Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Longer term effects of biological control on tamarisk evapotranspiration and carbon dioxide exchange

Biological control of Tamarix spp. (tamarisk) with Diorhabda spp. (tamarisk beetle) was initiated in several states in the Western United States in 2001. We analysed 12 years of evapotranspiration (ET), net ecosystem production (NEP), and beetle abundance data from a tamarisk‐invaded site in Western Nevada along the Truckee River. Diorhabda carinulata (northern tamarisk beetle) appeared at the site in 2007. Large beetle outbreaks and associated defoliation of the tamarisk occurred in 2008 and 2009, then the beetle population was highly variable from year to year. Since 2016, the beetle population declined. Growing season ET noticeably declined from direct beetle herbivory in 2008, 2009, and 2010, but the decline in ET was seasonally transient as trees regrew leaves. In 2012 and 2013, total growing season ET was low, likely due to the combined effects of drought and beetle herbivory pressure. Total seasonal ET losses and NEP were primarily driven by annual precipitation with higher values in wetter years and reduced values when precipitation fell below 100 mm. In the last 2 years of the study, 2017–2018, there were few to no beetles observed at the site, and we measured increased tamarisk leaf area index, ET, and NEP. Since 2010 at the study site, no further releases of the beetles have occurred due to wildlife concerns, and subsequent declines in beetle populations where such that the “outbreak” conditions apparently required to impair tamarisk physiological function and significantly reduce ET have not occurred. ET and photosynthesis were highly correlated (r2 ≥ .91) to the Landsat‐satellite normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Using a relationship between growing season ET and NDVI, we estimated ET for five additional tamarisk sites along several southwestern U.S. rivers. In the 2005 to 2018 analysis period, NDVI‐estimated ET declined at all sites after beetle arrival with three sites showing a recovery in pre‐beetle ET rates in subsequent years. At the other three sites, ET rates have not recovered to pre‐beetle levels.
Impact of Soil Conservation and Eucalyptus on Hydrology and Soil Loss in the Ethiopian Highlands

The Ethiopian highlands suffer from severe land degradation, including erosion. In response, the Ethiopian government has implemented soil and water conservation practices (SWCPs). At the same time, due to its economic value, the acreage of eucalyptus has expanded, with croplands and pastures converted to eucalyptus plantations. The impact of these changes on soil loss has not been investigated experimentally. The objective of this study, therefore, is to examine the impacts of these changes on stream discharge and sediment load in a sub-humid watershed. The study covers a nine-year period that included installation of SWCPs, a three-fold increase from 1.5 ha in 2010 to 5 ha in 2018 in eucalyptus, and the upgrading of an unpaved to the paved road. Precipitation, runoff, and sediment concentration were monitored by installing weirs at the outlets of the main and four nested watersheds. A total of 867 storm events were collected in the nine years. Runoff and sediment concentration decreased by more than half in nine years. In the main watershed W5, we estimated that evapotranspiration by eucalyptus during the dry phase (November to May) increased approximately from 30 mm a−1 in 2010 to 100 mm a−1 in 2018. In watershed W3 it increased from 2 mm a−1 to 400 mm a−1, requiring more rainfall before saturation excess runoff began in the rain phase. The reduction in runoff led to a decreased sediment load from 70 Mg ha−1 a−1 in 2010 to 2.8 Mg ha−1 a−1 in 2018, though the reduction in discharge may have negative impacts on ecology and downstream water resources. SWCPs became sediment-filled and minimally effective by 2018. This indicates that these techniques are either inappropriate for this sub-humid watershed or require improved design and maintenance.
The Effects of Variable Parameters on the Behavior of Initial Wind Waves

THE EFFECTS OF VARIABLE PARAMETERS ON THE BEHAVIOR OF INITIAL WIND WAVES Glen H. Wheless Old Dominion University, 1990 Director: Dr. Gabriel T. Csanady The generation mechanism of short wind waves is generally thought to be a viscous instability at the air-sea interface. The short, regular waves arising from a sud­ den wind on a still water surface have a dispersion relation which is characteristic of gravity-capillary waves. The effects of variable surface tension, viscosity and shear flow parameters on the behavior of these waves were studied. A numerical hydrodynamic stability analysis of a coupled laminar shear flow was accomplished by integrating a transformed version of the Orr-Sommerfeld equation, subject to the boundary conditions at a two-fluid interface. Unbounded growth prob­ lems usually encountered in a direct numerical integration of the Orr-Sommerfeld equation were avoided by the use of the compound matrix method, an efficient numerical technique based on a Riccati transformation. Phase speeds and growth rates of the waves generated by the instability mechanism were obtained for various surface tension and viscosity values as well as for different shear flow characteristics. The conjectured maximum growth rate/minimum phase speed relationship is shown to be valid only for specific values of surface tension. Changes in the viscosity of water are shown to have a large effect on the behavior of the waves, while changes in the viscosity of air do not. The role of the air velocity profile characteristics are shown to be subordinate to those of water-side parameters in the generation and subseReproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Application of B, Mg, Li, and Sr Isotopes in Acid‐Sulfate Vent Fluids and Volcanic Rocks as Tracers for Fluid‐Rock Interaction in Back‐Arc Hydrothermal Systems

The Manus Basin hosts a broad range of vent fluid compositions typical for arc and back‐arc settings, ranging from black smoker to acid‐sulfate styles of fluid venting, as well as novel intermediate temperature and composition “hybrid” smokers. We investigated B, Li, Mg, and Sr concentrations and isotopic compositions of these different fluid types as well as of fresh and altered rocks from the same study area to understand what controls their compositional variability. In particular, the formation of acid‐sulfate and hybrid smoker fluids is still poorly understood, and their high Mg concentrations are explained either by dissolution of Mg‐bearing minerals in the basement or by mixing between unmodified seawater and magmatic fluids. Mg isotope ratios of the acid‐sulfate fluids from the Manus Basin are seawater‐like, which supports the idea that acid‐sulfate fluids in this study area predominantly form by mixing between unmodified seawater and a Mg‐free magmatic fluid. Changes in the B, Li, and Sr isotope ratios relative to seawater indicate water‐rock interaction in all acid‐sulfate fluids. Further, the combination of δ7Li with B concentrations of the same fluids links changes in δ7Li to changes in (1) basement alteration, (2) water‐to‐rock ratios during water‐rock interaction, and/or (3) the reaction temperature. These isotope systems, thus, allow tracing of basement composition and acid‐sulfate‐driven alteration of the back‐arc crust and help increase our understanding of hydrothermal fluid‐rock interactions and the behavior of fluid‐mobile elements.
Characterization of Streptomyces sp. UK-201 from Lachhiwala Reserve Forest, a Biodiversity Hot Spot of the Himalayas

Multi-drug resistance among pathogens is emerging due to slow pace of development of new antimicrobials by combinatorial chemistry. Natural products from microorganisms from under-explored habitats can be lead molecules for such discoveries. The major objectives were to characterize isolate UK-201, taxonomically identify UK-201 based on 16S rDNA sequencing and execute metabolite fingerprinting of ethyl acetate extract of UK-201 by GC-MS. Isolate UK-201 was characterized by phenotypic, biochemical/physiological methods and identified by 16S rDNA sequencing. Ethyl acetate extract of this isolate exhibited antimicrobial activity against the selected panel of gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The extract was partially purified by column chromatography. Active fractions were pooled and analysed by GCMS. The obtained compounds were tentatively identified by collated data analysis based on Similarity Index, and observed and calculated Retention Indices. Isolate UK-201 showed 97.46% similarity to Streptomyces niveiscabiei, 96.88% to S. sasae and S. puniciscabiei, 96.72% to S. capoamus and S. yaanensis. A low similarity percentage indicated the taxonomic novelty of the isolate and was confirmed by comparing it with phenotypic characteristics with the nearest matches. Metabolite fingerprinting showed the presence of twenty-four novel compounds. This study showed that bioprospection from under-explored habitats conferred novel bio and chemodiversity.
Hydraulic Fracture Injection Strategy Influences the Probability of Earthquakes in the Eagle Ford Shale Play of South Texas

