Quantum critical response: from conformal perturbation theory to holography

We discuss dynamical response functions near quantum critical points, allowing for both a finite temperature and detuning by a relevant operator. When the quantum critical point is described by a conformal field theory (CFT), conformal perturbation theory and the operator product expansion can be used to fix the first few leading terms at high frequencies. Knowledge of the high frequency response allows us then to derive non-perturbative sum rules. We show, via explicit computations, how holography recovers the general results of CFT, and the associated sum rules, for any holographic field theory with a conformal UV completion -- regardless of any possible new ordering and/or scaling physics in the IR. We numerically obtain holographic response functions at all frequencies, allowing us to probe the breakdown of the asymptotic high-frequency regime. Finally, we show that high frequency response functions in holographic Lifshitz theories are quite similar to their conformal counterparts, even though they are not strongly constrained by symmetry.Comment: 45+14 pages, 9 figures. v2: small clarifications, added reference

Separation of Nutrient Solids and Liquids in Swine Manure

• Producers want to provide transportation of solids and increase the available storage capacity of a storage system by separating nutrients produced in a shallow pit, external storage swine facility. • Producers transporting manure to fields don’t want to pay to transport slurry that is 95% water

The relationship between self‐reported received and perceived social support: A meta‐analytic review

Social support is broad term encompassing a variety of constructs, including support perceptions (perceived support) and receipt of supportive behaviors (received support). Of these constructs, only perceived support has been regarded as consistently linked to health, and researchers have offered differing assessments of the strength of the received‐perceived support relationship. An overall estimate of the received‐perceived support relationship would clearly further the dialogue on the relationship between received and perceived support and thus assist in the theoretical development of the field. This study evaluated all available studies using the Inventory of Socially Supportive Behaviors (ISSB; Barrera, Sandler, & Ramsey, 1981, American Journal of Community Psychology, 9, 435–447) and any measure of perceived social support. Using effect sizes from 23 studies, we found an average correlation of r = .35, p < .001. Implications of this estimate for further development of models of social support as well as interventions to enhance social support are discussed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/117157/1/ajcp9100.pd

Social listening, modern slavery, and COVID-19

In addition to the public health crisis visited upon the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has created unique uncertainties for organisations engaged with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), spanning a range of matters, such as maintaining operational momentum, financial sustainability, achieving policy influence, and engaging in strategic communications. In this article, we focus on organisations engaged in the fight against modern slavery, a significant part of Sustainable Development Goal 8, which seeks to ‘promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all’ with a particular focus on the call for states to ‘[t]ake immediate and effective measures to … end modern slavery’ (SDG 8.7). Our analysis highlights the importance of ‘social listening’ during the temporal and spatial progression of COVID-19 to: (a) facilitate the identification of agenda proxies reflected in strategic communications used by anti-slavery organisations, and (b) to provide insights into changing communication tactics deployed by these organisations in the context of mass-communication using social media as a result of the global pandemic

Integrated records of tectonic and climate interactions in the Northern Alpine Foreland Basin sedimentary architecture

Peripheral foreland basins form due to flexural subsidence of the downgoing plate driven by topographic- and slab loading. Their architecture records lithospheric- and crustal-scale processes, and the climate history of the adjacent growing orogen. Previous geological and geophysical observational studies revealed that many foreland basins show along-strike heterogeneous sedimentary architecture, implying that mechanisms controlling basin evolution varied laterally. In the Northern Alpine Foreland Basin (NAFB, also known as Molasse Basin) the along-strike heterogeneity in basin architecture is represented by eastward shallowing of depositional environments during Oligocene-Miocene times. This coincided with the suggested two slab break-off and/or tearing events occurring below the Alps. In this project, we test the hypothesis of whether slab break-off and tearing can control along-strike variable foreland basin architecture. We do this by combining tectonostratigraphic analysis of the NAFB fill and numerical models. Tectonostratigraphic analysis includes interpretation of the 2D/3D seismic data located in the transitional zone of the NAFB (German Molasse) connecting the western and eastern parts of the basin. To investigate the effect of the slab-break off and tearing on the foreland basin evolution we combine 3D thermomechanical- and stratigraphic forward models. The results of the tectonostratigraphic analysis reveal a northward younging trend of syn-flexural normal fault nucleation which agrees with forebulge migration driven by the advance of the Alpine thrust front during the Oligocene-Miocene. Furthermore, the eastward increase in the magnitude of syn-flexural normal fault offsets suggests an increase in the magnitude of flexural bending of the lower plate. This may have been controlled by lateral variations in the architecture of the lower plate and/or spatiotemporal variations in slab breakoff/tearing. The observed along-strike seismic facies integrated with the published data suggests that the north-south trending intrabasinal coastline migrated from west to east at an average rate of ~ 6 cm/yr. Furthermore, 3D thermomechanical models show that slab tearing will initiate either at the location of a subducted continental terrain (if present along the slab) or where collision starts first in the case of oblique convergence. Subsequently, tearing propagates along the strike at velocities ranging from ~35 cm/yr to 120 cm/yr depending on the margin obliquity, slab age and mantle rheology. The surface expression of slab tearing is the orogen parallel migration of uplift, affecting both the orogen and peripheral foreland basin. In the peripheral foreland basins associated with the collision of oblique margins, this uplift leads to a gradual along-strike decrease of accommodations space followed by shallowing of depositional environments. However, during the collision of irregular margins, the size and rheology of irregular terrains exert a key influence on the along-strike distribution of the surface uplift during tearing. Typically, this yields a more stepwise distribution of the accommodation space along the peripheral foreland, i.e. lower above the previously accreted terrain. Currently, we are focusing on integrating thermomechanical- and forward stratigraphic models to estimate the effect of environmental factors such as sea-level variations, and precipitation rates on the preservation of the slab break-off and tearing signals in the stratigraphic record of peripheral foreland basins

Cost Analysis of Swine Manure Separation

Smithfield Foods Inc. was founded in 1936 by Joseph W. Luter and his son Joseph W. Luter, Jr., with the name Smithfield Packing Company. The company name was later changed to Smithfield Foods in 1974. Smithfield Foods Inc. is quite proud of their guiding principles (Responsibility, Operational Excellence & Innovation) and this small excerpt defines their company as a whole, “We will seek fresh ideas in all aspects of business, including ways to work smarter, serve customers better, and make Smithfield a better company.” (Smithfield Foods, 2019). The issue that we worked on was how swine producers want to decrease the inefficiency of hauling raw manure slurry and increase manure application systems by separating solids and liquids produced in a typical shallow pit barn with an external manure storage system. There is a moderate amount of research that has been done on swine manure separation, but quite a bit of it is outdated. The current application of raw manure slurry is altogether expensive and inefficient by the traditional method of transporting the manure by large tanks, while post-separated manure could be transported further distances more efficiently. The increasing manure application possibilities and transporting regulations have been a large part of the project in the context of the future of swine production. Given the elements of the project: Minimal research has been completed on current swine manure separation methods Manure separation is expensive, and its feasibility is all dependent on a producer\u27s budget and the overall size of their operation Multiple costs associated with implementing a separation method (Solid & liquid storage, separation equipment, additional labor, etc.) It is critical for producers/growers to comprehend the true benefits of implementing a separation method at this time before future regulations become required. The cost analysis tool will give producers the capability to view several costs associated with a particular separation method. When adopting a separation method, there two important benefits; higher efficiency of transporting manure farther distance and the cost-effectiveness increase tremendously