bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical benefit of neoadjuvant anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 utilization among different tumors
Authors: Li Zhiyang , Wu Xin , Zhao Yanjie , Xiao Yinan , Zhao Yunuo , Zhang Ting , Li Hui , Sha Fushen , Wang Yating , Deng Lei , Ma Xuelei
Published: March 2021

PD‐1/PD‐L1 (programmed cell death‐1 and programmed death‐ligand 1) inhibitors utilization in neoadjuvant therapy has been assessed in tumors. This study focused on the clinical benefits of neoadjuvant anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 therapy. A comprehensive search was conducted in electronic databases to identify eligible studies. Major response rate (MRR) and complete response rate (CRR) were pooled in this analysis to assess the efficacy of neoadjuvant anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 utilization, all grades and high‐grade adverse events (AEs) were pooled to evaluate its safety. Twenty studies were included in this meta‐analysis, with 828 patients suffering from different tumors. The pooled CRR of triple‐negative breast cancer was 0.569 (95% CI 0.514, 0.624, I2 = 0%) and the pooled MRR of lung cancer was 0.471 (95% CI 0.267, 0.575, I2 = 0%). The most frequent adverse event was fatigue (0.272 95% CI 0.171, 0.402, I2 = 87%), and the most common high‐grade adverse event was febrile neutropenia (0.084 95% CI 0.063, 0.112, I2 = 85%). In conclusion, neoadjuvant anti‐PD‐1/PD‐L1 therapy received satisfactory clinical results in these tumors included.
The organizational choice of technology transfer mode: Theory and application to the genetically modified plant industry
Authors: Rousselière Samira , Ramani Shyama V. , Rousselière Damien
Published: March 2021

The objective of the present paper is to identify the determinants of the form of collaboration initiated between an upstream innovator and a downstream producer in order to incorporate a new input and commercialize an innovation consisting of a quality enhanced final product, with an empirical application to the genetically modified (GM) plant industry. The choice of upstream firm between license, joint venture, merger, or a subsidiary is modeled as a function of three parameters: degree of quality improvement engendered by the new input, the market share of the downstream producer, and the capability of the downstream producer to incorporate the new input and commercialize it successfully.
Classification of tolerable/intolerable mucosal toxicity of head‐and‐neck radiotherapy schedules with a biomathematical model of cell dynamics
Authors: Pardo‐Montero Juan , Parga‐Pazos Martín , Fenwick John D.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present a biomathematical model based on the dynamics of cell populations to predict the tolerability/intolerability of mucosal toxicity in head‐and‐neck radiotherapy.

Methods and Materials

Our model is based on the dynamics of proliferative and functional cell populations in irradiated mucosa, and incorporates the three As: Accelerated proliferation, loss of Asymmetric proliferation, and Abortive divisions. The model consists of a set of delay differential equations, and tolerability is based on the depletion of functional cells during treatment. We calculate the sensitivity (sen) and specificity (spe) of the model in a dataset of 108 radiotherapy schedules, and compare the results with those obtained with three phenomenological classification models, two based on a biologically effective dose (BED) function describing the tolerability boundary (Fowler and Fenwick) and one based on an equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2) boundary (Strigari). We also perform a machine learning‐like cross‐validation of all the models, splitting the database in two, one for training and one for validation.

Results

When fitting our model to the whole dataset, we obtain predictive values (sen + spe) up to 1.824. The predictive value of our model is very similar to that of the phenomenological models of Fowler (1.785), Fenwick (1.806), and Strigari (1.774). When performing a k = 2 cross‐validation, the specificity and sensitivity in the validation dataset decrease for all models, from ˜1.82 to ˜1.55–1.63. For Fowler, the worsening is higher, down to 1.49.

Conclusions

Our model has proved useful to predict the tolerability/intolerability of a dataset of 108 schedules. As the model is more mechanistic than other available models, it could prove helpful when designing unconventional dose fractionations, schedules not covered by datasets to which phenomenological models of toxicity have been fitted.
Evaluation of a variable‐aperture full‐ring SPECT system using large‐area pixelated CZT modules: A simulation study for brain SPECT applications
Authors: Huh Yoonsuk , Yang Jaewon , Dim Odera U. , Cui Yonggang , Tao Weijie , Huang Qiu , Gullberg Grant T. , Seo Youngho
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scanners using cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) offer compact, lightweight, and improved imaging capability over conventional NaI(Tl)‐based SPECT scanners. The main purpose in this study is to propose a full‐ring SPECT system design with eight large‐area CZT detectors that can be used for a broad spectrum of SPECT radiopharmaceuticals and demonstrate the performance of our system in comparison to the reference conventional NaI(Tl)‐based two‐head Anger cameras.

Methods

A newly designed full‐ring SPECT system is composed of eight large‐area CZT cameras (128 mm × 179.2 mm effective area) that can be independently swiveled around their own axes of rotation independently and can have radial motion for varying aperture sizes that can be adapted to different sizes of imaging volume. Extended projection data were generated by conjoining projections of two adjacent detectors to overcome the limited field‐of‐view (FOV) by each CZT camera. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we evaluated this new system design with digital phantoms including a Derenzo hot rod phantom and a Zubal brain phantom. Comparison of performance metrics such as spatial resolution, sensitivity, contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), and contrast‐recovery ratio was made between our design and conventional SPECT scanners having different pixel sizes and radii of rotation (one clinically well‐known type and two arbitrary types matched to our proposed CZT‐SPECT geometries).

