Resonant Destruction as a Possible Solution to the Cosmological Lithium Problem

We explore a nuclear physics resolution to the discrepancy between the predicted standard big-bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) abundance of 7Li and its observational determination in metal-poor stars. The theoretical 7Li abundance is 3-4 times greater than the observational values, assuming the baryon-to-photon ratio, eta_wmap, determined by WMAP. The 7Li problem could be resolved within the standard BBN picture if additional destruction of A=7 isotopes occurs due to new nuclear reaction channels or upward corrections to existing channels. This could be achieved via missed resonant nuclear reactions, which is the possibility we consider here. We find some potential candidate resonances which can solve the lithium problem and specify their required resonant energies and widths. For example, a 1^- or 2^- excited state of 10C sitting at approximately 15.0 MeV above its ground state with an effective width of order 10 keV could resolve the 7Li problem; the existence of this excited state needs experimental verification. Other examples using known states include 7Be+t \rightarrow 10B(18.80 MeV), and 7Be+d \rightarrow 9B(16.71 MeV). For all of these states, a large channel radius (a > 10 fm) is needed to give sufficiently large widths. Experimental determination of these reaction strengths is needed to rule out or confirm these nuclear physics solutions to the lithium problem.Comment: 37 pages, 9 figures. Additional discussion of channel widths and radii. Matches published versio

Superluminous supernovae: No threat from Eta Carinae

Recently Supernova 2006gy was noted as the most luminous ever recorded, with a total radiated energy of ~10^44 Joules. It was proposed that the progenitor may have been a massive evolved star similar to eta Carinae, which resides in our own galaxy at a distance of about 2.3 kpc. eta Carinae appears ready to detonate. Although it is too distant to pose a serious threat as a normal supernova, and given its rotation axis is unlikely to produce a Gamma-Ray Burst oriented toward the Earth, eta Carinae is about 30,000 times nearer than 2006gy, and we re-evaluate it as a potential superluminous supernova. We find that given the large ratio of emission in the optical to the X-ray, atmospheric effects are negligible. Ionization of the atmosphere and concomitant ozone depletion are unlikely to be important. Any cosmic ray effects should be spread out over ~10^4 y, and similarly unlikely to produce any serious perturbation to the biosphere. We also discuss a new possible effect of supernovae, endocrine disruption induced by blue light near the peak of the optical spectrum. This is a possibility for nearby supernovae at distances too large to be considered "dangerous" for other reasons. However, due to reddening and extinction by the interstellar medium, eta Carinae is unlikely to trigger such effects to any significant degree.Comment: 19 pages, 2 figures; Revised version as accepted for publication in Astrobiolog

Inverted Echo Sounder Data Processing Report

The Inverted Echo Sounder (IES) is an instrument that acoustically monitors the depth of the main thermocline from a moored position one meter above the ocean floor. Additionally, the IESs can be equipped to measure both pressure and temperature. The standard steps for processing IES data are documented here. The effect and purpose of each step are discussed followed by a description of how to apply the computer programs that constitute the step. The FORTRAN and MATLAB codes are also supplied

The utility of PSMA and PSA immunohistochemistry in the cytologic diagnosis of metastatic prostate carcinoma

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/107502/1/dc23075.pd

The Effect of GnRH at Time of Insemination on Initiation of LH Pulses and Subsequent Progesterone

Research has indicated that luteinizing hormone (LH) pulses play a vital role in corpus luteum (CL) formation and subsequent progesterone concentrations. Therefore, our objectives were to determine: 1) when LH pulses begin following onset of estrus, 2) the effect an injection of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) would have on initiation of LH pulses, and 3) the effect LH pulse initiation had on subsequent plasma progesterone concentrations. Cows were synchronized with the Select Synch + Controlled Internal Drug Releasing device (CIDR) protocol (d -7 100 μg GnRH and CIDR; d 0 25 mg prostaglandin (PG) and removal of CIDR; estrus detected with HeatWatch). Following detection in estrus, a jugular catheter was inserted in each cow (n = 10). Based on initiation of estrus, cows were allotted into two treatments: 1) GnRH given 12 h (12.5 ± 1.2 h) after the initiation of estrus (n = 5; 100 μg) and 2) Control (n = 5). Blood samples were collected at 15-min intervals for 6 h at 12 h (bleed 1), 26 h (bleed 2), 40 h (bleed 3), 54 h (bleed 4), and 68 h (bleed 5) after the onset of estrus. The interval from onset of estrus to bleed 1 and ovulation was similar between treatments. The GnRH cows tended to have a greater area under the LH curve for bleed 1 compared to control cows. No differences were detected in bleeds 2, 3, 4, or 5. Average concentration of LH for GnRH cows in bleed 1 tended to be greater than control. No differences were detected in bleeds 2, 3, 4, or 5. No differences were detected in pulse frequency between treatments in bleeds 1, 3, 4, or 5, but in bleed 2, control tended to have more pulses than GnRH (2.5 ± 0.5 vs 1.4 ± 0.4). The GnRH-treated cows tended to have greater subsequent progesterone concentrations; however, GnRH-treated cows that had no LH pulses during bleed 2 had lower progesterone concentrations than cows with pulses (control or GnRH). In summary, injecting cows with GnRH approximately 12 h after the onset of estrus tended to reduce LH pulses 26-32 h following initiation of estrus, and elimination of LH pulses between 26-32 h resulted in decreased concentrations of progesterone during the subsequent cycle

Recent atmospheric neutrino results from Soudan 2

An updated measurement of the atmospheric nu_mu/nu_e ratio-of-ratios, 0.68+-0.11+-0.06, has been obtained using a 4.6-kty exposure of the Soudan-2 iron tracking calorimeter. The L/E distributions have been analyzed for effects of nu_mu -> nu_x oscillations, and an allowed region in the Delta m^2 vs. sin^2 2 theta plane has been determined.Comment: 3 pages, 4 figures; presented at TAUP99, the 6th Int. Workshop on Topics in Astroparticle and Underground Physics, Sept. 6-10, 1999, College de France, Paris, Franc