Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Temporal Seismic Velocity Variations: Recovery Following From the 2019 Mw 7.1 Ridgecrest, California Earthquake

We investigated seismic velocity changes (dv/v) associated with the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake sequence with high‐frequency autocorrelations of ambient seismic noise data. Daily autocorrelation functions were computed for the entirety of 2019 and the first quarter of 2020 for broadband stations within the region, including the temporary broadband stations installed during the aftershock deployment. Travel time shifts in the daily autocorrelation functions, relative to the mean autocorrelation waveform, were computed to produce dv/v time series, which are sensitive to the evolving material properties of the shallow crust surrounding the Ridgecrest fault zone (RFZ). A short‐term velocity drop follows the Mw 7.1 earthquake at stations in the vicinity of the rupture surface, while those greater than 50 km away showed no such drop. The maximum, absolute changes in seismic velocity are proportional to the logarithm of distance from the fault rupture and to the peak dynamic strain experienced during the earthquake. Near the areas of the highest coseismic slip within the RFZ, seismic velocities recovered over 3 months. However, in the vicinity of the nearby Garlock fault, where triggered slip manifested, and north of the RFZ, seismic velocities recovered within a month. We interpret the seismic velocity changes and their recovery to be largely due to changes in the physical properties of the shallow crust, such as fault zone damage recovery caused by the earthquake rupture process and in response to the large dynamic stresses of passing seismic waves from the mainshock.
A highly accurate and robust deep checkerboard corner detector

Checkerboard corners are routinely used during tasks such as camera calibration, and accurate detection of them is essential. Traditional methods such as those based on the Harris corner detector are usually affected by image artefacts such as noise and blur. The more recently proposed deep network approach also suffers from the lack of accurate training data. In this article, we make the following contributions: First, we propose a synthetic training data generation method that simulates the real imaging process, with the most notable being that the exact sub-pixel corner positions in the image become readily available. Second, we design a relatively simple deep network and train it using the synthetic data generated by the proposed method. Finally, because the exact sub-pixel corner positions can be obtained in the proposed method, this article paves a way for objectively comparing different checker-board corner detectors in terms of metrics such as the mean Euclidean location error. Experimental results using both synthetic and real data show that the proposed detector signiﬁcantly outperforms typical meth-ods, including the commonly used Matlab camera calibration toolbox, the OpenCV checkerboard corner detectors, and the more recently proposed deep learning-based methods.
The role of western‐based scientific, Indigenous and local knowledge in wildlife management and conservation

1. Managers of wildlife are faced with decisions and issues that are increasingly complex, spanning natural and human dimensions (i.e. values, preferences, attitudes). A strong evidence base that includes multiple forms and sources of knowledge is needed to support these complex decisions. However, a growing body of literature demonstrates that environmental managers are far more likely to draw on intuition, past experience or opinion to inform important decisions rather than empirical evidence. 2. We set out to assess how decision- makers and other potential knowledge users (a) perceive, evaluate and use western- based scientific, Indigenous and local knowledge and (b) the extent to which social, political and economic considerations challenge the integration of different
Heart failure 2019: insights from the National Society of Cardiology Journals

Heart failure (HF) became one of the biggest problems of the health care systems in the developed countries. It’s prevalence has the characteristics of pandemic in the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) member countries. The population aging and poorly controlled cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, overweight, and diabetes are the most important factors for that situation. The differences in the disease epidemiology, diagnosis and therapy among ESC member countries have been recently well described in the Atlas registry. To understand the specific features in the ESC countries, the ESC Editors Network created the initiative to present the most important publications from the National Societies of Cardiology journals (NSCJ) every year. For the 2019 the decision was the articles to be in the field of HF. The following review presents the selection of such papers.
Implementation of IoT Frameworks in Business Process Automation

Internet of Things brings different computing devices on a singular platform enabling data transfer, monitoring and analysis without human intervention. It is the next big frontier in expediting business processes. Business Process Automation (BPA) is a process of managing information, data and processes to reduce costs, resources and investment to achieve targeted results consistently aligned to the goals of an organisation. BPA makes processes more efficient by automating important tasks using technology. The implementation of IoT varies from industry to industry. BPA can leverage the true potential of IoT by bringing together data, machinery and customer experience.
Evaluation of Prospective Users’ Choice Decision toward Electric Two-Wheelers Using a Stated Preference Survey: An Indian Perspective

