Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distribution pattern and management of invasive alien plant species in Sikkim Himalaya, India

An assessment of the distribution pattern of Invasive Alien Plant species in the Sikkim Himalayas was conducted at different elevation gradients and accordingly, management strategies were recommended to combat the ever-increasing condition of invasive plant species threatening the sensitive ecoregions. Among the most relevant factors supporting the present study were changes in the importance value index (IVI), variety, and evenness. There is a greater percentage of domination of invasion at lower elevations than at higher elevations. Species diversity, dominance, and evenness values decreased significantly at higher elevations; interestingly, the fraction of invaded regions is lower at higher elevations. Several factors may contribute to the large cover of invasive plants at lower elevations, including the enabling climate and anthropogenic activities. As a result of invasive alien plant species, such as Ageratum conyzoides, Ageratina adenophora, Bidens pilosa, Chromolaena odorata, Lantana camara, Mikania micrantha and Parthenium hysterophorus, native vegetation, and fauna may suffer adverse consequences, as well as socioeconomic conditions and health issues. This study determined that the invasion of these invasive alien plants in different elevations in the Sikkim Himalaya impacts ecosystem services and depletes several species of commercial importance. The current study recommends quick action to control harmful invasive alien plant species in the Sikkim Himalaya
Hybrid Rice Production: A Worldwide Review of Floral Traits and Breeding Technology, with Special Emphasis on China

Rice is an important diet source for the majority of the world’s population, and meeting the growing need for rice requires significant improvements at the production level. Hybrid rice production has been a significant breakthrough in this regard, and the floral traits play a major role in the development of hybrid rice. In grass species, rice has structural units called florets and spikelets and contains different floret organs such as lemma, palea, style length, anther, and stigma exsertion. These floral organs are crucial in enhancing rice production and uplifting rice cultivation at a broader level. Recent advances in breeding techniques also provide knowledge about different floral organs and how they can be improved by using biotechnological techniques for better production of rice. The rice flower holds immense significance and is the primary focal point for researchers working on rice molecular biology. Furthermore, the unique genetics of rice play a significant role in maintaining its floral structure. However, to improve rice varieties further, we need to identify the genomic regions through mapping of QTLs (quantitative trait loci) or by using GWAS (genome-wide association studies) and their validation should be performed by developing user-friendly molecular markers, such as Kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP). This review outlines the role of different floral traits and the benefits of using modern biotechnological approaches to improve hybrid rice production. It focuses on how floral traits are interrelated and their possible contribution to hybrid rice production to satisfy future rice demand. We discuss the significance of different floral traits, techniques, and breeding approaches in hybrid rice production. We provide a historical perspective of hybrid rice production and its current status and outline the challenges and opportunities in this field.
Why are some students “not into” computational thinking activities embedded within high school science units? Key takeaways from a microethnographic discourse analysis study

Science educators are integrating more and more computational thinking (CT) activities into their curricula. Proponents of CT offer two motivations: familiarizing students with a realistic depiction of the computational nature of modern scientific practices and encouraging more students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. However, some studies show that increasing exposure to computing may not necessarily translate to the hypothesized gains in participation by female students and students of color. Therefore, paying close attention to students' engagement in computationally intense science activities is important to finding more impactful ways to promote equitable science education. In this paper, we present an in‐depth analysis of the interactions among a small, racially diverse group of high school students during a chemistry unit with tightly integrated CT activities. We find a salient interaction between the students' engagement with the CT activities and their social identification with publicly recognizable categories such as “enjoys coding” or “finds computing boring. ” We show that CT activities in science education can lead to numerous rich interactions that could, if leveraged correctly, allow educators to facilitate more inclusive science classrooms. However, we also show that such opportunities would be missed unless teachers are attentive to them. We discuss the implications of our findings on future work to integrate CT across science curricula and teacher education.
Integrated imaging of above and below ground properties and their interactions: A case study in East River Watershed, Colorado

Watershed systems are characterized by extreme hydrological and pedological heterogeneity that directly impacts the local biotic activity, making plant communities extremely heterogeneous. The ability to characterize such heterogeneity and quantify its coupling with topographic and soil properties is extremely important to predict watershed functioning and responses to hydrological perturbations, such as droughts, floods, and early snowmelt.
Engineering Properties of Eğirdir-Kızıldağ Harzburgitic Peridotites in Southwestern Turkey

