Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence of Presence of the Eltville Tuff Layer in Dutsch and Belgian Limbourg and the Consequences for the Loess Stratigraphy

Abstract. Anfang 1979 ist zum ersten Male in den Niederlanden ein vulkanischer Tuff in den Losablagerungen von Sud-Limburg gefunden worden (Meijs 1980a). Auf Grund der stratigraphischen Lage, des makroskopischen Aussehens und der mineralogischen Zusammensetzung wurde dieser Tuff mit dem Eltviller Tuff korreliert. In dieser Veroffentlichung werden die Korrelierungsbeweisgrunde eingehend behandelt und mit den Ergebnissen mikromorphologischer und rontgenologischer Untersuchungen erganzt. Die Entdeckung des Eltviller Tuffs in dieser Region gerade unter dem Kesselt-Palaoboden (= Nagelbeek Horizont) bedeutet, das dieser Palaoboden ein stratigraphisches Aquivalent des E4-Nasbodens ist. Dieses steht im Widerspruch mit der in Belgien und den Niederlanden herrschenden Ansicht, laut der der Kesselt-Palaoboden mit dem im Denekamp Interstadial geformten Stillfried-B Palaoboden korreliert wird (z. B. Zagwijn & Paepe 1968). Der letztgenannte Palaoboden liegt aber stratigraphisch unter dem Eltviller Tuff und ist ungefahr 10.000 Jahr alter als der E4-Nasboden (Semmel 1967, Vogel & van der Hammen 1967).
The Effect of Prison Population Size on Crime Rates: Evidence from Prison Overcrowding Litigation

Previous studies of the impact of changes in prisoner populations on crime rates have failed to adequately control for the simultaneity between those two variables. While increases in the number of prisoners are likely to reduce crime, rising crime rates also translate into larger prison populations. To break that simultaneity, this paper uses the status of prison overcrowding litigation in a state as an instrument for changes in the prison population. Overcrowding litigation is demonstrated to have a negative impact on prison populations, but is unlikely to be related to fluctuations in the crime rate, except through its effect on prison populations. Instrumenting results in estimates of the elasticity of crime with respect to the number of prisoners that are two to three times greater than previous studies. The results are robust across all of the crime categories examined. For each one-prisoner reduction induced by prison overcrowding litigation, the total number of crimes committed increases by approximately 15 per year. The social benefit from eliminating those 15 crimes is approximately $45,000; the annual per prisoner costs of incarceration are roughly $30,000.
Possible Effect of the Thermal Condition of the Tibetan Plateau on the Interannual Variability of the Summer Asian-Pacific Oscillation

AbstractThe summer (June–August) Asian–Pacific Oscillation (APO), a large-scale atmospheric teleconnection pattern, is closely associated with climate anomalies over the Northern Hemisphere. Using the NOAA/CIRES twentieth-century reanalysis, the ECMWF twentieth-century atmospheric reanalysis, and the NCEP reanalysis, this study investigates the variability of the summer APO on the interannual time scale and its relationship with the thermal condition over the Tibetan Plateau (TP). The results show that the interannual variability of the APO is steadily related to the summer TP surface air temperature during the last 100 years. Observation and simulation further show that a positive heating anomaly over the TP can increase the upper-tropospheric temperature and upward motion over Asia. This anomalous upward flow moves northward in the upper troposphere, and then turns and moves eastward, before finally descending over the mid- to high latitudes of the central-eastern North Pacific, concurrently accompanied.
Microbial Degradation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons: Realities, Challenges and Prospects

One of the emerging environmental challenges today is hydrocarbon pollution arising from activities of petrochemical industries, natural sources of crude oil pollution and other anthropogenic activities. These petroleum products contain harmful, carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds which could have severe consequences on biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem. Physicochemical and biological methods are employed for the remediation of hydrocarbon contaminated systems; however, the negative impacts of the physicochemical approach are presently directing greater attention to the exploitation of the biological alternatives. This article reviews basic concepts of petroleum hydrocarbons, hydrocarbon degrading microorganisms, factors that influence the biodegradation of contaminants and innovative technologies for the effective removal of these pollutants. This article also discusses the applications of relative advances in molecular biological techniques, such as the isolation of plasmid DNA of microbial communities and the use of genetically engineered microorganisms to increase the rates of biodegradation of hydrocarbon pollutants in the environment. Review Article Unimke et al.; BJI, 22(2): 1-10, 2018; Article no.BJI. 43957 2
Analytical Chorus Wave Model Derived from Van Allen Probe Observations

