Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Caribou exclusion during a population low increases deciduous and evergreen shrub species biomass and nitrogen pools in low Arctic tundra

Increased shrub growth has been observed across the Arctic with recent climate warming trends, whilst many populations of caribou and reindeer (Rangifer) have been in decline. Paradoxically, our current understanding of the impacts of caribou and reindeer in altering trajectories of Arctic vegetation change is almost entirely dependent on studies with relatively high density semi‐domesticated herds in Fennoscandia. With many wild herd populations across the Arctic presently at much lower densities, it is important to understand the impact of low intensity browsing on shrub biomass and the soil nutrient pools that fuel it. We used exclosures that have been in place for 5 years in mesic birch hummock tundra in the central Canadian low Arctic to investigate the impact of caribou exclusion on tundra shrub biomass, tissue chemistry and plant and soil nitrogen (N) pools. Over the study period, the migratory tundra caribou herd in the region declined from 25% to 7% of its previous population maximum. Caribou exclusion significantly enhanced the above‐ground biomass components of one deciduous shrub (Betula glandulosa) and two evergreen shrubs (Vaccinium vitis‐idaea and Rhododendron subarcticum). In particular, exclusion doubled B. glandulosa leaf biomass and increased V. vitis‐idaea old leaf biomass 1.7 times, with the strongest effects in evergreens present in tissues > 1 year old, indicating a legacy of browsing from the earlier years of the experiment when the caribou population was higher. Meanwhile, Vaccinium uliginosum biomass and overall vascular plant diversity tended to decline with exclusion. Caribou exclusion increased B. glandulosa leaf N pools by 0.15 g N m−2 (equivalent to 12% of the total vascular plant community annual N requirement for apical growth). Altogether exclusion did not alter total above‐ground N pools, but rather led to a redistribution of shoot biomass and N, enhancing spatial variability in a key growth‐limiting resource for tundra plants. Synthesis. Excluding caribou during a population low resulted in ecologically significant changes in the distribution of plant above‐ground biomass and nitrogen, further increasing the dominance of the three most abundant shrubs. These findings demonstrate that, despite uncertainty in herd recovery, Rangifer browsing impacts to both deciduous and evergreen shrub species should be considered for more robust projections of Arctic vegetation change.
Assortment and comparative abundance of foliage insects on lemon (Citrus limon L.) and fruiter (Citrus reticulata Blanco cv. Feutrell’s Early)

The present research work was conducted to accord assortment and comparative abundance of foliage insects on lemon (Citrus limon L.) and fruiter (Citrus reticulata) during the flowering season of these orchards. Among both fields, total 4547 specimens were collected during entire sampling and maximum population was recorded from fruiter orchards 68.24% (N = 3103) and least population was recorded from lemon orchards i.e. 31.76%. Wherein in case of lemon orchard, maximum population was recorded during 6 sampling (350 ± 145.38) and least as well as equal values were recorded during 1, 2 and 7 sampling (69 ± 53.32). Whereas, species abundance was recorded utmost and equal during 4 and 9 sampling (32 species) at temperature and humidity of 29.2°C and 31.5% and 35°C and 58%, respectively. However, least species abundance was recorded during 1 sampling i.e. 17 species at 29oC (temperature) and 37% (humidity). In case of fruiter orchards, maximum population was recorded during 5 sampling (537 ± 160.30); while, least value was recorded during 1 sampling (119 ± 135.27). Whereas, species abundance was recorded utmost in 5 and 4 sampling (30 and 27 species, respectively) at temperature and humidity of 33.4 oC, 38% and 28.6 oC, 30%, respectively. However, least species abundance was recorded during 1 sampling i.e. 26 species at 32.6oC temperature and 32% humidity. Diversity (H') was recorded maximum from fruiter orchards (0.7758) and least was recorded from lemon orchards (0.3610). However, richness was a little bit recorded high from fruiter orchards (23.9561) and least for lemon orchards (23.7652). Results of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) among both orchards showed nonsignificant results (F = 0.48; P = 0.4997).
Leaf and Fruit Turgor Potential in Passion Fruit Plants using Wiltmeter and Turgormeter

