N=1 Supergravity Chaotic Inflation in the Braneworld Scenario

We study a N=1 Supergravity chaotic inflationary model, in the context of the braneworld scenario. It is shown that successful inflation and reheating consistent with phenomenological constraints can be achieved via the new terms in the Friedmann equation arising from brane physics. Interestingly, the model satisfies observational bounds with sub-Planckian field values, implying that chaotic inflation on the brane is free from the well known difficulties associated with the presence of higher order non-renormalizable terms in the superpotential. A bound on the mass scale of the fifth dimension, M_5 \gsim 1.3 \times 10^{-6} M_P, is obtained from the requirement that the reheating temperature be higher than the temperature of the electroweak phase transition.Comment: 5 pages, 1 Table, Revtex

From the Big Bang Theory to the Theory of a Stationary Universe

We consider chaotic inflation in the theories with the effective potentials phi^n and e^{\alpha\phi}. In such theories inflationary domains containing sufficiently large and homogeneous scalar field \phi permanently produce new inflationary domains of a similar type. We show that under certain conditions this process of the self-reproduction of the Universe can be described by a stationary distribution of probability, which means that the fraction of the physical volume of the Universe in a state with given properties (with given values of fields, with a given density of matter, etc.) does not depend on time, both at the stage of inflation and after it. This represents a strong deviation of inflationary cosmology from the standard Big Bang paradigm. We compare our approach with other approaches to quantum cosmology, and illustrate some of the general conclusions mentioned above with the results of a computer simulation of stochastic processes in the inflationary Universe.Comment: No changes to the file, but original figures are included. They substantially help to understand this paper, as well as eternal inflation in general, and what is now called the "multiverse" and the "string theory landscape." High quality figures can be found at http://www.stanford.edu/~alinde/LLMbigfigs

ACES demonstration: construction, startup, and performance report

A 2000-ft/sup 2/ single-family residence was constructed during the second quarter of 1976 to demonstrate the energy-conserving features of additional insulation, a ventilation cooling cycle, and the Annual Cycle Energy System (ACES). The ACES is an integrated heating and cooling system that supplies space heating, hot water, and space cooling using a heat pump and low-temperature thermal storage. Included in this report are a discussion of the construction techniques employed and the problems encountered during construction, a description of the ACES concept and the ACES mechanical package, and a discussion of the ACES performance and the experiences obtained during initial operation of the ACES. Continuous operation and data collection were begun in May 1977. Performance data from November 1977 through March 1978 have shown a seasonal heating coefficient of performance of 2.77 for the ACES, giving a 63% energy reduction compared to electric resistance space and water heating

Identification of placental androgen receptor isoforms in a sheep model of maternal allergic asthma

Maternal asthma is known to impact intrauterine growth outcomes, which may be mediated, in part, by altered androgen signalling. Our aim was to explore whether the sheep placenta expresses androgen receptor (AR) isoforms and determine if the differential expression of AR protein isoforms is altered by maternal asthma. Four known AR isoforms were detected (AR-FL, AR-v1, AR-v7, and AR-45), and their expression and subcellular distribution was altered in the presence of maternal allergic asthma. These findings underscore the importance for in vivo models of maternal asthma to delineate molecular patterns that may contribute to feto-placental growth and development.Ashley S. Meakin, Janna L. Morrison, Emma L. Bradshaw, Stacey L. Holman, Zarqa Saif, Kathryn L. Gatford, Megan J. Wallace, Robert J. Bischof, Timothy J.M. Moss, Vicki L. Clifto

Natural attenuation of legacy hydrocarbon spills in pristine soils is feasible despite difficult environmental conditions in the monsoon tropics

The Kimberley region of Western Australia is a National Heritage listed region that is internationally recognised for its environmental and cultural significance. However, petroleum spills have been reported at a number of sites across the region, representing an environmental concern. The region is also characterised as having low soil nutrients, high temperatures and monsoonal rain – all of which may limit the potential for natural biodegradation of petroleum. Therefore, this work evaluated the effect of legacy petroleum hydrocarbons on the indigenous soil microbial community (across the domains Archaea, Bacteria and Fungi) at three sites in the Kimberley region. At each site, soil cores were removed from contaminated and control areas and analysed for total petroleum hydrocarbons, soil nutrients, pH and microbial community profiling (using16S rRNA and ITS sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq Platform). The presence of petroleum hydrocarbons decreased microbial diversity across all kingdoms, altered the structure of microbial communities and increased the abundance of putative hydrocarbon degraders (e.g. Mycobacterium, Acremonium, Penicillium, Bjerkandera and Candida). Microbial community shifts from contaminated soils were also associated with an increase in soil nutrients (notably Colwell P and S). Our study highlights the long-term effect of legacy hydrocarbon spills on soil microbial communities and their diversity in remote, infertile monsoonal soils, but also highlights the potential for natural attenuation to occur in these environments

Intrauterine growth restriction alters the activity of drug metabolising enzymes in the maternal-placental-fetal unit

Purpose: Ten percent of pregnancies are affected by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and evidence suggests that affected neonates have reduced activity of hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) drug metabolising enzymes. Given that almost all pregnant individuals take medications and additional medications are often required during an IUGR pregnancy, we aimed to determine the impact of IUGR on hepatic CYP activity in sheep fetuses and pregnant ewes. Methods: Specific probes were used to determine the impact of IUGR on the activity of several CYP isoenzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2C19, CYP2D6 and CYP3A) in sheep fetuses and pregnant ewes. Probes were administered intravenously to the ewe at 132 days (d) gestation (term 150 d), followed by blood sampling from the maternal and fetal circulation over 24 h. Maternal and fetal liver tissue was collected at 139–140 d gestation, from which microsomes were isolated and incubated with probes. Metabolite and maternal plasma cortisol concentrations were measured using Liquid Chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results: Maternal plasma cortisol concentration and maternal hepatic CYP1A2 and CYP3A activity was significantly higher in IUGR pregnancies. Maternal hepatic CYP activity was higher than fetal hepatic CYP activity for all CYPs tested, and there was minimal CYP1A2 or CYP3A activity in the late gestation fetus when assessed using in vitro methods. Conclusions: The physiological changes to the maternal-placental-fetal unit in an IUGR pregnancy have significant effects on maternal drug metabolism, suggesting changes in medications and/or doses may be required to optimise maternal and fetal health.Grace M. McBride, Ashley S. Meakin, Jia Yin Soo, Jack R.T. Darby, Tamara J. Varcoe, Emma L. Bradshaw, Mitchell C. Lock, Stacey L. Holman, Brahmdeep S. Saini, Christopher K. Macgowan, Mike Seed, Mary J. Berry, Michael D. Wiese, Janna L. Morriso