Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metal speciation in river bed sediments within the polish part of Muskau Arch geopark

The object of the investigation was metal contamination of bottom sediments of the Skroda and Chwaliszówka rivers, which are the right contributaries of the Lusatian Neisse river, draining the territory of the so called “anthropogenic lake district”. The district came into existence as a result of mining activities in the border of Silesia and Lusatia, which date from the half of 19 century to 1974. The district includes about 100 reservoirs, of the total area of over 150 ha, which are from about 30 to 100 years old. The rocks accompanying the Miocene coal-bearing formations were deposited on waste dumps. The dumps form embankments of the aquifers arising as a result of post-exploitation mining subsidence. The streams dewatering waste dumps inflow directly or indirectly to the Chwaliszówka and Skroda rivers. The pyrite is the mineral present in mine waste material. The pyrite weathering products inflow into surface waters and affect adversely the water quality. In the last stage of migration the pollutants are accumulated in the bottom sediments of rivers and lakes. The samples of bottom sediments of the two rivers were analysed by means of a fivestep sequential extraction procedure performed for the partitioning of selected trace metals (Fe, Mn, As, Cr and Al). It was determined that the bottom sediments of the two analysed rivers contain significant concentrations of aluminium and iron. The concentrations of other metals (Mn, Cr and As) are in the range of geochemical background of water sediments in Poland. Concentrations of arsenium, chromium and manganese, which are bound to easyavailable fractions (I – exchangeable and II – bound to carbonates) are not significant, so it could be assumed that they are not expected to be released and they do not threaten the river ecological system. There is, however, the possibility of the aluminium and iron remobilisation, taking into account the high concentrations of easy-available fractions of these metals in the sediment. Fe and Al are potential source of water contamination, and remobilisation of these metals will produce the aggravation of quality parameters of river waters.
Trauma and disasters in social and cultural context

Laurence J. Kirmayer, Hanna Kienzler, Abdel Hamid Afana and Duncan Pedersen 1 Division of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry, McGill University and Culture and Mental Health Research Unit, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Canada 2 Department of Anthropology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada 3 International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Survivors (IRCT), Copenhagen, Denmark 4 Douglas Mental Health University Institute and Division of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index Factors Predict Unique Variance in DSM‐IV Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is an established cognitive risk factor for anxiety disorders. In children and adolescents, AS is usually measured with the Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index (CASI). Factor analytic studies suggest that the CASI is comprised of 3 lower‐order factors pertaining to Physical, Psychological and Social Concerns. There has been little research on the validity of these lower‐order factors. We examined the concurrent and incremental validity of the CASI and its lower‐order factors in a non‐clinical sample of 349 children and adolescents. CASI scores predicted symptoms of DSM‐IV anxiety disorder subtypes as measured by the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale (SCAS) after accounting for variance due to State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory scores. CASI Physical Concerns scores incrementally predicted scores on each of the SCAS scales, whereas scores on the Social and Psychological Concerns subscales incrementally predicted scores on conceptually related symptom scales (e.g. CASI Social Concerns scores predicted Social Phobia symptoms). Overall, this study demonstrates that there is added value in measuring AS factors in children and adolescents.
Isolation of quiescent and nonquiescent cells from yeast stationary-phase cultures

Quiescence is the most common and, arguably, most poorly understood cell cycle state. This is in part because pure populations of quiescent cells are typically difficult to isolate. We report the isolation and characterization of quiescent and nonquiescent cells from stationary-phase (SP) yeast cultures by density-gradient centrifugation. Quiescent cells are dense, unbudded daughter cells formed after glucose exhaustion. They synchronously reenter the mitotic cell cycle, suggesting that they are in a G0 state. Nonquiescent cells are less dense, heterogeneous, and composed of replicatively older, asynchronous cells that rapidly lose the ability to reproduce. Microscopic and flow cytometric analysis revealed that nonquiescent cells accumulate more reactive oxygen species than quiescent cells, and over 21 d, about half exhibit signs of apoptosis and necrosis. The ability to isolate both quiescent and nonquiescent yeast cells from SP cultures provides a novel, tractable experimental system for studies of quiescence, chronological and replicative aging, apoptosis, and the cell cycle.
Luminosity characteristics of multiple dart leader/return stroke sequences measured with a high‐speed digital image system

Using a newly‐developed high‐speed digital optical system, we measured the luminosity profiles of four leader/return stroke sequences within a flash occurred on a high tower. By analyzing those profiles, we obtained two simple expressions to characterize the light pulse decay features of subsequent return strokes along the channel bottom 210 m. These expressions can be extended to return stroke pulse currents and be easily included in return stroke modeling. In addition, we found that the peak light intensity of a leader and its following return stroke at various heights correlates positively in the channel bottom 210 m.
Transcriptome-facilitated development of SNPs for the Sonoran Desert rock fig, Ficus petiolaris (Moraceae)

