Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of wrack accumulation on salt marsh vegetation, Baruch Institute, Georgetown County, South Carolina

In March 2004, four arrays in different types of salt marsh vegetation were covered with 15-20 cm of wrack secured in place, in an attempt to duplicate the natural deposition of wrack on the marsh by tides and storms, and to quantify and extend anecdotal observations and the results of previous studies. A control plot in each array was left uncovered; another plot was covered with only 2-3 cm. The wrack was removed from one plot in each array at one, two, four and seven month intervals. One month of wrack coverage appeared to have little effect on either density or standing crop, recorded seven months after initial covering, of the principal marsh species. Above ground parts of these species, with the exception of Spartina patens and Borrichia frutescens, appeared to be killed or extremely inhibited after two months of wrack coverage or longer. Wrack 2-3 cm thick (never removed) appeared to have inhibited the marsh species after seven months, but not as much as the 15-20 cm wrack mat. These results are fairly consistent with those of an earlier study at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, New York City, that focused on responses to wrack of Spartina alterniflora only, except that two months’ coverage seemed necessary to kill back most of the S. alterniflora in that study. However, in another study at Jamaica Bay encompassing several species and vegetation types, most species declined gradually with increased length of wrack coverage over a six-month period. Future studies will focus on recovery of the vegetation once the wrack has been removed, and on chemical changes in the soil caused by the decaying wrack, which may in turn affect the future course of vegetation development.
Atmospheric CH4 in the first decade of the 21st century: Inverse modeling analysis using SCIAMACHY satellite retrievals and NOAA surface measurements

The causes of renewed growth in the atmospheric CH4 burden since 2007 are still poorly understood and subject of intensive scientific discussion. We present a reanalysis of global CH4 emissions during the 2000s, based on the TM5‐4DVAR inverse modeling system. The model is optimized using high‐accuracy surface observations from NOAA ESRL's global air sampling network for 2000–2010 combined with retrievals of column‐averaged CH4 mole fractions from SCIAMACHY onboard ENVISAT (starting 2003). Using climatological OH fields, derived global total emissions for 2007–2010 are 16–20 Tg CH4/yr higher compared to 2003–2005. Most of the inferred emission increase was located in the tropics (9–14 Tg CH4/yr) and mid‐latitudes of the northern hemisphere (6–8 Tg CH4/yr), while no significant trend was derived for Arctic latitudes. The atmospheric increase can be attributed mainly to increased anthropogenic emissions, but the derived trend is significantly smaller than estimated in the EDGARv4.2 emission inventory. Superimposed on the increasing trend in anthropogenic CH4 emissions are significant inter‐annual variations (IAV) of emissions from wetlands (up to ±10 Tg CH4/yr), and biomass burning (up to ±7 Tg CH4/yr). Sensitivity experiments, which investigated the impact of the SCIAMACHY observations (versus inversions using only surface observations), of the OH fields used, and of a priori emission inventories, resulted in differences in the detailed latitudinal attribution of CH4 emissions, but the IAV and trends aggregated over larger latitude bands were reasonably robust. All sensitivity experiments show similar performance against independent shipboard and airborne observations used for validation, except over Amazonia where satellite retrievals improved agreement with observations in the free troposphere.
Erosion thresholds and land surface morphology

We propose a graphical technique to analyze the entirety of landforms in a catchment to define quantitatively the spatial variation in the dominance of different erosion processes. High-resolution digital elevation data of a 1.2 km2 hilly area where the channel network had been mapped in the field were used in the digital terrain model, TOPOG, to test threshold theories for erosion. The land surface was divided into ∼20 m2 elements whose shapes were then classified as convergent, planar, or divergent. The entire landscape plotted on a graph of area per unit contour length against surface gradient shows each planform plotting as a separate field. A simple steady-state hydrologic model was used to predict zones of saturation and areas of high pore pressure to mimic the extreme hydrologic events responsible for erosive instability of the land surface. The field observation that saturation overland flow is rare outside convergent zones provided a significant constraint on the hydrologic parameter in the model. This model was used in threshold theories to predict areas of slope instability and areas subject to erosion by saturation overland flow, both of which can contribute to channel initiation. The proportion of convergent elements predicted to exceed the threshold varies greatly with relatively small changes in surface resistance, demonstrating a high sensitivity to land use such as cattle grazing. Overall, the landscape can be divided, using erosion threshold lines, into areas prone to channel instability due to runoff and stable areas where diffusive transport predominates.
Modelling of Indian summer monsoon rainfall using a four-parameter Kappa distribution

