On the heating of source of the Orion KL hot core

We present images of the J=10-9 rotational lines of HC3N in the vibrationally excited levels 1v7, 1v6 and 1v5 of the hot core (HC) in Orion KL. The images show that the spatial distribution and the size emission from the 1v7 and 1v5 levels are different. While the J=10-9 1v7 line has a size of 4''x 6'' and peaks 1.1'' NE of the 3 mm continuum peak, the J=10--9 1v5 line emission is unresolved (<3'') and peaks 1.3'' south of the 3 mm peak. This is a clear indication that the HC is composed of condensations with very different temperatures (170 K for the 1v7 peak and $>230$ K for the 1v5 peak). The temperature derived from the 1v7 and 1v5 lines increases with the projected distance to the suspected main heating source I. Projection effects along the line of sight could explain the temperature gradient as produced by source I. However, the large luminosity required for source I, >5 10^5 Lsolar, to explain the 1v5 line suggests that external heating by this source may not dominate the heating of the HC. Simple model calculations of the vibrationally excited emission indicate that the HC can be internally heated by a source with a luminosity of 10^5 Lsolar, located 1.2'' SW of the 1v5 line peak (1.8'' south of source I). We also report the first detection of high-velocity gas from vibrationally excited HC3N emission. Based on excitation arguments we conclude that the main heating source is also driving the molecular outflow. We speculate that all the data presented in this letter and the IR images are consistent with a young massive protostar embedded in an edge-on disk.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures, To be published in Ap.J. Letter

The modular method: Milkfish pond culture

The modular method of milkfish culture (Chanos chanos) described in the manual is an improvement over the traditional extensive method. The manual is intended for the use of fish farmers and aquaculturists, extensionists, and students of aquaculture not only in the Philippines, but also in other milkfish-producing countries in Southeast Asia and the world. It covers the following: Interesting facts about milkfish -- biological characteristics, artificial breeding of milkfish; Design and operation of modular pond system -- pond preparation, stocking in the nursery or transition ponds, stocking in the rearing ponds, care of stock, pond utilization and production schedule, harvest and post-harvest; and, Economics and costing

Mudcrab, Scylla spp, production in brackishwater ponds

This manual covers the specifics of grow-out operation — site selection, pond specification, pond preparation, source of juveniles, transport and stocking, care of pond and stock, feeds and feeding, harvest, postharvest. Also includes costs-and-benefits analysis and a list of useful references.Mudcrab (Scylla spp) production in brackishwater ponds is now gaining popularity, especially in communities that need to supplement their income. The manual covers the following: Distribution; Grow-out operation in ponds - site selection, pond specification, pond preparation, source of juveniles, transport and stocking of juveniles, care of pond and stock, feeds and feeding, harvest, post-harvest; Production and profits; Cost and analysis. It is hoped that the manual will be of use to fishfarmers and aquaculturists, extensionists, and students of aquaculture not only in the Philippines but also in other mudcrab producing countries in Southeast Asia

Majorana fermions in pinned vortices

Exploiting the peculiar properties of proximity-induced superconductivity on the surface of a topological insulator, we propose a device which allows the creation of a Majorana fermion inside the core of a pinned Abrikosov vortex. The relevant Bogolyubov-de Gennes equations are studied analytically. We demonstrate that in this system the zero-energy Majorana fermion state is separated by a large energy gap, of the order of the zero-temperature superconducting gap $\Delta$, from a band of single-particle non-topological excitations. In other words, the Majorana fermion remains robust against thermal fluctuations, as long as the temperature remains substantially lower than the critical superconducting temperature. Experimentally, the Majorana state may be detected by measuring the tunneling differential conductance at the center of the Abrikosov vortex. In such an experiment, the Majorana state manifests itself as a zero-bias anomaly separated by a gap, of the order of $\Delta$, from the contributions of the nontopological excitations.Comment: 9 pages, 2 eps figures, new references are added, several typos are correcte

Effect of different lignocellulosic fibres on poly(ε-caprolactone)-based composites for potential applications in orthotics

This work compares the mechanical and thermal behaviour of fully biodegradable biocomposites based on polycaprolactone reinforced with three different natural fibres, namely hemp, sisal and coir, for potential applications in the field of orthoses. The same properties were further compared to those of two commercially available materials commonly used in the same prospective field. The results confirmed that the addition of natural fibres, irrespective of the origin of the fibres (leaf, bast or fruit) to a biodegradable matrix allows for significant improvement of the mechanical behaviour of the ensuing composites compared to traditional thermoplastic materials used in orthotics