Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hydrological changes in the Mediterranean Sea over the last 30,000 years

Sea surface temperatures were reconstructed over the last 30,000 years from alkenone paleothermometry (SST‐alk) and planktonic foraminifera assemblages using the Modern Analog Technique (MAT) (SST‐foram) along two cores of the Mediterranean Sea: MD84‐632 (Levantine basin) and MD04‐2797 (Siculo‐Tunisian Strait). Oxygen isotope of planktonic foraminifera G. bulloides for core MD04‐2797 and G. ruber for core MD84‐632 were also determined. SST‐alk in the Levantine basin indicate colder values at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) (∼14°C) than earlier established from MAT, and a cooling amplitude of 6°–7°C, comparable to the central Mediterranean Sea. Climatic events such as the Younger Dryas (YD) and Heinrich events 1 and 2 (H1 and H2) were times of significant cooling in the two cores. In the Eastern basin, values of local seawater oxygen isotope, δw, indicate relatively saltier waters during the LGM and deglaciation than today, with increasing δw values (higher salinity) in the Eastern basin and decreasing ones (lower salinity) in the central Mediterranean Sea, during cold stadials. The observed alterations of surface water properties (T and δw) in the central and eastern Mediterranean at the LGM are consistent with model experiments showing slightly lower evaporation in the Mediterranean than today, except for the Eastern basin.
The Stability of Calcium Aluminate Minerals in the Solar Nebula

Introduction. Hibonite (CaAl12019) and calcium dialuminate (Cd1407) are among the most refractory minerals observed in calcium-, aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs) in chondritic meteorites. Hibonite was discovered in the Leoville and Allende carbonaceous chondrites [I]. It is found in CAIs in carbonaceous, ordinary, and enstatite chondrites [2-41 and is fairly common in CAIs in CM2 chondrites such as Murchison. Calcium dialuminate was discovered in the Leoville carbonaceous chondrite [5] and is generally much less common than hibonite. However, it is a common mineral in CAIs in the ALH85085 chondrite [6]. The stability of calcium aluminates in the solar nebula is of interest for understanding the origin of their host inclusions, but despite 15 years work is still poorly understood. Blander and Fuchs [7] used thermodynamic activity data for molten oxides to derive free energy values for hibonite and CaA1407 and calculated that first hibonite and then CaA1407 condense from the solar nebula. Fegley [8] and Kornacki and Fegley [9] used the solid-state emf data of Allibert et a1 [lo] for the five calcium aluminates Ca3A120s, Ca12A114033, CaA1204, CaA1407, and CaAl12019 to calculate calcium aluminate condensation over wide pressure and temperature ranges in the solar nebula. Their results confirmed those reached earlier by Blander and Fuchs and also showed for the first time the stability fields for hibonite and calcium dialuminate over a wide range of pressures encountered in solar nebula modelling. For reference, Kornacki and Fegley [9] calculated hibonite and CaA1407 condensation temperatures of 1740 K and 1646 K, respectively, at bars total pressure in a solar gas. However, the results of [7-91 were later challenged by Geiger et a1 [ l l ] who claimed that calcium dialuminate CaA1407 was not stable in a solar composition gas. Geiger e t a1 based this conclusion on their measurement of the enthalpies of formation of hibonite and CaA1407 at one temperature, 1063 K. In this abstract I use thermodynamic data for hibonite and CaA407 taken from the recent thermodynamic assessment of the Ca0-A1203 system by Hallstedt [12] to recalculate the stability fields of hibonite and CaA1407 in a solar gas. This work shows that CaA407 is in fact stable in a solar gas in agreement with the earlier results of Blander and Fuchs [7], Fegley [8], and Kornacki and Fegley [9] but in disagreement with the results of Geiger et a1 [ll].
Ethnicity and Child Health in Northern Tanzania: Maasai Pastoralists Are Disadvantaged Compared to Neighbouring Ethnic Groups

