Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transport effects in non-Hermitian nonreciprocal systems: General approach

In this paper, we present a unifying analytical framework for identifying conditions for transport effects such as reflectionless and transparent transport, lasing, and coherent perfect absorption in non-Hermitian nonreciprocal systems using a generalized transfer matrix method. This provides a universal approach to studying the transport of tight-binding platforms, including higher-dimensional models and those with an internal degree of freedom going beyond the previously studied case of one-dimensional chains with nearest-neighbor couplings. For a specific class of tight-binding models, the relevant transport conditions and their signatures of non-Hermitian, nonreciprocal, and topological behavior are analytically tractable from a general perspective. We investigate this class and illustrate our formalism in a paradigmatic ladder model where the system's parameters can be tuned to adjust the transport effect and topological phases.
The X-Ray Spectrum of a Metal-poor Corona

We present an ASCA SIS spectrum of the Population II binary star HD 89499. This is the most metal poor star ([Fe/H] = -2.1) known to have a corona. The ASCA data confirm initial results from ROSAT which suggested a very hot, single-component plasma temperature, with the temperature derived from the ASCA data being slightly higher (2.6 × 107 K) than the one determined by ROSAT. The ASCA spectrum clearly shows the absence of emission lines and can be best modeled as thermal bremsstrahlung, although strong absorption at photon energies less than 0.5 keV is indicated. We suggest that such an extremely high coronal temperature results from the lack of an efficient cooling mechanism due to the absence of metallic (mostly Fe) emission lines.
Does thoracoscopic basal pyramid segmentectomy really offer functional advantages in comparison with thoracoscopic lower lobectomy?

OBJECTIVES: The functional impact of thoracoscopic basal segmentectomy in comparison with lower lobectomy has not been investigated in-depth and the aim of this study was to clarify this topic. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed a cohort of patients who underwent surgery between 2015 and 2019 for non-small-cell lung cancer, peripherally located lung nodules, far enough from both the apical segment and the lobar hilum to allow an oncologically safe thoracoscopic lower lobectomy or basal segmentectomy. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) including spirometry and plethysmography were performed 1 month after surgery and forced expiratory volume in 1 s, forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusing capacity for carbon Presented
Turbulence dynamics near a turbulent/non-turbulent interface

Abstract The characteristics of the boundary layer separating a turbulence region from an irrotational (or non-turbulent) flow region are investigated using rapid distortion theory (RDT). The turbulence region is approximated as homogeneous and isotropic far away from the bounding turbulent/non-turbulent (T/NT) interface, which is assumed to remain approximately flat. Inviscid effects resulting from the continuity of the normal velocity and pressure at the interface, in addition to viscous effects resulting from the continuity of the tangential velocity and shear stress, are taken into account by considering a sudden insertion of the T/NT interface, in the absence of mean shear. Profiles of the velocity variances, turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), viscous dissipation rate ($\varepsilon $), turbulence length scales, and pressure statistics are derived, showing an excellent agreement with results from direct numerical simulations (DNS). Interestingly, the normalized inviscid flow statistics at the T/NT interface do not depend on the form of the assumed TKE spectrum. Outside the turbulent region, where the flow is irrotational (except inside a thin viscous boundary layer), $\varepsilon $ decays as ${z}^{\ensuremath{-} 6} $, where $z$ is the distance from the T/NT interface. The mean pressure distribution is calculated using RDT, and exhibits a decrease towards the turbulence region due to the associated velocity fluctuations, consistent with the generation of a mean entrainment velocity. The vorticity variance and $\varepsilon $ display large maxima at the T/NT interface due to the inviscid discontinuities of the tangential velocity variances existing there, and these maxima are quantitatively related to the thickness $\delta $ of the viscous boundary layer (VBL). For an equilibrium VBL, the RDT analysis suggests that $\delta \ensuremath{\sim} \eta $ (where $\eta $ is the Kolmogorov microscale), which is consistent with the scaling law identified in a very recent DNS study for shear-free T/NT interfaces.
Management of rare inherited bleeding disorders: Proposals of the French Reference Centre on Haemophilia and Rare Coagulation Disorders

