Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term measurements and model simulations of phosphorus leaching from a manured sandy soil

Cropping systems with high phosphorus (P) inputs may constitute a risk of P leaching, which contributes to eutrophication. The main objective of this study was to identify P leaching risks associated with three long-term fertilization regimes in separately tile-drained plots on a sandy soil in southwest Sweden. The three regimes resulted in different annual P surpluses of, on average, 16 kg P ha−1 (14 lb P ac−1) in mineral form and 18 kg P ha−1 (16 lb P ac−1) and 37 kg P ha−1 (33 lb P ac−1) as pig slurry. The importance of different soil characteristics (soil P, iron, aluminum, and calcium content, and degree of P saturation [DPS]) and processes (water flow and P sorption/desorption) was examined using 15 years (1989 to 2003) of P leaching measurements and simulations with the ICECREAM model. Measurements of high soil P content and DPS values in the topsoil, in combination with high precipitation and rapid water flow, indicated a high potential for P losses, which was confirmed by the model simulations. However, the model considerably overestimated total P leaching by a factor of 5 to 9 since measured P leaching was small for all treatments. Measured mean annual total P leaching and total P concentration ranged respectively from 0.14 kg ha−1 (0.12 lb ac−1) and 0.06 mg L−1 (3.75 × 10−6 lb ft−3) at a high rate of slurry application to 0.20 kg ha−1 (0.18 lb ac−1) and 0.08 mg L−1 (4.99 × 10−6 lb ft−3) in the mineral P treatment. The differences in concentration were statistically significant (p < 0.001). A main conclusion from this 15-year study was that annual pig slurry application rates of 37 to 58 kg P ha−1 (33 to 52 lb P ac−1) did not increase P leaching. High sorption capacity of the subsoil, caused by Fe, Al, and Ca, was obviously very important for controlling P losses. Thus, information on soil P content and fertilization must be supplemented with estimates of soil P sorption capacity when evaluating the risk of P leaching for different soils. This must also be considered in models used for assessment of P leaching from arable land. The current ICECREAM model does not include appropriate functions for describing P sorption/desorption processes in this type of soil and needs further development.
Alluvial floodplain classification by multivariate clustering and discriminant analysis for low‐relief glacially conditioned river catchments

River classifications provide useful frameworks to understand complex fluvial landscapes and to manage freshwater ecosystems. Alluvial floodplains for rivers in low‐relief glacially conditioned catchments of southern Ontario (Canada) are classified and tested using a sequence of multivariate statistical analyses. An original dataset of 109 floodplain sites is investigated using k‐means clustering, principal component analysis, and discriminant analysis statistical approaches. Four primary floodplain types are proposed representing basic morphological, stratigraphical, and sedimentological characteristics. Classifications are successfully discriminated by two principal dimensions: (1) stream power‐resistance; and (2) floodplain sedimentology. The latter is most efficiently represented by the availability of alluvial sand, and specifically a new variable defined as floodplain sand equivalent (FSE). Floodplain types are generally consistent with previous river classifications, however the glacial legacy requires refined classifications which account for inherited cobble bed materials and patterns of sand supply. Representing the residual variability of stream power‐resistance correlations, a third explanatory dimension of sediment transport is suggested, and may explain some within‐class variability in channel morphology. Balancing the opposing concepts of fluvial process domains and landform continuums, the potential for transitional floodplain types is also explored. The proposed first‐order alluvial floodplain classifications provide a basis from which to further investigate geomorphological diversity within the context of complex glacial legacy effects in low‐relief settings. Future research to reveal the spatial arrangement and linkages of distinct morphological groups within a regional landscape mosaic is expected to provide insights into patterns of post‐glacial fluvial adjustment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling temperature change downstream of forest harvest using Newton's law of cooling

We adapted Newton's law of cooling to model downstream water temperature change in response to stream‐adjacent forest harvest on small and medium streams (average 327 ha in size) throughout the Oregon Coast Range, USA. The model requires measured stream gradient, width, depth and upstream control reach temperatures as inputs and contains two free parameters, which were determined by fitting the model to measured stream temperature data. This model reproduces the measured downstream temperature responses to within 0.4 °C for 15 of the 16 streams studied and provides insight into the physical sources of site‐to‐site variation among those responses. We also use the model to examine how the pre‐harvest to post‐harvest change in daily maximum stream temperature depends on distance from the harvest reach. The model suggests that the pre‐harvest to post‐harvest temperature change approximately 300 m downstream of the harvest will range from roughly 82% to less than 1% of that temperature change that occurred within the harvest reach, depending primarily on the downstream width, depth and gradient. Using study‐averaged values for these channel characteristics, the model suggests that for a stream representative of those in the study, the temperature change approximately 300 m downstream of the harvest will be 56% of the temperature change that occurred within the harvest reach. This adapted Newton's law of cooling procedure represents a highly practical means for predicting stream temperature behaviour downstream of timber harvests relative to conventional heat budget approaches and is informative of the dominant processes affecting stream temperature. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of medical journal press releases on the quality of associated newspaper coverage: retrospective cohort study

