2,872 research outputs found
Mass inflation in f(R) gravity: A conjecture on the resolution of the mass inflation singularity
We study gravitational collapse of a charged black hole in f(R) gravity using
double-null formalism. We require cosmological stability to f(R) models; we
used the Starobinsky model and the R + (1/2)cR^2 model. Charged black holes in
f(R) gravity can have a new type of singularity due to higher curvature
corrections, the so-called f(R)-induced singularity, although it is highly
model-dependent. As the advanced time increases, the internal structure will
approach the Cauchy horizon, which may not be an inner apparent horizon. There
is mass inflation as one approaches the Cauchy horizon and hence the Cauchy
horizon may be a curvature singularity with nonzero area. However, the Ricci
scalar is finite for an out-going null observer. This can be integrated as
follows: Cosmologically stable higher curvature corrections of the Ricci scalar
made it bounded even in the presence of mass inflation. Finally, we conjecture
that if there is a general action including general higher curvature
corrections with cosmological stability, then the corrections can make all
curvature components finite even in the presence of mass inflation. This might
help us to resolve the problem of inner horizon instability of regular black
hole models.Comment: 31 pages, 15 figure
Implementation of a Quantum Search Algorithm on a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Quantum Computer
We demonstrate an implementation of a quantum search algorithm on a two qubit
NMR quantum computer based on cytosine.Comment: Six pages, three figure
Responses of the Brans-Dicke field due to gravitational collapses
We study responses of the Brans-Dicke field due to gravitational collapses of
scalar field pulses using numerical simulations. Double-null formalism is
employed to implement the numerical simulations. If we supply a scalar field
pulse, it will asymptotically form a black hole via dynamical interactions of
the Brans-Dicke field. Hence, we can observe the responses of the Brans-Dicke
field by two different regions. First, we observe the late time behaviors after
the gravitational collapse, which include formations of a singularity and an
apparent horizon. Second, we observe the fully dynamical behaviors during the
gravitational collapse and view the energy-momentum tensor components. For the
late time behaviors, if the Brans-Dicke coupling is greater (or smaller) than
-1.5, the Brans-Dicke field decreases (or increases) during the gravitational
collapse. Since the Brans-Dicke field should be relaxed to the asymptotic value
with the elapse of time, the final apparent horizon becomes time-like (or
space-like). For the dynamical behaviors, we observed the energy-momentum
tensors around ~ -1.5. If the Brans-Dicke coupling is greater than
-1.5, the component can be negative at the outside of the black hole.
This can allow an instantaneous inflating region during the gravitational
collapse. If the Brans-Dicke coupling is less than -1.5, the oscillation of the
component allows the apparent horizon to shrink. This allows a
combination that violates weak cosmic censorship. Finally, we discuss the
implications of the violation of the null energy condition and weak cosmic
censorship.Comment: 28 pages, 14 figure
Dynamics of false vacuum bubbles: beyond the thin shell approximation
We numerically study the dynamics of false vacuum bubbles which are inside an
almost flat background; we assumed spherical symmetry and the size of the
bubble is smaller than the size of the background horizon. According to the
thin shell approximation and the null energy condition, if the bubble is
outside of a Schwarzschild black hole, unless we assume Farhi-Guth-Guven
tunneling, expanding and inflating solutions are impossible. In this paper, we
extend our method to beyond the thin shell approximation: we include the
dynamics of fields and assume that the transition layer between a true vacuum
and a false vacuum has non-zero thickness. If a shell has sufficiently low
energy, as expected from the thin shell approximation, it collapses (Type 1).
However, if the shell has sufficiently large energy, it tends to expand. Here,
via the field dynamics, field values of inside of the shell slowly roll down to
the true vacuum and hence the shell does not inflate (Type 2). If we add
sufficient exotic matters to regularize the curvature near the shell, inflation
may be possible without assuming Farhi-Guth-Guven tunneling. In this case, a
wormhole is dynamically generated around the shell (Type 3). By tuning our
simulation parameters, we could find transitions between Type 1 and Type 2, as
well as between Type 2 and Type 3. Between Type 2 and Type 3, we could find
another class of solutions (Type 4). Finally, we discuss the generation of a
bubble universe and the violation of unitarity. We conclude that the existence
of a certain combination of exotic matter fields violates unitarity.Comment: 40 pages, 41 figure
Dynamical formation and evolution of (2+1)-dimensional charged black holes
In this paper, we investigate the dynamical formation and evolution of 2 +
1-dimensional charged black holes. We numerically study dynamical collapses of
charged matter fields in an anti de Sitter background and note the formation of
black holes using the double-null formalism. Moreover, we include re-normalized
energy-momentum tensors assuming the S-wave approximation to determine
thermodynamical back-reactions to the internal structures. If there is no
semi-classical effects, the amount of charge determines the causal structures.
If the charge is sufficiently small, the causal structure has a space-like
singularity. However, as the charge increases, an inner Cauchy horizon appears.
If we have sufficient charge, we see a space-like outer horizon and a time-like
inner horizon, and if we give excessive charge, black hole horizons disappear.
