Detailed study of BBN implications of neutrino oscillation generated neutrino asymmetries in some four neutrino models

We re-examine the evolution of neutrino asymmetries in several four neutrino models. The first case involves the direct creation of $L_{\nu_e}$ by $\nu_e \leftrightarrow \nu_s$ oscillations. In the second case, we consider the mass hierarchy $m_{\nu_\tau} \gg m_{\nu_\mu}, m_{\nu_e}, m_{\nu_s}$ where $\nu_\tau \leftrightarrow \nu_s$ oscillations generate a large $L_{\nu_\tau}$ and some of this asymmetry is converted into $L_{\nu_e}$ by $\nu_{\tau} \leftrightarrow \nu_{e}$ oscillations. We estimate the implications for BBN for a range of cosmologically interesting $\delta m^2$ values. The present paper improves on previous published work by taking into account the finite repopulation rate and the time dependence of the distortions to the neutrino momentum distributions. The treatment of chemical decoupling is also improved.Comment: Expanded discussion on the sign of the neutrino asymmetr

Topological defects: A problem for cyclic universes?

We study the behaviour of cosmic string networks in contracting universes, and discuss some of their possible consequences. We note that there is a fundamental time asymmetry between defect network evolution for an expanding universe and a contracting universe. A string network with negligible loop production and small-scale structure will asymptotically behave during the collapse phase as a radiation fluid. In realistic networks these two effects are important, making this solution only approximate. We derive new scaling solutions describing this effect, and test them against high-resolution numerical simulations. A string network in a contracting universe, together with the gravitational radiation background it has generated, can significantly affect the dynamics of the universe both locally and globally. The network can be an important source of radiation, entropy and inhomogeneity. We discuss the possible implications of these findings for bouncing and cyclic cosmological models.Comment: 11 RevTeX 4 pages, 6 figures; version to appear in Phys. Rev.

Challenges and Obstacles for a Bouncing Universe in Brane Models

A Brane evolving in the background of a charged AdS black-hole displays in general a bouncing behaviour with a smooth transition from a contracting to an expanding phase. We examine in detail the conditions and consequences of this behaviour in various cases. For a cosmological-constant-dominated Brane, we obtain a singularity-free, inflationary era which is shown to be compatible only with an intermediate-scale fundamental Planck mass. For a radiation-dominated Brane, the bouncing behaviour can occur only for background-charge values exceeding those allowed for non-extremal black holes. For a matter-dominated Brane, the black-hole mass affects the proper volume or the expansion rate of the Brane. We also consider the Brane evolving in an asymmetric background of two distinct charged AdS black hole spacetimes being bounded by the Brane and find that, in the case of an empty critical Brane, bouncing behaviour occurs only if the black-hole mass difference is smaller than a certain value. The effects of a Brane curvature term on the bounce at early and late times are also investigated.Comment: 23 pages, Latex file, comments and references added, version to appear in Phys. Rev.

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries