Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DISSOLVED GAS ANALYSIS FOR ASSESSING THE FATE OF NITRATE IN WETLANDS 1

ABSTRACT: Dissolved gas analysis permits direct detection of ground water denitrification, a technique we used in this study to assess the fate of nitrate in a riparian wetland. Dissolved argon (Ar) and dinitrogen (N2) were measured in transects of nested piezometers installed at different depths within upwelling regions of a riparian wetland. The method uses the Ar content in the water as a natural inert tracer for assessing background content of N2 from the previous air/water equilibrium. Within the wetland under study, anoxic to suboxic ground water became more oxic in piezometers close to the aquifer layer, indicating upwelling of oxic ground water. Assessment of loss of nitrate and Ar in ground water within an upwelling zone indicated that shallow piezometers had significant N2 loss through degassing. Most of the measured nitrate‐nitrogen (NO3−‐N) loss of 205 μM in a piezometer nest could be accounted for by total N2‐N produced (169 μM N), calculated from changes in dissolved N2 and estimated N2 degassed. Degassing due to methane (CH4) production was also detected in some shallow piezometers within nests. This technique for analysis of dissolved gases in ground water can be applied to detect small changes in N gas concentration and aids in assessing the fate of nitrate along a ground water flow path.
Performance of a whole blood interferon gamma assay in detecting latent infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in children

Context Diagnosis of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection using tuberculin skin testing (TST) in children is complicated by the potential influence of prior exposure to Bacille Calmette Geurin (BCG) vaccination or environmental mycobacteria. A whole blood assay has recently been developed to quantitatively measure interferon gamma (IFN-γ ) production by lymphocytes specific to the MTB antigens ESAT-6 and CFP-10, but its use and assessment in children has been limited to date. Objective To compare the performance of the whole blood IFN-γ assay with TST in diagnosing latent tuberculosis (TB) infection or TB disease in children in routine clinical practice. Patients Children with a high risk of latent TB infection or TB disease were eligible. High risk was defined as contact with TB disease, clinical suspicion of TB disease, or recent arrival from an area of high TB prevalence.
Super-resolution reconstruction of brain 3D magnetic resonance images using a coupled tensor multilinear approximation

In this paper, we address the multi-frame superresolution MRI problem. We formulate the reconstruction problem as a coupled tensor multilinear approximation. We prove that exact recovery of the high-resolution 3D isotropic image is achievable for a variety of multilinear ranks. We propose a simple algorithm based on Tikhonov regularization to perform the reconstruction. Our simulations on real datasets illustrates the good performance of the proposed approach, with a lower computation time than state-of-the-art methods.
Punctuated evolution of global climate cooling during the Late Middle to Early Late Miocene: High‐resolution planktonic foraminiferal and oxygen isotope records from the Mediterranean

High-resolution planktonic foraminiferal and oxygen isotope records are presented from a Mediterranean deep marine succession, dated astronomically between 12.12 and 9.78 Ma. Planktonic and benthic oxygen isotope records are punctuated by two episodes of δ18O increase, which have astronomical ages of 11.4 and 10.4 Ma and correspond to the Mi5 and Mi6 events of Miller et al. [1991a]. These ice growth events coincide with low-amplitude variations in the 1.2 Myr obliquity cycle and are accompanied by significant faunal changes in the Mediterranean, such as the arrival of neogloboquadrinids, the increase in abundance of the G. apertura-G. obliquus group, and the areal differentiation between N. atlantica and N. acostaensis. Short-term variations in the planktonic foraminiferal and oxygen isotope records correspond to dominantly precession-controlled sedimentary cycles. Features of the sapropel/grey marl layers indicate that the short-term astronomically controlled circum-Mediterranean climate changes remained basically the same over the last 12 Myr.
Fast Fourier transform based calibration in remote sensing

