Plant Species Composition and the Perception of the Afforestation in Urban Public Green Spaces in a Municipality in Eastern Brazilian Amazon

The plant composition is a fundamental element in public green spaces, improving the environment and people’s quality of life. The executing of floristic inventories can contribute to better understanding and management of these spaces. Here, we sought to know the plants used in the afforestation of the main public green spaces in the town of Oriximiná, eastern Brazilian Amazon, as well as to perform a brief analysis of the population’s perception regarding the afforestation of these environments. The plants were collected and identified using specific literature and dichotomous keys, in addition to consultations in virtual herbariums. The analysis of the population’s perception took place through interviews, with questionnaires collected in each public green space. We registered 1616 individuals from the flora of the squares, distributed in 16 families, 24 genera, and 28 species. Exotic plants are predominant in number species and of individuals. The interviewees demonstrated that they are aware of the importance of plants in the squares and providing shade stands out as the most cited benefit. The afforestation of the squares shows some irregularities, highlighting the need for better planning which includes the use of native species and the participation of the local community in the management of these green areas. Finally, we provide a list of native species, naturally occurring in the Amazon region, that can be used in urban afforestation.

Symbiotic Approach in a Modular Mobile Robot

This paper presentsthe application of a symbiotic approachin a modular mobile robot. This characteristic behavior might help addressthe challengesin modular reconfigurable robotoperation. The general model symbiosisalgorithm will help decide if the modular part is harmful or beneficial to the performance or task of the robotic systemthru the carrying capacity. The symbiotic behavior is presented and implemented in this paper viamodel-baseddesign with the aid of MATLABSimulink using a 6 wheeled mobile robot with 3 modular body to identify the carrying capacity of the system.Carrying capacity istranslated and used as thedistance and velocity capacity of the design model robotic system.Carrying capacity is greatly influence by the number species or in our case modules it is shown in this paper that carrying capacity are not fixed in quantities but should be consider as functions of the population sizesand function. The mathematical formulation of the idea is to investigate its consequence. Aside from the population size role or interaction.

To Be There or Not to Be There, That Is the Question—On the Problem of Delayed Sampling of Entomological Evidence

The aim of the current study was to analyze two major pitfalls in forensic entomological casework: delayed evidence sampling and the effect of low-temperature storage of the body. For this purpose, temperature profiles of heavily infested corpses during cooling and cases in which insect evidence was collected both at the scene and during autopsy were evaluated with regard to species composition and development stages found. The results show that the temperature in the body bags remained at higher average temperatures up to 10 °C relative to the mortuary cooler, therefore, sufficient for larval development, with significant differences in temperature between larval aggregations on one and the same body. In addition, we found large differences both in species number, species composition, and the developmental stages found at the scene and during the autopsy. These data and observations underscore the importance of sampling evidence at the scene and recording temperatures throughout the cooling period of a body.

Termite Fauna of Gunung Telapak Buruk, Berembun Forest Reserve, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Termites have great importance in a tropical terrestrial ecosystem, especially in the decomposition process, mediate ecosystem processes and facilitate in improving the structure and quality of the soil. Termite survey was conducted at Gunung Telapak Buruk, Berembun Forest Reserve, Negeri Sembilan, during a scientific expedition from 30th March to 1st April 2019. This study aims to provide the first checklist of termite fauna in Gunung Telapak Buruk. Termites were collected using the casual collection method at selected trails around Gunung Telapak Buruk. A total of 21 termite species were recorded in this study. The termite assemblage comprises two families, namely Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae. Family Termitidae dominated the termite assemblage with 90.5% (19 species). The collected termite species in this study comprises 12% of recorded termite species of Peninsular Malaysia by Tho in 1992. The genus Odontotermes from the family Termitidae dominated the assemblage with five species. Four types of feeding groups were identified in this study. The wood feeders recorded highest number species with 66.7%, followed by soil feeders (14.3%), epiphyte feeder (9.52%), and wood-litter feeders (9.52%). All the recorded species are new record for this forest reserve as no previous record was available for this area. Keywords: Diversity, forest, highland, mountain, termite fauna

Analysis of Floristic Diversity and Quantification of Diameter Class Aboveground Biomass (AGB) and Carbon Stocks of Afromontane Vegetation of Nkoanenkole Forest Reserve (NCFR) in Northern Tanzania

