Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of the proterozoic evolution of the Mt Isa Inlier

By virtue of its large area of exposure of different crustal levels, and preservation of a protracted (∼400 million years) Palaeoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic tectonic evolution, the Mt Isa Inlier is an excellent natural laboratory to study Proterozoic tectonic processes. The inlier preserves evidence of intracontinental basin development, plutonism, low-pressure metamorphism, orogenesis at different crustal levels, and crustal-scale metasomatism. In addition, the Mt Isa Inlier is endowed with a variety of ore deposits, including the Mt Isa Pb – Zn – Ag and Cu deposits, Century Zn – Pb – Ag deposit, Cannington Ag – Pb – Zn deposit, and the Osborne and Ernest Henry iron oxide Cu – Au deposits. Basement rocks were deformed and metamorphosed during the ca 1900 – 1870 Ma Barramundi Orogeny and intruded by the granitic rocks of the ca 1850 Ma Kalkadoon and Ewen Batholiths and their coeval Leichhardt Volcanics. Three stacked and superimposed superbasins evolved between ca 1800 and ca 1595 Ma. These basins evolved in an environment characterised by elevated heat flow and transient episodes of magmatism and basin inversion in an inferred continental backarc setting. The ca 1600 – 1500 Ma Isan Orogeny probably records two phases of orogenesis. The first phase (ca 1600 – 1570 Ma) involved approximately north – south to northwest – southeast shortening in which a northwest-vergent fold-thrust belt evolved in the Eastern Fold Belt and localised basin inversion occurred in the Western Fold Belt. The second phase (ca 1550 – 1500) involved thick-skinned deformation in the Eastern and Western Fold Belts, characterised by upright folding, reverse faulting, and dextral wrenching. Voluminous granites were emplaced throughout the Eastern Fold Belt between ca 1550 and 1500 Ma. Exhumation and cooling of the crustal pile following the Isan Orogeny were related to crustal extension and widespread erosion in eastern and southern Australia. Subtle reactivation of faults within the inlier following the Isan Orogeny records the distal effects of Mesoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic breakup events and orogenesis in central Australia.
Assessment of vegetation indexes useful for browse (forage) prediction in semi-arid rangelands

Considerable significance is placed on the mapping and monitoring of degraded areas in semi-arid regions of the world, including Botswana. Degraded areas include those suffering from bush encroachment, believed to result from heavy cattle grazing over a number of years. However, certain bush encroachment species have been found to be relatively nutrient-rich. The present work considers the extent to which a series of quantified layers through mainly bush encroachment canopies can be identified using conventional and newly derived vegetation indexes and transforms based on Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery. Field work involved the stratification of green biomass into firstly the herbaceous cover layer; secondly the 0.3-1.5 m browse layer; then the 1.5-2.5 m browse layer; and finally the >2.5 m browse layer. Biomass measurements from these layers were statistically associated with conventional vegetation indexes and transforms such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), brightness and greenness values, and relatively newly derived darkening indexes involving the mid-infrared bands. When green biomass and transformed pixel data were averaged per classified vegetation unit, weak negative correlations emerged between grass biomass and the transformed pixel data and no significant correlations developed with the woody biomass (browse) layers. However, when point data were used in the analyses, results showed that most indexes and the brightness transform were significantly correlated with the lower browse layer. Only the darkening indexes and brightness function were sensitive to the browse layers individually and the browse plus grass layers. This work shows the limitations of conventional indexes such as the NDVI in terms of browse and herbaceous layer assessment. New indexes for forage assessment based on relationships between the mid-infrared bands, such as those found in the new MODIS TERRA platform, are urgently required for semi-arid areas.
On the Kalman-Yakubovich-Popov lemma for positive systems

