Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of an ice ablation model to estimate the contribution of melting glacier ice to annual discharge in the Nepal Himalaya

This study focuses on the contribution of annual glacier ice melt to streamflow along two rivers in two watersheds situated in the monsoon‐influenced part of the Nepal Himalaya (Trishuli and Dudh Kosi basins). We used a simple elevation‐dependent ice ablation model based on glacier areas from Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and IKONOS remote‐sensing data combined with hypsometry from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). Long‐term hydrologic measurements were used to calculate the percent contribution of the glacier ice melt component of the water balance to discharge at various elevations and distances from glacier outlets. Glacier ice melt was positively correlated with the basin glacierized area and contributed 58.3% to annual flow in the small Langtang Khola watershed in the Trishuli basin (43.5% glacierized area) and 21.2% in the Hinku watershed in Dudh Kosi basin (34.7% glacierized area). Of this, 17.7% and 4.1% of streamflow, respectively, was due to the contribution of debris‐covered glaciers in Langtang Khola and Hinku. The contribution of glacier ice melt to measured discharge decreased substantially toward lowland locations in both study sites, i.e., 9.5% of the streamflow measured at Betrawati (600 m) and 7.4% at Rabuwa Bazaar (470 m), about 50 km from glacier termini. Glacier ice melt contribution decreased to 4.5% of annual discharge further downstream in Trishuli basin (at 325 m, about 75 km from glacier termini). At low elevations, debris‐covered tongues contributed a small percent (1.1% and 3.0%) to measured discharge at Betrawati and Rabuwa Bazaar stations, respectively. We independently evaluated the ice ablation approach with synoptic sampling of stable water isotopes (δ18O and δD) collected during the post‐monsoon season to quantify the contribution of various sources of water to river flow. Mixing models showed groundwater to be an important component of river flow within only tens of kilometers of the glacier outlets in the post‐monsoon season.
Chronological and Isotopic Characteristics of Zhengguang Gold Deposit in Heilongjiang Province, China

Zhengguang gold deposit lies within Nenjiang County, Heilongjiang Province, is located at the southeast end of Duobaoshan Cu-polymetallic metallogenic belt and about 10km away from Duobaoshan porphyry copper deposit (Fig.1). Geotectonicaly, the deposit is located in the east segment of Xing'an-Mongolia fold belt in Paleo-Asian suture belt. By the end of 2013, the estimated gold reserves of the deposit amounted to 30t, reaching the scale of a large-sized gold deposit. Although outstanding achievements have been made in the exploration of the deposit, the geological study degree is relatively low. The existing studies focus mainly on the geological characteristics of the deposit, whereas no chronological study has been made, and less studies have been made in other aspects such as isotope. Now it is generally accepted that the metallogenic age of Zhengguang gold deposit is Yanshanian, and that it is closely related to diorite, belonging to a typical epithermal gold deposit (eg. Zhao Yuanyi et al., 2011).
The Generation of Long Shelf Waves by the Wind

Abstract Currents [O(0.1 m sec−1)] and sea-level variations [O(0.1 m)] on the continental shelf can be produced when atmospheric disturbances pass by. Since the atmospheric systems have length scales large compared with the width of the shelf, a boundary-layer approximation can be made to the equations governing the local response to these forcing systems. The low-frequency response can be expressed as a sum of modes (continental shelf waves) and the amplitude of each mode is found to satisfy a first-order wave equation which can readily be solved. In a case where some details are worked out, the second mode's contribution to sea-level changes is only 25% of the first mode's and the third mode's contribution only 8%. Thus, given appropriate meteorological information, sea level changes can easily be calculated, and a prediction system is theoretically possible.
Side-Effects of Pesticides on the Pollinator Bombus: An Overview

