Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The grand canonical catastrophe as an instance of condensation of fluctuations

The so-called grand canonical catastrophe of the density fluctuations in the ideal Bose gas is shown to be a particular instance of the much more general phenomenon of condensation of fluctuations, taking place in a large system, in or out of equilibrium, when a single degree of freedom makes a macroscopic contribution to the fluctuations of an extensive quantity. The pathological character of the “catastrophe” is demystified by emphasizing the connection between experimental conditions and statistical ensembles, as demonstrated by the recent realization of photon condensation under grand canonical conditions.
Combined slaughterhouse wastewater treatment via pilot plant chemical coagulation followed by 4th generation downflow hanging sponge (DHS-4G)

Abstract The article aimed to investigate performance and evaluation of combining chemical coagulation pretreatment unit with a pilot-scale fourth generation downflow hanging sponge (DHS-4G) for slaughterhouse wastewater (SWW) treatment. This combination of compact treatment technique was tested as a novel system for the treatment of SWW. A DHS-4G reactor with a capacity of about 100 liters was installed after a 1 m3 chemical treatment unit and operated under two different hydraulic retention times (HRT) namely 12 h and 8 h. The integrated treatment system gave reasonable organic and nitrogen removal efficiencies and the removal efficiency was 91%, and 87% for COD, 92%, and 88% for BOD and 94%, and 84% for TSS at HRT 12 h, and 8 h respectively. Profile analysis showed that most of solids and organic matter particles were entrapped in the top segments of the reactor, while in the middle part residual and soluble organic matter were biologically degraded and the bottom segment slightly removes small residuals and nitrogen compounds. Also, analysis of retained biomass indicated that sludge retention time (SRT) was 27 days, which indicated low sludge amount produced from the reactor. Accordingly, the use of the studied integrated treatment system is very effective in terms of treatment cost and quality as it achieved required treatment in shorter time and minimum requirements for construction and operation.
The use of vertical postero‐medial thigh flap as lymphatic flow‐through flap for upper thigh defect reconstruction and lymphatic sequelae prevention in sarcoma surgery: A case report

Among the various histologic subpopulations of soft tissue sarcomas, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is one of the most common subtypes in the adult population. Radical surgery remains the primary treatment for UPS, associated with postsurgical radiotherapy or chemotherapy. We herein report the case of a 65‐year‐old man presenting a recurrent UPS in his right upper thigh region. The patient received radical resection of the tumor and the remaining defect measured ~22 cm × 18 cm. A soft tissue functional reconstruction with lymphatic‐flow‐through pedicled postero‐medial thigh flap (PMT) was planned. A 24 cm × 16 cm flap was harvested in vertical fashion (vPMT), carefully preserving a superficial vein for the following lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) at recipient site. The flap was then rotated and transferred to the defect area through a tunnel under the adductor longus muscle, and LVA was then performed between flap's additional venous pedicle and a nearby leaking lymphatic vessel. The postoperative course was uneventful and at 12 months follow‐up no complications were encountered. No signs of lymphedema were reported. When dealing with the groin and upper thigh area, which is notably rich in lymphatic tissue, the possibility of prophylactically re‐route lymphatic fluid into the venous system by means of microsurgical anastomosis, lays in the thrilling possibility to prevent secondary lymphedema, instead of curing it. With the described technique, we achieved optimal functional and esthetic outcomes setting at zero both donor and recipient sites morbidity.
Effects of CD34+ cell dose on haematopoietic recovery in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia patients with positive pretransplant measurable residual disease

A higher CD34+ cell dose in allografts is associated with faster haematopoietic recovery after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). Leukaemia stem cells impair normal bone marrow (BM) niches and induce BM failure during leukemogenesis. However, whether measurable residual disease (MRD), known as the persistence of low‐level leukaemic cells, could influence the effects of CD34+ cell dose on haematopoietic recovery after transplantation in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) patients is unknown.
MAPPING THE ASYMMETRIC THICK DISK. II. DISTANCE, SIZE, AND MASS OF THE HERCULES THICK DISK CLOUD

