Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Statistical Analysis of Temporal and Spatial Distributions of Cloud-to-Ground Lightning in Japan from 2002 to 2008

The temporal and spatial distributions of cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning in and around Japan were examined for a seven-year period (2002–2008) by using lightning location data from the Lightning Detection Network System operated by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The frequency of CG flashes was found to be high over land area in summer. During winter, many CG flashes were located along the coast of the Sea of Japan of central Honshu (Hokuriku area) and off the coast of the Pacific side (Kanto-Tokai area). A detailed analysis of the Hokuriku and Kanto-Tokai areas revealed diurnal variations characterized by a peak in the afternoon for inland areas, and a peak in early morning for coastal and offshore areas of the Hokuriku area in summer. For winter, the diurnal variation of CG flash density is indistinct in the Hokuriku region, where CG flashes are strongly concentrated within 20 km from the coastline, whereas it has a maximum in the early morning off the coast of the Kanto-Tokai area.
Helium isotope ratios in Yellowstone and Lassen Park volcanic gases

Helium isotope ratios (³He/4He) in Lassen Park and Yellowstone Park volcanic gases show large ³He enrichments relative to atmospheric and crustal helium indicating the presence of a dominant mantle-helium component. The ratios in Lassen helium are 8 times atmospheric in acid hot spring gases, and about 3 times atmospheric in the gas phase in near-neutral high-temperature waters; the acid-spring helium is thus isotopically similar to helium in island-arc and other continental-margin orogenic areas. At Yellowstone, however, the isotopic ratio in helium from the Mud Volcano area, in the eastern part of Yellowstone caldera, is 15.6 times atmospheric, similar to the ratio in helium from Kilauea and Iceland. These high ratios, 15 times atmospheric or greater, are probably distinctively associated with deep-mantle plumes under hot-spots, while ratios about 10 times atmospheric characterize mantle helium in basalt glasses at the crests of mid-ocean rises. The presence of “Kilauea-type” helium at Yellowstone indicates that at least in certain areas the continental crust is essentially transparent to mantle volatiles.
The elastic constants of cassiterite SnO2 and their pressure and temperature dependence

The second-order elastic constants of single-crystal cassiterite, rutile structure SnO2, have been measured as functions of pressure (1 bar to 10 kbar) and temperature 25°–100°C) by using the pulse superposition method. The observed negative pressure derivative and positive temperature derivative of Cs = ½(C11 - C12) are in qualitative agreement with those measured for isostructural TiO2 [Manghnani, 1969] and GeO2 [Wang and Simmons, 1973]. According to the VRH averaging scheme the pertinent isotropic bulk elastic properties are K0S = 2.123 Mbar, (∂Ks/∂P)T = 5.50, and (∂Ks/∂T)P = −0.18 kbar/°C. The calculated bulk modulus K0s of cassiterite is related systematically to the corresponding data for TiO2 and GeO2 with respect to cation radius; however, the pressure and temperature derivatives of K0s for SnO2 are significantly lower and higher, respectively, than those of the rutile structure analogues.
The Elusive AD 1826 Tsunami, South Westland, New Zealand

In AD 1826 sealers reported earthquake and tsunami activity in Fiordland, although, contemporary or near-contemporary accounts of tsunami inundation at the time are elusive. A detailed analysis of recent sediments from Okarito Lagoon builds on contextual evidence provided by earlier research concerning past tsunami inundation. Sedimentological, geochemical, micropalaeontological and geochronological data are used to determine palaeoenvironments before, during and after what was most probably tsunami inundation in AD 1826. The most compelling chronological control is provided fry a young cohort of trees growing on a raised shoreline bench stranded fry a drop in the lagoon water level following tsunami inundation.
Two‐stage polybaric formation of the new enriched, pyroxene‐oikocrystic, lherzolitic shergottite, NWA 7397

