Model-independent Analysis Research Articles

Addressing Cosmological Tensions by Non-Local Gravity

Alternative cosmological models have been under deep scrutiny in recent years, aiming to address the main shortcomings of the ΛCDM model. Moreover, as the accuracy of cosmological surveys improved, new tensions have risen between the model-dependent analysis of the Cosmic Microwave Background and lower redshift probes. Within this framework, we review two quantum-inspired non-locally extended theories of gravity, whose main cosmological feature is a geometrically driven accelerated expansion. The models are especially investigated in light of the Hubble and growth tension, and promising features emerge for the Deser–Woodard one. On the one hand, the cosmological analysis of the phenomenological formulation of the model shows a lowered growth of structures but an equivalent background with respect to ΛCDM. On the other hand, the study of the lensing features at the galaxy cluster scale of a new formulation of non-local cosmology, based on Noether symmetries, makes room for the possibility of alleviating both the H0 and σ8 tension. However, the urgent need for a screening mechanism arises for this non-local theory of gravity.

Model independent estimation of the cosmography parameters using cosmic chronometers

Measurement of the universe expansion rate through the cosmic chronometers proves to be a novel approach to understanding the cosmic history. Although it provides a direct determination of the Hubble parameters at different redshifts, it suffers from underlying systematic uncertainties. In this work, we analyze the recent cosmic chronometers data with and without systematic uncertainties and investigate how they affect the results. We perform our analysis in both model dependent and independent methods to avoid any possible model bias. In the model dependent approach, we consider the \(\Lambda \)CDM, wCDM and CPL models. On the other hand, since the Gaussian process provides a unique tool to study data including a non-diagonal covariance matrix, our model independent analysis is based on the Gaussian process.

Improved theory predictions and global analysis of exclusive b → sμ+μ− processes

We provide improved Standard Model theory predictions for the exclusive rare semimuonic processes B → K(*)μ+μ− and Bs → ϕμ+μ−. Our results are based on a novel parametrization of the non-local form factors, which manifestly respects a recently developed dispersive bound. We critically compare our predictions to those obtained in the framework of QCD factorization. Our predictions provide, for the first time, parametric estimates of the systematic uncertainties due to non-local contributions. Comparing our predictions within the Standard Model to available experimental data, we find a large tension for B → Kμ+μ−. A simple model-independent analysis of potential effects beyond the Standard Model yields results compatible with other approaches, albeit with larger uncertainties for the B → K*μ+μ− and Bs → ϕμ+μ− decays. Our approach yields systematically improvable predictions, and we look forward to its application in further analyses beyond the Standard Model.

Domain Walls Between 3d Phases of Reshetikhin–Turaev TQFTs

We study surface defects in three-dimensional topological quantum field theories which separate different theories of Reshetikhin–Turaev type. Based on the new notion of a Frobenius algebra over two commutative Frobenius algebras, we present an explicit and computable construction of such defects. It specialises to the construction in Carqueville et al. (Geom Topol 23:781–864, 2019. https://doi.org/10.2140/gt.2019.23.781. arXiv:1705.06085) if all 3-strata are labelled by the same topological field theory. We compare the results to the model-independent analysis in Fuchs et al. (Commun Math Phys 321:543–575, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00220-013-1723-0. arXiv:1203.4568) and find agreement.

Neutron Polarization Observables in d(vec {gamma },vec {n})p at Low Energies of Interest to Astrophysics

A model-independent theoretical analysis of neutron polarization observables in d(vec {gamma },vec {n})p using circularly polarized photons at the range of energies of interest to Big Bang Nucleosynthesis is presented. An investigation of various spin dependent observables is carried out including the isoscalar multipole amplitudes M{{1}_{s}} and E{{2}_{s}}. It is suggested that the measurement of neutron polarization in the final state at near threshold energies will be very useful to assess the contribution of isoscalar amplitudes at range of energies of interest to Big Bang Nucleosynthesis.

