Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stretching urban water supplies in Colorado: strategies for landscape water conservation

Executive Summary During the 2002 drought in Colorado, municipalities relied on a variety of drought response strategies to temporarily and signifi cantly curtail water use. Faced with declining water supplies, municipalities in Colorado primarily used outdoor watering restrictions to decrease demand during the 2002 drought. The rather sudden reduction in water available for landscape water use created a signifi cant economic impact on the landscape (green) industry and water utilities. As might be expected, the negative economic impact on the landscape industry resulted in some tension between the landscape industry and municipal water providers. Now that the drought has somewhat subsided, municipal water providers are seeking improved conservation strategies to mitigate the severity of water reduction impacts and better prepare for future drought episodes. The purpose of the study was to enhance the dialogue between municipal water providers and the green industry by identifying strategies for landscape water conservation that are acceptable and reasonable to both industries. In an attempt to defi ne a Colorado context for examining these strategies, the study synthesized existing knowledge on the range of options available for reducing landscape water use and reviewed literature regarding the advantages and disadvantages of each option. In the study, conservation strategies are categorized as price and non-price strategies. Non-price strategies include outreach and education as well as policy and regulation. Price strategies include inclining block rates, water budget based rate structures, and seasonal rate structures. Each strategy was explored in depth for purposes of extracting conservation options that may be benefi cial in Colorado. A review of these strategies and an analysis of the advantages, disadvantages, and effectiveness of strategies are provided in the study. There are a variety of outreach and education measures used to conserve water on landscapes. These measures are primarily used to convey information to water users so they can make informed decisions on how to effi ciently manage water for landscapes. These strategies generally target one of two approaches to landscape water conservation: (1) improving the effi ciency and management by which water is applied to landscapes, and (2) changing landscapes to those that require less water. Education and outreach measures are widely used by water providers and landscape industry professionals, yet not much is known about their direct infl uence on water conservation beyond the general understanding that they are essential to any conservation effort. Policy and regulation are typically more effective water …
A coupled model for carbon and radiocarbon evolution during the last deglaciation

Changes in the ventilation of the Southern Ocean are thought to play an important role on deglacial carbon and radiocarbon evolution but have not been tested within a coupled climate‐carbon model. Here we present such a simulation based on a simple scenario of transient deglacial sinking of brines—sea ice salt rejections—around Antarctica, which modulates Southern Ocean ventilation. This experiment is able to reproduce deglacial atmospheric changes in carbon and radiocarbon and also ocean radiocarbon records measured in the Atlantic, Southern, and Pacific Oceans. Simulated for the first time in a fully coupled climate‐carbon model of intermediate complexity including radiocarbon, our modeling results suggest that the deglacial changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide and radiocarbon were achieved by means of a breakdown in the glacial brine‐induced stratification of the Southern Ocean.
Forest Fire reseArch

In modelling wildfire behaviour, a good knowledge of mechanisms and kinetic parameters controlling the thermal decomposition of forest fuel is of great importance. Generally, the pyrolysis models are determined from experiments carried out in thermal device (i.e. TGA and DSC). This kind of tools ensures an accurate determination of kinetic parameters in perfectly controlled conditions. But the gap of a larger scale, for their uses in forest fire conditions, is still far. To corroborate the kinetic models in realistic forest fire conditions, a mass loss device specially designed for field scale has been developed. The system includes three load cells with a max load at 400 g and 2.7 Hertz for the frequency acquisition. Each load cell is sit on top of a stainless tube in which the sample is hold. The position and height of the sample in the tube could be adjusted to optimize the interaction with the height of the flame and the sample. To obtain the temperature impacting the sample, a thermocouple K is placed at the end of each tube set to the same frequency acquisition as load cells. The device is integrated in a welded ceramic box that was lined with a 15 mm thick refractory lining. The acquisition system is included into an armored thermal box. For this first campaign of measures, we have selected species which have been previously studied for the kinetic modeling and presenting different typologies: Rockrose, Heather and Pine. One of the main advantages of this prototype is that 3 different species can be submitted, in line, to the same external heating conditions and are simultaneous analyzed. The heating source is a fire spread of wood wool bed. This fuel have been selected for a good repeatability of heating conditions Before each test, a fuel bed with various loads (0.5, 1 and 2 kg/m2) has been uniformly distributed and the prototype has been placed around the end of the bed to ensure the steady state. In these experimental conditions the samples, of intact branches and leaves, are closest to their natural state. Experimental field-scale results have been compared to numerical simulations based on Arrhenius law. The simulations have been performed considering a two-steps mechanism previously obtained by the authors using TGA data. In a general point of view, the simulations have a good agreement with the experimental mass loss rate even if some differences appear (as attempt). For the rockrose, the model do not match accurately in the range of 0.7 < m⁄m0 < 0.9 probably because the mechanisms of initiation and preheating are more complex than a simple Arrhenius equation of order n. Concerning the heather, experiments exhibit an accelerate degradation process which can be explain by the very fine structure of this specie. Conversely, Pine has a different structure which is constituted by a single branch with a diameter of 6 mm. This thickness of sample involves an incomplete degradation. Considering the very important gap between laboratory and field scale, the kinetic scheme gives satisfactory modeling.
ULTRASTRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL MORPHOLOGY OF EGGSHELLS SUPPORTS THE IDEA THAT DINOSAUR EGGS WERE INCUBATED BURIED IN A SUBSTRATE

