Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modelling of underlimiting and overlimiting current transport in electrodialysis : challenges and opportunities

Electrodialysis (ED) is a membrane separation technology that employs an electric field and ion-exchange membranes to separate charged components in solution. ED is a highly efficient and selective technology with prominent industrial applications in the desalination of brackish and seawater to drinking water, the demineralisation of whey proteins and the stabilisation of wine. The development of an efficient and generic model for ED could facilitate the design and operation of ED facilities and is of great interest to science and industry. The system is governed by the Poisson-Nernst-Planck equations, a singulary perturbed system of partial differential equations that is notoriously difficult to solve. Several simplifications can be made to alleviate the computational burden, i.e. at underlimiting conditions (no diffusive mass transfer limitations) the local electroneutrality principle is valid and a description based on the Laplace-Nernst-Planck equations with one-way momentum coupling is adequate [1]. At overlimiting currents (significant mass transfer limitations), the formation of a space charge region generates electroconvective vortices that need to be accounted for but the computational cost is high. The driving force of these vortices localises closer to the system boundaries with increasing salt concentrations and even with simplified boundary conditions [2] the mesh requirements are too stringent to simulate realistic electrolyte conditions. It remains a challenge to simulate ED in overlimiting conditions at realisitic electrolyte concentrations within a reasonable timeframe. However, an opportunity arises to employ the Reynolds-averaging framework as has been done for electromagnetic and buoyancy forces [3]. Several closure terms will have to be modelled.
Penicillium diversity in Canadian bat caves, including a new species, P. speluncae

Penicillium species were commonly isolated during a fungal survey of bat hibernacula in New Brunswick and Quebec, Canada. Strains were isolated from arthropods, bats, rodents (i.e. the deer mouse Peromyscus maniculatus), their dung, and cave walls. Hundreds of fungal strains were recovered, of which Penicillium represented a major component of the community. Penicillium strains were grouped by colony characters on Blakeslee’s malt extract agar. DNA sequencing of the secondary identification marker, beta-tubulin, was done for representative strains from each group. In some cases, ITS and calmodulin were sequenced to confirm identifications. In total, 13 species were identified, while eight strains consistently resolved into a unique clade with P. discolor, P. echinulatum and P. solitum as its closest relatives. Penicillium speluncae is described using macroand micromorphological characters, multigene phylogenies (including ITS, beta-tubulin, calmodulin and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit) and extrolite profiles. Major extrolites produced by the new species include cyclopenins, viridicatins, chaetoglobosins, and a microheterogenous series of cyclic and linear tetrapeptides.
Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for Protected Areas in Puerto Rico

The goal of this project was to provide climate change adaptation strategies to supplement Para la Naturaleza’s existing management plans and protect ecosystems and infrastructure within the coastal areas of Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve and Área Natural Protegida Medio Mundo y Daguao. This was accomplished by assessing the two sites, prioritizing at-risk areas, and proposing adaptation strategies. We have proposed non-invasive adaptation strategies in two forms: general strategies to be broadly applied, as well as specific recommendations for areas within the two sites. Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for Protected Areas in Puerto Rico ii
New insight into 3-D mesoscale eddy properties from CMEMS operational models in the western Mediterranean

Abstract. Rapid evolution of operational ocean forecasting systems is driven by advances in numerics and data assimilation schemes, and increase of in situ and satellite observations. The Copernicus Marine Service (CMEMS) is a major provider of operational products that are made available through an online catalogue. The service includes global and regional forecasts in near-real-time and reanalysis modes. Here, we apply an eddy tracker to daily sea surface height (SSH) fields from three such reanalysis products from the CMEMS catalogue, with the objective to evaluate their performance in terms of their eddy properties and three-dimensional composite structures over the 2013–2016 period. The products are (i) the Global Analysis Forecast, (ii) the Mediterranean Analysis Forecast and (iii) the Iberia–Biscay–Ireland Analysis Forecast. The common domain between these reanalyses is the western Mediterranean Sea (WMED) between the Strait of Gibraltar and Sardinia. This is a complex region with strong density gradients, especially in the Alboran Sea in the west where Atlantic and Mediterranean waters compete. Surface eddy property maps over the WMED of eddy radii, amplitudes and nonlinearity are consistent between the models, as well as with gridded altimetric data that serve as a reference. Mean 3-D eddy composites are shown only for three subregions in the Alboran Sea. These are mostly consistent between the models, with minor differences being attributed to details of the respective model configurations. This information can be informative for the ongoing development of these CMEMS operational modeling systems. The mesoscale data provided here may be of interest to CMEMS users and in the future could be a useful addition to a more diverse CMEMS catalogue.
Sensing Forest Structure from Lidar

