Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GIS Analysis of Rural Land Market in Slovenia

In this article, GIS methodology is developed for measuring the accessibility of land plots, where accessibility is determined for any plot in the analysed area to central place(s) at different level of spatial hierarchy. The developed method has been used to analyse the rural land market in Slovenia. Test of contingency between accessibility of land plots to the capital and rural land price (transaction value) shows very high significance ( 001 . 0 < α ).
A generic length-scale equation for geophysical turbulence models

A generalization of a class of differential length-scale equations typically used in second-order turbulence models for oceanic flows is suggested. Commonly used models, like the κ-e model and the Mellor-Yamada model, can be recovered as special cases of this generic model, and thus can be rationally compared. In addition, a method is proposed that yields a generalized framework for the calibration of the most frequently used class of differential length-scale equations. The generic model, calibrated with this method, exhibits a greater range of applicability than any of the traditional models. Stratified flows, plane mixing layers, and turbulence introduced by breaking surface waves are considered besides some classical test cases.
Geophysical evidence for local indentor tectonics in the Banda arc east of Timor

Abstract Two deep seismic reflection profiles and gravity measurements collected across the Banda arc east of Timor help to characterize crustal and uppermost mantle structures in the region where arc-continent collision is thought to be furthest advanced. Reflectors beneath the Sahul Platform of the Australian shelf indicate geometries consistent with older extensional rift structures overprinted by more recent horizontal shortening. To the north, the negative Bouguer gravity feature associated with the southern parts of the accretionary complex is unusually broad and deep. Post-collisional sediments are thin where this feature is crossed by the seismic lines, implying that older sediments or the crust are anomalously thick. Still further north, the forearc basin is notably narrow near eastern Timor and contains few sediments, most undeformed. The backarc region to the north is remarkable for the presence of a N-S trending line of seamounts culminating in an active volcano, Gunung Api, which is situated 400 km above the Wadati-Benioff zone. Reflection profiles across and along the seamount chain indicate underplating at Moho depths and a fault which appears to have acted as a conduit for basalt eruptions at the surface. Collectively, these observations imply anomalously thick and bouyant crust beneath the Banda arc east of Timor, and suggest two possible causes. Either a local promontory in the irregular boundary of the Australian craton was underthrust beneath the volcanic arc and forearc to 50–70 km depths or a Palaeozoic basin similar to the nearby Bonaparte Basin was underthrust and its former crustal structure inverted and thickened to form the buoyant crust. The new seismic reflection data help to locate the anomalously thick crust implied by gravity anomalies by defining the leaky fracture zone containing Gunung Api. It is inferred that the fracture propagates ahead of the indenting wedge of underthrust, thickened Australian crust.
Noninvasive 3D geometry extraction of a Sea lion foreflipper

Underwater propulsion that leaves little traceable wake structure while producing high levels of thrust is a highly desired goal. A potential biological model is the California sea lion, a highly maneuverable aquatic mammal that produces thrust primarily with its foreflippers without a characteristic flapping frequency. In an effort to mimic the sea lion flipper, a flipper from a sea lion carcass has been scanned using several non invasive methods with the goal of manufacturing a robotic flipper with identical geometry. The scanning methods are hereby compared for overall quality, accuracy, and level of detail captured. Index Terms — Sea lion, Swimming, Foreflippers, Structured Light, 3D Modeling.
Middle Triassic megafossil plants from Long Gully, near Otematata, north Otago, New Zealand

