Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The large Amazonian peatland carbon sink in the subsiding Pastaza‐Marañón foreland basin, Peru

The carbon (C) dynamics of tropical peatlands can be of global importance, because, particularly in Southeast Asia, they are the source of considerable amounts of C released to the atmosphere as a result of land‐use change and fire. In contrast, the existence of tropical peatlands in Amazonia has been documented only recently. According to a recent study, the 120 000 km2 subsiding Pastaza‐Marañón foreland basin in Peruvian Amazonia harbours previously unstudied and up to 7.5 m thick peat deposits. We studied the role of these peat deposits as a C reserve and sink by measuring peat depth, radiocarbon age and peat and C accumulation rates at 5–13 sites. The basal ages varied from 1975 to 8870 cal yr bp, peat accumulation rates from 0.46 to 9.31 mm yr−1 and C accumulation rates from 28 to 108 g m−2 yr−1. The total peatland area and current peat C stock within the area of two studied satellite images were 21 929 km2 and 3.116 Gt (with a range of 0.837–9.461 Gt). The C stock is 32% (with a range of 8.7–98%) of the best estimate of the South American tropical peatland C stock and 3.5% (with a range of 0.9–10.7%) of the best estimate of the global tropical peatland C stock. The whole Pastaza‐Marañón basin probably supports about twice this peatland area and peat C stock. In addition to their contemporary geographical extent, these peatlands probably also have a large historical (vertical) extension because of their location in a foreland basin characterized by extensive river sedimentation, peat burial and subsidence for most of the Quaternary period. Burial of peat layers in deposits of up to 1 km thick Quaternary river sediments removes C from the short‐term C cycle between the biosphere and atmosphere, generating a long‐term C sink.
Westward migration of Pacific Ocean upper mantle into the Southern Ocean region between Australia and Antarctica

The Southern Ocean south of the Great Australian Bight hosts a globally anomalous region of mid-ocean ridge, the Australian-Antarctic Discordance. In addition to its recognized morphological and geophysical anomalies, the discordance represents the current on-axis location of a proposed isotopic boundary between Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean upper mantle convective regimes, previously defined from analyses of ≤ 4 Ma mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB). Pb, Sr, and Nd isotope analyses of ∼ 36–66 Ma seafloor dredged from either side of the northward extrapolation of the Australian-Antarctic Discordance show that ≥ 36 Ma seafloor to the east has an Indian Ocean MORB isotopic signature. This indicates that the Indian-Pacific isotopic boundary does not extend directly north of the ridge toward the southern margin of Australia. Progressive westward migration of an arcuate-shaped front of Pacific Ocean upper mantle therefore appears to be a consequence of Australian-Antarctic rifting and Southern Ocean opening, suggesting that the current location of the isotopic boundary within the discordance may be entirely coincidental.
Long-term pan evaporation observations as a resource to understand the water cycle trend: case studies from Australia

Abstract Acceleration of the global water cycle over recent decades remains uncertain because of the high inter-annual variability of its components. Observations of pan evaporation (Epan), a proxy of potential evapotranspiration (ETp), may help to identify trends in the water cycle over long periods. The complementary relationship (CR) states that ETp and actual evapotranspiration (ETa) depend on each other in a complementary manner, through land–atmosphere feedbacks in water-limited environments. Using a long-term series of Epan observations in Australia, we estimated monthly ETa by the CR and compared our estimates with ETa measured at eddy covariance Fluxnet stations. The results confirm that our approach, entirely data-driven, can reliably estimate ETa only in water-limited conditions. Furthermore, our analysis indicated that ETa did not show any significant trend in the last 30 years, while short-term analysis may indicate a rapid climate change that is not perceived in a long-term perspective. Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz; Associate editor D. Gerten Citation Lugato, E. , Alberti, G. , Gioli. B. , Kaplan, J.O. , Peressotti, A. , and Miglietta, F. , 2013. Long-term pan evaporation observations as a resource to understand the water cycle trend: case studies from Australia. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 58 (6), 1287–1296.
Electrical Grounding in Cold Regions

