Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metabarcoding hyperdiverse kelp holdfast communities on temperate reefs: An experimental approach to inform future studies

Classical taxonomic approaches to quantifying biodiversity can be notoriously laborious and restrictive. Instead, molecular metabarcoding is emerging as a rapid, high-throughput, and cost-effective tool to catalog biodiversity. Despite the appeal of metabarcoding, methodological and procedural biases must be understood before robust biodiversity inferences can be made. Here, we use CO1 metabarcoding to characterize marine eukaryote communities associated with Ecklonia radiata , the dominant eco-engineering kelp of temperate Australasia. To establish a standardized and reproducible community metabarcoding protocol, we examined the influence of different sample preparation, laboratory, and bioinformatic steps on inferences of species richness and composition of communities associated with E . radiata holdfasts (the root-like structure anchoring the kelp to the substratum) sampled from northeastern New Zealand. Specifically, we examined the effect of sieving the community into different size fractions and the replicability of results across DNA extractions, polymerase chain reactions and sequencing. Overall, we found that sieving the community into two size fractions before DNA extraction enabled detection of a greater diversity of taxa than not sieving samples. When compared with traditional morphology-based inventories of kelp holdfast biodiversity, we found that although the taxonomic precision of our metabarcoding approach at the species and genus level was limited by the availability of reference sequences in public repositories, we recovered ~ 40% more taxa and a greater taxonomic breadth of organisms than morphological surveys (e.g., 18 phyla as compared with 14 phyla). On the basis of our findings, we provide methodological guidelines for the use of metabarcoding as a tool for surveying and monitoring the hyperdiverse species assemblages associated with kelp holdfasts.
Effectiveness of Professional Learning Communities in Ghanaian Basic Schools through the Lenses of Socio-Cultural Theory

This study employed the explanatory sequential mixed-methods design to assess the effectiveness of PLCs in Ghanaian basic schools. Using proportional stratified random sampling technique, the study selected 650 respondents (400 teachers and 250 headteachers) from the basic schools in five regions of Ghana for the quantitative phase of the study. Subsequently, 30 teachers and 10 headteachers from these schools were sampled purposely for the qualitative phase of the study. An adapted version of PLACA-R (6-dimensions; α = .84-.92) from Olivier and Hipp (2010) was used to collect quantitative data whilst researchers designed an interview guide was used to gather qualitative data. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive (means and standard deviation) statistics whilst the qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The study established the level of PLC activities in the basic schools is low on all the 6 dimensions of the scale except shared and supportive leadership. A good number of the basic schools have never held any PLC meetings since the curriculum was introduced. Schools that observed PLC meetings often ignore the delivery methods in the PLC manual. The study also found that female teachers practice PLC more than male teachers. The study further established that age, educational qualification and years of experience have a significant impact on the practice of PLC. The study concluded that teachers and headteachers in the basic schools lack knowledge and pedagogical skills about PLCs and their roles in the professional development of the teachers. It was recommended that the participation of PLCs by teachers and Headteachers should be used as one of the tools for teacher promotion.
Newer Perspectives in Lactate Threshold Estimation for Endurance Sports – A Mini-Review

Lactate threshold (LT) estimation in endurance sports continues to be a widely controversial field amongst sports scientists and students despite beyond 50 years of research. With the advent of technology and superior sensors, LT research has ventured into newer fields involving wearables and artificial intelligence. Still, there is a felt need to understand the focused areas of LT research and to guide the students, sports scientists and coaches. The main aim of this mini-review is to identify research categories in a descriptive manner and to synthesize broad themes for future research from latest literature. A comprehensive electronic search in three databases was performed including only original free full text research articles conducted in athletes and heathy subjects, published in English between 2016 and 2020 following PRISMA guidelines. Out of screened 466 articles, 14 articles were finally shortlisted as per inclusion criteria and the findings were summarized. Five research categories were identified and reviewed. for specific sports and the application of valid, reliable noninvasive LT estimation methods in endurance sports. Synthesized broad themes would help guide sports scientists, students and researchers for future research.
Lightning current and magnetic field parameters caused by lightning strikes to tall structures relating to interference of electronic systems

In order to protect electronic devices against the effects of lightning strikes to tall structures, detailed information about the lightning currents and the radiated electromagnetic fields are necessary. For this purpose, coordinated lightning current and field measurements are performed at the telecommunication tower on the mountain Hoher Peissenberg in the south of Germany. The instrumentation is described. Of special interest are the detailed waveforms of the lightning currents and the corresponding magnetic fields as well as their respective derivatives. Electronic systems are mainly affected by the impulse current components in a lightning strike to a tall structure. The lightning current and corresponding field waveforms are discussed and detailed statistical evaluations of different parameters are presented.
An Empirical Analysis of Efficiency in Accommodation Industry in Australian Tourism Regions

