Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Crust and upper mantle tomography in Tibet using surface waves

We have obtained maps of lateral variations of structure in the crust and lithosphere in Tibet and surrounding regions by inversion of single station measurements of fundamental mode Rayleigh wave phase velocities in the period range 25 - 100 sec, for earthquakes located in central Asia and observed at teleseismic digital stations in Eurasia. Phase velocity maps are obtained using a tomographic method without a priori constraints on region boundaries. The lateral variations of S velocity reveal a symmetric pattern on each side of crustal low velocity zone centered on the Chang Tang region (north central Tibet). This zone is bounded by rather steep velocity gradients to the south and east, about 250 and 400 km north and west of the frontal thrusts of the Himalayas and Lungmen Shan, respectively. The northern boundary of the zone crosses the northern limit of the Tibet plateau (Altyn Tagh and Kunlun) extending into the southwest Tarim and Qaidam basins. The low crustal velocities are consistent with a thick, hot crust in the central part of Tibet, consistent with Quaternary volcanism in Chang Tang. The steep gradients towards higher velocities in the south and in the north are compatible with the documented continental subduction in the south, and suggest that a similar situation might exist in the north.
Simulation of Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) II cloud measurements using airborne lidar data

The Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) II satellite instrument measures the attenuation due to stratospheric aerosols, gases, and clouds along a tangential path through the atmosphere from the Sun to the satellite instrument. Data from SAGE II and its predecessor, SAGE I, have been used to study and develop climatologies for high altitude cloud. Because these instruments measure the total attenuation on a long optical path and the data are inverted under the assumption of spherical homogeneity in the region of the measurement, interpretation in terms of individual cloud characteristics is difficult. Airborne lidar data, taken on approximately 8000 km of flight path over the tropical Pacific Ocean, have been used to simulate high altitude SAGE II cloud measurements and their inversion. The lidar data set, not necessarily typical for the region flown over, showed the general presence of patchy cloud with a mean horizontal cloud dimension of 20–25 km and a vertical thickness of 0.6–0.8 km. Use of the lidar data to simulate SAGE II measurements produces cloud extinction values similar in magnitude and distribution to those obtained from SAGE II. These simulations also show the existence of three possible error conditions that may occur as a result of cloud inhomogeneities along the viewing path. In the first error condition, the true altitude of a cloud may be higher than that found as a result of the SAGE II inversion, errors of 1 km or greater occurring in just under 40% of the simulations, mainly at the lower cloud altitudes. In the second error condition, the inverted cloud extinction may differ from the volume averaged extinction along the horizontal ray path, the former often being biased slightly low. In the third error condition, the presence of nonuniform or isolated cloud patches can result in an apparent negative inverted extinction value just below the cloud. Such values were observed in about one third of the simulations. The first two of these errors have been statistically quantified for application to SAGE II cloud data.
The Social Effects of Exergames on Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Metric Analysis

Background: Recently, many studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of exergames on the social well-being among older adults. Objective: The aim of this paper is to synthesise existing studies and provide an overall picture on the social effects of exergames on older adults. Methods: A comprehensive literature search with inclusive criteria was conducted in major social science bibliographic databases. The characteristics exergames, participants, methodology, as well as outcome measurements were extracted from the relevant studies included in the review. The bibliometric and altmetric outreach of the included studies were also investigated. Results: A total of 10 studies were included in the review, with 8 studies having applied Nintendo‟s Wii platform. Most of the studies recruited healthy older adults from local communities or senior activity centers. Three groups of social-related outcomes have been identified, including emotion-related, behavior-related, and attitude-related outcomes. A metric analysis has shown that the emotion-related and behavior-related outcomes received high attention from both the academic community and social media platforms. Conclusions: Overall, the majority of exergame studies demonstrated promising results for enhanced social well-being, such as reduction of loneliness, increased social connection and positive attitudes towards others. The paper also provided implications for healthcare researchers and exergame designers.
Coseismic deformation of the destructive April 6, 2009 L'Aquila earthquake (central Italy) from GPS data

On April 6, 2009, 01:32:39 GMT, the city of L'Aquila was struck by a Mw 6.3 earthquake that killed 307 people, causing severe destruction and ground cracks in a wide area around the epicenter. Four days before the main shock we augmented the existing permanent GPS network with five GPS stations of the Central Apennine Geodetic Network (CaGeoNet) bordering the L'Aquila basin. The maximum horizontal and vertical coseismic surface displacements detected at these stations was 10.39 ± 0.45 cm and −15.64 ± 1.55 cm, respectively. Fixing the strike direction according to focal mechanism estimates, we estimated the source geometry with a non linear inversion of the geodetic data. Our best fitting fault model is a 13 × 15.7 km2 rectangular fault, SW‐dipping at 55.3 ± 1.8°, consistent with the position of observed surface ruptures. The estimated slip (495 ± 29 mm) corresponds to a 6.3 moment magnitude, in excellent agreement with seismological data.
Ventilated Thermocline Strongly Affected by a Deep Mixed Layer: A Theory for Subtropical Countercurrent

