Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of convergent plate boundaries on upper mantle flow and implications for seismic anisotropy

Shear‐wave splitting observations in the region of the upper mantle enveloping subduction zones have been interpreted as showing extensive regions of trench‐parallel flow, despite the difficulty of reconciling such behavior with a sound model based on the forces that drive mantle motion. To gain insight into the observations, we systematically investigate flow patterns around the cold downwelling sheets associated with consumed plate material in a three‐dimensional numerical mantle convection model. First, we compare results from calculations employing prescribed plate geometries and kinematic plate velocities where the convergent plate boundary morphology is varied while keeping the plate velocity and convective parameters fixed. Subsequently, we examine the flow around sheet‐like downwellings in a number of convection calculations featuring dynamically evolving plate velocities. All of the calculations include thick viscous plates and a stratified mantle viscosity. In all of the models examined, we find that at mid‐upper mantle depths, flow directions no longer align with plate motion and the influence of buoyancy‐driven downwellings clearly dominates flow solutions. In the first models analyzed, a pair of plates are included in the calculations, and the large‐scale flow is generally roll‐like. In the final model we investigate the interaction of four plates and a plate geometry characterized by triple junctions. We examine a sequence from this calculation that features a triple junction of convergent boundaries. In this model, large‐scale flow characterized by convection rolls is superseded by a complex flow solution where flow in the mid‐upper mantle neither aligns uniformly with the plate motion nor necessarily follows the forcing associated with local buoyancy sources. In this setting, upper mantle flow in the vicinity of the sheet‐like downwellings featured in the solution moves orthogonal, obliquely, and even parallel to different sections of the convergent plate boundaries. In the latter case our calculations of the deformation of a fixed volume parcel of upper mantle material suggest that an olivine lattice‐preferred orientation should develop that would result in a fast polarizing direction for seismic shear waves parallel to the slab. Our findings have implications for the interpretation of flow in the upper mantle based on seismic anisotropy.
A bright z = 5.2 lensed submillimeter galaxy in the field of Abell 773 - HLSJ091828.6+514223

During our Herschel Lensing Survey (HLS) of massive galaxy clusters, we have discovered an exceptionally bright source behind the z = 0.22 cluster Abell 773, which appears to be a strongly lensed submillimeter galaxy (SMG) at z = 5.2429. This source is unusual compared to most other lensed sources discovered by Herschel so far, because of its higher submm flux (~200 mJy at 500 μm) and its high redshift. The dominant lens is a foreground z = 0.63 galaxy, not the cluster itself. The source has a far-infrared (FIR) luminosity of LFIR = 1.1 × 1014/μ Ls, where μ is the magnification factor, likely ~11. We report here the redshift identification through CO lines with the IRAM-30 m, and the analysis of the gas excitation, based on CO(7-6), CO(6-5), CO(5-4) detected at IRAM and the CO(2-1) at the EVLA. All lines decompose into a wide and strong red component, and a narrower and weaker blue component, 540 km s-1 apart. Assuming the ultraluminous galaxy (ULIRG) CO-to-H2 conversion ratio, the H2 mass is 5.8 × 1011/μ Ms, of which one third is in a cool component. From the C I(3P2-3P1) line we derive a C I/H2 number abundance of 6 × 10-5 similar to that in other ULIRGs. The H2Op(2,0,2-1,1,1) line is strong only in the red velocity component, with an intensity ratio I(H2O)/I(CO) ~ 0.5, suggesting a strong local FIR radiation field, possibly from an active nucleus (AGN) component. We detect the [NII]205 μm line for the first time at high-z. It shows comparable blue and red components, with a strikingly broad blue one, suggesting strong ionized gas flows.
Caryophyllaeid infestations on the sex and size of Walking Catfish Clarias batrachus

An investigation was carried out on the caryophyllaeid infestations in walking catfish Clarias batrachus in relation to different sexes and size groups during August 2010 to July 2011. A total of 227 host fish were collected from different water bodies of Mymensingh for examination. Among them 188 C. batrachus were infested with 1432 parasites by five different caryophyllaeid cestodes species. Prevalence was 100% during November and December both in male and female hosts. In other period of the year, female were more infested. In male fishes, the highest intensity and abundance were recorded in December and index of infection in February. In female fishes, the lowest infestations were recorded during the months of August, September and October. Parasites showed different levels of infestations in different size groups of fishes. Higher prevalence was recorded in medium size fishes in winter and summer and smaller size fishes in autumn. However, the index of infestations and abundance were higher in same size group only in winter season. The lowest prevalence and mean intensity were recorded in rainy season and abundance was in summer in smaller size group of fish. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/bjas.v40i1-2.10792 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2011. 40 (1-2): 56-59
Groundwater Deterioration of Shallow Groundwater Aquifers Due to Overexploitation in Northeast Jordan

