Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surface rupture earthquakes over the last ∼1000 years in the Wellington region, New Zealand, and implications for ground shaking hazard

The Wellington region is cut by five active right-lateral strike-slip faults : Wairarapa, Wellington, Ohariu, Shepherds Gully/Pukerua, and Wairau faults that have average recurrence intervals of meter-scale surface rupture that range from ∼500 years to 5000 years, and lateral slip rates that range from 1 to 10 mm/yr. Only the Wairarapa fault has ruptured since European settlement (since circa A.D. 1840). Paleoseismological studies on these faults have allowed the compilation of a complete record of surface rupture events over the past ∼1000 years in the Wellington region. Within this time period, there does not appear to be any temporal clustering of surface rupture events on adjacent faults. The M 8 A.D. 1855 Wairarapa earthquake did not trigger rupture on any other fault in the region. The most recent surface-faulting event on the Wellington fault (290-440 cal years B.P.) (cal years are calendar years before A.D. 1950) does not coincide with rupture of any other onland fault, and over 300 years separate the timing of the second most recent rupture on the Wellington fault (660-720 cal years B.P.) and the most recent rupture of the Ohariu fault (1060-1140 cal years B.P.). The most recent rupture of the Shepherds Gully/Pukerua fault is probably older than that of the Ohariu fault. The apparent nonclustering of surface rupture earthquakes in the Wellington region has been documented only for the on-land strike-slip faults. There are other possible seismogenic sources in the region, and thus important issues remain to be addressed regarding the history of large earthquakes in the Wellington region : (1) the seismogenic potential and earthquake recurrence interval of the subduction thrust beneath Wellington is not known ; (2) the timing of rupture events on the offshore portion of the Wairau fault is not known ; and (3) paleoseismic data are not available for the section of the Wellington fault north of the Wellington-Hutt Valley segment. Estimates of earthquake hazard in the Wellington region, for all return times greater than 50 years, that incorporate paleoseismicity data are between one and two Modified Mercalli (MM) intensity units higher than the hazard based solely on the historical seismicity catalog, and the hazard is spatially more variable. Using a deterministic attenuation model, the level of shaking hazard approaches near maximum values within a return time of ∼500 years, largely reflecting the recurrence interval (500-770 years) of surface rupture earthquakes on the Wellington fault. Inclusion of a plausible model for magnitude 8 subduction zone earthquakes does not affect the level of MM intensity in Wellington region at return times greater than 500 years but does make a small contribution to the hazard at return times between 50 and 500 years.
Ionospheric plasma blobs observed by OI 630 nm all‐sky imaging in the Brazilian tropical sector during the major geomagnetic storm of April 6–7, 2000

This paper presents first observations of plasma blobs (localized plasma density enhancements) associated with large‐scale plasma density depletions (plasma bubbles) in the nighttime low‐latitude F‐region during a major geomagnetic disturbance. Ground‐based observations of the OI 630 nm all‐sky images obtained at Cachoeira Paulista (22.7°S, 45.0°W), Brazil, in the Appleton anomaly region, showed the presence of plasma blobs during the major geomagnetic storm of April 6–7, 2000 (ΣKp = 38 −/40+; ∣Dst∣max = 288 nT). The OI 630 nm emission images were used to map the spatial and temporal locations of plasma blobs and bubbles in the bottomside of the F‐region. The F‐region parameters, presented in this work, were obtained from ionosondes operating near the same site and also at Sao Luis (2.6°S, 44.4°W), Brazil. Ionospheric plasma blobs and bubbles zonal drift velocities, measured by the all‐sky imaging system, showed that both the plasma blobs and the bubbles moved westward (normally the plasma drift is eastward during nighttime) on this magnetically disturbed night. Furthermore, the plasma blobs showed typically east‐west and north‐south extensions in the range of 110–160 km and 200–450 km, respectively. It appears that the DMSP‐15 satellite, orbiting at about 850 km altitude, passed through one of the blobs detected by the ground‐based observations on this night while crossing the Brazilian sector. This indicates the enormous altitude extent [from about 275 km (OI 630.0 nm emission) to 850 km (DMSP satellite) altitude] of the localized plasma density enhanced regions. In this work, we present and discuss several features related to the dynamics of the localized plasma density enhancements and large‐scale plasma density depletions during this major geomagnetic disturbance.
Dissolved organic carbon export and internal cycling in small, headwater lakes

