Search

Abstract With the establishment and maturation of the experimental programs searching for new physics with sizeable couplings at the LHC, there is an increasing interest in the broader particle and astrophysics community for exploring the physics of light and feebly-interacting particles as a paradigm complementary to a New Physics sector at the TeV scale and beyond. FIPs 2020 has been the first workshop fully dedicated to the physics of feebly-interacting particles and was held virtually from 31 August to 4 September 2020. The workshop has gathered together experts from collider, beam dump, fixed target experiments, as well as from astrophysics, axions/ALPs searches, current/future neutrino experiments, and dark matter direct detection communities to discuss progress in experimental searches and underlying theory models for FIPs physics, and to enhance the cross-fertilisation across different fields. FIPs 2020 has been complemented by the topical workshop “Physics Beyond Colliders meets theory”, held at CERN from 7 June to 9 June 2020. This document presents the summary of the talks presented at the workshops and the outcome of the subsequent discussions held immediately after. It aims to provide a clear picture of this blooming field and proposes a few recommendations for the next round of experimental results.

The urgency of the studied problem is because in conditions of significant socio-economic changes, the system of human resource management technologies becomes significant, especially relevant is the use of the potential of leadership influence. In this regard, this article is aimed at revealing the problem of developing leadership qualities of heads of preschool education institutions. The article highlights current issues of leadership development of future heads of preschool education. The leading method of the research of this problem is the analysis of the researched problem in pedagogical theory and practice and experimental check of pedagogical conditions of formation of leadership qualities of future heads of preschool educational institutions that allows to reveal and characterize features of formation of leading qualities of future heads of preschool educational institutions. The article identifies the components, criteria, indicators and describes the levels of leadership development of future leaders of preschool education. The basic concepts of the problem are defined: leader, leadership, professional qualities of the leader, leadership qualities of future heads of preschool educational institutions, pedagogical conditions of formation of leadership qualities of future heads of preschool educational institutions. Relevant requirements to the personal and professional qualities of a leader are revealed. The structural components of leadership qualities of future heads of preschool education institutions are characterized, namely: motivational-value, integrative-activity, directional-activity, emotional-reflexive. The pedagogical conditions of the formation of leadership qualities of future heads of preschool education institutions are substantiated. The offered materials of the article represent practical value for heads of preschool education institutions, educators-methodologists, and future teachers of preschool education.

Abstract Background Community-based voluntary counselling and testing contributes to early HIV diagnoses among key populations. Testing data from such decentralized services is however often not standardized nor linked to national surveillance systems. This study aimed to support the integration of community testing data into respective national surveillance and monitoring and evaluation systems for those infections. We present results from three national pilots, focused on improved data collection and transfer. Methods Within the Joint Action INTEGRATE different pilot activities were planned and implemented according to the local context. In Slovakia, standardised data collection tools were implemented in three community testing services. The data generated was used to calculate the proposed indicators. In Poland, positive test results from the community testing database were linked to the national case-based surveillance database using confirmatory test number, to improve the completeness of behavioural data in the national database. In Serbia, voluntary counselling and testing forms were improved enabling identification of community-based testing. A system to generate unique client identifiers was initiated in the National registry of HIV cases to monitor linkage to care. Results All three sites were able to estimate most of the agreed indicators. In Slovakia during the study period 675 people were tested for HIV, 410 for hepatitis C and 457 for syphilis, with reactivity rates of 0.4, 2.5 and 1.8%, respectively. For HIV, 66.7% of reactive cases were confirmed and linked to care. In Poland, 28.9% of the community testing sites’ records were linked to the national surveillance database (and accounted for 14.3% of all new diagnoses registered here during 2017–2018). Reactivity rate ranged between 1.9% and 2.1%. In Serbia, 80 persons were tested at community sites, from which two had a reactive HIV test result. By linking unique client identifiers from voluntary counselling and testing and National Registry of HIV cases databases, linkage to care within a two-month period was observed for one of two people with reactive HIV test result. Conclusions Pilot activities in the three countries demonstrate that integration of community-based testing data into surveillance systems is feasible and can help improve national surveillance data by providing key information.

Peptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) is a pharmacotherapeutic target in type 2 diabetes, and inhibitors of this enzyme are an important class of drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In the present study, peptides (

Oat (Avena sativa L.) is one of the agricultural crops that can be grown in marginal areas. Grain and straw are used mainly for food and fodder purposes. However, due to the high-fat content in the grain and the small amount of ash, it can be an attractive raw material for energy production. The biomass can be straw and oat grain. Grain should be intended for food purposes, but if it does not meet the quality requirements, it can be used for energy purposes. The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the energy usefulness of four oat cultivars depending on the applied level of nitrogen fertilization. The research results show that oat grain and straw can be used as fuel for energy purposes. The average calorific value of grain was 18.7 MJ·kg−1, and the ash content in dry matter was 2.03%. With the increase in the dose of nitrogen fertilization, a decrease in the calorific value of oat and straw grains and a decrease in ash content were noted. The findings show significant varietal differences. Oat straw had a lower calorific value and a higher ash content, which indicates its lower usefulness for energy purposes compared to grain.

Ultra-low-mass axions are a viable dark matter candidate and may form a coherently oscillating classical field. Nuclear spins in experiments on Earth might couple to this oscillating axion dark-matter field, when propagating on Earth's trajectory through our Galaxy. This spin coupling resembles an oscillating pseudo-magnetic field which modulates the spin precession of nuclear spins. Here we report on the null result of a demonstration experiment searching for a frequency modulation of the free spin-precession signal of \magHg in a 1 $\mu$T magnetic field. Our search covers the axion mass range $10^{-16}$ eV $\lesssim m_a \lesssim 10^{-13}$ eV and achieves a peak sensitivity to the axion-nucleon coupling of $g_{aNN} \approx 3.5 \times 10^{-6}$ GeV$^{-1}$.

This article explores the features and trends in inbound and outbound tourism flows between Ukraine and the Baltic Sea region (BSR) countries in 2012—2019. The research question is whether inbound our outbound tourism prevailed and how visa-free travel to the Schengen Area affected the number of Ukrainians travelling to the Baltic Sea Region. Two data sources were used in the study. These are the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum and data from the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine on the number of foreign citizens visiting Ukraine and the number of Ukrainians travelling abroad. The study employs the statistical methods of structural shifts analysis, time series analysis, and graphical visualisation. The findings indicate that Ukrainian outbound tourism was growing steadily over the study period, whilst visa-free travel to the Schengen Area had no statistically significant impact on the number of outbound tourists from Ukraine to the BSR. Outbound tourism flow prevailed over inbound. The number of inbound tourists to Ukraine sharply declined after 2013 because of the socio-political situation in the country. The analysis reveals significant changes in inbound and outbound tourism flow structures. The COVID-19 pandemic is shown to be a critical factor influencing the current state and prospects of the tourism industry.

Abstract Using density-functional theory, we investigate the electronic, magnetic, and hyperfine-interaction properties of the 112-type iron-pnictide compound $${\hbox {EuFeAs}}_2$$ EuFeAs 2 , which is isostructural to the high-temperature iron-based superconductor $${\hbox {Ca}}_{1-x}{\hbox {La}}_x{\hbox {FeAs}}_2$$ Ca 1 - x La x FeAs 2 . We show that the band structure of $${\hbox {EuFeAs}}_2$$ EuFeAs 2 is similar to that of the 112-type compounds’ family, with hole-like and electron-like bands at the Brillouin-zone center and corners, respectively. We demonstrate that the bands near the Fermi level originate mainly from the Fe atoms. The presence of a mixture of ionic and covalent bonding is predicted from the charge-density and atom-resolved density-of-states calculations. There is good agreement between the calculated hyperfine-interaction parameters with those obtained from the $$^{57}$$ 57 Fe and $$^{151}$$ 151 Eu Mössbauer measurements. The spatial distribution of atoms in $${\hbox {EuFeAs}}_2$$ EuFeAs 2 leads to an in-plane 2D magnetism. Moreover, ab-initio calculations predict the compound’s magnetic moment and the magnetic moments of each constituent atom. Also, the density of states profile provides insight into the relative magnitude of these moments. Electronic structure calculations and Fermi surface topology reveal various physical and chemical properties of $${\hbox {EuFeAs}}_2$$ EuFeAs 2 . Valence electron density maps indicate the co-existence of a wide range of chemical bonds in this system, and based on structural properties, the transport characteristics are deduced and discussed. A thorough analysis of the atomic structure of $${\hbox {EuFeAs}}_2$$ EuFeAs 2 and its role in the bond formation is presented.

