Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Management of problem soils in arid ecosystems

The Arid Ecosystem Elements of the Climate Classification of the Earth to Climatic Regions Natural Vegetative Cover in Arid Ecosystems Soils of the Arid Ecosystems References Salt-Affected Soils Introduction The Size of the Problem Characteristics of Salt-Affected Soils Studies Required for Predicting Salinization Due to Upward Movement of Groundwater and its Subsequent Evaporation Effect of Salinity on Plant Growth and Composition References Calcareous Soils Introduction Morphology Physical Properties Chemical and Fertility Properties Gypsic Soils Management of Calcareous Soils References Sandy Soils Introduction Formation of Sandy Soils The Sandy Soils in Soil Classification Systems Physical Characteristics Management of Sandy Soils References Water Management in Arid Ecosystems Introduction Technologies for Increasing Water Resources Management of Rain-Fed Agriculture Irrigation Drainage Use of Low-Quality Water for Irrigation References Desertification Introduction Soil Degradation Degradation Versus Desertification Desertification Due to Sand Movement Desertification of Rangeland Desertification Due to Irrigation and Waterlogging Combating Desertification in Rain-Fed Croplands Complementary Measures for Combating Desertification Soil Erosion Water Erosion Wind Erosion Desertification, a Global Challenge References Index
Interactive analysis tools for the wide-angle seismic data for crustal structure study (Technical Report)

Abstract The analysis of wide-angle seismic reflection and refraction data plays an important role in lithospheric-scale crustal structure study. However, it is extremely difficult to develop an appropriate velocity structure model directly from the observed data, and we have to improve the structure model step by step, because the crustal structure analysis is an intrinsically non-linear problem. There are several subjective processes in wide-angle crustal structure modelling, such as phase identification and trial-and-error forward modelling. Because these subjective processes in wide-angle data analysis reduce the uniqueness and credibility of the resultant models, it is important to reduce subjectivity in the analysis procedure. From this point of view, we describe two software tools, PASTEUP and MODELING, to be used for developing crustal structure models. PASTEUP is an interactive application that facilitates the plotting of record sections, analysis of wide-angle seismic data, and picking of phases. PASTEUP is equipped with various filters and analysis functions to enhance signal-to-noise ratio and to help phase identification. MODELING is an interactive application for editing velocity models, and ray-tracing. Synthetic traveltimes computed by the MODELING application can be directly compared with the observed waveforms in the PASTEUP application. This reduces subjectivity in crustal structure modelling because traveltime picking, which is one of the most subjective process in the crustal structure analysis, is not required. MODELING can convert an editable layered structure model into two-way traveltimes which can be compared with time-sections of Multi Channel Seismic (MCS) reflection data. Direct comparison between the structure model of wide-angle data with the reflection data will give the model more credibility. In addition, both PASTEUP and MODELING are efficient tools for handling a large dataset. These software tools help us develop more plausible lithospheric-scale structure models using wide-angle seismic data.
Habitat Fragmentation and Landscape Change: An Ecological and Conservation Synthesis

Habitat loss and degradation that comes as a result of human activity is the single biggest threat to biodiversity in the world today. "Habitat Fragmentation and Landscape Change" is a groundbreaking work that brings together a wealth of information from a wide range of sources to define the ecological problems caused by landscape change and to highlight the relationships among landscape change, habitat fragmentation, and biodiversity conservation. The book: synthesizes a large body of information from the scientific literature; considers key theoretical principles for examining and predicting effects; examines the range of effects that can arise; explores ways of mitigating impacts; reviews approaches to studying the problem; and discusses knowledge gaps and future areas for research and management. "Habitat Fragmentation and Landscape Change" offers a unique mix of theoretical and practical information, outlining general principles and approaches and illustrating those principles with case studies from around the world. It represents a definitive overview and synthesis on the full range of topics that fall under the widely used but often vaguely defined term "habitat fragmentation. "
THE INFLUENCE OF RAINFALL ON TRANSPORT OF BEACH SAND BY WIND

