1,060 research outputs found
Generation and evolution of vortex-antivortex pairs in Bose-Einstein condensates
We propose a method for generating and controlling a spatially separated
vortex--antivortex pair in a Bose-Einstein condensate trapped in a toroidal
potential. Our simulations of the time dependent Gross-Pitaevskii equation show
that in toroidal condensates vortex dynamics are different from the dynamics in
the homogeneous case. Our numerical results agree well with analytical
calculations using the image method. Our proposal offers an effective example
of coherent generation and control of vortex dynamics in atomic condensates.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure
High Pressure Thermoelasticity of Body-centered Cubic Tantalum
We have investigated the thermoelasticity of body-centered cubic (bcc)
tantalum from first principles by using the linearized augmented plane wave
(LAPW) and mixed--basis pseudopotential methods for pressures up to 400 GPa and
temperatures up to 10000 K. Electronic excitation contributions to the free
energy were included from the band structures, and phonon contributions were
included using the particle-in-a-cell (PIC) model. The computed elastic
constants agree well with available ultrasonic and diamond anvil cell data at
low pressures, and shock data at high pressures. The shear modulus and
the anisotropy change behavior with increasing pressure around 150 GPa because
of an electronic topological transition. We find that the main contribution of
temperature to the elastic constants is from the thermal expansivity. The PIC
model in conjunction with fast self-consistent techniques is shown to be a
tractable approach to studying thermoelasticity.Comment: To be appear in Physical Review
DNA single-strand break repair and spinocerebellar ataxia with axonal neuropathy-1
DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) are the commonest DNA lesions arising spontaneously in cells, and if not repaired may block transcription or may be converted into potentially lethal/clastogenic DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Recently, evidence has emerged that defects in the rapid repair of SSBs preferentially impact the nervous system. In particular, spinocerebellar ataxia with axonal neuropathy (SCAN1) is a human disease that is associated with mutation of TDP1 (tyrosyl DNA phosphodiesterase 1) protein and with a defect in repairing certain types of SSBs. Although SCAN1 is a rare neurodegenerative disorder, understanding the molecular basis of this disease will lead to better understanding of neurodegenerative processes. Here we review recent progress in our understanding of TDP1, single-strand break repair (SSBR), and neurodegenerative disease
Light scattering observations of spin reversal excitations in the fractional quantum Hall regime
Resonant inelastic light scattering experiments access the low lying
excitations of electron liquids in the fractional quantum Hall regime in the
range . Modes associated with changes in the charge and
spin degrees of freedom are measured. Spectra of spin reversed excitations at
filling factor and at identify a structure
of lowest spin-split Landau levels of composite fermions that is similar to
that of electrons. Observations of spin wave excitations enable determinations
of energies required to reverse spin. The spin reversal energies obtained from
the spectra illustrate the significant residual interactions of composite
fermions. At energies of spin reversal modes are larger but
relatively close to spin conserving excitations that are linked to activated
transport. Predictions of composite fermion theory are in good quantitative
agreement with experimental results.Comment: Submitted to special issue of Solid State Com
Noise and Measurement Efficiency of a Partially Coherent Mesoscopic Detector
We study the noise properties and efficiency of a mesoscopic resonant-level
conductor which is used as a quantum detector, in the regime where transport
through the level is only partially phase coherent. We contrast models in which
detector incoherence arises from escape to a voltage probe, versus those in
which it arises from a random time-dependent potential. Particular attention is
paid to the back-action charge noise of the system. While the average detector
current is similar in all models, we find that its noise properties and
measurement efficiency are sensitive both to the degree of coherence and to the
nature of the dephasing source. Detector incoherence prevents quantum limited
detection, except in the non-generic case where the source of dephasing is not
associated with extra unobserved information. This latter case can be realized
in a version of the voltage probe model.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures; revised dicussion of voltage probe model
Resonant Enhancement of Inelastic Light Scattering in the Fractional Quantum Hall Regime at
Strong resonant enhancements of inelastic light scattering from the long
wavelength inter-Landau level magnetoplasmon and the intra-Landau level spin
wave excitations are seen for the fractional quantum Hall state at .
The energies of the sharp peaks (FWHM ) in the profiles of
resonant enhancement of inelastic light scattering intensities coincide with
the energies of photoluminescence bands assigned to negatively charged exciton
recombination. To interpret the observed enhancement profiles, we propose
three-step light scattering mechanisms in which the intermediate resonant
transitions are to states with charged excitonic excitations.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure
Interplanetary and Geomagnetic Consequences of Interacting CMEs of 13-14 June 2012
We report on the kinematics of two interacting CMEs observed on 13 and 14
June 2012. Both CMEs originated from the same active region NOAA 11504. After
their launches which were separated by several hours, they were observed to
interact at a distance of 100 Rs from the Sun. The interaction led to a
moderate geomagnetic storm at the Earth with Dst index of approximately, -86
nT. The kinematics of the two CMEs is estimated using data from the Sun Earth
Connection Coronal and Heliospheric Investigation (SECCHI) onboard the Solar
Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO). Assuming a head-on collision
scenario, we find that the collision is inelastic in nature. Further, the
signatures of their interaction are examined using the in situ observations
obtained by Wind and the Advance Composition Explorer (ACE) spacecraft. It is
also found that this interaction event led to the strongest sudden storm
commencement (SSC) (approximately 150 nT) of the present Solar Cycle 24. The
SSC was of long duration, approximately 20 hours. The role of interacting CMEs
in enhancing the geoeffectiveness is examined.Comment: 17 pages, 5 figures, Accepted in Solar Physics Journa
Learning from text-based close call data
A key feature of big data is the variety of data sources that are available; which include not just numerical data but also image or video data or even free text. The GB railways collects a large volume of free text data daily from railway workers describing close call hazard reports: instances where an accident could have – but did not – occur. These close call reports contain valuable safety information which could be useful in managing safety on the railway, but which can be lost in the very large volume of data – much larger than is viable for a human analyst to read. This paper describes the application of rudimentary natural language processing (NLP) techniques to uncover safety information from close calls. The analysis has proven that basic information extraction is possible using the rudimentary techniques, but has also identified some limitations that arise using only basic techniques. Using these findings further research in this area intends to look at how the techniques that have been proven to date can be improved with the use of more advanced NLP techniques coupled with machine-learning
Life path analysis: scaling indicates priming effects of social and habitat factors on dispersal distances
1. Movements of many animals along a life-path can be separated into repetitive ones within home ranges and transitions between home ranges. We sought relationships of social and environmental factors with initiation and distance of transition movements in 114 buzzards Buteo buteo that were marked as nestlings with long-life radio tags.
2. Ex-natal dispersal movements of 51 buzzards in autumn were longer than for 30 later in their first year and than 35 extra-natal movements between home ranges after leaving nest areas. In the second and third springs, distances moved from winter focal points by birds that paired were the same or less than for unpaired birds. No post-nuptial movement exceeded 2 km.
3. Initiation of early ex-natal dispersal was enhanced by presence of many sibs, but also by lack of worm-rich loam soils. Distances travelled were greatest for birds from small broods and with relatively little short grass-feeding habitat near the nest. Later movements were generally enhanced by the absence of loam soils and short grassland, especially with abundance of other buzzards and probable poor feeding habitats (heathland, long grass).
4. Buzzards tended to persist in their first autumn where arable land was abundant, but subsequently showed a strong tendency to move from this habitat.
5. Factors that acted most strongly in ½-km buffers round nests, or round subsequent focal points, usually promoted movement compared with factors acting at a larger scale. Strong relationships between movement distances and environmental characteristics in ½-km buffers, especially during early ex-natal dispersal, suggested that buzzards became primed by these factors to travel far.
6. Movements were also farthest for buzzards that had already moved far from their natal nests, perhaps reflecting genetic predisposition, long-term priming or poor habitat beyond the study area
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