Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High‐resolution measurement of the seismic attenuation across the Vrancea region, Romania

We use teleseismic waveforms from a seismic refraction experiment along a N‐S profile across the Vrancea region, Romania, to study seismic attenuation. This unique data set with an average station spacing of about 2–3 km provides spatial high‐resolution estimates of the variability in seismic attenuation. Time windows of the analyzed seismic phases are extracted with a multiple‐taper technique and spectral ratios (δt*) are determined. Our results from 4 teleseismic phases (P, pP, PKPdf, and PP) of two events underneath Hokkaido, Japan and New Guinea find a significant variation of the seismic attenuation along the line. A major influence of local site effects on the values of δt* can be excluded as well as a correlation with the Vrancea slab. The variations of the δt* operators from different phases at individual stations seem to be caused by the projection of three‐dimensional attenuating structures at deep lithospheric levels.
Shallow-water flow around model conical islands of small side slope Part I Surface piercing

A series of experiments has been conducted to investigate recirculating shallow-water flow in the wakes of conical model islands with gently sloping sides. Four islands have been used with side slopes ranging from 33.1 to 8.0°. For all tests reported here the water depth was less than the island height; the islands are said to be surface piercing. Measurements of flow velocity have been made in the laboratory using a digital particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) system. This produces instantaneous, whole-field velocity vector maps of the wake flows. A “wake stability parameter” \iS, has been used to classify the island wakes into “vortex shedding” or “unsteady bubble” types. The stability parameter is a measure of the stabilizing effect of bed friction relative to the destabilizing influence of transverse shear. For small values of \iS (<0.2) vortex shedding was well organized and vigorous in the island wakes. Vortex shedding was found to cease for larger values of \iS (0.35–0.40). These values are similar to those found by other researchers for the shallow wakes of vertically sided circular cylinders. The influence of the island side slope angle on the wakes is discussed. Depth-averaged and three-dimensional (3D) numerical shallow-water flow models with the usual hydrostatic pressure assumption have been used to simulate the experimental flows. The models are based on a fully coupled semi-implicit Lagrangian numerical method. For cases where vortex shedding occurred, the 3D model was found to predict a more 3D far wake than was observed. The two-dimensional (2D) model produced good overall agreement with experimental results. For very shallow depths with the wake stabilized by bed friction, the 3D model demonstrated closer agreement to the measured results than the 2D model.
Notes on the taphonomy and paleoecology of New Zealand tertiary spatangoida

Abstract The distribution of spatangoid echinoids and molluscs in New Zealand Tertiary formations is anomalous; formations relatively rich in spatangoids are poor in molluscs and vice versa. The absence of Mollusca from spatangoid-rich formations is attributed to diagenetic dissolution of aragonitic shells while the stabilisation of spatangoid magnesium calcite is attributed to incongruent dissolution. Irregular bevelled perforations in some spatangoid tests are attributed to predation by tonnacean gastropods such as Echinopboria and large Austrosassia. New Zealand Tertiary spatangoids are of little use as depth indicators as those genera still living have large depth ranges.
Spatial and temporal variability of extreme precipitation in Poland in the period 1951–2006

The study investigated spatial and temporal variability of extreme precipitation trend magnitudes and their directions. Daily precipitation from 48 synoptic stations in Poland for the period 1951‐2006 were used. Five indices of precipitation extremes were chosen: the highest 5‐day precipitation total, precipitation total from events ≥90th and 95th percentiles as well as number of days with precipitation ≥ 90th and 95th percentiles of daily precipitation amount. Trends in extreme precipitation indicators were analysed over semi‐annual periods as well as over the standard climatological seasons. Trends were calculated for each of the 30‐year moving periods within 1951‐2006 using a simple linear regression method. Their significance was tested with the Mann‐Kendall method.
Correlation of aerosol and carbon monoxide at 45°S: Evidence of biomass burning emissions

