Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A georeferencing method for an open-pit mine surveying radar

A georeferencing method for an open-pit mine surveying radar E.F. Rossouw Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering University of Stellenbosch Private Bag X1, 7602 Matieland, South Africa Thesis: M.ScEng April 2011 Ground-based mobile mine survey radars are much more common now than they were a few years ago. Their ever growing popularity instigated the need for streamlining their operating procedures. One such a procedure is that of georeferencing the radar within the mine coordinate frame. Mine surveying radars have traditionally been georeferenced using a triangulation technique called survey resectioning, a time consuming process where both models are placed within the common coordinate frame by tying the models together with known targets or beacons. Survey resectioning requires surveying knowledge as well as access to a theodolite, an expensive high precision optical instrument used for measuring horizontal and vertical angles to the known targets. It is also sometimes necessary for this procedure to be performed in extreme weather conditions. Due to the limitations mentioned, this alignment method is not always practical or accurate if not performed correctly by the operator. In this thesis we investigate a new georeferencing scheme for ground-based mobile mine surveying radar, using a software-implementable three-dimensional model alignment. The scheme considers alignment complexity of four degrees of freedom and requires only an estimated radar position for complete convergence. The new scheme is tested on data previously georeferenced using the existing method.
Site Amplification, Scattering and Intrinsic Attenuation in the Mississippi Embayment

We estimate site amplification, intrinsic Q ( Q I ) and scattering Q ( Q S ) values from three-component coda of broadband data recorded by Cooperative New Madrid Sesimic Network stations for center frequencies 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 Hz. Near 0.5 and 1.0 Hz, site amplification factors for the transverse component recorded by stations in the Mississippi embayment are between 1.7 and 18, compared with stations outside the embayment. The amplification factor becomes smaller at frequencies lower than 0.5 Hz and higher at those greater than 1.0 Hz. The radial component shows a similar amplification; however, the vertical component shows relatively less amplification. Q I and Q S are estimated from coda using an energy flux model for two time windows after the direct S wave and at 0.5 and 1.0 Hz center frequencies. The two time windows include coda up to and after twice the S -wave travel time at each station. Coda parameters change with the time window and are attributed to a mixture of incoherent coda with coherent S-wave reverberations directly after the S wave. Q I and Q S inferred from stations outside of the embayment have higher values than those from stations within the embayment. A plane wave model qualitatively explains the lack of coda amplification at high frequencies compared with a low frequency without recourse to anelastic attenuation arguments. However, the plane wave model cannot explain the very large observed coda amplifications at 1 and 0.5 Hz seen in the data, suggesting that other wave-scattering effects must be occurring in the embayment velocity structure. This is consistent with the relatively low Q S values inferred from the energy flux model for stations within the embayment. In addition to coda amplification, we performed a synoptic noise study that revealed that pre-event ambient background noise behaves in a similar manner to the coda for stations within and outside of the embayment. The presence of large lateral velocity heterogeneities in the embayment may cause Q S values to be low there.
Dynamic Interface Shear Strength Properties of Geomembranes and Geotextiles

Shaking-table tests to measure the dynamic interface shear strength properties between geotextiles and geomembranes were performed and the results are reported. It was observed that there is a limited shear stress, hence a limited acceleration, that can be transmitted from one geosynthetic to another. Beyond this acceleration, relative displacement along the geosynthetic interface is initiated. Hence, the primary concern about the dynamic response of a geotechnical facility that incorporates geosynthetics should be the permanent relative displacement that may accumulate along the geosynthetics interfaces. The dynamic interface friction angles measured at the onset of relative displacement between the geosynthetics are not appreciably different from those obtained from static tests. It was also observed that the dynamic interface friction angle increased slightly as the table acceleration increased beyond the level causing initial sliding. This increase could not be attributed to the potential effect of the frequency of motion of the shaking table and normal stress. Finally, an innovative use of geosynthetics as base isolation for earthquake hazard mitigation is proposed and its applicability is demonstrated. Further exploration of this application of geosynthetics may lead to products that can provide varying degrees of base isolation, especially in geotechnical earthquake engineering.
Efficacy of biological agents administered as monotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis: a Bayesian mixed-treatment comparison analysis

