Lower Strata Research Articles

Comparisons of age estimates from Strontium-isotope values versus other Chronostratigraphy methods

Strontium-isotope stratigraphy enables estimates of numerical dates for marine carbonate-bearing sediments by comparing their 87Sr/86Sr ratio to a reference curve of 87Sr/86Sr variations of global seawater through geologic time. That seawater reference curve is a published statistical LOWESS fit to a very large dataset (ca. 14,000) of 87Sr/86Sr measurements of carbonate fossils from known biozones which is converted to numerical ages using published timescales. In this study, we compute the numerical dates projected by this method for suites 87Sr/86Sr ratios from seven stratigraphic sections ranging from Ordovician through Oligocene. The strontium-isotope stratigraphy from the Dawangou section in Tarim Basin of NW China that hosts the Auxiliary GSSP for the base of the Late Ordovician is a new dataset; and the others are published datasets. These 87Sr/86Sr-derived dates are compared to those estimated for the same horizons in these sections by other chronostratigraphic methods, including cyclostratigraphy calibrated to radioisotopic dates and standard biochronostratigraphy. Except for a published study of Lower Triassic strata from Chaohu section in Anhui, China and Middle Devonian strata Jebel Mech Lrdane section of Morocco, all the 87Sr/86Sr-derived dates are within the estimated uncertainties of the dates from the other chronostratigraphic methods, thereby validating the usefulness of strontium-isotope stratigraphy as one tool for obtaining the ages of marine carbonate-bearing deposits. However, the datasets from all three Paleozoic sections (two Ordovician, one Devonian) did display a noticeable offset bias toward older ages, which may be partly an artifact of inadequate adjustment of the LOWESS reference curve to current age models for the biozones. The 87Sr/86Sr-derived dates from Chaohu section of Early Triassic conodont zones were unacceptably systematically younger by ca. 1.45 Myr; thereby indicating higher-than-expected 87Sr/86Sr values, which may have been partially the result of a combination of a semi-restricted basin that was slightly diluted by 87Sr-enriched fluvial waters from the chemical weathering of adjacent landmasses and of the laser ablation (LA-ICP-MS) analytical method applied to those samples that seems to yield higher 87Sr/86Sr ratios than the solution-mode ICP-MS method for 87Sr/86Sr measurements. In summary, with rare exceptions, the method of strontium-isotope stratigraphy and the statistical 87Sr/86Sr seawater curve is an important method to obtain semi-precise numerical dates from marine carbonate sediments.

Social Economic Mapping of Tilapia Farmer Communities at Lengkong Kulon Village Sindangwangi District Majalengka Regency

This study aims to compile socio-economic mapping and analyze socio-economic factors that influence tilapia farmer communities. The research was conducted from January 2023 to March 2023 in Lengkong Kulon Village, Sindangwangi District, Majalengka Regency. The method used is the survey method. Sampling using the purposive sampling technique was analyzed with descriptive qualitative. The results of the mapping are grouped into two aspects, namely social conditions and economic conditions. The social condition of fish farmers is that they are of productive age with a low level of education. Livelihoods as fish farmers are part-time. The aquaculture business is mostly done by men as breadwinners, while women play a role in carrying out domestic activities, the role of women in fish farming is only to help provide feed. The social stratification of the fish farmer community is in the lower strata as ordinary people. Farmers generally have a strong kinship based on family ties. The economic conditions of most fish farmers have income that is in the low category, which is less than IDR 5,000,000 per month. Social factors that hinder fish farming in developing their business are lack of counseling, lack of training, and livelihoods as fish farmers are part-time so they are not serious about carrying out the fish farming business. The economic factors that hinder fish farmers are the high prices of feed and seeds.

Two-stage emplacement mechanism and symmetrical differentiation process of mafic-ultramafic sills in an arc setting: A case study of the Middle Tonian rock assemblage from the Fanjingshan area

