Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An invasive macroalga alters ecosystem metabolism and hydrodynamics on a tidal flat

Invasive macroalgae represent a growing global concern, yet there has been little research detailing their effects on native ecosystem metabolism and flow hydrodynamics. In this in situ study, we made aquatic eddy covariance oxygen flux and profiling acoustic Doppler velocimetry measurements over high and low density sites within an invasive Gracilaria ver mi culophylla (also referred to as Agarophyton vermi c ulophyllum) macroalgal mat located on a tidal flat along the Virginia (USA) coast. Mean ± SE (n) submerged dark and light oxygen flux over the high density site were −178 ± 9 (144) and 139 ± 26 (104) mmol m−2 d−1, respectively, vs. −71 ± 7 (45) and 32 ± 15 (48) mmol m−2 d−1 over the low density site. The high density site was highly productive, with gross primary production of 169 ± 12 mmol m−2 d−1 (mean ± SE), yet maintained overall metabolic balance, as net ecosystem metabolism was −22 ± 39 mmol m−2 d−1. Close agreement with literature values for air-exposed flux measurements suggests that our results are good first-order approximations of true daily values, demonstrating that this invasion has significantly enhanced tidal flat productivity. Flow and turbulence were significantly attenuated by Gracilaria, resulting in decreased bed shear stress within the algal canopy, likely stabilizing tidal flat sediments and inhibiting mass transport at the sediment−water interface. Turbulence above the canopy was enhanced, but there was no increase in downward momentum transfer. These changes to the hydrodynamic environment decrease the risk of detachment and subsequent advective loss of algae, suggesting a positive feedback that facilitates algal invasion.
Effect of Some Environmental Impacts on Health Condition and Growth Performance of Cultured Oreochromis niloticus at Northern Delta, Egypt.

The field study was done to study the effect of both water and soil quality on cultured Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia) in the farms near Northern Delta Lakes. Six earthen ponds (about one Faddan each) were used in this experiment in three different locations; around Edco, Borollus and Manzala lakes. Three treatment-locations were tested in double replicates (2 ponds/lake); so six ponds were stocked with mono-sex males of tilapia (12000 fingerlings/pond with average initial bodyweight of 37±1 g). Growth performance, assessment of heavy metals residues, clinical, postmortem and laboratory examinations were done. The differences in the final weights (harvest) were significant and the lowest body weight came from farms around Lake Manzala and samples of water and soils suffered more from heavy metals pollution and parasitic diseases than fish from farms around Lake Edco and Lake Borollus. Regarding the clinical, postmortem and laboratory examinations; fish suffered from hepatitis, enlargement of the gallbladder, infested with metacercaria of Digenia and larval nematodes in all farms. From this study, overcoming pollution should be done seriously for producing fish fit for human consumption. The result from the study gave important information on the levels of the heavy metals in water and fish tissue . The concentrations of heavy metals in the water and fish tissue were under the permissible limits in Edko and Borollus lakes while in Lake Manzala the concentrations of heavy metals in the water and fish tissue were above the permissible limits. It is recommended that more attention must give to fish resources by the government to continuously reduce to the minimum level of lakes' pollution.
Local Correlated Noise Improvement of Signal-to-Noise Ratio Gain in an Ensemble of Noisy Neuron

We theoretically investigate the collective response of an ensemble of leaky integrate-and-fire neuron units to a noisy periodic signal by including local spatially correlated noise. By using the linear response theory, we obtained the analytic expression of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Numerical simulation results show that the rms amplitude of internal noise can be increased up to an optimal value where the output SNR reaches a maximum value. Due to the existence of the local spatially correlated noise in the units of the ensemble, the SNR gain of the collective ensemble response can exceed unity and can be optimized when the nearest-neighborhood correlation is negative. This nonlinear collective phenomenon of SNR gain amplification in an ensemble of leaky integrate-and-fire neuron units can be related to the array stochastic resonance (SR) phenomenon. Furthermore, we also show that the SNR gain can also be optimized by tuning the number of neuron units, frequency and amplitude of the weak periodic signal. The present study illustrates the potential to utilize the local spatially correlation noise and the number of ensemble units for optimizing the collective response of the neuron to inputs, as well as a guidance in the design of information processing devices to weak signal detection.
AZOLLA FERN AS UNTRADITIONAL RESOURCE OF PROTEIN

