1,271 research outputs found
Inhomogeneous Gravity
We study the inhomogeneous cosmological evolution of the Newtonian
gravitational 'constant' G in the framework of scalar-tensor theories. We
investigate the differences that arise between the evolution of G in the
background universes and in local inhomogeneities that have separated out from
the global expansion. Exact inhomogeneous solutions are found which describe
the effects of masses embedded in an expanding FRW Brans-Dicke universe. These
are used to discuss possible spatial variations of G in different regions. We
develop the technique of matching different scalar-tensor cosmologies of
different spatial curvature at a boundary. This provides a model for the linear
and non-linear evolution of spherical overdensities and inhomogeneities in G.
This allows us to compare the evolution of G and \dot{G} that occurs inside a
collapsing overdense cluster with that in the background universe. We develop a
simple virialisation criterion and apply the method to a realistic lambda-CDM
cosmology containing spherical overdensities. Typically, far slower evolution
of \dot{G} will be found in the bound virialised cluster than in the
cosmological background. We consider the behaviour that occurs in Brans-Dicke
theory and in some other representative scalar-tensor theories.Comment: 15 pages, 15 figures. Submitted to MNRAS. References adde
Detecting a Lorentz-Violating Field in Cosmology
We consider cosmology in the Einstein-aether theory (the generally covariant
theory of gravitation coupled to a dynamical timelike Lorentz-violating vector
field) with a linear aether-Lagrangian. The 3+1 spacetime splitting approach is
used to derive covariant and gauge invariant perturbation equations which are
valid for a general class of Lagrangians. Restricting attention to the
parameter space of these theories which is consistent with local gravity
experiments, we show that there are tracking behaviors for the aether field,
both in the background cosmology and at linear perturbation level. The
primordial power-spectrum of scalar perturbations in this model is shown to be
the same that predicted by standard general relativity. However, the
power-spectrum of tensor perturbation is different from that in general
relativity, but has a smaller amplitude and so cannot be detected at present.
We also study the implications for late-time cosmology and find that the
evolution of photon and neutrino anisotropic stresses can source the aether
field perturbation during the radiation and matter dominated epochs, and as a
result the CMB and matter power spectra are modified. However these effects are
degenerate with respect to other cosmological parameters, such as neutrino
masses and the bias parameter in the observed galaxy spectrum.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures; modified version to appear in Physical Review
Neurobiology and clinical implications of lucid dreaming
Several lines of evidence converge to the idea that rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) is a good model to
foster our understanding of psychosis. Both REMS and psychosis course with internally generated perceptions and lack of rational judgment, which is attributed to a hyperlimbic activity along with hypofrontality. Interestingly, some individuals can become aware of dreaming during REMS, a particular experience
known as lucid dreaming (LD), whose neurobiological basis is still controversial. Since the frontal lobe
plays a role in self-consciousness, working memory and attention, here we hypothesize that LD is associated with increased frontal activity during REMS. A possible way to test this hypothesis is to check
whether transcranial magnetic or electric stimulation of the frontal region during REMS triggers LD.
We further suggest that psychosis and LD are opposite phenomena: LD as a physiological awakening
while dreaming due to frontal activity, and psychosis as a pathological intrusion of dream features during
wake state due to hypofrontality. We further suggest that LD research may have three main clinical
implications. First, LD could be important to the study of consciousness, including its pathologies and
other altered states. Second, LD could be used as a therapy for recurrent nightmares, a common symptom
of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Finally, LD may allow for motor imagery during dreaming with possible improvement of physical rehabilitation. In all, we believe that LD research may clarify
multiple aspects of brain functioning in its physiological, altered and pathological states
On the Consistency Strength of MM()
We prove that the consistency strength of Martin's Maximum restricted to
partial orders of cardinality follows from the consistency of ZFC
Qualitative Analysis of Universes with Varying Alpha
Assuming a Friedmann universe which evolves with a power-law scale factor,
, we analyse the phase space of the system of equations that describes
a time-varying fine structure 'constant', , in the
Bekenstein-Sandvik-Barrow-Magueijo generalisation of general relativity. We
have classified all the possible behaviours of in ever-expanding
universes with different and find new exact solutions for . We
find the attractors points in the phase space for all . In general, will be a non-decreasing function of time that increases logarithmically in
time during a period when the expansion is dust dominated (), but
becomes constant when . This includes the case of negative-curvature
domination (). also tends rapidly to a constant when the
expansion scale factor increases exponentially. A general set of conditions is
established for to become asymptotically constant at late times in an
expanding universe.Comment: 26 pages, 6 figure
Neurobiology and clinical implications of lucid dreaming
Article history: a b s t r a c t Several lines of evidence converge to the idea that rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) is a good model to foster our understanding of psychosis. Both REMS and psychosis course with internally generated perceptions and lack of rational judgment, which is attributed to a hyperlimbic activity along with hypofrontality. Interestingly, some individuals can become aware of dreaming during REMS, a particular experience known as lucid dreaming (LD), whose neurobiological basis is still controversial. Since the frontal lobe plays a role in self-consciousness, working memory and attention, here we hypothesize that LD is associated with increased frontal activity during REMS. A possible way to test this hypothesis is to check whether transcranial magnetic or electric stimulation of the frontal region during REMS triggers LD. We further suggest that psychosis and LD are opposite phenomena: LD as a physiological awakening while dreaming due to frontal activity, and psychosis as a pathological intrusion of dream features during wake state due to hypofrontality. We further suggest that LD research may have three main clinical implications. First, LD could be important to the study of consciousness, including its pathologies and other altered states. Second, LD could be used as a therapy for recurrent nightmares, a common symptom of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Finally, LD may allow for motor imagery during dreaming with possible improvement of physical rehabilitation. In all, we believe that LD research may clarify multiple aspects of brain functioning in its physiological, altered and pathological states
Characterization of glutathione S-transferases from the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
This work was supported by the EU 7th Framework REPHRAME project (KBBE.2010.1.4-09) and by FEDER Funds through the Operational Programme for Competitiveness Factors – COMPETE and National Funds through FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology under the Strategic Projects PEst-C/AGR/UI0115/2011 and PEst-OE/AGR/UI0115/2014. ME is funded by the FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, IP) under the PhD grant (SFRH/BD/84541/2012). The James Hutton Institute receives funding from the Scottish Government.We have previously identified two secreted glutathione S-transferases (GST) expressed in the pharyngeal gland cell of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, which are upregulated post infection of the host. This study examines the functional role of GSTs in B. xylophilus biology. We analysed the expression profiles of all predicted GSTs in the genome and the results showed that they belong to kappa and cytosolic subfamilies and the majority are upregulated post infection of the host. A small percentage is potentially secreted and none is downregulated post infection of the host. One secreted protein was confirmed as a functional GST and is within a cluster that showed the highest expression fold change in infection. This enzyme has a protective activity that may involve host defences, namely in the presence of terpenoid compounds and peroxide products. These results suggest that GSTs secreted into the host participate in the detoxification of host-derived defence compounds and enable successful parasitism.PostprintPeer reviewe
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