Spatial distribution of seeds and juveniles of Enterolobium glaziovii Bentham (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae) in the Atlantic forest, Brazil

The spatial distribution of fruits and juveniles of Enterolobium glaziovii Bentham were evaluated in four circular plots of 30 m radius, centered around reproductive individuals to determine whether the size of the parental crowns, topography, and canopy coverage influence these patterns. Each crown was subdivided into eight irregular triangles and the area of each was calculated. Each plot was subdivided into four sub-plots, two of them in an up-slope direction, and the other two in a down-slope direction. The canopy coverage for each plot was estimated at breast height (1.30 m) and at ground level, every three months during 1998. The numbers of fruits and juveniles of E. glaziovii were recorded. Although there were more fruit under the parental crown (F1,12 = 0.01; p = 0.92), there was no difference in the number of juveniles under and beyond the reproductive trees (F1,12 = 0.88; p = 0.36). There was a positive correlation between the areas of the crowns and the numbers of fruits and juveniles under them (r = 0.62; df = 14; p < 0.05). Most of the fruits and juveniles were found in the down-slope directions. The canopy coverage was lower in spring, but higher under parental crowns (only at breast height). These results indicate that the parental crown, topography and canopy coverage influenced the pattern of spatial distribution and probably also the dynamics of E. glaziovii seeds and juveniles.

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Spatial Distribution of Lichens in Metrosideros excelsa in Northern New Zealand Urban Forests

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d13040170 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 170

Author(s):

Gladys N. Benitez ◽

Glenn D. Aguilar ◽

Dan Blanchon

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Species Richness ◽

New Zealand ◽

Lichen Species ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Breast Height ◽

Lichen Community ◽

The North ◽

The City ◽

Lichen Flora

The spatial distribution of corticolous lichens on the iconic New Zealand pōhutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) tree was investigated from a survey of urban parks and forests across the city of Auckland in the North Island of New Zealand. Lichens were identified from ten randomly selected trees at 20 sampling sites, with 10 sites classified as coastal and another 10 as inland sites. Lichen data were correlated with distance from sea, distance from major roads, distance from native forests, mean tree DBH (diameter at breast height) and the seven-year average of measured NO2 over the area. A total of 33 lichen species were found with coastal sites harboring significantly higher average lichen species per tree as well as higher site species richness. We found mild hotspots in two sites for average lichen species per tree and another two separate sites for species richness, with all hotspots at the coast. A positive correlation between lichen species richness and DBH was found. Sites in coastal locations were more similar to each other in terms of lichen community composition than they were to adjacent inland sites and some species were only found at coastal sites. The average number of lichen species per tree was negatively correlated with distance from the coast, suggesting that the characteristic lichen flora found on pōhutukawa may be reliant on coastal microclimates. There were no correlations with distance from major roads, and a slight positive correlation between NO2 levels and average lichen species per tree.

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Display Behavior and Spatial Distribution of the Red-Headed Manakin in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil

The Condor ◽

10.1093/condor/106.2.320 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 106 (2) ◽

pp. 320-335 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ivandy N. Castro-Astor ◽

