Inhomogeneous Loop Quantum Cosmology: Hybrid Quantization of the Gowdy Model

The Gowdy cosmologies provide a suitable arena to further develop Loop Quantum Cosmology, allowing the presence of inhomogeneities. For the particular case of Gowdy spacetimes with the spatial topology of a three-torus and a content of linearly polarized gravitational waves, we detail a hybrid quantum theory in which we combine a loop quantization of the degrees of freedom that parametrize the subfamily of homogeneous solutions, which represent Bianchi I spacetimes, and a Fock quantization of the inhomogeneities. Two different theories are constructed and compared, corresponding to two different schemes for the quantization of the Bianchi I model within the {\sl improved dynamics} formalism of Loop Quantum Cosmology. One of these schemes has been recently put forward by Ashtekar and Wilson-Ewing. We address several issues including the quantum resolution of the cosmological singularity, the structure of the superselection sectors in the quantum system, or the construction of the Hilbert space of physical states.Comment: 16 pages, version accepted for publication in Physical Review

Wormholes as Basis for the Hilbert Space in Lorentzian Gravity

We carry out to completion the quantization of a Friedmann-Robertson-Walker model provided with a conformal scalar field, and of a Kantowski-Sachs spacetime minimally coupled to a massless scalar field. We prove that the Hilbert space determined by the reality conditions that correspond to Lorentzian gravity admits a basis of wormhole wave functions. This result implies that the vector space spanned by the quantum wormholes can be equipped with an unique inner product by demanding an adequate set of Lorentzian reality conditions, and that the Hilbert space of wormholes obtained in this way can be identified with the whole Hilbert space of physical states for Lorentzian gravity. In particular, all the normalizable quantum states can then be interpreted as superpositions of wormholes. For each of the models considered here, we finally show that the physical Hilbert space is separable by constructing a discrete orthonormal basis of wormhole solutions.Comment: 23 pages (Latex), Preprint IMAFF-RC-04-94, CGPG-94/5-

Asymptotically anti-de Sitter wormholes

Starting with a procedure for dealing with general asymptotic behaviors, we construct a quantum theory for asymptotically anti-de Sitter wormholes. We follow both the path integral formalism and the algebraic quantization program proposed by Ashtekar. By adding suitable surface terms, the Euclidean action of the asymptoically anti-de Sitter wormholes can be seen to be finite and gauge invariant. This action determines an appropriate variational problem for wormholes. We also obtain the wormhole wave functions of the gravitational model and show that all the physical states of the quantum theory are superpositions of wormhole states.Comment: 10 pages, RevTeX 3.0, LaTeX 2.0

Digital compensation of the side-band-rejection ratio in a fully analog 2SB sub-millimeter receiver

In observational radio astronomy, sideband-separating receivers are preferred, particularly under high atmospheric noise, which is usually the case in the sub-millimeter range. However, obtaining a good rejection ratio between the two sidebands is difficult since, unavoidably, imbalances in the different analog components appear. We describe a method to correct these imbalances without making any change in the analog part of the sideband-separating receiver, specifically, keeping the intermediate-frequency hybrid in place. This opens the possibility of implementing the method in any existing receiver. We have built hardware to demonstrate the validity of the method and tested it on a fully analog receiver operating between 600 and 720GHz. We have tested the stability of calibration and performance vs time and after full resets of the receiver. We have performed an error analysis to compare the digital compensation in two configurations of analog receivers, with and without intermediate frequency (IF) hybrid. An average compensated sideband rejection ratio of 46dB is obtained. Degradation of the compensated sideband rejection ratio on time and after several resets of the receiver is minimal. A receiver with an IF hybrid is more robust to systematic errors. Moreover, we have shown that the intrinsic random errors in calibration have the same impact for configuration without IF hybrid and for a configuration with IF hybrid with analog rejection ratio better than 10dB. Compensated rejection ratios above 40dB are obtained even in the presence of high analog rejection. The method is robust allowing its use under normal operational conditions at any telescope. We also demonstrate that a full analog receiver is more robust against systematic errors. Finally, the error bars associated to the compensated rejection ratio are almost independent of whether IF hybrid is present or not

Indeks Keanekaragaman Jenis Serangga Pada Pertanaman Kelapa Sawit (Elaeis Guineensis Jacq.) Di Kebun Helvetia PT. Perkebunan Nusantara II

Insect Species Diversity Index in Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Planting in Helvetia Estate, PT.Perkebunan Nusantara II. The purpose of this study was to find out the insect species diversity index inoil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) planting in Helvetia Estate, PT. Perkebunan Nusantara II. This surveystudy was conducted from June to August 2101 in Helvetia Estate, PT. Perkebunan Nusantara II, DeliSerdang District with the altitude of ± 23 meters above sea level. The insects were caught by busingsweep net, pit fall trap, and light trap, then they were observed at the Plant Pest and Disease Laboratory,Faculty of Agriculture, University of Sumatera Utara. The result of this study showed that 298 insectsconsisting of 9 orders and 29 families were trapped and caught in the oil palm plantation area which hasproduced and 367 insects consisting of 10 orders and 34 families were trapped and caught in the oil palmplantation area which has not produced.The value of Insect Species Diversity Index according to thehighest Shanon-Weiner (H') in the oil palm plantation area which has produced is 2.9276 (adequate) andin the oil palm plantation area which has not produced is 2.9848 (adequate). While the value ofSorensen's Quotien of Similarity for the kinds of insects in both areas is 79.365%

Tingkat Serangan Ulat Kantong Metisa Plana Walker (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) Terhadap Umur Tanaman Kelapa Sawit (Elaeis Guineensis Jacq.) Di Kebun Matapao PT. Socfin Indonesia

The attack rate of bagworms Metisa plana Walker (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) on the age of oil palm(Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) at Matapao Plantation, PT Socfin Indonesia. Under the supervision ofMena Uly Tarigan as the chairperson and Lisnawita as the member. The aim of the research was toknow the attack rate of bagworms (Metisa plana Walker) on the age of oil palm at the planting areaof TBM (pre-producing plant) and TM (post-producing plant). The research was conducted atMatapao Plantation, PT Socfin Indonesia, Teluk Mengkudu Subistrict, Serdang Bedagai Districtwith the altitude of ± 20 meters from the sea level. The research used a survey method withdiagonal samples. The results of the research showed that the attack rate of bagworms was higheron the TBM than on TM. The highest number of pests was found at block 27 in the planting year of2011 with 119 pests, while the highest rate of attack by bagworms (19.758%) was found at block 28in the planting year of 2009. The highest attack of bagworms was found in sample 50 at block 27 inthe planting year of 2011 with 15 pests in each frond. The highest intensity of bagworms\u27 attack(50%) was in sample 50 at block 27 in the planting year of 201, and it was categorized as amoderate attack

Comparison of aromatic composition of an endangered variety ('Albilla Dorada') with other recognized aromatic varieties

'Albilla Dorada' is a local and endangered grape variety. It was correctly identified beforehand by analysing six microsatellite regions recommended by the GENRES 081 project plus six other additional regions, resulting in one new genotype not described for any variety according to the literature consulted. The object of this paper is to characterize the aromatic composition of this grape vine genotype not previously described. The minority volatile compounds in the grapes were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and compared with those of eight known aromatic cultivars: 'Albillo Real', 'Macabeo', 'Malvasía Aromática', 'Gewürztraminer', 'Viognier', 'Malvasía Riojana', 'Riesling' and 'Moscatel de Grano Menudo'. Statistically significant differences between varieties were found as regards the different fractions making up the aromatic composition. 'Albilla Dorada' differed from the rest in that it had higher proportions of alcohols, benzene alcohols and norisoprenoids. In the case of the terpene fraction, it was the variety with the highest proportions of citronellol and terpene hydroxides. Results of this work point out 'Albilla Dorada' is a variety with a singular aromatic identity and highlight the necessity of recovering it before its total disappearance.

Advancing the business and human rights agenda: Dialogue, empowerment, and constructive engagement

As corporations are going global, they are increasingly confronted with human rights challenges. As such, new ways to deal with human rights challenges in corporate operations must be developed as traditional governance mechanisms are not always able to tackle them. This article presents five different views on innovative solutions for the relationships between business and human rights that all build on empowerment, dialogue and constructive engagement. The different approaches highlight an emerging trend toward a more active role for corporations in the protection of human rights. The first examines the need for enhanced dialogue between corporations and their stakeholders. The next three each examine a different facet of empowerment, a critical factor for the respect and protection of human rights: empowerment of the poor, of communities, and of consumers. The final one presents a case study of constructive corporate engagement in Myanmar (Burma). Altogether, these research projects provide insight into the complex relationships between corporate operations and human rights, by highlighting the importance of stakeholder dialogue and empowerment. All the five projects were presented during the Second Swiss Master Class in Corporate Social Responsibility, held in Lausanne, Switzerland on December 12, 2008. The audience for this conference, which examined business and human rights, was composed of researchers, governmental representatives, and business and non-governmental organization practitioners