Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pore Pressure Estimation from Mudrock Porosities in Tertiary Basins, Southeast Asia

Porosity reduction during mechanical compaction of a sediment generally has been assumed to be controlled by the increase in vertical effective stress, which is convenient because vertical stress profiles may be readily calculated from density logs. Poroelasticity theory shows, however, that mean effective stress controls porosity reduction. According to published data, horizontal stresses increase with overpressure, as well as with depth, so mean stress and vertical stress profiles are poorly correlated in overpressured sections. We have used wireline logs to compare the pore pressures estimated in mudrocks by relating porosity to mean effective stress and to vertical effective stress for overpressured Tertiary sections in southeast Asia. Wells from three different basins were studied. Mudrock porosities were estimated from the sonic log response and sorted by lithology according to the natural gamma-log response. Two sets of normal compaction curves, relating porosity to mean effective stress and to vertical effective stress, were determined empirically by fitting data points where the pore pressure was thought to be hydrostatic. These curves were then used to estimate the minimum pore pressure corresponding to mudrock porosity values in the overpressured sections. The pore pressures inferred using the mean effective stress are consistent with direct measurements of pore pressure in the adjacent sands. In contrast, pore pressures inferred in mudrocks using the vertical effective stress are significantly lower for the overpressured sections, implying discontinuities in the pore pressure profiles at lithological boundaries, which cannot readily be explained. We conclude that the pore pressures estimated using the vertical effective stress are wrong and that empirical relationships between porosity and vertical effective stress should not be used for estimating pore pressures: porosity should be empirically related to mean effective stress instead.
Hyper-dominant Left Anterior Descending Artery in the coronary circulation as a rare coronary anomaly

Hyper-dominant left anterior descending artery is rarely seen in the coronary distribution. Its involvement in ACS can often be detrimental as it supplies most of the anterior and inferior part of the right and left ventricles in compared to other variants of LAD artery. It is required to be recognized earlier and management strategies should be ascertained. Our report here describes such a case of anomalous coronary artery which is less commonly encountered during Coronary Angiography. This was case of a 60 year old hypertensive male who presented with atypical chest pain had normal ECG, echocardiography and cardiac biomarkers but TMT was positive, subsequent Coronary angiographic evaluation came up with LAD artery which was going beyond apex in the posterior interventricular groove up to crux forming PDA with 20 to 30% stenosis in proximal to distal part. Such a large LAD running into the interventricular groove forming PDA is known as “Hyper-dominant” LAD artery. The Right Coronary artery was non-dominant. Fortunately, there was no signifcant coronary artery disease to explain the cause of his chest pain, but the artery had unusual distribution provided that it has sole territorial supply to larger part of the myocardium which can worsen the clinical status if coronary artery disease progresses. He was kept under medical management and was doing good. The “Take away” lesson is that there are very few subjects with Hyper-dominant LAD artery till date and most other cases with this anatomy had presented with myocardial infarction and thus such anatomical variant of LAD artery ought to be matter of concern and further research in the feld of cardiology.
The Hillslope Hydrology of a Mountain Pasture: The Influence of Subsurface Flow on Nitrate and Ammonium Transport

Soil and hydrologic characteristics of a 5-ha agricultural watershed, located in southwestern North Carolina, were studied to quantify surface and subsurface hydrological dynamics to a developing riparian area. The watershed is composed of four dominant soil series, the Braddock (clay loam), Saunook (loam), Dillsboro (loam), and Rosman (sandy loam), which are all underlain by a less permeable Bt-horizon. Field and laboratory analysis was conducted on the Braddock, Saunook, and Rosman series only, to incorporate this specific project into an existing riparian study within the watershed. The physical and mechanical characteristics of these soils were studied to understand the influence these soils had on surface and subsurface flow processes. The watershed was monitored for approximately eight months with meteorological monitoring, time domain reflectometry (TDR), and stream gaging. A full year of monitoring was desired, but not fulfilled due to instrumentation problems. However, the eight-month monitoring period was sufficient in quantifying water flow and nutrient transport in periods of high flow and minimal plant growth. HYDRUS 2-D was used to simulate water movement in a domain with a depth of 0.2 m for the Ap-horizon and 1.5 m for the Bt-horizon. The model simulated soil water content (θv) compared reasonably well to observed data. HYDRUS 2-D provided a good link between unsaturated flow and saturated flow processes. Output from the model were used to quantify the interaction of rainwater with surface and subsurface soil horizons, and to describe specific flow paths between heterogeneous soil materials.
Re-description of Laetacara curviceps (Teleostei: Cichlidae: Cichlinae)

