55 research outputs found
de Sitter relativity: a natural scenario for an evolving Lambda
The dispersion relation of de Sitter special relativity is obtained in a
simple and compact form, which is formally similar to the dispersion relation
of ordinary special relativity. It is manifestly invariant under change of
scale of mass, energy and momentum, and can thus be applied at any energy
scale. When applied to the universe as a whole, the de Sitter special
relativity is found to provide a natural scenario for the existence of an
evolving cosmological term, and agrees in particular with the present-day
observed value. It is furthermore consistent with a conformal cyclic view of
the universe, in which the transition between two consecutive eras occurs
through a conformal invariant spacetime.Comment: V1: 11 pages. V2: Presentation changes, new discussion added, 13
page
de Sitter special relativity
A special relativity based on the de Sitter group is introduced, which is the
theory that might hold up in the presence of a non-vanishing cosmological
constant. Like ordinary special relativity, it retains the quotient character
of spacetime, and a notion of homogeneity. As a consequence, the underlying
spacetime will be a de Sitter spacetime, whose associated kinematics will
differ from that of ordinary special relativity. The corresponding modified
notions of energy and momentum are obtained, and the exact relationship between
them, which is invariant under a re-scaling of the involved quantities,
explicitly exhibited. Since the de Sitter group can be considered a particular
deformation of the Poincar\'e group, this theory turns out to be a specific
kind of deformed (or doubly) special relativity. Some experimental
consequences, as well as the causal structure of spacetime--modified by the
presence of the de Sitter horizon--are briefly discussed.Comment: V2: Some presentation changes; a new section introduced, with a
discussion about possible phenomenological consequences; new references
added; version to be published in Classical and Quantum Gravit
Signatures of Primordial non-Gaussianities in the Matter Power-Spectrum and Bispectrum: the Time-RG Approach
We apply the time-renormalization group approach to study the effect of
primordial non-Gaussianities in the non-linear evolution of cosmological dark
matter density perturbations. This method improves the standard perturbation
approach by solving renormalization group-like equations governing the dynamics
of gravitational instability. The primordial bispectra constructed from the
dark matter density contrast and the velocity fields represent initial
conditions for the renormalization group flow. We consider local, equilateral
and folded shapes for the initial non-Gaussianity and analyze as well the case
in which the non-linear parameter f_{NL} parametrizing the strength of the
non-Gaussianity depends on the momenta in Fourier space through a power-law
relation, the so-called running non-Gaussianity. For the local model of
non-Gaussianity we compare our findings for the power-spectrum with those of
recent N-body simulations and find that they accurately fit the N-body data up
to wave-numbers k \sim 0.25 h/Mpc at z=0. We also present predictions for the
(reduced) matter bispectra for the various shapes of non-Gaussianity.Comment: 27 pages, 12 figures. Results and discussion for a particular case
added. One figure and one reference added. Matches with the version accepted
for publication in the JCAP
Global effects of non-native tree species on multiple ecosystem services
Non-native tree (NNT) species have been transported worldwide to create or enhance services that are fundamental
for human well-being, such as timber provision, erosion control or ornamental value; yet NNTs can also produce
undesired effects, such as fire proneness or pollen allergenicity. Despite the variety of effects that NNTs have on multiple
ecosystem services, a global quantitative assessment of their costs and benefits is still lacking. Such information is critical
for decision-making, management and sustainable exploitation of NNTs. We present here a global assessment of NNT
effects on the three main categories of ecosystem services, including regulating (RES), provisioning (PES) and cultural
services (CES), and on an ecosystem disservice (EDS), i.e. pollen allergenicity. By searching the scientific literature,
country forestry reports, and social media, we compiled a global data set of 1683 case studies from over 125 NNT
species, covering 44 countries, all continents but Antarctica, and seven biomes. Using differentmeta-analysis techniques,
we found that, while NNTs increase most RES (e.g. climate regulation, soil erosion control, fertility and formation),
they decrease PES (e.g. NNTs contribute less than native trees to global timber provision). Also, they have different
effects on CES (e.g. increase aesthetic values but decrease scientific interest), and no effect on the EDS considered.
NNT effects on each ecosystem (dis)service showed a strong context dependency, varying across NNT types, biomes
and socio-economic conditions. For instance, some RES are increased more by NNTs able to fix atmospheric nitrogen,
and when the ecosystem is located in low-latitude biomes; some CES are increased more by NNTs in less-wealthy
countries or in countries with higher gross domestic products. The effects of NNTs on several ecosystem (dis)services
exhibited some synergies (e.g. among soil fertility, soil formation and climate regulation or between aesthetic values
and pollen allergenicity), but also trade-offs (e.g. between fire regulation and soil erosion control). Our analyses provide
a quantitative understanding of the complex synergies, trade-offs and context dependencies involved for the effects of
NNTs that is essential for attaining a sustained provision of ecosystem servicesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Childhood asthma outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from the PeARL multi-national cohort.
