Type-III and IV interacting Weyl points

3+1-dimensional Weyl fermions in interacting systems are described by effective quasi-relativistic Green's functions parametrized by a 16 element matrix $e^\mu_\alpha$ in an expansion around the Weyl point. The matrix $e^{\mu}_{\alpha}$ can be naturally identified as an effective tetrad field for the fermions. The correspondence between the tetrad field and an effective quasi-relativistic metric $g_{\mu\nu}$ governing the Weyl fermions allows for the possibility to simulate different classes of metric fields emerging in general relativity in interacting Weyl semimetals. According to this correspondence, there can be four types of Weyl fermions, depending on the signs of the components $g^{00}$ and $g_{00}$ of the effective metric. In addition to the conventional type-I fermions with a tilted Weyl cone and type-II fermions with an overtilted Weyl cone for $g^{00}>0$ and respectively $g_{00}>0$ or $g_{00}<0$, we find additional "type-III" and "type-IV" Weyl fermions with instabilities (complex frequencies) for $g^{00}0$ or $g_{00}<0$, respectively. While the type-I and type-II Weyl points allow us to simulate the black hole event horizon at an interface where $g^{00}$ changes sign, the type-III Weyl point leads to effective spacetimes with closed timelike curves.Comment: 7 pages; journal versio

An RG potential for the quantum Hall effects

The phenomenological analysis of fully spin-polarized quantum Hall systems, based on holomorphic modular symmetries of the renormalization group (RG) flow, is generalized to more complicated situations where the spin or other "flavors" of charge carriers are relevant, and where the symmetry is different. We make the simplest possible ansatz for a family of RG potentials that can interpolate between these symmetries. It is parametrized by a single number $a$ and we show that this suffices to account for almost all scaling data obtained to date. The potential is always symmetric under the main congruence group at level two, and when $a$ takes certain values this symmetry is enhanced to one of the maximal subgroups of the modular group. We compute the covariant RG $\beta$-function, which is a holomorphic vector field derived from the potential, and compare the geometry of this gradient flow with available temperature driven scaling data. The value of $a$ is determined from experiment by finding the location of a quantum critical point, i.e., an unstable zero of the $\beta$-function given by a saddle point of the RG potential. The data are consistent with $a \in \mathbb{R}$, which together with the symmetry leads to a generalized semi-circle law.Comment: 10 figures, sligthly updated discussion and refs, accepted for PR

Developing LCA-based benchmarks for sustainable consumption - for and with users

This article presents the development process of a consumer-oriented, illustrative benchmarking tool enabling consumers to use the results of environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) to make informed decisions. Active and environmentally conscious consumers and environmental communicators were identified as key target groups for this type of information. A brochure presenting the benchmarking tool was developed as an participatory, iterative process involving consumer focus groups, stakeholder workshops and questionnaire-based feedback. In addition to learning what works and what does not, detailed suggestions on improved wording and figures were obtained, as well as a wealth of ideas for future applications

Humoral immune response to heat shock protein 60 of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and cross-reactivity with malondialdehyde acetaldehyde-modified LDL

Publisher Copyright: Copyright: © 2020 Kyrklund et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease and major cause of mortality worldwide. One of the crucial steps for atherosclerotic plaque development is oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Through the oxidation, highly immunogenic epitopes are created and the immune system is activated. Association between atherosclerosis and periodontal diseases is well documented, and one of the main oral pathogens common in periodontitis is Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa). Heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) is an important virulence factor for Aa bacteria and a strong activator of the immune system. Cross-reactivity of HSP60 and oxidized LDL (OxLDL) antibodies could be a potential mechanism in the progression of atherosclerosis and one possible link between atherosclerosis and periodontitis. Human plasma samples from neonates and mothers were analyzed to determine if antibody titer to Aa-HSP60 protein is already present in newborns. Further objectives were to characterize antibody response in Aa-HSP60 immunized mice and to determine possible antibody cross-reaction with oxidized LDL. We demonstrated that newborns already have IgM antibody levels to Aa-HSP60. We also showed that in mice, Aa-HSP60 immunization provoked IgG and IgM antibody response not only to Aa-HSP60 but also to malondialdehyde acetaldehyde-modified LDL (MAA-LDL). Competition assay revealed that the antibodies were specific to Aa-HSP60 and cross-reacted with MAA-LDL. Our results suggest a possibility of molecular mimicry between Aa-HSP60 and MAA-LDL, making it intriguing to speculate on the role of HSP60 protein in atherosclerosis that manifests at young age.Peer reviewe

