Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The migration of humpback whales past the Bay de Verde Peninsula, Newfoundland, during June and July, 1978

Approximately 255 humpback whales, Megaptera novaeangliae, moved through the waters off the Bay de Verde Peninsula, Newfoundland, between 1 June and 10 August 1978. Their distribution and northward migration speed were closely related to the density of depth sounder traces in the 80–120 m depth range, believed to have been made by postspawning schools of the humpbacks' major local prey, the capelin, Mallotus villosus. Residence times of individual humpbacks were usually less than 3 days. Only one animal had a preferred range within the study area.
Surface Grain Refinement of 304L Stainless Steel by Combined Severe Shot Peening and Reversion Annealing Treatment

The present study proposes a novel method, i.e., combined severe shot peening (SP) and reversion annealing treatment, to grain-refine the surface layers of 304L austenitic stainless steel. Steel specimens were shot-peened at 0.7 MPa for 30 min, introducing 40% vol. α′ martensite, and then were annealed at 700 or 800 °C for different durations (30 s). As annealing reversed α′ martensite to austenite, the obtained surface layers consist of fully austenitic ultrafine grains. The smallest grain size obtained is about 500 nm at the top surface. SP elevates the microhardness to more than 500 HV. Although the grain-refined surface layers produced by the combined method are not as hard as that treated by only SP, they are harder (e.g., the specimen annealed at 700 °C for 30 s using a heating rate of 50 °C/s exhibited a peak microhardness of 400 HV) than the untreated surface layer (225 HV) due to grain refinement. Moreover, due to the absence of α′ martensite, they have higher corrosion resistance in H2SO4 solution than that treated by only SP.
Incidence of nosocomial infections in children undergoing cardiac surgery

Children after cardiac surgery treated as inpatients in cardiac pediatric ICUs run an increased risk of nosocomial infection. Hitherto, no comprehensive review of the published literature concerning this topic has been available. A systematic analysis of 23 original papers published in the English literature between 1990 and 2009 was performed covering more than 10 000 pediatric inpatients. The median infection rate (proportion of patients with at least one nosocomial infection) was 15.8% (5.5–30.8%). The nosocomial infection incidence density determined in three studies was 6.8, 6.9, und 21.7 nosocomial infection per 1000 inpatient days. In addition to catheter-associated bloodstream infections (36% of all documented nosocomial infection; 25–66%) surgical site infections play an important role (23%; 8–37% of all documented nosocomial infection). A relevant proportion of all surgical-site infections (SSIs) have been detected after discharge. nosocomial infection prolonged hospital stay and, in some cases, increased the risk of mortality. Due to the heterogeneity of the studies included, our analysis does not provide definite reference data for nosocomial infection in pediatric cardiac surgery patients. Nonetheless, our results may be utilized to assess local nosocomial infection rates, to identify critical control points and to implement preventive intervention programs.
Analysis and Design of a Microwave Coplanar Sensor for Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Measurements

In this paper a design for a microwave sensor for the non-invasive measurement of blood glucose concentrations is proposed. The sensor is intended for usage as part of a non-invasive glucose-quantifying device. With this aim, three different microwave resonator structures are analyzed as possible candidates, and strengths and weaknesses are highlighted in each case. The chosen resonator is an open structure in which a finger of the patient is placed, fulfilling the role of a sample to be characterized by the sensor. The shape and size of the finger thus condition those of the resonator. Variations in the concentration of blood glucose modify the dielectric properties of the tissue, which is part of the microwave resonator-finger system, and as such, the changes translate to the resonance frequency of the whole structure. Among the three studied topologies, it was found that a single resonator designed using a coplanar structure with a ground plane showed the best trade-off in frequency sensitivity, stability and repeatability of the measurements. A notable correlation, between the resonance frequency of the proposed sensor and the blood glucose levels measured with a traditional glucometer, was found. This highlights a potential interchangeability of both glucose measurement methods.
Computational thinking in programming with Scratch in primary schools: A systematic review

