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Using the first law of thermodynamics, we propose a relation between the system entropy (S) and its IR (L) and UV (\\[\\Lambda \\]) cutoffs. In addition, applying this relation to the apparent horizon of flat FRW universe, whose entropy meets the Rényi entropy, a new holographic dark energy model is addressed. Thereinafter, the evolution of the flat FRW universe, filled by a pressureless source and the obtained dark energy candidate, is studied. In our model, there is no mutual interaction between the cosmos sectors. We find out that the obtained model is theoretically powerful to explain the current accelerated phase of the universe. This result emphasizes that the generalized entropy formalism is suitable for describing systems including the long-range interactions such as gravity.

We propose a single one-parameter family of orthogonal harmonic functions expressed in terms of spheroidal coordinates as independent variables to construct a common orthogonal basis for the L 2 -Hilbert spaces of quaternionic monogenic functions in the space exterior of a spheroidal domain (either prolate or oblate). We give recurrence relations for the elements that constitute such a basis, which are particularly easy to handle from a computational point of view. Conversion formulas among the classes of harmonic and monogenic functions associated with a spheroid of arbitrary eccentricity to those related to the Euclidean ball are derived.

The spacetime solution for a black hole, surrounded by an exotic matter field, in Rastall gravity, is calculated in an arbitrary d-dimensional spacetime. After this, we calculate the scalar quasinormal modes of such solution, and study the shift on the modes caused by the modification of the theory of gravity, i.e., by the introduction of a new term due to Rastall. We conclude that the shift strongly depends on the kind of exotic field one is studying, but for a low density matter that supposedly pervades the universe, it is unlikely that Rastall gravity will cause an instability for the probe field.

Using the Tsallis generalized entropy, holographic hypothesis and also considering the Hubble horizon as the IR cutoff, we build a holographic model for dark energy and study its cosmological consequences in the Brans–Dicke framework. At first, we focus on a non-interacting universe, and thereinafter, we study the results of considering a sign-changeable interaction between the dark sectors of the cosmos. Our investigations show that, compared with the flat case, the power and freedom of the model in describing the cosmic evolution is significantly increased in the presence of the curvature. The stability analysis also indicates that, independent of the universe curvature, both the interacting and non-interacting cases are classically unstable. In fact, both the classical stability criterion and an acceptable behavior for the cosmos quantities, including the deceleration and density parameters as well as the equation of state, are not simultaneously obtainable.

We study the black hole thermodynamics in the presence of a string cloud matter distribution, considering a work term due to a variable cosmological “constant” in arbitrary dimensions. Then, we explore the criticality of the system and the behavior of the black hole as a heat engine in the context of general relativity and metric f(R) gravity.

Background Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is a prevalent orthopedic disorder in dogs, primarily characterized by hip joint laxity, which may lead to osteoarthritis and mobility impairments. Radiographic assessment, using the distraction view (DV) is considered the gold standard for evaluating hip laxity (HL). Veterinary professionals should take precautions to reduce exposure to ionizing radiation and its harmful effects. This study aims to compare the hip laxity of the DV obtained through manual restraining, with similar views using the positioning holder device PosUTAD, with an incorporated applied force monitoring system. Results In this prospective study, 59 dogs (118 joints) were x-rayed using the hip DV twice, one using manual restraint and another using the PosUTAD modified (Mod) holder device. The force to maintain the hips under stress ranged from 17.15 to 44.1 N, 21.0 ± 5.0 N. The mean distraction index (DI) in the pairs of radiographs was similar for manual 0.42 ± 0.11 and holder restraining 0.43 ± 0.12 ( P  > 0.05, Paired t-test), with the maximum DI difference of 0.12. The Bland–Altman analysis shows a good scatter of DI differences distribution with limits of the agreement between -0.10 and 0.10. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.90, with the inferior limit of the confidence interval of 0.86 ( P  < 0.05). Conclusions The PosUTAD Mod allows a reliable alternative technique to obtain the hip DV and avoids exposure of personnel to ionizing radiation. However, using the PosUTAD Mod device requires more specialized human resources, as the experience of an assistant to fix the PosUTAD Mod under adequate force is necessary for the success of the technique. It should also be added that it is a slightly more time-consuming technique, so it will only be an option when veterinary professionals’ exposure to ionizing radiation is not allowed or is valued.

