Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Combining Text-mining Analysis and Agent-based Modeling Methods - A Case Study to Address a Controversy

The methodological approach proposed here combines textual statistical analysis and agent-based simulations. The controversy concerning the unusual disappearance of pollinating bees (Apis mellifera) covered in the French press over a period of 13 years was chosen to describe the different stages of this heuristic framework. First, the articles are categorized according to the origin they attribute to the phenomenon as a univariate cause, a multivariate cause or a lack of understanding. Then, the different proportions of agents supporting either of these causes are obtained and reproduced from a dynamic opinion model, which shows the existence of agents with pre-determined choices. The change in the proportions over time leads to questionning the consistency of the data concerning the independence of all agents. In particular, it becomes possible to assume the existence of networks of influence, a hypothesis that could be verified by other techniques such as qualitative, ethnographic or interview methods.
Multitemporal Landsat TM imagery analysis for mapping and quantifying degraded rangeland in the Bahurutshe communal grazing lands, South Africa

Multitemporal remote sensing was used to map and quantify rangeland degradation in communal grazing lands of Lehurutshe district, northwestern South Africa. Based on established theory that veldt degradation ultimately results in bare land in addition to loss and replacement of palatable rangeland species, rangeland bare land was used as an indicator of degradation, primarily due to lack of palatable rangeland species spectral signatures. Using a January 1989 image as the base year, in which the rangelands were healthier, January 1995 and 2005 Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images were used for mapping and quantifying degradation, with the hypothesized degradation status that bare land in the rangelands would not have emerging grass just after the start of the summer rains. Image processing involved geometric registration, hybrid classification and geographic information system (GIS) overlay analysis. The results indicate moderate rangeland degradation, up to 4% area, particularly in the district's more inhabited south. Although the amount of degradation is moderate, the degradation has significant localized effects in this semiarid environment. Remote sensing techniques appear vital for rapid rangeland and other multitemporal spatial analyses in the area and the southern Africa subregion in general, to be taken advantage of with the launch of South Africa's environmental satellite.
Assessment of a three dimensional model for atmospheric radiative transfer over heterogeneous land cover

A three‐dimensional (3D) atmospheric radiative transfer model that explicitly represents surface albedo heterogeneity is tested against a one‐dimensional model and surface irradiance observations in a polar region where land cover heterogeneity is high. For observations located near high latitude coastlines, the contrast between the highly absorbing ocean and reflective snow surface creates spatial heterogeneity, or a 3D effect, around the observation site. The resulting effect on radiation at the sensor should be taken into account when using a solar radiative transfer model to interpret measurements. This assessment shows that better closure is obtained with a three‐dimensional model (≤5%) versus a plane‐parallel model (≤7%). The importance of the surface 3D effect increases with aerosol or cloud optical depth and with surface albedo contrast. The model used here can be implemented at any surface site given the surrounding land cover properties.
Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Versus Roux-Y-Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity — 3-Year Outcomes of the Prospective Randomized Swiss Multicenter Bypass Or Sleeve Study (SM-BOSS) R ANDOMIZED C ONTROLLED T RIAL