We propose a new method to search for hypothetical scalar particles that have feeble interactions with standard-model particles. In the presence of massive bodies, these interactions produce a nonzero Yukawa-type scalar-field magnitude. Using radio-frequency spectroscopy data of atomic dysprosium, as well as atomic clock spectroscopy data, we constrain the Yukawa-type interactions of a scalar field with the photon, electron, and nucleons for a range of scalar-particle masses corresponding to length scales >10  cm. In the limit as the scalar-particle mass m_{ϕ}→0, our derived limits on the Yukawa-type interaction parameters are Λ_{γ}≳8×10^{19}  GeV, Λ_{e}≳1.3×10^{19}  GeV, and Λ_{N}≳6×10^{20}  GeV. Our measurements also constrain combinations of interaction parameters, which cannot otherwise be probed with traditional anomalous-force measurements. We suggest further measurements to improve on the current level of sensitivity.

Метою статті виступає теоретичний аналіз проблематики медіаграмотності суспільства при споживанні інформації в умовах війни. Методологічну основу статті становлять загальнонаукові методи пізнання соціальних явищ і процесів. У ході дослідження використано такі методи: логіко-історичного, структурно-функціонального аналізу – для виявлення етапів еволюційного розвитку наукових підходів до трактування концепту «медіаграмотність» в соціологічний науці та сучасного його інтерпретування; аналізу та синтезу – для уточнення поняття «медіаосвіта»; узагальнення – для визначення тенденцій та завдань медіаграмотності у сучасного суспільства. В статті проаналізовано появу та розвиток основних інформаційних революцій в світі та їх причини. Охарактеризовано поняття «медіаграмотність» та «медіаосвіта» їх стан та значення у сучасному світі. Теоретичне значення результатів: можуть бути впровадженні при розробці навчальних курсів з медіаграмотності.

Calcium dialuminate, CaAl4O7, nanopowders with a grossite-type structure, doped with chromium ions, were synthesized via the combined sol–gel solution combustion method. The evolution of phase composition, crystal structure, and microstructural parameters of the nanocrystalline materials depending on the temperature of the thermal treatment was investigated via X-ray powder diffraction and applying the Rietveld refinement technique. The photoluminescent properties of CaAl4O7 nanophosphors activated with Cr3+ ions were studied over the temperature range of 4.5–325 K. The samples show deep red and near-infrared luminescence due to the 2E → 4A2 and 4T2 → 4A2 energy level transitions of Cr3+ ions under excitation in the two broad emission bands in the visible spectral region. The R lines emission reveals a strong temperature dependence. The feasibility of the material for non-contact luminescence sensing is investigated, and good sensitivity is obtained based on the (R2/R1) luminescence intensity ratio and the lifetime of the emission.

Over the past decades, there has been a significant expansion of the treatment options for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) due to Brutons tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors, which changed approaches in CLL therapy. Ibrutinib was the first BTK inhibitor approved for CLL treatment, but adverse events such as atrial fibrillation and hypertension may limit the use of ibrutinib. In the first head-to-head trial of acalabrutinib and ibrutinib ELEVATE-RR, acalabrutinib was statistically superior to ibrutinib in all-grade atrial fibrillation/flutter (9.4% vs 16.0%; р=0.023). In all-grade arterial hypertension (9.4% vs 23.2%) and grade 3 (4.1% vs 9.1%) acalabrutinib was statistically superior to ibrutinib. Acalabrutinib demonstrated fewer discontinuations due to adverse events (14.7%) vs ibrutinib (21.3%). Based on ELEVATE-RR results acalabrutinib should be considered as a drug of choice among BTK inhibitors for CLL patients, including patients with cardiovascular diseases and risks of cardiovascular diseases.