Purpose Handgrip strength (HGS) has been shown to predict survival and is associated with changes in body composition, nutritional status, inflammation, and functional ability in several chronic disease conditions. Whether similar relationships exist between HGS and clinical outcomes in patients with advanced cancer are currently unknown. We evaluated the association between HGS and survival as well as several key markers of body composition (e.g., sarcopenia), subjective performance measures (e.g., quality of life), and muscle strength (e.g., isokinetic torque of the quadriceps) in patients with advanced forms of non-small cell lung and gastrointestinal cancers. Methods A consecutive cohort of 203 patients with advanced cancer was enrolled and categorized into three HGS percentiles (e.g., ≥50th, 25th, and ≤10th) according to published normative values. Multivariate regression analyses were used to test for independent associations between HGS and survival, sarcopenia, quality of life (QoL), and lower extremity muscle strength as well as key biological markers (e.g., hemoglobin, albumin, and C-reactive protein) while controlling for age, gender, cancer diagnosis, treatment (chemotherapy/radiotherapy), medications, and time from diagnosis to assessment. Results When compared to HGS ≥50th, patients in the HGS ≤10th percentile had lower BMI (B, −2.5 kg/m 2 ; 95% CI, −4.5 to −0.45), shorter survival (hazard ratio, 3.2; 2.0–5.1), lower hemoglobin (−19.70 g/L; −27.28 to −12.13) and albumin (−4.99 g/L; −7.85 to −2.13), greater occurrence of sarcopenia (odds ratio, 9.53; 1.95–46.55), lower isokinetic torque of the quadriceps at both 60°/s (−30.6 Nm; −57.9 to −3.3) and 120°/s (−25.1 Nm; −46.4 to −3.7), lower QoL (−1.6 on McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire scale; −2.5 to −0.6), higher levels of fatigue (18.8 on Brief Fatigue Inventory scale; 4.7 –32.9), poorer performance status (0.75 on Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status scale; 0.34–1.15), lower fat mass (−7.4 kg; −14.4 to −0.5), and lower lean body mass (−6.5 kg; −10.3 to −2.8). Conclusions HGS is independently associated with survival and important biological, functional, and quality of life characteristics in advanced cancer patients. Patients presenting with very low percentiles with respect to their handgrip assessment may require timely referral to supportive and/or palliative care services.

We study some properties of the extended phase space of a quantum-corrected Schwarzschild black hole surrounded by a perfect fluid. In particular we demonstrate that, due to the quantum correction, there exist first and second order phase transitions for a certain range of the state parameter of the perfect fluid, and we explicitly analyze some cases. Besides that, we describe the efficiency of this system as a heat engine and the effect of quantum corrections for different surrounding fluids.

Background Despite the unequivocal benefits of vaccination, vaccine coverage has been falling in several countries in the past few years. Studies suggest that vaccine hesitancy is an increasingly significant phenomenon affecting adherence to vaccines. More recently, during the COVID-19 pandemic, political views have emerged as an additional influencing factor for vaccine hesitancy. Methods In this ecologic study, we used information from publicly available databases to investigate the association between political ideology, depicted by the percentage of votes for the right-wing candidate Jair Bolsonaro in the presidential elections of 2018 and 2022, and COVID-19 vaccination in Brazilian municipalities. The primary endpoint was the COVID-19 vaccination index, calculated as the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered up to September 2022 divided by the number of inhabitants in each municipality. The analysis was conducted using Pearson correlation coefficients and linear regression models adjusted for HDI, the percentage of male voters, the percentage of voters who were older than 50 years old, and the percentage of voters with a middle school education or less. In addition, we explored whether the effect of the percentage of Bolsonaro voters on the COVID-19 vaccination index was modified in different quartiles of HDI using an interaction term. Results Five thousand five hundred sixty-three Brazilian municipalities were included in the analysis. For both the 2018 and 2022 elections, the percentage of votes for Jair Bolsonaro was significantly and inversely associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake after adjustment for the sociodemographic characteristics of the voters (change in mean vaccination index in 2018 for each 1% increase in Bolsonaro voters -0.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.13 to -0.08, p  < 0.001; change in mean vaccination index in 2022 for each 1% increase in Bolsonaro voters -0.09, 95% CI -0.11 to -0.07, p  < 0.001). We also found a statistically significant interaction between the primary predictor of interest and HDI scores, with a more significantly detrimental effect of the right-wing political stance in municipalities in the lower HDI quartiles (interaction p  < 0.001 for the first HDI quartile; p  = 0.001 for the second HDI quartile). Conclusion Our findings suggest that political ideologies have influenced COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Brazilian municipalities, affecting communities inequitably. The politicization of vaccines is a new challenge for vaccine programs. Strategies to face these challenges should include joint efforts from governments and civil society for a common public health goal.