Reconstruction of primordial tensor power spectra from B-mode polarization of the cosmic microwave background

Given observations of B-mode polarization power spectrum of the cosmic microwave background (CMB), we can reconstruct power spectra of primordial tensor modes from the early Universe without assuming their functional form such as a power-law spectrum. Shape of the reconstructed spectra can then be used to probe the origin of tensor modes in a model-independent manner. We use the Fisher matrix to calculate the covariance matrix of tensor power spectra reconstructed in bins. We find that the power spectra are best reconstructed at wavenumbers in the vicinity of $k\approx 6\times 10^{-4}$ and $5\times 10^{-3}~{\rm Mpc}^{-1}$, which correspond to the "reionization bump" at $\ell\lesssim 6$ and "recombination bump" at $\ell\approx 80$ of the CMB B-mode power spectrum, respectively. The error bar between these two wavenumbers is larger because of lack of the signal between the reionization and recombination bumps. The error bars increase sharply towards smaller (larger) wavenumbers because of the cosmic variance (CMB lensing and instrumental noise). To demonstrate utility of the reconstructed power spectra we investigate whether we can distinguish between various sources of tensor modes including those from the vacuum metric fluctuation and SU(2) gauge fields during single-field slow-roll inflation, open inflation and massive gravity inflation. The results depend on the model parameters, but we find that future CMB experiments are sensitive to differences in these models. We make our calculation tool available on-line.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, 4 tables; accepted version in Phys. Rev.

Finding the chiral gravitational wave background of an axion-SU(2) inflationary model using CMB observations and laser interferometers

A detection of B-mode polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) anisotropies would confirm the presence of a primordial gravitational wave background (GWB). In the inflation paradigm this would be an unprecedented probe of the energy scale of inflation as it is directly proportional to the power spectrum of the GWB. However, similar tensor perturbations can be produced by the matter fields present during inflation, breaking this simple relationship. It is therefore important to be able to distinguish between different generation mechanisms of the GWB. In this paper, we analyse the detectability of a new axion-SU(2) gauge field model using its chiral, scale-dependent tensor spectrum. We forecast the detectability of the resulting CMB TB and EB cross-correlations by the LiteBIRD satellite, considering the effects of residual foregrounds, gravitational lensing, and for the first time assess the ability of such an experiment to jointly detect primordial TB and EB spectra and self-calibrate its polarimeter. We find that LiteBIRD will be able to detect the chiral signal for $r_*>0.03$ with $r_*$ denoting the tensor-to-scalar ratio at the peak scale, and that the maximum signal-to-noise for $r_*<0.07$ is $\sim 2$. We go on to consider an advanced stage of a LISA-like mission, and find that such experiments would complement CMB observations by providing sensitivity to GWB chirality on scales inaccessible to the CMB. We conclude that in order to use the CMB to distinguish this model from a conventional vacuum fluctuation model two-point statistics provide some power, but to achieve high statistical significance we would require higher order statistics which take advantage of the model's non-Gaussianity. On the other hand, in the case of a spectrum peaked at very small scales, inaccessible to the CMB, a highly significant detection could be made using space-based laser interferometers.Comment: 24 pages, 12 figures, accepted by PhysRev

Learning Compliant Stiffness by Impedance Control-Aware Task Segmentation and Multi-objective Bayesian Optimization with Priors

Rather than traditional position control, impedance control is preferred to ensure the safe operation of industrial robots programmed from demonstrations. However, variable stiffness learning studies have focused on task performance rather than safety (or compliance). Thus, this paper proposes a novel stiffness learning method to satisfy both task performance and compliance requirements. The proposed method optimizes the task and compliance objectives (T/C objectives) simultaneously via multi-objective Bayesian optimization. We define the stiffness search space by segmenting a demonstration into task phases, each with constant responsible stiffness. The segmentation is performed by identifying impedance control-aware switching linear dynamics (IC-SLD) from the demonstration. We also utilize the stiffness obtained by proposed IC-SLD as priors for efficient optimization. Experiments on simulated tasks and a real robot demonstrate that IC-SLD-based segmentation and the use of priors improve the optimization efficiency compared to existing baseline methods.Comment: Accepted to IROS202

In vitro dentin permeability after application of Gluma® desensitizer as aqueous solution or aqueous fumed silica dispersion

