Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pandemic fatigue fueled political discontent during the COVID-19 pandemic

Significance During the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has experienced significant social and political unrest. Here, we show that individual-level discontent with the political system was related to feelings of “pandemic fatigue. ” This “fatigue” varied with level of restrictions and severity of the epidemic but also grew as the pandemic prolonged. It fueled distrust in the government, conspiracy beliefs, and support for protests. Prior to the pandemic, several Western countries already faced increasing political destabilization. Our findings raise concerns that the pandemic will further undermine the political stability of Western countries. Furthermore, they highlight the importance of integrating the social sciences into pandemic management in order to buffer fatigue and counteract further increase in political discontent.
Single‐particle electrophoresis for studying the adsorption of cationic polymers onto anionic particles

Understanding the adsorption of polymers onto particles is crucial for many technological and biomedical applications. Even though polymer adsorption on particles is a dynamic process, most experimental techniques can only study the adsorption indirectly, in equilibrium and on the ensemble level. New analysis methods are required to overcome these limitations. We investigated the use of single‐particle electrophoresis to study the adsorption kinetics of cationic polymers onto anionic particles and compared the resulting data to a theoretical model. In this approach, the electrophoretic mobility of single polystyrene (PS) particles, exposed to different concentrations of poly(2‐guanidinoethyl methacrylate), was measured as a function of time. The polymer adsorption leads to an electrophoretic mobility change of the PS particle over time, from the initial negative value to a positive value at equilibrium. By fitting the kinetics data to the Langmuir model, the adsorption rate, desorption rate and equilibrium constant were determined. Finally, the adsorption kinetics of several other polymers was investigated. This showed that the presented technique enables direct analysis and comparison of the kinetics of polymer adsorption on the single‐particle level.
Cooling a Hot Disk around a Supermassive Black Hole by a Star

If a supermassive black hole resides in the centers of galaxies, several effects are expected to be observed. It is likely that accretion disks are around the supermassive black hole. Stellar interactions with the accretion flows around the supermassive black hole play a role in that a flying-by star may cool a hot accretion disk as a result of Comptonization. It is shown that the Comptonization of the stellar emission will take place in a hot accretion disk such as the advection-dominated accretion flows (ADAFs) around the supermassive black hole and become a relatively important source of the accretion disk cooling when the mass accretion rate is low. We suggest that such a stellar cooling can be observed in the radio frequency regime since the synchrotron luminosity of the ADAFs depends strongly on the electron temperature and occurs much more frequently than a tidal disruption event.
Effects of a low‐carbohydrate/high‐protein diet on metabolic health in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury: An exploratory analysis of results from a randomized controlled trial

We explored the impact of a low‐carbohydrate/high‐protein diet (LC/HP, ~30% energy from protein, 40% energy from carbohydrate) on indices of metabolic function and body composition in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Adults with SCI (≥3 years post‐injury, C4‐L2, AIS A‐D) and insulin resistance or pre‐diabetes were randomly assigned to an 8‐week iso‐caloric LC/HP diet group (n = 11) or control group (n = 14). All LC/HP meals were delivered weekly to participants' homes, and participants in the control group consumed their habitual diet. Each participant underwent an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to assess glucose tolerance, insulin, area under the curve (AUC) for glucose and insulin, Matsuda Index, glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), disposition index, and hepatic insulin extraction (HIE). Fasting blood lipid and inflammation were assessed, and body composition was estimated using dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry. A linear mixed model was used to evaluate the main effect of diet, time, and their interaction. Compared to the control group, participants in the LC/HP group had reduced total body fat mass (LC/HP: −5.9%, Control: 0.7%), visceral fat mass (LC/HP: −16.2%, Control: 5.2%), total‐ (LC/HP: −20.1, Control: 3.7 mg/dl), and LDL‐cholesterol (LC/HP: −13.9, Control: 3.1 mg/dl) (pdiet*time < 0.05 for all). Regardless of group, AUCinsulin and peak insulin during the OGTT decreased, and HIE increased over time (ptime < 0.05). A trend for diet*time interaction was observed for glucoseOGTT120min (LC/HP: −20.7, Control: 3.0 mg/dl, pdiet*time = 0.09) and peak C‐peptide (LC/HP: −2.1, Control: 0.0 ng/ml, pdiet*time = 0.07). HDL‐cholesterol, lean body mass, Matsuda Index, fasting glucose, insulin, insulinOGTT120min, AUCglucose, pancreatic beta cell function (GSIS, disposition index), and inflammation (C‐reactive protein, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, TNF‐α) did not change over time. In conclusion, our results suggest that individuals with SCI and insulin resistance may adopt an LC/HP diet to improve body composition and lipid profiles. Its impact on glucose metabolism and inflammation remains inconclusive and warrants future investigations.
Attractive effects of previous form information on heading estimation from optic flow occur at perceptual stage

