333 research outputs found
Birkhoff's theorem in the f(T) gravity
Generalized from the so-called teleparallel gravity which is exactly
equivalent to general relativity, the gravity has been proposed as an
alternative gravity model to account for the dark energy phenomena. In this
letter we prove that the external vacuum gravitational field for a spherically
symmetric distribution of source matter in the gravity framework must be
static and the conclusion is independent of the radial distribution and
spherically symmetric motion of the source matter that is, whether it is in
motion or static. As a consequence, the Birkhoff's theorem is valid in the
general theory. We also discuss its application in the de Sitter
space-time evolution phase as preferred to by the nowadays dark energy
observations.Comment: 5p
Worldwide experience with a totally subcutaneous implantable defibrillator: Early results from the EFFORTLESS S-ICD registry
Aims The totally subcutaneous implantable-defibrillator (S-ICD) is a new alternative to the conventional transveno
Efficacy, safety, and tolerability of oral semaglutide versus placebo added to insulin with or without metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes: The PioNEER 8 trial
OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of oral semaglutide added to insulin with or without metformin. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Patients with type 2 diabetes uncontrolled on insulin with or without metformin were randomized to oral semaglutide 3 mg (N 5 184), 7 mg (N 5 182), or 14 mg (N 5 181) or to placebo (N 5 184) in a 52-week, double-blind trial. End points were change from baseline to week 26 in HbA1c (primary) and body weight (confirmatory secondary). Two estimands were defined: treatment policy (effect regardless of trial product discontinuation or rescue medication) and trial product (effect assuming trial product continuation without rescue medication) in randomized patients. RESULTS Oral semaglutide was superior to placebo in reducing HbA1c (estimated treatment difference [ETD] –0.5% [95% CI –0.7, –0.3], –0.9% [–1.1, –0.7], and –1.2% [–1.4, –1.0] for 3, 7, and 14 mg, respectively; P < 0.001) and body weight (ETD 20.9 kg [95% CI 21.8, 20.0], 22.0 kg [23.0, 21.0], and 23.3 kg [24.2, 22.3]; P 5 0.0392 for 3 mg, P £ 0.0001 for 7 and 14 mg) at week 26 (treatment policy estimand). Significantly greater dose-dependent HbA1c and body weight reductions versus placebo were achieved with oral semaglutide at weeks 26 and 52 (both estimands). The most frequent adverse event with oral semaglutide was nausea (11.4–23.2% of patients vs. 7.1% with placebo; mostly mild to moderate). CONCLUSIONS Oral semaglutide was superior to placebo in reducing HbA1c and body weight when added to insulin with or without metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes. The safety profile was consistent with other glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists
Extended Birkhoff's Theorem in the f(T) Gravity
The f(T) theory, a generally modified teleparallel gravity, has been proposed
as an alternative gravity model to account for the dark energy phenomena.
Following our previous work [Xin-he Meng and Ying-bin Wang, EPJC(2011),
arXiv:1107.0629v1], we prove that the Birkhoff's theorem holds in a more
general context, specifically with the off diagonal tetrad case, in this
communication letter. Then, we discuss respectively the results of the external
vacuum and internal gravitational field in the f(T) gravity framework, as well
as the extended meaning of this theorem. We also investigate the validity of
the Birkhoff's theorem in the frame of f(T) gravity via conformal
transformation by regarding the Brans-Dicke-like scalar as effective matter,
and study the equivalence between both Einstein frame and Jordan frame.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure, submitted to EPJ-C. arXiv admin note: substantial
text overlap with arXiv:1107.062
Effects of a programme of vigorous physical activity during secondary school physical education on academic performance, fitness, cognition, mental health and the brain of adolescents (Fit to Study): Study protocol for a cluster randomised trial
Background. Early adolescence is a period of dynamic neurobiological change. Converging lines of research suggest that regular physical activity (PA) and improved aerobic fitness have the potential to stimulate positive brain changes, improve cognitive function and boost academic attainment in this age group, but high-quality studies are needed to substantiate these findings. The primary aim of the Fit to Study trial is to investigate whether short infusions of vigorous PA (VPA) delivered during secondary school physical education (PE) can improve attainment in maths, as described in a protocol published by NatCen Social Research. The present protocol concerns the trial’s secondary outcome measures, which are variables thought to moderate or mediate the relationship between PA and attainment, including the effect of the intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness, cognitive performance, mental health and brain structure and function. Method. The Fit to Study project is a cluster-randomised controlled trial that includes Year 8 pupils (aged 12–13) from secondary state schools in South/Mid-England. Schools were randomised into an intervention condition in which PE teachers delivered an additional 10 min of VPA per PE lesson for one academic year, or a ‘PE as usual’ control condition. Intervention and control groups were stratified according to whether schools were single-sex or co-educational. Assessments take place at baseline (end of Year 7, aged 11–12) and after 12 months (Year 8). Secondary outcomes are cardiorespiratory fitness, objective PA during PE, cognitive performance and mental health. The study also includes exploratory measures of daytime sleepiness, attitudes towards daily PA and PE enjoyment. A sub-set of pupils from a sub-set of schools will also take part in a brain imaging sub-study, which is embedded in the trial. Discussion. The Fit to Study trial could advance our understanding of the complex relationships between PA and aerobic fitness, the brain, cognitive performance, mental health and academic attainment during adolescence. Further, it will add to our understanding of whether school PE is an effective setting to increase VPA and fitness, which could
inform future PA interventions and education policy
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