The KπK\pi form factors from Analyticity and Unitarity

Analyticity and unitarity techniques are employed to obtain bounds on the shape parameters of the scalar and vector form factors of semileptonic $K_{l3}$ decays. For this purpose we use vector and scalar correlators evaluated in pQCD, a low energy theorem for scalar form factor, lattice results for the ratio of kaon and pion decay constants, chiral perturbation theory calculations for the scalar form factor at the Callan-Treiman point and experimental information on the phase and modulus of $K\pi$ form factors up to an energy \tin=1 {\rm GeV}^2. We further derive regions on the real axis and in the complex-energy plane where the form factors cannot have zeros.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures; Seminar given at DAE-BRNS Workshop on Hadron Physics Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India October 31-November 4, 2011, submitted to Proceeding

Role and Utility of Mixed Reality Technology in Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy: Outcomes of a Prospective RCT Using an Indigenously Developed Software

OBJECTIVE: To develop a software for mixed reality (MR) anatomical model creation and study its intraoperative clinical utility to facilitate laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After institutional review board approval, 47 patients were prospectively randomized for LPN into two groups: the control group (24 patients) underwent operation with an intraoperative ultrasound (US) control and the experimental group (23 patients) with smart glasses HoloLens 2 (Microsoft, Seattle, WA, USA). Our team has developed an open-source software package called “HLOIA,” utilization of which allowed to create and use during surgery the MR anatomical model of the kidney with its vascular pedicle and tumor. The study period extended from June 2020 to February 2021 where demographic, perioperative, and pathological data were collected for all qualifying patients. The objective was to assess the utility of a MR model during LPN and through a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire, completed by the surgeon, immediately after LPN. Patient characteristics were tested using the chi-square test for categorical variables and Student's t-test or Mann–Whitney test for continuous variables. RESULTS: Comparison of the variables between the groups revealed statistically significant differences only in the following parameters: the time for renal pedicle exposure and the time from the renal pedicle to the detection of tumor localization (p < 0.001), which were in favor of the experimental group. The surgeon's impression of the utility of the MR model by the proposed questionnaire demonstrated high scores in all statements. CONCLUSIONS: Developed open-source software “HLOIA” allowed to create the mixed reality anatomical model by operating urologist which is when used with smart glasses has shown improvement in terms of time for renal pedicle exposure and time for renal tumor identification without compromising safety

Stringent constraints on the scalar K pi form factor from analyticity, unitarity and low-energy theorems

We investigate the scalar K pi form factor at low energies by the method of unitarity bounds adapted so as to include information on the phase and modulus along the elastic region of the unitarity cut. Using at input the values of the form factor at t=0 and the Callan-Treiman point, we obtain stringent constraints on the slope and curvature parameters of the Taylor expansion at the origin. Also, we predict a quite narrow range for the higher order ChPT corrections at the second Callan-Treiman point.Comment: 5 pages latex, uses EPJ style files, 3 figures, replaced with version accepted by EPJ

Greenlight laser™ photovaporization versus transurethral resection of the prostate: A systematic review and meta-analysis

