Stellar spectroscopy: Fermions and holographic Lifshitz criticality

Electron stars are fluids of charged fermions in Anti-de Sitter spacetime. They are candidate holographic duals for gauge theories at finite charge density and exhibit emergent Lifshitz scaling at low energies. This paper computes in detail the field theory Green's function G^R(w,k) of the gauge-invariant fermionic operators making up the star. The Green's function contains a large number of closely spaced Fermi surfaces, the volumes of which add up to the total charge density in accordance with the Luttinger count. Excitations of the Fermi surfaces are long lived for w <~ k^z. Beyond w ~ k^z the fermionic quasiparticles dissipate strongly into the critical Lifshitz sector. Fermions near this critical dispersion relation give interesting contributions to the optical conductivity.Comment: 38 pages + appendices. 9 figure

Group studio cycling; an effective intervention to improve cardio-metabolic health in overweight physically inactive individuals

Introduction: Supervised, laboratory based studies of high intensity interval training (HIIT) is effective at improving health markers in groups at risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease. Studio cycling, incorporating aerobic and high intensity exercise, may offer a platform for the implementation of HIIT within the wider community. Methods: Eight, overweight, physically inactive (<1.5 hr·wk-1) but otherwise healthy volunteers completed eight weeks of supervised studio cycling lasting 20-50 minutes 3 times per week. Participants underwent assessment for maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) body composition, blood lipids, glucose tolerance and insulin resistance before and after the intervention. Results: Adherence to training was >95%. Mean and peak intensity were equivalent to 83% and 97% of HRmax·VO2max increased from 27.1 ± 4.7 mL·kg·min-1 to 30.3 ± 4.3 mL·kg·min-1 (p < 0.0001). Body fat percentage was reduced by 13.6% from 31.8 ± 2.4% to 27.5 ± 4.5% (p < 0.05). Total cholesterol (4.8 ± 1.1 mmol·L-1 to 4.2 ± 1.2 mmol·L-1) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (2.6 ± 0.9 mmol·L-1 to 2.0 ± 1.2 mmol·L-1) were reduced (both p < 0.05). There were no significant differences to glucose tolerance or insulin resistance. Discussion: Group exercise is effective at improving the cardio-metabolic health in previously physically inactive overweight individuals. Coupled with the high adherence rate, studio cycling offers an effective intervention improving cardiovascular health in physically inactive cohorts. Conclusions: Studio cycling can be implemented as a highly effective high intensity interval training intervention for improving health in overweight, inactive individuals and may promote improved exercise adherence

Penta­aqua­(5-carb­oxy­pyridine-2-carboxyl­ato-κ2 N,O 2)(pyridine-2,5-dicarboxyl­ato-κ2 N,O 2)cerium(III) tetra­hydrate

In the title compound, [Ce(C7H3NO4)(C7H4NO4)(H2O)5]·4H2O, the Ce3+ ion is nine-coordinated by two O atoms and two N atoms from one single and from one double deprotonated pyridine-2,5-dicarboxyl­ate ligand and five water mol­ecules in a distorted monocapped square-anti­prismatic geometry. In the crystal, extensive O—H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter­actions result in a three-dimensional supra­molecular architecture

Gender Relations and Subjective Family Well-being Among Farmer Families: a Comparative Study Between Uplands and Lowlands Areas in West Java Province, Indonesia

The objectives of this study are described as follows: (1) To examine the conditions ofsocial, economic and demographic characteristics of poor farmer families who live atuplands and lowlands areas, (2) to describe the social-cultural and agroecosystemconditions of poor farmer families who live at uplands and lowlands areas, (3) Toexplain type of gender relations of poor farmer families who live at uplands andlowlands areas, and (4) to analyze factors that influenced subjective family well-beingof poor farmer families who live at uplands and lowlands areas. The chosen researchsites were Nanggung Sub-district, Bogor District as an upland area, and West TelukJambe Sub-district, Karawang District, West Java Province as a lowland area. The totalof 189 farmer families was used for this study (n= 90 in uplands district areas, and n=99 in lowlands district areas). It was found that the conditions of social-cultural andagroecosystem differ between upland and lowland areas. In general, both upland andlowland areas gender roles on farming activities, in terms of access and control toagricultural resources, were dominated by men. Family well-being was directlyinfluenced by higher education of husband and wife, indirectly influenced by lesseconomic pressure of the family, directly influenced by higher gender relations betweenhusband and wife, and directly influenced by less or higher external support. Thus,wealthy farmer families were the family that had educated husband and wife, lesseconomic pressures, equal gender relations and partnerships, and less or more receiveexternal supports. It is recommended that the next study should add variables of familycoping strategies related to family economic pressure and gender roles between husbandand wife

