Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Eragrostis Curvula Effects On Above And Below-Ground Plant Species Richness And Diversity, Jed Brown, A. Merchant, L. Ingram

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Monitoring and managing the soil seed bank is fundamental to land management as it constitutes the future generations of invasive plant communities. Invasive plants have traits that result in high recruitment through increased seed generation, short seed dormancy and phenotypic plasticity. Furthermore, invasive plants with growth forms that inhibit the growth and recruitment of other species can lead to monocultures and associated reduction in above-ground biodiversity, potentially negatively impacting the soil seed bank diversity and ecosystem functions and services. Eragrostis curvula is one such species that has many of these invasive traits, including high propagule generation, and can exclude plant …

The Importance Of Forage Legume Epigenetics In The Anthropocene, J. Brady, J. P. Muir, A. Falk

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

As climates change and economic as well as ecological pressures to produce more ruminant product on less land in the Anthropocene increase, the importance of using cutting-edge methods for forage legume improvement grows. The immediate return rate and turnaround on investment is likely greater for multi-species incorporation into grasslands but focusing on intraspecific variability and diversity could also contribute. The role of forage legumes in cultivated pasture and rangeland biodiversity as well as stability depends on genetics as well as management. Their epigenetics, however, may become increasingly important as climatic extremes and ecological pressures grow due to human-induced factors. Unfortunately, …

Identification And Characteristics Of Phosphate-Solubilizing Endophytic Bacteria From Root Nodules Of Lespedeza Daurica, K. Y. Yang, C. Huang, P. Gao, Y. P. Liang, Y. P. Han, X. Zhao

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Endophytic phosphate-solubilizing bacteria from root nodules could promote stress resistance, nodulation and nitrogen fixation. In this study, nodule endophytic bacteria of Lespedeza daurica were isolated by plate streaking, the bacteria with phosphate-solubilizing abilities were selected and the phosphate-solubilizing abilities were determined. The results showed that 88 endophytic bacterial strains were isolated and among which 11 strains possessed phosphate-solubilizing abilities. The organic phosphorus solubility of TG41, TG43, TG47 and TG68 were 0.73~0.86 μg·mL^-1 ; the inorganic phosphorus solubility of TG47 and TG68 were 72.97 and 1.29 μg·mL^-1 , respectively. The four strains were identified as effective phosphate-solubilizing bacteria. TG41 …

Rangeland Health Status And Condition Two Different Yet Complementary Concepts: National Reserve Pampa Galeras Barbara D´Achille Case, R. Zárate, E. R. Flores

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Pampa Galeras Barbara D´Achille National Reserve has an extension of 21,030 hectares constituted mainly by puna rangeland and has played a key role in the recovery of the vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) population from extinction. This reserve is divided into two zones, known as the Rigid zone with a total area of 6,500 ha, and the Buffer zone of 14,530 ha. The present study aimed to implement an Ecological Response Unit system (ERU) to create an evaluation and monitoring system of rangeland health and condition, that could serve as a model for the rest of the Protected National Areas …

Assessing The Usefulness Of Senna Obtusifolia, An Invasive Plant Species In West Africa Rangelands, A. Zaré, O. Ouédraogo, A. Linstädter

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Senna obtusifolia is a less appreciated plant species. Its invasion has led to the disappearance of several herbaceous species of interest in West Africa rangelands. As adaptation strategy, people use it to substitute for those that have disappeared. This study aimed to assess the importance of this species for animal and local ethnic groups according to two contrast climate zones in Burkina Faso. Ethnobotanic survey mixed with direct observations on the field were conducted. Three hundred (300) people from height (8) ethnic groups were interviewed. The survey technique was semi-structured interviews using a previously tested semi-structured questionnaire. At the early …

Responses Of Plant Functional Diversity To Long-Term Warming And Nitrogen Addition In A Desert Steppe, Y. Zhu, L. Tian, H. Y. Ren, G. D. Han

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Plant functional traits are closely related to ecosystem functions, and can indicate changes in ecosystem functions. Plant functional diversity is an important component of biodiversity, which can more accurately predict the changes of ecosystem functions or processes than species diversity, and is the main determinant of ecosystem functions or processes. In order to study the impact of global climate change factors (i.e., warming and nitrogen deposition) on the plant functional diversity in a desert steppe, we conducted a long-term warming and nitrogen addition experiment in northern China for 15 years (2006 - 2020). In 2020, we measured the plant height, …

Evaluating Herbicides For The Control Of Multiflora Rose And Autumn Olive In Eastern Ohio, C. Zoller, D. Kreager, T. G. Wiseman, C. Martin, A. Essman, C. Gelley, C. Little, M. Loux

