Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing Water Security in Water-Scarce Cities: Applying the Integrated Urban Water Security Index (IUWSI) in Madaba, Jordan

Water security is a major concern for water-scarce cities that face dynamic water challenges due to limited water supply, climate change and increasing water demand. Framing urban water security is challenging due to the complexity and uncertainties of the definitions and assessment frameworks concerning urban water security. Several studies have assessed water security by granting priority indicators equal weight without considering or adapting to the local conditions. This study develops a new urban water security assessment framework with application to the water-scarce city of Madaba, Jordan. The study applies the new assessment framework on the study area and measures urban water security using the integrated urban water security index (IUWSI) and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) as a decision management tool to prioritise and distinguish indicators that affect the four dimensions of urban water security: drinking water, ecosystems, climate change and water-related hazards, and socioeconomic aspects (DECS). The integrated urban water security index (IUWSI) highlights the state of water security and intervention strategies in Madaba. The study reveals that urban water security in Madaba is satisfactory to meet basic needs, with shortcomings in some aspects of the DECS. However, Madaba faces poor security in terms of managing climate- and water-related risks. The IUWSI framework assists with a rational and evidence-based decision-making process, which is important for enhancing water resources management in water-scarce cities.
La réversibilité des effets du cadmium sur les différents paramètres de la croissance chez la tomate cultivée en présence de NO3 − ou NH4 +

Abstract In order to understand the effects of heavy metals in morphological and physiological parameters affecting the growth of a plant, we followed the evolution of these same parameters in Cd pre—stressed tomato seedlings after Cd had been removed from nutrient solution. Seven day—old seedlings were grown for one week on hydroponic culture medium containing 5 mM NO3 − or NH4 + and enriched by 25 μM Cd for 8 days. After that, plants were transferred on the same media without Cd. Results obtained show that regardless the nitrogen form used Cd suppression results in resumption of growth activity in all organs. Parallel, we observe a resumption of foliar area, roots growth and increasing contents in Ca, ammonium and soluble total proteins in all plants issued from either nitric or ammoniacal nutrition. The resumption of the different parameters was shown important in plants received ammonium nutrient.
Activation of an oxidative burst is a general feature of sensitive plants exposed to the air pollutant ozone

Ozone exposure stimulates an oxidative burst in leaves of sensitive plants, resulting in the generation and accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in tobacco and tomato, and superoxide (O2–•) together with H2O2 in Arabidopsis accessions. Accumulation of these reactive oxygen species (ROS) preceded the induction of cell death, and both responses co-occurred spatially in the periveinal regions of the leaves. Re-current ozone exposure of the sensitive tobacco cv. Bel W3 in closed chambers or in the field led to an enlargement of existing lesions by priming the border cells for H2O2 accumulation. Open top chamber experiments with native herbaceous plants in the field showed that Malva sylvestris L. accumulates O2–• at those sites that later exhibit plant cell death. Blocking of ROS accumulation markedly reduced ozone-induced cell death in tomato, Arabidopsis and M. sylvestris. It is concluded that ozone triggers an in planta generation and accumulation of H2O2 and/or O2–• depending on the species, accession and cultivar, and that both these reactive oxygen species are involved in the induction of cell death in sensitive crop and native plants.
Scientific and methodological bases of rational design of hoisting-and-transport machines metal structures

Purpose of this paper is to improve parameters of metal structures elements of hoisting-and-transport machines (HTMs) by means of systematic approach to study changes of their stress-strain state during design or usage stage. Subject of the study is pattern of changes in distribution and values of stresses in elements of metal structures of HTMs depending on the structural and parametric characteristics. Design methodology of metal structures of HTMs on the basis of a portal crane is proposed, it is based on strength calculations using methods of allowable stresses and FEM, 3D computer simulation, system analysis of the stress-strain state and structural-parametric synthesis. Results of modeling of loading state and calculations of the portal crane metal structures on strength by FEM in CAD/CAE system, analysis of their stress-strain state, structural-parametric synthesis are presented. Recommendations on practical application of the results are given. Possible ways of further development of proposed solutions are identified.
Spectral sensitivity of the horse fly Tabanus nigrovittatus (Diptera: Tabanidae)

