4,513 research outputs found
Einstein-Cartan theory as a theory of defects in space-time
The Einstein-Cartan theory of gravitation and the classical theory of defects
in an elastic medium are presented and compared. The former is an extension of
general relativity and refers to four-dimensional space-time, while we
introduce the latter as a description of the equilibrium state of a
three-dimensional continuum. Despite these important differences, an analogy is
built on their common geometrical foundations, and it is shown that a
space-time with curvature and torsion can be considered as a state of a
four-dimensional continuum containing defects. This formal analogy is useful
for illustrating the geometrical concept of torsion by applying it to concrete
physical problems. Moreover, the presentation of these theories using a common
geometrical basis allows a deeper understanding of their foundations.Comment: 18 pages, 7 EPS figures, RevTeX4, to appear in the American Journal
of Physics, revised version with typos correcte
Light-cone fluctuations and the renormalized stress tensor of a massless scalar field
We investigate the effects of light-cone fluctuations over the renormalized
vacuum expectation value of the stress-energy tensor of a real massless
minimally coupled scalar field defined in a ()-dimensional flat space-time
with topology . For modeling the influence of
light-cone fluctuations over the quantum field, we consider a random
Klein-Gordon equation. We study the case of centered Gaussian processes. After
taking into account all the realizations of the random processes, we present
the correction caused by random fluctuations. The averaged renormalized vacuum
expectation value of the stress-energy associated with the scalar field is
presented
Gravitomagnetic Resonance Shift due to a Slowly Rotating Compact Star
The effect of a slowly rotating mass on a forced harmonic oscillator with two
degrees of freedom is studied in the weak field approximation. It is found that
according to the general theory of relativity there is a shift in the resonat
frequency of the oscillator which depends on the density and rotational
frequency of the gravitational source. The proposed shift is quite small under
normal physical situations however it is estimated that for compact x-ray
sources such as white dwarfs, pulsars, and neutron stars the shift is quite
appreciable.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures, Accepted for Publication in Inter. Journal of
Modern Physics
Media devices in pre-school children: the recommendations of the Italian pediatric society
BACKGROUND: Young children are too often exposed to mobile devices (MD) and most of them had their own device. The adverse effects of a early and prolonged exposure to digital technology on pre-school children has been described by several studies. Aim of the study is to analyze the consequences of MD exposure in pre-school children. METHODS: We analyzed the documented effects of media exposure on children's mental and physical health. RESULTS: According to recent studies, MD may interfere with learning, children development, well being, sleep, sight, listening, caregiver-child relationship. DISCUSSION: Pediatricians should be aware of both the beneficial and side effects of MD and give advice to the families, according to children's age. CONCLUSION: In according to literature, the Italian Pediatric Society suggest that the media device exposure in childhood should be modulated by supervisors
Chaotic Accretion in a Non-Stationary Electromagnetic Field of a Slowly Rotating Compact Star
We investigate charge accretion in vicinity of a slowly rotating compact star
with a non-stationary electromagnetic field. Exact solutions to the general
relativistic Maxwell equations are obtained for a star formed of a highly
degenerate plasma with a gravitational field given by the linearized Kerr
metric. These solutions are used to formulate and then to study numerically the
equations of motion for a charged particle in star's vicinity using the
gravitoelectromagnetic force law. The analysis shows that close to the star
charge accretion does not always remain ordered. It is found that the magnetic
field plays the dominant role in the onset of chaos near the star's surface.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure
Doppler Effects from Bending of Light Rays in Curved Space-Times
We study Doppler effects in curved space-time, i.e. the frequency shifts
induced on electromagnetic signals propagating in the gravitational field. In
particular, we focus on the frequency shift due to the bending of light rays in
weak gravitational fields. We consider, using the PPN formalism, the
gravitational field of an axially symmetric distribution of mass. The zeroth
order, i.e. the sphere, is studied then passing to the contribution of the
quadrupole moment, and finally to the case of a rotating source. We give
numerical estimates for situations of physical interest, and by a very
preliminary analysis, we argue that analyzing the Doppler effect could lead, in
principle, in the foreseeable future, to the measurement of the quadrupole
moment of the giant planets of the Solar System.Comment: 16 pages, 2 EPS figures; to appear in the International Journal of
Modern Physics
Area accuracy gradient and artificial markers: a three-dimensional analysis of the accuracy of IOS scans on the completely edentulous upper jaw
Aim The present paper aimed to assess the accuracy gradient of scans made using an intraoral scanner (IOS) on a totally edentulous maxilla and the effectiveness of artificial markers. Materials and methods A reference scan was made by scanning a fully edentulous upper jaw cast (RC) with a dedicated metrological machine. On the RC, an IOS was used to make 10 scans then superimposed to detect their area accuracy gradient. Artificial markers with a diameter of 2 mm were placed in the less accurate areas following two approaches. In the first one, semispherical resin composite markers were used. In the second approach, a dermographic pen was used to draw circular flat markers. Three experimental groups (n = 10) were obtained: “no markers” for the control group without markers, “embossed markers” for resin composite markers, and “flat markers” for ink-drawn ones. The scans were processed into a specialized software, where trueness and precision were measured in millimeters. Descriptive statistics (95% C.I.) were conducted, also, the Games-Howell and Kruskal-Wallis tests (α = .05) were used to investigate differences between groups.
