Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
De Sitter vacua and inflation in no-scale string models

This thesis studies the question of how de Sitter vacua and slow-roll inflation may be realized in string-motivated models. More specifically, we consider 4d N = 1 supergravity theories (without vector multiplets) with Kahler potentials which are ‘no-scale’ at leading order. Such theories frequently arise in the moduli sector of string compactifications. We discuss a condition on the scalar geometry (defined by the Kahler potential) and on the direction of supersymmetry breaking in the scalar manifold, which has to be met in order for the average of the masses of the sGoldstinos to be positive, and hence for metastable vacua to be possible. This condition also turns out to be necessary for the existence of trajectories admitting slow-roll inflation. Its implications for certain scalar manifolds which arise from Calabi-Yau string compactifications are discussed. In particular, for two-moduli models arising from compactifications of heteroticand type IIB string theory, a simple criterion on the intersection numbers needs to be satisfied for possible de Sitter phases to exist. In addition, we show that subleading corrections breaking the no-scale property may allow the condition on the scalar geometry to be fulfilled, even when it is violated at leading order. Finally, we develop a procedure to construct superpotentials for a given viable Kahler potential, such that the scalar potential has a realistic local minimum. We propose two-moduli models, with superpotentials which could arise from flux backgrounds and non-perturbative effects, which have a viable vacuum without employing subleading corrections or an uplifting sector.
Eosinophilic Metaplasia in the Epididymis in Association With Lipofuscin Pigment: A Case Report

We present the case of a 54-year-old man with a cystic formation measuring 0.6 cm in the head of the epididymis. Histologically, the lesion showed intense granular eosinophilic transformation of the cytoplasm. The finding was assessed as eosinophilic metaplasia (EM) and showed association with and deposition of lipofuscin pigment. The EM in the epididymis presents a sign of intracytoplasmic lysosomal accumulation, which serves as a microscopic indicator of ductal obstruction. The presented unique finding was compared with the data reported in the literature. In this case report, we describe an extremely rare metaplastic lesion in the epididymis.
Is Following a Cancer-Protective Lifestyle Linked to Reduced Cancer Mortality Risk?

Objectives: This study investigates the association between a cancer protective lifestyle (defined based on the revised World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) cancer prevention recommendations) and mortality in Switzerland. Methods: Based on the cross-sectional, population-based National Nutrition Survey, menuCH (n = 2057), adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations was assessed via a score. Quasipoisson regression models were fitted to examine the association of adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations with mortality at the Swiss district-level. Spatial autocorrelation was tested with global Moran’s I. Integrated nested Laplace approximation models were fitted when significant spatial autocorrelation was detected. Results: Participants with higher cancer prevention scores had a significant decrease in all-cause (relative risk 0.95; 95% confidence interval 0.92, 0.99), all-cancer (0.93; 0.89, 0.97), upper aero-digestive tract cancer (0.87; 0.78, 0.97), and prostate cancer (0.81; 0.68, 0.94) mortality, compared to those with lower scores. Conclusion: The inverse association between adherence to the WCRF/AICR recommendations and mortality points out the potential of the lifestyle recommendations to decrease mortality and especially the burden of cancer in Switzerland.
On the emergence of a polychromatic photon from a single atom

Recent attempts to establish a space-time description of single-photon emission from single atoms (or molecules) are reviewed. In the wake of historical remarks on the so-called Lorenz zone of molecular influence, characteristics of the power-law confined birth domain of the photon are discussed within the framework of a field-unquantized formalism. In contrast to the common believe it is shown that the birth domain can be (and is) exponentially localized if the photon emerges from a pure spin transition. As a paradigm of exponential localization we discuss the emergence of a radio-frequency photon from the hydrogen hyperfine structure. Starting from the first-quantized description of the energy wave function of a polychromatic photon in vacuo, we introduce a propagator description of the photon embryo, and argue that the single-photon tunnelling process is a fingerprint of our inability to localize photons in space-time. With this understanding optical tunnelling appears as an indispensable part of all single photon-atom scattering processes. In the final part of the review we briefly describe how the formalism can be upgraded from single-photon wave mechanics to a field-quantized description based on wave packet (wave train) electrodynamics. In this new formalism, in which the polychromatic photon embryo is included as an integral part of the polychromatic field quanta, the electrons of the atom (or molecule) move not only in the self-consistent Coulomb potential but also in the transverse potential created by the particles themselves. A rigorous relativistic quantum electrodynamic theory of wave train photon emission from single atoms emerges in the horizon.
Germination Responses of Vipergrass (Dinebra retroflexa) to Environmental Factors and Herbicide Options for Its Control