The aim of the present study was to optimize the conventional method of sperm freezing in liquid nitrogen (LN2) vapour for successful cryopreservation of Wallachian ram sperm, the genetic resources of the Czech Republic. Sperm in straws were frozen using the conventional freezing method via a static exposure of sperm doses to LN2 vapour, or by four different modified freezing methods. Under modified freezing, straws were frozen by a discontinuous, time-dependent decremental change in the distance between the straws and the surface of LN2. The viability of sperm was evaluated by flow cytometry after sperm equilibration, and immediately after thawing. Besides the observed inter-sire and daily variation, the obtained results suggest the methodological weakness of the conventional freezing method via the static exposure of sperm doses to LN2 vapour. With the use of the optimized freezing procedure, all parameters of thawed sperm were significantly (P < 0.05) improved in comparison with the conventional method: percentage of thawed sperm viability increased up to 48.3%, percentage of sperm with plasma membrane damage after thawing decreased to 6.58%, percentage of sperm with acrosome damage decreased to 24.4%, and percentage of sperm with deteriorated mitochondrial activity decreased to 6.28%. In conclusion, our results suggest that an optimized freezing procedure should be routinely used instead of the conventional method to cryopreserve Wallachian ram sperm.

Purpose – Nowadays popular algorithmic trading uses many strategies which are algoritmizable and promise profitability. This research assess if it is possible successfully use interest rates sensitivity arbitrage in bond portfolio (also known as convexity arbitrage) in financial praxis. This arbitrage is sparsely described in literature and an assessment about its practical success is missing. Research methodology – Methodology steps: mathematical definition of given arbitrage; construction of sufficient portfolio; backtesting on USD zero-coupon curves. Portfolio of two bonds is constructed (theoretically and practically) to have the same Macaulay duration and price, but a different convexity at certain YTM point. Therefore, being long the first bond while shorting the second (of higher convexity) would result in a market-directional bet for parallel zero-coupon yield curve shifts. Findings – To construct practically the portfolio which is sufficient for the convexity arbitrage could be unrealistic on markets with low liquidity; the presumptions necessary to practically succeed are not fulfilled enough to ensure the arbitrage is profitable. Research limitations – The backtesting is limited to USD market, testing other markets is recommended, but different result is not expected. Practical implications – The research helps practitioners considering this strategy for its implementation to algorithmic trading. Originality/Value – New important results for financial practitioners; states that practical and profitable utilization of convexity arbitrage is unrealizable and save costs during implementation of the strategy.

Background and Aim of Study: Since March 2020, the health pandemic caused by COVID-19 has led to the implementation of new teaching scenarios in which ICT tools have become the real protagonists of the learning process. With this situation, the use of Flipgrid has become an effective platform to improve EFL undergraduate students’ speaking skills. The aim of the study: to demonstrate how a group of EFL undergraduate students’ oral linguistic competence improves thanks to the use of this tool. Material and Methods: An empirical intervention was carried out with a group of thirty-three students, randomly assigned into a control and an experimental group during the first term of the academic year 2021-2022 in a public University in Madrid (Spain). As instruments for data collection, the grades obtained in the final speaking test of the subject English B2.2. were analyzed. The methodological framework is defined as an exploratory comparative experimentation that provides quantitative data analyzed with the SPSS statistical software. Results: The results confirm the hypothesis that the use of Flipgrid is beneficial for improving English Studies undergraduate students’ EFL orality since there is a significant difference of p=0.02. Conclusions: In the light of the results obtained in this research and the scarce studies focused on Flipgrid in the EFL classroom, it is advisable for teachers to use this collaborative tool to improve students’ orality since the asynchronous interaction among the students which came along with the development of interpersonal skills, and the easy management of Flipgrid, make it an excellent collaborative and motivating tool for EFL undergraduate students.

This article investigates the complex problems arising from the discrepancy of traditional liberal crisis response approaches in the new type of complex emergencies. Based on the in-depth empirical analysis, it examines the EU role in addressing security sector reforms, humanitarian assistance and warfare in Libya and Ukraine, two key EU neighboring countries with ongoing military conflicts. It is argued that the observed over-emphasis on state-centric stabilization measures, with its main focus on formal state structures, fails to deal with the hybrid dynamics of conflict and peacebuilding in both countries. It is suggested that to shape comprehensive crisis response in an unstable neighborhood a multi-layered perspectives approach to security, sensitive to plural agencies and informal rules, should be developed both outside and within EU borders.