Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Direct and indirect effects of native range expansion on soil microbial community structure and function

Analogous to the spread of non‐native species, shifts in native species’ ranges resulting from climate and land use change are also creating new combinations of species in many ecosystems. These native range shifts may be facilitated by similar mechanisms that provide advantages for non‐native species and may also have comparable impacts on the ecosystems they invade. Soil biota, in particular bacteria and fungi, are important regulators of plant community composition and below‐ground ecosystem function. Compared to non‐native plant invasions, there have been relatively few studies examining how soil biota influence – or are influenced by – native species range shifts. Here, we examined how a native range‐expanding sagebrush species (Artemisia rothrockii) affects below‐ground abiotic conditions and microbial community structure and function using next‐generation sequencing coupled with other biotic and abiotic soil analyses. We utilized a range‐expansion gradient, together with a shrub removal experiment and structural equation models, to determine the direct and indirect drivers of these interconnected processes. Sagebrush colonization increased bacterial and archaeal richness and diversity and altered community composition across the expansion gradient. Soil organic C and N and soil moisture increased with sagebrush presence; however, results varied across the expansion gradient. We found no relationship between sagebrush and soil pH; however, pH strongly influenced microbial richness and diversity. Microbial (substrate‐induced) respiration was influenced by soil organic N, as well as microbial diversity and functional group relative abundances, highlighting direct and indirect effects of sagebrush on microbial community structure and function. Microbial community composition of soils after 4 years of sagebrush removal was more similar to communities in shrub interspaces than underneath shrubs, suggesting microbial community resilience. Synthesis. Our results suggest that native range expansions can have important impacts on soil biological communities, soil chemistry and hydrology which can further impact below‐ground ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycling and litter decomposition. The combination of high‐throughput sequencing and structural equation modelling used here offers an exciting yet underutilized approach to understanding how both native and non‐native species’ range expansions may affect the structure and function of soil ecosystems.
Combining 3d Volume and Mesh Models for Representing Complicated Heritage Buildings

Abstract. This study developed a simple but effective strategy to combine 3D volume and mesh models for representing complicated heritage buildings and structures. The idea is to seamlessly integrate 3D parametric or polyhedral models and mesh-based digital surfaces to generate a hybrid 3D model that can take advantages of both modeling methods. The proposed hybrid model generation framework is separated into three phases. Firstly, after acquiring or generating 3D point clouds of the target, these 3D points are partitioned into different groups. Secondly, a parametric or polyhedral model of each group is generated based on plane and surface fitting algorithms to represent the basic structure of that region. A “bare-bones” model of the target can subsequently be constructed by connecting all 3D volume element models. In the third phase, the constructed bare-bones model is used as a mask to remove points enclosed by the bare-bones model from the original point clouds. The remaining points are then connected to form 3D surface mesh patches. The boundary points of each surface patch are identified and these boundary points are projected onto the surfaces of the bare-bones model. Finally, new meshes are created to connect the projected points and original mesh boundaries to integrate the mesh surfaces with the 3D volume model. The proposed method was applied to an open-source point cloud data set and point clouds of a local historical structure. Preliminary results indicated that the reconstructed hybrid models using the proposed method can retain both fundamental 3D volume characteristics and accurate geometric appearance with fine details. The reconstructed hybrid models can also be used to represent targets in different levels of detail according to user and system requirements in different applications.
Identification and characterization of Raoutella ornithilolytica and determination of its herbicide 2,2-dichloropropionate (2,2-DCP) degradation potential

Aims: The goal of the study is to isolate new bacteria species which are capable to utilizing 2,2-dichlropropionic acid (22-DCP) as a sole carbon source from the wastewater sample that was taken from Tioman Island off the coast of Malaysia. Methodology and results: Genomic DNA from unknown bacterial strain (MR1) was extracted and PCR amplification was carried out using universal primers, Fd1 (5’-AGA GTT TGA TCC TGGCTC AG-3’) and rP1 (5’-ACG GTC ATA CCT TGT TAC GAC TT-3’) prior to sequencing. The BLASTn and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA of the MR1 gene found it shares a 95% homology to an aerobic bacillus Raoutella ornithilolytica. The bacteria which is usually found in an aquatic and hospital environment was found to possess a distinctive feature of being able to utilize 2,2-DCP as sole carbon source. The bacteria has cell doubling time of 23.11 h and maximum release of chloride ion at 0.257 mmol/L in 20 mM 2,2-DCP. Based on morphological and partial biochemical characteristics, the strain was found to be non-motile, Gram negative bacteria with red colonies that gave a positive catalase reaction. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: A better understanding of newly isolated microorganisms from the environment which can potentially be used as bioremediation tools in environmental management. This is the first reported case of Raoutella sp. that has the unique ability to degrade halogenated compound. Hence, the dehalogenation properties and capabilities of the bacteria deserve to be assessed further.
Potential of traditional food supplement, Soya bean as a novel anti cataract agent

Soya bean (SB) is a source of protein and nutritional antioxidant. The present study evaluated for it’s anti cataract potential in galactose and selenite induced experimental cataractogenesis in vitro and in vivo. In vitro osmotic and oxidative stress was induced by galactose and sodium selenite respectively in the culture medium. After 24 h of incubation, lenses were subjected to the estimation of biochemical parameters and anti oxidant enzymes. In vivo 10 animals were taken in each group; galactose cataract was induced in rats by 30% galactose in the diet and in the treated groups were received SB diet along with 30% galactose up to 30 days. In vivo selenite cataract was induced in rat pups by subcutaneous injection of sodium selenite (25 μmole/kg body weight). Treatment group animals received SB extract (10, 20, 30 mg/kg body weight, ip) 4 h before the selenite challenge. The incidence of cataract was seen at 18 th postnatal day. A fall in the glutathione level, rise in malondialdehyde and polyol content were observed in control as compared to normal lenses. SB significantly restored glutathione level and decreased the malondialdehyde and polyol content. A significant restoration in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase was found in the SB supplemented group. A significant delay in the onset and progression of cataract was observed with 10% SB diet. At the end of 30 th day none of the eyes developed mature cataract as compared to 100% in the control group. SB 20 mg/kg also reduced the incidence of selenite cataract. Only 14.3 % of the eyes in the test group developed nuclear cataract as compared to 85.8% control. SB protects against experimental cataract development by virtue of its antioxidant properties.
A new model of sustainable change in executive coaching: coachees’ attitudes, required resources and routinisation

The existing literature lacks theoretical and empirical research when exploring the phenomenon of sustainable change as a result of executive coaching. Despite the rapid growth of executive coaching, there is a disconnection between practice and academic research in assessing sustainable change. This means that reflective practitioners face critical challenges in facilitating sustainable change in their clients, because there is no blueprint for how to implement it. To address these challenges, I present my recent postgraduate investigation undertaken at Oxford Brookes University, which introduces a three-category theoretical model that fills the gap in the current research and offers a practical implementation of sustainable change.
Roe Scheme in Generalized Coordinates; Part II- Application to Inviscid and Viscous Flows

The recently developed formulation for the numerical flux resulting from use of the Roe scheme in generalized coordinates as outlined in Part I of this publication, is now applied to several inviscid and viscous test cases. The test cases studied are as follows: inviscid transonic flow over a bump and in a Laval nozzle (the results of which are not detailed in this paper), Blasius flow, plane Poiseuille flow, and laminar boundary layer interaction with an oblique shock over a flat plate. In this paper, the primitive variables are extrapolated to the cell faces by the MUSCL idea using the third order upwind biased scheme. The van Albada flux limiter is used to prevent spurious numerical oscillations. The viscous terms are centrally differenced.
A Novel Fuzzy Expert System Using Image Processing for Sale Car Shape with Online Membership Function

In This paper we proposed a novel fuzzy retrieval system for purchasing cars employing image processing. The car shape is an important factor when selecting a car type. This system aims to support persons who are not good with cars. When we try to purchase a car, they can use this system easily as if they ask casually someone else who knows more about car. Unspecific conditions are expressed by the fuzzy set, and the level matching conditions are expressed by the grade values. To use this more practically, a GUI form with selection menus is developed. This system is designed to change membership function automatically for improving usability of this system. In addition, calculating curvature by the car shape using the image processing, and adding items for selecting a car shape from roundness and sharpness. Furthermore, the effectiveness of applying fuzzy logic to express man’s subjectivity when selecting car type.
Anti-biofilm Activity of Chitosan from Crab and Shrimp Species Indigenous to the Philippines on Established Biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus

Biofilms are structures produced by bacteria by attaching themselves together in a surface to form a protective matrix, rendering them resistant to antimicrobial treatments. The objective of this study was to examine the anti-biofilm activity of chitosan from crab and shrimp species on the established biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The test groups were treated with chitosan solutions of varying concentrations (2.5 g/L and 10 g/L) chitosan from shrimp shells extract, 2.5 g/L and 10 g/L crab shells extract and a mixture of both shell extracts with the same concentration mixed in a one-to-one volume by ratio. Three different analysis were conducted involving color intensity test through TotalLab software, spectrophotometric analysis and microplate reader analysis. The highest percent anti-biofilm formation inhibition was observed with the 2.5 g/L mixed (1:1) chitosan solution against established biofilms of P. aeruginosa with a 62.90 ± 12% inhibition. On the other hand, S. aureus showed no percent inhibition with the 2.5 g/L shrimp chitosan and 10 g/L crab chitosan but was most sensitive to 10 g/L mixed (1:1) chitosan solution with an inhibition of 39.47 ± 19%. From the results, the 1:1 combination of shrimp and crab chitosan solutions resulted to a higher percent anti-biofilm formation inhibition than when given separately.
A Survey on Different Techniques Used in Decentralized Cloud Computing

This paper proposes various methods for anonymous authentication for data stored in cloud. Cloud verifies the authenticity of the series without knowing the user’s identity before storing data. This paper also has the added feature of access control in which only valid users are able to decrypt the stored information. These schemes also prevents replay attacks and supports creation, modification, and reading data stored in the cloud. Moreover, our authentication and access control scheme is decentralized and robust, unlike other access control schemes designed for clouds which are centralized. The communication, computation, and storage overheads are comparable to centralized approaches . The aim of this paper is to cover many security issues arises in cloud computing and different schemes to prevent security risks in cloud. Storage-as-a-service (Saas) offered by cloud service providers (CSPs) is a paid facility that enables organizations to outsource their sensitive data to be stored on remote servers. In this paper, we propose a cloudbased storage schemes that allows the data owner to benefit from the facilities offered by the CSP and enables indirect mutual trust between them. This Paper provides different authentication techniques and algorithms for cloud security.
Visualization of submicron Si-rods by SPR-enhanced total internal reflection microscopy

The potential of surface plasmon resonance-enhanced total internal reflection microscopy for visualization of submicron particles has been demonstrated using submicron-sized silicon rods as a test object. Submicron Si-rods were deposited onto the surface of a plasmon-supporting gold film by sedimentation from suspension, and their images were obtained using optical microscope with SPR excitation. Quality of images obtained in this way was compared with images viewed from the prism side in the SPR microscopy configuration. Specific features of light scattering from filiform objects are discussed. The study was aimed at development of a novel type of SPR-based biosensor relied upon direct count of biological species of interest (bacteria, viruses, large biomolecular complexes).
ASPECTS OF THE ECOLOGY OF SMALL FOSSORIAL SNAKES IN THE WESTERN PIEDMONT OF NORTH CAROLINA

Abstract In many areas, small fossorial snakes are among the most abundant vertebrates present; yet, the ecology of these species remains poorly understood. Between 1999 and 2002 we collected 210 small fossorial snakes representing five species in a small area of northern Mecklenburg and southern Iredell Counties, North Carolina. The eastern worm snake (Carphophis amoenus; n = 116) was the most frequently captured species in this region, with fewer numbers of ringneck snakes (Diadophis punctatus; n = 44), brown snakes (Storeria dekayi; n = 24), redbellied snakes (S. occipitomaculata; n = 20), and smooth earth snakes (Virginia valeriae; n = 6). The three most abundant species exhibited significant sexual dimorphism, with females being larger and having shorter relative tail lengths than males. Carphophis amoenus were more abundant in dry upland forest than D. punctatus, which were most prevalent in moist, lowland forest. Snake activity was weakly correlated with environmental conditions. A peak in activity of male C. amoenus, D. punctatus, and S. occipitomaculata during September suggests fall breeding seasons for these species.
Research on Optimization of Queuing System Based on Computer Simulation

This paper firstly introduces the queuing theory and discrete event system simulation of the basic knowledge, including queuing theory basic concept, basic composition, research contents, performance metrics, several classical queuing system models and discrete event system simulation steps. Then the characteristics, modeling principles and basic steps of several commonly used are studied, including DFD diagram, IDEF0 diagram, Petri net, and the UML language based on the object oriented thought. Then it introduces the simulated annealing algorithm, tabu search algorithm and genetic algorithm involving the characteristics of the heuristic algorithm, the basic idea, the main operation, analysis and comparison. On the basis of the above theory, a general simulation model of queuing system is established by using UML modeling language and object-oriented analysis and design method. According to the nature of queuing system, an optimization strategy is proposed. Simulation optimization software is designed and developed. With appropriate service station opened number as the target of genetic algorithm optimization based on queuing system simulation model, C + + language is used to write the simulation program, simulate the system operation, and obtain the performance parameters of the customer queuing length and customer waiting time. Compared with predefined metrics, genetic algorithm's adaptive function, and reproduction, crossover and mutation operation, after a certain number of iterations finally obtains optimal solution.
Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of a Quadspectral Nonlinearity Indicator