Chorus waves play an important role in the dynamic evolution of energetic electrons in the Earth's radiation belts and ring current. Using more than 5 years of Van Allen Probe data, we developed a new analytical model for upper‐band chorus (UBC; 0.5fce < f < fce) and lower‐band chorus (LBC; 0.05fce < f < 0.5fce) waves, where fce is the equatorial electron gyrofrequency. By applying polynomial fits to chorus wave root mean square amplitudes, we developed regression models for LBC and UBC as a function of geomagnetic activity (Kp), L, magnetic latitude (λ), and magnetic local time (MLT). Dependence on Kp is separated from the dependence on λ, L, and MLT as Kp‐scaling law to simplify the calculation of diffusion coefficients and inclusion into particle tracing codes. Frequency models for UBC and LBC are also developed, which depends on MLT and magnetic latitude. This empirical model is valid in all MLTs, magnetic latitude up to 20°, Kp ≤ 6, L‐shell range from 3.5 to 6 for LBC and from 4 to 6 for UBC. The dependence of root mean square amplitudes on L are different for different bands, which implies different energy sources for different wave bands. This analytical chorus wave model is convenient for inclusion in quasi‐linear diffusion calculations of electron scattering rates and particle simulations in the inner magnetosphere, especially for the newly developed four‐dimensional codes, which require significantly improved wave parameterizations.
The Sources and Transport of Organic Contaminants in Urban Watersheds: Unraveling the Effects of Land Use, Hydrology, and Chemical Properties

The goal of this thesis was to expand the limited body of knowledge surrounding chemodynamics of organic contaminants in urban streams during runoff events. Specifically, this work assessed effects of urbanization, hydrology, and chemical properties on sources and transport of organic contaminants. To fulfill this objective, high frequency sampling was conducted in paired urban and rural watersheds during rainfall and snowmelt. The analytes included both classic (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and emerging organic contaminants (benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers, benzotriazole corrosion inhibitors) covering a range of
Abondance et diversité des rotifères dans les mares de thermokarst subartiques

v Table des matières . vii Liste des figures . ix Liste des tableaux . xi Liste des abréviations et des sigles . xiii Remerciements . xvii Avant-propos . xix Contexte de l’étude . xix Contributions . xix
The impact of intense rainfall on insurance losses in two Swedish cities

While a major part of previous research in the field of flood damage has focused on water depth as the most important causal factor, little attention has been paid to the role of rainfall intensity. As a test, this paper used correlation and regression analyses to investigate rainfall intensity as a factor affecting flood damage. For a time period of 15 years, the relationship between insurance losses caused by floods and rainfall intensity data from rain gauges was examined in two Swedish cities. Another objective was to find an approach for damage functions based on rainfall intensity as explanatory variable. Using linear regression, two approaches with considerable high degrees of explanation were found–one based on an exponential function and one on a power function. Using a lower limit for rainfall intensity, the approaches reached degrees of explanation between 30 and 78%. From this study it was concluded that rainfall intensity during the summer months and the occurrence of insurance damages per day caused by floods were correlated and further that rainfall intensity has a great potential to explain urban flood damages. In the future, additional studies are needed to validate the proposed methods and integrate other flood damage affecting factors in the approach.
Spatial and temporal variance in fatty acid and stable isotope signatures across trophic levels in large river systems