In attempting to model the random behaviour of the Indian summer monsoon, the possibility of using a generalized four-parameter Kappa distribution representing a family of distributions has been explored. An L-Moment procedure developed by Hosking (1994) IBM J. Res. De6. , 38(3), 251‐258, has been used for estimation of reliable rainfall quantiles. Using these estimates, isopluvial maps have been developed for some commonly used recurrence intervals (viz. 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 years) which can be used by operational hydro-meteorologists. Copyright © 1999 Royal Meteorological Society.
Probabilistic state estimation in regimes of nonlinear error growth

State estimation, or data assimilation as it is often called, is a key component of numerical weather prediction (NWP). Nearly all implementable methods of state estimation suitable for NWP are forced to assume that errors remain in regimes of linear error growth and retain distributions of Gaussian uncertainty, yet nonlinear systems like the atmosphere can readily allow regimes of nonlinear error growth and, in turn, produce distributions of nonGaussian uncertainty. State-of-the-art, ensemble-based methods of state estimation suitable for NWP are examined to gauge the consequences and relevance of violating the linear error growth assumption. For quite generic sources of non-Gaussian uncertainty, the methods are observed to fail, as they must, and the obtained analyses become probabilistically unreliable before becoming inaccurate. The mis-positioning of coherent features is identified as a specific, geophysically relevant source of non-Gaussian uncertainty that can easily cause the state-of-the-art methods of state estimation to fail. However, an understanding of relevant phenomenology sometimes allows these same methods to remain successful owing to an available redefinition of the involved errors. The redefinition is phrased as an alternative error model. It is recognized and exploited that non-Gaussian additive Eulerian errors can come from Gaussian Lagrangian position errors. A two-step, augmented state vector approach is developed that is suitable for use with coherent features and that relies only on implementable methods of state estimation. By combining the dual Eulerian and Lagrangian state information into one vector, an ensemble can approximate their covariance, thus allowing each component's uncertainty to be reduced. The first step of the two-step approach reduces the feature position errors in an effort to render the residual additive errors Gaussian, thereby allowing the second step of an implementable state estimation method to proceed successfully. Philosophically, the two-step approach uses physical knowledge of the problem (as phrased by the error model) to compensate for neglected important non-Gaussian uncertainty structure in the state estimation process. The proposed two-step approach successfully allows use of implementable methods of state estimation to obtain probabilistically reliable analyses in regimes of nonlinear error growth, something unavailable using current standards. Thesis Supervisor: James A. Hansen Title: Assistant Professor of Meteorology
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)

Contents include the following: 1. Hurricane Isabel. TRMM composite images of Hurricane Isabel. TRMM application to monitoring potential floods. 2.TRMM Orbit and Instruments. TRMM Ground Track for 35" Orbit With Ground Truth Verification Sites. 3. TRMM Science Data Products at the GES DAAC. 4. TRMM Data Access and Services at GES DAAC. TRMM Online Visualization and Analysis System. Selected Recent TRMM Data Applications From Around the World.
Electrochemical coating of dental implants with anodic porous titania for enhanced osteointegration

