5,622 research outputs found
Asymptotic expansions for field moments of bound states
Asymptotic expansions are presented for the moments of bound states in
one-dimensional anharmonic potentials. The results are derived by using the
SAFE method and include only the first non-zero wave-related correction to the
familiar semi-classical approximation. Application to a couple of widely
studied potentials that do not permit closed-form solutions is used to
demonstrate surprising accuracy even in cases that are far from any asymptotic
limit. We explore the absence of alternate terms in the asymptotic expansions
as a way to explain the accuracy of the end results. Those results are
expressed in terms of definite integrals with integrands involving the
parameter used in the SAFE method to control the extent of the associated
elemental field contributions. Importantly, the integrals themselves are shown
to be precisely independent of that parameter. Further, although the derivation
proceeds by way of an asymptotic expansion for the wavefield that involves the
associated classical motion, those entities do not appear in the end results
which are expressed in terms of just the potential function and its first four
derivatives
Non-existence of Skyrmion-Skyrmion and Skyrmion-anti-Skyrmion static equilibria
We consider classical static Skyrmion-anti-Skyrmion and Skyrmion-Skyrmion
configurations, symmetric with respect to a reflection plane, or symmetric up
to a -parity transformation respectively. We show that the stress tensor
component completely normal to the reflection plane, and hence its integral
over the plane, is negative definite or positive definite respectively.
Classical Skyrmions always repel classical Skyrmions and classical Skyrmions
always attract classical anti-Skyrmions and thus no static equilibrium, whether
stable or unstable, is possible in either case. No other symmetry assumption is
made and so our results also apply to multi-Skyrmion configurations. Our
results are consistent with existing analyses of Skyrmion forces at large
separation, and with numerical results on Skymion-anti-Skyrmion configurations
in the literature which admit a different reflection symmetry. They also hold
for the massive Skyrme model. We also point out that reflection symmetric
self-gravitating Skyrmions or black holes with Skyrmion hair cannot rest in
symmetric equilibrium with self-gravitating anti-Skyrmions.Comment: v2 Typos corrected, refs added. v3 Journal versio
Structural parameters for globular clusters in M31 and generalizations for the fundamental plane
The structures of globular clusters (GCs) reflect their dynamical states and
past histories. High-resolution imaging allows the exploration of morphologies
of clusters in other galaxies. Surface brightness profiles from new Hubble
Space Telescope observations of 34 globular clusters in M31 are presented,
together with fits of several different structural models to each cluster. M31
clusters appear to be adequately fit by standard King models, and do not
obviously require alternate descriptions with relatively stronger halos, such
as are needed to fit many GCs in other nearby galaxies. The derived structural
parameters are combined with corrected versions of those measured in an earlier
survey to construct a comprehensive catalog of structural and dynamical
parameters for M31 GCs with a sample size similar to that for the Milky Way.
Clusters in M31, the Milky Way, Magellanic Clouds, Fornax dwarf spheroidal and
NGC 5128 define a very tight fundamental plane with identical slopes. The
combined evidence for these widely different galaxies strongly reinforces the
view that old globular clusters have near-universal structural properties
regardless of host environment.Comment: AJ in press; 59 pages including 16 figure
Atherosclerotic carotid plaque composition: a 3T and 7T MRI-histology correlation study
Background and Purpose
Carotid artery atherosclerotic plaque composition may influence plaque stability and risk of
thromboembolic events, and non-invasive plaque imaging may therefore permit risk
stratification for clinical management. Plaque composition was compared using non-invasive
in-vivo (3T) and ex-vivo (7T) MRI and histopathological examination.
Methods
Thirty three endarterectomy cross sections, from 13 patients, were studied. The datasets
consisted of in-vivo 3T MRI, ex-vivo 7T MRI and histopathology. Semi-automated
segmentation methods were used to measure areas of different plaque components. Bland-
Altman plots and mean difference with 95% confidence interval were carried out.
Results
There was general quantitative agreement between areas derived from semi-automated
segmentation of MRI data and histology measurements. The mean differences and 95%
confidence bounds in the relative to total plaque area between 3T versus Histology were:
fibrous tissue 4.99 % (-4.56 to 14.56), lipid-rich/necrotic core (LR/NC) with haemorrhage -
1.81% (-14.11 to 10.48), LR/NC without haemorrhage -2.43% (-13.04 to 8.17), and
calcification -3.18% (-11.55 to 5.18). The mean differences and 95% confidence bounds in
the relative to total plaque area between 7T and histology were: fibrous tissue 3.17 % (-3.17
to 9.52), LR/NC with haemorrhage -0.55% (-9.06 to 7.95), LR/NC without haemorrhage -
12.62% (-19.8 to -5.45), and calcification -2.43% (-9.97 to 4.73).
Conclusions
This study provides evidence that semi-automated segmentation of 3T/7T MRI techniques
can help to determine atherosclerotic plaque composition. In particular, the high resolution of
ex-vivo 7T data was able to highlight greater detail in the atherosclerotic plaque composition.
High field MRI may therefore have advantages for in vivo carotid plaque MR imaging
Distinguishing Solar Flare Types by Differences in Reconnection Regions
Observations show that magnetic reconnection and its slow shocks occur in
solar flares. The basic magnetic structures are similar for long duration event
(LDE) flares and faster compact impulsive (CI) flares, but the former require
less non-thermal electrons than the latter. Slow shocks can produce the
required non-thermal electron spectrum for CI flares by Fermi acceleration if
electrons are injected with large enough energies to resonate with scattering
waves. The dissipation region may provide the injection electrons, so the
overall number of non-thermal electrons reaching the footpoints would depend on
the size of the dissipation region and its distance from the chromosphere. In
this picture, the LDE flares have converging inflows toward a dissipation
region that spans a smaller overall length fraction than for CI flares. Bright
loop-top X-ray spots in some CI flares can be attributed to particle trapping
at fast shocks in the downstream flow, the presence of which is determined by
the angle of the inflow field and velocity to the slow shocks.Comment: 15 pages TeX and 2 .eps figures, accepted to Ap.J.Let
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