Carbon (C) cycling in freshwater lakes is intense but poorly integrated into our current understanding of overall C transport from the land to the oceans. We quantified dissolved organic carbon export (DOCX) and compared it with modeled gross DOC mineralization (DOCR) to determine whether hydrologic or within‐lake processes dominated DOC cycling in a small headwaters watershed in Minnesota, USA. We also used DOC optical properties to gather information about DOC sources. We then compared our results to a data set of approximately 1500 lakes in the Eastern USA (Eastern Lake Survey, ELS, data set) to place our results in context of lakes more broadly. In the open‐basin lakes in our watershed (n = 5), DOCX ranged from 60 to 183 g C m−2 lake area yr−1, whereas DOCR ranged from 15 to 21 g C m−2 lake area yr−1, emphasizing that lateral DOC fluxes dominated. DOCX calculated in our study watershed clustered near the 75th percentile of open‐basin lakes in the ELS data set, suggesting that these results were not unusual. In contrast, DOCX in closed‐basin lakes (n = 2) was approximately 5 g C m−2 lake area yr−1, whereas DOCR was 37 to 42 g C m−2 lake area yr−1, suggesting that internal C cycling dominated. In the ELS data set, median DOCX was 32 and 12 g C m−2 yr−1in open‐basin and closed‐basin lakes, respectively. Although not as high as what was observed in our study watershed, DOCX is an important component of lake C flux more generally, particularly in open‐basin lakes.
Comparison of NSCAT, ERS 2 active microwave instrument, special sensor microwave imager, and Carbon Interface Ocean Atmosphere buoy wind speed: Consequences for the air‐sea CO2 exchange coefficient

Wind speeds U obtained using three different sensor types are compared to assess which might be most useful for calculating gas fluxes across the air-sea interface. U remotely sensed using scatterometer (ERS 2 and NASA scatterometer (NSCAT)) and microwave radiometer (special sensor microwave imager (SSM/I)) are compared with each other and with U measured in situ (Carbon Interface Ocean Atmosphere (CARIOCA) drifting buoy). The effect of different gridding schemes is also evaluated for the satellite data. Global comparisons for January 1997 indicate that 1° and monthly ERS 2 U are systematically 0.3 to 2 m s−1 lower than NSCAT U at mid and low latitudes. The NSCAT-SSM/I comparisons are similar for the three SSM/Is. SSM/I U appear to be higher by 1 to 2 m s−1 than NSCAT U in the tropics and to be lower at high latitudes. When individual satellite measurements are collocated, ERS 2 U appear to be more coherent with NSCAT (rms of the difference equal to 0.8 m s−1) than SSM/I U (rms of the difference equal to 1.3 m s−1). However, when comparing 1° one-week interpolated fields, NSCAT-ERS 2 differences are more scattered than NSCAT-SSM/I differences, because of the high ERS 2 undersampling. This flaw is attenuated when monthly interpolated 1° fields are compared. The CO2 exchange coefficients K deduced from these remotely sensed U are compared. Longitudinal profiles of monthly K are consistent within 0 to about 25% depending on the regions and on the instruments. Comparisons with in situ measurements in a region of very low U in the eastern equatorial Pacific show excellent agreement between NSCAT and buoy U (bias of 0.3 m s−1) whereas ERS 2 U are underestimated by 1.3 m s−1 and SSM/I U are overestimated by 0.7 m s−1 on average.
Fungicides and Biological Products Activities towards Fungi Causing Diseases on Banana and Vegetable in Cote d'Ivoire