Clinical long-term osteointegration of titanium-based biomedical devices is the main goal for both dental and orthopedical implants. Both the surface morphology and the possible functionalization of the implant surface are important points. In the last decade, following the success of nanostructured anodic porous alumina, anodic porous titania has also attracted the interest of academic researchers. This material, investigated mainly for its photocatalytic properties and for applications in solar cells, is usually obtained from the anodization of ultrapure titanium. We anodized dental implants made of commercial grade titanium under different experimental conditions and characterized the resulting surface morphology with scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer. The appearance of nanopores on these implants confirm that anodic porous titania can be obtained not only on ultrapure and flat titanium but also as a conformal coating on curved surfaces of real objects made of industrial titanium alloys. Raman spectroscopy showed that the titania phase obtained is anatase. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that by carrying out the anodization in the presence of electrolyte additives such as magnesium, these can be incorporated into the porous coating. The proposed method for the surface nanostructuring of biomedical implants should allow for integration of conventional microscale treatments such as sandblasting with additive nanoscale patterning. Additional advantages are provided by this material when considering the possible loading of bioactive drugs in the porous cavities.
Non-Contact Surface Wave Testing While Moving

We present experiments with a rolling multichannel microphone array where measurements can be taken continuously while moving. Leaky air-coupled surface waves are measured with ordinary non-directional audio microphones. Results show that microphones can be successfully used to produce a realistic phase velocity spectrum even while moving along the surface. The paper presents some theoretical background along with initial experimental results using the moving microphone array.
Infrared marker-based tracking in an indoor unknown environment for augmented reality applications

Marker based tracking requires complicated preparation work that impedes its use in augmented reality applications. This paper presents a novel tracking scheme to be used in an indoor unknown scene by adapting simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithms. An infrared (IR) marker system is specifically designed to simplify the feature recognition and tracking in SLAM process. With one initial IR marker, the other markers can be projected randomly onto a large-area environment. The pose of camera can be estimated with a monocular IR camera in real time. Experimental result demonstrates that the proposed system meets the requirements of accuracy for large-area tracking. A prototype system is built to show its feasibility in unknown environment and potential use in applications.
Metric structures in L 1 : Dimension , snowflakes , and average distortion ∗

We study the metric properties of finite subsets of L1. The analysis of such metrics is central to a number of important algorithmic problems involving the cut structure of weighted graphs, including the Sparsest Cut Problem, one of the most compelling open problems in the field of approximation algorithms. Additionally, many open questions in geometric non-linear functional analysis involve the properties of finite subsets of L1. We present some new observations concerning the relation of L1 to dimension, topology, and Euclidean distortion. We show that every n-point subset of L1 embeds into L2 with average distortion O( √ log n), yielding the first evidence that the conjectured worst-case bound of O( √ log n) is valid. We also address the issue of dimension reduction in Lp for p ∈ (1, 2). We resolve a question left open in [4] about the impossibility of linear dimension reduction in the above cases, and we show that the example of [3, 14] cannot be used to prove a lower bound for the non-linear case. This is accomplished by exhibiting constant-distortion embeddings of snowflaked planar metrics into Euclidean space.
Cenozoic landscape development on the passsive margin of northern Scandinavia

The geometry of major bedrock landforms in a central part of the Northern Scandes has been examined for interpretation of landforming events and their chronology. Analysis of palaeosurfaces and palaeovalleys was undertaken based on digital elevation data. Four major landscape generations, governed by different base levels, were reconstructed within the mountains. In the east the generations more or less merge and form plains with residual hills. The configuration of the landscape generations suggests an asymmetrical uplift with maximum uplift in the west caused by discrete events during the Cenozoic and guided by reactivated Mesozoic faults west of the study area. The style and amount of uplift differs from the Southern Scandes and a hinge line is defined in between. The landscape generations were also used for estimations of the amount of glacial/fluvial erosion since the beginning of the Late Cenozoic glaciations. Erosion amounted up to 200 - 400 m in the valleys that hosted the major outlet glaciers, while the eastern plateaux and the plains with residual hills have experienced no or limited glacial erosion.
SOIL REMOLDING AND SENSITIVITY MEASUREMENTS