The Maasai of northern Tanzania, a semi-nomadic ethnic group predominantly reliant on pastoralism, face a number of challenges anticipated to have negative impacts on child health, including marginalisation, vulnerabilities to drought, substandard service provision and on-going land grabbing conflicts. Yet, stemming from a lack of appropriate national survey data, no large-scale comparative study of Maasai child health has been conducted. Savannas Forever Tanzania surveyed the health of over 3500 children from 56 villages in northern Tanzania between 2009 and 2011. The major ethnic groups sampled were the Maasai, Sukuma, Rangi, and the Meru. Using multilevel regression we compare each ethnic group on the basis of (i) measurements of child health, including anthropometric indicators of nutritional status and self-reported incidence of disease; and (ii) important proximate determinants of child health, including food insecurity, diet, breastfeeding behaviour and vaccination coverage. We then (iii) contrast households among the Maasai by the extent to which subsistence is reliant on livestock herding. Measures of both child nutritional status and disease confirm that the Maasai are substantially disadvantaged compared to neighbouring ethnic groups, Meru are relatively advantaged, and Rangi and Sukuma intermediate in most comparisons. However, Maasai children were less likely to report malaria and worm infections. Food insecurity was high throughout the study site, but particularly severe for the Maasai, and reflected in lower dietary intake of carbohydrate-rich staple foods, and fruits and vegetables. Breastfeeding was extended in the Maasai, despite higher reported consumption of cow's milk, a potential weaning food. Vaccination coverage was lowest in Maasai and Sukuma. Maasai who rely primarily on livestock herding showed signs of further disadvantage compared to Maasai relying primarily on agriculture. We discuss the potential ecological, socioeconomic, demographic and cultural factors responsible for these differences and the implications for population health research and policy.
Soil Fracturing of the Surrounding Clay during Deep Mixing Column Installation.

During deep mixing (DM) column installation, excess pore pressure arises in the surrounding clay due to the injection of chemical admixtures and the shearing action caused by blade rotation. The excess pore pressure is greater than the in-situ effective stress, resulting in fractures in the surrounding clay. Pore water infiltrates into fractures, and the consolidation of clay is accelerated. The chemical admixture penetrates into the fractures and thereby exchangeable cations diffuse into the surrounding clay effectively. All of these effects accelerate the strength increase of the surrounding clay after the installation of DM columns. The main objective of this study is to confirm the aforementioned phenomena. These phenomena are verified through (1) a laboratory vane shear test, (2) a laboratory test on a model column made in a model clay ground, and (3) full-scale field tests on DM column installation.
Aboveground biomass and leaf area index (LAI) mapping for Niassa Reserve, northern Mozambique

[1] Estimations of biomass are critical in miombo woodlands because they represent the primary source of goods and services for over 80% of the population in southern Africa. This study was carried out in Niassa Reserve, northern Mozambique. The main objectives were first to estimate woody biomass and Leaf Area Index (LAI) using remotely sensed data [RADARSAT (C-band, λ = 5.7-cm)] and Landsat ETM+ derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Simple Ratio (SR) calibrated by field measurements and, second to determine, at both landscape and plot scales, the environmental controls (precipitation, woody cover density, fire and elephants) of biomass and LAI. A land-cover map (72% overall accuracy) was derived from the June 2004 ETM+ mosaic. Field biomass and LAI were correlated with RADARSAT backscatter (rbiomass = 0.65, rLAI = 0.57, p < 0.0001) from July 2004, NDVI (rbiomass = 0.30, rLAI = 0.35; p < 0.0001) and SR (rbiomass = 0.36, rLAI = 0.40, p < 0.0001). A jackknife stepwise regression technique was used to develop the best predictive models for biomass (biomass = −5.19 + 0.074 * radarsat + 1.56 * SR, r2 = 0.55) and LAI (LAI = −0.66 + 0.01 * radarsat + 0.22 * SR, r2 = 0.45). Biomass and LAI maps were produced with an estimated peak of 18 kg m−2 and 2.80 m2 m−2, respectively. On the landscape-scale, both biomass and LAI were strongly determined by mean annual precipitation (F = 13.91, p = 0.0002). On the plot spatial scale, woody biomass was significantly determined by fire frequency, and LAI by vegetation type.
Cyclic-di-GMP signalling and biofilm-related properties of the Shiga toxin-producing 2011 German outbreak Escherichia coli O104:H4

