Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contaminant sequestration in karstic aquifers: Experiments and quantification

A karstic aquifer typically has significant secondary porosity consisting of an interconnected system of caves or conduits. Conduit‐borne contaminants can enter the contiguous limestone matrix, remain inside for a longer time than in the conduit, and subsequently be flushed out. This retention or sequestration can significantly influence the fate of contaminants within the aquifer and alter the shape of the breakthrough curve. The mechanisms involved in sequestration have been identified and quantified by analysis of the breakthrough curves generated by a set of laboratory experiments in which a conduit, porous limestone matrix, and conservative contaminant were simulated by a porous‐walled pipe, chamber of closely packed glass beads, and salt, respectively. Experiments were conducted with both active and passive transfer of water between conduit and matrix, simulating differing hydrogeologic regimes. In active transfer the primary control parameter is the volume of water transferred; sequestration is primarily due to advection with the effects of diffusion and dispersion being minimal. In passive transfer the control parameters are the conduit Reynolds number and the duration that contaminant resides in the conduit; sequestration is caused by the combined effects of the conduit pressure drop, pressure variation due to bedform, and diffusion. Active and passive transfer can be unified by analyzing the ratio of the scale of pressure variation to the conduit length. In accordance with the resolved mechanisms a variety of models have been constructed to recover solute distributions in the matrix and to regenerate breakthrough curves. These analyses and models provide a potential approach to investigate contaminant migration in karstic aquifers.
Evaluating physiological stress in Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris ssp. sumatrae) managed in Australian zoos

We have successfully employed non-invasive fecal based glucocorticoid monitoring to evaluate fecal cortisol metabolites in male and females Sumatran tigers from Australian Zoos. Our study provides baseline FCM data which will be crucial for evaluting the health and welfare of big cats in zoos around the world.
Subtle biological responses to increased CO2 concentrations by Phaeocystis globosa Scherffel, a harmful algal bloom species

Recent investigations into the role of carbon dioxide on phytoplankton growth and composition have clearly shown differential effects among species and assemblages, suggesting that increases in oceanic CO2 may play a critical role in structuring lower trophic levels of marine systems in the future. Furthermore, alarming increases in the occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in coastal waters have been observed, and while not uniform among systems, appear in some manner to be linked to human impacts (eutrophication) on coastal systems. Models of HABs are in their infancy and do not at present include sophisticated biological effects or their environmental controls. Here we show that subtle biological responses occur in the HAB species Phaeocystis globosa Scherffel as a result of CO2 enrichment induced by gentle bubbling. The alga, which has a polymorphic life history involving the formation of both colonies and solitary cells, exhibited altered growth rates of colonial and solitary forms at [CO2] of 750 ppm, as well as increased colony formation. In addition, substantial modifications of elemental and photosynthetic constituents of the cells (C cell−1, N cell−1, potential quantum yield, chl a cell−1) occurred under elevated CO2 concentrations compared to those found at present CO2 levels. In contrast, other individual and population variables (e.g., colony diameter, total chlorophyll concentration, carbon/nitrogen ratio) were unaffected by increased CO2. Our results suggest that predictions of the future impacts of Phaeocystis blooms on coastal ecosystems and local biogeochemistry need to carefully examine the subtle biological responses of this alga in addition to community and ecosystem effects.
Dark metabolism: a molecular insight into how the Antarctic sea‐ice diatom Fragilariopsis cylindrus survives long‐term darkness

