Selection Cuts Research Articles

Experimental Validation of an IoT Based Device Selective Power Cut mechanism Using Power Line Carrier Communication for Smart Management of Electricity

There is a huge difference between electricity production and its demand. In order to meet the requirements, a selective power cut is carried out which is currently based on area and time. Although this is a simplistic solution, it has many drawbacks such as the area gets completely deprived of even the very basic appliances such as lights and fans, which do not contribute significantly to the power consumption. This creates a need to come up with a solution so that no one gets deprived of using basic appliances at any time and still be able to reduce power consumption to fulfill the ever-growing demand. This work has dealt with the same by implementing a device selective protocol which can selectively cut power of particular devices depending on their energy rating, power rating, manufacturer etc. by the use of power line carrier communication. Hence, revolutionizing the whole concept of area selective power cut to device selective power cut. Since, IoT refers to a network of devices or “Things”, this work incorporates the basic principles of IoT by essentially creating a network of devices which can communicate with each other, over low bandwidth.

Selection Cuttings as a Tool to Control Water Table Level in Boreal Drained Peatland Forests

Continuous cover management on peatland forests has gained interest in recent years, in part because the tree biomass with significant evapotranspiration capacity retained in selection cuttings could be used as a tool to optimize the site water table level (WTL) from both tree growth and environmental perspectives. This study reports WTL responses from six field trials established on fertile Norway-spruce-dominated drained peatland forests across Finland. At each site, replicates of different intensity selection cuttings (removing 17–74% of stand basal area) or clear-cut in parallel with intact control stands were established and monitored for WTL for 2–5 post-harvest years. Observed WTL rose after selection cuttings and the response increased with harvest intensity and depended on the reference WTL, i.e. larger responses were found during dry summers or in more southern location. Selection cuttings removing about 50% of stand basal area raised WTL typically by 15–40%. Using a process-based ecohydrological model, tested against data from the field trials, we show that the role of tree stand in controlling WTL clearly decreases along the latitudinal climate gradient in Finland. This suggests that the potential of controlling WTL using selection cuttings is more prominent in southern compared to northern Finland. Predictions with future climate (2070–2099) further indicated a general decrease of WTL and that the importance of the tree stand in controlling WTL will increase especially in northern Finland. The results overall thus suggest that selection cuttings can be used as a tool to control WTL in boreal drained peatland forests, and the potential is likely to increase in future climate.

On the impact of non-factorisable corrections in VBF single and double Higgs production

We study the non-factorisable QCD corrections, computed in the eikonal approximation, to Vector-Boson Fusion single and double Higgs production and show the combined factorisable and non-factorisable corrections for both processes at mathcal{O}left({alpha}_s^2right) . We investigate the validity of the eikonal approximation with and without selection cuts, and carry out an in-depth study of the relative size of the non-factorisable next-to-next-to-leading order corrections compared to the factorisable ones. In the case of single Higgs production, after selection cuts are applied, the non-factorisable corrections are found to be mostly contained within the factorisable scale uncertainty bands. When no cuts are applied, instead, the non-factorisable corrections are slightly outside the scale uncertainty band. Interestingly, for double Higgs production, we find that both before and after applying cuts, non-factorisable corrections are enhanced compared to the single Higgs case. We trace this enhancement to the existence of delicate cancellations between the various leading-order Feynman diagrams, which are partly spoiled by radiative corrections. All contributions studied here have been implemented in proVBFH v1.2.0 and proVBFHH v1.1.0.

Low-Intensity Cutting Leads to Similar Forest Structure and Tree Diversity as in Protected Stands

Forest structure in Europe has been shaped by forest management which may vary from intensive clearcuttings to single-tree selection cuttings. Most investigations on silver fir forests have been carried out in the mountains. Forests in lowlands have been less studied, although many of them are of natural origin. We investigated and assessed potential stand structural differences between managed and partially protected mixed silver fir stands. We also assessed the impact of silvicultural activities that led to the development of current stand structures of mixed Abies alba stands. The study was conducted in Janow Forests in south-eastern Poland. We randomly established 40 circular nested plots in three managed and three partially protected stands. Although both managed and partially protected stands differed in the intensity of management and the type of selection cuttings, we found little difference in the composition and stand structure. Regardless of management intensity all stands were characterized by diversified natural regeneration, where the main tree species, especially in the phase of seedlings, was silver fir. The basal area of standing dead trees was higher for the protected than managed stands, but the differences were not significant, whereas the mean volume of dead standing trees was significantly higher in the reserve. Both in managed and protected stands, silver fir benefited from the management measures mimicking natural processes. Our results suggest that low intensity forest management for silver fir dominated forests will be crucial for conserving these forests and their unique structure in the region.

