Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Carbon sequestration potential of process‐based river restoration

Floodplain restoration can enhance the capacity for carbon sequestration by facilitating higher water tables, deposition of fine sediment, and increased input and residence time of organic matter. We measured floodplain soil organic carbon stocks in nine stream restoration projects across the western United States and compared them to nearby degraded and reference condition floodplains. Degraded floodplains had the lowest soil mean carbon stocks in the majority of floodplains measured (range 161–894 Mg C/ha), and reference stocks had the highest stocks (range 391–904 Mg C/ha) of those with statistically significant differences between the three categories. Across all sites measured, stream restoration sites, referred to as treatment sites, had stocks (range 203–1028 Mg C/ha) similar to degraded condition floodplains but the largest range. When modeled under degraded conditions, four out of nine of the treatment sites had significantly higher OC stocks than predicted. Climate and geologic variables are most influential in predicting carbon stocks, and floodplains in the interior western USA have the highest carbon stocks. As the demand for carbon sequestration increases due to climate change, ecologically responsible floodplain restoration provides a significant opportunity for carbon storage. However, despite the statistically significant relationships we observed in this dataset, the variations within the data in relation to degraded/treatment/reference categories illustrate the uncertainties in quantifying the effects of restoration on floodplain carbon stocks.
Studies Using Mutant Strains of Azospirillum brasilense Reveal That Atmospheric Nitrogen Fixation and Auxin Production Are Light Dependent Processes

As the use of microbial inoculants in agriculture rises, it becomes important to understand how the environment may influence microbial ability to promote plant growth. This work examines whether there are light dependencies in the biological functions of Azospirillum brasilense, a commercialized prolific grass-root colonizer. Though classically defined as non-phototrophic, A. brasilense possesses photoreceptors that could perceive light conducted through its host’s roots. Here, we examined the light dependency of atmospheric biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) and auxin biosynthesis along with supporting processes including ATP biosynthesis, and iron and manganese uptake. Functional mutants of A. brasilense were studied in light and dark environments: HM053 (high BNF and auxin production), ipdC (capable of BNF, deficient in auxin production), and FP10 (capable of auxin production, deficient in BNF). HM053 exhibited the highest rate of nitrogenase activity with the greatest light dependency comparing iterations in light and dark environments. The ipdC mutant showed similar behavior with relatively lower nitrogenase activity observed, while FP10 did not show a light dependency. Auxin biosynthesis showed strong light dependencies in HM053 and FP10 strains, but not for ipdC. Ferrous iron is involved in BNF, and a light dependency was observed for microbial 59Fe2+ uptake in HM053 and ipdC, but not FP10. Surprisingly, a light dependency for 52Mn2+ uptake was only observed in ipdC. Finally, ATP biosynthesis was sensitive to light across all three mutants favoring blue light over red light compared to darkness with observed ATP levels in descending order for HM053 > ipdC > FP10.
New Bacteriophages with Podoviridal Morphotypes Active against Yersinia pestis: Characterization and Application Potential

Phages of highly pathogenic bacteria represent an area of growing interest for bacterial detection and identification and subspecies typing, as well as for phage therapy and environmental decontamination. Eight new phages—YpEc56, YpEc56D, YpEc57, YpEe58, YpEc1, YpEc2, YpEc11, and YpYeO9—expressing lytic activity towards Yersinia pestis revealed a virion morphology consistent with the Podoviridae morphotype. These phages lyse all 68 strains from 2 different sets of Y. pestis isolates, thus limiting their potential application for subtyping of Y. pestis strains but making them rather promising in terms of infection control. Two phages—YpYeO9 and YpEc11—were selected for detailed studies based on their source of isolation and lytic cross activity towards other Enterobacteriaceae. The full genome sequencing demonstrated the virulent nature of new phages. Phage YpYeO9 was identified as a member of the Teseptimavirus genus and YpEc11 was identified as a member of the Helsettvirus genus, thereby representing new species. A bacterial challenge assay in liquid microcosm with a YpYeO9/YpEc11 phage mixture showed elimination of Y. pestis EV76 during 4 h at a P/B ratio of 1000:1. These results, in combination with high lysis stability results of phages in liquid culture, the low frequency of formation of phage resistant mutants, and their viability under different physical–chemical factors indicate their potential for their practical use as an antibacterial mean.
FEM 1 A and FEM 1 B : novel candidate genes for polycystic ovary syndrome

M.O. Goodarzi1,2,3,4, J.F. Maher5, J. Cui3, X. Guo3, K.D. Taylor3 and R. Azziz2,4,6,7 Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Androgen Related Disorders, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Medical Genetics Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA; Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
Kinetin Capped Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Improve Plant Growth and Ameliorate Resistivity to Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)-Induced Drought Stress in Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek (Mung Bean)

Plants are sessile and mostly exposed to various environmental stresses which hamper plant growth, development, and significantly decline its production. Drought stress is considered to be one of the most significant limiting factors for crop plants, notably in arid and semi-arid parts the world. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the potential impact of different concentrations (10, 100, and 200 µg/mL) of kinetin capped zinc oxide nanoparticles (Kn-ZnONPs) on Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek under varying levels (5%, 10%, 15%) of PEG-induced drought stress. ZnONPs were synthesized by a co-precipitation method using Zinc acetate as a precursor at pH-12, incinerated to 500 °C, and kinetin was used as a surface functionalizing agent. The resulting Kn-ZnONPs were characterized by various contemporary analytical techniques, including SEM, SEM-EDS, XRD, DLS, and Zeta potential and IR spectroscopy. Crystalline Kn-ZnONPs, with a zeta potential of 27.8 mV and a size of 67.78 nm, of hexagonal wurtzite structure and vibrational stretches associated with N-H, C-O, C-N, etc., were confirmed. PEG-induced drought stress significantly reduced the growth of V. radiata by declining the chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. Moreover, a significant decrease in the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), soluble sugar contents, proline, protein contents, phenol, and tannin were observed compared to the control. However, the exogenous application of Kn-ZnONPs ameliorated all photosynthetic parameters by up-regulating the antioxidant defense system through the promotion of SOD, POD, CAT, and lipid peroxidation levels. The biochemical parameters, such as proteins, soluble sugars, and proline, were observed to be maximum in plants treated with 200 µg/mL Kn-ZnONPs under 5% drought stress. The application of Kn-ZnONPs also enhanced the total phenol contents, flavonoid, and tannin contents. In conclusion, the findings of this study demonstrate that the exogenous application of Kn-ZnONPs provides beneficial effects to V. radiata by attenuating the damaging effects of drought stress through the up-regulation of the antioxidant defense system and osmolytes. These results suggest that Kn-ZnONPs have potential as a novel approach to improve crop productivity under drought stress conditions.
Using Geoinformatics to Manage Natural Vegetation Habitats in Trinidad

Trinidad is undergoing rapid economic development, aiming to achieve the developed nation status by 2020. Coupled with a fast pace of industrialization, illegal settlement and urbanization, the natural resources are being depleted. It is evident that Trinidad urgently requires accurate data to provide decision makers with the critical information required for planning and managing the environment. Biophysical Land Units (BLUs) were developed and defined for Trinidad. The land use/cover map along with data such as geology, soil, rainfall, aspect, elevation and slope were the components used to develop these BLUs. This was achieved by the use of a comprehensive GIS, which was built on ESRI ARCMAP 9.0. The developed BLUs can assist in reforestation efforts by identifying what plant communities can grow in certain areas.
Cellular warfare

In this paper we explore the possibilities of cyber warfare activities connected to cell phone networks. We analyze known attacks that originate in and/or target cellular phone networks as weapons of cyber warfare. The historic high reliability of cellular networks has caused a significant reliance on them as the sole means of communication in many developed countries, making it a part of national critical infrastructures. The growing popularity of smartphones opens up cellular network both to the advantages and disadvantages currently associated with the internet. The possibility that an attacker could deny cellular voice/SMS services to legitimate users is already widely discussed. Such attacks could begin by using internet services to send SMS messages or using a botnet consisting of smart cellular phones. Such attacks could be aimed at a core infrastructure to shut down or cripple a cellular network; even very small botnets could be used to launch attacks that disrupt or limit cellular services in targeted geographical areas. We evaluate the possible usage of such techniques both by nation-states and by non-state-actors that could be used as effective digital cover for their actions. The advantage of such attacks is that virtually no hardware is needed to launch them and all activities can be developed, tested and controlled remotely from a safe location. This makes them a good choice for parties seeking asymmetric advantages. Another technique we discuss is the use of cellular botnets to launch a denial of service attack against emergency call services or other phone lines in critical infrastructure. We note that the excellent record of cellular networks does not prove that cellular networks are reliable; we believe that there has simply been a lack of real-world attacks so far. An overview of current and possible countermeasures is provided to show the level of complexity of such a task. We estimate that the importance of this threat will increase together with the rise in both the popularity and the complexity of smartphones.
HIV-1 Envelope Protein gp 120 Is Present at High Concentrations in Secondary Lymphoid Organs of Individuals with Chronic HIV-1 Infection

