Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structure and property variations of mixed hardwood kraft lignins

Abstract Kraft lignin as an emerging renewable feedstock can be used to produce fuels, chemicals, and materials. Hardwood kraft lignin bears intrinsic variation due to wood species and the isolation process. The structure and property variation of hardwood kraft lignin could introduce new challenges and opportunities for its application. To better understand such variation, seven kraft lignin samples, originated from southern mixed hardwood (North America), northern mixed hardwood (North America), and Asian mixed hardwood, were isolated from commercial kraft pulping black liquor using both LignoBoost and LignoForce processes. Modern analytical techniques were used to elucidate the characteristics of mixed hardwood kraft lignins, including chemical composition, molecular weight, functional groups, and thermal properties. All lignin samples had a lignin content over 90% (92% to 96%) with one exception, which was northern mixed hardwood kraft lignin with 86% of lignin content and 6% polysaccharides. The elemental and methoxy analyses revealed the expected variation of hardwood kraft lignins with the methoxy content ranging from 0.85 to 1.20 per C9 unit. The weight average molecular weight exhibited a higher variation (from 4800 to 1895 Da) with a descending order of southern mixed hardwood kraft lignins, northern mixed hardwood lignins, and Asian mixed hardwood lignins. The aliphatic hydroxy groups ranged from 14 to 25 per 100 C9 units, and phenolic hydroxy groups ranged from 65 to 112 per 100 C9 units. The catecholic group content ranged from 12 to 34 per 100 C9 units, which is higher than softwood kraft lignin. The lignins isolated from the rapid displacement heating (RDH) pulping process were more condensed than from the regular kraft pulping process. 2D HSQC and quantitative 13C NMR revealed the drastic structure change upon kraft pulp with the low abundance of native lignin linkages and formation of new interunit linkages, such as stilbene, enol ethers, and 1-1’/5’. The S/G ratio was calculated using 2D HSQC spectra correcting for signal shift caused by the catecholic groups.
Measurement of isoprene fluxes at the PROPHET site

As part of the Program for Research on Oxidants: Photochemistry, Emissions, and Transport (PROPHET), isoprene fluxes were measured in the surface layer immediately above the forest canopy by relaxed eddy accumulation (REA) and eddy covariance (EC). Isoprene profiles obtained from aircraft flights at higher altitudes allowed larger-scale isoprene flux estimates based on a mixed layer gradient modeling technique. Emission results derived from the three methods have been compared and used to generate standard emission factors for use in biogenic emission modeling. A standard emission flux of 11.4 mg m -2 h -1 was determined for the canopy footprint region. The aspen and oak isoprene emitting biomass density in the footprint amounted to approximately 150 g m -2 which, when combined with the standard flux, gives a standard emission rate of 76 μg g -1 h -1 for this northern Michigan forest. We found good agreement between isoprene fluxes determined by REA and EC methods. The general emission pattern is the same for both methods, and in many cases, the REA and EC fluxes were nearly identical. The mixed layer modeling approach gave isoprene fluxes that were consistent with those made at the same time at the canopy scale. The continuous coverage of isoprene fluxes by eddy covariance has provided more detailed insight into emission variability during the daytime period. During the midday period, canopy fluxes often changed significantly from one 30 min period to the next.
Platform for next-generation terahertz application studies

Commensurate with the push toward next-generation (6G) wireless communications and sensing, branches of terahertz research have begun shifting from material, device, and simulation studies to more system-level, real-world demonstrations. Commercial mm-wave and terahertz instruments are beginning to reach a point where measurements can be made with realistic waveforms for validating channel models, signal processing schemes, and the performance of devices such as intelligent reflecting surfaces or beam manipulators, all of which are critically involved in communications, sensing, or their joint combination. Nevertheless, it remains challenging to implement functional systems that support broad bandwidths and terahertz carrier frequencies, simultaneously. Using a combination of commercial-off-the-shelf components, we present an integrated platform for studying terahertz applications, such as 6G communications and remote sensing, enabling up to 25 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth with any carrier frequency in the range of 75-500 GHz. The platform can generate arbitrary waveforms to accommodate a variety of applications and further contains a diverse suite of amplifiers, lenses, reflectors, and antennas to enable studies of long-distance terahertz communication, terahertz beam steering and shaping devices, and channel phenomenology. For two examples, we first present a demonstration of 20 Gbit/second wireless communication at 130 GHz between 50-180 m. Second, we present a demonstration of broadband terahertz communications at 300 GHz with up to 19 Gbit/second data rate to validate an artificial-dielectric-based beam scanning device.
QTLs for soybean seed isoﬂavones are linked to laccases, BANYULS and the MBW complex

