Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analyses of long-term solar irradiance data with wavelet transforms

Global temperature has risen significantly during the past century, based on measurements at meteorological stations. The two important factors in climate forcings are anthropogenic activities and changes of incident solar irradiance. The 14 years of Nimbus-7 Earth radiation budget measurements, which started in November 1978 and continued through January 1993, provide an important long-term record of solar irradiance, absorbed solar energy, and outgoing long wave and net radiation. Wavelet transforms are powerful techniques to decompose time series in time and frequency domains, and to isolate relevant characteristics. Transforms based on Morlet wavelets and Mexican Hat wavelets are used to examine the periodicities in the 14-year Nimbus-7 measurements and the 9-year Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) measurements. Short-term variations with periods ranging from a few days to 30 or 40 days are identified. The importance of selecting wavelet kernels is illustrated, pointing toward the need of wavelet transform and adaptive wavelet transform. The superiority of wavelet analyses over short-time Fourier transform and Gabor transform is also demonstrated.
Oligocene-Miocene strontium isotopes: Stratigraphic revisions and correlations to an inferred glacioeustatic record

This study tests and improves on previously published early and middle Miocene 87Sr/86Sr marine correlations, presents Sr isotopic age correlations for this interval using the new timescale of Cande and Kent [1992], and evaluates Sr isotopic changes against an inferred glacioeustatic proxy. We generated a latest Oligocene to early late Miocene 87Sr/86Sr isotope record from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Hole 747A; this site provides an excellent magnetostratigraphic record during most of this interval for independent age estimates, very good foraminiferal preservation, and excellent core recovery. Comparisons of new 87Sr/86Sr data from Hole 747A with previously published data from Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Sites 608 [Miller et al., 1991a] and 588 [Hodell et al., 1991] yield the following results: (1) confirmation and refinement of the early Miocene Sr isotope changes, (2) improved definition of the timing of the changes in slope of 87Sr/86Sr near 15.4 Ma and 22.8 Ma, (3) improved Sr isotopic age resolution for the middle Miocene with resolution as good as ±0.7 m.y. , and (4) identification of an inflection in the Sr isotope record at 28.0 Ma based on the combined records from DSDP Site 522 [Miller et al., 1988] and ODP Hole 747A. We have been unable to determine the cause of middle Miocene offset between Site 588 and Hole 747A data, although we believe it may be attributed to problems in the age assignments for Hole 588A for the interval ∼14-11 Ma and Site 747 for the interval 11–8 Ma. Because Hole 747A results provide a better chronology than Site 588 for most of the Miocene and a better middle Miocene Sr isotope record than Site 608, we propose that Hole 747A serves as the best reference section for Miocene 87Sr/86Sr variations from ca. 23 to 11 Ma. Using 87Sr/86Sr data from Sites 522, 608, and 747A, we relate late Eocene to early Miocene inflections in the 87Sr/86Sr isotope record to oxygen isotope increases and decreases inferred to represent glacioeustatic events. The decreases (deglaciations) observed in the δ18O record apparently lead the 87Sr/86Sr inflections by 1 to 1.5 m.y.
Upper ocean thermohaline fields near 2°S, 156°E, during the Tropical Ocean‐Global Atmosphere‐Coupled Ocean‐Atmosphere Response Experiment, November 1992 to February 1993

