Inland-coastal demographic transformations in a karst area:a case study of the surroundings of Krka National Park(Croatia)

According to geographic possibilism,environment does not determine socio-economic development.However,the environment sets certain constraints and limitations for development.How do natural settings influence population dynamics?In this study,we examine this question using the example of?ibenik-Knin County,which includes Krka National Park(NP)with a GIS-based statistical approach.The following parameters represent natural factors:elevation,slope,distance from water,and proportion of karst areas.In addition,distance from Krka NP was also added as an independent seminatural factor(despite the fact that it is a social construction).The dependent social parameters are population density for selected historical dates,population change,year of maximum population,natural increase,migration,and age index.The analysis units are the 199 settlements found in the county,and the 20 local administrative units(LAU2).The study period can be divided into five phases:from the first census in 1857 to 1921,there was a slow increase in most settlements;then a relatively constant phase up to 1961(some settlements began shrinking in this period);a slow decrease until 1991;arapid decrease during the next decade;and relative stabilisation to present day.These processes were also accompanied by significant inner and outer migrations.As for the relationships between natural and demographic factors,we found that although the coastal-inland area dichotomy is dominant in the study area,elevation has the highest correlation with most population parameters.However,distance from water is also significantly correlated with population change and migration in certain periods.In the inland areas,there are statistically significant differences between the demographic processes of fully-karstic and partially-karstic areas,while in the coastal zone,the karst effect is overshadowed by other social processes.The impact of Krka NP on the demographic characteristics of the surrounding settlements was statistically not detectable.Our final conclusion is that correlations between natural and population parameters are low or moderately strong but statistically significant in many cases,thus the basic principles of geographic possibilism are valid for the area.

Methods for a blind analysis of isobar data collected by the STAR collaboration

In 2018,the STAR collaboration collected data from^(96)_(44)Ru+^(96)_(44)Ru and^(96)_(40)Zr+^(96)_(40)Zr at√^(S)NN=200 Ge V to search for the presence of the chiral magnetic effect in collisions of nuclei.The isobar collision species alternated frequently between 9644 Ru+^(96)_(44)Ru and^(96)_(40)Zr+^(96)_(40)Zr.In order to conduct blind analyses of studies related to the chiral magnetic effect in these isobar data,STAR developed a three-step blind analysis procedure.Analysts are initially provided a"reference sample"of data,comprised of a mix of events from the two species,the order of which respects time-dependent changes in run conditions.After tuning analysis codes and performing time-dependent quality assurance on the reference sample,analysts are provided a species-blind sample suitable for calculating efficiencies and corrections for individual≈30-min data-taking runs.For this sample,species-specific information is disguised,but individual output files contain data from a single isobar species.Only run-by-run corrections and code alteration subsequent to these corrections are allowed at this stage.Following these modifications,the"frozen"code is passed over the fully un-blind data,completing the blind analysis.As a check of the feasibility of the blind analysis procedure,analysts completed a"mock data challenge,"analyzing data from Au+Au collisions at√^(S)NN=27 Ge V,collected in 2018.The Au+Au data were prepared in the same manner intended for the isobar blind data.The details of the blind analysis procedure and results from the mock data challenge are presented.

Metasomatism-induced wehrlite formation in the upper mantle beneath the Nógrád-G?m?r Volcanic Field(Northern Pannonian Basin):Evidence from xenoliths

Clinopyroxene-enriched upper mantle xenoliths classified as wehrlites are common(~20% of all xenoliths) in the central part of the Nograd-G(o| ")m(o|")r Volcanic Field(NGVF),situated in the northern margin of the Pannonian Basin in northern Hungary and southern Slovakia.In this study,we thoroughly investigated 12 wehrlite xenoliths,two from each wehrlite-bearing occurrence,to determine the conditions of their formation.Specific textural features,including clinopyroxene-rich patches in an olivine-rich lithology,orthopyroxene remnants in the cores of newlyformed clinopyroxenes and vermicular spinel forms all suggest that wehrlites were formed as a result of intensive interaction between a metasomatic agent and the peridotite wall rock.Based on the major and trace element geochemistry of the rock-forming minerals,significant enrichment in basaltic(Fe,Mn,Ti) and high field strength elements(Nb,Ta,Hf,Zr) was observed,compared to compositions of common lherzolite xenoliths.The presence of orthopyroxene remnants and geochemical trends in rock-forming minerals suggest that the metasomatic process ceased before complete wehrlitization was achieved.The composition of the metasomatic agent is interpreted to be a mafic silicate melt,which was further confirmed by numerical modelling of trace elements using the plate model.The model results also show that the melt/rock ratio played a key role in the degree of petrographic and geochemical transformation.The lack of equilibrium and the conclusions drawn by using variable lherzolitic precursors in the model both suggest that wehrlitization was the last event that occurred shortly before xenolith entrainment in the host mafic melt.We suggest that the wehrlitization and the Plio-Pleistocene basaltic volcanism are related to the same magmatic event.

E-ANA-TUM AND THE RULER OF ARAWA1

1. Introduction In the inscriptions of E-ana-tum, ruler of Lagas, listing his victories over various cities, there is a four-line long passage that describes E-ana-tum’s defeat over the city called Arawa:2 (1)su-nir URU×Aki-ka, ensi2-be2 3, saη-ba mu-DU, aga3-kar2 !(SE3)4 be2-seg10 The translations of this grammatically difficult passage vary greatly;there seems to be no agreement either about its exact meaning or about its grammatical analysis.

Role of compositional changes on thermal,magnetic,and mechanical properties of Fe-P-C-based amorphous alloys

This work aimed to tune the comprehensive properties of Fe-P-C-based amorphous system through investigating the role of microalloying process on the crystallization behavior,glass forming ability(GFA),soft magnetic features,and mechanical properties.Considering minor addition of elements into the system,it was found that the simultaneous microalloying of Ni and Co leads to the highest GFA,which was due to the optimization of compositional heterogeneity and creation of near-eutectic composition.Moreover,the FeCoNiCuPC amorphous alloy exhibited the best anelastic/viscoplastic behavior under the nanoindentation test,which was owing to the intensified structural fluctuations in the system.However,the improved plasticity by the extra Cu addition comes at the expense of magnetic properties,so that the saturation magnetization of this alloying system is significantly decreased compared to the FeCoPC amorphous alloy with the highest soft magnetic properties.In total,the results indicated that a combination of added elemental constitutes,i.e.,Fe69Co5Ni5Cu1P13C7 composition,provides an optimized state for the comprehensive properties in the alloying system.

Biomedical Applications of Single Protein Nanoparticles

The drug carrier function of single protein nanoparticles, i.e., each individual protein molecule covered by a very thin, porous and few nanometer thick polymer layer, has been investigated. This layer around protein molecule is very thin, about 3-5 nm thick and highly porous, thus it does not reduce seriously the enzymatic function of protein molecule. The spatial structure of encapsulated protein molecule, which is essential in its function, can be stabilized by this polymer layer. Bovine serum albumin was used as protein drug molecule and it was encapsulated with acrylamide-bisarylamide random copolymer. The polymerization, starting from the modified sites of the surface of bovine serum albumin molecules was initiated by TEMED （tetramethylethylenediamine）. These single albumin nanoparticles were painted with fluorescein isothiocyanate. This material was then injected into the inferior vena cava of rats. The treated rats were decapitated after 1 to 10 minutes and its brain was investigated by fluorescent microscopy. It was proved that bovine serum albumin molecules as drugs encapsulated in polymer nano-layer with a reduced size （about 10 nm） can pass through the blood brain barrier. The results suggest that this method is capable of transformation of biomacromolecules to access the brain tissue via the blood.

Air-Ground Temperature Coupling: Analysis by Means of Thermal Orbits

Long-term measurements of air, near-surface (soil) and ground temperatures that were collected between 1994 and 2013 at the drill site of the Geothermal Climate Change Observatory (Prague) were analyzed to understand the relationship between these variables and to reveal the mechanisms of heat transport at the land-atmosphere boundary layer. The 2D Thermal Orbit (TO) method was applied to detect regularities that were hidden in noisy and highly variable temperature time series. The results showed that the temperatures at shallow depths were affected by surface air temperature (SAT) variations on seasonal and annual time scales and could be regarded as an accurate proxy for low frequency temperature variations at the Earth’s surface. Only low-frequency/ high-amplitude surface temperature variations penetrate into the subsurface because of strong damping and the filtering effect of the ground surface. The borehole temperatures have good potential to capture temperature variations (periodicities) over long time scales that cannot be detected in the SAT series themselves because of the interference of higher frequency noise. The TO technique is a useful and powerful tool to quickly obtain diagnostics of the presence of long periodicities in borehole temperature time series.

FAST FOURIER TRANSFORMS ON BINARY FIELDS

We give a unified treatment of Fast Fourier Transforms for UDMD systems which contains, as special cases, Fast Fourier algorithms for character groups of many subgroups associated with binary fields.

"Suspending Classes Without Stopping Learning":An Initiative to Ensure Learning in Japan During the Pandemic

Purpose:During Japan's initial pandemic prevention and control period,the Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science,and Technology of Japan(MEXT)issued several notifications to ensure students'continuous learning according to the"leave no one behind"philosophy.This study focused on the comprehensive measures comprising top-level arrangements to implement the"suspending classes without stopping learning"initiative.Design/Approach/Methods:The study reviewed MEXT's guide on ensuring learning for Japanese primary and secondary school students during the pandemic.Findings:The pandemic has accelerated the development of the information and communications technology educational environment and the implementation of the Global and Innovation Gateway for All(GIGA)schools initiative.These developments laid the foundation for the evolution of diverse pedagogical models and feasible methods for promoting equity.The home schooling experience during the pandemic provided a natural base for students to practice and foster survivability.Originality/Value:This paper provides scholars with an understanding of the opportunities and challenges encountered in educational innovation in Japan.It provides insights into the future direction of pedagogical development,capability development,and effective educational arrangements for extraordinary circumstances to facilitate educational development from a broader perspective,particularly under the new normal.

Niche differentiation among facultative filter feeders: Insights from invasive Ponto-Caspian mysids

The degree of dietary specialization has a fundamental impact on the ecological function and interactions of suspension feeders.While niche differentiation by food particle size is common among obligate suspension feeders,its role is not evident in facultative ones.In this study,we aimed at providing new insights on the matter by focusing on sympatric mysid species.As mysids use different mechanisms for raptorial and filter-feeding,they represent a more adequate model system than for example,the more extensively studied copepods.We made morpholog-ical measurements on the 4 coexisting invasive Ponto-Caspian mysid species to determine the areas and mesh sizes of their filters.We also quantified their clearance rates on the microalga Cryptomonas sp.in a laboratory experiment to reveal how morphological differences manifest in their overall filtering capacity.We found relatively small but consistent differences in the primary filter area among the species,indicating that morphological constraints due to the enclosed position of the setae might limit the possibility for differentiation.The primary filter mesh sizes were small in all 4 species(0.69-2.73μm)with moderate but consistent intraspecific differences,suggesting that the benefit of being able to capture small particles might outweigh the pressure for differentiation.The observed clearance rates were in accordance with the morphological characteristics of the species,highlighting that auxiliary filters(present in one of the species,Limnomysis benedeni)are needed to increase filtering capacity considerably.Our study confirmed that food particle size can contribute to the niche differentiation of facultative filter feeders,but also indicated that they can tolerate a higher overlap than obligate ones.The observed differences were related to the habitat preferences and predatory potentials of the species,suggesting that complementarity among the different niche axes might further facilitate theircoexistence.

