Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Snow Distribution and Melt Modeling for Mittivakkat Glacier, Ammassalik Island, Southeast Greenland

Abstract A physically based snow-evolution modeling system (SnowModel) that includes four submodels—the Micrometeorological Model (MicroMet), EnBal, SnowPack, and SnowTran-3D—was used to simulate five full-year evolutions of snow accumulation, distribution, sublimation, and surface melt on the Mittivakkat Glacier, in southeast Greenland. Model modifications were implemented and used 1) to adjust underestimated observed meteorological station solid precipitation until the model matched the observed Mittivakkat Glacier winter mass balance, and 2) to simulate glacier-ice melt after the winter snow accumulation had ablated. Meteorological observations from two meteorological stations were used as model inputs, and glaciological mass balance observations were used for model calibration and testing of solid precipitation observations. The modeled end-of-winter snow-water equivalent (w.eq.) accumulation increased with elevation from 200 to 700 m above sea level (ASL) in response to both elevation and topographic.
Protein structure-based gene expression signatures

Gene expression signatures (GES) connect phenotypes to mRNA expression patterns, providing a powerful approach to define cellular identity, function, and the effects of perturbations. However, the use of GES has suffered from vague assessment criteria and limited reproducibility. The structure of proteins defines the functional capability of genes, and hence, we hypothesized that enrichment of structural features could be a generalizable representation of gene sets. We derive structural gene expression signatures (sGES) using features from various levels of protein structure (e.g. domain, fold) encoded by the transcribed genes in GES, to describe cellular phenotypes. Comprehensive analyses of data from the Genotype-Tissue Expression Project (GTEx), ARCHS4, and mRNA expression of drug effects on cardiomyocytes show that structural GES (sGES) are useful for identifying robust signatures of biological phenomena. sGES also enables the characterization of signatures across experimental platforms, facilitates the interoperability of expression datasets, and can describe drug action on cells.
Persistent Snoring in Preschool Children: Predictors and Behavioral and Developmental Correlates

OBJECTIVE: To clarify whether persistent snoring in 2- to 3-year-olds is associated with behavioral and cognitive development, and to identify predictors of transient and persistent snoring. METHODS: Two hundred forty-nine mother/child pairs participated in a prospective birth cohort study. Based upon parental report of loud snoring ≥2 times weekly at 2 and 3 years of age, children were designated as nonsnorers, transient snorers (snored at 2 or 3 years of age, but not both), or persistent snorers (snored at both ages). We compared groups by using validated measures of behavioral and cognitive functioning. Potential predictors of snoring included child race and gender, socioeconomic status (parent education and income), birth weight, prenatal tobacco exposure (maternal serum cotinine), childhood tobacco exposure (serum cotinine), history and duration of breast milk feeding, and body mass relative to norms. RESULTS: In multivariable analyses, persistent snorers had significantly higher reported overall behavior problems, particularly hyperactivity, depression, and inattention. Nonsnorers had significantly stronger cognitive development than transient and persistent snorers in unadjusted analyses, but not after demographic adjustment. The strongest predictors of the presence and persistence of snoring were lower socioeconomic status and the absence or shorter duration of breast milk feeding. Secondary analyses suggested that race may modify the association of childhood tobacco smoke exposure and snoring. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent, loud snoring was associated with higher rates of problem behaviors. These results support routine screening and tracking of snoring, especially in children from low socioeconomic backgrounds; referral for follow-up care of persistent snoring in young children; and encouragement and facilitation of infant breastfeeding.
Time variant cross correlation to assess residence time of water and implication for hydraulics of a sink‐rise karst system

