Phase transitions in holographic QCD and instanton crystals

textWe investigate phase transitions in holographic models of QCD. In chapter I, we explore the effect of constant external U(1) fields on the physics of chiral symmetry breaking, as realized in the D3/D7 model. We discover that this model exhibits the phenomenon of magnetic catalysis, which is what one would expect from a weakly coupled field theory intuition. In chapter II, we continue exploring the effect of external U(1) fields but now on the backreacted D3/D7 model, where the backreaction is obtained via a smearing procedure. We again find the magnetic catalysis effect, however the results differ from the previous case depending on the backreaction parameters. In chapter III, we investigate lattices of instantons in the D4/D8 model of chiral symmetry breaking. These instanton lattices can change dimensionality, and in particular we investigate the 1D [right arrow] 2D transition as a simpler case of the more complicated 3D [right arrow] 4D transition which is conjectured to be holographically dual to the baryonic to quarkyonic phase transition. Besides this interpretation, one could also view this as a hypothetical condensed matter system. We have a lattice of instantons dominated by two-body forces, whose interactions depend not only on their mutual distance in physical space but also on their relative orientations in the internal isospace. We obtain a rich variety of instanton crystals whose description could serve to be useful beyond holography.Physic

An analytical review of current S-box design methodologies, performance evaluation criteria, and major challenges

The expansion of worldwide networking has created new possibilities for management, development, and presentation in the form of digital data. The uncomplicated accessibility to digital resources i.e., internet banking, electronic advertising, digital marketing, and libraries has resulted in grave security concerns. Consequently, rapid use of digital information and technology, security of digital transactions is a big concern. Although many data security solutions exist, still they need further improvement. In symmetric cryptography, the strength of a Substitution Box (S-box) assures the strength of block ciphers. S-box is a critical nonlinear element of cryptosystem that creates turmoil in transactions. This study aims to formulate a variety of methodologies to measure the effectiveness of an S-box against linear and differential algebraic attacks. These malicious attacks may disrupt and leak confidential information. Therefore, a comparative analysis is presented to understand the S-box construction methodologies, key characteristics of eminent S-boxes, major challenges, and their weak cryptographic properties. S-box is considered to be secure if it meets a number of criteria, i.e., maximum linear probability, bijection, nonlinearity, input/output XOR distribution, bit independence criterion, and strict avalanche criterion. These criteria are analyzed in detail to evaluate the performance, reliability, and effectiveness of S-box

Migration of the XML Detector Description Data and Schema to a Relational Database

This document discusses the design and implementation of software for migration of the XML detector description data to a relational database maintaining the semantic structure. Relational databases offer great flexibility for data consistency, manipulation and retrieval and offer a very well developed and easy to use query language. XML on the other hand offers great flexibility for data description and is a platform independent data format but lacks very efficient data selection and retrieval mechanisms. Relational databases also allows for management on the data level, while XML limits data management to the file level. The migration software tries to achieve migration between XML and the relational format in an effort to achieve the "best of both worlds"

AI-Driven Learning Management Systems: Modern Developments, Challenges and Future Trends during the Age of ChatGPT

COVID-19 pandemic restrictions limited all social activities to curtail the spread of the virus. The foremost and most prime sector among those affected were schools, colleges, and universities. The education system of entire nations had shifted to online education during this time. Many shortcomings of Learning Management Systems (LMSs) were detected to support education in an online mode that spawned the research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) based tools that are being developed by the research community to improve the effectiveness of LMSs. This paper presents a detailed survey of the different enhancements to LMSs, which are led by key advances in the area of AI to enhance the real-time and non-real-time user experience. The AI-based enhancements proposed to the LMSs start from the Application layer and Presentation layer in the form of flipped classroom models for the efficient learning environment and appropriately designed UI/UX for efficient utilization of LMS utilities and resources, including AI-based chatbots. Session layer enhancements are also required, such as AI-based online proctoring and user authentication using Biometrics. These extend to the Transport layer to support real-time and rate adaptive encrypted video transmission for user security/privacy and satisfactory working of AI-algorithms. It also needs the support of the Networking layer for IP-based geolocation features, the Virtual Private Network (VPN) feature, and the support of SoftwareDefined Networks (SDN) for optimum Quality of Service (QoS). Finally, in addition to these, non-real-time user experience is enhanced by other AI-based enhancements such as Plagiarism detection algorithms and Data Analytics

Psychological distress, anxiety, family violence, suicidality, and wellbeing in Pakistan during the COVID-19 lockdown: A cross-sectional study

Background and objectives: The purpose of this study was to draw the attention toward the implications of COVID-19 and the related restrictions imposed worldwide especially in Pakistan. The primary objective was to highlight the levels of psychological distress, anxiety, family violence, suicidality, and well-being due to COVID-19 and the secondary objective was to associate it to social demographic factors. Materials and methods: It is designed as a cross-sectional study by employing an online questionnaire in the English language and obtaining responses using a snowball sampling technique. We used three validated measures including Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) index and World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5). Results: A sample of 420 participants was recruited from across Pakistan, with most participants were females (79%), students (89.8%) and belonging to Punjab (54%). Nearly one-fourth of the participants (23.8%) scored above the minimum value set for moderate or high psychological distress (K10 \u3e 12). There was a higher prevalence of distress among females and resident of province Punjab. The majority of individuals reported that they were living with their family (94.5%) and more than half (52.6%) were neutral regarding their satisfaction with their living conditions. 40.5% believed that the lockdown has had a negative impact on their mental health. 31.4% have reported that they themselves have experienced abuse from a family member. 48.6% scored high on the GAD-7 scale and low wellbeing score was found among 80.2%. Students were found to be more vulnerable to mental illness and anxiety. Conclusion: With the lockdown restrictions, psychosocial distress has become prevalent in Pakistan

Cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia: a rare association with triple-positive breast cancer

A 45-year-old Asian woman was presented with fever, easy fatigability, shortness of breath, cervical and axillary lymphadenopathy and other signs and symptoms of anemia. After all the baseline work-up, the patient was investigated for Mono-coombs C3d levels, which were elevated, suggesting the diagnosis of Cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia (Cold AIHA). An Ultrasound-guided true-cut biopsy was done to determine the primary cause associated with it, which showed the presence of tumor cells arranged in cords and clusters. They have dark staining cells with mitotic activity, suggestive of breast carcinoma as an association of Cold AIHA. Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) were sent, which came out to be positive. So, the patient was diagnosed with Cold AIHA in association with triple-positive breast cancer

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients With Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy: a Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) Database Analysis

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a major cause of heart transplant failure and mortality. The role of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in these patients remains unknown. Methods: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) (2015-2017) was queried to identify all cases of CAV. The merits of PCI were determined using a propensity-matched multivariate logistic regression model. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for in-hospital complications were calculated. Results: A total of 2,380 patients (PCI 185, no-PCI 21,95) with CAV were included in the analysis. There was no significant difference in the odds of major bleeding (OR 1.87, 95% CI 0.94-3.7, P = 0.11), post-procedure bleeding (P = 0.37), cardiogenic shock (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.45-1.69, P = 0.80), acute kidney injury (uOR 0.92, 95% CI 0.68-1.24, P = 0.64), cardiopulmonary arrest (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.34-2.11, P = 0.88), and in-hospital mortality (OR 1.59, 95% CI 0.91-2.79, P = 0.14) between patients undergoing PCI compared to those treated conservatively. A propensity-matched analysis closely followed the results of unadjusted crude analysis. Conclusion: PCI in CAV may be associated with increased in-hospital complications and higher resource utilization

Novel Homozygous Mutations in the Genes TGM1, SULT2B1, SPINK5 and FLG in Four Families Underlying Congenital Ichthyosis

Background: Ichthyoses are a large group of hereditary cornification disorders, which are both clinically and etiologically heterogeneous and affect mostly all the skin surface of the patients. Ichthyosis has its origin in an ancient Greek word “ichthys” meaning fish, this is because the ichthyosis patients have dry, thickened, and scaly skin. There is an excess accumulation of epidermal cells resulting in the appearance of continuous and widespread scales on the body. There are many varieties of ichthyosis with a broad spectrum of intensity, severity, and associated symptoms, most of them are extremely rare. Ichthyosis vulgaris is the most frequently occurring type of ichthyoses. Method: The present study consists of four Pakistani ichthyosis families (A, B, C, and D). Whole exome sequencing (WES) approach was used to identify the pathogenic sequence variants in probands. The segregation of these variants in other participants was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Results: Total four variants including, two splice site (TGM1: c.2088 + 1G > A) and (SPINK5: c.882 + 1G > T), a missense (SULT2B1: c.419C > T; p. Ala140Val), and a nonsense (FLG: c.6109C > T; p. Arg2037Ter) variant were identified in families A, C, B, and D, respectively, as causative mutations responsible for ichthyosis in these families. Conclusion: Our study unravels the molecular etiology of the four Pakistani ichthyosis families and validates the involvement of TGM1, SULT2B1, SPINK5, and FLG, in the etiology of different forms of ichthyosis. In addition, this study also aims to give a detailed clinical report of the studied ichthyosis families

Global Incidence and Risk Factors Associated With Postoperative Urinary Retention Following Elective Inguinal Hernia Repair

Importance Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a well-recognized complication of inguinal hernia repair (IHR). A variable incidence of POUR has previously been reported in this context, and contradictory evidence surrounds potential risk factors.Objective To ascertain the incidence of, explore risk factors for, and determine the health service outcomes of POUR following elective IHR.Design, Setting, and Participants The Retention of Urine After Inguinal Hernia Elective Repair (RETAINER I) study, an international, prospective cohort study, recruited participants between March 1 and October 31, 2021. This study was conducted across 209 centers in 32 countries in a consecutive sample of adult patients undergoing elective IHR.Exposure Open or minimally invasive IHR by any surgical technique, under local, neuraxial regional, or general anesthesia.Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was the incidence of POUR following elective IHR. Secondary outcomes were perioperative risk factors, management, clinical consequences, and health service outcomes of POUR. A preoperative International Prostate Symptom Score was measured in male patients.Results In total, 4151 patients (3882 male and 269 female; median [IQR] age, 56 [43-68] years) were studied. Inguinal hernia repair was commenced via an open surgical approach in 82.2% of patients (n = 3414) and minimally invasive surgery in 17.8% (n = 737). The primary form of anesthesia was general in 40.9% of patients (n = 1696), neuraxial regional in 45.8% (n = 1902), and local in 10.7% (n = 446). Postoperative urinary retention occurred in 5.8% of male patients (n = 224), 2.97% of female patients (n = 8), and 9.5% (119 of 1252) of male patients aged 65 years or older. Risk factors for POUR after adjusted analyses included increasing age, anticholinergic medication, history of urinary retention, constipation, out-of-hours surgery, involvement of urinary bladder within the hernia, temporary intraoperative urethral catheterization, and increasing operative duration. Postoperative urinary retention was the primary reason for 27.8% of unplanned day-case surgery admissions (n = 74) and 51.8% of 30-day readmissions (n = 72).Conclusions The findings of this cohort study suggest that 1 in 17 male patients, 1 in 11 male patients aged 65 years or older, and 1 in 34 female patients may develop POUR following IHR. These findings could inform preoperative patient counseling. In addition, awareness of modifiable risk factors may help to identify patients at increased risk of POUR who may benefit from perioperative risk mitigation strategies