Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predation Rate on Olive Riley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) Nests with Solitary Nesting Activity from 2008 to 2021 at Corozalito, Costa Rica

Simple Summary Understanding the mechanisms of predation dynamics in a sea turtle nesting beach is important in order to design a proper beach management plan and a valuable conservation strategy when working on sea turtle solitary nesting sites. We evaluated natural nest predation upon solitary Olive Ridley nesting events in Corozalito beach, a solitary and nascent arribada nesting beach on the Pacific in Costa Rica. Our results show a noticeable increase in predation rates close to 30% of nests predated throughout a 13-year study period. This could be an indicator of the increasing number of nesting events in this important nesting site. We suggest continuing to monitor the nesting activity at Corozalito, including the predation rates from other sea turtle species and mass nesting events to give a complete report of the threats that these species are facing in Corozalito and the impact on their population, combined with potential alternatives to manage predators’ impact. Abstract In Corozalito beach, Costa Rica, Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) nest both solitarily and in arribadas. The predation of solitary nests was monitored from 2008 to 2021, recording date, time, sector of the beach, zone, status of nest (predated or partially predated) and predator when possible. We recorded 4450 predated nests in total (N = 30,148 nesting events); predation rates showed a fluctuating trend, with recent percentages reaching up to 30%, with four distinctive dips in 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2017. The spatial distribution of predated nests along the beach showed significant differences among the sectors regardless of the seasons (Friedman test, chi-squared = 14.778, df = 2, p-value = 0.000), with most predated nests (47.62%) occurring in the northern sectors of the beach. Predators were identified by their tracks and/or direct observations (N = 896, 24.08%). The most conspicuous predators identified were raccoons (55.69%) and black vultures (22.77%). As seen in Corozalito, predation rates have increased in recent years despite established conservation efforts. A comprehensive assessment of all threats towards the overall hatching success for clutches is needed, considering predation during mass nesting events, poaching and beach erosion, among other factors, to fully understand the nesting dynamics occurring in this beach.
Assessing the performance of genetic risk score for stratifying risk of post-sepsis cardiovascular complications

Background Patients with sepsis are at increased risk for cardiovascular complications, including myocardial infarction (MI), ischemic stroke (IS), and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Our objective is to assess whether genetic risk score (GRS) can differentiate risk for these complications. Methods A population-based prospective cohort of 483,177 subjects, derived from the UK Biobank, was followed for diagnosis of sepsis and its complications (MI, IS, and VTE) after the study recruitment. GRS for each complication was calculated based on established risk-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Time to incident MI, IS, and VTE was compared between subjects with or without sepsis and GRS risk groups using Kaplan–Meier log-rank test and Cox-regression analysis. Results During an average of 12.6 years of follow-up, 10,757 (2.23%) developed sepsis. Patients with sepsis had an overall higher risk than non-sepsis subjects for each complication, but the risk differed by time after a sepsis diagnosis; exceedingly high in short-term (0–30 days), considerably high in mid-term (31 days to 2 years), and reduced in long-term (>2 years). Furthermore, in White subjects, GRS was a significant predictor of complications, independent of sepsis and other risk factors. For example, GRSMI further differentiated their risk in patients with sepsis; 3.49, 4.73, and 9.03% in those with low- (<0.5), intermediate- (0.5–1.99), high- GRSMI (≥2.0), Ptrend < 0.001. Conclusion Risk for post-sepsis cardiovascular complications differed considerably by time after a sepsis diagnosis and GRS. These findings, if confirmed in other ancestry-specific populations, may guide personalized management for preventing post-sepsis cardiovascular complications.
Comment on ‘Finding viscosity of liquids from Brownian motion at students' laboratory’ and ‘Brownian motion using video capture’

