Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A refined biomonitoring study of airborne particulate matter pollution in Rome, with magnetic measurements on Quercus Ilex tree leaves

SUMMARY Elevated levels of airborne particulate matter (PM) are a current problem for air quality in many major metropolitan areas. Many European cities have tightened the PM limits in the air, due to advances in monitoring PM levels. In order to establish guidelines for monitoring and curbing anthropogenic PM output, a better understanding of its origin, composition and diffusion is required. Biomonitoring of magnetic properties of tree leaves has been suggested previously to be a good approach to measure pollution levels in cities both in space and time. We report on a magnetic biomonitoring study of PM in the city of Rome, conducted from 2005 October to December. We collected approximately 180 different sample sets of tree leaves of Quercus ilex, an evergreen oak widely distributed in Rome, at 112 different locations. Specific magnetic susceptibility χ of the leaf is used as a fast, easy and cost-effective proxy to assess levels of primary anthropogenic airborne PM pollution. Highly polluted areas correlate with high traffic areas, with an average susceptibility value of χ = 3.2 × 10 −7 m 3 kg −1 . L ow traffic zones are characterized by values more than an order of magnitude lower at χ = 1.4 × 10 −8 m 3 kg −1 , and the background magnetic susceptibility is around χ = 2.6 × 10 −9 m 3 kg −1 . The data show that distance dependence from the source is the most significant factor for the concentration of magnetic PM, and that pollution levels and sources can be reliably delineated by measuring magnetic susceptibility values on tree leaf samples of Q. ilex. A new protocol for magnetic susceptibility measurements is proposed, in order to account for changes due to water evaporation in the leaves as a function of time after collection of the samples. Additional magnetic analyses, such as acquisition of artificial remanences and hysteresis properties, were used to characterize the mineralogy and grain size of the magnetic PM. The results indicate that the population of ferrimagnetic phases have a homogenous composition and grain size throughout the investigated area.
Characterization of Infiltration Capacities of the Soils of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike – Nigeria

The study characterized the infiltration capacities of soils of M ichael Okpara University Of Agriculture Umudike, Nigeria using a Double Ring Infiltro meter - falling head method. The field experiments were carried out in two seasons. Each experiment lasted for three hours. The dry season infiltrat ion rates were found to be higher than those of the rainy season. The highest infilt ration rate was obtained from Poultry Block with an average rate of 9.9 cm/hr while the lowest was fro m Ad min. Block(1.35cm/hr). The water intake also seemed to follow the same trend, being highest at the Poultry Block (29.1cm) and lowest, with an average value of 4.3cm at the Admin Block . Other values obtained were between 2.0cm/hr and 9.7cm/hr. So il samples were collected fro m each location at a dept of 0 - 30 cm into the soil profile for laboratory determination of physical properties. The mean percentage of sand was 65.5%, silt had an average value of 16% while that of clay is 18.5%. Porosity ranged from 34% - 46% . Bu lk density was between 1.6g/cm 3 and 1.8g/cm 3 . Organic matter ranged fro m 1.3% - 3.4% and a mean pH of 5.4 was observed. Umudike soils supported good infiltration rates.
Complex exposure histories of chert clasts in the late Pleistocene shorelines of Lake Lisan, southern Israel

Activities of 26Al and 10Be in five chert clasts sampled from two beach ridges of late Pleistocene Lake Lisan, precursor of the Dead Sea in southern Israel, indicate low rates of chert bedrock erosion and complex exposure, burial, and by inference, transport histories. The chert clasts were derived from the Senonian Mishash Formation, a chert‐bearing chalk, which is widely exposed in the Nahal Zin drainage basin, the drainage system that supplied most of the material to the beach ridges.
Radionuclide Activities in Contaminated Soils: Effects of Sampling Bias on Remediation of Coarse-Grained Soils in Hanford Formation