Results

The proposed scanner could result in up to about three times faster in acquisition time over conventional scan time at same acquisition time per step. The spatial resolution improvement, or deterioration, of our proposed scanner compared to the clinical‐type scanner was dependent upon the location of the point source. However, there were overall performance improvements over the three different setups of the conventional scanner particularly in volume sensitivity (approximately up to 1.7 times). Overall, we successfully reconstructed the phantom image for both 99mTc‐based perfusion and 123I‐based dopamine transporter (DaT) brain studies simulated for our new design. In particular, the striatal/background contrast‐recovery ratio in 3‐to‐1 reference ratio was over 0.8 for the 123I‐based DaT study.

Conclusions

We proposed a variable‐aperture full‐ring SPECT system using combined pixelated CZT and energy‐optimized parallel‐hole collimator modules and evaluated the performance of this scanner using relevant digital phantoms and MC simulations. Our studies demonstrated the potential of our new full‐ring CZT‐SPECT design, showing reduced acquisition time and improved sensitivity with acceptable CNR and spatial resolution.
Evaluation of Visual Implant Elastomer, PIT, and p-Chip Tagging Methods in a Small-Bodied Minnow Species
Authors: Moore Desiree M. , Brewer Shannon K.
Published: March 2021

Reliable fish tagging methods are needed to conduct studies (e.g., movement, habitat, abundance) that inform conservation and management decisions; however, dependable tagging approaches are lacking for many small-bodied fishes. Therefore, our study objective was to determine survival, tag retention (visible implant elastomer [VIE], PIT, or light-activated microtransponder [“p-Chip”]) and tagging effects on short-term growth of the federally threatened Arkansas River Shiner Notropis girardi. We also examined the use of anesthesia to reduce fish mortality (i.e., reduce handling time) and improve tagging efficiency. Fish tagged with p-Chips had the highest survival (87%), whereas VIE-tagged fish had the second highest survival (67%). Visible implant elastomer tags were retained in our fish 88% of the time, and retention was also high using p-Chips (72%). Location of the VIE tag did not significantly affect survival or retention rates. Survival of PIT-tagged fish significantly increased from 53% to 83% when handling time was reduced; however, tag retention was relatively low in both cases (50% and 45%, respectively). The majority of tagged fish across experiments (83–100%) gained weight regardless of tag type. If the research or management goal is to tag Arkansas River Shiner or similar species with individual identification, p-Chips appear to be an appropriate tag. Particularly if cost is limiting or higher tag retention is needed, VIE tags would also be appropriate for batch tagging (i.e., no individual identification). Additional studies to broaden application of tagging to other small-bodied species would be beneficial.
Foreign direct investment‐firm productivity nexus in West Africa: New empirical insights from firm level data
Authors: Orji Anthony , Aza Gabriel Chiangi , Anthony‐Orji Onyinye I. , Isaac Ndubuisi
Published: March 2021

As recorded widely in the extant literature, foreign‐invested firms with superior technology and managerial skills are likely to generate productivity spillovers that may be beneficial to local firms. We examine firm level productivity spillovers in the West African context. Four countries were sampled on the basis that they share institutional and similarities as British colonies and social economic similarities as West African countries. The Levinshon and Petrin methodology was fitted with firm level data sourced from the World Bank enterprise survey for the period 2006–2018 with the sampled countries having data for different years. Our results confirm that foreign direct investment has a significant and positive impact on the productivity of firms in West Africa. Controlling for other effects, Capital intensity has a significant but negative effect on firm productivity; changes in market concentration do not have any impact while firm size negatively affects productivity of firms in the region. The study recommends among other things that policy should be targeted towards removing all cumbersome access restrictions experienced by foreign investors. Improvement in the ease of doing business in these countries could be a major policy thrust which will clear up the path of direct investment inflow.
Physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic modeling to predict drug interactions of lemborexant with CYP3A inhibitors
Authors: Ueno Takashi , Miyajima Yukiko , Landry Ishani , Lalovic Bojan , Schuck Edgar
Published: March 2021

Lemborexant, a recently approved dual orexin receptor antagonist for treatment of adults with insomnia, is eliminated primarily by cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A metabolism. The recommended dose of lemborexant is 5 mg once per night, with a maximum recommended dose of 10 mg once daily. A physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for lemborexant was developed and applied to integrate data obtained from in vivo drug–drug interaction (DDI) assessments, and to further explore lemborexant interaction with CYP3A inhibitors and inducers. The model predictions were in good agreement with observed pharmacokinetic data and with DDI results from clinical studies with CYP3A inhibitors, itraconazole and fluconazole. The model further predicted that DDI effects of weak CYP3A inhibitors (fluoxetine and ranitidine) are weak, and effects of moderate inhibitors (erythromycin and verapamil) are moderate. Based on the PBPK simulations and clinical efficacy and safety data, the maximum daily recommended lemborexant dose when administered with weak CYP3A inhibitors is 5 mg; co‐administration of moderate and strong inhibitors should be avoided except in countries where 2.5 mg has been approved.
Accounting for moist processes in a sub‐grid orographic drag scheme
Authors: Smith Samantha
Published: March 2021