Maria Alice S. Alves ◽

Roberto B. Cavalcanti

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Atlantic Forest ◽

Rio De Janeiro ◽

Nearest Neighbor ◽

Average Distance ◽

The Other ◽

Dispersion Pattern ◽

Mata Atlântica ◽

Display Behavior ◽

Mata Atlantica

AbstractWe studied the display behavior and spatial distribution of the Red-headed Manakin (Pipra rubrocapilla, Pipridae) in the Atlantic Forest of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The average distance between display sites was 72.5 ± 34.1 m (n = 11, range = 34.0–157.0 m). The study area included one 13-site lek and two solitary display sites. All sites of the same lek were within earshot of at least one other site. Males occupied the same display sites between years. The dispersion pattern of males is typical of exploded or dispersed leks. Males were more likely to interact with their nearest neighbor than with males from more distant display sites. Red-headed Manakin lekking behavior is remarkably complex, including 11 display elements, two of them not found in other members of the P. erythrocephala clade, nine vocalizations, and one mechanical sound previously undescribed in the Red-headed Manakin. The males performed both solitary displays and coordinated displays with other males on both their own display sites and on those of the other males. Most of the time, two definitive-plumaged males displayed together. The displays, vocalizations, and mechanical sound recorded in this study contribute to our understanding of the evolution of display behavior in manakins, mainly to the members of the P. erythrocephala clade.Despliegue de Cortejo y Distribución Espacial de Pipra rubrocapilla en la Mata Atlántica de BrasilResumen. Estudiamos el despliegue de cortejo y la distribución espacial de Pipra rubrocapilla (Pipridae) en el área de la Mata Atlántica del Estado de Río de Janeiro, Brasil. La distancia promedio entre los lugares de cortejo fue de 72.5 ± 34.1 m (n = 11, rango = 34.0–157.0). El área de estudio incluyó un lek con 13 lugares de cortejo y dos lugares de cortejo aislados. Desde un lugar de cortejo en un lek se podía oir la vocalización del vecino más próximo. Los machos ocuparon los mismos lugares de cortejo durante años, y presentaron la distribución espacial típica de los leks dispersos. Observamos más interacciones entre los machos de los lugares de cortejo más próximos. El despliegue de cortejo de P. rubrocapilla es muy complejo, incluyendo 11 elementos de cortejo (dos de ellos no descritos para otras especies del clado P. erythrocephala), nueve vocalizaciones y un sonido mecá nico, que hasta el momento, no había sido registrado para P. rubrocapilla. Los machos ejecutan despliegues de cortejo solitarios y despligues coordinados con otros machos en sus lugares de cortejo y en los de otros machos. La mayoría de las veces, el despliegue de cortejo es praticado por dos machos adultos. El despliegue de cortejo, las vocalizaciones y el sonido mecánico registrados en este estudio contribuyen al entendimiento de la evolución del despliegue de cortejo en los pípridos, principalmente en las especies que conforman el clado de P. erythrocephala.

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Thematic Maps for the Variation of Bearing Capacity of Soil Using SPTs and MATLAB

Geosciences ◽

10.3390/geosciences10090329 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 329

Author(s):

Mahdi O. Karkush ◽

Mahmood D. Ahmed ◽

Ammar Abdul-Hassan Sheikha ◽

Ayad Al-Rumaithi

Keyword(s):

Bearing Capacity ◽

Mean Squared Error ◽

Ground Level ◽

The Other ◽

Thematic Maps ◽

First Order ◽

Squared Error ◽

Order Polynomial ◽

Interpolation Polynomials ◽

Penetration Tests

The current study involves placing 135 boreholes drilled to a depth of 10 m below the existing ground level. Three standard penetration tests (SPT) are performed at depths of 1.5, 6, and 9.5 m for each borehole. To produce thematic maps with coordinates and depths for the bearing capacity variation of the soil, a numerical analysis was conducted using MATLAB software. Despite several-order interpolation polynomials being used to estimate the bearing capacity of soil, the first-order polynomial was the best among the other trials due to its simplicity and fast calculations. Additionally, the root mean squared error (RMSE) was almost the same for the all of the tried models. The results of the study can be summarized by the production of thematic maps showing the variation of the bearing capacity of the soil over the whole area of Al-Basrah city correlated with several depths. The bearing capacity of soil obtained from the suggested first-order polynomial matches well with those calculated from the results of SPTs with a deviation of ±30% at a 95% confidence interval.

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Spatial Analysis (Measurements at Heights of 10 m and 20 m above Ground Level) of the Concentrations of Particulate Matter (PM10, PM2.5, and PM1.0) and Gaseous Pollutants (H2S) on the University Campus: A Case Study

Atmosphere ◽

10.3390/atmos12010062 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 62

Author(s):

Robert Cichowicz ◽

Maciej Dobrzański

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Hydrogen Sulfide ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