Quantification of the functional relation between remotely-sensed data and commensurable ground based observations is a basic prerequisite in many remote sensing studies. To this end, linear regression analysis is generally employed. Given two matrices of paired noise-infected measurements, classical linear regression is usually employed to find optimal parameters of a model calibration function which fits the observed readings best, in the minimal least squares sense. The squared coefficient of determination R = (variation due to the model)/(total variation) is a common quality measure of the chosen model, while the variance S r of the 'residuals' is a measure of the information that the chosen calibration function is unable to explain. The basic premise of regression analysis requires that the reference ground data must be precise and noiseless. Since in most remote sensing studies this condition is not met, classical regression is not an efficient tool for discovering the true functional relation between remotely-sensed data and ground observations. A new calibration method is proposed whereby the least-squares minimization is conducted on the amplitude matrices of the readings via the FFT. For a given model, R is always increased beyond the value obtained by conventional regression at the expense of a slight increase in S r . When one of the measurement sets may be considered noiseless, phase correction may be employed to reduce S r as well, below the value obtained by conventional regression. The new calibration method is a radical departure from classical statistics and has the potential of significantly improving statistical inference in remote sensing. The line taken is illustrated by numerical examples which compare the new calibration method to the classical regression technique. It is demonstrated, that the new method can discover better the true functional relation between satellite images or between ground based sensor arrays and satellite images, which may be occluded by noise.
Hearth and Home: The Burial of Infants within Romano-British Domestic Contexts

Abstract A recent study by Scott (1991) on the conjunction of infant burial and agricultural processes, and Pearce's work (2001) on the association of infants with boundaries and ditches during the Romano-British period, have highlighted possible symbolic behaviours relating to newborn infants. This paper considers another strand of infant burial practice – the association of neonates with domestic structures and specific features within them, including hearths, doorways and hypocausts. Through examination of the placement of the infant within its immediate environment and the material culture represented with this type of burial, possible symbolic concepts embodied in the presence of the infant can be better understood.
Middle income countries? An alternative development taxonomy of Latin America and the Caribbean

Although it is not asy to classify countries according to their levels of development –mainly because the concept of “human development” is complex and multidimensional –, the most widespread classification is just the simplest one, based on income per capita levels. According to this classification, most of the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries are located in the world middle-income strata. This paper proposes an alternative “development taxonomy” for LAC middle-income countries. Using a cluster analysis we identify and characterize three groups of countries in relation to 10 main “development gaps”: the most advanced countries (Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay and Brasil), the middle-development countries (Panama, Costa Rica, Colombia, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru, Belize, El Salvador, Paraguay and Guyana) and those countries with the greatest development challenges (Guatemala, Bolivia, Honduras and Nicaragua). CITE AS: Tezanos-Vazquez, S. , Quinones-Montellano, A. (2012). Paises de renta media? Una taxonomia alternativa del desarrollo de America Latina y el Caribe. Iberoamerican Journal of Development Studies, 1 (2): 4-27
Comprehensive Modelling and Experimental Testing of Fault Detection and Management of a Non-Redundant Fault-Tolerant VSI

—This paper presents an investigation and a comprehensive analysis on fault operations in conventional Voltage Source Inverters. After an introductory section dealing with power converter reliability and fault analysis issues in power electronics, a generalized switching function accounting for both healthy and faulty conditions and an easy and feasible method to embed fault diagnosis and reconﬁguration within the control algorithm are introduced. The proposed system has simple and compact implementation. Experimental results, obtained using a test bench realized using a dSPACE (cid:114) system and the fault tolerant inverter prototype operating both at open and closed loop current control, show that the proposed solution is effective and feasible and makes all faults easily managed by the control system itself.
No difference in the KOOS Quality of Life, between anatomic Double-bundle and anatomic Single-bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction of the knee; a Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial with 2 years follow-up