The effects of nonlinearity on the power spectrum of jet noise can be directly compared with those of atmospheric absorption and geometric spreading through an ensemble-averaged, frequency-domain version of the generalized Burgers equation (GBE) [B. O. Reichman et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 136, 2102 (2014)]. The rate of change in the sound pressure level due to the nonlinearity, in decibels per jet nozzle diameter, is calculated using a dimensionless form of the quadspectrum of the pressure and the squared-pressure waveforms. In this paper, this formulation is applied in detail to atmospheric propagation of a spherically spreading, initial sinusoid and unheated model-scale supersonic (Mach 2.0) jet data. The rate of change in level due to nonlinearity is calculated and compared with estimated effects due to absorption and geometric spreading. Comparing these losses with the change predicted due to nonlinearity shows that absorption and nonlinearity are of similar magnitude in the geometric far field, where shocks are present, which causes the high-frequency spectral shape to remain unchanged. Nonlinear effects are compared for engine conditions of Mach 0.85 and Mach 1.8 as well. Both the Mach-1.8 and Mach-2.0 data exhibit nonlinear trends that slow the decay of the waveform compared to absorption and spreading alone.
Analysis of the Effects of Di-Electric Heating on Common Food Bacterial Pathogens: Evaluation Based on Antibiotic Susceptibility and Infective Doses

In this study, various food samples (n=73) artificially infected by food borne disease pathogens ( Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus , Shigella flexneri and Salmonella enterica spp. paratyphi) were exposed to microwave radiation at different powers (P-00, P-20, P-40, P-60, P-80) and time periods (2 min, 4 min, 6 min, 8 min). The degree of inactivation was estimated by measuring the colony forming units formed in culture before and after exposure of samples to radiation. The data showed that microwave radiation produced a 1-2 log reduction when infected food samples were processed. Initial seeded bacterial numbers (>3.0 x 10 4 ) were reduced significantly (P 3.0 x 10 4 ). The study shows that microwave radiation reduces infective doses of bacteria but does not have any significant effect on their antibiotic susceptibility patterns.
Robust Portfolio Optimization

The Markowitz mean-variance portfolio optimization is a well known and also widely used investment theory in allocating the assets. However, this theory is also familiar with the extremely sensitive outcome by the small changes in the data. Ben-Tal and Nemirovski [3] therefore introduced the robust counterpart approach of the optimization problem to provide more conservative results. And on the ground of their work, Schöttle [26] furthermore proposed the local robust counterpart approach with the smaller uncertainty set. This paper presents an overview of the local robust counterpart approach of the optimization problem with uncertainty. The classical mean-variance portfolio optimization problem is presented in the first place, and followed by the description of the general convex conic optimization problem with data uncertainty. Afterwards, the concept of the local robust counterpart approach of the optimization problem will be discussed and then applied into the foreign currency market.
Nutritional value and economic feasibility of red beetroot (Beta vulgaris L. ssp. vulgaris Rote Kugel) from different production systems

The study determined the internal quality (the total phenol, sugar, organic acid contents, antioxidant activity, and mineral components) and physical parameters in the flesh of red beetroots produced in different production systems (conventional, integrated, organic, and control) using established methods. Organic cropping of red beetroot plants significantly reduced the yield by 27% of some macro minerals (P at 23.1, K at 13.1, and Mg at 7.7%) in comparison with conventional cropping but increased the ascorbic acid by 23.3%, antioxidant activity by 30.3%, and some micro minerals (Na at 39.1, Cu at 5.0, Fe at 17.9, Mn at 3.4, and Zn at 2.1%). The organic system can also result in better economic feasibility under assumption that price and expected yield are achieved. The results showed that a decrease in nitrogen supply, which is inherent in organic cropping, enhances the levels of secondary metabolites and micro minerals, which are associated with increased free radical scavengers and antioxidant activity in plant tissue. Key words: Phenol, sugar, organic acid, antioxidant activity, minerals, economic feasibility.