806 research outputs found
New Measurement of Compton Scattering from the Deuteron and an Improved Extraction of the Neutron Electromagnetic Polarizabilities
The electromagnetic polarizabilities of the nucleon are fundamental
properties that describe its response to external electric and magnetic fields.
They can be extracted from Compton-scattering data --- and have been, with good
accuracy, in the case of the proton. In contradistinction, information for the
neutron requires the use of Compton scattering from nuclear targets. Here we
report a new measurement of elastic photon scattering from deuterium using
quasimonoenergetic tagged photons at the MAX IV Laboratory in Lund, Sweden.
These first new data in more than a decade effectively double the world
dataset. Their energy range overlaps with previous experiments and extends it
by 20 MeV to higher energies. An analysis using Chiral Effective Field Theory
with dynamical \Delta(1232) degrees of freedom shows the data are consistent
with and within the world dataset. After demonstrating that the fit is
consistent with the Baldin sum rule, extracting values for the isoscalar
nucleon polarizabilities and combining them with a recent result for the
proton, we obtain the neutron polarizabilities as \alpha_n = [11.55 +/-
1.25(stat) +/- 0.2(BSR) +/- 0.8(th)] X 10^{-4} fm^3 and \beta_n = [3.65 -/+
1.25(stat) +/- 0.2(BSR) -/+ 0.8(th)] X 10^{-4} fm3, with \chi^2 = 45.2 for 44
degrees of freedom.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, comments from Physical Review Letters Referees
addresse
An Optical Readout TPC (O-TPC) for Studies in Nuclear Astrophysics With Gamma-Ray Beams at HIgS
We report on the construction, tests, calibrations and commissioning of an
Optical Readout Time Projection Chamber (O-TPC) detector operating with a
CO2(80%) + N2(20%) gas mixture at 100 and 150 Torr. It was designed to measure
the cross sections of several key nuclear reactions involved in stellar
evolution. In particular, a study of the rate of formation of oxygen and carbon
during the process of helium burning will be performed by exposing the chamber
gas to intense nearly mono-energetic gamma-ray beams at the High Intensity
Gamma Source (HIgS) facility. The O-TPC has a sensitive target-drift volume of
30x30x21 cm^3. Ionization electrons drift towards a double parallel grid
avalanche multiplier, yielding charge multiplication and light emission.
Avalanche induced photons from N2 emission are collected, intensified and
recorded with a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) camera, providing two-dimensional
track images. The event's time projection (third coordinate) and the deposited
energy are recorded by photomultipliers and by the TPC charge-signal,
respectively. A dedicated VME-based data acquisition system and associated data
analysis tools were developed to record and analyze these data. The O-TPC has
been tested and calibrated with 3.183 MeV alpha-particles emitted by a 148Gd
source placed within its volume with a measured energy resolution of 3.0%.
Tracks of alpha and 12C particles from the dissociation of 16O and of three
alpha-particles from the dissociation of 12C have been measured during initial
in-beam test experiments performed at the HIgS facility at Duke University. The
full detection system and its performance are described and the results of the
preliminary in-beam test experiments are reported.Comment: Supported by the Richard F. Goodman Yale-Weizmann Exchange Program,
ACWIS, NY, and USDOE grant Numbers: DE-FG02-94ER40870 and DE-FG02-97ER4103
Deuterium fractionation across the infrared-dark cloud G034.77−00.55 interacting with the supernova remnant W44
Context. Supernova remnants (SNRs) may regulate star formation in galaxies. For example, SNR-driven shocks may form new molecular gas or compress pre-existing clouds and trigger the formation of new stars. /
Aims. To test this scenario, we measured the deuteration of N2H+, DfracN2H+ – a well-studied tracer of pre-stellar cores – across the infrared-dark cloud (IRDC) G034.77-00.55, which is known to be experiencing a shock interaction with the SNR W44. /
Methods. We use N2H+ and N2D+J = 1−0 single pointing observations obtained with the 30m antenna at the Instituto de Radioas-tronomia Millimetrica to infer DfracN2H+ towards five positions across the cloud, namely a massive core, different regions across the shock front, a dense clump, an+d ambient gas. /
Results. We find DfracN2H+ in the range 0.03−0.1, which is several orders of magnitude larger than the cosmic D/H ratio (~10−5). The DfracN2H+ across the shock front is enhanced by more than a factor of 2 (DfracN2H+ ~ 0.05 - 0.07) with respect to the ambient gas (≤0.03) and simila+r to that measured generally in pre-stellar cores. Indeed, in the massive core and dense clump regions of this IRDC we measure DfracN2H+ ~ 0.01. /
Conclusions. We find enhanced deuteration of N2H+ across the region of the shock, that is, at a level that is enhanced with respect to regions of unperturbed gas. It is possible that this has been induced by shock compression, which would then be indirect evidence that the shock is triggering conditions for future star formation. However, since unperturbed dense regions also show elevated levels of deuteration, further, higher-resolution studies are needed to better understand the structure and kinematics of the deuterated material in the shock region; for example, to decipher whether it is still in a relatively diffuse form or is already organised in a population of low-mass pre-stellar cores
Dynamical cloud formation traced by atomic and molecular gas
Context. Atomic and molecular cloud formation is a dynamical process. However, kinematic signatures of these processes are still observationally poorly constrained.
Aims. We identify and characterize the cloud formation signatures in atomic and molecular gas.
