31 research outputs found
Nuclear Reaction Rates and Primordial Li
We examine the possibility that Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) may produce
non-trivial amounts of Li. If a primordial component of this isotope could
be observed, it would provide a new fundamental test of Big-Bang cosmology, as
well as new constraints on the baryon density of the universe. At present,
however, theoretical predictions of the primordial Li abundance are
extremely uncertain due to difficulties in both theoretical estimates and
experimental determinations of the deuterium-plus-alpha radiative capture
reaction cross-section. We also argue that present observational capabilities
do not yet allow the detection of primeval Li in very metal-poor stars of
the galactic halo. However, if the critical cross section is towards the upper
end of its plausible range, then improvements in Li detection capabilities
may allow the establishment of Li as another product of BBN. It is also
noted that a primordial Li detection could help resolve current concerns
about the extragalactic D/H determination.Comment: 10 pages, REVTeX, 5 PostScript figures with psfig. Submitted to
Physical Review
Advanced photocatalysts: Pinning single atom co-catalysts on titania nanotubes
Single atom (SA) catalysis, over the last 10 years, has become a forefront in heterogeneous catalysis, electrocatalysis, and most recently also in photocatalysis. Most crucial when engineering a SA catalyst/support system is the creation of defined anchoring points on the support surface to stabilize reactive SA sites. Here, a so far unexplored but evidently very effective approach to trap and stabilize SAs on a broadly used photocatalyst platform is introduced. In self-organized anodic TiO2 nanotubes, a high degree of stress is incorporated in the amorphous oxide during nanotube growth. During crystallization (by thermal annealing), this leads to a high density of Ti3+-O-v, surface defects that are hardly present in other common titania nanostructures (as nanoparticles). These defects are highly effective for SA iridium trapping. Thus a SA-Ir photocatalyst with a higher photocatalytic activity than for any classic co-catalyst arrangement on the semiconductive substrate is obtained. Hence, a tool for SA trapping on titania-based back-contacted platforms is provided for wide application in electrochemistry and photoelectrochemistry. Moreover, it is shown that stably trapped SAs provide virtually all photocatalytic reactivity, with turnover frequencies in the order of 4 x 10(6) h(-1) in spite of representing only a small fraction of the initially loaded SAs.Web of Science3130art. no. 210284
Ageing and brain white matter structure in 3513 UK Biobank participants
Quantifying the microstructural properties of the human brain's connections is necessary for understanding normal ageing and disease. Here we examine brain white matter magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data in 3,513 generally healthy people aged 44.64–77.12 years from the UK Biobank. Using conventional water diffusion measures and newer, rarely studied indices from neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging, we document large age associations with white matter microstructure. Mean diffusivity is the most age-sensitive measure, with negative age associations strongest in the thalamic radiation and association fibres. White matter microstructure across brain tracts becomes increasingly correlated in older age. This may reflect an age-related aggregation of systemic detrimental effects. We report several other novel results, including age associations with hemisphere and sex, and comparative volumetric MRI analyses. Results from this unusually large, single-scanner sample provide one of the most extensive characterizations of age associations with major white matter tracts in the human brain
Interindividual differences in neonatal sociality and emotionality predict juvenile social status in rhesus monkeys
In humans, socioeconomic status (SES) has profound outcomes on socio‐emotional development and health. However, while much is known about the consequences of SES, little research has examined the predictors of SES due to the longitudinal nature of such studies. We sought to explore whether interindividual differences in neonatal sociality, temperament, and early social experiences predicted juvenile social status in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta), as a proxy for SES in humans. We performed neonatal imitation tests in infants’ first week of life and emotional reactivity assessments at 2 and 4 weeks of age. We examined whether these traits, as well as the rearing environment in the first 8 months of life (with the mother or with same‐aged peers only) and maternal social status predicted juvenile (2–3 years old) social status following the formation of peer social groups at 8 months. We found that infants who exhibited higher rates of neonatal imitation and newborn emotional reactivity achieved higher social status as juveniles, as did infants who were reared with their mothers, compared to infants reared with peers. Maternal social status was only associated with juvenile status for infant dyads reared in the same maternal group, indicating that relative social relationships were transferred through social experience. These results suggest that neonatal imitation and emotional reactivity may reflect ingrained predispositions toward sociality that predict later outcomes, and that nonnormative social experiences can alter socio‐developmental trajectories. Our results indicate that neonatal characteristics and early social experiences predict later social outcomes in adolescence, including gradients of social stratification.
Neonatal sociality and temperament, measured in the first month of life, as well as early social experiences across the first 8 months of life, predicted juvenile social status in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), 2‐3 years later. Neonatal characteristics and early social experience may have stable, long‐term effects on the development of social status
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The ATLAS Positron Experiment -- APEX
APEX -- the ATLAS Positron Experiment -- is designed to measure electrons and positrons emitted in heavy-ion collisions. Its scientific goal is to gain insight into the puzzling positron-line phenomena observed at the GSI Darmstadt. It is in operation at the ATLAS accelerator at Argonne National Lab. The assembly of the apparatus is finished and beginning 1993 the first positrons produced in heavy-ion collisions were observed. The first full scale experiment was carried out in December 1993, and the data are currently being analyzed. In this paper, the principles of operation are explained and a status report on the experiment is given