13,888 research outputs found
The structure of the hard sphere solid
We show that near densest-packing the perturbations of the HCP structure
yield higher entropy than perturbations of any other densest packing. The
difference between the various structures shows up in the correlations between
motions of nearest neighbors. In the HCP structure random motion of each sphere
impinges slightly less on the motion of its nearest neighbors than in the other
structures.Comment: For related papers see:
http://www.ma.utexas.edu/users/radin/papers.htm
Muon-Induced Background Study for an Argon-Based Long Baseline Neutrino Experiment
We evaluated rates of transversing muons, muon-induced fast neutrons, and
production of Cl and other cosmogenically produced nuclei that pose as
potential sources of background to the physics program proposed for an
argon-based long baseline neutrino experiment at the Sanford Underground
Research Facility (SURF). The Geant4 simulations were carried out with muons
and muon-induced neutrons for both 800 ft (0.712 km.w.e.) and 4850 ft levels
(4.3 km.w.e.). We developed analytic models to independently calculate the
Cl production using the measured muon fluxes at different levels of the
Homestake mine. The muon induced Cl production rates through stopped
muon capture and the muon-induced neutrons and protons via (n,p) and (p,n)
reactions were evaluated. We find that the Monte Carlo simulated production
rates of Cl agree well with the predictions from analytic models. A
depth-dependent parametrization was developed and benchmarked to the direct
analytic models. We conclude that the muon-induced processes will result in
large backgrounds to the physics proposed for an argon-based long baseline
neutrino experiment at a depth of less than 4.0 km.w.e.Comment: 12 pages, 15 figure
Dual Monte Carlo and Cluster Algorithms
We discuss the development of cluster algorithms from the viewpoint of
probability theory and not from the usual viewpoint of a particular model. By
using the perspective of probability theory, we detail the nature of a cluster
algorithm, make explicit the assumptions embodied in all clusters of which we
are aware, and define the construction of free cluster algorithms. We also
illustrate these procedures by rederiving the Swendsen-Wang algorithm,
presenting the details of the loop algorithm for a worldline simulation of a
quantum 1/2 model, and proposing a free cluster version of the
Swendsen-Wang replica method for the random Ising model. How the principle of
maximum entropy might be used to aid the construction of cluster algorithms is
also discussed.Comment: 25 pages, 4 figures, to appear in Phys.Rev.
Pleasure and pedagogy: the consumption of DVD add-ons among Irish teenagers
This article addresses the issue of young people and media use in the digital age, more specifically the interconnection between new media pleasures and pedagogy as they relate to the consumption of DVD add-ons. Arguing against the view of new media as having predominantly detrimental effects on young people, the authors claim that new media can enable young people to develop media literacy skills and are of the view that media literacy strategies must be based on an understanding and legitimating of young people's use patterns and pleasures. The discussion is based on a pilot research project on the use patterns and pleasures of use with a sample of Irish teenagers. They found that DVDs were used predominantly in the home context, and that, while there was variability in use between the groups, overall they developed critical literacy skills and competences which were interwoven into their social life and projects of identity construction. The authors suggest that these findings could be used to develop DVDs and their add-on features as a learning resource in the more formal educational setting and they go on to outline the potential teaching benefits of their use across a range of pedagogical areas
The 13N(d,n)14O Reaction and the Astrophysical 13N(p,g)14O Reaction Rate
N()O is one of the key reactions in the hot CNO cycle
which occurs at stellar temperatures around 0.1. Up to now, some
uncertainties still exist for the direct capture component in this reaction,
thus an independent measurement is of importance. In present work, the angular
distribution of the N()O reaction at = 8.9
MeV has been measured in inverse kinematics, for the first time. Based on the
distorted wave Born approximation (DWBA) analysis, the nuclear asymptotic
normalization coefficient (ANC), , for the ground state of
O N + is derived to be fm. The
N()O reaction is analyzed with the R-matrix approach,
its astrophysical S-factors and reaction rates at energies of astrophysical
relevance are then determined with the ANC. The implications of the present
reaction rates on the evolution of novae are then discussed with the reaction
network calculations.Comment: 17 pages and 8 figure
Acute WNT signalling activation perturbs differentiation within the adult stomach and rapidly leads to tumour formation
A role for WNT signalling in gastric carcinogenesis has been suggested due to two major observations. First, patients with germline mutations in adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) are susceptible to stomach polyps and second, in gastric cancer, WNT activation confers a poor prognosis. However, the functional significance of deregulated WNT signalling in gastric homoeostasis and cancer is still unclear. In this study we have addressed this by investigating the immediate effects of WNT signalling activation within the stomach epithelium. We have specifically activated the WNT signalling pathway within the mouse adult gastric epithelium via deletion of either glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) or APC or via expression of a constitutively active β-catenin protein. WNT pathway deregulation dramatically affects stomach homoeostasis at very short latencies. In the corpus, there is rapid loss of parietal cells with fundic gland polyp (FGP) formation and adenomatous change, which are similar to those observed in familial adenomatous polyposis. In the antrum, adenomas occur from 4 days post-WNT activation. Taken together, these data show a pivotal role for WNT signalling in gastric homoeostasis, FGP formation and adenomagenesis. Loss of the parietal cell population and corresponding FGP formation, an early event in gastric carcinogenesis, as well as antral adenoma formation are immediate effects of nuclear β-catenin translocation and WNT target gene expression. Furthermore, our inducible murine model will permit a better understanding of the molecular changes required to drive tumourigenesis in the stomach
