Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear N = 2 Supersymmetry and D2-brane Eﬀective Actions

: D p -branes acquire eﬀective nonlinear descriptions whose bosonic parts are related to the Born-Infeld action. This nonlinearity has been proven to be a consequence of the partial N = 2 → N = 1 supersymmetry breaking, originating from the solitonic nature of the branes. In this work, we focus on the eﬀective descriptions of D2-branes, which play important roles in the Type IIA string theory. Using the Goldstone multiplet interpretation of the action and the method of nilpotent superﬁelds, we construct a 3D superspace description which makes the ﬁrst supersymmetry manifest and realizes the second, spontaneously broken, supersymmetry nonlinearly. We ﬁnd that appropriate Goldstone multiplets and their eﬀective superspace actions are generated by the N = 2 , D = 3 vector and tensor multiplets after expanding them around a nontrivial vacuum and enforcing constraints that eliminate additional degrees of freedom. We show both descriptions are related by a duality transformation which results in the inversion of a dimensionless parameter. The explicit bosonic and fermionic parts of the eﬀective spacetime action are derived. Finally, we consider the deformation of the superspace action by the characteristic Chern-Simons-like mass term of vector multiplet in 3D.
Picometer-precision few-tilt ptychotomography of 2D materials

From ripples to defects, edges and grain boundaries, the 3D atomic structure of 2D materials is critical to their properties. However the damage inflicted by conventional 3D analysis precludes its use with fragile 2D materials, particularly for the analysis of local defects. Here we dramatically increase the potential for precise local 3D atomic structure analysis of 2D materials, with both greatly improved dose efficiency and sensitivity to light elements. We demonstrate light atoms can now be located in complex 2D materials with picometer precision at doses 30 times lower than previously possible. Moreover we demonstrate this using WS2, in which the light atoms are practically invisible to conventional methods at low doses. The key advance is combining the concept of few tilt tomography with highly dose efficient ptychography in scanning transmission electron microscopy. We further demonstrate the method experimentally with the even more challenging and newly discovered 2D CuI, leveraging a new extremely high temporal resolution camera.
Fair Federated Learning via Bounded Group Loss

Fair prediction across protected groups is an important constraint for many federated learning applications. However, prior work studying group fair federated learning lacks formal convergence or fairness guarantees. In this work we propose a general framework for provably fair federated learning. In particular, we explore and extend the notion of Bounded Group Loss as a theoretically-grounded approach for group fairness. Using this setup, we propose a scalable federated optimization method that optimizes the empirical risk under a number of group fairness constraints. We provide convergence guarantees for the method as well as fairness guarantees for the resulting solution. Empirically, we evaluate our method across common benchmarks from fair ML and federated learning, showing that it can provide both fairer and more accurate predictions than baseline approaches.
Spin flips of electron beams in optical near fields

Manipulating the spin polarization of electron beams using light is highly desirable but exceedingly challenging, as the approaches proposed in previous studies using free-space light usually require enormous laser intensities. Here, we propose the use of a transverse electric optical near ﬁeld, extended on nanostructures, to eﬃciently induce spin ﬂips of an adjacent electron beam by exploiting the strong inelastic electron scattering in phase-matched optical near ﬁelds. Our calculations show that the use of a dramatically reduced laser intensity ( ∼ 10 12 W/cm 2 ) with a short interaction length (16 µ m) achieves an electron spin-ﬂip probability of approximately 12%. Intriguingly, the two spin components of an unpolarized incident electron beam—parallel and antiparallel to the electric ﬁeld—are spin-ﬂipped and inelastically scattered to diﬀerent energy states, providing an analog of the Stern–Gerlach experiment in the energy dimension. Our ﬁndings are important for optical control of free-electron spins, preparation of spin-polarized electron beams, and applications as varied as in material science and high-energy physics.
Semisimple orbits of Lie algebras and card shuffling on Coxeter groups

Random walk on the chambers of hyperplanes arrangements is used to define a family of card shuffling measures $H_{W,x}$ for a finite Coxeter group W and real $x \neq 0$. By algebraic group theory, there is a map from the semisimple orbits of the adjoint action of a finite group of Lie type on its Lie algebra to the conjugacy classes of the Weyl group. Choosing such a semisimple orbit uniformly at random thereby induces a probability measure on the conjugacy classes of the Weyl group. For types A, B, and the identity conjugacy class of W for all types, it is proved that for q very good, this measure on conjugacy classes is equal to the measure arising from $H_{W,q}$.
New Zealand's mental health crisis, He Ara Oranga and the future.

