Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Superoperator structures and no-go theorems for dissipative quantum phase transitions

In the thermodynamic limit, the steady states of open quantum many-body systems can undergo nonequilibrium phase transitions due to a competition between Hamiltonian and dissipative terms. Here, we consider Markovian systems and elucidate structures of the Liouville super-operator that generates the dynamics. In many cases of interest, a non-orthogonal basis transformation can bring the Liouvillian into block-triangular form, making it possible to assess its spectrum. The spectral gap sets the asymptotic decay rate. The super-operator structure can be used to bound gaps from below, showing that, in a large class of systems, dissipative phase transitions are actually impossible and that the convergence to steady states is exponential. Furthermore, when the blocks on the diagonal are Hermitian, the Liouvillian spectra obey Weyl ordering relations. The results are exemplified by various spin models.
Effect of Intrapartum Hyoscine Butylbromide Administration on Duration of Labor and Mode of Delivery: A Systematic Review and Meta - Analysis

Background: Hyoscine Butylbromide (HBB) is a potent parasympatholytic drug with strong antispasmodic action contributing to cervical dilation during labor. Objective: We aimed to determine if hyoscine butylbromide (HBB) during labor is associated with shortened duration of labor. Search Strategy: We searched several electronic databases from inception to march 2019 using various search terms. Selection Criteria: Randomized controlled trials comparing HBB vs. placebo regarding labor duration. Data Collection and Analysis: After screening and data extraction, mean difference with 95% confidence interval (CI) for continuous data and odds ratio with 95% CI for categorical data were calculated. Main Results: Fourteen articles (2287 patients) were included. HBB shortens durations of first stage (MD = -60.86, 95% CI [-82.89 to -38.84]), second stage (MD = -3.18, 95% CI [-5.12 to -1.24]) and third stage of labor (MD = -0.84, 95% CI [-1.19 to -0.50]). Indeed, overall rate of cervical dilatation was greater in HBB group (MD= 0.65-minute, 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.80). However, HBB does not affect the rate of vaginal or cesarean deliveries. Conclusions: Hyoscine Butylbromide shortens the duration of all stages of labor and increases the rate of cervical dilatation. However, it does not affect the mode of delivery
DNA Methylation and Gene Expression in Blood and Adipose Tissue of Adult Offspring of Women with Diabetes in Pregnancy—A Validation Study of DNA Methylation Changes Identified in Adolescent Offspring

Maternal gestational diabetes and obesity are associated with adverse outcomes in offspring, including increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Previously, we identified a lower DNA methylation degree at genomic sites near the genes ESM1, MS4A3, and TSPAN14 in the blood cells of adolescent offspring exposed to gestational diabetes and/or maternal obesity in utero. In the present study, we aimed to investigate if altered methylation and expression of these genes were detectable in blood, as well in the metabolically relevant subcutaneous adipose tissue, in a separate cohort of adult offspring exposed to gestational diabetes and obesity (O-GDM) or type 1 diabetes (O-T1D) in utero, compared with the offspring of women from the background population (O-BP). We did not replicate the findings of lower methylation of ESM1, MS4A3, and TSPAN14 in blood from adults, either in O-GDM or O-T1D. In contrast, in adipose tissue of O-T1D, we found higher MS4A3 DNA methylation, which will require further validation. The adipose tissue ESM1 expression was lower in O-GDM compared to O-BP, which in turn was not associated with maternal pre-pregnancy BMI nor the offspring’s own adiposity. Adipose tissue TSPAN14 expression was slightly lower in O-GDM compared with O-BP, but also positively associated with maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, as well as offspring’s own adiposity and HbA1c levels. In conclusion, the lower DNA methylation in blood from adolescent offspring exposed to GDM could not be confirmed in the present cohort of adult offspring, potentially due to methylation remodeling with increased aging. In offspring adipose tissue, ESM1 expression was associated with maternal GDM, and TSPAN14 expression was associated with both maternal GDM, as well as pre-pregnancy BMI. These altered expression patterns are potentially relevant to the concept of developmental programming of cardiometabolic diseases and require further studies.
Anti-Radicalism Islamic Education Strategy in Islamic Boarding Schools