Electric two-wheelers (E2W) can help de-carbonize transport in Indian cities. To promote E2W as an attractive alternative compared to the conventional two-wheelers, an investigation on prospective users’ choice decisions is necessary. This paper proposed a comprehensive methodology to evaluate the prospective users’ choice decision toward electric two-wheelers and related attributes in the Indian context. In this paper, attributes such as Operating Cost (OC) savings, top speed, range, charging duration, acceleration, and purchase cost were considered to design a Stated Preference (SP) survey to collect data from prospective E2W users in Hyderabad, India. Concurrently, multinomial logit (MNL) and random parameter logit (RPL) models are developed, and the willingness-to-pay (WTP) associated with each of the identified attributes was estimated. Additionally, the effect of socio-economic characteristics on prospective users’ choice decision was also assessed. Subsequently, a sensitivity analysis was carried out to estimate the relative influence of the attributes on an individual’s choice decision in terms of the shift in probability to choose alternatives with better attribute levels than the base alternative. The results revealed that top speed was perceived as the most important attribute influencing an individual’s choice decision, followed by acceleration and charging duration. Age, income, and journey time significantly influenced an individual’s perception toward E2W and related attributes in the Indian context.
Quantile Correlation-based Variable Selection

Abstract This article is concerned with identifying important features in high-dimensional data analysis, especially when there are complex relationships among predictors. Without any specification of an actual model, we first introduce a multiple testing procedure based on the quantile correlation to select important predictors in high dimensionality. The quantile-correlation statistic is able to capture a wide range of dependence. A stepwise procedure is studied for further identifying important variables. Moreover, a sure independent screening based on the quantile correlation is developed in handling ultrahigh dimensional data. It is computationally efficient and easy to implement. We establish the theoretical properties under mild conditions. Numerical studies including simulation studies and real data analysis contain supporting evidence that the proposal performs reasonably well in practical settings.
Wind-Driven Waves on the Air-Water Interface

An ocean swell refers to a train of periodic or nearly periodic waves. The wave train can propagate on the free surface of a body of water over very long distances. A great deal of the current study in the dynamics of water waves is focused on ocean swells. These swells are typically created initially in the neighborhood of an ocean storm, and then the swell propagates away from the storm in all directions. We consider a different kind of wave, called seas, which are created by and driven entirely by wind. These waves typically have no periodicity, and can rise and fall with changes in the wind. Specifically, this is a two-fluid problem, with air above a moveable interface, and water below it. We focus on the local dynamics at the air-water interface. Various properties at this locality have implications on the waves as a whole, such as pressure differentials and velocity profiles. The following analysis provides insight into the dynamics of seas, and some of the features of these intriguing waves, including a process known as white-capping.
Toward Emerging Innovations in Electrochemical Biosensing Technology

With the progress of nanoscience and biotechnology, advanced electrochemical biosensors have been widely investigated for various application fields. Such electrochemical sensors are well suited to miniaturization and integration for portable devices and parallel processing chips. Therefore, advanced electrochemical biosensors can open a new era in health care, drug discovery, and environmental monitoring. This Special Issue serves the need to promote exploratory research and development on emerging electrochemical biosensor technologies while aiming to reflect on the current state of research in this emerging field.
Contribution of intraoperative stimulation mapping to glioblastoma surgery within or adjacent to descending motor pathways: survival analysis and functional outcome comparison between two series in a single institution

Purpose Extensive resection probably confers a modest survival advantage in patients with glioblastoma. Studies have revealed the positive effects of intraoperative stimulation mapping (ISM) on the extent of resection, but no consensus for contribution of intraoperative stimulation mapping is reached. Methods This retrospective study enrolled two groups of patients who underwent surgery for motor-eloquent glioblastoma: the non-ISM group of 57 patients (surgery in 2008–2013) and ISM group of 13 patients (surgery in 2014–2015). The two groups and subgroups based on resection extent and postoperative additional neurological deficit were compared using Kaplan–Meier analysis and the log-rank test. Results Gross or near total resection (≥ 90% resection quality) was significantly more common in the ISM group than the non-ISM group (76.9% versus 24.6%; p = 0.001). The extent of resection was also significantly greater (90.5% ± 15.6% versus 64.6% ± 29.2%; p = 0.002). The neurological outcome in the ISM group was thus superior, but the two differences were not significant. The median progression-free survival time was significantly longer in the ISM group (22.0 ± 5.1 months vs 8.0 ± 1.0 months; p = 0.037) but a significant difference was not indicated in median overall survival time (22.0 ± 8.4 months vs 16.0 ± 2.2 months; p = 0.167). Conclusion ISM was discovered to lead to higher quality of resection and delayed recurrence. The neurological outcome and median overall survival time in the ISM group was thus superior, but the two differences were not significant. Trial registration number (for clinical trials) Nil
Analyst Information Intermediation during the COVID-19 Pandemic