: Background: The double-bundle reconstruction technique was developed to resemble the properties of the native ACL more closely than conventional single-bundle technique. The clinical benefit of the operation is controversial, and there is a need for studies with focus on patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Study design: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Hypothesis: Anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction would be superior to anatomic single-bundle reconstruction regarding the change in the KOOS QoL subscore from baseline to two-year follow-up. Methods: According to sample size calculations, 120 patients aged 18 to 40 years with a primary ACL injury of their knee were randomized to anatomic double-bundle or anatomic single-bundle reconstructions. Patients with PCL, PLC or LCL injuries or with established osteoarthritis were excluded. Patients with residual laxity from a coexistent MCL-injury were excluded. Data were registered at baseline, one-and two years. In 24 patients, postoperative 3D computer tomographic scanning was performed to verify positioning of the bundles. The outcome measurements were: The change in KOOS and IKDC 2000 subjective score, pivot shift test, Lachman´s test and KT 1000 measurements, activity level, return to sports rate and osteoarthritic changes on radiographic imaging. A linear mixed model was used for the analysis of all the PRO´s, including the primary outcome. Results: The change in KOOS QoL from baseline to two-year follow-up was not different between the two groups (double-bundle: mean change 29.2 points versus single-bundle: mean change 28.7 points, -0.5 points difference, 95% CI -8.4 to 7.5 points, p=0.91). Neither were there any differences between the two groups in the remaining patient-reported outcomes, knee laxity measurements or the activity level of the patients. Radiological signs of osteoarthritis were found in two patients. Eleven patients had a graft rupture; 8 in the single-bundle and 3 in the double-bundle group (p=0.16). The 3D computer tomographic imaging of the knees verified the positioning of the AM, PL-and single-bundle grafts to be within acceptable limits.
Evaluation of the performance of various vegetation indices to retrieve vegetation cover from AVHRR data

Abstract A variety of vegetation indices have been used to assess the state and monitor the evolution of the terrestrial biosphere. Early indices were easy to compute but very sensitive to soil and atmospheric effects. Modified indices with a reduced sensitivity to soil brightness changes were then proposed. More recently, new indices have been designed to be less affected by either atmospheric or soil conditions, or both. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate an objective method to evaluate, through model simulation studies, the performance of a representative sample of three such indices (NDVI, SAVI and GEMI) with respect to their capability to retrieve the fractional vegetation cover and the leaf area index from AVHRR optical data. The proposed performance criterion is based on the concept of signal to noise ratio, where the signal is defined to capture the sensitivity of the index to the desired information, and the noise is designed to measure the sensitivity of this index to undesirable perturba.
Observed decadal variations in surface solar radiation and their causes

[1] Long-term variations of global solar irradiance at the Earth's surface from the beginning of the observations to 2005 are analyzed for more than 400 sites. Further, likely causes for the variations, an estimation of the magnitudes of aerosol direct and indirect effects, and the temperature sensitivity of the climate system due to radiation changes are evaluated. The record of observed global radiation begins with an increasing phase from 1920s to late 1940s/early 1960s. This brightening period (first brightening phase) is followed by the decreasing trend lasting to late 1980s, known as the global dimming, which finally translates into the second brightening phase in many regions of the world. These decadal variations are to great extent caused by aerosol and cloud fluctuations. The total aerosol effect as well as its direct and indirect effects were evaluated mainly on the basis of the observations. To meet this goal, simultaneous observations of global solar radiation and zenith transmittance are necessary. Five such regions/sites in Europe and Japan satisfy these conditions. By using the 20-year dimming phase from 1960 to 1980 and the 15-year brightening phase from 1990 to 2005, it was found that the aerosol direct and indirect effects played about an equal weight in changing global solar radiation. The temperature sensitivity due to radiation change is estimated at 0.05 to 0.06 K/(W m−2). The first brightening phase lasting to 1940s/early 1960s does not show a compatibility with the variation of transmittance of the atmosphere and originated probably from a different cause.
Chronology of tectonic events in the crystalline core of the Himalaya, langtang National Park, central Nepal