Abstract Vipergrass [Dinebra retroflexa (Vahl) Panzer] is an annual weed of the Poaceae family distributed in several parts of Australia, Asia, and Europe. Very limited information is available on its germination response to different environmental conditions. Knowledge of its seed ecology and biology could help in formulating better weed management decisions. Experiments were conducted to study the effect of alternating temperatures, light conditions, salt stress, water stress, seed burial depths, and wheat residue amounts on the germination or emergence of D. retroflexa. Also, different pre- and postemergence herbicides were evaluated to control D. retroflexa. The highest germination (98%) was recorded at 30/20 C followed by 35/25 C (95%). Light was required for the germination of D. retroflexa. Germination decreased with an increase in sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations. Even at 80 mM NaCl, 81% of seeds germinated, indicating D. retroflexa's high salt tolerance. Seed germination gradually decreased with an increase in water stress, and no germination was recorded at –0.8 MPa osmotic potential. The emergence of D. retroflexa decreased with an increase in seed burial depths. The highest germination (83%) was recorded for surface-sown seeds, and emergence was reduced to 0 at a burial depth of 2 cm. Seedling emergence decreased from 82% to 2% when the crop residue load was increased from 0 to 800 kg ha–1. Applications of preemergence herbicides (at field rates), such as diuron, isoxaflutole, pendimethalin, pyroxasulfone, S-metolachlor, terbuthylazine, and triallate, and postemergence herbicides, such as clethodim, haloxyfop-methyl, glufosinate, glyphosate, imazamox plus imazapyr (a commercial mixture), and paraquat, resulted in complete control (100%) of D. retroflexa. Knowledge gained from this study will help us to understand the potential spread of D. retroflexa to other areas and to formulate integrated weed management strategies for its effective control.
Second-Generation Magnesium Phosphates as Water Extractant Agents in Forward Osmosis and Subsequent Use in Hydroponics

The recovery of nutrients from wastewater streams for their later use in agricultural fertilization is an interesting approach. Wastewater recovered magnesium phosphate (MgP) salts were used in a forward osmosis (FO) system as draw solution in order to extract water and to produce a nutrient solution to be used in a hydroponic system with lettuces (Lactuca sativa, L.). Owing to the low solubility of the MgP salts (i.e., struvite, hazenite and cattiite) in water, acid dissolution was successfully tested using citric and nitric acids to reach pH 3.0. The dilution by FO of the dissolved salts reached levels close to those needed by a hydroponic culture. Ion migration through the membrane was medium to high, and although it did not limit the dilution potential of the system, it might decrease the overall feasibility of the FO process. Functional growth of the lettuces in the hydroponic system was achieved with the three MgP salts using the recovered water as nutrient solution, once properly supplemented with nutrients with the desired concentrations. This is an innovative approach for promoting water reuse in hydroponics that benefits from the use of precipitated MgP salts as a nutrient source.
Improved Understanding of Aerodynamic Damping Through the Hilbert Transform

