1,145 research outputs found
Timescape cosmology with radiation fluid
The timescape cosmology represents a potentially viable alternative to the
standard homogeneous cosmology, without the need for dark energy. Although
average cosmic evolution in the timescape scenario only differs substantially
from that of Friedmann-Lemaitre model at relatively late epochs when the
contribution from the energy density of radiation is negligible, a full
solution of the Buchert equations to incorporate radiation is necessary to
smoothly match parameters to the epoch of photon decoupling and to obtain
constraints from cosmic microwave background data. Here we extend the
matter-dominated solution found in earlier work to include radiation, providing
series solutions at early times and an efficient numerical integration strategy
for generating the complete solution. The numerical solution is used to
directly calculate the scale of the sound horizon at decoupling, and at the
baryon drag epoch. The constraints on these scales from the Planck satellite
data yield bounds on the timescape cosmological parameters, which are found to
also agree with the best-fit values from a recent analysis of SDSS-II supernova
data, while avoiding the problem of a primordial lithium-7 abundance anomaly.Comment: 21 pages, 6 figures; v2: small additions, accepted by Class. Quantum
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Cosmic Acceleration from M Theory on Twisted Spaces
In a recent paper [I.P. Neupane and D.L. Wiltshire, Phys. Lett. B 619, 201
(2005).] we have found a new class of accelerating cosmologies arising from a
time--dependent compactification of classical supergravity on product spaces
that include one or more geometric twists along with non-trivial curved
internal spaces. With such effects, a scalar potential can have a local minimum
with positive vacuum energy. The existence of such a minimum generically
predicts a period of accelerated expansion in the four-dimensional
Einstein-conformal frame. Here we extend our knowledge of these cosmological
solutions by presenting new examples and discuss the properties of the
solutions in a more general setting. We also relate the known (asymptotic)
solutions for multi-scalar fields with exponential potentials to the
accelerating solutions arising from simple (or twisted) product spaces for
internal manifolds.Comment: 23 pages, 3 figures; added a summary Table, PRD versio
Average observational quantities in the timescape cosmology
We examine the properties of a recently proposed observationally viable
alternative to homogeneous cosmology with smooth dark energy, the timescape
cosmology. In the timescape model cosmic acceleration is realized as an
apparent effect related to the calibration of clocks and rods of observers in
bound systems relative to volume-average observers in an inhomogeneous geometry
in ordinary general relativity. The model is based on an exact solution to a
Buchert average of the Einstein equations with backreaction. The present paper
examines a number of observational tests which will enable the timescape model
to be distinguished from homogeneous cosmologies with a cosmological constant
or other smooth dark energy, in current and future generations of dark energy
experiments. Predictions are presented for: comoving distance measures; H(z);
the equivalent of the dark energy equation of state, w(z); the Om(z) measure of
Sahni, Shafieloo and Starobinsky; the Alcock-Paczynski test; the baryon
acoustic oscillation measure, D_v; the inhomogeneity test of Clarkson, Bassett
and Lu; and the time drift of cosmological redshifts. Where possible, the
predictions are compared to recent independent studies of similar measures in
homogeneous cosmologies with dark energy. Three separate tests with indications
of results in possible tension with the Lambda CDM model are found to be
consistent with the expectations of the timescape cosmology.Comment: 22 pages, 12 figures; v2 discussion, references added, matches
published versio
Sport for development and transformative social change: The potential of Margaret Archer’s Morphogenetic Approach to reconceptualise a longstanding problem
Frequent calls for sport-for-development (SfD) to be re-oriented towards transformative social change reflect the extent that policies and programmes have instead focused on individualised forms of personal development. However, SfD research has yet to substantially address fundamental ontological assumptions and underlying conceptualisations of transformative social change. To addresses this gap, we consider how Margaret Archer’s Morphogenetic Approach can help explain how transformative social change might occur through SfD activities. Three conceptual contributions are brought into focus: (1) assuming a realist social ontology, (2) making distinctions between structure, culture and agency, and (3) identifying social change as happening across three temporal phases. We conclude by identifying potential benefits and implications of applying the Morphogenetic Approach to consider the potential for SfD to contribute to social change
Charged gravitational instantons in five-dimensional Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet-Maxwell theory
We study a solution of the Einstein-Gauus-Bonnet theory in 5 dimensions
coupled to a Maxwell field, whose euclidean continuation gives rise to an
instanton describing black hole pair production. We also discuss the dual
theory with a 3-form field coupled to gravity.Comment: 8 pages, plain Te
Ease of movement and freedom of corporeal expression? Femininity, the body and leotards in trampoline gymnastics
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