Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An evaluation and comparison of cloud condensation nucleus activity models: Predicting particle critical saturation from growth at subsaturation

The ability of particles to activate and form cloud droplets influences the functioning of the Earth's hydrological cycle. This work links the particle water uptake at subsaturation to the critical supersaturation ratio needed for particles to become cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). Five models using the particle hygroscopic growth at subsaturation for predicting the critical supersaturation needed for droplet activation were applied to a laboratory data set of inorganic and organic compounds and mixtures of them. The data set consisted of hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analyzer measurements and CCN counter measurements. No chemical composition information was used when applying the models. All models tested were based on modifications of Kohler theory and gave similar results. The agreement between predicted and measured critical supersaturations was good, considering the relatively simple models used. A trend of overestimating the critical supersaturations was observed, typically by similar to 15%. The best performing model gave on average only a 4% offset from experimental values; the model with the largest deviation was offset by 20%. A comparison was made between the number of soluble entities (ions or nondissociating molecules) estimated from the particle hygroscopic growth at 90% relative humidity (RH) and the number estimated from the particle critical supersaturation; a similar to 35% increase was observed in the effective number of entities in solution when going from 90% RH to activation. For many types of aerosols, differences in the model approaches tested do not induce large differences in the predicted critical supersaturation. However, it is most important to follow the recommendations published with the respective models and not use them indiscriminately. (Less)
Démences en Afrique Subsaharienne : outils, prévalence et facteurs de risque

Suite au vieillissement de la population mondiale et compte-tenu de la transition epidemiologique en cours, les demences deviennent un probleme majeur de sante publique dans les pays en developpement. En effet, les consequences humaines, sociales et economiques liees aux demences et a la maladie d’Alzheimer sont lourdes. Les premieres estimations de la prevalence des demences dans les pays en developpement etaient faibles, souvent inferieures a 5%, contrastant avec les observations faites dans les pays developpes ou la prevalence variait entre 5 et 20%. Peu de recherches sur les demences ont ete menees en Afrique alors qu’une augmentation de 93% de la population de personnes âgees vivant en Afrique Subsaharienne est prevue par l’OMS entre 2000 et 2020. Au cours de cette these, nous avons etudie les outils permettant de depister les demences dans les pays a faibles revenus en zone tropicale, ou les differences culturelles et l’illettrisme sont importants. L’âge des sujets devant etre determine avec precision lors d’enquetes epidemiologiques sur les demences, une methode d’estimation de l’âge via des reperes historiques a ete validee. Trois etudes epidemiologiques en population generale ont ete conduites en Afrique francophone : a Djidja (Benin), a Bangui (Republique Centrafricaine) et a Brazzaville (Congo), afin d’estimer la prevalence des demences chez les sujets de plus de 65 ans et d’etudier les facteurs de risque de ces affections. Ces etudes, par la methode de porte-a-porte, ont permis de depister environ 500 sujets dans chaque zone avec le Community Screening Interview for Dementia et le Test des 5 mots. La prevalence des demences etait faible en zone rurale beninoise (2,6%), alors qu’elle etait plus elevee dans les villes d’Afrique Centrale (8,1% a Bangui et 6,7% a Brazzaville). L’âge et les symptomes depressifs au moment de l’etude etaient les deux facteurs les plus souvent significativement associes aux demences dans ces populations, tandis que la non scolarisation n’etait jamais associee aux demences. L’association des demences avec l’Arteriopathie Obliterante des Membres Inferieurs (AOMI) a ete plus particulierement exploree en Afrique Centrale. Alors que la prevalence de l’AOMI etait elevee dans la population âgee (15,0% a Bangui et 32,4% a Brazzaville), un Index de Pression Systolique faible (<0,9) etait associe a la presence de demences, meme apres ajustement sur les facteurs de risque de demences et de maladies cardiovasculaires. Les recherches sur les demences dans les pays a faibles ou moyens revenus ont progresse durant ces dernieres annees. La prevalence des demences semble varier d’une region d’Afrique a l’autre, selon le milieu urbain ou rural. En plus des facteurs de risque usuels, certains facteurs de risque psychosociaux semblent jouer un role dans la survenue de demence.
Developing a Performance Measure for Snow-Level Forecasts

