7,306 research outputs found
On Source Density Evolution of Gamma-ray Bursts
Recent optical afterglow observations of gamma-ray bursts indicate a setting
and distance scale that many relate to star-formation regions. In this paper,
we use and a set of artificial trigger thresholds to probe
several potential GRB source density evolutionary scenarios. In particular, we
compare a uniform subset of BATSE 4B data to cosmological scenarios where GRBs
evolve as the comoving density, the star formation rate, the QSO rate, and the
SN Type Ic rate. Standard candle bursts with power-law spectra and a universe
without vacuum energy were assumed. Our results significantly favor a comoving
density model, implying that GRB source density evolution is weaker than
expected in these evolutionary scenarios. GRB density might still follow
star-formation rates given proper concurrent GRB luminosity evolution,
significant beaming, significant error in standard candle assumptions, or were
a significant modification of star formation rate estimates to occur.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, accepted by Ap
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Willingness to Pay for Brand Reputation: Lessons from the Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Scandal
In this study, we use the announcement of the Volkswagen emissions scandalon September 18, 2015, as an exogenous shock to measure consumers’ willing-ness to pay (WTP) for brand reputation. Only Volkswagen diesel cars producedin2009-2015were announced as emissions violators. Using eBay car auction data,we estimate the impacts of the scandal on the prices of Volkswagen emissionsnon-violatingcars. Our difference-in-differences estimates show that final bid prices decreased by 14% and 9% in diesel and gasoline car markets, respectively, whichpurely reflected a decline in consumers’ WTP for Volkswagen’s brand reputation.Additionally, the difference in price-drops between the violating and non-violating diesel cars is statistically insignificant. This may be due to the fact that consumers rationally adjust their WTP by expecting compensation which will almost surely be provided by Volkswagen for violating models
Carbon nanomaterials as drug transporter for cancer therapy
There is a vigorous and growing research effort developing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for medical applications. It is now known that nanocomposites of Single Wall Nanotubes (SWNTs) can be used to deliver anti-cancer drugs to cells. Also, SWNTs are efficient at converting near infrared (NIR) light to heat, and can do so in a cell, and so cancer cells can be targeted for destruction by NIR radiation, once the cells have taken up SWNTs. SWNTs are highly insoluble in water, but can be functionalized via physical or covalent attachment of solubilizing molecules and drugs of interest. Once this is done, they are readily taken up by cells. We found evidence that our CNT nanocomposites were found to enter cells via endocytosis (the mechanism cells use to take up nutrients); this agrees with earlier work by Dai and coworkers. Herein, we perform systematic study of the internalization, delivery and subcellular localization and possible adverse effects of SWNTs dispersed in culture media and SWNTs wrapped with different fluorescently labelled peptide (FLP-SWNTs) on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and SWNTs attached with anti-cancer drug on two common cancerous cell lines, human epithelial carcinoma cell line (HeLa) and colorectal cancer cell lines (WiDr)
Electron Holes and Heating in the Reconnection Dissipation Region
Using particle-in-cell simulations and kinetic theory, we explore the
current-driven turbulence and associated electron heating in the dissipation
region during 3D magnetic reconnection with a guide field. At late time the
turbulence is dominated by the Buneman and lower hybrid instabilities. Both
produce electron holes that co-exist but have very different propagation
speeds. The associated scattering of electrons by the holes enhances electron
heating in the dissipation region.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, submitted to GR
Ecological interactions of the cadmium- and zinc-hyperaccumulating plant, Thlaspi caerulescens, and their implications for phytoremediation
The success of invasive species can be attributed to a combination of abiotic factors, such as abundant resources and favorable climate, and biotic factors, such as low levels of competition and predation or herbivory, at the introduced location. While studies have demonstrated the effects of these factors on known invasive species, the degree to which these factors affect a non-native species can be used to predict its likelihood of becoming invasive. The metal-hyperaccumulating plant Thlaspi caerulescens (Brassicaceae) is potentially useful for remediating soils that are moderately contaminated with Cd and Zn, and has been experimentally introduced to contaminated sites outside of its native range for phytoremediation. To assess the ecological risks involved in introducing metal-hyperaccumulating plants for phytoremediation, including their potential invasiveness, I have performed three studies to examine the abiotic and biotic factors that could influence the establishment of T. caerulescens at three contaminated sites near the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic, Colorado. In the first two studies, I test the effects of soil metal concentrations and interspecific competition on plant performance, and in the third study I examine the strength of herbivore pressure on this plant. Results from these studies show that the growth rate of T. caerulescens in field conditions is generally low, but higher where there are high concentrations of soil Zn and low concentrations of soil Cu. Interspecific competition between T. caerulescens and a native congener is weak overall, and herbivory pressure from a native Lepidopteran herbivore is also low. Therefore, abiotic conditions are more limiting to T. caerulescens than biotic interactions, and would likely prevent T. caerulescens from becoming invasive or spreading outside of contaminated soils at these sites. In the fourth chapter, I use a long-term dataset to describe the demography of Frasera speciosa (Gentianaceae), a long-lived monocarpic plant. Results show that the population is stable, and despite the low elasticity values for the reproductive stages, masting events must be observed to describe accurately the population dynamics of this species
Momentum anisotropies in the quark coalescence model
Based on the quark coalescence model, we derive relations among the momentum
anisotropies of mesons and baryons in relativistic heavy ion collisions from a
given, but arbitrary azimuthal distribution for the partons. Besides the
familiar even Fourier coefficients such as the elliptic flow, we also pay
attention to odd Fourier coefficients such as the directed flow, which has been
observed at finite rapidity even at RHIC energies.Comment: 5 page
Nonlinear Development of Streaming Instabilities In Strongly Magnetized Plasmas
The nonlinear development of streaming instabilities in the current layers
formed during magnetic reconnection with a guide field is explored. Theory and
3-D particle-in-cell simulations reveal two distinct phases. First, the
parallel Buneman instability grows and traps low velocity electrons. The
remaining electrons then drive two forms of turbulence: the parallel
electron-electron two-stream instability and the nearly-perpendicular lower
hybrid instability. The high velocity electrons resonate with the turbulence
and transfer momentum to the ions and low velocity electrons.Comment: Accepted by PR
Teacher Stress: Causes, Stages, and Effects
This article presents a discussion of teacher stress including a definition of stress, the symptoms of stress, and the cause of stress in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical experiences. The three stages of stress are identified as well as the effects stress has on teachers both at the secondary and postsecondary levels. Also discussed are the reactions to stress and suggestions for alleviation of stress. A recommendation is provided in regards to educating vocational educators, especially health occupations teachers, about stress
Determination of the stiffness of the nuclear symmetry energy from isospin diffusion
With an isospin- and momentum-dependent transport model, we find that the
degree of isospin diffusion in heavy ion collisions at intermediate energies is
affected by both the stiffness of the nuclear symmetry energy and the momentum
dependence of the nucleon potential. Using a momentum dependence derived from
the Gogny effective interaction, recent experimental data from NSCL/MSU on
isospin diffusion are shown to be consistent with a nuclear symmetry energy
given by at
subnormal densities. This leads to a significantly constrained value of about
-550 MeV for the isospin-dependent part of the isobaric incompressibility of
isospin asymmetric nuclear matter.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, revised version, to appear in PR
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