Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploration of Problem-based Learning at Inter-course Level

Under the background of globalization and technology competition in the new era, aiming at the problem of traditional teaching interaction, this paper puts forward the idea of problem-based learning (PBL) teaching for environmental science majors. Compared with the traditional teaching method, the PBL model has advantages in improving students' self-learning ability, cooperation and communication ability, professional ability, being familiar with academic writing norms, and training critical thinking ability. Compared with the single-course PBL, the inter-course PBL model emphasizes the importance of systematic integration of professional knowledge when solving practical problems, and promotes teachers' extensive communication and cooperation.
TactJam: An End-to-End Prototyping Suite for Collaborative Design of On-Body Vibrotactile Feedback

We present TactJam, an end-to-end suite for creating and sharing low fidelity prototypes of on-body vibrotactile feedback. With TactJam, designers can create, record and share vibrotactile patterns online. This opens up new ways of collaboratively designing vibrotactile patterns both in collocated as well as in remote settings. We evaluate TactJam in a two-part distributed online workshop, exploring the design of on-body tactons. Participants were able to successfully use TactJam to learn about tacton design. We present an overview of mappings between tactons and their associated concepts before comparing the results of tactons created using solely a GUI and tactons created through experimenting with placements directly on the body. Conducting both parts of the workshop separately highlighted the importance of designing directly with bodies: less implicit assumptions were made, and designs were guided by personal experience. We reflect on these results and close on deliberations for the future development of TactJam.
Exponential Separations in Local Privacy

We prove a general connection between the communication complexity of two-player games and the sample complexity of their multi-player locally private analogues. We use this connection to prove sample complexity lower bounds for locally differentially private protocols as straightforward corollaries of results from communication complexity. In particular, we (1) use a communication lower bound for the hidden layers problem to prove an exponential sample complexity separation between sequentially and fully interactive locally private protocols, and (2) use a communication lower bound for the pointer chasing problem to prove an exponential sample complexity separation between k-round and (k+1)-round sequentially interactive locally private protocols, for every k.
Design of a robust Flight Control System for a Mini-UAV

Classical PID-control is nowadays widely used for aircraft control. However, this kind of control has a major drawback, since it is unable to take into account modelling errors and signal uncertainties. Therefore, robust control has been developed. This paper focuses on the design of a robust flight control system for a mini-UAV using coupled stability derivatives. Finally, the performance of the robust control system can be compared with the performance of a classical controller in order to analyse benefits of the former method.
Effects of Gamified Learning Platforms on Students' Learning Outcomes: A Meta-analysis Taking Kahoot and Quizizz as Examples

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of two different gamified learning platforms (i.e. Kahoot and Quizizz) on students’ learning outcomes, and to further explore their application differences in different knowledge types and disciplines. Based on the theory of gamified learning, the present study used the meta-analysis method to analyze 36 independent experiments, and found that Kahoot and Quizizz had a moderate-to-large positive effect on learning outcome (combined effect value 0.775). From the perspective of game characteristics, Quizizz's application effect is better than Kahoot's. From the perspective of instructional content, it is more effective to apply Kahoot and Quizizz in procedural knowledge learning or humanities and social sciences learning. According to the meta-analysis results, three specific suggestions are put forward to providing some reference to the application of gamified learning platforms.
The Resource Allocation between Teachers' Attitudes and Information Communication Technology Competence: A Configuration Approach

Deploying appropriate information technology (IT) competency in a manner that fits the teachers' attitudes regarding school induces teaching efficiency. The application and perspective of information and communication technology (ICT) in teaching by teachers determine the end and promotion of IT. However, our understanding of how to empirically conceptualize and assess teaching efficiency of the fit remains limited. Therefore, this study adopts resource orchestration theory and appropriate literature evaluation methods to conceptualize and operationalize "fit" from the perspective of resource configuration. According to the ICT in Education Technical Report, each 100 ISCED schools in 31 countries are surveyed to provide an empirical study on the relationship and quality between ICT competence and teachers’ attitudes level on the overall teaching efficiency. In particular, the use of fit as a “moderation” approach suggests that ICT can strengthen the relationship between teachers’ attitudes and teaching efficiency. Fit as a “profile deviation” method further reveals that teachers whose ICT competence configurations are similar to those of the top performers in the high-level teachers’ attitude group have higher teaching efficiency. The theoretical contributions and managerial implications of the study are discussed.
AirPinch – An Inflatable Touch Fader with Pneumatic Tactile Feedback

This paper gives an overview of our work-in-progress prototype of a textile-pneumatic force-feedback system that augments the user-interaction on touch-sensor strips with interactive tactile cues. Air-pressure inside a shape-changing textile actuator is dynamically modulated, to create a perceivable pinch-like impression at the user’s fingertip. This dynamic pneumotactile pinch can be leveraged as a tangible output modality for interaction design. The soft actuators are driven by a pneumatic control system that adjusts the pneumatic pressure in response to the finger position. We have explored different textile air-chamber layouts to achieve tactile feedback and provide a preliminary discussion of their tactile capabilities and design patterns. We further give a brief overview of three different pneumatic control system architectures and their underlying tactile pressure profiles used to operate the actuators to create different types of tactile sensations. A preliminary discussion of the capabilities, challenges, and limitations of our system is also provided.
Near wake interactions and drag increase regimes for a square-back bluff body

Abstract The three-dimensional near wake of a square-back bluff body in ground proximity is experimentally perturbed by placing a pair of D-shaped obstacles under the body. Five obstacle widths $d$, from 12 % to 26 % of the height of the body, are used to perform a sensitivity study of the body's pressure drag by varying the relative distance $l$ between the obstacle pair and the base. Two successive drag-sensitive regimes are identified for obstacle-to-base distances $l/d < 2.5$, where the pressure drag of the body is increased up to 22 %. In different regimes, the flow dynamics measured downstream of the obstacles are found to be very different. When the obstacles are the closest to the base, $l/d<1.5$, the pressure drag changes of the main body are driven by mean merging between the wakes of the obstacles and of the main body, and scale with $d$. Contrarily, when the obstacles are located farther from the base, $1.5< l/d<2.5$, the wakes of the obstacles are isolated from the main body wake. Here the dynamics of the obstacle wake drive the pressure drag changes of the main body, which scale with $d^{2}$. In both regimes, we measure a mean mass transfer from the wake of the main body to the wakes of the obstacles. This is the main mechanism responsible for the pressure drag changes. Using our results and reference studies describing the effects of base suction on the pressure drag of bluff bodies, a physical model is proposed to explain the contrasting scalings of the pressure drag increase in the different regimes observed in this study.
Comparison between botulinum toxin and steroid septal injection in the treatment of allergic rhinitis

To compare the effects of botulinum toxin and steroid septal injections in treating allergic rhinitis (AR) by evaluating improvements in the rhinitis control assessment test (RCAT), visual analog scale (VAS), nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) scores, and active anterior rhinomanometry (RMM) measurements.
A Bio-Inspired Proposal for Internet Address System Modification

This paper presents a provisional design proposal for the modification of the numbering and address representation of Internet Protocol 4 (IPv4), the Internet address system nearing exhaustion, based on biology. Biologically-inspired designs have been applied in diverse technological fields with varying degrees of successes. The paper proposes the expansion of IPv4 addresses by the concatenation of twelve 8 bit suffixes to each IPv4 address using numbers derived from DNA sequences. The author outlines a design proposal for the modification of the addressing system of the network layer in the TCP/IP hierarchy. This scheme, if deemed possible, could see the creation of at least 6.4 × 10 26 unique addresses and prolong the usefulness of IPv4, beyond the projected operational time frame of ten years.
An Oscillatory Shear Index-Based Model to Describe Progressive Carotid Artery Stenosis

Background and aims: This study describes and demonstrates the applicability of a novel in silico method for modeling progressive carotid artery stenosis using the oscillatory shear index (OSI) as the basis of stenosis. Methods: Three-dimensional reconstructions of 11 carotid arteries were generated using patient-derived magnetic resonance angiography and duplex ultrasound data. Computational fluid dynamic simulations were sequentially generated following computational stenosis assessment, and corresponding changes in OSI were observed and used as measure of morphological stabilization. Results: 6 carotid models showed progressive stenosis with statistically significant increases in regions of high OSI (OSI >.2, P < .05) with eventual carotid occlusion in 1 of the cases. Three models remained free or nearly free of increased OSI, whereas 1 model showed an overall decrease in high OSI regions (P < .05) and another trended in that direction but did not achieve statistical significance (P = .145). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first computational model describing progressive stenosis in any peripheral artery including the carotid. Taken together, this study provides a novel framework for computational hemodynamic investigations on progressive atherosclerosis in the carotid artery.
Performance-Based Seismic Retrofit of Existing Reinforced Concrete Frame Buildings using Fibre-Reinforced Polymers: Challenges and Solutions

Abstract The need for simple and cost-effective seismic retrofit solutions for existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings, particularly those designed before the 1970s, prior to the introduction of modern seismic code provisions and capacity design principles has been recognized as a critical socio-political priority at the international level. Similar to what was pursued for the design of new structures, a performance-based approach has to be adopted when assessing the vulnerability and defining the retrofit strategy for existing buildings. In this contribution, an overview of recent evidence-based developments in the field of fibre-reinforced polymer strengthening of existing RC frame systems has been presented. Based on experimental tests, and analytical–numerical results as well as experience from on-site applications, particular focus will be given to the discussion on feasibility and efficiency of low-invasive implementation techniques targeting the exterior corner joints of a building in order to guarantee minimum interruption to the functionality of the building.
Meniscus Regeneration With Multipotent Stromal Cell Therapies

