36 research outputs found
How much energy do closed timelike curves in 2+1 spacetimes need?
By noticing that, in open 2+1 gravity, polarized surfaces cannot converge in
the presence of timelike total energy momentum (except for a rotation of 2 pi),
we give a simple argument which shows that, quite generally, closed timelike
curves cannot exist in the presence of such energy condition.Comment: 3 pages, with no figures. Accepted in PRD as Rapid Communicatio
Geometrothermodynamics of five dimensional black holes in Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet-theory
We investigate the thermodynamic properties of 5D static and spherically
symmetric black holes in (i) Einstein-Maxwell-Gauss-Bonnet theory, (ii)
Einstein-Maxwell-Gauss-Bonnet theory with negative cosmological constant, and
in (iii) Einstein-Yang-Mills-Gauss-Bonnet theory. To formulate the
thermodynamics of these black holes we use the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy
relation and, alternatively, a modified entropy formula which follows from the
first law of thermodynamics of black holes. The results of both approaches are
not equivalent. Using the formalism of geometrothermodynamics, we introduce in
the manifold of equilibrium states a Legendre invariant metric for each black
hole and for each thermodynamic approach, and show that the thermodynamic
curvature diverges at those points where the temperature vanishes and the heat
capacity diverges.Comment: New sections added, references adde
A proof of the Geroch-Horowitz-Penrose formulation of the strong cosmic censor conjecture motivated by computability theory
In this paper we present a proof of a mathematical version of the strong
cosmic censor conjecture attributed to Geroch-Horowitz and Penrose but
formulated explicitly by Wald. The proof is based on the existence of
future-inextendible causal curves in causal pasts of events on the future
Cauchy horizon in a non-globally hyperbolic space-time. By examining explicit
non-globally hyperbolic space-times we find that in case of several physically
relevant solutions these future-inextendible curves have in fact infinite
length. This way we recognize a close relationship between asymptotically flat
or anti-de Sitter, physically relevant extendible space-times and the so-called
Malament-Hogarth space-times which play a central role in recent investigations
in the theory of "gravitational computers". This motivates us to exhibit a more
sharp, more geometric formulation of the strong cosmic censor conjecture,
namely "all physically relevant, asymptotically flat or anti-de Sitter but
non-globally hyperbolic space-times are Malament-Hogarth ones".
Our observations may indicate a natural but hidden connection between the
strong cosmic censorship scenario and the Church-Turing thesis revealing an
unexpected conceptual depth beneath both conjectures.Comment: 16pp, LaTeX, no figures. Final published versio
Loop Quantum Gravity: An Inside View
This is a (relatively) non -- technical summary of the status of the quantum
dynamics in Loop Quantum Gravity (LQG). We explain in detail the historical
evolution of the subject and why the results obtained so far are non --
trivial. The present text can be viewed in part as a response to an article by
Nicolai, Peeters and Zamaklar [hep-th/0501114]. We also explain why certain no
go conclusions drawn from a mathematically correct calculation in a recent
paper by Helling et al [hep-th/0409182] are physically incorrect.Comment: 58 pages, no figure
Quantum gravity from the point of view of locally covariant quantum field theory
We construct perturbative quantum gravity in a generally covariant way. In particular our construction is background independent. It is based on the locally covariant approach to quantum field theory and the renormalized Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism. We do not touch the problem of nonrenormalizability and interpret the theory as an effective theory at large length scales
Concentrations sériques de protéines placentaires au 1er trimestre dans des grossesses monofoetales et multiples après FIV : implications pour le dépistage de la trisomie 21 [First trimester serum concentrations of placental proteins in singleton and multiple IVF pregnancies: implications for Down syndrome screening]
First trimester biochemical trisomy screening is based on serum concentrations of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). Our aim was to confirm previously suggested modifications in serum marker concentrations after in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET), and to assess the need of establishing normal medians for trisomy screening in these. We compared 56 singleton pregnancies obtained after ET (of which 40 in gonadotrophin stimulation cycles) with 120 gestation-matched spontaneous controls. For multiple pregnancies, 17 treated cycles were compared with 25 controls. The levels of PAPP-A, hCG, and pregnancy-specific β1-glycoprotein were determined and compared between treated and spontaneous pregnancies. Serum PAPP-A levels were reduced in pregnancies achieved after gonadotrophin-stimulated IVF and ET, and this was more pronounced in earlier gestational stages. SP1 followed the same trend, while hCG tended to be increased, and this not only in pregnancies obtained from gonadotrophin-stimulated but also from oestrogen supported cycles, and with a more pronounced effect in the later gestational ages examined here. Decreased PAPP-A together with increased hCG concentrations produce falsely elevated results in first trimester Down syndrome screening, but we do not recommend the establishment of normal medians for IVF pregnancies due to the variations in stimulation protocols
Serum hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin to predict the gestational outcome in in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection pregnancies.
Hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin (H-hCG) is secreted by the placenta in early pregnancy. Decreased H-hCG levels have been associated with abortion in spontaneous pregnancy. We retrospectively measured H-hCG and dimeric hCG in the sera of 87 in vitro fertilization patients obtained in the 3 weeks following embryo transfer and set the results in relation to pregnancy outcome. H-hCG and dimeric hCG were correlated (r(2) = 0.89), and were significantly decreased in biochemical pregnancy (2 microg/l and 18 IU/l, respectively) compared to early pregnancy loss (22 microg/l and 331 IU/l) and ongoing pregnancy (32 microg/l and 353 IU/l). Only H-hCG tended to discriminate between these last two groups
Nearly optimal exploration-exploitation decision thresholds
exploration-exploitation decision thresholds Christos Dimitrakakis