Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clustering Behavior in Solar Flare Dynamics

The solar magnetic activity cycle provides energy input that is released in intense bursts of radiation known as solar flares. As such, the dynamics of the activity cycle is embedded in the sequence of times between the flare events. Recent analysis shows that solar flares exhibit memory on different timescales. These previous studies showed that the time ordering of flare events is not random, but rather there is dependence between successive flares. In the present work, the clustering of flares is demonstrated through a straightforward nonparametric method where the cumulative distribution function of successive flares is compared with the cumulative distribution function of surrogate sequences of flares obtained by random permutation of flares. The random permutation is performed within rate-variable Bayesian blocks during which the flare rate is assumed to be constant. Differences between the cumulative distribution functions are substantial on a timescale around 3 hr, suggesting that flare recurrence on that timescale is more likely than would be expected if the waiting time were drawn from a nonstationary Poisson process.
T-duality for torus bundles with H-ﬂuxes via noncommutative topology, II: the high-dimensional case and the T-duality group

We use noncommutative topology to study T-duality for principal torus bundles with H-ﬂux. We characterize precisely when there is a “classical” T-dual, i.e., a dual bundle with dual H-ﬂux, and when the T-dual must be “non-classical,” that is, a continuous ﬁeld of noncommutative tori. The duality comes with an isomorphism of twisted K -theories, re-quired for matching of D-brane charges, just as in the classical case. The isomorphism of twisted cohomology which one gets in the classical case is replaced in the non-classical case by an isomorphism of twisted cyclic homology. An important part of the paper contains a detailed analysis of the classifying space for topological T-duality, as well as the T-duality group and its action. The issue of possible non-uniqueness of T-duals can be studied via the action of the T-duality group.
Exploring the dark side of the Universe in a dilatonic brane-world scenario

We describe the late-time acceleration of the Universe within the paradigm of the brane-world scenario. More precisely, we show how a phantom-like behaviour or a crossing of the cosmological constant line can be achieved safely in a dilatonic brane-world model with an induced gravity term on the brane. The brane tension plays the role of dark energy which is coupled to the dilaton bulk scalar field. The phantom mimicry as well as the crossing of the cosmological constant line are achieved without invoking any phantom matter either on the brane or in the bulk.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Intervention Mathematics Class for Low Achieving Middle School Students in Northwest Georgia

High-stakes testing has become crucial in public education, requiring students to meet increasingly higher standards, regardless of their ability levels. This causal-comparative study sought to determine the effectiveness of an intervention mathematics course in the middle school setting for at-risk, sixth grade students. The Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) math scores of 143 at-risk students enrolled in a remediation mathematics course were compared to scores from a control population of 143 at-risk students who did not participate in the class. Math scores from the 2008 administration of the CRCT test were used as covariates, and comparisons were made using the 2009 math CRCT scores for students in the intervention class against scores from students not taking the class. Results showed that there were no significant gains in the scores of students who took the remediation class, regardless of ethnicity or socioeconomic status. However, statistically significant results were seen for the female population who took the class. These results imply that an extra math remediation class in addition to a regularly scheduled math class did not improve student performance on this particular high stakes test. Thus, alternative treatment formats may be considered, and more research in this field is recommended. Descriptors: low achieving, at-risk, cut score, intervention mathematics course, high-stakes testing, informal assessments, connections class, subgroups
A General Approach for Optimization of Ultrasonic Array Parameter and Setup Using Principal Component Regression

When an optimization approach is taken for ultrasonic array design, the relationship between imaging performance and acoustic beam characteristics (ABCs) needs to be considered. A general optimization approach for ultrasonic array design is proposed based on principal component regression (PCR), which is used to establish the relationship between imaging performance indicators (IPIs) and ABC. A linear and a circular ultrasonic array design scenarios are simulated to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. A set of beam and reflector response simulations are implemented to collect beam characteristics and IPIs, an explicit mapping function between which is built by PCR. Then, the mapping function is applied as an objective function to form an optimization model. The global optimization algorithm is used to locate the optimal solution of array parameters and setup. Simulation results demonstrate that the acoustic beam and imaging performance are associated quantitatively by PCR mapping, making the relationship explicitly interpretable, that the beam and imaging can be optimized simultaneously, and that acoustic response modeling may be skipped during iterative optimization, speeding up the approach.
Association between fibrosis markers and kidney function following peptide receptor radionuclide therapy in patients with neuroendocrine tumours