[. ]we will consider the mental health system's response to evaluate whether it has been effective. [. ]we will consider where the limited available resources could most effectively be used. Instead of spending on programmes for moderate psychological distress, we suggest that the limited resources available for mental health should be carefully targeted towards those with serious mental illness, using integrated services located in areas with the highest levels of deprivation, which is often determined by ethnic, cultural and historical factors. In Australia, a recent review reported no impact on population mental health outcomes or suicide rates,15 and the introduction of IAPT in the UK has not been associated with a reduced prevalence of common
Regulation of Enterotoxins Associated with Bacillus cereus Sensu Lato Toxicoinfection

Bacillus cereus sensu lato (s.l.) includes foodborne pathogens, as well as beneficial microorganisms, such as bioinsecticides. Some of the beneficial and commercially used B. cereus s.l. strains have been shown to carry enterotoxin genes, the products of which can cause toxicoinfection in humans. ABSTRACT Bacillus cereus sensu lato (s.l.) includes foodborne pathogens, as well as beneficial microorganisms, such as bioinsecticides. Some of the beneficial and commercially used B. cereus s.l. strains have been shown to carry enterotoxin genes, the products of which can cause toxicoinfection in humans. Furthermore, recent epidemiological reports indicated that some bioinsecticidal strains have been linked with foodborne illness outbreaks. This demonstrates the need for improved surveillance of B. cereus s.l. , which includes characterization of isolates’ virulence capacity. However, the prediction of virulence capacity of B. cereus s.l. strains is challenging. Genetic screening for enterotoxin gene presence has proven to be insufficient for accurate discrimination between virulent and avirulent strains, given that nearly all B. cereus s.l. strains carry at least one enterotoxin gene. Furthermore, complex regulatory networks governing the expression of enterotoxins, and potential synergistic interactions between enterotoxins and other virulence factors make the prediction of toxicoinfection based on isolates’ genome sequences challenging. In this review, we summarize and synthesize the current understanding of the regulation of enterotoxins associated with the B. cereus s.l. toxicoinfection and identify gaps in the knowledge that need to be addressed to facilitate identification of genetic markers predictive of cytotoxicity and toxicoinfection.
Targeting the gut to prevent and counteract metabolic disorders and pathologies during aging

Abstract Impairment of gut function is one of the explanatory mechanisms of health status decline in elderly population. These impairments involve a decline in gut digestive physiology, metabolism and immune status, and associated to that, changes in composition and function of the microbiota it harbors. Continuous deteriorations are generally associated with the development of systemic dysregulations and ultimately pathologies that can worsen the initial health status of individuals. All these alterations observed at the gut level can then constitute a wide range of potential targets for development of nutritional strategies that can impact gut tissue or associated microbiota pattern. This can be key, in a preventive manner, to limit gut functionality decline, or in a curative way to help maintaining optimum nutrients bioavailability in a context on increased requirements, as frequently observed in pathological situations. The aim of this review is to give an overview on the alterations that can occur in the gut during aging and lead to the development of altered function in other tissues and organs, ultimately leading to the development of pathologies. Subsequently is discussed how nutritional strategies that target gut tissue and gut microbiota can help to avoid or delay the occurrence of aging-related pathologies.
Structural and dynamic investigation of non‐synonymous variations in Renin–AGT complex revealed altered binding via hydrogen‐bonding network reprogramming to accelerate the hypertension pathway

Hypertension is one of the major issues worldwide and one of the main factors involved in heart and kidney failure. Angiotensinogen and renin are key components of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, which plays an indispensable role in hypertension. The aim of this study was to find out the non‐synonymous mutations and structure‐based mutation‐function correlation in the renin–AGT complex and reveal the most deleterious mutations to accelerated hypertension. In the current study, we employed computational modeling and molecular simulation approaches to demonstrate the impact of specific mutations in the REN‐AGT interface in hypertension. Computational algorithms, that is, PhD‐SNP, PolyPhen‐1, MAPP, Sorting Intolerant from Tolerant, Screening of non‐acceptable polymorphism, PredictSNP, PolyPhen‐2, and Protein Analysis Through Evolutionary Relationships predicted 20 mutations as deleterious in AGT while only five mutations were confirmed as deleterious in the renin protein. Investigation of the bonding analysis revealed that two mutations S107L and V193F in renin altered the hydrogen‐bonding paradigm at the interface site. Furthermore, exploration of structural‐dynamic behaviors demonstrated by that these mutations also increases the structural stability to regulate the expression of disease pathway. The flexibility index of each residues and structural compactness analysis further validated the findings by portraying the difference in the dynamic behavior in contrast to the wild type. Binding energy calculations based on molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area methods were used which further established the binding differences between the wild type, S107L, and V193F mutant variants. The total binding energy for wild type, S107L, and V193F was reported to be −27.79, −47.72, and −38.25, respectively. In conclusion, these two mutations increase the binding free energy alongside the docking score to enhance the binding between renin and AGT to overexpress this pathway in a hypertension disease condition. Patients with these mutations may be screened for potential therapeutic intervention.
Experimental and Theoretical Study on the Enhancement of Alkanolamines on Sulfuric Acid Nucleation