The classical Kalman-Yakubovich-Popov lemma gives conditions for solvability of a certain inequality in terms of a symmetric matrix. The lemma has numerous applications in systems theory and control. Recently, it has been shown that for positive systems, important versions of the lemma can equivalently be stated in terms of a diagonal matrix rather than a general symmetric one. This paper generalizes these results and a new proof is given.
Frequency and season of prescribed fire affect understory plant communities in longleaf pine stands

Prescribed fire research on the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana spanned the last 7 decades and led to a greater understanding of fire behavior and the importance of fire in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) stands. Early research focused on management of the bluestem (Andropogon spp. and Schizachyrium spp.) range for livestock forage. Because of its tolerance to fire, range burning favored longleaf pine over other woody plants making the establishment of pure longleaf pine stands possible once feral hogs were controlled and other livestock placed under management. Through its continued application, fire greatly influenced the production and composition of the overstory and midstory plant communities, and both the frequency and season of prescribed burning affected herbaceous plant production. The importance of frequency and season of prescribed burning is discussed using both past and recent research results.
Temporal Expectations Guide Dynamic Prioritization in Visual Working Memory through Attenuated α Oscillations

Although working memory is generally considered a highly dynamic mnemonic store, popular laboratory tasks used to understand its psychological and neural mechanisms (such as change detection and continuous reproduction) often remain relatively “static,” involving the retention of a set number of items throughout a shared delay interval. In the current study, we investigated visual working memory in a more dynamic setting, and assessed the following: (1) whether internally guided temporal expectations can dynamically and reversibly prioritize individual mnemonic items at specific times at which they are deemed most relevant; and (2) the neural substrates that support such dynamic prioritization. Participants encoded two differently colored oriented bars into visual working memory to retrieve the orientation of one bar with a precision judgment when subsequently probed. To test for the flexible temporal control to access and retrieve remembered items, we manipulated the probability for each of the two bars to be probed over time, and recorded EEG in healthy human volunteers. Temporal expectations had a profound influence on working memory performance, leading to faster access times as well as more accurate orientation reproductions for items that were probed at expected times. Furthermore, this dynamic prioritization was associated with the temporally specific attenuation of contralateral α (8–14 Hz) oscillations that, moreover, predicted working memory access times on a trial-by-trial basis. We conclude that attentional prioritization in working memory can be dynamically steered by internally guided temporal expectations, and is supported by the attenuation of α oscillations in task-relevant sensory brain areas. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In dynamic, everyday-like, environments, flexible goal-directed behavior requires that mental representations that are kept in an active (working memory) store are dynamic, too. We investigated working memory in a more dynamic setting than is conventional, and demonstrate that expectations about when mnemonic items are most relevant can dynamically and reversibly prioritize these items in time. Moreover, we uncover a neural substrate of such dynamic prioritization in contralateral visual brain areas and show that this substrate predicts working memory retrieval times on a trial-by-trial basis. This places the experimental study of working memory, and its neuronal underpinnings, in a more dynamic and ecologically valid context, and provides new insights into the neural implementation of attentional prioritization within working memory.
Coronal Hole-Active Region-Current Sheet (CHARCS) Association with Intense Interplanetary and Geomagnetic Activity

Intense geomagnetic storms (Dst ≤ −100 nT) have been associated with interplanetary structures involving large-intensity (Bs ≥ 10 nT) and long-duration (T ≥ 3 hours) values of the southward component of the IMF. We show that near solar maximum, the solar origin of such structures seems to be associated with active regions* (involving flares and/ or filament eruptions) occurring close to the streamer belt and to growing low-latitude coronal holes. It is also shown that low-latitude coronal holes had a dual-peak solar cycle distribution during solar cycle 21, similar to that previously reported for the above mentioned interplanetary and geomagnetic phenomena.
SWAP‐70‐like adapter of T cells: a novel Lck‐regulated guanine nucleotide exchange factor coordinating actin cytoskeleton reorganization and Ca2+ signaling in T cells