In rock mechanics, various methods are available to detect the rock properties. The aim of this study is to determine physical and mechanical properties of the serpentinized ultrabasic rocks such as Egirdir-Kizildag Harzburgitic Peridotites. The serpentinized ultrabasic rocks are commonly used for architecture and the ground under road bases in many areas and also widely used for indoor elements such as tables, pilasters and ornaments of different kinds. In this study, geophysical and geotechnical tests including P and S- wave velocities, rigidity modulus, Poisson ratio, elasticity modulus, bulk modulus, natural period, safe bearing capacity and bedding coefficient were performed on nine rock samples, collected from different areas. Geophysical and geotechnical studies were carried out both parallel and perpendicular to foliation planes of the cubic samples. Ultrasonic P-Wave Velocity (UPV), Uniaxial Compressive Strength (UCS), volumetric water contents, effective porosity, unit volume weight, density and weight of all samples were calculated. Finally, statistical relations among the measured parameters were established by using regression analysis.
Immigration and Production Technology

Research on the labor market impact of immigration typically relies on a single-good model of production with separable capital. This article discusses theory and evidence that suggest that this standard model is too simple to capture the labor market impact of immigration. A reasonable level of capital-skill complementarity, for which there is considerable support outside research on immigration, alone reduces the relative wage impact of immigration by 40 percent compared to simulations with skill-neutral capital. Other models in which the production structure responds to skill mix changes, including models with endogenous choice of technique, directed technical change, or human capital spillovers, can also imply the impact of immigration is considerably different than in the standard model. This article discusses new research which tries to credibly evaluate such models using immigration-induced variation in skill mix, an approach with further potential, and evidence that immigration impacts innovation and firm formation.
tRNS boosts visual perceptual learning in participants with bilateral macular degeneration

Perceptual learning (PL) has shown promise in enhancing residual visual functions in patients with age-related macular degeneration (MD), however it requires prolonged training and evidence of generalization to untrained visual functions is limited. Recent studies suggest that combining transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) with perceptual learning produces faster and larger visual improvements in participants with normal vision. Thus, this approach might hold the key to improve PL effects in MD. To test this, we trained two groups of MD participants on a contrast detection task with (n = 5) or without (n = 7) concomitant occipital tRNS. The training consisted of a lateral masking paradigm in which the participant had to detect a central low contrast Gabor target. Transfer tasks, including contrast sensitivity, near and far visual acuity, and visual crowding, were measured at pre-, mid and post-tests. Combining tRNS and perceptual learning led to greater improvements in the trained task, evidenced by a larger increment in contrast sensitivity and reduced inhibition at the shortest target to flankers’ distance. The overall amount of transfer was similar between the two groups. These results suggest that coupling tRNS and perceptual learning has promising potential applications as a clinical rehabilitation strategy to improve vision in MD patients.
Uji Aktivitas Hipnotik-Sedatif Ekstrak Daun Kirinyuh (Eupatorium odoratum) Pada Mencit (Mus musculus) Jantan

Hipnotik-sedatif merupakan golongan obat pendepresi susunan syaraf pusat (SSP) efek yang diberikan bergantung pada dosis, mulai dari yang ringan, seperti tenang atau kantuk hingga hilangnya kesadaran. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui aktivitas hipnotik-sedatif pada daun kirinyuh (Eupatorium odoratum), mengetahui konsentrasi dari ekstrak etanol daun kirinyuh (Eupatorium odoratum) memiliki aktivitas hipnotik-sedatif pada mencit (Mus musculus) jantan. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian analitik. Pengujian aktivitas hipnotik-sedatif menggunakan metode righting reflex dan rotarod. Penelitian ini menggunakan hewan uji yang berupa mencit (Mus musculus) jantan yang dibagi menjadi 5 kelompok perlakuan. Kelompok ekstrak etanol daun kirinyuh 25 mg/kg BB, 50 mg/kg BB, 75 mg/kg BB, dengan pembanding kontrol positif (diazepam 5 mg/kg bb) dan kontrol negatif (Na.CMC 1%). Parameter yang diamati adalah waktu induksi tidur mencit dengan efek balik tubuh mencit dan waktu jatuh mencit (Mus musculus). Analisis data dilakukan dengan menggunakan One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) dan dilanjut denga uji LSD. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa ekstrak daun kirinyuh (Eupatorium odoratum) memiliki nilai signifikan p>0,05 terhadap kontrol negatif. Efek hipnotik-sedatif ditunjukan pada konsentrasi ekstrak 75 mg/kg BB. Dari hasil penelitian menyimpulkan bahwa semakin tinggi konsentrasi ekstrak daun kirinyuh (Eupatorium odoratum) yang diberikan maka semakin cepat efek sedasi yang dihasilkan
Enhancing Security of 5G-Enabled IoT Systems through Advanced Authentication Mechanisms: A Multifaceted Approach