Zonal and meridional Seasoar sections centered at 1°50′S, 156°06′E were repeated >30 times in three 20-day periods between November 13, 1992, and February 15, 1993. Both sections were 130 km long, and sampling depth was 0–280 m, with a vertical resolution of ∼2 dbar (2×104 Pa) and a horizontal resolution of ∼3 km. The observed fields are complex and variable and are summarized graphically in several forms. Characteristics of the near-surface layer varied with the local winds which were variable and weak ( 10 m s−1) during much of the second, and moderate and westerly (4–10 m s−1) during most of the third. Near-surface temperatures were warmest (up to 30°C) during the first period and coldest (often <29°C) during the second. Thermal stratification in the near-surface layer was strong under weak winds and weak under strong and moderate winds. Except during and after heavy rainfall, salinity stratification in the near-surface layer was generally weak. Surface salinity generally decreased toward the north. The depth of the surface isopycnal layer was often but not always limited by salinity stratification; the surface isohaline layer was shallower than the top of the thermocline throughout. Strong lateral temperature and salinity gradients occurred on a few occasions. Increased wind stress was associated with lateral homogenization as well as vertical mixing. Structure and water properties of the thermocline also varied between cruises and within each cruise. The upper thermocline was shallowest in late January after prolonged easterly winds. Isotherms in the upper and midthermocline (20°–25°C) sloped generally upward to the north, while those in the lower thermocline (12°–14°C) sloped down to envelop the core of the Equatorial Undercurrent, which shoaled (from 225 to 160 m) and warmed (from 15°to 20°C) between the first and last survey periods. Mesoscale and fine-scale water mass features were usually recognizable in sections less than a few days apart and migrated eastward at about 0.3 m s−1. There is a remarkably high degree of nonstationarity in these thermohaline fields from the Warm Pool of the western Pacific Ocean.
Modeling the effects of UV variability and the QBO on the troposphere-stratosphere system. Part I: The middle atmosphere

Abstract Results of experiments with a GCM involving changes in UV input (±25%, ±10%, ±5% at wavelengths below 0.3 µm) and simulated equatorial QBO are presented, with emphasis on the middle atmosphere response. The UV forcing employed is larger than observed during the last solar cycle and does not vary with wavelength, hence the relationship of these results to those from actual solar UV forcing should be treated with caution. The QBO alters the location of the zero wind line and the horizontal shear of the zonal wind in the low to middle stratosphere, while the UV change alters the magnitude of the polar jet and the vertical shear of the zonal wind. Both mechanisms thus affect planetary wave propagation. The east phase of the QBO leads to tropical cooling and high-latitude warming in the lower stratosphere, with opposite effects in the upper stratosphere. This quadrupole pattern is also wen in the observations. The high-latitude responses are due to altered planetary wave effect, while the model's trop.
Characterization of a Novel Fructosyltransferase from Lactobacillus reuteri That Synthesizes High-Molecular-Weight Inulin and Inulin Oligosaccharides

ABSTRACT Fructosyltransferase (FTF) enzymes produce fructose polymers (fructans) from sucrose. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of an FTF-encoding gene from Lactobacillus reuteri strain 121. A C-terminally truncated version of the ftf gene was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli. When incubated with sucrose, the purified recombinant FTF enzyme produced large amounts of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) with β-(2→1)-linked fructosyl units, plus a high-molecular-weight fructan polymer (>107) with β-(2→1) linkages (an inulin). FOS, but not inulin, was found in supernatants of L. reuteri strain 121 cultures grown on medium containing sucrose. Bacterial inulin production has been reported for only Streptococcus mutans strains. FOS production has been reported for a few bacterial strains. This paper reports the first-time isolation and molecular characterization of (i) a Lactobacillus ftf gene, (ii) an inulosucrase associated with a generally regarded as safe bacterium, (iii) an FTF enzyme synthesizing both a high molecular weight inulin and FOS, and (iv) an FTF protein containing a cell wall-anchoring LPXTG motif. The biological relevance and potential health benefits of an inulosucrase associated with an L. reuteri strain remain to be established.
Erosion of a cyclic saltmarsh in Morecambe Bay, North‐West England

