Three dimensional conformal sigma models

We construct novel conformal sigma models in three dimensions. Nonlinear sigma models in three dimensions are nonrenormalizable in perturbation theory. We use Wilsonian renormalization group equation method to find the fixed points. Existence of fixed points is extremely important in this approach to show the renormalizability. Conformal sigma models are defined as the fixed point theories of the Wilsonian renormalization group equation. The Wilsonian renormalization group equation with anomalous dimension coincides with the modified Ricci flow equation. The conformal sigma models are characterized by one parameter which corresponds to the anomalous dimension of the scalar fields. Any Einstein-K\"{a}hler manifold corresponds to a conformal field theory when the anomalous dimension is $\gamma=-1/2$. Furthermore, we investigate the properties of target spaces in detail for two dimensional case, and find the target space of the fixed point theory becomes compact or noncompact depending on the value of the anomalous dimension.Comment: 20page, 6figure

Impurity Effect on the Local Density of States around a Vortex in Noncentrosymmetric Superconductors

We numerically study the effect of non-magnetic impurities on the vortex bound states in noncentrosymmetric systems. The local density of states (LDOS) around a vortex is calculated by means of the quasiclassical Green's function method. We find that the zero energy peak of the LDOS splits off with increasing the impurity scattering rate.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures; Proc. of SCES201

Decomposing Terms of Trade Fluctuations in Ethiopia

This paper proposes a technique to decompose short-run fluctuations in the terms of trade. Using Ethiopia as an example, we decompose the commodity terms of trade into various components to measure the impact of price and volume shifts as well as export diversification. We use monthly data from the past decade, including periods during the global food and financial crises. Our findings suggest that diversification out of traditional coffee exports to other export commodities successfully mitigated a terms of trade shock. Continued export diversification will be beneficial.Terms of Trade, Food Price Crisis, Financial Crisis, Ethiopia

Oncometabolites: tailoring our genes

Increased glucose metabolism in cancer cells is a phenomenon that has been known for over 90 years, allowing maximal cell growth through faster ATP production and redistribution of carbons towards nucleotide, protein and fatty acid synthesis. Recently, metabolites that can promote tumorigeneis by altering the epigenome have been identified. These ‘oncometabolites’ include the tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites succinate and fumarate, whose levels are elevated in rare tumours with succinate dehydrogenase and fumarate hydratase mutations, respectively. 2-Hydroxyglutarate is another oncometabolite; it is produced de novo as a result of the mutation of isocitrate dehydrogenase, and is commonly found in gliomas and acute myeloid leukaemia. Interestingly, the structural similarity of these oncometabolites to their precursor metabolite, α-ketoglutarate, explains the tumorigenic potential of these metabolites, by competitive inhibition of a superfamily of enzymes called the α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases. These enzymes utilize α-ketoglutarate as a cosubstrate, and are involved in fatty acid metabolism, oxygen sensing, collagen biosynthesis, and modulation of the epigenome. They include enzymes that are involved in regulating gene expression via DNA and histone tail demethylation. In this review, we will focus on the link between metabolism and epigenetics, and how we may target oncometabolite-induced tumorigenesis in the future

Comments on the measurements of multiple muon phenomena

The extensive air showers in the energy around 10 to the 15th power eV include those initiated by astrophysical primary gamma-rays. The observations need a precise measurement on the directions of primary particles. It is one of the methods to measure the directions of high-energy muons in air showers. The accuracy in measuring the direction, by calculating the cosmic-ray phenomena in the atmosphere at very high energy was investgated. The results calculated by Monte Carlo method suggest that one may determine the direction of primary cosmic-rays within errors of 10/3 rad in observing muons of above 100 GeV at sea level

Prevalência de diabetes e intolerância a glicose em pacientes com dor crônica

Justificativa e objetivos: A diabetes é associada ao aumento de prevalência de dor crônica, porém faltam estudos que associem dor crônica como um sintoma precoce de intolerância a glicose ou diabetes. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar na população adulta a prevalência de diabetes e intolerância a glicose em pacientes com dor crônica comparado com pacientes sem dor crônica em um ambulatório privado especializado em nutrologia. Método: Foram incluídos 60 pacientes, 30 pacientes com dor crônica com duração de pelo menos 3 meses e 30 pacientes sem queixa de dor crônica. Todos os pacientes foram estudados prospectivamente para o diagnóstico de diabetes ou intolerância a glicose por meio do teste de tolerância oral com medição glico-insulinica basal a após 2 horas, após estímulo de 75 gramas de glicose. Resultados: Dos 30 indivíduos com dor crônica, 6 pacientes (20%) tinham diabetes, 3 pacientes (10%) tinham intolerância a glicose, totalizando 9 pacientes (30%) com alteração dos níveis glicêmicos (pré-diabético ou diabético). Dos 30 indivíduos sem dor crônica, 1 paciente (3,3%) foi diagnosticado como diabético, 3 pacientes (10%) com intolerância a glicose, totalizando 4 pacientes (13,3%) com alteração dos níveis glicêmicos (pré-diabético ou diabético). Conclusão: Houve significância estatística na prevalência de alteração do nível glicêmico em pacientes com dor crônica em comparação com pacientes sem queixa de dor crônica