The rare coagulation disorders may present significant difficulties in diagnosis and management. In addition, considerable inter‐individual variation in bleeding phenotype is observed amongst affected individuals, making the bleeding risk difficult to assess in affected individuals. The last international recommendations on rare inherited bleeding disorders (RIBDs) were published by the United Kingdom Haemophilia Centre Doctors' Organisation in 2014. Since then, new drugs have been marketed, news studies on surgery management in patients with RIBD have been published, and new orphan diseases have been described.
Cost-effectiveness of pembrolizumab as an adjuvant treatment for patients with resected stage IIB or IIC melanoma in Switzerland

Abstract Aim To assess the cost-effectiveness of adjuvant pembrolizumab versus observation for patients with resected stage IIB/IIC melanoma from a third-party payers’ perspective in Switzerland over a lifetime horizon. Materials and Methods A Markov state transition model with four health states (recurrence-free [RF], locoregional recurrence, distant metastases [DM], and death) was developed to determine the cost-effectiveness of pembrolizumab versus observation as an adjuvant treatment in patients with stage IIB/IIC melanoma who have undergone complete resection. The model utilized data from the KEYNOTE-716 randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03553836). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) (Swiss Franc [CHF] per life year or quality-adjusted life years [QALYs] gained) was calculated. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis and deterministic sensitivity analysis were conducted to assess the robustness of the base case results. Results Model results demonstrated that pembrolizumab is highly cost-effective as an adjuvant treatment for resected stage IIB/IIC melanoma versus observation in Switzerland. Base case results showed an ICER of CHF 27,424/QALY (EUR 27,342/QALY; exchange rate: 1 CHF = 0.997 EUR) for pembrolizumab versus observation. Results were most sensitive to changes to transition probabilities from the RF state. Most sensitivity and scenario analyses resulted in ICERs below the willingness-to-pay threshold (WTP) of CHF 100,000. At this WTP, pembrolizumab had a 78.9% probability of being cost-effective versus observation. Limitations Due to a limited follow-up period in the KEYNOTE-716 trial, data from other clinical trials in the advanced melanoma setting were synthesized in a network meta-analysis and used to inform transition probabilities from DM to death in the cost-effectiveness model, to overcome the absence of these data from the trial. Conclusion The model demonstrated that pembrolizumab is highly cost-effective versus observation in patients with resected stage IIB/IIC melanoma in Switzerland. The ICER was below the WTP threshold of CHF 100,000, commonly used for cost-effectiveness models in Switzerland.
Realizing rotation vectors for torus homeomorphisms

We consider the rotation set p(F) for a lift F of a homeomorphism f: T2 -_ T2, which is homotopic to the identity. Our main result is that if a vector v lies in the interior of p(F) and has both coordinates rational, then there is a periodic point x E T2 with the property that
Cpeb1b-mediated cytoplasmic polyadenylation of shha mRNA modulates zebrafish definitive hematopoiesis

Significance HSPCs have the capacities of both self-renewal and multilineage differentiation and hold great importance for lifelong blood supply. The developmental signals ensure the production of HSPCs through endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition during vertebrate embryogenesis. However, how these signals are accurately regulated to execute cell fate transition remains elusive. In this study, we explore the role of Cpeb1b in HSPC production and uncover its function via cytoplasmic polyadenylation of shha mRNA in this process. We show that notochord-expressed Cpeb1b is required for HSPC development by regulating Hedgehog signaling. Cpeb1b interacts with shha mRNA in the liquid-like condensates and promotes its cytoplasmic polyadenylation. Cytoplasmic polyadenylation of shha mRNA enhances its own translation efficiency and therefore increases the Shha protein level, which facilitates Hedgehog signaling activation.
Perceptions and experiences of prostate cancer patients in a public tertiary hospital in urban South Africa

