Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Observed and Simulated Ground Motions in the San Bernardino Basin Region for the Hector Mine, California, Earthquake

During the M w 7.1 Hector Mine earthquake, peak ground velocities recorded at sites in the central San Bernardino basin region were up to 2 times larger and had significantly longer durations of strong shaking than sites just outside the basin. To better understand the effects of 3D structure on the long-period ground-motion response in this region, we have performed finite-difference simulations for this earthquake. The simulations are numerically accurate for periods of 2 sec and longer and incorporate the detailed spatial and temporal heterogeneity of source rupture, as well as complex 3D basin structure. Here, we analyze three models of the San Bernardino basin: model A (with structural constraints from gravity and seismic reflection data), model F (water well and seismic refraction data), and the Southern California Earthquake Center version 3 model (hydrologic and seismic refraction data). Models A and F are characterized by a gradual increase in sediment thickness toward the south with an abrupt step-up in the basement surface across the San Jacinto fault. The basin structure in the SCEC version 3 model has a nearly uniform sediment thickness of 1 km with little basement topography along the San Jacinto fault. In models A and F, we impose a layered velocity structure within the sediments based on the seismic refraction data and an assumed depth-dependent V p / V s ratio. Sediment velocities within the SCEC version 3 model are given by a smoothly varying rule-based function that is calibrated to the seismic refraction measurements. Due to computational limitations, the minimum shear-wave velocity is fixed at 600 m/sec in all of the models. Ground-motion simulations for both models A and F provide a reasonably good match to the amplitude and waveform characteristics of the recorded motions. In these models, surface waves are generated as energy enters the basin through the gradually sloping northern margin. Due to the basement step along the San Jacinto fault, the surface wave energy is confined to the region north of this structure, consistent with the observations. The SCEC version 3 model, lacking the basin geometry complexity present in the other two models, fails to provide a satisfactory match to the characteristics of the observed motions. Our study demonstrates the importance of using detailed and accurate basin geometry for predicting ground motions and also highlights the utility of integrating geological, geophysical, and seismological observations in the development and validation of 3D velocity models.
A latitudinal gradient in the biogeographic compositions of rock pool fish assemblages on the Pacific coast of central Japan : an examination of the influence of the Kuroshio Current

To investigate the effect of the Kuroshio Current on the biogeographic composition of coastal fish assemblages, rock pool fishes were quantitatively surveyed at three latitudinally differentiated localities on the Kii Peninsula and in an adjacent area in central Japan: the southern Kii Peninsula in Wakayama Prefecture (the southernmost point, abbreviated as Wakayama); the eastern Kii Peninsula in Mie Prefecture (the midpoint, abbreviated as Mie); and southern Ise Bay in Aichi Prefecture (the northernmost point, abbreviated as Aichi). Ten rock pools were investigated in each location over a 4-month period from September to December, 2013 (Japanese summer to winter). The assemblages included typical rock pool fish species, such as abundant and diverse Gobiidae, Blenniidae, and Pomacentridae. A biogeographic comparison of the species compositions at the three sites showed a latitudinal gradient: the percentage of tropical fish density and the number of tropical species decreased with latitude, and a biogeographic shift in the dominant species was observed, with less tropical species and more cool-temperate species with latitude. Temporal and geographic comparisons of each parameter (fish density, tropical species density, number of species, percentage of tropical species, and diversity index) indicated temporal stability and a higher occurrence of tropical species in Wakayama. These trends in assemblage parameters correspond with the thermal distribution pattern off the eastern Kii Peninsula in 2013, suggesting that the Kuroshio Current has a biogeographic influence on rock pool fish assemblages along the coast of the Kii Peninsula. Further comparisons of biogeographic compositions in terms of the percentages and numbers of species and individuals including results for three other localities from past studies (six sites compared in total) showed that the occurrence of tropical species had a latitudinal tendency, decreasing northward, among five sites along the Kuroshio Current. However, one site (in Kumamoto Prefecture, on the western coast of Kyushu), which is latitudinally below Wakayama but not in the course of the Kuroshio Current, had almost no tropical species. These results indicate that the Kuroshio Current has a greater influence than latitude on local occurrence of tropical fish species.
A Study of the Protection of Concrete from Freeze-Deicing Salt by an Organo-Silicone Coating

An organo-silicone coating was investigated for its ability to prevent concrete from scaling and being damaged by the action of salt freeze-deicing.The protection from the organo-silicone coating was determined by the CDF test method.The results are compared to other measures such as reducing the water-cement ratio,adding an air-entrained agent and mineral admixture.The results show that the mass loss from scaling and the rate of loss of dynamic modulus of elasticity decreased by 99% and by 49%(after 56 cycles) after brushing the organo-silicone coat onto the concrete.Scaling marks on the concrete surface could hardly be detected.The organo-silicone coat can greatly improve deicing-frost resistance of pavement concrete: Pavement concrete with a high deicing-frost resistance was prepared.The three measures improved deicing-frost resistance in the order;brushed organo-silicone,air-entrained agent added to the mix with mineral admixture and reducing the water-cement ratio.
Assessment of the ozone and aerosol formation potentials (reactivities) of organic compounds over the eastern United States.

