12 research outputs found
A classification of the effective metric in nonlinear electrodynamics
We show that only two types of effective metrics are possible in certain
nonlinear electromagnetic theories. This is achieved by using the dependence of
the effective metric on the energy-momentum tensor of the background along with
the Segr\`e classification of the latter. Each of these forms is completely
determined by single scalar function, which characterizes the light cone of the
nonlinear theory. We compare this light cone with that of Minkowski in two
examples.Comment: Accepted for publication in Classical & Quantum Gravit
The Phononic Casimir Effect: An Analog Model
We discuss the quantization of sound waves in a fluid with a linear
dispersion relation and calculate the quantum density fluctuations of the fluid
in several cases. These include a fluid in its ground state. In this case, we
discuss the scattering cross section of light by the density fluctuations, and
find that in many situations it is small compared to the thermal fluctuations,
but not negligibly small and might be observable at room temperature. We also
consider a fluid in a squeezed state of phonons and fluids containing
boundaries. We suggest that the latter may be a useful analog model for better
understanding boundary effects in quantum field theory. In all cases involving
boundaries which we consider, the mean squared density fluctuations are reduced
by the presence of the boundary. This implies a reduction in the light
scattering cross section, which is potentially an observable effect.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure, talk presented at "60 Years of Casimir Effect",
Brasilia, Brazil, June 200
Of Bounces, Branes and Bounds
Some recent studies have considered a Randall-Sundrum-like brane world
evolving in the background of an anti-de Sitter Reissner-Nordstrom black hole.
For this scenario, it has been shown that, when the bulk charge is
non-vanishing, a singularity-free ``bounce'' universe will always be obtained.
However, for the physically relevant case of a de Sitter brane world, we have
recently argued that, from a holographic (c-theorem) perspective, such brane
worlds may not be physically viable. In the current paper, we reconsider the
validity of such models by appealing to the so-called ``causal entropy bound''.
In this framework, a paradoxical outcome is obtained: these brane worlds are
indeed holographically viable, provided that the bulk charge is not too small.
We go on to argue that this new finding is likely the more reliable one.Comment: 15 pages, Revtex; references added and very minor change
Beyond Analog Gravity: The Case of Exceptional Dynamics
We show that it is possible to go beyond the simple kinematical aspects of
the analog models of gravity. We exhibit the form of the Lagrangian that
describes the dynamics of a self-interacting field as an interaction
between and its associated effective metric In
other words the non-linear equation of motion of the field may be interpreted
as the gravitational influence on by its own effective metric which,
in our scheme becomes an active partner of the dynamics of Comment: This new version is an extended version of the previous one. All
previous results are mantaine
Citrate salts for preventing and treating calcium containing kidney stones in adults
Background: kidney stones affect people worldwide and have a high rate of recurrence even with treatment. Recurrences are particularly prevalent in people with low urinary citrate levels. These people have a higher incidence of calcium phosphate and calcium oxalate stones. Oral citrate therapy increases the urinary citrate levels, which in turn binds with calcium and inhibits the crystallisation thus reduces stone formation. Despite the widespread use of oral citrate therapy for prevention and treatment of calcium oxalate stones, the evidence to support its clinical efficacy remains uncertain.Objectives: the objective of this review was to determine the efficacy and adverse events associated with citrate salts for the treatment and prevention of calcium containing kidney stones.Search methods: we searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Specialised Register to 29 July 2015 through contact with the Trials' Search Co-ordinator using search terms relevant to this review.Selection criteria: we included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the efficacy and adverse events associated with citrate salts for the treatment and prevention of calcium containing kidney stones in adults treated for a minimum of six months.Data collection and analysis: two authors assessed studies for inclusion in this review. Data were extracted according to predetermined criteria. Summary estimates of effect were obtained using a random-effects model, and results were expressed as risk ratios (RR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for dichotomous outcomes, and mean difference (MD) and 95% CI for continuous outcomes.Main results: we included seven studies that included a total of 477 participants, most of whom had oxalate stones. Of these, three studies (247 participants) compared potassium citrate with placebo or no intervention; three (166 participants) compared potassium-sodium citrate with no intervention; and one (64 participants) compared potassium-magnesium citrate with placebo. Overall, quality of the reporting of the included studies was considered moderate to poor, and there was a high risk of attrition bias in two studies.Compared with placebo or no intervention, citrate therapy significantly reduced the stone size (4 studies, 160 participants: RR 2.35, 95% CI 1.36 to 4.05). New stone formation was significantly lower with citrate therapy compared to control (7 studies, 324 participants: RR 0.26, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.68). The beneficial effect on stone size stability was also evident (4 studies, 160 participants: RR 1.97, 95% CI 1.19 to 3.26). Adverse events were reported in four studies, with the main side effects being upper gastrointestinal disturbance and one patient reported a rash. There were more gastrointestinal adverse events in the citrate group; however this was not significant (4 studies, 271 participants: RR 2.55, 95% CI 0.71 to 9.16). There were significantly more dropouts due to adverse events with citrate therapy compared to control (4 studies, 271 participants: RR 4.45, 95% CI 1.28 to 15.50). The need for retreatment was significantly less with citrate therapy compared to control (2 studies, 157 participants: RR 0.22, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.89).Author's conclusions: nitrate salts prevent new stone formation and reduce further stone growth in patients with residual stones that predominantly contain oxalate. The quality of reported literature remains moderate to poor; hence a well-designed statistically powered multi-centre RCT is needed in order to answer relevant questions concerning the efficacy of citrate salts.</p