Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Soil Scarification and Wildfire Interactions and Effects on Microbial Communities and Carbon

Nutrient availability is an important constraint on sustainable forest productivity, and it is crucial to understand the long-term effects of management practices, including soil scarification, on soil microbial communities because they store and cycle nutrients. In addition, because forests are subject to wildfires, it would be useful to understand potential interactive effects of wildfire and management practice on forest soil ecosystems. We studied the individual and combined effects of soil scarification and a subsequent wildfire on microbial community structure of a ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa C. Lawson) forest soil in the central Rocky Mountains. Experimental plots were scarified by rototilling in 1981, and in 2002, some of the plots were burned during a mixed-severity wildfire. In 2005, mineral soil samples (0-10-cm depth) were collected and assayed for soil chemical properties, fungal and bacterial biomass, C mineralization potential, and microbial community fatty acid composition. Compared with undisturbed soil, soil from scarified-only plots was relatively high in pH, low in total C and organic matter (OM) concentrations, low in fungal and bacterial biomass, and enriched with Gram-positive biomarkers. Regardless of scarification treatment, soil from burned plots was relatively high in pH and extractable P, low in fungal but not bacterial biomass, and enriched with Gram-negative bacterial biomarkers. Compared with scarified-only plots, scarified-plus-burned plots had greater soil C and OM concentrations. Carbon mineralization rates were not different among the plot soils. While scarification is a positive practice for aiding seedling establishment, we found long-term effects on soil C reserves and microbial communities.
Seminal Plasma Proteins Associated with The Fertility of Brahman Bulls in The Colombian Low Tropics

The sperm interacts with seminal plasma proteins during its transport through the female reproductive tract to reach the oocyte. Seminal plasma proteins have been associated as biomarkers of fertility in bovine males, while two-dimensional electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels under denaturing conditions (2D-PAGE) is a useful technique for their separation, allowing their subsequent analysis with the aid of specialised software. Brahman bulls are known for their tolerance to tropical conditions such as low-quality pastures, high temperatures, and relative humidity as well as moderate resistance to infestations by parasites and insects. The present study describes the two-dimensional electrophoretic profiles of the seminal plasma proteins in the rainy and dry seasons, associating them with the fertility of Brahman bulls in the Colombian Orinoquía in a 90-days breeding season and a single-sire mating system (1 bull per 50 Brahman cows) with 60 consecutive days of rest. The fertility-related seminal plasma protein spots increased in the dry season. Likewise, a meaningful relationship was found between the protein spots that possibly coincide with the Binder of Sperm Proteins. It was also found that bulls with the highest percentages of pregnancy also had similarities in their 2D seminal plasma maps. We conclude that the seminal plasma protein profile of Brahman bulls raised in the Colombian low tropic changes between rainy and dry seasons, and such changes may influence the reproductive performance of those animals.
SKS splitting beneath continental rift zones

We present measurements of SKS splitting at 28 digital seismic stations and 35 analog stations in the Baikal rift zone, Siberia, and adjacent areas, and at 17 stations in the East African Rift in Kenya and compare them with previous measurements from the Rio Grande Rift of North America. Fast directions in the inner region of the Baikal rift zone are distributed in two orthogonal directions, NE and NW, approximately parallel and perpendicular to the NE strike of the rift. In the adjacent Siberian platform and northern Mongolian fold belt, only the rift-orthogonal fast direction is observed. In southcentral Mongolia, the dominant fast direction changes to rift-parallel again, although a small number of measurements are still rift-orthogonal. For the axial zones of the East African and Rio Grande Rifts, fast directions are oriented on average NNE, that is, rotated clockwise from the N-S trending rift. All three rifts are underlain by low-velocity upper mantle as determined from teleseismic tomography. Rift-related mantle flow provides a plausible interpretation for the rift-orthogonal fast directions. The rift-parallel fast directions near the rift axes can be interpreted by oriented magmatic cracks in the mantle or small-scale mantle convection with rift-parallel flow. The agreement between stress estimates and corresponding crack orientations lends some weight to the suggestion that the rift-parallel fast directions are caused by oriented magmatic cracks.
Observation of an abrupt disruption of the long‐term warming trend at the Balearic Sea, western Mediterranean Sea, in summer 2005

The properties of the Western Mediterranean Deep Water in a wide area located at the western boundary of the Mediterranean Sea, including the Balearic Sea, have revealed intense changes when observed in summer 2005. Between February and June 2005, a temperature drop of 0.14°C reverted dramatically the progressive warming trend of 0.011°C yr−1 that had been observed since 1996, in the waters below 600 dbar north of the Balearic channels. A similar temperature drop has been observed east of the Minorca Island, below the Levantine Intermediate Water and down to 1500 dbar. In the deepest levels, a complex thermohaline structure, which implies different waters masses as sources, was tracked more than 400 km along the western boundary of the Mediterranean Sea, from Barcelona to the Algerian Basin. It is suggested that the changes may be linked to the severe 2004/2005 winter occurred at the northwestern Mediterranean Sea.
Capital Controls in Emerging and Developing Economies and the Transmission of U.S. Monetary Policy

The Policy Research Working Paper Series disseminates the findings of work in progress to encourage the exchange of ideas about development issues. An objective of the series is to get the findings out quickly, even if the presentations are less than fully polished. The papers carry the names of the authors and should be cited accordingly. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper are entirely those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the views of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank and its affiliated organizations, or those of the Executive Directors of the World Bank or the governments they represent.
Evaluation of the Source Rock Potential of Sumatran Coals by Artificial Maturation of Coal

Abstract Coal has been suggested as an important source for liquid hydrocarbons in Sumatra. The concept that coal can generate significant amounts of liquid hydrocarbons can not be lightly dismissed, nor quickly accepted without more convincing geochemical information. In addition to hydrocarbon generation, it is critical to consider the expulsion efficiency of coals. To better evaluate the liquid hydrocarbon potential of coal, hydrous pyrolysis experiments were completed using Tertiary lignites (Ro < 0.35%) from the Bukit Asam region (Muara Enim Formation) of South Sumatra and North Dakota (USA). The Bukit Asam lignite is liptinite-rich (32% of total maceral content); resinite is the most abundant liptinite maceral (13.7%). The North Dakota lignite is vitriniterich (93%) and liptinite-poor (3%). These lignites have Rock Eval Hydrogen Index values of 483 and 123 mg HC/g OC, respectively. The difference in oil-pyrolysate yield and composition, and experimental temperature of maximum generation for these two lignites is directly related to the type and amount of liptinite and vitrinite macerals. A maximum of 48 and 153 mg/g OC of oil-pyrolysate was generated and expelled from the North Dakota and Bukit Asam lignites, respectively. Maximum generation and expulsion occurs at 340°C for the North Dakota lignite and 360°C for the Bukit Asam sample. Although the overall composition of the generated products from the two lignites are similar, the distribution of these products is significantly different. Geochemical characteristics of these artificially generated oil-pyrolysates are similar to some non-marine oils, but display distinct differences compared to lacustrine and marine sourced oils. Comparison of these oil-pyrolysates with naturally occurring Sumatran oils demonstrate that "coaly" organic matter contributes various amounts to these oils. Compared to most petroleum source rocks, significant amounts of liquid hydrocarbons are assimilated by the vitrinitic matrix of coal prior to expulsion. This limits the amount of liquid hydrocarbons available for migration and reservoir accumulation. The following factors are essential to evaluate the potential of coal to be a significant source of liquid hydrocarbons: (1) maceral composition, (2) quantity and composition of generated products, (3) expulsion efficiency, (4) detailed oil/source correlation, and (5) stratigraphic occurrence.
Hydrological changes of the past 1400 years recorded in δD of sedimentary n-alkanes from Poyang Lake, southeastern China

Hydrogen isotopic compositions (δD) of plant leaf wax have been increasingly used for paleohydrological reconstructions over various geological timescales. Here, we analyzed downcore variations of δD values of long-chain C31 and C33 n-alkanes from Poyang Lake in southeastern China to infer hydrological changes recorded in terrestrial higher plants during the past 1400 years. Variations in δD values of long-chain n-alkanes were generally consistent with fluctuations of published rainfall proxy (Dry–Wet Index) in southern regions of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Valley. We suggest that the δD record from Poyang Lake is likely influenced by the regional rainfall variations, which is interpreted as a result of the combined effect of ‘amount effect’ and evapotranspiration. More negative δD values during ca. AD 1200–1500 with a higher amount of rainfall suggested a wetter ‘Medieval Warm Period’ (MWP), and more positive δD values at ca. AD 1500–1900 with a lower amount of rainfall indicated a relatively dry ‘Little Ice Age’ (LIA). This pattern of hydrological changes generally corresponded to the intensity of the Asian summer monsoon (ASM) as recorded in oxygen isotopic compositions (δ18O) of stalagmite from the Wanxiang Cave in central China, providing further support that ASM has played an important role in controlling hydrological changes during the MWP and LIA in monsoon-dominated southeastern China.
Late Quaternary stratigraphy and environments of the West Mexican coastal plain

Abstract The geomorphic events that formed the west Mexican coastal plain and the stratigraphy and chronology for those events based on soils, pollen zones, and radiocarbon ages are discussed. Three phases of geomorphic development are recognized. The Alluvial Phase represents deposition of the coastal bajada during the Neogene; oxisols and saprolites have formed on this surface. The Teacapan Peninsula Phase began during the Sangamonian Inter‐glacial with deposition of the spit; an ultisol and an alfisol have developed on the peninsula. In the Prograding Beach Phase, beginning about 13,000 B.P., four sequences of beach ridges were deposited during eustatic sea level rise and periodic uplift. On the resulting ridge and swale topography are four soil units, three inceptisols on the initial, early, and middle beaches and an entisol on the late beach. The pollen stratigraphy and chronology are based on samples from eleven cores, twelve radiocarbon dates, and calculated deposition rates. The alternation in dom.
Large submarine landslides offshore Mt. Etna

High resolution seismic data, we collected in the Ionian sea, reveal large submarine landslide deposits offshore from Mt. Etna (Italy), spatially consistent with the eastern flank collapse of this volcano. A large debris‐avalanche deposit, we relate to the Valle del Bove scar, displays long offshore run‐outs (till 20 km) and a volume of a few tens of cubic kilometres (16–21 km3). Other landslide deposits are also imaged, in particular a striking unique record of the relative timing of multiple submarine large slump events.
Count Me in, Count Me out: Regulation of the Tooth Number via Three Directional Developmental Patterns

Tooth number anomalies, including hyperdontia and hypodontia, are common congenital dental problems in the dental clinic. The precise number of teeth in a dentition is essential for proper speech, mastication, and aesthetics. Teeth are ectodermal organs that develop from the interaction of a thickened epithelium (dental placode) with the neural-crest-derived ectomesenchyme. There is extensive histological, molecular, and genetic evidence regarding how the tooth number is regulated in this serial process, but there is currently no universal classification for tooth number abnormalities. In this review, we propose a novel regulatory network for the tooth number based on the inherent dentition formation process. This network includes three intuitive directions: the development of a single tooth, the formation of a single dentition with elongation of the continual lamina, and tooth replacement with the development of the successional lamina. This article summarizes recent reports on early tooth development and provides an analytical framework to classify future relevant experiments.
Atmospheric sulfur over the east Mediterranean region

Particulate sulfate has been measured intermittently at various ground sites in Israel and from an instrumented aircraft for a 10-year period between 1984 and 1993. The measurements were accompanied by concurrent monitoring of primary and secondary air pollutants and meteorological parameters. In three studies, Etzion 1984–1986, Jerusalem 1987–1988, and Jerusalem 1990–1991, measurements were taken for at least a year. The other studies were performed during summer months when higher levels of secondary pollutants, including particulate sulfate, were observed. In most of the studies samples were taken for four sequential 6-hour time segments. In one study, at Caesarea 1993, sulfate samples were taken only when wind flows were perpendicular to the coastline. The airborne measurements were performed along three north-south paths inside the planetary boundary layer, over the Mediterranean coast, over the Judea-Samaria mountains and over the Jordan Valley. Each flight path consisted of 30 to 45 minutes of continuous sampling of SO2 and one integrated sample of particulate sulfate. In all of our studies the concentration of particulate sulfate observed was relatively high compared with other world locations. The highest values, occasionally exceeding 500 nmole m−3, were found during the summer. Wintertime levels were in the range of 50–100 nmole m−3. The annual average, calculated for the three long studies, is 100 ± 15 nmole m−3, which is twice as high as predicted for the region by a global model and as high as reported for some of the more polluted regions in the US. Several indicators suggested that the origin of the sulfate in the region is not from local sources but the result of long range transport. The indicators include the lack of correlation between particulate sulfate and primary pollutants, the high sulfate to total sulfur values, the origin of the airmass back trajectories and the fact that similar levels were observed during concurrent periods at different sites. Throughout the study, higher concentration of particulate sulfate was found during the afternoon hours, especially during the summer and at the inland locations. The contribution to the afternoon elevated values could not be associated with long range transport and results probably from major sulfur emission sources located along the Israeli Mediterranean coast.
Diversity and Distribution of Mites (ACARI) Revealed by Contamination Survey in Public Genomic Databases

Simple Summary Mites are a group of minute animals ubiquitously distributed on the planet. They have close ecological ties with other species, such as plants, insects and vertebrates. With the development of sequencing technology, the genomic data have increased dramatically. Although the contaminations of microbial symbionts in public genomic databases have been explored to reveal the interactions between microbes and hosts, no similar study has been carried out to the microscopic mites. Here, we present a survey and analysis of the contamination of mites in Genbank genomic resources for the first time. The results showed that contamination of mites in public databases is not rare. Based on these contaminated contigs, the host associations and evolution of mites are discussed. Abstract Acari (mites and ticks) are a biodiverse group of microarthropods within the Arachnida. Because of their diminutive size, mites are often overlooked. We hypothesized that mites, like other closely related microorganisms, could also contaminate public genomic database. Here, using a strategy based on DNA barcodes previously reported, we scanned contaminations related to mites (Acari, exclusive of Ixodida) in Genbank WGS/TSA database. In 22,114 assemblies (17,845 animal and 4269 plant projects), 1717 contigs in 681 assemblies (3.1%) were detected as mite contaminations. Additional taxonomic analysis showed the following: (1) most of the contaminants (1445/1717) were from the specimens of Magnoliopsida, Insecta and Pinopsida; (2) the contamination rates were higher in plant or TSA projects; (3) mite distribution among different classes of hosts varied considerably. Additional phylogenetic analysis of these contaminated contigs further revealed complicated mite-host associations. Overall, we conducted a first systemic survey and analysis of mite contaminations in public genomic database, and these DNA barcode related mite contigs will provide a valuable resource of information for understanding the diversity and phylogeny of mites.
Effects of Mithramycin on BCL11A Gene Expression and on the Interaction of the BCL11A Transcriptional Complex to γ-Globin Gene Promoter Sequences

The anticancer drug mithramycin (MTH), has been proposed for drug repurposing after the finding that it is a potent inducer of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) production in erythroid precursor cells (ErPCs) from β-thalassemia patients. In this respect, previously published studies indicate that MTH is very active in inducing increased expression of γ-globin genes in erythroid cells. This is clinically relevant, as it is firmly established that HbF induction is a valuable approach for the therapy of β-thalassemia and for ameliorating the clinical parameters of sickle-cell disease (SCD). Therefore, the identification of MTH biochemical/molecular targets is of great interest. This study is inspired by recent robust evidence indicating that the expression of γ-globin genes is controlled in adult erythroid cells by different transcriptional repressors, including Oct4, MYB, BCL11A, Sp1, KLF3 and others. Among these, BCL11A is very important. In the present paper we report evidence indicating that alterations of BCL11A gene expression and biological functions occur during MTH-mediated erythroid differentiation. Our study demonstrates that one of the mechanisms of action of MTH is a down-regulation of the transcription of the BCL11A gene, while a second mechanism of action is the inhibition of the molecular interactions between the BCL11A complex and specific sequences of the γ-globin gene promoter.
A hazardous channelized debris flow in Glen Ogle, Stirlingshire

Synopsis On 18 August 2004 an intense rainstorm generated 31 debris flows in Glen Ogle, Stirlingshire. Two channelized debris flows traversed the A85 trunk road trapping 20 vehicles and resulting in the helicopter airlift rescue of 57 motorists and passengers. The failure zone of the largest of these debris flows occurred within a shallow hillslope depression highlighting the importance of topographic controls on hillslope hydrology and connectivity between open hillslopes and stream channels for the generation of channelized debris flows. Five years after the 2004 event, channel sediment recharge from localized slumping and slope wash on over-steepened gully walls was observed. Sediment recharge is negligible in comparison to the abundant boulder and cobble sized channel lag deposits from the 2004 debris flow. But the abundance of coarse debris within the channel and the potential for instability in gully walls and on the adjacent hillslope indicate that the gully retains a residual susceptibility to the occurrence of hazardous accumulative channelized debris flow. It is suggested that the geohazard should be mitigated by increasing culvert capacity to allow the safe passage of future debris flows under the road.
Testing variations between starters and substitute players in terms of total distance, high-speed running, and sprinting distance: a descriptive study on professional male soccer players

The purpose of this study was three-fold: (i) to compare total distance, high-speed running (HSR) distance, and sprint distance covered per 5-minute epoch by players acting as both starters and substitutes; (ii) to compare the locomotor demands between the moments the players entered the match (45–60, 60–75 and 75–90 minutes); and (iii) to compare the locomotor demands of the players between the variations of the within- and between-playing positions. Twenty-one male professional soccer players competing in the Professional Premier League of one of the European countries were observed over sixteen official matches. The players were monitored during all matches using a Global Navigation Satellite System. The measures collected were total distance (TD; m), distance in HSR, sprint distance, HSR, and sprint counts. Considering the comparisons between the splits over the second half of match play, a significant difference between the starters and the substitutes was observed only for sprint distance in the 90–95 minute split (Z = –2.023; p = 0.043). Moreover, no substantial differences were found between the moment the substitute player entered the match regarding total distance (H = 2.650; p = 0.266), HSR distance (H = 1.738; p = 0.419), and sprint distance (H = 0.048; p = 0.976). However, the comparison of between-playing positions revealed considerable differences in total distance (H = 29.246; p < 0.001), and HSR distance (H = 12.153; p = 0.002) covered by the players acting as starters. In contrast, for substitute players, such differences were reported in HSR distance (H = 27.892; p < 0.001) and sprint distance (H = 15.879; p < 0.001). In conclusion, this study suggests that acting as a starter or a substitute does not significantly affect the intensity of effort except during the last periods of match play. However, the contextual factor of performing in a specific playing position plays a significant role both for starters and substitutes.