Summary Light underneath Antarctic sea‐ice is below detectable limits for up to 4 months of the year. The ability of Antarctic sea‐ice diatoms to survive this prolonged darkness relies on their metabolic capability. This study is the first to examine the proteome of a prominent sea‐ice diatom in response to extended darkness, focusing on the protein‐level mechanisms of dark survival. The Antarctic diatom Fragilariopsis cylindrus was grown under continuous light or darkness for 120 d. The whole cell proteome was quantitatively analysed by nano‐LC−MS/MS to investigate metabolic changes that occur during sustained darkness and during recovery under illumination. Enzymes of metabolic pathways, particularly those involved in respiratory processes, tricarboxylic acid cycle, glycolysis, the Entner−Doudoroff pathway, the urea cycle and the mitochondrial electron transport chain became more abundant in the dark. Within the plastid, carbon fixation halted while the upper sections of the glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and pentose phosphate pathways became less active. We have discovered how F. cylindrus utilises an ancient alternative metabolic mechanism that enables its capacity for long‐term dark survival. By sustaining essential metabolic processes in the dark, F. cylindrus retains the functionality of the photosynthetic apparatus, ensuring rapid recovery upon re‐illumination.
Use of satellite snow-cover data for streamflow prediction in the Feather River Basin, California

The MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)/Terra daily snow-cover 500 m resolution product (MOD10A1) is evaluated through comparisons with ground-snow observations over the western US. The misclassified fractions of MOD10A1 (most common misclassification of snow-covered as non-snow-covered pixels) are generally lower at high elevations than at low elevations, and are greatest during the ablation period and at the beginning of the snow-accumulation period. The MOD10A1 data are used to update the snow-cover status in the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) hydrology model applied to the Feather River Basin, California over the 2000–2008 MODIS period. The effect of MODIS updating is evaluated both on retrospective simulations, and on forecasts made at twice-monthly intervals, both for lead times of 2 weeks, and for seasonal forecasts from winter and spring forecast dates through to the end of July. Evaluations of simulated streamflow using the calibrated standard VIC model and the calibrated VIC with snow-covered area (SCA) updating show that the MODIS updating tends to reduce simulated streamflow and does not necessarily reduce simulation errors. Results for retrospective forecasts showed that assimilation of MODIS data reduced the Mean Absolute Error (E MAE) of 2 week lead-time forecasts during 2000–2008 in the snow-ablation period. However, forecast accuracy for seasonal forecasts during the same period was not improved by assimilation of MODIS data.
TiO2 nanoparticle trails in garnet: implications of inclusion pressure‐induced microcracks and spontaneous metamorphic‐reaction healing during exhumation

A new mechanism of cleaving‐healing of garnet in metamorphic rocks during exhumation is reported. Almandine garnet with submicron multiple‐phase inclusions characteristic of the GRAIL reaction, garnet + rutile = kyanite + ilmenite + low‐quartz, was found by analytical electron microscopy to have non‐epitaxial rutile nanoparticles distributed along internal {110} microcrack trails at the acute corner of submicron multiple‐phase inclusions defined by the intersecting (110) and (011) mould surfaces. Such garnet microcracks were formed during lithostatic decompression due to a relatively high compressibility of quartz in the inclusion pockets and stress concentration at the acute corner. Spontaneous healing with accompanied formation of non‐epitaxial rutile nanoparticles was activated predominantly via the GRAIL reaction due to high surface tension at the tip of microcracks and, to a lesser extent, decreasing lithostatic pressure or increasing inclusion pressure upon exhumation. This new mechanism of microcracking and healing involves stress build up, fracture propagation, mineral reaction, transport of elements to the reaction site and lowering of reaction boundaries by capillarity effect, all under the influence of thermodynamic and kinetic factors at the submicron‐scale. Thus, TiO2 nanoparticle trails in garnet provide additional information on the P–T path and may shed light on exhumation rates/mechanisms and metamorphic reactions/processes. Careful scrutiny of host minerals on the submicron scale is required to tell whether there are other metamorphic‐reaction facilitated healing processes being overlooked by inappropriate techniques or being obliterated by the predominant healing processes of fluid infiltration and resorption zoning.
Atmospheric natural disasters in Serbia: Management experience and economic effects

