5,450 research outputs found
The baryon density at z=0.9-1.9 - Tracing the warm-hot intergalactic medium with broad Lyman alpha absorption
We present an analysis of the Lyman alpha forests of five quasar spectra in
the near UV. Properties of the intergalactic medium (IGM) at an intermediate
redshift interval (0.9 < z < 1.9) are studied. The amount of baryons in the
diffuse photoionised IGM and the warm-hot intergalactic medium (WHIM) are
traced to get constraints on the redshift evolution of the different phases of
the intergalactic gas. The baryon density of the diffuse IGM is determined with
photoionisation calculations under the assumption of local hydrostatic
equilibrium. We assume that the gas is ionised by a metagalactic background
radiation with a Haardt & Madau (2001) spectrum. The WHIM is traced with broad
Lyman alpha (BLA) absorption. The properties of a number of BLA detections are
studied. Under the assumption of collisional ionisation equilibrium a lower
limit to the baryon density could be estimated. It is found that the diffuse
photoionised IGM contains at least 25% of the total baryonic matter at
redshifts 1 < z < 2. For the WHIM a lower limit of 2.4% could be determined.
Furthermore the data indicates that the intergalactic gas is in a state of
evolution at z=1.5. We confirm that a considerable part of the WHIM is created
between z=1 and z=2.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication in A&
Representations of p-brane topological charge algebras
The known extended algebras associated with p-branes are shown to be
generated as topological charge algebras of the standard p-brane actions. A
representation of the charges in terms of superspace forms is constructed. The
charges are shown to be the same in standard/extended superspace formulations
of the action.Comment: 22 pages. Typos fixed, refs added. Minor additions to comments
sectio
Aging and memory properties of topologically frustrated magnets
The model 2d kagome system (H3O)Fe3(SO4)2(OH)6 and the 3d pyrochlore Y2Mo2O7
are two well characterized examples of low-disordered frustrated
antiferromagnets which rather then condensing into spin liquid have been found
to undergo a freezing transition with spin glass-like properties. We explore
more deeply the comparison of their properties with those of spin glasses, by
the study of characteristic rejuvenation and memory effects in the
non-stationary susceptibility. While the pyrochlore shows clear evidence for
these non-trivial effects, implying temperature selective aging, that is
characteristic of a wide hierarchical distribution of equilibration processes,
the kagome system does n not show clearly these effects. Rather, it seems to
evolve towards the same final state independently of temperature.Comment: submitted for the proceedings of the 46th MMM conference (Seattle,
2001
Static Critical Behavior of the Spin-Freezing Transition in the Geometrically Frustrated Pyrochlore Antiferromagnet Y2Mo2O7
Some frustrated pyrochlore antiferromagnets, such as Y2Mo2O7, show a
spin-freezing transition and magnetic irreversibilities below a temperature Tf
similar to what is observed nonlinear magnetization measurements on Y2Mo2O7
that provide strong evidence that there is an underlying thermodynamic phase
transition at Tf, which is characterized by critical exponents \gamma \approx
2.8 and \beta \approx 0.8. These values are typical of those found in random
spin glasses, despite the fact that the level of random disorder in Y2Mo2O7 is
immeasurably small.Comment: Latex file, calls for 4 encapsulated postscript figures (included).
Submitted to Phys. Rev. Letters
Molecular quantum cellular automata cell design trade-offs: latching vs. power dissipation.
The use of molecules to enact quantum cellular automata (QCA) cells has been proposed as a new way for performing electronic logic operations at sub-nm dimensions. A key question that arises concerns whether chemical or physical processes are to be exploited. The use of chemical reactions allows the state of a switch element to be latched in molecular form, making the output of a cell independent of its inputs, but costs energy to do the reaction. Alternatively, if purely electronic polarization is manipulated then no internal latching occurs, but no power is dissipated provided the fields from the inputs change slowly compared to the molecular response times. How these scenarios pan out is discussed by considering calculated properties of the 1,4-diallylbutane cation, a species often used as a paradigm for molecular electronic switching. Utilized are results from different calculation approaches that depict the ion either as a charge-localized mixed-valence compound functioning as a bistable switch, or else as an extremely polarizable molecule with a delocalized electronic structure. Practical schemes for using molecular cells in QCA and other devices emerge
On the Metallicity-Color Relations and Bimodal Color Distributions in Extragalactic Globular Cluster Systems
We perform a series of numerical experiments to study how the nonlinear
metallicity--color relations predicted by different stellar population models
affect the color distributions observed in extragalactic globular cluster
systems. % We present simulations in the bandpasses based on five
different sets of simple stellar population (SSP) models. The presence of
photometric scatter in the colors is included as well. % We find that unimodal
metallicity distributions frequently ``project'' into bimodal color
distributions. The likelihood of this effect depends on both the mean and
dispersion of the metallicity distribution, as well as of course on the SSP