Forecast of cosmological constraints with type Ia supernovae from the Chinese Space Station Telescope

The 2-m aperture Chinese Space Station Telescope(CSST),which observes at wavelengths ranging from 255 to 1000 nm,is expected to start science operations in 2024.An ultra-deep field observation program covering approximately 10 deg2is proposed with supernovae(SNe) and other transients as one of its primary science drivers.This paper presents the simulated detection results of type Ⅰa supernovae(SNe Ⅰa) and explores the impact of new datasets on the determinations of cosmological parameters.The simulated observations are conducted with an exposure time of 150 s and cadences of 10,20,and 30 d.The survey mode covering a total of 80 observations but with a random cadence in the range of 4 to 14 d is also explored.Our simulation results indicate that the CSST can detect up to ~1800 SNe la at z <1.3.The simulated SNe la are then used to constrain the cosmological parameters.The constraint on can be improved by 37.5% using the 10-d cadence sample in comparison with the Pantheon sample.A deeper measurement simulation with a 300 s exposure time together with the Pantheon sample improves the current constraints on Ωmby 58.3% and ω by 47.7%.Taking future lager sets of nearby SN Ⅰa sample form ground-based surveys(i.e.,N~3400) into consideration,the constraints on ω can be improved by 59.1%.The CSST ultra-deep field observation program is expected to discover large amounts of SNe la over a broad redshift span and enhance our understanding of the nature of dark energy.

Search for the doubly heavy baryon Ξ_(bc)^(+)→ decaying to J/ψΞ_(c)^(+)

A first search for the Ξ_(bc)^(+)J/ψΞ_(c)^(+) decay is performed by the LHCb experiment with a data sample of proton-proton collisions, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb−1 recorded at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV. Two peaking structures are seen with a local (global) significance of 4.3(2.8) and 4.1(2.4) standard deviations at masses of 6571 and 6694 MeV/c2, respectively. Upper limits are set on the Ξ+bc baryon production cross-section times the branching fraction relative to that of the B+c→J/ψD+s decay at centre-of-mass energies of 8 and 13 TeV, in the Ξ+bc and in the B+c rapidity and transverse-momentum ranges from 2.0 to 4.5 and 0 to 20GeV/c, respectively. Upper limits are presented as a function of the Ξ+bc mass and lifetime.

Search for the rare decays W^(+)→D_(s)^(+)γ and Z→D^(0)γ at LHCb

A search for the rare decays W^(+)→D_(s)^(+)γ and Z→D0γis performed using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at a centre-of-mass energy of 13TeV,corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.0fb−1.No significant signal is observed for either decay mode and upper limits on their branching fractions are set using W^(+)→D_(s)^(+)γ and Z→μ+μ−decays as normalization channels.The upper limits are 6.5×10^(−4) and 2.1×10^(−3) at 95% confidence level for the W^(+)→D_(s)^(+)γ and Z→D^(0)γ decay modes,respectively.This is the first reported search for the Z→D^(0)γ decay,while the upper limit on the W+→D+sγbranching fraction improves upon the previous best limit.

Karst Types and Their Karstification

Eighty-one karst types and their main characteristics are described in this study,including the conditions of their development,the main characteristics of their karstification and their characteristic features.The classification includes the karst types of the Earth,a concise description of each karst type and the possibilities of belonging to several types of various karst areas.The classification of types is hierarchical in terms of groups,subgroups,types and subtypes.Karst can be classified according to their momentary state(the group of static karst types)and to their development(group of dynamic karst types).The group of static karst types has the azonal and zonal subgroups.Azonal karst types may be situated under any climate.These karst types are categorized according to their geological characteristics(age of karstification,constituting rock,extent of coveredness,structure),their elevation,expansion,the morphology of their surface,hydrology and to the effects occurring on the karst.Taking the above mentioned factors into consideration,the author distinguishes various types and describes their characteristics.Zonal karst types are also described(tundra karst,temperate karst,subtropical karst,tropical karst),karst types that can be distinguished based on their geomorphic evolution are identified and their characteristics are presented.