Methods. Targeting the cloud-scale environment of the prototypical infrared dark cloud G28.3, we employed spectral line imaging observations of the two atomic lines HI and [CI] as well as molecular lines observations in 13CO in the 1–0 and 3–2 transitions. The analysis comprises investigations of the kinematic properties of the different tracers, estimates of the mass flow rates, velocity structure functions, a histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) study, and comparisons to simulations.
Results. The central infrared dark cloud (IRDC) is embedded in a more diffuse envelope of cold neutral medium traced by HI self-absorption and molecular gas. The spectral line data as well as the HOG and structure function analysis indicate a possible kinematic decoupling of the HI from the other gas compounds. Spectral analysis and position–velocity diagrams reveal two velocity components that converge at the position of the IRDC. Estimated mass flow rates appear rather constant from the cloud edge toward the center. The velocity structure function analysis is consistent with gas flows being dominated by the formation of hierarchical structures.
Conclusions. The observations and analysis are consistent with a picture where the IRDC G28.3 is formed at the center of two converging gas flows. While the approximately constant mass flow rates are consistent with a self-similar, gravitationally driven collapse of the cloud, external compression (e.g., via spiral arm shocks or supernova explosions) cannot be excluded yet. Future investigations should aim at differentiating the origin of such converging gas flows
Deuterium Fractionation across the Infrared Dark Cloud G034.77-00.55 interacting with the Supernova Remnant W44
Supernova remnants (SNRs) may regulate star formation in galaxies. For
example, SNR-driven shocks may form new molecular gas or compress pre-existing
clouds and trigger the formation of new stars. To test this scenario, we
measure the deuteration of , , a well-studied tracer
of pre-stellar cores, across the Infrared Dark Cloud (IRDC) G034.77-00.55,
known to be experiencing a shock interaction with the SNR W44. We use
NH and ND J=1-0 single pointing observations obtained with the
30m antenna at the Instituto de Radioastronomia Millimetrica to infer
toward five positions across the cloud, namely a massive
core, different regions across the shock front, a dense clump and ambient gas.
We find in the range 0.03-0.1, several orders of magnitude
larger than the cosmic D/H ratio (10). Across the shock front,
is enhanced by more than a factor of 2
(0.05-0.07) with respect to the ambient gas (0.03)
and similar to that measured generally in pre-stellar cores. Indeed, in the
massive core and dense clump regions of this IRDC we measure
}0.1. We find enhanced deuteration of across
the region of the shock, at a level that is enhanced with respect to regions of
unperturbed gas. It is possible that this has been induced by shock
compression, which would then be indirect evidence that the shock is triggering
conditions for future star formation. However, since unperturbed dense regions
also show elevated levels of deuteration, further, higher-resolution studies
are needed to better understand the structure and kinematics of the deuterated
material in the shock region, e.g., if it still in relatively diffuse form or
already organised in a population of low-mass pre-stellar cores.Comment: Accepted for publication on A&A; 8 pages, 5 figure
Auditory and cognitive training for cognition in adults with hearing loss: a systematic review and meta-analysis
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the efficacy of auditory training and cognitive training to improve cognitive function in adults with hearing loss. A literature search of academic databases (e.g., MEDLINE, Scopus) and gray literature (e.g., OpenGrey) identified relevant articles published up to January 25, 2018. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or repeated measures designs were included. Outcome effects were computed as Hedge’s g and pooled using random-effects meta-analysis (PROSPERO: CRD42017076680). Nine studies, five auditory training, and four cognitive training met the inclusion criteria. Following auditory training, the pooled effect was small and statistically significant for both working memory (g = 0.21; 95% CI [0.05, 0.36]) and overall cognition (g = 0.19; 95% CI [0.07, 0.31]). Following cognitive training, the pooled effect for working memory was small and statistically significant (g = 0.34; 95% CI [0.16, 0.53]), and the pooled effect for overall cognition was large and significant (g = 1.03; 95% CI [0.41, 1.66]). However, this was dependent on the classification of training approach. Sensitivity analyses revealed no statistical difference between the effectiveness of auditory and cognitive training for improving cognition upon removal of a study that used a combined auditory–cognitive approach, which showed a very large effect. Overall certainty in the estimation of effect was “low” for auditory training and “very low” for cognitive training. High-quality RCTs are needed to determine which training stimuli will provide optimal conditions to improve cognition in adults with hearing loss
A Case of Problematic Diffusion
Sex determination techniques have diffused rapidly in India, and are being used to detect female fetuses and subsequently to abort them. This technology has spread rapidly because it imparts knowledge that is of great value within the Indian context, and because it fits in neatly with the modernization dynamic within India, which itself has enmeshed with traditional patriarchal institutions to oppress Indian women. More research needs to be done on ways to stem the adoption of problematic innovations.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68396/2/10.1177_107554709401500301.pd
Estimating the costs for the treatment of abortion complications in two public referral hospitals: a cross-sectional study in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Treatment costs of induced abortion complications can consume a substantial amount of hospital resources. This use of hospitals scarce resources to treat induced abortion complications may affect hospitals’ capacities to deliver other health care services. In spite of the importance of studying the burden of the treatment of induced abortion complications, few studies have been conducted to document the costs of treating abortion complications in Burkina Faso. Our objective was to estimate the costs of six abortion complications including incomplete abortion, hemorrhage, shock, infection/sepsis, cervix or vagina laceration, and uterus perforation treated in two public referral hospital facilities in Ouagadougou and the cost saving of providing safe abortion care services
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