A direct sensitivity analysis technique is used for three-dimensional reactivity assessment (with respect to ozone formation) in eastern United States. Spatially and temporally resolved absolute and relative reactivities of 31 explicit and 9 lumped organic compounds and CO are calculated for two basecase and two future emissions scenarios. In order to be able to compare different species, the emissions of all the targeted organic compounds are perturbed equally on a mass basis. This perturbation followed the same spatial distribution as the total anthropogenic VOC emissions. Despite the variability (both spatial and temporal) in the absolute reactivities, relative reactivities were fairly constant. Different types of domain-wide reactivity metrics were considered. All the threedimensional metrics showed a high level of inter-species consistency among them and had fairly low day-to-day variability. Domain-wide metrics were comparable with box model scales, but showed a less dynamic inter-species behavior. The evaluated metrics showed good level of consistency for different episodes, scenarios, and domains.
CRUDE OIL EXTRACTION AND CONFLICT IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION, NIGERIA: MPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

This study examined crude oil extraction and conflict on agricultural production in the Niger Delta Region. Systematic random sampling method was used to select 104 respondents. Frequency distribution, percentage, mean and Likert scale rating technique and ordinary least square (OLS) were used in analyzing the data. The result showed that the mean age of the respondents was 52years; majority (66.3%) respondents were without formal education with mean household size of about 11. The result further shows that 79.8% of the respondents had farm sizes less than a hectare and earn average farm income of N48, 177.89 per annum. The study found out that off-farming income, compensation, cost of planting materials and value of oil companies assistance were positive and significant at 1% and 10% levels. The coefficient of farm size, soil degradation, conflict and oil spill were negative and significant at 1% and 5% levels.
A novel technique for measuring the rate of turbulent dissipation in the marine environment

We present a new technique for the estimation of profiles of the rate of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy (ɛ, TKE) in the marine environment using a standard acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP). The technique is based on the structure function method used in radar meteorology. The new method is validated through comparisons of ɛ estimates from a structure function with simultaneous measurements of profiles of ɛ made using a freefall profiler, and estimates of the rate of production of TKE using the ADCP variance method. There is a good agreement between the estimates, although some differences in absolute values. A difference in ɛ estimates between the upstream and downstream beams is attributed to the presence of a significant Reynolds stress.
The Impact of the Rapid Blood Culture Identification Panel on Antibiotic Treatment and Clinical Outcomes in Bloodstream Infections, Particularly Those Associated with Multidrug-Resistant Micro-Organisms

We evaluated the impact of the FilmArray blood culture identification (BCID) panel on the time taken to administer effective antibiotics and the clinical outcomes of bloodstream infections. We retrospectively screened patients with bloodstream infections who underwent BCID testing and compared them to a historical control group that received conventional culture testing. A total of 144 and 214 patients who underwent BCID and conventional cultures, respectively, were compared. The 30-day mortality (BCID: 9.7% vs. conventional method: 10.7%, p = 0.755), time to effective antibiotic administration (3 h for both BCID and conventional method, p = 0.789), and time to appropriate antibiotic administration did not differ significantly between the groups. BCID was not significantly associated with 30-day mortality after adjusting for the Pitt bacteremia score and the Charlson comorbidity index (adjusted OR = 0.833, CI; 0.398–1.743). Compared with conventional methods, BCID reduced the time to administration of effective antibiotics in cases of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) (39 h vs. 93 h, p = 0.012) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) (50 h vs. 92 h, p < 0.001) bacteremia. BCID did not affect the clinical outcomes of overall bloodstream infections; however, it contributed to the early administration of effective antibiotics in cases of CRE and VRE bacteremia.
Finding value in sustainable and responsible investments

