8,905 research outputs found
Near threshold rotational excitation of molecular ions by electron-impact
New cross sections for the rotational excitation of H by electrons are
calculated {\it ab initio} at low impact energies. The validity of the
adiabatic-nuclei-rotation (ANR) approximation, combined with -matrix
wavefunctions, is assessed by comparison with rovibrational quantum defect
theory calculations based on the treatment of Kokoouline and Greene ({\it Phys.
Rev. A} {\bf 68} 012703 2003). Pure ANR excitation cross sections are shown to
be accurate down to threshold, except in the presence of large oscillating
Rydberg resonances. These resonances occur for transitions with
and are caused by closed channel effects. A simple analytic formula is derived
for averaging the rotational probabilities over such resonances in a 3-channel
problem. In accord with the Wigner law for an attractive Coulomb field,
rotational excitation cross sections are shown to be large and finite at
threshold, with a significant but moderate contribution from closed channels.Comment: 3 figures, a5 page
Experiments with a fully instrumented split Stirling cryocooler
A practical model that can be used to accurately size and optimally split stirling cryocoolers is discussed. A practical model that could be used to extrapolate existing designs to meet different specifications was developed. However, to do this detailed knowledge of the dynamic operating parameters of this type of cryocooler is required. The first stage is to fully instrument a refrigerator so that various dynamic parameters can be measured. The second stage involves the application of these measurements to the design and optimization of a range of coolers
CH observations toward the Orion Bar
CH is one of the first radicals to be detected in the interstellar
medium. Its higher rotational transitions have recently become available with
the Herschel Space Observatory. We aim to constrain the physical parameters of
the CH emitting gas toward the Orion Bar. We analyse the CH line
intensities measured toward the Orion Bar CO Peak and Herschel/HIFI maps of
CH, CH, and HCO, and a NANTEN map of [CI]. We interpret the observed
CH emission using radiative transfer and PDR models. Five rotational
transitions of CH have been detected in the HIFI frequency range toward the
CO peak. A single component rotational diagram gives a rotation temperature
of ~64 K and a beam-averaged CH column density of 410
cm. The measured transitions cannot be explained by any single parameter
model. According to a non-LTE model, most of the CH column density produces
the lower- CH transitions and traces a warm ( ~ 100-150 K)
and dense ((H)~10-10 cm) gas. A small fraction of the
CH column density is required to reproduce the intensity of the highest-
transitions (=9-8 and N=10-9) originating from a high density
((H)~510 cm) hot ( ~ 400 K) gas. The
total beam-averaged CH column density in the model is 10 cm.
Both the non-LTE radiative transfer model and a simple PDR model representing
the Orion Bar with a plane-parallel slab of gas and dust suggest, that CH
cannot be described by a single pressure component, unlike the reactive ion
CH, which was previously analysed toward the Orion Bar CO peak. The
physical parameters traced by the higher rotational transitions
(=6-5,...,10-9) of CH may be consistent with the edges of dense clumps
exposed to UV radiation near the ionization front of the Orion Bar.Comment: Proposed for acceptance in A&A, abstract abridge
Genetic and phenotypic parameters of pelt traits in a Karakul control flock
Genetic parameters of 16 pelt trais and birth mass were calculated in a Karakul control flock (n =2058; rams= 305) with a half-sib analysis. Moderately high heritabilities were estimated for pelt traits. No antagonistic genetic correlation was found between pattern and hair quality. The genetic correlations between pattern and pelt traits were lower than those estimated for hair quality and the other pelt traits. The expected correlated response from selection for hair quality may be a decrease in the occurrence of brittle hair, hair thickness, metallic, skin thickness, occurence of feathers, hair stiffness and an increase in hair length, lustre and curl breadth. Selection for pattern may result in a decrease in bandedness, a slight increase in lustre and in the occurrence of feathers, and a moderate decrease in curl type and hair length. Genetic