Natural disasters occur as a result of an action of natural forces and represent limitations in spatial planning and efficient spatial development, with different consequences in terms of scope on humans, living things and tangible property. Consequences can be ecological, economic, in terms of health, demographic, social, psychological, etc. Weather modification management involves policies, methods, techniques and technologies that affect atmospheric features in order to make atmospheric water useful for humans, while eliminating its negative effects. Highly significant risk of natural disasters in Serbia is related to hailstorm disasters and droughts as atmospheric elementary disasters. The goal of this paper is to present certain methodologies and experience in Serbia in the weather modification management, mainly in the hailstorm processes. This paper provides analysis and critical review of the methodology of an action, with the analysis of the economic benefits. Cost-benefit analysis of a hail suppression project in Serbia was performed. The results point to the economic justification of some aspects of artificial influence on weather disasters.
Relationship between magnetotail variations and auroral activities during substorms

[1] We have compared magnetotail variations with auroral activities during 8 substorms using GEOTAIL and Polar UVI data. In the 1737 UT substorm event on 15 December 1996, auroral breakups and intensifications were highly correlated with fast plasma flows with the variations in the north-south magnetic field and the total pressure in the magnetotail. GEOTAIL was located around X ∼ −21 RE, and several fast tailward flows were observed in the early expansion phase with the southward magnetic field and the total pressure enhancement, associated with plasmoids. These flows were observed simultaneously with or within about 1 min of auroral breakups or pseudobreakups. In the late expansion or recovery phase, some fast Earthward flows were observed with the northward magnetic field as well as the total pressure enhancement slightly earlier than small auroral intensifications. These observations imply that the activation and tailward retreat of the near-Earth neutral line is intermittent. Furthermore, including the other events, we found that the total pressure decrease in the magnetotail can be correlated with auroral activity better than the fast plasma flow. The total pressure in the magnetotail significantly decreases during auroral breakups or poleward expansions of the auroral bulge but slightly decreases during pseudobreakups. The duration of the expansion and the maximum size of the auroral bulge are closely correlated with the duration and amount of total pressure decrease in the magnetotail, respectively. These results imply that the magnitude of auroral activities associated with substorms depends on that of energy dissipation in the magnetotail.
Tertiary and Quaternary volcanism in the Massif Central, France

Summary Continental alkaline volcanics of the French Massif Central range in age from 65 Ma to 3450 years BP and can be divided by geography and age into 20 separate areas. There is no correlation between the age of an area and the geographic locality. Two magma series are present: a silica-undersaturated basanite-tephrite-phonolite series and an alkali basalt-trachyandesite-trachyte-rhyolite series, the evolved members of which are silica-saturated. Rare nephelinites are also found. Primitive magmas of both main series may be derived from 2%–20% partial melting of a mantle enriched with light rare-earth elements with variable amounts of garnet in the residue; nephelinites were formed from a source which was isotopically and chemically distinct. Fractional crystallization of observed phases accounts for the diversity of intermediate and evolved products. Amphibole fractionation in basalts at depth causes the trend towards silica saturation, while alkali feldspar fractionation dominates the final stages of crystallization. Removal of small quantities of sphene and zircon explains trace-element depletions in trachytes, phonolites and rhyolites. Up to 30% crustal contamination has occurred in the evolved magmas but contamination is generally absent from their basaltic parents. Sr, Nd and Pb isotope data indicate that the most probable contaminant is undepleted meta-sedimentary granulite-facies lower crust. Variations in Sr and Nd isotope ratios also constrain petrogenetic hypotheses such as amphibole fractionation and magma mixing. Mineralogical disequilibrium, compositional banding and emulsification textures indicate extensive magma mixing. Some flows are homogeneous hybrid lavas in which only the unusual composition and rare mineral disequilibria indicate the mode of formation.
Safety aspects and rational use of a naproxen + esomeprazole combination in the treatment of rheumatoid disease

