Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
"The Population of the United States, 1790-1920"

In the 130 years from the first federal census of the United States in 1790, the American population increased from about 4 million men to almost 107 million persons. This was predominantly due to natural increase, early driven by high birth rates and moderate motrality levels and after the Civil War by declining death rates. In addition, over 33 million recorded immigrant arrivals increased the growth rate. By the two decades prior to World War I, about one third of total increase originated in net migration. A number of unusual features characterized the American demographic transition over the `long' nineteenth century. The fertility transition was early (dating from at least 1800) and from very high levels. The average woman had over seven livebirths in 1800. The crude birth rate declined from about 55 in 1800 to about 25 in 1920. This occurred before 1860 in an environment without widespread urbanization and industrialization in most of the nation. Mortality levels were moderate, and death rates began their sustained decline only by the 1870s, long after the fertility transition had begun. This constrast to the more usual stylization of the demographic transition in which mortality decline precedes or accompanies the fertility transition. Internal migration in the United States was also distinctive. Over most of the 19th century flows followed east-west axes although this began to weaken as rural-urban migration began to supplant westward rural migration in importance. International migra- tion proceeded in waves and changed its character as the `new' migration from eastern and southern Europe replaced `old' migration from western and northern Europe.
Assessment of Eagle Ford Shale Oil and Gas Resources

The Eagle Ford play in south Texas is currently one of the hottest plays in the United States. In 2012, the average Eagle Ford rig count (269 rigs) was 15% of the total US rig count. Assessment of the oil and gas resources and their associated uncertainties in the early stages is critical for optimal development. The objectives of my research were to develop a probabilistic methodology that can reliably quantify the reserves and resources uncertainties in unconventional oil and gas plays, and to assess Eagle Ford shale oil and gas reserves, contingent resources, and prospective resources. I first developed a Bayesian methodology to generate probabilistic decline curves using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) that can quantify the reserves and resources uncertainties in unconventional oil and gas plays. I then divided the Eagle Ford play from the Sligo Shelf Margin to the San Macros Arch into 8 different production regions based on fluid type, performance and geology. I used a combination of the Duong model switching to the Arps model with b = 0.3 at the minimum decline rate to model the linear flow to boundary-dominated flow behavior often observed in shale plays. Cumulative production after 20 years predicted from Monte Carlo simulation combined with reservoir simulation was used as prior information in the Bayesian decline-curve methodology. Probabilistic type decline curves for oil and gas were then generated for all production regions. The wells were aggregated probabilistically within each production region and arithmetically between production regions. The total oil reserves and resources range from a P_(90) of 5.3 to P_(10) of 28.7 billion barrels of oil (BBO), with a P_(50) of 11.7 BBO; the total gas reserves and resources range from a P_(90) of 53.4 to P_(10) of 313.5 trillion cubic feet (TCF), with a P_(50) of 121.7 TCF. These reserves and resources estimates are much higher than the U.S. Energy Information Administration? s 2011 recoverable resource estimates of 3.35 BBO and 21 TCF. The results of this study provide a critical update on the reserves and resources estimates and their associated uncertainties for the Eagle Ford shale formation of South Texas.
Interrelationships among dry season leaf fall, leaf flush and transpiration: insights from sap flux measurements in a tropical dry deciduous forest

We measured the sap flux densities of 12 deciduous trees in a tropical dry deciduous forest with high seasonality of available water located in Cambodia and evaluated the seasonal trends in transpiration and leaf phenology. For all trees, the minimum transpiration was recorded in the middle of the dry season, and almost all trees restarted transpiration before the first monsoon rain. The occurrence of the ‘paradox’ of leaf phenology was confirmed. During the dry season, transpiration was controlled by leaf phenology and decreased with an increase in the duration of the leafless period. In contrast, during the wet season, daily changes in transpiration were determined by changes in evaporative demand. Transpiration during the dry season accounted for more than 30% of the annual total among trees, and at the stand scale, the dry season contribution was 38%. The dry season transpiration was not negligible for the water balance in this ecosystem. The soil water condition in the shallow layer, where the main root system is located, was not the source of transpiration during the dry season. This implied that the root probably extended to a deep layer and absorbed water. The relationships between the mean canopy stomatal conductance and vapour pressure deficit revealed that most trees were isohydric. Isohydric behaviour controlling stomatal openness to avoid xylem hydraulic failure was also confirmed at the stand scale and was advantageous for these trees, allowing them to continue transpiring under the high evaporative demand during the dry season. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multi-Step Estimation For Forecasting

