Shear-free rotating inflation

We demonstrate the existence of shear-free cosmological models with rotation and expansion which support the inflationary scenarios. The corresponding metrics belong to the family of spatially homogeneous models with the geometry of the closed universe (Bianchi type IX). We show that the global vorticity does not prevent the inflation and even can accelerate it.Comment: Revtex, 12 pages; to appear in Phys. Rev.

Shearfree perfect fluids with solenoidal magnetic curvature and a gamma-law equation of state

We show that shearfree perfect fluids obeying an equation of state p=(gamma -1) mu are non-rotating or non-expanding under the assumption that the spatial divergence of the magnetic part of the Weyl tensor is zero.Comment: 11 page

Scalar-field quintessence by cosmic shear: CFHT data analysis and forecasts for DUNE

A light scalar field, minimally or not-minimally coupled to the metric field, is a well-defined candidate for the dark energy, overcoming the coincidence problem intrinsic to the cosmological constant and avoiding the difficulties of parameterizations. We present a general description of the weak gravitational lensing valid for every metric theory of gravity, including vector and tensor perturbations for a non-flat spatial metric. Based on this description, we investigate two minimally-coupled scalar field quintessence models using VIRMOS-Descart and CFHTLS cosmic shear data, and forecast the constraints for the proposed space-borne wide-field imager DUNE.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures. To appear in proceedings of IRGAC06 (Barcelona, July 06

Classification of image distortions in terms of Petrov types

An observer surrounded by sufficiently small spherical light sources at a fixed distance will see a pattern of elliptical images distributed over the sky, owing to the distortion effect (shearing effect) of the spacetime geometry upon light bundles. In lowest non-trivial order with respect to the distance, this pattern is completely determined by the conformal curvature tensor (Weyl tensor) at the observation event. In this paper we derive formulas that allow to calculate these distortion patterns in terms of the Newman-Penrose formalism. Then we represent the distortion patterns graphically for all Petrov types, and we discuss their dependence on the velocity of the observer.Comment: 22 pages, 8 eps-figures; revised version, parts of Introduction and Conclusions rewritte

Principal null directions of perturbed black holes

The properties of principal null directions of a perturbed black hole are investigated. It shown that principal null directions are directly observable quantities characterizing the space-time. A definition of a perturbed space-time, generalizing that given by Stewart and Walker is proposed. This more general framework allows one to include descriptions of a given space-time other than by a pair $(M,g)$ where $M$ is a four-dimensional differential manifold and $g$ a Lorentz metric. Examples of alternative characterizations are the curvature representation of Karlhede and others, the Newman-Penrose representation or observable quantities involving principal null directions. The conditions are studied under which the various alternative choices of observables provide equivalent descriptions of the space-time.Comment: To appear in Class. Quantum Gra

New Classes of Off-Diagonal Cosmological Solutions in Einstein Gravity

In this work, we apply the anholonomic deformation method for constructing new classes of anisotropic cosmological solutions in Einstein gravity and/or generalizations with nonholonomic variables. There are analyzed four types of, in general, inhomogeneous metrics, defined with respect to anholonomic frames and their main geometric properties. Such spacetimes contain as particular cases certain conformal and/or frame transforms of the well known Friedman-Robertson-Walker, Bianchi, Kasner and Godel universes and define a great variety of cosmological models with generic off-diagonal metrics, local anisotropy and inhomogeneity. It is shown that certain nonholonomic gravitational configurations may mimic de Sitter like inflation scenaria and different anisotropic modifications without satisfying any classical false-vacuum equation of state. Finally, we speculate on perspectives when such off-diagonal solutions can be related to dark energy and dark matter problems in modern cosmology.Comment: latex2e, 11pt, 33 pages with table of content, a variant accepted to IJT

Proglucagon signalling in the rat dorsomedial hypothalamus - physiology and high-fat diet-mediated alterations

A relatively new pharmacological target in obesity treatment has been the preproglucagon (PPG) signalling, predominantly with glucagon-like peptide (GLP) 1 receptor agonists. As far as the PPG role within the digestive system is well recognised, its actions in the brain remain understudied. Here, we investigated PPG signalling in the Dorsomedial Hypothalamus (DMH), a structure involved in feeding regulation and metabolism, using in situ hybridisation, electrophysiology, and immunohistochemistry. Our experiments were performed on animals fed both control, and high-fat diet (HFD), uncovering HFD-mediated alterations. First, sensitivity to exendin-4 (Exn4, a GLP1R agonist) was shown to increase under HFD, with a higher number of responsive neurons. The amplitude of the response to both Exn4 and oxyntomodulin (Oxm) was also altered, diminishing its relationship with the cells' spontaneous firing rate. Not only neuronal sensitivity, but also GLP1 presence, and therefore possibly release, was influenced by HFD. Immunofluorescent labelling of the GLP1 showed changes in its density depending on the metabolic state (fasted/fed), but this effect was eliminated by HFD feeding. Interestingly, these dietary differences were absent after a period of restricted feeding, allowing for an anticipation of the alternating metabolic states, which suggests possible prevention of such outcome

On the anomalous large-scale flows in the Universe

Recent combined analyses of the CMB and galaxy cluster data reveal unexpectedly large and anisotropic peculiar velocity fields at large scales. We study cosmic models with included vorticity, acceleration and total angular momentum of the Universe in order to understand the phenomenon. The Zeldovich model is used to mimic the low redshift evolution of the angular momentum. Solving coupled evolution equations of the second kind for density-contrast in corrected Ellis-Bruni covariant and gauge-invariant formalism one can properly normalize and evaluate integrated Sachs-Wolfe effect and peculiar velocity field. The theoretical results compared to the observations favor a much larger matter content of the Universe than that of the concordance model. Large-scale flows appear anisotropic with dominant components placed in the plane perpendicular to the axis of vorticity(rotation). The integrated Sachs-Wolfe term has negative contribution to the CMB fluctuations for the negative cosmological constant and it can explain the observed small power of the CMB TT spectrum at large scales. The rate of the expansion of the Universe can be substantially affected by the angular momentum if its magnitude is large enough.Comment: 13 pages, 6 tables, 4 figures, 36 references; version to appear in Eur. Phys. J.

Union of the European Phoniatricians' position statement on the exit strategy of phoniatric and laryngological services : staying safe and getting back to normal after the peak of coronavirus disease 2019 (issued on 25th May 2020)

Background The following position statement from the Union of the European Phoniatricians, updated on 25th May 2020 (superseding the previous statement issued on 21st April 2020), contains a series of recommendations for phoniatricians and ENT surgeons who provide and/or run voice, swallowing, speech and language, or paediatric audiology services. Objectives This material specifically aims to inform clinical practices in countries where clinics and operating theatres are reopening for elective work. It endeavours to present a current European view in relation to common procedures, many of which fall under the aegis of aerosol generating procedures. Conclusion As evidence continues to build, some of the recommended practices will undoubtedly evolve, but it is hoped that the updated position statement will offer clinicians precepts on safe clinical practice.Peer reviewe