Kone Daouda1, Camara Brahima1, Badou Odjoutchoni Jean2, Doumbouya Mohamed2, Soro Sibirina2, N’Guessan Aya Carine2 and Bomisso Edson Lezin1 1Universite de Cocody, Laboratoire de Physiologie Vegetale, UFR Biosciences, 22 BP 582, Abidjan 22, 2Universite d’Abobo-Adjame, Laboratoire de Biologie et Amelioration des Productions Vegetales, UFR Sciences de la Nature (UFR SN), 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Cote d’Ivoire
Shaft Friction from Instrumented Displacement Piles in an Uncemented Calcareous Sand

AbstractThe behavior of displacement piles in uncemented calcareous sand is investigated using field piles instrumented with a sensor that simultaneously records the radial stress and shear stress at specific locations on the pile shafts. These tests are interpreted with the assistance of data from adjacent self-boring pressuremeter tests and from monotonic and cyclic direct shear interface tests performed on reconstituted samples. The existence of extremely low radial stresses on the pile shafts is verified. Although dilation during shear is seen to compensate for such low radial stresses, short-term shaft capacities are much lower than capacities of equivalent piles in siliceous sands. The development of a bonded or welded crust to the pile shaft was seen to be the primary contributor to the setup observed at the test site; this crust forced failure to take place at a sand-sand rather than a sand-steel interface and also gave rise to higher levels of dilation during monotonic loading. The welded sand cr.
An mTORC1‐Dependent Mouse Model for Cardiac Sarcoidosis

Background Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory, granulomatous disease of unknown cause affecting multiple organs, including the heart. Untreated, unresolved granulomatous inflammation can lead to cardiac fibrosis, arrhythmias, and eventually heart failure. Here we characterize the cardiac phenotype of mice with chronic activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 signaling in myeloid cells known to cause spontaneous pulmonary sarcoid‐like granulomas. Methods and Results The cardiac phenotype of mice with conditional deletion of the tuberous sclerosis 2 (TSC2) gene in CD11c+ cells (TSC2fl/flCD11c‐Cre; termed TSC2 KO) and controls (TSC2 fl/fl) was determined by histological and immunological stains. Transthoracic echocardiography and invasive hemodynamic measurements were performed to assess myocardial function. TSC2 KO animals were treated with either everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, or Bay11‐7082, a nuclear factor‐kB inhibitor. Activation of mTOR signaling was evaluated on myocardial samples from sudden cardiac death victims with a postmortem diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis. Chronic activation of mTORC1 signaling in CD11c+ cells was sufficient to initiate progressive accumulation of granulomatous infiltrates in the heart, which was associated with increased fibrosis, impaired cardiac function, decreased plakoglobin expression, and abnormal connexin 43 distribution, a substrate for life‐threatening arrhythmias. Mice treated with the mTOR inhibitor everolimus resolved granulomatous infiltrates, prevented fibrosis, and improved cardiac dysfunction. In line, activation of mTOR signaling in CD68+ macrophages was detected in the hearts of sudden cardiac death victims who suffered from cardiac sarcoidosis. Conclusions To our best knowledge this is the first animal model of cardiac sarcoidosis that recapitulates major pathological hallmarks of human disease. mTOR inhibition may be a therapeutic option for patients with cardiac sarcoidosis.
Regional climate model simulation of projected 21st century climate change over an all‐Africa domain: Comparison analysis of nested and driving model results

[1] We analyze a transient climate change simulation for the 21st century (1980–2100) over a large all-Africa domain carried out with the RegCM3 regional model driven by the ECHAM5 global model. We focus the analysis on a comparison between the driving and nested model runs. For present climate, the two models show temperature and precipitation biases of similar magnitude but different spatial patterns. In particular the bias patterns in the regional model driven by ECHAM5 are more similar to those of a regional simulation driven by ERA Interim reanalysis fields than to the bias patterns in the present climate simulation by ECHAM5 itself. In the transient simulation, while the temperature changes are strongly driven by the global model, the precipitation change patterns are more different between the global and regional models, particularly over the West Africa and Sahel regions. A targeted analysis suggests that this is due to the different simulation by the two models of the local response to El Nino–Southern Oscillation forcing and of local soil moisture/precipitation feedbacks. Our results thus indicate that local processes and internal model physics and characteristics are important elements in determining the precipitation change signal simulated by the nested regional model in this large domain experiment, especially over equatorial and tropical regions. This adds an element of uncertainty that needs to be address through the use of ensembles of regional model experiments as planned in the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) project.
Effect of irrigation and nitrogen on water use, moisture extraction pattern, nitrogen uptake and yield of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) in north-western irrigated plains of Rajasthan

