Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Emerging views on the evolution of atmospheric oxygen during the Precambrian

The oxygenation of the atmosphere produced some irreversible changes in the Earth’s history, including evolution of higher biological forms. Several aspects of this important process, such as its timing and causes, have remained subjects of debate. The present review is an attempt to provide an update on issues related to the evolution of atmospheric oxygen during the Precambrian. It is generally believed that the amount of atmospheric oxygen increased during the Paleoproterozoic despite the fact that photosynthesis originated much earlier in the Earth’s history. The pattern of Fe retention in paleosols and the record of mass-independent fractionation in sulfur isotopes confirm that the transition to more oxidizing conditions took place during the Paleoproterozoic. Various mechanisms, ranging from an increase in the sources of oxygen to a decrease in its sinks, have been envisaged as processes causing the oxygen rise during the Paleoproterozoic. Conventionally, it is believed that the burial of photosynthetic carbon has allowed the establishment of oxygen. However, the transition in mantle oxidation states and the escape of hydrogen during photolysis of methane of biogenic origin have also been suggested as having played an important role in the establishment of free molecular oxygen in the atmosphere-hydrosphere system. The coincidence of timing of the oxygen rise and the positive excursions in carbon isotope compositions of carbonate rocks during the Paleoproterozoic suggests an important role for the carbon cycle in atmospheric oxygen evolution. Better quantitative modeling of atmospheric oxygen levels may be essential to allow full comprehension of the timing, causes and consequences of the oxygen rise in the Earth’s history. Quantitative modeling is essential as it can lead to an unraveling of the co-evolutionary nature of the surface environment and the biosphere of the Earth.
Upper mantle conductivity structure of the back‐arc region beneath northeastern China

The upper mantle electrical conductivity structure of the pacific back‐arc beneath northeastern China was investigated through long‐period magnetotelluric (MT) and geomagnetic depth sounding (GDS) experiments. MT and GDS responses were obtained up to periods of 105 ∼ 106 seconds, and were inverted to one‐dimensional (1‐D) models with minimum and smooth structure constraints, respectively. The resulting conductivity model was compared with past models and the mantle transition zone beneath northeastern China is more conductive than those of other tectonic settings by almost one order of magnitude in the depth range of 400∼600 km. This feature may correspond to the presence of a stagnant slab beneath this region. In the mantle at a depth of less than 400 km, the conductivity profile has a similar feature to that in the thermal and extensional tectonic region in the southwestern United States.
Optimal Temporal Decoding of Neural Population Responses in a Reaction-time Visual Detection Task Optimal Temporal Decoding of Neural Population Responses

Behavioral performance in detection and discrimination tasks is likely to be limited by the quality and nature of the signals carried by populations of neurons in early sensory cortical areas. Here we used voltage sensitive dye imaging (VSDI) to directly measure neural population responses in the primary visual cortex (V1) of monkeys performing a reaction-time detection task. Focusing on the temporal properties of the population responses, we found that V1 responses are consistent with a stimulus-evoked response with amplitude and latency that depend on target contrast, and a stimulus-independent additive noise with long-lasting temporal correlations. The noise had much lower amplitude than the ongoing activity reported previously in anesthetized animals. To understand the implications of these properties for subsequent processing stages that mediate behavior, we derived the Bayesian ideal observer that specifies how to optimally use neural responses in reaction time tasks. Using the ideal observer analysis, we show that (i) the observed temporal correlations limit the performance benefit that can be attained by accumulating V1 responses over time, (ii) a simple temporal decorrelation operation with time-lagged excitation and inhibition minimizes the detrimental effect of these correlations, (iii) the neural information relevant for target detection is concentrated in the initial response following stimulus onset, and (iv) a decoder that optimally uses V1 responses far outperforms the monkey in both speed and accuracy. Finally, we demonstrate that, for our particular detection task, temporal decorrelation followed by an appropriate running integrator can approach the speed and accuracy of the optimal decoder. Chen et al.
From image sequence to mosaic image

A 3D plenoptic function in the form of a mosaic image is presented in this paper. A sequence of plane images and relative cylinder panoramas are sampled original ly by a camera constrained on a line. Then, these original images are arranged in to a mosaic image by abstracting appropriate circles from the images and pasting them together. Pixels in the mosaic image are indexed in three parameters: camera location along the track line and two angles q and f. When rendering a novel view from a certain camera location, pixels in the view are mapped into view-rays of parameters q and f. Then, the values of view-rays are indexed from the mosaic image. Experimental results show that the proposed method is effective in rendering scene.
One fifth of hospitalizations for peptic ulcer-related bleeding are potentially preventable.

AIM To calculate the proportion of potentially preventable hospitalizations due to peptic ulcer disease (PUD), erosive gastritis (EG) or duodenitis (ED). METHODS Retrospective cohort study using ICD-10 codes to identify all patients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage secondary to endoscopically proven PUD, EG or ED during the period from March 2007 to October 2010 in three major metropolitan hospitals in Melbourne, Australia. Patients were divided into "high risk" (those who would benefit from gastroprotection) and "not high risk" groups as defined by established guidelines. Mean Rockall score, transfusion requirement, length of stay, rebleeding rates, need for surgery and in-hospital mortality was compared between "high risk" and "not high risk" groups. Within the "high risk" group, those on gastroprotection and those with no gastroprotection were also compared. RESULTS Five hundred and seven patients were included for analysis of which 174 were classified as high risk. Median values of complete Rockall Score (5 vs 4, P = 0.002) and length of stay (5 d vs 4 d, P = 0.04) were higher in the high risk group but in-hospital mortality was lower (0.6% vs 3.9%, P = 0.03). 130 out of the 174 patients in the high risk group were not taking recommended gastroprotective therapy prior to hospitalization. Past history of PUD (OR = 3.7, P = 0.006) and clopidogrel use (OR = 3.2, P = 0.007) significantly predicted prescription of gastroprotective therapy. Using proton pump inhibitor protection rates of 50%-85% from published studies, an estimation of 13% to 22% of the total number of the hospitalizations due to PUD or EG/ED related bleeding may have been preventable. CONCLUSION Up to one fifth of all hospitalizations for bleeding secondary to PUD or EG/ED are potentially preventable.
The use of RFID in soil‐erosion research

In this paper, we examine the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for studying soil erosion. Surrogate soil particles were created by coating RFID tags with silicone clay and bronze powder to give them an overall density similar to that of quartz particles. The particles were between 2.5 mm and 4.0 mm in diameter and had specific weights of 2.5 to 3.0. These tagged particles were deployed on two plots: first, in a proof‐of‐concept laboratory study and secondly in a field study, the latter involving repeated surveys after rainfall events. Seven surveys under natural rainfall over four months yielded recovery rates averaged 56%. RFIDs are shown to provide useful insights into the movement of individual soil particles during erosion processes. As RFID technology advances, further miniaturization is likely to occur enabling the movement of a greater range of soil particles to be studied, and we may anticipate improvements to the signal detection so that recovery does not rely wholly on visual identification. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A GIS based analysis of data from Landsat TM, airborne geophysical measurements, and digital maps for geological remote sensing in the Stockholm region, Sweden

This study focuses on GIS-based integration of traditional remote sensing data (Landsat TM), geophysical data from airborne measurements (gamma radiation, magnetic and VLF) and ancillary data for geological studies. The test area, Stockholm region, is complex with a fragmented distribution of different land-cover types. Methods for estimation and correction of the influence of this on the measured gamma radiation are discussed. Image processing methods are tested on the geophysical data with the aim to increase the possibilities to extract useful geological information. An integrated analysis of the different data types is applied to find the mutual relationship as a base for a geological analysis. The ultimate application of these techniques should result in a more detailed and accurate geological interpretation.
Context Based Multiscale Classi cation of Images

This paper presents an algorithm to segment images into four classes: background, photograph, text and graph. There are two important aspects about the algorithm. The rst is that the algorithm takes a multiscale approach, which adaptively classi es an image at di erent resolutions. The multiscale structure enables accurate classi cation at class boundaries as well as fast classi cation overall. The second is that the context information, which is accumulated in the process of classi cation, is used to improve the classication accuracy.
Test and integration of location sensors for a multi-sensor personal navigator

In the work package "Integrated Positioning" of the research project NAVIO (Pedestrian Navigation Systems in Combined Indoor/Outdoor Environments) we are dealing with the navigation and guidance of visitors to our University. The start points are the public transport stops in the surroundings of the Vienna University of Technology and the system users should be guided to certain office rooms or persons. For the user's position determination different location sensors are employed, i.e., for outdoor positioning GPS and dead reckoning sensors, such as a digital compass and gyro for heading determination, accelerometers for the determination of the distance travelled, a barometric pressure sensor for altitude determination and, for indoor areas, location determination using WiFi fingerprinting. All sensors and positioning methods are combined and integrated using a Kalman filter. An optimal estimate of the current location of the user is obtained using the filter. To perform an adequate weighting of the senors in the stochastic filter model, the sensor characteristics and performance were investigated in several tests. The tests were performed in different environments either with free satellite visibility, in urban canyons or inside buildings. The tests have shown that it is possible to determine the user's location continuously with the required precision and that the selected sensors provide a good performance and high reliability. Selected tests results and our approach are presented in the paper.
The problem of velocity inversion in refraction seismics: some observations from modelling results

