Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mean and gravity wave structures and variability in the Mars upper atmosphere inferred from Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Odyssey aerobraking densities

[1] We have used density measurements obtained during aerobraking (AB) on Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Odyssey to examine mean densities and the characteristics and variability of gravity waves (GWs) in the upper atmosphere of Mars. Mean densities exhibit variability with latitude and season and in response to variable forcing and filtering from below. These data also reveal significant variability of GWs, both spatially and temporally. In general, GW amplitudes increase, while apparent horizontal scales remain the same, with increasing altitude. The dominant spatial scales at the lower AB altitudes are typically ∼20–200 km and density fluctuations vary from ∼5 to 50%, though even larger values are occasionally observed. GW amplitudes also vary significantly with season, being generally larger in winter and at middle and high latitudes, and apparently reflecting mean source and filtering conditions. Amplitudes also appear to vary with longitude and time and may provide clues to variability of, and interactions with, larger-scale motions.
Mechanisms of riverbank failure along the Arno River, central Italy

Riverbanks along the Arno River have been investigated with the aims of deﬁning the main mechanisms of failure and retreat, their spatial distribution, and their causes. Geomorphological aspects were investigated by a reconnaissance of riverbank processes, for a number (26) of representative sites. Laboratory and in situ tests were then performed on a selected number of riverbanks (15). Based on the material characteristics, six main typologies of riverbanks have been deﬁned, with homogeneous ﬁne‐grained and composite banks representing the most frequent types. Slab‐type failures are the most frequent mechanism observed on ﬁne‐grained banks, while cantilever failures prevail on composite banks.
Reduction of fibrillar strain-rate sensitivity in steroid-induced 1 osteoporosis linked to changes in mineralized fibrillar nanostructure

the in Abstract As bone is used mechanical the structural origins 61 dependent mechanical behaviour – and the alterations in metabolic bone disease – is of interest. However, at the scale of the mineralized fibrillar matrix (nanometre-level), the nature of the strain-rate dependent mechanics is incompletely understood. Here, we investigate the fibrillar- and mineral- deformation behaviour in a murine model of Cushing’s syndrome, used to understand steroid induced 65 osteoporosis, using synchrotron small- and wide-angle scattering/diffraction combined with in situ 66 tensile testing at three strain rates ranging from 10 -4 to 10 -1 s -1 . We find that the effective fibril- and 67 mineral-modulus and fibrillar-reorientation show no significant increase with strain-rate in 68 osteoporotic bone, but increase significantly in normal (wild-type) bone. By applying a fibril-lamellar 69 two-level structural model of bone matrix deformation to fit the results, we obtain indications that 70 altered collagen-mineral interactions at the nanoscale – along with altered fibrillar orientation 71 distributions – may be the underlying reason for this altered strain-rate sensitivity. Our results suggest 72 that an altered strain-rate sensitivity of the bone matrix in osteoporosis may be one of the contributing 73 factors to reduced mechanical competence in such metabolic bone disorders, and that increasing this 74 sensitivity may improve biomechanical performance. both a) clear changes with strain-rate for normal bone and b) a near constant-response across strain- rates for osteoporotic bone. Modelling the bone matrix as arrays of mineralized fibrils with intervening matrix, our results suggest alterations in extrafibrillar matrix stiffness and mineral-collagen reinforcement factors may be the underlying factors. Our results provide insight into the time- dependent nature of fibrillar mechanics in both normal and osteoporotic bone, and may be relevant in understanding the structural origins (in terms of bone quality) of the lower mechanical competence in osteoporosis.
Dynamics and mass balance of the ice-sheet/ice-shelf regime at Nivlisen, Antarctica, as derived from a coupled three-dimensional numerical flow model

Abstract The aim of this study is to derive basic ice dynamics for Nivlisen, a relatively small ice shelf in Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica, and its drainage area. Therefore, the adaptation of an existing three-dimensional numerical flow model (Sandhäger, 2000) was undertaken, which had been applied previously to Ekstromisen and its drainage system. Compared to that region, Nivlisen and its drainage area represent a significantly more complicated geometrical situation. This has consequently large impacts on the flow regime, i.e. several modifications are necessary and reasonable. The diagnostic modelling is carried out in order to derive the current ice dynamics. The resulting ice-flow velocities seem to be too small compared to typical values for such glaciers. Therefore, the basal temperature at some gridpoints was set to pressure-melting point to obtain more realistic results. Furthermore, the use of a spatially varying parameter to describe basal sliding is advisable. Presenting the numerical results, the focus lies on the modelled ice-velocity field. The mass-balance quantities are calculated from the simulated velocity distribution and the underlying ice-geometry models derived from different datasets. The diagnostic results will serve as the basis for future prognostic modelling studies.
People and Environment: Behavioural Approaches in Human Geography

