Observational Features of Black Holes

Recently considered a very attracting possibility to detect retro-MACHOs, i.e. retro-images of the Sun by a Schwarzschild black hole. In this paper we discuss glories (mirages) formed near rapidly rotating Kerr black hole horizons and propose a procedure to measure masses and rotation parameters analyzing these forms of mirages. In some sense that is a manifestation of gravitational lens effect in the strong gravitational field near black hole horizon and a generalization of the retro-gravitational lens phenomenon. We analyze the case of a Kerr black hole rotating at arbitrary speed for some selected positions of a distant observer with respect to the equatorial plane of a Kerr black hole. We discuss glories (mirages) formed near rapidly rotating Kerr black hole horizons and propose a procedure to measure masses and rotation parameters analyzing these forms of mirages. Some time ago suggested to search shadows at the Galactic Center. In this paper we present the boundaries for shadows calculated numerically. We also propose to use future radio interferometer RADIOASTRON facilities to measure shapes of mirages (glories) and to evaluate the black hole spin as a function of the position angle of a distant observer.Comment: Plenary talk presented at Workshop on High Energy Physics&Field Theory (Protvino, Russia, 2004

Monodromy transform and the integral equation method for solving the string gravity and supergravity equations in four and higher dimensions

The monodromy transform and corresponding integral equation method described here give rise to a general systematic approach for solving integrable reductions of field equations for gravity coupled bosonic dynamics in string gravity and supergravity in four and higher dimensions. For different types of fields in space-times of $D\ge 4$ dimensions with $d=D-2$ commuting isometries -- stationary fields with spatial symmetries, interacting waves or partially inhomogeneous cosmological models, the string gravity equations govern the dynamics of interacting gravitational, dilaton, antisymmetric tensor and any number $n\ge 0$ of Abelian vector gauge fields (all depending only on two coordinates). The equivalent spectral problem constructed earlier allows to parameterize the infinite-dimensional space of local solutions of these equations by two pairs of \cal{arbitrary} coordinate-independent holomorphic $d\times d$- and $d\times n$- matrix functions ${\mathbf{u}_\pm(w), \mathbf{v}_\pm(w)}$ of a spectral parameter $w$ which constitute a complete set of monodromy data for normalized fundamental solution of this spectral problem. The "direct" and "inverse" problems of such monodromy transform --- calculating the monodromy data for any local solution and constructing the field configurations for any chosen monodromy data always admit unique solutions. We construct the linear singular integral equations which solve the inverse problem. For any \emph{rational} and \emph{analytically matched} (i.e. $\mathbf{u}_+(w)\equiv\mathbf{u}_-(w)$ and $\mathbf{v}_+(w)\equiv\mathbf{v}_-(w)$) monodromy data the solution for string gravity equations can be found explicitly. Simple reductions of the space of monodromy data leads to the similar constructions for solving of other integrable symmetry reduced gravity models, e.g. 5D minimal supergravity or vacuum gravity in $D\ge 4$ dimensions.Comment: RevTex 7 pages, 1 figur

Solar cell shingle

A solar cell shingle was made of an array of solar cells on a lower portion of a substantially rectangular shingle substrate made of fiberglass cloth or the like. The solar cells may be encapsulated in flourinated ethylene propylene or some other weatherproof translucent or transparent encapsulant to form a combined electrical module and a roof shingle. The interconnected solar cells were connected to connectors at the edge of the substrate through a connection to a common electrical bus or busses. An overlap area was arranged to receive the overlap of a cooperating similar shingle so that the cell portion of the cooperating shingle may overlie the overlap area of the roof shingle. Accordingly, the same shingle serves the double function of an ordinary roof shingle which may be applied in the usual way and an array of cooperating solar cells from which electrical energy may be collected

Solar power roof shingle

Silicon solar cell module provides both all-weather protection and electrical power. Module consists of array of circular silicon solar cells bonded to fiberglass substrate roof shingle with fluorinated ethylene propylene encapsulant

A coordinate-dependent superspace deformation from string theory

Starting from a type II superstring model defined on $R^{2,2}\times CY_6$ in a linear graviphoton background, we derive a coordinate dependent $C$-deformed ${\cal N}=1$, $d=2+2$ superspace. The chiral fermionic coordinates $\theta$ satisfy a Clifford algebra, while the other coordinate algebra remains unchanged. We find a linear relation between the graviphoton field strength and the deformation parameter. The null coordinate dependence of the graviphoton background allows to extend the results to all orders in $\alpha'$.Comment: 14 pages, reference added, accepted for publication in JHE

The chemical evolution of Manganese in different stellar systems

Aims. To model the chemical evolution of manganese relative to iron in three different stellar systems: the solar neighbourhood, the Galactic bulge and the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy, and compare our results with the recent and homogeneous observational data. Methods. We adopt three chemical evolution models well able to reproduce the main properties of the solar vicinity, the galactic Bulge and the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal. Then, we compare different stellar yields in order to identify the best set to match the observational data in these systems. Results. We compute the evolution of manganese in the three systems and we find that in order to reproduce simultaneously the [Mn/Fe] versus [Fe/H] in the Galactic bulge, the solar neighbourhood and Sagittarius, the type Ia SN Mn yield must be metallicity-dependent. Conclusions. We conclude that the different histories of star formation in the three systems are not enough to reproduce the different behaviour of the [Mn/Fe] ratio, unlike the situation for [alpha/Fe]; rather, it is necessary to invoke metallicity-dependent type Ia SN Mn yields, as originally suggested by McWilliam, Rich & Smecker-Hane in 2003.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, submitted to A&

Exercise Reduce Oxidative Damage in Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a vulnerable condition to all kinds of "stress", resulting in changes of physiological and metabolic functions. This research aims to determine effect of exercise during pregnancy in reducing oxidative demage marked by decrease of malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-diguanosine levels. Randomized pre and posttest control group design was employed in this study. A number of 66 pregnant women were recruited in this study and grouped to two groups, i.e 30 of them as control group and the rest as treatment group. Pregnancy exercise was performed to all 36 pregnant women from 20 weeks gestation on treatment group. The exercise was performed in the morning for about 30 minutes, twice a weeks. On the other hand, daily activities was sugested for control group. Student\u27s t-test was then applied to determine the mean different of treatment and control group with 5 % of significant value. This study reveals that there were significantly higher decrease of (MDA) and 8-OHdG about 0.15 nmol/ml and 0.08 ng/ml, respectively, amongs treatment and control groups (p < 0.05). Clinical outcomes, such as strengten of pelvic muscle and quality of life of treatment group were significantly better compared to control group (p < 0.05). This means that exercise during pregnancy ages of 20 weeks decrease MDA and 8-OHdG levels higher compare to control group without exercise