Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determining the microwave emissivity of sea-ice at AMSU-B frequencies for use in operational numerical weather prediction assimilation schemes

Possible methods for improving the way in which the emissivity of sea ice is represented in numerical weather prediction (NWP) assimilation schemes, and hence allowing increased exploitation of satellite data in these traditionally data sparse regions, are investigated by comparing emissivities retrieved from in-situ, airborne observations in the arctic and those derived from two different models. Further information is provided by sea ice type and concentration products derived from Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) observations. Analysis of the aircraft derived emissivities shows a definite relationship between the emissivities at 157 GHz and 183 GHz irrespective of the ice type (R2 = 0.97), and while this is not the case for the window channel at 89 GHz and the two higher frequencies (R2 = 0.55), it will be shown that by sub setting the emissivities according to ice type results in a stronger relationship between these frequencies for first year ice (R2 = 0.66 between 89 and 183 GHz) while the relationships for multi year ice are weaker. The retrieved emissivities are also compared with two emissivity models, the fast emissivity model (FASTEM) which assigns an emissivity to a prescribed ice type and a model from the NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) which uses an empirical approach based on retrievals from Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU) brightness temperatures. The NOAA model performed better than FASTEM, although FASTEM performance was improved by weighting the emissivity spectra by the sea ice type and concentration information given by the SSM/I derived products.
Relating seismic interpretation to reserve/resource calculations: Insights from a DHI consortium

In the process of quantifying resources/reserves, geoscientists attempt to employ all the available pertinent information to produce the most accurate results. The presence of direct hydrocarbon indicators (DHI) on seismic data can have a significant impact on the reserve/resource calculations not only for volumes, but also uncertainty levels. In 2001 a consortium of oil companies was organized in an attempt to understand seismic amplitude anomalies interpreted as DHIs and their impact on prospect risking and resource calculations (Roden et al., 2005; Forrest et al., 2010). The geologic setting, seismic and rock physics data quality, DHI characteristics, and calibration of drilling results are all incorporated into a database in a consistent and systematic process. From this process, the evaluation of 217 prospects and associated well results has enabled an in-depth understanding of the relevant key aspects of seismic amplitude anomalies and how they relate to drilling results.
The Molecular Basis for Dual Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH)/Cyclooxygenase (COX) Inhibition

The design of multitarget‐directed ligands is a promising strategy for discovering innovative drugs. Here, we report a mechanistic study that clarifies key aspects of the dual inhibition of the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes by a new multitarget‐directed ligand named ARN2508 (2‐[3‐fluoro‐4‐[3‐(hexylcarbamoyloxy)phenyl]phenyl]propanoic acid). This potent dual inhibitor combines, in a single scaffold, the pharmacophoric elements often needed to block FAAH and COX, that is, a carbamate moiety and the 2‐arylpropionic acid functionality, respectively. Molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that ARN2508 uses a noncovalent mechanism of inhibition to block COXs, while inhibiting FAAH via the acetylation of the catalytic Ser241, in line with previous experimental evidence for covalent FAAH inhibition. This study proposes the molecular basis for the dual FAAH/COX inhibition by this novel hybrid scaffold, stimulating further experimental studies and offering new insights for the rational design of novel anti‐inflammatory agents that simultaneously act on FAAH and COX.
Alteration and associated impurity element enrichment in detrital ilmenites from the Murray Basin, southeast Australia: a product of multistage alteration

Alteration and associated impurity element enrichment in detrital ilmenites from the Murray Basin in southeastern Australia was examined using electron-beam imaging and analysis techniques. A database of over 15 000 analyses from 22 deposits (16 coarse grained, six fine grained) showed a broad spectrum of alteration products from primary ilmenite through to pseudorutile, hydroxylian pseudorutile and minor leucoxene. Impurity element levels were strongly affected by the degree of alteration. Ilmenites from fine-grained deposits were less altered than their coarse-grained equivalents. Regional analysis of the data showed an increase in the degree of alteration towards the northern margins of the basin. Two types of ilmenite alteration were observed: a continuous process in which ilmenite alters to pseudorutile and then leucoxene (Type I) plus a second type of alteration which converts ilmenite directly to hydroxylian pseudorutile (Type II). Type I alteration was present throughout all deposits and occurred prior to final emplacement under acidic oxygenated conditions. Type II alteration was restricted to deposits in the more northern sectors of the basin. Conditions for the formation of Type II alteration are unknown but textural evidence indicates alteration was in situ. The Murray Basin ilmenites represent the final products of multi-stage alteration processes.
Evolution and function of the extended miR-2 microRNA family

