Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of blood lead with estradiol and sex hormone-binding globulin in 8-19-year-old children and adolescents

Background Metals can interfere with hormonal functioning through indirect mechanisms and by binding at the receptor site; thus, they may be associated with hormonal changes. However, there have been few studies on the health impact of metal exposure among children and adolescents. Thus, we aimed to examine the associations of blood lead level (BLL) with estradiol (E2) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) among children and adolescents aged 8–19 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. Methods This was a cohort study of 2188 individuals from the NHANES. BLL was taken as independent variables, E2 and SHBG as dependent variable. We conducted weighted multivariate linear regression models and smooth curve fittings to evaluate the association between them. Results The BLL was significantly positively associated with serum SHBG level in females, especially when the LnBLL quartiles are between Q3 and Q4. There was an inverted U-shaped association between BLL and E2 with the point of inflection at 1.86 μg/L and a U-shaped association between BLL and SHBG with the point of inflection at 1.86 μg/L in female adolescents aged 16-19 years. Meanwhile, In males, there was a positive trend of correlation between BLL and E2 in the 8-11 years, and 16-19 years groups. Conclusions This study found an inverted U-shaped association of BLL with E2 and a U-shaped association between BLL and SHBG in female adolescents aged 16-19 years. This indicates that adjusting blood lead exposure to mitigate the effects of lead on growth and development is important for adolescents aged 16-19 years. Controlling the BLL below 1.86 μg/L may minimize the damage to E2.
The attitude-behaviour gap in biosecurity: Applying social theories to understand the relationships between commercial chicken farmers' attitudes and behaviours

Introduction Traditionally, it is believed that people's behaviours align with their attitudes; however, during COVID-19 pandemic, an attitude-behaviour gap in relation to preventive measures has been observed in recent studies. As such, the mixed-methods research was used to examine the relationships between farmers' biosecurity attitudes and behaviours in Taiwan's chicken industry based on the cognitive consistency theory. Methods Content analysis of face-to-face interviews with 15 commercial chicken farmers identified their biosecurity responses to infectious disease threats. Results The results indicated the mismatch of farmers' attitudes and behaviours towards specific biosecurity measures, in that they act differently than they think. The findings of the qualitative research allowed the research team to conduct the subsequent quantitative, confirmatory assessment to investigate the mismatch of farmers' attitudes and behaviours in 303 commercial broiler farmers. Survey data were analyzed to discover the relationships between farmers' attitudes and behaviours in relation to 29 biosecurity measures. The results show a mixed picture. The percentage of the farmers who had the attitude-behaviour gap towards 29 biosecurity measures ranged from 13.9 to 58.7%. Additionally, at the 5% significant level, there is an association between farmers' attitudes and behaviours for 12 biosecurity measures. In contrast, a significant association does not exist for the other 17 biosecurity measures. Specifically, out of the 17 biosecurity measures, the disconnection of farmers' attitudes and behaviours was observed in three specific biosecurity measures such as using a carcass storage area. Discussion Based on a fairly large sample of farmers in Taiwan, this study confirms the existence of an attitude-behaviour gap in context and applies social theories to provide an in-depth understanding of how infectious diseases are managed in the animal health context. As the results demonstrate the necessity of tailoring biosecurity strategies to address the gap, it is time to reconsider the current approach by understanding farmers' real attitudes and behaviours in relation to biosecurity for the success of animal disease prevention and control at the farm level.
Integrated single-cell and transcriptome sequencing analyses develops a metastasis-based risk score system for prognosis and immunotherapy response in uveal melanoma