Objective To determine whether the quality of press releases issued by medical journals can influence the quality of associated newspaper stories. Design Retrospective cohort study of medical journal press releases and associated news stories. Setting We reviewed consecutive issues (going backwards from January 2009) of five major medical journals (Annals of Internal Medicine, BMJ, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, JAMA, and New England Journal of Medicine) to identify the first 100 original research articles with quantifiable outcomes and that had generated any newspaper coverage (unique stories ≥100 words long). We identified 759 associated newspaper stories using Lexis Nexis and Factiva searches, and 68 journal press releases using Eurekalert and journal website searches. Two independent research assistants assessed the quality of journal articles, press releases, and a stratified random sample of associated newspaper stories (n=343) by using a structured coding scheme for the presence of specific quality measures: basic study facts, quantification of the main result, harms, and limitations. Main outcome Proportion of newspaper stories with specific quality measures (adjusted for whether the quality measure was present in the journal article’s abstract or editor note). Results We recorded a median of three newspaper stories per journal article (range 1-72). Of 343 stories analysed, 71% reported on articles for which medical journals had issued press releases. 9% of stories quantified the main result with absolute risks when this information was not in the press release, 53% did so when it was in the press release (relative risk 6.0, 95% confidence interval 2.3 to 15.4), and 20% when no press release was issued (2.2, 0.83 to 6.1). 133 (39%) stories reported on research describing beneficial interventions. 24% mentioned harms (or specifically declared no harms) when harms were not mentioned in the press release, 68% when mentioned in the press release (2.8, 1.1 to 7.4), and 36% when no press release was issued (1.5, 0.49 to 4.4). 256 (75%) stories reported on research with important limitations. 16% reported any limitations when limitations were not mentioned in the press release, 48% when mentioned in the press release (3.0, 1.5 to 6.2), and 21% if no press release was issued (1.3, 0.50 to 3.6). Conclusion High quality press releases issued by medical journals seem to make the quality of associated newspaper stories better, whereas low quality press releases might make them worse.
Probabilistic canonical correlation analysis forecasts, with application to tropical Pacific sea‐surface temperatures

Canonical correlation analysis (CCA) is a higher‐dimensional extension of univariate multiple regression that is often used to construct seasonal and other forecasts in a climatological context. Although its use is widespread, to date it has apparently been used only to produce nonprobabilistic forecasts. Here an analytic result for the prediction covariance matrix of vector CCA forecasts is presented, which is sufficient to define a full forecast probability distribution if a multivariate Gaussian distribution can reasonably be assumed for the forecast errors. The approach is illustrated by computing and verifying probabilistic seasonal forecasts for tropical Pacific sea‐surface temperatures.
Dust sources and deposition during the last glacial maximum and current climate: A comparison of model results with paleodata from ice cores and marine sediments

Mineral dust aerosols in the atmosphere have the potential to affect the global climate by influencing the radiative balance of the atmosphere and the supply of micronutrients to the ocean. Ice and marine sediment cores indicate that dust deposition from the atmosphere was at some locations 2–20 times greater during glacial periods, raising the possibility that mineral aerosols might have contributed to climate change on glacial-interglacial time scales. To address this question, we have used linked terrestrial biosphere, dust source, and atmospheric transport models to simulate the dust cycle in the atmosphere for current and last glacial maximum (LGM) climates. We obtain a 2.5-fold higher dust loading in the entire atmosphere and a twenty-fold higher loading in high latitudes, in LGM relative to present. Comparisons to a compilation of atmospheric dust deposition flux estimates for LGM and present in marine sediment and ice cores show that the simulated flux ratios are broadly in agreement with observations; differences suggest where further improvements in the simple dust model could be made. The simulated increase in high-latitude dustiness depends on the expansion of unvegetated areas, especially in the high latitudes and in central Asia, caused by a combination of increased aridity and low atmospheric [CO2]. The existence of these dust source areas at the LGM is supported by pollen data and loess distribution in the northern continents. These results point to a role for vegetation feedbacks, including climate effects and physiological effects of low [CO2], in modulating the atmospheric distribution of dust.
High‐resolution projections of mean and extreme precipitation over Spain using the WRF model (2070–2099 versus 1970–1999)