Alkanolamines such as monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), and triethanolamine (TEA) are extensively used for CO2 capture and consumer products. Despite their prevalence in industrial applications, the fate of alkanolamines in the atmosphere remains relatively unknown. One likely reaction pathway for these chemicals in the atmosphere is new particle formation with sulfuric acid. Here, we present the first experimental results showing the formation of sulfuric acid dimers enhanced by MEA, DEA, and TEA from the measurement of molecular clusters. This study examines the nucleation reactions of MEA, DEA, and TEA with sulfuric acid in a clean, laminar flow reactor. The chemical compositions and concentrations of the freshly nucleated clusters were analyzed using a custom-built atmospheric pressure chemical ionization long time-of-flight mass spectrometer known as the Pittsburgh Cluster CIMS. Quantum chemical calculations and kinetic modeling of sulfuric acid-MEA/DEA/TEA clusters were also performed to determine relative cluster stabilities between these sulfuric acid–base systems. Experimental results indicate that MEA, DEA, and TEA at the part per trillion by volume (pptv) concentrations can enhance sulfuric acid dimer formation rates but to a lesser extent than dimethylamine (DMA). Thus, MEA, DEA, and TEA will potentially play an important role in new particle formation in industrial cities where these alkanolamines are emitted.
Characterization of giant neuroendocrine cells in the pregnant New Zealand white rabbit vagina demonstrated by histological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical methods

The vagina is part of the genitalia and constitutes part of the birth canal. Sperm is deposited into vagina, and it acts in transport of sperm. Pregnancy is a complex process involving different physiological changes in the body associated with hormonal and metabolic alterations that control maternal and fetal demands. During pregnancy, neuroendocrine cells in rabbit vagina are considered part of the diffuse neuroendocrine system observed throughout the body. Giant neuroendocrine cells in rabbit vagina during pregnancy have not been observed previously. This study detected the presence of giant neuroendocrine cells in the vagina of the pregnant rabbit. The presence of these cells was demonstrated with the use of different histological techniques, including hematoxylin and eosin, PAS, combined Alcian blue‐PAS, Crossmon's trichrome, and the Grimelius silver method. Giant neuroendocrine cells were observed in late‐pregnancy intraepithelial sites and on the lamina propria. These cells were characterized by vacuolated basophilic cytoplasm with PAS‐ and PAS‐AB‐positive granules. Moreover, neuroendocrine cells exhibited an argyrophilic character. Immunohistochemically, neuroendocrine cells in rabbit vagina during pregnancy demonstrated positive immunoreactivity to neuron‐specific enolase (NSE) with different intensities, mild immunoreactivity to the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and negative immunoreactivity to CD68.
What happens in the course of positive mirror exposure? Effects on eating pathology, body satisfaction, affect, and subjective physiological arousal in patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE Mirror exposure (ME) is a therapeutic technique to improve body image disturbance. However, evidence on the effectiveness of different forms of ME in clinical populations is lacking. The present study therefore analysed effects of ME on trait-like and state measures of body image in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). METHOD The present study therefore analysed effects of ME on trait-like and state measures of body image in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN). In total, 47 inpatients underwent 3 ME sessions guided by a therapist, with instructions to exclusively verbalise positively about their whole body. Participants completed questionnaires on trait-like eating pathology and body image at the start and end of the study, and instruments on state affect and body satisfaction were administered directly before and after each ME session. Subjective physiological arousal and emotional valence relating to each body part were assessed within each session. RESULTS The results indicate significant improvements in eating pathology and body image regarding trait-like measures in patients with AN and BN. Concerning state measures, negative affect significantly decreased and body satisfaction increased during ME. Physiological arousal decreased and positively valenced emotions relating to the various body parts increased. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that positively verbalising about one's body during ME improves eating pathology, body image, affect, and subjective physiological arousal, and thus seems to be an effective form of ME.
Plant sterol hyperabsorption caused by uncontrolled diabetes in a patient with a heterozygous ABCG5 variant

Plant sterol intake is widely recommended for patients with cardiovascular risk factors based on the inhibitory effect on intestinal cholesterol absorption. Although plant sterols, once absorbed, can promote atherosclerosis, their intake is believed to be safe because of poor absorption, except in rare hyperabsorbers with homozygous ABCG5/8 mutations. We report a case of new‐onset type 1 diabetes accompanied by hypercholesterolemia. At the initial presentation with diabetic ketoacidosis, the patient showed marked hypercholesterolemia. Whole‐exome sequencing revealed a heterozygous pathogenic variant in ABCG5 (p.R419H). The initial serum plant sterol levels were markedly high (sitosterol 32.5 μg/mL, campesterol 66.0 μg/mL), close to the range observed in patients with homozygous ABCG5/8 mutations, which were largely reduced by insulin treatment without ezetimibe. The addition of ezetimibe normalized plant sterol levels. These findings provide the first evidence that uncontrolled diabetes plays a causal role in the pathogenesis of phytosterolemia.
Neural correlates of referential/persecutory delusions in schizophrenia: examination using fMRI and a virtual reality underground travel paradigm