Turgor pressure (pp) is a component of total water potential (pw) associated with cellular expansion and plant structural maintenance. In this paper, leaf and fruit pp of passion fruit were monitored using the Wiltmeter ® and Turgormeter, respectively. Results are discussed considering environmental variations in savannas of Piaui, Brazil. A completely randomized factorial design was used with three measurement times a day (6, 13 and 16 h), in 3 periods of the year (mean relative humidity varying from 33 to 84%) and 18 replicates. Fruit pp was evaluated on the day of harvest and during post-harvest period (6, 12 and 18 days after harvest). The measurements in different times of the year affected the leaf pp. The lowest pp values were observed when relative air humidity (RH) dropped to 33% (high vapor pressure deficit). Higher leaf pp values were found at 6 h and when RH was 66%. The highest fruit pp values occurred on the day of harvest, with a reduction of 74% associated with a decrease of 23% in fruit weight after 18 days. The Wiltmeter ® and Turgormeter are efficient at measuring and monitoring leaf/ fruit turgor pressure and could be valuable alternative for post-harvest and plant water relation studies.
Dissipative phase transition in a central spin system

We investigate dissipative phase transitions in an open central spin system. In our model the central spin interacts coherently with the surrounding many-particle spin environment and is subject to coherent driving and dissipation. We develop analytical tools based on a self-consistent Holstein-Primakoff approximation that enable us to determine the complete phase diagram associated with the steady states of this system. It includes first and second-order phase transitions, as well as regions of bistability, spin squeezing and altered spin pumping dynamics. Prospects of observing these phenomena in systems such as electron spins in quantum dots or NV centers coupled to lattice nuclear spins are briefly discussed.
Using Minimum Area Requirements (MAR) for assemblages of mammal and bird species in global biodiversity assessments

Habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation are important factors in the decline of biodiversity worldwide. It is important to be able to evaluate the success of policies at different levels, including, increasingly, the global level. Whilst attention has been given to the development of predictive models that focus on individual species within biogeographic regions or smaller areas, however, to assess the impact of land-use change and policy measures on biodiversity at global level, there is an urgent need for generic tools (models, algorithms, databases). In this paper we test the potential of a generic tool, as part of the GLOBIO model, for assessing the impact of habitat loss and fragmentation. It combines existing data for the minimum viable populations of terrestrial bird and mammal species with knowledge of individual area requirements to derive estimates of their minimum area requirements (MAR). This approach focuses on comparing the minimum area requirements (MAR) to the natural habitat areas, assuming that below a certain threshold populations are no longer viable and the species assembly will eventually be reduced. The relationship between nature area and percentage of species meeting Minimum Area Requirements appears to be log-linear between 10 km2 and 10 000 km2 for conservation priority species and has the form Y=-15.45 + 28.61* LOG(AREA). Our results suggest that many existing parks and reserves might be too small for the long-term viability of species that they are meant to preserve. Applying this relationship to a global land cover dataset reveals that substantial proportions of mammal and bird species occur in areas that fail to cover sufficient space to support long term viable populations. This applies even at current state, especially for those areas of the globe where rapid urbanisation and agricultural expansion have taken place and are anticipated to proceed.
Polymer networks with mobile force-applying crosslinks

We construct and study a simple model for an active gel of flexible polymer filaments crosslinked by a molecular motor cluster that perform reversible work while translating along the filaments. The filament end points are crosslinked to an elastic background. In this sense we employ a simplified model for motor clusters that act as slipping links that exert force while moving along the strands. Using the framework of replica theory, quenched averages are taken over the disorder which originates from permanent random crosslinking of network end points to the background. We investigate how a small motor force contributes to the elastic properties of the network. We learn that in addition to the normal elastic response for the network there is an extra contribution to the network elasticity from the motor activity. This depends on the ratio of the entropic spring constant for the linked bio-polymerchain to the spring constant of the tether of the motor.
Ambient Stresses Regulate the Development of the Maize Late Wilt Causing Agent, Harpophora maydis

Late wilt, a severe vascular disease of maize caused by the fungus Harpophora maydis, is characterized by relatively rapid wilting of maize plants before tasseling and until shortly before maturity. In Egypt and Israel, the disease is considered to be a major problem. The pathogen is currently controlled using cultivars of maize having reduced sensitivity, but the fungi can undergo pathogenic variations and become a threat to resistance cultivars as well. The abiotic and biotic factors influencing the infection and disease development are not fully determined. To impose stress in a uniform and chronic manner, we expose the Israeli H. maydis isolates colonies or spores to light, different pH, ionic and hyperosmotic pressures (induced with KCl or sorbitol) or oxygen-related stresses (induced with oxygen enrichment, menadione or peroxide). The optimum pH for both hyphal development and spore germination was pH = 5 - 6, similar to reports for the Egyptian, Indian and Hungarian isolates of H. maydis. In the hyperosmotic regime, hyphal growth was affected in a dosage-dependent curve. Although inoculation under high salt stress also inhibited spore germination, the spores were relatively resistant to this stress in comparison to the hypha. An opposite picture was revealed under menadione/peroxide stress: under high dosage of these compounds, the spore germination was virtually abolished while the colony growth was moderately affected. A daily oxygen enrichment of liquid medium cultures caused an increased growth in the pathogen wet and dry biomass, but daily double treatments led to growth suppression. These findings are a preliminary step towards the inspection of the fungal-host interaction under these different stressful environments. This is important for the future development of new strategies to restrict the disease burst and to protect field corps.
Volcanic hazard assessment at the Campi Flegrei caldera

