Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vertical structure of bi-layered microbial mats from Byers Peninsula, Maritime Antarctica

Abstract A summer study of the vertical structure of bi-layered microbial mats was carried out on Byers Peninsula (Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands). These benthic communities had a common basic structure that consisted of two distinct layers differing in composition, morphology and colour. Our sampling focused on mats showing more layering, which thrived over moist soils and at the bottom of ponds. The photosynthetic pigments analysis performed by high-performance liquid chromatography demonstrated a major occurrence of cyanobacteria and diatoms on these mats, the former being more abundant in relative terms on the surface and composed by morphospecies grouping into orders Oscillatoriales, Nostocales and Chroococcales. The areal chlorophyll a concentrations were slightly higher in the deeper layer although not significantly. Our microscopic and chemical analyses showed that non-active biomass accumulates at the surface. Hence, the upper layers showed the sheath pigment scytonemin and higher amounts of exopolysaccharides, as a strategy to cope with environmental stress. On the other hand, the basal layer was composed of more active photosynthetic microbiota, which also revealed a more balanced stoichiometry. Here we exemplify how environmental stresses are potentially overcome by physiological mechanisms developed by microbial mats which also shape their vertical structure.
Secure Group Communication for

Cassandra is a distributed NoSQL system providing high scalability and availability. However, it has many security vulnerabilities. Especially the information about internal cluster structure and transferred data can be exposed by outside attackers. In this paper, we present a novel way to enhance Cassandra security by means of group key. The group key model is designed considering Cassandra’s physical structure, and it is a decentralized model where the nodes are divided into several subgroups. The proposed model helps protecting internal cluster from outside by confirming the node’s cluster membership.
of Self-scheduling Software for Astronauts: Deﬁning a Satisfaction Baseline

As NASA turns its sights to deep-space exploration, a greater focus on supporting crew autonomy has led to the development of Playbook, a self-scheduling software tool. Evaluating the user satisfaction of Playbook is essential in ensuring its usability for critical spaceﬂight operations. Satisfaction of an interface is often quantiﬁed with attitude surveys, such as the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ). This paper demonstrates an application of the UEQ in comparing the user experience of Playbook interface designs for displaying graphical data. We lay the foundation for future user experience comparisons by deﬁning a satisfaction baseline, which is crucial as more features are integrated into Playbook’s interface. This work extends a validated user experience framework into a space-ﬂight domain, allowing optimization of human-computer interaction as future operational tools are developed.
Subducting oceanic crusts of the Philippine Sea and Pacific plates and weak-zone-normal compression in the Kanto district, Japan

SUMMARY Oceanic crusts subducting into the mantle were detected by analyses of mantle earthquakes in the Kanto district, central Japan. Earthquakes in a depth range of 30-80 km in the southwestern Ibaraki prefecture were relocated by a modified method of joint hypocentre determination. We obtained a good distribution map of hypocentres and focal mechanisms. A boundary layer between the Eurasian and Philippine Sea plates was found, where thrust earthquakes with P axes in the NW-SE direction and of which low-angle nodal planes dip northward occurred in a layer with a thickness of about 4 km. The P-wave velocity in this layer is estimated to be less than about 7.0kms-l. Another boundary layer between the Philippine Sea and Pacific plates exists about 15 km beneath the above boundary layer. Thrust earthquakes with P axes in the EW direction and of which low-angle nodal planes dip westward occurred in this layer that also has a thickness of about 4km. Furthermore, normal-faulting earthquakes of which the P axes are almost perpendicular to the boundary layers were found immediately outside the boundary layers. Combining these results, we can conclude that the boundary layers are oceanic crusts that exist at the top of the subducting Philippine Sea and Pacific plates. 'Weak-zone-normal compression' was proposed to result from the existence of low-velocity oceanic crusts at plate boundaries. This hypothesis can be explained, because only stress caused by relative motion of the two plates is consumed inside the weak oceanic crust. The remnant stress after subtracting the above stress from the tectonic one applied at the plate boundary is the stress of which the P axis is normal to the plate boundary.
IQ Based Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Spatial Data Focusing implemented over a 6 Ray Urban Canyon Channel Model