[1] A set of eight simulations at high spatial resolution (10 km) were performed with WRF to generate future projections of mean and extreme precipitation over Spain. The model was driven with two GCMs (ECHAM5 and CCSM3.0) under the conditions of three SRES emissions scenarios (B1, A1B and A2) which amounts to six future (2070–2099) climate simulations. Two present (1970–1999) climate simulations forced by the same GCMs were previously completed and were used as a baseline to allow for comparison and quantify the changes. The annual and seasonal precipitation means were examined to elucidate how global warming will manifest in the future precipitation climatic means. The distribution of precipitation in different-intensity events and the percentiles were calculated to further describe the nature of the changes. Additionally, a number of extreme indices were explored to determine changes in the low frequency events and the persistency of specific conditions. The results indicate that Spain might be exposed to a substantial decrease in annual precipitation that range between −18% and −42% depending on the simulation, with a particularly severe reduction during the summer, between −32% and −72%. These changes are generally caused by less light-to-moderate events, which leads to a displacement of the probability density function toward higher values. Namely, future climate might be characterized by less precipitation but more concentrated in extreme events, although their occurrence in absolute terms might not vary. The projections also suggest that, by the end of the century, the wet periods might be shorter and the dry spells significantly longer.
Teaching OO concepts-a case study using CRC-cards and BlueJ

The transition to object-oriented programming is more than just a matter of programming language. Traditional syllabi fail to teach students the "big picture" and students have difficulties taking advantage of object-oriented concepts. In this paper we present a holistic approach to a CSI course in Java favouring general object-oriented concepts over the syntactical details of the language. We present goals for designing such a course and a case study showing interesting results.
A set of powerful negative selection systems for unmodified Enterobacteriaceae

Creation of defined genetic mutations is a powerful method for dissecting mechanisms of bacterial disease; however, many genetic tools are only developed for laboratory strains. We have designed a modular and general negative selection strategy based on inducible toxins that provides high selection stringency in clinical Escherichia coli and Salmonella isolates. No strain- or species-specific optimization is needed, yet this system achieves better selection stringency than all previously reported negative selection systems usable in unmodified E. coli strains. The high stringency enables use of negative instead of positive selection in phage-mediated generalized transduction and also allows transfer of alleles between arbitrary strains of E. coli without requiring phage. The modular design should also allow further extension to other bacteria. This negative selection system thus overcomes disadvantages of existing systems, enabling definitive genetic experiments in both lab and clinical isolates of E. coli and other Enterobacteriaceae.
Pharmacological profile of Ascaris suum ACR‐16, a new homomeric nicotinic acetylcholine receptor widely distributed in Ascaris tissues

Control of nematode parasite infections relies largely on anthelmintic drugs, several of which act on nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs), and there are concerns about the development of resistance. There is an urgent need for development of new compounds to overcome resistance and novel anthelmintic drug targets. We describe the functional expression and pharmacological characterization of a homomeric nAChR, ACR‐16, from a nematode parasite.
Synoptics of dust transportation days from Africa toward Italy and central Europe

[1] The mean synoptic situation associated with dust outbreaks from the Sahara into the central Mediterranean was examined on a daily basis for the month of July from 1979 to 1992. Composite patterns of wind, geopotential heights, and temperature for dusty days versus those for all days were analyzed. Dusty days were defined as days with the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer Aerosol Index (TOMS-AI) in the area around the Apennine peninsula (36°N–46°N, 10°E–18°E) equal to or greater than their monthly average plus 1 standard deviation. It was found that the strength and position of two essential features of the circulation patterns, such as the trough emanating southward from the Icelandic low and the eastern cell of the subtropical high, are the governing factors in making suitable flows for the Saharan dust transportation toward Italy. The deep, well-developed trough near the Atlantic coasts of Europe and Africa, penetrating well to the south, and the strong eastern cell of the subtropical high situated to the northeast from North Africa near the Mediterranean coast, cause strong south-southwestern flows with the potential to carry dust northward into the Mediterranean. In extreme cases the dust can reach Europe north of the Alps and even northern Europe, reaching the shores of the Baltic. These warm flows, accompanied by high dust load, also cause considerable warming in the central Mediterranean region of the order of 6–8 K at 700 hPa. Alternatively, the weak western trough and the weak eastern subtropical cell cause westerlies, which are inconsistent with the Mediterranean dust intrusions. Analysis of the extreme intrusion cases in July 1988, based on TOMS-AI data, and several others in July 2001–2003, based on lidar measurements in Rome, demonstrates the synoptic situation that allows the Saharan dust to reach Italy.
Assessment of land-surface energy budgets from regional and global models

