Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantifying sources of increasing zinc from acid rock drainage in an alpine catchment under a changing hydrologic regime

A major water quality concern in the Rocky Mountains is acid rock drainage (ARD), which causes acidic conditions and high metal concentrations in streams. The 30‐year water quality record for the upper Snake River in Colorado, USA, shows that summer low‐flow zinc concentrations have increased four‐ to sixfold concurrently with increases in mean annual and summer temperatures and a two‐ to three‐week advancement in spring snowmelt. We found that the main source of zinc and other metal loads to the upper Snake River was a tributary draining an alpine area rich in disseminated pyrite. By conducting a tracer experiment in this tributary of interest, we demonstrated that 30% of the trace metal loading entered in an upper steep, rocky reach where the tributary of interest is fed by an alpine spring. Another increase in flow and metal loading occurred where the tributary of interest flows through a gently sloped wetland area. Analysis of the tracer experiment indicated a significant increase in hyporheic exchange along this wetland reach, from which metals appear to be mobilized. Several potential explanations are presented that might explain this phenomenon: decreasing pH in the tributary of interest may result in mobilization of metals from the wetland and hyporheic zone; the geochemistry of groundwater inflows to the wetland may be changing; and, wetland soils may be drying out with longer, warmer summers. This study illustrates how changes in hydrologic regime may cause changes in biogeochemical processes that exacerbate the danger to aquatic ecosystems associated with ARD. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A search for extraterrestrial chromite in the late Eocene Massignano section, central Italy

The late Eocene may have been a period with an enhanced flux of extraterrestrial matter to Earth related either to a comet or an asteroid shower. The evidence comes from two very large and several medium-sized impact craters, at least two microtektite-microkrystite layers, and a stratigraphic interval with enhanced extraterrestrial He-3, all within the period ca. 36.3-34.3 Ma. Here, we show that the distribution of sediment-dispersed extraterrestrial (ordinary chondritic) chromite (EC) grains in the Massignano section, central Italy, can be used to test whether the flux of ordinary chondritic matter to Earth was enhanced in the late Eocene. In twelve limestone samples, each weighing similar to 12-15 kg, from 1.25 m to 10.25 m above the base of the section, only 1 EC grain was found. Based on the total amount of limestone analyzed, 167 kg, this corresponds to 0.006 EC grain kg(-1) limestone. This is a factor of five lower than the 0.029 EC grain kg(-1) recovered in 210 kg of latest Cretaceous-Paleocene limestone from the Bottaccione Gorge section at Gubbio, central Italy. The difference can readily be explained by an approximately threefold higher sedimentation rate in the late Eocene at Massignano. In essence, our results speak against a late Eocene asteroid shower. Apparently, there was no significant increase in the flux of extraterrestrial chromite at this time, such as that after the disruption of the L-chondrite parent body in the mid-Ordovician, when the EC flux was enhanced by two orders of magnitude. We also discuss the potential to search for lunar minerals in the Massignano section in order to test the recent hypothesis that late Eocene He-3 enrichments originated from impact-ejected lunar regolith. (Less)
Gem-quality zoisite from Merelani (Northeastern Tanzania): review and new data

The Merelani area (NE Tanzania) is the unique locality in the world for tanzanite, a violetish blue gem-quality variety of vanadium-rich zoisite. However, other coloured (brown, yellow, orange, etc.) zoisite occurs in this deposit, closely associated with tanzanite. This study reports a review and new data on physical and chemical properties of this material, obtained investigating five gem-quality samples ranging in colour from yellowish brown and greenish yellow to violetish blue (tanzanite) by means of classical gemmological methods and by XRD, EMP and LA-ICP-MS analyses. The results confirm that the major element concentration of all the samples is almost identical, so their different colour is mainly dependent on the variation of some minor and trace elements. In particular, the main chromophore element is V but also the V/Ti ratio plays a significant role in the colour characteristics. All the faceted gems have been subjected to heat treatment in order to observe a possible change of their colour. The various coloured zoisite gems become permanently blue and change their pleochroic scheme from trichroic to dichroic at ~500 °C, except for the blue specimen which is dichroic before and after heating and do not show any change of colour. The existence in the Merelani area of “natural heated” blue gems confirms the complexity both of the geological evolution and of the tanzanite mineralization.
Evolution of salt structures in the northern Paradox Basin: controls on evaporite deposition, salt wall growth and supra‐salt stratigraphic architecture