Transport rates and residence time in the subsurface are critical parameters for understanding water‐rock interactions for efficient contaminant remediation. This paper presents a methodology for assessing flow and transit time of water through hydrological systems, with specific applications to karst systems and implication for hydraulics of a conduit system surrounded by a porous and permeable intergranular matrix. A time variant cross‐correlation function analysis is applied to bivariate time series that characterize mass transfer, assuming a stationary system using sliding windows of various sizes. We apply the method to 1 year long temperature records in the Santa Fe River (north central Florida) measured at (1) the River Sink, where all the incoming surface water drains into a sinkhole, (2) Sweetwater Lake, where the river resurges into a 500 m long karst window, and (3) the River Rise, where the water discharges from a first‐magnitude karst spring. Results are compared with those obtained using specific conductivity. Estimated residence time ranges from less than 1 day during floods to more than 15 days during base flow within the 8000 m flow path between the River Sink and the River Rise. Results are used to characterize geometric, hydraulic, and hydrodynamic properties of this sink‐rise system with strong matrix‐conduit interactions. These properties are critical to the chemical and physical behavior of surface water–groundwater mixing. Our results also have direct implications for sampling strategies and hydrograph separation of many karst systems with different degrees and types of matrix porosity and permeability.
Epimys benguetensis, a composite, and one zoogeographic view of rat and mouse faunas in the Philippines and Celebes. American Museum novitates ; no. 2624

I record here that the name Epimys benguetensis is based on a composite holotype: the skin is an example of Rattus rattus mindanensis and the skull is from R. nitidus. I also discuss a dichotomy between endemic and commensal murid rodents on the Philippine Islands and Celebes. Each area has its unique assemblage of endemic species of rats and mice; these are mostly restricted to primary forest. Each area shares a commensal fauna composed of Rattus rattus, R. exulans, R. argentiventer, R. norvegicus, R. nitidus, and Mus musculus. These animals live in habitats made and maintained by humans. Such a faunal dichotomy occurs wherever there is an endemic fauna and wherever humans have settled throughout the Indonesian Archipelago east of Wallace's Line.
Modeling fluid transfer along California faults when integrating pressure solution crack sealing and compaction processes

[1] Several models pertaining to earthquake cycles imply intermittent fluid flow through fault. During the interseismic period, increase in fluid pressure from hydrostatic to lithostatic values is a crucial parameter in mechanisms leading to earthquakes. To achieve such pressures, geodynamic processes (gouge compaction, fluid flow) and changes in permeability are required. Previous models have postulated that changes in permeability (by self-healing) are faster than the effects of geodynamic processes. We consider the different mechanisms and rates of crack sealing near active fault on the examples of uplifted Californian faults. We find that natural crack sealing is normally not achieved by a rapid self-healing process. Pressure solution, with mass transfer from solution cleavage to cracks, appears to be a more important mechanism for crack sealing and creep during postseismic deformation. The geometry of transfer path and experimental data have been used to model crack sealing rates by pressure solution which are estimated to be rather slow, similar to the recurrence time of some earthquakes. Such slow changes in permeability may be crucial factors in controlling the increase in fluid pressure and, consequently, the mechanism of critical failure in faults. Then, numerical modeling of fluid pressure and transfer around active faults has been performed integrating a slow change in permeability by crack sealing, gouge compaction, and fluid flow from depth. This modeling shows various location and evolution of fluid overpressure during the interseismic period depending on these processes and allows one to estimate the amount of fluid transferred from depth during interseismic periods.
Skagi and Langjökull Volcanic Zones in Iceland: 1. Petrology and structure