Isoﬂavones are secondary metabolites present in seeds of soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr. ] which have been recognized their beneﬁt to human health. In this study, QTL mapping for soybean isoﬂavone gylcones including daidzin, glycitin and genistin and total isoﬂavones content was performed in population of 178 F2:6 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) which was generated from cross between varieties Jinong17 and Jinong18. A genetic linkage map covering 1248 cM was constructed using the simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular markers. The results revealed 22 isoﬂavone-related QTLs, 5 for daidzin, 7 for genistin, 6 for glycitin, and 4 for total isoﬂavone content. Seven of these represent new QTLs. Twenty candidate genes were identiﬁed, including eight laccases with presumed role in lignin biosynthesis, and the transcriptional regulator BANYULS and all three components of the MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) complex that regulate its expression. These ﬁndings suggest that alterations in lignin and proanthocyanidin metabolism inﬂuence isoﬂavone accumulation in seeds. These leads might be helpful in the eﬀorts to breed new soybean varieties with improved isoﬂavone composition and content.
Tajikistan: Disintegration or Reconciliation?

The author analyzes the internal and external dynamics of the Tajik conflict, assessing the relative weight of the political, ideological, ethnic, and regional factors. He also considers the impact of developments in Tajikistan for the wider Central Asian region and the prospects for a lasting peace and economic recovery. A volume of the Central Asian and Caucasian Prospects Series
Validated surface mineralogy from high‐spectral resolution remote sensing: a review and a novel approach applied to gold exploration using AVIRIS data

Remote sensing’s main limitation to date was that geological surface information lacked detail due to the broad bandwidth of the operational scanners. Imaging spectrometers now allow acquisition of image data in many contiguous spectral bands, with the aim of producing laboratory‐like reflectance spectra for each pixel in the scene which can be directly compared with spectra of known materials measured in the field or laboratory to allow mineral identification on the Earth surface. The advent of satellite‐based imaging spectrometer systems justifies the surge for techniques that allow the automatic preparation of validated surface mineralogy maps. We show an extension of a procedure known as cross‐correlogram spectral matching to retrieve accuracy assessed surface mineralogy from Airborne Visible/InfraRed Imaging Spectrometer data (AVIRIS). The procedure is based on the spectral cross‐correlation of known mineral spectra with unknown pixel spectra from AVIRIS. The validation is performed through a root‐mean square calculation of expected correlograms and pixel correlograms. Results obtained in the study outlined allow an accurate delineation of zones of hydrothermal alteration in an area of active gold exploration.
Marco de trabajo para la planificación de redes 5G móviles

La planificación de una tecnología es el conjunto de principios y lineamientos que indican las acciones para la adquisición, transferencia y asimilación de tecnología con el objetivo de incorporar el uso de esta en el desarrollo estratégico de una organización o región. Las redes de quinta generación de telefonía móvil celular presentan características de baja latencia, disponibilidad, fiabilidad, comunicación masiva, eficiencia espectral y alta velocidad. Estas características facilitan la implementación de servicios relacionados con banda ancha móvil, comunicaciones masivas con máquina y comunicación ultra confiable de baja latencia. En el presente trabajo se presentan los avances de la tesis doctoral que tiene como finalidad desarrollar un marco de trabajo para la planificación de una red móvil 5G, el propósito es poder establecer un procedimiento replicable para el despliegue de este tipo de redes en el Departamento del Magdalena, al brindar una herramienta validada, que sirva de insumo técnico-científico a los operadores de telefonía en el momento que contemplen la implementación de la red 5G Móvil en los ambientes urbanos y rurales. Adicionalmente se espera contribuir a la transformación del territorio, a partir de la conectividad y así aportar al mejoramiento de los indicadores en las áreas de: salud, logística, turismo, agricultura, entre otro, al posibilitar la implementación de servicios innovadores. Este marco se fundamenta en un enfoque híbrido que utiliza las herramientas de toma de decisiones multicriterio del método analítico jerárquico y TOPSIS, donde se recolectan y validan los aspectos técnicos de los análisis de cobertura, capacidad, indicadores de rendimiento e interferencia, los aspectos comerciales y sociales del territorio. Esto para determinar la importancia de los criterios y subcriterios que permitan seleccionar la mejor alternativa para la implementación de este tipo de red. Como resultados preliminares se tienen: indicadores por municipio de: penetración de banda ancha, cobertura de energía eléctrica, uso del suelo, actividades económicas primarias, altura media sobre el nivel del mar, coordenadas de los picos más altos, entre otros. Adicionalmente, se realizaron simulaciones en el software xirio de cobertura de algunas áreas potenciales para la implementación de servicios de quinta generación.
Systematic revision of the Grateloupia complex (Rhodophyta) from Vietnam using rbcL and LSU sequences, with the description of Phyllymenia nhatrangensis sp. nov.

ABSTRACT Grateloupia sensu lato has had a long and troublesome taxonomic history because of superficial similarities in morphology, ill-defined species boundaries and lack of diagnostic characters that leave many gaps that still need to be fully resolved. In this study, we carried out detailed observations on female reproductive structures, and inferred the phylogenetic relationships of the Grateloupia-like species occurring in Vietnam based on rbcL and LSU rDNA sequence analyses. The new species Phyllymenia nhatrangensis sp. nov. differs from its sister species P. gibbesii in the thickness of the cortex. The new species is slightly flattened, composed of two to four main blades, bearing numerous marginal and a few superficial, lanceolate bladelets. Blade sizes of P. nhatrangensis are also smaller than those of P. gibbesii, which are longer and wider. However, the new species shares with species from western Pacific Ocean, such as P. taiwanensis and P. huangiae, the presence of frequent marginal proliferations. Based on rbcL, the divergence between P. nhatrangensis and P. gibbesii was 3.3% (39 bp). With the present addition, Grateloupia sensu lato now comprises 16 species, including nine species of Grateloupia, three species of Phyllymenia, two species of Yonagunia and one species each of Dermocorynus and Prionitis.
A modular approach to tuning the charge transfer properties of photoluminescent quinine analogues.

We have shown that Pd-catalysed cascade processes provide molecular access to rigid quinoline-containing tetracylic amines. This enables fine-tuning of the through-space charge transfer (TSCT) state formation by variation of both N-aryl distance and quinoline substitution. It was observed that decreasing the N-aryl distance enhanced the formation of the TSCT species giving control over emission colour and photoluminescence quantum yield. Methoxylation of the quinoline unit decreases the propensity of TSCT formation. This systematic study provides great insight for TSCT formation with impact on further understanding dimeric, excimeric and exciplex species.
Imprint of climate and climate change in alluvial riverbeds: Continental United States, 1950-2011

Alluvial riverbed elevation responds to the balance between sediment supply and transport capacity, which is largely dependent on climate and its translation into fl uvial discharge. We examine these relations using U.S. Geological Survey streamfl ow and channel measurements in conjunction with basin characteristics for 915 reference (“least disturbed”) measurement stations across the conterminous United States for the period A.D. 1950‐2011. We fi that (1) 68% of stations have bed elevation change (BEC) trends (p < 0.05) with median values of +0.5 cm/yr for aggradation and ‐0.6 cm/yr for degradation, with no obvious relation to drainage basin structure, physiography, or lithology; (2) BEC correlates with drainage basin area; (3) high-fl ow variability (Q 90 /Q 50 , where Q is discharge and 90 and 50 are annual fl ow percentiles) translates directly into the magnitude, though not the direction, of BEC, after accounting for the scale dependence; (4) Q 90 /Q 50 declines systematically from dry to wet climates, producing disproportionately high rates of BEC in drier regions; and (5) marked increases in precipitation and streamfl ow occurred disproportionately at dry sites, while streamfl ow declined disproportionately at wet sites. Climatic shifts in streamfl ow have the potential to increase/decrease sediment fl ux and thus affect riverbed elevation by altering fl ood frequency. These unforeseen responses of bed elevation to climate and climate change have important implications for sediment budgets, longitudinal profi les, ecology, and river management.
A new classification and database for stratospheric dust particles

