Unplugging the Universe: the neglected electromagnetic consequence of decoupling

This letter concentrates on the non-equilibrium evolution of magnetic field structures at the onset of recombination, when the charged particle current densities decay as neutrals are formed. We consider the effect that a decaying magnetic flux has on the acceleration of particles via the transient induced electric field. Since the residual charged-particle number density is small as a result of decoupling, we shall consider the magnetic and electric fields essentially to be imposed, neglecting the feedback from any minority accelerated population. We find that the electromagnetic treatment of this phase transition can produce energetic electrons scattered throughout the Universe. Such particles could have a significant effect on cosmic evolution in several ways: (i) their presence could delay the effective end of the recombination era; (ii) they could give rise to plasma concentrations that could enhance early gravitational collapse of matter by opposing cosmic expansion to a greater degree than neutral matter could; (iii) they could continue to be accelerated, and become the seed for reionisation at the later epoch $z \approx 10$.Comment: 4 pages, no figure

On the changes in the physical properties of the ionized region around the Weigelt structures in Eta Carinae over the 5.54-yr spectroscopic cycle

We present HST/STIS observations and analysis of two prominent nebular structures around the central source of Eta Carinae, the knots C and D. The former is brighter than the latter for emission lines from intermediate or high ionization potential ions. The brightness of lines from intermediate and high ionization potential ions significantly decreases at phases around periastron. We do not see conspicuous changes in the brightness of lines from low ionization potential (<13.6 eV) that the total extinction towards the Weigelt structures is that the total extinction towards the Weigelt structures is AsubV =2/0. that the total extinction towards the Weigelt structures is AV = 2.0. Weigelt C and D are characterized by an electron density of that the total extinction towards the Weigelt structures is AV = 2.0. Weigelt C and D are characterized by an electron density of 10exp6.9 cm-3 that does not significantly change throughout the orbital cycle. The electron temperature varies from 5500 K (around periastron) to 7200 K (around apastron). The relative changes in the brightness of He I lines are well reproduced by the variations in the electron temperature alone. We found that, at phases around periastron, the electron temperature seems to be higher for Weigelt C than that of D. The Weigelt structures are located close to the Homunculus equatorial plane, at a distance of about 1240 AU from the central source. From the analysis of proper motion and age, the Weigelt complex can be associated with the equatorial structure called the Butterfly Nebula surrounding the central binary system.Comment: 19 pages, 18 figure

Controle do ácaro-da-necrose-do-coqueiro Aceria guerreronis (Acari: Eriophyidae).

O óleo de algodão bruto vem sendo indicado no controle alternativo do ácaro-da-necrose, no entanto há uma carência de estudos que demonstrema eficiência relativa desse produto no controle da praga bem como de sua seletividade a ácaros predadores. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência do óleo de algodão bruto em comparação com agrotóxicos registrados para o controle do ácaro-da-necrose bem como sua seletividade ao ácaro predador Typhlodromus ornatus (Acari: Phytoseiidae), comumente encontrado em plantios de coqueiro. Avaliações quinzenais das populações do ácaro-da-necrose demonstraram que Fenpiroximato, Abamectina e o óleo de algodão controlaram eficientemente a praga em condições de campo. Adicionalmente, experimentos de laboratório indicaram que além da toxicidade, esses produtos repelem o ácaro-da-necrose e o ácaro predador T. ornatus.

Birefringence in nonlinear anisotropic dielectric media

Light propagation is investigated in the context of local anisotropic nonlinear dielectric media at rest with the dielectric coefficients $\epsilon^\mu{}_\nu = \epsilon^\mu{}_\nu (\vec{E},\vec{B})$ and constant $\mu$, in the limit of geometrical optics. Birefringence was examined and the general conditions for its occurrence were presented. A toy model is exhibited, in which uniaxial birefringent media with nonlinear dielectric properties could be driven by external fields in such way that birefringence may be artificially controlled. The effective geometry interpretation is also addressed.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figur

The three-dimensional structure of the Eta Carinae Homunculus

We investigate, using the modeling code SHAPE, the three-dimensional structure of the bipolar Homunculus nebula surrounding Eta Carinae, as mapped by new ESO VLT/X-Shooter observations of the H2 $\lambda=2.12125$ micron emission line. Our results reveal for the first time important deviations from the axisymmetric bipolar morphology: 1) circumpolar trenches in each lobe positioned point-symmetrically from the center and 2) off-planar protrusions in the equatorial region from each lobe at longitudinal (~55 degrees) and latitudinal (10-20 degrees) distances from the projected apastron direction of the binary orbit. The angular distance between the protrusions (~110 degrees) is similar to the angular extent of each polar trench (~130 degrees) and nearly equal to the opening angle of the wind-wind collision cavity (~110 degrees). As in previous studies, we confirm a hole near the centre of each polar lobe and no detectable near-IR H2 emission from the thin optical skirt seen prominently in visible imagery. We conclude that the interaction between the outflows and/or radiation from the central binary stars and their orientation in space has had, and possibly still has, a strong influence on the Homunculus. This implies that prevailing theoretical models of the Homunculus are incomplete as most assume a single star origin that produces an axisymmetric nebula. We discuss how the newly found features might be related to the Homunculus ejection, the central binary and the interacting stellar winds. We also include a 3D printable version of our Homunculus model.Comment: 14 pages, 7 color figures, 1 interactive 3D figure (Figure 5, requires Adobe Reader), published in MNRAS. A 3D printable version of our Homunculus model can be downloaded from http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a011500/a011568/Eta_Car_Homunuculus_3D_model.zip or from the 'Supporting Information' link in the electronic version of the MNRAS articl

La tertulia en España: medios públicos, última frontera de la pluralidad

The political talk show has turned into a successful audio-visual genre in Spain. Nevertheless, it doesn`t contribute effectively to the public debate, due to its scant plurality of opinions. The political talk shows seem to be ruled by the ideological bias of the networks, instead of an honest will to analyze the political and social current affairs. Only the public media avoid this general handicap: they have become the last redoubt of plurality in the Spanish audio-visual media system.La tertulia politica se ha consolidado como fórmula de referencia para la creacion de opinion en los medios audiovisuales espanoles, marcando la agenda y los enfoques de los temas proyectados a la opinion pública con un poderoso éxito de audiencia. Sin embargo, cabe dudar de su contribucion efectiva al debate publico toda vez que la pluralidad de opiniones que incorpora resulta, por lo general, muy escasa: las tertulias parecen regirse mas por el sesgo ideológico que marcan sus respectivas cadenas que por una voluntad honesta de analisis de la actualidad política y social. Solo los medios públicos escapan de esta disfuncion, convirtiendose en el ultimo reducto de pluralidad del sistema audiovisual espano

Repercusiones de la construcción del embalse de Yesa en la utilización del espacio de la Canal de Berdún (Altoaragón)

8 páginas, 4 tablas, 2 mapas[ES] El trabajo estudia las consecuenclas que, en el uso del espacio: acarrea la instalación de un gran embalse. Hemos tomado como ejemplo el pantano de Yesa, localizado en el extremo occidental de la depresión media altoaragonesa. El estudio muestra cómo la nueva organización del espacio supone una ruptura de la antigua gestión integrada del territorio e implica, por una parte,la simplificación del sistema y, por otra, el incremento de la participación externa (estatal principalmente) en el control de los recursos locales.[IN]This work studies the consequences that, with regard lo the use of space, the installation of a large dam causes in its environment. We have taken the dam of Yesa as an example; it is located on the western end of the Upper-Aragon middle depresslon. The paper shows that the new organization of space means, on the one hand, the rupture of the old integrated management of territory, causes a simplification of the system and, on the other hand, increase the external share (mainly state share) in the local resources control.Peer reviewe