Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Unsteady Depths and Currents of Tides on Wind-Wave Propagation in Shelf Seas

Abstract The influence of unsteady depths and currents on wind wave propagation on the scale of shelf seas such as the North Sea is investigated. The attention is focused on depth and current variations due to tides, which are essentially stationary at the scale of a single wave but unsteady at the scale of wave propagation. Analytical solutions are derived for changes of monochromatic unidirectional linear waves due to a one-dimensional tide in water with a constant bottom level. It is shown that the change of absolute frequency due to variations of depth and current in time is of the same order of magnitude as the Doppler shift, and that it is not negligible, as assumed in a quasi-stationary approximation. The common quasi-stationary approximation leads to large errors in the predicted change of wave parameters in all situations considered here.
A survey and a new selection criterion for statistical home range estimation

The home range of a specific animal describes the geographic area where this individual spends most of the time while carrying out its usual activities (eating, resting, reproduction, .). Although a well-established definition of this concept is lacking, there is a variety of home range estimators. The first objective of this work is to review and categorize the statistical methodologies proposed in the literature to approximate the home range of an animal, based on a sample of observed locations. The second aim is to address the open question of choosing the "best" home range from a collection of them based on the same sample. We introduce a numerical index, based on a penalization criterion, to rank the estimated home ranges. The key idea is to balance the excess area covered by the estimator (with respect to the original sample) and a shape descriptor measuring the over-adjustment of the home range to the data. To our knowledge, apart from computing the home range area, our ranking procedure is the first one which is both applicable to real data and to any type of home range estimator. Further, the optimization of the selection index provides in fact a way to select the smoothing parameter for the kernel home range estimator. For clarity of exposition, we have applied all the estimation procedures and our selection proposal to a set of real locations of a Mongolian wolf using R as the statistical software. As a byproduct, this review contains a thorough revision of the implementation of home range estimators in the R language.
Pitfalls with the Numerical Representation of Isopycnal Diapycnal Mixing

Abstract Current numerical models of ocean circulation parameterize diffusion using a diagonal diffusivity tensor in a horizontal/vertical coordinate system rather than in the isopycnal/diapycnal directions. It is pointed out that this procedure introduces a fictitious flux of density in the horizontal direction. A solution to this problem is available in the work of Redi. Also we show that care must be used in simple models of the deep ocean not to confuse the diapycnal velocity with the vertical velocity which simply occurs as a component of along isopycnal motion.
A computational approach to regulatory element discovery in eukaryotes

Gene regulation in Eukaryotes is mainly effected through transcription factors binding to rather short recognition motifs generally located upstream of the coding region. We present a novel computational method to identify regulatory elements in the upstream region of Eukaryotic genes. The genes are grouped in sets sharing an overrepresented short motif in their upstream sequence. For each set, the average expression level from a microarray experiment is determined: if this level is significantly higher or lower than the average taken over the whole genome, then the overrepresented motif shared by the genes in the set is likely to play a role in their regulation. We illustrate the method by applying it to the genome of {\it S. cerevisiae}, for which many datasets of microarray experiments are publicly available. Several known binding motifs are correctly recognized by our algorithm, and a new candidate is suggested for experimental verification.
Revised Interface Geometry for the Hikurangi Subduction Zone, New Zealand

Online Material: GMT . grd file and Python script to evaluate interface geometry. The Hikurangi subduction zone extends along the eastern North Island of New Zealand southward into the northern portion of the South Island. It has drawn considerable recent attention due to the potential for large and/or tsunamigenic earthquakes, and both shallow and deep slow slip events (SSEs), as discussed in the next section. With such a wide range of seismic and aseismic behavior, the Hikurangi margin is an ideal natural laboratory for testing various types of subduction zone models. Furthermore, the possibility of a devastating megathrust earthquake also requires the development of models to evaluate the potential damage caused by such an event. A necessary first step in the development of such models is an accurate representation of the subduction thrust geometry. Accurate knowledge of the interface geometry is critical in dynamic rupture simulations, in providing the boundary conditions for tsunami simulations, and in geodetic inversions for interseismic coupling, coseismic slip, and SSE slip distributions. Current geodetic inversions (see Wallace et al. [2009] for a summary) make use of the interface geometry defined by Ansell and Bannister (1996), hereafter referred to as AB1996. This geometry was defined using a combination of microearthquake seismicity, the depth of thrust events, the depth of S to P conversions, and deep reflection seismic studies. Combining these datasets, AB1996 were able to define a parametric representation of the thrust interface in terms of a gently tapering conical surface. This representation provided a simple method for querying the depth to the interface at any desired point. The importance of providing an easy‐to‐use description of slab geometry for subduction zones worldwide has been recognized, and is being addressed by projects such …
Evidence of Cenozoic environmental and ecological change from stable isotope analysis of sirenian remains from the Tethys-Mediterranean region

