perspectives on future innovations in advanced transistors with new channel materials and operating theories are also discussed.
Simulation of Lower Limb Muscle Moment and Total Muscle Fiber Force Using OpenSim for Knee Osteoarthritis

Computational modelling is a tool that provide accurate readings and simulation by using a combination of trusted and tested mathematical models of materials and system dynamics. Existing study in gait analysis mostly focus on extrinsic parameter such as kinetics and kinematics measures. The analysis of gait especially for disease such as knee osteoarthritis (OA) can provides insight into muscle properties, activation pattern and potential impact on the knee stability and function. This study aims to simulate and compare muscle activation properties in normal individual and individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA) during gait phases. This study used musculoskeletal modeling software, OpenSim, to analyze the total fiber force and moment of several key muscles (such as medial gastrocnemius, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris) relative to knee flexion moments. The motion analysis data of three subjects (one normal subject and two knee OA patients) were used in this study. The results shows that total muscle fiber force and muscle moment for medial gastrocnemius and vastus lateralis muscle were higher among individual with knee osteoarthritis. Meanwhile, rectus femoris muscle behaved differently where both parameters were smaller among knee OA patient. These simulated findings suggest that muscle mechanism changed due to knee osteoarthritis disease. The muscles force and moment were observed in this study gave some insight on the devastating effect of the disease on the lower limb joint muscle. Thus, further study is still warranted to investigate the risk of muscle injury and alteration of gait on individual with knee osteoarthritis. It is highly recommended to repeat this study with larger number of subjects for a better data interpretation.
Ethnobotany of Plants as Traditional Food Additives by the Community in Sitellu Tali Urang Jehe Sub-District Pakpak Bharat District

Ethnobotany is a science that studies the relationship between humans and plants. This study aims to find out what types of plants are found and used as food additives traditionally, to find out which plant organs will be used as food additives traditionally, and to determine the cultural significance index/Cultural Significance Index (ICS) plants used as traditional Food Additives (BTP) in Sitellu Tali Urang Jehe District. This research is qualitative research and quantitative research. Qualitative research was carried out by calculating the presentation of plant species, and plant organs and calculating cultural interest index values, while qualitative research was carried out by participatory observation, where the researcher was involved in the informants' daily activities. The results of the study obtained 7 typical traditional plants used as food additives namely Rhinacanthus sp, Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen, Curculigo sp, Zanthoxylum piperitum, Etlingera elatior J, Allium schoenoprasom and Solanum sp. Based on the research results, it can be concluded that there are 26 plant species belonging to 13 families. Plant organs used in food additives are: Leaves 27%, Rhizomes 23,1%, Fruits 34,6%, Stems 3,8% and Tubers 11,5%. The calculation of the ICS value of shallot plants has the highest preference or importance value among other plants, namely 50, while cassava leaves and lime recipes have the lowest importance value among other plants, namely 4.
New Generation Sustainable Technologies for Soilless Vegetable Production

This review article conducts an in-depth analysis of the role of next-generation technologies in soilless vegetable production, highlighting their groundbreaking potential to revolutionize yield, efficiency, and sustainability. These technologies, such as AI-driven monitoring systems and precision farming methods, offer unparalleled accuracy in monitoring critical variables such as nutrient concentrations and pH levels. However, the paper also addresses the multifaceted challenges that hinder the widespread adoption of these technologies. The high initial investment costs pose a significant barrier, particularly for small- and medium-scale farmers, thereby risking the creation of a technological divide in the industry. Additionally, the technical complexity of these systems demands specialized expertise, potentially exacerbating knowledge gaps among farmers. Other considerations are scrutinized, including data privacy concerns and potential job displacement due to automation. Regulatory challenges, such as international trade regulations and policy frameworks, are discussed, as they may need revision to accommodate these new technologies. The paper concludes by emphasizing that while these sustainable technologies offer transformative benefits, their potential for broad adoption is constrained by a complex interplay of financial, technical, regulatory, and social factors.
Effectiveness of the Teaching Strategies and Pronunciation in Improving Students’ Reading Comprehension Skills

In this study, the researcher used quantitative approach with quasi-experimental method using 2x3 factorial design. The population in this study was class XI of SMAN 4 Kota Serang which amounted to 565 students with samples selected by random sampling which amounted to 90 students, namely class XI MIA 1 and XI MIA 2. The instruments used were pre-test and post-test with the form of 20 multiple choice questions and 5 essays to assess students’ pronunciation as a comparison (B) in a 2x3 factorial design. For data collection techniques in this study using pre-test and post-test. Meanwhile, for the data analysis used in this research is the normality test, homogeneity test, descriptive statitistics, two-way ANOVA, and tukey test. The results showed a significant difference between the post-test of the experimental group and the control group. The F0 value is 3.397 and Sig. is 0.038 < 0.05. Thus, the null hypothesis (H0) is rejected and the alternative hypothesis (H1) is accepted. That is, there is an interaction between teaching strategies and pronunciation levels in the skill of improving students’ reading comprehension.
The corticofugal oscillatory modulation of the cochlear receptor during auditory and visual attention is preserved in tinnitus

Introduction The mechanisms underlying tinnitus perception are still under research. One of the proposed hypotheses involves an alteration in top-down processing of auditory activity. Low-frequency oscillations in the delta and theta bands have been recently described in brain and cochlear infrasonic signals during selective attention paradigms in normal hearing controls. Here, we propose that the top-down oscillatory activity observed in brain and cochlear signals during auditory and visual selective attention in normal subjects, is altered in tinnitus patients, reflecting an abnormal functioning of the corticofugal pathways that connect brain circuits with the cochlear receptor. Methods To test this hypothesis, we used a behavioral task that alternates between auditory and visual top-down attention while we simultaneously measured electroencephalogram (EEG) and distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) signals in 14 tinnitus and 14 control subjects. Results We found oscillatory activity in the delta and theta bands in cortical and cochlear channels in control and tinnitus patients. There were significant decreases in the DPOAE oscillatory amplitude during the visual attention period as compared to the auditory attention period in tinnitus and control groups. We did not find significant differences when using a between-subjects statistical approach comparing tinnitus and control groups. On the other hand, we found a significant cluster in the delta band in tinnitus when using within-group statistics to compare the difference between auditory and visual DPOAE oscillatory power. Conclusion These results confirm the presence of top-down infrasonic low-frequency cochlear oscillatory activity in the delta and theta bands in tinnitus patients, showing that the corticofugal suppression of cochlear oscillations during visual and auditory attention in tinnitus patients is preserved.
A Three-Way Clustering Mechanism to Handle Overlapping Regions

The conventional clustering methods assume a binary classification and establish a complete inclusive or exclusive type relation of an object with a cluster. In contrast, a three-way paradigm handles situations where an object may or may not belong to a cluster, i.e., uncertain. The objects belonging to the uncertainty region may lead to inclusion or exclusion after further processing and information. One of the use cases of the three-way paradigm is the overlapping region between different clusters. Effective computation of overlapping objects is crucial to the application’s overall success. In this paper, we employ a three-way clustering approach inspired by image blurring and sharpening operations that consider the objects in the inside or outside regions of a cluster to be non-overlapping. The objects belonging to the partial region of more than one cluster are considered overlapping. The experiment conducted on Birds, Scenes, and 20 newsgroups datasets indicates that the proposed approach improves the F1 measure and hamming loss up to 18.6% and 4.9%, respectively. Furthermore, the system’s robustness for overlapping regions is observed using typical clustering measures. The experimental results suggested that the proposed approach may improve the computation of overlapping regions effectively.
Brazilian perspectives in digital environments: communication policies, e-government and digital journalism

Brazilian perspectives in digital environments: communication policies, e-government and digital journalism is the most recent book organized by Professors Othon Jambeiro, from the Information Science Institute, and Marcos Palácios, from the Communication Faculty of the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA). Written in English, in the book ́s introduction the need is noted for improvement in the political processes which regulate the technological convergence in the production and distribution of information, culture and entertainment in their utilization by individuals or civic, academic and governmental entities. The technological universe requires planning and coordination of several sectors in order to be able to function in an efficient way. In the first chapter, Othon Jambeiro describes the way in which the dynamics of the Information Society have influenced the regulation of the communication industry. This orientation has been intensified to the extent that information, media and electronics begin to occupy an increasingly central role in the development and expansion of the communication companies throughout the world. In a historical analysis of the strategies of governments and the private sector in the regulation of economic activities since the XIX century until the current debates on the circulation of information on the Internet, Jambeiro notes that the emergence of supranational companies requires a more obvious governmental regulatory presence, protecting elements intrinsic to the Brazilian identity. These “affirmative policies” would potentially make Brazilian society more democratic and socially responsible. The second chapter, written by Jambeiro and Sônia Serra, focuses on the legislation and the political strategies of the city of Salvador for the development Brazilian perspectives in digital environments: communication policies, e-government and digital journalism
Interference and threshold level of Sida rhombifolia on Chenopodium quinoa Willd. crop