The equation of motion used to derive the aerodynamic damping coefficient for a single-degree-of-freedom airfoil oscillating in pitch about its quarter-chord is rewritten in analytic signal form through application of the Hilbert transform. The results yield a mathematical framework that can be used to estimate the aerodynamic damping coefficient throughout the entire pitch cycle. The analysis is then applied to experimental data from attached, light, and deep dynamic stall conditions at freestream Mach numbers ranging from 0.2 to 0.6 and Reynolds numbers up to 3.5×106. The Hilbert-transform-based approach is used to demonstrate that the cycle-integrated aerodynamic damping coefficient masks the physics underlying the stabilizing and destabilizing mechanisms of the dynamic stall process. In particular, conditions that exhibit positive cycle-integrated aerodynamic damping may include time intervals of negative aerodynamic damping during the pitch cycle.
Assisted probe guidance in cardiac ultrasound: A review

Echocardiography is the most frequently used imaging modality in cardiology. However, its acquisition is affected by inter-observer variability and largely dependent on the operator’s experience. In this context, artificial intelligence techniques could reduce these variabilities and provide a user independent system. In recent years, machine learning (ML) algorithms have been used in echocardiography to automate echocardiographic acquisition. This review focuses on the state-of-the-art studies that use ML to automate tasks regarding the acquisition of echocardiograms, including quality assessment (QA), recognition of cardiac views and assisted probe guidance during the scanning process. The results indicate that performance of automated acquisition was overall good, but most studies lack variability in their datasets. From our comprehensive review, we believe automated acquisition has the potential not only to improve accuracy of diagnosis, but also help novice operators build expertise and facilitate point of care healthcare in medically underserved areas.
Killing Spinors and Massless Spinor Fields

It is shown that in a space-time that admits a Killing spinor any solution of the Weyl or of the Maxwell equations can be used as a potential for another solution of the corresponding equation. Furthermore, it is shown that the new solution can be generated by a single component of the given one, which satisfies a decoupled equation. For the Kerr metric, the connection between the procedure presented here and several results previously known is established.
The widths of vacuum-ultraviolet spectral lines in the equatorial solar corona observed with CDS and SUMER

Observations of the solar equatorial corona between heights of 36 Mm and 184 Mm above the limb obtained by the SOHO spectrometers CDS and SUMER in December 2003 are presented and discussed with special emphasis on the widths of the spectral lines Mg  at 62.50 nm, Al  at 55.00 nm and 56.82 nm, Ca  at 55.78 nm, and Si  at 58.09 nm. SUMER observed, in addition, the lines Mg  60.98 nm, Ca  57.40 nm, Fe  124.20 nm, Fe  115.31 nm, and Ca  113.37 nm. The Si  52.11 nm line was only observed by CDS. A different behaviour of the line width of Mg  62.50 nm as a function of height above the limb had been found in studies carried out independently with both instruments at different times. It is the aim of this joint investigation to (a) study instrumental effects on line-width results; and (b) provide a thorough analysis of line profiles with altitude for the new campaign.
Different lasers for angioplasty: Thermooptical comparison

The quantitative estimates of various laser angioplasty conditions have been made. The thermal model used predicts the existence of and values for the thresholds for the tissue destruction by both the CW and pulsed laser radiation. These estimates agree with the known experimental data. The minimal thermal injury of surrounding tissue is obtained for the ablation mode which can be realized by a pulse duration of 10-5s or less and a fluence exceeding the threshold fluence somewhat.
Analysis of Vibrating Timoshenko Beams Using the Method of Differential Quadrature

The main advantages of the differential quadrature method are its inherent concep­ tual simplicity and the fact that easily programmable algorithmic expressions are obtained. It was developed by Bellman in the 1970s but only recently has been applied in the solution of technically important problems. Essentially, it consists of the ap­ proximate solution of the differential system by means of a polynomial-collocation approach at afinite number of points selected by the analyst. This article reports some numerical experiments on vibrating Timoshenko beams of nonuniform cross­ section. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Induced nuclear emission-line activity in interacting spiral galaxies.

