Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of annual and perennial community dynamics on tidal freshwater marsh ecosystem functioning

Dissertation title: EFFECTS OF ANNUAL AND PERENNIAL COMMUNITY DYNAMICS ON TIDAL FRESHWATER MARSH ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONING Kristine Noel Hopfensperger, Doctor of Philosophy, 2007 Dissertation directed by: Dr. Katharina A.M. Engelhardt Dr. Sujay S. Kaushal Program of Marine, Estuarine, Environmental Science Tidal freshwater marshes are complex systems with many linkages between the physical, chemical, and biological components. Understanding how the community dynamics of a tidal freshwater marsh affect ecosystem processes may be applicable towards restoring properly functioning wetlands that improve the filtration of excess nutrients and toxins, subsequently improving water quality for downstream areas. The first question explored is why annual species exist in a marsh dominated by perennials. Annual species may exist through facilitation or competition with neighboring species, or through relationships with abiotic variables including elevation and seed rain. Through many field and greenhouse studies, I have determined that competition between annual and perennial species may exist, but abiotic factors are driving the vegetative composition of the marsh. Understanding if annual patches move through time is imperative for relating the plant community to ecosystem processes. To explore the temporal community dynamics, I examined the composition of the belowground marsh seed bank and the aboveground vegetation composition for three years. I have learned that the seed bank partially drives the vegetation composition. Furthermore, additional environmental factors may play a role in determining aboveground vegetation composition. I examined differences in the ecosystem processes of denitrification and its influencing variables among communities dominated by annual species, perennial species, and a mixture of the two. No differences in denitrification rates existed among community types; however organic nitrogen, which is driven by vegetation increased with denitrification rates. Communities readily move through space and time and may influence nutrient cycling in tidal freshwater marshes. Therefore, restoration managers should take into consideration species that maximize nitrogen removal and the variables that control their spatial and temporal movement when planning restoration designs and alternatives. EFFECTS OF ANNUAL AND PERENNIAL COMMUNITY DYNAMICS ON TIDAL FRESHWATER MARSH ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONING
The Impact of Household Investments on Early Child Neurodevelopment and on Racial and Socioeconomic Developmental Gaps - Evidence from South America.

This paper assesses the effects of household investments through child educating activities on child neurodevelopment between the ages of 3 and 24 months, and evaluates whether investments explain racial and socioeconomic developmental gaps in South America. Quantile regression is used to evaluate the heterogeneity in investment effects by unobserved developmental endowments. The study finds large positive investment effects on early child neurodevelopment, with generally larger effects among children with low developmental endowments (children at the left margin of the development distribution). Investments explain part of the observed racial gaps and the whole socioeconomic developmental gap. Investments may compensate for low endowments and policy interventions to increase investments may reduce early development gaps and result in high social and economic returns.
Application of Maxent Multivariate Analysis to Define Climate-Change Effects on Species Distributions and Changes

Abstract : Army installation managers and planners have limited sources of scientifically reliable information that can be used to examine potential climate impacts on local flora and fauna. The present work evaluated the viability and versatility of applying statistical multivariate analysis to define the current and projected future range probability for species of interest to Army land managers. A software program called Maxent was used to perform range-extent analyses for two animal species of interest to Army land managers: the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) and the common musk turtle. The technology was used to determine how climate change might affect species thresholds of survival at Army installations. The software data input requirements and output capabilities are described. The analytical methodology applied to the study of both species is discussed in detail, and validation of results is addressed. The authors conclude that Maxent analyses can provide impartial, data-based results that reflect scientific consensus on related climate-change issues while avoiding emphasis on the extremes of scientifically collected data. Analysis results indicate that climate change will alter RCW habitat threshold values on some installations beyond the point where Army-managed mitigation is possible. In contrast, musk turtle habitat will increase at least until 2025.
Initiating antiretroviral treatment early in infancy has long-term benefits on the HIV reservoir in late childhood and adolescence

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés.
Article Learning Shapes the Representation of Behavioral Choice in the Human Brain

SUMMARY Making successful decisions under uncertainty due to noisy sensory signals is thought to benefit from previous experience. However, the human brain mechanisms that mediate flexible decisions through learning remain largely unknown. Comparing behav-ioral choices of human observers with those of a pattern classifier based on multivoxel single-trial fMRI signals, we show that category learning shapes processes related to decision variables in frontal and higher occipitotemporal regions rather than signal detection or response execution in primary visual or motor areas. In particular, fMRI signals in prefrontal regions reflect the observers' behavioral choice according to the learned decision criterion only in the context of the categorization task. In contrast, higher occipitotemporal areas show learning-dependent changes in the representation of perceived categories that are sustained after training independent of the task. These findings demonstrate that learning shapes selective representations of sensory readout signals in accordance with the decision criterion to support flexible decisions.
Hydromechanical analyses of the hydraulic stimulation of borehole Basel 1

SUMMARY We analysed the response of the underground penetrated by borehole Basel 1 to two pumping sequences, a pre-stimulation test (flow rate up to 10 L min−1) followed by a step-up stimulation (starting from 10 L min−1 up to 3380 L min−1), performed to generate a heat exchanger at about 5 km depth. Throughout the test sequences an increase in flow rate resulted in an increase in injection pressure. Yet, sudden pressure drops (≲0.1 MPa) as well as a continuous decrease in pressure occurred at constant flow rates above 100 L min−1. Analysis of the pre-stimulation record strongly suggests the existence of a vertical fracture prior to stimulation. We focused on two contrasting scenarios in fracture height and normalized fracture conductivity out of the range of possible geometrical characteristics of this pre-existent fracture as constrained by numerical modelling. Independent of chosen scenario, the initially modest pressure increase can only be modelled by hydraulic properties that change with fluid-pressure. The spatio-temporal characteristics of the pressure distributions differ significantly for the two scenarios; the ‘formation linear flow’-like pattern found for the scenario with the larger fracture height of 100 m matches geometrically better with the oblate seismic cloud than the ‘radial flow’-like pattern found for the smaller fracture height of 10 m. It is problematic to explain the drops in pressure observed at constant flow rate by lateral or vertical extension of the pre-existent vertical fracture in classical tensile hydrofracturing mode considering the persistent increase in pressure with every step-up in flow rate throughout the entire stimulation and the lack of reproducible and distinct instantaneous shut-in pressures. We suggest shearing and wing-extension of the pre-existent fracture(s) as an alternative mechanism since this mechanism (a) is consistent with the absence of a distinct breakdown in pressure, (b) can be initiated at fluid pressures below the least principal stress and (c) can explain the pronounced change in hydraulic properties with increasing injection pressure as well as the observed rapid small pressure drops at constant flow rate.
NEIGHBORHOOD EFFECTS IN SPATIAL HOUSING VALUE MODELS. THE CASE OF THE METROPOLITAN AREA OF PARIS (1999)

In hedonic housing models, the spatial dimension of housing values are traditionally processed by the impact of neighborhood variables and accessibility variables. In this paper we show that spatial effects might remain once neighborhood effects and accessibility have been controlled for. We notably stress on three sides of neighborhood effects: social capital, social status and social externalities and consider the accessibility to the primary economic center as describing the urban spatial trend. Using spatial econometrics specifications of the hedonic equation, we estimate whether spatial effects impact the housing values. Our empirical case concerns the Metropolitan Area (MA) of Paris in France which is divided in 2 636 neighborhood areas. We estimate the housing price distribution from a sample of 21,000 apartments sold in 1999. Our empirical results highlight the lumpy distribution of unit price along the general decreasing spatial trend from the Central Business District once neighborhood effects have been introduced. More precisely, a spatial error model is estimated revealing a positive and significance spatial effects across housing values which extend beyond their neighborhood area. Social capital, social status and social externalities play local role and may positively or negatively impact the housing prices. We showed a positive impact of diversified building patterns but a negative impact of social mixity which is somewhat conflictual but which is in fact in line with many current questions about social segregation and spatial segregation in urban areas.
First International Workshop on Aquatic Toxicology and Biomonitoring LIVER, GILLS, AND SKIN HISTOPATHOLOGY AND HEAVY METAL CONTENT OF THE DANUBE STERLET (ACIPENSER RUTHENUS LINNAEUS, 1758)

The sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus L.) is a bottom-feeding fish species with a direct exposure to contaminants from water and sediments. Although heavy metal pollution is believed to be one of the main threats to the sterlet population in the Danube River basin, there is a lack of knowledge of the exact impact of heavy metals on their survival. In the present study, effects of heavy metal pollution on sterlet in the Danube basin were assessed as well as the utility of different sterlet organs and tissues as indicators of heavy metal contamination. The sterlet were sampled at three different sites in the Danube basin, in Hungary and Serbia, isolated from each other by dams. Heavy metal analysis included measurement of Cd, As, Pb, Cr, Hg, Cu, Ni, Fe, Mn, and Zn concentrations in sterlet gills, muscle, liver, and intestine, and histopathological analyses comprised assessment and scoring of the extent and intensity of alterations in skin, gills, and liver tissue. Analysis revealed a significant presence of sublethal histopathological changes that were most pronounced in the liver and skin and increased accumulation of heavy metals, with the highest concentrations in the liver. Canonical discriminant analysis showed significant differentiation among the three studied localities, suggesting that the heavy metal concentrations in sterlet populations were site specific. The present study concludes that the accumulation of heavy metals is a response to the presence of these pollutants in the environment, and, together with other pollutants, it affects the vital organs of natural sterlet populations. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:515-521. # 2009 SETAC
Multi‐event simulations of slow slip events for a Cascadia‐like subduction zone

