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This study aimed to assess the presence of heavy metals, specifically Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Magnesium (Mg), Nickel (Ni), and Silver (Ag), in Nasipit Port, Nasipit, Agusan Del Norte, Philippines. The study measured and quantified the concentrations of these heavy metals in various environmental compartments within and around the port area, including water and sediment samples. This study employed an experimental research design to investigate the presence of heavy metals in Nasipit Port. The research utilized DOST's laboratory equipment and did not involve human respondents. The sampling method involved measuring the distance from the ship to collect water and sediment samples. The study ensured informed consent, voluntary participation, and privacy protection for the participants. The results showed that Cadmium, Copper, Lead, and Nickel were not detected, while Magnesium and Silver exceeded the standard limits set by the DENR. The study found no significant difference in heavy metal contamination between areas with and without ships, indicating that the port is still classified as safe for ecological risk assessment. The recommendations emphasize the importance of community engagement, continuous monitoring, and public awareness to protect the marine ecosystem and public health. Finally, future researchers are encouraged to expand the study to include other heavy metals and investigate their bioaccumulation in fish and other marine organisms.

Abstract We consider bosonic string theory on AdS3 supported by Kalb-Ramond flux. It is well known that the α′ exact worldsheet theory is described by the SL(2,R) WZW model. In this note we perform checks of an α′ exact dual description proposed in [arXiv:2104.07233] involving a winding condensate on a free theory background. We give the explicit map of vertex operators for normalizable states on both sides of the duality and demonstrate the equivalence of their two and three point functions by direct computation. The duality is of strong-weak nature in α′.

Abstract The ER = EPR correspondence relates a superposition of entangled, disconnected spacetimes to a connected spacetime with an Einstein-Rosen bridge. We construct examples in which both sides may be described by weakly-coupled string theory. The relation between them is given by a Lorentzian continuation of the FZZ duality of the two-dimensional Euclidean black hole CFT in one example, and in another example by continuation of a similar duality that we propose for the asymptotic Euclidean AdS3 black hole. This gives a microscopic understanding of ER = EPR: one has a worldsheet duality between string theory in a connected, eternal black hole, and in a superposition of disconnected geometries in an entangled state. The disconnected description includes a condensate of entangled folded strings emanating from a strong-coupling region in place of a bifurcation point. Our construction relies on a Lorentzian interpretation of Euclidean time winding operators via angular quantization, as well as some lesser known worldsheet string theories, such as perturbation theory around a thermofield-double state, which we define using Schwinger-Keldysh contours in target space.

Abstract We develop a holographic framework for describing the experience of bulk observers in AdS/CFT, that allows us to compute the proper time and energy distribution measured along any bulk worldline. Our method is formulated directly in the CFT language and is universal: it does not require knowledge of the bulk geometry as an input. When used to propagate operators along the worldline of an observer falling into an eternal black hole, our proposal resolves a conceptual puzzle raised by Marolf and Wall. Notably, the prescription does not rely on an external dynamical Hamiltonian or the AdS boundary conditions and is, therefore, outlining a general framework for the emergence of time.

Abstract We study the semi-classical limit of the reflection coefficient for the SL(2, ℝ) k /U(1) CFT. For large k, the CFT describes a string in a Euclidean black hole of 2-dimensional dilaton-gravity, whose target space is a cigar with an asymptotically linear dilaton. This sigma-model description is weakly coupled in the large k limit, and we investigate the saddle-point expansion of the functional integral that computes the reflection coefficient. As in the semi-classical limit of Liouville CFT studied in [1], we find that one must complexify the functional integral and sum over complex saddles to reproduce the limit of the exact reflection coefficient. Unlike Liouville, the SL(2, ℝ) k /U(1) CFT admits bound states that manifest as poles of the reflection coefficient. To reproduce them in the semi-classical limit, we find that one must sum over configurations that hit the black hole singularity, but nevertheless contribute to the saddle-point expansion with finite action.

