Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of early adversity and education on genetic and brain morphological predictors of cognitive ability

Cognitive ability is a strong predictor of occupational achievement, quality of life and physical health. While variation in cognition is strongly heritable and has been robustly associated with early environment and brain morphology, little is known about how these factors combine and interact to explain this variation in cognition. To address this, we modelled the relationship between common genetic variation, grey matter volume, early life adversity and education and cognitive ability in a UK Biobank sample of N = 5237 individuals using structural equation modelling. We tested the hypotheses that total grey matter volume would mediate the association between genetic variation and cognitive ability, and that early life adversity and educational attainment would moderate this relationship. Common genetic variation, grey matter volume and early life adversity were each significant predictors in the model, explaining ~15% of variation in cognitive ability. Contrary to our hypothesis, grey matter volume did not mediate the relation between genetic variation and cognition performance. Neither did early life adversity or educational attainment moderate this relation, although educational attainment was observed to moderate the relationship between grey matter volume and cognitive performance. We interpret these findings in terms of the modest explanatory value of currently estimated polygenic scores accounting for variation in cognitive performance (~5%), making potential mediating and moderating variables difficult to confirm.
Etude des propriétés thermodynamiques des nouveaux fluides frigorigènes

La connaissance des proprietes thermodynamiques et des diagrammes de phases des composes fluores est indispensable pour le dimensionnement et l'optimisation des systemes thermodynamiques. Les applications sont nombreuses : refrigeration, recuperation de chaleur (ORC), pompe a chaleur, climatisation automobile. Du fait des contraintes environnementales (la F-gaz pour l'UE) liees au fait que les fluides actuellement utilises doivent etre inoffensifs vis-a-vis de la couche d'ozone mais aussi posseder un pouvoir de rechauffement climatique bas (GWP CO2=1, valeur de reference), les chimistes doivent developper de nouvelles molecules qui repondent a ce nouveau cahier des charges. Actuellement, ils ont mis au point des fluides de la famille des HFO dont le plus celebre est le HFO1234yf. Son GWP est faible (4) tout comme celui de ses principaux isomeres, le HFO1234ze et le HFO1234zd. Si le fluide pur ne convient, des melanges (blends) doivent etre elabores. Si le fluide pur ne convient pas pour les applications souhaitees, des melanges doivent etre elabores.L'objectif de cette these est d'etudier plusieurs HFOs en corps purs et en melanges et de developper/comparer des modeles thermodynamiques permettant de predire les diagrammes de phases et les densites de ces fluides. Ces modeles doivent pouvoir etre transposables vers l'industrie. Le CTP dispose de plusieurs equipements permettant d'acquerir des donnees experimentales. Le densimetre a tube vibrant sera utilise pour acquerir des donnees de masse volumique, et une cellule d'equilibre entre phase (technique statique-analytique) pour acquerir des donnees d'equilibre liquide vapeur. Les equations d'etat cubiques seront utilisees pour le traitement des donnees. Une nouvelle equation d'etat plus precise pour la prediction des masses volumiques sera presentee. Une comparaison en termes de description des diagrammes de phases et des proprietes volumetriques sera egalement effectuee.
Adaptive physio-anatomical modulations and ionomics of Volkameria inermis L. in response to NaCl

Abstract This study illustrates the salinity tolerance mechanisms in Volkameria inermis (a mangrove-associate), making it an ideal candidate for establishment in saline lands. The plant was exposed to 100, 200, 300, and 400 mM NaCl and the TI value indicates that the stress-imparting concentration was 400 mM. There was a decrease in biomass and tissue water, and a gradual increase in osmolytes like soluble sugars, proline, and free amino acids content was observed in plantlets with the increase in NaCl concentrations. Higher number of lignified cells in the vascular region of the plantlet’s leaves treated with NaCl (400 mM) may influence the transport through the conducting tissues. SEM data reveals the presence of thick-walled xylem elements, an increased number of trichomes, and partially/fully closed stomata in the 400 mM NaCl-treated samples of V. inermis. In general, macro and micronutrient distribution tend to be affected in the NaCl-treated plantlets. However, Na content increased remarkably in plantlets treated with NaCl, and the highest accumulation was observed in roots (5.58-fold). Volkameria inermis can be a good option for phytodesalination in salt-affected areas since it is equipped with strong NaCl tolerance strategies and can be exploited for desalinization purpose of salt affected lands. NOVELTY STATEMENT The phytodesalination potential of V. inermis was proved with the aid of physiochemical and anatomical studies, which was not yet revealed. The present study elucidated the level of NaCl tolerance in V. inermis and the development of associated adaptive responses.
Autologous blood transfusion reduces the requirement for perioperative allogenic blood transfusion in patients undergoing major hepatopancreatobiliary surgery: a retrospective cohort study