Altitude profiles of Carbon Monoxide (CO) and aerosols have been compared from the Network for Stratospheric Change (NDSC) mid‐latitude southern hemisphere site at Lauder, New Zealand. The CO mixing ratio profile was derived from infrared spectra recorded with a very high resolution Fourier Transform interferometer using three lines of the (1–0) band between 2057 and 2160 cm−1. The aerosol surface area was derived from balloon‐borne backscatter radiation at 940 nm. Both datasets show significant enhancements occurring over the observation site in the austral spring. When displayed together their combined effect illustrates the close correlation between CO and aerosols. Peak concentrations are consistently recorded between September and October over a five year time frame (1994–1999), with the enhancements typically occurring at heights of between 3 to 8 km. The temporal and spatial correlation between the aerosol plumes and enhanced CO concentrations are interpreted in terms of the effect of long range transport of biomass burning plumes in combination with the El Nino‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycles influence on southern hemisphere climate dynamics.
Pathways of soil phosphorus transformations after 8 years of cultivation under contrasting cropping practices

The knowledge of P transformations is essential to understand the P behaviour in soils. Organic (P o ) and inorganic (P i ) P fractions were obtained from the 0- to 30- and 30- to 90-cm layers of a Labarre silty clay (fine, mixed, frigid, Humic Cryaquept) by a sequential extraction. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) monoculture and 3-yr barley-forage rotation as main plots, and two nutrient sources (mineral fertilizer and liquid dairy manure) as subplots were studied. Path analysis was used to describe soil P transformations between the falls of 1989 and 1997. Nutrient source was the main factor affecting P transformations in the 0- to 30-cm soil layer, whereas crop rotation predominated in the subsoil. Pathways differed more for P o than for P i pools. In the 0- to 30-cm soil layer, 86 to 97% of the variation in resin-P was the direct effect of added P i . The NaHCO 3 -P i and P o were sensitive to crop rotations and nutrient sources, and were transitory pools of soil P. The NaOH-P, was a sink for added P i and a source of NaHCO 3 -P i . Labile P i tended to store as NaOH-P o , which was the sink for added P o and immobilized soil P i in the mineral fertilizer systems. Conversely, the NaOH-P o was mineralized and contributed to labile P i in dairy manure systems. The NaOH-P o acted as store of subsoil P o in the monoculture but was the main source of labile P in the rotation systems. The P transformations in this Cryaquept were strongly influenced by nutrient sources and crop rotations.
Conformation, protein recognition and repair of DNA interstrand and intrastrand cross-links of Antitumor trans-[PtCl2(NH3)(thiazole)]

Replacement of one ammine in clinically ineffective trans-[PtCl2(NH3)2] (transplatin) by a planar N-heterocycle, thiazole, results in significantly enhanced cytotoxicity. Unlike ‘classical’ cisplatin {cis-[PtCl2(NH3)2]} or transplatin, modification of DNA by this prototypical cytotoxic transplatinum complex trans-[PtCl2(NH3)(thiazole)] (trans-PtTz) leads to monofunctional and bifunctional intra or interstrand adducts in roughly equal proportions. DNA fragments containing site-specific bifunctional DNA adducts of trans-PtTz were prepared. The structural distortions induced in DNA by these adducts and their consequences for high-mobility group protein recognition, DNA polymerization and nucleotide excision repair were assessed in cell-free media by biochemical methods. Whereas monofunctional adducts of trans-PtTz behave similar to the major intrastrand adduct of cisplatin [J. Kasparkova, O. Novakova, N. Farrell and V. Brabec (2003) Biochemistry, 42, 792–800], bifunctional cross-links behave distinctly differently. The results suggest that the multiple DNA lesions available to trans-planaramine complexes may all contribute substantially to their cytotoxicity so that the overall drug cytotoxicity could be the sum of the contributions of each of these adducts. However, acquisition of drug resistance could be a relatively rare event, since it would have to entail resistance to or tolerance of multiple, structurally dissimilar DNA lesions.
LISPB–III. Upper crustal structure of northern Britain

