Spinning-Down of Moving Magnetars in the Propeller Regime

We use axisymmetric magnetohydrodynamic simulations to investigate the spinning-down of magnetars rotating in the propeller regime and moving supersonically through the interstellar medium. The simulations indicate that magnetars spin-down rapidly due to this interaction, faster than for the case of a non-moving star. From many simulation runs we have derived an approximate scaling laws for the angular momentum loss rate, \dot{L} \propto \~\eta_m^{0.3}\mu^{0.6}\rho^{0.8}{\cal M}^{-0.4} \Omega_*^{1.5}, where \rho is the density of the interstellar medium, \cal M is Mach number, \mu is the star's magnetic moment, \Omega_* is its angular velocity, and \eta_m is magnetic diffusivity. A magnetar with a surface magnetic field of 10^{13} - 10^{15} G is found to spin-down to a period P > 10^5-10^6 s in \sim 10^4 - 10^5 years. There is however uncertainty about the value of the magnetic diffusivity so that the time-scale may be longer. We discuss this model in respect of Soft Gamma Repeaters (SGRs) and the isolated neutron star candidate RXJ1856.5-3754.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, accepted by MNRAS. See version with better resolution figures and animation at http://astrosun2.astro.cornell.edu/us-rus/propeller.ht

Gamma-ray Flares and VLBI Outbursts of Blazars

A model is developed for the time dependent electromagnetic - radio to gamma-ray - emission of active galactic nuclei, specifically, the blazars, based on the acceleration and creation of leptons at a propagating discontinuity or {\it front} of a Poynting flux jet. The front corresponds to a discrete relativistic jet component as observed with very-long-baseline-interferometry (VLBI). Equations are derived for the number, momentum, and energy of particles in the front taking into account synchrotron, synchrotron-self-Compton (SSC), and inverse-Compton processes as well as photon-photon pair production. The apparent synchrotron, SSC, and inverse-Compton luminosities as functions of time are determined. Predictions of the model are compared with observations in the gamma, optical and radio bands. The delay between the high-energy gamma-ray flare and the onset of the radio is explained by self-absorption and/or free-free absorption by external plasma. Two types of gamma-ray flares are predicted depending on pair creation in the front.Comment: 11 pages, submitted to ApJ. 10 figures can be obtained from R. Lovelace by sending postal address to [email protected]

Factors affecting the immunogenicity of the live attenuated influenza vaccine produced in continuous cell line

The biological basis for the restricted immunogenicity of some live attenuated influenza vaccine strains generated on the backbone of the cold adapted (ca) A/Singapore/1/1957/ca (H2N2) influenza A virus master strain and produced in the Vero cells was investigated. According to our previous results the vaccine candidate made from A/Hong Kong/1035/1998 (H1N1) Vero-derived virus did not provoke a measurable antibody titers following the intranasal immunization of humans. We report here that the hemagglutinin (HA) of A/Hong Kong/1035/1998 virus contained the mutation 10Ile→Val in the HA2 subunit, that increased the pH threshold of HA conformational change (pH of activation) by 0.3 pH units and therefore might be responsible for the lack of immune response in humans. Similar effect was shown for the reassortant made from the Vero-derived A/Switzerland/5389/1995 (H1N1) (5389wt) virus which had the HA2 mutation 3Phe→Leu leading to the lack of immune response in mice. Another factor compromising the immunogenicity of a vaccine candidate is the incompatibility of epidemic virus HA with the M gene of the master strain. In mice the 6/2 A/Switzerland/5389/1995 reassortant induced antibodies that were directed predominantly to the HA2 subunit and were detectable by ELISA but not by a hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) test. In contrast, the 5/3 reassortant, bearing the HA, neuraminidase (NA), and M genes from the epidemic virus induced an equivalent amount of antibodies against the HA1 and HA2 subunits detected by HAI and ELISA. By comparing the sensitivity of the viruses to amantadine, we showed that the M2 ion channel of the master strain had lower activity than that of the A/Switzerland/5389/1995. These data suggest that M2 of the master strain was not sufficiently active to keep the pH of the transGolgi network high enough to prevent the conformational change of the acid sensitive HA to the low pH form. Overall, the adaptation mutations in the HA of the vaccine candidate that increase the pH of HA activation as well as the incompatibility of HA and M genes must be taken into consideration when constructing the reassortant strains for the live attenuated vaccine.The biological basis for the restricted immunogenicity of some live attenuated influenza vaccine strains generated on the backbone of the cold adapted (ca) A/Singapore/1/1957/ca (H2N2) influenza A virus master strain and produced in the Vero cells was investigated. According to our previous results the vaccine candidate made from A/Hong Kong/1035/1998 (H1N1) Vero-derived virus did not provoke a measurable antibody titers following the intranasal immunization of humans. We report here that the hemagglutinin (HA) of A/Hong Kong/1035/1998 virus contained the mutation 10Ile→Val in the HA2 subunit, that increased the pH threshold of HA conformational change (pH of activation) by 0.3 pH units and therefore might be responsible for the lack of immune response in humans. Similar effect was shown for the reassortant made from the Vero-derived A/Switzerland/5389/1995 (H1N1) (5389wt) virus which had the HA2 mutation 3Phe→Leu leading to the lack of immune response in mice. Another factor compromising the immunogenicity of a vaccine candidate is the incompatibility of epidemic virus HA with the M gene of the master strain. In mice the 6/2 A/Switzerland/5389/1995 reassortant induced antibodies that were directed predominantly to the HA2 subunit and were detectable by ELISA but not by a hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) test. In contrast, the 5/3 reassortant, bearing the HA, neuraminidase (NA), and M genes from the epidemic virus induced an equivalent amount of antibodies against the HA1 and HA2 subunits detected by HAI and ELISA. By comparing the sensitivity of the viruses to amantadine, we showed that the M2 ion channel of the master strain had lower activity than that of the A/Switzerland/5389/1995. These data suggest that M2 of the master strain was not sufficiently active to keep the pH of the transGolgi network high enough to prevent the conformational change of the acid sensitive HA to the low pH form.Overall, the adaptation mutations in the HA of the vaccine candidate that increase the pH of HA activation as well as the incompatibility of HA and M genes must be taken into consideration when constructing the reassortant strains for the live attenuated vaccine

