Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Growth Sensitivity to Drought of Co-Occurring Pinus spp. along an Elevation Gradient in Northern Mexico

ARSTRACT. Climate change is predicted to increase the frequency of severe drought, yet little information exists on the impacts of drought on dominant trees of Mexican pine forests, which are among the most biologically diverse forests in the world. We conducted the first comparison of growth sensitivity to drought of two co-occurring Pinus species in Mexico to understand whether growth of dominant pines of the Sierra Madre Occidental in northern Mexico is sensitive to drought and temperature variation and to understand how sensitivity differs between tree species and elevations. We sampled and analyzed tree-ring data across a 400-m elevation gradient for the years 1945–2004 for co-occurring Pinus engelmannii and Pinus lumholtzii at Basaseachi National Park, Chihuahua, Mexico. We hypothesized that growth sensitivity to drought would be highest at low elevations, annual basal area increment (BAI) would be lowest at low elevations, and winter precipitation would covary positively with BAI at all elevations. Growth sensitivity to drought, as measured by a wet-dry ring-width index ratio (W:D), was significantly higher for both species at low elevations (W:D range 2.2–2.8) than at intermediate and high elevations (WD range 1.5–1.9). Pinus engelmannii had significantly higher W:D (2.2) than P. lumholtzii (1.8). Annual BAI did not differ between elevations or species. Annual ring—width index was positively and significantly associated with winter (December–April) precipitation. This association was stronger at low elevations than at high elevations. Other seasons of precipitation and other climatic variables were not significantly associated with annual growth. Our results suggest that the increasing frequency and severity of drought predicted for this region in the coming decades will reduce growth of P. engelmannii and P. lumholtzii, with greater impacts on low-elevation populations and on P. engelmannii.
No . 152 Projecting Long – Term Primary Energy Consumption

In this paper we use the long–term empirical relationship among primary energy consumption, real income, physical capital, population and technology, obtained by averaged panel error correction models, to project the long–term primary energy consumption of 56 countries up to 2100. In forecasting long-term primary energy consumption, we work with four different Shared Socioeconomic Pathway Scenarios (SSPs) developed for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) framework, assuming different challenges to adaptation and mitigation. We find that in all scenarios, China, the United States and India will be the largest energy consumers, while highly growing countries will also significantly contribute to energy use. We observe for most scenarios a sharp increase in global energy consumption, followed by a levelling–out and a decrease towards the second half of the century. The reasons behind this pattern are not only slower population growth, but also infrastructure saturation and increased total factor productivity. This means, as countries move towards more knowledge based societies, and higher energy efficiency, their primary energy usage is likely to decrease as a result. Global primary energy consumption is expected however to increase significantly in the coming decades, thus increasing the pressure on policy makers to cope with the questions of energy security and greenhouse gas mitigation at the same time. JEL Classification: C53, Q43, Q47.
THE ROLE OF WIND IN THE CONFIGURATION OF THE AMBIENT AIR QUALITY IN ATHENS , GREECE

It is well-known that natural and anthropogenic emissions of ambient pollutants affect air quality, and as a consequence the public health. Air pollution indices are commonly used to indicate the level of severity of air pollution to the public. The objective of this study is the assessment of the air quality levels in the urban environment of Athens, Greece using the Air Quality Index (AQI), which presents advantages as an administrative tool for early warning in the context of public health protection. The AQI is a complex index and calculated by compounding appropriately the concentrations of surface ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and particles with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm (PM10). For this purpose, available hourly data of the above ambient pollutants recorded by the Athens air pollution monitoring network, during the period 2001-2006, were analyzed for the development of the proposed index. The temporal and spatial distribution of the mean annual AQI values within greater Athens area (GAA) is examined, and the results are analyzed in terms of the meteorological conditions. The effect of wind speed and direction on AQI levels is found to be significant, among the other meteorological parameters such as air temperature, relative humidity, sunshine and total solar radiation. The analysis revealed that the higher values of AQI, during the warm period of the year, are strongly associated with sea breeze than with northern wind flow. The knowledge of the sea breeze characteristics over GAA contributes to the comprehension of the local air quality formation levels.
SCVMJ , XV ( 1 ) 2010 1 DISEASES CAUSED BY LARVAL NEMATODES AMONG SOME FISHES IN RED SEA