In 2011, nearly 4,000 people in Germany were infected by Shiga toxin (Stx)‐producing Escherichia coli O104:H4 with > 22% of patients developing haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). Genome sequencing showed the outbreak strain to be related to enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), suggesting its high virulence results from EAEC‐typical strong adherence and biofilm formation combined to Stx production. Here, we report that the outbreak strain contains a novel diguanylate cyclase (DgcX)—producing the biofilm‐promoting second messenger c‐di‐GMP—that shows higher expression than any other known E. coli diguanylate cyclase. Unlike closely related E. coli, the outbreak strain expresses the c‐di‐GMP‐controlled biofilm regulator CsgD and amyloid curli fibres at 37°C, but is cellulose‐negative. Moreover, it constantly generates derivatives with further increased and deregulated production of CsgD and curli. Since curli fibres are strongly proinflammatory, with cellulose counteracting this effect, high c‐di‐GMP and curli production by the outbreak O104:H4 strain may enhance not only adherence but may also contribute to inflammation, thereby facilitating entry of Stx into the bloodstream and to the kidneys where Stx causes HUS.
Fishing for nutrients in heterogeneous landscapes: modelling plant growth trade-offs in monocultures and mixed communities

Plant roots grow to acquire nutrients. Fish larvae swim to acquire planktonic food. Neither “predator” knows where its “prey” are distributed, nor what competitors also seek these resources. Both biological systems require efficient searches based on local information. Using methods originally developed for fish foraging, our theoretical study compares different modes of root growth for plants grown in isolation and in competition, and in mixed communities and monocultures. Our results may help disentangle some of the context-dependent experimental findings, for example by explaining when a plant should trade-off rapid growth in favour of a more efficient and durable root system.
specifying active components of educational interventions to promote adherence to treatment in glaucoma patients: application of a taxonomy of behavior change techniques

Purpose: In response to recent calls for clearer specification of behavior change interventions, the purpose of this study was to apply a system of taxonomy for behavior change techniques (BCTs) to two educational interventions to improve adherence to glaucoma eye drops. Clarification of constituent BCTs will promote easy and reliable application of the interventions in clinical settings and research. Methods: A published taxonomy of BCTs was used to code two interventions (group and individual) to increase adherence to eye drops. Intervention materials were coded by assigning a BCT label to each text unit. We noted the frequency with which each BCT occurred, compared the interventions in terms of the BCTs that were delivered, and identified whether the taxonomy was sufficient to describe the intervention components. Results: The individual intervention consisted of 94 text units. Fifty-seven were identified as targeting behavior change and coded using 18 BCTs, many coded more than once. In the group intervention, 165 units of text were identified, and 125 were coded using 22 BCTs. The most frequently coded BCT was “provide information about behavior–health link” in the group intervention and “prompt barrier identification” in the individual intervention. The interventions included similar BCTs. All text units targeting behavior change were codable into BCTs. Conclusion: The similarity of the two interventions may have implications for the cost-effectiveness of the interventions. The taxonomy was found sufficient to describe both interventions. This level of specification can be used to ensure that precisely the same intervention that has been pilot tested is reproducible in the clinical setting and in any further research.
Application of an internal tide generation model to baroclinic spring‐neap cycles

[1] A numerical internal tide generation model is used to study the behavior of baroclinic spring-neap cycles in open basins and channels. The motivation for this study comes from an observation on tidal currents in Faeroe-Shetland Channel, which is briefly described; a surprisingly large baroclinic semidiurnal tidal signal is found in the lower part of the water column above the slope on the Shetland side, concurring with barotropic neap tides. The numerical model results indeed show that the baroclinic spring-neap cycle may have a phase shift with respect to the barotropic spring-neap cycle and that the phase of the baroclinic cycle may vary strongly within short distances. It is also shown that even small changes in the background conditions (e.g., stratification) can provoke a large phase shift in the baroclinic cycle; a possible connection to “intermittency” is discussed.
Aspects of early Pleistocene hominid behaviour east of Lake Turkana, Kenya