The emplacement and differentiation mechanisms are significant parts of understanding the evolution of a magmatic system. There is debate regarding the emplacement mechanism of long-distance lateral transport of magma. And the differentiation mechanisms mainly target the rock assemblage in mantle plume-related or rift-related settings. As yet, few studies had been followed in the arc setting. In this contribution, the mafic-ultramafic sills formed by long-distance lateral transport of magma in the Fanjingshan area in South China have been selected to decode the magmatic emplacement and differentiation mechanism in an arc system. Voluminous basaltic lava and mafic-ultramafic sills are emplaced, concordant to bedding, within the lower part of the Middle Tonian Fanjingshan Group and laterally extend for tens of kilometers. Some mafic-ultramafic sills display symmetrical lithology and geochemical distribution in vertical sections. We provide a detailed stratigraphy and geochemical analysis of the mafic-ultramafic sills of the Fanjingshan Group. The mafic sills within the underlying strata (the Taojinhe Formation) of the lower part of the Fanjingshan Group were intruded at 832 Ma, which is >8 Ma younger than the basaltic eruptions in the overlying strata (the Huixiangping Formation). Moreover, these mafic sills within the Taojinhe Formation have a positive ɛNd(t) value (+0.9 − +1.6), the lowest Platinum Group Elements (PGE) content and highest Rare Earth Elements (REE) content. Compared with other mafic sills and basalts within different formations (the Huixiangping, Xiaojiahe, and Yujiagou formations), mafic sills within the Taojinhe Formation display a separate field on the principal component analysis diagram, suggesting two stages of mafic magma emplacement with a short interval for the Fanjingshan Middle Tonian volcanic plumbing system. The magma channel of the first stage magma is subsequently used by the second stage magma as suggested by ɛNd(t) values and Nb-Ti anomalies. Although island arc magmas differ greatly from mantle plume magmas in volume, temperature and composition, the calculated dimensionless temperature and dimensionless flux of magma imply that the solidification can affect the formation of mafic-ultramafic sills in the island arc systems. At the same time, the difference in rigidity of the upper and lower strata is not the main reason to control the formation of the mafic-ultramafic sills as suggested by the statistical analysis of the mafic-ultramafic sills occurrence between different wall-rock lithology associations. Through the comparative study of the sills formed by the long-distance lateral transport of magma, it is proposed that the clastic wall-rock provides the first-order control for the sills formed by the long-distance lateral transport of magma. According to the detailed geochemical study of an M-shaped geochemical profile within the Huixiangping Formation, two steps of in situ crystallization model have been suggested. In the first step, minerals crystallizing from the inflowing magma on the floor and roof of mafic-ultramafic sills will become more primitive inwards. In the second step, the magma evolves both downward and upward by uninterrupted in situ crystallization in a closed system that results in the whole-rock becoming more evolved in composition inward.

V.S. Naipaul and His All-Male 4H Club

Slavery’s bloodstained gates simultaneously, and paradoxically, birthed a heritage of white hegemonic masculinity as well as the Afro-Caribbean man’s longing for retribution for Empire’s acute psychological emasculation. A subsequent emergent counter-hegemonic masculine figure claimed a heroism that was instrumental in creating an imperative of resistance. Many urban black men of the lower socioeconomic stratum utilized a hypermasculinity of sorts to assert this resistance. Humor became his coping technique as he grappled with the tensions, contentions, and collisions of colonial and postcolonial life. This article explores the interconnectedness of heritage, hegemony, hypermasculinity, and humor in shaping identities among representations of Empire-resistant Afro-Caribbean masculinities in V.S. Naipaul’s Miguel Street. The overarching aim is to underscore Naipaul’s implied androcentric philosophy regarding bodies, sexualities, and masculinities that plagued lower strata Afro-Caribbean men then and, quite possibly, today.

Central Oxygen Venous Saturation and Mortality in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) has been reported as a prognostic marker of in-hospital mortality when it is below 60% in certain situations. Nevertheless, it has not been widely reported in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). The study determined the association between ScvO2 and in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing CABG in a high-complexity health institution in Santiago de Cali, Colombia. A retrospective cohort study was conducted with patients undergoing isolated CABG. The subject sample included 515 subjects aged 18 years or older. Exposure was defined as ScvO2 <60% upon admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) following surgery. The major outcome was mortality rates after 30 days. Furthermore, exposure variables were measured at preoperative, intra-operative, and postoperative time points. A total of 103 exposed and 412 unexposed subjects were included. The final model revealed a higher mortality risk in individuals with ScvO2 <60% upon ICU admission compared with those with higher saturation levels (relative risk 4.2, 95% confidence interval: 2.4-7.2; p = 0.001). Values were adjusted using variables such as age (>75 years), low socioeconomic stratum, chronic kidney failure before surgery, unstable angina before surgery, ischemia time (>60 min), and intra-operative inotrope use. The primary cause of death was cardiogenic shock (54.7%), followed by sepsis (25.0%) and postoperative bleeding (17.2%). The study identified an association between ScvO2 <60% and in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing CABG.

