Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New U-Pb and Sm-Nd Data and REE Distribution in Sulphides of Paleoproterozoic PGE Layered Intrusions in the Arctic Part of the Fennoscandian Shield

The U-Pb (on zircon) and Sm-Nd analysis is a popular isotope-geochronological tool for estimating the age of rocks from PGE mafic-ultramafic intrusions. Sulphides can be used to study the geochronology of ore processes as well, since they should indicate the time of ore mineralization. Gabbronorite has been sampled from the Passivaara reef at the Penikat layered intrusion (Finland) for U-Pb and Sm-Nd isotope single zircon analyses in order to separate sulphide minerals. The Sm-Nd isotope age of gabbronorite has been dated at 2426 ± 36 Ma; eNd(T) = −1.4 ± 0.4. The Sm-Nd isotope age on sulphides and rock-forming minerals reflects the crystallization time of the ore-bearing gabbronorite from the Passivaara reef of the Penikat layered intrusion. The mass-spectrometer analytical environment and modes of operation have been adjusted to detect REE in sulphide minerals on example of pyrite from the PGE Penikat layered intrusion (Finland) and chalcopyrite from the Talnakh deposit (Norilsk area, Russia) has been estimated. The total REE content in pyrite is ca. 3.5 ppm, which is enough to define the Sm-Nd age of pyrite. The study shows how to use the mineral/chondrite spectra to evaluate the accuracy of the REE analytical results on example of State Standard Sample 2463 (Russia).
Time‐Dependent Production Functions of Lunar Simple Craters on Layered Targets With Consideration of Topographic Degradation

Impact bombardment changes target properties, and topographic degradation increases crater diameters. These effects potentially change the shape of lunar production function (PF), which is usually assumed to be constant with time. Using crater scaling laws, we model PFs (MPFs) formed by near‐Earth objects on two‐layer target models that have increasing regolith thickness with time. Model‐derived MPFs show a significantly elevated production rate for small lunar craters, which is consistent with a high regolith production rate during the last ~1 Ma. Further integrating the effect of topographic degradation, we model the time‐dependent observable PFs (MOPFs) from the MPFs. Comparing among MOPFs, MPFs, and the prevailing Neukum PF suggests that, for D = 10–1,000 m simple craters, applying MPFs and Neukum PF may cause the derived cumulative density of D > 1 km craters (i.e., N(1)) to differ from its real value by a factor up to ~3 and ~10, respectively.
Effects of body weight-supported treadmill training combined with ball-kicking on balance and gait of subacute stroke patients

Objective: This study focused on subacute stroke patients who were asked to kick a ball while walking on a treadmill. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) combined with ball-kicking on muscle strength, balance, and gait. Design: Single blind, randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty stroke patients who volunteered to participate in this study were randomly assigned to either the BWSTT combined with ball-kicking (BWSTT-BK; 10 participants) group or the BWSTT group (10 participants). Participants in the BWSTTBK group performed treadmill walking combined with simultaneous ball-kicking for 30 minutes daily for 5 weeks. Participants from the BWSTT group performed only treadmill walking. The muscular strength, balance, and gait ability were measured before and after the 5-week training. To assess for muscular strength, a digital muscle tester was used to measure hip flexor, knee extensor, and dorsiflexor strength. To assess for balance, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) was used. To assess for gait, the 10 meter walk test (10MWT) and Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) was used. Results: The BWSTT-BK group showed significantly improved muscular strength, balance, and gait according to BBS, TUG, 10MWT, FGA, and digital muscle testing scores compared to the BWSTT group (p
Biomechanical and hydraulic challenges for a tropical swamp forest and driftwood tree – Alstonia spatulata Blume (Apocynaceae)

Rootwood and basal stemwood of Alstonia spatulata is polystyrene-like in texture and softness when dry. It has been traditionally used for pith helmets, rafters, and as cork substitute, and can be dispersed over long distances as driftwood. This driftwood is so common on the beaches across the Central Pacific that in the Marshall Islands a special traditional use of the wood for floaters or cork substitutes named wũj has emerged. Here we describe this ultralight driftwood and the rootwood and basal stemwood of Alstonia spatulata, a tree from swamp forests of Southeast Asia. The ground-tissue is composed of very thinwalled modified fibres without tip growth and vestured pits without borders. Axial parenchyma is in narrow marginal bands, and scanty paratracheal. Vessels are narrow. Rays are extremely low and mostly uniseriate. We discuss the biomechanical and hydraulic conductivity paradox of small to medium-sized trees resting on an extremely weak and soft trunk base (at the root collar), and the parallel evolution of similar very soft woods in swamp forests of both the Old and the New World and in the Deccan fossil record of India.
Mapping Stress and Structure From Subducting Slab to Magmatic Rift: Crustal Seismic Anisotropy of the North Island, New Zealand