Introduction: Major hepatopancreatobiliary surgery is associated with a risk of major blood loss. The authors aimed to assess whether autologous transfusion of blood salvaged intraoperatively reduces the requirement for postoperative allogenic transfusion in this patient cohort. Materials and methods: In this single centre study, information from a prospective database of 501 patients undergoing major hepatopancreatobiliary resection (2015–2022) was analysed. Patients who received cell salvage (n=264) were compared with those who did not (n=237). Nonautologous (allogenic) transfusion was assessed from the time of surgery to 5 days postsurgery, and blood loss tolerance was calculated using the Lemmens–Bernstein–Brodosky formula. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors associated with allogenic blood transfusion avoidance. Results: 32% of the lost blood volume was replaced through autologous transfusion in patients receiving cell salvage. Although the cell salvage group experienced significantly higher intraoperative blood loss compared with the noncell salvage group (1360 ml vs. 971 ml, P=0.0005), they received significantly less allogenic red blood cell units (1.5 vs. 0.92 units/patient, P=0.03). Correction of blood loss tolerance in patients who underwent cell salvage was independently associated with avoidance of allogenic transfusion (Odds ratio 0.05 (0.006–0.38) P=0.005). In a subgroup analysis, cell salvage use was associated with a significant reduction in 30-day mortality in patients undergoing major hepatectomy (6 vs. 1%, P=0.04). Conclusion: Cell salvage use was associated with a reduction in allogenic blood transfusion and a reduction in 30-day mortality in patients undergoing major hepatectomy. Prospective trials are warranted to understand whether the use of cell salvage should be routinely utilised for major hepatectomy.
Evaluation of the role of inflammatory blood markers in predicting the pathological response after neoadjuvant chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the role of inflammatory blood markers in predicting the pathological response rate after neoadjuvant chemoradiation (neo-CRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Materials and Methods In this prospective cohort study, we analyzed the data of patients with LARC who underwent neo-CRT and surgical removal of the rectal mass between 2020 and 2022 in a tertiary medical center. Patients were examined weekly during chemoradiation and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and systemic immune inflammation index (SII) were calculated from weekly laboratory data. Wilcoxon signed-ranks and logistic regression analysis were utilized to determine whether any laboratory parameters during different time point assessments or their relative changes could predict the tumor response based on a permanent pathology review. Results Thirty-four patients were recruited for the study. Eighteen patients (53%) achieved good pathologic response. Statistical analysis by Wilcoxon signed-ranks method indicated significant rises in NLR, PLR, MLR, and SII on weekly assessments during chemoradiation. Having an NLR over 3.21 during chemoradiation was correlated with the response on a Pearson chi-squared test (p = 0.04). Also, a significant correlation was found between the PLR ratio over 1.8 and the response (p = 0.02). NLR ratio over 1.82 marginally missed a significant correlation with the response (p = 0.13). On multivariate analysis, a PLR ratio over 1.8 showed a trend for response (odds ratio = 10.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.9–123; p = 0.06). Conclusion In this study, PLR ratio as an inflammatory marker showed a trend in the prediction of response in permanent pathology to neo-CRT.
Machine Learning-assisted Quantitative Mapping of Intracortical Axonal Plasticity Following a Focal Cortical Stroke in Rodents

Stroke destroys neurons and their connections leading to focal neurological deficits. Although limited, many patients exhibit a certain degree of spontaneous functional recovery. Structural remodeling of the intracortical axonal connections is implicated in the reorganization of cortical motor representation maps, which is considered to be an underlying mechanism of the improvement in motor function. Therefore, an accurate assessment of intracortical axonal plasticity would be necessary to develop strategies to facilitate functional recovery following a stroke. The present study developed a machine learning-assisted image analysis tool based on multi-voxel pattern analysis in fMRI imaging. Intracortical axons originating from the rostral forelimb area (RFA) were anterogradely traced using biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) following a photothrombotic stroke in the mouse motor cortex. BDA-traced axons were visualized in tangentially sectioned cortical tissues, digitally marked, and converted to pixelated axon density maps. Application of the machine learning algorithm enabled sensitive comparison of the quantitative differences and the precise spatial mapping of the post-stroke axonal reorganization even in the regions with dense axonal projections. Using this method, we observed a substantial extent of the axonal sprouting from the RFA to the premotor cortex and the peri-infarct region caudal to the RFA. Therefore, the machine learning-assisted quantitative axonal mapping developed in this study can be utilized to discover intracortical axonal plasticity that may mediate functional restoration following stroke.
Diagnostic value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing of lower respiratory tract specimen for the diagnosis of suspected Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia

Abstract Aim To evaluate diagnostic performance of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP), in comparison with polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Gomori methenamine silver (GMS) staining and serum 1,3-β-d-Glucan (BG) assay. Methods 52 PCP patients and 103 patients with non-pneumocystic jirovecii pneumonia (non-PCP) were enrolled, and comparative analysis was conducted of different diagnostic tests. Clinical features and co-pathogen characteristics were reviewed. Results The diagnostic sensitivity (92.3%) and specificity (87.4%) of mNGS did not show significant differences compared with that of PCR while mNGS had the advantage over PCR in the detection of co-pathogens. Despite its excellent specificity, the sensitivity of GMS staining (9.3%) was inferior to that of mNGS (p < .001). The combination of mNGS with serum BG statistically outperformed mNGS or serum BG alone in the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs, p = .0013 and p = .0015, respectively). Notably, all the blood samples showing positive mNGS for Pneumocystis jirovecii came from PCP patients. The leading co-pathogens among patients with PCP were cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and Torque teno virus. Conclusions mNGS shows superiority over several common clinical methods in the diagnosis of suspected PCP. Serum BG in conjunction with mNGS further improved the diagnostic efficacy of mNGS.
Optimization of an Improved SASE (iSASE) FEL

In order to improve free electron laser technology for the future LCLS II at SLAC, a new strategy for creating radiation with increased temporal coherence is under development. The improved Self-Amplified Spontaneous Emission (iSASE) FEL utilizes phase shifters which allow for the spontaneously emitted radiation to interact with and stimulate more electrons to radiate coherently. Five phase shifters were simulated, with 34 normal-conducting undulators and focusing-defocusing quadrupoles as an LCLS II FEL lattice using the FEL software Genesis 1.3. Two general schemes, one providing a total phase shift of arbitrary distribution, the other providing a sequential or distributed phase shift, were simulated and optimized using a simulated annealing algorithm. The results suggest that the phase shifters must provide a total shift comparable to the bunch length, and the shifts must be distributed with one large shift, followed by smaller shifts.
Well-posedness study and finite element simulation of time-domain cylindrical and elliptical cloaks

The goal of this paper is to prove the well-posedness for the governing equations which are used for cylindrical cloaking simulation. A new time-domain ﬁnite element scheme is developed to solve the governing equations. Numerical results demonstrating the cloaking phenomenon with the cylindrical cloak are presented. We ﬁnally extend the analysis and simulation to an elliptical cloak model.
Does class-size reduction close the achievement gap? Evidence from TIMSS 2011

ABSTRACT Policies about reducing class size have been implemented in the US and Europe in the past decades. Only a few studies have discussed the effects of class size at different levels of student achievement, and their findings have been mixed. We employ quantile regression analysis, coupled with instrumental variables, to examine the causal effects of class size on 4th-grade mathematics achievement at various quantiles. We use data from 14 European countries from the 2011 sample of the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Overall, there are no systematic patterns of class-size effects across quantiles. Class-size effects are generally non-significant and uniform at different achievement levels, which suggests that in most European countries class-size reduction does not have an impact on student achievement and does not close the achievement gap. However, combined estimates across countries indicate that high achievers may benefit more from class-size reduction.
Immunomodulatory Effects in Healthy Individuals Following a 4-Week Taoist Qigong Intervention: A Comparative Study

Background Qigong, an ancient health preservation technique forming part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, combines slow body movements, breathing, and meditation. While this meditative movement system has been reported to offer various physical and psychological benefits, studies on the Taoist school of Qigong are sparse. This study, therefore, aimed to investigate the effects of Taoist Qigong on white blood cells and other immune parameters in healthy individuals. Material/Methods Thirty-eight participants were recruited for the study, with 21 assigned to the experimental group and 17 to the control group. Participants in the experimental group engaged in a four-week Taoist Qigong program. Blood samples for immune parameter quantification, including leukocyte count, neutrophil, eosinophil, basophil, lymphocyte, and large unstained cell (LUC) counts, as well as concentrations of IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, and C4, were collected one day before the experiment started and one day after it ended. Results Post-program, the experimental group exhibited significantly lower total leukocyte counts, and reduced numbers of lymphocytes and LUCs. Additionally, a higher percentage of monocytes was noted in this group. Conclusions Taoist Qigong practice induced a distinct immunomodulatory profile, characterized by decreased counts of several white blood cell parameters and increased percentages of certain agranulocytes. This outcome presents intriguing implications from a psychobiological perspective and highlights the need for further research into the immune effects of Taoist mind-body practice.
Hierarchical Bayesian small area estimation for circular data