Fatty acid and stable isotope signatures allow researchers, managers, and policy makers to better understand food webs, food sources, and trophic relationships. Research in marine and lentic systems has indicated that the variance of these biomarkers can exhibit substantial differences across spatial and temporal scales, but this type of analysis has not been completed for large river systems. Our objectives were (a) to evaluate variance structures for fatty acids and stable isotopes (i.e., δ13C and δ15N) of seston, threeridge mussels, hydropsychid caddisflies, gizzard shad, and bluegills across spatial scales (10s–100s of km) in large rivers of the Upper Mississippi River Basin, USA, that were sampled annually for 2 years and (b) to evaluate the implications of this variance on the design and interpretation of trophic studies. The greatest variance for both stable isotopes was present at the largest spatial scale for all taxa (except seston δ15N), indicating that these isotopic signatures are responding to factors at a larger geographic level rather than being influenced by local‐scale alterations. Conversely, the greatest variance for fatty acids was present at the smallest spatial scale (i.e., among individuals) for all taxa except caddisflies, indicating that the physiological and metabolic processes that influence fatty acid profiles can differ substantially between individuals at a given site. Our results highlight the need to consider the spatial partitioning of variance during sample design and analysis, as some taxa may not be suitable for use in assessing ecological questions at larger spatial scales.
Hazel Dormouse ecology and conservation in woodlands

In order to conserve threatened species, knowledge of the status, trends and trajectories of populations is required. Co-ordinating collection of these data is challenging, especially for inconspicuous species such as the hazel dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius. The UK National Dormouse Monitoring Programme (NDMP) is comprised of nest box recording schemes organised by volunteers. The number, size, and coverage of these schemes has varied over time. Such changes risk conflation of genuine population trends with covarying artefacts, including survey effort and expansion into sites of variable quality. I provide a robust analysis of count data from 400 NDMP sites from 1993 to 2014 and demonstrate that changes in counts are not an artefact of survey characteristics. In relation to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria, I conclude that dormouse counts in nest boxes are an index of abundance appropriate to the taxon and allow the inference of population reduction of 72% (95% confidence intervals 62 – 79%) over the 22 years from 1993 to 2014, equivalent to a mean annual rate of decline of 5.8% (4.5 – 7.1%). This decline is ongoing.
Decidable Verification under Localized Release-Acquire Concurrency (Extended Version)

State reachability for finite state concurrent programs running under Release-Acquire (RA) semantics is known to be undecidable, while under a weaker variant, called Weak-Release-Acquire (WRA), the problem is decidable. However, WRA allows many counterintuitive behaviors not allowed under RA, in which threads locally oscillate between observed values. We propose a strengthening of WRA in the form of a new memory model, which we call Localized Release-Acquire (LRA), that prunes these oscillatory behaviors. We provide semantics for LRA and show that verification under LRA is decidable by extending the potential-based technique used to prove decidability under WRA. The LRA model is still weaker than RA, and thus our results can be used to soundly verify programs under RA.
NEW OBSERVATIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS OF THE ENIGMATIC POORLY KNOWN LATE PALEOZOIC IRREGULARINA BYKOVA, 1955

Specimens of the enigmatic poorly known taxon Irregularina Bykova, usually classified as a parathuramminid foraminifer, occur in great abundances irregularly distributed within fine-grained wacke-/packstones, partly pressing against bioclasts. The aggregation of their numerous and variously shaped sparite-filled bodies within the sediment may resemble abiogenic fenestral fabrics. It is suggested that these organisms were sediment-dwelling (psammobiontic) forms being capable of stretching into sediment interstices. In Amphipora wackestones, Irregularina settles on amphiporids skeletons and cryptoendolithically penetrates the latter by completely mimicing the labyrinthic canal system. Given the wide range of intraspecific variation by adaptation of the dynamic shape, the high species diversity of Irregularina based on differences in morphology and size is challenged. The irregular shape with finger-like extensions interpreted as moveable pseudopodia (lobopodia) and the supposed ability to change the shape requires a primarily not calcified, flexible outer body membrane. Therefore Irregularina shares some similarities with modern giant amoeboid heterotrophic protists that may also exhibit a psammobiontic way of life. Another cross-reference is given to homeomorphic representatives of Mesozoic thaumatoporellaceans. The true biogenic nature of Irregularina , however, is still unsolved.
ON THE OCCURRENCE OF SALPINGOPORELLA PASMANICA RADOIČIĆ, 2002, (DASYCLADALES) FROM THE LATE MAASTRICHTIAN OF THE ZAGROS ZONE, SW IRAN