The authors make comments and remarks on the papers by Salmon et al (2002 Eur. J. Phys. 23 249–53) and their own (2005 Eur. J. Phys. 26 827–33) concerning Brownian motion in two-dimensional space. New, corrected results of calculations and measurements for students' experiments on finding the viscosity of liquids from Brownian motion are presented.
The influence of trapping effects on neutron production in NBI-heated tokamak plasmas

Fast computer codes for evaluating non-thermal velocity distributions are needed in order to carry out routine analysis of neutron signals in plasmas heated by neutral-beam injection (NBI). By neglecting the magnetic field inhomogeneity along a field line, i.e. neglecting trapped-particle effects, calculations of the velocity distribution can be made relatively rapidly. In this paper, we investigate under which circumstances such an approximation is justified. We solve the bounce-averaged Fokker–Planck equation, which includes particle trapping, by expressing the solution in terms of a series of appropriate eigenfunctions of the pitch-angle scattering operator. The eigenfunctions, eigenvalues and time-dependent coefficient functions are calculated numerically. We use the solution for calculating the effect of particle trapping on neutron production for beam-heated deuterium plasmas.
Gamelan instrument sound recognition using spectral and facial features of the first harmonic frequency

: Principal component and spectral-based feature sets were applied to the recognition of gamelan instrument sounds using support vector machines (SVMs). The principal components were calculated on the basis of a segmented scalogram from the ﬁrst harmonic frequency of the gamelan recordings. The segmented scalogram is assumed as a ‘‘facial image’’ of the gamelan instrument sound in a frontal pose, neutral expression, and normal lighting. The scalogram was computed from the gamelan sound signal using a continuous wavelet transform (CWT). The performance and contribution of the principal component and spectral-based features were compared using an F-measure. For the training phase, the feature sets were extracted from isolated tones that were recorded over the entire frequency range of four gamelan instruments ( demung , saron , peking , and bonang families). Using 90%/10% splits between the training and validating data sets, model classiﬁers were constructed from the radial basis function (RBF) kernel SVM. The classiﬁers are composed of 28 separate One-Against-One multiclass classiﬁers. The experiment showed that the spectral-based feature set shows an average F-measure of 74.05% and the appearance-based feature yields 71.87%. For saron -only note tracking, the spectral-based feature set had an F-measure of 83.79%, higher than the demung -only note tracking, which yielded 63.89%.
Building blocks of an artificial kagome spin ice : Photoemission electron microscopy of arrays of ferromagnetic islands

Arrays of dipolar coupled ferromagnetic islands arranged in specific geometries provide ideal systems to directly study frustration. We have examined with photoemission electron microscopy the magnetic configurations in three basic building blocks of an artificial kagome spin ice consisting of one, two, and three rings. The kagome spin ice arrangement is particularly interesting because it is highly frustrated and the three interactions at a vertex are equivalent. Employing dipolar energy calculations, we are able to make a full characterization of the magnetic states and therefore identify the lowest energy states. Experimentally we find that the ice rule is always obeyed even at low dipolar coupling strengths. However, as the number of rings increases there is a drastic decrease in the ability to achieve the low-energy states via demagnetization, a behavior also identified in the magnetization reversal. This carries the implication that the ground state will never be achieved in the infinite system. Finally, we show that at low coupling, the applied field direction governs the resulting states. This work opens the door to a novel class of systems for future spintronic applications.
Synthesis of Mixed-Phase TiO2–ZrO2 Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic Wastewater Treatment