Only a limited set of particle size-contaminant concentration data is available for soils from the Hanford Site. These data are based on bench-scale tests on single soil samples from one waste site each in operable units 100-BC-1, 100-DR-1, and 100-FR-1, and three samples from the North Pond 300-FF-1 operable unit. The objective of this study was to 1) examine available particle size-contaminant of concern activity and concentration data for 100 and 300 Area soils, 2) assess the effects of sampling bias, 3) suggest sampling protocols, and 4) formulate a method to determine the contaminant of concern activities and concentrations of the whole soil based on the measurements conducted on a finer size fraction of the whole soil.
Look Back at the U.S. Department of Energy's Aquatic Species Program: Biodiesel from Algae; Close-Out Report

The Aquatic Species Program was a relatively small research effort intended to look at the use of aquatic plants as sources of energy. Its history dates back to 1978, but much of the research from 1978 to 1982 focused on using algae to produce hydrogen. The program switched emphasis to other transportation fuels, particularly biodiesel, beginning in the early 1980's. This report summarizes the research activities carried out from 1980 to 1996, with an emphasis on algae for biodiesel production.
Numerical Simulation of Wind Field Characteristics around Two Adjacent High-Rise Buildings

This paper based on Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations standard model [1]; the surface pressure on the wind field around two adjacent high-rise buildings was numerically simulated with software Fluent. The results show that with the influence of adjacent high-rise building, numerical simulation is a good way to study the wind field around high-rise building and the distribution of wind pressure on building’ surface. The pressures on the windward surface are positive with the maximum at 2/3 H height and have lower values on the top and bottom. The pressures on the leeward surface and two sides were negative. Due to the serious flow separation at the corner of building’s windward, the wind field has a high turbulent kinetic energy.
Distribution and abundance of cetaceans in the north-central and western Gulf of Mexico. Final report. Volume 2. Technical report

The purpose of the study was to determine the distribution and abundance of cetaceans in areas potentially affected by future oil and gas activities along the continental slope of the north-central and western Gulf of Mexico. This 3.75 year project commenced 1 October 1991 and finished 15 July 1995. The study area was bounded by the Florida-Alabama border, the Texas-Mexico border, and the 100 m and 2,000 m isobaths. Cetacean distribution and abundance were determined from seasonal aerial and shipboard visual surveys and shipboard acoustic surveys. In addition, hydrographic data were collected in situ and by satellite remote sensing to characterize cetacean habitat. Finally, tagging and tracking of sperm whales using satellite telemetry was attempted. This volume summarizes the results of the study. Cetaceans were observed throughout the study area during all four seasons. Nineteen species were identified, including two species (melon-headed whales and Fraser`s dolphins) previously thought to be rare in the Gulf. Pantropical spotted dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, clymene dolphins, striped dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins, and melon-headed whales were the most common small cetaceans and the sperm whale was the most common large cetacean. The mean annual abundance for all cetaceans was estimated to be 19,198. Although the studymore » area had complex and dynamic oceanography, bottom depth was the only environmental variable which correlated to cetacean distribution. « less
The last Anthracothere Brachyodus onoideus (Mammalia, Artiodactyla) from westernmost Europe and its extinction

Key-words: Anthracotheriidae; Brachyodus onoideus; lower Miocene; Western Europe; Portugal. This paper deals with B. onoideus specimens from Portugal. This species occurs in the Lisbon area (in the upper part ofthe lower Miocene, ca.18 to 17.6 Ma) in a very accurate stratigraphic framing (age, lithostratigraphic, climatic and palaeoecologic control being most complete). Some mandibular dental size variation, sex characters, functional interpretation, ecology and predation, chemical corrosion, and extinction are discussed.
Post-Seismic Mantle Relaxation in the Central Nevada Seismic Belt Detected by InSAR: Implication for Basin and Range Dynamics

