Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial Estimation of Soil Erosion Risk by Land‐cover Change in the Andes OF Southern Ecuador

Ecuador has the highest deforestation rate in South America, causing large‐scale soil erosion. Inter‐Andean watersheds are especially affected by a rapid increase of the population leading to the conversion of large areas of montane forest into pasture and cropland. In this study, we estimate soil erosion risk in a small mixed land‐use watershed in the southern Andes of Ecuador. Soil loss was estimated at a spatial resolution of 30 m, using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) where the RUSLE factors were estimated on the basis of limited public available data. Land‐cover maps for 1976, 2008 and 2040 were created assuming increasing deforestation rates over the ensuing decades. Greater erosion rates are estimated for succession areas with agricultural cropland and pasture with maximum values of 936 Mg ha−1 y−1, where slopes and precipitation amounts are the greatest. Under natural forest vegetation, the estimated soil erosion rates are negligible (1·5 to 40 Mg ha−1 y−1) even at steep slopes and higher elevations where rainfall amounts and intensities are generally higher. When the entire watershed has undergone substantial deforestation in 2040, erosion values may reach 2,021 Mg ha−1 y−1. Vegetation cover is the most important factor for potential soil erosion. Secondary factors are related to rainfall (R‐factor) and topography (LS factors). Although the spatial predictions of potential soil erosion have only limited meaning for erosion risk, this method provides an important screening tool for land management and assessment of land‐cover change. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased Dust Deposition in the Pacific Southern Ocean During Glacial Periods

Dust deposition in the Southern Ocean constitutes a critical modulator of past global climate variability, but how it has varied temporally and geographically is underdetermined. Here, we present data sets of glacial-interglacial dust-supply cycles from the largest Southern Ocean sector, the polar South Pacific, indicating three times higher dust deposition during glacial periods than during interglacials for the past million years. Although the most likely dust source for the South Pacific is Australia and New Zealand, the glacial-interglacial pattern and timing of lithogenic sediment deposition is similar to dust records from Antarctica and the South Atlantic dominated by Patagonian sources. These similarities imply large-scale common climate forcings, such as latitudinal shifts of the southern westerlies and regionally enhanced glaciogenic dust mobilization in New Zealand and Patagonia. A million-year-long marine sedimentary record of dust supply to the Pacific Southern Ocean reflects global climate. Dust in the Sea The effect of windblown dust on marine productivity in the Southern Ocean is thought to be a key determinant of atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Lamy et al. (p. 403) present a record of dust supply to the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean for the past one million years, derived from a suite of deep-sea sediment cores. Dust deposition during glacial periods was 3 times greater than during interglacials, and its major source region was probably Australia or New Zealand.
UPCommons Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC

—Emotions strongly influence human’s behavior in individual and social situations and must be seriously considered in any human activity, such as e-Learning. Indeed, the embedding of emotional awareness features into virtual learning environments could offer a more authentic and challenging e-Learning experience, either individual or collaborative. However, the lack of empirical results together with the complexity attributed to the management by computers of human emotions and affective data, seriously limits the advances in e-Learning as it impedes to virtualize many real-world learning situations in which emotions play a significant role. In this paper, we investigate the use of the SmartBox device for emotion measurement of distance learners during their study as well as the development of affective strategies based on the SmartBox’s stimulation capabilities. The aim is to collect emotion data from different sources in order to provide the most appropriate affective responses that positively influence distance learners’ study and results and ultimately enhance the e-Learning process.
Video Imaging: A New Technique for Coastal Zone Management

It is now accepted that sustainable management of the coastal zone is only possible if large-scale, long-term coastal processes are taken into account. This requires acquisition of morpohodynamic data over a wide spectrum of spatial and time scales. As long-term, in-situ measurements spanning large coastal areas are unfeasible, an alternative data acquisition technique is required for this purpose. Video imaging of the nearshore zone has the potential of being a powerful tool in this regard due to its low maintenance cost and the ability to acquire data over large areas for extended periods. Through the formation of the ARGUS network, an international research initiative, methodologies to extract quantitative information on nearshore processes such as longshore currents, rip characteristics, bar migrations etc. have been developed and successfully implemented in the last few years. The aim of this paper is to briefly describe recent developments in video imaging of nearshore processes.
Global, seasonal cloud variations from satellite radiance measurements. II - Cloud properties and radiative effects

Abstract Global, daily, visible and infrared radiance measurements from the NOAA-5 Scanning Radiometer (SR) are analyzed for the months of January, April, July and October 1977 to infer cloud and surface radiative properties and their effects on the Earth and surface radiation budgets. The analysis makes use of several additional datasets to help isolate the cloud contributions. The cloud properties inferred from satellite data are found to be about as accurate as the validation datasets available from other sources, but significant improvements are needed for better diagnosis of cloud-radiative feedbacks. Consequently, advances in cloud retrievals from satellite data will be like “new measurement” that have no independent validation. Reconstruction of regional, monthly mean Earth radiation budgets (ERB) from cloud, atmosphere and surface data is also nearly as accurate as can be checked with summaries of other, more direct measurements, improvements require detailed intercomparisons at smaller space/time.
A Safe and Just Space for Humanity: Can we live within the doughnut?

