689 research outputs found
Consequences of f(R)-theories of gravity on gravitational leptogenesis
f(R)-theories of gravity are reviewed in the framework of the
matter-antimatter asymmetry in the Universe. The asymmetry is generated by the
gravitational coupling of heavy (Majorana) neutrinos with the Ricci scalar
curvature. In order that the mechanism works, a time varying non-zero Ricci
curvature is necessary. The latter is provided by f(R) cosmology, whose
Lagrangian density is of the form {\cal L}(R)\sim f(R). In particular we study
the cases f(R)\sim R+\alpha R^n and f(R)\sim R^{1+\epsilon}.Comment: 14 page
Cosmological evolution of thermal relic particles in gravity
By considering gravity models, the cosmic evolution is modified with
respect to the standard CDM scenario. In particular, the thermal
history of particles results modified. In this paper, we derive the evolution
of relics particles (WIMPs) assuming a reliable cosmological solution
and taking into account observational constraints. The connection to the PAMELA
experiment is also discussed. Results are consistent with constraints coming
from BICEP2 and PLANCK experiments.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure
Neutrino pair annihilation () in the presence of quintessence surrounding a black hole
Quintessence fields, introduced to explain the speed-up of the Universe,
might affect the geometry of spacetime surrounding black holes, as compared to
the standard Schwarzschild and Kerr geometries. In this framework, we study the
neutrino pairs annihilation into electron-positron pairs () near the surface of a neutron star, focusing, in particular, on the
Schwarzschild-like geometry in presence of quintessence fields. The effect of
the latter is to increase the minimum photon-sphere radius (),
increasing in such a way the maximum energy deposition rate near to .
The rate turns out to be several orders of magnitude greater than the rate
computed in the framework of General Relativity. These results might provide an
efficient mechanism for the generation of GRBs and lead to constraints on the
parameters of the quintessence model.Comment: 22 pages, 8 figure
Syncope in a young man: Role of Purkinje fibres in idiopathic ventricular fibrillation
A young man suffered cardiac arrests with polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PVT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) triggered by ventricular premature contractions (PVCs). The arrhythmia was resistant to anti-arrhythmics, so after ICD implantation he underwent successful ablation of the triggering VE beat, which was pace-mapped to the left posterior hemi-fascicle. We review the evidence for the role of the Purkinje network in the initiation and maintenance of PVT and VF, postulating a channelopathy as a possible underlying cause, and provide recommendations for PVC ablation
Effect of recombinant human nerve growth factor eye drops in patients with dry eye: a phase IIa, open label, multiple-dose study
Background: Dry eye disease (DED) affects more than 14% of the elderly population causing decrease of quality of life, high costs and vision impairment. Current treatments for DED aim at lubricating and controlling inflammation of the ocular surface. Development of novel therapies targeting different pathogenic mechanisms is sought-after. The aim of this study is to evaluate safety and efficacy of recombinant human nerve growth factor (rhNGF) eye drops in patients with DED. Methods: Forty consecutive patients with moderate to severe DED were included in a phase IIa, prospective, open label, multiple-dose, clinical trial to receive rhNGF eye drops at 20 μg/mL (Group 1: G1) or at 4 μg/mL (Group 2: G2) concentrations, two times a day in both eyes for 28 days (NCT02101281). The primary outcomes measures were treatment-emerged adverse events (AE), Symptoms Assessment in Dry Eye (SANDE) scale, ocular surface staining and Schirmer test. Results: Of 40 included patients, 39 completed the trial. Both tested rhNGF eye drop concentrations were safe and well tolerated. Twenty-nine patients experienced at least one AE (14 in G1 and 15 in G2), of which 11 had at least 1 related AE (8 in G1 and 3 in G2). Both frequency and severity of DED symptoms and ocular surface damage showed significant improvement in both groups, while tear function improved only in G1. Conclusions: The data of this study indicate that rhNGF eye drops in both doses is safe and effective in improving symptoms and signs of DED. Randomised clinical trials are ongoing to confirm the therapeutic benefit of rhNGF in DED. Trial registration number: NCT02101281
Management of patients with Graves' disease and orbital involvement: role of spectral domain optical coherence tomography
PURPOSE:
To investigate the role of choroidal thickness evaluation with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) and enhanced depth imaging (EDI) technique in the management of patients with Graves' disease and orbitopathy (GO).
