Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Empirical research on pair programming in higher education: a literature review

ABSTRACT Background and Context Pair programming is an important approach to fostering students’ programming and collaborative learning skills. However, the empirical findings on pair programming are mixed, especially concerning effective instructional design. Objective The objective of this literature review is to provide lecturers with systematic knowledge of current research evidences on the implementation of pair programming in courses by outlining the current state of knowledge on the effects of pair programming in higher education and on effective instructional design. Method The results are based on an analysis of 61 articles conducting empirical studies on pair programming in higher education published between 2010 and 2020. Findings Results of studies on the effects of pair programming in comparison with solo programming are to a great extent positive. Regarding instructional design there remain open questions, such as on effective instructional guidance and appropriate task design. Implications We highlight the need for more research on instructional design of pair programming to provide, for example, knowledge about effective procedures for pair programming, effective guidelines, or problem-solving approaches when problems occur within a team. We give recommendations for practitioners based on our findings.
FC Portugal Rescue: High Level Coordination in the RoboCup Rescue Simulation

This paper presents an overview of the RoboCup Rescue Simulation League and the rescue team FC Portugal. RoboCup Rescue Simulation is an international joint project that promotes research on distributed artificial intelligence and intelligent robotics. It offers a comprehensive urban disaster simulator, forums for technical discussions and competitive evaluation for researchers and practitioners. This paper explains the objectives of the league, the mechanics of the simulator system and the main challenges in the research conducting using RoboCup Rescue simulator. In this urban disaster simulator, heterogeneous teams of agents try to minimize damage to both people and urban property after the occurrence of an earthquake. The city is filled with burning buildings, trapped civilians, and blocked roads. Teams of simulated fire brigades, policeman and ambulances collaborate in order to face the disaster. In this context, an overview of FC Portugal’s rescue team is presented, including the strategic coordination layer of heterogeneous agents and implemented agent’s roles and sub-tactics. In order to show the research conducted using the Rescue simulator some of the most interesting league problems are discussed together with FC Portugal’s solutions. Results achieved in international competitions are also briefly presented, with emphasis on the 2006 European championship in Eindhoven, which FC Portugal won.
A Soft-Switched Power-Factor-Corrected Single-Phase Bidirectional AC–DC Wireless Power Transfer Converter With an Integrated Power Stage

Bidirectional ac–dc wireless power transfer (WPT) converters are widely used in grid-connected electric vehicle systems for grid-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-grid applications. They usually apply a two-stage topology with a bidirectional ac–dc power factor correction converter and a bidirectional dc–dc WPT converter. Such a two-stage topology cannot achieve high efficiency and low cost. Recently, single-stage matrix bidirectional ac–dc WPT converters have been proposed. However, the matrix-converter-based topologies do not utilize remarkably lower count of power switches and generate large double-line frequency ripple in the dc-side voltage or current. This article proposes a new single-phase bidirectional ac–dc WPT topology with an integrated power stage to overcome the drawbacks of the matrix-converter-based topologies and retain the advantages of single-stage topologies. Description of the proposed topology with the modulation and control methods, theoretical analysis, and reference design procedure are presented in detail. Finally, a scaled-down laboratory prototype with 500-W output power is implemented with experimental results presented to validate the principle, analysis, and design.
Protein C or Protein S deficiency associates with paradoxically impaired platelet‐dependent thrombus and fibrin formation under flow

Low plasma levels of protein C or protein S are associated with venous thromboembolism rather than myocardial infarction. The high coagulant activity in patients with thrombophilia with a (familial) defect in protein C or S is explained by defective protein C activation, involving thrombomodulin and protein S. This causes increased plasmatic thrombin generation.
Formulation of Self-Regulated Learning Strategies Framework for Digital Learning for Lifelong Learning

Digital technology have changed the way university students approach learning because it has become a necessity and an integral part of their lives. University students are accustomed to using their digital devices for almost anything such as communication, collaboration, accessing information for solutions, etc. While digital technologies bring about incredible transformation in the education sector, they also present their own challenges such as media multitasking, digital distraction and mind wandering. Current studies shows that students have difficulties with online learning because they lack in self-regulated skills. Self-regulated learning strategies help students regulate their learning in the aspect of personal functioning and academic behavioral performance. A lack in self-regulation weakens student engagement, leads to low performance and increases dropout rates. Research also shows that students are not taught how to self-regulate. Hence, there is a need provide university students with necessary self-regulated learning strategies (SRLS) to engage and effectively navigate their learning process in an online learning environment. Little is known about the use of SRLS that are essential to assist university students’ online learning. This paper presents a formulation of self-regulated learning strategies framework that can be used for online learning in higher education. This framework can be a guideline for educators and students to master their learning process independently in an online learning environment
The Transmission, Infection Prevention, and Control during the COVID-19 Pandemic in China: A Retrospective Study

The first wave of COVID-19 in China began in December 2019. The outbreak was quickly and effectively controlled through strict infection prevention and control with multipronged measures. By the end of March 2020, the outbreak had basically ended. Therefore, there are relatively complete and effective infection prevention and control (IPC) processes in China to curb virus transmission. Furthermore, there were two large-scale updates for the daily reports by the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China in the early stage of the pandemic. We retrospectively studied the transmission characteristics and IPC of COVID-19 in China. Additionally, we analyzed and modeled the data in the two revisions. We found that most cases were limited to Hubei Province, especially in Wuhan, and the mortality rate was lower in non-Wuhan areas. We studied the two revisions and utilized the proposed transmission model to revise the daily confirmed cases at the beginning of the pandemic in Wuhan. Moreover, we estimated the cases and deaths for the same stage and analyzed the effect of IPC in China. The results show that strong and effective IPC with strict implementation was able to effectively and quickly control the pandemic.
Formulaic Expressions for Foreign Language Learning and Teaching

Foreign language teaching experts unanimously insist on the necessity of acquiring formulaic expressions in order to communicate successfully in the target language. However, many of the treatises in favour of phraseme use, including semantically non-compositional idiomatic expressions, by foreign language learners seem to be marked by an insufficient depth of reflection as to applied linguistic, methodological, and phraseodidactic[1] criteria. The present contribution therefore aims at a differentiated treatment of prefabricated communicative constructions, starting out from an extended definition and classification and by discussing the pros and cons of phraseme acquisition. These considerations will lead to the delimitation of formulaic language fundamental for an operative foreign language competence (routine formulae, collocations and “constructions”) as opposed to those types of phrasemes which are not essential or even inappropriate for non-native speakers. [1] A term as a direct translation from German Phraseodidaktik, employed in English language publications of non-native researchers, e. g. Gonzalez-Rey (2018), which we decided to adopt here for practical reasons.
A Recurrent FAM83H Mutation in an Extended Colombian Family and Variable Craniofacial Phenotypes

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a collection of rare genetic disorders affecting the quantity and/or quality of the tooth enamel. AI can be classified into three major types according to the clinical phenotype: hypoplastic, hypocalcified, and hypomatured. Among them, the hypocalcified type shows the weakest physical properties, leaving rough and discolored enamel surfaces after tooth eruption. To date, mutations in the FAM83H gene are responsible for the autosomal-dominant hypocalcified AI. In this study, we recruited a four-generation Colombian family with hypocalcified AI and identified a recurrent nonsense mutation in the FAM83H gene (NM_198488.5:c.1289C>A, p.(Ser430 *)) by candidate gene sequencing. Cephalometric analyses revealed the anterior open bite that occurred in the proband is not correlated with the AI in this family.
Segmentation of Multitalker Mixtures Based on Local Feature Contrasts and Auditory Glimpses

The separation of unknown sources from an acoustic scene remains one of the main challenges in the analysis of audio signals. In this paper we address the problem of source separation in multitalker scenarios, attempting a speaker-independent segmentation of the scene, based on the analysis of relative changes in the grouping features, followed by an ideal binary mask (IBM) estimation. In the presented algorithm, periodicity, power, and spatial features are combined in a general framework to estimate the on- and offsets of acoustic sources. A deep neural network (DNN) is then applied to convert relative feature changes into spectro-temporal contrast maps which are used to extract auditory glimpses, i.e. spectro-temporal segments which are dominated by the same source. By exploiting relative feature changes instead of absolute source properties, the presented glimpse formation is well applicable to unseen acoustic conditions or speakers. Using retrospective labeling, the formed glimpses are then assigned to fixed azimuth locations, providing the final IBM estimate. A systematic evaluation with up to five competing speakers and interfering diffuse noise shows that the segmentation procedure generalizes well to unseen speakers as well as to untrained noise conditions and source numbers. A comparison between the final IBM estimates and the output of a baseline system, which performs the source segregation based on spatial cues only, shows that the contrast based segmentation utilizing multiple features and spectro-temporal context can improve the quality of the estimated IBMs, in particular in conditions with multiple interfering talkers.
Multi-dimensional detection of Linux network congestion based on eBPF

TCP network congestion control algorithm plays a key role in the whole process of TCP data transmission. When network congestion occurs, the quality of network service deteriorates. At present, most servers are operating systems based on Linux. In view of the lack of effective tools for real-time detection and observation of network congestion, this paper proposes a multi-dimensional detection of network congestion on the Linux platform based on eBPF technology, starting with the default congestion control algorithm Cubic in the Linux kernel. The dynamic change of network congestion state machine, the change of current sending window and the exit process of Cubic mixed slow start are detected from the perspective of Linux kernel. Finally, the experimental results show that this method can effectively detect network congestion in Linux, and the real-time multi-dimensional detection of eBPF can detect network congestion earlier and solve the problem of network congestion in the production environment from the perspective of Linux kernel.
3D Modeling of Geomagnetically Induced Currents in Sweden—Validation and Extreme Event Analysis

Rosenqvist and Hall (2019), https://agupubs.onlinelibrary. wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/2018SW002084 developed a proof‐of‐concept modeling capability that incorporates a detailed 3D structure of Earth's electrical conductivity in a geomagnetically induced current estimation procedure (GIC‐SMAP). The model was verified based on GIC measurements in northern Sweden. The study showed that southern Sweden is exposed to stronger electric fields due to a combined effect of low crustal conductivity and the influence of the surrounding coast. This study aims at further verifying the model in this region. GIC measurements on a power line at the west coast of southern Sweden are utilized. The location of the transmission line was selected to include coast effects at the ocean‐land interface to investigate the importance of using 3D induction modeling methods. The model is used to quantify the hazard of severe GICs in this particular transmission line by using historic recordings of strong geomagnetic disturbances. To quantify a worst‐case scenario GICs are calculated from modeled magnetic disturbances by the Space Weather Modeling Framework based on estimates for an idealized extreme interplanetary coronal mass ejection. The observed and estimated GIC based on the 3D GIC‐SMAP procedure in the transmission line in southern Sweden are in good agreement. In contrast, 1D methods underestimate GICs by about 50%. The estimated GICs in the studied transmission line exceed 100 A for one of 14 historical geomagnetic storm intervals. The peak GIC during the sudden impulse phase of a “perfect” storm exceeds 300 A but depends on the locality of the station as the interplanetary magnetic cloud hits Earth.
A Palmitic Acid-Conjugated, Peptide-Based pan-CoV Fusion Inhibitor Potently Inhibits Infection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Other Variants of Concern

Our previous studies have shown that cholesterol-conjugated, peptide-based pan-coronavirus (CoV) fusion inhibitors can potently inhibit human CoV infection. However, only palmitic acid (C16)-based lipopeptide drugs have been tested clinically, suggesting that the development of C16-based lipopeptide drugs is feasible. Here, we designed and synthesized a C16-modified pan-CoV fusion inhibitor, EK1-C16, and found that it potently inhibited infection by SARS-CoV-2 and its variants of concern (VOCs), including Omicron, and other human CoVs and bat SARS-related CoVs (SARSr-CoVs). These results suggest that EK1-C16 could be further developed for clinical use to prevent and treat infection by the currently circulating MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 and its VOCs, as well as any future emerging or re-emerging coronaviruses.
Design of semi-Z source inverter topology with reduced number switches for four quadrant control of direct current motor

This paper proposes a novel approach to 4-quadrant speed control of a direct current (DC) motor based on the use of a semi-Z source inverter which has 2 active switches and 2 switching states. The semi-Z source inverter topology is analyzed for design purposes and results and relationships are discussed. The objective of this simulation is to design and analyze the performance of closed loop speed control of a DC motor using a semi-Z source inverter under realistic operating conditions. The findings of this project can be useful for designing several household appliances as well as systems like lathe machines, hoists, conveyors, and fans. Closed loop system designed for automatic speed control of a DC motor is obtained by using MATLAB/Simulink. The simulation results show that the proposed system works as intended.
Cardiovascular, Metabolic and Inflammatory Changes after Ovariectomy and Estradiol Substitution in Hereditary Hypertriglyceridemic Rats

Background: If menopause is really independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease is still under debate. We studied if ovariectomy in the model of insulin resistance causes cardiovascular changes, to what extent are these changes reversible by estradiol substitution and if they are accompanied by changes in other organs and tissues. Methods: Hereditary hypertriglyceridemic female rats were divided into three groups: ovariectomized at 8th week (n = 6), ovariectomized with 17-β estradiol substitution (n = 6), and the sham group (n = 5). The strain of abdominal aorta measured by ultrasound, expression of vascular genes, weight and content of myocardium and also non-cardiac parameters were analyzed. Results: After ovariectomy, the strain of abdominal aorta, expression of nitric oxide synthase in abdominal aorta, relative weight of myocardium and of the left ventricle and circulating interleukin-6 decreased; these changes were reversed by estradiol substitution. Interestingly, the content of triglycerides in myocardium did not change after ovariectomy, but significantly increased after estradiol substitution while adiposity index did not change after ovariectomy, but significantly decreased after estradiol substitution. Conclusion: Vascular and cardiac parameters under study differed in their response to ovariectomy and estradiol substitution. This indicates different effects of ovariectomy and estradiol on different cardiovascular but also extracardiac structures.
Crocodylus siamensis Liver Extracts Exhibit Antimicrobial Activity and Induce Phagocytic Activity in Macrophage Cells

Antimicrobial peptides are documented as having a crucial role in innate immune response. Many reports have studied antimicrobial peptides from the crocodile. Thus, the antimicrobial activity of liver protein extract from Crocodylus siamensis was examined. Our results show that P50 and P80, partially purified crocodile liver protein extract at 45 mg/ml, can inhibit gram-positive bacteria with the highest percentages of inhibition at 48.22 % and 37.54 % respectively, while gram-negative bacteria could be inhibited at 47.31 % and 35.32 %, respectively. However, only P80 was selected for further phagocytosis activity investigation since it showed low cytotoxicity in the macrophage cell line. The results show that P80 can kill bacteria by an intracellular killing process in phagocytic cells of macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the internalization of phagocytosis activity of macrophages was assayed using fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled Escherichia coli and flow cytometry. The results reveal that P80 can degrade bacteria by inducing phagosome formation in a time and dose-dependent manner (200-800 µg/ml). In these findings, the liver protein extract of Crocodylus siamensis had an enhancing effect on macrophage RAW 264.7 cells in the phagocytosis process.
Systematic differences in online reviews of hotel services between business and leisure travelers

To understand whether the purpose of travel affects differences in the evaluation of hotel services, we analyzed online reviews for 768 hotels in New York City. The results show that leisure travelers are predisposed to leaving online reviews with higher ratings and positive emotions than those posted by business travelers, while the latter's review ratings are more widely dispersed, indicating greater inconsistency in their evaluations of hotel services. Based on our empirical evidence about systematic differences in online reviews of hotel services between business and leisure travelers, we can provide the hospitality industry with meaningful business implications.
Use of Fractals Channels to Improve a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Performance

One of the most important and effective hardware elements for improvement of efficiency and power density of proton exchange membrane fuel cells is the flow field plate. The design and the pattern of the flow field plate have a considerable effect on the effectiveness of mass transport as well as on the electrochemical reactions inside the cell. The configuration of the flow field plate aims at ensuring a low pressure-drop over all channels in the stack. In this work, a FPFFP (fractal parallel flow field plate), with bio-inspired configuration by insertion of fractals in a classic PFFP (parallel flow field plate), is proposed, increasing the flow area of the hydrogen at anode side without increasing the section's area of the flow field plate. By simulating was observed that, the use of channels in fractal shape can increase the hydrogen flow area without occuring pressure loss in the cell. The fluid dynamic behavior in the FPFFP at smaller scales was replicated in the same plate, with better advantage of the active area of the electrode. Increasing the hydrogen flow area without causing pressure loss could be a good tactic to increase the power density of fuel cells, and consequently improving the cell performance.
Human exposure assessment of organophosphate esters (OPEs) through dust ingestion and dermal absorption in Colombian cities

Concentrations of 19 organophosphate esters (OPEs) were determined in dust samples collected from house and car indoor microenvironments in three Colombian cities. ∑OPE concentrations ranged from 1.31 to 599 μg/g. Mean concentrations of dust homes were 82.6, 48.3, and 46.7 μg/g for Cartagena, Bogotá, and Medellín, respectively. The pollution inside cars was somewhat higher than in houses, with a mean value of 231 μg/g. Sixteen compounds were detected, being TPHP, DCP, TEP, and TCEP the most frequently detected. As for OPEs with higher levels in houses, we found (mean ± SD) 35.2 ± 37.1 μg/g for TDCIPP in Cartagena, 35.6 ± 80.2 μg/g for TPHP in Cartagena, 15.9 ± 31.4 μg/g for DCP in Cartagena, 35.7 ± 19.1 μg/g for TBOEP in Bogotá, 15.7 ± 14.8 μg/g for 4IPPDPP in Medellín, and 17.5 ± 22.9 μg/g for TCEP in Cartagena, while the highest OPE value found in cars was 176 ± 144 μg/g for TDCIPP. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of OPEs through dust ingestion ranged from 0.001 ng/kg bw/day for adults to 110 ng/kg bw/day for toddlers, while dermal absorption ranged from 0.02 ng/kg bw/day for adults to 42.7 ng/kg bw/day for infants. Overall, the EDIs of dust ingestion were three times greater than those of dust dermal absorption. The estimated EDIs were several orders of magnitude below the corresponding reference doses. However, the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for TCEP ranged from 1.1 × 10-5 for infants in Bogotá to 4.3 × 10-4 for adults in Cartagena, while ILCR for TEHP ranged from 8.8 × 10-7 for infants in Bogotá to 1.1 × 10-5 for adults in Bogotá. These estimated ILCRs were higher than the safe limit value of 1 × 10-6 and showed that these populations are exposed to moderate cancer risk.