Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Self-reported visual impairment and depression of middle-aged and older adults: The chain-mediating effects of internet use and social participation

Background Visual impairment (VI) is a strong predictor of depression in middle-aged and older adults. However, the underlying mechanisms and pathways have not been well characterized. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Internet use and social participation mediate the effects of self-reported VI on depression. Methods The study used the fourth wave of cross-sectional data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, including 19,766 Chinese adults. Depression was assessed according to the CES-D 10 International Scale. Logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between self-reported VI and depression. While adjusting for relevant covariates, the PROCESS macro (model nos. 6 and 91) was used to assess the chain-mediating effects of Internet use and social participation. Results A total of 17,433 respondents were included in this study. The CES-D 10 results showed that 7,327 middle-aged and older adults had depressive symptoms, of whom 39.5% were male and 10.2% were ≥75 years old. 32.1% of respondents self-reported VI. Regression analysis showed a positive association between VI and depression, while Internet use and social participation had a negative predictive effect on depression. In the mediation analysis, the social participation pathway contributed the most to the total effect, accounting for 52.69% of it. The proportion of Internet use is 37.72%. When these two mediators were considered together in the full model, they accounted for 9.58% of the total effect of VI on depression. Conclusion Internet use and social participation were important mediators that mitigated the effects of VI on depression. Combined with previous evidence, online activities such as e-health and m-health can effectively promote disease monitoring and diagnosis, and various offline social participation activities can also play a role in regulating emotions. Therefore, Internet use and social participation factors may serve as relevant entry points for the development of intervention programs that may further improve the mental health of the visually impaired.
Nanoparticle-Based Delivery Systems for Vaccines

Vaccination is still the most cost-effective way to combat infectious illnesses. Conventional vaccinations may have low immunogenicity and, in most situations, only provide partial protection. A new class of nanoparticle-based vaccinations has shown considerable promise in addressing the majority of the shortcomings of traditional and subunit vaccines. This is due to recent breakthroughs in chemical and biological engineering, which allow for the exact regulation of nanoparticle size, shape, functionality, and surface characteristics, resulting in improved antigen presentation and robust immunogenicity. A blend of physicochemical, immunological, and toxicological experiments can be used to accurately characterize nanovaccines. This narrative review will provide an overview of the current scenario of the nanovaccine.
Security of quantum cryptography using balanced homodyne detection

In this paper we investigate the security of a quantum cryptographic scheme which utilizes balanced homodyne detection and weak coherent pulses (WCP). The performance of the system is mainly characterized by the intensity of the WCP and postselected threshold. Two of the simplest intercept and resend eavesdropping attacks are analyzed. The secure key gain for a given loss is also discussed in terms of the pulse intensity and threshold.
Spin-glass-like Dynamics of Social Networks

In this work we study spin-glass (SG) like behavior in the dynamics of multiple agents in a social or economic context using interactions which are similar to the physical case. The different preferences shown by individual agents are represented by orientations of spin-like variables. Because of limited resources, each agent tries to maximize her total utility function, giving a prescription for the dynamics of the system similar to the evolution resulting from the optimization of the interaction of a SG. The coupling between agents for different attributes may be positive or negative, as in a physical SG system, forming "frustrations" from the ensuing conflicts, with the system trying to find an overall equilibrium, but in vain, so that we observe oscillations. The couplings are provided by matrices corresponding to each attribute and each agent, which are allowed to have some fixed bias, indicating the unchangeable component of the make up of the agents from genetic factors or lasting environmental influences, and also contain a random part from environmental noise, i.e. the cumulative stochastic effect of lumped factors not explicitly accounted for in the model.
Electron spin dynamics in impure quantum wells for arbitrary spin-orbit coupling

The time evolution of the electron spin polarization of a disordered two-dimensional electron gas is calculated within the Boltzmann formalism for arbitrary couplings to a Rashba spin-orbit field. It is shown that the classical Dyakonov-Perel mechanism of spin relaxation gets deeply modified for sufficiently strong Rashba fields, in which case new regimes of spin decay are identified.
An efficient and compact diode end-pumped Nd:YVO4 slab laser

High efficient CW lasers at 1064 nm and 1342 nm were realized in a compact diode-end-pumped Nd:YVO4 slab. The maximum 1064 nm output power of 22.5 W was obtained under the pump power of 56.0 W, corresponding to the maximum optical conversion efficiency and slop efficiency of 40.1% and 50.1%, respectively. When the pump power was 34.7 W, the maximum output power at 1342 nm was obtained to be 4.4 W. The corresponding slope efficiency and the optical conversion efficiency were 17.9% and 12.6%, respectively.
Natural and Mechanical Ventilation Concepts for Indoor Comfort and Well-Being with a Sustainable Design Perspective: A Systematic Review

