Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing the value of Cl− and δ18O data in modelling the hydrological behaviour of a small upland catchment in northeast Scotland

Model simulation of Cl − and δ 18 O in stream waters has been investigated as a means of improving interpretation of catchment-scale hydrological processes. The procedure has been evaluated for a small upland catchment which is one of the UK Environmental Change Network sites. Precipitation and stream samples have been analysed for hydrochemical determinands since the mid 1990s and, since November 2004, measurement of δ 18 O has also been undertaken. A conceptual hydrological model STREAM (STorage REsidence times And Mixing) was applied to the catchment to simulate the hydrology and responses of Cl − and δ 18 O. Results from model simulations confirmed that the catchment generally behaves as a well-mixed system. The feasibility of flow contributions from a deep groundwater source and infiltration excess runoff was examined, in addition to the apparently dominant shallow groundwater response. The ability to estimate mean residence times and draw strong conclusions about catchment processes was limited by the range of uncertainties in the experimental data and modelling. Integration of the tracer data in the model was found to be of value for probing model sensitivities and developing hypotheses that inform the design of further field experimentation. In this way, the modelling provides key feedback within a catchment learning framework.
Considerations of the enrichment, sources, and flux of arsenic in the troposphere

The tropospheric burden of arsenic has been estimated from representative global surface concentrations and an estimated small particle tropospheric scale height of 3.9 km to be ∼8×108 g As. Total atmospheric arsenic emissions from both natural and anthropogenic sources have been estimated to be 31×109 g As/yr. On a global basis the major source of atmospheric arsenic appears to be from anthropogenic volatilization processes, and the major natural sources of arsenic appear to be volcanoes and the terrestrial biosphere. Total atmospheric arsenic removal is estimated to be 30–50×109 g As/yr. The global tropospheric residence time of arsenic appears to be about 9 days.
Dissolved organic matter dynamics during the spring snowmelt at a boreal river valley mire complex in Northwest Russia

Boreal mire landscapes are rich in soil carbon and significantly contribute to the carbon input of aquatic ecosystems. They are composed of different mesoscale ecohydrological subunits, whose individual contributions to the water and carbon export of mire catchments are not well understood. The spring snowmelt period is the major hydrological event in the annual water cycle of the boreal regions and strongly influences the carbon flux between the terrestrial and aquatic systems. The aim of this study was (1) to provide a conceptual understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of the surface water chemistry along a swamp forest‐fen‐bog gradient during the snowmelt period, (2) to quantify the exported dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content in the runoff and (3) to identify the ecohydrological landscape unit that contributes most to DOC export during the snowmelt period in a heterogeneous mire complex in Northwest Russia. The highest DOC concentrations were detected in the swamp forest, and the lowest concentrations were observed at the treeless bog by the end of the snowmelt period (swamp forest: 37–43 mg l−1, bog: 13–17 mg l−1). During the spring snowmelt period, a significant amount (~1.7 g C m−2) of DOC was transferred by the ~74 mm of runoff from the catchment into the river. Variability in the thawing periods led to differences in the relative contributions of each ecohydrological zone to the carbon export measured at a stream channel draining the studied part of the mire complex. An increased understanding of the variation in DOC concentrations and contributions from the mesoscale ecohydrological subunits to carbon export can help to predict the potential regional loss of DOC based on land cover type under climate change. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identifying paddy fields with dual-polarization ALOS/PALSAR data