The envelope protein of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)—glycoprotein 120 (gp120)—has been demonstrated to dysregulate T cell function in vitro. We obtained autopsy tissues from individuals with chronic HIV-1 infection to determine whether there was enough gp120 in lymphoid tissues and/or blood to elicit these effects. We found that gp120 was present in high concentrations (1300 pg/mL) in the spleen and lymph nodes of some of these individuals. In contrast, very low amounts of gp120 and p24 were detected in all serum samples tested. These findings underpin the clinical relevance of nonentry functions of gp120 and the chronic nature of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)– induced immune dysregulation.
An Analysis of Required Information Technology Competence for MIS Students in Taiwan ’ s Universities

Information technology (IT) competence has become one of the critical factors for students of management information systems (MIS) if they wish to be successful in their career. However, little research has been conducted on the required IT competence for MIS students after they graduate from colleges/universities. Hence, the purpose of this study was to identify the required IT competence for MIS students in Taiwan’s universities, and to provide important implications for Taiwan’s MIS education. Through a 2-round qualitative Delphi study and a large sample survey, seven dimensions of IT competence including 44 ability items were proposed. The seven dimensions are (1) access to IT knowledge, (2) current and emerging technologies, (3) experience, (4) basic computer skills, (5) applications, (6) cognition, and (7) management of IT. The ability to access to IT knowledge was considered to be the most important dimension of IT competence according to the respondents. Finally, this study discusses the implications of the results for Taiwan’s MIS education research and practice.
O C ] 7 J un 2 01 4 Consensus Problems in Complex-Weighted Networks ∗

Consensus problems for multi-agent systems in the literature have been studied under real (mostly nonnegative) weighted networks. Complex-valued systems can be used to model many phenomena in applications including complex-valued signals and the motion in a plane. A natural question that arises is whether we can establish consensus under complex-weighted networks in some sense. In this paper, we provide a positive answer to this question. More precisely, we show that in a complex-weighted network all agents can achieve modulus consensus in which the states of all agents reach the same modulus. Necessary and sufficient conditions for modulus consensus are given in both continuous-time and discrete-time cases, which explicitly reveal how the connectedness of networks and structural properties of complex weights jointly affect modulus consensus. As a special case, the bipartite consensus problems on signed networks are revisited. Moreover, our modulus consensus results are used to study circular formation problems in a plane. We first study the control problem of circular formation with relative positions that requires all the agents converge to a common circle centered at a given point and are distributed along the circle in a desired pattern, expressed by the prespecified angle separations and ordering among agents. It is shown that the circular formation with relative positions can be achieved if and only if the communication digraph has a spanning tree. It has the unspecified radius and absolute phases. To completely determine the circular formation, we discuss the control problem of circular formation with absolute positions. By using the pinning control strategy, we find that the circular formation with absolute positions can be achieved via a single local controller if and only if the communication digraph has a spanning tree.
Threshold Effect in the Bank Lending Channel of Monetary Policy Transmission and the Role of Bank Portfolio Deterioration: A PSTR Specification in the WAEMU Zone

The objective of this paper is to analyse the influence of monetary policy on credit supply in the WAEMU zone over the period 1996-2017. The study focuses on the WAEMU countries, except for Guinea-Bissau, due to the unavailability of sufficient data. We apply the Panel Smooth Transition Regression (PSTR) model of Gonzalez et al. (2005). The results reveal the non-linearity of the link between monetary policy and credit supply. There is a threshold of credit risk exposure of 8.726% above which monetary policy loses its effectiveness. Indeed, monetary policy has a positive effect on the supply of credit when the value of the gross bank portfolio deterioration rate is less than or equal to the threshold of 8.726% and an insignificant effect above this threshold. Above this threshold, the link between monetary policy and bank credit supply is distended. In this case, it is the level of economic activity that stimulates the supply of bank credit in this area. These results indicate that the effectiveness of the monetary policy conducted by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), through the bank credit channel, should take into account the level of credit risk attained by banks. Thus, the study recommends that the authorities further strengthen prudential supervision within the WAEMU.
Safety Risk Analysis and Protective Control of Existing Pipelines Affected by Deep Pit Excavation in Metro Construction

Urban underground pipelines undertake many tasks closely related to people’s daily life and production, such as water supply, drainage, gas supply, and power supply. Metro projects are usually located in areas with dense underground pipelines; therefore, in the construction process of deep-foundation metro pit, some measures should be taken to protect the safety of underground pipelines. Under the engineering background of the Jiangbei foundation pit of the Wuhan Yangtze River Tunnel, the influence of soil disturbance caused by deep-foundation pit excavation is first simulated using the ABAQUS software on the displacement of underground pipelines and the dangerous area of underground pipelines is analyzed. Second, the most disadvantageous combination is analyzed for the risk factors of pipelines under the influences of multiple risk factors. Finally, a systematic additional partial reinforcement scheme (APRS) is proposed from the aspects of safety and economy to protect the safety of underground pipelines in the dangerous areas with greater risk. The results of measurement prove that the APRS is effective for pipeline protection and can provide reference for similar problems.
Design and Fabrication of Metallic-Conductive Polymer-Based Hybrid Film Interconnections for Stretchable Electronic Devices

Stretchable circuit is a technological innovation that has transformed the microelectronic landscape due to its enormous applications in the field of medicine. The consistency or durability of health monitoring devices can increase the dependability with which non-invasive clinical measures are collected. Metal–conductive polymer (CP) hybrid interconnects and metal–polyimide dual-layered interconnects were all produced as stretchable interconnections. Stretchable substrate for all of the interconnects was selected as soft elastomer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). However, the PDMS substrate presents challenges because it is temperature sensitive, limiting the process temperature. The extreme hydrophobic nature of the PDMS surface makes it difficult to deposit components that contain water and results in poor adhesion with different metals. Following the development of processes for fabricating materials on the PDMS substrate, methods for resolving these issues were investigated.
“OSOB WALIKAN”: ENVISIONING HOW MALANGESE MAINTAIN THEIR EXISTENCE

Osob Walikan, commonly referred to as Walikan Malang, can be widely used in the social life of Malang people. Developed from a code language, this language still exists even though it already served its purpose and developed into a Malang local language. This paper investigates the current perception of Malangese toward Walikan and its relationship with the maintenance of the Walikan language, which is a local code street language that has shifted to become an urban language. This qualitative study uses questionnaires and interviews to gather the data. The findings showed that there are 3 main perceptions of Malangese towards Walikan: a language as an identity, cultural heritage, and symbol of solidarity. The majority of participants agreed that Walikan is important and needs to be preserved because Walikan has its values for the Malang people. The main method of preservation is to use this language actively in communication so that there are always active speakers to prevent the decline of language use.
Observational study on the influence of noise pollution on the quality of sleep of Porto residents compared with that of rural communities

Exposure to noise pollution has escalated to alarming levels and is causing a number of health problems. It leads to interrupted sleep, increasing stage 1 and awake and decreasing REM and deep sleep. We sought to find a correlation between exposure to high levels of noise pollution in industrialized districts and sleeping problems reported by their inhabitants compared with rural neighbourhoods, using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). This study was composed of 65 people, 33 living in the district of Porto and 32 in rural villages. Each participant was asked to complete two questionnaires; one where they reported their sociodemographic data and the PSQI which indirectly evaluated their sleep quality in the last month. The results from each of the studied groups were compared and analysed using binomial, T and Chi-Square tests. The present study shows that noise has an implication, although limited, on people’s sleeping patterns in the city of Porto, as it affects their daytime life and productivity with a p-value of 0.046. Preventive measures should be taken that focus on reducing nocturnal noise. The responsible departments should enforce the regulations established by the government.
Development and Validation of Deep Learning-based Algorithms for the Estimation of Chronological Age using Panoramic Dental X-ray Images

The estimation of the chronological age using panoramic dental X-ray image is an essential task in forensic sciences. Prior studies using statistical methods mainly targeted estimating the age of child subjects by focusing on the teeth and mandible. However, developing a system for automatic age estimation for all age groups remains a challenging task because there is increasing variability in teeth conditions after puberty in terms of dietary habits and teeth management. In this study, we evaluated the utility of deep learning-based algorithms for the development of an automatic chronological age estimation system using convolutional neural networks(CNN) and we applied and evaluated with a database of panoramic dental X-ray images.
Cryptic Diversity and Demographic Expansion of Plasmodium knowlesi Malaria Vectors in Malaysia

Although Malaysia is considered free of human malaria, there has been a growing number of Plasmodium knowlesi cases. This alarming trend highlighted the need for our understanding of this parasite and its associated vectors, especially considering the role of genetic diversity in the adaptation and evolution among vectors in endemic areas, which is currently a significant knowledge gap in their fundamental biology. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of Anopheles balabacensis, Anopheles cracens, Anopheles introlatus, and Anopheles latens—the vectors for P. knowlesi malaria in Malaysia. Based on cytochrome c oxidase 1 (CO1) and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) markers, the genealogic networks of An. latens showed a separation of the haplotypes between Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysia Borneo, forming two distinct clusters. Additionally, the genetic distances between these clusters were high (2.3–5.2% for CO1) and (2.3–4.7% for ITS2), indicating the likely presence of two distinct species or cryptic species within An. latens. In contrast, no distinct clusters were observed in An. cracens, An. balabacensis, or An. introlatus, implying a lack of pronounced genetic differentiation among their populations. It is worth noting that there were varying levels of polymorphism observed across the different subpopulations, highlighting some levels of genetic variation within these mosquito species. Nevertheless, further analyses revealed that all four species have undergone demographic expansion, suggesting population growth and potential range expansion for these vectors in this region.