general relativity - Any theory/author using the white hole model to explain the birth of the universe?

The maximally extended Schwarzschild solution (Kruskal diagram) envisages a white hole, which is the time-reverse of a black hole, i.e. a part of spacetime from which things can escape to us, while we can never get there. It is a singularity in the past, out of which the universe appears to spring.

My questions are:

1. 
   

   Are you aware of any theory or author which/who uses the white hole model to explain the birth of the universe?

   
   


2. 
   

   If Yes, which features in the white hole scheme are confirmed by the current cosmological observations?

   
   



3. 
   

   If Not, which features in the white hole scheme are contradicted by the current cosmological observations?

   
   


4. 
   

   Possible links?