A shear spectral sum rule in a non-conformal gravity dual

A sum rule which relates a stress-energy tensor correlator to thermodynamic functions is examined within the context of a simple non-conformal gravity dual. Such a sum rule was previously derived using AdS/CFT for conformal $\mathcal{N} = 4$ Supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory, but we show that it does not generalize to the non-conformal theory under consideration. We provide a generalized sum rule and numerically verify its validity. A useful byproduct of the calculation is the computation of the spectral density in a strongly coupled non-conformal theory. Qualitative features of the spectral densities and implications for lattice measurements of transport coefficients are discussed.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures. v5: Typos in Eq. (60) fixed. v4: References added, matches published version. v3: Minor typographical corrections. v2: References and some discussion in Appendix A have been added; conclusions unchange

The limnological survey of a coastal lagoon in Korea: Lake Hwajinpo

Physicochemical parameters, plankton biomass, and sediment were surveyed from 1998 to 2000 on two months interval in a eutrophic costal lagoon (Lake Hwajinpo, Korea) segregated from the sea by a sand dune. Littoral zone is well developed and floating-leaved aquatic plants also thrive, A shallow sill divides the lake into two basins. It has permeation of seawater and chemoclines formed by salinity were observed at 1m demth all the year around. DO was often very low(＜1mgO₂/L) at hypolimnion. Temperature inversions were observed in November. Transparency was 0.2～1.7m. Nitrate and ammonium concentrations were very low (＜0.1mgN/L), even though TN was usually 2.0～3.5mgN/L. TN/TP was generally lower than the Redfield ratio. TSI was 63～74, COD, TP, and TN of sediment were 3.1～40.3mgO₂/g, 0.9～1.39mg/m³. Two basins showed different phytoplankton communities with Oscillatoria sp., Trachelomonas sp., Schiaochlarnys gekatinosa, and Anabaena spiroides dominant in South basin, and with Trachelomonas sp., Schroederia sp., Schizochlamys felatinosa, and Trachelomonas sp. dominant in the North basin. The seasonal succession of phytoplankton was very fast, possibly due to sudden changes in physical characteristics such as wind, turbidity, salinity and light, etc.Article信州大学山地水環境教育研究センター研究報告 2: 127-130(2004)departmental bulletin pape

Application of extended end composite pile design in pile foundation work

Pre-tensioned, spun, high-strength concrete (PHC) piles are the most commonly used type of pile in South Korea. Approximately 60% of the pile's strength is used in the design bearing capacity, and the rest is simply residing in the ground. Increasing the ground bearing capacity is crucial to reduce waste of the pile strength and to improve efficiency. Extended end (Ext) piles are a new kind of composite pile that can overcome the weakness of PHC piles. This study investigates the behaviour of Ext piles. Through field testing, it is confirmed that the bearing capacity of Ext piles is better than PHC piles by about 35% to 50%. Based on the study findings, the Ext pile design reduces the number of piles by around 38% compared to the PHC pile design through application in a selected construction site. The increased bearing capacity of Ext piles affects both work duration and project cost, which are 25% and 14% decreased, respectively

Sleep Status and the Risk Factor of Drowsy-Related Accidents in Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers

Background and Objective The purpose of this study was to describe prevalence of sleep problems including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), insomnia, and sleep insufficiency in commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, and to quantify risk of drowsy-related accidents in CMV drivers. Methods CMV drivers were invited to participate in this study. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire about sleep habits, sleep disorders, work environments, and experience of drowsy-related accidents. A home sleep test (Watch-PAT 200) was also undertaken to detect OSA. Results Among 110 participants, 89 with eligible data of questionnaires and home sleep tests were included in the analysis. 91.0% of participants had OSA with peripheral arterial tonometry respiratory distress index (pRDI) ≥ 5/h and 23.6% had moderate to severe OSA with pRDI ≥ 15/h. 55.1% perceived that their sleep is insufficient. 52.3% of participants experienced drowsy driving. Drowsy driving-related motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) and near miss MVCs were reported by 9.6% and 37.9% of participants, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that increased risk of drowsy driving was associated with perceived sleep insufficiency [odds ratio (OR) = 3.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26–9.64]. Increased risk of drowsy driving-related near miss MVC was associated with perceived sleep insufficiency (OR = 3.06, 95% CI 1.11–8.44) and continuous driving for more than 4 hours (OR = 3.10, 95% CI 1.00–9.58). Conclusions OSA and perceived sleep insufficiency are prevalent in CMV drivers. Perceived sleep insufficiency and longer continuous driving hours increased risk of drowsy-related accidents

Laparoscopic Renal Denervation System for Treating Resistant Hypertension: Overcoming Limitations of Catheter-Based Approaches