Part 1 Introduction: people and environment. Part 2 Approaches to the study of people and environment: spatial interaction and spatial structures structures in the mind and social structures information and choice image, behaviour and meaning critique. Part 3 Fields of study: jobs and work housing and migration shops and shopping leisure and recreation belonging and well-being.
Laboratory Measures of Postural Control During the Star Excursion Balance Test After Acute First-Time Lateral Ankle Sprain

Context : No research has investigated the immediate post-injury movement strategies 2 associated with acute lateral ankle sprain (LAS), as quantified by center-of-pressure (COP) 3 and kinematic analyses during performance of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). 4 Objective: Analyse the kinematic and COP patterns of a group with acute LAS and a non- 5 injured control group during performance of the SEBT. Design: Case-control. Participants: 81 participants with acute LAS and 19 non-injured controls. 9 Data collection and analysis: 3D kinematics of the lower extremity joints and associated 10 fractal dimension (FD) of the COP path during the performance of the anterior (ANT), 11 posterior-lateral (PL) and posterior-medial (PM) reach directions of the SEBT. 12 Results: The LAS group had decreased normalised reach distances in the ANT, PL and PM 13 directions compared to control participants on their injured (ANT: 58.16 ± 6.86% vs 64.86 ± 14 5.99%; PL: 85.64 ± 10.62% vs 101.14 ± 8.39%; PM: 94.89 ± 9.26% vs 107.29 ± 6.02%) and 15 non-injured (ANT: 60.98 ± 6.74% vs. 64.76 ± 5.02%; PL: 88.95 ± 11.45% vs 102.36 ± 16 8.53%; PM: 97.13 ± 8.76% vs 106.62 ± 5.78%) limbs (p < 0.01). This was associated with 17 altered temporal sagittal plane kinematic profiles throughout each reach attempt, as well as at 18 the point of maximum reach (p < 0.05). This was associated with a reduced FD of the COP 19 path for each reach direction on the injured limb only (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Acute LAS is associated with bilateral deficits in postural control, evidenced by 21 reduced angular displacement of lower extremity joints and reduced reach distances and FD 22 of the COP path during the performance of the SEBT.
Socioeconomic Disparities in the Use of College Admission-Enhancing Strategies among High School Seniors from the 1990s to 2000s

Background/Context Researchers have examined a number of admission-enhancing strategies utilized by students to strengthen their college applications. These academic and nonacademic strategies represent a range of opportunities differentially accessed by students, which can bolster their college profiles and increase their overall likelihood of college enrollment. Purpose/Objective The purpose of this study is to determine if the relationship between students’ socioeconomic status (SES) and use of admission-enhancing strategies changed over time. We address the following specific research questions: • To what extent were there differences in the use of admission-enhancing strategies between low- and high-SES students in the 1990s and 2000s? • To what extent did these relationships between SES and the use of admission-enhancing strategies differ by academic achievement? • To what extent did SES gaps increase, decrease, or remain stable between the 1990s and the 2000s? Research Design This study utilized a correlational design, via secondary data analysis. Specifically, the analytic plan for this study consisted of three main parts: 1) descriptive statistics, including analyses of mean differences and change over time, 2) logistic regression to determine how SES predicts the use of college admission-enhancing strategies separately by cohort, and 3) comparison of predicted probabilities of strategy use by SES within cohorts, as well as over time between cohorts. Findings/Results SES is related to greater use of these strategies among high school students, and this relationship has been maintained over time. Additionally, specifically comparing changes in the gap of strategy use between high- and low-SES students reveals that inequality has not only been maintained, but has increased over time. Conclusions/Recommendations Findings contribute to a growing body of literature examining educational inequalities. Results also imply that admissions processes and decisions should be conducted with awareness of the stratifying nature of these admission-enhancing strategies. The findings also lead to the suggestion that more programs are needed that foster greater involvement among low-SES students in activities that will be seen as desirable by selective institutions and aid them in going to a college of their choice.
A molluscan perspective on hydrological cycle dynamics in northwestern Europe