Abstract The Long Gully Formation of the Corbies Creek Group contains abundant remains of the low-diversity coastal vegetation characteristic of the Middle and Late Triassic Pacific margins of Gondwana. The plant-bearing rocks in Long Gully conformably overlie fossiliferous deltaic and marine Ladinian rocks (Kaihikuan local stage). A variety of fossil fructifications were found, allowing better understanding of the botanical affinities of the plants. Fertile remains referred to Todites maoricus sp. nov., indicate osmundalean affinities for one common kind of sphenopterid fern frond. Townrovia petasata gen. et sp. nov. is the likely microsporophyll and ? Peltaspermum sp. indet. the likely megasporophyll of seed fern leaves referred to Pachydermophyllum, represented at Long Gully by P. dubium (Burges) comb. nov. and P. praecordillerae (Frenguelli) comb. nov. The ovulate voltziacean conifer cone Telemachus lignosus sp. nov. and “unidentified cone B” may be fructifications of a species also producing leaves r.
Role of deep convection in establishing the isotopic composition of water vapor in the tropical transition layer

The transport of H2O and HDO within deep convection is investigated with 3‐D large eddy simulations (LES) using bin microphysics. The lofting and sublimation of HDO‐rich ice invalidate the Rayleigh fractionation model of isotopologue distribution within deep convection. Bootstrapping the correlation of the ratio of HDO to H2O (δD) to water vapor mixing ratio (qv) through a sequence of convective events produces non‐Rayleigh correlations resembling observations. These results support two mechanisms for stratospheric entry. Deep convection can inject air with water vapor of stratospheric character directly into the tropical transition layer (TTL). Alternatively, moister air detraining from convection may be dehydrated via cirrus formation in the TTL to produce stratospheric water vapor. Significant production of subsaturated air in the TTL via convective dehydration is not observed in these simulations, nor is it necessary to resolve the stratospheric isotope paradox.
The Australian continental upper mantle: Structure and deformation inferred from surface waves

We present a new three-dimensional model for the SV wave hetero-geneities and azimuthal anisotropy in the upper mantle of the Australasian region. The model is constrained by the waveforms of 2194 Rayleigh waves seismograms with a dense ray coverage that ensure a lateral resolution of the order of few hundred of kilometers. The use of higher modes allows the resolution of the structure down to depths of at least 400 km. In the upper 200 km of the model, seismic velocities are lower on the eastern Phanerozoic margin of the continent compared to the Precambrian central and western cratons, in agreement with previous results for Australia. The boundary between Phanerozoic and Precambrian Australia is not clear, especially in the south, where a broad positive seismic anomaly underlays the Lachlan Fold Belt. The high-velocity lid beneath the continent shows significant variations in thickness. Locally, it may extend down to a depth of 300 km in the mantle, but for most of Precambrian Australia the lithospheric thickness oscillates around 200 km, while it is thinner on the eastern Phanerozoic margin. We found significant SV wave azimuthal anisotropy in the upper 250 km of the mantle, with a drastic change in the organization of anisotropy between the upper 150 km of the model and the deeper part, as revealed in a preliminary inversion. In the upper 150 km of the mantle, azimuthal anisotropy appears more likely to be related to past deformation frozen in the lithosphere, and in central Australia we found clear evidence that deformation is preserved since the Alice Springs orogeny. Below 150 km, a smoother pattern of anisotropy is observed, more likely to be related to present-day deformation due to the northward motion of the Australian plate. Our current data set allows constraint of the anisotropic directions at different depths with an unprecedented lateral resolution. The observation of significant changes of anisotropic directions with depth in the Australian continental mantle suggests that care should be taken in the interpretation of anisotropy from SKS observations.
On the relationship between thermal emissivity and the normalized difference vegetation index for natural surfaces

Abstract The spatial variation of both the thermal emissivity (8–14/mu;m) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was measured for a series of natural surfaces within a savanna environment in Botswana. The measurements were performed with an emissivity-box and with a combined red and near-infrared radiometer, with spectral bands corresponding to NOAA/AVHRR. It was found that thermal emissivity was highly correlated with NDVI after logarithmic transformation, with a correlation coefficient of R = 0·94. This empirical relationship is of potential use for energy balance studies using thermal infrared remote sensing. The relationship was used in combination with AVHRR (GAC), AVHRR (LAC), and Landsat (TM) data to demonstrate and compare the spatial variability of various spatial scales.
A crude to fine method to detect salient region

