A Multivariate Fit Luminosity Function And World Model For Long Gamma-Ray Bursts

It is proposed that the luminosity function, the rest-frame spectral correlations, and distributions of cosmological long-duration (Type-II) gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs) may be very well described as a multivariate log-normal distribution. This result is based on careful selection, analysis, and modeling of LGRBs' temporal and spectral variables in the largest catalog of GRBs available to date: 2130 BATSE GRBs, while taking into account the detection threshold and possible selection effects. Constraints on the joint rest-frame distribution of the isotropic peak luminosity (L-iso), total isotropic emission (E-iso), the time-integrated spectral peak energy (E-p,E-z), and duration (T-90,T-z) of LGRBs are derived. The presented analysis provides evidence for a relatively large fraction of LGRBs that have been missed by the BATSE detector with E-iso extending down to similar to 10(49) erg and observed spectral peak energies (Ep) as low as similar to 5 keV. LGRBs with rest-frame duration T-90,T-z less than or similar to 1 s or observer-frame duration T-90 less than or similar to 2 s appear to be rare events (less than or similar to 0.1% chance of occurrence). The model predicts a fairly strong but highly significant correlation (rho = 0.58 +/- 0.04) between E-iso and E-p,E-z of LGRBs. Also predicted are strong correlations of L-iso and E-iso with T-90,T-z and moderate correlation between L-iso and E-p,E-z. The strength and significance of the correlations found encourage the search for underlying mechanisms, though undermine their capabilities as probes of dark energy's equation of Stateat high redshifts. The presented analysis favors-but does not necessitate-a cosmic rate for BATSE LGRBs tracing metallicity evolution consistent with a cutoff Z/Z(circle dot) similar to 0.2-0.5, assuming no luminosity-redshift evolution.Institute for Fusion Studie

A representationalist reading of Kantian intuitions

There are passages in Kant’s writings according to which empirical intuitions have to be (a) singular, (b) object-dependent, and (c) immediate. It has also been argued that empirical intuitions (d) are not truth-apt, and (e) need to provide the subject with a proof of the possibility of the cognized object. Having relied on one or another of the a-e constraints, the naïve realist readers of Kant have argued that it is not possible for empirical intuitions to be representations. Instead they have argued for a relationalist reading of empirical intuitions in terms of an acquaintance relation between the subject and the intuited object. For the sake of argument, I will grant the naïve realist reader of Kant that empirical intuitions should satisfy all the a-e constraints. Nevertheless, by incorporating these constraints, one by one, into a representationalist theory of empirical intuitions, I will show that not only doesn’t a naïve realist reading of empirical intuitions follow, but also that the naïve realist has hastily overlooked a range of perfectly representationalist readings of intuitions available to Kant and his representationalist allies. On the positive side, I will argue that there is an extra constraint on intuitions—i.e., that givenness does not require presence to consciousness—that directly goes against any naïve realist account of intuitions

Short vs. Long Gamma-Ray Bursts: A Comprehensive Study of Energetics and Prompt Gamma-Ray Correlations

We present the results of a comprehensive study of the luminosity function, energetics, prompt gamma-ray correlations, and classification methodology of short-hard and long-soft GRBs (SGRBs and LGRBs), based on observational data in the largest catalog of GRBs available to this date: BATSE catalog of 2702 GRBs. We find that: 1. The least-biased classification method of GRBs into short and long, solely based on prompt-emission properties, appears to be the ratio of the observed spectral peak energy to the observed duration ($R=E_p/T_{90}$) with the dividing line at $R\simeq50[keV~s^{-1}]$. 2. Once data is carefully corrected for the effects of the detection threshold of gamma-ray instruments, the population distribution of SGRBs and LGRBs can be individually well described as multivariate log-normal distribution in the $4$--dimensional space of the isotropic peak gamma-ray luminosity, total isotropic gamma-ray emission, the intrinsic spectral peak energy, and the intrinsic duration. 3. Relatively large fractions of SGRBs and LGRBs with moderate-to-low spectral peak energies have been missed by BATSE detectors. 4. Relatively strong and highly significant intrinsic hardness--brightness and duration--brightness correlations likely exist in both populations of SGRBs and LGRBs, once data is corrected for selection effects. The strengths of these correlations are very similar in both populations, implying similar mechanisms at work in both GRB classes, leading to the emergence of these prompt gamma-ray correlations.Comment: Accepted to MNRA

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A Note on Imposing Local Curvature in Generalized Leontief Models

In this paper, we build on Ryan and Wales (1998) and Moschini (1999) and impose curvature conditions locally on the generalized Leontief model, introduced by Diewert (1974). In doing so, we exploit the Hessian matrix of second order derivatives of the reciprocal indirect utility function, unlike Ryan and Wales (1998) and Moschini (1999) who exploit the Slutsky matrix.

PH regulation of amphotericin B channels activity in the bilayer lipid membrane

Background: Amphotericin B (AmB) is a polyene antibiotic frequently applied in the treatment of systemic fungal infections in spite of its secondary effects. The pH plays a crucial role in modulating biophysical features of ion channels in the bilayer lipid membranes. Aim: In this study, the role of pH in the regulation of AmB channel was assessed by single channel recording of ion channel incorporated in the artificial membrane. Materials and Methods: Bilayer lipid membrane was formed by phosphatidylcholine in a 350 m diameter aperture between two chambers, cis and trans contained 200/50 mMKCl solutions, respectively; then AmB was incorporated into the bilayer lipid membrane. Single channel recordings were used to indicate the effects of pH changes on AmB channels activity. The records were analyzed by Clamp fit 10 software. Results: A kinetic analysis of single channel currents indicated a cation ion channel with 500 pS conductance and voltage-dependence of the open probability of the AmB channel (Po ). A reduction of cis pH to 6 decreased Po and conductance. This effect was also voltage-dependent, being greater at a more positive above -40. The pH changes in the range of 6-8 had no effect on the reversal potential and ion selectivity. Conclusion: Our data indicated that extracellular acidity can reduce AmB activity. © 2016 Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine | Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow

Electrophysiological characteristics of cationic single-channel formed by incorporation of amphotericin b in bilayer lipid membrane

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Amphotericin B (AmB) is the main antibiotic of polyene type, which is widely used in the treatment of systemic fungal infections. One of the key mechanisms of this drug is the formation of ion channels and increasing permeability of the host cell membranes. This study was conducted to evaluate some of the electrophysiological characteristics of cationic single-channel formed by the incorporation of AmB in bilayer lipid membrane (BLM). METHODS: In this experimental study, phosphatidyl choline was extracted from fresh egg yolk. After the formation of BLM and the incorporation of AmB in the membrane, the channel activity was recorded through +40 to -40 millivolt (mV) voltages. Data analysis was conducted using PClamp10 software to determine the electrophysiological characteristics of the channel. FINDINGS: Reverse potential of Amphotericin B ion Channel was-36 mV. The Channel activity was more in such positive voltages. This means that in voltage -40 mV the current amplitude was 2 Pico Ampère but in voltage +40 mV reach to 30 Pico Ampère. In addition, the channel open probability at voltage -30 mV voltage was low (less than 0.15) but increased to 0.75 in voltage +40 mV. The channel conductance was also 157±4.9 Picoseimence. CONCLUSION: AmB forms cationic channels in BLMs with phosphatidylcholine and without cholesterol. This channel has voltage-dependent electrophysiological characteristics and behaviors. © 2016, Babol University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved