1,297 research outputs found
New Results on Standard Solar Models
We describe the current status of solar modelling and focus on the problems
originated with the introduction of solar abundance determinations with low CNO
abundance values. We use models computed with solar abundance compilations
obtained during the last decade, including the newest published abundances by
Asplund and collaborators. Results presented here make focus both on
helioseismic properties and the models as well as in the neutrino fluxes
predictions. We also discuss changes in radiative opacities to restore
agreement between helioseismology, solar models, and solar abundances and show
the effect of such modifications on solar neutrino fluxes.Comment: 9 pages. Review talk presented at "Synergies between solar and
stellar modelling", Rome, June 2009. To be published by Astrophysics and
Space Scienc
Health utility bias: A meta-analytic evaluation
A common assertion is that rating scale (RS) values are lower than both
standard gamble (SG) and time tradeoff (TTO) values. However, differences among these
methods may be due to method specific bias. While SG and TTO suffer systematic bias, RS
responses are known to depend on the range and frequency of other health states being evaluated.
Over many diverse studies this effect is predicted to diminish. Thus, a systematic review and data
synthesis of RS-TTO and RS-SG difference scores may better reveal persistent dissimilarities.
PURPOSE: To establish through systematic review and meta-analysis the net effect of biases that
endure over many studies of utilities
Pharmacological treatments in pregnant women with psoriasis in the U.S.A.
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/110872/1/bjd13306.pd
Proteinlike behavior of a spin system near the transition between ferromagnet and spin glass
A simple spin system is studied as an analog for proteins. We investigate how
the introduction of randomness and frustration into the system effects the
designability and stability of ground state configurations. We observe that the
spin system exhibits protein-like behavior in the vicinity of the transition
between ferromagnet and spin glass.
Our results illuminate some guiding principles in protein evolution.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figure
Development of a multiplex event-specific PCR assay for detection of genetically modified rice
Global rice supplies have been found contaminated with unapproved varieties of genetically modified (GM) rice in recent years, which has led to product recalls in several of countries. Faster and more effective detection of GM contamination can prevent adulterated food, feed and seed from being consumed and grown, minimize the potential environmental, health or economic damage. In this study, a simple, reliable and cost-effective multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for identifying genetic modifications of TT51-1, Kemingdao1 (KMD1) and Kefeng6 (KF6) rice was developed by using the event-specific fragment. The limit of detection (LOD) for each event in the multiplex PCR is approximately 0.1%. Developed multiplex PCR assays can provide a rapid and simultaneous detection of GM rice
Modeling realistic Earth matter density for CP violation in neutrino oscillation
We examine the effect of a more realistic Earth matter density model which
takes into account of the local density variations along the baseline of a
possi ble 2100 km very long baseline neutrino oscillation experiment. Its
influence to the measurement of CP violation is investigated and a comparison
with the commonly used global density models made. Significant differences are
found in the comparison of the results of the different density models.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figure
Close encounters of a rotating star with planets in parabolic orbits of varying inclination and the formation of Hot Jupiters
(abbreviated) We extend the theory of close encounters of a planet on a
parabolic orbit with a star to include the effects of tides induced on the
central rotating star. Orbits with arbitrary inclination to the stellar
rotation axis are considered. We obtain results both from an analytic treatment
and numerical one that are in satisfactory agreement. These results are applied
to the initial phase of the tidal circularisation problem. We find that both
tides induced in the star and planet can lead to a significant decrease of the
orbital semi-major axis for orbits having periastron distances smaller than 5-6
stellar radii (corresponding to periods days after the
circularisation has been completed) with tides in the star being much stronger
for retrograde orbits compared to prograde orbits. We use the simple Skumanich
law for the stellar rotation with its rotational period equal to one month at
the age of 5Gyr. The strength of tidal interactions is characterised by
circularisation time scale, defined as a time scale of evolution of
the planet's semi-major axis due to tides considered as a function of orbital
period after the process of tidal circularisation has been completed.
We find that the ratio of the initial circularisation time scales corresponding
to prograde and retrograde orbits is of order 1.5-2 for a planet of one Jupiter
mass and four days. It grows with the mass of the planet, being
of order five for a five Jupiter mass planet with the same . Thus, the
effect of stellar rotation may provide a bias in the formation of planetary
systems having planets on close orbits around their host stars, as a
consequence of planet-planet scattering, favouring systems with retrograde
orbits. The results may also be applied to the problem of tidal capture of
stars in young stellar clusters.Comment: to be published in Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronom
Physics of Solar Prominences: I - Spectral Diagnostics and Non-LTE Modelling
This review paper outlines background information and covers recent advances
made via the analysis of spectra and images of prominence plasma and the
increased sophistication of non-LTE (ie when there is a departure from Local
Thermodynamic Equilibrium) radiative transfer models. We first describe the
spectral inversion techniques that have been used to infer the plasma
parameters important for the general properties of the prominence plasma in
both its cool core and the hotter prominence-corona transition region. We also
review studies devoted to the observation of bulk motions of the prominence
plasma and to the determination of prominence mass. However, a simple inversion
of spectroscopic data usually fails when the lines become optically thick at
certain wavelengths. Therefore, complex non-LTE models become necessary. We
thus present the basics of non-LTE radiative transfer theory and the associated
multi-level radiative transfer problems. The main results of one- and
two-dimensional models of the prominences and their fine-structures are
presented. We then discuss the energy balance in various prominence models.
Finally, we outline the outstanding observational and theoretical questions,
and the directions for future progress in our understanding of solar
prominences.Comment: 96 pages, 37 figures, Space Science Reviews. Some figures may have a
better resolution in the published version. New version reflects minor
changes brought after proof editin
Air fluorescence measurements in the spectral range 300-420 nm using a 28.5 GeV electron beam
Measurements are reported of the yield and spectrum of fluorescence, excited
by a 28.5 GeV electron beam, in air at a range of pressures of interest to
ultra-high energy cosmic ray detectors. The wavelength range was 300 - 420 nm.
System calibration has been performed using Rayleigh scattering of a nitrogen
laser beam. In atmospheric pressure dry air at 304 K the yield is 20.8 +/- 1.6
photons per MeV.Comment: 29 pages, 10 figures. Submitted to Astroparticle Physic
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