ΛΛ\Lambda\Lambda Interaction in a Nuclear Density Functional Theory and Hyperon Puzzle of the Neutron Star

A Skyrme-type effective potential is determined to describe the interaction between $\Lambda$ hyperons in nuclear medium. Experimental data of the binding energies of the double-$\Lambda$ ($\Lambda\Lambda$) nuclei with mass numbers $A=10$--$13$ are used to fit the parameters of the $\Lambda\Lambda$ interaction. As a result of the fitting, we obtain eight different sets of the $\Lambda\Lambda$ interaction parameters, which reproduces the input data within 5\% deviation from the experimental data on average. The eight $\Lambda\Lambda$ interactions are plugged in the calculation of the heavier $\Lambda\Lambda$ nuclei and the neutron star equation of state to explore the issue of hyperon puzzle. We found that the $\Lambda\Lambda$ interaction, specifically, p-wave interaction makes the equation of state stiff enough that the maximum mass of the neutron star can be as large as, or above $2\;M_\odot$

Effects of neutron-rich nuclei masses on symmetry energy

We explore the impact of neutron-rich nuclei masses on the symmetry energy properties using the mass table evaluated by the deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum (DRHBc) model. First, using the semi-empirical mass formula with the DRHBc mass table, we investigate the symmetry energy at saturation density $\rho_0$, denoted as $S_0$, and the ratio of surface to volume contributions to the symmetry energy, $\kappa$. As a result, we obtain $S_0=27.85\,{\rm MeV}$ ($\kappa=1.38$) for $a_{\rm sym}(A) =S_0 (1 - \kappa A^{-1/3})$ (Type I) and $S_0=32.66\,{\rm MeV}$ ($\kappa=3.15$) for $a_{\rm sym}(A) = S_0 (1 + \kappa A^{-1/3} )^{-1}$ (Type II), which are lower than those obtained using the AME2020 mass table, $S_0=28.54\,{\rm MeV}$ ($\kappa=1.29$) for Type I and $S_0=33.81\,{\rm MeV}$ ($\kappa=3.04$) for Type II. Second, we further investigate the effect of these changes in $a_{\rm sym}(A)$ on the density-dependent symmetry energy by employing the empirical model of $S(\rho) = C_k(\rho/\rho_0)^{2/3} + C_1(\rho/\rho_0) + C_2(\rho/\rho_0)^{\gamma}$ and universal relation of $a_{\rm sym}(A=208) = S(\rho=0.1\,{\rm fm}^{-3})$. Compared to the experimental constraints, we find that $S_0$ and slope parameter $L$, determined by the DRHBc mass table with Type II, are more suitable to explain the constraints by heavy ion collisions and isobaric analog states than AME2020. We also discuss the neutron skin thickness derived from the $L$, comparing it with experimental measurements

The Implication of Substance P in the Development of Tendinopathy: A Case Control Study.

It was reported that substance P had beneficial effects in the healing of acute tendon injury. However, the relationship between substance P and degenerative tendinopathy development remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of substance P in the pathogenesis of tendinopathy. Healthy and tendinopathy tendon were harvested from human and tenocytes were cultured individually. The expression levels of genes associated with tendinopathy were compared. Next, substance P was exogenously administered to the healthy tenocyte and the effect was evaluated. The results showed that tendinopathy tenocytes had higher levels of COL3A1, MMP1, COX2, SCX, ACTA2, and substance P gene expression compared to healthy tenocytes. Next, substance P treatment on the healthy tenocyte displayed similar changes to that of the tendinopathy tenocytes. These differences between the two groups were also determined by Western blot. Additionally, cells with substance P had the tendinopathy change morphologically although cellular proliferation was significantly higher compared to that of the control group. In conclusion, substance P enhanced cellular proliferation, but concomitantly increased immature collagen (type 3 collagen). Substance P plays a crucial role in tendinopathy development and could be a future therapeutic target for treatment

Silicon carbide-free graphene growth on silicon for lithium-ion battery with high volumetric energy density

Silicon is receiving discernable attention as an active material for next generation lithium-ion battery anodes because of its unparalleled gravimetric capacity. However, the large volume change of silicon over charge-discharge cycles weakens its competitiveness in the volumetric energy density and cycle life. Here we report direct graphene growth over silicon nanoparticles without silicon carbide formation. The graphene layers anchored onto the silicon surface accommodate the volume expansion of silicon via a sliding process between adjacent graphene layers. When paired with a commercial lithium cobalt oxide cathode, the silicon carbide-free graphene coating allows the full cell to reach volumetric energy densities of 972 and 700 Whl(-1) at first and 200th cycle, respectively, 1.8 and 1.5 times higher than those of current commercial lithium-ion batteries. This observation suggests that two-dimensional layered structure of graphene and its silicon carbide-free integration with silicon can serve as a prototype in advancing silicon anodes to commercially viable technology.