When moving in the environment, optic flow and form (e.g., motion streaks) information generally appear simultaneously. Previous studies have shown that observers can estimate their heading by integrating the simultaneously presented form and optic flow information. Recent work also found that the previously seen optic flow affected the current heading estimation. The current study conducted two experiments to explore whether and how the heading estimation from optic flow was affected by the previously seen form information. We found that the current heading estimates from optic flow were biased toward the location of the focus of expansion of the previously seen form stimulus, showing an attractive effect of the previous form. Additionally, the results revealed that the attractive effect of the previous form occurred at the perceptual stage rather than postperceptual stages (e.g., working memory). Our findings suggest that our visual system can integrate dynamic optic flow and static form information across the temporal domain to estimate our heading direction.
Is There Evidence of P-Hacking in Imaging Research?

Background P-hacking, the tendency to run selective analyses until they become significant, is prevalent in many scientific disciplines. Purpose This study aims to assess if p-hacking exists in imaging research. Methods Protocol, data, and code available here https://osf.io/xz9ku/? view_only=a9f7c2d841684cb7a3616f567db273fa. We searched imaging journals Ovid MEDLINE from 1972 to 2021. Text mining using Python script was used to collect metadata: journal, publication year, title, abstract, and P-values from abstracts. One P-value was randomly sampled per abstract. We assessed for evidence of p-hacking using a p-curve, by evaluating for a concentration of P-values just below . 05. We conducted a one-tailed binomial test (α = .05 level of significance) to assess whether there were more P-values falling in the upper range (e.g., .045 < P < .05) than in the lower range (e.g., .04 < P < .045). To assess variation in results introduced by our random sampling of a single P-value per abstract, we repeated the random sampling process 1000 times and pooled results across the samples. Analysis was done (divided into 10-year periods) to determine if p-hacking practices evolved over time. Results Our search of 136 journals identified 967,981 abstracts. Text mining identified 293,687 P-values, and a total of 4105 randomly sampled P-values were included in the p-hacking analysis. The number of journals and abstracts that were included in the analysis as a fraction and percentage of the total number was, respectively, 108/136 (80%) and 4105/967,981 (.4%). P-values did not concentrate just under . 05; in fact, there were more P-values falling in the lower range (e.g., .04 < P < .045) than falling just below . 05 (e.g., .045 < P < .05), indicating lack of evidence for p-hacking. Time trend analysis did not identify p-hacking in any of the five 10-year periods. Conclusion We did not identify evidence of p-hacking in abstracts published in over 100 imaging journals since 1972. These analyses cannot detect all forms of p-hacking, and other forms of bias may exist in imaging research such as publication bias and selective outcome reporting. Graphical Abstract
Finite temperature ordering in the three-dimensional gauge glass

We present results of Monte Carlo simulations of the gauge glass model in three dimensions using exchange Monte Carlo. We show for the first time clear evidence of the vortex glass ordered phase at finite temperature. Using finite size scaling we obtain estimates for the correlation length exponent, nu = 1.39 +/- 0.20, the correlation function exponent, eta = -0.47 +/- 0.07, and the dynamic exponent z = 4.2 +/- 0.6. Using our values for z and nu we calculate the resistivity exponent to be s = 4.5 +/- 1.1. Finally, we provide a plausible lower bound on the the zero-temperature stiffness exponent, theta >= 0.18.
The effectiveness of problem based learning in improving critical thinking, problem-solving and self-directed learning in first-year medical students: A meta-analysis

Background The adaptation process for first-year medical students is an important problem because it significantly affects educational activities. The previous study showed that 63% of students had difficulties adapting to the learning process in their first year at medical school. Therefore, students need the most suitable learning style to support the educational process, such as Problem-based learning (PBL). This method can improve critical thinking skills, problem-solving and self-directed learning. Although PBL has been adopted in medical education, the effectiveness of PBL in first-year medical students is still not yet clear. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to verify whether the PBL approach has a positive effect in improving knowledge, problem-solving and self-directed learning in first-year medical students compared with the conventional method. Methods We searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases until June 5, 2021. Search terms included problem-based learning, effectiveness, effectivity, and medical student. We excluded studies with the final-year medical student populations. All analyses in our study were carried out using Review Manager version 5.3 (RevMan Cochrane, London, UK). Result Seven eligible studies (622 patients) were included. The pooled analysis demonstrated no significant difference between PBL with conventional learning method in critical thinking/knowledge assessment (p = 0.29), problem-solving aspect (p = 0.47), and self-directed learning aspect (p = 0.34). Conclusion The present study concluded that the PBL approach in first-year medical students appeared to be ineffective in improving critical thinking/knowledge, problem-solving, and self-directed compared with the conventional teaching method.
Top-down versus bottom-up processes in the formation of positive and negative retrospective affect