This paper deals with the effect of rainfall on the process of wind erosion of beach sands and presents results from both field and wind tunnel experiments. Although sediment transport by splash is of secondary importance on coastal dunes, splash-saltation processes can move sediments in conditions where no motion is predicted by aeolian processes. The effect of raindrop impact on the movement of soil particles by wind was measured on a sand beach plain using an acoustic sediment sampler. In general, an increase of particle movement by wind at the sensor heights was observed during rainfall. Rainfall also affected the wind erosion process during and after rain by changing the cohesive conditions of the surface. The influence of the surface moisture content on the initiation of wind erosion and on the vertical distribution of transported sand particles was studied in a wind tunnel. Moisture significantly increased threshold wind velocities for the initiation of sediment transport and modified vertical sediment profiles.
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Ozone Profile Retrieval from Limb Scatter Measurements in the Hartley Bands: Further Retrieval Details and Profile Comparisons

COMMAND Abstract. SCIAMACHY limb scatter radiance measurements at selected wavelengths in the HARTLEY bands have been used to retrieve ozone profiles in the upper stratosphere and lower mesosphere. Comparisons with profiles measured by a ground based radiometer in Norway, MIPAS on board ENVISAT, HALOE on UARS and MLS on AURA indicate an agreement within 15% between 40 and 55 km and show that the retrieval provides reliable ozone profiles at these altitudes. Above 55 km, an increasing overestimation is observed. Beside the profile comparisons, further retrieval features of the current retrieval (version 1.26) are described.
The Cream of the Crop? Inequality and Migrant Selectivity in Ireland during the Age of Mass Migration

During the Age of Mass Migration (1850-1913), over 30 million people moved from Europe to North America. European policy-makers feared that migration would attract the “best and brightest” workers. I study the selectivity of migration from Ireland, the European country with the highest emigration rate, using a new longitudinal dataset of 300,000 migrants and non-migrants. I find that migrants tended to come from mid-status, farming families (“intermediately selected”). Yet migration within Ireland drew from both lower and higher status families. Children who were more likely to inherit valuable land were less likely to leave their home county.
Quality Analysis of 3 D Reconstruction in Underwater Photogrammetry through DoE-based regression

Photogrammetric techniques have known an important development during the last decade and today they are widely employed for 3D acquisitions in different fields of application. In the paper underwater photogrammetry was take into account with the aim to analyze the effects of different parameters (texturization, ambient light and water turbidity) on the quality of the 3D reconstruction. Several experimental tests were performed on a wind turbine blade using a common action camera, the GoPro 4 black edition and a commercial software, Photoscan by ©Agisoft. By means of a DoE (Design of Experiments) approach 12 three dimensional models were reconstructed varying the chosen parameters. Each of them was compared with a CAD model, used as reference, obtained by more accurate laser scans by VI-9i by Konica Minolta. The results showed that blade texturization, ambient light and water turbidity significantly impact on the quality of the 3D reconstruction. Optimal results were obtained with the highest level of the ambient light (exposure 1/60, f/2.8 and ISO sensitivity 100) and a moderate quantity of clay (8 mg/l) suspended in the water. Key-Words: Underwater photogrammetry, Reverse Engineering, Passive No-contact Techniques, Structure From Motion, Design of Experiments
Aﬀective Level Design for a Role-Playing Videogame Evaluated by a Brain-Computer Interface and Machine Learning Methods

Game science has become a research ﬁeld which attracts industry attention due to a worldwide rich sell-market. In order to understand the player experience, concepts like Flow or Boredom mental states require formalization and empirical investigation, taking advantage of the objective data that psychophysiological methods like electroencephalography (EEG) can provide. This work studies the aﬀective ludology and shows two diﬀerent game levels for Neverwinter Nights 2 developed with the aim to manipulate emotions; two sets of aﬀective design guidelines are presented, with a rigorous formalization that considers the characteristics of Role-Playing genre and its speciﬁc gameplay. An empirical investigation with a brain-computer interface headset has been conducted: by extracting numerical data features, machine learning techniques classify the diﬀerent activities of the gaming sessions (task and events) to verify if their design diﬀerentiation coincides with the aﬀective one. The observed results, also supported by subjective questionnaires data, conﬁrm the goodness of the proposed guidelines suggesting that this evaluation methodology could be extended to other evaluation tasks.
Edinburgh Research Explorer Using mouse transgenic and human stem cell technologies to model genetic mutations associated with schizophrenia and autism

