Stability mapping of bipartite tight-binding graphs with losses and gain: PTPT-symmetry and beyond.

We consider bipartite tight-binding graphs composed by N nodes split into two sets of equal size: one set containing nodes with on-site loss, the other set having nodes with on-site gain. The nodes are connected randomly with probability p. Specifically, we measure the connectivity between the two sets with the parameter α, which is the ratio of current adjacent pairs over the total number of possible adjacent pairs between the sets. For general undirected-graph setups, the non-Hermitian Hamiltonian H(γ,α,N) of this model presents pseudo-Hermiticity, where γ is the loss/gain strength. However, we show that for a given graph setup H(γ,α,N) becomes PT-symmetric. In both scenarios (pseudo-Hermiticity and PT-symmetric), depending on the parameter combination, the spectra of H(γ,α,N) can be real even when it is non-Hermitian. Then we demonstrate, for both setups, that there is a well-defined sector of the γα-plane (which grows with N) where the spectrum of H(γ,α,N) is predominantly real.

Scaling properties of the action in the Riemann-Liouville fractional standard map.

The Riemann-Liouville fractional standard map (RL-fSM) is a two-dimensional nonlinear map with memory given in action-angle variables (I,θ). The RL-fSM is parameterized by K and α∈(1,2], which control the strength of nonlinearity and the fractional order of the Riemann-Liouville derivative, respectively. In this work we present a scaling study of the average squared action 〈I^{2}〉 of the RL-fSM along strongly chaotic orbits, i.e., for K≫1. We observe two scenarios depending on the initial action I_{0}, I_{0}≪K or I_{0}≫K. However, we can show that 〈I^{2}〉/I_{0}^{2} is a universal function of the scaled discrete time nK^{2}/I_{0}^{2} (n being the nth iteration of the RL-fSM). In addition, we note that 〈I^{2}〉 is independent of α for K≫1. Analytical estimations support our numerical results.

[The concept of interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF)]. / Le concept de pneumopathie interstitielle diffuse avec manifestations auto-immunes (IPAF).

Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) are a heterogeneous group of respiratory diseases often related to connective tissue diseases. Some patients will develop an ILD with autoimmune features without reaching the recommended criteria for autoimmune diseases. Their management is difficult because they have both features for idiopathic and connective tissue disease. To better identify these patients, the concept of interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF) has been created. The diagnosis relies on ILD without identified cause and the presence of at least one defined criterion among 2 of the 3 following domains: clinic, serologic, and morphologic. The mean age at diagnosis is 60, a sex ratio of 1/1, and depending on the authors close to 20% of patients with IPAF will develop a connective tissue disease according to the international criterion. Their prognosis is better than for patients with idiopathic ILD and with an average 5-year survival of 70%. Older age at diagnosis, a pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia, and an impaired diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide have been identified as poor prognosis factors. The treatment relies on usual care for chronic respiratory diseases and is often associated with immunosuppressive and/or antifibrotic therapies. The objective of this classification is to better characterize these patients and improve their management.

Cultural expectations and perceptions of risk communication among Afro-Caribbean mothers and daughters in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Mothers are key influencers in daughters' decision making about risk behaviors. Much research on parent-child relationships and communication has been conducted among predominantly White, nonimmigrant families. However, parent-child relationships and communications about risk behaviors may significantly differ for Black immigrant families. In particular, transnational behaviors that serve to maintain multiple social identities with attributes from both the receiving and sending nations may shape communication about risky behaviors. The current study evaluated the association between transnational behavior and risk communication mediated by the mother-daughter relationship. METHOD: A total of 285 first- and second-generation Afro-Caribbean women, most of whom (80%) identified as Black, were recruited via purposeful sampling from Caribbean organizations, Caribbean-focused social media, and Caribbean festivals. Participants (daughters) completed a survey assessing their transnational behavior, perceptions of their relationship with their mother (in terms of interdependence, connectedness, and trust in hierarchy), and perceptions of their mother's communication about sex, alcohol use, and other drug use. RESULTS: Only the relationship between transnational behavior and communication about drugs was fully mediated by connectedness. The relationship between transnational behavior and communication about both alcohol use and other drug use was partially mediated by other facets of the mother-daughter relationship. DISCUSSION: Findings confirm previous research on parent-child closeness and communication about difficult topics and suggest that such relationships can promote healthy communication in multiple cultures. Children who stay connected to their country of origin stay connected to parents and, therefore, may have greater opportunity to engage in integrated communication about possible risk behaviors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

