Instanton representation of Plebanski gravity. Application to gravitons about DeSitter spacetime

Using the instanton representation method, we re-construct graviton solutions about DeSitter spacetime. We have used this example as a testing arena to expose the internal structure of the method and to establish that it works for known solutions. This paper is a precursor for its application to the construction of new General Relativity solutions in future work.Comment: 16 pages. Accepted by the International Journal of Modern Physics

Finite states in four dimensional quantized gravity

This is the first in a series of papers outlining an algorithm to explicitly construct finite quantum states of the full theory of gravity in Ashtekar variables. The algorithm is based upon extending some properties of a special state, the Kodama state for pure gravity with cosmological term, to matter-coupled models. We then illustrate a presciption for nonperturbatively constructing the generalized Kodama states, in preparation for subsequent works in this series. We also introduce the concept of the semiclassical-quantum correspondence (SQC). We express the quantum constraints of the full theory as a system of equations to be solved for the constituents of the `phase' of the wavefunction. Additionally, we provide a variety of representations of the generalized Kodama states including a generalization of the topological instanton term to include matter fields, for which we present arguments for the field-theoretical analogue of cohomology on infinite dimensional spaces. We demonstrate that the Dirac, reduced phase space and geometric quantization procedures are all equivalent for these generalized Kodama states as a natural consequence of the SQC. We relegate the method of the solution to the constraints and other associated ramifications of the generalized Kodama states to separate works.Comment: 42 pages: Accepted for publication by Class. Quantum Grav. journa

Air quality assessment along a landfill site in Uyo

Air quality assessment along a landfill site was carried out in Uyo using stratified sampling method. Spatially, the landfill site had the highest concentrations of SO2 (0.26±0.15 ppm), NO2 (0.24±0.14 ppm), CO (4.01±0.35 ppm), NH3 (6.25±0.97 ppm), H2S (0.55±0.01 ppm), HCN (1.23±0.21 ppm), PM2.5 (75.50±13.50 μg/m3) and PM10 (128.50±28.50 μg/m3). TVOC (2.67±0.09 ppm) and CH2O (0.37±0.02 ppm) were highest at Ibaoku Community; Cl2 (0.41±0.01 ppm) was highest at Ibaoku Junction. Temperature ranged between 25.5ºC to 26.5ºC, relative humidity varied between 76.50% and 77.50% while wind speed varied between 0.47m/s and 1.53 m/s. Diurnally, SO2 (0.24±0.08 ppm), NO2 (0.18±0.06 ppm), CO (2.86±0.69 ppm), NH3 (3.81±1.17 ppm), Cl2 (0.30±0.08 ppm), PM2.5 (61.00±9.53μg/m3) and PM10 (106.00±17.15 ppm) were higher in the evening. H2S (0.28±0.09 ppm), HCN (1.13±0.06 ppm), TVOC (2.13±0.43 ppm) and CH2O (0.29±0.06 ppm) were higher in the morning. Temperature (27.75ºC) and wind speed (1.36±0.53 m/s) were higher in the evening while high relative humidity (79.75±0.48%) was observed in the morning. Air quality index showed good (minimal) concentrations of NO2, SO2 and CO in all locations while concentrations of particulate matters were unhealthy (PM2.5) or moderate (PM10). These results have implications in air pollution monitoring, providing baseline information in monitoring future trends of air pollutants in this region

Occurrence and Sources of Triterpenoid Methyl Ethers and Acetates in Sediments of the Cross-River System, Southeast Nigeria

Pentacyclic triterpenol methyl ethers (PTMEs), germanicol methyl ether (miliacin), 3-methoxyfern-9(11)-ene (arundoin), β-amyrin methyl ether (iso-sawamilletin), and 3-methoxytaraxer-14-ene (sawamilletin or crusgallin) were characterized in surface sediments of the Cross-River system using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Triterpenol esters (mainly α- and β-amyrinyl acetates and hexanoates, and lupeyl acetate and hexanoate) were also found. These distinct compounds are useful for assessing diagenesis that can occur during river transport of organic detritus. Poaceae, mainly Gramineae and Elaeis guineensis higher plant species, are proposed as primary sources for the PTMEs and esters in the sediments. PTMEs are biomarkers of specific higher plant subspecies, while the triterpenol esters are indicators of early diagenetic alteration of higher plant detritus

