21 research outputs found
Impact of Burrowing Shrimp Populations on C, N Cycling and Water Quality in Western North American Temperate Estuaries(INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM:ECOLOGY OF LARGE BIOTURBATORS IN TIDAL FLATS AND SHALLOW SUBLITTORAL SEDIMENTS - FROM INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR TO THEIR ROLE AS ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS)
Linking the trans-Planckian and the information loss problems in black hole physics
The trans-Planckian and information loss problems are usually discussed in
the literature as separate issues concerning the nature of Hawking radiation.
Here we instead argue that they are intimately linked, and can be understood as
"two sides of the same coin" once it is accepted that general relativity is an
effective field theory.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures. Replaced with the version to be published in
General Relativity and Gravitatio
Spacetime Noncommutativity and Antisymmetric Tensor Dynamics in the Early Universe
This paper investigates the possible cosmological implications of the
presence of an antisymmetric tensor field related to a lack of commutatitivity
of spacetime coordinates at the Planck era. For this purpose, such a field is
promoted to a dynamical variable, inspired by tensor formalism. By working to
quadratic order in the antisymmetric tensor, we study the field equations in a
Bianchi I universe in two models: an antisymmetric tensor plus scalar field
coupled to gravity, or a cosmological constant and a free massless
antisymmetric tensor. In the first scenario, numerical integration shows that,
in the very early universe, the effects of the antisymmetric tensor can prevail
on the scalar field, while at late times the former approaches zero and the
latter drives the isotropization of the universe. In the second model, an
approximate solution is obtained of a nonlinear ordinary differential equation
which shows how the mean Hubble parameter and the difference between
longitudinal and orthogonal Hubble parameter evolve in the early universe.Comment: 25 pages, Revtex file, 4 figures in attachmen
Schwinger Pair Production via Instantons in Strong Electric Fields
In the space-dependent gauge, each mode of the Klein-Gordon equation in a
strong electric field takes the form of a time-independent Schr\"{o}dinger
equation with a potential barrier. We propose that the single- and
multi-instantons of quantum tunneling may be related with the single- and
multi-pair production of bosons and the relative probability for the no-pair
production is determined by the total tunneling probability via instantons. In
the case of a uniform electric field, the instanton interpretation recovers
exactly the well-known pair production rate for bosons and when the Pauli
blocking is taken into account, it gives the correct fermion production rate.
The instanton is used to calculate the pair production rate even in an
inhomogeneous electric field. Furthermore, the instanton interpretation
confirms the fact that bosons and fermions can not be produced by a static
magnetic field only.Comment: RevTex 7 Pages, No figure; Formulae for the production rate in very
strong fields and references added; the final version accepted in Phys. Rev.
Factors affecting body temperatures of toads
Factors influencing levels and rates of variation of body temperature ( T b ) in montane Bufo boreas boreas and in lowland Bufo boreas halophilus were investigated as an initial step toward understanding the role of natural thermal variation in the physiology and energetics of these ectothermic animals. Body temperatures of boreas can vary 25–30° C over 24-h periods. Such variation is primarily due to both nocturnal and diurnal activity and the physical characteristics of the montane environment. Bufo boreas halophilus are primarily nocturnal except during breeding and are voluntarily active at body temperatures ranging between 10 and 25° C. Despite variation in T b encountered in the field, boreas select a narrow range of T b in a thermal gradient, averaging 23.5 and 26.2° C for fasted individuals maintained under field conditions or acclimated to 20° C, respectively. In a thermal gradient the mean T b of fasted halophilus acclimated to 20° C is 23.9° C. Skin color of boreas varies in the field from very dark to light. The dark skins absorb approximately 4% more radiation than the light ones. Light colored boreas should absorb approximately 5% more radiation than similarly colored halophilus . Evaporative water losses increase directly with skin temperatures and vapor pressure deficit in both subspecies. Larger individuals heat and cool more slowly than smaller ones. Calculation of an enery budget for boreal toads suggests that they could sit in direct sunlight for long periods without fatally overheating, providing the skin was continually moist.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47722/1/442_2004_Article_BF00344732.pd
Impact of Burrowing Shrimp Populations on C, N Cycling and Water Quality in Western North American Temperate Estuaries(INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM:ECOLOGY OF LARGE BIOTURBATORS IN TIDAL FLATS AND SHALLOW SUBLITTORAL SEDIMENTS - FROM INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR TO THEIR ROLE AS ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS)
Layoff agency: A theoretical framework
The current downsizing literature has neglected the cognitions and behaviors of layoff agents. In this article, layoff agents are defined as employees who assist in the implementation of layoffs in their employing organizations. The article develops a theoretical framework that focuses on the cognitions and perceptions of those individuals. This framework suggests that layoff agents have the potential to experience cognitive dissonance as a result of their layoff agency activities, and under some conditions they will seek to reduce that dissonance by altering their perceptions of organizational downsizing. The framework specifies variables that moderate the relationship between layoff agency and cognitive dissonance and also variables that moderate the relationship between layoff agency—induced cognitive dissonance and agent perceptions of organizational downsizing. The moderating effects of these variables are captured in a set of propositions suitable for testing in future empirical research on the psychology of layoff agents