We develop a class of matrix models that implement and formalize the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis (ETH) and point out that, in general, these models must contain non-Gaussian corrections in order to correctly capture thermal mean-field theory or to capture nontrivial out-of-time-order correlation functions (OTOCs) as well as their higher-order generalizations. We develop the framework of these ETH matrix models and put it in the context of recent studies in statistical physics incorporating higher statistical moments into the ETH ansatz. We then use the ETH matrix model in order to develop a matrix-integral description of Jackiw-Teitelboim (JT) gravity coupled to a single scalar field in the bulk. This particular example takes the form of a double-scaled ETH matrix model with non-Gaussian couplings matching disk correlators and the density of states of the gravitational theory. Having defined the model from the disk data, we present evidence that the model correctly captures the JT+matter theory with multiple boundaries and, conjecturally, at higher genus. This is a shorter companion paper to the work [D. L. Jafferis et al., companion paper, Jackiw-Teitelboim gravity with matter, generalized eigenstate thermalization hypothesis, and random matrices, Phys. Rev. D 108, 066015 (2023).PRVDAQ2470-001010.1103/PhysRevD.108.066015], serving as a guide to the much more extensive material presented there, as well as developing its underpinning in statistical physics.

Abstract In this paper, we propose a concrete teleportation protocol in the SYK model based on a particle traversing a wormhole. The required operations for the communication, and insertion and extraction of the qubit, are all simple operators in terms of the basic qubits. We determine the effectiveness of this protocol, and find a version achieves almost perfect fidelity. Many features of semiclassical traversable wormholes are manifested in this setup.

Low steady‐state levels of active tamoxifen metabolites have been associated with inferior treatment outcomes. In this retrospective analysis of 406 estrogen receptor‐positive breast cancer (BC) patients receiving adjuvant tamoxifen as initial treatment, we have associated our previously reported thresholds for the two active metabolites, Z‐endoxifen and Z‐4‐hydroxy‐tamoxifen (Z‐4OHtam), with treatment outcomes in an independent cohort of BC patients. Among all patients, metabolite levels did not affect survival. However, in the premenopausal subgroup receiving tamoxifen alone (n = 191) we confirmed an inferior BC ‐specific survival in patients with the previously described serum concentration threshold of Z‐4OHtam ≤ 3.26 nm (HR = 2.37, 95% CI = 1.02–5.48, P = 0.039). The ‘dose–response’ survival trend in patients categorized to ordinal concentration cut‐points of Z‐4OHtamoxifen (≤ 3.26, 3.27–8.13, > 8.13 nm) was also replicated (P‐trend log‐rank = 0.048). Z‐endoxifen was not associated with outcome. This is the first study to confirm the association between a published active tamoxifen metabolite threshold and BC outcome in an independent patient cohort. Premenopausal patients receiving 5‐year of tamoxifen alone may benefit from therapeutic drug monitoring to ensure tamoxifen effectiveness.

Introduction: Heart failure is associated with recurrent hospitalizations and high mortality. Guideline directed medical treatment (GDMT), including beta blockers (BBs), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and aldosterone antagonists (AAs) has shown to improve outcomes. Current guidelines recommend the use of these medication classes at maximally tolerated dosages. Despite the evidence, 90 days) compiled 48% of the patient population. Patients with NYHA class III heart failure compiled 65% of the patient population.There was a statistically significant increase in the mean number of GDMT at any dose (2.31 ± 0.76 to 2.74 ± 0.66; p

AMS-100 is the next-generation high-energy cosmic-ray experiment in Space. It is designed as a magnetic spectrometer with a geometrical acceptance of 100 m2 · sr to be operated for ten years at the Sun–Earth Lagrange Point 2. Its Time-of-Flight (TOF) detector is a crucial sub-detector for the main trigger and the particle identification constructed from individual scintillation counters. A fast time measurement with a resolution of 20 ps for a single counter is required to cover wide energy ranges for particle identification. A prototype counter has been designed based on a fast plastic scintillator tile readout by two silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). An amplifier board was built to merge 16 SiPM channels into four readout channels in a hybrid connection. The signals are read out by a fast waveform digitizer. The timing performance was studied with electrons from a 90Sr source. A time resolution of 40 ps for a single counter has been achieved. Various operational and environmental conditions have been studied.

Abstract After turning on an interaction that couples the two boundaries of an eternal BTZ black hole, we find a quantum matter stress tensor with negative average null energy, whose gravitational backreaction renders the Einstein-Rosen bridge traversable. Such a traversable wormhole has an interesting interpretation in the context of ER=EPR, which we suggest might be related to quantum teleportation. However, it cannot be used to violate causality. We also discuss the implications for the energy and holographic entropy in the dual CFT description.

