22,132 research outputs found
Infrared spectroscopic variability of Cygnus X-3 in outburst and quiescence
We present four epochs of high-resolution infrared spectroscopy of the
peculiar X-ray binary Cygnus X-3. The observations cover quiescent, small
flaring and outburst states of the system as defined by radio and X-ray
monitoring. The underlying infrared spectrum of the source, as observed during
radio and X-ray quiescence and small flaring states, is one of broad, weak HeII
and NV emission. Spectral variability in this state is dominated by modulation
at the 4.8 hr orbital period of the system. H-band spectra confirm the
significant hydrogen depletion of the mass donor. The closest spectral match to
the quiescent infrared spectrum of Cyg X-3 is an early-type WN Wolf-Rayet star.
In outburst, the infrared spectrum is dramatically different, with the
appearance of very strong twin-peaked HeI emission displaying both day-to-day
variability and V(iolet)/R(ed) variations with orbital phase. The most likely
explanation appears to be an enhanced stellar wind from the companion. Thus
X-ray and radio outbursts in this system are likely to originate in
mass-transfer, and not disc, instabilities, and the lengthening of the orbital
period will not be smooth but will be accelerated during these outbursts.
Furthermore, the appearance of these lines is suggestive of an asymmetric
emitting region. We propose that the wind in Cyg X-3 is significantly flattened
in the plane of the binary orbit. This may explain the observed twin-peaked HeI
features as well as reconciling a massive Wolf-Rayet secondary with the
relatively small optical depth to X-rays, if the disc wind is inclined at some
angle to the line of sight.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRA
AERODYNAMIC DAMPING OF A 0.02-SCALE SATURN SA-1 MODEL VIBRATING IN THE FIRST FREE-FREE BENDING MODE
Aerodynamic damping of 0.02 scale saturn sa-1 model vibrating in first free-free bending mod
WIND-TUNNEL MEASUREMENTS OF AERODYNAMIC DAMPING DERIVATIVES OF A LAUNCH VEHICLE VIBRATING IN FREE-FREE BENDING MODES AT MACH NUMBERS FROM 0.70 TO 2.87 AND COMPARISONS WITH THEORY
Wind tunnel tests of aerodynamic damping of a launch vehicl
Polarization and readout of coupled single spins in diamond
We study the coupling of a single nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond to a
nearby single nitrogen defect at room temperature. The magnetic dipolar
coupling leads to a splitting in the electron spin resonance frequency of the
nitrogen-vacancy center, allowing readout of the state of a single nitrogen
electron spin. At magnetic fields where the spin splitting of the two centers
is the same we observe a strong polarization of the nitrogen electron spin. The
amount of polarization can be controlled by the optical excitation power. We
combine the polarization and the readout in time-resolved pump-probe
measurements to determine the spin relaxation time of a single nitrogen
electron spin. Finally, we discuss indications for hyperfine-induced
polarization of the nitrogen nuclear spin
Risk of sexual recidivism as a function of age and actuarial risk
The study of risk for sexual recidivism has undergone substantial development in recent years. The foundation for advances in this area has been the use of actuarial measures to identify subgroups of offenders with different observed rates of sexual re-offending over time. An unresolved issue within this research area has been the moderating function of age in the assessment of risk. The current study examined sexual re-offending as a function of age and actuarial risk in a large sample of sexual offenders released from prison between 1990 and 2004. There was an overall decrease in the rate of sexual re-offending over the age of 50. However, a small group of offenders from the higher actuarial risk categories of the older age groups continued to re-offend at higher rates than their lower-risk peers. <br /
Aquatic Vegetation, Largemouth Bass and Water Quality Responses to Low-Dose Fluridone Two Years Post Treatment
Whole-lake techniques are increasingly being used to selectively
remove exotic plants, including Eurasian watermilfoil
(
Myriophyllum spicatum
L.). Fluridone (1-methyl-3-phenyl-
5-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4(1
H
)-pyridinone), a systemic
whole-lake herbicide, is selective for Eurasian watermilfoil
within a narrow low concentration range. Because fluridone
applications have the potential for large effects on plant assemblages
and lake food webs, they should be evaluated at
the whole-lake scale. We examined effects of low-dose (5 to 8
ppb) fluridone applications by comparing submersed plant
assemblages, water quality and largemouth bass (
Micropterus
salmoides
) growth rates and diets between three reference
lakes and three treatment lakes one- and two-years post treatment.