Sirenians (sea cows: manatees and dugongs) have been primary consumers in tropical and subtropical shallow-water marine ecosystems for more than 50 m.y. Though fossils of the earliest sirenians have been recovered from the Caribbean, sirenians are thought to have originated in the Tethys-Mediterranean region, which underwent significant climate change over the course of the Cenozoic. Application of stable isotope analysis can provide new insight into how diet and habitat preferences were affected by climate change and how these ecological changes correlate with diversity patterns for this region. Tooth enamel was sampled from 57 specimens of sirenians from the Tethys-Mediterranean and adjacent seas spanning the Eocene to Pliocene. Enamel δ13C values across this time interval were consistently high and indicative of diets composed mostly of marine seagrasses. In contrast, enamel δ18O values showed significant change over time and across the region. Sirenians from southern sites (i.e., Egypt, Libya) had significantly higher mean δ18O values than specimens from most European locations, suggesting variation in salinity within the Tethys-Mediterranean. The range in enamel δ18O values increased from the Paleogene through the Neogene, but enamel δ13C values remained steady, indicating that changes in environmental conditions did not necessarily coincide with major changes in dietary preferences. Declines in sirenian taxonomic diversity in the late Miocene were likely due to the rapid climate and oceanographic changes during the latter half of the Cenozoic and their impacts on available dietary resources. Elevated δ13C and δ18O values in Mediterranean sirenians during the Messinian salinity crisis corroborate the hypothesis of ecophenotypic dwarfing in these animals.
Topography-Controlled Soil Water Content and the Coexistence of Forest and Steppe in Northern China

The semi-arid forest-steppe ecotone in China is characterized by a patchy pattern of forest and steppe, with forest patches restricted to shady slopes. To address the effect of topography on forest distribution through regulation of available water, we calculated evaporation as a function of slope aspect and inclination. Field vegetation records from randomly selected sites with minimum slope inclination were used to test the simulated forest distribution. Seasonal and diurnal changes of surface soil temperature and moisture of shady and sunny slopes were recorded. Soil water content was measured during two growing seasons on both sunny and shady slopes with the same forest type at three sites located along the mean annual precipitation (MAP) gradient. Evaporation decreases with slope inclination on shady slopes, but increases with inclination on sunny slopes. The shady slope received 35% of the annual direct solar radiation received by the sunny slope when the slope inclination was 25°, and the contrast in annual direct solar radiation between the shady and sunny slopes further widens as slope inclination increases. Steeper shady slopes can support forests in dryer climates, with log-linear regression revealing a minimum slope inclination for forest distribution along the MAP gradient. The simulated minimum slope inclination for forest growth was larger than the observed minimum inclination, and the difference was greater in wetter conditions. A larger forest area fraction was considered to lead to a reduction in soil temperature and evaporation, as verified by soil temperature and moisture records and soil water content measurements. The slope-specific forest distribution in the semi-arid region of China can be explained by a topography-controlled soil water supply. Lower evaporation, resulting from lower direct solar radiation on shady slopes, allows shady slopes to retain a water supply sufficient for sustaining forests, and the existence of forests on shady slopes further reduces evaporation. Different tree species coexist at the xeric timberline due to regulation by slope inclination and aspect.
Stochastic Grounded Action Transformation for Robot Learning in Simulation

Robot control policies learned in simulation do not often transfer well to the real world. Many existing solutions to this sim-to-real problem, such as the Grounded Action Transformation (GAT) algorithm, seek to correct for— or ground—these differences by matching the simulator to the real world. However, the efficacy of these approaches is limited if they do not explicitly account for stochasticity in the target environment. In this work, we analyze the problems associated with grounding a deterministic simulator in a stochastic real world environment, and we present examples where GAT fails to transfer a good policy due to stochastic transitions in the target domain. In response, we introduce the Stochastic Grounded Action Transformation (SGAT) algorithm, which models this stochasticity when grounding the simulator. We find experimentally—for both simulated and physical target domains—that SGAT can find policies that are robust to stochasticity in the target domain.
University of Birmingham First observation of the rare B+ d+K+- decay

The B þ → D þ K þ π − decay is observed in a data sample corresponding to 3 . 0 fb − 1 of pp collision data recorded by the LHCb experiment during 2011 and 2012. The signal significance is 8 σ and the branching fraction is measured to be B ð B þ → D þ K þ π − Þ ¼ ð 5 . 31 (cid:2) 0 . 90 (cid:2) 0 . 48 (cid:2) 0 . 35 Þ × 10 − 6 , where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic and due to the normalization mode B þ → D − K þ π þ , respectively. The Dalitz plot appears to be dominated by broad structures. Angular distributions are exploited to search for quasi-two-body contributions from B þ → D (cid:3) 2 ð 2460 Þ 0 K þ and B þ → D þ K (cid:3) ð 892 Þ 0 decays. No significant signals are observed and upper limits are set on their branching fractions.
Solar models and electron screening