Abstract : Electrical grounding for temporary and permanent installations in cold regions is complicated by the existence of frozen soil. This is because the electrical resistivity of frozen soil can be several orders of magnitude higher than unfrozen soil, the contact resistance between the grounding electrodes and the soil, which is usually negligible under unfrozen conditions, can become significant if a veneer of ice forms on the electrode, and it is difficult to drive grounding rods and frozen soil. The purpose of this digest is to describe the factors to consider when planning a grounding system for permanent and temporary installations in regions of seasonal frost and permafrost.
ViEW, a wheelchair simulator for driving analysis

This article presents ViEW (Virtual Electric Wheelchair), a powered wheelchair (PW) simulator designed in our laboratory with several aims: to provide a setting for safe driving training, to test control skills, to aid in parameterizing wheelchair settings and to test new features. Following an overview of current developments in the field of wheelchair simulator design, we describe the main features of our simulator and present a study which used ViEW as a driving learning tool in outdoor environments. This study was conducted in a rehabilitation center for children. The main objectives were to evaluate necessary skills, to identify difficulties involved in the driving process, and to study how the simulator contributes to the driving learning process in real life circumstances.
A "deep" ice core from East Greenland

Pilot studies on the Renland peninsula in Scoresbysund Fjord, East Greenland, indicated that the relatively small and separate Renland ice cap meets most of the criteria defining a favourable ice-core drill-site. In 1988, a Nordic expedition recovered a continuous surface-to-bedrock ice core from the summit. This relatively short core reaches deep into the past, probably throughout the last glaciation and through most of the preceding interglacial, Eem, 125,000 years B.P. The core contains detailed information on temporal changes of the coastal environment, and serves as a valuable complement to the new deep ice cores being drilled in Central Greenland. Core analyses suggest that (1) during Eemian time the East Greenland climate was at least 5°C warmer than now, and the precipitation 20% higher; (2) during the last glacial period, the precipitation decreased to a minimum, perhaps only 20% of the present value; (3) the post-glacial climatic optimum was 2.5°C warmer than now; (4) the long-term variability of the record is relatively low, due to isostatic movements in the area; and (5) from 70,000 years B.P., the Greenland glacial climate alternated between two quasi-stable stages. The latter point may reflect a chaotic feature of climate. If so, climate predictions will be difficult to access.
SELF-MONITORING : AN EFFECTUAL CLASSROOM STRATEGY

This paper examines the effectiveness of a SelfMonitoring (SM) Strategy program in transforming students’ misbehavior in classrooms which if not overcome will eventually lead to sub-standard grade performance. The samples were 36 students taking Integrated Case Study (MAF680), a newly introduced code for Bachelor in Accountancy. The students had initially shown some attitudinal and cognitive misbehavior in class. Following the seven (7) identified procedures, it was proven that SMS created huge positive variance not only in students’ classroom behavioral abilities but also on the grade achievements where 83% of them obtained a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 and above. Other benefits were observed such as making the students more responsible by initiating control, checking, and applying prompt remedial measures with minimal effort from the lecturer and also making the lecturer more focused on content and strategy teaching that is vital in professional skills transfer.
Pleistocene epigenetic and syngenetic frost fissures, Belchatów, Poland

Pseudomorphs of cryogenic fissures in stratified medium to fine silty sand and sand at Belchatow, Poland, indicate both epigenetic and syngenetic freezing of sediments at various times during the Pleistocene. Syngenetic fissures are more frequent. They are typically 0.5–2.0 m in vertical dimension, range in width from 5 to 20 cm, exhibit both upwarps and downwarps of enclosing sediments, and are offset from each other in the stratigraphic sequence. Epigenetic fissures are larger, generally increase in width upwards, and are related to an inferred ground surface. It is difficult to distinguish between syngenetic fissures that penetrate permafrost and soil (ground) veins or wedges that require only deep seasonal frost for their formation. Cold, continental environments characterized by rapid sedimentation and permafrost aggradation appear most conducive for formation of syngenetic fissures. Today, both large and small syngenetic fissures are known to exist in the permafrost regions of Siberia but are rarely.
Structural assemblage of high‐pressure mantle and crustal rocks in a subduction channel (Cabo Ortegal, NW Spain)