ABSTRACT Prostate cancer is among the most prevalent forms of cancer worldwide and is reported to have the highest incidence, mortality, and 5-year prevalence rate of all cancers among men living in Africa. Despite this widespread burden in the African continent, little is known about the perspectives and experience of prostate cancer among African men. To further understand experiences among patients living in urban South Africa, we conducted in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews to examine the perceptions and experiences of 28 Black African prostate cancer patients receiving treatment at a major tertiary hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. Our data explored four major areas of patients’ experiences with prostate cancer: detection, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. Our results showed that the experience of living with prostate cancer among low-income, Black South African men is a stressful and emotionally painful experience due in part to men feeling that they had insufficient knowledge about their own condition and feeling disempowered or ill-equipped to manage their cancer. These feelings were strongly associated with distrust or dissatisfaction with physicians and the health care system. Resilience factors include social support from family, friends, and religious communities, acceptance of their diagnosis, religion, and positive appraisals of their medical care.
Studies of the focal region of a spherical reflector: Stationary phase evaluation

The geometric optics and polarization properties of a spherical reflector are used to develop an integral representation of its focal region fields. These integrals are evaluated by the extended method of stationary phase for field points off the caustics, on the axial caustic, on the caustic surface, and at the paraxial focus. The contributions to the field at a field point are shown to arise respectively from three ordinary stationary points: a stationary ring and a stationary point at the vertex; an ordinary stationary point and a caustic type stationary point; and a fourth-order stationary point. The resulting formulas are used to compute the value of the focal region fields. The computed results are then compared to measured data.
Carbohydrate counting as a strategy to optimize glycemic control in type 1 diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to verify the impact of carbohydrate counting (CC) on glycemic control and body weight variation (primary and secondary outcomes, respectively) between consultations in patients with diabetes mellitus (T1D) followed at a tertiary hospital in southern Brazil in a public health system environment. We also sought to investigate CC adherence. Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort study included 232 patients with T1D who underwent nutritional monitoring at a referral hospital for diabetes care between 2014 and 2018. To assess primary and secondary outcomes, data from 229 patients, 49 of whom underwent CC during this period and 180 individuals who used fixed doses of insulin, were analyzed. The impact of CC on glycemic control was assessed with the mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level at all consultations during the follow-up period. Results: In the model adjusted for the most confounders (except pregnancy), the mean HbA1c was better in the CC group (8.66 ± 0.4% vs. 9.36 ± 0.39%; p = 0.016), and body weight variation was lower (0.13 ± 0.28 kg vs. 0.53 ± 0.24 kg; p = 0.024). Adherence to CC was reported in 69.2% of consultations. Conclusion: CC optimized the glycemic control of individuals with T1D, resulting in less weight variation than in the fixed insulin dose group, which indicates that CC is an important care strategy for these patients.
A four‐node corotational quadrilateral elastoplastic shell element using vectorial rotational variables

A four‐node corotational quadrilateral elastoplastic shell element is presented. The local coordinate system of the element is defined by the two bisectors of the diagonal vectors generated from the four corner nodes and their cross product. This local coordinate system rotates rigidly with the element but does not deform with the element. As a result, the element rigid‐body rotations are excluded in calculating the local nodal variables from the global nodal variables. The two smallest components of each nodal orientation vector are defined as rotational variables, leading to the desired additive property for all nodal variables in a nonlinear incremental solution procedure. Different from other existing corotational finite‐element formulations, the resulting element tangent stiffness matrix is symmetric owing to the commutativity of the local nodal variables in calculating the second derivative of strains with respect to these variables. For elastoplastic analyses, the Maxwell–Huber–Hencky–von Mises yield criterion is employed, together with the backward‐Euler return‐mapping method, for the evaluation of the elastoplastic stress state; the consistent tangent modulus matrix is derived. To eliminate locking problems, we use the assumed strain method. Several elastic patch tests and elastoplastic plate/shell problems undergoing large deformation are solved to demonstrate the computational efficiency and accuracy of the proposed formulation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physiological response to self-compassion versus relaxation in a clinical population