Background: Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most frequent ocular neoplasm with a strong metastatic ability. The prognostic value of metastasis-associated genes (MAGs) of UM remains unclear. It is urgent to develop a prognostic score system according to the MAGs of UM. Methods: Unsupervised clustering was used to identify MAGs-based molecular subtypes. Cox methods were utilized to generate a prognostic score system. The prognostic ability of the score system was detected by plotting ROC and survival curves. The immune activity and underlying function were depicted by CIBERSORT GSEA algorithms. Results: Gene cluster analysis determined two MAGs-based subclusters in UM, which were remarkably different in clinical outcomes. A risk score system containing six MAGs (COL11A1, AREG, TIMP3, ADAM12, PRRX1 and GAS1) was set up. We employed ssGSEA to compare immune activity and immunocyte infiltration between the two risk groups. Notch, JAK/STAT and mTOR pathways were greatly enriched in the high-risk group. Furthermore, we observed that knockdown of AREG could inhibit UM proliferation and metastasis by in vitro assays. Conclusion: The MAGs-based subtype and score system in UM can enhance prognosis assessment, and the core system provides valuable reference for clinical decision-making.
Off-season circulation and characterization of enterovirus D68 with respiratory and neurological presentation using whole-genome sequencing

To explore an off-season enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) upsurge in the winter season of 2019/2020, we adapted a whole-genome sequencing approach for Nanopore Sequencing for 20 hospitalized patients with accompanying respiratory or neurological presentation. Applying phylodynamic and evolutionary analysis on Nextstrain and Datamonkey respectively, we report a highly diverse virus with an evolutionary rate of 3.05 × 10−3 substitutions per year (entire EV-D68 genome) and a positive episodic/diversifying selection with persistent yet undetected circulation likely driving evolution. While the predominant B3 subclade was identified in 19 patients, one A2 subclade was identified in an infant presenting with meningitis. Exploring single nucleotide variations using CLC Genomics Server showed high levels of non-synonymous mutations, particularly in the surface proteins, possibly highlighting growing problems with routine Sanger sequencing for typing enteroviruses. Surveillance and molecular approaches to enhance current knowledge of infectious pathogens capable of pandemic potential are paramount to early warning in health care facilities.
Depth and temperature profiles reflect individual differences in the daytime diving behaviours of pelagic thresher sharks

We used acoustic telemetry to investigate the roles of depth and temperature in the daytime foraging behaviours of 13 tagged pelagic thresher sharks by monitoring their fine scale vertical movements in the Philippines. Cumulatively, pelagic thresher shark dives traversed the entire water column where they encountered temperatures that ranged from 33°C at the surface to 12°C at 250 m depths throughout the day, but the movements of individuals varied in the extent of both their deep and shallow water limits. Dives were not synchronized to diurnal cycles, and periodicity reflected cycles of similar dives, the dives themselves, deviations, cruising, and individuality. Pelagic thresher shark movements between the warm surface layer and cooler waters below the thermocline (155 – 175 m) may reflect a common Alopiid strategy that balances maintaining tolerable ambient water temperatures with opportunities to search for and forage on spatially patchy distributions of prey.
Non-overlapping sets of neurons encode behavioral response determinants across different tasks in the posterior medial prefrontal cortex

Higher mammals are able to simultaneously learn and perform a wide array of complex behaviors, which raises questions about how the neural representations of multiple tasks coexist within the same neural network. Do neurons play invariant roles across different tasks? Alternatively, do the same neurons play different roles in different tasks? To address these questions, we examined neuronal activity in the posterior medial prefrontal cortex of primates while they were performing two versions of arm-reaching tasks that required the selection of multiple behavioral tactics (i.e., the internal protocol of action selection), a critical requirement for the activation of this area. During the performance of these tasks, neurons in the pmPFC exhibited selective activity for the tactics, visuospatial information, action, or their combination. Surprisingly, in 82% of the tactics-selective neurons, the selective activity appeared in a particular task but not in both. Such task-specific neuronal representation appeared in 72% of the action-selective neurons. In addition, 95% of the neurons representing visuospatial information showed such activity exclusively in one task but not in both. Our findings indicate that the same neurons can play different roles across different tasks even though the tasks require common information, supporting the latter hypothesis.
Grain size characteristics and spatial heterogeneity of farmland soils in the Syr Darya River Basin of Kazakhstan

