Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cosmogenic nuclide evidence for low weathering and denudation in the wet, tropical highlands of Sri Lanka

[1] Some of the lowest weathering and erosion rates in any mountain range in the world have been measured using cosmogenic nuclides in the steep, humid, tropical highlands of Sri Lanka. The total preanthropogenic denudation rates were measured in creek sediments and soil samples from unperturbed rain forest sites, bedrock from mountain crests, and bedrock from inselbergs. Denudation rates are in the range of 5–30 t km−2 yr−1 (2–11 mm ky−1). These rates average denudation over the last 50–250 ky. Weathering exports in rivers draining the mountainous Central Highlands show that silicate weathering rates are also low, varying from 5 to 20 t km−2 yr−1 today (2–7 mm ky−1), but they represent a significant fraction of the total denudation. All these observations run contrary to the conventional geomorphologic and geochemical wisdom that would predict rapid erosion for highlands of high relief, temperatures, and precipitation. We speculate that the high relief in Sri Lanka represents the remnant of a geomorphic block that was uplifted during rifting at 130 Ma or even earlier and that was reduced to the interior of the island by rapid receding of escarpments after continental breakup. It is possible that throughout this history, hillslopes, where not exposing bare bedrock, were protected by thick weathered profiles. Such clay-rich layers would inhibit silicate weathering by shielding bedrock from weathering agents. In the absence of landscape rejuvenation, physical erosion rates are low, and fresh mineral surfaces are not being supplied. The observation that wet, steep, tropical highlands can have low rates of rock weathering and erosion has some potentially profound implications for the long-term controls of atmospheric CO2 budgets: High temperature and precipitation, which are much invoked though controversial agents for silicate dissolution and CO2 drawdown, become ineffective in promoting weathering in areas that are not tectonically active.
Cardiovascular responses to tracheal extubation or LMA removal in normotensive and hypertensive patients.

PURPOSE This study was undertaken to evaluate the haemodynamic changes of tracheal extubation or removal of a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in normotensive and hypertensive patients. METHODS In a randomized trial of normotensive and hypertensive patients (n = 40 of each), tracheal extubation or LMA removal was performed. Changes in heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and rate-pressure product (RPP) were measured before and 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 min after tracheal extubation or LMA removal. RESULTS In normotensive patients, HR, MAP and RPP increased following tracheal extubation or LMA removal, and remained elevated for a maximum three minutes (P < 0.05). In hypertensive patients, the haemodynamic increases in response to extubation or LMA removal were observed for up to five minutes (P < 0.05). The immediate cardiovascular responses to extubation were greater than those related to LMA removal in both normotensive and hypertensive patients (normotensive: HR; 95 +/- 14 vs 81 +/- 11, MAP; 124 +/- 18 vs 106 +/- 10, RPP; 14,951 +/- 2720 vs 10,654 +/- 1898, hypertensive: HR 105 +/- 10 vs 87 +/- 13, MAP; 146 +/- 17 vs 119 +/- 12, RPP; 20,492 +/- 1674 vs 12,862 +/- 2115, mean +/- SD, P < 0.05). Following extubation or LMA removal, these haemodynamic variables increased more markedly in hypertensive patients than in normotensive patients (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Removal of LMA is associated with less cardiovascular change than tracheal extubation in both normotensive and hypertensive patients.
Lactoferrin Is a Potent Regulator of Bone Cell Activity and Increases Bone Formation in Vivo

Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein present in epithe-lial secretions, such as milk, and in the secondary granules of neutrophils. We found it to be present in fractions of milk protein that stimulated osteoblast growth, so we assessed its effects on bone cell function. Lactoferrin produced large, dose-related increases in thymidine incorporation in primary or cell line cultures of human or rat osteoblast-like cells, at physiological concentrations (1–100 ␮g/ml). Maximal stimulation was 5-fold above control. Lactoferrin also increased os-teoblast differentiation and reduced osteoblast apoptosis by up to 50 –70%. Similarly, lactoferrin stimulated proliferation of primary chondrocytes. Purified, recombinant, human, or bovine lactoferrins had similar potencies. In mouse bone marrow cultures, osteoclastogenesis was dose-dependently decreased and was completely arrested by lactoferrin, 100 ␮g/ml, associated with decreased expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-␬B ligand. In contrast, lactoferrin had no effect on bone resorption by isolated mature osteoclasts. Lactofer-rin was administered over calvariae of adult mice for 5 d. New bone formation, assessed using fluorochrome labels, was increased 4-fold by a 4-mg dose of lactoferrin. Thus, lactoferrin has powerful anabolic, differentiating, and antiapoptotic effects on osteoblasts and inhibits osteoclastogenesis. Lactofer-rin is a potential therapeutic target in bone disorders such as osteoporosis and is possibly an important physiological regulator of bone growth. M ILK IS A RICH biological fluid that functions to provide nutrition at a time of very rapid skeletal growth and development in the neonate. Because of this, it contains many growth regulators in addition to the simple substrates necessary for infant development. Therefore, we assessed the effects of milk proteins on bone cell growth, and found that a number of fractions of whey protein have growth-stimu-latory effects in primary cultures of osteoblasts. With a view to determining the identity of the growth-promoting molecules within whey protein, we used HPLC to identify the major proteins in the active fractions. We found that the glycoprotein, lactoferrin, was present in many of these fractions. On this basis, we hypothesized that lactoferrin stimulates osteoblast growth. Lactoferrin is an 80-kDa iron-binding glycoprotein that belongs to the transferrin family of proteins (1). It is produced by many exocrine glands and, consequently, is widely distributed in body fluids including tears, saliva, bile, pancreatic fluid, vaginal secretions, semen, and milk (2). Lactoferrin is also a major constituent of the secondary granules of neu-trophilic leukocytes, from which it is released during acute inflammation (3). Serum levels of lactoferrin in healthy …
Effect of biogenic gas bubbles on water flow through poorly decomposed blanket peat