A Comprehensive Analysis of the Gravitational Wave Events with the Stacked Hilbert–Huang Transform: From Compact Binary Coalescence to Supernova

We analyze the gravitational wave signals with a model-independent time-frequency analysis, which is improved from the Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT) and optimized for characterizing the frequency variability on the time-frequency map. Instead of the regular HHT algorithm, i.e., obtaining intrinsic mode functions with ensemble empirical mode decomposition and yielding the instantaneous frequencies, we propose an alternative algorithm that operates the ensemble mean on the time-frequency map. We systematically analyze the known gravitational wave events of the compact binary coalescence observed in the first gravitational-wave transient catalog, and in the simulated gravitational wave signals from core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) with our method. The time-frequency maps of the binary black hole coalescence cases show much more detail compared to those wavelet spectra. Moreover, the oscillation in the instantaneous frequency caused by mode-mixing could be reduced with our algorithm. For the CCSNe data, the oscillation from the proto-neutron star and the radiation from the standing accretion shock instability can be precisely determined with the HHT in great detail. More importantly, the initial stage of different modes of oscillations can be clearly separated. These results provide new hints for further establishment of the detecting algorithm and new probes to investigate the underlying physical mechanisms.

Modeling of In Vitro Dissolution Profiles of Carvedilol Immediate-Release Tablets in Different Dissolution Media.

Quantitative evaluation of drug dissolution characteristics based on mathematical models is essential to understand and predict a particular drug release profile. In this study, model-dependent evaluation of the dissolution kinetics of reference and five test products (25-mg, immediate-release (IR) tablets) of an antihypertensive drug, carvedilol, was carried out using the DDSolver® program. The effects of pH (pH 1.2, 4.5, and 6.8) and various media with/without 0.5% (w/v) anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants (sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and polysorbate 80) on the dissolution kinetics of the bioequivalent IR products of carvedilol were investigated. The Weibull-1 model was fitted successfully to the dissolution data of all products at pH 1.2 and pH 4.5, as well as in the pH 6.8 medium with CTAB according to the model goodness of fit (r2 = 0.981-0.999, AIC = 14.5-42.6, MSC = 1.99-5.25). Model fitting produced good fits to Gompertz-1 for all products at pH 6.8 without a surfactant (r2 = 0.975-0.998, AIC = 28.3-55, MSC = 2.53-5.82). For pH 6.8 media containing SLS or polysorbate 80, Logistic-2 was fitted successfully to the dissolution data of all products (r2 = 0.974-0.999, AIC = 20.9-52.1, MSC = 1.90-5.69). Overall, the model-dependent analysis of in vitro dissolution data indicated in vitro equivalence of the reference and test products of carvedilol in each medium in terms of kinetic models, suggesting that it would have an important role in developing generic drug products of the BCS class II drug carvedilol.

Nano-Silica Carriers Coated by Chloramphenicol: Synthesis, Characterization, and Grinding Trial as a Way to Improve the Release Profile.

Silica nanoparticles were applied as the carrier of chloramphenicol (2,2-dichloro-N-[(1R,2R)-1,3-dihydroxy-1-(4-nitrophenyl)propan-2-yl]acetamide), and were loaded in a 1% carbopol-based gel (poly(acrylic acid)), which allowed obtainment of an upgraded drug form. The samples of silica materials were obtained by means of modified Stöber synthesis, and their morphological properties were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method, elemental analysis (EA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), analysis of the specific surface properties, X-ray diffraction study (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) methods, which permitted the selection of the drug carrier. The two obtained silica carriers were coated with chloramphenicol and loaded into 1% carbopol gel. The release studies were then performed. The release results were evaluated using mathematical models as well as model-independent analysis. It was found that the modification of the synthesis of the silica by the sol-gel method to form a product coated with chloramphenicol and further grinding of the silica material influenced the release of the active substance, thus allowing the modification of its pharmaceutical availability. The change in the parameters of silica synthesis influenced the structure and morphological properties of the obtained silica carrier. The grinding process determined the way of adsorption of the active substance on its surface. The studies showed that the proper choice of silica carrier has a considerable effect on the release profile of the prepared hydrogel formulations.

Deep learning exotic hadrons

We perform the first model independent analysis of experimental data using Deep Neural Networks to determine the nature of an exotic hadron. Specifically, we study the line shape of the $P_c(4312)$ signal reported by the LHCb collaboration and we find that its most likely interpretation is that of a virtual state. This method can be applied to other near-threshold resonance candidates.

Pinning down |Delta c|=|Delta u|=1 couplings with rare charm baryon decays

We study the full angular distribution of semileptonic rare charm baryon decays in which the secondary baryon undergoes weak decay with sizable polarization parameter, Xi _c^+rightarrow Sigma ^+,(rightarrow ppi ^0)ell ^+ell ^-, Xi _c^0rightarrow Lambda ^0,(rightarrow p pi ^-)ell ^+ell ^- and Omega _c^0rightarrow Xi ^0,(rightarrow Lambda ^{0} pi ^0)ell ^+ell ^-. Such self-analyzing decay chains allow for seven additional observables compared to three-body decays such as Lambda _c rightarrow p ell ^+ ell ^-, with different sensitivities to the |Delta c|=|Delta u|=1 weak couplings. Opportunities to test the standard model in c rightarrow u transitions with standard model null tests and other angular observables are worked out. We show that a joint model-independent analysis of the leptonic A_{text {FB}}^ell , hadronic A_{text {FB}}^{text {H}}, and combined forward–backward asymmetry A_{text {FB}}^{ell text {H}} together with the fraction of longitudinally produced leptons, F_L, is able to pin down the dipole couplings C_{7},C^prime _{7} and the semileptonic (axial-) vector ones C_{10},C^prime _{9},C^prime _{10}. A_{text {FB}}^{text {H}} is also accessible with dineutrino c rightarrow u nu {bar{nu }} modes and probes right-handed currents.

Baryon acoustic oscillations in thin redshift shells from BOSS DR12 and eBOSS DR16 galaxies

ABSTRACT In an age of large astronomical data sets and severe cosmological tensions, the case for model independent analyses is compelling. We present a set of 14 baryon acoustic oscillations measurements in thin redshift shells with $3\,\mathrm{ per} \,\mathrm{ cent}$ precision that were obtained by analysing BOSS DR12 and eBOSS DR16 galaxies in the redshift range 0.32 < z < 0.66. Thanks to the use of thin shells, the analysis is carried out using just redshifts and angles so that the fiducial model is only introduced when considering the mock catalogues, necessary for the covariance matrix estimation and the pipeline validation. We compare our measurements, with and without supernova data, to the corresponding constraints from Planck 2018, finding good compatibility. A Monte Python module for this likelihood is available at github.com/ranier137/angularBAO.

Multimessenger Constraints for Ultradense Matter

A model-independent analysis of neutron star data, including new radius measurements and the likely formation of a black hole in the GW170817 event, provides stringent constraints on the behavior of ultradense matter.

Combined analysis of Belle and Belle II data to determine the CKM angle ϕ3 using B+ → D( {K}_S^0 h+h−)h+ decays

We present a measurement of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa unitarity triangle angle ϕ3 (also known as γ) using a model-independent Dalitz plot analysis of B+ → D ( {K}_S^0 h+h−)h+, where D is either a D0 or overline{D} 0 meson and h is either a π or K. This is the first measurement that simultaneously uses Belle and Belle II data, combining samples corresponding to integrated luminosities of 711 fb−1 and 128 fb−1, respectively. All data were accumulated from energy-asymmetric e+e− collisions at a centre-of-mass energy corresponding to the mass of the Υ(4S) resonance. We measure ϕ3 = (78.4 ± 11.4 ± 0.5 ± 1.0)°, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is the experimental systematic uncertainty and the third is from the uncertainties on external measurements of the D-decay strong-phase parameters.

