Condensed matter and AdS/CFT

I review two classes of strong coupling problems in condensed matter physics, and describe insights gained by application of the AdS/CFT correspondence. The first class concerns non-zero temperature dynamics and transport in the vicinity of quantum critical points described by relativistic field theories. I describe how relativistic structures arise in models of physical interest, present results for their quantum critical crossover functions and magneto-thermoelectric hydrodynamics. The second class concerns symmetry breaking transitions of two-dimensional systems in the presence of gapless electronic excitations at isolated points or along lines (i.e. Fermi surfaces) in the Brillouin zone. I describe the scaling structure of a recent theory of the Ising-nematic transition in metals, and discuss its possible connection to theories of Fermi surfaces obtained from simple AdS duals.Comment: 39 pages, 12 figures; Lectures at the 5th Aegean summer school, "From gravity to thermal gauge theories: the AdS/CFT correspondence", and the De Sitter Lecture Series in Theoretical Physics 2009, University of Groninge

Moderators of health behavior initiation and maintenance in a randomized telephone counseling trial

Objective. This study compares moderators of initiation and maintenance of health behavior changes

The Living Well after Breast Cancer™ Pilot Trial: A weight loss intervention for women following treatment for breast cancer

Aim: Obesity is associated with poor prognosis and risk of treatment side-effects in breast cancer survivors. This pilot study assessed the feasibility, acceptability, safety and efficacy of a telephone-delivered weight loss intervention, among women (BMI 25–40kg/m2) following treatment for stage I–III breast cancer, on weight loss (primary outcome), quality of life and treatment-related side-effects (versus usual care). \ud \ud Methods: Ninety women (mean±SD age: 55.3±8.7years; BMI: 31.0±4.3kg/m2; 15.9±2.9 months post-diagnosis), recruited from a state-based cancer registry, were randomized to a weight loss (diet and physical activity) intervention (n=45) or usual care (n=45). Data collected at baseline and six-months included weight, body composition, quality of life, fatigue and body image. Acceptability and satisfaction were assessed in intervention participants. \ud \ud Results: Oncologists provided consent to contact 82.6% of patients, with 84.1% of those women contacted and eligible consenting to participate. Compared with usual care, mean weight loss was significantly greater in the intervention arm (-3.1kg [95%CI: -5.4, -0.7]; -3.7% baseline weight [95%CI: -6.6, -0.9]), as were reductions in fat mass (-2.1kg [95%CI: -4.2, -0.1]) and waist circumference (-4.0cm [95%CI: -6.6, -1.3]). No other statistically significant intervention effects were observed. Participants were highly satisfied with the intervention overall and it’s timing in relation to diagnosis/treatment. One reported adverse event (musculoskeletal injury) was attributable to the intervention.\ud \ud Conclusions: This weight loss intervention was feasible, acceptable, safe and effective for women 1–2 years after a breast cancer diagnosis. The effect of weight loss on quality of life and treatment-related side-effects should be examined further in fully-powered studies