Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aspectos da composição e diversidade do componente arbóreo das florestas da Reserva Florestal do Morro Grande, Cotia, SP

Este trabalho procurou caracterizar a composicao floristica arborea e comparar florestas secundarias e maduras da Reserva Florestal do Morro Grande (RFMG), em Cotia, regiao metropolitana de Sao Paulo. Discute-se, tambem, a classificacao utilizada para denominar esta cobertura florestal e a importância da RFMG para conservacao. Utilizou-se o metodo de pontos quadrantes, amostrando-se 2400 arvores em seis areas, tres localizadas em regioes com florestas secundarias e tres com predominio de florestas mais conservadas ou maduras. Em cada local, levantaram-se 400 individuos arboreos em 100 pontos-quadrantes, divididos em blocos de 25 pontos distantes 200 m uns dos outros. Os dados por areas e blocos foram analisados atraves de agrupamento e ordenamento (UPGMA e DCA). Das 260 especies arboreas encontradas, apenas 12 foram amostradas nas seis areas. A riqueza encontrada foi surpreendentemente alta quando comparada a outros levantamentos feitos na regiao. Os indices de diversidade de Shannon (H') situam-se entre os maiores para as florestas paulistas: 4,75 nats/individuo para a amostragem total; 4,25 para as tres areas secundarias; e 4,54 para as tres areas maduras. A amostra estratificada permitiu verificar a variacao interna da floresta, revelando diferencas em riqueza e abundância entre os seis locais e os blocos de amostragem, em particular diferenciando as areas secundarias e maduras. A DCA mostrou-se util na deteccao de especies caracteristicas dentro do gradiente sucessional. A floresta em geral pode ser classificada como "floresta ombrofila densa montana", com presenca de especies de florestas mistas, estacionais semideciduais e cerradao, o que parece confirmar a existencia, no local, de um antigo "refugio alto-montano" sob condicoes de climas mais secos no passado, assim como o carater ecotonal das florestas da regiao. A riqueza e mistura de elementos de varias floras denotam a importância da conservacao da Reserva Florestal do Morro Grande.
Protozoa in wastewater treatment processes: A minireview

Abstract Biological wastewater treatment is a process of increasing importance in a world with an ever-increasing human population. Wastewater treatment facilities are designed to maintain the high density and activity levels of those microorganisms that carry out the various purification processes. Protozoa are one of the most common components in these man-made ecosystems and play an important role in wastewater purification processes. Protozoa are responsible for improving the quality of the effluent, maintaining the density of dispersed bacterial populations by predation. Studies of the relationships between protozoa and physicochemical and operational parameters have revealed that the species structure of these communities is an indicator of plant efficiency. The Sludge Biotic Index (SBI), an index based on the structure and abundance of the microfauna inhabiting the activated sludge and mixed liquor, has been devised to monitor activated-sludge plant performance. Heavy metals and other pollutants are toxic to most microorganisms at certain concentrations. These toxicants are common pollutants of sewage, particularly where there is industrial waste input. The protozoa community is a complex assemblage of interacting organisms, often including species that are sensitive, resistant or intermediate in their tolerance to pollutants. Many studies conducted on contaminated activated sludge and mixed liquor have revealed changes in the dynamics of the protozoa community. Tests on the acute toxicity of pollutants on ciliates have revealed that these microorganisms are useful bioindicators for evaluating the toxicity of waters polluted by different concentrations of metals.
Variational full-waveform inversion

Seismic full-waveform inversion (FWI) can produce high-resolution images of the Earth’s subsurface. Since full-waveform modelling is significantly nonlinear with respect to velocities, Monte Carlo methods have been used to assess image uncertainties. However, because of the high computational cost of Monte Carlo sampling methods, uncertainty assessment remains intractable for larger data sets and 3-D applications. In this study, we propose a new method called variational FWI, which uses Stein variational gradient descent to solve FWI problems. We apply the method to a 2-D synthetic example and demonstrate that the method produces accurate approximations to those obtained by Hamiltonian Monte Carlo. Since variational inference solves the problem using optimization, the method can be applied to larger data sets and 3-D applications by using stochastic optimization and distributed optimization.
Oxidative Stress Responses Accompanying Photoinactivation of Catalase in NaCI‐treated Rye Leaves