Northwest Africa (NWA) 7397 is a newly discovered, enriched, lherzolitic shergottite, the third described example of this group. This meteorite consists of two distinct textural lithologies (1) poikilitic—comprised of zoned pyroxene oikocrysts, with chadacrysts of chromite and olivine, and (2) nonpoikilitic—comprised of olivine, low‐Ca and high‐Ca pyroxene, maskelynite, and minor abundances of merrillite, spinel, ilmenite, and pyrrhotite. The constant Ti/Al ratios of pyroxene oikocrysts suggests initial crystallization of the poikilitic lithology at depth (equivalent to pressures of approximately 10 kbar), followed by crystallization of the nonpoikilitic lithology at shallower levels. Oxygen fugacity conditions become more oxidizing during crystallization ranging from fO2 conditions of approximately QFM‐2 to QFM‐0.7. Magma calculated to be in equilibrium with the major rock‐forming minerals is LREE‐enriched relative to depleted or intermediate shergottites and has flat overall profiles. Therefore, we suggest that the parental magma for NWA 7397 had sampled an enriched, oxidized, Martian geochemical source, similar to that of other enriched basaltic and olivine‐phyric shergottites. We present a polybaric formation model for the lherzolitic shergottite NWA 7397, to account for the petrologic constraints. Three successive stages in the development of NWA 7397 are discussed (1) formation of a REE‐enriched parental magma from a distinct Martian mantle reservoir; (2) magma ponding and development of a staging chamber concomitant with initial crystallization of the poikilitic lithology; and (3) magma ascent to the near surface, with entrainment of cumulates from the staging chamber and subsequent crystallization of the nonpoikilitic lithology en route to the surface.
Effects of sowing cowpea on properties of an irrigated Vertisol and growth and yield of succeeding cotton

The effects of sowing a break crop of cowpea on soil properties, nutrient uptake, growth, and yield of furrow-irrigated cotton were evaluated in a trial conducted from 1993 to 1995 in a Typic Haplustert (Vertisol) with high subsoil compaction in north-western New South Wales, Australia. The experimental treatments were cowpea (Vigna unguiculata Walp.)-cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), continuous cotton, and long-fallow cotton (cotton alternating annually with a bare fallow). Cotton was sown in all plots in 1994 with minimum tillage. Soil was sampled to a depth of 0.6 m in August 1993, May–June 1994, and April 1995. Soil properties evaluated were organic matter fractions, resilience (a measure of the self-mulching ability of the soil), plastic limit, strength (as cone resistance), shrinkage indices derived from shrinkage curves, exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, and Na, pH, nitrate-N, and electrical conductivity. Profile water content and water extraction, nutrient uptake, crop vegetative growth, cotton lint yield, and fibre quality were also quantified. Compared with fallowing, sowing either cotton or cowpea in 1993 decreased pH and aggregate size formed after puddling and drying, and increased soil organic matter and plastic limit. Cropping also increased exchangeable cations in the surface 0.3 m of the soil. Nitrate-N in the 0–0.15 m depth was 23% higher after cowpea than after fallow. Amelioration of soil compaction was quickest in the short-term where continuous cotton was sown, but was also observed with time in plots where cowpea was sown in 1993. In comparison with cowpea-cotton and long-fallow cotton, continuous cotton had the highest nutrient uptake. Growth of cotton sown after either fallow or cotton was greater than that of cotton sown after cowpea, with lint yield being highest in the previously fallowed plots. Lint fibre quality did not differ significantly between treatments. Overall, the benefits of sowing cowpea in terms of improvements in soil properties and crop yields were either small or negligible in comparison with fallowing or sowing cotton.
A guideline for sizing Photovoltaic panels across different climatic zones in Burkina Faso

