Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term successional forest dynamics: species and community responses to climatic variability

Question: Are tree dynamics sensitive to climatic variability, and do tree species differ in their responses to climatic variability? Hence, is vulnerability of forest communities to climatic variability depending on stand composition? Location: Mixed young forest at Walker Branch Watershed near Oak Ridge, East-Tennessee, USA. Methods: Using a long-term data set (1967-2006), we analyzed temporal forest dynamics at the tree and species level, and we analyzed community dynamics for forest stands that different in their initial species composition (i.e., Chestnut Oak, Oak-Hickory, Pine, and Yellow poplar stands). Using summer drought and growing season temperature as defined climate drivers, we evaluated relationships between forest dynamics and climate across levels of organization. Results: Over the 4-decade studied period, forest communities underwent successional change and substantially increased their biomass. Variation in summer drought and growing season temperature contributed to temporal biomass dynamics for some tree species, but not for others. Stand-level responses to climatic variability were shown to be related to responses of specific component species; however, not for Pine stands. Pinus echinata, the dominant species in stands initially identified as Pine stands, decreased over time due to periodical outbreaks of the pine bark beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis). The outbreaks on Walker Branch couldmore » not be directly related to climatic conditions. Conclusions: Our results imply that vulnerability of developing forests to predicted climate conditions is stand-type dependent, and hence, is a function of species composition. Autogenic successional processes (or insect outbreaks) were found to prevail over climatic variability in determining long-term forest dynamics for stands dominated by sensitive species, emphasizing the importance of studying interactions between forest succession and climate change. « less
Tree mortality in Pinus sylvestris stands in Sweden after pre-commercial thinning at different densities and thinning heights

Abstract Individual tree mortality was analysed for 9924 Scots pine trees from 26 pre-commercial thinning (PCT) experiments established in Sweden (57°–66° N) between 1953 and 1972. Almost all of the stands examined were naturally regenerated and homogenous pine stands. The PCT treatment factors included stand density and height at the time of PCT. The stand densities varied between 600 stems ha −1 and >9000 stems ha −1 before PCT. The height at the time of PCT varied between 1 and 8 m and mortality was examined 8.6–23.5 years after PCT. The results showed low overall mortality (<5%) irrespective of treatment. Mortality was higher in stands with high stem number before PCT than in stands with low pre-PCT stem number. In addition, higher mortality was associated with early PCT (heights below 4 m) than with late PCT (heights above 4 m). Mortality after PCT was not clearly correlated to stand densities; the highest mortality was found for stand densities of 0–700 stems ha −1 and the lowest for 700–1500 stems ha −1. Furthermore, mortality was higher for small trees than for average height or tall trees. The main conclusion from this study, therefore, was that timing of PCT and thinning grade has only marginal effects on the risk of mortality.
Effects of Sumithion on the Histological Changes of Spotted Murrel, Channa punctatus (Bloch)

Channa punctatus was exposed for 7days to sumithion at a concentration of 2.0, 5.0, 5.5, 10.0, 10.5, 15.0, 15.5, 18.5, 20.0, 20.5, 25.5 and 100ppm under laboratory conditions. The fish showed severe histological changes in liver, kidney and ovary tissues. The degenerative changes included hypertrophy of cells and their nuclei, liver cord disarray, vacuolation of the cytoplasm and necrosis. In some cells the membrane was ruptured. The liver on the whole showed distance appearance. Pycnosis, vacuolation, rupture of blood vessels and hematopoietic cells of kidney , fragmentation of ova were recorded in an increasing order towards the higher tested doses.
Effect of explants density on the in vitro proliferation and growth of separated and cluster shoots of smooth cayenne pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merr.)

Multiplication rate was always used as the sole parameter for assessment of the optimal treatment for in vitro shoot formation. However, beside its effect on the shoot formation, different treatments had different impact on the production cost. Separated shoots and shoot cluster of different sizes (1, 2, 3 and 4 shoots per cluster) of Smooth cayenne pineapple were cultured at density of 1, 2, 3 and 4 separated shoots and 1 cluster on agar solidified full strength MS medium enriched with sucrose at 30 g L-1 and BAP at 2.25 mg L-1 for 2 months to investigate the effect of explants density and explant types on shoot formation per explant, total per liter and cost per shoot. Density of one separated shoot per culture resulted in the highest shoot formations per shoot (11 shoots) but lowest total shoot per liter (550 shoots) and highest cost per shoot (13 cents), while density of 4 shoots per culture resulted in lowest rate (4 shoots) but higher total per liter (1400 shoots) and lowest cost per shoot (10 cents). Cluster of two shoots had higher rate (7 shoots) and lower cost (16 cents) than cluster of 4 shoots (4 shoots and 20 cents) but both resulted in equal total shoot per liter (750 shoots). Separated shoot had higher shoot formation capacity, higher total per liter and lower cost per shoots than cluster of shoots and using of total per liter instead of rate per explant was the best parameter for selection of treatment of lower cost and higher shoots production. Â© 2009 Asian Network for Scientific Information.
Rodent population dynamics in a primeval deciduous forest (Białowieża National Park) in relation to weather, seed crop, and predation

Population dynamics of forest rodents, bank voles Clethrionomys glareolus (Schreber, 1780) and yellow-necked mice Apodemus flavicollis (Melchior, 1834) were studied in 1959-1991 in the pristine mature forest dominated by hornbeam Carpinus betulus and oak Quercus robur in Bialowieza National Park (eastern Poland). The whole 33-year series, and particularly the detailed data from 1971-1991, were related to weather data and seed crop of hornbeam, oak, and maple Acer platanoides.
Tumor necrosis factor‐α: A potentially neurodestructive cytokine produced by glia in the human glaucomatous optic nerve head

Tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) mediates a range of cellular responses, which have potentially detrimental consequences that affect multiple cell types. To determine whether TNF‐α contributes to glaucomatous optic neuropathy, we have studied the expression of this cytokine and its receptor, tumor necrosis factor receptor‐1 (TNF‐ R1), in human glaucomatous optic nerve heads from patients with different stages of disease using double labeling fluorescence immunohistochemistry. We have also investigated the ability of this cytokine to induce nitric oxide synthase (NOS‐2) in cultured human optic nerve astrocytes by immunocytochemistry and immunoblot. Normal tissue showed constitutive expression of TNF‐R1 in the vasculature of the optic nerve heads but no positive labeling for TNF‐α. In the glaucomatous optic nerve heads, the expression of both TNF‐α and TNF‐R1 were apparently upregulated, primarily in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)‐positive astrocytes, and appeared to parallel the progression of optic nerve degeneration. In eyes with severe glaucomatous damage, some HLA‐DR positive microglia also contained TNF‐α and TNF‐R1. In the most severely damaged optic nerve heads, the axons of the retinal ganglion cells contained TNF‐R1 and, therefore, are direct targets for neurodegeneration caused by TNF‐α. In vitro astrocytes constitutively express TNF‐R1 and TNF‐α stimulation induces expression of NOS‐2. We hypothesize that TNF‐α contributes to the progression of optic nerve degeneration in glaucoma by both a direct effect on the axons of the retinal ganglion cells and by inducing NOS‐2 in astrocytes. GLIA 32:42–50, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Periphyton production on wood and sediment: substratum-specific response to laboratory and whole-lake nutrient manipulations

