129 research outputs found
On the energy of a non-singular black hole solution satisfying the weak energy condition
The energy-momentum localization for a new four-dimensional and spherically
symmetric, charged black hole solution that through a coupling of general
relativity with non-linear electrodynamics is everywhere non-singular while it
satisfies the weak energy condition is investigated. The Einstein and M\{o}
ller energy-momentum complexes have been employed in order to calculate the
energy distribution and the momenta for the aforesaid solution. It is found
that the energy distribution depends explicitly on the mass and the charge of
the black hole, on two parameters arising from the space-time geometry
considered, and on the radial coordinate. Further, in both prescriptions all
the momenta vanish.In addition, a comparison of the results obtained by the two
energy-momentum complexes is made, whereby some limiting and particular cases
are pointed out.Comment: 20 pages, 9 figure
Predicting Landslide Risk Combining Space Measurements and Geotechnical Modeling: Application at Kerasia Slide
The work developed and applied a methodology combining (a) space measurement of past displacement and (b) geotechnical modelling of displacement to predict and mitigate the risk of ground displacement cased by progressive slope instability. The area of study is in Kerasea village in Plastiras Lake Municipality. The problem under treatment is a creeping landslide in an inhabited area. Mitigation measures were analyzed
Using cool paving materials to improve microclimate of urban areas e Design realization and results of the flisvos project
The present paper deals with the application of 4500 m2 of reflective pavements in an urban park in the greater Athens area. The aim was to improve thermal comfort conditions, reduce the intensity of heat island and improve the global environmental quality in the considered area. To our knowledge, this has been the largest application of cool pavements in urban areas in the world. To evaluate the thermal impact of cool paving materials, specific and detailed measurements of the climatic conditions in the park have been performed before and after the installation of the new materials. Validated computerized fluid dynamics techniques have been used to homogenize the boundary conditions occurring during the
two experiments and to perform direct comparisons of the climatic quality in the park. It was estimated that the use of cool paving materials contributes to the reduction of the peak ambient temperature during a typical summer day, by up to 1.9 K. At the same time, the surface temperature in the park was decreased by 12 K, while comfort conditions have been improved considerably. It is concluded that the use of reflective paving materials is a very efficient mitigation technique to improve thermal conditions in urban area
Towards Canonical Quantum Gravity for G1 Geometries in 2+1 Dimensions with a Lambda--Term
The canonical analysis and subsequent quantization of the (2+1)-dimensional
action of pure gravity plus a cosmological constant term is considered, under
the assumption of the existence of one spacelike Killing vector field. The
proper imposition of the quantum analogues of the two linear (momentum)
constraints reduces an initial collection of state vectors, consisting of all
smooth functionals of the components (and/or their derivatives) of the spatial
metric, to particular scalar smooth functionals. The demand that the
midi-superspace metric (inferred from the kinetic part of the quadratic
(Hamiltonian) constraint) must define on the space of these states an induced
metric whose components are given in terms of the same states, which is made
possible through an appropriate re-normalization assumption, severely reduces
the possible state vectors to three unique (up to general coordinate
transformations) smooth scalar functionals. The quantum analogue of the
Hamiltonian constraint produces a Wheeler-DeWitt equation based on this reduced
manifold of states, which is completely integrated.Comment: Latex 2e source file, 25 pages, no figures, final version (accepted
in CQG
Distribution of Energy-Momentum in a Schwarzschild-Quintessence Space-time Geometry
An analysis of the energy-momentum localization for a four-dimensional\break
Schwarzschild black hole surrounded by quintessence is presented in order to
provide expressions for the distributions of energy and momentum. The
calculations are performed by using the Landau-Lifshitz and Weinberg
energy-momentum complexes. It is shown that all the momenta vanish, while the
expression for the energy depends on the mass of the black hole, the state
parameter and the normalization factor . The special case of
is also studied, and two limiting cases are examined.Comment: 9 page
Energy-Momentum Localization for a Space-Time Geometry Exterior to a Black Hole in the Brane World
In general relativity one of the most fundamental issues consists in defining
a generally acceptable definition for the energy-momentum density. As a
consequence, many coordinate-dependent definitions have been presented, whereby
some of them utilize appropriate energy-momentum complexes. We investigate the
energy-momentum distribution for a metric exterior to a spherically symmetric
black hole in the brane world by applying the Landau-Lifshitz and Weinberg
prescriptions. In both the aforesaid prescriptions, the energy thus obtained
depends on the radial coordinate, the mass of the black hole and a parameter
, while all the momenta are found to be zero. It is shown that for
a special value of the parameter , the Schwarzschild space-time
geometry is recovered. Some particular and limiting cases are also discussed.Comment: 10 pages, sections 1 and 3 slightly modified, references modified and
adde
Towards Canonical Quantum Gravity for Geometries Admitting Maximally Symmetric Two-dimensional Surfaces
The 3+1 (canonical) decomposition of all geometries admitting two-dimensional
space-like surfaces is exhibited. A proposal consisting of a specific
re-normalization {\bf Assumption} and an accompanying {\bf Requirement} is put
forward, which enables the canonical quantization of these geometries. The
resulting Wheeler-deWitt equation is based on a re-normalized manifold
parameterized by three smooth scalar functionals. The entire space of solutions
to this equation is analytically given, exploiting the freedom left by the
imposition of the {\bf Requirement} and contained in the third functional.Comment: 27 pages, no figures, LaTex2e source fil
Eligibility for interventions, co-occurrence and risk factors for unhealthy behaviours in patients consulting for routine primary care: results from the Pre-Empt study
Smoking, excessive drinking, lack of exercise and a poor diet remain key causes of premature morbidity and mortality globally, yet it is not clear what proportion of patients attending for routine primary care are eligible for interventions about these behaviours, the extent to which they co-occur within individuals, and which individuals are at greatest risk for multiple unhealthy behaviours. The aim of the trial was to examine 'intervention eligibility' and co-occurrence of the 'big four' risky health behaviours - lack of exercise, smoking, an unhealthy diet and excessive drinking - in a primary care population. Data were collected from adult patients consulting routinely in general practice across South Wales as part of the Pre-Empt study; a cluster randomised controlled trial. After giving consent, participants completed screening instruments, which included the following to assess eligibility for an intervention based on set thresholds: AUDIT-C (for alcohol), HSI (for smoking), IPAQ (for exercise) and a subset of DINE (for diet). The intervention following screening was based on which combination of risky behaviours the patient had. Descriptive statistics, χ2 tests for association and ordinal regressions were undertaken. Two thousand sixty seven patients were screened: mean age of 48.6 years, 61.9 % female and 42.8 % in a managerial or professional occupation. In terms of numbers of risky behaviours screened eligible for, two was the most common (43.6 %), with diet and exercise (27.2 %) being the most common combination. Insufficient exercise was the most common single risky behaviour (12.0 %). 21.8 % of patients would have been eligible for an intervention for three behaviours and 5.9 % for all four behaviours. Just 4.5 % of patients did not identify any risky behaviours. Women, older age groups and those in managerial or professional occupations were more likely to exhibit all four risky behaviours. Very few patients consulting for routine primary care screen ineligible for interventions about common unhealthy behaviours, and most engage in more than one of the major common unhealthy behaviours. Clinicians should be particularly alert to opportunities to engaging younger, non professional men and those with multi-morbidity about risky health behaviour. ISRCTN22495456. BACKGROUND METHODS RESULTS CONCLUSION TRIAL REGISTRATIO
Effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing in improving lipid level in patients with dyslipidemia assisted by general practitioners: Dislip-EM study protocol
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The non-pharmacological approach to cholesterol control in patients with hyperlipidemia is based on the promotion of a healthy diet and physical activity. Thus, to help patients change their habits, it is essential to identify the most effective approach. Many efforts have been devoted to explain changes in or adherence to specific health behaviors. Such efforts have resulted in the development of theories that have been applied in prevention campaigns, and that include brief advice and counseling services. Within this context, Motivational Interviewing has proven to be effective in changing health behaviors in specific cases. However, more robust evidence is needed on the effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing in treating chronic pathologies -such as dyslipidemia- in patients assisted by general practitioners. This article describes a protocol to assess the effectiveness of MI as compared with general practice (brief advice), with the aim of improving lipid level control in patients with dyslipidemia assisted by a general practitioner.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>An open, two-arm parallel, multicentre, cluster, controlled, randomized, clinical trial will be performed. A total of 48-50 general practitioners from 35 public primary care centers in Spain will be randomized and will recruit 436 patients with dyslipidemia. They will perform an intervention based either on Motivational Interviewing or on the usual brief advice. After an initial assessment, follow-ups will be performed at 2, 4, 8 and 12 months. Primary outcomes are lipid levels (total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides) and cardiovascular risk. The study will assess the degree of dietary and physical activity improvement, weight loss in overweight patients, and adherence to treatment guidelines.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Motivational interview skills constitute the primary strategies GPs use to treat their patients. Having economical, simple, effective and applicable techniques is essential for primary care professionals to help their patients change their lifestyle and improve their health. This study will provide scientific evidence on the effectiveness of Motivational interviewing, and will be performed under strict control over the data collected, ensuring the maintenance of therapeutic integrity.</p> <p>Trials Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov (<a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01282190">NCT01282190</a>).</p
- …