The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized communication among devices, offering unprecedented efficiency and convenience. However, the widespread adoption of IoT has raised significant security concerns, emphasizing the need for robust security measures. This study focuses on the crucial aspect of authentication within the layered architecture of IoT systems. Authentication is foundational to the architecture, ensuring the availability, security, and integrity of IoT services and data. The research evaluates the current state of IoT authentication techniques, highlighting limitations in conventional solutions. To address these shortcomings, an advanced authentication framework is proposed, incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and biometrics. The framework employs biometric data for a dynamic and adaptive authentication process, enhancing security and accuracy in user and device identification. Blockchain technology is integrated to establish a decentralized and tamper-resistant identity management system, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and data manipulation. Artificial intelligence continuously adapts authentication processes based on behavioural patterns, bolstering the system's resilience against evolving cyber threats. The study also discusses the practical application of the proposed authentication system, considering resource limitations in IoT devices. It provides insights into the efficiency, scalability, and interoperability of the suggested solution within various IoT ecosystems. The research contributes to the ongoing discourse on IoT security by thoroughly examining enhanced authentication procedures. Organizations can fortify their IoT deployments against a growing array of cyber threats by prioritizing advanced authentication within a layered design, fostering a more secure and reliable IoT ecosystem. Additionally, the study presents a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art security in IoT, exploring various designs, enabling technologies, and protocols. It delves into security challenges at each architectural tier, providing an in-depth analysis of attack taxonomies and advanced defenses. The article serves as a valuable resource for researchers and academics in the IoT sector, offering a detailed survey of architectural security, identification of challenges, resolution strategies, and insights into the evolving landscape of IoT. The study provides a comprehensive survey of IoT architectural security, identifying challenges, proposing resolutions, and highlighting changes in the IoT domain. This research aims to enhance the accuracy by 80% of IoT security, fostering a more secure and reliable IoT ecosystem.
Heterotic Effect, Combining Ability and Significance of Synthetics over Line Cultivars in Faba Bean ( Vicia faba L.) Grown under Semi-Arid Zones

The aim of this study was to investigate the amount of heterosis and performance of faba bean synthetic cultivars compared to line cultivars under semi-arid conditions. Five inbred lines in at least S6 generation were developed and used to develop F1s hybrid (in all possible combination excluding reciprocal), lines mixtures (Syn-0) and synthetic generations of Syn-1. Evaluation of the entries showed the lines to have high general and specific combining ability, high yield and high average degree of cross-fertilization (0.36); hetrosis relative to mid-parent for yield was 67%. Lines mixture from four inbred lines (Hudeiba/93, Bassabier, Ed-Damar and Shabah) gave the highest yield of 3.40 t/ha for Syn-0 and 3.96 t/ha for Syn-1. Compared to the average yield t/ha of the pure stand of the four lines (3.11 t/ha), the increase in yield of was 9% in sy-0 and 27% in Syn-1. Compared to the individual yield t/ha of the pure stand of the lines, the performance of Syn-0 surpassed that of the individual pure stands of the linesby 14% for Hudiaba/93 and Bassabier and 4% for Ed-Damar and 7% for Shabah, whereas the increase in performance of Syn-1 compared to pure stand of the lines was 32%, 25% and 21%, respectively. The results confirm the previous knowledge on yield increase with successive syn-generations in faba bean due to the effects of heterogeneity and heterozygosity. Such results could be used as a base for an effective breeding program for improvement of yield of faba bean grown under the semi-arid zones.
Multivariate analysis among indigenous and exotic advanced inbred lines of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) for genetic improvement

Evaluation and validation of 358 Indian-origin and exotic inbred lines of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) was done over two years toidentify trait-specific inbreds with desirable agronomical features for genetic improvement. The analysis of variance exhibited significant differences among the genotypes for most of the agronomic traits studied, which favor selection. Positive correlations were recorded among the various characters in the improvement of seed yield, particularly for plant height, head diameter, and 100 seed weight. Cluster analysis grouped 163 inbreds under Cluster V, which included genotypes with medium maturity, high oil content and good yielding ability. The clustering pattern indicated the association between geographic diversity and genetic diversity. The first principal component accounted for 75% of the total variation in the population. The most important trait that contributed more to the variation in PC1 was plant height (0.989), followed by the number of leaves per plant (0.113). The second principal component accounted for 87% of the total variation and was positively associated with days to 50% flowering (0.674) and days to maturity (0.654), whereas it was negatively associated with seed yield per plant (-0312). Several trait-specific inbred lines were identified using multivariate analysis that may serve as potential breeding material/parental lines for effective utilization in the heterosis breeding programme for developing agronomically superior heterotic sunflower hybrids.
Subject-Verb Agreement in Arabic from a Sign-Based Construction Grammar Perspective: A Sentence Types View