The Hercules Thick Disk Cloud was initially discovered as an excess in the number of faint blue stars between Quadrants 1 and 4 of the Galaxy. The origin of the Cloud could be an interaction with the disk bar, a triaxial Thick Disk, or a merger remnant or stream. To better map the spatial extent of the Cloud along the line of sight, we have obtained multi-color UBVR photometry for 1.2 million stars in 63 fields each of approximately 1 deg2. Our analysis of the fields beyond the apparent boundaries of the excess has already ruled out a triaxial Thick Disk as a likely explanation. In this paper, we present our results for the star counts over all of our fields, determine the spatial extent of the overdensity across and along the line of sight, and estimate the size and mass of the Cloud. Using photometric parallaxes, the stars responsible for the excess are between 1 and 6 kpc from the Sun, 0.5–4 kpc above the Galactic plane, and extend approximately 3–4 kpc across our line of sight. The Cloud is thus a major substructure in the Galaxy. The distribution of the excess along our sight lines corresponds with the density contours of the bar in the Disk, and its most distant stars are directly over the bar. We also see through the Cloud to its far side. Over the entire 500 deg2 of the sky containing the Cloud, we estimate more than 5.6 million stars and 1.9 million solar masses of material. If the overdensity is associated with the bar, it would exceed 1.4 billion stars and more than 50 million solar masses. Finally, we argue that the Hercules–Aquila Cloud is actually the Hercules Thick Disk Cloud.
Features of gut microbiota in patients with anorexia nervosa

Abstract Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychological disorder, which is characterized by the misunderstanding of body image, food restriction, and low body weight. An increasing number of studies have reported that the pathophysiological mechanism of AN might be associated with the dysbiosis of gut microbiota. The purpose of our study was to explore the features of gut microbiota in patients with AN, hoping to provide valuable information on its pathogenesis and treatment. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, from August 2020 to June 2021, patients with AN who were admitted into Peking University Third Hospital and Peking University Sixth Hospital (n = 30) were recruited as the AN group, and healthy controls (HC) were recruited from a middle school and a university in Beijing (n = 30). Demographic data, Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) scores of the two groups, and length of stay of the AN group were recorded. Microbial diversity analysis of gut microbiota in stool samples from the two groups was analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing. Results: The weight (AN vs. HC, [39.31 ± 7.90] kg vs. [56.47 ± 8.88] kg, P < 0.001) and body mass index (BMI, AN vs. HC, [14.92 ± 2.54] kg/m2vs. [20.89 ± 2.14] kg/m2, P < 0.001) of patients with AN were statistically significantly lower than those of HC, and HAMD scores in AN group were statistically significantly higher than those of HC. For alpha diversity, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups; for beta diversity, the two groups differed obviously regarding community composition. Compared to HC, the proportion of Lachnospiraceae in patients with AN was statistically significantly higher (AN vs. HC, 40.50% vs. 31.21%, Z = −1.981, P = 0.048), while that of Ruminococcaceae was lower (AN vs. HC, 12.17% vs. 19.15%, Z = −2.728, P = 0.007); the proportion of Faecalibacterium (AN vs. HC, 3.97% vs. 9.40%, Z = −3.638, P < 0.001) and Subdoligranulum (AN vs. HC, 4.60% vs. 7.02%, Z = −2.369, P = 0.018) were statistically significantly lower, while that of Eubacterium_hallii_group was significantly higher (AN vs. HC, 7.63% vs. 3.43%, Z = −2.115, P = 0.035). Linear discriminant effect (LEfSe) analysis (LDA score >3.5) showed that o_Lachnospirales, f_Lachnospiraceae, and g_Eubacterium_hallii_group (o, f and g represents order, family and genus respectively) were enriched in patients with AN. Microbial function of nutrient transport and metabolism in AN group were more abundant (P > 0.05). In AN group, weight and BMI were significantly negatively correlated with the abundance of Bacteroidota and Bacteroides, while positively correlated with Subdoligranulum. BMI was significantly positively correlated with Firmicutes; HAMD scores were significantly negatively correlated with Faecalibacterium. Conclusions: The composition of gut microbiota in patients with AN was different from that of healthy people. Clinical indicators have correlations with the abundance of gut microbiota in patients with AN.
Longitudinal Predictors of Informant-Rated Involvement of People with Dementia in Everyday Decision-Making: Findings from the IDEAL Program