On a etudie l'influence des interactions galaxie-galaxie sur le niveau d'activite nucleaire des galaxies spirales grâce a la spectrophotometrie nucleaire d'echantillons complets de systemes multiples et de systemes isoles. Les galaxies ayant des compagnons proches possedent des luminosites et des largeurs equivalentes des raies d'emission nucleaires beaucoup plus grandes et leur noyau presente en moyenne un niveau d'ionisation plus eleve. L'echantillon comporte une plus grande fraction de galaxies a noyau de Seyfert ou de type Seyfert
Magnetic and velocity fields of a solar pore

Context. Solar pores are intermediate-size magnetic flux features that emerge at the surface of the Sun. The absence of a filamentary penumbra indicates that there is a relatively simple magnetic structure with a prevailing vertical magnetic field. Aims. Relations between the magnetic field components, line-of-sight velocities, and horizontal motions in and around a large pore (Deff = 8. �� 5) are analysed to provide observational constraints on theoretical models and numerical simulations. Methods. Spectropolarimetric observations in Fe I 617.3 nm of the pore NOAA 11005 with the IBIS spectrometer attached to the Dunn Solar Telescope are inverted into series of maps of thermal, magnetic, and velocity parameters using the SIR code. Horizontal velocities are obtained from series of white-light images by means of local correlation tracking. Results. The magnetic field B extends from the visible pore border of more than 3. �� 5 and has a radial structure in a form of spines that are co-spatial with dark intergranular lanes. The horizontal component Bhor is more extended than the vertical component Bz. The temperature linearly decreases with increasing Bz, by about −300 K kG −1 in the photosphere and −800 K kG −1 in the umbra. The temperature contrast of granulation increases with increasing magnetic field strength and is then suppressed for Bz > 1200 G. Granular upflows dominate in regions with Bz 1000 G. Horizontal motions of granules start to be damped for Bz > 500 G and recurrently exploding granules appear only in magnetic fields comparable to or weaker than the equipartition field strength 400 G.
Estimation in Parallel Randomized Experiments

Many studies comparing new treatments to standard treatments consist of parallel randomized experiments. In the example considered here, randomized experiments were conducted in eight schools to determine the effectiveness of special coaching programs for the SAT. The purpose here is to illustrate Bayesian and empirical Bayesian techniques that can be used to help summarize the evidence in such data about differences among treatments, thereby obtaining improved estimates of the treatment effect in each experiment, including the one having the largest observed effect. Three main tools are illustrated: 1) graphical techniques for displaying sensitivity within an empirical Bayes framework, 2) simple simulation techniques for generating Bayesian posterior distributions of individual effects and the largest effect, and 3) methods for monitoring the adequacy of the Bayesian model specification by simulating the posterior predictive distribution in hypothetical replications of the same treatments in the same eight schools.
Medicago sativa ameliorated cyclophosphamide-induced thrombocytopenia and oxidative stress in rats

Abstract Effect of Medicago sativa (MS) hydro-ethanolic extract against the cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced toxicity was evaluated in rats grouped as: Control; CP (100 mg/kg subcutaneous, day 1–3); and CP+ MS100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day, orally for 14 days. Hematologic, lipid, hepatic and oxidative stress markers were analyzed. Platelet, WBC, RBC, Hb and Hct in the CP group were lower than the control. The MS200 and MS400 groups had lower lipids, liver enzymes, nitrite and malondialdehyde levels but higher platelet, WBC, thiol, superoxide dismutase and catalase levels than the CP group. MS ameliorated CP-induced thrombocytopenia, oxidative stress, and increases in serum lipids and hepatic enzymes.
Powder Metallurgy Processing and Characterization of the χ Phase Containing Multicomponent Al-Cr-Fe-Mn-Mo Alloy

