Conformal Tightness of Holographic Scaling in Black Hole Thermodynamics

The near-horizon conformal symmetry of nonextremal black holes is shown to be a mandatory ingredient for the holographic scaling of the scalar-field contribution to the black hole entropy. This conformal tightness is revealed by semiclassical first-principle scaling arguments through an analysis of the multiplicative factors in the entropy due to the radial and angular degrees of freedom associated with a scalar field. Specifically, the conformal SO(2,1) invariance of the radial degree of freedom conspires with the area proportionality of the angular momentum sums to yield a robust holographic outcome.Comment: 23 pages, 1 figure. v2 & v3: expanded explanations and proofs, references added, typos corrected; v3: published versio

Collaborative design of accessible information with people with aphasia

Background: People with aphasia report preferences for specially formatted health information materials, but there is little evidence that modified materials result in improved comprehension. Potential explanations for this include language included not taking account of aphasic processing difficulties, topics unrelated to aphasia, lack of clarity regarding the use of images, and the lack of end-user involvement in the design. Additionally, no definitive criteria for production of accessible information have been identified. Aims: The first aim of this study was to collaborate with people with aphasia in an iterative design process to develop and finalise accessible information materials. The second aim was to identify definitive criteria for use in the future production of information materials for people with aphasia. Methods and procedure: Prototype materials were developed for the study, were based on criteria identified from the existing research into aphasia-accessible information, and on the evidence base concerning language processing in aphasia. Fourteen people with aphasia took part in two rounds of consensus group meetings and viewed information about aphasia presented within the prototype materials. Consensus points were identified within the groups through discussion and through ratings using Likert scales. The set of consensus points and ratings were adapted into criteria for graphic designers to incorporate into subsequent designs of the materials, in order to generate a final version, and related criteria. Outcomes and results: The group discussions and the ratings of materials led to the identification of an agreed layout within which to present information, and specific criteria for the following: information consisting of one proposition expressed via everyday words and canonical syntactic forms; one or two images relating directly to keywords; sans serif typography with keyword emphasis. Individual preferences with regard to image types were identified. Novel criteria were identified in the study, relating to layout, language, images and typography. These were added to the original set of criteria to form definitive criteria for use in the development of accessible aphasia materials. Conclusions: This study successfully involved people with aphasia in the design process to produce novel materials, and related design criteria. The resulting materials and criteria differ from those previously proposed, by reflecting directly people with aphasia’s views and preferences, and by incorporating language and images suitable for people with aphasia, based on the existing research evidence and the outcomes of this study. The materials and criteria have the potential to improve people with aphasia’s understanding of health information

Interactions of malnutrition and immune impairment, with specific reference to immunity against parasites

KEY POINTS: 1. Clinical malnutrition is a heterogenous group of disorders including macronutrient deficiencies leading to body cell mass depletion and micronutrient deficiencies, and these often coexist with infectious and inflammatory processes and environmental problems. 2. There is good evidence that specific micronutrients influence immunity, particularly zinc and vitamin A. Iron may have both beneficial and deleterious effects depending on circumstances. 3. There is surprisingly slender good evidence that immunity to parasites is dependent on macronutrient intake or body composition

Deliver us from Evil: The Effects of Mortality Salience and Reminders of 9/11 on Support for President George W. Bush

According to terror management theory, heightened concerns about mortality should intensify the appeal of charismatic leaders. To assess this idea, we investigated how thoughts about death and the 9/11 terrorist attacks influence Americans’ attitudes toward current U.S. President George W. Bush. Study 1 found that reminding people of their own mortality (mortality salience) increased support for Bush and his counterterrorism policies. Study 2 demonstrated that subliminal exposure to 9/11-related stimuli brought death-related thoughts closer to consciousness. Study 3 showed that reminders of both mortality and 9/11 increased support for Bush. In Study 4, mortality salience led participants to become more favorable toward Bush and voting for him in the upcoming election but less favorable toward Presidential candidate John Kerry and voting for him. Discussion focused on the role of terror management processes in allegiance to charismatic leaders and political decision making.Yeshttps://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/manuscript-submission-guideline