Archaeological survey and excavations in the Upper Member of the Koobi Fora Formation provide evidence of hominid activities during the early Pleistocene which date between 1.2 and 1.6 million years ago. The analysis of lithic remains from a complex of 16 excavated localities reveals a distinctive local series of stone assemblages which we propose to call the Karari Industry. A series of heavy-duty core scrapers comprises the major component of this industry but choppers, discoids and polyhedrons are also common. Early Acheulian-type bifaces have been recovered in small numbers from the same beds. The excavation strategy has been to sample traces of hominid activities in different sedimentary contexts. Geologic and micro-stratigraphic studies show that the archaeological sites were located in or near stream channels and in river floodplain contexts. The location of these sites provides a key to understanding the early Pleistocene man/land relationships represented in the area. Archaeological sites with associated hominid remains and hominid finds in various parts of the paleolandscape show the sympatric coexistence of two hominid taxa: Homo sp. and Australopi-thecus c.f boisei.
Garnetite Xenoliths and Mantle-Water Interactions Below the Colorado Plateau, Southwestern United States

Garnetite xenoliths from ultramafic diatremes in northeastern Arizona provide insights into hydration and metasomatism in the mantle. The garnetites contain more than 95% garnet, some of which has complex compositional zonation related to growth in fractures within grains. Accessory minerals include rutile, ilmenite, chlorite, clinopyroxene, and zircon. Zircon grains in one rock were analyzed in situ to determine U–Pb ages and Hf isotopic compositions. Most U–Pb analyses plot on or near concordia in the range 60–85Ma but a few are discordant. The range in 176 Hf/ 177 Hf is about 0� 2818–0� 2828, with grains zoned to more radiogenic Hf from interiors to rims. The garnetite protolith contained zircons at least 1� 8Ga in age, and garnet and additional zircon crystallized episodically during the interval 85–60Ma. The garnetites are interpreted as mantle analogues of rodingites, formed in metasomatic reaction zones caused by water–rock interactions in Proterozoic mantle during late Cretaceous and Cenozoic subduction of the Farallon plate. Associated eclogite xenoliths may have been parts of these same reaction zones. The rodingite hypothesis requires serpentinization in the mantle wedge 700km from the trench, beginning 5–10Myr before tectonism related to low-angle subduction.
DNA assembler, an in vivo genetic method for rapid construction of biochemical pathways

The assembly of large recombinant DNA encoding a whole biochemical pathway or genome represents a significant challenge. Here, we report a new method, DNA assembler, which allows the assembly of an entire biochemical pathway in a single step via in vivo homologous recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We show that DNA assembler can rapidly assemble a functional d-xylose utilization pathway (∼9 kb DNA consisting of three genes), a functional zeaxanthin biosynthesis pathway (∼11 kb DNA consisting of five genes) and a functional combined d-xylose utilization and zeaxanthin biosynthesis pathway (∼19 kb consisting of eight genes) with high efficiencies (70–100%) either on a plasmid or on a yeast chromosome. As this new method only requires simple DNA preparation and one-step yeast transformation, it represents a powerful tool in the construction of biochemical pathways for synthetic biology, metabolic engineering and functional genomics studies.
Characterization of the Ebola virus nucleoprotein–RNA complex

When Ebola virus nucleoprotein (NP) is expressed in mammalian cells, it assembles into helical structures. Here, the recombinant NP helix purified from cells expressing NP was characterized biochemically and morphologically. We found that the recombinant NP helix is associated with non-viral RNA, which is not protected from RNase digestion and that the morphology of the helix changes depending on the environmental salt concentration. The N-terminal 450 aa residues of NP are sufficient for these properties. However, digestion of the NP-associated RNA eliminates the plasticity of the helix, suggesting that this RNA is an essential structural component of the helix, binding to individual NP molecules via the N-terminal 450 aa. These findings enhance our knowledge of Ebola virus assembly and understanding of the Ebola virus life cycle.
Monetary Policy in a Changing International Environment: The Role of Global Capital Flows

