Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Augmented Lyapunov functional approach for stability of neutral systems with mixed delays

This paper is concerned with the neutral‐delay‐dependent and discrete‐delay‐dependent stability for uncertain neutral systems with mixed delays and norm‐bounded uncertainties. Through constructing a new augmented Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional and proving its positive definiteness, introducing some slack matrices and using integral inequality, the improved delay‐dependent stability criteria are derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the significant improvement on the conservatism of the delay bound over some existing results.
Effects of Practical Constraints on Item Selection Rules at the Early Stages of Computerized Adaptive Testing

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of four item selection rules—(1) Fisher information (F), (2) Fisher information with a posterior distribution (FP), (3) Kullback-Leibler information with a posterior distribution (KP), and (4) completely randomized item selection (RN)—with respect to the precision of trait estimation and the extent of item usage at the early stages of computerized adaptive testing. The comparison of the four item selection rules was carried out under three conditions: (1) using only the item information function as the item selection criterion; (2) using both the item information function and content balancing; and (3) using the item information function, content balancing, and item exposure control. When test length was less than 10 items, FP and KP tended to outperform F at extreme trait levels in Condition 1. However, in more realistic settings, it could not be concluded that FP and KP outperformed F, especially when item exposure control was imposed. When test length was greater than 10 items, the three nonrandom item selection procedures performed similarly no matter what the condition was, while F had slightly higher item usage.
The pandemic’s effect on a patient cohort with painful polyneuropathy in 2020: A longitudinal study on pain, mood, and everyday life

In the early phase of the COVID pandemic 2020, we demonstrated how patients with painful polyneuropathy, against our expectations, did not experience a deterioration of their neuropathic pain. We hypothesized that our assessed measures, that is, pain intensity and characteristics, emotional wellbeing, and everyday life, would deteriorate in the further course of the pandemic according to the phases of disaster management. Thus, the aim of our study was to investigate patients repeatedly under varying pandemic conditions from March until December 2020. Sixty-three patients were investigated with validated questionnaires (brief pain inventory [BPI], neuropathic pain symptom inventory [NPSI], pain catastrophizing scale [PCS], patient-reported outcomes measurement information system [PROMIS] pain interference/sleep disturbance/fatigue/ depression/anxiety, EuroQol 5 dimensions 5 level version [EQ-5D-5L]) and a pandemic-specific, self-designed questionnaire. The data from the beginning of the pandemic with severe restrictions, during summer with loosened regulations and from December 2020 with reinstalled, severe restrictions were compared with an observational design. Patients reported higher pain severity when restrictions were lower. Sleep, mood, and quality of life did not change in the course of the pandemic in the validated measures. Pain interference significantly decreased during the study independent from restrictions. Patients who reported medical disadvantages had a lower quality of life upon EuroQol 5 dimension (EQ-5D) and were significantly more worried about their health. The perception of pain intensity was dependent on pandemic severity. Sleep, mood, and quality of life did not change significantly in validated measures. Continued medical care seems decisive to prevent worsening of pain and quality of life.
Flare-associated Coronal Disturbances Observed with the Norikura Green-Line Imaging System. I. A Coronal Mass Ejection Onset

We present the first detection of an onset of a coronal mass ejection (CME) in the coronal green-line emission (Fe XIV λ5303, 2 MK) by the two-dimensional Doppler coronagraph NOGIS (Norikura Green-Line Imaging System) at the Norikura Solar Observatory, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. On 2003 June 1-2, NOGIS continuously observed the birthplace of a CME that originated in a complex of two neighboring magnetic flux systems across the solar equator: a flare-productive NOAA Active Region 10365, and a bundle of face-on coronal loops overlaying a quiescent filament. An early precursor of the event was a density enhancement of a 2 MK plasma in between the two flux systems. Following a filament eruption from NOAA AR 10365 that was observed by the Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE) in the 195 Å passband (1.6 MK), NOGIS observed a blueshifted bubble and a redshifted wave that almost simultaneously expanded from the boundary of NOAA AR 10365 and the overlying dense region. The redshifted wave propagated toward the face-on loop system and triggered a damping oscillation in Doppler shifts among the adjacent loops within the system. The blueshifted bubble propagated both inward and upward. The inward motion triggered an M6.5 flare in AR 10365, while the upward motion evolved into a partial halo CME that had an angular extent covering the latitudinal range of the two flux systems. Differing from typical CME disturbances that evolve within a single flux system with a bipolar arcade on its center, our event proceeded via interaction, which was a presumably magnetic reconnection between separatrices of the two flux systems. These observational properties may suggest the existence of "CME corridors" in multiple complex flux systems, from which huge CMEs can be launched.
Enhancing Privacy in Distributed Data Clustering

The protocol of privacy-preserving clustering with distributed EM mixture modeling was proposed. However, it is not completely secure in the situation that something more than just the model parameters are revealed. Specially, when the dataset is horizontally partitioned into just two parts, this reveals extra information. The aim of this work is firstly to develop a more general protocol which allows the number of participating parties to be arbitrary and more secure. Secondly, we propose a better method for the case in which the dataset is horizontally partitioned into only two parts. This method allows computing covariance matrices and final results without revealing the private information and the clustering centers. Tom tắt. Mo.t số giao thu.c da’m ba’o tinh rieng tu. trong bai toan phân cu.m dũ. lie.u du. a tren thuâ. t toan EM da du.o. c de xuất trong co.ng dồng nghien cu.u. Tuy nhien, cac giao thu.c nay khong hoan toan da’m ba’o tinh rieng tu. , vi trong mo.t số tinh huống mo.t vai tham số cu’a mo hinh co the’ bi. lo. , dă. c bie.t khi tâ. p dũ. lie.u chi’ du.o. c phân thanh hai phan theo chieu ngang. Bai bao nay gio.i thie.u hai dong gop chinh trong mo.t phu.o. ng phap mo.i gia’ i bai toan tren. Mo.t la giao thu.c mo.i cho phep mo.t số lu.o. ng tuy ý cac thanh vien tham gia vao vie.c phân cu.m dũ. lie.u va da’m ba’o tốt ho.n tinh rieng tu. cho dũ. lie.u cu’a cac thanh vien. Hai la lo.i gia’ i tốt ho.n trong tru.o. ng ho. p tâ. p dũ. lie.u chi’ du.o. c phân thanh hai phan theo chieu ngang. Phu.o. ng phap nay cho phep tinh toan cac ma trâ. n hie.p phu.o. ng sai va cac kết qua’ cuối vo.i vie.c da’m ba’o khong lam lo. cac thong tin rieng tu. cũng nhu. dối tu.o. ng trung tâm cu’a mỗi cu.m dũ. lie.u.
Lectures on loop gravity

These are introductory lectures on loop quantum gravity. The theory is presented in self-contained form, without emphasis on its derivation from classical general relativity. Dynamics is given in the covariant form. The approximations needed to compute physical quantities are discussed. Some applications are described, including the recent derivation of de Sitter cosmology from full quantum gravity.
Clinical and chest computed tomography features associated with severe Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing: A multicenter, retrospective, observational study

Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia is a rare disease with varying clinical presentations. Here, we aimed to investigate the clinical and chest computed tomography (CT) features of severe psittacosis pneumonia. Clinical data of 35 patients diagnosed with psittacosis pneumonia were retrospectively analyzed using metagenomic next-generation sequencing. The patients were classified into severe (n = 20) and non-severe (n = 15) groups. The median age of patients was 54 years, and 27 patients (77.1%) had a definite history of bird contact. Severe patients had more underlying comorbidities and were more prone to dyspnea and consciousness disorders than non-severe patients. The neutrophil count and D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, and IL-10 levels were higher, whereas the lymphocyte, CD3 + T cell, and CD4 + T cell counts, CD4+/CD8 + T cell ratio, and albumin level were substantially lower in severe patients than in non-severe patients. Chest CT findings of severe patients revealed large areas of pulmonary consolidation, and ground-glass opacities were observed in some patients, with a higher risk of involving multiple lobes of the lungs and pleural effusion. One patient died of multiple organ failure, whereas the condition of the other 34 patients improved, and they were discharged from the hospital. Patients with severe psittacosis pneumonia often have underlying comorbidities and are prone to developing dyspnea, consciousness disorder, and lesions in both lungs. Serum D-dimer, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10 levels and lymphocyte, CD3 + T cell, and CD4 + T cell counts are associated with disease severity.
Observations of high-energy jets in the corona above the quiet sun, the heating of the corona, and the acceleration of the solar wind

High spatial resolution observations of the ultraviolet solar spectrum reveal high-energy events in the quiet Sun. They can be classified as turbulent events and Jets. The turbulent events show high turbulence (up to 250 km s/sup -1/) confined in small areas (<2''), while the jets show upward moving material with velocities (approx.400 Km s/sup -1/) exceeding the sound velocity (approx.120 km s/sup -1/) in the corona. A single jet carries an energy of 2.5 x 10/sup 26/ ergs and a mass of 3 x 10/sup 11/ g at 400 km s/sup -1/ into the corona at an altitude of 4000--16,000 km. Strong shock waves accompanying the jets can heat the corona. A cloud model of the solar wind is proposed where all the kinetic energy of the wind is provided at the solar surface by the high-energy jets. With a birthrate of 24 events per second over the whole Sun, which is within the uncertainties of the observations, the power (6 x 10/sup 27/ ergs s/sup -1/) and mass flux (2 x 10/sup 12/ g s/sup -1/) requirements of the corona and the solar wind can be satisfied. The acceleration of the jets is 5 km s/sup -2/ and constantmore » during their maximum observed lifetime of 80 s. The jets may be exploding small loops with a size of 3000 km or less. Magnetic acceleration of each jet requires a field strength of 15 gauss and a magnetic flux emergence of 1.3 x 10/sup 18/ Mx per single jet. Fine-structure elements in the solar wind at 1 AU carry a mass of 3 x 10/sup 11/ g, which is comparable to the mass expelled in a single jet. To satisfy the energy requirements of the solar corona and the solar wind, a total magnetic flux replenishment of 5 x 10/sup 22/ Mx day/sup -1/ over the entire Sun is needed. « less
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Sequential Treatment Strategies for Advanced Melanoma in Real Life in France

Nine drugs have been marketed for 10 years for the treatment of advanced melanoma (AM). With half of patients reaching a second line, the optimal sequence of treatments remains unclear. To inform policy-makers about their efficiency, we performed a cost-effectiveness analysis of sequential strategies in clinical practice in France, for BRAF-mutated and wild-type patients. A multistate model was developed to describe treatment sequences, associated costs, and health outcomes over 10 years. Sequences, clinical outcomes, utility scores, and economic data were extracted from the prospective Melbase cohort, collecting individual data in 1518 patients since 2013, from their AM diagnosis until their death. To adjust the differences in patients’ characteristics among sequences, weighting by inverse probability was used. In the BRAF-mutated population, the MONO-targeted therapies (TT)-anti-PD1 sequence was the less expensive, whereas the anti-PD1-BI-TT sequence had an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of 180,441 EUR/QALY. Regarding the BRAF wild-type population, the three sequences constituted the cost-effective frontier, with ICERs ranging from 116 to 806,000 EUR/QALY. For BRAF-mutated patients, the sequence anti-PD1-BI-TT appeared to be the most efficient one in BRAF-mutated AM patients until 2018. Regarding the BRAF wild-type population until 2018, the sequence starting with IPI+NIVO appeared inefficient compared to anti-PD1, considering the extra cost for the QALY gained.
Let’s stay in touch: Frequency (but not mode) of interaction between leaders and followers predicts better leadership outcomes