Arabic sentences exhibit both SVO and VSO word orders, and these word orders show different agreement patterns between the subject and the verb. This agreement asymmetry has been the subject of research for a long time. This paper adds to the body of literature regarding this topic by presenting a Sign-Based Construction Grammar account of the phenomenon. It differs from previous research in that it accounts for all sentence types in Arabic and not the ones that include a verb. To achieve this goal, a sentence type view is adopted instead of a word order view. This paper shows that adopting a sentence type view instead of a word order view allows for a better understanding of Arabic sentences and paves the way to accounts of other languages exhibiting the same phenomenon
Algae-Based Nanoparticles for Oral Drug Delivery Systems

Drug administration by oral delivery is the preferred route, regardless of some remaining challenges, such as short resident time and toxicity issues. One strategy to overcome these barriers is utilizing mucoadhesive vectors that can increase intestinal resident time and systemic uptake. In this study, biomimetic nanoparticles (NPs) were produced from 14 types of edible algae and evaluated for usage as oral DDSs by measuring their size, surface charge, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, mucoadhesion force, and cellular uptake into Caco-2 cells. The NPs composed of algal materials (aNPs) exhibited a spherical morphology with a size range of 126–606 nm and a surface charge of −9 to −38 mV. The mucoadhesive forces tested ex vivo against mice, pigs, and sheep intestines revealed significant variation between algae and animal models. Notably, Arthospira platensis (i.e., Spirulina) NPs (126 ± 2 nm, −38 ± 3 mV) consistently exhibited the highest mucoadhesive forces (up to 3127 ± 272 µN/mm²). Moreover, a correlation was found between high mucoadhesive force and high cellular uptake into Caco-2 cells, further supporting the potential of aNPs by indicating their ability to facilitate drug absorption into the human intestinal epithelium. The results presented herein serve as a proof of concept for the possibility of aNPs as oral drug delivery vehicles.
A hybrid solver based on the integral equation method and vector finite-element method for 3D controlled-source electromagnetic method modeling

The integral equation method (IEM) and differential equation methods have been widely applied to provide numerical solutions of the electromagnetic (EM) fields caused by inhomogeneity for the controlled-source EM method. IEM has a bounded computational domain and has been well-known for its efficiency, whereas differential equation methods are commonly used for complex geologic models. To use the advantages of the two types of approaches, a hybrid method is developed based on the combination of IEM and the edge-based finite-element method (vector FEM). In the hybrid scheme, Maxwell’s differential equations of the secondary electric fields in the frequency domain are derived for a volume with boundary placed slightly away from the inhomogeneity. The vector FEM is applied to solve Maxwell’s differential equations, and a system of linear equations for the secondary electric fields can be derived by the minimum theorem. The secondary electric fields on the boundary are represented by IEM in terms of the secondary electric fields inside the inhomogeneity. The linear equations from substituting the boundary values into the vector FEM linear equations then can be solved to obtain the secondary electric fields inside the inhomogeneity. The secondary electric fields at receivers are calculated by IEM based on the secondary electric field solutions inside the inhomogeneity. The hybrid algorithm is verified by comparison of simulated results with earlier works on canonical 3D disc models with a high accuracy. Numerical comparisons with two conventional IEMs demonstrate that the hybrid method is more accurate and efficient for high-conductivity contrast media.
Toxicity of Ethyl Formate to Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) Exhibiting Different Levels of Phosphine Resistance and Its Influence on Metabolite Profiles

Ethyl formate (EF), a naturally occurring fumigant, has attracted widespread attention owing to its low toxicity in mammals. Here, Direct Immersion Solid-Phase Microextraction (DI-SPME) was employed for sample preparation in mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics to evaluate the effects on Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) strains with different levels of PH3 resistance (sensitive, TC-S; moderately resistant, TC-M; strongly resistant, TC-SR) when exposed to a sub-lethal concentration (LC30) of EF. The bioassay indicated that T. castaneum strains with varying PH3 resistance levels did not confer cross-resistance to EF. A metabolomic analysis revealed that exposure to sublethal doses of EF significantly altered 23 metabolites in T. castaneum, including 2 that are unique to the species which remained unaffected by external conditions, while 11 compounds showed a strong response. A pathway topology analysis indicated that EF caused changes to several metabolic pathways, mainly involving fatty acids and their related metabolic pathways. This study showed that EF can induce highly similar metabolic responses in insects across varying levels of PH3 resistance, suggesting that the mechanisms driving the toxicity of EF and PH3 are distinct. These insights significantly extend our knowledge of the toxic mechanisms of EF and provide direct evidence for the efficacy of EF treatment for managing PH3 resistance in insects.