2,756 research outputs found
Relativistic positioning: four-dimensional numerical approach in Minkowski space-time
We simulate the satellite constellations of two Global Navigation Satellite
Systems: Galileo (EU) and GPS (USA). Satellite motions are described in the
Schwarzschild space-time produced by an idealized spherically symmetric non
rotating Earth. The trajectories are then circumferences centered at the same
point as Earth. Photon motions are described in Minkowski space-time, where
there is a well known relation, Coll, Ferrando & Morales-Lladosa (2010),
between the emission and inertial coordinates of any event. Here, this relation
is implemented in a numerical code, which is tested and applied. The first
application is a detailed numerical four-dimensional analysis of the so-called
emission coordinate region and co-region. In a second application, a GPS
(Galileo) satellite is considered as the receiver and its emission coordinates
are given by four Galileo (GPS) satellites. The bifurcation problem (double
localization) in the positioning of the receiver satellite is then pointed out
and discussed in detail.Comment: 16 pages, 9 figures, published (online) in Astrophys. Space Sc
Positioning systems in Minkowski space-time: from emission to inertial coordinates
The coordinate transformation between emission coordinates and inertial
coordinates in Minkowski space-time is obtained for arbitrary configurations of
the emitters. It appears that a positioning system always generates two
different coordinate domains, namely, the front and the back emission
coordinate domains. For both domains, the corresponding covariant expression of
the transformation is explicitly given in terms of the emitter world-lines.
This task requires the notion of orientation of an emitter configuration. The
orientation is shown to be computable from the emission coordinates for the
users of a `central' region of the front emission coordinate domain. Other
space-time regions associated with the emission coordinates are also outlined.Comment: 20 pages; 1 figur
On the degrees of freedom of a semi-Riemannian metric
A semi-Riemannian metric in a n-manifold has n(n-1)/2 degrees of freedom,
i.e. as many as the number of components of a differential 2-form. We prove
that any semi-Riemannian metric can be obtained as a deformation of a constant
curvature metric, this deformation being parametrized by a 2-for
Real null coframes in general relativity and GPS type coordinates
Based on work of Derrick, Coll, and Morales, we define a `symmetric' null
coframe with {\it four real null covectors}. We show that this coframe is
closely related to the GPS type coordinates recently introduced by Rovelli.Comment: Latex script, 9 pages, 4 figures; references added to work of
Derrick, Coll, and Morales, 1 new figur
Neutrino physics at accelerators
Present and future neutrino experiments at accelerators are mainly concerned
with understanding the neutrino oscillation phenomenon and its implications.
Here a brief account of neutrino oscillations is given together with a
description of the supporting data. Some current and planned accelerator
neutrino experiments are also explained.Comment: 23 pages, 24 figures. Talk given at the Corfu Summer Institute on
Elementary Particle Physics 200
On the classification of type D spacetimes
We give a classification of the type D spacetimes based on the invariant
differential properties of the Weyl principal structure. Our classification is
established using tensorial invariants of the Weyl tensor and, consequently,
besides its intrinsic nature, it is valid for the whole set of the type D
metrics and it applies on both, vacuum and non-vacuum solutions. We consider
the Cotton-zero type D metrics and we study the classes that are compatible
with this condition. The subfamily of spacetimes with constant argument of the
Weyl eigenvalue is analyzed in more detail by offering a canonical expression
for the metric tensor and by giving a generalization of some results about the
non-existence of purely magnetic solutions. The usefulness of these results is
illustrated in characterizing and classifying a family of Einstein-Maxwell
solutions. Our approach permits us to give intrinsic and explicit conditions
that label every metric, obtaining in this way an operational algorithm to
detect them. In particular a characterization of the Reissner-Nordstr\"{o}m
metric is accomplished.Comment: 29 pages, 0 figure
Supporting Spatial Management of Data-Poor, Small-Scale Fisheries With a Bayesian Approach
Marine conservation areas are an important tool for the sustainable management of
multispecies, small-scale fisheries. Effective spatial management requires a proper
understanding of the spatial distribution of target species and the identification of its
environmental drivers. Small-scale fisheries, however, often face scarcity and low-quality
of data. In these situations, approaches for the prioritization of conservation areas need
to deal with scattered, biased, and short-term information and ideally should quantify
data- and model-specific uncertainties for a better understanding of the risks related
to management interventions. We used a Bayesian hierarchical species distribution
modeling approach on annual landing data of the heavily exploited, small-scale, and
data-poor fishery of Chwaka Bay (Zanzibar) in the Western Indian Ocean to understand
the distribution of the key target species and identify potential areas for conservation.
Few commonalities were found in the set of important habitat and environmental
drivers among species, but temperature, depth, and seagrass cover affected the spatial
distribution of three of the six analyzed species. A comparison of our results with
information from ecological studies suggests that our approach predicts the distribution
of the analyzed species reasonably well. Furthermore, the two main common areas
of high relative abundance identified in our study have been previously suggested by
the local fisher as important areas for spatial conservation. By using short-term, catch
per unit of effort data in a Bayesian hierarchical framework, we quantify the associated
uncertainties while accounting for spatial dependencies. More importantly, the use of
accessible and interpretable tools, such as the here created spatial maps, can frame a
better understanding of spatio-temporal management for local fishers. Our approach,
thus, supports the operability of spatial management in small-scale fisheries suffering
from a general lack of long-term fisheries information and fisheries independent data.En prens
Influence of a Concurrent Exercise Training Intervention during Pregnancy on Maternal and Arterial and Venous Cord Serum Cytokines: The GESTAFIT Project
The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of a supervised concurrent exercise-training program, from the 17th gestational week until delivery, on cytokines in maternal (at 17th and 35th gestational week, and at delivery) and arterial and venous cord serum. Fifty-eight Caucasian pregnant women (age: 33.5 +/- 4.7 years old, body mass index: 23.6 +/- 4.1kg/m(2)) from the GESTAFIT Project (exercise (n = 37) and control (n = 21) groups) participated in this quasi-experimental study (per-protocol basis). The exercise group followed a 60-min 3 days/week concurrent (aerobic-resistance) exercise-training from the 17th gestational week to delivery. Maternal and arterial and venous cord serum cytokines (fractalkine, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha) were assessed using Luminex xMAP technology. In maternal serum (after adjusting for the baseline values of cytokines), the exercise group decreased TNF-alpha (from baseline to 35th week, p = 0.02), and increased less IL-1 beta (from baseline to delivery, p = 0.03) concentrations than controls. When adjusting for other potential confounders, these differences became non-significant. In cord blood, the exercise group showed reduced arterial IL-6 and venous TNF-alpha (p = 0.03 and p = 0.001, respectively) and higher concentrations of arterial IL-1 beta (p = 0.03) compared to controls. The application of concurrent exercise-training programs could be a strategy to modulate immune responses in pregnant women and their fetuses. However, future research is needed to better understand the origin and clearance of these cytokines, their role in the maternal-placental-fetus crosstalk, and the influence of exercise interventions on them
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