Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vegetation changes over palaeo-time scales in Africa

The record of palaeovegetation dynamics in Africa generally extends back to 30 000 yr BP, and longer records, where they do exist, tend to be characterised by hiatuses, giving a broken slide-show of vegetation dynamics in the past. A few specific sites on, for example, Mount Kenya and the Burundi Highlands in the equatorial tropics offer much longer and continuous records. Pollen analysis of lake, peat, swamp sediments and other materials have largely formed the basis of vegeta- tion and climatic reconstruction on the continent. These pollen diagrams indicate depression of high- land vegetation to lower altitudes relative to their positions today, fragmentation of lowland forests, and concomitant expansion of grassland prior to 14 000 yr BP, with maximum impact occurring between 22 000 and 14 000 yr BP. The period 14 000 to 10 000 yr BP was a time of transition, with veg- etation recovering to present-day distributions by 10 000 yr BP. These are generalisations, and signif- icant differences do occur from region to region; in particular, vegetation change in southern Africa has been largely asynchronous with the rest of the African continent, save for the peak of the last glacial maximum at 18 000 yr BP. Based on the changes in vegetation, the period prior to 14 000 yr BP is viewed as less humid (with exceptions in southern Africa) and cooler than present, with maximum aridity and temperature depressions (estimated to be between 4 and 7°C lower than today, occurring between 22 000 and 14 000 yr BP. A climatic amelioration followed thereafter, reaching optimal warm and humid conditions at about 10 000 yr BP in the equatorial regions, and about 2000 to 5000 yr later in the subtropical regions. Temperature has been generally viewed as being the major factor driving climate change. Following the recent discovery, from polar ice cores, that atmospheric CO2 concen- trations have also changed through time, current palaeovegetation studies have focused on both pollen and, to probe the physiological effect of changing atmospheric CO2 on vegetation, on bulk and compound-specific stable carbon isotope analysis of organic sediments. These studies have yielded much valuable information on the relationship between the climatic drivers of vegetation change, namely, temperature, precipitation and atmospheric CO2 changes. They suggest that CO2 rather than temperature was the main driving force of vegetation change in the tropics during the glacial-inter- glacial period, and that vegetation may have responded much more sensitively to humidity changes based on physiological responses to lowered CO2 concentrations. These conclusions are supported by modelling experiments, and indicate that previous estimates of temperature depression in the tropics are overestimated and need to be revised in light of these new discoveries.
Optimal environmental taxation when green alternative is available

We extend the result of the environmental tax under imperfect competition being below the Pigouvian level to an economy with a polluting monopolist facing a green competitive fringe, where two substitutable varieties are supplied to heterogeneous buyers. The optimal tax is shown to account for four e¤ects: standard Pigouvian marginal damage, monopoly subsidy, matching e¤ect and business-switching effect. The last two e¤ects however, are shown to split the market in a socially desirable way when the regulator is "empathic". If he is "non-empathic", the optimal tax is even smaller. Moreover, taxing only buyers and not the polluting rm leads to internalization buyers externality in addition to the environmental one.
Molecular characterization of a Colombian Bacillus thuringiensis strain with activity against Tecia solanivora (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

The Guatemalan potato moth, Tecia solanivora (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is one of the most important pests affecting potatoes in northern South America, causing crop losses ranging from 50 to 100%. In this work, we isolated a native strain of Bacillus thuringiensis (146-15801) with high activity against this moth, and we characterized its Cry genes. This strain was the most active out of eleven strains tested against T. solanivora in laboratory bioassays. Specific PCR and genome walk allowed the isolation of Cry genes showing 99 and 95% similarity to the sequences reported in Cry1Ac and Cry2 genes, respectively. Immunolocation experiments demonstrated that Cry1Ac and Cry2 bind to the midgut epithelial cells, suggest that these two proteins are involved in the insecticidal activity against T. solanivora. Results obtained in this work are relevant because native strains comprise a source of biological components for the development of new bioinsecticides, as well as new Cry genes that can be used for biological control.
A palaeomagnetic study of the Builth Wells-Llandrindod Wells Ordovician Inlier, Wales: palaeogeographic and structural implications

SUMMARY Discrepancies exist in the Southern British Ordovician palaeomagnetic data set with individual studies indicating either high southerly or temperate southerly palaeolatitudes. Although previous palaeomagnetic investigations from the Builth inlier have delineated a three-component remanence structure, doubts have been raised concerning (i) the magnetization age of the supposed 'primary' component (P); (ii) the structural setting of the sampling area (Llanelwedd quarry) within a zone of strike-slip deformation; and (iii) whether detailed step-wise demagnetization has fully separated the various magnetization components. In addressing these problems, we present new palaeomagnetic results as follows: (i) a positive palaeomagnetic conglomerate test establishing a pre-Late Llanvirn age for component (P); (ii) an enlarged geographic sampling embracing several tectonic domains indicating that relative rotations linked to strike-slip tectonism are minor within the Builth sampling area; and (iii) evidence that component (P) is uncontaminated by overprints at some sites suggesting the resulting palaeolatitude of 35"s to be representative for the Builth inlier. We also present evidence for local syn-volcanic deformation within Llanvirn volcanics and for intrusion-related deformation of Llanvirn shales. When the revised Llanvirn pole from the inlier (3"S, 4"E) is combined with other data from Southern Britain in a statistical spline analysis, a mean palaeolatitude of 44.5"s is calculated for Builth in Llanvirn times. A palaeoreconstruction for 468-474 Ma (c. Mid-Llanvirn) is presented utilizing this analysis.
Production and regulation of extracellular chitinase by Aschersonia aleyrodis (Cordycipitaceae: Hypocreales).

Chitinases are virulence determination factors of entomopathogenic fungi which perform critical functions during degradation of insect cuticle. Production of extracellular chitinases by Aschersonia aleyrodis (Cordycipitaceae; Hypocreales) isolate A005 was investigated using different combinations of basal medium components. The effects of different carbon sources on chitinase activity and biomass production by A. aleyrodis were tested in media supplemented with simple or complex carbon sources individually or in combination. Maximum chitinase activities (221.59±1.20 mU/ml) as well as maximum biomass production (16.37±1.59 mg/ml) were found in the supernatants from 1.5% N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) plus 0.8% chitin. The effects of the divalent metal ions (iron and magnesium) on lipase activity were also studied. The divalent metal salts, CaCl2, MgCl2 and ZnSO4, inhibit chitinase activity at 10 and 100mM concentration whereas inhibition of chitinase activity by KCl, FeSO4 and EDTA was observed at higher concentrations only. The optimum pH for chitinase production was 5.7, and the optimum temperature 25 ° C.
Supergiants and their shells in young globular clusters

Anomalous surface abundances are observed in a fraction of the low-mass stars of Galactic globular clusters, that may originate from hot-hydrogen-burning products ejected by a previous generation of massive stars. We present and investigate a scenario in which the second generation of polluted low-mass stars can form in shells around cool supergiant stars within a young globular cluster. Simulations of low-Z massive stars (M$_{\rm i}\sim$ 150$-$600 M$_{\odot}$) show that both core-hydrogen-burning cool supergiants and hot ionizing stellar sources are expected to be present simulaneously in young globular clusters. Under these conditions, photoionization-confined shells form around the supergiants. We find that the shell is gravitationally unstable on a timescale that is shorter than the lifetime of the supergiant, and the Bonnor-Ebert mass of the overdense regions is low enough to allow star formation. Since the low-mass stellar generation formed in this shell is made up of the material lost from the supergiant, its composition necessarily reflects the composition of the supergiant wind. We show that the wind contains hot-hydrogen-burning products, and that the shell-stars therefore have very similar abundance anomalies that are observed in the second generation stars of globular clusters. Considering the mass-budget required for the second generation star-formation, we offer two solutions. Either a top-heavy initial mass function is needed with an index of $-$1.71. $-$2.07. Alternatively, we suggest the shell-stars to have a truncated mass distribution, and solve the mass budget problem by justifiably accounting for only a fraction of the first generation. Even without forming a photoionizaton-confined shell, the cool supergiant stars predicted at low-Z could contribute to the pollution of the interstellar medium of the cluster from which the second generation was born.
Constraining the thermal dust content of Lyman break galaxies in an overdense field at z ≈ 5

We have carried out 870-μm observations in the J1040.7−1155 field, known to host an overdensity of Lyman break galaxies at z= 5.16 ± 0.05. We do not detect any individual source at the S870 μm= 3.0 mJy beam−1 (2σ) level. A stack of nine spectroscopically confirmed z > 5 galaxies also yields a non-detection, constraining the submillimetre flux from a typical galaxy at this redshift to S870 μm < 0.85 mJy, which corresponds to a mass limit Mdust < 1.2 × 108 M⊙ (2σ). This limits the mass of thermal dust in distant Lyman break galaxies to less than one-tenth of their typical stellar mass. We see no evidence for strong submillimetre galaxies associated with the ultraviolet-selected galaxy overdensity, but cannot rule out the presence of fainter, less massive sources.
Phytochemical investigation of noni (Morinda citrifolia L.) leaves extract applicated for sunscreen product

