Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The worldwide networks of spread of recorded alien species

Significance Identifying whether alien species follow similar spatiotemporal spread patterns as they disperse across the world could help guide transnational cooperation and national efforts for the prevention of biological invasions. Whether such cross-taxonomic patterns of spread exist remained hitherto unknown. Here, we show that these patterns exist and are characterized by the early presence of alien species in a few countries, playing central roles in the global trade network, followed by radiative spread into geographically close countries with similar climates. This supports a hierarchical type of spread, where some countries act as major dispersal hubs and determine global invasion routes. These findings help to identify high-risk countries as hubs of biological invasions.
Isolation of Salvia miltiorrhiza Kaurene Synthase-like (KSL) Gene Promoter and Its Regulation by Ethephon and Yeast Extract

The presented study describes the regulation of the promoter region of the Salvia miltiorrhiza kaurene synthase-like gene (SmKSL) by ethylene and yeast extract. The isolated fragment is 897 bp and is composed of a promoter (763 bp), 5′UTR (109 bp), and a short CDS (25 bp). The initial in silico analysis revealed the presence of numerous putative cis-active sites for trans-factors responding to different stress conditions. However, this study examines the influence of ethylene and yeast extract on SmKSL gene expression and tanshinone biosynthesis regulation. The results of 72h RT-PCR indicate an antagonistic interaction between ethylene, provided as ethephon (0.05, 0.10, 0.25, and 0.50 mM), and yeast extract (0.5%) on SmKSL gene expression in callus cultures of S. miltiorrhiza. A similar antagonistic effect was observed on total tanshinone concentration for up to 60 days. Ethylene provided as ethephon (0.05, 0.10, 0.25, and 0.50 mM) is a weak inducer of total tanshinone biosynthesis, increasing them only up to the maximum value of 0.67 ± 0.04 mg g−1 DW (60-day induction with 0.50 mM ethephon). Among the tanshinones elicited by ethephon, cryptotanshinone (52.21%) dominates, followed by dihydrotanshinone (45.00%) and tanshinone IIA (3.79%). In contrast, the 0.5% yeast extract strongly increases the total tanshinone concentration up to a maximum value of 13.30 ± 1.09 mg g−1 DW, observed after 50 days of induction. Yeast extract and ethylene appear to activate different fragments of the tanshinone biosynthesis route; hence the primary tanshinones induced by yeast extract were cryptotanshinone (81.42%), followed by dihydrotanshinone (17.06%) and tanshinone IIA (1.52%).
Fetal oxygenation measurement using wireless near infrared spectroscopy

Background: Fetal well-being is determined in large part by how well the placenta is able to supply oxygen and nutrients, but current technology is unable to directly measure how well a placenta functions. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) utilizes optical methods to measure tissue oxygenation. This pilot project evaluated the feasibility of NIRS for fetal monitoring through the maternal abdominal wall using a sheep model. Methods: A miniature wireless 2-wavelength NIRS device was placed on the abdominal skin over the placenta of a pregnant ewe whose fetus had been chronically catheterized to allow arterial sampling for measurement of arterial oxygen saturation. The NIRS device has 3-paired light emitting diodes and a single photodiode detector; allowing measurement of an index of tissue oxygen saturation (TSI%). Fetal limb TSI% values were compared before and during fetal breathing movements. Correlation was made during these events between arterial values and placental TSI% monitored continuously in real time. Results: Serial measurements were obtained in a single experiment. The correlation between transcutaneous NIRS derived TSI% and direct arterial oxygen saturation was very high (R2=0.86). Measures of fetal limb TSI% were declined after episodes of fetal breathing (P<0.005). Conclusions: This correlation suggests that NIRS is sensitive enough to detect changes in fetal tissue oxygenation noninvasively through the maternal abdominal wall in real-time in a sheep model. NIRS data confirmed that fetal breathing movements decrease arterial oxygen saturation in fetal lambs. If validated by further study this optical methodology could be applied as means of monitoring fetal wellbeing in humans.
Factors Influencing the Effectiveness of Serious Gaming in the Field of Vocational Orientation

