bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
No‐reference image quality assessment of magnetic resonance images with high‐boost filtering and local features
Authors: Oszust Mariusz , Piórkowski Adam , Obuchowicz Rafał 
Published: February 2020

PurposeSubjective quality assessment of displayed magnetic resonance (MR) images plays a key role in diagnosis and the resultant treatment. Therefore, this study aims to introduce a new no‐reference (NR) image quality assessment (IQA) method for the objective, automatic evaluation of MR images and compare its judgments with those of similar techniques.MethodsA novel NR‐IQA method was developed. The method uses a sequence of scaled images filtered to enhance high‐frequency components and preserve low‐frequency parts. Since the human visual system (HVS) is sensitive to local image variations and local features often mimic the attraction of the HVS to high‐frequency image regions, they were detected in the filtered images and described. Then, the statistics of obtained descriptors were used to build a quality model via the Support Vector Regression method.ResultsThe method was compared with 21 state‐of‐the‐art techniques for NR‐IQA on a new dataset of 70 distorted MR images assessed by 31 experienced radiologists, using typical evaluation criteria for the comparison of NR measures. The introduced method significantly outperforms the compared approaches, in terms of the correlation with human judgments.ConclusionsIt is demonstrated that the presented NR‐IQA method for the assessment of MR images is superior to the state‐of‐the‐art NR techniques. The method would be beneficial for a wide range of image processing applications, assessing their outputs and affecting the directions of their development.
A flexible five‐channel shielded‐coaxial‐cable (SCC) transceive neck coil for high‐resolution carotid imaging at 7T
Authors: Ruytenberg Thomas , Webb Andrew , Zivkovic Irena 
Published: February 2020

PurposeImaging the carotid arteries at 7T ideally requires a flexible multichannel array that allows B1‐shimming and conforms to different neck sizes. The major challenge is to minimize coupling between closely spaced coils and to make the coupling relatively insensitive to loading conditions.MethodsWe have designed a five‐channel flexible transceive array composed of shielded‐coaxial‐cable coils placed on the anterior part of the neck and conforming to the anatomy. In vivo imaging of the carotid arteries in three subjects has been performed.ResultsThe measured noise correlation matrices show the decoupling level between the individual elements to be −12.5 dB and better. Anatomical localizer imaging of the carotids shows both carotids in every subject well visualized after B1‐shimming. In vivo black‐blood, carotid images were acquired with very high in‐plane spatial resolution (0.25 × 0.25 mm2) with clear depiction of the vessel walls.ConclusionsThe flexibility of the proposed coil has been demonstrated by imaging subjects with different neck circumferences. To the best of our knowledge, the in‐plane resolution of 0.25 × 0.25 mm2 is the highest reported at 7T.
Nationwide study of therapeutic plasma exchange vs intravenous immunoglobulin in Guillain‐Barré syndrome
Authors: Beydoun Hind A. , Beydoun May A. , Hossain Sharmin , Zonderman Alan B. , Eid Shaker M. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundWe compared outcomes of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) vs intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) among hospitalized patients diagnosed with Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS).MethodsIn a retrospective cohort study of 6642 records (2637 TPE and 4005 IVIG) from the 2002–2014 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, treatment type was examined as predictor of length of stay, total charges, and in‐hospital death, with regression modeling using risk adjustment and propensity scoring to control for confounders.ResultsCompared with those receiving IVIG, patients who underwent TPE experienced prolonged hospitalization by approximately 7.5 days, greater hospitalization costs by approximately $46,000, and increased in‐hospital death with an odds ratio of 2.78. Results did not change after controlling for confounders through risk adjustment, propensity score adjustment, or matching.ConclusionsTPE may be associated with poorer healthcare utilization outcomes vs IVIG, although confounding by indication could not be ascertained.
Pain thresholds are unaffected by age in a Japanese population
Authors: Suzuki Yasuhiro , Muramatsu Ken , Maruo Kazushi , Kato Hidenori , Tanabe Yuuki , Tubaki Takumi , Hada Yasushi 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIntroductionAssessment of sensory impairment in diabetic patients by pain threshold test using intraepidermal electrical stimulation (IES) is a recently developed technique. However, there are no normative pain thresholds in healthy people.MethodsWe examined pain, vibration, and pressure thresholds in 178 healthy subjects using IES, vibration perception testing (VPT), and Semmes‐Weinstein monofilament testing (SWMT).ResultsThe mean values for each age group for pain threshold ranged from 0.07 to 0.12 mA. Pain thresholds were unaffected by age. As the age increased, VPT values decreased from 18.0 to 10.6 seconds and SWMT values increased from 21.4 to 45.3 g/mm2. There were no significant differences in pain threshold, VPT, and SWMT between men and women.DiscussionThe pain threshold test appears to be useful for diabetic neuropathy screening because normative values are not affected by age.
Machine Learning Transfer Efficiencies for Noisy Quantum Walks
Authors: Melnikov Alexey A. , Fedichkin Leonid E. , Lee Ray‐Kuang , Alodjants Alexander 
Published: February 2020