We use crustal seismic anisotropy measurements in the North Island, New Zealand, to examine structures and stress within the Taupō Volcanic Zone, the Taranaki Volcanic Lineament, the subducting Hikurangi slab, and the Hikurangi forearc. Results in the Taranaki region are consistent with NW‐SE oriented extension yet suggest that the Taranaki volcanic lineament may be controlled by a deep‐rooted, inherited crustal structure. In the central Taupō Volcanic Zone anisotropy fast orientations are predominantly controlled by continental rifting. However at Taupō and Okataina volcanoes, fast orientations are highly variable and radial to the calderas suggesting the influence of magma reservoirs in the seismogenic crust (≤15 km depth). The subducting Hikurangi slab has a predominant trench‐parallel fast orientation, reflecting the pervasive presence of plate‐bending faults, yet changing orientations at depths ≥120 km beneath the central North Island may be relics from previous subduction configurations. Finally, results from the southern Hikurangi forearc show that the orientation of stresses there is consistent with those in the underlying subducting slab. In contrast, the northern Hikurangi forearc is pervasively fractured and is undergoing E‐W compression, oblique to the stress field in the subducting slab. The north‐south variation in fore‐arc stress is likely related to differing subduction‐interface coupling. Across the varying tectonic regimes of the North Island our study highlights that large‐scale tectonic forces tend to dictate the orientation of stress and structures within the crust, although more localized features (plate coupling, magma reservoirs, and inherited crustal structures) can strongly influence surface magmatism and the crustal stress field.
Predicting language proficiency in bilingual children

Using advanced quantitative methods, this article demonstrates that cumulative exposure to the school language is the best language experience predictor of proficiency in that language (as indexed by sentence repetition, lexical semantic, and discourse semantic tasks) in a highly diverse group of 5- to 7-year-old bilingual children in monolingual education. An objective method is proposed to identify the amount of school language experience beyond which bilingual children are likely to perform within the monolingual range, and show that relative passivity in the home language does not translate into better school language proficiency. Socioeconomic status is shown to interact in complex ways with language exposure, such that it is only above a certain level of exposure to the school language that the benefits of a more privileged background have a tangible impact on school language proficiency. To tease apart the effect of environmental predictors from the effect of cognitive factors, memory and cognitive flexibility measures are included as covariates in all analyses.
A statistical approach to evaluate the parametrisation of turbulence in convection-permitting models using radar-retrieved eddy dissipation rates

The effects of turbulence on the evolution of convective clouds remains uncertain both in observations and in numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. Turbulent processes remain parametrised in convection-permitting models (CPMs), and simulated clouds remain highly sensitive to the configuration of sub-filter turbulence schemes. It remains unclear whether assumptions implicit in these schemes are valid for CPMs, indicating the need for thorough evaluation of their performance using observations; the primary aim of this thesis. Eddy dissipation rates e, are retrieved in radar data by applying a comprehensive method to infer the turbulent component of the Doppler spectrum variance. Hydrometeor fall-speed variances are shown to be negligible when sampling at elevations lower than 11.5°. Shear is calculated directly by applying a linear velocity model to Doppler velocities. New equations are presented to account for variance from azimuthal shear – an unseen dimension in rangeheight scans. Resulting values of e are insensitive to the scale over which shear is calculated. A thorough statistical analysis of e in observed clouds suitable for model evaluation is presented for the first time. Retrievals of e were analysed for two contrasting case studies; shallow “shower” clouds and more vigorous “deep” clouds. Values of e range from 10−3 − 10−1 m2 s −3 in shower clouds and from 10−3 − 1 m2 s −3 in deep clouds. Turbulent intensity increases with height in deep clouds while remaining constant in shower clouds. In both cases, significant positive correlations are demonstrated between e and many cloud characteristics. The strongest correlations are found between the velocity and horizontal shear in updrafts. Coherent features of e are found to have typical spatial scales of 0.5 – 1 km. Results are compared with equivalent statistics derived in 100-m and 55-m grid-length Met Office Unified Model simulations of the observed cases to evaluate the SmagorinskyLilly sub-grid mixing scheme. Simulated turbulence is characterised by small, intense regions of e more strongly co-located with shear around updrafts than observed. The 95th and 99th percentiles of model e are one and two orders of magnitude larger than observations, respectively, with similar median values. Values of e increase consistently with the mixing length and appear insensitive to grid-length suggesting 100-m was sufficient to resolve an inertial sub-range.
Understanding of European Cold Extremes, Sudden Stratospheric Warming, and Siberian Snow Accumulation in the Winter of 2017/18

