Is Vacuum Decay Significant in Ekpyrotic and Cyclic Models?

It has recently been argued that bubble nucleation in ekpyrotic and cyclic cosmological scenarios can lead to unacceptable inhomogeneities unless certain constraints are satisfied. In this paper we show that this is not the case. We find that bubble nucleation is completely negligible in realistic models.Comment: 3 pages, 1 figure, minor revision

Quantum phase-space analysis of the pendular cavity

We perform a quantum mechanical analysis of the pendular cavity, using the positive-P representation, showing that the quantum state of the moving mirror, a macroscopic object, has noticeable effects on the dynamics. This system has previously been proposed as a candidate for the quantum-limited measurement of small displacements of the mirror due to radiation pressure, for the production of states with entanglement between the mirror and the field, and even for superposition states of the mirror. However, when we treat the oscillating mirror quantum mechanically, we find that it always oscillates, has no stationary steady-state, and exhibits uncertainties in position and momentum which are typically larger than the mean values. This means that previous linearised fluctuation analyses which have been used to predict these highly quantum states are of limited use. We find that the achievable accuracy in measurement is far worse than the standard quantum limit due to thermal noise, which, for typical experimental parameters, is overwhelming even at 2 mK.Comment: 25 pages, 6 figures To be published in Phys. Rev.

Fraser of cryptophthalmosis syndrome: A case report

Fraser or cryptophthalmos syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by major features such as cryptophthalmos, syndactyly, and abnormal genitalia. Consanguinity is reported in 15-24.8% of the cases. The diagnosis of this syndrome can be made on clinical examination; therefore we present the clinical findings of a rare case of Fraser syndrome in a female infant

Sumatriptan–naproxen fixed combination for acute treatment of migraine: a critical appraisal

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including naproxen and naproxen sodium, are effective yet nonspecific analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs, which work for a variety of pain and inflammatory syndromes, including migraine. In migraine, their analgesic effect helps relieve the headache, while their anti-inflammatory effect decreases the neurogenic inflammation in the trigeminal ganglion. This is the hypothesized mechanism by which they prevent the development of central sensitization. Triptans, including sumatriptan, work early in the migraine process at the trigeminovascular unit as agonists of the serotonin receptors (5-HT receptors) 1B and 1D. They block vasoconstriction and block transmission of signals to the trigeminal nucleus and thus prevent peripheral sensitization. Therefore, combining these two drugs is an attractive modality for the abortive treatment of migraine. Sumatriptan–naproxen fixed combination tablet (Treximet® [sumatriptan–naproxen]) proves to be an effective and well tolerated drug that combines these two mechanisms; yet is far from being the ultimate in migraine abortive therapy, and further research remains essential

A PRELIMINARY ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC INVESTIGATION INTO SHOULDER MUSCLE ACTIVITY IN CRICKET SEAM BOWLING

2 The aim of this investigation was to describe and compare surface electromyographic activity of shoulder musculature during cricket seam bowling between two elite bowlers with (bowler A) and without (bowler B) shoulder pathology. Activity of seven muscles were recorded at 500 Hz with a digital camera sampling at 210 Hz used to define phases within the movement. Whilst both the duration of the movement and ball velocity were similar between bowlers (bowler A: duration = 0.89 ± 0.04 s, ball velocity = 27.08 ± 1.21 m.s-1; bowler B: duration = 0.72 ± 0.02 s, ball velocity = 26.59 ± 1.49 m.s-1), variations in muscle activity particularly for biceps brachii and infraspinatus were established. Further research utilising larger sample sizes is required to establish if such variations occur as a consequence of shoulder pathology or if these are due to other contributing factors