Salpingoporella pasmanica Radoičić is described from the Late Maastrichtian of the Tarbur Formation of the Zagros Zone, SW Iran. S. pasmanica is a small-sized taxon displaying alternating and uncompressed laterals, re-ported so far only from its type-locality, the Middle? Campanian of Croatia. In the Tarbur Formation it occurs in an internal carbonate platform facies associated with larger benthic foraminifera (e.g., Loftusia , Broeckina , Neobalkha-nia , Gyroconulina )
The Power of Sunspots : An Experimental Analysis

We present an experiment in which extrinsic information (signals) may generate sunspot equilibria. The underlying coordination game has a unique symmetric non-sunspot equilibrium, which is also risk-dominant. Other equilibria can be ordered according to risk dominance. We introduce salient but extrinsic signals on which subjects may condition their actions. By varying the number of signals and the likelihood that different subjects receive the same signal, we measure how strong these signals affect behavior. Sunspot equilibria emerge naturally if there are salient public signals. Highly correlated private signals may also cause sunspot-driven behavior, even though this is no equilibrium. The higher the correlation of signals and the easier they can be aggregated, the more powerful they are in dragging behavior away from the risk-dominant to risk-dominated strategies. Sunspot-driven behavior may lead to welfare losses and exert negative externalities on agents, who do not receive extrinsic signals.
Reducing Depressive Symptoms among Latina Mothers of Autistic Children: An RCT

: This study examines the intervention effect of a culturally tailored parent education program in reducing depressive symptoms among Latina mothers of autistic children. In this two-site randomized waitlist-control study (n=109 mother-child dyads), a peer-to-peer mentoring (promotora) model was used to deliver an intervention that was designed to increase mothers’ self-efficacy and use of evidence-based strategies. We assessed mothers’ scores of depressive symptoms at three time points and used linear mixed models to determine whether their scores significantly changed from baseline to post-intervention (Time 2) and sustained at four months post-intervention (Time 3). Results show that mothers in the intervention group reported a significant decrease in scores of depressive symptoms at Time 2 and that the effect was maintained at Time 3. There were no differences in results across sites. Findings suggest that [name withheld], a culturally tailored intervention led by peer mentors, showed a significant effect both immediately after the intervention and four months post-intervention in reducing depressive symptoms among Latina mothers of autistic children.
Effect of seeding rate and number of seedlings/hill on the growth and yield of hybrid rice (Oryza sativa) grown in dry (boro) season

A field experiment was conducted in split-split plot design with three replications during the dry (boro) season of 2000-01 and 2001-02 on silty-clay soil at Rice Research Station, Chinsurah, West Bengal to test the performance of rice hybrids and to find out the optimum seeding rate for sowing in the nursery and optimum number of seedlings/ hill for transplanting in the main field in order to obtain the higher productivity of hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.). Two rice hybrids, namely, Pro Agro 6201 (PA-6201) and DRRH-1 and one inbred high yielding variety (HYV), Kshitish were assigned at random to the main plots. Three different seeding rates viz., 10, 20 and 30 g/m2 in the nursery were assigned to the sub-plots and two levels of number of seedlings/hill viz., 1. seedling and 2. seedlings/hill were allocated randomly to the sub-sub plots. Both the rice hybrids exhibited significantly higher number of tillers/m2 and plant height than the inbred HYV, Kshitish. Elaboration of yield-attributing characters was significantly more in case of hybrid varieties as compared to the inbred HYV, Kshitish. Both the rice hybrids produced significantly higher grain yield, being 25.9-33.33% higher than the inbred HYV, Kshitish. Lower seeding rates of 10 and 20 g/m2 resulted in significant development in number of tillers/m2 and all yield attributing parameters except the 1000-grain weight and ultimately brought about 12-33% increase in grain yield of hybrid rice over the seeding rate of 30 g/ m2. Different growth and yield attributes, grain and straw yield of hybrid rice did not differ significantly due to transplanting of one seedling and two seedlings/hill.
An internally consistent thermodynamic dataset for aqueous species in the system Ca-Mg-Na-K-Al-Si-O-H-C-Cl to 800 °C and 5 kbar

This study presents an internally consistent thermodynamic dataset for aqueous species in the system Ca-Mg-Na-K-Al-Si-O-H-C-Cl, obtained by adding species of calcium, magnesium and carbon to the core system Na-K-Al-Si-O-H-Cl (Miron and others, 2016). Critically evaluated experimental data on mineral solubility (Ca and Mg hydroxides, Ca and Mg silicates, anorthite, Ca and Mg carbonates) in water and aqueous electrolyte solutions over wide ranges in temperature and pressure were added to the database of experimental data. The complete experimental dataset was then used to simultaneously refine the standard state Gibbs energies of all aqueous ions and complexes in the framework of the revised Helgeson-Kirkham-Flowers (HKF) equation of state. The thermodynamic properties of the solubility-controlling minerals were accepted from the internally consistent dataset of Holland and Powell (1998; updated Thermocalc dataset ds55). The association equilibria of important hydroxide, chloride, carbonate and silicate complexes were critically reviewed, and their standard state properties and HKF parameters were independently derived from conductance, potentiometric and, in a few cases, solubility measurements. In a global optimization of standard Gibbs energies of aqueous species, performed with the GEMSFITS code (Miron and others, 2015), the association equilibria for aqueous complexes were always maintained. The new thermodynamic dataset reproduces all available fluid-mineral phase equilibria and mineral solubility data in the system Ca-Mg-Na-K-Al-Si-O-H-C-Cl with good accuracy over wide ranges in temperature (25–800 °C), pressure (1 bar – 5 kbar) and composition (salt concentrations up to 5 molal). This makes it possible to perform geochemical and reactive transport modeling of processes in natural and engineered georeservoirs over wide ranges of conditions with an unprecedented level of accuracy and reliability and to address processes of fluid flow and fluid-rock interaction in the Earth's crust from a new perspective. Using the same strategy as applied in the present study, the internally consistent thermodynamic dataset can be further extended with additional major and trace elements, and the data refinement process can be repeated when new experimental data or next-generation equation of state or activity models for aqueous solutions become available.
Dynamics of slab detachment

We investigate the dynamics of slab detachment around the detachment zone and evaluate the amount of time necessary for slabs to detach. The study combines results of two‐dimensional (2D) state‐of‐the‐art thermomechanical numerical simulations and a 1D analytical solution for viscous necking under gravity. We show that the dominant deformation mechanism during slab detachment is viscous necking, independent of the depth of slab detachment. When the slab dip is moderate (35–70°), slab detachment is partly affected by localized simple shearing in the colder parts of the slab. Brittle fracturing (breaking) plays a minor role during slab detachment. Our 2D thermomechanical models indicate that the duration of slab detachment, quantified from the onset of slab thinning until the actual detachment (i.e. vanishing of slab‐pull force), is relatively short (<5 Ma) and can occur in less than 0.5 Ma. No clear correlation between the depth and the duration of slab detachment was observed. The simulations suggest that even deep slab detachment (>250 km) can occur within a short time interval (<1 Ma) which has implications for geodynamic interpretations using slab detachment as explanation for processes such as melting, exhumation or surface uplift. The thinning of the slab during detachment, observed in 2D simulations, agrees well with predictions from a 1D analytical solution indicating that the 1D solution captures the first‐order features of the detachment process. We also evaluate the impact of shear heating on the duration of slab detachment. The predictions of a simple semi‐analytical solution, based on dimensionless parameters, agree well with our and previously published results.
Potentially Toxic Elements Contamination in Sediment, Surface and Pore water of Maharlu Saline Lake, South - West Iran

Maharlu Lake, located in the SW of Iran, has acted as a sink for various wastewater discharges in the last few decades. This study aimed at assessing potentially toxic elements (PTEs) distribution in sediment, surface and pore water samples of Maharlu Lake. To achieve that, the samples were collected from each compartment and the total concentration of PTEs (Al, Fe, Sc, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Sb, Cu, Pb, Mn, V, Cd, and Mo) analyzed by inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Based on enrichment factor (EF) analysis the lake sediments were categorized as: minimally enriched with Sb, Co, Zn, V, Cu, Pb, As, Mn, Fe, Al and moderately enriched with Mo, Ni, Cr, and Cd. Analysis of contamination factor (Cf) and potential ecological risk factor (Er) of PTEs in sediment samples showed that there was low to moderate level of contamination. The sediment-water partition coefficients (Kd for PTEs in both water groups decreased in the order of Fe> Al>Mn>Zn>Pb>Mo>Sb>Cd. The low value of Kd (log Kd