High‐pressure metamorphic fold‐nappes and ductile thrusts occur in the Cabo Ortegal upper allochthons. They involve arc‐root lithospheric mantle peridotites, high‐pressure volcanic‐arc granulites, normal mid‐oceanic ridge basalt eclogites and shallow crustal volcanosedimentary high‐pressure gneiss units. Confluence of units from such disparate tectonic settings occurred at an eo‐Hercynian convergent plate margin. Their internal deformation, juxtaposition, and high‐pressure synmetamorphic reworking resulted from kinematically simple but intense and polyphase ductile deformations. Fold nappes exhibit a remarkable sheath‐like form and contain mineral and stretching lineations defined by high‐pressure mineral assemblages subparallel to fold axes. We argue that these structures outline the internal organization of high‐pressure sheets at deep tectonic realms of an oblique subduction/collision orogenic channel.
Quantifying the influence of slope, aspect, crown shape and stem density on the estimation of tree height at plot level using lidar and InSAR data

This study compared the use of light detection and ranging (lidar) data and X‐band interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data for estimating Lorey's height (H L) within inventory plots. At plot level, H L can be estimated with a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 1.8 m or 6.0% using lidar data and 2.7 m or 9.0% using InSAR data. The most effective predictor variables were found to be the 75th percentile of the vegetation heights for lidar (p75 lidar) and the 90th percentile for InSAR (p90 InSAR). Estimation results can be improved considerably by incorporating ground slope into the models. An increase in slope, given the same field‐measured H L, was associated with an upward shift in height percentiles. We assume that this is a cause of the asymmetrical crown shape on slopes. An interaction between slope and aspect was noted for InSAR data, with a tendency for the influence of slope to be stronger on upward (i.e. for slopes facing the InSAR sensor) than downward slopes. Comparison of the lidar‐ and InSAR‐derived vegetation heights revealed that the p90 InSAR is more commonly below the p75 lidar. This difference was greater on upward than downward slopes. Estimations of H L can be further improved if additional information, such as the conifer proportion (CP) (as a surrogate for crown shape) or stem density (SD), is included in the models. It was possible to substitute the predictor variable CP by means of density metrics in the statistical models that depend on InSAR data. However, this was not possible for the statistical models depending on lidar data. Density metrics were also not able to explain the variability that was explained by the predictor variable SD (this was the case for models that depend on lidar and on InSAR data).
Long‐term trends of surface air temperature in india

Salient features of the long-term variation of surface air temperature for India as a whole and for different regions of the country have been presented. Temperature data at 73 fairly widespread stations, for the period 1901-1982. have been used in the study. Seasonal and annual temperature anomaly series have been obtained for the different regions. Such series have also been obtained for latitude- and longitude-wise classifications. The long-term variation in the temperature has been evaluated by linear trend. The results indicate a slight but definite warming trend in the mean annual Indian temperatures. This warming is found to be mainly contributed by the post-monsoon and winter seasons. West coast, interior peninsula, north central and north-east regions of the country have shown pronounced warming in the mean annual temperatures. The post-1940 cooling reported for the Northern Hemisphere is not conspicuous in the mean annual Indian temperature anomalies.
Effect of Weed Competition, Planting Time and Depth on Pistacia atlantica Seedlings in a Mediterranean Nursery in Iran

