Asymptotic base loci on singular varieties

We prove that the non-nef locus and the restricted base locus of a pseudoeffective divisor coincide on KLT pairs. We also extend to KLT pairs F. Russo's characterization of nef and abundant divisors by means of asymptotic multiplier ideals.Comment: Improved exposition. To appear in "Math. Z.

A Sequential Monte Carlo Approach for the pricing of barrier option in a Stochastic Volatility Model

In this paper we propose a numerical scheme to estimate the price of a barrier option in a general framework. More precisely, we extend a classical Sequential Monte Carlo approach, developed under the hypothesis of deterministic volatility, to Stochastic Volatility models, in order to improve the efficiency of Standard Monte Carlo techniques in the case of barrier options whose underlying approaches the barriers. The paper concludes with the application of our procedure to two case studies in a SABR model

NEUROENDOCRINE CARCINOMA OF THE LARYNX WITH LAMBERT-EATON MYASTHENIC SYNDROME: A RARE CASE REPORT.

Neuroendocrine carcinomas (necs) of the larynx are varied and heterogeneous tumours of rare observation in clinical practice. The WHO classification of 2017 divides them into: (i) well differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (WD-NEC); (ii) moderately differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (MD-NEC); and (iii) poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (PD-NEC), which includes (a) small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (smcc) and (b) large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC)

on the moving multi loads problem in discontinuous beam structures with interlayer slip

Abstract This contribution proposes an efficient approach to the moving multi-loads problem on two-layer beams with interlayer slip and elastic translational supports. The Euler-Bernoulli hypothesis is assumed to hold for each layer separately, and a linear constitutive relation between the horizontal slip and the interlaminar shear force is considered. It is shown that, using the theory of generalized functions to treat the discontinuous response variables, exact eigenfunctions can be derived from a characteristic equation built as determinant of a 6 x 6 matrix. Building pertinent orthogonality conditions for the deflection eigenfunctions, a closed-form analytical response is established in the time domain. The proposed procedure is illustrated for a two-layer beam with interlayer slip, elastically supported at the center and acted upon by moving multi-loads

Multi-agent quality of experience control

In the framework of the Future Internet, the aim of the Quality of Experience (QoE) Control functionalities is to track the personalized desired QoE level of the applications. The paper proposes to perform such a task by dynamically selecting the most appropriate Classes of Service (among the ones supported by the network), this selection being driven by a novel heuristic Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning (MARL) algorithm. The paper shows that such an approach offers the opportunity to cope with some practical implementation problems: in particular, it allows to face the so-called “curse of dimensionality” of MARL algorithms, thus achieving satisfactory performance results even in the presence of several hundreds of Agents

Investor–State Dispute Settlements: A Hidden Handbrake on Climate Action

To achieve the Paris Agreement’s climate goals, states must move away from fossil fuels. But investor–state dispute settlement (ISDS) — a system that enables companies to take states to international arbitration — can increase the cost of this transition. Our research shows that fossil fuel companies have historically secured at least US$82.8 billion in damages and large sums continue to be invested in fossil fuels worldwide. To address this problem, investment governance must be harmonised with global climate goals

Combination of pharmacotherapy and lidocaine analgesic block of the peripheral trigeminal branches for trigeminal neuralgia: a pilot study

Classical trigeminal neuralgia (CTN) is treated predominantly by pharmacotherapy but side effects and unsuccessful occurs. The current study was carried out to evaluate the therapeutic effect of combination of pharmacotherapy and lidocaine block. Thirteen patients with CTN managed with pharmacotherapy were recruited and assigned either to no additional treatment (Group I) or to additional analgesic block (Group II). The primary endpoint was the reduction in the frequency of pain episodes in a month assessed at 30 and 90 days. Comparisons of measurements of pain, general health and depression scales were secondary endpoints. The results from the follow-up visits at 30 and 90 days showed the Group II to have larger reduction in the frequency of pain and exhibited a bigger improvement in the scores of the pain, general health and depression scales. The results from this preliminary study suggest a clinical benefit of the combination of pharmacotherapy and lidocaine block

GPGPU for track finding in High Energy Physics

The LHC experiments are designed to detect large amount of physics events produced with a very high rate. Considering the future upgrades, the data acquisition rate will become even higher and new computing paradigms must be adopted for fast data-processing: General Purpose Graphics Processing Units (GPGPU) is a novel approach based on massive parallel computing. The intense computation power provided by Graphics Processing Units (GPU) is expected to reduce the computation time and to speed-up the low-latency applications used for fast decision taking. In particular, this approach could be hence used for high-level triggering in very complex environments, like the typical inner tracking systems of the multi-purpose experiments at LHC, where a large number of charged particle tracks will be produced with the luminosity upgrade. In this article we discuss a track pattern recognition algorithm based on the Hough Transform, where a parallel approach is expected to reduce dramatically the execution time.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, proceedings prepared for GPU-HEP 2014 conference, submitted to DESY-PROC-201

The chimeric ALT-vastus lateralis free flap in reconstruction of advanced BRONJ of the maxilla.

Introduction Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a dangerous complication of bisphosphonates, a class of pharmaceutical agents used in numerous bone disor- ders. No gold standard therapy exists, but recent literature suggests that, in advanced stages, the best results are achieved with aggressive debridement. In this paper, we report our experience of treatment of stage 3 BRONJ of the maxilla with extensive surgical debridement and reconstruction with a chimeric ALT-Vastus lateralis flap. Methods Five selected patients with stage 3 BRONJ underwent partial maxillectomy with dis- ease-free margins followed by immediate reconstruction with a chimeric ALT-Vastus lateralis free flap. Results Only two patients experienced minor complications. All other patients healed unevent- fully within two weeks and donor site morbidity was minimal. Conclusions Our data suggest that aggressive debridement and reconstruction with a chimeric ALT -Vastus lateralis flap is an effective option for the treatment of stage III BRONJ of the maxilla

Intralabyrinthine Schwannoma of the Intravestibular Subtype: A Difficult Diagnosis

Intralabyrinthine schwannoma is a rare, slow-growing, benign tumor that affects the most terminal portions of the vestibular and cochlear nerves. It can be located in the vestibule, cochlea, or semicircular canals. In 2004, Kennedy et al proposed a classification system which recognized 7 subtypes of intralabyrinthine schwannoma; in 2013, Abel et al1 modified the Kennedy classification,2 which included intracochlear, intravestibular (IV), intravestibulocochlear, transmodiolar, transmacular, transotic, and tympanolabyrinthine, to also include translabyrinthine, tumors extending into the CPA, and tumors not otherwise specified. They also proposed to rename intralabyrinthine schwannoma as primary inner ear schwannoma to permit clear subsite categorization. Patients usually have nonspecific symptoms, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and only single episode of vertigo. Among the resulting symptoms, the most frequent is hearing loss, which affects 95% of the patients. Most times, this loss is slow and progressive, but it may be sudden or fluctuating. Less common symptoms include tinnitus (51%), imbalance (35%), vertigo (22%), and ear fullness (2%), which may be present alone or in combination.3-7 We report a rare case of a patient with hearing loss and single episode of vertigo secondary to the intralabyrinthine schwannoma of the IV subtype