Background: Biological agents provide an important therapeutic alternative for rheumatoid arthritis patients refractory to conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Few head-to-head comparative trials are available. Purpose: The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the relative efficacy of different biologic agents indicated for use as monotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: A systemic literature search was performed on electronic databases to identify articles reporting double-blind randomized controlled trials investigating the efficacy of biologic agents indicated for monotherapy. Efficacy was assessed using American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20, 50, and 70 criteria at 16–24 weeks. Relative efficacy was estimated using Bayesian mixed-treatment comparison models. Outcome measures were expressed as odds ratio and 95% credible intervals. Results: Ten randomized controlled trials were selected for data extraction and analysis. Mixed-treatment comparison analysis revealed that tocilizumab offered 100% probability of being the best treatment for inducing an ACR20 response versus placebo, methotrexate, adalimumab, or etanercept. Likewise, for ACR50 and ACR70 outcome responses, tocilizumab had a 99.8% or 98.7% probability of being the best treatment, respectively, compared to other treatments or placebo. Tocilizumab increased the relative probability of being the best treatment (vs methotrexate) by 3.2-fold (odds ratio: 2.1–3.89) for all ACR outcomes. Conclusion: Tocilizumab offered the greatest possibility of obtaining an ACR20, ACR50, and ACR70 outcome vs other monotherapies or placebo.
Development of Subdermal Implants Using Direct Powder Extrusion 3D Printing and Hot-Melt Extrusion Technologies

Implants are drug delivery platforms that consist of a drug-polymer matrix with the ability of providing a localized and efficient controlled release of the drug with minimal side effects and achievement of the desired therapeutic outcomes with low drug loadings. Direct powder extrusion (DPE) 3D printing technology involves the extrusion of material through a nozzle of the printer in the form of pellets or powder. The present study aimed at investigating the use of the CELLINK BIO X™ bioprinter using DPE 3D printing technique to fabricate and evaluate the impact of different shapes (cuboid, cylinder, and tube) of raloxifene hydrochloride (RFH)-loaded subdermal implants on the release of RFH from the implants. This study further evaluated the impact of different processing techniques, viz., hot-melt extrusion (HME) technology vs. DPE 3D printing technique, on the release of RFH from the implants fabricated by each processing technique. All the fabricated implants were characterized by XRD, DSC, SEM, and FTIR, and evaluated for their water uptake, mass loss, and in vitro RFH release. The current study successfully demonstrated a great opportunity of controlling and/or tuning the release of RFH from the subdermal implants by altering the implant shape, and hence surface area, and could be a great contribution and/or addition to the personalization of medicines and improvement of patient compliance.
Volcanotectonic setting of world-class alkalic porphyry and epithermal Au ± Cu deposits of the southwest Pacific

Some of the world's largest and highest grade alkalic porphyry Au-Cu-(Mo) deposits and related epithermal Au deposits occur in the southwest Pacific. Alkalic deposits of this region share many geologic similarities in their environments of formation. Source magmas are highly oxidized and alkali rich, being derived from enriched mantle sources that were previously modified by subduction processes. The more Cu rich systems formed by high K calc-alkalic and alkalic magmatism are typically located along the main magmatic arc. These subduction-related fluids and mantle-sourced mafic magmas evolve in an environment associated with a thickened crust. In contrast, more Au rich systems appear to be associated with lifting of oceanic crust in back-arc settings. Here, primitive mantle-derived magmas evolve in upper crustal magma bodies to form Au- and PGE-rich alkalic porphyry and epithermal deposits. The gold-rich alkalic porphyry and epithermal deposits formed in and along the margin of sedimentary basins that were intruded by alkalic dikes and stocks. In the largest example (Cadia East), deep mineralization is hosted by sheeted quartz-sulfide veins associated with potassic alteration, while near-surface mineralization is disseminated in both permeable clastic units and quartz-sulfide veins. Potassic alteration grades laterally into proximal, hematite-bearing propylitic alteration, and transitions upward from deep K-feldspar to shallow biotite-tourmaline. The shallow biotite alteration domain is overprinted by a complex, late-stage assemblage of pervasive K-feldspar-albite-sericite-pyrite, and structurally focused sericite-pyrite. In the alkalic epithermal environment, near-surface K-feldspar-quartz-carbonate-anhydrite (± sericite) alteration associated with epithermal Au-Ag mineralization occurs in and around dikes, fault intersections, and along extensive low-angle faults. Catrastrophic failure of the overlying volcanic edifice has the potential to cause superposition of alkalic epithermal mineralization onto porphyry deposits. Given their potential to form in a back-arc setting, alkalic porphyry deposits are considered more likely to be preserved in the ancient rock record than their calc-alkalic counterparts, due to burial in the sedimentary basins in which they form. Thus, areas of fragmented intraoceanic arc terranes within orogenic belts should be considered prospective for Au-rich alkalic porphyry deposits like those found in the southwest Pacific, particularly when they occur in regions overlain by postmineralization sedimentary and/or volcanic cover. Alkalic epithermal deposits offer more challenging exploration targets, as they are likely to be exhumed and eroded soon after their formation, unless a tectonic switch causes burial before any significant erosion occurs.
Dynamics of Millenary Organic Deposits Resulting from the Growth of the Mediterranean Seagrass Posidonia oceanica