Abstract Previous and new results from probabilistic approaches based on available volcanological data from real eruptions of Campi Flegrei, are assembled in a comprehensive assessment of volcanic hazards at the Campi Flegrei caldera, in order to compare the volcanic hazards related to the different types of events. Hazard maps based on a very wide set of numerical simulations, produced using field and laboratory data as input parameters relative to the whole range of fallout and pyroclastic-flow events and their relative occurrence, are presented. The results allow us to quantitatively evaluate and compare the hazard related to pyroclastic fallout and density currents (PDCs) in the Campi Flegrei area and its surroundings, including the city of Naples. Due to the dominant wind directions, the hazard from fallout mostly affects the area east of the caldera, and the caldera itself, with the level of probability and expected thickness decreasing with distance from the caldera and outside the eastern sectors. The hazard from PDCs decrease roughly radially with distance from the caldera centre and is strongly controlled by the topographic relief, which produces an effective barrier to propagation of PDCs to the east and northeast, areas which include metropolitan Naples. The main result is that the metropolitan area of Naples would be directly exposed to both fallout and PDCs. Moreover, the level of probability for critical tephra accumulation by fallout is relatively high, even for moderate-scale events, while, due to the presence of topographic barriers, the hazard from PDCs is only moderate and mostly associated with the largest events.
Wolbachia: A prospective solution to mosquito borne diseases

Malaria, Dengue, Japanese encephalitis Chikungunya, lymphatic filariasis etc. are among the common vector borne diseases distributed across the world. Mosquitoes are main cause of transmission of these diseases. These diseases have such a huge impact on mortalities and economic burden that most of the countries where these diseases are prevailing have National Vector control programs like insecticide spray but methods like this only have a short-term effectiveness as on a long run they lead to the development of resistance in the insects thus worsening the situation. We were waiting for environmentally safe way to overcome this situation and to our rescue, came an obligate maternally inherited endosymbiont of several insects, Wolbachia with the way to manipulate reproduction by causing cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). Now the problem was of infecting vectors with this symbiont. Here, in this review we will discuss various aspects of Wolbachia and its role in manipulating reproduction and thus its role in mosquito’s population suppression strategies and limitations of using Wolbachia. Particularly inspiring about this story is how ecologists and evolutionary biologists ended up being the ones to figure out a way to eliminate viral infections.
Two-dimensional nonlinear parametric sloshing in the irregular tanks : numerical analysis and experimental investigation

The finite volume and volume of fluid (VOF) methods are used to simulate the two-dimensional nonlinear parametric sloshes in the U-shaped and the circular tanks. An experiment is simultaneously conducted to observe and measure the responses of two-dimensional nonlinear parametric sloshes. The natural frequencies and the nonlinear steady-state amplitude-frequency responses are respectively acquired and compared by numerical and experimental methods. The numerical results have a good agreement with the experimental values. Because the viscous damping is automatically considered in the numerical simulations, the steady-state wave amplitudes of parametric resonance (sloshing) are well predicted. The finite volume and VOF techniques aided by Fluent Code can be a practical tool for the engineers to analyze the long-time nonlinear parametric sloshing in arbitrary-shape tanks.
EFFECT OF MANAGEMENT ATTITUDE TOWARDS GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING PROGRAMME ON THE PERFORMANCE OF COMMERCIAL BANKS IN KENYA

The paper aims at establishing the effects of guidance and counseling on the performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The study specifically sought to determine if the management attitude towards guidance and counseling affected the performance of commercial banks in Kenya. It also attempts to observe if there is any significant change in the bank’s performance in response to the attitude of the management of banking institutions. This research study was undertaken in Nairobi, Kenya, where most of the banks had headquarters. The study was accomplished through the use of a questionnaire issued to a sample of 343 employees spanning across different hierarchical levels and various departments in these organizations, 314 employees from the sampled 15 banks responded to the questionnaire out of the targeted sample of 343, thus registering a response rate of 91.5%, 20 questionnaires were incomplete and thus discarded. The study’s analysis utilized 294 out of the collected 314 questionnaires; as a result a response rate of 85.7% was registered. Management attitude was found to have a significant linear relationship with the performance of commercial banks in Kenya. This led to the study not rejecting the study’s alternative hypothesis and a conclusion made that management attitude towards guidance and counseling programme affects the performance of commercial banks in Kenya.
Growth and production of tomato fertilized with ash and castor cake and under varying water depths, cultivated in organic potponics