An experiment was conducted at Sriganganagar (Rajasthan) to study water use, water useefficiency, nitrogen uptake, yield and economics of coriander (Coriandrum sativum) cultivars(RCr 41, RCr 435) under various levels of nitrogen (20, 40 and 60 kg ha-1) and irrigation (IW/CPE ratios 0.6, 0.8 and irrigation at branching + flowering + seed formation stages). Thehighest seed yield (10.98 q ha-1), yield attributes and benefit: cost ratio (2.65) were recordedwith 60 kg nitrogen ha-1. Increasing levels of nitrogen also recorded higher consumptive useof water and nitrogen uptake. Plants under higher levels of nitrogen (60 kg ha-1) extractedmore water from the lower depth (60-90 cm) than lower level of nitrogen (20 kg ha-1). Increasein irrigation frequency significantly enhanced the yield and yield attributes of both thecultivars. Similarly, water use, nitrogen uptake and benefit:cost ratio were also higher withhigher levels of irrigation.
Circulating microRNA signature as liquid-biopsy to monitor lung cancer in low-dose computed tomography screening

Liquid biopsies can detect biomarkers carrying information on the development and progression of cancer. We demonstrated that a 24 plasma-based microRNA signature classifier (MSC) was capable of increasing the specificity of low dose computed tomography (LDCT) in a lung cancer screening trial. In the present study, we tested the prognostic performance of MSC, and its ability to monitor disease status recurrence in LDCT screening-detected lung cancers. Between 2000 and 2010, 3411 heavy smokers enrolled in two screening programmes, underwent annual or biennial LDCT. During the first five years of screening, 84 lung cancer patients were classified according to one of the three MSC levels of risk: high, intermediate or low. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed according to MSC and clinico-pathological information. Follow-up MSC analysis was performed on longitudinal plasma samples (n = 100) collected from 31 patients before and after surgical resection. Five-year survival was 88.9% for low risk, 79.5% for intermediate risk and 40.1% for high risk MSC (p = 0.001). The prognostic power of MSC persisted after adjusting for tumor stage (p = 0.02) and when the analysis was restricted to LDCT-detected cases after exclusion of interval cancers (p < 0.001). The MSC risk level decreased after surgery in 76% of the 25 high-intermediate subjects who remained disease free, whereas in relapsing patients an increase of the MSC risk level was observed at the time of detection of second primary tumor or metastatic progression. These results encourage exploiting the MSC test for lung cancer monitoring in LDCT screening for lung cancer.
TTK activates Akt and promotes proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most malignant cancers with poor clinical outcome. The protein kinase human monopolar spindle 1 (hMps1/TTK) gene expression is significantly increased in HCCs. However, its contributions to hepatocarcinogenesis remain unclear. In this study, we found that TTK was overexpressed in 77.63% (118/152) HCC specimens. Elevated TTK expression positively correlated with large tumor size and presence of the portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). Demethylation in its promoter increased TTK expression in HCC. In vitro assays revealed that TTK not only promoted cell proliferation and anchorage-independent growth, but also cell migration. Subsequent investigations revealed that TTK activated Akt/mTOR pathway in a p53 dependent manner. We also found that TTK specific kinase inhibitor AZ3146 could decrease HCC cell growth. In conclusion, TTK contributes to HCC tumorigenesis via promoting cell proliferation and migration. It may serve as a novel biomarker and a potential target in HCC cancer therapy.
Alluvial and coastal hazards caused by long-range effects of Plinian eruptions: the case of the Lattari Mts. after the ad 79 eruption of Vesuvius

