210 research outputs found
Horizon wave-function for single localized particles: GUP and quantum black hole decay
A localised particle in Quantum Mechanics is described by a wave packet in
position space, regardless of its energy. However, from the point of view of
General Relativity, if the particle's energy density exceeds a certain
threshold, it should be a black hole. In order to combine these two pictures,
we introduce a horizon wave-function determined by the particle wave-function
in position space, which eventually yields the probability that the particle is
a black hole. The existence of a minimum mass for black holes naturally
follows, albeit not in the form of a sharp value around the Planck scale, but
rather like a vanishing probability that a particle much lighter than the
Planck mass be a black hole. We also show that our construction entails an
effective Generalised Uncertainty Principle (GUP), simply obtained by adding
the uncertainties coming from the two wave-functions associated to a particle.
Finally, the decay of microscopic (quantum) black holes is also described in
agreement with what the GUP predicts.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, extended version of arXiv:1305.3195 with new
results about the GUP and black hole decay, clarifications about black hole
decay adde
Natural extension of the Generalised Uncertainty Principle
We discuss a gedanken experiment for the simultaneous measurement of the
position and momentum of a particle in de Sitter spacetime. We propose an
extension of the so-called generalized uncertainty principle (GUP) which
implies the existence of a minimum observable momentum. The new GUP is directly
connected to the nonzero cosmological constant, which becomes a necessary
ingredient for a more complete picture of the quantum spacetime.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, v2 with added references, revised and extended as
published in CQ
Black hole thermodynamics with generalized uncertainty principle
In the standard viewpoint, the temperature of a stationary black hole is
proportional to its surface gravity, . This is a
semiclassical result and the quantum gravity effects are not taken into
consideration. This Letter explores a unified expression for the black hole
temperature in the sense of a generalized uncertainty principle(GUP). Our
discussion involves a heuristic analysis of a particle which is absorbed by the
black hole. Besides a class of static and spherically symmetric black holes, an
axially symmetric Kerr-Newman black hole is considered. Different from the
existing literature, we suggest that the black hole's irreducible mass
represent the characteristic size in the absorption process. The information
capacity of a remnant is also discussed by Bousso's D-bound in de Sitter
spacetime.Comment: 18 pages, great improvement on the first version; a Kerr-Newman black
hole is considere
Minimum black hole mass from colliding Gaussian packets
We study the formation of a black hole in the collision of two Gaussian
packets. Rather than following their dynamical evolution in details, we assume
a horizon forms when the mass function for the two packets becomes larger than
half the flat areal radius, as it would occur in a spherically symmetric
geometry. This simple approximation allows us to determine the existence of a
minimum black hole mass solely related to the width of the packets. We then
comment on the possible physical implications, both in classical and quantum
physics, and models with extra spatial dimensions.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure
Some Aspects of Minimal Length Quantum Mechanics
String theory, quantum geometry, loop quantum gravity and black hole physics
all indicate the existence of a minimal observable length on the order of
Planck length. This feature leads to a modification of Heisenberg uncertainty
principle. Such a modified Heisenberg uncertainty principle is referred as
gravitational uncertainty principle(GUP) in literatures. This proposal has some
novel implications on various domains of theoretical physics. Here, we study
some consequences of GUP in the spirit of Quantum mechanics. We consider two
problem: a particle in an one-dimensional box and momentum space wave function
for a "free particle". In each case we will solve corresponding perturbational
equations and compare the results with ordinary solutions.Comment: 9 pages, one eps figur
Generalized Uncertainty Principle, Extra-dimensions and Holography
We consider Uncertainty Principles which take into account the role of
gravity and the possible existence of extra spatial dimensions. Explicit
expressions for such Generalized Uncertainty Principles in 4+n dimensions are
given and their holographic properties investigated. In particular, we show
