193 research outputs found
Global Structure of a Black-Hole Cosmos and its Extremes
We analyze the global structure of a family of Einstein-Maxwell solutions
parametrized by mass, charge and cosmological constant. In a qualitative
classification there are: (i) generic black-hole solutions, describing a
Wheeler wormhole in a closed cosmos of spatial topology ; (ii)
generic naked-singularity solutions, describing a pair of ``point" charges in a
closed cosmos; (iii) extreme black-hole solutions, describing a pair of
``horned" particles in an otherwise closed cosmos; (iv) extreme
naked-singularity solutions, in which a pair of point charges forms and then
evaporates, in a way which is not even weakly censored; and (v) an
ultra-extreme solution. We discuss the properties of the solutions and of
various coordinate systems, and compare with the Kastor-Traschen
multi-black-hole solutions.Comment: 11 pages. Diagrams not include
A Cosmological Constant Limits the Size of Black Holes
In a space-time with cosmological constant and matter satisfying
the dominant energy condition, the area of a black or white hole cannot exceed
. This applies to event horizons where defined, i.e. in an
asymptotically deSitter space-time, and to outer trapping horizons (cf.
apparent horizons) in any space-time. The bound is attained if and only if the
horizon is identical to that of the degenerate `Schwarzschild-deSitter'
solution. This yields a topological restriction on the event horizon, namely
that components whose total area exceeds cannot merge. We
discuss the conjectured isoperimetric inequality and implications for the
cosmic censorship conjecture.Comment: 10 page
Unified first law of black-hole dynamics and relativistic thermodynamics
A unified first law of black-hole dynamics and relativistic thermodynamics is
derived in spherically symmetric general relativity. This equation expresses
the gradient of the active gravitational energy E according to the Einstein
equation, divided into energy-supply and work terms. Projecting the equation
along the flow of thermodynamic matter and along the trapping horizon of a
blackhole yield, respectively, first laws of relativistic thermodynamics and
black-hole dynamics. In the black-hole case, this first law has the same form
as the first law of black-hole statics, with static perturbations replaced by
the derivative along the horizon. There is the expected term involving the area
and surface gravity, where the dynamic surface gravity is defined as in the
static case but using the Kodama vector and trapping horizon. This surface
gravity vanishes for degenerate trapping horizons and satisfies certain
expected inequalities involving the area and energy. In the thermodynamic case,
the quasi-local first law has the same form, apart from a relativistic factor,
as the classical first law of thermodynamics, involving heat supply and
hydrodynamic work, but with E replacing the internal energy. Expanding E in the
Newtonian limit shows that it incorporates the Newtonian mass, kinetic energy,
gravitational potential energy and thermal energy. There is also a weak type of
unified zeroth law: a Gibbs-like definition of thermal equilibrium requires
constancy of an effective temperature, generalising the Tolman condition and
the particular case of Hawking radiation, while gravithermal equilibrium
further requires constancy of surface gravity. Finally, it is suggested that
the energy operator of spherically symmetric quantum gravity is determined by
the Kodama vector, which encodes a dynamic time related to E.Comment: 18 pages, TeX, expanded somewhat, to appear in Class. Quantum Gra
Quasi-spherical approximation for rotating black holes
We numerically implement a quasi-spherical approximation scheme for computing
gravitational waveforms for coalescing black holes, testing it against angular
momentum by applying it to Kerr black holes. As error measures, we take the
conformal strain and specific energy due to spurious gravitational radiation.
