105,660 research outputs found
Vector Perturbations in a Contracting Universe
In this note we show that vector perturbations exhibit growing mode solutions
in a contracting Universe, such as the contracting phase of the Pre Big Bang or
the Cyclic/Ekpyrotic models of the Universe. This is not a gauge artifact and
will in general lead to the breakdown of perturbation theory -- a severe
problem that has to be addressed in any bouncing model. We also comment on the
possibility of explaining, by means of primordial vector perturbations, the
existence of the observed large scale magnetic fields. This is possible since
they can be seeded by vorticity.Comment: v3. Two reference added; Identical with version accepted for
publication at PR
Resistojet research and development, phase ii second quarterly progress report, 1 oct. - 31 dec. 1964
Transient propulsion performance of 10 watt fast heating resistojet engin
Process-dependence of biogenic feedback effects in models of plankton dynamics.
The prospect of human-induced climate change has stimulated research into several biological processes that might affect climate. One such process that has attracted a substantial research effort is the so-called CLAW hypothesis (Charlson et al. 1987). This hypothesis suggests that marine plankton ecosystems may effectively regulate climate by a feedback associated with the production of dimethylsulphide (DMS). Charlson et al. (1987) observed that some of the DMS produced by marine ecosystems is transferred from the ocean to the atmosphere where it is the major source of cloud condensing nuclei (CCN) over the remote oceans. The aerosols resulting from biogenic DMS emissions can have a direct effect on the solar radiative forcing experienced by the Earth through scattering, absorption and reflection and can also lead to increased cloud formation; the CLAW hypothesis proposes that these mechanisms could regulate climate. Charlson et al (1987) argued that an increase in global temperature would lead to increased biogenic DMS emissions from the ocean and result in an increase in scattering, cloud cover and cloud albedo that would increase the proportion of the incoming solar radiation reflected back into space (thus changing the global albedo), and thereby cooling the planet. The objective of this paper is to examine the implications of the climate regulation process proposed by Charlson et al. (1987) for the dynamics of the ecosystems that produce it. Cropp et al. (2007) developed a simple plankton model that incorporated the DMS feedback mechanism and compared its dynamics to the same ecosystem model without the feedback. These simulations revealed that the presence of the feedback generally enhanced the stability of the ecosystem by making it more resilient to perturbation. In this research, we compare the effect of the feedbacks on a similar NPZ ecosystem model that has a greater range of dynamical behaviour than the model used by Cropp et al. (2007). The results of simulations with the new feedback model are compared to the results of Cropp et al. (2007) to elucidate the influence of the model formulation on the effects of the feedback
Imaging spectroscopy with the atomic force microscope
Force curve imaging spectroscopy involves acquiring a force-distance curve at each pixel of an atomic force microscope image. Processing of the resulting data yields images of sample hardness and tip-sample adhesion. These images resemble Z modulation images and the sum of forward and reverse friction images, respectively, and like them exhibit a number of potentially misleading contrast mechanisms. In particular, XY tip motion has a pronounced effect on hardness images and the meniscus force on adhesion images
Black hole singularities: a numerical approach
The singularity structure of charged spherical collapse is studied by
considering the evolution of the gravity-scalar field system. A detailed
examination of the geometry at late times strongly suggests the validity of the
mass-inflation scenario~\cite{PI:90}. Although the area of the two-spheres
remains finite at the Cauchy horizon, its generators are eventually focused to
zero radius. Thus the null, mass-inflation singularity {\em generally}\/
precedes a crushing singularity deep inside the black hole core. This
central singularity is spacelike.Comment: 4 pages Phys. Rev. style including five figures, provided as
compressed postscript files. To appear in Physical Review Letter
Scanned-cantilever atomic force microscope
We have developed a 3.6 µm scan range atomic force microscope that scans the cantilever instead of the sample, while the optical-lever detection apparatus remains stationary. The design permits simpler, more adaptable sample mounting, and generally improves ease of use. Software workarounds alleviate the minor effects of spurious signal variations that arise as a result of scanning the cantilever. The performance of the microscope matches that of scanned-sample instruments
Statistically optimal analysis of samples from multiple equilibrium states
We present a new estimator for computing free energy differences and
thermodynamic expectations as well as their uncertainties from samples obtained
from multiple equilibrium states via either simulation or experiment. The
estimator, which we term the multistate Bennett acceptance ratio (MBAR)
estimator because it reduces to the Bennett acceptance ratio when only two
states are considered, has significant advantages over multiple histogram
reweighting methods for combining data from multiple states. It does not
require the sampled energy range to be discretized to produce histograms,
eliminating bias due to energy binning and significantly reducing the time
complexity of computing a solution to the estimating equations in many cases.
Additionally, an estimate of the statistical uncertainty is provided for all
estimated quantities. In the large sample limit, MBAR is unbiased and has the
lowest variance of any known estimator for making use of equilibrium data
collected from multiple states. We illustrate this method by producing a highly
precise estimate of the potential of mean force for a DNA hairpin system,
combining data from multiple optical tweezer measurements under constant force
bias.Comment: 13 pages (including appendices), 1 figure, LaTe
Horticultural Studies 1999
Horticultural Studies 1999 is the second edition of a Research Series dedicated to horticultural programs in the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. This publication summarizes research, extension, and educational activities that serve horticultural industries and interest groups in Arkansas. The goals of this publication are to provide relevant information to the growers and end-users of horticulture crops in Arkansas and to inform the citizens of Arkansas and the surrounding region of activities related to horticulture
Investigating the Integration of Acquired Firms in High-technology Industries: Implications for Industrial Policy
Acquisition activity persists despite evidence that acquisitions do not improve firm performance. Further, government policy toward the defense industry has advocated consolidation in the name of nominal cost savings. We explore the role acquisitions play toward technology transfer and begin to identify factors associated with acquisition success through a review of existing research on post-acquisition performance that primarily considers acquiring firm stock performance. Using this research as a foundation, we build a model to analyze post-acquisition performance using a sample of high-technology firms. Results suggest critical success factors associated with post-acquistion stock performance are poorly understood. We conclude that proactive government policy toward high-technology industry mergers and acquisitions may be misguided due to difficulty in predicting acquisition outcome
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