Strong evidences for a nonextensive behavior of the rotation period in Open Clusters

Time-dependent nonextensivity in a stellar astrophysical scenario combines nonextensive entropic indices $q_{K}$ derived from the modified Kawaler's parametrization, and $q$, obtained from rotational velocity distribution. These $q$'s are related through a heuristic single relation given by $q\approx q_{0}(1-\Delta t/q_{K})$, where $t$ is the cluster age. In a nonextensive scenario, these indices are quantities that measure the degree of nonextensivity present in the system. Recent studies reveal that the index $q$ is correlated to the formation rate of high-energy tails present in the distribution of rotation velocity. On the other hand, the index $q_{K}$ is determined by the stellar rotation-age relationship. This depends on the magnetic field configuration through the expression $q_{K}=1+4aN/3$, where $a$ and $N$ denote the saturation level of the star magnetic field and its topology, respectively. In the present study, we show that the connection $q-q_{K}$ is also consistent with 548 rotation period data for single main-sequence stars in 11 Open Clusters aged less than 1 Gyr. The value of $q_{K}\sim$ 2.5 from our unsaturated model shows that the mean magnetic field topology of these stars is slightly more complex than a purely radial field. Our results also suggest that stellar rotational braking behavior affects the degree of anti-correlation between $q$ and cluster age $t$. Finally, we suggest that stellar magnetic braking can be scaled by the entropic index $q$.Comment: 6 pages and 2 figures, accepted to EPL on October 17, 201

A nonextensive insight to the stellar initial mass function

the present paper, we propose that the stellar initial mass distributions as known as IMF are best fitted by $q$-Weibulls that emerge within nonextensive statistical mechanics. As a result, we show that the Salpeter's slope of $\sim$2.35 is replaced when a $q$-Weibull distribution is used. Our results point out that the nonextensive entropic index $q$ represents a new approach for understanding the process of the star-forming and evolution of massive stars.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, Accepted to EP

Household water security through stored rainwater and consumer acceptability: a case study of the Anuradhapura District

Rainwater harvesting has increased in popularity in Sri Lanka over the past two decades due to the number of water supply projects funded by the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The stored rainwater can provide accessible, reliable, timely and adequate supplies of water to households but there are uncertainties as to safety, in terms of water quality, and consumer acceptability. A study was, therefore, conducted in the Anuradhapura District, in the dry zone, to assess consumer acceptability of stored rainwater for household purposes and to conduct rainwater quality tests in a laboratory. The majority of households in Anuradhapura meet their drinking water requirements from protected wells (59.6 %). Prior to the project, people greatly preferred open wells as a source of domestic water, followed by tubewells, because they believed that water in open wells is of good quality and drinkable. However, stored rainwater has become the priority source now, especially through roof rainwater harvesting (RRWH), which is used during the dry periods. The study revealed that more than 85 % of households use stored rainwater for drinking although some have concerns over the quality and only drink it after boiling. The easy accessibility of water and the assurance by the project team that it is of good quality are the main reasons that people are willing to drink it. The acceptability of stored rainwater for consumption was very high in water-scarce areas and with the increasing distance to the nearest and alternative sources of good-quality water. Of those who felt that they had adequate water, 84 % of the sample households found it adequate in the wet season but only 21 % in the dry season. Water quality analysis revealed that the chemical and physical quality of stored rainwater is within the acceptable range with respect to Sri Lankan Standards, SLS: 614, for potable water quality (SLIS 1983). Other domestic water sources exceeded standards for electrical conductivity, total alkalinity, hardness, ammonium nitrogen, fluorides and total iron. However, stored rainwater was of lower biological quality than other domestic water sources.Length: pp.87-97Domestic waterWater securityWater harvestingWater qualityRural areasCase studies

On the connection of Gamma-rays, Dark Matter and Higgs searches at LHC

Motivated by the upcoming Higgs analyzes we investigate the importance of the complementarity of the Higgs boson chase on the low mass WIMP search in direct detection experiments and the gamma-ray emission from the Galactic Center measured by the Fermi-LAT telescope in the context of the $SU(3)_c\otimes SU(3)_L\otimes U(1)_N$. We obtain the relic abundance, thermal cross section, the WIMP-nucleon cross section in the low mass regime and network them with the branching ratios of the Higgs boson in the model. We conclude that the Higgs boson search has a profound connection to the dark matter problem in our model, in particular for the case that ($M_{WIMP} < 60$ GeV) the BR($H \rightarrow 2$ WIMPs) $\gtrsim 90$. This scenario could explain this plateau of any mild excess regarding the Higgs search as well as explain the gamma-ray emission from the galactic center through the $b\bar{b}$ channel with a WIMP in the mass range of 25-45 GeV, while still being consistent with the current limits from XENON100 and CDMSII. However, if the recent modest excesses measured at LHC and TEVATRON are confirmed and consistent with a standard model Higgs boson this would imply that $M_{WIMP} > 60$ GeV, consequently ruling out any attempt to explain the Fermi-LAT observations.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figure

Detecção das fontes de sedimentos no Rio São Francisco: uma abordagem utilizando técnicas de sensoriamento remoto - Instituto de Milênio Semi-Árido.

Até pouco tem po se acreditava que o problema dos sedimentos se reduzia ao simples fato do mau aspecto visual das águas de um determinado rio, lago ou represa. A medida que as investigações foram se aprofundando, se demonstrou que as águas carregadas de sedimentos transportavam fertilizantes e inseticidas (contaminação química), argilas e partículas de matéria orgânica, cuja elevada capacidade de absorção lhe permite reter bactérias de qualquer tipo, nocivas a saúde. Por outro lado, os sedimentos, fisicamente, produzem o assoreamento de obras de infra-estruturas, provocam inundações na parte alta e desestabilizam os curso d'águ

Concentração de áreas irrigadas por pivôs centrais no Estado de São Paulo - Brasil.

Foram mapeadas as áreas irrigadas por pivôs centrais no Estado de São Paulo em 2013, através da identificação visual, com base no mosaico formado por imagens do satélite Landsat 8 OLI / TIRS de 2013, exibido no programa Google Earth. Foram identificados 3.528 pivôs centrais, ocupando uma área irrigada de 168.674,19 ha. A maior concentração de pivôs centrais ocorreu nos municípios de Guaíra (314 pivôs, 13.554,24 ha), Casa Branca (264 pivôs, 11588,22 ha), Itaí (264 pivôs, 13.835,65 ha), Paranapanema (247 pivôs, 11.670,20 ha) e Itapeva (204pivôs, 11.385,07 ha). Mais de 90% das áreas irrigadas por pivôs centrais localizaram-se nas bacias hidrográficas dos RiosParanapanema (48,57%) e Grande (41,91%). O tamanho dos pivôs variou entre 1,60 ha e 232,34 ha. Com o aumento de incentivos econômicos para a produção de alimentos prevê-se pressão para aumento das áreas irrigadas no Estado. Apesar do benefício potencial da irrigação para a produção agrícola do país, estratégias para promover o aumento da produção agrícola irrigada devem considerar restrições relacionadas com a disponibilidade, qualidade e conflitos de uso da água das bacias hidrográficas em que estão inseridas. Ações estimulando a melhoria da qualidade da água, conservação de nascentes e áreas de preservação permanente, bem como o uso eficiente do recurso, contribuirão para a melhoria da qualidade e quantidade de água disponível, podendo permitir a futura expansão da área irrigada no Estado ou não.bitstream/item/122447/1/bol-100.pd