Abstract Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is a treatment for neuroendocrine tumours (NET). Renal impairment is a known side effect due to kidney fibrosis. We investigated the association between novel specific fibrosis markers and kidney function following PRRT. We included 38 patients who had all finished PRRT. In serum and urine, we analysed levels of three different fibrosis markers, PRO-C6 (type VI collagen formation), PRO-C3 (type III collagen formation) and C3M (type III collagen degradation). We determined kidney function by the 51Cr-EDTA plasma clearance. We used Wilcoxon rank sum test and Spearman’s rank correlation to evaluate the association between the fibrosis markers and kidney function. We included 38 NET patients, 25 small-intestinal NET, 6 pancreatic NET, 2 pulmonary NET and 5 other types of NET. Median age was 69 years (IQR: 61–73). Median time from last PRRT to inclusion was 8 months (IQR: 3–20). We found significantly increased levels of serum PRO-C6 (p = .007) and urinary PRO-C6 (p = .033) and significantly decreased levels of urinary C3M (p = .035) in patients with impaired kidney function. Further, we observed a negative association between serum PRO-C6 and kidney function (rho = −0.33, p = .04) and a positive association between urinary C3M and kidney function (rho = 0.37, p = .02). We showed an association between the three fibrosis markers, serum PRO-C6, urinary PRO-C6 and urinary C3M and kidney function. These markers may help to improve the understanding of potential pathological tissue turnover and potentially improve monitoring of kidney function after PRRT in NET patients.
Systemic Metabolic Alteration Dependent on the Thyroid‐Liver Axis in Early PD

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease characterized by initial involvement of the olfactory bulb/amygdala or autonomic nerves followed by nigral degeneration. Although autonomic innervation strictly regulates multiorgan systems, including endocrine functions, circulation, and digestion, how dysautonomia in PD affects systemic metabolism has not been identified. In this study, we tried to estimate the pathogenic linkage of PD by nuclear medicine techniques, trans‐omic analysis of blood samples, and cultured cell experiments.
Tumor Mutational Burden by Whole-Genome Sequencing in Resected NSCLC of Never Smokers

Abstract Background: Data are scarce about tumor mutational burden (TMB) as a biomarker in never smokers with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: TMB was assessed by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and compared with in silico reduced whole-exome sequencing (WES) and targeted commercial next-generation sequencing (NGS) gene panels in 92 paired tumor-normal samples from never smokers who underwent NSCLC resection with curative intent. Analyses were performed to test for association with survival after surgery and to identify the optimal prognostic TMB cutoff. Results: Tumors of never smokers with NSCLC had low TMB scores (median 1.57 mutations/Mb; range, 0.13–17.94). A TMB cutoff of 1.70 mutations/Mb was associated with a 5-year overall survival of 58% in the high-TMB (42% of cases) compared with 86% in low-TMB patients (Wald P = 0.0029). TMB scores from WGS and WES were highly correlated (Spearman ρ = 0.93, P < 2.2e−16). TMB scores from NGS panels demonstrated high intraindividual fluctuations and identified high-TMB patients with 65% concordance in average compared with WGS. Conclusions: In resected NSCLC of never smokers, high TMB was associated with worse prognosis. WES provided a good estimate of TMB while targeted NGS panels seem to lack adequate depth and resolution in the setting of low mutation burden. Impact: TMB is a prognostic indicator of survival in resected NSCLC from individuals who never smoked. In this setting of low mutation counts, TMB can be accurately measured by WGS or WES, but not NGS panels.
Mixtures of mycotoxins, phytoestrogens and pesticides co-occurring in wet spent brewery grains (BSG) intended for dairy cattle feeding in Austria

Abstract Spent brewery grains (BSG) are the main by-product of beer production and are incorporated in rations of food-delivering animals, mainly dairy cows. Like other agricultural commodities, BSG can be contaminated by a broad spectrum of natural and synthetic undesirable substances, which can be hazardous to animal and human health as well as to the environment. The co-occurrence of mycotoxins, phytoestrogens, other fungal and plant secondary metabolites, along with pesticides, was investigated in 21 BSG samples collected in dairy farms in Austria. For this purpose, a validated multi-metabolite liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI–MS/MS) was employed. Metabolites derived from Fusarium, Aspergillus, Alternaria and pesticide residues, were ubiquitous in the samples. Zearalenone (ZEN), T-2 and HT-2 toxins were the only regulated mycotoxin detected, albeit at concentrations below the European guidance values for animal feeds. Ergot alkaloids, Penicillium-derived metabolites, and phytoestrogens had occurrence rates of 90, 48 and 29%, respectively. Penicillium metabolites presented the highest levels among the fungal compounds, indicating contamination during storage. Aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxins and deoxynivalenol (DON) were not detected. Out of the 16 detected pesticides, two fungicides, ametoctradin (9.5%) and mandipropamid (14.3%) revealed concentrations exceeding their respective maximum residue level (MRL) (0.01 mg kg−1) for barley in two samples. Although based on European guidance and MRL values the levels of the detected compounds probably do not pose acute risks for cattle, the impact of the long-time exposure to such mixtures of natural and synthetic toxicants on animal health and food safety are unknown and must be elucidated.
Inferring stimulation induced short-term synaptic plasticity dynamics using novel dual optimization algorithm