Premise of the study: Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) primers were developed for a native North American desert fig, Ficus petiolaris (Moraceae), to provide markers for population genetic studies designed to quantify patterns of gene flow across a complex landscape. Methods and Results: Transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatic protocols were implemented to discover SNPs in single-copy protein-coding genes. Multiplexes of 30 nuclear and 24 organellar (chloroplast and mitochondrial) SNPs were selected for primer development and genotyping on the Sequenom MASSArray System. Of these 54 loci, 49 reliably amplified across a panel of 96 F. petiolaris individuals. Conclusions: This study has provided SNP primers that can be applied in future studies investigating population genetics of F. petiolaris and its coevolution with associated pollinating and nonpollinating fig wasps.
Transcriptional loops meet chromatin: a dual-layer network controls white–opaque switching in Candida albicans

The human pathogen Candida albicans is able to undergo a reversible switch between two distinct cell types called white and opaque, which are considered different transcriptional states of cells harbouring identical genomes. The present model of switching regulation includes the bistable expression of a master switch gene that is controlled by multiple transcriptional feedback loops. Here, we show that chromatin‐modifying enzymes constitute an additional important regulatory layer of morphogenetic switching. We identify eight chromatin modifiers as switching modulators. Extensive epistasis analysis maps them into at least two independent signalling pathways overlaying the known transcriptional network. Interestingly, we identify the conserved Set3/Hos2 histone deacetylase complex as a key regulator relying on the methylation status of histone H3 lysine 4 for switching modulation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that opaque to white switching is facilitated by the presence of adenine in vitro, but adenine has no effect on switching once the Set3/Hos2 complex is disrupted. Our observations postulate that chromatin modifications may serve as a means to integrate environmental or host stimuli through the underlying transcriptional circuits to determine cell fate in C. albicans.
Digital Games vs Mindfulness Apps: Which is More Effective for Post-Work Recovery?

In an age of constant connectivity, it is becoming more difficult for people to make the division between work and leisure time. However, post-work recovery is essential for overall wellbeing, thus identifying activities which promote recovery is important. With the proliferation of smartphones, there are opportunities for easy access to recovery promoting activities. Two activities that have been identified as encouraging recovery are digital games and mindfulness apps. This research explores whether either activity is more effective at promoting post-work recovery through two studies. The first study was a lab experiment where need for recovery was induced and participants undertook one of three break tasks: a digital game, a mindfulness app or the non-media control with a fidget widget. The break tasks were successful in promoting a reduction in tense arousal but no significant difference was identified between the three conditions in terms of recovery experience. However, a positive correlation between enjoyment and overall recovery was identified. Following this, an in-the-wild study with working professionals was carried out to establish if the results were replicated in a natural setting and to identify other influencing factors on recovery. The results differed from the lab experiment, with evidence that the mindfulness app was more successful at reducing tense arousal. However, the digital game significantly reduced psychological detachment over the mindfulness app. Again, a positive correlation between recovery and enjoyment was identified. Qualitative data suggested that personal preference impacted enjoyment and that fluctuating needs for recovery mean that one break type is not always universally successful at providing the recovery experience required. This suggests that individuals can more effectively recover if they enjoy an activity and if the activity addresses their specific needs for recovery. Author
Geochemical cycles in an Ocean General Circulation Model

A state-of-the-art report is given of the Hamburg model of the oceanic carbon cycle. The model advects geochemical tracers important to the carbon cycle by the currents of a general circulation model. The geochemical cycling is driven by a Michaelis-Menten type production kinetics. The model is an extension of the Bacastow and Maier-Reimer (1990) model. It is based on a more realistic current field and includes a mechanism of lysocline-sediment interaction. Principal variables are ∑CO2, alkalinity, phosphate, oxygen, and silicate. The carbon variables are defined for 12C, 13C, and 14C separately. In addition to these carbon isotopes, 39A and δ18O of dissolved oxygen are predicted. The model predicts realistic global patterns of tracer distribution. In the equatorial eastern Pacific, however, the structures are exaggerated due to a strong upwelling which is a common feature of coarse resolution models of the general circulation of the ocean.
Progressive Frequency-Offset Compensation in Turbo Receivers

Based on the recently-proposed iterative receiver by Colavolpe et al., we extend it to further incorporate the mechanism of frequency-offset compensation. As a progressive approach, the factor graph of a long frame is first divided into numerous subgraphs of short block, iterative decoding can successfully start its work as the effect of frequency-offset can be well mitigated due to the small size of subgraph. As the iteration goes on, the extrinsic information from decoder can be employed to get finer estimate of the frequency-offset. The system performance can be steadily improved as the block size is progressively expanded to the final frame size.
Indications of Spatial Associations between Deep-seated Groundwater Flow systems and Thermal Springs in Paleozoic Sedimentary Basins of Brazil