Groundwater is the major water resource in Jordan and most of the groundwater basins are already exploited beyond their estimated safe yield. Azraq basin is one of the most important groundwater basins in Jordan, which supplies Amman with drinking water. However, due to overpumping from the shallow groundwater aquifers, the water level dropped dramatically and signs of salinization and depletion are starting to occur. The severe drawdown in the Azraq well-field caused a reverse in the hydraulic gradient and consequently, the saltwater in the center of the basin (Qa-Azraq) started to move in the direction of the well-field. The salinization in the shallow aquifer (basalt/B5/B4) is believed to result from one of the following scenarios: (i) a reverse flow from Sabkha to the AWSA well field, (ii) an upward leakage from the middle aquifer system (B2/A7) and the combined B3 Aquitard-B2/A7 aquifer, (iii) a dissolution process between the water and rock matrix due to lowering of the dynamic water levels during pumping which reached the mineralized formations underlying the Basalt. The salinization trend of some AWSA wells represented by the gradual increase of major ions is associated with rather constant stable isotopic contents. This indicates that these constituents originate from the main minerals existing in the matrix of the aquifers and thus this scenario is the most likely to occur.
Polish version of Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D): results of a preliminary study on the psychometric properties of the scale

participants and procedure The study was conducted on a group of patients suffering from a somatic illness and at risk of developing depression (n = 826) and among healthy individuals from the general population (n = 1160). results The results confirmed the factorial structure of the questionnaire. Convergent validity was confirmed by correlations with other measures of affect and resources consistent with the theory.
Climate responses to a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide for a climatically vulnerable region

Global modeling studies of future climate change predict large scale climatic responses to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). While there have been several regional climate modeling studies that produced results at spatial and temporal scales relevant for climate change impact analysis, few have employed statistical significance testing of results. In a sensitivity study that focused on mean climate states, we use a regional climate model to generate ensembles of climate scenarios under atmospheric conditions of 280 and 560 ppm CO2, for a domain centered over California. We find statistically significant responses by mean annual and monthly temperature, precipitation, and snow to CO2 doubling. Relative to the 280 ppm results, 560 ppm results show temperature increasing everywhere in the region annually (up to 3.8°C), and in every month, with the greatest monthly surface warming at high elevations. Snow accumulation decreased everywhere, and precipitation increased in northern regions by up to 23%, on a mean annual basis.
EU coordination of welfare states after the crisis: further interconnecting soft and hard law

After the economic shock in 2009, the European Union (EU) changed its economic governance system considerably. The question is how social policies fare within this new system. Does stricter economic governance limit the sovereignty of states to deal with social risks? To answer this question, the article determines the nature of the EU’s stricter economic governance package and explains how the interconnection between coordination mechanisms brings employment and social policy areas within the range of strengthened economic coordination. The article combines an analysis of new regulations with a study of the actual interaction between the EU and seven member states in 2011. It concludes that stricter economic governance gives the EU options to also strengthen employment and social policy coordination. Yet, the policy response of seven member states shows that there is leeway still in reacting to new EU demands.
On the Identity of Technological Objects and User Innovations in Function

Recent research on user innovation has concentrated on changes in the physical form of the objects concerned to the neglect of changes in their intended use or function. In this paper we advance a theory of the technical identity of a technological object that gives due weight to both its form and its function, and we use this theory to categorize different forms of technological change and to unpack some neglected aspects of user-driven innovations in function.
Flavonoid constituents of Sideritis caesarea

Abstract: The acetone extract of the aerial parts of Sideritis caesarea Duman, Aytaç & Başer (Lamiaceae) afforded the flavonoids penduletin (1) and apigenin (2) and 6 glycosylated flavonoids, 4’-O -methyl-isoscutellarein-7-O -[6”’O -acetyl-β -D-allopyranosyl-(1→2)]-6”-O -acetyl-β -D-glucopyranoside (3), 4’-O -methylhypolaetin-7-O -[6”’-O -acetylβ -D-allopyranosyl-(1→2)]-6”-O -acetyl-β -D-glucopyranoside (4), isoscutellarein-7-O -[6”’-O -acetyl-β -D-allopyranosyl(1→2)]-6”-O -acetyl-β -D-glucopyranoside (5), isoscutellarein-7-O -[6”’-O -acetyl-β -D-allopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β -D-glucopyranoside (6), 4’-O -methylhypolaetin-7-O -[6”’-O -acetyl-β -D-allopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β -D-glucopyranoside (7), and hypolaetin-7-O -[6”’-O -acetyl-β -D-allopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β -D-glucopyranoside (8). The compounds were identified by the use of 1Dand 2D-NMR and UV spectroscopic techniques and by comparisons with the reported data. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities of the acetone, methanol, and water extracts of the plant and of the flavones penduletin and apigenin were evaluated at 200 μg/mL. The water extract exhibited better activity against the enzyme AChE as compared to both the acetone and the methanol extracts. Penduletin (1) showed significant activity against BChE (66.58%) while apigenin (2) showed weak activity against both enzymes.
Proteomic Analysis of Rat Prefrontal Cortex after Chronic Lithium Treatment

