Constructing binary neutron star initial data with high spins, high compactnesses, and high mass ratios

The construction of accurate and consistent initial data for various binary parameters is a critical ingredient for numerical relativity simulations of the compact binary coalescence. In this article, we present an upgrade of the pseudospectral SGRID code, which enables us to access even larger regions of the binary neutron star parameter space. As a proof of principle, we present a selected set of first simulations based on initial configurations computed with the new code version. In particular, we simulate two millisecond pulsars close to their breakup spin, highly compact neutron stars with masses at about $98\%$ of the maximum supported mass of the employed equation of state, and an unequal mass systems with mass ratios even outside the range predicted by population synthesis models ($q = 2.03$). The discussed code extension will help us to simulate previously unexplored binary configurations. This is a necessary step to construct and test new gravitational wave approximants and to interpret upcoming binary neutron star merger observations. When we construct initial data, one has to specify various parameters, such as a rotation parameter for each star. Some of these parameters do not have direct physical meaning, which makes comparisons with other methods or models difficult. To facilitate this, we introduce simple estimates for the initial spin, momentum, mass, and center of mass of each individual star

High-accuracy simulations of highly spinning binary neutron star systems

With an increasing number of expected gravitational-wave detections of binary neutron star mergers, it is essential that gravitational-wave models employed for the analysis of observational data are able to describe generic compact binary systems. This includes systems in which the individual neutron stars are millisecond pulsars for which spin effects become essential. In this work, we perform numerical-relativity simulations of binary neutron stars with aligned and anti-aligned spins within a range of dimensionless spins of $\chi \sim [-0.28,0.58]$. The simulations are performed with multiple resolutions, show a clear convergence order and, consequently, can be used to test existing waveform approximants. We find that for very high spins gravitational-wave models that have been employed for the interpretation of GW170817 and GW190425 are not capable of describing our numerical-relativity dataset. We verify through a full parameter estimation study in which clear biases in the estimate of the tidal deformability and effective spin are present. We hope that in preparation of the next gravitational-wave observing run of the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors our new set of numerical-relativity data can be used to support future developments of new gravitational-wave models

Effect of betaine supplementation on power performance and fatigue

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of 15 days of betaine supplementation on muscle endurance, power performance and rate of fatigue in active college-aged men.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty-four male subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The first group (BET; 20.4 ± 1.3 years; height: 176.8 ± 6.6 cm; body mass: 77.8 ± 13.4 kg) consumed the supplement daily, and the second group (PL; 21.4 ± 4.7 years; height: 181.3 ± 5.9 cm; body mass: 83.3 ± 5.2 kg) consumed a placebo. Subjects were tested prior to the onset of supplementation (T1) and 7 (T2) and 14 days (T3) following supplementation. Each testing period occurred over a 2-day period. During day one of testing subjects performed a vertical jump power (VJP) and a bench press throw (BPT) power test. In addition, subjects were required to perform as many repetitions as possible with 75% of their 1-RM in both the squat and bench press exercises. Both peak and mean power was assessed on each repetition. On day two of testing subjects performed two 30-sec Wingate anaerobic power tests (WAnT), each test separated by a 5-min active rest.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No differences were seen at T2 or T3 in the repetitions performed to exhaustion or in the number of repetitions performed at 90% of both peak and mean power between the groups in the bench press exercise. The number of repetitions performed in the squat exercise for BET was significantly greater (p < 0.05) than that seen for PL at T2. The number of repetitions performed at 90% or greater of peak power in the squat exercise was significantly greater for BET at both T2 and T3 than PL. No differences in any power assessment (VJP, BPT, WAnT) was seen between the groups</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Two-weeks of betaine supplementation in active, college males appeared to improve muscle endurance of the squat exercise, and increase the quality of repetitions performed.</p

Thermogenic effect of meltdown RTD™ energy drink in young healthy women: a double blind, cross-over design study

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The prevalence of depression among Iranian infertile couples: an update systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Depression is a common mental disorder. Infertility can lead to depression. The current systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to estimate the pooled prevalence of depression among Iranian infertile couples. Seven electronic databases (Google Scholar, MagIran, SID, Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched, up to August 2019, for relevant published studies. The pooled prevalence of depression also pooled mean of depression score was determined using a random-effects model with a 95 confidence interval (95 CI). All analyses performed using Stata ver11 (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, USA). The 0.05 was considered a significant level. The main body: Totally, 230 studies were retrieved and 31 studies included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of depression among infertile couples was about 35.3 (95 CI 24.1�46.5), and the prevalence of depression among females and males was 48.7 (95 CI 24.0�73.3) and 9 (95 CI 0 to 23.7), respectively. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a high prevalence of depression in infertile couples. The results can highlight an important and growing mental disorder among infertile couples that may be overlooked. © 2020, The Author(s)

Chitosan-based Nanoparticles in Mucosal Vaccine Delivery

Most infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic infiltrations from the mucosal tract. Nowadays, the use of vaccines has been widely investigated for the prevention of different infectious diseases, infertility, immune disorders, malignancies, and allergies. Broad-spectrum adjuvant substances have been studied for immune system stimulation with a greater efficiency against specific antigens. Various adjuvants have been developed such as inorganic, oil-based, and emulsion adjuvants, bacterial products and their derivatives, cytokines, cytosine-guanine dinucleotide (CpG) motifs, and particulate systems. Mucosal vaccine delivery is an alternative route to induce both humoral and cellular immune responses. Applying nanoparticles in vaccine formulations allows not only improved antigen stability and immunogenicity, but also targeted delivery, and consequently, more specific release of the agent of interest. Chitosan nanoparticles have immunological activity and mucoadhesive properties. They have been used as a mucosal vaccine delivery system for many antigens. This review provides an overview of the recent advances in chitosan nanoparticles as a novel mucosal vaccine delivery system

Sediment tracing from the catchment to reef 2016 to 2018: Flood plume, marine sediment trap and logger data time series

The sediment dynamics at marine sites in the inshore GBRL region likely fall into three separate categories including sites where: 1. input of new terrigenous sediments have by far the greatest influence on sediment exposure and subsequent resuspension (e.g. Dunk Island, Orpheus Island, Havannah Island, Cleveland Bay?); 2. input of new terrigenous sediments are at least equivalent to resuspension events which likely increases upon larger river discharge events (e.g. Cleveland Bay?, Orchard Rocks). 3. input of new terrigenous sediments are less than or equal to common resuspension events (e.g. Middle Reef, Geoffrey Bay). This provides some of the first empirical data to support the findings of the satellite photic depth modelling of Fabricius et al. (2014, 2016) where the delivery of new terrigenous sediment considerably influences water clarity on the inshore Great Barrier Reef