The surface energy budgets estimated from the 0- to 12-hour forecasts of three operational model suites and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) Reanalysis are analyzed at local to continental scales. The models are (1) the Eta model, (2) the Mesoscale Analysis and Prediction System (MAPS), and (3) the Global Environmental Multiscale (GEM) model. The first two are regional, while the third one is global with a variable grid with a resolution over North America that is equivalent to that of the regional models. This assessment of one summer month (August 1997) and one winter month (January 1998) has the purpose of estimating the reliability of the surface energy budgets within the context of the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX) Continental-Scale International Project (GCIP) goals. Satellite estimates were used to evaluate the downward short wave radiation at the surface, while measurements from the southern Great Plains region were used to evaluate the model computed surface energy budget estimates. The results show that the surface short wave radiation biases of the models are widespread and of the order of 25–50 W m−2 and averaging over larger areas does not help reduce the differences. These biases are compensated by the other long and short wave radiation terms so that the resulting errors in the net radiation are smaller. During August 1997, continental east-west gradients of latent heat flux and Bowen ratio were surprisingly dissimilar among models. Still, the Bowen ratio estimated from the Eta and GEM models was close to observations over the southern Great Plains region, while both the Reanalysis and MAPS had ratios that at least doubled the observed ones. In the case of MAPS a revised latent heat flux formulation was introduced in fall 1997, and, subsequently, for January 1998, estimates were closer to the other models' estimates. However, during January 1998 all models had difficulties reproducing the Bowen ratios from observations. Further, daily time series showed that models' estimates also tended to miss the amplitude of the day-to-day variability. It is conceivable that this may be the result of difficulties in parameterizing the total cloud cover, and, particularly, attenuation by clouds may still be insufficient.
The pyroclastic rocks and rhyolitic lavas of the Eastern Red Hills district, Isle of Skye

Synopsis Mixed pyroclastic rock accumulations in the Eastern Red Hills district of the Tertiary igneous centre of Skye show a wide range in composition and mode of formation. Prior to this investigation these volcanic products were interpreted as vent infillings. It is shown that this model is unrealistic, as detailed mapping demonstrates that they are bedded, subaerial and subaqueous deposits. Chaotic, polylithic agglomerates, at least 300 m thick, are preserved in a ring-faulted mass in the Kilchrist area and are intercalated with thin acid tuffs, basic tuffs (grading towards coarser material) and ignimbrites. A hyaloclastite horizon is also present within the sequence. It is concluded that these accumulations of pyroclastic rocks do not show close genetic links with the later, spatially-associated granites of the Eastern Red Hills Centre, but may have originated by explosive volcanism triggered off by earlier events in the Skye Centre. Later subaerial and subaqueous processes greatly modified their primary appearance. Intercalated with the pyroclastic rocks are rhyolite lavas which are associated with the subvolcanic granites of the district. These lavas provide evidence of the close connection between surface volcanism and subvolcanic activity in the Skye Centre.
Influx and efflux of moisture in a desert soil during a 1 year period

Spatial and temporal variation of moisture flux in soil over a 1 year period was studied in the Thar desert of India. Tritium was injected at a depth of 0.8 m at 18 sites distributed over an area of 50 km2 and at 20 adjacent points at a single site over a sand dune, before the 1994 monsoon. Vertical soil profiles were collected from the 18 sites after the end of monsoon and at the end of the year and from the multiple‐injections site at different time intervals throughout the year. Moisture flux values, computed from tritium and moisture distribution in soil profiles, show that the moisture influx at a site depends upon the grain size of the top 20 cm layer and that about 68% of the total influx of water below the injection depth is lost during the summer months. The data for the multiple‐injections site show that the tritium spike was displaced to a depth of 4 m by the end of the monsoon, and it remained stationary during the postmonsoön period of 8 months, although about 64% of the soil moisture was lost. The spiked layer showed enrichment in the specific activity of tritium during summer months. These observations suggest that vapor diffusion is the dominant process for moisture loss from the Thar desert soil. The net input (natural recharge) to groundwater due to 1994 precipitation was 62 mm.
Parallel Cultures: Majority/Minority Relations in the Countries of the Former Eastern Bloc

Parallel cultures, Christopher Lord competing cultures, conflicting identities - the case of Transylvania, Gavril Flora transforminations of ethnic identity - the case of the Bulgarian Pomaks, Madeleine Danova the identity crisis and emergence of alternative ethnic identities among the Eastern slavs - the case of the Poleshuks, Kirill Shevchenko ethnic coexistence and cultural autonomy in Ukraine - the case of Donetsk, Kateryna Standnik Quo Vardis? - the case of Russia, Olga Strietska-Ilina.