Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of invasive plant and environmental conditions on denitrification potential in urban riparian ecosystems

One of the most serious problems involved in riparian restoration is the proliferation of invasive plants during or after a restoration project. Although many studies have assessed ecological influences of invasive plants, life history in particular, only a few have clarified the functional consequences of such changes. In this study, we aimed to determine the influences of an invasive plant, Humulus japonicus, and environmental conditions on riparian ecosystem functions, focusing on denitrification. Soil samples from five riparian ecosystems in Korea were collected on four occasions over a one-year period, and denitrification enzyme activity (DEA) was measured using an acetylene blocking method. DEA varied between 2.5 and>7000 ng N2O g−1 soil h−1. Overall results suggest that DEA was fairly high in winter, but the influences of H. japonicus were minimal. The results suggest that water availability may be a more dominant controlling variable than the presence of H. japonicus for DEA.
RAPID LEAF MOVEMENT, MICROCLIMATE, AND WATER RELATIONS OF TWO TEMPERATE LEGUMES IN THREE CONTRASTING HABITATS

Diurnal heliotropic leaf movements, microclimate, stomatal conductance and leaf water potential of two leguminous species, Strophostyles helvola and Amphicarpa bracteata, were measured in three different habitats over two growing seasons. The habitats occurred along an environmental gradient from an open, sandy beach to a closed canopy deciduous forest understory. At the beach site, heliotropism in S. helvola resulted in higher irradiances in morning and afternoon hours and lower irradiances during midday periods compared to an horizontal leaf. In an exposed forest site A. bracteata responded within minutes to penetration of the direct solar beam by orienting its leaves to steep angles. In contrast, plants in closed canopy locations showed little diurnal leaf movement. The combined results of leaf energy budget calculations and plant physiological responses suggest that ecological ramifications of these movements vary with habitat. We hypothesize that heliotropism in open habitats increases water use efficiency and maximizes carbon returns on plant investment in photosynthesis. Conversely, we hypothesize that leaf movements in understory habitats represent a morphological mechanism to avoid thermal damage, photoinhibition of the photosynthetic apparatus, and water stress associated with high irradiances.
A monograph of Hymenodon (Orthodontiaceae)

Abstract A monograph and the first phylogenetic study of the moss genus Hymenodon (Orthodontiaceae: Bryophyta) is presented based on morphological and molecular data. Evolutionary patterns are evaluated using phylogenetic analyses that incorporate newly acquired and assembled morphological (30 characters) and molecular sequence (rps4 gene and partial rps4-trnS intergenic non-coding spacer) data. Parsimony and maximum likelihood methods were applied for phylogenetic analyses using Leptotheca boliviana, L. gaudichaudii, Orthodontium lineare, and Orthodontopsis bardunovii as outgroups. The genus Hymenodon and sect. Hymenodon were both found to be monophyletic, whereas Hymenodon sect. Polystichella was found to be paraphyletic; thus, the sections are not upheld in this new classification. Hymenodon chenianus was nested within the H. pilifer subspecies. As Hymenodon chenianus is morphologically unique, and there are several characters that can distinguish each subspecies of H. pilifer, H. pilifer subsp. sericeus and H. pilifer subsp. tenellus are reclassified at the species level, as H. sericeus and H. tenellus, making a total of eight accepted Hymenodon species. Six species occur in Australasia (Malesia, southeastern Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, and New Caledonia), while two species are found only in the Neotropics (one in continental Latin America and one in the Caribbean). The known range of Hymenodon aeruginosus is extended into Panama, Colombia, and Paraguay. Taxonomic history, synonymy, species descriptions, distribution, habitat information, and a dichotomous key to the species are provided.
Diurnal Changes in Microscopic Structures of Mesophyll Cells of Norway Spruce, Picea abies(L.) Karst., and the Effects of Ozone and Drought