Canopy leaf area and leaf mass in the upper stratum of Urochloa hybrid ‘Mavuno’ grass subjected to nitrogen fertilisation

AbstractNitrogen (N) inputs are recognised to maximise herbage mass (HM) in tropical perennial grasses, whereas less is clear on their impact on HM distribution and the effects on leaf mass (LM) and leaf area index (LAI) in the upper stratum. This 2 year study, carried out in Pirassununga, Brazil, assessed the HM distribution in the upper (&gt;20 cm) and lower (&lt;20 cm) strata in Urochloa hybrid ‘Mavuno’ grass maintained under similar pre‐ and post‐cutting canopy heights with contrasting N fertilisation rates applied after each cutting (no‐nitrogen, 15, 30, and 45 kg N ha−1). The relevance of specific leaf area (SLA), leaf N concentration (NLeaf), tiller weight (TW) and population density to the LM and LAI of the upper stratum were also examined. Mavuno grass expressed a stable HM &lt; 20 cm (59%–71% during Year I and 66%–80% for Year II), and apparent N fertilisation impacts on HM &gt; 20 cm were verified at specific regrowth cycles during Year II. Mavuno grass pastures expressed plasticity for adjustments on leaf, tiller and population attributes, which were modulated by both climatic conditions and N fertilisation. Under favourable growth conditions during Year I, fertilised pastures were able to sustain higher NLeaf and SLA but associated with lower TW, resulting in maximisation of LAI but not in LM in the upper stratum. During Year II, fertilised pastures expressed higher NLeaf, SLA, number of basal tillers, despite the lowest TW, which resulted in higher LAI and LM in the upper stratum compared with non‐fertilised pastures. Our results highlighted that adjustments on leaf and population attributes within the canopy were driven to maximise the upper stratum LAI, being positively affected by N fertilisation.

Evaluation effect of COMPERA 2.0 risk assessment model on prognosis of Chinese patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Objectives: To clarify the evaluation effect of COMPERA 2.0 risk assessment model on prognosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in China. Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed PAH admitted in Fuwai hospital between April 2019 and March 2022 were enrolled retrospectively and divided in low, intermediate-low, intermediate-high and high strata by scores of COMPERA 2.0 risk assessment model. All the patients were followed up by clinic or telephone. The primary endpoint was defined as a composite of all-cause mortality, exacerbated heart failure and aggravated symptoms. Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank trend test were used to determine the risk of endpoints among the 4 groups. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression were used to analyze the association between COMPERA 2.0 scores and prognosis in patients with PAH. Results: A total of 951 patients with PAH were enrolled in this study. The age [M (Q1, Q3)] of the patients was 35 (28, 47) years, of which 706 cases (74.2%) were females. A total of 328 cases (34.5%) were assigned in low strata, 264 cases (27.8%) in intermediate-low strata, 193 cases (20.3%) in intermediate-high strata, and 166 cases (17.5%) in high strata. During the duration [M (Q1, Q3)] of follow-up after discharge of 1.8 (1.0, 2.8) years, the primary endpoint was occurred in 12.8% (42/328), 21.2% (56/264), 28.5% (55/193) and 42.8% (71/166) of low, intermediate-low, intermediate-high and high strata, respectively. The rates of primary endpoint were significantly increased with strata rising (P<0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression showed that COMPERA 2.0 risk scores were associated with the primary endpoints in PAH patients (HR=1.801, 95%CI: 1.254-2.588, P=0.001) after adjusting confounders. Conclusion: COMPERA 2.0 risk assessment model is a simple and effective tool for evaluating the prognosis of newly diagnosed PAH patients in China.

Barrier function and ultrastructure characteristics of epidermis in patients with primary cutaneous amyloidosis.