Morinda citrifolia L. (Noni) is an annual plant, distributed in the tropical parts of the world. Chemical constituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, sterols, and minerals have been isolated from this plant. The pharmacological properties, based on scientific research, claimed as antibacterial, antiulcerogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and especially for antimelanogenesis therapy. Iridoid, a flavonoid compound, is the main component found in the Noni leaves extract. Screening of Noni leaves extract possessed flavonoid and steroid content with the concentration of 2.82% and 0.14%, respectively. Therefore, the Noni leaves extract was potential used for sunscreen, based on antimelanogenesis activity.
Demographic Change and Policy Responses: Implications for the Global Economy

The fertility declines associated with the final phase of the global demographic transition have led to slower population growth and accelerated ageing in developed countries and in several advanced developing countries. A global demographic and economic is used to assess the implications of these changes for population sizes, age-gender distributions, labour force growth and their implications for economic performance. A base line projection that incorporates declining fertility is compared with a hypothetical constant population growth scenario. The results show that slower population growth and ageing reduces average saving rates in industrial regions, yet global investment demand is also slowed and saving rates rise in developing regions, so there is no net tightening of financial markets. Increased aged labour force participation, considered one solution to the resulting rise in aged dependency in advanced regions, is found to redistribute investment in favour of the industrialised regions and hence to accelerate their per capita income growth, while conferring on the other regions compensatory terms of trade improvements. The alternative of replacement migration is found to require inconceivably large population movements. It also impairs real per capita growth in destination regions but by least in Western Europe, where the terms of trade is improved by the immigration.
The non-radial component of the solar wind and motion of dust near mean motion resonances with planets

We investigate the effect of solar wind and solar electromagnetic radiation on the dynamics of spherical cosmic dust particles. We also consider the non-radial component of the solar wind velocity, in the reference frame of the Sun. We apply the equation of motion to the motion of dust grains near commensurability resonances with a planet – mean motion orbital resonance (MMR; a particle is in resonance with a planet when the ratio of their mean motions is approximately the ratio of two small integers) – and possible capture of the grains in the resonances. Up to now, only nonspherical grains, under action of the electromagnetic radiation of the central star, were known to exhibit an increase of semimajor axis before capture into the MMR. This paper shows that the same result can be generated by the non-radial component of the solar wind even for spherical dust particles. Spherical dust grains enable the treatment of the problem in an analytic way (at least partially), which is not the case for the effect of electromagnetic radiation on nonspherical dust grains. The situation treated in the paper presents the second known case when resonant trapping of a cosmic body occurs for diverging orbits. The paper presents the first case of secular evolution of the eccentricity of a body captured in the resonance derived in an analytic way for a body characterized by a diverging orbit.
Evaluation of strength relations in foamed aerated concrete ntaining pulverized bone (PB) as a partial replacement of cement

The focus of this paper is on the results of investigation conducted to find strength relationships in foamed aerated concrete in which cement has been partially replaced by pulverized cow bone by weight, up to 20 % at interval of 5 %. Concrete beam specimens of dimension 150 x 150 x 750 mm were used for the modulus of rupture test, while cylinder specimens 150 x 300 mm were used for the splitting tensile strength test. Compressive tests were carried out using 150 x 150 x 150 mm cube specimens. The results showed that (i) both the ratio of splitting tensile strength to compressive strength, and modulus of rupture to compressive strength were decreased with an increase in the replacement of cement with pulverized cow bone, (ii) both the ratio of splitting tensile strength to compressive strength, and modulus of rupture to compressive strength increased with curing ages. Also, the expressions relating splitting tensile strength and the modulus of rupture with compressive strength of foamed concrete containing pulverized bone as partial replacement of cement yielded results that compared well with the experimental data.
Adoption of Mobile Money Transfer Technology: Structural Equation Modeling Approach

In recent years, rapid spread of mobile phones use in the developing countries is as a consequence ofthe introduction of prepaid cards and the fallen prices of mobile handsets. One of such uses is the useof mobile phones in financial services industry. This study investigates the key factors that influencethe Ghanaian consumers' acceptance and use of mobile money transfer technology using keyconstructs from the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Diffusion of Innovation (DoI) theory.We analyzed the data using a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to evaluate the strength of therelationship between the constructs. The results were consistent with the key TAM and DoI constructs. Keywords: Technology Acceptance Model, Adoption, Mobile Money Transfer Technology, Diffusionof Innovation theory, Ghana.
Effects of Billet Planting Rate and Position on Sugarcane Yields in Louisiana