1 ABSTRACT Acceleration of deformation during the Holocene and post-seismic deformation have been the two favored mechanisms to explain the high present-day deformation rate in the Central Nevada Seismic Belt (CNSB). Discriminating between the two mechanisms is critical to understand the dynamics of the Basin and Range lithosphere. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture radar data (InSAR) acquired between 1992 and 2000 detect a broad area of uplift at a rate of 2-3 mm/yr in the CNSB. The observed uplift can be explained by a model of post-seismic relaxation following the 1915-1954. Deformation is caused by flow in the mantle underlying an elastic crust. The results lead to a broad agreement between geologic and geodetic strain indicators for this portion of the Basin and Range and support the simple tectonic picture in which the Central Basin and Range between the CNSB and the Wasatch fault behaves as a rigid block. The results do no support an elevated seismic potential for the CNSB.
Ocean Wave Energy Conversion

Ocean energy conversion has been of interest for many years. Recent developments such as concern over global warming have renewed interest in the topic. This report focuses on wave energy converters (WEC) as opposed to ocean current energy converters. The point absorber and oscillating water column WEC devices are addressed with regards to commercial prospects, environmental concerns, and current state-of-the art. This report also provides an overview of the energy found in ocean waves and how each type of device utilizes the available ocean wave energy. J. Vining. University of Wisconsin Madison. Dec. 2005. Ocean Wave Energy Conversion. ii
Taming the Anarchy: Groundwater Governance in South Asia

About the Author Preface Introduction 1. The Hydraulic Past: Irrigation and State Formation 2. Rise of the Colossus 3. The Future of Flow Irrigation 4. Wells and Welfare 5. Diminishing Returns? 6. Aquifers and Institutions 7. Can the Anarchy be Tamed? 8. Thriving in Anarchy Endnotes Glossary of Hindi and Other Terms References Index
Reconciling different equations for proton conduction using the Meyer‐Neldel compensation rule

Proton conduction in nominally anhydrous minerals is the likely explanation for moderate values of electrical resistivity observed in the lithospheric and sublithospheric mantle. However, results from the various laboratories making the controlled measurements on mantle minerals, predominantly olivine, are not in agreement with one another. Importantly, the groups use different formalisms to fit their experimental data. In this paper, we show that neither of the two formalisms employed by the various laboratories is consistent with the Meyer‐Neldel Rule (MNR), or Compensation Law, by which the preexponent term of the Arrhenian equation is linearly related to the activation energy term. We also demonstrate why the formalism of Karato and colleagues can be used at low water contents (100 wt ppm and below), whereas at higher water contents (above 300 wt ppm), the formalism of Yoshino's and Poe's labs needs to be employed. A new MNR self‐consistent formalism is presented that is applicable over all water contents. MNR consistency appears to operate for most processes that can be described by an Arrhenius equation, so its adoption through an MNR consistent formalism is highly recommended when fitting experimental observations.
The Interpretation of Crustal Dynamics Data in Terms of Plate Interactions and Active Tectonics of the Anatolian Plate and Surrounding Regions in the Middle East

The long-term objective of this project is to interpret NASA's Crustal Dynamics measurements (SLR) in the Eastern Mediterranean region in terms of relative plate movements and intraplate deformation. The approach is to combine realistic modeling studies with analysis of available geophysical and geological observations to provide a framework for interpreting NASA's measurements. This semi-annual report concentrates on recent results regarding the tectonics of Anatolia and surrounding regions from ground based observations. Also reported on briefly is progress in the use of the Global Positioning System to densify SLR observations in the Eastern Mediterranean. Reference is made to the previous annual report for a discussion of modeling results.
The Deep, Dark Energy Biosphere: Intraterrestrial Life on Earth

