1,613 research outputs found
Exponential-Potential Scalar Field Universes I: The Bianchi I Models
We obtain a general exact solution of the Einstein field equations for the
anisotropic Bianchi type I universes filled with an exponential-potential
scalar field and study their dynamics. It is shown, in agreement with previous
studies, that for a wide range of initial conditions the late-time behaviour of
the models is that of a power-law inflating FRW universe. This property, does
not hold, in contrast, when some degree of inhomogeneity is introduced, as
discussed in our following paper II.Comment: 16 pages, Plain LaTeX, 1 Figure to be sent on request, to appear in
Phys. Rev.
Coupled quintessence and curvature-assisted acceleration
Spatially homogeneous models with a scalar field non-minimally coupled to the
space-time curvature or to the ordinary matter content are analysed with
respect to late-time asymptotic behaviour, in particular to accelerated
expansion and isotropization. It is found that a direct coupling to the
curvature leads to asymptotic de Sitter expansion in arbitrary exponential
potentials, thus yielding a positive cosmological constant although none is
apparent in the potential. This holds true regardless of the steepness of the
potential or the smallness of the coupling constant. For matter-coupled scalar
fields, the asymptotics are obtained for a large class of positive potentials,
generalizing the well-known cosmic no-hair theorems for minimal coupling. In
this case it is observed that the direct coupling to matter does not impact the
late-time dynamics essentially.Comment: 17 pages, no figures. v2: typos correcte
Intermediate inflation and the slow-roll approximation
It is shown that spatially homogeneous solutions of the Einstein equations
coupled to a nonlinear scalar field and other matter exhibit accelerated
expansion at late times for a wide variety of potentials . These potentials
are strictly positive but tend to zero at infinity. They satisfy restrictions
on and related to the slow-roll approximation. These results
generalize Wald's theorem for spacetimes with positive cosmological constant to
those with accelerated expansion driven by potentials belonging to a large
class.Comment: 19 pages, results unchanged, additional backgroun
Accelerated cosmological expansion due to a scalar field whose potential has a positive lower bound
In many cases a nonlinear scalar field with potential can lead to
accelerated expansion in cosmological models. This paper contains mathematical
results on this subject for homogeneous spacetimes. It is shown that, under the
assumption that has a strictly positive minimum, Wald's theorem on
spacetimes with positive cosmological constant can be generalized to a wide
class of potentials. In some cases detailed information on late-time
asymptotics is obtained. Results on the behaviour in the past time direction
are also presented.Comment: 16 page
Loss of DJ-1 Does Not Affect Mitochondrial Respiration but Increases ROS Production and Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore Opening
Background: Loss of function mutations in the DJ-1 gene have been linked to recessively inherited forms of Parkinsonism. Mitochondrial dysfunction and increased oxidative stress are thought to be key events in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. Although it has been reported that DJ-1 serves as scavenger for reactive oxidative species (ROS) by oxidation on its cysteine residues, how loss of DJ-1 affects mitochondrial function is less clear. Methodology/Principal Findings: Using primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) or brains from DJ-1−/− mice, we found that loss of DJ-1 does not affect mitochondrial respiration. Specifically, endogenous respiratory activity as well as basal and maximal respiration are normal in intact DJ-1−/− MEFs, and substrate-specific state 3 and state 4 mitochondrial respiration are also unaffected in permeabilized DJ-1−/− MEFs and in isolated mitochondria from the cerebral cortex of DJ-1−/− mice at 3 months or 2 years of age. Expression levels and activities of all individual complexes composing the electron transport system are unchanged, but ATP production is reduced in DJ-1−/− MEFs. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential is decreased in the absence of DJ-1. Furthermore, mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening is increased, whereas mitochondrial calcium levels are unchanged in DJ-1−/− cells. Consistent with earlier reports, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is increased, though levels of antioxidative enzymes are unaltered. Interestingly, the decreased mitochondrial transmembrane potential and the increased mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening in DJ-1−/− MEFs can be restored by antioxidant treatment, whereas oxidative stress inducers have the opposite effects on mitochondrial transmembrane potential and mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening. Conclusions/Significance: Our study shows that loss of DJ-1 does not affect mitochondrial respiration or mitochondrial calcium levels but increases ROS production, leading to elevated mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening and reduced mitochondrial transmembrane potential
Closed cosmologies with a perfect fluid and a scalar field
Closed, spatially homogeneous cosmological models with a perfect fluid and a
scalar field with exponential potential are investigated, using dynamical
systems methods. First, we consider the closed Friedmann-Robertson-Walker
models, discussing the global dynamics in detail. Next, we investigate
Kantowski-Sachs models, for which the future and past attractors are
determined. The global asymptotic behaviour of both the
Friedmann-Robertson-Walker and the Kantowski-Sachs models is that they either
expand from an initial singularity, reach a maximum expansion and thereafter
recollapse to a final singularity (for all values of the potential parameter
kappa), or else they expand forever towards a flat power-law inflationary
solution (when kappa^2<2). As an illustration of the intermediate dynamical
behaviour of the Kantowski-Sachs models, we examine the cases of no barotropic
fluid, and of a massless scalar field in detail. We also briefly discuss
Bianchi type IX models.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figure
Bridging the LNG knowledge gap in the Baltic Sea region: the Go LNG initiative and the establishment of a competence centre
{\it Ab initio} calculations of magnetic structure and lattice dynamics of Fe/Pt multilayers
The magnetization distribution, its energetic characterization by the
interlayer coupling constants and lattice dynamics of (001)-oriented Fe/Pt
multilayers are investigated using density functional theory combined with the
direct method to determine phonon frequencies. It is found that ferromagnetic
order between consecutive Fe layers is favoured, with the enhanced magnetic
moments at the interface. The bilinear and biquadratic coupling coefficients
between Fe layers are shown to saturate fast with increasing thickness of
nonmagnetic Pt layers which separate them. The phonon calculations demonstrate
a rather strong dependence of partial iron phonon densities of states on the
actual position of Fe monolayer in the multilayer structure.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figure
Liquefied Natural Gas as a Marine Fuel: The Case of the Baltic Sea Region
https://commons.wmu.se/lib_chapters/1011/thumbnail.jp
Late-time oscillatory behaviour for self-gravitating scalar fields
This paper investigates the late-time behaviour of certain cosmological
models where oscillations play an essential role. Rigorous results are proved
on the asymptotics of homogeneous and isotropic spacetimes with a linear
massive scalar field as source. Various generalizations are obtained for
nonlinear massive scalar fields, -essence models and gravity. The
effect of adding ordinary matter is discussed as is the case of nonlinear
scalar fields whose potential has a degenerate zero.Comment: 17 pages, additional reference
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