Seismicity in the Eagle Ford play grew to 33 times the background rate in 2018. We identified how hydraulic fracturing (HF) contributed to seismicity since 2014 by comparing times and locations of HF with a catalog of seismicity extended with template matching. We found 94 ML ≥ 2.0 earthquakes spatiotemporally correlated to 211 HF well laterals. Injected volume and number of laterals on a pad influence the probability of seismicity, but effective injection rate has the strongest effect. Simultaneous stimulation of multiple laterals tripled the probability of seismicity relative to a single, isolated lateral. The 1 May 2018 MW 4.0 earthquake may have been the largest HF‐induced earthquake in the United States. It occurred ~10 km from a MW 4.8 earthquake in 2011 and was thought to be induced by fluid extraction. Thus, faults in this area are capable of producing felt and potentially damaging earthquakes due to operational activities.
Users’ satisfaction of indoor environmental quality conditions in ZEB+ at high latitudes

Energy efficiency policy forces architects to design buildings with increasingly well-sealed building skin. With the minimized outdoor connection, the indoor environment factors depend strongly on technical systems and control. In these scenarios, occupant dissatisfaction indicates a need for improvements of indoor environment and the way it is controlled. The aim of the article is to contribute to the discussion about the user perspective of indoor environmental quality in ZEB in the Nordic region. The focus on daylight as a factor for visual comfort, and on low outside temperature as an aspect of thermal comfort was dictated by this choice. An experimental study was conducted with 75 participants, in which the thermal, acoustic and visual conditions (controlled factors) together with a view out, humidity and CO2 level (monitored factors) were assessed by them and quantified via sensors. In most studied settings, the thermal comfort was the most determinant factor, followed by the acoustic and visual comfort. Other significant factors were mean illuminance in the room, mean temperature at the participants’ desks and a mode value of the noise level. The daylight levels much lower than recommended in regulations were accepted by participants as comfortable if they were sitting by the window. Also, participants preferred a higher indoor temperature than the recommended in Norway.
Community college faculty advising: Testing a model of student interaction and satisfaction

Academic advising exists to help students make sound decisions. Regrettably, every semester a number of students neglect to consult their professional or faculty advisor, instead choosing to self-advise or take the advice of peers. Consequently, many of these students flounder and the resulting cost (in terms of academic progress, degree attainment, pride in accomplishment, employability, and contribution to society) to the students, their families, the institution, and society is devastating. For example, a study by American Institutes for Research (2011) estimated an economic impact of $4.5 billion in lost income and federal and state income taxes. Institutions of higher learning routinely mandate that students visit with their academic advisor; nevertheless, when students are dissatisfied with the interaction, they often ignore their advisor’s recommendations, make their own choices, and register for courses they believe they need. On the other hand, when students are satisfied with the interaction, they not only visit with their advisor more frequently, but they listen, follow the advice, and consequently advance or accelerate their academic progress. Since “[t]he faculty-advisor is the one professor who has interactions with students from admission to graduation” (Choate and Granello, 2006, p. 117), the purpose of this research is to identify factors involved in the student-faculty advisor interaction and determine the significance of each factor’s impact on student satisfaction.
Three Dimensional Numerical Modeling of Current and Temperature Distribution in the Estuary of Palu River

Three dimensional numerical model of current and temperature distribution in the estuary of Palu river was discussed in this article. The simulation was conducted using estuary coastal ocean model and sediment transport (ECOMSED) and geographical information system (GIS). The first simulation was conducted by assuming no discharge and the second simulation using combination of tidal and river discharge. The first simulation runs smoothly, where the results revealed that the tidal current velocity on the horizontal and vertical cross sections for one tidal cycle ranged from 0 m/s to 0.03 m/s. Whereas a run time error occurred during the second simulation due to the calculation of nonliniear advection term parameter in momentum equation. The error problem could be solved by imposing a low river discharge data into the model. The visual appearance of current circulation at the river mouth, calculated surface elevation, and temperature distribution on the horizontal and vertical cross sections revealed a good agreement with the primary and secondary data.
Using stable isotopes to identify major flow pathways in a permafrost influenced alpine meadow hillslope during summer rainfall period