The northern Paradox Basin evolved during the Late Pennsylvanian–Permian as an immobile foreland basin, the result of flexural subsidence in the footwall of the growing Uncompahgre Ancestral Rocky Mountain thick‐skinned uplift. During the Atokan‐Desmoinesian (∼313–306 Ma) fluctuating glacio‐eustatic sea levels deposited an ∼2500 m thick sequence of evaporites (Paradox Formation) in the foreland basin, interfingering with coarse clastics in the foredeep and carbonates around the basin margins. The cyclic deposition of the evaporites produced a repetitive sequence of primarily halite, with minor clastics, organic shales and anhydrite. Sediment loading of the evaporites subsequently produced a series of salt walls and minibasins, through the process of passive diapirism or downbuilding. Faults at the top Mississippian level localised the development of linear salt walls (up to 4500 m high) along a NW–SE trend. A crosscutting NE–SW structural trend was also important in controlling the evaporite facies and the abrupt termination of the salt walls. Seismic, well and field data define the proximal Cutler Group (Permian) as a basinward prograding sequence derived from the growing Uncompahgre uplift that drove salt basinwards (towards the southwest), triggering the growth of the salt walls. Sequential structural restorations indicate that the most proximal salt walls evolved earlier than the more distal ones. The successive development of salt‐withdrawal minibasins associated with each growing salt wall implies that parts of the Cutler Group in one minibasin may have no chronostratigraphic equivalent in other minibasins. Localised changes in along‐strike salt wall growth and evolution were critical in the development of facies and thickness variations in the late Pennsylvanian to Triassic stratigraphic sequences in the flanking minibasins. Salt was probably at or very close to the surface during the downbuilding process leading to localised thinning, deposition of diapir‐derived detritus and rapid facies changes in sequences adjacent to the salt wall structures.
Diurnal and seasonal variations of sap flow of Caragana korshinskii in the arid desert region of north‐west China

The aim of this study was to obtain the diurnal and seasonal changes of trunk sap flow in desert‐living Caragana korshinskii so as to understand its water requirement and ecological significance. The experiment was carried out with 15‐year old Caragana korshinskii grown in north‐west China under natural conditions. Heat pulse sensors based on the heat compensation theory were applied to measure the trunk sap flow, and soil moisture content at 0–300 cm layer, using tube‐type time domain reflectometry (Tube‐TDR). The solar radiation, the maximum and minimum air temperatures, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction and precipitation were measured at a standard automatic weather station. The diurnal and seasonal variations of sap flow rate, the sap velocity at different positions in the trunk and the sap flow rate under different weather conditions were analysed. And the correlation between the sap flow rate and the meteorological factors was also analysed. Results showed that the trunk sap flow varied regularly in the diurnal term and the sap flow velocity decreased with the probe‐inserted depth into the sapwood. Magnitude of sap flow changed considerably between sunny and rainy days. The order of the main meteorological factors affecting the sap flow rate of Caragana korshinskii shrubs were: vapour pressure deficit > solar radiation > air temperature > wind speed. The close correlation between daily sap flow rate and meteorological factors in the whole growing season can be used to estimate the transpiration of Caragana korshinskii. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regional convergence and agglomeration in Argentina : a spatial panel data approach