4 compounds were obtained. Here it was shown that for 75% of the products (carbaryl, methomyl and propoxur) B. terrestris was up to 10 times less sensitive than honeybees. Only the LD 50 for ethiofencarb was lower (more sensitive) for B. terrestris (0.205 µg/bee) than for A. mellifera (6.85 µg/bee). For the group of pyrethroids, A. mellifera was more sensitive for all 5 products. For the organophosphates, the B. terrestris sensitivity was variable. Out of the 7 organophosphates, there were 4 products (acephate, chlorpyrifos, demeton-S-methyl and dimethoate) for which A. mellifera showed a higher sensitivity than B. terrestris . Equal sensitivity for both pollinators was seen for oxy-demeton-methyl and paraxon while B. The present book is a collection of selected original research articles and reviews providing adequate and up-to-date information related to pesticides control, assessment, and toxicity. The first section covers a large spectrum of issues associated with the ecological, molecular, and biotechnological approaches to the understanding of the biological control, the mechanism of the biocontrol agents action, and the related effects. Second section provides recent information on biomarkers currently used to evaluate pesticide exposure, effects, and genetic susceptibility of a number of organisms. Some antioxidant enzymes and vitamins as biochemical markers for pesticide toxicity are examined. The inhibition of the cholinesterases as a specific biomarker for organophosphate and carbamate pesticides is commented, too. The third book section addresses to a variety of pesticides toxic effects and related issues including: the molecular mechanisms involved in pesticides-induced toxicity, fish histopathological, physiological, and DNA changes provoked by pesticides exposure, anticoagulant rodenticides mode of action, the potential of the cholinesterase inhibiting organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides, the effects of pesticides on bumblebee, spiders and scorpions, the metabolic fate of the pesticide-derived aromatic amines, etc.
Heterogeneity in warm-season land-atmosphere coupling over the U . S . Southern Great Plains 1

9 Heterogeneity in warm-season (May-August) land-atmosphere (LA) coupling is quantified with the 10 long-time, multiple-station measurements from the U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation 11 Measurement (ARM) program and the moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) 12 satellite remote sensing at the Southern Great Plains (SGP). We examine the coupling strength at 7 13 additional locations with the same surface type (i.e., pasture/grassland) as the ARM SGP central facility 14 (CF). To simultaneously consider multiple factors and consistently quantify their relative contributions, 15 we apply a multiple linear regression method to correlate the surface evaporative fraction (EF) with 16 near-surface soil moisture (SM) and leaf area index (LAI). The observations show moderate to weak 17 terrestrial segment LA coupling with large heterogeneity across the ARM SGP domain in warm-season. 18 Large spatial variabilities in the contributions from SM and LAI to the EF changes are also found. The 19 coupling heterogeneities appear to be associated with differences in land use, anthropogenic activities, 20 rooting depth, and soil type at different stations. Therefore, the complex LA interactions at the SGP 21 cannot be well represented by those at the CF/E13 based on the metrics applied here. Overall, the LAI 22 exerts more influence on the EF than does the SM due to its overwhelming impacts on the latent heat 23 flux. This study complements previous studies based on measurements only from the CF and has 24 https://ntrs.nasa. gov/search.jsp? R=20180006459 2020-03-02T13:43:03+00:00Z
Traders on the run: Activities of street vendors in the Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana

In recent years the activities of street vendors have become a topical issue within the urban spaces of the developing world. Still, research that explores the geographical dimensions of street vending activities in Ghana is limited. Based on field interviews with street vendors, consumers, shop owners, and metropolitan authorities, a number of findings emerged. First, there were no noticeable socio-economic differences amongst street vendors operating within the study areas. However, noticeable differences in the areas of origin of vendors were observed, with most of them originating from the Eastern, Ashanti and Central Regions of the country. The study also shows a progression amongst trades over time, in terms of the types of goods which the vendors trade in. As may be expected, a shift to higher value items takes place as traders build up capital. Another important finding is that most of the vendors were continuously on the run due to constant harassment, assault and seizure of goods by metropolitan authorities and other users of the city space. To be able to address some of the problems identified, it is suggested that city authorities should adopt consultation rather than confrontational approaches in dealing with street vendors.
Unlocking the Ice House: Oligocene‐Miocene oxygen isotopes, eustasy, and margin erosion