Successful leadership requires leaders to make their followers aware of expectations regarding the goals to achieve, norms to follow, and task responsibilities to take over. This awareness is often achieved through leader-follower communication. In times of economic globalization and digitalization, however, leader-follower communication has become both more digitalized (virtual, rather than face-to-face) and less frequent, making successful leader-follower-communication more challenging. The current research tested in four studies (three preregistered) whether digitalization and frequency of interaction predict task-related leadership success. In one cross-sectional (Study 1, N = 200), one longitudinal (Study 2, N = 305), and one quasi-experimental study (Study 3, N = 178), as predicted, a higher frequency (but not a lower level of digitalization) of leader-follower interactions predicted better task-related leadership outcomes (i.e., stronger goal clarity, norm clarity, and task responsibility among followers). Via mediation and a causal chain approach, Study 3 and Study 4 (N = 261) further targeted the mechanism; results showed that the relationship between (higher) interaction frequency and these outcomes is due to followers perceiving more opportunities to share work-related information with the leaders. These results improve our understanding of contextual factors contributing to leadership success in collaborations across hierarchies. They highlight that it is not the digitalization but rather the frequency of interacting with their leader that predicts whether followers gain clarity about the relevant goals and norms to follow and the task responsibilities to assume.
The Use of Finite-Volume Methods for Atmospheric Advection of Trace Species. Part I: Test of Various Formulations in a General Circulation Model

Abstract In the context of advection of trace species by 3D atmospheric flows, a comparative test of a hierarchy of finite volume transport schemes initially derived by B. Van Leer is presented. Those schemes are conservative by construction and Van Leer proposed a simple way of ensuring monotonicity. One of the schemes, introduced independently in the atmospheric community by M. J. Prather, is now considered as a reference in the GCM community. An important aspect of the present work is to perform test simulations with various spatial resolutions in order to compare the various schemes at a comparable numerical cost. The result is that higher-order schemes are much more accurate than lower order at a given spatial resolution but much more comparable when the lower-order schemes are run on a finer grid to make the numerical costs equivalent. Moreover, the higher moments of the tracer distribution introduced in the more sophisticated schemes become an issue when other processes such as chemistry or turbule.
Evaluation method of surrounding rock stability: Failure approach index theory of strain limit analysis for engineering applications

In general, the ultimate parameter selection method of the failure approach index theory among the three-dimensional problems in geotechnical engineering is unclear in theory, and the symbol convention of the failure approach index in engineering calculation is contrary to the stipulation of the numerical simulation software. Hence, the values of the ultimate plastic shear strain are difficult to determine. To solve this problem, the criterion of positive tension and negative compression and the sequence of the principal stress σ1 ≤ σ2 ≤ σ3 are defined in this paper, and the expression of Mohr–Coulomb yield approach index id deduced. Under the condition of the principal strain sequence ε1 ≤ ε2 ≤ ε3, the formula of the ultimate shear strain is derived using the method of the ultimate strain analysis so as to obtain the simple expression and calculation method of the ultimate plastic shear strain, which has provided the calculation parameters for the three-dimensional ultimate plastic shear strain in the Mohr–Coulomb strain softening model and improved the failure approach index theory. In the light of the aforementioned theory, the ultimate strains of cubic concrete specimens are analyzed, and the obtained ultimate strain values are found consistent with previous research findings, which verifies the correctness and reliability of the ultimate strain analysis method. In addition, it is applied to the quantitative elastic–plastic failure analysis of the section coal pillar in Hengjin coal industry for determining its reasonable retainment width. Consequently, the research results can be embraced as the theoretical basis for the stability analysis of geotechnical materials and exhibits engineering application potential.
A qualitative study about how families coped with managing their well-being, children’s physical activity and education during the COVID-19 school closures in England

