Stepper, Swipe, Tilt, Force

Picking numbers is arguably the most frequently performed input task on smartwatches. This paper presents three new methods for picking numbers on smartwatches by performing directional swipes, twisting the wrist, and varying contact force on the screen. Unlike the default number picker, the proposed methods enable users to actively switch between slow-and-steady and fast-and-continuous increments and decrements during the input process. We evaluated these methods in two user studies. The first compared the new methods with the default input stepper method in both stationary and mobile settings. The second compared them for individual numeric values and values embedded in text. In both studies, swipe yielded a significantly faster input rate. Participants also found the method faster, more accurate, and the least mentally and physically demanding compared to the other methods. Accuracy rates were comparable between the methods.

MATRIX16: A 16-Channel Low-Power TDC ASIC with 8 ps Time Resolution

This paper presents a highly configurable 16-channel TDC ASIC designed in a commercial 180 nm technology with the following features: time-of-flight and time-over-threshold measurements, 8.6 ps LSB, 7.7 ps jitter, 5.6 ps linearity error, up to 5 MHz of sustained input rate per channel, 9.1 mW of power consumption per channel, and an area of 4.57 mm2. The main contributions of this work are the novel design of the clock interpolation circuitry based on a resistive interpolation mesh circuit and the capability to operate at different supply voltages and operating frequencies, thus providing a compromise between TDC resolution and power consumption.

The joint evolution of movement and competition strategies

Competition typically takes place in a spatial context, but eco-evolutionary models rarely address the the joint evolution of movement and competition strategies. Here we investigate a spatially explicit producer-scrounger model where consumers can either forage on a heterogeneous resource landscape or steal prey from conspecifics (kleptoparasitism). We compare different scenarios for the interaction of movement and competition strategies. In all cases, movement strategies evolve rapidly and consistently across replicate simulations. At equilibrium, foragers do not match the prey input rate, contrary to 'ideal free' predictions. We show that this is related to the intrinsic difficulty of moving effectively on a depleted landscape with few reliable cues for movement. The evolved movement strategies of kleptoparasites differ markedly from those of foragers. Even within each competition strategy, polymorphisms emerge, corresponding to individual differences in movement rules. Our study emphasises the advantages of a mechanistic approach when studying competition in a spatial context.

Dynamics of a Predator-Prey Population in the Presence of Resource Subsidy under the Influence of Nonlinear Prey Refuge and Fear Effect

In this work, our aim is to investigate the impact of a non-Kolmogorov predator-prey-subsidy model incorporating nonlinear prey refuge and the effect of fear with Holling type II functional response. The model arises from the study of a biological system involving arctic foxes (predator), lemmings (prey), and seal carcasses (subsidy). The positivity and asymptotically uniform boundedness of the solutions of the system have been derived. Analytically, we have studied the criteria for the feasibility and stability of different equilibrium points. In addition, we have derived sufficient conditions for the existence of local bifurcations of codimension 1 (transcritical and Hopf bifurcation). It is also observed that there is some time lag between the time of perceiving predator signals through vocal cues and the reduction of prey’s birth rate. So, we have analyzed the dynamical behaviour of the delayed predator-prey-subsidy model. Numerical computations have been performed using MATLAB to validate all the analytical findings. Numerically, it has been observed that the predator, prey, and subsidy can always exist at a nonzero subsidy input rate. But, at a high subsidy input rate, the prey population cannot persist and the predator population has a huge growth due to the availability of food sources.

Neural integration underlying naturalistic prediction flexibly adapts to varying sensory input rate

Prediction of future sensory input based on past sensory information is essential for organisms to effectively adapt their behavior in dynamic environments. Humans successfully predict future stimuli in various natural settings. Yet, it remains elusive how the brain achieves effective prediction despite enormous variations in sensory input rate, which directly affect how fast sensory information can accumulate. We presented participants with acoustic sequences capturing temporal statistical regularities prevalent in nature and investigated neural mechanisms underlying predictive computation using MEG. By parametrically manipulating sequence presentation speed, we tested two hypotheses: neural prediction relies on integrating past sensory information over fixed time periods or fixed amounts of information. We demonstrate that across halved and doubled presentation speeds, predictive information in neural activity stems from integration over fixed amounts of information. Our findings reveal the neural mechanisms enabling humans to robustly predict dynamic stimuli in natural environments despite large sensory input rate variations.

FORECASTING THE FUTURE OF ISLAMIC EDUCATIONAL MANAGEMENT STUDY PROGRAM: PROJECTION OF NEEDS FOR LECTURERS

The Islamic Educational Management program in IAIN Kediri was established in 2018 so that it requires proper planning to maintain the quality of the study program education. One of the planning steps is to maintain the ratio of the students and the lecturers by projecting the needs for lecturers. The method used in this research model is quantitative methods with the projection method, namely the growth rate and the input output, the parameter numbers used are the input rate and the graduate number, the assumption in this research is target so that the total of students can increase every year. The basic data used is the total of graduates, the total of new students and the total of lecturers. This research results in the number of needs for lecturers in the future. The results of this research reveal that in 2027, the number of lecturers needed for institutional courses will be 16 lecturers, while the number of lecturers for study program courses will increase to 25 lecturers. In 2028, the number of lecturers needed for institutional courses will increase to 18 lecturers, while the number of lecturers for study program courses will be 28 lecturers. Eventually in 2029 the number of lecturers in institutional courses will increase to 20 lecturers, while the number of lecturers needed for study program courses is 30 lecturers.

Assessment of seasonal variability of input of microplastics from the Northern Dvina River to the Arctic ocean.

<p>The flowing into the White Sea Northern Dvina River is the largest river in the European Arctic, and in contrast to other Arctic rivers, it runs through the populated regions with developed industry. Observations on seasonal variability of microplastics were organized in the Northern Dvina River mouth. The samples were collected every month from September to November 2019 and from May to October 2020 with a Neuston net that was togged 3 nautical miles in the Korbel’nyy Branch of the River delta. Surface plastic with dimensions ranging from 0.5 to 5 mm was analyzed. Chemical composition of the plastic particles was determined using an FT-IR spectrometery in Norway (Oslo) and Russia (Arkhangelsk). The majority of the microplastics were identified as polyethylene (PE) 52.63%, followed by polypropylene (PP) 36.84% and Ethylene Ethyl Acrylate Copolymer (EEA) 10.53%.  It was found that the average concentration of microplastics was 0.0054 items/m<sup>3</sup>, that is close to the average concentration of surface microplastics observed in the in the open Barents Sea, 0.005 items/m<sup>3</sup> (Yakushev et al. 2021). No detectable seasonal variability of the microplastics content in the waters of the Northern Dvina was found. With an assumption that the concentration of microplastics is the same in all the depths, we can assess how the amount of delivering to the sea microplastics changes throughout the year. The microplastics input rate during the spring flood period in May turned out to be maximum, 37.76 items/second. The minimum input rate can be in September with a value of to 5.28 items/second. The data obtained allow us to conclude that the Northern Dvina River is be one of the main sources of microplastic pollution of the White and Barents Seas. This work was partly funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment project RUS-19/0001 “Establish regional capacity to measure and model the distribution and input of microplastics to the Barents Sea from rivers and currents (ESCIMO)” and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, research projects 19-55-80004.</p>