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Invasive plants cause billions of dollars annually in damage, displace desirable plants, and reduce available land area for livestock grazing. Multiflora rose and autumn olive are two such species prevalent across the Eastern United States. Originally introduced for livestock containment and erosion control, these plants have become widespread, resulting in reduced animal grazing. The Eastern Agricultural Research Station (EARS) is located in Southeast Ohio and is owned by The Ohio State University. Much of the more than 2,000 acres has a history of surface mining and was reclaimed with the planting of multiflora rose and autumn olive. These plants have …

Expansionary Fiscal Contraction Hypothesis: An Evidence From Pakistan, Aisha Irum

CBER Conference

The fiscal sector in Pakistan has been facing mule-layered challenges over several years. One of the reasons is the stubborn and unproductive nature of its public expenditure, and the other one is the lower tax revenues. This issue of hovering fiscal deficit is mostly dealt with the tools of fiscal contraction/austerity which can have a potential impact on the private sector of the economy. Thus, the question which has been addressed in this study is whether the Expansionary Fiscal Contraction (EFC) hypothesis holds in case of Pakistan. Fiscal contraction episodes have been identified using growth in the growth rates of …

Demand Analysis Of Energy Mix In District Kotli Azad Jammu And Kashmir, Pakistan, Syed Kafait Hussain Naqvi

CBER Conference

This study is an effort to empirically analyze the household’s demand for energy mix (electricity, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), kerosene, and firewood) in the District Kotli, AJK. The study estimates the demand elasticities (price and expenditure) by employing the Linear Approximate Almost Ideal Demand System (LA-AIDS) to 384 households sampled across District Kotli, AJK in 2017. The empirical estimations are carried out by using the Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR), keeping intact the adding-up, homogeneity and symmetry restrictions.

Resource Scarcity And Sustainability: Exploring The Water, Energy And Food Nexus, Madiha Hussaini, Riffat Mughal

CBER Conference

This paper focuses on understanding the significance, linkage, issues and prospects of food, water, and energy nexus in the context of Pakistan. It aims to facilitate in exploring measures and developing policies that can be adopted to ensure these essential resources’ management, usage and availability while meeting the sustainable development goals. The Pakistan’s data used for GLS was from 1991 to 2020. The results showed that the availability of freshwater withdrawals in Pakistan for agriculture irrigation, population, and agricultural land has a positive and significant impact on the Food Production Index.

Understanding The Non-Traditional Security Dimensions: Cyber Threat Landscape In Pakistan, Minhas Majeed Khan

CBER Conference

The research analyzes the vulnerabilities and consequences of cyber-attacks on essential infrastructure sectors such as energy, telecommunications, and finance, which are vital for the country’s stability and development. It also evaluates the economic, political, and social effects of cyber incidents on the country’s governance and society. Moreover, the research assesses the current cyber security measures and frameworks in Pakistan and identifies the gaps and opportunities for improvement.

Accentuating The Significance Of Individual Opinions And Indigenous Knowledge About Various Environmental Issues In Pakistan, Muhammad Faisal Ali, Sobia Rose

CBER Conference

The overarching goal was to investigate individual perceptions and opinions about different environmental challenges including climate change. The responsibility and trust on key stakeholders, that are responsible to minimize the negative consequences of climate change, was also identified. For this purpose, data were collected by interviewing 605 students from different universities of Lahore, belonging to diverse educational backgrounds and geographic regions in Pakistan.

Biochemical Characterization Of A Fructosyltransferase Enzyme From A Halophilic Archaeon, Haloarcula Marismotui, For Biotechnological Applications, Ahlam Khalifa Al Ameri

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Fructosyltransferase enzymes are involved in the production of fructans, which are polymers of fructose and naturally present in many foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and cereals. Fructans with short chain lengths are called Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), which are small dietary fibers having low caloric values and are known as “prebiotics”. Fructans have a broad range of applications in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and chemical industries. They have unique physicochemical properties and functionalities depending on the source of enzyme used for their production. The present study aimed at the utilization of a recently discovered unique fructosyltransferase enzyme from an extremely halophilic microorganism, …

Measuring Jupiter’S Wind From Cassini Spacecraft Observations, Malak Ali Nazmi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The Jupiter’s atmosphere has remarkable features like Great Red Spot, and strong dynamic events takes place on its atmosphere for hundreds of years. We have a set 280 images of Cassini spacecraft December 2000 of southern and northern hemisphere of Jupiter planet which were taken by four distinct filters with a wide range of wavelengths extending from 455 nm to 889 nm to study the Great Red Spot dynamics and measure the velocity fields using Correlation Imaging Velocimetry technique. To understand the mechanism of energy transfer between eddies and jets which governs the Jupiter’s atmosphere for a long time, it …