Previous studies on primary cutaneous amyloidosis (PCA) have mainly focused on exploring genetic mutation and components of amyloid in patients with PCA. However, studies on skin barrier function in PCA patients are scarce. Here, we detected the skin barrier function in PCA patients and healthy people by using noninvasive techniques and characterized ultrastructural features of PCA lesions compared with healthy people using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The expression of proteins related to skin barrier function was examined by immunohistochemistry staining. A total of 191 patients with clinically diagnosed PCA and 168 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. Our analysis revealed that all investigated lesion areas displayed higher transepidermal water loss and pH values, and lower Sebum levels and stratum corneum hydration levels in PCA patients compared with the same site area in healthy individuals. The TEM results showed that the intercellular spaces between the basal cells were enlarged and the number of hemidesmosomes decreased in PCA lesions. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of integrin α6 and E-cadherin in PCA patients was less than that in healthy controls, while no differences in the expression of loricrin and filaggrin were observed. Our study revealed that individuals with PCA displayed skin barrier dysfunction, which may be related to alterations in epidermal ultrastructure and a decrease in the skin barrier-related protein E-cadherin. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying skin barrier dysfunction in PCA remain to be elucidated.

Factors of Intergenerational Social Mobility in Lithuania: Searches of Expert Opinion Consensus

Social mobility is influenced by many factors. Studies show that Lithuania is among the countries with the same number of upward and downward social mobility. This shows that there is social inequality in the country, which especially affects people from the lower socio-economic strata. Considering the fact that previous studies of social mobility did not analyse the factors of this phenomenon based on the qualitative approach of data collection and analysis, this article, based on the Delphi method, seeks a consensus of views expressed by experts – the most important barriers and factors of social mobility. The results show that a family and neighbourhood environment that does not form positive social skills is one of the main obstacles to social mobility, moreover, opportunities are limited due to insufficient funding for social protection, high levels of inequality, the fragmentation of complex assistance and the lack of other social services.

A Middle Ordovician Burgess Shale-type fauna from Castle Bank, Wales (UK).

Burgess Shale-type faunas are critical to our understanding of animal evolution during the Cambrian, giving an unrivalled view of the morphology of ancient organisms and the ecology of the earliest animal-dominated communities. Rare examples in Lower Ordovician strata such as the Fezouata Biota illustrate the subsequent evolution of ecosystems but only from before the main phase of the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event. Later Ordovician Konservat-Lagerstätten are not directly comparable with the Burgess Shale-type faunas as they do not represent diverse, open-shelf communities, limiting our ability to track ecological development through the critical Ordovician biodiversification interval. Here we present the Castle Bank fauna: a highly diverse Middle Ordovician Burgess Shale-type fauna from Wales (UK) that is directly comparable with the Burgess Shale and Chengjiang biotas in palaeoenvironment and preservational style. The deposit includes animals with morphologies similar to the iconic Cambrian taxa Opabinia, Yohoia and Wiwaxia, combined with early examples of more derived groups such as barnacles. Many taxa such as kinorhynchs show the small sizes typical of modern faunas, illustrating post-Cambrian miniaturization. Castle Bank provides a new perspective on early animal evolution, revealing the next chapter in ecosystem development following the Chengjiang, Burgess Shale and Fezouata biotas.

Dynamic Response Analysis of Roadway Surrounding Rock Induced by Dynamic Load under the Action of Hard and Thick Rock Stratum

In the process of coal seam mining, there are often hard thick key layers in the overlying strata. Due to the high strength and good integrity of the hard thick key layer, after the hard thick key layer is broken, the overlying strata will collapse and lose stability in a large area, which is very easy to induce dynamic disasters such as rock burst, mine earthquake, coal wall caving, and roof slab caving. Aiming at the hard and thick key layer overlying the working face, the dynamic response of the mine under the strong mine earthquake induced by the breaking of the main key layer of high-level magmatic rock is numerically simulated and analyzed by using FLAC2D numerical simulation software, and the variation laws of the stress field, displacement field, and velocity field of the coal seam roadway under different boundary conditions and different focal heights are studied. The research shows that the roof of solid coal roadway is prone to vibration in a small range, and the displacement increases and decreases with the disturbance. The displacement of the floor and two sides of the solid coal roadway and the top floor and two sides of the roadway along the goaf continues to increase in the initial stage of the disturbance, and the displacement will remain stable with the continuation of the disturbance. The displacement of both sides and roof and floor of gob roadway can reach stability in the later stage of disturbance, and with the increase of the number of adjacent goaf, the longer it takes for the displacement of surrounding rock to reach stability. When the focal height is lower than 90 m, the variation of surrounding rock response increases sharply with the decrease of focal height. When a strong earthquake occurs in the low rock stratum, the impact damage of roadway surrounding rock is almost inevitable. The influence degree of strong earthquake on the stability of roadway surrounding rock is arranged as follows: gob-side roadway (mined out on one side) &gt; solid coal roadway (mined out on both sides) &gt; solid coal roadway (mined out on one side). The evolution process also shows that the working face boundary conditions have an important influence on the energy propagation of mine earthquake. With the increase of the number of adjacent goafs, the faster the energy attenuation rate of mine earthquake propagation is. The research results have important reference significance for the safe mining of working face under similar geological conditions.

