Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Information theory–based measures of similarity for imaging shallow-mantle discontinuities

Mode conversions, such as the P-to-s (Ps) converted waves, are now employed in a routine manner to image the velocity boundaries in Earth9s interior. However, there exists an ambiguity in establishing shallow-mantle velocity discontinuities in the depth range 100–300 km through the Ps receiver function approach. This primarily stems from overlap in the time windows of arrivals of direct converted phases from the target depth boundaries (∼100–300 km depth) and reverberations originating from shallow structures (e.g., from crust and/or shallow lithosphere layers). Attempts have been made to address this problem. Classically, limited success has been achieved through methods such as the move-out, which are essentially performed in the measurement space. Recognizing this, we explore generic space-related information theory measures of similarity to extract diagnostics of discrimination between the primary converted waves and the multiply reflected arrivals in Ps receiver functions. Various measures of similarity, such as the mutual information (MI), and associated normalized distance measures, like the normalized variation of information (NVI) and normalized information distance (NID), are successfully applied to receiver function data sampling regions of different tectonic regimes of wide antiquity. Our seismological stations are located in the Archean-Proterozoic craton–mobile belt regions of SE India, Canada, and Phanerozoic United States. Significantly, at several locations in SE India, we interpret the unambiguous presence of midlithospheric discontinuities for the first time. We also either reconfirm or negate the presence of midlithospheric discontinuities beneath stations FFC (Flin Flon) and HRV (Harvard) located in North America. This study reinforces the presence of significant velocity contrast features related to the Lehmann discontinuity depth beneath the Precambrian cratonic stations of India (Hyderabad and Cuddapah) and the Phanerozoic Pasadena station in the United States. Further, multiple deep discontinuities of opposing velocity contrasts are delineated at depths of ∼275 km and ∼320 km beneath station PAS (Pasadena). Our results therefore show tremendous potential to unambiguously detect and distinguish between direct converted seismological phases and multiple reverberations. These information theory approaches discriminate the seismic phases unequivocally. This new approach thus complements the S-to-p (Sp) receiver function technique, which is suitable for detection of shallow-mantle discontinuities (midlithospheric discontinuities, lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary, Lehmann, etc.).
Participation of Single-Nucleotide Variants in IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 in the Immune Response against SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Systematic Review

Host genetic factors significantly influence susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity. Among these genetic factors are single-nucleotide variants (SNVs). IFNAR2 and IFNAR1 genes have been associated with severe COVID-19 in populations from the United Kingdom, Africa, and Latin America. IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 are subunits forming the type I interferon receptor (IFNAR). SNVs in the IFNAR genes impact protein function, affecting antiviral response and disease phenotypes. This systematic review aimed to describe IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 variants associated with COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. Accordingly, the current review focused on IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 studies published between January 2021 and February 2023, utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol. The electronic search was conducted in PubMed databases using Boolean operators and inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the 170 literature pieces, 11 studies were included. We include case reports of rare SNVs, defined by minor allele frequency (MAF) < 1%, and genome-wide associated studies (GWAS). Variants in IFNAR1 and IFNAR2 could potentially be new targets for therapies that limit the infection and the resulting inflammation by SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Pillar Growth by Focused Electron Beam-Induced Deposition Using a Bimetallic Precursor as Model System: High-Energy Fragmentation vs. Low-Energy Decomposition

Electron-induced fragmentation of the HFeCo3(CO)12 precursor allows direct-write fabrication of 3D nanostructures with metallic contents of up to >95 at %. While microstructure and composition determine the physical and functional properties of focused electron beam-induced deposits, they also provide fundamental insights into the decomposition process of precursors, as elaborated in this study based on EDX and TEM. The results provide solid information suggesting that different dominant fragmentation channels are active in single-spot growth processes for pillar formation. The use of the single source precursor provides a unique insight into high- and low-energy fragmentation channels being active in the same deposit formation process.
Superplumes, plates, and mantle magmatism in two‐dimensional numerical models

[1] Two-dimensional numerical models are systematically presented for magmatism in a convecting mantle internally heated by incompatible radioactive elements. Plate tectonics is self-consistently modeled as a part of convection of Newtonian fluid with temperature- and stress-history-dependent viscosity driven by thermal and compositional buoyancy, while magmatism is modeled as an upward migration of basaltic magma generated by decompression melting. Ridge magmatism actively takes place to chemically differentiate the mantle, and a superplume is well developed in the lowermost mantle as a broad hot region enriched in basaltic component, provided that the lithosphere is mechanically strong enough to inhibit spontaneous initiation of subduction by its own weight and that the internal heating rate is sufficiently high. Hot narrow plumes frequently rise up from the superplume to induce deep magma generation and hot spot magmatism, which in turn frequently induces new plate margins. The frequent plate margin formation keeps the activity of plate tectonics rather steady. The thermal and chemical state of the mantle remains rather steady, too. As the internal heating rate becomes lower, however, the narrow plumes from superplume become sporadic and significantly colder, deep magma generation becomes rare; and new plate margin formation becomes less frequent. As a consequence, the activity of plate tectonics and the thermal and chemical state of the mantle become fluctuating much with time. The mantle structure and plume behavior modeled here match with many observations for those of the Earth from the Archean to the present.
BLACK CARBON CONCENTRATIONS, SOURCES, AND FLUXES IN THE TROPICAL ATLANTIC OCEAN

Black carbon (BC) is the highly graphitized byproduct of incomplete combustion that could be a sink for fixed carbon. Little data is currently available for BC concentrations and fluxes to remote marine environments and there are often great discrepancies between model simulations and actual field measurements. This research analyzed BC concentrations in the mixed boundary layer, surface water, and deep pelagic sediments of the Tropical Atlantic Ocean in order to understand the fate and transport of BC to the marine environment. It also aimed to assess the importance of aeolian versus fluvial BC deposition. Black carbon concentrations were elevated in regions directly influenced by fluvial and atmospheric deposition in all environmental matrices compared to regions with minimal terrestrial inputs (such as the Sargasso Sea). Black carbon concentrations and fluxes to deep pelagic sediments were approximately 5 times greater in the Sierra Leone Rise (within an atmospheric emission plume) than the remote South Atlantic (minimal terrestrial inputs). Elevated BC fluxes at the Sierra Leone Rise were most likely due to biomass burning from the African continent, as evidence by biomarkers, enriched stable carbon isotopes, and a modern radiocarbon age. Atmospheric deposition composed 4-28% of the soot-like BC and at least 43% of the total BC in the fluvial region of the Niger Delta, suggesting that atmospheric BC deposition to remote sediments can be significant in areas with elevated biomass burning. Atmospheric BC concentrations were also enhanced within the African biomass burning emission plume. Charcoal composed up to 66% of the BC, suggesting that measurements which only quantify soot-like BC forms may be underestimating this carbonaceous fraction. Additionally, surface mixed layer BC was found to compose an average of 17% of bulk total organic carbon. This implies that terrigenous organic carbon composes a larger fraction of the pelagic organic pool than previously estimated. Overall, BC was detected in all samples regardless of environmental matrix, demonstrating its stability and persistence in the marine environment. Fluvial deposition appeared to be the greatest transport mechanism of BC to the marine environment; however atmospheric transport is quantitatively important and should be included in mass balance estimates of both black carbon and terrigenous organic carbon, especially in areas with significant inputs of biomass burning.
Piezometric response in shallow bedrock at CB1: Implications for runoff generation and landsliding

Experimental observations comparing two steep unchanneled valleys in the Oregon Coast Range, one intensively instrumented (CB1) and the other monitored for runoff but which produced a debris flow (CB2), shed light on the mechanisms of shallow flow in bedrock, its interaction with the vadose zone, and its role in generating landslides. Previous work at CB1 led to the proposal that during storms pulses of rainfall transmit pressure waves through the vadose zone and down to the saturated zone to create rapid pore pressure response and runoff [ Torres et al., 1998 ]. Here, we document the associated rapid pore pressure response in the shallow fractured bedrock that underlies these colluvium‐mantled sites and examine its influence on the generation of storm flow, seasonal variations in base flow, and slope stability in the overlying colluvial soil. Our observations document rapid piezometric response in the shallow bedrock and a substantial contribution of shallow fracture flow to both storm flow and seasonal variations in base flow. Saturated hydraulic conductivity in the colluvial soil decreases with depth below the ground surface, but the conductivity of the near‐surface bedrock displays no depth dependence and varies over five orders of magnitude. Analysis of runoff intensity and duration in a series of storms that did and did not trigger debris flows in the surrounding area shows that the landslide inducing storms had the greatest intensity over durations similar to those predicted by a simple model of piezometric response. During a monitored storm in February 1992, the channel head at the base of the neighboring CB2 site failed as a debris flow. Automated piezometric measurements document that the CB2 debris flow initiated several hours after peak discharge, coincident with localized development of upward spikes of pressure head from near‐surface bedrock into the overlying colluvial soil in CB1. Artesian flow observed exfiltrating from bedrock fractures on the failure surfaces at CB2 further implicates bedrock fracture flow in both runoff generation by subsurface storm flow and suggests a connection to landslide initiation. Our observations show that the timing of shallow landslide initiation can be delayed relative to both peak rainfall and peak runoff and support the argument that the influence of fracture flow on shallow landsliding helps explain the wide variability in the occurrence of slope instability in topographically analogous locations.
Cyber-security research by ISPs A NetFlow and DNS Anonymization Policy

—Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have an economic and operational interest in detecting malicious network activity relating to their subscribers. However, it is unclear what kind of trafﬁc data an ISP has available for cyber-security research, and under which legal conditions it can be used. This paper gives an overview of the challenges posed by legislation and of the data sources available to a European ISP. DNS and NetFlow logs are identiﬁed as relevant data sources and the state of the art in anonymization and ﬁngerprinting techniques is discussed. Based on legislation, data availability and privacy considerations, a practically applicable anonymization policy is presented.
To Go Electric or to Burn Coal? A Randomized Field Experiment of Informational Nudges

Coal heating in residential homes is an important source of indoor air pollution, leading to detrimental health effects. We conduct a randomized field experiment in northern China using three types of SMS campaigns targeting three potential biases that may hinder the adoption of electric heating: a Cost SMS campaign, designed to address the overestimation of electricity expenses; a Health SMS campaign, aimed at addressing the underestimation of health damage associated with coal heating; and a Social Comparison SMS campaign, intended to inform households about the popularity of electric heating. We find that the Cost SMS backfires: it instead leads to a substantial reduction in electric heating, which can be attributed to salience bias induced by the Cost SMS, which drew heightened attention to the cost of electricity. The Health SMS is ineffective for households that underestimate the health damage of coal heating and even backfires for those who expressed little concern about the health consequences. Social Comparison SMS is only effective for a small proportion of households who were concerned about their neighbours’ heating choices. Overall, our findings suggest that SMS campaigns targeting these biases are largely ineffective, and caution should be exercised when applying plausible nudge interventions. The findings also suggest that households may be motivated to maintain their beliefs and resist paternalistic interventions.
An Enhanced Approach for Image Edge Detection Using Histogram Equalization (BBHE) and Bacterial Foraging Optimization (BFO)

— The Edge detection is a customarily task. Edge detection is the main task to perform as it gives clear information about the images. It is a tremendous device in photograph processing gadgets and computer imaginative and prescient. Previous research has been done on moving window approach and genetic algorithms. In this research paper new technique, Bacterial Foraging Optimization (BFO) is applied which is galvanized through the social foraging conduct of Escherichia coli (E.coli). The Bacterial Foraging Optimization (BFO) has been practice by analysts for clarifying real world optimization problems arising in different areas of engineering and application domains, due to its efficiency. The Brightness preserving bi-histogram equalization (BHEE) is another technique that is used for edge enhancement. The BFO is applied on the low level characteristics on the images to find the pixels of natural images and the values of F-measures, recall(r) and precision (p) are calculated and compared with the previous technique. The enhancement technique i.e. BBHE is carried out to improve the information about the pictures.
Mechanical characterisation and crashworthiness performance of additively manufactured polymer-based honeycomb structures under in-plane quasi-static loading

ABSTRACT Additive manufacturing technology is suitable for producing energy-absorbing devices with tunable mechanical properties and improved crashworthiness performance. In this study, the mechanical properties and macrostructural crushing behaviour of five additively manufactured polymer-based honeycomb structures (HS) are investigated. Subjected to in-plane loading, the experimental results of the HS are compared with numerical findings and theoretical predictions. Results indicate that deformation modes and overall crushing performance are influenced by utilising different parent materials. The polymer HS made from polyethylene terephthalate glycol gives the best overall crushing performance over the other polymers and polymer-fibre reinforcement HS. However, the crush force efficiency of HS made from polylactic acid is the least promising. The polymer-fibre reinforced HS outperforms some of the pure polymer-based ones in terms of specific energy absorption and shows a characteristic lightweight advantage. Hence, spotting it as a promising energy absorber utilised for crashworthiness application especially where ultra-lightweight property is highly desired.
Fluxes, diagenesis and preservation of recent and Holocene sediments in the eastern Mediterranean

A sediment trap mooring has been deployed in the central eastern Mediterranean from November 1991 to August 1994. At 3000 m water depth, total mass, Al, Ca, Mg, Sr and Th fluxes recovered by the sediment trap are highly seasonal, with highest fluxes during early spring in 1992 and 1993, and during late-spring/early-summer in 1994. Comparison of historic annual satellite-derived chlorophyll records with the trap flux time series indicates a lag of 4 to 6 months between maximum primary production in the surface ocean and maximum flux recorded by the trap. Only the flux of coccospheres to the trap is at a maximum ~ 1 month after maximum pigment concentrations in surface waters, a value commonly found in other areas. Quantification of the inorganic (lithogenic) flux to the trap indicates that Saharan dust is likely to be the major contributor to the trap mass flux. The trapping efficiency of the sediment trap, as calculated from the intercepted Th flux, is only 23 %, and the trap Al-flux is similarly four times lower than Al fluxes measured in nearby uppermost sediments. Compared with surface sediments, the trap-intercepted carbonate fluxes are even nine times lower than the corresponding lithogenic fluxes. This is partly due to the very low abundance of large (>32 :m) foraminifera and pteropods found in the trap material compared to the surface sediment. We speculate that the period of our sediment trap deployment has been insufficiently long to recover episodical large fluxes, such as may be triggered by variations in the North Atlantic Oscillation.
Effect of spacing and cutting management on survival, growth and biomass production of Moringa oleifera intercropped with maize on-station at Gairo inland plateau and Ruvu, Coast region - Tanzania

Evaluation of the effect of spacing and pollarding height of Moringa oleifera intercropped with maize on growth, foliar and stems biomass production, maize yields and soil fertility improvement was conducted at Gairo (semi arid inland plateau) and Ruvu (sub-humid coastal area). Replicate trials were planted in a split-split plot design arranged in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Results showed that maize grain weights as affected by different spacing and pollarding treatments differed significantly (P<0.05) in third season at Gairo site while at Ruvu site nothing was harvested in second and third seasons other than stover. During first season at Gairo site, grain weight ranged from 818.90 kg/ha to 1343.19 kg/ha, while for Ruvu site grain weight ranged from 1702.13 kg/ha to 2451.69 kg/ha. Biomass decreased with increasing spacing in both sites. Increase in soil pH, available Nitrogen, available P and Electrical conductivity in two years were observed at Gairo. Moringa showed varied but good performance in the two sites and pollarding height (50 cm) and a spacing of 2.5x2. 5 m led to more maize production. Pollarded foliar biomass was inadequate to improve soil fertility. Intercropping with maize was not detrimental to Moringa biomass production.
Spatial and temporal distribution of forest fire PM10 emission estimation by using remote sensing information.

Abstract— This study aims to assess the PM10 emission emitted and the spatial and temporal distribution of PM10 emissions from forest fire during the 2005-2009 periods. The active fire product is known as fire hot spots (FHS) from MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) sensor were used to assess the forest fire areas in Thailand. During this period, Active fires was detected nearly 87,000 FHS with a highest significant in the deciduous forest, corresponding with a damaged forest area of about 78,200 km and about 92% of it was burned habitually. The effecting of forest fire had resulted in a combusted surface fuel of approximately 22,388,000 tonns dry matter and PM10 emission was emitted at 187,331 tonns. The obtained results have been used occasionally as reference to develop risk area map of PM10. Risk area map is often use as a reference for many decision-making policies.
Research on Users’ Privacy-Sharing Intentions in the Health Data Tracking System Providing Personalized Services and Public Services

The utilization of user privacy data in the health data tracking system (HDTS) offers numerous benefits for businesses and public services, contingent upon users’ privacy sharing intentions. However, previous research neglected users’ preferences for public services and focused mainly on personalized services. Additionally, traditional privacy calculus theory has a limited focus on data security, leaving gaps in understanding individual and societal aspects. This study aims to fill these gaps by examining the influence of risk perception and factors like potential loss expectations, perceived personalized service benefits, group value identification, perceived public service utility, and perceived privacy on privacy sharing intentions in the context of personalized and public services. The results indicate a positive relationship between individual privacy protection perception and data sharing intention, as well as a positive relationship between group value identification and perceived public service utility with individuals’ privacy sharing intentions. Moreover, this research uncovers the moderating effect of information type sensitivity on the impact of perceived privacy and perceived public service utility on privacy sharing intentions, while there is no moderating effect of information type sensitivity on the relationship between group value identification and privacy sharing intentions. We recommend improving individual privacy education, ensuring data use transparency, and fostering identification with common group values to increase users’ privacy sharing intentions.
Interspinous and Interlaminar Stabilization and Distraction Devices (Spacers)

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