Azolla is a floating aquatic macrophyte belonging to the family of Azollaceae. The fern of azolla hosts a symbiotic ceyanobacteria (anabaena azollae), which is responsible for the fixation and assimilation of atmospheric nitrogen. Azolla has been reported to be a very good source of protein, essential mineral elements and vitamins. Out of several species, azolla (Azolla nolotica) has been reported to be best suited for tropical climate and livestock feeding. The measurements of colour, crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract, total ash and phenol compounds were recorded. In azolla, colour values of lightness (L) and yellow blue colours (b) were 39.15 and 7.38, respectively. On the other hand, the values of red to green colours (a) were 1.8. The mean concentration (% of DM) of organic matter, crude protein, crude fibers, ether extract, total ash, nitrogen free extract (NFE) were 47.22, 31.67, 11.04, 5.90, 15 and 36.39, respectively. Concentrated protein of azolla (ACP) could be used as feed supplement for human because its high levels of carbohydrate, protein, crude fat, total digestible nutrients and lower crude fiber contents. After concentration, the values of colours (lightness) decreased to 33.23. Also, the values of red to green colours (a) and yellow and blue colours (b) were decreased to 1.47 and 3.00, respectively after concentration. Chemical analysis indicated that (ACP) contained (DM %) crude protein of 40.83, crude fiber (4.63), ether extract (5.06), ash (17) and carbohydrate (30.5). Added to that, the gross energy value of 434.67 kcal/100 g was obtained. The concentrations of calcium and phosphorus were 55.48 and 1.51%, respectively.
Ethical Regulators and Super-Ethical Systems

This paper combines the good regulator theorem with the law of requisite variety and seven other requisites that are necessary and sufficient for a cybernetic regulator to be effective and ethical. The ethical regulator theorem provides a basis for systematically evaluating and improving the adequacy of existing or proposed designs for systems that make decisions that can have ethical consequences; regardless of whether the regulators are humans, machines, cyberanthropic hybrids, organizations, or government institutions. The theorem is used to define an ethical design process that has potentially far-reaching implications for society. A six-level framework is proposed for classifying cybernetic and superintelligent systems, which highlights the existence of a possibility-space bifurcation in our future time-line. The implementation of “super-ethical” systems is identified as an urgent imperative for humanity to avoid the danger that superintelligent machines might lead to a technological dystopia. It is proposed to define third-order cybernetics as the cybernetics of ethical systems. Concrete actions, a grand challenge, and a vision of a super-ethical society are proposed to help steer the future of the human race and our wonderful planet towards a realistically achievable minimum viable cyberanthropic utopia.
Hematological parameters of the hybrid serrasalmids farmed in central-western Brazil

This study evaluated the hematological parameters of tambacu and patinga, two the hybrid serrasalmid fishes farmed in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, with emphasis on the influence of seasons on them. Two-hundred forty hybrid fishes, 120 tambacus and 120 patingas, were collected over 12 months to assess their hematological parameters and compare them between the warm (October-March) and cold seasons (April-September). Water quality parameters were also measured weekly to test for the influence of environmental conditions on the results. The dissolved oxygen content in the water decreased in the warm season, and increased in the cold season. In the warm season, tambacus presented significantly higher values (p<0.05) of the total plasmatic protein (TPP), hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and eosinophil count parameters. In the cold season, counts of erythrocytes, thrombocytes, total leukocytes, lymphocytes, and neutrophils were higher in tambacus (p<0.05). For patinga, MCV was higher in the warm season, while hemoglobin, erythrocytes, MCHC, total leukocytes, and basophil counts were higher (p<0.05) in the cold season. These results demonstrated the influences of seasonality on the hematological parameters of the hybrids tambacu and patinga when held under normal farming conditions in the region.
The meaning-making mechanism(s) behind the eyes and between the ears