In many developing countries a long time series of solar radiation measurements are not often available. This is due to the cost, maintenance and calibration requirements of measuring devices. Consequently, the use of solar energy by Photovoltaic (PV) conversion copes with the choice and the optimization of the PV system. This work concerned the analysis of climate parameters strongly influencing the Photovoltaic (PV) systems energy production and the simulation of an ideal system based on a single PV module. Estimation and analysis of time series of climate parameters covered a set of six weather stations with respect to the three climatic zones in Burkina Faso (BF), over 38 years. The analysis showed that the solar irradiation in BF lies between 3 kWh/m2/day and 7.5 kWh/m2/day. The highest values of the solar irradiation are measured in the Northern part of the country while lowest values are measured in the Southern part. Daily mean temperature for all weather stations was greater than the Standard Test Condition (STC) temperature (25°C) over a long period of the year. Information on solar irradiation and temperature is fundamental for PV systems sizing process. For PV performance evaluation, a simulation is carried out using an ideal system composed of a single PV module from TENESOL Company. This simulation is performed for three classes of climatic conditions "Mean situation", "Adverse situation", and "Beneficial situation", and evaluated for six sitesacross BF. The results revealed intra-annual and spatial variability of Maximum Power (MP). Across BF, MP varied between 60 W/day and 190 W/day in Sahelian zone, between 65 W/day and 185 W/day in soudano-sahelian zone, and between 67 W/day and 208 W/day in Soudanian zone. MP intra-annual variability is higher during the period July-August, mainly for "Beneficial situation". The negative effect of temperature on PV energy production is specially amplified in Sahelian zone due to its highest temperatures. This study allowed to estimate and evaluate the role of climatic parameters on the energy production of PV and can be used as a guide in PV panels sizing.
Influence of geomagnetic activity on the O I 630.0 and 557.7 nm dayglow

[1] The one-dimensional fluid/kinetic code TRANSCAR is used to simulate the effects of geomagnetic activity on the atomic oxygen (3P-1D) red and (1D-1S) green thermospheric dayglows at 630.0 and 557.7 nm, associated with the modification of the density structure of the neutral atmosphere. It is found that when magnetic activity increases from quiet to strong, the altitude of the peak of both emissions increases by <10%, the peak intensity of the 557.7 nm thermospheric layer decreases by about 40%, and the peak intensity of the 630.0 nm layer remains almost constant. The prevailing production and quenching processes are reviewed and their variations are explained in terms of changes in the ionospheric and thermospheric parameters which are induced by the rise of the geomagnetic activity. Together with this model study a 4-year set of WINDII data is analyzed. The measurements confirm the trends previously revealed by the TRANSCAR model. No statistical variation of the 630.0 nm peak emission is seen, while the anticorrelation between the 557.7 nm thermospheric peak intensity and the magnetic activity is clearly found.
Seismic Attenuation Modelling for Melbourne based on the SPAC-CAM Procedure

A pilot study conducted in Melbourne involving shear wave velocity (SWV) profiling in the bedrock formation is used to illustrate a new approach for predicting the potential seismic attenuation characteristics for the region. A complete SWV profile for the entire seismogenic depth of the earth's crust is first developed by combining the SWV profiles measured by the Spatial Auto-Correlation (SPAC) method with regional information provided by a global crustal database. Secondly, the crustal amplification function calculated from the representative SWV profile is combined with predicted attenuation parameter values (kappa k and Q0) to form a complete filter function representing the potential wave modification characteristics of the earth's crust in the area. Thirdly, a seismic attenuation model is developed by combining this filter function with the source function of the earthquake, using a stochastic procedure and the framework of the Component Attenuation Model (CAM). Lastly, the developed attenuation relationship is compared with seismic Intensity information obtained from three historical earthquakes that affected Melbourne and its surrounding region. The modelling described in this paper only deals with seismic wave modifications within the bedrock formation whilst modifications within the soil sedimentary layers are to be addressed in separate analyses.
Morphology of the transition from an axial high to a rift valley at the Southeast Indian Ridge and the relation to variations in mantle temperature

