Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Causal processes of soil salinization in Tunisia, Spain and Hungary

Soil salinization arises due to the build up of soluble salts at or near the soil surface. Salts accumulate by primary and secondary processes that alter the soils physicochemical properties and lead to direct and indirect soil degradation. Results are presented here from the study of three contrasting salt‐affected landscapes. The Chott el Fedjadj, Tunisia, is a naturally salt‐affected basin containing saline sediments deposited during a marine incursion. The endoreic conditions lead to salt recirculation, concentration and reprecipitation. In the Guadalentin Valley, Spain, increased irrigated agriculture has led to aquifer overexploitation releasing gas and salts. Irrigating with the resultant contaminated groundwater has induced soil salinization. The salt accumulation and translocation is dictated predominantly by irrigation method, water quality and quantity. Hungary has the largest expanse of naturally salt‐affected soil in Europe, with the dominant soil type being solonetz. In Hungary the type of salt‐affected soil development is related to the salts present, hydraulic properties of the soil and depth and quality of the watertable. In Tunisia a catenary relationship of increased water and soil salinity towards the centre of the chott is found, whereas in Spain the highest salinities were found under flood irrigation with the valley displaying a complex spatial distribution of soil salinity. The sediment distribution in Hungary dictates that solonchak soils are found mostly in the Danube–Tisza interfluve and solonetz soils in the Tisza floodplain, with localized variations in soil type related to watertable characteristics. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The onsite cost of gully erosion and cost‐benefit of gully rehabilitation: A case study in Ethiopia

Gully erosion often indicates extreme land degradation. In the highlands of Ethiopia, wide and deep gullies are common features, significantly affecting land used for agriculture. However, little action is being taken to address the problem. Where rehabilitation actions in Ethiopia are taking place, they are rarely studied by financially quantifying their costs and benefits. Therefore, this study developed methods of quantifying gully erosion costs and rehabilitation costs and benefits by considering the soil components of four model rehabilitated gullies in Ethiopia. Data were obtained from a physical survey supported by secondary information from relevant agricultural offices. Quantification was achieved by monetizing gully erosion cost through yield loss and gully rehabilitation calculations according to expenditure, while rehabilitation benefits were obtained by monetizing estimated deposited soil nutrients using fertilizer prices. Cost‐benefit values show that investment in gully rehabilitation can be an economically viable proposition in some instances. Stakeholders involved in gully rehabilitation should continue to invest in appropriate techniques of gully rehabilitation and management to ensure continued benefits from rehabilitated gullies and use of surrounding farmlands. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
3D PETROLEUM SYSTEMS MODELLING WITHIN A PASSIVE MARGIN SETTING, ORANGE BASIN, BLOCKS 3/4, OFFSHORE SOUTH AFRICA - IMPLICATIONS FOR GAS GENERATION, MIGRATION AND LEAKAGE

This study uses a 3D petroleum system modelling approach to investigate the links between hydrocarbon generation and migration with observed gas chimneys and gas leakage features along the western margin of offshore South Africa. In addition we have investigated the impact and timing of mass failures and related sediment mass movement on the petroleum system and hydrocarbon maturation history within the southern Orange Basin. Our 3D-model covers this passive margin’s evolution from Early Cretaceous drift initiation to the establishment of a present day continental margin, extending from the shelf to the deep marine domain. The model is based on interpreted 2D seismic profiles and borehole data including sedimentological and geochemical analyses as well as heat flow data. The model includes a proven source rock of Aptian/Albian age, and a second assumed Cenomanian-Turonian source. Several heat flow and uplift-erosion scenarios have been tested with the model to assess consistency with calibration data and present day surface heat flow values. After calibration against known well temperatures and vitrinite reflectance hydrocarbon generation and migration have been modelled to investigate the initiation, duration and spatial distribution of petroleum accumulation and leakage within and throughout the sedimentary column. The main sedimentary depocentres of the Orange Basin developed from east to west, with a siliciclastic basin infill and aggradation during the Cretaceous and westward progradation during the Late Cenozoic. A Late Cretaceous episode of margin instability occurred in the north western part of the study area followed by a second phase of Late Cenozoic mass movement in the south-western part of the study area. At the location of the Cretaceous mass failure the increase in sediment load profoundly affected the underlying source rocks seen in modelled maturation and petroleum generation potential. Albian source rocks started hydrocarbon transformation 100 to 85 Ma ago (phases I to III) in the centre of the basin and between 75 to 65 Ma ago (phase IV and VI) towards the distal part of the basin. The highest generation rates occurred at 75 Ma, followed by a rapid decrease until 15 Ma and a slight increase in generation potential until present day (phase V) caused by enhanced Cenozoic sediment load west of the Cretaceous shelf break. This recent increase accounts for the location of present day gas generation, though it does not substantially affect the overall regional maturation history. Today’s gas leakage features that have been observed in the shelf area (<400 m water depth) east of the slope failures are fed by an active hydrocarbon system. Compared to these gas leakage sites, the location of gas generation in the outer basin implies subsequent migration of the fluids towards the near-shore part of the basin. Our modelling constrains the migration pathways,
Late Turolian micromammals from Rambla de Chimeneas-3: considerations on the oldest continental faunas from the Guadix Basin (Southern Spain)