Accurate documentation of paddy-rice cultivation areas is valuable in estimating rice production for food security and in assessing the environmental impacts of rice ecosystems such as water consumption, soil degradation, and river eutrophication. This study explores the feasibility of dual-polarization L-band advanced land observing satellite/phased array-type L-band synthetic aperture radar (ALOS/PALSAR) imagery acquired during three growing stages in delineating paddy fields from other agricultural land uses. The study area was in the Yangtze River Delta of east China, a rapidly developing region where land has been intensively used. Among a set of arithmetic outputs of PALSAR backscatter, the amplitude ratio (HH/HV) and product (HH×HV) in the rice-transplanting and -heading stages significantly enhanced the backscatter difference between rice and nonrice fields. With these outputs, a segmentation-based decision-tree classifier successfully extracted paddy-rice fields from other land uses in the study area. Both random-point accuracy assessment and area comparison with a high-resolution Quickbird image showed that the paddy-rice map reached accuracies higher than 90%. The simplicity and generality of the approach in this study indicated that it may serve as an efficient tool for rice mapping in the highly fragmented agricultural region in southeast China.
Behaviour and effects of alcohol-blended petrol in the subsurface

Petrol (gasoline) blends for road vehicle use are increasingly being supplemented with alcohols, particularly ethanol or butanol produced by fermentation of plant feedstocks. This paper critically reviews the fate and effects of alcohol–petrol blends in soil and groundwater, taking account of the formulations marketed in the UK and their predicted future use patterns. Because of their partitioning behaviour and high biodegradability, the alcohols are not predicted to migrate extensively in the subsurface nor are they expected to increase migration of hydrocarbon components of the petrol through cosolvency or changes in the physical–chemical properties of non-aqueous phase liquid hydrocarbons. Rapid alcohol biodegradation can result in highly anaerobic subsurface conditions that can lead to a reduced rate of hydrocarbon biodegradation and the consequent development of plumes larger than those resulting from alcohol-free petrol. The evidence shows, however, that releases of alcohol-blended petrol are highly unlikely to result in a significantly increased risk to groundwater resources in the UK. Furthermore, biogenic methane resulting from rapid alcohol biodegradation is unlikely to result in potentially hazardous indoor air concentrations except where a major release of a high concentration alcohol formulation occurs, in which event case-specific assessment would be necessary.
Millennium Development Goals: a drop in the ocean?

The international community has made a strong commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Many donor agencies want to know whether microfinance, or financial services for the poor, is an effective tool for reaching the MDGs. In response, CGAP launched a study of the empirical evidence on the poor’s access to financial services and how this access supports the MDGs. This brief summarizes the results of recent professional studies on the impact of microfinance, recognizing the difficulties of comparing studies that apply different levels of methodological rigor.
Hydrothermal deposits and metalliferous sediments from TAG, 26°N Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Abstract The Trans-Atlantic Geotraverse (TAG) hydrothermal site at 26°N on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge has been the focus of many studies since the early 1970s. The hydrothermal field includes a wide variety of deposits ranging from high-temperature sulphide chimneys, low-temperature Mn deposits, diffuse flow to relict, inactive mounds. These deposits reflect the different styles of venting and the evolution of the hydrothermal system over time. Metalliferous sediments in this area are derived from both mass wasting of mound features and fall out of plume particulates. The active TAG mound was drilled by the Ocean Drilling Programme in October/November 1994, which provided the first samples from beneath the surface at this site. The current state of knowledge of processes occurring within TAG metalliferous deposits are reviewed here.
Three‐dimensional crustal S wave velocity structure in Japan using microseismic data recorded by Hi‐net tiltmeters

