4,561 research outputs found
A new possible quark-hadron mixed phase in protoneutron stars
The phase transition from hadronic matter to quark matter at high density
might be a strong first order phase transition in presence of a large surface
tension between the two phases. While this implies a constant-pressure mixed
phase for cold and catalyzed matter this is not the case for the hot and lepton
rich matter formed in a protoneutron star. We show that it is possible to
obtain a mixed phase with non-constant pressure by considering the global
conservation of lepton number during the stage of neutrino trapping. In turn,
it allows for the appearance of a new kind of mixed phase as long as neutrinos
are trapped and its gradual disappearance during deleptonization. This new
mixed phase, being composed by two electric neutral phases, does not develop a
Coulomb lattice and it is formed only by spherical structures, drops and
bubbles, which can have macroscopic sizes. The disappearance of the mixed phase
at the end of deleptonization might lead to a delayed collapse of the star into
a more compact configuration containing a core of pure quark phase. In this
scenario, a significant emission of neutrinos and, possibly, gravitational
waves are expected.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Some properties of convection in hybrid stars
It is shown that the unusual thermodynamic properties of matter within the
region of two-phase coexistence in hybrid stars result in a change of the
standard condition for beginning of convection. In particular, the thermal flux
transported by convection may be directed towards the stellar center. We
discuss favorable circumstances leading to such an effect of "inverse
convection" and its possible influence on the thermal evolution of hybrid
stars.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures. The discussion is extended according to referees
suggestions. New references added. Accepted to MNRA
Confirmation of a cluster of galaxies hidden behind the Galactic bulge using the VVV Survey
Suzaku and Chandra X-ray observations detected a new cluster of galaxies,
Suzaku J1759-3450, at a redshift z=0.13. It is located behind the Milky Way,
and the high Galactic dust extinction renders it nearly invisible at optical
wavelengths. We attempt here to confirm the galaxy cluster with near-infrared
imaging observations, and to characterize its central member galaxies. Images
from the VVV survey were used to detect candidate member galaxies of Suzaku
J1759-3450 within the central region of the cluster, up to 350 kpc from the
X-ray peak emission. Color-magnitude and color-color diagrams and morphology
criteria allowed us to select the galaxies among the numerous foreground
sources. Fifteen candidate cluster members were found very close to a modeled
red-sequence at the redshift of the cluster. Five members are extremely bright,
and one is possibly a cD galaxy. The asymmetry in the spatial distribution of
the galaxies respect to the X-ray peak emission is an indicator of that this
cluster is still suffering a virialization process. Our investigation of Suzaku
J1759-3450 demonstrates the potential of the VVV Survey to study the hidden
population of galaxies in the Zone of Avoidance.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for Publication in Astronomy &
Astrophysic
Triaxial nuclear models and the outer crust of nonaccreting cold neutron stars
The properties and composition of the outer crust of nonaccreting cold
neutron stars are studied by applying the model of Baym, Pethick, and
Sutherland (BPS) and taking into account for the first time triaxial
deformations of nuclei. Two theoretical nuclear models, Hartree-Fock plus
pairing in the BCS approximation (HF-BCS) with Skyrme SLy6 parametrization and
Hartree-Fock-Bogolyubov (HFB) with Gogny D1S force, are used to calculate the
nuclear masses. The two theoretical calculations are compared concerning their
neutron drip line, binding energies, magic neutron numbers, and the sequence of
nuclei in the outer crust of nonaccreting cold neutron stars, with special
emphasis on the effect of triaxial deformations. The BPS model is extended by
the higher-order corrections for the atomic binding, screening, exchange and
zero-point energies. The influence of the higher-order corrections on the
sequence of the outer crust is investigated.Comment: 7 page
International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG) - the propagation of knowledge in ultrasound for the improvement of OB/GYN care worldwide: experience of basic ultrasound training in Oman.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of a new ISUOG (International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology) Outreach Teaching and Training Program delivered in Muscat, Oman. METHODS: Quantitative assessments to evaluate knowledge and practical skills were administered before and after an ultrasound course for sonologists attending the ISUOG Outreach Course, which took place in November, 2017, in Oman. Trainees were selected from each region of the country following a national vetting process conducted by the Oman Ministry of Health. Twenty-eight of the participants were included in the analysis. Pre- and post-training practical and theoretical scores were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: Participants achieved statistically significant improvements, on average by 47% (p < 0.001), in both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Specifically, the mean score in the theoretical knowledge test significantly increased from 55.6% (± 14.0%) to 81.6% (± 8.2%), while in the practical test, the mean score increased from 44.6% (± 19.5%) to 65.7% (± 23.0%) (p < 0.001). Performance was improved post-course among 27/28 participants (96.4%) in the theoretical test (range: 14 to 200%) and among 24/28 (85.7%) trainees in the practical skills test (range: 5 to 217%). CONCLUSION: Application of the ISUOG Basic Training Curriculum and Outreach Teaching and Training Course improved the theoretical knowledge and practical skills of local health personnel. Long-term re-evaluation is, however, considered imperative to ascertain and ensure knowledge retention
The outer crust of non-accreting cold neutron stars
The properties of the outer crust of non-accreting cold neutron stars are
studied by using modern nuclear data and theoretical mass tables updating in
particular the classic work of Baym, Pethick and Sutherland. Experimental data
from the atomic mass table from Audi, Wapstra, and Thibault of 2003 is used and
a thorough comparison of many modern theoretical nuclear models, relativistic
and non-relativistic ones, is performed for the first time. In addition, the
influences of pairing and deformation are investigated. State-of-the-art
theoretical nuclear mass tables are compared in order to check their
differences concerning the neutron dripline, magic neutron numbers, the
equation of state, and the sequence of neutron-rich nuclei up to the dripline
in the outer crust of non-accreting cold neutron stars.Comment: 20 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
The Chemistry of Extragalactic Globular Clusters
We present preliminary results of VLT/FORS spectroscopy of globular clusters
in nearby early-type galaxies. Our project aims at studying the chemistry and
determine the ages of globular cluster (sub-)populations. First results
indicate that the different galaxies host from little to significant
intermediate-age populations, and that the latter have alpha-element over iron
ratios closer to solar than the old population that show an alpha-element
enhancement similar to the diffuse stellar light.Comment: 4 pages (incl 2 figures) to appear in the proceedings of
"Extragalactic Globular Cluster Systems", ed.M.Kissler-Patig, Springer; see
also related contributions by T.H.Puzia and M.Hempel et a
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