Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heat capacity evidence for proximity to the Kitaev quantum spin liquid in A2 IrO3 ( A=Na , Li)

The honeycomb lattice iridates $A_2$IrO$_3$ ($A =$ Na, Li) are candidates for realization of the Kitaev-Heisenberg model although their proximity to Kitaev's quantum Spin-Liquid (QSL) is still debated. We report on heat capacity $C$ and entropy $S_{mag}$ for $A_2$IrO$_3$ ($A =$ Na, Li) in the temperature range $0.075~{\rm K}\leq T \leq 155$~K\@. We find a well separated two-peak structure for the magnetic heat capacity $C_{mag}$ for both materials and $S_{mag}$ for Na$_2$IrO$_3$ shows a shoulder between the peaks with a value close to ${1\over 2}$Rln$2$. These features signal the fractionalization of spins into Majornana Fermions close to Kitaev's QSL [Phys. Rev. B {\bf 92}, 115122 (2015); Phys. Rev. B {\bf 93}, 174425 (2016). ]. These results provide the first thermodynamic evidence that $A_2$IrO$_3$ are situated close to the Kitaev QSL. Additionally we measure the high temperature $T\leq 1000$~K magnetic susceptibility $\chi$ and estimate the Weiss temperature $\theta$ in the true paramagnetic state. We find $\theta \approx -127$~K and $-105$~K, for Na$_2$IrO$_3$ and Li$_2$IrO$_3$, respectively.
Coupled Mode Theory for Semiconductor Nanowires

We present a model to describe the spatiotemporal evolution of guided modes in semiconductor nanowires based on a coupled mode formalism. Light-matter interaction is modelled based on semiconductor Bloch equations, including many-particle effects in the screened Hartree-Fock approximation. Appropriate boundary conditions are used to incorporate reflections at waveguide endfacets, thus allowing for the simulation of nanowire lasing. We compute the emission characteristics and temporal dynamics of CdS and ZnO nanowire lasers and compare our results both to Finite-Difference Time-Domain simulations and to experimental data. Finally, we explore the dependence of the lasing emission on the nanowire cavity and on the materials relaxation time.
The Effects of Religious Coping and Drinking to Cope on the Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Alcohol-Related Problems

THE EFFECTS OF RELIGIOUS COPING AND DRINKING TO COPE ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND ALCOHOLRELATED PROBLEMS Adrian J. Bravo Old Dominion University, 2014 Director: Dr. James M. Henson The present research examined the moderating effect of religious coping (positive or negative) on the relationship between depressive symptoms and alcohol-related problems. Furthermore, the current study examined the moderating effects of positive and negative religious coping in the context of the confirmed mediation of drinking to cope on depression and alcohol related problems (i.e., moderated-mediation). The study consisted of 294 religious undergraduate student drinkers from a large southeastern university. The majority of participants identified themselves as Christian (n = 257, 87.4%), were female (n 218, 74.1%), and reported a mean age of 21.85 (SD = 5.57) years. Participants completed measures of depressive symptoms, alcohol use, alcohol-related problems, drinking to cope, and religious coping. The present study found partial support for the Maladaptive Coping Hypothesis among religious college student drinkers. In particular, negative religious coping moderated the relationship between depressive symtomps and alcohol-related problems. In addition, negative religious coping affects another maladaptive coping strategy (i.e., drinking to cope) by moderating the meditating effects of drinking to cope on the relationship between depressive symtomps and alcohol-related problems. However, positive religious coping was unrelated to all major study variables. The implication of this study may be important for future interventions to tap into improving coping strategies for religious individuals who report high levels of depressive
Strong isospin violation and chiral logarithms in the baryon spectrum