Although lithium is widely used to treat Bipolar disorder (BD), its therapeutic role in BD is unclear. To gain insights into its mechanism of action we have used proteomic analysis to identify differentially expressed proteins in rat Prefrontal cortex (PFC), a region specifically affected in BD, after six weeks of lithium treatment. Proteins from control and lithium treated rat PFCs were separated by 2 Dimensional - Differential In-Gel Electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) and identified by mass spectrometry. Of the 2198 protein spots resolved, the abundance of 19 proteins was found to be significantly altered in the lithium treated group (with the levels of 5 proteins increasing and those of 14 decreasing). The levels of two protein spots exhibiting significant alteration after chronic lithium exposure were verified by Western blot analysis of rat PFC extracts. The 19 identified proteins represent novel targets for lithium action and participate in diverse functions that converge on a biological network that is specifically related to brain cell survival, prevention of neurodegeneration, and/or suppression of hyperactivity related signaling pathways. The identification of these targets should facilitate a better understanding of lithium’s overall effect on mood control.
Merging of vortices and antivortices in polariton superfluids

Quantized vortices are remarkable manifestations on a macroscopic scale of the coherent nature of quantum fluids, and the study of their properties is of fundamental importance for the understanding of this peculiar state of matter. Cavity polaritons, due to their double light-matter nature, offer a unique controllable environment to investigate these properties. In this paper we theoretically investigate the possibility to deterministically achieve the annihilation of a vortex with an antivortex through an increase of the polariton density in the region surrounding the vortices. Moreover, we demonstrate that by means of this mechanism an array of vortex-antivortex pairs can be completely washed out.
The 11 year solar cycle signal in transient simulations from the whole atmosphere community climate model

The atmospheric response to the 11 year solar cycle (SC) and its combination with the quasi-biennal oscillation (QBO) are analyzed in four simulations of the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model version 3.5 (WACCM3.5), which were performed with observed sea surface temperatures, volcanic eruptions, greenhouse gases, and a nudged QBO. The analysis focuses on the annual mean response of the model to the SC and on the evolution of the solar signal during the Northern Hemispheric winter. WACCM3.5 simulates a significantly warmer stratosphere under solar maximum conditions compared to solar minimum. The vertical structure of the signal in temperature and ozone at low latitudes agrees with observations better than previous versions of the model. The temperature and wind response in the extratropics is more uncertain because of its seasonal dependence and the large dynamical variability of the polar vortex. However, all four simulations reproduce the observed downward propagation of zonal wind anomalies from the upper stratosphere to the lower stratosphere during boreal winter resulting from solar-induced modulation of the polar night jet and the Brewer-Dobson circulation. Combined QBO-SC effects in the extratropics are consistent with observations, but they are not robust across the ensemble members. During boreal winter, solar signals are also found in tropospheric circulation and surface temperature. Overall, these results confirm the plausibility of proposed dynamical mechanisms driving the atmospheric response to the SC. The improvement of the model climatology and variability in the polar stratosphere is the basis for the success in simulating the evolution and magnitude of the solar signal.
What effect does VOC sampling time have on derived OH reactivity

Abstract. State-of-the-art techniques allow for rapid measurements of total OH reactivity. Unknown sinks of OH and oxidation processes in the atmosphere have been attributed to what has been termed “missing” OH reactivity. Often overlooked are the differences in timescales over which the diverse measurement techniques operate. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) acting as sinks of OH are often measured by gas chromatography (GC) methods which provide low-frequency measurements on a timescale of hours, while sampling times are generally only a few minutes. Here, the effect of the sampling time and thus the contribution of unmeasured VOC variability on OH reactivity is investigated. Measurements of VOC mixing ratios by proton transfer reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) conducted during two field campaigns (ClearfLo and PARADE) in an urban and a semi-rural environment were used to calculate OH reactivity. VOCs were selected to represent variability for different compound classes. Data were averaged over different time intervals to simulate lower time resolutions and were then compared to the mean hourly OH reactivity. The results show deviations in the range of 1 to 25 %. The observed impact of VOC variability is found to be greater for the semi-rural site. The selected compounds were scaled by the contribution of their compound class to the total OH reactivity from VOCs based on concurrent gas chromatography measurements conducted during the ClearfLo campaign. Prior to being scaled, the variable signal of aromatic compounds results in larger deviations in OH reactivity for short sampling intervals compared to oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs). However, once scaled with their lower share during the ClearfLo campaign, this effect was reduced. No seasonal effect on the OH reactivity distribution across different VOCs was observed at the urban site.
Observations of Europa’s Tenuous Atmosphere

Europa is known to possess a predominantly molecular oxygen atmosphere produced by sputtering of its icy surface. This atmosphere, which is diagnostic of surface composition and processes, has been characterized by Hubble Space Telescope, Galileo, Cassini and groundbased observations. The primary means of detecting Europa’s atmosphere is via emission from the atomic constituents. The relative strengths of the atomic oxygen emission lines allow inference of a dominant O2 component. Oxygen, sodium and potassium are known minor constituents. A relatively dense ionosphere has also been detected on several occasions by Galileo radio occultation measurements, the presence of which appears to require a sunlit trailing hemisphere. Neither the spatial distribution of the oxygen emission associated with the atmosphere, nor the obvious variability of the atmospheric emissions and the ionospheric densities, has been adequately explained to date.
Variation of Emissivity and Scattering Coefficient of Soils with Incident Angle and Moisture Content at C-Band frequency

This study presents experimental measurements of dielectric constant of dry and moist soils at C-band microwave frequency by using waveguide cell method. Soil samples were collected from four locations each from four different Indian states. An automated microwave set-up operating at 5.3 GHz frequency is used for this purpose. Measured values of dielectric constant are then used to estimate emissivity and scattering coefficient by using emissivity model and perturbation model respectively. Emission and scattering properties for soils are then studied as function of gravimetric Moisture Content (MC, %), polarization and incidence angle. At constant value of MC, emissivity of soil is found to increase with increase in the incident angle for vertical polarization, and this increase continues up to Brewster's angle and beyond this, emissivity decreases sharply. Further, at constant value of MC, scattering coefficient of soil sample increases with increase in the incident angle for vertical polarization, and this increase continues up to angles between 60 o to 70 o , at which it reaches maximum value and beyond this, it decreases sharply. In case of horizontal polarization, at constant value of MC, emissivity and scattering coefficient decreases with the increase in incident angle. Further, scattering coefficient of soils show increase with increase in MC whereas its emissivity decreases with increase in MC. Results of this study may find uses in the design of passive and active remote sensors for such soil types.
Autonomy, participation and student achievement in rural Pakistan

There is a lack of consensus on how to enhance learning outcomes. The traditional approach to addressing poor quality of schooling has been to increase the quantity of schooling inputs. Recently, however, interest has been growing in the ability of school decentralization to deliver in this area. This paper examines the association between school decentralization and student achievement in the context of rural Pakistan. I find that devolved decision-making is associated with lower scores in Mathematics. I also find that student achievement is better explained by traditional inputs, implying that focussing on the latter may be a stronger policy option to address poor learning outcomes in the country.
Antimicrobial peptides in annelids

Gene encoded antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are widely distributed among living organisms including plants, invertebrates and vertebrates. They constitute important effectors of the innate immune response by exerting multiple roles as mediators of inflammation with impact on epithelial and inflammatory cells influencing diverse processes such as cytokine release, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, wound healing, chemotaxis and immune induction. In invertebrates, most of the data describe the characterization and/or the function of AMPs in the numerically and economically most representative group which are arthropods. Annelids are among the first coelomates and are therefore of special phylogenetic interest. Compared to other invertebrate groups, data on annelid’s immunity reveal heavier emphasis on the cellular than on the humoral response suggesting that immune defense of annelids seems to be principally developed as cellular immunity.This paper gives an overview of the variety of AMPs identified in the three classes of annelids, i.e. polychaetes, oligochaetes and achaetes. Their functions, when they have been studied, in the humoral or cellular response of annelids are also mentioned.
Academic, vocational or general? An analysis of public opinion towards education policies with evidence from a new comparative survey

Education policy is a salient topic both in political debates and in the scholarly literature. Still, the study of individual policy preferences on education policy has received little scholarly attention, mostly because existing comparative surveys provide only very crude measures on education policy. To address this research gap, we conducted a representative survey of public opinion on the details of education policy in eight Western European countries. This article, first, presents analyses of these data, focusing on people’s preferences for public expenditure on education relative to other social policies as well as its distribution across different education sectors (early childhood and pre-primary education, general schools, vocational education and training, and higher education). In contrast to existing surveys, our survey forces citizens to prioritize between different policy areas and education sectors. We investigate determinants of individual preferences, focusing particularly on self-interest, ideological norms and institutional feedback effects. We find that individual educational background, partisan ideology and having children are significantly associated with variation in preferences. Furthermore, we find tentative evidence for self-undermining institutional feedback effects.