Air Quality ◽

Spatial Analysis ◽

Ground Level ◽

Leeward Side ◽

High Concentration ◽

Above Ground Level ◽

High Concentrations

Spatial analysis of the distribution of particulate matter PM10, PM2.5, PM1.0, and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas pollution was performed in the area around a university library building. The reasons for the subject matter were reports related to the perceptible odor characteristic of hydrogen sulfide and a general poor assessment of air quality by employees and students. Due to the area of analysis, it was decided to perform measurements at two heights, 10 m and 20 m above ground level, using measuring equipment attached to a DJI Matrice 600 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The aim of the measurements was air quality assessment and investigate the convergence of the theory of air flow around the building with the spatial distribution of air pollutants. Considerable differences of up to 63% were observed in the concentrations of pollutants measured around the building, especially between opposite sides, depending on the direction of the wind. To explain these differences, the theory of aerodynamics was applied to visualize the probable airflow in the direction of the wind. A strong convergence was observed between the aerodynamic model and the spatial distribution of pollutants. This was evidenced by the high concentrations of dust in the areas of strong turbulence at the edges of the building and on the leeward side. The accumulation of pollutants was also clearly noticeable in these locations. A high concentration of H2S was recorded around the library building on the side of the car park. On the other hand, the air turbulence around the building dispersed the gas pollution, causing the concentration of H2S to drop on the leeward side. It was confirmed that in some analyzed areas the permissible concentration of H2S was exceeded.

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Biofoam of Spittlebug, Poophilus costalis (Walker): Preferential Sites, Temperature Regulation, Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects12040340 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 340

Author(s):

Kitherian Sahayaraj ◽

Balakrishnan Saranya ◽

Samy Sayed ◽

Loko Yêyinou Laura Estelle ◽

Koilraj Madasamy

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Activity ◽

Chemical Composition ◽

High Performance ◽

Host Plants ◽

Ground Level ◽

College Campus ◽

The Other ◽

Mimosa Pudica ◽

Ft Ir ◽

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy

The foam produced by nymphs of Poophilus costalis on eleven different host plants belonging to eight families on St. Xavier’s College campus in India was studied over five months. The chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of these biofoams were investigated. The results revealed that P. costalis preferred Theporsia purpurea and Mimosa pudica for laying their eggs and producing foam, over the other tested plants. P. costalis produce their foam on either nodes or internodes on monocotyledons (30%) (p < 0.05), whereas on dicotyledons, they produce more foam on the stems (63.8%) than on the leaves (6.2%) (p < 0.01). The number of nymphs in each piece of foam from P. costalis varied from 1 to 3 (mean = 1.8 per plant). They produced their foam (5.7 to 45.2 cm) from the ground level on a plant. The length and breadth of a piece of foam ranged from 1.0 to 3.9 cm and 0.6 to 4.7 cm, respectively. The foam tended to be cooler than the environment. Qualitative profiling showed that the foam consists of carbohydrates, including maltose; trypsin; amino acids; protease. The foam was also analyzed using a spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antimicrobial activity of the biofoam was the greatest against Staphylococcus aureus, the growth of which was reduced by 55.9 ± 3.9%, suggesting that the foam could be used as an antimicrobial product. However, no activities were observed against Fusarium oxysporum and Candida albicans.

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PROBING AWAY SIDE JET MODIFICATION WITH THREE PARTICLE CORRELATIONS

International Journal of Modern Physics E ◽

10.1142/s0218301307007337 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 16 (07n08) ◽

pp. 1982-1987

Author(s):

◽

N. N. AJITANAND

Keyword(s):

Spatial Distribution ◽

Correlation Functions ◽

Theoretical Models ◽

The Other ◽

Experimental Investigations ◽

Powerful Method ◽

Particle Correlation ◽

Low Viscosity ◽

Jet Modification ◽

Rhic Data

Recent experimental investigations have focussed on the abnormal spatial distribution of away side jet fragments as signals of significant medium induced effects. A variety of theoretical models including recent string-theory based efforts have supported the notion of Mach Cone like effects in the low viscosity QGP fluid. However, the presence of significant flow fields may deflect the fragmentation direction producing a significantly differing type of jet topology from that of the Mach cone. Three particle correlation functions constitute a powerful method whereby the predominance of one or the other type of mechanism can be differentiated. In this work the use of such an approach will be demonstrated via simulations and the results of its application to RHIC data will be presented.