OBJECTIVES: To assess and to compare the effects of Gluma® Desensitizer (GDL) with an experimental glutaraldehyde and HEMA containing fumed silica dispersion (GDG) on dentin permeability using a chemiluminous tracer penetration test. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty disc-shaped dentin specimens were dissected from extracted human third molars. The dentin specimens were mounted in a split chamber device for determination of permeability under liquid pressure using a photochemical method. Ten specimens were randomly selected and allocated to the evaluation groups Gluma® Desensitizer as aqueous solution and glutaraldehyde/HEMA as fumed silica dispersion, respectively. Dentin disc permeability was determined at two pressure levels after removal of smear with EDTA, after albumin soaking, and after application of the desensitizing agents. Two desensitizer-treated and rinsed specimens of each group were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface remnants. RESULTS: Comparatively large standard deviations of the mean EDTA reference and albumin soaked samples permeability values refected the differences of the dentin substrates. The mean chemiluminescence values of specimen treated with GDL and GDG, respectively, were signifcantly reduced after topical application of the desensitizing agents on albumin-soaked dentin. The effects of GDL and GDG on permeability were not signifcantly different. Treated specimens showed no surface remnants after rinsing. CONCLUSIONS: The experimental desensitizer gel formulation reduced dentin permeability as effectively as the original Gluma® Desensitizer solution

Increased Ratio of Non-mercaptalbumin-1 Among Total Plasma Albumin Demonstrates Potential Protein Undernutrition in Adult Rats

The redox state of plasma albumin shifts in response to dietary protein intake in growing rats, and the shift is more sensitive than that of plasma albumin level, a classical marker of protein nutritional status. While it has been suggested that plasma albumin redox state could be useful as a novel marker of protein nutritional status, the above animal model is highly sensitive to dietary protein intake and the observation may not be extrapolated widely to humans. This study aimed to investigate whether albumin redox state also reflects protein nutritional status in adult rats, which have a lower dietary protein requirement and are less responsive to protein intake. Male adult rats were placed on AIN-93M diet (14% casein), or AIN-93M-based low protein diets (10 or 5% casein) ad libitum for 24 weeks. Whereas there was no significant difference in body weight between the groups at the end of the experimental period, the 5% casein diet group had the smallest gastrocnemius muscle weight among the groups, which was significantly lower than that of the 10% casein diet group. Plasma albumin level was also lower in the 5% casein diet group compared with the other groups, but the differences were limited and inconsistent during the experimental period. Among the albumin redox isoforms such as mercaptalbumin, non-mercaptalbumin-1, and non-mercaptalbumin-2, the ratio of non-mercaptalbumin-1 among total albumin was significantly higher in the 5% casein diet group, and the increase remained constant throughout the experimental period. Increased non-mercaptalbumin-1 ratio would thus demonstrate the presence of potential protein undernutrition in adult rats, as manifested only by a decreased gain in a specific type of skeletal muscle; non-mercaptalbumin-1 among total albumin ratio could be useful as a robust marker of protein nutritional status, contributing to prevention of protein undernutrition-related diseases such as frailty and sarcopenia

Pain following COVID-19 vaccination

Pain at the injection site is the most frequent reaction among COVID-19 vaccine recipients, but its characteristics were not fully described yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate multiple domains of pain following BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination. We included 107 subjects undergoing primary shot of the vaccination twice into deltoid muscle with a 3-week interval. They completed 6 sessions of pain assessments, one before the first and second dose (1-0, 2-0), and 1st / 7th day after the first and second dose (1-1 / 1-7, 2-1 / 2-7). Pain visual analog scale (VAS), pain distribution, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) on deltoid muscle were evaluated in each session. The mean VAS (at rest / shoulder motion) was 6.0 / 27.6 mm at 1-1, and 12.8 / 34.0 mm at 2-1. Approximately, 90% of recipients showed localized pain within the upper arm. Percentage change of PPTs at 1-1 and 2-1 was bilaterally (ipsilateral / contralateral) decreased to 87.4 / 89.4% and 80.6 / 91.0%, which was recovered to the baseline level at 1-7 and 2-7. Temporary, mild-to-moderate intensity, localized distribution, concomitant with bilateral mechanical hyperalgesia on the deltoid muscle, were typical pain characteristics following this vaccination. These findings provide a rationale that will be informative for future recipients