The compositional variation of basalts in a 220-km-long profile through the length of the northward extension of the western volcanic zone of Iceland shows an abrupt discontinuity at 65° 10′N, separating high iron-titanium type light-rare-earth-element (REE)-enriched tholeiitic basalts in the Skagi zone (2.5–0.5 m.y.) to the north from Mg-Al-rich olivine tholeiites with REE patterns unfractionated in relation to chondrites in the Langjokull zone (0.7 m.y. to Recent) to the south. Geophysical evidence indicates that the chemical discontinuity may coincide with steepening of presently existing geothermal gradients and thickening of the Iceland crust from south to north. The two basalt groups exhibit striking petrographic contrasts. Skagi basalts contain phenocrysts of augite, plagioclase, olivine, and minor Fe-Ti oxides and have liquidus temperatures ranging from 1150° to 1170°C. Langjokull basalts are predominantly olivine and plagioclase-phyric, with minor chromian spinels and liquidus temperatures near 1230°C. Petrologic mixing calculations indicate that major element dispersion within Skagi can be accounted for by 15–17% extraction of plagioclase, augite, and olivine in proportions of 4:3:1. The observed major element range in the Langjokull group is consistent with 33–55% extraction of these same phases in the proportions 2.5:1.5:1. On the basis of major element chemistry alone the Skagi magma can be derived by 41–43% fractional crystallization of Langjokull magma, ascribed to filtering through a thicker crust. However, variable degrees of melting related to the thermal gradients are also required for genesis of these magmas to account for the REE variations observed (Schilling et al., 1978); combination of both processes is therefore invoked.
LEISCTRE PREFERENCES AND OPEN SPACE NEEDS IN AN URBAN CHINESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY

hisure preferences and open space needs were explored within a discrete, homogeneous ethnic community: the Chinese Americans of Chicago's Chinatown. Face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions were used to denti& outdoor leisure patterns and preferences. in general, and with respect to new park development being planned for the community. Findings show that although sow popular activities are no different from wlzat might be expected for the mainstreum Anglo American population, the meaning and significance of these activities have clear and unique ties to Chinese culture. Preferences for the new Chinatown park development mirror activity prgferences, emphasizing facilities that enhance the natural environment fir passive activities. Notable differences in activity preferences were found within the sample of respondents according to age. generational status. and other factors. Park planning considerations and future research needs are sdentified
Animal models of schizophrenia: the case for LSD-25.

Some of the difficulties of trying to establish an animal model of schizophrenia are first considered. Then, after a review of the evidence on the experimental psychopathology of schizophrenia, particularly that concerned with attention and arousal, it is concluded that the core feature which needs to be modeled in animals is some aspect of "input dysfunction. " It is argued that, of the pharmacological strategies, LSD-25 comes nearest to meeting that requirement, for two reasons. First, the phenomenology of an LSD "model psychosis" closely parallels that of the natural disease. Secondly, the experimental effects of the drug, both in animals and man, are very similar to or can be closely aligned theoretically with those of schizophrenia. An example is quoted from work in the author's laboratory where LSD was found to produce psychophysiological effects virtually identical to those observed occurring naturally in acute psychotic patients and in normal subjects high in "psychotic" personality traits. It is suggested that the rejection of LSD as a drug model was premature, especially as the currently popular preference for amphetamine has not been vindicated, either by the latter's ability to mimic an important central feature of the psychotic state or by work on dopamine as a specific common mediator of amphetamine psychosis and of schizophrenia.
Earthquakes and sea-level change in Hokkaido, north-east Japan