Evidence of volcanic ash at a K-T boundary section: Ocean drilling program hole 690 C, Maud Rise, Weddell Sea off East Antarctica
Rare vitric volcanogenic ash but more abundant clay minerals considered volcanogenic in origin are associated with an expanded and essentially complete K-T boundary sequence from Ocean Drilling Project (ODP) Hole 690 C on Maud Rise in the Weddell Sea off East Antarctica. Results at this writing are preliminary and are still based to some extent on shipboard descriptions. Further shore-based studies are in progress. It would appear, however, that the presence of volcanic ash and altered ash in the Danian section beginning at the biostratigraphically and paleomagnetically determined K-T boundary on Maud Rise can be cited as evidence of significant volcanic activity within the South Atlantic-Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean coincident with the time of biotic crises at the end of the Maestrichtian. This is a postulated time of tectonic and volcanic activity within this Southern Hemisphere region, including possible initiation of the Reunion hot spot and a peak in explosive volcanism on Walvis Ridge (1) among other events. A causal relationship with the biotic crisis is possible and volcanism should be given serious consideration as a testable working hypothesis to explain these extinctions
Asymptotic normalization coefficients (nuclear vertex constants) for and the direct astrophysical S-factors at solar energies
A new analysis of the precise experimental astrophysical S-factors for the
direct capture reaction [A.J.Junghans et al.Phys.Rev. C
68 (2003) 065803 and L.T. Baby et al. Phys.Rev. C 67 (2003) 065805] is carried
out based on the modified two - body potential approach in which the direct
astrophysical S-factor, , is expressed in terms of the
asymptotic normalization constants for and two additional
conditions are involved to verify the peripheral character of the reaction
under consideration. The Woods-Saxon potential form is used for the bound
()- state wave function and for the - scattering wave function.
New estimates are obtained for the ^{\glqq}indirectly measured\grqq values of
the asymptotic normalization constants (the nuclear vertex constants) for the
and at E 115 keV, including =0. These
values of and asymptotic normalization constants have been used for
getting information about the ^{\glqq}indirectly measured\grqq values of the
wave average scattering length and the wave effective range parameters
for - scattering.Comment: 27 pages, 6 figure
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Scenarios as the basis for assessment of mitigation and adaptation
The possibilities and need for adaptation and mitigation depends on uncertain future developments with respect to socio-economic factors and the climate system. Scenarios are used to explore the impacts of different strategies under uncertainty. In this chapter, some scenarios are presented that are used in the ADAM project for this purpose. One scenario explores developments with no mitigation, and thus with high temperature increase and high reliance on adaptation (leading to 4oC increase by 2100 compared to pre-industrial levels). A second scenario explores an ambitious mitigation strategy (leading to 2oC increase by 2100 compared to pre-industrial levels). In the latter scenario, stringent mitigation strategies effectively reduces the risks of climate change, but based on uncertainties in the climate system a temperature increase of 3oC or more cannot be excluded. The analysis shows that, in many cases, adaptation and mitigation are not trade-offs but supplements. For example, the number of people exposed to increased water resource stress due to climate change can be substantially reduced in the mitigation scenario, but even then adaptation will be required for the remaining large numbers of people exposed to increased stress. Another example is sea level rise, for which adaptation is more cost-effective than mitigation, but mitigation can help reduce damages and the cost of adaptation. For agriculture, finally, only the scenario based on a combination of adaptation and mitigation is able to avoid serious climate change impacts
Shock formation and the ideal shape of ramp compression waves
We derive expressions for shock formation based on the local curvature of the
flow characteristics during dynamic compression. Given a specific ramp adiabat,
calculated for instance from the equation of state for a substance, the ideal
nonlinear shape for an applied ramp loading history can be determined. We
discuss the region affected by lateral release, which can be presented in
compact form for the ideal loading history. Example calculations are given for
representative metals and plastic ablators. Continuum dynamics (hydrocode)
simulations were in good agreement with the algebraic forms. Example
applications are presented for several classes of laser-loading experiment,
identifying conditions where shocks are desired but not formed, and where long
duration ramps are desired
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