We delineate conditions which favour multi-step, or dynamic estimation for multi-step forecasting. An analytical example shows how dynamic estimation (DE) may accomodateincorrectly-specified models as the forecast lead alters, improving forecast performance for some mis-specifications. However, in correctly-specified models, reducing finite-sample biases does not justify DR. In a Monte Carlo forecasting study for integrated processes, estimating a unit root in the presence of a neglected negative moving-average error may favour DR, though other solutions exist to that scenario. A second Monte Carlo study obtains the estimator biases and explains these using asymptotic approximations.
Atmospheric transport of aerosols and trace gases over southern Africa

Atmospheric transport of airborne material over and out of a region has important consequences for global change. In this article, recent developments concerning the transport of air, aerosols and trace gases in the troposphere over southern Africa will be examined. Regional circulation patterns affecting horizontal advection of aerosols and trace gases and the thermo dynamic controls modifying their vertical transport are considered. From trajectory dispersion fields, preferred transport pathways over and out of southern Africa are determined, as too is the extent of recirculation taking place over the subcontinent. Estimates of the mass fluxes of aerosols are given and the consequences of increasing aerosol loading in the atmosphere are examined.
Emerging Immune Checkpoint Molecules on Cancer Cells: CD24 and CD200

Cancer immunotherapy strategies are based on the utilization of immune checkpoint inhibitors to instigate an antitumor immune response. The efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade, directed at adaptive immune checkpoints, has been demonstrated in select cancer types. However, only a limited subset of patients has exhibited definitive outcomes characterized by a sustained response after discontinuation of therapy. Recent investigations have highlighted the significance of immune checkpoint molecules that are overexpressed in cancer cells and inhibit myeloid lineage immune cells within a tumor microenvironment. These checkpoints are identified as potential targets for anticancer immune responses. Notably, the immune checkpoint molecules CD24 and CD200 have garnered attention owing to their involvement in tumor immune evasion. CD24 and CD200 are overexpressed across diverse cancer types and serve as signaling checkpoints by engaging their respective receptors, Siglec-10 and CD200 receptor, which are expressed on tumor-associated myeloid cells. In this review, we summarized and discussed the latest advancements and insights into CD24 and CD200 as emergent immune checkpoint moieties, further delving into their therapeutic potentials for cancer treatment.
Pore-lining chlorites in siliciclastic reservoir sandstones: electron microprobe, SEM and XRD data, and implications for their origin

Abstract Pore-lining chlorites are often responsible for the preservation of porosity in deeply buried sandstones because they inhibit the formation of quartz overgrowths, but little is understood about when and how they form. Chemical analyses and XRD data indicate that there are at least two common types: Fe-rich, and Mg-rich. The Fe-rich examples occur as individual euhedral crystals, are invariably interstratified with 7 Å layers (probably berthierine) and form as the Ib β = 90° polytype at low temperatures. With increasing temperature, their chemistry changes, 7 Å layers are lost, crystal size increases, and eventually they transform to the high temperature IIb β = 97° polytype. The Mg-rich examples occur as boxwork arrangements of crystals, are not interstratified with 7 Å layers and are exclusively the IIb β = 97° polytype. The Fe-rich examples occur most frequently in sandstones that were deposited at the transition between marine and non-marine environments and the presence of Fe-rich oolites in many samples suggests a link to the ironstone facies. They probably formed originally at surface or near-surface conditions as a 7 Å mineral, such as berthierine or even odinite, in a fresh water/marine water mixing zone in tropical regions. The Mg-rich varieties tend to be found in aeolian or sabkha sandstones in close association with evaporites. They are probably replacements of Mg-rich smectites via the intermediate mineral corrensite. Precursor Mg-rich smectites formed originally from evaporite brines at near-surface conditions; chlorite itself was not formed until temperatures were high enough to crystallize the IIb β = 97° polytype.
Time‐dependent volcano source monitoring using interferometric synthetic aperture radar time series: A combined genetic algorithm and Kalman filter approach

[1] Modern geodetic methods allow continuous monitoring of deformation fields of volcanoes. The acquired data contribute significantly to the study of the dynamics of magmatic sources prior to, during and after eruptions and intrusions. In addition to advancing the monitoring techniques, it is important to develop suitable approaches to deal with deformation time series. Here, we present, test and apply a new approach for time-dependent, nonlinear inversion using a combination of a genetic algorithm (GA) and a Kalman filter (KF). The GA is used in the form presented by Shirzaei and Walter (2009), and the KF implementation now allows for the treatment of monitoring data as a full time series rather than as single time steps. This approach provides a flexible tool for assessing unevenly sampled and heterogeneous time series data and explains the deformation field using time-consistent dislocation sources. Following synthetic tests, we demonstrate the merits of time-consistent source modeling for interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data available between 1992 and 2008 from the Campi Flegrei volcano in Italy. We obtained multiple episodes of linear velocity for the reservoir pressure change associated with a parabolic surface deformation on the volcano. These data may be interpreted via differential equations as a linear flux to the shallow reservoir that provides new insight into how both the shallow and deep reservoirs communicate beneath Campi Flegrei. The synthetic test and case study demonstrate the robustness of our approach and the ability to track and monitor the source of systems with complex dynamics. It is applicable to time-dependent optimization problems in volcanic and tectonic environments in other tectonic environments in other areas and allows understanding of the spatiotemporal extent of a physical process in quantitative manner.
Evidence for increasing ultraviolet irradiance at Point Barrow, Alaska

