Preduals of semigroup algebras

For a locally compact group G, the measure convolution algebra M(G) carries a natural coproduct. In previous work, we showed that the canonical predual C 0(G) of M(G) is the unique predual which makes both the product and the coproduct on M(G) weak*-continuous. Given a discrete semigroup S, the convolution algebra ℓ 1(S) also carries a coproduct. In this paper we examine preduals for ℓ 1(S) making both the product and the coproduct weak*-continuous. Under certain conditions on S, we show that ℓ 1(S) has a unique such predual. Such S include the free semigroup on finitely many generators. In general, however, this need not be the case even for quite simple semigroups and we construct uncountably many such preduals on ℓ 1(S) when S is either ℤ+×ℤ or (ℕ,⋅)

Coupled SDW and Superconducting Order in FFLO State of CeCoIn5_5

The mechanism of incommensurate (IC) spin-density-wave (SDW) order observed in the Flude-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) phase of CeCoIn$_5$ is discussed on the basis of new mode-coupling scheme among IC-SDW order, two superconducting orders of FFLO with B$_{1{\rm g}}$ ($d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}$) symmetry and $\pi$-pairing of odd-parity. Unlike the mode-coupling schemes proposed by Kenzelmann et al, Sciencexpress, 21 August (2008), that proposed in the present Letter can offer a simple explanation for why the IC-SDW order is observed only in FFLO phase and the IC wave vector is rather robust against the magnetic field.Comment: 3pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn., Vol.77 (2008), No.1

Chiral Anomaly Effects and the BaBar Measurements of the γγ∗→π0\gamma\gamma^{*}\to \pi^{0} Transition Form Factor

The recent BaBar measurements of the $\gamma\gamma^{*}\to \pi^{0}$ transition form factor show spectacular deviation from perturbative QCD prediction for large space-like $Q^{2}$ up to $34\,\rm GeV^{2}$. When plotted against $Q^{2}$, $Q^{2}F(Q^{2})$ shows steady increase with $Q^{2}$ in contrast with the flat $Q^{2}$ behavior predicted by perturbative QCD, and at $34\,\rm GeV^{2}$ is more than 50% larger than the QCD prediction. Stimulated by the BaBar measurements, we revisit our previous paper on the cancellation of anomaly effects in high energy processes $Z^{0}\to \pi^{0}\gamma$, $e^{+}e^{-}\to \pi^{0}\gamma$ and apply our results to the $\gamma^{*}\gamma\to \pi^{0}$ transition form factor measured in the $e^{+}e^{-}\to e^{+}e^{-}\pi^{0}$ process with one highly virtual photon. We find that, the transition form factor $F(Q^{2})$ behaves as $(\frac{m^{2}}{Q^{2}})\times (\ln(Q^{2}/m^{2}))^{2}$ and produces a striking agreement with the BaBar data for $Q^{2}F(Q^{2})$ with $m=132\,\rm MeV$ which also reproduces very well the CLEO data at lower $Q^{2}$.Comment: v4, LaTeX, 8 pages, one figure, minor changes(references), to appear in Int. J. Mod. Phys.

Intracranial fusarium fungal abscess in an immunocompetent patient: case report and review of the literature.

Introduction Fusarium spp is an omnipresent fungal species that may lead to fatal infections in immunocompromised populations. Spontaneous intracranial infection by Fusarium spp in immunocompetent individuals is exceedingly rare. Case Report An immunocompetent 33-year-old Hispanic woman presented with persistent headaches and was found to have a contrast-enhancing mass in the left petrous apex and prepontine cistern. She underwent a subsequent craniotomy for biopsy and partial resection that revealed a Fusarium abscess. She had a left transient partial oculomotor palsy following the operation that resolved over the next few weeks. She was treated with long-term intravenous antifungal therapy and remained at her neurologic baseline 18 months following the intervention. Discussion To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of Fusarium spp brain abscess in an immunocompetent patient. Treatment options include surgical intervention and various antifungal medications. Conclusion This case demonstrates the rare potential of intracranial Fusarium infection in the immunocompetent host, as well as its successful treatment with surgical aspiration and antifungal therapy