This study examines the problem of measurement of soil sensitivity and the significance of soil remolding effects on the "remolded" strength of soil. A simple shear device has been adapted to provide a means for both soil remolding and continuous measurement of shear stress and strain using cyclic stress reversals. Computations can be made to relate soil remolding and input energy for correlation with measured remolded soil strength using the simple shear device. (Author)
Fission track data from the Mesohellenic Trough and the Pelagonian zone in NW Greece: Cenozoic tectonics and exhumation of source areas

The Mesohellenic Trough (MHT) trends parallel to the structural fabric of the Hellenides and covers the suture between the Apulian microplate and the Pelagonian block. It comprises an up to ∼4 km thick middle Eocene to upper Miocene sedimentary sequence. We have studied the thermal history of the Pelagonian basement and the provenance of the detrital material in the clastic sediments of the MHT by fission track dating. Apatite and zircon fission track (AFT, ZFT) analysis is applied to samples from the Pelagonian microcontinent along the eastern border of the MHT, and AFT analysis to the sedimentary rocks in the southern MHT. Eocene AFT age populations in the sedimentary strata indicate a proximal position of the Pelagonian microcontinent, which shows the same or even younger AFT ages, as the source area of the detrital material in the MHT. Late Cretaceous to Palaeocene age populations point to a more distant or structurally higher (now eroded) source area. The Eocene orogenic event caused only weak thermal overprinting in rocks of the Pelagonian microcontinent. In its eastern part, the AFT ages show only partial resetting, if any, whereas in its western part the ages were clearly reset during the Eocene event. AFT age‐elevation relations, correlation of zircon and apatite FT ages from the same samples, and thermal modelling based on AFT ages and track length distributions were all used to reconstruct the low‐temperature cooling history of the Pelagonian basement adjacent to the MHT. The results document fast cooling and exhumation in the Eocene that were possibly related to thrusting and associated erosion, followed by slow cooling and exhumation during Oligocene and Miocene time. This scenario is confirmed by the AFT data from the detrital material in the MHT sedimentary strata. The slow cooling period coincides with a stagnation period or crustal extension and possible reheating, which is probably also responsible for the partial rejuvenation of the ages of the detrital apatites in the oldest (Eocene) formation in the sediment sequence of the MHT.
The Real Color of Climate Change?

Reconstructions of past temperatures often use a combination of climate "proxies" such as ice cores and tree rings and the instrumental temperature record. How accurate are these reconstructions over time scales of decades to centuries? In their Perspective, [Osborn and Briffa][1] highlight the report of [ von Storch et al . ][2], who have simulated the errors associated with climate proxies over these longer time scales. Because of systematic errors that are not taken into account in such reconstructions, the amplitude of the Northern Hemisphere temperature fluctuations over the last millennium may have been underestimated. [1]: http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/full/306/5696/621 [2]: http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/short/306/5696/679
Targeting of early to intermediate maize hybrids for yield performanceand yield stability using SREG model

The effectiveness of targeting and predicting maize (Zea mays.L) hybrid performance is difficult when the magnitude of genotype x environment (GE) interaction and yield prediction cannot be interpreted and is only based on genotypes (G) and GE means. The traditional analysis of variance (ANOVA) is not sufficient in predicting and giving information into the patterns of genotypes and environments that give rise to GE interaction. The objectives of this study were to show the usefulness of G plus GE interaction (GGE) using the properties of GGE biplot based on the site regression (SREG) model analysis of a biplot in predicting yield performance and stability of early to intermediate maturing hybrids (EIHYB) grown in southern Africa. The SREG analysis model was based on regional trial data of EIHYB from three seasons (2005 - 2007) across 30 environments under four different management practices: well fertilized/rain fed conditions, managed nitrogen stress, managed drought stress, and managed low pH stress. GGE biplots were constructed using the first two principal components (PC1 and PC2) derived from singular value decomposition of environment-centered multi-environmental trials. The PC1 scores of the hybrids and the environments were plotted against their respective PC2 scores to effectively show mean performance and stability for grain yield across years and environments; discriminativeness vs. representativeness of test locations across the years and which-won-where. The SREG model showed that maize hybrids were under major environmental and GE interactions. In spite of large variation from year to year maize hybrids responded positively to better environmental conditions relative to grain yield performance and key environmental patterns could be established.
Estrogen Receptor a and Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Are Organized Into a Functional Signaling Module in Caveolae

