113 research outputs found
Three-Dimensional Magnetohydrodynamics Simulations Of Counter-Helicity Spheromak Merging In The Swarthmore Spheromak Experiment
Recent counter-helicity spheromak merging experiments in the Swarthmore Spheromak Experiment (SSX) have produced a novel compact torus (CT) with unusual features. These include a persistent antisymmetric toroidal magnetic field profile and a slow, nonlinear emergence of the n = 1 tilt mode. Experimental measurements are inconclusive as to whether this unique CT is a fully merged field-reversed configuration (FRC) with strong toroidal field or a partially merged doublet CT configuration with both spheromak- and FRC-like characteristics. In this paper, the SSX merging process is studied in detail using three-dimensional resistive MHD simulations from the Hybrid Magnetohydrodynamics (HYM) code. These simulations show that merging plasmas in the SSX parameter regime only partially reconnect, leaving behind a doublet CT rather than an FRC. Through direct comparisons, we show that the magnetic structure in the simulations is highly consistent with the SSX experimental observations. We also find that the n = 1 tilt mode begins as a fast growing linear mode that evolves into a slower-growing nonlinear mode before being detected experimentally. A simulation parameter scan over resistivity, viscosity, and line-tying shows that these parameters can strongly affect the behavior of both the merging process and the tilt mode. In fact, merging in certain parameter regimes is found to produce a toroidal-field-free FRC rather than a doublet CT. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3660533
Spectroscopic Observation Of Simultaneous Bi-Directional Reconnection Outflows In A Laboratory Plasma
We report a precise, direct spectroscopic measurement of simultaneous bi-directional outflows from a reconnection event in a laboratory plasma. Outflow speeds are as Alfvenic and Abel analysis shows that the outflows are generated in the plasma core. A Sweet-Parker like analysis of outflow speed coupled with external measurements of reconnection electric field and assumption of Spitzer resistivity predict an aspect ratio of the reconnection layer and reconnection rate that are close to that measured in the experiment and in simulations. However, this analysis underestimates the absolute scale of the layer, indicating other than 2D resistive physics is at play. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4747345
Genetic variability in the Skyros pony and its relationship with other Greek and foreign horse breeds
In Greece, seven native horse breeds have been identified so far. Among these, the Skyros pony is outstanding through having a distinct phenotype. In the present study, the aim was to assess genetic diversity in this breed, by using different types of genetic loci and available genealogical information. Its relationships with the other Greek, as well as foreign, domestic breeds were also investigated. Through microsatellite and pedigree analysis it appeared that the Skyros presented a similar level of genetic diversity to the other European breeds. Nevertheless, comparisons between DNA-based and pedigree-based results revealed that a loss of genetic diversity had probably already occurred before the beginning of breed registration. Tests indicated the possible existence of a recent bottleneck in two of the three main herds of Skyros pony. Nonetheless, relatively high levels of heterozygosity and Polymorphism Information Content indicated sufficient residual genetic variability, probably useful in planning future strategies for breed conservation. Three other Greek breeds were also analyzed. A comparison of these with domestic breeds elsewhere, revealed the closest relationships to be with the Middle Eastern types, whereas the Skyros itself remained isolated, without any close relationship, whatsoever
Inclusive Electron-Nucleus Scattering at Large Momentum Transfer
Inclusive electron scattering is measured with 4.045 GeV incident beam energy
from C, Fe and Au targets. The measured energy transfers and angles correspond
to a kinematic range for Bjorken and momentum transfers from . When analyzed in terms of the y-scaling function the data show
for the first time an approach to scaling for values of the initial nucleon
momenta significantly greater than the nuclear matter Fermi-momentum (i.e. GeV/c).Comment: 5 pages TEX, 5 Postscript figures also available at
http://www.krl.caltech.edu/preprints/OAP.htm
Measurements of Deuteron Photodisintegration up to 4.0 GeV
The first measurements of the differential cross section for the d(gamma,p)n
reaction up to 4.0 GeV were performed at Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator
Facility (CEBAF) at Jefferson Lab. We report the cross sections at the proton