This study was conducted on 1000 marine fish of different species. Each species was represented by 100 fishes including Siganus rivulatus, Lutjanus spp, Lethrinus nebulosus, Pagellus acarne, Mulloides flavolineatus, Saurida undosquamis, Sardinella spp. , Restrelliger kanagutra, Trachurus indicus, Antherinidae collected from Suez Canal water of Red Sea. Fishes were apparently healthy and no pathognomonic signs except abdominal distension, hemorrhagic area on abdomen and emaciation. PM lesions were in the form of enlargement and congestion in liver, excessive mucus secretion and swelling in intestine, petecheal hemorrhage on stomach and presence of nematodes on liver and intestine. The isolated parasitic larval nematodes were (Anisakis simplex, Hysterothylacium fabri, Contracaecum ovales, Raphidascaris acus, Cucullanus truttae, Eustrongylides sp., Paraquimperia sp., Cystidicala farions. The morphological description of the isolated nematodes was recorded. Also, the total and seasonal prevalence were investigated and discussed. INTRODUCTION Marine fish act either final or intermediate host for parasites which may cause injuries and even death to these fishes (Shih and Jeng, 2002). Parasitic nematodes constitute one of the earliest known groups of helminthes in fishes. They infest marine, brackish and freshwater fishes. Also, they can infest almost all organs in a fish; the majority of the known species have been described from intestine. Most nematodes infest fish as adults, but a large proportion of them occur as larval stages (Eissa, 2002). Marine fish nematodes represent an important public health problem because they may be a source of serious problems in man. The present study is planned to investigate larval nematodes in some marine fishes in Red sea and dealing with their prevalence.
Synthesis, Reactivity Studies and Cytotoxicity of Two Iodidoplatinum(II) Complexes. Does Photoactivation Work?

Trans platinum complexes have been the landmark in unconventional drugs prompting the development of innovative structures that might exhibit chemical and biological profiles different to cisplatin. Iodido complexes made a new turning point in the platinum drug design field since their cytotoxicity was reevaluated and reported. In this new study, we have synthesized and evaluated diodido complexes bearing aliphatic amines and pyridines in trans configuration. X-ray diffraction support the structural characterization. Their cytotoxicity has been evaluated in tumor cell lines such as SAOS-2, A375, T-47D and HCT116. Moreover, we report their solution behavior and reactivity with biological models. UVA irradiation induces an increase in their reactivity towards model nucleobase 5´-GMP in early stages, and promotes the release of the pyridine ligand (spectator ligand) at longer reaction times. Density Functional calculations have been performed and the results are compared with our previous studies with other iodido derivatives.
Asian Elephant Elephas Maximus Habitat Use and Ranging in Fragmented Rainforest and Plantations in the Anamalai Hills, India

The persistence of wide-ranging mammals such as Asian elephants in fragmented landscapes requires extending conservation efforts into human-dominated landscapes around protected areas. Understanding how elephants use such landscapes may help facilitate their movements and reduce conflict incidence. We studied elephants' use of fragmented habitats and ranging patterns of focal herds in a landscape of rainforest fragments embedded in tea, coffee, and Eucalyptus plantations in the Anamalai Hills. Elephant herds entering this landscape were tracked daily between April 2002 and March 2006, resulting in 985 GPS locations of herds obtained across six major habitats. Natural vegetation in rainforest fragments and riparian habitats, despite low coverage in the landscape, was preferred by elephants during the day. At night, elephants preferred riparian vegetation, avoided other habitats such as swamps and settlements, while the remaining habitats were used proportional to availability. Use of rainforest fragments and riparian vegetation increased over three years of study with a corresponding decline in the use of tea monoculture. Among plantation habitats, coffee, and Eucalyptus were used significantly more during wet and dry seasons, respectively. The concentration of elephants along a major riparian system in the center of the landscape emphasized the role of water and food availability in habitat use during the dry season. Protection of rainforest fragments, secondary vegetation along rivers, and regulated and sequential felling (instead of clear-felling) of Eucalyptus along elephant movement routes will help retain forage, cover, and passage routes of elephant herds and may reduce direct human-elephant encounters in such fragmented landscapes.
A Comparative Analysis of Intestinal Parasitic Infections between HIV+/AIDS Patients and Non-HIV Infected Individuals

The aim of this study was to verify the occurrence of intestinal parasitic infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients in Iran in comparison with non-HIV individuals. Methods: A total of HIV+/AIDS patients (Group I) and 1220 clinically healthy individuals (Group II) were submitted to coproparasitological examination from 2003 to 2005. Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites in group I and group II was 11.4% and 11.6%, respectively, without significant difference between two groups. The prevalence of infection for each helminth and pathogenic protozoan, in every group, was as follows: Group I: Blastocystis hominis (6.1%); Giardia lamblia (4.2%); Cryptosporidium spp. (0.9%); Isospora belli (0.26%); Strongyloides stercoralis (0.26%); Hymenolepis nana (0.13%); and Rhabditis axei (0.13%). Group II: Blastocystis hominis (6.5%); Giardia lamblia (4.1%); Strongyloides stercoralis (0.33%); Hymenolepis nana (0.16%); and Trichostrongylus sp. (0.16%). Although the prevalence of infection for extracellular parasites was not statistically different be- tween two groups, however, the infection rates for enteric coccidians including Cryptosporidium spp. and I. belli were significantly higher in patients at AIDS stage than Group II. Conclusion: The results emphasize the needs for especial consideration of enteropathogenic intracellular coccidians in immunocompromised patients.
A dynamic monetary model with costly foreign currency