This paper presents results of investigations (1983–1992) into rates of change, morphology and processes occurring during the current erosional phase in a Morecambe Bay cyclic saltmarsh, in which it has narrowed from c. 1000 m (1975) to c. 150 m (1992). Monthly monitoring of marsh edge erosion and creek knickpoint retreat has revealed temporal and spatial variations. Highest frequency changes of low magnitude coincided with non-storm conditions and overmarsh tides above 5·80 m OD, which submerged the whole marsh. Less frequent changes of greater magnitude were associated with both overmarsh tides and strong onshore winds over 15 ms−1, which generated high energy waves. The lowest frequency change of greatest magnitude occurred during an extreme onshore storm event and surge. Morphologically, during the erosional phase, a low angled landward slope was generated as erosion of the c. 0·5 m high active seaward cliff coincided with vertical accretion of 0·07 ma−1 of relatively coarse sediment on the marsh surface immediately landward. Tidal hydrodynamics strongly influence the saltmarsh, which is confined to the upper 2·5 m of the macrotidal range (maximum c. 10·5 m). During overmarsh spring tides (maximum creek flood flow rate 0·13 ms−1, up to bankfull level), flooding begins over lower landward creek banks before submerging the higher marsh edge. During ebb tides, water trapped by this higher edge can escape seaward only via the creeks (maximum ebb velocities 2·07 ms−1 below bankfull level). Wave erosion also is limited to spring tides. Monthly mapping of the Kent Estuary channel pattern seaward of the saltmarsh showed that medium term higher erosion rates were related to the presence of a large channel, which lowered the adjacent creek base level and allowed larger waves to attack the marsh edge than when a sandbank flanked the marsh. Major River Kent channel shifts appear to initiate accretional or erosional phases of cyclic saltmarsh development.
Oxygen and carbon isotopic record of climatic variability in tree ring cellulose (Picea abies) : An example from central Switzerland (1913-1995)

Stable isotopic data from terrestrial records spanning the last century provide an unique opportunity to test and calibrate how these systems respond to recent climatic change. Here we present an annual oxygen and carbon isotope record covering the period from 1913 to 1995 measured in tree ring cellulose of spruce trees (Picea abies) from central Switzerland. We compare these results with historical low- and high-frequency instrumental data. The isotopic data show high-frequency and spectral correlations, although long-term trends appear to be dissimilar. Our approach also uses constructed time series of these isotopic data with the different climate variables and demonstrates that not all parameters affect the record in the same manner. Additionally, we tested the trees' ability to record the isotopic composition of precipitation and thus changes in temperature and atmospheric circulation. Over the last 23 years, changes of up to 2‰ in the δ 18O value of precipitation have been recorded in the nearby Bern Global Network for Isotopes in Precipitation station, and our tree ring isotopic record shows similar changes as a result of moisture uptake during the growing season. Naturally, all biologic systems react differently to environmental perturbations, and correlation with other records will provide a means to validate how well these systems reflect actual climatic changes.
Environmental risk from the development of PFA fill earthwork structures and an improved code of practice to mitigate potential impacts

Leaching tests have demonstrated that metals and other inorganic contaminants are released from pulverised fuel ash (PFA) under laboratory conditions. Consequently, it is necessary to review the potential risks posed by large earthwork structures constructed of PFA. In this study, the findings of the recently completed risk assessment for unbound PFA in the Waste Protocols Project are compared to the results of equivalent risk assessments carried out using leachate data for PFA samples collected from the Barlow PFA storage mound at Drax Power Station. Current recommendations for an environmental code of practice for the construction of earthworks using PFA are considered in relation to the results of the generic risk assessments. A tiered methodology for the impact assessment, investigation and risk assessment to be adopted for the placement of PFA fill in large construction projects or within above ground storage mounds is presented. This methodology is intended to provide a framework for earthwork design engineers to use in order to ensure that a thorough assessment is made of the possible effects of PFA bulk fill earthworks or above ground storage mounds on the environment. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An analysis of the mechanisms of North American pollutant transport to the central North Atlantic lower free troposphere

[1] We use the FLEXPART Lagrangian particle dispersion model and observations from the PICO-NARE station to identify and analyze the transport of North American anthropogenic emissions to the central North Atlantic lower free troposphere (FT) during July 2003. FLEXPART adequately captured the occurrence of CO transport events, simulating all but 1 of the 16 observed events while producing only 3 events not observed. Low-level transport (below 3 km) was responsible for most events. Three case studies of this type are presented. Export from the North American boundary layer in these events was the result of eastward advection over the ocean or transport in a weak warm conveyor belt airflow. Once over the ocean, transport was governed by geostrophic winds between the Azores/Bermuda High (ABH) and transient northerly lows. The varying locations of the ABH and northerly lows determine the pathway of this type of event. As a result, other events similar to those analyzed here reach Europe. Transported below 3 km, these events were observed in the lower FT over the Azores and were accompanied by O3 enhancements. Thus the lower marine FT may provide a transport environment significantly different from the marine boundary layer, where O3 destruction is believed to dominate. In the fourth case study, North American emissions were lofted to 6–8 km in a warm conveyor belt, captured for 2 days in the midtropospheric circulation of the associated cyclone, and then entrained in the same cyclone's dry airstream and transported down to the Azores.
Trace metals distributions in coastal sea ice of Terra Nova Bay, Ross Sea, Antarctica

In an attempt to clarify the release of trace elements from the seasonal coastal sea ice, samples were periodically collected in a nearshore station inside the Gerlache Inlet (Terra Nova Bay, Western Ross Sea), during the summer 2000/01 and analysed for dissolved and particulate cadmium, copper, iron, manganese and lead, as well as salinity, suspended particulate matter, nutrients and phytoplankton pigments. In order to provide insight on the metal association with the particles included in the sea ice, the metal solid speciation was also investigated. Both vertical distributions within the ice cores and temporal variations at the seawater interface were studied, in an effort to fully characterize the system and correlation among the considered parameters. Concentrations and speciation patterns clearly indicate metal incorporation within the annual sea ice due to resuspension of sediments, followed by release of particulate metals during melting as a primary process affecting trace metal availability in the Antarctic coastal waters.
Correlations Between Eight Comprehensive Skeletal Maturity Systems in a Modern Peripubertal Pediatric Population

Background: Several skeletal maturity systems allow for accurate skeletal age assessment from a wide variety of joints. However, discrepancies in estimates have been noted when applying systems concurrently. The aims of our study were to (1) compare the agreement among 8 different skeletal maturity systems in modern pediatric patients and (2) compare these discrepancy trends qbetween modern and historic children. Methods: We performed a retrospective (January 2000 to May 2022) query of our picture archiving and communication systems and included peripubertal patients who had at least two radiographs of different anatomic regions obtained ≤3 months apart for 8 systems: (1) proximal humerus ossification system (PHOS), (2) olecranon apophysis ossification staging system (OAOSS), (3) lateral elbow system, (4) modified Fels wrist system, (5) Sanders Hand Classification, (6) optimized oxford hip system, (7) modified Fels knee system, and (8) calcaneal apophysis ossification staging system (CAOSS). Any abnormal (ie, evidence of fracture or congenital deformity) or low-quality radiographs were excluded. These were compared with a cohort from a historic longitudinal study. SEM skeletal age, representing the variance of skeletal age estimates, was calculated for each system and used to compare system precision. Results: A total of 700 radiographs from 350 modern patients and 954 radiographs from 66 historic patients were evaluated. In the modern cohort, the greatest variance was seen in PHOS (SEM: 0.28 y), Sanders Hand (0.26 y), and CAOSS (0.25 y). The modified Fels knee system demonstrated the smallest variance (0.20 y). For historic children, the PHOS, OAOSS, and CAOSS were the least precise (0.20 y for all). All other systems performed similarly in historic children with lower SEMs (range: 0.18 to 0.19 y). The lateral elbow system was more precise than the OAOSS in both cohorts. Conclusions: The precision of skeletal maturity systems varies across anatomic regions. Staged, single-parameter systems (eg, PHOS, Sanders Hand, OAOSS, and CAOSS) may correlate less with other systems than those with more parameters. Level of Evidence: Level III—retrospective study.
Spoligotyping of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex Isolates Using 1 Ligation-based Amplification and Melting Curve Analysis

6 Engineering Research Centre of Molecular Diagnostics, Ministry of Education, State 7 Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, 8 Xiamen, Fujian, China 9 State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostic, School of 10 Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China 11 Engineering Research Centre of Personalized Molecular Diagnostics of Xiamen, Fujian, 12 China 13 Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, Henan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 Zhengzhou, Henan, China 15 Division of Tuberculosis Control and Prevention, Xiamen Center for Disease Control 16 and Prevention, Xiamen, Fujian, China 17 Public Health Research Institute, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, 18 Newark, New Jersey, USA 19 *Corresponding authors: 20 Ye Xu, E-mail: xuye@xmu.edu. cn 21 Qingge Li, E-mail: qgli@xmu.edu. cn 22
The Canary in the Coalmine: Australian Ski Resorts and their Response to Climate Change