We present evidences indicative of the existence of spatial associations between deep lateral flow systems of groundwater and geographic distributions of thermal springs in several of the Paleozoic interior basins of Brazil. Specifically, thermal springs are found to be absent in regions inferred to have deep seated lateral flows of groundwater. This trend is remarkably evident in the basins of the Amazon region, in the central parts of the Parnaiba basin and in the west-central parts of the Parana basin. We also report progress obtained in model studies of processes responsible for mutual exclusion of regions of thermal springs and lateral flows of groundwater. Results of numerical simulations indicate that lateral flows are potentially capable of masking the occurrences of thermal anomalies. Also, lateral flows lead to development of large low temperatures zones, capable of suppressing surface manifestations of deep geothermal resources. Analysis of Peclet - Rayleigh domains of flow systems indicate that lateral movements are capable of obliterating the effects of thermal buoyancy. We conclude that an understanding of the perturbing effects of subsurface flow systems is important in assessment of geothermal resources.
The Geography of Poverty: Evidence from the Punjab

The article is the first comprehensive attempt at estimating the variation in the incidence, intensity and severity of poverty in the Punjab at the level of sub-provincial regions and districts. This estimation has been made possible because of the availability of the Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (2003-04), which has a sample that is representative at the district-level. Estimates suggest the existence of a high poverty enclave in the south and the west regions of the Punjab. The incidence and severity of poverty in a majority of districts in thisenclave, with a few exceptions, is extremely high with one out of every two households being poor on average. The high levels of poverty in this enclave contrast with the relatively low poverty in the more urbanized north,where households are well integrated into the national and international labor market. The paper also argues that there is tremendous variation in the poverty experience of the districts in the centre. Poverty incidence in the more urbanized and industrialized northern districts of the centre contrasts sharply with the experience of Kasur, Okara and Pakpattan, where the incidence and severity of poverty is extremely high. Finally, we find thatin nine districts rural households do much worse in terms of poverty incidence than their urban counterparts. The gap between urban and rural poverty incidence and severity is highest within the district of Lahore suggesting that urbanization co-exists with a large poor population that inhabits the peri-urban areas of the district. An important aim of development policy and poverty targeting is to bridge these multi-faceted divides in the geography of poverty.
Land surface evaporation : measurement and parameterization

This book, which largely addresses issues suggested by its title, is based on papers presented at a workshop at Banyuls, France. This is one of the better books of its type. There is a strong emphasis on the role of land-surface evaporation in connection to the atmospheric and hydrological components of the climate system. The chapters are all well written and complement each other over a wide range of topics. Strong editing is evident, however, the individual chapters have not been closely integrated beyond adequate cross referencing. A variety of subject matter common to many of the chapters is briefly but redundantly introduced in several individual chapters rather than treated with enough explanation in one place for a beginning student to learn it. This was particularly evident in the various cursory introductions to the Monin-Obukhov similarity theory scattered throughout the book. Also, it is easy to find technical terms that go undefined-for example, mesoscale alpha and beta. Thus, the audience that will be served is advanced graduate students and professional who are looking for good general reviews of the current status of the materials treated.
Lithic Analysis and Cultural Inference: A Paleo-Indian Case

The Anthropological Papers of the University of Arizona is a peer-reviewed monograph series sponsored by the School of Anthropology. Established in 1959, the series publishes archaeological and ethnographic papers that use contemporary method and theory to investigate problems of anthropological importance in the southwestern United States, Mexico, and related areas.
The effect of a translocation on a source population using North Island robins as a case study : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Zoology at Massey University