MicroRNAs are essential post-transcriptional regulators. Many animal microRNAs are clustered in the genome, and it has been shown that clustered microRNAs may be transcribed as a single transcript. Polycistronic microRNAs are often members of the same family, suggesting a role of tandem duplication in the emergence of clusters. The mir-2 microRNA family is the largest in Drosophila melanogaster, with 8 members that are mostly clustered in the genome. Previous studies suggest that the copy number and genomic distribution of mir-2 family members has been subject to significant change during evolution. The effects of such changes on their function are still unknown. Here we study the evolution of function in the mir-2 family. Our analyses show that, in spite of the change in number and organization among invertebrates, most mir-2 loci produce very similar mature microRNA products. Multiple mature miR-2 sequences are predicted to target genes involved in neural development in Drosophila. These targeting properties are conserved in the distant species Caenorhabditis elegans. Duplication followed by functional diversification is frequent during protein-coding gene evolution. However, our results suggest that the production of microRNA clusters by gene duplication rarely involves functional changes. This pattern of functional redundancy among clustered paralogous microRNAs reflects birth-and-death evolutionary dynamics. However, we identified a small number of mir-2 sequences in Drosophila that may have undergone functional shifts associated with genomic rearrangements. Therefore, redundancy in microRNA families may facilitate the acquisition of novel functional features.
APLICACIÓN DEL SISTEMA NEURO-DIFUSO (SND) EN DATOS DE POROSIDAD Y SATURACIÓN DE AGUA, PARA LA INFERENCIA DE PERMEABILIDAD.

The high accuracy on inference of rock’s properties, such as porosity (φ), water saturation (Sw) and permeability (k), is a very useful study in the analysis of well. This has resulted in the development and use of empirical equations like Tixier, Timur, among others. In order to improve the inference of permeability we used a technique known as Neuro-Fuzzy System (NFS), MatLab's module, ANFIS. NFS allowed us to infer permeability of well, from data of porosity and water saturation (k (φ, Sw)). The work was performed with data from wells Px21 and Px50, Block III, Lake of Maracaibo, Venezuela. We used the 50% of core data (k, φ, Sw) of Px21 in NFS to obtain a set of inference equations (EI-P21) for permeability (kEI-P21(φ,Sw)). These equations were validated with 100% of Px21 data (φ, Sw). In the validation the inference of EIP21 was improving by 43% k (φ, Sw) as regards to Tixier’s equation. Subsequently, we used the
Joint inversion of H/V ratios and dispersion curves from seismic noise: Estimating the S‐wave velocity of bedrock

A joint inversion of phase velocity and H/V ratio curves, both obtained from seismic‐noise recordings, permits the retrieval of the shear‐wave velocity structure of local sedimentary cover. Our inversion scheme uses a genetic algorithm and considers the influence of higher modes on the data sets. Encouraged by the results published previously on joint inversion (Parolai et al., 2005) we went one step further. We found, using a synthetic data set, that the impedance contrast at the sediment‐bedrock interface has a strong influence on the shape of the H/V ratio curve, which therefore allows the bedrock S‐wave velocity to be well constrained in the joint‐inversion procedure. Our observations were further confirmed using a real data set.
Synapsid Burrows in the Lower Jurassic Navajo Sandstone, Utah

