An approach to stability analyses in general relativity via symplectic geometry
ARABIAN JOURNAL OF MATHEMATICS
Authors: Kocherlakota, Prashant; Joshi, Pankaj S.
Abstract
We begin with a review of the statements of non-linear, linear and mode stability of autonomous dynamical systems in classical mechanics, using symplectic geometry. We then discuss what the Arnowitt-Deser-Misner (ADM) phase space and the ADM Hamiltonian of general relativity are, what constitutes a dynamical system, and subsequently present a nascent attempt to draw a formal analogy between the notions of stability in these two theories. We wish to note that we have not discussed here the construction of the reduced phase space by forming the quotient space of the constrained phase space with the gauge orbits. Our approach here is pedagogical and geometric, and the motivation is to unify and simplify a formal understanding of the statements regarding the stability of stationary solutions of general relativity. That is, typically the governing equations of motion of a Hamiltonian dynamical system are simply the flow equations of the associated symplectic Hamiltonian vector field, defined on phase space, and the non-linear stability analysis of its critical points have simply to do with the divergence of its flow there. Further, the linear stability of a critical point is related to the properties of the tangent flow of the Hamiltonian vector field. In the second half of this work, we posit that a study of the genericity of a particular black hole or naked singularity spacetime forming as an endstate of gravitational collapse is equivalent to an inquiry of how sensitive the orbits of the symplectic Hamiltonian vector field of general relativity are to changes in initial data. We demonstrate this by conducting a restricted non-linear stability analysis of the formation of a Schwarzschild black hole, working in the usual initial value formulation of general relativity.
Comparison of xenogeneic acellular dermal matrix and skin grafts in reconstruction of postoperative defects of hypopharyngeal cancer A retrospective cohort study
MEDICINE
Authors: Zang, Jian; Feng, Shuai; Yang, Huijun; Guo, Xing
Abstract
Successful reconstruction after tumor resection facilitates rapid recovery and retention of good quality of life. and this is important for a successful operation. This study aimed to analyze and compare the application and efficacy of xenogeneic acellular dermal matrix (xeno-ADM) and abdominal skin graft in hypopharynx reconstruction. This is a retrospective cohort study that included 25 patients with posterior hypopharyngeal wall cancer who underwent partial hypopharyngectomy with laryngeal preservation. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the repair materials used. Eleven patients were treated with xeno-ADM, and 1/1 patients with abdominal skin grafts for repairing hypopharyngeal mucosal defects. The intraoperative data, postoperative recovery time of eating function, graft contraction, infection and pharyngeal fistula rate, and 1-year survival rate of the 2 groups were analyzed and compared. Compared with skin grafts group (23.1 +/- 5.8 days), the recovery time of eating function in xeno-ADM group was shorter (17.3 +/- 6.4 days), (P=.026). Also the number of postoperative hospitalization days were less in the xeno-ADM group (18.5 +/- 6.7 days) than in the skin grafts group (24.1 +/- 5.6 days) (P=.035). Besides, no significant differences were observed in other comparisons between the 2 groups. Also no obvious rejection and severe graft contraction were observed in both the groups. All patients were successfully decannulated. Both xeno-ADM and abdominal skin grafts demonstrated good effects in the reconstruction of hypopharynx, but the recovery time of eating function in patients with xeno-ADM was faster, which may be due to rapid epithelialization. In addition, it avoids trauma of donor sites.