Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A review of aeolian transport processes in cold environments

Aeolian environments in Canada experience seasonally cold temperatures. The portion of the annual wind transport occurring between late autumn and early spring usually is perceived as trivial because low temperature transport is difficult to measure reliably, particularly in remote northern areas, and because warm climate based semi-empirical wind erosion models are intractable for temperatures below 0°C. Very little is known about the processes contributing to the phenomenal aeolian transport associated with the Pleistocene Epoch, but supply limiting factors were likely as important then as they are in contemporary high latitude environments, although the wind and solar radiation regimes of this glacial period are not exactly replicated. Field and simulation work on the boundary layer and surface controls, which include wind shear velocity, air density, sediment texture, pore water, snow, ice, and vegetation, suggests a complex system of interactions. Frozen and wet surfaces, traditionally viewed as stab.
Four similar earthquakes in central California

We study four ML - 2.7 earthquakes on the San Andreas Fault in Central California. The first two events occurred within five minutes of each other in November 1978; the two events in January 1979 occurred within a nine hour period. The CALNET (USGS local array) seismograms of these four events display only some general similarity. However, when low - pass filtered below 5 Hz, the four events have nearly identical seismograms. The similarity is even more striking in the pass-band below 2 Hz. This suggests that all four events are within a radius of no more than a quarter wavelength, or about 200 - 400 m. Although no definitive conclusion can be reached from a study of only four earthquakes, our results strongly suggest that the following hypothesis should be further tested: Small to moderate earthquakes may commonly be much more tightly clustered in both hypocentral location and depth than is suggested by routine locations from local arrays. The physical basis of this clustering is that the earthquakes represent repeated stress release at the same asperity, or stress concentration, along the fault surface. Identification of such asperities might be useful in understanding the sequence of events leading to the initiation of a larger earthquake.
Challenges related to delivery of water soluble nutrients to marine fish larvae. Evaluation of changes in nutritional quality due to production process and leaching from larval diets -with emphasis on protein quality

In vitro methods have previously been utilised for the rapid and reliable evaluation of protein digestibility in fish. In this study we used in vitro methods to compare the digestibility of various live and artificial larval feeds and feed ingredients. Given previous suggestions that water-soluble dietary proteins are efficiently digested and utilised by stomachless fish larvae, we also analysed the content of water-soluble nitrogen in the feeds and feed ingredients and then measured the specific in vitro digestibility (simulated midgut conditions) of the water-soluble and insoluble fractions. The soluble nitrogen fractions were generally more digestible than the insoluble nitrogen fractions (Pb0.05). A soluble reference protein (Na-caseinate) was digested faster than the similar but insoluble reference protein (casein) although their final digestibility was the same (94%). Frozen live feeds (Artemia fransiscana and Calanus finmarchicus) contained high fractions of soluble nitrogen (54–67%) and also had high digestibility in vitro (84 and 87%, respectively). The in vitro digestibility of two formulated larval feeds tested was lower (53 and 70%) than the frozen live feeds. The digestibility of the ingredients of the protein-encapsulated feeds particles was reduced as a result of the production process (from 71 to 53%, respectively). Three meals of marine origin (fish meal, squid meal and fish roe meal) all had low contents of water-soluble nitrogen (11–17%) but showed different degrees of digestibility (77, 77 and 49%, respectively). The results also demonstrated that while pre-hydrolysis of a feed ingredient (fresh frozen cod fillet) almost doubled the water-soluble nitrogen fraction (from 34 to 65%) the positive effect of pre-hydrolysis on in vitro digestibility was much lower (from 80 to 86%). This demonstrates the complexity of assessment of bioavailability of dietary protein sources in larval fish; a number of factors such as leaching rates from feed particles, digestibility, digestion rates and absorption rates all need to be taken into account. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Measurements of methane emissions from natural gas gathering facilities and processing plants: measurement methods