We employ the earthquake simulator, RSQSim, which incorporates rate‐ and state‐dependent friction, to investigate characteristics of slow slip events (SSEs) along a Cascadia‐like mega‐thrust. The simulations consist of 100,000 SSEs with equivalent moment magnitudes Mw4.0–7.0. The largest simulated SSEs (Mw6.4–7.0) have inter‐event times of ∼19 months, durations of 10–40 days, mean slips of 2.2–4.1 cm, and along‐strike propagation speeds of 7–20 km/day, which are comparable to observations from Cascadia. The simulations show quiescence after Mw > 6.4 SSEs, followed by a progressive increase in both the magnitude and frequency of SSEs prior to the next large event. Small SSEs, below ∼Mw5.6, develop in an incoherent manner and have irregular geometries, while larger SSEs show highly coherent growth of the slip region and spontaneous, but transient, event‐to‐event segmentation. The change in event characteristics at ∼Mw5.6 corresponds to a break in the scaling of seismic moment with slip, fault area, and duration.
Essential Substances: A Cultural History of Intoxicants in Society

A cross-cultural history of how humanity's use of intoxicants has affected societies across the centuries and how attitudes towards these substances have been shaped. Fly agaric mushrooms used by Siberian shamans, peyote in the Americas, qat in Africa, to hallucinogens like marijuana and stimulants like cocoa, coffee and tea are all subjects discussed. Key archaeological finds are also used to confirm ancient use of opium and cannabis which the author links to art forms such as cave paintings.
Forward flight effects on the shock structure from a chevron C-D nozzle

Detailed PIV was undertaken on a heated jet from a practical militarystyle convergent-divergent nozzle with a design Mach number of 1.56 operated at its design condition. Three secondary flow Mach numbers were examined, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.8 in addition to measurements with the secondary flow turned off. These measurements were taken with and without chevrons present. Shock structure changes in location, shock angle and shock strength were determined. Chevrons decrease shock strength in an axial plane passing through the valleys between chevrons, but increase shock strength in the axial plane passing through the chevron tips. At the highest secondary flow, the throat shock strength is reduced to a negligible level. In the near-nozzle region chevrons increase the turbulent kinetic energy.
Strategies for the analysis of the elemental metallic fraction of Ir and Ru oxides via XRD, XANES, and EX- AFS†

Iridium and ruthenium oxide are active electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution. The relation between preparation method, structure, and behavior of mixed oxides of iridium and ruthenium are of interest in order to obtain active and stable catalysts. In this work the structure of mixed Ru-Ir oxides synthesized by the polymeric precursor method, which involves the formation of a gel containing the metal precursors and subsequent heat-treatment in air, was studied for the IrxRu1−xO2 system. An in-depth analysis of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption (XAS) data, including EXAFS and linear combination of XANES, shows that the polymeric precursor synthesis method is capable of providing an intimate mixing of Ir and Ru in the catalyst. In addition to the oxide phase, metal phases, i.e. with Ru or Ir or both in oxidation state zero (Ir(fcc) and Ru(hcp)), were also found in the product materials. Facing complex structures such as some of those synthesized here, we have shown that a representation of shells with more than one atom type are efficiently represented using mixed sites, i.e. including scattering contributions from several elements in a site corresponding to a partial occupancy of the site by these elements, this method forming a very efficient basis for analyzing EXAFS data.
Elastic moduli evolution and accompanying stress changes with increasing crack damage: implications for stress changes around fault zones and volcanoes during deformation

SUMMARY The elastic moduli of rock in areas susceptible to crack damage, such as within fault zones or volcanic edifices, can be subject to large modifications. Knowledge of how elastic moduli may vary in such situations is important for both the reliable modelling of volcano deformation and stability and for linear and non-linear elastic crack models for earthquake rupture. Furthermore, it has previously been shown that changes in elastic moduli can induce changes in the stress field surrounding faults. Here we report both uniaxial experimental measurements of changes in elastic moduli during increasing-amplitude cyclic stressing experiments on a range of different rock types (basalts, sandstones and granite) and the results of modelled stress modifications. The trend in elastic moduli evolution with increasing damage was remarkably similar for each rock type, with the exception of essentially crack-free intrusive basalt that exhibited very minor changes. In general, Young’s modulus decreased by between 11 and 32 per cent and Poisson’s ratio increased by between 72 and 600 per cent over the total sequence of loading cycles. These changes are attributed to an increasing level of anisotropic crack damage within the samples. Our results also show that acoustic emission (AE) output during any loading cycle only commenced when new crack damage was generated. This corresponded to the level of stress where AE ceased during the unloading portion of the previous cycle. Using the multilayer elastic model of Faulkner et al. we demonstrate that the damage-induced changes in elastic moduli also result in significant decreases in differential stress, increases in mean stress and rotation of the applied greatest principal stress relative to the orientation of the mechanical layering. The similar trend in the evolution of the elastic moduli of all the rocks tested suggests that stress modification in the damage zone of faults might take the same form, regardless of the lithology through which the fault runs. These observations are discussed in terms of their applicability to both fault zones and deformation at volcanoes.
Rho kinase inhibitors reduce voltage-dependent Ca 2 (cid:2) channel signaling in aortic and renal microvascular smooth muscle cells