Prenatal stress (PS) has been shown to influence the development of the fetal brain and to increase the risk for the development of psychiatric disorders in later life. Furthermore, the variation of human serotonin transporter (5-HTT, SLC6A4) gene was suggested to exert a modulating effect on the association between early life stress and the risk for depression. In the present study, we used a 5-Htt×PS paradigm to investigate whether the effects of PS are dependent on the 5-Htt genotype. For this purpose, the effects of PS on cognition, anxiety- and depression-related behavior were examined using a maternal restraint stress paradigm of PS in C57BL6 wild-type (WT) and heterozygous 5-Htt deficient (5-Htt +/-) mice. Additionally, in female offspring, a genome-wide hippocampal gene expression profiling was performed using the Affymetrix GeneChip® Mouse Genome 430 2.0 Array. 5-Htt +/- offspring showed enhanced memory performance and signs of reduced anxiety as compared to WT offspring. In contrast, exposure of 5-Htt +/- mice to PS was associated with increased depressive-like behavior, an effect that tended to be more pronounced in female offspring. Further, 5-Htt genotype, PS and their interaction differentially affected the expression of numerous genes and related pathways within the female hippocampus. Specifically, MAPK and neurotrophin signaling were regulated by both the 5-Htt +/- genotype and PS exposure, whereas cytokine and Wnt signaling were affected in a 5-Htt genotype×PS manner, indicating a gene×environment interaction at the molecular level. In conclusion, our data suggest that although the 5-Htt +/- genotype shows clear adaptive capacity, 5-Htt +/- mice--particularly females--at the same time appear to be more vulnerable to developmental stress exposure when compared to WT offspring. Moreover, hippocampal gene expression profiles suggest that distinct molecular mechanisms mediate the behavioral effects of the 5-Htt genotype, PS exposure, and their interaction.

This study aimed to assess the presence of heavy metals, specifically Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Magnesium (Mg), Nickel (Ni), and Silver (Ag), in Nasipit Port, Nasipit, Agusan Del Norte, Philippines. The study measured and quantified the concentrations of these heavy metals in various environmental compartments within and around the port area, including water and sediment samples. This study employed an experimental research design to investigate the presence of heavy metals in Nasipit Port. The research utilized DOST's laboratory equipment and did not involve human respondents. The sampling method involved measuring the distance from the ship to collect water and sediment samples. The study ensured informed consent, voluntary participation, and privacy protection for the participants. The results showed that Cadmium, Copper, Lead, and Nickel were not detected, while Magnesium and Silver exceeded the standard limits set by the DENR. The study found no significant difference in heavy metal contamination between areas with and without ships, indicating that the port is still classified as safe for ecological risk assessment. The recommendations emphasize the importance of community engagement, continuous monitoring, and public awareness to protect the marine ecosystem and public health. Finally, future researchers are encouraged to expand the study to include other heavy metals and investigate their bioaccumulation in fish and other marine organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider bosonic string theory on AdS3 supported by Kalb-Ramond flux. It is well known that the α′ exact worldsheet theory is described by the SL(2,R) WZW model. In this note we perform checks of an α′ exact dual description proposed in [arXiv:2104.07233] involving a winding condensate on a free theory background. We give the explicit map of vertex operators for normalizable states on both sides of the duality and demonstrate the equivalence of their two and three point functions by direct computation. The duality is of strong-weak nature in α′. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider bosonic string theory on AdS3 supported by Kalb-Ramond flux. It is well known that the α′ exact worldsheet theory is described by the SL(2,R) WZW model. In this note we perform checks of an α′ exact dual description proposed in [arXiv:2104.07233] involving a winding condensate on a free theory background. We give the explicit map of vertex operators for normalizable states on both sides of the duality and demonstrate the equivalence of their two and three point functions by direct computation. The duality is of strong-weak nature in α′. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The multi-ethnic multicultural composition of East Central Europe with its poorly defined territorial structures, combined with the effects of the collapse of the Soviet Union, challenges the introduction of pluralism. East European nations have to integrate themselves into definite territories based on ethnic, economic or political systems, for the success of pluralist democracy.