Nkoanenkole Forest Reserve (NCFR) is such a potential area in floristic diversity within a relatively small area of 370.2 ha. The study was conducted in 2018 to analyze the floristic diversity and quantify the tree species aboveground biomass and carbon stocks of Nkoanenkole Catchment Forest Reserve (NCFR) in Arumeru District, Arusha-Tanzania. Systematic random sampling was applied, whereby a 24 with a 15 m radius (706.5 m2) were set at an inter plot and transect distance of 350 m. The plant species were identified by their botanical names, determined for abundance, and trees with ≥5cm DBH were measured. Shannon Wiever (H’), and Simpson indices were applied to calculate the index of diversity. Also, density and relative density were calculated. The AGB and AGC mg ha-1 were calculated using allometric models. 147 plant species were identified from the 24 sample plots, of which 54 were trees, 31 shrubs and lianas, 48 herbs, 3 sedges, 6 grass species, and 6 belonged to the ferns. The calculate H’ was 3.3316 for trees with an index of dominance of 0.053, and 2.449 for shrubs and lianas, sedges, herbs, and ferns with an index of dominance of 0.00.3135. The families of Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae, Fabaceae, and Asteraceae were determined to be the most dominant in terms of the number species. The identified tree seedlings were 14 with an abundance of 136, the density of 16.513±0.590, and a relative density of 20.14±0.73. Bersama abyssinica and Psychotria riparia were the most dominant tree seedlings. The DBH-class of 15±5 had the highest AGB (kg) and AGC mg ha-1, followed by 25±15, 55±45, 65±55, and the rest. NCFR is latent for its biodiversity, hence recommending further study on biological diversity, the possibility for upgrading the NCFR to the nature reserve, encourage beekeeping as potential pollinators, discourage illegal human activities through education and regular patrols.

The procedure for forensic veterinary determination of the severity of harm caused to the health of the animal

The paper formulates the procedure for forensic veterinary determination of the severity of damage to animal health. According to the severity of injuries to animals, it is necessary to distinguish between injuries of three degrees: mild, moderate and severe. Forensic veterinary examination to determine the severity of injuries is carried out by a forensic veterinary expert through a veterinary examination of the injured (subject) animal. During the examination of the subject animal, the forensic veterinary expert establishes data about the animal according to the animal’s passport or other document that replaces it (animal’s nickname, individual number, species, sex, age, breed, etc.). If there are no documents for the animal, they are limited to information about the animal received from its owner or guardian; establishes the anamnestic data of the examined animal according to the explanations of the owner of the animal or its guardian; finds out the circumstances of the injury to the investigator, coroner, owner or guardian of the animal; clarifies complaints from the owner about the state of health of the animal; gets acquainted with the case materials provided by the law enforcement agency; examines other available veterinary documents, if necessary, finds out other information. The forensic veterinary expert, estimating the statute of limitations for violation of the anatomical integrity of tissues and organs and their functions, proceeds from their usual duration. Defects in veterinary care should not be taken into account when assessing the severity of injuries. In such cases, the forensic veterinary expert is obliged to indicate the nature of the causal relationship between the injury and such consequences. Damage to diseased tissues and organs of an animal can be considered as severe as damage to these organs and tissues in clinically healthy animals, if there is a direct causal link between the damage and the adverse effect. If during the examination of the subject animal the expert finds different origins of bodily injuries, he establishes what weapon of injury could have been inflicted on each of them. If the injuries are of different ages, indicate the frequency, non-simultaneity and sequence of their application, indicate the time of infliction of each of the injuries, determine the severity of each of them. In cases of death of an animal in the presence of bodily injuries, the forensic veterinary expert, along with resolving other issues, establishes the presence or absence of a causal link between the injury and the death of the animal. In cases where there is a causal link between injury and death, they can be considered fatal. All the information obtained is reflected in the expert’s report or in the report of the expert study. The results in the expert’s opinion should be the result of the analysis of objective information established during the forensic veterinary examination of the subject. They must be detailed and scientifically sound.

Quantifying the impacts of urban human-wildlife conflicts – how can we solve the urban gull problem in St Andrews?