estimates obtained in this study are compared with previous estimates obtained in Karakul sheep. Genetiese parameters van 16 pelseienskappe en van geboortemassa is in 'n Karakoelkontrole-kudde( n =2058; ramme = 305) met behulp van die halfsib-metodeb eraam. Matige hoe oorerflikhede is vir pelseienskappe beraam. Geen antagonistiese genetiese korrelasie is tussen patroon en haarkwaliteit gevind nie. Die genetiese korrelasies tussen patroon en ander pelseienskappe was heelwat laer as die tussen haarkwaliteit en die ander pelseienskappe. Die verwagte gekorreleerde responsie van seleksie vir haarkwaliteit mag 'n afname in die voorkoms van breekhare, haardikte, metaalagtigheid, veldikte, voorkoms van vere, haarstyfte, en 'n toename in haarlengte, glans en krulgrootte wees. Seleksie vir patroon mag 'n afname in die voorkoms van bande, 'n effense toename in glans en in die voorkoms van vere en 'n matige afname in krultipe en haarlengte veroorsaak. Genetiese parameters verkry in hierdie studie word met ander studiesb y Karakoelskape vergelyk.Keywords: Karakul, pelt traits, genetic and phenotypic parameters
The magnetic precursor of L1448-mm: Excitation differences between ion and neutral fluids
Shock modelling predicts an electron density enhancement within the magnetic
precursor of C-shocks. Previous observations of SiO, H13CO+, HN13C and H13CN
toward the young L1448-mm outflow showed an over-excitation of the ion fluid
that was attributed to an electron density enhancement in the precursor. We
re-visit this interpretation and test if it still holds when we consider
different source morphologies and kinetic temperatures for the observed
molecules, and also give some insight on the spatial extent of the electron
density enhancement around L1448-mm.
We estimate the opacities of H13CO+ and HN13C by observing the J=3\to2 lines
of rarer isotopologues to confirm that the emission is optically thin. To model
the excitation of the molecules, we use the large velocity gradient (LVG)
approximation with updated collisional coefficients to i) re- analyse the
observations toward the positions where the over-excitation of H13CO+ has
previously been observed [i.e. toward L1448- mm at offsets (0,0) and (0,-10)],
and ii) to investigate if the electron density enhancement is still required
for the cases of extended and compact emission, and for kinetic temperatures of
up to 400 K. We also report several lines of SiO, HN13C and H13CO+ toward new
positions around this outflow, to investigate the spatial extent of the
over-excitation of the ions in L1448-mm. From the isotopologue observations, we
find that the emission of H13CO+ and HN13C from the precursor is optically thin
if this emission is extended. Using the new collisional coefficients, an
electron density enhancement is still needed to explain the excitation of
H13CO+ for extended emission and for gas temperatures of\le 400 K toward
L1448-mm (0,-10), and possibly also toward L1448-mm (0,0). For compact emission
the data cannot be fitted. We do not find any evidence for the over-excitation
of the ion fluid toward the newly observed positions around L1448-mm.
The observed line emission of SiO, H13CO+ and HN13C toward L1448-mm (0,0) and
(0,-10) is consistent with an electron density enhancement in the precursor
component, if this emission is spatially extended. This is also true for the
case of high gas temperatures (\le400 K) toward the (0,-10) offset. The
electron density enhancement seems to be restricted to the southern, redshifted
lobe of the L1448-mm outflow. Interferometric images of the line emission of
these molecules are needed to confirm the spatial extent of the over-excitation
of the ions and thus, of the electron density enhancement in the magnetic
precursor of L1448-mm.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A; 9 pages, 3 figure
Atomistic studies of transformation pathways and energetics in plutonium
One of the most challenging problems in understanding the structural phase
transformations in Pu is to determine the energetically favored, continuous
atomic pathways from one crystal symmetry to another. This problem involves
enumerating candidate pathways and studying their energetics to garner insight
into instabilities and energy barriers. The purpose of this work is to
investigate the energetics of two transformation pathways for the delta to
alpha' transformation in Pu that were recently proposed [Lookman et al., Phys.
