bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crossover of daily job stressors among dual‐career couples: A dyadic examination
Authors: Chen Zheng , Ellis Allison M.
Published: April 2021

Job stressors remain a common organizational phenomenon, and research shows the ability to recover during nonwork time is critical for well‐being and job performance. Recent labor data suggest a rise in dual‐career couples, indicating employees may be affected by their own as well as their spouses' job stressors. Yet, investigations into dual‐career couples' mutual experiences of job stressors and nonwork outcomes are scarce. Informed by the work–home resources model and crossover theory, we use a dyadic modeling approach to examine how heterosexual, dual‐career couples' daily challenge, and hindrance stressors relate to social support/undermining received by the spouse and subsequent evening relaxation—a critical recovery experience. We find a gendered pattern where husbands' daily challenge stressors affect social support toward their wives and wives' nightly relaxation. Husbands' challenge stressors also related to social undermining toward their spouses, although this effect was moderated by the husbands' exhaustion at the end of the workday. Neither wives' challenge stressors nor both partners' hindrance stressors impacted spousal social behaviors. The results of this study highlight that job stressors can be differentially linked to dual‐career couples' evening relaxation experiences and point to the importance of investigating stressors on the day level within a realistic social context.
Essential oils and their nanoformulations as green preservatives to boost food safety against mycotoxin contamination of food commodities: a review
Authors: Singh Bijendra Kumar , Tiwari Shikha , Dubey Nawal Kishore
Published: April 2021

Postharvest food spoilage due to fungal and mycotoxin contamination is a major challenge in tropical countries, leading to severe adverse effects on human health. Because of the negative effects of synthetic preservatives on both human health and the environment, it has been recommended that chemicals that have a botanical origin, with an eco‐friendly nature and a favorable safety profile, should be used as green preservatives. Recently, the food industry and consumers have been shifting drastically towards green consumerism because of their increased concerns about health and the environment. Among different plant‐based products, essential oils (EOs) and their bioactive components are strongly preferred as antimicrobial food preservatives. Despite having potent antimicrobial efficacy and preservation potential against fungal and mycotoxin contamination, essential oils and their bioactive components have limited practical applicability caused by their high volatility and their instability, implying the development of techniques to overcome the challenges associated with EO application. Essential oils and their bioactive components are promising alternatives to synthetic preservatives. To overcome challenges associated with EOs, nanotechnology has emerged as a novel technology in the food industries. Nanoencapsulation may boost the preservative potential of different essential oils by improving their solubility, stability, and targeted sustainable release. Nanoencapsulation of EOs is therefore currently being practiced to improve the stability and bioactivity of natural products. The present review has dealt extensively with the application of EOs and their nanoformulated products encapsulated in suitable polymeric matrices, so as to recommend them as novel green preservatives against foodborne molds and mycotoxin‐induced deterioration of stored food commodities. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Metabolomic analysis and antioxidant activity of wild type and mutant chia (Salvia hispanica L.) stem and flower grown under different irrigation regimes
Authors: de Falco Bruna , Grauso Laura , Fiore Alberto , Bochicchio Rocco , Amato Mariana , Lanzotti Virginia
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is a functional food from Central America. Interest in it is growing rapidly due to the many health benefits from the seed. However, when chia is grown at high latitudes, seed yield may be low whereas a high stem biomass and immature inflorescences are produced. Little is known about the chemical composition and the properties of stems and flowers. In this work, the metabolite profile, the antioxidant activity, and the total polyphenol content of stems and inflorescences were evaluated in a factorial experiment with different chia populations (commercial black chia and long‐day flowering mutants G3, G8, and G17) and irrigation (100% and 50% of evapotranspiration).

RESULTS

The results show the influence of irrigation and seed source on the antioxidant activity and total polyphenol content of chia flower and stem. Inflorescences exhibit higher antioxidant activity, suggesting their potential use as natural antioxidant. The mutants G3 and G8, at 50% irrigation, contained the highest amounts of compounds with nutraceutical value, especially within the flower. The mutant G17 showed lower antioxidant activity and polyphenol content compared to other seed sources but exhibited high omega 3 content in flowers but low in stems. This indicates that chia varieties should be chosen according to the objective of cultivation.

CONCLUSION

These findings, indicating a close relation of metabolite content with irrigation and seed source, may provide the basis for the use of chia flower and stem for their nutraceutical value in the food, feed, and supplement industries. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Elucidation of the reduced oil uptake of frying batters made from wheat and brown rice flour blends in terms of rheology and surface roughness
Authors: Jeong Sungmin , Lee Suyong
Published: April 2021

BACKGROUND

Negative impressions toward fried foods are prevalent due to their high oil absorption and caloric values. A great deal of effort has been thus made to reduce the oil uptake of fried foods. In this study, the effect of wheat and brown rice flour blends on the oil uptake of frying batters was elucidated in terms of rheology and surface roughness.

RESULTS

The blends with higher proportions of brown rice flour had higher values of pasting parameters and also exhibited a more elastic nature. When a food matrix was deep‐fat‐fried with frying batters made from wheat and brown rice flour blends, the oil uptake was significantly reduced by 28% compared to wheat flour batter. Based on imaging analysis, the surface properties of the fried crusts were quantitatively measured, demonstrating that the degree of surface roughness distinctly became lower with increasing levels of brown rice flour. Furthermore, the surface roughness parameters (Ra and Rq) had a strong relationship with the reduced oil uptake. Also, a high proportion of brown rice flour in the blends produced fried samples with a firmer and crispy texture.