This study investigates the effectiveness of the serious game like2be, which has been developed to support the individual career orientation process of adolescents by broadening their occupational horizon. In this paper, we present results from an intervention study with n = 809 adolescents in Swiss schools at the lower secondary education level. To analyze the extent to which cognitive, affective, and motivational factors are stimulated and what influence they have on expanding knowledge about occupations (measured learning outcome), we applied confirmatory factor analysis, multiple linear regression, and a structural equation model. The results indicate that the stimulation of cognitive processes through serious gaming has a statistically significant impact on learning outcome, although such factors as enjoyment, flow experience, or self-perceived benefits in playing like2be did not significantly impact gain in knowledge about occupations.
Evaluation of Age Based-Sleep Quality and Fitness in Adolescent Female Handball Players

The present study aimed to examine the differences in sleep hygiene, balance, strength, agility, and maximum aerobic speed (MAS) between two groups of female handball players aged under 14 (U14) and under 17 (U17) years. Seventy-two female handball players participated and were divided into two groups according to age: U14 (n = 36, age: 13.44 ± 0.5 years) and U17 (n = 36, age: 15.95 ± 0.76 years). Sleep hygiene was evaluated using three questionnaires: Sleep quality and sleepiness via the Pittsburgh (PSQI) and Epworth (ESS) questionnaires, and the insomnia questionnaire via the measurement of the insomnia severity index (ISI). Physical fitness was evaluated with the stork balance tests with eyes open (OEB) and closed (CEB), the vertical jump (SJ), horizontal jump (SBJ), and five jump (FJT) tests, the agility (t-test) and the maximum aerobic speed (MAS) tests. No significant differences were shown between U14 and U17 players in all PSQI, ISI, and ESS scores, and balance and strength performances. Meanwhile, the U17 players’ performances were significant better in agility quality (p = 0.003 < 0.01) and MAS (p = 0.05) compared to the U14 players. Biological gender specificity during the maturation phase may inhibit the improvement of balance, and strength performances between the age of 13 and 17 years, while agility and MAS performances are more affected by age alterations.
Meaningful image objects for object-oriented image analysis

Image objects obtained by segmentation usually provide a much more reliable representation of real world objects than individual pixels. However, in regions with high quality spatial information, image analysis should focus on objects of interest rather than artificial image objects. A simple method for applying this object-oriented approach consists of converting existing vector geographic information system (GIS) data into raster objects. A problem with this method is that it may produce image objects with saw-toothed edges which barely match measured objects boundaries. In order to address such a problem, a method for adjusting boundaries of image objects is proposed. The new method uses a vector square grid for pixel representation. Vector-based image objects exhibit boundaries which better reproduce the shape and appearance of GIS objects. The proposed approach was applied to extract geometric and biophysical properties of agricultural plots from remotely sensed imagery. Results suggest that vector-based image objects provide much more accurate values than raster-based image objects.
Reduction, Symmetry, And Phases In Mechanics

Various holonomy phenomena are shown to be instances of the reconstruction procedure for mechanical systems with symmetry. We systematically exploit this point of view for fixed systems (for example with controls on the internal, or reduced, variables) and for slowly moving systems in an adiabatic context. For the latter, we obtain the phases as the holonomy for a connection which synthesizes the Cartan connection for moving mechanical systems with the Hannay-Berry connection for integrable systems. This synthesis allows one to treat in a natural way examples like the ball in the slowly rotating hoop and also non-integrable mechanical systems.
Measures of tactical efficiency in water polo

