Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mountain Pine Beetle Red-Attack Forest Damage Classification Using Stratified Landsat TM Data in British Columbia, Canada

ply of suitable pines is exhausted. Effective management of the The identification and classification of mountain pine beetle, mountain pine beetle is dependent upon rapid and accurate Dentroctonus ponderosa (Hopkins), red-attack damage patterns detection of population stage and trend (i.e., increasing or in a mature lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) forest located in decreasing). Control or suppression is only feasible for the Fort St. James Forest District, British Columbia, was endemic or incipient populations (e.g., Carroll and Linton, accomplished using 1999 Landsat TM satellite imagery, 1999 2002). Most beetle detection programs involve a traditional mountain pine beetle field and aerial survey point data, and approach based on aerial surveys. In this approach, an observer GIS forest inventory data. Unrelated variance in the observed views the forest canopy in a fixed-wing aircraft and looks for spectral response at mountain pine beetle field and aerial signs of attacked trees, that is, dying trees whose foliage is turnsurvey points was reduced following image stratification with ing from green to red. The boundaries of foliage reddening are the GIS forest inventory data and removal of other factors then mentally averaged and delineated onto a sketch map. uncharacteristic of red-attack damage. Locations of known Ground surveyors are often used to verify the cause of the dismountain pine beetle infestation were used to train a maxi- turbance and assess the severity of forest damage. The drawmum-likelihood algorithm; overall classification accuracy was backs of using these surveying methods are the high operation 73 percent, based on an assessment of 360 independent val- costs and many hours of manpower required. Also, mountain idation points. If local stand variability is reduced prior to pine beetles often spread and colonize new areas before an signature generation, accuracies and map products can be infested area has been completely surveyed by ground or air. useful for those involved in active forest management decision- Mountain pine beetle attacks may first create a pre-visual making regarding mountain pine beetle infestations.
Influence of synrift salt on rift-basin development: Application to the Orpheus basin, offshore eastern Canada

A thesis submitted to the Graduate School-New Brunswick Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science Graduate Program in Geological Sciences written under the direction of Dr. Roy Schlische Dr. Martha Oliver Withjack and approved by _______________________________ _______________________________ _______________________________
Vascular health in children and adolescents: effects of obesity and diabetes

: The foundations for cardiovascular disease in adults are laid in childhood and accelerated by the presence of comorbid conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Early detection of vascular dysfunction is an important clinical objective to identify those at risk for subsequent cardiovascular morbidity and events, and to initiate behavioral and medical interventions to reduce risk. Typically, cardiovascular screening is recommended for young adults, especially in people with a family history of cardiovascular conditions. Children and adolescents were once considered to be at low risk, but with the growing health concerns related to sedentary lifestyle, poor diet and obesity, cardiovascular screening may be needed earlier so that interventions to improve cardiovascular health can be initiated. This review describes comorbid conditions that increase cardiovascular risk in youth, namely obesity and diabetes, and describes noninvasive methods to objectively detect vascular disease and quantify vascular function and structure through measurements of endothelial function, arterial compliance, and intima-media thickness. Additionally, current strategies directed toward prevention of vascular disease in these populations, including exercise, dietary interventions and pharmacological therapy are described.
Awareness of Both Type 1 and 2 Errors in Climate Science and Assessment

Treatment of error and uncertainty is an essential component of science and is crucial in policy-relevant disciplines, such as climate science. We posit here that awareness of both “false positive” and “false negative” errors is particularly critical in climate science and assessments, such as those of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Scientific and assessment practices likely focus more attention to avoiding false positives, which could lead to higher prevalence of false-negative errors. We explore here the treatment of error avoidance in two prominent case studies regarding sea level rise and Himalayan glacier melt as presented in the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. While different decision rules are necessarily appropriate for different circumstances, we highlight that false-negative errors also have consequences, including impaired communication of the risks of climate change. We present recommendations for better accounting for both types of er.
Comparative study on health care utilization and hospital outcomes of severe acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease managed by pulmonologists vs internists

