High-precision analysis of binary stars with planets. I. Searching for condensation temperature trends in the HD 106515 system

We explore the probable chemical signature of planet formation in the remarkable binary system HD 106515. The A star hosts a massive long-period planet with 9 MJup detected by radial velocity. We also refine stellar and planetary parameters by using non-solar-scaled opacities when modeling the stars. Methods. We carried out a simultaneous determination of stellar parameters and abundances, by applying for the first time non-solar-scaled opacities in this binary system, in order to reach the highest possible precision. Results. The stars A and B in the binary system HD 106515 do not seem to be depleted in refractory elements, which is different when comparing the Sun with solar-twins. Then, the terrestrial planet formation would have been less efficient in the stars of this binary system. Together with HD 80606/7, this is the second binary system which does not seem to present a (terrestrial) signature of planet formation, and hosting both systems an eccentric giant planet. This is in agreement with numerical simulations, where the early dynamical evolution of eccentric giant planets clear out most of the possible terrestrial planets in the inner zone. We refined the stellar mass, radius and age for both stars and found a notable difference of 78% in R compared to previous works. We also refined the planet mass to mp sini = 9.08 +/- 0.20 MJup, which differs by 6% compared with literature. In addition, we showed that the non-solar-scaled solution is not compatible with the classical solar-scaled method, and some abundance differences are comparable to NLTE or GCE effects specially when using the Sun as reference. Then, we encourage the use of non-solar-scaled opacities in high-precision studies such as the detection of Tc trends.[abridged]Comment: 9 pages, 10 figures, A&A accepted. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1507.0812

Graphene and polyethylene. A strong combination towards multifunctional nanocomposites

The key to the preparation of polymer nanocomposites with new or improved properties resides in the homogeneous dispersion of the filler and in the efficient load transfer between components through strong filler/polymer interfacial interactions. This paper reports on the preparation of a series of nanocomposites of graphene and a polyolefin using different experimental approaches, with the final goal of obtaining multifunctional materials. A high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is employed as the matrix, while unmodified and chemically modified graphene fillers are used. By selecting the correct combination as well as the adequate preparation process, the nanocomposites display optimized thermal and mechanical properties, while also conferring good gas barrier properties and significant levels of electrical conductivity

Photo-detection using Bose-condensed atoms in a micro trap

A model of photo-detection using a Bose--Einstein condensate in an atom-chip based micro trap is analyzed. Atoms absorb photons from the incident light field, receive part of the photon momentum and leave the trap potential. Upon counting of escaped atoms within predetermined time intervals, the photon statistics of the incident light is mapped onto the atom-count statistics. Whereas traditional photo-detection theory treats the emission centers of photo electrons as distinguishable, here the centers of escaping atoms are condensed and thus indistinguishable atoms. From this an enhancement of the photon-number resolution as compared to the commonly known counting formula is derived.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures; revised versio

Experimental study and calculation of the electron transfer coefficients on the dissolution behavior of chitosan in organic acids

Chitosan (CH) consists of water-insoluble N-acetylglucosamine and D-glucosamine molecules and has a higher solubility at a pH below six. This studyevaluated the solubility of chitosan in solutions of organic acids for the formation of films. HyperChemTMsoftware was used to perform the quantum analysis. In the experimental trials, the total soluble mass (TSM) and the viscosity of the solutions were measured by capillary viscometer. The chitosan filmswere made by the plate melting method, and the filmcharacteristics were evaluated. A quantum simulation suggested that lactic acid (LA) has a greater stability to react with chitosan. It was then verified experimentally that LA is a better solvent for chitosan due to the increase in its viscosity. The chemical interaction between CH and LA in solution favors the polymerization of films with better physical properties. We thereforeconclude that the uniformity in the formation of films of this polymer depends on the chemical interaction between the CH and the acid and not on the degree of solubility of the polymer

Plans directeurs dans le Parc naturel de Sierra Espuña et le paysage protégé de Gebas (Murcie, Espagne). La planification participative au service du développement socio-économique et de la conservation écologique -