Spectral sensitivity functions were calculated from electroretinograms recorded from dark-adapted compound eyes of male and female horse flies (Tabanus nigrovittatus Macquart). Females had a broad sensitivity in the violet to green area of the spectrum; their spectral sensitivity was fitted by a theoretical mixture containing 20% of 440-nm and 80% 520-nm rhodopsins. Older females (8–18 days) were 93 times more sensitive than 1-day-old females. Males showed a narrower sensitivity function with more blue and less green sensitivity. Older males (8–18 days) were the most blue-sensitive of all groups; their spectral sensitivity was best fitted by a mixture containing 10% 440-nm, 70% 480-nm, and 20% 520-nm rhodopsins. Older males that were light-adapted to red light showed an apparent decline in the contribution of the 520-nm rhodopsin to overall sensitivity, as expected if this pigment is present in a separate system. The sensitivity function of 1-day-old males was best fitted by a mixture of 55% 480-nm and 45.
The analysis of metabolites in rainbow trout white muscle: a comparison of different sampling and processing methods

We have investigated the effects of different sampling and processing methods on metabolite concentrations [glycogen (Gly), glucose (Glu), lactate (Lac), pyruvate (Pyr), ammonia (Amm), creatine phosphate (PCr), creatine (Cr), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP)] measured in white muscle of rainbow trout at rest and immediately after exhaustive exercise. When samples were taken from resting fish by rapid needle biopsy (without anaesthesia), direct freezing of the needles in liquid N2 yielded lower Lac and Glu levels than if the muscle cores were quickly blown out into liquid N2. However, killing of the fish by an overdose of MS-222 followed by freeze-clamping of excised muscle was superior to the biopsy method in preserving high levels of PCr and Gly (91 and 62% higher, respectively). In parallel, the MS-222 method also yielded lower levels of Amm (80%) and Lac (47%). Samples freeze-clamped by the MS-222 method were used to evaluate three methods of subsequent processing for enzymatic analysis of metabolites: classic glass homogenization (GH) in 8% perchloric acid (PCA) c. mortar and pestle (MP) pulverization or freeze-drying (FD) prior to PCA extraction. For all metabolites, GH and MP methods produced similar values. However, the FD technique yielded 20% higher PCr levels which represented over 80% phosphorylation of the total Cr pool at rest, the highest ever reported via enzymatic analysis. Glu was also higher by FD, bul Gly, Lac, and ATP were not affected. Indeed ATP was relatively stable throughout all sampling and processing procedures. MP, GH, MP&GH combination, and high speed motor driven grinding techniques all yielded similar Amm levels in resting muscle. However, tests demonstrated that even brief thawing of tissue greatly elevated Amm, while FD resulted in artificially low Amm values due to evaporative losses during lyophilization. Overall, muscle sampling by freeze-clamping on trout killed by MS-222 overdose, followed by FD prior to PCA extraction, appears to be the best combination for the measurement of all white muscle metabolites except Amm, for which MP or GH are preferable.
Demography as the basis for understanding and predicting range dynamics

Demographic processes and demographic data are increasingly being included in models of the spatio–temporal dynamics of species’ ranges. In this special issue, we explore how the integration of demographic processes further the conceptual understanding and prediction of species’ range dynamics. The 12 papers originate from two workshops entitled ‘Advancing concepts and models of species range dynamics: understanding and disentangling processes across scales’. The papers combine theoretical and empirical evidence for the interplay between environmental conditions, species interactions, demographic processes (births, deaths, dispersal), physiology, and evolution, and they point out promising avenues towards a better understanding and prediction of species’ range dynamics.
Increases in mycorrhizal colonization and seedling growth in Pinusechinata and Quercusalba in an enriched CO2 atmosphere