We present a precise lattice QCD calculation of the contribution to the neutron-proton mass splitting arising from strong isospin breaking, $m_n-m_p|_{QCD}=2.32\pm0.17$ MeV. We also determine $m_{\Xi^-} - m_{\Xi^0}|_{QCD} = 5.44\pm0.31$ MeV. The calculation is performed at three values of the pion mass, with several values of the quark mass splitting and multiple lattice volumes, but only a single lattice spacing and an estimate of discretization errors. The calculations are performed on the anisotropic clover-Wilson ensembles generated by the Hadron Spectrum Collaboration. The omega-baryon mass is used to set the scale $a_t^{-1}=6111\pm127$ MeV, while the kaon masses are used to determine the value of the light-quark mass spitting. The nucleon mass splitting is then determined as a function of the pion mass. We observe, for the first time, conclusive evidence for non-analytic light quark mass dependence in lattice QCD calculations of the baryon spectrum. When left as a free parameter, the fits prefer a nucleon axial coupling of $g_A=1.24(56)$. To highlight the presence of this chiral logarithm in the nucleon mass splitting, we also compute the isospin splitting in the cascade-baryon system which is less sensitive to chiral dynamics. Finally, we update the best lattice QCD determination of the CP-odd pion-nucleon coupling that would arise from a non-zero QCD theta-term, $\bar{g}_0 / (\sqrt{2}f_\pi) = (14.7\pm1.8\pm1.4) \cdot 10^{-3} \bar{\theta}$. The original lattice QCD correlation functions, analysis results and extrapolated quantities are packaged in HDF5 files made publicly available including a simple Python script to access the numerical results, construct effective mass plots along with our analysis results, and perform the extrapolations of various quantities determined in this work.
Birds of a Feather: Advancing US Active Duty, Reservist, and Veteran Medical Research, Together

Abstract Medical research involving US active duty, reservist, and veteran populations can and should improve. Because the US healthcare system is accountable to active duty personnel, reservists, and veterans (ADRV), the US healthcare system must partner to improve healthcare and medical research. Aiming to summarize current issues and opportunities for ADRV research infrastructure alongside healthcare, an exploratory literature review was conducted. Additionally, a broad analysis of search utilizing Cochrane, Google Scholar, and PubMed from the years 2001 to 2021 was undertaken. There are opportunities to refine biomedical, social-behavioral, health service research (HSR), and other research portfolios involving ADRV. There are urgent and serious opportunities to improve the rigor and quality of research. Additionally, there is a clear need for coordinated implementation and translation of research. In this attention to research involving ADRV, the US government, public health, non-profit organizations, private industry, and individuals are birds of a feather. Advancing efforts for research improvement should be handled together.
Recent Developments in Mycobacteria-Based Live Attenuated Vaccine Candidates for Tuberculosis

Vaccination is an excellent approach to stimulating the host immune response and reducing human morbidity and mortality against microbial infections, such as tuberculosis (TB). Bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) is the most widely administered vaccine in the world and the only vaccine approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) to protect against TB. Although BCG confers “protective” immunity in children against the progression of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection into active TB, this vaccine is ineffective in protecting adults with active TB manifestations, such as multiple-, extensive-, and total-drug-resistant (MDR/XDR/TDR) cases and the co-existence of TB with immune-compromising health conditions, such as HIV infection or diabetes. Moreover, BCG can cause disease in individuals with HIV infection or other immune compromises. Due to these limitations of BCG, novel strategies are urgently needed to improve global TB control measures. Since live vaccines elicit a broader immune response and do not require an adjuvant, developing recombinant BCG (rBCG) vaccine candidates have received significant attention as a potential replacement for the currently approved BCG vaccine for TB prevention. In this report, we aim to present the latest findings and outstanding questions that we consider worth investigating regarding novel mycobacteria-based live attenuated TB vaccine candidates. We also specifically discuss the important features of two key animal models, mice and rabbits, that are relevant to TB vaccine testing. Our review emphasizes that the development of vaccines that block the reactivation of latent Mtb infection (LTBI) into active TB would have a significant impact in reducing the spread and transmission of Mtb. The results and ideas discussed here are only based on reports from the last five years to keep the focus on recent developments.
Tracing the formation of molecular clouds via [C ii], [C i], and CO emission

