Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Broadband in Latin America: Beyond Connectivity

The policy analyses and proposals presented in this book focus on national programmes to foster universal broadband access and the debate on Internet neutrality. The study of the current trends highlights the progress of cloud computing and the new developments induced by the entrance of over-the-top operators in the Latin American and Caribbean region. This book underscores the need to expand regional and national Internet traffic exchange points (IXPs) and the relevance of the increasing demand gap, which poses new challenges beyond those related to access and connectivity.
Effect of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker on osteoporotic rat femurs

Background: Osteoblasts and osteoclasts are known to express Ang II type I (AT1) receptor in cell cultures, suggesting the existence of local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in bone. This study was designed to investigate the effects of losartan as AT1 receptor blocker on ovariectomized rats’ femur. Methods: Losartan (5 mg/kg/day) was administered via oral gavage for 8 weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, while tensile and three-point bending tests were performed for evaluation of biomechanical properties of bone. The trabecular porosity was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Results: There was a significant decrease in BMD values of ovariectomized rats’ femurs which were reversed by losartan treatment. According to tensile test results, ultimate tensile strength and strain values of losartan treated ovariectomized rats’ femurs increased and decreased, respectively, when compared to that of ovariectomized animals. Losartan treatment also caused a significant recovery in flexural strength and modulus parameters regarding respective control values, which mean losartan treated ovariectomized rats’ femur had more force tolerance until break than ovariectomized rats’ femur. Quantitative microscopic analysis showed larger trabecular porosity in ovariectomized rats than control rat femurs and it was significantly decreased after losartan treatment. Conclusion: Blockage of AT1 receptor increased strength, mass and trabecular connections of ovariectomized rat femurs. Therefore, it is tempting to speculate that drugs, including AT1 receptor blockers, may be used for the treatment of osteoporosis or reduction of its detrimental effects in the future.
Probabilistic Evaluation of Packed‐Tower Aeration Designs for VOC Removal

The design of packed towers for the removal of volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) depends strongly on compound volatility and rates of mass transfer. Uncertainty in Henry's constant and mass transfer coefficients greatly affects the predicted performance of completed packed-tower treatment systems. This research focuses on evaluating the reliability of packed-tower aeration designs by modeling Henry's constant and mass transfer coefficients as random variables with established distributions using Monte Carlo simulation. A case study consisting of alternative designs to achieve a given required contaminant removal is presented to show how design parameter uncertainty affects the predicted system performance and the cost of resulting designs. It was demonstrated that the probability of failure is an important design consideration in addition to cost and that full consideration of design alternatives will include design parameters outside of those that offer a given deterministically predicted performance.
Interpretation of the gravity anomaly field in the Noranda – Val d'Or region, Abitibi Greenstone Belt, Canadian Shield

Gravity data from the Noranda – Val d'Or region have been reprocessed: the Bouguer anomaly map, the first vertical derivative map, and an apparent density map have been used for geological interpretation of the gravity field in this region. It is found that variations in the Bouguer anomaly can be mainly explained by density structures located within the uppermost 5 km of the crust. The vertical derivative map helps to better locate some geological contacts, and the apparent density map allows the easy distinction between thin and thick batholiths. Generalized inversion was used to calculate density cross sections from the Bouguer anomaly values, and measured surface formation densities were used as constraints. Analysis of a detailed profile in the Rouyn–Noranda area shows that steep north-dipping reflectors observed in a seismic reflection survey are associated with a north-dipping density structure.
Tidal sensitivity of tectonic tremors in Nankai and Cascadia subduction zones