SkyMapper colours of Seyfert galaxies and Changing-Look AGN

ABSTRACT We study the utility of broad-band colours in the SkyMapper Southern Survey for selecting Seyfert galaxies at low luminosity. We find that the u − v index, built from the ultraviolet u and violet v filters, separates normal galaxies, starburst galaxies, and type-1 active galactic nuclei (AGNs). This u − v index is not sensitive to age or metallicity in a stellar population but is instead a quenching-and-bursting indicator in galaxies and detects power-law continua in type-1 AGNs. Using over 25 000 galaxies at z < 0.1 from 6dFGS, we find a selection cut based on u − v and central u band brightness that identifies type-1 AGNs. By eyeballing 6dFGS spectra we classify new Seyfert galaxies of type 1 to 1.8. Our sample includes eight known Changing-Look AGNs (CLAGNs), two of which show such strong variability that they move across the selection cut during the 5 yr of SkyMapper observations in DR3, along mixing sequences of nuclear and host galaxy light. We identify 46 CLAGN candidates in our sample, one of which has been reported as a Type IIn supernova. We show that this transient persists for at least 5 yr and marks a flare in a Seyfert-1 period of a new CLAGN.

Транспорт, распределение и потребление 14С -ассимилятов у сосны и ели в северотаежных фитоценозах при различном световом и азотном питании

A rational system of cuttings, mineral nutrition of plants, and preservation of softwood undergrowth during felling is one of the ways to increase the productivity of boreal forests. The physiological methods of research used in forestry and, first of all, the study of donoracceptor interactions, allow obtaining the necessary information on the efficiency level of forestry measures in the stands of pine and spruce undergrowth quickly enough (within 1–2 years) without waiting for the final result in the form of an increment in shoots. The dynam ics of accumulation, transportation and distribution of 14C in organs and tissues of a tree under the influence of selective cuttings and a nitrogen dose has been studied in spruce and pine undergrowth in stands of different species composition and age. The study objects have been: blueberry spruce and birch forests of the forest site types with varying intensity of cutting; lichen pine forests formed from pine undergrowth preserved during the cutting. It were found that, in the summer period under the canopy of spruce and birch forests, the illumination does not exceed 8–10 % of the open area and does not correspond to the biological norm for spruce. The lack of solar radiation and soil nitrogen in the undergrowth of these tree species leads to a decrease in the intensity of photosynthesis and the violation of donoracceptor bonds, delays evacuation of assimilates from a leaf and their transportation to the active zones, suppresses the growth activity and the associated with it “demand” for macronutrients sent to the leaves declines the vitality of plants. The efficiency of the root system deteriorates, the formation of a new assimilation apparatus is delayed, and the growth processes of vegetative organs are violated due to the lack production of assimilates and the disruption of their distribution system. Nitrogen introduced into the stands and selective cuttings in pine and spruce undergrowth activate the synthetic and absorption activity of the root system, improve the functioning of the assimilation apparatus, strengthen the donoracceptor interactions between the aboveground and underground organs of a tree, significantly accelerate the outflow of photosynthetic products from a leaf, and positively influence on the growth processes. It has been found that, according to the level of activity of the donor-acceptor system for the pine and spruce undergrowth, it is possible within 1–2 years to set up a system of felling and a dose of nitrogen introduced into the forest stands that most closely meet the needs of these species. For citation: Konovalov V.N., Zarubina L.V. Transport, Distribution and Consumption of Pine and Spruce 14C-Assimilates in Northern Phytocenoses under Different Illumination and Nitrogen Nutrition. Lesnoy Zhurnal [Russian Forestry Journal], 2020, no. 4, pp. 77–94. DOI: 10.37482/0536-1036-2020-4-77-94

Browsing hinders the regeneration of broadleaved trees in uneven-aged forest management in southern Finland

ABSTRACT Uneven-aged forest management has attained increasing popularity. It may benefit biodiversity, buffer against pests and abiotic damages, decrease runoff from clearcuts and improve recreational values. We studied how gap cuttings and single-tree selection cuttings influence browsing damage in spruce-dominated forests in south-central Finland. Overall, browsing damage was especially frequent in aspen and rowan, but also in birch. The larger the basal area left in harvesting, the lower the browsing pressure on birch and rowan; neither the harvesting method nor the seedling density had an independent effect on browsing damage. Although larger tree retention levels may reduce browsing damage, the regeneration and recruitment of shade-intolerant broadleaved trees may be compromised.

Probing the trilinear Higgs boson self-coupling via single Higgs production at the LHeC

The determination of the Higgs self coupling is one of the key ingredients for understanding the mechanism behind the electroweak symmetry breaking. An indirect method for constraining the Higgs trilinear self coupling via single Higgs production at next-to-leading order (NLO) has been proposed in order to avoid the drawbacks of studies with double Higgs production. In this paper we study the Higgs self interaction through the vector boson fusion (VBF) process $e^{-} p \to \nu_{e} h j$ at the future LHeC. At NLO level, we compute analytically the scattering amplitudes for relevant processes, in particular those induced by the Higgs self interaction. A Monte Carlo simulation and a statistical analysis utilizing the analytic results are then carried out for Higgs production through VBF and decay to $b\bar{b}$, which yield for the trilinear Higgs self-coupling rescaling parameter $\kappa_{\lambda}$ the limit [-0.57, 2.98] with $2~\text{ab}^{-1}$ integrated luminosity. If we assume about 10% of the signal survives the event selection cuts, and include all the background, the constraint will be broadened to [-2.11, 4.63].

Initial Responses in Growth, Production, and Regeneration following Selection Cuttings in Hardwood-Dominated Temperate Rainforests in Chile

Hardwood-dominated forests in south-central Chile have shade-tolerant and mid-tolerant tree species capable of regenerating and growing well in partial shade. To test the potential for using an uneven-aged silviculture in these forests, we established single-tree selection treatments at two mid-elevation sites within the Evergreen forest type in the Coastal range (Llancahue and Los Riscos, 40–42° S Lat). They had an average initial basal area of 70–80 m2 ha−1. In each stand, we established four 2000 m2 plots with a residual basal area of ~40 m2 ha−1, and four with a residual basal area of ~60 m2 ha−1. We planned for a maximum residual diameter of 80 cm, but needed to leave 20%–25% of the residual basal area in larger trees due to their great abundance in these old-growth forests. We re-measured these plots 5–6 years after the cuttings. We used mixed-effects models to evaluate the periodic annual increment (pai) in diameter and the abundance of tree regeneration, and linear models to evaluate ingrowth and changes in the basal area and volume. At Llancahue, the diameter pai of individual trees was significantly greater in the treatment with lower residual densities, especially for mid-tolerant species in lower diameter classes (5–20 cm). At both sites, the pai in the stand basal area and volume was greater in the more heavily stocked treatment, but differences were significant only at Llancahue. Regeneration was dominated by shade-tolerant species at both sites but was more abundant and more diverse at Llancahue. Taller tree regeneration (50–<200 cm) significantly increased after the cuttings at both sites, while small regeneration (5–<50 cm) overall remained at pre-cut levels. This pattern was similar for mid- and shade-tolerant species. However, we found no differences in regeneration responses between the lower and higher levels of the residual basal area. Sapling densities did not differ at both sites for shade-tolerant species, but for mid-tolerant species these were more abundant at Los Riscos. While both sites had many similar trends after implementing selection cuts (a greater individual growth in the treatment with lower basal areas but a higher stand-level growth in the treatment with a high basal area, more abundant regeneration of shade-tolerant species, etc.), they illustrate a differential potential for implementing uneven-aged silviculture, especially due to site-species interactions. These results are a first step towards evaluating the prospects for selection cuttings in these experiments and elsewhere in Valdivian temperate rainforests.

Search for an exotic S=−2 , Q=−2 baryon resonance in proton-proton interactions at sNN=17.3 GeV

Pentaquark states have been extensively investigated theoretically in the context of the constituent quark model. In this paper results of an experimental search for pentaquarks in the Ξ− π−, Ξ− π+, Ξ¯+ π− and Ξ¯+ π+ invariant mass spectra in proton-proton interactions at s=17.3 GeV are presented. Previous possible evidence from the NA49 collaboration of the existence of a narrow Ξ− π− baryon resonance in p+p interactions is not confirmed with almost 10 times greater event statistics. The search was performed using the NA61/SHINE detector which reuses the main components of the NA49 apparatus. No signal was observed with either the selection cuts of NA49 or newly optimized cuts.Received 8 January 2020Accepted 26 February 2020DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.101.051101Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI. Funded by SCOAP3.Published by the American Physical SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasNuclear reactionsNuclear Physics