Low steady‐state levels of active tamoxifen metabolites have been associated with inferior treatment outcomes. In this retrospective analysis of 406 estrogen receptor‐positive breast cancer (BC) patients receiving adjuvant tamoxifen as initial treatment, we have associated our previously reported thresholds for the two active metabolites, Z‐endoxifen and Z‐4‐hydroxy‐tamoxifen (Z‐4OHtam), with treatment outcomes in an independent cohort of BC patients. Among all patients, metabolite levels did not affect survival. However, in the premenopausal subgroup receiving tamoxifen alone (n = 191) we confirmed an inferior BC ‐specific survival in patients with the previously described serum concentration threshold of Z‐4OHtam ≤ 3.26 nm (HR = 2.37, 95% CI = 1.02–5.48, P = 0.039). The 'dose–response' survival trend in patients categorized to ordinal concentration cut‐points of Z‐4OHtamoxifen (≤ 3.26, 3.27–8.13, > 8.13 nm) was also replicated (P‐trend log‐rank = 0.048). Z‐endoxifen was not associated with outcome. This is the first study to confirm the association between a published active tamoxifen metabolite threshold and BC outcome in an independent patient cohort. Premenopausal patients receiving 5‐year of tamoxifen alone may benefit from therapeutic drug monitoring to ensure tamoxifen effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is a devastating disease with substantial morbidity and mortality. The genetic basis of susceptibility to HSV in neonates remains undefined. We evaluated a male infant with neonatal skin/eye/mouth (SEM) HSV-1 disease, who had complete recovery after acyclovir but developed HSV-1 encephalitis at 1 year of age. An immune workup showed an anergic PBMC cytokine response to TLR3 stimulation but no other TLRs. Exome sequencing identified rare missense variants in IFN-regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) and UNC-93 homolog B1 (UNC93B1). PBMC single-cell RNA-Seq done during childhood revealed decreased expression of several innate immune genes and a repressed TLR3 pathway signature at baseline in several immune cell populations, including CD14 monocytes. Functional studies in fibroblasts and human leukemia monocytic THP1 cells showed that both variants individually suppressed TLR3-driven IRF3 transcriptional activity and the type I IFN response in vitro. Furthermore, fibroblasts expressing the IRF7 and UNC93B1 variants had higher intracellular viral titers with blunting of the type I IFN response upon HSV-1 challenge. This study reports an infant with recurrent HSV-1 disease complicated by encephalitis associated with deleterious variants in the IRF7 and UNC93B1 genes. Our results suggest that TLR3 pathway mutations may predispose neonates to recurrent, severe HSV.