Global warming has leaded to permafrost degradation, with potential impacts on the runoff generation processes of permafrost influenced alpine meadow hillslope. Stable isotopes have the potential to trace the complex runoff generation processes. In this study, precipitation, hillslope surface and subsurface runoff, stream water, and mobile soil water (MSW) at different hillslope positions and depths were collected during the summer rainfall period to analyse the major flow pathway based on stable isotopic signatures. The results indicated that (a) compared with precipitation, the δ2H values of MSW showed little temporal variation but strong heterogeneity with enriched isotopic ratios at lower hillslope positions and in deeper soil layers. (b) The δ2H values of middle‐slope surface runoff and shallow subsurface flow were similar to those of precipitation and MSW of the same soil layer, respectively. (c) Middle‐slope shallow subsurface flow was the major flow pathway of the permafrost influenced alpine meadow hillslope, which turned into surface runoff at the riparian zone before contributing to the streamflow. (d) The slight variation of δ2H values in stream water was shown to be related to mixing processes of new water (precipitation, 2%) and old water (middle‐slope shallow subsurface flow, 98%) in the highly transmissive shallow thawed soil layers. It was inferred that supra‐permafrost water levels would be lowered to a less conductive, deeper soil layer under further warming and thawing permafrost, which would result in a declined streamflow and delayed runoff peak. This study explained the “rapid mobilization of old water” paradox in permafrost influenced alpine meadow hillslope and improved our understanding of permafrost hillslope hydrology in alpine regions.
Epidemiological Assessment of Seasonal Diarrhoea Cases in Flood Prone Chiga Ward, Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya

Introduction: In western Kenya, around Lake Victoria basin, diarrhoea is generally common among adults due to the high prevalence of immunecompromised persons. Objective: To assess seasonal diarrhoea cases in flood prone Chiga ward Lake Victoria basin, Kenya between 2012 to 2016. Method: Health records of clinically-diagnosed and treated diarrhoea cases in the period between 2012 to 2016 were extracted from the registers at Chiga Health Centre and then stored electronically in an excel format. Monthly average rainfall in millimeters for the period of 2012 to 2016 was collected from TuTiempo.net for the Lake Victoria basin. Data transformation and analysis for health records and rainfall data were performed using R software (version 3.4.2). Result: A total of 774 cases of diarrhoea were treated at Chiga Health Centre between 2012 and 2016. More than two-third (67.3%) of the cases were adults (≥ 18 years) with a standard deviation of (16.52) and (IQR: 25.0-49.0). followed by older children (≥ 5 years) with (SD=1.94) and (IQR: 7.0-10.0). Adults reported high cases of diarrhoea compared to older children across all the years from 2012 to 2016; this implies that adolescent group reported low cases of diarrhoea. More than half (59.9%) of the cases were females while 40.1% were males. Percentage distribution of the treated cases followed a seasonal pattern with peaks being observed from quarter two and quarter four of each year. Conclusion: From the findings of this study, age and seasonality are key epidemiological variables for the prevention and control of a seasonal outbreak of diarrhoea. Provision of portable clean water to the households may reduce the prevalence of diarrhoea, especially among residents in Chiga ward.
Pharmacological interventions for acute spinal cord injury

The incidence of acute spinal cord injury(SCI) is ascending in the rising accidents of mining,construction and transportation.When surgical decompression and stabilization gained widespread acceptance,the initial pharmacological interventions which aim at neuroprotection are ignored.In patients with SCI,the primary or mechanical trauma seldom causes total transection,while the functional loss may be complete after secondary injury.Thus,pharmacological treatment which includes reducing edema,counteracting harmful consequences,and providing neurotrophic support in the early hours of the injury may play a critical role in neurological recovery following SCI.
Ecological risk estimation of heavy metal pollution in roadside dust of Ado-Odo Ota, Southwestern Nigeria

