68 research outputs found
Phenomenological covariant approach to gravity
We covariantly modify the Einstein-Hilbert action such that the modified
action perturbatively resolves the flat rotational velocity curve of the spiral
galaxies and gives rise to the Tully-Fisher relation, and dynamically generates
the cosmological constant. This modification requires introducing just a single
new universal parameter.Comment: v6: a mistake in deriving the equation of the cosmological constant
corrected, refs adde
Analysis of linear long-term trend of aerosol optical thickness derived from SeaWiFS using BAER over Europe and South China
The main purposes of the present paper are not only to investigate linear long-term trends of Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT) at 443 and 555 nm over regions in Europe and South China, but also to show the uncertainty caused by cloud disturbance in the trend analysis of cloud-free aerosol. These research areas are the densely urbanised and often highly polluted regions. The study uses the Bremen AErosol Retrieval (BAER) and Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) data for AOT retrievals in the specified regions from October 1997 to May 2008. In order to validate the individually retrieved AOTs and the corresponding trends, AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) level 2.0 data have been used. The retrieved AOTs were in good agreement with those of AERONET (0.79 ≤ <i>R</i> ≤ 0.88, 0.08 ≤ RMSD ≤ 0.13). The contamination of the aerosol retrievals and/or AERONET observations by thin clouds can significantly degrade the AOT and lead to statistically non-representative monthly-means, especially during cloudy seasons. Therefore an inter-correction method has been developed and applied. The "corrected" trends for both BAER SeaWiFS and AERONET AOT were similar and showed in average a relative difference of &sim;25.19%. In general terms, negative trends (decrease of aerosol loading) were mainly observed over European regions, with magnitudes up to −0.00453 and −0.00484 yr<sup>−1</sup> at 443 and 555 nm, respectively. In contrast, the trend in Pearl River Delta was positive, most likely attributed to rapid urbanization and industrialization. The magnitudes of AOT increased by +0.00761 and +0.00625 yr<sup>−1</sup> respectively at 443 and 555 nm
Effects of La substitution on superconducting state of CeCoIn5
We report effects of La substitution on superconducting state of heavy
fermion superconductor CeCoIn5, as seen in transport and magnetization
measurements. As opposed to the case of conventional superconductors, pair
breaking by nonmagnetic La results in depression of Tc and indicates strong gap
anisotropy. Upper critical field Hc2 values decrease with increased La
concentration, but the critical field anisotropy, gamma=Hc2(a)/Hc2(c), does not
change in the Ce_{1-x}La_xCoIn5 (x=0-0.15). The electronic system is in the
clean limit for all values of x.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev.
A critical analysis of high-redshift, massive galaxy clusters: I
We critically investigate current statistical tests applied to high redshift
clusters of galaxies in order to test the standard cosmological model and
describe their range of validity. We carefully compare a sample of
high-redshift, massive, galaxy clusters with realistic Poisson sample
simulations of the theoretical mass function, which include the effect of
Eddington bias. We compare the observations and simulations using the following
statistical tests: the distributions of ensemble and individual existence
probabilities (in the >M,>z sense), the redshift distributions, and the 2d
Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Using seemingly rare clusters from Hoyle et al.
