Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
First stage of Antarctic ozone recovery

[1] Ozone within the springtime Antarctic vortex is affected by both chemical and dynamical processes. We use correlations between monthly means of total ozone columns and temperatures in the vortex core and the vortex edge (or collar) regions to construct ozone anomaly time series for September and October, which mainly reflect variations in ozone due to chemical forcing. The ozone anomaly time series, obtained from ground-based Dobson/Brewer column measurements, reveal a statistically significant leveling off of total ozone, relative to the previous rate of decline, since 1997. The second derivative with respect to time of stratospheric halogen loading in the Antarctic vortex reached a well-defined minimum in 1997, marking the time when the chemical forcing of polar ozone loss started leveling off. Vertical profiles of ozone in the Antarctic vortex from SAGE II and ozonesondes show that near-zero levels of ozone have sometimes been reached in the core of the vortex each October, between the 380 and 500 K isentropes, since 1992. We have accounted for this so-called loss saturation effect in our analysis by comparing the frequency distribution of measured ozone with the distribution expected from a reconstruction of ozone that hypothetically allows ozone abundances to drop below zero. This approach indicates that changes in stratospheric halogen loading, not the loss saturation effect, are the primary cause of the recent leveling off of the total ozone anomaly time series. This analysis indicates that total column ozone within the Antarctic vortex core and collar regions has reached the first stage of recovery as defined by the World Meteorological Organization: a statistically significant reduction in the rate of decline that is clearly attributable to decreases in the abundance of ozone-depleting substances brought about by the Montreal Protocol.
U-Pb zircon dating of granitoid plutons from the West Coast Province of Peninsular Malaysia

U-Pb zircon dating of granitoid plutons from the West Coast Province of Peninsular Malaysia yields precise and unambiguous ages of 198–220 Ma (late Triassic). These ages are considerably older than previously reported K-Ar mica ages which have been largely reset, but agree with or are younger than Rb-Sr whole rock apparent ages. The U-Pb zircon ages are considered to represent the best estimate of the intrusive ages of the plutons. Some of the problems associated with the interpretations of the pre-Triassic Rb-Sr whole rock apparent ages are discussed here and alternative ways to explain these ages in the light of recent work are considered. Reversely discordant patterns displayed by zircon populations from a number of plutons yield consistent upper intersection ages of ~1500–1700 Ma that approximately date source-derived, inherited zircon components. The Precambrian ages of these inherited zircon components suggest that the West Coast Province S-type granitoids are derived from sedimentary sources recycled, at least in part, from mid-Proterozoic crystalline basement sources.
Simple radiative models for surface warming and upper‐troposphere cooling

A simple model of greenhouse‐gas radiative processes intended to make the surface‐warming effect of water‐vapour and CO2 absorption more readily understandable leads to a conclusion that the greenhouse gases also cool the upper troposphere. The results from the simple model are compared with experimental observations, and a functional form for the decline of vertical convection and water‐vapour radiation near the tropopause is derived from previously unexplained high‐altitude cooling‐trend data. A possible reason why global climate models do not show the observed upper‐troposphere cooling trend is tentatively suggested. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Variation of mainstream length with basin area in river networks

Mainstream length in river networks from various parts of the world varies statistically in proportion to basin area raised to a power that decreases from about 0.6 for small to medium basins (1–103 km2) to near 0.5 for the largest in the world (nearly 107 km2). This relationship is predicted by the statistical theory of channel networks, which is founded on the basic postulates that (1) natural channel networks in the absence of strong geologic controls are very nearly topologically random and (2) interior and exterior link lengths and associated areas in basins with homogeneous climate and geology have separate statistical distributions that are approximately independent of location. The calculation was carried out by a Monte Carlo method, which produced a random sample of networks from the postulated population, and was checked by analytical results for networks up to magnitude 500. The necessary empirical data on link lengths and associated areas were obtained by measurement on maps of an 80-km2 basin in relatively flatlying coal-bearing sandstones in eastern Kentucky. Agreement with observation is excellent for the small to medium basins, but the ratio of predicted to observed mainstream length progressively decreases to about 0.7 for the largest basins. This discrepancy can be accounted for by moderate downstream increase in channel sinuosity and decrease in drainage density. The particular data on link lengths and associated areas used in the calculation have only slight influence because mean link length varies statistically directly as the square root of mean associated area, so that taking data from different areas merely displaces the predicted points nearly parallel to their trend.
Plate Tectonics and Foreland Basement Deformation

