Monopole gravitational waves from relativistic fireballs driving gamma-ray bursts

Einstein's general relativity predicts that pressure, in general stresses, play a similar role to energy density in generating gravity. The source of gravitational field, the active gravitational mass density, sometimes referred to as Whittaker's mass density, is not conserved, hence its changes can propagate as monopole gravitational waves. Such waves can be generated only by astrophysical sources with varying gravitational mass. Here we show that relativistic fireballs, considered in modelling gamma-ray burst phenomena, are likely to radiate monopole gravitational waves from high-pressure plasma with varying Whittaker's mass. Also, ejection of a significant amount of initial mass-energy of the progenitor contributes to the monopole gravitational radiation. We identify monopole waves with h^11+h^22 waves of Eddington's classification which propagate (in the z-direction) together with the energy carried by massless fields. We show that the monopole waves satisfy Einstein's equations, with a common stress-energy tensor for massless fields. The polarization mode of monopole waves is Phi_22, i.e. these are perpendicular waves which induce changes of the radius of a circle of test particles only (breathing mode). The astrophysical importance of monopole gravitational waves is discussed.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

X-Ray Spectral Components of Starburst Galaxies

X-ray emission processes in starburst galaxies (SBGs) are assessed, with the aim of identifying and characterizing the main spectral components. Our survey of spectral properties, complemented with a model for the evolution of galactic stellar populations, leads to the prediction of a complex spectrum. Comparing the predicted spectral properties with current X-ray measurements of the nearby SBGs M82 and N253, we draw the following tentative conclusions: 1) X-ray binaries with accreting NS are the main contributors in the 2-15 keV band, and could be responsible for the yet uninterpreted hard component required to fit the observed 0.5-10 keV spectra of SBGs; 2) diffuse thermal plasma contributes at energies less than about 1 keV; 3) nonthermal emission, from Compton scattering of FIR and CMB radiation field photons off supernova-accelerated relativistic electrons, and AGN-like emission, are likely be the dominant emission at energies >30 keV; 4) supernova remnants make a relatively minor contribution to the X-ray continuum but may contribute appreciably to the Fe-K emission at 6.7 keV.Comment: 18 pages, 8 figures, A&A in pres

Reconstructing 50 years of Opuntia stricta invasion in the Kruger National Park, South Africa: environmental determinants and propagule pressure

Many factors influence the spread dynamics and distribution of invasive alien organisms. Despite progress in unravelling the determinants of invasiveness and invasibility, robust, spatially-explicit predictive models for explaining real-world invasion dynamics remain illusive. Reconstructing invasion episodes is a useful way of determining the roles of different factors in mediating spread and proliferation. In many cases, however, human-aided dispersal and other anthropogenic factors blur the roles of natural controlling factors. We describe the reconstruction of an isolated invasion event from a known source: the 50-year invasion history of Opuntia stricta in the Kruger National Park. Our aim was to explore the relative roles of environment and propagule supply in shaping the invasion pattern. Environmental variables (landscape heterogeneity and distance from water sources) were moderately useful for explaining the presence/absence of O. stricta in 1-ha cells across the 660 km2 (53% of cells correctly classified). Adding fire frequency increased the accuracy of the model (68%). However, when we considered the role of propagule pressure (measured as the distance of sites from the known primary invasion focus and putative secondary invasion foci), model accuracy was greatly improved (77%). No environmental variables or propagule pressure correctly explained spatial variation in abundance (expressed as cladode density in 1-ha cells). We discuss implications of the importance of propagule supply for modelling and managing invasions

Water stress and crop load effects on vegetative and fruit growth of ‘Elegant Lady’ peach [

Introduction. Vegetative and fruit growth in fruit trees are differentially sensitive to water deficit during the season depending on the stage of fruit growth. Attempts have been made to evaluate the possibilities of using regulated deficit irrigation to control vegetative growth and save water in the fruit industry. Materials and methods. Effects of water stress (WS) and crop load (CL) on fruit growth and carbon assimilation rates were evaluated in a 7-year-old ‘Elegant Lady’ peach orchard. A completely randomized block design with 2 × 3 factors [irrigation with two levels (control and WS) and CL with three levels (light, commercial and heavy)] was used. Results and discussion. Both WS and CL affected fruit growth during the last stages but not early on. CL did not affect trunk water potential which was, however, significantly reduced by WS throughout the day and the season. Trunk water potential of water-stressed trees was lower than that of control trees throughout the day and the season regardless of CL. The magnitude of WS increased as the season progressed. Stomatal conductance, transpiration rate and CO2 assimilation rate were not affected by CL but were reduced by WS. The trees responded (acclimated) to stress by progressively reducing their transpiration rate as the severity of stress increased. For each irrigation regime, assimilation rates were similar for all three crop levels. This indicated the existence of alternate sinks for assimilates when CL was low, which compensate for the reduction of fruit sink activity resulting from fruit thinning. Conclusion. Water deficit reduced trunk water potential, stomatal conductance, transpiration and photosynthesis in ‘Elegant Lady’ peach trees. However, CL had a limited effect on these functions. There were good correlations between trunk water potential and either stomatal conductance or assimilation rate in water-stressed trees but not in control trees. This indicates a poor coordination between leaf functions in peach trees under optimal conditions. However, these relationships were stronger under WS conditions. Thus, water use efficiency appeared to increase under water deficit conditions