—Estrogen causes nitric oxide (NO)-dependent vasodilation due to estrogen receptor (ER) a -mediated, nongenomic activation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). The subcellular site of interaction between ER a and eNOS was determined in studies of isolated endothelial cell plasma membranes. Estradiol (E 2 , 10 –8 mol/L) caused an increase in eNOS activity in plasma membranes in the absence of added calcium, calmodulin, or eNOS cofactors, which was blocked by ICI 182,780 and ER a antibody. Immunoidentification studies detected the same 67-kDa protein in endothelial cell nucleus, cytosol, and plasma membrane. Plasma membranes from COS-7 cells expressing eNOS and ER a displayed ER-mediated eNOS stimulation, whereas membranes from cells expressing eNOS alone or ER a plus a myristoylation-deficient mutant eNOS were insensitive. Fractionation of endothelial cell plasma membranes revealed ER a protein in caveolae, and E 2 caused stimulation of eNOS in isolated caveolae that was ER-dependent; noncaveolae membranes were insensitive. Acetylcholine and bradykinin also activated eNOS in isolated caveolae. Furthermore, the effect of E 2 on eNOS in caveolae was prevented by calcium chelation. Thus, a subpopulation of ER a is localized to endothelial cell caveolae where they are coupled to eNOS in a functional signaling module that may regulate the local calcium environment. The full text of this article is available at http://www.circresaha. org. ( Circ Res . 2000;87:e44-e52.) L -lysine chloromethyl ke- tone, 10 nmol/L phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, 3 mmol/L dithio-threitol, and 10 mmol/L 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]- 1-propanesulfonate. Membranes (10 m g plasma membrane or 2 m g noncaveolae or caveolae membrane protein in 100 m L volume) were exposed to 2.0 m Ci/mL of 3 H- L -arginine and 2 m mol/L cold L -arginine, and citrulline generation was evaluated during 15- to 60-minute incubations at 37°C. Studies were performed in the absence of added calcium, calmodulin, or eNOS cofactors to assess the presence of these molecules, which are required for eNOS activation. The assay was terminated by the addition of 400 m L of 40 mmol/L HEPES buffer, pH 5.5, with 2 mmol/L EDTA and 2 mmol/L EGTA. 3 H- L -citrulline was purified with 1 mL Dowex AG50WX-8 columns and quantified by liquid scintillation spectroscopy. In selected studies, NOS activation was also determined in cytosolic fractions. NOS activity in all samples was inhibited by the addition of 2 mmol/L nitro- L -arginine methyl ester. To assess maximal eNOS activity, studies were done in the presence of 2 mmol/L b -NADPH, 20 m mol/L tetrahydrobiopterin, 10 m mol/L flavin adenine dinucle- otide, 10 m mol/L flavin mononucleotide, 0.5 mmol/L CaCl 2 in excess of EDTA, and 15 nmol/L calmodulin. To reveal the role of membrane-associated ERs in E 2 responses, studies were done in the absence or presence of the ER antagonist ICI 182,780 or the mouse monoclonal antibody TE111 directed against the ligand binding domain (amino acids 302 to 553) of human ER a (4 m g/100 m L, Neomarkers, Inc)
Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers in the black‐tailed godwit (Limosa limosa: Aves)

We isolated and tested 16 microsatellite loci in black‐tailed godwits from the Netherlands (Limosa limosa limosa), and from Australasia (subspecies melanuroides). One locus was monomorphic, two loci had null‐alleles and one was significantly heterozygote deficient. The remaining 12 polymorphic loci had on average 7.9 alleles (range 5–11) and the mean expected heterozygosity was 0.69. No significant linkage disequilibrium between the loci was observed and all loci were autosomal. Fourteen loci were successfully cross‐amplified in bar‐tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica).