Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Imputation of missing values in a precipitation–runoff process database

Hydrologists are often faced with the problem of missing values in a precipitation-runoff process database to construct runoff prediction models. They tend to use simple and naive methods to deal with the problem of missing data. Thus far, the common practice has been to discard observations with missing values. In this paper, we present some statistically principled methods for gap filling and discuss the pros and cons of these methods. We employ and discuss imputations of missing values by means of self-organizing map (SOM), multilayer perceptron (MLP), multivariate nearest-neighbor (MNN), regularized expectation-maximization algorithm (REGEM) and multiple imputation (MI) in the context of a precipitation-runoff process database in northern Iran in order to construct a serially complete database for analyses such as runoff prediction. In our case, the SOM and MNN tend to give similar and robust results. REGEM and MI build on the assumption of multivariate normal data, which we don't seem to have in one of our cases. MLP tends to produce inferior results because it fragments the data into 68 different models. Therefore, we conclude that it makes most sense to use either the computationally simple MNN method or the more demanding SOM. (Less)
Assimilation of altimeter data in a quasi-geostrophic model of the Gulf Stream system : a dynamical perspective

Abstract : The dynamical aspects involved in the assimilation of altimeter data in a numerical ocean model have been investigated. The model used for this study is a quasi-geostrophic model of the Gulf Stream region. The data that have been assimilated are maps of sea surface height which have been obtained as the superposition of sea surface height variability deduced from the Geosat altimeter measurements and a mean field constructed from historical hydrographic data. The method used for assimilating the data is the nudging technique. Nudging has been implemented in such a way as to achieve a high degree of convergence of the surface model fields toward the observations. We have analyzed the mechanisms of the model adjustment, and the final statistical equilibrium characteristics of the model simulation when the surface data are assimilated. Since the surface data are the superposition of a mean component and an eddy component, in order to understand the relative role of these two components in determining the characteristics of the final statistical steady state, we have considered two different experiments: in the first experiment only the climatological mean field is assimilated, while in the second experiment the total surface streamfunction field (mean + eddies) has been used. We have found that the mean component of the surface data determines, to a large extent, the structure of the flow field in the subsurface layers, while the eddy field, as well as the inflow/outflow conditions at the open boundaries, affect its intensity. In particular, if surface eddies are not assimilated only a weak flow develops in the two deeper model layers where no inflow/outflow is prescribed at the boundaries.
Mandal-Ekofisk(!) Petroleum System in the Central Graben of the North Sea: Chapter 33: Part VI. Case Studies--Eastern Hemisphere

The Mandal-Ekofisk(! ) petroleum system in the Central Graben of the North Sea contains 3292 million m3 of in-place oil, 110 million m3 of in-place condensate, and 1167 billion m3 of in-place gas in Devonian-Tertiary reservoirs. The major reservoir is the Upper Cretaceous to basal Paleogene chalk of the Ekofisk area in the southeastern part of the graben, with 607 million m3 (46%) producible oil and gas as oil equivalent. Here, chalk is the seal except where synsedimentary slumping coupled with an early influx of oil creates reservoir rock. Permeability mainly results from on-structure halokinetic fracturing. The second most important reservoir, with 457 million m3 (35%) producible oil equivalent, occurs in Paleocene s ndstone where fan turbidites are excellent reservoir rocks in the Forties-Montrose and Gannet areas. Surrounding mudstones form the seal. A less significant reservoir rock, with 231 million m3 (18%) producible oil equivalent, occurs at the Upper Jurassic level in the shallow marine Fulmar and Ula sandstones immediately underlying the source rock horizon (seal) on both the eastern and western flanks of the Central Graben. Additional reserves are found in Permian and Devonian reservoir rocks. The oil, condensate, and gas originated from the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous organic-rich marine mudstones of the Mandal Formation (equivalent to the Kimmeridge Clay). Geochemical oil-source rock correlation has been established and is backed up by the regional distribution of fields relative to mature source rocks. Source rock thicknesses range from less than 100 m on flanks and highs, to greater than 1200 m in the axis of the Central Graben. Thermal maturity modeling indicates that oil generation was initiated by late Early Cretaceous in the mid-graben. Under steadily increasing sedimentation rates, generation continues to the present day over about 112,750 km2 of the Central Graben. Expulsion efficiency from the Mandal Formation source rock is approximately 60%. Secondary migration is mainly vertical, the oil and gas moving through salt- and fault-related fractures into a variety of reservoir rocks. The generation-accumulation efficiency of 0.56% is obtained using Schmoker's calculation for the petroleum system. The major control on the petroleum system efficiency is the strong vertical component of secondary migration through low permeability strata plus undiscovered reserves.
Interpreting mood choice effects in L2 and L1 Spanish: empirical evidence and theoretical implications