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. IQ Based Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Spatial Data Focusing implemented over a 6 Ray Urban Canyon Channel Model Michael Odhiambo, Guylian Molineaux, Sidney Golstein, Philippe de Doncker, Julien Sarrazin
SoK Lending Pools in Decentralized Finance

Lending pools are decentralized applications which allow mutually untrusted users to lend and borrow crypto-assets. These applications feature complex, highly parametric incentive mechanisms to equi-librate the loan market. This complexity makes the behaviour of lending pools diﬃcult to understand and to predict: indeed, ineﬀective incentives and attacks could potentially lead to emergent unwanted behaviours. Reasoning about lending pools is made even harder by the lack of executable models of their behaviour: to precisely understand how users interact with lending pools, eventually one has to inspect their implementations, where the incentive mechanisms are intertwined with low-level implementation details. Further, the variety of existing implementations makes it diﬃcult to distill the common aspects of lending pools. We systematize the existing knowledge about lending pools, leveraging a new formal model of interactions with users, which reﬂects the archetypal features of mainstream implementations. This enables us to prove some general properties of lending pools, and to precisely describe vulnerabilities and attacks. We also discuss the role of lending pools in the broader context of decentralized ﬁnance and identify relevant research challenges.
2015). Enabling Design of Performance-Controlled Sensor Network Applications through Task Allocation and Reallocation. In 2015 International Conference on Distributed Computing in Sensor Systems

—Abstract Task Graph (ATaG) is a sensor network application development paradigm where the application is visually described by a graph where the nodes correspond to application-level tasks and edges correspond to dataﬂows. We extend ATaG with the option to add nonfunctional requirements: constraints on end-to-end delay and packet delivery rate. Setting up these constraints at the design phase naturally leads to enabling run-time assurance at the deployment phase, when the conditions of the constraints are used as network’s performance goals. We provide both run-time middleware that checks the conditions of these constraints and a central management unit that dynamically adapts the system by doing task reallocation and putting task copies on redundant nodes. Through extensive simulations we show that the system is efﬁcient enough to enable adaptations within tens of seconds even in large networks.
Market Segmentation Strategies from Muqaddimah of Ibn Khaldun *

: The concept of market segmentation strategies was firstly used by Wendell R. Smith (1956) in marketing literature. However, if we look carefully at the work of Ibn Khaldun, it is possible to see these strategies already in his Muqaddimah. Ibn Khaldun discussed these strategies nearly 650 years ago but because he didn’t conceptualize them, his analysis has not been given an adequate attention. The purpose of this study about market segmentation strategies is to present marketing literature and compare it to the Muqaddimah of Ibn Khaldun. For implementing this purpose, in the first section market segmentation strategies which are mentioned in marketing literature are determined and some of them are explained in detail. In the second section statements about market segmentation strategies are included from Muqaddimah of Ibn Khaldun and in the third section a comparison is done followed by a conclusion. In his work Ibn Khaldun argues that the world can be segmented into two main parts, the north and the south. The northern part of the world is further segmented into seven climate areas. He indicates that for example people who live in the first, second, sixth and seventh areas have different requirements as those people from the third, fourth and fifth areas. He argues for the first group “Their houses are from mud and bamboo. They acquire their nutrients, millet and grass. Their clothes are from tree leaves or pelt. ” For the second group, he also argues that “People of these areas are richer than the first group because of the climate condition. Their houses are from stone and their clothes, foods are more sufficient than the first group”. These terms show clearly that people who live in different areas have different requirements because of the climate conditions. This situation explains marketing literature as geographic segmentation. At the end of this study a conclusion is made that geographic segmentation, psychographic segmentation, geo-demographic and socio-economic segmentation strategies were already found in the Muqaddimah of Ibn Khaldun.
Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry

Nitric oxide (NO) triggers escape reactions in the dorsal periaqueductal gray matter (dPAG), a core structure mediating panic-associated response, and decreases the release of BDNF in vitro . BDNF mediates the panicolytic e ﬀ ect induced by antidepressant drugs and produces these e ﬀ ects per se when injected into the dPAG. Based on these ﬁ ndings, we hypothesize that nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors would have panicolytic properties associated with increased BDNF signaling in the dPAG. We observed that the repeated (7days), but not acute (1day), systemic administration of the NOS inhibitor aminoguanidine (AMG; 15mg/kg/day) increased the latency to escape from the open arm of the elevated T-maze (ETM) and inhibited the number of jumps in hypoxia-induced escape reaction in rats, suggesting a panicolytic-like e ﬀ ect. Repeated, but not acute, AMG administration (15mg/kg) also decreased nitrite levels and increased TRKB phosphorylation at residues Y706/7 in the dPAG. Notwithstanding the lack of AMG e ﬀ ect on total BDNF levels in this structure, the microinjection of the TRK antagonist K252a into the dPAG blocked the anti-escape e ﬀ ect of this drug in the ETM. Taken together our data suggest that the inhibition of NO production by AMG increases the levels of pTRKB, which is required for the panicolytic-like e ﬀ ect observed.
E(cid:27)ects of Contact Tracing and Self-Reporting in a Network Disease Model

We examine the e(cid:27)ects of symptomatic individuals getting tested and the use of contact tracing in a network model of disease transmission on di(cid:27)erent epidemiological metrics. These metrics include the length of the epidemic, number of people infected, number of tests performed, and the likelihood of an epidemic occurring. We utilize a network model to resolve the in(cid:29)uence of contact patterns between individuals as opposed to assuming mass action where all individuals are connected to each other. We (cid:28)nd that the e(cid:27)ects of self-reporting and contact tracing vary depending on the structure of the network. We also compare the results from the network model with an analogous ODE model that assumes mass action and demonstrate how the results can be dramatically and surprisingly di(cid:27)erent.
Assessing the Accuracy of National Land Cover Dataset Area Estimates at Multiple Spatial Extents

Site-specific accuracy assessments evaluate fine-scale accuracy of land-use/land-cover (LULC) datasets but provide little insight into accuracy of area estimates of LULC classes derived from sampling units of varying size. Additionally, accuracy of landscape structure metrics calculated from area estimates cannot be determined solely from site-specific assessments. We used LULC data from Rhode Island and Massachusetts as reference to determine the accuracy of area measurements from the National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD) within spatial units ranging from 0.1 to 200 km 2 . When regressed on reference area, NLCD area of developed land, agriculture, forest, and water had positive linear relationships with high r2, suggesting acceptable accuracy. However, many of these classes also displayed mean differences (NLCD - REFERENCE), and linear relationships between the NLCD and reference were not one-to-one (i.e., low r 2 , β 0 ¬= 0, β 1 ¬= 1), suggesting mapped area is different from true area. Rangeland, wetland, and barren were consistently, poorly classified.
Intranasal self-administration of high-pressure physiological saline isotonic solution ameliorates dry eye symptoms and tear film composition: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE High-pressure physiological saline isotonic solution (HPpSIS) delivery into the nasal cavity was found to modulate the local expression of immune cells, increase NGF protein, and enhance the NGF receptors' expression. Since the nasal cavity directly communicates with the eye and as NGF was previously found to ameliorate the symptoms of dry eye when topically delivered, the aim of this study was to establish whether the HPpSIS might ameliorate ocular dryness and tear film composition. SUBJECTS AND METHODS This is an observational self-controlled case study carried out on 16 patients with dry-eye diagnosis, concerning 3-month self-administration of HPpSIS and two serial assessments of the ocular surface and tear film. OSDI questionnaire was used for ocular symptoms of dryness. BUT and Schirmer tests were used for qualitative and quantitative tear film analysis. The lipid composition was also examined. R-studio was employed for the detection of the difference between the pre- and post-analysis. RESULTS On the basis of the OSDI questionnaire, the study population was divided into severe (61.1%), moderate (5.5%), and mild (16.6%) dry-eye symptoms. OSDI score was significantly reduced after HPpSIS (p<0.05). BUT and TMH values also ameliorated after HPpSIS (p>0.05), although not significantly. The lipid layer improved statistically (p<0.05) and correlated positively with OSDI grading. The variability of presentation in the numerical distribution before and after therapy suggests poor test sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS HPpSIS showed a positive effect in reducing OSDI scores and ameliorating tear film quality. The possibility of an endogenous HPpSIS-induced NGF should be taken into account in dry-eye therapy.
Microbial activity in gradually dried or rewetted soils as governed by water and substrate availability