Oxygen isotope records and glaciomarine sediments indicate at least an intermittent presence of large continental ice sheets on Antarctica since the earliest Oligocene (circa 35 Ma). The growth and decay of ice sheets during the Oligocene to modern “ice house world” caused glacioeustatic sea level changes. The early Eocene was an ice-free “greenhouse world,” but it is not clear if ice sheets existed during the middle to late Eocene “doubt house world. ” Benthic foraminiferal δ18O records place limits on the history of glaciation, suggesting the presence of ice sheets at least intermittently since the earliest Oligocene. The best indicator of ice growth is a coeval increase in global benthic and western equatorial planktonic δ18O records. Although planktonic isotope records from the western equatorial regions are limited, subtropical planktonic foraminifera may also record such ice volume changes. It is difficult to apply these established principles to the Cenozoic δ18O record because of the lack of adequate data and problems in stratigraphic correlations that obscure isotope events. We improved Oligocene to Miocene correlations of δ18O records and erected eight oxygen isotope zones (Oi1-Oi2, Mi1-Mi6). Benthic foraminiferal δ18O increases which are associated with the bases of Zones Oil (circa 35.8 Ma), Oi2 (circa 32.5 Ma), and Mil (circa 23.5 Ma) can be linked with δ18O increases in subtropical planktonic foraminifera and with intervals of glacial sedimentation on or near Antarctica. Our new correlations of middle Miocene benthic and western equatorial planktonic δ18O records show remarkable agreement in timing and amplitude. We interpret benthic-planktonic covariance to reflect substantial ice volume increases near the bases of Zones Mi2 (circa 16.1 Ma), Mi3 (circa 13.6 Ma), and possibly Mi5 (circa 11.3 Ma). Possible glacioeustatic lowerings are associated with the δ18O increases which culminated with the bases of Zone Mi4 (circa 12.6 Ma) and Mi6 (circa 9.6 Ma), although low-latitude planktonic δ18O records are required to test this. These inferred glacioeustatic lowerings can be linked to seismic and rock disconformities. For example, we link 12 Oligocene-early late Miocene inferred glacioeustatic lowerings with 12 of the sequence boundaries (= inferred eustatic lowerings) of Haq et al. (1987).
Using δ15N to Assess Coupling between Watersheds and Estuaries in Temperate and Tropical Regions

Abstract Hydrological coupling between watersheds and estuaries is an important element in establishing eutrophic conditions in coastal waters. In coupled systems, nutrients derived on land enter estuaries through groundwater flow or stream runoff, resulting in increased rates of primary production. The extent of coupling is determined by precipitation, evapotransporation, and water use practices. We use stable nitrogen isotopes, salinity, and nutrient data to assess coupling in two temperate and two tropical ecosystems. In each region, we selected two estuaries, one pristine and one with considerable agricultural or urban development. In pristine systems freshwater entering estuaries had low nitrogen concentrations and low nitrogen isotopic signatures. In receiving waters of the pristine systems, there were similarly low nutrient concentrations, and the isotopic signatures in the estuary were similar to the signatures of incoming groundwater. In both disturbed sites freshwater on the watershed had high nitrogen concentrations and enriched nitrogen isotopic signatures. In the temperate system, the estuarine water had high nitrate concentrations and nitrogen isotopic signatures that were similar to that of the incoming freshwater, indicating that the watershed and estuary were tightly coupled. In contrast, in the disturbed tropical site the estuary had extremely low nitrogen concentrations, and the isotopic signatures were unrelated to the signatures found in freshwater on the adjoining watershed. These results demonstrate that under sufficiently dry conditions, watersheds and estuaries may be uncoupled.
Evidence from the Great Barrier Reef of Ancient Acanthaster Aggregations

I n some of t h e more r e c e n t l i t e r a t u r e t h e sugges t i on has been made t h a t t h e p r e s e n t l y observed l a r g e agg rega t i ons of Acanthas te r p l a n c i i n t h e Indo P a c i f i c c o r a l r e e f s are n o t an i n c i d e n t a l occur rence b u t are a c y c l i c o r e p i s o d i c phenomenon (Newman, 1970; Dana, 1970; Walsh e t a l . , 1971; Vine, 1973; Franke l , 1975) . --
Efficient additive kernels via explicit feature maps

