1,783 research outputs found
Modified Gravity at Astrophysical Scales
Using a perturbative approach we solve stellar structure equations for
low-density (solar-type) stars whose interior is described with a polytropic
equation of state in scenarios involving a subset of modified gravity theories.
Rather than focusing on particular theories, we consider a model-independent
approach in which deviations from General Relativity are effectively described
by a single parameter . We find that for length scales below those set by
stellar General Relativistic radii the modifications introduced by modified
gravity can affect the computed values of masses and radii. As a consequence,
the stellar luminosity is also affected. We discuss possible further
implications for higher density stars and observability of the effects before
described.Comment: 12 pages, 7figures, matches published versio
An overview of current status of carbon dioxide capture and storage technologies
AbstractGlobal warming and climate change concerns have triggered global efforts to reduce the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) is considered a crucial strategy for meeting CO2 emission reduction targets. In this paper, various aspects of CCS are reviewed and discussed including the state of the art technologies for CO2 capture, separation, transport, storage, leakage, monitoring, and life cycle analysis. The selection of specific CO2 capture technology heavily depends on the type of CO2 generating plant and fuel used. Among those CO2 separation processes, absorption is the most mature and commonly adopted due to its higher efficiency and lower cost. Pipeline is considered to be the most viable solution for large volume of CO2 transport. Among those geological formations for CO2 storage, enhanced oil recovery is mature and has been practiced for many years but its economical viability for anthropogenic sources needs to be demonstrated. There are growing interests in CO2 storage in saline aquifers due to their enormous potential storage capacity and several projects are in the pipeline for demonstration of its viability. There are multiple hurdles to CCS deployment including the absence of a clear business case for CCS investment and the absence of robust economic incentives to support the additional high capital and operating costs of the whole CCS process
Primordial torsion fields as an explanation of the anisotropy in cosmological electromagnetic propagation
In this note we provide a simple explanation of the recent finding of
anisotropy in electromagnetic (EM) propagation claimed by Nodland and Ralston
(astro-ph/9704196). We consider, as a possible origin of such effect, the
effective coupling between EM fields and some tiny background torsion field.
The coupling is obtained after integrating out charged fermions, it is gauge
invariant and does not require the introduction of any new physics.Comment: 8 pages, LaTeX, one figure, enlarged version with minor correction
Cosmology with moving dark energy and the CMB quadrupole
We study the consequences of a homogeneous dark energy fluid having a
non-vanishing velocity with respect to the matter and radiation large-scale
rest frames. We consider homogeneous anisotropic cosmological models with four
fluids (baryons, radiation, dark matter and dark energy) whose velocities can
differ from each other. Performing a perturbative calculation up to second
order in the velocities, we obtain the contribution of the anisotropies
generated by the fluids motion to the CMB quadrupole and compare with
observations. We also consider the exact problem for arbitrary velocities and
solve the corresponding equations numerically for different dark energy models.
We find that models whose equation of state is initially stiffer than
radiation, as for instance some tracking models, are unstable against velocity
perturbations, thus spoiling the late-time predictions for the energy
densities. In the case of scaling models, the contributions to the quadrupole
can be non-negligible for a wide range of initial conditions. We also consider
fluids moving at the speed of light (null fluids) with positive energy and show
that, without assuming any particular equation of state, they generically act
as a cosmological constant at late times. We find the parameter region for
which the models considered could be compatible with the measured (low)
quadrupole.Comment: 23 pages, 6 figures. Confidence intervals calculated from WMAP data,
new references and comments included. Final version to appear in PR
Some model-independent phenomenological consequences of flexible brane worlds
In this work we will review the main properties of brane-world models with
low tension. Starting from very general principles, it is possible to obtain an
effective action for the relevant degrees of freedom at low energies (branons).
Using the cross sections for high-energy processes involving branons, we set
bounds on the different parameters appearing in these models. We also show that
branons provide a WIMP candidate for dark matter in a natural way. We consider
cosmological constraints on its thermal and non-thermal relic abundances. We
derive direct detection limits and compare those limits with the preferred
parameter region in the case in which the EGRET excess in the diffuse galactic
gamma rays is due to dark matter annihilation. Finally we will discuss the
constraints coming from the precision tests of the Standard Model and the muon
anomalous magnetic moment.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures. Contribution to the Proceedings of the Second
International Conference on Quantum Theories and Renormalization Group in
Gravity and Cosmology, IRGAC 2006, Barcelona, 11-15 July, 200
Continuous harvesting costs in sole-owner fisheries with increasing marginal returns
We develop a bioeconomic model to analyze a sole-owner fishery with fixed costs as well as a continuous cost function for the generalized Cobb-Douglas production function with increasing marginal returns to effort level. On the basis of data from the North Sea herring fishery, we analyze the consequences of the combined effects of increasing marginal returns and fixed costs. We find that regardless of the magnitude of the fixed costs, cyclical policies can be optimal instead of the optimal steady state equilibrium advocated in much of the existing literature. We also show that the risk of stock collapse increases significantly with increasing fixed costs as this implies higher period cycles which is a quite counterintuitive result as higher costs usually are considered to have a conservative effect on resources.Bioeconomic modelling; Stock collapse; Fixed costs; Pulse fishing; Cyclical dynamics; Increasing marginal returns
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A study of the antioxidant capacity of oak wood used in wine ageing and the correlation with polyphenol composition
The antioxidant capacity of oak wood used in the ageing of wine was studied by four different methods: measurement of scavenging capacity against a given radical (ABTS, DPPH), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Although, the four methods tested gave comparable results for the antioxidant capacity measured in oak wood extracts, the ORAC method gave results with some differences from the other methods. Non-toasted oak wood samples displayed more antioxidant power than toasted ones due to differences in the polyphenol compositon. A correlation analysis revealed that ellagitannins were the compounds mainly responsible for the antioxidant capacity of oak wood. Some phenolic acids, mainly gallic acid, also showed a significant correlation with antioxidant capacity
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