Abstract The Mediterranean seagrassPosidonia oceanicaaccumulates large quantities of organic debris as roots, rhizomes and leaf sheaths are progressively buried forming a bioconstruction called ‘ matte ’. The organic material remains with little morphological alteration for millennia. Several strata from these accumulations in variousP. oceanicameadows were sampled. Radiocarbon dating of samples yielded a range of 0–3370 years before present. From these data, accretion rates averaging 0·175 cm year−1(range: 0·061–0·414) were inferred. Significant differences between sites were found. Accretion rates showed significant differences between matte strata (i.e. with time), but no defined patterns were appreciated. Such differences were not coherent across sites. It is concluded that accretion rates are mainly controlled by local factors. Analysis of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous in the organic debris showed that there was not a net release during the process of matte construction; in some sites, nitrogen and phosphorus concentration remained constant throughout the matte profile, while in the other sites, their concentration increased significantly with age. This confirms the role ofP. oceanicameadows as sinks for biogenic elements.
Microrganismos endofíticos de mandioca de áreas comerciais e etnovariedades em três estados brasileiros

The aim of this work was to perform a survey of the diversity of endophytic microorganisms in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) collected from commercial plantings, in the State of Sao Paulo, and in ethnovarieties collected in the States of Amazonas and Bahia, and also, to evaluate its potential of biological nitrogen fixation, and to produce indolacetic acid. In those States, 47 species of 27 genera were identified. Bacillus spp. was the most frequently found in all sampled regions. In Amazonas State, it was found the higher diversity of endophytic microorganisms. PCR amplifications of the nifH gene were evaluated in species of γ-Proteobacteria subgroup. IAA production was found in microorganism s isolated in cassava grown in all sampled States and belonged to the following subgroups: γ-Proteobacteria, β-Proteobacteria, Bacilli and Actinobacteria. In cassava, the occurrence of endophytic bacteria, with N-fixing and in vitro IAA-producing abilities, indicates potential for plant growth promotion.
A new model for soil hydraulic properties based on a stochastic conceptualization of porous media

The nature and distribution of soil particles and pores plays a strong role in determining the soil hydraulic properties (specifically the soil water retention curve and the relative hydraulic conductivity curve) that govern water movement. A new mathematical model for these hydraulic properties was developed by conceptualizing the soil as a random assemblage of soil particles represented by randomly sized overlapping spheres (fully penetrable spheres). The spatial arrangement of the spheres was assumed to follow a homogeneous Poisson process. A stochastic analysis was utilized to obtain analytical expressions for soil water retention curves and relative conductivity at varying water contents. Unlike the existing models of soil hydraulic properties, this new model incorporates soil porosity in estimating model parameters. Furthermore, because of this conceptualization, we are able to determine the types of soils for which the model is appropriate. A quantitative evaluation of the new model was performed by examining data on hydraulic properties for several soils. In addition, quantitative and qualitative comparisons were made with currently used expressions (such as the van Genuchten model, Brooks‐Corey relationship, and Kosugi model) for the same data sets. Results show that the new model provides reasonable fits with the observed water retention curve and good predictions of the hydraulic conductivity, particularly for soils exhibiting a distinct air entry pressure.
Cloud liquid water retrieval using AMSR-E on land

This paper mainly discussed how to retrieve cloud liquid water over land using sensitivity of ΔTb18. 7 / ΔTb36. 5 (ratio of polarization differences of AMSR-E brightness temperature at frequency 18.7GHz and 36.5GHz) to cloud liquid water. The surface emissivity parameter Δε18. 7/Δε36. 5 is first estimated using AMSR-E brightness temperature, MODIS water vapor product, and 1-Dimension Microwave Radiative Transfer Model (1DMWRTM). And then, cloud liquid water over land is retrieved using AMSR-E brightness temperature, surface temperature, surface emissivity parameter Δε18. 7/Δε36. 5 and cloud top height with the help of a look up table built by 1DMWRTM. The retrieved cloud liquid water of this algorithm is validated by observation data from ground based ARM site. According to the validation, the correlation of the two is about 0.65, and the RMSE is about 0.14mm.
Overtopping of solitary waves and solitary bores on a plane beach

