1,834 research outputs found
Combined Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of the Orthoptera (Arthropoda, Insecta) and Implications for Their Higher Systematics
A phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear rDNA sequences from species of all the superfamilies of the insect order Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, and relatives) confirmed that although mitochondrial sequences provided good resolution of the youngest superfamilies, nuclear rDNA sequences were necessary to separate the basal groups. To try to reconcile these data sets into a single, fully resolved orthopteran phylogeny, we adopted consensus and combined data strategies. The consensus analysis produced a partially resolved tree that lacked several well-supported features of the individual analyses. However, this lack of resolution was explained by an examination of resampled data sets, which identified the likely source of error as the relatively short length of the individual mitochondrial data partitions. In a subsequent comparison in which the mitochondrial sequences were initially combined, we observed less conflict. We then used two approaches to examine the validity of combining all of the data in a single analysis: comparative analysis of trees recovered from resampled data sets, and the application of a randomization test. Because the results did not point to significant levels of heterogeneity in phylogenetic signal between the mitochondrial and nuclear data sets, we therefore proceeded with a combined analysis. Reconstructing phylogenies under the minimum evolution and maximum likelihood optimality criteria, we examined monophyly of the major orthopteran groups, using nonparametric and parametric bootstrap analysis and Kishino-Hasegawa tests. Our analysis suggests that phylogeny reconstruction under the maximum likelihood criteria is the most discriminating approach for the combined sequences. The results indicate, moreover, that the caeliferan Pneumoroidea and Pamphagoidea, as previously suggested, are polyphyletic. The Acridoidea is redefined to include all pamphagoid families other than the Pyrgomorphidae, which we propose should be accorded superfamily statu
The Dark Side of ROTSE-III Prompt GRB Observations
We present several cases of optical observations during gamma-ray bursts
(GRBs) which resulted in prompt limits but no detection of optical emission.
These limits constrain the prompt optical flux densities and the optical
brightness relative to the gamma-ray emission. The derived constraints fall
within the range of properties observed in GRBs with prompt optical detections,
though at the faint end of optical/gamma flux ratios. The presently accessible
prompt optical limits do not require a different set of intrinsic or
environmental GRB properties, relative to the events with prompt optical
detections.Comment: ApJ accepted. 20 pages in draft manuscript form, which includes 6
pages of tables and 2 figure
Status of the ROTSE-III telescope network
ROTSE-III is a homogeneous worldwide array of 4 robotic telescopes. They were designed to provide optical observations of γ-ray burst (GRB) afterglows as close as possible to the start of γ-ray emission. ROTSE-III is fulfilling its potential for GRB science, and provides optical observations for a variety of astrophysical sources in the interim between GRB events
Rejection of the hypothesis that Markarian 501 TeV photons are pure Bose-Einstein condensates
The energy spectrum of the Blazar type galaxy Markarian 501 (Mrk 501) as
measured by the High-Energy-Gamma-Ray Astronomy (HEGRA) air Cerenkov telescopes
extends beyond 16 TeV and constitutes the most energetic photons observed from
an extragalactic object. A fraction of the emitted spectrum is possibly
absorbed in interactions with low energy photons of the diffuse extragalactic
infrared radiation, which in turn offers the unique possibility to measure the
diffuse infrared radiation density by TeV spectroscopy. The upper limit on the
density of the extragalactic infrared radiation derived from the TeV
observations imposes constraints on models of galaxy formation and stellar
evolution. One of the recently published ideas to overcome severe absorption of
TeV photons is based upon the assumption that sources like Mrk 501 could
produce Bose-Einstein condensates of coherent photons. The condensates would
have a higher survival probability during the transport in the diffuse
radiation field and could mimic TeV air shower events. The powerful
stereoscopic technique of the HEGRA air Cerenkov telescopes allows to test this
hypothesis by reconstructing the penetration depths of TeV air shower events:
Air showers initiated by Bose-Einstein condensates are expected to reach the
maximum of the shower development in the atmosphere earlier than single photon
events. By comparing the energy-dependent penetration depths of TeV photons
from Mrk 501 with those from the TeV standard-candle Crab Nebula and simulated
air shower events, we can reject the hypothesis that TeV photons from Mrk 501
are pure Bose-Einstein condensates.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, published by ApJ Letters, revised version
(simulation results added
Superconducting gap structure and pinning in disordered MgB2 films
We have performed a comparative study of two thin films of magnesium diboride
(MgB2) grown by different techniques. The critical current density at different
temperatures and magnetic fields was evaluated from magnetisation curves, the
structure of superconducting order parameter was obtained from point-contact
spectroscopy, and the scattering rates were evaluated by fitting the
temperature dependent normal-state resistivity to the two-band model. The films
have similar critical temperatures close to 39 K, but the upper critical fields
were different by a factor of 2 (5.2T and 2.5 T at 20 K). We have found that
the film with higher Hc2 also had stronger scattering in the sigma band and
smaller value of the superconducting gap in this band. As the scattering in
sigma band is primarily due to the defects in boron plane, our results are
consistent with the assumption that disordering the boron planes leads to
enhanced Hc2 and better pinning properties in magnetic field.Comment: Paper presented at EUCAS'0
The Anomalous Early Afterglow of GRB 050801
The ROTSE-IIIc telescope at the H.E.S.S. site, Namibia, obtained the earliest
detection of optical emission from a Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB), beginning only 21.8
s from the onset of Swift GRB 050801. The optical lightcurve does not fade or
brighten significantly over the first ~250 s, after which there is an
achromatic break and the lightcurve declines in typical power-law fashion. The
Swift/XRT also obtained early observations starting at 69 s after the burst
onset. The X-ray lightcurve shows the same features as the optical lightcurve.
These correlated variations in the early optical and X-ray emission imply a
common origin in space and time. This behavior is difficult to reconcile with
the standard models of early afterglow emission.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure. Accepted for publication in ApJ Letter
Effect of two bands on critical fields in MgB2 thin films with various resistivity values
Upper critical fields of four MgB2 thin films were measured up to 28 Tesla at
Grenoble High Magnetic Field Laboratory. The films were grown by Pulsed Laser
Deposition and showed critical temperatures ranging between 29.5 and 38.8 K and
resistivities at 40 K varying from 5 to 50 mWcm. The critical fields in the
perpendicular direction turned out to be in the 13-24 T range while they were
estimated to be in 42-57 T the range in ab-planes. In contrast to the
prediction of the BCS theory, we did not observe any saturation at low
temperatures: a linear temperature dependence is exhibited even at lowest
temperatures at which we made the measurements. Moreover, the critical field
values seemed not to depend on the normal state resistivity value. In this
paper, we analyze these data considering the multiband nature of
superconductivity in MgB2 We will show how the scattering mechanisms that
determine critical fields and resistivity can be different.Comment: 17 pages, 3 figure
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