The task of salient region detection aims at establishing the most important and informative regions of an image. In this work, we propose a novel method that tackles such task as a process from superpixel-level locating to pixel-level refining. Firstly, we over-segment the image into superpixels and compute an affinity matrix to estimate the similarity between each two superpixels according to both color contrast and space distribution. The matrix is then applied to aggregate superpixels into several clusters by using affinity propagation. To measure the saliency of each cluster, three parameters are taken into account including color contrast, cluster compactness and proximity to the focus. We appoint the most salient one to three clusters as the crude salient region. For the refining step, we regard each selected superpixel as an influential center. Hence, the saliency value of a pixel is simultaneously determined by all the selected superpixels. Practically, several Gauss curves are constructed based on the selected superpixels. Pixel-wise saliency value is decided by the color distinction and spatial distance between one pixel and the curves’ centers. We evaluate our algorithm on the publicly available dataset with human annotations, and experimental results show that our approach has competitive performance.
The tropical intraseasonal oscillation in a coupled ocean‐atmosphere general circulation model

In this study we report the simulation of the intraseasonal oscillation of the tropical atmosphere (TIO) in the coupled model GIOTTO. The model produces a zonal wave number one eastward propagating disturbance with a mean period of 42 days, which is in good agreement with the observed TIO periodicity. The simulated TIO, however, seems to be influenced by errors in the model mean state. In particular, the errors in the sea surface temperature of the tropical Pacific appear to have a significant impact on the oscillation, affecting its spatial distribution and producing an excess of TIO activity over the eastern Pacific. Despite of these shortcomings, the model seems to be able to reproduce some of the air‐sea interaction mechanisms which characterize the observed TIO.
Dynamics of snow ablation in a small Alpine catchment observed by repeated terrestrial laser scans

The spatio‐temporal distribution of snow in a catchment during ablation reflects changes in the total amount of snow water equivalent and is thus a key parameter for the estimation of melt water run‐off. This study explores possible rules behind the spatial variability of snow depth during the ablation season in a small Alpine catchment with complex topography. The snow depth observations are based on more than 160 000 terrestrial laser scanner data points with a spatial resolution of 1 m, which were obtained from 11 scanning campaigns of two consecutive ablation seasons.
Scale effect and scale correction of land-surface albedo in rugged terrain

Influence of topography must be corrected when fine-scale remote sensing data are used to estimate surface albedo in rugged terrain. In the case of coarse-scale satellite remote sensing data, the topographic effect on albedo estimation is generally ignored because the influence to albedo estimation of overall slope in coarse-scale pixels is usually considered negligible; however, because of the scale effect in albedo, neglecting within-pixel topology may cause errors in albedo estimation from coarse-scale data. This paper investigates the scale effect on land-surface albedo estimations, particularly in the case of converting fine-scale albedo to coarse-scale albedo in rugged terrain. Starting from the definition of difference-scale albedo in rugged terrain, a method is presented to convert fine-scale surface albedo to coarse-scale albedo, then deriving a factor to correct coarse-scale land-surface albedo. The performance and accuracy analysis of the method are investigated by using a simulated digital elevation model (DEM) with different mean slopes, as well as real DEM and Thematic Mapper images. Results show that the method is effective for scale-effect correction of land-surface albedo in rugged terrain.
Progressive alteration in CV3 chondrites: More evidence for asteroidal alteration

Abstract— The oxidized CV3 chondrites can be divided into two major subgroups or lithologies, Bali‐like (CV3oxB) and Allende‐like (CV3oxA), in which chondrules, calcium‐aluminum‐rich inclusions (CAIs) and matrices show characteristic alteration features (Weisberg et al, 1997; Krot et al, 1997d; Kimura and Ikeda, 1997). The CV3oxB lithology is present in Bali, Kaba, parts of the Mokoia breccia and, possibly, in Grosnaja and Allan Hills (ALH) 85006. It is characterized by the presence of the secondary low‐Ca phyllosilicates (saponite and sodium phlogopite), magnetite, Ni‐rich sulfides, fayalite (Fa>90), Ca‐Fe‐rich pyroxenes (Fs10–50Wo45–50) and andradite. Phyllosilicates replace primary Ca‐rich minerals in chondrules and CAIs, which suggests mobilization of Ca during aqueous alteration. Magnetite nodules are replaced to various degrees by fayalite, Ca‐Fe‐rich pyroxenes and minor andradite. Fayalite veins crosscut fine‐grained rims around chondrules and extend into the matrix. Thermodynamic analysis of the observed reactions indicates that they could have occurred at relatively low temperatures (<300 °C) in the presence of aqueous solutions. Oxygen isotopic compositions of the coexisting magnetite and fayalite plot close to the terrestrial fractionation line with large Δ18Ofayalite‐magnetite fractionation (∼20%). We infer that phyllosilicates, magnetite, fayalite, Ca‐Fe‐rich pyroxenes and andradite formed at relatively low temperatures (<300 °C) by fluid‐rock interaction in an asteroidal environment.
Shape of atmospheric mineral particles collected in three Chinese arid‐regions

The shape of atmospheric mineral particles of 0.1–6 µm radius was studied by electron microscopy applied to the samples collected in three arid regions in China (Qira in the Taklamakan Desert, Zhangye near the southern border of the Badain‐Jaran Desert and Hohhot in northern China). In all three regions, the mineral particles showed irregular shapes with a median aspect ratio b/a (ratio of the longest dimension b to the orthogonal width a) of 1.4. Although the aspect ratio exhibited no clear size dependence, the circularity factor (4πS/l²; S is surface area and l is periphery length) tended to decrease with increasing radius, suggesting the presence of aggregated mineral particles at larger sizes. The ratio of particle height‐to‐width h/a was also evaluated by measuring the shadow length. The median ratio h/a was 0.49 in Hohhot, 0.29 in Zhangye and 0.23 in Qira. Analytical functions were fitted to the grand total of the frequency distributions of aspect ratios, height‐to‐width ratios and circularity factors allowing parametric calculations of radiative effects and calculations of optical and sedimentation behavior of mineral particles.
Relations of settling velocity of sand sized spheres and sample weight

ABSTRACT The fall velocities of the boundaries of a series of well sorted samples of sand sized glass spheres were determined in a modified Emery type settling tube for the purpose of measuring the changes in mass fall velocities with changes in sample weights. Fall velocities of the faster falling, larger diameter spheres forming the leading boundary in each sample were found to increase with sample weight. Fall velocities of smaller spheres forming the slower or trailing boundary were found to decrease with increasing sample weights. Over the median diameter range of 0.784 to 0.383 mm these velocity changes appeared to be relatively independent of particle diameters, but at smaller median diameters the relative changes in velocity increased with decreasing size. From the weight-velocity rela ionships, it was shown that fall velocities achieved by masses of spheres depend upon the amount of sample used. Boundary velocities were attributed to certain particle diameters to provide a measure of the effects of the falling system on given sized spheres. It appeared further that the velocity of a given particle settling in a sample depends upon the size limits and the sorting of the sample. It was concluded that settling methods of analysis of sands do not give an accurate picture of size distribution in terms of sedimentation radii if the fall of the particles creates turbulence in the system.
Testing earthquake source inversion methodologies

[1] Source Inversion Validation Workshop; Palm Springs, California, 11–12 September 2010; Nowadays earthquake source inversions are routinely performed after large earthquakes and represent a key connection between recorded seismic and geodetic data and the complex rupture process at depth. The resulting earthquake source models quantify the spatiotemporal evolution of ruptures. They are also used to provide a rapid assessment of the severity of an earthquake and to estimate losses. However, because of uncertainties in the data, assumed fault geometry and velocity structure, and chosen rupture parameterization, it is not clear which features of these source models are robust. Improved understanding of the uncertainty and reliability of earthquake source inversions will allow the scientific community to use the robust features of kinematic inversions to more thoroughly investigate the complexity of the rupture process and to better constrain other earthquake-related computations, such as ground motion simulations and static stress change calculations.
Unequal Vulnerability to Flood Hazards: “Ground Truthing” a Social Vulnerability Index of Five Municipalities in Metro Vancouver, Canada

