Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Engineering geological mapping for urban areas of the Oltrepo Pavese plain (Northern Italy)

The objective of the study was to develop a methodology for engineering geological mapping to support urban planning and development. The study area is located in the province of Pavia and corresponds to the Southern and Central sector of the Po River Plain (Northern Italy). It has an extent of about 440 km 2 and several important urban areas are located there. Geomorphologically, fluvial terraces and piedmont fans characterise the area. The recent river deposits consist mainly of coarse-grained units (sand, pebbles, gravel). The upper part of the older alluvial deposits are strongly weathered and composed of a large amount of clay. The adopted approach was multidisciplinary, such that data regarding the geology, geomorphology, hydrographic network, urban development and history of the towns were used to develop a geological/geotechnical model of the area. In the first step the landforms (alluvial terraces, alluvial fans, etc.) were mapped from aerial photographs. In the second step, for each landform the nature of surface materials (lithostratigraphic, hydrogeological and geotechnical characteristics) was determined. The datasets included boreholes and trial pits. Collection of penetrometer results (DCPT, SPT and CPT), calibrated against soil profile logs, helped with the geotechnical characterisation of the soils. Geotechnical and lithological profiles were then constructed. Engineering geological zoning was carried out by assessing three attribute groups: lithologies, geometries, and geotechnical characteristics. The resulting engineering geological units (areas that may be regarded as homogeneous from the geomorphological and engineering geological point of view) are useful for studies concerning geohazard susceptibility and foundation conditions.
Formation of a basin‐scale surface chlorophyll pattern by Rossby waves

The enhancement of surface chlorophyll by Rossby waves, which has recently been detected in bandpass‐filtered ocean color data [Cipollini et al., 2001; Uz et al., 2001], is shown to be intense enough to form a dominant pattern in monthly mean basin‐scale ocean color satellite maps of the Indian Ocean. Results from a biological‐physical coupled model suggest that this phenomenon, which is visible predominantly in austral winter, is caused by Rossby‐wave induced upwelling that lifts the deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) into contact with the surface mixed layer (ML). The model results suggest that these events are not associated with any significant input of nutrients into the ML. While the temporal enhancement of regional primary production by Rossby waves is substantial (∼30%), it is not necessarily associated with a corresponding increase in surface chlorophyll, e.g., when the ML is too shallow to touch the DCM, and may hence escape detectability by satellite measurements.
Well-being effects of a major negative externality: The case of Fukushima

Following a major earthquake off the Pacific coast of Japan, a tsunami disabled the power supply and cooling of three reactors in Fukushima, causing a major nuclear accident on 11 March 2011. Based on a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences approach we use panel data for 5,979 individuals interviewed in Japan before and after the accident to analyze the effect of the accident on people’s subjective well-being. Our main hypotheses are that this effect declines with distance to the place of the event but also with distance to other nuclear power plants. To test these hypotheses, we use Geographical Information Systems to merge the well-being data with information on respondents’ distance to the Fukushima nuclear plant and on their proximity to nuclear power stations in general. Our empirical results suggest the existence of significant well-being effects of the combined event of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident that are proportional to proximity to the Fukushima site being equivalent to up to 72 percent of annual household income. We find no evidence for increased nation-wide worry about the presence of nuclear power plants near people’s place of residence.
Mapping woodland species composition and structure using airborne spectral and LiDAR data

Tree and shrub species composition and vegetation structure are key components influencing the quality of woodland or forest habitat for a wide range of organisms. This paper investigates the unique thematic classes that can be derived using integrated airborne LiDAR and spectral data. The study area consists of a heterogeneous, semi‐natural broadleaf woodland on an ancient site and homogeneous broadleaf and conifer woodland on an adjoining plantation. A parcel‐based unsupervised classification approach was employed, using the first two Principal Components from 12 selected wavebands of HyMap data and a Digital Canopy Height Model extracted from LiDAR data. The resultant 52 data clusters were amalgamated into 10 distinct thematic classes that contain information on species composition and vegetation structure. The thematic classes are relevant to the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) scheme for woodlands and scrub of Great Britain. Furthermore, in distinguishing structural subdivisions within the species‐based NVC classes, the thematic classification provides greater information for quantifying woodland habitat. The classes show degeneration from and regeneration to mature woodland communities and thus reflect the underlying processes of vegetation succession and woodland management. This thematic classification is ecologically relevant and is a forward development in woodland maps created from remote sensing data.
A damage model for volcanic edifices: Implications for edifice strength, magma pressure, and eruptive processes