Abstract Microscopy has been used to diagnose the effects of air pollutants on conifers. As sampling may be slow, it is important to know whether the structure of needles changes during the day. Using light- and electron microscopy, diurnal changes in the structure of mesophyll cells of current year needles from 6-year-old Norway spruce saplings were studied on one day in early autumn, 1995. Saplings had been grown in open-top chambers and exposed to ozone and drought stress during the 1992–1995 growing seasons. In all treatments, the proportion of cells with small cytoplasmic vacuoles and with large cytoplasmic lipid deposits decreased during the day. Mitochondria increased in size from early morning to midday, after which time they shrank progressively. Ozone affected the shape of mitochondria: the proportion of tube-shaped mitochondria decreased from early morning in control saplings, whereas it increased in ozone-treated saplings. Starch accumulated during the day, but to a lesser extent in drought-stressed saplings than well-watered controls. Microbodies were smaller in drought-stressed saplings than in controls early in the morning, but their size then increased compared to that of the controls. Cellular and sub-cellular disorganization, probably due to sub-optimal fixation procedures, were detected in all treatments, especially in the morning, but these decreased later, particularly in well-watered saplings. Results show that microscopy is a sensitive and valid tool for studying stress responses in plants. However, the time of sample collection must be considered and documented to avoid misleading conclusions due to actual diurnal changes and fixation problems.
Moulting and Mating of Snow Crabs, Chionoecetes opilio (O. Fabricius), in Shallow Waters of the Northwestern Gulf of Saint Lawrence

Chionoecetes opilio in baie Sainte-Marguerite, Gulf of Saint Lawrence, were sampled by beam trawl in spring from 1988 to 1991 and by divers in March 1991 to document an hypothesized annual moult in shallow waters. Each spring, C. opilio occurred at 4–20 m of depth where 29.3–97.3% of males and 20.3–81.4% of females were moulting or recently moulted. Males and females carapace width (CW) moulted only on bottoms < 60 m. Females were mature at CW and males were morphometrically mature at CW. Overall, 0.3% of morphometrically mature (N = 575) and 23% of morphometrically immature (N = 826) males CW, exclusive of soft-shelled, had a visible second carapace. These and other data support the hypothesis of a terminal moult coincident with morphometric maturity. Pubescent females mated with males 59.9–109.3 mm CW (88% were < 95 mm CW), 97% of which were morphometrically mature (N = 120). Mean size of these males was greater than that of males grasping immature females or other males, indicating male competition for.
Virus elimination in peach cv. 'Red Haven' by chemotherapy.

Stone fruit, as one of the most growing fruit trees in the Czech Republic, are very often attacked by the virus pathogens, which can finally cause great decrease in total yield. There are several ways to eliminate virus infection in the plant body, including in vivo and in vitro thermotherapy and chemotherapy. In a study, Prune dwarf virus, Plum pox virus and Prune necrotic ringspot virus were detected in peach trees Prunus persica cv. 'Red Haven' cultured in Czech Republic by two‐step RT‐PCR. Threfore in this study virus elimination was conducted by applying in vitro chemotherapy method in which the antiviral zidovudine was used at concentrations of 25 mgl‐1 and 50 mgl‐1. The nodal culture was established from the one buded herbaceous shoots and cultivated on the Quoirin and Lepoivre medium with suitable stone fruit in vitro growth regulators for several weeks. The plantlets were then treated on Murashige and Skoog medium with the mentioned antivirals for three weeks. Then plantlets were transferred back to the Quoirin and Lepoivre medium without zidovudine. After one month, young plants were tested again by RT‐PCR. Results were compared with two control variant; the first one without antivirals and the second one, which was previously treated by ribavirin. These results showed that zidovudine was very effective in the elimination of all the viruses. Moreover, the application of this antiviral was more effective than the application of ribavirin, because zidovudine had not a negative effect on the health condition of the plant or on its growth unlike the ribavirin
Numerical Modeling of Pore Water Pressure Development within a Thin Clay Core in an Earth Dam