Le projet européen Qualigouv a pour objectif principal de renforcer l'interaction entre les gestionnaires et les populations, à travers la conception et l'expérimentation de stratégies et d'outils innovants pour améliorer la gouvernance et la gestion intégrée des forêts méditerranéennes dans les espaces protégés. C'est dans ce cadre-là, qu'un projet local a été développé dans la région de Murcie, en Espagne, à travers la mise en place de plans directeurs pour le développement socio-économique et la conservation écologique

Master Plans in Sierra Espuña Natural Park and Gebas Protected Landscape (Murcia, Spain). Participative planning for socio-economical development and ecological conservation -

The main objective of the European Project Qualigouv, is to strenghten the interaction between managers and people, through designing and testing strategies and innovative tools to improve governance and integral management of Mediterranean forest in protected areas. Within the framework of this program, a local project in Murcia (Spain) is focused in the Master Plans for socio-economical development and ecological conservation

EFECTO DE UN EXTRACTO VEGETAL EN LA GERMINACIÓN DE SEMILLAS DE CHILE (Capsicum annuum L.) BAJO CONDICIONES SALINAS

La germinación y el establecimiento de plántulas de chile son normalmente lentos y extremadamente erráticos bajo condiciones de estrés salino. La tolerancia a la salinidad durante la germinación de semillas de chile (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Sandía) fue evaluada en cincuenta semillas colocadas en cada una de 60 cajas de Petri de plástico conteniendo diferentes soluciones. Los tratamientos incluyeron una solución control (agua de osmosis inversa, AOI), otro con solamente un extracto vegetal liquido, uno con solución Hoagland modificada, y seis tratamientos salinos para cada solución (extracto orgánico y solución Hoagland). El experimento fue realizado en una cámara de crecimiento a 25 ºC bajo un diseño experimental completamente al azar. Los resultados mostraron que el porcentaje de germinación fue más alto en los tratamientos donde se aplicó el extracto orgánico a los tratamientos más salinos. Sin embargo no hubo diferencias entre todos los tratamientos de ambas soluciones dando en promedio 93% de germinación contra 85% en el control. El mismo efecto fue observado en la longitud de la radícula. La longitud de la radícula de semillas germinadas con el extracto orgánico promedió 6.2 cm contra 5.4 cm de aquellas germinadas con la solución Hoagland. La longitud de la radícula del control promedió 4.4 cm. Un efecto contrario fue observado en la longitud del hipocotilo. Semillas germinadas con la solución Hoagland tuvieron una longitud promedio del hipocotilo de 5.4 cm contra 4.9 cm de aquellas germinadas con la solución del extracto orgánico. El control tuvo una longitud de 3.6 cm. Estos resultados indican el efecto osmoacondiconador de la semilla de chile previo a la germinación y desarrollo de la radícula de la solución del extracto orgánico y el efecto de los nutrientes contenidos en la solución Hoagland sobre el crecimiento del hipocotilo

Accurate Neutralino Relic Density Computations in Supergravity Models

We investigate the question of the proper thermal averaging of neutralino annihilation amplitudes which possess poles and thresholds, as they impact on the calculated neutralino relic density and therefore on the cosmological viability of supersymmetric models. We focus on two typical resonances, namely the $Z$ boson and the lightest Higgs boson ($h$). In the context of supergravity models with radiative electroweak symmetry breaking, an exploration of the whole parameter space of the model is possible and the overall relevance of these sophisticated analyses can be ascertained. As an example we chose the minimal $SU(5)$ supergravity model since the presence of such poles is essential to obtain a cosmologically acceptable model. We find that the proper thermal averaging is important for individual points in parameter space and that the fraction of cosmologically acceptable points is increased somewhat by the accurate procedure. However, qualitatively the new set of points is very similar to that obtained previously using the usual series approximations to the thermal average. We conclude that all phenomenological analyses based on the previously determined cosmologically allowed set remain valid.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figures (available upon request as uuencoded file or separate ps files), tex (harvmac) CTP-TAMU-14/9