Abstract: To reconcile the current tensions between high and low redshift observations, we perform the first constraints on the Finslerian cosmological models including the effective dark matter and dark energy components. We find that all the four Finslerian models could alleviate effectively the Hubble constant (H-0) tension and the amplitude of the root-mean-square density fluctu-ations (s(8)) tension between the Planck measurements and the local Universe observations at the 68% confidence level. The addition of a massless sterile neutrino and a varying total mass of active neutrinos to the base Finslerian two-parameter model, respectively, reduces the H-0 tension from 3.4s to 1.9s and alleviates the s8 tension better than the other three Finslerian models. Computing the Bayesian evidence, with respect to ACDM model, our analysis shows a weak preference for the base Finslerian model and moderate preferences for its three one-parameter extensions. Based on the model-independent Gaussian Processes, we propose a new linear relation which can describe the current redshift space distortions data very well. Using the most stringent constraints we can provide, we have also obtained the limits of typical model parameters for three one-parameter extensional models.

Abstract: Kohn-Sham density functional calculations are reported for the structures of clusters consisting of a carbonyl sulfide (OCS) molecule with N = 1, 8, 18, and 40 attached He-3 atoms. The N = 1 cluster ground state is highly localized at the molecular waist (donut ring position), but for higher levels of excitation becomes increasingly delocalized. The first magic cluster with 8 atoms has a significant density at both ends of the molecule in addition to the donut ring. With N = 18 He-3 atoms the molecule is enclosed by a magic number closed shell. Another magic stable structure consisting of two nearly isotropically spherical closed shells is found at N = 40. A comparison with calculations for the same sized He-4 clusters show some important similarities, e. g., pile up at the donut ring position but altogether a more diffuse, less anisotropic structure. These results are discussed in the light of the recently analyzed infrared spectra measured in large pure He-3 droplets (N approximate to 1.2 x 10(4)) [B. Sartakov, J. P. Toennies, and A. F. Vilesov, J. Chem. Phys. 136, 134316 (2012)]. The moments of inertia of the 11 atom spherical shell structure, which is consistent with the experimental spectrum, lies between the predicted moments of inertia for N = 8 and N = 18 clusters. Overall the calculations reveal that the structures and energies of small doped He-3 are only slightly more diffuse and less energetic than the same He-4 clusters.

Abstract: Attractor solutions that give dynamical reasons for dark energy to act like the cosmological constant, or behavior close to it, are interesting possibilities to explain cosmic acceleration. Coupling the scalar field to matter or to gravity enlarges the dynamical behavior; we consider both couplings together, which can ameliorate some problems for each individually. Such theories have also been proposed in a Higgs-like fashion to induce gravity and unify dark energy and dark matter origins. We explore restrictions on such theories due to their dynamical behavior compared to observations of the cosmic expansion. Quartic potentials in particular have viable stability properties and asymptotically approach general relativity.

Abstract: The cosmic energy density in the form of radiation before and during Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) is typically parameterized in terms of the effective number of neutrinos N-eff. This quantity, in case of no extra degrees of freedom, depends upon the chemical potential and the temperature characterizing the three active neutrino distributions, as well as by their possible non-thermal features. In the present analysis we determine the upper bounds that BBN places on N-eff from primordial neutrino-antineutrino asymmetries, with a careful treatment of the dynamics of neutrino oscillations. We consider quite a wide range for the total lepton number in the neutrino sector, eta(nu) = eta(nu e) + eta(nu mu) + eta(nu tau) and the initial electron neutrino asymmetry eta(in)(nu e), solving the corresponding kinetic equations which rule the dynamics of neutrino (antineutrino) distributions in phase space due to collisions, pair processes and flavor oscillations. New bounds on both the total lepton number in the neutrino sector and the nu(e)-(nu) over bar (e) asymmetry at the onset of BBN are obtained fully exploiting the time evolution of neutrino distributions, as well as the most recent determinations of primordial H-2/H density ratio and He-4 mass fraction. Note that taking the baryon fraction as measured by WMAP, the H-2/H abundance plays a relevant role in constraining the allowed regions in the eta(nu)-eta(in)(nu e) plane. These bounds fix the maximum contribution of neutrinos with primordial asymmetries to N-eff as a function of the mixing parameter theta(13), and point out the upper bound N-eff less than or similar to 3.4. Comparing these results with the forthcoming measurement of N-eff by the Planck satellite will likely provide insight on the nature of the radiation content of the universe.

Abstract: We study the impact of the cosmological parameters uncertainties on the measurements of primordial non-Gaussianity through the large-scale non-Gaussian halo bias effect. While this is not expected to be an issue for the standard Lambda CDM model, it may not be the case for more general models that modify the large-scale shape of the power spectrum. We consider the so-called local non-Gaussianity model, parametrized by the f(NL) non-Gaussianity parameter which is zero for a Gaussian case, and make forecasts on f(NL) from planned surveys, alone and combined with a Planck CMB prior. In particular, we consider EUCLID- and LSST-like surveys and forecast the correlations among f(NL) and the running of the spectral index alpha(s), the dark energy equation of state w, the effective sound speed of dark energy perturbations c(s)(2), the total mass of massive neutrinos M-nu = Sigma m(nu), and the number of extra relativistic degrees of freedom N-nu(rel). Neglecting CMB information on f(NL) and scales k > 0.03h/Mpc, we find that, if N-nu(rel) is assumed to be known, the uncertainty on cosmological parameters increases the error on f(NL) by 10 to 30% depending on the survey. Thus the f(NL) constraint is remarkable robust to cosmological model uncertainties. On the other hand, if N-nu(rel) is simultaneously constrained from the data, the f(NL) error increases by similar to 80%. Finally, future surveys which provide a large sample of galaxies or galaxy clusters over a volume comparable to the Hubble volume can measure primordial non-Gaussianity of the local form with a marginalized 1-sigma error of the order Delta f(NL) similar to 2 – 5, after combination with CMB priors for the remaining cosmological parameters. These results are competitive with CMB bispectrum constraints achievable with an ideal CMB experiment.