Forest understory and regeneration are important factors in sustainable forest management. However, understanding their spatial distribution in multilayered forests requires accurate and continuously updated field data, which are difficult and time-consuming to obtain. Therefore, cost-efficient inventory methods are required, and Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) is a promising tool for obtaining such information. In this study, we examine a clustering-based 3D segmentation in combination with ALS data for regeneration coverage estimation in a multilayered temperate forest. The core of our method is a two-tiered segmentation of the 3D point clouds into segments associated with regeneration trees. First, small parts of trees (super-voxels) are constructed through mean shift clustering, a nonparametric procedure for finding the local maxima of a density function. In the second step, we form a graph based on the mean shift clusters and merge them into larger segments using the normalized cut algorithm. These segments are used to obtain regeneration coverage of the target plot. Results show that, based on validation data from field inventory and Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS), our approach correctly estimates up to 70% of regeneration coverage across the plots with different properties, such as tree height and tree species. The proposed method is negatively impacted by the density of the overstory because of decreasing ground point density. In addition, the estimated coverage has a strong relationship with the overstory tree species composition.
Conservation of Pan troglodytes verus in West Africa: Local Perceptions and Physiological and Behavioural Responses of Chimpanzees in the Wild

El objetivo general de esta tesis fue estudiar y valorar el bienestar de los chimpances (Pan troglodytes verus) en libertad mediante indicadores fisiologicos y conductuales, asi como conocer las percepciones de los habitantes en una Reserva al sureste de Senegal. La mayoria de habitantes en la Reserve Naturelle Communautaire de Dindefelo son de etnia Peul con una economia de subsistencia que les lleva a buscar recursos basicos en el bosque para poder sobrevivir. Humanos y chimpances compiten por recursos basicos como el agua y arboles. Se realizaron 338 entrevistas a los locales para conocer sus percepciones sobre la conservacion de chimpances. Las percepciones locales sobre conservacion de chimpances se vieron influidas por el nivel educativo, la formacion en un proyecto medioambiental en la zona y las creencias tradicionales de la etnia. Estas percepciones locales nos permitieron disenar lineas de accion para mejorar la conservacion de primates y la coexistencia sostenible entre humanos y chimpances. Ademas realizamos un estudio para valorar las respuestas fisiologicas de los chimpances ante actividades antropogenicas en la Reserva. Se recogieron 155 muestras fecales frescas en 4 areas de la Reserva con diferentes caracteristicas: presion humana, fuegos forestales, campos de cultivo y grupo control. Se encontraron aumentos de concentraciones de cortisol fecal asociados a actividades antropogenicas pero tambien a dinamicas de la propia especie como temporada de apareamiento, interacciones agonisticas o competicion por el alimento entre grupos. Por otra parte, la concentracion de hormona tiroidea estuvo relacionada con la disponibilidad de alimentos. Las concentraciones de hormonas son herramientas utiles para valorar el bienestar de especies en extincion. Finalmente, se estudiaron las respuestas comportamentales de los chimpances en un sitio dominado por los humanos. La zonificacion de Dindefelo coincide con diferentes tipos de presion humana y se anadio otra zona control, donde estaba restringido el paso a humanos. La alimentacion de los chimpances disminuyo de forma significativa al aumentar el numero de personas presentes, como grandes grupos de turistas. La huida de los primates fue mayor el ano que estuvieron en la zona de mayor actividad antropogenica pero tambien sufrieron persecuciones y enfrentamientos de 4 machos adultos extranjeros. Se encontraron aumentos en metabolitos de cortisol fecal relacionados con actividades antropogenicas y dinamicas de la especie. No se encontraron relaciones significativas entre los metabolitos de cortisol fecal y las conductas de huida. Una vez mas, confluyen multiples factores para poder mejorar la conservacion de chimpances en libertad y mejorar una coexistencia sostenible.
Regulation and responses of gallbladder muscle activity in health and disease

A complex relationship links biliary symptoms with the mechanisms of gallbladder emptying and the presence of gallstones. This relationship has been investigated by clinical studies of symptoms associated with gallstones, by investigation of gallbladder emptying and cholecystokinin (CCK) release in patients with gallstones, and after cholecystectomy, or truncal vagotomy, and in the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Laboratory studies examined receptor density on bovine gallbladder, and contractility of human gallbladder in response to a variety of stimuli was studied in vitro. A set of six symptoms associated with the presence of gallstones was identified; IBS appeared to be present in two-fifths of patients before cholecystectomy but only one-third of these patients had persistent IBS symptoms one year after operation. Gallbladder emptying studies confirmed the poor contraction of stone-bearing gallbladders; abnormal patterns of emptying were also found in patients with IBS. Gallbladder emptying and filling appear to be largely neurally regulated. CCK receptor density was very low in gallbladder tissue, suggesting that receptors on nerve cells might mediate the action of CCK. Relaxation of gallbladder muscle was mediated by adrenergic and nitrergic nerves. The inflammatory mediator bradykinin, however, had a strong direct action on muscle cells to cause gallbladder contraction. The work reported here gives an overview of the symptoms and mechanisms of disease associated with the presence of stones in the gallbladder.
Pilot Scale Demonstration of Solid Sorbent CO2 Capture Technology at a Biomass Power Station