トクシマ コウケツアツ トウニョウビョウ study 2011 : コウケツアツ トウニョウビョウ ガッペイ レイ ニ カンスル タシセツ ケンキュウ

Cardiologists and diabetologists in Tokushima Prefecture investigated patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus on treatment in２０１１. The findings were compared with our year‐２００４ data. The study population comprised ２３６ patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus being treated by cardiologists（C２０１１group）, and ３９５ patients with the same condition being treated by diabetologists（D２０１１group）. The mean number of antihypertensives used per patient was１．９for the C２０１１group and１．６for the D２０１１group. In these two groups, calcium antagonists were the most frequently used drugs. Renin-angiotensin system（RAS）inhibitors were used in７１．５％ of the patients in the C２０１１group and７０．０％ in the D２０１１group. The ratio of patients meeting the blood pressure criteria of the Japan Hypertension Society Guidelines was ２１．６％ for the C２００４group,２２．９％ for the D２００４group,２９．１％ for the C２０１１group, and１８．２％ for the D２０１１group. The mean number of antidiabetics used per patient was１．３for the two groups, glimepiride being most frequently used（３８．５％ for the C２０１１group,５８．１％ for the D２０１１group）, followed by α-glucosidase inhibitors and pioglitazone. Frequency of use of biguanide increased compared with２００４. The ratio of patients with HbA１c＜６．５％ was４０．７％ for the C２００４group, ２１．９％ for the D２００４ group, ４６．５％ for the C２０１１ group, and ４９．０％ for the D２０１１ group ; a significant improvement was observed in the D２０１１group compared with the D２００４group. The serum cholesterol control rate was４９．７％ for the C２００４group,４５．０％ for the D２００４group,６０．９％ for the C２０１１group, and５６．５％ for the D２０１１group. The ratio of patients achieving good control for all three parameters（blood pressure, blood glucose level, serum lipid level）was low at７．６％ for the C２００４group,６．７％ for the D２００４group,９．４％ for the C２０１１group, and９．０％ for the D２０１１ group. This managerial situation for the condition is unsatisfactory, necessitating efforts for even better control

Development of a novel automatic ascites filtration and concentration equipment with multi‐ring‐type roller pump units for cell‐free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy

Cell‐free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) is an effective therapy for refractory ascites. However, CART is difficult to perform as ascites filtration and concentration is a complicated procedure. Moreover, the procedure requires the constant assistance of a clinical engineer or/and the use of an expensive equipment for the multi‐purpose blood processing. Therefore, we developed a CART specialized equipment (mobility CART [M‐CART]) that could be used safely with various safety measures and automatic functions such as automatic washing of clogged filtration filter and self‐regulation of the concentration ratio. Downsizing, lightning of the weight, and automatic processing in M‐CART required the use of newly developed multi‐ring‐type roller pump units. This equipment was approved under Japanese regulations in 2018. In performing 41 sessions of CART (for malignant ascites, 22 sessions; and hepatic ascites, 19 sessions) using this equipment in 17 patients, no serious adverse event occurred. An average of 4494 g of ascites was collected and the total amount of ascites was processed in all the sessions without any trouble. The mean weight of the processed ascites was 560 g and the mean concentration ratio was 8.0. The ascites were processed at a flow rate of 50 mL/min. The mean ascites processing time was 112.5 minutes and a 106.5‐minutes (95.2%) ascites processing was performed automatically. The operator responded to alarms or support information 3.2 times on average (3.1 minutes, 2.1% of ascites processing time). Human errors related to ascites processing were detected by M‐CART at 0.4 times per session on average and were appropriately addressed by the operator. The frequencies of automatic washing of clogged filtration filter and self‐regulation of the concentration ratio were 31.7% and 53.7%, respectively. The mean recovery rates (recovery dose) of protein, albumin, and immunoglobulin G were 72.9%, 72.9%, and 71.2% (65.9 g, 34.9 g, and 13.2 g), respectively. Steroids were administered in 92.7% of the sessions to prevent fever and the mean increase in body temperature was 0.53°C. M‐CART is a compact and lightweight automatic CART specialized equipment that can safely and easily process a large quantity of ascites without the constant assistance of an operator