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SERUM GONADOTROPHINS, TESTOSTERONE AND SPERMATOGENESIS IN SUBFERTILE MEN

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/acta.0.0860651 ◽

1977 ◽

Vol 86 (3) ◽

pp. 651-658 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

J. H. Aafjes ◽

J. C. M. van der Vijver ◽

R. Docter ◽

P. E. Schenck

Keyword(s):

Partial Correlation ◽

Sperm Count ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

The Other ◽

Sperm Production ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Natural Logarithm ◽

Biopsy Score

ABSTRACT In 210 subfertile men there existed a significant positive correlation between serum FSH and LH (0.41). No correlation was observed between the gonadotrophin levels and testosterone. In contrast to this FSH as well as LH were negatively correlated with the natural logarithm (In) of the sperm count/ml ejaculate (−0.44 and −0.18, respectively). When the positive correlation which existed between FSH and LH was used to calculate partial correlation coefficients, the coefficient between FSH and ln sperm count did hardly change (−0.41) the coefficient between LH and ln sperm count on the other hand became insignificant (−0.05). This suggests that spermatogenesis influences FSH serum levels in subfertile men by a decreased suppression when sperm production is diminished. Testicular biopsies taken from 97 of these patients were used to determine biopsy scores. These scores showed a significant negative correlation with FSH (−0.34) and a positive one with ln sperm count/ml ejaculate (0.45). Interestingly the biopsy score of 16 patients who fertilized their wives, was found to be higher compared with the score of the other patients who did not fertilize. The number of sperm/ml ejaculate and the FSH values of these 2 groups of biopsied patients were, however, not significantly different. This leads to the conclusion that the biopsy score is a better parameter for the evaluation of oligospermic men than either sperm count or FSH serum values.

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Morpho-Biochemical Characteristics of Brinjal Germplasms Affect the Abundance And Infestation of Jassid

SAARC Journal of Agriculture ◽

10.3329/sja.v19i1.54780 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 81-91

Author(s):

F Yasmin ◽

MR Amin ◽

M Afroz ◽

MAH Swapon ◽

MM Hossain

Keyword(s):

Protein Content ◽

Chlorophyll Content ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Significant Positive Correlation ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Reducing Sugar ◽

Total Sugar ◽

The Other ◽

Biochemical Characteristics ◽

Positive Correlation

The tropical vegetable, brinjal is cultivated throughout the year in Bangladesh but the crop is infested by a number of insects including jassid. This study investigated the effects of different biophysical and biochemical characteristics of twelve brinjal germplasms on the abundance and infestation of jassid. The experiment was conducted during September 2018 to March 2019 in Gazipur, Bangladesh with twelve brinjal germplasms namely BD-7320, BD-7328, BD-9952, BD-10154, BD-10158, BARI Begun-1, BARI Begun-4, BARI Begun-5, BARI Begun- 6, BARI Begun-7, BARI Begun-8 and BARI Begun-9. The incidence of jassid was recorded from 3rd December to 26th March, and the lowest population was found on BARI Begun- 6. Among the biophysical traits, plant height, number of branch and leaf per plant, and leaf area exerted significant positive correlation; whereas trichome on lower and upper surfaces of leaf, spine per stem and leaf showed significant negative correlation with the abundance of jassid. On the other hand, moisture, reducing sugar, total sugar and protein content of the leaves and fruits, chlorophyll content of the leaves exerts significant positive correlation but ash and pH contents of the leaves and fruits were negatively correlated with the abundance of jassid. Jassids showed the lowest level of leaf infestation on BARI Begun-6, which could be for further analysis to develop jassid resistant brinjal. SAARC J. Agric., 19(1): 81-91 (2021)

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Student leadership programme: igniting the young minds

Emerald Emerging Markets Case Studies ◽

10.1108/eemcs-11-2020-0401 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 1-20

Author(s):

Mihir Ajgaonkar

Keyword(s):