New Advances in Biostratigraphy of the Lower/Middle Norian Transition:Conodonts of the Dov?ko Section,Slovenia

This study presents the results of the conodont biostratigraphy and microfacies analysis carried out on the pelagic limestones of the Upper Triassic Dov?ko Section in Slovenia,which represents the eastern part of the Slovenian Basin.The age of the section ranges from the Lacian 1 to the Alaunian 1.The Lacian part of the succession is predominantly characterized by the representatives of the genus Ancyrogondolella.Transitional morphologies towards Alaunian faunas first appear in the Lacian 3 and become common during the Lacian-Alaunian transition.This evolutionary development coincides with a shift in microfacies from a dominantly radiolarian-bearing mudstone-wackestone-packstone to a filament-dominated wackestone-packstone,and the formation of small neptunian dykes,which may reflect environmental perturbations and/or a change in basin geometry.The proliferation of the genera Epigondolella and Mockina is observed in the Alaunian part of the section,though the genus Ancyrogondolella is still present in this interval.Systematic description of the conodont taxa is provided,and seven new species and two new subspecies are established.The new advances will be of great value in further biostratigraphic studies,especially in areas without ammonoid faunas,and in the reconstruction of the paleogeography of the Slovenian Basin.

Evolutionary Trends of the Genus Ancyrogondolella(Conodonta)and Related Taxa in the Norian(Late Triassic)

The Norian represents the longest stage of the Triassic,nevertheless,its precise subdivision is an unresolved matter.Conodonts might be useful in the establishment of an accurate biozonation to avoid common scientific misinterpretations.Understanding the Norian evolutionary trends and morphological changes of the Ancyrogondolella lineage(genus Ancyrogondolella and descendant genera Epigondolella,Orchardella and Mockina)is of key importance in this issue.The forward shifting of the pit and the posterior prolongation of the keel and the carina characterize the main trend that corresponds to the faunal turnover around the Lacian-Alaunian transition.A gradual decrease in overall element width and length can be observed from that time on,which couples with a decrease in the length of the free blade and an increase in the height of the anterior platform denticles.The presence of secondary carinae is characteristic for the mid-Lacian 1 to Alaunian 1,but their development shows no trends and has no taxonomic value.Adult specimens of the Lacian generally have an arched lower profile,whereas in the Alaunian and Sevatian the lower profile is dominantly stepped or straight.The thorough documentation of the Tethyan assemblages is needed for any detailed taxonomic and paleobiogeographic comparisons with other regions.

Revision of the Conodont Mockina slovakensis and Its Paleogeographic Implications for the Upper Triassic Intraplatform Basins of the Alps

Mockina slovakensis,thought to have evolved from Epigondolella praeslovakensis,is an important species of the Norian(Upper Triassic),generally considered as the representative of the uppermost Alaunian to upper Sevatian in the Tethys.The previous description of M.slovakensis was incomplete,thus has led to some misidentifications.We thus update the description of M.slovakensis and discuss its comparisons and occurrence based on the new conodont investigations in Dolomia di Forni and the data from previous literatures.The conodont assemblage in the succession of Dolomia di Forni is dominated by M.slovakensis,along with rare M.postera and E.praeslovakensis.We described two morphotypes of M.slovakensis(morphotypes A and B),on the basis of shape of the lateral profile.These two morphotypes can also be observed in the E.praeslovakensis.Moreover,M.slovakensis is usually documented as almost monospecific conodont association in intraplatform basins,thus its paleogeographic implications are also discussed.

