Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Seismic Passive Earth Pressures in Soils

Seismic passive earth pressure coefficients were computed by the method of limit equilibrium using a pseudostatic approach for seismic forces. Composite curved rupture surfaces were considered in the analysis. While earlier studies using this type of analysis were mainly for sands, seismic passive earth pressure coefficients were obtained in the present study considering the effects of cohesion, surcharge, and own weight. The minimum seismic passive force was obtained by adding the individual minimum values of these components and the validity of the principle of superposition was examined. Other parameters considered in the analysis were wall batter angle, ground surface slope, soil friction angle, wall friction angle, wall adhesion to soil cohesion ratio, and horizontal and vertical seismic accelerations. The seismic earth pressure coefficients were found to be highly sensitive to the seismic acceleration coefficients both in the horizontal and vertical directions. Results of the study are presented in the form of figures and tables. Comparisons of the proposed method with available theories in the seismic case are also presented.
Climatic and environmental events over the Last Termination, as recorded in The Netherlands: a review

Abstract The Last Termination, or Weichselian Lateglacial (ca 15–10 ka cal. BP), is a time period with rapid changes in climate and environment. The oxygen-isotope records of the Greenland ice-cores are regarded as the most complete climate proxy for the North Atlantic region. In The Netherlands several other proxies have been investigated and dated in great detail over the last few decades. However, changes registered in the different records are not by definition causally related to climate changes. Comparison of the different records on a common time-scale permits evaluation of the interrelationships and correlations to the Greenland ice-cores. Some events are the result of the complex interplay of different environmental variables and have no causal relationship with climate changes at all. By comparing the different records on a common time-scale and examining spatial patterns, the links between the proxies become evident.
Lag-3 expression and clinical outcomes in metastatic melanoma patients treated with combination anti-lag-3 + anti-PD-1-based immunotherapies

ABSTRACT Lymphocyte-activation gene-3 (LAG-3), an immune checkpoint receptor, negatively regulates T-cell function and facilitates immune escape of tumors. Dual inhibition of LAG-3 and programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1) significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) in metastatic melanoma patients compared to anti-PD-1 therapy alone. Investigating the utility of LAG-3 expression as a biomarker of response to anti-LAG-3 + anti-PD-1 immunotherapy is of great clinical relevance. This study sought to evaluate the association between baseline LAG-3 expression and clinical outcomes following anti-LAG-3 and anti-PD-1-based immunotherapy in metastatic melanoma. LAG-3 immunohistochemistry (clone D2G4O) was performed on pre-treatment formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded metastatic melanoma specimens from 53 patients treated with combination anti-LAG-3 + anti-PD-1-based therapies. Eleven patients had received prior anti-PD-1-based treatment. Patients were categorized as responders (complete/partial response; n = 36) or non-responders (stable/progressive disease; n = 17) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST). Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were scored on hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections. LAG-3 expression was observed in 81% of patients, with staining in TILs and dendritic cells. Responders displayed significantly higher proportions of LAG-3+ cells compared to non-responders (P = .0210). LAG-3 expression positively correlated with TIL score (P < .01). There were no significant differences in LAG-3 expression between different sites of metastases (P > .05). Patients with ≥ 1% LAG-3+ cells in their tumors had significantly longer PFS compared to patients with < 1% LAG-3 expression (P = .0037). No significant difference was observed in overall survival between the two groups (P = .1417). Therefore, the assessment of LAG-3 expression via IHC warrants further evaluation to determine its role as a predictive marker of response and survival in metastatic melanoma.
Highly resolved observations and simulations of the ocean response to a hurricane