Interactions between urban wildlife and people are increasing globally. Some of these interactions can be negative and lead to human-wildlife conflicts. In St Andrews, Scotland, residents and business owners have come into conflict with herring gulls (Larus argentatus) and lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus) that nest and forage in the town. This study quantified the number, species and distribution of nesting gulls; the vulnerability of different sources of rubbish to attack; and the likelihood of negative human-gull interactions related to food. Surveys were conducted in St Andrews during the 2016 breeding season (May-July). Nesting gull density and distribution were estimated during weekly street surveys of buildings; vantage surveys were conducted for some buildings and a correction factor estimating a minimum number of nesting gulls was produced. 110 nesting gull pairs were estimated and these occupied ~10% of buildings. The vulnerability of waste sources to attack was monitored during transects recording whether or not rubbish sources were attacked. Black bin bags had the highest probability of being attacked, but placing these in secured hessian bags prevented this. The frequency of negative human-gull interactions involving food at street-level was determined during 10-minute timed watches at various locations. Incidences of gulls taking food were rare; only eight were seen in 30 hours of watches. Altering human behaviour (for example, disposing of waste securely) will mitigate potential issues with urban wildlife. Findings from this study will enable effective management of human-gull conflicts in St Andrews and have potential applications in other urban communities.

Plants Flowering and Fruiting Behaviour in Alas Purwo National Park, Banyuwangi, East Java

Alas Purwo National Park (APNP) is a conservation area with lowland forest type. The adaptation of plants conserved is strongly influenced by environmental factors and the behaviour of flowering and fruiting. The aims of this research were to find the number, species, dominance, and abundance of flowering and fruiting plants, comparison of flowering and fruiting species, and environmental factors affecting the flowering and fruiting time in APNP observation tracks. This study used purposive random sampling in each observation track where flowering and fruiting plants were found. Environmental factors (temperature, humidity, light intensity, soil pH, elevation, and coordinates) in each observation track were measured. Data analysis was conducted using Microsoft Excel and PAST 4.0. statistic program. The behaviour of flowering and fruiting plants species in APNP was unique. There were 90 species of flowering and fruiting plants in APNP from 45 families. Most species often found flowering and fruiting were Orophea enneandra, Polyalthia littoralis and Leea angulata which were scattered in Moto Lele, Patirtan Mas, and Sadengan Savanna. Fruiting plants species were more often found than flowering ones. Temperature and light intensity became the two most affecting environmental factors on flowering and fruiting plants behaviour. The study of flowering and fruiting behaviour is very important for genetic resources conservation and conservation areas management.

In vitro reconstitution of the polymicrobial community associated with CF airway infections

The airways of persons with cystic fibrosis (CF) provide a nutritionally rich environment that is prone to colonisation by a diverse and dynamic community of microbes (including both bacteria and fungi). Traditionally, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) was thought to be the dominant pathogen associated with CF airway infections. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that interspecies interactions play a crucial role in modulating the physiology and gene expression profile(s) of the protagonists, and also impact on the response to therapeutic intervention. However, there are currently no suitable experimental models that permit long-term successful co-cultivation of PA with other CF-associated pathogens. Simply mixing bacterial or fungal species together and hoping for the best is not a recipe for success, since PA rapidly outcompetes most other species when grown in batch culture. In this work, we rectify this by describing a “3Rs-compliant” continuous-flow in vitro co-culture model. Using our model, it is possible to maintain remarkably stable steady-state co-cultures of major CF-associated pathogens (PA, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans). Our findings reveal that even numerically minor (0.1%, by cell number) species can have a profound impact on quorum sensing and virulence factor production by PA. Furthermore, we show that complete polymicrobial communities derived from CF sputum can be inoculated directly into the model, thus enabling the recapitulation of the entire microbiome associated with CF airway infections to be studied under physiologically relevant conditions.

Laser-Plasma Accelerated Protons: Energy Increase in Gas-Mixtures Using High Mass Number Atomic Species

The idea of using a gas-mixture comprising atoms with a high mass number in order to increase proton energies in laser induced plasma acceleration at critical density is investigated by means of 2D PIC (Particle-In-Cell) simulations. Comparing and discussing the case of a pure hydrogen plasma and that of a plasma containing higher mass number species with a small percentage of hydrogen, we demonstrate that the mixture enhances the energies of the accelerated protons. We also show that using a gas-mixture introduces the possibility of using the densities ratio in order to change the relative acceleration of the species.