Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal joint management of a coastal aquifer and a substitute resource

This article characterizes the optimal joint management of a coastal aquifer and a costly water substitute. For this purpose we use a mathematical representation of the aquifer that incorporates the displacement of the interface between the seawater and the freshwater of the aquifer. We identify the spatial cost externalities created by users on each other and we show that the optimal water supply depends on the location of users. Users located in the coastal zone exclusively use the costly substitute. Those located in the more upstream area are supplied from the aquifer. At the optimum their withdrawal must take into account the cost externalities they generate on users located downstream. Last, users located in a median zone use the aquifer with a surface transportation cost. We show that the optimum can be implemented in a decentralized economy through a very simple Pigouvian tax. Finally, the optimal and decentralized extraction policies are simulated on a very simple example.
Aerosol optical depth over Canada and the link with synoptic air mass types

Aerosol optical depth measurements acquired through the Canadian sunphotometer network were statistically analyzed for the 1987-1992 period in order to investigate spatial and temporal commonalities between the member stations. Four stations were chosen to yield a spatially representative sampling of atmospheric optical conditions across Canada (East Coast, eastern continental, western continental, and West Coast). All the stations were located in rural, local pollution free areas. The results of aerosol optical depth measurements showed significant differences between eastern and western Canadian stations. The effect of the Pinatubo volcanic eruption was clearly seen in the measurements acquired at Sable Island, Nova Scotia. Air mass relationships for the four stations sampled demonstrated the relevance of applying air mass classification criteria to the analysis and discrimination of atmospheric optical depth. Knowledge of the seasonal trend combined with information concerning air mass type enables a coarse a priori estimation of aerosol optical depth in the absence of traditional optical data. Synoptical air mass analysis facilitates the understanding of the mechanisms involved in the seasonal variations of aerosol optical depth and yields useful information about the atmospheric optical state. The relevance of the synoptical air mass approach was demonstrated in one particular case : a seasonal aerosol optical depth trend for Arctic air masses was observed for the three sunphotometer stations which regularily experience this type of air mass.
Role of Micelle-Clay Complexes and Quaternary Amine Cations in Removal of Bacteria from Water: Adsorption, Biostatic, and Biocidal Effects

The present report is a review of uses of quaternary ammonium cations (QACs) as free monomers or immobilized in micelle-clay complexes in bacteria removal from water. The removal of bacteria from water by filtration through a bed of a granulated QAC-clay micelle was improved by minute concentrations of QAC that were released from the complex during filtration, which exerted biostatic or biocidal effects on the bacteria that emerged from the filter. The relationships between antibacterial activity (minimum inhibition concentration, MIC; minimum lethal concentration, MLC) and structural parameters of the QACs (head group size and alkyl chain length) are discussed. The antibacterial activity of QACs in aqueous phases is mainly due to the free monomeric species. Bacterial inactivation is enhanced by QACs with longer alkyl chains. In most recorded cases, however, minimum MIC and MLC values occurred at n = 14–16 and mostly at n = 16, where n is the number of C atoms in the alkyl chain. This outcome is explained by the combination of two antagonistic effects: (i) An increase in alkyl chain length (i.e., QAC hydrophobicity) enhances QAC binding, penetration, and destabilization of bacterial membranes; and (ii) an increase in alkyl chain length lowers the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of QACs and, thus, reduces QAC monomer concentrations, which more efficiently inactivate bacteria than the micelles. The octadecyltrimethylammonium (ODTMA, n = 18) MLC value (0.25 μm) for the cyanobacterium genus Aphanizomenon is significantly lower than the CMC (300 mm) value. Hence, a test to determine the minimum MLC value at n = 16 is of interest. Removal of bacteria from water by filtration is expected to be made more efficient by small increases in the ODTMA/clay ratio in the complex, which will act to increase the concentrations of ODTMA cations released during filtration.
Microlite-manganotantalite exsolution lamellae: evidence from rare-metal pegmatite, Karibib, Namibia

Abstract We have analysed a rare occurrence of orange-brown manganotantalite lamellae (visible in hand specimen), intergrown with microlite [(Ca,Na)2(Ta,Nb)2(O,OH,F)7], aggregates of ferrotapiolite, bismuth minerals and apatite to understand more about the mechanisms of crystal growth and secondary modification in Ta-rich minerals. The intergrowth occurs within amblygonite/montebrasite nodules near the quartz core of the highly fractionated rare-metal Li/Be/Ta pegmatite at Rubicon, Karibib, Namibia. Electron microprobe analyses show that manganotantalite lamellae are variable in composition. Primary microlite (Ta2O5 82%, 1.97 Ta a.p.f.u.) forms the matrix mineral between the lamellae. Textural relations suggest an exsolution origin for the lamellae. Manganotantalite is represented by three generations: (1) primary late magmatic; (2) disequilibrium exsolution lamellae; and (3) subsolidus replacement. Crystallization commenced with primary microlite and likely simultaneous intergrowth between ferrotapiolite and a first generation of late-magmatic primary manganotantalite with low Ta (1.1-1.5 a.p.f.u.). On cooling this was followed by exsolution of manganotantalite lamellae, generation (2) with low-medium Ta (1.27-1.7 a.p.f.u.). The replacement of microlite by a highly fractionated late-stage melt rich in Mn2+, Ca2+ with low Na+ finally produces a third generation (3) of manganotantalite with high Ta (1.72-1.99 a.p.f.u.) at the contact with microlite. Native bismuth and bismutite cut across microlite and pseudomorph lamellae as a final hydrothermal replacement. Apatite is ubiquitous at the contact with amblygonite. The stability field of microlite may be extended by incorporation of CaTa2O6-rynersonite and Ca2Ta2O7 - idealized, components in solid solution. However, rynersonite-CaTa2O6 with distorted octahedra has some structural templates which are similar to the structure of pyrochlore (microlite). Hence, via the perovskite/pyrochlore analogy, hypothetical exsolution of manganotantalite-type structures may occur from a microlite (pyrochlore) host by solid-state diffusion via metastable rynersonite-type intermediates. Such a mechanism has the potential to explain the crystallographically controlled intergrowth textures and the compositional heterogeneity.
Modeling scenarios of earthquake-generated tsunamis for the Vietnam coasts

Modeling a hazard scenario has the main purpose to assess the maximum threat expected from a studied phenomenon in a certain area and to give specific directives to the local authorities in order to prevent and mitigate serious consequences on the population, the infrastructures and the environment. To build scenario-based tsunami hazard maps for a specific coastal area one has first to characterize the seismic sources (or other tsunamigenic events, not considered in this study) and select the earthquake scenarios that can drive the hazard. By means of the modeling we then calculate the maximum amplitude of the vertical displacement of the water particles on the sea surface and the travel time of the maximum amplitude peak, since they are the most relevant aspects of the tsunami wave and also are the only characteristics always recorded in the chronicles and therefore in catalogues. In this work we have used this approach to compute earthquake generated tsunami hazard along the Vietnam coasts. The results of our calculations suggest that a tsunami with maximum amplitude up to ten meters can be expected also in the South China Sea, in agreement with a number of historical events reported in the catalogues. Considering the low level of monitoring of the South China Sea and the advanced anthropic setting of the Vietnam coasts, and their high level of vulnerability, we hope that the results can be used as a preliminary knowledge basis to: design early warning systems, reduce tsunami risk and plan land-use for the Vietnam coasts.
Comment on ‘Promises and Partnership’

Charness and Dufwenberg (2006) find that promises increase cooperation and suggest that the behavior of subjects in their experiment is driven by guilt aversion. By modifying the procedures to include a double blind social distance protocol we test an alternative explanation that promise keeping was due to external influence and reputational concerns. Our data are statistically indistinguishable from those of Charness and Dufwenberg and therefore provide strong evidence that their observed effects regarding the impact of communication are due to internal factors and not due to an outside bystander.
Global sensitivity studies of the direct radiative forcing due to anthropogenic sulfate and black carbon aerosols

The direct radiative forcing (DRF) of sulfate and black carbon (BC) aerosols is investigated using a new multispectral radiation code within the R30 Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory general circulation model (GCM). Two independent sulfate climatologies from chemical transport models are applied to the GCM; each climatology has a different atmospheric burden, vertical profile, and seasonal cycle. The DRF is calculated to be approximately −0.6 and −0.8 W m−2 for the different sulfate climatologies. Additional sensitivity studies show that the vertical profile of the sulfate aerosol is important in determining the DRF; sulfate residing near the surface gives the strongest DRF due to the effects of relative humidity. Calculations of the DRF due to BC reveal that the DRF remains uncertain to approximately a factor of 3 due to uncertainties in the total atmospheric burden, the vertical profile of the BC, and the assumed size distribution. Because of the uncertainties in the total global mass of BC, the normalized DRF (the DRF per unit column mass of aerosol in watts per milligram (W mg−1)) due to BC is estimated; the range is +1.1 to + 1.9 W mg−1 due to uncertainties in the vertical profile. These values correspond to a DRF of approximately +0.4 W m−2 with a factor of 3 uncertainty when the uncertainty in the total global mass of BC is included. In contrast to sulfate aerosol, the contribution to the global DRF from cloudy regions is very significant, being estimated as approximately 60%. The vertical profile of the BC is, once again, important in determining the DRF, but the sensitivity is reversed from that of sulfate; BC near the surface gives the weakest DRF due to the shielding effects of overlying clouds. Although the uncertainty in the estimates of the DRF due to BC remains high, these results indicate that the DRF due to absorption by BC aerosol may contribute a significant positive radiative forcing and may consequently be important in determining climatic changes in the Earth-atmosphere system.
Managing the Impossible Trinity: Volatile Capital Flows and Indian Monetary Policy