Our understanding of how molecular clouds form in the interstellar medium (ISM) would be greatly helped if we had a reliable observational tracer of the gas flows responsible for forming the clouds. Fine structure emission from singly ionized and neutral carbon ([C ii], [C i]) and rotational line emission from CO are all observed to be associated with molecular clouds. However, it remains unclear whether any of these tracers can be used to study the inflow of gas on to an assembling cloud, or whether they primarily trace the cloud once it has already assembled. In this paper, we address this issue with the help of high-resolution simulations of molecular cloud formation that include a sophisticated treatment of the chemistry and thermal physics of the ISM. Our simulations demonstrate that both [C i] and CO emission trace gas that is predominantly molecular, with a density n ∼ 500–1000 cm−3, much larger than the density of the inflowing gas. [C ii] traces lower density material (n ∼ 100 cm−3) that is mainly atomic at early times. A large fraction of the [C ii] emission traces the same structures as the [C i] or CO emission, but some arises in the inflowing gas. Unfortunately, this emission is very faint and will be difficult to detect with current observational facilities, even for clouds situated in regions with an elevated interstellar radiation field.
The He${}_2^+$ molecular ion and the He${}^-$ atomic ion in strong magnetic fields

It is studied the question about existence i.e. stability with respect to dissociation of the spin-quartet, permutation- and reflection-symmetric ${}^4(-3)^+_g$ ($S_z=-3/2, M=-3$) state of the $(\alpha\alpha e e e)$ Coulomb system: ${\rm He}_2^+$ molecular ion, placed in a magnetic field $0 \le B \le 10000$ a.u. We assume that the $\alpha$-particles are infinitely massive (Born-Oppenheimer approximation of zero order) and adopt the parallel configuration, when the molecular axis and the magnetic field direction coincide, as the optimal configuration. The study of the stability is performed variationally with a physically adequate trial function. To achieve this goal, the study of several Helium-contained compounds in strong magnetic fields is made, in particular, the fully polarized (spin-quartet) ground state of ${\rm He}^-$ ion, the study of the ground (spin-triplet) state of the Helium atom, both for a magnetic field in $100 \leq B\leq 10000$ a.u. The main result is that the ${\rm He}_2^+$ molecular ion in the state ${}^4(-3)^+_g$ is stable towards all possible decay modes for magnetic fields $B \gtrsim 120$ a.u. and with the magnetic field increase the ion becomes more tightly bound and compact with cigar-type form of electronic cloud. At $B=1000$ a.u. , the dissociation energy of ${\rm He}_2^+$ into ${\rm He}^- + \alpha$ is $\sim 701.8$ eV and the dissociation energy for the decay channel to ${\rm He} + \alpha + e $ is $\sim 729.1$ eV, latter both energies are in the energy window for one of the observed absorption features of the isolated neutron star 1E1207.4-5209.
Some aspects of non-perturbative QCD from non-susy D3 brane of Type IIB string theory

It is well-known that the non-supersymmetric D3 brane (a cousin of BPS D3 brane) including its black version of type IIB string theory has a decoupling limit, where the decoupled geometry is the gravity dual of a non-supersymmetric, non-conformal (finite temperature) quantum field theory having some properties similar to QCD. Using the ideas of AdS/CFT we study some non-perturbative aspects of this quantum field theory. Since in this case we have a Yang-Mills theory (no quarks) with running coupling (non-constant dilaton), we compute the gluon condensate in this theory as a function of temperature and also compute the beta function. The behavior of the gluon condensate is found to resemble much like the SU(3) lattice QCD result and the beta function is found to be negative. We further compute both the pseudoscalar and the scalar glueball mass spectra in this theory using WKB approximation and find that the mass ratios of the first excited state to the ground state of the scalar glueball are quite close to the lattice QCD results.
Physical properties of SDSS satellite galaxies in projected phase space

