687 research outputs found
Two-dimensional Chiral Anomaly in Differential Regularization
The two-dimensional chiral anomaly is calculated using differential
regularization. It is shown that the anomaly emerges naturally in the vector
and axial Ward identities on the same footing as the four-dimensional case. The
vector gauge symmetry can be achieved by an appropriate choice of the mass
scales without introducing the seagull term. We have analyzed the reason why
such a universal result can be obtained in differential regularization.Comment: 9 pages, RevTex, no figures, a mistake in the massive case pointed
out by the referee is correcte
Changes in growth of tropical forests: evaluating potential biases
Over the past century almost every ecosystem on Earth has come under the
influence of changes in atmospheric composition and climate caused by human activity.
Tropical forests are among the most productive and extensive ecosystems, and it has been
hypothesized that both the dynamics and biomass of apparently undisturbed, old-growth
tropical forests have been changing in response to atmospheric changes. Long-term forest
sample plots are a critical tool in detecting and monitoring such changes, and our recent
analysis of pan-tropical-forest plot data has suggested that the biomass of tropical forests
has been increasing, providing a modest negative feedback on the rate of accumulation of
atmospheric CO2. However, it has been argued that some of these old forest plot data sets
have significant problems in interpretation because of the use of nonstandardized methodologies.
In this paper we examine the extent to which potential field methodological errors may
bias estimates of total biomass change by detailed examination of tree-by-tree records from
up to 120 Neotropical plots to test predictions from theory. Potential positive biases on
measurements of biomass change include a bias in site selection, tree deformities introduced
by the measurement process, poor methodologies to deal with tree deformities or buttresses,
and nonrecording of negative growth increments. We show that, while it is important to
improve and standardize methodologies in current and future forest-plot work, any systematic
errors introduced by currently identified biases in past studies are small and calculable.
We conclude that most tropical-forest plot data are of useful quality, and that the evidence
does still weigh conclusively in favor of a recent increase of biomass in old-growth tropical
forests
Caregivers’ Health Literacy and Their Young Children’s Oral-health–related Expenditures
Caregivers’ health literacy has emerged as an important determinant of young children’s health care and outcomes. We examined the hypothesis that caregivers’ health literacy influences children’s oral-health-care–related expenditures. This was a prospective cohort study of 1,132 child/caregiver dyads (children’s mean age = 19 months), participating in the Carolina Oral Health Literacy Project. Health literacy was measured by the REALD-30 (word recognition based) and NVS (comprehension based) instruments. Follow-up data included child Medicaid claims for CY2008-10. We quantified expenditures using annualized 2010 fee-adjusted Medicaid-paid dollars for oral-health–related visits involving preventive, restorative, and emergency care. We used descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate statistical methods based on generalized gamma models. Mean oral-health–related annual expenditures totaled 81, restorative—22. Among children who received services, mean expenditures were: emergency hospital-based—106, and restorative care—40; 95% confidence interval, -32, 111). Nevertheless, with both instruments, emergency dental care expenditures were consistently elevated among children of low-literacy caregivers. These findings provide initial support for health literacy as an important determinant of the meaningful use and cost of oral health care
An international network to monitor the structure, composition and dynamics of Amazonian forests (RAINFOR)
The Amazon basin is likely to be increasingly affected by environmental changes: higher temperatures, changes in precipitation, CO2 fertilization and habitat fragmentation. To examine the important ecological and biogeochemical consequences of these changes, we are developing an international network, RAINFOR, which aims to monitor forest biomass and dynamics across Amazonia in a co-ordinated fashion in order to understand their relationship to soil and climate. The network will focus on sample plots established by independent researchers, some providing data extending back several decades. We will also conduct rapid transect studies of poorly monitored regions. Field expeditions analysed local soil and plant properties in the first phase (2001–2002). Initial results suggest that the network has the potential to reveal much information on the continental-scale relations between forest and environment. The network will also serve as a forum for discussion between researchers, with the aim of standardising sampling techniques and methodologies that will enable Amazonian forests to be monitored in a coherent manner in the coming decades
Backward pion-nucleon scattering
A global analysis of the world data on differential cross sections and
polarization asymmetries of backward pion-nucleon scattering for invariant
collision energies above 3 GeV is performed in a Regge model. Including the
, , and trajectories, we
reproduce both angular distributions and polarization data for small values of
the Mandelstam variable , in contrast to previous analyses. The model
amplitude is used to obtain evidence for baryon resonances with mass below 3
GeV. Our analysis suggests a resonance with a mass of 2.83 GeV as
member of the trajectory from the corresponding Chew-Frautschi
plot.Comment: 12 pages, 16 figure
Periodic and Quasiperiodic Motion of an Elongated Microswimmer in Poiseuille Flow
We study the dynamics of a prolate spheroidal microswimmer in Poiseuille flow
for different flow geometries. When moving between two parallel plates or in a
cylindrical microchannel, the swimmer performs either periodic swinging or
periodic tumbling motion. Although the trajectories of spherical and elongated
swimmers are qualitatively similar, the swinging and tumbling frequency
strongly depends on the aspect ratio of the swimmer. In channels with reduced
symmetry the swimmers perform quasiperiodic motion which we demonstrate
explicitely for swimming in a channel with elliptical cross section
Muon production in extensive air showers and its relation to hadronic interactions
In this work, the relation between muon production in extensive air showers
and features of hadronic multiparticle production at low energies is studied.
