Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Non‐linear global P‐wave tomography by iterated linearized inversion

Summary Recent advances in global imaging have lead to tomographic mantle models with regional scale details. To improve these models further, we have extended the usual linearized approach to traveltime tomography to non-linear tomography. Here ‘non-linear’ means that seismic ray bending due to inferred velocity heterogeneity is taken into account in an iterative method in which inversion steps are alternated with 3-D ray tracing to update ray paths and traveltimes. As a starting point for our non-linear inversion we have used the mantle model of Bijwaard et al.(1998) and ray tracing is performed following Bijwaard & Spakman (1999a). We have not attempted a full exploration of the non-linear nature of the traveltime inverse problem. This would at the very least require tests with different starting models and the relocation of all events in each of these models. The main results are as follows. We observe no overall dramatic change in anomaly patterns, but subtle changes on the global mantle scale lead to a small increase in variance reduction and model amplitudes. These small changes together with very similar resolution estimates for the linear and non-linear inversions do not allow us to investigate formally possible model improvements. However, expected non-linear effects such as the focusing of structures and a baseline shift towards lower velocities indicate an improved solution, which is also more consistent with expected physics than a fully linearized inversion. Apart from that, some very strong changes occur in distinct upper mantle regions such as below Japan, Tibet, South America, Europe and Tonga–Fiji, where 3-D ray bending effects are substantially larger than in the deeper mantle since model amplitudes fall off rapidly with depth. In the lower mantle, how-ever, increased focusing effects can be observed that may prove important for detailed interpretations.
Development of RF Resonator-Based 3-D Printed Tilt Sensor

This letter describes the development of an RF resonator-based tilt sensor. The sensor is designed using 3-D printing and metallization. It operates in the frequency range of 1 to 2 GHz. The essential parameter to detect the change in the tilt or inclination of the surface is variation in resonant frequency. The RF-based 3-D-printed tilt sensor consists of two parts. One is a semicircular fixed hollow RF resonator, and the other is a semicircular pendulum. Due to the inclination of the surface, the pendulum will move inside the hollow RF resonator, which results in change in relative permittivity and, consequently, the variation in resonant frequency. Using an RF resonator and pendulum-based structure with 3-D printing make it applicable for wide range, low cost, and accuracy. This sensing system provides a linear correlation and resolution of 2 MHz.
A review of detecting malware in android devices based on machine learning techniques

Malware developers install malware on mobile users' devices and steal their personal information without their knowledge. According to recent studies, it has been observed that malware developers are now targeting Android mobile devices. Researchers have examined the issues of detecting malware in these devices and proposed different methods and techniques. This study's main goal is to aid researchers in gaining a basic understanding of Android malware and its numerous detection methods. Earlier experiments that used machine learning to detect Android malware will be carefully reviewed in this paper. This in‐depth review article thoroughly examines the origins, evolution, and sustainability of Android malware detection. It offers an in‐depth literature review that includes the most recent approaches and research trends for detecting malware, from static analysis to dynamic analysis, machine learning, and deep learning. Additionally, we review current approaches' shortcomings and difficulties and suggest possible paths for further investigation. The paper aims to stimulate further innovation in this essential field by providing researchers and practitioners with a comprehensive overview of the current status of Android malware detection.
Evolution of the electrical characteristics of an atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge system over one hour operation

In this work, long-time operation of a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) characterized by a single thin dielectric was investigated. The discharge was operated under nitrogen at atmospheric pressure in a typical filamentary regime. Electrical measurements were performed, i.e. applied voltage, current and charge were retrieved. The Lissajous figure method combined with an equivalent circuit of the DBD was used to calculate the dissipated power, estimate the gas gap voltage Vg , evaluate the deposited charges Q0 as well as the capacitances of the discharge cell. The results over a one-hour operation indicated that the total dissipated power remained constant, but a decrease of the gas gap voltage with an increase of the charge deposited was also depicted. For the capacitances, both dielectric and cell capacitances variations were studied from the Lissajous figures. The dielectric capacitance showed a voltage dependency over half a period of applied voltage.
The Effect of a Smartphone App with an Accelerometer on the Physical Activity Behavior of Hospitalized Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Inactive behavior is common in hospitalized patients. This study investigated the effectiveness of using a smartphone app with an accelerometer (Hospital Fit) in addition to usual care physiotherapy on increasing patients’ physical activity (PA) behavior. A randomized controlled trial was performed at Maastricht University Medical Centre. Patients receiving physiotherapy while hospitalized at the department of Pulmonology or Internal Medicine were randomized to usual care physiotherapy or using Hospital Fit additionally. Daily time spent walking, standing, and upright (standing/walking) (min) and daily number of postural transitions were measured with an accelerometer between the first and last treatment. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the association between PA behavior and Hospital Fit use, corrected for functional independence (mILAS). Seventy-eight patients were included with a median (IQR) age of 63 (56–68) years. Although no significant effects were found, a trend was seen in favor of Hospital Fit. Effects increased with length of use. Corrected for functional independence, Hospital Fit use resulted in an average increase of 27.4 min (95% CI: −2.4–57.3) standing/walking on day five and 29.2 min (95% CI: −6.4–64.7) on day six compared to usual care. Hospital Fit appears valuable in increasing PA in functionally independent patients.
Incidental Intraoperatively Detected Choledocholithiasis: A General Surgeon’s Approach to Management