HRC method to measure concrete sewer pipe corrosion rate induced by sulphuric acid environment: temperature and pH

Corrosion of concrete sewer pipes as induced by sulphuric acid attack is a recognised problem which leads to premature collapse of pipes with further significant cost implications. To promote pro-active sewer management, easy and robust models require development based on reliable calibration data. This paper focuses on laboratory experiments of establishing concrete pipe corrosion rate by submerging test samples in a 0.8pH and a 1.5pH sulphuric acid aqueous solution for 120 days under 15ºC and 25ºC temperature regimes. The result deliver understanding of the interaction between the acidity, temperature and corrosion levels which can be further incorporated into a model

'Pro' and 'hands-on' approach in business project delivery

The delivery of Business Project module to Applied Engineering & Management students across different programmes is carried over two terms in two years. During this time students are exposed to a variety of subjects and topics covering all aspects of business from basic theoretical principles to real life application including Economics, Entrepreneurship, Product Development, Innovation, Law, Social & Corporate Responsibility, Marketing, Finance, Accounting, etc. The delivery of such a multi-content module by a single person would mean: (i) a stale delivery by-the-book and/or (ii) that the students do not get the best experience in all offered topics. Considering the above and following reflection into enhancing and flavouring students’ experience it was decided to utilise ‘PRO’ approach in delivering Business Project module, which meant that each week the lecture on a specific topic was delivered by a specialist in the field. Additionally, students were expected to obtain ‘HANDS-ON’ experience and become exposed to Group Business Project (GBP), where second year students formed a company and employed first year students, to work collaboratively for a real client and the business project they offered to students. The client would effectively be an external company or organisation, which in many cases was an SME based in Kent or London, and keen to collaborate with local students who potentially can become their interns and employees. Students have found these changes ‘beneficial and encouraging’, lectures ‘much more interesting’ and agreed that GBP is providing them with ‘confidence of securing graduate employment in their area of interest’

Capacity Assessment Of The System Of Gas Pipelines, Receiving And Transporting Gas Of Inland Production