The Australian ski industry represents a ‘canary in the coalmine’. Globally, it is one of the first and most visibly impacted industries by the risk of climate change. This study explores the perceptions of people associated with the operations of ski resorts in south-eastern Australia. It was hypothesised that ski resorts, given the value of their assets, would anticipate and respond to the threat of climate change. The responses demonstrate how representatives of the Australian ski industry perceive climate change issues, and the measures that are being taken to address this issue at particular resorts. These responses provide insights into how other firms and industries might respond to the biophysical impacts of climate change. Using in-depth interviews, the study compares the perceptions and responses of resort managers and government representatives with those from previous studies. The analysis draws on and improves the model of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and its development as a policy framework for adaptation. The major findings of this study are that a physical meltdown may not lead to a financial meltdown, that business responses to climate changes are more varied than has been represented in the literature to date and that the tension between competing firms on the one hand and industry cooperation on the other strongly influences the types of response that may develop.
LA COOPERACIÓN TRANSFRONTERIZA EN LA REGIÓN DEL TRIFINIO Y LA DIFUSIÓN DE MODELOS EUROPEOS DE GOBERNANZA DE LAS FRONTERAS EN AMÉRICA LATINA

RESUMEN En la region del Trifinio se concentran algunas de las experiencias mas avanzadas de cooperacion transfronteriza de America Latina. Dichas experiencias son promovidas por las instituciones europeas y se han inspirado fuertemente en el modelo europeo de gobernanza de las regiones transfronterizas. Al mismo tiempo, este modelo no ha sido simplemente trasladado de la Union Europea a la America Latina, sino que tambien se ha adaptado a las condiciones del contexto y a las caracteristicas especificas de los procesos de reterritorializacion e integracion macrorregional que tienen lugar en la region y, mas * El conocimiento directo de los procesos de integracion transfronteriza centroamericana, y en particular el de la Region del Trifinio, ha sido posible gracias a las oportunidades ofrecidas por el Centro Studi di Politica Internazionale (CeSPI), de Roma, en el ambito de dos de sus iniciativas: el programa Fronteras Abiertas, realizado por dicha entidad en colaboracion con el Instituto Italo-Latino Americano y cofinanciado por la Cooperacion Italiana, y el proyecto Fomento de la Cohesion Social e Integracion Regional Territorial de los municipios fronterizos del Trifinio centroamericano, coordinado por la Mancomunidad Trinacional Fronteriza Rio Lempa y cofinanciado por el Programa URB-AL III de la Comision Europea.
Fractals and fragmentation

If the number-size distribution of objects satisfies the condition N ∼ r−D, then a fractal is defined with a fractal dimension D. In many cases, fragmentation results in a fractal distribution. This is taken as evidence that the fragmentation mechanism is scale invariant. Fragments produced by weathering, explosions, and impacts often satisfy a fractal distribution condition over a wide range of scales. Most correlations for number versus size for meteorites, asteroids, and interstellar grains also satisfy the fractal condition. Fractal behavior implies scale invariance; the renormalization group approach is often applicable to scale invariant processes. Two models are considered for a renormalization group approach to fragmentation; the models yield a fractal behavior but give different values for the fractal dimension. These results indicate that the fractal dimension is a measure of the fragility of the fragmented material.
Analiza wybranych czynników kształtujących emisję amoniaku podczas przechowywania obornika w warunkach eksploatacyjnych

Celem pracy było przeprowadzenie badań emisji amoniaku podczas przechowywania obornika w typowych warunkach eksploatacyjnych i ocena wpływu parametrów przechowywania na intensywność tej emisji. W latach 2003–2007 przeprowadzono 130 jednostkowych pomiarów emisji amoniaku na składowiskach obornika w trzech wybranych gospodarstwach mlecznych, wykorzystując mikrometeorologiczną metodę dozymetrii pasywnej. Roczne straty azotu w formie amoniaku wynosiły od 31,7 do 33,4% jego wyjściowej ilości zdeponowanej na składowisku. Do najważniejszych czynników wpływających na ulatnianie się amoniaku z gnojowni należały warunki techniczno-technologiczne przechowywania nawozów oraz czynniki meteorologiczne.