Laetacara curviceps is re-described based both on the types and additional material. Laetacara curviceps is similar to both L. dorsigera and L. araguaiae in general appearance and body shape and comparative small size. It is distinguished from its congeners, except for L. dorsigera, by having a dark spot on dorsal fin above trunk bar 5. Laetacara curviceops differs from L. dorsigera by having a deeper head, a longer pelvic-fin spine and no conspicuous red belly in breeding specimens.
Effect of cattle and sheep treading on surface configuration of a sedimentary hill soil

Pastures with a 6-year history of grazing by cattle (cattle pasture) and sheep (sheep pasture) were used to measure the effects on soil disturbance of a single severe grazing/treading event by sheep (S), one by cattle (C1), or 2 events within 3 weeks by cattle (C2). Treatments were stocked at 35 500 kg LW 0·9 /ha (≡ 200 cattle/ha) for 48 h when the soil was wetter than the plastic limit. A control plot (untrodden, U) was grazed only lightly by sheep to control pasture cover while causing minimal observable surface damage. Change in surface contour, random roughness, soil surface damage, and pasture cover were determined with a ‘contometer’. The construction and use of the contometer to measure change in microtopography and to describe the soil surface and vegetative state by grazing is described. Disturbance was calculated as the change in height (mm) of soil level at fixed positions along transects within treatment plots. Both sheep and cattle pastures were affected similarly (P > 0·05) in relation to absolute and net disturbance of soils. Averaged across both pasture types, very little absolute surfacesoil disturbance was measured on S, whereas cattle-treading caused significant upward and downward movement of soil. Mean ( s.d.) absolute surface disturbance (sum of upward and downward movement on a transect) was greater by cattle (C1, 11·2 8·1; C2, 9·9 5·0 mm) than by sheep (5·1 1·8 mm) (P 0·05), respectively, after the first treading and 4·1 3·7 mm for C2 after the second treading. Cumulative net disturbance resulting from C2 on sheep pasture was greater than on cattle pasture (P <0·05), especially after the first treading, suggesting sheep pasture was more susceptible to compaction than the previously damaged cattle pasture. Random roughness and percentage of surface soil penetrated by hooves, based on observation, was greater following cattle than sheep treading. Random roughness tended to increase more (P < 0·07) following treading of sheep than of cattle pastures, which were already rougher. It was concluded that the effect on soil surface configuration of severe short-term treading events on wet soils was greater by cattle than by sheep stocked at the same metabolic liveweight per hectare and that this occurred irrespective of the previous grazing history. Although absolute disturbance in each of the 2 cattle treadings in C2 was similar, net disturbance (compaction) on sheep pasture was more than twice that on cattle pasture (P < 0· 05).
Vision related quality of life among Nepalese patients with keratoconus