The use of TiO2 nanoparticles for photocatalysis for the degradation of organic dyes under UV light for wastewater treatment has been widely studied. However, the photocatalytic characteristics of TiO2 nanoparticles are inadequate due to their UV light response and higher band gap. In this work, three nanoparticles were synthesized: (i) TiO2 nanoparticle was synthesized by a sol-gel process. (ii) ZrO2 was prepared using a solution combustion process and (iii) mixed-phase TiO2–ZrO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by a sol-gel process to remove Eosin Yellow (EY) from aqueous solutions in the wastewater. XRD, FTIR, UV-VIS, TEM, and XPS analysis methods were used to examine the properties of the synthesized products. The XRD investigation supported the tetragonal and monoclinic crystal structures of the TiO2 and ZrO2 nanoparticles. TEM studies identified that mixed-phase TiO2–ZrO2 nanoparticles have the same tetragonal structure as pure mixed-phase. The degradation of Eosin Yellow (EY) was examined using TiO2, ZrO2, and mixed-phase TiO2–ZrO2 nanoparticles under visible light. The results confirmed that the mixed-phase TiO2–ZrO2nanoparticles show a higher level of photocatalytic activity, and the process is accomplished at a high degradation rate in lesser time and at a lower power intensity.
Hα, SCUBA and MERLIN imaging of NGC 4490

We describe Ha, SCUBA and MERLIN imaging of the interacting galaxy pair NGC 4490 and 4485. We detect an Ha filament emerging from the disc of NGC 4490 to a projected distance of 3 kpc which has counterparts in both the radio continuum and Hi. The HI counterpart extends to a projected distance of ∼ 30 kpc from NGC 4490 and we argue that this is evidence that the giant HI envelope in this system has its origins in star formation. We use SCUBA and radio continuum data to attempt to place constraints on the distribution of dust with respect to the star forming regions. This analysis is limited by the lack of an independent estimate of the dust temperature, something that both 'SIRTF' and 'SOFIA' will be able to provide, however we find some evidence that most obscuring dust is not located within HII regions themselves.
Relieving Compression-Induced Local Wear on Non-Volatile Memory Block via Sliding Writes

Due to its non-volatility and large capacity, NVM devices gradually take place at various levels of memories. However, their limited endurance is still a big concern for large-scale data centres. Compression algorithms have been used to save NVM space and enhance the efficiency of those lifetime extension methods. However, their own influence on the NVM lifetime is not clear. In order to fully investigate the impact of compression on NVM, this paper first studies bit flips involved in several typical compression algorithms. It is found that more bit flips would happen in the shrunken area of a memory block. This induces the phenomenon of intra-block wear unevenness, which sacrifices NVM lifetime. We propose a new metric called local bit flips to describe this phenomenon. In order to relieve the intra-block wear unevenness caused by compression, this paper proposes a sliding write method named SlidW to distribute the compressed data across the whole memory block. We first divide the memory block into several areas, and then consider five cases about the relationship between new data size and left space. Then, we place the new data according to the case. Comprehensive experimental results show that SlidW can efficiently balance wear and enhance NVM lifetime.
Iterative relative fuzzy connectedness and object definition: theory, algorithms, and applications in image segmentation

The notion of fuzzy connectedness captures the idea of "hanging-togetherness" of image elements in an object by assigning a strength of connectedness to every possible path between every possible pair of image elements. In a previous framework the authors presented, a fuzzy connected object was defined with a threshold on the strength of connectedness. Relative fuzzy connectedness provides a framework in which objects compete among each other and an image element is grabbed by the object within which the element has the largest fuzzy connectedness strength. Here, the authors introduce the notion of iterative relative fuzzy connectedness that leads to more effective segmentations using relative connectedness. The idea here is to identify the "core" of the object through relative connectedness in the first iteration. Subsequently this region is excluded from being considered by other co-objects for tracking their connectivity paths through. This effectively minimizes moderately strong paths seeping through the object of interest. The authors present a theoretical and algorithmic framework for defining objects via iterative relative fuzzy connectedness and demonstrate that the objects defined are independent of reference elements chosen as long as they are not in the fuzzy boundary between objects. Effectiveness of the method is demonstrated using both qualitative examples and a quantitative phantom analysis.
View of Times and Temporal Focus under the Pace of Life on the Impact of Intertemporal Decision Making