CONCLUSIONS

A reduced oil uptake of batter‐coated fried foods was distinctly observed with increasing levels of brown rice flour in the blends and well correlated with the degree of surface roughness (R2 > 0.85). © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Soil moisture and nitrogen content influence wheat yield through their effects on the root system and soil bacterial diversity under drip irrigation
Authors: Li Guochun , Niu Wenquan , Sun Jun , Zhang Wenqian , Zhang Erxin , Wang Jie
Published: April 2021

Soil properties and plants influence soil microbial community diversity, and their role in nutrient cycling could influence plant productivity; however, it is not clear the relationships between soil bacterial communities, soil moisture, and nitrogen (N) content, and whether these associations influence plant productivity. In this study, we investigated how the soil microbial community affects root zone productivity in winter wheat. We also verified whether productivity can be improved by water adjustment and N management in drip irrigation field experiments (I0, natural condition; I1, jointing to heading stage S1 55%–80%θf, field capacity, anthesis to mature stage S2 70%–80%θf; I2, S1 55%–90%θf, S2 70%–90%θf; and I3, S1 55%–100%θf, S2 70%–100%θf) and under different N application rates (N0, N1, N2, and N3 represent 0, 150, 200, and 250 kg N ha−1). Soil moisture and N application rate significantly influenced water use efficiency (WUE), N use efficiency (NUE), yield, and soil bacterial abundance and diversity in the wheat root zone. N application decreased the richness indices in un‐irrigated soils (I0), whereas it initially increased, and then decreased the indices in irrigated soils (I1, I2, and I3). The primary factor influencing the dominant bacterial taxa was soil moisture content (SMC), followed by root length density (RLD). The root system and soil bacterial diversity strong influenced wheat yield. The I1N1 treatment resulted in the highest root weight density (RWD), WUE, and NUE, and thus increased wheat yield; furthermore, it had the least influence on the diversity of soil bacteria. Our work suggests that the response of bacterial communities to soil moisture and nitrogen content largely regulates crop production in agro‐ecosystems, and that regulating soil moisture and nitrogen fertilizer use may provide a sustainable solution for maintaining farmland productivity.
Symmetry Protected Invariant Scattering Properties for Incident Plane Waves of Arbitrary Polarizations
Authors: Yang Qingdong , Chen Weijin , Chen Yuntian , Liu Wei
Published: April 2021

Polarization independent Mie scattering of building blocks is fundamental for constructions of optical systems with robust functionalities. Conventional studies for such polarization independence are generally restricted to special states of either linear or circular polarizations, widely neglecting elliptically‐polarized states that are generically present in realistic applications. Here, a comprehensive recipe to achieve invariant scattering properties in terms of cross sections for plane waves of arbitrary polarizations is presented, requiring only rotation symmetry and absence of optical activities. It is discovered that sole rotation symmetries can effectively decouple the two scattering channels that originate from the incident circularly polarized plane waves of opposite handedness, leading to invariance of all scattering properties for any polarizations on the same latitude circle of the Poincaré sphere. Further incorporations of extra inversion or mirror symmetries would eliminate the optical activities and thus ensure scattering property invariance for arbitrary polarizations. The all‐polarization invariance revealed is induced by the joint functions of discrete spatial symmetries, reciprocity, parity conservation and helicity preservation along the forward direction. This symmetry‐protected intrinsic invariance, independent of wavelength or material parameters, is robust against any symmetry‐preserving perturbations, which may render extra flexibilities for designing optical devices with stable functionalities.
Numerical solution of the fractional‐order logistic equation via the first‐kind Dickson polynomials and spectral tau method
Authors: Abd Elaziz El‐Sayed Adel , Boulaaras Salah , Sweilam N. H.
Published: April 2021

In this article, a numerical technique for solving numerically the fractional‐order logistic equation (FLE) is presented. The fractional‐order derivative of the studied problem is given through the Caputo operator of fractional derivatives. The first kind of Dickson polynomials is used as a basis for the desirable approximate solution. The presented technique is based on the operational matrices of these polynomials in both cases of integer and fractional‐order derivatives. The handled problem will be transformed into a system of matrices that will be solved via an appropriate numerical technique. In detail, the convergence and error estimate of the suggested technique is discussed. Many numerical applications in several fields will be given to demonstrate the applicability, accuracy, and efficiency of the introduced technique. These numerical results will be compared to support our obtained theoretical results from one side and from another side to show the advantage of our method over some of the previous methods used in solving such applications.
A blow‐up result for the travelling waves of the pseudo‐relativistic Hartree equation with small velocity
Authors: Wang Qingxuan
Published: April 2021

In this paper, we consider the pseudo‐relativistic Hartree equation

and study travelling solitary waves of the form ψ(t, x) = eitμφ(x − v t) , where
denotes travelling velocity. Fröhlich, Jonsson and Lenzmann in [Comm. Math. Phys. 2007, 274:1‐30] proved that for |v|<1 there exists a critical constant Nc(v), such that the travelling waves exist if and only if 0 < N < Nc(v), where N denotes particle number. In this paper, we consider
with 0 < β < 1, and let
. We find that Nc(β) is Lipschitz continuity with respect to β. Based on this fact, we then prove that the boosted ground states φβ with
satisfy
. The explicit blow‐up profile and rate will be computed.
Effects of privatization and corporate governance on accounting conservatism in state‐owned enterprises
Authors: Saleh Fadli Moh , Furqan Andi Chairil , Fontanella Amy , Prasetyo Eko
Published: April 2021

This study aims to analyze the effect of privatization (go public) and corporate governance on the level of accounting conservatism in state‐owned public sector enterprises (SOEs). Using a research sample of SOEs that have been privatized and not privatized in Indonesia in the period 2010–2014 or as many as 224 firm‐years, the results of this study indicate that although there is a tendency to increase accounting conservatism in SOEs, this is not solely due to privatization of SOEs, but more due to improved corporate governance in SOEs in Indonesia. Therefore, this study has implications for the Government and other parties involved in the management of SOEs, so that they will prioritize increasing the implementation of good governance rather than privatization, especially in order to improve the quality of financial reporting in SOEs in Indonesia.
Mobile health services and the elderly: Assessing the determinants of technology adoption readiness in Pakistan
Authors: Khan Tajdar , Khan Khush Dil , Azhar Muhammad Salman , Shah Syed Nadir Ali , Uddin Mohammed Mahin , Khan Tariq Habib
Published: April 2021

Technological innovations changed people's daily lives. Wireless technologies, such as mobile phones and other portable gadgets, are becoming an essential part of each generation. With the increasing size of the elderly population around the world, opportunities for the older generation to use wireless technologies, such as gerontechnologies, are increasing. Older adults can use mobile health (mHealth) to receive healthcare at their doorstep. This study uses the UTAUT theoretical framework, extended to perceived ubiquity (PU), perceived trust (PT), and technology anxiety (TA), to investigate the elderly's intention to adopt mobile phone technology for healthcare (i.e., mHealth) in the socioeconomic environment of Pakistan. This study surveys 286 respondents from Islamabad, Pakistan. Structural equation modeling (SPSS version 25 and AMOS version 24) is used to analyze the data. Outcomes show that performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy, social influence (SI), facilitating conditions, PU, and PT have a positive significant relationship with mHealth adoption intention (AI). However, the results do not indicate the negative relation of TA with mHealth AI. Moreover, gender significantly moderates the relationship between PE and SI and mHealth AI. This study contributes comprehensive knowledge to the existing literature on gerontechnology adoption in the socioeconomic context of a developing economy.
Association between depressive symptoms and suicidal risk: Based on self‐reported and clinical‐interview measurements from a network perspective
Authors: Shen Jian‐fei , Yin Xun‐bao , Wang Shuai , Jiang Neng‐zhi , Sun Hong‐wei , Wang Yi , Wang Yan‐yu
Published: April 2021

Suicide is commonly found in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), while the associations among depressive symptoms and their relationships with suicidal risk remain unclear. This study identified the symptoms associated with suicidal risk and the most central symptoms in the MDD networks based on both self‐reported and clinical‐interview scales. A total of 446 outpatients with MDD were recruited. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to assess the suicidal risk. The 13‐item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI‐13) and 17‐item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD‐17) were used to measure the depressive symptoms. Network analysis was used to estimate the network models. Ten symptoms in the BDI‐13 network were related to suicidal risk, among which sadness had the strongest association. Among the six symptoms in the HAMD‐17 network that were associated with suicidal risk, guilty feeling was the strongest. Sense of failure was the most central symptom in the BDI‐13 network, while depressed mood had the highest centrality in the HAMD‐17 network. The depressive symptoms related to suicide risk and the clinical features of MDD showed different characteristics based on different assessment types. Combining self‐reported and clinician‐rated assessments in future studies and clinical practice might lead to some new findings.
Anxiety and stress in women with suspected endometrial cancer: Survey and paired observational study
Authors: Marcus Diana , King Alex , Yazbek Joseph , Hughes Cathy , Ghaem‐Maghami Sadaf
Published: April 2021

Objective

To determine the anxiety and stress levels of women with suspected endometrial cancer and factors affecting this.

Methods

Prospective survey and paired observational study of consecutive women with suspected endometrial cancer in a rapid access gynaecology clinic. Structured questionnaire including a GAD‐7 anxiety test and a modified stress thermometer were used. Patients ranked their perception of a cancer diagnosis on 0‐5 Likert scale (0 = confident not cancer and 5 = cancer). Patients requiring an endometrial tissue biopsy were asked to rank their pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS), this was paired with the survey results.

Results

250 patients completed the study and 23 of which underwent an endometrial tissue biopsy. The median age was 50‐59 years old and 59% of women spoke English as their first language. 32% of patients had significant levels of anxiety with GAD‐7 score ≥10. The median stress score was three out of five on Likert scale. GAD‐7 anxiety scores were higher in women who perceived that they received insufficient information prior to clinic (sufficient information 5 vs. insufficient information 9.5, P = 0.00036) or had a disability (disability 9 vs. no disability 5.5, P = 0.00374). The median VAS score from the biopsies was seven out of 10 (range 1‐10). Patients with higher anxiety levels (GAD‐7 scores) were more likely to believe they had cancer P <0.00001.

