Piezoelectric transducer

Transducer consists of a hybrid thin film and a piezoelectric transistor that acts as a stress-sensitive device with built-in gain. It provides a stress/strain transducer that incorporates a signal amplification stage and sensor in a single package

Isotopic ratios at z=0.68 from molecular absorption lines toward B 0218+357

Isotopic ratios of heavy elements are a key signature of the nucleosynthesis processes in stellar interiors. The contribution of successive generations of stars to the metal enrichment of the Universe is imprinted on the evolution of isotopic ratios over time. We investigate the isotopic ratios of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur through millimeter molecular absorption lines arising in the z=0.68 absorber toward the blazar B 0218+357. We find that these ratios differ from those observed in the Galactic interstellar medium, but are remarkably close to those in the only other source at intermediate redshift for which isotopic ratios have been measured to date, the z=0.89 absorber in front of PKS1830-211. The isotopic ratios in these two absorbers should reflect enrichment mostly from massive stars, and they are indeed close to the values observed toward local starburst galaxies. Our measurements set constraints on nucleosynthesis and chemical evolution models.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics; 10 pages, 9 figure

Implications of Alternative Emission Trading Plans: Experimental Evidence

Two approaches to emissions trading are cap-and-trade, in which an aggregate cap on emissions is distributed in the form of emission allowances and baseline-and-credit, in which firms earn emission reduction credits for emissions below their baselines. Theoretical considerations suggest the long-run equilibria of the two plans will differ if baselines are proportional to output, because a variable baseline is equivalent to an output subsidy. To test this prediction we have developed a computerized environment in which subjects representing firms can adjust both their emission rates (per unit output) and capacity levels. Subjects buy or sell emission rights (allowances or credits) in a sealed bid call auction. The demand for output is simulated. All decisions are tracked through a double-entry bookkeeping system. This environment is to be used to compare short and long run responses to the alternative trading methods. Initial experiments in this environment will alternately hold emission rate and capacity choice constant. We report on six experimental sessions with variable emissions rates but fixed capacity and two pilot sessions with variable capacity but fixed emission rates.

Deep ALMA imaging of the merger NGC1614 - Is CO tracing a massive inflow of non-starforming gas?

Observations of the molecular gas over scales of 0.5 to several kpc provide crucial information on how gas moves through galaxies, especially in mergers and interacting systems, where it ultimately reaches the galaxy center, accumulates, and feeds nuclear activity. Studying the processes involved in the gas transport is an important step forward to understand galaxy evolution. 12CO, 13CO and C18O1-0 high-sensitivity ALMA observations were used to assess properties of the large-scale molecular gas reservoir and its connection to the circumnuclear molecular ring in NGC1614. The role of excitation and abundances were studied in this context. Spatial distributions of the 12CO and 13CO emission show significant differences. 12CO traces the large-scale molecular gas reservoir, associated with a dust lane that harbors infalling gas. 13CO emission is - for the first time - detected in the large-scale dust lane. Its emission peaks between dust lane and circumnuclear molecular ring. A 12CO-to-13CO1-0 intensity ratio map shows high values in the ring region (~30) typical for the centers of luminous galaxy mergers and even more extreme values in the dust lane (>45). This drop in ratio is consistent with molecular gas in the dust lane being in a diffuse, unbound state while being funneled towards the nucleus. We find a high 16O-to-18O abundance ratio in the starburst region (>900), typical of quiescent disk gas - by now, the starburst is expected to have enriched the nuclear ISM in 18O relative to 16O. The massive inflow of gas may be partially responsible for the low 18O/16O abundance since it will dilute the starburst enrichment with unprocessed gas from greater radii. The 12CO-to-13CO abundance is consistent with this scenario. It suggests that the nucleus of NGC1614 is in a transient phase of evolution where starburst and nuclear growth are fuelled by returning gas from the minor merger event.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in A&

A survey of HC_3N in extragalactic sources: Is HC_3N a tracer of activity in ULIRGs?

