1,174 research outputs found
Relativistic Compact Objects in Isotropic Coordinates
We present a matrix method for obtaining new classes of exact solutions for
Einstein's equations representing static perfect fluid spheres. By means of a
matrix transformation, we reduce Einstein's equations to two independent
Riccati type differential equations for which three classes of solutions are
obtained. One class of the solutions corresponding to the linear barotropic
type fluid with an equation of state is discussed in detail.Comment: 9 pages, no figures, accepted for publication in Pramana-Journal of
Physic
Inflating wormholes in the braneworld models
The braneworld model, in which our Universe is a three-brane embedded in a
five-dimensional bulk, allows the existence of wormholes, without any violation
of the energy conditions. A fundamental ingredient of traversable wormholes is
the violation of the null energy condition (NEC). However, in the brane world
models, the stress energy tensor confined on the brane, threading the wormhole,
satisfies the NEC. In conventional general relativity, wormholes existing
before inflation can be significantly enlarged by the expanding spacetime. We
investigate the evolution of an inflating wormhole in the brane world scenario,
in which the wormhole is supported by the nonlocal brane world effects. As a
first step in our study we consider the possibility of embedding a
four-dimensional brane world wormhole into a five dimensional bulk. The
conditions for the embedding are obtained by studying the junction conditions
for the wormhole geometry, as well as the full set of the five dimensional bulk
field equations. For the description of the inflation we adopt the chaotic
inflation model. We study the dynamics of the brane world wormholes during the
exponential inflation stage, and in the stage of the oscillating scalar field.
A particular exact solution corresponding to a zero redshift wormhole is also
obtained. The resulting evolution shows that while the physical and geometrical
parameters of a zero redshift wormhole decay naturally, a wormhole satisfying
some very general initial conditions could turn into a black hole, and exist
forever.Comment: 30 pages, no figures, accepted for publication in CQ
Dynamics of a deformable self-propelled particle under external forcing
We investigate dynamics of a self-propelled deformable particle under
external field in two dimensions based on the model equations for the center of
mass and a tensor variable characterizing deformations. We consider two kinds
of external force. One is a gravitational-like force which enters additively in
the time-evolution equation for the center of mass. The other is an
electric-like force supposing that a dipole moment is induced in the particle.
This force is added to the equation for the deformation tensor. It is shown
that a rich variety of dynamics appears by changing the strength of the forces
and the migration velocity of self-propelled particle
Angular size test on the expansion of the Universe
Assuming the standard cosmological model as correct, the average linear size
of galaxies with the same luminosity is six times smaller at z=3.2 than at z=0,
and their average angular size for a given luminosity is approximately
proportional to 1/z. Neither the hypothesis that galaxies which formed earlier
have much higher densities nor their luminosity evolution, mergers ratio, or
massive outflows due to a quasar feedback mechanism are enough to justify such
a strong size evolution. Also, at high redshift, the intrinsic ultraviolet
surface brightness would be prohibitively high with this evolution, and the
velocity dispersion much higher than observed. We explore here another
possibility to overcome this problem by considering different cosmological
scenarios that might make the observed angular sizes compatible with a weaker
evolution.
One of the models explored, a very simple phenomenological extrapolation of
the linear Hubble law in a Euclidean static universe, fits the angular size vs.
redshift dependence quite well, which is also approximately proportional to 1/z
with this cosmological model. There are no free parameters derived ad hoc,
although the error bars allow a slight size/luminosity evolution. The type Ia
supernovae Hubble diagram can also be explained in terms of this model with no
ad hoc fitted parameter.
WARNING: I do not argue here that the true Universe is static. My intention
is just to discuss which theoretical models provide a better fit to the data of
observational cosmology.Comment: 44 pages, accepted to be published in Int. J. Mod. Phys.
Chiral Modulations in Curved Space I: Formalism
The goal of this paper is to present a formalism that allows to handle
four-fermion effective theories at finite temperature and density in curved
space. The formalism is based on the use of the effective action and zeta
function regularization, supports the inclusion of inhomogeneous and
anisotropic phases. One of the key points of the method is the use of a
non-perturbative ansatz for the heat-kernel that returns the effective action
in partially resummed form, providing a way to go beyond the approximations
based on the Ginzburg-Landau expansion for the partition function. The
effective action for the case of ultra-static Riemannian spacetimes with
compact spatial section is discussed in general and a series representation,
valid when the chemical potential satisfies a certain constraint, is derived.
