172 research outputs found
Searches for solar-influenced radioactive decay anomalies using Spacecraft RTGs
Experiments showing a seasonal variation of the nuclear decay rates of a
number of different nuclei, and decay anomalies apparently related to solar
flares and solar rotation, have suggested that the Sun may somehow be
influencing nuclear decay processes. Recently, Cooper searched for such an
effect in Pu nuclei contained in the radioisotope thermoelectric
generators (RTGs) on board the Cassini spacecraft. In this paper we modify and
extend Cooper's analysis to obtain constraints on anomalous decays of
Pu over a wider range of models, but these limits cannot be applied to
other nuclei if the anomaly is composition-dependent. We also show that it may
require very high sensitivity for terrestrial experiments to discriminate among
some models if such a decay anomaly exists, motivating the consideration of
future spacecraft experiments which would require less precision.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures (to appear in Astroparticle Physics
Superstrings with Intrinsic Torsion
We systematically analyse the necessary and sufficient conditions for the
preservation of supersymmetry for bosonic geometries of the form R^{1,9-d}
\times M_d, in the common NS-NS sector of type II string theory and also type
I/heterotic string theory. The results are phrased in terms of the intrinsic
torsion of G-structures and provide a comprehensive classification of static
supersymmetric backgrounds in these theories. Generalised calibrations
naturally appear since the geometries always admit NS or type I/heterotic
fivebranes wrapping calibrated cycles. Some new solutions are presented. In
particular we find d=6 examples with a fibred structure which preserve N=1,2,3
supersymmetry in type II and include compact type I/heterotic geometries.Comment: 58 pages, LaTeX; v2: New section on solutions including an example
with N=3 supersymmetry and discussion of heterotic compactifications. Details
on conventions and references added. v3: added an explicit example of
non-integrable product structure in Appendix C; some typos fixe
Dirac-Born-Infeld Action on the Tachyon Kink and Vortex
The tachyon effective field theory describing the dynamics of a non-BPS
D-brane in superstring theory has an infinitely thin but finite tension kink
solution describing a codimension one BPS D-brane. We study the world-volume
theory of massless modes on the kink, and show that the world volume action has
precisely the Dirac-Born-Infeld (DBI) form without any higher derivative
corrections. We generalize this to a vortex solution in the effective field
theory on a brane-antibrane pair. As in the case of the kink, the vortex is
infinitely thin, has finite energy density, and the world-volume action on the
vortex is again given exactly by the DBI action on a BPS D-brane. We also
discuss the coupling of fermions and restoration of supersymmetry and
-symmetry on the world-volume of the kink. Absence of higher derivative
corrections to the DBI action on the soliton implies that all such corrections
are related to higher derivative corrections to the original effective action
on the world-volume of a non-BPS D-brane or brane-antibrane pair.Comment: LaTeX file, 34 pages; references and other minor comments adde
The Complete Solution of 2D Superfield Supergravity from graded Poisson-Sigma Models and the Super Pointparticle
Recently an alternative description of 2d supergravities in terms of graded
Poisson-Sigma models (gPSM) has been given. As pointed out previously by the
present authors a certain subset of gPSMs can be interpreted as "genuine"
supergravity, fulfilling the well-known limits of supergravity, albeit deformed
by the dilaton field. In our present paper we show that precisely that class of
gPSMs corresponds one-to-one to the known dilaton supergravity superfield
theories presented a long time ago by Park and Strominger. Therefore, the
unique advantages of the gPSM approach can be exploited for the latter: We are
able to provide the first complete classical solution for any such theory. On
the other hand, the straightforward superfield formulation of the point
particle in a supergravity background can be translated back into the gPSM
frame, where "supergeodesics" can be discussed in terms of a minimal set of
supergravity field degrees of freedom. Further possible applications like the
(almost) trivial quantization are mentioned.Comment: 48 pages, 1 figure. v3: after final version, typos correcte
LIM kinase function and renal growth: potential role for LIM kinases in fetal programming of kidney development
Aims
Maternal dietary restriction during pregnancy impairs nephron development and results in offspring with fewer nephrons. Cell turnover in the early developing kidney is altered by exposure to maternal dietary restriction and may be regulated by the LIM-kinase family of enzymes. We set out to establish whether disturbance of LIM-kinase activity might play a role in the impairment of nephron formation.
Main methods
E12.5 metanephric kidneys and HK2 cells were grown in culture with the pharmacological LIM-kinase inhibitor BMS5. Organs were injected with DiI, imaged and cell numbers measured over 48 h to assess growth. Cells undergoing mitosis were visualised by pH 3 labelling.
Key findings
Growth of cultured kidneys reduced to 83% of controls after exposure to BMS5 and final cell number to 25% of control levels after 48 h. Whilst control and BMS5 treated organs showed cells undergoing mitosis (100 ± 11 cells/field vs 113 ± 18 cells/field respectively) the proportion in anaphase was considerably diminished with BMS5 treatment (7.8 ± 0.8% vs 0.8 ± 0.6% respectively; P < 0.01). This was consistent with effects on HK2 cells highlighting a severe impact of BMS5 on formation of the mitotic spindle and centriole positioning. DiI labelled cells migrated in 100% of control cultures vs 0% BMS5 treated organs. The number of nephrogenic precursor cells appeared depleted in whole organs and formation of new nephrons was blocked by exposure to BMS5.
Significance
Pharmacological blockade of LIM-kinase function in the early developing kidney results in failure of renal development. This is likely due to prevention of dividing cells from completion of mitosis with their resultant loss
Monitoring Soil Quality to Assess the Sustainability of Harvesting Corn Stover
Harvesting feedstock for biofuel production must not degrade soil, water, or air resources. Our objective is to provide an overview of field research being conducted to quantify effects of harvesting corn (Zea mays L.) stover as a bioenergy feedstock. Coordinated field studies are being conducted near Ames, IA; St. Paul and Morris, MN; Mead, NE; University Park, PA; Florence, SC; and Brookings, SD., as part of the USDA-ARS Renewable Energy Assessment Project (REAP). A baseline soil quality assessment was made using the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF). Corn grain and residue yield for two different stover harvest rates (∼50% and ∼90%) are being measured. Available soil data remains quite limited but sufficient for an initial SMAF analysis that confirms total organic carbon (TOC) is a soil quality indicator that needs to be closely monitored closely to quantify crop residue removal effects. Overall, grain yields averaged 9.7 and 11.7 Mg ha−1 (155 and 186 bu acre−1) in 2008 and 2009, values that are consistent with national averages for both years. The average amount of stover collected for the 50% treatment was 2.6 and 4.2 Mg ha−1 for 2008 and 2009, while the 90% treatment resulted in an average removal of 5.4 and 7.4 Mg ha−1, respectively. Based on a recent literature review, both stover harvest scenarios could result in a gradual decline in TOC. However, the literature value has a large standard error, so continuation of this long-term multi-location study for several years is warranted
Age- and sex-specific prevalences of diabetes and impaired glucose regulation in 13 European cohorts
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