model used for the transformation. % Adopting the Teramo-SPoT SSP models for
reference, we find that optical--to--near-IR colors should be favored with
respect to other colors to avoid the bias effect in globular cluster color
distributions discussed by \citet{yoon06}. In particular, colors such as \vh\
or \vk are more robust against nonlinearity of the metallicity--color relation,
and an observed bimodal distribution in such colors is more likely to indicate
a true underlying bimodal metallicity distribution. Similar conclusions come
from the simulations based on different SSP models, although we also identify
exceptions to this result.Comment: ApJ accepte
Reindeer and caribou (Rangifer tarandus) response towards human activities
We address the question of how human activities and infrastructure influence reindeer/caribou’s (Rangifer tarandus) behaviour and habitat use and review studies based on current methodologies. Anthropogenic activities have a direct affect on Rangifer behaviour through the senses hearing, sight and smell, and all of these are important tools for behavioural risk assessment. Short term indirect responses, such as habituation, sensitisation, avoidance, and displacement, develop through neutral, positive or negative associations towards stimulus in terms of Rangifer’s ability to experience, learn, and remember. Long term behavioural responses develop through interaction with predators and, for reindeer, also domestication. A survey of the literature dealing with behavioural studies reveals that although Rangifer in most cases retreat from anthropogenic activities, comfort distances (i.e. distances beyond which animal behaviour or activity are not influenced) are relatively short. In most cases, energetic implications appear moderate and small compared to other natural, biotic influences such as disturbance (and death) caused by insect and/or predator harassment. Unless obstructing access, physical constructions of various kinds apparently have limited effects on Rangifer behaviour or habitat use. On the other hand, constructions that do obstruct or limit access and recreational or other motorized and non-motorized activities appear to have stronger impacts on avoidance and redistribution of Rangifer. Behavioural effects that might decrease survival and reproduction include retreat from favourable habitat near disturbance sources and reduction of time spent feeding with resulting energy depletion over time. Rangifer habitat use, habitat avoidance, and feeding preferences are governed by a complexity of natural interacting factors. Domestication, habituation and sensitisation are essential in shaping Rangifer’s adaptability, and should be included in future studies on reindeer and caribou responses towards various anthropogenic activities. Although cumulative effects from human activities are likely, it remains difficult to separate these from natural variations in Rangifer habitat use and demography. Habitat avoidance towards various human infrastructures and activities is reported, but most studies reporting relatively far (4-25 km) avoidance distances relied on measurements of range properties and animal distribution recorded on 1-2 days annually in winter to induce a potential response from the animals and lack important environmental variables and/or alternative hypothesises. This methodology should be improved in order to enable identification of correlation versus causation. Studies relying on animal behaviour measurements can more correctly identify and test responses to various stimuli while also controlling for degree of domestication and other various environmental variables, but only in a limited time and spatial scale. Furthermore, such studies may not necessarily capture potential population consequences from disturbances. Thus, there are important weaknesses in the two leading methodologies (measuring animal behaviour and indirectly mapping regional/population movements and habitat use through measurements of range properties). To best study Rangifer’s responses towards anthropogenic infrastructure and activities, we propose that the two methodologies be combined and supplied with modern GPS/telemetry.Abstract in Norwegian / Sammendrag:Rein og caribous reaksjon på forskjellige menneskelige aktiviteter og installasjoner Vi adresserer spørsmålet om hvordan menneskelig aktivitet og infrastruktur påvirker rein/caribous (Rangifer tarandus) atferd og områdebruk og gjennomgår publiserte arbeider basert på aktuelle metoder. Antropogene aktiviteter har direkte effekt på reinens atferd via hørsel, syn og lukt; alle er viktige for deres risikovurdering. Kortsiktige indirekte reaksjonsmønstre, slik som habituering, sensitivisering, unnvikelse og fortrengning utvikles gjennom nøytrale, positive eller negative opplevelser av stimuli i henhold til erfaring, læring og hukommelse. Utviklingen av permanente atferdsmønstre skjer ved samvirke med predatorer og for reinens del, også ved domestisering. En litteraturoversikt om atferdsstudier viser at selv om Rangifer i de fleste tilfeller unnviker antropogene virksomheter, så er de avstander dyrene velger å ha mellom seg og infrastruktur uten at normalatferden endres, relativt korte. De energimessige implikasjonene er også beskjedne sammenlignet med virkningen av naturlige stressfaktorer så som forstyrrelser (og død) forårsaket av insekter og predatorer. Fysiske installasjoner av ulik art har også begrenset effekt med mindre de fysisk hindrer Rangifers områdebruk. På den annen side vil fysiske installasjoner, som hindrer eller begrenser bruken av områder, og trafikk, både fottrafikk og trafikk med motorkjøretøy, kunne ha sterkere virkning på unnvikelsesatferd og områdebruk. Atferdsmessige effekter som kan redusere overlevelse og reproduksjon omfatter unnvikelse fra beiteområder nær forstyrrelseskilder. For Rangifer er det negative resultatet av dette øket aktivitet, redusert beitetid og nedbygging av energireserver. Rangifers områdebruk, unnvikelsesatferd og næringspreferanser bestemmes ut fra et kompleks av naturlige og gjensidig påvirkende faktorer. Domestisering, habituering og sensitivisering som er sentrale begrep i utformningen av Rangifers tilpasningsevne, bør inkluderes i fremtidige studier av rein og caribous reaksjon på antropogene aktiviteter. Selv om en kumulativ atferdseffekt av menneskelige aktiviteter er mulig, er det vanskelig å skille slike fra naturlige variasjoner som følge av variasjoner i områdebruk og bestandsdynamiske forhold. Habitatunnvikelse som følge av menneskelig påvirkning er rapportert. De fleste studiene som rapporterer relativt lange unnvikelsesavstander (4-25 km) er imidlertid basert på målinger av beiteslitasje og lokalisering av dyr registrert i løpet av 1-2 dager årlig i løpet av vinteren og mangler viktige miljøparametere og/eller alternative hypoteser. Denne metoden bør forbedres for å kunne skille mellom korrelasjon og kausalitet. Målinger av atferd gjør mulig en mer korrekt testing av Rangifers reaksjon på ulike antropogene stimuli samtidig som man kontrollerer for graden av domestisering og forskjellige miljøfaktorer. Atferdsstudiene avgrenses imidlertid i både tid og rom og vil vanligvis ikke fange opp eventuelle bestandsdynamiske konsekvenser av forstyrrelser. Det hefter følgelig svakheter ved begge de to dominerende metodene som i dag anvendes; måling av atferd og bestandsfordeling og indirekte kartlegging av områdebruk ved måling av beiteslitasje. For å oppnå en bedre studiedesign for måling av Rangifers reaksjon på antropogen infrastruktur og tilknyttede aktiviteter foreslår vi at de to metodene kombineres og suppleres med GPS/telemetri teknologi
2016 Nebraska Water Leaders Academy - Final Report
The effective management of Nebraska’s water resources is evermore challenged by variations in weather, climate, technology, socioeconomic policies, and regulation. Anthropogenic climate change, declining water tables and stream flows, increasing demands on freshwater, aging water infrastructure, fiscal constraints, and impacts on aquatic organisms are particularly imminent challenges in Nebraska and around the world (Pahl-Wostl et al., 2013; Pittock et al., 2008; USACE, 2010). Sustaining freshwater ecosystem services in the face of emerging environmental threats presents an immense societal dilemma worldwide (Pittock et al., 2013; Rockström et al., 2009, Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005). The rapidly changing conditions of water resources in Nebraska demands knowledgeable and skilled leaders (Burbach, et al., 2015; Lincklaen Arriëns & When de Montalvo, 2013; Morton & Brown, 2011). McIntosh and Taylor (2013) assert that in order to meet future water challenges, “leadership is needed to initiate and drive change, enable innovation (both incremental and radical), build shared visions for a more sustainable water future, and deliver these visions through aligning resources and building commitment to collective success” (p. 46). Building leadership capacity is required to drive the necessary change (Brasier et al., 2011; Morton et al., 2011; Pahl-Wostl et al., 2011; Redekop, 2010; Taylor et al., 2012). Recognizing this critical need for future leaders in water resources, the Nebraska State Irrigation Associatio
Solar-Like Cycle in Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars
I propose that the mechanism behind the formation of concentric semi-periodic
shells found in several planetary nebulae (PNs) and proto-PNs, and around one
asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star, is a solar-like magnetic activity cycle in
the progenitor AGB stars. The time intervals between consecutive ejection
events is about 200-1,000 years, which is assumed to be the cycle period (the
full magnetic cycle can be twice as long, as is the 22-year period in the sun).
The magnetic field has no dynamical effects; it regulates the mass loss rate by
the formation of magnetic cool spots. The enhanced magnetic activity at the
cycle maximum results in more magnetic cool spots, which facilitate the
formation of dust, hence increasing the mass loss rate. The strong magnetic
activity implies that the AGB star is spun up by a companion, via a tidal or
common envelope interaction. The strong interaction with a stellar companion
explains the observations that the concentric semi-periodic shells are found
mainly in bipolar PNs.Comment: 10 pages, submitted to Ap
Order induced by dipolar interactions in a geometrically frustrated antiferromagnet
We study the classical Heisenberg model for spins on a pyrochlore lattice
interacting via long range dipole-dipole forces and nearest neighbor exchange.
Antiferromagnetic exchange alone is known not to induce ordering in this
system. We analyze low temperature order resulting from the combined
interactions, both by using a mean-field approach and by examining the energy
cost of fluctuations about an ordered state. We discuss behavior as a function
of the ratio of the dipolar and exchange interaction strengths and find two
types of ordered phase. We relate our results to the recent experimental work
and reproduce and extend the theoretical calculations on the pyrochlore
compound, GdTiO, by Raju \textit{et al.}, Phys. Rev. B {\bf 59},
14489 (1999).Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, AMSLaTe
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