Consistency relation and inflaton field redefinition in the <i>δN</i> formalism

Domè,nech, Guillem,Gong, Jinn-Ouk,Sasaki, Misao North-Holland Pub. Co 2017 Physics letters. Section B Vol.769 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>We compute for general single-field inflation the intrinsic non-Gaussianity due to the self-interactions of the inflaton field in the squeezed limit. We recover the consistency relation in the context of the <I>δN</I> formalism, and argue that there is a particular field redefinition that makes the intrinsic non-Gaussianity vanishing, thus improving the estimate of the local non-Gaussianity using the <I>δN</I> formalism.</P>

Not just sensitization: sympathetic mechanisms contribute to expand experimental referred pain

Víctor Doménech-García,Alberto Rubio Peirotén,Miren Lecea Imaz,Thorvaldur Skuli Palsson,Pablo Herrero,Pablo Bellosta-López 대한통증학회 2022 The Korean Journal of Pain Vol.35 No.3

Background: Widespread pain partially depends upon sensitization of central pain mechanisms. However, mechanisms controlling pain distribution are not completely known. The present study sought to assess skin temperature variations in the area of experimentally-induced pain and potential sex differences. Methods: Pressure-pain thresholds (PPTs) were measured on the right infraspinatus muscle. At the end of Day 0, all participants performed an eccentric exercise of the shoulder external rotators to induce muscle soreness 24 hours after. On Day 1, participants indicated on a body chart the area of pain induced by 60 seconds of suprathreshold pressure stimulation (STPS; PPT + 20%) on the right infraspinatus muscle. Skin temperature variations in the area of referred pain were recorded with an infrared thermography camera, immediately before and after the STPS. Results: Twenty healthy, pain-free individuals (10 females) participated. On Day 0, the pre-STPS temperature was higher than the post-STPS temperature on the arm (P = 0.001) and forearm (P = 0.003). On Day 1, the pre-STPS temperature was higher than the post-STPS temperature on the shoulder (P = 0.015), arm (P = 0.001), and forearm (P = 0.010). On Day 0, the temperature decrease after STPS in females was greater than in males on the forearm (P = 0.039). On Day 1, a greater temperature decrease was found amongst females compared with males at the shoulder (P = 0.018), arm (P = 0.046), and forearm (P = 0.005). Conclusions: These findings indicate that sympathetic vasomotor responses contribute to expand pressure-induced referred pain, especially among females.

Long-term consistency of clinical sensory testing measures for pain assessment

Pablo Bellosta-López,Víctor Doménech-García,Thorvaldur Skuli Palsson,Pablo Herrero,Steffan Wittrup Mcphee Christensen 대한통증학회 2023 The Korean Journal of Pain Vol.36 No.2

Background: Understanding the stability of quantitative sensory tests (QSTs) over time is important to aid clinicians in selecting a battery of tests for assessing and monitoring patients. This study evaluated the short- and long-term reliability of selected QSTs. Methods: Twenty healthy women participated in three experimental sessions: Baseline, 2 weeks, and 6 months. Measurements included pressure pain thresholds (PPT) in the neck, upper back, and leg; Pressure-cuff pain tolerance around the upper-arm; conditioned pain modulation during a pressure-cuff stimulus; and referred pain following a suprathreshold pressure stimulation. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and minimum detectable change (MDC) were calculated. Results: Reliability for PPT was excellent for all sites at 2 weeks (ICC, 0.96–0.99; MDC, 22–55 kPa) and from good to excellent at 6 months (ICC, 0.88–0.95; MDC, 47–91 kPa). ICC for pressure-cuff pain tolerance indicated excellent reliability at both times (0.91–0.97). For conditioned pain modulation, reliability was moderate for all sites at 2 weeks (ICC, 0.57–0.74; MDC, 24%–35%), while it was moderate at the neck (ICC, 0.54; MDC, 27%) and poor at the upper back and leg at 6 months. ICC for referred pain areas was excellent at 2 weeks (0.90) and good at 6 months (0.86). Conclusions: PPT, pressure pain tolerance, and pressure-induced referred pain should be considered reliable procedures to assess the pain-sensory profile over time. In contrast, conditioned pain modulation was shown to be unstable. Future studies prospectively analyzing the pain-sensory profile will be able to better calculate appropriate sample sizes.