Humanity’s challenge in the 21st century is to eradicate poverty and achieve prosperity for all within the means of the planet’s limited natural resources. In the run-up to Rio+20, this discussion paper presents a visual framework – shaped like a doughnut – which brings planetary boundaries together with social boundaries, creating a safe and just space between the two, in which humanity can thrive. Moving into this space demands far greater equity – within and between countries – in the use of natural resources, and far greater efficiency in transforming those resources to meet human needs.
Determinants of neonatal and post-neonatal mortality in the City of São

Introdução: Nos países em desenvolvimento, nos anos 90, a mortalidade na infância (de menores de cinco anos) apresentou declínio proporcional maior do que o da mortalidade infantil. Para a redução da mortalidade na infância, deve-se entender, logo, os determinantes da mortalidade infantil. Material e Métodos: Relacionou-se probabilisticamente dados do SIM e do SINASC: 209628 nascidos vivos e 3842 óbitos infantis do Município de São Paulo, coorte de 1998. Utilizou-se regressão logística para analisar fatores de risco da mortalidade neonatal e pós-neonatal: peso ao nascer, idade gestacional, escores Apgar ao primeiro e quinto minuto, tipo de parto, pluralidade, sexo, educação e idade da mãe, número de perdas anteriores, número de consultas pré-natal, raça, parturição e desenvolvimento da comunidade. Resultados e Conclusões: Filhos de mães mais velhas apresentaram menor risco de morte neonatal, e, de mães adolescentes, maior risco de morte na infância. Associação significativa foi encontrada entre parturição acima de três e morte pósneonatal. Não houve associação de parto cesáreo e mortalidade infantil. Houve associação entre morte neonatal e número baixo de visitas pré-natal, baixo peso ao nascer, nascimento de pré-termo e escores Apgar baixos; e entre morte pós-neonatal e número baixo de visitas pré-natal, baixo peso ao nascer, e escores Apgar baixos. A associação de residência da mãe numa comunidade mais desenvolvida e sobrevivência infantil sugere que fatores não controlados estão por trás deste resultado.
Late Givetian to Early Frasnian Biostratigraphy of Western Canada: The Slave Point—Waterways Boundary and Related Events

Abstract Traditionally, the Middle-Upper Devonian boundary has been drawn between the Slave Point and Waterways formations of northern Alberta, and their equivalent strata in the Prairie region, Rocky Mountains and Northwest Territories. Relationships are traced and evaluated along two lines of sections using brachiopods, conodonts, ostracodes and other fossils as biostratigraphic markers. One transection, spanning about 1,100 km, is across the Devonian sedimentary basin from Manitoba to the Rocky Mountains. The other extends from southern Saskatchewan to the lower Mackenzie Valley region along the axis of the seaway for about 2,500 km. This synthesis is based on both surface and subsurface sequences, summarizing published and new data. There was an overall retreat of the Middle Devonian seas in late Givetian time, after the peak expansion of the Stringocephalus sea in about mid-Givetian. Although the regression was interrupted by minor advances, both transgressive and regressive tendencies seem to have been tempered by an overall climatic change from extremely arid to more wet conditions. Due to increase in rainfall and concomitant runoff from land, salinity levels were depressed below normal, preventing open marine faunas and “normal” marine carbonates from developing in the Slave Point sea that occupied the central part of the western Canadian seaway. Sharply delineated and conspicuous changes in faunas point to a basin-wide retreat of the Slave Point and contemporaneous seas from all areas of western Canada in the late Givetian. After a relatively brief absence, the Waterways sea flooded the same areas in latest Givetian time, expanding gradually and reaching a new transgressive peak in mid-Waterways (Moberly) and early Frasnian time. Lower Waterways and coeval strata are erratically distributed and confined to areas where the Slave Point limestones and their equivalents are thinly developed, resulting in a typical onlap pattern. The upper Waterways and coeval sequences are uniformly distributed, like a blanket, and overstep the depositional-erosional ‘highs’ of the Middle Devonian carbonates. The presence of unfossiliferous evaporites, redbeds and dolomitized sequences complicate the boundary relationships in the southeastern area of the seaway. The base of the conodont Lower asymmetricus Zone, which marks the recently defined Givetian-Frasnian boundary, occurs within the Waterways Formation and is stratigraphically higher than the Slave Point-Waterways boundary discussed in this paper.
Arc-scanning very high-frequency digital ultrasound for 3D pachymetric mapping of the corneal epithelium and stroma in laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE To test and demonstrate measurement precision, imaging resolution, 3D thickness mapping, and clinical utility of a new prototype 3D very high-frequency (VHF) (50 MHz) digital ultrasound scanning system for corneal epithelium, flap, and residual stromal thickness after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS VHF ultrasonic 3D data was acquired by arc-motion, meridional scanning within a 10-mm zone. Digital signal processing techniques provided high-resolution B-scan imaging, and I-scan traces for high-precision pachymetry in 4 eyes. Thickness maps of individual corneal layers were constructed. Reproducibility of epithelial, flap, and full corneal pachymetry was assessed for single-point and 3D thickness mapping by repeated measures. Thickness mapping of the epithelium, stroma, flap, and full cornea were determined before and after LASIK. Preoperative to postoperative difference maps for epithelium, flap, and stroma were produced to demonstrate anatomical changes in the thickness profile of each layer. RESULTS Surface localization precision was 0.87 microm. Central reproducibility for single-point pachymetry of epithelium was 0.61 microm; flap, 1.14 microm; and full cornea, 0.74 microm. Reproducibility for central pachymetry on 3D thickness mapping was 0.5 microm for epithelium and 1.5-microm for full cornea. B-scans and 3D thickness maps after LASIK demonstrated resolution of epithelial, stromal component of the flap, and residual stromal layers. Large epithelial profile changes were demonstrated after LASIK. Topographic variability of flap thickness and residual stromal thickness were significant. CONCLUSIONS VHF digital ultrasound arc-B scanning provides high-resolution imaging and high-precision three-dimensional thickness mapping of corneal layers, enabling accurate anatomical evaluation of the changes induced in the cornea by LASIK.
Snow cover and snow water equivalent in Norway: -current conditions (1961-1990) and scenarios for the future (2071-2100)

Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate.Client(s) Client’s referenceEBL-Kompetanse A/S(Project: Climate development: consequences for discharge,environment and hydropower production.)AbstractThis report presents projected changes in snow conditions in Norway. Possible changes from presentclimate (1961-1990) to future climate (2071-2100) are described. Projected air temperature andprecipitation data from two climate models (HadAm3 and ECHAM4/OPYC3) run with the B2emission scenario were dynamically downscaled using the regional climate model HIRHAM, andalso locally adjusted to stations in Norway. The Gridded Water Balance model was run usingthese daily data sets. Snow water equivalent, which is reported in this study, is one of the outputvariables.It is found that both the mean annual maximum snow water equivalent and the duration of thesnow season are projected to decrease almost everywhere in Norway. Generally, the decrease getssmaller with increasing altitude and distance from the coast. The start of the snow accumulationseason is projected approximately 3-4 weeks later than in the present climate. The snow meltseason starts earlier, leading to an earlier end of the snow season (approximately 1-7 weeks earlier). Maximum amounts of snow is projected to shift from April/May to March/April. In extreme yearsthe maximum snow water equivalent might be higher than today in a few high altitude or northerndrainage basins.KeywordsSnow cover, snow water equivalent, snow season duration, climate change, NorwayDisciplinary signature Responsible signatureEirik J. Forland Cecilie Mauritzen
Minimizing Blood Loss in Liver Transplantation: Progress through Research and Evolution of Techniques

Blood loss during liver transplantation has long been recognized as an important cause of morbidity and, especially in the early days, also mortality. It is well known that blood transfusions are associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications, such as infections, pulmonary complications, protracted recovery, and a higher rate of reoperations. Many studies have been performed during the past decades to elucidate the mechanisms of increased blood loss in liver transplantation. In the late 1980s, primary hyperfibrinolysis was identified as an important mechanism of bleeding during liver transplantation. This has provided the scientific basis for the use of antifibrinolytic drugs in liver transplant recipients. Several randomized, controlled studies have shown the efficacy of these compounds in reducing blood loss and transfusion requirements during liver transplantation. In addition, increasing experience and improvements in surgical technique, anesthesiological care and better graft preservation methods have contributed to a steady decrease in blood transfusion requirements in most liver transplant programs. Several centers are now reporting liver transplantation without any need for blood transfusion in up to 30% of their patients. Despite these improvements, most patients undergoing liver transplantation still require blood transfusions that have a negative impact on outcome, emphasizing the need for further attempts to control blood loss by surgeons and anesthesiologists. This paper provides an overview of the clinical and research developments, which have contributed to a reduction in blood loss and transfusion requirements, resulting in an important reduction in morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation during the last two decades.
EFFECT OF SLOPE ON RUNOFF FROM A SMALL VARIABLE SLOPE BOX-PLOT

Many factors affect catchment hydrologic characteristics, which also ultimately influence the production of surface runoff. This study evaluated the effect of slope on infiltration and surface runoff from a variable-slope box under artificial rainfall simulation. The variableslope box consisted of 0.25 m deep Captina silt loam soil (fine-silty, siliceous, active, mesic Typic Fragiudult) seeded to tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.); rainfall simulations were conducted on 11 slopes (0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 28%). The rainfall simulations were about 20-min long at 5-cm hr -1 because initial results showed that runoff occurred after 5-min, and we wanted about 15-min of continuous runoff for this investigation. The variableslope box demonstrated the effect of slope on infiltration rate and surface runoff production, where surface runoff volume increased with the natural logarithm of slope (%slope plus 0.1). However, the effect of slope was almost precluded by variability in surface runoff production probably resulting from variation in the antecedent soil moisture of the variable-slope box. The variations in antecedent moisture were likely related to the change in ambient air temperature occurring with time and natural rainfall during late fall. It may be that slope of the infiltrating surface has the greatest effect on surface runoff production when the soil is closer to saturation. The effect of slope on infiltration and surface runoff production needs additional investigation where antecedent soil moisture conditions would be measured spatially within the variable-slope box.
DEEP STRUCTURE AND QUATERNARY ACTIVITIES OF THE XIADIAN FAULT ZONE

Xiadian Fault zone is a NNE-trending lithospheric-scale regional deep fault in the eastern part of the capital,also an active fault zone with strong earthquake activities in the history.According to the results of gravity,shallow seismic and high-density electrical geophysical prospecting,by "relay stitching"vertically from the deep to the shallow,and in combination with the methods of drilling and other means,the Xiadian Fault zone is studied by dividing it into two parts:the bedrock fault zone and the Quaternary fault zone,and new insights are gained on the characteristics of deep structure and activity of the Xiadian Fault zone.The results show that:(1) the bedrock fault zone of Xiadian Fault consists of main faults and secondary faults.Its northern part,the Mafang-Xiji area,is composed of two major faults with a narrower width,and the southern part,the Xiji-Fengheying area,is composed of three major faults,with a wider width;(2) The Quaternary fault zone of Xiadian Fault is the upward extension of the bedrock fault zone,which is the visual representation of the latest activity of the fault zone and controlled by the bedrock fault zone.The Quaternary fault zone is also composed of main faults and secondary faults.The northern part(Mafang-Xiji area) consists of two major faults and secondary faults distributed in the northern end,corresponding well with the bedrock fault zone.Occurrence of the two major faults is quite different,and the latest movement of the faults is both in Holocene.While,the southern part of the fault zone(the Xiji-Fengheying area) is quite discontinuous and is difficult to distinguish between the major and secondary faults.The faults have poor correspondence to the bedrock ones and are inferred to be related with the segmentation of faulting of the bedrock faults.Both major and secondary faults are steep and the date of their latest movement is late Pleistocene-early Holocene;(3) The amount of vertical dislocation of the bottom boundary of the Holocene sediments in the hanging and foot walls of Xiadian Fault zone is 1.7~4.8m,and that of late,middle and early Pleistocene are 6~26m,26~167m and 44~330m,respectively.The vertical dislocation on the whole fault zone differs greatly,with the highest in the Xiadian area,and decreasing gradually to the south and north ends;(4) Considering the spatial distribution,structure,occurrence,activity and characteristics of seismic activity along of the fault zone,the Xiadian Fault zone is divided into the southern and northern segments with the Zhangjiawan Fault as the boundary.The northern part experienced intensive Quaternary activity,with frequent moderate and small earthquakes.Quaternary activity is weak along the southern part,where only small earthquakes occurred.
A Dangerous Duo: Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum and Venous Thromboembolism at Presentation in a Patient with COVID-19 Pneumonia

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is associated with spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) predominantly in those after positive pressure ventilation (PPV) support. Additionally, many cases of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in COVID-19 patients were described. Our case is the first to describe SPM and VTE present on admission in a patient with Covid –19 pneumonia. Case report A 53-year-old man presented to the hospital with escalating dyspnea. Two weeks prior to this visit, he had been evaluated in an ambulatory setting and was started on antibiotics and systemic steroids. In the hospital, this patient was found to be in acute hypoxic respiratory failure and was placed on noninvasive PPV. Diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test from nasopharyngeal swab specimen. Chest computed tomography (CT) scan revealed multi-lobar pulmonary emboli (PE) and subcutaneous emphysema with pneumomediastinum. The patient was managed conservatively. He never required closed invasive mechanical ventilation. Subsequent serial imaging displayed the resolution of SPM. Conclusion The association between VTE and COVID-19 has been established. This report brings attention to SPM as an additional important complication of COVID-19, even in patients without pre-existing predisposing pathology or exposure to PPV.