A laboratory investigation was used to determine whether biogenic gas bubbles accumulate and block water‐conducting pores below the water table in poorly decomposed Sphagnum peat. We found that biogenic gas bubbles did accumulate under realistic incubation temperatures. At the end of incubations at 10.5°C, volumetric water contents in two peat samples decreased to between 0.8 and 0.85 (porosity of the samples ranged from 0.96 to 0.97), indicating that the peat was considerably undersaturated with respect to water. Methane was found to be an important constituent of the gas bubbles. The presence of gas bubbles appeared to have a major effect on hydraulic conductivity (K). In control incubations, prior to which the peat had been irradiated and dosed with a biocide, biogenic gas bubbles did not accumulate, and K was 5–8 times higher than at the end of the microbially active incubations. Our results suggest that biogenic gas bubbles have a potentially significant effect on seepage in peat soils.
High‐pressure phase transformation of corundum (α‐Al2O3) observed under shock compression

A discontinuous volume change was observed on the Hugoniot curve of corundum (α‐Al2O3) along the axis by the inclined‐mirror streak photographic technique, probably due to a high‐pressure phase transformation. The transition pressure was measured to be 79 GPa, where shock temparature was estimated to be 860°C, in good agreement with a fully optimized quantum mechanical calculation. The volume change at the transition point was considered to be larger than 3%, which was larger than the theoretically predicted value of the corundum‐Rh2O3 (II) transition, and was consistent with the recent static compression result by using diamond‐anvil cell. The occurence of the phase transformation in alumina under shock compression presents significant implication in earth interior science or ceramic science, and also seriously affects the interpretation of static and shock compresion experiments at ultra‐high pressures.
Palaeolithic Barbed Point from Gransmoor, East Yorkshire, England

An Upper Palaeolithic, uniserially barbed antler point, discovered during excavations of a Devensian Lateglacial sediment sequence in a quarry near Gransmoor, Yorkshire, England, is described. The stratigraphic context of the find is summarised, and the age of the implement can be confidently estimated to between 11,500 and 11,100 radiocarbon years BP on the basis of (i) a series of AMS radiocarbon dates, (ii) radiometric dating of the wood within which the barbed point was lodged, and (iii) biostratigraphic considerations. The barbed point from Gransmoor is probably unrivalled in Britain in terms of the stratigraphic and chronological context within which it can be assessed. Some suggestions are made concerning the manufacture and function of the barbed point on the basis of markings on the antler surface and remains of some of the original mastic, features which are extremely well preserved.
Organizational change, psychosocial work environment, and non-disability early retirement

most exhaustive study to examine voluntary early retirement behavior among senior public service employees exposed to organizational change and subsequent assessment of the psychosocial work environment on the work-unit level. Decision-makers the impact of organizational the psychosocial work environment in strategies maintain Organizational change, psychosocial work environment, and non-disability early retirement: a prospective study among senior public employees. Scand Environ 2017;43(3):234–240. Objective This study examines the impact of organizational change and psychosocial work environment on non-disability early retirement among senior public service employees. Methods In January and February 2011, Danish senior public service employees aged 58–64 years (N=3254) from the Capital Region of Denmark responded to a survey assessing psychosocial work environment (ie, social capital, organizational justice, and quality of management). Work-unit organizational changes (ie, change of management, merging, demerging, and relocation) were recorded from January 2009 to March 2011. Weekly data on non-disability early retirement transfer were obtained from the DREAM register database, which holds weekly information about all public benefit payments in Denmark. Hazard ratios (HR) for early retirement following employees’ 60 th birthday were estimated with Cox regression adjusted for age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Results Exposure to change of management [HR 1.37, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.13 – 1.66], mergers (HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.02 – 1.48), and relocation of work unit (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.01 – 1.54) increased rate of non-disability early retirement, while demerging of work unit did not (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.79 – 1.33). Work units with lower levels of social capital (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.05 – 1.41), organizational justice, (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.04 – 1.32), and quality of management (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.02 – 1.25) increased rate of early retirement. Conclusion Organizational change and poor psychosocial work environment contribute to non-disability early retirement among senior public service employees, measured at work-unit level.
Trace Metal Contamination in Tropical Endemic Fish: Factorial Effect Interactions and In situ Quantitative Risk Assessment