The extent to which people with dementia are involved in everyday decision-making is unclear. We explored informant-rated involvement of people with dementia in everyday decision-making over 2 years and whether functional, behavioral, and psychological factors related to the person with dementia and the caregiver explain variability in involvement of people with dementia in everyday decision-making. We used IDEAL data for 1182 people with dementia and their caregivers. Baseline mean score on the decision-making involvement scale was 31/45; it minimally declined over time. People with dementia who were female, single, and/or whose caregiver was younger had greater involvement in everyday decision-making than those without these characteristics. Better cognition, fewer functional difficulties, fewer neuropsychiatric symptoms, less caregiver stress, and better informant-rated relationship quality were associated with higher involvement in everyday decision-making. Cognitive and functional rehabilitation, and educational resources for caregivers, could prolong involvement of people with dementia in everyday decision-making.
The SARS algorithm: detrending CoRoT light curves with Sysrem using simultaneous external parameters

Surveys for exoplanetary transits are usually limited not by photon noise but rather by the amount of red noise in their data. In particular, although the CoRoT space-based survey data are being carefully scrutinized, significant new sources of systematic noises are still being discovered. Recently, a magnitude-dependant systematic effect was discovered in the CoRoT data by Mazeh et al. and a phenomenological correction was proposed. Here we tie the observed effect to a particular type of effect, and in the process generalize the popular Sysrem algorithm to include external parameters in a simultaneous solution with the unknown effects. We show that a post-processing scheme based on this algorithm performs well and indeed allows for the detection of new transit-like signals that were not previously detected.
Association of CSF GAP-43 With the Rate of Cognitive Decline and Progression to Dementia in Amyloid-Positive Individuals

Background and Objectives To test the associations between the presynaptic growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43), quantified in CSF, and biomarkers of Alzheimer disease (AD) pathophysiology, cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Methods In this retrospective study, GAP-43 was measured in participants from the AD Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort using an in-house ELISA method, and levels were compared between groups, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Linear regression models tested the associations between biomarkers of AD (amyloid beta [Aβ] and tau pathologies, neurodegeneration, and cognition) adjusted by age, sex, and diagnosis. Linear mixed-effect models evaluated how baseline GAP-43 predicts brain hypometabolism, atrophy, and cognitive decline over time. Cox proportional hazard regression models tested how GAP-43 levels and Aβ status, at baseline, increased the risk of progression to AD dementia over time. Results This study included 786 participants from the ADNI cohort, which were further classified in cognitively unimpaired (CU) Aβ-negative (nCU– = 197); CU Aβ-positive (nCU+ = 55), mild cognitively impaired (MCI) Aβ-negative (nMCI– = 228), MCI Aβ-positive (nMCI+ = 193), and AD dementia Aβ-positive (nAD = 113). CSF GAP-43 levels were increased in Aβ-positive compared with Aβ-negative participants, independent of the cognitive status. In Aβ-positive participants, high baseline GAP-43 levels led to worse brain metabolic decline (p = 0.01), worse brain atrophy (p = 8.8 × 10−27), and worse MMSE scores (p = 0.03) over time, as compared with those with low GAP-43 levels. Similarly, Aβ-positive participants with high baseline GAP-43 had the highest risk to convert to AD dementia (hazard ratio [HR = 8.56, 95% CI 4.94–14.80, p = 1.5 × 10−14]). Despite the significant association with Aβ pathology (η2Aβ PET = 0.09, PAβ PET < 0.001), CSF total tau (tTau) and phosphorylated tau (pTau) had a larger effect size on GAP43 than Aβ PET (η2pTau-181 = 0.53, PpTau-181 < 0.001; η2tTau = 0.59, PtTau < 0.001). Discussion High baseline levels of CSF GAP-43 are associated with progression in Aβ-positive individuals, with a more aggressive neurodegenerative process, faster rate of cognitive decline, and increased risk of converting to dementia.
Effects of Music Listening on Postural Balance in Adolescents with Visual Impairment

