Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The interdisciplinary implementation of poly-universe to promote computational thinking: Teaching examples from biological, physical, and digital education in Austrian secondary schools

Today’s teaching and didactical methods are progressively aiming to integrate digital technologies, computational thinking (CT), and basic computer science concepts into other subjects. An innovative and creative way of combining and integrating CT and teaching cross-curricular skills without digital devices is to include the game Poly-Universe (PolyUni). According to previous research, the game is expected to have a positive effect on visual perceptual progress, including isolation, and the development of shape-background skills. So far, however, comparatively few attempts have been made to explore the educational possibilities of PolyUni for different school levels and subjects, besides mathematics. Therefore, this article aims to close this gap by exploring how PolyUni can be used to promote CT in three subjects: physical education (PE), digital education (DGE), and biology (B). Furthermore, it evaluates whether the pre-defined learning objectives in those subjects have been achieved, and examines how PolyUni combines the requirements of the different curricula in Austrian secondary school, based on self-designed tasks. Additionally, further aspects of PolyUni such as engagement and collaboration are discussed. To explore the above-mentioned benefits, a mixed-methods study was implemented, whereas the workshops and accompanying teaching materials (e.g., worksheets) were developed based on the COOL Informatics concept. The participant observation method was employed for qualitative data collection, and a self-designed assessment grid as well as additional picture analysis were used for the quantitative data. PolyUni was introduced in three different workshops at Austrian secondary schools with 80 students observed and analyzed. Based on the present data, it can be assumed that PolyUni supports achieving the requirements of the different curricula and pre-defined teaching and learning objectives in a playful way. Furthermore, the game not only promotes CT in secondary school but also encourages enjoyment and collaboration between peers in biological, digital, and physical education lessons.
Causal relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and chronic kidney disease: A Mendelian randomization study

Objective Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common endocrine disorders among women of childbearing age. The relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and chronic kidney disease remains unclear and controversial. In this study, we investigated the causal role of polycystic ovary syndrome in the development of chronic kidney disease using the two-sample Mendelian randomization method. Methods Public shared summary-level data was acquired from European-ancestry genome wide association studies. We finally obtained 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables, which were associated with polycystic ovary syndrome in European at genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10−8). Inverse-variance weighted method was employed in the Mendelian randomization analysis and multiple sensitivity analyses were implemented. Outcome data were obtained from the Open GWAS database. Results A positive causal association was observed between polycystic ovary syndrome and chronic kidney disease (odds ratio [OR]=1.180, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.038-1.342; P=0.010). Further analyses clarified that causal relationship exist between polycystic ovary syndrome and some serological indicators of chronic kidney disease (fibroblast growth factor 23: OR= 1.205, 95% CI: 1.031-1.409, P=0.019; creatinine: OR= 1.012, 95% CI: 1.001-1.023, P=0.035; cystatin C: OR= 1.024, 95% CI: 1.006-1.042, P=0.009). However, there was no causal association of polycystic ovary syndrome with other factors in the data sources we employed. Conclusions Our results indicate an important role of polycystic ovary syndrome in the development of chronic kidney disease. This study suggests that regular follow-up of renal function in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome is necessary for the early treatment of chronic kidney disease.
Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) summering in the Ligurian Sea: distribution, encounter rate, mean group size and relation to physiographic variables

This paper investigates the distribution of Mediterranean fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) between 1990-99 in the recently-established Pelagos Sanctuary for the Conservation of Mediterranean Marine Mammals. During the study period, 870 days were spent at sea, surveying a total of 73,046km, totalling 540 sightings of fin whales. Mean yearly whale encounter rates showed no significant differences in the first five years, but then steadily decreased between 1995-99. The highest encounter rates and largest mean aggregation size (mean=2.12; SD=1.32; SE=1.15) were in summer 1995 and the mean aggregation size throughout the study period was 1.75 (mode=1; SD=1.11; SE=0.05). Differences in mean aggregation size were significant between years, but not months. This is likely to be related to prey availability and to patchiness of plankton distribution. Generalised Linear Models were used to relate fin whale distribution to physiographic variables (mean, range and standard deviation of depth and slope, and distance from the nearest coast). Water depth was the most significant variable in describing fin whale distribution, with more than 90% of sightings occurring in waters deeper than 2,000m. This study demonstrates the deep water preference of fin whales in this area, emphasises the crucial role that this part of the western Ligurian Sea plays in the ecology of Mediterranean fin whales and provides recommendations for conservation and management measures in the area.
Ukrainian language proficiency test review