We investigate the sensitivity of the solar model to changes in the nuclear reaction screening factors. We show that the sound speed prole as determined by helioseismology certainly rules out changes in the screening factors exceeding more than 10%. A slightly improved solar model could be obtained by enhancing screening by about 5% over the Salpeter value. We also discuss how envelope properties of the Sun depend on screening, too. We conclude that the solar model can be used to help settling the on-going dispute about the \correct" screening factors.
Continuous analogues of Krylov methods for differential operators

Analogues of the conjugate gradient method, MINRES, and GMRES are derived for solving boundary value problems (BVPs) involving second-order differential operators. Two challenges arise: imposing the boundary conditions on the solution while building up a Krylov subspace, and guaranteeing convergence of the Krylov-based method on unbounded operators. Our approach employs projection operators to guarantee that the boundary conditions are satisfied, and we develop an operator preconditioner that ensures that an approximate solution is computed after a finite number of iterations. The developed Krylov methods are practical iterative BVP solvers that are particularly efficient when a fast operator-function product is available.
The Vestan cataclysm: Impact‐melt clasts in howardites and the bombardment history of 4 Vesta

Crystalline impact‐melt samples were created in high‐temperature environments by relatively large craters and, as such, give additional constraints on the nature of the impacts that created them. This article provides new 40Ar‐39Ar ages of impact‐melt clasts in howardites and shows that these clasts formed on the HED parent body, 4 Vesta, within the time period 3.3–3.8 Ga. Rather than resulting from an increased number of impacts, however, impact‐melted material in howardites may result from unusually high‐velocity impacts occurring in the asteroid belt during this period. This scenario is similar to the late heavy bombardment of the Moon, pointing to an unusual dynamical event at this time across the inner solar system. Therefore, impact‐melt rocks in howardites uniquely record a Vestan cataclysm.
Seismic trace interpolation in the f‐x‐y domain

Seismic trace interpolation is implemented as a 2‐D (x, y) spatial prediction, performed separately on each frequency (f) slice. This so‐called f‐x‐y domain trace interpolation method is based on the relation that the linear prediction (LP) operator estimated at a given frequency may be used to predict data at a higher frequency but a smaller trace spacing. The relationship originally given for thef‐x domain trace interpolation is successfully extended to the f‐x‐y domain. The extension is achieved by masking the data samples selectively from the input frequency slice to design the LP operators. Two interpolation algorithms using the full‐step and the fractional‐step predictions, respectively, are developed. Both methods use an all‐azimuth prediction in the x‐y domain, but the fractional‐step prediction method is computationally more efficient. While the interpolation method can be applied to a common‐offset cube of 3‐D seismic, it can also be applied to 2‐D seismic traces for prestack data processing. Sy.
Lithofacies and sequence development on an Upper Devonian mixed carbonate‐siliciclastic fore‐reef slope, Canning Basin, Western Australia

Detailed sedimentological and stratigraphical analysis coupled with conodont biostratigraphy of a fore‐reef slope succession in the Napier Range (Napier Formation) is used to develop a depositional model and relative sea‐level history for late Frasnian to late Famennian reef evolution in the Canning Basin of north‐western Australia. Changes in sedimentary style on the slope, reflecting differing rates of carbonate production on the platform, are linked to third‐ and higher order relative sea‐level fluctuations.
Relationship between Soil Moisture and Vegetation Activity in the Mongolian Steppe

Drought has become widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere since the mid-1950s, affecting the Mongolian steppe and pastureland used for livestock. Given this background, we investigated the relationship between modeled root-zone soil moisture (Wm) and vegetation activity based on Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data for the Mongolian steppe during the period 1982-2005. In general, interannual change in NDVI coincided with that in Wm. NDVI showed a stronger correlation with Wm (r = 0.91) than with precipitation (P) (r = 0.65). A strong positive correlation was found between seasonal changes in NDVI and above-ground biomass (r = 0.94). A comparison between years with high and low NDVImax revealed that the significant difference in P led to a significant time-lagged (about a half month) difference in Wm and finally to that in NDVI with time lags of about one month. In addition, NDVImax value of a given year was correlated with the Wm value for the current year (r2 = 0.53), and was more strongly correlated with the combination of the current year Wm and the preceding year NDVImax of (r2 = 0.55). This result suggests that on the interannual basis, the vegetation activity is primarily controlled by the current year soil moisture and slightly affected by underground structures stored in the root system.
Optimal Linear Control over Channels with Signal-to-Noise Ratio Constraints