Abstract The snow level, or altitude in the atmosphere where snow melts to rain, is an important variable for hydrometeorological prediction in mountainous watersheds; yet, there is no operational performance measure associated with snow-level forecasts in the United States. To establish a performance measure, it is first necessary to establish the baseline performance associated with snow-level forecasts. Using data collected by vertically pointing Doppler radars, an automated algorithm has been developed to detect the altitude of maximum radar reflectivity in the radar bright band that results from the precipitation melting process. This altitude can be used as a proxy for the snow level, partly because it always exists below the freezing level, which is defined as the altitude of the 0°C isotherm. The skill of freezing-level forecasts produced by the California–Nevada River Forecast Center (CNRFC) is evaluated by comparing spatially interpolated and forecaster-adjusted numerical model freezing-level fo.
A Chemical Genomic Analysis of Decoquinate, a Plasmodium falciparum Cytochrome b Inhibitor

Decoquinate has single-digit nanomolar activity against in vitro blood stage Plasmodium falciparum parasites, the causative agent of human malaria. In vitro evolution of decoquinate-resistant parasites and subsequent comparative genomic analysis to the drug-sensitive parental strain revealed resistance was conferred by two nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene encoding cytochrome b. The resultant amino acid mutations, A122T and Y126C, reside within helix C in the ubiquinol-binding pocket of cytochrome b, an essential subunit of the cytochrome bc1 complex. As with other cytochrome bc1 inhibitors, such as atovaquone, decoquinate has low nanomolar activity against in vitro liver stage P. yoelii and provides partial prophylaxis protection when administered to infected mice at 50 mg kg–1. In addition, transgenic parasites expressing yeast dihydroorotate dehydrogenase are >200-fold less sensitive to decoquinate, which provides additional evidence that this drug inhibits the parasite’s mitochondrial electron transport chain. Importantly, decoquinate exhibits limited cross-resistance to a panel of atovaquone-resistant parasites evolved to harbor various mutations in cytochrome b. The basis for this difference was revealed by molecular docking studies, in which both of these inhibitors were shown to have distinctly different modes of binding within the ubiquinol-binding site of cytochrome b.
Melange: A viscoelastic lattice‐particle model applicable to the lithosphere

This article introduces the software Melange, a 3D lattice‐particle hybrid model. The software was specifically designed in order to simulate ductile visco‐elasto‐plastic deformation and can be used to study tectonic processes in the lithosphere from the micro to the macro scale. Melange is under an open source license. The code takes both relevant yield mechanisms for the deformation of lithospheric material into account: dynamic brittle failure and ductile creep, where ductile creep is modeled as viscoelasticity. The software considers effects of the local geology, of the inherent disorder of geomaterials, of rheological layering of the lithosphere and applies repulsion when the material fractures. Driving forces are the externally applied strain and the gravitational load. Melange applies an elastically isotropic regular 3D lattice with HCP geometry and next‐nearest neighbor interactions. Young's modulus, viscosity, material density and system size can be freely chosen. Poisson's ratio is restricted to values <0.25. The most important innovation of the software is a physically consistent scheme to model viscoelasticity in a lattice‐particle model. The scheme couples the local lattice‐geometry to the time‐dependent volume‐conservative viscoelastic deformation of particles. The procedure achieves the typical viscoelastic stress‐strain relationship. The article incorporates a number of benchmark simulations, where the model output is being tested and evaluated. The results obtained with Melange show strong similarities with the benchmark values, e.g., stress fields in crack vicinity. Geologically relevant examples include structures associated with the brittle‐ductile transition, growth of wing cracks and brittle graben formation.
Soil Conductivity and Multiple Linear Regression for Precision Monitoring of Beef Feedlot Manure and Runoff

Open-lot cattle feeding operations face challenges in control of nutrient runoff, leaching, and gaseous emissions. This report investigates the use of precision management of saline soils as found on 1) feedlot surfaces and 2) a vegetative treatment area (VTA) utilized to control feedlot runoff. An electromagnetic induction soil conductivity meter was used to collect apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa) from feedlot pens and a research VTA at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Nebraska. An ECe Sampling Assessment and Prediction (ESAP) program, developed by the Soil Salinity Lab at Riverside, California was used to analyze feedlot pens and the VTA. The program directed soil sample site locations and produced models associating ECa to volatile solids (VS) and chloride (Cl−, an indicator ion for feedlot runoff). Results from the feedlot site for two pens with differing management styles indicate positive correlations between ECa and associated VS (R2=0.90, soil mound pen; R2=0.65, manu.
Mapping the lower mantle: Determination of lateral heterogeneity in P velocity up to degree and order 6