ABSTRACT A body of empirical literature exists which sets out how the accommodation industry performs across a range of locations. However, research on tourism regions in terms of its accommodation industry remains underdeveloped, especially in the Covid-19 pandemic when tourism faced unprecedented adversity and need to find a way to move forward. In an attempt to address this and take the Australian accommodation industry as a case study, this paper sought to investigate the efficiency of Australian tourism regions in the accommodation industry for the period of 2014/15–2017/18. The findings clearly showed that Australian tourism regions had seen significant growth in terms of their efficiency in the accommodation industry over the surveyed period. The Australian commercial large cities, namely Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and the Goal Coast, represent perhaps the best example, having obtained a higher efficiency than all other tourism regions. Exogenous factors, such as the occupancy rate, the average daily rate, the number of international visitors and the number of domestic visitors overnight were identified as influencing the technical efficiency score of tourism regions, with policy formulation and implementation identified as being key to improving the efficiency of the accommodation industry at the regional level for a post-Covid-19 period.
Supercapacitor thermal- and electrical-behaviour modelling using ANN

The paper presents the development of a modelling tool for evaluation of the thermal and electrical behaviour of supercapacitors, using an artificial neural network (ANN). The principle consists of a black-box multiple-input single-output (MISO) model. The system inputs are temperature, current and supercapacitor values, and the output is the supercapacitor voltage. The relationship between inputs and output is established by the learning and the validation of the ANN model from experimental charge and discharge cycles of supercapacitors at different currents and different temperatures. Once the training parameters are known, the ANN simulator can predict different operational parameters of the supercapacitors. The update parameters of the ANN model are performed using the Levenberg-Marquardt method to minimise the error between the output of the system and the predicted output. This methodology using ANN networks may provide useful information on the transient behaviour of the supercapacitors taking into account thermal influences. Experimental results will also validate the simulation results.
Sperm Inspection for In Vitro Fertilization via Self-Assembled Microdroplet Formation and Quantitative Phase Microscopy

We present a new method for the selection of individual sperm cells using a microfluidic device that automatically traps each cell in a separate microdroplet that then individually self-assembles with other microdroplets, permitting the controlled measurement of the cells using quantitative phase microscopy. Following cell trapping and droplet formation, we utilize quantitative phase microscopy integrated with bright-field imaging for individual sperm morphology and motility inspection. We then perform individual sperm selection using a single-cell micromanipulator, which is enhanced by the microdroplet-trapping procedure described above. This method can improve sperm selection for intracytoplasmic sperm injection, a common type of in vitro fertilization procedure.
Slotted substrate integrated cavity antenna using TE 330 mode with low profile and high gain

A novel slotted cavity antenna based on substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) technology using TE330 mode is presented for the first time. The SIW-based cavity operating at TE330 mode is simply fed by a coaxial probe. Energy is coupled out of the cavity by a 3 × 3 slot array etched on the top surface of the cavity. An antenna prototype operating at WLAN 5.8 GHz band fabricated with standard printed circuit board (PCB) process on a single substrate is exemplified to validate the proposed concept. The overall volume of the antenna is 1. 6λ 0 × 1. 6λ 0 × 0. 029λ 0. Measured results show that the antennas achieve a bandwidth of 4.7% for 10 dB return loss and gain of up to 13.6 dBi. The proposed antenna features low profile, high gain, ease of fabrication and high efficiency, which makes it a good candidate for low-cost mass-production.
EXPLORING PHASE INFORMATION IN SOUND SOURCE SEPARATION APPLICATIONS TEMPLATES FOR DAFX-08, FINLAND, FRANCE

Separation of instrument sounds from polyphonic music recordings is a desirable signal processing functionality with a wide variety of applications in music production, music video games and music information retrieval. In general, sound source separation algorithms attempt to exploit those characteristics of audio signals that differentiate one from the other. Many algorithms have studied spectral magnitude as a means for separation tasks. Here we propose the exploration of phase information of musical instrument signals as an alternative dimension in discriminating sound signals originating from different sources. Three cases are presented: (1) Phase contours of musical instruments notes as potential separation features. (2) Resolving overlapping harmonics using phase coupling properties of musical instruments. (3) Harmonic percussive decomposition using calculated radian ranges for each frequency bin.
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Effect of Oral Exercises on Masticatory Function

