224 research outputs found
Dark Energy in vector-tensor theories of gravity
We consider a general class of vector-tensor theories of gravity and show
that solutions with accelerated expansion and a future type III singularity are
a common feature in these models. We also show that there are only six
vector-tensor theories with the same small scales behavior as General
Relativity and, in addition, only two of them can be made completely free from
instabilities. Finally, two particular models as candidates for dark energy are
proposed: on one hand, a cosmic vector that allows to alleviate the usual
naturalness and coincidence problems and, on the other hand, the
electromagnetic field is shown to give rise to an effective cosmological
constant on large scales whose value can be explained in terms of inflation at
the electroweak scale.Comment: 4 pages, 1 table. Contribution to the proceedings of Spanish
Relativity Meeting 2009, Bilbao, Spain, 7-11 September 200
Cosmic magnetic fields and dark energy in extended electromagnetism
We discuss an extended version of electromagnetism in which the usual gauge
fixing term is promoted into a physical contribution that introduces a new
scalar state in the theory. This new state can be generated from vacuum quantum
fluctuations during an inflationary era and, on super-Hubble scales, gives rise
to an effective cosmological constant. The value of such a cosmological
constant coincides with the one inferred from observations as long as inflation
took place at the electroweak scale. On the other hand, the new state also
generates an effective electric charge density on sub-Hubble scales that
produces both vorticity and magnetic fields with coherent lengths as large as
the present Hubble horizon.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures. Contribution to the proceedings of Spanish
Relativity Meeting 2010, Granada, Spain, 6-10 September 201
Infrared lessons for ultraviolet gravity: the case of massive gravity and Born-Infeld
We generalize the ultraviolet sector of gravitation via a Born-Infeld action
using lessons from massive gravity. The theory contains all of the elementary
symmetric polynomials and is treated in the Palatini formalism. We show how the
connection can be solved algebraically to be the Levi-Civita connection of an
effective metric. The non-linearity of the algebraic equations yields several
branches, one of which always reduces to General Relativity at low curvatures.
We explore in detail a {\it minimal} version of the theory, for which we study
solutions in the presence of a perfect fluid with special attention to the
cosmological evolution. In vacuum we recover Ricci-flat solutions, but also an
additional physical solution corresponding to an Einstein space. The existence
of two physical branches remains for non-vacuum solutions and, in addition, the
branch that connects to the Einstein space in vacuum is not very sensitive to
the specific value of the energy density. For the branch that connects to the
General Relativity limit we generically find three behaviours for the Hubble
function depending on the equation of state of the fluid, namely: either there
is a maximum value for the energy density that connects continuously with
vacuum, or the energy density can be arbitrarily large but the Hubble function
saturates and remains constant at high energy densities, or the energy density
is unbounded and the Hubble function grows faster than in General Relativity.
The second case is particularly interesting because it could offer an
interesting inflationary epoch even in the presence of a dust component.
Finally, we discuss the possibility of avoiding certain types of singularities
within the minimal model.Comment: 31 pages, 3 figures (Journal version, references added
Effects of biasing on the galaxy power spectrum at large scales
n this paper we study the effect of biasing on the power spectrum at large
scales. We show that even though non-linear biasing does introduce a white
noise contribution on large scales, the behavior of the
matter power spectrum on large scales may still be visible and above the white
noise for about one decade. We show, that the Kaiser biasing scheme which leads
to linear bias of the correlation function on {\em large} scales, also
generates a linear bias of the {\rm power spectrum} on rather small scales.
This is a consequence of the divergence on small scales of the pure
Harrison-Zeldovich spectrum. However, biasing becomes k-dependent when we damp
the underlying power spectrum on small scales. We also discuss the effect of
biasing on the baryon acoustic oscillations.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures. One figure and comments clarifying the linear
biasing on small scales and references added. V3 version accepted in PR
Born-Infeld Gravity: Constraints from Light-by-Light Scattering and an Effective Field Theory Perspective
By using a novel technique that establishes a correspondence between general
relativity and metric-affine theories based on the Ricci tensor, we are able to
set stringent constraints on the free parameter of Born-Infeld gravity from the
ones recently obtained for Born-Infeld electrodynamics by using light-by-light
scattering data from ATLAS. We also discuss how these gravity theories plus
matter fit within an effective field theory framework.Comment: 7 page
The Frustration of Novelty and Basic Psychological Needs as Predictors of Maladaptive Outcomes in Physical Education
Background
The need for novelty has been recently proposed as a candidate need within basic psychological needs theory (BPNT). In physical education (PE), research has shown that meeting students’ need for novelty is often positively associated with enhanced (and negatively associated with impaired) pupils’ well-being. Frustrating students’ novelty has also been negatively related to achieving multiple positive outcomes in PE. However, no research has explored whether frustration of novelty is positively associated with maladaptive consequences for pupils in this educational context, which is a necessary criterion to be included within BPNT.