iPSCs are generated by reprogramming fibroblasts from skin biopsies from volunteers using a variety of techniques, most commonly using standard Yamanaka factors, delivered in non-integrative episomal vectors. Other starting cellular materials can be used such as keratinocytes from hair or from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Once generated and extensively tested, the hiPSCs can be used to either make neuronal precursor cells or glial precursor cells (e.g. oligodendrocyte precursors) or grown and lifted to make three-dimensional organoids as shown in frames (a) phase bright image of a cerebral organoid at two months of age and frame (b) shows an organoid that has been sectioned and stained with antibodies to Pax6 and phospho-histone H3, clearly demonstrating a ventricular zone. The cellular platforms generated can then be used for further downstream studies including electrophysiology, transcriptomic and proteomic studies, drug screening as well as morphological studies, and co-culturing with other cell types. In addition, the hiPSCs can be gene-edited using CRISR–Cas9 to attempt to rescue phenotypes observed.
FLATNESS BASED ADAPTIVE TRACKING CONTROL FOR A DISTRIBUTED COLLECTOR SOLAR FIELD

This paper is concerned with the design of an adaptive servo controller for tracking variable references in a distributed collector solar field. The structure proposed is made up of three main blocks: A motion planner, an incremental controller and an adaptation mechanism. The motion planner selects the time profile of the manipulated variable (oil flow) such that the plant state (oil temperature distribution along the solar field) is driven between successive equilibrium states as specified. This is done on the basis of a simplified, yet distributed parameter, model and uses the methods of flat systems and the concept of orbital flatness. In order to stabilize the actual oil temperature around this nominal path, a linear controller is used. This control law is then modified according to a Lyapunov function strategy for incorporating adaptation through the adjustment of a parameter which conveys the most significative plant uncertainty. The approach is illustrated through simulations performed in a detailed solar field model.
39. SUBSIDENCE RECORD OF EARLY-STAGE CONTINENTAL COLLISION, ERATOSTHENES PLATFORM (SITES 966 AND 967) 1

A major thematic objective of Ocean Drilling Program Leg 160 drilling was an improved understanding of the processes involved in the initial stages of continental collision. The Eratosthenes platform is hypothesized to be a fragment of thinned North African crust that is about to be subducted beneath Cyprus. Incipient subduction appears to be accompanied by extensive normal faulting, indicating that the Eratosthenes platform is undergoing breakup. Drilling at Sites 965 -968 was aimed primarily at documenting the timing and nature of the subsidence and breakup. Using shipboard paleontologic and physical properties data, supplemented with postcruise age refinements, paleobathymetric estimates, and porosity vs. depth determinations, I present quantitative decompacted subsidence histories for Sites 966 and 967, which are located on or immediately adjacent to the Eratosthenes platform. Taken together, the subsidence results are consistent with a model in which the Eratosthenes platform is a part of North African passive margin that underwent exponentially decreasing thermal subsidence since at least early Cretaceous time, was uplifted during the late Oligocene or early Miocene, and then began a phase of rapid tectonic subsidence by late Miocene time, which has continued to the present day. The overall interpretation of the subsidence history presented here is that the Eratosthenes platform represents a thinned promontory of North African lithosphere that is now in the early stages of tectonic contact with the Eurasian plate. Breakup and subsidence since Miocene time may be related to bending stresses on the North African lithosphere associated with collision.
Effect of sulfadiazine-contaminated pig manure on abundance of genes and transcripts 1 involved in nitrogen transformation in the root-rhizosphere complexes of maize and clover 2 1 st revised version – September 2011 3