We investigate how environment affects satellite galaxies using their location within the projected phase-space of their host haloes from the Wang et al.'s group catalogue. Using the Yonsei Zoom in Cluster Simulations, we derive zones of constant mean infall time T_inf in projected phase-space, and catalogue in which zone each observed galaxy falls. Within each zone we compute the mean observed galaxy properties including specific star formation rate, luminosity-weighted age, stellar metallicity and [alpha/Fe] abundance ratio. By comparing galaxies in different zones, we inspect how shifting the mean infall time from recent infallers (mean T_inf 5 Gyr) impacts galaxy properties at fixed stellar and halo mass. Ancient infallers are more quenched, and the impact of environmental quenching is visible down to low host masses (< group masses). Meanwhile, the quenching of recent infallers is weakly dependent on host mass, indicating they have yet to respond strongly to their current environment. [alpha/Fe] and especially metallicity are less dependent on host mass, but show a dependence on mean T_inf. We discuss these results in the context of longer exposure times for ancient infallers to environmental effects, which grow more efficient in hosts with a deeper potential well and a denser intracluster medium. We also compare our satellites with a control field sample, and find that even the most recent infallers (mean T_inf < 2 Gyr) are more quenched than field galaxies, in particular for cluster mass hosts. This supports the role of pre-processing and/or faster quenching in satellites.
The adaptive market hypothesis of Decentralized finance (DeFi)

ABSTRACT Decentralized finance, or ‘De-Fi’, is an emerging sector and movement in finance and the cryptocurrency space that aims to extend the idea of digital currencies to a global decentralized financial system. In many cases, customized ‘coins’ or ‘tokens’ are used for applications such as borrowing or lending, providing liquidity, and even voting. Built on the same foundations of traditional cryptocurrencies (e.g. Bitcoin), these tokens possess monetary value and can be traded using fiat currencies on specialized decentralized exchanges. We provide the first analysis investigating the market efficiency of the decentralized finance market through DeFi tokens. Our findings from applying the adaptive market hypothesis (AMH) revealed that the efficiency of the markets varies over time, with the majority of the DeFi token returns exhibit very short days of inefficiency and predictability in their price every year. This is consistent with the AMH, but perhaps unexpected when considering the link between emerging financial markets and market efficiency. We conclude that the majority of investors and practitioners purchase these DeFi tokens for their utility value rather than for investment purposes, hence making the DeFi market more efficient. Further robustness checks on other comparable products in the blockchain ecosystem such as NFTs also reveal similar results.
Factors Correlated with Body Image Dissatisfaction in Children and Adolescents Diagnosed with HIV: A Cross-Sectional Study

(1) Background: The adverse effects of continuous use of antiretroviral therapy can generate dissatisfaction with body image in children and adolescents diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection (HIV) infection. The aim of this study was to verify the prevalence and factors associated with body image dissatisfaction (BI) in children and adolescents diagnosed with HIV infection; (2) This is a cross-sectional study with 60 children and adolescents (32 females; 28 males) aged 8–15 years diagnosed with HIV, carried out in Florianópolis, Brazil. Information on BI was collected through a silhouette scale, as well as sociodemographic information, biological maturation, lifestyle, self-esteem, adherence to antiretroviral treatment and aspects of HIV infection; (3) Results: The results indicated that 53.13% of female patients and 53.57% of male patients were dissatisfied with their BI. Lower subscapular skinfold and higher calf skinfold values were associated with BI dissatisfaction in females. Pre-pubertal maturation stage, higher economic level, lower concentrations of CD4+ lymphocytes, lower viral load, lower level of physical activity and longer time in front of the computer and/or video game were associated with BI dissatisfaction in males; (4) Conclusions: BI dissatisfaction was observed in more than half of patients and morphological, economic, behavioral and HIV infection aspects were associated with BI dissatisfaction.
The Association between Peer Victimization and Risk-Taking Behavior among Chinese Adolescents: Testing a Moderated Mediation Model