Background Compassion-focused imagery (CFI) can be an effective emotion-regulation technique but can create threat-focused responses in some individuals. However, these findings have been based on tasks involving receiving compassion from others. Aims This study sought to compare responses CFI involving self-compassion to relaxation and a control task, and to see whether any threat-responses to self-compassion and relaxation decrease with practice. Method 25 participants with depression/anxiety symptoms and high self-criticism and/or low self-compassion engaged in three tasks (control task, relaxation imagery, and CFI) at three or four separate testing sessions, every three days. Heart-rate variability (HRV) was used to explore group-level differences between tasks. Additionally, we identified how many individuals showed a clinically significant change in HRV in response to compassion (compared to baseline) and how many showed such a change during relaxation (compared to baseline). Results During session 1, more individuals had a clinically significant increase in HRV in response to CFI (56%) than in response to relaxation (44%), and fewer had a clinically significant decrease in HRV during CFI (16%) than during relaxation (28%). Comparing the group as a whole, no significant differences between tasks were seen. Repeated sessions led to fewer positive responses to CFI, perhaps reflecting habituation/boredom. Conclusions These preliminary findings suggest that in high self-critics (those most likely to find self-compassion difficult), self-compassionate imagery is no more challenging than standard relaxation tasks. For both compassion and relaxation, some individuals respond positively and others negatively. For those who are not benefiting, practice alone is not sufficient to improve response. Effects may differ for other compassion tasks. Trial registration Trial number: NCT04647318.
Hepatocyte-derived Microparticles as Novel Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Deep Venous Thrombosis in Trauma Patients

Venous thromboembolism is a common complication following trauma. We investigated the dynamics of plasma microparticles (MPs) levels and explored their potential as biomarkers of deep vein thromboembolism (DVT) after trauma. A total of 775 patients with traumatic fractures were recruited in this nested study. About 106 trauma patients (53 DVT subjects and 53 age-, sex-, and fracture site-matched non-DVT subjects) and 53 healthy volunteers met the enrollment criteria. MPs were characterized by transmission electron microscope, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and western blotting. Circulating levels of MPs were measured using a flow cytometer. Meanwhile, routine laboratory parameters were examined in all patients. Compared to non-DVT patients, DVT patients had higher circulating phosphatidylserine (PS) + MPs, hepatocyte-derived MPs (HMPs), PS + HMPs, and platelet-derived MPs (PMPs). Notably, PS + HMPs had the best predictive value for DVT diagnosis in trauma patients (area under the curve [AUC] 0.8939, 95% CI 0.8326 to 0.9552), which was superior to d-dimer (AUC 0.5881). The Hepatic Procoagulant Index combined plasma levels of PS + HMPs and albumin, increasing the AUC to 0.8978 (95% CI 0.8396 to 0.9561). This is the first study that addressed circulating PS + HMPs are promising biomarkers with high performance in diagnosing DVT. The Hepatic Procoagulant Index is a potential predictor of DVT in trauma patients.
Disentangling the drivers of continental mammalian endemism