that the predicted number of degrees of freedom enclosed in a given spatial
volume matches the holographic counting only for one of the available
generalizations and without extra dimensions.Comment: LaTeX, 13 pages, accepted for publication in Class. Quantum Gra
ProNGF Is a Cell-Type-Specific Mitogen for Adult Hippocampal and for Induced Neural Stem Cells
The role of proNGF, the precursor of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), on the biology of adult neural stem cells (aNSCs) is still unclear. Here I analyzed adult hippo-campal neurogenesis in AD11 transgenic mice, in which the constitutive expression of anti-NGF antibody leads to an imbalance of proNGF over mature NGF. I found in-creased proliferation of progenitors but a reduced neurogenesis in the AD11 DG- hippocampus (HP-DG). Also in vitro, AD11 hippocampal neural stem cells (NSCs) pro-liferated more but were unable to differentiate into morphologically mature neu-rons. By treating wild-type (WT) hippocampal progenitors with the uncleavable form of proNGF (proNGF-KR) I demonstrated that proNGF acts as mitogen on aNSCs at low concentration. The mitogenic effect of proNGF was specifically addressed to the radial glia-like (RGL) neural stem cells through the induction of cyclin D1 expression. These cells express high level of p75NTR, as demonstrated by immunofluorescence analyses performed ex vivo on RGL cells isolated from freshly-dissociated HP-DG or selected in vitro from NSCs by LIF (leukemia inhibitory factor). Clonogenic assay per-formed in the absence of mitogens showed that RGLs respond to proNGF-KR by re-activating their proliferation and thus leading to neurospheres formation. The mito-genic effect of proNGF was further exploited in the expansion of mouse induced Neural Stem Cells (iNSCs). Chronic exposure of iNSCs to proNGF-KR increased their proliferation. Altogether, I demonstrated that proNGF acts as mitogen on hippo-campal and induced neural stem cells.The role of proNGF, the precursor of nerve growth factor (NGF), in the biology of adult neural stem cells (aNSCs) is still unclear. Here, we analyzed adult hippocampal neurogenesis in AD11 transgenic mice, in which the constitutive expression of anti-NGF antibody leads to an imbalance of proNGF over mature NGF. We found increased proliferation of progenitors but a reduced neurogenesis in the AD11 dentate gyrus (DG)-hippocampus (HP). Also in vitro, AD11 hippocampal neural stem cells (NSCs) proliferated more, but were unable to differentiate into morphologically mature neurons. By treating wild-type hippocampal progenitors with the uncleavable form of proNGF (proNGF-KR), we demonstrated that proNGF acts as mitogen on aNSCs at low concentration. The mitogenic effect of proNGF was specifically addressed to the radial glia-like (RGL) stem cells through the induction of cyclin D1 expression. These cells express high levels of p75NTR, as demonstrated by immunofluorescence analyses performed ex vivo on RGL cells isolated from freshly dissociated HP-DG or selected in vitro from NSCs by leukemia inhibitory factor. Clonogenic assay performed in the absence of mitogens showed that RGLs respond to proNGF-KR by reactivating their proliferation and thus leading to neurospheres formation. The mitogenic effect of proNGF was further exploited in the expansion of mouse-induced neural stem cells (iNSCs). Chronic exposure of iNSCs to proNGF-KR increased their proliferation. Altogether, we demonstrated that proNGF acts as mitogen on hippocampal and iNSCs. Stem Cells 2019;37:1223â1237
Real-time optical manipulation of cardiac conduction in intact hearts
Optogenetics has provided new insights in cardiovascular research, leading to new methods for cardiac pacing, resynchronization therapy and cardioversion. Although these interventions have clearly demonstrated the feasibility of cardiac manipulation, current optical stimulation strategies do not take into account cardiac wave dynamics in real time. Here, we developed an allâoptical platform complemented by integrated, newly developed software to monitor and control electrical activity in intact mouse hearts. The system combined a wideâfield mesoscope with a digital projector for optogenetic activation. Cardiac functionality could be manipulated either in freeârun mode with submillisecond temporal resolution or in a closedâloop fashion: a tailored hardware and software platform allowed realâtime intervention capable of reacting within 2 ms. The methodology was applied to restore normal electrical activity after atrioventricular block, by triggering the ventricle in response to optically mapped atrial activity with appropriate timing. Realâtime intraventricular manipulation of the propagating electrical wavefront was also demonstrated, opening the prospect for realâtime resynchronization therapy and cardiac defibrillation. Furthermore, the closedâloop approach was applied to simulate a reâentrant circuit across the ventricle demonstrating the capability of our system to manipulate heart conduction with high versatility even in arrhythmogenic conditions. The development of this innovative optical methodology provides the first proofâofâconcept that a realâtime optically based stimulation can control cardiac rhythm in normal and abnormal conditions, promising a new approach for the investigation of the (patho)physiology of the heart