Enigmatic structures in the Lower Jurassic Navajo Sandstone near Moab, Utah, occur at three localities below carbonate beds that record interdune lake deposits. These structures are interpreted as mammal and therapsid burrows based on their architectural and surficial burrow morphologies: Type I (large diameter) and Type II (mega diameter) burrows. Type I burrows include sinuous tunnels, Yand Tbranched tunnels, sinuous ramps, and chambers, and weather into mounds averaging 33 m x 22 m and extend ~ 1 m above the surface. Type I burrows are dorsoventrally flattened, in cross section averaging 9.3 cm wide and 4.2 cm high, and are sand filled and structureless. Type I burrows mostly have smooth walls, though some have scalloped walls. Type II burrows are simple, inclined tunnels ~ 35 cm wide and ~ 20 cm high, and exhibit well-preserved bilobate morphology along the underside of the tunnel. The walls preserve a series of 3 or 4 thin (~ 4–8 mm), inclined scratch marks from the upper part of the wall and along the floor. The great complexity and high density of Type I burrow systems is best explained by multiple individuals living together in social groups. These burrows are more complex than Early Triassic therapsid burrows from South Africa and are most similar to burrows of extant social (e.g., voles) and eusocial mammals (e.g., naked mole rats). Type II burrows were likely constructed by therapsids, based on burrow size and comparison to Permian and Triassic therapsid burrows from South Africa and Antarctica.
Egg masses of the Patagonian squid Doryteuthis (Amerigo) gahi attached to giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) in the sub-Antarctic ecoregion

Egg masses of the Patagonian squid Doryteuthis (Amerigo) gahi attached to giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) in the Magellanic channels of the sub-Antarctic ecoregion in southern South America is documented for the first time. Of seven egg masses observed between 2008 and 2011, one was taken to the laboratory to be analysed and photographed. Comprising long transparent capsules containing eggs, the masses were strongly attached to the stipes of M. pyrifera. This macroalgae is a potentially important economic resource due to its multiple industrial uses; this study shows that it also serves an important ecological role as a spawning substrate for D. gahi.
Distinct modes of endocytotic presynaptic membrane and protein uptake at the calyx of Held terminal of rats and mice

Neurotransmitter is released at synapses by fusion of synaptic vesicles with the plasma membrane. To sustain synaptic transmission, compensatory retrieval of membranes and vesicular proteins is essential. We combined capacitance measurements and pH-imaging via pH-sensitive vesicular protein marker (anti-synaptotagmin2-cypHer5E), and compared the retrieval kinetics of membranes and vesicular proteins at the calyx of Held synapse. Membrane and Syt2 were retrieved with a similar time course when slow endocytosis was elicited. When fast endocytosis was elicited, Syt2 was still retrieved together with the membrane, but endocytosed organelle re-acidification was slowed down, which provides strong evidence for two distinct endocytotic pathways. Strikingly, CaM inhibitors or the inhibition of the Ca2+-calmodulin-Munc13-1 signaling pathway only impaired the uptake of Syt2 while leaving membrane retrieval intact, indicating different recycling mechanisms for membranes and vesicle proteins. Our data identify a novel mechanism of stimulus- and Ca2+-dependent regulation of coordinated endocytosis of synaptic membranes and vesicle proteins. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.14643. 001
Differential Modulation of Cerebellar Flocculus Unipolar Brush Cells during Vestibular Compensation

Vestibular compensation is a natural behavioral recovery process following unilateral vestibular injury. Understanding the mechanism can considerably enhance vestibular disorder therapy and advance the adult central nervous system functional plasticity study after injury. The cerebellum, particularly the flocculonodular lobe, tightly modulates the vestibular nucleus, the center for vestibular compensation; however, it is still unclear if the flocculus on both sides is involved in vestibular compensation. Here we report that the unipolar brush cells (UBCs) in the flocculus are modulated by unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL). UBCs are excitatory interneurons targeting granule cells to provide feedforward innervation to the Purkinje cells, the primary output neurons in the cerebellum. According to the upregulated or downregulated response to the mossy fiber glutamatergic input, UBC can be classified into ON and OFF forms of UBCs. Furthermore, we discovered that the expression of marker genes of ON and OFF UBCs, mGluR1α and calretinin, was increased and decreased, respectively, only in ipsilateral flocculus 4–8 h after UL. According to further immunostaining studies, the number of ON and OFF UBCs was not altered during UL, demonstrating that the shift in marker gene expression level in the flocculus was not caused by the transformation of cell types between UBCs and non-UBCs. These findings imply the importance of ipsilateral flocculus UBCs in the acute response of UL, and ON and OFF UBCs may be involved in vestibular compensation in opposite directions.
Influence of meteorological conditions and crown defoliation on tree phenology in intensive forest monitoring plots in Slovenia.

