Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Novel Hybrid Algorithm with Marriage of Particle Swarm Optimization and Homotopy Optimization for Tunnel Parameter Inversion

The principle of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Homotopy Optimization (HO) is introduced. For the purpose of improving the local-searching efficiency of the PSO，HO-PSO is presented by combining the PSO with HO. New space homotopy curve produced by homotopy particle function directs the particle’s local optimization. For comparison，the methods of HO-PSO, PSO and FEM(Finite Element Method) are used to calculate the tunnel parameter inversion of the Shuibuya Project on the basis of the measured displacements. The result shows that HO-PSO takes smaller time compared with PSO and FEM in a same precision level, and the calculated values are in good agreement with the measured values，which also indicate that the HO-PSO can be well applied to the displacement back analysis in tunnel engineering.
Ecological Inference and Entropy-Maximizing: An Alternative Estimation Procedure for Split-Ticket Voting

Publication of King's A Solution to the Ecological Inference Problem has rekindled interest in the estimation of unknown cell values in two- and three-dimensional matrices from knowledge of the marginal sums. This paper outlines an entropy-maximizing (EM) procedure which employs more constraints than King's EI method and produces mathematical rather than statistical procedures: the estimates are maximum-likelihood values. The mathematics are outlined, and the procedure's use illustrated with a study of ticket-splitting at New Zealand's first (1996) general election using the mixed-member proportional representation system, for which official figures provide a check against the EM estimate of the number voting a straight party ticket in each constituency.
Exploring potential barriers in equitable access to pediatric diagnostic imaging using machine learning

In this work, we examine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound (US) appointments at the Diagnostic Imaging (DI) department of a pediatric hospital to discover possible relationships between selected patient features and no-show or long waiting room time endpoints. The chosen features include age, sex, income, distance from the hospital, percentage of non-English speakers in a postal code, percentage of single caregivers in a postal code, appointment time slot (morning, afternoon, evening), and day of the week (Monday to Sunday). We trained univariate Logistic Regression (LR) models using the training sets and identified predictive (significant) features that remained significant in the test sets. We also implemented multivariate Random Forest (RF) models to predict the endpoints. We achieved Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUC) of 0.82 and 0.73 for predicting no-show and long waiting room time endpoints, respectively. The univariate LR analysis on DI appointments uncovered the effect of the time of appointment during the day/week, and patients' demographics such as income and the number of caregivers on the no-shows and long waiting room time endpoints. For predicting no-show, we found age, time slot, and percentage of single caregiver to be the most critical contributors. Age, distance, and percentage of non-English speakers were the most important features for our long waiting room time prediction models. We found no sex discrimination among the scheduled pediatric DI appointments. Nonetheless, inequities based on patient features such as low income and language barrier did exist.
A Novel Homozygous Mutation of AIRE Gene in a Patient With Autoimmune Polyglandular Syndrome Type I

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type I (APS1) shows common features such as mucocutaneous candidiasis, hypoparathyroidism, and hypoadrenalism. The clinical manifestations and their onset are highly variable. Besides endocrine abnormalities, patients can present with dental problems, keratoconjunctivitis, fever, rash, chronic diarrhea, and autoimmune hepatitis. We discuss the case of a 5-year-old female who presented initially with a new-onset seizure due to severe hypocalcemia and was diagnosed with primary hypoparathyroidism. Because she also had a history of chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, chronic diarrhea, and the presence of autoantibodies tested positive, the diagnosis of APS1 was suspected. Genetic testing detected a novel pathogenic homozygous AIRE mutation, which confirmed the diagnosis. She began multidisciplinary treatment with antifungals, calcium supplements, and parathyroid hormone analogs.
A block placement procedure using a force model

The paper treats the problem of automatic placement of building blocks of different sizes. This problem arises frequently in automating the layout design of LSIs. In this paper, a method is described for finding a global placement taking into account the connectivity between blocks as well as dimensions of blocks and placing regions. A method is proposed to establish a force model such that attractive forces caused by the connectivity between blocks and repulsive forces caused by the block overlaps are exerted on the blocks, and to derive a placement result as a system equilibrium state. the placement procedure is as follows. We start with the initial placement obtained only by applying attractive forces caused by connectivity, and then add gradually repulsive forces which are calculated based on the actual overlapping area between blocks. As a result, block overlap is removed and thus we can obtain a global placement considering local shape fitness while taking connectivity between blocks in a global way. In this paper, we explain first an outline of the proposed algorithm and then describe details of the methods for realizing it, e.g., functional forms of repulsive force against overlapping area, increasing ratio of repulsive force, and calculation method for the block equilibrium position and block orientation. Finally, the experimental results using examples with 17 and 33 blocks to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm are explained.
The Nanostructure of Alkyl-Sulfonate Ionic Liquids: Two 1-Alkyl-3-methylimidazolium Alkyl-Sulfonate Homologous Series

The functionalization of polymers with sulfonate groups has many important uses, ranging from biomedical applications to detergency properties used in oil-recovery processes. In this work, several ionic liquids (ILs) combining 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cations [CnC1im]+ (4 ≤ n ≤ 8) with alkyl-sulfonate anions [CmSO3]− (4 ≤ m ≤ 8) have been studied using molecular dynamics simulations, totalizing nine ionic liquids belonging to two homologous series. The radial distribution functions, structure factors, aggregation analyses, and spatial distribution functions reveal that the increase in aliphatic chain length induces no significant change in the structure of the polar network of the ILs. However, for imidazolium cations and sulfonate anions with shorter alkyl chains, the nonpolar organization is conditioned by the forces acting on the polar domains, namely, electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding.
First model-independent determination of the relative strong phase between D0 and D̄0→KS0π+π- and its impact on the CKM angle γ/Φ3 measurement

We exploit the quantum coherence between pair-produced D 0 and D 0 in Ψ(3770) decays to make a first determination of the relative strong phase differences between D 0 → K 0 S π + π - and D 0 → K 0 S π + π - which are of great importance in determining the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa angle γ/Φ 3 in B - → D 0 (D 0 )K - decays. Using 818 pb -1 of e + e - collision data collected with the CLEO-c detector at E cm = 3.77 GeV, we employ a binned Dalitz-plot analysis of K 0 S π + π - and K 0 L π + π - decays recoiling against flavor-tagged, CP-tagged, and K 0 S π + π - -tagged events to determine these strong phase differences.
Numerical algorithm for hypersonic vehicle optimal flight control

We consider a hypersonic vehicle optimal flight control problem. The problem is modeled as an optimal control problem of switched systems (OCPSS), which can become a parameter optimization problem (POP). Following that, to achieve the globally optimal solution of the POP, an improved continuous filled function (CFF) algorithm including one adjusting parameter is proposed based on a penalty function, in which the CFF is differentiable, excludes logarithmic terms or exponential terms, and does not require to minimize the cost function. Numerical results show that the proposed algorithm is effective.
Redshift Surveys of Galaxies

The desire to map the universe in three dimensions has provided the main stimulus for the growth of one of the most successful industries in the history of modern astronomy: the surveying of galaxy redshifts. After the pioneering work of Slipher, Humason, Mayall, and others in the earlier half of the century, the completion of the redshift data base for the Shapley­ Ames Catalog by Humason et al (1956) and Sandage (1978) yielded the first accurate views of the local universe. In the last fifteen years, advances in detector and spectrometer technology at both optical and radio wave­ lengths have spurred a tremendous explosion in the galaxy redshift tally. The resulting view of the universe has proved both complex and compli­ cated, and has fostered considerable effort to explain both the topology of the large-scale structure and its origin. The growth of the redshift industry has paralleled other advances in astronomy, particularly in the past quarter century. The First Reference
Impaired speech recognition under a cognitive load: Where is the locus?

Improving the validity of speech-recognition models requires an understanding of the conditions in which speech is experienced in everyday life. Listening conditions leading to a degradation of the signal—noise, competing talkers, disordered speech—have received most of the attention in that literature. But what about adverse conditions that do not alter the integrity of the signal, such as listening to speech under a non-auditory cognitive load (CL)? Drawing upon a variety of behavioral methods, this presentation investigates the effects of a concurrent attentional or mnemonic task on the relative reliance on acoustic cues and lexical knowledge during speech-perception tasks. The results show that listeners under CL downplay the contribution of acoustic detail and increase their reliance on lexical-semantic knowledge. However, greater reliance on lexical-semantic knowledge under CL is a cascaded effect of impoverished phonetic processing, not a direct consequence of CL. Ways of integrating CL into the fu.
The Associations between Multiple Essential Metal(loid)s and Gut Microbiota in Chinese Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Several experimental studies have suggested that individual essential metal(loid)s (EMs) could regulate the gut microbiota. However, human studies assessing the associations between EMs and gut microbiota are limited. This study aimed to examine the associations of individual and multiple EMs with the compositions of the gut microbiota in older adults. A total of 270 Chinese community-dwelling people over 60 years old were included in this study. Urinary concentrations of selected EMs, including vanadium (V), cobalt (Co), selenium (Se), strontium (Sr), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and molybdenum (Mo), were examined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The gut microbiome was assessed using the 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. The zero-inflated probabilistic principal components analysis PCA (ZIPPCA) model was performed to denoise substantial noise in microbiome data. Linear regression and the Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) models were utilized to determine the associations between urine EMs and gut microbiota. No significant association between urine EMs and gut microbiota was found in the total sample, whereas some significant associations were found in subgroup analyses: Co was negatively associated with the microbial Shannon (β = −0.072, p < 0.05) and the inverse-Simpson (β = −0.045, p < 0.05) indices among urban older adults; Ca (R2 = 0.035) and Sr (R2 = 0.023) exhibited significant associations with the altercations of beta diversity in females, while V (R2 = 0.095) showed a significant association with altercations of beta diversity in those who often drank. Furthermore, the associations between partial EMs and specific bacterial taxa were also found: the negative and linear associations of Mo with Tenericutes, Sr with Bacteroidales, and Ca with Enterobacteriaceae and Lachnospiraceae, and a positive and linear association of Sr with Bifidobacteriales were found. Our findings suggested that EMs may play an important role in maintaining the steady status of gut microbiota. Prospective studies are needed to replicate these findings.
Multiobjective Distributed Array Beamforming in the Near Field Using Wireless Syntonization