Monitoring of large basaltic volcanoes, such as Piton de la Fournaise (La Réunion Island, France), has revealed preeruptive accelerations in surface displacements and seismicity rate over a period of between 1 h and several weeks before magma reaches the surface. Such eruptions are attributed to ruptures of pressurized magma reservoirs. Elastic models used to describe surface deformation would assume that accelerations in surface deformation are due to increases in reservoir pressure. This assumption requires changes in magma or pressure conditions at the base of the magma feeding system that are unrealistic over the observed timescale. Another possible cause for these accelerations is magma pressure in the reservoir weakening the volcanic edifice. In the present study, we modeled such weakening by progressive damage to an initially elastic edifice. We used an incremental damage model, with seismicity as a damage variable with daily increments. Elastic moduli decrease linearly with each damage increment. Applied to an initially elastic edifice with constant pressure at the base of the system, this damage model reproduces surface displacement accelerations quite well when damage is sufficient. Process dynamics is controlled by the damage parameter, taken as the ratio between the incremental rupture surface and the surface to be ruptured. In this case, edifice strength and magma reservoir pressure decrease with decreasing elastic moduli, whereas surface displacement accelerates. We discuss the consequences of pressure decreases in magma reservoirs.
Solute transport across basement/cover interfaces by buoyancy-driven thermohaline convection: Implications for the formation of unconformity-related uranium deposits

Previous studies have suggested that buoyancy-driven convection could only have developed in thick sandstone aquifers within Proterozoic intracratonic sedimentary basins that host unconformity-related uranium deposits. On the other hand, oxygen and hydrogen isotopic and fluid inclusion studies of quartz and carbonate veins have shown that basinal brines have interacted with basement rocks and basement-derived fluids pervasively. Finite element modeling was conducted to investigate the potential mechanisms driving fluid interaction across a basement/cover unconformity. We firstly constructed a simplified conceptual model by integrating the known features shared by the Athabasca, Thelon and Kombolgie basins and their Phanerozoic counterparts. Based on this conceptual model, various numerical scenarios were designed to examine buoyancy-driven (heat and solute transport are coupled) fluid flow patterns and the corresponding solute transport. The results show that thermohaline convection may have penetrated into the basement for up to 1 to 2 km below the unconformity, when typical hydrological parameters for these Proterozoic hydrogeological units were used. Fluid flow velocities in the sandstone sequence were several orders of magnitude larger than those in the basement. If a uranium source (a pore fluid with 500 mg/l uranium) was assumed to be located in the center of the basin below the unconformity, uranium was able to gradually spread into the sandstone aquifer through thermohaline convection without considering any contribution from fluid-rock interaction. The uranium concentration of basinal fluids above the uranium source approached 15 and 24 mg/l after 1 and 5 m.y. of modeling time, respectively. If the uranium source was initially located at the center of the aquifer, a uranium plume developed and percolated down to 2 km below the unconformity at 5 m.y. The location of the uranium source also affects the solute transport efficiency. A uranium source located around the sloping basal unconformity, either in the basin fill or basement, close to the basin margin, led to a wider uranium plume than if it was located near the center of the basin. Given appropriate hydrological conditions, thermohaline convection could have caused widespread interaction of basinal brines with basement rocks or basement-derived fluids in Proterozoic basins where unconformity-related uranium deposits have developed, and that enough uranium could have been leached from the uranium-rich basement to form large, high-grade unconformity-related uranium deposits.
The simulation study of the interaction between aerosols and heavy air pollution weather in East China

The aerosol-radiation interaction is coupled into an online mesoscale aerosol forecasting model. The direct radiative feedbacks on heavy air pollution weather due to aerosols are simulated and studied. The preliminary results show aerosols direct radiative effects may cool the near surface atmosphere in East Asia, reduce turbulent diffusion process and further weaken low pressure system related with heavy pollution episode. All results suggests that aerosols direct radiative feedback is benefits to keep the mesoscale stable condition of the local atmosphere in East China and shows positive feedback on the keeping and developing of heavy air pollution episode in East Asia.
Stability of Microbubble-Based Drilling Fluids Under Downhole Conditions

Colloidal gas aphrons (CGA) have the unique ability to form a bridge in the pores of reservoirs, which stops fluid invasion. Sizing microbubbles in accordance with the rock pore size distribution is imperative for effective sealing during drilling. The effects of time, temperature and pressure on the stability and size of the microbubbles needs to be better understood in order to design a fluid that will sufficiently block the pores of the formation for extended periods. In this study, the effects of time, pressure and temperature on the size of microbubbles and the stability of microbubble (CGA)based drilling fluids were investigated. The change in the CGA diameter with time was determined by using a microscopic imaging technique. Effects of base fluid viscosity and surfactant concentration on the size and stability of the microbubbles were also investigated.
The coupling of mixed Rossby‐gravity waves with diabatic heating during the TRMM‐KWAJEX field campaign