An autonomous, profiling float called EM‐APEX was developed to provide a quantitative and comprehensive description of the ocean side of hurricane‐ocean interaction. EM‐APEX measures temperature, salinity and pressure to CTD quality and relative horizontal velocity with an electric field sensor. Three prototype floats were air‐deployed into the upper ocean ahead of Hurricane Frances (2004). All worked properly and returned a highly resolved description of the upper ocean response to a category 4 hurricane. At a float launched 55 km to the right of the track, the hurricane generated large amplitude, inertially rotating velocity in the upper 120 m of the water column. Coincident with the hurricane passage there was intense vertical mixing that cooled the near surface layer by about 2.2°C. We find consistent model simulations of this event provided the wind stress is computed from the observed winds using a high wind‐speed saturated drag coefficient.
Application of inventory data for estimating characteristics of and regional climate-change effects on mountain glaciers: a pilot study with the European Alps

A parameterization scheme using simple algorithms for unmeasured glaciers is being applied to glacier inventory data to estimate the basic glaciological characteristics of the inventoried ice bodies and simulate potential climate-change effects on mountain glaciers. For past and potential climate scenarios, glacier changes for assumed mass-balance changes are calculated as step functions between steady-state conditions for time intervals that approximately correspond to the characteristic dynamic response time (a few decades) of the glaciers. In order to test the procedure, a pilot study was carried out in the European Alps where detailed glacier inventories had been compiled around the mid-1970s. Total glacier volume in the Alps is estimated at about 130 km3 for the mid-1970s; strongly negative mass balances are likely to have caused a loss of about 10–20% of this total volume during the decade 1980–90. Backward calculation of glacier-length changes using a mean annual mass balance of 0.25m w.e. a−1 since the end of the “Little Ice Age” around 1850 AD gives considerable scatter but satisfactory overall results as compared with long-term observations. The total loss of Alpine surface ice mass since 1850 can be estimated at about half the original value. An acceleration of this development, with annual mass losses of around 1 m a−1 or more as anticipated from IPCC scenario A for the coming century, could eliminate major parts of the presently existing Alpine ice volume within decades.
Chemical Composition and Anti-Candida Activity of Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. Essential Oils Obtained by Different Distillation Processes

A comparative study on essential oils extracted from Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. from Italy is reported. Two extraction procedures were investigated: hydrodistillation and steam distillation, carried out as a continuous and fractionated procedure. Fresh and dried plant material from two harvests was used. The hydrodistillation method yielded a higher amount of essential oil. The dried plant was significantly richer in essential oil per kg of starting plant material. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of 112 samples showed that the essential oils belong to the piperitenone oxide-rich chemotype. In addition, piperitenone, p-cymen-8-ol, and limonene were among the most abundant compounds in the different samples. A higher amount of piperitenone oxide was obtained by hydrodistillation, while steam distillation gave a higher percentage of piperitenone and limonene. The essential oils were characterized for their anti-Candida albicans activity; higher potency was observed for the samples rich in piperitenone oxide, with MIC values ranging from 0.39 to 0.78 mg·mL−1 (0.039% and 0.078% p/v). The results of this work provide a deep insight into the methodology of essential oil extraction and the associated chemical variability of M. suaveolens Ehrh. Some of the essential oils are potent against C. albicans and could be considered for potential use in therapy.
Metallic Nanoparticles: A Promising Arsenal against Antimicrobial Resistance—Unraveling Mechanisms and Enhancing Medication Efficacy

The misuse of antibiotics and antimycotics accelerates the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, prompting the need for novel strategies to combat this global issue. Metallic nanoparticles have emerged as effective tools for combating various resistant microbes. Numerous studies have highlighted their potential in addressing antibiotic-resistant fungi and bacterial strains. Understanding the mechanisms of action of these nanoparticles, including iron-oxide, gold, zinc oxide, and silver is a central focus of research within the life science community. Various hypotheses have been proposed regarding how nanoparticles exert their effects. Some suggest direct targeting of microbial cell membranes, while others emphasize the release of ions from nanoparticles. The most compelling proposed antimicrobial mechanism of nanoparticles involves oxidative damage caused by nanoparticles-generated reactive oxygen species. This review aims to consolidate knowledge, discuss the properties and mechanisms of action of metallic nanoparticles, and underscore their potential as alternatives to enhance the efficacy of existing medications against infections caused by antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.
El carricerín real (Acrocephalus melanopogon) en el P.N. del Prat de Cabanes-Torreblanca