3D phantom for image quality assessment of mammography systems.

Objective.To present an innovative approach for the design of a 3D mammographic phantom for medical equipment quality assessment, estimation of the glandular tissue percentage in the patient's breast, and emulation of microcalcification (µC) breast lesions.Approach.Contrast-to noise ratio (CNR) measurements, as well as spatial resolution and intensity-to-glandularity calibrations under mammography conditions were performed to assess the effectiveness of the phantom. CNR measurements were applied to different groups of calcium hydroxyapatite (HA) and aluminum oxide (AO)µCs ranging from 200 to 600µm. Spatial resolution was characterized using an aluminum plate contained in the phantom and standard linear figures of merit, such as the line spread function and modulation transfer function (MTF). The intensity-to-glandularity calibration was developed using an x-ray attenuation matrix within the phantom to estimate the glandular tissue percentage in a breast with a compressed thickness of 4 cm.Main results.For the prototype studied, the minimum confidence level for detecting HAµCs is 95.4%, while for AOµCs is above 68.3%. It was also possible to determine that the MTF of the commercial mammography machine used for this study at the Nyquist frequency is 41%. Additionally, a one-to-one intensity-to-glandularity calibration was obtained and verified with Monte-Carlo simulation results.Significance.The phantom provides traditional arrangements presented in accreditation phantoms, which makes it competitive with available devices, but excelling in regarding affordability, modularity, and inlays distribution. Moreover, its design allows to be positioned in close proximity to the patient's breast during a medical screening for a simultaneous x-ray imaging, such that the features of the phantom can be used as reference values to specify characteristics of the real breast tissue, such as proportion of glandular/adipose composition and/orµC type and size lesions.

Localization properties of harmonic chains with correlated mass and spring disorder: Analytical approach.

We study the localization properties of normal modes in harmonic chains with mass and spring weak disorder. Using a perturbative approach, an expression for the localization length L_{loc} is obtained, which is valid for arbitrary correlations of the disorder (mass disorder correlations, spring disorder correlations, and mass-spring disorder correlations are allowed), and for practically the whole frequency band. In addition, we show how to generate effective mobility edges by the use of disorder with long range self-correlations and cross-correlations. The transport of phonons is also analyzed, showing effective transparent windows that can be manipulated through the disorder correlations even for relative short chain sizes. These results are connected to the problem of heat conduction in the harmonic chain; indeed, we discuss the size scaling of the thermal conductivity from the perturbative expression of L_{loc}. Our results may have applications in modulating thermal transport, particularly in the design of thermal filters or in manufacturing high-thermal-conductivity materials.

Scattering and transport properties of the three classical Wigner-Dyson ensembles at the Anderson transition.

An extensive numerical analysis of the scattering and transport properties of the power-law banded random matrix model (PBRM) at criticality in the presence of orthogonal, unitary, and symplectic symmetries is presented. Our results show a good agreement with existing analytical expressions in the metallic regime and with heuristic relations widely used in studies of the PBRM model in the presence of orthogonal and unitary symmetries. Moreover, our results confirm that the multifractal behavior of disordered systems at criticality can be probed by measuring scattering and transport properties, which is of paramount importance from the experimental point of view. Thus, a full picture of the scattering and transport properties of the PBRM model at criticality corresponding to the three classical Wigner-Dyson ensembles is provided.

