Nuclear Abundance

The final conclusion is clear Uniform correlation between nuclear stability and abundance cannot result from nucleogenesis in a large number of unrelated processes under a variety of reaction conditions, as required by the big-bang mechanism. The suggested alternative of nuclear synthesis by an equilibrium process of systematic a-addition points at a completely different cosmological model and to the direction which this enquiry must follow, while remaining consistent with physical theory. 

Alpher, R.A. R.C. Hermann, (1950) Theory of the Origin and Relative Abundance Distribution of the Elements, Revs. Mod. Phys., 1950 (22) 153-212. 

Arnett, D. (1996) Supemovae and Nucleosynthesis, University Press, Princeton. 

[VIST) Quasars, Redshifts and Controversies, Interstellar, Berkeley. 

Boeyens, J.C.A. (1994) Ionization radii of compressed atoms, J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans., 1994 (90) 3377-3381. 

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FIGURE 17.11 The variation in cosmic nuclear abundance with atomic number. Note that elements with even atomic numbers (brown curve) are consistently more abundant than neighboring elements with odd atomic numbers (blue curve). 

Recently a number of studies haVe been published on the nuclear abundance of nova ejecta, as summarized by Truran and Livio (1986). 

The first paper deals with the gas-phase chemistry in one dimension. Starting with four combinations of HjO, CO2, NHj and CH nuclear abundances (Table 5), rate equations for 441 photoreactions and chemical reactions are solved simultaneously. The second paper starts with a somewhat modified initial composition which varies the abundances of CO and CO. While one combination contains only COj and is similar to one of the first paper, the other assumes a pure CO mixture (Table 5). Abundances for NH3 and CH4 are almost the same in both models of paper 2 and about 1/3 of the COj or CO abundance. Furthermore, new rate constants are included, and 25 instead of 3 photodissociative ionization reactions are taken into account. The calculations have shown that these reactions are an important source for the inner coma ions. Two processes which are included shall especially be mentioned in this respect ... 

Denote by A(Af) the estimated cosmic metal abundance given the observation of life on earth, where "metal" conventionally denotes carbon and all heavier elements. Suppose cosmology and astrophysics offer some set / of inputs to tractable calculations for generating A(Af), which includes primordial nuclear abundances, but also models of star and planetaiy-system formation. For simplicity, we first treat / and N as independent, as they effectively were for Hoyle, but later come back and revise this assumption to represent more recent cosmological anthropic arguments. 

Note The TT-N-P structural motif usually results in very broad doublets due to the quadrupolar moment of the dominant nitrogen atom (1=1 nuclear abundance =99.63%). 

Botolin, D., Wang, Y., Christian, B., and Jump, D. B. Docosahexaneoic acid (22 6,n-3) regulates rat hepatocyte SREBP-1 nuclear abundance by Erk- and 26S proteasome-dependent pathways. J Lipid Res 47 (2006) 181-192. 

The composition of low energy cosmic rays is close to universcJ nuclear abundances except where propagation effects are present. For example, Li, Be, and B which are spallation products, are overabundant by about six orders of magnitude. 

Alpher s preference is clearly conditioned by cosmology rather than science, but in the event it led to the total elimination of the equilibrium model from subsequent enquiry. A complicating factor in the argument is the continuously changing evidence provided by astronomical observation, in both theories, the success is measured in terms of predicted nuclear abundances and invariably these predictions depend on the nature and characteristics of known types of star, assumed as the seat of nucleogenesis. As more powerful telescopes identify new types of heavenly body, new possibilities of nuclear synthesis open up and the model has to be reworked. This process continues for the a — /d — 7 model only. The equilibrium model was abandoned before the discovery of quasars and black holes, that obviously provide more attractive environments for nuclear synthesis. The only mechanism for the dispersal of freshly synthesized material is still assumed to be supernovae and this assumption could also stand reassessment. 

GRIFFIN, J. B., RODRIGUEZ-MELENDEZ, R., ZEMPLENI, J. (2003) The nuclear abundance of transcription factors Spl and Sp3 depends on biotin in Jurkat cells. J. Nutr, 133, 3409-3415. 

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