This research has focused on five aspects of the biology and ecology of Moustached Warblers (Acrocephalus melanopogon) in the Cabanes-Torreblanca Natural Park. First, with respect to populaton abuaaandance, average density of this species during breeding season was 1.9 birds/ha. Average densities for other species of the community were: Reed Warbler (A. scirpaceus) 0.17 birds/ha, Great Reed Warbler (A. arundinaceus) 0.39 birds/ha, Savis Warbler (Locustella luscinioides) 0.39 birds/ha and Fan-tailed Warbler (Cisticola juncidis) 0.28 birds/ha. A comparison of the composition and structure of passerine communities of several mediterranean wetlands (Delta del Ebro, Prat de Cabanes-Torrebloanca, Albufera de Valencia, Fondo dElx y SAlbufera de Mallorca) has shown that the community of Prat is the most singular and stable, owing to the high density of A. melanopogon associated with low densities of the migrant A. scirpaceus. The monitoring of the population trend of A. melanopogon shows a decline of density between the period before and after the drought of the years 1994-95. Breeding density decreased form 4 birds/ha to 2 birds/ha while winter density decreased from 3 to 1 birds/ha. The species is present in the study area duirng the whole year. Its density increases in march and reaches a maximum early in summer, but decreases until a minimum by the end of this season. Density increases again in autumn and decreases in mid winter. The analysis of ringing recoveries has shown important differences between the four european populations with enough data available (lake Neusiedler, Camargue, Prat, SAlbufera). The population of Prat makes movementes in two opposite directions (NE and SW). Youngs of this population diseperse from may to july while adults disperse between july and september. Native birds of the Prat are recaptured in other wetlands mainly between july and november, but may remain there even until february and march. There are no differences between young and adults in the temporal distribution of captures in these wetlands. The biometrical analysis identified differences between males and females in most paremeters studied. Moreover, wing length and weight increase with age. It has been possible to develop a logistic regression model, based in the lenght of primaries 2, 3, 8 and 9, that allows the classification of most wintering individuals as being native of the Prat or coming from the french population. This model has been used to study the winter phenology of both populations. Finally, the capture-recapture data have been used to estimate apparent survival (? ). This parameter has decreased along the study years, form values of about 0.7 in the period 1990-93 to values of 0.5 in 1994-2002. Survival of youngs has oscillated around 0.3. The climatic variables analyzed seem to be not related to survival fluctuations, but it is probable that this decrease of survival be one of the causes of the population decrease.
Carbon storage in mangrove and peatland ecosystems: a preliminary account from plots in Indonesia

Tropical mangroves and peat swamp forests provide numerous ecosystem services, including nutrient cycling, sediment trapping, protection from cyclones and tsunamis, habitat for numerous organisms (many economically important) and wood for lumber and fuel (Ellison 2008). Among the most important of these functions--but poorly quantified--is ecosystem carbon (C) storage. The estimated carbon stored in these ecosystems is so large that it makes mangrove and peatland important for climate change mitigation. However, these econsystem are especially vulnerable to climate and land use change.
Landscape genetics of a North American songbird, the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

Understanding landscape influences on the spatial distribution of genetic variation in species is necessary for their successful conservation and preservation. This study investigated both rangewide and fine-scale patterns of population genetic structure of a small resident passerine to North America, the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus). Microsatellite data revealed high levels of genetic differentiation across their geographical range, particularly in the west resulting from a combination of historical (e.g., glaciers) and contemporary (e.g., mountains) barriers. Cryptic genetic structure was also observed at smaller spatial scales. Populations in British Columbia are genetically isolated owing to its highly complex landscape, with gene flow restricted to low elevation valleys with sufficient forest cover. In southern Alberta, not only is gene flow restricted to riparian corridors but it is also influenced by natural/ anthropogenic breaks within these continuous linear features as well as ecological zonation, suggesting that chickadees are dependent on habitat quality for dispersal.
The Effect of Individual Preferences on Precautionary Behaviors in Vaccine Taking, Saving, and Physical Activity