We present a notational analysis of offensive tactics commonly employed in elite men’s water polo and address three questions related to this objective: which tactics are most effective? , which tactical performance indicators best classify the winning team? , and how accurate are predictive models based on these performance indicators? We define a new statistic, Efficiency Rating, which quantifies the importance of a tactic via a weighted average of direct and indirect goals generated by its use. By this measure, direct shot is the most efficient even strategy despite being employed far less frequently than centre or perimeter tactics. We address our second question by measuring the effect size of winning over losing teams for 25 tactical variables and find that exclusion conversion rate is the most effective discriminatory statistic in both close and unbalanced games, correctly classifying almost 90% of all contests. To address our third question, we develop and apply a simple Binomial model based on goals generated per play which correctly predicts all eight games in the medal round of the 2012 Men’s Olympics from preliminary rounds. Success probabilities are computed based on a weighted average of offensive and defensive efficiency with an optimal weight that favors defense.
The Galactic magnetic fields

A good progress has been made on studies of Galactic magnetic fields in last 10 years. I describe what we want to know about the Galactic magnetic fields, and then review we current knowledge about magnetic fields in the Galactic disk, the Galactic halo and the field strengths. I also listed many unsolved problems on this area.
A Survey on Big Data Technologies and Their Applications to the Metaverse: Past, Current and Future

The development of big data technologies, which have been applied extensively in various areas, has become one of the key factors affecting modern society, especially in the virtual reality environment. This paper provides a comprehensive survey of the recent developments in big data technologies, and their applications to virtual reality worlds, such as the Metaverse, virtual humans, and digital twins. The purpose of this survey was to explore several cutting-edge big data and virtual human modelling technologies, and to raise the issue of future trends in big data technologies and the Metaverse. This survey investigated the applications of big data technologies in several key areas—including e-health, transportation, and business and finance—and the main technologies adopted in the fast-growing virtual world sector, i.e., the Metaverse.
A variational method for starlike functions

1. One of the most important developments in the study of schlicht functions was the discovery of variational methods. The early work of Marty and the investigations of Schiffer along with those of Schaeffer and Spencer led to the development of powerful machinery for the attack of extremal problems in the class of schlicht functions. Essentially, the Schiffer variational method, when applied to an extremal problem, supplies a differential equation of the form,
Comparison between CFD simulations and experiments for predicting the far wake of horizontal axis tidal turbines

The actuator disc is a useful method for parameterising a tidal stream turbine in a solution of the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations. An actuator disc is a region where similar forces are applied to a flow as would be imposed by a turbine. It is useful where large-scale flow characteristics are of interest, such as the far wake, free surface effects, or installation of multi-turbine arrays. This study compares the characteristics of the wake of an actuator disc, modelled using a steady solution to the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulated equations, with the k–ω shear stress transport (SST) turbulence model, to experimental data measured behind discs of various porosities. The results show that the wake of the experimental and modelled discs has similar characteristics; in both model and experiment, velocity in the near wake decreased as thrust coefficient increased. However, the near wake region in the experiment was shorter than simulated in the model because of near wake turbulence. This, combined with lower ambient turbulence levels in the model, meant that the far wake recovered further downstream, while showing similar overall trends in velocity and turbulence intensity.
Mode-pulling and phase-matching in broadband Kerr frequency comb generation

We present a quantitative analysis of Kerr effect induced cavity resonance pulling and phase-matching in broadband Kerr frequency comb generation based on the Lugiato–Lefever equation. Unevenly spaced cavity modes are pulled to be evenly spaced by the Kerr effect when cavity solitons are formed. Phase-matching in the cascaded four-wave mixing is achieved simultaneously, giving the cavity solitons strong stability. The number of modes that can be pulled into alignment in the cavity soliton regime depends on the pump condition and decreases exponentially with linearly increasing anomalous dispersion. However, in the chaotic modulation instability and breather soliton regimes, well-aligned cavity modes and phase-matching are not achieved. Compared to intracavity pulse dynamics, the mode-pulling effect and phase-matching are less sensitive to high-order dispersion as long as the cavity solitons stay stable.
The Effect of a Single Intravenous Corticosteroid Administration on Pain after Knee Arthroscopy: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Non-Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: Knee arthroscopy is a standard surgical procedure that is nowadays widely performed as day-case surgery. The aim of the study was to observe the effect of a single dose of intravenous corticosteroid on pain after undergoing knee arthroscopy for non-bony procedures. Methods: A prospective, double-blind study design was adopted. Patients undergoing knee arthroscopy for non-bony procedures were prospectively assigned into two equal groups: control (those who were not given steroids) and treatment (those who were given eight milligrams of dexamethasone intravenously 15 min prior to the inflation of the tourniquet). The pain was assessed pre-operatively on admission and on the first post-operative day during the morning round in five different movements using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: A total of 60 patients were included in the study. There was no significant difference in the pre-and post-operatively scores between both groups. The treatment group experienced a significant reduction in post-operative morphine requirements, with 80% of patients who did not receive dexamethasone requiring post-operative morphine compared to only 53.3% of patients who did (p = 0.027). Conclusions: Pre-operative intravenous administration of a single dose of dexamethasone may decrease opioid requirements for adequate pain control after knee arthroscopy.
A phonetic study of stress in Korean