Peer victimization has been considered a main source of risk-taking behavior among adolescents, but little is known about the mechanisms underlying this association. Based on the social–cognitive theory and the person–environment interactions model, the current study built a moderated mediation model to explore whether self-control mediated the link between peer victimization and adolescent risk-taking behavior and whether positive parenting moderated this link. We used a 2-time longitudinal design (6 months apart) to investigate 488 adolescents (Mage = 15.63 years, SD = 1.64) from 3 middle schools in Guangzhou. The results were as follows: (1) There were significant correlations among peer victimization, adolescent risk-taking behavior, self-control, and positive parenting when controlling for demographic variables. (2) Peer victimization not only influenced risk-taking behavior directly, but also indirectly through self-control. (3) Positive parenting moderated the influence of self-control on risk-taking behavior. In other words, positive parenting could enhance the inhibitory effect of self-control on risk-taking behavior. The results help reveal the mechanism by which adolescent risk-taking behavior forms and may help inform interventions against adolescent risk-taking behavior.
A Novel P53 Nanomedicine Reduces Immunosuppression and Augments Anti-PD-1 Therapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in Syngeneic Mouse Models

Lung cancer is among the most common and lethal cancers and warrants novel therapeutic approaches to improving patient outcomes. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated substantial clinical benefits, most patients remain unresponsive to currently approved ICIs or develop resistance after initial response. Many ongoing clinical studies are investigating combination therapies to address the limited efficacy of ICIs. Here, we have assessed whether p53 gene therapy via a tumor-targeting nanomedicine (termed SGT-53) can augment anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) immunotherapy to expand its use in non-responding patients. Using syngeneic mouse models of lung cancers that are resistant to anti-PD-1, we demonstrate that restoration of normal p53 function potentiates anti-PD-1 to inhibit tumor growth and prolong survival of tumor-bearing animals. Our data indicate that SGT-53 can restore effective immune responses against lung cancer cells by reducing immuno-suppressive cells (M2 macrophages and regulatory T cells) and by downregulating immunosuppressive molecules (e.g., galectin-1, a negative regulator of T cell activation and survival) while increasing activity of cytotoxic T cells. These results suggest that combining SGT-53 with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy could increase the fraction of lung cancer patients that responds to anti-PD-1 therapy and support evaluation of this combination particularly in patients with ICI-resistant lung cancers.
Effect of 8 Weeks Aerobic Training and Saffron Supplementation on Inflammation and Metabolism in Middle-Aged Obese Women with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of 8-week aerobic training (AT) and saffron supplementation on inflammation and metabolism in middle-aged obese women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Thirty-two obese women with T2DM were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8 in all groups): saffron + training (ST), placebo + training (PT), saffron supplementation (SS), and placebo (P). The ST and PT groups performed eight weeks of aerobic training (AT) (three sessions/week at 60–75% HRmax). A daily dose of 400 mg saffron powder was consumed by the ST and SS groups for 8 weeks. Blood samples were taken after 12 h of fasting, 48 h before the first AT session, 48 h and two weeks after the last AT session. Results: AT, saffron supplementation, and their combination affected body mass index (BMI), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and serum levels of insulin, adiponectin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), cholesterol, and triglyceride (TG) (p < 0.05). However, body weight, body fat percentage, and serum levels of glucose, resistin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), irisin, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) showed significant changes in the ST group only (p < 0.05). In addition, a significant difference was seen between all factors in post-training and follow-up in the ST group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Saffron supplementation at a dose of 400 mg/day, when combined with AT, could improve inflammation, metabolism, glycemic status, and lipid profile in T2DM patients, and these changes are sustainable at up to 2 weeks of detraining.
Title Predicting actual weight loss : A review of the determinantsaccording to the theory of planned behaviour

Weight reduction that corresponds with lifestyle modification is difficult to foster. The theory of planned behaviour has been actively cited in explaining health-related behaviour. This review evaluated the application of the theory of planned behaviour to weight-loss behaviour. Among the three reviewed papers, cross-sectional survey designs and subjective outcome measurements were commonly applied. All of the studies recruited obese female adults as participants, limiting the generalisability of the studies’ findings. The theory of planned behaviour can be effectively applied in weight-reduction programmes targeting female obese patients. This review confirmed critiques citing the limitations of experimental studies, the subjective measurement of behaviour and short follow-up periods.