Summary: SWAP‐70‐like adapter of T cells (SLAT) is a recently identified guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Cdc42 and Rac1, which is highly expressed in both thymocytes and peripheral T cells. Here, we present and discuss findings resulting from biochemical and genetic analyses aimed at unveiling the role of SLAT in CD4+ T‐cell development, activation, and T‐helper (Th) cell differentiation. Slat−/− mice display a developmental defect at one of the earliest stages of thymocyte differentiation, the double negative 1 (DN1) stage, leading to decreased peripheral T‐cell numbers. Slat−/− peripheral CD4+ T cells demonstrate impaired T‐cell receptor/CD28‐induced proliferation and IL‐2 production. Moreover, SLAT positively regulates the development of Th1 and Th2 inflammatory responses by controlling Ca2+/NFAT signaling. SLAT is also a positive regulator of the recently emerging Th subset, i.e., Th17 cells, as evidenced by its critical role in Th17 cell‐mediated central nervous system inflammation. Furthermore, TCR engagement induces SLAT translocation to the immunological synapse, a process mediated by its Lck‐dependent phosphorylation, which thereafter facilitates the triggering of SLAT GEF activity towards Cdc42 and Rac1, leading to NFAT activation and Th1/Th2 differentiation. Future work will aim to dissect the interacting partners of SLAT and may thus shed light on the poorly understood events that coordinate and link actin cytoskeleton reorganization to Ca2+ signaling and gene transcription in T cells.
Detection of mild cognitive deficits in Parkinson's disease patients with the WAIS–R NI

The relative insensitivity of traditional IQ tests to mild cognitive deficits has led investigators to develop a version of the widely used Wechsler intelligence scales that allows quantitative analysis of underlying qualitative responses. This instrument, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–Revised as a Neuropsychological Instrument (WAIS–R NI) was administered to 16 Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and 30 normal controls (NC). The 2 groups did not differ significantly in mean age or education, or on their mean Mattis Dementia Rating Scale score. Relative to NC participants, PD patients showed decreased visual attention span, longer response latencies, slower visuomotor processing, and more stimulus-bound errors. Many of the WAIS–R NI measures were able to detect cognitive impairment in a greater percentage of patients than the traditional WAIS–R measures, making it easier to identify deficits that could affect quality of life early in the course of the disease. (JINS, 2001, 7, 535–543.)
Low geomagnetic field intensity during the Kiaman superchron: Thellier and microwave results from the Great Whin Sill intrusive complex, northern United Kingdom

Coe‐Modified Thellier (CMT) and Microwave (MW) paleointensity experiments were conducted on samples from the multi‐phase late Carboniferous (ca. 301 Ma) to early Permian (ca. 270 Ma) Great Whin Sill complex. Statistically comparable results were obtained with both techniques from high quality data. Forty three samples (25 with CMT and 18 with MW) yielded mean paleointensity values of 12.0 ± 5.8 μT and 16.5 ± 8.2 μT for the early and late intrusive phases respectively, corresponding to VDMs of (1.6 ± 0.8) × 1022 and (2.1 ± 1.1) × 1022 Am2. When combined with previous data, the results suggest a generally low dipole moment during the KRS, reducing from ∼75% of the present value at 301 Ma to 20–27% of the present value later in the superchron. These data imply either a decoupling between processes controlling reversal rate and field strength, or a more complex, intriguing time‐lag relationship. More absolute palaeointensity results are needed to further evaluate these alternatives.
Congenital absence of vas deferens.

Congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD) means that the vasa deferentia (Pic. 1) which connect the spermproducing testicles to the penise are not formed at birth. The vas deferens derives from the Wolffian (mesonephric) duct and shares a common origin with the kidney. Intrinsic Wolffian duct defects may result in failure of the vas deferens to develop, a condition that can occur in isolation or combined with renal agenesis (a medical condition in which one or both fetal kidneys fail to develop; URA) or malformations.
Personal characteristics and job satisfaction: India-Nigeria comparison.

