Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Empirical Model for Correction of Topographic Effect in Microwave Radiation of Mountainous Area

The topographic effect is one of the essential factors affecting microwave radiation in mountainous regions. This effect's correction can improve the inversion accuracy of key surface parameters. Here, a new terrain correction model in microwave pixel scale is proposed by regression. Using the rugosity (RU) measure the relief of land surface, and analyze its correlation with the brightness temperature difference between the undulating surface and flat surface (<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Delta T{B}_{{\varphi }_{Ri}}$</tex-math></inline-formula>). The topographic effects are simulated by the mountain microwave radiation model. Through the regression analysis of the topographic effects with RU in different regions, we find that: first, RU has a linear relationship with the average <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Delta T{B}_{{\varphi }_{Ri}}$</tex-math></inline-formula>for different azimuths of the pixel (<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\overline {\Delta TB} $</tex-math></inline-formula>), with the value of R<sup>2</sup> above 0.9 for both polarization; then, the effects of azimuths and ground characteristics on brightness temperature can also be corrected by establishing their regression relationship with brightness temperature. Combined with these analyses, an empirical model is developed to measure the topographic effect according to RU. The verification results show that the <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Delta T{B}_{\text{model}}$</tex-math></inline-formula> calculated by the empirical model is similar to the <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\Delta T{B}_{\text{simulated}}$</tex-math></inline-formula> of microwave radiation model (<italic>r</italic> >0.9), which indicates that the empirical model is suitable for mountainous areas with different terrains. Results also provide a theoretical basis for improving the accuracy of passive microwave remote sensing of mountainous areas.
Present and Past Geothermal Regimes and Source Rock Maturation, Peace River Arch Area, Canada (1)

Present and past geothermal regimes in the Peace River arch area in the Western Canada sedimentary basin were studied using stratigraphic, hydrogeological, geothermal, and geochemical data from about 22,000 wells drilled in the area. The analysis of the main characteristics of heat flow and of the flow of formation waters showed that conduction is the main mechanism for the transport of the terrestrial heat to the surface. The regional-scale distribution of the integral geothermal gradient (from the base to the top of the sedimentary column) shows a north-northwest increase from 25 degrees C/km to more than 35 degrees C/km, caused by increased heat flow of crustal origin. Some local anomalies superimposed over this trend are related to variable radiogenic heat production n the basement. The thermal history was reconstructed for the last 70 m.y. since the Laramide orogeny, during which maximum burial was attained. The paleoheat flow was lower than at present, with a warming trend since the Late Cretaceous or the Tertiary. The reason for this warming trend is not examined in this paper. Analysis of the level of maturation of the source rocks showed that the Upper Cretaceous rocks are generally immature, the Lower Cretaceous rocks are in the oil window, the Jurassic to Mississippian rocks are in various stages of oil and gas generation, and the Devonian source rocks are generally overmature. The maturation history shows that the Paleozoic source rocks entered the oil window during the Late Cretaceous and early Tertiary, whereas the Cretaceous rocks matured during the post-Eocene regional uplift.
Comparison of H2O Adsorption and Dissociation Behaviors on Rutile (110) and Anatase (101) Surfaces Based on ReaxFF Molecular Dynamics Simulation

The relationship between structure and reactivity plays a dominant role in water dissociation on the various TiO2 crystallines. To observe the adsorption and dissociation behavior of H2O, the reaction force field (ReaxFF) is used to investigate the dynamic behavior of H2O on rutile (110) and anatase (101) surfaces in an aqueous environment. Simulation results show that there is a direct proton transfer between the adsorbed H2O (H2Oad) and the bridging oxygen (Obr) on the rutile (110) surface. Compared with that on the rutile (110) surface, an indirect proton transfer occurs on the anatase (101) surface along the H-bond network from the second layer of water. This different mechanism of water dissociation is determined by the distance between the 5-fold coordinated Ti (Ti5c) and Obr of the rutile and anatase TiO2 surfaces, resulting in the direct or indirect proton transfer. Additionally, the hydrogen bond (H-bond) network plays a crucial role in the adsorption and dissociation of H2O on the TiO2 surface. To describe interfacial water structures between TiO2 and bulk water, the double-layer model is proposed. The first layer is the dissociated H2O on the rutile (110) and anatase (101) surfaces. The second layer forms an ordered water structure adsorbed to the surface Obr or terminal OH group through strong hydrogen bonding (H-bonding). Affected by the H-bond network, the H2O dissociation on the rutile (110) surface is inhibited but that on the anatase (101) surface is promoted.
Environmental and anthropogenic drivers of watercress (Nasturtium officinale) communities in char-lands and water channels across the Swat River Basin: implication for conservation planning

Recent anthropogenic sources and excess usage have immensely threatened the communities and habitat ecology of this region’s medicinally and economically significant crops. Therefore, our study aims to evaluate the community structure and related environmental characteristics sustaining Nasturtium officinale communities along the river basin (RB) in Northwest Pakistan, using the clustering procedure (Ward’s method) and Redundancy analysis (RDA). From 340 phytosociological plots (34 × 10 = 340), we identified four ecologically distinct assemblages of N. officinale governed by different environmental and anthropogenic factors for the first time. The floristic structure shows the dominance of herbaceous (100%), native (77%), and annual (58.09%) species indicating relatively stable communities; however, the existence of the invasive plants (14%) is perturbing and may cause instability in the future, resulting in the replacement of herbaceous plant species. Likewise, we noticed apparent variations in the environmental factors, i.e., clay percentage (p = 3.1 × 10 −5 ), silt and sand percentage (p< 0.05), organic matter (p< 0.001), phosphorus and potassium (p< 0.05), and heavy metals, i.e., Pb, Zn, and Cd (p< 0.05), indicating their dynamic role in maintaining the structure and composition of these ecologically distinct communities. RDA has also demonstrated the fundamental role of these factors in species–environment correlations and explained the geospatial variability and plants’ ecological amplitudes in the Swat River wetland ecosystem. We concluded from this study that N. officinale communities are relatively stable due to their rapid colonization; however, most recent high anthropogenic interventions especially overharvesting and sand mining activities, apart from natural enemies, water deficit, mega-droughts, and recent flood intensification due to climate change scenario, are robust future threats to these communities. Our research highlights the dire need for the sustainable uses and conservation of these critical communities for aesthetics, as food for aquatic macrobiota and humans, enhancing water quality, breeding habitat, fodder crop, and its most promising medicinal properties in the region.
Integrating sustainability in the design process of urban service robots

The concept of sustainability and sustainable development has been well discussed and was subject to many conferences of the EU and UN resulting in agendas, goals, and resolutions. Yet, literature shows that the three dimensions of sustainability (ecological, social, and economic) are unevenly accounted for in the design of mechatronic products. The stated reasons range from a lack or inapplicability of tools for integration into the design process, models for simulation, and impact analyses to necessary changes in policy and social behavior. The influence designers have on the sustainability of a product lies mostly in the early design phases of the development process, such as requirements engineering and concept evaluation. Currently, these concepts emerge mostly from performance-based requirements rather than sustainability impact-based requirements, which are also true for service robots in urban environments. So far, the main focus of research in this innovative and growing product branch lies in performance in perception, navigation, and interaction. This paper sets its focus on integrating all three dimensions of sustainability into the design process. Therefore, we describe the development of an urban service robot supporting municipal waste management in the city of Berlin. It is the set goal for the robot to increase the service and support the employees while reducing emissions. For that, we make use of a product development process (PDP) and its adaptable nature to build a specific development process suited to include the three dimensions of sustainability during the requirements engineering and evaluation activities. Herein, we show how established design methods like the life cycle assessment or life cycle costing can be applied to the development of urban service robots and which aspects are underrepresented. Especially, the social dimension required us to look beyond standardized methods in the field of mechanical engineering. Based on our findings, we introduce a new activity to the development process that we call preliminary social assessment in order to incorporate social aspects in the early design phase.
Arctic sea ice and atmospheric circulation under the GeoMIP G1 scenario

