2,220 research outputs found
Using cloud ice flux to parametrise large-scale lightning
Lightning is an important natural source of nitrogen oxide especially in the middle and upper troposphere. Hence, it is essential to represent lightning in chemistry transport and coupled chemistry climate models. Using ERA-Interim meteorological reanalysis data we compare the lightning flash density distributions produced using several existing lightning parametrisations, as well as a new parametrisation developed on the basis of upward cloud ice flux at 440 hPa. The use of ice flux forms a link to the non-inductive charging mechanism of thunderstorms. Spatial and temporal distributions of lightning flash density are compared to tropical and subtropical observations for 2007-2011 from the Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite. The well-used lightning flash parametrisation based on cloud-top height has large biases but the derived annual total flash density has a better spatial correlation with the LIS observations than other existing parametrisations. A comparison of flash density simulated by the different schemes shows that the cloud-top height parametrisation has many more instances of moderate flash densities and fewer low and high extremes compared to the other parametrisations. Other studies in the literature have shown that this feature of the cloud-top height parametrisation is in contrast to lightning observations over certain regions. Our new ice flux parametrisation shows a clear improvement over all the existing parametrisations with lower root mean square errors (RMSEs) and better spatial correlations with the observations for distributions of annual total, and seasonal and interannual variations. The greatest improvement with the new parametrisation is a more realistic representation of the zonal distribution with a better balance between tropical and subtropical lightning flash estimates. The new parametrisation is appropriate for testing in chemistry transport and chemistry climate models that use a lightning parametrisation
Averages of b-hadron Properties at the End of 2005
This article reports world averages for measurements on b-hadron properties
obtained by the Heavy Flavor Averaging Group (HFAG) using the available results
as of at the end of 2005. In the averaging, the input parameters used in the
various analyses are adjusted (rescaled) to common values, and all known
correlations are taken into account. The averages include lifetimes, neutral
meson mixing parameters, parameters of semileptonic decays, branching fractions
of B meson decays to final states with open charm, charmonium and no charm, and
measurements related to CP asymmetries
Quantum Cosmology in Scalar-Tensor Theories With Non Minimal Coupling
Quantization in the minisuperspace of non minimal scalar-tensor theories
leads to a partial differential equation which is non separable. Through a
conformal transformation we can recast the Wheeler-DeWitt equation in an
integrable form, which corresponds to the minimal coupling case, whose general
solution is known. Performing the inverse conformal transformation in the
solution so found, we can construct the corresponding one in the original
frame. This procedure can also be employed with the bohmian trajectories. In
this way, we can study the classical limit of some solutions of this quantum
model. While the classical limit of these solutions occurs for small scale
factors in the Einstein's frame, it happens for small values of the scalar
field non minimally coupled to gravity in the Jordan's frame, which includes
large scale factors.Comment: latex, 18 page
Averages of -hadron, -hadron, and -lepton properties as of summer 2014
This article reports world averages of measurements of -hadron,
-hadron, and -lepton properties obtained by the Heavy Flavor Averaging
Group (HFAG) using results available through summer 2014. For the averaging,
common input parameters used in the various analyses are adjusted (rescaled) to
common values, and known correlations are taken into account. The averages
include branching fractions, lifetimes, neutral meson mixing parameters,
violation parameters, parameters of semileptonic decays and CKM matrix
elements.Comment: 436 pages, many figures and tables. Online updates available at
http://www.slac.stanford.edu/xorg/hfag
Averages of b-hadron properties at the end of 2006
This article reports the world averages for measurements on b-hadron properties obtained by the Heavy Flavor Averaging Group (HFAG) using the available results at the end of 2006. In the averaging, the input parameters used in the various analyses are adjusted (rescaled) to common values, and all known correlations are taken into account. The averages include lifetimes, neutral meson mixing parameters, parameters of semileptonic decays, branching fractions of B decays to final states with open charm, charmonium and no charm, and measurements related to CP asymmetries.This article reports the world averages for measurements on b-hadron properties obtained by the Heavy Flavor Averaging Group (HFAG) using the available results at the end of 2006. In the averaging, the input parameters used in the various analyses are adjusted (rescaled) to common values, and all known correlations are taken into account. The averages include lifetimes, neutral meson mixing parameters, parameters of semileptonic decays, branching fractions of B decays to final states with open charm, charmonium and no charm, and measurements related to CP asymmetries
An action principle for the quantization of parametric theories and nonlinear quantum cosmology
By parametrizing the action integral for the standard Schrodinger equation we
present a derivation of the recently proposed method for quantizing a
parametrized theory. The reformulation suggests a natural extension from
conventional to nonlinear quantum mechanics. This generalization enables a
unitary description of the quantum evolution for a broad class of constrained
Hamiltonian systems with a nonlinear kinematic structure. In particular, the
new theory is applicable to the quantization of cosmological models where a
chosen gravitational degree of freedom acts as geometric time. This is
demonstrated explicitly using three cosmological models: the Friedmann universe
with a massless scalar field and Bianchi type I and IX models. Based on these
investigations, the prospect of further developing the proposed quantization
scheme in the context of quantum gravity is discussed.Comment: 14 page
- …