Current literature and guidelines on sustainable design often debate on the advantages of natural ventilation (NV) and mechanical ventilation (MV) on indoor environment and energy consumption. The present systematic review explores the existing literature comparing NV and MV on the indoor comfort and well-being points of view. The findings emphasize that thermo-hygrometric comfort is the main driver of occupants’ ventilation behavior, while ventilation design is mainly led by indoor air quality targets. Moreover, more recent papers (especially after COVID-19 outbreak) emphasize the necessity of a health-based approach, contrasting airborne pathogens transmission. In this sense, MV is more frequently recommended in public spaces, while hybrid ventilation (HV) is often suggested as a solution to both ensure proper indoor conditions and energy savings. The concept of well-being is currently under-explored, as the present literature only refers to comfort. The same happens with topics such as visual, acoustic, and multi-domain comfort, as well as passive techniques such as night cooling, or analysis of specific environments such as healthcare facilities. Current knowledge would benefit from an expansion of future research in these directions. The choice of the best ventilation solution cannot ignore the context, type, and condition of energy efficient buildings, in order to properly take into account occupants’ well-being.
Anelasticity and stress-induced ordering of point defects in crystals

Abstract Point defects may exist in a crystal on a set of crystallographically equivalent orientations or sites. The response of a crystal containing point defects to an externally applied stress takes the form of ‘stress-induced ordering’, or preferential alignment of the defects. Recent experiments have used optical and spin resonance techniques to observe this stress-induced ordering directly. This same process also gives rise to anelasticity, e.g. to an internal friction peak. In describing such behaviour, the concept of a point defect as an ‘elastic dipole’, introduced by Kroner and others, is very useful. The elastic dipole is here defined as a second-rank tensor, the ‘λ-tensor’, equal to the average strain per mole fraction of defects all aligned in a particular orientation. This definition is then used to develop a thermodynamic theory of stress-induced ordering, which includes the interaction among defects and the possibility of a ‘reaction’ or interconversion between two species of defects. Appl.
On the geometry and entropy of non-Hamiltonian phase space

We analyse the equilibrium statistical mechanics of canonical, non-canonical and non-Hamiltonian equations of motion, throwing light on the peculiar geometric structure of phase space. Some fundamental issues regarding time translation and phase space measure are clarified. In particular, we emphasize that a phase space measure should be defined by means of the Jacobian of the transformation between different kinds of coordinates since such a determinant is different from zero in the non-canonical case even if the phase space compressibility is null. Instead, the Jacobian determinant associated with phase space flows is unity whenever non-canonical coordinates lead to a vanishing compressibility, so its use for defining a measure may not always be correct. To better illustrate this point, we derive a mathematical condition for defining non-Hamiltonian phase space flows with zero compressibility. The Jacobian determinant associated with the time evolution in phase space is very useful for analysing time translation invariance. The proper definition of a phase space measure is particularly important when defining the entropy functional in the canonical, non-canonical, and non-Hamiltonian cases. We show how the use of relative entropies can circumvent some subtle problems that are encountered when dealing with continuous probability distributions and phase space measures. Finally, a maximum (relative) entropy principle is formulated for non-canonical and non-Hamiltonian phase space flows.
The Primordial Solar Wind as a Sculptor of Terrestrial Planet Formation

Our solar system is almost entirely devoid of material interior to Mercury’s orbit, in sharp contrast to the multiple Earth masses of material commonly residing within the analogous region of extrasolar planetary systems. Recent work has suggested that Jupiter’s orbital migration early in the solar system’s history fragmented primordial planetary material within the inner solar system. However, the reason for the absence of subsequent planet formation within 0.4 au remains unsolved. Here, we show that leftover debris interior to Mercury’s current orbit was susceptible to outward migration driven by the early Solar wind, enhanced by the Sun’s primordial rapid rotation and strong magnetic field. The ram pressure arising from azimuthal motion of the Solar wind plasma transported ∼100 m-sized objects and smaller from 0.1 au out to the terrestrial planet-forming zone within the suspected ∼30–50 Myr timespan of the Earth’s formation. The mass of material within this size class typically exceeds Mercury, and can rival that of Earth. Consequently, the present-day region of terrestrial planets and the asteroid belt has been supplied by a large mass of material from the innermost, hot solar system, providing a potential explanation for the evidence of high-temperature alteration within some asteroids and the high iron content of Mercury.
Nanoelectronics: Fanciful physics or real devices?