Solid sorbent CO2 capture is widely discussed as a cost-efficient alternative to existing post-combustion CO2 capture processes. TU Wien and Shell have been working on the development of a continuous solid sorbent CO2 capture process since 2011. In 2015, both partners joined the collaborative research project ViennaGreenCO2 that is based in Vienna, Austria and that has the overall objective to demonstrate and study the solid sorbent CO2 capture process at pilot scale. This work introduces the ViennaGreenCO2 project and discusses the work that has been attributed to process upscaling in the first years of the project. Finally, the design of the ViennaGreenCO2 pilot plant is presented and discussed in this work.
The Value of Immunohistochemistry as a Diagnostic Aid in Ovarian Neoplasia: A Review

Recently, immunohistochemistry has come to the fore as a diagnostic aid in gynecological pathology. In this review, the value of markers in the diagnosis of ovarian neoplasia is reviewed with an emphasis on recent advances. Topics covered include the distinction between a primary and secondary ovarian adenocarcinoma and the categories of ovarian sex cord–stromal neoplasms and small round cell tumors. Markers of value in the distinction between ovarian serous carcinoma and uterine serous carcinoma and in typing of an ovarian carcinoma are also discussed. The use of immunohistochemistry in distinguishing between an epithelial and a mesothelial proliferation is reviewed. Finally, antibodies of value in the diagnosis of female adnexal tumor of Wolffian origin and ovarian germ cell
SISAL (Speleothem Isotopes Synthesis and AnaLysis Working Group) database Version 1.0

Stable isotope records from speleothems provide information on past climate changes, most particularly information that can be used to reconstruct past changes in precipitation and atmospheric circulation. SISAL (Speleothem Isotope Synthesis and Analysis) is an international working group of the Past Global Changes (PAGES) project. The working group aims to provide a comprehensive compilation of speleothem isotope records for climate reconstruction and model evaluation. The first version of the SISAL database contains oxygen and carbon isotope measurements from 371 individual speleothem records, and 10 composites from 174 cave systems worldwide, and metadata describing the cave settings and age models of these records.
Towards monitoring groundwater‐dependent ecosystems using synthetic aperture radar imagery

Mapping of groundwater‐dependent ecosystems (GDEs) relies largely on assumption‐laden evaporation models, and few global, direct, and real‐time monitoring techniques exist. We propose a new synthetic aperture radar imagery‐derived index, SARGDE, to identify and monitor these ecosystems across Australia. The index captures vegetation reliance on groundwater during dry periods by estimating the relative stability of foliage and branch structure from the vertical/horizontal cross‐polarized band and InSAR coherence. SARGDE is tested over two contrasting study sites in Australia. To build and verify the index, a total of 90 Sentinel‐1 interferometric wide images are processed and stacked in two data‐cubes. GDE response to the SAR signal is explored using a non‐linear dimension reduction algorithm. Relevant statistical parameters are derived from data‐cubes and combined to form the index. As the index relies on a 1‐year time series of globally, freely available, and cloud‐insensitive SAR imagery, SARGDE offers unprecedented capabilities for large‐scale, annual monitoring of GDEs. Such monitoring will aid reconciliation of human and ecosystem groundwater needs by acting as a systematic monitoring tool, helping policy makers to assure ecosystem sustainability where impacts related to mining, agriculture, or climate change may occur.
Influence of cumulus convection schemes on winter North Pacific storm tracks in the regional climate model RegCM4.5

Based on the regional climate model RegCM4.5 driven by National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis, the influence of cumulus convection schemes (CCSs) on the winter North Pacific storm track (WNPST) is investigated. It is found that the climatology, interannual variation, spatial modes and characteristic indices of the WNPST are extremely sensitive to the choice of CCS. Among the selected CCSs, WNPST climatology and interannual variation in the Kuo scheme are better than in other CCSs, with a smaller root mean square error. The WNPST spatial modes and strength indices in the Kuo and Grell schemes are more consistent with NCEP reanalysis. The Kuo scheme has a stronger ability to simulate the WNPST latitude index and the interannual variation of winter characteristic indices. In addition, we attempt to reveal the possible reasons for the different performances of CCSs from the viewpoint of baroclinic energy conversion (BCEC). It is found that the energy conversion from the mean available potential energy to the eddy available potential energy (BCEC1) has no significant difference among the Kuo, Grell and Emanuel schemes, while energy conversion from the eddy available potential energy to eddy kinetic energy (BCEC2) in the Kuo scheme is obviously better than other CCSs, which means that the differences in BCEC2 among these CCSs may be one of the key reasons affecting the simulation results of the WNPST.
Surface Kinetic Energy Distributions in the Global Oceans From a High‐Resolution Numerical Model and Surface Drifter Observations

