Assessment of Differential Forest Growth Following Disturbance in Minnesota, USA

We used LiDAR metrics and satellite imagery to examine regeneration on forested sites disturbed via harvest or natural means over a 44-year period. We tested the effectiveness of older low-density LiDAR elevation data in producing information related to existing levels of above ground biomass (AGB). To accomplish this, we paired the elevation data with a time series of wetness and greenness indices derived from Landsat satellite imagery to model changes in AGB for sites experiencing different agents of change. Current AGB was determined from high-density LiDAR acquired in northern Minnesota, USA. We then compared high-density LiDAR-based AGB and estimates modeled using Landsat and low-density LiDAR indices for 10,068 sites. Clear differences were found in standing AGB and accumulation rates between sites disturbed by different agents of change. Biomass accumulation following disturbance appears to decrease rapidly following an initial spike as stands 1asZX respond to newly opened growing space. Harvested sites experienced a roughly six-fold increase in the rate of biomass accumulation compared to sites subjected to stand replacing fire or insect and disease, and a 20% increase in productivity when compared to sites subjected to wind mediated canopy loss. Over time, this resulted in clear differences in standing AGB.

The Effect of the Application of Stimulants on the Photosynthetic Apparatus and the Yield of Winter Wheat

The use of stimulation preparations seems to be a promising means for mitigating the effects of abiotic and biotic stressors. Their significance includes plant organism stimulation and metabolism optimisation, water regime, and nutrition during periods of stress. They help bridge it over and create conditions for rapid regeneration. In a field experiment, the effect of the application of stimulation preparations on cultivars Triticum aestivum L. with different genetic composition was evaluated (donor of blue aleurone colour KM-72-18; donor of a multi-row spike (MRS) KM-94-18). Our results show a predominantly positive effect of the application of stimulants on the yield and thousand-grain weight (TKW). The results obtained were influenced by the year, based on different temperatures and precipitation. Higher yields were achieved in 2020 with higher total precipitation during the grain filling period and with a higher maximum quantum yield of the photosystem II (Fv/Fm). In 2019, this period was significantly dry and warm, which was reflected in a lower yield and TKM, higher proline content in the leaves, and lower Fv/Fm values. In both experimental years, there was a higher yield of the cultivar with blue aleurone (KM-72-18). In the case of cultivars with coloured grains, the promising use of the content substances in cultivars as natural means of increasing resistance to abiotic and biotic stressors seems to be promising.

Effect of melatonin addition in ovulation induction protocols with clomiphene citrate in management of infertility

Background: About 10-12% of couples are unable to conceive by natural means despite concerted efforts and these figures have risen in past few decades. In recent years, effect of oxidative stress on the fertility has been widely recognised. Oxidative stress has been known to affect both male and female fertility reducing sperm count and motility in men, and affecting ovum reserve and quality in women. Melatonin is the secretion of the pineal gland responsible for circadian sleep rhythm has also shown to be good antioxidant. Aim and objective of current study was to study effect of melatonin addition to clomiphene citrate for induction of ovulation with a view to improve conception rates.Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 52 women with infertility who were given clomiphene citrate with melatonin. Ovulation, conception rates and pregnancy outcomes were noted.Results: We observed 77.8%ovulation rates, and a significantly better conception and live birth rates.Conclusions: Melatonin, as an anti-oxidant may improve, conception and live birth rates when added to clomiphene citrate induction protocols.

Reproductive management of the goat

Objective: To share technical aspects with specialists in animal reproduction and producers that could help to improve the reproductive capacity of caprine livestock. Design/Methodology/Approach: Scientific evidence and experience in the reproductive management of goats are the basis that sustains the information presented in this article. Results: The goat is widely distributed in Mexico; it is a species with seasonal reproductive activity, but of easy manipulation with hormonal and natural means. Presently there is a large variety of biotechnologies that can be applied in the production units, to potentiate the reproductive activity of the goat. Study Limitations/Implications: The lack of knowledge and the lack of consulting and technical training limit the productive and reproductive potential of goat breeding in Mexico. Findings/Conclusions: Knowledge of the reproductive physiology of the goat and understanding of the means available to manipulate it guarantees its reproduction at the time and in the conditions desired by the producer and the market

Landscape depressions can create silent zones in noise polluted parks

Excessive road traffic noise exposure in (sub)urban parks hinders its restorative function and will negatively impact the number of visitors. Especially in such green environments, noise abatements by natural means, well integrated in the landscape, are the most desired solutions. Although dense vegetation bordering the park or raised berms could come first in mind, local landscape depressions are typically underused. In this work, a case-study of a small suburban park, squeezed in between two major arterial roads, is analyzed. The spatially dependent road traffic noise exposure in the park is assessed in detail by mobile sound pressure level measurements. Local reductions of up to 6-7 dBA are found at landscape depressions of only a few meters deep. It can therefore be concluded that this is an efficient measure and should be added to the environmental noise control toolbox for noise polluted parks.

Natural Products from Madagascar, Socio-Cultural Usage, and Potential Applications in Advanced Biomedicine: A Concise Review

Natural products endowed of biological activity represent a primary source of commodities ranging from nutrition to therapeutic agents, as well as cosmetic tools and recreational principles. These natural means have been used by mankind for centuries, if not millennia. They are commonly used all over the world in socio-economical contexts, but are particularly attractive in disadvantaged areas or economically emerging situations all over the world. This is very likely due to the relatively easy recovery of these bioactive principles from the environment, at a low if any cost, as well as ease of administration and the general popular compliance concerning their consumption/ingestion. In this concise review, we focus on some popular bioactive principles of botanical origin which find a wide use in the Madagascan populations. However, due to space limitations, only some of the most common and largely diffused principles in this country are considered. Finally, a possible nanotechnological administration is discussed in the case where a potential therapeutic usage is envisaged.

Natural Products From Madagascar, Socio-Cultural Usage, and Potential Applications in Advanced Biomedicine: A Concise Review

Natural products endowed of biological activity represent a primary source of commodities ranging from nutrition to therapeutic agents, as well as cosmetic tools, and recreational principles. These natural means have been used by mankind since centuries if not millennia. They are commonly used all over the world and socio-economical contexts but are particularly attractive in disadvantaged area or economically emerging situations all over the world. This is very likely due to the relatively easy recovery of these bioactive principles from the environment, to the low if any cost as well as ease of administration and to the general popular compliance concerning their consumption/ingestion. In this concise review, we focus on some popular bioactive principles of botanical origin which find a wide use in the Madagascan populations. But, due to space limitations only some most common and largely diffused principles in this country are considered. Finally, a possible nanotechnological administration is discussed in the case where a potential therapeutic usage is envisaged.

Rhinolitiasis about 16 Cases and Review of the Literature

Rhino lithiasis is defined as a solid concretion secondary to the gradual deposition of calcium salt around an exogenous or endogenous central formation in the nasal cavity it is a relatively common condition in developing countries. We report a retrospective study spread over period of 9 years, from January 2012 to December 2020, relating to 16 cases of rhino lithiasis treated in our department. The protocol Included for each patient: an anamnesis, an ENT examination meticulous and systematic scam. Patients consulted for purulent and fetid rhinorrhea associated with nasal obstruction rhino lithiasis affected as many adults as children, the formal sex was affected in 68% of cases un favorable socioeconomic conditions were noted, in 75% of cases diagnostic times ranged from six months to ten years, the examination she the rhinolith as a grayish, hard concretion, unilateral in 15 cases ( 5 cases on the right an on the left ) and bilateral in one case in 2 cases, a foreign body was visualized on endonasal examination, the treatment consisted of an instrumental extraction by natural means (100% of cases) under general Anas the sea in 75% of cases the size of the rhinoliths varied between 5 to 30 mm in diameter. An underlying foreign body was found intraoperatively in 6 cases. Complication was rare (epistaxis: 3 cases), No recurrence was detected. It is always necessary to evoke a rhinolithiasis in front of a chronic unilateral fetid rhinnorhea with or without nasal obstruction on the same side. The nasosinus scanner confirms the diagnosis and helps to prepare the therapeutic strategy alongside the endonasal endocopic examination with the rigid optic which remains a means used both in diagnosis and in therapy.

Learning natural language interfaces with neural models

Language is the primary and most natural means of communication for humans. The learning curve of interacting with various services (e.g., digital assistants, and smart appliances) would be greatly reduced if we could talk to machines using human language. However, in most cases computers can only interpret and execute formal languages.

The DIY Principle in Home Improvement: Background, Motivation and Benefits

Producing objects for one’s own consumption is a major strand in the historical development of material culture. Making things with one’s own hands can be considered a natural means to satisfy human needs. In the present time, this form of production is covered by the term “do-it-yourself” (DIY). DIY has become a global social phenomenon, especially thanks to the opportunities enabled by the Internet. Websites provide a lively forum for discussion, sharing ideas, how-to guides, and galleries of the results of DIY projects. The present work addresses home improvement DIY projects carried out by individuals in Slovakia. The aim is to outline the background, motivation and inspiration of so called do-it-yourselfers, the DIY process and participants’ evaluation of their work. DIY is generally considered to be an activity for amateurs, which is to say people who engage in the activity in their free time, as opposed to professionals, who perform such activity as their job or to earn a living. Moreover, the paper also partly focuses on the relationship between amateurs and professionals which has shown to be the basic principle of current DIY home improvements. One of significant findings of the research showed that the individual experience of craftsmanship or craftwork and the individual need for self-expression appear to be important parts of the DIY experience. Research findings contribute to a better understanding of DIY production in the context of design as an academic discipline. The main research method used was a questionnaire titled “DIY home improvement”, which was drawn up on the model of prior research abroad.