Introduction: Keratoconus (KC) is a bilateral progressive noninflammatory disorder characterized by irregular astigmatism and corneal thinning. KC results in a disproportionate impact on major aspects of quality of life (QoL) of a person due to its early onset and chronic nature. This study aims to evaluate vision-related QoL in Nepalese patients with KC. Method: A cross-sectional hospital-based study was carried out for 1 year. A sample of 35 KC subjects and 38 control subjects who met the eligibility criteria were enrolled. All subjects underwent corneal topography and abberometry along with a comprehensive eye examination. Both cases and controls completed the NEI VFQ 25 questionnaire. Visual acuity (high contrast visual acuity and LCVA), CS, color vision, refraction, and scores of all subscales of QoL were measured. The QoL scores were correlated with each of the visual function parameters in KC subjects. Result: The mean scores of all of the subscales of QoL were found significantly less in the KC group than in age and sex matched control group with P<0.001 The mean composite score was found to reduce significantly as the grade of KC increased. The mean composite score for grade 1 KC was 70.79±7.96, grade 2 KC was 60.56±6.49 and for grade 3 KC was 55.99±0.67 with P=0.001 about better eye. There was a highly significant difference in the mean composite score of QoL between these contact lens wearers and spectacle wearers. The mean composite score for spectacle wearer was 67.86±07.99 and that of contact lens wearer was 58.63±04.26 with P=0.004. Conclusion: This study concluded that the QoL of keratoconic individuals was found to reduce gradually as the severity of the disease increased. QoL score in contact lens-wearing Nepalese KC patients is worse than spectacle wearers. By stopping the progression of disease we can maintain functional vision as well as a vision-related QoL. Our study findings suggested that vision and visual function parameters in the better eye is the most important parameter affecting VR-QOL of patients with KC. KC patients should maintain the best vision that they can have.
Panel Cointegration Analysis of Total Environmental Taxes and Economic Growth in EU Countries

This paper examines the relationship between total environmental taxes and economic growth for twenty-eight EU countries from 1994 to 2018. The aim of this research is to evaluate the long-run relationship between these variables based on panel data analysis. The analysis includes panel unit root test, panel cointegration test, panel ordinary least squares, panel dynamic ordinary least squares, as well as, fully modified ordinary least squares models. The results reveal long-run cointegrated relationship between total environmental taxes and economic growth in selected countries. Likewise, there is a significant relation running from total environmental taxes to economic growth measured by gross domestic product rate. Empirical findings confirm that revenue of environmental taxes have a positive and statistically significant effect on economic growth measured by gross domestic product rate in the long-run.
Natural occurrence of keatite precipitates in UHP clinopyroxene from the Kokchetav Massif: A TEM investigation

Abstract We report the first natural occurrence of keatite, also known as silica K, discovered as a precipitate in the core of ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) clinopyroxene (Cpx) within garnet pyroxenite from the Kokchetav Massif, Kazakhstan. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction demonstrate that sub-micrometer and nano-scale keatite precipitates have a definite crystallographic relationship with the host pyroxene (diopside = ~Di90) Cpx (100) || keatite (100) and Cpx (010) || keatite (001). Clinopyroxene provides a template for keatite nucleation due to the close structural relationship and excellent lattice match between the diopside and keatite. We propose that keatite micro-precipitates are formed in localized low-pressure micro-environments produced as a result of exsolution of extra silica and vacancies held within UHP host diopside and stabilized by the pyroxene lattice. Low-density metastable keatite and its relationship to the host pyroxene likely reflects the important influence of pyroxene/precipitate interfacial energy on the micro- and nano-scales in controlling the nature of exsolved phases in exhumed UHP minerals.
Does green banking affect banks’ profitability?

This paper empirically investigated the impact of green banking on the financial performance of Qatari banks. This paper collected the data for all banks in Qatar during the period 2012–2021. Specifically, the data collected included all 7 banks in Qatar and gathered data from the Refinitiv Eikon platform, the annual reports of the banks, and the relevant stock markets. Ordinary least squares (OLS) and panel regression have been applied but the fixed effect technique was interpreted because of the significance of the Hausman test. The dependent variable was the return on equity, the independent variables were size, loan loss provision, and two dummy variables as a proxy for green banking, which are: the availability of online banking and the availability of mobile applications. The results showed a positive relationship between the size and the return on equity and a negative relationship between the loan loss provision and the availability of mobile applications on the return on equity. The availability of online banking had an insignificant relationship with return on equity. This implies that larger Qatari banks tend to have larger profits and banks who estimate higher loan loss provisions are expected to have lower profitability. Surprisingly, the availability of mobile applications is found to affect profitability negatively if the cost of having the application is not covered by the noninterest charges.
Temperature-Dependent Food Consumption Rates of the Sea Urchin Mesocentrotus nudus and Top Shell Turbo sazae: Potential Impacts on Seaweed Beds