We demonstrate the efficacy of distributed microwave multiobjective beamforming at ranges near field to the array using an optimization algorithm and wireless frequency alignment (syntonization). While considerable research has recently been devoted to distributed phased array coordination, the ability to steer signals to locations close to the array in open-loop (feedback-free) systems has not been demonstrated. In this work, we apply a traditional far-field beamforming algorithm to a set of distributed antennas that are wirelessly syntonized. We demonstrate multiobjective beamforming at 0.9 GHz using software-defined radios (SDRs) in a distributed array steering either two beams (focii) or one beam and one null. This work demonstrates the feasibility of a critical part of future distributed beamforming systems that, when combined with other coordination technologies, will support coherent beamforming in widely distributed wireless systems.
Nonlinear stability of a fluid-loaded elastic plate with mean flow

It has been known for some time that the unsteady interaction between a simple elastic plate and a mean flow has a number of interesting features, which include, but are not limited to, the existence of negative-energy waves (NEWs) which are destabilized by the introduction of dashpot dissipation, and convective instabilities associated with the flow–surface interaction. In this paper we consider the nonlinear evolution of these two types of waves in uniform mean flow. It is shown that the NEW can become saturated at weakly nonlinear amplitude. For general parameter values this saturation can be achieved for wavenumber k corresponding to low-frequency oscillations, but in the realistic case in which the coefficient of the nonlinear tension term (in our normalization proportional to the square of the solid–fluid density ratio) is large, saturation is achieved for all k in the NEW range. In both cases the nonlinearities act so as increase the restorative stiffness in the plate, the oscillation frequency of the dashpots driving the NEW instability decreases, and the system approaches a state of static deflection (in agreement with the results of the numerical simulations of Lucey et al. 1997). With regard to the marginal convective instability, we show that the wave-train evolution is described by the defocusing form of the nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation, suggesting (at least for wave trains with compact support) that in the long-time limit the marginal convective instability decays to zero. In contrast, expansion about a range of other points on the neutral curve yields the focusing form of the NLS equation, allowing the existence of isolated soliton solutions, whose amplitude is shown to be potentially significant for realistic parameter values. Moreover, when slow spanwise modulation is included, it turns out that even the marginal convective instability can exhibit solitary-wave behaviour for modulation directions lying outside broad wedges about the flow direction.
Effects of qigong exercise on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: As a traditional Chinese exercise system, Qigong includes many types of exercises, including Baduanjin, Wuqinxi, Yijinjing, and Liuzijue. However, reviews highlighting the effects of a specific type of Qigong exercise in patients with metabolic syndrome or risk factors for metabolic syndrome are limited, and no articles have systematically evaluated the effects of Qigong exercise on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with metabolic syndrome. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of Qigong exercise on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with metabolic syndrome. Objective: Relevant randomized controlled trials were identified to conduct a meta-analysis of the effects of Qigong exercise on patients with metabolic syndrome, and to further explore the overall impact, heterogeneity, and publication bias related to the effects of Qigong exercise on metabolic syndrome. Methods: We searched for RCTs of Qigong exercise in patients with metabolic syndrome from the following databases: Pubmed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase, Physiotherapy Evidenced Database (PEDro), Google Scholar, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Chinese Science, Wanfang Data, and the VIP database. The search duration was set from the establishment of the database to 16 April 2022. We used the “Bias Risk Assessment” tool recommended by Cochrane Manual 5.0 to assess the methodological quality of the included literature and the R (version 3.6.2) package gemtc to analyze the data. Results: A total of seven RCTs with 486 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that Qigong exercise had significant effects on waist circumference (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.67; 95% CI, −1.16 to −0.17), systolic blood pressure (standardized mean difference = −0.53; 95% CI, −0.78 to −0.28) and triglyceride level (SMD = −0.60; 95% CI, −0.79 to −0.41). Subgroup analyses showed that 6-month Qigong exercise significantly improved diastolic blood pressure (SMD = −1.06; 95% CI, −1.57 to −0.56), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (SMD = 1.45; 95% CI, 1.06–1.85), total cholesterol level (SMD = −0.65; 95% CI, −1.04 to −0.27), and body mass index (SMD = −0.97; 95% CI, −1.23 to −0.72). For fasting blood glucose (SMD = −1.12; 95% CI, −1.58 to −0.67), the effect of a 3-month intervention seemed more effective than 6 months of Qigong exercise, but the evidence was insufficient. In addition, Qigong exercise had minimal effects on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (SMD = −1.22; 95% CI, −1.95 to −0.50). Conclusion: Qigong may be an alternative exercise mode to improve cardiovascular risk factors in patients with metabolic syndrome. However, the findings are limited by the number and quality of the included studies, and require validation through more high-quality studies.
The Masking and Pitch Shifts of Pure Tones near Abrupt Changes in a Thermal Noise Spectrum

When a pure tone is mixed with a noise of uniform spectrum, its threshold is raised. At levels above threshold, its loudness and pitch are changed by the presence of the noise. Introducing abrupt changes in the slope of the noise spectrum by filtering out (rejecting) one octave changes these effects in the vicinity of this gap.The masked threshold for a pure tone varies from the value for unfiltered noise at the edges of the gap to a value approximately 25 db lower at the middle. This indicates that gapped‐noise may be used to mask out sounds outside of the gap without unduly raising the threshold of sounds in the gap.Presence of white noise.generally raises the pitch of a pure tone whose frequency is between 500 and 4000 cps. Presence of noise with the gap does not raise the pitch of a pure tone located in the upper half of the gap. For a tone located in the lower half of the gap, the pitch is raised more than it would be in the presence of unfiltered noise.The changes in the judged loudness of pure tone.
Enhanced Terahertz Fingerprint Sensing Mechanism Study of Tiny Molecules Based on Tunable Spoof Surface Plasmon Polaritons on Composite Periodic Groove Structures

Highly sensitive detection of enhanced terahertz (THz) fingerprint absorption spectrum of trace-amount tiny molecules is essential for biosensing. THz surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors based on Otto prism-coupled attenuated total reflection (OPC-ATR) configuration have been recognized as a promising technology in biomedical detection applications. However, THz-SPR sensors based on the traditional OPC-ATR configuration have long been associated with low sensitivity, poor tunability, low refractive index resolution, large sample consumption, and lack of fingerprint analysis. Here, we propose an enhanced tunable high-sensitivity and trace-amount THz-SPR biosensor based on a composite periodic groove structure (CPGS). The elaborate geometric design of the spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) metasurface increases the number of electromagnetic hot spots on the surface of the CPGS, improves the near-field enhancement effect of SSPPs, and enhances the interaction between THz wave and the sample. The results show that the sensitivity (S), figure of merit (FOM) and Q-factor (Q) can be increased to 6.55 THz/RIU, 4234.06 1/RIU and 629.28, respectively, when the refractive index range of the sample to measure is between 1 and 1.05 with the resolution 1.54×10−5 RIU. Moreover, by making use of the high structural tunability of CPGS, the best sensitivity (SPR frequency shift) can be obtained when the resonant frequency of the metamaterial approaches the biological molecule oscillation. These advantages make CPGS a strong candidate for the high-sensitivity detection of trace-amount biochemical samples.
Testing the equality of several means when the population variances are unequal

A comparative study is made of three tests, developed by James (1951), Welch (1951) and Brown & Forsythe (1974). James presented two methods of which only one is considered in this paper. It is shown that this method gives better control over the size than the other two tests. None of these methods is uniformly more powerful than the other two. In some cases the tests of James and Welch reject a false null hypothesis more often than the test of Brown & Forsythe, but there are also situations in which it is the other way around. We conclude that for implementation in a statistical software package the very complicated test of James is the most attractive. A practical disadvantage of this method can be overcome by a minor modification.