Abstract The rich morphology of Spanish, such as that of tense and verbal mood, encodes a range of features leading to diverse contextual effects on interpretation, some of which are examined in the light of original experimental data in the present study. Specifically, we analyse data on the interpretation of mood in concessive structures by upper-intermediate and advanced learners of L2 Spanish, with L1 French (N=48) and L1 English (N=40), and from an L1 European Spanish control group (N=35). The results of the learner-group interpretation experiment led to a follow-on study enquiring into the understanding of mood alternation in concessive clauses by another group of L1 European Spanish speakers through a metalinguistic interpretation task. Learner group findings suggested a heavier reliance on lexical information and world-knowledge than on grammatical cues, while L1 speakers’ data indicate a default association maintained between subjunctive and irrealis interpretations, leading to a greater measure of variability in describing presuppositional uses of this mood. The native speaker data may reflect challenges posed by representing and describing, using metalinguistic knowledge, structures whose interpretation requires the integration of linguistic, discourse and extralinguistic information. Findings are discussed in relation to current linguistic descriptions and potential contributions of our empirical data.
Rapid Holocene chemical weathering on a calcitic lake shoreline in an alpine periglacial environment: Attgløyma, Sognefjell, southern Norway

A small lake (Attgløyma) at an altitude of about 1220 m in the low‐alpine zone, southern Norway, has a shore platform in calcitic and quartzitic muscovite‐chlorite schists. The platform has recently been exposed by a fall in lake level due to upstream dam construction and exhibits micro‐landforms ranging from pits and grooves to upstanding crenulate ridges produced by differential chemical weathering under relatively constant conditions over the last ca. 10 000 years. The maximum surface lowering rate of the calcitic layers estimated from differential weathering is 35 mm ka−1, which is about an order of magnitude greater than most previous estimates from alpine and polar periglacial environments. Average bedrock surface lowering across the whole platform reached a maximum of 15.5 ± 2.2 mm ka−1 in a vertical zone corresponding with the former lake level, declining to negligible values around 0.7 m below lake level. Differential weathering and bedrock surface lowering were also negligible immediately above lake level. Correspondence of maximum surface lowering rates with the former lake level and a shoreline notch at the back of a platform suggest that the effects of solutional weathering of the calcite have been enhanced by water movement generated by small lake‐surface waves. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mylonites and pseudotachylites associated with thrusting of the Köli Nappes, Tännforsfältet, central Swedish Caledonides

Abstract The Gevsjon Formation (calcareous phyllite — garbenschiefer) of the Tannforsfaltet Koli is divided into three tectonic units, separated by two important mylonite zones. These mylonite zones exhibit an earlier ductile phase of deformation and a later brittle phase with brecciation of the mylonitic foliation. Associated with this brecciation pseudotachylites have been recognized at four localities. A fifth locality is so far not directly related to any mylonite zone, but occurs close below the upper mylonite zone. The change from mylonite formation (ductile deformation) to the development of breccias and pseudotachylites represents a change in physical conditions during translation of the nappes. Early movement occurred at higher and the later movement at lower temperatures, implying that the thrusting involved progressive translation of the Koli Nappes to higher structural levels.
21-X8 Final report

