40,827 research outputs found
A massive high density effective theory
We derive an effective theory for dense, cold and massive quark matter. To
this end, we employ a general effective action formalism where antiquarks and
quarks far from the Fermi surface, as well as hard gluons, are integrated out
explicitly. We show that the resulting effective action depends crucially on
the projectors used to separate quarks from antiquarks. If one neglects the
quark masses in these projectors, the Feynman rules of the effective theory
involve quark mass insertions which connect quark with antiquark propagators.
Including the quark masses into these projectors, mass insertions do not appear
and the Feynman rules are identical to those found in the zero-mass limit.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure
Fractional vortices in the XY model with bonds
We define a new set of excitations in the XY model which we call ``fractional
vortices''. In the frustrated XY model containing bonds, we make the
ansatz that the ground state configurations can be characterized by pairs of
oppositely charged fractional vortices. For a chain of bonds, the ground
state energy and the phase configurations calculated on the basis of this
ansatz agree well with the results from direct numerical simulations. Finally,
we discuss the possible connection of these results to some recent experiments
by Kirtley {\it et al} [Phys. Rev. B {\bf 51}, R12057 (1995)] on high-T
superconductors where fractional flux trapping was observed along certain grain
boundaries.Comment: 13 pages, 14 figures included (.eps). No essential differences to
previous version, however more compact forma
Research opportunities in loss of red blood cell mass in space flight
Decreases of red blood cell mass and plasma volume have been observed consistently following manned space flights. Losses of red cell mass by United States astronauts have averaged 10 to 15% (range: 2 to 21%). Based on postflight estimates of total hemoglobin, Soviet cosmonauts engaged in space missions lasting from 1 to 7 months have exhibited somewhat greater losses. Restoration of red cell mass requires from 4 to 6 weeks following return to Earth, regardless of the duration of space flight
On the Spectrum and Nature of the Peculiar Type Ia Supernova 1991T
A parameterized supernova synthetic-spectrum code is used to study line
identifications in the photospheric-phase spectra of the peculiar Type Ia SN
1991T, and to extract some constraints on the composition structure of the
ejected matter. The inferred composition structure is not like that of any
hydrodynamical model for Type Ia supernovae. Evidence that SN 1991T was
overluminous for an SN Ia is presented, and it is suggested that this peculiar
event probably was a substantially super-Chandrasekhar explosion that resulted
from the merger of two white dwarfs.Comment: 1 text, 7 figures, submitted to MNRA
Fluctuating loops and glassy dynamics of a pinned line in two dimensions
We represent the slow, glassy equilibrium dynamics of a line in a
two-dimensional random potential landscape as driven by an array of
asymptotically independent two-state systems, or loops, fluctuating on all
length scales. The assumption of independence enables a fairly complete
analytic description. We obtain good agreement with Monte Carlo simulations
when the free energy barriers separating the two sides of a loop of size L are
drawn from a distribution whose width and mean scale as L^(1/3), in agreement
with recent results for scaling of such barriers.Comment: 11 pages, 4 Postscript figure
Economic performance or electoral necessity? Evaluating the system of voluntary income to political parties
Whilst the public funding of political parties is the norm in western democracies, its comprehensive introduction has been resisted in Britain. Political and electoral arrangements in Britain require parties to function and campaign on a regular basis, whilst their income follows cycles largely related to general elections. This article shows that the best predictor of party income is the necessity of a well-funded general election campaign rather than party performance. As a result, income can only be controlled by parties to a limited degree, which jeopardises their ability to determine their own financial position and fulfil their functions as political parties
Summary of NASA landing-gear research
Research relative to tire tread, powered-wheel taxiing, air cushion landing systems, and crosswind landing gear is discussed
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