Interpretation of upper crustal data obtained during the LISPB seismic experiment reveals the velocity structure of the pre-Caledonian basement in northern Britain. Lewisian-like basement with a relatively high seismic velocity (> 6.4 km/s) extends from the Caledonian foreland into the Midland Valley and probably terminates at the Southern Uplands fault. To the south, beneath northern England, the basement has a lower velocity (< 6.3 km/s). We suggest that a horizontal discontinuity may exist in the pre-Caledonian basement between the Southern Uplands fault and the Stublick Line though we cannot yet determine the exact nature of this discontinuity.
Estimating global land use change over the past 300 years: The HYDE Database

Testing against historical data is an important step for validating integrated models of global environmental change. Owing to long time lags in the climate system, these models should aim the simulation of the land use dynamics for long periods, i.e., spanning decades up to a century. Developing such models requires understanding of past and current trends and is therefore strongly data dependent. For this purpose, a history database of the global environment has been developed: HYDE. This paper describes and analyzes parts of HYDE version 2.0, presenting historical population and land use patterns for the past 300 years. Results suggest, among other things, a global increase of cropland area from 265 million ha in 1700 to 1471 million ha in 1990, while the area of pasture has increased more than six fold from 524 to 3451 million ha. In general, the increase of man‐made agricultural land took place at the expense of natural grasslands and to a lesser extent of forests. There are differences between the several regions in the temporal pace of these land use conversions. The temperate/developed regions of Canada, United States, USSR, and Oceania appear to have had their strongest increase during the 19th century, while most of the tropical/developing regions witnessed the largest land use conversions at the end of the last century. Results of this analysis can be used to test integrated models of global change and are available at http://www.rivm. nl/env/int/hyde/.
Latitudinal gradient in the plasma bubble zonal velocities as observed by scanning 630-nm airglow measurements

Equatorial ionospheric plasma bubble zonal velocities were measured using two 630-nm scanning photometers. Simultaneous scanning measurements were made in two east-west planes that were tilted 30° northward and southward of the vertical. The results of measurements carried out during 5 days covering the summer equinoctial period of 1988, presented here, show evidence of marked latitudinal gradient in the bubble zonal velocities, the velocities decreasing with increasing latitude over our low-latitude observing site, Cachoeira Paulista (−28°dip). We suggest that this velocity gradient is consistent with expectations at solar minimum, when our measurements may be associated with the region above the maximum in the eastward plasma velocity height profile.
Similarity between the soil seed bank and the standing vegetation in the Strandveld Succulent Karoo, South Africa

The similarity in species composition and abundance between the soil seed bank and its associated vegetation was studied in six vegetation units of the Strandveld Succulent Karoo, South Africa. A total of 103 taxa were recorded in the vegetation, of which 34 taxa were also present in the seed bank. Five taxa were unique to the soil seed bank. In general, the taxa most abundant in the vegetation were also recorded in the seed bank and vice versa. Mean seed bank density varied between different plant types. Perennial taxa were most abundant in the vegetation, while annual taxa were most abundant in the seed bank. Annual taxa (excluding grasses) yielded the highest similarity between vegetation and seed bank (67ċ9 per cent), while that of perennial (excluding grasses) and grass taxa were 34ċ2 per cent and 40ċ0 per cent respectively. An overall similarity of 47ċ0 per cent between the seed bank and its associated vegetation was obtained for this part of the Strandveld Succulent Karoo. The seed bank of the study site will be a good source of future annual vegetation, but not of perennial vegetation. Topsoil replacement, sowing and transplanting of selected species will be essential for the success of post‐mining revegetation efforts following complete destruction of the existing vegetation. Annual species may be recruited from the soil stored seed bank, while many perennial species will have to be reintroduced by means of sowing and/or transplanting. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anisotropic Deformation-Strength Characteristics of an Assembly of Spherical Particles Under three Dimensional Stresses