The extent and complexity of Laramide foreland basement deformation in the Wyoming province adjacent to the Idaho-Wyoming thrust-fold belt have led to numerous tectonic hypotheses, including tangential crustal compression (manifest as thrusting), vertical uplift, and strike slip; actually, all three types of deformation have occurred. With the advent of plate tectonics, tangential compression related to subduction has been mentioned most frequently as the ultimate cause of foreland deformation. Tangential compression is presumably operative in all subduction-related orogenic belts, but because most orogenic belts do not have foreland basement deformation comparable with that of the Wyoming province, compression alone does not seem sufficient to account for foreland basement structuring. Apparently a more specific condition is necessary. It is here proposed that in addition to tangential compression and strike slip, a lithospheric slab subducted well beneath the foreland is a fundamental requisite for deformation there, providing the buoyancy necessary for uplift of basement blocks. Recent work based on K2O/SiO2 ratios of Cenozoic andesites suggests that paleosubduction did occur far east within the Wyoming province (Lipman and others, 1971).
Cryogenic Limb Array Etalon Spectrometer observations of tropical cirrus

The seasonal evolution and spatial distribution of upper tropospheric tropical cirrus have been analyzed using a 19-month record of infrared aerosol volume absorption coefficients obtained by the Cryogenic Limb Array Etalon Spectrometer (CLAES) aboard the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS). An empirical method of separating clouds from background volcanic aerosol is described. Cloud occurrence frequencies are compared with the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) II cloud climatology of Wang et al. [1996]. The seasonal distribution of clouds derived from CLAES agrees well with the SAGE II results that show predominantly subvisual cirrus in this region. This agreement demonstrates that CLAES data contain information describing subvisual cirrus in addition to thicker clouds. Examples of interannual variations in cloud occurrence frequency observable in the CLAES data are discussed. The eastward shift in cloud occurrence frequency over the western Pacific accompanying the 1992 El Nino was observed. Substantially fewer cirrus were seen at the 68-hPa level in the winter of 1991–1992 compared with 1992–1993. This variation could be related to either El Nino or reduced convection during a period when Mount Pinatubo stratospheric aerosol cooled the tropics.
Basin evolution of the margin of Gondwana at the Neoproterozoic/ Cambrian transition: the Puncoviscana Formation of Northwest Argentina

The Puncoviscana Formation is an important stratigraphic sequence of sandstones and shales, with intercalated conglomerates, limestones and volcanic rocks. It was deposited at the Neo- proterozoic-Cambrian boundary in a shallow basin on the western margin of Gondwana. Trace fos- sils of the Puncoviscana Formation s.l. are represented by the Oldhamia and Nereites ichnoassocia- tions and the geographical distribution of assemblages are aligned as parallel belts, with a shallower eastern Nereites association and a deeper western Oldhamia association. They represent different temporal levels on the evolution of the basin. Detrital zircon spectra display a wide range of ages, which indicate their provenance from Neoproterozoic to Cambrian source areas as well as Meso- to Paleoproterozoic basement units, exhibiting typical Gondwanan ages. Thick limestone banks are interbedded in the Puncoviscana Formation s.l. that included the siliciclastic sequences, with very low- to medium-metamorphic grade. δ13C values for the limestones vary from -1.57 to +3.40/00 VPDB, while in the Sierras Pampeanas, δ13C values vary from +2.6 to +80/00 VPDB. Also, reported 87Sr/86Sr values allow a clear differentiation of two rock sets. The limestones interbedded with the Puncoviscana Formation yielded values typical for the Neoproterozoic-Cambrian transition, between 0.70868 and 0.70896; while the limestones of the Sierras Pampeanas display values between 0.70748 and 0.70756, common in the middle to late Ediacaran. Deformation and uplift of the Puncoviscana Formation is clearly represented in northern Argentina by the Tilcarian unconformity, which is over- lain by the Meson Group.
K‐Ar geochronology of Torlesse Supergroup metasedimentary rocks in Canterbury, New Zealand

Abstract K‐Ar ages of 144 slates and semischists are reported from the Torlesse Supergroup, mostly in the Canterbury region. From local schist enclaves at upper prehnite‐pumpellyite to pumpellyite‐actinolite mineral facies, K‐Ar ages are compared of intercalated mudstone protolithologies of continent‐derived turbidite, and oceanic‐derived pelagic/volcanic, associations. These reveal metamorphism sufficiently thorough to reset detrital K‐bearing mineral components in the former. Two main events are separately recorded within the Late Permian and Middle‐Late Triassic parts of the Torlesse accretionary prism, respectively at 240 ± 10 Ma (Early Triassic) and 210 ± 10 Ma (latest Triassic to earliest Jurassic). The Early Triassic metamorphism is correlated with a stratigraphic break in the Torlesse succession, which reflects a period of non‐deposition and possibly uplift. The pattern of Late Trias sic‐Early Jurassic metamorphism, and subsequent younger, cooling ages, is similar to those of Triassic Torlesse sequences in North Otago and Wellington regions, and they are also correlated with a major, Early‐Middle Jurassic, stratigraphic break. The Jurassic Clent Hills Group may represent a local Rakaia Terrane cover sequence on the earlier‐consolidated parts of the accretionary prism, whilst elsewhere, in the Pahau Terrane, Late Jurassic‐Early Cretaceous Torlesse sedimentation recommenced.
Anatomy and phylogenetic significance of Eoconularia loculata, a conulariid from the Silurian of Gotland

The type material of Eoconularia loculata (Wiman, 1895), a conulariid with high, bifurcated septa, was originally found in an erratic boulder, hence the source-rock is as yet unidentified. Recently, a rich material of the species has been discovered at eleven localities in the Silurian Hemse Beds of Gotland Another two localities in the Slite Beds (Wenlockan, Sheinwoodian) revealed what is assumed to be the ancestor of E loculata. This ancestral form probably constitutes a separate taxon distinguished from E. loculata in having simple, unbranched septa. E. loculata is re-described, and four ontogenetic stages in septal development are recognized. During stage 1, the most juvenile stage, the septa are simple. The septa in stages 3 and 4, the adult stages, are coarse and bifurcated. The affinities of conulariids are discussed, with the conclusion that the group shares a number of similarities with modem scyphomans. The microstructures of the exoskeleton show several similarities with coronatids, and the septa are interpreted to be homologous with the internal structures of stauromedusids. The stratigraphical distribution of all currently known septate conulariids suggests that septa were a primitive morphologic feature ranging from early? Ordovician to late Silurian. The simplest type, however, persisted at least into the early Permian. Five of the eleven described septa types have been found only among the conulariids from Gotland. □Conulariida, EOCONULARIA LOCULATA, bifurcated septa, taxonomy, ecology, morphology, Scyphozoa, Sweden, Gotland, Silurian.
Daytime scintillations induced by high-power HF waves at Tromsø, Norway

During March 1984 the high-power HF heating facility located at Ramfjordmoen (69.6°N, 19.2°E geographic) near Tromso, Norway, was used to modify the ionospheric F region in the daytime. The intensity and phase scintillations of 250-MHz transmissions from the quasi-stationary polar beacon satellite were measured when the ray path from the observing site to the satellite intercepted the modified ionospheric volume. Narrow band spectral enhancements corresponding to an irregularity scale length of 750 m were detected in the intensity spectra when the radiated HF power developed an estimated power density of about 0.3 mW/m² at the height of reflection. Spectral enhancements at larger scales were not detected in the phase spectra. From the growth and decay of the intensity spectral enhancements during the successive 10-min “on” and 10-min “off” periods of the heater the e-folding growth and decay times of ∼750 m irregularities were estimated to be on the order of 30 s and 2 min, respectively. The threshold power densities required for the generation of the observed irregularity scale sizes were calculated from the self-focusing instability theory of Cragin et al. (1977) by the use of ionospheric background parameters measured by the EISCAT radar. The theoretical estimates were found to be within a factor of 2 of the HF power densities employed in the experiment. The presence of Fresnel oscillations in the intensity and phase spectra were attributed to a limited irregularity layer thickness less than 50 km. By using the formulations of the thin phase screen theory, it was found that the observed intensity scintillations at 250 MHz correspond to irregularity amplitudes (ΔN/N) of 3% with an outer scale of 1 km.
Macronutrient Contents and Yield of Cocoa Resulting from Two Different Rejuvenation Techniques

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is one of Indonesia’s leading and important export commodities. The cocoa plant rejuvenation techniques aim to increase cocoa production and quality. Ring budding and side grafting can rejuvenate old and unproductive cocoa plants. Therefore, this research was conducted with objectives: 1) to record macronutrient contents, yield components and yields of three cocoa clones, KKM 22, RCC 70 and RCC 71, rejuvenated with ring budding and side grafting, 2) to determine the best techniques in rejuvenation program for old cocoa stand based on nutrient contents, yield components, and yields indicators of three cocoa clones. This research was carried out from November 2020 to January 2021 at Cocoa Plantation, North Segayung Production Unit, Pagilaran Company. The results showed that ring-budded plants had the highest N nutrients content in leaves, stem organic-C production capacity, pods number per stand per year, dry weight bean per stand per year and dry weight bean per hectare per year, which was significantly better than side grafted plants. The macronutrient of total parts (leaves, stem, and root) trend was leaves > stem > root. The trend of macronutrients in cocoa were organic-C > N > Ca > K > Mg > P. Based on the macronutrient content of cocoa tissue, KKM 22 have a higher content of organic-C, N, P, K, Ca, and Mg compared to RCC 71 and RCC 70. The budding ring technique was the best in the rejuvenation program for old cocoa stands based on nutrient contents, yield components, and yield indicators of three cocoa clones.
Consumers and nutrients alter colonization of an old field community independently and by distinct mechanisms

As communities assemble, species establishment can be driven by multiple factors. Two such factors, nutrients and consumers, are predicted to interact, but few studies have explored whether this interaction results from synergistically altering the same biotic and abiotic mediators or complementarily altering different mediators. To test this, I added seeds of multiple native species to old field communities in which I experimentally manipulated soil nutrients, leaf litter and consumers (insect herbivores and fungal pathogens). Using Bayesian hierarchical modelling, I evaluated the degree to which changes in light and water availability, fungal disease and insect herbivory, and community functional composition influenced seedling establishment and the richness of colonizing species and were driven by experimental treatments. I then examined whether nutrients, litter and consumers interactively determined the success of colonizing species with different resource allocation strategies. Contrary to expectation, nutrient addition and consumer exclusion reduced, and litter removal increased, seedling establishment and colonizer richness independently and via different pathways. Also contrary to expectation, seedling resource allocation strategy did not interact with nutrient addition and consumer exclusion to alter establishment success. Rather, as community damage (foliar fungal disease + insect herbivory) increased, seedlings with high % leaf nitrogen (a proxy for an acquisitive resource allocation strategy) become increasingly disadvantaged relative to seedlings with low % leaf nitrogen (a proxy for a conservative resource allocation strategy). Synthesis: These results indicate that seedling establishment is unlikely to be interactively impacted by nutrients and consumers (fungal pathogens + insect herbivores) because these two drivers act on different environmental pathways to influence community assembly.
Early Paleozoic tectonism within the East Antarctic craton: The final suture between east and west Gondwana?