The Ukrainian Language Proficiency (ULP) test, officially titled Exam of the level of mastery of the official language (Ispyt na riven’ volodinnya derzhavnoyu movoyu) is a new test launched in Summer 2021. The name of the test in Ukrainian, incidentally, does not contain the words “Ukrainian” or “foreign language. ” According to the state regulations (Kabinet Ministriv Ukrayiny [KMU], 2021a; Natsional’na Komisiya zi Standartiv Derzhavnoyi Movy [NKSDM], 2021a, 2021b), the levels of mastery of Ukrainian in the test are aligned with the CEFR levels.1 The test was introduced as a product of the law about the official language of Ukraine, which mandated that civil servants and citizens who are being naturalized are fully able to use Ukrainian in performing their duties. The ULP test comprises two versions: (a) ULP for acquisition of Ukrainian citizenship (Ispyt na riven’ volodinnya derzhavnoyu movoyu (dlya nabuttya hromadyanstva)), and (b) ULP 2.0 for holding civil office (Ispyt na riven’ volodinnya derzhavnoyu movoyu 2.0 (dlya vykonannya sluzhbovyh obov’yazkiv)). To differentiate between the two versions of the test in this review, we will refer to the former version as ULP-C and to the latter version as ULP 2.0. The purpose of this review is to apply Kunnan’s (2018) fairness and justice framework to evaluate both ULP-C and ULP 2.0 since they are united by (a) the alignment with the CEFR scale which poses ULP 2.0 as a continuation of ULP-C, (b) the same
Role of multi-decadal variability of the winter North Atlantic Oscillation on Northern Hemisphere climate

The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) plays a leading role in modulating wintertime climate over the North Atlantic and the surrounding continents of Europe and North America. Here we show that the observed evolution of the NAO displays larger multi-decadal variability than that simulated by nearly all CMIP6 models. To investigate the role of the NAO as a pacemaker of multi-decadal climate variability, we analyse simulations that are constrained to follow the observed NAO. We use a particle filter data-assimilation technique that sub-selects members that follow the observed NAO among an ensemble of simulations, as well as the El Niño Southern Oscillation and Southern Annular Mode in a global climate model, without the use of nudging terms. Since the climate model also contains external forcings, these simulations can be used to compare the simulated forced response to the effect of the three assimilated modes. Concentrating on the 28 year periods of strongest observed NAO trends, we show that NAO variability leads to large multi-decadal trends in temperature and precipitation over Northern Hemisphere land as well as in sea-ice concentration. The Atlantic subpolar gyre region is particularly strongly influenced by the NAO, with links found to both concurrent atmospheric variability and to the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Care thus needs to be taken to account for impacts of the NAO when using sea surface temperature in this region as a proxy for AMOC strength over decadal to multi-decadal time-scales. Our results have important implications for climate analyses of the North Atlantic region and highlight the need for further work to understand the causes of multi-decadal NAO variability.
Plasma Leptin Levels, Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome, and Diabetes Are Associated with Obesity-Related Alterations of Peripheral Blood Monocyte Subsets

Abstract Obesity is a dramatically increasing disease, accompanied with comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Both obesity and OSAS per se are associated with systemic inflammation. However, the multifactorial impact of obesity, OSAS, and its concomitant diseases on the immunological characteristics of circulating monocytes has not yet been fully resolved. Monocyte subsets of 82 patients with obesity were analyzed in whole blood measurements in terms of the CD14/CD16 cell surface expression patterns and different monocytic adhesion molecules using flow cytometry. Plasma levels of adipokines adiponectin and leptin of all patients were evaluated and correlated with accompanying cellular and clinical values. Whole blood measurements revealed a significant overall redistribution of CD14/CD16 monocyte subsets in patients with obesity. Monocytic adhesion molecules CD11a, CD11b, and CX3CR1 were significantly elevated. The observed alterations significantly correlated with plasma leptin levels and diabetes status as crucial amplifying factors. The additive impact of obesity, diabetes, and OSAS on the immunological balance of peripheral blood monocytes requires a coordinated regimen in terms of therapeutic treatment, respiratory support, and weight loss to improve the systemic immunity in these patients.
Prevalence of Lumbosacral Transition Vertebrae in Symptomatic Adults and the Levels of Degeneration in the Suprajacent Disc

