Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental sea slicks: Their practical applications and utilization for basic studies of air‐sea interactions

Practical applications of organic surface films added to the sea surface date back to ancient times. Aristotle, Plutarch, and Pliny the Elder describe the seaman's practice of calming waves in a storm by pouring oil onto the sea [Scott, 1977]. It was also noted that divers released oil beneath the water surface so that it could rise and spread over the sea surface, thereby suppressing the irritating flicker associated with the passage of light through a rippled surface. From a scientific point of view, Benjamin Franklin was the first to perform experiments with oils on natural waters. His experiment with a ‘teaspoonful of oil’ on Clapham pond in 1773 inspired many investigators to consider sea surface phenomena or to conduct experiments with oil films. This early research has been reviewed by Giles [1969], Giles and Forrester [1970], and Scott [1977]. Franklin's studies with experimental slicks can be regarded as the beginning of surface film chemistry. His speculations on the wave damping influence of oil induced him to perform the first qualitative experiment with artificial sea slicks at Portsmouth (England) in October of 1773. Although the sea was calmed and very few white caps appeared in the oil-covered area, the swell continued through the oiled area to Franklin's great disappointment.
Construct and criterion-based validity of brief pain coping scales in persons with chronic knee osteoarthritis pain.

OBJECTIVES A recent trend in clinical practice is to adopt short screening and diagnostic self-report instruments for patients with chronic pain. Brief two-item pain coping and beliefs measures have recently been developed and have potential to improve decision making in clinical practice. Our study examined the construct and criterion-based validity of the two-item per scale version of the coping strategies questionnaire (CSQ). DESIGN We used data obtained on a community-based sample of 873 persons with chronic knee osteoarthritis pain from the Osteoarthritis Initiative, a large longitudinal cohort study. Persons were administered the two-item per scale version of the CSQ. The International Classification of Functioning framework was used to select a variety of criterion-based measures for comparison with the CSQ. Spearman correlations and hierarchical regression models were used to characterize construct validity and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, sensitivity and specificity were used to describe criterion-based validity. RESULTS Construct validity of the CSQ scales was generally supported, with the Catastrophizing and Praying or Hoping scales demonstrating the strongest construct validity across criterion measures. Criterion-based validity for the CSQ scales varied depending on the criterion measure. The Catastrophizing and Praying or Hoping scales also had the strongest criterion-based validity, with ROC curve areas as high as 0.71 (95% confidence interval = 0.67, 0.75), P < 0.001, for identifying persons with substantial physical function deficits. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that several of the two-item CSQ scales demonstrate a modest level of construct validity along with fair criterion-based validity. The Catastrophizing and Praying or Hoping scales appear to hold the most promise for clinical applications and future longitudinal research.
Microbiology of a NaCl stalactite ‘ salticle ’ in Triassic halite

salticle metagenome exhibited a greater abundance of genes involved in osmoregulation, anaerobic respiration, UV resistance, oxidative stress, and stress-protein synthesis relative to the soil microbiome. We discuss the potential astrobiological implications of salticles as enclosed salt-saturated habitats that are protected from ionizing radiation and have a stable water activity.
The Role of Autophagy in Cancer: Therapeutic Implications

Autophagy is a homeostatic, catabolic degradation process whereby cellular proteins and organelles are engulfed by autophagosomes, digested in lysosomes, and recycled to sustain cellular metabolism. Autophagy has dual roles in cancer, acting as both a tumor suppressor by preventing the accumulation of damaged proteins and organelles and as a mechanism of cell survival that can promote the growth of established tumors. Tumor cells activate autophagy in response to cellular stress and/or increased metabolic demands related to rapid cell proliferation. Autophagy-related stress tolerance can enable cell survival by maintaining energy production that can lead to tumor growth and therapeutic resistance. As shown in preclinical models, inhibition of autophagy restored chemosensitivity and enhanced tumor cell death. These results established autophagy as a therapeutic target and led to multiple early phase clinical trials in humans to evaluate autophagy inhibition using hydroxychloroquine in combination with chemotherapy or targeted agents. Targeting autophagy in cancer will provide new opportunities for drug development, because more potent and specific inhibitors of autophagy are needed. The role of autophagy and its regulation in cancer cells continues to emerge, and studies aim to define optimal strategies to modulate autophagy for therapeutic advantage. Mol Cancer Ther; 10(9); 1533–41. ©2011 AACR.
Detection of natural oil slicks in the NW Gulf of Mexico using MODIS imagery