Composite dynamic and thermodynamic structures of mixed Rossby‐gravity (MRG) waves are presented with their coupling with diabatic heating and moisture sources/sinks, using Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission‐Kwajalein Experiment (TRMM‐KWAJEX) field campaign data. A significant departure of convectively coupled waves from dry waves exists in the phases of wave component: maximum low‐level wind convergence is accompanied by midtropospheric divergence and upper tropospheric convergence that is preceded by increase of moisture in the boundary layer. These phases correspond to surface turbulent transport, shallow and midlevel convections that cause moistening and heating of the lower and middle troposphere. They are followed by deep convection with maximum heating centered in the upper troposphere. The deep convective heating evolves to stratiform‐like upper tropospheric heating and lower tropospheric cooling that precedes the quick demise of convection. Such a structure on convectively coupled MRG waves is summarized by four phases, which sheds lights on how tropical waves are coupled with convective processes in all their phases.
The Palos Verdes anticlinorium along the Los Angeles, California coast: Implications for underlying thrust faulting

The Palos Verdes anticlinorium (PVA) is a 70 km‐wide, NW‐trending Pliocene‐Quaternary transpressional high that separates the onshore Los Angeles basin from the offshore San Pedro basin. The PVA southwest limb underlies a 70 km‐long SW facing seafloor escarpment. This escarpment is separated into two segments by a 6 km right step. It overlies two levels of NE dipping low‐angle thrust faults. These faults project beneath Los Angeles toward known SW verging blind thrust faults and may be the same regional faults. These conclusions are based on a detailed geometric representation constructed from a regional analysis of 5000 km of multichannel seismic reflection profiles, logs, and paleontology from 19 wells, published seafloor geology, and multibeam bathymetric data. Patterns of sedimentation and erosion indicate that folding of PVA initiated during Pliocene time and propagated southward, with folding of part of the southern PVA occurring during the Quaternary. Structural relief continues to grow with regional long‐term rock uplift of the PVA crest and ongoing subsidence in the adjacent basins. The low‐angle NE‐dipping faults beneath the PVA must be late Quaternary active in order to maintain hanging wall rock uplift above subsiding footwalls. Structural geometry requires that the underlying faults have slipped at 1.1–1.6 mm/yr over Quaternary time.
Ukraine's destination image as perceived by U.S. college students

The present study is an exploration of Ukraine's destination image as viewed by U.S. college students. Student market is a rapidly growing one and presents opportunities for emerging destinations like Ukraine. A combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches was utilized to investigate the image of Ukraine and build a three-dimensional destination image model. Respondents were asked to answer three open-ended questions and rate the level of their agreement with pre-developed statements that pertain to Ukraine. Concepts conveyed by both methods were distributed along three continuums that comprise the destination image model. Implications for promotional and marketing efforts were suggested. Keywords: destination image, Ukraine, student market
Multi-resolution segmentation for improved hyperspectral mapping

Many hyperspectral imagery (HSI) mapping methods currently attempt to determine the dimensionality of a dataset and extract discreet endmembers based on linear spectral mixing theory. The problem with this approach is that these datasets are often of such high dimensionality that it is difficult to extract the level of detail inherent in the data. Most such analysis approaches are simply overwhelmed by the complexity of HSI data. This research describes an approach that uses segmentation and iterative analysis of HSI data to reduce the dimensionality to a manageable level. The methodology involves spectral/spatial segmentation to determine initial groups of materials. The segmentation can be done using a variety of methods, including classical supervised or unsupervised classification methods, the Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM), spectral feature-based methods, or standard endmember determination and mapping approaches. The result of the segmentation is a broadly classified image. There may be significant variation within each class. These segments are then used as the starting point for additional n-Dimensional analysis. The HSI data are analyzed for each of the classes or segments using a linear mixing approach, endmembers are determined, and distributions and abundances are mapped. The segmentation reduces the original, complex dataset to a series of less complex problems. Combination of the segment results to a composite analysis result produces a materials map that includes additional detail beyond that achieved using the whole-image approaches. A case history utilizing AVIRIS data is presented.
Relationships between soil organic matter and the soil microbial biomass (size, functional diversity, and community structure) in crop and pasture systems in a semi-arid environment

