Orbital periods of the binary sdB stars PG0940+068 and PG1247+554

We have used the radial velocity variations of two sdB stars previously reported to be binaries to establish their orbital periods. They are PG0940+068, (P=8.33d) and PG1247+554 (P=0.599d). The minimum masses of the unseen companions, assuming a mass of 0.5 solar masses for the sdB stars, are 0.090 +/- 0.003 solar masses for PG1247+554 and 0.63 +/- 0.02 solar masses for PG0940+068. The nature of the companions is not constrained further by our data.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure

Translaminar dynamic fracture toughness of a hybrid fiber-metal laminate devised to high-temperature applications

A tenacidade à fratura translaminar dinâmica do laminado híbrido metal-fibra titânio-grafite com matriz termoplástica foi determinada sob as velocidades de impacto de 2,25 e 5,52 m/s, no intervalo de temperaturas de -196 a +180 °C, e comparada à de laminados compósitos convencionais de fibras de carbono e resina epóxi. Constatou-se que o laminado híbrido exibe uma tenacidade à iniciação da fratura inferior à dos compósitos tradicionais com fibras na forma de fita unidirecional, porém superior à dos laminados convencionais com fibras na forma de tecido bidirecional. Os ensaios de impacto revelaram que, comparativamente ao desempenho mecânico dos laminados carbono-epóxi, o emprego do laminado híbrido metal-fibra se justifica mais pela sua resistência à propagação do que à iniciação da fratura dinâmica.The translaminar dynamic fracture toughness of titanium-graphite hybrid fiber-metal laminate with thermoplastic matrix has been determined at the impact velocities of 2.25 and 5.52 m/s, within the temperature range from -196 to +180 ºC, and compared to that of conventional carbon-epoxy composite laminates. The hybrid laminate exhibits lower initiation fracture toughness than traditional unidirectional tape composites though it is tougher than conventional woven fabric laminates. Impact tests revealed that, if compared to the mechanical performance of conventional carbon-epoxy laminates, the fiber-metal laminate application must rely on its resistance to dynamic fracture propagation rather than on fracture initiation.Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES

A Conceptual Design Study of a High Temperature Solar Thermal Receiver

A conceptual design was made for a solar thermal receiver capable of operation in the 1095 to 1650 C (2000 to 3000 F) temperature range. This receiver is designed for use with a two-axis paraboloidal concentrator in the 25 to 150 kW sub t power range, and is intended for industrial process heat, Brayton engines, or chemical/fuels reactions. Three concepts were analyzed parametrically. One was selected for conceptual design. Its key feature is a helical coiled tube of sintered silicon nitride which serves as the heat exchanger between the incident solar radiation and the working fluid. A mechanical design of this concept was prepared, and both thermal and stress analysis performed. The analysis showed good performance, low potential cost in mass production, and adaptability to both Brayton cycle engines and chemical/fuels production

Study of the growth parameters involved in synthesizing boron carbide filaments Final report

Boron carbide whiskers - growth, mechanical properties and crystalline perfection, and incorporation in composite material

Searching for galactic axions through magnetized media: QUAX status report

The current status of the QUAX R\&D program is presented. QUAX is a feasibility study for a detection of axion as dark matter based on the coupling to the electrons. The relevant signal is a magnetization change of a magnetic material placed inside a resonant microwave cavity and polarized with a static magnetic field.Comment: Contributed to the 13th Patras Workshop on Axions, WIMPs and WISPs, Thessaloniki, May 15 to 19, 201

Study of the growth parameters involved in synthesizing boron carbide filaments

Growth and deposition zone geometry effects on boron carbide whisker production, mechanical properties, and composite application

Controlled-release oxycodone and pregabalin in the treatment of neuropathic pain: results of a multicenter Italian study

Abstract AIMS: The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy, safety, and quality of life of combination therapy with controlled-release (CR) oxycodone plus pregabalin versus monotherapy with either CR oxycodone or pregabalin in patients with neuropathic pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with moderate to severe neuropathic pain, despite the use of various pharmacologic treatments prior to study entry, were enrolled (n = 409) and treated with CR oxycodone plus pregabalin (n = 169), CR oxycodone (n = 106), and pregabalin (n = 134). Pain intensity was rated on an 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS). RESULTS: The combination of CR oxycodone plus pregabalin and CR oxycodone monotherapy were both more effective for alleviating neuropathic pain than pregabalin monotherapy (reduction in NRS value: 80, 76, and 46%, respectively; p </= 0.003). Significantly greater improvements from baseline in quality of life were reported with combination therapy than with monotherapy (p = 0.0009). At the end of treatment, the majority (91.2%) of patients receiving CR oxycodone plus pregabalin found that the treatment had been 'effective' or 'very effective'. Combination therapy also allowed a dose reduction of both agents (22% for CR oxycodone and 51% for pregabalin) compared with the dosages of the respective monotherapies. Combination therapy had a superior safety profile compared with pregabalin monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of CR oxycodone plus pregabalin may represent a valuable addition to the existing pharmacotherapy for neuropathic pain and warrants further investigation

Polarization quantum properties in type-II Optical Parametric Oscillator below threshold

We study the far field spatial distribution of the quantum fluctuations in the transverse profile of the output light beam generated by a type II Optical Parametric Oscillator below threshold, including the effects of transverse walk-off. We study how quadrature field correlations depend on the polarization. We find spatial EPR entanglement in quadrature-polarization components: For the far field points not affected by walk-off there is almost complete noise suppression in the proper quadratures difference of any orthogonal polarization components. We show the entanglement of the state of symmetric intense, or macroscopic, spatial light modes. We also investigate nonclassical polarization properties in terms of the Stokes operators. We find perfect correlations in all Stokes parameters measured in opposite far field points in the direction orthogonal to the walk-off, while locally the field is unpolarized and we find no polarization squeezing.Comment: 16 pages, 18 figure

Virial theorem in the Kohn-Sham density-functional theory formalism: Accurate calculation of the atomic quantum theory of atoms in molecules energies

A new approach for computing the atom-in-molecule [quantum theory of atoms in molecule (QTAIM)] energies in Kohn-Sham density-functional theory is presented and tested by computing QTAIM energies for a set of representative molecules. In the new approach, the contribution for the correlation-kinetic energy (