Substratum heterogeneity is a large source of variability in periphyton production, but the influence of substratum on periphyton response to experimental manipulations is rarely measured. Using laboratory and whole-lake experiments, we compared area-specific primary production of periphyton on wood (epixylon) and sediment (epipelon), and tested whether periphyton on the 2 substrata responded differently to water-column fertilization. In the laboratory, natural periphyton assemblages on wood or sediment were exposed to 1 of 6 treatments in a fully factorial (light [250, 70, or 10 μmol m−2 s−1] × nutrient [control or + N and P]) experiment. We measured 14C primary production on both substrata after 25 to 30 d. We also measured epipelic and epixylic production in a reference and an experimentally fertilized lake. We constructed photosynthesis-irradiance curves for epipelon from 3 depths in each lake, and used the curves to predict primary production at average in situ light intensities for each lake and depth. Production response to fertilization was substratum-specific, and area-specific epipelic production was 10× that of epixylon at both experimental scales. Both epixylon (ANOVA, p < 0.0001) and epipelon (ANOVA, p < 0.0001) production increased significantly with increasing light. Epixylon production was significantly higher in fertilized treatments than in controls (ANOVA, p < 0.01), but epipelon did not respond to fertilization (ANOVA, p = 0.69). Epixylon production was also significantly higher in the fertilized lake than in the reference lake (ANOVA, p < 0.05). Maximum epipelic production rates decreased with water depth in both lakes, and average epipelic production from both lakes was positively and similarly related to average in situ light intensities (linear regression, R2 = 0.94, p = 0.001). Both substratum-specific response to fertilization and substratum-specific periphyton production may be critical in determining fertilization-induced changes in periphyton production in lakes.
Redundancy and Complexity Metrics for Big Data Classification: Towards Smart Data

It is recognized the importance of knowing the descriptive properties of a dataset when tackling a data science problem. Having information about the redundancy, complexity and density of a problem allows us to make decisions as to which data preprocessing and machine learning techniques are most suitable. In classification problems, there are multiple metrics to describe the overlapping of the features between classes, class imbalances or separability, among others. However, these metrics may not scale up well when dealing with big datasets, or may not simply be sufficiently informative in this context. In this paper, we provide a package of metrics for big data classification problems. In particular, we propose two new big data metrics: Neighborhood Density and Decision Tree Progression, which study density and accuracy progression by discarding half of the samples. In addition, we enable a number of basic metrics to handle big data. The experimental study carried out in standard big data classification problems shows that our metrics can quickly characterize big datasets. We identified a clear redundancy of information in most datasets, so that, discarding randomly 75% of the samples does not drastically affect the accuracy of the classifiers used. Thus, the proposed big data metrics, which are available as a Spark-Package, provide a fast assessment of the shape of a classification dataset prior to applying big data preprocessing, toward smart data.
Spontaneous Establishment of Woody Plants in Central European Derelict Sites and their Potential for Reclamation

The performance of woody plants was analyzed in 15 successional seres starting at bare ground in central European manmade habitats. The total cover of woody species after 10 years of succession was significantly related neither to initial soil moisture nor to nitrogen (expressed using Ellenberg indicator values). But the comparison of seres indicates that establishment of woody plants was easier under moderate environmental conditions and retarded in extreme habitats (dry, nutrient-poor, or acid). The arrival of the first woody plants was delayed in dry sites. No significant differences were found between primary and secondary seres, either with respect to the total cover of woody plants reached after 10 years of succession or considering the time of their arrival. In total, 24 woody species (10 shrubs and 14 trees) appeared in the series investigated. Their successional performance (in terms of the number of seres in which the species occurred and maximum cover reached in any sere) was not related to species traits (life strategy, type of mycorrhizae, mode of dispersal, diaspore weight), except for the regeneration strategy, species with seasonal regeneration by seeds were capable of creating higher cover. Betula pendula (European birch) was the most successful species in spontaneous succession, especially on moist sites. Practical suggestions for the management of particular habitats (sites disturbed by mining, sites reclaimed after acid rain deforestation, urban sites, abandoned fields) are provided regarding the establishment of woody plants.
Novel Dummy Rounds Schemes as a DPA Countermeasure in PRESENT Cipher

