Fluctuation properties of strength function associated with the giant quadrupole resonance in 208Pb

We performed fluctuation analysis by means of the local scaling dimension for the strength function of the isoscalar (IS) giant quadrupole resonance (GQR) in 208Pb where the strength function is obtained by the shell model calculation including 1p1h and 2p2h configurations. It is found that at almost all energy scales, fluctuation of the strength function obeys the Gaussian orthogonal ensemble (GOE) random matrix theory limit. This is contrasted with the results for the GQR in 40Ca, where at the intermediate energy scale about 1.7 MeV a deviation from the GOE limit was detected. It is found that the physical origin for this different behavior of the local scaling dimension is ascribed to the difference in the properties of the damping process.Comment: 10 pages, 14 figures, submitted to Physical Review

A Search for H-alpha Absorption in the Exosphere of the Transiting Extrasolar Planet HD 209458b

There is evidence that the transiting planet HD 209458b has a large exosphere of neutral hydrogen, based on a 15% decrement in Lyman-alpha flux that was observed by Vidal-Madjar et al. during transits. Here we report upper limits on H-alpha absorption by the exosphere. The results are based on optical spectra of the parent star obtained with the Subaru High Dispersion Spectrograph. Comparison of the spectra taken inside and outside of transit reveals no exospheric H-alpha signal greater than 0.1% within a 5.1A band (chosen to have the same Delta_lambda/lambda as the 15% Ly-alpha absorption). The corresponding limit on the column density of n=2 neutral hydrogen is N_2 <~ 10^9 cm^{-2}. This limit constrains proposed models involving a hot (~10^4 K) and hydrodynamically escaping exosphere.Comment: To appear in PASJ [9 pages, 5 figures]. Minor corrections to match published versio

The Dual Meissner Effect and Magnetic Displacement Currents

The dual Meissner effect is observed without monopoles in quenched $SU (2)$ QCD with Landau gauge-fixing. Magnetic displacement currents which are time-dependent Abelian magnetic fields play a role of solenoidal currents squeezing Abelian electric fields. Monopoles are not always necessary to the dual Meissner effect. The squeezing of the electric flux means the dual London equation and the massiveness of the Abelian electric fields as an asymptotic field. The mass generation of the Abelian electric fields is related to a gluon condensate $\neq 0$ of mass dimension 2.Comment: 4 pages, 5 Postscript figures, title modified, some references added, minor changes made ; Accepted for publication in Phys.Rev.Let

The Chemical and Ionization Conditions in Weak Mg II Absorbers

We present an analysis of the chemical and ionization conditions in a sample of 100 weak Mg II absorbers identified in the VLT/UVES archive of quasar spectra. Using a host of low ionization lines associated with each absorber in this sample, and on the basis of ionization models, we infer that the metallicity in a significant fraction of weak Mg II clouds is constrained to values of solar or higher, if they are sub-Lyman limit systems. Based on the observed constraints, we present a physical picture in which weak Mg II absorbers are predominantly tracing two different astrophysical processes/structures. A significant population of weak Mg II clouds, those in which N(Fe II) is much less than N(Mg II), identified at both low (z ~ 1) and high (z ~ 2) redshift, are potentially tracing gas in the extended halos of galaxies, analogous to the Galactic high velocity clouds. These absorbers might correspond to alpha-enhanced interstellar gas expelled from star-forming galaxies, in correlated supernova events. On the other hand, N(FeII) approximately equal to N(Mg II) clouds, which are prevalent only at lower redshifts (z < 1.5), must be tracing Type Ia enriched gas in small, high metallicity pockets in dwarf galaxies, tidal debris, or other intergalactic structures.Comment: 35 pages (including tables & figures). Accepted for publication in ApJ. A high resolution version of the paper is available at "http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~anand/weakMgII.pdf

Subaru HDS Transmission Spectroscopy of the Transiting Extrasolar Planet HD 209458b

We have searched for absorption in several common atomic species due to the atmosphere or exosphere of the transiting extrasolar planet HD 209458b, using high precision optical spectra obtained with the Subaru High Dispersion Spectrograph (HDS). Previously we reported an upper limit on H alpha absorption of 0.1% (3 sigma) within a 5.1\AA band. Using the same procedure, we now report upper limits on absorption due to the optical transitions of Na D, Li, H alpha, H beta, H gamma, Fe, and Ca. The 3 sigma upper limit for each transition is approximately 1% within a 0.3\AA band (the core of the line), and a few tenths of a per cent within a 2\AA band (the full line width). The wide-band results are close to the expected limit due to photon-counting (Poisson) statistics, although in the narrow-band case we have encountered unexplained systematic errors at a few times the Poisson level. These results are consistent with all previously reported detections and upper limits, but are significantly more sensitive.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figure

Abelian dominance and the dual Meissner effect in local unitary gauges in SU(2) gluodynamics

Performing highly precise Monte-Carlo simulations of SU(2) gluodynamics, we observe for the first time Abelian dominance in the confining part of the static potential in local unitary gauges such as the F12 gauge. We also study the flux-tube profile between the quark and antiquark in these local unitary gauges and find a clear signal of the dual Meissner effect. The Abelian electric field is found to be squeezed into a flux tube by the monopole supercurrent. This feature is the same as that observed in the non-local maximally Abelian gauge. These results suggest that the Abelian confinement scenario is gauge independent. Observing the important role of space-like monopoles in the Polyakov gauge also indicates that the monopoles defined on the lattice do not necessarily correspond to those proposed by 't Hooft in the context of Abelian projection.Comment: 4 pages, 7 figure

Pregnenolone Sulfate Potentiates the Inwardly Rectifying K+ Channel Kir2.3

BACKGROUND:Neurosteroids have various physiological and neuropsychopharmacological effects. In addition to the genomic effects of steroids, some neurosteroids modulate several neurotransmitter receptors and channels, such as N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A)) receptors, and sigma(1) receptors, and voltage-gated Ca(2+) and K(+) channels. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the various effects of neurosteroids have not yet been sufficiently clarified. In the nervous system, inwardly rectifying K(+) (Kir) channels also play important roles in the control of resting membrane potential, cellular excitability and K(+) homeostasis. Among constitutively active Kir2 channels in a major Kir subfamily, Kir2.3 channels are expressed predominantly in the forebrain, a brain area related to cognition, memory, emotion, and neuropsychiatric disorders. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:The present study examined the effects of various neurosteroids on Kir2.3 channels using the Xenopus oocyte expression assay. In oocytes injected with Kir2.3 mRNA, only pregnenolone sulfate (PREGS), among nine neurosteroids tested, reversibly potentiated Kir2.3 currents. The potentiation effect was concentration-dependent in the micromolar range, and the current-voltage relationship showed inward rectification. However, the potentiation effect of PREGS was not observed when PREGS was applied intracellularly and was not affected by extracellular pH conditions. Furthermore, although Kir1.1, Kir2.1, Kir2.2, and Kir3 channels were insensitive to PREGS, in oocytes injected with Kir2.1/Kir2.3 or Kir2.2/Kir2.3 mRNA, but not Kir2.1/Kir2.2 mRNA, PREGS potentiated Kir currents. These potentiation properties in the concentration-response relationships were less potent than for Kir2.3 channels, suggesting action of PREGS on Kir2.3-containing Kir2 heteromeric channels. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:The present results suggest that PREGS acts as a positive modulator of Kir2.3 channels. Kir2.3 channel potentiation may provide novel insights into the various effects of PREGS