We use the COVID-19 pandemic to examine how this tail risk event affected analysts research production and their information intermediation role. Analysts markedly increase their research activity in the initial months of the pandemic: the number of quarterly earnings forecasts increases by 72%, revenue forecasts by 80%, cash flow by 59%, dividend by 11%, target prices by 154% and stock recommendations by 88% in March 2020 compared to the same pre-pandemic month. Forecasts issued during the pandemic associate with significantly higher errors compared to a comparable pre-pandemic period. Analysts aggressively revise their forecasts during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period: the average absolute revisions range between 142% for revenue forecasts and 9% for dividend estimates. Price reactions to revisions in analyst forecasts and stock recommendation are incrementally higher during the pandemic though lower for target prices. This effect is magnified in periods where investors actively search for information about the pandemic and the stock market as captured by google searches. Investors value more analyst private information discovery role than their role in interpreting public information during the pandemic.
The Relationship Between Board Composition and the Ratings Given to Green Bonds: An Empirical Analysis

Due to the growing number of green bond issues, a lack of mandatory standards and thus the growing phenomenon of greenwashing, an increasingly greater role is assumed by external auditors who are called upon to certify the ‘greenness’ of green bonds. These include rating agencies, which may be called on to express a green rating for each issue of green bonds. Based on a unique dataset made up of 66 green bond issues together with their respective green ratings from 2015 to 2020, the aim of this paper is to test the relationship between issuers’ board compositions and the green rating assigned to each bond issue. The results obtained confirm some conclusions already present in the existing literature and also open a new field of research concerning the green bond market, which has so far been little analysed, especially with reference to corporate governance.
Hormonelle Aktivität in natürlichen Mineralwässern

Within a period from end of May till middle of August 2009 altogether 48 natural mineral waters from the district of Stuttgart, therefrom 18 well water and each with 15 fillings in glas and PET bottles, were analysed for hormonal activity. As biological test system the E-Screen-Assay was chosen. In none of the samples a significant estrogen activity could be detected with a detection limit of 0.1 ng/l EEQ (17β-Estradiol equivalent concentration). These results were approved with instrumental analysis. Neither with target screening nor with non-target screening concentration regions could be identified for known xenoestrogens or structure related substances, which would help to resolve the in the media widespread statement of high hormonal activity in natural mineral water. However there could be detected other substances in μg/l and higher ng/l regions. For some of the found substances there is no knowledge about the hormonal activity.
Improving economic water productivity to enhance resilience in canal irrigation systems: a pilot study of the Sina irrigation system in Maharashtra, India

This paper proposes scenarios to achieve more crop per drop and irrigation for all in water-scarce irrigation systems, with a particular reference to India. It uses economic water productivity (EWP) and water cost curve for EWP as tools to reallocate irrigation consumptive water use (CWU) and identify economically viable cropping patterns. Assessed in the water-scarce Sina irrigation system in Maharashtra, India, the method shows that drought-tolerant annual crops such as fruits and/or fodder should be the preferred option in irrigated cropping patterns. Cropping patterns with orchard or fodder as permanent fixtures will provide sustainable income in low rainfall years. Orchards in combination with other crops will increase EWP and value of output in moderate to good rainfall years. Governments should create an enabling environment for conjunctive water use and allocation of CWU to achieve a gradual shift to high-value annual/perennial crops as permanent fixtures in cropping patterns.
Comparative Analysis of Crude Protein, Total Phenolic and Antioxidant Contents of Raw and Commercially Packed Turmeric and Red Chilies

Background: Turmeric and red chili are the common spices used for cuisine preparation in Bangladesh. Commercially packed turmeric and red chili might have decreased nutrient contents compared to raw turmeric and red chili. Aims: The study aimed to compare some of the nutrient values between the commercially packed and raw turmeric and red chili. Methods: Commercially packed turmeric and red chili with different brand names (Radhuni, Tiger and Pran) and in raw turmeric and red chili were purchased from local market. Proximate analyses dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF) and mineral contents were performed. The total phenolics and total tannin contents were determined using appropriate methods. Results: The proximate analysis results showed that both Radhuni (97.56 mg/g) and Tiger (97.28 mg/g) turmeric revealed significantly higher content of DM (p<0.001). No notable difference was observed in CP value. Crude fiber value displayed significantly highest value (p<0.001) in Tiger Original Research Article Akhand et al.; AJOB, 11(2): 47-56, 2021; Article no.AJOB. 65505 48 brand (4.96 mg/g) and the lowest in Radhuni brand (1.76 mg/g). Mineral content was significantly (p<0.05) highest in raw turmeric (9.97 mg/g). A significantly higher amount (p<0.001) of DM in packed chili was recorded. Tiger chili contained significantly higher amount of CP (6.02 mg/g) and CF (9.31 mg/g) while Radhuni contained the lower amount of CP (4.81 mg/g) and CF (2.48 mg/g). Raw chili had significantly higher amount of ash (13.24 mg/g). Examination revealed significant level (p<0.001) of total phenolics in acetone extracts of Tiger turmeric and chili powder. Significant amount of tannin was found in raw turmeric (33.89 μg/g; p<0.005); however, Pran brand of turmeric had the lowest amount of tannin (9.53 μg/g). Tannin content recorded in red chili was significantly (p<0.001) higher in commercially packed Tiger brand which was 16.57 μg/g compared to raw red chili (3.315 μg/g). Antioxidant analysis showed higher antioxidant activity in both raw turmeric and red chili powder. Conclusion: Tiger brand turmeric ensures the standard moisture, fiber and protein contents as well as the amount of phenolics and tannin.
Hausdorff dimension of sets with restricted, slowly growing partial quotients