Natural Language Processing with Improved Deep Learning Neural Networks

As one of the core tasks in the field of natural language processing, syntactic analysis has always been a hot topic for researchers, including tasks such as Questions and Answer (Q&A), Search String Comprehension, Semantic Analysis, and Knowledge Base Construction. This paper aims to study the application of deep learning and neural network in natural language syntax analysis, which has significant research and application value. This paper first studies a transfer-based dependent syntax analyzer using a feed-forward neural network as a classifier. By analyzing the model, we have made meticulous parameters of the model to improve its performance. This paper proposes a dependent syntactic analysis model based on a long-term memory neural network. This model is based on the feed-forward neural network model described above and will be used as a feature extractor. After the feature extractor is pretrained, we use a long short-term memory neural network as a classifier of the transfer action, and the characteristics extracted by the syntactic analyzer as its input to train a recursive neural network classifier optimized by sentences. The classifier can not only classify the current pattern feature but also multirich information such as analysis of state history. Therefore, the model is modeled in the analysis process of the entire sentence in syntactic analysis, replacing the method of modeling independent analysis. The experimental results show that the model has achieved greater performance improvement than baseline methods.

Bioavailability augmentation of silymarin using natural bioenhancers: An in vivo pharmacokinetic study

Pharmacokinetic studies were carried out in male and female rats to quantify silymarin as silybin (A+B) after the oral administration of various silymarin formulations combined with three bioenhancers, namely, lysergol, piperine, and fulvic acid, and compared with plain silymarin formulation (control). A non-compartmental analysis, model independent analysis, was utilized, and various pharmacokinetic parameters (C max, T max, and AUC 0-t) were calculated individually for each treatment group, and the values were expressed as mean ± SEM (n = 6). Plasma samples obtained from the rats were analyzed for the concentration of silymarin through a validated RP-HPLC method and on the basis of data generated from the pharmacokinetic studies. Results indicated that the bioenhancers augmented pharmacokinetic parameters and bioavailability increased 2.4-14.5-fold in all the formulations compared with the control. The current work envisages the development of an industrially viable product that can be further subjected to clinical trials and scientifically supports the development of silymarin as a contemporary therapeutic agent with enhanced bioavailability and medicinal values.

Pharmacokinetics of panduratin A following oral administration of a Boesenbergia pandurata extract to rats.

Boesenbergia pandurata and its major active ingredient, panduratin A (PAN), exhibit antibacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity effects. We explored the time course of the plasma and tissue (in the major organs, gums and skin) concentrations of PAN after oral administration of a B. pandurata extract to rats. Model-dependent analysis was used to quantify the skin distribution of PAN after systemic exposure. The PAN level peaked at 1.12 ± 0.22 μg/mL after 3 h, and then biexponentially decayed with a terminal half-life of 9 h. The mean clearance (Cl/F) was 2.33 ± 0.68 L/h/kg. The PAN levels in organs were in the following order (highest first): skin, lung, heart, gum, liver, spleen, kidney, and brain. For the first time, the time course of PAN levels in plasma and organs was investigated after oral administration of a BPE. This study helps to explain the pharmacological activities of PAN in the skin and gums. The pharmacokinetic model provided data in the plasma and skin concentrations of PAN, which are of fundamental importance to evaluate its efficacy.

