80 research outputs found
Decay process accelerated by tunneling in its very early stage
We examine a fast decay process that arises in the transition period between
the Gaussian and exponential decay processes in quantum decay systems. It is
usually expected that the decay is decelerated by a confinement potential
barrier. However, we find a case where the decay in the transition period is
accelerated by tunneling through a confinement potential barrier. We show that
the acceleration gives rise to an appreciable effect on the time evolution of
the nonescape probability of the decay system.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures; accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
Constraining Primordial Non-Gaussianity with High-Redshift Probes
We present an analysis of the constraints on the amplitude of primordial
non-Gaussianity of local type described by the dimensionless parameter . These constraints are set by the auto-correlation functions (ACFs) of two
large scale structure probes, the radio sources from NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS)
and the quasar catalogue of Sloan Digital Sky Survey Release Six (SDSS DR6
QSOs), as well as by their cross-correlation functions (CCFs) with the cosmic
microwave background (CMB) temperature map (Integrated Sachs-Wolfe effect).
Several systematic effects that may affect the observational estimates of the
ACFs and of the CCFs are investigated and conservatively accounted for. Our
approach exploits the large-scale scale-dependence of the non-Gaussian halo
bias. The derived constraints on {} coming from the NVSS CCF and
from the QSO ACF and CCF are weaker than those previously obtained from the
NVSS ACF, but still consistent with them. Finally, we obtain the constraints on
() and () from
NVSS data and SDSS DR6 QSO data, respectively.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, 1 table, Accepted for publication on JCA
SRAO CO Observation of 11 Supernova Remnants in l = 70 to 190 deg
We present the results of 12CO J = 1-0 line observations of eleven Galactic
supernova remnants (SNRs) obtained using the Seoul Radio Astronomy Observatory
(SRAO) 6-m radio telescope. The observation was made as a part of the SRAO CO
survey of SNRs between l = 70 and 190 deg, which is intended to identify SNRs
interacting with molecular clouds. The mapping areas for the individual SNRs
are determined to cover their full extent in the radio continuum. We used
halfbeam grid spacing (60") for 9 SNRs and full-beam grid spacing (120") for
the rest. We detected CO emission towards most of the remnants. In six SNRs,
molecular clouds showed a good spatial relation with their radio morphology,
although no direct evidence for the interaction was detected. Two SNRs are
particularly interesting: G85.4+0.7, where there is a filamentary molecular
cloud along the radio shell, and 3C434.1, where a large molecular cloud appears
to block the western half of the remnant. We briefly summarize the results
obtained for individual SNRs.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astrophysics & Space Science. 12 pages,
12 figures, and 3 table
Magnetic Fields in the Milky Way
This chapter presents a review of observational studies to determine the
magnetic field in the Milky Way, both in the disk and in the halo, focused on
recent developments and on magnetic fields in the diffuse interstellar medium.
I discuss some terminology which is confusingly or inconsistently used and try
to summarize current status of our knowledge on magnetic field configurations
and strengths in the Milky Way. Although many open questions still exist, more
and more conclusions can be drawn on the large-scale and small-scale components
of the Galactic magnetic field. The chapter is concluded with a brief outlook
to observational projects in the near future.Comment: 22 pages, 5 figures, to appear in "Magnetic Fields in Diffuse Media",
eds. E.M. de Gouveia Dal Pino and A. Lazaria
Active Galactic Nuclei at the Crossroads of Astrophysics
Over the last five decades, AGN studies have produced a number of spectacular
examples of synergies and multifaceted approaches in astrophysics. The field of
AGN research now spans the entire spectral range and covers more than twelve
orders of magnitude in the spatial and temporal domains. The next generation of
astrophysical facilities will open up new possibilities for AGN studies,
especially in the areas of high-resolution and high-fidelity imaging and
spectroscopy of nuclear regions in the X-ray, optical, and radio bands. These
studies will address in detail a number of critical issues in AGN research such
as processes in the immediate vicinity of supermassive black holes, physical
conditions of broad-line and narrow-line regions, formation and evolution of
accretion disks and relativistic outflows, and the connection between nuclear
activity and galaxy evolution.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures; review contribution; "Exploring the Cosmic
Frontier: Astrophysical Instruments for the 21st Century", ESO Astrophysical
Symposia Serie
CMB-Galaxy correlation in Unified Dark Matter Scalar Field Cosmologies
We present an analysis of the cross-correlation between the CMB and the
large-scale structure (LSS) of the Universe in Unified Dark Matter (UDM) scalar
field cosmologies. We work out the predicted cross-correlation function in UDM
models, which depends on the speed of sound of the unified component, and
compare it with observations from six galaxy catalogues (NVSS, HEAO, 2MASS, and
SDSS main galaxies, luminous red galaxies, and quasars). We sample the value of
the speed of sound and perform a likelihood analysis, finding that the UDM
model is as likely as the LambdaCDM, and is compatible with observations for a
range of values of c_\infinity (the value of the sound speed at late times) on
which structure formation depends. In particular, we obtain an upper bound of
c_\infinity^2 \leq 0.009 at 95% confidence level, meaning that the LambdaCDM
model, for which c_\infinity^2 = 0, is a good fit to the data, while the
posterior probability distribution peaks at the value c_\infinity^2=10^(-4) .