This article describes the anti-radicalism education management strategy at the Amanatul Ummah Islamic boarding school (Pesantren), Mojokerto. This article uses a type of qualitative research with a case study approach. The subject of this research is the Pondok Pesantren Amanatul Ummah Pacet Mojokerto. Informants from this study were teachers at Islamic boarding schools, foundation managers, and Islamic boarding school education staff. This article results in (1) The Amanatul Ummah Islamic Boarding School Education Planning is carried out once a year. As for the planning of anti-radicalism education, in particular, they selected teachers who understand NU Aswaja—strengthening the curriculum with the value of religious moderation. (2) Strengthening the curriculum in applying anti-radicalism education in Islamic boarding schools by providing an understanding of the Aswaja NU tradition. Discipline applies the NU tradition in all Islamic boarding school activities. The following recommendation is to research the aspects of moderation-based pesantren leadership patterns.
International collaborative learning experiences cultivate ethnic-cultural dialogue among peers

ABSTRACT When dialogue between colleagues from diverse cultures is painted in ethnocultural colors, it is possible to express aspects related to religious, ideological, and ethnic characteristics and acquire intercultural abilities. This qualitative-interpretive study examined (1) ethnocultural aspects revealed during a course that brought together students from different countries and enabled a dialogue between colleagues that reveals the other’s perspective on socio-cultural issues, (2) how ethnocultural dialogue pedagogy helps cultivate competence Intercultural between diverse groups. Eighty-seven colleagues from Israel and the United States participated in the study, and two research tools were documentation and interviews. The study’s findings revealed two categories: (1) cultural-national aspects; (2) Ethnic aspects. Research findings help understand the relationship between direct and personal ethnic dialogue and terms of culture, nationality, gender, and religion. They demonstrate that peer dialogue has a significant positive impact on fostering intercultural competence, developing social skills, and promoting positive emotional attitudes towards diverse groups. This study also indicates that participants broadened their socio-cultural perspective and formulated an inclusive value concept that expresses openness and holistic observation of various narratives while legitimizing differences in the customs and traditions of each group. The findings have practical implications in shaping pedagogical principles for fostering intercultural competence.
The effects of psychological interventions on neurocognitive functioning in posttraumatic stress disorder: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental disorder, which is associated with emotional and cognitive functioning problems. Psychological interventions, such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (tf-CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are effective in reducing PTSD symptoms. Despite evidence showing that PTSD is associated with neurocognitive deficits, there is no systematic overview available on neurocognitive outcomes following treatment for PTSD. The current systematic review examined whether psychological treatments for PTSD improve neurocognitive functioning outcomes related to memory, attention, information processing, and executive functioning. Method: A literature search in PubMed, PsycINFO, PTSDpubs, and Cochrane Library was performed up to March 7, 2022, in collaboration with a medical information specialist. Eligible PTSD treatment studies examining neurocognitive outcomes (memory, attention, information processing and executive function) in patients with a DSM-IV or ICD diagnosis of PTSD were included. Results: Of the 3023 titles and abstracts identified, 9 articles met inclusion criteria, of which 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 4 non-randomized studies. Treatments included were cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), brief eclectic psychotherapy (BEP), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), virtual reality graded exposure therapy (VR-GET), and resilience-oriented treatment (ROT). Conclusions: This systematic review showed that psychological treatments for PTSD do not affect most neurocognitive functions, with exception of the memory outcomes. Future research, high-quality studies are needed to provide evidence of the effect of psychological treatment in improving neurocognitive functioning in PTSD. HIGHLIGHTS This systematic review investigated the effects of psychological treatments on neurocognitive functioning in adults with PTSD. This review showed that most studies were very heterogeneous in design, method, and analysis. This review supports the evidence for psychological treatments for PTSD on improving memory outcomes.
Field Evaluation of an Automated Pollen Sensor