METHODS:
Thirty-six eyes of 18 patients with GO and 36 eyes of 18 age-matched control subjects were included in this retrospective observational study. All the subjects underwent a complete ophthalmological evaluation, including clinical activity score (CAS) and exophthalmometry. The SDOCT images of the choroid were obtained by EDI modality.
RESULTS:
Choroidal thickness was significantly increased in GO than in control eyes (p < 0.01). A significant correlation was found between choroidal thickness and CAS, proptosis, and the duration of disease (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION:
This study shows that choroidal thickness, evaluated with EDI-OCT, is significantly increased in patients with GO and correlates with the activity of the disease, proptosis, and duration of the disease. The choroidal thickening may reflect the ocular hemodynamic changes, and enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography may be a useful tool for the evaluation of orbital congestion and management of patients with Graves' disease and orbital involvement
Non-relativistic neutrinos and the weak equivalence principle apparent violation
We study the non-relativistic limit of Dirac equation for mixed neutrinos. We demonstrate that such a procedure inevitably leads to a redefinition of the inertial mass. This happens because, in contrast to the case when mixing is absent, the antiparticle sector contribution cannot be neglected for neutrinos with definite flavor. We then show that, when a gravitational interaction is switched on, in the weak-field approximation the mass parameter which couples to gravity (gravitational mass) does not undergo the same reformulation as the inertial mass, thus leading to an apparent breakdown of the weak equivalence principle
Oscillating universes as eigensolutions of cosmological Schr\"odinger equation
We propose a cosmological model which could explain, in a very natural way,
the apparently periodic structures of the universe, as revealed in a series of
recent observations. Our point of view is to reduce the cosmological
Friedman--Einstein dynamical system to a sort of Schr\"odinger equation whose
bound eigensolutions are oscillating functions. Taking into account the
cosmological expansion, the large scale periodic structure could be easily
recovered considering the amplitudes and the correlation lengths of the galaxy
clusters.Comment: 12 pages, Latex, submitted to Int. Jou. of Theor. Phy
Probing Schwarzschild-like Black Holes in Metric-Affine Bumblebee Gravity with Accretion Disk, Deflection Angle, Greybody Bounds, and Neutrino Propagation
In this paper, we investigate Schwarzschild-like black holes within the
framework of metric-affine bumblebee gravity. We explore the implications of
such a gravitational setup on various astrophysical phenomena, including the
presence of an accretion disk, the deflection angle of light rays, the
establishment of greybody bounds, and the propagation of neutrinos. The
metric-affine bumblebee gravity theory offers a unique perspective on
gravitational interactions by introducing a vector field that couples to
spacetime curvature. We analyze the behavior of accretion disks around
Schwarzschild-like black holes in this modified gravity scenario, considering
the effects of the bumblebee field on the accretion process. Furthermore, we
scrutinize the deflection angle of light rays as they traverse the
gravitational field, highlighting potential deviations from standard
predictions due to the underlying metric-affine structure. Investigating
greybody bounds in this context sheds light on the thermal radiation emitted by
black holes and how the modified gravity framework influences this phenomenon.
Moreover, we explore neutrino propagation around Schwarzschild-like black holes
within metric-affine bumblebee gravity, examining alterations in neutrino
trajectories and interactions compared to conventional general relativity. By
comprehensively probing these aspects, we aim to unravel the distinctive
features and consequences of Schwarzschild-like black holes in the context of
metric-affine bumblebee gravity, offering new insights into the nature of
gravitational interactions and their observable signatures.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figure
A modified femtosecond laser technique for anterior capsule contraction syndrome
Anterior capsule contraction syndrome (ACCS) is a rare, late complication of cataract surgery, associated with impairment of visual function. In this paper, we describe a new surgical technique to treat ACCS by femtosecond laser procedure. The femtosecond laser was used to perform an anterior capsulotomy with a customized size, in order to avoid IOL damage. After ophthalmic viscosurgical device injection in the anterior chamber, the anterior capsule flap was separated from the IOL surface by gentle hydrodissection. This manoeuvre enabled an easy and safe removal of the fibrotic material by vitreal microscissors. Our technique allowed a complete removal of the fibrotic material and opening of the capsule, with immediate complete visual acuity recovery without IOL damage. In conclusion, femtosecond laser appears to be safe and effective for treatment of ACCS with long-lasting efficacy
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