New U-Pb SHRIMP ages from East Antarctica point to the existence of a laterally continuous orogenic belt that bisects the East Antarctic craton. This orogenic belt juxtaposes Archean crust to the south and east against Neoproterozoic metamorphic rocks to the north and west. It defines the margin of a separate lithospheric block that consists of a large section of East Antarctica and India that did not form part of east Gondwana or Rodinia as they are currently reconstructed. Instead, this Indo-Antarctic continent accreted with west Gondwana along the Mozambique suture shortly before collision and suturing along a second “Pan-African” suture now cropping out in the southern Prince Charles Mountains and Prydz Bay regions of Antarctica. This scenario is consistent with (1) the abrupt termination of ca. 990–900 Ma tectonism recognized in the northern Prince Charles Mountains–Rayner Complex–Eastern Ghats against Paleozoic orogenic belts, (2) the lack of terranes of equivalent age found elsewhere in either Antarctica or other previously adjacent continents, and (3) the distinct detrital-zircon populations obtained from either side of this proposed suture.
Late Pleistocene and Holocene uplift history of Cyprus: implications for active tectonics along the southern margin of the Anatolian microplate

Abstract The nature of the southern margin of the Anatolian microplate during the Neogene is complex, controversial and fundamental in understanding active plate-margin tectonics and natural hazards in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Our investigation provides new insights into the Late Pleistocene uplift history of Cyprus and the Troodos Ophiolite. We provide isotopic (14C) and radiogenic (luminescence) dates of outcropping marine sediments in eastern Cyprus that identify periods of deposition during marine isotope stages (MIS) 3, 4, 5 and 6. Past sea-levels indicated by these deposits are c. 95±25 m higher in elevation than estimates of worldwide eustatic sea-level. An uplift rate of c. 1.8 mm/year and possibly as much as c. 4.1 mm/year in the past c. 26–40 ka is indicated. Holocene marine deposits also occur at elevations higher than those expected for past SL and suggest uplift rates of c. 1.2–2.1 mm/year. MIS-3 marine deposits that crop out in southern and western Cyprus indicate uniform island-wide uplift. We propose a model of tectonic wedging at a plate-bounding restraining bend as a mechanism for Late Pleistocene to Holocene uplift of Cyprus; uplift is accommodated by deformation and seismicity along the margins of the Troodos Ophiolite and re-activation of its low-angle, basal shear zone. Supplementary material: An expanded description of the procedures used in determining OSL ages for samples given in Table 2 is available at www.geolsoc. org.uk/SUP18533.
Misconceptions Regarding Blindness Are Prevalent: Possible Implications for Best-Practices and Policy Making

The intention of this study was to investigate the perceptions that sighted people have about blindness and what the visually impaired perceive as the most challenging aspects of being blind. Sighted subjects were given surveys regarding general facts about blindness as well as questions about what they consider to be the most pressing difficulties faced by the blind. Blind subjects were also given surveys that asked them about what they perceive to be the greatest difficulties that they face, conditions that have improved for them, and what changes should be made to improve their lives. We hypothesized that sighted participants would be at least 50% accurate on routine questions about blindness, that blind participants would more often report difficulties in accomplishing daily tasks such as driving and reading as their greatest challenges, and that adults would be more knowledgeable about blindness than minors because of their increased level of education and age. The results from this study suggest that the sighted have significant factual misunderstandings about blindness as well as what should be done to help the blind. The results also demonstrate that blind subjects surveyed for this study find the most challenging adversity to be the lack of awareness and understanding about their circumstances. Additionally, sighted minors and sighted adults did not have a significant difference in their general knowledge about blindness.