Conclusions

These findings confirm high levels of anxiety and stress in women with suspected endometrial cancer. Adequate pre‐clinic information is essential, particularly for minority groups.
Quality of life, anxiety and depression patient‐reported outcome measures in testicular cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Dincer Amine Nur , Brunckhorst Oliver , Genel Oktay , Dasgupta Prokar , Muneer Asif , Ahmed Kamran
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Several patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) are available for the assessment of quality of life (QoL), anxiety and depression for testicular cancer (TCa); however, these PROMs have uncertain validation of their psychometric properties for TCa‐only cohorts. This systematic review aims to critically analyse and evaluate the psychometric properties of these QoL, anxiety and depression PROMs.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE and PsycInfo were searched by two independent reviewers from inception to August 2020. Evaluative studies that assessed measurement properties of PROM(s) tools used for measuring QoL, anxiety and depression in TCa patients were included. The COnsensus‐based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) updated criteria for good measurement properties were used in the evaluation of PROM psychometric quality. This systematic review was registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42020160232).

Results

Of 4,305 abstracts screened, a final eight full‐text articles were included in this review. Five general and two TCa‐specific PROMs were identified (depression, n = 1; anxiety and depression, n = 2; QoL, n = 4). All studies were incomplete in the validation of nine measurement properties and the modal methodological quality was ‘indeterminate’. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality ‐Testicular Cancer 26 questionnaire and CAYA‐T had the highest psychometric validation with three out of nine measurement properties being ‘sufficient’.

Conclusion

This systematic review identifies a paucity of PROM‐validation studies assessing anxiety, depression and QoL in TCa‐only cohorts. We recommend further comprehensive and standardised psychometric validation studies of QoL, anxiety and depression PROMs in TCa‐only study populations.
Mechanically stable with highly absorptive formamidinium lead halide perovskites [(HC(NH2)2PbX3; X = Br, Cl]: Recent advances and perspectives
Authors: Pachori Sanjay , Agarwal Rohit , Shukla Akash , Rani Upasana , Verma Ajay Singh
Published: April 2021

Full potential‐linear augmented plane wave method with two exchange‐correlation potentials Perdew–Burke–Ernzerhof‐generalized gradient approximation and Becke–Johnson have been used to investigate structural, electronic, optical, transport and mechanical anisotropy of formamidinium lead halides (FAPbX3; X = Br, Cl). This computational exploration shows that these materials have a direct band gap, high absorption coefficients and the stability of the compound has been tested using the enthalpy of formation, and elastic stability criteria of the elastic constants. The persistent hybridization ofsstates of Pb andpstates of Br/Cl in valence band contribute significantly in the structural stability. The calculated band gap is 2.26/2.84 eV for FAPbBr3/FAPbCl3and are in concurrence with the experimental and other theoretical studies. As higher absorption promotes higher emissions, optical properties with the peaks of dielectric function spectra with high energy region, and higher absorption peaks show the significant future for these materials to be used in color light‐emitting diode. Parameters of elastic properties like Bulk modulus, Young's modulus, Pugh's ratio and Poisson's ratio show that these have ductile nature and may be deposited as thin films, which is a significant feature in photovoltaic applications. Moreover, electronic transport properties have been calculated within the constant relaxation time approximation. This provided following observations: (a) Seebeck coefficient are noted to decrease with increasing temperature, (b) electrical conductivity are nearly constant within the whole temperature range, (c) thermal conductivity increased with increasing temperature, and (d) power factor and figure of merits are increasing with increasing temperature, and at a given electron and hole concentration (1018–1019 cm−3). The figure of merit signifies that these materials may also be used as thermoelectric devices. These computational observations hereby are of paramount importance for future integrated applications.
New partition based measures for data compatibility and information gain
Authors: Shi Daoyuan , Chen Ming‐Hui , Kuo Lynn , O. Lewis Paul
Published: April 2021

It is of great practical importance to compare and combine data from different studies in order to carry out appropriate and more powerful statistical inference. We propose a partition based measure to quantify the compatibility of two datasets using their respective posterior distributions. We further propose an information gain measure to quantify the information increase (or decrease) in combining two datasets. These measures are well calibrated and efficient computational algorithms are provided for their calculations. We use examples in a benchmark dose toxicology study, a six cities pollution data and a melanoma clinical trial to illustrate how these two measures are useful in combining current data with historical data and missing data.
Evaluation of mechanical and microstructure properties of engineered cementitious composites made of zeolite
Authors: Razavi Seyed Mohammadhossein , Nazarpour Hadi , Hosseinali Beygi Morteza
Published: April 2021

Engineered cementitious composite (ECC) is a type of cementitious product with high tensile strength and ductility. It exhibits high strain and multiple cracking behavior instead of deep and wide cracks due to tensile and bending loads. In this study, the efficiency, mechanical properties of different ECC mixtures containing different contents of zeolite were investigated. The zeolite to cement ratios of 1.2, 1.6, 2, and 2.4 were considered as corresponding zeolite replacement ratios. Results showed that the compressive strength of ECC mixtures attained 35 MPa at 28 days except for the mixture with Z/C ratio of 2.4, which is higher than that of the nominal compressive strength for normal concrete (30 MPa). Higher ductility was observed in mixtures with high contents of zeolite (Z/C of 2 and 2.4). It was found that despite lower strength and elastic modulus, replacement of higher zeolite showed significantly higher performance in post‐crack hardening strain behavior ECC mixtures. The microstructure studies confirmed that the addition of zeolite resulted in having a rough fiber surfaces and the end of fibers were delaminated cut off which led to tolerating higher frictional strain.
Neutral R3PAuGe9(Hyp)3 (R=Et, nPr, iPr, nBu, tBu, Cy) (Hyp=Si(SiMe3) Clusters give new insights into the ligand strength of the metalloid [Ge9(Hyp)3]− cluster
Authors: Gienger Christian , Schnepf Andreas
Published: April 2021

We present new insights into the ligand strength of the metalloid [Ge9(Hyp)3]− cluster (Hyp=Si(SiMe3)3) alongside novel neutral Ge9 clusters of the composition R3PAuGe9(Hyp)3 (R=Et, nPr, iPr, nBu, tBu, Cy). These clusters are synthesized in good yields from KGe9(Hyp)3 and R3PAuCl. Further experiments with these new clusters show that the ligand strength of [Ge9(Hyp)3]− is in between aryl and alkyl phosphines.
Positivity bounds on Minimal Flavor Violation
Authors: Bonnefoy Quentin , Gendy Emanuele , Grojean Christophe
Published: April 2021

Abstract

From general analyticity and unitarity requirements on the UV theory, positivity bounds on the Wilson coefficients of the dimension-8 operators composed of 4 fermions and two derivatives appearing in the Standard Model Effective Field Theory have been derived recently. We explore the fate of these bounds in the context of models endowed with a Minimal Flavor Violation (MFV) structure, models in which the flavor structure of higher dimensional operators is inherited from the one already contained in the Yukawa sector of the Standard Model Lagrangian. Our goal is to check whether the general positivity bounds translate onto bounds on the Yukawa coefficients and/or on elements of the CKM matrix. MFV fixes the coefficients of dimension-8 operators up to some multiplicative flavor-blind factors and we find that, in the most generic setup, the freedom left by those unspecified coefficients is enough as not to constrain the parameters of the renormalizable Yukawa sector. On the contrary, the latter shape the allowed region for the former. Requiring said overall coefficients to take natural $$ \mathcal{O}(1) $$
O

1

values could give rise to bounds on the Yukawa couplings. Remarkably, at leading order in an expansion in powers of the Yukawa matrices, no bounds on the CKM entries can be retrieved.
Dark photon search at Yemilab, Korea
Authors: Seo S. H. , Kim Y. D.
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Dark photons are well motivated hypothetical dark sector particles that could account for observations that cannot be explained by the standard model of particle physics. A search for dark photons that are produced by an electron beam striking a thick tungsten target and subsequently interact in a 3 kiloton-scale neutrino detector in Yemilab, a new underground lab in Korea, is proposed. Dark photons can be produced by “darkstrahlung” or by oscillations from ordinary photons produced in the target and detected by their visible decays, “absorption” or by their oscillation to ordinary photons. By detecting the absorption process or the oscillation-produced photons, a world’s best sensitivity for measurements of the dark-photon kinetic mixing parameter ofϵ2>1.5×10−13(6.1×10−13) at the 95% confidence level (C.L.) could be obtained for dark photon masses between 80 eV and 1 MeV in a year-long exposure to a 100 MeV–100 kW electron beam with zero (103) background events. In parallel, the detection ofe+e−pairs from decays of dark photons with mass between 1 MeV and ∼86 MeV would have sensitivities ofϵ2>$$ \mathcal{O}\left({10}^{-17}\right)\left(\mathcal{O}\left({10}^{-16}\right)\right) $$O10−17O10−16at the 95% C.L. with zero (103) background events. This is comparable to that of the Super-K experiment under the same zero background assumption.
Chaos and complexity from quantum neural network. A study with diffusion metric in machine learning
Authors: Choudhury Sayantan , Dutta Ankan , Ray Debisree
Published: April 2021

Abstract

In this work, our prime objective is to study the phenomena of quantum chaos and complexity in the machine learning dynamics of Quantum Neural Network (QNN). A Parameterized Quantum Circuits (PQCs) in the hybrid quantum-classical framework is introduced as a universal function approximator to perform optimization with Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD). We employ a statistical and differential geometric approach to study the learning theory of QNN. The evolution of parametrized unitary operators is correlated with the trajectory of parameters in the Diffusion metric. We establish the parametrized version of Quantum Complexity and Quantum Chaos in terms of physically relevant quantities, which are not only essential in determining the stability, but also essential in providing a very significant lower bound to the generalization capability of QNN. We explicitly prove that when the system executes limit cycles or oscillations in the phase space, the generalization capability of QNN is maximized. Finally, we have determined the generalization capability bound on the variance of parameters of the QNN in a steady state condition using Cauchy Schwartz Inequality.
Resurrecting $$ b\overline{b}h $$ with kinematic shapes
Authors: Grojean Christophe , Paul Ayan , Qian Zhuoni
Published: April 2021

Abstract

The associated production of a $$ b\overline{b} $$
b

b
¯

pair with a Higgs boson could provide an important probe to both the size and the phase of the bottom-quark Yukawa coupling, yb. However, the signal is shrouded by several background processes including the irreducible Zh, Z →$$ b\overline{b} $$
b

b
¯

background. We show that the analysis of kinematic shapes provides us with a concrete prescription for separating the yb-sensitive production modes from both the irreducible and the QCD-QED backgrounds using the $$ b\overline{b}\gamma \gamma $$
b

b
¯

γγ
final state. We draw a page from game theory and use Shapley values to make Boosted Decision Trees interpretable in terms of kinematic measurables and provide physics insights into the variances in the kinematic shapes of the different channels that help us complete this feat. Adding interpretability to the machine learning algorithm opens up the black-box and allows us to cherry-pick only those kinematic variables that matter most in the analysis. We resurrect the hope of constraining the size and, possibly, the phase of yb using kinematic shape studies of $$ b\overline{b}h $$
b

b
¯

h
production with the full HL-LHC data and at FCC-hh.
Superconformal geometries and local twistors
Authors: Howe P. S. , Lindström U.
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Superconformal geometries in spacetime dimensions D = 3, 4, 5 and 6 are discussed in terms of local supertwistor bundles over standard superspace. These natually admit superconformal connections as matrix-valued one-forms. In order to make contact with the standard superspace formalism it is shown that one can always choose gauges in which the scale parts of the connection and curvature vanish, in which case the conformal and S-supersymmetry transformations become subsumed into super-Weyl transformations. The number of component fields can be reduced to those of the minimal off-shell conformal supergravity multiplets by imposing constraints which in most cases simply consists of taking the even covariant torsion two-form to vanish. This must be supplemented by further dimension-one constraints for the maximal cases in D = 3, 4. The subject is also discussed from a minimal point of view in which only the dimension-zero torsion is introduced. Finally, we introduce a new class of supermanifolds, local super Grassmannians, which provide an alternative setting for superconformal theories.
Unitarity in KK-graviton production, a case study in warped extra-dimensions
Authors: de Giorgi A. , Vogl S.
Published: April 2021

Abstract

The Kaluza-Klein (KK) decomposition of higher-dimensional gravity gives rise to a tower of KK-gravitons in the effective four-dimensional (4D) theory. Such massive spin-2 fields are known to be connected with unitarity issues and easily lead to a breakdown of the effective theory well below the naive scale of the interaction. However, the breakdown of the effective 4D theory is expected to be controlled by the parameters of the 5D theory. Working in a simplified Randall-Sundrum model we study the matrix elements for matter annihilations into massive gravitons. We find that truncating the KK-tower leads to an early breakdown of perturbative unitarity. However, by considering the full tower we obtain a set of sum rules for the couplings between the different KK-fields that restore unitarity up to the scale of the 5D theory. We prove analytically that these are fulfilled in the model under consideration and present numerical tests of their convergence. This work complements earlier studies that focused on graviton self-interactions and yields additional sum rules that are required if matter fields are incorporated into warped extra-dimensions.
Long-lived dark Higgs and inelastic dark matter at Belle II
Authors: Duerr Michael , Ferber Torben , Garcia-Cely Camilo , Hearty Christopher , Schmidt-Hoberg Kai
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Inelastic dark matter is an interesting scenario for light thermal dark matter which is fully consistent with all cosmological probes as well as direct and indirect dark matter detection. The required mass splitting between dark matter χ1 and its heavier twin χ2 is naturally induced by a dark Higgs field which also provides a simple mechanism to give mass to the dark photon A′ present in the setup. The corresponding dark Higgs boson h′ is naturally the lightest dark sector state and therefore decays into Standard Model particles via Higgs mixing. In this work we study signatures with displaced vertices and missing momentum at Belle II, arising from dark Higgs particles produced in association with dark matter. We find that Belle II can be very sensitive to this scenario, in particular if a displaced vertex trigger is available in the near future.
Experimental desiccation indicates high moisture content maintains hyporheic biofilm processes during drought in temperate intermittent streams
Authors: Coulson Laura E. , Schelker Jakob , Attermeyer Katrin , Griebler Christian , Hein Thomas , Weigelhofer Gabriele
Published: April 2021

Droughts are expected to become more common with climate change resulting in more frequent occurrences of flow intermittency in temperate streams. As intermittency has deleterious effects on fluvial microbial biofilms, there is a need to better understand how droughts affect the microbial functioning and thereby nutrient and organic matter processing in temperate stream ecosystems. Here, the hyporheic zone is of particular importance as it has been shown to be a hot spot for biogeochemical activity under flow intermittence. This study evaluates how drought duration affects microbial biofilm dynamics in the hyporheic zone of intermittent temperate streams. To do so, we used outdoor hyporheic flumes that were subject to periods of drought ranging from 4 to 105 days. Sediment was sampled before and during the drought, and at several occasions after rewetting. Samples were analyzed for extracellular enzymatic activity, bacterial respiration, and bacterial abundances including live to dead cell ratios. The high moisture content remaining in the hyporheic zone of the flumes allowed for the sustained microbial functioning during drought, regardless of drought duration. This can be attributed to cooler temperatures in these climate zones and shading by riparian forests. The high moisture content inhibited the local habitat and community changes that the biofilm might have undergone during more severe desiccation. However, the change in the hyporheic flow regime (flow cessation and resumption) may stimulate microbial processing in these moderate drought conditions. We suggest that the hyporheic zone may act as a buffer against drought and the factors determining this buffer capacity, such as sediment characteristics and climatic regions, need to be analyzed in more detail in future.
Fractional $$({\varvec{s}},{\varvec{p}})$$-Robin–Venttsel’ problems on extension domains
Authors: Creo Simone , Lancia Maria Rosaria
Published: April 2021

We study a nonlocal Robin–Venttsel’-type problem for the regional fractionalp-Laplacian in an extension domain$$\Omega $$Ωwith boundary ad-set. We prove existence and uniqueness of a strong solution via a semigroup approach. Markovianity and ultracontractivity properties are proved. We then consider the elliptic problem. We prove existence, uniqueness and global boundedness of the weak solution.
Effects of the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic on the trauma surgery clinic of a German Level I Trauma Center
Authors: Wähnert Dirk , Colcuc Christian , Beyer Georg , Kache Markus , Komadinic Adrian , Vordemvenne Thomas
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The effects of the first pandemic wave on a German Level I Trauma Center should be evaluated to find ways to redistribute structural, personnel, and financial resources in a targeted manner in preparation for the assumed second pandemic wave.

Methods

We examined the repercussions of the first wave of the pandemic on the trauma surgery clinic of a Level I Trauma Center and compared the data with data from 58 other trauma clinics. The results could aid in orientating the distribution of structural, financial, and human resources (HR) during the second wave. The period between March 16 and April 30, 2020 was compared with the data over the same period during 2019. Information was collected from the HR department, central revenue management, and internal documentation.

Results

The proportion of trauma surgical patients in the emergency room decreased by 22%. The number of polytrauma cases increased by 53%. Hospital days of trauma surgery patients in the intensive and intermediate care wards increased by 90%. The number of operations decreased by 15%, although the operating time outside of normal working hours increased by 44%. Clinics with more than 600 beds recorded a decrease in cases and emergencies by 8 and 9%, respectively, while the Trauma Center showed an increase of 19 and 12%. The results reflect the importance of level I trauma centers in the lockdown phase.

Conclusion

To reduce the risk of an increased burden on the healthcare infrastructure, it suggests the care of trauma and COVID-19 patients should be separated locally, when possible.
Intention-to-treat-Prinzip
Authors: Laky Brenda , Heuberer Philipp R. , Herbst Elmar , Lattermann Christian , Günther Daniel , Schüttler Karl Friedrich , Wafaisade Arasch , Mathis Dominic , Rössler Philip P. , Kopf Sebastian ,   AGA Research Komitee
Published: April 2021

Dieser Artikel gibt einen Überblick über das Prinzip des „intention to treat“ (ITT; Patienten werden so ausgewertet, wie sie randomisiert wurden), „per protocol“ (PP; nicht protokollgemäß behandelte Patienten werden von der Analyse ausgeschlossen) und „as treated“ (AT; Patienten werden unter der Behandlung ausgewertet, die sie tatsächlich erhalten haben) für randomisierte klinische Studien in der Orthopädie. Eine ITT-Analyse soll die Aufrechterhaltung der Vorteile einer zufälligen Behandlungszuteilung zur Vergleichbarkeit der Behandlungsgruppen hinsichtlich bekannter und unbekannter Einflussfaktoren gewährleisten. Dabei kann es jedoch bei Protokollverletzungen zu einer Abschwächung des Behandlungseffekts kommen, sodass zusätzliche PP- bzw. AT-Analysen zur klareren Beurteilung des Behandlungseffekts sinnvoll sind. Vielmehr kann durch die Anwendung aller Prinzipien das Ergebnis einer randomisiert-kontrollierten Studie (RCT) auf Robustheit geprüft und so als Sensitivitätsanalyse genutzt werden.
Exploring the effects of quantum decoherence on the excited-state dynamics of molecular systems
Authors: Heller Eric R. , Joswig Jan-Ole , Seifert Gotthard
Published: April 2021

Fewest-switches surface hopping (FSSH) is employed in order to investigate the nonadiabatic excited-state dynamics of thiophene and related compounds and hence to establish a connection between the electronic system, the critical points in configuration space and the deactivation dynamics. The potential-energy surfaces of the studied molecules were calculated with complete active space self-consistent field and time-dependent density-functional theory. They are analyzed thoroughly to locate and optimize minimum-energy conical intersections, which are essential to the dynamics of the system. The influence of decoherence on the dynamics is examined by employing different decoherence schemes. We find that irrespective of the employed decoherence algorithm, the population dynamics of thiophene give results which are sound with the expectations grounded on the analysis of the potential-energy surface. A more detailed look at single trajectories as well as on the excited-state lifetimes, however, reveals a substantial dependence on how decoherence is accounted for. In order to connect these findings, we describe how ensemble averaging cures some of the overcoherence problems of uncorrected FSSH. Eventually, we identify carbon–sulfur bond cleavage as a common feature accompanying electronic transitions between different states in the simulations of all thiophene-related compounds studied in this work, which is of interest due to their relevance in organic photovoltaics.
Dose escalation study of targeted alpha therapy with [225Ac]Ac-DOTA-substance P in recurrence glioblastoma – safety and efficacy
Authors: Królicki Leszek , Bruchertseifer Frank , Kunikowska Jolanta , Koziara Henryk , Pawlak Dariusz , Kuliński Radosław , Rola Rafał , Merlo Adrian , Morgenstern Alfred
Published: April 2021

Glioblastoma is the most common and malignant primary brain tumour, with a poor prognosis. Introduction of new treatment options is critically important. The study aimed to assess the appropriateness of escalation doses and toxicity of [225Ac]Ac-DOTA-SP therapy.

Material and methods

A total of 21 patients (age of 43.0 ± 9.5 years), with histologically confirmed recurrent or conversion glioblastoma grade 4 following a standard therapy, have been included in the study. One to 2 intracavitary port-a-cath systems were stereotactically inserted. Patients were treated with escalation dose protocol with 10, 20 and 30 MBq per cycle totally 1–6 doses of [225Ac]Ac-DOTA-SP in 2-month intervals. Therapeutic response was monitored by clinical performance status and MRI imaging.

Results

Treatment was well tolerated with mostly mild temporary adverse effects (oedema, epileptic seizures, aphasia, hemiparesis) mainly in the group of patients treated with 30 MBq of [225Ac]Ac-DOTA-SP. Only one patient treated with 30 MBq revealed thrombopenia grade 3. There was no other grade 3 and 4 toxicity related to [225Ac]Ac-DOTA-treatment in all groups. The median overall survival time from the primary diagnosis (OS-d) was 35.0 months and from the diagnosis of the recurrence/conversion (OS-r/c) was 13.2 months. From the start of treatment with [225Ac]Ac-DOTA-SP, the median PFS was 2.4 months, and the OS-t was 9.0 months. There were no statistically significant differences between the investigated dose escalation groups.

Conclusions

Treatment of recurrent glioblastoma with [225Ac]Ac-DOTA-SP is safe and well tolerated up to 30 MBq per cycle. The escalation dose protocol showed good tolerability. Only mild temporary adverse effects were observed. No remarkable haematological, kidney and liver toxicity was seen.
Retroesophageal right subclavian artery associated with a bicarotid trunk and an ectopic origin of vertebral arteries
Authors: Buffoli Barbara , Verzeletti Vincenzo , Hirtler Lena , Rezzani Rita , Rodella Luigi Fabrizio
Published: April 2021

A rare branching pattern of the aortic arch in a female cadaver is reported. An aberrant right subclavian artery originated from the distal part of the aortic arch and following a retroesophageal course was recognized. Next to it, from the left to the right, the left subclavian artery and a short bicarotid trunk originating the left and the right common carotid artery were recognized. An unusual origin of the vertebral arteries was also identified. The left vertebral artery originated directly from the aortic arch, whereas the right vertebral artery originated directly from the right common carotid artery. Retroesophageal right subclavian artery associated with a bicarotid trunk and ectopic origin of vertebral arteries represents an exceptional and noteworthy case.
Artificial intelligence in radiology: 100 commercially available products and their scientific evidence
Authors: van Leeuwen Kicky G. , Schalekamp Steven , Rutten Matthieu J. C. M. , van Ginneken Bram , de Rooij Maarten
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Map the current landscape of commercially available artificial intelligence (AI) software for radiology and review the availability of their scientific evidence.

Methods

We created an online overview of CE-marked AI software products for clinical radiology based on vendor-supplied product specifications (www.aiforradiology.com). Characteristics such as modality, subspeciality, main task, regulatory information, deployment, and pricing model were retrieved. We conducted an extensive literature search on the available scientific evidence of these products. Articles were classified according to a hierarchical model of efficacy.

Results

The overview included 100 CE-marked AI products from 54 different vendors. For 64/100 products, there was no peer-reviewed evidence of its efficacy. We observed a large heterogeneity in deployment methods, pricing models, and regulatory classes. The evidence of the remaining 36/100 products comprised 237 papers that predominantly (65%) focused on diagnostic accuracy (efficacy level 2). From the 100 products, 18 had evidence that regarded level 3 or higher, validating the (potential) impact on diagnostic thinking, patient outcome, or costs. Half of the available evidence (116/237) were independent and not (co-)funded or (co-)authored by the vendor.

Conclusions

Even though the commercial supply of AI software in radiology already holds 100 CE-marked products, we conclude that the sector is still in its infancy. For 64/100 products, peer-reviewed evidence on its efficacy is lacking. Only 18/100 AI products have demonstrated (potential) clinical impact.

Key Points

• Artificial intelligence in radiology is still in its infancy even though already 100 CE-marked AI products are commercially available.

• Only 36 out of 100 products have peer-reviewed evidence of which most studies demonstrate lower levels of efficacy.

• There is a wide variety in deployment strategies, pricing models, and CE marking class of AI products for radiology.