BACKGROUND: The interplay between COVID-19 pandemic and asthma in children is still unclear. We evaluated the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on childhood asthma outcomes. METHODS: The PeARL multinational cohort included 1,054 children with asthma and 505 non-asthmatic children aged between 4-18 years from 25 pediatric departments, from 15 countries globally. We compared the frequency of acute respiratory and febrile presentations during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic between groups and with data available from the previous year. In children with asthma, we also compared current and historical disease control. RESULTS: During the pandemic, children with asthma experienced fewer upper respiratory tract infections, episodes of pyrexia, emergency visits, hospital admissions, asthma attacks and hospitalizations due to asthma, in comparison to the preceding year. Sixty-six percent of asthmatic children had improved asthma control while in 33% the improvement exceeded the minimal clinically important difference. Pre-bronchodilatation FEV1 and peak expiratory flow rate were improved during the pandemic. When compared to non-asthmatic controls, children with asthma were not at increased risk of LRTIs, episodes of pyrexia, emergency visits or hospitalizations during the pandemic. However, an increased risk of URTIs emerged. CONCLUSION: Childhood asthma outcomes, including control, were improved during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, probably because of reduced exposure to asthma triggers and increased treatment adherence. The decreased frequency of acute episodes does not support the notion that childhood asthma may be a risk factor for COVID-19. Furthermore, the potential for improving childhood asthma outcomes through environmental control becomes apparent
Disposable sensors in diagnostics, food and environmental monitoring
Disposable sensors are lowâcost and easyâtoâuse sensing devices intended for shortâterm or rapid singleâpoint measurements. The growing demand for fast, accessible, and reliable information in a vastly connected world makes disposable sensors increasingly important. The areas of application for such devices are numerous, ranging from pharmaceutical, agricultural, environmental, forensic, and food sciences to wearables and clinical diagnostics, especially in resourceâlimited settings. The capabilities of disposable sensors can extend beyond measuring traditional physical quantities (for example, temperature or pressure); they can provide critical chemical and biological information (chemoâ and biosensors) that can be digitized and made available to users and centralized/decentralized facilities for data storage, remotely. These features could pave the way for new classes of lowâcost systems for health, food, and environmental monitoring that can democratize sensing across the globe. Here, a brief insight into the materials and basics of sensors (methods of transduction, molecular recognition, and amplification) is provided followed by a comprehensive and critical overview of the disposable sensors currently used for medical diagnostics, food, and environmental analysis. Finally, views on how the field of disposable sensing devices will continue its evolution are discussed, including the future trends, challenges, and opportunities
Guia das EspĂ©cies ExĂłticas e Invasoras dos Rios, Lagos e EstuĂĄrios da PenĂnsula IbĂ©rica.
Guia das EspĂ©cies ExĂłticas e Invasoras dos Rios, Lagos e EstuĂĄrios da PenĂnsula IbĂ©rica
Intraperitoneal drain placement and outcomes after elective colorectal surgery: international matched, prospective, cohort study
Despite current guidelines, intraperitoneal drain placement after elective colorectal surgery remains widespread. Drains were not associated with earlier detection of intraperitoneal collections, but were associated with prolonged hospital stay and increased risk of surgical-site infections.Background Many surgeons routinely place intraperitoneal drains after elective colorectal surgery. However, enhanced recovery after surgery guidelines recommend against their routine use owing to a lack of clear clinical benefit. This study aimed to describe international variation in intraperitoneal drain placement and the safety of this practice. Methods COMPASS (COMPlicAted intra-abdominal collectionS after colorectal Surgery) was a prospective, international, cohort study which enrolled consecutive adults undergoing elective colorectal surgery (February to March 2020). The primary outcome was the rate of intraperitoneal drain placement. Secondary outcomes included: rate and time to diagnosis of postoperative intraperitoneal collections; rate of surgical site infections (SSIs); time to discharge; and 30-day major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade at least III). After propensity score matching, multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to estimate the independent association of the secondary outcomes with drain placement. Results Overall, 1805 patients from 22 countries were included (798 women, 44.2 per cent; median age 67.0 years). The drain insertion rate was 51.9 per cent (937 patients). After matching, drains were not associated with reduced rates (odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95 per cent c.i. 0.79 to 2.23; P = 0.287) or earlier detection (hazard ratio (HR) 0.87, 0.33 to 2.31; P = 0.780) of collections. Although not associated with worse major postoperative complications (OR 1.09, 0.68 to 1.75; P = 0.709), drains were associated with delayed hospital discharge (HR 0.58, 0.52 to 0.66; P < 0.001) and an increased risk of SSIs (OR 2.47, 1.50 to 4.05; P < 0.001). Conclusion Intraperitoneal drain placement after elective colorectal surgery is not associated with earlier detection of postoperative collections, but prolongs hospital stay and increases SSI risk
Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
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