Abstract The mixed layer thickness generally increases in the northward direction, but its change seems to occur rather sharply in a narrow transition zone, referred to as a mixed layer front here. The author investigates the effects of the mixed layer front on the ventilated thermocline structure, especially focusing on the generation mechanism of the subtropical countercurrent. If the mixed layer front is not parallel to the surface density contour, the fluid with minimum isopycnal potential vorticity is formed around the intersection of the mixed layer front and outcrop line. If the mixed layer front slants northeastward and surface density is zonally uniform, as seen in a numerical experiment carried out by Kubokawa and Inui in which the subtropical countercurrent was reproduced, the minimum potential vorticity on a high-density isopycnal occurs in the east, while that in a low-density isopycnal occurs in the west. In the present study, analytic solutions for a simple three-layer model are presented f.
Observational evidence for human impact on aerosol cloud-mediated processes in the Baltic region

Abstract Knowledge about aerosol cloud-mediated processes is important for judging climate change in Europe during recent decades. Here, some observational evidence for anthropogenic influences is described and discussed. The emphasis is laid on the effects of the large emissions of sulphur dioxide and particulate matter during the 1980s in Europe and the subsequent strong decrease in the 1990s. In addition, an analysis of the dependence of aerosol cloud-mediated processes on atmospheric circulation patterns (Groswetterlagen) is presented.
Mechanical behavior of western alpine structures inferred from statistical analysis of seismicity

Two seismic arcs (150 km and 120 km long) located in the western Alps, 50 km apart from each other, are characterized by different statistical patterns in energy and space domains. For the two arcs, we found power‐law distributions in energy domain with a lower b‐value and fall‐off for large events for the easternmost arc only, and roughly similar spatial damage. By comparing the shape and the statistical parameters of these distributions with those provided by numerical models of rock damage, we suggest a relatively more brittle behavior for one area with respect to the other. We discuss the implications of the observed distributions in terms of tectonics and of mechanics of faulting. We suggest three candidates to drive the relative changes in seismicity distribution between the two arcs: the earthquake depth, the host rock composition, and the inherited fracturing patterns.
Flow parameters of turbidity currents in a low‐sinuosity giant deep‐sea channel

Flow parameters (velocity and density) for turbidity currents in the Northwest Atlantic Mid‐Ocean Channel (NAMOC) have been determined based on two different approaches, channel geometry and grain‐size distributions of turbidites. Channel geometry has been obtained by a quantitative morphological analysis of the NAMOC which shows three genetically different segments in the upper 2000 km: (1) an upper 350 km‐long ‘equilibrium channel’, (2) a middle 700 km‐long ‘modified equilibrium channel’and (3) a lower ‘basement‐controlled channel’which is more than 1000 km‐long. In contrast to other meandering submarine channels the NAMOC has very low sinuosities and gradients. A consistently higher right‐hand levee limits mean flow velocities to 3ms−1 and channel geometry indicates mean flow velocities of 0·86 m s−1 that decrease within the equilibrium channel to 0·05 m s−1. Grain‐size distributions on the levees and in the channel suggest strong vertical velocity and density gradients for bank‐full flows with velocities of up to 8 m s−1 and excess densities up to 87 kg m−3 at the base, and 0·45 m s−1 and 4 kg m−3 at the top. The internal shear produced by these strong vertical gradients results in a decoupling of the current head and body. Channel geometry appears to be mainly the result of the slowly moving dilute body of the current.
Fallow season straw and water management effects on methane emissions in California rice

In response to legislative mandate to reduce postharvest straw burning and environmental concerns to restore wetland habitat for Pacific flyway waterfowl, California rice growers are incorporating straw into soil and flooding rice fields in winter. These changes were hypothesized to alter soil carbon cycling pathways across the region. The principal objective of this study was to determine how various winter fallowed straw and water management changes would affect year‐round methane emissions. Main plots were winter flood and nonflood, and subplots had straw treatments: burned, soil incorporated, or rolled (partially soil incorporated). Results showed the principal factor controlling methane emissions was the interaction of flooding and straw amendments. The presence of either water or straw alone led to low emissions. Winter emissions accounted for 50% of annual totals in straw‐amended treatments despite lower temperatures and the presence of plants in summer. Summer emissions were significantly influenced by winter straw amendments but not by winter flood. Postdrain peaks after winter drain accounted for 10–13% of annual emissions in treatments with amended straw. Although rolled and incorporated treatments had similar straw inputs, methane fluxes from rolled treatments were higher than from incorporated treatments. Measurements of methane should be conducted year‐round to capture fallow and postdrain fluxes and improve global emission estimates. Regional emission estimates showed that 2.6 times more methane was emitted after flooding plus incorporation was implemented than before the legislative mandate was enacted.
Comparative analysis of dendroecological methods used to assess disturbance events