A method for estimating the effective moist stability within a sub‐grid orographic drag scheme is described. It accounts for latent heat effects during low‐level saturated sub‐grid orographic ascent, with the lifting condensation level determining how much of the assumed sub‐grid ascents are saturated. The scheme has been verified for two cases with moist south to southwesterly low‐level flow impinging on mountain ranges of the USA and India, within both low‐resolution global simulations and high‐resolution limited‐area model simulations with degraded orography. It produces significant improvements to the model wind fields in both regions. In particular, the amount of low‐level orographic blocking predicted by the orographic drag scheme is reduced, particularly at low resolution, as are the associated large negative near‐surface wind biases over the mountains. Precipitation is shifted slightly downstream. A suite of 24 five‐day global NWP forecasts at N320 resolution was used to demonstrate that these results are robust, and that similar effects are seen over a number of mountain ranges. Over India, the convection scheme is very active in the global simulations, and has a larger effect on the winds at all levels than the orographic drag scheme. However the two schemes interact. Reducing the sub‐grid low‐level orographic blocking drag resulted in a reduction in the convergence occurring as the westerly flow decelerates towards the mountains. This decreased the amount of convection occurring over the sea upstream and along the coast, reducing the associated negative low‐level wind bias there, as well as reducing the negative wind biases over land.
High‐temperature mass spectrometric study of vaporization and thermodynamics of the Cs2O‐B2O3 system: Review and experimental investigation
Authors: Stolyarova Valentina L. , Vorozhtcov Viktor A. , Lopatin Sergey I. , Shugurov Sergey M. , Simonenko Elizaveta P. , Simonenko Nikolay P. , Kurata Masaki , Costa Davide
Published: March 2021

Rationale

The compounds in the Cs2O‐B2O3 system are of particular interest for nuclear applications since cesium borates may be formed during accidents in nuclear reactors, affecting the rate of release of radiotoxic isotopes into the environment. Thus, information on the vaporization and thermodynamic properties of cesium borates is necessary for simulation and modeling of the isotope release processes taking place during the nuclear reactor accidents.

Methods

Compounds in the Cs2O‐B2O3 system were synthesized by the co‐crystallization method with subsequent sintering. The sample characterization was carried out using XRD, TGA/DSC/DTA, IR spectroscopy, and ICP atomic emission spectroscopy. The vaporization and thermodynamics of the samples under consideration were investigated using an MS‐1301 mass spectrometer and a single molybdenum effusion cell. The electron ionization method was employed for ionization of the vapor species with an electron energy of 30 eV. The scale of the ionizing voltage was calibrated according to the traditional technique by measuring the appearance energy of gold in the mass spectrum of the vapor over pure gold.

Results

The main vapor species over the samples in the Cs2O‐B2O3 system were CsBO2 and Cs2B2O4 in the temperature range 789–1215 K and in the concentration range 0.1–0.5 mole fraction of Cs2O. The temperature dependences of the CsBO2 and Cs2B2O4 partial pressures over cesium borate were obtained in the temperature range 767–990 K. The CsBO2 and B2O3 activities, the Gibbs energies of mixing, the excess Gibbs energies, the partial mole enthalpies of mixing, and total enthalpies of mixing were determined as functions of temperature and composition of the condensed phase.

Conclusions

As the Cs2O and B2O3 activity values evidenced, negative deviations from the ideal behavior were observed in the Cs2O‐B2O3 system in the temperature range 800–1000 K. The total enthalpies of mixing and the Gibbs energies of mixing in the Cs2O‐B2O3 system were compared with the literature data, illustrating their mutual agreement.
Counting independent sets in graphs with bounded bipartite pathwidth
Authors: Dyer Martin , Greenhill Catherine , Müller Haiko
Published: March 2021

We show that a simple Markov chain, the Glauber dynamics, can efficiently sample independent sets almost uniformly at random in polynomial time for graphs in a certain class. The class is determined by boundedness of a new graph parameter called bipartite pathwidth. This result, which we prove for the more general hardcore distribution with fugacity , can be viewed as a strong generalization of Jerrum and Sinclair's work on approximately counting matchings, that is, independent sets in line graphs. The class of graphs with bounded bipartite pathwidth includes claw‐free graphs, which generalize line graphs. We consider two further generalizations of claw‐free graphs and prove that these classes have bounded bipartite pathwidth. We also show how to extend all our results to polynomially bounded vertex weights.
Reduced rank multinomial logistic regression in Markov chains with application to cognitive data
Authors: Wang Pei , Abner Erin L. , Fardo David W. , Schmitt Frederick A. , Jicha Gregory A. , Van Eldik Linda J. , Kryscio Richard J.
Published: March 2021

Finite Markov chains are useful tools for studying transitions among health states; these chains can be complex consisting of a mix of transient and absorbing states. The transition probabilities, which are often affected by covariates, can be difficult to estimate due to the presence of many covariates and/or a subset of transitions that are rarely observed. The purpose of this article is to show how to estimate the effect of a subset of covariates of interest after adjusting for the presence of multiple other covariates by applying multidimensional dimension reduction to the latter. The case in which transitions within each row of the one‐step transition probability matrix are estimated by multinomial logistic regression is discussed in detail. Dimension reduction for the adjustment covariates involves estimating the effect of the covariates by a product of matrices iteratively; at each iteration one matrix in the product is fixed while the second is estimated using either standard software or nonlinear estimation, depending on which of the matrices in the product is fixed. The algorithm is illustrated by an application where the effect of at least one Apolipoprotein‐E (APOE) gene allele on transition probability is estimated in a Markov Chain that includes adjustment for eight covariates and focuses on transitions from normal cognition to several forms of mild cognitive impairment, with possible absorption into dementia. Data were drawn from annual cognitive assessments of 649 participants enrolled in the BRAiNS cohort at the University of Kentucky's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.
Recent Advances in 2D Group VB Transition Metal Chalcogenides
Authors: Su Jianwei , Liu Guiheng , Liu Lixin , Chen Jiazhen , Hu Xiaozong , Li Yuan , Li Huiqiao , Zhai Tianyou
Published: March 2021