In 2020, schools in England closed for six months due to COVID-19, resulting in children being home-schooled. There is limited understanding about the impacts of this on children’s mental and physical health and their education. Therefore, we explored how families coped with managing these issues during the school closures. We conducted 30 qualitative interviews with parents of children aged 18 years and under (who would usually be in school) between 16 and 21 April 2020. We identified three themes and eight sub-themes that impacted how families coped whilst schools were closed. We found that family dynamics, circumstances, and resources (Theme 1), changes in entertainment activities and physical movement (Theme 2) and worries about the COVID-19 pandemic (Theme 3) impacted how well families were able to cope. A key barrier to coping was struggles with home-schooling (e.g., lack of resources and support from the school). However, parents being more involved in their children’s personal development and education were considered a benefit to home-schooling. Managing the lack of entertainment activities and in-person interactions, and additional health worries about loved ones catching COVID-19 were challenges for families. Parents reported adverse behaviour changes in their children, although overall, they reported they were coping well. However, pre-existing social and educational inequalities are at risk of exacerbation. Families with more resources (e.g., parental supervision, access to green space, technology to facilitate home-schooling and no special educational needs) were better able to cope when schools were closed. On balance, however, families appeared to be able to adapt to the schools being closed. We suggest that policy should focus on supporting families to mitigate the widening health and educational gap between families with more and less resources.
Effects of parental overweight and obesity on offspring’s mental health: A meta-analysis of observational studies

Background Children of parents who were overweight/obese prior to pregnancy face a variety of neurodevelopmental challenges. The goal of this meta-analysis is to compile evidence about the impact of parental overweight/obesity on their children’s mental health. Methods The databases Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Pubmed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science were searched until May 2022. The pooled effect size was calculated using the fixed and random effect models. We also performed I2 index, subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, quality assessment, and publication bias analysis. The protocol was registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42022334408). Results For maternal exposure (35 studies), both maternal overweight [OR 1.14 (95% CI 1.10,1.18)] and maternal obesity [OR 1.39 (95% CI (1.33, 1.45)] were significantly associated with offspring’s mental disorders. Maternal pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity increased the risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) [OR 1.55 (95% CI 1.42,1.70)], autism spectrum disorder (ASD) [OR 1.37 (95% CI 1.22,1.55)], cognitive/intellectual delay [OR 1.40 (95% CI 1.21,1.63)], behavioral problems [OR 1.50 (95% CI 1.35,1.66)] and other mental diseases [OR 1.30 (95% CI 1.23,1.37)]. For paternal exposure (6 studies), paternal obesity [OR 1.17 (95% CI 1.06, 1.30)] but not overweight [OR 1.03 (95% CI 0.95,1.11)] was significantly associated with offspring’s mental disorders. Conclusions Parental overweight/obesity might have negative consequences on offspring’s mental health and pre-pregnancy weight control is advised.
Insights on Some Polysaccharide Gel Type Materials and Their Structural Peculiarities

Global resources have to be used in responsible ways to ensure the world’s future need for advanced materials. Ecologically friendly functional materials based on biopolymers can be successfully obtained from renewable resources, and the most prominent example is cellulose, the well-known most abundant polysaccharide which is usually isolated from highly available biomass (wood and wooden waste, annual plants, cotton, etc.). Many other polysaccharides originating from various natural resources (plants, insects, algae, bacteria) proved to be valuable and versatile starting biopolymers for a wide array of materials with tunable properties, able to respond to different societal demands. Polysaccharides properties vary depending on various factors (origin, harvesting, storage and transportation, strategy of further modification), but they can be processed into materials with high added value, as in the case of gels. Modern approaches have been employed to prepare (e.g., the use of ionic liquids as “green solvents”) and characterize (NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, X ray diffraction spectrometry, DSC, electronic and atomic force microscopy, optical rotation, circular dichroism, rheological investigations, computer modelling and optimization) polysaccharide gels. In the present paper, some of the most widely used polysaccharide gels will be briefly reviewed with emphasis on their structural peculiarities under various conditions.