Previous studies have explored the effects of time poverty and money worship on intertemporal decision making based on a resource scarcity perspective. However, how the pace of life affects intertemporal decision making has not been examined. Furthermore, manipulating time perceptions can influence intertemporal decision-making preferences. Based on the perspective of time perception differences, it remains unknown how views of time or temporal focus affect the intertemporal decision making of individuals with different pace of life. To address these issues, study 1 adopted a correlational study to initially explore the relationship between the pace of life and intertemporal decision making. Studies 2 and 3 used manipulation experiments to examine the effects of the pace of life and view of time and temporal focus and pace of life on intertemporal decision making. The results suggest that the faster the life pace, the more recent rewards are preferred. Views of time and temporal focus manipulations can influence the intertemporal decision making of faster-paced individuals, making them prefer smaller–sooner (SS) payoffs under a linear view of time or future temporal focus and larger–later (LL) payoffs under a circular view of time or past temporal focus. However, the manipulation does not affect the intertemporal decision of slower-paced individuals. Our study examined the effect of the pace of life on intertemporal decision making based on a resource scarcity perspective, and found boundary conditions for the influence of the view of time and temporal focus on intertemporal decision making based on the perspective of differences in people’s perception of time.
Modified iterative algorithm for the design of wide-diffraction angle diffraction optical element

Abstract. A fast and effective algorithm for designing the diffraction optical element (DOE) with a wide-diffraction angle is presented. DOE had been widely used in many fields in recent years, but there are finite methods which can design DOE with wide-diffraction angle quickly occupying a small quantity of computing resource. By the use of a nonparaxial scalar diffraction equation as the light transmission operator, a modified iterative algorithm is proposed. To verify our algorithm, the checkerboard image, binary image, and gray-scale image are numerically simulated, respectively. The simulation results show that the final variance between the preset image and final pattern is very small, the value is generally lower than 10−5, and the natural images even have a final variance less than 10−12. At the same time, the diffraction efficiency has been significantly increased to be larger than 90%, which indicates that the design method is effective and practical.
Experimental Investigations on Geometry Modulated Solute Mixing in Viscoelastic Media

In this study, geometrically modified microchannels fabricated using stereolithography technique are employed to analyze micromixing of polymeric solutions. Experimental and numerical analyses were conducted to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative validity of the Newtonian fluid flow inside the geometrically modified channels. An in-house image processing code developed in MATLAB was used to analyze the dye concentration distributions resulting from complex fluid transport and mixing within the modified channels. Our analysis illustrates the existence of inertio-elastic instability in the geometrically modified microchannels for the transport of viscoelastic fluids. In addition, the presence of inertio-elastic instability significantly enhances mixing efficiency as a result of the interaction between viscoelasticity and modified channel geometry. This analysis provides important physical insights into the cost-effective design and operation of microfluidic devices that handle viscoelastic fluids and could be useful in designing and analyzing a passive micromixers that transport bio/polymeric fluids inside microchannels.
Role of Backbone Fault System on Earthquake Spawning and Geohazards in the Seoul Metropolitan Area

Major earthquakes in continental regions may cause significant damage. Preexisting fault system across megacity receives high attention for possible seismic damages. Earthquake occurrence mechanism is important to assess the geohazard potentials. Continental‐scale Quaternary fault system is developed across the Seoul metropolitan area where the population is the largest in the Korean Peninsula. Historical seismic‐damage records suggest potential seismic hazards in the Seoul metropolitan area. We investigate the fault motions and spatial distribution of earthquakes in the Seoul metropolitan area using a matched‐filter technique that is based on stacked waveform crosscorrelation functions among densely‐deployed seismic stations. The analysis detects 1103 earthquakes that include 360 events with magnitudes (ML) of −0.6 to 2.0 around the Chugaryeong fault and 34 events with magnitudes of −0.5 to 2.7 around Wangsukcheon, Pocheon, and Yeseonggang faults. The seismicity suggests a set of near‐vertical subparallel (or orthogonal) faults that develop from the major faults. A major fault system behaves as a backbone structure that makes branch faults develop, producing seismicity including major earthquakes. The backbone structure may control the fault development that conforms to the ambient stress field. The backbone faults may play a role to increase geohazard potentials.
The molecular basis of differential host responses to avian influenza viruses in avian species with differing susceptibility