Large capital inflows are often followed by credit and investment booms, inflation, real exchange rate misalignments, current account imbalances and financial sector weaknesses culminating in financial crisis and long-term output losses. While India has received large capital flows since 1993-94, macroeconomic price and financial stability has been maintained in a high growth environment. What explains this desirable outcome? This paper assesses external sector and monetary management policies and finds the outcome can be attributed to judicious use of a menu of options such as management of the capital account; restrictions on access of financial intermediaries to external borrowings vis-a-vis non-financial corporate entities; flexibility in exchange rate movements with capacity to intervene in times of excessive volatility; building up of reserves; strengthening of the financial sector; pre-emptive tightening of norms in sectors with high credit growth; and refinements in the institutional framework for monetary policy. As a result of this approach, growth in monetary/credit aggregates was contained amid growth in the real economy, structural transformation and financial deepening. Inflation was contained even as growth accelerated; financial stability was maintained even as the global economic environment experienced a series of financial crises. The impossible trinity was achieved by maintaining an open but managed capital account and a flexible exchange rate with management of volatility. Rather than relying on a single instrument, many instruments were used in coordination since the Reserve Bank’s jurisdiction over both monetary policy and the regulation of financial institutions permitted the use of various policy instruments. Key lessons from the Indian experience are that monetary policy needs to move away from price stability/inflation targeting objective, central banks need multiple instruments and capital account management has to be countercyclical.
Spatial Patterns of Glacial Erosion at a Valley Scale Derived From Terrestrial Cosmogenic 10Be and 26Al Concentrations in Rock

Abstract The fundamentally geographic issue of the amounts and spatial patterns of erosion necessary to produce classic glacial landforms such as U-shaped valleys has been debated by scientists for over a century. Terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide (TCN) measurements in glacially abraded bedrock were used to determine patterns of glacial erosion and to quantify the amount of rock removed during the last glaciation along valley-side transects in Sinks Canyon, Wind River Range, Wyoming, and the South Yuba River, Sierra Nevada, California. Surface exposure ages from bedrock and erratic samples obtained during this study indicate last deglaciation between 13–18 ka in the South Yuba River and 15–17 ka in Sinks Canyon. These ages are in agreement with previously published glacial chronologies. In both areas, samples from valley cross sections revealed a pattern of erosion during the last glaciation that decreased toward the lateral limit of ice extent, as predicted by numerical models, while transects further upstream recorded >1.4 meters of bedrock removal throughout. The effects of varying interglacial erosion and surface exposure histories on modeled glacial erosion depths were tested, validating the methodology used. The results demonstrate that the TCN technique, applied at the valley scale, provides useful insight into the spatial pattern of glacial erosion. Extensive sampling in areas with limited erosional loss may provide detailed records of erosion patterns with which to test predictions generated by models of ice dynamics and erosion processes.
Sensitivity of geoelectrical measurements to the presence of bacteria in porous media

[1] We investigated the sensitivity of low-frequency electrical measurements (0.1–1000 Hz) to (1) microbial cell density, (2) live and dead cells, and (3) microbial attachment onto mineral surfaces of clean quartz sands and iron oxide–coated sands. Three strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 (wild type and rhlA and pilA mutant) with different motility and attachment properties were used. Varying concentrations of both live and dead cells of P. aeruginosa wild type in sand columns showed no effect on the real conductivity component (σ′). However, the imaginary conductivity component (σ″) increased linearly with increasing concentrations of live cells in sand columns, whereas minimal changes were observed with different concentrations of dead cells. A strong power law relationship was observed between σ″ and the number of cells adsorbed onto sand grain surfaces with the rhlA mutant of P. aeruginosa displaying a higher power law exponent compared to the wild type and pilA mutant. In addition, power law exponents were greater in columns with iron oxide–coated sands compared to clean quartz sands. Minimal changes were observed on the σ′ due to the attachment of P. aeruginosa cells onto sands. We relate the measured low-frequency electrical responses to (1) the distinct electrical properties of live cells and (2) the density of cells attached to mineral surfaces enhancing the surface roughness of sand grains and hence the polarization response. The information obtained from this study enhances our interpretation of microbially induced geoelectrical responses in biostimulated geologic media and may have implications for microbial transport studies.
Infrasonic precursors to a Vulcanian Eruption at Sakurajima Volcano, Japan