Facility-level methane emissions were measured at 114 gathering facilities and 16 processing plants in the United States natural gas system. At gathering facilities, the measured methane emission rates ranged from 0.7 to 700 kg per hour (kg/h) (0.6 to 600 standard cubic feet per minute (scfm)). Normalized emissions (as a % of total methane throughput) were less than 1% for 85 gathering facilities and 19 had normalized emissions less than 0.1%. The range of methane emissions rates for processing plants was 3 to 600 kg/h (3 to 524 scfm), corresponding to normalized methane emissions rates <1% in all cases. The distributions of methane emissions, particularly for gathering facilities, are skewed. For example, 30% of gathering facilities contribute 80% of the total emissions. Normalized emissions rates are negatively correlated with facility throughput. The variation in methane emissions also appears driven by differences between inlet and outlet pressure, as well as venting and leaking equipment. Substantial.
Stormwater detention basin for improving road-runoff quality

Both wet and dry detention basins are commonly used for the treatment of road runoff. The basin investigated in this study was located on the eastern side of the southern expressway in Adelaide, Australia. Event mean pollutant concentrations (EMCs) and total pollutant loads were determined for the basin inflows and outflows. The water quality parameters tested included pH, conductivity, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids (TDS), total Kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorous, total hydrocarbons, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, zinc and nickel. Six critical events were sampled in this manner during the course of the investigation. Total pollutant loads passing through as basin inflow were determined over the six monitored events. Comparison of basin inflow and outflow quality demonstrated that the average load reductions varied from as little as 18% for TDS up to 77% for total phosphorous and lead. While copper concentrations at the basin inflow were detected in four out of the six events, no detec.
Fish fauna of seagrass beds in south Sulawesi, Indonesia

fhe composition of the fish communities associated with two different seagrass habitats in South Sulawesi (Indonesia) was studied by making representative collections with the chemical ichthyocide rotenone. A eoastal sea grass bed on an intertidal mudbank and a seagrass meadow on a shallow reef flat of a coral island had different fish communities. Both habitats wcre equally rich in species (26 and 27 species respectively). The coastal seagrass fish community was dominated by estuarine-dependent species, whereas reef-dependent fish species dominated in the meadow on the recf flat. Only a few species could be regarded as specific to the seagrass habitat. Potential significance of the seagrass habitats as nursery areas for fishes was indicated by the numbers of juveniles of sevcral species, including some of economic importance. Introduction Seagrass beds are widely distributed in the tropicallndo-Pacific region. They often occur adjacent to coral reefs and mangrove forests, The importance of seagrass meadows as habitat for fishes and decapod crustaceans is well documented (Bell and HarmelinVivien 1982,1983; Blaber et al. 1989; Parrish 1989; Sogard and Able 1991). Several authors reported significantly higher faunal densities in seagrass beds relative to unvegetated sand or mud substrates (see review by Orth et al. 1984). The physical nature of the seagrass canopy is thought to play a major role, potentially influencing available shelter, food and protection from predators (Heck and Orth 1980; Leber 1985; Stoner and Lewis 1985), The importance of seagrass beds as a nursery habitat for juvenile fishes and crustaceans, including several of economic importance, is also widely acknowledged (Pollard 1984; Bell and Pollard 1989; Heck and Weinstein 1989; Chester and Thayer 1990; Orth and Van Montfrans 1990). Little is known of the composition of the seagrass-associated fish communities in Indonesia. Hutomo and Martosewojo (1977) reported on the fishes associated with seagrass beds from Burung Island (Pari Island, Seribu Islands, Java), Martosewojo (1989) documented fish communities of reef flat, reef edge and pelagic habitats in the Flores Sea, which included several stations in seagrass beds, The present study documents the species composition of fish communities associated with two contrasting seagrass habitats in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, Some preliminary observations on habitat specificity are discussed. * Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Centre for Estuarine and Coastal Ecology, Yerseke, and Catholic University Nijmegen, The Netherlands. t Department of Ichthyology, Western Australian Museum, Francis Street, Perth, Western Australia 6000.
The Value of Hydrologic Information in Stochastic Dynamic Programming Models of a Multireservoir System