The data from the International Seismological Centre bulletins for the years 1964–1979 are used to derive a three-dimensional model of lateral variations of the P velocity in the lower mantle. Unlike previous studies, in which such perturbations were represented by a blocklike parameterization, we seek the solution in the form δυ(r, θ, ϕ) = Σk = 0K Σl = 0L Σm = 0l ƒk(r)(kAlm cos mϕ + kBlm sin mϕ) plm (cos θ). Some 500,000 travel time residuals for teleseismic distances from 5000 earthquakes are used in an iterative procedure to derive the coefficients A and B, the maximum K and L used are 4 and 6, respectively. In each iteration, in addition to solving for the three-dimensional structure, we also relocate all the earthquakes, perturb the average travel time curve, and determine station corrections for over 1000 stations. Particular attention is given to the problem of weighting the individual observations in order to avoid, as much as possible, the bias due to the uneven distribution of sources and receivers. The resulting model shows a high level of perturbations just below the 670-km discontinuity and just above the core-mantle boundary, where the maximum perturbations reach 1–1.5% of the average velocity even for this highly smoothed model. At a depth of 2000 km the rms perturbations are some 3 to 4 times lower than at either of the two boundaries. The model predicts well the large-scale pattern of observed travel time residuals for various source regions except for the distinct effects of the subduction zones. The most striking large-scale three-dimensional feature of the model is a ring of high velocities circumscribing the Pacific basin within a depth range from 1000 km to the core-mantle boundary. If the proportionality between perturbations in the velocity and temperature is assumed, the derived pattern of anomalies could be consistent with a two boundary layer model of convection in the lower mantle. Some caution, however, should be exercised in interpreting the results near the 670-km discontinuity, where the resolving power of our data set is limited by the lack of adequate control of the upper mantle structure. At the same time, a significant global increase in the level of perturbations in the lowermost mantle is established beyond question. The results of Dziewonski et al. (1977) on the correlation between the “equivalent geoid” and the observed geoid for the angular order numbers 2 and 3 is confirmed, but there is no significant correlation for degrees from 4 to 6. These calculations are made for the rigid earth. Richards and Hager (this issue) show that introduction of finite viscosity can change the sign of a geoid anomaly. In addition, recent studies of lateral variations in the shear velocity reveal the presence of large-scale anomalies in the upper mantle. Thus, while the inferences made here with respect to the origin of the gravest orders of the geopotential field are not conclusive, they point the way in which results from seismology can be used to address some of the basic questions of geodynamics.
Middle Triassic cnidarians from the New Pass Range, Central Nevada

We describe three scleractinian corals and one species of hydrozoan from the New Pass Range, central Nevada, which together constitute the oldest Triassic cnidarian assemblage from North America. They occur in carbonate rocks tentatively correlated with the Augusta Mountain Formation, Star Peak Group. At generic and higher levels, these cnidarians seem representative of early Mesozoic Tethyan faunas and carbonate lithofacies, but they indicate some endemism. Although the original aragonitic skeletons and microstructure are destroyed by recrystallization, the corals still yield important details allowing their correct taxonomic assignment. They contain the minitrabecular cerioid coral, Ceriostella variabilis new genus and species, the thick-trabecular, thamnasteroid coral Mesomorpha newpassensis new species, and an undeterminable cuifastreid coral tentatively assigned to Cuifastraea. The discovery of Mesomorpha marks the first occurrence of this genus outside the Jurassic and Cretaceous seas. Also discovered is a remarkably corallike hydrozoan, Cassianastraea reussi (Laube), already known from the Carnian stage of the western Tethys. This is the first occurrence of this species outside the western Tethys.
Determination of a-Axis Orientations of Polycrystalline Ice

