1,040 research outputs found
Size-Fractionated Nitrogen Uptake Measurements in the Equatorial Pacific and Confirmation of the Low Si-High-Nitrate Low-Chlorophyll Condition
The equatorial Pacific Ocean is the largest natural source of CO(2) to the atmosphere, and it significantly impacts the global carbon cycle. Much of the large flux of upwelled CO(2) to the atmosphere is due to incomplete use of the available nitrate (NO(3)) and low net productivity. This high-nutrient low-chlorophyll (HNLC) condition of the equatorial upwelling zone (EUZ) has been interpreted from modeling efforts to be due to low levels of silicate ( Si( OH) 4) that limit the new production of diatoms. These ideas were incorporated into an ecosystem model, CoSINE. This model predicted production by the larger phytoplankton and the picoplankton and effects on air-sea CO(2) fluxes in the Pacific Ocean. However, there were no size-fractionated rates available for verification. Here we report the first size-fractionated new and regenerated production rates (obtained with (15)N - NO(3) and (15)N - NH(4) incubations) for the EUZ with the objective of validating the conceptual basis and functioning of the CoSINE model. Specifically, the larger phytoplankton ( with cell diameters \u3e 5 mu m) had greater rates of new production and higher f-ratios (i.e., the proportion of NO(3) to the sum of NO(3) and NH(4) uptake) than the picoplankton that had high rates of NH(4) uptake and low f-ratios. The way that the larger primary producers are regulated in the EUZ is discussed using a continuous chemostat approach. This combines control of Si(OH)(4) production by supply rate (bottom-up) and control of growth rate ( or dilution) by grazing ( top-down control)
Overlap of QRPA states based on ground states of different nuclei --mathematical properties and test calculations--
The overlap of the excited states in quasiparticle random-phase approximation
(QRPA) is calculated in order to simulate the overlap of the intermediate
nuclear states of the double-beta decay. Our basic idea is to use the
like-particle QRPA with the aid of the closure approximation and calculate the
overlap as rigorously as possible by making use of the explicit equation of the
QRPA ground state. The formulation is shown in detail, and the mathematical
properties of the overlap matrix are investigated. Two test calculations are
performed for relatively light nuclei with the Skyrme and volume delta-pairing
energy functionals. The validity of the truncations used in the calculation is
examined and confirmed.Comment: 17 pages, 15 figures, full paper following arXiv:1205.5354 and Phys.
Rev. C 86 (2012) 021301(R
Influence of Equatorial Diatom Processes on Si Deposition and Atmospheric CO(2) Cycles at Glacial/Interglacial Timescales
The causes of the glacial cycle remain unknown, although the primary driver is changes in atmospheric CO(2), likely controlled by the biological pump and biogeochemical cycles. The two most important regions of the ocean for exchange of CO(2) with the atmosphere are the equatorial Pacific and the Southern Ocean ( SO), the former a net source and the latter a net sink under present conditions. The equatorial Pacific has been shown to be a Si(OH)(4)-limited ecosystem, a consequence of the low source Si(OH)(4) concentrations in upwelled water that has its origin in the SO. This teleconnection for nutrients between the two regions suggests an oscillatory relationship that may influence or control glacial cycles. Opal mass accumulation rate (MAR) data and delta(15)N measurements in equatorial cores are interpreted with predictions from a one- dimensional Si(OH)(4)-limited ecosystem model (CoSINE) for the equatorial Pacific. The results suggest that equatorial Pacific surface CO(2) processes are in opposite phase to that of the global atmosphere, providing a negative feedback to the glacial cycle. This negative feedback is implemented through the effect of the SO on the equatorial Si(OH)(4) supply. An alternative hypothesis, that the whole ocean becomes Si(OH)(4) poor during cooling periods, is suggested by low opal MAR in cores from both equatorial and Antarctic regions, perhaps as a result of low river input. terminations in this scenario would result from blooms of coccolithophorids triggered by low Si(OH)(4) concentrations
Search for a T-odd, P-even Triple Correlation in Neutron Decay
Background: Time-reversal-invariance violation, or equivalently CP violation,
may explain the observed cosmological baryon asymmetry as well as signal
physics beyond the Standard Model. In the decay of polarized neutrons, the
triple correlation D\cdot(p_{e}\timesp_{\nu}) is a parity-even,
time-reversal- odd observable that is uniquely sensitive to the relative phase
of the axial-vector amplitude with respect to the vector amplitude. The triple
correlation is also sensitive to possible contributions from scalar and tensor
amplitudes. Final-state effects also contribute to D at the level of 1e-5 and
can be calculated with a precision of 1% or better. Purpose: We have improved
the sensitivity to T-odd, P-even interactions in nuclear beta decay. Methods:
We measured proton-electron coincidences from decays of longitudinally
polarized neutrons with a highly symmetric detector array designed to cancel
the time-reversal-even, parity-odd Standard-Model contributions to polarized
neutron decay. Over 300 million proton-electron coincidence events were used to
extract D and study systematic effects in a blind analysis. Results: We find D
= [-0.94\pm1.89(stat)\pm0.97(sys)]e-4. Conclusions: This is the most sensitive
measurement of D in nuclear beta decay. Our result can be interpreted as a
measurement of the phase of the ratio of the axial-vector and vector coupling
constants (CA/CV= |{\lambda}|exp(i{\phi}_AV)) with {\phi}_AV = 180.012{\deg}
\pm0.028{\deg} (68% confidence level) or to constrain time-reversal violating
scalar and tensor interactions that arise in certain extensions to the Standard
Model such as leptoquarks. This paper presents details of the experiment,
analysis, and systematic- error corrections.Comment: 21 pages, 22 figure
A pulsed, mono-energetic and angular-selective UV photo-electron source for the commissioning of the KATRIN experiment
The KATRIN experiment aims to determine the neutrino mass scale with a
sensitivity of 200 meV/c^2 (90% C.L.) by a precision measurement of the shape
of the tritium -spectrum in the endpoint region. The energy analysis of
the decay electrons is achieved by a MAC-E filter spectrometer. To determine
the transmission properties of the KATRIN main spectrometer, a mono-energetic
and angular-selective electron source has been developed. In preparation for
the second commissioning phase of the main spectrometer, a measurement phase
was carried out at the KATRIN monitor spectrometer where the device was
operated in a MAC-E filter setup for testing. The results of these measurements
are compared with simulations using the particle-tracking software
"Kassiopeia", which was developed in the KATRIN collaboration over recent
years.Comment: 19 pages, 16 figures, submitted to European Physical Journal
emiT: an apparatus to test time reversal invariance in polarized neutron decay
We describe an apparatus used to measure the triple-correlation term (\D
\hat{\sigma}_n\cdot p_e\times p_\nu) in the beta-decay of polarized neutrons.
The \D-coefficient is sensitive to possible violations of time reversal
invariance. The detector has an octagonal symmetry that optimizes
electron-proton coincidence rates and reduces systematic effects. A beam of
longitudinally polarized cold neutrons passes through the detector chamber,
where a small fraction beta-decay. The final-state protons are accelerated and
focused onto arrays of cooled semiconductor diodes, while the coincident
electrons are detected using panels of plastic scintillator. Details regarding
the design and performance of the proton detectors, beta detectors and the
electronics used in the data collection system are presented. The neutron beam
characteristics, the spin-transport magnetic fields, and polarization
measurements are also described.Comment: 15 pages, 13 figure
Searches for neutrinoless double beta decay
Neutrinoless double beta decay is a lepton number violating process whose
observation would also establish that neutrinos are their own anti-particles.
There are many experimental efforts with a variety of techniques. Some (EXO,
Kamland-Zen, GERDA phase I and CANDLES) started take data in 2011 and EXO has
reported the first measurement of the half life for the double beta decay with
two neutrinos of Xe. The sensitivities of the different proposals are
reviewed.Comment: 8 pages, prepared for TAUP 201
Comment on "Evidence for Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay"
We comment on the recent claim for the experimental observation of
neutrinoless double-beta decay. We discuss several limitations in the analysis
provided in that paper and conclude that there is no basis for the presented
claim.Comment: A comment written to Modern Physics Letters A. 4 pages, no figures.
Updated version, accepted for publicatio
Searches for neutrinoless double beta decay
Neutrinoless double beta decay is a lepton number violating process whose
observation would also establish that neutrinos are their own anti-particles.
There are many experimental efforts with a variety of techniques. Some (EXO,
Kamland-Zen, GERDA phase I and CANDLES) started take data in 2011 and EXO has
reported the first measurement of the half life for the double beta decay with
two neutrinos of Xe. The sensitivities of the different proposals are
reviewed.Comment: 8 pages, prepared for TAUP 201
Searches for neutrinoless double beta decay
Neutrinoless double beta decay is a lepton number violating process whose
observation would also establish that neutrinos are their own anti-particles.
There are many experimental efforts with a variety of techniques. Some (EXO,
Kamland-Zen, GERDA phase I and CANDLES) started take data in 2011 and EXO has
reported the first measurement of the half life for the double beta decay with
two neutrinos of Xe. The sensitivities of the different proposals are
reviewed.Comment: 8 pages, prepared for TAUP 201
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