Finally, we study the time dependence of the deviation from LambdaCDM via a
tomographic analysis using a mock redshift distribution and we find that the
largest deviation is for low-redshift sources, suggesting that future low-z
surveys will be best suited to constrain UDM models.Comment: Slightly revised version accepted for publication in JCAP, with a few
added references; 26 pages, 8 figure
Light Yield in DarkSide-10: a Prototype Two-phase Liquid Argon TPC for Dark Matter Searches
As part of the DarkSide program of direct dark matter searches using liquid
argon TPCs, a prototype detector with an active volume containing 10 kg of
liquid argon, DarkSide-10, was built and operated underground in the Gran Sasso
National Laboratory in Italy. A critically important parameter for such devices
is the scintillation light yield, as photon statistics limits the rejection of
electron-recoil backgrounds by pulse shape discrimination. We have measured the
light yield of DarkSide-10 using the readily-identifiable full-absorption peaks
from gamma ray sources combined with single-photoelectron calibrations using
low-occupancy laser pulses. For gamma lines of energies in the range 122-1275
keV, we get consistent light yields averaging 8.887+-0.003(stat)+-0.444(sys)
p.e./keVee. With additional purification, the light yield measured at 511 keV
increased to 9.142+-0.006(stat) p.e./keVee.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, Accepted for publication in Astroparticle
Physic
Cotton in the new millennium: advances, economics, perceptions and problems
Cotton is the most significant natural fibre and has been a preferred choice of the textile industry and consumers since the industrial revolution began. The share of man-made fibres, both regenerated and synthetic fibres, has grown considerably in recent times but cotton production has also been on the rise and accounts for about half of the fibres used for apparel and textile goods. To cottonâs advantage, the premium attached to the presence of cotton fibre and the general positive consumer perception is well established, however, compared to commodity man-made fibres and high performance fibres, cotton has limitations in terms of its mechanical properties but can help to overcome moisture management issues that arise with performance apparel during active wear.
This issue of Textile Progress aims to:
i. Report on advances in cotton cultivation and processing as well as improvements to conventional cotton cultivation and ginning. The processing of cotton in the textile industry from fibre to finished fabric, cotton and its blends, and their applications in technical textiles are also covered.
ii. Explore the economic impact of cotton in different parts of the world including an overview of global cotton trade.
iii. Examine the environmental perception of cotton fibre and efforts in organic and genetically-modified (GM) cotton production. The topic of naturally-coloured cotton, post-consumer waste is covered and the environmental impacts of cotton cultivation and processing are discussed. Hazardous effects of cultivation, such as the extensive use of pesticides, insecticides and irrigation with fresh water, and consequences of the use of GM cotton and cotton fibres in general on the climate are summarised and the effects of cotton processing on workers are addressed. The potential hazards during cotton cultivation, processing and use are also included.
iv. Examine how the properties of cotton textiles can be enhanced, for example, by improving wrinkle recovery and reducing the flammability of cotton fibre
Magnesium-induced alterations in the photosynthetic performance and resistance of rice plants infected with Bipolaris oryzae
Brown spot (BS), caused by the fungus Bipolaris oryzae, is one of the most important diseases contracted by rice. We investigated the effect of magnesium (Mg) on the development of BS, caused by Bipolaris oryzae, and the effects of disease development on the photosynthetic performance of rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants (cv. Metica-1) grown in nutrient solutions containing 0.25 or 4.0 mM of Mg. Assessments of BS severity, leaf Mg and pigment concentrations (total chlorophylls and carotenoids), were carried out at 120 h after inoculation, in addition to gas exchange parameters,. Higher leaf concentration of Mg was observed in plants supplied with 4.0 mM Mg than in those supplied with 0.25 mM. The increase in leaf Mg was accompanied by a decrease in BS severity, higher concentration of total chlorophyll and better photosynthetic performance. Plants supplied with 4.0 mM Mg had higher average values for carbon assimilation, stomatal conductance and internal leaf CO2 concentration when compared with plants supplied with 0.25 mM Mg. Conversely, the concentration of carotenoids was lower in plants supplied with the higher Mg rate. These results suggest that Mg suppresses disease severity and preserves photosynthetic performance by allowing for better stomatal conductance and, consequently, greater availability of CO2 at the carboxylation sites
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