Tracking the Effects: Examining the Opportunity Stratification Hypothesis in Action

The relationship between academic tracking and exclusionary discipline actions has only been studied in a limited number of empirical studies. By placing students at the lower strata, schools deprive them of the educational opportunities, widening the educational opportunity gap in a process we define as “opportunity stratification.” Using a quantitative analysis of data from the Educational Longitudinal Study, we found students in low-track, non-college preparatory courses had higher odds of experiencing both in-school and out-of-school suspensions when compared to students in the high-track, college preparatory courses. Our findings support the intersecting role of exclusionary discipline and tracking in opportunity stratification.

The Jinlianshan Graveyard and Its Role in the Study of the Dong Son – Dian Civilization

The article presents the results of the excavation and studying of the materials from the Jinlianshan graveyard in Yuxi prefecture-level city (Yunnan Province, PRC). The significant part of the site belongs to the late period of Dian Culture (other name: Shizhaishan Culture), which, according to the found bronze coins and seal, dates from the end of 2 nd century BC to the beginning of 1 st century AD. The site was a cemetery of the population with a complex organization and social differentiation, and probably had close ties with the nearby settlement of Xueshan. Two aristocratic graves, as well as burials of representatives of the middle and lower social strata were identified in its composition. Bronze and bimetallic weapons were found in about half of the male graves, which probably indicate that during their lifetime the deceased were part of the local militia. An important feature of this cemetery is the abundance of bone remains of the dead, including those in the secondary burials, which is generally not typical for graveyards of the Dian Culture. The reasons for this characteristic feature are not entirely clear, and data from further morphological and paleogenetic anthropological analysis are needed to determine them. These prove to be opportunities for future research. At the same time, it should be emphasized that the information already obtained provides a solid basis for a more detailed reconstruction of the Dian culture, and the overall picture of the ethno-cultural development of Greater Southeast Asia, as well.

Early vegetation recovery following a mid to high‐severity fire in the Andean‐Patagonian forests

AbstractA change in fire regimes is occurring worldwide, affecting post‐fire succession. Under this context, there is an increasing need to prioritize restoration areas and focus on their particular goals. To assess the emergent understorey represents the first approximation of post‐fire re‐vegetation, necessary to establish appropriate restoration guidelines. In this study, we aimed to assess the initial post‐fire response in a mid to high‐severity fire in the Andean‐Patagonian forests. We (1) compared plant community structure among fire severities, (2) evaluated the response of plant community structure to the interaction between fire severity and forest type, (3) compared plant composition among fire severity‐forest type categories and (4) evaluated woody species regeneration after fire. We found that the vegetation cover of the lower stratum began to recover early after the fire and to a greater extent in mid than in high severity, whereas the upper stratum was incipient in the mid and nil in high severity. Native species predominated in burned and unburned plots, although they were less in the burned plots. Among the growth form, shrubs and trees were similarly affected by fire, independently of the forest type. Plant community composition varied among most fire severity‐forest type categories. The frequency of woody species regenerated by resprouts and by seeds was lower in burned than unburned plots. These results suggest that although there is an early recovery of vegetation, the high cover of exposed soil and the loss of the upper vegetation stratum may favour erosion and difficult tree establishment. Besides, tree species that only regenerate from seeds will probably not recover naturally. In addition, the presence of exotic species with high invasive risk may need control. Thus, since fire severity and forest type may drive different post‐fire natural recovery scenarios, different restoration actions should be taken to promote resilient systems for the future.