[1] We developed a three-step method for three-dimensional (3-D) S wave velocity tomography by fitting synthetic cross spectra to the observed ones of ambient seismic noise. We applied this method to the recording of Hi-net tiltmeters in Japan at 679 stations from June 2004 to December 2004. First, we calculated normalized cross spectra between radial components and those between transverse components for every pair of stations. The first step is local 1-D S wave velocity inversion for each station assuming small lateral heterogeneity under a 100-km circle of a station. We measured the dispersion curves of fundamental Rayleigh waves, fundamental Love waves, and first overtone of Love waves by fitting the synthetic cross spectra to the observed ones between pairs of stations within the circle. We inverted the measured dispersion curves for obtaining a 1-D S wave velocity model. The second step is the inversion of the observed cross spectra for obtaining path-averaged 1-D S wave velocity structure. The third step is the inversion of the resultant path-averaged structures for obtaining 3-D S wave velocity structure (0.1 � 0.1 � 1 km grid from the surface to a depth of 50 km) using ray approximation. The resultant S wave velocity structures show clear low-velocity anomalies along tectonic lines from the surface to a depth of 20 km. In particular, along the Hidaka mountain range, we observed S wave perturbation more extreme than � 20%. They also show low-velocity anomalies under volcanoes in Kyusyu and Tohoku. In the southwestern part of Shikoku, our results show a clear low-velocity anomaly corresponding to an accretional belt (Shimanto belt). Below 20 km, we observe a low-velocity anomaly in the center of Japan, which suggests a thick crust. Citation: Nishida, K. , H. Kawakatsu, and K. Obara (2008), Three-dimensional crustal S wave velocity structure in Japan using microseismic data recorded by Hi-net tiltmeters, J. Geophys. Res., 113, B10302, doi:10.1029/2007JB005395.
A New Species of the Parareptile Genus Delorhynchus, Based on Articulated Skeletal Remains from Richards Spur, Lower Permian of Oklahoma

ABSTRACT Description of a new species of the parareptile genus Delorhynchus is based on a well-preserved partial subadult skeleton, an isolated adult skull, and disarticulated elements recently collected from the Lower Permian Richards Spur locality of Oklahoma, U.S.A. Delorhynchus cifellii, sp. nov., is distinguished from Delorhynchus priscus by the lack of an accessory articulating anterodorsal flange of the maxilla. The hypodigm of Delorhynchus cifellii reveals that Delorhynchus is distinguished from other parareptiles by cranial dermal sculpture consisting of a system of low, smooth tuberosities and a pattern of diffuse shallow, circular dimples. In a phylogenetic analysis of parareptiles, Delorhynchus cifellii is positioned as the sister species of Lanthanosuchoidea. Recognition of Delorhynchus cifellii. sp. nov., and its phylogenetic position among parareptiles highlights the significance of the Richards Spur locality in our understanding of the early evolutionary history of reptiles.
Snow grain-size measurements in Antarctica

Abstract Grain-size is an important but not well-known characteristic of snow at the surface of Antarctica. In the past, grain-size has been reported using various methods, the reliability, reproducibility and intercomparability of which is not warranted. In this paper, we present and recommend, depending on available logistical support, three techniques of snow-grain sampling and/or imaging in the field as well as an original digital image-processing method, which we have proved provides reproducible and intercomparable measures of a snow grain-size parameter, the mean convex radius. Results from more than 500 samples and 3000 images of snow grains are presented, which yield a still spatially limited yet unprecedentedly wide picture of near-surface snow grain-size distribution from fieldwork in Antarctica. In particular, except at sites affected by a very particular meteorology, surface grains in the interior of the ice sheet are uniformly small (0.1–0.2 mm). The climate-related increase of grain-size with depth through metamorphism is, as expected, not spatially uniform. Our Antarctic snow grain-size database will continue to grow as field investigations bring new samples, images and measures of snow grain.
Formal techniques for verification of complex real-time systems

grammar, see grammar, abstract acceptance Büchi, 36 generalised, 37 action extended, 96 action request, see request, action action urgency, 23 actions, 27 active timer, see timer, active alphabet, 19 APS, see Automatic Protection Switching Automatic Protection Switching, 41 automaton, 36 deterministic, 38 language, 37 run, 37 tableau, 114 complete, 133 timed, 38, 183 timed run, 40 untimed, 36 Backus-Naur Form, 17 bad prefix, see prefix, bad bisimulation, 25 strong, 25 strong timed, 26 timed, 26 weak, 26 weak timed, 26 BNF, see Backus-Naur Form Büchi acceptance, see acceptance, Büchi calculus component, 97 Calculus of Communicating Systems, 27 CCS, 27 closure set, 186 cluster, 105 cluster class, 95 CompCalc, 97 complete tableau, see tableau, complete complete tableau automaton, see automaton, tableau, complete completeness, 130, 190 component calculus, see calculus, component component identifier, 94 component processes, see processes, component conames, 27 concrete grammar, see grammar, concrete consistency local, 129, 132, 167, 189 temporal, 129, 130, 133, 168 dense, 20 derivation tree, 18 deterministic automaton, see automaton, deterministic diamond property, 88 discrete, 20 disjunctive temporal normal form, 141, 177 DTNF, see disjunctive temporal normal form dynamic processes, see processes, dynamic equivalence syntactic, 18 equivalences, 24 extended action, see action, extended extended label, see label, extended
The ellipsoid algorithm for probabilistic robust controller design