Tel. : (+49) 89 3187 3482 16 Fax: (+49) 89 3187 3376 17 E-mail: julien.ollivier@helmholtz-muenchen.de 18 19 Running title: Impact of manure contaminated with sulfadiazine on functional communities 20 involved in N cycling in the root-rhizosphere complexes of two crops. 21 22 23 Copyright © 2010, American Society for Microbiology and/or the Listed Authors/Institutions. All Rights Reserved. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. doi:10.1128/AEM.01252-10 AEM Accepts, published online ahead of print on 22 October 2010
A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF PLANT FORM-THE PIPE MODEL THEORY : I.BASIC ANALYSES

1丿 BALDwrN , R.L . , W . A . WooD and R . S. EMERY . : J. Bacte 厂三〇1. 83, 907− 913 (1962) 2) 一・一・一:Ibid.85. 1346 − 1349 (1963) 3) BARKER , H . A . : ‘The Bacteria, Vo1.1【: Metabo ! ism ”CGvNsALus ,1, C. and R . Y , STANIER ed . ),15! Academic Press , New York and London r1961) 4)DAGLEY . S.and E . A . DAwES : Biochem. 」. 55, XV Σ(1953) 5)DOHNER , P . M . and B . P. CARDON : 」. BacterioL 67,608 (195の (cited from BARKER31 ) 6)POSTGATE . 」. :Ann . Rev , MicrobioL 13,505− 520(1959) 7)佐竹一夫 :ク ロ マ トグ ラ フ t −,共立 出版,東 京 (1955) 8)手塚泰彦 ・滝井 進 ・北 村 蹲 ; 日 生態会誌 13,188 − 196 (1963) 9)一・一一:Ibid.14,10− 13(1964)10)WACHSMAN , J,T . and H . A . BARKER : 」. Bio1. Chem . 217,695− 702 (1955) 11)WeoD , W . A ,: “The Bacteria, Vo1. II: MetabOlism ” (GuNsALus ,1. C . and R . Y. STANIER ed .),59, Academic Press, New York and London (1961)
Comparing the effectiveness of thinning and prescribed fire for modifying structure in dry coniferous forests

Forest thinning and prescribed fires are the main practices used by managers to address concerns over ecosystem degradation and severe wildland fire potential in dry forests of the Western United States. There is some debate, however, about treatment effectiveness in meeting management objectives as well as their ecological consequences. This study assesses the effectiveness of thinning and prescribed fire treatments, alone and combined, for modifying forest structure and potential fire behavior in the Eastern Cascade Mountains of Washington State. Treatments were applied to 12 management units (~10 ha each), with each treatment combination replicated three times (including untreated controls). Thinning modified forest structure by reducing overall tree stocking and canopy fuels to =50 percent of pretreatment values. Furthermore, thinning greatly reduced the modeled probability of severe wildfire and reduced stand densities to below critical levels for insect outbreaks. The prescribed fire treatment, conversely, did not appreciably reduce stocking levels or canopy fuel loadings, but was effective for raising canopy height and increasing the density of standing dead trees. Prescribed fire effects were more pronounced when used in combination with thinning. While thinning was a more reliable method for altering stand structure, the spring burns conducted in the experiment were cooler and spottier than were desired and may have led to results that downplay the efficacy of fire to meet forest restoration goals.
Target costing application in Egypt : an institutional perspective

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High‐pressure, high‐temperature equations of state using nanofabricated controlled‐geometry Ni/SiO2/Ni double hot‐plate samples

