CP,T and/or CPT Violations in the K0-K0bar System --Implications of the KTeV,NA48 and CPLEAR Results

Possible violation of CP, T and/or CPT symmetries in the \ko-\kob system is studied from a phenomenological point of view. For this purpose, we first introduce parameters which represent violation of these symmetries in mixing parameters and decay amplitudes in a convenient and well-defined way and, treating these parameters as small, derive formulas which relate them to the experimentally measured quantities. We then perform numerical analyses, with the aid of the Bell-Steinberger relation, to derive constraints to these symmetry-violating parameters, firstly paying particular attention to the results reported by KTeV Collaboration and NA48 Collaboration, and then with the results reported by CPLEAR Collaboration as well taken into account. A case study, in which either CPT symmetry or T symmetry is assumed, is also carried out. It is demonstrated that CP and T symmetries are violated definitively at the level of 10^{-4} in $2\pi$ decays and presumably at the level of 10^{-3} in the \ko-\kob mixing, and that the Bell-Steinberger relation helps us to establish CP and T violations being definitively present in the \ko-\kob mixing and to test CPT symmetry to a level of 10^{-4} ~ 10^{-5}.Comment: 21 pages, 1 figure

An infrared measurement of chemical desorption from interstellar ice analogues

In molecular clouds at temperatures as low as 10 K, all species except hydrogen and helium should be locked in the heterogeneous ice on dust grain surfaces. Nevertheless, astronomical observations have detected over 150 different species in the gas phase in these clouds. The mechanism by which molecules are released from the dust surface below thermal desorption temperatures to be detectable in the gas phase is crucial for understanding the chemical evolution in such cold clouds. Chemical desorption, caused by the excess energy of an exothermic reaction, was first proposed as a key molecular release mechanism almost 50 years ago. Chemical desorption can, in principle, take place at any temperature, even below the thermal desorption temperature. Therefore, astrochemical net- work models commonly include this process. Although there have been a few previous experimental efforts, no infrared measurement of the surface (which has a strong advantage to quantify chemical desorption) has been performed. Here, we report the first infrared in situ measurement of chemical desorption during the reactions H + H2S -> HS + H2 (reaction 1) and HS + H -> H2S (reaction 2), which are key to interstellar sulphur chemistry. The present study clearly demonstrates that chemical desorption is a more efficient process for releasing H2S into the gas phase than was previously believed. The obtained effective cross-section for chemical desorption indicates that the chemical desorption rate exceeds the photodesorption rate in typical interstellar environments

Spatial water surface variations in open channel flows downstream of side disturbances

River hydrodynamicsInteraction with structure

Comparison of allometric equations to estimate the above-ground biomass of Populus alba species (Case study; poplar plantations in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran)

Carbon sequestration into plants biomass, especially in fast growing trees is an easier and economically way for dropping off Co2 from atmosphere. This study was carried out in order to investigate above-ground biomass of white poplar (Populous alba, L.) plantations that was planted in four different plant spacing (0.5 × 0.5, 1 × 1, 2 × 2 and 4 × 4 m) in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province in west of Iran. Selecting the trees was according to diameter classes. After inventory, 10 trees were selected from each density at one hectare area. The tree’s characteristics including diameter at breast height (DBH), total height, and crown diameter measured. Then measured trees felled down in order to measure the wet and dry weight of different organs including (whole tree, trunk, main branches, twigs and leaf).The regression analysis was applied to find out a relationship between mass production and poplar characteristics and to develop different allometry models between different organs and their carbon sequestration ability. The results showed that the independent DBH factor in P. alba, demonstrated high correlation against all the dependent variables. Height of trees also creates the allometric equations with average accuracy (0.30 - 0.81) against all the dependent variables. The crown diameter in dependent variable almost creates weakest equations. The result also indicated that there is no significant difference among equations of different planting spaces

Direct CP, T and/or CPT violations in the K^0-\bar{K^0} system - Implications of the recent KTeV results on 2π2\pi decays -

The recent results on the CP violating parameters Re(e'/e) and \Delta\phi = \phi_{00}-\phi_{+-} reported by the KTeV Collaboration are analyzed with a view to constrain CP, T and CPT violations in a decay process. Combining with some relevant data compiled by the Particle Data Group, we find Re(e_2-e_0) = (0.85 +- 3.11)*10^{-4} and Im(e_2-e_0) = (3.2 +- 0.7)*10^{-4}, where Re(e_I) and Im(e_I) represent respectively CP/CPT and CP/T violations in decay of K^0 and \bar{K^0} into a 2\pi state with isospin I.Comment: 7 pages, No figure

How Many Peas in a Pod? Legume Genes Responsible for Mutualistic Symbioses Underground

The nitrogen-fixing symbiosis between legume plants and Rhizobium bacteria is the most prominent plant–microbe endosymbiotic system and, together with mycorrhizal fungi, has critical importance in agriculture. The introduction of two model legume species, Lotus japonicus and Medicago truncatula, has enabled us to identify a number of host legume genes required for symbiosis. A total of 26 genes have so far been cloned from various symbiotic mutants of these model legumes, which are involved in recognition of rhizobial nodulation signals, early symbiotic signaling cascades, infection and nodulation processes, and regulation of nitrogen fixation. These accomplishments during the past decade provide important clues to understanding not only the molecular mechanisms underlying plant–microbe endosymbiotic associations but also the evolutionary aspects of nitrogen-fixing symbiosis between legume plants and Rhizobium bacteria. In this review we survey recent progress in molecular genetic studies using these model legumes

Spatially Resolved 3 micron Spectroscopy of Elias 1: Origin of Diamonds in Protoplanetary Disks

We present spatially resolved 3 um spectra of Elias 1 obtained with an adaptive optics system. The central part of the disk is almost devoid of PAH emission at 3.3 um; it shows up only at 30 AU and beyond. The PAH emission extends up to 100 AU, at least to the outer boundary of our observation. The diamond emission, in contrast, is more centrally concentrated, with the column density peaked around 30 AU from the star. There are only three Herbig Ae/Be stars known to date that show diamond emission at 3.53 um. Two of them have low-mass companions likely responsible for the large X-ray flares observed toward the Herbig Ae/Be stars. We speculate on the origin of diamonds in circumstellar disks in terms of the graphitic material being transformed into diamond under the irradiation of highly energetic particles.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journ