265 research outputs found
Distribution and Density of Vegetative Hydrilla Propagules in the Sediments of Two New Zealand Lakes
The distribution and density of hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.)Royle) turions and tubers in two New Zealand lakes were assessed by sampling cores of sediment from Lakes Tutira and Waikapiro each year from 1994 to 1997. Turion and tuber density differed with water depth, with maximum numbers of tubers and turions found in the 1-2 m and 1.5-4m water depth ranges respectively. A high turion to tuber ratio was observed, with turions accounting for over 80% of propagules. The relatively low numbers of turions and tubers compared with other reports, and the distribution of most tubers within the shallow water is likely to be associated with black swan grazing (Cygnus atratus Latham), with maintains a canopy of hydrilla consistently 1 m below the water surface
Variable-Speed-of-Light Cosmology from Brane World Scenario
We argue that the four-dimensional universe on the TeV brane of the
Randall-Sundrum scenario takes the bimetric structure of Clayton and Moffat,
with gravitons traveling faster than photons instead, while the radion varies
with time. We show that such brane world bimetric model can thereby solve the
flatness and the cosmological constant problems, provided the speed of a
graviton decreases to the present day value rapidly enough. The resolution of
other cosmological problems such as the horizon problem and the monopole
problem requires supplementation by inflation, which may be achieved by the
radion field provided the radion potential satisfies the slow-roll
approximation.Comment: 18 pages, LaTeX, revised version to appear in Phys. Rev.
A time-space varying speed of light and the Hubble Law in static Universe
We consider a hypothetical possibility of the variability of light velocity
with time and position in space which is derived from two natural postulates.
For the consistent consideration of such variability we generalize
translational transformations of the Theory of Relativity. The formulae of
transformations between two rest observers within one inertial system are
obtained. It is shown that equality of velocities of two particles is as
relative a statement as simultaneity of two events is. We obtain the expression
for the redshift of radiation of a rest source which formally reproduces the
Hubble Law. Possible experimental implications of the theory are discussed.Comment: 7 page
Comments on "Note on varying speed of light theories"
In a recent note Ellis criticizes varying speed of light theories on the
grounds of a number of foundational issues. His reflections provide us with an
opportunity to clarify some fundamental matters pertaining to these theories
Dynamical System Approach to Cosmological Models with a Varying Speed of Light
Methods of dynamical systems have been used to study homogeneous and
isotropic cosmological models with a varying speed of light (VSL). We propose
two methods of reduction of dynamics to the form of planar Hamiltonian
dynamical systems for models with a time dependent equation of state. The
solutions are analyzed on two-dimensional phase space in the variables where is a function of a scale factor . Then we show how the
horizon problem may be solved on some evolutional paths. It is shown that the
models with negative curvature overcome the horizon and flatness problems. The
presented method of reduction can be adopted to the analysis of dynamics of the
universe with the general form of the equation of state .
This is demonstrated using as an example the dynamics of VSL models filled with
a non-interacting fluid. We demonstrate a new type of evolution near the
initial singularity caused by a varying speed of light. The singularity-free
oscillating universes are also admitted for positive cosmological constant. We
consider a quantum VSL FRW closed model with radiation and show that the
highest tunnelling rate occurs for a constant velocity of light if and . It is also proved that the considered class of
models is structurally unstable for the case of .Comment: 18 pages, 5 figures, RevTeX4; final version to appear in PR
Advanced Compton Telescope Designs and SN Science
The Advanced Compton Telescope (ACT) has been suggested to be the optimal
next-generation instrument to study nuclear gamma-ray lines. In this work, we
investigate the potential of three hypothetical designs of the ACT to perform
SN science. We provide estimates of 1) the SN detection rate, 2) the SN Ia
discrimination rate, and 3) which gamma-ray lines would be detected from
specific supernova remnants. We find that the prompt emission from a SN Ia is
such that it is unlikely that one would be within the range that an
INTERMEDIATE ACT would be able to distinguish between explosion scenarios,
although such an instrument would detect a handful of SNRs.
We further find that the SUPERIOR ACT design would be a truly breakthrough
instrument for SN science. By supplying these estimates, we intend to assist
the gamma-ray astrophysics community in deciding the course of the next decade
of gamma-ray SN science.Comment: 10 pages, accepted for publication in New astronomy Reviews
(Astronomy with Radioactivities III
Neutron Stars in a Varying Speed of Light Theory
We study neutron stars in a varying speed of light (VSL) theory of gravity in
which the local speed of light depends upon the value of a scalar field .
We find that the masses and radii of the stars are strongly dependent on the
strength of the coupling between and the matter field and that for
certain choices of coupling parameters, the maximum neutron star mass can be
arbitrarily small. We also discuss the phenomenon of cosmological evolution of
VSL stars (analogous to the gravitational evolution in scalar-tensor theories)
and we derive a relation showing how the fractional change in the energy of a
star is related to the change in the cosmological value of the scalar field.Comment: 15 pages, 2 figures. Added solutions with a more realistic equation
of state. To be published in PR
Stars and black holes in varying speed of light theories
We investigate spherically symmetric solutions to a recently proposed
covariant and locally Lorentz-invariant varying speed of light theory. We find
the metrics and variations in associated with the counterpart of black
holes, the outside of a star, and stellar collapse. The remarkable novelty is
that goes to zero or infinity (depending on parameter signs) at the
horizon. We show how this implies that, with appropriate parameters, observers
are prevented from entering the horizon. Concomitantly stellar collapse must
end in a ``Schwarzchild radius'' remnant. We then find formulae for
gravitational light deflection, gravitational redshift, radar echo delay, and
the precession of the perihelion of Mercury, highlighting how these may differ
distinctly from their Einstein counterparts but still evade experimental
constraints. The main tell-tale signature of this theory is the prediction of
the observation of a different value for the fine structure constant, ,
in spectral lines formed in the surface of stars. We close by mentioning a
variety of new classical and quantum effects near stars, such as aging
gradients and particle production.Comment: To be published in Phys. Rev.
The Role of Radioactivities in Astrophysics
I present both a history of radioactivity in astrophysics and an introduction
to the major applications of radioactive abundances to astronomy
Quintessence and variation of the fine structure constant in the CMBR
We study dependence of the CMB temperature anisotropy spectrum on the value
of the fine structure constant and the equation of state of the dark
energy component of the total density of the universe. We find that bounds
imposed on the variation of from the analysis of currently available
CMB data sets can be significantly relaxed if one also allows for a change in
the equation of state.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. Several references added and a few minor typos
corrected in the revised versio
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