Gene therapy is a fast growing technology that offers treatments for genetic diseases. The method is based on introducing genetic material into a patient to replace the disease-causing gene, using a vector. This report examines the potential of some viral vectors for gene therapy, to give Bio-Works Technologies a recommendation on what the future market demands. Oncolytic viruses, vaccines and gene editing are not treated in the report as a delimitation. Viral vectors have different biological properties and require different purification methods, making them suitable for different applications in gene therapy. In the purification of the viruses it can be challenging to obtain a high purity and large-scale manufacturing. One major drawback with most purification methods is that they are not specific to just one virus, which leads to contaminants in the solution and lower purity. The viral vectors handled in the report are the adenovirus, adeno-associated virus, gammaretrovirus, lentivirus, alpharetrovirus, foamy virus, herpes simplex virus and baculovirus. These were chosen as they are relevant vectors for gene therapy and stay within the scope of the report. Lentiviral vectors (LVs) and adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) will dominate the gene therapy field in the coming years. This is based on the information that the use of AAVs and LVs in clinical trials have increased in recent years, while the other vectors mentioned above have slightly decreased or show no apparent change. However, challenges still remain in the purification processes. Ligands used in affinity chromatography for purification of AAVs are effective at removing most contaminants, but cannot distinguish between empty and loaded capsids, which can induce immune response when used clinically. This is the main challenge when purifying AAVs. The empty capsids can be removed with ion exchange chromatography, which results in higher purity but also lower recovery. There is no specific purifying method for LVs, therefore a lentivirus-specific affinity ligand, such as an antibody ligand, would be beneficial for the purification and manufacturing procedure. In addition to AAVs and LVs, baculoviral vectors and foamy viral vectors show great potential in a long-term perspective but they only have been researched in preclinical studies. Moreover, herpes simplex viral vectors and adenoviral vectors show potential in cancer treatments or as vaccines rather than in augmentation gene therapy.
Ecological consequences of exotic invaders: interactions involving European earthworms and native plant communities in hardwood forests

European earthworm species have been invading hardwood forest ecosystems in the northern tier of states in the U.S. These hardwood forests have developed since the last glaciation in the absence of native earthworms, and many stands historically had thick forest floor layers, that served as rooting medium for many species of forest herbs and tree seedlings. The exotic earthworms consume the forest floor layer, sometimes leaving exposed mineral soil. Some forest stands have been observed with only one species of native herb and virtually no tree seedlings remaining. Therefore, concerns have been raised about the widespread loss of native forest plant species and the stability of hardwoodforest ecosystems in the western Great Lakes region. The results of three major studies conducted over the last 6 years will be summarized including the dynamics of change across leading edges of earthworm invasion, differential responses or consequences of earthworms among different forest communities, and landscape patterns of earthworm invasions and their impacts. Invasion of hardwood forests by European earthworms is occurring throughout the range of this ecosystem in North America. Local control of invasions into currently worm-free areas may be possible in some situations. However, the magnitude and regional scale of European earthworm invasions that have already occurred suggests that in the next few decades a majority of hardwood forests will be impacted to some degree by earthworms. Research related to the patterns, mechanisms and potential indirect effects of earthworm invasions will be invaluable in directing development of management priorities and strategies.
The Effect of Bank Specific Factors on Financial Performance of Commercial Banks in Kenya

The main goal of every banking institution is to operate profitably in order to maintain stability and sustainable growth. External and internal economic environments are viewed as critical drivers for bank performance. The main purpose of this study was to determine the effects of bank specific factors on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya for a period of 5 years, starting from the year 2011 to 2015. The dependent variable under investigation was return on assets (ROA). The independent variables were capital adequacy, asset quality, management efficiency, earnings ability and liquidity. The specific objectives of this research were to determine the effects of capital adequacy on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya, evaluate the effects of asset quality on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya, determine the impact of management efficiency on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya, determine the impact of earnings ability on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya and evaluate the effects of liquidity on the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The choice of this five-year period was based on the explosive growth of the banking sector in the country and the availability of
SHRIMP baddeleyite age for the Fraser Dyke Swarm, southeast Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia

Recent high‐resolution aeromagnetic data have delineated an extensive swarm of undeformed northeast‐trending dolerite dykes in the southeastern Yilgarn Craton, known previously only from isolated exposures in surface mining operations. Owing to parallelism of the dykes to the Fraser Mobile Belt, the eastern segment of the Albany‐Fraser Orogen, the swarm is referred to here as the Fraser Dyke Swarm. Ion‐microprobe dating of baddeleyite from a granophyric segregation in the centre of one dyke yields a mean 207Pb/206Pb age of 1212 ± 10 Ma (95% confidence limits). The location of the Fraser Dyke Swarm, adjacent and parallel to the Fraser Mobile Belt, suggests that the dykes may have been emplaced into lines of weakness that originated during tectonic loading and downwards flexure of the craton margin. This is the first evidence of ca 1210 Ma mafic dykes and associated crustal‐scale extension in the southeast Yilgarn Craton, although the age is similar to those reported recently for dolerite and quartz diorite dykes in the central and southern part of the craton, suggesting that a genetic relationship may exist between intrusions in the two areas.
New remains of Mesopithecus (Primates, Cercopithecoidea) from the late Miocene of Macedonia (Greece), with the description of a new species

ABSTRACT Numerous remains of Mesopithecus have recently been recovered from the late Miocene mammalian localities of Macedonia, northern Greece. Three mandibles from the early Turolian are identified as M. delsoni, sp. nov., probably ancestral to M. pentelicus of Pikermi. Others, dated to the latest Turolian, differ from M. pentelicus, but most of the teeth are so worn that they must be identified as Mesopithecus, aff. M. pentelicus. A last set, coming also from the latest Turolian, could possibly be attributed to Mesopithecus, cf. M. monspessulanus. The evolution of the genus Mesopithecus can be used as a biostratigraphic tool in late Miocene continental deposits.
Cadmium and delta13C Paleochemical Ocean Distributions During the Stage 2 Glacial Maximum

Changes in heat and salt transport by ocean currents have been implicated in ice age climate cycles (Weyl 1 968, Newell 1 974, Broecker et al 1 990b). In addition to the direct physical effects of the ocean on climate, the ocean carbon system controls atmospheric CO2, and the CO2 fluctuations documented in ice core bubbles (Barnola et a1 1 987, Neftel et a1 1 988) are thought to be a significant factor in climate oscillations (Hansen et al 1 984). Dramatic changes in oceanic circulation patterns and carbon system chemistry have occurred during the Late Quaternary glacial/interglacial global climate cycles (Boyle & Keigwin 1 982, Curry & Lohmann 1 983, Shackleton & Pisias 1 984, Boyle & Keigwin 1 987, Duplessy et al 1 988, Curry et al 1 988, Broecker et al I 990a). These changes in the ocean system may be significant driving forces in the progression of ice age CO2 cycles (Toggweiler & Sarmiento 1 985, Ennever & McElroy 1 985, Wenk & Siegenthaler 1 985, Boyle 1 988a,b, Broecker & Peng 1 990). The oceanic distributions of c513C, Cd, and other carbon-system-linked properties are controlled by the interaction between biological uptake and decomposition with the general circulation of the ocean. Because records of past oceanic Cd and c5 1 3C are preserved in shells of planktonic and benthic foraminifera
Two low-dose bowel-cleansing regimens: efficacy and safety of senna and sodium phosphorus solution for colonoscopy