Most ecosystems on Earth exist in permanent darkness, one or more steps removed from the light-driven surface world. This collection of dark habitats is the most poorly understood on Earth, in particular the size, function, and activity of these ecosystems and what influence they have on global biogeochemical processes. The vastest of these ecosystems constitute the “deep biosphere”—habitats physically located below the surface of continents and the bottom of the ocean. The deep biosphere has been the subject of considerable—and increasing—study and scrutiny in recent years. New deep biosphere realms are being explored from deep in mines in South Africa, to sediments in the middle of oceanic gyres—and beyond. New technologies are emerging, permitting researchers to do active, manipulable experimentation in situ within the subsurface. This review highlights recent history of the research and the exciting new directions this field of research is going in, and discusses some of the most active and interestin.
Cyproheptadine: A Potentially Effective Treatment for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Children.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) negatively affect children's quality of life and health care costs. It has been proposed that alteration of gut serotonin leads to gastrointestinal dysmotility, visceral hypersensitivity, altered gastrointestinal secretions, and brain-gut dysfunction. Cyproheptadine, a serotonin antagonist, has been shown to be a potentially effective and safe treatment option in children who meet the clinical criteria for FGIDs. Well-designed multicenter trials with long-term follow-up are needed to further investigate its efficacy. [Pediatr Ann. 2017;46(3):e120-e125. ].
Social Identity, Investment, and Language Learning*

The author argues that second language acquisition (SLA) theorists have struggled to conceptualize the relationship between the language learner and the social world because they have not developed a comprehensive theory of social identity which integrates the language learner and the language learning context. She also maintains that SLA theorists have not adequately addressed how relations of power affect interaction between language learners and target language speakers. Using data collected in Canada from January to December 1991 from diaries, questionnaires, individual and group interviews, and home visits, the author illustrates how and under what conditions the immigrant women in her study created, responded to, and sometimes resisted opportunities to speak English. Drawing on her data analysis as well as her reading in social theory, the author argues that current conceptions of the individual in SLA theory need to be reconceptualized, and she draws on the poststructuralist conception of social identity as multiple, a site of struggle, and subject to change to explain the findings from her study. Further, she argues for a conception of investment rather than motivation to capture the complex relationship of language learners to the target language and their sometimes ambivalent desire to speak it. The notion of investment conceives of the language learner, not as a historical and unidimensional, but as having a complex social history and multiple desires. The article includes a discussion of the implications of the study for classroom teaching and current theories of communicative competence.
Early changes in gradation styles and rates on Mars

The wide annulus of massifs and knobs of Isidis and Argyre provided sufficiently large areas for meaningful crater statistics of large craters. Counts were made over adjacent and nested areas in order to test consistency and to derive relative age of each basin. Within the Isidis annulus, charateristic terrains provided counting areas for dating contrasting surface process: channeled hummocky terrain, etched terrains, and intermassif channeled plains. The channeled hummocky terrain contains a high channel density of narrow valley networks cutting both primary Isidis features and old craters. The etched terrains represent a broad region outside the inner high relief massifs of southwestern Isidis where numerous irregular plateaus, mesas, and relict craters indicate a different style of erosion. The intermassif channeled plains occur along the inner mountainous ring. Shallow meandering channels form a large integrated drainage system that is linked to numerous smaller intermountainous basins. These ponds and interconnected tributaries extend beyond the primary inner massif ring through broad canyons.
Semimodular Lattices: Theory and Applications

Preface 1. From Boolean algebras to semimodular lattices 2. M-symmetric lattices 3. Conditions related to semimodularity, 0-conditions and disjointness properties 4. Supersolvable and admissible lattices, consistent and strong lattices 5. The covering graph 6. Semimodular lattices of finite length 7. Local distributivity 8. Local modularity 9. Congruence semimodularity Master reference list Table of notation Index.
Response to: Comment on “Gut Microbiota as a Driver of Inflammation in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease”