Remarkable advances in microfabrication technology have allowed physicists to probe into the size regime where quantum mechanical effects begin to dominate transport. When 1D conducting wires made from two‐dimensional electron gases (2DEGs) approach the same size as the deBroglie wavelength of electrons, electronic transport is determined by transmission through a small number of ‘‘waveguide modes’’ of the 1D channel. Low temperature experiments in this size regime show significant wavefunction interference effects. A number of devices based upon these physical phenomena have been proposed. Quantum localization has also been explored in perpendicular electronic transport through heteroepitaxial structures, the simplest case being one‐dimensional resonant tunneling structures that exhibit strong quantum interference up to room temperature. Three‐terminal devices that directly modulate this interference have been demonstrated. Ultimate scaling limitations of heterojunction tunneling devices will only be con.
Estimate of the free energy difference in mechanical systems from work fluctuations: experiments and models

The work fluctuations of an oscillator in contact with a heat reservoir and driven out of equilibrium by an external force are studied experimentally. The oscillator dynamics is modelled by a Langevin equation. We find both experimentally and theoretically that, if the driving force does not change the equilibrium properties of the thermal fluctuations of this mechanical system, the free energy difference ΔF between two equilibrium states can be exactly computed using the Jarzynski equality (JE) and the Crooks relation (CR) independently of the timescale and amplitude of the driving force. The applicability limits for the JE and CR at very large driving forces are discussed. Finally, when the work fluctuations are Gaussian, we propose an alternative method to compute ΔF which can be safely applied, even in cases where the JE and CR might not hold. The results of this paper are useful to compute ΔF in complex systems such as the biological ones.
More large N limits of 3d gauge theories

In this paper we study the large N solution to matrix models describing the partition functions of 3d supersymmetric gauge theories on S3. The model we focus on has a single U(N) gauge group and fundamental fields, whose number scales with N, also known as the Veneziano limit. The novel point in our model is our choice of masses for the fundamental fields. Instead of vanishing or fixed masses, we consider a linear distribution. We show that the model can still be solved by standard large N techniques and explore the different phases of the model. We also comment about other natural mass distributions.
Magnetic field influence on the early time dynamics of heavy-ion collisions

In high-energy heavy-ion collisions, the magnetic field is very strong right after the nuclei penetrate each other and a nonequilibrium system of quarks and gluons builds up. Even though quarks might not be very abundant initially, their dynamics must necessarily be influenced by the Lorentz force. Employing the (3+1)-d partonic cascade Boltzmann approach to multiparton scatterings (BAMPS), we show that the circular Larmor movement of the quarks leads to a strong positive anisotropic flow of quarks at very soft transverse momenta. We explore the regions where the effect is visible and explicitly show how collisions damp the effect. As a possible application, we look at photon production from the flowing nonequilibrium medium.
Tentative Appraisal of Compatibility of Small-Scale Cosmic Microwave Background Anisotropy Detections in the Context of COBE-DMR-normalized Open and Flat-Λ Cold Dark Matter Cosmogonies

Goodness-of-fit statistics are used to quantitatively establish the compatibility of cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy predictions in a wide range of Differential Microwave Radiometer (DMR) normalized, open and spatially flat Λ, cold dark matter cosmogonies with the set of all presently available small-scale CMB anisotropy detection data. Conclusions regarding model viability depend sensitively on the prescription used to account for the 1 σ uncertainty in the assumed value of the DMR normalization, except for low-density, Ω0 ~ 0.3-0.4, open models, which are compatible with the data for all prescriptions used. While old, large baryon density, low-density, flat-Λ models (t0 ≳ 15-16 Gyr, ΩB ≳ 0.0175 h-2, Ω0 ~ 0.2-0.4) might be incompatible, no model is incompatible with the data for all prescriptions. In fact, some open models seem to fit the data better than should be expected, and this might be an indication that some error bars are mildly overconservative.
A Complete Diagrammatic Implementation of the Kinoshita-Lee-Nauenberg Theorem at Next-to-Leading Order

We show for the first time in over 50 years how to correctly apply the Kinoshita-Lee-Nauenberg theorem diagrammatically in a next-to-leading order scattering process. We improve on previous works by including all initial and final state soft radiative processes, including absorption and an infinite sum of partially disconnected amplitudes. Crucially, we exploit the Monotone Convergence Theorem to prove that our delicate rearrangement of this formally divergent series is correct. This rearrangement yields a factorization of the infinite contribution from the initial state soft photons that then cancels in the physically observable cross section. We derive the first complete next-to-leading order, high-energy Rutherford elastic scattering cross section in the $\overline{\mathrm{MS}}$ renormalization scheme as an explicit example of our procedure.
A geometric approach to assess bias due to omitted covariates in generalized linear models