Stress in Korean (Seoul) has been controversial for many years: Some linguists believe there is word‐level stress and others do not. Among those who believe that word‐level stress exists, there has been controversy regarding its location: the first or second syllable (H. Lee, 1973), the second syllable (Huh, 1985), or the final syllable (Choi, 1935). Even though it has been shown that there is no fixed acoustic property of stress, researchers have found that stress is detectable based on duration, amplitude and F0 [Fry (1958), Lea (1977), Beckman (1986)]. By examining these prosodic features, this paper investigates whether there is stress in Korean and, if so, what its domain and location are. Words with a reiterated syllable, /na/ or /ta/, were uttered by native Seoul speakers in different prosodic positions. The preliminary results show that Korean stress is not a word‐level but a phrase‐level stress: The location of the stressed syllable depends on its position in an accentual phrase (Jun, 1993). In addition, the stress falls on either the first or the second syllable of the phrase depending on the number of syllables in the phrase, syllable weight, and the position of the phrase in the sentence.
Supramolecular Architectures of 2-(3-(4-acetoxyphenyl)propanoyl)benzene-1,3,5-triyl triacetate (1) and 4-(3-(4-acetoxyphenyl)propanoyl)-5-hydroxy-1,3-phenylene diacetate (2)

2-(3-(4-acetoxyphenyl)propanoyl)benzene-1,3,5-triyl triacetate (1), C 25 H 22 O 9 and 4-(3-(4-acetoxyphenyl)propanoyl)-5-hydroxy-1,3-phenylene diacetate (2), C 21 H 20 O 8 were formed via esterification of phloretin and acetic anhydride, respectively. Their structures all reveal three-dimensional framework structures. In (1), the molecule, which contains two intramolecular O···O interactions, is existed as dimer that forms classic cyclic R 22 (9) C-H···O hydrogen bonding interactions. The molecules are linked by a combination of C-H···O and C-H···π(arene) hydrogen bonds. It is interesting that two molecules of the dimer occur different intermolecular interactions. In (2), several weak C-H···O interactions of the types Caryl-H···O, C sp3 -H···O and intramolecular hydrogen bond O-H···O are present. Both molecules give cyclic R 22 (4) motif. These hydrogen bonds and interactions appear to play an important role in controlling the molecular conformation.
Laboratory rotational spectra of the dimethyl ether 13C-isotopologues up to 1.5 THz

Context. Dimethyl ether is found in high abundance in the interstellar medium. Owing to its strong and dense spectrum throughout the entire microwave and terahertz regime, it contributes to the spectral confusion in astronomical line surveys. The great sensitivity of new observatories like ALMA enhances the need for reliable spectroscopic data, especially for isotopic species of abundant molecules. In addition, the study of the interstellar C/C isotopic ratio can be used as a tracer of the formation process of a molecular species, and thus it gives insight into the chemical evolution of the observed region. Aims. The interpretation of astronomical observations depends on the knowledge of accurate rest frequencies and intensities. The objective of this work is to provide spectroscopic data for the two 13C-isotopologues of dimethyl ether in the vibrational ground state. Methods. High-resolution rotational-torsional spectra of CH3OCH3 and (CH3)2O have been measured in the laboratory covering frequencies up to 1.5 THz. The analysis is based on an effective rotational Hamiltonian for molecules with two large-amplitude motions. Results. Predictions of the complete ground state rotational spectrum of dimethyl ether-C1 and -C2 up to 2 THz are presented with accuracies better than 1 MHz. Based on the laboratory work, transitions of CH3OCH3 dimethyl ether have been detected for the first time in a large submillimeter line survey of the high-mass star forming region G327.3-0.6 performed with the APEX telescope.
Genomic Characterization of ESBL/AmpC-Producing Escherichia coli in Stray Dogs Sheltered in Yangzhou, China