Maji and Berg [13] have recently introduced an explicit feature map approximating the intersection kernel. This enables efficient learning methods for linear kernels to be applied to the non-linear intersection kernel, expanding the applicability of this model to much larger problems. In this paper we generalize this idea, and analyse a large family of additive kernels, called homogeneous, in a unified framework. The family includes the intersection, Hellinger's, and χ2 kernels commonly employed in computer vision. Using the framework we are able to: (i) provide explicit feature maps for all homogeneous additive kernels along with closed form expression for all common kernels; (ii) derive corresponding approximate finite-dimensional feature maps based on the Fourier sampling theorem; and (iii) quantify the extent of the approximation. We demonstrate that the approximations have indistinguishable performance from the full kernel on a number of standard datasets, yet greatly reduce the train/test times of SVM implementations. We show that the χ2 kernel, which has been found to yield the best performance in most applications, also has the most compact feature representation. Given these train/test advantages we are able to obtain a significant performance improvement over current state of the art results based on the intersection kernel.
A Longitudinal Study of Uremic Pruritus in Hemodialysis Patients the National

Background and objectives: Although uremic pruritus (UP) is a highly prevalent complication of chronic kidney disease, it remains poorly characterized. There have been no longitudinal studies of natural history, and no health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) instruments have been developed for UP. The objectives of this study were to describe the natural history of UP, to compare rating scales of itching intensity, and to assess usefulness and validity of HR-QOL instruments for UP. Design, setting, participants, & measurements: The intensity, severity, and effects of pathologic itching on HR-QOL were assessed prospectively in 103 patients with UP on chronic hemodialysis. Outcome measures were obtained at scheduled intervals over 3.5 months. Results: Itching daily or nearly daily was reported by 84% of patients and had been ongoing for > 1 year in 59%. In 83%, pruritus involved large, nondermatomal areas with striking bilateral symmetry. Two thirds of the patients were using medications such as antihistamines, steroids, and various emollients without satisfactory relief of itching. Statistically significant associations were found among itching intensity, severity, and HR-QOL measures in domains such as mood, social relations, and sleep. Among patients with moderate-to-severe UP, changes in itching intensity of 20% or greater were associated with significant reductions in HR-QOL measures. Conclusions: This first longitudinal study of UP describes key features of UP and its effect on HR-QOL. The assessment instruments we have developed are
Neural Dynamics of Object-based Multifocal Visual Spatial Attention and Priming: Object Cueing, Useful-field-of-view, and Crowding Cognitive Psychology

How are spatial and object attention coordinated to achieve rapid object learning and recognition during eye movement search? How do prefrontal priming and parietal spatial mechanisms interact to determine the reaction time costs of intra-object attention shifts, inter-object attention shifts, and shifts between visible objects and covertly cued locations? What factors underlie individual differences in the timing and frequency of such attentional shifts? How do transient and sustained spatial attentional mechanisms work and interact? How can volition, mediated via the basal ganglia, influence the span of spatial attention? A neural model is developed of how spatial attention in the where cortical stream coordinates view-invariant object category learning in the what cortical stream under free viewing conditions. The model simulates psychological data about the dynamics of covert attention priming and switching requiring multifocal attention without eye movements. The model predicts how ''attentional shrouds'' are formed when surface representations in cortical area V4 resonate with spatial attention in posterior parietal cortex (PPC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC), while shrouds compete among themselves for dominance. Winning shrouds support invariant object category learning , and active surface-shroud resonances support conscious surface perception and recognition. Attentive competition between multiple objects and cues simulates reaction-time data from the two-object cueing paradigm. The relative strength of sustained 0010-0285/$-see front matter Ó 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. surface-driven and fast-transient motion-driven spatial attention controls individual differences in reaction time for invalid cues. Competition between surface-driven attentional shrouds controls individual differences in detection rate of peripheral targets in useful field of view tasks. The model proposes how the strength of competition can be mediated, though learning or momentary changes in volition, by the basal ganglia. A new explanation of crowding shows how the cortical magnification factor, among other variables, can cause multiple object surfaces to share a single surface-shroud resonance, thereby preventing recognition of the individual objects. Typical environments contain many visual stimuli that are processed to varying degrees for perception , recognition, and control of action (Broadbent, 1958). Attention allocates visual processing resources to pursue these purposes while preserving reactivity to rapid changes in the environment (Kastner & Ungerleider, 2000; Posner & Petersen, 1990). If, for example, a car is coming towards us at high speed, the immediate imperative is to get out of the way. Once it has passed, we may want to determine its make and model to file a police report. However, to succeed at …
Groundwater Nitrate Concentration Reductions in a Riparian Buffer Enrolled in the NC Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program