We have some circumstantial evidences that weak cosmic censorship is still
satisfied, even for such excessive charge cases. Also, we confirm that there is
mass inflation along the inner horizon, although the properties are quite
different from those of four-dimensional cases. Semi-classical back-reactions
will not affect the outer horizon, but they will affect the inner horizon. Near
the center, there is a place where negative energy is concentrated. Thus,
charged black holes in three dimensions have two types of curvature
singularities in general: via mass inflation and via a concentration of
negative energy. Finally, we classify possible causal structures.Comment: 40 pages, 15 figure
Anti-interleukin-21 antibody and liraglutide for the preservation of β-cell function in adults with recent-onset type 1 diabetes : a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial
Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Elsevier LtdBackground: Type 1 diabetes is characterised by progressive loss of functional β-cell mass, necessitating insulin treatment. We aimed to investigate the hypothesis that combining anti-interleukin (IL)-21 antibody (for low-grade and transient immunomodulation) with liraglutide (to improve β-cell function) could enable β-cell survival with a reduced risk of complications compared with traditional immunomodulation. Methods: This randomised, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, double-dummy, double-blind, phase 2 trial was done at 94 sites (university hospitals and medical centres) in 17 countries. Eligible participants were adults aged 18–45 years with recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes and residual β-cell function. Individuals with unstable type 1 diabetes (defined by an episode of severe diabetic ketoacidosis within 2 weeks of enrolment) or active or latent chronic infections were excluded. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1), with stratification by baseline stimulated peak C-peptide concentration (mixed-meal tolerance test [MMTT]), to the combination of anti-IL-21 and liraglutide, anti-IL-21 alone, liraglutide alone, or placebo, all as an adjunct to insulin. Investigators, participants, and funder personnel were masked throughout the treatment period. The primary outcome was the change in MMTT-stimulated C-peptide concentration at week 54 (end of treatment) relative to baseline, measured via the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) over a 4 h period for the full analysis set (intention-to-treat population consisting of all participants who were randomly assigned). After treatment cessation, participants were followed up for an additional 26-week off-treatment observation period. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02443155. Findings: Between Nov 10, 2015, and Feb 27, 2019, 553 adults were assessed for eligibility, of whom 308 were randomly assigned to receive either anti-IL-21 plus liraglutide, anti-IL-21, liraglutide, or placebo (77 assigned to each group). Compared with placebo (ratio to baseline 0·61, 39% decrease), the decrease in MMTT-stimulated C-peptide concentration from baseline to week 54 was significantly smaller with combination treatment (0·90, 10% decrease; estimated treatment ratio 1·48, 95% CI 1·16–1·89; p=0·0017), but not with anti-IL-21 alone (1·23, 0·97–1·57; p=0·093) or liraglutide alone (1·12, 0·87–1·42; p=0·38). Despite greater insulin use in the placebo group, the decrease in HbA1c (a key secondary outcome) at week 54 was greater with all active treatments (−0·50 percentage points) than with placebo (−0·10 percentage points), although the differences versus placebo were not significant. The effects diminished upon treatment cessation. Changes in immune cell subsets across groups were transient and mild (<10% change over time). The most frequently reported adverse events included gastrointestinal disorders, in keeping with the known side-effect profile of liraglutide. The rate of hypoglycaemic events did not differ significantly between active treatment groups and placebo, with an exception of a lower rate in the liraglutide group than in the placebo group during the treatment period. No events of diabetic ketoacidosis were observed. One participant died while on liraglutide (considered unlikely to be related to trial treatment) in connection with three reported adverse events (hypoglycaemic coma, pneumonia, and brain oedema). Interpretation: The combination of anti-IL-21 and liraglutide could preserve β-cell function in recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes. The efficacy of this combination appears to be similar to that seen in trials of other disease-modifying interventions in type 1 diabetes, but with a seemingly better safety profile. Efficacy and safety should be further evaluated in a phase 3 trial programme. Funding: Novo Nordisk.Peer reviewe
A De Novo Centric Fission of Chromosome 11 in a Patient with Recurrent Miscarriages
We report on a de novo centric fission of chromosome 11 in a healthy female referred for chromosome analysis due to recurrent miscarriages. Both fission products were mitotically stable. This centric fission of chromosome 11 appears to have no clinical significance for this patient other than recurrent miscarriages
Cortisol Awakening Response and Nighttime Salivary Cortisol Levels in Healthy Working Korean Subjects
∙ The authors have no financial conflicts of interest. Purpose: Cortisol awakening response (CAR) and nighttime cortisol levels have been used as indices of adrenocortical activity. However, population-based statistical information regarding these indices has not been provided in healthy subjects. This study was carried out to provide basic statistical information regarding these indices. Materials and Methods: Cortisol levels were measured in saliva samples collected immediately upon awakening (0 min), 30 min after awakening and in the nighttime on two consecutive days in 133 healthy subjects. Results: We determined the mean [standard deviation (SD)], median (interquartile range) and 5th-95th percentile range for each measure and auxiliary indices for CAR, i.e., the secreted cortisol concentration within 30 min of awakening (CARscc) and absolute and relative increases in cortisol level within 30 min of awakening (CARi and CARi%, respectively). We also determined these values for auxiliary indices derived from nighttime cortisol level, i.e., the ratio of cortisol level 30 min afte
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