Aim: Contamination of the Anambra River with heavy metals (arsenic, As; cadmium, Cd; chromium, Cr; copper, Cu; lead, Pb; nickel, Ni; and zinc, Zn) was examined in two preponderant fish species (Synodontis clarias and Tilapia nilotica) following earlier detection of the elements in water column. Methods: Levels of heavy metals were measured in both seasonal regimes (rainy and dry) at five selected locations with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Factorial effects and interactions were explored on completely randomized block design. Quantitative risk of metal exposure through contaminated fish consumptions among the resident community population at the river was assessed to extrapolate the probable public health threat. Results: The result showed variations among heavy metal concentrations in fish and Zn and Cu recorded significant amounts with S. clarias recording higher concentrations than T. nilotica. Season, species of fish and location and their interactions had significant effects on the amounts of Cu and Zn accumulated in the fish tissues except season by species effect. Zinc recorded the highest concentrations at all locations measured, with Onono (location 5) producing the fish species with the highest amount of metals compared with other locations. The heavy metal concentrations were below the comparable international safe standards. Margin of exposure and exposure dose calculated for the heavy metals were all below reference standards and tentatively considered not to be of risk to public health. Conclusion: However, there is considerable concern of contamination of the fish species with heavy metals and recommended regular monitoring or examination of edible fish species.
Scintillation structure of a turbulent tidal flow

We describe observations of fine structure in a turbulent tidal channel on the British Columbia coast obtained with towed and vertical conductivity, temperature, and depth profiles and a novel acoustic technique. The acoustic scheme involves the detection of the scattering of sound waves by fine structure moving through a pair of acoustic paths that traverse the channel. The larger scale flow and also the fine structure can be observed in this way, providing a time series measurement of the flow properties as the tidal current changes. The channel is characterized by periods of intense mixing through most of the tidal cycle. Near slack water it becomes stratified, and although it remains active, the outer scale of the turbulence decreases to 2–3 m. The fine-scale variability is a sensitive function of flow speed and stratification.
Modeling long duration meteor trails

[1] We constructed a model of the plasma evolution of meteor trails in order to simulate high-power-large-aperture radar observations. This model follows meteor evolution from ablation and ionization to head echo formation and through non-specular trail reflections. Meteor plasma field aligned irregularities (FAI) result in radar reflections called non-specular meteor trails. We have updated our model to include the polarizing effects of winds and background electric fields on meteor trail instability. This model incorporates existing meteor physics together with knowledge we gained from the simulations, such as instability physics and anomalous diffusion. Comparing results from this model with large radar observations of head echoes and non-specular trails shows that we can reproduce many of the observed features, such as the detailed altitude profile and duration of head echoes and non-specular trails. Specifically when external electric fields are included in our model, the same model predicts both short duration (order of 1 s) and long duration meteor trails (several minutes) depending upon the characteristics of the meteoroid and atmosphere. The addition of a background E-field or wind also reproduces a commonly observed non-specular trail feature we call an “extended tail” where the delay time between head echo and non-specular reflection at the lower altitude portion of the trail increases as the meteor gets lower in the atmosphere. We also demonstrate a dependence on trail duration with the electron density of the background ionosphere.
REGEOTOP: New climatic data fields for East Asia based on localized relief information and geostatistical methods

Climate data fields represent essential tools for climate, biogeographical and agricultural research to run models and to provide observational data for the verification of global climate models (GCM). Climate data fields are generated through interpolation of observations taken at meteorological stations. Most current interpolation procedures try to describe the influence of topography on spatial climatic variations by relating them directly to absolute elevation or by introducing simple relief variables such as exposure. In both cases this may not properly describe spatial climatic variations, particularly not those of precipitation.
Compositional implications regarding the lunar origin of the ALHA81005 Meteorite

Geochemically, ALHA81005 has all the attributes expected of a regolith sample from the lunar highlands. Most important is its Fe/Mn ratio (77), within uncertainty the same as the mean lunar ratio. There are significant differences, however, in comparison to previously sampled lunar regoliths. The closest precedents are the Apollo-16 and Luna-20 regoliths, particularly the latter, but ALHA81005 has lower contents of Na, Ti, and incompatible elements. Feldspathic granulitic breccias such as 72559, which texturally resemble the most abundant type of clast in ALHA81005, are also similar compositionally. From its low KREEP and Na contents we infer ALHA81005 originated well away from the K, Th, and U-rich region near the center of the nearside, at least as far away as the eastern limb.
Origin of unique microstructures in nano-polycrystalline diamond synthesized by direct conversion of graphite at static high pressure