Objective: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is performed almost as often in Europe as laparoscopic Roux-Y-Gastric Bypass (LRYGB). We present the3-yearinterimresultsofthe5-yearprospective,randomizedtrialcomparing the 2 procedures (Swiss Multicentre Bypass Or Sleeve Study; SM-BOSS). Methods: Initially, 217 patients (LSG, n ¼ 107; LRYGB, n ¼ 110) were randomized to receive either LSG or LRYGB at 4 bariatric centers in Switzerland. Mean body mass index of all patients was 44 (cid:3) 11kg/m 2 , mean age was 43 (cid:3) 5.3 years, and 72% of patients were female. Minimal follow-up was 3 years with a rate of 97%. Both groups were compared for weight loss, comorbidities, quality of life, and complications. Results: Excessive body mass index loss was similar between LSG and LRYGB at each time point (1 year: 72.3 (cid:3) 21.9% vs. 76.6 (cid:3) 20.9%, P ¼ 0.139; 2 years: 74.7 (cid:3) 29.8% vs. 77.7 (cid:3) 30%, P ¼ 0.513; 3 years: 70.9 (cid:3) 23.8% vs. 73.8 (cid:3) 23.3%, P ¼ 0.316). At this interim 3-year time point, comorbidities were significantly reduced and comparable after both procedures except for gastro-esophageal reflux disease and dyslipidemia, which were more successfully treated by LRYGB. Quality of life increased significantly in both groups after 1, 2, and 3 years postsurgery. There was no statistically significant difference in number of complications treated by reoperation (LSG, n ¼ 9; LRYGB, n ¼ 16, P ¼ 0.15) or number of complications treated conservatively. Conclusions: In this trial, LSG and LRYGB are equally efficient regarding weight loss, quality of life, and complications up to 3 years postsurgery. Improvement of comorbidities is similar except for gastro-esophageal reflux disease and dyslipidemia that appear to be more successfully treated by LRYGB.
Taphonomic pathways and comparative biofacies and taphofacies in a Recent intertidal/shallow shelf environment

The development of taphonomic approaches to facies analysis requires a foundation in facies-based actualistic studies. Modern intertidal and shallow shelf environments at Provincetown Harbor. northern Cape Cod, Massachusetts (USA) provide an opportunity to compare pattcrns and controlling factors in molluscan biofacies and taphofacies distributions. Variation in faunal composition, ecologic variables, and taphonomic attributes of molluscan death assemblages produce distinct patterns of environmental zonation: (1) Faunal composition (biofacies) primarily tracks variation in substrate type among environments (sand, rock, peat, and Zostera marina beds). (2) Ecologic variables (equitability, infauna: epifauna ratio, gastropod:bivalve ratio, and predation on M. mercenaria) appear to reflect tidal exposure time. (3) Taphononic attributes (fragmentation, abrasionm, corrosion, bioerosion, and encrustation) of the common bivalve M. mercenaria track environmental energy, in particular its effects on the stability and reworking of hardparts at the sediment surface. Shells in different environments proceed along different taphonomic pathways - the order of acquisition of taphonomic features by hardparts. An encrustation/bioerosion-dominated pathway characterizes low energy environments; the upper intertidal and deeper subtidal. An abrasion-dominated pathway characterizes the high energy lower intertidal and shallow subtidal. Contrasting pathways produce distinct proportions of taphonomic attributes in time-averaged samples; proportions that delineate taphofacies. Integrated taxonomic, ecologic and taphonomic data provide a more complete picture of environmental processes than any approach alone. Taphonomic data not only furnish information not readily provided by other approaches, but free paleoecology from the constraints of taxonomic uniformitarianism. □Taphonomy, comparative taphonomy, taphofacies, biofacies, cluster analysis, multidimensional scaling, taphonomic pathways, Recent, actualism, intertidal, molluses.
Soil Mineralogy Affects Conifer Forest Soil Carbon Source Utilization and Microbial Priming

The cycling of temperate forest soil C is likely to be altered with climate change. Climate change may induce changes in forest litter that promotes priming, or enhanced decomposition of extant soil C. The effects of environmental factors such as temperature, litter quality, and soil mineralogy on priming are not well understood. The objectives of this study were to determine the interaction of temperature and soil mineral assemblage on priming of temperate forest soil C. We incubated soils from three forest types (ponderosa pine, white fir, and red fir), on granite (GR), basalt (BS), and andesite (AN) parent materials at three temperatures (12.5, 7.5, and 5.0°C), with the addition of 13 C-labeled ponderosa pine litter. Soil C mineralized from each parent material differed in response to increasing temperature (i.e., relative increases of 38-70% from 5.0-12.5°C), following a pattern of GR > BS > AN. The percentage of C derived from litter and soil C pools varied significantly by parent material and forest type. Andesite soils, dominated by short-range-oder (SRO) aluminosilicates demonstrated decreased priming relative to BS and GR soils across all forest types. Soil C mineralization rate data indicated that the majority of priming effects were short term (within the first 20 d of a 90-d incubation). Regression analysis indicated control of priming by soil C, C/N, and soil C 13 C signature, SRO Fe oxyhydroxides, and Al-humus complexes. Variation in the soil mineral assemblage was the dominant control of both cumulative soil C mineralization and soil C priming.
Comparison of North and South American biomes from AVHRR observations