With the increasing number of stratospheric particles available for study (via the U2 and/or WB57F collections), it is essential that a simple, yet rational, classification scheme be developed for general use. Such a scheme should be applicable to all particles collected from the stratosphere, rather than limited to only extraterrestial or chemical sub-groups. Criteria for the efficacy of such a scheme would include: (a) objectivity , (b) ease of use, (c) acceptance within the broader scientific community and (d) how well the classification provides intrinsic categories which are consistent with our knowledge of particle types present in the stratosphere.
Book Review: The Cuckoo's Egg:Tracking a Spy through the Maze of Computer Espionage by Clifford Stoll (Doubleday 1989)

If you are interested in computer networks or espionage, this book is for you. The book is a very interesting, even exciting, book to read. The book is so consistently interesting that yo u can open the book to any page at random and begin reading, and before finishing the page yo u will be hooked on the story. This is the story of Cliff Stoll's fast track education as a UNIX system programmer and network wizard, with the main course being tracking down a spy! Cliff is an astronomer, throw n into the computer support group at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories by a temporary fundin g crunch on his astronomy project. As his first task, he looked into the accounting system on the unix machines and found that two different routines disagreed by 75 cents. While most of us would say that's close enough , Cliff decided to dig into it. Someone had set up a new account but had done only half the things needed to enter it into the accounting scheme. Looking into that account lead to the conclusion that there was a hacker in the system ! The story tells of the schemes that Cliff used to track the spy, to keep him interested withou t letting him get too much critical data, or tipping him off to the fact he was being watched. The tricks the spy used are described, the data he was after (anything to do with SDI), hi s methods of access, of getting superuser status, of cracking passwords. It also describes the utter frustration of dealing with our government agencies that are suppose d to care about these problems. In contrast to this is the incredible response of the carriers i n tracing calls. It is also a very human and personal story with clear characterizations of the people involved. It is deals directly with Cliff's own life inside and outside the lab .
Crustal structure from an OBS survey of the Nootka fault zone off western Canada

Summary. The Nootka fault zone is the boundary between the small Explorer and Juan de Fuca plates which are situated between the America and Pacific plates off western Canada. To investigate the crustal structure in the region, three explosive/large airgun refraction lines were shot into three ocean bottom seismometers (OBSs) with three-component geophone assemblies. In this phase of the study, P-wave velocity—depth models are interpreted by comparison of the travel time and amplitude characteristics of the observed data with theoretical seismograms computed using a WKBJ algorithm. The interpretation gives relatively consistent results for the upper crust. However, the structure of the lower crust is significantly different among the various profiles. Upper mantle velocities range from 7.5 to 8.3 kms−1 and the sub-bottom crustal thickness vanes from 6.4 to 11 km. Nevertheless, these seismic models are consistent in general terms with oceanic crustal models represented by ophiolite complexes. Some aspects of the differences among profiles can be explained by consideration of a recent tectonic model for the development of the fault zone. This requires, within a 1 Myr time interval, variations in the process of crustal formation at the ridge, crustal ‘maturing’, or both. The abnormally thick crust near a spreading centre may result in part from the complex interaction of the Juan de Fuca and Explorer plates with the larger and older America and Pacific plates. Upper mantle velocity variations are consistent with the concept of velocity anisotropy. The different record sections show that seismic energy is attenuated for ray paths traversing the Nootka fault zone.
Preventing Blindness with Early Cataract Surgery and Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery in Patients Over 50: Guidance for Patients, Physicians and World Governments in Dealing with Glaucoma