Abstract Two new methods have been devised for measurement of crystallographic lattice orientations of individual crystals in polycrystalline ice. The first uses edge-length ratios of etch pits. The second uses a combination of optical measurement on a thin section and etch-pit technique. Although the second method does not work for crystals with their c-axis oriented parallel to the thin section, it is much simpler and more practical than the first method. When used on polycrystalline glacier ice, this method gave the three a-axes orientations as well as c-axis orientation for each crystal with an accuracy of 5°.
A multi‐storage groundwater concept for the SWAT model to emphasize nonlinear groundwater dynamics in lowland catchments

Hydrological models are useful tools to analyze present and future conditions of water quantity and quality. The integrated modelling of water and nutrients needs an adequate representation of the different discharge components. In common with many lowlands, groundwater contribution to the discharge in the North German lowlands is a key factor for a reasonable representation of the water balance, especially in low flow periods. Several studies revealed that the widely used Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model performs poorly for low flow periods.
Mercury in lichens and reindeer hair from Alaska: 2005–2007 pilot survey

ABSTRACT Reindeer and caribou are terrestrial herbivores, that feed on lichens and are used for commercial and subsistence food products. Caribou are a key component of the arctic food web and the bioaccumulation of toxic contaminants, such as mercury (Hg), needs to be monitored to establish a baseline as the arctic environment is impacted by both climate change and future industrial development. A changing climate in Alaska is influencing plant species composition, fire regime, melting and flooding events, and thus, impacting Hg bioavailability in the food chain. Industrial development in Asia is also projected to increase the atmospheric global pool of Hg from increased coal combustion. Reindeer, a domesticated representative of caribou, can be used as a terrestrial biomonitor for metal exposure. In this study total mercury concentrations were measured in lichens and in hair of grazing reindeer on defined ranges across Alaska to establish a baseline for future hypothesis development and testing regarding Hg deposition. The Hg mean level for Seward Peninsula lichens on the Davis Range was 37.4 ng g−1, on the Gray Range 47.1 ng g−1, on the Kakaruk Range 42.2 ng g−1, and 41.7 ng g−1 on the Noyakuk Range. Lichen Hg levels on St. Lawrence Island was 46.6 ng g−1. Methyl mercury levels in lichens were found to be below detection levels. Reindeer grazing on these ranges had mean Hg hair levels of 14.6 ng g−1 (Davis herd), 83.4 ng g−1 (Gray herd), and 40.3 ng g−1 (Noyakuk herd). Two reindeer on St. Lawrence Island had an average of Hg of 43.0 ng g−1. Sample sizes ranged from n = 2 to n = 11. Hg mean levels in lichen on Seward Peninsula were higher than Hg means of two ranges in northern Mongolia. The Hg levels observed in this study indicate that Hg levels in Alaska are low at this time and pose no risk to the health of reindeer or human subsistence harvesters. A significant relationship between Hg in lichens on the ranges and the Hg in reindeer on those ranges has not been established. There are insufficient data on Hg levels in many areas of the north and more information is needed on location specific and time trends in Hg concentrations. Lichens and reindeer hair provide a good, non-invasive method of monitoring metal exposure changes in Alaskan ecosystems.
MOTIVATED SKEPTICISM IN THE EVALUATION OF POLITICAL BELIEFS (2006)

Abstract We propose a model of motivated skepticism that helps explain when and why citizens are biased information processors. Two experimental studies explore how citizens evaluate arguments about affirmative action and gun control, finding strong evidence of a prior attitude effect such that attitudinally congruent arguments are evaluated as stronger than attitudinally incongruent arguments. When reading pro and con arguments, participants (Ps) counterargue the contrary arguments and uncritically accept supporting arguments, evidence of a disconfirmation bias. We also find a confirmation bias—the seeking out of confirmatory evidence—when Ps are free to self-select the source of the arguments they read. Both the confirmation and disconfirmation biases lead to attitude polarization—the strengthening of t2 over t1 attitudes—especially among those with the strongest priors and highest levels of political sophistication. We conclude with a discussion of the normative implications of these findings for rational behavior in a democracy.
Intercomparison of pressure standards (Au, Pt, Mo, MgO, NaCl and Ne) to 2.5 Mbar