In the treatment lakes, fluridone reduced Eurasian watermilfoil
cover without reducing native plant cover, although
the duration of Eurasian watermilfoil reduction varied among
treatment lakes. (PDF has 11 pages.
Next-to-leading order Calculation of a Fragmentation Function in a Light-Cone Gauge
The short-distance coefficients for the color-octet ^3S_1 term in the
fragmentation function for a gluon to split into polarized heavy quarkonium
states are re-calculated to order alpha_s^2. The light-cone gauge remarkably
simplifies the calculation by eliminating many Feynman diagrams at the expense
of introducing spurious poles in loop integrals. We do not use any conventional
prescriptions for spurious pole. Instead, we only use gauge invariance with the
aid of Collins-Soper definition of the fragmentation function. Our result
agrees with a previous calculation of Braaten and Lee in the Feynman gauge, but
disagrees with another previous calculation.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figures, version published in Physical Review
Decomposition of NO studied by infrared emission and CO laser absorption
A diagnostic technique for monitoring the concentration of NO using absorption of CO laser radiation was developed and applied in a study of the decomposition kinetics of NO. Simultaneous measurements of infrared emission by NO at 5.3 microns were also made to validate the laser absorption technique. The data were obtained behind incident shocks in NO-N2O-Ar (or Kr) mixtures, with temperatures in the range 2400-4100 K. Rate constants for dominant reactions were inferred from comparisons with computer simulations of the reactive flow
Smart grids for rural conditions and e-mobility - Applying power routers, batteries and virtual power plants
Significant reductions of greenhouse gas emission by use of renewable energy sources belong to the common targets of the European Union. Smart grids address intelligent use and integration of conventional and renewable generation in combination with controllable loads and storages. Two special aspects have also to be considered for smart grids in future: rural conditions and electric vehicles. Both, the increasing share of renewable energy sources and a rising demand for charging power by electrical vehicles lead to new challenges of network stability (congestion, voltage deviation), especially in rural distribution grids. This paper describes two lighthouse projects in Europe (“Well2Wheel” and “Smart Rural Grid”) dealing with these topics. The link between these projects is the implementation of the same virtual power plant technology and the approach of cellular grid cells. Starting with an approach for the average energy balance in 15 minutes intervals in several grid cells in the first project, the second project even allows the islanded operation of such cells as a microgrid. The integration of renewable energy sources into distribution grids primary takes place in rural areas. The lighthouse project “Smart Rural Grid”, which is founded by the European Union, demonstrates possibilities to use the existing distribution system operator infrastructure more effectively by applying an optimised and scheduled operation of the assets and using intelligent distribution power routers, called IDPR. IDPR are active power electronic devices operating at low voltage in distribution grids aiming to reduce losses due to unbalanced loads and enabling active voltage and reactive power control. This allows a higher penetration of renewable energy sources in existing grids without investing in new lines and transformers. Integrated in a virtual power plant and combined with batteries, the IDPR also allows a temporary islanded mode of grid cells.
Both projects show the potential of avoiding or postponing investments in new primary infrastructure like cables, transformers and lines by using a forward-looking operation which controls generators, loads and batteries (mobile and stationary) by using new grid assets like power routers.
While primary driven by physical restrictions as voltage-band violations and energy balance, these cells also define and allow local smart markets. In consequence the distribution system operators could avoid direct control access by giving an incentive to the asset owners by local price signals according to the grid situation and forecasted congestions.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version
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