Abstract This work aims at studying the pore water pressure development within a thin clay core in an earth dam. The study consists of two parts; a parametric study for general thin clay core (with and without chimney drains), followed by a case study of BADUSH dam. Different operation levels and storage times with the possibility for rapid rise in water level are considered for the case study. Finally the effect of an earthquake on pore water pressure in this types of a dam was also studied as a case study. Two dimensional finite element analysis was used to simulate pore water pressure development by GEO-SLOP software taking into consideration saturated /unsaturated conditions. Results showed that the presence of a chimney drain plays an effective role in dissipation of the pore water pressure. In the case of BADUSH dam, a high pore water pressure development was observed, in 8 days as a consequence of a rapid rise of water level, and it must be taken into account when designing dams. Also results show that the pore water pressure in the range of (175-145 kPa) through the typical section and approximately between (25-50 kPa) for the two other sections at the end of construction time, making the height and construction time of the dam are the most effective factors affecting pore water pressure development.
Opportunistic use of foraging resources by heron communities in southern Europe

Neither theoretical nor descriptive approaches to the study of feeding resources have established whether throughout their range species exploit resources with particular characteristics, and whether resource use is opportunistic, selective or determined by competition among consumers I studied 7 southern European communities of 3-6 breeding species of herons Foraging habitats and prey types varied widely among regions for each heron species while prey weights varied less Principal Components Analysis characterized each heron species by its use of a specific key resource, composed of combinations of prey size, foraging habitat and prey type, in order of decreasing importance The largest herons (grey and purple) and the smallest (squacco heron) were characterized by specific prey weights and types, while the intermediate sized herons (little egret and night heron) were characterized by prey types and foraging habitats Similarities among heron species in habitat use. prey types and prey weights were significantly higher than random in only a few species-pairs, and no value was significantly lower than random Aggressions were infrequent both against conspecifics and heterospecifics When compared with explicit predictions of the hypotheses that resource use is shaped by opportunism, independent selectivity, or inter-species competition, the patterns observed indicate that heron species, although partially selective for prey size, tend opportunistically to use similar habitats and prey types, presumably the most profitable and locally abundant Little evidence was found for competitively constrained resource use Herons in southern Europe may not be limited by feeding resources during breeding, although some evidence (significant overlaps, exclusion from colonies) indicates ongoing competition between grey and purple herons
Nonearnings Corporate Guidance

Using hand-collected data, we show that disclosure of non-earnings guidance, especially that about a firm’s long-term value creation — capital expenditure (CAPEX) guidance and strategic plan disclosure (SPD) — was common even before the debate on earnings guidance gained momentum. Firms with high long-term institutional ownership tend to provide both earnings and CAPEX guidance rather than only one of them. Turnaround firms tend to provide SPD in lieu of earnings guidance, whereas growth firms tend to provide earnings guidance without SPD. Our findings suggest that before the trade associations injected themselves into the earnings guidance debate, managers’ investment/strategy guidance was common and their choices of CAPEX/SPD vs. earnings guidance were consistent with economic theories. These findings belie the trade associations' concerns that corporate guidance behaviors have contributed to earnings fixation and short-termism in the capital markets.
Evaluation of clinicopathological parameters and its relation with immunohistochemical expressions in breast carcinoma: A hospital based cross-sectional observational study