Simple Summary Despite the expansion of barren grounds and a change in the habitats of macrograzers brought about by rising water temperatures linked to climate change, there is a lack of information regarding how this habitat alteration and grazing by macrograzers affect seaweed beds. This study assessed which species, sea urchin and top shell, would have a more significant influence on seaweed beds if the current trend of increasing water temperature continues. Our results suggest that top shell has a greater potential to cause barren ground and thus poses a greater threat than sea urchin. Abstract In Korea, the expansion of barren ground and a shift in macrograzer habitats due to increasing water temperatures associated with climate change are becoming increasingly problematic. This study assessed the potential effects of the sea urchin Mesocentrotus nudus and top shell Turbo sazae on seaweed beds by examining changes in their food consumption rates in response to changes in temperature. The food consumption rates of kelp (Saccharina japonica) for both species were estimated at 5 °C, 10 °C, 15 °C, 20 °C, and 25 °C in laboratory experiments. The rate for M. nudus increased with increasing water temperature, with the highest rate of 0.001 g g−1 d−1 at 15 °C and 20 °C, and the lowest at 25 °C, which killed some individual sea urchins. The rate for T. sazae also increased with increasing water temperature, with the highest being 0.087 g g−1 d−1 at 25 °C and the lowest being at 5 °C. T. sazae had a higher food consumption rate than M. nudus at all temperatures; as water temperature increased, the difference between species increased, with the largest difference occurring at 25 °C. These findings indicate that as water temperature increases, T. sazae places greater feeding pressure on macroalgae than M. nudus.
Prevention of alloimmunization in patients with sickle cell disease in Chad

The objective of this study was to contribute to the prevention of anti-erythrocyte alloimmunization in patients with sickle cell disease (DS) in Chad. This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study from December 2021 to June 2022 in sickle cell patients regularly followed in two University Hospital Centers (CHU) in N'Djamena. The search for irregular antibodies was carried out by a combination of three techniques: indirect anti-globulin test (Coombs), enzymatic test (Papain) and the test in a low ionic strength medium, in a partner laboratory of the National Blood Transfusion Center in France. The study included 57 sickle cell patients, 45 of whom (78.9%) were actually transfused. Sickle cell patients accounted for 84.2% of cases. The sex ratio Male/Female (M/F) was 1.03. The average age of the transfused was 9.3 ± 5.4 years. Four of the transfused patients (8.8%) had produced 7 antibodies including 85.7% anti-rhesus and 14.3% anti-Kell. Age, sex and number of blood units were associated with antibody production with probabilities of 0.046, 0.041 and 0.035, respectively. In view of the results obtained from this study, we recommend the application of the blood transfusion rules and procedures in force in Chad.
Towards a Political Ecology of Knowledge: Reconnecting with the Legacy of Radical Science Movements

In this essay we discuss the legacy of the 1970s French radical science movement (FRSM) and the way they influence contemporary collective inquiries and personal commitments concerning different forms of knowledge production. Among other things, The FRSM explored new ways of knowledge production, inside and outside of academic institutions. However, due to the institutionalization of those critiques and their foundational function for disciplines like STS, their legacy has gradually become forgotten. The current renewal of critiques of science since the 2000s allows for a reconnection with this particular history. We show that even if many of them were more interested in a return to an ideal autonomous science, they often also underline the fact that precariousness constitutes a condition that reveals what really counts in science and knowledge. We claim that in this way those critiques help us seriously consider the living and dead aspects of science and, consequently, how to protect or undo them. Critical approaches that consider actual asymmetries and precariousness could become the basis for a political ecology of knowledge.
Preventing Lyme disease through identification of key beliefs