The aim of the current systematic review was to summarize and to evaluate the available information on the effectiveness of oral exercise in improving the masticatory function of people ≥18 y. Electronic databases (Medline, Embase, CENTRAL) and gray literatures were searched (up to December 2020) for relevant randomized and nonrandomized controlled clinical trials. Two reviewers independently conducted the study selection, data extraction, and quality assessments. Meta-analysis was conducted for the comparison of bite force and masticatory performance using mean difference (MD) and standardized mean difference (SMD), respectively. GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) assessment was adopted for collective grading of the overall body of evidence. Of the 1,576 records identified, 18 studies (21 articles) were included in the analysis. Results of meta-analysis indicated that oral exercise could significantly improve the mean bite force of the participants (parallel comparison: MD, 41.2; 95% CI, 11.6–70.7, P = 0.006; longitudinal comparison: MD, 126.5; 95% CI, 105.2–144.9, P < 0.001). However, the improvement in masticatory performance was not significant (parallel comparison: SMD, 0.11; 95% CI, –0.20 to 0.42, P = 0.48; longitudinal comparison: SMD, 0.4; 95% CI, –0.11 to 0.91, P = 0.13). Results of meta-regression showed that greater improvements in bite force can be achieved among younger adults and with more intensive exercise. Chewing exercise is the most effective oral exercise, followed by clenching exercise, while simple oral exercise may not have a significant effect. Based on the results of the meta-analysis and GRADE assessment, a weak recommendation for people with declined masticatory function to practice oral exercise is made.
AUV Design: Intelligent Vehicle using Sensor Fusion Control Scheme

In recent past, large physical changes has been observed on earth and sea due to the drastic change in the global environmental conditions. These changes has increased the sea water level and created the alarming conditions for the humans living near the coastal areas. The underwater robot can solve such challenges (Underwater) precisely and accurately without intervene of human operator. Such vehicles are performing a variety of tasks in subsea, predominantly in the offshore oil and gas industry, civil engineering and marine sciences etc. Apart from these developments, under water remote-sensing, navigation, image processing has also seen a large growth in terms of software’s and processing power. Many ROV are suffering from large power backup, accurate object/target identification etc due to the failure of sensory information. A new underwater autonomous system with suitable mechanical constraints, kinematic constraints has been designed. The designed ROV can take decisions under water using artificial intelligence (particularly using Sensor Fusion). The designed schematics with various components along with simulation results of object identification are hereby tried to be concluded.
A design of the low-pass filter using the novel microstrip defected ground structure

A new defected ground structure (DGS) for the microstrip line is proposed in this paper. The proposed DGS unit structure can provide the bandgap characteristic in some frequency bands with only one or more unit lattices. The equivalent circuit for the proposed defected ground unit structure is derived by means of three-dimensional field analysis methods. The equivalent-circuit parameters are extracted by using a simple circuit analysis method. By employing the extracted parameters and circuit analysis theory, the bandgap effect for the provided defected ground unit structure can be explained. By using the derived and extracted equivalent circuit and parameters, the low-pass filters are designed and implemented. The experimental results show excellent agreement with theoretical results and the validity of the modeling method for the proposed defected ground unit structure.
Implementation of the Dynamic Tension Load of Cell Membrane and its Stress Analysis

Cell stress experimental study is currently a domestic and overseas research hotspot. Related research findings are widely applied to study the proliferation, activation, and functional status of cells when they are faced with deformation under physiological or pathological condition. It is of great significance to study the motion and status of cell and extra-cellular matrix under different stresses, for this may help us to further discover the re-build law of cell tissue, and to figure out corresponding remedy mechanism [. In order to disclose the relation between cell tissue proliferation activation result and the magnitude, property, affection duration and frequency of cell stress, so as to further reveal the proliferation and activation law of cell tissue, a dynamic stress with adjustable frequency and pressure is exerted. Hence, we developed a membrane-type variable stress wave cell membrane dynamic tensile stress test system [2-. The test system is designed to experimentally research several cell samples bearing stress from the same source at the same time, which is able to offer a required static pressure on tested cell tissue, as well as cell membrane experiment stress wave with certain variable frequency (0-20 times per minute) and adjustable magnitude. How to load dynamic tensile stress on cells is a key problem to be solved in cell culture test system. In allusion to the problem, a mechanical model is constructed in this paper, so as to analyze related mechanical features. On this basis, the stress and strain distribution law of various points on cell membrane is figured out. This has provided theoretical basis for area selection and design of cell seeding, experimental research on cell stress and result analysis.
Targeted gene knock-in reduces variation between transformants in the mushroom-forming fungus Schizophyllum commune

Gene integration in mushroom-forming fungi currently occurs by the ectopic integration of a plasmid. The locus of integration is unpredictable and, problematically, this generally results in a high variability in gene expression and phenotypes between the transformants. Here, we developed an approach for targeted gene integration (knock-in) in the basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune by replacing a 75-bp non-coding region of the genome with a selection marker and an arbitrary gene of interest using CRISPR-Cas9 ribonucleoproteins. To assess the suitability of our method, we compared targeted integration and ectopic integration of the gene encoding the red fluorescent protein dTomato. Targeted integration resulted in a higher average fluorescence intensity and less variability between the transformants. This method may be applied to any gene construct and may therefore greatly increase the efficiency of functional gene analysis in S. commune.
A Field Evaluation of the Covid-19 Antigen Testing Regimen at a Primary Hospital in Ghana

Background: Accurate, reliable and rapid diagnostic tools for COVID-19 are essential for tackling the ongoing pandemic, especially in the developing world. This study aimed to assess the performance and viability of the testing regimen at a district-level hospital testing centre where both nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal samples are taken simultaneously but the samples are tested separately. The nasopharyngeal samples are tested using the SD Biosensor Standard F Covid-19 FIA antigen test kit whiles RT-PCR is conducted on the oropharyngeal samples. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 314 paired samples taken from March to August 2021 whereby the dual testing scheme was applied. The field diagnostic performance of the Standard F Antigen test was compared with Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) results. The sensitivity, specificity and expected predictive values were then evaluated. The RT-PCR is the gold standard for Covid-19 testing. Results: A total of 314 matched Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Test (Ag-RDT) and RT-PCR samples were analysed retrospectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the Ag-RDT was 80.85% (95% Confidence interval of 66.74% – 90.85%) and 98.9% (95% Confidence interval of 96.74% – 99.77%) respectively. The overall accuracy was determined to be 96.2% with a Cohen’s Kappa score of 0.84 indicating an almost perfect agreement. Conclusion: The results of samples taken from the different anatomical sites have an almost perfect agreement. Therefore, the performance of the Standard F Covid-19 antigen test kit is optimal and the testing regimen at the hospital is adequate. It can thus be replicated at other testing sites. However, adequate training in the sampling procedure, storage, transport as well as stringent monitoring and supervision is required.
The Impact of Longitudinal Drive Beam Jitter on the CLIC Luminosity

In the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) now under study at CERN, the RF power which accelerates the main beam is provided by decelerating a high current drive beam. Errors in the timing and intensity of the drive beam can turn into RF phase and amplitude errors that are coherent along the whole main linac and the resulting error of the final beam energy, in combination with the limited bandwidth of the beam delivery system, can lead to a significant loss of luminosity. We discuss the stability tolerances that must be met by the drive beam to avoid this loss. We also examine one of the most important sources of this jitter, which stems from the combination of RF jitter in the drive beam accelerator and subsequent bunch compression. Finally we give details of a potential feedback system that can reduce the drive beam jitter.
Optimizing Prediction of YouTube Video Popularity Using XGBoost

YouTube is a source of income for many people, and therefore a video’s popularity ultimately becomes the top priority for sustaining a steady income, provided that the popularity of videos remains the highest. Analysts and researchers use different algorithms and models to predict the maximum viewership of popular videos. This study predicts the popularity of such videos using the XGBoost model, considering features selection, fusion, min-max normalization and some precision parameters such as gamma, eta, learning_rate etc. The XGBoost gives 86% accuracy and 64% precision. Moreover, the Tuned XGboost also shows enhanced accuracy and precision. We have also analyzed the classification of unpopular videos for a comparison with our results. Finally, cross-validation methods are also used to evaluate certain combination of parameter’s values to validate our claims. Based on the obtained results, it can be said that our proposed models and techniques are very useful and can precisely and accurately predict the popularity of YouTube videos.
Low-Speed Wind Tunnel Investigation of a Full-Scale UH-60 Rotor System

An experimental program to test a full-scale UH-60 rotor system in the NASA Ames 80- by 120-Foot Wind Tunnel was completed. The rotor system was installed and tested using a new test stand/facility, the Large Rotor Test Apparatus (LRTA). The experimental program had both operational and research objectives, including 1) demonstration of LRTA capabilities, 2) evaluation of an Individual Blade Control system to reduce vibration and noise, 3) acquisition of low-speed performance and load data for comparison with flight test results and analyses, and 4) validation of a new flow measurement technique. In this paper, the specific objectives and approach for the wind tunnel test are presented along with examples of the research results. Particular attention is placed on describing the experimental program, including the new testing capabilities available with the LRTA. NOTATION