This paper presents analysis of noontime ultraviolet irradiance measurements made at Point Barrow, Alaska (71.2° N, 159° W) between the years 1991 and 1996. Eighteen wavelengths of the solar irradiance spectrum between 290 nm and 340 nm were examined for multiyear trends. This spectral region is particularly critical as these wavelengths are known to cause biological damage. After reducing the effects of clouds, 305 nanometer wavelength increases ranging between 3 and 10% per year were found in all daylit months except June which exhibited an annual average decline of approximately −3% per year at this wavelength. The correlation between the absorption cross‐section of ozone and the spectral character of the UV‐B changes suggest that declines in column ozone are responsible for the dramatic 305 nm increases. The unexpected decline in June 305 nm irradiance may be due to an increase in column ozone over this location in June.
Phytochemical screening, nutritional value, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and acute toxicity of Scolymus hispanicus: A wild edible plant in Morocco

Scolymus hispanicus L. (Golden thistle) is a well-known wild edible plant (WEP) in Morocco. However, the species value is not well investigated and its economic value is considerably low. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the phytochemical composition, the biological activities, and the acute toxicity of crude extract of S. hispanicus aerial parts. The mineral composition was assessed using an ICP-AES spectrometer and, the contents in polyphenol, flavonoids and tannins using colorimetric methods. The antioxidant activity was tested by DPPH assay. Disc diffusion and broth micro dilution methods were used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity. Moreover, the safety of the plant extract was validated by performing acute toxicity. The findings revealed that this plant is a rich source of protein, carbohydrates and minerals especially iron and, have high contents of polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins. The biological evaluation of the plant extracts exhibited a remarkable antioxidant content and, a wide antibacterial activity and yeast inhibition. The results indicated also that the tested extract is safe with an LD50 higher than 5000 mg.kg-¹. The study data suggest that S. hispanicus could be a promising functional and nutraceutical food with antioxidant and antimicrobial potential and can contribute to a balanced diet.
Monitoring urban development consolidation for regional management on water supply using remote sensing techniques

Abstract This work's frame is the assurance of water availability/demand balance in the Community of Madrid linked to the urban growth. The paper presents the development of an operative methodology to define and create a cartographic database in the Community of Madrid. based on SPOT5 satellite imagery and its periodical updates with a further usage of QuickBird images for its validation. This database reflects the evolution of urbanized areas as a result of the Urban Development Plannings' consolidation in all municipalities, as well as the state and evolution of green urban areas. The resultant cartographic database has been integrated in the Canal de Isabel II's Geographical Information System and is intended to be the reference information for the development and updating of the strategic infrastructure plans that should anticipate to future water demands caused by urban expansion in the Community of Madrid.
Asymmetric nanoparticle oxidation observed in-situ by the evolution of diffraction contrast

The use of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to observe real-time structural and compositional changes has proven to be a valuable tool for understanding the dynamic behavior of nanomaterials. However, identifying the nanoparticles of interest typically require an obvious change in position, size, or structure, as compositional changes may not be noticeable during the experiment. Oxidation or reduction can often result in subtle volume changes only, so elucidating mechanisms in real-time requires atomic-scale resolution or in-situ electron energy loss spectroscopy, which may not be widely accessible. Here, by monitoring the evolution of diffraction contrast, we can observe both structural and compositional changes in iron oxide nanoparticles, specifically the oxidation from a wüstite-magnetite (FeO@Fe3O4) core–shell nanoparticle to single crystalline magnetite, Fe3O4 nanoparticle. The in-situ TEM images reveal a distinctive light and dark contrast known as the ‘Ashby-Brown contrast’, which is a result of coherent strain across the core–shell interface. As the nanoparticles fully oxidize to Fe3O4, the diffraction contrast evolves and then disappears completely, which is then confirmed by modeling and simulation of TEM images. This represents a new, simplified approach to tracking the oxidation or reduction mechanisms of nanoparticles using in-situ TEM experiments.
Asteroidal regoliths: what we do not know

Most of the knowledge of asteroidal regoliths is based on extensive studies of the lunar regolith and the meteorite regolith breccias and on theoretical models designed to match some characteristics of these two types of samples. Two major factors that affect the production and evolution of regolith and make these efforts problematical are changes of regolith properties with time, because of changes in the flux and velocity of impactors, and changes due to the location of the object in the solar system and the strength of the local gravity field. It is emphasized that, at present, not enough data are available on the processes operating on asteroids to be able to define the asteroidal regolith properties; such data can be obtained by missions to individual asteroids.
Preliminary analysis of taxonomic diversity, turnover and provinciality in a subsample of large land mammals from the later Miocene of western Eurasia.