Abstract Shell aragonite δ180 values of unionid freshwater mussels are applied as a proxy for past river discharges in the rivers Rhine and Meuse, using a set of nine shells from selected climatic intervals during the late Holocene. A single Meuse shell derives from the Subboreal and its δ180 values are similar to modern values. The Rhine specimens represent the Subboreal, the Roman Warm Period and the Medieval Warm Period (MWP). These shells also show averages and ranges of aragonite δ180 values similar to modern specimens. This indicates that environmental conditions such as Rhine river dynamics, Alpine meltwater input and drought severity during these intervals were similar to the 20th century. These shells do not record subtle centennial to millennial climatic variation due to their relatively short lifespan and the large inter-annual and intra-seasonal variation in environmental conditions. However, they are very suitable for studying seasonal to decadal scale climate variability. The two shells with the longest lifespan appear to show decadal scale variability in reconstructed water δ180 values during the MWP, possibly forced by the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), which is the dominant mode of variability influencing precipitation regimes over Europe.
BENTHIC FORAMINIFERAL RESPONSES TO ESTUARINE POLLUTION: A REVIEW

Benthic foraminiferal distributions in polluted marine areas have been investigated over the last three to four decades, and several workers have pointed out that they provide one of the most sensitive and inexpensive markers available for indicating deterioration of marginal marine environments. Most investigations have been carried out in temperate regions, in areas exposed to several pollution sources. However, environments characterized by organic waste contamination (e.g., sewage or paper and pulp mills) have been addressed more frequently than areas exposed to oil, thermal and various other kinds of pollution. Among the most abundant species close to many outfall areas in temperate regions are Elphidium excavatum and/or Eggerella advena (NW At1antic)lEggerelloides scabrus (NE Atlantic). The dominant tolerant or opportunistic species seems to depend on local hydrographical properties rather than type of effluent. Increased abundance, due to increased nutrient concentrations and reduced predation and competition, is often recorded in areas having high organic inputs. Such abundance aureoles may be separated from outfall centers by an area of strongly reduced abundance or, in severe cases, by a dead zone. Characteristic features of proximal areas include decreased diversity and increased dominance of tolerant or opportunistic species compared to distal areas. Whether agglutinated or calcareous forms dominate seems to depend on the local hydrography, acidity of the sediment porewater and whether living, dead or total (living + dead) assemblages are considered. Test deformation in foraminifera is known from the geological record. In modern environments, deformation occurs more frequently in polluted than in non-polluted areas. Whether different kinds of test deformation develop under pollution- versus naturally-induced stress and what kind of stress properties cause deformations have not yet been established. Differential adaptions to the complex, and in many cases unique, hydrographical and physical conditions that characterize estuarine environments often make it difficult to separate natural faunal properties from pollution effects, especially in a temporal context. Consequently, pollution effects on the biota in estuaries can best be evaluated by comparing the natural, pre-pollution assemblages with those of the present day. The presence of empty foraminiferal tests in sediment cores penetrating through contaminated intervals provides this kind of information, but possible diagenetic alterations of the original assemblages must always be considered. The fossil record can also provide a comparative baseline for evaluating to what extent legislation, intending to cause environmental improvements, has had a positive effect.
Contemporary climate change hinders hybrid performance of ecologically dominant invertebrates

Human activities alter patterns of biodiversity, particularly through species extinctions and 27 range contractions. Two of these activities are human mediated transfer of species and 28 contemporary climate change, and both allow previously isolated genotypes to come into 29 contact and hybridise, potentially altering speciation rates. Hybrids have been shown to 30 survive environmental conditions not tolerated by either parent, suggesting that, under 31 some circumstances, hybrids may be able to expand their ranges and perform well under 32 rapidly changing conditions. However, studies assessing how hybridisation influences 33 contemporary range shifts are scarce. We performed crosses on Pyura herdmani and Pyura 34 stolonifera (Chordata, Tunicata), two closely related marine invertebrate species that are 35 ecologically dominant and can hybridise. These sister species live in sympatry along the 36 coasts of southern Africa, but one has a disjunct distribution that includes northern 37 hemisphere sites. We experimentally assessed the performance of hybrid and parental 38 crosses using different temperature regimes, including temperatures predicted under future 39 climate change scenarios. We found that hybrids showed lower success than parental 40 crosses at the experimental temperatures, suggesting that hybrids are unlikely to expand 41 their ranges to new environments. In turn, we found that the more widespread species 42 performed better at a wide array of temperatures, indicating that this parental species may 43 cope better with future conditions. This study illustrates how offspring fitness may provide 44 key insights to predict range expansions, and how contemporary climate change may 45 mediate both the ability of hybrids to expand their ranges and the occurrence of speciation 46 as a result of hybridisation. 47
Numerical Prediction of the Dynamic Behavior of Two Earth Dams in Italy Using a Fully Coupled Nonlinear Approach