none9GreenLight laser™ photovaporization of the prostate (GLL-PVP) has become a valid alternative to traditional transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in men requiring surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia. We aimed to review systematically the safety and efficacy of studies comparing GLL PVP and TURP in the medium-term. A comprehensive literature search was performed. Twelve studies were identified for meta-analysis. Meta-analyses showed a longer postoperative catheterization time (risk ratio (RR): 1.12, 95% CI:1.09–1.14, p<0.00001) and length of stay (RR: 1.16, 95% CI:1.12–1.19, p<0.00001) in the TURP group; higher risk of transfusion in the TURP group (RR: 6.51, 95% CI: 2,90–14,64 p<0.00001); no difference in the risk of urinary tract infections (RR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.58–1.18, p=0.30) and transient re-catheterization (RR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.76–1.60, p=0.60). Regarding reoperation rate, no difference was found in term of postoperative urethral stricture (RR: 1.13, 95% CI: 0.73–1.75, p=0.59) and bladder neck contracture (RR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.31–1.40, p=0.28). A significantly higher incidence in reoperation for persistent/regrowth adenoma was present in the GLLL-PVP (RR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.41–0.99, p=0.05). Data at 2-year follow-up showed significant better post-voiding residual (PVR) (MD:-1.42, 95% CI:-2.01,-0.82, p<0.00001) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) (MD:-0.35, 95% CI:-0.50,-0.20, p<0.00001) after TURP. No difference was found in the mean PVR at 2 years after TURP, in the mean maximum flow rate (Qmax) (MD: 0.30, 95% CI:-0.02–0.61, p=0.06) and quality of life QoL score (MD: 0.05, 95% CI:-0.02–0.42, p=0.13). At 5-year follow-up, data showed better IPSS (MD:-1.70, 95% CI:-2.45,-0.95, p<0.00001), QoL scores (MD:-0.35, 95% CI:-0.69,-0.02, p=0.04) and Qmax (MD: 3.29, 95% CI: 0.19–6.38, p=0.04) after TURP. Data of PVR showed no significant difference (MD:-11.54, 95% CI:-29.55–6.46, p=0.21). In conclusion, our analysis shows that GLL-PVP is a safer and more efficacious procedure than standard TURP in the early and medium-term. However, in the long term period GLL-PVP showed a higher incidence of reoperation rate due to incomplete vaporization/regrowth of prostatic adenoma.openCastellani D.; Pirola G.M.; Rubilotta E.; Gubbiotti M.; Scarcella S.; Maggi M.; Gauhar V.; Teoh J.Y.-C.; Galosi A.B.Castellani, D.; Pirola, G. M.; Rubilotta, E.; Gubbiotti, M.; Scarcella, S.; Maggi, M.; Gauhar, V.; Teoh, J. Y. -C.; Galosi, A. B

Theory of unitarity bounds and low energy form factors

We present a general formalism for deriving bounds on the shape parameters of the weak and electromagnetic form factors using as input correlators calculated from perturbative QCD, and exploiting analyticity and unitarity. The values resulting from the symmetries of QCD at low energies or from lattice calculations at special points inside the analyticity domain can beincluded in an exact way. We write down the general solution of the corresponding Meiman problem for an arbitrary number of interior constraints and the integral equations that allow one to include the phase of the form factor along a part of the unitarity cut. A formalism that includes the phase and some information on the modulus along a part of the cut is also given. For illustration we present constraints on the slope and curvature of the K_l3 scalar form factor and discuss our findings in some detail. The techniques are useful for checking the consistency of various inputs and for controlling the parameterizations of the form factors entering precision predictions in flavor physics.Comment: 11 pages latex using EPJ style files, 5 figures; v2 is version accepted by EPJA in Tools section; sentences and figures improve

Psychological Health of Surgeons in a Time of COVID-19: A Global Survey

OBJECTIVE: To assess the degree of psychological impact among surgical providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The COVID-19 pandemic has extensively impacted global healthcare systems. We hypothesized that the degree of psychological impact would be higher for surgical providers deployed for COVID-19 work, certain surgical specialties, and for those who knew of someone diagnosed with, or who died, of COVID-19. METHODS: We conducted a global web-based survey to investigate the psychological impact of COVID-19. The primary outcomes were the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) scores. RESULTS: 4283 participants from 101 countries responded. 32.8%, 30.8%, 25.9% and 24.0% screened positive for depression, anxiety, stress and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) respectively. Respondents who knew someone who died of COVID-19 were more likely to screen positive for depression, anxiety, stress and PTSD (OR 1.3, 1,6, 1.4, 1.7 respectively, all p < 0.05). Respondents who knew of someone diagnosed with COVID-19 were more likely to screen positive for depression, stress and PTSD (OR 1.2, 1.2 and 1.3 respectively, all p < 0.05). Surgical specialities that operated in the Head and Neck region had higher psychological distress among its surgeons. Deployment for COVID-19-related work was not associated with increased psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic may have a mental health legacy outlasting its course. The long-term impact of this ongoing traumatic event underscores the importance of longitudinal mental health care for healthcare personnel, with particular attention to those who know of someone diagnosed with, or who died of COVID-19