SUMMARY Misspecifying generalized linear models by omitting covariates associated with the response can result in seriously biased estimates of the effects of the included covariates. For certain models, such bias can occur even when the omitted covariate is independent of the included covariates, as in studies with randomized treatment assignment. This paper presents a geometric approach to assess the direction of the bias resulting from omitted covariates and develop intuition about the effects of omitted covariates. We show that the direction of the bias depends simply on geometric properties of the link function. We present an expression for the magnitude of the bias and the results of simulations which corroborate these findings. We also consider an extension of the methods to assess the effects of omitted covariates which are correlated with those included. Generalized linear models are frequently used in situations where the model has been incompletely specified due to the omission of important covariates. For example, in observational studies important covariates may be omitted from the regression model due to either an incorrect conceptual understanding of the phenomenon under study or an inability to collect data on all the relevant factors related to the outcome under study. In experimental studies involving randomization, covariates may also be omitted. In the latter situation, one may feel that model misspecification due to omitted covariates should not alter estimates of treatment effect since the omitted covariates are independent of treatment assignment. Although this is true for the linear regression model, the classic example of collapsing 2 x 2 tables shows that incorrectly specifying logistic regression models by omitting covariates associated with the binary response can result in seriously attenuated estimates of the regression coefficients even when the omitted covariate is independent of the included covariates. Suppose that Y is a binary outcome, X and Z are binary covariates, and that the true model for the probability of response is given by
A comparison of DA white dwarf temperatures and gravities from FUSE Lyman line and ground-based Balmer line observations

The observation of the strengths and profiles of the hydrogen Balmer absorption series is an established technique for determining the effective temperature and surface gravity of hot H-rich white dwarf stars. In principle, the Lyman series lines should be equally useful but, lying in the far-ultraviolet (FUV), are only accessible from space. Nevertheless, there are situations (for example, where the optical white dwarf spectrum is highly contaminated by the presence of a companion) in which use of the Lyman series may be essential. Therefore, it is important to establish whether or not the Lyman lines provide an equally valid means of measurement. We have already made a first attempt to study this problem, comparing Lyman line measurements from a variety of FUV instruments with ground-based Balmer line studies. Within the measurement uncertainties, we found the results from each line series to be broadly in agreement. However, we noted a number of potential systematic effects that could bias either measurement. With the availability of the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) data archive and observations from our own Guest Observer programmes, we now have an opportunity to examine the use of the Lyman series in more detail from observations of 16 DA white dwarfs. Here we have data produced by a single instrument and processed with a uniform data reduction pipeline, eliminating some of the possible systematic differences between observations of the same or different stars. We have also examined the scatter in values derived from multiple observations of the same star, which is significant. The new results partially reproduce the earlier study, showing that Balmer and Lyman line determined temperatures are in good agreement up to ∼50 000 K. However, above this value there is an increasing systematic difference between the Lyman and Balmer line results, the former yielding the higher temperature. At the moment, there is no clear explanation of this effect but we think that it is most likely associated with deficiencies in the detailed physics incorporated into the stellar model atmosphere calculations. Even so, the data do demonstrate that, for temperatures below 50 000 K, the Lyman lines give reliable results. Furthermore, for the hotter stars, a useful empirical calibration of the relationship between the Lyman and Balmer measurements has been obtained, which can be applied to other FUSE observations.
Collisionless energy absorption in the short-pulse intense laser-cluster interaction

In a previous paper [Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 123401 (2006)] we have shown by means of three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations and a simple rigid-sphere model that nonlinear resonance absorption is the dominant collisionless absorption mechanism in the intense, short-pulse laser cluster interaction. In this paper we present a more detailed account of the matter. In particular we show that the absorption efficiency is almost independent of the laser polarization. In the rigid-sphere model, the absorbed energy increases by many orders of magnitude at a certain threshold laser intensity. The particle-in-cell results display maximum fractional absorption around the same intensity. We calculate the threshold intensity and show that it is underestimated by the common overbarrier ionization estimate.
Efficient construction of two-dimensional cluster states with probabilistic quantum gates

We propose an efficient scheme for constructing arbitrary two-dimensional (2D) cluster states using probabilistic entangling quantum gates. In our scheme, the 2D cluster state is constructed with starlike basic units generated from 1D cluster chains. By applying parallel operations, the process of generating 2D (or higher-dimensional) cluster states is significantly accelerated, which provides an efficient way to implement realistic one-way quantum computers.
Cyclic cooling algorithm

We introduce a scheme to perform the cooling algorithm, first presented by Boykin et al. in 2002, for an arbitrary number of times on the same set of qbits. We achieve this goal by adding an additional SWAP gate and a bath contact to the algorithm. This way one qbit may repeatedly be cooled without adding additional qbits to the system. By using a product Liouville space to model the bath contact we calculate the density matrix of the system after a given number of applications of the algorithm.