384 research outputs found
Concurrent 43 and 86 GHz Very Long Baseline Polarimetry of 3C273
We present sub-milliarcsecond resolution total intensity and linear
polarization VLBI images of 3C273, using concurrent 43 and 86 GHz data taken
with the Very Long Baseline Array in May 2002. The structure seen in the
innermost jet suggest that we have fortuitously caught the jet in the act of
changing direction. The polarization images confirm that the core is
unpolarized (fractional polarization m < 1 %) at 86 GHz, but also show well
ordered magnetic fields (m ~ 15 %) in the inner jet, at a projected distance of
2.3 pc from the core. In this strongly polarized region, the rotation measure
changes across the jet by 4.2 x 10^{4} rad m^{-2} over an angular width of
about 0.3 milliarcseconds. If the lack of polarization in the core is also
attributed to a Faraday screen, then a rotation measure dispersion > 5.2 x
10^{4} rad m^{-2} must be present in or in front of that region. These are
among the highest rotation measures reported so far in the nucleus of any
active galaxy or quasar, and must occur outside (but probably close to) the
radio emitting region. The transverse rotation measure gradient is in the same
sense as that observed by Asada et al and by Zavala and Taylor at greater core
distances. The magnitude of the transverse gradient decreases rapidly with
distance down the jet, and appears to be variable.Comment: 4 pages, LaTeX, 3 postscript figures, submitted to Astrophysical
Journal Letter
Simulation, modelling and development of the metris RCA
In partnership with Metris UK we discuss the utilisation of modelling and simulation methods in the development of a revolutionary 7-axis Robot CMM Arm (RCA). An offline virtual model is described, facilitating pre-emptive collision avoidance and assessment of optimal placement of the RCA relative to scan specimens. Workspace accessibility of the RCA is examined under a range of geometrical assumptions and we discuss the effects of arbitrary offsets resulting from manufacturing tolerances. Degeneracy is identified in the number of ways a given pose may be attained and it is demonstrated how a simplified model may be exploited to solve the inverse kinematics problem of finding the âcorrectâ set of joint angles. We demonstrate how the seventh axis may be utilised to avoid obstacles or otherwise awkward poses, giving the unit greater dexterity than traditional CMMs. The results of finite element analysis and static force modelling on the RCA are presented which provide an estimate of the forces exerted on the internal measurement arm in a range of poses
Characteristics, accuracy and reverification of robotised articulated arm CMMs
VDI article 2617 specifies characteristics to describe the accuracy of articulated arm coordinate measuring machines (AACMMs) and outlines procedures for checking them. However the VDI prescription was written with a former generation of machines in mind: manual arms exploiting traditional touch probe technologies. Recent advances in metrology have given rise to noncontact laser scanning tools and robotic automation of articulated arms â technologies which are not adequately characterised using the VDI specification. In this paper we examine the âguidelinesâ presented in VDI 2617, finding many of them to be ambiguous and open to interpretation, with some tests appearing even to be optional. The engineer is left significant flexibility in the execution of the test procedures and the manufacturer is free to specify many of the test parameters. Such flexibility renders the VDI tests of limited value and the results can be misleading. We illustrate, with examples using the Nikon RCA, how a liberal interpretation of the VDI guidelines can significantly improve accuracy characterisation and suggest ways in which to mitigate this problem.
We propose a series of stringent tests and revised definitions, in the same vein as VDI 2617 and similar US standards, to clarify the accuracy characterisation process. The revised methodology includes modified acceptance and reverification tests which aim to accommodate emerging technologies, laser scanning devices in particular, while maintaining the spirit of the existing and established standards. We seek to supply robust re-definitions for the accepted terms âzero pointâ and âuseful arm lengthâ, pre-supposing nothing about the geometry of the measuring device.
We also identify a source of error unique to robotised AACMMs employing laser scanners â the forward-reverse pass error. We show how eliminating this error significantly improves the repeatability of a device and propose a novel approach to the testing of probing error based on statistical uncertainty
Radio Jet-Ambient Medium Interactions on Parsec Scales in the Blazar 1055+018
As part of our study of the magnetic fields of AGN we have recently observed
a large sample of blazars with the Very Long Baseline Array. Here we report the
discovery of a striking two-component jet in the source 1055+018, consisting of
an inner spine with a transverse magnetic field, and a fragmentary but distinct
boundary layer with a longitudinal magnetic field. The polarization
distribution in the spine strongly supports shocked-jet models while that in
the boundary layer suggests interaction with the surrounding medium. This
behavior suggests a new way to understand the differing polarization properties
of strong- and weak-lined blazars.Comment: LaTex; 10 pages; 6 figures; reference fix; to appear in ApJL, 518,
1999 June 2
IL-21 Promotes CD4 T Cell Responses by Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase-Dependent Upregulation of CD86 on B Cells.
The cytokine IL-21 is a potent immune modulator with diverse mechanisms of action on multiple cell types. IL-21 is in clinical use to promote tumor rejection and is an emerging target for neutralization in the setting of autoimmunity. Despite its clinical potential, the biological actions of IL-21 are not yet fully understood and the full range of effects of this pleiotropic cytokine are still being uncovered. In this study, we identify a novel role for IL-21 as an inducer of the costimulatory ligand CD86 on B lymphocytes. CD86 provides critical signals through T cell-expressed CD28 that promote T cell activation in response to Ag engagement. Expression levels of CD86 are tightly regulated in vivo, being actively decreased by regulatory T cells and increased in response to pathogen-derived signals. In this study, we demonstrate that IL-21 can trigger potent and sustained CD86 upregulation through a STAT3 and PI3K-dependent mechanism. We show that elevated CD86 expression has functional consequences for the magnitude of CD4 T cell responses both in vitro and in vivo. These data pinpoint CD86 upregulation as an additional mechanism by which IL-21 can elicit immunomodulatory effects
Helical Magnetic Fields Associated with the Relativistic Jets of Four BL Lac Objects
Evidence has been mounting that many of the transverse jet B fields observed
in BL Lac objects on parsec scales represent the dominant vvroidal compoent of
the intrinsic jet B fields. Such fields could come about, for example, as a
result of the "winding up" of an initial "seed" field with a significant
longitudinal component by the rotation of the central accreting object. If this
is the case, this should give rise to gradients in the rotation measure (RM)
across the jets, due to the systematic change in the line-of-sight component of
the jet B field. We present evidence for transverse RM gradients in four BL Lac
objects, strengthening arguments that the jets of these objects do indeed have
toroidal or helical B fields. This underlines the view of the jets as
fundamentally electromagnetic structures, and suggests that they may well carry
non-zero currents. It also provides a natural means to collimate the jets.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS Letter
Just noticeable gamma differences and acceptability of sRGB images displayed on a CRT monitor
The standard RGB colour space (sRGB) has been proposed as a means for
obtaining accurate reproduction of colour and tone for images displayed across the Internet, provided that they are viewed under the reference display and viewing conditions defined in the standard. It has been found, however, that typical display and viewing conditions when accessing online images vary and therefore deviate from the reference sRGB conditions. One of the parameters that may affect the perceived quality of online images is the gamma setting of the display. In this work psychophysical experiments were conducted to determine the imperceptibility and acceptability of gamma differences of sRGB images when they are viewed on cathode ray tube displays. These experiments were carried out under both controlled and uncontrolled display and viewing conditions. The results of these experiments are presented and discussed, including the estimated points of subjective equality and the just noticeable difference of gamma values
- âŠ