: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely prescribed for reduction of pain and inflammation, particularly in the setting of rheumatologic disorders. While effective, they are associated with risks, including nephrotoxicity, gastrointestinal inflam-mation, peptic ulcer disease, and worsened cardiovascular outcomes. After development of cyclo-oxygenase 2 inhibitors to minimize gastrointestinal complications, early use revealed increased cardiovascular event rate risk, and retrospective analysis of traditional NSAIDs revealed similar concerns, with the exception of naproxen. PN400 is a fixed-dose combination formulation designed to provide sequential delivery of a nonenteric-coated, immediate-release esomeprazole 20 mg mantle followed by an enteric-coated naproxen 500 mg core. This review summarizes the pharmacokinetics, benefits, safety, and tolerability of PN400. Phase I trials demonstrated pharmacokinetics consistent with its formulation, and at different esomeprazole combination doses, PN400 containing esomeprazole 20 mg was the lowest dose that still resulted in substantial sustained increases of gastric pH . 4. In two Phase III trials (Study 301 and Study 302), PN400 resulted in a significant reduction in gastric ulcers relative to enteric-coated naproxen (4.1% to 23.1% in Study 301, 7.1% to 24.3% in Study 302). Discontinuation due to NSAID-associated upper gastrointestinal adverse events or duodenal ulcers was significantly less in PN400 patients (3.2% to 12%, P , 0.001, in Study 301; 4.8% to 11.9%, P = 0.009, in Study 302). Two subjective patient indices were utilized to assess tolerability, ie, the Severity of Dyspepsia Assessment (SODA) and Overall Treatment Evaluation of Dyspepsia (OTE-DP). Patients with PN400 had significantly better upper gastrointestinal tolerability compared with those treated with enteric-coated naproxen in terms of SODA scores, proportion of heartburn-free patients, and OTE-DP response. While no formal recommendations are available at this time for use of this new combination medication, it will likely become an important treatment option with application for many patients.
Uncertainties in modeled and measured clear‐sky surface shortwave irradiances

A comparison of five independent measurements of the clear-sky downward shortwave irradiance at the surface shows that they scatter within a 5% range depending on their calibration constants. When the measurements are corrected using data from two cavity radiometers, three of the five independent measurements agree within 3 W m−2 over three clear-sky days, which is well within the estimated error limit of ±1.5%. A comparison of these three sets of irradiance measurements with the computed irradiance by a δ2-stream model reveals that the model overestimates the irradiance by 5%. Detailed investigation of the approximations and uncertainties associated with the computations (including the measurement error in the water vapor and ozone amounts, neglecting the state of polarization and trace gas absorption, the 2-stream approximation, the neglect of the spectral dependence of the surface albedo, and the uncertainties associated with aerosols) demonstrates that the discrepancy is not due to these approximations. Further analysis of the modeled and measured irradiance shows that the discrepancy is almost entirely due to the difference between modeled and measured diffuse field irradiances. An analysis of narrow-band diffuse to total irradiance ratios shows that this discrepancy is the largest near 400 nm and decreases with wavelength. These results rely on the absolute calibrations of two cavity radiometers, two shaded pyranometers, and one unshaded pyranometer, as well as ratios of irradiances measured by a multifilter rotating shadow-band radiometer. Therefore, in order for instrumental error to account for the diffuse field discrepancy, three independent measurements of the diffuse field irradiance must be biased low by at least 40%. For an aerosol to account for this discrepancy, it must be highly absorbing with a single-scattering albedo as low as 0.3. The unlikelihood of instrumental errors of 40% and aerosol single-scattering albedos of 0.3 suggests a third possibility: the neglect of some gaseous absorption process at visible wavelengths.
Hedging Demand and Market Intraday Momentum

Hedging short gamma exposure requires trading in the direction of price movements, thereby creating price momentum. Using intraday returns on over 60 futures on equities, bonds, commodities, and currencies between 1974 and 2020, we document strong “market intraday momentum” everywhere. The return during the last 30 minutes before the market close is positively predicted by the return during the rest of the day (from previous market close to the last 30 minutes). The predictive power is economically and statistically highly significant, and reverts over the next days. We provide novel evidence that links market intraday momentum to the gamma hedging demand from market participants such as market makers of options and leveraged ETFs.
The Impact of Inflammation on Metabolomic Profiles in Patients With Arthritis

Objective. Inflammatory arthritis is associated with systemic manifestations including alterations in metabolism. We used nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy–based metabolomics to assess metabolic fingerprints in serum from patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and those with early arthritis. Methods. Serum samples were collected from newly presenting patients with established RA who were naive for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, matched healthy controls, and 2 groups of patients with synovitis of ≤3 months' duration whose outcomes were determined at clinical followup. Serum metabolomic profiles were assessed using 1-dimensional 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Discriminating metabolites were identified, and the relationships between metabolomic profiles and clinical variables including outcomes were examined. Results. The serum metabolic fingerprint in established RA was clearly distinct from that of healthy controls. In early arthritis, we were able to stratify the patients according to the level of current inflammation, with C-reactive protein correlating with metabolic differences in 2 separate groups (P < 0.001). Lactate and lipids were important discriminators of inflammatory burden in both early arthritis patient groups. The sensitivities and specificities of models to predict the development of either RA or persistent arthritis in patients with early arthritis were low. Conclusion. The metabolic fingerprint reflects inflammatory disease activity in patients with synovitis, demonstrating that underlying inflammatory processes drive significant changes in metabolism that can be measured in the peripheral blood. The identification of metabolic alterations may provide insights into disease mechanisms operating in patients with inflammatory arthritis.
Explaining the SES School Completion Gap

Relatively low rates of school completion among students from low socio-economic (SES) backgrounds is a key transmission mechanism for the persistence of intergenerational inequality. Using a rich dataset that links data from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) with data from the Longitudinal Survey of Australian Youth (LSAY), we use a decomposition framework to explain the gap in school completion between low and medium SES and between low and high SES. The two most important factors found to explain the gap are lower educational aspirations of low SES students and their parents (over 30% of the gaps) and lower numeracy and reading test scores at age 15 (over 20% of the gaps). Differences in the characteristics of schools (including resources, governance, teachers and peers) attended by low and higher SES students is estimated to be relatively unimportant, explaining only around 6% of the gaps.
Organic carbon dynamics in the Mediterranean Sea: An integrated study

Total (TOC) and dissolved (DOC) organic carbon vertical profiles were analyzed from 11 stations located in various regions of the Mediterranean Sea, together with the distribution of other physical, chemical and biological parameters. TOC showed the highest concentrations (68–83 μM) above the pycnocline, followed by a marked decrease to values of 45–48 μM at 100–200 m. Below 200 m, values of 40–45 μM were observed. The excess TOC and DOC occurring at each station was calculated by subtracting 48 μM from the observed concentrations. The stock of the excess TOC and DOC increased eastward; while surface DOC mineralization rates decreased from 1.5 μM d−1 to 0.26 μM d−1eastward. The integrated average of the biological parameters in the above‐pycnocline layer showed a bacterial production versus particulate primary production (BP/PPP) ratio ranging from 22% in the Ionian Sea (MIO station) to 31% in the Ligurian Sea (Dyfamed station), while bacterial carbon demand versus PPP was higher than 100%, considering a bacterial growth efficiency of both 15% and 30%. The data here reported indicate various scenarios of carbon dynamics. At the stations west of the Sardinian Channel, the microbial loop was very active, and a high flux of carbon to the microbial loop (large bacterial and protist abundance) may be hypothesized, which would result in a low DOC concentration. At the stations east of the Sardinian Channel, no significant longitudinal variation was found in DOC and BP. DOC accumulated at these stations, possibly due to bacteria P‐limitation, to DOC chemical composition and/or to the occurrence of different prokaryotic populations with a different ability to consume the available DOC.