61,633 research outputs found
Large N Expansion and Softly Broken Supersymmetry
We examine the supersymmetric non-linear O(N) sigma model with a soft
breaking term. In two dimensions, we found that the mass difference between
supersymmetric partner fields vanishes accidentally. In three dimensions, the
mass difference is observed but O(N) symmetry is always broken also in the
strong coupling region.Comment: Plain Latex(8pages), No Figur
Performance estimation of interior permanent-magnet brushless motors using the voltage-driven flux-MMF diagram
The flux-magnetomotive force (flux-MMF) diagram, or "energy conversion loop," is a powerful tool for computing the parameters of saturated interior permanent-magnet brushless motors, especially when the assumptions underlying classical dq theory are not valid, as is often the case in modern practice. Efficient finite-element computation of the flux-MMF diagram is possible when the motor current is known a priori, but in high-speed operation the current regulator can lose control of the current waveform and the computation becomes "voltage-driven" rather than "current-driven." This paper describes an efficient method for estimating the motor performance-average torque, inductances-by solving the voltage-driven problem. It presents experimental validation for a two-pole brushless interior permanent-magnet motor. The paper also discusses the general conditions under which this method is appropriate, and compares the method with alternative approaches
A Better Definition of the Kilogram
This article reviews several recent proposed redefinitions of the kilogram,
and compares them with respect to practical realizations, uncertainties
(estimated standard deviations), and educational aspects.Comment: 10 pages, no figure
The Energy-dependent X-ray Timing Characteristics of the Narrow Line Seyfert 1 Mkn 766
We present the energy-dependent power spectral density (PSD) and
cross-spectral properties of Mkn 766, obtained from combining data obtained
during an XMM-Newton observation spanning six revolutions in 2005 with data
obtained from an XMM-Newton long-look in 2001. The PSD shapes and rms-flux
relations are found to be consistent between the 2001 and 2005 observations,
suggesting the 2005 observation is simply a low-flux extension of the 2001
observation and permitting us to combine the two data sets. The resulting PSD
has the highest temporal frequency resolution for any AGN PSD measured to date.
Applying a broken power-law model yields break frequencies which increase in
temporal frequency with photon energy. Obtaining a good fit when assuming
energy-independent break frequencies requires the presence of a Lorentzian at
4.6+/-0.4 * 10^-4 Hz whose strength increases with photon energy, a behavior
seen in black hole X-ray binaries. The cross-spectral properties are measured;
temporal frequency-dependent soft-to-hard time lags are detected in this object
for the first time. Cross-spectral results are consistent with those for other
accreting black hole systems. The results are discussed in the context of
several variability models, including those based on inwardly-propagating
viscosity variations in the accretion disk.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal. 18 pages, 9
figures. Uses emulateapj5.st
Censoring Distances Based on Labeled Cortical Distance Maps in Cortical Morphometry
Shape differences are manifested in cortical structures due to
neuropsychiatric disorders. Such differences can be measured by labeled
cortical distance mapping (LCDM) which characterizes the morphometry of the
laminar cortical mantle of cortical structures. LCDM data consist of signed
distances of gray matter (GM) voxels with respect to GM/white matter (WM)
surface. Volumes and descriptive measures (such as means and variances) for
each subject and the pooled distances provide the morphometric differences
between diagnostic groups, but they do not reveal all the morphometric
information contained in LCDM distances. To extract more information from LCDM
data, censoring of the distances is introduced. For censoring of LCDM
distances, the range of LCDM distances is partitioned at a fixed increment
size; and at each censoring step, and distances not exceeding the censoring
distance are kept. Censored LCDM distances inherit the advantages of the pooled
distances. Furthermore, the analysis of censored distances provides information
about the location of morphometric differences which cannot be obtained from
the pooled distances. However, at each step, the censored distances aggregate,
which might confound the results. The influence of data aggregation is
investigated with an extensive Monte Carlo simulation analysis and it is
demonstrated that this influence is negligible. As an illustrative example, GM
of ventral medial prefrontal cortices (VMPFCs) of subjects with major
depressive disorder (MDD), subjects at high risk (HR) of MDD, and healthy
control (Ctrl) subjects are used. A significant reduction in laminar thickness
of the VMPFC and perhaps shrinkage in MDD and HR subjects is observed when
compared to Ctrl subjects. The methodology is also applicable to LCDM-based
morphometric measures of other cortical structures affected by disease.Comment: 25 pages, 10 figure
Self-consistent approach for the quantum confined Stark effect in shallow quantum wells
A computationally efficient, self-consistent complex scaling approach to
calculating characteristics of excitons in an external electric field in
quantum wells is introduced. The method allows one to extract the resonance
position as well as the field-induced broadening for the exciton resonance. For
the case of strong confinement the trial function is represented in factorized
form. The corresponding coupled self-consistent equations, which include the
effective complex potentials, are obtained. The method is applied to the
shallow quantum well. It is shown that in this case the real part of the
effective exciton potential is insensitive to changes of external electric
field up to the ionization threshold, while the imaginary part has
non-analytical field dependence and small for moderate electric fields. This
allows one to express the exciton quasi-energy at some field through the
renormalized expression for the zero-field bound state.Comment: 13 pages, RevTeX4, 6 figure
Enhancing student communication skills via debating Engineering Ethics
In Engineering, the construction of informed, persuasive and convincing arguments is at the very core of everyday practice. However, in taught postgraduate education there is often an excessive focus on assessment of these skills through written arguments or oral presentations that are usually in the form of long uninterrupted monologues, where the construction of the arguments themselves is almost never challenged. To change this status quo, we have successfully pioneered the use of oral debate as a dynamic and engaging mechanism to develop and assess this skill in our Chemical Engineering MSc students. Debate is an ideal mechanism to assess our students' ability to construct arguments as it actively encourages them to (1) think about both sides of an argument, (2) consider how they can persuade others and (3) express their viewpoint professionally but with conviction. For this reason, the debates undertaken were linked to important engineering ethical dilemmas, by discussing topics such as “should developing countries prioritise the shift to clean energy over economic growth”. The development of this debate-based training and assessment has had numerous positive outcomes on the students' learning experience and vital skills development. Importantly students found the debates to be both an interesting and enjoyable method of assessment and noted that the skills learned would be useful in their future careers. In this concept paper we present our experiences in delivering debate assessments to engineering students along with recommendations for practitioners wishing to implement similar styles of performative assessments in their own pedagogy
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