Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental research of swelling behaviors with initial water content and matric suction of bentonite–sand mixtures

In order to discuss the relationship among the initial water content, matric suction and swelling behaviors, both swelling behaviors and matric suction were measured in laboratory test. Results of swelling tests indicated that with the increase of initial water content, the maximum swelling pressure was reduced in a lower water content range and almost constant in the higher water content range. The maximum swelling strain was linearly reduced with the increase of initial water content. The influence of initial water content on the swelling behaviors was more obvious for specimens with higher initial dry density or lower sand content ratio. Relationship between matric suction and initial water content ratio was obtained, and results showed that matric suction decreased with the increase of water content for specimens with the same dry density, which was more obvious when the water content was less than 25%. The extent of the impact by water content, however, was found to be dependent upon the characteristics of the specimens such as initial dry density and sand content ratio.
Experimental research on the rock electrical parameter dispersion properties in the displacement process

Based on experiments on rock electrical parameter dispersion properties in both water displacing oil and oil displacing water processes, it is found that the frequency dispersion properties of electrical parameters in water‐bearing rocks are quite different from those in oil‐bearing rocks. Oil saturation can severely impact the rock electrical parameter dispersion properties and as the oil saturation increases, the properties are more distinguishing. The variation of formation water salinity has a significant effect on the rock resistivity, hence the modulus of the rock complex resistivity varies with water saturation and a U‐shaped curve occurs over a single frequency, just like the normal resistivity. However, the effect of formation water salinity on the rock frequency dispersion is less than that of oil saturation. As a result, the rock electrical parameter dispersion properties will have a significant potential of application in the evaluation of watered‐out zones as well as identification of oil‐bearing zones and water‐bearing zones.
Moisture movement in a horizontal soil column under the influence of an applied pressure

When moisture moves into a dry horizontal soil column under the influence of an applied pressure, there will be two distinct regions in the soil-water system: a saturated region and an unsaturated one. Both of these regions grow larger with time. A theoretical solution of the problem is obtained by combining Darcy's equation with a modified diffusion equation that accounts for the moving interface between the two regions. The nonlinear partial differential equation of diffusion is transformed to a nonlinear ordinary differential equation, and a numerical procedure for its solution is presented. A set of experiments was conducted at various applied pressures using silica flour as the soil sample. Moisture content as a function of time and position was determined by use of γ-ray attenuation equipment. The experimental results compare favorably with the results given by numerical procedures based on theory. It is also shown that an analysis based on the assumption of a soil fully saturated to the wetting front with capillary forces acting at the air-water interface gives very good results provided that the proper capillary suction is selected.
LEAKS IN PIPE NETWORKS

Leak detection in water‐distribution systems can be accomplished by solving an inverse problem using measurements of pressure and/or flow. The problem is formulated with equivalent orifice areas of possible leaks as the unknowns. Minimization of the difference between measured and calculated heads produces a solution for the areas. The quality of the result depends on number and location of the measurements. A sensitivity matrix is key to deciding where to make measurements. Both location and magnitude of leaks are sensitive to the quantity and quality of pressure measurements and to how well the pipe friction parameters are known. The overdetermined problem (more measurements than suspected leaks) gives the best results, but some information can be derived from the underdetermined problem. The variance of leak areas, based on the quality of system characteristics and pressure data, indicates the likely accuracy of the results. The method will not substitute for more traditional leak surveys but can serve.
Relationship between herbaceous layer, stand, and site variables in the Bankhead National Forest, Alabama

We studied herbaceous layer richness, diversity and cover in stands on the southern Cumberland Plateau. The stands are mixed pine-hardwoods dominated by 25-40-year-old planted loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). Scheduled future treatments combining thinning and fire are designed to restore the hardwood component, particularly oak (Quercus spp.) and hickory (Carya spp.) species, and to increase herbaceous diversity. We related pretreatment herbaceous layer (vegetation < 1.4 m height) richness, diversity, and cover to basal area and site variables on 125 plots in 25 stands. Our models showed significant but weak relationships. Slope, broadleaf litter cover, and basal area accounted for 14 percent of the herbaceous layer richness. Models for species diversity and cover had lower coefficients of determination. The measured stand and site variables were not reliable predictors of pretreatment herbaceous layer variation.
Distributed Sensitivity Analysis of Flood Inundation Model Calibration

Uncertainties in hydrodynamic model calibration and boundary conditions can have a significant influence on flood inundation predictions. Uncertainty analysis involves quantification of these uncertainties and their propagation through to inundation predictions. In this paper the inverse problem of sensitivity analysis is tackled, in order to diagnose the influence that model input variables, together and in combination, have on the uncertainty in the inundation model prediction. Variance-based global sensitivity analysis is applied to simulation of a flood on a reach of the River Thames (United Kingdom) for which a synthetic aperture radar image of the extent of flooding was available for model validation. The sensitivity analysis using the method of Sobol' quantifies the significant influence of variance in the Manning channel roughness coefficient in raster-based flood inundation model predictions of flood outline and flood depth. The spatial influence of the Manning channel roughness coefficient is analyzed by dividing the channel into subreaches and calculating variance-based sensitivity indices for each subreach. Replicated Latin hypercube sampling is used for sensitivity analysis with correlated input variables. The methodology identifies subreaches of channel that have the most influence on variance in the model predictions, demonstrating how far boundary effects propagate into the model and indicating where further data acquisition and nested higher-resolution model studies should be targeted.
ANN OUTPUT UPDATING OF LUMPED CONCEPTUAL RAINFALL/RUNOFF FORECASTING MODELS 1

ABSTRACT: Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are tested for the output updating of one‐day‐ahead and three‐day‐ahead streamflow forecasts derived from three lumped conceptual rainfall/runoff (R‐R) models: the GR4J, the IHAC, and the TOPMO. ANN output updating proved superior to a parameter updating scheme and to the ‘simple’ output updating scheme, which always replicates the last observed forecast error. In fact, ANN output updating was able to compensate for large differences in the initial performance of the three tested lumped conceptual R‐R models, which the other tested updating approaches were not able to achieve. This is done mainly by incorporating input vectors usually exploited for ANN R‐R modeling such as previous rainfall and streamflow observations, in addition to the previous observed error. For one‐day‐ahead forecasts, the performance of all three lumped conceptual R‐R models, used in conjunction with ANN output updating, was equivalent to that of the ANN R‐R model. For three‐day‐ahead forecasts, the performance of the ANN‐output‐updated conceptual models was even superior to that of the ANN R‐R model, revealing that the conceptual models are probably performing some tasks that the ANN R‐R model cannot map. However, further testing is needed to substantiate the last statement.
Past and future global transformation of terrestrial ecosystems under climate change

Future predictions from paleoecology Terrestrial ecosystems will be transformed by current anthropogenic change, but the extent of this change remains a challenge to predict. Nolan et al. looked at documented vegetational and climatic changes at almost 600 sites worldwide since the last glacial maximum 21,000 years ago. From this, they determined vegetation responses to temperature changes of 4° to 7°C. They went on to estimate the extent of ecosystem changes under current similar (albeit more rapid) scenarios of warming. Without substantial mitigation efforts, terrestrial ecosystems are at risk of major transformation in composition and structure. Science, this issue p. 920 Global vegetation change since the Last Glacial Maximum is used as an indicator of transformation under warming scenarios. Impacts of global climate change on terrestrial ecosystems are imperfectly constrained by ecosystem models and direct observations. Pervasive ecosystem transformations occurred in response to warming and associated climatic changes during the last glacial-to-interglacial transition, which was comparable in magnitude to warming projected for the next century under high-emission scenarios. We reviewed 594 published paleoecological records to examine compositional and structural changes in terrestrial vegetation since the last glacial period and to project the magnitudes of ecosystem transformations under alternative future emission scenarios. Our results indicate that terrestrial ecosystems are highly sensitive to temperature change and suggest that, without major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere, terrestrial ecosystems worldwide are at risk of major transformation, with accompanying disruption of ecosystem services and impacts on biodiversity.
Use of Technical Diving to Study Deep Reef Environments in Puerto Rico

In 2007, researchers at the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez, Department of Marine Sciences initiated a Deep Coral Reef Ecosystems Studies (Deep CRES) project to study mesophotic coral ecosystems off southwest Puerto Rico at depths of ~50-100 m. To accomplish field operations, five divers from the Department of Marine Sciences were trained in open-circuit and closed-circuit rebreather (CCR) mixed-gas technical diving, and external oversight and guidance were brought in from the National Undersea Research Center at UNCWilmington. Using closed-circuit rebreathers, divers are currently working at depths of ~5085 m and expect to extend this range in the near future. Technical diving is critical to the Deep CRES project as it allows for in situ surveying and sampling of deep reef environments. Divers have been able to make detailed observations of the geology, biology and ecology of these environments, careful and targeted collection of samples for more detailed studies in the laboratory, as well as precision deployments and recoveries of on-bottom oceanographic instruments. The utilization of CCRs allows for more efficient use of diving gases and, therefore, cost savings over open-circuit scuba. To support these activities a new diving-gas blending facility has been established at the Magueyes Island Marine Laboratory, allowing for on-site mixing, storage and filling of custom breathing gases. In addition to scientific goals, an important objective of the UPRM Deep CRES project is to establish technical diving capabilities and facilities at Magueyes Island Marine Laboratory to support future research in Puerto Rico and throughout the Caribbean.
Comparison of Inverse and Direct Evaporation Methods for Estimating Soil Hydraulic Properties under Different Tillage Practices

Tillage and traffic modify soil porosity and pore-size distribution, leading to changes in the unsaturated hydraulic properties of the tilled layer. These modifications are difficult to characterize although they can greatly affect evaporation. This study was conducted to compare field and laboratory methods for estimating the unsaturated hydraulic properties of two soils under different tillage practices. Soils freshly tilled, soils tilled 6 mo earlier that received winter rainfall (340-380 mm), and soils compacted by wheel tracks, were created in loess (Typic Hapludalf) and calcareous (Typic Rendoll) soils to obtain a wide range of soil bulk densities (1.0-1.6 g cm -3 ). The Wind laboratory method (direct evaporation) was compared with an inverse modeling method applied to field measurements of water content and water potential during dry periods in spring. The soil samples were saturated with water from the top (full saturation) or from the bottom (partial saturation) before conducting the laboratory evaporation experiment. The Wind method overestimated water retention, except in the compacted soils, when the soil samples were initially fully saturated with water. On the contrary, there was good agreement between the Wind method and field data for tilled soils with a low bulk density when the samples were only partially saturated from the bottom. In that case, the hydraulic conductivity obtained with the Wind and the inverse modeling methods were similar. The Wind method can be used to estimate the unsaturated hydraulic properties of tilled soils, but care must be taken to saturate the soil cores with water: full saturation (saturation fraction of the total pore space >0.9 m 3 m -3 ) for the cores from compacted soils with a low structural void ratio ( 0.5 m 3 m -3 ).
Effects of Jet Flipping on Local Scour Downstream of a Sluice Gate

AbstractThis study shows that a jet-flipping phenomenon may occur during the scouring process downstream of a sluice gate. The flipping consists of a digging and a filling phase. The former scoured the bed, and the latter refilled the scour hole. The process is cyclical, the phases changed intermittently, and no equilibrium scour condition was reached. The scour depth during digging reached a high of 60% more than the filling phase. Moreover, the scour is more severe with jet flipping compared to no-jet-flip conditions. Generally, the maximum scour depth for the digging and filling phases increases with the increase in the tailwater depth and densimetric Froude number but decreases as the apron length increases. The jet-flipping frequencies increase with the increase in the densimetric Froude number and apron length but decrease as the tailwater elevation increases. The Coandă effect is the most significant factor that triggers the jet-flipping phenomenon. A review of relevant data from previous studies s.
YKL-40 IS A CSF BIOMARKER OF INTRATHECAL INFLAMMATION IN SECONDARY