Giant Spin Seebeck Effect through an Interface Organic Semiconductor

Interfacing an organic semiconductor C60 with a non-magnetic metallic thin film (Cu or Pt) has created a novel heterostructure that is ferromagnetic at ambient temperature, while its interface with a magnetic metal (Fe or Co) can tune the anisotropic magnetic surface property of the material. Here, we demonstrate that sandwiching C60 in between a magnetic insulator (Y3Fe5O12: YIG) and a non-magnetic, strong spin-orbit metal (Pt) promotes highly efficient spin current transport via the thermally driven spin Seebeck effect (SSE). Experiments and first principles calculations consistently show that the presence of C60 reduces significantly the conductivity mismatch between YIG and Pt and the surface perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of YIG, giving rise to enhanced spin mixing conductance across YIG/C60/Pt interfaces. As a result, a 600% increase in the SSE voltage (VLSSE) has been realized in YIG/C60/Pt relative to YIG/Pt. Temperature-dependent SSE voltage measurements on YIG/C60/Pt with varying C60 layer thicknesses also show an exponential increase in VLSSE at low temperatures below 200 K, resembling the temperature evolution of spin diffusion length of C60. Our study emphasizes the important roles of the magnetic anisotropy and the spin diffusion length of the intermediate layer in the SSE in YIG/C60/Pt structures, providing a new pathway for developing novel spin-caloric materials

Drinking cultures in Vietnam and what it means for social marketing

This paper presents the early results of a study into social drinking behaviours in Vietnam with a view to gain an understanding how consumption norms are established and transferred within the cultural setting. Vietnam has an established culture of drinking for celebration, social networking and business relationship enhancement (Parker, 2010, Luu, Nguyen & Nguyen 2012). Consumption levels of alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine have been documented by organisations such as the local Health Strategy and Policy Institute (HSPI) and the World Health Organization (WHO). However, consumption of homemade alcohol beverages such as rice wine, snake wine and home-brewed beer, which are popular among the working class in Vietnam, has remained largely undocumented (HSPI 2006). This is principally because it is often difficult to record and analyse something that is produced and consumed outside formal governance processes. Data on alcohol consumption in Vietnam can be problematic. For example, the Vietnamese government official statistics indicate that alcohol consumption contributes to around seven per cent of road crashes (HSPI 2006). Luu, Nguyen and Nguyen (2012) questioned the reliability of these figures given that these data are collected by the police, who do not always have the proper equipment to confirm whether alcohol was involved in a crash. The most recent data from Forensic Medicine (2001, cited in World Health Organization 2009) listed alcohol as contributory to 34 per cent of road deaths

A Novel Lumbar Motion Segment Classification to Predict Changes in Segmental Sagittal Alignment After Lateral Interbody Fixation.

Study designRetrospective cohort study.ObjectivesLateral interbody fixation is being increasingly used for the correction of segmental sagittal parameters. One factor that affects postoperative correction is the resistance afforded by posterior hypertrophic facet joints in the degenerative lumbar spine. In this article, we describe a novel preoperative motion segment classification system to predict postoperative correction of segmental sagittal alignment after lateral lumbar interbody fusion.MethodsPreoperative computed tomography scans were analyzed for segmental facet osseous anatomy for all patients undergoing lateral lumbar interbody fusion at 3 institutions. Each facet was assigned a facet grade (min = 0, max = 2), and the sum of the bilateral facet grades was the final motion segment grade (MSG; min = 0, max = 4). Preoperative and postoperative segmental lordosis was measured on standing lateral radiographs. Postoperative segmental lordosis was also conveyed as a percentage of the implanted graft lordosis (%GL). Simple linear regression was conducted to predict the postoperative segmental %GL according to MSG.ResultsA total of 36 patients with 59 operated levels were identified. There were 19 levels with MSG 0, 14 levels with MSG 1, 13 levels with MSG 2, 8 levels with MSG 3, and 5 levels with MSG 4. Mean %GL was 115%, 90%, 77%, 43%, and 5% for MSG 0 to 4, respectively. MSG significantly predicted postoperative %GL (P < .01). Each increase in MSG was associated with a 28% decrease in %GL.ConclusionsWe propose a novel facet-based motion segment classification system that significantly predicted postoperative segmental lordosis after lateral lumbar interbody fusion

Ytterbium divalency and lattice disorder in near-zero thermal expansion YbGaGe

While near-zero thermal expansion (NZTE) in YbGaGe is sensitive to stoichiometry and defect concentration, the NZTE mechanism remains elusive. We present x-ray absorption spectra that show unequivocally that Yb is nearly divalent in YbGaGe and the valence does not change with temperature or with nominally 1% B or 5% C impurities, ruling out a valence-fluctuation mechanism. Moreover, substantial changes occur in the local structure around Yb with B and C inclusion. Together with inelastic neutron scattering measurements, these data indicate a strong tendency for the lattice to disorder, providing a possible explanation for NZTE in YbGaGe.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure, supplementary inf