Flavour-changing top decays in the aligned two-Higgs-doublet model

We perform a complete one-loop computation of the two-body flavour-changing top decays t --> ch and t --> cV (V = gamma, Z), within the aligned two-Higgs-doublet model. We evaluate the impact of the model parameters on the associated branching ratios, taking into account constraints from flavour data and measurements of the Higgs properties. Assuming that the 125 GeV Higgs corresponds to the lightest CP-even scalar of the CP-conserving aligned two-Higgs-doublet model, we find that the rates for such flavour-changing top decays lie below the expected sensitivity of the future high-luminosity phase of the LHC. Measurements of the Higgs signal strength in the di-photon channel are found to play an important role in limiting the size of the t --> ch decay rate when the charged scalar of the model is light

The Insulator Protein SU(HW) Fine-Tunes Nuclear Lamina Interactions of the Drosophila Genome

Specific interactions of the genome with the nuclear lamina (NL) are thought to assist chromosome folding inside the nucleus and to contribute to the regulation of gene expression. High-resolution mapping has recently identified hundreds of large, sharply defined lamina-associated domains (LADs) in the human genome, and suggested that the insulator protein CTCF may help to demarcate these domains. Here, we report the detailed structure of LADs in Drosophila cells, and investigate the putative roles of five insulator proteins in LAD organization. We found that the Drosophila genome is also organized in discrete LADs, which are about five times smaller than human LADs but contain on average a similar number of genes. Systematic comparison to new and published insulator binding maps shows that only SU(HW) binds preferentially at LAD borders and at specific positions inside LADs, while GAF, CTCF, BEAF-32 and DWG are mostly absent from these regions. By knockdown and overexpression studies we demonstrate that SU(HW) weakens genome – NL interactions through a local antagonistic effect, but we did not obtain evidence that it is essential for border formation. Our results provide insights into the evolution of LAD organization and identify SU(HW) as a fine-tuner of genome – NL interactions

Effects of Hormone Agonists on Sf9 Cells, Proliferation and Cell Cycle Arrest

Methoxyfenozide and methoprene are two insecticides that mimic the action of the main hormones involved in the control of insect growth and development, 20-hydroxyecdysone and juvenile hormone. We investigated their effect on the Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cell line. Methoxyfenozide was more toxic than methoprene in cell viability tests and more potent in the inhibition of cellular proliferation. Cell growth arrest occurred in the G2/M phase after a methoprene treatment and more modestly in G1 after methoxyfenozide treatment. Microarray experiments and real-time quantitative PCR to follow the expression of nuclear receptors ultraspiracle and ecdysone receptor were performed to understand the molecular action of these hormone agonists. Twenty-six genes were differentially expressed after methoxyfenozide treatment and 55 genes after methoprene treatment with no gene in common between the two treatments. Our results suggest two different signalling pathways in Sf9 cells

Whole-Genome Analysis Reveals That Active Heat Shock Factor Binding Sites Are Mostly Associated with Non-Heat Shock Genes in Drosophila melanogaster

During heat shock (HS) and other stresses, HS gene transcription in eukaryotes is up-regulated by the transcription factor heat shock factor (HSF). While the identities of the major HS genes have been known for more than 30 years, it has been suspected that HSF binds to numerous other genes and potentially regulates their transcription. In this study, we have used a chromatin immunoprecipitation and microarray (ChIP-chip) approach to identify 434 regions in the Drosophila genome that are bound by HSF. We have also performed a transcript analysis of heat shocked Kc167 cells and third instar larvae and compared them to HSF binding sites. The heat-induced transcription profiles were quite different between cells and larvae and surprisingly only about 10% of the genes associated with HSF binding sites show changed transcription. There were also genes that showed changes in transcript levels that did not appear to correlate with HSF binding sites. Analysis of the locations of the HSF binding sites revealed that 57% were contained within genes with approximately 2/3rds of these sites being in introns. We also found that the insulator protein, BEAF, has enriched binding prior to HS to promoters of genes that are bound by HSF upon HS but that are not transcriptionally induced during HS. When the genes associated with HSF binding sites in promoters were analyzed for gene ontology terms, categories such as stress response and transferase activity were enriched whereas analysis of genes having HSF binding sites in introns identified those categories plus ones related to developmental processes and reproduction. These results suggest that Drosophila HSF may be regulating many genes besides the known HS genes and that some of these genes may be regulated during non-stress conditions