: When segments of rye leaves (Secale cereale L.) grown at 90 μmol m−2 s−1 PAR were incubated at a higher photon flux of 400–500 μ mol m−2 s−1 PAR in the presence of 0.2-0.6 M NaCl, a preferential loss of catalase activity was induced. The extent of this decline increased with the concentration of NaCl. In addition, the accumulation of alternative antioxidative components, such as ascorbate, glutathione, glutathione reductase, or peroxidase, was inhibited. The total content of H2O2 was, however, lower in catalase-depleted than in untreated control leaves. The occurrence of strong oxidative stress in NaCl-treated leaves was indicated by marked declines in the ratios of reduced to oxidized ascorbate and glutathione and by the degradation of chlorophyll in light. The specific elimination of catalase activity by the inhibitor aminotriazole was also accompanied by a rapid decline in the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione but other symptoms of oxidative stress were much less severe than in the presence of NaCl. However, all symptoms of photooxidative damage seen in NaCl-treated leaves were closely mimicked by treatment with the translation inhibitor, cycloheximlde, in light. The results suggest that NaCl-induced oxidative damage in light was predominantly mediated by the inhibition of protein synthesis. By this inhibition the resynthesis of catalase, which has a high turnover in light, was blocked and the leaves were thus depleted of catalase activity and, in addition, the intensification of alternative antioxidative systems was also prevented.
Vegetation biomass change in China in the 20th century: an assessment based on a combination of multi-model simulations and field observations

Vegetation biomass is a key and active component of the carbon cycle. Though China’s vegetation biomass in recent decades has been widely investigated, only two studies have quantitatively assessed its century-scale changes so far and reported totally opposite trends. This study provided the first multi-model estimates of China’s vegetation biomass change for the 20th century and its responses to historical changes in environmental and anthropogenic factors, based on simulations evaluated with the field observations from 3757 inventory plots in China and bias-corrected using machine learning (Gaussian process regression). A significant decline in vegetation biomass over the 20th century was shown by bias-corrected simulations from the six Dynamic Global Vegetation models (DGVMs) with trends ranging from −32.48 to −11.10 Tg C yr–1 and a mean trend of −17.74 Tg C yr–1. Land use and land cover change (LULCC) was primarily responsible for the simulated downward trend (−50.71 to −24.28 Tg C yr–1), while increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration lead to increased vegetation biomass (+9.27 to + 13.37 Tg C yr–1). Climate change had limited impacts on the long-term trend (−3.75 to + 5.06 Tg C yr–1). This study highlights the importance of LULCC for historical reconstruction and future projection of vegetation biomass over China. It also suggests that the incorrect change in China’s forest area for 1980–2000 in the LULCC dataset used as model input data of many existing and ongoing model intercomparison projects (MIPs) has likely led to inaccurate estimations of historical vegetation biomass changes in China.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Firms’ Financial Performance: A New Insight

A vast stream of literature has investigated the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on firms’ financial performance (FFP). However, this effect has remained unclear and undecided. For instance, numerous studies have examined the direct impact of firms’ CSR initiatives on FFP, as well as examining various mechanisms to explain this relationship, but found inconsistent results. The indecisive results indicate that researchers lack consensus to define a mechanism to understand how and under what conditions CSR can affect FFP. Thus, this research aims to investigate how firms’ CSR perception and disclosure derive accounting- (return on equity: ROE, earnings per share: EPS), market- (Tobin Q) and perception-based firms’ financial performance through the mediation of competitive advantage and boundary conditions of family ownership and CEO narcissism. This research underpins the theoretical lens of the resource-based view to derive hypotheses. The research design employed in this study is quantitative, and the approach to theory development is deductive. Multi-method and multi-source data with temporal breaks are collected from 60 manufacturing firms listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSE). Primary data are collected from the top and middle managers, while secondary data are collected from the annual reports published by these firms. This research found that competitive advantage significantly mediated the indirect impact of perceived CSR and disclosure on FFP. Further, this relationship is strengthened by the contingencies of family ownership and CEO narcissism. Our results will assist the management of the firms to understand the implications of CSR perceptions and disclosure to derive a competitive advantage that ultimately translates into the firms’ financial performance. Further, this research also revealed that managers should concentrate on the boundary conditions of family ownership and CEO narcissism as well. In particular, this research contributes to understand why CSR is viewed to have a strategic importance for the firms and how a resource-based perspective might be utilized in such endeavors.
Leaf breakdown and invertebrate colonization of Eucalyptus grandis (Myrtaceae) and Hirtella glandulosa (Chrysobalanaceae) in two Neotropical lakes

