Sunyaev-Zeldovich Cluster Counts as a Probe of Intra-Supercluster Gas

X-ray background surveys indicate the likely presence of diffuse warm gas in the Local Super Cluster (LSC), in accord with expectations from hydrodynamical simulations. We assess several other manifestations of warm LSC gas; these include anisotropy in the spatial pattern of cluster Sunyaev-Zeldovich (S-Z) counts, its impact on the CMB temperature power spectrum at the lowest multipoles, and implications on measurements of the S-Z effect in and around the Virgo cluster.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures, draft versio

A tentative derivation of the main cosmological parameters

Based on the assumption that some apparent properties of the observable universe are accurate at a reasonable level of approximation, a tentative is made to independently derive the values of the baryon density parameter, the Hubble constant, the cosmic microwave background temperature and the helium mass fraction. The obtained values are in excellent agreement with those given by the most recent observational data.Comment: 13 pages. Accepted for publication in Astrophysics & Space Scienc

Cosmic Microwave Background Dipole induced by double inflation

The observed CMBR dipole is generally interpreted as the consequence of the peculiar motion of the Sun with respect to the reference frame of the CMBR. This article proposes an alternative interpretation in which the observed dipole is the result of isocurvature perturbations on scales larger than the present Hubble radius. These perturbations are produced in the simplest model of double inflation, depending on three parameters. The observed dipole and quadrupole can be explained in this model, while severely constraining its parameters.Comment: Latex, 9 pages, no figure, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Learning Through Case Studies in Higher Education

The use of case studies in the classroom offers an experiential and active approach to learning. Case studies increase student engagement by providing a foundation for applying theoretical concepts to real world situations. Students may achieve higher learning potential through reflection, discussion, and possible debate of various outcomes and solutions within a case study. Experiential learning through case studies allows students to take an active role in learning rather than a passive role. This paper will explain how case studies are effective in achieving learning goals in the classroom. Additionally, a detailed outline of a model that can be used to analyze a case in any discipline will be presented

The Relationship Between Soil Test and Small Grain Response to P Fertilization in South Dakota Field Experiments

Phosphorus is one of the two most limiting nutrients to crop production in South Dakota. Because of this fact, many recommendations for P fertilizer are made each day by the South Dakota State University Soil Test Lab. Nearly 65,000 tons of available O are marketed each year in South Dakota as commercial fertilizer. This amounts to over 18 million dollars or expense for South Dakota farmers. Therefore, it becomes essential that recommendations for phosphorus fertilizer be as accurate as our knowledge of the soil-plant system allows. Those recommendations are currently based on the results of the Modified Bray 1, 1:7 soil test, a test used by many states throughout the Midwest. Based on data collected from 74 small grain field experiments over a 13-year period, this test explains less than 30% of the variation in yield response to P fertilization. The purpose of this study was twofold: 1. to compare several alternative soil test on the basis of field response data; and 2. To evaluate the influence of several factors on the relationship between soil test and yield response to P fertilization

Maximizing (Productivity and Efficiency) in Contemporary Agriculture

A unique feature of the International Plant Nutrition Colloquium is the range in scale of the sub-disciplines represented, from nanometers to global. Perhaps never in history has the Colloquium’s capacity to exploit this cross-cutting of scales been more important than it is today. Arguably, the single most important challenge for the field of plant nutrition is to contribute all it can to improving global productivity while at the same time increasing resource use efficiency. The global character of the demand for agricultural products and many of the most critical environmental issues creates a tight linkage between improving productivity and minimizing environmental impact. Sustainably meeting this challenge will require close cooperation and understanding among disciplines, across geographies, and between public and private sectors. Three concepts are offered that may facilitate this interaction. • The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Framework: Application of the right nutrient source, at the right rate, right time, and right place is a concept that when seen within a framework connecting practices to on-farm objectives and sustainability goals, along with critical performance indicators, can help keep individuals working on “parts” cognizant of the “whole”. • Mainstreaming of Simulation Models: Models recently developed can help identify unrealized yield potential and better manage the growing uncertainty of weather and climate. • Global Data Networks: More extensive exploitation of electronic technology that facilitates global data collection, sharing, analysis, and use could expedite the acquisition and application of agronomic and plant nutrition knowledge

Importance of Generational Corporate Social Responsibility Perspective: A Literature Review

The corporate social responsibility concept (CSR) is attracting attention in the business environment. This paper includes a review of CSR and the importance of understanding generational perspective of CSR. Evidence suggests that integrating CSR into business strategy has an impact on a company’s ability to attract and retain consumers. Literature revealed that implementing CSR initiatives results in benefits including building a favorable reputation and consumer loyalty. As a result, implementing CSR initiatives tailored to generational preferences might increase the ability of a business to realize the benefits previously listed. Therefore, understanding the perspectives of a specific generational market is meaningful

4R nutrient stewardship—are we there yet?

4R nutrient stewardship is an innovative approach to best management practices (BMPs) for fertilizer. It ensures that the right source (or product) is applied at the right rate, in the right place, and at the right time (Roberts, 2007; Bruulsema et al., 2009). In the lead article of a 5-part series on 4R Nutrient Stewardship in the American Society of Agronomy’s Crops and Soils magazine, Bruulsema et al. (2009) wrote “This simple concept can help farmers and the public understand how the right management practices for fertilizer contribute to sustainability for agriculture. Getting practices “right” depends on important roles played by many partners including farmers, crop advisers, scientists, policymakers, consumers, and the general public.” The concept of 4R stewardship not only provides structural stability to our own management decisions, but also offers us a simple and effective means of communicating to those outside agriculture about how our management contributes to sustainability. To truly be “right” practices must be site-specific for the crop, field, and for the zone within the field. Yet, the scientific foundation upon which 4R nutrient stewardship is built and that leads us to nutrient BMPs is universal

A quantum mechanical relation connecting time, temperature, and cosmological constant of the universe: Gamow's relation revisited as a special case

Considering our expanding universe as made up of gravitationally interacting particles which describe particles of luminous matter and dark matter and dark energy which is described by a repulsive harmonic potential among the points in the flat 3-space, we derive a quantum mechanical relation connecting, temperature of the cosmic microwave background radiation, age, and cosmological constant of the universe. When the cosmological constant is zero, we get back the Gamow's relation with a much better coefficient. Otherwise, our theory predicts a value of the cosmological constant $2.0 10^{-56} {\rm {cm^{-2}}}$ when the present values of cosmic microwave background temperature of 2.728 K and age of the universe 14 billion years are taken as input.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, Study of the Universe from a condensed matter point of view, section III corrected with a single body potentia

Antimatter from the cosmological baryogenesis and the anisotropies and polarization of the CMB radiation

We discuss the hypotheses that cosmological baryon asymmetry and entropy were produced in the early Universe by phase transition of the scalar fields in the framework of spontaneous baryogenesis scenario. We show that annihilation of the matter-antimatter clouds during the cosmological hydrogen recombination could distort of the CMB anisotropies and polarization by delay of the recombination. After recombination the annihilation of the antibaryonic clouds (ABC) and baryonic matter can produce peak-like reionization at the high redshifts before formation of quasars and early galaxy formation. We discuss the constraints on the parameters of spontaneous baryogenesis scenario by the recent WMAP CMB anisotropy and polarization data and on possible manifestation of the antimatter clouds in the upcoming PLANCK data.Comment: PRD in press with minor change