X-ray Variability and Period Determinations in the Eclipsing Polar DP Leo

An analysis of ROSAT observations for the eclipsing magnetic cataclysmic binary DP Leo provides constraints on the origin, size, temperature, variability and structure of the soft X-ray emission region on the surface of the white dwarf. These data, when combined with prior observations, show a progression of approximately 2 degrees per year in the impact position of the accretion stream onto the white dwarf. One explanation for the observed drift in stream position is that a magnetic activity cycle on the secondary produces orbital period oscillations. These oscillations result in an orbital period which cycles above and below the rotational period of the nearly synchronous white dwarf. The accretion stream and X-ray emission regions are modeled to fit the observational data. A distance to the system is also calculated. [An erroneous value for the cyclotron luminosity, included in an earlier paper version of the preprint, is corrected here.]Comment: uuencoded PostScript file (25 pages) + 8 figures available by anonymous ftp to ftp.astro.psu.edu (in the directory /pub/robinson), to appear in ApJ, PSU preprint 1994-1

On the use of machine learning algorithms in the measurement of stellar magnetic fields

Regression methods based in Machine Learning Algorithms (MLA) have become an important tool for data analysis in many different disciplines. In this work, we use MLA in an astrophysical context; our goal is to measure the mean longitudinal magnetic field in stars (H_ eff) from polarized spectra of high resolution, through the inversion of the so-called multi-line profiles. Using synthetic data, we tested the performance of our technique considering different noise levels: In an ideal scenario of noise-free multi-line profiles, the inversion results are excellent; however, the accuracy of the inversions diminish considerably when noise is taken into account. In consequence, we propose a data pre-process in order to reduce the noise impact, which consists in a denoising profile process combined with an iterative inversion methodology. Applying this data pre-process, we have found a considerable improvement of the inversions results, allowing to estimate the errors associated to the measurements of stellar magnetic fields at different noise levels. We have successfully applied our data analysis technique to two different stars, attaining by first time the measurement of H_eff from multi-line profiles beyond the condition of line autosimilarity assumed by other techniques.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&

On 2-group global symmetries and their anomalies

In general quantum field theories (QFTs), ordinary (0-form) global symmetries and 1-form symmetries can combine into 2-group global symmetries. We describe this phenomenon in detail using the language of symmetry defects. We exhibit a simple procedure to determine the (possible) 2-group global symmetry of a given QFT, and provide a classification of the related \u2019t Hooft anomalies (for symmetries not acting on spacetime). We also describe how QFTs can be coupled to extrinsic backgrounds for symmetry groups that differ from the intrinsic symmetry acting faithfully on the theory. Finally, we provide a variety of examples, ranging from TQFTs (gapped systems) to gapless QFTs. Along the way, we stress that the \u201cobstruction to symmetry fractionalization\u201d discussed in some condensed matter literature is really an instance of 2-group global symmetry

On the creation of standards for interaction between real robots and virtual worlds

Research on virtual worlds and environments has increased tremendously in the last decade, giving birth to a variety of applications spanning over several areas such as virtual reality, human-computer interaction, psychology and sociology, among others. In this paper we elaborate on one issue affecting the areas of virtual worlds and robotics: the lack of standard mechanisms for communication and interaction between virtual worlds and robots. We contribute to the scientific community our thoughts on the possibility of creating a standard platform that enable the seamless interaction between these heterogeneous, distributed devices and systems. Hopefully, these ideas will turn, in the future, into applications that not only address the challenges in communication, control and interoperability of such systems (robots and virtual worlds), but also help to improve the standard of life of people through tangible products and services

Nouvelle découverte d'empreintes laissées par des dinosaures dans la formation des couches rouges (bassin de Cuzco-Sicuani, Sud du Pérou) : conséquences stratigraphiques et tectoniques

La découverte d'empreintes laissées par le dinosaures vers le sommet de la formation des Couches Rouges permet de préciser la stratigraphie du Sud du Pérou. La durée de la sédimentation continentale du bassin de Cuzco-Sicuani n'excéderait pas 20 Ma (santonien - paléocène) et non plus 45 Ma, comme cela était jusqu'à présent admis. Le bassin d'avant-pays de Cuzco-Sicuani est caractérisé par une déformation synsédimentaire essentiellement compressive pendant toute la durée de la sédimentation des "Couches Rouges". En conséquence, une durée équivalente à celle de cette sédimentation peut être retenue pour ces événements tectoniques qui marquent ici le début de la surrection de la chaîne andine. La phase péruvienne, traditionnellement placée vers 85 Ma, représenterait ainsi le début de ces événements tectoniques. (Résumé d'auteur