Aim: This study compared the leaf breakdown of Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex. Maiden (an exotic species) and Hyrtella glandulosa Spreng. (a native species), in order to assess the role of invertebrates in decomposition in two tropical lakes (Aguape and Barra) of the Rio Doce State Park in Southeast Brazil, receiving allochthonous organic matter during the dry and rainy seasons; Methods: Senescent leaves (4 ± 0.1 g dry weight) were placed in litter bags (30 × 30 cm, 5 mm mesh size) and submerged in the lakes. Replicate bags (n = 4) were then retrieved after 3, 7, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days; Results: The breakdown of E. grandis leaves (range k = –0.007 to –0.015) was faster than H. glandulosa (range k = –0.005 to –0.008). Breakdown rates were higher during the rainy season than the dry season. Leaves of E. grandis and H. glandulosa did not differ in terms of invertebrate colonization. The highest densities were observed in Aguape Lake during the rainy season. Taxonomic richness was higher in E. grandis and in Aguape Lake, but no differences between the rainy and dry seasons were observed. Functional trophic groups differed between leaf types and seasons. Gatherer-collectors and scrapers predominated in E. grandis and in the dry season; Conclusions: The higher breakdown observed in Barra Lake was probably a consequence of the elevated temperatures and the presence of Gastropoda (scrapers). Aquatic invertebrates did not have difficulties in the colonization of exotic leaves (E. grandis) compared with native leaves (H. glandulosa). We observed that in the rainy season, the higher decay rates and density of invertebrate communities, indicating the increased temperatures, nutrient inflow and organic matter brought by the rain, accelerated this process compared with the dry season.
Under the shadow of a big plane tree: Why Platanus orientalis should be considered an archaeophyte in Italy

In Italy, Platanus orientalis L. is judged as an endangered species by some authors and non-native by others: these contrasting assessments can mislead the prioritization of management actions to preserve the species and the riparian vegetation that is its host. Based on a multidisciplinary approach, including palaeobotanical and ecological information, we assessed its status in Italy including the ecological and conservation value of the riparian plant communities hosting it in the Cilento National Park (S-Italy). Palaeobotanical data showed that P. orientalis in Italy should be considered an archaeophyte. According to the ecological assessment of the riparian plant communities hosting P. orientalis, the presence of the species can be interpreted as an indicator of an unfavourable state for the conservation of riparian vegetation. Knowing the status of a species remains one of the first steps to take to correctly propose scientifically based solutions for the conservation of plant diversity. However, there are no absolute criteria for conservation because all conservation objectives can be considered as cultural values. In this context, P. orientalis should be protected as a symbolic tree, an archaeophyte testifying an ancient common Mediterranean cultural heritage, worthy of preservation but outside of natural habitats.
Observations on the evolution of the genitalia and copulatory behaviour in male primates

Comparative studies of genital anatomy and sexual behaviour in male primates show that penile morphology and copulatory patterns tend to be more specialized in species which have a multimale or dispersed (non-gregarious) mating system. The penis may be longer and more complex morphologically in such species. Copulatory patterns involving a series of intromissions or prolonged single intromissions are more common than in species with a monogamous or polygynous mating system. Elongation of the baculum occurs in species which prolong intromission into the post-ejaculatory period. Sexual selection may have favoured the evolution of such features in species where females mate with a number of males rather than with a single partner. Relative testis size is also greatest under such conditions and larger testes occur in some non-gregarious or seasonally breeding prosimians, as well as in anthropoids with multimale mating systems.
The Economics of Urban Density

Density boosts productivity and innovation, improves access to goods and services, reduces typical travel distances, encourages energy efficient construction and transport, and allows broader sharing of scarce urban amenities. However, density is also synonymous with crowding and makes living and moving in cities more costly. We explore the appropriate measurement of density and describe how it is both a cause and a consequence of the evolution of cities. We then discuss whether and how policy should target density and why, in practice, the tradeoff between its pros and cons is unhappily resolved by both market and political forces.
Underwater Studies on the Tasmanian Commercial Scallop, Notovola meridionalis (Tate) (Lamellibranchiata: Pectinidae)

Population densities of scallops in the D'Entrecasteaux Channel (Tas.) fishing areas have been assessed by diving. In shelving positions the scallops occur in greatest densities between 4 to 8 fm, and on flat areas within these limits they may be found everywhere, but in varying concentrations. The so-called "strips" or "beds" of commercial fishermen are merely higher density aggregations. The most extensive bed, 1 sq. mile in area and averaging six scallops/sq. yd, contained about 18 million scallops. Two scallops/sq. yd is considered the minimum economic limit for operation provided the meat yield (roe included) per 1000 scallops is not less than 33 lb. The successful spatfall and subsequent development of a strong year class is very sporadic and, as yet, unpredictable. In 1954, the 1948 year class scallops entered the fishery, which until then had been almost entirely dependent on the scallops spawned about 1940. Water movements, particularly tidal currents, have a marked influence on the distribution of the spat. In areas of strong tides the long axes of areas of high concentrations run lengthwise to the flow whereas in areas of slow movement the distribution is even, whilst eddy systems appear to concentrate the spat. Concentrations of 30-36 scallops/sq. yd were reduced in 4 years by starfish to five/sq. yd, i.e. a 75-80 per cent. mortality occurred. During the course of this underwater investigation the individuals of a selected bed were observed to make random movements, yet the known location of a bed did not change.
Effect of salinity (NaCl) on germination and seedling growth of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)