The Southeast Indian Ridge exhibits a transition in axial morphology from an East Pacific Rise-like axial high near 100°E to a Mid-Atlantic Ridge-like rift valley near 116°E but spreads at a nearly constant rate of 74–76 mm/yr. Assuming that the source of this transition lies in variations in mantle temperature, we use shipboard gravity-derived crustal thickness and ridge flank depth to estimate the variations in temperature associated with the changes in morphological style. Within the transitional region, SeaBeam 2000 bathymetry shows scattered instances of highs, valleys, and split volcanic ridges at the axis. A comparison of axial morphology to abyssal hill shapes and symmetry properties suggests that this unorganized distribution is due to the ridge axis episodically alternating between an axial valley and a volcanic ridge. Axial morphology can then be divided into three classes, with distinct geographic borders: axial highs and rifted highs are observed west of a transform fault at 102°45′E; rift valleys are observed east of a transform fault at 114°E; and an intermediate-style morphology which alternates between a volcanic ridge and a shallow axial valley is observed between the two. One segment, between 107° and 108°30′E, forms an exception to the geographical boundaries. Gravity-derived crustal thickness and flank depth generally vary monotonically over the region, with the exception of the segment between 107°E and 108°30′E. The long-wavelength variations in these properties correlate with the above morphological classification. Gravity-derived crustal thickness varies on average ∼2 km between the axial high and rift valley regions. The application of previous models relating crustal thickness and mantle temperature places the corresponding temperature variation at 25°C–50°C, depending on the model used. The average depth of ridge flanks varies by ∼550 m over the study area. For a variation of 25°–50°C, thermal models of the mantle predict depth variations of 75–150 m. These values are consistent with observations when the combined contributions of crustal thickness and mantle density to ridge flank depth are considered, assuming Airy isostasy. Crustal thickness variations differ at the two transitions described above: A difference of 750 m in crustal thickness is observed at the rift valley/intermediate-style transition, suggesting small variations in crustal thickness and mantle temperature drive this transition. At the axial high-rifted high/intermediate-style transition, crustal thickness variations are not resolvable, suggesting that this transition is controlled by threshold values of crustal thickness and mantle temperature, and is perhaps related to the presence of a steady state magma chamber.
Gravitational separation of major atmospheric components of nitrogen and oxygen in the stratosphere

To investigate the gravitational separation of atmospheric components in the stratosphere, air samples collected over Japan, the Arctic and the Antarctic were analyzed for δ15N of N2 and δ18O of O2. The gravitational separation is a function of latitude, showing the largest effect inside the polar vortex over the Arctic. The relationship between the gravitational separation (calculated using a steady‐state 1‐dimensional eddy‐diffusion/molecular‐diffusion model) and the CO2 age (calculated using a 1‐dimensional time dependent eddy‐diffusion model) suggests that the observed gravitational separation is fundamentally a result of diffusive separation but modified by meridional circulation of air in the stratosphere. We also obtain a compact relationship between the gravitational separation and the N2O concentration. By comparing the gravitational separations at two height intervals with the N2O concentrations >125 ppb and <45 ppb, the effect of descending air is found to be more significant over the Arctic than over Japan. The variation in the gravitational separation with height is found to be weaker in region with the N2O concentrations between 45 and 125 ppb than in other regions.
Early steps of embryo implantation are regulated by exchange of extracellular vesicles between the embryo and the endometrium

In early pregnancy, as the embryo arrives in the uterus, intensive communication between the embryo and uterus begins. Hundreds of molecules are known to be involved, but despite numerous findings, full understanding of the complexity of the embryo–maternal dialog remains elusive. Recently, extracellular vesicles, nanoparticles able to transfer functionally active cargo between cells, have emerged as important players in cell–cell communication, and as such, they have gained great attention over the past decade also in reproductive biology. Here we use a domestic animal model (Sus scrofa) with an epitheliochorial, superficial type of placentation because of its advantage in studding uterine luminal fluid extracellular vesicles. We show that during early pregnancy, the uterine lumen is abundant with extracellular vesicles that carry a plethora of miRNAs able to target genes involved in embryonic and organismal development. These extracellular vesicles, upon the delivery to primary trophoblast cells, affect genes governing development as well as cell-to-cell signaling and interactions, consequently having an impact on trophoblast cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. We conclude that exchange of a unique population of extracellular vesicles and their molecular cargo at the maternal–embryo interface is the key to the success of embryo implantation and pregnancy.
Development and analysis of a 50‐year high‐resolution daily gridded precipitation dataset over Spain (Spain02)

In this paper, we present a new publicly available high‐resolution daily precipitation gridded dataset developed for peninsular Spain and the Balearic islands using 2756 quality‐controlled stations (this dataset is referred to as Spain02). The grid has a regular 0.2° (approx. 20 km) horizontal resolution and spans the period from 1950 to 2003. Different interpolation methods were tested using a cross‐validation approach to compare the resulting interpolated values against station data: kriging, angular distance weighting, and thin plane splines. Finally, the grid was produced applying the kriging method in a two‐step process. First, the occurrence was interpolated using a binary kriging and, in a second step, the amounts were interpolated by applying ordinary kriging to the occurrence outcomes. This procedure is similar to the interpolation method used to generate the E‐OBS gridded data—the state‐of‐the‐art publicly available high‐resolution daily dataset for Europe—which was used in this study for comparison purposes. Climatological statistics and extreme value indicators from the resulting grid were compared to those from the 25 km E‐OBS dataset using the observed station records as a reference. Spain02 faithfully reproduces climatological features such as annual precipitation occurrence, accumulated amounts and variability, whereas E‐OBS has some deficiencies in the southern region. When focusing on upper percentiles and other indicators of extreme precipitation regimes, Spain02 accurately reproduces the amount and spatial distribution of the observed extreme indicators, whereas E‐OBS data present serious limitations over Spain due to the sparse data used in this region. As extreme values are more sensitive to interpolation, the dense station coverage of this new data set was crucial to get an accurate reproduction of the extremes. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Is ‘build back better’ a response to vulnerability? Analysis of the post-tsunami humanitarian interventions in Sri Lanka

Post-crisis situations represent a high level of very demanding and complex needs. The longer term goal of recovery should address vulnerabilities to future disasters that are likely to occur with increasing frequency and often in the same places. Post-crisis recovery should not be merely a return to the status quo ante but an attainment of a ‘new normalcy’. ‘Build back better’, as advocated by President Bill Jefferson Clinton after the 2004 tsunami, underlines the need for quality in the recovery efforts. In the paper, recovery is interpreted as addressing the root causes of vulnerability and the pre-existing processes and conditions from which they stem. The paper explores how the narrative ‘build back better’ is perceived by different actors and how these perceptions are manifested in their operational priorities and programmes. An attempt is also made to examine the outcomes. This is discussed in relation to the post-tsunami recovery in Sri Lanka, specifically examining the interventions of selected humanitarian organizations visited during the research. The paper argues that despite the engaging mantra ‘build back better’, the tsunami response has not lived up to expectations, nor has it significantly altered the existing structural vulnerabilities.
FLOOD FREQUENCY ANALYSIS FOR SMALL WATERSHEDS IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS1

: Twenty-two gaging stations were selected for developing a regional flood frequency curve for small (area less than 2 square miles) watersheds in southern Illinois. Five probability functions were compared, and the extreme value type I function was selected to develop the regional flood curve. The curve was generated with the index flood method and also another empirical method that related the function parameters to the watershed area. Estimated peak discharges with various return periods were compared with the results obtained from multiple regression analysis.
Nutrient mobilisation and losses related to the groundwater level in low peat soils

The changes in dissolved organic carbon (DOC), N-NO3, N-NH4 and P-PO4 concentrations in response to fluctuations in the groundwater table were investigated in the peatlands of Biebrza National Park and some of its surrounding sites. The lowering of the groundwater table during summer time was accompanied by an increase in P-PO4 and N-NH4 concentrations, and in some cases they were exceptionally high compared with undisturbed water. Concentrations of both nutrients correlated with groundwater levels. Decreasing the groundwater level promoted higher concentrations of both nutrients. Nevertheless, elevated concentrations of P-PO4 and N-NH4 occurred in groundwater during the summer months when the outflow of water from peatland was slow. The N-NO3 and DOC concentrations did not change markedly with the lowering of groundwater table or during different seasons.