Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Minimum count sums for charcoal concentration estimates in pollen slides: accuracy and potential errors

Charcoal particles in pollen slides are often abundant, and thus analysts are faced with the problem of setting the minimum counting sum as small as possible in order to save time. We analysed the reliability of charcoal-concentration estimates based on different counting sums, using simulated low-to high-count samples. Bootstrap simulations indicate that the variability of inferred charcoal concentrations increases progressively with decreasing sums. Below 200 items (i.e., the sum of charcoal particles and exotic marker grains), reconstructed fire incidence is either too high or too low. Statistical comparisons show that the means of bootstrap simulations stabilize after 200 counts. Moreover, a count of 200-300 items is sufficient to produce a charcoal-concentration estimate with less than+5% error if compared with high-count samples of 1000 items for charcoal/marker grain ratios 0.1-0.91. If, however, this ratio is extremely high or low (> 0.91 or < 0.1) and if such samples are frequent, we suggest that marker grains are reduced or added prior to new sample processing.
EFFECT OF Lemna gibba AND Ulva lactuca ON HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN JUVENILES OF NILE TILAPIA (Oreochromis niloticus)

Currently, mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) are added to the production costs of Nile tilapia to prevent and avoid diseases. An alternative are aquatic plants rich in biologically active compounds such as Lemna gibba, a freshwater macrophyte, and Ulva lactuca, a green seaweed, which have shown productive and economic efficiency as feed for livestock, poultry, and fish, but their effect as a functional ingredient has not been evaluated. The objective was to demonstrate that dietary supplementation of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with L. gibba and U. lactuca can have a beneficial effect on the health and productive performance of tilapia allowing to consider these supplements as functional ingredients such as mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS). The base diet was supplemented with L. gibba and U. lactuca at percentages 0, 10, 15 and 20 % (L0, L10, L15, L20; U0, U10, U15, U20; M0, M10, M15, M20) and compared to a mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) control. Health parameters (hematological study, lysozyme and complement C3 activities) and productive performance (survival, S; final weight, FW; protein efficiency ratio, PER, and feed conversion factor, FCF) were evaluated. Statistical difference was found (p ≤ 0.05) among treatments and supplementation percentages. The U20 diet showed the greatest effect (p ≤ 0.05) on health parameters and L15 showed the best results (p ≤ 0.05) in productive performance. It is concluded that U. lactuca and L. gibba can be used as a functional ingredient at a proportion of 15 % to produce feed for Nile tilapia juveniles in order to promote health and growth.
RA-2 SIGMA-0 ABSOLUTE CALIBRATION

Measurement of the vertical-incidence backscatter coefficient, sigma-0, by radar altimeters has been used for the determination of wind-speed over the ocean. The models used are empirical and so it has been sufficient to perform relative calibration between missions. These are traced back to GEOS-3 resulting in a minimum uncertainty in the absolute sigma0, for all altimeters, of more than 1 dB. Recent applications of the altimeter sigma-0, such as physically based models of sea-state bias and wave period, require an absolute sigma-0 measurement. A dedicated activity has been developed at ESA for the EnviSat altimeter, RA-2, Sigma-0 absolute calibration. The measurement technique makes use of a newly-developed transponder, using a delay-line for clutter suppression. The altimeter operates in a preset mode, and it also acquire individual echoes over the transponder. Special data-processing techniques are also being developed. We describe the principle, measurement and data processing techniques and the results obtained during the EnviSat Commissioning phase.
New spatial Mg/Ca‐temperature calibrations for three Arctic, benthic foraminifera and reconstruction of north Iceland shelf temperature for the past 4000 years