Purpose
In this correlational study, we aimed to determine whether frustration of novelty was associated with up to 10 maladaptive outcomes in a similar way as the frustration of the three basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness). The maladaptive outcomes analyzed were amotivation, boredom, negative affect, entity beliefs, fear of failure, worry, concentration disruption, somatic and social physique anxiety, and oppositional defiance.
Research design
Cross-sectional study.
Methods
A total of 533 students (Mage = 14.47, SD = 1.34; 56.66% female) from eight secondary schools completed online questionnaires assessing their basic psychological needs frustration, novelty frustration and diverse maladaptive outcomes in PE. Pearson's correlations and hierarchical regression analyses controlling by sex, age, and race, were calculated to test the associations among these variables.
Findings
The correlation coefficients for novelty frustration were like those found for the three basic psychological needs concerning maladaptive outcomes in PE students. Particularly, hierarchical regression analyses showed that frustrating novelty in PE predicted amotivation (β = .11, p = .039), boredom (β = .23, p < .001), entity beliefs (β = .12, p = .039), and concentration disruption (β = .12, p = .049).
Conclusions
Results showed that novelty frustration was positively related to experiencing some negative consequences in PE, which is an important criterion within BPNT. Future training programs aimed at promoting optimal (and preventing detrimental) motivational styles in PE teachers could use these results to optimize students’ PE experiences
Changes in bariatric patients’ physical activity levels and health-related quality of life following a postoperative motivational physical activity intervention
Purpose: Self-determination theory (SDT) has been widely used as a useful motivational framework for improving long-term adherence to physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a 6-month motivational PA intervention (MPAI) on bariatric patients’ PA levels and HRQoL from pre-surgery to the end of the MPAI (7 months post-surgery). Additionally, a re-test was performed 13 months post-surgery.
Methods: 40 participants undergoing sleeve gastrectomy were assigned to a 6-month MPAI or to a control group. The MPAI was based on techniques and messages from SDT. At baseline and post-intervention measures, both groups wore accelerometers for one week and completed the SF-36 questionnaire.
Results: 32 participants (78.1% female) completed all measures and were included in the final analyses. PA levels did not significantly differ between groups as a consequence of the intervention. Clinically significant differences (d ≥ 0.5) favoring the MPAI group were found for SF-36 domains of bodily pain (at pre-surgery, increasing at 7- and 13-months post-surgery), general health and vitality (7 months post-surgery), and physical functioning and the physical component score (both 7- and 13-months post-surgery). Social functioning also showed clinically significant differences favoring the MPAI group at pre-surgery, increasing at 7 months post-surgery. These differences disappeared at 13 months post-surgery.
Conclusions: SDT-based PA interventions could enhance several dimensions of bariatric patients’ HRQoL after surgery. Further research is needed to understand what motivational processes are key aspects to promote PA participation in these patients
A self-determined exploration of adolescents’ and parents’ experiences derived from a multidimensional school-based physical activity intervention
Purpose: Adolescents’ and parents’ experiences within a multidimensional schoolbased
physical activity intervention grounded on self-determination theory were
explored. Method: Qualitative data from 29 adolescents (aged 15-17 years) and three
parents on behalf of the total students' families were collected via participant
observation (research diary), semistructured interviews, and focus groups. Results:
Adolescents perceived that the application of motivational strategies, based on selfdetermination
theory, satisfied their basic psychological needs for autonomy,
competence and relatedness, favored self-determined motivation, and gave rise to
adaptive consequences (improved physical activity knowledge, creation of affective
bonds, and increased leisure-time physical activity). These results were supported by the
information reported by the students' parents. Discussion/Conclusions: The findings
support the implementation of self-determination theory-based multidimensional
interventions to promote adolescents’ physical activity participation. This study also
presents several motivational strategies which could be useful for the design and
implementation of future school-based physical activity intervention
Geothermometrical modelling applied to the CO2-rich thermal waters of the Lanjarón hydrothermal system (Granada, Spain)
[No abstract
- …