We aimed to investigate the effect of music on visually impaired adolescents’ postural balance across different somatosensory and vestibular input conditions. We recruited 19 adolescent participants (9 males, 10 females) with severe congenital visual impairment. We recorded their mean center of pressure velocity (CoPVm) during static upright bipedal standing under somatosensory (firm and foam surfaces) and vestibular (head facing forward (HFF), head rotated 90° to the right (HRR), and head rotated 90° to the left (HRL)) perturbations in three auditory conditions (no-music, listening to Jupiter, and listening to their preferred music). We found that CoPVm decreased significantly when listening to both Jupiter and preferred music, compared to the no-music condition on both firm (p < .05) and foam (p < .001) surfaces and with the HFF (p < .05), rotated to the right (p < .001) or rotated to the left (p < .001). Moreover, CoPVm values increased significantly with somatosensory manipulation (p < .001) in all the auditory conditions and with vestibular manipulation (p < .01) only in the no-music condition. We concluded that listening to both Jupiter and preferred music improved postural balance in visually impaired adolescents, even in challenged postural conditions.
Diversity and distribution of tropical ectomycorrhizal fungi

ABSTRACT The tropics were long considered to have few ectomycorrhizal fungi, presumably due to a paucity of ectomycorrhizal host plants relative to higher-latitude ecosystems. However, an increase in research in tropical regions over the past 30 years has greatly expanded knowledge about the occurrence of tropical ectomycorrhizal fungi. To assess their broad biogeographic and diversity patterns, we conducted a comprehensive review and quantitative data analysis of 49 studies with 80 individual data sets along with additional data from GlobalFungi to elucidate tropical diversity patterns and biogeography of ectomycorrhizal fungi across the four main tropical regions: the Afrotropics, the Neotropics, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. Generalized linear models were used to explore biotic and abiotic influences on the relative abundance of the 10 most frequently occurring lineages. We also reviewed the available literature and synthesized current knowledge about responses of fungi to anthropogenic disturbances, and their conservation status and threats. We found that /russula-lactarius and /tomentella-thelephora were the most abundant lineages in the Afrotropics, the Neotropics, and Southeast Asia, whereas /cortinarius was the most abundant lineage in Oceania, and that /russula-lactarius, /inocybe, and /tomentella-thelephora were the most species-rich lineages across all of the tropical regions. Based on these analyses, we highlight knowledge gaps for each tropical region. Increased sampling of tropical regions, collaborative efforts, and use of molecular methodologies are needed for a more comprehensive view of the ecology and diversity of tropical ectomycorrhizal fungi.
A NEW DIAGNOSTIC OF MAGNETIC FIELD STRENGTHS IN RADIATIVELY COOLED SHOCKS

We show that it is possible to measure Alfvénic Mach numbers, defined as the shock velocity in the flow divided by the Alfvén velocity, for low-velocity (Vshock ≲ 100 km s−1) radiative shocks. The method combines observations of bright forbidden lines with a measure of the size of the cooling zone, the latter typically obtained from spatial separation between the Balmer emission lines and the forbidden lines. Because magnetic fields become compressed as gas in the postshock region cools, even relatively weak preshock magnetic fields can be detected with this method. We derive analytical formulae that explain how the spatial separations relate to emission-line ratios, and compute a large grid of radiatively cooled shock models to develop diagnostic diagrams that can be used to derive Alfvénic Mach numbers in flows. Applying the method to existing data for a bright knot in the HH 111 jet, we obtain a relatively low Alfvénic Mach number of ∼2, indicative of a magnetized jet that has super-magnetosonic velocity perturbations within it.
Oxidized phospholipids and lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 (Lp‐PLA2) in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: An update

