204 research outputs found
Experimental evidence of accelerated seismic release without critical failure in acoustic emissions of compressed nanoporous materials
The total energy of acoustic emission (AE) events in externally stressed
materials diverges when approaching macroscopic failure. Numerical and
conceptual models explain this accelerated seismic release (ASR) as the
approach to a critical point that coincides with ultimate failure. Here, we
report ASR during soft uniaxial compression of three silica-based (SiO)
nanoporous materials. Instead of a singular critical point, the distribution of
AE energies is stationary and variations in the activity rate are sufficient to
explain the presence of multiple periods of ASR leading to distinct brittle
failure events. We propose that critical failure is suppressed in the AE
statistics by dissipation and transient hardening. Some of the critical
exponents estimated from the experiments are compatible with mean field models,
while others are still open to interpretation in terms of the solution of
frictional and fracture avalanche models.Comment: preprint, Main article: 7 pages, 3 figures. Supplementary material
included in \anc folder: 6 pages, 3 figure
Experimental Evidence of Accelerated Seismic Release without Critical Failure in Acoustic Emissions of Compressed Nanoporous Materials
The total energy of acoustic emission (AE) events in externally stressed materials diverges when approaching macroscopic failure. Numerical and conceptual models explain this accelerated seismic release (ASR) as the approach to a critical point that coincides with ultimate failure. Here, we report ASR during soft uniaxial compression of three silica-based ( SiO2) nanoporous materials. Instead of a singular critical point, the distribution of AE energies is stationary, and variations in the activity rate are sufficient to explain the presence of multiple periods of ASR leading to distinct brittle failure events. We propose that critical failure is suppressed in the AE statistics by mechanisms of transient hardening. Some of the critical exponents estimated from the experiments are compatible with mean field models, while others are still open to interpretation in terms of the solution of frictional and fracture avalanche models
Simple models of small world networks with directed links
We investigate the effect of directed short and long range connections in a
simple model of small world network. Our model is such that we can determine
many quantities of interest by an exact analytical method. We calculate the
function , defined as the number of sites affected up to time when a
naive spreading process starts in the network. As opposed to shortcuts, the
presence of un-favorable bonds has a negative effect on this quantity. Hence
the spreading process may not be able to affect all the network. We define and
calculate a quantity named the average size of accessible world in our model.
The interplay of shortcuts, and un-favorable bonds on the small world
properties is studied.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figures, published versio
Exploring the spreading layer of GX 9+9 using RXTE and INTEGRAL
We have fitted ~200 RXTE and INTEGRAL spectra of the neutron star LMXB GX 9+9
from 2002-2007 with a model consisting of a disc blackbody and another
blackbody representing the spreading layer (SL), i.e. an extended accretion
zone on the NS surface as opposed to the more traditional disc-like boundary
layer. Contrary to theory, the SL temperature was seen to increase towards low
SL luminosities, while the approximate angular extent had a nearly linear
luminosity dependency. Comptonization was not required to adequately fit these
spectra. Together with the ~70 degree upper bound of inclination implied by the
lack of eclipses, the best-fitting normalization of the accretion disc
blackbody component implies a distance of ~10 kpc, instead of the usually
quoted 5 kpc.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
Demagnetization via Nucleation of the Nonequilibrium Metastable Phase in a Model of Disorder
We study both analytically and numerically metastability and nucleation in a
two-dimensional nonequilibrium Ising ferromagnet. Canonical equilibrium is
dynamically impeded by a weak random perturbation which models homogeneous
disorder of undetermined source. We present a simple theoretical description,
in perfect agreement with Monte Carlo simulations, assuming that the decay of
the nonequilibrium metastable state is due, as in equilibrium, to the
competition between the surface and the bulk. This suggests one to accept a
nonequilibrium "free-energy" at a mesoscopic/cluster level, and it ensues a
nonequilibrium "surface tension" with some peculiar low-T behavior. We
illustrate the occurrence of intriguing nonequilibrium phenomena, including:
(i) Noise-enhanced stabilization of nonequilibrium metastable states; (ii)
reentrance of the limit of metastability under strong nonequilibrium
conditions; and (iii) resonant propagation of domain walls. The cooperative
behavior of our system may also be understood in terms of a Langevin equation
with additive and multiplicative noises. We also studied metastability in the
case of open boundaries as it may correspond to a magnetic nanoparticle. We
then observe burst-like relaxation at low T, triggered by the additional
surface randomness, with scale-free avalanches which closely resemble the type
of relaxation reported for many complex systems. We show that this results from
the superposition of many demagnetization events, each with a well- defined
scale which is determined by the curvature of the domain wall at which it
originates. This is an example of (apparent) scale invariance in a
nonequilibrium setting which is not to be associated with any familiar kind of
criticality.Comment: 26 pages, 22 figure
European Respiratory Society Statement on Thoracic Ultrasound
Thoracic ultrasound is increasingly considered to be an essential tool for the pulmonologist. It is used in diverse clinical scenarios, including as an adjunct to clinical decision making for diagnosis, a real-time guide to procedures, and a predictor or measurement of treatment response. The aim of this European Respiratory Society task force was to produce a statement on thoracic ultrasound for pulmonologists using thoracic ultrasound within the field of respiratory medicine. The multidisciplinary panel performed a review of the literature, addressing major areas of thoracic ultrasound practice and application. The selected major areas include equipment and technique, assessment of the chest wall, parietal pleura, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, interstitial syndrome, lung consolidation, diaphragm assessment, intervention guidance, training, and the patient perspective. Despite the growing evidence supporting the use of thoracic ultrasound, the published literature still contains a paucity of data in some important fields. Key research questions for each of the major areas were identified, which serve to facilitate future multi-centre collaborations and research to further consolidate an evidence-based use of thoracic ultrasound, for the benefit of the many patients being exposed to clinicians using thoracic ultrasound
Overview of the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer Mission
The Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer satellite observes light in the
far-ultraviolet spectral region, 905 - 1187 A with high spectral resolution.
The instrument consists of four coaligned prime-focus telescopes and Rowland
spectrographs with microchannel plate detectors. Two of the telescope channels
use Al:LiF coatings for optimum reflectivity from approximately 1000 to 1187 A
and the other two use SiC coatings for optimized throughput between 905 and
1105 A. The gratings are holographically ruled to largely correct for
astigmatism and to minimize scattered light. The microchannel plate detectors
have KBr photocathodes and use photon counting to achieve good quantum
efficiency with low background signal. The sensitivity is sufficient to examine
reddened lines of sight within the Milky Way as well as active galactic nuclei
and QSOs for absorption line studies of both Milky Way and extra-galactic gas
clouds. This spectral region contains a number of key scientific diagnostics,
including O VI, H I, D I and the strong electronic transitions of H2 and HD.Comment: To appear in FUSE special issue of the Astrophysical Journal Letters.
6 pages + 4 figure
Granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease: an international research prioritisation
The first ever research prioritisation exercise in GLILD: this survey identified areas of interest in the diagnosis, treatment and management of GLILD, which can be used as a roadmap for future research
Granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease: an international research prioritisation
The first ever research prioritisation exercise in GLILD: this survey identified areas of interest in the diagnosis, treatment and management of GLILD, which can be used as a roadmap for future research
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