ABSTRACT On the basis of two large scale diary studies (n = 2022, n = 762) We study differences in the effects of dispositions and situations in the formation of positive and negative retrospective affect (retrospective-PA and retrospective-NA, respectively), the affect associated with extended (e.g. daily) experiences, as opposed to very short (episodic) experiences. We suggest that the differences between retrospective-PA and retrospective-NA is due to the fact that positive retrospective evaluation (i.e. the evaluation of positive retrospective affect) involves primarily top-down processing, in which people resort to their dispositions in making these evaluations, whereas negative retrospective evaluation (the evaluation of negative retrospective affect) is primarily based on the cumulative affects of individual experiences.
Self-consistent equilibrium model of low aspect-ratio toroidal plasma with energetic beam ions

A theoretical model is developed which allows the self-consistent inclusion of the effects of energetic beam ions in equilibrium calculations of low-aspect-ratio toroidal devices. A two-component plasma is considered, where the energetic ions are treated using a kinetic Vlasov description, while a one-fluid magnetohydrodynamic description is used to represent the thermal plasma. The model allows for an anisotropic distribution function and a large Larmor radius of the beam ions. Numerical results are obtained for neutral-beam-heated plasmas in the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) [M. Ono, S. M. Kaye, Y. -K. M. Peng et al., Nucl. Fusion 40, 557 (2000)]. Self-consistent equilibria with an anisotropic fast ion distribution have been calculated for NSTX. It is shown for typical experimental parameters that the contribution of the energetic neutral beam ions to the total current can be comparable to that of the background plasma, and that the kinetic modifications of the equilibrium can be significant.
Psychiatric diseases and dementia and their association with open-angle glaucoma in the total population of Stockholm

Abstract Objective Association between some somatic diseases and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) are well-known. We aimed to study psychiatric diseases and dementia and their association with POAG in the total population of Region Stockholm. Methods All living individuals above 18 years of age who resided in Stockholm County, Sweden, on 1 January 2017 (N = 1,703,675) were included. Data were obtained from administrative regional data. We identified individuals with specified psychiatric disorders in the years 2010–2019, and further identified those with an incident diagnosis of POAG during 2012–2018. Analyses were performed by age-group and sex. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), adjusted for age and neighborhood socio-economic status for individuals with POAG, and used individuals without POAG as referents. Results A total of 16,299 cases of POAG were identified, of whom 9204 were women and 7095 men. Adjusted OR (95% CI) for the risk of POAG was 0.653 (0.610–0.698) for women and 0.714 (0.656–0.778) for men with dementia, respectively. The OR for POAG was 0.478 (0.355–0.643) for women with psychosis, and 1.164 (1.105–1.227) for women with depression. A high neighbourhood socio-economic status was associated with a higher risk of POAG. Other associations were non-significant. Conclusion The prevalence of newly diagnosed POAG was decreased in men and women with dementia, and in women with psychosis, which could be an underestimation, owing to lack of investigation, which warrants attention. The risk of POAG was increased in women with depression, which could be secondary to the glaucoma diagnosis. KEY MESSAGES The prevalence of newly diagnosed glaucoma was decreased in men and women with dementia, and in women with psychosis. A lower prevalence of newly diagnosed glaucoma may be due to an underestimation, owing to a lack of investigation. The risk of glaucoma was increased in women with depression, which could be secondary to the glaucoma diagnosis.
Simulating time-to-event data subject to competing risks and clustering: A review and synthesis

Simulation studies play an important role in evaluating the performance of statistical models developed for analyzing complex survival data such as those with competing risks and clustering. This article aims to provide researchers with a basic understanding of competing risks data generation, techniques for inducing cluster-level correlation, and ways to combine them together in simulation studies, in the context of randomized clinical trials with a binary exposure or treatment. We review data generation with competing and semi-competing risks and three approaches of inducing cluster-level correlation for time-to-event data: the frailty model framework, the probability transform, and Moran’s algorithm. Using exponentially distributed event times as an example, we discuss how to introduce cluster-level correlation into generating complex survival outcomes, and illustrate multiple ways of combining these methods to simulate clustered, competing and semi-competing risks data with pre-specified correlation values or degree of clustering.
Focused Ultrasound Stimulation of Microbubbles in Combination With Radiotherapy for Acute Damage of Breast Cancer Xenograft Model