The quantity and/or quality of soil organic matter (SOM) and its fractions regulate microbial community composition and associated function. In this study an established, replicated agricultural systems trial in a semi-arid environment was used to test: (i) whether agricultural systems which have increased plant residue inputs increase the amount of labile SOM relative to total SOM, or change the quality of SOM fractions; and (ii) whether the size or quality of OMfractions ismoststrongly linkedtothesize,activity, functionaldiversity,andcommunity structure ofthesoilmicrobial biomass. Soil (0-50mm) was collected following 5 years of continuous wheat, crop rotation, crop-pasture rotation, annual pasture, or perennial pasture. Pastures were grazed by sheep. Direct drilling and non-inversion tillage techniques were comparedinsome cropping systems.Totalcarbon(C) increasedwiththeproportion ofpasture as aresultof increased SOM inputs into these systems; land use also significantly affected SOM fractions and their chemical and physical nature. While the size, function, and structure of the soil microbial community were somewhat related to total soil C, they were better correlated with SOM fractions. The C:nitrogen (N) ratio of light fraction organic matter could be used to predict the amount of potentially mineralisable N in soil, while the C:N ratio of total SOM could not. Measurement of bacterial community structure (using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) significantly discriminated between land uses, while community-level physiological profiles revealed fewer differences. Overall, our findings support the premise that labile fractions of SOM are more strongly related to microbial community structure and function than is total SOM.
Ground‐based infrared monitoring provides new tool for remote tracking of volcanic activity

Thermal monitoring of active volcanoes has long been the domain of satellite and airborne remote sensing (for reviews of current capabilities, see Harris et al. [2002]). However, ground-based thermal sensors offer considerable benefits in that (1) they can be located beneath cloud decks that prohibit aerial views; (2) they allow small thermal targets to be resolved; (3) they observe targets with a constant viewing geometry for long periods of time; and (4) they provide data at high sample rates (tens to hundreds of Hz). This latter capability is extremely attractive when tracking transient or rapidly evolving events, such as volcanic explosions. In addition, when used in conjunction with other geophysical data sets, thermal time series reveal clues as to the manner in which a volcanic system is erupting.
Freshwater discharges in a simulation of the Last Glacial Maximum climate using improved river routing

The large ice‐sheets over North America and Europe at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) strongly disturbed river pathways. This has never been taken into account in simulations of the LGM climate, even if it could have an impact on the freshwater input to the ocean. Here, we have introduced a more realistic river routing in LGM atmospheric general circulation model simulations. A comparison with classical LGM simulations shows that the discharge into the Arctic Ocean is not drastically different. Even if the Ob and Yenisei rivers could not reach the Arctic Ocean because of the Fennoscandian ice sheet (which results in a lake South of this ice sheet), the discharge of other rivers nearby is increased due to the influence of this lake. The maximum monthly discharge into the North Atlantic Ocean decreases by 34000 m3/s between 54 and 66°N, while it is stronger by 35000 m3/s between 28 and 54°N.
Heavy ions in the outer Kronian magnetosphere

Data from the plasma science experiment on Voyager 1 show the existence of a cold heavy ion component in the plasma populating the outer Kronian magnetosphere (L ≈ 15). The mass resolution is not sufficient to determine unambiguously whether the ions are oxygen (O+ mass 16) or nitrogen (N+ mass 14). If the former, their most probable origin is sputtering off the rings and icy satellites, which lie well inside the site of observation. Outward transport is therefore required. If the latter, the most probable source is the plume of Titan, and inward transport to the observing site is required. The near-resonant charge exchange reaction between oxygen ions and hydrogen atoms in the neutral hydrogen torus of Titan makes it most probable that the heavy ions are nitrogen from Titan. Mass loading of the outer magnetosphere by ions from Titan impedes corotation but to a somewhat lesser extent than would be expected on the basis of the inferred source strength of Titan and the Pedersen conductance of the ionosphere of Saturn. However, the disagreement falls within the combined reasonable uncertainties in the governing parameters. The presence of heavy ions tends to exclude hydrogen ions from the equator, since lighter ions ‘float’ to the top in the centrifugal potential. We speculate that depletion of heavy ions near L = 14 by charge exchange with neutral hydrogen may be the cause of the observed absence of hydrogen ions off the equator in this region.
Automatic snow cover monitoring at high temporal and spatial resolution, using images taken by a standard digital camera

The inter- and intra-annual snow cover distribution in the Zackenbergdalen valley, north-east Greenland, was monitored using images from a digital camera. The Digital Camera Images (DCIs) provide-in contrast to satellite images-data with a high temporal and spatial resolution at low cost. The digital camera, positioned on a rock 500 m above sea level (asl), automatically takes oblique photographs of the valley. To obtain the necessary area consistency for mapping purposes, the DCIs are transformed into digital orthophotos. Snow cover mapping is performed using these orthophotos. In order to suppress errors due to illumination effects, a normalized index based on red, green and blue (RGB) values was developed. The index can be used as an analogue to the Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI), commonly used in combination with Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images. During the melt-off season, a maximum of 10-15 Landsat TM passes occur over the Zackenberg area. For the 1999 meltoff season only three cloud-free TM images were usable for snow-mapping, while 46 DCIs were suitable for this purpose. Analysis of 1998 and 1999 data shows that the snow cover in Zackenbergdalen decreases gradually during the melt-off season. The resulting depletion curves have a 'laterally reversed S-shaped' form, which depends on the initial amount of snow in the area, the temperature during the melt-off season and altitudinal level.