Background: Seasonal pollen is a common cause of allergic respiratory disease. In the United States, pollen monitoring occurs via manual counting, a method which is both labor-intensive and has a considerable time delay. In this paper, we report the field-testing results of a new, automated, real-time pollen imaging sensor in Atlanta, GA. Methods: We first compared the pollen concentrations measured by an automated real-time pollen sensor (APS-300, Pollen Sense LLC) collocated with a Rotorod M40 sampler in 2020 at an allergy clinic in northwest Atlanta. An internal consistency assessment was then conducted with two collocated APS-300 sensors in downtown Atlanta during the 2021 pollen season. We also investigated the spatial heterogeneity of pollen concentrations using the APS-300 measurements. Results: Overall, the daily pollen concentrations reported by the APS-300 and the Rotorod M40 sampler with manual counting were strongly correlated (r = 0.85) during the peak pollen season. The APS-300 reported fewer tree pollen taxa, resulting in a slight underestimation of total pollen counts. Both the APS-300 and Rotorod M40 reported Quercus (Oak) and Pinus (Pine) as dominant pollen taxa during the peak tree pollen season. Pollen concentrations reported by APS-300 in the summer and fall were less accurate. The daily total and speciated pollen concentrations reported by two collocated APS-300 sensors were highly correlated (r = 0.93–0.99). Pollen concentrations showed substantial spatial and temporal heterogeneity in terms of peak levels at three locations in Atlanta. Conclusions: The APS-300 sensor was able to provide internally consistent, real-time pollen concentrations that are strongly correlated with the current gold-standard measurements during the peak pollen season. When compared with manual counting approaches, the fully automated sensor has the significant advantage of being mobile with the ability to provide real-time pollen data. However, the sensor’s weed and grass pollen identification algorithms require further improvement.
Transition of Large‐Scale Environmental Conditions and Characteristics of Four Rainfall Types Observed by S‐PolKa During the MJO‐1 Active Phase of DYNAMO/CINDY/AMIE

Analyses of National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) S‐PolKa dual‐polarization radar data and ERA5 reanalysis fields indicate gradual changes in convection characteristics and large‐scale environmental conditions during a central Indian Ocean Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) event observed by the DYNAMO/CINDY/AMIE field campaigns in late October 2011 (MJO‐1). Examination of four rainfall types (isolated convective cores, convective, mixed, and stratiform) reveals a transition of convection characteristics (i.e., areal coverage and depth) between distinct 5‐day environmental periods at the beginning and end of this ∼2‐week MJO active phase. A shift toward less frequent rainfall covering less of the radar domain for all four rainfall types occurs when large‐scale lower‐tropospheric dry air advects into the region with the westerly wind burst (WWB). Drier and warmer lower‐free‐tropospheric conditions associated with the WWB contribute to increased large‐scale surface‐based convective inhibition (CIN), surface‐based convective available potential energy (CAPE), and cloud base heights. A thermodynamic budget analysis indicates reduced surface heat fluxes contribute to the increased surface‐based CAPE. Greater CAPE at the end of MJO‐1 coincides with deeper 50‐dBZ convective echoes, while decreased 10‐dBZ depth for all rainfall types corresponds in time with WWB‐related dry‐air advection. Increased (decreased) reflectivity values in the lower‐level vertical reflectivity distribution of convective (stratiform) precipitation indicate increased (decreased) convective (stratiform) intensities when the WWB is present. The opposite depth changes for convective echoes and opposite shifts in convective and stratiform precipitation intensities underscore how the WWB can have differing impacts at different reflectivity thresholds and stages of the deep convection lifecycle.
Drug Use among the Elderly Assisted by the Psychosocial Assistance Center in District Federal-Brasilia