The fauna from Rambla de Chimeneas-3 (RCH-3), a new uppermost Miocene micro- mammal site from the Guadix Basin, is described. This level has yielded remains of Paraethomys meini, Occitanomys alcalai, Stephanomys cf. dubari, Cricetinae indet. , Erinaceidae indet. , and Soricidae indet. This faunal assemblage can be assigned to the upper Turolian (MN13). The section of Rambla de Chimeneas is situated in the lower part of the oldest exclusively continental stratigraphic unit distinguished in the filling of the Guadix Basin. Other rodent faunas from this unit were previously assigned to the middle Turolian (MN12). In this paper we reconsider the age of the oldest mammal localities from the Guadix Basin, concluding that none of them can be clearly assigned to MN12. Therefore, there is no evidence of the continentalization of the basin before the late Turolian.
Statistical characteristics of polar cap mesospheric gravity waves observed by an all-sky airglow imager at Resolute Bay, Canada

[1] An airglow imager at Resolute Bay, Canada (74.7°N, 265.1°E) has been used for the observation of gravity waves in the polar cap mesosphere since January 2005. On the basis of the long-term imaging observations obtained over 137 nights during the winter seasons of 2005 and 2006, we extracted 143 events of small-scale ( 100 km) gravity waves using airglow keograms, which represent a time series of the horizontal cross sections of the airglow images. The horizontal wavelengths and phase speeds of the large-scale waves were typically 100–400 km and 60–100 ms−1, respectively. The propagation directions of these large-scale waves also showed a westward preference. The wave parameters appeared to have no relation with the geomagnetic activities represented by the Kp index. On the other hand, the propagation directions of the observed waves were consistent with the prevailing eastward winds in the mesosphere and the updraft associated with a low-pressure area that generally appears to the east of Resolute Bay at tropospheric altitudes. These results suggest that the main source of the gravity waves in the polar cap mesosphere is tropospheric dynamics rather than auroral activities.
Theoretical Equations on Hydraulic Conductivities of Bentonite-Based Buffer and Backfill for Underground Disposal of Radioactive Wastes

Compacted bentonite and sand-bentonite mixtures are sought as buffer and backfill materials for high-level radioactive waste disposal facilities because they have very low permeability. To establish specifications such as the dry density and sand-bentonite mass ratio for buffer and backfill materials, we must quantitatively evaluate a material’s hydraulic conductivities. This study presents theoretical new equations for evaluating the hydraulic conductivity of compacted bentonites and sand-bentonite mixtures. New equations are proposed for evaluating the flow velocity of interlayer water between two montmorillonite parallel-plate layers considering the swelling behaviors of montmorillonite. Furthermore, a prediction method for hydraulic conductivity of compacted bentonite and sand-bentonite mixtures is presented by combining new equations with previous equations for evaluating swelling behavior of montmorillonite in bentonite. The applicability of this method is clarified by comparing predicted results wi.
An overview of geological results from Mariner 9

Mariner 9 acquired pictures of all of Mars at a resolution of 1–3 km; 1–2% of the planet is covered by pictures of 100- to 300-meter resolution. From these data, preliminary 1:5,000,000 scale photomosaics have been made of the entire planet, and a 1:25,000,000 scale shaded relief map published. Geologic maps of the planet have also been made at a variety of scales. The more than 7300 pictures acquired indicate that Mars is more varied and dynamic than previously inferred. About one half of the surface consists of ancient cratered terrain; the largest circular feature, Hellas, is almost twice the size of the largest basin on the moon, Imbrium. The remainder of the surface is covered either by younger volcanic rocks and constructs that stand as much as 17km above the mean level or by extensive tracts of plains deposits, some of which are sedimentary in origin. The volcanic piles with summit calderas have fresh flank flows and appear to be geologically young. The great equatorial chasm or canyon system, comparable in size to the East African rift valley system, terminates in a complexly faulted plateau to the west and in large patches of chaotic terrain on the east. Large fluvial channels originate in this chaotic terrain possibly by melting of permafrost and appear to flow northward into the Chryse region. Other large sinuous channels with many tributaries have no such obvious source areas and many small dendritic channel networks abound in the equatorial regions and imply possible collection of rainfall. In addition, many small lava channels with distinctive characteristics are present like those on the moon and earth. Many of the basin floors are underlain by lava flows inferred to be basaltic from the form of the flows, ridges, and domes that characterize their surface. The polar regions are covered by glacio-eolian layered sediments that appear to be still forming under the present climatic regime. Older, layered, somewhat different deposits are being eroded into large pits and troughs around the margins of the poles. A mantle of eolian debris presumably derived from these eroded circumpolar zones thins equatorward. Both eolian erosional features such as yardangs and depositional features such as dunes have been identified. Eolian erosion and deposition processes are currently active, as is seen by numerous changes in the albedo patterns that were monitored after the clearing of the planetwide dust storm. The largest planetary scale differences in crustal style are between the southern highlands, presumably underlain by less dense rocks, and the northern lowlands or ‘oceanic’ basins, underlain by more dense rocks. The greatest difference along the equator is between the high ‘continental’ block of the Tharsis ridge with its volcanoes aligned along its margin and the oceanic floor of the Amazonis basin in which the Nix Olympica volcanic pile lies.
` p-Multiresolution Analysis : How to Reduce Ringing and Sparsify the Error