Experimental evidence in both human and animal studies demonstrated that deep brain stimulation (DBS) can induce short-term synaptic plasticity (STP) in the stimulated nucleus. Given that DBS-induced STP may be connected to the therapeutic effects of DBS, we sought to develop a computational predictive model that infers the dynamics of STP in response to DBS at different frequencies. Existing methods for estimating STP–either model-based or model-free approaches–require access to pre-synaptic spiking activity. However, in the context of DBS, extracellular stimulation (e.g. DBS) can be used to elicit presynaptic activations directly. We present a model-based approach that integrates multiple individual frequencies of DBS-like electrical stimulation as pre-synaptic spikes and infers parameters of the Tsodyks-Markram (TM) model from post-synaptic currents of the stimulated nucleus. By distinguishing between the steady-state and transient responses of the TM model, we develop a novel dual optimization algorithm that infers the model parameters in two steps. First, the TM model parameters are calculated by integrating multiple frequencies of stimulation to estimate the steady state response of post-synaptic current through a closed-form analytical solution. The results of this step are utilized as the initial values for the second step in which a non-derivative optimization algorithm is used to track the transient response of the post-synaptic potential across different individual frequencies of stimulation. Moreover, in order to confirm the applicability of the method, we applied our algorithm–as a proof of concept–to empirical data recorded from acute rodent brain slices of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) during DBS-like stimulation to infer dynamics of STP for inhibitory synaptic inputs.
Changes in patellar baja progress until 3 months after medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate sequential patellar height changes as well as the factors leading to these changes after medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO). Methods The study cohort constituted 37 knees from 36 patients who underwent MOWHTO for varus knee. The Caton–Deschamps index (CDI) for patellar height was measured preoperatively and at 2 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The factors related to sequential changes in patellar height were evaluated. Results Significant differences were observed between preoperative CDI and postoperative CDI at all time points (p < .05). Two-week postoperative CDI and postoperative CDI at 3,6,12-months was also significantly different (p < .05). The only significant factor for the change in patellar height between preoperative CDI and postoperative CDI at 2-weeks and 12-months was the change in the Δ medial proximal tibial angle (ΔMPTA) (postoperative MPTA–preoperative MPTA). We could not identify the factor that affected the change in patellar height change from 2-weeks postoperatively. Conclusion The change in patellar height continued sequentially until at least 3 months postoperatively. ΔMPTA was associated with the change in patellar height at 2 weeks postoperatively compared with preoperatively; however, no factors associated with the change in patellar height from 2 weeks postoperatively to 3, 6, and 12-months postoperatively were identified.
Unraveling unique features of plasma cell clones in POEMS syndrome with single-cell analysis

POEMS syndrome is a rare monoclonal plasma cell disorder, with unique symptoms distinct from those of other plasma cell neoplasms, including high serum VEGF levels. Because the prospective isolation of POEMS clones has not yet been successful, their real nature remains unclear. Herein, we performed single-cell RNA-Seq of BM plasma cells from patients with POEMS syndrome and identified POEMS clones that had Ig λ light chain (IGL) sequences (IGLV1-36, -40, -44, and -47) with amino acid changes specific to POEMS syndrome. The proportions of POEMS clones in plasma cells were markedly smaller than in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Single-cell transcriptomes revealed that POEMS clones were CD19+, CD138+, and MHC class IIlo, which allowed for their prospective isolation. POEMS clones expressed significantly lower levels of c-MYC and CCND1 than MM clones, accounting for their small size. VEGF mRNA was not upregulated in POEMS clones, directly indicating that VEGF is not produced by POEMS clones. These results reveal unique features of POEMS clones and enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of POEMS syndrome.
Association of Chronic Urticaria with Psychological Distress: A Multicentre Cross-sectional Study