Impact of isolation and fiducial cuts on qT and N-jettiness subtractions

Kinematic selection cuts and isolation requirements are a necessity in experimental measurements for identifying prompt leptons and photons that originate from the hard-interaction process of interest. We analyze how such cuts affect the application of the qT and N -jettiness subtraction methods for fixed-order calculations. We consider both fixed-cone and smooth-cone isolation methods. We find that kinematic selection and isolation cuts both induce parametrically enhanced power corrections with considerably slower convergence compared to the standard power corrections that are already present in inclusive cross sections without additional cuts. Using analytic arguments at next-to-leading order we derive their general scaling behavior as a function of the subtraction cutoff. We also study their numerical impact for the case of gluon-fusion Higgs production in the H → γγ decay mode and for pp → γγ direct diphoton production. We find that the relative enhancement of the additional cut-induced power corrections tends to be more severe for qT, where it can reach an order of magnitude or more, depending on the choice of parameters and subtraction cutoffs. We discuss how all such cuts can be incorporated without causing additional power corrections by implementing the subtractions differentially rather than through a global slicing method. We also highlight the close relation of this formulation of the subtractions to the projection-to-Born method.

Moderate Diversity in Forest Structure and Its Low Dynamics Are Favored by Uneven-Aged Silviculture—The Lesson from Medium-Term Experiment

For several decades, there has been growing interest in highly diversified forests as a result of their management using the so-called uneven-aged silviculture. Such management and forests resulting from its application fulfil the purpose of forest ecosystem protection without significant limitation of the other forest functions and services. The usefulness of such silvicultural system depends largely on the species composition of the stand. In Poland, this system has been used primarily in silver fir (Abies alba Mill.)-dominated forests with an admixture of other shade-tolerant tree species and rather small admixture of light-demanding species. In our study, we analyzed the structure of fir-dominated uneven-aged forest consisting of a certain mix of eight tree species with different light-requirements, in which uneven-aged silviculture was performed for over two decades. The analysis of stand structure concerned three aspects of the forest structure: species diversity, spatial pattern of tree distribution, and tree size diversity. On the basis of three stand inventories, we captured the mid-term dynamics of the stand structure under moderate human pressure conditions. The results showed that the stand was characterized by high growing stock, with stable growth over the entire period. The silver fir was the dominant tree species, but the Scots pine and pedunculate oak also played an important role. However, the silver fir was abundant in the ingrowth class, whereas the pine and oak were absent or very rare in this stand strata. Noteworthy is the increasing importance of the European hornbeam, which is particularly evident in the ingrowth class; its abundance was twice that of the silver fir. The results clearly demonstrated that within 24 years, the share of light-demanding tree species in the forest clearly decreased, while that of shade-tolerant species clearly increased. Structural parameters showed a moderate tree-size diversity, despite the high species richness of the forest. This was mainly the result of selection cuttings, which clearly decreased tree-size variability after the second period of study. However, selection cuttings did not favor regeneration establishment, especially that of light-demanding tree species, whose role in the stand is assumed to be only minor in the future. The relatively high level of volume growth indicated that cutting intensity may be increased. More intense selection cuttings would also improve the stand structure by providing better light conditions for potential regeneration of different tree species, also light-adapted ones.

ФЛОРА ТА РОСЛИННІСТЬ ІРПІНСЬКОГО ЛІСУ

It is reported about the diversity of phytobiota of the valuable natural complex "Irpin Forest" in the Kyiv region. The data on the history of research of this interesting from a botanical perspective territory of Kyiv Polissia are presented. The features of the vegetation of different complexes of this forest area, dominated by oak-pine, cereal and moss-lichen forests, are characterized. The most valuable forests here are oak ones, which are rich in rare herbaceous plant species. Besides, there fragmentary occur alder stands on lowland areas. The data on the flora of this territory, which includes 437 species of vascular plants from 67 families and 4 divisions, are presented. Ten dominating families of flora (Asreaceae, Poaceae Rosaceae, etc.) include 51.1 % of the forest flora species. A high level of adventization of this flora (19.6 %) has been noted, which is a result of the accessibility of the territory and a significant number of the population of adjacent settlements. Species with a high level of invasiveness include Amorpha fruticosa L., Iva xanthiifolia Nutt., Erigeron annuus (L.) Desf., Galinsoga parviflora Cav., Oenothera biennis L., Oxalis stricta L., Reynoutria japonica Houtt., Solidago canadensis L., Solanum nigrum L. They most often occur along forest roads, on meadows, in places of selective cuttings, on the fringes of the forest. On the periphery of the forest, a number of species were found which have fallen out of cultivation – Berberis aquifolium Pursh, Datura stramonium L. Gaillardia pulchella Foug., Ricinus communis L., Vitis vinifera L. The data on the rare plant species of this territory are given. There are 34 rare taxa, the most valuable of which are the representatives of the families Orchidaceae, Ranunculaceae, Poaceae. Five species of plants of the forest (Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Druce) Soó, D. incarnata (L.) Soó, Epipactis helleborine (L.) Crantz, Platanthera bifolia (L.) Rich., Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill. Sl) are listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. It is proposed to create a new object of the nature reserve fund of the Kyiv region – a regional landscape park "Streams" ("Potoky") on a part of this territory, with further plans to create an administration, security service and develop a management plan for resource management of the object.

