1,156 research outputs found
Atomic carbon chains as spin-transmitters: an \textit{Ab initio} transport study
An atomic carbon chain joining two graphene flakes was recently realized in a
ground-breaking experiment by Jin {\it et al.}, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 102},
205501 (2009). We present {\it ab initio} results for the electron transport
properties of such chains and demonstrate complete spin-polarization of the
transmission in large energy ranges. The effect is due to the spin-polarized
zig-zag edge terminating each graphene flake causing a spin-splitting of the
graphene bands, and the chain states. Transmission occurs when the
graphene -states resonate with similar states in the strongly hybridized
edges and chain. This effect should in general hold for any -conjugated
molecules bridging the zig-zag edges of graphene electrodes. The polarization
of the transmission can be controlled by chemically or mechanically modifying
the molecule, or by applying an electrical gate
A low-luminosity soft state in the short period black hole X-ray binary Swift J1753.5-0127
We present results from the spectral fitting of the candidate black hole
X-ray binary Swift J1753.5-0127 in an accretion state previously unseen in this
source. We fit the 0.7-78 keV spectrum with a number of models, however the
preferred model is one of a multi-temperature disk with an inner disk
temperature keV scattered into a steep
power-law with photon index and an additional
hard power law tail (). We report on the emergence of a
strong disk-dominated component in the X-ray spectrum and we conclude that the
source has entered the soft state for the first time in its ~10 year prolonged
outburst. Using reasonable estimates for the distance to the source ( kpc)
and black hole mass (), we find the unabsorbed luminosity (0.1-100
keV) to be % of the Eddington luminosity, making this one of the
lowest luminosity soft states recorded in X-ray binaries. We also find that the
accretion disk extended towards the compact object during its transition from
hard to soft, with the inner radius estimated to be
or ~, dependent on the boundary
condition chosen, assuming the above distance and mass, a spectral hardening
factor and a binary inclination .Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
Innovative methods in European road freight transport statistics: A pilot study
By using innovative methods, such as the automated transfer of corporate electronic data to National Statistical Institutions, official transport data can be significantly improved in terms of reliability, costs and the burden on respondents. In this paper, we show that the automated compilation of statistical reports is possible and feasible. Based on previous findings, a new method and tool were developed in cooperation with two business partners from the logistics sector in Austria. The results show that the prototype could successfully be implemented at the partner companies. Improved data quality can lead to more reliable analyses in various fields. Compared to actual volumes of investments into transport, the costs of transport statistics are limited. By using the new and innovative data collection techniques, these costs can even be reduced in the long run; at the same time, the risk of bad investments and wrong decisions caused by analyses relying on poor data quality can be reduced. This results in a substantial value for business, research, the economy and the society
Distorted cyclotron line profile in Cep X-4 as observed by NuSTAR
We present spectral analysis of NuSTAR and Swift observations of Cep X-4
during its outburst in 2014. We observed the source once during the peak of the
outburst and once during the decay, finding good agreement in the spectral
shape between the observations. We describe the continuum using a powerlaw with
a Fermi-Dirac cutoff at high energies. Cep X-4 has a very strong cyclotron
resonant scattering feature (CRSF) around 30 keV. A simple absorption-like line
with a Gaussian optical depth or a pseudo-Lorentzian profile both fail to
describe the shape of the CRSF accurately, leaving significant deviations at
the red side of the line. We characterize this asymmetry with a second
absorption feature around 19 keV. The line energy of the CRSF, which is not
influenced by the addition of this feature, shows a small but significant
positive luminosity dependence. With luminosities between (1-6)e36 erg/s, Cep
X-4 is below the theoretical limit where such a correlation is expected. This
behavior is similar to Vela X-1 and we discuss parallels between the two
systems.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure, accepted for publication in ApJ letter
Localized Edge Vibrations and Edge Reconstruction by Joule Heating in Graphene Nanostructures
