Revisiting the BB-physics anomalies in RR-parity violating MSSM

In recent years, several deviations from the Standard Model predictions in semileptonic decays of $B$-meson might suggest the existence of new physics which would break the lepton-flavour universality. In this work, we have explored the possibility of using muon sneutrinos and right-handed sbottoms to solve these $B$-physics anomalies simultaneously in $R$-parity violating minimal supersymmetric standard model. We find that the photonic penguin induced by exchanging sneutrino can provide sizable lepton flavour universal contribution due to the existence of logarithmic enhancement for the first time. This prompts us to use the two-parameter scenario $(C^{\rm V}_9, \, C^{\rm U}_9)$ to explain $b \to s \ell^+ \ell^-$ anomaly. Finally, the numerical analyses show that the muon sneutrinos and right-handed sbottoms can explain $b \to s \ell^+ \ell^-$ and $R(D^{(\ast)})$ anomalies simultaneously, and satisfy the constraints of other related processes, such as $B \to K^{(\ast)} \nu \bar\nu$ decays, $B_s-\bar B_s$ mixing, $Z$ decays, as well as $D^0 \to \mu^+ \mu^-$, $\tau \to \mu \rho^0$, $B \to \tau \nu$, $D_s \to \tau \nu$, $\tau \to K \nu$, $\tau \to \mu \gamma$, and $\tau \to \mu\mu\mu$ decays.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, matches to the version published in EPJ

Optimal synthesis of multivalued quantum circuit

Although many of works have been done in multivalued quantum logic synthesis, the question whether multivalued quantum circuits are more efficient than the conventional binary quantum circuits is still open. In this article we devote to the optimization of generic multivalued quantum circuits. The multivalued quantum Shannon decompositions (QSD) are improved so that the circuits obtained are asymptotically optimal for all dimensionality d. The syntheses of uniformly multifold controlled $R_y$ rotations are also optimized to make the circuits further simplified. Moreover, the theoretical lower bound of complexity for multivalued quantum circuits is investigated, and a quantity known as efficiency index is proposed to evaluate the efficiency of synthesis of various quantum circuits. The algorithm for qudit circuits given here is an efficient synthesis routine which produces best known results for all dimensionality d, and for both cases the number of qudit n is small and that is asymptotic. The multivalued quantum circuits are indeed more efficient than the binary quantum circuits. The facts, the leading factor of the lower bound of complexity for qudit circuits is small by a factor of d-1 in comparison to that for qubit circuits and the asymptotic efficiency index is increased with the increase of dimensionality d, reveal the potential advantage of qudit circuits over generic qubit circuits. The generic n-qudit circuits with $d\geq5$ and generic two-ququart circuits synthesized by the algorithm given here are practical circuits which are more efficient than the most efficient qubit circuits.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, 6 table

Hierarchical information clustering by means of topologically embedded graphs

We introduce a graph-theoretic approach to extract clusters and hierarchies in complex data-sets in an unsupervised and deterministic manner, without the use of any prior information. This is achieved by building topologically embedded networks containing the subset of most significant links and analyzing the network structure. For a planar embedding, this method provides both the intra-cluster hierarchy, which describes the way clusters are composed, and the inter-cluster hierarchy which describes how clusters gather together. We discuss performance, robustness and reliability of this method by first investigating several artificial data-sets, finding that it can outperform significantly other established approaches. Then we show that our method can successfully differentiate meaningful clusters and hierarchies in a variety of real data-sets. In particular, we find that the application to gene expression patterns of lymphoma samples uncovers biologically significant groups of genes which play key-roles in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of some of the most relevant human lymphoid malignancies

Experimental and theoretical characterization of microbial bioanodes formed in pulp and paper mill effluent in electrochemically controlled conditions

Microbial bioanodes were formed in pulp and paper effluent on graphite plate electrodes under constant polarization at -0.3 V/SCE, without any addition of nutriment or substrate. The bioanodes were characterized in 3-electrode set-ups, in continuous mode, with hydraulic retention times from 6 to 48 h and inlet COD from 500 to 5200 mg/L. Current densities around 4 A/m2 were obtained and voltammetry curves indicated that 6 A/m2 could be reached at +0.1 V/SCE. A theoretical model was designed, which allowed the effects of HRT and COD to be distinguished in the complex experimental data obtained with concomitant variations of the two parameters. COD removal due to the electrochemical process was proportional to the hydraulic retention time and obeyed a Michaelis–Menten law with respect to the COD of the outlet flow, with a Michaelis constant KCOD of 400 mg/L. An inhibition effect occurred above inlet COD of around 3000 mg/L

Multi-marker approach using procalcitonin, presepsin, galectin-3, and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 for the prediction of mortality in sepsis

Background: Biomarker could be objective and reliable tools to predict mortality in sepsis. We explored the prognostic utilities of emerging biomarkers in septic patients and questioned whether adding biomarkers to the clinical variables would improve the prediction of mortality in sepsis. Methods: This retrospective study included 157 septic patients (112 patients with sepsis; 45 patients with septic shock). Procalcitonin (PCT), presepsin, galectin-3, and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) concentrations were analyzed in relation to the 30-day all-cause mortality. Their value added on top of Sequential (Sepsis-related) Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and white blood cells was also analyzed. Results: PCT could not predict 30-day mortality. Univariate hazard ratio [HR with 95% confidence interval (CI)] of the other dichotomized variables was: 1.33 (0.55–3.194) for presepsin; 7.87 (2.29–26.96) for galectin-3; 1.55 (0.71–3.38) for sST2; and 2.18 (1.01–4.75) for SOFA score. The risk of 30-day mortality increased stepwise as the number of biomarkers above optimal cutoff values increased, and the highest risk was observed when all four biomarkers and SOFA score increased (HR = 14.5). Multi-marker approach predicted 30-day mortality better than SOFA score [area under the curves (95% CI), 0.769 (0.695–0.833) vs. 0.615 (0.535–0.692)]. In reclassification analyses, adding biomarkers to clinical variables improved the prediction of mortality. Conclusion: This study demonstrated a possible prognostic utility of PCT, presepsin, galectin-3, and sST2 in sepsis. Multi-marker approach could be beneficial for an optimized management of patients with sepsis

Thickness-dependent Dielectric Constant of Few-layer In2Se3 Nano-flakes

The dielectric constant or relative permittivity of a dielectric material, which describes how the net electric field in the medium is reduced with respect to the external field, is a parameter of critical importance for charging and screening in electronic devices. Such a fundamental material property is intimately related to not only the polarizability of individual atoms, but also the specific atomic arrangement in the crystal lattice. In this letter, we present both experimental and theoretical investigations on the dielectric constant of few-layer In2Se3 nano-flakes grown on mica substrates by van der Waals epitaxy. A nondestructive microwave impedance microscope is employed to simultaneously quantify the number of layers and local electrical properties. The measured dielectric constant increases monotonically as a function of the thickness and saturates to the bulk value at around 6 ~ 8 quintuple layers. The same trend of layer-dependent dielectric constant is also revealed by first-principle calculations. Our results of the dielectric response, being ubiquitously applicable to layered 2D semiconductors, are expected to be significant for this vibrant research field.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures, 1 table in Nano letters, 2015 ASA