Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nitrous acid (HONO) and its daytime sources at a rural site during the 2004 PRIDE-PRD experiment in China

[1] High HONO level during daytime was observed at a rural site Xinken in southeastern China during the 2004 Program of Regional Integrated Experiments of Air Quality over Pear River Delta (PRIDE-PRD). The high HONO concentration led to a daytime (9:00–15:00) OH formation up to three times faster than that from O3 photolysis. An unexplained daytime HONO source, approximately four times faster than the reaction of OH with NO, has been derived from the HONO budget estimation. According to current understanding, this unknown source was attributed to heterogeneous reactions of NO2 on ground and aerosol surfaces. The good correlation between the unknown source and J values is consistent with the photolytic HONO source observed in laboratory studies.
Clinical application of transarterial chemoembolization combined with terminal branches portal vein embolization in planned hepatectomy

This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in conjunction with terminal branches portal vein embolization (TBPVE) in the context of planned hepatectomy. A cohort of five patients afflicted by primary hepatocellular carcinoma who were deemed unsuitable candidates for primary surgical resection was gathered from August 2019 to December 2021. Following the application of TACE in combination with TBPVE as a therapeutic intervention, we observed postoperative general reactions, alterations in tumor biomarkers, hyperplasia of future liver remnant (FLR), and subsequent surgical resection. All patients successfully underwent the combined TACE and TBPVE procedure, achieving a technical success rate of 100%. One week after TACE, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels decreased from 38.52±49.21 to 25.27±37.94 μg/L, and Protein Induced by Vitamin K Absence or Antagonist (PIVKA) levels decreased from 1689.30±1663.83 to 219.03±228.10 μg/L. Two weeks post-TBPVE, FLR exhibited an increment from 350.80±41.17 to 476.00±57.91 mL. The ratio of FLR to standard liver volume (SLV) increased from 30.94%±3.63% to 42.03%±5.62%. The combined application of TACE and TBPVE not only effectively manages tumor progression but also augments the FLR, thereby affording patients with a limited future liver remnant an opportunity for surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.
PREDICTION OF STREAM TEMPERATURE IN FORESTED WATERSHEDS 1

ABSTRACT: Removal of streamside vegetation changes the energy balance of a stream, and hence its temperature. A common approach to mitigating the effects of logging on stream temperature is to require establishment of buffer zones along stream corridors. A simple energy balance model is described for prediction of stream temperature in forested headwater watersheds that allows evaluation of the performance of such measures. The model is designed for application to “worst case” or maximum annual stream temperature, under low flow conditions with maximum annual solar radiation and air temperature. Low flows are estimated via a regional regression equation with independent variables readily accessible from GIS databases. Testing of the energy balance model was performed using field data for mostly forested basins on both the west and east slopes of the Cascade Mountains, and was then evaluated using the regional equations for low flow and observed maximum reach temperatures in three different east slope Cascades catchments. A series of sensitivity analyses showed that increasing the buffer width beyond 30 meters did not significantly decrease stream temperatures, and that other vegetation parameters such as leaf area index, average tree height, and to a lesser extent streamside vegetation buffer width, more strongly affected maximum stream temperatures.
Theoretical analysis of regional groundwater flow: 2. Effect of water‐table configuration and subsurface permeability variation

Details of steady-state flow in regional groundwater basins can be investigated using digital computer solutions of appropriately designed mathematical models. The factors that must be considered are: (1) ratio of depth to lateral extent of the basin; (2) Watertable configuration; and (3) stratigraphy and resulting subsurface variations in permeability. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the following properties of regional flow systems: (1) groundwater discharge will tend to be concentrated in major valleys; (2) recharge areas are invariably larger than discharge areas; (3) in hummocky terrain, numerous sub-basins are superposed on the regional system; (4) buried aquifers tend to concentrate flow toward the principal discharge area, have a limiting effect on sub-basins, and need not outcrop to produce artesian flow conditions; (5), stratigraphic discontinuities can lead to distributions of recharge and discharge areas that are difficult to anticipate and that are largely independent of the water-table configuration. (Key words: Groundwater; computers, digital; drainage basin characteristics)
A Comparison of Total Precipitable Water between Reanalyses and NVAP