The Feldstein-Horioka study of 1980 found that OECD countries with high saving rates had high investment rates and vice versa, contrary to the traditional theory of global capital market integration. This capital market segmentation view, which has been verified in various studies over the past several decades, has important implications for tax and monetary policy.More recently, Alan Greenspan and John Helliwell have shown that the link between domestic saving and domestic investment became substantially weaker after the mid-1990s. The research reported in the current paper suggests that this is true of the smaller OECD countries but not of the larger ones. When observations are weighted by each country's GDP, the savings-investment link (i.e., the savings retention coefficient) remains relatively high.This paper also examines the recent capital flows to the United States. The Treasury International Capital (TIC) reports are generally misunderstood. When they are properly interpreted, they do not indicate that they U.S. has an excess of capital flows to finance the current account deficit. The TIC data also cannot be relied on the distinguish private and government sources of the capital flow. The persistence of these flows is therefore uncertain.The paper discusses the implications for monetary and fiscal policy of the changes in capital flows that may be happening.
Efficient reduction of indoor exposures - Health benefits from optimizing ventilation, filtration and indoor source controls

2 | 2013 Indoor exposures to air pollutants are associated with a significant burden of disease. In EU-27 the burden is estimated to be over 2 million healthy life years annually. This report investigates how this burden can be mitigated and in particular presents health based estimates for ventilation, including discussion of necessary control strategies for indoor sources and filtration needs for polluted outdoor air.
Late Caledonian Dyke-Swarms in Southern Scotland: A Regional Zone of Primitive K-Rich Lamprophyres and Associated Vents

Siluro-Devonian magmatism in the Southern Uplands (Scotland) and Northern Ireland includes a hitherto neglected regional SW-NE zone, c. 10 km wide and >300 km long, of calc-alkaline lamprophyre dykes. Lamprophyres were locally emplaced contemporaneously with small (<400 X 200 m) subvolcanic vents of greywacke/mudstone agglomerate, themselves intruded by kersantites, primitive biotite-bearing olivine-basalts, igneous breccias, and tuffisites. The lamprophyres and basalts are among the most primitive ($$mg 65-81\%; Ni \leq 300; Cr \leq 1000 ppm$$) K-rich ($$\leq 6\% K_{2}O$$) and Ba-rich ($$\leq 9000 ppm Ba$$) of British Caledonian igneous rocks, and among the few candidates for primary magmas. They possibly comprise at least three components: (a) a partial melt of (? metasomatized) mantle peridotite from >100 km depths; (b) a contribution from subducted (? sedimentary) material; and (c) volatile components added metasomatically in the crust or mantle during ascent. Rb-Sr isochron and new K-Ar biotite/hornblende ages for unfoliated lamprophyres range from 395-418 Ma, supporting field evidence for prolonged, episodic, dyke emplacement. Post-orogenic lamprophyres are among the youngest Caledonian igneous rocks. Late orogenic, unfoliated lamprophyres closely postdated, while syn-orogenic, crushed, and foliated lamprophyres accompanied the latest (lundgreni zone) greywacke sedimentation and folding. Collectively, these dykes present several paradoxes for the current accretionary prism model, relating the Southern Uplands to subduction along the "Iapetus suture": (1) The dykes imply substantial extension at a high angle to the assumed suture. (2) Volcanic, subvolcanic, and plutonic magmatism is juxtaposed in both space and time. (3) The lamprophyres are too K-rich, and of excessively deep mantle source, for their close proximity to the assumed suture trace. (4) Unlike contemporaneous lavas, they reveal no known chemical zonation but show similar chemistry from northern England (south of the assumed suture) to the Western and Northern Isles of Scotland (700 km north of the suture).
Recommendations for Management of Patients with Carotid Stenosis

Stroke is a one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. Carotid atherosclerosis is recognized as an important factor in stroke pathophysiology and represents a key target in stroke prevention; multiple treatment modalities have been developed to battle this disease. Multiple randomized trials have shown the efficacy of carotid endarterectomy in secondary stroke prevention. Carotid stenting, a newer treatment option, presents a less invasive alternative to the surgical intervention on carotid arteries. Advances in medical therapy have also enabled further risk reduction in the overall incidence of stroke. Despite numerous trials and decades of clinical research, the optimal management of symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid disease remains controversial. We will attempt to highlight some of the pivotal trials already completed, discuss the current controversies and complexities in the treatment decision-making, and postulate on what likely lies ahead. This paper will highlight the complexities of decision-making optimal treatment recommendations for patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid stenosis.