We show that the new precise measurements of Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) temperature and polarization anisotropies made by the Planck satellite significantly improves previous constraints on ...the cosmic gravitational waves background (CGWB) at frequencies f>10−15 Hz. On scales smaller than the horizon at the time of decoupling, primordial gravitational waves contribute to the total radiation content of the Universe. Considering adiabatic perturbations, CGWB affects temperature and polarization CMB power spectra and matter power spectrum in a manner identical to relativistic particles. Considering the latest Planck results we constrain the CGWB energy density to Ωgwh2<1.7×10−6 at 95% CL. Combining CMB power spectra with lensing, BAO and primordial Deuterium abundance observations, we obtain Ωgwh2<1.2×10−6 at 95% CL, improving previous Planck bounds by a factor 3 and the recent direct upper limit from the LIGO and VIRGO experiments a factor 2. A combined analysis of future satellite missions as COrE and EUCLID could improve current bound by more than an order of magnitude.
(ProQuest: ... denotes formulae and/or non-USASCII text omitted) We present new, tight, constraints on the cosmological background of gravitational waves (GWs) using the latest measurements of CMB ...temperature and polarization anisotropies provided by the Planck, BICEP2 and Keck Array experiments. These constraints are further improved when the GW contribution ... to the effective number of relativistic degrees of freedom N sub(eff) is also considered. Parametrizing the tensor spectrum as a power law with tensor-to-scalar ratio r, tilt n sub()tand pivot 0.01Mpc super(-1), and assuming a minimum value of r= 0.001, we find r< 0.089, n sub()t ... (95% CL, no ...) and r< 0.082, n sub()t ... (95% CL, with ...). When the recently released 95 GHz data from Keck Array are added to the analysis, the constraints on r are improved to r< 0.067 (95% CL, no ...), r< 0.061 (95% CL, with ...). We discuss the limits coming from direct detection experiments such as LIGO-Virgo, pulsar timing (European Pulsar Timing Array) and CMB spectral distortions (FIRAS). Finally, we show future constraints achievable from a COrE-like mission: if the tensor-to-scalar ratio is of order 10 super(-2) and the inflationary consistency relation n sub()t -r/8 holds, COrE will be able to constrain n sub()twith an error of 0.16 at 95% CL. In the case that lensing B-modes can be subtracted to 10% of their power, a feasible goal for COrE, these limits will be improved to 0.11 at (95% CL).
This work examines the hydrological behaviour of a silty volcanic layer exposed to the atmosphere for 3 years under vegetated conditions. The layer was extensively monitored to measure energy fluxes, ...water fluxes, and internal variables (suction, water content, water storage, and temperature). Measurements were used to build representations of the layer's behaviour patterns depending on its surface covering, comparing the behaviour in vegetated conditions with behaviour observed under bare conditions over the previous 4 years. Results show that during cold- dry periods, differences in terms of fluxes and hydrological variables between the bare and vegetated conditions reduce to negligible levels, but increase significantly during hot-dry and transition periods. As the soil forming the layer was selected to have the same intrinsic and state properties as the layer in a specific rainfall-induced landslide case history that occurred in Nocera Inferiore (South Italy) in 2005, the experimental results are used to re-interpret such a landslide, considering the effects of vegetation and referring to a coupled thermohydraulic model. The experimental results are used to calibrate the model, and this is then used to interpret around 10 years of meteorological variables recorded at the landslide site, including the landslide time. Comparison with interpretations made previously as a bare soil hypothesis shows how neglecting the effects of vegetation might imply a loss in prediction accuracy of soil state variables (suction and water storage) related to the slope stability.
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•CdS QDs induce oxidative stress in yeast.•CdS QDs disrupt mitochondrial membrane potentials and morphology.•CdS QDs do not affect mtDNA content.•CdS QDs modify the expression of ...genes involved in mitochondrial organization and function.•Deletion of some of these genes induces either tolerant or sensitive phenotypes to CdS QDs.
Cell sensitivity to quantum dots (QDs) has been attributed to a cascade triggered by oxidative stress leading to apoptosis. The role and function of mitochondria in animal cells are well understood but little information is available on the complex genetic networks that regulate nucleo-mitochondrial interaction. The effect of CdS QD exposure in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was assessed under conditions of limited lethality (<10%), using cell physiological and morphological endpoints. Whole-genomic array analysis and the screening of a deletion mutant library were also carried out. The results showed that QDs: increased the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased the level of reduced vs oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG); reduced oxygen consumption and the abundance of respiratory cytochromes; disrupted mitochondrial membrane potentials and affected mitochondrial morphology. Exposure affected the capacity of cells to grow on galactose, which requires nucleo-mitochondrial involvement. However, QDs exposure did not materially induce respiratory deficient (RD) mutants but only RD phenocopies. All of these cellular changes were correlated with several key nuclear genes, including TOM5 and FKS1, involved in the maintenance of mitochondrial organization and function. The consequences of these cellular effects are discussed in terms of dysregulation of cell function in response to these “pathological mitochondria”.
This is the first paper to provide detailed information on the age and growth of Trachinotus ovatus. The size of the 244 individuals collected in the Strait of Messina ranged from 2.7 to 30.4 cm in ...fork length (LF) and 0.31 to 508.6 g in body mass (M). The relationship between these parameters (M - LF) was investigated and showed a good fit. Age estimation based on vertebrae and otoliths yielded similar results, suggesting a maximum age of five years. However, the precision and accuracy tests, such as percentage of agreement (PA), mean coefficient of variation (ACV) and average percent error (APE) indicated that the otolith readings (97.83% PA, 0.54% ACV and 0.38% APE) were more reliable for age estimation than vertebrae readings (82.17% PA, 5.33% ACV and 3.77% APE). The multi-model inference approach allowed us to compare different non-linear growth models. The von Bertalanffy model (L∞=29.139, k=0.496 and t0=−0.347) fitted the length-at-age data best. This species has a relatively rapid growth and an estimated longevity of five to seven years. This information could be used for management and first stock assessment studies on T. ovatus in the Mediterranean Sea.
Most of the Landslides Early Warning Systems (LEWS) in operation are based uniquely on monitoring rainfall data, limiting their performance due to false alarms generated by rainfall thresholds. The ...accuracy of LEWS may be remarkably improved by monitoring soil-based variables and the stress-strain response of the ground during intense rainfall events. This paper investigates whether slope pre-failure deformation can be used as an additional precursor of landslide triggering. This further precursor would substantially improve LEWS accuracy, especially if pre-failure deformation is combined with suction monitoring. Some tests were conducted using a small-scale physical model of a slope built with unsaturated volcanic silt subjected to artificial rainfall. A new device named tensio-Inclinometer was developed to monitor simultaneously suction and suction-induced deformation. It combines a conventional tensiometer and an accelerometer installed at the top of the tensiometer shaft. It is shown that pre-failure deformation detected by the tensiometer shaft tilting is a suitable landslide precursor. Moreover, it can provide reliable soil-based thresholds for early warning systems if combined with suction.
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