The Oblique Orbit of the Super-Neptune HAT-P-11b

We find the orbit of the Neptune-sized exoplanet HAT-P-11b to be highly inclined relative to the equatorial plane of its host star. This conclusion is based on spectroscopic observations of two transits, which allowed the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect to be detected with an amplitude of 1.5 m/s. The sky-projected obliquity is 103_{-10}^{+26} degrees. This is the smallest exoplanet for which spin-orbit alignment has been measured. The result favors a migration scenario involving few-body interactions followed by tidal dissipation. This finding also conforms with the pattern that the systems with the weakest tidal interactions have the widest spread in obliquities. We predict that the high obliquity of HAT-P-11 will be manifest in transit light curves from the Kepler spacecraft: starspot-crossing anomalies will recur at most once per stellar rotation period, rather than once per orbital period as they would for a well-aligned system.Comment: ApJ Letters, in press [5 pages

PKI Interoperability: Still an Issue? A Solution in the X. 509 Realm

There exist many obstacles that slow the global adoption of public key infrastructure (PKI) technology. The PKI interoperability problem, being poorly understood, is one of the most confusing. In this paper, we clarify the PKI interoperability issue by exploring both the juridical and technical domains. We demonstrate the origin of the PKI interoperability problem by determining its root causes, the latter being legal, organizational and technical differences between countries, which mean that relying parties have no one to rely on. We explain how difficult it is to harmonize them. Finally, we propose to handle the interoperability problem from the trust management point of view, by introducing the role of a trust broker which is in charge of helping relying parties make informed decisions about X.509 certificates

Inclusive J/psi and psi(2S) production in p-Pb collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 5.02 TeV with ALICE at the LHC

We report on the inclusive J/psi nuclear modification factor in p-Pb collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 5.02 TeV as a function of rapidity y and transverse momentum p_T. The experimental coverage extends down to p_T = 0 GeV/c in the three rapidity ranges accessible by ALICE (-4.46 < y_cms < -2.96, -1.37 < y_cms < 0.46, 2.03 < y_cms < 3.53). The obtained results as a function of rapidity are in agreement with theory predictions based only on shadowing or on coherent energy loss. At forward and backward rapidity, the psi(2S) measurement complements the J/psi results. The ratio between the psi(2S) and J/psi cross section is significantly smaller in p-Pb than in pp collisions in both rapidity regions.Comment: To appear in the proceedings of Hard-Probes 2013, the 6th International Conference on Hard and Electromagnetic Probes of High-Energy Nuclear Collisions, Nov. 201

Ellipsograph for pantograph Patent

Ellipsograph for describing and cutting ellipses with minimal axial dimension

5-HT6R Viral Vector-Mediated Indirect Pathway Activation in the Dorsolateral Striatum: A Discussion on Basal Ganglia Habitual and Goal-Directed Circuits

Altering maladaptive behavioral tendencies is relevant for clinical interventions, making research on underlying mechanisms of habit essential. Mechanisms of habit are explored here with differential activation of the indirect pathway in the basal ganglia. Viral vector-mediated overexpression of the 5-hydroxytryptamine 6 (5-HT6) receptor in the indirect pathway of the dorsolateral striatum was used to increase indirect pathway activity. Subjects were trained such that control animals were expected to exhibit habitual behavior. We hypothesized increased activation of the indirect pathway would maintain goal-directed behavior. To test this hypothesis female rats were assigned to 5-HT6 receptor upregulation or control groups in a reward devaluation behavior paradigm to assess habitual behavior. Although our results do not show anticipated behavioral results following reward devaluation, a lack of statistical power due to small sample sizes does not allow conclusions to be reached