The inadequate and abusive usage of psychoactive substances is something real that affects Brazil’s elderly population, and it is a huge challenge for the public health system and its professionals. Aware of the social impact involving the use of illegal drugs, in 2002, the Ministry of Health instituted a network of psychosocial assistance as a strategy to deal with the problem. This study carried out an analysis of the profile of use of legal and illegal drugs by the elderly who are assisted by the network of psychosocial assistance in the Federal District. A quantitative and analytical study with secondary data collection, using patient records held in the CAPS-AD in the Federal District. The inclusion criteria were people of 60 and over who were users of alcohol and other drugs and who sought assistance at CAPS-AD between 2000 and 2017. A total of 408 medical records were analyzed concerning social demographic variations, types of rehabilitation services sought, types of substances consumed, associations between drugs consumed, time of consumption, and adherence to the treatment. Most of the elderly users were male (85.3%), on average 64 ± 4.42 years old. Regarding the drugs consumed, the highest quantity was for illegal substances (76%), compared to the legal ones (23%). No significant difference was found between males (OR = 1.1) and females (OR = 0.74) regarding the use or abuse of multiple drugs. The elderly used both legal and illegal drugs for a long period of time, with low adherence to the treatment, and alcohol consumption among the elderly prevailed above the other psychoactive substances.
Students’ perceptions and experiences of assessment and feedback in three years of a biomedicine degree

ABSTRACT A student’s experience of assessment has an important determining effect on the way in which they approach learning. This case study examines students’ experience of assessment and feedback in a biomedicine degree programme. A mixed-method approach combined with an assessment audit and an analysis of formative assessment use provided a holistic view of students’ experience of assessment and feedback across years 1–3 of the degree. The Assessment Experience Questionnaire was utilised together with data from open-ended narrative responses to give insight into students’ assessment and feedback experiences. Students (N = 960) reported diverse views about their experiences of assessment across the three years. Third-year students rated their assessment experience significantly lower than did second-year students but not as low as did first-year students. Analysis revealed significant differences in six of eight subdimensions between year 1 and year 3. The trend was downwards, with third-year students reporting lower agreement for the categories of ‘Quantity of effort’, ‘Coverage of syllabus’, ‘Use of feedback’, ‘Appropriate assessment’, ‘Clear goals and standards’ and ‘Overall satisfaction with the course’. An assessment audit revealed a high assessment load and high dependence on exams. Frequent assessment schedules were seen as positive and formative assessments were utilised by most students. A major issue was a lack of clarity concerning goals and standards for assessments. To enable an improvement in the student experience of assessment and feedback, a dialogue about assessment tasks involving good clear communication between teachers, policy makers and students is needed.
Energetic metabolism of Piaractus mesopotamicus fed with starch sources in the diet

ABSTRACT This work was to evaluate the effect of different starch sources on the performance and metabolism of Piaractus mesopotamicus. Three isonitrogenous (300 g kg−1 crude protein) and isolipidic (55 g kg−1 crude lipid) diets containing carbohydrate sources (corn, broken rice or sorghum) were formulated. Each experimental diet was fed to five groups (25 fish, 12.13 ± 0.09 g, per tank), three times a day during a period of 60 days. Cholesterol was lower in sorghum, and high density lipoproteins and hepatic glycogen were higher with the use of sorghum (P < .05). Low density lipoprotein was higher when feeding with corn. Plasma glucose was higher in treatments with broken rice and corn. Sorghum led to lower values of hepatosomatic, visceral and digestive somatic indexes. Enzymes activities (amylase, lipase, maltase) reduced their activities in fish fed with sorghum. Broken rice resulted in higher lipid content and lipid retention coefficient in whole fish. The data suggest that the growth of Piaractus mesopotamicus and digestibility are not affected by the chemical composition of starch from the carbohydrate sources tested, however, different metabolic behaviors occurred, either from the starch content in diet, the starch composition of each ingredient, or the pro-nutritional effect of sorghum.
Predicting Speech Intelligibility and Quality from Model Auditory Nerve Fiber Mean-rate and Spike-timing Activity