Reservoir operating policies can be derived using stochastic dynamic programming (SDP) with different hydrologic state variables. This paper considers several choices for such hydrologic state variables for SDP models of the Shasta-Trinity system in northern California, for three different benefit functions. We compare how well SDP models predict their policies will perform, as well as how well these policies performed when simulated. For a benefit function stressing energy maximization, all policies did nearly as well, and the choice of the hydrologic state variable mattered very little. For a benefit function with larger water and firm power targets and severe penalties on corresponding shortages, predicted performance significantly overestimated simulated performance, and policies that employed more complete hydrologic information performed significantly better.
Deep water circulation in the Paleocene Ocean

Abstract We have compiled deep water benthic δ13C data from the Paleocene portions of several DSDP and ODP holes and present it using the new timescale of Berggren et al. (1995). Our data show that the north Atlantic hole DSDP 384 was the most positive site for δ13C in the late Cretaceous and the earliest Paleocene, suggesting that the sub-tropical north Atlantic was an important locus of deep water production during these intervals. Salinity and temperature comparisons do not support unequivocal deep water production by halothermal means in this region so we prefer to avoid the term Warm Saline Deep Water (WSDW) and employ instead the more neutral term ‘palaeo-North Atlantic Deep Water’ (palaeo-NADW). During K/T boundary time, the southern ocean apparently became the major producer of deep waters. Based on δ13C comparisons both the North Atlantic and Southern Ocean were deep water producers during the early Paleocene to the late Paleocene interval. In the latest Paleocene (during the ‘Paleocene carbon isotope maximum’) Southern Ocean δ13C was most positive, supporting a Southern Ocean deep water source. The earliest Eocene ocean was characterized by deep water production in the high southern latitudes with well developed interbasinal δ13C gradients. δ18O data show an overall decrease from the late Cretaceous into the Early Eocene interrupted by an increase between 64 and 57 Ma. This is interpreted as an overall warming trend with a superimposed, previously undocumented, cooling phase in the early to late Paleocene.
Rice Research, Technological Progress, and Impacts on the Poor: The Bangladesh Case (Summary Report)

"This case study builds on an ongoing large-scale quantitative research project undertaken by BIDS/IRRI since 1987 originally in 64 unions from 57 districts of the country. It adds a qualitative research component to examine the impact of modern rice varieties (MVs) on livelihoods in a structured sample of eight of these villages across a range of favorable and unfavorable contexts. The quantitative research shows that for households with access to land there have been direct adoption impacts in the form of increased yields and higher profits. However, since rice now only represents around 20 percent of most households' overall income, nonagricultural income is found to have gained dramatically in importance for rural households. While the profitability has declined over time, rice contributes to improved food security and provides a “springboard” for both rich and poor farm households moving into nonfarm income generation and employment. The qualitative research component generally confirmed these general findings, highlighting other factors such as the improved status associated with fixed-rent tenancy and “contract” labor arrangements. The qualitative research also shows negative adoption impacts such as shrinking common property resources (wild fish, vegetables, etc., and declining soil fertility, both of which may increase the long-term vulnerability of the poor. It also throws light on the processes of technology dissemination. It was found that the linking of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies was useful in (a) generating complementary data of different kinds on similar issues and (b) generating new data missed within a purely quantitative approach. The sustainable livelihoods framework was a useful, flexible tool for structuring the qualitative data collection and analysis. However, the research study as a whole was limited by the fact that the qualitative component was “bolted onto” a quantitative study already underway. Therefore the framework, and the various data collection methodologies, were not systematically integrated across both components of the study. In conclusion, future agricultural research on rice may need to further address the question of MV adoption potential on risk-prone lands, the relevance of existing technology dissemination systems, the relationship between MV adoption and crop diversification, and the challenges of more sustainable crop management techniques. " Authors' Abstract
Seasonal variation of zooplankton of the Ashtamudi Lake, south-west coast of India