This paper assesses the characteristics and financial performance of a comprehensive set of passive sustainable and responsible investments (SRI) around the world. We contribute the novel finding that from a financial perspective, SRI portfolios pursue first and foremost a pure value strategy when using an undistorted value measure. This result holds irrespective of the index provider, the screening, and the weighting approach. It is also robust across international markets and to various asset pricing anomalies such as size, momentum, short-term reversal, betting-against-beta, and quality-minus-junk. We corroborate that SRI’s financial performance is neutral with slight indications that score-weighting or a combined approach using positive and negative environmental, social and governance (ESG) screens fare better
Variations in the 3He/4He ratios of hot springs on Shikoku Island, southwest Japan

New helium isotopic data from hot springs on Shikoku Island were obtained from a larger number of sampling points than previous studies in order to elucidate the geographical distribution of 3He/4He ratios in the fore‐arc regions of southwest Japan. Systematic, regional variations in 3He/4He ratios were observed on both Shikoku Island and the Kii Peninsula. The hot springs on Shikoku Island have 3He/4He ratios between 0.21 RA and 2.5 RA. On the other hand, the majority of hot springs in the Kii Peninsula have significantly higher 3He/4He ratios than those on Shikoku Island. It has been suggested that the anomalously high 3He/4He ratios in the fore‐arc region of southwest Japan are related to the migration of MORB‐type helium with aqueous fluids generated by dehydration of the subducting Philippine Sea plate and mixing with terrestrial waters (e.g., Matsumoto et al., 2003). According to recent seismological observations of crustal microearthquakes and their focal mechanisms, the geotectonic environment beneath Shikoku Island is subject to a stress field with no normal faulting and with extremely low crustal seismicity. This argues against migration of aqueous fluids from the subcrustal lithosphere, resulting in a relatively small influence of mantle‐derived helium at the surface. As a consequence, the regional variation in 3He/4He ratios of hot springs on Shikoku Island is interpreted as a three‐component mixture of mantle‐derived helium associated with magmatism of middle Miocene of age (<3.4 RA), crustal, radiogenic helium and atmospheric helium.
Assessing the Influence of Sea Level Rise on Salt Transport Processes and Estuarine Circulation in the Changjiang River Estuary

ABSTRACT Qiu, C. and Zhu, J., 2015. Assessing the influence of sea level rise on salt transport processes and estuarine circulation in the Changjiang River estuary. Global sea level rise has been greatly concerned by government and society with its effects on saltwater intrusion and material transport in estuaries, which threaten freshwater habitat and drinking water supplies. A semi-implicit estuarine, coastal, and ocean model (ECOM-si) was used to assess the influences of rising sea level on salt transport processes and estuarine circulation patterns in the Changjiang River estuary, China. The variations of intruding saltwater and residual salt transport were simulated according to the variations of several sea level rise scenarios, and results in typical year and dry year were demonstrated, respectively. The modeled results are in good agreement with the observed data, and statistics show good correlation coefficient and Skill Score values. Results from the numerical experiments show that the intensity of saltwater intrusion and stratifications both increase as sea level rises, while the increments are quite distinct between each channel. Furthermore, it shows obvious interannual changes following different river discharges. The residual transport of salt was used to analyze the changes in transport processes and estuarine circulation pattern. The computation results show that the Stokes drift transport is the major mechanism for up-estuary salt transport in each channel, whereas the seaward Eulerian transport is of the same order. The flux of saltwater spillover from the North Branch into the South Branch increases with stronger Stokes transport as sea level rises. The landward salt transport is strengthened in the North Channel and may further affect the upper reaches under strengthened tidal pumping and vertical shear transport with higher sea level. The overtopping flow affected by tidal pumping is the dominant mechanism for salt exchange between the North Passage and South Passage. This may increase the salt supply from the ocean into the South Channel.
Financial Performance and Green Supply Chain Management in a South African National Electrical Energy Provider

Introduction: The body of literature on green supply chain management (GSCM) in various organisations has increased steadily. However, contextual literature on GSCM is still limited, such as within the electrical energy sector in developing countries such as South Africa. Purpose/objectives: The study examined the relationships between internal GSCM (IGSCM), customer monitoring (CM) and -supplier monitoring (SM), customer-supplier collaboration (CC, SC), and financial performance at Eskom Holdings, the national electrical energy provider in South Africa. Design/ Methodology: The study employed a quantitative approach design on a sample of 350 supply chain professionals drawn from various Eskom depots nationwide. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling based on the SMART partial least squares (PLS) technique. Findings: IGSCM positively impacted customer and supplier monitoring and collaboration, linked to higher financial performance. However, IGSCM negatively impacted financial performance. Practical implications: To managers in the electrical energy sector, the study suggests that implementing IGSCM, SM, CM, CC, and SC activities is key in influencing the level of FP. Similarly, it is important to implement IGSCM activities in tandem with customer and supplier monitoring and collaboration if gains in FP are to be realised. Originality/Value: This study contributes to GSCM literature as it is one of the few studies that explore IGSCM, customer and supplier monitoring, customer-supplier collaboration, and financial performance within a South African national electrical energy provider.
Survey of Genotype Diversity, Virulence, and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Mastitis-Causing Streptococcus uberis in Dairy Herds Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