Under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 3.0 (CC-BY).Control of the edge topology of graphene nanostructures is critical to graphene-based electronics. A means of producing atomically smooth zigzag edges using electronic current has recently been demonstrated in experiments [Jia et al., Science 323, 1701 (2009)]. We develop a microscopic theory for current-induced edge reconstruction using density functional theory. Our calculations provide evidence for localized vibrations at edge interfaces involving unpassivated armchair edges. We demonstrate that these vibrations couple to the current, estimate their excitation by Joule heating, and argue that they are the likely cause of the reconstructions observed in the experiments.A. P. J. is grateful to the FiDiPro program of the Finnish Academy. Computational resources were provided by the Danish Center for Scientific Computing (DCSC).Peer reviewe
Quality prescribing in general practice
To implement continuous improvement of prescribing in general practice with a model closely linking the work of general practitioner and a clinical pharmacist aiming to improve the safety and efficiency of treatment with medicine. Emphasise is on polypharmacy (multiple medications) which is increasing across countries and although appropriate especially in patients with multiple comorbidities it can cause serious problems to patients and is a major challenge for the health care systems. Problems include adverse drug reactions and harmful drug interactions with reduced quality of life, increased overall morbidity, mortality and increased costs to health care systems
Cyclotron lines in highly magnetized neutron stars
Cyclotron lines, also called cyclotron resonant scattering features (CRSF)
are spectral features, generally appearing in absorption, in the X-ray spectra
of objects containing highly magnetized neutron stars, allowing the direct
measurement of the magnetic field strength in these objects. Cyclotron features
are thought to be due to resonant scattering of photons by electrons in the
strong magnetic fields. The main content of this contribution focusses on
electron cyclotron lines as found in accreting X-ray binary pulsars (XRBP) with
magnetic fields on the order of several 1012 Gauss. Also, possible proton
cyclotron lines from single neutron stars with even stronger magnetic fields
are briefly discussed.With regard to electron cyclotron lines, we present an
updated list of XRBPs that show evidence of such absorption lines. The first
such line was discovered in a 1976 balloon observation of the accreting binary
pulsar Hercules X-1, it is considered to be the first direct measurement of the
magnetic field of a neutron star. As of today (mid 2018), we list 36 XRBPs
showing evidence of one ore more electron cyclotron absorption line(s). A few
have been measured only once and must be confirmed (several more objects are
listed as candidates). In addition to the Tables of objects, we summarize the
evidence of variability of the cyclotron line as a function of various
parameters (especially pulse phase, luminosity and time), and add a discussion
of the different observed phenomena and associated attempts of theoretical
modeling. We also discuss our understanding of the underlying physics of
accretion onto highly magnetized neutron stars. For proton cyclotron lines, we
present tables with seven neutron stars and discuss their nature and the
physics in these objects.Comment: 32 pages, 15 figures, 8 Tables, accepted by A&A 201
A Soft X-Ray Spectral Episode for the Clocked Burster, GS 1826-24 as Measured by Swift and NuSTAR
We report on NuSTAR and Swift observations of a soft state of the neutron
star low-mass X-ray binary GS 1826-24, commonly known as the "clocked" burster.
The transition to the soft state was recorded in 2014 June through an increase
of the 2-20 keV source intensity measured by MAXI, simultaneous with a decrease
of the 15-50 keV intensity measured by Swift/BAT. The episode lasted
approximately two months, after which the source returned to its usual hard
state. We analyze the broad-band spectrum measured by Swift/XRT and NuSTAR, and
estimate the accretion rate during the soft episode to be about 13% of
Eddington, within the range of previous observations. However, the best fit
spectral model, adopting the double Comptonization used previously, exhibits
significantly softer components. We detect seven type-I X-ray bursts, all
significantly weaker (and with shorter rise and decay times) than observed
previously. The burst profiles and recurrence times vary significantly, ruling
out the regular bursts that are typical for this source. One burst exhibited
photospheric radius expansion, and we estimate the source distance at about
(5.7 / xi_b^1/2) kpc, where xi_b parameterizes the possible anisotropy of the
burst emission. Interpreting the soft state as a transition from an optically
thin inner flow to an optically thick flow passing through a boundary layer, as
is commonly observed in similar systems, is contradicted by the lower optical
depth measured for the double Comptonization model we find for this soft state.
The effect of a change in disk geometry on the burst behavior remains unclear.Comment: 40 pages (single-column, doubled spaced format), 9 figures, 3 tables;
submitted to Ap
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