Abstract Previous analysis of the North American continent with AVHRR‐derived vegetation index measurements showed a strong relation between known patterns of vegetation seasonality, productivity and the spectral vegetation index measurements. This study extends that analysis to South America to evaluate the degree to which thesefindings extend to tropical regions. The results show that the spectral vegetation index measurements provide a general indicator of vegetation activity across the major biomes of the western hemisphere of the Earth, including tropical regions. The satellite‐observed patterns are strongly related to the known climatology of the continents and may offer a means to improve understanding of global bioclimatology. For example, South America is shown to have a longer growing season with much earlier spring green‐up than North America. The time integral of the measurements, computed from 12 composited monthly values, produces a value that is related to published net primary productivity.
On the occurrence of ClO in cirrus clouds and volcanic aerosol in the tropopause region

Airborne observations during descents of the ER‐2 through layers of volcanic aerosol (Mount Pinatubo eruption of 1991) and a cirrus cloud are utilized to study the the abundance of ClO and its relation to aerosol surface area in the midlatitude tropopause region. During a cirrus event near the tropopause ClO mixing ratios up to 2.7 pptv were detected and near the tropopause ClO levels from a few to 70 pptv were found. These measurements are associated with large experimental uncertainties but demonstrate the possible presence of ClO inside cirrus clouds and near the tropopause. Model calculations show that possible enhancements of ClO by heterogeneous chemistry on cirrus cloud particles could considerably increase the ozone loss rates and could have implications for the ozone budget in this region. It is not possible to decide from the limited data base whether the observed ClO levels are due to transport or heterogeneous chemistry.
A Guide to Using Asynchronous Remote Communities (ARC) for Researching Distributed Populations

Existing research methods are largely intended to be conducted co-located and synchronously with a study population, but this approach is not feasible with remote or distributed populations. We describe a needs assessment study we conducted on Facebook. We report on our use of adapted versions of commonly used HCI research methods and lessons learned from this approach. Received on 01 July 2016; accepted on 02 February 2017; published on 18 July 2017
A Longitudinal Examination of Internet Diffusion and Adopter Categories

The examination of Internet utilization data with a series of "snapshot" cross-sectional studies (Rogers, 1995) provides an easily understood summary of how Internet usage diffused in the United States over time. Unfortunately, snapshot cross-sectional research designs can lead to under-conceptualizations with respect to the underlying Internet diffusion process. Classical literature shows us that the technology diffusion process is inherently complex, usually involving heterogeneous populations, and is correspondingly under-conceptualized through the use of single summary percent utilization figures. In this initial examination of data from the longitudinal Digital Future Project we examine how United States Internet diffusion, including attitudes, opinions, and behaviors for the same 453 subjects, varied over a seven year period (2000 - 2006). We find six distinct adoption (3), non-adoption, discontinuance, and intermittent usage patterns. We describe these adoption groups in terms of their different demographic and behavioral characteristics. We also expand on traditional Internet diffusion studies by demonstrating how amount of access (hours per week) increases as a function of time across the same respondents.
A Leatherback Turtle Stranding at Danger Point, Gansbaai, South Africa

A dead, mature male leatherback turtle was sighted at Danger Point, Gansbaai on South Africa's southwest coast. Leatherback turtle sightings are rare along this coastline although the site lies between two areas of known aggregation; a tropical breeding area to the east and the highly productive Benguela upwelling ecosystem foraging area to the west.
Complex igneous processes and the formation of the primitive lunar crustal rocks

Crystallization of a magma ocean with initial chondritic Ca/Al and REE ratios such as proposed by Taylor and Bence (TB, 1975), is capable of producing the suite of primitive crustal rocks if the magma ocean underwent locally extensive assimilation and mixing in its upper layers as preliminary steps in formation of an anorthositic crust. Lunar anorthosites were the earliest permanent crustal rocks to form the result of multiple cycles of suspension and assimilation of plagioclase in liquids fractionating olivine and pyroxene. There may be two series of Mg-rich cumulate rocks: one which developed as a result of the equilibration of anorthositic crust with the magma ocean; the other which formed in the later stages of the magma ocean during an epoch of magma mixing and ilmenite crystallization. This second series may be related to KREEP genesis. It is noted that crystallization of the magma ocean had two components: a low pressure component which produced a highly fractionated and heterogeneous crust growing downward and a high pressure component which filled in the ocean from the bottom up, mostly with olivine and low-Ca pyroxene.
Geophysical and hydrological evaluation of two bog complexes in a northern peatland: Implications for the distribution of biogenic gases at the basin scale

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) was used to determine peat basin geometry and the spatial distribution of free‐phase biogenic gasses in two separate units of a northern peatland (Central and Southern Unit of Caribou Bog, Maine). The Central Unit is characterized by a deep basin structure (15 m maximum depth) and a raised (eccentric) bog topographic profile (up to 2 m topographic variation). Here numerous regions of electromagnetic (EM) wave scattering are considered diagnostic of the presence of extensive free‐phase biogenic gas. In contrast, the Southern Unit is shallower (8 m maximum depth) and has a slightly convex upwards bog profile (less than 1 m topographic variation), and areas of EM wave scattering are notably absent. The biogenic gas zones interpreted from GPR in the Central Unit are associated with: (1) wooded heath vegetation at the surface, (2) open pools at the surface, (3) high water table elevations near the center of the basin, and (4) a region of overpressure (at approximately 5 m depth) immediately below the zone of free‐phase gas accumulation. The latter suggests (1) a transient pressure head associated with low hydraulic conductivity resulting from the biogenic gasses themselves or confining layers in the peat that restrict both gas release and groundwater flow and/or (2) overpressure in the peat column as a result of the gas buildup itself. In contrast, the Southern Unit, where zones of EM scattering are absent, is characterized by: (1) predominantly shrub vegetation, (2) a lack of open pools, (3) only minor variations (less than 1 m) in water table elevation throughout the entire unit; and (4) generally upward groundwater flow throughout the basin. The results illustrate the nonuniformity of free‐phase biogenic gas distribution at the peat basin scale and provide insights into the processes and controls associated with CH4 and CO2 accumulation in peatlands.
Variability regimes of simulated Atlantic MOC

The spectral variability structure of the meridional overturning circulation (MOC) of the Atlantic Ocean is determined in 500 year simulations with state‐of‐the‐art coupled atmosphere‐ocean general circulation models (GFDL and ECHAM5/MPIOM). The power spectra of the monthly stream function are compared with trend‐eliminating detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA2). The shapes of the spectra differ substantially between latitudes, depth and the two models with constant (white) behaviour for high frequencies as a single common feature. The most frequent property of the spectra is power‐law scaling, S(f) ∼ f−β, with nontrivial exponents, mostly β ≈ 1, in agreement with 1/f or flicker noise; this is mainly found in the interannual to decadal frequency range (1/f spectra observed for sea surface temperature fluctuations are explained by a stochastically forced ocean energy balance model with vertical diffusion). For lowest frequencies, some spectra show stationary long term memory, while others reveal spectra increasing with frequency. None of the spectra can be considered uniquely as red noise explained by an ocean integrating a white stochastic atmospheric forcing.
A Review of “The Spatial, the Legal and the Pragmatics of World-Making: Nomospheric Investigations”