Pengaruh Jumlah Kendaraan dan Faktor Meteorologis (Suhu, Kecepatan Angin) terhadap Peningkatan Konsentrasi Gas Pencemar CO, NO2, dan SO2 pada Persimpangan Jalan Kota Semarang (Studi Kasus Jalan Karangrejo Raya, Sukun Raya, dan Ngesrep Timur V)

Jalan Ngesrep Timur V, Jalan Sukun Raya dan Jalan Karangrejo Raya Kota Semarang adalah jalan yang terletak di persimpangan yang terdapat di kecamatan Banyumanik yang merupakan jalan kolektor yaitu jalan yang melayani angkutan pengumpulan atau pembagian dengan ciri-ciri perjalanan sedang, kecepatan rata-rata yang sedang dan jumlah jalan masuk yang dibatasi. Jalan Karangrejo Raya dan jalan Sukun Raya dialokasikan sebagai pusat aktivitas dan aglomerasi penduduk seiring dengan bermunculnya fasilitas perdagangan dan Perumahan baru, sedangkan jalan Ngesrep Timur V dialokasikan sebagai fasilitas pendidikan karena adanya 3 perguruan tinggi yang cukup ternama di kawasan ini yaitu Universitas Diponegoro, Politeknik Negeri Semarang dan Politeknik Kesehatan Semarang. Semakin hari jumlah kendaraan yang melintasi Jalan Ngesrep Timur V, Jalan Sukun Raya dan Jalan Karangrejo Raya semakin meningkat, yang dapat mengakibatkan terjadinya pencemaran udara akibat kendaraan bermotor yang lalu lalang di jalan tersebut terutama gas pencemar CO, SO2, dan NO2 yang berasal dari aktivitas kendaraan bermotor. Hal ini menjadi latar belakang untuk diadakannya penelitian guna mengetahui besar konsentrasi gas pencemar di ketiga jalan tersebut.Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah pengambilan sampel secara langsung di lokasi pada saat jam padat kendaraan yaitu pada pagi hari (07.00-08.00), siang hari (13.00-14.00), dan sore hari (16.00-17.00) selama 12 hari masing-masing 3 hari berturut-turut di Jalan Karangrejo Raya, Jalan Sukun Raya, dan Jalan Ngesrep Timur V dan 3 hari sisanya membandingkan kedua jalan, dimulai dari Jalan Karangrejo Raya dan Sukun Raya, Jalan Karangrejo Raya dan Ngesrep Timur V, dan Jalan Sukun Raya dan Ngesrep Timur V. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian yang telah dianalisa, konsentrasi CO di jalan Karangrejo Raya berkisar antara 8-14ppm, konsentrasi CO di jalan Sukun Raya berkisar 8-17ppm, dan konsentrasi CO di jalan Ngesrep Timur V 8-19ppm. Hal ini menunjukkan konsentrasi CO di ketiga jalan berada di atas baku mutu. Sedangkan konsentrasi NO2 di Jalan Karangrejo Raya berkisar antara 0,7-4,2μg/Nm3, konsentrasi NO2 di Jalan Sukun Raya berkisar antara 1,0-4,1μg/Nm3, dan konsentrasi NO2 di Jalan Ngesrep Timur V berkisar antara 0,2-1,7μg/Nm3. Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa konsentrasi NO2 di ketiga jalan berada jauh dibawah baku mutu. Hasil statistik menunjukkan bahwa jumlah kendaraan dan faktor meteorologis seperti, suhu, kecepatan angin mempengaruhi konsentrasi CO, NO2. Selanjutnya untuk konsentrasi SO2 yang berada di Jalan Karangrejo Raya berkisar 14-21,1 μg/Nm3, untuk Jalan Sukun Raya sebesar 14-18,8 μg/Nm3 dan konsentrasi SO 2 yang terukur di Jalan Ngesrep Timur V yaitu 0,4-6,1 μg/Nm3

On the Matter of the Dijkgraaf--Vafa Conjecture

With the aim of extending the gauge theory -- matrix model connection to more general matter representations, we prove that for various two-index tensors of the classical gauge groups, the perturbative contributions to the glueball superpotential reduce to matrix integrals. Contributing diagrams consist of certain combinations of spheres, disks, and projective planes, which we evaluate to four and five loop order. In the case of $Sp(N)$ with antisymmetric matter, independent results are obtained by computing the nonperturbative superpotential for $N=4,6$ and 8. Comparison with the Dijkgraaf-Vafa approach reveals agreement up to $N/2$ loops in matrix model perturbation theory, with disagreement setting in at $h=N/2+1$ loops, $h$ being the dual Coxeter number. At this order, the glueball superfield $S$ begins to obey nontrivial relations due to its underlying structure as a product of fermionic superfields. We therefore find a relatively simple example of an ${\cal N}=1$ gauge theory admitting a large $N$ expansion, whose dynamically generated superpotential differs from the one obtained in the matrix model approach.Comment: 20 pages, harvmac. v2: added comments and reference

Identifikasi Kemampuan Siswa dalam Pembelajaran Biologi Ditinjau dari Aspek-aspek Literasi Sains

Salah satu kunci sukses menghadapi tantangan abad 21 adalah melek sains (science literacy) yaitu kemampuan seseorang dalam memahami, mengkomunikasikan, serta mengaplikasikan konsep biologi dalam kehidupan nyata. Pembelajaran biologi adalah salah satu wahana untuk memberdayakan literasi sains.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi kemampuan siswa ditinjau dari aspek literasi sains meliputi 3 aspek: konten, proses, dan konteks.Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif kualitatif yang melibatkan 186 subyek di 7 sekolah yang berbeda (SMA 5 surakarta, SMA 7 Surakarta, SMA 8 Surakarta, MAN 1 Sragen, SMA 1 Sumberlawang, SMAN 2 Karanganyar, dan SMAN 1 Jogorogo). Data dihimpun menggunakan teknik tes dan non-tes (observasi, dokumentasi, angket, wawancara), selanjutnya data dianalisis secara deskriptif kualitatif.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kemampuan literasi sains siswa ditinjau dari aspek konten (34,4%), aspek proses (32,61%), dan aspek konteks (35,91%).Berdasarkan hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan bahwa rata-rata kemampuan literasi sains pada aspek proses merupakan aspek kemampuan literasi sains rendah

Effects of pressure on diffusion and vacancy formation in MgO from non-empirical free-energy integrations

The free energies of vacancy pair formation and migration in MgO were computed via molecular dynamics using free-energy integrations and a non-empirical ionic model with no adjustable parameters. The intrinsic diffusion constant for MgO was obtained at pressures from 0 to 140 GPa and temperatures from 1000 to 5000 K. Excellent agreement was found with the zero pressure diffusion data within experimental error. The homologous temperature model which relates diffusion to the melting curve describes well our high pressure results within our theoretical framework.Comment: 4 pages, latex, 1 figure, revtex, submitted to PR

Chern-Simons Matrix Models and Unoriented Strings

For matrix models with measure on the Lie algebra of SO/Sp, the sub-leading free energy is given by F_{1}(S)=\pm{1/4}\frac{\del F_{0}(S)}{\del S}. Motivated by the fact that this relationship does not hold for Chern-Simons theory on S^{3}, we calculate the sub-leading free energy in the matrix model for this theory, which is a Gaussian matrix model with Haar measure on the group SO/Sp. We derive a quantum loop equation for this matrix model and then find that F_{1} is an integral of the leading order resolvent over the spectral curve. We explicitly calculate this integral for quadratic potential and find agreement with previous studies of SO/Sp Chern-Simons theory.Comment: 28 pages, 2 figures V2: re-organised for clarity, results unchange