Using CORSIKA, we determine typical energies and phase space regions of
secondary particles which are important for muon production in extensive air
showers and confront the results with existing fixed target measurements.
Furthermore possibilities to measure relevant quantities of hadron production
in existing and planned accelerator experiments are discussed.Comment: To appear in the proceedings of international conference on
interconnection between high energy physics and astroparticle physics "From
Colliders to Cosmic Rays" (C2CR 2005), Prague, Czech Republic, 7-13 September
200
Observation of the Ankle and Evidence for a High-Energy Break in the Cosmic Ray Spectrum
We have measured the cosmic ray spectrum at energies above eV using
the two air fluorescence detectors of the High Resolution Fly's Eye experiment
operating in monocular mode. We describe the detector, PMT and atmospheric
calibrations, and the analysis techniques for the two detectors. We fit the
spectrum to models describing galactic and extragalactic sources. Our measured
spectrum gives an observation of a feature known as the ``ankle'' near eV, and strong evidence for a suppression near eV.Comment: 14 pages, 9 figures. To appear in Physics Letters B. Accepted versio
Quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence induced by silver nanoparticles
The interaction between chlorophyll (Chl) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was evaluated by analyzing the optical behavior of Chl molecules surrounded by different concentrations of AgNPs (10, 60, and 100 nm of diameter). UV–Vis absorption, steady state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements were performed for Chl in the presence and absence of these nanoparticles. AgNPs strongly suppressed the Chl fluorescence intensity at 678 nm. The Stern-Volmer constant (KSV) showed that fluorescence suppression is driven by the dynamic quenching process. In particular, KSV was nanoparticle size-dependent with an exponential decrease as a function of the nanoparticle diameter. Finally, changes in the Chl fluorescence lifetime in the presence of nanoparticles demonstrated that the fluorescence quenching may be induced by the excited electron transfer from the Chl molecules to the metal nanoparticles
Exposure Path Perceptions and Protective Actions in Biological Water Contamination Emergencies
This study extends the Protective Action Decision Model, developed to address disaster warning responses in the context of natural hazards, to “boil water” advisories. The study examined 110 Boston residents’ and 203 Texas students’ expectations of getting sick through different exposure paths for contact with contaminated water. In addition, the study assessed respondents’ actual implementation (for residents) or behavioral expectations (for students) of three different protective actions – bottled water, boiled water, and personally chlorinated water – as well as their demo-graphic characteristics and previous experience with water contamination. The results indicate that people distinguish among the exposure paths, but the differences are small (one-third to one-half of the response scale). Nonetheless, the perceived risk from the exposure paths helps to explain why people are expected to consume (or actually consumed) bottled water rather than boiled or personally chlorinated water. Overall, these results indicate that local authorities should take care to communicate the relative risks of different exposure paths and should expect that people will respond to a boil water order primarily by consuming bottled water. Thus, they should make special efforts to increase supplies of bottled water in their communities during water contamination emergencies
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