In order to clarify the influence of inherent anisotropy on the deformation-strength behaviours for an assembly consisting of spherical particles, isotropic compression tests and radial shear stress tests were performed on cubical specimens consisting of glass beads under the condition of independent stress control. In all the tests, the direction of specimen deposition was identical with that of gravity. The test results are summarized as follows. For random packing of spheres deposited by free falling under the action of gravity, an inherent anisotropy was considered to have been caused by the requirements of sphere-stabilities. In the direction of specimen deposition, the specimens showed a compressibility which was lower than that in the direction perpendicular to that of specimen deposition. The deformation-strength behaviours were consequently affected by the relation between the direction of specimen deposition and that of the radial shear stress path. (Author/TRRL)
Seasonal vegetation characteristics of the United States

Abstract The U.S. Geological Survey's EROS Data Center has created a prototype 1‐km resolution data base of vegetation seasonal characteristics. The characteristics are derived from time‐series NDVI data collected by the AVHRR satellite sensor. Information covering the 5 years 1989–1993 is included in the data base. Although quantitative validation of the seasonal characteristics cannot be made until several evaluation efforts are completed, general observations are possible by viewing images of the seasonal parameters. Figures 2 through 8 show several examples of the seasonal characteristics data base.
Estimating Forest Soil Quality from Terrain Measurements of Apparent Electrical Conductivity

A portable, noncontacting electromagnetic induction meter was employed to measure the apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) of nonsaline, medium- and coarse-textured forest soils on Manitoulin Island, Ontario. In simple linear regressions, bulk soil ECa was strongly correlated with ECe (saturated-extract electrical conductivity), as well as exchangeable Ca, exchangeable Mg, and cation exchange capacity. Within the limited study area, these soil characteristics were thought to be major determinants of forest soil quality for red oak (Quercus rubra L.) production. Multiple stepwise regression showed that variations in exchangeable Ca and total Kjeldahl N concentrations accounted for a large proportion of the variation in ECa meter response (R² = 0.871). The potential of this geophysical terrain measurement method as an integrator of edaphic properties important to forest site productivity is discussed.
Poisson's ratio and crustal seismology

New measurements of compressional and shear wave velocities to hydrostatic pressures of 1 GPa are summarized for 678 rocks. Emphasis was placed on obtaining high-accuracy velocity measurements, which are shown to be critical in calculating Poisson's ratios from velocities. The rocks have been divided into 29 major groups for which velocities, velocity ratios, and Poisson's ratios are presented at several pressures. Observed Poisson's ratios for the monomineralic rocks compare favorably with theoretical Poisson's ratios calculated from single-crystal elastic constants. Plagioclase feldspar composition is important in understanding rock Poisson's ratios, since Poisson's ratio of albite increases from 0.28 to a predicted value of 0.31 for anorthite. Fe substitution for Mg in pyroxene and olivine also increases Poisson's ratio. Plotting rock compressional wave velocities versus Poisson's ratios reveals a triangular distribution bounded by quartzite with low compressional wave velocity and low Poisson's ratio, dunite with high compressional wave velocity and intermediate Poisson's ratio, and serpentinite with low compressional wave velocity and high Poisson's ratio. For common plutonic igneous rocks, there is a clear trend relating Poisson's ratio to composition, in which Poisson's ratio for granitic rocks increases from 0.24 to 0.29 as composition changes to gabbro and then decreases with decreasing plagioclase and increasing olivine contents to 0.25 in dunite. Changes in Poisson's ratio with progressive metamorphism of mafic and pelitic rocks correlate reasonably well with mineral reactions. There is no simple correlation between Poisson's ratio and felsic and mafic rock compositions; however, a linear correlation of increasing Poisson's ratio with decreasing SiO2 content is observed for rocks with 55 to 75 wt % SiO2. Average Poisson's ratios for continental and oceanic crusts are estimated to be 0.265 and 0.30, respectively.
AVO attributes and noise: Pitfalls of crossplotting

