Symmetries of the Energy-Momentum Tensor: Some Basic Facts

It has been pointed by Hall et al. [1] that matter collinations can be defined by using three different methods. But there arises the question of whether one studies matter collineations by using the ${\cal L}_\xi T_{ab}=0$, or ${\cal L}_\xi T^{ab}=0$ or ${\cal L}_\xi T_a^b=0$. These alternative conditions are, of course, not generally equivalent. This problem has been explored by applying these three definitions to general static spherically symmetric spacetimes. We compare the results with each definition.Comment: 17 pages, accepted for publication in "Communications in Theoretical Physics

A Monte Carlo Study of Time Varying Coefficient (TVC) Estimation

A number of recent papers have proposed a time-varying-coefficient (TVC) procedure that, in theory, yields consistent parameter estimates in the presence of measurement errors, omitted variables, incorrect functional forms, and simultaneity. The key element of the procedure is the selection of a set of driver variables. With an ideal driver set the procedure is both consistent and efficient. However, in practice it is not possible to know if a perfect driver set exists. We construct a number of Monte Carlo experiments to examine the performance of the methodology under (i) clearly-defined conditions and (ii) a range of model misspecifications. We also propose a new Bayesian search technique for the set of driver variables underlying the TVC methodology. Experiments are performed to allow for incorrectly specified functional form, omitted variables, measurement errors, unknown nonlinearity and endogeneity. In all cases except the last, the technique works well in reasonably small samples. © 2018, The Author(s)

Holonomy and Projective Equivalence in 4-Dimensional Lorentz Manifolds

A study is made of 4-dimensional Lorentz manifolds which are projectively related, that is, whose Levi-Civita connections give rise to the same (unparameterised) geodesics. A brief review of some relevant recent work is provided and a list of new results connecting projective relatedness and the holonomy type of the Lorentz manifold in question is given. This necessitates a review of the possible holonomy groups for such manifolds which, in turn, requires a certain convenient classification of the associated curvature tensors. These reviews are provided

Curvature Diffusions in General Relativity

We define and study on Lorentz manifolds a family of covariant diffusions in which the quadratic variation is locally determined by the curvature. This allows the interpretation of the diffusion effect on a particle by its interaction with the ambient space-time. We will focus on the case of warped products, especially Robertson-Walker manifolds, and analyse their asymptotic behaviour in the case of Einstein-de Sitter-like manifolds.Comment: 34 page

Experience with fosfomycin for treatment of urinary tract infections due to multidrug-resistant organisms

Fosfomycin has shown promising in vitro activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) urinary pathogens; however, clinical data are lacking. We conducted a retrospective chart review to describe the microbiological and clinical outcomes of urinary tract infections (UTIs) with MDR pathogens treated with fosfomycin tromethamine. Charts for 41 hospitalized patients with a urine culture for an MDR pathogen who received fosfomycin tromethamine from 2006 to 2010 were reviewed. Forty-one patients had 44 urinary pathogens, including 13 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-Kp), 8 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 7 vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) isolates, 7 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers, and 9 others. In vitro fosfomycin susceptibility was 86% (median MIC, 16 |mg/ml; range, 0.25 to 1,024 |ULg/ml). Patients received an average of 2.9 fosfomycin doses per treatment course. The overall microbiological cure was 59%; failure was due to either relapse (24%) or reinfection UTI (17%). Microbiological cure rates by pathogen were 46% for CR-Kp, 38% for P. aeruginosa, 71% for VRE, 57% for ESBL producers, and 100% for others. Microbiological cure (n = 24) was compared to microbiological failure (n = 17). There were significantly more solid organ transplant recipients in the microbiological failure group (59% versus 21%; P = 0.02). None of the patients in the microbiological cure group had a ureteral stent, compared to 24% of patients within the microbiological failure group (P = 0.02). Fosfomycin demonstrated in vitro activity against UTIs due to MDR pathogens. For CR-KP, there was a divergence between in vitro susceptibility (92%) and microbiological cure (46%). Multiple confounding factors may have contributed to microbiological failures, and further data regarding the use of fosfomycin for UTIs due to MDR pathogens are needed