We have performed a series of co-compression experiments on Au, Pt, Mo, MgO and NaCl to extend internally consistent pressure calibration and characterize shear strength of pressure media to 2.5 Mbar. Measured unit cell volumes of calibrants show differences between existing pressure scales of similar to 10% above 2 Mbar. A new comprehensive pressure scale is proposed in good agreement with recent reduced shock isotherms for Au, Mo and Pt and with internal agreement to 3% at Mbar pressures. Deviatoric stresses were analyzed for each material based on diffraction line broadening and line shifts due to anisotropic strain. The measured strength of Ne at 2.5 Mbar is 8 GPa. Diffraction line width analysis suggests that deviatoric stress conditions at 2.5 Mbar are similar for He and Ne media.
Pengaruh Book-Tax Differences Terhadap Pertumbuhan Laba pada Perusahaan yang Terdaftar Di Indeks LQ-45

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mencari bukti empiris pengaruh book-tax differences terhadap pertumbuhan laba. Pertumbuhan laba diukur menggunakan perubahan laba bersih setelah pajak. Variabel independen yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah perbedaan temporer dan perbedaan tetap, sedangkan variabel dependennya adalah pertumbuhan laba satu periode ke depan. Penelitian ini menggunakan data sekunder yang diperoleh dari website IDX. Sampel penelitiannya adalah perusahaan yang terdaftar di indeks LQ-45 dengan periode penelitian tahun 2009-2011. Data dikumpulkan dengan metode purposive sampling. Adapun sampel yang digunakan adalah 15 perusahaan. Penelitian ini menggunakan regresi linear berganda untuk analisis data dan pengujian hipotesis. Hasil penelitian menemukan bahwa perbedaan permanen berpengaruh positif terhadap pertumbuhan laba. Perbedaan temporer memiliki hubungan positif dengan pertumbuhan laba. Total book-tax differences berpengaruh secara positif signifikan terhadap pertumbuhan laba. Kata kunci : perbedaan temporer, perbedaan tetap, total book-tax differences, pertumbuhan laba
Excess glutamate release triggers subunit-specific homeostatic receptor scaling

Ionotropic glutamate receptors (GluRs) are targets for modulation in Hebbian and homeostatic synaptic plasticity and are remodeled by development, experience, and disease. Although much is known about activity-dependent mechanisms that regulate GluR composition and abundance, the role of glutamate itself in these processes is unclear. To determine how glutamate sculpts GluR receptive fields, we have manipulated synaptically released glutamate and generated precise CRISPR mutations in the two postsynaptic GluR subtypes at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction, GluRA and GluRB. We first demonstrate that GluRA and GluRB compete to establish postsynaptic receptive fields, and that proper GluR abundance and localization can be orchestrated in the absence of any synaptic glutamate release. However, excess glutamate release adaptively tunes postsynaptic GluR abundance, echoing GluR receptor scaling observed in mammalian systems. Unexpectedly, when GluRA vs GluRB competition is eliminated, excess glutamate homeostatically regulates GluRA abundance, while GluRB abundance is now insensitive to glutamate modulation. Finally, Ca2+ impermeable GluRA receptors are no longer sensitive to homeostatic regulation by glutamate. Thus, excess glutamate, GluR competition, and Ca2+ signaling collaborate to selectively target GluR subtypes for homeostatic regulation at postsynaptic compartments.
Constraints on the numerical age of the Paleocene‐Eocene boundary

Here we present combined radioisotopic dating (U‐Pb zircon) and cyclostratigraphic analysis of the carbon isotope excursion at the Paleocene‐Eocene (P‐E) boundary in Spitsbergen to determine the numerical age of the boundary. Incorporating the total uncertainty from both radioisotopic and cyclostratigraphic data sets gives an age ranging from 55.728 to 55.964 Ma, within error of a recently proposed astronomical age of ∼55.93 Ma. Combined with the assumption that the Paleocene Epoch spans twenty‐five 405 kyr cycles, our new age for the boundary suggests an age of ∼66 Ma for the Cretaceous‐Paleogene boundary. Furthermore, our P‐E boundary age is consistent with the hypothesis that the onset of the Paleocene‐Eocene thermal maximum at the boundary occurred on the falling limb of a 405 kyr cycle, suggesting the event was initiated by a different mechanism to that which triggered the other early Eocene hyperthermals.