Summary The use of dendroecological methods to identify and describe disturbance histories has become quite common, and numerous techniques have been developed. These methods simultaneously use accurately dated and measured tree rings and objective criteria to identify release events; i. e. , sustained increases in radial growth. The goals of this investigation were to perform a literature review to identify the various methods used to identify release events, critically compare the methods, and use an appropriate method to describe the disturbance history of a mixed mesophytic old-growth forest of Ohio, U. S. A. Application of 30 different methods resulted in substantial differentes in the number of disturbance events and the disturbance return interval. Analysis of individual growth segments revealed a large portion to be non-normally distributed. Furthermore, non-normality was especially high during identified disturbance events. We subsequently modified an existing disturbance identification method by changing the measure of central tendency from the mean to the median growth rate since medians are more robust estimators of central tendency than means. Application of this running median method (> 25 or 50 % increase in radial growth when medians of adjacent 10-yr growth segments are compared) to tree-ring series obtained from the study site led to the identification of numerous synchronous and asynchronous radial-growth increases among the individual tress. Based an the observed release patterns, we hypothesize that the disturbance regime of the old-growth stand is best categorized by gap-phase dynamics.
Laboratory investigation of multiple grout injections into clay

Compensation grouting is a multiple injection process in which large numbers of grout injections are carried out in a designated grouting zone. Each injection alters the in-situ stress state at the site of neighbouring injections, influencing the grout behaviour as well as the deformation of the surrounding soil. In this study, multiple grout injection tests were performed in the laboratory on clay specimens prepared at different overconsolidation ratios ranging from 1 to 10. Two types of grouting mode for compensation grouting were examined: (a) facture grouting by injecting epoxy resin, and (b) compaction grouting by expanding a latex balloon placed inside the soil specimen. The sequence of multiple injections was also varied by injecting either simultaneously or sequentially with different waiting periods. For highly overconsolidated clay the grout efficiency, defined as the ratio of the volume of heave achieved to the injected grout volume, was close to 1 irrespective of grout spacing and injection se.
Reconstruction of the constituent distribution and trends in the Antarctic polar vortex from ER‐2 flight observations

During the Airborne Antarctic Ozone Experiment, the high-altitude ER-2 aircraft measured ozone, chlorine monoxide, and nitrous oxide concentrations in the south polar region. These measurements have been analyzed using conservative coordinate transformations to potential temperature-N2O and potential temperature-potential vorticity space. The latter transformation is equivalent to interpreting trace species observations within the modified Lagrangian mean (MLM) coordinate system. With certain assumptions about zonal symmetry, this transformation allows for the interpretation of chemical changes of constituents independent of meteorological variability. The method also allows for a reasonable reconstruction of constituent distributions outside the aircraft flight track. Our analysis shows that the MLM transformed ozone concentration decreases at about 0.06 ppmv (parts per million by volume) per day between 20 and 16 km altitude inside the polar vortex during the mid-August to mid-September period. These ozone changes must be chemical in origin; they are also collocated with the region of high ClO. Outside the CPR (chemically perturbed region) at the highest aircraft altitudes, ozone systematically increases, suggesting a diabatic cooling of the order of 0.3–0.6 K/d. Within the CPR the cooling rate appears to be less than 0.2 K/d. The MLM analysis technique creates a picture of the general chemical structure of the Austral polar vortex which shows that air deep within the chemically perturbed region has subsided substantially in relation to the air outside. However, there is also a tongue of high ozone air which extends from mid-latitudes downward along the stratospheric jet at 65°W and 6O°S. An examination of the last three flight days, September 20–22, 1987, shows that during this period the polar vortex shifts systematically equatorward along the Antarctic Peninsula. Apparent changes in the constituents measured over this period result from sampling air progressively further into the vortex.
Anatomy, geometry and sequence stratigraphy of basin floor to slope turbidite systems, Tanqua Karoo, South Africa