(2011), and Jee et al. (2011) and assuming the same survey geometry as in Jee
et al. (2011, which is less conservative than Hoyle et al. 2011), we find that
the (>M,>z) existence probabilities of all clusters are fully consistent with
LCDM. However assuming the same survey geometry, we use the 2d K-S test
probability to show that the observed clusters are not consistent with being
the least probable clusters from simulations at >95% confidence, and are also
not consistent with being a random selection of clusters, which may be caused
by the non-trivial selection function and survey geometry. Tension can be
removed if we examine only a X-ray selected sub sample, with simulations
performed assuming a modified survey geometry.Comment: 20 pages, 6 figures, 2 tables, modified to match accepted version
(JCAP); title changed, main analysis unchanged, additional analysi
Toward an internally consistent astronomical distance scale
Accurate astronomical distance determination is crucial for all fields in
astrophysics, from Galactic to cosmological scales. Despite, or perhaps because
of, significant efforts to determine accurate distances, using a wide range of
methods, tracers, and techniques, an internally consistent astronomical
distance framework has not yet been established. We review current efforts to
homogenize the Local Group's distance framework, with particular emphasis on
the potential of RR Lyrae stars as distance indicators, and attempt to extend
this in an internally consistent manner to cosmological distances. Calibration
based on Type Ia supernovae and distance determinations based on gravitational
lensing represent particularly promising approaches. We provide a positive
outlook to improvements to the status quo expected from future surveys,
missions, and facilities. Astronomical distance determination has clearly
reached maturity and near-consistency.Comment: Review article, 59 pages (4 figures); Space Science Reviews, in press
(chapter 8 of a special collection resulting from the May 2016 ISSI-BJ
workshop on Astronomical Distance Determination in the Space Age
The Abell Cluster A586 and the Detection of the Equivalence Principle
We discuss the current bounds on the Equivalence Principle, in particular
from structure formation and, reexamine in this context, the recent claim on
the evidence of the interaction between dark matter and dark energy in the
Abell Cluster A586 and the ensued violation of the Equivalence Principle.Comment: 9 pages, 2 Figures. GRG forma
Cosmological distance indicators
We review three distance measurement techniques beyond the local universe:
(1) gravitational lens time delays, (2) baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO), and
(3) HI intensity mapping. We describe the principles and theory behind each
method, the ingredients needed for measuring such distances, the current
observational results, and future prospects. Time delays from strongly lensed
quasars currently provide constraints on with < 4% uncertainty, and with
1% within reach from ongoing surveys and efforts. Recent exciting discoveries
of strongly lensed supernovae hold great promise for time-delay cosmography.
BAO features have been detected in redshift surveys up to z <~ 0.8 with
galaxies and z ~ 2 with Ly- forest, providing precise distance
measurements and with < 2% uncertainty in flat CDM. Future BAO
surveys will probe the distance scale with percent-level precision. HI
intensity mapping has great potential to map BAO distances at z ~ 0.8 and
beyond with precisions of a few percent. The next years ahead will be exciting
as various cosmological probes reach 1% uncertainty in determining , to
assess the current tension in measurements that could indicate new
physics.Comment: Review article accepted for publication in Space Science Reviews
(Springer), 45 pages, 10 figures. Chapter of a special collection resulting
from the May 2016 ISSI-BJ workshop on Astronomical Distance Determination in
the Space Ag
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Spurious Shear in Weak Lensing with LSST
The complete 10-year survey from the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) will image {approx} 20,000 square degrees of sky in six filter bands every few nights, bringing the final survey depth to r {approx} 27.5, with over 4 billion well measured galaxies. To take full advantage of this unprecedented statistical power, the systematic errors associated with weak lensing measurements need to be controlled to a level similar to the statistical errors. This work is the first attempt to quantitatively estimate the absolute level and statistical properties of the systematic errors on weak lensing shear measurements due to the most important physical effects in the LSST system via high fidelity ray-tracing simulations. We identify and isolate the different sources of algorithm-independent, additive systematic errors on shear measurements for LSST and predict their impact on the final cosmic shear measurements using conventional weak lensing analysis techniques. We find that the main source of the errors comes from an inability to adequately characterise the atmospheric point spread function (PSF) due to its high frequency spatial variation on angular scales smaller than {approx} 10{prime} in the single short exposures, which propagates into a spurious shear correlation function at the 10{sup -4}-10{sup -3} level on these scales. With the large multi-epoch dataset that will be acquired by LSST, the stochastic errors average out, bringing the final spurious shear correlation function to a level very close to the statistical errors. Our results imply that the cosmological constraints from LSST will not be severely limited by these algorithm-independent, additive systematic effects
The elastic moduli of human subchondral, trabecular, and cortical bone tissue and the size-dependency of cortical bone modulus
The elastic moduli of human subchondral, trabecular, and cortical bone tissue from a proximal tibia were experimentally determined using three-point bending tests on a microstructural level. The mean modulus of subchondral specimens was 1.15 GPa, and those of trabecular and cortical specimens was 4.59 GPa and 5.44 GPa respectively. Significant differences were found in the modulus values between bone tissues, which may have mainly resulted from the differences in the microstructures of each bone tissue rather than in the mineral density. Furthermore, the size-dependency of the modulus was examined using eight different sizes of cortical specimens (heights h = 100-1000 [mu]m). While the modulus values for relatively large specimens (h > 500 [mu]m) remained fairly constant (approximately 15 GPa), the values decreased as the specimens became smaller. A significant correlation was found between the modulus and specimen size. The surface area to volume ratio proved to be a key variable to explain the size-dependency.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/28937/1/0000774.pd
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