Lyme disease and other vector-borne diseases are on the rise because of climate change. In the province of Quebec, Canada, Lyme disease has become a public health problem deserving the attention of health authorities. Despite their recognized effectiveness at preventing tick-to-human transmission, rates of adoption of Lyme disease adaptive behaviours (LDAB) remain relatively low in the population. Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), the aim of this study is to identify specific and actionable beliefs associated with the adoption of Lyme disease adaptive behaviours. Specifically, 2,011 people were surveyed to determine the decision-making process behind specific beliefs, which could be targeted for raising awareness. Statistically significant associations were found between the three determinants of the TPB (i.e., attitudes, perceived social pressure and perceived behavioral control) and the intention to adapt. In addition, the intention itself was significantly associated with adopting LDAB. Belief-based analyses indicated that 8 primary beliefs (4 behavioral beliefs, 2 normative beliefs, and 2 control beliefs) were associated with LDAB. Among these, control beliefs (barriers and facilitating factors) appeared to have the greatest impact on adaptation. These findings can be used to guide educational and awareness-raising campaigns to promote LDAB by changing or reinforcing these primary beliefs.
Droppings of Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) as a reservoir of cultivable micromycetes on Spitsbergen

: Fungi are highly diverse, yet only a minor part of the total estimated species has been cultured and characterized. This might be especially true for Arctic, where studies on the fungal diversity are still scarce. For that reason, our aim was to analyze fungal diversity in the droppings of Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus . The samples of feces from 32 adult individuals were collected in the southern or central parts of the Wedel Jarlsberg Land (Spitsbergen, Svalbard Archipelago) and assessed for micromycetes diversity using a combination of classical and molecular identification approaches. We found 16 fungal species, out of which three were described as mesophilic, two as psychrotolerant and eleven as psychrophilic. The identified Arctic fungi belonged to eleven genera out of which representatives of Naganishia genus (formerly belonging to Cryptococcus albidus clade) were the most abundant fungal species isolated. Additionally, to our knowledge, we firstly recorded Botrytis cinerea in polar areas. We conclude that droppings of R. tarandus platyrhynchus are a source of different fungal taxa, including fungi potentially pathogenic towards humans, plants and insects.
Diversity and conservation of mammals in indigenous territories of southern Mexico: proposal for an “Archipelago Reserve”

Southern Mexico’s tropical forests are home to the country’s highest richness of mammal species; La Chinantla region is situated within this area, its name from the indigenous group residing in the area and holding territorial ownership, namely the Chinantecos. In La Chinantla, there are no Protected Areas; instead, there are Areas Destined Voluntarily for Conservation (ADVC) and “Voluntary Conservation Areas” (VCA), that are managed by local inhabitants through social consensus. These ADVC may function as an archipelago reserve, which represents regional diversity, including the social context, through complementarity. To verify its biodiversity, we analyzed the richness, composition, distribution, and conservation of wild mammals in the region. Records were obtained from four sources—primary data collection, databases, scientific literature, and community monitoring—and were organized into four zones based on altitudinal and vegetation gradients. We compared the diversity between zones for three categories of mammals: small (<100 gr.), bats, and medium and large (>100 gr.). 134 species were identified comprising 11 orders, 26 families and 86 genera. The zone with highest elevation presented the greatest species richness for the assemblage of mammals and terrestrial mammals, while the zone with the lowest elevation had the highest richness of bats. For each mammal category, the zone with the most species also registered the highest number of exclusive species. For the assemblage of mammals and for medium and large mammals, the similarity index was highest between the two intermediate zones, while for small mammals and bats, the greatest similarity occurred between the areas of higher altitude. The study region was found to have the second highest richness of mammals in Mexico. Finally, we suggest that the conservation proposals by indigenous people could function as a set of “islands” that promote the conservation of biodiversity, possibly as an Archipelago Reserve.