334 research outputs found
Scalar-tensor cosmology at the general relativity limit: Jordan vs Einstein frame
We consider the correspondence between the Jordan frame and the Einstein
frame descriptions of scalar-tensor theory of gravitation. We argue that since
the redefinition of the scalar field is not differentiable at the limit of
general relativity the correspondence between the two frames is lost at this
limit. To clarify the situation we analyse the dynamics of the scalar field in
different frames for two distinct scalar-tensor cosmologies with specific
coupling functions and demonstrate that the corresponding scalar field phase
portraits are not equivalent for regions containing the general relativity
limit. Therefore the answer to the question whether general relativity is an
attractor for the theory depends on the choice of the frame.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, version appeared in PR
Scalar-tensor cosmologies: fixed points of the Jordan frame scalar field
We study the evolution of homogeneous and isotropic, flat cosmological models
within the general scalar-tensor theory of gravity with arbitrary coupling
function and potential. After introducing the limit of general relativity we
describe the details of the phase space geometry. Using the methods of
dynamical systems for the decoupled equation of the Jordan frame scalar field
we find the fixed points of flows in two cases: potential domination and matter
domination. We present the conditions on the mathematical form of the coupling
function and potential which determine the nature of the fixed points
(attractor or other). There are two types of fixed points, both are
characterized by cosmological evolution mimicking general relativity, but only
one of the types is compatible with the Solar System PPN constraints. The phase
space structure should also carry over to the Einstein frame as long as the
transformation between the frames is regular which however is not the case for
the latter (PPN compatible) fixed point.Comment: 21 pages, 4 figures, some comments and references adde
Antorcha de la fé devocionario en verso castellano
XXIX, 278 p. : il. ; 16 cm.Donación de J.L. Estrada (Biblioteca General)Digitalizada en formato pd
Long-wavelength approximation for string cosmology with barotropic perfect fluid
The field equations derived from the low energy string effective action with
a matter tensor describing a perfect fluid with a barotropic equation of state
are solved iteratively using the long-wavelength approximation, i.e. the field
equations are expanded by the number of spatial gradients. In the zero order, a
quasi-isotropic solution is presented and compared with the general solution of
the pure dilaton gravity. Possible cosmological models are analyzed from the
point of view of the pre-big bang scenario. The second order solutions are
found and their growing and decaying parts are studied.Comment: 19 pages, 1 figur
The Dissipation of Heat by Free Convection From Vertical and Horizontal Cylinders
attached to element surfaces are unsuited for measuring temperatures in convection circumstances since they seem to have a very pronounced effect on the temperature field. This, however, does not mean that appreciable overshoot does not occur under any circumstances. Ostroumov [2] observed overshoot using the same temperature-measurement technique employed in this work. However, he was considering the case of horizontal wires where such overshoot might eventually be explained as a result of a crossed bouyancy force and flow direction at the bottom of the wire. In conclusion, the conduction solution gives a good prediction of the temperature response of thin wires in liquids and, as far as it can be shown, in air. The simplified quasistatic solution gives reasonable predictions only for transients in air, and even here the conduction solution appears more accurate
Mice with an N-Ethyl-N-Nitrosourea (ENU) Induced Tyr209Asn Mutation in Natriuretic Peptide Receptor 3 (NPR3) Provide a Model for Kyphosis Associated with Activation of the MAPK Signaling Pathway
Non-syndromic kyphosis is a common disorder that is associated with significant morbidity and has a strong genetic involvement; however, the causative genes remain to be identified, as such studies are hampered by genetic heterogeneity, small families and various modes of inheritance. To overcome these limitations, we investigated 12 week old progeny of mice treated with the chemical mutagen N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) using phenotypic assessments including dysmorphology, radiography, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. This identified a mouse with autosomal recessive kyphosis (KYLB). KYLB mice, when compared to unaffected littermates, had: thoraco-lumbar kyphosis, larger vertebrae, and increased body length and increased bone area. In addition, female KYLB mice had increases in bone mineral content and plasma alkaline phosphatase activity. Recombination mapping localized the Kylb locus to a 5.5Mb region on chromosome 15A1, which contained 51 genes, including the natriuretic peptide receptor 3 (Npr3) gene. DNA sequence analysis of Npr3 identified a missense mutation, Tyr209Asn, which introduced an N-linked glycosylation consensus sequence. Expression of wild-type NPR3 and the KYLB-associated Tyr209Asn NPR3 mutant in COS-7 cells demonstrated the mutant to be associated with abnormal N-linked glycosylation and retention in the endoplasmic reticulum that resulted in its absence from the plasma membrane. NPR3 is a decoy receptor for C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), which also binds to NPR2 and stimulates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, thereby increasing the number and size of hypertrophic chondrocytes. Histomorphometric analysis of KYLB vertebrae and tibiae showed delayed endochondral ossification and expansion of the hypertrophic zones of the growth plates, and immunohistochemistry revealed increased p38 MAPK phosphorylation throughout the growth plates of KYLB vertebrae. Thus, we established a model of kyphosis due to a novel NPR3 mutation, in which loss of plasma membrane NPR3 expression results in increased MAPK pathway activation, causing elongation of the vertebrae and resulting in kyphosis
Online Monitoring of the Osiris Reactor with the Nucifer Neutrino Detector
Originally designed as a new nuclear reactor monitoring device, the Nucifer
detector has successfully detected its first neutrinos. We provide the second
shortest baseline measurement of the reactor neutrino flux. The detection of
electron antineutrinos emitted in the decay chains of the fission products,
combined with reactor core simulations, provides an new tool to assess both the
thermal power and the fissile content of the whole nuclear core and could be
used by the Inter- national Agency for Atomic Energy (IAEA) to enhance the
Safeguards of civil nuclear reactors. Deployed at only 7.2m away from the
compact Osiris research reactor core (70MW) operating at the Saclay research
centre of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA),
the experiment also exhibits a well-suited configuration to search for a new
short baseline oscillation. We report the first results of the Nucifer
experiment, describing the performances of the 0.85m3 detector remotely
operating at a shallow depth equivalent to 12m of water and under intense
background radiation conditions. Based on 145 (106) days of data with reactor
ON (OFF), leading to the detection of an estimated 40760 electron
antineutrinos, the mean number of detected antineutrinos is 281 +- 7(stat) +-
18(syst) electron antineutrinos/day, in agreement with the prediction 277(23)
electron antineutrinos/day. Due the the large background no conclusive results
on the existence of light sterile neutrinos could be derived, however. As a
first societal application we quantify how antineutrinos could be used for the
Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement.Comment: 22 pages, 16 figures - Version
Can noble metal coating reduce the incidence of ventilator associated pneumoniae (VAP): a multicenter double blind randomized pilot study
peer reviewedThis is the first report of a randomized double blind
study with Bactiguard tubes which will allow to define the number of
patients for a confirmatory larger study
Nanoscale surface topography reshapes neuronal growth in culture
International audienceNeurons are sensitive to topographical cues provided either by in vivo or in vitro environments on the micrometric scale. We have explored the role of randomly distributed silicon nanopillars on primary hippocampal neurite elongation and axonal differentiation. We observed that neurons adhere on the upper part of nanopillars with a typical distance between adhesion points of about 500 nm. These neurons produce fewer neurites, elongate faster, and differentiate an axon earlier than those grown on flat silicon surfaces. Moreover, when confronted with a differential surface topography, neurons specify an axon preferentially on nanopillars. As a whole, these results highlight the influence of the physical environment in many aspects of neuronal growth
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