Streptococcus uberis is one of the primary causative agents of mastitis, a clinically and economically significant disease that affects dairy cattle worldwide. In this study, we analyzed 140 S. uberis strains isolated from mastitis milk samples collected from 74 cow herds in the Czech Republic. We employed whole-genome sequencing to screen for the presence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes and genes encoding virulence factors, and to assess their genetic relationships. Our analysis revealed the presence of 88 different sequence types (STs), with 41% of the isolates assigned to global clonal complexes (GCCs), the majority of which were affiliated with GCC5. The STs identified were distributed across the major phylogenetic branches of all currently known STs. We identified fifty-one putative virulence factor genes, and the majority of isolates carried between 27 and 29 of these genes. A tendency of virulence factors and AMR genes to cluster with specific STs was observed, although such clustering was not evident within GCCs. Principal component analysis did not reveal significant diversity among isolates when grouped by GCC or ST prevalence. The substantial genomic diversity and the wide array of virulence factors found in S. uberis strains present a challenge for the implementation of effective anti-mastitis measures.
Detecting cross‐equatorial wind change as a fingerprint of climate response to anthropogenic aerosol forcing

Anthropogenic aerosols are a major driver of the twetieth century climate change. In climate models, the aerosol forcing, larger in the Northern than Southern Hemispheres, induces an interhemispheric Hadley circulation. In support of the model result, we detected a robust change in the zonal mean cross‐equatorial wind over the past 60 years from ship observations and reanalyses, accompanied by physically consistent changes in atmospheric pressure and marine cloud cover. Single‐forcing experiments indicate that the observed change in cross‐equatorial wind is a fingerprint of aerosol forcing. This zonal mean mode follows the evolution of global aerosol forcing that is distinct from regional changes in the Atlantic sector. Atmospheric simulations successfully reproduce this interhemispheric mode, indicating the importance of sea surface temperature mediation in response to anthropogenic aerosol forcing. As societies awaken to reduce aerosol emissions, a phase reversal of this interhemispheric mode is expected in the 21st century.
Growth Performance of Carps in Pen Culture in A Floodplain Wetland of West Bengal

Pen culture experiments with Indian major carps {Cat la cat la, Labeo rohita and Cirrhinus mrigala) were carried out in a floodplain wetland (Mathura beel) in North 24-Parganas district of West Bengal to standardize the stocking density vis-a-vis growth performance. The stocking densities evaluated were 10,000,20,000 and 30,000 nos/ha with two replications for each. The productions obtained from the pens have been estimated as 2857.5, 2637.6 and 2606.2 kg/ha, respectively at three stocking densities. Most essential ecological components like physico-chemical parameters, plankton, benthos, periphyton and macrophytic fauna were estimated at regular intervals. Stocking density of 10,000 nos/ha with a mortality rate of 10% yielded best results in fish harvest. Average size of the fishes was 400 g for C. catla, 300 g for L. rohita and 225 g for C. mrigala in 150 days of culture period. Increase in stocking densities probably resulted in the crowding and increase of mortality rate between 30% and 37%. Higher stocking density reduced the growth rate and the net yield.
Future Impact of Differential Interbasin Ocean Warming on Atlantic Hurricanes

Abstract Global climate model simulations forced by future greenhouse warming project that the tropical North Atlantic (TNA) warms at a slower rate than the tropical Indo-Pacific in the twenty-first century, consistent with their projections of a weakened Atlantic thermohaline circulation. Here, an atmospheric general circulation model is used to advance a consistent physical rationale that the suppressed warming of the TNA increases the vertical wind shear and static stability aloft in the main development region (MDR) for Atlantic hurricanes, and thus decreases overall Atlantic hurricane activity in the twenty-first century. A carefully designed suite of model experiments illustrates that the preferential warming of the tropical Indo-Pacific induces a global average warming of the tropical troposphere, via a tropical teleconnection mechanism, and thus increases atmospheric static stability and decreases convection over the suppressed warming region of the TNA. The anomalous diabatic cooling, in turn, fo.