We add fundamental flavors to $ \mathcal{N}=2 $ Chern-Simons-matter theories living on M2 branes probing a Calabi-Yau four-fold singularity. This is dual, in the ’t Hooft limit described by IIA string theory, to the introduction of supersymmetric D6 branes wrapping AdS 4 and a 3-cycle of the internal manifold. The resulting Chern-Simons theories remain conformally invariant, corresponding to the fact that the D6 branes lift to pure geometry in M-theory. The determination of the moduli space relies crucially on the 1- loop contributions to charges and OPE’s of monopole operators in these field theories. The general picture is determined for non-chiral and chiral flavors, and is illustrated in several examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental study to modify Sterculia foetida L. oil (STO) or the corresponding methyl esters (STO FAME) to branched ester derivatives is reported. The transformations involve conversion of the cyclopropene rings in the fatty acid chains of STO through various catalytic as well as stoichiometric reactions. Full conversion of the cyclopropene rings was obtained using Diels-Alder chemistry involving cyclopentadiene in water at 40°C without the need for a catalyst. Olefin metathesis reactions were performed using a Grubbs 2nd generation catalyst and cyclopropene ring conversion was ≥99 and 54 mol% with 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene and 1-octene, respectively. Oxidation reactions were performed using established epoxidation (Sharpless) and dihydroxylation (Prilezhaev) protocols using aqueous hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant. For both reactions, full conversion of the cyclopropene rings was obtained at RT to yield the corresponding α,β-unsaturated ketone in good selectivities. Rearrangement reactions of the cyclopropene rings to the corresponding conjugated diene were successfully performed using homogeneous and heterogeneous palladium catalysts. Excellent conversions (≥99%) were obtained using homogeneous palladium catalyst in a biphasic cyclohexane-water mixture (1:1) at 90°C. Relevant cold flow properties of all products were determined and compared to crude STO and STO FAME. Best results were obtained for the metathesis products of STO with 1-octene, with a cloud point (CP) and pour point (PP) of −12°C. Practical applications: The S. foetida L. tree produces a tropical oil with high potential to be converted to various oleochemical products. The oil contains cyclopropene rings in the fatty acid chains which are known to be very reactive and as such excellent starting materials for various chemical modification reactions. We here report an experimental study on the modifications of STO into novel branched ester derivatives which are prospective products for a range of applications. Examples are the use as cold-flow improvers for biodiesel or biolubricants (ester derivatives with long, aliphatic branches), as reactive building block material for resin, coatings and/or packaging application (derivatives containing unsaturated (cyclic) structures in the fatty acid chains). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis and properties of a number of novel branched Jatropha curcas L. oil (JO) derivatives containing vicinal di-ester units in the fatty acid chains are reported. Both the length (acetyl vs. hexanoyl) and the stereochemistry of the vicinal di-ester units ( cis vs. trans) were varied. The compounds were prepared by two different synthetic approaches using catalytic chemistry. The first approach involves epoxidation of JO using a Sharpless epoxidation with methyltrioxorhenium as the catalyst to give epoxidized JO ( 1), followed by an esterification reaction with the corresponding anhydrides using ammonium-12-molybdophosphate (AMP) as catalyst to give trans-di-esters of JO ( 4a, 4b). The second approach is based on the dihydroxylation of JO using either the Prilezhaev method, resulting in trans-diols of JO ( 2), or the Upjohn method using osmium tetroxide as catalyst to give cis-diols of JO ( 3). In subsequent steps, the diols were esterified with acetic- or hexanoic anhydride using dimethylaminopyridine as catalyst to produce the corresponding cis- and trans-di-esters of JO ( 5a, 5b, 6). The best cold flow properties (lowest pour- and cloud point, crystallization and melting temperature) were obtained for JO with hexanoyl branches in a trans orientation ( 5b, pour point of −14°C, melting point of −5°C, and crystallization temperature of −25°C) and these values are considerably better than for the JO source. Practical applications: Jatropha curcas L. oil (JO) is a toxic oil with potential applications not only as a green biodiesel but also as a feedstock for the oleochemical industry. The toxicity prohibits the use in food products but does not interfere with technical applications. Here we report studies on the synthesis of interesting JO derivatives (epoxidized, dihydroxylated, and branched compounds) that could be useful starting materials for a range of derivatives with a broad application perspective. The branched JO derivatives with vicinal di-ester units in the fatty acid chains have cold flow properties (pour- and cloud point, melting point and crystallization temperature) considerably better than the original JO. In addition, the oxidative stability was also improved significantly. These novel branched JO derivatives may have interesting applications as cold-flow improvers for biodiesel or as biolubricants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Repetition of deliberate self-harm (DSH) is a risk factor for suicide. Little information is available on the risk for specific groups of people who deliberately harm themselves repeatedly.Aims: To investigate the long-term risk of suicide associated with repetition of DSH by gender, age and frequency of repetition.Method: A mortality follow-up study to the year 2000 was conducted on 11 583 people who presented to the general hospital in Oxford between 1978 and 1997. Repetition of DSH was determined from reported episodes prior to the index episode and episodes presenting to the same hospital during the follow-up period. Deaths were identified through national registers.Results: Thirty-nine per cent of patients repeated the DSH. They were at greater relative risk of suicide than the single-episode DSH group (2.24; 95% CI 1.77-2.84). The relative risk of suicide in the repeated DSH group compared with the single-episode DSH group was greater in females (3.5; 95% CI 1.3-2.4) than males (1.8; 95% CI 2.3-5.3) and was inversely related to age (up to 54 years). Suicide risk increased further with multiple repeat episodes of DSH in females.Conclusions: Repetition of DSH is associated with an increased risk of suicide in males and females. Repetition may be a better indicator of risk in females, especially young females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A scalar field in four-dimensional deSitter spacetime (dS4) has quasinormal modes which are singular on the past horizon of the south pole and decay exponentially towards the future. These are found to lie in two complex highest-weight representations of the dS4 isometry group SO(4, 1). The Klein-Gordon norm cannot be used for quantization of these modes because it diverges. However a modified ‘R-norm’, which involves reflection across the equator of a spatial S 3 slice, is nonsingular. The quasinormal modes are shown to provide a complete orthogonal basis with respect to the R-norm. Adopting the associated R-adjoint effectively transforms SO(4, 1) to the symmetry group SO(3, 2) of a 2+1-dimensional CFT. It is further shown that the conventional Euclidean vacuum may be defined as the state annihilated by half of the quasinormal modes, and the Euclidean Green function obtained from a simple mode sum. Quasinormal quantization contrasts with some conventional approaches in that it maintains manifest dS-invariance throughout. The results are expected to generalize to other dimensions and spins., Physics