AbstractQuantum effects are known to provide an advantage in particle transfer across networks. In order to achieve this advantage, requirements on both a graph type and a quantum system coherence must be found. Here, it is shown that the process of finding these requirements can be automated by learning from simulated examples. The automation is done by using a convolutional neural network of a particular type that learns to understand with which network and under which coherence requirements quantum advantage is possible. The machine learning approach is applied to study noisy quantum walks on cycle graphs of different sizes. It is found that it is possible to predict the existence of quantum advantage for the entire decoherence parameter range, even for graphs outside of the training set. The results are of importance for demonstration of advantage in quantum experiments and pave the way toward automating scientific research and discoveries.
Trends in Quantum Nanophotonics
Authors: Huang Lujun , Xu Lei , Woolley Matt , Miroshnichenko Andrey E. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIn this review, the nexus of nanophotonics and quantum science is considered. This nexus offers a wealth of applications and novel fundamental effects. Such an interdisciplinary approach may serve as a starting point for developing groundbreaking technologies. Several new directions in quantum nanophotonics are addressed, including strong light–matter coupling, bound states in the continuum, topological photonics, metasurfaces and photon sources, and levitated optomechanics. This review hopefully will foster the enhanced interaction between the nanophotonics and quantum science communities. Such a synergy will lead to the realization of novel communication, sensing, and information processing systems.
Finite‐time boundedness of switched systems with time‐varying delays via sampled‐data control
Authors: Lin Xiangze , Zhang Wanli , Yang Zhonglin , Zou Yun 
Published: February 2020