Revan Sombor indices: Analytical and statistical study.

In this paper, we perform analytical and statistical studies of Revan indices on graphs $ G $: $ R(G) = \sum_{uv \in E(G)} F(r_u, r_v) $, where $ uv $ denotes the edge of $ G $ connecting the vertices $ u $ and $ v $, $ r_u $ is the Revan degree of the vertex $ u $, and $ F $ is a function of the Revan vertex degrees. Here, $ r_u = \Delta + \delta - d_u $ with $ \Delta $ and $ \delta $ the maximum and minimum degrees among the vertices of $ G $ and $ d_u $ is the degree of the vertex $ u $. We concentrate on Revan indices of the Sombor family, i.e., the Revan Sombor index and the first and second Revan $ (a, b) $-$ KA $ indices. First, we present new relations to provide bounds on Revan Sombor indices which also relate them with other Revan indices (such as the Revan versions of the first and second Zagreb indices) and with standard degree-based indices (such as the Sombor index, the first and second $ (a, b) $-$ KA $ indices, the first Zagreb index and the Harmonic index). Then, we extend some relations to index average values, so they can be effectively used for the statistical study of ensembles of random graphs.

Scarring in Rough Rectangular Billiards.

We study the mechanism of scarring of eigenstates in rectangular billiards with slightly corrugated surfaces and show that it is very different from that known in Sinai and Bunimovich billiards. We demonstrate that there are two sets of scar states. One set is related to the bouncing ball trajectories in the configuration space of the corresponding classical billiard. A second set of scar-like states emerges in the momentum space, which originated from the plane-wave states of the unperturbed flat billiard. In the case of billiards with one rough surface, the numerical data demonstrate the repulsion of eigenstates from this surface. When two horizontal rough surfaces are considered, the repulsion effect is either enhanced or canceled depending on whether the rough profiles are symmetric or antisymmetric. The effect of repulsion is quite strong and influences the structure of all eigenstates, indicating that the symmetric properties of the rough profiles are important for the problem of scattering of electromagnetic (or electron) waves through quasi-one-dimensional waveguides. Our approach is based on the reduction of the model of one particle in the billiard with corrugated surfaces to a model of two artificial particles in the billiard with flat surfaces, however, with an effective interaction between these particles. As a result, the analysis is conducted in terms of a two-particle basis, and the roughness of the billiard boundaries is absorbed by a quite complicated potential.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) as salvage treatment for early stage lung cancer with interstitial lung disease (ILD): An observational and exploratory case series of non-asian patients.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) can coexist with early-stage lung cancer (LC) and may compromise surgery and worsen patients' outcomes. Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is the gold standard treatment for medically inoperable early-stage lung cancer, but radiation therapy is contra-indicated for patients with ILD because of the higher risk of severe radiation-induced pneumonitis. SBRT may spare healthy lung tissue, but data are scarce in this rare population. Our exploratory case series aimed to retrospectively identify patients treated with SBRT in this setting: 19 patients were diagnosed with early-stage LC-ILD over the past 6 years and 9 received SBRT. Most of them were smokers with a median age of 71, 4 had no pathological documentation. After SBRT, 5 patients had grade I-II respiratory adverse events (AEs), but none had treatment-related grade III-IV respiratory AEs. Two patients died within 6 months of SBRT, and for both, death was related to metastatic relapse. In this case series, the radiological evolution of ILD before radiotherapy and the evolution of the radiotherapy scar on CT-Scan were also explored with different evolutionary models. This exploratory study shows available data that could be studied in a larger retrospective cohort to identify risk factors for SBRT in the LC-ILD population. The use of dosimetric data as a risk factor for SBRT should be done with cautiousness due to heterogeneous and complex dose delivery and different fractionation schedule.