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Contributes to Accurate Risk Assessment in Patients with Low-risk Pulmonary Hypertension

Background: European guidelines for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) stratify the risk using clinical characteristics and complementary studies, including the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). This takes into account 3 parameters: peak O2 con-sumption (peak VO2), its percentage with respect to the predicted VO2, and the minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2) slope. However, none of the models that validated this way of stratifying risk included PCPE among their variables. Objectives: To determine what proportion of patients with group I PAH considered to be at low risk and who walk &gt;440 meters in the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) have parameters considered to be of moderate or high risk in the PCPE. Methods: Patients &gt;18 years of age, diagnosed with group I PAH at low risk of events, who walked &gt;440 meters in the 6MWT and had NT-proBNP value &lt; 300 pg/dL were included. A CPET was performed in which the peak VO2, its percentage with respect to the predicted VO2, and the VE/VCO2 slope were recorded. It was determined what proportion of patients presented these parameters in a higher than low risk stratum (peak VO2 consumption ≤15 ml/min/Kg, its percentage with respect to the predicted VO2≤65% and the VE/VCO2 slope ≥ 36).Results: Eighteen patients were included. Despite being low-risk patients with a good functional class, all patients presented a peak VO2 less than 85% of predicted, which determines a deterioration of functional capacity. A single patient (6%) presented the three parameters evaluated at low risk, 8 patients (44%) had at least one altered parameter, 7 patients (39%) presented 2 altered param-eters and in 2 patients (11%) all parameters were altered. The parameters that were most frequently altered were the percentage of predicted peak VO2 and the VE/VCO2 slope in 67% of the cases. Only 4 patients presented a peak VO2 &lt;15 ml/kg/m. No patient presented peak VO2 values or percentage of predicted VO2 in the high-risk category. However, 6 patients (33%) presented a high-risk VE/VCO2 slope. Conclusion: Majority (92%) of the patients considered low risk and who walk more than 440 meters in 6 minutes presented at least one altered variable in the CPET. The VE/VCO2 slope and the percentage of predicted peak VO2 consumption were the most fre-quently altered variables. The VE/VCO2 slope was the only one...

Leaf and Stomata Morphometrics of Gayam Inocarpus fagifer (Fabaceae) at Different Altitudes

Gayam (Inocarpus fagifer) is one of the members of the angiosperm flora in Ambon City, Indonesia, that grows and develops at various altitudes. This research aimed to analyze the leaf and stomata morphometrics of these plants in the Aer Louw and Ema Village areas. Leaf samples were taken from the upper, middle, and lower strata and considered as replicates. The morphometric characteristics were measured manually using millimeter block paper and the formula for calculating leaf ratio. Furthermore, the stomata were stained using the direct incision method and safranin. The incision results were analyzed using an Olympus CX23 microscope at 400x magnification. The measurement and observation were analyzed descriptively and correlatively. The results showed that the average leaf width and length, also the midrib length were greater in Aer Louw Village than in Ema Village; while the leaf tip and stalk length were greater in Ema Village than in Aer Louw Village. The characteristics of stomata length and width in Ema Village were greater than in Aer Louw Village; otherwise, the number, index, and density of stomata in Aer Louw Village were greater than in Ema Village. Meanwhile, the correlational analysis showed that the environment influenced the variations of leaves and stomata. Therefore, the variations of leaves and stomata in the areas could predict plant adaptations to different environments.

Population dynamics of the mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (acarina: tetranychidae) under acaricide treatment on two varieties of peach and one variety of nectarine in the province of El-Hajeb (Morocco)

The population dynamics of Tetranychus urticae Koch on two varieties of peach (Prunus persica var. Royal Majestic, and Prunus persica var. Kaweah) and one variety of nectarine (Prunus persica var. nucipersica var. Zephyr) were monitored for three years from 2019 to 2022. The results of this study showed that over the course of these three years, infestation peaks occurred in March and declined later in October. For all three varieties, the infestation profile varied from year to year. The Royal Majestic variety was the most infested by T. urticae, with average infestation percentages of 57.06%, 44.11%, and 50.97%, respectively during the three years. As for the two other varieties, the infestation was less pronounced during the three years with average infestation percentages of 31%, 15.42%, and 15.50% on Kaweah and 5.31%, 29.21%, and 26.06% on Zephyr. The results of intra-plant infestation showed that during that during this study periods, the lower stratum was the one with the highest average infestation percentages, with average infestation percentages of 57.29%, 26.08%, and 28.37% respectively on the Royal Majestic, Zephyr, and Kaweah varieties. Concerning the middle stratum, the percentages of infestation are 53.19%, 19.42%, and 19.96% respectively for the Royal Majestic, Zephyr, and Kaweah varieties. For the upper stratum the percentages of infestation are 47.87%, 11.56%, and 9.54% respectively for the Royal Majestic, Zephyr, and Kaweah varieties.