Rev. Lett. 100:145504, 2008] on the basis of symmetry. These pathways require
the presence of either an intermediate hexagonal closed-packed (hcp) structure
or a simple hexagonal (sh) structure. A subgroup of the parent fcc and the
intermediate hexagonal structure, which has trigonal symmetry, facilitates the
transformation to the intermediate hcp or sh structure. Phonons then break the
translational symmetry from the intermediate hcp or sh structure to the final
monoclinic symmetry of the alpha' structure. We perform simulations using the
modified embedded atom method (MEAM) for Pu to investigate these candidate
pathways. Our main conclusion is that the path via hcp is energetically favored
and the volume change for both pathways essentially occurs in the second step
of the transformation, i.e. from the intermediate sh or hcp to the monoclinic
structure. Our work also highlights the deficiency of the current
state-of-the-art MEAM potential in capturing the anisotropy associated with the
lower symmetry monoclinic structure.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Philos. Ma
Laser-induced electron emission from a tungsten nanotip: identifying above threshold photoemission using energy-resolved laser power dependencies
We present an experiment studying the interaction of a strongly focused 25 fs
laser pulse with a tungsten nanotip, investigating the different regimes of
laser-induced electron emission. We study the dependence of the electron yield
with respect to the static electric field applied to the tip. Photoelectron
spectra are recorded using a retarding field spectrometer and peaks separated
by the photon energy are observed with a 45 % contrast. They are a clear
signature of above threshold photoemission (ATP), and are confirmed by
extensive spectrally resolved studies of the laser power dependence.
Understanding these mechanisms opens the route to control experiment in the
strong-field regime on nanoscale objects.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure
Betatron emission as a diagnostic for injection and acceleration mechanisms in laser-plasma accelerators
Betatron x-ray emission in laser-plasma accelerators is a promising compact
source that may be an alternative to conventional x-ray sources, based on large
scale machines. In addition to its potential as a source, precise measurements
of betatron emission can reveal crucial information about relativistic
laser-plasma interaction. We show that the emission length and the position of
the x-ray emission can be obtained by placing an aperture mask close to the
source, and by measuring the beam profile of the betatron x-ray radiation far
from the aperture mask. The position of the x-ray emission gives information on
plasma wave breaking and hence on the laser non-linear propagation. Moreover,
the measurement of the longitudinal extension helps one to determine whether
the acceleration is limited by pump depletion or dephasing effects. In the case
of multiple injections, it is used to retrieve unambiguously the position in
the plasma of each injection. This technique is also used to study how, in a
capillary discharge, the variations of the delay between the discharge and the
laser pulse affect the interaction. The study reveals that, for a delay
appropriate for laser guiding, the x-ray emission only occurs in the second
half of the capillary: no electrons are injected and accelerated in the first
half.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with
arXiv:1104.245
Upper bound on the density of Ruelle resonances for Anosov flows
Using a semiclassical approach we show that the spectrum of a smooth Anosov
vector field V on a compact manifold is discrete (in suitable anisotropic
Sobolev spaces) and then we provide an upper bound for the density of
eigenvalues of the operator (-i)V, called Ruelle resonances, close to the real
axis and for large real parts.Comment: 57 page
Effects of nanoparticles on murine macrophages
Metallic nanoparticles are more and more widely used in an increasing number
of applications. Consequently, they are more and more present in the
environment, and the risk that they may represent for human health must be
evaluated. This requires to increase our knowledge of the cellular responses to
nanoparticles. In this context, macrophages appear as an attractive system.
They play a major role in eliminating foreign matter, e.g. pathogens or
infectious agents, by phagocytosis and inflammatory responses, and are thus
highly likely to react to nanoparticles. We have decided to study their
responses to nanoparticles by a combination of classical and wide-scope
approaches such as proteomics. The long term goal of this study is the better
understanding of the responses of macrophages to nanoparticles, and thus to
help to assess their possible impact on human health. We chose as a model
system bone marrow-derived macrophages and studied the effect of commonly used
nanoparticles such as TiO2 and Cu. Classical responses of macrophage were
characterized and proteomic approaches based on 2D gels of whole cell extracts
were used. Preliminary proteomic data resulting from whole cell extracts showed
different effects for TiO2-NPs and Cu-NPs. Modifications of the expression of
several proteins involved in different pathways such as, for example, signal
transduction, endosome-lysosome pathway, Krebs cycle, oxidative stress response
have been underscored. These first results validate our proteomics approach and
open a new wide field of investigation for NPs impact on macrophagesComment: Nanosafe2010: International Conference on Safe Production and Use of
Nanomaterials 16-18 November 2010, Grenoble, France, Grenoble : France (2010
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