Radiating Collapse with Vanishing Weyl stresses

In a recent approach in modelling a radiating relativistic star undergoing gravitational collapse the role of the Weyl stresses was emphasised. It is possible to generate a model which is physically reasonable by approximately solving the junction conditions at the boundary of the star. In this paper we demonstrate that it is possible to solve the Einstein field equations and the junction conditions exactly. This exact solution contains the Friedmann dust solution as a limiting case. We briefly consider the radiative transfer within the framework of extended irreversible thermodynamics and show that relaxational effects significantly alter the temperature profiles.Comment: 10 pages, submitted to IJMP-

On the absence of the usual weak-field limit, and the impossibility of embedding some known solutions for isolated masses in cosmologies with f(R) dark energy

This version deposited at arxiv 02-10-12 arXiv:1210.0730v1. Subsequently published in Physical Review D as Phys. Rev. D 87, 063517 (2013) http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevD.87.063517. Copyright American Physical Society (APS).11 pages11 pages11 pages11 pagesThe problem of matching different regions of spacetime in order to construct inhomogeneous cosmological models is investigated in the context of Lagrangian theories of gravity constructed from general analytic functions f(R), and from non-analytic theories with f(R)=R^n. In all of the cases studied, we find that it is impossible to satisfy the required junction conditions without the large-scale behaviour reducing to that expected from Einstein's equations with a cosmological constant. For theories with analytic f(R) this suggests that the usual treatment of weak-field systems may not be compatible with late-time acceleration driven by anything other than a constant term of the form f(0), which acts like a cosmological constant. For theories with f(R)=R^n we find that no known spherically symmetric vacuum solutions can be matched to an expanding FLRW background. This includes the absence of any Einstein-Straus-like embeddings of the Schwarzschild exterior solution in FLRW spacetimes

Competition Between T=0 and T=1 Pairing in Proton-Rich Nuclei

A cranked mean-field model with two-body T=1 and T=0 pairing interactions is presented. Approximate projection onto good particle-number is enforced via an extended Lipkin-Nogami scheme. Our calculations suggest the simultaneous presence of both T=0 and T=1 pairing modes in N=Z nuclei. The transitions between different pairing phases are discussed as a function of neutron/proton excess, T$_z$, and rotational frequency, $\hbar\omega$. The additional binding energy due to the T=0 $np$-pairing correlations, is suggested as a possible microscopic explanation of the Wigner energy term in even-even nuclei.Comment: 8 RevTeX pages, 3 uuencoded POSTSCRIPT figures include

Fish farming through community participation in Assam

The community tanks and ponds in India are seldom used for fish culture. Fish culture as a community based activity.has been shown to be economicallY viable"in some:p~. of the country. This paper describes the success story of fish farmin

Variations on Birkhoff's theorem

The relation between the expanding universe and local vacuum solutions, such as that for the Solar System, is crucially mediated by Birkhoff's theorem. Here we consider how that relation works, and give generalizations of Birkhoff's theorem when there are geometric and matter and perturbations. The issue of to what degree dark matter might influence the solar system emerges as a significant question.Comment: Conference proceeding for ERE 2012, submitted to GRG for ERE2012 special issue, based on arXiv:1005.1809, arXiv:1101.4520 and arXiv:1202.024

Endocranial Morphology of the Extinct North American Lion (Panthera atrox)

The extinct North American lion (Panthera atrox) is one of the largest felids (Mammalia, Carnivora) to have ever lived, and it is known from a plethora of incredibly well-preserved remains. Despite this abundance of material, there has been little research into its endocranial anatomy. CT scans of a skull of P. atrox from the Pleistocene La Brea Tar pits were used to generate the first virtual endocranium for this species and to elucidate previously unknown details of its brain size and gross structure, cranial nerves, and inner-ear morphology. Results show that its gross brain anatomy is broadly similar to that of other pantherines, although P. atrox displays less cephalic flexure than either extant lions or tigers, instead showing a brain shape that is reminiscent of earlier felids. Despite this unusual reduction in flexure, the estimated absolute brain size for this specimen is one of the largest reported for any felid, living or extinct. Its encephalization quotient (brain size as a fraction of the expected brain mass for a given body mass) is also larger than that of extant lions but similar to that of the other pantherines. The advent of CT scans has allowed nondestructive sampling of anatomy that cannot otherwise be studied in these extinct lions, leading to a more accurate reconstruction of endocranial morphology and its evolution