2D materials have received considerable research interest owing to their abundant material systems and remarkable properties. Among them, 2D group VB transition metal chalcogenides (GVTMCs) stand out as emerging 2D metallic materials and significantly broaden the research scope of 2D materials. 2D GVTMCs have great advantages in electrical transport, 2D magnetism, charge density wave, sensing, catalysis, and charge storage, making them attractive in the fields of functional devices and energy chemistry. In this review, the recent progress of 2D GVTMCs is summarized systematically from fundamental properties, growth methodologies to potential applications. The challenges and prospects are also discussed for future research in this field.
Deep trade agreements and harmonization of standards
Authors: Kawabata Yasushi , Takarada Yasuhiro
Published: March 2021

This study examines how free trade agreements (FTAs) and customs unions (CUs) affect multilateral trade agreements when countries endogenously determine the standards as well as tariffs. Raising standards reduces the negative consumption externalities of a traded good but increases firms' costs. We find that a deep FTA with the harmonization of standards may be a stumbling block for multilateral free trade with the international standard that maximizes world welfare, whereas a deep CU with standards is a building block. As extensions, we consider asymmetry in firms' production costs and in the awareness of negative externalities between countries as well as transboundary externalities.
Recent Progress in Heterogeneous Catalysis by Atomically and Structurally Precise Metal Nanoclusters
Authors: Shi Quanquan , Qin Zhaoxian , Sharma Sachil , Li Gao
Published: March 2021

The feasibility to synthesize the ligand‐protected atomically precise nanoclusters with various compositions in sub‐nanometer range (≤2 nm) and the determination of their structures is an important step in long‐pursuit of well‐defined heterogeneous catalysis. Such types of precise catalysts provide an opportunity to understand the fundamentals of catalysis better in terms of: 1) activity and selectivity by metal‐core and metal‐ligand interface, 2) size‐dependent activity, 3) reaction mechanism and 4) active‐site identification and activation. It motivated us to develop the novel metal nanoclusters with precise structures as the new catalytic systems, which led to the several significant findings on above mentioned points. We consider that with this gained knowledge, the future research is expected to bring more exciting advancement in deep understanding of the reaction mechanism, specific‐site identification and tailoring of catalytic active sites at atomic level.
Rotor‐integrated modeling of wind turbine aerodynamics
Authors: Chabaud Valentin
Published: March 2021

A novel approach for the modeling of rotor‐integrated aerodynamic loads is suggested to answer the need for a comprehensive, insightful, and analytical actuator disc model. All the six degrees of freedom (including tangential components) are considered. It is shown that loads may be written as a quadratic form of a reduced six‐component velocity vector at the hub. The individual contributions of lift and drag, azimuthal variations, as well as blade pitching and tip losses are isolated. Errors introduced by the necessary approximations are discussed, and parametric corrections are considered. Parameter identification methods are then suggested, and the performance of the resulting calibrated analytical models is assessed. Results show that the new modeling approach is able to accurately model both the mean values of the thrust and power coefficients and their derivatives with respect to tip‐speed ratio and pitch angle across the full range of operating wind speeds. Furthermore, it is able to reconstruct the general rotor behavior with a minimal amount of information available. Tangential components are also well modeled, although they require the knowledge of airfoil properties. The model's architecture leaves room for extensions to dynamic flow, skewed flow, and azimuthal load variations.
Emulsion liquid membrane modeling for chromium removal from electroplating wastewater using TOMAC as a carrier
Authors: Othman Norasikin , Noah Norul Fatiha Mohamed , Sulaiman Raja Norimie Raja , Jusoh Norela , Tan Wan Ting
Published: March 2021

Hexavalent chromium, emanating primarily from the electroplating industries, can be reduced to the less toxic trivalent variety by several methods, including emulsion liquid membrane (ELM). In this work, studies on the continuous removal of chromium from authentic electroplating wastewater by ELM are reported. The effects of treat ratio, external feed phase, and stripping agent concentration were examined. A mathematical boundary breakage model was used to study the extraction efficiency of chromium through the ELM process. The model representing the prediction of ELM extraction performance for chromium was validated through the comparison between the simulation and experimental results. The result showed the simulation model is found to be in good agreement with the experimental result. Almost 100% of 40 ppm chromium in the external feed phase was extracted within 3 to 5 min using 0.022 M TOMAC as extractant, 1.0 M acidic thiourea in the internal phase, and 1 to 5 of treat ratio.

Practitioner Points

Hexavalent chromium, emanating primarily from electroplating industries, can be reduced to the less toxic trivalent using ELM process.

The developed method was tested for its applicability with predominant species of Cr2O72− in real rinse electroplating wastewater.

The extraction efficiency (%) of Cr (VI) was almost 100% for 40 ppm Cr in the external feed phase within 3 to 5 min.