Lumbosacral transition vertebra (LSTV) is a common occurrence and its prevalence ranges from 2.6% to 35.6%. Our aim is to study this phenomenon in the adult Singaporean population and assess the level of degeneration of the suprajacent disc in those with LSTV. Retrospectively, 545 patients (Age = 57.6 ± 18.3 years; Male = 277; Female = 268) who underwent radiographic evaluation of the lumbar spine for lower back pain or radicular symptoms were shortlisted. LSTV was found to be present in 106 patients (19.4%) with sacralization of L5 and lumbarization of S1 occurring in 96 patients (17.6%) and 10 patients (1.8%), respectively. The most common form of LSTV was Castellvi type IIA (46 patients; 43.4%). Based on Pfirrmann grading, Grade IV disc degeneration was most common in both the LSTV level (63%) and the unfused suprajacent level (77%) in those with LSTV. There was a significantly higher number of patients with grade IV and above degeneration in the suprajacent disc level among those with LSTV when compared to the last unfused (L5-S1) disc level in those without LSTV (84% vs. 65%; p = 0.0001). This suprajacent disc degeneration seen in patients with LSTV may contribute to low back pain and related problems in these patients.
A nonmonotonic trust region method for constrained optimization problems

Abstract In this paper we propose an easy-to-implement algorithm for solving general nonlinear optimization problems with nonlinear equality constraints. A nonmonotonic trust region strategy is suggested which does not require the merit function to reduce its value in every iteration. In order to deal with large problems, a reduced Hessian is used to replace a full Hessian matrix. To avoid solving quadratic trust region subproblems exactly which usually takes substantial computation, we only require an approximate solution which requires less computation. The calculation of correction steps, necessary from a theoretical view point to overcome the Maratos effect but which often brings in negative results in practice, is avoided in most cases by setting a criterion to judge its necessity. Global convergence and a local superlinear rate are then proved. This algorithm has a good performance.
Multiple-Description Coding by Dithered Delta–Sigma Quantization

We address the connection between the multiple-description (MD) problem and delta-sigma quantization. The inherent redundancy due to oversampling in delta-sigma quantization, and the simple linear-additive noise model resulting from dithered lattice quantization, allow us to construct a symmetric and time-invariant MD coding scheme. We show that the use of a noise-shaping filter makes it possible to trade off central distortion for side distortion. Asymptotically, as the dimension of the lattice vector quantizer and order of the noise-shaping filter approach infinity, the entropy rate of the dithered delta-sigma quantization scheme approaches the symmetric two-channel MD rate-distortion function for a memoryless Gaussian source and mean square error (MSE) fidelity criterion, at any side-to-central distortion ratio and any resolution. In the optimal scheme, the infinite-order noise-shaping filter must be minimum phase and have a piecewise flat power spectrum with a single jump discontinuity. An important advantage of the proposed design is that it is symmetric in rate and distortion by construction, so the coding rates of the descriptions are identical and there is therefore no need for source splitting.
A novel method of retrieving the polarization qubits after being transmitted in turbid media

In this paper, we have mainly investigated the reconstruction of the polarization states of the incident light which passed through the turbid atmospheric media. Here, a novel polarization retrieve (PR) method is established using a Monte Carlo simulation algorithm, which is proposed to study the influence of particle scattering. The polarization states of the initial field could be retrieved accurately according to the polarization states of the scattered field and the Mueller matrix. In the case of a single homogeneous medium, the mean error of retrieved polarization is close to zero. We have also applied this method to complex atmospheric environments such as random-sized distribution particles and various index of refraction media. By comparison with the existing polarization maintaining method, the results indicate that the PR method is more applicable to disordered media with relatively larger particles. Moreover, the errors of the retrieved degree of polarization are below 0.11%, and the errors of the retrieved angle of polarization are below 0.54% in our mixed media model. So, this work will be very significant for polarizing quantum secure communication in scattering medium over a long-distance scope.
An efficient virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) system for gene functional studies in Miscanthus

Virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) is a powerful tool for transient gene functional analysis in plants, especially for monocot species (e.g., grasses) that are recalcitrant to transformation. Despite various VIGS systems that have been developed in different plant species, none was previously available for the bioenergy crop Miscanthus. Here, we report the establishment of an efficient and robust VIGS system mediated by Tobacco Rattle Virus (TRV) in Miscanthus. We first investigated the impact of various factors that may affect gene silencing efficiency using the Miscanthus sinensis Phytoene Desaturase (MsPDS) gene as a visual indicator of photobleaching. Then, we optimized the TRV‐elicited VIGS procedure using an orthogonal experimental design with four factors (sprout size, Agrobacterium concentration, vacuum infiltration time, and co‐incubation time) each at three levels. The following led to the highest silencing efficiency (~76%): inoculation of germinating seedlings (1.0–2.0 mm), Agrobacterium tumefaciens culture grown to optical density at 600 nm (OD600) of 0.4, vacuum infiltration for 90 min, and co‐incubation for 5 h. The VIGS system established was applicable for both M. sinensis and M. lutarioriparius, with comparable gene silencing efficiency. We verified the efficacy of the VIGS system via the functional characterization of the role of a MYB transcription factor, MsMYB112, in salt stress tolerance. Expression of MsMYB112 was successfully knocked down using the VIGS system, and this led to compromised salt tolerance in the silenced Miscanthus plants. The TRV‐based VIGS system established may, therefore, substantially facilitate functional genomic studies in Miscanthus.
PERTURBATIVE APPROACH TO INTEGRABILITY IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL CHERN-SIMONS THEORIES

One of the most fascinating discoveries of contemporary Theoretical Physics is the AdS/CFT correspondence relating gauge theories to gravity theories. Soon after its formulation, tremendous developments allowed to obtain a deep comprehension of the four-dimensional N = 4 SYM theory and, in particular, led to the discovery of integrable structures both in the gauge theory itself and in its string counterpart. In the last few years, much attention was devoted to the study of supersymmetric ChernSimons-matter theories in three dimensions. In this class of theories a distinguished role is played by the N = 6 ABJM model which is a U(N)k×U(N)−k superconformal gauge theory with Chern-Simons level k. Indeed, in the large N limit, the ABJM theory has been conjectured to be the AdS/CFT dual description of M-theory on an AdS4 × S/Zk background and, for k ≪ N ≪ k, of a type IIA string theory on AdS4 × CP. For this reason, soon after its discovery the ABJM model has quickly become the ideal three-dimensional playground to study AdS/CFT as much as N = 4 SYM has been in the four-dimensional case. Quite surprisingly, the ABJM model seems to share a number of notable properties with N = 4 SYM theory even though the two theories are a priori different in nature. One of the common features is provided by the fact that also in planar ABJM theory integrable structures naturally show up. In particular, a Bethe Ansatz approach to the computation of anomalous dimensions is possible and a set of all-loop Bethe equations was formulated. These equations are very similar to those of SYM theory, however, starting at eight loops, important new features are believed to appear, in particular in connection with the appearance of the dressing phase. With the aim to check such a picture, we analyze for the first time the form of the eight-loop dilatation operator in the SU(2)×SU(2) sector and, adopting a perturbative approach based on superspace techniques, we directly extract the value of the unknown leading order coefficient of the dressing phase from supergraphs involving maximal interactions.
Embodied ambivalence in Taiwan: fat women and gender minorities’ negotiation and subversion of their hyper(in)visibility

ABSTRACT Based upon Jeannine Gailey’s concept of ‘hyper(in)visibility’ of fat women (2014), this article has two goals: (a) to analyse Taiwanese self-identifying fat women and gender minorities’ management and negotiation of their (in)visibility; and (b) to examine the local appropriation of the important international feminist movement that is fat activism in a non-Euro-American context. Drawing upon in-depth conversations with Taiwanese women, fat activists, and gender minorities who self-identify as fat, the findings reveal that they embody a paradoxical hyper(in)visibility. Given their large body size, fat women and gender minorities are hypervisible and their bodies are dissected publicly and privately, while at the same time their corpulent bodies are marginalized and overlooked. Moreover, since the most important criterion determining whether a Taiwanese woman is considered beautiful is thinness, the beauty cult also means a fat-phobic culture within which participants suffer from a dehumanizing gaze. As a result, some fat women choose to enact docile and cute femininity by embodying the figure of a ‘marshmallow girl’, while activists subvert gender and body-size norms and fight for fat acceptance and body diversity. Some activists try to reverse and queer the fat-shaming and abject representational codes and embody fat euphoria momentums.
Outcomes of Double Balloon-Enteroscopy in Elderly vs. Adult Patients: A Retrospective 16-Year Single-Centre Study

Abstract Background and Aim: Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is a well-established procedure for direct visualisation of the entire small bowel mucosa, and, in contrast with other imaging techniques, allows to perform biopsies and therapeutic interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the indications, diagnostic yield, therapeutic yield, and complications of DBE in a cohort of consecutive patients according to patients’ age. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of consecutive patients who underwent DBE in our endoscopy unit between January 2006 and December 2021. Results: A total of 387 consecutive patients who underwent 460 DBE procedures were included. Mean age of the patients was 63 years. The overall diagnostic yield was 67.6%; vascular lesions were the predominant endoscopic findings (31.5%), followed by polyps or neoplastic masses (17.6%). Older patients (≥65 years) showed statistically higher rates of clinically relevant findings than adult patients (18–65 years) (p = 0.001). Crohn’s disease and polyps or neoplastic masses were more frequent in the younger group (p = 0.009 and p = 0.066, respectively), while vascular lesions and non-specific inflammation were the most common findings in the older group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The therapeutic intervention rate was 31.7%. Rates of endoscopic treatment were significantly higher in the older group (p < 0.001). Total complications occurred in five procedures (1.1%). Conclusion: In clinical practice, DBE is an efficient diagnostic and therapeutic tool with a high safety profile, particularly in the elderly population.