Achieving Professional Credentials: South Korean Archaeology and University Degrees (1945–1979)

( Luis A Botella ),( Antonio J Doménech ) 서울대학교 규장각한국학연구원 2017 Seoul journal of Korean studies Vol.30 No.1

The professionalization of archaeology is an understudied research topic in the history of South Korean archaeology. Literature on the subject has so far focused on the mechanisms that separate amateurs from professional archaeologists―in other words on the academic recognition and the credential system of the discipline. However, researchers have not considered the effect those mechanisms have on the social organization of the field. This paper claims that university degrees are not only important elements in the professionalization of archaeology, but also mechanisms of social organization within the field itself. The study of archaeological education and training in South Korea from 1945 to 1979 shows how academic education and degrees affected the subject, creating social networks and different positions in the field represented by different specializations within it. In order to study this process, this article focuses on Seoul National University’s Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, the first of its kind in South Korea.

STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING THE MODE TRANSITION IN A SEQUENTIAL PARALLEL TURBOCHARGED AUTOMOTIVE DIESEL ENGINE

J.GALINDO,H. CLIMENT,C. GUARDIOLA,J. DOMÉNECH 한국자동차공학회 2009 International journal of automotive technology Vol.10 No.2

Parallel sequential turbocharging systems are able to operate in different modes, which are defined according to the turbochargers that simultaneously boost the engine, and are controlled by means of specific valves. In order to cover the full engine operating range, a smooth transition between turbocharging operating modes must be ensured. However, important disturbances affect both boost and exhaust pressure when shifting the operation mode, thus causing non-negligible torque oscillations. This paper presents different methods for smoothing such undesirable effects during mode transition. Strategies covering optimal synchronization of the control valves, control of the valves’ position, and correction of the injected fuel during the transition are analysed. A fully instrumented passenger car engine is used for illustrating the different torque smoothing methods, and experimental results for transitions during both steady operation and engine accelerations are shown.

The Role of Mitochondrial Dynamic Dysfunction in Age-Associated Type 2 Diabetes

Vezza Teresa,Díaz-Pozo Pedro,Canet Francisco,de Marañón Aranzazu M.,Abad-Jiménez Zaida,García-Gargallo Celia,Roldan Ildefonso,Solá Eva,Bañuls Celia,López-Domènech Sandra,Rocha Milagros,Víctor Víctor M 대한남성과학회 2022 The World Journal of Men's Health Vol.40 No.3

Mitochondrial dynamics, such as fusion and fission, play a critical role in maintaining cellular metabolic homeostasis. The molecular mechanisms underlying these processes include fusion proteins (Mitofusin 1 [MFN1], Mitofusin 2 [MFN2], and optic atrophy 1 [OPA1]) and fission mediators (mitochondrial fission 1 [FIS1] and dynamin-related protein 1 [DRP1]), which interact with each other to ensure mitochondrial quality control. Interestingly, defects in these proteins can lead to the loss of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) integrity, impairment of mitochondrial function, a severe alteration of mitochondrial morphology, and eventually cell death. Emerging evidence has revealed a causal relationship between dysregulation of mitochondria dynamics and age-associated type 2 diabetes, a metabolic disease whose rates have reached an alarming epidemic-like level with the majority of cases (59%) recorded in men aged 65 and over. In this sense, fragmentation of mitochondrial networks is often associated with defects in cellular energy production and increased apoptosis, leading, in turn, to excessive reactive oxygen species release, mitochondrial dysfunction, and metabolic alterations, which can ultimately contribute to β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. The present review discusses the processes of mitochondrial fusion and fission and their dysfunction in type 2 diabetes, with special attention given to the therapeutic potential of targeting mitochondrial dynamics in this complex metabolic disorder.