Inflammation and oxidative stress conditions lead to a variety of oxidative modifications of lipoprotein phospholipids implicated in the occurrence and development of atherosclerotic lesions. Lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 (Lp‐PLA2) is established as an independent risk biomarker of atherosclerosis‐related cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and mediates vascular inflammation through the regulation of lipid metabolism in the blood and in atherosclerotic lesions. Lp‐PLA2 is associated with low‐ and high‐density lipoproteins and Lipoprotein (a) in human plasma and specifically hydrolyzes oxidized phospholipids involved in oxidative stress modification. Several oxidized phospholipids (OxPLs) subspecies can be detoxified through enzymatic degradation by Lp‐PLA2 activation, forming lysophospholipids and oxidized non‐esterified fatty acids (OxNEFAs). Lysophospholipids promote the expression of adhesion molecules, stimulate cytokines production (TNF‐α, IL‐6), and attract macrophages to the arterial intima. The present review article discusses new data on the functional roles of OxPLs and Lp‐PLA2 associated with lipoproteins.
Perceived Causes of Cancer and Corresponding Behavioral Changes: A Qualitative Study on Breast Cancer Survivors in Taiwan

Objectives Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Taiwan, and treatment and coping with the disease become prominent features in a survivor’s life. Here, we examined Taiwanese survivors’ perceived causes of breast cancer, the influence of support networks on their perceptions, and the behavioral changes they made to prevent recurrences. Methods In this qualitative study, we used an explanatory approach involving semi-structured in-depth interviews based on grounded theory. We recruited (via physician referrals) 29 survivors aged ≥20 who had received their initial diagnosis at least 6 months earlier. Results Although the participants had made behavioral changes in many areas of their lives after diagnosis, most still believed that “stress and emotions” were the most crucial factor in causing cancer. They strongly emphasized reducing stress levels to prevent recurrences. However, when maintaining healthy behaviors became stressful, they chose to level off healthy lifestyles for the sake of their emotional well-being. They made career changes to improve their quality of life yet continued to experience a deep fear of recurrence. Adopting behavioral changes leading to healthy lifestyles and following regular follow-ups helped to reduce their anxiety concerning recurrence. Conclusion The participants’ behavioral changes were strongly associated with the perceived causes of cancer. Health-promotion programs aimed at breast cancer prevention should focus on participants’ subjective perception of the cause of cancer.
Confirmatory reinforcement learning changes with age during adolescence

Understanding how learning changes during human development has been one of the long-standing objectives of developmental science. Recently, advances in computational biology have demonstrated that humans display a bias when learning to navigate novel environments through rewards and punishments: they learn more from outcomes that confirm their expectations than from outcomes that disconfirm them. Here, we ask whether confirmatory learning is stable across development, or whether it might be attenuated in developmental stages in which exploration is beneficial, such as in adolescence. In a reinforcement learning task, 77 participants aged 11-32 years (4 men, mean age = 16.26) attempted to maximize monetary rewards by repeatedly sampling different pairs of novel options, which varied in their reward/punishment probabilities. Mixed-effect models showed an age-related increase in accuracy as long as learning contingencies remained stable across trials, but less so when they reversed halfway through the trials. Age was also associated with a greater tendency to stay with an option that had just delivered a reward, more than to switch away from an option that had just delivered a punishment. At the computational level, a confirmation model provided increasingly better fit with age. This model showed that age differences are captured by decreases in noise or exploration, rather than in the magnitude of the confirmation bias. These findings provide new insights into how learning changes during development and could help better tailor learning environments to people of different ages.