Observational Cosmology in Macroscopic Gravity

We discuss the construction of cosmological models within the framework of Macroscopic Gravity (MG), which is a theory that models the effects of averaging the geometry of space-time on large scales. We find new exact spatially homogeneous and isotropic FLRW solutions to the MG field equations, and investigate large-scale perturbations around them. We find that any inhomogeneous perturbations to the averaged geometry are severely restricted, but that possible anisotropies in the correlation tensor can have dramatic consequences for the measurement of distances. These calculations are a first step within the MG approach toward developing averaged cosmological models to a point where they can be used to interpret real cosmological data, and hence to provide a working alternative to the "concordance" LCDM model.Comment: 22 page

The search for optimal oxygen saturation targets in critically ill: Patients observational data from large ICU databases

Ministry of Education, Singapore under its Academic Research Funding Tier

Spin induced multipole moments for the gravitational wave amplitude from binary inspirals to 2.5 Post-Newtonian order

Using the NRGR effective field theory formalism we calculate the remaining source multipole moments necessary to obtain the spin contributions to the gravitational wave amplitude to 2.5 Post-Newtonian (PN) order. We also reproduce the tail contribution to the waveform linear in spin at 2.5PN arising from the nonlinear interaction between the current quadrupole and the mass monopole.Comment: 17 pages, 4 figures. v2 Minor changes, to appear in JCA

Max Müller and the Comparative Method

This is an Author’s Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Edinburgh University Press in Comparative Critical Studies. The Version of Record is available online at: https://www.euppublishing.com/doi/10.3366/ccs.2015.016

Butyrate inhibits human mast cell activation via epigenetic regulation of FcεRI-mediated signaling

Background: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are fermented dietary components that regulate immune responses, promote colonic health, and suppress mast cell–mediated diseases. However, the effects of SCFAs on human mast cell function, including the underlying mechanisms, remain unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of the SCFAs (acetate, propionate, and butyrate) on mast cell–mediated pathology and human mast cell activation, including the molecular mechanisms involved. Method: Precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) of allergen-exposed guinea pigs were used to assess the effects of butyrate on allergic airway contraction. Human and mouse mast cells were co-cultured with SCFAs and assessed for degranulation after IgE- or non–IgE-mediated stimulation. The underlying mechanisms involved were investigated using knockout mice, small molecule inhibitors/agonists, and genomics assays. Results: Butyrate treatment inhibited allergen-induced histamine release and airway contraction in guinea pig PCLS. Propionate and butyrate, but not acetate, inhibited IgE- and non–IgE-mediated human or mouse mast cell degranulation in a concentration-dependent manner. Notably, these effects were independent of the stimulation of SCFA receptors GPR41, GPR43, or PPAR, but instead were associated with inhibition of histone deacetylases. Transcriptome analyses revealed butyrate-induced downregulation of the tyrosine kinases BTK, SYK, and LAT, critical transducers of FcεRI-mediated signals that are essential for mast cell activation. Epigenome analyses indicated that butyrate redistributed global histone acetylation in human mast cells, including significantly decreased acetylation at the BTK, SYK, and LAT promoter regions. Conclusion: Known health benefits of SCFAs in allergic disease can, at least in part, be explained by epigenetic suppression of human mast cell activation

The Application of Foreign Law by Judicial and Non-Judicial Authorities - The Netherlands

De bescherming van fundamentele rechten in een integrerend Europ

Dirty black holes: Quasinormal modes

In this paper, we investigate the asymptotic nature of the quasinormal modes for "dirty" black holes -- generic static and spherically symmetric spacetimes for which a central black hole is surrounded by arbitrary "matter" fields. We demonstrate that, to the leading asymptotic order, the [imaginary] spacing between modes is precisely equal to the surface gravity, independent of the specifics of the black hole system. Our analytical method is based on locating the complex poles in the first Born approximation for the scattering amplitude. We first verify that our formalism agrees, asymptotically, with previous studies on the Schwarzschild black hole. The analysis is then generalized to more exotic black hole geometries. We also extend considerations to spacetimes with two horizons and briefly discuss the degenerate-horizon scenario.Comment: 15 pages; uses iopart.cls setstack.sty; V2: one additional reference added, no physics changes; V3: two extra references, minor changes in response to referee comment

Stellar Coronal and Wind Models: Impact on Exoplanets

Surface magnetism is believed to be the main driver of coronal heating and stellar wind acceleration. Coronae are believed to be formed by plasma confined in closed magnetic coronal loops of the stars, with winds mainly originating in open magnetic field line regions. In this Chapter, we review some basic properties of stellar coronae and winds and present some existing models. In the last part of this Chapter, we discuss the effects of coronal winds on exoplanets.Comment: Chapter published in the "Handbook of Exoplanets", Editors in Chief: Juan Antonio Belmonte and Hans Deeg, Section Editor: Nuccio Lanza. Springer Reference Work

Neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric behaviour defects arise from 14-3-3ζ deficiency.

Complex neuropsychiatric disorders are believed to arise from multiple synergistic deficiencies within connected biological networks controlling neuronal migration, axonal pathfinding and synapse formation. Here, we show that deletion of 14-3-3ζ causes neurodevelopmental anomalies similar to those seen in neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder and bipolar disorder. 14-3-3ζ-deficient mice displayed striking behavioural and cognitive deficiencies including a reduced capacity to learn and remember, hyperactivity and disrupted sensorimotor gating. These deficits are accompanied by subtle developmental abnormalities of the hippocampus that are underpinned by aberrant neuronal migration. Significantly, 14-3-3ζ-deficient mice exhibited abnormal mossy fibre navigation and glutamatergic synapse formation. The molecular basis of these defects involves the schizophrenia risk factor, DISC1, which interacts isoform specifically with 14-3-3ζ. Our data provide the first evidence of a direct role for 14-3-3ζ deficiency in the aetiology of neurodevelopmental disorders and identifies 14-3-3ζ as a central risk factor in the schizophrenia protein interaction network