SummaryIn the framework of sampled‐data control, finite‐time boundedness (FTB) of switched systems with time‐varying delays is investigated. Sufficient conditions for FTB of switched systems with time‐varying delays via sampled‐data control are proposed. Moreover, considering the relationship between the sampling period and the mode‐dependent average dwell time, switching signals are designed. In addition, finite‐time weighted L2‐gain (FTW‐L2‐gain) of switched systems with time‐varying delays is proposed to measure their disturbance tolerance capacity within a finite‐time interval. Multiple Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functionals are applied to complete subsequent proofs in detail. Simulation results are exemplified to verify the proposed method.
Chloroacetyl‐Mediated Modification of Chitosan by Tannic Acid to Synthesize Economical Tanninate‐Chitosan and Its Use in Fluoride Ions Adsorption from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Sen Kshipra , Sharma Praveen , Chauhan Kalpana 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe multi‐functional, green and environmental acceptable adsorbents were synthesized from activated chitosan for fluoride ions via mild‐strategies. Chloroacetylation reaction was performed to integrate an active group to the chitosan structural unit. Subsequently, the integrated active group was derivatized with tannin acid, an environmental‐friendly natural polyphenol via a simple reaction. The synthesized products were evaluated for their structures via FTIR, 1H‐NMR, UV, SEM‐EDS, elemental mapping, BET surface analysis, and XPS. The capability of the synthesized green products was appraised for fluoride ions sorption in circumneutral conditions. The results confirmed the maximum sorption capability of ≥97 % even at trace level and also proved remarkable results in competition with competitive ions. The equilibrium sorption data supported the maximum adsorption capacity of 28.57 mg g−1 by the Langmuir model within 60 min at pH 7.0, which is nearly analogous to the experimental data of 22.02 mg g−1 at 10 ppm. Therefore, in conclusion, the proposed green adsorbent is economical, and is even appropriate at almost neutral pH, which designates its applicability for treating drinking water.
Perivascular osteoprogenitors are associated with transcortical channels of long bones
Authors: Root Sierra H. , Wee Natalie K. Y. , Novak Sanja , Rosen Clifford J. , Baron Roland , Matthews Brya G. , Kalajzic Ivo 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Bone remodeling and regeneration are dependent on resident stem/progenitor cells with the ability to replenish mature osteoblasts and repair the skeleton. Using lineage tracing approaches, we identified a population of Dmp1+ cells that reside within cortical bone and are distinct from osteocytes. Our aims were to characterize this stromal population of transcortical perivascular cells (TPCs) in their resident niche and evaluate their osteogenic potential. To distinguish this population from osteoblasts/osteocytes, we crossed mice containing inducible DMP1CreERT2/Ai9 Tomato reporter (iDMP/T) with Col2.3GFP reporter (ColGFP), a marker of osteoblasts and osteocytes. We observed iDMP/T+;ColGFP− TPCs within cortical bone following tamoxifen injection. These cells were perivascular and located within transcortical channels. Ex vivo bone outgrowth cultures showed TPCs migrated out of the channels onto the plate and expressed stem cell markers such as Sca1, platelet derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRβ), and leptin receptor. In a cortical bone transplantation model, TPCs migrate from their vascular niche within cortical bone and contribute to new osteoblast formation and bone tube closure. Treatment with intermittent parathyroid hormone increased TPC number and differentiation. TPCs were unable to differentiate into adipocytes in the presence of rosiglitazone in vitro or in vivo. Altogether, we have identified and characterized a novel stromal lineage-restricted osteoprogenitor that is associated with transcortical vessels of long bones. Functionally, we have demonstrated that this population can migrate out of cortical bone channels, expand, and differentiate into osteoblasts, therefore serving as a source of progenitors contributing to new bone formation.
Isospin-violating contributions to ∈′/∈
Authors: Cirigliano V. , Gisbert H. , Pich A. , Rodríguez-Sánchez A. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe known isospin-breaking contributions to theK → ππamplitudes are reanalyzed, taking into account our current understanding of the quark masses and the relevant non-perturbative inputs. We present a complete numerical reappraisal of the direct CP-violating ratio ∈′/∈, where these corrections play a quite significant role. We obtain the Standard Model prediction Re (∈′/∈) = (14±5)·10−4, which is in very good agreement with the measured ratio. The uncertainty, which has been estimated conservatively, is dominated by our current ignorance about 1/NC-suppressed contributions to some relevant chiral-perturbation-theory low-energy constants.
Hot cosmic qubits: late-time de Sitter evolution and critical slowing down
Authors: Kaplanek Greg , Burgess C.P. 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Temporal evolution of a comoving qubit coupled to a scalar field in de Sitter space is studied with an emphasis on reliable extraction of late-time behaviour. The phenomenon of critical slowing down is observed if the effective mass is chosen to be sufficiently close to zero, which narrows the window of parameter space in which the Markovian approximation is valid. The dynamics of the system in this case are solved in a more general setting by accounting for non-Markovian effects in the evolution of the qubit state. Self-interactions for the scalar field are also incorporated, and reveal a breakdown of late-time perturbative predictions due to the presence of secular growth.
Chiral anomaly, Schwinger effect, Euler-Heisenberg Lagrangian and application to axion inflation
Authors: Domcke Valerie , Ema Yohei , Mukaida Kyohei 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Particle production in strong electromagnetic fields is a recurring theme in solid state physics, heavy ion collisions, early universe cosmology and formal quantum field theory. In this paper we discuss the Dirac equation in a background of parallel electric and magnetic fields. We review the Schwinger particle production rate, clarify the emergence of the chiral anomaly equation and compute the induced current of charged fermions. We distinguish the contributions from non-perturbative particle production, from the running of the gauge coupling constant and from non-linearities in the effective QED Lagrangian, and clarify how these contributions arise within a single framework. We apply these results to axion inflation. A Chern-Simons coupling between the pseudoscalar particle driving cosmic inflaton and an abelian gauge group induces a dual production of gauge fields and charged fermions. We show that the resulting scalar and gravitational wave power spectra strongly depend on the fermion mass.
Localization of effective actions in heterotic string field theory
Authors: Erbin Harold , Maccaferri Carlo , Vošmera Jakub 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
We consider the algebraic couplings in the tree level effective action of the heterotic string. We show how these couplings can be computed from closed string field theory. When the light fields we are interested in are charged under an underlying $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 R-charge in the left-moving sector, their quartic effective potential localizes at the boundary of the worldsheet moduli space, in complete analogy to the previously studied open string case. In particular we are able to compute the quartic closed string field theory potential without resorting to any explicit expression for the 3- and the 4-strings vertices but only using the L∞ relations between them. As a non trivial example we show how the heterotic Yang-Mills quartic potential arises in this way.
Quantum log-corrections to swampland conjectures
Authors: Blumenhagen Ralph , Brinkmann Max , Makridou Andriana 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Taking the anti-de Sitter minimum of KKLT and the large volume scenario at face value, we argue for the existence of logarithmic quantum corrections to AdS swampland conjectures. If these conjectures receive such corrections, it is natural to suspect that they also arise for other swampland conjectures, in particular the dS swampland conjecture. We point out that the proposed log-corrections are in accord with the implications of the recently proposed trans-Planckian censorship conjecture. We also comment on the emergence proposal in the context of both perturbative flux models and the KKLT construction.
Conformal properties of soft-operators. Part II. Use of null-states
Authors: Banerjee Shamik , Pandey Pranjal 
Published: February 2020

AbstractRepresentations of the (Lorentz) conformal group with the soft operators as highest weight vectors have two universal properties, which we clearly state in this paper. Given a soft operator with a certain dimension and spin, the first property is about the existence of “(large) gauge transformation” that acts on the soft operator. The second property is the decoupling of (large) gauge-invariant null-states of the soft operators from theS-matrix elements. In each case, the decoupling equation has the form of zero field-strength condition with the soft operator as the (gauge) potential. Null-state decoupling effectively reduces the number of polarisation states of the soft particle and is crucial in deriving soft-theorems from the Ward identities of asymptotic symmetries. To the best of our understanding, these properties are not directly related to the Lorentz invariance of theS-matrix or the existence of asymptotic symmetries. We also verify that the results obtained from the decoupling of null-states are consistent with the leading and subleading soft-theorems with finite energy massive and massless particles in the external legs.
Heavy neutrinos in displaced vertex searches at the LHC and HL-LHC
Authors: Drewes Marco , Hajer Jan 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
We study the sensitivity of displaced vertex searches for heavy neutrinos produced in W boson decays in the LHC detectors ATLAS, CMS and LHCb. We also propose a new search that uses the muon chambers to detect muons from heavy neutrino decays outside the tracker. The sensitivity estimates are based on benchmark models in which the heavy neutrinos mix exclusively with one of the three Standard Model generations. In the most sensitive mass regime the displaced vertex searches can improve existing constraints on the mixing with the first two SM generations by more than four orders of magnitude and by three orders of magnitude for the mixing with the third generation.
The Gauge-Natural Bilinear Operators Similar to the Dorfman–Courant Bracket
Authors: Mikulski Włodzimierz M. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAll gauge-natural bilinear operators $$A: \Gamma ^l_E(TE\oplus T^*E)\times \Gamma ^l_E(TE\oplus T^*E)\rightarrow \Gamma ^l_E(TE\oplus T^*E)$$A:ΓEl(TE⊕T∗E)×ΓEl(TE⊕T∗E)→ΓEl(TE⊕T∗E) transforming pairs of linear sections of the “doubled” tangent bundle $$TE\oplus T^*E$$TE⊕T∗E of a vector bundle E into linear sections of $$TE\oplus T^*E$$TE⊕T∗E are completely described. Then, all such A with the Jacobi identity in Leibniz form are extracted.
Classifying equivalence relations in the Ershov hierarchy
Authors: Bazhenov Nikolay , Mustafa Manat , San Mauro Luca , Sorbi Andrea , Yamaleev Mars 
Published: February 2020

AbstractComputably enumerable equivalence relations (ceers) received a lot of attention in the literature. The standard tool to classify ceers is provided by the computable reducibility $$\leqslant _c$$

⩽
c

. This gives rise to a rich degree structure. In this paper, we lift the study of c-degrees to the $$\Delta ^0_2$$

Δ
2
0

case. In doing so, we rely on the Ershov hierarchy. For any notation a for a non-zero computable ordinal, we prove several algebraic properties of the degree structure induced by $$\leqslant _c$$

⩽
c

on the $$\Sigma ^{-1}_{a}\smallsetminus \Pi ^{-1}_a$$

Σ
a

-
1

\

Π
a

-
1

equivalence relations. A special focus of our work is on the (non)existence of infima and suprema of c-degrees.
Penetrierende Schädelverletzungen mit elektrischen Bohrmaschinen – ungewöhnliche Verletzungsmuster
Authors: Schädler J. , Gehl A. , Püschel K. 
Published: February 2020

ZusammenfassungZwei außergewöhnliche Fälle von fremdbeigebrachten penetrierenden Kopfverletzungen durch elektrische Bohrmaschinen werden präsentiert. Derartige Abläufe stellen als Tötungsdelikt bzw. versuchtes Tötungsdelikt eine extreme Rarität dar. Wenige Beschreibungen betreffen Suizide, Suizidversuche oder unfallbedingte Verletzungen durch Bohrmaschinen. Im Fall eines 47 Jahre alten Mannes wurde dem Opfer von seiner in Scheidung lebenden Exfrau mit einer ausgeschalteten Bohrmaschine im Schlaf durch das Ohr in den Schädel gestochen. Der Mann überlebte den Angriff. In dem anderen Fall kam es zu einer Auseinandersetzung zwischen zwei jungen Männern, wobei der Beschuldigte seinem Opfer zunächst Messerstiche und anschließend Bohrerverletzungen zufügte. Insgesamt konnten autoptisch drei durch das Auge in das Schädelinnere eindringende Bohrkanäle festgestellt werden. Das Opfer verstarb unmittelbar am Geschehensort.
Percutaneous Device Closure of Congenital Isolated Ventricular Septal Defects: A Single-Center Retrospective Database Study Amongst 412 Cases
Authors: Walavalkar Varsha , Maiya Shreesha , Pujar Suresh , Ramachandra Prakash , Siddaiah Satheesh , Spronck Bart , Vanagt Ward Y. , Delhaas Tammo 
Published: February 2020

AbstractTo identify suitable cases and reduce failure/complication rates for percutaneous ventricular septal defect (VSD) closure, we aimed to (1) study causes of device failure and (2) compare outcomes with different VSD types and devices in a high-volume single center with limited resources. Retrospective data of 412 elective percutaneous VSD closure of isolated congenital VSDs between 2003 and 2017 were analyzed. Out of 412, 363 were successfully implanted, in 30 device implantation failed, and in 19 the procedure was abandoned. Outcome was assessed using echocardiography, electrocardiography, and catheterization data (before procedure, immediately after and during follow-up). Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess effects of age, VSD type, and device type and size on procedural outcome. Median [interquartile range] age and body surface area were 6.6 [4.1–10.9] years and 0.7 [0.5–1.0] m2, respectively. Device failure was not associated with age (p = 0.08), type of VSD (p = 0.5), device type (p = 0.2), or device size (p = 0.1). Device failure occurred in 7.6% of patients. As device type is not related to failure rate and device failure and complication risk was not associated with age, it is justifiable to use financially beneficial ductal devices in VSD position and to consider closure of VSD with device in clinically indicated children.