Results Mean values for trueness were: no markers 48.8 (39.2- 58.3); embossed markers 39.2 (37.5-40.8); flat markers 60.5 (47.7-73.4), with statistically significant differences between embossed and flat markers (p = .011). Mean values for precision were: no markers 46.7 (29.7-63.7); embossed markers 41.4 (34.7- 48); flat markers 99.8 (69.3-130.3), with significant differences between embossed markers and flat ones (p = .008) and between the latter and the control group (p = .005). Minor accuracy was detected at both tuberosities, palate, posterior aspect of the papilla, and flattened areas of the ridges. Conclusions To improve IOS scans accuracy on the totally edentulous upper jaw, it is suggested to place embossed markers, rather than flat ones, in the areas of minor accuracy
Absence of exposed bone following dental extraction in beagle dogs treated with 9 months of high-dose zoledronic acid combined with dexamethasone
Purpose: Factors contributing to osteonecrosis of the jaw with anti-remodeling drug treatment are unclear. Epidemiologic and experimental studies have suggested the combination of bisphosphonates and dexamethasone results in osteonecrosis of the jaw more often than either agent alone. The goal of this study was to assess the combination of these 2 drugs in a large animal model previously shown to be susceptible to exposed bone in the oral cavity when treated with bisphosphonates. Materials and Methods: Skeletally mature beagle dogs were untreated controls or treated with zoledronic acid (ZOL), dexamethasone (DEX), or ZOL plus DEX. ZOL and DEX were given at doses based on those used in humans. All animals underwent single molar extraction at 7 and 8 months after the start of the study. Extraction sites were obtained at month 9 for assessment of osseous healing using micro-computed tomography and histology. Results: No animals were observed to have exposed bone after dental extraction, yet 1 animal treated with ZOL and 1 treated with ZOL plus DEX had severely disrupted extraction sites as viewed by computed tomography and histology. These 2 animals had an intense periosteal reaction that was less obvious but still present in all ZOL-treated animals and absent from untreated animals. There was no significant difference in bone volume within the socket among groups at 4 or 8 weeks after healing, yet the ratio of surface to volume was significantly higher in animals treated with ZOL plus DEX at 8 weeks compared with control animals. Conclusions: These findings suggest a more complex pathophysiology to osteonecrosis of the jaw than is implied by previous epidemiologic studies and those in rodents and raise questions about the potential role of DEX in its etiology.© 2013 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Gravito-electromagnetism versus electromagnetism
The paper contains a discussion of the properties of the gravito-magnetic
interaction in non stationary conditions. A direct deduction of the equivalent
of Faraday-Henry law is given. A comparison is made between the
gravito-magnetic and the electro-magnetic induction, and it is shown that there
is no Meissner-like effect for superfluids in the field of massive spinning
bodies. The impossibility of stationary motions in directions not along the
lines of the gravito-magnetic field is found. Finally the results are discussed
in relation with the behavior of superconductors.Comment: 13 Pages, LaTeX, 1 EPS figure, to appear in European Journal of
Physic
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