We have fabricated novel controlled‐geometry samples for the laser‐heated diamond‐anvil cell (LHDAC) in which a transparent oxide layer (SiO2) is sandwiched between two laser‐absorbing layers (Ni) in a single, cohesive sample. The samples were mass manufactured (>104 samples) using a combination of physical vapor deposition, photolithography, and wet and plasma etching. The double hot‐plate arrangement of the samples, coupled with the chemical and spatial homogeneity of the laser‐absorbing layers, addresses problems of spatial temperature heterogeneities encountered in previous studies where simple mechanical mixtures of transparent and opaque materials were used. Here we report thermal equations of state (EOS) for nickel to 100 GPa and 3000 K and stishovite to 50 GPa and 2400 K obtained using the LHDAC and in situ synchrotron X‐ray microdiffraction. We discuss the inner core composition and the stagnation of subducted slabs in the mantle based on our refined thermal EOS.
Comparison of the effect of prolotherapy and paraffin wax for hand osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with considerable disability, especially in the elderly patient population. Paraffin wax (PW) and prolotherapy (P) are non-pharmacological treatment methods used in this setting. This study aimed to compare the therapeutic efficacy of P and PW in hand osteoarthritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study was designed as a single-center, randomized-controlled trial conducted at our Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic between February 2019 and July 2020. Patients with bilateral hand OA were divided into PW and P treatment groups. The PW group was treated 5 days per week for 2 weeks. The P group received an injection of dextrose solution into the ligaments of painful joints once weekly for three weeks. Visual analog scale (VAS), Duruoz Hand Index (DHI) scale, hand dynamometer for grip strength, and pinch meter for lateral pinch were used for baseline and post-treatment follow-up assessments. RESULTS Overall, 42 patients were included. The VAS scores significantly decreased in both PW and P groups (p=0.024 and p=0.014). Baseline and third-month post-treatment VAS scores did not significantly differ (p=0.581). The DHI scores improved significantly in both groups (p<0.001 and p<0.001), being higher in the P than in the PW group (p=0.042). Right- and left-hand grip strength increased significantly in PW and P groups (p<0.001, p=0.001; p=0.013, p=0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Both treatment methods were effective regarding pain and grip strength; however, P improved the hand functions more significantly.
Sources of recent sediments in the northern Gulf of Mexico

ABSTRACT Sand-size sediments are contributed to the northern Gulf of Mexico by a large number of streams and, to a lesser extent, by marine erosion of coastal deposits, mainly of Pleistocene age. The heavy mineral assemblages and distributive provinces of most sources can be recognized in the Holocene sediments of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Five heavy mineral provinces have been established, the Eastern Gulf, Mississippi, Western Gulf, Texas Coast, and Rio Grande provinces. The Western Gulf province is of complex origin and consists of sediments deposited on the continental shelf during the early Holocene rise in sea level by the Mississippi, Rio Grande, Colorado, Brazos, and Trinity-Neches Rivers. The changing pattern of alluvial plains, deltas, shore deposits, and several major changes in he direction of longshore drift and currents during the transgression can be recognized. The Texas Coast province consists of a mixture of material contributed by the rivers of the area and of detritus eroded from the Pleistocene deposits of the area by waves. Longshore drift to the west is an agent in the distribution of sediments derived from the Colorado River in the zone between Galveston Bay and Aransas Pass. This material enters the bays from the Gulf side. Barrier island and bay sands are of local origin west of Aransas Pass and consist of a mixture of material derived from the Pleistocene on the land side and material brought in from the shelf during and after the transgression.
Nitrogen fixation in coral reef environments

Coral reefs are sites of high nitrogen fixation activity where marine cyanobacteria are the major contributors. In coral reefs cyanobacteria can be found in very diverse environments: water column, sandy bottoms, on coral rubbles as endolithic and epilithic forms, or forming microbial mats. The purpose of the present research is to evaluate N2 fixation rates in different environments (sandy bottom, coral rubble and cyanobacteria mats) and their contribution to the net primary production. Two different fringing coral reef sites were studied: Sesoko at Okinawa, Japan and La Reunion at the Indian Ocean. N2 fixation and primary production rates were measured using C and N fixation techniques. Daily N2 fixation in sandy bottom was about 3 nanomoles N/μg Chl-a, with near 6% contribution to the primary production. In coral rubbles it ranged from 0.5 to 7 nanomoles N/μg Chl-a with 2.4 to 28% contribution to primary production, while in cyanobacteria mats it varied between 0.2 to 242 nanomoles N/μg Chl-a with contributions of 2.8 to 42% to the primary production. Differences in N2 fixation rates between daytime and nighttime indicated the presence of both heterocystous possessing and non-heterocystous possessing cyanobacteria.