This thesis details the results of an investigation into the pattern of relative sea-level (RSL) changes in north-east Hokkaido, Japan. The aim of the research is to better understand the importance of seismic and non-seismic processes in controlling spatial patterns of vertical land motions over a range of timescales. The main focus is on using salt-marsh sediments as a source of data to reconstruct RSL change during the current interseismic period, since c. 300 calibrated years before present (cal. yr BP). Previous research on the Pacific coast of Hokkaido suggests that this period is characterised by subsidence caused by strain accumulation on the locked part of the Pacific/North American plates. I apply foraminiferal-based methods of palaeoenvironmental reconstruction to develop, using transfer functions, quantitative reconstructions of RSL change at five sites in north-east Hokkaido. Contemporary foraminifera are zoned with respect to elevation and tidal inundation, and my preferred transfer function (a model that contains 87 samples and 24 taxa) has a prediction r2 of 0.75 and a root mean squared error of prediction of ± 0.32 m. I apply this transfer function to shallow fossil sediment sequences at five salt marshes and use a combination of 210Pb, 137Cs and tephra chronology to establish age models for the sequences. The reconstructions are consistent in demonstrating little net RSL change during the last 300-100 cal. yrs, with the exception of data from one site, Sarfutsu-toh, located on the northern tip of Hokkaido. Chronologies from two profiles developed on the Pacific coast record strong evidence for recent RSL rise since the mid-1980s, but during earlier periods of the 20th century reconstructed RSL was stable or falling. I compare my reconstructions with other direct and proxy records of land and sea-level motions. Previously published GPS and repeat levelling data indicates subsidence in south-east Hokkaido during the 20th century, although the spatial patterns and rates of change have varied. An unknown amount of this subsidence at the Kushiro tide gauge likely reflects anthropogenic activities associated with sediment compaction as well as mining-induced subsidence. An analysis of the tide-gauge records from Hokkaido show a more varied pattern of land motions, although they also confirm subsidence on the Pacific coast, close to the Kuril trench. A database of Holocene sea-level index points provides insights into longer-term millennial-scale trends in RSL. Data from six regions of Hokkaido demonstrate stable RSL close to present during the mid- and late Holocene; only the northern tip of Hokkaido (around Sarubetsu) is there evidence for a small mid-Holocene highstand of 1-3 m above present. Finally, a review of Pleistocene raised marine terrace data shows net uplift over the last c. 330 k yr, with two areas of particularly high uplift at Abashiri and on the Pacific coast near Kushiro. The evidence presented in this research demonstrates that it is incorrect to infer that the current…
Ambient sulphur dioxide (SO2) and particulate matter (PM10) concentrations measured in selected communities of north and south Durban.

The industrial basin in the south of Durban is an area of ongoing contention between the residents and major industries, regarding environment health issues especially poor air quality resulting from industrial air pollution. This region is a result of poor urban planning that began in the early 1960's which saw rapid industrialisation alongside expanding communities, which has now resulted in a major environmental dilemma for the city of Durban, eThekwini Municipality. Durban is seen as a key area of growth in South Africa: it has the busiest harbour on the continent; it is a regional hub of the chemical industry and a major motor and metal manufacturer centre; and Durban's population continues to grow at ~4% per annum, all of which are destined to have significant environmental impacts. As part of a large epidemiological study and health risk assessment in this industrial basin, particulate matter smaller than 10 microns (PM 10) and sulphur dioxide (S02) were measured in seven community sites across Durban: four in the South, (Wentworth, Bluff, Merebank and Lamontville) and three in the north (Kwamashu, Newlands East and Newlands West). The south sites are located in an industrial basin near two petroleum refineries and a paper mill, while the north comparison sites are ~25 km North West from major industries in the Basin. 24 hour PM IO samples were collected gravimetrically every day during four, three-week intensive phases and thereafter every 6 day using high, medium and low volume samplers. S02 was monitored every 10 minutes with active continuous analysers (European monitor labs and API) according to internationally accepted methods. Rigorous quality assurance methods were followed for both pollutants. S02 followed a distinct spatial distribution where the mean difference in S02 concentrations between the southern and the northern region was 6.7 ppb, while for PM IO similar concentrations were found across all sites with the highest mean concentration at Ngazana in the north (59 Ilg/m3) > Assegai in the south (~58 Ilg/m3) with all other sites ~ I to 10 Ilg/m3 less in mean concentration. S02 diurnal variations display two maxima from 5:00AM to 10:00AM being repeated in the latter part of the day from 20:00PM to 24:00PM.
Global soil moisture retrieval from a synthetic L-band brightness temperature data set