Abstract Background The brain functional correlates of delusions have been relatively little studied. However, a virtual reality paradigm simulating travel on the London Underground has been found to evoke referential ideation in both healthy subjects and patients with schizophrenia, making brain activations in response to such experiences potentially identifiable. Method Ninety patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder and 28 healthy controls underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while they viewed virtual reality versions of full and empty Barcelona Metro carriages. Results Compared to the empty condition, viewing the full carriage was associated with activations in the visual cortex, the cuneus and precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex, the inferior parietal cortex, the angular gyrus and parts of the middle and superior temporal cortex including the temporoparietal junction bilaterally. There were no significant differences in activation between groups. Nor were there activations associated with referentiality or presence of delusions generally in the patient group. However, patients with persecutory delusions showed a cluster of reduced activation compared to those without delusions in a region in the right temporal/occipital cortex. Conclusions Performance of the metro task is associated with a widespread pattern of activations, which does not distinguish schizophrenic patients and controls, or show an association with referentiality or delusions in general. However, the finding of a cluster of reduced activation close to the right temporoparietal junction in patients with persecutory delusions specifically is of potential interest, as this region is believed to play a role in social cognition.
Two-Phase Performance Adjustment Approach for Distributed Neuroadaptive Consensus Control of Strict-Feedback Multiagent Systems

This article addresses the practical prescribed-time leaderless consensus problem for multiple networked strict-feedback systems under directed topology. Different from most existing protocols for finite-time consensus that rely on the signum function or fractional power state feedback (thus, the finite convergence time is contingent upon the initial positions of the agents or other design parameters), the proposed distributed neuroadaptive consensus solution is based on a two-phase performance adjustment approach, which exhibits several salient features: 1) the consensus error is ensured to converge to a preassigned arbitrarily small residual set within prescribed time; 2) the tunable transient behavior and desired steady-state control performance of the consensus error is maintained under any unknown initial conditions; and 3) the control scheme involves only one parameter estimation, significantly reducing the design complexity and online computation. Furthermore, we extend the result to practical prescribed-time leader-following consensus control under directed communication topology. Numerical simulation verifies the benefits and efficiency of the proposed method.
Cochlea to categories: The spatiotemporal dynamics of semantic auditory representations

ABSTRACT How does the auditory system categorize natural sounds? Here we apply multimodal neuroimaging to illustrate the progression from acoustic to semantically dominated representations. Combining magnetoencephalographic (MEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans of observers listening to naturalistic sounds, we found superior temporal responses beginning ∼55 ms post-stimulus onset, spreading to extratemporal cortices by ∼100 ms. Early regions were distinguished less by onset/peak latency than by functional properties and overall temporal response profiles. Early acoustically-dominated representations trended systematically toward category dominance over time (after ∼200 ms) and space (beyond primary cortex). Semantic category representation was spatially specific: Vocalizations were preferentially distinguished in frontotemporal voice-selective regions and the fusiform; scenes and objects were distinguished in parahippocampal and medial place areas. Our results are consistent with real-world events coded via an extended auditory processing hierarchy, in which acoustic representations rapidly enter multiple streams specialized by category, including areas typically considered visual cortex. Video Abstract Read the transcript Watch the video on Vimeo © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
A Stack-Propagation Framework With Slot Filling for Multi-Domain Dialogue State Tracking

Dialogue state tracking (DST) is a core component of task-oriented dialogue systems. Recent works focus mainly on end-to-end DST models that omit the spoken language understanding (SLU) module to directly obtain the dialogue state based on a user’s dialogue. However, the slot information detected by slot filling in SLU is closely tied to the slot–value pair that needs to be updated in DST. Efficient use of the key slot semantic knowledge obtained by slot filling contributes to improving the performance of DST. Based on this idea, we introduce slot filling as a subtask and build an end-to-end joint model to explicitly integrate the slot information detected by slot filling, which further guides DST. In this article, a novel stack-propagation framework with slot filling for multidomain DST is proposed. The stack-propagation framework is introduced to jointly model slot filling and DST. The framework directly feeds the key slot semantic knowledge detected by slot filling into the DST module. In addition, a slot-masked attention mechanism is designed to enable DST to focus on the key slot information obtained by slot filling. When the slot value is updated, a slot–value softcopy mechanism is designed to enhance the influence of the words marked by key slots. Experiments show that our approach outperforms previous methods and performs outstandingly on two benchmark datasets.