Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Abundance, diet and prey selection of arboreal lizards in a grazed tropical woodland

Abstract The diet of predators is a critical determinant of their ecological effects. Small vertebrate predators of invertebrates are often characterized as diet generalists based on diet descriptions, but few studies examine prey availability to determine whether prey choice occurs. We studied the prey availability in relation to the diet of two common and abundant, but understudied small vertebrates: Gehyra dubia, an arboreal nocturnal gecko, and Cryptoblepharus australis, an arboreal diurnal skink. We sampled lizards in two major woodland habitat types, Reid River box (Eucalyptus brownii) and Silver-leaf ironbark (Eucalyptus melanophloia) and among four cattle grazing regimes (ranging from moderate – heavy stocking). Cryptoblepharus australis were more abundant in the Silver-leaf ironbark habitat, but there was no effect of grazing regime on their abundance. In contrast, G. dubia did not differ significantly in abundance in relation to habitat type, but were more abundant in paddocks with heavier stocking rates. We quantified invertebrate prey available to lizards in these habitats using defined-area searches and light trapping. Invertebrate community composition did not differ significantly between the habitat types or among the four grazing regimes. Although G. dubia and C. australis both occupied the same microhabitats, they were temporally segregated based on their activity times. While both species are apparently habitat generalists, we found that G. dubia and C. australis are selective in their diets. Only half of the invertebrate groups available in the environment occurred in the diets of either lizard species. Both species positively selected Coleoptera (beetles), Araneae (spiders), and Scorpiones (scorpions), and they exhibited high dietary niche overlap (O = 0.97). We suggest the increased availability of the top three preferred prey groups (beetles, spiders, and scorpions) may contribute to the high abundances of G. dubia in heavily grazed areas.
Changes in metabolites in maize seedlings under chlorsulfuron and cadmium stress

SUMMARY The herbicide chlorsulfuron is commonly applied to cereals and may persist in alkaline soil long enough to damage subsequent sensitive crops. Sewage water, a potential source of the heavy metal cadmium (Cd), is used to irrigate agricultural soils in many developing countries. The current work evaluated the effects of the residual herbicide chlorsulfuron and Cd on maize seedlings, with particular attention to the mechanism of their action on plant growth. Maize seeds were planted in soil that had been sprayed with chlorsulfuron and Cd, after which residues in both seedlings and the soil were measured. The chlorsulfuron dose was correlated with the amount of residue found in seedlings but not in the soil. In all, 39 metabolites were identified in seedlings using the Automated Mass spectral Deconvolution and Identification System software program and the retention index method. The combination of chlorsulfuron and Cd significantly reduced multiple metabolites in the shikimate pathway, malic acid and citric acid production in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and lactic acid, glucose, aspartic acid, asparagine and 3-glycerophosphoric acid production. In addition, chlorsulfuron caused an increase in multiple amino acids, including tyrosine, methionine and asparagine, and a marked decrease in caffeic and cinnamic acids (the secondary metabolites derived from the shikimate pathway and galactose). Finally, chlorsulfuron and Cd stress markedly increased shikimate acid, decreased 3-glycerophosphoric acid and caused negative correlations between the amounts of phenylalanine and tyrosine and those of quinic- and cinnamic-acid. In conclusion, chlorsulfuron and Cd did not have a synergistic effect on maize seedlings; rather, the combination of these pollutants had an antagonistic effect on some amino acids.
Disparities in Geographical Access to Hospitals in Portugal

Geographical accessibility to health care services is widely accepted as relevant to improve population health. However, measuring it is very complex, mainly when applied at administrative levels that go beyond the small-area level. This is the case in Portugal, where the municipality is the administrative level that is most appropriate for implementing policies to improve the access to those services. The aim of this paper is to assess whether inequalities in terms of access to a hospital in Portugal have improved over the last 20 years. A population-weighted driving time was applied using the census tract population, the roads network, the reference hospitals’ catchment area and the municipality boundaries. The results show that municipalities are 25 min away from the hospital—3 min less than in 1991—and that there is an association with premature mortality, elderly population and population density. However, disparities between municipalities are still huge. Municipalities with higher rates of older populations, isolated communities or those located closer to the border with Spain face harder challenges and require greater attention from local administration. Since municipalities now have responsibilities for health, it is important they implement interventions at the local level to tackle disparities impacting access to healthcare.
Using a Citizen Science approach in early childhood education: A call for strengthening evidence