It is unclear whether the Eurasian snow plays a role in the tropospheric driving of sudden stratospheric warming (SSW). The major SSW event of February 2018 is analyzed using reanalysis datasets. Characterized by predominant planetary waves of zonal wave 2, the SSW developed into a vortex split via wave–mean flow interaction. In the following two weeks, the downward migration of zonal-mean zonal wind anomalies was accompanied by a significant transition to the negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation, leading to extensive cold extremes across Europe. Here, we demonstrate that anomalous Siberian snow accumulation could have played an important role in the 2018 SSW occurrence. In the 2017/18 winter, snow depths over Siberia were much higher than normal. A lead–lag correlation analysis shows that the positive fluctuating snow depth anomalies, leading to intensified “cold domes” over eastern Siberia (i.e., in a region where the climatological upward planetary waves maximize), precede enhanced wave-2 pulses of meridional heat fluxes (100 hPa) by 7–8 days. The snow–SSW linkage over 2003–19 is further investigated, and some common traits among three split events are found. These include a time lag of about one week between the maximum anomalies of snow depth and wave-2 pulses (100 hPa), high sea level pressure favored by anomalous snowpack, and a ridge anchoring over Siberia as precursor of the splits. The role of tropospheric ridges over Alaska and the Urals in the wave-2 enhancement and the role of Arctic sea ice loss in Siberian snow accumulation are also discussed.
ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES JEOPARDIZING THE ABUNDANCE OF LATEX-PRODUCING PLANTS IN THE VEGETATION BELTS OF NORTHERN NIGERIA

Ecological studies were carried out to ascertain the niche of latex-producing plants in the different vegetation belts of Northern Nigeria considering anthropogenic activities as a factor. Global Positioning System (GPS) and Stratified random sampling were used to locate towns for data collection. Twenty (20) plots of 15 m x 20 m (300 m 2 ) quadrat size were considered, 5 plots from each vegetation belt of Southern Guinea Savanna (SGS), Northern Guinea Savanna (NGS), Sudan Savanna (SS) and Montane Vegetation (MV). Also, a quadrat size of 1 m x 1 m was placed 4 times in each of the 20 plots to enable the counting of forbs and grasses. The total latex-producing plants available in each of the vegetation belt revealed that Southern Guinea savanna had 6.57%, Northern Guinea Savanna had 3.76%, Sudan savanna had 9.33% and Montane vegetation had 20.14% of the total number of individual plant species of 70, 53, 30 and 85 respectively collected in the each vegetation belt. Ten (10) families collected during the work were noted to produce latex namely, Aloeceae, Sapotaceae, Cohlospermaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae, Convolvulaceae, Meliaceae, Asclepiaceae, Cactaceae and Apotaceae. Thirty three (33) of the plant species collected were latex-producing plants, while 109 plant species were non-latex producing plant species. The diversity of latex-producing plants decreases to the North probably because of the increase in the open grazing and other human activities.
Metode USLE untuk Memprediksi Erosi Tanah dan Nilai Toleransi Erosi Sebuah Sistem Agricultural di Desa Genengan Kecamatan Jumantono Karanganyar

Erosion can potentially cause of land degradation. Prediction of erosion rate is needed on a certain plots of land so the sustainability of the farming system and appropriate conservation recommendations can be known. This research is intended to obtain information of erosivity value comparison in supporting erosion prediction acuracy USLE method to get erosion prediction value and erosion tolerated value (Etol). This information will be used to the determine the recommendations technology conservation on farming system of Genengan village, district Jumantono, Karanganyar Regency. A explorative descriptive research is using a land units map as the basic unit of analysis a survey in the field. The determination of sample unit is based on the land unit map from the overlay of land slope maps, land use maps, and soil maps on the land system Samin watershed. Results showed that the magnitude in Genengan Village on the land unit 1, land unit 2, land unit 5, land unit 6 and land unit 8 still under the tolerance value. Meanwhile land unit 3, land unit 4 and land unit 7 are exceeded the value this requires need for conservation. The suggested conservation is for the land unit 3 by planting 9 of vetiver between the main plant, where as on the land unit 4 and land unit 7 is recomended to apply 60% of straw mulch.
Thermal image building inspection for heat loss diagnosis

Thermal imaging inspection for building applications it is powerful and non invasive method for monitoring and diagnosing the condition of buildings. With a thermal imaging camera you can identify problems early. This method allows us to check and correct issues before becoming more serious and more costly. By this method, we can exemplify the heat loss through the surface of the building. Thermal imaging consists of scanning the building with infrared, using a special camera. The radiated heat leads to a temperature variation on the surface of the building element in which is embedded. This method, corroborated with the calculation of heat loss, provides a technical and economical solution for the problem of thermal discomfort in the building.
Assessment of Selected Heavy Metals Content in Soil of Agricultural Activity