We propose to design the reduction operator of an image pyramid so as to minimize the approximation error in the -sense (not restricted to the usual = 2), where can take noninteger values. The underlying image model is specified using shiftinvariant basis functions, such as B-splines. The solution is well-defined and determined by an iterative optimization algorithm based on digital filtering. Its convergence is accelerated by the use of first and second order derivatives. For close to 1, we show that the ringing is reduced and that the histogram of the detail image is sparse as compared with the standard case, where= 2.
The Islamic Calendar Effects: Evidence from Twelve Stock Markets

This paper investigates the Islamic calendar seasonal anomalies in the stock returns of twelve countries where the majority of the population are Muslims. We show empirical evidence of statistically significant Islamic calendar seasonal effects in all twelve countries of our sample. We document evidence of positive and statistically significance returns in the month of Ramadan in Jordan, Kuwait, Pakistan and Turkey. Our results provide some evidence against market efficiency.
THROMBOSIS AND HEMOSTASIS Both platelet- and endothelial cell – derived ERp5 support thrombus formation in a laser-induced mouse model of thrombosis

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and endoplasmic reticulum protein 57 (ERp57) are emerging as important regulators of thrombus formation. Another thiol isomerase, endoplasmic reticulum protein 5 (ERp5), is involved in platelet activation. We show here the involvement of ERp5 in thrombus formation using the mouse laser-injury model of thrombosis and a specific antibody raised against recombinant ERp5. Anti-ERp5 antibody inhibited ERp5-dependent platelet and endothelial cell disulfide reductase activity in vitro. ERp5 release at the thrombus site was detected after infusion of Alexa Fluor 488–labeled anti-ERp5 antibody at 0.05 m g/g body weight, a dose that does not inhibit thrombus formation. Anti-ERp5 at 3 m g/g body weight inhibited laser-induced thrombus formation in vivo by causing a 70% decrease in the deposition of platelets and a 62% decrease in fibrin accumulation compared to infusion of control antibody ( P < .01). ERp5 bindsto b 3integrinwithanequilibriumdissociationconstant(K D )of21 m M,measuredby surface plasmon resonance. The cysteine residues in the ERp5 active sites are not required for binding to b 3 integrin. These results provideevidenceforanovelroleofERp5inthrombusformation,afunctionthatmaybemediatedthroughitsassociationwith a IIb b 3. ( Blood . 2015;125(14):2276-2285)
Coupling of hydraulic and mechanical behaviour in unsaturated compacted clay

An experimental study was carried out to investigate the shear strength of a compacted non-active clay (Speswhite kaolin). A total of 33 statically compacted specimens were prepared, at vertical stresses of 300, 600 and 1200 kPa and water contents ranging from 0·24 to 0·34. This made it possible to explore a broad range of initial compaction-induced conditions and hence to examine whether differences in water retention characteristics and shear strength are due to differences in initial compaction-induced state or are to be attributed to fundamentally different microfabrics. A shearbox was modified to allow the direct measurement of negative pore water pressure using Trento high-suction tensiometers. Tests were carried out at constant water content by monitoring suction changes. In these tests, it was possible to investigate the transition from unsaturated to saturated states. In the first stage of the test, the specimen was compressed at constant water content. The specimen was therefore wetted, in the s.
The effect of pulse stimulation on marine biota - Research in relation to ICES advice - Progress report on the effects on benthic invertebrates