The overtopping of solitary waves and bores present major hazards during the initial phase of tsunami inundation and storm surges. This paper presents new laboratory data on overtopping events by both solitary waves and solitary bores. Existing empirical overtopping scaling laws are found to be deficient for these wave forms. Two distinct scaling regimes are instead identified. For solitary waves, the overtopping rates scale linearly with the deficit in run-up freeboard. The volume flux in the incident solitary wave is also an important parameter, and a weak dependence on the nonlinearity of the waves (H/d) is observed. For solitary bores, the overtopping cannot be scaled uniquely, because the fluid momentum behind the incident bore front is independent of the bore height, but it is in close agreement with recent solutions of the nonlinear shallow water equations. The maximum overtopping rate for the solitary waves is shown to be the lower bound of the overtopping rate for the solitary bores with the same deficit in freeboard. Thus, for a given run-up, the solitary bores induce greater overtopping rates than the solitary waves when the relative freeboard is small.
14C dates and stratigraphy: reconsidering the sequences at Moverna vas (Bela Krajina, southeastern Slovenia)

Recently obtained AMS 14 C dates and the stratigraphic matrix from the Moverna vas site show inconsistencies in the upper part of the stratigraphic sequence. The Bayesian approach to chronological modeling in the OxCal program is used in the paper to present the calendar chronology of Neolithic and Eneolithic settlement phases at the site and to propose a revision of the upper part of the stratigraphic sequence, also partly supported by a typological comparison of a pottery vessel from one of the 14 C dated contexts.
Coseismic slip distribution of the February 27, 2010 Mw 8.8 Maule, Chile earthquake

Static offsets produced by the February 27, 2010 Mw = 8.8 Maule, Chile earthquake as measured by GPS and InSAR constrain coseismic slip along a section of the Andean megathrust of dimensions 650 km (in length) × 180 km (in width). GPS data have been collected from both campaign and continuous sites sampling both the near‐field and far field. ALOS/PALSAR data from several ascending and descending tracks constrain the near‐field crustal deformation. Inversions of the geodetic data for distributed slip on the megathrust reveal a pronounced slip maximum of order 15 m at ∼15–25 km depth on the megathrust offshore Lloca, indicating that seismic slip was greatest north of the epicenter of the bilaterally propagating rupture. A secondary slip maximum appears at depth ∼25 km on the megathrust just west of Concepción. Coseismic slip is negligible below 35 km depth. Estimates of the seismic moment based on different datasets and modeling approaches vary from 1.8 to 2.6 × 1022 N m. Our study is the first to model the static displacement field using a layered spherical Earth model, allowing us to incorporate both near‐field and far‐field static displacements in a consistent manner. The obtained seismic moment of 1.97 × 1022 N m, corresponding to a moment magnitude of 8.8, is similar to that obtained by previous seismic and geodetic inversions.
A Bayesian approach to inverse modelling of stratigraphy, part 1: method

The inference of ancient environmental conditions from their preserved response in the sedimentary record still remains an outstanding issue in stratigraphy. Since the 1970s, conceptual stratigraphic models (e.g. sequence stratigraphy) based on the underlying assumption that accommodation space is the critical control on stratigraphic architecture have been widely used. Although these methods considered more recently other possible parameters such as sediment supply and transport efficiency, they still lack in taking into account the full range of possible parameters, processes, and their complex interactions that control stratigraphic architecture. In this contribution, we present a new quantitative method for the inference of key environmental parameters (specifically sediment supply and relative sea level) that control stratigraphy. The approach combines a fully non‐linear inversion scheme with a ‘process–response’ forward model of stratigraphy. We formulate the inverse problem using a Bayesian framework in order to sample the full range of possible solutions and explicitly build in prior geological knowledge. Our methodology combines Reversible Jump Markov chain Monte Carlo and Simulated Tempering algorithms which are able to deal with variable‐dimensional inverse problems and multi‐modal posterior probability distributions, respectively. The inverse scheme has been linked to a forward stratigraphic model, BARSIM (developed by Joep Storms, University of Delft), which simulates shallow‐marine wave/storm‐dominated systems over geological timescales. This link requires the construction of a likelihood function to quantify the agreement between simulated and observed data of different types (e.g. sediment age and thickness, grain size distributions). The technique has been tested and validated with synthetic data, in which all the parameters are specified to produce a ‘perfect’ simulation, although we add noise to these synthetic data for subsequent testing of the inverse modelling approach. These tests addressed convergence and computational‐overhead issues, and highlight the robustness of the inverse scheme, which is able to assess the full range of uncertainties on the inferred environmental parameters and facies distributions.