Background Biomarkers of disease activity in secondary progressive MS are scarce. YKL-40 is a glycoprotein predominantly produced by reactive astrocytes in chronic active lesions and is readily detected in cerebrospinal fluid. Thus YKL-40 could be a good biomarker to monitor disease activity in secondary progressive MS. Methods YKL-40 levels in cerebrospinal fluid samples from two independent patient cohorts of MS patients were determined together with two other potential biomarkers of astrocyte and microglia activation (GFAp and sCD14). Patients from one of the cohorts underwent MRI investigation as well. YKL-40 levels were overall higher in MS patients than in controls, particularly in secondary progressive MS patients and patients with relapse, whereas relapsing-remitting MS patients in remission had levels indistinguishable from controls. The number of T1, T2 and gadolinium enhancing lesions correlated with the levels of YKL-40, whereas the signal intensity of normal appearing white matter was inversely related to YKL-40. No statistically significant differences between the levels of GFAp and sCD14 in MS patients versus controls were detected, but these correlated moderately with YKL-40, and GFAp correlated strongly with measures of atrophy. same laboratory by board-certified laboratory technicians who were blinded to clinical data. CSF levels of YKL-40 and sCD14 were analyzed with commercial ELISAs (R&D Minneapolis, MN). The intra-assay CV was 4.6% and the inter-assay CV was 6.0% for YKL-40. The limit of detection was 3.55 pg/ml. GFAp was analyzed with a previously described ELISA (18). using frequencies for categorical variables and medians with interquartile intervals for continuous variables. To determine statistically significant differences between two groups, the Mann-Whitney test was used; for statistical significance between three or more groups the Kruskal-Wallis test. Dunn’s multiple comparison test was used for post hoc analysis. Correlations were described with Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. An ANCOVA model with the natural logarithm of YKL-40 as dependent variable and MS subtype and age as independent variables was used. Pairwise comparisons were performed using Tukey’s method. Geometric means were calculated using
The Effects of Unconventional and Conventional U.S. Monetary Policy on the Dollar

We examine the effects of unconventional and conventional monetary policy announcements on the value of the dollar using high-frequency intraday data. Identifying monetary policy surprises from changes in interest rate futures prices in narrow windows around policy announcements, we find that surprise easings in monetary policy since the crisis began have had significant effects on the value of the dollar. We document that these changes are comparable to the effects of conventional policy changes prior to the crisis.
Forbush decreases, solar irradiance variations and anomalous cloud changes

Changes in the galactic cosmic ray (GCR) flux due to variations in solar activity may provide an indirect connection between the Sun's and the Earth's climates. Epoch superpositional (composite) analyses of high-magnitude GCR fluctuations, known as Forbush decrease (FD) events, have been widely used to test this hypothesis, with varied results. This work provides new information regarding the interpretation of this approach, suggesting that FD events do not isolate the impacts of GCR variations from those of solar irradiance changes. On average, irradiance changes of ∼0.4 W m−2 outside the atmosphere occur around 2 days in advance of FD-associated GCR decreases. Using this 2 day gap to separate the effects of irradiance variations from GCR variations on cloud cover, we demonstrate small, but statistically significant, anomalous cloud changes occurring only over areas of the Antarctic plateau in association with the irradiance changes, which previous workers had attributed to GCR variations. Further analysis of the sample shows that these cloud anomalies occurred primarily during polar darkness, precluding the possibility of a causal link to a direct total solar irradiance effect. This work suggests that previous FD-based studies may have ineffectively isolated the impacts of GCR variations on the Earth's atmosphere.
Constraints on the upper pressure stability of blueschist facies metamorphism along the reaction: Glaucophane = talc + 2 jadeite in the Na2O-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O system