We demonstrate the unique capability of the MODIS instruments in detecting oil slicks in an open ocean environment. On 13 May 2006, in the NW Gulf of Mexico where water depth ranges from 50 to 2500 m, one 250‐m resolution MODIS image showed at least 164 surface slicks under sun glint (glint reflectance, Lg, ranged between 0.0001 and 0.06 sr−1). After discounting other possible causes, we believe these are the result of natural seeps. Our analysis showed total coverage of ∼1900 km2, with individual slicks varying in surface area (11.7 ± 14.8 km2) and length (19.2 ± 12.4 km). Concurrent SAR imagery showed similar area estimates to within 30%. This estimate, based on a single image, is higher than earlier estimates from a database of multi‐date SAR images for the same region. Inspection of >200 images for the month of May between 2000 and 2008 revealed similar slicks on at least 50 images. On 2 June 2005, slicks were detected under sun glint with both negative contrast (Lg < 0.05 sr−1) and positive contrast (Lg > 0.05 sr−1). These slicks could not be detected in glint‐free MODIS images collected on the same day. Because of the near‐daily revisit and wide sun glint coverage (e.g., >800 km E‐W between March and October at 25°N), systematic and global application of the MODIS 250‐m imagery can help locate natural seeps and improve estimates of seepage rates in the world's ocean.
UltraShiver: Lateral force feedback on a bare fingertip via ultrasonic oscillation and electroadhesion

We propose a new lateral force feedback device, the UltraShiver, which employs a combination of in-plane ultrasonic oscillation (around 30 kHz) and out-of-plane electroadhesion. It can achieve a strong active lateral force (400 mN) on the bare fingertip while operating silently. The lateral force is a function of pressing force, lateral vibration velocity, and electroadhesive voltage, as well as the relative phase between the velocity and voltage. In this paper, we perform experiments to investigate characteristics of the UltraShiver and their influence on lateral force.
Backscatter lidar observations of lower atmospheric aerosol during daytime over the tropical rural site Gadanki

An elastic backscattering lidar system that is capable of operating in daytime, which is considered to be first of its kind in India, has been developed at Gadanki (13.5° N, 79.2° E), a tropical rural site, to provide the vertical profile of the aerosol backscatter ratio at 532nm up to an altitude of 5-6 km (AGL). We made observations of the lower tropospheric aerosols during Dec 2002 - March 2003 with the system. The following observations are bought out from the preliminary analysis of the data. (a) A thick aerosol layer will always be present in the lowermost troposphere which top 1.5 - 2 km above the ground level. We consider that the layer correspond to the local mixing layer. (b) A thin layer of aerosol exists in the free troposphere in the altitude of 3 to 5 km. It is considered that these layers were on the way of long-range transport (c) A clear dust layer appeared at height of 2-3 km during the months Feb and March 2003. The lidar data has also used to retrieve the Convective Boundary Layer (CBL) height over the tropical site Gadanki.
Uncertainties in estimating water fluxes and residence times using environmental tracers in an arid unsaturated zone