We analyze simulated sea ice changes in eight different Earth System Models that have conducted experiment G1 of the Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project (GeoMIP). The simulated response of balancing abrupt quadrupling of CO2 (abrupt4xCO2) with reduced shortwave radiation successfully moderates annually averaged Arctic temperature rise to about 1°C, with modest changes in seasonal sea ice cycle compared with the preindustrial control simulations (piControl). Changes in summer and autumn sea ice extent are spatially correlated with temperature patterns but much less in winter and spring seasons. However, there are changes of ±20% in sea ice concentration in all seasons, and these will induce changes in atmospheric circulation patterns. In summer and autumn, the models consistently simulate less sea ice relative to preindustrial simulations in the Beaufort, Chukchi, East Siberian, and Laptev Seas, and some models show increased sea ice in the Barents/Kara Seas region. Sea ice extent increases in the Greenland Sea, particularly in winter and spring and is to some extent associated with changed sea ice drift. Decreased sea ice cover in winter and spring in the Barents Sea is associated with increased cyclonic activity entering this area under G1. In comparison, the abrupt4xCO2 experiment shows almost total sea ice loss in September and strong correlation with regional temperatures in all seasons consistent with open ocean conditions. The tropospheric circulation displays a Pacific North America pattern‐like anomaly with negative phase in G1‐piControl and positive phase under abrupt4xCO2‐piControl.
Preventive Action of Beta-Carotene against the Indoxyl Sulfate-Induced Renal Dysfunction in Male Adult Zebrafish via Regulations of Mitochondrial Inflammatory and β-Carotene Oxygenase-2 Actions

Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is a metabolic byproduct of indole metabolism. IS readily interacts with the mitochondrial redox metabolism, leading to altered renal function. The β-carotene oxygenase-2 (BCO2) enzyme converts carotenoids to intermediate products. However, the role of β-carotene (BC) in IS-induced renal dysfunction in zebrafish and their modulatory action on BCO2 and mitochondrial inflammations have not been explored yet. Hence, the present study is designed to investigate the role of BC in the attenuation of IS-induced renal dysfunction via regulations of mitochondrial redox balance by BCO2 actions. Renal dysfunction was induced by exposure to IS (10 mg/L/hour/day) for 4 weeks. BC (50 and 100 mg/L/hour/day) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10; 20 mg/L/hour/day) were added before IS exposure. BC attenuated the IS-induced increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine concentrations, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and complex I activity levels, and the reduction of renal mitochondrial biomarkers, i.e., BCO2, superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD2), glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPX1), reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio, and carbonylated proteins. Moreover, renal histopathological changes were analyzed by the eosin and hematoxylin staining method. As a result, the administration of BC attenuated the IS-induced renal damage via the regulation of mitochondrial function.
J.J.R. Macleod: His Life and Works Before and After the Toronto Insulin Years

Abstract:John James Rickard Macleod, while sometimes remembered as a co-discoverer of insulin, was moreover one of the world's most accomplished academic physiologists in the early 1900s. A medical graduate in Aberdeen, Scotland, he pursued a career in physiology, travelling to Leipzig and London. Precocious progress in research, teaching, and writing saw him being appointed a physiology professor in Cleveland, Ohio, at the age of 27. He gained an international reputation in carbohydrate metabolism, publishing a monograph on diabetes in 1913. A move to Toronto in 1918 soon saw him leading the team that produced the world's first clinically useful, life-saving insulin. Despite sharing a Nobel Prize, his involvement in the insulin story was mired in unjustified and persistent controversy. Returning to Aberdeen in 1928 as the head of physiology, his wide-ranging success continued until his death in 1935. This article details his life, work, and many achievements both before, and after, the Toronto insulin years. Résumé:John James Rickard Macleod, reconnu comme l'un des codécouvreurs de l'insuline, fut aussi l'un des meilleurs physiologistes universitaires du début du XXe siècle. Diplômé en médecine de l'University of Aberdeen, en Écosse, il poursuivit une carrière en physiologie qui le mena à Leipzig et à Londres. Sa progression fulgurante sur les plans de la recherche, de l'enseignement et des publications lui valurent d'être nommé, à 27 ans, professeur de physiologie à Cleveland, où il publia une monographie sur le diabète (1913) et acquit une réputation internationale dans le domaine du métabolisme des glucides. En 1918, il s'installa à Toronto et dirigea l'équipe qui produisit la première insuline efficace sur le plan clinique pour sauver des vies. En 1928, Macleod retourna à Aberdeen en tant que chef du département de physiologie, où il poursuivit une carrière fructueuse jusqu'à sa mort en 1935. Bien qu'il ait reçu un prix Nobel, avec Frederick Grant Banting, sa participation à l'histoire de l'insuline a fait l'objet d'une controverse injustifiée et persistante. Cet article détaille sa vie, son travail et ses nombreuses réalisations, avant et après l'épisode torontois.
Regional characterization of land cover using multiple sources of data

Many organizations require accurate intermediate-scale landcover information for many applications, including modeling nutrient and pesticide runoff, understanding spatial patterns of biodiversity, land-use planning, and policy development. While many techniques have been successfully used to classify land cover in relatively small regions, there are substantial obstacles in applying these methods to large, multiscene regions. The purpose of this study was to generate and evaluate a large region land-cover classification product using a multiple-layer land-characteristics database approach. To derive land-cover information, mosaicked Landsat thema tic mapper (TM) scenes were analyzed in conjunction with digital elevation data (and derived slope, aspect, and shaded reliefl, population census information, Defense Meteorological Satellite Program city lights data, prior land-use and landcover data, digital line graph data, and National Wetlands Inventory data. Both leaf-on and leaf-off TM data sets were analyzed. The study area was U.S. Federal Region 111, which includes the states of Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia. The general procedure involved (1) generating mosaics of multiple scenes of leaves-on TM data using histogram equalization methods; (2) clustering mosaics into 100 spectral classes using unsupervised classification; (3) interpreting and labeling spectral classes into approximately 15 landcover categories (analogous to Anderson Level 1 and 2 classes) using aerial photographs; (4) developing decisionmaking rules and models using from one to several ancillary data layers to resolve confusion in spectral classes that represented two or more targeted land-cover categories; and (5) incorporating data from other sources (for example, leaf-off TM data and National Wetlands Inventory data) to yield a final land-cover product. Although standard accuracy assessments were not done, a series of consistency checks using available sources of land-cover information were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach for generating accurate land-cover information for large regions.
Lunar surface roughness - Shadowing and thermal emission.

A statistical model of the moon's surface roughness is used in an attempt to explain the deviations of the observed gross infrared thermal emissive properties of the moon from those characterizing a smooth Lambertian surface. Comparison of theory and experiment suggests that the thermal brightness variation across the full moon disk is affected by large-scale relief of rms slope 10°–20°. The method requires development of a self-shadowing theory of random rough surfaces, which can be used, in a different context, to determine local rms surface slope from the amount of shadow visible in a moon photograph. It is suggested that this technique may be particularly useful in the rapid analysis of Lunar Orbiter photography. Analysis of an earth-based photograph of a typical highland region yields 9° for the rms slope of large-scale roughness. The rms slopes deduced agree with those found in radar studies of the moon.
The structure and spatial heterogeneity of zooplankton in small lake river Wel (Poland)

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine changes in potamoplankton structure caused by lakes in the fluvial system of the small River Wel. The river flows through 10 lakes. The study was conducted in 2007 and 2008. The selection of sites enabled the assessment of the impact exerted by hydrological conditions of the river on zooplankton, as well as the determination of the effect of lakes situated within the river course on the analysed assemblage of organisms. In total 95 species were determined with an average abundance 1026 ind. 10 dm-3. Rotifers dominated qualitatively and quantitatively and among crustaceans - Copepods. Lakes seem to be the main source of zooplankton in the fluvial system of the Wel River. The lakes disturb the river continuum, but their impact on the structure of zooplankton is short-lived. Due to the presence of flow-through lakes along the river, species richness of zooplankton in the Wel River is similar to that in large rivers.
First observations of Mercury's plasma mantle by MESSENGER

We present the first observations of Mercury's plasma mantle, a primary region for solar wind entry into the planetary magnetosphere, located in the high‐latitude magnetotail. MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) observations from two orbits on 10 November 2012 have been analyzed. The main plasma mantle features are (1) a steady decrease in proton density as MESSENGER moved deeper into the magnetotail; (2) frequent flux transfer events throughout the magnetosheath and into the magnetotail, suggesting that these events are the primary source for solar wind plasma injection; (3) a diamagnetic depression, due to the presence of plasma, as pressure balance is maintained; and (4) a clear proton velocity dispersion, resulting from lower‐energy protons being transported deep into the magnetosphere as higher‐energy protons escape downtail. From these velocity dispersions we infer cross‐magnetosphere electric potentials of 23 kV and 29 kV, consistent with estimates determined from measurements of magnetopause reconnection rate and tail loading and unloading events.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Candidate Genes Involved in Gibberellin-Induced Fruit Development in Rosa roxburghii

Gibberellins (GAs) play indispensable roles in the fruit development of horticultural plants. Unfortunately, the molecular basis behind GAs regulating fruit development in R. roxburghii remains obscure. Here, GA3 spraying to R. roxburghii ‘Guinong 5’ at full-bloom promoted fruit size and weight, prickle development, seed abortion, ascorbic acid accumulation, and reduction in total soluble sugar. RNA-Seq analysis was conducted to generate 45.75 Gb clean reads from GA3- and non-treated fruits at 120 days after pollination. We obtained 4275 unigenes belonging to differently expressed genes (DEGs). Gene ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes displayed that carbon metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation were highly enriched. The increased critical genes of DEGs related to pentose phosphate, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and citrate cycle pathways might be essential for soluble sugar degradation. Analysis of DEGs implicated in ascorbate revealed the myoinositol pathway required to accumulate ascorbic acid. Finally, DEGs involved in endogenous phytohormones and transcription factors, including R2R3 MYB, bHLH, and WRKY, were determined. These findings indicated that GA3-trigged morphological alterations might be related to the primary metabolites, hormone signaling, and transcription factors, providing potential candidate genes that could be guided to enhance the fruit development of R. roxburghii in practical approaches.
The Third James K. Mitchell Lecture: Geo-environmental site characterization

The use of the piezocone to provide detailed stratigraphic information as well as the piezometric and hydraulic characteristics of the soil is discussed. A resistivity module of external electrode rings attached to the piezocone developed at UBC to log and assess groundwater quality, soil porosity and saturation is also discussed together with basic theory and factors that affect in-situ electrical resistivity. Finally, the combination of the economical and rapid UBC-modified BAT groundwater penetration tool to provide ‘specific-depth’ groundwater samples for chemical and biological analysis and correlation with resistivity will also be explained. Field data from several case histories are presented to demonstrate the use of the resistivity piezocone in combination with groundwater sampling to provide screening data to locate permanent monitoring well systems or to develop remediation scenarios. The examples deal with acid mine drainage at a mine site, creosote contamination at a pressure treatment plant, seawater intrusion alongside a river outlet and seepage through a tailings dam.