This dissertation examines the prediction of speech intelligibility and quality using simulated auditory nerve fiber activity. The relationship of neural mean-rate and spike-timing activity to the perceptual salience of the envelope (ENV) and temporal fine-structure (TFS) of speech is indistinct. TFS affects neural temporal coding in two ways. TFS produces phase-locked spike-timing responses and narrowband cochlear filtering of TFS generates recovered ENV. These processes, with direct encoding of ENV to mean-rate responses, are the established transduction processes. We postulate that models based on mean-rate (over a time-window of∼ 6 to 16 ms) and spike-timing cues should produce accurate predictions of subjectively graded speech. Two studies are presented. The first study examined the contribution of mean-rate and spike-timing cues to predicting intelligibility. The relative level of mean-rate and spike-timing cues were manipulated using chimaerically vocoded speech. The Spectro-Temporal Modulation Index (STMI) and Neurogram SIMilarity (NSIM) were used to quantify the mean-rate and spike-timing activity. Linear regression models were developed using the STMI and NSIM. An interpretable model combining the STMI and the fine-timing NSIM demonstrated the most accurate predictions of the graded speech. The second study examined the contribution of mean-rate and spike-timing cues for predicting the quality of enhanced wideband speech. The mean-rate and finetiming NSIM were used to quantify the mean-rate and spike-timing activity. Linear regression models were developed using the NSIM measures and optimization of the NSIM was investigated. A quality-optimized model with intermediate temporal resolution had the best predictive performance. The modelling approach used here allows for the study of normal and impaired hearing. It supports the design of hearing-aid processing algorithms and furthers the understanding how TFS cues might be applied in cochlear implant stimulation schemes.
What works in the treatment of medically unexplained physical symptoms? The psychotherapist perspective

ABSTRACT People with medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) are often referred to psychotherapy, which has been shown to be modestly effective in reducing symptom severity. An investigation of clinical strategies used by experienced psychotherapists in the treatment of clients with MUPS may offer important insights into the treatment process with this challenging group of clients and help further improve the effectiveness of psychotherapy. Individual interviews with 31 psychotherapists experienced in the treatment of adult clients with MUPS were collected. The grounded theory method was used to identify clinical strategies. Clinical strategies were organized into three treatment phases. In the first phase, the psychotherapists’ intention was to draw clients who may resist the psychological view of somatic symptoms into psychotherapy. In the second phase, the psychotherapists aimed to influence the impact of the symptoms on clients’ lives. In the third phase, the psychotherapists focused on reinforcing the clients’ gains from treatment, and they remained open to treatment continuation. The clinical strategies shared by psychotherapists with diverse theoretical orientations point to common mechanisms of change in the treatment of clients with MUPS. Psychotherapists’ responsiveness to client preparedness for psychotherapy appears to be important for specifically challenging clients.
Co-Ultramicronized Palmitoylethanolamide/Luteolin Restores Oligodendrocyte Homeostasis via Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-α in an In Vitro Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Oligodendrocytes are cells fundamental for brain functions as they form the myelin sheath and feed axons. They perform these critical functions thanks to the cooperation with other glial cells, mainly astrocytes. The astrocyte/oligodendrocyte crosstalk needs numerous mediators and receptors, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). PPAR agonists promote oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) maturation in myelinating oligodendrocytes. In the Alzheimer’s disease brain, deposition of beta-amyloid (Aβ) has been linked to several alterations, including astrogliosis and changes in OPCs maturation. However, very little is known about the molecular mechanisms. Here, we investigated for the first time the maturation of OPCs co-cultured with astrocytes in an in vitro model of Aβ1–42 toxicity. We also tested the potential beneficial effect of the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective composite palmitoylethanolamide and luteolin (co-ultra PEALut), which is known to engage the isoform alfa of the PPARs. Our results show that Aβ1–42 triggers astrocyte reactivity and inflammation and reduces the levels of growth factors important for OPCs maturation. Oligodendrocytes indeed show low cell surface area and few arborizations. Co-ultra PEALut counteracts the Aβ1–42-induced inflammation and astrocyte reactivity preserving the morphology of co-cultured oligodendrocytes through a mechanism that in some cases involves PPAR-α. This is the first evidence of the negative effects exerted by Aβ1–42 on astrocyte/oligodendrocyte crosstalk and discloses a never-explored co-ultra PEALut ability in restoring oligodendrocyte homeostasis.