This paper examines the per capita income convergence process among 23 Argentinian provinces over the period 1983-2002. The purpose of this work is to apply new estimation methods following two-step procedure as in Badinger et al. (2004). We combine a spatial filtering of variables to remove the spatial correlation (Getis and Griffith, 2002) and suitable estimators for dynamic panels (using first-differenced and system GMM estimators). Our estimations on filtered variables reveal a conditional convergence process between Argentinian provinces and a positive and significant impact of agglomeration variables on growth rate. Hence, our results show that ignoring spatial distortions due to geographic proximity misleads estimations and underestimates the speed of convergence specifically for provinces which are distant from Buenos Aires. Moreover, we improve estimations of agglomeration effects when spatial autocorrelation is removed.
Ecomorphodynamics of rivers with converging boundaries

Many rivers worldwide show converging sections where a characteristic limiting front for vegetation establishment on gravel bars is observed. An important conceptual model was advanced in 2006 by Gurnell and Petts, who demonstrated that for the convergent section of the Tagliamento River the downstream front of vegetation establishment can be explained by unit stream power. We introduce a theoretical framework based on 1D ecomorphodynamic equations modified to account for the biological dynamics of vegetation. We obtain the first analytical result explaining the position and river width where vegetation density is expected to vanish in relation to a characteristic streamflow magnitude and both hydraulic and biological parameters. We apply our model to a controlled experiment within a convergent flume channel with growing seedlings perturbed by periodic floods. For a range of timescales where hydrological and biological processes interact, we observe the formation of a front in the convergent section beyond which vegetation cannot survive, the location of which is explained by flow magnitude. This experiment confirms that the timescales of the involved processes and the unit stream power determine the existence and the position of the front within convergent river reaches, respectively. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unraveling microRNA Mediated Gene Regulation in Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. by High-throughput Sequencing based Small-RNA Pro�ling.

Centella asiatica is a widely spread herb mostly found in the tropics having extensive medicinal values. Here, we report for the �rst time, transcriptome-wide characterization of miRNA pro�le from the leaves of C. asiatica using high-throughput Illumina sequencing. We identi�ed 227 conserved and 109 putative novel miRNAs. Computational screening revealed potential mRNA targets for both the conserved and novel miRNAs encoding diverse transcription factors and enzymes involved in plant development, disease resistance, metabolic and signaling pathways. Gene ontology annotation and KEGG analysis revealed the miRNA targets to be involved in a wide range of metabolomic and regulatory pathways. The differential expression of the miRNA encoding genes in diverse tissues was determined by real-time PCR analysis. We also found that gene expression levels of miR156, 159 and 1171 was reduced in salicylic acid treated axenic shoot cultures of C. asiatica compared to its control. Furthermore, RLM-RACE experiments mapped miRNA-mediated cleavage at two of the mRNA targets. The present study represents the large-scale identi�cation of microRNAs from C. asiatica and contributes to the base for the up-coming studies on miRNA-mediated gene regulation of plant secondary metabolite pathways in particular.
Hydroclimatology of the 2008 Midwest floods

The late spring/early summer flooding that occurred in the American Midwest between May and June 2008 resulted from a combination of large‐scale atmospheric circulation patterns that supported a steady influx of moisture into the area. A low pressure system centered over the central‐western United States steered a strong jet and associated storms along its eastern edge from the west to southwest and an anomalously strong Great Plains Low Level Jet brought continuous warm and moist air into the area from the Gulf of Mexico into the area. We examine and quantify here the impact these circulation patterns had on the hydroclimatology of the Midwest highlighting the magnitude, frequency, geographic distribution, and temporal evolution of precipitation that ultimately magnified the flooding. Historical precipitation records were used to assess the regional rainfall characteristics at various geographic and time scales. Five distinct hydroclimatic characteristics contributed to the definition of the 2008 flood including persistent high surface soil moisture conditions prior to flooding exasperated by anomalously high rainfall, extreme rainfall totals covering extensive areas, increased frequency of shorter‐term, smaller‐magnitude events, persistent multiday heavy precipitation events, and extreme flood‐producing rain storms. The major flooding lasted for approximately 24 days and most greatly impacted the state of Iowa, southern Wisconsin, and central Indiana. Its occurrence during the May–June period makes the event especially unusual for this region.
Benthic foraminifera in sediment cores reflecting heavy metal pollution in Sorfjord, western Norway