Background Up to 15% of patients with cholelithiasis have choledocholithiasis, with almost 10% not detected pre-operatively. Our study aims to quantify the prevalence of incidental choledocholithiasis during routine intra-operative cholangiogram (IOC), identify the best management pathway, and identify reliable pre-operative factors to predict choledocholithiasis. Methods We conducted a single-centre, retrospective cohort study at St John of God Midland Hospital in Western Australia, Perth, on 880 consecutive patients who underwent cholecystectomies performed by 15 surgeons between January 2, 2020, and December 30, 2021. Results The overall choledocholithiasis rates were 10.6% (93), with 4.0% (35) diagnosed pre-operatively and 6.6% (58) diagnosed during IOC. In all, 50% of incidental choledocholithiasis during IOC were managed with hyoscine butylbromide, with a 55.2% success rate; 22.4% of patients received octreotide, with a 61.5% success rate; and 8.6% of patients underwent trans-cystic bile duct exploration (TCBE) and 8.6% underwent postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), both with 100% success rates. Choledocholithiasis most commonly presents with gallstone pancreatitis, with a median aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level 7.2 times and alanine transaminase (ALT) level 7.8 times higher than those of patients without choledocholithiasis. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) was the most sensitive in identifying choledocholithiasis with a 66.7% pickup rate. The median common bile duct (CBD) diameter on ultrasound was 8 mm, computerised tomography scans were 11 mm, and MRCP was 9 mm. Conclusion One in 10 cholecystectomies will be complicated with choledocholithiasis, and over half will be incidentally diagnosed during routine IOC. We propose IOC in all cases and hyoscine butylbromide, octreotide, and saline flushes as first-line treatment; if unsuccessful, TCBE is performed. Gallstone pancreatitis, markedly elevated AST/ALT, and imaging showing CBD ≥8 mm may serve as early predictors of choledocholithiasis.
Trend analysis for irrigation water quality in Egypt

The quality of water affects the quality of life – as concerns over water quality problems increase, scientists and engineers are required to interpret available data and disseminate information. Water quality data analysis enables the assessment of constituents, determination of trends or correlations and thus supporting water management. This scrutiny uses prevalent trend detection techniques to evaluate the canals subject to irrigation purposes in Egypt. It presents the results of the irrigation water quality analysis for selected water quality parameters in four vital canals covering the irrigation system in the Eastern Nile Delta region. The aim of this investigation is to identify short-term water quality trends in Egyptian canals and to develop a methodology for assessing future water quality trends. According to the national water quality-monitoring network, data from five years (Aug.1999–Jul. 2004) of monthly basis records was examined. The internal structure of the water quality data sets and the correlation between locations was studied using the correlation coefficient matrix. Cluster analysis was used to encompass a wide range of multivariate methods, which results in the grouping of similar sampling sites. The results showed a strong correlation between consecutive locations in El-Salam Canal without drainage outfalls in between and among all consecutive locations in El-Rayah El Tawfiki and Ismailya Canals.
APPLICABILITY OF STAND DENSITY MANAGEMENT DIAGRAMS TO SCOTS PINE PROVENANCE TEST

The main objectives of the present investigation are to examine the goodnessof-fit of the regional-scale and the national-scale models of Stand Density Man agement Diagrams (SDMD) established for Scots pine plantations in Bulgaria with data from provenance test plantation, to study the provenance variation of the main growth parameters and to analyze the obtained results in terms of SDMD model applicability to genetically diverse monospecific plantations. The prediction precisions of the main stand variables quadratic mean diameter, density, total volume and dominant height were evaluated and the results consistently revealed the superiority of the regional SDMD model to the national one. The provenance influence on the variation of diameter and height was proved statistically significant and accounted for 3 to 18% of the observed differences. The provenances most remote in latitude from the test site exhibited consistently largest deviation from their predicted by the national-scale model values which implies influence of site-provenance interaction on the model application pre cision. No significant correlations were found between the degree of precision of the regional-scale model regarding the stand growth performance and the provenance geographic origin which reveals predominant environmental influence on the preci
Locating sources of a high energy cosmic ray extensive air shower using HiSPARC data

