2,719 research outputs found
Role of the Brans-Dicke scalar in the holographic description of dark energy
We study cosmological application of the holographic energy density in the
Brans-Dicke theory. Considering the holographic energy density as a dynamical
cosmological constant, it is more natural to study it in the Brans-Dicke theory
than in general relativity. Solving the Friedmann and Brans-Dicke field
equations numerically, we clarify the role of Brans-Dicke field during
evolution of the universe. When the Hubble horizon is taken as the IR cutoff,
the equation of state (w_{\Lmd}) for the holographic energy density is
determined to be 5/3 when the Brans-Dicke parameter \omg goes infinity. This
means that the Brans-Dicke field plays a crucial role in determining the
equation of state. For the particle horizon IR cutoff, the Brans-Dicke scalar
mediates a transition from w_{\Lmd} = -1/3 (past) to w_{\Lmd} = 1/3
(future). If a dust matter is present, it determines future equation of state.
In the case of future event horizon cutoff, the role of the Brans-Dicke scalar
and dust matter are turned out to be trivial, whereas the holographic energy
density plays an important role as a dark energy candidate with w_{\Lmd} =-1.Comment: 10pages, 3figures, version to appear in PL
Bianchi Type-II String Cosmological Models in Normal Gauge for Lyra's Manifold with Constant Deceleration Parameter
The present study deals with a spatially homogeneous and anisotropic
Bianchi-II cosmological models representing massive strings in normal gauge for
Lyra's manifold by applying the variation law for generalized Hubble's
parameter that yields a constant value of deceleration parameter. The variation
law for Hubble's parameter generates two types of solutions for the average
scale factor, one is of power-law type and other is of the exponential form.
Using these two forms, Einstein's modified field equations are solved
separately that correspond to expanding singular and non-singular models of the
universe respectively. The energy-momentum tensor for such string as formulated
by Letelier (1983) is used to construct massive string cosmological models for
which we assume that the expansion () in the model is proportional to
the component of the shear tensor . This
condition leads to , where A, B and C are the metric coefficients
and m is proportionality constant. Our models are in accelerating phase which
is consistent to the recent observations. It has been found that the
displacement vector behaves like cosmological term in the
normal gauge treatment and the solutions are consistent with recent
observations of SNe Ia. It has been found that massive strings dominate in the
decelerating universe whereas strings dominate in the accelerating universe.
Some physical and geometric behaviour of these models are also discussed.Comment: 24 pages, 10 figure
A critique of non-extensive q-entropy for thermal statistics
During the past dozen years there have been numerous articles on a relation
between entropy and probability which is non-additive and has a parameter
that depends on the nature of the thermodynamic system under consideration. For
this relation corresponds to the Boltzmann-Gibbs entropy, but for other
values of it is claimed that it leads to a formalism which is consistent
with the laws of thermodynamics. However, it is shown here that the joint
entropy for systems having {\it different} values of is not defined in this
formalism, and consequently fundamental thermodynamic concepts such as
temperature and heat exchange cannot be considered for such systems. Moreover,
for the probability distribution for weakly interacting systems does
not factor into the product of the probability distribution for the separate
systems, leading to spurious correlations and other unphysical consequences,
e.g. non-extensive energy, that have been ignored in various applications given
in the literature
The emerging structure of the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis: where does Evo-Devo fit in?
