R2R^2 Gravity in (2+ϵ)(2+\epsilon)--Dimensional Quantum Gravity

We study $R^2$ gravity in $(2+\epsilon)$--dimensional quantum gravity. Taking care of the oversubtraction problem in the conformal mode dynamics, we perform a full order calculation of string susceptibility in the $\epsilon \rightarrow 0$ limit. The result is consistent with that obtained through Liouville approach.Comment: 12 pages; KEK-TH-394, KEK Preprint 94-15, ICRR-Report-318-94-13, UT-Komaba/94-1

Another Look at Verb Movement in Japanese

This paper is a response to Hatakeyama et al (2008), who argue for V-to-I in Japanese mainly on the basis of the distribution of the particle mo. I retest their data and reach a different result: Japanese verbs stay in situ at all times, and the relevant linearizations arise from phrasal versus head movement around mo, a particle that I define as a functional head (versus XP clitic in the cited study). Key words: Japanese, verb movement, mo, aspectual head, modal head

Sub-Arcsecond Near-Infrared Images of Massive Star Formation Region NGC 6334 V

We present high spatial resolution (0\farcs3) polarimetric images in the $H$ and $K$ bands and direct images in the $L'$ and $M'$ bands of the NGC 6334 V infrared nebulae. The images show complex structures including the multi-shells and various knots in the nebulae. The appearances and colors of the eastern and western nebulae differ considerably. Our polarization images also show differences between the illuminating sources of the nebulae: the eastern nebula is illuminated by a deeply embedded mid-infrared source, KDJ 4, and the western nebula by our newly detected near-infrared source, WN-A1. The degree of polarization of the nebulae is very large, up to 70% at $K$ and 60% at $H$, which is consistent with a single scattering of near-infrared radiation from each source at the walls of the mass outflows

Theoretical elastic tensile behavior of muscle fiber bundles in traumatic loading events

BackgroundThe mechanical characterization of skeletal muscle under high-rate loading regimes is important for predicting traumatic injuries due to traffic accidents and contact sports. However, it is difficult to perform dynamic mechanical tests at rates relevant to such rapid loading events. MethodsIn the present study, a series of stress relaxation tests were conducted on rabbit hind-limb muscle fiber bundles using a custom tensile tester. Using relatively moderate loading conditions compared to those typically associated with traumatic injuries, the passive stress-decaying mechanical properties of muscle fiber bundles were characterized. In addition, stress relaxation responses to various ramp-hold stretches were theoretically predicted by a custom-built code. FindingsThe results showed that the muscle fiber bundles exhibit greater stress relaxation at higher loading rates and greater stretch magnitudes. Based on these results, the data points representing the “elastic” stress–strain tensile behavior typical of traumatic injury were extrapolated using curve fitting. The theoretical model revealed rate-dependent characteristics of the muscle fiber bundles under traumatic loading conditions, which would result in tensile strengths of 300–500 kPa at the maximum engineering strain of 54%. This strength is on the order of magnitude as the maximum isometric stress of an active muscle contraction. InterpretationThe proposed numerical model is expected to serve as a powerful research tool to investigate injury mechanisms of the skeletal muscle. Moreover, the elastic response that was theoretically predicted here will be useful in the development of effective countermeasures to prevent traumatic injuries due to rapid loading events