75 research outputs found
Random-phase approximation and its applications in computational chemistry and materials science
The random-phase approximation (RPA) as an approach for computing the
electronic correlation energy is reviewed. After a brief account of its basic
concept and historical development, the paper is devoted to the theoretical
formulations of RPA, and its applications to realistic systems. With several
illustrating applications, we discuss the implications of RPA for computational
chemistry and materials science. The computational cost of RPA is also
addressed which is critical for its widespread use in future applications. In
addition, current correction schemes going beyond RPA and directions of further
development will be discussed.Comment: 25 pages, 11 figures, published online in J. Mater. Sci. (2012
UVSSA and USP7, a new couple in transcription-coupled DNA repair
Transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER) specifically removes transcription-blocking lesions from our genome. Defects in this pathway are associated with two human disorders: Cockayne syndrome (CS) and UV-sensitive syndrome (UVSS). Despite a similar cellular defect in the UV DNA damage response, patients with these syndromes exhibit strikingly distinct symptoms; CS patients display severe developmental, neurological, and premature aging features, whereas the phenotype of UVSS patients is mostly restricted to UV hypersensitivity. The exact molecular mechanism behind these clinical differences is still unknown; however, they might be explained by additional functions of CS proteins beyond TC-NER. A short overview of the current hypotheses addressing possible molecular mechanisms and the proteins involved are presented in this review. In addition, we will focus on two new players involved in TC-NER which were recently identified: UV-stimulated scaffold protein A (UVSSA) and ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7). UVSSA has been found to be the causative gene for UVSS and, together with USP7, is implicated in regulating TC-NER activity. We will discuss the function of UVSSA and USP7 and how the discovery of these proteins contributes to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the clinical differences between UVSS and the more severe CS
A Natural Supersymmetric Model with MeV Dark Matter
It has previously been proposed that annihilating dark matter particles with
MeV-scale masses could be responsible for the flux of 511 keV photons observed
from the region of the Galactic Bulge. The conventional wisdom, however, is
that it is very challenging to construct a viable particle physics model
containing MeV dark matter. In this letter, we challenge this conclusion by
describing a simple and natural supersymmetric model in which the lightest
supersymmetric particle naturally has a MeV-scale mass and the other
phenomenological properties required to generate the 511 keV emission. In
particular, the small ( ) effective couplings between dark
matter and the Standard Model fermions required in this scenario naturally lead
to radiative corrections that generate MeV-scale masses for both the dark
matter candidate and the mediator particle.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure. v2: Small modification to discussion of spectru
Solar Coronal Plumes
Polar plumes are thin long ray-like structures that project beyond the limb of the Sun polar regions, maintaining their identity over distances of several solar radii. Plumes have been first observed in white-light (WL) images of the Sun, but, with the advent of the space era, they have been identified also in X-ray and UV wavelengths (XUV) and, possibly, even in in situ data. This review traces the history of plumes, from the time they have been first imaged, to the complex means by which nowadays we attempt to reconstruct their 3-D structure. Spectroscopic techniques allowed us also to infer the physical parameters of plumes and estimate their electron and kinetic temperatures and their densities. However, perhaps the most interesting problem we need to solve is the role they cover in the solar wind origin and acceleration: Does the solar wind emanate from plumes or from the ambient coronal hole wherein they are embedded? Do plumes have a role in solar wind acceleration and mass loading? Answers to these questions are still somewhat ambiguous and theoretical modeling does not provide definite answers either. Recent data, with an unprecedented high spatial and temporal resolution, provide new information on the fine structure of plumes, their temporal evolution and relationship with other transient phenomena that may shed further light on these elusive features
Quasi-periodic acceleration of electrons by a plasmoid-driven shock in the solar atmosphere
Cosmic rays and solar energetic particles may be accelerated to relativistic
energies by shock waves in astrophysical plasmas. On the Sun,
shocks and particle acceleration are often associated with the eruption
of magnetized plasmoids, called coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
However, the physical relationship between CMEs and shock particle
acceleration is not well understood. Here, we use extreme ultraviolet,
radio and white-light imaging of a solar eruptive event on 22 September
2011 to show that a CME-induced shock (Alfvén Mach number 2:4+0:7
-0:8) was coincident with a coronal wave and an intense metric radio burst
generated by intermittent acceleration of electrons to kinetic energies
of 2{46 keV (0.1{0.4 c). Our observations show that plasmoid-driven
quasi-perpendicular shocks are capable of producing quasi-periodic acceleration
of electrons, an effect consistent with a turbulent or rippled
plasma shock surface
End of life care for frail older patients in family practice (ELFOP) – protocol of a longitudinal qualitative study on needs, appropriateness and utilisation of services
Positional Measurements on the Eruptive Loop Prominence of 27 April 1981 and Comparison with the X-ray Sources
The effects of airline alliances: what do the aggregate data say?
Alliance, Airline, Cross-price elasticities, L11, L13, L41,
- …