Trace functions as Laplace transforms

We study trace functions on the form t\to\tr f(A+tB) where $f$ is a real function defined on the positive half-line, and $A$ and $B$ are matrices such that $A$ is positive definite and $B$ is positive semi-definite. If $f$ is non-negative and operator monotone decreasing, then such a trace function can be written as the Laplace transform of a positive measure. The question is related to the Bessis-Moussa-Villani conjecture. Key words: Trace functions, BMV-conjecture.Comment: Minor change of style, update of referenc

Non-Universality of Density and Disorder in Jammed Sphere Packings

We show for the first time that collectively jammed disordered packings of three-dimensional monodisperse frictionless hard spheres can be produced and tuned using a novel numerical protocol with packing density $\phi$ as low as 0.6. This is well below the value of 0.64 associated with the maximally random jammed state and entirely unrelated to the ill-defined ``random loose packing'' state density. Specifically, collectively jammed packings are generated with a very narrow distribution centered at any density $\phi$ over a wide density range $\phi \in [0.6,~0.74048\ldots]$ with variable disorder. Our results support the view that there is no universal jamming point that is distinguishable based on the packing density and frequency of occurence. Our jammed packings are mapped onto a density-order-metric plane, which provides a broader characterization of packings than density alone. Other packing characteristics, such as the pair correlation function, average contact number and fraction of rattlers are quantified and discussed.Comment: 19 pages, 4 figure

An investigation of the effects of radiation on silicon nitride insulated gate /MNS/ transistors Final report

Radiation effects on silicon nitride insulated gate field effect transistor

Search for the Heliospheric Termination Shock (TS) and Heliosheath (HS)

Voyager 1 continues to measure the very distant Heliospheric Magnetic Field (HMF) beyond 95 AU at ~35 North latitude. The MAG instrument data covers more than a full 22 years solar magnetic cycle. The magnitude of the observed HMF is well described, on average, by Parker's Archimedean spiral structure if due account is made for time variations of the source field strength and solar wind velocity. The V1 magnetic field observations do not provide any evidence for a field increase associated with entry into a subsonic solar wind region, such as the heliosheath is expected to be, nor an exit from this regime. We see no evidence for crossing of the Termination Shock (TS) as has been reported at ~85 AU by the LECP instrument. Merged Interaction Regions are identified by an increased HMF and associated decreases in the flux of >70 MeV/nuc cosmic rays which are then followed by a flux recovery. This CR-B relationship has been identified in V1 data and studied since 1982 when V1 was at 11 AU. The variance of HMF, a direct measure of the energy**1/2 in the HMF fluctuations, shows no significant changes associated with the alleged TS crossings in 2002–2003. Thus, the absence of any HMF increase at the entry into the heliosheath appears not to be due to the onset of mesoscale turbulence as proposed by Fisk. The TS has yet to be directly observed in-situ by the V1 MAG experiment in data through 2003

Thermal effects on cephalopod energy metabolism - A case study for Sepia officinalis

Cephalopods are the largest, most active invertebrates and there is considerable evidence for their convergent evolution with fishes. However, most active cephalopods display standard and active metabolic rates that are several-fold higher than comparably sized fishes. Shifting habitat temperatures due to climate change will therefore affect a cephalopods energy metabolism much more than that of a fish. Prediction of the probable outcome of cephalopod-fish competition thus requires quantitative information concerning whole animal energetics and corresponding efficiencies. Migrating cephalopods such as squid and cuttlefish grow rapidly to maturity, carry few food reserves and have little overlap of generations. This "live fast, die young" life history strategy means that they require niches capable of sustaining high power requirements and rapid growth. This presentation aims to draw a bottom-up picture of the cellular basis of energy metabolism of the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis, from its molecular basis to whole animal energetics based on laboratory experiments and field data. We assessed the proportionality of standard vs active metabolic rate and the daily energetic requirements using field tracking data in combination with lab based respirometry and video analysis. Effects of environmental temperature on mitochondrial energy coupling were investigated in whole animals using in vivo 31P-NMR spectroscopy. As efficient energy turnover needs sufficient oxygen supply, also thermal effects on the blood oxygen-binding capacities of the respiratory pigment haemocyanin and the differential expression of its isoforms were investigated.Supported by NERC grant NERC/A/S/2002/00812

Direct Measurement of Neutron-Star Recoil in the Oxygen-Rich Supernova Remnant Puppis A

A sequence of three Chandra X-ray Observatory High Resolution Camera images taken over a span of five years reveals arc-second-scale displacement of RX J0822-4300, the stellar remnant (presumably a neutron star) near the center of the Puppis A supernova remnant. We measure its proper motion to be 0.165+/-0.025 arcsec/yr toward the west-southwest. At a distance of 2 kpc, this corresponds to a transverse space velocity of ~1600 km/s. The space velocity is consistent with the explosion center inferred from proper motions of the oxygen-rich optical filaments, and confirms the idea that Puppis A resulted from an asymmetric explosion accompanied by a kick that imparted roughly 3*10^49 ergs of kinetic energy (some 3 percent of the kinetic energy for a typical supernova) to the stellar remnant. We discuss constraints on core-collapse supernova models that have been proposed to explain neutron star kick velocities

Safety hazards associated with the charging of lithium/sulfur dioxide cells

A continuing research program to assess the responses of spirally wound, lithium/sulfur dioxide cells to charging as functions of charging current, temperature, and cell condition prior to charging is described. Partially discharged cells that are charged at currents greater than one ampere explode with the time to explosion inversely proportional to the charging current. Cells charged at currents of less than one ampere may fail in one of several modes. The data allows an empirical prediction of when certain cells will fail given a constant charging current

Generation of specific antibodies against the rap1A, rap1B and rap2 small GTP-binding proteins. Analysis of rap and ras proteins in membranes from mammalian cells

Specific antibodies against rap1A and rap1B small GTP-binding proteins were generated by immunization of rabbits with peptides derived from the C-terminus of the processed proteins. Immunoblot analysis of membranes from several mammalian cell lines and human thrombocytes with affinity-purified antibodies against rap1A or rap1B demonstrated the presence of multiple immunoreactive proteins in the 22-23 kDa range, although at strongly varying levels. Whereas both proteins were present in substantial amounts in membranes from myelocytic HL-60, K-562 and HEL cells, they were hardly detectable in membranes from lymphoma U-937 and S49.1 cyc- cells. Membranes from human thrombocytes and 3T3-Swiss Albino fibroblasts showed strong rap1B immunoreactivity, whereas rap1A protein was present in much lower amounts. In the cytosol of HL-60 cells, only small amounts of rap1A and rap1B proteins were detected, unless the cells were treated with lovastatin, an inhibitor of hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, suggesting that both proteins are isoprenylated. By comparison with recombinant proteins, the ratio of rap1A/ras proteins in membranes from HL-60 cells was estimated to be about 4:1. An antiserum directed against the C-terminus of rap2 reacted strongly with recombinant rap2, but not with membranes from tested mammalian cells. In conclusion, rap1A and rap1B proteins are distributed differentially among membranes from various mammalian cell types and are isoprenylated in HL-60 cells

The reinforced concrete silo

Caption title.Digitized 2006 AES MoU