Abstract: The reproductive biology of dinosaurs is of great interest, particularly in light of the many fossil eggs assigned to this group. The ultrastructural characteristics of dinosaur eggshells are examined in order to calculate water vapour conductance, which indicates the nesting environment. Data were mainly derived from the literature but new values are also presented. Allometric analyses were carried out on a variety of shell parameters against predicted egg mass, and comparison was made with allometric equations for bird eggs. Shell thickness was generally larger than seen for extant birds. Total pore number and pores per unit area were similar to values predicted from bird eggs. Total pore area showed an isometric increase with egg mass, parallel to the relationship for birds, but the constant value was an order to magnitude higher than the bird values. Pore radius was unaffected by egg mass. Water vapour conductance showed an allometric increase with egg mass, parallel to the bird values, but for any given egg mass values for dinosaurs were an order of magnitude higher. Mass‐specific water vapour conductance was unaffected by egg mass but was an order of magnitude higher than the bird values. Water vapour conductance per pore showed an allometric decrease with egg mass but again the predicted values were an order of magnitude higher than for bird eggs. The ultrastructural characteristics of dinosaur eggshells indicate that the nesting environment had to be saturated with water vapour and that dinosaur eggs had to be fully buried in a substrate. In this sense, therefore, dinosaur eggs resemble more those of modern reptiles than those of birds. As a consequence, maintenance of incubation conditions would have depended on the prevailing environment.
Forest Fire reseArch

Under conditions of extreme fire weather, bushfires burning in rugged terrain can exhibit highly atypical patterns of propagation, which can have dramatic effects on subsequent fire development. In particular, wildfires have been observed to spread laterally across steep, lee-facing slopes in a process that has been termed vorticitydriven lateral spread (VLS; also known as ‘fire channelling’). Coupled fire-atmosphere modelling using large eddy simulation has indicated that the fire channelling phenomenon occurs due to a dynamic interaction between terrain modified winds and the fire’s convective plume. This interaction creates pyrogenic vorticity that drives a fire laterally across a leeward slope. In this work we extend previous modelling, using the WRF-Fire coupled fire-atmosphere model, to specifically consider the environmental thresholds that define the likely onset of the VLS phenomenon. In particular we investigate the effects of wind speed and topographic slope on the occurrence of atypical lateral spread. The simulated behaviour of fires on leeward slopes, and the implied transition in fire propagation that can occur when certain environmental thresholds are breached, highlight the inherent dangers associated with firefighting in rugged terrain. The propensity for dynamic interactions to produce erratic and dangerous fire behaviour in such environments has strong implications for firefighter and community safety. At the very least the research findings provide additional support for careful planning prior to prescribed burning operations and the use of well-briefed observers in firefighting operations undertaken in complex topography.
An OGCM study of the impact of rain and river water forcing on the Bay of Bengal

Individual and combined effects of rainfall and river discharge on the Bay of Bengal (BoB) is investigated using an Ocean General Circulation Model. A set of four sensitivity experiments, forced with same air-sea heat flux, but retaining either river runoff or rainfall or both is carried out. These experiments show that the river water is exported out of the bay along the western boundary during winter and rain water along the eastern boundary during summer. Runoff leads to a large (>3 psu) decrease in salinity in the northern bay during summer and along the western boundary during winter, with a weaker contribution from rainfall. The sea surface temperature response to freshwater forcing shows large spatial variations with eastern bay showing higher differences. The northwestern bay warms by similar to 1.5 degrees C in the presence of freshwater during summer, due to greater heat absorption within a shallow mixed layer (ML). This warming is caused in nearly equal proportions by rain and river water in early summer, but the contribution by river water dominates during peak and withdrawal phases of the summer monsoon. Northeastern bay, in contrast, is cooler by 1.5-3 degrees C in the presence of freshwater, caused primarily by river runoff, owing to the winter cooling over a thin ML. Temperature inversions form due to surface cooling of a river stratified layer during winter in the northwestern bay and due to radiation penetrating below the ML during summer in the northeastern bay.
INFORMATION NEEDS AND INFORMATION SEEKING BEHAVIOR OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA

This study was undertaken to investigate the information needs and information seeking behavior of international students in Malaysia. The study, using questionnaire-based survey method, was conducted on a sample of 204 randomly selected international students from three major public universities in Malaysia, namely University of Malaya, University Putra Malaysia and National University of Malaysia (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia). Based on the analysis of the respondents who came from 32 different countries, more than 70% perceived themselves as being computer and Internet literate and having a good level of English language proficiency. Their main information needs were related to their programs of study, their courses, research, university and/or faculty, and finding a job after graduation. The Internet and library were the main channels for obtaining the information; however, the usage of library was infrequent. Among various information sources available to the students, they relied heavily on Internet resources (50%) and books (26.5%), but the usage of electronic resources such as e-journals and databases was very low. A majority (71.6%) of the students faced barriers when attempting to meet their information needs. The main barriers were language related (English and Malay language), reluctance to approach reference stations and professional librarians, and unfamiliarity with the organization and mission of academic library. The length of time spent in Malaysia, proficiency in computer and Internet skills did not relate to students facing barriers in meeting their information needs. Despite the obstacles, more than half (52.1%) of respondents had not received any formal instruction from the library. Generally, 65.7% of students had positive perceptions towards librarians' performance and 57.7% were satisfied with the library. The outcomes of this study will be beneficial to Malaysian academic institutions in serving this group of students to meet their information needs.
The upper Paleozoic coalbed methane system in the Qinshui basin, China

The coalbed methane resource is very abundant in Qinshui basin (3.28 1012 m3; 114 tcf). The investigation on the upper Paleozoic coalbed methane system is a guide to the exploration and development of coalbed methane. The upper Paleozoic coalbed methane system in the Qinshui basin is sealed by a low-permeability roof and floor strata comprising mudstone, siltstone, and bauxite of the Carboniferous Benxi Formation and the Permian Shanxi and Xiashihezi formations. The overburden is the Lower Permian Xiashihezi Formation and the Upper Permian, Triassic, and Middle Jurassic clastic deposits. The source and reservoir rocks are the Carboniferous–Permian coal seams. The hydrocarbon generation of the source rocks reached its first peak in the Late Triassic. The highest maturity was about Ro = 1.2% under a normal paleogeothermal gradient (2–3C/100 m; 1.1–1.7F/100 ft). A tectonic thermal event during the Jurassic and Cretaceous Yanshanian orogeny enhanced the coal maturity and caused a second peak of hydrocarbon generation. Varying igneous intrusions caused the coal maturity to be higher in the southern, northern, and eastern parts of the Qinshui basin instead of the central and western parts. The highest maturity was greater than Ro = 4% in the Jincheng area. The migrated thermogenetic coalbed methane accumulated in the reservoirs in which abnormally high reservoir pressure exists locally under the hydrodynamic drive. Because of the different hydrodynamic background and sealing condition, the distribution of coalbed methane content is inhomogeneous. The reservoir is undersaturated with gas in most areas. Based on the coalbed methane system investigation, we assessed the coalbed methane producibility in different parts of the Qinshui basin, and the major producibility area is in the southern part of the basin.
Contemporaneous Perioperative Inflammatory and Angiogenic Cytokine Profiles of Surgical Breast, Colorectal, and Prostate Cancer Patients: Clinical Implications