The applicability of seismic refraction profiling for the detection of velocity inversion, which is also known as a low‐velocity layer (LVL), is investigated with the aid of synthetic seismogram computations for a range of models. Our computational models focus on the inherent ambiguities in the interpretation of first‐arrival time delays or ‘skips’ in terms of LVL model parameters. The present modelling results reveal that neither the measure nor even the existence of a shadow zone and/or a time shift (skip) in first arrivals is necessarily indicative of an LVL. Besides attenuation effects, the cap‐layer velocity gradient is a critical parameter, determining the termination point of the cap‐layer diving wave and thus the time skip.
Integrating the effects of simultaneous multiple stresses on plants using the simulation model TREGRO

TREGRO, a model of tree physiological response to environmental stress, was developed to examine the details of tree response to the interaction between ozone sum and nutrient deficiency. TREGRO was used to test the hypothesis that the nutrient deficiency would exacerbate growth reductions caused by ozone. When TREGRO was applied to a range of multiple-stress scenarios involving these two stresses, the simulated effects of the combined stresses in reducing red spruce (Rcea rubens Sarg.) tree growth were less than the sum of the effects simulated when each stress was acting alone. Red spruce, a species with a growth strategy involving low maximum potential growth rates and storage in C reserves, showed simulated patterns of allocation that minimized the added effect of ozone when Mg nutrient availability was low. In contrast, ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl.), a species that allocated C to the construction of new tissue preferentially, showed little ability to ameliorate ozone stress under low nutrient conditions. In neither case were the effects of ozone increased by nutrient deficiency. It is speculated that a species which maintains maximum C demand rates considerably below rates of C supply may be better able to adjust to conditions of multiple stresses. 22more » refs., 12 figs., 1 tab. « less
Study of historical flood events on Spanish rivers using documentary data

Abstract Series of reconstructed historical floods are valuable sources of proxy data that can be utilized for the study of flooding fluctuations in the pre-instrumental period. In this work, the severity and frequency of historical flood events in different Spanish rivers are analysed using documentary evidence. The occurrence of floods in the past is analysed bearing in mind the basic topographical and hydrological characteristics of the rivers investigated, as well as the climatological causes of their flooding during the instrumental period. Flood frequency oscillations identified in the present work coincide in general terms with already detected oscillations in previous research for shorter number of chronologies. Analysis for events covering more than two basins shows a relatively small number of cases. Meanwhile, as the climatic context produces simultaneous increases in frequency, geographical characteristics provoke a limitation on the extension of flood impacts during every severe weather event.
Some aspects of the eruption mechanism of the Big Hole Maar

In the detector system disclosed herein, a transient light signal, such as a modulated laser pulse, is analyzed or demodulated by generating, from the detected light, an electron beam which is linearly scanned across a phosphor screen. A linear array of photodetectors, responsive to the light emitted from corresponding portions of the screen, provide respective electrical signals having amplitudes corresponding to the instantaneous intensity of the light signal at respective times within the transient interval. These electrical signals are integrated and held in respective circuits for subsequent commutation and conversion to digital form.
Effects of irrigation frequency on ryegrass and white clover growth. 1. Experimental results

The rising demand for the finite amount of water available for pasture irrigation in New Zealand means increasing interest in irrigation efficiency. The effects of frequency of sprinkler irrigation of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens) were investigated near Palmerston North on Manawatu fine sandy loam (Dystric Fluventric Eutrochrept), using replicated plots of 1.5 m2. As values range from 12 to 90 mm for the reported soil water deficit at which stress first reduces pasture growth, with the most common values between 20 and 60 mm, deficits of 20 mm (involving irrigation about every 5 days if no rain fell), 40 mm, and 60 mm were chosen to trigger irrigation. There were replicated plots with and without superphosphate treatments for each irrigation and species treatment, as an interaction between fertility and the optimal trigger deficit was considered possible, and such interactions have rarely been investigated. There were also four non-irrigated plots. Yield was measured and soil water content monitored. Irrigating at a soil water deficit of 20 mm (meaning readily available water was always present in the top 150 mm of soil) rather than 60 mm resulted in significantly more ryegrass and white clover production over the irrigation season. This was particularly so when superphosphate was applied to the ryegrass.
The September 2002 Antarctic vortex major warming as observed by visible spectroscopy and ozone soundings