We have developed cold‐end Mg/Ca‐temperature calibrations for three common Arctic benthic foraminifera, Islandiella norcrossi/helenae, Melonis barleeanus, and Cassidulina neoteretis, and compare the three calibrations in a late Holocene downcore record (0–4000 cal yr B.P.). The calibration and downcore trends for the three Arctic species extend the observation that Mg incorporation into benthic foraminifera is species specific. For the calibration we use a set of CTD casts, bottom water δ18Oseawater measurements, and surface grab‐samples collected from the Iceland margin (cruise B997) and the Greenland margin (cruise BS1191). Water depth of sites used ranges from 165 to 656 m, while spatial bottom temperature ranges from 0 to 7°C. Mg/Ca values ranged from 1.02 to 1.47 for I. norcrossi/helenae, 0.64 to 2.21 for M. barleeanus, and 0.93 to 1.38 mmol/mol for C. neoteretis. We calibrated Mg/Ca content against isotopic calcification temperature (calculated using T = 16.9 − 4.0*(δ18Ocalcite corrected for vital effect − δ18Oseawater)). Exponential calibrations for the three species are as follows: I. norcrossi/helenae Mg/Ca = 1.051 ± 0.03 * exp(0.060 ± 0.011 * T), M. barleeanus Mg/Ca = 0.658 ± 0.07 * exp(0.137 ± 0.020 * T), and C. neoteretis Mg/Ca = 0.864 ± 0.07 * exp(0.082 ± 0.020 * T). On the basis of Mg/Ca in these benthic species the downcore record from core MD99‐2269 is reconstructed. Bottom temperature values are interpreted to reflect variable inflow of Atlantic and Arctic water to the north Iceland shelf during the last 4000 cal yr B.P. All three reconstructions show a decline by 0.1°C per century from circa 1500‐0 cal yr B.P., which coincides with an increase in Arctic benthic foraminifera abundances and a rise in sea ice proxies in the same core. Intriguingly, C. neoteretis diverges periodically to higher average temperature (Atlantic water conditions) than shown by M. barleeanus or I. norcrossi/helenae (which both show Arctic water temperature) circa 1500–4000 cal yr B.P.
Mapping and tracking of moving objects in dynamic environments

Direct maps represent the environment with raw observation data. Feature maps represent the environment with geometric primitives such as points, lines, arcs, etc. Grid maps divide the environment into a grid of rectangular cells. The occupancy of each cell is represented by a binary variable which indicates whether the cell is occupied by an object or is free. Direct and grid maps are suited to any type of environment, whereas feature maps are restricted to indoor environments. [5, 6, 8]
A Three-Dimensional Model of Density-Driven Circulation in the Irish Sea

Abstract A semi-implicit version of the Princeton Ocean Model, ECOMsi, was used to simulate the cyclonic gyre that is found in the western Irish Sea during the spring and the summer. Mesoscale, seasonal, density-driven circulations such as this are an important component of the long-term flow in shelf seas, and they pose a challenge to coastal ocean models. Extensive comparisons are made here with observational data to assess model performance. The model successfully reproduced the development of the temperature field, and the associated density-driven currents, throughout seasonal simulations. The results demonstrate conclusively that the gyre is density-driven and reinforce the dynamical importance of strong nearbed horizontal density gradients. Maximum baroclinic currents of 0.14 m s−1 were obtained, and results showed that the regional kinetic energy due to the residual flow was 20%–25% of that due to tidal flow during periods in which density gradients were strongest. The model revealed important int.
Evolution of magmatic and subsolidus AFM mineral assemblages in granitoid rocks: Biotite, muscovite, and garnet in the Cuffytown Creek pluton, South Carolina

Ansrnlcr The Cufttown Creek pluton is a leucocratic alkali feldspar granite with (F + Mn)-rich biotite, muscovite, garnet, and fluorite as varietal minerals. Bt + Ms is preserved as inclusion assemblages in quartz; Bt + Ms + Grt and Ms + Grt are matrix assemblages. The inclusion assemblages are interpreted as early magmatic, and the matrix assemblages as late magmatic with superimposed subsolidus partial reequilibration. In sequence, the AFMMn crystallization reactions are liquid : Bt, liquid : Bt + Ms, liquid + Bt : Ms * Grt, and liquid : Grt + Ms. Inclusion biotite shows FeMg-, and Mn(Fe,Mg)-' exchanges, which may reflect both change in melt composition and cooling along an,fo, buffer. Inclusions of white mica are nearly end-member muscovite. Evolution from inclusion to matrix mica compositions shows narrowing of the compositional gap between the dioctahedral and trioctahedral micas, as well as OHF-, and MnMg-, exchanges in the biotite and (Fe2*,Mg,Mn)Sil6lAl 'lolAl-' (celadonite), NaIL', OHF-r, and Ti enrichment in the white micas. Garnets are spessartine-almandine. The liquid line of descent indicates that the melt became increasingly rich in Fel(Fe + Mg) and Mn/(Fe + Mn) with decreasing temperatures, but each at differing rates at differing stages during crystallization. Peraluminosity of the melt increased rapidly at first, then decreased slightly before increasing at a much slower rate. Final crystallization conditions are estimated at 650 "C and 2-3 kbar. Miarolitic cavities indicate that, at the end of crystallization, Po,,o : P,o,, and a separate fluid phase formed that persisted into the subsolidus. The fluid was dominantly HrO, with lesser amounts of F [ogffiro / f"r): 3.15
Migratory stopovers of passerines in an oasis at the crossroads of the African and Indian flyways

We studied migratory stopovers of nocturnal passerine migrants migrating between the Urals and Siberia and the Near East and Africa (five species) and between European Russia and the Indian subcontinent (two species) in an oasis in the arid belt of the northwestern edge of western Central Asia. In autumn, fuel loads of Blyth's Reed Warblers Acrocephalus dumetorum before their desert crossing were much greater than in Palaearctic‐African migrants, which face a much narrower barrier, and also greater than in conspecifics captured during and after the desert crossing. However, another Indian migrant, the Redbreasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva, had low average fuel stores. In spring, Blyth's Reed Warblers carried less fuel than in autumn, and less than African migrants such as Garden Warblers Sylvia borin in spring. This suggests that the arid belt of western Central Asia is a serious ecological barrier for Palaearctic‐Indian passerine migrants in autumn, but much less of one in spring. Palaearctic‐African migrants which make a detour around this barrier to the northwest and migrate north of the Caspian Sea do not need large fuel stores like those they deposit before crossing the Sahara.
Measurement problems: contemporary discussions and models

The review discusses the basic concepts of measurement that have existed from the end of the 19th century to the present day, such as representational theory; realistic, operationalist, conventionalist, theoretical-informational, and theoretical-operational model approaches to measurement; and their advantages and weaknesses. Such characteristics of measurement as accuracy, precision, and various aspects of their application, related to agreement among measurement results, measurements and standards, measurement and ‘true’ values, as well as internal and external reproducibility of measurements, are considered. The theoretical-operational model approach to experiment (and measurement), based on V A Fock’s three-part scheme, proposed by him for quantum mechanics, is discussed in detail using an example from the physics of elementary particles. Advantages of the last approach over the others, as well as its possible applications for determining systematic uncertainty, are examined.
High resolution Q−1 estimation based on extension of coda normalization method and its application to P-wave attenuation structure in the aftershock area of the 2005 West Off Fukuoka Prefecture Earthquake (M7.0)

SUMMARY We developed a method for estimating the seismic-wave attenuation (1/Q) in a seismically active region such as an aftershock area. To estimate the attenuation factor between two adjacent hypocentres, we employed two seismograms recorded at a station and calculate the ratio between two power spectra of direct waves normalized by those in the coda for both the events. The coda normalization of the spectrum and the ratio between the two events minimize the possible influences of sources, sites, instruments and attenuation from the station to the hypocentral area. The 1/Q value can be estimated from the variation of the ratios of event pairs calculated at many stations for various traveltime differences between the even pairs. This method involves double-difference (DD) estimation from the logarithmic power spectra for estimating the 1/Q structure, employing a concept similar to the recently developed ‘DD tomography’ for velocity structures. We applied this method to the aftershock area of the 2005 West Off Fukuoka Prefecture Earthquake (M7.0) in order to investigate the 1/Q structure of P waves. By using the spectra of the seismograms of 1781 events recorded at a dense seismic network deployed around the aftershock area, we obtained the spatial variation of the 1/Q value in this region. The 1/Q distribution thereby obtained suggests that there exists a high-attenuation region around the edge of the main shock fault, which could correspond to the segment boundary between the earthquake fault and the adjacent faults. In addition, we found that the initiation points of the main shock and aftershocks were located in a low-attenuation region.
Nitrogen saturation, soil acidification, and ecological effects in a subtropical pine forest on acid soil in southwest China