Unravelling the foretime of GRS 1915+105 using AstroSat observations: Wide-band spectral and temporal characteristics

ABSTRACT We present a comprehensive study of GRS 1915+105 in wide-energy band (0.5–60 keV) using AstroSat – SXT and LAXPC observations during the period of 2016–2019. The MAXI X-ray light curve of the source shows rise and decay profiles similar to canonical outbursting black holes. However, the source does not follow the exemplary ‘q’-diagram in the hardness–intensity diagram. Model independent analysis of light curves suggest that GRS 1915+105 displays various types of variability classes (δ, χ, ρ, κ, ω, and γ). We also report possible transitions from one class to another (χ → ρ, ρ → κ via an ‘unknown’ class and ω → γ → ω + γ) within a few hours duration. Detailed ‘spectrotemporal’ analysis indicates a gradual increase in the photon index (Γ) from 1.83 to 3.8, disc temperature (kTin) from 1.33 to 2.67 keV, and quasi-periodic oscillation frequency (ν) from 4 to 5.64 Hz during the rise, while the parameters decrease to Γ ∼1.18, kTin ∼1.18 keV, and ν ∼1.38 Hz, respectively, in the decline phase. The source shows maximum bolometric luminosity (Lbol) during the peak at ∼36 per cent of Eddington luminosity (LEdd), and a minimum of ∼2.4 per cent of LEdd during the decay phase. Further evolution of the source towards an obscured low-luminosity (Lbol of ∼1 per cent LEdd) phase, with a decrease in the intrinsic bolometric luminosity of the source due to obscuration, has also been indicated from our analysis. The implication of our results are discussed in the context of accretion disc dynamics around the black hole.

Redshift drift cosmography for model-independent cosmological inference

We develop a cosmographic framework for analysing redshift drift signals of nearby sources model-independently, i.e., without making assumptions about the metric description of the Universe. We show that the Friedmann-Lema\^{\i}tre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) prediction is altered nontrivially by regional anisotropies and inhomogeneities. In particular, we find that the position drift of the sources is nontrivially linked to the redshift drift signal. The redshift drift signal for nearby sources might be formulated in terms of an effective deceleration parameter, which reduces to the FLRW deceleration parameter in the homogeneous and isotropic limit. The presented cosmographic framework can be used for model-independent data analysis, exploiting the fact that the exact anisotropic redshift drift signal at lowest order in redshift is given by a finite set of physically interpretable coefficients. We discuss physical limits of interest as well as challenges related to the framework.

Influence of NaI background and mass on testing the DAMA modulation

NaI experiments should be sensitive to the same DM-SM interactions proposed to explain the observed DAMA modulation. As such, they are often called a ‘model independent’ test of the signal. While the same signal will be produced at all NaI detectors, the ability to observe it is strongly dependent on the experimental set up - in particular the mass and background of the target. We present here a study on how changes to these values influence the ability of a detector to observe a characteristic DM modulation. We consider both the standard elastic, spin independent WIMP and a model independent analysis assuming exactly the modulation signal observed by DAMA (i.e., making no assumptions about the particle interaction model producing this signal), and find that in both cases a lower background is favoured over a higher exposure mass (based on currently achievable levels).

Solving the electron and muon g-2 anomalies in Z' models

We consider simultaneous explanations of the electron and muon g-2 anomalies through a single Z' of a U(1)' extension to the Standard Model (SM). We first perform a model-independent analysis of the viable flavour-dependent Z' couplings to leptons, which are subject to various strict experimental constraints. We show that only a narrow region of parameter space with an MeV-scale Z' can account for the two anomalies. Following the conclusions of this analysis, we then explore the ability of different classes of Z' models to realise these couplings, including the SM+U(1)', the N-Higgs Doublet Model+U(1)', and a Froggatt–Nielsen style scenario. In each case, the necessary combination of couplings cannot be obtained, owing to additional relations between the Z' couplings to charged leptons and neutrinos induced by the gauge structure, and to the stringency of neutrino scattering bounds. Hence, we conclude that no U(1)' extension can resolve both anomalies unless other new fields are also introduced. While most of our study assumes the Caesium (g-2)_e measurement, our findings in fact also hold in the case of the Rubidium measurement, despite the tension between the two.