The Ashtamudi Lake is a tropical backwater habitat, situated on the southwest coast of India with permanent connection with the Arabian Sea. Seasonal fluctuations in the hydrographical characteristics and the zooplankton of the lake were studied. The zooplankton is a combination of marine, brackishwater and freshwater inhabitants composed of coelenterates, annelids, arthropods, molluscs, chaetognaths and pisces. Their density showed considerable seasonal fluctuations with peak abundance during the monsoon and early post-monsoon periods
Dacian bracelets and Transylvanian gold: ancient history and modern analyses

The recovery of the Dacian gold bracelets was the most thrilling archaeological event of the last years in Romania. The artefacts are exhibited in the Historical Treasure section of the National History museum of Romania, Bucharest, being recovered from the international antique markets through a concerted effort of the Romanian, French, and German authorities. This paper reviews the X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyses carried out on these exquisite artefacts. These measurements followed the visual examination of qualified experts, which concluded that the gold spiralled bracelets showed strong stylistic similarities with the Dacian silver bracelets discovered until that date in archaeological contexts. Since the most likely source – for geographical and historical reasons – for the metal used to manufacture these artefacts was the Transylvanian Apuseni mountains, additional measurements on several fragments of natural Transylvanian gold, both from placers and primary deposits, were performed using Synchrotron Radiation X-ray Fluorescence (SR-XRF) at the BESSY synchrotron, Berlin, and micro Particle Induced X-ray Emission (micro-PIXE) at the AGLAE accelerator, Paris, and at the AN2000 accelerator of LNL, Padova. The conclusion of this study was that the recovered spirals are genuine Dacian artefacts, made by cold hammering, chiselling and punching Transylvanian unrefined gold – gold panned from riverbeds mixed with primary gold, most likely extracted from surface veins.
North Atlantic Deep Water and Antarctic Bottom Water: Their interaction and influence on the variability of the global ocean circulation

[1] Interhemispheric signal transmission in the Atlantic Ocean connects the deep water production regions of both hemispheres. The nature of these interactions and large-scale responses to perturbations on timescales of years to millennia have been investigated using a global three-dimensional ocean general circulation model coupled to a dynamic-thermodynamic sea ice model. The coupled model reproduces many aspects of today's oceanic circulation. A set of experiments shows the sensitivity to changes in different surface boundary conditions. Buoyancy changes in the Weddell and Labrador Seas exert a direct effect on the overturning cells of the respective hemisphere. They influence the density structure of the deep ocean and thereby lead to alterations in the strength of the ACC. Changing the wind stress south of 30°S influences the magnitude of the deep water production of both hemispheres. The interhemispheric effect in these experiments cannot be explained solely by advective mechanisms. Switching off the wind stress over the latitude band of the Drake Passage leads to a slow gradual decrease of the water mass transport in the ACC, resulting in an almost complete cessation. The model results prove the necessity to continue integrations over thousands of years until new equilibria are established.
Costing yield loss from acidity, sodicity and dryland salinity to Australian agriculture

Salinity, sodicity and acidity are three major soil constraints that limit crop and pasture yields in Australia. In this paper estimates are made of the potential benefits arising from their treatment by measuring and mapping their impact on agricultural profit. This is achieved by estimating the increase in profit for Australia's main commodities that would occur if the three soil constraints were costlessly ameliorated. These estimates reveal the upper achievable limit on investment returns. They are also indicative of each soil constraint's economic significance to Australian agriculture. It was found that costless removal of salinity would increase annual profits by A$187 million, sodicity by A$1034·6 million and acidity by A$1584·5 million. This equates to 2·9 per cent, 15·8 per cent and 24·2 per cent of total net economic return. It was also found that worsening salinity extent and severity over 2000–2020 has a present value of A$496–A$712 million. Although soil salinity is currently the focus of much public attention, this analysis suggests that from a production viewpoint the correction of sodic and acidic soils may create greater private economic benefit. Opportunities vary considerably among industries. In particular, there is considerable opportunity for the horticultural and viticultural sector to address acidity issues. Whether gross benefits translate into net benefits is a complex question requiring access to context and location‐specific information. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial Variability of Soil Surface Properties and Consequences for the Annual and Monthly Water Balance of a Semiarid Environment (EFEDA Experiment)