Introduction Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses, such as H5N1, continue to pose a serious threat to animal agriculture, wildlife and to public health. Controlling and mitigating this disease in domestic birds requires a better understanding of what makes some species highly susceptible (such as turkey and chicken) while others are highly resistant (such as pigeon and goose). Susceptibility to H5N1 varies both with species and strain; for example, species that are tolerant of most H5N1 strains, such as crows and ducks, have shown high mortality to emerging strains in recent years. Therefore, in this study we aimed to examine and compare the response of these six species, to low pathogenic avian influenza (H9N2) and two strains of H5N1 with differing virulence (clade 2.2 and clade 2.3.2.1) to determine how susceptible and tolerant species respond to HPAI challenge. Methods Birds were challenged in infection trials and samples (brain, ileum and lung) were collected at three time points post infection. The transcriptomic response of birds was examined using a comparative approach, revealing several important discoveries. Results We found that susceptible birds had high viral loads and strong neuro-inflammatory response in the brain, which may explain the neurological symptoms and high mortality rates exhibited following H5N1 infection. We discovered differential regulation of genes associated with nerve function in the lung and ileum, with stronger differential regulation in resistant species. This has intriguing implications for the transmission of the virus to the central nervous system (CNS) and may also indicate neuro-immune involvement at the mucosal surfaces. Additionally, we identified delayed timing of the immune response in ducks and crows following infection with the more deadly H5N1 strain, which may account for the higher mortality in these species caused by this strain. Lastly, we identified candidate genes with potential roles in susceptibility/resistance which provide excellent targets for future research. Discussion This study has helped elucidate the responses underlying susceptibility to H5N1 influenza in avian species, which will be critical in developing sustainable strategies for future control of HPAI in domestic poultry.
Bayesian Analysis of Multilevel Probit Models for Data With Friendship Dependencies

When studying educational aspirations of adolescents, it is unrealistic to assume that the aspirations of pupils are independent of those of their friends. Considerable attention has also been given to the study of peer influence in the educational and behavioral literature. Typically, in empirical studies, the friendship networks have either been reduced to some summary measure or, when the complexity of the social structure has been used to its full extent, the studies have been limited to single networks, thereby effectively neglecting the context of the studied network. The authors propose a multilevel probit model with correlated responses and a Markov chain Monte Carlo–based inference scheme for analyzing multilevel data where there may be dependencies not only within levels but also between peers that are directly relationally tied. The authors describe the procedures in the context of the illustrative case of the Stockholm Birth Cohort, and the decision to proceed to higher secondary education for 12,660 pupils in 619 school classes in Stockholm.
On the correlation of angular position with time of occurrence of gamma-ray bursts

Evidence indicating that a large fraction of gamma-ray bursts are repeaters would provide strong support for noncosmological origin of these sources. Wang & Lingenfelter have claimed existance of a correlation between angular position and time of occurrence of bursts. We perform statistical tests and find a marginal evidence for nearby bursts occurring within 4 to 5 days of each other in the BATSE 1B catalog. This evidence is present also in the 2B catalogs, which in addition, shows some marginal evidence for bursts repetition at longer time delays up to the total length of the observations.
Beyond the Kirchhoff approximation

The three most successful models for describing scattering from random rough surfaces are the Kirchhoff approximation (KA), the small perturbation method (SPM) and the two-scale roughness (or composite roughness) surface scattering (TSR) models. In this paper it will be shown how these three models can be derived rigorously from one perturbation expansion based on the extinction theorem for scalar waves scattering from perfectly rigid surfaces. It will also be shown how corrections to the Kirchhoff approximation proportional to the surface curvature and higher order derivatives may be obtained. Using these results, the scattering cross section will be derived for various surface models.