The Extended Evolutionary Synthesis (EES) debate is gaining ground in contemporary evolutionary biology. In parallel, a number of philosophical standpoints have emerged in an attempt to clarify what exactly is represented by the EES. For Massimo Pigliucci, we are in the wake of the newest instantiation of a persisting Kuhnian paradigm; in contrast, Telmo Pievani has contended that the transition to an EES could be best represented as a progressive reformation of a prior Lakatosian scientific research program, with the extension of its Neo-Darwinian core and the addition of a brand-new protective belt of assumptions and auxiliary hypotheses. Here, we argue that those philosophical vantage points are not the only ways to interpret what current proposals to βextendβ the Modern Synthesis-derived βstandard evolutionary theoryβ (SET) entail in terms of theoretical change in evolutionary biology. We specifically propose the image of the emergent EES as a vast network of models and interweaved representations that, instantiated in diverse practices, are connected and related in multiple ways. Under that assumption, the EES could be articulated around a paraconsistent network of evolutionary theories (including some elements of the SET), as well as models, practices and representation systems of contemporary evolutionary biology, with edges and nodes that change their position and centrality as a consequence of the co-construction and stabilization of facts and historical discussions revolving around the epistemic goals of this area of the life sciences. We then critically examine the purported structure of the EESβpublished by Laland and collaborators in 2015βin light of our own network-based proposal. Finally, we consider which epistemic units of Evo-Devo are present or still missing from the EES, in preparation for further analyses of the topic of explanatory integration in this conceptual framework
The Sound Sensation of Apical Electric Stimulation in Cochlear Implant Recipients with Contralateral Residual Hearing
BACKGROUND: Studies using vocoders as acoustic simulators of cochlear implants have generally focused on simulation of speech understanding, gender recognition, or music appreciation. The aim of the present experiment was to study the auditory sensation perceived by cochlear implant (CI) recipients with steady electrical stimulation on the most-apical electrode. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Five unilateral CI users with contralateral residual hearing were asked to vary the parameters of an acoustic signal played to the non-implanted ear, in order to match its sensation to that of the electric stimulus. They also provided a rating of similarity between each acoustic sound they selected and the electric stimulus. On average across subjects, the sound rated as most similar was a complex signal with a concentration of energy around 523 Hz. This sound was inharmonic in 3 out of 5 subjects with a moderate, progressive increase in the spacing between the frequency components. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: For these subjects, the sound sensation created by steady electric stimulation on the most-apical electrode was neither a white noise nor a pure tone, but a complex signal with a progressive increase in the spacing between the frequency components in 3 out of 5 subjects. Knowing whether the inharmonic nature of the sound was related to the fact that the non-implanted ear was impaired has to be explored in single-sided deafened patients with a contralateral CI. These results may be used in the future to better understand peripheral and central auditory processing in relation to cochlear implants
The Size and Performance of Public Sector Activities in Europe
The obvious difference in the economic performance of countries has led to the question why some countries are so much wealthier than others, and whether the size, the structure, and the organisation of the public sector contribute to cross-country income and growth gaps. Public sector activities may have an effect on overall productivity and growth via two channels: directly by the level and changes of productivity within the public sector, and indirectly by triggering off productivity changes in private production. This paper is concerned with the former aspect. It provides an overview of the size and the structure of the public sector in Europe and compares it with the US and Japan. This is related to the more recent empirical literature on public sector performance. After reviewing some of the measurement issues related to public services, the evidence on the size of government and its performance is analysed. The results on industrial countries are not fully conclusive, but seem to attribute more efficiency to smaller rather than to larger governments. Public sector reforms to consolidate the size of government are therefore likely to enhance the sector's own productivity and thereby positively contribute to overall economic performance
Defending the genome from the enemy within:mechanisms of retrotransposon suppression in the mouse germline
The viability of any species requires that the genome is kept stable as it is transmitted from generation to generation by the germ cells. One of the challenges to transgenerational genome stability is the potential mutagenic activity of transposable genetic elements, particularly retrotransposons. There are many different types of retrotransposon in mammalian genomes, and these target different points in germline development to amplify and integrate into new genomic locations. Germ cells, and their pluripotent developmental precursors, have evolved a variety of genome defence mechanisms that suppress retrotransposon activity and maintain genome stability across the generations. Here, we review recent advances in understanding how retrotransposon activity is suppressed in the mammalian germline, how genes involved in germline genome defence mechanisms are regulated, and the consequences of mutating these genome defence genes for the developing germline
- β¦