The Minimally Invasive-Guided Genioplasty Technique using Piezosurgery and 3D printed surgical guide: An innovative technique.

Introduction:Mental nerve injuries with neurosensory deficits, asymmetries, and intra-operative bleeding are the main immediate complications of genioplasty. Following a recent systematic review, three-dimensional (3D)-printed cutting guide could improve the predictability and accuracy of this surgical technique avoiding postoperative asymmetries. Furthermore, anatomical structures in the surgical area (mental nerve and teeth roots) are better protected, reducing the morbidity and providing safer results. Ultrasonic piezoelectric osteotomy allows by its intrinsic characteristics, a selective cut of mineralized structure with a lower risk of vascular and nervous damage (microvibrations), intra-operative precision (thin cutting scalpel and no macro-vibrations), and blood-free site (cavitation effect). The aim of this article is to present a new minimally invasive technique: the minimally invasive-guided genioplasty technique (aka MIGG technique). This technique combines the advantages of piezosurgery and of a space-saving 3D-printed cutting guide, requiring open-source programs and an affordable 3D printing technology.Materials and Methods:All the steps of this technique are described: preoperative surgical planning (CT scanner, segmentation with 3D slicer®, and design of the cutting guide with Blender®) and 3D printing of the guide and sterilization of it. The surgical procedure is presented in detail as well as the postoperative care.Conclusion:The MIGG technique offers, according to the authors, a better postoperative recuperation, a reduction in operating time, less complications, and protection of the anatomical structures (mental nerve, teeth, lingual soft tissue and vessels). This minimally invasive technique for genioplasty is a promising approach to perform a chin osteotomy.

A reactor antineutrino detector based on hexagonal scintillator bars

This study presents a new concept of segmented antineutrino detector based on hexagonal plastic scintillator bars for detecting antineutrinos from a nuclear reactor core. The choice of hexagonal scintillator bars is original and provides compactness. The proposed detector detects antineutrinos via inverse beta decay (IBD) with the prompt-delayed double coincidence. Owing to its segmented structure, the background, which satisfies the delayed coincidence condition can be eliminated by applying proper event selection cuts. In this manner, the main focus is to determine proper selection criteria to precisely tag the true IBD events. Monte-Carlo simulation is carried out to understand the characteristic of the IBD interaction in the proposed detector by using Geant4 toolkit. A set of event selection criteria is established based on the simulated data. It is found that a detection efficiency of 10% can be achieved with the selection condition applied. It is also shown that fast neutrons, which constitute the main background source for above-ground detection, can be effectively eliminated with these selection criteria. The motivation for this study is to install this compact detector at a short distance (<100 m) from the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, which is expected to start operation in 2023.

Lifelong learning policies for vulnerable young adults in post-recession Scotland

This article shows how the Scottish Government’s (SG) political management of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) has reinforced the economic goals of lifelong learning (LLL) under the skills for work agenda. Youth unemployment has been prioritized as the main social problem to be addressed, and most of the limited public resources for LLL have been targeted towards youth at risk of unemployment at the expense of the rest of the adult population. The article adopts a Cultural Political Economy perspective to examine LLL policy discourses contained in 12 policy documents published by the SG during the period between the Scottish National Party’s arrival in power and the Independence Referendum (2007–2014). The analysis draws attention to the fact that the GFC has been used by the SG to legitimize selective cuts to the further education sector as well as a stronger labour market orientation within LLL provision.