The surface kinetic energy of a 1/48° global ocean simulation and its distribution as a function of frequency and location are compared with the one estimated from 15,329 globally distributed surface drifter observations at hourly resolution. These distributions follow similar patterns with a dominant low‐frequency component and well‐defined tidal and near‐inertial peaks globally. Quantitative differences are identified with deficits of low‐frequency energy near the equator (factor 2) and at near‐inertial frequencies (factor 3) and an excess of energy at semidiurnal frequencies (factor 4) for the model. Owing to its hourly resolution and its near‐global spatial coverage, the array of surface drifters is an invaluable tool to evaluate the realism of tide‐resolving high‐resolution ocean simulations used in observing system simulation experiments. Sources of bias between model and drifter data are discussed, and associated leads for future work highlighted.
The biomechanical and analgesic effects of lumbar mobilisations

A common treatment used by physiotherapists for patients with low back pain (LBP) is mobilisations. The aim of applying mobilisations is to increase range of movement (ROM) and reduce pain and stiffness. Therapists choose a specific dose of mobilisation for each patient, which includes a decision on the duration of applied force, commonly up to 3 minutes. Little research has been done to determine the biomechanical and analgesic effects of different durations of treatment. There is tentative evidence that increased duration beyond 3 minutes leads to an increase in range of movement and decrease in pain. This research set out to establish the biomechanical and analgesic effects of longer durations of lumbar mobilisations than commonly used in clinical practice. Only the immediate effects of a single treatment dose have been assessed to date.
The Relationship Between U.S. East Coast Sea Level and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation: A Review

Abstract Scientific and societal interest in the relationship between the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and U.S. East Coast sea level has intensified over the past decade, largely due to (1) projected, and potentially ongoing, enhancement of sea level rise associated with AMOC weakening and (2) the potential for observations of U.S. East Coast sea level to inform reconstructions of North Atlantic circulation and climate. These implications have inspired a wealth of model‐ and observation‐based analyses. Here, we review this research, finding consistent support in numerical models for an antiphase relationship between AMOC strength and dynamic sea level. However, simulations exhibit substantial along‐coast and intermodel differences in the amplitude of AMOC‐associated dynamic sea level variability. Observational analyses focusing on shorter (generally less than decadal) timescales show robust relationships between some components of the North Atlantic large‐scale circulation and coastal sea level variability, but the causal relationships between different observational metrics, AMOC, and sea level are often unclear. We highlight the importance of existing and future research seeking to understand relationships between AMOC and its component currents, the role of ageostrophic processes near the coast, and the interplay of local and remote forcing. Such research will help reconcile the results of different numerical simulations with each other and with observations, inform the physical origins of covariability, and reveal the sensitivity of scaling relationships to forcing, timescale, and model representation. This information will, in turn, provide a more complete characterization of uncertainty in relevant relationships, leading to more robust reconstructions and projections.
Sentinellymphknotendiagnostik beim lokoregionären Prostatakarzinom

PURPOSE: We determined the incidence of positive pelvic lymph nodes in men undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy and describe the correlation with prostate specific antigen, histological grade and stage. We examined whether tumor cells are localized in the sentinel nodes only or also in other nonsentinel lymph nodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,055 men with prostate cancer underwent radio guided pelvic lymph node dissection and radical retropubic prostatectomy. In men with prostate specific antigen 20 ng/ml or less and biopsy Gleason score 7 or less only sentinel nodes were removed. In men with prostate specific antigen more than 20 ng/ml or Gleason score greater than 7 extended pelvic lymph node dissection was also performed. RESULTS: Positive lymph nodes were found in 207 men (19.6%). In 63.3% of the men these lymph nodes were detected outside of the region of standard lymphadenectomy. The percent of patients with positive nodes was greater than predicted by currently used nomograms. The higher the preoperative prostate specific antigen, pathological stage and grade, the greater the percent of men with positive sentinel and nonsentinel lymph nodes (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: When deciding on pelvic lymph node dissection, sentinel or extended lymphadenectomy should be performed since more than half of patients have positive nodes outside of the region of standard lymphadenectomy. In cases of positive sentinel nodes extended lymph node dissection should be performed since tumor cells are also detectable in nonsentinel lymph nodes.