Scalar spectral index in the presence of Primordial Black Holes

We study the cosmological consequences of energy injection from the evaporation of Primordial Black Holes (PBHs) that are formed due to the collapse of the inhomogeneities that were generated during inflation in the early universe. By using the current results of the baryon–photon ratio obtained from BBN and CMB observations, we impose constraints on the spectral index of perturbations on those small scales that cannot be estimated through CMB anisotropy and CMB distortions. The masses of the PBHs constrained in this study lie in the range of [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g, which corresponds to those PBHs whose maximal evaporation took place during the redshifts [Formula: see text]. It is shown that the upper bound on the scalar spectral index, [Formula: see text] can be constrained for a given threshold value, [Formula: see text], of the curvature perturbations for PBHs formation. Using Planck results for cosmological parameters, we obtained [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text], respectively. The density fraction that has contributed to the formation of PBHs has also been estimated.

Galaxies and clusters of galaxies as peak patches of the density field

ABSTRACT The mass function of galaxies and clusters of galaxies can be derived observationally based on different types of observations. In this study we test if these observations can be combined to a consistent picture which is also in accord with structure formation theory. The galaxy data comprise the optical galaxy luminosity function and the gravitational lensing signature of the galaxies, while the galaxy cluster mass function is derived from the X-ray luminosity distribution of the clusters. We show the results of the comparison in the form of the mass density fraction that is contained in collapsed objects relative to the mean matter density in the Universe. The mass density fraction in groups and clusters of galaxies extrapolated to low masses agrees very well with that of the galaxies: both converge at the low mass limit to a mass fraction of about 28 per cent if the outer radii of the objects are taken to be r200. Most of the matter contained in collapsed objects is found in the mass range $M_{200} \sim 10^{12}\!-\!10^{14}\, h^{-1}_{70} \, \mathrm{M}_\odot$, while a larger amount of the cosmic matter resides outside of r200 of collapsed objects.

g-C3N4 promoted MOF derived hollow carbon nanopolyhedra doped with high density/fraction of single Fe atoms as an ultra-high performance non-precious catalyst towards acidic ORR and PEM fuel cells

Atomic Fe-doped hollow carbon nanopolyhedra as efficient ORR catalysts.

Application of Relevance Maps in Multidimensional Classification of Coal Types / Zastosowanie Map Odniesienia W Wielowymiarowej Klasyfikacji Typów Węgla

Multidimensional data visualization methods are a modern tool allowing to classify some analyzed objects. In the case of grained materials e.g. coal, many characteristics have an influence on the material quality. In case of coal, apart from most obvious features like particle size, particle density or ash contents there are many others which cause significant differences between considered types of material. The paper presents the possibility of applying visualization techniques for coal type identification and determination of significant differences between various types of coal. Author decided to apply relevance maps to achieve this purpose. Three types of coal - 31, 34.2 and 35 (according to Polish classification of coal types) were investigated, which were initially screened on sieves and then divided into density fractions. Then, each size-density fraction was chemically analyzed to obtain other characteristics. It was stated that the applied methodology allows to identify certain coal types efficiently and can be used as a qualitative criterion for grained materials. However, it was impossible to achieve such identification comparing all three types of coal together. The presented methodology is new way of analyzing data concerning widely understood mineral processing.

A dual isotope approach to isolate soil carbon pools of different turnover times

Soils are globally significant sources and sinks of atmospheric CO2. Increasing the resolution of soil carbon turnover estimates is important for predicting the response of soil carbon cycling to environmental change. We show that soil carbon turnover times can be more finely resolved using a dual isotope label like the one provided by elevated CO2 experiments that use fossil CO2. We modeled each soil physical fraction as two pools with different turnover times using the atmospheric 14C bomb spike in combination with the label in 14C and 13C provided by an elevated CO2 experiment in a California annual grassland. In sandstone and serpentine soils, the light fraction carbon was 21–54% fast cycling with 2–9 yr turnover, and 36–79% slow cycling with turnover slower than 100 yr. This validates model treatment of the light fraction as active and intermediate cycling carbon. The dense, mineral-associated fraction also had a very dynamic component, consisting of ∼7% fast-cycling carbon and ∼93% very slow cycling carbon. Similarly, half the microbial biomass carbon in the sandstone soil was more than 5 yr old, and 40% of the carbon respired by microbes had been fixed more than 5 yr ago. Resolving each density fraction into two pools revealed that only a small component of total soil carbon is responsible for most CO2 efflux from these soils. In the sandstone soil, 11% of soil carbon contributes more than 90% of the annual CO2 efflux. The fact that soil physical fractions, designed to isolate organic material of roughly homogeneous physico-chemical state, contain material of dramatically different turnover times is consistent with recent observations of rapid isotope incorporation into seemingly stable fractions and with emerging evidence for hot spots or micro-site variation of decomposition within the soil matrix. Predictions of soil carbon storage using a turnover time estimated with the assumption of a single pool per density fraction would greatly overestimate the near-term response to changes in productivity or decomposition rates. Therefore, these results suggest a slower initial change in soil carbon storage due to environmental change than has been assumed by simpler (one-pool) mass balance calculations.