The record of O3 total column and NO2 obtained by visible spectroscopy at Ushuaia (55° S), Marambio (64° S) and Belgrano (78° S) and vertical ozone profiles from the latter station provide insight into the unprecedented major warming observed above Antarctica in the last week of September 2002. From 18 September to 25 September the temperature increased 54°C at the isentropic level of 700 K. The temperature anomaly was observed down to the level of 300 K in which a well‐defined tropopause was established. From comparison of the ozone profiles before and during the event, it can be seen that a fast increase in O3 took place basically above 500 K, but the layer where the ozone hole occurs was barely affected. Low potential vorticity values above Belgrano occurred only at levels above 500 K, confirming that the vortex split was confined to heights above the layer of the Antarctic spring depletion. The signature of poleward‐transported air is clearly visible from the NO2 column departure from the envelope of the previous years in all three stations. NO2 columns larger than typical for ozone hole conditions by 400% were observed at Belgrano. Diurnal variations provide evidence of non‐denitrified extra‐vortex air.
Potential of prescription registries to capture individual-level use of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in Denmark: trends in utilization 1999–2012

Background Due to over-the-counter availability, no consensus exists on whether adequate information on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use can be obtained from prescription registries. Objectives To examine utilization of aspirin and nonaspirin NSAIDs in Denmark between 1999 and 2012 and to quantify the proportion of total sales that was sold on prescription. Method Based on nationwide data from the Danish Serum Institute and the Danish National Prescription Registry, we retrieved sales statistics for the Danish primary health care sector to calculate 1-year prevalences of prescription users of aspirin or nonaspirin NSAIDs, and to estimate the corresponding proportions of total sales dispensed on prescription. Results Both low-dose aspirin and nonaspirin NSAIDs were commonly used in the Danish population between 1999 and 2012, particularly among elderly individuals. The 1-year prevalence of prescribed low-dose aspirin increased throughout the study period, notably among men. Nonaspirin NSAID use was frequent in all age groups above 15 years and showed a female preponderance. Overall, the prevalence of prescribed nonaspirin NSAIDs decreased moderately after 2004, but substantial variation according to NSAID subtype was observed; ibuprofen use increased, use of all newer selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors nearly ceased after 2004, diclofenac use decreased by nearly 50% after 2008, and naproxen use remained stable. As of 2012, the prescribed proportion of individual-level NSAID sales was 92% for low-dose aspirin, 66% for ibuprofen, and 100% for all other NSAIDs. Conclusion The potential for identifying NSAID use from prescription registries in Denmark is high. Low-dose aspirin and nonaspirin NSAID use varied substantially between 1999 and 2012. Notably, use of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors nearly ceased, use of diclofenac decreased markedly, and naproxen use remained unaltered.
Thermally induced mineral and chemical transformations in calcareous mudstones around a basaltic dyke (Perthus Pass, southern Massif Central, France). Possible implications as a natural analogue of nuclear waste disposal

Abstract A mixed-layer illite-smectite, illite-rich calcareous mudstone intruded by a basaltic dyke at the Perthus Pass (southern Massif Central, France) allows us to study the transformation of clays subjected to a brief thermal gradient. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe and atomic absorption spectroscopy analyses were performed on samples at variable distances from the mudstone-dyke contacts. A roughly similar evolution is seen on both sides of the dyke: quartz, calcite, kaolinite and illite disappear; Ca-silicates, albite and saponite-beidellite form, late meteoric halloysite crystallizes in open fractures. Chemical and mineralogical transformations are related to heat diffusion from the dyke. Theoretical calculations highlight the influence of the dyke orientation. The mineralogical reactions observed in rocks are similar to those observed in experimental conditions. The formation of new swelling phases with a high retention capacity linked to a short duration, large-temperature increase, should constitute a positive process for Repository Performance Assessment.
Mining a Unique Canadian Resource: The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

1 Department of Community Health and Epidemiology , Dalhousie University 2 Department of Medicine , Dalhousie University 3 Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics , McMaster University 4 Department of Community Health Sciences , University of Manitoba 5 Department of Gerontology , Simon Fraser University 6 Research Center on Aging , CIUSS de l’Estrie-CHUS 7 Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , University of Sherbrooke 8 Research Institute , McGill University Health Centre 9 Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Occupational Health , McGill University 10 McMaster Institute of Geroscience
Experimental reduction of lunar mare soil and volcanic glass

We have reduced high-titanium lunar mare soil and iron-rich lunar volcanic glass with hydrogen at temperatures of 900–1100°C. Ilmenite is the most reactive phase in the soil, exhibiting rapid and complete reduction at all temperatures. Ferrous iron in the glass is extensively reduced concurrent with partial crystallization. In both samples pyroxene and olivine undergo partial reduction along with chemical and mineralogical modifications. High-temperature reduction provides insight into the optical and chemical effects of lunar soil maturation, and places constraints on models of that process. Mare soil and volcanic glass are attractive feedstocks for lunar oxygen production, with achievable yields of 2–5 wt%.