Gravitino Problem in Inflation Driven by Inflaton-Polonyi K\"ahler Coupling

We discuss the cosmological gravitino problem in inflation models in which the inflaton potential is constructed from K\"ahler potential rather than superpotential: a representative model is $\overline{\text{D}3}$-induced geometric inflation. A critical ingredient in this type of models is the coupling of the inflaton and Polonyi (supersymmetry-breaking) field in the K\"ahler potential, which is needed to build the inflaton potential. We point out the same coupling let the inflaton dominantly decay into a pair of inflatino and gravitino causing the gravitino problem. We propose some possible solutions to this problem.Comment: 14 pages; accepted by PLB, title and abstract changed to clarify the topic, conclusion not changed, references adde

〈Reports on the Twenty-second Annual Meeting of the Tsukuba English Linguistic Society〉Dissimilation of Sonorants in English

Dissimilation is a sound change by which two segments of certain similarity become more distinct in properties such as place and manner of articulation. A few selected examples are as follows: ..

Quantum decay of scalar and vector boson stars and oscillons into gravitons

We point out that a soliton such as an oscillon or boson star inevitably decays into gravitons through gravitational interactions. These decay processes exist even if there are no apparent self-interactions of the constituent field, scalar or vector, since they are induced by gravitational interactions. Hence, our results provide a strict upper limit on the lifetime of oscillons and boson stars including the dilute axion star. We also calculate the spectrum of the graviton background from decay of solitons.Comment: 32 pages, 2 figure

レイチョウルイ ニオケル ケヅクロイ ト リタ コウドウ

特集 : 利他を考え

Making Compelling Movie Posters Using Statistical Science And An Eye Mark Recorder

This study focuses on advertising posters for movies, investigating methods of designing compelling posters to encourage viewing. The results of questionnaire surveys were analyzed using statistical science to produce new movie poster designs. The effects of the new posters were then validated using an eye mark recorder. As a result, the authors have succeeded in creating a decision-making method to assist in designing compelling movie posters

Mind-Reading and Behavior-Reading against Agents with and without Anthropomorphic Features in a Competitive Situation

Humans use two distinct cognitive strategies separately to understand and predict other humans' behavior. One is mind-reading, in which an internal state such as an intention or an emotional state is assumed to be a source of a variety of behaviors. The other is behavior-reading, in which an actor's behavior is modeled based on stimulus-response associations without assuming internal states behind the behavior. We hypothesize that anthropomorphic features are key for an observer switching between these two cognitive strategies in a competitive situation. We provide support for this hypothesis through two studies using four agents with different appearances. We show that only a human agent was thought to possess both the ability to generate a variety of behaviors and internal mental states, such as minds and emotions (Study 1). We also show that humans used mixed (opposing) strategies against a human agent and exploitative strategies against the agents with mechanical appearances when they played a repeated zero-sum game (Study 2). Our findings show that humans understand that human behavior is varied; that humans have internal states, such as minds and emotions; that the behavior of machines is governed by a limited number of fixed rules; and that machines do not possess internal mental states. Our findings also suggest that the function of mind-reading is to trigger a strategy for use against agents with variable behavior and that humans exploit others who lack behavioral variability based on behavior-reading in a competitive situation

ARTIFICIAL BORING ON THE INCISOR ROOT AT THE LATE JOHMON PERIOD

A single hole penetrating tangentially through the middle of the dental root was found in a right central incisor of the mandible. The tooth was excavated from the bottom layer of the late Johmon and early Yayoi periods under the shell mound of Mitani ruin, Tokushima city. The hole is roundly polished to make a cone-like shape on both the mesial and distal sides without crack. There is neither pathological injury nor trace of living response on microscopy and X-ray test. It is strongly suggested that the hole was simply made on the tooth after extraction from the human mandible

Acute and Prolonged Effects of Dermal Suction on Joint Range of Motion and Passive Muscle Stiffness: A Preliminary Study

This study aimed to investigate the acute and prolonged effects of dermal suction on joint range of motion (ROM) and passive muscle stiffness. Eight-minute dermal suction was prescribed for the quadriceps femoris in 15 participants. Hip extension ROM, knee flexion ROM, and passive muscle stiffness of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus lateralis (VL) were measured before and immediately, 30 min, 60 min, 120 min, 24 h, and 48 h after dermal suction. Passive muscle stiffness was measured using shear wave elastography. Hip extension ROM significantly increased immediately (p = 0.032), 60 min (p = 0.029), and 120 min (p = 0.031) after dermal suction compared with before dermal suction; however, it was not significantly different at 30 min, 24 h, and 48 h after dermal suction (p > 0.05). Passive muscle stiffness of the RF and VL and knee flexion ROM did not significantly change at any measurement time compared with before dermal suction (p > 0.05). Our preliminary results suggest that dermal suction improves hip extension ROM immediately after dermal suction of the quadriceps femoris, followed by a return to the pre-prescription level 30 min after. However, the effect was prolonged for 120 min and disappeared before 24 h

Diabetes-Related Ankyrin Repeat Protein (DARP/Ankrd23) Modifies Glucose Homeostasis by Modulating AMPK Activity in Skeletal Muscle.

Skeletal muscle is the major site for glucose disposal, the impairment of which closely associates with the glucose intolerance in diabetic patients. Diabetes-related ankyrin repeat protein (DARP/Ankrd23) is a member of muscle ankyrin repeat proteins, whose expression is enhanced in the skeletal muscle under diabetic conditions; however, its role in energy metabolism remains poorly understood. Here we report a novel role of DARP in the regulation of glucose homeostasis through modulating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity. DARP is highly preferentially expressed in skeletal muscle, and its expression was substantially upregulated during myotube differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts. Interestingly, DARP-/- mice demonstrated better glucose tolerance despite similar body weight, while their insulin sensitivity did not differ from that in wildtype mice. We found that phosphorylation of AMPK, which mediates insulin-independent glucose uptake, in skeletal muscle was significantly enhanced in DARP-/- mice compared to that in wildtype mice. Gene silencing of DARP in C2C12 myotubes enhanced AMPK phosphorylation, whereas overexpression of DARP in C2C12 myoblasts reduced it. Moreover, DARP-silencing increased glucose uptake and oxidation in myotubes, which was abrogated by the treatment with AICAR, an AMPK activator. Of note, improved glucose tolerance in DARP-/- mice was abolished when mice were treated with AICAR. Mechanistically, gene silencing of DARP enhanced protein expression of LKB1 that is a major upstream kinase for AMPK in myotubes in vitro and the skeletal muscle in vivo. Together with the altered expression under diabetic conditions, our data strongly suggest that DARP plays an important role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis under physiological and pathological conditions, and thus DARP is a new therapeutic target for the treatment of diabetes mellitus