Elevated anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition has caused nitrate (NO3−) leaching, an indication of N saturation, in several temperate and boreal forests across the Northern Hemisphere. So far, the occurrence of N saturation in subtropical forests and its effects on the chemistry of the typically highly weathered soils, forest growth, and biodiversity have received little attention. Here we investigated N saturation and the effects of chronically high N inputs on soil and vegetation in a typical, subtropical Masson pine (Pinus massoniana) forest at Tieshanping, southwest China. Seven years of N flux data obtained in ambient conditions and in response to field manipulation, including a doubling of N input either as ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) or as sodium nitrate (NaNO3) solution, resulted in a unique set of N balance data. Our data showed extreme N saturation with near‐quantitative leaching of NO3−, by far the dominant form of dissolved inorganic N in soil water. Even after 7 years, NH4+, added as NH4NO3, was nearly fully converted to NO3−, thus giving rise to a major acid input into the soil. Despite the large acid input, the decrease in soil pH was insignificant, due to pH buffering caused by Al3+ mobilization and enhanced SO42− adsorption. In response to the NH4NO3‐induced increase in soil acidification and N availability, ground vegetation showed significant reduction of abundance and diversity, while Masson pine growth further declined. By contrast, addition of NaNO3 did not cause soil acidification. The comparison of NH4NO3 treatment and NaNO3 treatment indicated that pine growth decline was mainly attributed to acidification‐induced nutrient imbalance, while the loss in abundance of major ground species was the combining effect of N saturation and acidification. Therefore, N emission control is of primary importance to curb further acidification and eutrophication of forest soils in much of subtropical south China.
Numerical simulation of bank erosion and channel migration in meandering rivers

A numerical model of river morphology for meander bends with erodible cohesive banks is herein developed and tested. The new model has three key features. First, it couples a two‐dimensional depth‐averaged model of flow and bed topography with a mechanistic model of bank erosion. Second, it simulates the deposition of failed bank material debris at and its subsequent removal from the toe of the bank. Finally, the governing conservation equations are implemented in a moving boundary fitted coordinate system that can be both curvilinear and nonorthogonal. This simplifies grid generation in curved channels that experience bank deformation, allowing complex planform shapes associated with irregular natural channels to be simulated. Model performance is assessed using data from two flume experiments and a natural river channel. Results are encouraging, but the model underpredicts the scour depth in pools adjacent to the outer bank and, consequently, underpredicts bank migration rates.
Bubble plume modeling for lake restoration

A steady bubble plume model is developed to describe a weak air (or oxygen) bubble injection system used for the restoration of deep stratified lakes. Since the model is designed for two modes of operation, i.e., oxygenation and artificial mixing, gas exchange between water and bubbles has to be included. The integral model is based on the entrainment hypothesis and a variable buoyancy flux determined by the local plume properties and the ambient water column. Fluxes of eight properties are described by nonlinear differential equations which can be numerically integrated. In addition, five equations of state are used. The model leaves open two initial conditions, plume radius and plume velocity. Model calculations with real lake water profiles demonstrate the range of applicability for both modes of operation. The model agrees reasonably well with field data and with laboratory experiments conducted by various investigators.
The spatial variation of vegetation changes at very coarse scales

Abstract Previous analysis (Townshend and Justice 1988) is extended to examine the spatial variations in images of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) of seven areas. These images were derived by subtracting corresponding pixel values from pairs of registered Multispectral Scanner System (MSS) images. The changes depicted by these derived images were analysed by scale variance analysis for pixel sizes between 4 km and 64 km. It is shown that for some areas substantial changes are detectable at these very coarse scales, although there is less contrast between the areas than at finer spatial resolutions below 1 km. In all the areas the total spatial variability of the images is contributed at a wide variety of spatial scales.
Biogeochemical cycling through the Neoproterozoic-Cambrian transition in China : an integrated study of redox-sensitive elements