This thesis aims to assess the effects of a translocation on a source population. In 1999, 21 North Island robins (Petroica australis longipes) were translocated from Tiritiri Matangi Island (Hauraki Gulf) to Wenderholm Regional Park (north of Auckland). Previous research on Tiritiri Matangi Island suggested that the population was limited to about 60 birds by the available habitat. There was high (about 75%) juvenile mortality each year, and the number of juveniles surviving closely matched the number of adults dying. It was therefore hypothesised that juvenile survivorship was density dependent, and that a portion of the population could thus be removed each year with little impact. The translocation was designed as an experimental reduction in density to test this hypothesis. Survival was modelled using by mark-recapture analysis, and suggested that density ~ependence was present in the Tiritiri Matangi population. Survival of juvenile robins was correlated with the number of pairs present in the population during the breeding season they were produced. Population viability analysis (PV A) suggested that the Tiritiri Matangi robin population was not affected detrimentally by the removal of 21 birds for trans location, with a 0% probability of extinction within the next 20 years. The PV A indicated around 3 years was required for the population to recover to an equilibrium of around 65 birds. A sensitivity analysis suggested that even if all the parameters are overestimated, the probability of extinction of the Tiritiri Matangi population within 20 years was still low (1.3% for a worst-case scenario). PVA indicated that the Wenderholm population had a high probability of extinction, but this may be an artefact of the translocation. This PV A was based on only one year of data, and therefore had a high degree of uncertainty. It nevertheless suggested that juvenile recruitment was a key factor limiting population survival; hence the viability of the population could be improved by identifying and managing threats to juvenile survival. I investigated the viability of different harvesting regimes for the Tiritiri Matangi population. Annual, biennial and triennial harvesting indicated around 100, 90 and 80 birds
Episodic uplift of the Tianshan Mountains since the late Oligocene constrained by magnetostratigraphy of the Jingou River section, in the southern margin of the Junggar Basin, China

[1] Thick Cenozoic sediments in the southern margin of the Junggar Basin accumulated in response to the uplift and deformation of the Tianshan Mountains. To better constrain this mountains' tectonic history, we report a detailed magnetostratigraphic study of the Jingou River section, located in the northern piedmont of the Tianshan Mts. A total of 1133 samples were used to establish the magnetostratigraphy of a more than 3000 m thick section from the exposed base of the Anjihaihe Formation to the middle of the Xiyu Formation. Two vertebrate fossil sites and a good correlation with the CK95 geomagnetic polarity timescale suggest that the section was deposited from ∼30.5 to ∼4.6 Ma and the age of the top of the Xiyu formation is ∼2.6 Ma based on an extrapolation of the sedimentation rates. Our results show that significant increases in sedimentation rates as well as notable changes in depositional environments occurred at ∼26–22.5 Ma, ∼13–11 Ma and ∼7 Ma, which represent the initial uplift of the Tianshan Mts. and two subsequent rapid uplift events. In addition, changes in sedimentation rates imply that the uplift of the Tianshan Mts. was episodic, and relatively short, with intervals of intensified deformation with long periods of tectonic weakness or quiescence.
Assessment of the Spatial and Seasonal Variation of the Error–Intensity Relationship in Satellite-Based Precipitation Measurements Using an Adaptive Parametric Model

AbstractStudies have been reported about the efficacy of satellites for measuring precipitation and about quantifying their errors. Based on these studies, the errors are associated with a number of factors, among them, intensity, location, climate, and season of the year. Several error models have been proposed to assess the relationship between the error and the rainfall intensity. However, it is unknown whether these models are adaptive to different seasons, different regions, or different types of satellite-based estimates. Therefore, how the error–intensity relationship varies with the season or region is unclear. To investigate these issues, a parametric joint pdf model is proposed to analyze and study the 9-yr satellite-derived precipitation datasets of Climate Prediction Center (CPC) morphing technique (CMORPH); PERSIANN; and the real-time TRMM product 3B42, version 7 (TRMM-3B42-RTV7). The NEXRAD Stage IV product is the ground reference. The adaptability of the proposed model is verified by applyi.
Direct Radiative Effect by Multicomponent Aerosol over China

AbstractThe direct radiative effect (DRE) of multiple aerosol species [sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, black carbon (BC), organic carbon (OC), and mineral aerosol] and their spatiotemporal variations over China were investigated using a fully coupled meteorology–chemistry model [Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem)] for the entire year of 2006. This study made modifications to improve the model performance, including updating land surface parameters, improving the calculation of transition-metal-catalyzed oxidation of SO2, and adding heterogeneous reactions between mineral dust aerosol and acid gases. The modified model generally reproduced the magnitude, seasonal pattern, and spatial distribution of the measured meteorological conditions, concentrations of PM10 and its components, and aerosol optical depth (AOD), although some low biases existed in modeled aerosol concentrations. A diagnostic iteration method was used to estimate the overall DRE of aerosols and contr.
Mechanical stress-induced switching kinetics of ferroelectric thin films at the nanoscale

We investigate ferroelectric domain structure and piezoelectric response under variable mechanical compressive stress in Pb(Zr0.2TiO0.8)O3 (PZT) thin films using high-resolution piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) and an in situ sample bending stage. Measurements reveal a drastic change in the ferroelectric domain structure which is presented along with details of the mediating switching process involving domain wall motion, nucleation, and domain wall roughening under an applied external mechanical stimulus. Furthermore, local PFM hysteresis loops reveal significant changes in the observed coercive biases under applied stress. The PFM hysteresis loops become strongly imprinted under increasing applied compressive stress.