The result showed the simulation model is found to be in good agreement with the experimental result.
Health Promotion Among Home-Dwelling Elderly Individuals in Turkey
Authors: Körükcü Öznur , Kabukcuoğlu Kamile
Published: March 2021

Although the social structure of Turkish society has changed from a broad family order to a nuclear family, family relations still hold an important place, where traditional elements dominate. Still, elderly people are cared for by their family in their home environment. Thus, the role of family members is crucial in taking care of elderly individuals. In Turkey, the responsibility of care is largely on women; the elderly’s wife, daughter, or daughter-in-law most often provides the care. Family members who provide care need support so that they can maintain their physical, psychological and mental health. At this point, Antonovsky’s salutogenic health model represents a positive and holistic approach to support individual’s health and coping. The salutogenic understanding of health emphasizes both physical, psychological, social, spiritual and cultural resources which can be utilized not only to avoid illness, but to promote health.

With the rapidly increasing ageing population globally, health expenditures and the need for care are increasing accordingly. This increase reveals the importance of health-promoting practices in elderly care, which are important for the well-being and quality of life of older individuals and their families, as well as cost effectiveness. In Turkey, the emphasis on health-promoting practices is mostly focused in home-care services including examination, treatment, nursing care, medical care, medical equipment and device services, psychological support, physiotherapy, follow-up, rehabilitation services, housework (laundry, shopping, cleaning, food), personal care (dressing, bathroom, and personal hygiene help), 24-h emergency service, transportation, financial advice and training services within the scope of the social state policy for the elderly 65 years and older, whereas medical management of diseases serves elderly over the age of 85. In the Turkish health care system, salutogenesis can be used in principle for two aims: to guide health-promotion interventions in health care practice, and to (re)orient health care practice and research. The salutogenic orientation encompasses all elderly people independently of their position on the ease-/dis-ease continuum. This chapter presents health-promotion practices in the care of elderly home-dwelling people living in Turkey.
An update on moduli stabilization with antibrane uplift
Authors: Dudas Emilian , Lüst Severin
Published: March 2021

Abstract

It was recently shown that in warped compactifications based on a Klebanov-Strassler throat there is a light complex structure field, governing the size of the throat and the redshift at its tip. We show that after uplift of the cosmological constant by an anti-D3 brane at the tip of the throat, the contribution to supersymmetry breaking coming from the new light field is large. We work out the mass scales, in particular the condition for this field to be heavier than the Kähler modulus. We check that for the range of parameters relevant for the destabilization we find agreement with de Sitter swampland conjecture. Adding matter fields on distant branes, we discuss the effects on supersymmetry breaking in the observable sector. A hierarchically small scale of supersymmetry breaking translates generically into large values of localized D3 charges in the manifold.
Uplifting dyonic AdS4 black holes on seven-dimensional Sasaki-Einstein manifolds
Authors: Kim Hyojoong , Kim Nakwoo
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We revisit non-rotating, dyonically charged, and supersymmetric AdS4 black holes, which are solutions of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 gauged supergravity with vector- and hyper-multiplets. Uplifting the near horizon solutions to D = 11 supergravity on seven-dimensional Sasaki-Einstein manifolds, we show that dyonic AdS4 black holes correspond to AdS2 solutions with electric and magnetic baryonic fluxes in D = 11 supergravity. We identify the off-shell AdS4 black hole solutions with parameters of D = 11 AdS2 solutions without imposing the equations of motion. We calculate the entropy of dyonic black holes, carefully analyzing the Page charge quantization conditions.
$$ \frac{\mathrm{SL}\left(2,\mathrm{\mathbb{R}}\right)\times \mathrm{U}(1)}{\mathrm{U}(1)} $$ CFT, NS5+F1 system and single trace $$ T\overline{T} $$
Authors: Chakraborty Soumangsu
Published: March 2021

Abstract

In this paper we prove the equivalence among (i) the weakly coupled worldsheet string theory described by the coset sigma model $$ \frac{\mathrm{SL}{\left(2,\mathrm{\mathbb{R}}\right)}_k\times \mathrm{U}(1)}{\mathrm{U}(1)} $$

SL

2
ℝ

k

×
U

1

U

1

× S3 × T4 with SL(2, ℝ) WZW level k ≥ 2, (ii) the full near horizon theory of the NS5 branes with k NS5 branes wrapping T4 × S1, p » 1 F1 strings wrapping S1 and n units of momentum along the S1 and (iii) the single trace $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

deformation of string theory in AdS3 × S3 × T4. As a check we compute the spectrum (continuous) of the spacetime theory by performing BRST quantization of the coset description of the worldsheet theory and show that it matches exactly with the one derived in the case of single trace $$ T\overline{T} $$
T

T
¯

deformed string theory in AdS3. Secondly, we compute the two-point correlation function of local operators of the spacetime theory using the worldsheet coset approach and reproduce the same two-point function from the supergravity approach.
Challenge to anomalous phenomena in solar neutrino
Authors: Ahn Y. H.
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We suggest a would-be solution to the solar neutrino tension why solar neutrinos appear to mix differently from reactor antineutrinos, in theoretical respect. To do that, based on an extended theory with light sterile neutrinos added we derive a general transition probability of neutrinos born with one flavor tuning into a different flavor. Three new mass-squared differences are augmented in the extended theory:$$ \Delta {m}_{\mathrm{ABL}}^2\lesssim \mathcal{O}\left({10}^{-11}\right) $$ΔmABL2≲O10−11eV2optimized at astronomical-scale baseline (ABL) oscillation experiments and one$$ \Delta {m}_{\mathrm{SBL}}^2\lesssim \mathcal{O}(1) $$ΔmSBL2≲O1eV2optimized at reactor short-baseline (SBL) oscillation experiments. With a so-called composite matter effect that causes a neutrino flavor change via the effects of sinusoidal oscillation including the Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein matter effect, we find that the value of ∆m2measured from reactor antineutrino experiments can be fitted with that from the8B solar neutrino experiments for roughly$$ \Delta {m}_1^2\lesssim {10}^{-13} $$Δm12≲10−13eV2and$$ \Delta {m}_2^2\simeq \mathcal{O}\left({10}^{-11}\right) $$Δm22≃O10−11eV2. Nonetheless, we find that the current data (solar neutrino alone) is not precise enough to test the proposed scenario. Future precise measurements of8B andpepsolar neutrinos may confirm and/or improve the value of$$ \Delta {m}_2^2 $$Δm22.
On the N-pion extension of the Lovelace-Shapiro model
Authors: Bianchi Massimo , Consoli Dario , Di Vecchia Paolo
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We reconsider a modification of the N-point amplitude of the Neveu-Schwarz (NS) model in which the tachyon becomes a pion by shifting its mass to zero and keeping the super-projective invariance of the integrand of the amplitude. For the scattering of four particles it reduces to the amplitude written by Lovelace and Shapiro that has Adler zeroes. We confirm that also the N-pion amplitude has Adler zeroes and show that it reduces to that of the non-linear σ-model for α′ → 0 keeping Fπ fixed. The four- and six-point flavour-ordered amplitudes satisfy tree-level unitarity since they can be derived from the correspondent amplitudes of the NS model in ten dimensions by suitably choosing the components of the momenta of the external mesons in the six extra dimensions. Negative norm states (ghosts) are shown to appear instead in higher-point amplitudes. We also discuss several amplitudes involving different external mesons.
Deterministic Sparse Sublinear FFT with Improved Numerical Stability
Authors: Plonka Gerlind , von Wulffen Therese
Published: March 2021

In this paper we extend the deterministic sublinear FFT algorithm in Plonka et al. (Numer Algorithms 78:133–159, 2018. 10.1007/s11075-017-0370-5) for fast reconstruction of M-sparse vectors $${\mathbf{x}}$$
x
of length $$N= 2^J$$

N
=

2
J

, where we assume that all components of the discrete Fourier transform $$\hat{\mathbf{x}}= {\mathbf{F}}_{N} {\mathbf{x}}$$

x
^

=

F
N

x

are available. The sparsity of $${\mathbf{x}}$$
x
needs not to be known a priori, but is determined by the algorithm. If the sparsity M is larger than $$2^{J/2}$$

2

J
/
2

, then the algorithm turns into a usual FFT algorithm with runtime $${\mathcal O}(N \log N)$$

O
(
N
log
N
)

. For $$M^{2} < N$$

M
2

<
N

, the runtime of the algorithm is $${\mathcal O}(M^2 \, \log N)$$

O
(

M
2

log
N
)

. The proposed modifications of the approach in Plonka et al. (2018) lead to a significant improvement of the condition numbers of the Vandermonde matrices which are employed in the iterative reconstruction. Our numerical experiments show that our modification has a huge impact on the stability of the algorithm. While the algorithm in Plonka et al. (2018) starts to be unreliable for $$M>20$$

M
>
20

because of numerical instabilities, the modified algorithm is still numerically stable for $$M=200$$

M
=
200

.
The hydrostatic approximation for the primitive equations by the scaled Navier–Stokes equations under the no-slip boundary condition
Authors: Furukawa Ken , Giga Yoshikazu , Kashiwabara Takahito
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we justify the hydrostatic approximation of the primitive equations in maximal$$L^p$$Lp-$$L^q$$Lq-settings in the three-dimensional layer domain$$\varOmega = \mathbb {T} ^2 \times (-1, 1)$$Ω=T2×(-1,1)under the no-slip (Dirichlet) boundary condition in any time interval (0, T) for$$T>0$$T>0. We show that the solution to the$$\epsilon $$ϵ-scaled Navier–Stokes equations with Besov initial data$$u_0 \in B^{s}_{q,p}(\varOmega )$$u0∈Bq,ps(Ω)for$$s > 2 - 2/p + 1/ q$$s>2-2/p+1/qconverges to the solution to the primitive equations with the same initial data in$$\mathbb {E}_1 (T) = W^{1, p}(0, T ; L^q (\varOmega )) \cap L^p(0, T ; W^{2, q} (\varOmega )) $$E1(T)=W1,p(0,T;Lq(Ω))∩Lp(0,T;W2,q(Ω))with order$$O(\epsilon )$$O(ϵ), where$$(p,q) \in (1,\infty )^2$$(p,q)∈(1,∞)2satisfies$$ \frac{1}{p} \le \min ( 1 - 1/q, 3/2 - 2/q ) $$1p≤min(1-1/q,3/2-2/q)and$$\epsilon $$ϵhas the length scale. The global well-posedness of the scaled Navier–Stokes equations by$$\epsilon $$ϵin$$\mathbb {E}_1 (T)$$E1(T)is also proved for sufficiently small$$\epsilon >0$$ϵ>0. Note that$$T = \infty $$T=∞is included.
Inverse Problem for the Yang–Mills Equations
Authors: Chen Xi , Lassas Matti , Oksanen Lauri , Paternain Gabriel P.
Published: March 2021