: This article takes the farmland soils in the Syr Darya River Basin of Kazakhstan as the research object, combining classical statistics and geostatistics methods, and investigates the characteristics of soil grain size and spatial heterogeneity in the 0 - 20 cm soil layer. Results showed that the distribution characteristics of soil particles with different particle sizes in each study area were similar, and the average content of particles with particle sizes of 0.25 - 0.05 mm and 0.05 - 0.01 mm is the highest. Except for subzone 3, the content of soil particles with a particle size of 1.0 - 0.25 mm has strong variability, while that of other sizes has a moderate degree of variability; Except for soil particles with a particle size of 1.0 - 0.05 mm in subzone 1, the nugget coefficient of soil particle content of other particle sizes is all < 40%, and that of each particle size in subzone 2 is all < 50%, in subzone 3, except for soil particles with a particle size of < 0.001 mm, the nugget coefficient of soil particle content of other particle sizes is < 40%. These findings revealed that the composition of soil particles in each study area has been affected by varying degrees of random factors; The Kriging interpolation method was used to interpolate the content of soil particles of different sizes in the study area. The interpolation results showed that the content of soil particles of different sizes in the study area demonstrated different distribution characteristics in the spatial distribution. The research results can provide a scientific basis for the rational use of farmland soil and the improvement of degraded soil.
Effect of mismatch strain on band gap in III‐V semiconductors

Interfacial elastic strain induced by the lattice parameter mismatch between epilayer and substrate results in significant energy–band‐gap shifts for III‐V alloys. The epilayers used in this study are GaxIn1−xAs on (100) InP and GaxIn1−xP on (100) GaAs prepared by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy. For layer thicknesses between 1 and 1.5 μm, and Δas. f. /a0≤3.5×10−3 the misfit strain is assumed to be accommodated elastically. The energy–band‐gap shifts are determined by comparing the photoluminescence peak energies of the epilayers with the best experimental relation of band gap versus composition for unstrained layers. A calculation of the energy–band‐gap shift due to biaxial stress made for GaxIn1−xAs is found to agree with the photoluminescence measurements. In addition, a comparison of the energy–band‐gap shift for GaxIn1−xP shows a clearly different dependency for tensile and compressive strain, in good agreement with calculated results.
Linear theory of stratified hydrostatic flow past an isolated mountain

The stratified hydrostatic flow over a bell-shaped isolated mountain is examined using linear theory. Solutions for various parts of the flow field are obtained using analytical and numerical Fourier analysis. The flow aloft is composed of vertically propagating mountain waves. The maximum amplitude of these waves occurs directly over the mountain but there is also considerable wave energy trailing downstream along the parabolas y 2 = Nzax/U Near the ground, the asymmetric pressure field causes the incoming streamlines to split to avoid the mountain and this lateral deflection persists downstream. The horizontal divergence associated with this lateral deflection is balanced by the descent of potentially warmer air from aloft. The relationship of linear theory to other three-dimensional models is discussed. The approach to the two-dimensional infinite ridge limit and non-hydrostatic effects are also discussed. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1980. tb00962.x
Arbitrary polarization from annular slot plannar antennas

This paper describes the analysis and design of a class of antennas which can radiate and receive constant-shape pencil beams with either circular sense, any linear or elliptical polarization by a simple adjustment in the feed circuit. Such radiators are called arbitrarily polarized antennas. The apertures described are located on upper plates of radial waveguides and are composed of annular slots, with each annulus consisting of a discrete number of crossed slots. The annular slots are positioned so that each arm of the crossed slots can couple by a constant factor with the radial or circumferential currents flowing over the aperture plate to produce a common instantaneous direction for the electric field in each slot pair Both standing-wave and traveling-wave array types are employed. The standing-wave array requires only one radial waveguide mode for its operation. The traveling-wave array requires two modes and results in greater bandwidth and greater freedom in arraying many annuli. The methods used to excite the various radial waveguide modes are discussed; theoretical and experimental radiation patterns at X band are compared.
Social Choice and Coherent Structures

Abstract : The purpose of this paper is to show the relevance of reliability theory to the problem of aggregating individual preferences to social preferences over a set of alternatives. First, the Arrow impossibility theorem is proved using coherent structure arguments. Second, coherent systems as decision structures are examined and their properties studied. It is shown that only the self-dual systems are never inconsistent or blocked. It is further found that for any given coherent decision structure any set of alternatives is split into four subsets that have certain interesting properties. Finally, the introduction of probabilities indicates how a cardinal ordering of preferences on the component level can be aggregated to a cardinal ordering on the system level.
Electromagnetic Characterization of Inhomogeneous Media

Abstract : Developed two permittivity profile extraction algorithms for inhomogeneous materials. These two algorithms were created using discrete and continuous approaches. The discrete method used a piece-wise constant permittivity assumption that allowed the use of homogeneous wave equations. Using laboratory data and a theoretical formulation, the permittivity of each piece-wise constant layer within the material was extracted using a root search algorithm. The continuous approach solved the problem using inhomogeneous wave equations. These equations were used to extract a linear permittivity profile using laboratory data and a root search.
APPLICATIONS OF LOW LIFT TO DRAG RATIO AEROBRAKES USING ANGLE OF ATTACK VARIATION FOR CONTROL

Several applications of low lift to drag ratio aerobrakes are investigated which use angle of attack variation for control. The applications are: return from geosynchronous or lunar orbit to low Earth orbit; and planetary aerocapture at Earth and Mars. A number of aerobrake design considerations are reviewed. It was found that the flow impingement behind the aerobrake and the aerodynamic heating loads are the primary factors that control the sizing of an aerobrake. The heating loads and other loads, such as maximum acceleration, are determined by the vehicle ballistic coefficient, the atmosphere entry conditions, and the trajectory design. Several formulations for defining an optimum trajectory are reviewed, and the various performance indices that can be used are evaluated. The 'nearly grazing' optimal trajectory was found to provide the best compromise between the often conflicting goals of minimizing the vehicle propulsive requirements and minimizing vehicle loads. The relationship between vehicle and trajectory design is investigated further using the results of numerical simulations of trajectories for each aerobrake application. The data show the sensitivity of the trajectories to several vehicle parameters and atmospheric density variations. The results of the trajectory analysis show that low lift to drag ratio aerobrakes, which use angle of attack variation for control, can potentially be used for a wide range of aerobrake applications.
Adverse Impacts of Unregulated Electric Vehicle Charging on Distribution Networks: A review

The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is rising steadily worldwide as their performance is improving, governments are offering incentives and subsidies, petrol prices are increasing, and people are becoming more concerned about the environment. When charging, an EV is a load that requires varied power over time, and a distribution network mostly supplies this power. It is anticipated that this new load, which draws a considerable amount of power from the grid in a short period of time, will have adverse impacts on the distribution network if it is not regulated appropriately, and may necessitate costly infrastructure modifications for utility companies. Consequently, thorough research should be conducted to comprehend and evaluate the load characteristics of EV charging stations and the potential impacts they may have on power systems, particularly distribution networks. This article’s key focus is a review of the adverse effects of EV charging on distribution networks attributable to unregulated charging.
Travel blogger credibility scoring method for recommendation system

With the increase in the amount of consumer - generated-media, e.g., blogs and social networking services (SNS), user-generated information about travel is also increasing. Research has been conducted on tourist spot recommendation systems that utilize user-generated information. However, the credibility and quality of such information varies among users, and it is better to use credible information in tourist spot recommendation systems. Thus, in this paper, we propose a blogger credibility scoring method based on blog analysis for a tourist spot recommendation system. Specifically, multiple indicators are defined based on metadata obtained from blogs and blog data to score the credibility indicators of travel bloggers.
Crossings and nestings in four combinatorial families