The strain is found to be monotonic rather than wavelike. The specific energy
is found to be at least an order of magnitude smaller than the 1% level
expected from typical black-hole collisions, for angular momentum up to at
least 70% of the maximum, for an initial surface as close as .Comment: revised version, 8 pages, RevTeX, 8 figures, epsf.sty, psfrag.sty,
graphicx.st
Artificial placenta support of extremely preterm ovine fetuses at the border of viability for up to 336 hours with maintenance of systemic circulation but reduced somatic and organ growth
Introduction: Artificial placenta therapy (APT) is an experimental life support system to improve outcomes for extremely preterm infants (EPI) less than 1,000 g by obviating the need for pulmonary gas exchange. There are presently no long-term survival data for EPI supported with APT. To address this, we aimed to maintain 95d-GA (GA; term-150d) sheep fetuses for up to 2 weeks using our APT system.Methods: Pregnant ewes (n = 6) carrying singleton fetuses underwent surgical delivery at 95d GA. Fetuses were adapted to APT and maintained for up to 2 weeks with constant monitoring of key physiological parameters and extensive time-course blood and urine sampling, and ultrasound assessments. Six age-matched in-utero fetuses served as controls. Data were tested for group differences with ANOVA.Results: Six APT Group fetuses (100%) were adapted to APT successfully. The mean BW at the initiation of APT was 656 ± 42 g. Mean survival was 250 ± 72 h (Max 336 h) with systemic circulation and key physiological parameters maintained mostly within normal ranges. APT fetuses had active movements and urine output constantly exceeded infusion volume over the experiment. At delivery, there were no differences in BW (with edema in three APT group animals), brain weight, or femur length between APT and in-utero Control animals. Organ weights and humerus lengths were significantly reduced in the APT group (p < 0.05). Albumin, IGF-1, and phosphorus were significantly decreased in the APT group (p < 0.05). No cases of positive blood culture were detected.Conclusion: We report the longest use of APT to maintain extremely preterm fetuses to date. Fetal systemic circulation was maintained without infection, but growth was abnormal. This achievement suggests a need to focus not only on cardiovascular stability and health but also on the optimization of fetal growth and organ development. This new challenge will need to be overcome prior to the clinical translation of this technology
Kepler-16: A Transiting Circumbinary Planet
We report the detection of a planet whose orbit surrounds a pair of low-mass
stars. Data from the Kepler spacecraft reveal transits of the planet across
both stars, in addition to the mutual eclipses of the stars, giving precise
constraints on the absolute dimensions of all three bodies. The planet is
comparable to Saturn in mass and size, and is on a nearly circular 229-day
orbit around its two parent stars. The eclipsing stars are 20% and 69% as
massive as the sun, and have an eccentric 41-day orbit. The motions of all
three bodies are confined to within 0.5 degree of a single plane, suggesting
that the planet formed within a circumbinary disk.Comment: Science, in press; for supplemental material see
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/suppl/2011/09/14/333.6049.1602.DC1/1210923.Doyle.SOM.pd
Transit Timing Observations from Kepler: III. Confirmation of 4 Multiple Planet Systems by a Fourier-Domain Study of Anti-correlated Transit Timing Variations
We present a method to confirm the planetary nature of objects in systems
with multiple transiting exoplanet candidates. This method involves a
Fourier-Domain analysis of the deviations in the transit times from a constant
period that result from dynamical interactions within the system. The
combination of observed anti-correlations in the transit times and mass
constraints from dynamical stability allow us to claim the discovery of four
planetary systems Kepler-25, Kepler-26, Kepler-27, and Kepler-28, containing
eight planets and one additional planet candidate.Comment: Accepted to MNRA
Prophylactic evaluation of verubecestat on disease- and symptom-modifying effects in 5XFAD mice.
Introduction: Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. Beta-secretase (BACE) inhibitors have been proposed as potential therapeutic interventions; however, initiating treatment once disease has significantly progressed has failed to effectively stop or treat disease. Whether BACE inhibition may have efficacy when administered prophylactically in the early stages of AD has been under-investigated. The present studies aimed to evaluate prophylactic treatment of the BACE inhibitor verubecestat in an AD mouse model using the National Institute on Aging (NIA) resources of the Model Organism Development for Late-Onset Alzheimer\u27s Disease (MODEL-AD) Preclinical Testing Core (PTC) Drug Screening Pipeline.
Methods: 5XFAD mice were administered verubecestat ad libitum in chow from 3 to 6 months of age, prior to the onset of significant disease pathology. Following treatment (6 months of age), in vivo imaging was conducted with 18F-florbetapir (AV-45/Amyvid) (18F-AV45) and 18-FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose)-PET (positron emission tomography)/MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), brain and plasma amyloid beta (Aβ) were measured, and the clinical and behavioral characteristics of the mice were assessed and correlated with the pharmacokinetic data.
Results: Prophylactic verubecestat treatment resulted in dose- and region-dependent attenuations of 18F-AV45 uptake in male and female 5XFAD mice. Plasma Aβ40 and Aβ42 were also dose-dependently attenuated with treatment. Across the dose range evaluated, side effects including coat color changes and motor alterations were reported, in the absence of cognitive improvement or changes in 18F-FDG uptake.
Discussion: Prophylactic treatment with verubecestat resulted in attenuated amyloid plaque deposition when treatment was initiated prior to significant pathology in 5XFAD mice. At the same dose range effective at attenuating Aβ levels, verubecestat produced side effects in the absence of improvements in cognitive function. Taken together these data demonstrate the rigorous translational approaches of the MODEL-AD PTC for interrogating potential therapeutics and provide insight into the limitations of verubecestat as a prophylactic intervention for early-stage AD
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