kinase inhibitors reduce voltage-dependent Ca 2 (cid:2) channel signaling in aortic and renal microvascular smooth muscle cells. Am Physiol F1132–F1141, L-type Ca 2 (cid:2) channels (L-VDCCs) and the RhoA/Rho kinase pathway are two predominant intracellular signaling pathways that regulate renal microvascular reactivity. Traditionally, these two pathways have been thought to act independently; however, recent evidence suggests that these pathways could be convergent. We hypothesized that Rho kinase inhibitors can inﬂuence L-VDCC signaling. The effects of Rho kinase inhibitors Y-27632 or RKI-1447 on KCl-induced depolarization or the L-VDCC agonist Bay K8644 were assessed in afferent arterioles using an in vitro blood-perfused rat juxtamedullary nephron preparation. Superfusion of KCl (30–90 mM) led to concentration- dependent vasoconstriction of afferent arterioles. Administration of Y-27632 (1, 5, and 10 (cid:3) M) or RKI-1447 (0.1, 1, and 10 (cid:3) M) signiﬁcantly increased the starting diameter by 16–65%. KCl-induced vasoconstriction was markedly attenuated with 5 and 10 (cid:3) M Y-27632 and with 10 (cid:3) M RKI-1447 ( P (cid:4) 0.05 vs. KCl alone). Y-27632 (5 (cid:3) M) also signiﬁcantly attenuated Bay K8644-induced vasoconstriction ( P (cid:4) 0.05). Changes in intracellular Ca 2 (cid:2) concentration ([Ca 2 (cid:2) ] i ) were estimated by fura-2 ﬂuorescence during KCl-induced depolar- ization in cultured A7r5 cells and in freshly isolated preglomerular microvascular smooth muscle cells. Administration of 90 mM KCl signiﬁcantly increased fura-2 ﬂuorescence in both cell types. KCl-mediated elevation of [Ca 2 (cid:2) ] i in A7r5 cells was suppressed by 1–10 (cid:3) M Y-27632 ( P (cid:4) 0.05), but 10 (cid:3) M Y-27632 was required to suppress Ca 2 (cid:2) responses in preglomerular microvascular smooth muscle cells. RKI-1447, however, signiﬁcantly attenuated KCl-medi- ated elevation of [Ca 2 (cid:2) ] i . Y-27632 markedly inhibited Bay K8644-induced elevation of [Ca 2 (cid:2) ] i in both cell types. The results of the present study indicate that the Rho kinase inhibitors Y-27632 and RKI-1447 can partially inhibit L-VDCC function and participate in L-VDCC signaling. KCl-induced elevation of [Ca 2 (cid:2) ] i in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells and freshly isolated PMVSMCs. We further show that Y-27632 attenuates afferent arteriole vasoconstriction and diminishes elevation of [Ca 2 (cid:2) ] i stimulated by the L-VDCC These results support the idea that Rho kinase-mediated vasoconstriction of afferent arterioles is also inﬂuenced by voltage-dependent Ca 2 (cid:2) inﬂux mediated signif-icantly by L-VDCC activation. These ﬁndings are particularly important because these two intracellular signaling pathways are often considered to function independently in the renal microvasculature. These ﬁndings demonstrate that data gener-ated using Rho kinase inhibitors must be interpreted with caution as effects involving L-VDCCs and even cytoskeletal reorganization may also be contributing to the results observed.
CDK5-dependent BAG3 degradation modulates synaptic protein turnover

Please cite this article as: Zhou J., Chow H. -M. , Liu Y. , Wu D. , Shi M. , Li J., Wen L. , Gao Y. , Chen G. , Zhuang K. , Lin H. , Zhang G. , Xie W. , Li H. , Leng L. , Wang M. , Zheng N. , Sun H. , Zhao Y. , Zhang Y. , Xue M. , Huang T.Y. , Bu G. , Xu H. , Yuan Z. , Herrup K. & Zhang J., CDK5-dependent BAG3 degradation modulates synaptic protein turnover, Biological Psychiatry (2019), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.biopsych. 2019.11. 013.