Microbial respiration, mass and activity (respiration/mass) in three silt loam soils with different moisture regimes (1000-2700 mm annual rainfall) were measured as the field-moist soils were gradually air-dried at 25°C in the laboratory. Microbial CO2 and O2 respiration and mass (estimated from substrate-induced respiration), and oxidizable organic carbon, extractable in 0.5 M K2SO4, were monitored throughout the 60 h drying period and also in samples of these gradually dried soils which were rewetted with water (2 ml g-1 soil). Water availability was the major factor controlling microbial respiration and activity as the soils dried. Both respiration and activity declined continuously as gravimetric water content (W) decreased. Microbial mass also declined, but only after W fell below 0.1-0.3. The microbial mass of the lowest-rainfall soil resisted desiccation better than the higher-rainfall soils. Extractable carbon levels increased after considerable soil drying (when W < 0.1-0.2). This increase in extractable carbon could be accounted for by the carbon released from micro-organisms killed by drying. Microbial respiration and activity increased sharply within 30 min of rewetting gradually dried soils. These increases appeared to be largely due to the carbon released from micro-organisms, killed by drying, being metabolized by the surviving micro-organisms when water was present. The ability of the surviving micro-organisms to metabolize this (extractable) carbon was remarkably similar for all three soils, suggesting that the carbon released from killed cells is of a very similar qualitative nature, and/or that the surviving populations were also similar between the soils.
RESEARCH PAPER Experimental Investigation on Bond Stress Behavior of Sand-Coated GFRP Bars with Concrete

In this paper, a comprehensive experimental study was conducted to investigate the bond performance of sand-coated glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars embedded in normal concrete with different bar sizes and different embedded regions of concrete beams following the regulation of the Rilem beam. The achieved results are compared to the analytical equations presented by current codes and reputable recent research using the average bond strength and the free end bond stress-slip curves. This study contains the effect of bar size and embedded length on bond stress and slippage of sand-coated GFRP bars. From the data observed, bond stress of 8mm bar size is about 23% higher than 10mm and 16% higher than 12mm bar size for 10D embedded length. The 8mm bar size showed the maximum bond stress of 13.8MPa among all the other specimens while the maximum slip measurement was detected from a 12mm bar size of 1.519mm. Bond stress with beam test showed a higher value by almost twice than those derived from other codes. In general, as the bar size increases the bond stress decreases, and as the embedded length increases the bond stress tends to fall. Similarly, the slip of the bar rises as the embedded length rises. The embedded length of 10D recommended by RILEM 1994 is inadequate for GFRP bars. Finally, GFRP bars show higher bond stress than steel bars by 20%.
Environmental data for the eastern North Pacific and Bering Sea.

