Reconstruction of the Cosmic Equation of State for High Redshift

We investigate the possibilities of reconstructing the cosmic equation of state (EoS) for high redshift. In order to obtain general results, we use two model-independent approaches. The first reconstructs the EoS using comoving distance and the second makes use of the Hubble parameter data. To implement the first method, we use a recent set of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) measures. To implement the second method, we generate simulated data using the Sandage-Loeb ($SL$) effect; for the fiducial model, we use the $\Lambda CDM$ model. In both cases, the statistical analysis is conducted through the Gaussian processes (non-parametric). In general, we demonstrate that this methodology for reconstructing the EoS using a non-parametric method plus a model-independent approach works appropriately due to the feasibility of calculation and the ease of introducing a priori information ($H_ {0}$ and $\Omega_{m0}$). In the near future, following this methodology with a higher number of high quality data will help obtain strong restrictions for the EoS.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure

Impact of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives on the Gut Microbiota of Consumers: A Real-World Study

Eating less meat is increasingly seen as a healthier, more ethical option. This is leading to growing numbers of flexitarian consumers looking for plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) to replace at least some of the animal meat they consume. Popular PBMA products amongst flexitarians, including plant-based mince, burgers, sausages and meatballs, are often perceived as low-quality, ultra-processed foods. However, we argue that the mere industrial processing of ingredients of plant origin does not make a PBMA product ultra-processed by default. To test our hypothesis, we conducted a randomised controlled trial to assess the changes to the gut microbiota of a group of 20 participants who replaced several meat-containing meals per week with meals cooked with PBMA products and compared these changes to those experienced by a size-matched control. Stool samples were subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing. The resulting raw data was analysed in a compositionality-aware manner, using a range of innovative bioinformatic methods. Noteworthy changes included an increase in butyrate metabolising potential—chiefly in the 4-aminobutyrate/succinate and glutarate pathways—and in the joint abundance of butyrate-producing taxa in the intervention group compared to control. We also observed a decrease in the Tenericutes phylum in the intervention group and an increase in the control group. Based on our findings, we concluded that the occasional replacement of animal meat with PBMA products seen in flexitarian dietary patterns can promote positive changes in the gut microbiome of consumers

The growth factor parametrization versus numerical solutions in flat and non-flat dark energy models

In the present investigation we use observational data of $f \sigma_ {8}$ to determine observational constraints in the plane $(\Omega_{m0},\sigma_{8})$ using two different methods: the growth factor parametrization and the numerical solutions method for density contrast, $\delta_{m}$. We verified the correspondence between both methods for three models of accelerated expansion: the $\Lambda CDM$ model, the $w_{0}w_{a} CDM$ model and the running cosmological constant $RCC$ model. In all case we consider also curvature as free parameter. The study of this correspondence is important because the growth factor parametrization method is frequently used to discriminate between competitive models. Our results we allow us to determine that there is a good correspondence between the observational constrains using both methods. We also test the power of the $f\sigma_ {8}$ data to constraints the curvature parameter within the $\Lambda CDM$ model. For this we use a non-parametric reconstruction using Gaussian processes. Our results show that the $f\sigma_ {8}$ data with the current precision level does not allow to distinguish between a flat and non-flat universe

Carbon radio recombination lines from gigahertz to megahertz frequencies towards Orion A

Context. The combined use of carbon radio recombination lines (CRRLs) and the 158 $\mu$m-[CII] line is a powerful tool for the study of the energetics and physical conditions (e.g., temperature and density) of photodissociation regions (PDRs). However, there are few observational studies that exploit this synergy. Aims. Here we explore the relation between CRRLs and the 158 $\mu$m-[CII] line in light of new observations and models. Methods. We present new and existing observations of CRRLs in the frequency range 0.15--230 GHz with ALMA, VLA, the GBT, Effelsberg 100m, and LOFAR towards Orion~A (M42). We complement these observations with SOFIA observations of the 158 $\mu$m-[CII] line. We studied two PDRs: the foreground atomic gas, known as the Veil, and the dense PDR between the HII region and the background molecular cloud. Results. In the Veil we are able to determine the gas temperature and electron density, which we use to measure the ionization parameter and the photoelectric heating efficiency. In the dense PDR, we are able to identify a layered PDR structure at the surface of the molecular cloud to the south of the Trapezium cluster. There we find that the radio lines trace the colder portion of the ionized carbon layer, the C$^{+}$/C/CO interface. By modeling the emission of the $158$~$\mu$m-[CII] line and CRRLs as arising from a PDR we derive a thermal pressure $>5\times10^{7}$ K cm$^{-3}$ and a radiation field $G_{0}\approx10^{5}$ close to the Trapezium. Conclusions. This work provides additional observational support for the use of CRRLs and the 158 $\mu$m-[CII] line as complementary tools to study dense and diffuse PDRs, and highlights the usefulness of CRRLs as probes of the C$^{+}$/C/CO interface.Comment: 18 pages, 16 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Reference values for intake of 6 types of soluble and insoluble fibre in healthy UK inhabitants based on the UK Biobank data.

To obtain a set of reference values for the intake of different types of dietary fibre in a healthy UK population. This descriptive cross-sectional study used the UK Biobank data to estimate the dietary patterns of healthy individuals. Data on fibre content in different foods were used to calculate the reference values which were then calibrated using real-world data on total fibre intake. UK Biobank is a prospective cohort study of over 500,000 individuals from across the United Kingdom with the participants aged between 40 and 69 years. UK Biobank contains information on over 500,000 participants. This study was performed using the data on 19990 individuals (6941 men, 13049 women) who passed stringent quality control and filtering procedures and had reported above-zero intake of the analysed foods. A set of reference values for the intake of 6 different types of soluble and insoluble fibres (cellulose, hemicelluloses, pectin and lignin), including the corresponding totals, was developed and calibrated using real-world data. To our knowledge, this is the first study to establish specific reference values for the intake of different types of dietary fibre. It is well-known that effects exerted by different types of fibre both directly and through modulation of microbiota are numerous. Conceivably, a deficit or excess intake of specific types of dietary fibre may detrimentally affect human health. Filling this knowledge gap opens new avenues for research in discussion in studies of nutrition and microbiota, and offers valuable tools for practitioners worldwide