center-of-mass angles of 36, 52, 69 and 89 degrees. These results are in
reasonable agreement with previous measurements at lower energy. The 89 and 69
degree data show constituent-counting-rule behavior up to 4.0 GeV photon
energy. The 36 and 52 degree data disagree with the counting rule behavior. The
quantum chromodynamics (QCD) model of nuclear reactions involving reduced
amplitudes disagrees with the present data.Comment: 5 pages (REVTeX), 1 figure (postscript
A Study of the Quasi-elastic (e,e'p) Reaction on C, Fe and Au
We report the results from a systematic study of the quasi-elastic (e,e'p)
reaction on C, Fe and Au performed at Jefferson Lab. We
have measured nuclear transparency and extracted spectral functions (corrected
for radiation) over a Q range of 0.64 - 3.25 (GeV/c) for all three
nuclei. In addition we have extracted separated longitudinal and transverse
spectral functions at Q of 0.64 and 1.8 (GeV/c) for these three nuclei
(except for Au at the higher Q). The spectral functions are
compared to a number of theoretical calculations. The measured spectral
functions differ in detail but not in overall shape from most of the
theoretical models. In all three targets the measured spectral functions show
considerable excess transverse strength at Q = 0.64 (GeV/c), which is
much reduced at 1.8 (GeV/c).Comment: For JLab E91013 Collaboration, 19 pages, 20 figures, 3 table
The effect of professional development on elementary science teachersâ understanding, confidence, and classroom implementation of reformâbased science instruction
Through a randomized controlled trial, this mixedâmethods study evaluated changes in elementary science teachersâ understandings, confidence, and classroom implementation of problemâbased learning (PBL), inquiry, and nature of science (NOS) instruction following participation in a professional development (PD) as well as the components of the PD that teachers perceived facilitated these changes. Results indicated that following the PD, treatment teacher (nâ=â139) understandings of and confidence for teaching inquiry, NOS, and PBL were significantly greater than control teachers (nâ=â98) after controlling for preunderstandings and confidence. The effect sizes were large. Treatment teachers also incorporated significantly more PBL, inquiry, and NOS into their instruction. Modeling, microteaching with feedback and reflection, and inâclassroom coaching facilitated teachersâ confidence, understanding, and intention to implement the reformâbased practices they learned. Implications for the understanding of the relationship between knowledge, confidence, and practice as well as elementary science teacher PD design are discussed
Copy Number Variation in the Horse Genome
We constructed a 400K WG tiling oligoarray for the horse and applied it for the discovery of copy number variations (CNVs) in 38 normal horses of 16 diverse breeds, and the Przewalski horse. Probes on the array represented 18,763 autosomal and X-linked genes, and intergenic, sub-telomeric and chrY sequences. We identified 258 CNV regions (CNVRs) across all autosomes, chrX and chrUn, but not in chrY. CNVs comprised 1.3% of the horse genome with chr12 being most enriched. American Miniature horses had the highest and American Quarter Horses the lowest number of CNVs in relation to Thoroughbred reference. The Przewalski horse was similar to native ponies and draft breeds. The majority of CNVRs involved genes, while 20% were located in intergenic regions. Similar to previous studies in horses and other mammals, molecular functions of CNV-associated genes were predominantly in sensory perception, immunity and reproduction. The findings were integrated with previous studies to generate a composite genome-wide dataset of 1476 CNVRs. Of these, 301 CNVRs were shared between studies, while 1174 were novel and require further validation. Integrated data revealed that to date, 41 out of over 400 breeds of the domestic horse have been analyzed for CNVs, of which 11 new breeds were added in this study. Finally, the composite CNV dataset was applied in a pilot study for the discovery of CNVs in 6 horses with XY disorders of sexual development. A homozygous deletion involving AKR1C gene cluster in chr29 in two affected horses was considered possibly causative because of the known role of AKR1C genes in testicular androgen synthesis and sexual development. While the findings improve and integrate the knowledge of CNVs in horses, they also show that for effective discovery of variants of biomedical importance, more breeds and individuals need to be analyzed using comparable methodological approaches.Sharmila Ghosh, Zhipeng Qu, Pranab J. Das, Erica Fang, Rytis Juras, E. Gus Cothran, Sue McDonell, Daniel G. Kenney, Teri L. Lear, David L. Adelson, Bhanu P. Chowdhary, Terje Raudsep
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