Computer programming is being introduced in educational curricula, even at the primary school level. One goal of this implementation is to teach computational thinking (CT), which is potentially applicable in various computational problem‐solving situations. However, the educational objective of CT in primary schools is somewhat unclear: curricula in various countries define learning objectives for topics, such as computer science, computing, programming or digital literacy but not for CT specifically. Additionally, there has been confusion in concretely and comprehensively defining and operationalising what to teach, learn and assess about CT in primary education even with popular programming akin to Scratch. In response to the growing demands of CT, by conducting a literature review on studies utilising Scratch in K–9, this study investigates what kind of CT has been assessed in Scratch at the primary education level. As a theoretical background for the review, we define a tangible educational objective for introducing CT comprehensively in primary education and concretise the fundamental skills and areas of understanding involved in CT as its “core educational principles”. The results of the review summarise Scratch programming contents that students can manipulate and activities in which they can engage that foster CT. Moreover, methods for formatively assessing CT via students' Scratch projects and programming processes are explored. The results underpin that the summarised “CT‐fostering” programming contents and activities in Scratch are vast and multidimensional. The next steps for this study are to refine pedagogically meaningful ways to assess CT in students' Scratch projects and programming processes.
Damage to ryegrass plants of different size by various densities of the pruinose scarab (Sericesthis geminata (Coleoptera))

The effects of the number of pruinose scarab larvae (Sericesthis geminata) and the size of ryegrass plants on the damage to roots and reduction of foliage yield were examined in a factorial pot experiment. No significant interactions occurred. At each larval density the weight of roots eaten or damaged was linearly related to the weight of roots in the controls. The slight but significant reduction of relative damage to roots and foliage with increasing plant size is therefore thought to result from a greater capacity for regrowth in the plants with larger stembases. The number of larvae had a very highly significant effect on damage to roots, but did not influence foliage yield to a significant degree, the mean reduction of foliage being 36 per cent of the control yield. As in previous experiments the ryegrass plants appeared' to lose half their roots before foliage yield was affected. The mean damage to roots was 83 per cent of the controls.
Plasticity of Root Traits under Competition for a Nutrient-Rich Patch Depends on Tree Species and Possesses a Large Congruency between Intra- and Interspecific Situations

Belowground competition is an important structuring force in terrestrial plant communities. Uncertainties remain about the plasticity of functional root traits under competition, especially comparing interspecific vs. intraspecific situations. This study addresses the plasticity of fine root traits of competing Acer pseudoplatanus L. and Fagus sylvatica L. seedlings in nutrient-rich soil patches. Seedlings’ roots were grown in a competition chamber experiment in which root growth (biomass), morphological and architectural fine roots traits, and potential activities of four extracellular enzymes were analyzed. Competition chambers with one, two conspecific, or two allospecific roots were established, and fertilized to create a nutrient ‘hotspot’. Interspecific competition significantly reduced fine root growth in Fagus only, while intraspecific competition had no significant effect on the fine root biomass of either species. Competition reduced root nitrogen concentration and specific root respiration of both species. Potential extracellular enzymatic activities of β-glucosidase (BG) and N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG) were lower in ectomycorrhizal Fagus roots competing with Acer. Acer fine roots had greater diameter and tip densities under intraspecific competition. Fagus root traits were generally more plastic than those of Acer, but no differences in trait plasticity were found between competitive situations. Compared to Acer, Fagus roots possessed a greater plasticity of all studied traits but coarse root biomass. However, this high plasticity did not result in directed trait value changes under interspecific competition, but Fagus roots grew less and realized lower N concentrations in comparison to competing Acer roots. The plasticity of root traits of both species was thus found to be highly species- but not competitor-specific. By showing that both con- and allospecific roots had similar effects on target root growth and most trait values, our data sheds light on the paradigm that the intensity of intraspecific competition is greater than those of interspecific competition belowground.
Millimeter-Wave Communication for Internet of Vehicles: Status, Challenges, and Perspectives

The Internet of Vehicles has attracted a lot of attention in the automotive industry and academia recently. We are witnessing rapid advances in vehicular technologies that comprise many components, such as onboard units (OBUs) and sensors. These sensors generate a large amount of data, which can be used to inform and facilitate decision making (e.g., navigating through traffic and obstacles). One particular focus is for automotive manufacturers to enhance the communication capability of vehicles to extend their sensing range. However, the existing short-range wireless access, such as dedicated short-range communication (DSRC), and cellular communication, such as 4G, is not capable of supporting the high volume data generated by different fully connected vehicular settings. Millimeter-wave (mmWave) technology can potentially provide terabit data transfer rates among vehicles. Therefore, we present an in-depth survey of the existing research, published in the last decade, and we describe the applications of mmWave communications in vehicular communications. In particular, we focus on MAC and physical layers and discuss related issues, such as sensing-aware MAC protocol, handover algorithms, link blockage, and beamwidth size adaptation. Finally, we highlight various aspects related to smart transportation applications, and we discuss future research directions and limitations.
MJO Propagation Across the Maritime Continent: Are CMIP6 Models Better Than CMIP5 Models?

Many climate models struggle with a poor simulation of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO), especially its propagation across the Maritime Continent (MC). This study quantitatively evaluates the robustness of MJO propagation over the MC in climate models that participated in Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) and Phase 6 (CMIP6) with a newly developed MC propagation metric. The results show that the CMIP6 models simulate MJO propagation over the MC more realistically than the CMIP5 models. Lower free‐tropospheric moisture budget analysis highlights that the greater horizontal moisture advection is responsible for the enhanced MJO propagation over the MC. The increase in horizontal moisture advection in the CMIP6 models is mainly attributed to the steeper horizontal mean state moisture gradient around the MC, which is associated with the reduction of the equatorial dry bias.
Low-Cost and Power-Efficient Massive MIMO Precoding: Architecture and Algorithm Designs

This study proposes two low-cost precoding architectures for massive multiuser multiple-input multiple-output systems to alleviate multiuser interference, where one has the objective of reducing the power consumption of the conventional 1-bit precoding architecture and the another has the objective of improving the performance of the conventional 1-bit precoding schemes. However, jointly identifying the precoding factor and the precoding vector of the proposed precoding architectures is intractable because they are coupled together. We address this issue by utilizing an alternating minimization (AltMin) framework to optimize alternatively the precoding factor and the precoding vector. Nevertheless, this framework experiences difficulty in optimizing the precoding vector, which we address by proposing a machine learning–inspired algorithm developed from the cross-entropy optimization (CEO) framework to obtain a near-optimal precoding vector. Although the CEO-based AltMin algorithm provides excellent performance, the complexity of the CEO part is relatively high. We thus develop an AltMin algorithm using a sequential greedy descent algorithm as a low-complexity counterpart of the CEO-based AltMin algorithm. Simulation results reveal that the proposed precoding algorithms can successfully determine the weights of the proposed precoding architectures, thereby providing considerable performance improvements over previous 1-bit precoding algorithms. Moreover, the hardware complexity and power consumption of the proposed precoding architectures are considerably lower than those of previous 1-bit precoding architectures.
Specific Structural-Functional Role of the Pronounced Negative Molecular Charge of the Sturgeon Gonadotropin β-Subunit

Free negatively charged carboxyl groups (COOH) were selectively modified (neutralised) in sturgeon (Acipenser güldenstädti Br) gonadotropic hormone (GTH) β-subunit (βGTH). Eight COOH groups were neutralised by reaction with glycine ethyl ester. Investigation of modified βGTH showed that specific immunoactivity with antiserum raised against standard βGTH was completely lost. Analysis of CD spectra and the content of secondary structure elements of standard and modified βGTH did not indicate any considerable differences. Investigation of reassociated α-β dimer comprising standard αGTH and modified βGTH showed that hormonal activity was completely lost while immunoreactivity was lowered by about 30% in comparison with that of the standard subunit α-β dimer. It was concluded that eight free COOH groups located on the surface of βGTH are the main structural components of the species-specific antigenic determinant groups of the subunit, but are not directly involved in either maintaining the conformation of the subunit nor in its ability to interact with the native counterpart subunit. COOH groups, as bearers of the negative charge located on the surface of βGTH, play a decisive role in the specific hormonal activity of GTH determined by oocyte maturation tests. Free COOH groups are included in the effector zones (active sites) of GTH dimer molecule responsible for the stereospecific interaction with the test-oocyte membrane hormone-sensitive binding (receptor) sites to induce the biological effects. Stores (β subvienībai (βGTH), atšķirībā no αGTH, ir raksturīgs izteikti negatīvs molekulārais lādiņš. Selektīvās ķīmiskās modifikācijas ceļā βGTH izdevās neitralizēt visas astoņas brīvās COOH grupas. Modificētā subvienība pilnībā zaudēja spēju mijiedarboties ar standart- subvienības antivielām. Krasi samazinājās tās elektroforētiskā virzība uz anodu. Taču CD spektroskopijas pētījumi liecināja, ka modifikācija nav radījusi būtiskas izmaiņas βGTH otrējā struktūrā. Modificētā βGTH spēja reasociēties ar natīvo αGTH, veidojot elektroforētiski stabilu α-β dimēru, kura imūnreaktivitāte salīdzinājumā ar intakto subvienību α-β dimēru izrādījās par 30% zemāka imūntestos ar GTH antivielām. Taču tās hormonaktivitāte bija pilnībā zudusi. Secināts, ka brivām COOH grupām ir būtiska nozīme βGTH antigēno determinantu struktūras veidošanā, bet to loma subvienību specifiskās komplementārās mijiedarbības procesā nav īpaši nozīmīga. Pētījuma rezultāti rāda, ka brīvajām COOH grupām ir īpaša nozīme hormona dimērmolekulas efektorajās zonās jeb aktīvajos centros, kas nodrošina GTH molekulas stereospecifisko mijiedarbību ar olšūnu membrānreceptoriem, tādējādi inducējot gonadotropā procesa norisi olšūnās.
Conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater in irrigation districts in China *

In China, irrigation plays a significant role in guaranteeing national food security. However, with the development of society and the economy, water resources have become increasingly short and the conflict between water supply and requirement is worsening in irrigation districts. How to optimize and allocate the limited water resources has become a research focus. Combining groundwater and surface water for agricultural irrigation is an effective approach to solve the problems. It is helpful to regulate and utilize the limited water resources more reasonably by conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater. It is also significant in protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development of irrigation districts. In this paper, the definition, principles and advantages of conjunctive use of surface and groundwater are introduced. Then related research is discussed from the perspectives of the research objectives, computing model and methodology. Study of the model on conjunctive use of surface and groundwater in irrigation districts is of great practical significance for the optimal allocation of water, the improvement of water resources utilization efficiency and the economic benefit of irrigated areas. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seed and tuber banks of aquatic macrophytes in the Askö area, northern Baltic proper

Sediment samples from 5 stations in the northern Baltic proper, 6.5 o/oo S, were collected in April 1987 and the emergence of seedlings was recorded over 120 days in a greenhouse at 20°C. Total seedling densities varied from 0 to 3328 m-2: and of seven species, Zannichellia palustris and Chara spp. were the most abundant among seedlings and sporelings, respectively. Several common macrophytes in the area were rare as seedlings and no seedlings were recorded for the most abundant angiosperms, Potamogeton pectinatus, Potamogeton perfoliatus and Ranunculus baudotii. Except for the few annual species, reproduction by seeds contributed little to the dynamics of the vegetation in the area and no correlation was found between vegetation composition and the seed bank. For perennial species the winter survival of vegetative propagules is the most important factor for vegetation dynamics.
Portable Pen-Like Device With Miniaturized Tactile Sensor for Quantitative Tissue Palpation in Oral Cancer Screening

Oral cancer has consistently been ranked among the top ten cancers in terms of mortality with five year survival rates being among the lowest for all major cancers. Consequently, great efforts are being made to develop new diagnostic tools that can enable early detection in a clinical setting. In this study, we report on the design and development of a novel pen-like handheld device, with a miniaturized tactile sensor mounted on the front-end and integrated with a portable back-end readout module. The device can be used for tissue palpation in the oral cavity and obtain quantitative information regarding the elasticity of oral lesions and abnormalities, thus eliminating the need for manual palpation by the clinician. The sensing mechanism of the proposed tactile sensor is based on the two-spring model and employs two components with varying stiffness values, namely a hard copper ball embedded in a soft elastomeric packaging. The differential voltage output of the piezoelectric sensing film corresponding to the two components can provide information regarding the elasticity of the tissue under contact. To simulate feasibility of the tactile sensor in differentiating tissue elasticity, we have contacted the sensor with different elastomeric silicone materials under the same applied force. The experiments confirmed that the sensor response could be used to differentiate five silicones with varying Young’s moduli ranging from 0.2 to 3.1 MPa and a corresponding Shore hardness of 2 to 56 Shore A. A two-stage linear trend was observed with a sensitivity of 0.356/MPa for softer silicones (2 ~ 9 Shore A) and 0.059/MPa for harder silicones (24 ~ 56 Shore A). Furthermore, the portable readout module that we have developed can analyze the data from the tactile sensor and transmit it wirelessly via Bluetooth for cloud computing. The proposed device is easy-to-use in general clinical settings and could enable early detection and improved prognosis of oral cancer.
Genetic structure of coral reef organisms: Ghosts of dispersal past

SYNOPSIS. Molecular genetic studies are revealing the presence of cryptic taxa, and patterns of gene flow in coral reef species, that do not correspond to present day ocean circulation patterns. Concordant borders of genetic inhomogeneity in several taxa emphasise the influence of historical barriers to gene flow. The persistence of genetic differences between sites apparently connected by present-day currents provides evidence for lack of effective contemporary gene exchange. A review of the limited data available to date cannot be conclusive, but suggests that present patterns of genetic variation in the Indo-Pacific have resulted from highly pulsed dispersal events associated with range expansion during interglacial periods. Thus, population genetic structure appears to be dominated by events associated with global climate change and sea level fluctuation during the last 1–3 million years, rather than vicariant geological events in the early Caenozoic. Regional speciation outside the tropical Indo-West Pacific and movement of these species into that region may have played a more important role in producing diversity in that region than traditionally recognised. Some genetic variants have arisen before, and have persisted through, several cycles of climate change. The genetic structure of populations is likely to have been maintained for several thousand years after they were first established, during or immediately after range expansion, by the occurrence of co-adapted gene complexes of some form, and because of more limited opportunity for dispersal than has been assumed to date.
Uncertainty Quantification of Waveguide Dispersion Using Sparse Grid Stochastic Testing

To quantify waveguide dispersion uncertainty, we propose a stochastic analysis technique based on the polynomial chaos method, where Smolyak sparse grids are used as sample spaces for the recently developed nonintrusive stochastic testing (ST) technique. This strategy allows for a smaller set of candidate collocation nodes in the ST algorithm compared with the computationally expensive tensor grid approach. The method is tailored to the analysis of waveguide structures with a statistically spatially varying dielectric-property profile, which is then captured by a discrete set of uncorrelated random variables by means of Karhunen–Loève transforms. In this way, the propagation properties of realistic stochastic waveguides can be predicted, which is of major importance in the electronic design process. The presented method, which is constructed around a second-order full-wave deterministic finite element solver, is illustrated through the uncertainty quantification of two waveguide dispersion problems and is validated using commercial electromagnetic field solvers and the Monte Carlo method.