Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expanding the coverage of ecosystem services in life cycle assessment: an interdisciplinary venture

The characterization of land use impacts in life cycle assessment (LCA) requires a constant compromise between highly specific impacts models and coarse geographical scales available in life cycle inventory, where most information is provided at country level as the highest degree of geographical specificity. The derivation of country-specific characterization factors is usually done estimating impacts with the use of land cover and potential natural vegetation maps, assuming the most predominant biome per country as representative. This study explores the use of land system archetypes to derive country-specific characterization factors for land use-related soil erosion impacts that can better represent intra-national variations, while accounting for several biogeographical and socioeconomic differences. Land use-specific characterization factors were derived as the potentially enhanced soil erosion rate, using the soil erosion rates of each archetype as a reference state, and correction factors to reflect the relative increase or decrease in soil erosion rates associated with each of the eight land use types. Country-specific characterization factors for land use erosion impacts of occupation (in ton/(m 2 ·year)) were calculated by taking into account the land system archetypes present in each country, the land use-specific characterization factors, and the likelihood of each land use type occurring across archetypes (based on rule of thumb expert estimates). The country-specific characterization factors were produced specifically for occupation impacts for each of the eight land use types, and covering 263 countries and territories/dependencies. The resulting 2,104 country-specific characterization factors displayed in average a considerably greater variation in comparison with characterization factors produced when only the most predominant archetype per country is assumed as representative per country. The results indicate that world generic values might underestimate up to 10 times the degree of impacts associated with land use types such as permanent crops, fallow ground, mining, and landfill. The use of land system archetypes presents a viable approach to derive country-specific characterization factors while taking into account
WIND EROSION MEASUREMENT ON FALLOW LANDS OF YAZD-ARDAKAN PLAIN, IRAN

Wind erosion is a significant problem on 20 million ha of Iran, especially in central plains and coastal areas. Winderosion samplers, meteorological equipments and measurement procedure have been developed over the last twocenturies to measure the particles moving across the field in modes of creep, saltation and suspension. In recentresearch as the first technical measurement in Iran, wind erosion was measured with these advanced procedures. Fielddata was collected from a small (1.9 ha), square, fallow field with nonerodible boundaries. Wind erosionmeasurement equipment containing 14 clusters with samplers at 0.05, 0.10, 0.25, and 0.50 and 1.0m above the soilsurface and a 4× surface creep sampler (0 to 0.02m height by 0.005m wide) was arranged in a circular pattern. Thesampling cluster consisted of an array of five samplers each attached to a pivoting wind vane and each mounted at adifferent height on a central pole. This permitted field erosion data collection regardless of the wind direction andprovided a range of field lengths with a minimum number of sampler locations. A combination equation of power andexponential functions expressed the variation of transition material to a height of 2m. An exponential modeldescribed the horizontal distribution of transported soil in the field. Twelve single events were recorded and analyzedbetween May 2006 and May 2007. Several inherent soil properties such as soil texture, organic matter and calciumcarbonate content affect the erodibility of soil and change very slowly in research time. Other properties, such assurface roughness and aggregate crust strength are temporal and change rapidly in response to climatic conditions.Total soil mass transported across the fallow field was measured at 220.93 kg/m per year and soil loss at 1.356 kg/m2(13.56 ton/ha) per year.
Outcomes with the Use of Platinum Coils Aneurysms: Comparison with Same-Center Coils in the Treatment of Intracranial Single-Institution Experience with Matrix

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to analyze the outcomes and treatment-related complications of the polyglycolic/polylactic acid (PGLA)-coated Matrix platinum coils in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms and compare these results with those derived from the same single-institutional experience with use of uncoated, bare platinum coils. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we compared 2 groups of patients in a retrospective fashion. The first group consisted of 70 consecutive patients who underwent 82 aneurysm treatments with Matrix coils during the 14-month period of study, from January 2003 to February 2004. We compared this cohort with 70 consecutive patients who underwent a total of 80 aneurysm treatments with bare platinum coils in the 12 months immediately preceding the use of PGLA-coated coils, from January through December 2002. We then recorded the treatment characteristics, angiographic outcomes, and any complications. RESULTS: There were similar baseline demographic characteristics between the 2 study groups except in age, anatomic location, and length of follow-up. The overall recurrence rate of aneurysms was 41% among the Matrix-treated group and 32% among the patients treated with bare platinum. Among the 42 patients treated with 100% Matrix, the rate of recurrence was 31%. Of the recurrences, 21% of the Matrix group, 19% of the 100% Matrix group, and 9% of the bare platinum group required retreatment. The overall rate of complications was 10% in the Matrix-treated group and 7% in the bare platinum group. There was not a statistically significant difference in the rate of recurrence of aneurysms or complications between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our single-center experience, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of Matrix coils over bare platinum coils, given their disadvantages.
The effect of plant growth regulators on micropropagation of Melientha suavis Pierre. and assessment of genetic fidelity of regenerants based on iPBS and SRAP markers