I. J. Good (1941) showed that the set of irrational numbers in $(0,1)$ whose partial quotients $a_n$ tend to infinity is of Hausdorff dimension $1/2$. A number of related results impose restrictions of the type $a_n\in B$ or $a_n\geq f(n)$, where $B$ is an infinite subset of $\mathbb N$ and $f$ is a rapidly growing function with $n$. We show that, for an arbitrary $B$ and an arbitrary $f$ with values in $[\min B,\infty)$ and tending to infinity, the set of irrational numbers in $(0,1)$ such that \[ a_n\in B,\ a_n\leq f(n)\text{ for all $n\in\mathbb N$, and }a_n\to\infty\text{ as }n\to\infty\] is of Hausdorff dimension $\tau(B)/2,$ where $\tau(B)$ is the exponent of convergence of $B$.
Human-AI Interactions Through A Gricean Lens

Grice’s Cooperative Principle (1975), which describes the implicit maxims that guide effective conversation, has long been applied to conversations between humans. However, as humans begin to interact with non-human dialogue systems more frequently and in a broader scope, an important question emerges: what principles govern those interactions? In the present study, this question is addressed, as human-AI interactions are categorized using Grice’s four maxims. In doing so, it demonstrates the advantages and shortcomings of such an approach, ultimately demonstrating that humans do, indeed, apply these maxims to interactions with AI, even making explicit references to the AI’s performance through a Gricean lens. Twenty-three participants interacted with an American English-speaking Alexa and rated and discussed their experience with an in-lab researcher. Researchers then reviewed each exchange, identifying those that might relate to Grice’s maxims: Quantity, Quality, Manner, and Relevance. Many instances of explicit user frustration stemmed from violations of Grice’s maxims. Quantity violations were noted for too little but not too much information, while Quality violations were rare, indicating high trust in Alexa’s responses. Manner violations focused on speed and humanness. Relevance violations were the most frequent of all violations, and they appear to be the most frustrating. While the maxims help describe many of the issues participants encountered with Alexa’s responses, other issues do not fit neatly into Grice’s framework. For example, participants were particularly averse to Alexa initiating exchanges or making unsolicited suggestions. To address this gap, we propose the addition of human Priority to describe human-AI interaction. Humans and AIs are not (yet? ) conversational equals, and human initiative takes priority. Moreover, we find that Relevance is of particular importance in human-AI interactions and suggest that the application of Grice’s Cooperative Principles to human-AI interactions is beneficial both from an AI development perspective as well as a tool for describing an emerging form of interaction.
Electrochemical performance of polypyrrole derived porous activated carbon-based symmetric supercapacitors in various electrolytes

The electrochemical performance of porous carbon prepared from the polymerization and carbonization of pyrrole is presented in this work. The produced carbon exhibited a high specific surface area and high mesopore volume that are desirable and beneficial for high capacitive performance. Symmetric supercapacitor devices fabricated from this carbon were tested in three different electrolytes (6 M KOH, 1 M NaNO3, and 1 M Na2SO4). Higher capacitive performance (specific capacitance of 131 F g−1) in the 1 M Na2SO4 medium was obtained compared to the other two electrolytes a with specific capacitance of 108 F g−1 in 6 M KOH and 94 F g−1 in 1 M NaNO3 respectively. The difference observed in capacitance in the three electrolytes is linked to the individual properties of the electrolytes which include the conductivity and different ion solvation sizes. A potentiostatic floating test at the maximum voltage for 140 h was used to study the stability of the devices and from the experimental data, a 7% capacitance decrease was observed in the 6 M KOH electrolyte which is related to the corrosive atmosphere and oxidation of the positive electrode. A decrease of 18% in capacitance was observed in 1 M NaNO3 with an increase in resistance and 1% capacitance decay was observed in 1 M Na2SO4 with no change in resistance value at the end of the floating test. These results suggest the good performance of the polypyrrole based activated carbon for symmetric supercapacitors in aqueous electrolytes in general with 1 M Na2SO4, in particular, showing excellent stability after floating.