The Dummy Rounds Side-Channel Attacks countermeasure scheme for digital design has been proposed in earlier work. Its experimental evaluation and analysis revealed weaknesses that resulted in the proposal of an enhanced Dummy Rounds scheme. In this paper, we present the implementation of the proposed enhancement of Dummy Rounds scheme in PRESENT cipher and provide its experimental evaluation using Welch’s t-test. We further propose several novel modifications of Dummy Rounds scheme as a solution to other security problems we have encountered. Novel Dummy Rounds scheme, namely its modifications proposed in this paper, are superior to earlier proposed schemes in terms of side-channel leakage prevention.
Ocorrência e aspectos biológicos de Anomala testaceipennis Blanchard (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae)

Beethes of the Scarabaeidae family are important pests in areas of cultivations and pastures, mainly due the action of larvae, which damage the radicular system. The information about this group of pests are rare, thus, this work had as a purpose to study the occurrence and the biologic cycle of Anomala testaceipennis Blanchard, 1856. From November 2005 to November 2006 it was carried out daily collections with a lighting trap, and in laboratories the adult ones were kept in plastic containers, containing soil and seedlings of Brachiaria decumbens, to the biology study. It was collected an amount of 263 adults of A. testaceipennis, in almost all the months of the year, not being registered in March and June. Concerning the biology it was verified that embrionary period took in the average 13.2 days, the 1o instar 26.7 days, the 2o instar 19.4 days, the 3o instar 58.2 days, the pre-pupa phase 50.2 days and the pupa phase 13.6 days. The longevity of the adults was similar to males and females, and it took in the average 14.1 days. In the laboratory the females laid 7.3 eggs in the average. The cycle from the egg to adult took 139.4 days in the average.
The Effects of Self vs. Group Affirmation and Message Framing on College Students’ Vape-Free Campus Policy Support

ABSTRACT A growing number of American colleges and universities have become vape-free campuses in response to the high e-cigarette use prevalence among young adults. However, little is known about communication or social-psychological factors associated with campus members’ support for a tobacco policy prohibiting e-cigarette use on the campus (vape-free policy support). The present study explores the main and interaction effects of affirmation and message framing on the vape-free policy support among college students who vary in their vaping status. We conducted a computer-based experiment with a two (affirmation: self vs. group) by two (message framing: gain vs. loss) by two (vaping status: vapers vs. non-vapers) between-subjects design. Our analysis indicated that self-affirmation is associated with a higher level of vape-free policy support than group-affirmation. The main effects of message framing as well as two-way interactions between framing and affirmation were not statistically significant. A notable finding was the three-way interaction effect among affirmation, framing, and vaping status. For vapers, the level of policy support was the highest when they were self-affirmed and exposed to a gain-framed message. For non-vapers, the level of policy support was the highest when they were self-affirmed and exposed to a loss-framed message. Our findings suggest that colleges may use varied approaches in communicating a vape-free campus policy based on the target students’ vaping status, and the group-pride or collective identity appeals may not be effective in promoting such policy.
Frontline Nurse Managers' Visions for Their Units: A Qualitative Study.

AIMS To elucidate frontline nurse managers' visions of their units. BACKGROUND Managers must imagine and share their visions for effective unit management. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 frontline nurse managers working at inpatient units in two hospitals between 2016 and 2017. Data were qualitatively analyzed using an inductive approach, focusing on participants' intents. RESULTS Although participants showed four types of difficulties in verbalizing visions, five categories and 18 subcategories were extracted through analysis of their descriptions about actual cases reflecting their visions. The categories were 1) provide excellent care to ensure patient recovery based on reliable knowledge and skills, 2) make efforts to broaden patients' futures, 3) create a climate for pursuing better practice, 4) all staff continuously pursue professional development, and 5) provide nursing care that responds to external changes. All categories were common to all participants' images of the future and linked together to form each manager's vision. CONCLUSION Frontline managers experienced difficulty in articulating their visions. However, through episodes they represented images of visions. The managers' visions comprised five categories reflecting various perspectives. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Using a conceptualized vision framework, and identifying difficulties in verbalizing their images, can help managers articulate their visions.
Modelling of Vertical Ground Electrode under Lightning Transient