Abstract This study compares monthly total precipitable water (TPW) from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Water Vapor Project (NVAP) and reanalyses of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) (R-1), NCEP–Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP-II) (R-2), and the 40-yr European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Re-Analysis (ERA-40) from January 1988 through December 1999. Based on the means, NVAP exhibits systematic wetter land regions relative to the other datasets reflecting differences in their analyses due to paucity in radiosonde observations. ERA-40 is wetter in the atmospheric convergence zones than the U.S. reanalyses and NVAP ranges in between. Differences in the annual cycle between the reanalyses (especially R-2) and NVAP are also noticeable over the tropical oceans. Analyses on the interannual variabilities show that the ENSO-related spatial pattern in ERA-40 follows more coherently that of NVAP than thos.
Simulation and properties of a non-homogeneous spring-block earthquake model with asperities

The spring-block model proposed by Olami, Feder and Christensen (OFC) has several properties that are similar to those observed in real seismicity. In this paper we propose a modification of the original model in order to take into account that in a real fault there are several regions with different properties (non-homogeneity). We define regions in the network that is reminiscent of the real seismic fault, with different sizes and elastic parameter values. We obtain the Gutenberg-Richter law for the synthetic earthquake distributions of magnitude and the stair-shaped plots for the cumulative seismicity. Again, as in the OFC-homogeneous case, we obtain the stability for the cumulative seismicity stair-shaped graphs in the long-term situation; this means that the straight line slopes that are superior bounds of the staircases have a behavior akin to the homogeneous case. We show that with this non-homogeneous OFC model it is possible to include the asperity concept to describe high-stress zones in the fault.
A QMSIW Cavity-Backed Self-Diplexing Antenna With Tunable Resonant Frequency Using CSRR Slot

A compact self-diplexing antenna is presented here using substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) technology. The antenna operates at 2.45 GHz for the ISM band and 3.5 GHz for the WiMAX band. Firstly, the antenna's size is reduced by around 75% by employing the quarter-mode SIW cavity, and then further size reduction is achieved by inserting the circular complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) slot on each QMSIW cavity. The antenna simultaneously radiates at two distinct resonant frequencies when it is excited by a microstrip feedline at the individual port, offering isolation better than 33 dB in both frequency bands. Notably, the proposed antenna's uniqueness lies in its tunability, and the lower frequency band can be tuned in a range of 2.45–2.75 GHz, while the upper-frequency band from 3.5 to 3.8 GHz by rotating the CSRR slot at angles of 0°–180°. This rotation advantageously aids miniaturization and improves port decoupling. Moreover, both the operating frequencies can be tuned independently by varying the length of the cavity, radius, and angle of the CSRR slot. After experimental testing, the proposed design demonstrates exceptional alignment with the simulated results, offering a peak gain of 3.5 dBi in the lower-frequency band and 3.15 dBi in the upper-frequency band, with a total efficiency exceeding 68%.
Estimation of Evaporation from a Reservoir in Semi arid Environments Using Artificial Neural Network and Climate Based Models

Estimation of evaporation from reservoirs in arid and semi-arid regions is a very crucial issue. This paper presents an application of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and climate based models (Penman, Priestley-Taylor and Stephens-Stewart), for the estimation of evaporation from the Algardabiya Reservoir, near Sirt, Libya. Daily meteorological data were collected for the years 2004 to 2006 and used to develop the evaporation estimation models. The measured meteorological variables included daily observations of air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed. A statistical analysis was undertaken to verify the accuracy of the studied models. The results of the climate based and ANN models are compared with observed evaporation data from the reservoir. The comparison shows that there was better agreement between the ANN model estimations and the observed evaporation than the climate based models.
Ion Channels and Ionotropic Receptors in Astrocytes: Physiological Functions and Alterations in Alzheimer’s Disease and Glioblastoma