Meniscus is a semilunar wedge-shaped structure with fibrocartilaginous tissue, which plays an essential role in preventing the deterioration and degeneration of articular cartilage. Lesions or degenerations of it can lead to the change of biomechanical properties in the joints, which ultimately accelerate the degeneration of articular cartilage. Even with the manual intervention, lesions in the avascular region are difficult to be healed. Recent development in regenerative medicine of multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) has been investigated for the significant therapeutic potential in the repair of meniscal injuries. In this review, we provide a summary of the sources of MSCs involved in repairing and regenerative techniques, as well as the discussion of the avenues to utilizing these cells in MSC therapies. Finally, current progress on biomaterial implants was reviewed.
The Road Toward Transformative Treatments for Food Allergy

A series of landmark studies have provided conclusive evidence that the early administration of food allergens dramatically prevents the emergence of food allergy. One of the greatest remaining challenges is whether patients with established food allergy can return to health. This challenge is particularly pressing in the case of allergies against peanut, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish which are lifelong in most patients and may elicit severe reactions. The standard of care for food allergy is allergen avoidance and the timely administration of epinephrine upon accidental exposure. Epinephrine, and other therapeutic options like antihistamines provide acute symptom relief but do not target the underlying pathology of the disease. In principle, any transformative treatment for established food allergy would require the restoration of a homeostatic immunological state. This may be attained through either an active, non-harmful immune response (immunological tolerance) or a lack of a harmful immune response (e.g., anergy), such that subsequent exposures to the allergen do not elicit a clinical reaction. Importantly, such a state must persist beyond the course of the treatment and exert its protective effects permanently. In this review, we will discuss the immunological mechanisms that maintain lifelong food allergies and are, consequently, those which must be dismantled or reprogrammed to instate a clinically non-reactive state. Arguably, the restoration of such a state in the context of an established food allergy would require a reprogramming of the immune response against a given food allergen. We will discuss existing and experimental therapeutic strategies to eliminate IgE reactivity and, lastly, will propose outstanding questions to pave the road to the development of novel, transformative therapeutics in food allergy.
Effects of Different Aerosols on the Air Pollution and Their Relationship With Meteorological Parameters in North China Plain

Located in East Asia, the North China Plain (NCP) has a severe air pollution problem. In this study, variations in visibility, particulate matter (PM), gaseous pollutants, vertical meteorological parameters, and different types of aerosols and their optical properties were evaluated during an air pollution episode that occurred from 10 to 15 January 2019 in Tianjin over the NCP. The visibility was <10 km for approximately 96 h, and the concentrations of PM with an aerodynamic diameter of <2.5 μm (PM2.5) and <10 μm (PM10) increased to 300 and 400 μg/m3, respectively. Because of the conversion of SO2 to sulphate aerosol particles, the sulphur dioxide (SO2) concentration decreased to a minimum of 10 μg/m3. The continual deterioration of visibility was related to the high relative humidity and the boundary layer of <0.1 km. The southwest airflow (3.0–4.0 m/s) transported various pollutants from Hebei Province to the NCP. Higher mixing ratios of sulphate aerosols, organic aerosols, and black carbon aerosols were distributed over a 0.5-km-diameter area, and the maximum concentrations were approximately 90, 250–300, and 20 μg/kg, respectively. Higher mixing ratios of dust aerosols and sea salt aerosols were distributed within 1.5 km and 1.0–2.5 km, respectively, and their maximum concentrations were approximately 15 and 9 μg/kg, respectively. The findings are valuable for analysing the relationship between air quality and pollutant transport in the NCP.
Distributional Measures of Semantic Abstraction

This article provides an in-depth study of distributional measures for distinguishing between degrees of semantic abstraction. Abstraction is considered a “central construct in cognitive science” and a “process of information reduction that allows for efficient storage and retrieval of central knowledge”. Relying on the distributional hypothesis, computational studies have successfully exploited measures of contextual co-occurrence and neighbourhood density to distinguish between conceptual semantic categorisations. So far, these studies have modeled semantic abstraction across lexical-semantic tasks such as ambiguity; diachronic meaning changes; abstractness vs. concreteness; and hypernymy. Yet, the distributional approaches target different conceptual types of semantic relatedness, and as to our knowledge not much attention has been paid to apply, compare or analyse the computational abstraction measures across conceptual tasks. The current article suggests a novel perspective that exploits variants of distributional measures to investigate semantic abstraction in English in terms of the abstract–concrete dichotomy (e.g., glory–banana) and in terms of the generality–specificity distinction (e.g., animal–fish), in order to compare the strengths and weaknesses of the measures regarding categorisations of abstraction, and to determine and investigate conceptual differences. In a series of experiments we identify reliable distributional measures for both instantiations of lexical-semantic abstraction and reach a precision higher than 0.7, but the measures clearly differ for the abstract–concrete vs. abstract–specific distinctions and for nouns vs. verbs. Overall, we identify two groups of measures, (i) frequency and word entropy when distinguishing between more and less abstract words in terms of the generality–specificity distinction, and (ii) neighbourhood density variants (especially target–context diversity) when distinguishing between more and less abstract words in terms of the abstract–concrete dichotomy. We conclude that more general words are used more often and are less surprising than more specific words, and that abstract words establish themselves empirically in semantically more diverse contexts than concrete words. Finally, our experiments once more point out that distributional models of conceptual categorisations need to take word classes and ambiguity into account: results for nouns vs. verbs differ in many respects, and ambiguity hinders fine-tuning empirical observations.
Identification of a RelA/SpoT Homolog and Its Possible Role in the Accumulation of Astaxanthin in Haematococcus pluvialis

A RelA/SpoT homolog, HpRSH, was identified in Haematococcus pluvialis. HpRSH was found to catalyze Mg2+-dependent guanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp) synthesis and Mn2+-dependent ppGpp hydrolysis, respectively. The transcription of HpRSH was significantly upregulated by environmental stresses, such as darkness, high light, nitrogen limitation, and salinity stress. The intracellular ppGpp level was also increased when exposed to these stresses. In addition, the classical initiator of stringent response, serine hydroxamate (SHX), was found to upregulate the transcription of HpRSH and increase the level of ppGpp. Moreover, stringent response induced by SHX or environmental stresses was proven to induce the accumulation of astaxanthin. These results indicated that stringent response regulatory system involved in the regulation of astaxanthin biosynthesis in H. pluvialis. Furthermore, stringent response was unable to induce astaxanthin accumulation under dark condition. This result implied that stringent response may regulate astaxanthin biosynthesis in a light-dependent manner.
Some reliability indexes and sojourn time distributions for a repairable degradation model

In this article, a degradation model for repairable systems is developed, based on a continuous-time Markov process with multiple discrete states. The discrete states are divided into two types: up and down states, and represent that the system is undergoing a range of degradation levels from perfect functioning to complete failure. The closed-form expressions of four common reliability indexes are derived using the technique of aggregated stochastic process. The indexes include point availability, multi-point availability, interval availability and multi-interval availability. Also, the analytical solution to lower degradation probabilities and some sojourn time distributions are derived using the technique of aggregated stochastic process. Finally, numerical examples are given to illustrate the results obtained in the article.
Engineering of an Avidity-Optimized CD19-Specific Parallel Chimeric Antigen Receptor That Delivers Dual CD28 and 4-1BB Co-Stimulation

Co-stimulation is critical to the function of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells. Previously, we demonstrated that dual co-stimulation can be effectively harnessed by a parallel (p)CAR architecture in which a CD28-containing second generation CAR is co-expressed with a 4-1BB containing chimeric co-stimulatory receptor (CCR). When compared to linear CARs, pCAR-engineered T-cells elicit superior anti-tumor activity in a range of pre-clinical models. Since CD19 is the best validated clinical target for cellular immunotherapy, we evaluated a panel of CD19-specific CAR and pCAR T-cells in this study. First, we generated a panel of single chain antibody fragments (scFvs) by alanine scanning mutagenesis of the CD19-specific FMC63 scFv (VH domain) and these were incorporated into second generation CD28+CD3ζ CARs. The resulting panel of CAR T-cells demonstrated a broad range of CD19 binding ability and avidity for CD19-expressing tumor cells. Each scFv-modified CAR was then converted into a pCAR by co-expression of an FMC63 scFv-targeted CCR with a 4-1BB endodomain. When compared to second generation CARs that contained an unmodified or mutated FMC63 scFv, each pCAR demonstrated a significant enhancement of tumor re-stimulation potential and IL-2 release, reduced exhaustion marker expression and enhanced therapeutic efficacy in mice with established Nalm-6 leukemic xenografts. These data reinforce the evidence that the pCAR platform delivers enhanced anti-tumor activity through effective provision of dual co-stimulation. Greatest anti-tumor activity was noted for intermediate avidity CAR T-cells and derived pCARs, raising the possibility that effector to target cell avidity is an important determinant of efficacy.