Summary AVO crossplotting has been widely used in the past few years as a way of deriving improved hydrocarbon indicators from seismic data. By crossplotting the standard AVO attributes of intercept and gradient, it is possible to obtain an optimum combination of the two (the fluid factor), which is insensitive to the AVO effect of brine-saturated shales and sands. Any remaining AVO anomaly can then be attributed to hydrocarbons or other lithologic factors. In addition, the physical location of an AVO anomaly on the crossplot gives an indication as to the geological setting of the potential reservoir. However, like the stack, intercept and gradient are sensitive to noise. While the intercept standard-deviation is slightly higher than the stack, the gradient standard-deviation is much larger and dramatically increases with travel-time. This partly explains the scale difference between the two attributes that is always observed with real data. Furthermore, in the presence of noise, intercept and gradient become statistically correlated. This correlation biases fluid factor calculations so that this attribute is reduced to a mere far-offset stack. Since stack and gradient do not correlate statistically, their crossplot can be used to validate or dismiss a trend observed in an intercept versus gradient crossplot. If the trend still exists, albeit slightly rotated, in the stack versus gradient crossplot, it is a lithologic effect; if not, it is a statistical artifact. Applications to real data have shown that, in general, what could be interpreted as a background shale trend is in fact noise-related. Consequently, the calculated fluid factor corresponds to a far-offset stack, which is actually a legitimate hydrocarbon indicator, but not as good as the theoretical fluid factor. Improved hydrocarbon indicators can nonetheless be obtained using the statistical independence of stack and gradient.
The GeoProfile metadata, exposure of instruments, and measurement bias in climatic record revisited

Station metadata plays a critical role in the accurate assessment of climate data and eventually of climatic change, climate variability, and climate prediction. However, current procedures of metadata collection are insufficient for these purposes. This paper introduces the GeoProfile as a model for documenting and visualizing enhanced spatial metadata. In addition to traditional metadata archiving, GeoProfiles integrate meso‐scale topography, slope, aspect, and land‐use data from the vicinity of climate observing stations (http://kyclim.wku.edu/tmp/geoprofiles/geoprofiles_main.html). We describe how GeoProfiles are created using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and demonstrate how they may be used to help identify measurement bias in climate observations due to undesired instrument exposures and the subsequent forcings of micro‐ and meso‐environments. A study involving 12 COOP and US Historical Climate Network (USHCN) stations finds that undesirable instrument exposures associated with both anthropogenic and natural influences resulted in biased measurement of temperature. Differences in average monthly maximum and minimum temperatures between proximate stations are as large as 1.6 and 3.8 °C, respectively. In addition, it is found that the difference in average extreme monthly minimum temperatures can be as high as 3.6 °C between nearby stations, largely owing to the differences in instrument exposures. Likewise, the difference in monthly extreme maximum temperatures between neighboring stations are as large as 2.4 °C. This investigation finds similar differences in the diurnal temperature range (DTR). GeoProfiles helped us to identify meso‐scale forcing, e.g. instruments on a south‐facing slope and topography, in addition to forcing of micro‐scale setting. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society.
Dynamical and compositional assessment of near‐Earth object mission targets

Abstract— Using an H‐plot analysis, we identify 234 currently known near‐Earth objects that are accessible for rendezvous with a “best case” delta‐V of less than 7 km/s. We provide a preliminary compositional interpretation and assessment of these potential targets by summarizing the taxonomic properties for 44 objects. Results for one‐half (22) of this sample are based on new spectroscopic measurements presented here. Our approach provides an easy‐to‐update method for giving guidelines to both observers and mission analysts for focusing on objects for which actual mission opportunities are most likely to be found. Observing prospects are presented for categorizing the taxonomic properties of the most accessible targets that are not yet measured.