Endemic species and species with small ranges are ecologically and evolutionarily distinct and are vulnerable to extinction. Determining which abiotic and biotic factors structure patterns of endemism on continents can advance our understanding of global biogeographic processes, but spatial patterns of mammalian endemism have not yet been effectively predicted and reconstructed. Using novel null model techniques, we reconstruct trends in mammalian endemism and describe the isolated and combined effects of physiographic, ecological, and evolutionary factors on endemism. We calculated weighted endemism for global continental ecoregions and compared the spatial distribution of endemism to niche‐based, geographic null models of endemism. These null models distribute species randomly across continents, simulating their range sizes from their degree of climatic specialization. They isolate the effects of physiography (topography and climate) and species richness on endemism. We then ran linear and structural models to determine how topography and historical climate stability influence endemism. The highest rates of mammalian endemism were found in topographically rough, climatically stable ecoregions with many species. The null model that isolated physiography did not closely approximate the observed distribution of endemism (r2 = .09), whereas the null model that incorporated both physiography and species richness did (r2 = .59). The linear models demonstrate that topography and climatic stability both influenced endemism values, but that average climatic niche breadth was not highly correlated with endemism. Climate stability and topography both influence weighted endemism in mammals, but the spatial distribution of mammalian endemism is driven by a combination of physiography and species richness. Despite its relationship to individual range size, average climate niche breadth has only a weak influence on endemism. The results highlight the importance of historical biogeographic processes (e.g. centers of speciation) and geography in driving endemism patterns, and disentangle the mechanisms structuring species ranges worldwide.
In Vivo Regeneration of Tubular Small Intestine With Motility: A Novel Approach by Orthotopic Transplantation of Decellularized Scaffold

Background. Whole-intestine engineering can provide a therapeutic alternative to bowel transplantation. Intestinal components including the mucosa, muscular layer, enteric nervous system, and vasculature must be reestablished as a tubular organ to generate an artificial small intestine. This study proposes a novel approach to produce a transplantable, well-organized tubular small intestine using a decellularized scaffold. Methods. Male Lewis rat intestines were used to generate decellularized scaffolds. Patch or tubular grafts were prepared from the decellularized intestine and transplanted into the rat intestine orthotopically. Histological analysis of the decellularized intestine was performed up to 12 wk after transplantation. Results. Histological examination revealed abundant vascularization into the decellularized patch graft 1 wk after transplantation. Muscular and nervous components, as well as cryptogenesis, were observed in the decellularized patch graft 2 wk after transplantation. Sixteen of the 18 rats survived with normal intake of food and water after the decellularized tubular graft transplantation. Compared with silicone tube grafts, the decellularized tubular grafts significantly promoted the infiltration and growth of intestinal components including the mucosa, muscular layer, and nerve plexus from the recipients. Circular and longitudinal muscle with a well-developed myenteric plexus was regenerated, and intestinal motility was confirmed in the decellularized tubular graft 12 wk after transplantation. Conclusions. Orthotopic transplantation of decellularized intestine enhanced the reconstruction of the well-organized tubular small intestine with an enteric nervous system in vivo. Our method using a decellularized scaffold represents a promising approach toward whole-intestine engineering and provides a therapeutic alternative for the irreversible intestinal failure.
Study of frontal and ethmoid sinus of sinonasal complex along with olfactory fossa: anatomical considerations for endoscopic sinus surgery

The Functional endoscopic sinus surgery through transnasal approach is a common modality of treatment for disorders of the nasal cavity, paranasal air sinuses as well as cranial cavity. The olfactory fossa (OF) is located along the superior aspect of cribriform plate which varies in shape and depth. This variable measurement of the depth of OF is mostly responsible for greater risk of intracranial infiltration during endoscopic procedures in and around the nasal cavity. The morphology of frontal and ethmoid sinus (ES) vary from simple to complex. This cadaveric study is planned to improve the ability of the otolaryngologist, radiologist to understand the possible morphological variations and plan steps of less invasive “precision surgery” to have a safe and complication free procedures. A total of 37 human head regions were included in the study. For classification of OF, Modified Kero’s classification was used. The size, shape and cells of frontal and ES were noted. We found, type II (60.8%) OF was more common followed by type I (29.7%) than type III (9.5%). The shape of frontal sinus was comma shaped (55.4%) followed by oval (18.9%) than irregular (16.2%). Most common two cells type of ES was seen in 50.0% of both anterior and posterior ES. Out of 74 ES, 8.1% of Onodi cells and 14.9% of agger nasi cells were seen.