The effect of weed competition, Planting time and Depth on growth and survival of Pistacia atlantica seedlings was evaluated in nursery conditions. Pistacia atlantica is a deciduous tree species that belongs to the Anacardiaceae family. It is valuable for soil conservation and therefore suitable for plantation in dry lands. Regeneration of Pistacia atlantica in western part of Iran presents problems due to much destruction of its natural habitats. Two levels of weed treatment (weed competition was removed several times by hand or the weeds permitted to grow) and three levels of sowing date (9 January, 29 January, 18 February) were used. In addition, seeds were sown at three different depths (0.4 and 8 cm) but no seedlings emerged when seeds were sown at 0 cm sowing depth. At the end of the first growing season on September 2004, survival, height above the soil surface, collar diameter, shoot/root length ratio and shoot/root dry weight ratio were measured. Survival was significantly affected by sowing depth but not by sowing date and weed treatment. Survival was greater at 4 cm than at 8 cm sowing depth. Collar diameter was significantly greater at 4 cm than at 8 cm sowing depth and in 9 January and 29 January than in 18 February sowing date but was not different between weed treatments. Shoot/root length ratio and height was not affected by sowing date, sowing depth and weed treatment. Shoot/root dry weight ratio was significantly lower at 4 cm sowing depth but not affected by sowing date. This ratio was greater in weed competition condition. In general weed treatment, sowing date and sowing depth are factors that can influence physical
Radiative Effect of Mixed Mineral Dust and Biomass Burning Aerosol in the Thermal Infrared

This thesis treats the optical properties of mixed mineral dust and biomass burning aerosol in the thermal infrared (TIR) based on Fourier Transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) measurements and radiative transfer simulations. The measurements were part of the Saharan Mineral Dust Experiment 2 (SAMUM-2) conducted from January to February 2008 at Praia, Cape Verde. The large amount of different instruments co-located at the main field site during the campaign resulted in a unique dataset comprising in-situ information and remote sensing data perfectly suited for column closure studies. The ultimate goal of this work is to investigate the consistency of microphysical and TIR remote sensing data. This is achieved by reproducing the measured radiances at top and bottom of the atmosphere (TOA, BOA) with a radiative transfer model, which assimilates the microphysical aerosol information gathered during SAMUM-2. The first part of the thesis describes several experimental efforts, including a novel calibration method and a drift correction algorithm for the ground-based FTIR instrument operated within the scope of SAMUM-2 by the author. The second part introduces the concurrent radiative transfer library PIRATES, which has been developed in the framework of this thesis for the analysis of TIR aerosol optical properties. The third and final part of the treatise compares measured and simulated spectra for various typical scenarios encountered during SAMUM-2. It is demonstrated in three case studies, that measured radiances in the TIR atmospheric window region (8-12 µm) can be reproduced at BOA and TOA by radiative transfer simulations assuming spheroidal model particles. Moreover, spherical particles are shown to be an inadequate model for mineral dust aerosol in this spectral region unless the aerosol optical depth is small.
La política audiovisual del MERCOSUR y la influencia del modelo europeo

Este articulo analiza la politica audiovisual del MERCOSUR con el objetivo de estudiar si el modelo de politica supranacional mercosurena responde a un diseno propio o si se observa una clara influencia en su definicion y/o desarrollo de la politica audiovisual de la Union Europea. Tras un analisis comparativo entre las dos politicas supranacionales, se puede confirmar la influencia europea en la definicion y desarrollo de la politica audiovisual del MERCOSUR, gracias al aval de tres razones de caracter interno y externo a la region. Palabras clave: Politica audiovisual; Mercosur; Union Europea. This paper analyzes the MERCOSUR audiovisual policy. It aims to study whether the model of MERCOSUR supranational policy follows an original pattern or rather there is a clear influence on its definition and implementation of the European Union’s audiovisual policy. Once done the comparative analysis between both supranational policies, it can be concluded that there is a European influence on the definition and development of the MERCO- SUR audiovisual policy. This can be sustained on three arguments, base on internal and external reasons inside the region. Keywords: Audiovisual policy; Mercosur; European Union.
Paleoclimate proxy perspective on Caribbean climate since the year 1751: Evidence of cooler temperatures and multidecadal variability