Abstract. Siringam T, Vanijajiva O. 2023. The effect of plant growth regulators on micropropagation of Melientha suavis Pierre. and assessment of genetic fidelity of regenerants based on iPBS and SRAP markers. Biodiversitas 24: 4628-4634. Melientha suavis Pierre, a significant deciduous edible plant species with high nutritional value and belonging to the Opiliaceae family, holds paramount importance for both agricultural and conservation purposes in its native Southeast Asia. However, the species faces challenges due to habitat fragmentation and negative anthropogenic impacts, leading to a decline in its population. This study aimed to explore the effects of various concentrations of plant growth regulators (cytokinin and auxin) on the shoot and root development of M. suavis, and to assess the genetic stability of micropropagated plants obtained from nodal explants. In vitro shoot regeneration and proliferation were conducted on Murashige and Skoog (MS) semi-solid medium, supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) or kinetin (Kn) at different doses. The optimal shoot length, shoot number, and leaf volume were observed in the modified MS medium with 1.0 mg/L BAP after an 8-week incubation period. Efforts to enhance the rooting of micropropagated shoots included the addition of auxins, such as ? -naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) or indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). However, the species exhibited recalcitrant behavior during the reproduction and rooting stages, as the rooting percentage did not correlate with the increase in auxin concentration. Interestingly, the highest root number and length were achieved in the MS medium without plant growth regulators after 8 weeks of incubation. To ensure genetic fidelity, regenerants were subjected to inter-primer binding site (iPBS) and sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) marker analysis. The results revealed no genetic variation between the micropropagated plants and the mother trees, confirming the production of genetically stable progeny. Overall, this protocol presents a promising alternative for profitable propagation and establishment of genetically constant progeny of M. suavis, with important implications for sustainable applications and germplasm conservation in Southeast Asia. Addressing the challenges faced by this valuable species through micropropagation and genetic fidelity assessment can contribute significantly to its preservation and utilization for agricultural and conservation initiatives.
Experimental manipulations of winter snow and summer rain influence ecosystem carbon cycling in a mixed‐grass prairie, Wyoming, USA

Water‐limited grasslands may be exceedingly vulnerable to changes in the timing or amount of precipitation which may result in shifts in the magnitudes and patterns of carbon cycling. Shifts in CO2 exchange may lead to alterations in carbon sequestration or net losses and could accentuate the rising CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere or ameliorate the increases. The objective of our project was to quantify how changes in winter, summer, and combined winter and summer precipitation may alter rates of ecosystem C cycling in the mixed‐grass prairie of the United States. Three replicated 50 m snow fences were installed to increase winter snow while summer precipitation was manipulated by either increasing (+50%) or decreasing (−50%) precipitation amounts. Measurements of net ecosystem exchange (NEE), gross ecosystem photosynthesis (GEP), and ecosystem respiration (ER) and plant biomass were conducted throughout the snow‐free period. Deeper snow in winter increased summer ER by an average of 27%, GEP by 45%, NEE by 90% and plant biomass by 50% compared to ambient snow conditions. Average plant biomass increased 44% with the addition of summer rain and decreased by 18% where rainfall was excluded under ambient snow conditions. Average NEE was also lower where rain was excluded. Our findings indicate that seasonality changes of precipitation may be important in regulating the future extent of C sequestration and C cycling in one of the most extensive, intact grasslands of North America. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of fluid-dynamical stirring and mixing on the deactivation of stratospheric chlorine

We quantify the sensitivity to mixing of chlorine deactivation and ozone depletion in simplified models of the northern hemisphere, middle-latitude lower stratosphere. A photochemical box model augmented by a volume exchange model of mixing was used to identify situations for which effects of ClO x deactivation through mixing with NO x -rich air are at least as important as photochemical effects alone. In one simulation representative of a filament of high-latitude, ClO x -activated air mixing with low-latitude air, the O 3 depletion rate was found to be 0.287%, 0.127%, or 0.08% day -1 , for a volume exchange rate of 0, 0.06, or 0.48 day -1 , respectively. If we take the first rate as representative of Lagrangian models, the second rate as typical of the lower stratosphere, and the third rate as typical of those grid-based models that do not resolve the real mixing length scales, then our results suggest that Lagrangian models that do not represent mixing processes can, in certain circumstances, be in error by as much or more than grid-based models. The box model results allowed the formulation of a simplified, yet reasonably accurate reaction scheme for mixing-induced chlorine deactivation which was then implemented in a two-dimensional model of quasi-horizontal transport along isentropic surfaces. The two-dimensional model represents mixing by an effective horizontal diffusivity that accounts for vertical diffusivity and horizontal strain, and for advective transport it uses winds from lower stratospheric observational analyses. Mixing-induced chlorine deactivation was found to exhibit substantial sensitivity to the effective diffusivity of the two-dimensional model. The associated O 3 depletion from the Molina and Molina [1987] ClO-dimer cycle was found to exhibit sensitivity in a number of different regimes. The sensitivity increases with time and also depends on other details of the wind fields and the NO x concentration field. We suggest that O 3 loss in low-resolution models is sensitive to perturbations in the NO 2 field, whereas, by contrast, O 3 loss in the lower stratosphere is probably far less sensitive to such perturbations. To obtain estimates of O 3 loss over 11 days that are not sensitive to the diffusivity employed, it was necessary to use effective horizontal diffusivities D H < 10 5 m 2 s -1 , corresponding to horizontal features of about 200 km and hence requiring spatial resolution of about 40 km, which is much higher resolution than routinely employed. The results from the box model and the two-dimensional model are combined to assess the importance of mixing-induced chlorine deactivation relative to photolysis-induced deactivation.
Tourism and African development

The example of Kenya is used to assess whether tourism is a viable development strategy for Africa and, more specifically, what is the contribution of tourism in development. The effect on environment and society is explored, alongside the response of Kenyan communities to international tourism. Recommendations for alternative tourism strategies are made, with applicability to other African countries.
Initial alpha-1 antitrypsin screening in Turkish patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background/aim Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is associated with several types of pathology, and the reported effects of mutations in the ATT-encoding gene vary worldwide. No Turkish study has yet appeared. We thus explored the AAT status of Turkish patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Materials and methods This prospective cross-sectional study included outpatients and inpatients treated from June 2021 to June 2022. Serum AAT levels were checked, and dry blood samples were subjected to genetic analysis. Results Genetic mutations were found in 21 (3.52%) of 596 patients with prior and new COPD diagnoses treated in our pneumonology outpatient department. The mean serum AAT level was 114.80 mg/dL (minimum 19, maximum 209; standard deviation 27.86 mg/dL). The most frequent mutation was M/Plowell (23.8%, n = 5), followed by M/S (23.8%, n = 5), M/I (19%, n = 4), M/Malton (14.3%, n = 3), Z/Z (9.5%, n = 2), M/Z (4.8%, n = 1), and Kayseri/Kayseri (4.8%, n = 1). Thoracic computed tomography revealed that 85.7% (n = 18) of all patients had emphysema, 28.5% (n = 6) had bronchiectasis, and 28.5% (n = 6) had mass lesions. Of the emphysema patients, 55% (n = 10) had only upper lobe emphysema, and 83.3% (n = 15) had emphysema in additional areas, but statistical significance was lacking (p > 0.05). Conclusion In patients with emphysema and normal serum AAT levels, genetic analyses may reveal relevant heterozygous mutations, which are commonly ignored. Most clinicians focus on lower lobe emphysema. Evaluations of such patients might reveal AAT mutations that are presently overlooked because they are not considered to influence COPD status.
Improved methods for observing Earth's time variable mass distribution with GRACE using spherical cap mascons

We discuss several classes of improvements to gravity solutions from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission. These include both improvements in background geophysical models and orbital parameterization leading to the unconstrained spherical harmonic solution JPL RL05, and an alternate JPL RL05M mass concentration (mascon) solution benefitting from those same improvements but derived in surface spherical cap mascons. The mascon basis functions allow for convenient application of a priori information derived from near‐global geophysical models to prevent striping in the solutions. The resulting mass flux solutions are shown to suffer less from leakage errors than harmonic solutions, and do not necessitate empirical filters to remove north‐south stripes, lowering the dependence on using scale factors (the global mean scale factor decreases by 0.17) to gain accurate mass estimates. Ocean bottom pressure (OBP) time series derived from the mascon solutions are shown to have greater correlation with in situ data than do spherical harmonic solutions (increase in correlation coefficient of 0.08 globally), particularly in low‐latitude regions with small signal power (increase in correlation coefficient of 0.35 regionally), in addition to reducing the error RMS with respect to the in situ data (reduction of 0.37 cm globally, and as much as 1 cm regionally). Greenland and Antarctica mass balance estimates derived from the mascon solutions agree within formal uncertainties with previously published results. Computing basin averages for hydrology applications shows general agreement between harmonic and mascon solutions for large basins; however, mascon solutions typically have greater resolution for smaller spatial regions, in particular when studying secular signals.
The Geology of the District around Towyn and Abergynolwyn, (Merioneth)