Neuropsychiatric phenotypes of anti-NMDAR encephalitis: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis (ANMDARE) show a wide range of behavioral abnormalities and are often mistaken for primary psychiatric presentations. We aimed to determine the behavioral hallmarks of ANMDARE with the use of systematic neuropsychiatric and cognitive assessments. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted, with 160 patients admitted to the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery of Mexico, who fulfilled criteria for possible autoimmune encephalitis and/or red flags along a time window of seven years. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) antibodies against the NR1 subunit of the NMDAR were processed with rat brain immunohistochemistry and cell-based assays with NMDA expressing cells. Systematic cognitive, neuropsychiatric, and functional assessments were conducted before knowing NMDAR antibodies results. A multivariate analysis was used to compare patients with and without definite ANMDARE according to antibodies in CSF. RESULTS: After obtaining the CSF antibodies results in 160 consecutive cases, 100 patients were positive and classified as having definite ANMDARE. The most frequent neuropsychiatric patterns were psychosis (81%), delirium (75%), catatonia (69%), anxiety-depression (65%), and mania (27%). Cognition was significantly impaired. A total of 34% of the patients had a predominantly neuropsychiatric presentation without seizures. After multivariate analysis, the clinical hallmarks of ANMDARE consisted of a catatonia-delirium comorbidity, tonic-clonic seizures, and orolingual dyskinesia. CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports the notion of a neurobehavioral phenotype of ANMDARE characterized by a fluctuating course with psychotic and affective symptoms, catatonic signs, and global cognitive dysfunction, often accompanied by seizures and dyskinesia. The catatonia-delirium comorbidity could be a distinctive neurobehavioral phenotype of ANMDARE.

Oral health status and barriers to oral healthcare among children with cerebral palsy attending a health care center in Kampala, Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive neuromuscular condition diagnosed in childhood. CP as a form of disability, does not cause any specific oral disease. However, some oral conditions are more commonly associated with people with CP compared to the general population. The overarching aim of the current study was to determine the oral hygiene status, gingival status, and the prevalence of dental caries in children with CP attending a leading hospital institution for children with disabilities in Kampala, Uganda. Additionally, we determined the barriers faced by children with CP in accessing oral healthcare. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services Uganda hospital in Kampala, Uganda. Our study population consisted of a convenient sample of 90 children diagnosed with CP aged 3-17 years and their caregivers. A validated and interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data of the participants. A modified World Health Organization oral health assessment form for those aged 3-17 years was used to gather data on oral health status (plaque score, gingival bleeding and dental caries.) The data was subjected to statistical tests with critical value set up at 5%. RESULTS: Only 32.2% of the children evaluated had adequate oral hygiene, while 44.4% of the children experienced gingival bleeding. The prevalence of dental caries for both deciduous and permanent dentition was 63.3%, with DMFT values of 3.8 ± 4.5. The most common barrier reported by the caregivers was the challenge in modality of transportation availability from the children's homes to the health facilities (34.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Children with CP in the study population have a significant prevalence of oral diseases and face several barriers to oral healthcare. Results from this study aim to provide relevant support to advocate for a nationwide change in policy to improve access to dental care to decrease the burden of oral diseases in children with special healthcare needs.

Analytical and computational properties of the variable symmetric division deg index.

The aim of this work is to obtain new inequalities for the variable symmetric division deg index $ SDD_\alpha(G) = \sum_{uv \in E(G)} (d_u^\alpha/d_v^\alpha+d_v^\alpha/d_u^\alpha) $, and to characterize graphs extremal with respect to them. Here, by $ uv $ we mean the edge of a graph $ G $ joining the vertices $ u $ and $ v $, and $ d_u $ denotes the degree of $ u $, and $ \alpha \in \mathbb{R} $. Some of these inequalities generalize and improve previous results for the symmetric division deg index. In addition, we computationally apply the $ SDD_\alpha(G) $ index on random graphs and we demonstrate that the ratio $ \langle SDD_\alpha(G) \rangle/n $ ($ n $ is the order of the graph) depends only on the average degree $ \langle d \rangle $.

Nonuniform random graphs on the plane: A scaling study.