Studies on interference and economic threshold level (TL) of weeds on quinoa are scarce. Thus, the goal of this study is to determine the interference and the TL of Sida rhombifolia (arrowleaf sida) on quinoa varieties. The experiment was organized using a completely randomized design, with four replicates. The treatments were composed of quinoa varieties (Q 1303, Q 1331 and Q 1324) in competition, respectively, with ten densities of arrowleaf sida (0, 12, 16, 18, 128, 252, 432, 524, 584, and 756; 0, 24, 88, 104, 112, 124, 160, 164, 260 and 320; 0, 16, 72, 104, 116, 144, 156, 160, 228 and 304 plants m-2). The variables evaluated were: plant density, soil coverage, leaf area, dry mass of weed shoots; and the variables related to quinoa were: grain yield, control cost, price per bag and control efficiency. Quinoa variety Q 1303 showed greater competitive ability with arrowleaf sida than Q 1331 and Q 1324. The values of TL varied from 1.79 to 11.60 plants m-2 for the Q 1303 variety, which demonstrated higher competitiveness with arrowleaf sida, while the lowest TL values varied from 0.80 to 6.91 plants m-2 for Q 1234 and Q 1331 varieties, showing less competitiveness in presence of the competitor. The TL values decreased with the increases in grain yield, in the price of the quinoa bag, in the efficiency of weeding and in the reduction of the control cost of arrowleaf sida, justifying the adoption of weed control measures.
Impact of propagation losses on photon-pair generation in silicon

We present a semi-classical numerical model to estimate the impact of linear scattering loss and nonlinear absorption losses on the biphoton flux and their quantum correlations generated via spontaneous four-wave mixing in silicon nanowaveguides. The counter-intuitive observed enhancement of pair correlations with increasing loss is attributed to the dominant effect of reduced accidental counts from multiphoton generation, with a corresponding trade-off for the source brightness. Silicon nanowaveguides are shown to be capable of generating highly correlated paired photons with coincidental-to-accidental ratio as high as ∼3400 and spectral brightness 2.8×104 pairs s−1 GHz−1 mW−1, even in the presence of linear propagation loss of 1 dB cm−1 and nonlinear losses (two-photon absorption and free-carrier absorption), over a length of 1 cm with an input pump power of 10 mW. Loss and the corresponding Langevin noise are modeled using distributed beam splitters along the waveguide length to encapsulate the phenomenological coupling to the background reservoir (vacuum fluctuations). The proposed numerical model is more general compared to previous analytical models, particularly for including dispersion and wavelength-dependent losses, and more accurate for noise estimation in the high-photon-flux regime such as optical parametric amplifiers and squeezed state generation.
The effect of stress on the balance between goal-directed and habit networks in obsessive-compulsive disorder

The classical cognitive-behavioral theory of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) holds that compulsions are performed to reduce distress that is evoked by obsessions, whereas a recent neuroscience-inspired theory suggests that compulsivity results from a disbalance between goal-directed and habit-related neural networks. To bridge these theories, we investigated whether the balance between goal-directed and habit networks in patients with OCD was affected in the late aftermath of stress. Twenty-three OCD patients and twenty-three healthy controls participated in a controlled stress induction paradigm using the socially evaluated cold-pressor test in a crossover design. Stress responses were evaluated through cortisol levels, blood pressure, and anxiety ratings. Functional connectivity of the caudate nucleus and posterior putamen was assessed using seed region analysis of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data, which are hubs of the goal-directed and habit network, respectively. Stress induction increased blood pressure and psychological stress measures across groups and resulted in blunted cortisol responses in patients. Furthermore, patients showed a blunted reduction in connectivity between the caudate nucleus and precuneus in the aftermath of stress, which was positively correlated with compulsivity but not obsession severity. The posterior putamen showed no significant group differences in stress-induced connectivity. These results suggest that compulsivity in OCD in the aftermath of stress is associated with altered connectivity between the goal-directed and default mode networks.