In response to ecosystem related concerns about bottom trawling and particularly beam trawling that were raised by various scientists in the last decades of the previous century. Many studies were done in the 1970s and 1980s, but in spite of promising results commercial uptake was lacking. The development of pulse trawling was again taken up in the 1990s by a private company (Verburg:Holland Ltd.) in The Netherlands. Meanwhile questions about ecosystem effects of introducing pulse beam trawling in the Dutch flatfish fishery were raised by the European Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) and the Inter: national Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and discussed at the meeting of the ICES Working Group on Fishing Technology and Fish Behaviour (WGFTFB) in 2006. These questions led to field strength measurements in situ onboard the commercial beam trawler, and research on the effects of pulse stimulation on cod (Gadus morhua L.), and elasmobranch fish.
Chapter 8 The 1896 Conway Spitzbergen (Svalbard) Expedition and related polar work

Gregory's reputation as an intrepid explorer had been confirmed by the publication of his book on his African expedition. Sometime during the spring of 1896 he was invited by Sir Martin Conway, later Lord Conway of Allington, to join a three-month expedition to explore the interior of Spitzbergen (Svalbard) (Gregory 1897). Although Conway had not read Gregory's book when he invited him (Conway 1897), he was familiar with Gregory and his exploits. The aim of the expedition was to explore and make a map of an island whose interior was almost completely unknown. Except for a journey along part of the west coast by G. Nordensk (? 1869–1928) and a three-day excursion inland from Sassen Bay by M. C. Rabot, nothing much was known about the interior – it was a blank piece of map. A practical objective was to identify if there was a walkable land route to the west coast from the coast of the great ‘Stor Fjord’ in which whaling ships and whalers were regularly trapped by pack ice from the east and could not escape. If it were possible for the whalers to reach the west coast they could either be picked up by ship and saved, or survive the winter at one of the huts or food depots maintained by the Tromso Fisherman's Association. The NHMs interest, and the reason Gregory was released to participate, was revealed by Garwood & Gregory (1896). Although several European museums owned collections of rocks from Spitzbergen, the NHM did not have any such collection and Gregory was deputed to obtain representative sets of specimens. The departure of the party had to be delayed because Gregory could not leave in May ( Natural Science , 8 , p. 358), for unspecified reasons. Certainly, Gregory had agreed to exhibit his new geological …
Polyandry in the Himalayas

Himachal Pradesh is one of the most picturesque regions of India. But like our other hill areas, it has suffered greatly for lack of communications, which has kept the communities isolated and changes have been slower. Dr Y.S. Parmar's book is a commendable effort in this direction. Polyandry is the subject of much ill-informed comment. Dr Parmar has rightly pointed out that there is usually some economic reason for a social custom and that without a change in economic motivation, no material and permanent change is possible. By putting it in its proper historical and economic context, the author gives us a deeper understanding of the manner in which societies evolve institutions to enable them to deal with the basic problems of living and surviving. Such comprehension is essential to overcome prejudice and attitudes of condescension.
Tylosaurine mosasaurs (Squamata) from the Late Cretaceous of northern Germany

Abstract Two genera of tylosaurine mosasaurs, Tylosaurus and Hainosaurus, are recorded for the first time from Germany. Tylosaurus sp. is represented by two isolated tooth crowns, originally described as Mosasaurus? alseni (here considered a nomen dubium) from the latest Santonian–Early Campanian, which are very similar to T. ivoensis and T. gaudryi. The material of Hainosaurus sp. comprises a maxillary with associated postorbitofrontal, two pterygoid teeth and several indeterminate cranial fragments. The specimen from the Late Campanian is slightly less derived than H. bernardi from the Maastrichtian in retaining labiolingually less compressed anterior maxillary teeth and unserrated pterygoid teeth with only very weak carinae. Despite only minor skeletal differences, the genus Hainosaurus is considered to be distinct from Tylosaurus because of its significant modification of the dental apparatus compared to the plesiomorphic condition in the latter. This dental morphology suggests a phylogenetic trend from a generalised-piercing marginal dentition in Tylosaurus towards the increasingly labiolingually compressed, symmetrical, strongly bicarinate cutting marginal teeth in Hainosaurus spp. from the Early through Late Campanian and Maastrichtian. A similar trend is also present in pterygoid teeth with very indistinct unserrated carinae in the Campanian Hainosaurus sp. towards serrated ones in the Maastrichtian H. bernardi. A short review indicates the presence of Hainosaurus in northern, central and western Europe (Sweden to Spain) since the Early Campanian, and the occurrence of Tylosaurus spp. in the same area until the Late Campanian. Hainosaurus persisted until the end of the Maastrichtian; outside Europe it may have been present in the Late Campanian of the USA and the Maastrichtian of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Judging from a simple, uni- to bicarinate, stoutly conical tooth morphology in aigialosaurs and very basal mosasaurs as well as phylogenetic patterns, the development of blade-like cutting tooth crowns appears to have been convergent in several clades of large-bodied Campanian–Maastrichtian mosasaurids. These include both mosasaurines ('Leiodon' mosasauroides, Prognathodon? sectorius, Prognathodon? kianda, Eremiasaurus heterodontus) and tylosaurines (Hainosaurus spp.).