We have recently reviewed the later Miocene (MN 6-13; ca 15-5 Ma ago) primates, hipparions, rhinocerotids, suoids and carnivores of Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. This work is still unpublished and analyses are underway, but a preliminary indication of some coarse patterns is given here for the sample consisting of the groups listed above: 1) There is a clear-cut difference between western and Central Europe on one hand and the eastern Mediterranean on the other. This is especially clear for species richness, which shows a rising trend throughout the Vallesian and earlier Turolian for the eastern regions and a falling trend for the western ones. 2) The major drops in species richness occurred between MN 6 and MN 7, between MN 9 and MN 10, and between MN 12 and MN 13. Of these, the "mid-Vallesian crisis" (MN 9-10) seems to have been entirely absent in the eastern Mediterranean, where species richness rose sharply during this interval. Correspondingly, the drop in MN 12-13, associated with the Messinian crisis, was predominantly an eastern phenomenon. 3) Taxon free analysis of body size and ecomorphology strongly supports the view that a diachronous opening up of the landscape from east to west took place in western Eurasia during the Astaracian and Vallesian. We postulate that the difference seen in faunal dynamics between east and west reflects habitat-related effects of this diachrony in response to the same global event of rapid physical change. 4) The early Turolian (MN 11) was characterized by high diversity and high faunal similarity, which both decreased during the later Turolian and ended with the Messinian crisis. 5) Despite highly uniform diversity and turnover patterns throughout the interval, western and Central Europe developed distinct ecological differences from about MN 10 onwards. These differences may have been associated with the persistence of closed habitats in Central Europe.
Basic modes of cumulus heating and drying observed during TOGA‐COARE IOP

With the CPC Merged Analysis of Precipitation (CMAP) and a gridded dataset based on the TOGA‐COARE IOP in‐situ soundings, we study the convective activities in the Indian Ocean‐western Pacific sector. Three basic modes of cumulus heating and drying, extracted by a Rotated Principal Component Analysis (RPCA), are identified to be associated with convective types that appear under different large‐scale conditions. The result underlines the importance of considering various modes of cumulus heating and drying in developing a cumulus parameterization scheme.
The macadamia nut.

A test collection of macadamia nut varieties-10 from Hawaii and five from Australia, the native home of the nutis under study for evaluation as a commercial crop for California. The macadamia is a subtropical which exhibits approximately the same frost tolerance as the Fuerte avocado. It is adapted to a rather wide range of soil conditions. Because of its high resistance-or possible complete immunityto attack by the avocado root rot organism, Phytophthora cinnamomi, the macadamia nut might be a suitable replacement crop for avocado orchards that have been rendered valueless by this disease. The two major objectives of the macadamia varietal study are yield and fruit quality. The primary factors of fruit quality, which have been considered and evaluated, are nut size, shell thickness as reflected by crack-out percentage, and oil content. Nut size may prove to be not too important but must be considered. In California, nuts from some trees average over lys" in diameter, but unfortunately these large nuts frequently have relatively thick shells and small kernels. The medium-sized nuts sometimes are more desirable in that they may have relatively thinner shells and frequently rather large kernels. The macadamia nut contains an unusually high amount of oil-up to 65% and 70%-hence is comparable in this respect to the pecan, Brazil nut, and other high oil-bearing nuts. Nuts with low oil content have good eating quality but do not store well and do not retain their quality in commercial processing. Therefore, considerable value is given to those nuts with high oil content. The following data represent samples taken from some of the more promising macadamia seedling trees in southern California:
Distribution of Inorganic Phosphorus Fractions in Tamil Nadu Soils

Thirty eight soils collected from nine profiles representing the four major soil groups viz., red, black, laterite (high level and low level) and alluvial soils were examined for different forms of inorganic P and their distribution with depth. There was a marked varia- tion in the vertical distribution of P fractions viz., Al-P. Fe-P. Ca-P. Red. sol. P and Occlu- ded P. Total P and inorganic P decreased with depth in most of the profiles except in red and black calcareous and Aduthurai alluvial soils. No definite pattern of distribution of Al-P and Fe-P was observed but the surface layers were rich in Al-P and Fe-P. Ca-P increased with depth in calcareous soils and Aduthurai alluvial soil. Red. sol. P and Occluded P increas- ed with depth in most of the soil profiles. Among the inorganic P fractions. Al-P and Ca-P dominated in black and alluvial soils, whereas Fe-P, Red, sol. P and Occluded P were high in laterite soils.