We consider small area estimation for the departure times of recreational anglers along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. A Bayesian area‐level Fay–Herriot model is considered to obtain estimates of the departure time distribution functions. The departure distribution functions are modelled as circular distributions plus area‐specific errors. The circular distributions are modelled as projected normal, and a regression model is specified to borrow information across domains. Estimation is conducted through the use of a Hamiltonian Monte Carlo sampler and a projective approach onto the probability simplex. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 44: 416–430; 2016 © 2016 Statistical Society of Canada
Correlation between angiotensin-converting-enzyme 2 gene polymorphisms and systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disease with cardiovascular impairment and polymorphisms of the gene coding of angiotensin-converting-enzyme 2 (ACE2) may account for its development. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms of ACE2 (C>G rs879922, G>A rs2285666 and A>G rs1978124) were found to increase the risk for development of arterial hypertension (AH) and cardiovascular (CVS) diseases in different ethnicities. We investigated associations of polymorphisms rs879922, rs2285666 and rs1978124 with the development of SSc. METHODS Genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood. Restriction-fragment-length polymorphism was used for genotyping of rs1978124, while detection of rs879922 and rs2285666 was based on TaqMan SNP Genotyping Assay. Serum level of ACE2 was assayed with commercially available ELISA test. RESULTS 81 SSc patients (60 women, 21 men) were enrolled. Allele C of rs879922 polymorphism was associated with significantly greater risk for development of AH (OR=2.5, p=0.018), but less frequent joint involvement. A strong tendency to earlier onset of Raynaud's phenomenon and SSc was seen in carriers of allele A of rs2285666 polymorphism. They had lower risk for development of any CVS disease (RR=0.4, p=0.051) and tendency to less frequent gastrointestinal involvement. Women with genotype AG of rs1978124 polymorphism had significantly more frequent digital tip ulcers and lower serum level of ACE2. CONCLUSIONS Polymorphisms of ACE2 may account for the development of AH and CVS disorders in SSc patients. Strong tendencies to more frequent occurrence of disease specific characteristics distinct to macrovascular involvement will require further studies evaluating significance of ACE2 polymorphisms in SSc.
Impact of a Novel Homeopathic Complex Medicine on the Management of Multiple Antibiotic-Resistant Bovine Mastitis: An Open-Label, Non-Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Abstract Background Bovine mastitis is characterized by an inflammatory process in the mammary gland and represents one of the main diseases affecting a dairy herd. Management of mastitis is most commonly via antibiotics, but the rising incidence of multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) means that additional options are needed. Homeopathic products can be administered in dairy farming for a range of clinical reasons and may be preferential due to the absence of residues. Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the potential of a novel homeopathic complex medicine in managing bovine mastitis. Methods Twenty-four lactating Holstein cows with mastitis were divided into two groups: the homeopathic complex group received a homeopathic complex daily for 60 days at a dose of 20 g/d; the placebo group received the calcium carbonate vehicle without homeopathic medicines at the same dose and repetition. The main outcome measure was somatic cell count (SCC; cells/mL), with additional outcome measures including milk production (kg/d), milk constituents (percentage of protein, fat, lactose and total milk solids), and serum levels of cortisol, glucose, ammonia and lactic acid. All outcomes were measured at the beginning of the study and after 30 and 60 days. Milk samples were also collected from all animals at the beginning of the study, confirming a high (>0.2) MAR index for isolated bacterial cultures. Results Assessment of SCC showed a statistically significant difference favoring the homeopathic complex versus placebo group at day 60. A reduction in serum cortisol levels and an increase in fat, lactose and total milk solids in animals treated with the homeopathic complex at day 60 were also seen. Other outcome measures did not show statistically significant inter-group differences. Conclusion The results of this non-randomized, open-label, placebo-controlled trial suggest the potential for a novel homeopathic complex medicine in management of multiple antibiotic-resistant bovine mastitis, thus offering dairy farmers an additional option to antibiotics and making dairy products safer for consumer health and milk production more sustainable.
Comparison of the Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation with the Euler equations with irrotational initial conditions

The standard mathematical model for the motion of surface waves in shallow water is the Euler equations for inviscid, incompressible flow, supplemented by free surface conditions. While there is a rigorous theory that guarantees solutions for a short time under certain constraints on the initial conditions, there are no known explicit solutions in a simple form. Simplifying assumptions are invoked to derive weakly nonlinear models such as the Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation, the nonlinear Schrödinger equation and other variants that describe wave propagation. These models have provided good results in various applications, but their region of validity is not known precisely even though the order of the error is estimated by Bona, Colin and Lannes [10] and Craig [19]. This is an oversight that should be corrected if these models are to be extended. The goal in this thesis is to assess carefully the asymptotic errors in the KdV model by computing solutions to Euler’s equations numerically and comparing them with the predictions from the KdV equation directly. A highly accurate numerical method will be needed to achieve this goal. Several methods have been proposed and developed in the literature, each with advantages and disadvantages. The most promising one is based on a boundary integral formulation for the motion of the free surface. Dipoles are distributed along the free surface, and sources along the bottom boundary, leading to an expression for the velocity