Today, the majority of gas fields in Ukraine are in the final stages of development, which is characterized by a significant decrease in wellhead pressure, as well as an increased gas-water factor. As is well known, when lowering wellhead pressure arises the problem of ensuring the design capacity of the gas production system as a whole.The main function of the gas pipeline system of the gas producing company of Ukraine is collection of gas from deposits and transport natural gas to consumers.Taking into account the tasks of ensuring the energy independence of Ukraine, as well as the program to build up gas of its own production, the question of assessing the capacity of the gas pipeline system remains relevant, performing the function of collection and transportation.As part of the research, the current state of the gas collection and transportation system is analyzed. The workload of gas pipeline sections in the chain from the wellhead to the consumer is investigated. As a result, it is established that the initial sections of the gas production system are fully loaded. Areas that can be recharged are identified, as a result of which it will reduce the output pressure at the wellheads and stabilize hydrocarbon production.On the basis of the conducted research, it is revealed that one of the alternative methods of increasing the capacity of the gas production system at the initial sections is to increase the equivalent diameter and length of the system by building new gas pipelines. It is also found that the periodic cleaning of pipelines in existing parts of the system prevents the decrease in capacity.It has been established that reducing the backpressure of the system is possible only in conjunction with unloading the system by changing the flow directions, creating centralized gas collection points, as well as retrofitting existing booster compressor stations.The availability of data on the load on the gas transmission system will allow the gas producing company to plan the distribution of gas to areas with available free capacity, while ensuring an increase in the production of its own gas. As a result, when the gas is distributed to areas with partial load, it will prevent excessive pressure losses in the system, as well as provide optimal system operation conditions

Three-dimensional simulations of rotationally-induced line variability from a Classical T Tauri star with a misaligned magnetic dipole

We present three-dimensional (3-D) simulations of rotationally induced line variability arising from complex circumstellar environment of classical T Tauri stars (CTTS) using the results of the 3-D magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of Romanova et al., who considered accretion onto a CTTS with a misaligned dipole magnetic axis with respect to the rotational axis. The density, velocity and temperature structures of the MHD simulations are mapped on to the radiative transfer grid, and corresponding line source function and the observed profiles of neutral hydrogen lines (H-beta, Pa-beta and Br-gamma) are computed using the Sobolev escape probability method. We study the dependency of line variability on inclination angles (i) and magnetic axis misalignment angles (Theta). By comparing our models with the Pa-beta profiles of 42 CTTS observed by Folha & Emerson, we find that models with a smaller misaligngment angle (Theta<~15 deg.) are more consistent with the observations which show that majority of Pa-beta are rather symmetric around the line centre. For a high inclination system with a small dipole misalignment angle (Theta ~ 15 deg.), only one accretion funnel (on the upper hemisphere) is visible to an observer at any given rotational phase. This can cause an anti-correlation of the line equivalent width in the blue wing (v0) over a half of a rotational period, and a positive correlation over other half. We find a good overall agreement of the line variability behaviour predicted by our model and those from observations. (Abridged)Comment: 15 pages, 13 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS. A version with full resolution figures can be downloaded from http://www.physics.unlv.edu/~rk/preprint/inclined_dipole.pd

Relativistic Poynting Jets from Accretion Disks

A model is developed for relativistic Poynting jets from the inner region of a disk around a rotating black hole. The disk is initially threaded by a dipole-like magnetic field. The model is derived from the special relativistic equation for a force-free electromagnetic field. The ``head'' of the Poynting jet is found to propagate outward with a velocity which may be relativistic. The Lorentz factor of the head (Gamma) is found to be dependent on the magnetic field strength close to the black hole, B_0, the density of the external medium n_ext, and on the ratio R=r_0/r_g >1, where r_g is the gravitational radius of the black hole, and r_0 is the radius of the O-point of the initial dipole field threading the disk. For conditions pertinent to an active galactic nuclei, Gamma is approximately equal to 8 (10/R)^(1/3) (B_0/10^3 Gauss)^(1/3) (1/cm^3/n_ext)^(1/6). This model offers an explanation for the observed Lorentz factors which are of the order of 10 for the parsec-scale radio jets measured with very long baseline interferometry.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur

Conductivity, weak ferromagnetism and charge instability in α−MnS\alpha-MnS single crystal

The temperature dependence of resistivity, magnetization and electron-spin resonance of the $\alpha- MnS$ single crystal were measured in temperature range of $5 K < T < 550 K$. Magnetization hysteresis in applied magnetic field up to 0.7 T at $T=5 K, 77 K, 300 K$, irreversible temperature behavior of magnetization and resistivity were found . The obtained data were explained in terms of degenerate tight binding model using random phase approximation. The contribution of holes in $t_{2g}$ and $e_g$ bands of manganese ions to the conductivity, optical absorbtion spectra and charge instability in $\alpha -MnS$ were studied. Charge susceptibility maxima resulted from the competition of the on-site Coulomb interaction between the holes in different orbitals and small hybridization of sub-bands were calculated at $T=160 K, 250 K, 475 K$.Comment: 6 pages, 12 figure