In this contribution, the following four questions are discussed: (i) where is meaning? ; (ii) what is meaning? ; (iii) what is the meaning of mechanism? ; (iv) what are the mechanisms of meaning? I will argue that meanings are in the head. Meanings have multiple facets, but minimally one needs to make a distinction between single word meanings (lexical meaning) and the meanings of multi-word utterances. The latter ones cannot be retrieved from memory, but need to be constructed on the fly. A mechanistic account of the meaning-making mind requires an analysis at both a functional and a neural level, the reason being that these levels are causally interdependent. I will show that an analysis exclusively focusing on patterns of brain activation lacks explanatory power. Finally, I shall present an initial sketch of how the dynamic interaction between temporo-parietal areas and inferior frontal cortex might instantiate the interpretation of linguistic utterances in the context of a multimodal setting and ongoing discourse information. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Towards mechanistic models of meaning composition’
Chloroplast population genetics reveals low levels of genetic variation and conformation to the central–marginal hypothesis in Taxus wallichiana var. mairei, an endangered conifer endemic to China

Abstract The central–marginal hypothesis predicts that geographically peripheral populations should exhibit reduced genetic diversity and increased genetic differentiation than central populations due to smaller effective population size and stronger geographical isolation. We evaluated these predictions in the endangered conifer Taxus wallichiana var. mairei. Eight plastid simple sequence repeats (cpSSRs) were used to investigate plastid genetic variation in 22 populations of Taxus wallichiana var. mairei, encompassing nearly its entire distribution range. Low levels of plastid genetic variation and differentiation were detected in the populations, and the findings were attributed to low mutation rates, small population sizes, habitat fragmentation and isolation, and effective pollen or seed dispersal. Hunan and Hubei were identified as major refugia based on the number of private haplotypes and species distribution modeling. Trends in plastid genetic diversity and genetic differentiation from central to peripheral populations supported the predictions of the central–marginal hypothesis. In scenarios wherein the future climate becomes warmer, we predict that some peripheral populations will disappear and southern and southeastern regions will become significantly less habitable. Factors that include the levels of precipitation during the driest month, annual precipitation level, and annual temperature range will be decisive in shaping the future distribution of these populations. This study provides a theoretical basis for the conservation of T. wallichiana var. mairei.
Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Zhenhai brown frog Rana zhenhaiensis (Anura: Ranidae)

Abstract Rana zhenhaiensis is a species of frog within the family Ranidae. In this study, its complete mitochondrial genome was characterized by high-throughput sequencing technology. It is 19,205 bp long with an overall AT content of 55.2% and includes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and 1 control region. Besides, a 26-bp-long origin of L-strand replication (OL) is present between tRNA-Asn and tRNA-Cys. Our findings will be useful for the detailed study of mitogenome evolution and the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Rana and related taxa.
Occupational Health and Safety and Turnover Intention in the Ghanaian Power Industry: The Mediating Effect of Organizational Commitment

This study aimed at investigating the effect of occupational health and safety (OHS) on employee's turnover intention (TI) with the mediating effect of organizational commitment (OC) in the Ghanaian power industry. Methods. With stratified sampling technique, 350 participants were selected to participate in the study with standardized quantitative questionnaires to measure the variables involved in the study and SmartPLS 3-structural equation modeling technique to analyze the data. Results. The results showed that (1) occupational health and safety and turnover intention are negatively related (β = 0.245, p < 0.05); (2) there exists a positive relationship between occupational health and safety and organizational commitment (β = 0.820, p < 0.05); (3) organizational commitment and turnover intention are negatively related (β = 0.640, p < 0.05); and (4) organizational commitment significantly mediates the relationship between occupational health and safety and turnover intention (indirect effect = −0.53 and direct effect = −0.25, p < 0.05). Conclusion. Employees satisfied with the health and safety system of their organization tend to be committed to their organization and have low turnover intention, and vice versa.
Ligand Entry into Fatty Acid Binding Protein via Local Unfolding instead of Gap Widening

Fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs) play an important role in transportation of fatty acids. Despite intensive studies, how fatty acids enter the protein cavity for binding is still controversial. Here, a gap-closed variant of human intestinal FABP was generated by mutagenesis, in which the gap is locked by a disulfide bridge. According to its structure determined here by NMR, this variant has no obvious openings as the ligand entrance and the gap cannot be widened by internal dynamics. Nevertheless, it still uptakes fatty acids and other ligands. NMR relaxation dispersion, chemical exchange saturation transfer and hydrogen-deuterium exchange experiments show that the variant exists in a major native state, two minor native-like state, and two locally unfolded states in aqueous solution. Local unfolding of either βB–βD or helix 2 can generate an opening large enough for ligands to enter the protein cavity, but only the fast local unfolding of helix 2 is relevant to the ligand entry process. Statement of Significance Fatty acid binding proteins transport fatty acids to specific organelles in the cell. To enable the transport, fatty acids must enter and leave the protein cavity. In spite of many studies, how fatty acids enter the protein cavity remains controversial. Using mutagenesis and biophysical techniques, we have resolved the disagreement and further showed that local unfolding of the second helix can generate a transient opening to allow ligands to enter the protein cavity. Since lipid binding proteins are highly conserved in 3D structures and ligand binding, all of them may use the same local unfolding mechanism for ligand uptake and release.
Comparative study of leaf antioxidant activity as a possible mechanism for frost tolerance in ‘Hass’ and ‘Ettinger’ avocado cultivars

Abstract A major drawback of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is susceptibility to frosts, which reduces yields and limits its geographic distribution and market growth. Whereas the frost-susceptible cultivar ‘Hass’ leads the global avocado market, cv. ‘Ettinger’, although commercially less important, is considered frost-tolerant. The mechanism behind the greater frost tolerance of ‘Ettinger’ has not yet been elucidated; therefore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the differences between the frost responses of the two cultivars. The results showed that detached ‘Ettinger’ branches had greater tolerance than ‘Hass’ to controlled frost stress. Tissue browning caused by methyl viologen oxidative cell damage, superoxide accumulation in leaf discs following wounding and browning of cut surfaces in branches were much lower in ‘Ettinger’ than in ‘Hass’, suggesting greater antioxidant activity (AA) in the former. In leaf extracts, AA was significantly higher in ‘Ettinger’ than in ‘Hass’, but osmolarity was similar in the two cultivars. Total phenolics content was significantly higher in ‘Ettinger’ but addition of a protein mask did not significantly reduce AA in either cultivar. Interestingly, following the freezing treatment, AA increased in ‘Ettinger’ and remained almost unchanged in ‘Hass’, while osmolarity was unaffected in either cultivar. These results suggest that the greater frost-tolerance of ‘Ettinger’ than ‘Hass’ is due largely to its greater AA, which springs mainly from a non-enzymatic source, i.e. accumulation of phenolic compounds. Based on the current study, future applications may be developed to minimize frost damage in avocado orchards.
OPTIMIZATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CELLULOLYTIC ENZYMES PRODUCED FROM Gliocladium roseum