I present a dynamic general equilibrium monetary model with domestic and foreign currencies and a traded bond where there is an adjustment cost to switch into foreign currency. The focus is on the short versus long run trade-offs and transitional dynamics of domestic and foreign monetary disturbances as a function of attributes of currencies in utility. The main finding is that short and long run trade-offs and transitional dynamics together with the implied hysteresis property of the equilibrium are critical determinants of the qualitative results of domestic and foreign monetary disturbances in this class of model.
IS Outsourcing Decision: A Quantitative Approach

In the modern hyper competition, the outsourcing decision can be a matter of survival or failure. In this paper, the authors aim at providing an easily adaptable, statistically robust decision model to help firms with deciding whether or not to outsource their IS functions. Initially, the authors used Factor Analysis to identify the decision criteria. Then, they designed an AHP decision model based on these criteria. The methodology is unique and this methodological combination has never been used before. Results showed that geo-political issue is the most important criterion, followed by strategic, economic and technical considerations. Scholars can take advantage of this to shape their researches or test the results in different contexts. Additionally, the model can be of great help to professionals considering IS outsourcing.
A study of geogrid-reinforced ballast using laboratory pull-out tests and discrete element modelling

This paper presents an evaluation of the behaviour of geogrid-reinforced railway ballast. Experimental large box pull-out tests were conducted to examine the key parameters influencing the interaction between ballast and the geogrid. The experimental results demonstrated that the triaxial geogrid outperforms the biaxial geogrid and the geogrid aperture size is more influential than rib profile and junction profile. The discrete element method (DEM) has then been used to model the interaction between ballast and geogrid by simulating large box pull-out tests and comparing with experimental results. The DEM simulation results have been shown to provide good predictions of the pull-out resistance and reveal the distribution of contact forces in the geogrid-reinforced ballast system. Therefore, the calibrated geogrid model and the use of clumps to model ballast particles hold much promise for investigating the interaction between geogrids and ballast and therefore optimising performance.
Examining tendencies of in-plane rupture to migrate to material interfaces

SUMMARY We perform a numerical parameter-space study of 2-D in-plane ruptures in a model consisting of two different half-spaces separated by a low-velocity layer and possible simultaneous slip along multiple faults. Ruptures are nucleated by a bilateral expanding stress drop in a limited source region, and may continue to propagate spontaneously (or not) along one or several faults. Most calculations are done for purely elastic media and faults governed by Coulomb friction, but some simulations employ Prakash‐Clifton friction and Kelvin-Voigt viscosity. The faults, two of which are material interfaces, are situated equidistant and parallel to each other. Using different nucleation locations, different initial stress, different velocity contrasts, different frictional fault separations, different widths of a low-velocity zone, and different number of faults, we examine the range of conditions for which ruptures migrate to other faults and continue to propagate in a self-sustaining manner. The model produces diverse migration and propagation phenomena represented by several phase diagrams. However, a general result of the study is that ruptures tend to migrate to the material interfaces and become self-sustained wrinkle-like pulses for wide ranges of conditions. The wrinkle-like pulses propagate along each material interface unilaterally in the direction of motion on the more compliant side of the interface (referred to as the ‘positive’ direction). The existence of a large number of faults produces, like viscosity, distributed deformation that reduces the divergent behaviour of the wrinkle-like pulses. In many cases, ruptures migrate to the interface with the stronger contrast and propagate unilaterally in the positive direction associated with that interface and the overall contrast across the fault zone. In smaller number of cases, ruptures migrate to the interface with the weaker contrast and propagate unilaterally in the opposite positive direction associated with that interface. For various parameter combinations, self-sustained unilateral pulses travel simultaneously, in the two opposite positive directions, along the interfaces on the opposite sides of the low-velocity layer. A low-resolution imaging of these ruptures would lead to an inference on bilateral propagation. The M6, 2004 September, Parkfield California earthquake may provide a natural example of such a case.
DISCOVERY OF COLD, PRISTINE GAS POSSIBLY ACCRETING ONTO AN OVERDENSITY OF STAR-FORMING GALAXIES AT REDSHIFT z ∼ 1.6

We report the discovery of large amounts of cold (T ∼ 104 K), chemically young gas in an overdensity of galaxies at redshift z ≈ 1.6 located in the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey southern field. The gas is identified thanks to the ultra-strong Mg ii λ2800 absorption features it imprints onto the rest-frame UV spectra of galaxies in the background of the overdensity. There is no evidence that the optically thick gas is part of any massive galaxy (i.e., Mstar > 4 × 109 M☉), but rather is associated with the overdensity; less massive and fainter galaxies (25.5 mag < z < 27.5 mag) have too large an impact parameter to be causing ultra-strong absorption systems, based on our knowledge of such systems. The lack of corresponding Fe ii absorption features, not detected even in co-added spectra, suggests that the gas is chemically more pristine than the interstellar medium and outflows of star-forming galaxies at similar redshift, including the galaxies of the overdensity itself, and comparable to the most metal-poor stars in the Milky Way halo. A crude estimate of the projected covering factor of the high-column-density gas (NH ≳ 1020 cm−2) based on the observed fraction of galaxies with ultra-strong absorbers is CF ≈ 0.04. A broad, continuum absorption profile extending to the red of the interstellar Mg ii absorption line by ≲ 2000 km s−1 is possibly detected in two independent co-added spectra of galaxies belonging to the overdensity, consistent with a large-scale infall motion of the gas onto the overdensity and its galaxies. Overall, these findings provide the first tentative evidence of accretion of cold, chemically young gas onto galaxies at high redshift, possibly feeding their star formation activity. We suggest the fact that the galaxies are members of a large structure, as opposed to field galaxies, might play a significant role in our ability to detect the accreting gas.
MANGANESE DEFICIENCY ASSOCIATED LEG DEFORMITIES IN RED-NECKED OSTRICHES ( Struthio camelus camelus )

Red-necked ostriches (Struthio camelus camelus) are kept in Al Wabra Wildlife Preservation (AWWP) since 1998.The first chicks hatched in 2007. Two out of three chicks in 2007 and one out of four chicks in 2008 showed signs of leg deformities, especially slipped tendons. Manganese deficiency was suspected. A blood analysis was performed and manganese, zinc, vitamin E, iron, copper, selenium and calcium were measured. The three chicks were euthanized and examined. Histopathological findings revealed poor bone mineralisation and signs of a metabolic problem possibly associated with manganese deficiency. Factors which are known to cause leg deformities are manganese, calcium, copper or zinc deficiency in chicks or high selenium levels in breeding adults could be a cause of these leg deformities. In this study low manganese, calcium and copper and high selenium levels were detected and are most likely involved in these cases.
COLOR AND STELLAR POPULATION GRADIENTS IN PASSIVELY EVOLVING GALAXIES AT z ∼ 2 FROM HST/WFC3 DEEP IMAGING IN THE HUBBLE ULTRA DEEP FIELD

We report the detection of color gradients in six massive (stellar mass (Mstar) > 1010 M☉) and passively evolving (specific star formation rate <10−11 yr−1) galaxies at redshift 1.3 < z < 2.5 identified in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field using ultra-deep Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Advanced Camera for Surveys and WFC3/IR images. After carefully matching the different point-spread functions, we obtain color maps and multi-band optical/near-IR photometry (BVizYJH) in concentric annuli, from the smallest resolved radial distance (≈1.7 kpc) up to several times the H-band effective radius. We find that the inner regions of these galaxies have redder rest-frame UV–optical colors (U − V, U − B, and B − V) than the outer parts. The slopes of the color gradient have no obvious dependence on the redshift and on the stellar mass of the galaxies. They do mildly depend, however, on the overall dust obscuration (E(B − V)) and rest-frame (U − V) color, with more obscured or redder galaxies having steeper color gradients. The z ∼ 2 color gradients are also steeper than those of local early-type ones. The gradient of a single parameter (age, extinction, or metallicity) cannot fully explain the observed color gradients. Fitting the spatially resolved HST seven-band photometry to stellar population synthesis models, we find that, regardless of assumptions on the metallicity gradient, the redder inner regions of the galaxies have slightly higher dust obscuration than the bluer outer regions, implying that dust partly contributes to the observed color gradients, although the magnitude depends on the assumed extinction law. Due to the age–metallicity degeneracy, the derived age gradient depends on the assumptions for the metallicity gradient. We discuss the implications of a number of assumptions for metallicity gradients on the formation and evolution of these galaxies. We find that the evolution of the mass–size relationship from z ∼ 2 to the present cannot be driven by in situ extended star formation, which implies that accretion or merger is mostly responsible for the growth of their stellar mass and size. The lack of a correlation between the strength of the color gradient and the stellar mass argues against the metallicity gradient predicted by the monolithic-collapse scenario, which would require significant major mergers to evolve into the one observed at the present.