This paper presents a new iterative approach to probabilistic robust controller design, which is an alternative to the recently proposed Subgradient Iteration Algorithm (SIA). In its original version (Polyak and Tempo, (2001)) the SIA possesses the useful property of guaranteed convergence in a finite number of iterations, but requires that the radius of a non-empty ball contained in the solution set is known a-priori. This rather restrictive assumption was later on released in Calafiore and Polyak, (2001) but only at the expense of an increased number of iterations. The approach in this paper does also not require the knowledge of such a radius, and offers a significant improvement even over the original SIA in terms of the maximum number of possible correction steps that can be executed before a feasible solution is reached. Given an initial ellipsoid that contains the solution set, the approach iteratively generates a sequence of ellipsoids with decreasing volumes, all containing the solution set. A method for finding an initial ellipsoid containing the solution set is also proposed. The approach is illustrated on a real-life diesel actuator benchmark model.
High-level strata containing early Miocene mammals on the Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming. American Museum novitates ; no. 2490

Fossil mammals of early Miocene age have been found in strata composing Darton's Bluff on the crest of the Bighorn Mountains in the Hazelton Peak Quadrangle, Johnson County, Wyoming. Dating the host strata provides a reference datum for the reconstruction of regional sedimentation during early Miocene time and for determination of the maximum age of epeirogenic uplift. As a result of regional aggradation, the Bighorn Basin was filled with sediments. These buried the rugged peaks and canyons of the Bighorn Mountains up to a level corresponding to the present 9000-foot altitude during early Miocene time. The lower Miocene and older rocks are beveled by the subsummit surface, a remarkably flat and even surface of Miocene or Pliocene age. Excavation of the Bighorn and Powder River basins and exhumation of the Bighorn Mountains must have been accomplished during the relatively short interval of late Cenozoic time after the subsummit surface was cut. INTRODUCTION Darton (1906) described and mapped several occurrences of essentially flat-lying Cenozoic strata at altitudes of about 9000 feet; these strata rest on a surface of high to moderate relief, cut in the Precambrian and 1 Frick Curator, Department of Vertebrate Paleontology, the American Museum of Natural History. 2 United States Geological Survey, Laramie, Wyoming. Publication authorized by the Director, U. S. Geological Survey, Washington, D. C.
Interest operators for feature‐based matching in close range photogrammetry

Although automated object surface reconstruction via feature‐based matching is commonly employed in both stereoscopic close range and topographic photogrammetry, it has rarely been used in conjunction with multi‐image, convergent photogrammetric networks. A prerequisite for feature‐based matching of distinct points is the application of interest operators to provide the dense arrays of candidate feature points within the images forming the network. This paper describes an evaluation of three interest operators, the Förstner, SUSAN and FAST algorithms, the aim being to assess which is optimal for feature‐based matching in convergent close range photogrammetry. Following a brief review of the development of interest operators, a description of the three operators is provided, with the recently developed FAST operator being discussed in more detail. The merits of image pre‐processing via the Wallis filter are also outlined, after which the performance of the interest operators is experimentally assessed within an eight‐image network on the basis of accuracy of interest‐point localisation, detection rate and speed. The findings of the evaluation are that, of the Förstner, SUSAN and FAST operators, the FAST, which has not been employed to a significant extent in photogrammetry to date, is optimal for feature‐based matching in multi‐image close range networks.
SAR image despeckling based on sparse representation

Based on sparse representation, a new novel SAR image despeckling algorithm (SR) associate with the feature of SAR image is presented. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has capabilities of denoising and preserving edge and texture features. Moreover, it outperforms the four traditional denoising methods in speckle smoothing, edge and texture preservation and visual assessment.
The Leka Opholite Complex, central Norwegian Caledonides: field characteristics and geotectonic significance

The Leka Ophiolite Complex (LOC) of Lower Ordovician age (U-Pb zircon age of 497 ± 2 Ma) contains the following components: (1) A lower, strongly deformed harzburgite unit, representing the depleted upper mantle. This unit becomes progressively richer in dunite towards (2) a sequence of ultramafic cumulates, ‘unconformably’ overlying the harzburgite tectonite. The crystallization sequence in the ultramafic cumulates is: olivine→chromite→clinopyroxene→orthopyroxene. In the south-western part of the ultramafic cumulate sequence, layers of metagabbro appear interlayered with banded dunite/wehrlite. The above-mentioned rock sequences may be in tectonic contact with (3) layered metagabbros which give way upwards to laminated and vari-textured metagabbro. Within the laminated/vari-textured metagabbro is the first appearance of (4) metabasalt dykes, which increase upwards in abundance from scattered single dykes to a 100% sheeted dyke swarm. Associated with the vari-textured metagabbro and metabasalt dykes are minor acid intrusions. Within the upper part of the dyke swarm is the first appearance of (5) pillow lavas, which are associated with thick volcaniclastic metasediments at apparently higher stratigraphic levels. Geochemically the metabasalt dykes and associated pillow lavas range from predominant island arc tholeiite (IAT) to MORB character, and typical metaboninites are also present. This range of geochemical composition, as well as the crystallization sequence of the cumulates, strongly suggests that the first stages in the formation of the LOC was by spreading above a subduction zone. The pillow lavas associated with volcaniclastic rocks, are of MORB or WPB type, and these probably represent the later spreading stages of the LOC in a back-arc basin, but at sufficient distance to be unaffected by the geochemical ‘fingerprints’ of the subduction process.
Magma fracture and hybrid earthquakes in the conduit of Augustine Volcano

We exploit subtle but systematic shifts in seismic waveforms to examine a 2 h cluster of repeating hybrid volcanic earthquakes preceding the first magmatic explosions at Augustine Volcano in January 2006. We extract differential P wave traveltimes of <0.01 s to determine that the source locations migrated downward by approximately 35 m. Waveform characteristics, GPS observations, and visual reports of lava effusion at the summit suggest that the earthquakes were sourced by fracturing magma in the upper conduit. As the lava cooled and degassed at the surface, the conditions in the upper conduit changed causing the zone in which magma fracture could occur to move downward through the magma column. These changes may also have been the first indicators that the conduit was becoming choked, causing a buildup in pressure that resulted in the large magmatic explosions that followed 36 h later.
Nitric acid concentrations in southern California museums

Measurements were made during two seasons at five Los Angeles area museums to determine the concentrations of nitric acid in outdoor and indoor air. Mean seasonal indoor nitric acid concentrations ranged from <0.1 to 1.5 µg/m^3 corresponding to less than 1-40% of the outdoor nitric acid concentration, depending on building construction and ventilation system design. A mathematical model was applied to determine whether indoor/outdoor HNO_3 concentration ratios can be predicted from data on building parameters and ventilation system design. Good agreement between predicted and measured values was found. The rates of deposition of total inorganic nitrate onto vertical surfaces due to gas-phase plus aerosol-phase pollutants were measured and found to vary from 0.2 to 5.8 ng m^(-2) s(^-1). Measurements indicate that nearly all of this deposition flux was delivered due to deposition of gas-phase species, but comparison to theoretical HN03 transport calculations suggests that gaseous species in addition to HNO_3 contribute to the observed accumulation of inorganic nitrate.