Constructing tissue-like complex structures using cell-laden DNA hydrogel bricks

Tissue engineering has long been a challenge because of the difficulty of addressing the requirements that such an engineered tissue must meet. In this paper, we developed a new "brick-to-wall" based on unique properties of DNA supramolecular hydrogels to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) tissuelike structures: different cell types are encapsulated in DNA hydrogel bricks which are then combined to build 3D structures. Signal responsiveness of cells through the DNA gels was evaluated and it was discovered that the gel permits cell migration in 3D. The results demonstrated that this technology is convenient, effective and reliable for cell manipulation, and we believe that it will benefit artificial tissue fabrication and future large-scale production

Lower volume throughout the taper and higher intensity in the last interval session prior to a 1,500 m time trial improves performance

Eight highly-trained middle-distance runners (1,500 m personal best 4:01.4 ± 0:09.2 min) completed two 7-day tapers, separated by at least 3 weeks of regular training: (i) prescribed using prediction models from elite middle-distance runners, where continuous running volume was reduced by 30% and interval intensity was equal to 1,500 m race pace (RP); and (ii) continuous running volume was reduced by 60% and intensity of the final interval session was completed at 110% of 1,500 m race pace (HI). Performance was assessed using 1,500 m time trials on an indoor 200 m track one day before, and one day after each taper. Performance time was improved after HI by 5.2 ± 3.7 s (mean ± 90% confidence limits, p = 0.03) and by 3.2 ± 3.8 s after RP (p = 0.15). The first and second 300-m segments of the 1,500 m time trial were faster post-taper in RP (p = 0.012 and p = 0.017, respectively) and HI (both p = 0.012). Running faster than race pace late in a low-volume taper is recommended to improve 1,500 m track performance. A positive pacing strategy is adopted after tapering, although care should be taken to avoid an over-fast start. Novel Findings: A large reduction in volume during tapering and an increase in final interval session intensity improves running performance. Athletes adopt a negative pacing strategy before tapering and a positive-pacing strategy after tapering

Leg Fidgeting Improves Executive Function following Prolonged Sitting with a Typical Western Meal: A Randomized, Controlled Cross-Over Trial.

Prolonged uninterrupted sitting and a typical Western meal, high in fat and refined sugar, can additively impair cognitive and cerebrovascular functions. However, it is unknown whether interrupting these behaviours, with a simple desk-based activity, can attenuate the impairment. The aim of this study was to determine whether regular leg fidgeting can off-set the detrimental effects of prolonged sitting following the consumption of a typical Western meal, on executive and cerebrovascular function. Using a randomized cross-over design, 13 healthy males consumed a Western meal and completed 180-min of prolonged sitting with leg fidgeting of 1 min on/4 min off (intervention [INT]) and without (control [CON]). Cognitive function was assessed pre and post sitting using the Trail Maker Test (TMT) parts A and B. Common carotid artery (CCA) blood flow, as an index of brain flow, was measured pre and post, and cerebral (FP1) perfusion was measured continuously. For TMT B the CON trial signifi-cantly increased (worsened) completion time (mean difference [MD]=5.2s, d= 0.38), the number of errors (MD=3.33, d= 0.68) and cognitive fatigue (MD=0.73, d= 0.92). Compared to CON, the INT trial significantly improved completion time (MD=2.3s, d= 0.97), and prevented declines in cognitive fatigue and a reduction in the number of errors. No significant changes in cerebral perfusion or CCA blood flow were found. Leg fidgeting for 1-min on/4-min off following a meal high in fats and refined sugars attenuated the impairment in executive function. This attenuation in executive function may not be caused by al-terations in CCA blood flow or cerebral perfusion