Dirac quantization of membrane in time dependent orbifold

We present quantum theory of a membrane propagating in the vicinity of a time dependent orbifold singularity. The dynamics of a membrane, with the parameters space topology of a torus, winding uniformly around compact dimension of the embedding spacetime is mathematically equivalent to the dynamics of a closed string in a flat FRW spacetime. The construction of the physical Hilbert space of a membrane makes use of the kernel space of self-adjoint constraint operators. It is a subspace of the representation space of the constraints algebra. There exist non-trivial quantum states of a membrane evolving across the singularity.Comment: 16 pages, no figures, version accepted for publication in Journal of High Energy Physic

Personality Factors and Operant Heart Rate Conditioning

The present study was concerned with certain individual differences that relate to a subject’s ability to increase his heart rate on command when given appropriate external feedback. The main purpose was to extend to the operant conditioning paradigm Eysenck’s theory that introverts classically condition more readily than extraverts. A second purpose was to determine which personality factors—extraversion, anxiety, and ability to perceive autonomic responses—contribute to heart rate control in operant conditioning. The Eysenck Personality Inventory and the Autonomic Perception Questionnaire were administered to 46 undergraduate males who attempted to accelerate their heart rates, with visual proportional feedback provided, during 20, 30-sec trials. Results indicated that heart rate acceleration did not correlate with any of the variables examined. The findings are discussed in light of previous related studies and suggestions for future research are provided

Bianchi I model in terms of nonstandard loop quantum cosmology: Quantum dynamics

We analyze the quantum Bianchi I model in the setting of the nonstandard loop quantum cosmology. Elementary observables are used to quantize the volume operator. The spectrum of the volume operator is bounded from below and discrete. The discreteness may imply a foamy structure of spacetime at semiclassical level. The results are described in terms of a free parameter specifying loop geometry to be determined in astro-cosmo observations. An evolution of the quantum model is generated by the so-called true Hamiltonian, which enables an introduction of a time parameter valued in the set of all real numbers.Comment: 18 pages, version accepted for publication by Class. Quant. Gra

Evolution in bouncing quantum cosmology

We present the method of describing an evolution in quantum cosmology in the framework of the reduced phase space quantization of loop cosmology. We apply our method to the flat Friedman-Robertson-Walker model coupled to a massless scalar field. We identify the physical quantum Hamiltonian that is positive-definite and generates globally an unitary evolution of considered quantum system. We examine properties of expectation values of physical observables in the process of the quantum big bounce transition. The dispersion of evolved observables are studied for the Gaussian state. Calculated relative fluctuations enable an examination of the semi-classicality conditions and possible occurrence of the cosmic forgetfulness. Preliminary estimations based on the cosmological data suggest that there was no cosmic amnesia. Presented results are analytical, and numerical computations are only used for the visualization purposes. Our method may be generalized to sophisticated cosmological models including the Bianchi type universes.Comment: 28 pages, 7 figures. Matches version published in Class. Quantum Gra

Footprint Areas of Pollen From Alder (Alnus) and Birch (Betula) in the UK (Worcester) and Poland (Wrocław) During 2005–2014

In this study we analyzed daily pollen concentrations of Alnus spp. and Betula spp. from Worcester, UK and Wrocław, Poland. We analyzed seasonality, annual pollen index and footprint areas for the observed pollen concentrations by using the trajectory model hybrid single particle Lagrangian integrated trajectory (HYSPLIT). We examined 10 years of data during the period 2005–2014 and found substantial differences in the seasonality, pollen indices and footprint areas. For both genera, concentrations in Wrocław are in general much higher, the seasons are shorter and therefore more intense than in Worcester. The reasons appear to be related to the differences in overall climate between the two sites and more abundant sources in Poland than in England. The footprint areas suggest that the source of the pollen grains are mainly local trees but appear to be augmented by remote sources, in particular for Betula spp. but only to a small degree for Alnus spp. For Betula spp., both sites appear to get contributions from areas in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, while known Betula spp. rich regions in Russia, Belarus and Scandinavia had a very limited impact on the pollen concentrations in Worcester and Wrocław. Substantial and systematic variations in pollen indices are seen for Betula spp. in Wrocław with high values every second year while a similar pattern is not observed for Worcester. This pattern was not reproduced for Alnus spp

Measurement of fast and thermal neutron flux from the d + D reaction using the activation method

LPSC-acc ;

Production of a C-15 radioactive ion beam based on O-18(n, alpha)

.In the context of the SPIRAL2 radioactive beam facility the production rate of the neutron-rich C-15 nucleus by O-18(n,) has been investigated. In a water target of 20 cm(3), enriched in O-18 and placed behind the neutron converter, a rate of a few 10(10) nuclei per second can be reached with 1mA of 40MeV deuterons. A O-18(n,) cross-section based on the activation method is proposed. It is intermediate between the highest and lowest evaluations available to date.Peer reviewe

A smooth bouncing cosmology with scale invariant spectrum

We present a bouncing cosmology which evolves from the contracting to the expanding phase in a smooth way, without developing instabilities or pathologies and remaining in the regime of validity of 4d effective field theory. A nearly scale invariant spectrum of perturbations is generated during the contracting phase by an isocurvature scalar with a negative exponential potential and then converted to adiabatic. The model predicts a slightly blue spectrum, n_S >~ 1, no observable gravitational waves and a high (but model dependent) level of non-Gaussianities with local shape. The model represents an explicit and predictive alternative to inflation, although, at present, it is clearly less compelling.Comment: 20 pages, 1 fig. v2: references added, JCAP published versio

Oak pollen in the air of Poland in 2017

The aim of the study was to compare the pollen season of oak in the cities of Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Cracow, Katowice, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Lublin, Olsztyn, Opole, Szczecin, Warsaw, Wroclaw and Zielona Gora in 2017. Measurements were performed by the volumetric method (Hirst type pollen sampler). Seasonal Pollen Index (SPI) was estimated as the sum of daily average pollen concentrations in the given season. Pollen season was defined as the period in which 98% of the annual total catch occurred. The pollen season of oak started first in Szczecin, on the 1st April, and lasted till the end of May. At the latest pollen season ended in Olsztyn on the 1st June. However, in the most of other cities the season lasted till the end of May. The differences of pollen seasons duration were considerables from 28 to 56 days. The highest, record airborne concentration of 342 pollen grains/m3 was noted in Warsaw on the 17th May. The maximum values of seasonal pollen count occurred between of 11th and 20th May. The highest oak pollen allergen hazard occurred in 2017 in Piotrkow Trybunalski, Lublin and Warsaw

Alder pollen season in poland in 2018

Alder pollen grains constitute the important allergen sources in this respect in the Northern Hemisphere. The aim of the study was to investigate the concentration of alder (Alnus spp.) in Bialystok, Bydgoszcz, Cracow, Drawsko Pomorskie, Lublin, Olsztyn, Opole, Piotrkow Trybunalski, Sosnowiec, Szczecin, Warsaw, Wroclaw and Zielona Gora in 2018. Measurements were performed by the volumetric method (Burkard and Lanzoni pollen samplers). Seasonal Pollen Index (SPI) was estimated as the annual sum of daily average pollen concentrations. The pollen season of alder in all Polish stations began on the 11th and 13th March and the high concentration persisted until the first days of April. The highest, record airborne concentration of 1068 pollen grains/m3 was noted in Lublin on the 13th March. The peak values of seasonal pollen count occurred between of 11th March and 4th April in all cities. In 2018 pollen concentration of alder was one of the lowest in all analysed cities