Analysis of benthic foraminifera in two short sediment cores (15 and 53 m water depth) from heavy metalpolluted Sarfjord indicates that a faunal shift has taken place, due to heavy metal enrichment. Both cores reveal an upward transition from a moderately polluted environment represented by a Verneuilina media assemblage to an extremely polluted environment represented by an Eggerelloides scabrus assemblage. This faunal change may result from an increased competitiveness of some shallow water species in deeper water areas exposed to environmental stress, at the expense of more normal marine forms which have stricter ecological requirements. The total abundance of foraminifera decreases upward in both cores, whereas species diversity shows only a minor decrease. The frequent occurrence of abnormal and pyritized specimens is attributed to the effects of pollution, and seven different modes of test deformation are described.
Gelişmekte Olan Bir Ülkedeki Bir Şehrin Kent Morfolojisi ve Fractal Analizi: Örnek Alan Çalışması Olarak İstanbul

Şehirler sosyal, ekonomik ve teknolojik faktorlerin ve fiziki cevre sartlarinin sonucunda ortaya cikan karmasik olusumlardir. Şehirlerin gelisimlerini etkileyen unsurlari anlamak onlarin sadece tarihteki degil gelecekteki gelismelerini de anlamaya yardimci olabilir. Fraktal analiz, sehir morfolojisi ve yapisinin incelenmesinde yeni bir teknik olarak ortaya cikmistir. Bu calismada Fraktal analiz orta duzeyde gelir seviyesine sahip gelismekte olan bir ulkedeki bir sehre ornek olarak Istanbul uzerinde uygulanmistir. Calismada fraktal analiz sonucunda ortaya ciktigi uzere, Istanbul’un sehir yapisi Avrupa ve ABD’nin New York ve London gibi buyuk sehirlerindeki yapi ile benzer ozellikler tasimaktadir. Bununla birlikte, Istanbul’da gorulen gelisme yogunlugu, gelismekte olan ulkelerdeki diger kentsel alanlarin bir gostergesi olabilecek sekilde, gelismis bolgelerdeki benzer sehirlerden daha fazladir. Fraktal dokusunun olcumune dayali (laucunarity olcumu) yapilan ayrintili analizlerin sehir yapisinin incelenmesinde daha iyi sonuclar verdigi gorulmektedir. Sonucta, politik, kulturel yada ekonomik farkliliklara ragmen teknolojinin kuresellesmesi nedeniyle sehir dokularinda giderek artan bir sekilde benzerlikler ortaya ciktigi gorulmustur.
Effect of temporally correlated recharge on fluctuations of groundwater levels

The effect of temporally correlated groundwater recharge, R(t), on fluctuations of the hydraulic head, h(t), was investigated with theoretical analyses and numerical simulations. Under an exponentially correlated recharge (ECR) process, analytical solutions for the hydraulic head covariance, Chh, and variance, σh2, were derived with a linear reservoir model. It was found that Chh and σh2 are time‐dependent or nonstationary and reduce to those derived in a previous study for a white noise recharge (WNR) when the correlation timescale of the recharge process approaches zero. It is also found that σh2 for ECR is proportional to t2, while that for WNR is proportional to t for a substantial period of time, indicating that h(t) under ECR may vary as a smooth curve with no fractal characteristics (D = 1.0), while h(t) under WNR fluctuates as a Brownian motion (D = 1.5). The theoretical findings were verified by numerical simulations: The power spectra of the simulated heads with a one‐dimensional transient groundwater flow model under ECR were shown to have distinct slopes in the log‐log plot with D = 1.02. It was emphasized that the effect of temporal correlation in groundwater recharge is to dampen the fluctuations of the head and base flow and that daily groundwater recharge rates may have little temporal correlation in the hydrogeological conditions similar to the Walnut Creek site.
Functional outcomes and quality of life after a 6-month early intervention program for oral cancer survivors: a single-arm clinical trial