This study examines the relationship between job satisfaction and personal characteristics on samples of 778 Indians and 620 Nigerians. The results indicate no relationship between sex, marital status, and annual income and job satisfaction for both the samples. Age showed quadratic and linear relationship with satisfaction for Indian and Nigerian samples respectively. Satisfaction increased with increasing number of dependents and work experience and decreased with increasing years of education for both the samples. The regression analysis showed that all seven personal characteristics accounted for 34.9 per cent and 71.7 per cent variation in job satisfaction for Indian and Nigerian employees, respectively. Culture and level of industrialization have been examined to explain the differences in the results.
Spatiotemporal variations of fCO2 in the North Sea

Data from two Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS) (2005–2007) augmented with data subsets from ten cruises (1987–2005) were used to investigate the spatiotemporal variations of the CO2 fugacity in seawater (fCO2sw) in the North Sea at seasonal and inter-annual time scales. The observed seasonal fCO2sw variations were related to variations in sea surface temperature (SST), biology plus mixing, and air-sea CO2 exchange. Over the study period, the seasonal amplitude in fCO2sw induced by SST changes was 0.4–0.75 times those resulting from variations in biology plus mixing. Along a meridional transect, fCO2sw normally decreased northwards (−12 μatm per degree latitude), but the gradient disappeared/reversed during spring as a consequence of an enhanced seasonal amplitude of fCO2sw in southern parts of the North Sea. Along a zonal transect, a weak gradient (−0.8 μatm per degree longitude) was observed in the annual mean fCO2sw. Annually and averaged over the study area, surface waters of the North Sea were CO2 undersaturated and, thus, a sink of atmospheric CO2. However, during summer, surface waters in the region 55.5–54.5° N were CO2 supersaturated and, hence, a source for atmospheric CO2. Comparison of fCO2sw data acquired within two 1°×1° regions in the northern and southern North Sea during different years (1987, 2001, 2002, and 2005–2007) revealed large interannual variations, especially during spring and summer when year-to-year fCO2sw differences (≈160–200 μatm) approached seasonal changes (≈200–250 μatm). The springtime variations resulted from changes in magnitude and timing of the phytoplankton bloom, whereas changes in SST, wind speed and total alkalinity may have contributed to the summertime interannual fCO2sw differences. The lowest interannual variation (10–50 μatm) was observed during fall and early winter. Comparison with data reported in October 1967 suggests that the fCO2sw growth rate in the central North Sea was similar to that in the atmosphere.
Does one rotten apple spoil the whole barrel?

Multiple Instance Learning (MIL) is concerned with learning from sets (bags) of objects (instances), where the individual instance labels are ambiguous. In MIL it is often assumed that positive bags contain at least one instance from a so-called concept in instance space. However, there are many MIL problems that do not fit this formulation well, and hence cause traditional MIL algorithms, which focus on the concept, to perform poorly. In this work we show such types of problems and the methods appropriate to deal with either situation. Furthermore, we show that an approach that learns directly from dissimilarities between bags can be adapted to deal with either problem.
Safety and security in tourism : recovery marketing after crises

Natural disasters, wars and conflicts, epidemics, and other major crises can devastate a tourism service or destination. Though there is extensive literature and research on preparation and coping with tourism crises, there is a gap in information on how to best market to recover from the destruction of business. This book fills this gap by comprehensively examining how to rebuild the market for a tourism service or destination after a catastrophe. This important book presents leading experts from around the world providing useful instruction on effective ways to plan for future crisis response and strategies for recovering business.A crisis can come from several types of destructive occurrences, from natural physical destruction of important infrastructure to acts of terrorism. Because of the broad range of potential problems, there is no single strategy for which to deal with crises. The book explores a wide range of catastrophes, from Hurricane Katrina to tsunamis to war, taking a detailed look at management and administrative strategies which can help stimulate tourism recovery.This book explores stealth and catastrophic risks, risk perceptions, mediating the effects of natural disasters on travel intention, and various marketing strategies designed to bring customers back. This volume may become one of the most crucial resources in a tourism professional's library. The book is extensively referenced and includes several tables and figures to clearly explain data. This book is essential reading for tourism researchers, tourism educators, tourism industry managers, and tourism industry administrators. This book was published as a special issue of the "Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing".
PRE-AND POST-COLONIAL SEDIMENT SOURCES AND STORAGE IN THE LOWER NEUSE BASIN, NORTH CAROLINA