The Main Central Thrust (MCT) is an important intracontinental subduction zone that accommodated a significant proportion of shortening between India and Asia during Tertiary Himalayan orogenesis. Argon 40/argon 39 geochronology indicates at least two distinct periods of thrust movement on the MCT in the Langtang National Park region of central Nepal. Ductile deformation and associated mylonitization characterizing the earlier event are constrained by 40Ar/39Ar dating of muscovites to have occurred sometime before 5.8 Ma. A later period of brittle deformation, resulting in the juxtaposition of rocks of different lithology within the MCT zone, occurred at approximately 2.3 Ma, based on 40Ar/39Ar dating of neoblastic muscovites from the brittle fault zones. The hanging wall of the MCT contains amphibolite to upper amphibolite grade gneisses and small leucogranite bodies assigned to the Greater Himalayan sequence. Argon 40/argon 39 cooling ages of muscovite and biotite from the gneisses range from 4.6 to 9.7 Ma. These dates contrast with previously obtained 16–21 Ma U-Pb monazite and zircon ages for metasedimentary rocks from the same structural levels [Parrish et al., 1992], indicating relatively slow cooling over the early to middle Miocene interval for much of the MCT hanging wall. However, one 19.3 Ma biotite 40Ar/39Ar cooling age for a sample from the uppermost portion of the hanging wall is only slightly younger than U-Pb monazite ages for nearby anatexites, possibly suggesting rapid cooling of the uppermost Greater Himalayan sequence by tectonic denudation associated with the structurally higher South Tibetan detachment system. The general consistency of 40Ar/39Ar ages throughout the 11-km-thick Greater Himalayan sequence suggests rapid cooling in late Miocene time, probably due to an increase in erosion rate related to ramping on the structurally lower Main Boundary Thrust. An alternative possibility would be massive hydrothermal resetting in late Miocene time of the entire sequence.
Comparison of aquifer characterization approaches through steady state groundwater model validation: A controlled laboratory sandbox study

Groundwater modeling has become a vital component to water supply and contaminant transport investigations. An important component of groundwater modeling under steady state conditions is selecting a representative hydraulic conductivity (K) estimate or set of estimates which defines the K field of the studied region. Currently, there are a number of characterization approaches to obtain K at various scales and in varying degrees of detail, but there is a paucity of information in terms of which characterization approach best predicts flow through aquifers or drawdowns caused by some drawdown inducing events. The main objective of this paper is to assess K estimates obtained by various approaches by predicting drawdowns from independent cross‐hole pumping tests and total flow rates through a synthetic heterogeneous aquifer from flow‐through tests. Specifically, we (1) characterize a synthetic heterogeneous aquifer built in the sandbox through various techniques (permeameter analyses of core samples, single‐hole, cross‐hole, and flow‐through testing), (2) obtain mean K fields through traditional analysis of test data by treating the medium to be homogeneous, (3) obtain heterogeneous K fields through kriging and steady state hydraulic tomography, and (4) conduct forward simulations of 16 independent pumping tests and six flow‐through tests using these homogeneous and heterogeneous K fields and comparing them to actual data. Results show that the mean K and heterogeneous K fields estimated through kriging of small‐scale K data (core and single‐hole tests) yield biased predictions of drawdowns and flow rates in this synthetic heterogeneous aquifer. In contrast, the heterogeneous K distribution or “K tomogram” estimated via steady state hydraulic tomography yields excellent predictions of drawdowns of pumping tests not used in the construction of the tomogram and very good estimates of total flow rates from the flow‐through tests. These results suggest that steady state groundwater model validation is possible in this laboratory sandbox aquifer if the heterogeneous K distribution and forcing functions (boundary conditions and source/sink terms) are characterized sufficiently.
Identifying potential areas of Cannabis sativa plantations using object-based image analysis of SPOT-5 satellite data