The human brain is composed of nearly one hundred billion neurons and an equal number of glial cells, including macroglia, i.e., astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain. In the last few decades, compelling evidence has revealed that glial cells are far more active and complex than previously thought. In particular, astrocytes, the most abundant glial cell population, not only take part in brain development, metabolism, and defense against pathogens and insults, but they also affect sensory, motor, and cognitive functions by constantly modulating synaptic activity. Not surprisingly, astrocytes are actively involved in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) and other neurological disorders like brain tumors, in which they rapidly become reactive and mediate neuroinflammation. Reactive astrocytes acquire or lose specific functions that differently modulate disease progression and symptoms, including cognitive impairments. Astrocytes express several types of ion channels, including K+, Na+, and Ca2+ channels, transient receptor potential channels (TRP), aquaporins, mechanoreceptors, and anion channels, whose properties and functions are only partially understood, particularly in small processes that contact synapses. In addition, astrocytes express ionotropic receptors for several neurotransmitters. Here, we provide an extensive and up-to-date review of the roles of ion channels and ionotropic receptors in astrocyte physiology and pathology. As examples of two different brain pathologies, we focus on Alzheimer’s disease (AD), one of the most diffuse neurodegenerative disorders, and glioblastoma (GBM), the most common brain tumor. Understanding how ion channels and ionotropic receptors in astrocytes participate in NDs and tumors is necessary for developing new therapeutic tools for these increasingly common neurological conditions.
Tracing sustainability: Education for Sustainable Development in the lower secondary geography curricula of Germany, Romania, and Mexico

Over the last two decades Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has received increasing attention. Due to the close affinity that geography as a school subject shares with both theoretical constructs and methodologies of ESD, geography has assumed a key position in the implementation of ESD in formal education. Still, little attention has so far been paid to the specific geographical understanding of (E)SD as implemented in geography curricula as the official frameworks of formal education. Twenty years after the Earth Summit and five years after the Lucerne Declaration, this paper now takes a closer look at three approaches of conceptualizing sustainable development (SD) and implementing ESD in lower secondary geography curricula by means of mixed methods. The sample consisted of lower secondary geography curricula from Bavaria (Germany), Romania, and Mexico. The results show that despite the existence of both the Agenda 21 as a general guideline and various subject-specific ESD frameworks such as the Lucerne Declaration, national geography curricula construct different SD concepts. Elements of ESD are subject to neoliberal, Marxist-materialistic, or post-colonial ideological interpretation. In spite of geography's close affinity to theoretical constructs of (E)SD, lower secondary geography curricula not always foster ESD.
HyMap hyperspectral remote sensing to detect hydrocarbons

The ability of airborne hyperspectral remote sensing methods to detect hydrocarbons was investigated by the Federal Institute of Geosciences and Natural Resources. Reference areas of defined geometry and chemical properties were prepared, e.g. sandy soil, oil-contaminated soil, grass, plastic tarpaulins. The aim of the study was to collect hyperspectral data from these areas and simultaneously determine their spectra with the infrared intelligent spectroradiometer GER Mark V IRIS. The data corrections and further processing were based on data provided by a field spectrometer. This study showed that airborne hyperspectral remote sensing can be used to detect hydrocarbons efficiently. Hydrocarbon-bearing substances are characterized by typical absorption features in the spectra. The availability of the high signal-to-noise-ratio HyMap hyperspectral imaging system permits these features to be recognized in the pixel spectra even if they are not very pronounced. Oil contaminated soil and other materials containing hydrocarbons can be detected and located directly and unambiguously by image processing focused on the spectral characteristics of hydrocarbons. By this procedure, atmospheric correction of the HyMap data is not necessary.
Study of the effects of suspended marine clay on the reflectance spectra of phytoplankton