We consider a networked control system where a linear time-invariant (LTI) plant, subject to a stochastic disturbance, is controlled over a communication channel with colored noise and a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) constraint. The controller is based on output feedback and consists of an encoder that measures the plant output and transmits over the channel, and a decoder that receives the channel output and issues the control signal. The objective is to stabilize the plant and minimize a quadratic cost function, subject to the SNR constraint. It is shown that optimal LTI controllers can be obtained by solving a convex optimization problem in the Youla parameter and performing a spectral factorization. The functional to minimize is a sum of two terms: the first is the cost in the classical linear quadratic control problem and the second is a new term that is induced by the channel noise. A necessary and sufficient condition on the SNR for stabilization by an LTI controller follows directly from a constraint of the optimization problem. It is shown how the minimization can be approximated by a semidefinite program. The solution is finally illustrated by a numerical example. (Less)
Historic Evidence on Changes in the Channel of Rio Puerco, a Tributary of the Rio Grande in New Mexico

The Rio Puerco, a tributary of the Rio Grande in New Mexico, has deepened and widened its channel, or arroyo, since the settlement of the region. This process of accelerated erosion still continues. Historical evidence, largely the notes and maps of government land surveyors, is cited to show that the cutting began between 1885 and 1890. The deepening of the arroyos has decreased the agricultural and grazing value of the country, resulting in the abandonment of six small towns and numerous ranches. The coincidence between the introduction of large numbers of stock and the cutting of arroyos indicates that overgrazing precipitated this form of destructive erosion. The ultimate cause, not completely discussed in this paper, appears to lie in cyclic fluctuations in climate.
Late Holocene Forest History and Deforestation Dynamics in the Queixa Sierra, Galicia, Northwestern Iberian Peninsula

Abstract The study of the climate in the last 2700 years reflected in the palaeo record is obscured by the strong influence of human destruction of forest cover during this period. In this study 2 sites in the Queixa Sierra (northwestern Iberian Peninsula, Europe), Castelo Cerveira (1380 m) and As Aguilladas (1580 m), provide insights into high montane forest dynamics in this area since 2700 years BP. The palynological record shows regional development of vegetation associated with forest clearance. Around 2700 BP a montane Quercus–Betula forest was destroyed, followed by an abrupt increase in grass and heather vegetation. Human impacts reached their maximum in the last 1000 years. Abundant microcharcoal particles, along with an increase in Cerealia pollen, indicate frequent fires and generally intense human impacts on the environment. Despite this deforestation, some temporary phases of Betula vegetation occur before the total disappearance of the natural forest and its replacement by plantations of (regional) pine forest.
New GPS constraints on the Africa‐Eurasia plate boundary zone in southern Italy

Southern Italy is a key area for understanding the tectonic processes in the Africa‐Eurasia collision zone. We analyze new GPS measurements carried out between 1994 and 2001. The results are presented in terms of time series, trajectories and velocities of crustal motion, as well as a geodetic strain rate field. While central Italy, Corsica, Sardinia and the Tyrrhenian Sea move like the Eurasian plate, the overall motion of the Sicily Rift Zone region matches African plate motion. Unexpected are the north‐northwest directed motions of northeastern Sicily and the Eolian islands. Most striking on the deformation field are a north‐south oriented compression along the northern Sicilian coast, compression between Apulia and northwestern Greece as well as extension in the Sicily Rift Zone and the interior of Sicily.
Chandra Localizations and Spectra of INTEGRAL Sources in the Galactic Plane

We report on the results of observations of hard X-ray sources in the Galactic plane with the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. The hard X-ray “IGR” sources were discovered by the INTEGRAL satellite, and the goals of the Chandra observations are to provide subarcsecond localizations to obtain optical and infrared counterparts and to provide constraints on their 0.3-10 keV spectra. We obtained relatively short, ~5 ks, observations for 20 IGR sources and find a bright Chandra source in INTEGRAL error circles in 12 cases. In 11 of these cases, a cross-correlation with optical and/or infrared source catalogs yields a counterpart, and the range of J-band magnitudes is 8.1-16.4. Also, in four cases, the Chandra X-ray spectra show evidence for absorbing material surrounding the compact object with a column density of local material in excess of 5 × 1022 cm−2. We confirm that IGR J00234+6141 is a cataclysmic variable and IGR J14515–5542 is an active galactic nucleus (AGN). We also confirm that IGR J06074+2205, IGR J10101–5654, IGR J11305–6256, and IGR J17200–3116 are high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs). Our results (along with follow-up optical spectroscopy reported elsewhere) indicate that IGR J11435–6109 is an HMXB and IGR J18259–0706 is an AGN. We find that IGR J09026–4812, IGR J18214–1318, and IGR J18325–0756 may be HMXBs. In cases where we do not find a Chandra counterpart, the flux upper limits place interesting constraints on the luminosities of black hole and neutron star X-ray transients in quiescence.