perspective that is rarely addressed, at least in the geographic hazard literature, is the connection among disaster aid, terrorism, human trafficking, and pirate activity. The data reported here are disturbing, to say the least, and this theme definitely requires further exploration. The Indian Ocean tsunami described in this book clearly presents many challenges to society, just like the ongoing disasters occurring around the world, and particularly the aftereffects of the 2011 Japanese tsunamis. Both the Japanese and the Indian Ocean tsunamis were catastrophic events that created considerable local devastation and had significant global impacts. There are many similarities and differences between the two events. For instance, far more people died as a consequence of the Indian Ocean tsunami, but the Japanese event has raised other issues, not the least of which is being the susceptibility of coastal nuclear power plants to failure. Unfortunately, the case-study approach adopted in this book makes generalizations on tsunami disasters somewhat difficult. If we are to truly reduce human vulnerabilities, enhance resilience, and promote recovery, we need to develop a sound theoretical framework for natural hazards, one framework that will ultimately guide emergency managers and planners in both planning and recovery. Despite this criticism, the book still makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of these disasters and to the hazard literature in general. Like most edited books, the chapters are of mixed quality and not all will be of direct interest to the reader. I do recommend the first half to anyone researching issues associated with the physical dimensions of tsunamis, particularly if one needs case-study data to illustrate ecological change. On the other hand, the second and third sections are most useful to human geographers; they provide fascinating material for further discussion and analysis. Use this book, then, to support other research, use it for background data, and use it to stimulate discussion as well.
Plant Secondary Metabolites and Abiotic Stress Tolerance: Overview and Implications

Plant secondary metabolites (PSM) are one of the major sources of industrially important products such as food additives due to their distinctive tastes, smells, and flavors. Unlike primary metabolites such as carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, these secondary chemicals are not involved in plant growth, development, and reproduction but play a significant role in ecosystem functioning. These secondary biochemicals also play a key role in plant communication and defense, particularly under different environmental stresses. Plants may exhibit a defense response to combat these abiotic environmental stressors by generating a variety of PSMs to minimize cell and tissue damage. Secondary metabolites are very diverse (almost more than 200,000) in nature, majorly classified into terpenoids, phenolic compounds, nitrogen, and sulfur-containing secondary metabolites, separated based on biosynthetic pathways (shikimate pathway, mevalonic pathway, and tricarboxylic acid cycle pathway). This chapter summarizes the stimulating effects of different abiotic stressors (heavy metals, cold and high temperature, light, salinity, and drought) on secondary metabolite production. A major focus is given on the synthesis of secondary metabolite and accumulation in plants under stressful conditions, and their role in the regulation of plant defense.
Electrical resistivity in continental lower crust

Summary The application of d.c. resistivity, magnetotelluric—both natural and artificial source—and geomagnetic variation techniques has provided lithospheric electrical resistivity models which generally display a relatively low resistivity region at lower crustal/upper mantle depths. In this paper, model parameters are summarized for the lower crust in tectonically inactive regions and discussed in more detail with respect to specific studies undertaken in Europe, N. America and Africa. Special attention is drawn to the resolution of the model parameters and to the fact that the depth to the low resistivity layers and the ratio of their thickness to their resistivity can normally be well determined. The petrological interpretation is non-unique. Although electrical resistivity is strongly temperature dependent, the temperature within the lower crust in inactive regions is too low to give an in situ decrease in resistivity of the major rock phases. A more acceptable interpretation involves compositional variations—both lateral and vertical—within the crust associated with an increased amount of free fluids (e.g. water) or of free carbon (e.g. graphite). The correlation of the low resistivity structures in the lower crust with sedimentary layers involved in large-scale overthrusting or related tectonic processes is an attractive idea while the generation of low resistivity shear zones during metamorphism could also be an effective explanation of the observations. Some of the elongated anomalies of low resistivity which are discussed may correspond to Proterozoic plate boundaries and subduction zones.