Infrared neural stimulation and inhibition using an implantable silicon photonic microdevice

Brain is one of the most temperature sensitive organs.Besides the fundamental role of temperature in cellular metabolism,thermal response of neuronal populations is also significant during the evolution of various neurodegenerative diseases.For such critical environmental factor,thorough mapping of cellular response to variations in temperature is desired in the living brain.So far,limited efforts have been made to create complex devices that are able to modulate temperature,and concurrently record multiple features of the stimulated region.In our work,the in vivo application of a multimodal photonic neural probe is demonstrated.Optical,thermal,and electrophysiological functions are monolithically integrated in a single device.The system facilitates spatial and temporal control of temperature distribution at high precision in the deep brain tissue through an embedded infrared waveguide,while it provides recording of the artefact-free electrical response of individual cells at multiple locations along the probe shaft.Spatial distribution of the optically induced temperature changes is evaluated through in vitro measurements and a validated multi-physical model.The operation of the multimodal microdevice is demonstrated in the rat neocortex and in the hippocampus to increase or suppress firing rate of stimulated neurons in a reversible manner using continuous wave infrared light(λ=1550 nm).Our approach is envisioned to be a promising candidate as an advanced experimental toolset to reveal thermally evoked responses in the deep neural tissue.

Evolutionary Process from Mockina bidentata to Parvigondolella andrusovi:Evidence from the Pizzo Mondello Section,Sicily,Italy

During their last phase of evolution,the pectiniform conodont elements manifested an evident trend of simplification and miniaturization.This phase started from the late Norian(Sevatian)in the Late Triassic and the evolutionary process of genus Mockina to Parvigondolella,in particular between Mockina bidentata and Parvigondolella andrusovi,is one of the most significant examples.Parvigondolella has been reported worldwide since it was first described in the early 1970s.However,it has recently been suggested that genus Parvigondolella is an ecostratigraphic morphotype of genus Mockina,and thus a phenotype controlled by the environmental conditions,and not an independent taxon.In the Pizzo Mondello Section(Sicily,Italy),transitional forms between M.bidentata and P.andrusovi have been found at different evolutionary stages.We have investigated the oceanic conditions at the time by using redox-sensitive elements(Mn,Fe,V,Cr,and Ni)and seawater temperatures from biogenetic δ^(18)Ophos to understand the possible environmental influences on the phylogenetic evolution between Mockina and Parvigondolella.The geochemical and isotope analyses indicate that the redox condition and temperature were stable during the evolution of genus Parvigondolella in Pizzo Mondello,confirming that genus Parvigondolella is a real taxon and not a phenotype.A new conodont species named Parvigondolella ciarapicae n.sp.is described here for the first time.

Phenotypic divergences induced by different residence time in invasive common ragweeds

Aims Possible shifts in the phenotypic performance along invasive plants’spreading route are rarely examined due to the discontinuous and incomplete records of exotic species.As the invasion history of common ragweed(Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.)is well documented in Hungary,its residence time is known for each location.By sampling a sequence of older to more recently established populations,we aimed to determine(i)whether there are phenotypic divergences along the historical spreading route of A.artemisiifolia;(ii)which traits are under selection during the invasion process and(iii)the extent of maternal effects on the individual’s performance.Methods We used a hierarchical sampling design to collect seeds from 64 individuals belonging to eight sites in four residence time categories(seven populations along the historical spreading route of ragweed in Hungary and one recently invaded site in Romania).We selected four large and four small individual plants in each population to control for maternal effects.The offspring were reared in a common garden located in Romania.Five vegetative phenotypic traits were measured at the end of the experiments and used in the subsequent analysis(plant height,basal diameter,number of secondary axes,length of the longest secondary axis and biomass).To summarize the variation of these highly correlated traits,principal component analysis was performed first and then the important components were used in linear mixed effect models.Important Findings The residence time categories were significantly distinguished by the first component,which compresses the variation of all five measured traits.The measures gradually decrease from populations with the longest residence time(introduced more than 65 years ago)towards the most recently established populations(established less than 30 years ago).These differences might reflect the invasion history of the populations:the longer the residence time the higher the chance to develop relevant traits beneficial in invasion process.The size of the mother plant significantly influenced not only the seed mass(inversely)but also the adult performance of its offspring(directly).