In the physics community, there is continued interest in high energy cosmic rays and their co-location to stellar sources, including to supernovae. Observational history and corresponding theories link the high energies associated with these types of cosmic rays to those produced in various latter evolution stages of stellar bodies. We hypothesize that high-energy cosmic ray air showers have a source region associated with specific stellar bodies. Here, we present our analysis of the locations of possible high-energy cosmic ray sources by using data from University of Twente cosmic ray detectors that are part of the High School Project on Astrophysics Research with Cosmics (HiSPARC) network. As an example of the potential of the HiSPARC network to aid cosmic ray source location, we analyzed event count data from a high-energy air shower recorded during the first week of January 2014. The data was then processed such that the direction of the air shower could be ascertained to provide the likely area of air shower origin. Angle and time data were then inputted in to Stellarium™, a free open-source planetarium application from which sources could be located. Our results suggest two sources are candidates for the origins of the high-energy air shower: the Cepheid variable Polaris and the binary system, Iota Ursae Majoris A. In sum, we have shown the potential of the HiSPARC network to aid location of stellar sources that may be responsible for detected cosmic air showers.
Impact of Riparian Management on Timber Supply in the Mackenzie TSA, British Columbia

After debate about the estimated reductions in Timber Harvesting Land Base (THLB) due to riparian management in the Mackenzie Timber Supply Area (TSA), the Chief Forester of British Columbia requested improved estimates of riparian areas for purposes of future Timber Supply Reviews. We used a Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) approach to model riparian management areas and used previously collected data to test and recalibrate the model. The Riparian Habitat Assessment and Supply Estimator (RHASE) operates on pre-field data available through standard sources (e.g., Terrestrial Resource Inventory Management, Forest Cover, and Ecological Mapping). RHASE performed with 70% accuracy (n = 417) in determining stream widths with most error equally split between false positives (18%) and false negatives (12%). Predicted riparian management areas resulted in exclusions exceeding 11% of the net operable forest using similar aspatial methods and riparian management reduction factors as those adopted for the last TSR but with much larger sample sizes. Using default riparian management reductions from the more current Forest Planning and Practices Regulations in the same aspatial analysis led to a 9.22% impact on the THLB, 2.05% increase over the factor used in TSR2. We conclude that the aspatial reduction estimate used in TSR2 was biased low mostly due to a low sample size. However, and more importantly, in completing this analysis, we also conclude that strong spatial bias leads to an overestimate of the impact at both coarseand fine-textured resolutions. Most obvious was a tendancy to apply riparian impacts against a relatively sparce THLB in regions that are not highly productive for timber. Using the same riparian estimates applied to the same THLB, we calculated a 5.33% impact when the estimate was derived in a spatially explicit manner. The spatial estimate beteen 5 and 6% was recommended for use in subsequent TSR’s given its inherent analytical and methodological strength compared to previously calculated aspatial estimates. Impact of Riparian Management on Timber Supply i MCNAY ET AL. WILDLIFE INFOMETRICS INC.
Incoming Magma Composition and Style of Recharge below the Pyroxenite Marker, Eastern Bushveld Complex, South Africa

The Pyroxenite Marker in the eastern Bushveld Complex marks the termination of a pronounced upward trend to more primitive major and trace element mineral compositions. This geochemical reversal begins c. 350 m below the Pyroxenite Marker and suggests the input of a hotter, more primitive magma into the resident chamber. Here we present in situ major and trace element data for plagioclase, clinopyroxene, and low Ca-pyroxene to document the reversal interval.The data indicate that new magma batches were injected over time and that delivery rate was sufficiently slow that the main magma body was able to homogenize, cool, and partially crystallize between successive injections, even as it grew and became hotter and more primitive with each new injection. From the mineral data, we calculate the proportions and compositions of the incoming and resident magmas.The calculated incoming magma composition is similar to that of the tholeiitic B2 magma thought to have been the parent of the Upper Critical Zone.The similarity between the rocks of the Upper Critical Zone and the Upper Zone is a result of their similar source magma compositions rather than prior connectivity, as has been proposed elsewhere.
High Performance, Low Energy, and Trustworthy Blockchains Using Satellites

