Existence of a weak-disorder non-Fermi liquid fixed point in the hydrodynamic regime of two-dimensional nematic quantum criticality

Role of quenched randomness in metallic quantum criticality is one of the long standing problems in condensed matter physics. An aspect of the fundamental difficulties lies in the fact that such nonmagnetic disorders lead effective interactions between abundant soft modes near the Fermi surface to be drastically enhanced particularly in the diffusive regime, where the perturbative framework does not work. Here, we revisit the problem of dirty quantum critical metals in a different angle, focusing on the hydrodynamic regime instead of the diffusive regime near the non-Fermi liquid quantum critical point. More concretely, we study effects of mutual correlations between quantum critical nematic fluctuations and weak localization corrections, and show the existence of a weak-disorder non-Fermi liquid fixed point, based on the renormalization group (RG) analysis up to the two-loop order. The two-loop order RG analysis suggests that the absence of quantum coherence in two-particle composite excitations weakens the role of weak localization corrections and allows a weakly disordered non-Fermi liquid metallic state in the hydrodynamic regime of the nematic quantum critical point. Although this dirty non-Fermi liquid metallic state may not be the true infrared stable fixed point at zero temperature, expected to be characterized by the diffusive Ohmic regime, we argue that this weak-disorder non-Fermi liquid metallic fixed point would govern the region of an intermediate energy scale, described by effective hydrodynamics of nematic quantum criticality. In this respect we believe that this research would be an important step in understanding the $T-$linear electrical resistivity as a characteristic feature of non-Fermi liquids and the origin of unconventional superconductivity from effective hydrodynamics of quantum criticality

Leukoaraiosis is associated with pneumonia after acute ischemic stroke

Diagnostic criteria for stroke associated pneumonia based on the CDC criteria. (DOCX 25 kb

Clinical significance of D-dimer levels during acute period in ischemic stroke

Background Initial D-dimer level is a well-known prognostic parameter in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, there have been no studies on the clinical significance of follow-up D-dimer levels. In this study, we evaluated the association between initial and follow-up D-dimer levels and early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with AIS. Methods We included consecutive patients with AIS who had a positive initial D-dimer test (> 0.55mg/L) between March 2021 and November 2022. The follow-up D-dimer test was performed on the 7th day after hospitalization and on the day of discharge if discharged earlier. END was defined as an increase of ≥ 2 in the total NIHSS score, or ≥ 1 in the motor NIHSS score within the first 7 days of admission. As medical conditions closely associated with the initial and follow-up D-dimer levels in AIS patients, we also evaluated the history of cancer, active cancer, and venous thromboembolism (VTE) that occurred during hospitalization together. Results A total of 246 patients with AIS were evaluated (median age: 87 years, male: 56.5%). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, the initial D-dimer level was closely associated with END after adjusting for confounders (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.06–2.05). The follow-up D-dimer level also showed a close correlation with END (aOR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.16–2.20). Regarding the analysis of the association between D-dimer levels and underlying cancer or VTE, the initial D-dimer level showed a statistically significant positive relationship only with active cancer (P = 0.024). On the other hand, the follow-up D-dimer level was found to be statistically significantly associated with a history of cancer (P = 0.024), active cancer (P = 0.001), and VTE (P = 0.001). Conclusions Initial and follow-up D-dimer levels were associated with END in AIS patients. Particularly, the follow-up D-dimer level showed a clear correlation not only with END but also with the underlying cancer or the occurrence of VTE during the acute period

Anterior Limbus Vertebra and Intervertebral Disk Degeneration in Japanese Collegiate Gymnasts

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have shown that gymnasts have a high prevalence of radiologicalabnormalities, such as intervertebral disk degeneration (IDD) and anterior limbus vertebra (ALV). These 2 abnormalities may coexistat the same spinal level. However, the relationship between IDD and ALV remains unclear.Hypothesis: A significant relationship exists between IDD and ALV in Japanese collegiate gymnasts.Study Design: Case-control study.Methods: A total of 104 Japanese collegiate gymnasts (70 men and 34 women; age, 19.7 + 1.0 years) with 11.8 + 3.6 years ofsporting experience participated. T1- and T2-weighted MRIs were used to evaluate ALV and IDD.Results: The prevalence among the gymnasts of IDD and ALV was 40.4% (42/104) and 20.2% (21/104), respectively. Theprevalence of IDD was significantly higher in gymnasts with ALV than those without ALV, as determined using the chi-square test.Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant association between IDD and ALV (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 6.60; 95%confidence interval [CI], 2.14-20.35). IDD was further grouped by whether it was present in the upper lumbar region (L1-2, L2-3,and L3-4 disks) or in the lower lumbar region (L4-5 and L5-S1 disks). Upper IDD had a greater association with ALV (adjustedOR, 33.17; 95% CI, 7.09-155.25) than did lower IDD (adjusted OR, 6.71; 95% CI, 1.57-28.73).Conclusion: In Japanese collegiate gymnasts, ALV is a predictor of IDD, especially in the upper lumbar region.Clinical Relevance: Information regarding ALV is important to prevent IDD in Japanese collegiate gymnasts.Keywords: endplate lesion; gymnastics; intervertebral disk degeneration; magnetic resonance imagin