The successful implementation of sugarcane billet planting would offer Louisiana producers several potential economic advantages including reduced labor and equipment costs. Two factors that are preventing the adoption of billet planting are the higher seed-cane costs associated with billet planting and lower yields when compared to whole-stalk planting. A study was initiated in 2001 with the cultivar LCP 85-384 at the USDA, ARS Ardoyne Research Farm near Schriever, LA to determine the effects of billet planting rate and billet position within the furrow on cane and sugar yields. Three different planting ratios (3:1, 5:1, and 7:1) and three billet distribution patterns (equal, two lines, and three lines) were compared from plant-cane to the third ratoon crop. Cane yield was not significantly affected by either planting rate or planting position, and there were no interactions with crop year or trial. The main effect of planting rate or position on theoretically recoverable sugar (TRS) was also not significant, but an interaction between trial and planting position (P=0.047) and crop year and planting rate (P=0.067) were significant at P=0.05 and 0.1, respectively. Sugar yield also did not respond to the main effects of either planting rate or position, but did have interactions between trial and planting position (P=0.058) and between crop year and planting rate (P=0.04). When a comparison was made between cane and sugar yields from the 3:1 planting ratio (industry standard for billets) and a 5:1 ratio, no significant differences were noted. This would suggest that billet planting with LCP 85384 can be made economical in Louisiana without negatively influencing cane or sugar yields.
Mechanical properties of a novel fibre metal laminate reinforced with the carbon, flax, and sugar palm fibres

Concerns regarding the disposal, degradability, and recycling of synthetic fibres used in composite materials have highlighted the need for eco-friendly materials. This article focuses on fabrication and characterization of the fibre metal laminate (FML) reinforced with carbon, flax, and sugar palm fibres in order to reduce the environmental impact without compromising the strength requirements. Out of autoclave (OOA) manufacturing processes, including hand lay-up and hot compression molding, were employed to fabricate the FML. Tensile, compressive, inter-laminar shear strength (ILSS), and fatigue properties of the fabricated FML were studied. The results indicate that tensile properties and compressive strength for flax based FML (CFC) was superior and 23% higher than CSC while 5% higher than the hybrid CFSSFC configuration. CFSSFC outperformed CFC and CSC in the inter-laminar shear strength by showing 6.5% and 25% increment in magnitude. In case of fatigue, CFC showed excellent fatigue resistance by withstanding high fatigue loads and lasted up to 104 cycles before failure. Delamination between the metal/composite plies was observed in fractured samples under all the mechanical loads.
Effect of kinesio-taping on ankle joint stability

Ankle Instability is characterized by recurrent giving way and often develops after repeated lateral ankle sprains. Kinesiotape is more elastic than traditional athletic tape and is becoming increasingly popular. It is reported to decrease pain, improve muscle function, circulation and proprioception, however, research examining the effects of Kinesiotape in ankle instability is limited. The objective of this study was to determine if applying Kinesiotape to unstable ankle may improve performance in the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), which has been shown to be a sensitive and reliable measure for quantifying dynamic balance. Thirty subjects with first degree ankle sprain were participated in this study. SEBT was used to test the subject dynamic balance under three conditions; without taping, with white athletic tape and with kinesiotape. One way repeated measure ANOVA using Greenhouse-Geisser corrections were conducted to evaluate differences in SEBT for the three conditions. Pairwise comparison of the outcome measures in the three occasions (without taping, with athletic taping, and with kinesio taping) revealed statistically significant differences of all outcomes between occasion 1 (without taping) and occasion 2 (with athletic taping) favoring the athletic taping (p < 0.05). Also, a statistically significant difference between occasion 1 (without taping) and occasion 3 (with kinesio taping) were found (p < 0.05) favoring kinesio taping. Moreover, pairwise comparison of the ankle stability outcomes using athletic taping versus kinesio taping indicated a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in favor of kinesio taping measures. Conclusion: kinesiotape has superior effect than athletic tape in patients with first degree ankle sprain and can be used safely for improving ankle joint stability.
No One Can Whistle a Symphony: Working Together for Sport Management's Future

Although sport management is now well established in higher education and is an increasingly popular major for students, there are a number of critical issues that face the discipline. The purpose of this lecture is to identify some of these critical issues and what can be done to address each of them. The primary issue for sport management is a lack of qualified faculty to (a) teach the increasing number of students enrolling in sport management programs and (b) conduct the research necessary to build a distinct body of knowledge. In addition, sport management faculty also need to work together to make a better case for the contributions of their programs to their respective universities to avoid being a very low priority in their home units. The lecture focuses on the need for sport management faculty to work together to address each of these issues.