Leadership Development ◽

Resource Management ◽

Human Resource Management ◽

Human Resource ◽

Urban Poor ◽

Career Guidance ◽

Ground Level ◽

The Other ◽

Ethical Behaviour ◽

Content Type

Learning outcomes This case will help students to understand the following: Develop a basic understanding of competency building processes. Learn about the mentoring process and its application in leadership development. Develop awareness about the methodology for assessment of the effectiveness of training. Case overview/synopsis Dr A. R. K. Pillai founded the Indian Leprosy Foundation in 1970 in response to the national call by late Mrs Indira Gandhi, prime minister of India, to the public-spirited people to take up leprosy eradication. It collaborated with international agencies to reduce leprosy drastically in India from four million, in 1982 to around a hundred thousand cases in 2006. In 2006, the Indian Leprosy Foundation was renamed as Indian Development Foundation (IDF) as the trustees decided to expand the work of IDF in the areas of health, children’s education and women’s empowerment. Dr Narayan Iyer, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IDF initiated a leadership development intervention called the Students’ leadership programme (SLP) for children in the age group of 12 to 14, from the urban poor households in 2014. It was a structured mentoring programme spanning over three months in collaboration with the schools. It aimed at incubating skills in the areas of leadership, teamwork, personality, behavioural traits and provided career guidance. It had a humble beginning in 2014 with a coverage of 50 students. Initially, IDF welcomed executives from the corporate sector as mentors. As there was a need to rapidly expand the scope of SLP to the other cities of India, IDF tied up with the graduate colleges and invited the students to be the mentors. The other objective behind this move was to create social awareness among the students from more affluent strata of society. IDF was able to dramatically increase the participation of the students through SLP by approximately up to 100,000 by 2020. However, rapid progress threw up multiple challenges. The teachers complained about the non-availability of the students for regular classes to teach the syllabus as the students were busy with SLP. The schools forced IDF to shorten the duration of SLP to two months. Also, many undergraduate mentors were unable to coach the participants due to lack of maturity and found wanting to strike a rapport with them. There was a shortage of corporate executives who volunteered for the mentoring, due to work pressures. Dr Narayan, CEO & National Coordinator and Ms Mallika Ramchandran, the project head of SLP at IDF, were worried about the desired impact of SLP on the participants and its sustainability due to these challenges. So, with the support of Dr Narayan, she initiated a detailed survey to assess the ground-level impact of SLP. The objective was to get clarity about what was working for SLP and what aspects needed to improve, to make the programme more effective. Overall feedback from the survey was very positive. The mothers had seen very positive changes in the participants’ behaviour post-SLP. The teachers had specific concerns about the effectiveness of undergraduate mentors. The need for a refresher course to inculcate ethical behaviour and the inadequacy of the two-month duration of the SLP to reinforce values were highlighted. Respondents also voiced the requirement to build responsible citizenship behaviours among the participants. Mallika was all for preparing a model to further enhance the effectiveness of SLP. Dr Narayan and Mallika embraced the challenge and they were raring to go to develop SLP as a cutting-edge leadership programme and to take it to new heights. Complexity academic level This case can be used in courses on human resource management in postgraduate and graduate management programmes. It can also be used in the general and development management courses and during executive education programmes to teach methodologies for evaluating the effectiveness of the training interventions, with emphasis on the voluntary sector. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 6: Human Resource Management.

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Are orchid bees at risk? First comparative survey suggests declining populations of forest-dependent species

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/s1519-69842013000200017 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 73 (2) ◽

pp. 367-374 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

A Nemésio

Keyword(s):

Atlantic Forest ◽

Anthropogenic Disturbances ◽

The Other ◽

Orchid Bees ◽

Orchid Bee ◽

Disturbed Areas ◽

Eastern Brazil ◽

Forest Remnants ◽

Declining Populations ◽

Comparative Survey

The two largest Atlantic Forest remnants in the state of Espírito Santo, eastern Brazil, namely ‘Reserva Biológica de Sooretama’ (REBIO Sooretama) and ‘Reserva Natural Vale’ (RNV), were surveyed for their orchid-bee faunas. Seventeen scent baits were used to attract orchid-bee males. Three-thousand, two hundred and twenty-five males belonging to 24 species were actively collected with insect nets during 100 hours in March, April and December, 2009. In comparison with a previous study in the same area twelve years before, it is evident that the abundance of all forest-dependent orchid bees analysed declined around 50%, and it was statistically significant (P = 0.022) for Euglossa marianae Nemésio, 2011, the most sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances of all Atlantic Forest orchid bees. On the other hand, the abundance of populations of species tolerant to open or disturbed areas rose. Possible explanations are discussed.

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