Goal: In a pivotal clinical trial, the percutaneous catheter-based renal denervation system developed to treat resistant hypertension did not show effectiveness in reducing blood pressure because of its fundamental limitation to ablate deeper nerves present around the renal artery. Methods: We propose a new renal denervation strategy called laparoscopicdenervation system (LDS) based-on laparoscopy procedure to ablate the renal nerves completely but inhibit the thermal arterial damage.The system has flexible electrodes to bend around the arterial wall to ablate nervesThe simulation study using validated in-silico models evaluated the heat distributionon the outer arterial wall,and an acute animal study (swine model) was conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of LDS in vivo. Results: The simulation studyconfirmedthat LDS could localize the heat distributionbetween the electrode and the outer arterial wall. In the animal study, we could maximize nerve denervation by the localizing ablation energy within the renal nerves and achieve nerve denaturationand decrease in neural density by 20.78% (P < 0.001), while maintaining a constant tip temperature of 65 degrees C for the duration of 70 s treatment. The study confirmed intact lumen artery through histological analysis and acute reduction in systolic blood pressure by 9.55 mmHg (p < 0.001) Conclusion: The LDS presented here has potential to effectively and safely ablate the renal nerves, independent of anatomical variation and nerve distribution, to control hypertension in real clinical conditions. Significance: LDS approach is innovative, inventive, and presents a novel technique totreat hypertension.11Yscopu

Quasi-graphitic carbon shell-induced Cu confinement promotes electrocatalytic CO2 reduction toward C2+ products

For steady electroconversion to value-added chemical products with high efficiency, electrocatalyst reconstruction during electrochemical reactions is a critical issue in catalyst design strategies. Here, we report a reconstruction-immunized catalyst system in which Cu nanoparticles are protected by a quasi-graphitic C shell. This C shell epitaxially grew on Cu with quasi-graphitic bonding via a gas–solid reaction governed by the CO (g) - CO2 (g) - C (s) equilibrium. The quasi-graphitic C shell-coated Cu was stable during the CO2 reduction reaction and provided a platform for rational material design. C2+ product selectivity could be additionally improved by doping p-block elements. These elements modulated the electronic structure of the Cu surface and its binding properties, which can affect the intermediate binding and CO dimerization barrier. B-modified Cu attained a 68.1% Faradaic efficiency for C2H4 at −0.55 V (vs RHE) and a C2H4 cathodic power conversion efficiency of 44.0%. In the case of N-modified Cu, an improved C2+ selectivity of 82.3% at a partial current density of 329.2 mA/cm2 was acquired. Quasi-graphitic C shells, which enable surface stabilization and inner element doping, can realize stable CO2-to-C2H4 conversion over 180 h and allow practical application of electrocatalysts for renewable energy conversion. © 2021, The Author(s).1

A Solvent-Free Thermosponge Nanoparticle Platform for Efficient Delivery of Labile Proteins

Protein therapeutics have gained attention recently for treatment of a myriad of human diseases due to their high potency and unique mechanisms of action. We present the development of a novel polymeric thermosponge nanoparticle for efficient delivery of labile proteins using a solvent-free polymer thermo-expansion mechanism with clinical potential, capable of effectively delivering a range of therapeutic proteins in a sustained manner with no loss of bioactivity, with improved biological half-lives and efficacy in vivo

Targeted Nanotherapeutics Encapsulating Liver X Receptor Agonist GW3965 Enhance Antiatherogenic Effects without Adverse Effects on Hepatic Lipid Metabolism in Ldlr-/- Mice

The pharmacological manipulation of liver X receptors (LXRs) has been an attractive therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis treatment as they control reverse cholesterol transport and inflammatory response. This study presents the development and efficacy of nanoparticles (NPs) incorporating the synthetic LXR agonist GW3965 (GW) in targeting atherosclerotic lesions. Collagen IV (Col IV) targeting ligands are employed to functionalize the NPs to improve targeting to the atherosclerotic plaque, and formulation parameters such as the length of the polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating molecules are systematically optimized. In vitro studies indicate that the GW-encapsulated NPs upregulate the LXR target genes and downregulate proinflammatory mediator in macrophages. The Col IV-targeted NPs encapsulating GW (Col IV-GW-NPs) successfully reaches atherosclerotic lesions when administered for 5 weeks to mice with preexisting lesions, substantially reducing macrophage content (approximate to 30%) compared to the PBS group, which is with greater efficacy versus nontargeting NPs encapsulating GW (GW-NPs) (approximate to 18%). In addition, mice administered the Col IV-GW-NPs do not demonstrate increased hepatic lipid biosynthesis or hyperlipidemia during the treatment period, unlike mice injected with the free GW. These findings suggest a new form of LXR-based therapeutics capable of enhanced delivery of the LXR agonist to atherosclerotic lesions without altering hepatic lipid metabolism.

3D Multi-system Bayesian Calibration with Energy Conservation to Study Rapidity-dependent Dynamics of Nuclear Collisions

Considerable information about the early-stage dynamics of heavy-ion collisions is encoded in the rapidity dependence of measurements. To leverage the large amount of experimental data, we perform a systematic analysis using three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of multiple collision systems -- large and small, symmetric and asymmetric. Specifically, we perform fully 3D multi-stage hydrodynamic simulations initialized by a parameterized model for rapidity-dependent energy deposition, which we calibrate on the hadron multiplicity and anisotropic flow coefficients. We utilize Bayesian inference to constrain properties of the early- and late- time dynamics of the system, and highlight the impact of enforcing global energy conservation in our 3D model