A controlled experiment was set up to study the reflectance spectra of phytoplankton cultures isolated from marine and fresh waters in Singapore. Typical reflectance of chlorophyll was observed in the green band (540-570 nm), whereas absorption was mainly in the blue band (400-500 nm) and red band (∼650 nm). Additional reflectance peaks were observed in the near-infrared (NIR) region at 687 nm, 719 nm and 760 nm. A comparison of the spectral profiles at high and low chlorophyll concentrations indicates that there is a significantly greater increase in the overall reflectance in the (NIR) band compared to that in the visible band. Colour ratios and first derivatives at selected reflectance peaks were correlated with chlorophyll a content. The red-NIR ratio and first derivative at 687 nm (NIR) give the best correlations with chlorophyll a . When marine clays were added to the pure algal culture, a preferential increase in reflectance of light at certain wavebands was observed. When natural marine clay was added, there was a greater increase in the visible band, especially the green wavelengths, compared to that in the NIR band. In contrast, when combusted marine clay (organic content removed) was added, a relatively greater increase in reflectance in the NIR band was seen. The experimental results were able to partially explain the trends observed in spectral reflectance measurements of the coastal waters of Singapore.
Assessment of deep compaction of the Péribonka dam foundation using "modal analysis of surface waves" (MASW)

The construction of the Peribonka dam has involved deep compaction of its foundation using vibroflotation and dynamic compaction. Due to the presence of gravel and cobble-size particles, surface wave testing was used in addition to classical tests (cone penetration tests (CPTs) and standard penetration tests) for the assessment of compaction. More than 900 shear wave velocity (Vs) profiles down to bedrock or to a maximum depth of 50 m were determined using “modal analysis of surface waves” (MASW). The large number of Vs profiles, before and after compaction, has allowed a good evaluation of the compaction performance and offered, at the same time, a unique opportunity to demonstrate the potential of surface waves in geotechnical investigations.
Effects of Vitamin D Deficiency on Sepsis

A prospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the effect of vitamin D deficiency on sepsis. A total of 129 patients were enrolled. The median age was 74 years old, with a median SOFA score of 7; septic shock was observed in 60 patients. The median vitamin D level in the overall population was 13 ng/mL. A total of 96 patients had vitamin D deficiency, whereas 62 patients were described to have severe vitamin D deficiency. Severe vitamin D deficiency significantly increased the 14-day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.57; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–6.43; p = 0.043), 28-day mortality (aHR 2.28; 95% CI: 1.17–4.45; p = 0.016), and in-hospital mortality (aHR 2.11; 95% CI: 1.02–4.36; p = 0.044). In Kaplan–Meier analysis, the severe vitamin D deficiency group had significantly higher 14-day and 28-day mortality rates compared with the non-deficient group. Evaluating the vitamin D levels in sepsis patients may become necessary in an aging society. Severe vitamin D deficiency can independently affect poor prognosis related to sepsis. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether vitamin D supplementation in sepsis patients with vitamin D deficiency can help improve the prognosis of sepsis in addition to improving bone mineral metabolism.
Study of the antimicrobial activity of cationic carbosilane dendrimers against clinical strains of multidrug-resistant bacteria and their biofilms

Introduction Antimicrobial Resistance is a serious public health problem, which is aggravated by the ability of the microorganisms to form biofilms. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies need to be found, one of them being the use of cationic dendritic systems (dendrimers and dendrons). Methods The aim of this study is to analyze the in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of six cationic carbosilane (CBS) dendrimers and one dendron with peripheral ammonium groups against multidrug-resistant bacteria, some of them isolated hospital strains, and their biofilms. For this purpose, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) and minimum eradication biofilm concentration (MBEC) studies were carried out. In addition, the cytotoxicity on Hela cells of those compounds that proved to be the most effective was analyzed. Results All the tested compounds showed in vitro activity against the planktonic forms of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and only the dendrimers BDSQ017, BDAC-001 and BDLS-001 and the dendron BDEF-130 against their biofilms. On the other hand, only the dendrimers BDAC 001, BDLS-001 and BDJS-049 and the dendron BDEF-130 were antibacterial in vitro against the planktonic forms of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but they lacked activity against their preformed biofilms. In addition, the dendrimers BDAC-001, BDLS-001 and BDSQ-017 and the dendron BDEF-130 exhibited a good profile of cytotoxicity in vitro. Discussion Our study demonstrates the possibility of using the four compounds mentioned above as possible topical antimicrobials against the clinical and reference strains of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Assessing robustness in global hydrological predictions by comparing modelling and Earth observations