Tectonic tremors in subduction zones, which result from slip at the deep plate interface, are known to exhibit a 12.4 h periodicity in their activity, due to tidal influence. Because tidal stress can be calculated quantitatively, the response of the plate interface can yield quantitative information about its frictional property. The relation between tremor rate and tidal stress is investigated, and an exponential relation is widely confirmed, as observed by previous studies. This study particularly focuses on spatial variations of tidal sensitivity, which are compared with spatial variations of tremor duration and amplitude. The sensitivity is quantitatively defined by the exponent of the exponential relation, which can be related to the parameter aσ, or (a − b)σ in the rate‐and‐state friction law, where σ is effective normal stress. On the shallower tremor zone, short‐duration and large‐amplitude tremors occur followed by more sensitive tremors. Meanwhile, deeper tremors with longer duration and smaller amplitude show lower sensitivity, although along‐strike variation also exists. Typical and maximum sensitivities estimated here imply values for aσ or (a − b)σ of about 3 and 1 kPa, respectively. These correlations are consistent with a model in which the plate interface consists of a velocity‐strengthening background with embedded velocity‐weakening regions. The frictional heterogeneity may be statistically characterized by cluster size and density of the velocity‐weakening regions and controls the overall slip behavior. The observed depth dependency of tremor duration, amplitude, and sensitivity implies that frictional heterogeneity is controlled by physical quantities varying with depth, such as temperature or fluid amount.
Late Precambrian evolution of Afro-Arabian crust from ocean arc to craton

Large parts of northeast Africa and Saudi Arabia consist of a telescoped, Proterozoic island-arc ocean-basin complex less than 1 b.y. old. In the central Eastern Desert of Egypt, the oldest units in the complex are a mafic and ultramafic sequence representing an oceanic substrate. Concentrations of elements in constituent rocks least altered by metamorphism, including Cr, Ni, Ti, and REE in the ultramafic rocks and pillow basalts, are essentially those found in similar rocks of contemporary oceanic crust. Thick sequences of calc-alkaline volcanic rocks and related volcanogenic metasediments, including wackes, breccias, and banded iron formations, overlie the oceanic substrate. The andesitic volcanic rocks are similar to those in modern circum-Pacific island arcs, although amounts of Cr and Ni tend to be higher. Rare cobble beds in the metasediments in the Eastern Desert of Eygpt contain granitic and quartzitic clasts derived from old Proterozoic and Archean forelands, presumably those exposed west of the Nile River. Stratiform ultramafic sills as much as 1 km thick, as well as thinner gabbroic sheets, are intruded as magmas within the metasediments. The composition of the ultramafic sills approximates that of basaltic komatiites. In eastern Egypt, granitic plutons, ranging from syntectonic quartz diorites to a post-tectonic flood of LIL-enriched granite emplaced 550 to 570 m.y. B.P. partly engulf and surround much of the ocean-arc complex. Age studies suggest that the Egyptian segment of the ocean-arc complex could have evolved, been telescoped, and intruded by progressively more voluminous and fractionated granitic rocks between about 550 and 850 m.y. B.P. In southwest Saudi Arabia, limited radiometric data obtained by the U.S. Geological Survey suggest that these processes may have begun slightly earlier. Both the volcanic rocks within the complex and the granitic rocks intrusive into it have low initial ratios of Sr87/Sr86 (< 0.704), suggestive of a mantle origin. There is no evidence of older sialic roots beneath the complex.
The Nicola Group: Late Triassic and Early Jurassic subduction-related volcanism in British Columbia

Mafic lavas of the Nicola Group are divided into three distinct petrographic and geochemical types: type 1 lavas are strongly augite-porphyritic picrites, basalts, and andesites that belong to a high-potassium to shoshonitic rock series; type 2 lavas are augite- and plagioclase-porphyritic basalts and andesites that belong to a low-potassium calc-alkaline series; and type 3 lavas are petrographically variable tholeiitic to transitional basalts and andesites.Low concentrations of Ti, Zr, Y, and Nb and moderate to high concentrations of K, Rb, Ba, and Sr in type 1 and 2 lavas clearly indicate a subduction-related tectonic setting of eruption. Type 3 lavas show chemical affinities intermediate between modern-day island-arc and intraplate volcanics. Type 1 (shoshonitic) lavas generally lie east of and are younger than type 2 (calc-alkaline) lavas, a relationship that implies an east-dipping early Mesozoic subduction zone beneath the Nicola arc. These interpretations resolve previous uncertainties regarding th.
Petroleum potential and depositional environments of Middle Jurassic coals and non-marine deposits, Danish Central Graben, with special reference to the Søgne Basin