Local height probabilities in a composite Andrews-Baxter-Forrester model

We study the local height probabilities in a composite height model, derived from the restricted solid-on-solid model introduced by Andrews, Baxter and Forrester, and their connection with conformal field theory characters. The obtained conformal field theories also describe the critical behavior of the model at two different critical points. In addition, at criticality, the model is equivalent to a one-dimensional chain of anyons, subject to competing two- and three-body interactions. The anyonic-chain interpretation provided the original motivation to introduce the composite height model, and by obtaining the critical behaviour of the composite height model, the critical behaviour of the anyonic chains is established as well. Depending on the overall sign of the hamiltonian, this critical behaviour is described by a diagonal coset-model, generalizing the minimal models for one sign, and by Fateev-Zamolodchikov parafermions for the other.Comment: 34 pages, 5 figures; v2: expanded introduction, references added and other minor change

Preoperative paroxysmal atrial fibrillation predicts high cardiovascular mortality in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement with a bioprosthesis: CAREAVR study

Background Preoperative permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with impaired outcome after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). The impact of preoperative paroxysmal AF, however, has remained elusive. Purpose We assessed the impact of preoperative paroxysmal AF on outcome in patients undergoing SAVR with bioprosthesis. Methods A total of 666 patients undergoing isolated AVR with a bioprosthesis were included. Survival data was obtained from the national registry Statistics Finland. Patients were divided into three groups according to the preoperative rhythm: sinus rhythm (n = 502), paroxysmal AF (n = 90), and permanent AF (n = 74). Results Patients in the sinus rhythm and paroxysmal AF groups did not differ with respect to age (P = .484), gender (P = .402) or CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc score (P = .333). At 12-month follow-up, AF was present in 6.2% of sinus rhythm patients and in 42.4% of paroxysmal AF patients (P <.001). During follow-up, incidence of fatal strokes in the paroxysmal AF group was higher compared to sinus rhythm group (1.9 vs 0.4 per 100 patient-years, HR 4.4 95% Cl 1.8-11.0, P = .001). Cardiovascular mortality was higher in the paroxysmal AF group than in the sinus rhythm group (5.0 vs 3.0 per 100 patient-years, HR 1.70 95% CI 1.05-2.76, P = .03) and equal to patients in the permanent AF (5.0 per 100 patient-years). Conclusion Patients undergoing SAVR with bioprosthesis and history of paroxysmal AF had higher risk of developing permanent AF, cardiovascular mortality and incidence of fatal strokes compared to patients with preoperative sinus rhythm. Life-long anticoagulation should be considered in patients with a history of preoperative paroxysmal AF.Peer reviewe

Salivary IgA to MAA-LDL and Oral Pathogens Are Linked to Coronary Disease

A large body of literature has established the link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease. Oxidized low-density lipoproteins (OxLDLs) have a crucial role in atherosclerosis progression through initiation of immunological response. Monoclonal IgM antibodies to malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL) and to malondialdehyde acetaldehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein (MAA-LDL) have been shown to cross-react with the key virulence factors of periodontal pathogens Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. We have previously shown that salivary IgA antibodies to MAA-LDL cross-react with P. gingivalis in healthy humans. In this study, we aim to assess whether oral mucosal immune response represented by salivary IgA to MAA-LDL and oral pathogens is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). Also, the molecular mimicry through antibody cross-reaction between salivary IgA to MAA-LDL and oral pathogens was evaluated. The study subjects consisted of 451 patients who underwent a coronary angiography with no CAD (n = 133), stable CAD (n = 169), and acute coronary syndrome (ACS, n = 149). Elevated salivary IgA antibody levels to MAA-LDL, Rgp44 (gingipain A hemagglutinin domain of P. gingivalis), and Aa-HSP60 (heat shock protein 60 of A. actinomycetemcomitans) were discovered in stable-CAD and ACS patients when compared to no-CAD patients. In a multinomial regression model adjusted for known cardiovascular risk factors, stable CAD and ACS were associated with IgA to MAA-LDL (P = 0.016, P = 0.043), Rgp44 (P = 0.012, P = 0.004), Aa-HSP60 (P = 0.032, P = 0.030), Tannerella forsythia (P = 0.002, P = 0.004), Porphyromonas endodontalis (P = 0.016, P = 0.020), Prevotella intermedia (P = 0.038, P = 0.005), and with total IgA antibody concentration (P = 0.002, P = 0.016). Salivary IgA to MAA-LDL showed cross-reactivity with the oral pathogens tested in the study patients. The study highlights an association between salivary IgA to MAA-LDL and atherosclerosis. However, whether salivary IgA to MAA-LDL and the related oral humoral responses play a causal role in the development in the CAD should be elucidated in the future.Peer reviewe