Purpose To offer clinical guidance and address safety and efficacy concerns regarding the growing use of micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) as an initial treatment for glaucoma in adult patients. Design Narrative literature review. Methods A review was conducted to assess outcomes and complications of MIGS in the treatment of glaucoma, both alone and in combination with lens replacement. These outcomes were compared with those of standard glaucoma surgery and/or glaucoma management with medication. Results MIGS are effective at lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) over long periods of follow-up. These techniques share a similarly high safety profile between one another. MIGS were found to have lower complication rates and to be more effective in reducing the total amount of medication needed to maintain control of intraocular pressure than standard surgery approaches. Conclusion MIGS techniques are growing in popularity and have been demonstrated to be a safe and effective alternative to standard glaucoma surgery. Guidance in the implementation of these procedures has been outlined.
Early Cretaceous Palynostratigraphy of the Abu Tunis 1x Borehole, Northern Western Desert, Egypt, with Emphasis on the Possible Palaeoclimatic Effect Upon the Range of Dicheiropollis etruscus in North Africa

Recent hydrocarbon exploration in the northern sector of the Western Desert in Egypt has revealed relatively rich hydrocarbon accumulations, mainly of gas, and demonstrate promising future prospects. In order to improve our understanding of this area and to provide a biostratigraphical framework for the hitherto poorly dated Lower Cretaceous successions, a palynological analysis was carried out on 57 ditch cutting samples from the Abu Tunis 1x borehole. Palynostratigraphic investigation on these samples has enabled the identification of three new palynostratigraphically defined age divisions with three corresponding palynozones defined by first uphole occurrences of gymnosperm and angiosperm pollen and dinoflagellate cysts. Spore and pollen grains recovered from the Abu Tunis 1x borehole show the characteristics of the pre-Albian Dicheiropollis/Afropollis Phytogeographical Province. Discrepancies in the reported range of Dicheiropollis etruscus, when compared with earlier (Berriasian) appearances in West Africa and later (late Hauterivian) appearances in East Africa, may be attributed to palaeoecological factors. Dicheiropollis etruscus is accepted as having a cheirolepidiacean conifer affinity and is regarded as having been produced by a thermophilous plant. Here, we suggest that Dicheiropollis etruscus was adapted to arid conditions. Dicheiropollis etruscus thus first appeared in hot, dry palaeo-subtropical African regions, but as Western Gondwana broke up and the African Plate moved northeast during/after the Late Jurassic, the region that is now present-day Egypt, Libya and Sudan had moved by the late Hauterivian into a subtropical position; the ensuing increased aridity thus allowed Dicheiropollis etruscus to migrate into these areas.
Effects of nature management practices on the bryophyte flora of grassland and heathland in Drenthe, The Netherlands

SUMMARY A study was carried out on the effects of hay-making, hay-making after sod removal, and grazing with different intensities on the bryophyte flora in a moist grassland dominated by Holcus lanatus and in a very wet grassland dominated by Juncus effusus. The effects of grazing and the abandoning of a heathland area were also compared. The bryophytes were recorded in 1972, 1976 and 1983. In the grazed and the cut plots in the moist grassland area the average number of bryophytes and the degree of cover did not differ, but in the cut plots the degree of cover of bryophytes characteristic for litter became smaller. In the grazed plots, in which the vascular plant composition diverged with the grazing intensity, the bryophyte flora did change, but not diverge. After sod cutting mainly colonist species were present initially, but after 10 years, the number of perennials had increased considerably. In the cut plots in which sods had been removed the degree of cover of bryophytes, especially colonists, became greater than in the cut plots in which sods had not been removed. In the grazed and the cut plots in the very wet grassland area the average number of bryophytes did not diverge, but in the cut plots the degree of cover became highest and the proportion of litter species became smallest. The number of bryophytes remained high in the grazed heathland, but declined in the abandoned area, whereas the degree of cover decreased in both areas. Several species characteristic for heathland disappeared in the grazed area, whereas all 'heathland-species' disappeared in the abandoned area, which turned into woodland.