Abstract A Citizen Science approach to building the evidence base is well established in many science disciplines, but is far from main stream in the social sciences. Prompted from the inquiry by the Australian Government’s Productivity Commission into the National Education Evidence Base and taking Early Childhood Education (ECE) as an example, this paper aims to provoke discussions about the possible contributions of a Citizen Science approach to broadening the methodological repertoire in ECE research and to positioning ECE research more powerfully in the politics of evidence. It argues that ECE stakeholders’ involvement in building the evidence base through a Citizen Science approach could have the potential to make significant contributions to knowledge construction in ECE.
Modeling cloud-to-ground lightning probability in Alaskan tundra through the integration of Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model and machine learning method

Wildland fires exert substantial impacts on tundra ecosystems of the high northern latitudes (HNL), ranging from biogeochemical impact on climate system to habitat suitability for various species. Cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning is the primary ignition source of wildfires. It is critical to understand mechanisms and factors driving lightning strikes in this cold, treeless environment to support operational modeling and forecasting of fire activity. Existing studies on lightning strikes primarily focus on Alaskan and Canadian boreal forests where land-atmospheric interactions are different and, thus, not likely to represent tundra conditions. In this study, we designed an empirical-dynamical method integrating Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) simulation and machine learning algorithm to model the probability of lightning strikes across Alaskan tundra between 2001 and 2017. We recommended using Thompson 2-moment and Mellor–Yamada–Janjic schemes as microphysics and planetary boundary layer parameterizations for WRF simulations in the tundra. Our modeling and forecasting test results have shown a strong capability to predict CG lightning probability in Alaskan tundra, with the values of area under the receiver operator characteristics curves above 0.9. We found that parcel lifted index and vertical profiles of atmospheric variables, including geopotential height, dew point temperature, relative humidity, and velocity speed, important in predicting lightning occurrence, suggesting the key role of convection in lightning formation in the tundra. Our method can be applied to data-scarce regions and support future studies of fire potential in the HNL.
Structure and Mechanical Behavior of Al–Nb Hybrids Obtained by High‐Pressure‐Torsion‐Induced Diffusion Bonding and Subsequent Annealing

The main approach of mechanical consolidation of dissimilar metals consists in solid state joining of thin discs or powders by means of pressure‐assisted shear deformation. Prior to this research, most strongly dissimilar systems, such as Al–W and Al–Ti, were only bonded by means of mechanical alloying and subsequent powder compaction. Herein, pioneering experimental research on the one‐step synthesis of an Al–Nb composite by means of diffusion bonding through high‐pressure torsion that allows figuring out several unusual results is presented. The maximal microhardness value is revealed to locate in the middle radius area, decreasing at the sample edge. Formation of a small amount of Al3Nb intermetallic phase is detected at room temperature deformation, while its equilibrium formation normally occurs above 600 °C. Post‐deformational annealing at 400 °C results in the overall decrease of the microhardness value along with its growth on the sample edge. Annealing at 600 °C does not lead to any degradation of the mechanical characteristics by comparison to those after annealing at 400 °C. The obtained results are discussed and explained in frames of contribution of different factors to the strengthening and softening dynamics of the composite material.
Studies on genetic variability, divergence and character association in bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.]

A field experiment was conducted during summer season of 2015 at All India Coordinated Research Project on Vegetable crops, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, in order to study genetic variability, divergence and character association in Bottle gourd genotypes. It was laid out in the randomized block design with three replications taking 10 genotypes of Bottle gourd. Results revealed that the highest fruit yield per hectare was recorded in V3 (2013/ BOG VAR3). The maximum vine length was observed in V1 (2013/BOG VAR-1) and the minimum in (BBOG 15-3). The genotype V4 (2013/ BOG VAR-4) was the earliest in respect of node at which first female flower appeared and BBOG-15-3 produced the highest average fruit weight. Vine length at the highest genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and expected genetic advance showing that it was due to additive gene action and selection for the character would be highly successful. Average fruit weight which had moderate genotypic coefficient of variation coupled with high heritability and expected genetic advance could also lead to good success in selection. This was also true for the character fruit length. Days to last harvest exhibited high positive genotypic as well as phenotypic correlation with vine length and yield per plant. Path coefficient analysis revealed that average fruit weight had the highest positive direct effect (0.474) on fruit yield followed by fruit girth (0.44). The 10 genotypes evaluated were grouped into 6 clusters on the basis of genetic affinity or diversity. As regard to inter cluster distance the maximum (23.545) was observed between the cluster III and VI followed by the cluster pair I and VI (19.845) and III and IV (17.967). Cluster III showed the minimum value (6.15) for days to node at which first female flower appeared and maximum values for fruit yield per plant (1.728 kg), duration of the crop (112 days). Among the different characters the maximum contributions towards divergence was made by duration of the crop (33.33%), followed by yield per plant (22.22%). Parents for hybridisation may be selected from the clusters III and VI either for developing promising hybrids or obtaining transgressive segregants in future generation.
Why Choose to Cycle in a Low-Income Country?