The paper tries to contribute the impulse response modelling of vertical ground electrodes under lightning discharge. An equivalent representative circuit is proposed basing on the transmission line theory. Frequency-dependence of soil parameters effects are involved using Smith-Longmire soil model, while the time-dependent soil ionisation is incorporated through a classical technique. The obtained results are successfully compared with experimental ones reported in the literature. The proposed model might be simple for quick applications, predicting important features of transient behaviour of grounding electrodes.
Adaptive Plasticity in Amphibian Metamorphosis

A mphibians, as a group, are geographically widespread, occurring on most major land masses and in a wide variety of habitats. The diversity of behavioral, physiological, and life history traits exhibited within the Amphibia (Duellman and Trueb 1986), as well as their experimental tractability, makes this group excellent for ecological and evolutionary studies. Many amphibian species breed in temporary ponds that are occasionally filled by rain. These pools are variable in duration, depending on their initial depth and the frequency of rainfall (Newman 1989). Although the aquatic habitat provides an opportunity for growth before the terrestrial phase of life begins (Wilbur and Collins 1973), larvae are exposed to a high risk of mortality as ponds dry. In addition to differing in duration, ponds may vary in the density of predators, the density of conspecifics, food availability, and thermal stratification. How do individual animals respond to variability in the aquatic larval environment? How does the environment influence individual fitness, and how are developmental responses to the environment molded by natural selection? More generally, what is the role of phenotypic plasticity-the specific phenotypic responses of the or-
Sexual Orientation Change Efforts, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Suicide Ideation and Attempt Among Sexual Minority Adults, United States, 2016-2018.

Objectives. To examine how sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) are associated with suicide morbidity after controlling for adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Methods. Cross-sectional survey data are from the Generations survey, a nationally representative sample of 1518 nontransgender sexual minority adults recruited between March 28, 2016, and March 30, 2018, in the United States. Self-identified transgender individuals were included in a separate, related TransPop study. We used weighted multiple logistic regression analyses to assess the independent association of SOCE with suicidal ideation and suicide attempt while controlling for demographics and ACEs.Results. Approximately 7% experienced SOCE; of them, 80.8% reported SOCE from a religious leader. After adjusting for demographics and ACEs, sexual minorities exposed to SOCE had nearly twice the odds of lifetime suicidal ideation, 75% increased odds of planning to attempt suicide, and 88% increased odds of a suicide attempt with minor injury compared with sexual minorities who did not experience SOCE.Conclusions. Over the lifetime, sexual minorities who experienced SOCE reported a higher prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts than did sexual minorities who did not experience SOCE.Public Health Implications. Evidence supports minimizing exposure of sexual minorities to SOCE and providing affirming care with SOCE-exposed sexual minorities. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print May 21, 2020: e1-e7. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2020.305637).
Salinity-induced structural and functional changes in 3 cultivars of Alternanthera bettzickiana (Regel) G.Nicholson

Three cultivars of Alternanthera bettzickiana (Regel) G.Nicholson have been evaluated for their tolerance and adaptability potential to salt stress. During the experiment, 5 salt regimes were maintained: 18 (control), 50, 100, 150, and 200 mM NaCl. Salinity adversely affected all growth shoot length and leaves per plant. Root fresh and dry weight decreased with an increase in salinity levels in all 3 cultivars. A. bettzickiana 'Green' was the most tolerant among the cultivars under study, with relatively lower ion leakage through roots, larger vascular region area, and wide metaxylem vessel in roots and stems recorded. Also observed were greater phloem and pith cell area in stems that increased midrib thickness, cortical cell area, vascular bundle area, and metaxylem area in leaves with increase in salinity level. Moreover, the vascular region area in roots, cortical cell area, vascular region thickness, metaxylem area, phloem cell area and pith cell area in stems, leaf thickness, epidermal thickness, cortical cell area, vascular bundle area, and metaxylem area in leaves were recorded in this cultivar with an increase in salinity levels. All cultivars showed increased Na+ and Cl- content and decreased K+ and Ca2+ with an increase in the salt level of the medium.