Abstract During the second phase of the European International Project on Climatic and Hydrological Interactions between Vegetation, Atmosphere, and Land Surface (ECHIDA) Field Experiment in a Desertification Threatened Area (EFEDA) the spatial variability of the soil water retention and hydraulic conductivity characteristics of layers at 2–12- and 17–27-cm depth was characterized. A simplified method, based on particle size distribution and simple infiltration tests, was used. It provided these characteristics at the nodes of a 1-km grid over 10 × 10 km2 around the town of Tomelloso (Castilla–La Mancha, Spain). A total number of 78 sample points were used to address the problem of soil surface properties variability and its consequences on the monthly and annual water balance. The Simple Soil Plant Atmosphere Transfer model (SiSPAT) 1D Soil–Vegetation–Atmosphere Transfer (SVAT) model was run with a 1-yr climatic forcing for the 78 soil profiles until equilibrium was reached. As no runoff was generated, t.
Experimental petrology of very low Ti /VLT/ basalts

Synthetic analogs of Luna 24 ferrobasalt and an Apollo 15 green glass were subjected to iron capsule experiments to test hypotheses concerning the generation of Luna 24 ferrobasalt. Results of the experiments indicated that the Luna 24 ferrobasalt may be generated by near-surface fractionation of a Luna 24 green glass parent. Evidence for the parent magma which differentiated at or near the Mare Crisium site to yield the Luna 24 ferrobasalt may be found in the Luna 24 green glass and lithic fragments of vitrophyres.
Repeated inversion and collapse in the Late Cretaceous–Cenozoic northern Vøring Basin, offshore Norway

The Norwegian Atlantic margin, although frequently described as passive, has seen several significant and highly variable deformation events prior to and after early Cenozoic break-up. This chronology is strongly exemplified in the northern Vøring Basin, where deformation resulted in significant vertical motions, including deep erosion and sediment reworking. Post-break-up compressional deformation is well documented in the NE Atlantic margins, and is represented in the north Vøring Basin by the Vema and Naglfar domes. A prominent Maastrichtian–Paleocene pre-break-up phase of compression inverted the northern prolongation of the latest Turonian Vigrid Syncline. This syncline was the fairway for the approximately 1 km-thick Santonian–Campanian Nise Formation sandstone, shed from NE Greenland and/or the western Barents Sea margin. The inversion focused on the Vigrid Syncline axis, forming an anticline here referred to as the Vema–Nyk Anticline. The anticline may have been a major trap but was breached by erosion prior to collapse due to Late Paleocene extension. The remnant eastern half of the anticline is the Nyk High. The associated flanking syncline, the Någrind Syncline, also remains preserved. The collapsed side of the anticline is the Hel Graben, which itself was inverted in the Middle Miocene time forming the Naglfar and Vema domes. More speculatively, the development of the Vigrid Syncline and its bounding structural highs, the Gjallar Ridge and Utgard High, may also represent folds, marking the onset of compressional buckling in the mid-Norwegian–NE Greenland rift system. The repeated compressional deformation, as well as the extensional collapse, was focused on the area subjected to Early Cretaceous hyperextension. Compressional buckling under relatively low stress levels is proposed to have been due to significant lithosphere weakening caused by the hyperextension, whereby both high attenuation of the crystalline crust and serpentinization of the upper mantle contribute to the weakening. The Late Cenozoic compression post-dated the hyperextension by approximately 110 Ma, which suggests that the weakening is long-lived and that lithosphere has not been strengthened significantly through time.