Research on the adoption of the bicycle as a means of transport has been booming in high-income countries. However, little is known about bicycle adoption in lower-income countries where air pollution is high and cycling infrastructure is poor. Understanding the drivers of cycling adoption in developing economies can increase the efficiency of transport policies while reducing local air pollution, improving health, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The objective of this study is to identify the factors affecting cycling uptake in a low-income country using the city of Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan as a case study. The analysis is based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, a questionnaire-based survey of 900 respondents, factor analysis, and a logit model. In contrast to studies carried out in developed countries, this study finds that students are less likely to adopt cycling than other population groups. Other findings suggest that support for public transport, a desire for regular exercise and perceptions of the environmental benefits of cycling increase the probability of the use of cycling as a mode of transport in a low-income country. The paper also identifies positive and negative perceptions of cycling among cyclists and non-cyclists.
Aluminum Stress Affects Growth and Physiological Characteristics in Oil Tea

High concentration of aluminum ion (Al 3 + ) in acidic soil often negatively affects plant growth. To deepen understanding of the mechanisms of physiological response to Aluminum (Al) toxicity, changes in physiology and cell ultrastructure of oil tea ( Camellia oleifera ) were investigated under different Al levels. Oil tea plants were grown in pots ﬁlled with sand and treated with Al at 0, 0.5, 1.25, 2.0, or 4.0 m M . Results showed that Al at 0.5–2.0 m M improved plant growth, whereas Al at 4.0 m M inhibited root growth and damaged cell ultrastructure. Net photosynthetic rate (P n ), stomatal conductance ( g s ), transpiration rate (T r ), and photochemical efﬁciency increased as Al concentration increased from 0 to 2.0 m M ; however, all parameters mentioned previously decreased at 4.0 m M . The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) in leaves treated with 2.0 m M Al reached the maximum, which were 29%, 63%, and 28% higher than that of control. When Al was £ 2.0 m M , the content of soluble sugar and soluble protein increased with increasing Al concentration. These results may indicate that oil tea adapted to Al stress through osmotic adjustment and through increasing antioxidant enzyme system. In
First Report of Electron Measurements During a Europa Footprint Tail Crossing by Juno

We report the first in situ observations of electron measurements at a Europa footprint tail (FPT) crossing in the auroral region. During its 12th science perijove pass, Juno crossed magnetic field lines connected to Europa's FPT. We find that electrons in the range ~0.4 to ~25 keV, with a characteristic energy of 3.6 ± 0.5 keV, precipitate into Jupiter's atmosphere to create the footprint aurora. The energy flux peaks at ~36 mW/m2, while the peak ultraviolet (UV) brightness is estimated at 37 kR. We estimate the peak electron density and temperature to be 17.3 cm−3 and 1.8 ± 0.1 keV, respectively. Using magnetic flux shell mapping, we estimate that the radial width of the interaction at Europa's orbit spans roughly 3.6 ± 1.0 Europa radii. In contrast to typical Io FPT crossings, the instrument background caused by penetrating energetic radiation (> ~5–10 MeV electrons) increased during the Europa FPT crossing.
Does deterministic coexistence theory matter in a finite world?

Contemporary studies of species coexistence are underpinned by deterministic models that assume that competing species have continuous (i.e. non-integer) densities, live in infinitely large landscapes, and coexist over infinite time horizons. By contrast, in nature species are composed of discrete individuals subject to demographic stochasticity, and occur in habitats of finite size where extinctions occur in finite time. One consequence of these discrepancies is that metrics of species coexistence derived from deterministic theory may be unreliable predictors of the duration of species coexistence in nature. These coexistence metrics include invasion growth rates and niche and fitness differences, which are now commonly applied in theoretical and empirical studies of species coexistence. Here we test the efficacy of deterministic coexistence metrics on the duration of species coexistence in a finite world. We introduce new theoretical and computational methods to estimate coexistence times in stochastic counterparts of classic deterministic models of competition. Importantly, we parameterized this model using experimental field data for 90 pairwise combinations of 18 species of annual plants, allowing us to derive biologically-informed estimates of coexistence times for a natural system. Strikingly, we find that for species expected to deterministically coexist, habitat sizes containing only tens of individuals have predicted coexistence times of greater than 1, 000 years. We also find that invasion growth rates explain 60% of the variation in intrinsic coexistence times, reinforcing their general usefulness in studies of coexistence. However, only by integrating information on both invasion growth rates and species’ equilibrium population sizes could most (> 99%) of the variation in species coexistence times be explained. This integration is achieved with demographically uncoupled single species models solely determined by the invasion growth rates and equilibrium population sizes. Moreover, because of a complex relationship between niche overlap/fitness differences and equilibrium population sizes, increasing niche overlap and increasing fitness differences did not always result in decreasing coexistence times as deterministic theory would predict. Nevertheless, our results tend to support the informed use of deterministic theory for understanding the duration of species coexistence, while highlighting the need to incorporate information on species’ equilibrium population sizes in addition to invasion growth rates.
Oral preexposure prophylaxis continuation, measurement and reporting