Two experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of ash (40, 80, and 120 g per plant), castor cake (140 and 280 g per plant) and water depth (135, 165, 191, and 213 mm) on the growth and production of organic tomato cultivated in pots in a greenhouse. The experimental design was randomized blocks, and the irrigation was managed using an automatic irrigation device. The following variables were evaluated: plant heights, numbers of leaves, bunches, flowers and fruits, total mass of fruits, mass of marketable fruits, mass of fruits with blossom-end rot, total diameter of fruits, and diameter of marketable fruits. Most of the growth variables showed gains with the application of 140 g of ash and 280 g of cake. The dose of 280 g of castor cake was responsible for the greatest mass of marketable fruits (1.78 kg per plant), regardless of the ash dose. The water deficit reduced values of most of the variables of growth and production. The irrigation depth of 213 mm was responsible for the greatest mass of marketable fruits (4.04 kg per plant). The highest water use efficiencies, 37.00 and 37.93 kg m -3 , were observed at irrigation depths of 191 and 213 mm, respectively.
Directional quasi-phase matching AlGaAs waveguide microresonators for efficient generation of quadratic frequency combs

Optical frequency combs currently represent enabling components in a wide number of fast-growing research fields, from frequency metrology to precision spectroscopy, from synchronization of telecommunication systems to environmental and biomedical spectrometry. As recently demonstrated, quadratic nonlinear media are a promising platform for optical frequency combs generation, through the onset of an internally pumped optical parametric oscillator in cavity enhanced second-harmonic generation systems. We present here a proposal for quadratic frequency comb generation in AlGaAs waveguide resonators. Based on the crystal symmetry properties of the AlGaAs material, quasi-phase matching can be realized in curved geometries (directional quasi-phase matching), thus ensuring efficient optical frequency conversion. We propose a novel design of AlGaAs waveguide resonators with strongly reduced total losses, compatible with long-path, high-quality resonators. By means of a numerical study, we predict efficient frequency comb generation with threshold powers in the microwatt range, paving the way for the full integration of frequency comb synthesizers in photonic circuits.
Habitat selection by feral cats and dingoes in a semi-arid woodland environment in central Australia

Habitat use by feral cats and dingoes was examined within a heterogeneous semi-arid woodland site in central Australia over 2 years. Density estimates of feral cats based on tracks were higher in mulga habitat than in open habitat. Isodar analysis implied that this pattern of habitat use by feral cats was consistent with the consumer-resource model of density-dependent habitat selection, which is an ideal free solution. The reason why mulga supported higher densities of feral cats was unclear. Foraging success of feral cats may be higher in the mulga because the stalk and ambush hunting tactics typically employed by felids are well suited to dense cover. Mulga may also have offered feral cats more protection from dingo predation. Dingo activity was distributed uniformly across habitats. The dingo isodar was statistically non-significant, suggesting that habitat selection by dingoes was independent of density.
Effects of Active and Passive Smoking on Antioxidant Enzymes and Antioxidant Micronutrients

ABSTRACT In the present study, we analyzed the relationship between cigarette smoke exposure and several markers of oxidative status, plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase in a group of students. Of the 105 men enrolled into the study, 35 had never smoked and not exposed to cigarette smoke at all. Thirty five had smoked at least 15 cigarettes per day for at least five years (active smokers) and 35 had been exposed to cigarette smoke at indoor environment at least 2 cigarette/day on ≥5d/wk for > 6 months (passive smokers). The urine cotinine level was used as a smoking marker. Erythrocyte SOD activity and plasma TBARs were significantly higher in active and passive smokers than in non-smokers (p < 0.05). However, erythrocyte GSH-Px and CAT were significanly lower in active smokers than in non smokers (p < 0.05). Serum vitamin C and E levels were significantly lower in active and passive smokers than in nonsmokers (p < 0.05). For active and passive smokers, there were significant possitive correlations between urine cotinine levels and plasma TBARs levels (r = 0.60, p < 0.01, r = 0.43, p < 0.05) and a negative correlation between urine cotinine levels and plasma vitamin C (r = -0.48, p < 0.05, r = -0.59, p < 0.01). In conclusion, during both passive and active smoking, oxidative stress was clearly exacerbated and the dynamic balance between oxidation and antioxidation was seriously disrupted, which was closely related to many disorders or diseases in active and passive smokers.