Vitreous GeO2 response to shock loading

Shock wave profiles in vitreous GeO2 (6.56 Mg/m^3) under planar loading were measured using stress gauges to 14 GPa. New and previous data yield Hugoniot: D=0.974 (km/s)+1.711 u for shocks of 6 to 40 GPa. We show that the phase change from 4- to 6-fold coordination of Ge+4 with O–2 in vitreous GeO2 occurs from 4 to 15 GPa. Hugoniots of vitreous GeO2 and SiO2 are found to approximately coincide if the pressure in SiO2 is scaled by the ratio of SiO2 to GeO2 initial density

Implementation of a Gauss convoluted Pandel PDF for track reconstruction in Neutrino Telescopes

A probability distribution function is presented which provides a realistic description of the detection of scattered photons. The resulting probabilities can be described analytically by means of a superposition of several special functions. These exact expressions can be evaluated numerically only for small distances and limited time residuals, due to computer accuracy limitations. In this report we provide approximations for the exact expressions in different regions of the distance-time residual space, defined by the detector geometry and the space-time scale of an event. These approximations can be evaluated numerically with a relative error with respect to the exact expression at the boundaries of less than 0.001.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures Revision 1 : extended content 12 pages, 4 figures Accepted for publication in Astroparticle Physic

Fabrication of X-Graded H13 and Cu Powder Mix Using High Power Pulsed Nd:YAG Laser

The manufacturing of Functionally Graded Material (FGM) parts using Solid Free Form manufacturing technologies has been carried out since early 1980. At present, most of the powder manufacturing techniques are being focused on layering powder with different powder blend compositions with Z gradients (graded in direction of layer build). Although, there are a few researchers working on multi powder feeder and deposition system, the study of laser fusion of the deposited powder (by a powder deposition system) is minimum or not known to date. Consequently, the manufacturing of functionally graded structures is still geometry limited. This work was focused on the manufacturing of X-graded (graded along the powder bed plane) specimens with H13 tool steel and Cu mix. Five bimodal powder blends were used with a multi-container feed hopper to spread powder layers for the selective laser fusion of the powder. The powder was fused using a high power Nd:YAG pulsed laser using a specific scanning strategy to reduce porosity. Specimens were produced with graded Cu within the H13 matrix. The specimens were analysed for dimensional accuracy, microstructure, porosity, cracks and micro hardness of the FGM.Mechanical Engineerin

On Probing theta_{23} in Neutrino Telescopes

Among all neutrino mixing parameters, the atmospheric neutrino mixing angle theta_{23} introduces the strongest variation on the flux ratios of ultra high energy neutrinos. We investigate the potential of these flux ratio measurements at neutrino telescopes to constrain theta_{23}. We consider astrophysical neutrinos originating from pion, muon-damped and neutron sources and make a comparative study of their sensitivity reach to theta_{23}. It is found that neutron sources are most favorable for testing deviations from maximal theta_{23}. Using a chi^2 analysis, we show in particular the power of combining (i) different flux ratios from the same type of source, and also (ii) combining flux ratios from different astrophysical sources. We include in our analysis ``impure'' sources, i.e., deviations from the usually assumed initial (1 : 2 : 0), (0 : 1 : 0) or (1 : 0 : 0) flux compositions.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figures. Added discussion on experimental errors. To appear in PR

Dynamic Tensile Strength of Lunar Rock Types

The dynamic tensile strengths of four rocks have been determined. A flat plate impact experiment is used to generate ∼1-μs-duration tensile stress pulses in rock samples by superposing rarefaction waves to induce fracture. A gabbroic anorthosite and a basalt were selected because they are the same rock types as occur on the lunar highlands and mare, respectively. Although these have dynamic tensile strengths which lie within the ranges 153–174 MPa and 157–179 –MPa, whereas Arkansas novaculite and Westerly granite exhibit dynamic tensile strengths of 67–88 MPa and 95–116 MPa, respectively, the effect of chemical weathering and other factors, which may affect application of the present results to the moon, have not been explicitly studied. The reported tensile strengths are based on a series of experiments on each rock where determination of incipient spallation is made by terminal microscopic examination. These data are generally consistent with previous determinations, at least one of which was for a significantly chemically altered (hydroxylated) but physically coherent rock. The tensile failure data do not bear a simple relation to compressive results and imply that any modeling involving rock fracture consider the tensile strength of igneous rocks under impulse loads distinct from the values for static tensile strength. Generally, the dynamic tensile strengths of nonporous igneous rocks range from ∼ 100 to 180 MPa, with the more basic, and even amphibole-bearing samples, yielding the higher values

From AMANDA to IceCube

The first string of the neoteric high energy neutrino telescope IceCube successfully began operating in January 2005. It is anticipated that upon completion the new detector will vastly increase the sensitivity and extend the reach of AMANDA to higher energies. A discussion of the IceCube's discovery potential for extra-terrestrial neutrinos, together with the prospects of new physics derived from the ongoing AMANDA research will be the focus of this paper. Preliminary results of the first antarctic high energy neutrino telescope AMANDA searching in the muon neutrino channel for localized and diffuse excess of extra-terrestrial neutrinos will be reviewed using data collected between 2000 and 2003. Neutrino flux limits obtained with the all-flavor dedicated UHE and cascade analyses will be described. A first neutrino spectrum above one TeV in agreement with atmospheric neutrino flux expectations and no extra-terrestrial contribution will be presented, followed by a discussion of a limit for neutralino CDM candidates annihilating in the center of the Sun.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures Invited talk contribution at 5th International Conference on Non-accelerator New Physics (NANP 05), Dubna, Russia, 20-25 Jun 200

A population-based case-control study on social factors and risk of testicular germ cell tumours

Objectives Incidence rates for testicular cancer have risen over the last few decades. Findings of an association between the risk of testicular cancer and social factors are controversial. The association of testicular cancer and different indicators of social factors were examined in this study.<p></p> Design Case–control study.<p></p> Setting Population-based multicentre study in four German regions (city states Bremen and Hamburg, the Saarland region and the city of Essen).<p></p> Participants The study included 797 control participants and 266 participants newly diagnosed with testicular cancer of which 167 cases were classified as seminoma and 99 as non-seminoma. The age of study participants ranged from 15 to 69 years.<p></p> Methods Social position was classified by educational attainment level, posteducational training, occupational sectors according to Erikson-Goldthorpe-Portocarrero (EGP) and the socioeconomic status (SES) on the basis of the International SocioEconomic Index of occupational status (ISEI). ORs and corresponding 95% CIs (95% CIs) were calculated for the whole study sample and for seminoma and non-seminoma separately.<p></p> Results Testicular cancer risk was modestly increased among participants with an apprenticeship (OR=1.7 (95% CI 1.0 to 2.8)) or a university degree (OR=1.6 (95% CI 0.9 to 2.8)) relative to those whose education was limited to school. Analysis of occupational sectors revealed an excess risk for farmers and farm-related occupations. No clear trend was observed for the analyses according to the ISEI-scale.<p></p> Conclusions Social factors based on occupational measures were not a risk factor for testicular cancer in this study. The elevated risk in farmers and farm-related occupations warrants further research including analysis of occupational exposures.<p></p&gt