Increased industrial, commercial and transport activities have constantly introduced air pollutants such as heavy metals in the atmosphere. Roadside dust samples were collected from 10 locations along Ota-Benin road, analysed for Cr, Cd, Co, Ni, Pb, Fe, Mn, Cu, As and Zn, and the ecological risk was evaluated for the heavy metals’ concentration in the roadside dust particles using the Hakanson method. The results revealed that Cd (3.103 mg/kg) and Cu (mg/kg) surpassed the threshold effect level. Pollutant source identification analysis revealed possible origin from motor oil, plastics, metalliferous extraction, dyes, and paints industries. The contamination factor for Ni was found to be at a moderate level in location SM8, SM9 and SM10 and a similar category was observed for Pb in location SM7, SM8, SM9 and SM10. Zn concentration in location SM5, SM6, SM7, SM8, SM9 and SM10 fell within the moderate contamination factor zone as well. Furthermore, the mean Eri of the individual metals in the sample region followed the order of Cd > Ni > Pb > As > Cu > Zn > Cr indicating a high risk associated with cadmium within the sample region.
Estimativas de perdas econômicas e custos de manejo de incêndios florestais no Cerrado e na Amazônia brasileira

Although still the largest expanse of tropical rainforests in the world, the Amazon is suffering a declining capacity to deliver ecosystem services, to which the widespread use of fire is one of the main contributing factors. Even if fires directly affect the timber sector, most current logging practices often tend to increase rather than mitigate the problem. We argue that in order to involve the timber sector in fire mitigation policies in the Amazon it is crucial to assess the economic impact of fire on the sector. This paper describes EcoFire, a spatially-explicit model for valuing the economic losses by fire to sustainable timber harvest operations in the Brazilian Amazon. To conduct this analysis, we have integrated a set of models that simulate the synergy between logging and fire spread and intensity. Our results show that fire affects roughly 2% of the timber production areas that would be harvested between 2012 and 2041. In burnt areas, fire causes losses on average of US$ 39±2 ha/year (Equivalent Annual Annuity), which represents a loss of 0.8 % of expected rents. Yet losses can reach up to US$ 183±30 ha/year in areas hit by recurrent fires that are near milling centres. The results indicate that some of the municipalities that are likely to accumulate most economic losses due to fire do not yet have local-level fire mitigation programmes. We therefore conclude that spatially-explicit valuations of the economic impact of fire can pinpoint priorities for better targeting fire action plans as well as for engaging local actors in integrated fire management practices.
Unraveling the Mechanics of Thermal Stress Weathering: Rate‐Effects, Size‐Effects, and Scaling Laws

Thermal stress weathering is now recognized to be an active and significant geomorphological process on airless bodies. This study aims to understand the key factors governing thermal stresses in rocks on airless bodies through extensive numerical calculations and analytic analyses. Microscopic (grain‐scale) thermal stresses are driven primarily by the maximum diurnal temperature variation at said depth. Macroscopic (rock‐scale) thermal stresses are more complex. For rock sizes larger than the thermal skin depth, macroscopic thermal stresses are driven primarily by second (and higher) order spatial gradients of temperature. For rock sizes smaller than the thermal skin depth, macroscopic thermal stresses are primarily driven by the ratio of rock size to thermal skin depth. Additionally, scaling relations for diurnal surface temperature variation, time‐rate‐of‐change of surface temperature, as well as peak microscopic (grain‐scale) and macroscopic (rock‐scale) thermal stresses are derived to provide a more accessible modeling tool. These scaling relations are remarkably accurate when compared to both the numerical calculations as well as three‐dimensional finite element calculations. The model formulation, results, and scaling relations provided here allow the estimation of diurnal temperatures and thermal stresses on rocks of various size and materials on airless bodies at any orbital distance with a broad spectrum of spin rates. Lastly, we postulate and confirm that there is a critical spin rate where macroscopic thermal stresses will be greatest.