Environmental tracers are used widely to evaluate flow processes and estimate fluxes and ages of pore water in arid regions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate uncertainties in water flux and age on the basis of data from environmental tracers, including meteoric Cl, 36Cl, 3H, δ2H, and δ18O in porous media. Representative profiles of environmental tracers from drainage and interdrainage areas at a site in the Chihuahuan Desert of Texas were evaluated. The chloride mass balance approach (CMB) was used to evaluate water fluxes and ages. The long residence times indicated by the Cl data in interdrainage areas (55,000 to 105,000 years to 25 m depth) were generally corroborated by residence times estimated from radioactive decay of 36Cl (39,000 ±13,000 to 59,000 ±14,400 years). Uncertainties in the CMB approach include uncertainties in transport processes, Cl input, and Cl output. Although the CMB approach assumes one‐dimensional, downward piston flow, water potential and stable isotope data in interdrainage areas suggest net upward water movement. Cl data indicate that drying of the profiles may have persisted throughout the Holocene (∼10,000 years). Therefore the downward flow assumption may only be applicable in the older, deeper sections of the profiles. Cl diffusion is significant near the surface where Cl concentration gradients are steep. Anion exclusion may affect calculated water fluxes based on Cl in clay‐rich zones. Although it is difficult to quantify uncertainties in diffusion and anion exclusion processes, they act in concert and result in overestimation of water flux and underestimation of age by the CMB approach. Therefore, in interdrainage areas the CMB approach provides an upper bound on actual water fluxes and a lower bound on actual ages. Error bars on these bounding estimates were evaluated on the basis of uncertainties in Cl input (∼±35%) and in Cl output (±3%) that result in ±38% uncertainty in water flux and −24 to 56% uncertainty in water age in interdrainage areas. In drainage areas it is much more difficult to apply the CMB approach because of preferential flow, large uncertainties in Cl input as a result of run‐on, reduced sensitivity of Cl to water flux, and analytical uncertainties in Cl measurements. Although preferential flow was shown by 3H data, mixing calculations suggest that 36Cl/Cl ratios cannot be used to evaluate preferential flow when Cl concentrations in the matrix exceed 10 to 100 g m−3, as is found in the playa and the fissure. Neglecting Cl input from run‐on results in underestimation of water flux by about an order of magnitude. Therefore the apparent CMB water flux, which ignores preferential flow and run‐on, represents a lower bound on the actual water flux in contrast to an upper bound for interdrainage areas. These results have important implications for waste disposal in arid regions because they suggest that water fluxes estimated using the CMB approach are conservatively high in interdrainage areas characterized by porous media.
N-desmethyl -Loperamide is selective for P-glycoprotein among three ATP-binding cassette transporters at the blood-brain barrier

[ 11 C] N-desmethyl- loperamide ([ 11 C]dLop) is used in (PET) to measure the in vivo activity of efflux transporters that block the passage of drugs across the blood-brain barrier. The three most prevalent ATP-binding cassette (ABC) efflux transporters at the blood-brain barrier are P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance protein 1 (Mrp1), and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). We sought to measure the selectivity of dLop among these three transporters. The selectivity of dLop at low concentrations ( ≤ 1 nM) was measured both as the accumulation of [ 3 H]dLop in human cells that over-express each transporter and as the uptake of [ 11 C]dLop in brains of mice that lack genes encoding P-gp, Mrp1, or BCRP . The selectivity of dLop at high concentrations ( ≥ 20 µM) was measured as the inhibition of uptake of a fluorescent substrate and the change in cytotoxicity of drugs effluxed at each transporter. Accumulation of [ 3 H]dLop was lowest in cells over-expressing P-gp, and the uptake of [ 11 C]dLop was highest in brains of mice lacking P-gp. At high concentrations, dLop selectively inhibited P-gp function and also decreased the resistance of only the P-gp-expressing cells to cytotoxic agents. dLop is selective for P-gp among these three transporters, but its activity is dependent on concentration. At low concentrations ( ≤ 1 nM), dLop acts only as a substrate; at high concentrations ( ≥ 20 µM), it acts as both a substrate and an inhibitor ( i.e. , a competitive substrate). Since low concentrations of radiotracer are used for PET imaging, [ 11 C]dLop acts selectively and only as a substrate for P-gp.
Magnetoelectric coupling at metal surfaces