Environmental and individual determinants of burrow-site microhabitat selection, occupancy, and fidelity in eastern chipmunks living in a pulsed-resource ecosystem.

Habitat selection has major consequences on individual fitness, particularly selection for breeding sites such as nests or burrows. Theory predicts that animals will first use optimal habitats or rearrange their distribution by moving to higher-quality habitats whenever possible, for instance when another resident disperses or dies, or when environmental changes occur. External constraints, such as predation risk or resource abundance, and interindividual differences in age, sex and body condition can lead to variation in animals' perception of habitat quality. Following habitat use by individuals over their lifetime is thus essential to understand the causes of variation in habitat selection within a population. We used burrow occupancy data collected over eight years to assess burrow-site selection in a population of wild eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) relying on pulsed resources. We first compared characteristics of burrow microhabitats with those of equivalent unused plots. We then investigated the factors influencing the frequency of burrow occupation over time, and the individual and environmental causes of annual burrow fidelity decisions. Our results indicate that chipmunks select microhabitats with a greater number of woody debris and greater slopes. Microhabitats of burrows with higher occupancy rates had a lower shrub stratum, were less horizontally opened and their occupants' sex-ratio was skewed towards males. Burrow fidelity was higher in non-mast years and positively related to the occupant's age, microhabitat canopy cover and density of large red maples. The quality of a burrow microhabitat appears to be determined in part by characteristics that favour predation avoidance, but consideration of occupancy and fidelity patterns over several years also highlighted the importance of including individual and contextual factors in habitat selection studies.

MANAGEMENT OF DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS AND RELATED COMPLICATIONS: A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Introduction Foot ulceration and its complications are one of the major complications attributing to the hospital admission, with overall prevalence of about 4 -10% and even higher in geriatric population (5-10%).With the lifetime risk of 15%,it contributes as a major factor of morbidity and not infrequently leading to severe adverse outcomes, such as amputation and life threatening sepsis.The study was aimed at analyzing the prevalence of diabetic foot infection,its complications and outcomes of different treatment modalities available in a tertiary care center.Material and Methods A prospective observational study of 12 month duration was conducted among 100 patients having a history of diabetes and diagnosed with diabetic foot ulcer undergoing treatment in the surgery department of a tertiary care center in Jammu.The period of study was Feb 2022 to Feb 2023.Prior to the study an informed written consent and approval of the ethics committee was obtained. Results The incidence of diabetic foot ulcers peaks at the 5th decade of life with the mean age in our study being 53.17±10.2 years.A predominance in the male population (m:f ratio=2.57:1) and higher risk in the lower socio-economic strata was also noticed. The most common presenting complaint being ulcer (96%) and discharge (67%).Culture positivity was seen in 80% of the patients with Staph.Aureus being the most common causative organism. The main stray of treatment involved debridement and amputation (31%) followed by Split thickness skin grafting (30%). No adverse events were noted during the course of study. Conclusion Being a menace in developing countries,diabetes mellitus,a disease with life threatening and physically incapacitating consequences which not only increases the patient morbidity but also substantially increases the economic burden. Provision of precise counseling and a multidisciplinary line of action can lessen the complication and amputation rate, and is therefore recommended, along with the incorporation of diabetic foot management guidelines into the routine practice and teaching

Private Expenditure on Education in India: National Level Analysis Exploring NSSO Survey (CES and SCE) Estimates

Education being a public good calls for higher public investment. In India, there is a growing trend towards private expenditure on education. The present article examines the trends of private expenditure on education based on the NSSO-Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) and Social Consumption on Education (SC-E) survey estimates for the period 1986–1987 to 2017–2018. The analysis reveals the rising share of private expenditure on education in GDP and total household consumption expenditure (HCE) indicating its faster growth over GDP and/or HCE. There is a positive association between income level and per capita private expenditure on education. In the case of bottom economic strata, per capita private expenditure on education and its share in their total HCE is rising faster. The ratio of per capita private expenditure on education of the top 10% to the bottom 10% is high but decreasing over time, indicating lower economic strata are spending a higher proportion of their income on education vis-à-vis upper economic strata.