I investigated changes in biogeochemical cycling during the Precambrian-Cambrian transition on the Yangtze Platform in South China by analyzing about 350 predominantly black shale samples from several sedimentary successions deposited during the interval from the Late Cryogenian to the Lower Cambrian. I focused on redox-sensitive trace-metal concentrations in these sediments, whereby special attention is paid to molybdenum, vanadium and uranium to try to pinpoint the onset of increasing atmospheric oxygen levels and the transition from widespread euxinia to a pervasively oxygenated deep ocean. The measurements have been carried out using X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Besides that, total organic carbon and total sulphur contents have been measured for all samples. This approach is completed by iron speciation analysis which is considered to be a reliable redox proxy. I also conducted extended literature research on trace-metal enrichments in anoxic sediments throughout Earth history as well as a major review (which will be included as an extended introduction) on all currently available lines of evidence for a major Neoproterozoic Oxygenation Event, including carbon, sulphur, strontium, molybdenum and chromium isotope studies. I show that the well preserved sedimentary succession from the Precambrian-Cambrian transition on the Yangtze Platform might represent a unique archive of ancient geochemical conditions on the Earth’s surface, based on a significant increase of Mo, V and U enrichment in black shales across the Pc-C boundary. The evidence for predominantly anoxic-ferruginous and even intermittently euxinic conditions in the water column across the Pc-C boundary and significant regional variations in geochemical parameters unravel complex interactions between ocean chemistry, platformal configuration and paleontology.
An automated apparatus for three-dimensional monotonic and cyclic testing of interfaces

A new computer-controlled apparatus has been developed to study the behavior of interfaces between two materials under three-dimensional monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. The interface can be subjected to a normal stress, σn, and two shear stresses, τx, and τy, acting simultaneously on the interface plane. The normal stress is applied by a pneumatic actuator that is operated by a motorized regulator. Shear stresses, which are perpendicular to each other, are applied by two stepper motors. Tests can be either displacement or load controlled. The results of an experimental program that includes two series of tests to study the behavior of an interface between a dry coarse sand and a rough surface are presented. In the first series, two-dimensional monotonic and cyclic tests were carried out to verify the performance of the apparatus. The effects of surface roughness, initial relative density of sand, and the magnitude of normal stress on the shear stress-shear displacement and volume change behavior of the interface are presented. In the second series, the loading was three-dimensional and monotonic. First, the interface was sheared in one tangential direction up to a shear stress level less than the peak value. Then, the interface was sheared in a perpendicular direction, while the shear stress in the previous direction was maintained at a constant level. Shear stress and shear displacement increments experienced different paths, while the resultant shear stress-shear displacement curves remained the same irrespective of stress paths.
Changes of the potential distribution area of French Mediterranean forests under global warming

This work aims at understanding future spatial and temporal distributions of tree species in the Mediterranean region of France under various climates. We focused on two different species (Pinus Halepensis and Quercus Ilex) and compared their growth under the IPCC-B2 climate scenario in order to quantify significant changes between present and future. The influence of environmental factors such as atmo- spheric CO2 increase and topography on the tree growth has also been quantified. We modeled species growth with the help of a process- based model (MAIDEN), previously calibrated over mea- sured ecophysiological and dendrochronological series with a Bayesian scheme. The model was fed with the ARPEGE - MeteoFrance climate model, combined with an explicit in- crease in CO2 atmospheric concentration. The main output of the model gives the carbon allocation in boles and thus tree production. Our results show that the MAIDEN model is correctly able to simulate pine and oak production in space and time, after detailed calibration and validation stages. Yet, these simula- tions, mainly based on climate, are indicative and not predic- tive. The comparison of simulated growth at end of 20th and 21st centuries, show a shift of the pine production optimum from about 650 to 950 m due to 2.5 K temperature increase, while no optimum has been found for oak. With the direct effect of CO2 increase taken into account, both species show a significant increase in productivity (+26 and +43% for pine and oak respectively) at the end of the 21st century. While both species have different growth mechanisms, they have a good chance to extend their spatial distribution and their elevation in the Alps during the 21st century under