Magnetoelectric coupling allows the magnetic state of a material to be changed by an applied electric field. To date, this phenomenon has mainly been observed in insulating materials such as complex multiferroic oxides. Bulk metallic systems do not exhibit magnetoelectric coupling, because applied electric fields are screened by conduction electrons. We demonstrate strong magnetoelectric coupling at the surface of thin iron films using the electric field from a scanning tunnelling microscope, and are able to write, store and read information to areas with sides of a few nanometres. Our work demonstrates that high-density, non-volatile information storage is possible in metals.
LETTERS AND COMMUNICATIONS LentigoMalignaMargin Template for Surgical Excision Using Reflectance ConfocalMicroscopy and a Transparent Adhesive Dressing

Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a noninvasive imaging device providing in vivo cellularlevel resolution for skin imaging. Reflectance confocal microscopy has high sensitivity (93%) and specificity (82%) for diagnosing lentigo maligna (LM) and may be a valuable tool to guide presurgical margin evaluation. Lentigo maligna often has indiscriminate clinical margins with subclinical extension, and accurately relaying RCM margin evaluation to the surgeonmay be challenging.When tissue preservation is necessary, accurate delineation of irregular margins and confocalist–surgeon communication are paramount. In this article, we describe an alternative approach for mapping LM with RCM using a novel transparent plastic adhesive dressing technique, creating a portable margin template for the surgical team.
Cellular properties of principal neurons in the rat entorhinal cortex. II. The medial entorhinal cortex

Principal neurons in different medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) layers show variations in spatial modulation that stabilize between 15 and 30 days postnatally. These in vivo variations are likely due to differences in intrinsic membrane properties and integrative capacities of neurons. The latter depends on inputs and thus potentially on the morphology of principal neurons. In this comprehensive study, we systematically compared the morphological and physiological characteristics of principal neurons in all MEC layers of newborn rats before and after weaning. We recorded simultaneously from up to four post‐hoc morphologically identified MEC principal neurons in vitro. Neurons in L(ayer) I‐LIII have dendritic and axonal arbors mainly in superficial layers, and LVI neurons mainly in deep layers. The dendritic and axonal trees of part of LV neurons diverge throughout all layers. Physiological properties of principal neurons differ between layers. In LII, most neurons have a prominent sag potential, resonance and membrane oscillations. Neurons in LIII and LVI fire relatively regular, and lack sag potentials and membrane oscillations. LV neurons show the most prominent spike‐frequency adaptation and highest input resistance. The data indicate that adult‐like principal neuron types can be differentiated early on during postnatal development. The results of the accompanying paper, in which principal neurons in the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) were described (Canto and Witter, 2011 ), revealed that significant differences between LEC and MEC exist mainly in LII neurons. We therefore systematically analyzed changes in LII biophysical properties along the mediolateral axis of MEC and LEC. There is a gradient in properties typical for MEC LII neurons. These properties are most pronounced in medially located neurons and become less apparent in more laterally positioned ones. This gradient continues into LEC, such that in LEC medially positioned neurons share some properties with adjacent MEC cells. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Distinctive phytohormonal and metabolic profiles of Arabidopsis thaliana and Eutrema 1 salsugineum under similar soil drying 2 3

salsugineum under similar soil drying 2 3 Carla Pinheiro, Elizabeth Dickinson, Andrew Marriott, Isa C. Ribeiro, Marta Pintó4 Marijuan, Carla António, Olfa Zarrouk, Maria Manuela Chaves, Ian C. Dodd, Sergi 5 Munné-Bosch, Jane Thomas-Oates, Julie Wilson. 6 7 1 Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Av. da 8 República, EAN, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal 9 2 DCV Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 10 Caparica, Portugal 11 3 Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, United 12 Kingdom 13 4 Department of Mathematics, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, United 14 Kingdom 15 5 Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Facultat de 16 Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Avinguda Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain 17 6 The Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom 18 19
Numerical Analysis of Passive Capillary Wick Samplers prior to Field Installation