Background Advanced treatment of oral cancer increases survival rates; however, it also increases the risk of developing shoulder dysfunction, dysphagia, oral dysfunction, donor site morbidity and psychological issues. This single-arm preliminary pilot study aims to explore the effects of a six-month early intervention program following reconstructive surgery in oral cancer survivors. Methods A total of 65 participants were analyzed following reconstructive surgery. Outcome measurements were taken during the first visit, and at one, three and six months after reconstructive surgery. Results Scapular muscle strength and shoulder range of motion progressively improved during the 6-month follow-up. The mean Disability of the Arms, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score showed significant improvement at 1 month (p < .001). Health related QoL showed significant differences between baseline and 6-months post-surgery scores on global health and on most of the function and symptom scales. The predicted return-to-work rate was 80% at one year after the operation. Return-to-work rate differs in different vocational types, with a higher rate of return in the skilled or semi-skilled (87.5%) and self-employed (86.7%). Conclusions We suggest that early integrated intervention program with a follow-up of at least six months following reconstructive surgery may help develop and identify intervention guidelines and goals in the initial six months of treatment following neck dissection in oral cancer survivors.
Relationship between Transpiration and Silica Content of the Rice Panicle under Elevated Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Concentration

Silica is distributed in rice plant by the transpiration stream. However, it is unknown the effects of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) on silica deposition in the rice plants. In the present study, we investigated the effects of elevated [CO2] on silica contents of the rice plant and focused on the relationships between transpiration rate and silica content of the panicle and leaves under elevated [CO2] at the flowering stage. The rice seedlings were grown hydroponically in two chambers until the flowering stage. The [CO2] in the chambers was maintained at 350 µmol mol-1 (ambient [CO2]) or 700 µmol mol-1 (elevated [CO2]). Silica contents of the panicle and the flag leaf under elevated [CO2] significantly decreased compared with those under ambient [CO2] when silica was applied to the culture solution. The transpiration rate of the panicle decreased with increasing panicle silica content under ambient [CO2]. No correlations between transpiration rate and silica content of the panicles and leaves were observed under elevated [CO2].
Heavy Metal Immobilization in Contaminated Soils using Phosphogypsum and Rice Straw Compost

The application of soil amendments to immobilize heavy metals is a promising technology to meet the requirements for environmentally sound and cost‐effective remediation. The present study was carried out to evaluate the result of phosphogypsum (PG) used alone and in combination with compost (CP) at a mix ratio of 1:1 wet weight ratio (PG + CP) at 10 and 20 g dry weight kg−1 dry soil, on heavy metal immobilization in contaminated soil and on canola growth. The results revealed that the Pb, Cd and Zn uptake of canola plants was reduced by the application of PG alone and when it was mixed with CP as compared with untreated soil. At an application rate of 10 g dry weight kg−1 dry soil of (PG + CP) the dry weight of canola plants increased by 66·8% was increased in comparison with its weight in the untreated soil. The addition of PG alone resulted in more pronounced immobilization of heavy metal as compared with PG mixed with CP. Plant growth was improved with CP addition, but heavy metals immobilization was the greatest in PG alone treatments. Results suggest that PG may be useful for the immobilization of heavy metals in contaminated soils. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of Integrated Choice and Latent Variable (ICLV) Models for the Residential Relocation Decision in Island Areas

An empirical study has been developed for the Greek Aegean island area. Data were collected from 900 HHs in Greece contacted via telephone. The HHs were presented hypothetical scenarios involving policy variables, where 2010 was the reference year. ICLV binary logit (BL) and mixed binary logit (MBL) relocation choice models were estimated sequentially. Findings suggest that MBL models are superior to BL models, while both the policy and the latent variables significantly affect the relocation decision and improve considerably the models' goodness of fit. Sample enumeration method is finally used to aggregate the results over the Greek population.