Introduction: Knowhow of HER-2/neu proto-oncogene amplification and/or over expression and presence of hormone (estrogen and progesterone) receptors in tumour tissue is one of the most crucial checkpoints in the therapy of breast cancer. The present study aimed to evaluate various clinicopathological parameters in the mastectomy specimens and to probe for any relation with its immunohistochemical expressions. Materials and Methods: Detailed clinical examination of the breast and the lump was done and presence of any axillary or cervical lymph nodes was also noted. After clinical examination, tumour size from the mastectomy specimen was recorded; number of lymph nodes was noted. The modified radical mastectomy samples after surgical removal, were fixed in formalin and sent for histopathological examination where tissue processing and staining with haematoxylin & eosin was done. Post mastectomy grading of the malignant breast lesion was done. Immunostaining of the HER-2 protein, Estrogen receptors (ER) & Progesterone receptors (PR) was performed for all specimens. Results: The present study showed a significant inverse association between ER and PR expression and higher tumour grades, axillary lymph node metastases and stage. HER-2/neu overexpression is significantly associated with clinicopathlogical parameters like younger age group, increased tumour size, higher tumour grades, and higher clinical staging. Significant association was seen between tumour size and lymph node metastases implying that lymph node metastasis increases with larger
Will the Stock Market Index Upsurge or Deflate? Making Calculated Predictions Using the Univariate Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average Technique

Movements in a stock market index may safely be considered one of the mostwatched out phenomena by investors in almost every economy. One method to forecast the index is to study all those external factors that directly affect it. Another way, however, is to base ones predictions on the past behavior of the variable of interest. This paper has employed the method described latter and has, therefore, made use of the ARIMA modeling. In this connection, the daily stock market index data of the Karachi Stock Exchange 100 index was taken for twenty years from 1997 to 2017 which translated into 4940 observations. The study revealed that the model was decently efficient in forecasting the KSE 100 Index, though only for the short-range. The upshot of this study may be utilized specifically by short term investors in deciding on when, and when not, to invest in the stock market.
Blended Energy Management Strategy of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles Based on the Influences of Driving Cycles

The adaptability and computational load of blended energy management strategy of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) based on optimization algorithm limit its wide application. In this paper, a blended energy management strategy of PHEV based on the influences of driving cycles is proposed to improve fuel economy. This strategy first uses dynamic programming to analyze the influence of driving cycles and driving distance on optimal control, and formulates real-time control rules based on genetic algorithm optimization. Then different driving cycles is globally optimized, optimal control strategies under different driving distance coefficients is extracted and the strategy in real time according to the acquired information is adjusted. The simulation results show that the proposed strategy can effectively ensure the adaptability and real-time performance of PHEV, and the fuel economy is 11.37%~14.8% higher than the CD-CS strategy under different SOC initial values.
COLONISATION AND ITS PREVENTION ON HOUSE FLOORS AND IN MATTRESSES WITH DERMATOPHAGOIDES PTERONYSSINUS (ACARI: SARCOPTIFORMES) IN A CENTER FOR ASTHMATIC CHILDREN

Acarological investigations of mattress dust and house floor dust of three cottages (two new and one old) at a center for asthmatic children showed that one season is not enough for a complete colonisation of mattresses with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Covering of the mattresses with a plastic sheet was successful in preventing the colonisation of the mattresses in the experimental period.
Hepatitis B Virus among Dental Clinic Workers and the Risk Factors Contributing for its Infection

Objectives: Dental clinic workers (DCWs) in Yemen have an additional risk of getting infected with HBV from their workplace and till now they are not routinely vaccinated against HBV infection. This study aimed to estimate prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and associated risk factors among DCW in selected dental clinics in Sana’a city. Study design: Data were acquired from a cross sectional survey conducted among DCWs in 2014 at the Faculty of Dentistry, Sana’a University, in Sana’a city. A proportionate to size random sample was drawn per DCW category. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data about socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors. ELISA was used to test sera for HBV markers. Result: The study included 246 dentists and 263 dental assistants, the sero-prevalence of current hepatitis B virus infection was 6.1%; while prevalence of life time exposure to hepatitis B virus infection was 18%. Prevalence of needle stick injuries, exposure to skin and to mucous membranes were 45.6%, 26.5% and 25.3% respectively. Cuts were also common with 41.1% of participants reporting a cut in a period of one year preceding the survey. Regular use of gloves, face mask, and glasses were reported by 74.4%, 28.3% and 25.3% of participants respectively. Only 30.1% of respondents were vaccinated against hepatitis B virus infection and 52.1% were susceptible and could potentially be protected through vaccination. Longer duration in service was associated with risk of infection (OR ranged from 2.2-2.65; P value = 0.002). Being assistant (OR = 1.97; P value = 0.001) was associated with a higher risk of hepatitis B virus infection. Conclusion: The prevalence of current and life time exposure to HBV infection was high. Exposure to potentially infectious body fluids was high and yet only a small percentage of DCW were vaccinated, so there is need to vaccinate all DCWs as a matter of policy and ensure a safer work environment.
Race and reputation: perceived racial group trustworthiness influences the neural correlates of trust decisions

Decisions to trust people with whom we have no personal history can be based on their social reputation—a product of what we can observe about them (their appearance, social group membership, etc.)—and our own beliefs. The striatum and amygdala have been identified as regions of the brain involved in trust decisions and trustworthiness estimation, respectively. However, it is unknown whether social reputation based on group membership modulates the involvement of these regions during trust decisions. To investigate this, we examined blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) activity while participants completed a series of single-shot trust game interactions with real partners of varying races. At the time of choice, baseline BOLD responses in the striatum correlated with individuals' trust bias—that is, the overall disparity in decisions to trust Black versus White partners. BOLD signal in the striatum was higher when deciding to trust partners from the race group that the individual participant considered less trustworthy overall. In contrast, activation of the amygdala showed greater BOLD responses to Black versus White partners that scaled with the amount invested. These results suggest that the amygdala may represent emotionally relevant social group information as a subset of the general detection function it serves, whereas the striatum is involved in representing race-based reputations that shape trust decisions.
Changes in growth and pigment content in Sweet potato by triadimefon and hexaconazole

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Triadimefon and hexaconazole are triazole group of fungicides have plant growth regulating properties. The present investigation aimed to study the growth regulating effect of these compounds on sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas L .). Each plant was treated with one litre of aqueous solutions containing 15mg L -1 triadimefon and 10mg L -1 hexaconazole on 40 and 70 days after planting (DAP) by soil drenching. The growth parameters of the plants were estimated on 45, 60, 75, 90 and 105 DAP. Â Among the triazole, hexaconazole inhibited the number of leaves, total leaf area, stem length, internodal length, leaf and stem dry weight, relative shoot growth rate significantly when compared to triadimefon. Â Triazole (chiefly available and plant control and yield production) treatments increase the root length, root and tuber dry weight, relative tuber growth rate, net assimilation rate root/shoot ratio, leaf dry weight per unit area, chlorophyll and carotenoid content.
Park and learn: improving opportunities for learning in local open spaces

This article reports the findings of a recent survey of how often south London secondary schools use local green spaces and parks for teaching science. Comparisons are made between these findings and those reported from a similar study of east London secondary schools in 2.006. The article discusses how an external project responded to the needs listed by school science departments in the survey, and the outcomes following the support. Two key ingredients of science departments were identified as necessary if external support is to have longer term impact in encouraging teachers to use the outdoors for science teaching.
Development of leaf shape in two North American native species of Ampelopsis (Vitaceae)

The Vitaceae (grape family) is a large group of plants with a world-wide distribution. Despite the economic importance of cultivated grapes (Vitis vinifera L.), very little is known about leaf development in the Vitaceae. The genus Ampelopsis contains simple- and compound-leafed forms making it an appropriate genus in which to conduct a comparative developmental study. The Ampelopsis clade diverged early from the rest of the Vitaceae, and the simple- and compound-leaf morphologies are separated into two distinct lineages, leaving the question of how this morphological disjunct arose and what the ancestral leaf shape of this genus might have been. Thus, understanding the development of this trait will clarify our understanding of basic Vitaceae leaf characters and of leaf shape evolution. We found that although the primordia of both the simple- and compound-leafed species shared a fundamental plan that would be predicted to result in a mature complex leaf shape at the outset, their developmental trajectory.