Purpose Limited data are available on the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of extended spectrum β-lactamase- (ESBL) and AmpC β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in stray dogs. We aimed to investigate the genomic characteristics of ESBL/AmpC-producing E. coli isolated from stray dogs sheltered in Yangzhou, China. Methods We collected 156 samples including 115 fecal swabs, 35 kennel floor swabs, two breeder hand and shoe sole swabs, and four feed samples. The isolates were tested for resistance by antimicrobial susceptibility testing and further analyzed for cefotaxime-resistant E. coli isolates by whole genome sequencing. Results We identified 80 cefotaxime-resistant E. coli isolates (51.3%), 59 isolates (73.8%) from feces and 21 (26.2%) from the environment. Whole-genome sequencing analysis showed that blaCTX-M-15 (n=30) and blaCTX-M-55 (n=29) were the most prevalent genotypes. Two isolates only carried the AmpC β-lactamase gene blaCMY-2; one isolate had a combination of AmpC β-lactamase gene blaDHA-1 and ESBL β-lactamase gene blaCTX-M-14. Other important resistance genes such as blaOXA-10, blaTEM-1B, blaTEM-135, blaTEM-106, tet(A), qnrS1, qnrB4, and oqxAB were also detected. The serotype combination was highly abundant, with O10:H25 predominating (n=12). Most cefotaxime-resistant E. coli isolates belonged to phylogroup A (62.5%, n=50), followed by phylogroup B1 (26.3%, n=21). Thirty different sequence types (STs) and 27 distinct plasmid replicons were identified, among which ST2325 (n=12) and IncFII (n=38) was the most frequent ST and plasmid, respectively. ESBL/AmpC-producing isolates were divided into four major clades; clade IV was the primary lineage containing 37 isolates from feces and 13 from the environment. Three high-risk E. coli clone ST23 strains and one ST10 strain belonged to clades III and IV, respectively. Conclusion Our study provides a comprehensive overview of resistance profiles and genomic characteristics in ESBL/AmpC-producing E. coli and highlights the possible role of stray dogs as an antibiotic resistance gene reservoir.
Direct Orthogonal Marginal Fisher Analysis

The recently proposed Marginal Fisher Analysis (MFA) achieved high performance for face recognition. However, MFA suffers from the small sample size problem and the optimal basis vectors obtained by the MFA are nonorthogonal. In this paper, we present a new method called Direct Orthogonal Marginal Fisher Analysis (DOMFA), which is able to extract all the orthogonal discriminant vectors simultaneously in the high-dimensional feature space without pre-processing using PCA and does not suffer the small sample size problem. Experimental results on ORL database indicate that the proposed DOMFA method achieves better recognition rate than the MFA method and some other orthogonal feature extraction algorithms.
Dual‐ascent and primal heuristics for production‐assembly‐distribution system design

This article proposes two dual‐ascent algorithms and uses each in combination with a primal drop heuristic embedded within a branch and bound framework to solve the uncapacitated production assembly distribution system (i.e., supply chain) design problem, which is formulated as a mixed integer program. Computational results indicate that one approach, which combines primal drop and dual‐ascent heuristics, can solve instances within reasonable time and prescribes solutions with gaps between the primal and dual solution values that are less than 0.15%, an efficacy suiting it for actual large‐scale applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2013