24,896 research outputs found
Fisher matrix forecasts for astrophysical tests of the stability of the fine-structure constant
We use Fisher Matrix analysis techniques to forecast the cosmological impact
of astrophysical tests of the stability of the fine-structure constant to be
carried out by the forthcoming ESPRESSO spectrograph at the VLT (due for
commissioning in late 2017), as well by the planned high-resolution
spectrograph (currently in Phase A) for the European Extremely Large Telescope.
Assuming a fiducial model without variations, we show that ESPRESSO
can improve current bounds on the E\"{o}tv\"{o}s parameter---which quantifies
Weak Equivalence Principle violations---by up to two orders of magnitude,
leading to stronger bounds than those expected from the ongoing tests with the
MICROSCOPE satellite, while constraints from the E-ELT should be competitive
with those of the proposed STEP satellite. Should an variation be
detected, these measurements will further constrain cosmological parameters,
being particularly sensitive to the dynamics of dark energy.Comment: Phys. Lett. B (in press
Is it really possible to grow isotropic on-lattice diffusion-limited aggregates?
In a recent paper (Bogoyavlenskiy V A 2002 \JPA \textbf{35} 2533), an
algorithm aiming to generate isotropic clusters of the on-lattice
diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA) model was proposed. The procedure consists
of aggregation probabilities proportional to the squared number of occupied
sites (). In the present work, we analyzed this algorithm using the noise
reduced version of the DLA model and large scale simulations. In the noiseless
limit, instead of isotropic patterns, a () rotation in the
anisotropy directions of the clusters grown on square (triangular) lattices was
observed. A generalized algorithm, in which the aggregation probability is
proportional to , was proposed. The exponent has a nonuniversal
critical value , for which the patterns generated in the noiseless limit
exhibit the original (axial) anisotropy for and the rotated one
(diagonal) for . The values and were found for square and triangular lattices, respectively.
Moreover, large scale simulations show that there are a nontrivial relation
between noise reduction and anisotropy direction. The case (\bogo's
rule) is an example where the patterns exhibit the axial anisotropy for small
and the diagonal one for large noise reduction.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figure
Cosmological constant constraints from observation-derived energy condition bounds and their application to bimetric massive gravity
Among the various possibilities to probe the theory behind the recent
accelerated expansion of the universe, the energy conditions (ECs) are of
particular interest, since it is possible to confront and constrain the many
models, including different theories of gravity, with observational data. In
this context, we use the ECs to probe any alternative theory whose extra term
acts as a cosmological constant. For this purpose, we apply a model-independent
approach to reconstruct the recent expansion of the universe. Using Type Ia
supernova, baryon acoustic oscillations and cosmic-chronometer data, we perform
a Markov Chain Monte Carlo analysis to put constraints on the effective
cosmological constant . By imposing that the cosmological
constant is the only component that possibly violates the ECs, we derive lower
and upper bounds for its value. For instance, we obtain that and within,
respectively, and confidence levels. In addition, about
30\% of the posterior distribution is incompatible with a cosmological
constant, showing that this method can potentially rule it out as a mechanism
for the accelerated expansion. We also study the consequence of these
constraints for two particular formulations of the bimetric massive gravity.
Namely, we consider the Visser's theory and the Hassan and Roses's massive
gravity by choosing a background metric such that both theories mimic General
Relativity with a cosmological constant. Using the
observational bounds along with the upper bounds on the graviton mass we obtain
constraints on the parameter spaces of both theories.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, 1 tabl
Influence of the external pressure on the quantum correlations of molecular magnets
The study of quantum correlations in solid state systems is a large avenue
for research and their detection and manipulation are an actual challenge to
overcome. In this context, we show by using first-principles calculations on
the prototype material KNaCuSiO that the degree of quantum
correlations in this spin cluster system can be managed by external hydrostatic
pressure. Our results open the doors for research in detection and manipulation
of quantum correlations in magnetic systems with promising applications in
quantum information science
Respostas fisiológicas de genótipos de mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) submetidos à deficiência hídrica.
A mandioca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) é uma cultura perene nativa da América Tropical e tem como centro de origem o Brasil Central (ALLEN, 2002). E como a maioria da diversidade biológica do gênero Manihot ocorre próximo ao estado de Goiás, acredita-se que o progenitor selvagem de mandioca e espécies afins evoluíram nas florestas do Cerrado do Brasil Central (EL-SHARKAWY, 2004). Durante o período de crescimento e desenvolvimento, as plantas são frequentemente submetidas a condições externas adversas, o que resulta em estresses, e estes podem afetam de maneira desfavorável a produtividade das plantas. Tais estresses podem ser bióticos (resultante da ação de microorganismos) e abióticos (resultantes do excesso ou falta de algum fator físico ou químico do meio ambiente), e estes podem ocorrer de forma isolada ou conjunta (GONÇALVES, 2008). A salinidade, o estresse hídrico (deficiência ou excesso), nutrientes minerais (deficiência ou excesso) se destacam como estresses abióticos ( BARBOSA, 2010). O objetivo deste trabalho foi o de avaliar o crescimento inicial de seis genótipos mandioca, sob condições de deficiência hídrica
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