Neutralization of nerve growth factor impairs proliferation and differentiation of adult neural progenitors in the subventricular zone
Adult neurogenesis is a multistep process regulated by several extrinsic factors, including neurotrophins. Among them, little is known about the role of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the neurogenic niches of the mouse. Here we analyzed the biology of adult neural stem cells (NSCs) from the subventricular zone (SVZ) of AD11 anti-NGF transgenic mice, in which the expression of the recombinant antibody aD11 leads to a chronic postnatal neutralization of endogenous NGF. We showed that AD11-NSCs proliferate 10-fold less, with respect to their control counterparts, and display a significant impairment in their ability to differentiate into \u3b2-tubulin positive neurons. We found a considerable reduction in the number of SVZ progenitors and neuroblasts also in vivo, which correlates with a lower number of newborn neurons in the olfactory bulbs of AD11 mice and a severe deficit in the ability of these mice to discriminate between different odors. We also demonstrated that, in AD11 mice, the morphology of both SVZ-resident and neurosphere-derived astrocytes is significantly altered. We were able to reproduce the AD11 phenotype in vitro, by acutely treating wild type NSCs with the anti-NGF antibody, further demonstrating that both the proliferation and the differentiation defects are due to the NGF deprivation. Consistently, the proliferative impairment of AD11 progenitors, as well as the atrophic morphology of AD11 astrocytes, can be partly rescued in vitro and in vivo by exogenous NGF addition. Altogether, our results demonstrate a causal link between NGF signaling and proper proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells from the SVZ.Adult neurogenesis is a multistep process regulated by several extrinsic factors, including neurotrophins. Among them, little is known about the role of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the neurogenic niches of the mouse. Here we analyzed the biology of adult neural stem cells (NSCs) from the subventricular zone (SVZ) of AD11 anti-NGF transgenic mice, in which the expression of the recombinant antibody aD11 leads to a chronic postnatal neutralization of endogenous NGF. We showed that AD11-NSCs proliferate 10-fold less, with respect to their control counterparts, and display a significant impairment in their ability to differentiate into \u3b2-tubulin positive neurons. We found a considerable reduction in the number of SVZ progenitors and neuroblasts also in vivo, which correlates with a lower number of newborn neurons in the olfactory bulbs of AD11 mice and a severe deficit in the ability of these mice to discriminate between different odors. We also demonstrated that, in AD11 mice, the morphology of both SVZ-resident and neurosphere-derived astrocytes is significantly altered. We were able to reproduce the AD11 phenotype in vitro, by acutely treating wild type NSCs with the anti-NGF antibody, further demonstrating that both the proliferation and the differentiation defects are due to the NGF deprivation. Consistently, the proliferative impairment of AD11 progenitors, as well as the atrophic morphology of AD11 astrocytes, can be partly rescued in vitro and in vivo by exogenous NGF addition. Altogether, our results demonstrate a causal link between NGF signaling and proper proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells from the SVZ
Spacetime Foam Model of the Schwarzschild Horizon
We consider a spacetime foam model of the Schwarzschild horizon, where the
horizon consists of Planck size black holes. According to our model the entropy
of the Schwarzschild black hole is proportional to the area of its event
horizon. It is possible to express geometrical arguments to the effect that the
constant of proportionality is, in natural units, equal to one quarter.Comment: 16 pages, 2 figures, improved and extended version with some
significant changes. Accepted for publication in Phys.Rev.
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