The area to be dealt with in this paper lies south-west of the Corris-Aberllefenni district, recently described by Prof. W. J. Pugh. It includes about 35 square miles, extending from the coast, in the vicinity of Towyn, to Taren y Gresail in the east. The northern boundary is the Dysynni Valley, and a line due east from the Birds' Rock (Craig yr Aderyn) to the head of Glyn Iago; while the southern limit runs through Ffridd Cefn-isaf, Cwm Dyffryn, and Mynydd y Llyn, and thence north-east towards Corris. The area includes the mountain-country lying south and south-west of Cader Idris. Its most striking feature is the long, straight, steep-sided valley which runs south-westwards from Tal-y-llyn to Towyn, namely, the Tal-y-llyn or Bala Fault-Valley. The Dysynni river, which drains the greater part of the area, occupies this valley from Tal-y-llyn to Abergynolwyn, but at this point it is diverted through a narrow gorge into the broad alluvial valley known as Dyffryn Dysynni. Between the Tal-y-llyn and Dysynni valleys the ground rises steeply to an average height of 900 feet, but Foel Caer-berllan (1233 feet) and Foel Wyllt (1013 feet) stand up above this general level. South of the Tal-y-llyn valley the country is more mountainous, and constitutes the main watershed between the Dysynni-Tal-y-llvn and the Dyfi drainage-systems. This watershed slopes south-westwards from 2187 feet in Taren-y-Gesail to 1332 feet in Corlan Fraith. The mountain-country is dissected by deeply incised tributary valleys running north-west and south-east–that is, at right angles to the
State-Dependent or Time-Dependent Pricing? New Evidence from a Monthly Firm-Level Survey: 1980-2017

This paper addresses the causal relationship between corruption and youth unemployment from two different perspectives. The discussion starts by asking how the corruption practices within government institutions that encourage the payment of bribes to access the job opportunities contribute to reducing the efficiency of the resources (labor force) allocations. The resources are diverted from the most productive economic sectors toward those (usually less efficient economic sectors) where self-motivated officials have more discretionary power in selecting the candidates who are less qualified for the job. The challenge is to examine how bribed bureaucrats are more concerned by their own personal interests at the expense of national welfare when positively reacting to the highest bribe payers. Second question addressed is why the resulting mismatching between supply and demand in the labor market tends to sustain its underlying causes (i.e., bribes) by giving more incentive to new agents and economic actors to adopt these practices. Using a system GMM approach that simultaneously account for the dynamic effect between perceived bribery among officials and the youth unemployment rates, the paper finds that, after controlling for various macroeconomic and institutional factors, the development of corruption practices tend to increase the unemployment rate among youth and educated job seekers which in turn contribute to sustain those unlawful practices by forcing the latter to bribe rent seeking government officials in order to secure a job.
A 19-Month Climatology of Marine Aerosol-Cloud-Radiation Properties Derived From DOE ARM AMF Deployment at the Azores: Part I: Cloud Fraction and Single-Layered MBL Cloud Properties

A 19-month record of total, and single-layered low (0-3 km), middle (3-6 km), and high (> 6 km) cloud fractions (CFs), and the single-layered marine boundary layer (MBL) cloud macrophysical and microphysical properties has been generated from ground-based measurements taken at the ARM Azores site between June 2009 and December 2010. It documents the most comprehensive and longest dataset on marine cloud fraction and MBL cloud properties to date. The annual means of total CF, and single-layered low, middle, and high CFs derived from ARM radar-lidar observations are 0.702, 0.271, 0.01 and 0.106, respectively. More total and single-layered high CFs occurred during winter, while single-layered low CFs were greatest during summer. The diurnal cycles for both total and low CFs are stronger during summer than during winter. The CFs are bimodally distributed in the vertical with a lower peak at approx. 1 km and higher one between 8 and 11 km during all seasons, except summer, when only the low peak occurs. The persistent high pressure and dry conditions produce more single-layered MBL clouds and fewer total clouds during summer, while the low pressure and moist air masses during winter generate more total and multilayered-clouds, and deep frontal clouds associated with midlatitude cyclones.