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of how people react behaviorally to external threats. Precautionary behavioral responses to COVID-19 become apparent. In addition, individual risk and time preferences are related to economic behaviors under uncertainty and health-related behaviors. This study aims to determine whether and how time and risk choices influence precautionary behaviors in vaccine-taking, saving, and physical activity during the coronavirus lockdown. We conducted a cross-sectional study utilizing an online survey, which included a sample of 1016 individuals aged 18 to 60 residing and working in Shanghai. We use logistic regressions to estimate. We have three findings. First, risk-taking and future-oriented individuals are more likely to get vaccinated. Second, future-oriented ones are more inclined to exercise at home via digital media during the lockdown. Third, neither risk preference nor time preference is predictive of precautionary saving. This work aids the literature by documenting time and risk preferences influencing health-related behaviors and life well-being during the lockdown. The conclusions have practical implications from a policy perspective.
Impact of a Single Episode of Different Intensity of White Light Pulse at Night on Masking Response in the Diurnal Mammal, Funambulus pennantii

Objective: Light affects mammalian circadian rhythms through entrainment and masking. Photic masking increases locomotor activity in diurnal species (positive masking) while reducing activity in nocturnal species (negative masking). Fewer studies have investigated masking in diurnal rodents. We investigated the masking response in a diurnal rodent, Funambulus pennantii when subjected to white light pulses of different intensities at night between zeitgeber time (ZT) 12 and ZT 15.Methods: Adult male squirrels, F. pennantii (n=10/group, three groups) were placed in individual cages with running wheels under standard 12:12 h light-dark (LD) conditions. Recording of the locomotor activity rhythm was carried out using a ClockLab setup. Following a week of stable entrainment to the LD cycle, the animals of each group were given a sham exposure. After 10 days, animals of group I, II, and III were exposed to 3-h white light pulses of 100 lux, 10 lux, and 1 lux, respectively, between ZT 12 and ZT 15. Following the exposure, the animals were allowed to run undisturbed for 7 days.Results: Compared to the shamexposed group, exposure to 3-h 1 lux, 10 lux, and 100 lux artificial light pulses at night caused positive masking, stimulating wheel running in an intensity-dependent manner. Additionally, nighttime light pulses of 100 lux and 10 lux reduced onset accuracy, reduced the amplitude of the rhythm, and also altered the phase angle relationship to light.Conclusion: The positive masking caused by light exposure at night in diurnal squirrels is intensity-dependent up to at least 100 lux and is associated with a dampening of circadian rhythms.
Evaluación de la heterosis y heredabilidad en híbridos cubanos de tomate (Solanum lycopersicum)

Se evaluaron caracteres del rendimiento y sus componentes en hibridos F1 de tomates, obtenidos a traves de dos disenos geneticos estadisticos (Top cross y Biparental) y sus progenitores, sembrados en la epoca optima para el cultivo (15 de octubre al 20 de diciembre del 2006) en el Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agricolas. El experimento se realizo en condiciones de organoponicos, construido con canaletas de asbesto cemento y equipado con un sistema de riego microjet. Se estimo el porcentaje de heterosis y heredabilidad en sentido estrecho. El estudio de la heterosis permitio identificar hibridos que muestran un mejor comportamiento que los cultivares que le dieron origen, en muchos caracteres de importancia para el productor, alcanzandose los mayores valores para el rendimiento en el Top cross, y rendimiento y numero de frutos en el Biparental. Todos los caracteres arrojaron valores elevados de heredabilidad, excepto el rendimiento por planta con valores medio.
Electrophysiological and molecular changes following neuroprotective placental protein administration on tinnitus‐induced rats

Despite 6%–20% of the adult population suffering from tinnitus, there is no standard treatment for it. Placenta extract has been used for various therapeutic purposes, including hearing loss. Here, we evaluate the effect of a novel neuroprotective protein composition (NPPC) extract on electrophysiological and molecular changes in the medial geniculate body (MGB) of tinnitus‐induced rats.
The Cultural Politics of Lifestyle Sports

Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. Understanding lifestyle sport revisited Chapter 3. Mapping the lifestyle sportscape Chapter 4. Lifestyle Sport, identity and the politics of difference Chapter 5. Risk-taking and regulation: Examining the sportization of Parkour Chapter 6. Globalisation, identity and race: lifestyle sport in post- apartheid South Africa Chapter 7. The California beach, whiteness, and the exclusion of Black bodies Chapter 8. Surfing, identity and race: belonging and exclusion Chapter 9. Challenging exclusion: The Black Surfing Association Chapter 10. Coda
Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes

FUNDAMENTALS. Solar Radiation. Available Solar Radiation. Selected Heat Transfer Topics. Radiation Characteristics of Opaque Materials. Radiation Transmission Through Glazing: Absorbed Radiation. Flat--Plate Collectors. Concentrating Collectors. Energy Storage. Solar Process Loads. System Thermal Calculations. Solar Process Economics. APPLICATIONS. Solar Water Heating----Active and Passive. Building Heating----Active. Building Heating: Passive and Hybrid Methods. Cooling. Industrial Process Heat. Solar Thermal Power Systems. Solar Ponds: Evaporative Processes. THERMAL DESIGN METHODS. Simulations in Solar Process Design. Design of Active Systems by f--Chart. Design of Active Systems by Utilizability Methods. Design of Passive and Hybrid Heating Systems. Design of Photovoltaic Systems. Appendices. Author Index. Subject Index.
Asymmetric multiple auroral arcs and inertial Alfvén waves

High‐resolution optical observations by the University of Calgary Portable Auroral Imager show a frequent occurrence of asymmetric multiple small‐scale auroral arc structures during auroral substorms. Whereas the classical multiple arc array tends to exhibit a fairly symmetrical configuration, with parallel motions within individual discrete arcs being opposite in direction across the center of the arc array, the multiple arcs to be discussed herein are distinguished by the presence of discrete arcs strictly equatorward of the two bright counter‐streaming arcs that would ordinarily define the center of the arc array. The intensity of these parallel equatorward‐lying arcs were in most cases found to decrease rapidly in the equatorward direction. By considering the topology of the structures and the spacing between arcs, observations are found to be consistent with recent theories suggesting inertial Alfvén waves as a possible cause of fine‐scale auroral arcs.
Insights to controls on dolomitization by means of reactive transport models applied to the Benicàssim case study (Maestrat Basin, eastern Spain)

Partially dolomitized carbonate rocks of the Middle East and North America host large hydrocarbon reserves. The origin of some of these dolomites has been attributed to a hydrothermal mechanism. The Benicàssim area (Maestrat Basin, eastern Spain) constitutes an excellent field analogue for fault-controlled stratabound hydrothermal dolomitization: dolostone geobodies are well exposed and extend over several kilometres away from seismic-scale faults. This work investigates the main controls on the formation of stratabound versus massive dolomitization in carbonate sequences by means of two-dimensional (2D) reactive transport models applied to the Benicàssim case study. Simulation results suggest that the dolomitization capacity of Mg-rich fluids reaches a maximum at temperatures around 100 °C and a minimum at 25 °C (studied temperature range: 25–150 °C). It takes of the order of hundreds of thousands to millions of years to completely dolomitize kilometre-long limestone sections, with solutions flowing laterally through strata at velocities of metres per year (m/a). Permeability differences of two orders of magnitude between layers are required to form stratabound dolomitization. The kilometre-long stratabound dolostone geobodies of Benicàssim must have formed under a regime of lateral flux greater than metres per year over about a million years. As long-term dolomitization tends to produce massive dolostone bodies not seen at Benicàssim, the dolomitizing process there must have been limited by the availability of fluid volume or the flow-driving mechanism. Reactive transport simulations have proven a useful tool to quantify aspects of the Benicàssim genetic model of hydrothermal dolomitization.