Background: Care for many chronic health conditions is delivered by both specialists and generalists. Differences in patients’ quality of care and management between generalists and specialists have been well documented for asthma, whereas a few studies for COPD reported no differences. Objective: The objective of this study is to compare consistency with Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines, as well as rate, health care utilization, and hospital outcomes of severe acute exacerbation (AE) of COPD patients managed by pulmonologists and internists. Materials and methods: This is a 12-month prospective, comparative observational study among 208 COPD patients who were regularly managed by pulmonologists (Group A) and internists (Group B). Clinical data, health care utilization, and hospital outcomes of the two groups were statistically compared. Results: Out of 208 enrolled patients, 137 (Group A) and 71 (Group B) were managed by pulmonologists and internists, respectively. Pharmacological treatment corresponding to disease severity stages between the two groups was not statistically different. Group A received care consistent with guidelines in terms of annual influenza vaccination (31.4% vs 9.9%, P  0.001) and pulmonary rehabilitation (24.1% vs 0%, P  0.001) greater than Group B. Group A had reduced rates (12.4% vs 23.9%, P = 0.033) and numbers of severe AE (0.20 ± 0.63 person-years vs 0.41 ± 0.80 person-years, P = 0.029). Among patients with severe AE requiring mechanical ventilation, Group A had reduced mechanical ventilator duration (1.5 [1–7] days vs 5 [3–29] days, P = 0.005), hospital length of stay (3.5 [1–20] days vs 16 [6–29] days, P = 0.012), and total hospital cost ($863 [247–2,496] vs $2,095 [763–6,792], P = 0.049) as compared with Group B. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that pulmonologists followed national COPD guidelines more closely than internists. The rates and frequencies of severe AE were significantly lower in patients managed by pulmonologists, and length of hospital stay and cost were significantly lower among the patients with severe AE who required
Winter mortality in a warming climate: a reassessment

In temperate climates, mortality is higher in the winter than the summer. Most wintertime deaths are attributed to cardiovascular and respiratory disease, with hypothermia from extreme cold accounting for a negligible share of all recorded deaths. International and national assessments of the health risks of climate change often conclude that increased temperatures from climate change will likely reduce winter mortality. This article examines the support for this hypothesis. We find that although there is a physiological basis for increased cardiovascular and respiratory disease mortality during winter months, the limited evidence suggests cardiovascular disease mortality is only weakly associated with temperature. Although respiratory disease mortality shows a stronger seasonal relationship with colder temperatures, cold alone does not explain infection rates. Further, respiratory disease mortality is a relatively small proportion of winter deaths. Therefore, assuming no changes in acclimatization and the degree to which temperature‐related deaths are prevented, climate change may alter the balance of deaths between winters and summers, but is unlikely to dramatically reduce overall winter mortality rates. WIREs Clim Change 2013, 4:203–212. doi: 10.1002/wcc.211
Late quaternary ecological turnover in high arctic lake einstaken, nordaustlandet, svalbard (80° n)

Luoto, T.P., Nevalainen, L. , Kubischta, F. , Kultti, S. , Knudsen, K.L. and Salonen, V. ‐P., 2011: Late Quaternary ecological turnover in high arctic Lake Einstaken, Nordaustlandet, Svalbard (80° N). Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography, 93, 337–354. DOI:10.1111/j.1468‐0459.2011. 00435.x Abstract Multiproxy palaeolimnological analyses of a sediment core record from Lake Einstaken, Nordaustlandet, give insight into long‐term ecological and environmental dynamics in the High Arctic Svalbard during the last c. 13-000 cal yr bp. Fossil remains of foraminifera, chironomidae, cladocera and diatoms (Bacillariophyta) revealed several distinct ecological turnovers during the late Quaternary. The foraminiferal assemblages in a marine interval in the lower part of the core indicated one distinct faunal turnover and two subsequent minor changes. The foraminiferal assemblages reflected high‐arctic, shallow‐water conditions in an area of changing salinity conditions. A development of gradually more restricted marine conditions, presumably related to a decrease in water depth during the isostatic uplift, was evident from the foraminiferal assemblages. The Holocene was characterized by a freshwater environment in the isolated Lake Einstaken. The cladoceran assemblages experienced two complete faunal turnovers in the early part of the lacustrine sediment sequence, most likely related to inlake processes. The chironomid assemblages went through five distinct Holocene faunal changes that were probably mostly related to climate development and changes in nutrient conditions. The freshwater diatoms revealed four distinct episodes of change in their assemblages that could be related to their sensitivity to pH and nutrient status. The most distinct common feature in the Holocene faunal and floral assemblages was the pioneer phase during the early Holocene. The recent environmental changes, which were most visibly reflected in the chironomid records, are possibly related to a coupled effect of elevated nutrient conditions and increased temperatures.
Magnetospheric line radiation: 6.5 years of observations by the DEMETER spacecraft

Frequency‐time spectrograms of electromagnetic waves observed in the inner magnetosphere in the frequency range of about 1–8 kHz are sometimes formed by several nearly horizontal and almost equidistant intense lines. Such events are called magnetospheric line radiation (MLR). We use a list of 1230 MLR events identified in all the data measured by the low‐altitude satellite Detection of Electro‐Magnetic Emissions Transmitted from Earthquake Regions (DEMETER) during the duration of the mission (2004–2010). We compare the occurrence of MLR events with solar wind parameters and geomagnetic indices using a superposed epoch analysis. It is found that MLR events occur more often after periods of enhanced geomagnetic activity, being statistically related to specific solar wind parameters. Moreover, the length of the analyzed time interval allows us to investigate the influence of the solar cycle and the season of the year. The events occur more often during the northern winter and spring than during the northern summer. As for the spatial distribution of the events, they occur less frequently at geomagnetic longitudes of the South Atlantic Anomaly. We analyze energy spectra of electrons precipitating in this area at the times of MLR events, and we derive energy‐latitude plots of electron flux variations related to the MLR occurrence. Finally, we perform a detailed wave analysis of two MLR events for which high‐resolution multicomponent data are available. The events are right‐handed and nearly circularly polarized, propagating at oblique wave normal angles from larger radial distances and larger geomagnetic latitudes.
Investigating the Neural Correlates of Social and Individual Singing in Persons with Dementia Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Introduction: While music interventions for persons with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (ADRD) are increasingly utilized due to their documented cognitive and behavioral benefits, the neurological correlates underlying these advantages are largely unknown and under-researched. Using the advantages of functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), this study provided a preliminary investigation of the neural correlates and functional connectivity (FC) patterns associated with musical performance in both choral and individual contexts for persons with ADRD. Objectives: The objectives were to i) identify within-person patterns of cortical oxygenation in choral and individual singing, ii) explore how singing context (i.e., choral and individual) modulates patterns of functional connectivity (FC) within and across frontal and parietal cortices, and iii) leverage these neurological data as individual differences predictors of cognitive function in a series of discriminant function analyses (DFA). Methods: Participants included 13 persons with ADRD who volunteered from a larger, ongoing socialcognitive choir intervention. fNIRS data was collected via the TechEn Cw6 system, using a sampling frequency of 50 Hz, during both choral and individual singing. Paired sample t-tests were used to evaluate changes in neurological patterns observed across conditions and DFA were used to determine whether these neurological data, when used in conjunction with other goldstandard individual differences predictors, were predictive of between-person differences in cognitive impairment (proxied by performance on the Mini-Mental State Examination [MMSE]). Results: Significant differences in cerebral oxygenation were identified in the right anterior PFC (BA10), corresponding to one channel of the fNIRS frontal array; specifically, individual singing was associated with significantly greater oxygenation relative to social singing. Moreover, though not significant, individual singing was associated with broad bilateral increases in cortical
Approaching the Floor Layout Problem with Genetic Algorithms and Convex Optimization

—In this paper we present a preliminary method of optimizing a floor layout given a set of desired proximity relations between a number of rooms or cells . The unconstrained problem is non-convex; however, if a relational constraint is given for each pair of cells, then the problem becomes convex and can be solved using standard convex optimization methods. The problem then becomes how to search this combinatorially large space to restrain the original problem. We first utilize the Fruchterman-Reingold algorithm
Explorer The ( Non-) Effect of Unemployment Benefits

A negative effect of unemployment on subjective well-being has been demonstrated in many studies casting substantial doubt about assumptions of decisions of individuals to choose unemployment voluntarily as the utility-maximising option. These studies have been extended to take into account national-level context factors which have been shown to moderate the relationship between unemployment and life-satisfaction. So far most studies focussed mainly on economic indicators, although demographic and cultural differences between countries also affect how unemployment is perceived. An important variable that is not included in the majority of proper multilevel studies is the extent of unemployment benefits. Traditional micro-economic approaches argue that more extensive provisions should reduce the cost of unemployment and therefore reduce the motivation to regain employment – reflected in a reduction of the negative impact of unemployment. This study investigates this claim by using European Values Study data from all European Union countries and Norway as well as harmonised macroeconomic statistics from Eurostat. It finds that the effect of unemployment on life-satisfaction is indeed moderated by economic and demographic national-level factors, but not by unemployment benefits. To what extent unemployment reduces life-satisfaction varies greatly between countries, but appears to not be influenced by the extent of state unemployment provisions.
Plate Kinematics of the Gulf of Mexico Based on Integrated Observations from the Central and South Atlantic

Abstract Plate tectonic models of the Gulf of Mexico are highly dependent on pre-rift plate configurations and subsequent kinematics of the Central Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Florida. We developed a new plate model for the Mesozoic evolution of the Gulf of Mexico by constraining these important boundary conditions. Geologic and geophysical observations from the Central Atlantic, South Atlantic, and eastern Gulf of Mexico were integrated using 3D visualization tools and non-rigid plate reconstruction software that allows rapid multiple scenario analysis. The pre-rift configuration of tectonic plates is constrained by palinspastically restoring both isostatic models of continental crust and refraction lines from eastern North America, West Africa, and Morocco. Where clear magnetic lineations and fracture zones are not present the motion of microplates is quantitatively linked to the motion of large-scale plates by assuming a seafloor-spreading propagation model. Our preferred model does not require fragmentation of Florida along the proposed Bahamas transform fault. Instead, Florida is modeled as a coherent block that underwent counter clockwise rotation primarily during Triassic time. Major rotation of the Yucatan Block began around 176 Ma in response to the propagation of seafloor spreading into the Proto-Caribbean Sea. The full spreading rate in the western and central Gulf of Mexico is predicted to be less than 1.5 cm/yr prior to the Callovian. This suggests that most of the material typically thought to be highly extended continental crust in the deepwater regions of the northern Gulf of Mexico may be new ground composed of ultraslow spreading lithosphere.
Recent changes in the Earth's oblateness driven by Greenland and Antarctic ice mass loss

We use temporal gravity variations from GRACE to investigate changes in a 34‐year time series of Earth's oblateness (J2) observed by satellite laser ranging (SLR). We use 2002–2010 GRACE data to compute the effects of Greenland and Antarctic ice mass variations on J2 (2.0 and 1.7 × 10−11/year respectively). Their combined effect on the J2 trend during the GRACE mission is 3.7 × 10−11/year, which agrees well with the GIA‐corrected SLR J2 trend over the same time period. The results suggest that at least since 2002, ice loss from Greenland and Antarctica has been the dominant contributor to the current GIA‐corrected J2 trend, which apparently began sometime in the 1990s.
Tunnelling-induced ground movements in clay

A series of plane strain centrifuge model tests of single tunnels in moderately stiff clay has been conducted at City University, London. Ground movements were measured using conventional displacement transducers at the ground surface and by digital image-processing techniques below ground level. The relatively simple tests are shown to result in ground movements which are consistent with field measurements, but the tests produced considerably more high-quality data, which have been analysed to improve predictions of both surface and subsurface movements in the plane transverse to a tunnel in clay. The measured data are assessed against commonly used empirical predictive techniques, indicating some deviations from current practice. A procedure for predicting horizontal movements as a function of the vertical settlement profile is suggested.
The Consequences of Drought and Desertification in Nigeria

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with an estimated population of over 140 million and a total land area of 923,773 km2. The country is currently losing about 351,000 ha annually to advancing desert and such conditions are estimated to be advancing southwards at the rate of about 0.6 km per year. The dunes are threatening life-supporting oasis, burying water points, and in some cases, engulfing major roads in the affected areas. Trees planted by the government as shelterbelts to check the advancing dunes are withering due to the lack of attention. This paper highlights the state of desertification in Nigeria, the historical trends, the past national efforts, as well as the ongoing and planned measures for combating this fast-spreading desert condition. It further reveals the failures of the past national efforts - projects that have not been designed to adequately tackle the problems of drought and desertification, projects that are not in line with the stated government policies, duplications in some projects, lack of adequate manpower and inadequate funding - and some selected ongoing government projects. These, among others, constitute the major factors for the failure in combating desertification and mitigating the effect of drought in Nigeria.
A Bayesian Forecast Model of Australian Region Tropical Cyclone Formation

A new and potentially skillful seasonal forecast model of tropical cyclone formation [tropical cyclogenesis (TCG)] is developed for the Australian region. The model is based on Poisson regression using the Bayesian approach. Predictor combinations are chosen using a step-by-step predictor selection. The three-predictor model based on derived indices of June‐August average convective available potential energy, May‐July averagemeridionalwindsat850 hPa(V850),andJuly‐Septembergeopotentialheightat500 hPaproducesthe smallest standard error (se 5 0.36) and root-mean-squared error (RMSE 5 5.20) for the leave-one-out crossvalidated TCG hindcasts over the 40-yr record between 1968/69‐2007/08. The corresponding correlation coefficient between observed annual TCG totals and cross-validated model hindcasts is r 5 0.73. Using fourfold cross validation, model hindcast skill is robust, with 85% of the observed seasonal TCG totals hindcast within the model standard deviations. Seasonal TCG totals during ENSO events are typically well
Tidal perturbations on the satellite 1967-92A

The orbit of the 1967-92A satellite has been studied to ascertain the extent to which tidal forces contribute to orbital perturbations. This study has permitted an estimation of the magnitudes of ocean tide effects on the satellite's inclination, in particular for the M2 and S2 constituents. The ocean tide estimates are based upon the use of a value of 0.3 for the solid earth tide Love number k2 and a lag angle of 0° in the orbit determination procedure. The amplitudes and phases of these tidal effects are in good agreement with those calculated from numerical models of the M2 and S2 tides derived from surface data. The results are as follows: Tidal Amplitude Phase Angle, deg Constituent arc sec ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ M2 0.031 ± 0.007 319 ± 14 S2 0.283 ± 0.007 286.7 ± 1.4 Supplement table is available with entire article on microfiche. Order from American Geophysical Union, 1909 K Street, N. W. , Washington, D. C. 20006. Document J78-002; $1.00. Payment must accompany order.