Several lines of evidence are used to estimate pre-and post-colonial sediment production, transport, and storage in the lower Neuse River basin on the North Carolina Coastal Plain. Soil profile truncation indicates upland erosion rates of >9.5t/ha/yr during the post-European period, while pre-colonial rates were negligible. Comparisons of sediment yields between streams in forested and agricultural basins suggest that stream sediment loads have risen dramatically following colonial-era land clearing. Pedological indicators of sediment sources in contemporary and pre-Holocene alluvial soils show a change in dominant sediment source from an important upper-basin Piedmont contribution to a situation where Piedmont sediment is overwhelmed by Coastal Plain sources. Finally, most of the increased sediment input to the lower Neuse River and its tributaries has apparently been stored as alluvium. This is indicated by limited siltation of the Neuse estuary and limited pedogenic development on floodplains and strea.
MILITARY RESURGENCE IN AFRICAN POLITICS AND THE DRIVE FOR FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT

The spate of democratic wave that blew across the continent of Africa in the 1990s came with the hope of economic transformation and an end to the decades of backwardness, poverty and want. Prior to this period, democratic governance was the exception rather than the norm. Military high command across the continent dictated the pace for many decades and most times falling short of the messianic appeal that drew them into politics and governing with their diktat nature and abuse of human rights, the economies of most countries of the continent where the military juntas were entrenched, experienced stall and retrogression, creating contrition for grumbling by the weakened civil society in these countries. However, the turn in the dynamics of the international system following the collapse of communism and insistence of the continent‟s development partners on democratization, compelled many of the military juntas to retreat back to their barracks, thus opening the space for inflow of investments which is in dire need to reverberate the ailing economies. But after a brief spell of power in the hands of the civilian authorities, the lustre of power seem to be drawing some elements in the military high command to the old scenarios which resemble a reverse wave of democratization, thus allowing the gains of civilian advancement to be lost while the countries relapse. One of the expected areas of relapses with the resurgence of the military back in power is in capital flows into the countries for development purposes. The examines these issues and concludes that the resurgence of military rule in the West African sub-region is a set back to the development of the countries in the sub-region,
Comparative phylogeography and postglacial colonization routes in Europe

The Quaternary cold periods in Europe are thought to have heavily influenced the amount and distribution of intraspecific genetic variation in both animals and plants. The phylogeographies of 10 taxa, including mammals (Ursus arctos, Sorex spp., Crocidura suaveolens, Arvicola spp.), amphibians (Triturus spp.), arthropods (Chorthippus parallelus), and plants (Abies alba, Picea abies, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp.), were analysed to elucidate general trends across Europe. Only a small degree of congruence was found amongst the phylogeographies of the 10 taxa, but the likely postglacial colonization routes exhibit some similarities. A Brooks parsimony analysis produced an unrooted area phylogram, showing that: (i) the northern regions were colonized generally from the Iberic and Balkanic refugia; and (ii) the Italian lineages were often isolated due to the presence of the Alpine barrier. The comparison of colonization routes highlighted four main suture‐zones where lineages from the different refugia meet. Some of the intraspecific genetic distances among lineages indicated a prequaternary divergence that cannot be connected to any particular cold period, but are probably related mainly to the date of arrival of each taxon in the European continent. As a consequence, molecular genetics so far appears to be of limited use in dating Quaternary events.