Context. HC_3N is a molecule that is mainly associated with Galactic star-forming regions, but it has also been detected in extragalactic environments. Aims. To present the first extragalactic survey of HC_3N, when combining earlier data from the literature with six new single-dish detections, and to compare HC_3N with other molecular tracers (HCN, HNC), as well as other properties (silicate absorption strength, IR flux density ratios, C_(II) flux, and megamaser activity). Methods. We present mm IRAM 30 m, OSO 20 m, and SEST observations of HC_3N rotational lines (mainly the J = 10–9 transition) and of the J = 1–0 transitions of HCN and HNC. Our combined HC_3N data account for 13 galaxies (excluding the upper limits reported for the non-detections), while we have HCN and HNC data for more than 20 galaxies. Results. A preliminary definition “HC_3N-luminous galaxy” is made based upon the HC_3N/HCN ratio. Most (~80%) HC_3N-luminous galaxies seem to be deeply obscured galaxies and (U)LIRGs. A majority (~60% or more) of the HC3N-luminous galaxies in the sample present OH mega- or strong kilomaser activity. A possible explanation is that both HC_3N and OH megamasers need warm dust for their excitation. Alternatively, the dust that excites the OH megamaser offers protection against UV destruction of HC_3N. A high silicate absorption strength is also found in several of the HC_3N-luminous objects, which may help the HC3N to survive. Finally, we find that a high HC_3N/HCN ratio is related to a high dust temperature and a low C_(II) flux

Molecular tendrils feeding star formation in the Eye of the Medusa - The Medusa merger in high resolution 12CO 2-1 maps

Studying molecular gas properties in merging galaxies gives us important clues to the onset and evolution of interaction-triggered starbursts. NGC4194 is particularly interesting to study since its FIR-to-CO luminosity ratio rivals that of ULIRGs,despite its lower luminosity compared to ULIRGs, which indicates a high star formation efficiency that is relative to even most spirals and ULIRGs.We study the molecular medium at an angular resolution of 0.65"x .52" through our observations of CO2-1 emission using the SMA. We compare our CO2-1 maps with optical HST and high angular resolution radio continuum images to study the relationship between molecular gas and other components of the starburst region. The molecular gas is tracing the complicated dust lane structure of NGC4194 with the brightest emission being located in an off-nuclear ring-like structure with ~320pc radius, the Eye of the Medusa. The bulk CO emission of the ring is found south of the kinematical center of NGC4194. The northern tip of the ring is associated with the galaxy nucleus, where the radio continuum has its peak. A prominent, secondary emission maximum in the radio continuum is located inside the molecular ring. This suggests that the morphology of the ring is partially influenced by massive supernova explosions. From the combined evidence, we propose that the Eye of the Medusa contains a shell of swept up material where we identify a number of giant molecular associations. We propose that the Eye may be the site of an efficient starburst of 5-7M_sun/yr, but it would still constitute only a fraction of the 30-50M_sun/yr SFR of NGC4194. Furthermore, we find that ~50% of the molecular mass of NGC4194 is found in extended filamentary-like structures tracing the minor and major axis dust lanes. We suggest that molecular gas is transported along these lanes providing the central starburst region with fuel.Comment: accepted for publication in A&A, 12 pages, 9 figure

Morphological evidence for a sea-ice origin for Elysium Planitia platy terrain

Abstract not available

Solvable senescence model with positive mutations

We build upon our previous analytical results for the Penna model of senescence to include positive mutations. We investigate whether a small but non-zero positive mutation rate gives qualitatively different results to the traditional Penna model in which no positive mutations are considered. We find that the high-lifespan tail of the distribution is radically changed in structure, but that there is not much effect on the bulk of the population. Th e mortality plateau that we found previously for a stochastic generalization of the Penna model is stable to a small positive mutation rate.Comment: 3 figure

Exact Results for Evaporating Black Holes in Curvature-Squared Lovelock Gravity: Gauss-Bonnet Greybody Factors

Lovelock gravity is an important extension of General Relativity that provides a promising framework to study curvature corrections to the Einstein action, while avoiding ghosts and keeping second order field equations. This paper derives the greybody factors for D-dimensional black holes arising in a theory with a Gauss-Bonnet curvature-squared term. These factors describe the non-trivial coupling between black holes and quantum fields during the evaporation process: they can be used both from a theoretical viewpoint to investigate the intricate spacetime structure around such a black hole, and for phenomenological purposes in the framework of braneworld models with a low Planck scale. We derive exact spectra for the emission of scalar, fermion and gauge fields emitted on the brane, and for scalar fields emitted in the bulk, and demonstrate how the Gauss-Bonnet term can change the bulk-to-brane emission rates ratio in favour of the bulk channel in particular frequency regimes.Comment: 29 pages, Latex file, 11 figures, Data files (greybody factors) available at http://lpsc.in2p3.fr/ams/greybody/, typos corrected, references added, version to appear in Phys. Rev.

Variations écologiques et chorologiques de la végétation macrophytique des rivières acides du Massif armoricain et des Vosges du Nord (France)

La végétation macrophytique des rivières acides d'Europe occidentale présente une grande unité, marquée par la constance d'un ensemble floristique de base, dont certaines espèces (Callitriche hamulata, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Potamogeton polygonifolius, P. alpinus, etc) sont propres à ces eaux acides, d'autres (Callitriche platycarpa, Sparganium emersum, Elodea canadensis, Potamogeton crispus, etc) étant communes avec les eaux calcaires.Cet ensemble subit des variations écologiques et chorologiques :L'augmentation du niveau trophique des eaux conduit d'une végétation oligotrophe (différenciée par P. polygonifolius, Juncus bulbosus, etc) à un groupement mésoeutrophe (caractérisé par Callitriche obtusangula, Nasturtium officinale, etc). Ainsi, quatre types de phytocénoses ont pu étre distingués dans les Vosges du Nord en fonction de ce paramètre. D'autre part, une pollution organique localisée, par exemple par une pisciculture en Bretagne, provoque une augmentation des espèces eutrophes (C. obtusangula) et une régression des taxons plus oligotrophes (Scapania undulata).L'alternance de biotopes courants et lents se traduit par un remplacement de phytocénoses : ainsi, en Bretagne, Oenanthe crocata et Ranunculus penicillafus sont associées sur les radiers, alors que Nuphar lutea et S. emersum caractérisent les mouilles. De plus, une diminution de l'éclairement permet la présence de groupements bryophytiques spécifiques.Les principales variations chorologiques entre les deux territoires correspondent à un enrichissement des zones atlantiques en macrophytes euatlantiques ou méditerranéoatiantiques, comme O. crocata ou Apium inundatum, qui manquent dans les régions médioeuropéennes. En outre, selon les territoires biogéographiques, l'écologie de certaines espèces peut varier (par exempte S. emersum, R. peltatus, P. polygonifolius).Les macrophytes permettent donc, à l'instar des invertébrés benthiques, l'élaboration de biodiagnostics des eaux courantes.For the study of the vegetation of acid rivers in France, two areas have been investigated by the authors : Armorican Massif and Northern Vosges (fig. 1).This paper has two aims :- assessing the general trends of macrophytic vegetation : floristic composition and plant communities, with special reference to the influence of physical and water quality parameters,- pointing out and interpreting the variations observed between the two regions (chorological differences), and in the watercourses (ecological variations).Floristic data and phytosociological surveys (from bryophytes to angiosperm macrophytes) were collected along 50 m. stretches (at least) by the stratified sampling method in the case of large watercourses, and by systematic surveys for smaller ones. Consecutive 50 m. long sketches were used to measure the effect of localized pollution. (The inventory is as precise as possible). A distinction was made between the aquatic communities and river-bankside ones. At the same time, physical parameters were measured or observed (depth, light conditions, width,...), certain water-quality parameters were measured (pH, conductivity,...) and water samples were collected for further analysis.The data collected are gathered and compared in a table (table 1) showing differences between aquatic and subaquatic species, and between sunlit and shaded stretches. Trophic tendencies of most species are given according to either our observations or the literature.The main ecological feature is the streaking longitudinal variation of aquatic species, which agrees with the zones described by ILLIES and BOTOSANEANU : crenon, rhitron and potamon. In sunlit areas the succession is dominated by the following species :Potamogeton polygonifolius, Juncus bulbosus, Glyceria fluitans,...-> Ranunculus spp., Callitriche hamulata, Myriophyllum alterniflorum,...     ->Potamogeton crispus, Elodea canadensis,...Areas in the shade are characterized by bryophyta; the succession is : Scapania ondulata->Rhynchostegim riparioïdes, Fontinalis antipyreticaAs for the aquatic species, a longitudinal succession of bankside species exists :Sparganium erectum, Carex paniculata, Carex rostrata->Phalaris arundinacea      ->Phalaris arundinacea, Typha latifoliaThe macrophytic vegetation in acid rivers of Western Europe shows a great homogeneity, marked by the constancy of a floristic list, in which some species (Callitriche hamulata, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Potamogeton polygonifolius, Potamogeton alpinus, Scapania undulata, etc.) only grow into acid waters, while others species (Callitriche platycarpa, Sparganium emersum, Elodea canadensis, Potamogeton crispus, etc.) grow also in calcareous waters.This basic unit is submitted to ecological and chorological variations.Ecological variations are due mainly to changes of the water quality. They are illustrated by two examples :- two river systems in the Northern Vosges where a general survey shows longitudinal variations of communities without pollution or assessing different kinds of pollution,- a pisciculture pollution with observations of species distribution on consecutive sketches.An increase of water trophic level leads progressively from an oligotrophic vegetation (marked by Potamogeton polygonifolius, Juncus bulbosus, etc.) to a meso-eutrophic community (characterized by Callitfriche obtusangula, Nasturtium officinale, etc.). Four communities are distinguished in Northern Vosges (table 2) and characterize water quality (both pollution and trophic level) :A : Potamogeton polygonifolius, Juncus bulbosus, Sphagnum spp. community, with the following main water-quality parameters : conductivity : 40-80 µS, phosphates : 500 ppb N).Two vegetation maps show the distribution of these communities (fig. 2). The succession of communities is related to water quality and fastened sequences are compared to normal ones. Without any pollution, A and B communities caver more than 5 km along the upper streams; under these conditions, the entire sequence A to D develops to 15 km, while with much anthropic pollution, it may occur within less than 3 km. A heavy pollution leads to the leads of communities as observed with the change tram A to C (without any B) due to a camping-site.A localized organic pollution by a Breton pisciculture is responsible for water-quality changes (table 3): ammonia, nitrites, phosphates and conductivity increase. The succession of mineral nitrogen forms is assessed (fig. 3). In the N-NH4+ and N-NO2- peak areas, the eutrophic species increase (Callitriche spp., specially Callitriche obtusangula, Amblystegium riparium) and the oligotrophic ones decrease (Scapania undulata) (fig. 3). Tissue analysis of Ranunculus penicillatus and of Callitriche spp. does not show any enrichment in nitrogen in polluted areas: the ecological response is mainly an increase of nitrophilous macrophytes (Callitriche spp.).The influence of water quality is more obvious in the Northern Vosges for most of the oligotrophic communities grow in forested sketches, white in Brittany these conditions are rare and eutrophication occurs in all the streams, even in the source areas. Floristically, neutrophilous or ubiquitous species are numerous. Some of them indicate either eutrophication or pollution : Amblystegium riparium and perhaps Octodiceras fontanum for bryophyta, Callitriche obtusangula, Potamageton perfoliatus and Sparganium. emersum (long leaves form), for aquatic species, Nasturtium officinale, Glyceria maxima for helophytes.Physical parameters also lead to variations. The succession of swift and slow areas leads to changes in the communities. Thus, in Brittany, Oenanthe crocata and Ranunculus penicillatus are associated on the riffles, while Nuphar lutes and Sparganium emersum characterize the pools, even in the upper parts of the streams where there are watermill ponds.The relationships between local hydrodynamic features and species distribution are discussed with regards to the stretches around the pisciculture area.Main chorological variation is an enrichment of atlantic areas with numerous eu-atlantic or mediterraneo-atlantic species : Porella pinnata and Amblystegium fluviatile as bryophyla, Oenanthe crocata, Apium inundatum, Ranunculus omiophyllus as spermaphyta. As there are few or no species restricted to medio-european areas, Atlantic communities are often richer than eastern ones. But some invading species as Elodea nuttallii are spreading all over the country from North-Eastern France.Ecological trends of certain species (Sparganium emersum, Ranunculus peltatus, Potamogeton polygonifolius) can change between the two biogeographical areas. So, Sparganium emersum grows in the upper oligotrophic zones in Northern Vosges while it characterizes lower meso-eutrophic zones in Brittany. In Brittany, Ranunculus peltatus un exist in eutrophic areas when the stretches are far from the sea. Potamogeton polygonifolius is very rare in swift streams in Brittany.Therefore, macrophytes permit, as benthic invertebrates do, to get a river biodiagnosis. They are easily observed and mapped so they can be used for a general survey