We show that a connection can be recovered up to gauge from source-to-solution type data associated with the Yang–Mills equations in Minkowski space $${\mathbb {R}}^{1+3}$$

R

1
+
3

. Our proof analyzes the principal symbols of waves generated by suitable nonlinear interactions and reduces the inversion to a broken non-abelian light ray transform. The principal symbol analysis of the interaction is based on a delicate calculation that involves the structure of the Lie algebra under consideration and the final result holds for any compact Lie group.
Random Evolution Equations: Well-Posedness, Asymptotics, and Applications to Graphs
Authors: Bonaccorsi Stefano , Cottini Francesca , Mugnolo Delio
Published: March 2021

We study diffusion-type equations supported on structures that are randomly varying in time. After settling the issue of well-posedness, we focus on the asymptotic behavior of solutions: our main result gives sufficient conditions for pathwise convergence in norm of the (random) propagator towards a (deterministic) steady state. We apply our findings in two environments with randomly evolving features: ensembles of difference operators on combinatorial graphs, or else of differential operators on metric graphs.
Structural and functional radiomics for lung cancer
Authors: Wu Guangyao , Jochems Arthur , Refaee Turkey , Ibrahim Abdalla , Yan Chenggong , Sanduleanu Sebastian , Woodruff Henry C. , Lambin Philippe
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Lung cancer ranks second in new cancer cases and first in cancer-related deaths worldwide. Precision medicine is working on altering treatment approaches and improving outcomes in this patient population. Radiological images are a powerful non-invasive tool in the screening and diagnosis of early-stage lung cancer, treatment strategy support, prognosis assessment, and follow-up for advanced-stage lung cancer. Recently, radiological features have evolved from solely semantic to include (handcrafted and deep) radiomic features. Radiomics entails the extraction and analysis of quantitative features from medical images using mathematical and machine learning methods to explore possible ties with biology and clinical outcomes.

Methods

Here, we outline the latest applications of both structural and functional radiomics in detection, diagnosis, and prediction of pathology, gene mutation, treatment strategy, follow-up, treatment response evaluation, and prognosis in the field of lung cancer.

Conclusion

The major drawbacks of radiomics are the lack of large datasets with high-quality data, standardization of methodology, the black-box nature of deep learning, and reproducibility. The prerequisite for the clinical implementation of radiomics is that these limitations are addressed. Future directions include a safer and more efficient model-training mode, merge multi-modality images, and combined multi-discipline or multi-omics to form “Medomics.”
Retrospective European Multicentric Evaluation of Selective Transarterial Chemoembolisation with and without Balloon-Occlusion in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis
Authors: Golfieri Rita , Bezzi Mario , Verset Gontran , Fucilli Fabio , Mosconi Cristina , Cappelli Alberta , Paccapelo Alexandro , Lucatelli Pierleone , Magand Nicolas , Rode Agnes , De Baere Thierry
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The aim of this retrospective multicentric study was to compare the tumour response rates of Balloon-occluded Transarterial Chemoembolisation (B-TACE) to non-B-TACE using propensity score matching (PSM) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and to investigate the clinical benefit, such as lower rates of TACE re-intervention achieved using B-TACE.

Material and Methods

The B-TACE procedures (n = 96 patients) were compared with a control group of non-B-TACE treatments (n = 434 pts), performed with conventional (cTACE) or drug-eluting microspheres TACE (DEM-TACE). Data were collected from six European centres from 2015 to 2019.

Objective responses (OR) and complete response (CR) rates after the first session and the number of TACE re-interventions were evaluated using PSM (91 patients per arm).

Results

The best target OR after PSM were similar for both B-TACE and non-B-TACE (90.1% and 86.8%, p = 0.644); however, CR at 1–6 months was significantly higher for B-TACE (59.3% vs. 41.8%, p = 0.026). Patients treated with B-TACE had a significantly lower retreatment rate during the first 6 months (9.9%% vs. 22.0%, p = 0.041). Post-embolisation syndrome (PES) rates were 8.8% in non-B-TACE and 41.8% in B-TACE (p < 0.001), with no significant differences between groups regarding major adverse events.

Conclusion

B-TACE is safe and effective, achieving higher CR rates than non-B-TACE. Patients undergoing B-TACE had a significantly lower retreatment rate within the first 6 months but higher PES rates.

Level of Evidence III

Level 3, retrospective study.
Novel disease resistance gene paralogs created by CRISPR/Cas9 in soy
Authors: Nagy Ervin D. , Stevens Julia L. , Yu Neil , Hubmeier Chris S. , LaFaver Nona , Gillespie Megan , Gardunia Brian , Cheng Qianshun , Johnson Steven , Vaughn Audrey L. , Vega-Sanchez Miguel E. , Deng Mingqui , Rymarquis Linda , Lawrence Richard J. , Garvey Graeme S. , Gaeta Robert T.
Published: March 2021

Key message

Novel disease resistance gene paralogues are generated by targeted chromosome cleavage of tandem duplicated NBS-LRR gene complexes and subsequent DNA repair in soybean. This study demonstrates accelerated diversification of innate immunity of plants using CRISPR.