Background: The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy, adequacy, side effects, and patient compliance of sodium phosphorus (NaP) and senna solutions when preparing the colon before colonoscopy. Methods: A total of 137 consecutive patients who were considered for colonoscopy evaluation had randomly received one of two premeditated regimens: 90 mL of oral NaP (NaP group) or 500 mL of 1,000 mg of sennosides A and B calcium + 66.6 g of sorbitol (senna group). Patients’ compliance with the bowel-cleansing method was determined using a questionnaire prior to the colonoscopic examination. On the other hand, the adequacy of the bowel-cleansing method was evaluated by the colonoscopist who was blind to the bowel-cleansing regimen used prior to the examination of the colon from the rectum to the cecum. Results: Nausea and vomiting complaints were seen more frequently in the NaP group than in the senna group (47 vs 28 and 31 vs 10; P , 0.05 and P , 0.01, respectively). The response to the question of whether the patients would like to use the same regimen again or not was similar in both groups. The acceptable bowel-cleansing rate was also comparable across both groups. Nevertheless, the number of patients that experienced excellent bowel cleansing in terms of general appraisal of the colonoscopic evaluation was significantly greater in the NaP group than in the senna group (46 vs 25; P , 0.001). Conclusion: Although bowel cleansing was better in the NaP group, both cleansing regimens were comparable regarding the admissibility of the preparations for the procedure. The senna regimen is, however, superior to the NaP regimen in terms of application compliance and its side effects, and it may be an effective alternative for cleansing the bowel prior to colonoscopic examination.
Crustal thinning, mantle exhumation and serpentinization in the Porcupine Basin, offshore Ireland: evidence from wide-angle seismic data

New wide-angle seismic data were gathered along a 230 km long profile that runs east–west across a deep structural feature in the Porcupine Basin, offshore Ireland, known as the Porcupine Arch. Ocean bottom seismometers were deployed at 3–4 km intervals and seismic sources fired every 120 m along it. Prominent primary and secondary arrivals indicate that the continental crust is extremely thin (locally less than 2 km) across the basin centre. The sedimentary succession is up to 12 km thick and comprises three distinctive seismic layers. The two uppermost layers are interpreted as mostly a post-rift succession of Cretaceous and Cenozoic strata. The lowest layer thins rapidly towards the basin centre and is interpreted as a succession of predominantly Jurassic synrift sediments. A strong asymmetry in both the geometry of the crust and the sedimentary layers is probably related to a simple shear mode of extension and the subsidence that it induced. Crustal thinning is far greater than in the adjacent Rockall Basin and local exhumation of continental mantle lithosphere may have occurred in parts of the Porcupine Basin. Low Pn velocities beneath the Porcupine Arch are compatible with larger amounts of mantle serpentinization than in the Rockall Basin.
Neodymium isotopic composition in foraminifera and authigenic phases of the South China Sea sediments: Implications for the hydrology of the North Pacific Ocean over the past 25 kyr

εNd and normalized Rare Earth Elements (REE) patterns of benthic and planktonic foraminifera and Fe‐Mn coatings precipitated on sediments have been investigated for the South China Sea (SCS) to (1) assess the reliability of the extraction of past seawater εNd in the SCS and to (2) reconstruct past hydrological changes during the last 25 kyr. Reductively cleaned mono‐specific planktonic foraminifera (Globigerinoides ruber) and mixed benthic foraminifera in core‐top sediments from 1500 to 2400 m display similar εNd values to those of the modern Pacific Deep Water (PDW) (εNd of −3.9 to −4.4). Furthermore, the εNd of the reductive cleaning solutions shows similar εNd values to ones obtained on cleaned foraminifera. Combined with PAAS‐normalized REE patterns, these results confirm that the oxidative and reductive cleaning procedure applied to foraminifera does not totally remove all of the Fe‐Mn coatings and that εNd values yielded by cleaned planktonic foraminifera retain the εNd imprint of the bottom and/or pore water. εNd values obtained from a leaching procedure carried out on the bulk non‐decarbonated sediments are comparable to the εNd values of the modern PDW, whereas a similar leaching procedure applied to decarbonated sediments reveals a bias due to contamination with Nd deriving from lithogenic particles. In core MD05‐2904, seawater εNd, reconstructed from planktonic foraminifera, indicates that the last glacial period is characterized by lower εNd (−5.2 ± 0.2 to −6.4 ± 0.3) than the late Holocene (−4.1 ± 0.2). Assuming that Nd input from river does not change strongly the εNd of the PDW of the northern SCS, these εNd variations suggest a higher relative proportions of southern‐sourced water in the deep water of the western subtropical Pacific Ocean during the last glacial period.