Proof of projective Lichnerowicz conjecture for pseudo-Riemannian metrics with degree of mobility greater than two

We prove an important partial case of the pseudo-Riemannian version of the projective Lichnerowicz conjecture stating that a complete manifold admitting an essential group of projective transformations is the round sphere (up to a finite cover).Comment: 32 pages, one .eps figure. The version v1 has a misprint in Theorem 1: I forgot to write the assumption that the degree of mobility is greater than two. The versions v3, v4 have only cosmetic changes wrt v

How to find the holonomy algebra of a Lorentzian manifold

Manifolds with exceptional holonomy play an important role in string theory, supergravity and M-theory. It is explained how one can find the holonomy algebra of an arbitrary Riemannian or Lorentzian manifold. Using the de~Rham and Wu decompositions, this problem is reduced to the case of locally indecomposable manifolds. In the case of locally indecomposable Riemannian manifolds, it is known that the holonomy algebra can be found from the analysis of special geometric structures on the manifold. If the holonomy algebra $\mathfrak{g}\subset\mathfrak{so}(1,n-1)$ of a locally indecomposable Lorentzian manifold $(M,g)$ of dimension $n$ is different from $\mathfrak{so}(1,n-1)$, then it is contained in the similitude algebra $\mathfrak{sim}(n-2)$. There are 4 types of such holonomy algebras. Criterion how to find the type of $\mathfrak{g}$ are given, and special geometric structures corresponding to each type are described. To each $\mathfrak{g}$ there is a canonically associated subalgebra $\mathfrak{h}\subset\mathfrak{so}(n-2)$. An algorithm how to find $\mathfrak{h}$ is provided.Comment: 15 pages; the final versio

Developmental changes in word recognition threshold from two to five years of age in children with different middle ear status

The aims were to: (1) provide word recognition thresholds (WRTs) at 31, 43, and 61 months of age; (2) investigate developmental changes over time; (3) investigate the relationship between OME and WRT, and (4) investigate the relationship between WRT and hearing thresholds. Around 1000 children were tested longitudinally as part of the ALSPAC study, using an adaptive measure of word recognition in quiet. Mean WRTs were 28, 23, and 23 dB (A) at 31, 43, and 61 months, respectively. Normal auditory development is associated with a mean improvement in WRT of 5 dB between age 31 and 61 months. There was a mean increase in WRT of 5 dB and 15 dB when OME was present in one and two ears, respectively. Thus, both unilateral and bilateral OME results in a detrimental effect on hearing ability for speech. Additionally, early and ‘persistent’ OME is associated with greater disability. However by 61 months, previous OME status was not significant. To our knowledge, this is the largest longitudinal study reporting WRT in preschool children with different middle ear status

Experimental Constraints on Heavy Fermions in Higgsless Models

Using an effective Lagrangian approach we analyze a generic Higgsless model with composite heavy fermions, transforming as SU(2)_{L+R} Doublets. Assuming that the Standard Model fermions acquire mass through mixing with the new heavy fermions, we constrain the free parameters of the effective Lagrangian studying Flavour Changing Neutral Current processes. In so doing we obtain bounds that can be applied to a wide range of models characterized by the same fermion mixing hypothesis.Comment: 23 pages, 10 figure

Solving Problems of Practice in Education

The authors identify and discuss the many complexities involved in the translation of scientific information in the social sciences into forms usable for solving problems of practice in education. As a means of appropriately handling these complexities and the issues that arise, they prescribe a series of stages to be followed from the advent of a practitioner's situational problem to the design of a response to it. They assert that unless the process of translation is conducted with the prescribed level of understanding, appreciation, and rigor, the application of knowledge will be inaccurate.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68934/2/10.1177_107554708400600103.pd