We would like to thank Li and Yuan for their insightful comments [1] on our article [2]. The authors focused on the role played by gut microbiota in the pathways of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and proposed that the modulation of intestinal dysbiosis may alter the progression of the disease. We agree with this suggestion; indeed, several studies reported the beneficial effect of gut microbiota modulation on NAFLD patients. Studies published in the last year demonstrated that the administration of multistrain probiotic mixtures improved clinical outcomes in overweight patients with NAFLD, normalization of markers of a chronic systemic inflammatory state [3], or the shift towards a normal pattern of fecal gut microbiota [4]. Furthermore, therapeutic modulation of gut microbiota has also proved to be effective in lean patients with NAFLD [5], maybe suggesting a role for gut microbiota independent of adiposity. Finally, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was also considered a therapeutic tool in NAFLD. Very intriguing results were reported in a trial in mice, showing the reduction of intrahepatic fatty accumulation and of proinflammatory cytokines [6]. Unfortunately, to date, evidence on the beneficial effects of FMT on humans is lacking. In conclusion, we hope that gut microbiota modulation will be considered a therapeutic tool in patients with NAFLD, but more studies are needed. Conflicts of Interest
Propyl Gallate Inhibits Adipogenesis by Stimulating Extracellular Signal-Related Kinases in Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Propyl gallate (PG) used as an additive in various foods has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Although the functional roles of PG in various cell types are well characterized, it is unknown whether PG has effect on stem cell differentiation. In this study, we demonstrated that PG could inhibit adipogenic differentiation in human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) by decreasing the accumulation of intracellular lipid droplets. In addition, PG significantly reduced the expression of adipocyte-specific markers including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), CCAAT enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBP-α), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein 2 (aP2). PG inhibited adipogenesis in hAMSCs through extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. Decreased adipogenesis following PG treatment was recovered in response to ERK blocking. Taken together, these results suggest a novel effect of PG on adipocyte differentiation in hAMSCs, supporting a negative role of ERK1/2 pathway in adipogenic differentiation.
Environmental changes during the Cenomanian-Turonian Boundary Event in the Outer Carpathian basins: a synthesis of data from various tectonic-facies units

Zmiany w środowisku basenow Karpat zewnetrznych w czasie globalnego zdarzenia oceanicznego na granicy cenomanu i turonu; synteza wynikow badan z roznych jednostek tektoniczno-facjalnych The paper summarizes the results of author’s studies on the environmental changes around the Cenomanian-Turonian Boundary Event (CTBE) in the Outer Carpathian basins located close to the northern margin of the Western Tethys, whose sea floor was situated below the calcite compensation depth. The sedimen- tary, biotic and chemical records allowed to recognize the successions related to the oceanic anoxic event (OAE-2) and trace changes around this event sediments within the frame of the stable carbon isotope excursion and biostratigraphic datum events. The changes so traced included changes in: type of deep-water sedimentation, accumulation rate, productivity, oxygenation of bottom water and benthic foraminiferal assemblages. Correlation of the palaeoenvironmental changes with the carbon isotope curve and biostratigraphic datum events allowed the comparisons between the various sedimentary areas in the Outer Carpathians, and with other areas of the Western Tethys. Most of the interpreted events around the CTBE were synchronous in the northern branch of the Western Tethys that extended to the Umbria-Marche and Sicily carbonate platforms. These events included: (1) an increase in productivity before the interval with the highest shift in d13C values, (2) the main interval of organic-rich sedimentation (Bonarelli level), (3) a rapid change to oxygenated sediments near the Cenomanian-Turonian (C-T) boundary and continued during the Early Turonian, (4) fluctuations in oxygen content in bottom waters with short intervals of anoxia during the earliest Turonian, (5) deposition of a thick bentonite layer, near the start of the d13C excursion, roughly synchronous with the phase of a positive shift in Pb isotopic compositions in the silicate sediment fraction in one of the Umbria-Marche sections, (6) an interval of extremely low hemipelagic sedimentation with hiatuses near the base of the C-T boundary and during the earliest Turonian, correlated with the maximum rise of the sea level. The presented data from the Outer Carpathians suggest that the OAE-2 could be triggered by enhanced productivity; however, subaerial volcanic eruptions, accompanied by hydrothermal activity and formation of large igneous provinces could also be a factor which enriched the ocean-atmosphere system in CO2. Sluggish deep- water circulation, probably deteriorating through the Late Cenomanian, favoured preservation of organic matter during the latest Cenomanian. The mechanism of rapid oxygenation of bottom waters near the C-T boundary was related to recurrent inflows of (? )saline warm and oxygenated waters.