Primordial nucleosynthesis and hadronic decay of a massive particle with a relatively short lifetime

In this paper we consider the effects on big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) of the hadronic decay of a long-lived massive particle. If high-energy hadrons are emitted near the BBN epoch ($t \sim 10^{-2}$ -- $10^2 \sec$), they extraordinarily inter-convert the background nucleons each other even after the freeze-out time of the neutron to proton ratio. Then, produced light element abundances are changed, and that may result in a significant discrepancy between standard BBN and observations. Especially on the theoretical side, now we can obtain a lot of experimental data of hadrons and simulate the hadronic decay process executing the numerical code of the hadron fragmentation even in the high energy region where we have no experimental data. Using the light element abundances computed in the hadron-injection scenario, we derive a constraint on properties of such a particle by comparing our theoretical results with observations.Comment: 33 pages, 14 postscript figures, reference added, typo corrected, to appear in Phys. Rev.

The effects of an experimental programme to support students’ autonomy on the overt behaviours of physical education teachers

Although the benefits of autonomy supportive behaviours are now well established in the literature, very few studies have attempted to train teachers to offer a greater autonomy support to their students. In fact, none of these studies has been carried out in physical education (PE). The purpose of this study is to test the effects of an autonomy-supportive training on overt behaviours of teaching among PE teachers. The experimental group included two PE teachers who were first educated on the benefits of an autonomy supportive style and then followed an individualised guidance programme during the 8 lessons of a teaching cycle. Their behaviours were observed and rated along 3 categories (i.e., autonomy supportive, neutral and controlling) and were subsequently compared to those of three teachers who formed the control condition. The results showed that teachers in the experimental group used more autonomy supportive and neutral behaviours than those in the control group, but no difference emerged in relation to controlling behaviours. We discuss the implications for schools of our findings

An assessment of anaerobic digestion capacity in Bangladesh

This work scopes the potential for existing common feedstocks to be used in existing types of anaerobic digester units to produce biogas in Bangladesh. A preliminary study identified three commonly occurring scenarios of smallholdings with cattle, poultry farms and daily cattle markets, which produce dung, poultry litter, and dung mixed with rice straw, respectively. This third feedstock is proposed as a novel and significant newly recognised prevalent source. The main study involved carrying out surveys of representative samples of each of these (N=125, 125, and 30) for the district of Gazipur in order to determine the distribution of herd and flock sizes, and thus the relevant biogas plant types and potential yields. The results were scaled up for nationwide figures, which approximated the total potential biogas energy from these feedstock types at 240×106 MJ (240 TJ) per day, or 66.7×106 kWh, which in principle could meet the current cooking energy requirements of 30 million people in Bangladesh. Of this, 70% of the potential energy from AD could come from cattle feedstock (with 87% of this from domestic-sized plant); 16% from poultry feedstock (with 63% of this from medium-sized plant); and 14% from rice straw bedding from cattle markets (all requiring very large or extremely large plant). There is potential for around 2 million domestic units, 340,000 medium units and 19,000 large units, as well as 500 very large units that might be more suited for larger users such as businesses, schools or hospitals

Big bang nucleosynthesis with a varying fine structure constant and non-standard expansion rate

We calculate primordial abundances of light elements produced during big bang nucleosynthesis when the fine structure constant and/or the cosmic expansion rate take non-standard values. We compare them with the recent values of observed D, He4 and Li7 abundances, which show slight inconsistency among themselves in the standard big bang nucleosynthesis scenario. This inconsistency is not solved by considering either a varying fine structure constant or a non-standard expansion rate separately but solutions are found by their simultaneous existence.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

The nil Hecke ring and singularity of Schubert varieties

We give a criterion for smoothness of a point in any Schubert variety in any G/B in terms of the nil Hecke ring.Comment: AMSTE

Primordial nucleosynthesis with a varying fine structure constant: An improved estimate

We compute primordial light-element abundances for cases with fine structure constant alpha different from the present value, including many sources of alpha dependence neglected in previous calculations. Specifically, we consider contributions arising from Coulomb barrier penetration, photon coupling to nuclear currents, and the electromagnetic components of nuclear masses. We find the primordial abundances to depend more weakly on alpha than previously estimated, by up to a factor of 2 in the case of ^7Li. We discuss the constraints on variations in alpha from the individual abundance measurements and the uncertainties affecting these constraints. While the present best measurements of primordial D/H, ^4He/H, and ^7Li/H may be reconciled pairwise by adjusting alpha and the universal baryon density, no value of alpha allows all three to be accommodated simultaneously without consideration of systematic error. The combination of measured abundances with observations of acoustic peaks in the cosmic microwave background favors no change in alpha within the uncertainties.Comment: Phys. Rev. D accepted version; minor changes in response to refere

Associations between BMI Change and Cardiometabolic Risk in Retired Football Players

Purpose Elevated rates of cardiometabolic diseases have been observed in former American football players. The current study sought to determine whether change in body mass index (ΔBMI) after retirement influences the prevalence of CHD, diabetes, or high blood pressure (HBP) in former professional football players. Methods Retired professional football players (n = 3729) were sent a survey with questions regarding health status, playing history, and demographic information. Self-reported BMI at the time of retirement was subtracted from current self-reported BMI to calculate ΔBMI. Prevalence of CHD, diabetes, and HBP were determined by asking participants if they had ever been diagnosed by a health care professional. Binomial regression with a Poisson residual and robust variance estimation was used to compute crude prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each outcome. Adjusted PR values were calculated by adjusting for BMI at the time of retirement, age, years of football experience, race, exercise habits, alcohol use, steroid history, smoking history, and playing position. Results Complete data were available for 2062 respondents. Prevalence of CHD increased 25%-31% for each five-point increase in ΔBMI after retirement (crude PR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.03-1.52, P = 0.026; adjusted PR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.11-1.55, P = 0.001). Diabetes prevalence increased 69%-88% for each five-point ΔBMI increase (crude = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.45-2.44, P < 0.001; adjusted = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.32-2.15, P < 0.001). A five-point increase in ΔBMI was associated with a 35%-40% increase in HBP prevalence (crude = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.27-1.53, P < 0.001; adjusted = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.24-1.47, P < 0.001). Conclusions After controlling for relevant covariates, postretirement ΔBMI was positively and independently associated with prevalence of CHD, diabetes, and HBP. Postretirement interventions using diet and/or exercise to influence body composition may improve long-term health in retired football players

Solar Neutrino Constraints on the BBN Production of Li

Using the recent WMAP determination of the baryon-to-photon ratio, 10^{10} \eta = 6.14 to within a few percent, big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) calculations can make relatively accurate predictions of the abundances of the light element isotopes which can be tested against observational abundance determinations. At this value of \eta, the Li7 abundance is predicted to be significantly higher than that observed in low metallicity halo dwarf stars. Among the possible resolutions to this discrepancy are 1) Li7 depletion in the atmosphere of stars; 2) systematic errors originating from the choice of stellar parameters - most notably the surface temperature; and 3) systematic errors in the nuclear cross sections used in the nucleosynthesis calculations. Here, we explore the last possibility, and focus on possible systematic errors in the He3(\alpha,\gamma)Be7 reaction, which is the only important Li7 production channel in BBN. The absolute value of the cross section for this key reaction is known relatively poorly both experimentally and theoretically. The agreement between the standard solar model and solar neutrino data thus provides additional constraints on variations in the cross section (S_{34}). Using the standard solar model of Bahcall, and recent solar neutrino data, we can exclude systematic S_{34} variations of the magnitude needed to resolve the BBN Li7 problem at > 95% CL. Additional laboratory data on He3(\alpha,\gamma)Be7 will sharpen our understanding of both BBN and solar neutrinos, particularly if care is taken in determining the absolute cross section and its uncertainties. Nevertheless, it already seems that this ``nuclear fix'' to the Li7 BBN problem is unlikely; other possible solutions are briefly discussed.Comment: 21 pages, 3 ps figure

Forgiveness and the Need to Belong

People who experience a strong need to belong might be particularly inclined to forgive wrongdoings to preserve social bonds. Three studies that utilized different methods and measures of forgiveness consistently demonstrated this is not the case. The authors found that individuals high in the need to belong report practicing forgiveness with less frequency and value it no more than those low in the need to belong (Study 1). In Study 2, they found that satisfying the need to belong led participants to express greater willingness to forgive hypothetical offenses compared to participants in a control group. Finally, in Study 3, the authors linked the need to belong to forgiveness of specific transgressions and found that this negative relationship was mediated by offense-related anger and perceptions of offense severity. These findings suggest that needing to belong paradoxically interferes with forgiveness, even though forgiving could promote the satisfaction of belongingness needs following transgressions.Yeshttps://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/manuscript-submission-guideline

Insulin micro-secretion in Type 1 diabetes and related microRNA profiles

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare plasma C-peptide presence and levels in people without diabetes (CON) and with Type 1 diabetes and relate C-peptide status to clinical factors. In a subset we evaluated 50 microRNAs (miRs) previously implicated in beta-cell death and associations with clinical status and C-peptide levels. Diabetes age of onset was stratified as adult (≥ 18 y.o) or childhood ( 20 years. Plasma C-peptide was measured by ultrasensitive ELISA. Plasma miRs were quantified using TaqMan probe-primer mix on an OpenArray platform. C-peptide was detectable in 55.3% of (n= 349) people with diabetes, including 64.1% of adults and 34.0% of youth with diabetes, p 20 years) had detectable C-peptide (60%) than in those with shorter diabetes duration (39%, p for trend< 0.05). Nine miRs significantly correlated with detectable C-peptide levels in people with diabetes and 16 miRs correlated with C-peptide levels in CON. Our cross-sectional study results are supportive of (a) greater beta-cell function loss in younger onset Type 1 diabetes; (b) persistent insulin secretion in adult-onset diabetes and possibly regenerative secretion in childhood-onset long diabetes duration; and (c) relationships of C-peptide levels with circulating miRs. Confirmatory clinical studies and related basic science studies are merited