The combinatorial families of matchings, set partitions, permutations and graphs can each be represented by a series of vertices along a horizontal line with arcs connecting them. Such a representation is referred to as an arc annotated sequence. A natural crossing and nesting structure arises in each of these representations, and remarkably enough, equidistribution between these two statistics has been shown for both matchings and partitions. To show this, tools such as RSK and several bijections are required. Furthermore, other useful bijections to lattice paths, and Ferrers diagrams give additional information, and aid the enumeration for each of the four families according to these two statistics.
Improving ASR in Reverberant Environments

Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) significantly reduces the effort to create audio transcripts. Despite its convenience, the performance of ASR is unstable in disturbing environments; for instance, indoor signals are usually corrupted by reverberation (reverb), resulting in diminished performance in ASR. A type of solution is to construct an acoustic dereverberation (dereverb) model to pre-process the original signals before submitting them to ASR. However, the acoustic properties of the output signal of the dereverb model differ from that of the training dataset for ASR, resulting in a decline in performance. This paper optimizes the aforementioned structure from four aspects: signal classification, reverberation removal, data mismatch removal in ASR, and ensemble algorithms. With the proposed sentence-level fusion (SLF) and word-level fusion (WLF) ensemble algorithms, a CER of 7.23% was reached in the mixture test set of the reverberated and clean Aishell1 compared to the single model, achieving a reduction in the CER by 20.72%.
Aiding AUV Localization Using a Dual-Sided Synthetic Aperture Sonar

Autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) navigation and localization is crucial and challenging in Global Positioning System-denied environments. AUV carrying synthetic aperture sonars (SASs) can provide precise motion estimation of the platforms. This study focuses on enhancing the performance of AUV localization using dual-sided SASs. The two-dimensional velocities of AUV are estimated using dual-sided SAS echoes. An extended Kalman filter (EKF) is then adopted for dead reckoning using the estimated velocities. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method has better localization accuracy than that of the Doppler velocity log (DVL).
Aging Light Environment Based on Wireless Sensor Network

The indoor light environment design of buildings for the elderly is an important part of residential buildings suitable for aging, and the quality of the design directly affects the user’s feelings and the physical and mental health of the elderly increased with age. Faced with the problems brought about by the status quo of the aging society in our country, how to better design the indoor light environment for the elderly has become the focus of our research. The main purpose of this paper is to study the aging-friendly light environment based on wireless sensor networks. This paper analyzes the advantages of wireless sensor networks in aging-appropriate applications and the characteristics of wireless sensor networks; based on wireless sensor technology, the test conditions are analyzed and related tests are carried out. Experiments show that in the measurement point of AM301, under the general lighting of artificial lighting, the minimum illuminance value is 97.0lx, the average illuminance value is 133.4lx, and the illumination uniformity (mean difference) is 0.73. The measured result is greater than the standard value of 0.7, and therefore conforms to the specification.
A New Polarimetric Decomposition Method for Compact Polarimetric SAR Data

The compact polarimetric (CP) synthetic aperture radar (SAR) can alleviate the drawbacks of the fully polarimetric (FP) SAR and provide more target information compared to the conventional single polarimetric and dual polarimetric mode. However, the present decomposition methods for CP SAR have the problem of overestimation of volume scattering (OVS) among urban areas, especially the obliquely oriented buildings (OOBs). In this paper, a new descriptor of OOBs for the CP SAR is introduced to reduce the volume scattering in the urban areas. Then a new model-based decomposition method, which is applicable for the π/4 mode, is proposed based on the urban descriptor. The Radarsat-2 FP SAR data is used to simulate the CP SAR data to validate our algorithm. The proposed method improves the double-bounce scattering component in different types of urban areas by above 10%.