Indexes that measure social vulnerability to hazards have gained acceptance as a research tool that can inform local policymaking. Many indexes, however, are created remotely by researchers without using the input of those working in local policy. If practitioners are involved in creating an index that they find accurate and useful, it is more likely they will incorporate the findings of the index in local policy decisions. This article describes the process of ground truthing a social vulnerability index with practitioners working in five municipalities in Metro Vancouver and how the index was then revised to reflect their input. This process involved presenting an index to focus groups of municipal practitioners for their feedback and conducting a survey of participants that was then used to assign weights to the variables in the index. The study found that practitioners were generally accepting of the research approach to quantifying social vulnerability by place, although they often had specific concerns regarding the methodology and offered suggestions to make the index more reflective of the local context. The process of revising the index illustrates that local practitioner input can be used to create a measure of social vulnerability to hazards that is meaningful to those working in the community.
New paleomagnetic data from the northern Argentine Puna: Central Andes rotation pattern reanalyzed

[1] Along the central Andes a pattern of vertical axis rotations (CARP) has been paleomagnetically identified. These rotations, which are counterclockwise north of Arica and clockwise to the south, have been detected in Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks cropping out in the Andean forearc and the Altiplano-Puna. Different models have been proposed to explain the geodynamic evolution of the central Andes, but the origin of these rotations remains controversial. Such models involve oroclinal bending and/or local block rotations. This lack of agreement is partly due to the scarce paleomagnetic database, particularly for the Argentine Puna. Here we report new paleomagnetic data obtained in the northern Argentine Puna from 57 sites drilled from Miocene volcaniclastic rocks and 12 sites from the Cretaceous-Eocene Salta Group. It was determined that (1) the Morro Blanco area did not undergo significant vertical axis rotation since at least the middle Miocene; (2) the Loma Blanca mine area underwent a clockwise vertical axis rotation of ∼10° later than the late Miocene; and (3) the Coranzuli area underwent a clockwise vertical axis rotation of ∼40° later than the Cretaceous-Eocene. The central Andes database was analyzed, and some features of the CARP were determined. These features were explained considering “domino”-style models for the forearc and a local block rotation model in response to penetrative shear for the Altiplano-Puna. Penetrative shear would occur along a high electrical conductivity zone. However, the possibility of the existence of an oroclinal bending of <5° cannot be discarded.
Remotely sensed specific humidity: Development of a derived product from the GOES Imager channel 3

The analytic expression relating GOES‐E/W channel 3 water‐vapor radiance to relative humidity is used along with upper‐troposphere temperature observations to derive a high horizontal resolution brightness temperature product that correlates well with measured specific humidity. Moisture information in raw water‐vapor images is obscured by strong horizontal temperature gradients in the upper troposphere. This information is exposed in the derived product. Our results illustrate that the ability to remotely sense and resolve differences in water‐vapor content increases with atmospheric dryness.
Mapping Mortality: Evaluating Color Schemes for Choropleth Maps

Use of color for representing health data on maps raises many unanswered questions. This research addresses questions about which colors allow accurate map reading and which colors map users prefer. Through the combination of a review of previous color research and an experiment designed to test specific combinations of colors on maps, criteria were established and evaluated for selecting colors for choropleth maps of mortality data. The color-selection criteria provide pairs of hues for diverging schemes that avoid naming and colorblind confusions. We also tested sequential and spectral schemes. Our results show that color is worth the extra effort and expense it adds to map making because it permits greater accuracy in map reading. In addition, people prefer color maps over monochrome maps. Interestingly, scheme preference is affected by levels of clustering within mapped distributions. In this research, people preferred spectral and purple/green hue combinations. Contrary to our expectations, spectral .