Blockchains are meant to provide an append-only sequence (ledger) of transactions. Security commonly relies on a consensus protocol in which forks in the sequence are either prevented completely or are exponentially unlikely to last more than a few blocks. This monograph proposes the de-sign of algorithms and a system to achieve high performance (a few seconds from the time of initiation for transactions to enter the blockchain), the absence of forks, and a very low energy cost (a per transaction cost that is a factor of a billion or more less than bitcoin). The foundational component of this setup is a group of satellites whose blockchain protocol code can be verified and burned into read-only memory. Because such satellites can perhaps be destroyed but cannot be captured (unlike even fortified terrestrial servers), a reasonable assumption is that
Feature Selection for Remaining Useful Life Prediction in Hard Disk Drives with Missing Data

This paper proposes a two-stage feature selection approach for the problem of Remaining Useful Life (RUL) prediction in Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) with missing data. First, a wrapper method is employed, utilizing a regression estimator to identify the most informative features for RUL prediction. The selected feature set is then evaluated in the second stage using a neural network model, with a focus on assessing the imputation performance for missing data. The goal is to determine a feature subset that enhances RUL prediction accuracy and exhibits robustness in handling missing data scenarios. This approach addresses the challenges of missing data and provides insights into the most relevant features for accurate RUL prediction.
A Prediction Model for Sight-Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy Based on Plasma Adipokines among Patients with Mild Diabetic Retinopathy

Background Accumulating evidence has suggested a link between adipokines and diabetic retinopathy (DR). This study is aimed at investigating the risk factors for sight-threatening DR (STDR) and establishing a prognostic model for predicting STDR among a high-risk population of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods Plasma concentrations of adipokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In the case-control set, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to select optimal predictive cytokines for STDR, involving severe nonproliferative DR (NPDR) and proliferative DR. Support vector machine (SVM) was used to examine the possible combination of baseline plasma adipokines to discriminate the patients with mild NPDR who will later develop STDR. An individual prospective cohort with a follow-up period of 3 years was used for the external validation. Results In both training and testing sets, involving 306 patients with T2DM, median levels of plasma adiponectin (APN), leptin, and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) were significantly higher in the STDR group than those in mild NPDR. Except for adipsin, the other three adipokines, FABP4, APN, and leptin, were selected by PCA and integrated into SVM. The accuracy of the multivariate SVM classification model was acceptable in both the training set (AUC = 0.81, sensitivity = 71%, and specificity = 91%) and the testing set (AUC = 0.77, sensitivity = 61%, and specificity = 92%). 110 T2DM patients with mild NPDR, the high-risk population of STDR, were enrolled for external validation. Based on the SVM, the risk of each patient was calculated. More STDR occurred in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group, which were grouped by the median value of APN, FABP4, and leptin, respectively. The model was validated in an individual cohort using SVM with the AUC, sensitivity, and specificity reaching 0.77, 64%, and 91%, respectively. Conclusions Adiponectin, leptin, and FABP4 were demonstrated to be associated with the severity of DR and maybe good predictors for STDR, suggesting that adipokines may play an important role in the pathophysiology of DR development.
Applying Forces Measured at the Hands to Estimate L5/S1 Compression During Manual Patient Bed-to-Wheelchair Transfers Across Different Levels of Patient Assist

Transferring a patient from a bed to a wheelchair is important for patient well-being. Research has shown that manually performing this task exposes healthcare workers (HCWs) to lower back kinetic demands that can exceed safety standards, necessitating the use of mechanical lift equipment. However, HCWs still commonly perform this task manually, especially for lighter patients who are capable of assisting. Although lower back kinetic demands are presumably dependent upon the patients (in)ability to assist during the transfer, this has not been systematically tested. Therefore, the primary aim of this research was to compare the peak L5/S1 intervertebral joint (IVJ) compressive force demands during a bed-to-wheelchair manual transfer across different levels of simulated patient assist (0%, 18%, and 36% of patient bodyweight). We also compared peak IVJ compressive forces from an approach using external forces directly measured at the hands of the HCW, with an alternative traditional approach that assumed the patient’s mass was fully lifted by the HCW throughout the transfer. Peak L5/S1 IVJ compressive forces were lower (p < .001) during the 36% than the 0% and 18% bodyweight patient assist conditions when applying the measured forces at the hand. Overall, peak compressive forces were lower (p < .001) and tended to occur at different phases of the transfer when applying the measured forces at the hand versus assuming all the patient’s mass was being lifted. Our results emphasize the importance of accurately modeling the forces at the hands when estimating in vivo demands. Further, these findings suggest that encouraging the patient to assist during transfers may reduce IVJ forces on HCWs, but for heavier patients even a modest degree of patient assistance is not likely to protect the HCW from elevated spine loads. In most circumstances, lift equipment is warranted.