We consider random geometric graphs on the plane characterized by a nonuniform density of vertices. In particular, we introduce a graph model where n vertices are independently distributed in the unit disk with positions, in polar coordinates (l,θ), obeying the probability density functions ρ(l) and ρ(θ). Here we choose ρ(l) as a normal distribution with zero mean and variance σ∈(0,∞) and ρ(θ) as a uniform distribution in the interval θ∈[0,2π). Then, two vertices are connected by an edge if their Euclidean distance is less than or equal to the connection radius ℓ. We characterize the topological properties of this random graph model, which depends on the parameter set (n,σ,ℓ), by the use of the average degree 〈k〉 and the number of nonisolated vertices V_{×}, while we approach their spectral properties with two measures on the graph adjacency matrix: the ratio of consecutive eigenvalue spacings r and the Shannon entropy S of eigenvectors. First we propose a heuristic expression for 〈k(n,σ,ℓ)〉. Then, we look for the scaling properties of the normalized average measure 〈X[over ¯]〉 (where X stands for V_{×}, r, and S) over graph ensembles. We demonstrate that the scaling parameter of 〈V_{×}[over ¯]〉=〈V_{×}〉/n is indeed 〈k〉, with 〈V_{×}[over ¯]〉≈1-exp(-〈k〉). Meanwhile, the scaling parameter of both 〈r[over ¯]〉 and 〈S[over ¯]〉 is proportional to n^{-γ}〈k〉 with γ≈0.16.

Effect of Dentin Moisture in Posterior Restorations Performed with Universal Adhesive: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVES: This double-blind, randomized clinical trial evaluated the influence of dentin moisture on postoperative sensitivity (POS), as well as, on clinical performance in posterior bulk-fill composite restorations, using a universal adhesive, until 12 months after clinical service. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In accordance with a split-mouth design, 45 patients received posterior restorations, restored with a bulk-fill resin composite (Filtek Bulk Fill, 3M Oral Care) and a universal adhesive used in etch-and-rinse mode (SBU; Single Bond Universal Adhesive), which were applied on dry or moist dentin, with a cavity depth of at least 3 mm. Three operators placed 90 Class I/Class II restorations. Patients were evaluated for spontaneous and stimulated POS in the baseline, and after 48 hours, 7 days, and at 6 and 12 months. In addition, secondary parameters (marginal discoloration, marginal adaptation, fracture, and recurrent caries) were evaluated by World Dental Federation (FDI) criteria after 7 days and at 6 and 12 months. Statistical analyzes were performed using the Chi-square, Fisher exact, Friedman, Kruskall-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney tests (α=0.05). RESULTS: No significant spontaneous and stimulated POS was observed when SBU was applied in dry and moist dentin (p>0.05). A significant and higher risk of spontaneous POS (20.0%; 95%CI 10.9-33.82 for dry dentin and 22.22%; 95%CI 12.54-36.27 for moist dentin) occurred up to 48 hours after restoration placement for the dry and moist dentin groups (p<0.02). However, the POS intensity was mild up to 48 hours with no significant difference between dry and moist dentin groups (p>0.79). When secondary parameters were evaluated, no significant differences between the groups were observed. CONCLUSION: Dentin moisture did not influence POS in posterior bulk-fill composite restorations when associated with a universal adhesive applied in etch-and-rinse mode.

Characterization of the hierarchical architecture and micromechanical properties of walnut shell (Juglans regia L.).

In the present work a comprehensive characterization of the hierarchical architecture of the walnut shell (Juglans regia L.) was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Furthermore, micromechanical properties (hardness, HIT and elastic modulus, EIT) of plant tissues were evaluated at cell wall level by applying the instrumented indentation technique (IIT). The complex architecture of the material was described in terms of four hierarchical levels (HL): endocarp (H1), plant tissues (H2), plant cells (H3) and cell wall (H4). Our findings revealed that the walnut shell consists of a multilayer structure (sclerenchyma tissue, ST; interface tissue, IT; porous tissue, PT; and flattened parenchyma tissue, FPT), where differences in the microstructure and composition of plant tissues generate parallel gradients along the cross-section. The indentation tests showed a functional gradient with a sandwich-like configuration, i.e., a lightweight and soft layer (PT, HIT = 0.04 GPa) is located between two dense and hard layers (ST, HIT = 0.33 GPa; FPT, HIT = 0.28 GPa); where additionally there is an interface between ST and PT (IT, HIT = 0.16 GPa). This configuration is a successful strategy designed by nature to improve the protection of the kernel by increasing the strength of the shell. Therefore, the walnut shell can be considered as a functionally graded material (FGM), which can be used as bioinspiration for the design of new functional synthetic materials. In addition, we proposed some structure-property-function relationships in the whole walnut shell and in each of the plant tissues.

[Computed tomography lung density and small vessel quantification in pulmonary hypertension associated with progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease (PF-ILD)]. / Densité pulmonaire et quantification vasculaire tomodensitométrique dans l'hypertension pulmonaire associée aux pneumopathies interstitielles diffuses fibrosantes.

INTRODUCTION: The main objective of this work was to investigate a possible link between lung density, small pulmonary vessels, and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease (PF-ILD). METHODS: The study focused on patients with PF-ILD, all of whom underwent right cardiac catheterization and chest computed tomography prior to lung transplantation. Computed tomography scans were analyzed quantitatively for density and pulmonary vascularity. The relationship between computed tomography features and PH was investigated. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) damage on lung explant were included. mPAP was positively correlated with lung mass (r=0.36, P=0.03) and lung volume (r=0.43, P=0.007). Patients with severe PH had more voxels lower than -856 Hounsfield Units (HU) (+16%, P=0.02), fewer voxels greater than -700 HU (-20%, P=0.03), and a higher lung volume (+1.57L, P=0.007) compared to patients without PH. No correlation was found between vascularization and HTP. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PF-ILD and severe PH have lower lung density than patients with moderate or without PH.

Microwave graph analogs for the voltage drop in three-terminal devices with orthogonal, unitary, and symplectic symmetry.

Transmission measurements through three-port microwave graphs are performed, in analogy to three-terminal voltage drop devices with orthogonal, unitary, and symplectic symmetry. The terminal used as a probe is symmetrically located between two chaotic subgraphs, and each graph is connected to one port, the input and the output, respectively. The analysis of the experimental data clearly exhibits the weak localization and antilocalization phenomena. We find a good agreement with theoretical predictions, provided that the effects of dissipation and imperfect coupling to the ports are taken into account.

Effect of calcium oxalate crystals on the micromechanical properties of sclerenchyma tissue from the pecan nutshell (Carya illinoinensis).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the presence of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals on the micromechanical properties of sclerenchyma tissue from the pecan nutshell (Carya illinoinensis). The microstructure of the cross-section nutshell was examined using light microscopy (LM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Using an instrumented indentation system, indentation tests with maximum loads of 500 mN were made on the biological material where the variables studied were the number of crystals present in the evaluated area and the size of individual crystals. Microscopic analysis revealed that the pecan nutshell consists of sclerenchyma tissue with multiple CaOx crystals randomly distributed throughout the material, exhibiting prismatic shapes and various sizes. The results of the indentation tests showed that the examined areas where there were crystals (1, 2 or up to 3) presented values of hardness and elastic modulus significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared to the sclerenchyma (without crystals). Likewise, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the values of the micromechanical properties of the areas evaluated as a function of the number of crystals. On the other hand, it was observed that the size of the crystals did not show a direct correlation with the mechanical properties evaluated as expected. In conclusion, the biomineralization phenomenon is a successful strategy designed by nature to improve the rigidity of the pecan nutshell, where the CaOx crystals strengthen the structure by increasing the micromechanical properties.