Abstract The Lattari Mountains (a limestone ridge about 20 km south of Vesuvius) received 1–2.5 m of fallout from the famous Plinian eruption of ad 79. As demonstrated by many residual outcrops of thick volcanoclastic debris-flow and alluvial deposits (referred to here as the Durece unit), the pyroclastic fall was soon followed by rapid erosion and landsliding that produced (1) decametre-scale aggradation of some narrow valley floors; (2) reactivation of alluvial fans; and (3) growth of new fan-deltas (extending as far as 500 m) at the coast. This response was primarily due to the steep topography of the area and the high erodability of the pyroclastic materials (light and cohesionless pumice fragments). Several geo-archaeological data indicate that the accelerated sedimentation had a duration of the order of decades and was followed by rapid dissection of the Durece unit deposits and fast dismantling by wave action of the newly created fan-deltas. This case highlights the need to consider the possibly catastrophic reaction of fluvial and coastal systems to large explosive eruptions, even in non-volcanic terrains at some distance from the volcano.
Utilization of OATP1B Biomarker Coproporphyrin‐I to Guide Drug–Drug Interaction Risk Assessment: Evaluation by the Pharmaceutical Industry

Drug–drug interactions (DDIs) involving hepatic organic anion transporting polypeptides 1B1/1B3 (OATP1B) can be substantial, however, challenges remain for predicting interaction risk. Emerging evidence suggests that endogenous biomarkers, particularly coproporphyrin‐I (CP‐I), can be used to assess in vivo OATP1B activity. The present work under the International Consortium for Innovation and Quality in Pharmaceutical Development was aimed primarily at assessing CP‐I as a biomarker for informing OATP1B DDI risk. Literature and unpublished CP‐I data along with pertinent in vitro and clinical DDI information were collected to identify DDIs primarily involving OATP1B inhibition and assess the relationship between OATP1B substrate drug and CP‐I exposure changes. Static models to predict changes in exposure of CP‐I, as a selective OATP1B substrate, were also evaluated. Significant correlations were observed between CP‐I area under the curve ratio (AUCR) or maximum concentration ratio (CmaxR) and AUCR of substrate drugs. In general, the CP‐I CmaxR was equal to or greater than the CP‐I AUCR. CP‐I CmaxR < 1.25 was associated with absence of OATP1B‐mediated DDIs (AUCR < 1.25) with no false negative predictions. CP‐I CmaxR < 2 was associated with weak OATP1B‐mediated DDIs (AUCR < 2). A correlation was identified between CP‐I exposure changes and OATP1B1 static DDI predictions. Recommendations for collecting and interpreting CP‐I data are discussed, including a decision tree for guiding DDI risk assessment. In conclusion, measurement of CP‐I is recommended to inform OATP1B inhibition potential. The current analysis identified changes in CP‐I exposure that may be used to prioritize, delay, or replace clinical DDI studies.
Using inherent optical properties to investigate biogeochemical dynamics in a tropical macrotidal coastal system

[1] The variability in the inherent optical properties along an estuary-coast-ocean continuum in tropical Australia has been studied. The study area, the Fitzroy Estuary and Keppel Bay system, is a shallow coastal environment (depth < 30 m) with highly turbid waters in the estuary and blue oceanic waters in the bay and subject to macrotides. Biogeochemical and inherent optical properties (IOPs) were sampled in the near-surface layer spatially and across the tidal phase during the dry season. These determinations included continuous measurements of spectral absorption, scattering and backscattering coefficients, together with discrete measurements of spectral absorption coefficients of phytoplankton, nonalgal particles and colored dissolved organic matter, and concentrations of phytoplankton pigments and suspended matter. Because of a large variability in the characteristics of the water components on short spatial and temporal scales, we observe a large variability in the associated optical properties. From the estuary to the bay, particle scattering and dissolved absorption decreased by 2 orders of magnitude, and nonalgal particle absorption decreased by 3 orders of magnitude. We also observed a strong variability in particle single scattering albedo and backscattering efficiency (by a factor of 6) and in specific IOPs (IOPs normalized by the relevant constituent concentration) such as suspended matter-specific particle scattering and chlorophyll-specific phytoplankton absorption. Superimposed on this strong spatial variability is the effect of the semidiurnal tide, which affects the spatial distribution of all measured properties. These results emphasize the need for spatially and temporally adjusted algorithms for remote sensing in complex coastal systems.