[1] A technique to retrieve surface soil moisture was assessed at the global scale using a synthetic data set of L-band (1.4 GHz) brightness temperatures TB for 2 years, 1987 and 1988. The global TB database consists of half-degree continental pixels and accounts for within-pixel heterogeneity, on the basis of 1 km resolution land cover maps. The retrievals were performed using a three-parameter inversion method applied to the L-band Microwave Emission of Biosphere model (L-MEB). Three land surface variables were retrieved simultaneously from the multiangular and dual-polarization TB data: surface soil moisture wg, vegetation optical depth τ, and surface temperature TS. The retrievals were obtained in two TS configurations: TS was either unknown or known with an uncertainty of 2 K. Applying these two assumptions, global maps of the estimated accuracy of the wg retrievals were produced, and the capability of the TB to monitor wg was evaluated. A sensitivity study was carried out in order to analyze the effect of the main parameters that may affect the retrieval accuracy: the fraction cover of open water and forests, frozen soil conditions, and the radiometric noise on TB. These results contribute to the better definition of the potential of the observations from future spaceborne missions such as the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) project.
ESTRATEGIAS DE ADAPTACIÓN AL CAMBIO CLIMÁTICO EN DOS COMUNIDADES RURALES DE MÉXICO Y EL SALVADOR

This article explores local adaptation strategies to cope with impacts related to climate change through the analysis of two case studies in rural Mexico and El Salvador. Furthermore, the results are discussed in the context of the intersection between local responses and the role of institutional and public policy initiatives, which are crucial for structuring the effectiveness of long-term local responses.
The lithic microbial ecosystems of Antarctica’s McMurdo Dry Valleys

Abstract We review the lithic microbial ecosystems of the McMurdo Dry Valleys as the main form of terrestrial colonization in this region, and assess the role of environmental controls such as temperature, solar radiation, water availability, wind, nutrient availability, salinity and the physicochemical properties of the colonized rock. Epilithic communities, especially those dominated by lichens, are able to withstand extreme environmental conditions but subsurface endolithic microhabitats provide more tolerant conditions. Endolithic microbial communities can be grouped into two main classes: eukaryotic communities (dominated by lichenized fungi and algae) and prokaryotic communities (dominated by cyanobacteria). Heterotrophic bacteria and non-lichenized algae and fungi (mainly black fungi) are also components of these communities. These lithobiontic microorganisms generally have effective mechanisms against freezing temperatures and desiccation. Extracellular polymeric substances play an important role not only in protecting microbial cells but also in community organization and in mitigating microenvironmental conditions. Antarctic lithobiontic communities are comprised of microbial consortia within which multiple interactions between the different biological and abiotic components are essential for microbial survival, whilst fossils and biomarkers provide evidence of earlier successful microbial life in Antarctic deserts. Finally, the uniqueness of the present lithobiont assemblages suggests they are the outcome of geographical isolation during the evolution of the continent and not merely the descendants of a subset of globally distributed taxa that have adapted to the extreme environmental conditions.
Line‐based modified iterated Hough transform for automatic registration of multi‐source imagery

Image registration aims at combining imagery from multiple sensors to achieve higher accuracy and derive more information than that obtained from a single sensor. The enormous increase in the volume of remotely sensed data that is being acquired by an ever‐growing number of earth observation satellites mandates the development of accurate, robust, and automated registration procedures. An effective automatic image registration has to deal with four issues: registration primitives, transformation function, similarity measure, and matching strategy. This paper introduces a new approach for automatic image registration using linear features as the registration primitives. Linear features have been chosen because they can be reliably extracted from imagery with significantly different geometric and radiometric properties. The modified iterated Hough transform (MIHT), which manipulates the registration primitives and similarity measure, is used as the matching strategy for automatically deriving an estimate of the parameters involved in the transformation function as well as the correspondence between conjugate primitives. The MIHT procedure follows an optimal sequence for parameter estimation that takes into account the contribution of linear features with different orientations at various locations within the imagery towards the estimation of the transformation parameters in question. Experimental results using real data proved the feasibility and robustness of the suggested approach.