Cover Photomicrograph of yellowish-orange fluorescing cutinites groundmass vitrinite. Sample 4473A, West Lulu-1 Middle Jurassic Bryne Formation, seam T3, 17.78–25.40 water immersion. New data from five wells in the Søgne Basin, Danish Central Graben of the North Sea – West Lulu-1, West Lulu-3, Lulu-1, Amalie-1 and Cleo-1 – together with previously released data from the West Lulu-2 well, show that the cumulative thickness of the Bryne Formation coal seams decreases towards the palaeo-shoreline from 5.05 m to 0.60 m, and that the seams have vary-ing extents. Their overall organic petrographic and geochemical composition reflects the palaeoen-vironmental conditions in the precursor mires, in particular the rate of rise in the watertable, principally related to the relative rise in sea level, and the degree of marine influence. Laterally towards the palaeo-shoreline, all coal seams have increased proportions of C 27 steranes and higher C 35 -homohopane indices suggesting stronger marine influence on the coastal reaches of the ancient mires. In each well it is also observed that coal seams formed during accelerated relative sea-level rise (T-seams) are characterised by higher contents of sterane C 27 and higher C 35 -homo-hopane indices than seams formed during slower rates of base-level rise (R-seams). The most landward and freshwater-influenced parts of the seams have higher proportions of sterane C 29 and the highest Pr/Ph ratios. The coals, with respect to thermal maturity, are well within the oil window, except in the Amalie-1 well where they are more mature. The largest average hydrogen indices and thermally extracted and generated bitumen yields are obtained from the T-seams. However, generally an increase in the hydrogen index is recorded in a seaward direction for all seams. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrates that collotelinite, telinite, the vitrinite maceral group, vitrinite-rich microlithotypes and the TOC content have a significant positive influence on the remain-ing generative potential represented by S 2 . Pyrolysis-gas chromatography reveals that during maturation the coals will generate from 72.4 to 82.0% oil-like components and only 18.0 to 27.6% gas. However, this does not necessarily imply that all of these oil-like components can be expelled to form a crude oil accumulation. Distribution of C 27–29 regular steranes shows good correlation between extracts of Bryne Formation coals and oils/condensates present in Bryne Formation sandstones.
Shear Stress and Hydrodynamic Recovery over Bedforms of Different Lengths in a Straight Channel

AbstractPools and riffles are common morphological features in rivers that are frequently used but poorly specified analogs in restoration design. Here, straight two-dimensional (2D) bedforms are conceptualized as perturbations and flow recovery is measured in a laboratory flume with an array of ultrasonic Doppler velocity profilers (UDVPs). The objectives are to (1) assess the variation of skin friction, turbulent stresses, and total stress; (2) assess the role of topographical feedback on flow recovery; and (3) compare flow recovery in isolated and bedforms in series. The results show that the total shear stress and near-bed turbulence greatly exceed the skin friction in decelerating flow and the pool and that hydrodynamic recovery tends to occur at length scales similar to geophysical scales despite potential negative feedback from the bed. Repeating short bedforms can push the flow to a more turbulent and laterally concentrated equilibrium condition. Implications for sediment entrainment thresholds, e.
Petrolog3: Integrated software for modeling crystallization processes