High entropy alloys present many promising properties, such as high hardness or thermal stability, and can be candidates for many applications. Powder metallurgy techniques enable the production of bulk alloys with fine microstructures. This study aimed to investigate powder metallurgy preparation, i.e., mechanical alloying and sintering, non-equiatomic high entropy alloy from the Al-Cr-Fe-Mn-Mo system. The structural and microstructural investigations were performed on powders and the bulk sample. The indentation was carried out on the bulk sample. The mechanically alloyed powder consists of two bcc phases, one of which is significantly predominant. The annealed powder and the sample sintered at 950 °C for 1 h consist of a predominantly bcc phase (71 ± 2 vol.%), an intermetallic χ phase (26 ± 2 vol.%), and a small volume fraction of multielement carbides—M6C and M23C6. The presence of carbides results from carbon contamination from the balls and vial during mechanical alloying and the graphite die during sintering. The density of the sintered sample is 6.71 g/cm3 (98.4% relative density). The alloy presents a very high hardness of 948 ± 34 HV1N and Young’s modulus of 245 ± 8 GPa. This study showed the possibility of preparing ultra-hard multicomponent material reinforced by the intermetallic χ phase. The research on this system presented new knowledge on phase formation in multicomponent systems. Moreover, strengthening the solid solution matrix via hard intermetallic phases could be interesting for many industrial applications.
Outcomes of beta blocker use in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

Background In patients with cirrhosis, portal hypertension increases intestinal permeability, dysbiosis, and bacterial translocation, promoting an inflammatory state that can lead to the progression of liver disease and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to investigate whether beta blockers (BBs), which can mediate portal hypertension, conferred survival benefits in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Methods We conducted a retrospective, observational study of 578 patients with unresectable HCC treated with ICI from 2017 to 2019 at 13 institutions across three continents. BB use was defined as exposure to BBs at any time during ICI therapy. The primary objective was to assess the association of BB exposure with overall survival (OS). Secondary objectives were to evaluate the association of BB use with progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR) according to RECIST 1.1 criteria. Results In our study cohort, 203 (35%) patients used BBs at any point during ICI therapy. Of these, 51% were taking a nonselective BB. BB use was not significantly correlated with OS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.12, 95% CI 0.9-1.39, P = 0.298), PFS (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.83-1.26, P = 0.844) or ORR (odds ratio [OR] 0.84, 95% CI 0.54-1.31, P = 0.451) in univariate or multivariate analyses. BB use was also not associated with incidence of adverse events (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.96-1.97, P = 0.079). Specifically, nonselective BB use was not correlated with OS (HR 0.94, 95% CI 0.66-1.33, P = 0.721), PFS (HR 0.92, 0.66-1.29, P = 0.629), ORR (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.58-2.49, P = 0.623), or rate of adverse events (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.46-1.47, P = 0.510). Conclusion In this real-world population of patients with unresectable HCC treated with immunotherapy, BB use was not associated with OS, PFS or ORR.
Financial development, economic growth and the role of fiscal policy during normal and stress times: Evidence for 26 EU countries

This article empirically explores the finance-growth relationship and the performance of the financial system measured by financial depth, accessibility, and efficiency of both financial sectors, that is, institutions and stock markets. It also examines the role of fiscal policy in conjunction with the performance of financial development during both normal and stress times. The data consists of a panel of 26 European Union countries over the period 1990 – 2020. The results show that during normal times, the finance-led growth relationship and the stock market are greatly important, while during stress times the relationship becomes insignificant. Interestingly, financial institutions are found to be more effective at promoting growth and there is clear evidence that a potentially dynamic positive effect of institutions to growth is absorbed by macroeconomic shocks. In addition, there is evidence for a threshold at a lower level compared to those previously identified in the literature. This latter finding can be attributed to different measures of financial institutions used and the impact of macroeconomic shocks. The inability of both financial sectors to enhance economic activity seems to exhibit persistence from the occurrence of the global financial crisis until the onset of the recent Covid-19 pandemic.
Hadronic Physics in Geant4: Improvements and Status for LHC Start

An overview of recent developments in Geant4 hadronic modelling is provided with a focus on the start of the LHC experiments. Improvements in low-energy and high energy models were introduced. Many of these developments were directed toward increasing the precision of simulated hadronic showers for LHC detectors. Theoretical arguments were used as well as tuning to thin target experiment data. The testing suite for the Geant4 hadronic models was extended. Selected validation results are presented. The variants of Geant4 physics model configurations (Physics Lists) for LHC experiments are discussed.