Surgery-induced tumor growth acceleration and synchronous metastatic growth promotion have been observed for decades. Surgery-induced wound healing, orchestrated through growth factors, chemokines, and cytokines, can negatively impact patients harboring residual or metastatic disease. We provide detailed clinical evidence of this process in surgical breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer patients. Plasma samples were analyzed from 68 cancer patients who had not received treatment before surgery or adjuvant therapy until at least four weeks post-surgery. The levels of plasma cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors were simultaneously quantified and profiled using multiplexed immunoassays for eight time points sampled per patient. The immunologic processes are induced immediately after surgery in patients, characterized by a drastic short-term shift in the expression levels of pro-inflammatory and angiogenic molecules and cytokines. A rapid and significant spike in circulating plasma levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), placental growth factor (PLGF), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) after surgery was noted. The rise in these molecules was concomitant with a significant drop in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-AB/BB), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-2 (MCP-2). If not earlier, each plasma analyte was normalized to baseline levels within 1–2 weeks after surgery, suggesting that surgical intervention alone was responsible for these effects. The effects of surgical tumor removal on disrupting the pro-inflammatory and angiogenic plasma profiles of cancer patients provide evidence for potentiating malignant progression. Our findings indicate a narrow therapeutic window of opportunity after surgery to prevent disease recurrence.
Development of sediment sorting near the large scale nourishment 'The Sand Motor'

The sediment composition of the sea bed is of relevance for various coastal properties such as bed forms, beach slopes and marine ecology. Furthermore it may significantly influence the morphological evolution of the coast. The sediment sorting processes at natural beaches are, however, difficult to distinguish since there can be a both a large temporal variability in bed composition as well as considerable spatial heterogeneity resulting from geological history. Often encountered problems are the lack of knowledge concerning the initial bed composition and the low spatial and temporal sampling for most field surveys. While latter is generally insufficient to analyse the sorting processes at natural beaches with some certainty, a lot of data is available for the Sand Motor, a large scale nourishment near the coast of Kijkduin. Before, during and after the construction of the Sand Motor sediment sampling measurements have taken place, whether or not in combination with other research (e.g. fauna development). To continue the insights in the sediment sorting near the Sand Motor a new measurement campaign was set-up in February 2014. The 173 measurement points were chosen based on general coastal theory, previous measurements and model simulations. The whole campaign was merely intended to indicate the spatial variability of sediment composition: strategic transects were sampled very densely (sampling interval of +/-20 meter) to indicate the precise location of grain size gradients. An additional feature is the inclusion of alongshore transects, to be able to analyse alongshore variability. The results of the campaign showed the presence of a large fine patch in the north of the Sand Motor, a smaller fine patch just south, coarse sediments in the swash zone and very course sediments in the most energetic part of the nourishment. In addition, gradients in alongshore direction proved to be of similar order as in cross-shore. The direct inter-comparison between previous campaigns showed to be rather difficult due to the variety in number of samples and the different methods of sample analysis; therefore the campaign in this research particularly supports observations made with the help of previous measurements. However, a general tendency towards the initial situation could be observed: where the measurements just after the construction of the Sand Motor showed (on average) much coarser material than measured before construction, all campaigns thereafter were consecutively finer when considering the overall sediment composition. Although the maximum inaccuracy of the sampling method is not very large (order 3\%) the uncertainties in representativity of the samples are thought of to be quite influential. Especially in campaigns with only a few samples precaution should be taken when stating conclusions. In future research it is recommended to take undisturbed depth samples, with for example a corer.
Biodiversity Of Soil Macroinvertebrates In Low And High Input Fields Of Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) And Sugarcane (Saccharum Officinarum L.) In District Faisalabad

Pakistan experienced profound and accelerating ecological changes resulting from rapid human population growth rate. But, the development syndrome that we are witnessing today, together with the current interest in sustainable development, food production systems and biodiversity conservation bring into focus the soil, which underpins all major developments.Soil processes are important for maintaining normal nutrients cycling in ecosystem including agro- ecosystem.Plant growth rate is dependent on the microbial immobilization and soil food web interaction to mineralize nutrients.In natural ecosystems, the process of immobilization and mineralization are tightly coupled to plant growth but in chemically disturbed systems like crop systems, this coupling may be lost or reduced.Nutrients may be no longer retained within the system.Measuring such disrupted systems of intensive chemical farming may allow determination of a problem long before the sustainability of the farming is altered and the natural production potential is lost leading humans at stake. By monitoring soil organism’s dynamics and detecting detrimental changes in soil profile, crop systems may be saved from further degradation. Thus the present study is aimed at knowing the effects of high input (with use of chemicals) farming on the soil macro-invertebrates among two of the major crops, sugarcane and wheat, in district Faisalabad.Soil samples were collected and soil macroinvertebrates were identified from both crops.Three microhabitats within each crop were sampled to know the effect of phytomorphic heterogeneity on the fauna.Species richness and evenness of the two crop systems was described.The probable role and interactions of various macro-organisms has also been explored.