Blueschist-facies metamorphism, which is associated with high pressure and low temperature subduction zone metamorphism, is usually recognized by the presence of the sodic-amphibole glaucophane. Determining the upper- and lower-pressure stability of end-member glaucophane places important constraints on the conditions of blueschist metamorphism. An experimental investigation into the upper-pressure stability of glaucophane has been done in the system Na2O-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O over the range of 600 to 750 °C and 2.5 to 4.5 GPa. Mixtures of synthetic glaucophane, jadeite, and talc were used to determine the location of the reaction boundary glaucophane = 2 jadeite + talc by reversing the sense of reaction direction. The upper-pressure stability of glaucophane is located over a pressure interval (0.2-0.3 GPa in width) whose midpoints lie at 2.6 GPa at 600 °C and at 3.1 GPa at 700 °C, across which the proportion of glaucophane decreases to zero as talc and jadeite increase. This band has a positive dP/dT slope of around 0.005 GPa/°C. Glaucophane showed the largest change in composition, consistent with the incorporation of significant amounts of the nyböite (17-34 mol%) and cummingtonite (10-18 mol%) components. Talc showed minor, but definite incorporation of Na (0.08 atoms per formula unit, apfu) and Al (0.15 apfu) consistent with incorporation of the components aspidolite and tschermak-talc. Jadeite displayed no clear change from its ideal composition. The results from this study were combined with the lower-pressure stability of glaucophane + quartz reported earlier by Corona and Jenkins (2007) to refine the thermodynamic values for glaucophane (ΔfH° = −11,956.36 kJ/mol), report an initial set of values for the amphibole nyböite (ΔfH° = −12,165.85 kJ/mol) and phyllosilicate aspidolite (ΔfH° = −6163.86 kJ/mol), and to develop activity-composition relationships for both the amphibole and talc in this chemical system. The results of this study place an upper-pressure limit to a key index mineral of the blueschist-facies at about 3.2 GPa at 700 °C, which is just above the quartz-coesite transition, allowing nearly end-member glaucophane to remain stable up to the conditions of ultra-high-pressure metamorphism.
Current prevalence of dementia, depression and behavioural problems in the older adult care home sector: the South East London Care Home Survey.

BACKGROUND a large and increasing number of older people in the UK are living in care homes. Dementia is a frequent reason underlying admission and determining care needs, but prevalence data are becoming increasingly outdated and reliant on brief screening instruments. OBJECTIVE to describe the prevalence and severity of dementia, depression, behavioural problems and relevant medication use in a representative sample of residential and nursing care home residents. DESIGN/SETTING a survey conducted in 15 randomly selected South East London care homes. Consensus clinical dementia diagnoses were made from multi-source information, and the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) Scale applied. Depression was ascertained using the Cornell Depression in Dementia Scale and psychological/behavioural problems using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). PARTICIPANTS three hundred and one residents with a mean (SD) age of 83.5 (9.8) and 65.8% female were included. RESULTS dementia (CDR 1-3) prevalence was 75.1% overall, 55.8% in residential homes, 91.0% in residential elderly mentally infirm care and 77.0% in nursing homes. Depression prevalences were 26.5, 22.0 and 29.6%, respectively, and mean (95% CI) NPI severity scores 3.99 (3.47-4.50), 6.34 (5.29-7.39) and 6.10 (5.50-6.70) with 87.3% of the sample exhibiting at least one NPI symptom. Antidepressants were prescribed in 25.6, 25.0 and 41.3%, respectively, and antipsychotics in 7.0, 34.1 and 19.1%. CONCLUSION dementia is substantially more common in care homes than recorded diagnoses would suggest, but studies using brief screening instruments may overestimate prevalence. High prevalences of depressive and/or behavioural symptoms and psychotropic use suggest significant unmet need.