This paper introduces Petrolog3, software for modeling (1) fractional and equilibrium crystallization, (2) reverse fractional crystallization at variable pressure, melt oxidation state and melt H2O contents, and (3) postentrapment reequilibration of melt inclusions in olivine. Petrolog3 offers an algorithm that allows calculations with a potentially unlimited number of (1) mineral‐melt equilibrium models for major and trace elements and (2) models describing melt physical parameters such as density and viscosity, melt oxidation state, and solubility of fluid components in silicate melts. The current version of the software incorporates 46 mineral‐melt equilibrium models for 8 minerals; 3 models describing distribution of trace elements between minerals and melt; 4 models of melt oxidation state; 1 model for H2O solubility in silicate melts; and 4 models describing melt density and viscosity. The idea behind the program is to provide the community of igneous petrologists and geochemists with a user‐friendly interface for using any combinations of available mineral‐melt equilibrium models for computer simulation of the crystallization process.
Indian Ocean subtropical dipole simulated using a coupled general circulation model

[1] The interannual Indian Ocean subtropical dipole (IOSD) event in the southern Indian Ocean is discussed using a coupled general circulation model to derive a scenario describing its complete life cycle for the first time. The positive (negative) IOSD is characterized by an anomalous warm (cool) sea surface temperature (SST) in the southwestern region of the Indian Ocean and by an anomalous cool (warm) SST in the southeastern region. The positive event brings about enhanced precipitation in the southeastern Africa during the peak phase. Composite pictures for the positive and negative IOSD clarify that an anomalous latent heat flux is the dominant factor in its formation. This flux anomaly is caused by an anomaly in the climatological wind field, which is associated with a pressure anomaly in the central region of the southern Indian Ocean. Since the flux anomaly starts during austral fall in the year previous to the event peak and develops for the next 9 months, air-sea interaction must play an active role in the formation of the IOSD. The reason the peak of the IOSD is locked to the austral summer is that the latent heat flux influences the sea surface temperature most efficiently in the austral summer when the depth of the surface mixed layer is shallowest. INDEX TERMS: 4215 Oceanography: General: Climate and interannual variability (3309); 4255 Oceanography: General: Numerical modeling; 4504 Oceanography: Physical: Air/sea interactions (0312); KEYWORDS: Indian Ocean subtropical dipole (IOSD), heat fluxes, air-sea interaction positive feedback
Scoria cones on Mars: Detailed investigation of morphometry based on high‐resolution digital elevation models

We analyze the shapes of 28 hypothesized scoria cones in three regions on Mars, i.e., Ulysses and Hydraotes Colles and Coprates Chasma. Using available High‐Resolution Imaging Science Experiment and Context Camera (CTX) digital elevation models, we determine the basic morphometric characteristics of the cones and estimate from ballistic modeling the physical parameters of volcanic eruptions that could have formed them. When compared to terrestrial scoria cones, most of the studied cones show larger volumes (up to 4.2 × 109 m3), larger heights (up to 573 m), and smaller average slopes. The average slopes of the Ulysses, Hydraotes, and Coprates cones range between 7° and 25°, and the maximum slopes only rarely exceed 30°, which suggests only a minor role of scoria redistribution by avalanching. Ballistic analysis indicates that all cones were formed in a similar way, and their shapes are consistent with an ejection velocity about 2 times larger and a particle size about 20 times smaller than on Earth. Our results support the hypothesis that the investigated edifices were formed by low‐energy Strombolian volcanic eruptions and hence are equivalent to terrestrial scoria cones. The cones in Hydraotes Colles and Coprates Chasma are on average smaller and steeper than the cones in Ulysses Colles, which is likely due to the difference in topographic elevation and the associated difference in atmospheric pressure. This study provides the expected morphometric characteristics of Martian scoria cones, which can be used to identify landforms consistent with this type of activity elsewhere on Mars and distinguish them from other conical edifices.
A revised late-Quaternary vegetation history of the unglaciated southwestern Yukon Territory, Canada, from Antifreeze and Eikland ponds