To see the formalism at work, we consider the case of static Einstein spaces at
zero chemical potential. Although in this case we expect inhomogeneous phases
to occur only as meta-stable states, the problem is complex enough and allows
to illustrate how to implement numerical studies of inhomogeneous phases in
curved space. Finally, we extend the formalism to include arbitrary chemical
potentials and obtain the analytical continuation of the effective action in
curved space.Comment: 22 pages, 3 figures; version to appear in JHE
Initial United States experience with the Paracor HeartNetââParacor Medical, Inc, Sunnyvale, Calif. myocardial constraint device for heart failure
ObjectiveThis study was undertaken to review the initial results and surgical safety data for the US Food and Drug Administration safety and feasibility trial of the Paracor HeartNet (Paracor Medical, Inc, Sunnyvale, Calif.) myocardial constraint device.MethodsPatients with New York Heart Association functional class II or III heart failure underwent device implantation (n = 21) through a left minithoracotomy.ResultsThe average age was 53 years (31â72 years). There were 18 men and 3 women, and 17 patients had nonischemic etiology of heart failure. Mean heart failure duration was 8.3 years (1.4-18.8 years). Average ejection fraction was 22% (11%-33%), with an average left ventricular end-diastolic dimension of 74 mm (55-94 mm). Previous medical therapy included angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, ÎČ-blockers, diuretics, digoxin, and aldosterone receptor blockers. At implantation, 17 patients had implantable electronic devices: 1 biventricular pacemaker, 11 biventricular pacemakers with cardioverter-defibrillators, and 5 implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Patient comorbidities included hypertension in 10 cases, diabetes mellitus in 8, myocardial infarction in 1, and ventricular tachycardia in 8. Mean operative time was 68 minutes (42â102 minutes), and implantation time averaged 15 minutes (5â51 minutes). The average time to ambulation was 1.6 days (1â4 days). The intensive care unit stay averaged 3.3 days (1â16 days), and hospital stay averaged 6.3 days (4â16 days). Atrial fibrillation occurred in 2 patients, and there were 2 in-hospital deaths.ConclusionsThe Paracor device can be implanted in patients with heart failure and reduced left ventricular function with a high degree of success. Significant surgical complications were infrequent. The initial US experience supports the conduct of a randomized, controlled, pivotal trial
Covariant gravitational dynamics in 3+1+1 dimensions
We develop a 3+1+1 covariant formalism with cosmological and astrophysical
applications. First we give the evolution and constraint equations both on the
brane and off-brane in terms of 3-space covariant kinematical,
gravito-electro-magnetic (Weyl) and matter variables. We discuss the junction
conditions across the brane in terms of the new variables. Then we establish a
closure condition for the equations on the brane. We also establish the
connection of this formalism with isotropic and anisotropic cosmological
brane-worlds. Finally we derive a new brane solution in the framework of our
formalism: the tidal charged Taub-NUT-(A)dS brane, which obeys the closure
condition.Comment: 35 pages 1 fig; significantly expanded with (a) new closure condition
on the brane, (b) discussion of anisotropic brane-worlds, (c) stationary
vacuum space-times with local rotational symmetry including (d) a new tidal
charged Taub-NUT-(A)dS brane solution; published version
f(R,L_m) gravity
We generalize the type gravity models by assuming that the
gravitational Lagrangian is given by an arbitrary function of the Ricci scalar
and of the matter Lagrangian . We obtain the gravitational field
equations in the metric formalism, as well as the equations of motion for test
particles, which follow from the covariant divergence of the energy-momentum
tensor. The equations of motion for test particles can also be derived from a
variational principle in the particular case in which the Lagrangian density of
the matter is an arbitrary function of the energy-density of the matter only.
Generally, the motion is non-geodesic, and takes place in the presence of an
extra force orthogonal to the four-velocity. The Newtonian limit of the
equation of motion is also considered, and a procedure for obtaining the
energy-momentum tensor of the matter is presented. The gravitational field
equations and the equations of motion for a particular model in which the
action of the gravitational field has an exponential dependence on the standard
general relativistic Hilbert--Einstein Lagrange density are also derived.Comment: 6 pages, no figures; minor modifications, references added; accepted
for publication in EPJ
Lineage Diversion of T Cell Receptor Transgenic Thymocytes Revealed by Lineage Fate Mapping
Background: The binding of the T cell receptor (TCR) to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules in the thymus determines fates of lymphocytes that subsequently home to secondary lymphoid tissue. TCR transgenic models have been used to study thymic selection and lineage commitment. Most TCR transgenic mice express the rearranged prematurely at the double negative stage and abnormal TCRαÎČ populations of T cells that are not easily detected in non-transgenic mice have been found in secondary lymphoid tissue of TCR transgenic mice. Methodology and Principal Findings: To determine developmental pathways of TCR-transgenic thymocytes, we used Cre-LoxP-mediated fate mapping and show here that premature expression of a transgenic diverts some developing thymocytes to a developmental pathway which resembles that of gamma delta cells. We found that most peripheral T cells with the HY-TCR in male mice have bypassed the RORÎłt-positive (double positive, DP) stage to accumulate either as (double negative, DN) or as T cells in lymph nodes or gut epithelium. Likewise, DN cells in lymphoid tissue of female mice were not derived from DP thymocytes. Conclusion: The results further support the hypothesis that the premature expression of the can divert DN thymocytes into gamma delta lineage cells
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