Chronic urticaria is a debilitating disease that affects health-related quality of life, but few studies have evaluated its impact on psychological wellbeing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of patients with chronic urticaria and determine its impact on their emotional and psychological wellbeing. A cross-sectional multicentre study of a cluster of 264 Lebanese patients visiting dermatology/immunology clinics was conducted between July 2018 and June 2020. The impact of chronic urticaria on quality of life was assessed using the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CU-Q2oL) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), as well as its consequences on mood changes using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Beirut Distress Score 22 (BDS-22) scores. A multivariable analysis of covariates was performed to determine the effect of the triggering factors of urticaria on both CU-Q2oL and PHQ-9. A moderate negative correlation was found between Urticaria Control Test and quality of life scores as well as PHQ-9 and BDS-22 (p < 0.001). Patients with the lowest Urticaria Control Test score had the highest impairment in quality of life and depression scores. In conclusion, chronic urticaria compromises patients’ quality of life and emotional wellbeing. This distress is more pronounced when the disease is more severe.
The Nuclear and Atomic Physics Governing Changes in the Composition of Relativistic Cosmic Rays

Many quantitative studies of relativistic cosmic ray propagation exist in which "standard" values for the input quantities are adopted in an uncritical manner. In contrast, the major emphasis of this study is on developing the proper set of formulae and error estimates for each of the atomic and nuclear processes that govern the composition of the cosmic rays between lithium and nickel. In particular, it is shown that errors of approximately a factor of two exist in the standard (Bohr) cross sections for stripping, that the correction function from high energy photoionization needs to be introduced into the standard cross section for radiative attachment, and that because the half-life of a fast nucleus with at most one [-shell electron can differ from the half-life of a neutral atom, several laboratory-based values need correction. The framework used to assemble and correct these quantities is a matrix formalism for the leaky box model similar to that used by Cowsik and Wilson in their "nested leaky box" model. It is shown that once the assumption of species-independent leakage is introduced, the matrix formalism becomes virtually identical with the standard exponential path length formalism.
Perceived manageability of debt and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A UK population analysis

Objectives This study examined the association between perceived manageability of debt and risk of depression, anxiety, and mental health help-seeking among a nationally representative sample of adults living in the United Kingdom (UK). Methods Data was derived from the COVID-19 Psychological Research Consortium (C19PRC) Study Wave 6 (August/September 2021) which examined the psychological, social, and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the UK adult population. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between different levels of perceived debt manageability (i.e., “easily manageable”, “some problems”, “quite serious problems”, “very serious problems”, “cannot manage at all”) and mental health related outcomes. Results Almost a quarter of the sample (24%, n = 494) reported debt management problems, and debt manageability associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and mental health help-seeking. After adjusting for demographic variables (e.g. income, receipt of benefits), logistic regression analysis demonstrated a dose-response association between increasing levels of debt manageability problems and mental health outcomes. Specifically, adjusted odds ratios for anxiety ranged from 2.28 (‘some problems’) to 11.18 (‘very serious problems’), for depression ranged from 2.80 (‘some problems’) to 16.21 (‘cannot manage at all’), and for mental health help-seeking ranged from 1.69 (‘some problems’) to 3.18 (‘quite serious problems’, ‘very serious problems’). Conclusion This study highlights that debt manageability problems represent a robust predictor of depression, anxiety, and mental-health help seeking.
The Assessment of the Impact of Training With Various Metacognitive Interventions on the Enhancement of Verbal Fluency in School-Age Children With ADHD

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether a 3-month training with the use of the metacognitive strategies would strengthen the executive function related to verbal fluency in children with ADHD. Method: A total of 45 children with ADHD (M = 10.41; SD = 1.42) participated in a randomized experimental study. They completed the Verbal Fluency Test before and after training. Result: The results of the Wilcoxon test show that the mean number of words spoken by the child increased significantly in the second measurement compared to the first in the Mind Map group (M = 11.40; SD = 4.03; M = 14.46; SD = 3.99; p = .001). Unfortunately, this data did not apply to the Sketchnoting Group. Verbal regression was noted in the Control Group. Conclusion: The results provide an interesting premise for further research. Perhaps Mind Mapping training can be an effective form of complementary therapy.
Photometry of the Saturnian Satellites During Ring Plane Crossing

Abstract The first near-infrared (0.9 μm) photometric observations of Saturn's five medium-sized satellites were obtained during the August 1995 ring plane crossing with Palomar Observatory's 60-in. telescope. The albedos of the satellites are very high, indicating that a very low fraction of dark opaque contaminants is present on their icy surfaces. The geometric albedos for the leading sides of the satellites are Enceladus: 1.02; Tethys: 0.90; Dione: 0.72; and Rhea: 0.76. The geometric albedo of the trailing side of Mimas is 0.72. The amplitudes of the satellites' rotational lightcurves are somewhat less than those measured at visible wavelengths. They range from 0.40 (Dione) to 0.10 (Rhea) to 0.05 (Tethys). Both Enceladus and Mimas are brighter on the trailing side, unlike the other three satellites. These results suggest that the optical properties of all five satellites are determined by interactions with Saturn's E-ring.