Possible trace of neutrino nonstandard interactions in the supernova

Neutrino non-standard interactions (NSI), previously introduced for the sun, are studied in the supernova context. For normal hierarchy the probability for electron neutrinos and antineutrinos at low energy ($E\lesssim 0.8-0.9 MeV$) is substantially increased with respect to the non-NSI case and joins its value for inverse hierarchy which is constant with energy. Also for inverse hierarchy the NSI and non-NSI probabilities are the same for each neutrino and antineutrino species. These are the possible visible effects of NSI in the supernova. The decay into antineutrinos, which has been previously shown to be implied by dense matter, cannot be seen experimentally, owing to the smallness of the antineutrino production probability.Comment: 5 pages, 3 eps figures. Acknowledgements include

Microbial Consumption of Atmospheric Isoprene in a Temperate Forest Soil

Isoprene (2-methyl-1,3 butadiene) is a low-molecular-weight hydrocarbon emitted in large quantities to the atmosphere by vegetation and plays a large role in regulating atmospheric chemistry. Until now, the atmosphere has been considered the only significant sink for isoprene. However, in this study we performed both in situ and in vitro experiments with soil from a temperate forest near Ithaca, N.Y., that indicate that the soil provides a sink for atmospheric isoprene and that the consumption of isoprene is carried out by microorganisms. Consumption occurred rapidly in field chambers (672.60 +/- 30.12 to 2,718.36 +/- 86.40 pmol gdw day) (gdw is grams [dry weight] of soil; values are means +/- standard deviations). Subsequent laboratory experiments confirmed that isoprene loss was due to biological processes: consumption was stopped by autoclaving the soil; consumption rates increased with repeated exposure to isoprene; and consumption showed a temperature response consistent with biological activity (with an optimum temperature of 30 degrees C). Isoprene consumption was diminished under low oxygen conditions (120 +/- 7.44 versus 528.36 +/- 7.68 pmol gdw day under ambient O(2) concentrations) and showed a strong relationship with soil moisture. Isoprene-degrading microorganisms were isolated from the site, and abundance was calculated as 5.8 x 10 +/- 3.2 x 10 cells gdw. Our results indicate that soil may provide a significant biological sink for atmospheric isoprene

Consumption of Atmospheric Isoprene in Soil

Natural vegetation annually emits 503 Tg yr−1 of isoprene (2-methyl-1,3 butadiene) to the global atmosphere where it reacts very rapidly with hydroxyl radicals and strongly regulates atmospheric chemistry. Current models of the compound\u27s chemical behavior assume the atmosphere is the only significant sink; however, there is evidence that soil may consume isoprene. Here we show through field and laboratory studies that soil exposed to isoprene at low mixing ratios removed isoprene to concentrations below those commonly observed in forest canopies, and that the removal of isoprene was biologically mediated. On the basis of laboratory studies with soil from several different ecosystems worldwide, we provide a first approximation of a global annual soil sink for isoprene of 20.4 Tg yr−1, suggesting a soil sink should be included in models that attempt to describe the effect of isoprene emission on atmospheric chemical processes

Remaining inconsistencies with solar neutrinos: can spin flavour precession provide a clue?

A few inconsistencies remain after it has been ascertained that LMA is the dominant solution to the solar neutrino problem: why is the SuperKamiokande spectrum flat and why is the Chlorine rate prediction over two standard deviations above the data. There also remains the ananswered and important question of whether the active neutrino flux is constant or time varying. We propose a scenario involving spin flavour precession to sterile neutrinos with three active flavours that predicts a flat SuperK spectrum and a Chlorine rate prediction more consistent with data. We also argue that running the Borexino experiment during the next few years may provide a very important clue as to the possible variability of the solar neutrino flux.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures, contribution to TAUP 2009 (Rome

Molecular dynamics simulations of lead clusters

Molecular dynamics simulations of nanometer-sized lead clusters have been performed using the Lim, Ong and Ercolessi glue potential (Surf. Sci. {\bf 269/270}, 1109 (1992)). The binding energies of clusters forming crystalline (fcc), decahedron and icosahedron structures are compared, showing that fcc cuboctahedra are the most energetically favoured of these polyhedral model structures. However, simulations of the freezing of liquid droplets produced a characteristic form of ``shaved'' icosahedron, in which atoms are absent at the edges and apexes of the polyhedron. This arrangement is energetically favoured for 600-4000 atom clusters. Larger clusters favour crystalline structures. Indeed, simulated freezing of a 6525-atom liquid droplet produced an imperfect fcc Wulff particle, containing a number of parallel stacking faults. The effects of temperature on the preferred structure of crystalline clusters below the melting point have been considered. The implications of these results for the interpretation of experimental data is discussed.Comment: 11 pages, 18 figues, new section added and one figure added, other minor changes for publicatio

Breast milk versus Formula: What\u27s the Big deal?

Breastfeeding versus formula feeding infants has long been a debate and question for parents. Many negative and positive points are brought up for each side of the debate, but an overwhelming majority of evidence has pushed for breastfeeding and its positive benefits for the newborn. However, there is a concern for the incidence of hyperbilirubinemia in infants and whether breastfeeding or formula feeding affects bilirubin levels. The aim of this project is to gather evidence to determine whether or not bilirubin levels in newborns are significantly influenced in the first one to three weeks of life by source of feeding, either breast feeding or formula feeding. Our evidence was gathered from the following accessed databases: Medline, Proquest, and CINAHL. Our findings did suggest that bilirubin levels are higher in breastfed newborns in the first week to three weeks of life, but the positive benefits of breastfeeding out weighted the cons; however, great caution should be taken to monitor the levels of bilirubin in all infants due to the risk of hyperbilirubinemia causing neurological harm, such as brain damage. Therefore, nurses and all medical professionals working with infants should practice effective monitoring of bilirubin levels in newborns to effectively intervene when bilirubin levels reach a dangerous level and provide sufficient education to the parents

Neutrino flavour relaxation or neutrino oscillations?

We propose the new mechanism of neutrino flavour relaxation to explain the experimentally observed changes of initial neutrino flavour fluxes. The test of neutrino relaxation hypothesis is presented, using the data of modern reactor, solar and accelerator experiments. The final choice between the standard neutrino oscillations and the proposed neutrino flavour relaxation model can be done in future experiments