Gravitino Problem in Inflation Driven by Inflaton-Polonyi K\"ahler Coupling

We discuss the cosmological gravitino problem in inflation models in which the inflaton potential is constructed from K\"ahler potential rather than superpotential: a representative model is $\overline{\text{D}3}$-induced geometric inflation. A critical ingredient in this type of models is the coupling of the inflaton and Polonyi (supersymmetry-breaking) field in the K\"ahler potential, which is needed to build the inflaton potential. We point out the same coupling let the inflaton dominantly decay into a pair of inflatino and gravitino causing the gravitino problem. We propose some possible solutions to this problem.Comment: 14 pages; accepted by PLB, title and abstract changed to clarify the topic, conclusion not changed, references adde

Illustrating SUSY breaking effects on various inflation mechanisms

We consider the supersymmetry breaking effects on typical inflation models with different types of K\"ahler potential. The critical size of supersymmetry-breaking scale, above which the flatness of the inflaton potential is spoiled, drastically changes model by model. We present the universal description of such effects in terms of a field-dependent scaling factor by which gravity-mediated supersymmetry breaking terms are suppressed or enhanced, based on the conformal supergravity framework. Such a description would be useful when we estimate them in constructing supersymmetric models of particle cosmology.Comment: 20pages, 3 figures, v2: a reference added, v3: Appendix B adde

Navigation Method Enhancing Music Listening Experience by Stimulating Both Neck Sides with Modulated Music Vibration

We propose a method that stimulates music vibration (generated from and synchronized with musical signals), modulated by the direction and distance to the target, on both sides of a user's neck with Hapbeat, a necklace-type haptic device. We conducted three experiments to confirm that the proposed method can achieve both haptic navigation and enhance the music listening experience. Experiment 1 consisted of conducting a questionnaire survey to examine the effect of stimulating music vibrations. Experiment 2 evaluated the accuracy (deg) of users' ability to adjust their direction toward a target using the proposed method. Experiment 3 examined the ability of four different navigation methods by performing navigation tasks in a virtual environment. The results of the experiments showed that stimulating music vibration enhanced the music listening experience, and that the proposed method is able to provide sufficient information to guide the users: accuracy in identifying directions was about 20\textdegree, participants reached the target in all navigation tasks, and in about 80\% of all trials participants reached the target using the shortest route. Furthermore, the proposed method succeeded in conveying distance information, and Hapbeat can be combined with conventional navigation methods without interfering with music listening.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figure

Anomalous V2 of the left pulmonary vein detected using three-dimensional computed tomography in a patient with lung cancer : A case report

We report one of the rare anatomical variations of the pulmonary vein wherein the left V2 drained into the inferior pulmonary vein. A 63-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of an abnormal shadow in the left lower lung field that was noted on chest X-ray. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a tumor in the left lower lobe. A biopsied tumor specimen was diagnosed as an adenocarcinoma, and thus, left lower lobectomy was performed. Preoperative three-dimensional CT revealed that an anomalous V2 of the left lung drained from the superior segment into the inferior pulmonary vein. This variation type was confirmed during thoracoscopic left lower lobectomy. We were able to perform left lower lobectomy with the preservation of the anomalous V2. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 12. It is important to identify anatomical variations of the pulmonary vein and reliably preserve and process the affected area to prevent postoperative complications

A comparison of the force applied on oral structures during intubation attempts between the Pentax-AWS airwayscope and the Macintosh laryngoscope: a high-fidelity simulator-based study

Objective: We sought to determine whether the use of Pentax-AWS Airwayscope (AWS) applied less force on oral structures during intubation attempts than a conventional direct laryngoscope (DL). Design: Prospective cross-over study. Participants: A total of 37 physicians (9 transitional-year residents, 20 emergency medicine residents and 8 emergency physicians) were enrolled. Interventions We used four simulation scenarios according to the difficulty of intubation and devices and used a high-fidelity simulator to quantify the forces applied on the oral structures. Outcome measures Primary outcomes were the maximum force applied on the maxillary incisors and tongue. Other outcomes of interest were time to intubation and glottic view during intubation attempts. Results: The maximum force applied on the maxillary incisors in the normal airway scenario was higher with the use of AWS than that with DL (107 newton (N) vs 77 N, p=0.02). By contrast, the force in the difficult airway scenario was significantly lower with the use of AWS than that of the DL (89 N vs 183 N, p<0.01). Likewise, the force applied on the tongue was significantly lower with the use of AWS than the use of DL in both airway scenarios (11 N vs 27 N, p<0.001 in the normal airway scenario; 12 N vs 40 N, p<0.01 in the difficult airway scenario). Conclusions: The use of AWS during intubation attempts was associated with decreased forces applied to oral structures in the simulated difficult airway scenario