The influence of the local stress state and crystallinity of graphite on the graphite-diamond transformation process was investigated using a laser-heated diamond anvil cell and two types of graphite samples with contrasting crystalline characteristics. The samples recovered from the experiments using highly oriented graphite (HOG) have layered structures composed of lonsdaleite and diamond arranged in a coaxial relation, indicative of their martensitic formation from graphite. The compression of HOG perpendicular to the graphite c axis results in a partial fragmentation of the original layered structure, but no clear evidence of diamond formation by the diffusion process is found even in the fragmented regions. On the other hand, the sample recovered from the experiment using mechanically milled graphite powder consists of euhedral diamond nanocrystals (size: 20-50 nm), indicating that the diamond is formed by the diffusion process. The results of the present study suggest that the graphite-diamond transformation process and the resulting microstructures are controlled mainly by the initial structure characteristics (such as crystallinity and crystallite size) of the graphite, while the influence of the local stress state in the graphite under compression is likely less significant for the formation process and the microtexture.
Sedimentary facies of a glacially influenced continental succession in the Pennsylvanian Jericho Formation, Galilee Basin, Australia

Recent work on the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age in eastern Australia has shown the Joe Joe Group in the eastern Galilee Basin, Queensland, to be of critical importance as it is one of few records of Pennsylvanian glacial activity outside South America. This paper presents detailed sedimentological data, from which the Late Palaeozoic environment of the region is reconstructed and which, consequently, allows for robust comment on the broader Gondwanan glaciation. The Jericho Formation, in the lower Joe Joe Group, was deposited in an active extensional basin in lacustrine to fluvial environments, during the mid‐Namurian to early Stephanian. The region experienced a cool climate during this time, and polythermal mountain or valley‐type glaciers periodically advanced into the area from highlands to the north‐east. The Jericho Formation preserves a suite of proglacial to terminal glacial facies that is characterized by massive and stratified diamictites deposited from debris flows, massive and horizontally laminated conglomerates and sandstones deposited from hyperconcentrated density flows, laminated siltstones with outsized clasts and interlaminated siltstone/conglomerate deposited through ice‐rafting into lakes, and sedimentary dykes and breccias deposited through overpressurization of groundwater beneath permafrost. Non‐glacial facies are dominated by fluvial sandstones and lacustrine/overbank siltstones. The glacigenic rocks of the Jericho Formation are confined to discrete packages, recording three separate glacial advances during the latest Namurian to late Westphalian. This arrangement is consistent with the temporal distribution of glacigenic rocks from around the remainder of Australia and Gondwana, which supports the theory that glacial deposits occurred in discrete intervals. The Joe Joe Group is a key succession in the world in this context as, at this time, eastern Australia provides the only unequivocal evidence of a Namurian/Westphalian glaciation outside South America. The continuous record of sedimentation through the Pennsylvanian and Early Permian is indicative of significant warming between glacial intervals, which is difficult to reconcile with the development of long‐lived, cold‐based ice sheets across the supercontinent.
Neural Stem Cell Detection, Characterization, and Age- Related Changes in the Subventricular Zone of Mice

The mammalian brain contains neural stem cells (NSCs) that allow continued neurogenesis throughout the life of the animal. However, neurogenesis is known to decline during aging and, to the extent that neurogenesis is required for normal CNS function, this may contribute to neurodegenerative disease. Decreased neurogenesis could result from loss of NSCs or dysfunction at some later step, and distinguishing these possibilities is important for understanding the cause of the decline. However, because of the inability to distinguish NSCs from their rapidly dividing progeny in situ, it has not been possible to quantitatively assess the NSC populations in young and old animals. In this report we show that the G1 phase-specific expression of the replication factor Mcm2 is a useful marker for detecting slowly cycling putative NSCs in situ and confirm the identity of these cells using both cytosine ␤-D-arabinofuranoside (Ara-C) treatment and a double nucleoside analog-labeling technique. The ability to distinguish NSCs from proliferative progenitors has allowed characterization of the expression of several markers including Nestin, Musashi, and GFAP in these different cell types. Furthermore, comparison of the NSC populations in the subventricular zones of young (2– 4 months) and old (24 –26 months) mice demonstrates an approximately twofold reduction in the older mice. A similar twofold reduction is also observed in the number of neurospheres recovered in culture from old relative to young animals. The reduction in the neural stem cell population documented here is sufficient to account for the reduced level of neurogenesis in old animals.