The rapid and efficient detection of illicit drug cultivation, such as that of Cannabis sativa, is important in reducing consumption. The objective of this study was to identify potential sites of illicit C. sativa plantations located in the semi-arid, southern part of Pernambuco State, Brazil. The study was conducted using an object-based image analysis (OBIA) of Système Pour l'Observation de la Terre high-resolution geometric (SPOT-5 HRG) images (overpass: 31 May, 2007). OBIA considers the target's contextual and geometrical attributes to overcome the difficulties inherent in detecting illicit crops associated with the grower's strategies to conceal their fields and optimizes the spectral information extracted to generate land-cover maps. The capabilities of the SPOT-5 near-infrared and shortwave infrared bands to discriminate herbaceous vegetation with high water content, and employment of the support vector machine classifier, contributed to accomplishing this task. Image classification included multiresolution segmentation with an algorithm available in the eCognition Developer software package. In addition to a SPOT-5 HRG multispectral image with 10 m spatial resolution and a panchromatic image with 2.5 m spatial resolution, first-order indices such as the normalized difference vegetation index and ancillary data including land-cover classes, anthropogenic areas, slope, and distance to water sources were also employed in the OBIA. The classification of segments (objects) related to illegal cultivation employed fuzzy logic and fixed-threshold membership functions to describe the following spectral, geometrical, and contextual properties of targets: vegetation density, topography, neighbourhood, and presence of water supplies for irrigation. The results of OBIA were verified from a weight of evidence analysis. Among 15 previously known C. sativa sites identified during police operations conducted on 5–17 June 2007, eight sites were classified as maximum-alert areas (total area of 22.54 km2 within a total area of object-oriented image classification of ∼1800 km2). The approach proposed in this study is feasible for reducing the area to be searched for illicit cannabis cultivation in semi-arid regions.
Prevention and control of micronutrient deficiencies in developing countries: current perspectives

: Despite strategies employed to tackle micronutrient malnutrition, limited progress has been achieved in the developing countries. Of global concern are deficiencies in iron, vitamin A, zinc, folate, and iodine. This review aims to explore up-to-date scientific evidence on the effect of different micronutrient strategies on biomarkers and health outcomes, and for each strategy, to highlight strengths, limitations, and factors contributing to success or failure. PubMed/MEDLINE and EBSCO databases and Google-indexed scientific literature were searched for relevant articles and documents, limited to human studies reported since 2003. Evidence shows that the most cost-effective approaches to address symptoms of micronutrient malnutrition are targeted supplementation and/or fortification with iron, iodine, zinc, folic acid, vitamin A, and multimicronutrients, provided that households have access to primary health care and that there is consistent long-term coverage, monitoring, adequate marketing, and commercial commitment. Dietary diversification/modification interventions are probably the most sustainable strategies to address causes of deficiency, but permanent solutions are still required in controlling micronutrient malnutrition at both research and public health levels. Furthermore, many scientific gaps remain, hindering the development of robust public health guidance. These gaps are due to the paucity of well-designed community-based studies, lack of information on biological mechanisms behind relationships between micronutrients and outcomes, and inconsistent results. Further adequately powered long-term trials are needed to fill these gaps. Lessons learned from large-scale nutritional programs suggest that, for long-term improvements in nutrition and health, dietary strategies must integrate agricultural production with primary health care and female nutrition education and empowerment. They must also promote behaviors that support adequate intake, ensure availability of supply, and help to empower communities to become more self-reliant. Nutrition and Dietary Supplements is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal focusing on research into nutritional requirements in health and disease, impact on metabolism and the identification and optimal use of dietary strategies and supplements necessary for normal growth and development. The journal welcomes papers covering original research, basic science, clinical & epidemiological studies, reviews and evaluations, guidelines, expert opinion and commentary, case reports and extended reports. The manuscript management system is completely online and includes a very quick and fair peer-review system, which is all easy to use.