Growth and survival dynamics of partially cut northern hardwood stands as affected by precut competition and spatial distribution of residual trees

Abstract Modelling growth and survival dynamics after partial harvesting must take account of the heterogeneous spatial pattern of residual trees that results from the presence of machinery trails. We used data from 23 permanent sample plots in northern hardwood stands to reconstruct the growing environment of individual trees before and after partial harvesting. We modelled harvest probability, growth response and survival probability using a complementary set of explanatory variables that was assembled to reflect the spatial distribution of trees and skid trails prior to and after harvest. Results showed that the distribution of harvested trees was concentrated in skid trails and in their close vicinity. However, this spatial pattern had no significant effect on either the post-cut basal area increment (BAI) or the survival of residual trees. BAI and survival of individual trees were both mostly related to the competitive environment prior to harvest, while post-cut changes in competitive environment had only a marginal effect on growth and survival dynamics. We conclude that selection cuts did not substantially increase the growth and survival of residual trees, likely because tree removal was mostly concentrated near skid trails, where the negative effects of machinery access were highest.

A novel video shot boundary detection framework employing DCT and pattern matching

The video Shot Boundary Detection (SBD) is an elementary step in realising a system capability to perform content based video search, structural analysis, data retrieval and video summation. Myriad research works in the past have been reported to construct SBD algorithms. However, the need of an error-free, meticulous and cost-effective SBD technique still persists; for applications viz. apt management, storage, browsing, video indexing and retrieval of multimedia data. This paper is an effort in the same direction with the aim of achieving high execution speed and greater accuracy. The proposed SBD technique in this paper incorporates three steps: (i) Candidate Segment Selection (ii) Cut Transition detection (iii) Gradual Transition detection. This paper adopts pixel based technique with candidate segment selection to speed up the SBD. For Cut Transition detection, the proposed method employs Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) and for Gradual Transition detection, it employs Image Histogram and Pattern Matching. The comparison of MATLAB simulation results of the proposed SBD technique with those in literature manifest better results in terms of execution speed and accuracy.

Surgical Outcomes After Microvascular Decompression With Internal Neurolysis and Partial Neurectomy for Patients With Trigeminal Neuralgia and Negative Neurovascular Compression

Abstract INTRODUCTION Microvascular decompression (MVD) is an effective and durable treatment for patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) due to neurovascular compression (NVC). In the absence of NVC, the traditional MVD is less effective in achieving long-term pain relief. Internal neurolysis at the root entry zone (REZ) of the trigeminal nerve has been described in the literature; however, there are few reports of long-term outcome after this procedure. Furthermore, this is the first study to combine this procedure with additional partial neurectomy. METHODS This is a retrospective review of the senior author's patients with TN who underwent retrosigmoid craniectomy for MVD with internal neurolysis and partial neurectomy. Primary indications were patients with TN and no evidence of NVC intraoperatively. A total of 9 patients were included in the analysis. Three cases were of recurrent TN. The technique was performed with an 11-blade or arachnoid knife to open the perineurium in a longitudinal fashion at the REZ. A disc dissector was used to comb the fascicles along the longitudinal course, and a partial neurectomy was performed with a microscissors to make three selective cuts into the fascicles at the REZ. Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) facial pain and numbness scales were used as postoperative assessment. RESULTS At median follow up of 12 mo (range: 2 to 34), 8 of 9 patients (89%) had a BNI-pain score of I (no trigeminal pain, no medications). Two of nine patients (22%) had a BNI-numbness score of I (no numbness); seven (78%) had a BNI-numbness score of II (mild facial numbness that is not bothersome). CONCLUSION Internal neurolysis with partial neurectomy appears to be an effective and potentially durable treatment option for patients with TN (primary or recurrent) without NVC. Larger series with longer follow-up is indicated to further evaluate the utility of this procedure.

Top-Yukawa contributions to bbH production at the LHC

We study the production of a Higgs boson in association with bottom quarks left(boverline{b}Hright) in hadronic collisions at the LHC, including the different contributions stemming from terms proportional to the top-quark Yukawa coupling (yt2), to the bottom-quark one (yb2), and to their interference (ybyt). Our results are accurate to next-to-leading order in QCD, employ the four-flavour scheme and the (Born-improved) heavy-top quark approximation. We find that next-to-leading order corrections to the yt2 component are sizable, making it the dominant production mechanism for associated boverline{b}H production in the Standard Model and increasing its inclusive rate by almost a factor of two. By studying final-state distributions of the various contributions, we identify observables and selection cuts that can be used to select the various components and to improve the experimental sensitivity of boverline{b}H production on the bottom-quark Yukawa coupling.