Data from the forest monitoring programme in Slovenia were used to assess the relationship between tree phenology, crown defoliation and meteorological conditions in Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur and Picea abies forests in the 2004–2013 period. We hypothesized a species-specific response of first leaf unfolding, general leaf colouring, the length of the growing season to crown defoliation, air temperature, precipitation and soil water. In accordance with the hypothesis, we found a high sensitivity of first leaf unfolding to air temperature and precipitation for all species, exhibiting contrasting responses. We observed strong sensitivity of beech defoliation to precipitation and soil water conditions. Oak crown defoliation and next-year phenology were correlated, with higher crown defoliation contributing to earlier leaf unfolding, later autumn leaf colouring and longer growing season of oak in next year. Correlation between crown defoliation and phenology was found neither for beech nor spruce.
Can intense substorms occur under northward IMF conditions

[1] This paper reports on several substorms observed under northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions, the intensity of which was at least as significant as that of typical substorms under moderately southward IMF conditions. Such northward IMF periods were identified during the recovery phase of three strong storms. In the case of each storm, two or more substorms occurred successively, being separated by ∼1.8–5 h, while the IMF condition continued persistently northward. The substorms are clearly evidenced by auroral and other complementary observations. For the most intense substorms, the auroral breakup occurred at the magnetic latitude of ∼58°, and for the others it was between 60° and 65°. The polar cap size prior to each onset was substantial despite the northward IMF conditions. The auroral expansion following each onset lasted from a few up to several magnetic local time hours and exhibited a clear poleward expansion feature. For most of the events studied, geosynchronous magnetic dipolarizations preceded by field stretching and/or energetic particle injections occurred. The occurrence of such (intense) substorms implies that a certain (large) amount of energy remains in the tail even under northward IMF conditions. The occurrence of two or more successive substorms further implies that even after the release of a certain amount of energy triggered by the substorm, the tail can still have a substantial amount of energy left, which can be released by a subsequent substorm(s). We conjecture that an intense substorm during a northward IMF period can be expected when such a period belongs to the recovery phase of an intense storm mainly because of large energy loading done by preceding southward IMF Bz during the storm's main (and some early recovery) phase. In addition we argue that substorm energy can also be supplied by other mechanisms of the solar wind–magnetosphere coupling under northward IMF conditions such as dayside reconnection in the presence of a substantial IMF By component.
Evidence for climate modulation of the 10Be solar activity proxy

[1] We used a snow pit record in conjunction with detailed snow accumulation data and oxygen isotope records to examine atmospheric transport and deposition effects on 10Be at Law Dome, Antarctica. Data from an adjacent automatic weather station was used to date the record at snowfall event-scale resolution. In contrast to prior ice core studies in Antarctica, the snow pit record is of a sufficiently short duration (∼1 year) that 10Be fluctuations reflect mainly atmospheric transport processes rather than solar modulation of production. Elevated concentrations of 10Be were found in the late austral summer and early autumn snow, synchronous with the seasonal increase in stratospheric aerosols at Antarctic stations. A significant (P < 0.01) anticorrelation of 10Be with δ18O occurs at the snowfall event scale. Fractionation of water isotopes at Law Dome is controlled by local and regional processes, specifically transport and local temperature. The anticorrelation seen here implies that 10Be concentration was reduced in snow from warmer air masses (characterized by less negative δ18O). There is potential for confounding solar modulation with climatic modulation if at sites such as this one, warmer meteorological influences may be associated with reduced 10Be concentrations. Quantification of the significance of this effect for the longer-term 10Be record will require analysis of longer 10Be records from different sites.
The Future Eaters: An Ecological History of the Australasian Lands and People

This is the story of how human beings have consumed the resources they need for their own future. It examines the original "future eaters" who were the first people to leave the Afro-Asian homeland and travel down the chain of islands to Australasia and became the Aboriginal, Maori and other Polynesian peoples. They changed the flora and fauna in ways that seem inconceivable. The book then continues on to discuss how Europeans have made an even greater impact and how today "future eating" is a universal occupation.
What Do Faults Feel? Observational Constraints on the Stresses Acting On Seismogenic Faults

The purpose of this paper is to review observations pertaining to the state of stress in continental crust, and their implications for the shear and normal stresses acting on large, seismically active faults. We focus particularly on what information about stress magnitudes and orientations can be obtained from borehole and seismological measurements, respectively, and on the caveats associated with interpreting that information. Borehole data strongly suggest that the state of stress in the brittle crust is maintained by Andersonian fractures whose frictional failure is governed by Byerlee friction coefficients of 0.6-1.0 and hydrostatic fluid pressures. However, the large-scale geometry of the San Andreas fault, and other similarly large plate-bounding faults, implies a different mechanical behavior. In particular, the near-field (<10 km) axis of maximum horizontal compression lies at an angle substantially in excess of the 23-30° expected for an Andersonian strike-slip fault. Recent borehole measurements reveal that this geometry persists for the San Andreas fault to within a few hundred meters of the fault core. These observations suggest that the simple, Andersonian characteristics of the small fractures that pervade the continental crust and apparently maintain ambient tectonic stresses break down at plate-boundary fault scales.
Targeting Aquaporin Function: Potent Inhibition of Aquaglyceroporin-3 by a Gold-Based Compound

Aquaporins (AQPs) are membrane channels that conduct water and small solutes such as glycerol and are involved in many physiological functions. Aquaporin-based modulator drugs are predicted to be of broad potential utility in the treatment of several diseases. Until today few AQP inhibitors have been described as suitable candidates for clinical development. Here we report on the potent inhibition of AQP3 channels by gold(III) complexes screened on human red blood cells (hRBC) and AQP3-transfected PC12 cells by a stopped-flow method. Among the various metal compounds tested, Auphen is the most active on AQP3 (IC50 = 0.8±0.08 µM in hRBC). Interestingly, the compound poorly affects the water permeability of AQP1. The mechanism of gold inhibition is related to the ability of Au(III) to interact with sulphydryls groups of proteins such as the thiolates of cysteine residues. Additional DFT and modeling studies on possible gold compound/AQP adducts provide a tentative description of the system at a molecular level. The mapping of the periplasmic surface of an homology model of human AQP3 evidenced the thiol group of Cys40 as a likely candidate for binding to gold(III) complexes. Moreover, the investigation of non-covalent binding of Au complexes by docking approaches revealed their preferential binding to AQP3 with respect to AQP1. The high selectivity and low concentration dependent inhibitory effect of Auphen (in the nanomolar range) together with its high water solubility makes the compound a suitable drug lead for future in vivo studies. These results may present novel metal-based scaffolds for AQP drug development.
Determinantes sociodemográficos e econômicos das atividades dos idosos no nordeste brasileiro

As mudanças na composição etária da população têm ocasionado impactos no mercado de trabalho. Dada a sua relevância, este trabalho se propõe a identificar os determinantes sociodemográficos e econômicos que influenciam a tomada de decisão do idoso residente no Nordeste brasileiro entre participar do mercado de trabalho, receber benefício de aposentadoria e/ou cuidar das atividades domésticas. Para tal, estimou-se um modelo logit multinomial. Os dados utilizados nesta pesquisa foram provenientes da Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios (PNAD) de 2006, realizada pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Os resultados econométricos do modelo logit multinomial confirmaram que a influência dos determinantes analisados sobre as atividades dos idosos estão de acordo com a literatura econômica.