This work deals with optimization the production conditions and characterization of cellulases [Carboxymethyl-cellulase (CMCase), Filter-paperase (FPase) and Cellobiase] produced by Gliocladium roseum. Data revealed that Reese and Mandel’s basal medium was the best for maximum protein and cellulases secretion by G. roseum. Maximum protein and cellulases production were found at 15 g/L of rice straw and 2 g/L yeast extract. Maximum yield of protein, CMCase and cellobiase were obtained after 6 days of incubation, while maximum yield of FPase was obtained after 4 days of incubation. After enzymes concentration with ultrafiltration, specific activity of CMCase, FPase and cellobiase were 5.14, 2.5 and 3.9 U/mg protein, respectively. Optimum temperature for CMCase activity was 55 °C, while 50 °C was optimum for the activity of FPase and cellobiase. CMCase retained about 55.63 % of its activity when incubated at 55 °C for 6 h. While, FPase and cellobiase retained about 15.4 and 14.3 % of the original activity when incubated at 50 °C for 6 h, respectively. The optimum pH for CMCase activity was pH 4. While pH 4.5 was optimum for the activity of FPase and cellobiase. An isoelectric point around 5.0 was detected for CMCase. The molecular weight was calculated to be about 50 KDa.
Network Attack Surface: Lifting the Concept of Attack Surface to the Network Level for Evaluating Networks’ Resilience Against Zero-Day Attacks

The concept of attack surface has seen many applications in various domains, e.g., software security, cloud security, mobile device security, Moving Target Defense (MTD), etc. However, in contrast to the original attack surface metric, which is formally and quantitatively defined for a software, most of the applications at higher abstraction levels, such as the network level, are limited to an intuitive and qualitative notion, losing the modeling power of the original concept. In this paper, we lift the attack surface concept to the network level as a formal security metric for evaluating the resilience of networks against zero day attacks. Specifically, we first develop novel models for aggregating the attack surface of different network resources. We then design heuristic algorithms to estimate the network attack surface while reducing the effort spent on calculating attack surface for individual resources. Finally, the proposed methods are evaluated through experiments.
Artificial Noise-Based Beamforming for the MISO VLC Wiretap Channel

This paper investigates the secrecy performance of the multiple-input single-output visible light communication (VLC) wiretap channel. The considered system model comprises three nodes: a transmitter (Alice) equipped with multiple fixtures of LEDs, a legitimate receiver (Bob), and an eavesdropper (Eve), each equipped with one photo-diode. The VLC channel is modeled as a real-valued amplitude-constrained Gaussian channel. Eve is assumed to be randomly located in the same area as Bob. Due to this, artificial noise-based beamforming is adopted as a transmission strategy in order to degrade Eve’s signal-to-noise ratio. Assuming discrete input signaling, we derive an achievable secrecy rate in a closed-form expression as a function of the beamforming vectors and the input distribution. We investigate the average secrecy performance of the system using stochastic geometry to account for the location randomness of Eve. We also adopt the truncated discrete generalized normal (TDGN) as a discrete input distribution. We present several examples through which we confirm the accuracy of the analytical results via Monte Carlo simulations. The results also demonstrate that the TDGN distribution, albeit being not optimal, yields performance close to the secrecy capacity.
Effects of seed age and dormancy-breaking treatments on the viability and germination of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence aster (Symphyotrichum laurentianum)

The Gulf of St. Lawrence aster, Symphyotrichum laurentianum (Fernald) G.L. Nesom (Asteraceae), is a threatened halophyte found only in parts of Atlantic Canada, and seeds are being stored in the seed bank located at the University of Prince Edward Island. It is important to assess the quality of the seeds in storage to ensure their usefulness in the conservation of the species. We tested the effects of seed age on the viability and germination potential of seeds currently held in the seed bank and the effect of dormancy-breaking treatments on germination. Seeds produced in six different years were tested using the tetrazolium test and standard germination tests. Our results show high viability for seeds from all years but relatively low germination, with no clear relationship between germinability and seed age, indicating that the potential for these seeds to germinate may depend on other factors. To test the usefulness of dormancy-breaking treatments, seeds were subjected to a cold moist treatment or a hormone treatment of gibberellic acid, kinetin, or a combination of the two. All of the treatments significantly enhanced germination by comparison with the control, with the combined treatment of gibberellic acid and kinetin being the most effective at stimulating germination.