Soil salinity adversely affects crops at the critical stages of growth, which in severe cases causes total yield loss. So screening of salt tolerant genotypes is very important and it can be done during germination and early growth stage by quick and easy method. An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of salinity on germination and seedling growth of mungbean genotypes. The experiment comprised two factors viz. genotypes (BARI Mung-6, Binamoog-5, Binamoog-8 and Tila Mung) and salinity levels (0 mM/L, 40 mM/L, 80 mM/L, 120 mM/L and 160 mM/L). Among the seed germination parameters, no significant genotypic difference observed at 0 mM /L and 40 mM/L. At 120 mM/L, the highest germination capacity (93%) and germination percentage (94%) was found in Binamoog-8 followed by BARI Mung-6 (91% and 92% respectively) and the lowest value was in Tila Mung (73% and 76% respectively). At 160 mM/L, BARI Mung-6 showed the highest germination capacity (95%) and germination percentage (95%) and Tila Mung showed the lowest value (51% and 52% respectively). At 160 mM/L, the highest shoot length (2.8 cm), seedling vigor index (488.26), seedling dry weight (45.9 mg) found in BARI Mung-6 while the lowest in Tila Mung (1.56 cm, 180.93 and 32.52 mg respectively). Regarding all the germination and seedling growth parameters, BARI Mung-6 was found superior to other genotypes. Study should be conducted in the field for better understanding the effects of salinity stress on growth and yield performance of mungbean.
Screen Engineered Field Effect Cu₂O Based Solar Cells

We demonstrate cuprous oxide (Cu2O) based screen engineered field effect solar cells with a record breaking efficiency, exceeding 3.486%, for Cu2O based p-n homojunction. In this architecture, CuO nanowire interphase is successfully employed in the Cu2O fabrication by effectively serving as a simultaneous ohmic current collector. These screen engineered field effect photovoltaic principles are essential in developing promising photovoltaics architectures for hard-to-dope materials that, in principle, enable extremely low-cost, high efficiency solar cells.
Studies in the distribution of insects by aerial currents. III. Insect drift over the sea

ABSTRACT. 1 Aerial samples caught in nets slung from ships mastheads contained predominantly small, weak‐flying insects. 2 From over 102 trips with a total sailing time of over 1151 h, some 1825 insect specimens were collected. 3 In a specified area over the North Sea more than 160 km from land (seventy‐five samples), catches averaged 1 insect h−1; in the English Channel, in a smaller area more than 80 km from the coasts, hourly catches averaged 4 insects h−1. 4 Lists of orders, families, genera and species caught are appended. 5 Aphids, which constituted more than 60% of the total, apparently originated mostly from the west or north‐west, i.e. from Europe, whereas most other insects seem to have originated from the north‐east and south, i.e. from Britain. 6 These data have implications for the spread of agricultural pests to and from Britain.
Interactive effects between physical forces and ecosystem engineers on seed burial: a case study using Spartina anglica

Seed burial (i.e. vertical seed dispersal) has become increasingly valued for its relevance for seed fate and plant recruitment. While ecosystem engineers have been generally considered as the most important drivers of seed burial, the role of physical forces, such as wind or water flow, has been largely overlooked. Using tidal habitats as a model system, and a combination of flume and mesocosm experiments, we investigated the effects of 1) currents, 2) benthic animals with different engineering activities and 3) their interplay on seed burial of a common salt marsh pioneer plant, Spartina anglica. Our results reveal that in such systems, water flow can be of equal or higher importance than ecosystem engineers for seed burial. For passive seed-burying engineers (PSE), coupling their actions with currents produced synergistic seed burial effects, whereas the interactive effects were only additive for active seed-burying engineers (ASE). This paper extends current understanding of seed burial and seed bank formation by revealing the need to incorporate physical forces into seed burial mechanisms. We provide the first empirical evidence that physical forces influence seed burial by synergistically interacting with ecosystem engineers, thus highlighting the role of biophysical interactions as important drivers for vertical seed movement.