A representative sample of agricultural soil was studied for assessing the level of toxic heavy metals that could be passed on to crops; this can be the first step towards determining the possibility of its further use, especially in areas where strong industrialization progress is visible. The soil texture, pH, and bulk density along with the total amount of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni) were analyzed for characterizing the status of the soil at two depths: TOP (a composite sample from 0–30 cm deep) and BOTTOM (a composite sample from 30–60 cm deep). The sampling scheme was a square grid with 16 regularly spaced points. The heavy metals concentration values were below legal limits but higher than the regional geochemical background level, suggesting an anthropogenic origin. The pollution load index (PLI) was implemented as a tool for computing the generalized heavy metal pollution status. A geostatistical analysis of the data shows a spatial variation on a detailed scale, both in the horizontal and vertical dimensions, with the TOP soil showing higher average Pb and Cd concentrations.
The major Late Albian transgressive event recorded in the epeiric platform of the Langshan Formation in central Tibet

Abstract Global sea-level changes strongly impact within-basin depositional patterns and the evolution of palaeoclimate, palaeogeography and palaeoecology. During the long, worldwide ice-free period in the mid-Cretaceous greenhouse time interval, high-frequency global sea-level changes were recorded in sedimentary archives. However, the causes of these global sea-level changes are still debated. In central Tibet, the 1 km-thick Langshan Formation has been dated to the late Aptian to early Cenomanian based on larger benthic foraminifera and accumulated in an epeiric seaway, thus, it provides a good opportunity to reconstruct the sea-level change and their controlling factors. Eleven distinct microfacies corresponding to three sedimentary environments have been identified in the Langshan Formation. Calcispheres marlstone and bioclastic wackestone with calcispheres were deposited in an open marine environment; coral rudstone, rudist rudstone and benthic foraminifera–rudist wackestone characterize were deposited in a rudist bank environment; and orbitolinids floatstone–rudstone, green algae packstone, bioclastic grainstone, orbitolinids wackestone with small benthic foraminifera, spicules wackestone and small benthic foraminifera wackestone–mudstone were deposited in a lagoonal environment. The Langshan Formation accumulated on an epeiric platform. This unit documents a sudden deepening event from a rudist bank to an open marine environment during the late Albian (c. 107 Ma). Integrating these findings with regional data from the literature, we infer that this deepening event was a widespread, roughly synchronous feature across the globe, and was controlled by a global sea-level rise related to the decay of polar ice sheets or the release of water from continental aquifers.
Soil Degradation in the Senegal Lower Valley

The Senegal River is regulated by two dams, the Diama anti-salt dam constructed in 1986, close to the river mouth (Fig. 1), to prevent marine intrusions during high tides, and the Mantanali reservoir dam that was impounded two years later in Mali. Since then, there has been a spectacular development of irrigated agriculture in the valley. The initial plan for development of the Senegal River valley envisaged a potential of at least 250,000 ha, which could be increased to 375,000 ha, mainly in the two countries, Senegal and Mauritania. This intensification of agriculture and the increase in irrigated areas has disrupted the existing environmental balance. It is therefore important to determine whether they have caused soil degradation, or simply offered a new framework for the development and exploration of the Senegal middle valley. Impact studies prior to development are generally insufficient to understand the environment and the complexity of its functioning. As will be shown in this study, recent pedogenetical processes in the Senegal River valley have led to soil diversity and salinity distribution. The first objective is to illustrate the mechanisms that dominated this environment until the commissioning of the two dams. In a second step, we will present the evolution
Development of a Rangeland Degradation Risk Model for the Peruvian Andes

iv Acknowledgements . v List of Tables and Figures . vi
Retrofitting near to zero energy homes in a Mediterranean climate

The present local built environment has a common thermal comfort problem namely that most dwellings have a great reliance on electricity for environmental control indoors. The main objective of this research work was to offer a practical and cost-effective working solution to this problem. The feasible energy–saving measures that can be retrofitted to an existing dwelling were designed and applied to an existing building; a top third floor flat in Birkirkara, Malta, thus converting it into a thermally comfortable minimum energy home. The indoor climate of the subject flat, its mirror image apartment and the Birkirkara microclimate were monitored for one year and the necessary tools to analyse this data were utilised: a psychrometric chart analysis with Malta’s defined thermal comfort zones. Compared to its microclimate and the mirror apartment, the results show that the subject flat managed to keep a constant and very comfortable indoor climate across both the hot and cold seasons. It is only for a small portion (a total of 9 out of 122 days – 7% in summer and 16 out of 121 days – 13% in winter) that the energy–saving retrofit measures did not fall within the thermal comfort zones limits. This case study also shows that the combined energy saving retrofit measures had a payback period of 15 years, which eventually pays off with a surplus of over €700.