Antifreeze Pond was thought to contain the oldest record of continuous environmental change in the southwestern Yukon. We have revised the original interpretation of the vegetation history of Antifreeze Pond and this region based on new pollen, stomate, and macrofossil analysis, along with 38 new accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C dates from Antifreeze Pond and nearby Eikland Pond. Although the overall pattern of vegetation change is similar to the previously published Antifreeze Pond record, our new analysis indicates that the timing of the major vegetation shifts is substantially different, particularly during the late-glacial and early Holocene periods (from ∼17 000 – 9000 cal years BP). The original Antifreeze Pond record was thought to span a mid-Wisconsinan interstadial (>30 000 cal years BP) and the full-glacial period. Our results, however, indicate that the material of mid-Wisconsinan age was likely deposited by slumping around the pond making interpretation of the paleoenvironment difficult.
Upper Cenozoic chronostratigraphy of the southwestern Amazon Basin

The lack of numerical age dates for upper Cenozoic strata of the Amazon Basin has prevented resolution of its geologic history and accurate dating of important paleofaunas. Here we present results of magnetostratigraphy and 40 Ar/ 39 Ar dating of two volcanic ash deposits from the Madre de Dios Formation of eastern Peru. The two ash ages, 9.01 ± 0.28 Ma and 3.12 ± 0.02 Ma, provide the first numerical age data necessary for accurate interpretation of late Tertiary sedimentation in Amazonia and establish approximate time constraints for the last major cycle of Cenozoic deposition within the southwestern Amazon Basin. The older ash age also provides a minimum age for numerous Amazonian paleofaunas, which allows a more definitive correlation of these paleofaunas with those in other regions of South America.
Wilderness experiences as sanctuary and refuge from society

Wilderness areas provide a sanctuary from human domination, for the plants and animals that exist there and also for the visitors who come there to escape the demands and pressures of modern society. As a place of refuge and sanctuary, we have found wilderness to allow experiences of connection, engagement and belonging. Two studies help illustrate the role of wildness (freedom from intentional human control) in wilderness, one focusing on gendered experiences of wilderness and another considering spiritual experiences in wilderness. Following the intent of Howard Zahniser, architect of the Wilderness Act of 1964, we call on managers to maintain the freedom and wildness of wilderness, lightening the burden on nature and on the experience of nature.
An analysis of teleconnections in the Mediterranean region using RegCM4

Atmospheric teleconnections have an important influence on the variability of the Mediterranean climate. This region has a unique and sensitive climate due to its complex topography and atmospheric circulation, thus making it challenging in climate simulations. This article focuses on the representation of five teleconnections in and around the Mediterranean region and how they affect one another and the region.
Effective medium modeling of gas hydrate‐filled fractures using the sonic log in the Krishna‐Godavari basin, offshore eastern India

[1] Indian National Gas Hydrate Program Expedition 01 has established that clay-rich marine sediment from the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin in the eastern Indian margin hosts one of the richest gas hydrate deposits in the world. Resistivity at-bit images and pressure cores reveal that the gas hydrate morphology in clay-rich sediment varies from complex vein structures (grain displacing) to invisible pore filling. Existing rock physics models, which relate acoustic data to in situ gas hydrate concentrations, generally assume isotropic pore-filling gas hydrate, which yields misleading concentration estimates for fractured fine-grained sediments. The anisotropic KG basin sediment presents additional complications. Here we apply differential effective medium theory to incorporate grain-displacing morphologies by which gas hydrate is included as vertical ellipsoids with aspect ratios ranging from those of thin veins up to those of nodules in an elastic anisotropic background. We have estimated gas hydrate concentrations from sonic velocities at hole 10D in the KG basin considering three basic gas hydrate morphologies: (i) pore filling, (ii) grain displacing, and (iii) a combination of grain displacing and pore filling. Average gas hydrate saturations for these three cases are 35–42%, 27–30%, and 33–41% of the total porosity, respectively, in the depth range 60–140 m below seafloor (mbsf). Saturation is highest at ∼67 mbsf for any morphology but the values differ between morphologies. For the pore-filling morphology, the maximum gas hydrate saturation of 56% is 18–22% higher than the grain-displacing morphology and 2–9% higher than the combined morphology. Estimates differ by ±6% of the sediment volume with rotations of gas hydrate veins from vertical to horizontal.