Effect of the Duration of NSAID Use on COVID-19

Background and Objectives: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to control pain and fever. However, their effect on COVID-19 infected patients has not been fully studied. In this study, we investigated the effect of the duration of NSAIDs use on COVID-19 infection and clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods: In South Korea, 25,739 eligible patients who received COVID-19 testing between 1 January and 31 July 2020, were included in this retrospective observational cohort analysis. Based on the date of the first COVID-19 test for each patient, NSAID prescription dates were used to separate patients into two groups (short-term group: Results: Of the 580 patients who had taken NSAIDs before the date of COVID-19 test, 534 and 46 patients were grouped in the short- and long-term NSAID-use groups, respectively. We did not find a statistically significant increased risk of COVID-19 infection (adjustment for age and sex, p = 0.413; adjustment for age, sex, region of residence, comorbidity, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and current use of medication, p = 0.259) or change in clinical outcomes, including conventional oxygen therapy, admission of intensive care unit, artificial ventilation, or death, between the two groups in which the PSM method was applied. Conclusions: The duration of NSAIDs use did not have a statistically significant effect on COVID-19 infectivity or clinical outcomes. However, further studies looking at clinical presentation and laboratory test results in a large number of people should be performed

Constraints on Nuclear Saturation Properties from Terrestrial Experiments and Astrophysical Observations of Neutron Stars

Taking into account the terrestrial experiments and the recent astrophysical observations of neutron stars and gravitational-wave signals, we impose restrictions on the equation of state (EoS) for isospin-asymmetric nuclear matter. Using the relativistic mean-field model with SU(3) flavor symmetry, we investigate the impacts of effective nucleon mass, nuclear incompressibility, and slope parameter of nuclear symmetry energy on the nuclear and neutron star properties. It is found that the astrophysical information of massive neutron stars and tidal deformabilities, as well as the nuclear experimental data, plays an important role to restrict the EoS for neutron stars. In particular, the softness of the nuclear EoS due to the existence of hyperons in the core gives stringent constraints on those physical quantities. Furthermore, it is possible to put limits on the curvature parameter of nuclear symmetry energy by means of nuclear and astrophysical calculations.11Nsciescopu

Coulomb sum rule in the quasielastic region using various nuclear models

© 2022 American Physical Society.We calculate the Coulomb sum rule of inclusive (e,e′) reactions from C12, Ca40, Fe56, and Pb208 in the quasielastic region using various relativistic single-particle models, which include the relativistic Hartree, the nonlinear sigma, the quark-meson-coupling, and the chiral quark-meson-coupling models. We investigate the cross sections calculated in these nuclear models by comparing them with Bates, Saclay, and SLAC data for three-momentum transfer q ranging from 300 to 500 MeV/c. We find that the extracted longitudinal structure functions are not so sensitive to the nuclear model but the transverse structure functions strongly depend on the model. We report that, for three-momentum transfer q>400 MeV/c, the values of the Coulomb sum rule from various nuclear models except the Hartree model are greater than 1.11Nsciescopu

Immersive Real-Acting Virtual Aquarium with Motion Tracking Sensors

We realized a real space-based virtual aquarium equipped with a multiview function that provides images for users and audiences at the same time through motion tracking sensors. A virtual reality system needs more natural and intuitive interfaces so as to enhance users' immersion. We attach markers on users and camera devices in a real space designed in the one-to-one size as the virtual space to trace user and camera motions, which is reflected in real time to generate virtual world images. These images are transmitted to the user's immersing image devices. Also, the system allows audiences to share experiences by providing them with virtual synthetic images from a third-person perspective including a user after taking the user in the real space with a camcorder on which motion tracking markers are attached. For this, the system provides the functions of marker-based motion tracking with sensors, recognition of user's motions, real-time actual image rendering, and multiview to realize a system to simulate more intuitive and natural virtual space interactions, which can be used for the construction of motion-based realistic/experiencing systems, which increasingly attract interest

Acquisition System Based on Multisensors for Preserving Traditional Korean Painting

Rapid industrialization has significantly influenced people’s lifestyles in the recent decades, and the influence of traditional culture is diminishing. Recently, several studies attempted to simultaneously utilize various sensors to record delicate and sophisticated performances of intangible cultural heritage (ICH). Although painting is one of the most common ICH of human history, few research studies have recorded traditional painting work. In this paper, we aim to lay the groundwork for reviving Korean painting, even if there would be no painters to produce these traditional Korean paintings in the future. We propose a novel multisensor-based acquisition system that records traditional Korean painting work while minimizing interference in the work. The proposed system captures real-time data originating from the painter, brushes, pigments, and canvas, which are the essential components of the painting work. We utilized the proposed system to capture the painting work by two experts, and we visualize the captured data. We showed the various results of statistical analysis, and also discussed the usability