ABSTRACT Hydrological modelling to support hypotheses on Earth system boundaries or the accelerating water crisis is nowadays done at the global scale, with difficulties associated to model uncertainties. Here we bring a robustness analysis of internal model variables as an additional tool for model evaluation using data from six Earth observation products and the global catchment model World-Wide HYPE in a comparative study. The assessment shows that: (i) variables have high agreement in mid-latitude temperate regions; (ii) the variables with higher agreement, and associated with good model performance in streamflow, were actual evapotranspiration, fractional snow cover and snow water equivalent; and (iii) changes in total water storage showed very poor agreement, probably due to an insufficient number of aquifers in the model set-up. We propose this procedure as a standard complementary method in global hydrological modelling, highlighting the importance of justifying models before using them for scenario analysis or water accounting.
MODIFICATION OF DETRITAL PLATINUM-GROUP MINERALS FROM THE EASTERN BUSHVELD COMPLEX, SOUTH AFRICA

Les particules de mineraux du groupe du platine (MGP) sont presentes en grand nombre dans les alluvions des rivieres drainant la partie orientale du complexe de Bushveld, en Afrique du Sud. Environ 32% d'un total de790 pepites de MGP, mesurant entre 50 et 1600 μm, font preuve de modifications chimique ou texturale. Les alliages Pt-Fe sont les plus susceptibles, et revelent une grande variete de types texturaux, parmi lesquels les assemblages a Ni et a Cu sont les plus repandus. Dans le premier groupe, les grains de l'alliage Pt-Fe [Pt 2 . 3 - 2 . 7 Fe] deviennent aureoles par des couches de ferronickelplatinum [Pt 2 NiFe] et recouverts d'un alliage de composition voisine de [Ni 2 PtFe]. Dans l'assemblage riche en Cu, l'alliage Pt-Fe [Pt 2 . 2 - 2 . 6 Fe] est recouvert de facon concentrique par [Pt(Fe,Cu)], i.e., une solution solide entre tetraferroplatinum [PtFe] et tulameenite [Pt 2 CuFe]. Une variete de phases Pd-Pt-Te-Sb-Sn, d'alliages a Au-Ag, et des sulfures de metaux de base sont presents en inclusions, et de petits grains de zvyagintsevite [Pd 3 Pb] sont rattaches a la bordure externe. L'alliage Pt-Fe peut aussi se voir remplacer par des "oxydes" heterogenes de Pt-Fe(Cu,Pd) qui peuvent contenir des concentrations importantes de SiO 2 et MgO. D'autres grains de l'alliage Pt-Fe sont recouverts d'un mince lisere de PtS. Cooperite et braggite, et a un degre moindre, sperrylite, sont recouverts d'une couche de platine natif poreux, qui penetre les grains aussi en canaux ressemblant un reseau de racines. Des grains monomineraliques d'un alliage poreux riche en Pt representeraient le terme de ce type d'alteration. Dans de rares cas, la laurite est remplacee par deux differents types d'oxydes de Ru-Rh-Fe-(Ca-V-Mn), de stoechiometrie RuO 2 et RuO, respectivement. Par la suite, les oxydes sont transformes en ruthenium et rhodium natifs. Des oxydes riches en Pd sont presents dans la bordure de certains grains ayant subi une alteration, et sont associes aux oxydes-hydroxydes palladiferes de Fe et aux phases silicatees palladiferes riches en Mn et en Fe (e.g., smectite, chlorite). Les grains modifies sont genetiquement attribuables a trois processus: (1) reactions de sulfuration au cours de processus magmatiques et hydrothermaux affectant l'alliage Pt-Fe, la braggite et les sulfures de Rh, (2) alteration de l'alliage Pt-Fe pour donner des alliages Pt(Fe,Cu,Ni) a temperature moyenne dans un milieu reducteur, et (3) oxydation des sulfures des elements du groupe du platine dans un milieu oxydant a faible temperature. Ces modifications et les phenomenes d'alteration se seraient deroules sur un grand laps de temps, possiblement sous conditions de climat et d'oxydation variables au cours de stades postmagmatiques, y inclus la serpentinisation, de stades de lessivage des roches du socle porteuses des elements du groupe du platine, et suite a la deposition des placers.