The May 1998 eruption sequence of Sakurajima Volcano was monitored by ten infrasonic stations, ten seismometers, and a video camera. During this seismo‐acoustic experiment, we recorded hundreds of infrasonic tremor and long‐period events associated with seismic signals, and observed a progression from relative quiescence to a Vulcanian eruption. The number of infrasonic events increased with escalating volcanic activity, and the dominant character of the infrasonic signals changed from impulsive to emergent. At 22:17 of May 19, Sakurajima released ash and gases to a height of 2 km above the vent, an event that was recorded continuously by one infrasonic and two seismic stations. We present the experimental setup as well as a procedure through which infrasonic signals may be incorporated into future eruption monitoring and forecasting algorithms for open‐vent volcanic systems. In addition, our recordings suggest that infrasonic signals are more representative of processes occurring within the volcanic interior than are seismic signals, which are strongly altered by diffraction and scattering in the volcanic edifice.
Unzipping Long Valley: An explanation for vent migration patterns during an elliptical ring fracture eruption

Long Valley caldera, California, formed during the cataclysmic Pleistocene eruption of the Bishop Tuff. Previous stratigraphic and petrologic studies of this eruption deciphered an intriguing pattern of vent migration, thought to mirror the lateral propagation (“unzipping”) of magma-tapping ring fractures during caldera collapse. From scaled analog models, we show that this unzipping pattern was intrinsically related to the high plan-view ellipticity of the precollapse magma chamber roof. We also provide a first-order kinematic explanation for the systematic location of initial elliptical roof failure and for the lateral propagation of highly elliptical ring fractures.
Environmental conditions strongly affect brain plasticity

Abstract During development, experience continuously interacts with genetic information to shape and optimize neuronal circuits and behaviour. Therefore, environmental conditions have a powerful impact on the brain. To date, accumulating evidence shows that raising animals in a so-called “enriched environment” elicits remarkable effects on the brain across molecular, anatomical, and functional levels when compared to animals raised in a “standard cage” environment. In our article, we provide a brief review of the field and illustrate the different results of “enriched” versus standard cage-raised rodents with examples from visual system plasticity. We also briefly discuss parallel studies of enrichment effects in humans. Collectively, these data highlight that results should always be considered in the context of the animals’ environment.
Nitrogen, Silicate and Zooplankton Control of the Planktonic Food-web in Spring

The control of silicate, nitrogen and zooplankton was studied with a special emphasis on the planktonic food web on spring bloom on the coastal area of the Baltic Sea in a laboratory experiment. Samples of 150 l of surface seawater were manipulated in transparent plastic laboratory tanks for 3 weeks atin situtemperature (+2 °C) with additions of nitrate and silicate (NO3–N, SiO4–Si), as well as removal of mesozooplankton by filtration through a 100 μ m mesh-sized plankton net. A diatom bloom developed in the experimental tanks within 7 days together with maxima in both picoplanktonic eukaryote and heterotrophic nanoflagellate abundances, during which time inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus were exhausted. Despite the clear response of phytoplankton to the silicate and nitrogen additions, the remainder of the food web was not stimulated by the nutrients. The production and abundance of picoplanktonic algae and bacteria were low and probably controlled by low temperature and bacterial substrates. Maximum growth rates of the organisms varied between 0·1 and 1·2 day−1, being the highest among diatoms and the lowest amongAcartiacopepods. The removal of mesozooplankton through prefiltration enhanced the growth of ciliates with a weak cascading effect through the microbial food web. Most of the biomass and production in the community was concentrated in the net phytoplankton, clearly indicating that in a diatom-dominated spring bloom community in the Baltic sea, only a minor fraction of carbon flow is channelled through the heterotrophic food web. Moreover, increased inputs of silicate and nitrogen to the coastal area before the spring bloom will be channelled to the production of net phytoplankton, therefore not stimulating the heterotrophic food web.
Using distributional semantics to study syntactic productivity in diachrony: A case study

Abstract This paper investigates syntactic productivity in diachrony with a data-driven approach. Previous research indicates that syntactic productivity (the property of grammatical constructions to attract new lexical fillers) is largely driven by semantics, which calls for an operationalization of lexical meaning in the context of empirical studies. It is suggested that distributional semantics can fulfill this role by providing a measure of semantic similarity between words that is derived from lexical co-occurrences in large text corpora. On the basis of a case study of the construction “V the hell out of NP”, e.g., You scared the hell out of me, it is shown that distributional semantics not only appropriately captures how the verbs in the distribution of the construction are related, but also enables the use of visualization techniques and statistical modeling to analyze the semantic development of a construction over time and identify the determinants of syntactic productivity in naturally occurring data.