The Tanqua area of the Karoo basin, South Africa, contains five Permian deep‐water turbidite fan systems, almost completely exposed over some 640 km2. Reconstruction of the basin‐fill and fan distributions indicates a progradational trend in the 450 m+ thick succession, from distal basin floor (fan 1) through basin‐floor subenvironments (fans 2, 3 and 4) to a slope setting (fan 5). Fans are up to 65 m thick with gradational to sharp bases and tops. Facies associations include basin plain claystone and distal turbidite siltstone/claystone and a range of fine‐grained sandstone associations, including low‐ and high‐density turbidite current deposits and proportionally minor debris/slurry flows. Architectural elements include sheets of amalgamated and layered styles and channels of five types. Each fan is interpreted as a low‐frequency lowstand systems tract with the shaly interfan intervals representing transgressive and highstand systems tracts. All fans show complex internal facies distributions but exhibit a high‐frequency internal stratigraphy based on fan‐wide zones of relative sediment starvation. These zones are interpreted as transgressive and highstand systems tracts of higher order sequences. Sandy packages between these fine‐grained intervals are interpreted as high‐frequency lowstand systems tracts and exhibit dominantly progradational stacking patterns, resulting in subtle downdip clinoform geometries. Bases of fans and intrafan packages are interpreted as low‐ and high‐frequency sequence boundaries respectively. Facies juxtapositions across these sequence boundaries are variable and may be gradational, sharp or erosive. In all cases, criteria for a basinward shift of facies are met, but there is no standard ‘motif’ for sequence boundaries in this system. High‐frequency sequences represent the dominant mechanism of active fan growth in the Tanqua deep‐water system.
Why do two-thirds of Australian irrigators use no objective irrigation scheduling methods?

There is significant pressure on irrigators to improve on-farm water use. A range of objective irrigation scheduling methods, such as soil monitoring, evaporation and decision support tools, have been developed to address this need. We examined how these tools have been adopted by Australian irrigators using data from an Australian Bureau of Statistics water survey of 7,280 irrigators in 2003. A total of 2.2 million hectare’s were irrigated in 2002−2003 with irrigated pasture accounting for 39% of the area irrigated and 36% of the water consumed by agriculture. Cotton, grape and fruit irrigators, who account for 27% of the water used for irrigation, are the biggest users of objective scheduling methods. But still only one quarter to a third of growers are using these methods. For most irrigated crops the use of objective irrigation scheduling methods increases with farm size. The exceptions being pasture and sugar, where the use of objective irrigation scheduling methods remains low irrespective of the farm size. The major users of objective irrigation scheduling tools are where enterprise profitability is directly linked to improved crop water management, such as cotton, grape and fruit production. Other industries, particularly pasture, will lag in the use of these tools because the profitability of their enterprisers is not as sensitive to water management. Until new drivers emerge then it is unlikely that these enterprises will invest in tools to improve irrigation management. With drought and increased competition water reducing allocations, and the increased focus on river and ecosystem health, we may be seeing some of the new drivers emerge.
Quaternary tephra marker beds and their potential for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction on Chatham Island, east of New Zealand, southwest Pacific Ocean

Tephras provide one of the most reliable methods of time control and synchronisation within Quaternary sequences. We report on the identification of two widespread rhyolitic tephras – the Kawakawa and Rangitawa tephras – preserved in extensive peat deposits on Chatham Island ∼900 km east of New Zealand. The tephras, both products of supereruptions from the Taupo Volcanic Zone, occur as pale, fine‐ash dominated layers typically 10–150 mm thick. Mineralogically they are dominated by rhyolitic glass, together with subordinate amounts of quartz, feldspar, hypersthene, hornblende, Fe–Ti oxides and zircon. Phlogopite/biotite was identified additionally in Rangitawa Tephra. Ages for each tephra were obtained via mineralogical and major element glass composition‐based correlation with well‐dated equivalent deposits on mainland New Zealand, and we also obtained a new zircon fission‐track age for Rangitawa Tephra (350 ± 50 ka) on Chatham Island. Both tephras were erupted at critical times for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions in the New Zealand region: the Kawakawa at ca. 27 cal. ka, near the beginning of the ‘extended’ LGM early in marine isotope stage (MIS) 2; and the Rangitawa at ca. 350 ka near the end of MIS 10. The time constraints provided by the tephras demonstrate that Chatham Island peats contain long‐distance pollen derived from mainland New Zealand, which provides a reliable proxy for identifying glacial–interglacial climate conditions, in this case during the MIS 11–10 and MIS 2–1 cycles. The two tephras thus provide important chronostratigraphic tie‐points that facilitate correlation and synchronisation not only across the Quaternary deposits of the Chatham Islands group but also with climatically significant terrestrial and marine records in the wider New Zealand region. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The reproductive features of a mature female of the deep sea planktonic squid Galiteuthis glacialis (Cephalopoda: Cranchiidae) from the Southern Ocean

A mature female Galiteuthis glacialis (430 mm mantle length) was caught south of the Falkland Islands (53°S, 58°W) at a depth of 976-1001 m over a bottom depth of 1582-2378 m. A total of 8 spermatangia (15-19 mm in length) were found inserted into the mantle wall, which was of gelatinous consistency. Its ovary contained 3 605±42 oocytes, mostly 2.2-2.5 mm in length, and there were 21 ripe eggs (3.0-3.2 × 2.2-2.7 mm) in the oviducts. Only one resorpting oocyte (1.4 mm) was found. This is the only description of a mature female of this species, though two spent females have been previously described and three more mentioned by other authors.