Forest tree biomass is hypothesized to increase in a CO2-enriched atmosphere if mechanisms exist to ensure acquisition of limiting nutrients in forest soils. Investment of additional photosynthate produced at elevated CO2 into mycorrhizal proliferation and root growth may provide one such mechanism. To test this hypothesis, mycorrhizal density and seedling biomass were measured in shortleaf pine (Pinusechinata Mill.) and white oak (Quercusalba L.) grown in unfertilized forest soil in controlled-environment chambers at 360 μL L−1 and 700 μL L−1 CO2. Mycorrhizal density was greater at elevated CO2 in both species after 6 weeks of exposure; in white oak, the increased density persisted for 24 weeks. Root dry weight was increased 76% in P. echinata and 91% in Q. alba at 700 μL L−1 CO2; total seedling dry weight was increased by 66 and 56%, respectively. It is hypothesized that increased photosynthesis at elevated CO2 offsets the carbon requirement for mycorrhizal establishment on shortleaf pine. Greater mycor.
Corrosion and Alloy Engineering in Rational Design of High Current Density Electrodes for Efficient Water Splitting

Alongside rare‐earth metals, Ni, Fe, Co, Cu are some of the critical materials that will be in huge demand thanks to growth in clean‐energy sector. Herein scrap stainless steel wires (SSW) from worn‐out tires are employed as a support material for catalyst integration in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In addition, SSW by corrosion engineering is exercised as an in situ formed freestanding robust electrode for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). By superficial corrosion of SSW, inherent active species are unmasked in the form of Ni/FeOOH nanocrystallites displaying efficient water oxidation by reaching 500 mA cm−2 at low overpotential (η500) of 287 mV in 1 m KOH. Similarly, cathode scrap SSW with active (alloy) coatings of MoNi4 catalyzes the HER at η‐200 = 77 mV, with a low activation energy (Ea = 16.338 kJ mol−1) and high durability of 150 h. Promisingly, when used in industrial conditions, 5 m KOH, 343 K, these electrodes demonstrate abnormal activity by yielding high anodic and cathodic current density of 1000 mA cm−2 at η = 233 mV and η = 161 mV, respectively. This work may inspire researchers to explore and reutilize high‐demand metals from scrap for addressing critical material shortfalls in clean‐energy technologies.
Different Glyphosate Susceptibility in Chloris polydactyla Accessions

Abstract Glyphosate is now the most widely used herbicide; after years of frequent utilization, resistant weeds were selected, mainly due to widespread adoption of glyphosate-resistant crops and no-tillage sowing system. Increasing difficulty in controlling Chloris polydactyla with glyphosate has been noticed in agricultural areas. Here, the susceptibility level of various C. polydactyla accessions from Brazil is examined. Two whole-plant studies were conducted to confirm the presence and extent of glyphosate susceptibility among accessions, which involved the application of seven glyphosate doses on four accessions. The four accessions showed different glyphosate susceptibilities. The “Matão” accession presented major tolerance for glyphosate compared to “Palotina” accessions. “Jaboticabal” plants showed an intermediary susceptibility. The resistance factor (RF) was 3.76 between the “Matão” and “Palotina” accessions. All biotypes died at 2,880 g ae ha−1 glyphosate. Nomenclature: Glyphosate; Chloris polydactyla (L.) Sw. Resumen Glyphosate es actualmente el herbicida más ampliamente usado. Después de años de uso frecuente, malezas resistentes fueron seleccionadas, principalmente debido a la amplia adopción de cultivos resistentes a glyphosate y de sistemas de siembra con labranza cero. En áreas agrícolas, se ha notado el incremento en la dificultad para controlar Chloris polydactyla con glyphosate. Aquí, se examinó el nivel de susceptibilidad de varias accesiones de C. polydactyla de Brasil. Dos estudios de plantas enteras fueron realizados para confirmar la presencia y la magnitud de la susceptibilidad a glyphosate entre accesiones, los cuales involucraron la aplicación de siete dosis de glyphosate sobre cuatro accesiones. Las cuatro accesiones mostraron diferentes susceptibilidades a glyphosate. La accesión “Matão” presentó una tolerancia mayor al compararse con la accesión “Palotina”. Las plantas de “Jaboticabal” mostraron una susceptibilidad intermedia. El factor de resistencia (RF) fue 3.76 entre las accesiones “Matão” y “Palotina”. Todos los biotipos murieron al ser expuestos a 2,880 g ae ha−1 de glyphosate.
Plasmolysis: new insights into an old process

SUMMARY Early microscopists made detailed observations of the phenomenon of plasmolysis, many of which have passed into the historical record without comment. This review considers the significance of these observations in the light of recent cell-biological studies which are addressing the complex relationships between the plasma membrane (PM) and the extracellular matrix, as well as the interrelationships of the PM, endomembrane system and cytoskeleton. Emphasis is placed on the relative roles of Hechtian strand formation and PM vesiculation as mechanisms allowing the conservation of PM during a plasmolysis/deplasmolysis cycle. The behaviour of plasmodesmata during plasmolysis is considered in relation to the ability of cells to resume intercellular transport following deplasmolysis. Finally, the behaviour of cells during freeze-induced ptesmolysis is addressed.
Species delineation in the speciation grey zone—The case of Diopatra (Annelida, Onuphidae)

Taxonomy based on morphology can be difficult. The challenges arise from different sources such as poor original descriptions, new records based on inadequate knowledge, uncritical application of general assumptions or presence of complexes of cryptic species. One example of problematic taxonomy is the genus Diopatra Audouin & Milne Edwards, 1833 (Onuphidae, Annelida) and within it the two species Diopatra aciculata and D. neapolitana. The species exhibit great similarity between them casting doubts on their validity as separate species. Our study aims to investigate whether D. aciculata and D. neapolitana should be synonymized, using an integrative taxonomic approach. Therefore, we assessed 22 morphological characters of 70 specimens including one specimen, which might have been erroneously assigned to D. dentata. Additionally, sequence information of five different molecular markers (i.e., 16S rDNA, COI, 28S, ITS1 and ITS2) was gathered to delineate possible species boundaries between these two species. Our results show some evidence for delineating the two species, but they are not conclusive due to both presence of shared morphological characters and conflicting evidence in the molecular data. Accordingly, our results neither confirm nor disprove complete speciation and both species seem to be in the grey zone of speciation. In conclusion, considering taxonomic stability and slight support by morphological characters, we still regard each as two independent species.
RECURSOS ESTRATÉGICOS: ESTUDO DE CASO EM HOTEL UPSCALE

A administracao inadequada da base de recursos na hotelaria pode gerar a oferta de produtos e servicos desconexos com as demandas do publico consumidor. Por outro lado, a configuracao dos recursos de modo estrategico e capaz de gerar ao empreendimento ganhos significativos e vantagem competitiva. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar os recursos de natureza estrategica que estao associados ao desempenho superior de empreendimentos hoteleiros. Para tanto, realizou-se estudo de caso unico no mercado hoteleiro, a partir do qual analisou-se o conteudo dos comentarios on-line postados por consumidores de servicos hoteleiros no site TripAdvisor. A amostra foi constituida por 691 comentarios, postados entre 2015 e 2017. O conteudo dos comentarios foi submetido a analise netnografica no software Iramuteq. Os resultados indicaram a existencia de recursos centrais: o atendimento, o cafe da manha, a limpeza e o ambiente. Concluiu-se que tais recursos e habilidades, ao serem reunidos, promoveram a criacao de um valor unico, capaz de gerar vantagem competitiva e desempenho superior.
The genus Bursaphelenchus Fuchs (Nematoda: Aphelenchida) in north-west Spain

As a consequence of the report of pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) in the Setubal peninsula (Portugal), nematodes of the genus Bursaphelenchus and the vector insect were studied in pine forests, timber industries and entry points for imported timber in Galicia (north-west Spain). The aim of this paper was to contribute to the establishment of the necessary measures to prevent the introduction of B. xylophilus into Spain. Sampling, nematode extraction and identification were carried out according to the EU norm. From collections made in 1999-2002, a total of 2612 samples were studied. Bursaphelenchus eggersi, B. mucronatus and B. sexdentati were found, as well as Monochamus galloprovincialis, a vector cerambycid beetle. Bursaphelenchus xylophilus was not isolated. Morphometric characteristics and geographic distribution of the species are provided and the risk of introducing B. xylophilus to Spain assessed.
Rabbit grazing, plant competition and seedling recruitment in acid grassland