Radio Emission From Low Mass Active Galactic Nuclei, Ammara Aftab

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Massive black holes of a few million to billion solar masses lurk at the centers of the most present-day massive galaxies but their origin is still unknown. The low mass galaxies (M* ~ 3x10⁹ M_ʘ ) hosting black holes with masses ranging from 10³ to 10⁵ M_ʘ are ideal laboratories to test the models of black hole formation and they may help in understanding the coevolution of central black holes with their host galaxies. In this thesis, we have developed a detailed theoretical model/framework to estimate the radio emission from low mass active galactic nuclei …

Commissioning Of The Uaeu Radio Array And Pilot Low-Frequency Radio Astronomy Studies, Aisha Ali Alnaqbi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

As part of the UAEU Radio Astronomy Pathway Project, a 256-element Ground-based Radio Array Facility was deployed at the UAEU. A comprehensive exploration of radio astronomy, and investigations on existing radio arrays, emphasizing low-frequency radio signals and the challenges faced at this range, are crucial for the commissioning phase of the array. A core aspect discussed is the vital role of coaxial cables in preserving the integrity of low-frequency radio signals. To address the electrical length differences between the coaxial cable pairs used to connect the array’s beamformers in the field to the beamformer controllers in the control room, precise …

Modification Of Cellulose Fibers By Acyl Grafting For Oil Spill Remediation, Fatima Saif Alhumaidi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Oil spills represent a significant source of aquatic pollution with substantial repercussions on the environment as well as the economic and societal well-being of coastal communities. This research project is focused on the utilization of chemically modified cellulose-based fibers to remediate oilcontaminated water. The hydroxyl groups present in cellulose were acetylated under optimized conditions, thereby rendering the fibers hydrophobic and enhancing their affinity for crude oil. The modified cellulosic material was characterized by several physical and chemical techniques (IR, TGA, contact angle measurement, SEM, and back titration) to determine the extent of acylation and assess their morphological properties. The derivatized …

Large Language Model Use Cases For Instruction, Plus A Primer On Prompt Engineering, Roy Haggerty, Justin Cochran

LSU Health New Orleans Symposium Series on Artificial Intelligence

AMA Credit Designation Statement: The Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

NCPD Credit Designation Statement: Nursing participants may earn 1.0 NCPD contact hours. Each nursing participant must be present for the entire session for which NCPD contact hours are requested and must complete an evaluation of the session to receive credit.

Opening Speech, Ray Smith

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

https://youtu.be/CbRcQzf5z0o?si=ESOHxXF-jFsYMw2A

Biodiversity—The Birds And The Bees And Healthy Grasslands, D. Borrenpohl, Pat D. Keyser

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Losses in biodiversity abound in modern agroecosystems, and biodiversity loss hampers ecosystem function and primary productivity comparable to abiotic stress. One of the most endangered ecosystems in the world is North American tallgrass prairie, and native birds and pollinators that historically depended on tallgrass prairie are in precipitous decline. Fortunately, native warm-season grasses that dominated tallgrass prairie present a valuable opportunity for summer forage to beef producers in the Eastern United States—a time when coolseason grasses endure a lack in productivity called the “summer slump.” Tallgrass prairie was sustained by periodic disturbance from grazing and fire, and combining fire and …

The Soil Health Properties Of Native Grasslands, C. Bitler, Pat Keyser

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Due to an increased interest in soil health and the role soils can have in carbon sequestration, native grasslands are getting heightened attention. Native grasslands are known for their deep top-soils that develop over time through the accumulation of soil organic matter. The deep and fibrous root systems that make up two-thirds of the biomass of native grasslands are the primary contributors to the soil organic carbon (SOC) content of grassland soils. Increased SOC content has a cascading effect on soil health metrics through increasing water infiltration and water holding capacity, supporting diverse and abundant soil microbial life, and improving …

Using Functional Ecology To Predict Restoration Success In Managed Grasslands, J. Bergman

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Plants have developed remarkable functional variation over evolutionary time to cope with different environmental conditions. As a result, functional variation – measurable as functional traits above and below ground – can be found within but also among grassland communities today. The functional space covered by a community is thereby restricted by environmental factors while each single species within the community inhabits a specific niche with a certain breadth along different environmental gradients. Data from field sampling in European grasslands have shown, that species intraspecific functional variation can cover considerable amounts of possible functional spaces, hence holding the potential to establish …

Toxic Plants In Grasslands And Their Impact On Livestock, A. C. Barr

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Grasslands are critical infrastructure for most cow/calf operations. Quality and abundance of pasture grasses directly influence livestock rate of gain, thereby affecting livestock margins and production costs, which determine the profitability of stocker operations. Successful cattlemen control weeds to preserve healthy pasture but also to prevent plant poisonings that may reduce individual animal performance or cause fatalities. Integrated Toxic Plant Management (ITPM) programs teach ranchers to identify the potentially toxic plants, recognize symptoms of plant poisonings, and use appropriate strategies to control those plants. Toxic plants can produce a range of effects in cattle and other grazing species. Nightshades ( …

Response Of Reproductive Phenology To Soil Water Content Of Stipa Breviflora Under Warming And Nitrogen Application, L. Bai, H. Y. Ren, G. D. Han

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Plant phenology is considered as the most direct and sensitive characteristic indicators of plant response to regional climate change. Based on the observation data of phenology and soil water content of Stipa breviflora in an experimental platform of warming and nitrogen application in Inner Mongolia desert steppe from 2009 to 2019. The results showed that warming and nitrogen application significantly advanced the reproductive phenological period (P < 0.001), and the interaction of warming and nitrogen application promoted the advance of reproductive phenological period (P < 0.05).