Objective: The aim of this study was to appropriately plan for rollout and monitor impact of oral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). It is important to understand PrEP continuation and come to a consensus on how best to measure PrEP continuation. This study reviews data on PrEP continuation to document how it is reported, and to compare continuation over time and across populations. Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase and Global Health and reviewed abstracts from HIV conferences from 2017 to 2018 for studies reporting primary data on PrEP continuation. Findings were summarized along a PrEP cascade and continuation was presented by population at months 1, 6 and 12, with random-effects meta-analysis. Results: Of 2578 articles and 596 abstracts identified, 41 studies were eligible covering 22 034 individuals. Continuation data were measured and reported inconsistently. Results showed high discontinuation at month 1 and persistent discontinuation at later time points in many studies. Pooled continuation estimates were 66% at month 1 [n = 5348; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 48–82], 63% at month 6 (n = 13 629; 95% CI: 48–77) and 71% at month 12 (n = 14 933; 95% CI: 60–81; higher estimate than previous timepoints due to inclusion of different studies). Adequate data were not available to reliably compare estimates across populations. Conclusion: This review found that discontinuation at one month was high, suggesting PrEP initiations may be a poor measure of effectiveness. Continuation declined further over time in many studies, indicating existing cross-sectional indicators may not be adequate to understand PrEP use patterns. Studies do not measure continuation consistently, and consensus is needed.
Are peatlands cool humid islands in a landscape?

This study proposed that due to their high standing water tables that peatlands would be cold humid islands within their landscape, and especially so relative to farmland on mineral soils. To test this hypothesis, we measured air temperature and humidity at 17 locations along a 7.8 km transect across the UK's largest lowland raised bog from February 2018 to January 2019. Air temperature and humidity were measured hourly for 1 year and supported with spot albedo measurements. The study represented a factorial experiment with respect to sites of measurement, the type of land use (peat vs. arable land) and time of sampling over both the seasonal and diurnal cycles. We show that: (a) That although mean annual temperature was not significantly different between arable and peatlands, the arable land showed a decreased amplitude to its seasonal cycle – this is the reverse of the expected pattern. (b) The albedo of the peatland was significantly lower than that of arable land showing that vegetated peatland still absorbed more solar radiation. (c) The specific humidity was lower on the peatland than on the surrounding arable land. The study showed that while shrubby vegetation exists over a peatland then energy budgets are more likely to be dominated by the lower aerodynamic resistance and lower albedo of the vegetated peatland relative to arable land. Thus, shrub‐dominated peatlands will not be a cold humid island in their landscape.
The Infectious Disease Threat (IDT) Appraisal Model: How Perceptions of IDT Predictability and Controllability Predict Individuals’ Responses to Risks

ABSTRACT Grounded in the multidisciplinary field of strategic risk and health communication, this study proposed and tested a new infectious disease threat (IDT) appraisal model, focused on mapping individuals’ coping strategy preferences as predicted by their perceived predictability and controllability of the disease. A 2 (predictability: high vs. low) × 2 (controllability: high vs. low) within-subjects online experimental design (N = 1,032 U.S. adults) was employed, in which four IDT scenarios (sexually transmitted infection [STI]; waterborne ID; foodborne ID; vector-borne ID) were shown to participants in a counterbalanced fashion, to examine the effects of IDT appraisals on how individuals cope with outbreaks. Results support the hypothesized model, in which assessments of predictability, controllability, and responsibility of an IDT situation drive individuals’ affect valence, information seeking, and conative reactions in passive and active ways. Findings further provide insights into what information seeking strategies and IDT coping behaviors individuals prefer based on their differential IDT appraisals, thus suggesting how public health authorities and risk communication professionals can optimally communicate about infectious diseases to help individuals understand these situations and respond appropriately.