As part of our investigations into Steller sea lion habitat use and fisheries economics, we have prepared a collection of physical oceanographic data for the eastern North Pacific and the Bering Sea. Data include rectified grids of chlorophyll-a concentrations, sea surface temperature, slope of sea surface temperature, sea level anomaly, wind speed, current velocity and direction, mixed layer depth, and bathymetry. Geographic Information System-compatible raster (gridded) data were created from available on-line sources as both monthly and long-term averages. Monthly averages were produced for all available years for each sensor at a spatial scale of 9x9 km2 for the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. We prepared long-term averages (climatologies) at 3x3 km2 for the northern Gulf of Alaska, and for the entire eastern North Pacific we prepared each source data set at its native resolution. We evaluated the sea surface temperature data at the 9x9 km2 scale using available quality data, and improved the data provided by interpolating through low quality pixels. Considerable processing was required to create a continuous North Pacific perspective, and to ensure that the data sets were correctly aligned at the different spatial scales. We also present 2-week averaged data from the output of a Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS) implemented for the northern Gulf of Alaska (3x3 km2) for the year 2001. These data provide a representation of the changing, vertical structure of the ocean. Given the significant investment to create a rectified data collection, we have prepared the data for distribution to interested researchers. The ROMS data are provided in MS Access format, and the remote sensing data as binary float files. Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)-compatible metadata have been prepared. The data described herein are available from the Marine Mammal Research Unit web site1 or on request. 1 www.marinemammal. org/MMRU/data Environmental data for the North Pacific and Bering Sea, Gregr & Coatta 3
Genome-Wide Characterization of SPL Gene Family in Codonopsis pilosula Reveals the Functions of CpSPL2 and CpSPL10 in Promoting the Accumulation of Secondary Metabolites and Growth of C. pilosula Hairy Root

SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL) transcription factors play critical roles in regulating diverse aspects of plant growth and development, including vegetative phase change, plant architecture, anthocyanin accumulation, lateral root growth, etc. In the present study, 15 SPL genes were identified based on the genome data of Codonopsis pilosula, a well-known medicinal plant. Phylogenetic analysis clustered CpSPLs into eight groups (G1-G8) along with SPLs from Arabidopsis thaliana, Solanum lycopersicum, Oryza sativa and Physcomitrella patens. CpSPLs in the same group share similar gene structure and conserved motif composition. Cis-acting elements responding to light, stress and phytohormone widely exist in their promoter regions. Our qRT-PCR results indicated that 15 CpSPLs were differentially expressed in different tissues (root, stem, leaf, flower and calyx), different developmental periods (1, 2 and 3 months after germination) and various conditions (NaCl, MeJA and ABA treatment). Compared with the control, overexpression of CpSPL2 or CpSPL10 significantly promoted not only the growth of hairy roots, but also the accumulation of total saponins and lobetyolin. Our results established a foundation for further investigation of CpSPLs and provided novel insights into their biological functions. As far as we know, this is the first experimental research on gene function in C. pilosula.
Aceh Journal of Animal Science

High exploration activity is feared to have an impact to mackerel populations. A sustainable management approach should be taken to provide information about the status of mackerel populations. Study of mackerel population status can be carried out through genetic information. The DNA of the fish samples were collected at traditional fish markets (Morotai, Bacan and Ternate). Laboratory works such as extraction, amplification, electrophoresis and DNA sequencing were analysis at the Indonesian Biodiversity Laboratory (Bionesia). The molecular characteristics of Rastrelliger kanagurta were 374 base pairs (bp). The composition of nucleotides showed the similarity of frequencies between species. Phylogenetic relationship of R. kanagurta in North Maluku Sea suggested that there was any differentiation. The genetic diversity of R. kanagurta was high with a total number of haplotypes and diverse nucleotide diversity. The minimum spawning networks (MSN) found 5 haplotype networks from a total of 12 samples. Morphological measurements of standard length, head height, body width, pectoral fin length and tail were found to have variable values. The length of the weight of the fish is obtained of b = 3, indicating that the growth pattern was isometric or weight gain was equivalent to the growth of the fish length.