The paper deals with the seismic stability assessment of two existing earth dams in Italy using a fully coupled effective stress nonlinear approach implemented in a finite-element (FE) code. The mechanical behavior of the involved clayey and granular soils is described through advanced elastoplastic constitutive models, calibrated on laboratory and in situ test results. Before the application of the seismic motions, appropriate FE static analyses are performed in both cases to define the initial stress state and the internal variables of the material models. The stability of both dams during dynamic loading is proved by inspection of the cumulated horizontal and vertical displacement time histories of the monitored solid nodes, which become constant immediately after the end of the seismic actions. Moreover, the computed crest settlements induced by the earthquakes are considerably smaller than the service freeboard of the dams. Because the applied seismic actions are characterized by high return periods, the presented results are indicative of a satisfactory dynamic performance of the two embankments during extreme dynamic loading conditions.
Screw plate testing of a soft clay

The screw plate test was developed for the determination of the in situ deformability characteristics of both granular and cohesive soils. This paper examines several theoretical models that may be used to evaluate the in situ undrained deformability and shearing strength characteristics of a cohesive soil medium from results of screw plate tests. It is shown that the undrained modulus and the undrained shearing strength can be evaluated directly from the load–displacement response obtained from the screw plate test.
Statistical moments of reactive solute concentration in a heterogeneous aquifer

Neglecting local solute dispersion, we prove that under realistic conditions the ensemble moments of the local concentration satisfy a mean convection dispersion equation (CDE) for both conservative and instantaneously adsorbing solutes, provided that the solute velocity field is stochastically stationary. Thus the same algorithm can be used to model the ensemble mean concentration and its uncertainty. For uniform initial conditions the solution of the mean CDE contains all the information about the local concentration probability distribution function, which is not Gaussian. The governing equation for k-point ensemble moments of the concentration is similar in form to the mean CDE, with the same effective dispersion coefficient and convective velocity. The special case of an impulse initial condition is used to illustrate that volume averaging can significantly change the concentration coefficient of variation except at the plume front. The persistence in the longitudinal direction of concentration moments and concentration k-point moments is caused by large longitudinal megadispersion. Finally, it is suggested that “ergodicity” should be interpreted operationally in terms of an acceptably small coefficient of variation of the concentration field so that this concept can be applied to experimental field data.
Idiopathic juxtafoveolar retinal telangiectasis. Update of classification and follow-up study.

BACKGROUND Idiopathic juxtafoveolar retinal telangiectasis may cause visual loss. The treatment of this disease is controversial. METHODS The authors reviewed the records of 140 patients with idiopathic juxtafoveolar telangiectasis. A classification scheme based on biomicroscopic and fluorescein angiographic findings is presented. In addition, the effect of photocoagulation on the natural history of the disorder is evaluated. FINDINGS Patients are categorized into three groups. Group 1 comprises 39 male patients with nonfamilial, easily visible telangiectasis and intraretinal exudation. The telangiectasis is unilateral in 94% of patients. The telangiectasia in this group is probably of developmental origin (Coats syndrome). Group 2 comprises 94 patients with occult juxtafoveolar telangiectasis, minimal exudation, superficial retinal crystalline deposits, and right-angle venules. Late in the course of the disease, foveolar atrophy, intraretinal pigment plaques, and subretinal neovascularization develop. The telangiectasis is acquired during middle age and is bilateral in 98% of patients. Group 3 comprises seven patients with bilateral easily visible telangiectasis, minimal exudation, and capillary occlusion. All of these patients had systemic disease, which was probably related to their eye disease. CONCLUSION Slow visual loss beginning in adulthood characterizes most of these patients. The telangiectasis appears to be caused primarily by retinal capillary leakage in group 1, capillary diffusion abnormalities in group 2, and capillary occlusion in group 3. Photocoagulation is probably beneficial for patients in group 1 and not for patients in group 2, at least before their development of subretinal neovascularization.
Contributo alla conoscenza della flora del sito di rauccio-rete natura 2000

En A qualitative and quantitative analysis of the Rauccio's flora and some short notes of the most important species has been made. It E stata effettuata un'analisi qualitativa e quantitativa della flora del sito di Rauccio cui segue un breve commento sulle entita floristiche di particolar e interesse.