Conference Agenda, Igc

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

No abstract provided.

Modelling Basal Area Of Perennial Grasses In Australian Semi-Arid Wooded Grasslands, S. G. Marsden, K. C. Hodgkinson

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

In many semi-arid pastoral systems, landscape processes easily become dysfunctional. Shifts to less functional states may be irreversible, and have long-term consequences for pastoral profitability and social viability of rural communities. Typically, shifts to lower functional states involve a decline in perennial grasses (Hodgkinson, 1994). Here we develop a conceptual basis for modelling the basal area of perennial grasses in a semi-arid grassland and validate the model using data from a 10-year grazing study.

The Effect Of Manipulated Conservation Margins In Intensively Grazed Dairy Paddocks On The Biodiversity Of Pteromalidae And Braconidae (Hymenoptera: Parasitica), A. Anderson, G. Purvis, A. Helden, H. Sheridan

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Conserving field margins provides an opportunity to enhance biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. The parasitoid Hymenoptera represent one of the most diverse and biologically specialised of all insect groups and play an important role in insect pest control (LaSalle & Gauld, 1993). The diversity of parasitiods in any habitat is theoretically likely to reflect the diversity of host taxa. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of field margin manipulations on the diversity of parasitoids as a wider indication of effects on general arthropod diversity.

Plant Diversity Patterns Along Altitudinal Gradient In Understory Communities Of Darkesh Region, Bojnord, Iran, A. Arjmandi, H. Ejtehadi, F. Memariani, Mansour Mesdaghi

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The ecotone region of Darkesh with an area of 22,500 hectares is located in the Irano-Turanian xeric-continental bioclimatic zone of Khorassan-Kopet Dagh. To investigate the plant diversity patterns of understory communities along three elevation classes of 1100-1600, 1600-2100, and 2100-2600 m, 187 plots were sampled randomly and abundance and cover of species were recorded using 4-m² plots. Beta diversity and Hill indices were calculated by using R and PAST software. A total of 252 species were recorded including 31 perennial grasses. The most abundant grasses were Poa nemoralis, Poa bulbosa, Bromus sterilis, Brachypodium sylvaticum, and Dactylis glomerata subsp. glomerata …

Using Genetic Diversity In Deep Root Systems Of Perennial Forage Grasses And Rice To Capture Carbon In Tropical Soils, J. Arango, Daniel M. Villegas, R. N. Jauregui, J. A. Cardoso, C. Costa Jr., C. Rebolledo, M. F. Alvarez, M. Selvaraj, L. Rodriguez, M. Mayorga, P. Chavarriaga, A. Notenbaert, M. Quintero, M. Da Silva, Manabu Ishitani, M. Peters, I. Rao, Joe Tohme

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Agricultural soils have the potential not only to be sinks of carbon dioxide (CO₂) but also to mitigate the emissions of this gas to the atmosphere, thus, alleviating global warming. Perennial tropical grasses and rice upland and lowland varieties exhibit a large untapped genetic diversity in their root systems (e.g., deep rooting ability, exudation rates and chemical composition) that, if unlocked, could contribute to increased food production in crop-livestock systems while enhancing soil organic carbon (SOC) in tropical regions. Naturebased solutions that improve crop adaptation and SOC storage in tropical soils could help to remove CO₂ from …

Salt Tolerance Mechanisms In Perennial Fodder Grasses, Edna Antony, B. Aravind, A. Amulya, T. Anushree, P. V. Rakshata, F. H. Savitha, M. B. Doddamani, P. V. Kuligod, Akbar, Vinod Kumar, K. Sridhar, Vijay Kumar Yadav

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Salinity stress is one of the most damaging stresses in crop plants. It reduces the productivity of the soil and makes it unsuitable for crop cultivation. Fodder crops are considered the best alternative in such uncultivable land. Using salinity-affected land for pasture development is the best alternative to utilize such lands. However, the extent of salinity tolerance varies among different grass species. In this study, Pearl millet Napier hybrids (PMN hybrid) and guinea grass varieties were studied for salinity tolerance in artificially created saline soils in the ratio of 13:7:1:2 (NaCl: Na₂SO₄: MgCl: CaSO₄, …