37,593 research outputs found
Dark Energy, Inflation and Extra Dimensions
We consider how accelerated expansion, whether due to inflation or dark
energy, imposes strong constraints on fundamental theories obtained by
compactification from higher dimensions. For theories that obey the null energy
condition (NEC), we find that inflationary cosmology is impossible for a wide
range of compactifications; and a dark energy phase consistent with
observations is only possible if both Newton's gravitational constant and the
dark energy equation-of-state vary with time. If the theory violates the NEC,
inflation and dark energy are only possible if the NEC-violating elements are
inhomogeneously distributed in thecompact dimensions and vary with time in
precise synchrony with the matter and energy density in the non-compact
dimensions. Although our proofs are derived assuming general relativity applies
in both four and higher dimensions and certain forms of metrics, we argue that
similar constraints must apply for more general compactifications.Comment: 26 pages, 1 figure. v2: reference added, typos correcte
Influences of Host Density, Temperature, and Parasite Age on the Reproductive Potential of \u3ci\u3eBathyplectes Curculionis\u3c/i\u3e (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), an Endoparasite of the Alfalfa Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Alfalfa weevil larvae were exposed to Bathyplectes curculionis (Thomson) to determine the effect of host density, temperature, and parasite age on the reproductive potential of curculionis. Percent parasitism was found to be inversely proportional to host density and most of the parasites distributed their eggs randomly regardless of host density. The number of eggs deposited was largely independent of temperature. Peak egg laying was reached in three days from which point the parasite\u27s capabilities diminished with increasing age. The longevity of ovipositing females was shorter than females that were not exposed to larvae
Exploring Bicycle and Public Transit Use by Low-Income Latino Immigrants: A Mixed-Methods Study in the San Francisco Bay Area
Latin American immigrants will continue to make up a large share of transit ridership, bicycling and walking in the United States for the foreseeable future, but there is relatively little research about them. This mixed-methods study compares the travel patterns of low-income immigrants living in the San Francisco Bay Area with that of other groups and investigates the barriers and constraints faced by low-income immigrants when taking transit and bicycling. Much of the previous work on immigrant travel has relied on national surveys and qualitative analysis, which underrepresent disadvantaged population groups and slower modes of travel, or are unable to speak to broader patterns in the population. We conducted interviews with 14 low-income immigrants and a paper-based intercept survey of 2,078 adults. Interviewees revealed five major barriers that made public transit use difficult for them, including safety, transit fare affordability, discrimination, system legibility, and reliability. Although crime was the most prominent issue in interviews, the survey results suggest transit cost is the most pressing concern for low-income immigrants. Low-income immigrants were less likely than those with higher-incomes to have access to a motor vehicle, and were less likely than higher-income immigrants or the U.S.-born of any income to have access to a bicycle or bus pass. Finally, although most barriers to public transit use were the same regardless of nativity or household income, low-income immigrants were much less willing to take public transit when they had the option to drive and less willing to bicycle for any purpose. The prevalence of concerns about transit affordability, crime, and reliability suggest transit agencies should consider income-based fare reductions, coordinated crime prevention with local law enforcement, and improved scheduling
On the Energetics of the HCO + C CH + CO Reaction and Some Astrochemical Implications
We explore the energetics of the titular reaction, which current
astrochemical databases consider open at typical dense molecular (i.e., dark)
cloud conditions. As is common for reactions involving the transfer of light
particles, we assume that there are no intersystem crossings of the potential
energy surfaces involved. In the absence of any such crossings, we find that
this reaction is endoergic and will be suppressed at dark cloud temperatures.
Updating accordingly a generic astrochemical model for dark clouds changes the
predicted gas-phase abundances of 224 species by greater than a factor of 2. Of
these species, 43 have been observed in the interstellar medium. Our findings
demonstrate the astrochemical importance of determining the role of intersystem
crossings, if any, in the titular reaction.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ; 14 pages, 2 figures, and 1 tabl
Exchange-controlled single-electron-spin rotations in quantum dots
We show theoretically that arbitrary coherent rotations can be performed
quickly (with a gating time ~1 ns) and with high fidelity on the spin of a
single confined electron using control of exchange only, without the need for
spin-orbit coupling or ac fields. We expect that implementations of this scheme
would achieve gate error rates on the order of \eta ~ 10^{-3} in GaAs quantum
dots, within reach of several known error-correction protocolsComment: 4+ pages, 3 figures; v2: Streamlined presentation, final version
published in PRB (Rapid Comm.
Axion constraints in non-standard thermal histories
It is usually assumed that dark matter is produced during the radiation
dominated era. There is, however, no direct evidence for radiation domination
prior to big-bang nucleosynthesis. Two non-standard thermal histories are
considered. In one, the low-temperature-reheating scenario, radiation
domination begins as late as 1 MeV, and is preceded by significant entropy
generation. Thermal axion relic abundances are then suppressed, and
cosmological limits to axions are loosened. For reheating temperatures less
than 35 MeV, the large-scale structure limit to the axion mass is lifted. The
remaining constraint from the total density of matter is significantly relaxed.
Constraints are also relaxed for higher reheating temperatures. In a kination
scenario, a more modest change to cosmological axion constraints is obtained.
Future possible constraints to axions and low-temperature reheating from the
helium abundance and next-generation large-scale-structure surveys are
discussed.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figures, revised to match version published in Phys. Rev.
D. Fig. 7 and Eq. (20) modifie
Precise Model for Small-Body Thermal Radiation Pressure Acting on Spacecraft
A precise representation of small-body surface thermal radiation pressure effects acting on orbiting spacecraft is discussed. The proposed framework takes advantage of a general Fourier series expansion to compute small-body surface thermal radiation pressure. Fourier series expansion has been used before for the precise representation of solar radiation pressure effects on spacecraft orbiting small bodies. This framework takes into account the geometric relationship of orbiting spacecraft with the small-body surface, surface thermal parameters of the small body, and the shape and surface properties of spacecraft allowing for the computation of thermal radiation pressure, which may also be used for the generation of precise orbit determination solutions. After presenting the general model, an example application of the model for the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft in orbit about Asteroid (101955) Bennu is provided. Simulation studies were used to evaluate the effect of mismodeling of thermal radiation pressure on the spacecraft and study the use of the proposed method for generating precise orbit determination solutions
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