Objective: Several studies have focused on the use of ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles (USMB) to induce vascular damage in order to enhance tumor response to radiation. Methods: In this study, power Doppler imaging was used along with immunohistochemistry to investigate the effects of combining radiation therapy (XRT) and USMB using an ultrasound-guided focused ultrasound (FUS) therapy system in a breast cancer xenograft model. Specifically, MDA-MB-231 breast cancer xenograft tumors were induced in severe combined immuno-deficient female mice. The mice were treated with FUS alone, ultrasound and microbubbles (FUS + MB) alone, 8 Gy XRT alone, or a combined treatment consisting of ultrasound, microbubbles, and XRT (FUS + MB + XRT). Power Doppler imaging was conducted before and 24 h after treatment, at which time mice were sacrificed and tumors assessed histologically. The immunohistochemical analysis included terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling, hematoxylin and eosin, cluster of differentiation-31 (CD31), Ki-67, carbonic anhydrase (CA-9), and ceramide labeling. Results: Tumors receiving treatment of FUS + MB combined with XRT demonstrated significant increase in cell death (p = 0.0006) compared to control group. Furthermore, CD31 and Power Doppler analysis revealed reduced tumor vascularization with combined treatment indicating (P < .0001) and (P = .0001), respectively compared to the control group. Additionally, lesser number of proliferating cells with enhanced tumor hypoxia, and ceramide content were also reported in group receiving a treatment of FUS + MB + XRT. Conclusion: The study results demonstrate that the combination of USMB with XRT enhances treatment outcomes.
Efficacy and safety of immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced pancreatic cancer: A real world study in Chinese cohort

ABSTRACT Previous clinical studies had not shown expected results in advanced pancreatic cancer (APC) with single-agent checkpoint inhibitors. Until the present day, little is known about their performance in real-world settings. So, in this study, we investigate the ICIs’ efficacy and safety in Chinese APC patients. Patients with APC who received ICIs between November 2018 to June 2021 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The efficacy end points included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and adverse events (AEs). This study included 104 patients and the median OS (mOS) and median PFS (mPFS) were 9.1 and 5.4 months, respectively. In the subgroup analyses, the mOS was longer for patients receiving combined radiotherapy than for those that didn’t (13.8 vs 7.0 months, p < .001), whereas the mPFS was also longer, and the ORR and DCR were higher. Specifically, the mOS was longer for patients who had received a combination of chemotherapy than for those combined with targeted therapy (11.6 vs 5.6 months, p = .002), with the mPFS being also longer. ICIs as a first-line treatment could resulted to better survival. The mOS was longer for patients with a high TMB compared to those with low (19.3 vs 7.2 months, p = .004), whereas AEs were considered to be tolerable. The combination therapy of ICIs was proved to be safe and effective for treating APC, especially the combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which would benefit from additional prospective studies.
Brain injury triggers cell‐type‐specific and time‐dependent endoplasmic reticulum stress responses

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a signal transduction network that responds to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by coordinating protein homeostasis to maintain cell viability. The UPR can also trigger cell death when adaptive responses fail to improve protein homeostasis. Despite accumulating evidence suggesting that the UPR plays a role in neurodegenerative diseases and brain insults, our understanding of how ER stress is induced under neuropathological conditions is limited. Here, we investigated the cell‐ and time‐specific patterns of the ER stress response after brain injury using ER stress‐activated indicator (ERAI) mice, which enable monitoring of the UPR in vivo via increased fluorescence of a spliced XBP‐1 protein fused with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) variant Venus. Following cortical stab injury of ERAI mice, the GFP signal and number of GFP+ cells increased in the ipsilateral cortex throughout the observation period (6 h to 7 days post‐injury), confirming the induction of the UPR. GFP signals were observed in injured neurons early (from 6 h) after brain injury. However, non‐neuronal cells, mainly endothelial cells followed by astrocytes, accounted for the majority of GFP+ cells after brain injury. Similar results were obtained in a mouse model of focal cerebral ischemia. These findings suggest that activation of the UPR in both neuronal and non‐neuronal cells, especially endothelial cells and astrocytes, may play an important role in and could be a potential therapeutic target for acute brain injuries.
Transport and magnetization ac losses of ROEBEL assembled coated conductor cables: measurements and calculations

Many superconductor applications require cables with a high current capacity. This is not feasible with single-piece coated conductors because their ac losses are too large. Therefore, it is necessary to develop superconducting cables with a high current capacity and low ac losses. One promising solution is given by ROEBEL cables. We assembled three ROEBEL cables from commercial YBCO coated conductors. The cables have the same width but a different number of strands, which results in different aspect ratios and current capacities. We experimentally studied their ac losses under a transport current or a perpendicular magnetic field. In addition, we performed numerical calculations, which agree with the experiments, especially for the transport case. We found that in the cables there is good current sharing between the strands. We also found that stacking the strands reduces the magnetization losses. For a given critical current, thicker cables have lower magnetization ac losses. In addition, a conducting matrix is not required for a good current sharing between strands.