Accurately measuring water fluxes and associated nutrient or contaminant concentrations through the vadose zone is difficult because an appropriate suction needs to be exerted on the soil to sample water under unsaturated conditions. Passive capillary wick sampling systems are cheap and reliable instruments resulting in acceptable measurements of water fluxes in the vadose zone; however, their success in measuring realistic fluxes depends on their compatibility with the soil and climatic conditions in which they are installed. This study was developed in the preplanning phase of a field experiment with its main objective the monitoring of dissolved organic matter and the associated transfer of Cu 2+ and pesticides through the vadose zone. We studied a combination of two-dimensional and axisymmetrical three-dimensional numerical analyses using the HYDRUS-2D software to identify what sampler geometry, wick type, wick length, and number of wicks are most suitable for the soil conditions at the experimental site. An AM3/8HI wick with seasonally varying wick length (40 cm in winter and 100 cm in summer) was found to be most appropriate for the soil and climatic conditions of the experimental field. The numerical analysis indicated that well-designed wick samplers had a negligible effect on the soil moisture content close to the sampler. A double-ring wick sampler is proposed to minimize the effect of the area between the installation pit or trench and the sampler. This approach is easily applicable and transferable to other soil and wick types and climatic conditions. The study emphasizes the suitability of numerical modeling to optimize experimental design before installation.
Zonal Flows Throughout Cycle 23

We use available GONG and MDI data to study how solar zonal flows evolved over cycle 23 and whether or not there were differences between the minima of cycles 23 and 24. An autocorrelation study shows that as far as the zonal-flows are concerned, cycle 23 lasted for about 11.7 years, considerably shorter than what is seen from magnetic indices. We also find that there were significant differences in the nature of the flows between the minima of cycles 23 and 24.
British Ice Sheet dynamics inferred from North Atlantic ice‐rafted debris records spanning the last 175 000 years

Sediment core MD04‐2822 from the Rockall Trough, northeast Atlantic, provides lithological evidence for the expansion of the British Ice Sheet (BIS) onto the Hebridean margin during both the penultimate (Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 6/Wolstonian/Saalian) and last glaciation (Devensian/Weichselian). A composite chronology is constructed using: (i) the benthic foraminiferal oxygen isotope record, matched to an orbitally tuned stacked record of global ice volume (SPECMAP); (ii) the synchronisation of the planktonic foraminiferal (Neogloboquadrina pachyderma (sinistral)) and ITRAX XRF Ca records to the Greenland ice core (NGRIP) back to ca. 123 ka; and (iii) the synchronisation of the same N. pachyderma (sinistral)) and ITRAX XRF Ca records to the atmospheric methane record of the Antarctic ice core (EPICA Dome C) beyond 123 ka. The first offshore evidence for the expansion of the last BIS within MIS 4 is presented, suggesting extensive glaciation of northwestern Britain during the Devensian/Weichselian as early as 70 ka. The proximity of this long sediment core to the glaciated margin of northwestern Scotland makes it ideal to capture the ice‐rafted debris (IRD) signal of the BIS for the last 175 ka, via a continuous flux record of IRD. British Geological Survey © NERC 2009. All rights reserved.
A modeling framework for assessing adaptation options of Finnish agriculture to climate variability and change

To enable ex ante assessment of alternative adaptation strategies for Finnish agriculture at multiple scales, MTT Agrifood Research Finland and partner institutes recently launched a project Integrated Modeling of Agrifood Systems (IMAGES). The project aims at developing and evaluating different component (economic and biophysical) models and link them in an integrated modeling framework.
Becoming A Geologist: Florence Bascom and Johns Hopkins, 1888-1895

Florence Bascom (1862-1945) was a petrologist and field geologist at Bryn Mawr College who provided a basic description and interpretation of major areas of Pennsylvania and surrounding regions. This paper is the second of a two-part study that explores the question of how Bascom became a geologist. The first part dealt with Bascom's early history in Wisconsin, from the time she went to Madison at the age of 12 to her completion of a Master of Science degree in Microscopic Lithology under Roland D. Irving (1847-1888) at the University Of Wisconsin in 1887.This second part of the study begins with Bascom's experience teaching at Rockford Seminary in Illinois, where she was exposed to Mary E. Holmes (1850-1906). who had obtained a doctorate in paleontology from the University of Michigan. It then details the extension of Bascom's education from a limited laboratory-based experience to involvement in field work with George Huntington Williams (1856-1894) at Johns Hopkins University in the years 1891-1893. Jo.