8,235 research outputs found
Model-independent assessment of current direct searches for spin-dependent dark matter
I evaluate the current results of spin-dependent weakly interacting massive
particle (WIMP) searches within a model-independent framework, showing the most
restrictive limits to date derive from the combination of xenon and sodium
iodide experiments. The extension of this analysis to the case of positive
signal experiments is elaborated.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, revised and accepted for publication on Phys.
Rev. Let
The colour of the narrow line Sy1-blazar 0324+3410
Aims. We investigate the properties of the host galaxy of the blazar
J0324+3410 (B2 0321+33) by the analysis of B and R images obtained with the NOT
under good photometric conditions. Methods: The galaxy was studied using
different methods: Sersic model fitting, unsharp-masked images, B-R image and
B-R profile analysis. Results: The images show that the host galaxy has a
ring-like morphology. The B-R colour image reveals two bluish zones: one that
coincides with the nuclear region, interpreted as the signature of emission
related to the active nucleus, the other zone is extended and is located in the
host ring-structure. We discuss the hypothesis that the later is thermal
emission from a burst of star formation triggered by an interacting/merging
process
J0316+4328: a Probable "Asymmetric Double" Lens
We report a probable gravitational lens J0316+4328, one of 19 candidate
asymmetric double lenses (2 images at a high flux density ratio) from CLASS.
Observations with the Very Large Array (VLA), MERLIN and the Very Long Baseline
Array (VLBA) imply that J0316+4328 is a lens with high confidence. It has 2
images separated by 0.40", with 6 GHz flux densities of 62 mJy and 3.2 mJy. The
flux density ratio of ~19 (constant over the frequency range 6-22 GHz) is the
largest for any 2 image gravitational lens. High resolution optical imaging and
deeper VLBI maps should confirm the lensing interpretation and provide inputs
to detailed lens models. The unique configuration will give strong constraints
on the lens galaxy's mass profile.Comment: Accepted to MNRAS Letters. 5 pages, 6 figures, 3 table
The Cosmic Lens All-Sky Survey parent population - I. Sample selection and number counts
We present the selection of the Jodrell Bank Flat-spectrum (JBF) radio source
sample, which is designed to reduce the uncertainties in the Cosmic Lens
All-Sky Survey (CLASS) gravitational lensing statistics arising from the lack
of knowledge about the parent population luminosity function. From observations
at 4.86 GHz with the Very Large Array, we have selected a sample of 117
flat-spectrum radio sources with flux densities greater than 5 mJy. These
sources were selected in a similar manner to the CLASS complete sample and are
therefore representative of the parent population at low flux densities. The
vast majority (~90 per cent) of the JBF sample are found to be compact on the
arcsecond scales probed here and show little evidence of any extended radio jet
emission. Using the JBF and CLASS complete samples we find the differential
number counts slope of the parent population above and below the CLASS 30 mJy
flux density limit to be -2.07+/-0.02 and -1.96+/-0.12, respectively.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
The Rhetorical Burden of Expert Witnesses
When judges and juries hear from expert witnesses, what exactly do they expect to hear? In other words, as an audience what purpose do they have for the communication? Just what rhetorical burden is the expert expected to bear? The theme of our paper is that the Frye and Daubert rules that dominate legal argument about the use of expert witnesses are both flawed. Neither shows adequate respect either for what Billig calls the argumentative aspect of social life or the inescapable hermeneutic and perspectival problems highlighted by the rhetoric-of-the-human-sciences movement
Quantum oscillations and a non-trivial Berry phase in the noncentrosymmetric superconductor BiPd
We report the measurements of de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) oscillations in the
noncentrosymmetric superconductor BiPd. Several pieces of a complex multi-sheet
Fermi surface are identified, including a small pocket (frequency 40 T) which
is three dimensional and anisotropic. From the temperature dependence of the
amplitude of the oscillations, the cyclotron effective mass is (
0.1) . Further analysis showed a non-trivial -Berry phase is
associated with the 40 T pocket, which strongly supports the presence of
topological states in bulk BiPd and may result in topological superconductivity
due to the proximity coupling to other bands.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
Proton-Stabilized Photochemically Reversible E/Z Isomerization of Spiropyrans
Spiropyrans undergo C-spiro-O bond breaking to their ring-open protonated E-merocyanine form upon protonation and irradiation via an intermediate protonated Z-merocyanine isomer. We show that the extent of acid-induced ring opening is controlled by matching both the concentration and strength of the acid used and with strong acids full ring opening to the Z-merocyanine isomer occurs spontaneously allowing its characterization by H-1 NMR spectroscopy as well as UV/vis spectroscopy, and reversible switching between Z/E-isomerization by irradiation with UV and visible light. Under sufficiently acidic conditions, both E- and Z-isomers are thermally stable. Judicious choice of acid such that its pK(a) lies between that of the E- and Z-merocyanine forms enables thermally stable switching between spiropyran and E-merocyanine forms and hence pH gating between thermally irreversible and reversible photochromic switching
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