1,262 research outputs found
The `bare' strange stars might not be bare
It is proposed that the `bare' strange matter stars might not be bare, and
radio pulsars might be in fact `bare' strange stars. As strange matter stars
being intensely magnetized rotate, the induced unipolar electric fields would
be large enough to construct magnetospheres. This situation is very similar to
that discussed by many authors for rotating neutron stars. Also, the strange
stars with accretion crusts in binaries could act as X-ray pulsars or X-ray
bursters. There are some advantages if radio pulsars are `bare' strange stars.Comment: 11 pages, 1 Postscript figures, LaTeX, Chin. Phys. Lett. 1998,
Vol.15, Nov.12, p.93
N=2 Supersymmetric Scalar-Tensor Couplings
We determine the general coupling of a system of scalars and antisymmetric
tensors, with at most two derivatives and undeformed gauge transformations, for
both rigid and local N=2 supersymmetry in four-dimensional spacetime. Our
results cover interactions of hyper, tensor and double-tensor multiplets and
apply among others to Calabi-Yau threefold compactifications of Type II
supergravities. As an example, we give the complete Lagrangian and
supersymmetry transformation rules of the double-tensor multiplet dual to the
universal hypermultiplet.Comment: 23 pages, LaTeX2e with amsmath.sty; v2: corrected typos and added
referenc
Free-Boundary Dynamics in Elasto-plastic Amorphous Solids: The Circular Hole Problem
We develop an athermal shear-transformation-zone (STZ) theory of plastic
deformation in spatially inhomogeneous, amorphous solids. Our ultimate goal is
to describe the dynamics of the boundaries of voids or cracks in such systems
when they are subjected to remote, time-dependent tractions. The theory is
illustrated here for the case of a circular hole in an infinite two-dimensional
plate, a highly symmetric situation that allows us to solve much of the problem
analytically. In spite of its special symmetry, this example contains many
general features of systems in which stress is concentrated near free
boundaries and deforms them irreversibly. We depart from conventional
treatments of such problems in two ways. First, the STZ analysis allows us to
keep track of spatially heterogeneous, internal state variables such as the
effective disorder temperature, which determines plastic response to subsequent
loading. Second, we subject the system to stress pulses of finite duration, and
therefore are able to observe elasto-plastic response during both loading and
unloading. We compute the final deformations and residual stresses produced by
these stress pulses. Looking toward more general applications of these results,
we examine the possibility of constructing a boundary-layer theory that might
be useful in less symmetric situations.Comment: 30 pages (preprint format), 9 figure
Towards reduction of type II theories on SU(3) structure manifolds
We revisit the reduction of type II supergravity on SU(3) structure
manifolds, conjectured to lead to gauged N=2 supergravity in 4 dimensions. The
reduction proceeds by expanding the invariant 2- and 3-forms of the SU(3)
structure as well as the gauge potentials of the type II theory in the same set
of forms, the analogues of harmonic forms in the case of Calabi-Yau reductions.
By focussing on the metric sector, we arrive at a list of constraints these
expansion forms should satisfy to yield a base point independent reduction.
Identifying these constraints is a first step towards a first-principles
reduction of type II on SU(3) structure manifolds.Comment: 20 pages; v2: condition (2.13old) on expansion forms weakened,
replaced by (2.13new), (2.14new
String loop corrections to the universal hypermultiplet
We study loop corrections to the universal dilaton supermultiplet for type
IIA strings compactified on Calabi-Yau threefolds. We show that the
corresponding quaternionic kinetic terms receive non-trivial one-loop
contributions proportional to the Euler number of the Calabi-Yau manifold,
while the higher-loop corrections can be absorbed by field redefinitions. The
corrected metric is no longer Kahler. Our analysis implies in particular that
the Calabi-Yau volume is renormalized by loop effects which are present even in
higher orders, while there are also one-loop corrections to the Bianchi
identities for the NS and RR field strengths.Comment: 30 pages, harvmac, 1 figure. v2: minor typos corrected. Version to
appear in Classical and Quantum Gravit
There are many ways to be rich: Effects of three measures of semantic richness on visual word recognition
Formation of the internal structure of solids under severe action
On the example of a particular problem, the theory of vacancies, a new form
of kinetic equations symmetrically incorporation the internal and free energies
has been derived. The dynamical nature of irreversible phenomena at formation
and motion of defects (dislocations) has been analyzed by a computer
experiment. The obtained particular results are extended into a thermodynamic
identity involving the law of conservation of energy at interaction with an
environment (the 1st law of thermodynamics) and the law of energy
transformation into internal degree of freedom (relaxation). The identity is
compared with the analogous Jarzynski identity. The approach is illustrated by
simulation of processes during severe plastic deformation, the Rybin kinetic
equation for this case has been derived.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure
Heterotic-type IIA duality with fluxes
In this paper we study a possible non-perturbative dual of the heterotic
string compactified on K3 x T^2 in the presence of background fluxes. We show
that type IIA string theory compactified on manifolds with SU(3) structure can
account for a subset of the possible heterotic fluxes. This extends our
previous analysis to a case of a non-perturbative duality with fluxes.Comment: 26 pages, minor corrections; version to appear in JHE
A Model Approach to the Electrochemical Cell: An Inquiry Activity
In an attempt to address some student misconceptions in electrochemistry, this guided-inquiry laboratory was devised to give students an opportunity to use a manipulative that simulates the particulatelevel activity within an electrochemical cell, in addition to using an actual electrochemical cell. Students are led through a review of expected prior knowledge relating to oxidation and reduction half-reactions. Then, the students examine the macroscopic level by constructing and using an electrochemical cell. Finally, students use the manipulative and make connections between the two levels through class discussion. The misconceptions involve the movement of electrons and ions through solution and the salt bridge, the resulting charges of the half-cells, and the charge sign given to the anode and cathode on electrochemical and electrolytic cells. Additionally, the activity covers oxidation and reduction reactions in electrochemical cells and provides practice drawing and labeling parts of an electrochemical cell. Results, pre- and post-testing and student comments, indicate that this laboratory facilitates studentsâ understanding of electrochemical cells
Mortality Rates Among Trichlorophenol Workers With Exposure to 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
The authors examined 1,615 workers exposed to dioxins in trichlorophenol production in Midland, Michigan, to determine if there were increased mortality rates from exposure. Historical dioxin levels were estimated by a serum survey of workers. Vital status was followed from 1942 to 2003, and cause-specific death rates and trends with exposure were evaluated. All cancers combined (standardized mortality ratio (SMR)â=â1.0, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.8, 1.1), lung cancers (SMRâ=â0.7, 95% CI: 0.5, 0.9), and nonmalignant respiratory disease (SMRâ= 0.8, 95% CI: 0.6, 1.0) were at or below expected levels. Observed deaths for leukemia (SMRâ=â1.9, 95% CI: 1.0, 3.2), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (SMRâ=â1.3, 95% CI: 0.6, 2.5), diabetes (SMRâ=â1.1, 95% CI: 0.6, 1.8), and ischemic heart disease (SMRâ=â1.1, 95% CI: 0.9, 1.2) were slightly greater than expected. No trend was observed with exposure for these causes of death. However, for 4 deaths of soft tissue sarcoma (SMRâ=â4.1, 95% CI: 1.1, 10.5), the mortality rates increased with exposure. The small number of deaths and the uncertainty in both diagnosis and nosology coding make interpretation of this finding tenuous. With the exception of soft tissue sarcoma, the authors found little evidence of increased disease risk from exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
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