Nucleotide-binding-site-leucine-rich-repeat (NBS-LRR) gene families are key components of effector-triggered immunity. They are often arranged in tandem duplicated arrays in the genome, a configuration that is conducive to recombinations that will lead to new, chimeric genes. These rearrangements have been recognized as major sources of novel disease resistance phenotypes. Targeted chromosome cleavage by CRISPR/Cas9 can conceivably induce rearrangements and thus emergence of new resistance gene paralogues. Two NBS-LRR families of soy have been selected to demonstrate this concept: a four-copy family in the Rpp1 region (Rpp1L) and a large, complex locus, Rps1 with 22 copies. Copy-number variations suggesting large-scale, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated chromosome rearrangements in the Rpp1L and Rps1 complexes were detected in up to 58.8% of progenies of primary transformants using droplet-digital PCR. Sequencing confirmed development of novel, chimeric paralogs with intact open reading frames. These novel paralogs may confer new disease resistance specificities. This method to diversify innate immunity of plants by genome editing is readily applicable to other disease resistance genes or other repetitive loci.
Neuropsychological profiles in children and young adults with spina bifida
Authors: Rendeli C. , Ausili E. , Moroni R. , Capriati M. , Massimi L. , Zanetti C.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

A total of 43 Italian children, aged between 6 and 16 years, diagnosed with spina bifida, myelomeningocele, and shunted hydrocephalus have been described clinically and completed a neuropsychological battery in order to evaluate their cognitive, personality, and behavior profile.

Methods

Enrolled children underwent cognitive assessment by means of the Weschler WISC-IV cognitive test and assessment of the attention sustained through the LEITER test. In addition, parents were asked, in order to obtain a personality and behavior profile of the children, to fill in a “CBCL 6-18 years” questionnaire and to fill in a Barthel Index questionnaire.

Results

Processing Speed Index of the WISC-IV QI scale was statistically significant (p = 0.027), with the highest value presented by autonomous patients (95.8 ± 12.8) and the lowest by patients using a wheelchair (75.5 ± 19). WISC-IV QI mean value is 98 (±15.7) for lipoma patients and 78.7 (±17.6) for LMMC and MMC patients (p = 0.001). In more detail, Perceptual Reasoning (p < 0.0005), Working Memory (p = 0.01), and Processing Speed Index (p = 0.001) highlighted a significant difference between the groups. The attention sustained subscale of the LEITER presented a mean of 6.9 (±3.1) for lipoma patients and a men value of 4.6 (±3.1) for LMMC and MMC patients (p = 0.024). Patients with hydrocephalus had statistically significant worse cognition and autonomy (Barthel Index) score (p < 0.001) compared with those without hydrocephalus, and normal scores regarding attention and depression scales.

Conclusion

These results can be useful in planning dedicated therapeutic protocols such as suitable rehabilitation treatments, speech therapy, psychomotor skills, and cognitive enhancement and to develop prevention protocols particularly tailored for children with hydrocephalus who appear to have the more deficient skills.
The dignity of the human corpse in forensic medicine
Authors: Schwarz Clara-Sophie , Münch Nikolai , Müller-Salo Johannes , Kramer Stefan , Walz Cleo , Germerott Tanja
Published: March 2021

Working with the dead is a very specific kind of work. Although a dignified handling of the corpses is demanded by the legislator and by the general public, neither the legal status of the corpse is undisputed nor is it obvious what a dignified handling of the deceased should consist of. In our hypothesis generating pilot study, we asked which concrete considerations are involved in daily practice of forensic specialists. We used an online questionnaire (invitations via e-mail) consisting of questions with single choice, multiple choice, and free text entries. The answers to single or multiple choice questions were displayed in pivot tables. The data was thus summarized, viewed, descriptively analyzed, and displayed together with the free text answers. 84.54% of the physicians and 100% of the autopsy assistants stated that considerations concerning the dignity of the deceased should play a role in daily autopsy practice. 45.87% stated that the conditions surrounding the autopsy need improvement to be ethically suitable. The analysis of the survey’s results was based on Robert Audi’s ethics, according to which three aspects need to be lightened in order to evaluate the conduct of a person morally: the actions, the motivation, and the way in which the actions are carried out. This systematization helps to identify the need for improvement and to make the vague demands for a dignified handling of corpses more concrete.
Intravenous immunoglobulin response in new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) COVID-19 adult patients
Authors: Manganotti Paolo , Furlanis Giovanni , Ajčević Miloš , Moras Cristina , Bonzi Lucia , Pesavento Valentina , Buoite Stella Alex
Published: March 2021

Neurological manifestations may be common in COVID-19 patients. They may include several syndromes, such as a suggested autoimmune abnormal response, which may result in encephalitis and new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE). Quickly recognizing such cases and starting the most appropriate therapy is mandatory due to the related rapid worsening and bad outcomes. This case series describes two adult patients admitted to the university hospital and positive to novel coronavirus 2019 (SARS-CoV-2) infection who developed drug-resistant status epilepticus. Both patients underwent early electroencephalography (EEG) assessment, which showed a pathological EEG pattern characterized by general slowing, rhythmic activity and continuous epileptic paroxysmal activity. A suspected autoimmune etiology, potentially triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection, encouraged a rapid work-up for a possible autoimmune encephalitis diagnosis. Therapeutic approach included the administration of 0.4 g/kg intravenous immunoglobulin, which resulted in a complete resolution of seizures after 5 and after 10 days, respectively, without adverse effects and followed by a normalization of the EEG patterns.