Riparian buffers have been used for many years as a best management practice to decrease the effects of nonpoint pollution from watersheds. The NC Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (NC CREP) has established buffers to treat groundwater nitrate‐nitrogen (NO3−‐N) from agricultural sources in multiple river basins. A maturing 46 m wide riparian buffer enrolled in NC CREP was studied to determine its effectiveness in reducing groundwater NO3−‐N concentrations from a cattle pasture fertilized with poultry litter. Three monitoring blocks that included groundwater quality wells, water table wells, and soil redox probes, were established in the buffer. NO3−‐N concentrations decreased significantly across the buffer in all of the monitoring blocks with mean reductions of 76‐92%. Many biological processes, including denitrification and plant uptake, may have been responsible for the observed NO3−‐N reductions but could not be differentiated in this study. However, mean reductions in Cl− concentrations ranged from 48‐65% through the blocks, which indicated that dilution was an important factor in observed NO3−‐N reductions. These findings should be carefully considered for future buffer enrollments when assigning nitrogen removal credits.
Validating the use of bovine buccal sampling as a proxy for the rumen microbiota using a time course and random forest classification approach

Analysis of the cow microbiome, as well as host genetic influences on the establishment and colonization of the rumen microbiota, is critical for development of strategies to manipulate ruminal function toward more efficient and environmentally friendly milk production. To this end, the development and validation of noninvasive methods to sample the rumen microbiota at a large-scale is required. Here, we further optimized the analysis of buccal swab samples as a proxy for direct microbial samples of the rumen of dairy cows. To identify an optimal time for sampling, we collected buccal swab and rumen samples at six different time points relative to animal feeding. We then evaluated several biases in these samples using a machine learning classifier (random forest) to select taxa that discriminate between buccal swab and rumen samples. Differences in the Simpson’s diversity, Shannon’s evenness and Bray-Curtis dissimilarities between methods were significantly less apparent when sampling was performed prior to morning feeding (P<0.05), suggesting that this time point was optimal for representative sampling. In addition, the random forest classifier was able to accurately identify non-rumen taxa, including 10 oral and feed-associated taxa. Two highly prevalent (> 60%) taxa in buccal and rumen samples had significant variance in absolute abundance between sampling methods, but could be qualitatively assessed via regular buccal swab sampling. This work not only provides new insights into the oral community of ruminants, but further validates and refines buccal swabbing as a method to assess the rumen microbiota in large herds. IMPORTANCE The gastrointestinal tract of ruminants harbors a diverse microbial community that coevolved symbiotically with the host, influencing its nutrition, health and performance. While the influence of environmental factors on rumen microbes is well-documented, the process by which host genetics influences the establishment and colonization of the rumen microbiota still needs to be elucidated. This knowledge gap is due largely to our inability to easily sample the rumen microbiota. There are three common methods for rumen sampling but all of them present at least one disadvantage, including animal welfare, sample quality, labor, and scalability. The development and validation of non-invasive methods, such as buccal swabbing, for large-scale rumen sampling is needed to support studies that require large sample sizes to generate reliable results. The validation of buccal swabbing will also support the development of molecular tools for the early diagnosis of metabolic disorders associated with microbial changes in large herds.