[1] Annually resolved coral δ18O and Sr/Ca records from southwestern Puerto Rico are used to investigate Caribbean climate variability between 1751 and 2004 C.E. Mean surface ocean temperatures in this region have increased steadily by about 2°C since the year 1751, with Sr/Ca data indicating 2.1 ± 0.8°C and δ18O data indicating 2.7 ± 0.5°C. Coral geochemical records from across the tropics demonstrate that regional variability is important for understanding climate variations at centennial time scales. A strong multidecadal salinity signal in the oxygen isotope data correlates with observed multidecadal temperature variations in the Northern Hemisphere. Instrumental wind and precipitation data indicate that the most recent coral isotopic variations are caused by expansion and contraction of the steep regional salinity gradient, forced by trade wind anomalies through meridional Ekman transport. The timing of the fluctuations suggests that the multidecadal-scale wind and surface circulation anomalies might play a role in Atlantic temperature variability and meridional overturning circulation, but further work is needed to confirm this suggestion.
Maritime Taiwan: Historical Encounters with the East and the West

Acknowledgments 1. Introduction 2. Taiwan's Seventeenth-Century Rulers: The Dutch, the Spaniards, and the Pirate Koxinga 3. Trading Networks: Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and Coastal China 4. British Footprints on Taiwan: Consulates, Trading Firms, and Presbyterian Churches 5. A Strategic Vantage Point: The French Campaign for Taiwan 6. Late to the Scene: The United States Arrives in Taiwan 7. Roots of the Japanese Empire: The Colonization of Taiwan 8. Taiwan During World War II: From Colony to Haven 9. Postwar Taiwan: The Growing American Presence and Influence Glossary Bibliography Index About the Author.
Mountaineering sojourn: effects on body composition of prolonged exposure to high altitude in a cold environment

This study characterizes the basal body composition status of mountain climbers and examines changes in composition during a climbing expedition to high altitude. Subjects had selected physical and anthropometric (circumferences, skinfolds) measures taken immediately before (n=93) and after (n=29) an expedition to climb Mt McKinley, Denali National Park, Alaska. The anthropometric results were used to calculate the estimated percent body fat, lean body weight, and fat weight of the subjects. Climbing was attempted in elevation segments of 300 m per day to the summit (6193 m), and the length of the expeditions was 24.2 ± 0.8 days (mean ± se). All before- and after-expedition measures were statistically analyzed with a two-tailed t-test for dependent samples. The basal status results showed the climbers to be better than average in compositional status for their age group. Statistical analysis of the before- and after-expedition measures indicated that there were significant reductions in all of the anthropometric measures. Additionally, body weight (74.5 ± 1.7 kg vs 71.6 ± 1.5 kg), percent fat (15.6 ± 0.7% vs 13.8 ± 0.7%), lean body weight (62.8 ± 1.3 kg vs 61.7 ± 1.2 kg), and fat weight (11.7 ± 0.7 kg vs 10.0 ± 0.6 kg) were all significantly (p < 0.01) reduced following the expedition. These data indicate mountain climbing to high altitudes significantly impacts overall body composition, reducing both fat and lean mass. However, these reductions appear more so in the adipose reserves than in the lean tissues of the body.
Distinguishing the Influence of Heat, Freshwater, and Momentum Fluxes on Ocean Circulation and Climate

Abstract The influence of surface fluxes of heat, freshwater, and momentum on ocean circulation and transports are analyzed using a coupled atmosphere–ocean climate model. A control simulation is compared with experiments in which freshwater and wind stress forcing are suppressed separately and together. Thermal forcing is the dominant driving force of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, with freshwater and wind stress forcing both having a smaller positive influence. In the Pacific, on the other hand, freshwater forcing has a negative influence; eliminating it intensifies the meridional overturning, leading to the formation of a deep western boundary current. This difference in sign is consistent with the Atlantic being a net evaporative basin and the Pacific one with net precipitation. Deep outflow from the Atlantic at 30°S is more strongly dependent on freshwater than on wind stress forcing. The sensitivity to freshwater forcing is increased when the model is modified to include the eddy m.