(1) Two experiments were done to determine the effect of grazing by rabbits on plant recruitment in mature grassland and on cultivated soil. The first was a factorial experiment, with and without rabbit fencing, and with and without soil cultivation, carried out between 1986 and 1989 in acid grassland with a long history of rabbit grazing. In the second, carried out between 1982 and 1985 in two contrasting arable fields, rabbits grazed crops of winter wheat, with fencing enclosures erected at different times and for different durations. (2) Rabbit grazing affected the stature and composition of the grassland throughout the year. Species that increased in cover in rabbit-grazed grassland included the grass Anthoxanthum odoratum and the forb Rumex acetosella. Species that decreased included the grasses Festuca rubra and Agrostis capillaris and the forbs Vicia sativa and Trifolium repens. There was negligible change in the total number of plant species with grazing. (3) The cultivated treatments showed that the seed bank under the acid grassland was extremely heterogeneous. (4) Eight of the twenty-three commonest ruderal species beneath acid grassland decreased in cover significantly (e.g. Capsella bursa-pastoris and Papaver dubium), and none increased significantly. In contrast, most of the ruderal species in the seed bank of nearby arable soils increased under grazing. (5) Most plant species on cultivated grassland soils regenerated from vegetative fragments (e.g. Holcus mollis, Stellaria graminea, Rumex acetosa and R. acetosella), rather than by germination of seed. Regrowth shoots outnumbered seedlings by a factor of between 3 and 23 3. (6) The extent of spatial heterogeneity within and between plots in both the composition of the buried seed bank, and in recruitment by vegetative regrowth, highlights the need for large sample sizes in this kind of study. (7) The mechanisms that determine whether a plant species increases or decreases under grazing are discussed.
Maternal Manipulation of Offspring Phenotypes via Nest‐Site Selection in an Oviparous Lizard

Mothers may be able to manipulate the phenotypes of their progeny not only via direct pathways (e.g., allocation of nutrients and energy), but also indirectly, by inducing particular developmental pathways through selection of nest sites and thus, incubation conditions. In the field, female skinks (Bassiana duperreyi) in montane southeastern Aus- tralia select nest sites with specific thermal characteristics-especially, a high mean tem- perature and a high diel range in temperature. Monitoring of 14 natural nests throughout most of the incubation period revealed considerable differences among nests in both means and variances of thermal regimes. Laboratory experiments on this species show that both the mean and the variance of incubation temperatures profoundly influence developmental rates (and hence, incubation periods) as well as the body shape, activity levels, thermo- regulatory behavior, and running speeds of the hatchlings. Hence, a female's selection of a particular nest site can substantially modify both the time of emergence of the hatchlings, and the morphology and behavior of her offspring. Even within a single nest, minor dif- ferences among eggs in their depth below the ground surface will directly affect thermal variance, and so may strongly influence rates of embryogenesis and the phenotype of the hatchling. The effects of thermal variance (independent of the mean) on embryonic de- velopment rates and hatchling phenotypes suggest that data from constant-temperature incubation in the laboratory should be interpreted with caution.
Synergic effect of pore size engineering and an applied electric field on the controlled permeation of alkali metal atoms and ions across pristine and defect-containing h-BN sheets

The permeation and selectivity of alkali metal atoms and ions through normal and defected hexagonal boron nitride was studied in the presence and absence of water and an electric field. The defects include one (VB & VN), two (VBN) and three atom (VN2B) vacancies. The morphology and size of the pore (defect) in the h-BN sheet significantly affect the energy barriers. These results indicate that an h-BN sheet with appropriate pore size possesses good Li/Li+ selectivity. The permeation of lithium atoms through VN2B-h-BN is almost a barrierless process (1.75 kcal mol−1). Moreover, the VBN h-BN nanosheet selectively allows the passage of Li atoms at room temperature with the highest selectivity ratio of 1.58 × 1013. The presence of water molecules increases the barrier of alkali metal atom permeation. The effect of water molecules is more pronounced for alkali metal atom permeation through a defected h-BN nanosheet as compared to alkali metal ions. An applied electric field perpendicular to the h-BN sheet further decreases the permeation barriers. For example, the energy barrier is reduced to 31 kcal mol−1 (from 34 kcal mol−1) in the presence of an electric field for the permeation of lithium through H2O–VB h-BN–H2O. These studies can be extended to investigate the separation capability of porous hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets for other metal atoms and ions.