Comment on "Long-range electrostatic interactions between like-charged colloids: Steric and confinement effects"

In a recent study [Phys. Rev. E 60, 6530 (1999)], Trizac and Raimbault showed that the effective pair interaction between like charged colloids immersed in a cylindrically confined electrolyte remains repulsive even when the size of the micro-ions or the finite longitudinal extension of the confining cylinder are taken into account. Contrary to their claim, we argue that the case of finite longitudinal confinement doesn't always generate repulsive interactions and to illustrate this point we also provide a simple example.Comment: 3 pages, 1 figure. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. E 200

Radio emission and jets from microquasars

To some extent, all Galactic binary systems hosting a compact object are potential `microquasars', so much as all galactic nuclei may have been quasars, once upon a time. The necessary ingredients for a compact object of stellar mass to qualify as a microquasar seem to be: accretion, rotation and magnetic field. The presence of a black hole may help, but is not strictly required, since neutron star X-ray binaries and dwarf novae can be powerful jet sources as well. The above issues are broadly discussed throughout this Chapter, with a a rather trivial question in mind: why do we care? In other words: are jets a negligible phenomenon in terms of accretion power, or do they contribute significantly to dissipating gravitational potential energy? How do they influence their surroundings? The latter point is especially relevant in a broader context, as there is mounting evidence that outflows powered by super-massive black holes in external galaxies may play a crucial role in regulating the evolution of cosmic structures. Microquasars can also be thought of as a form of quasars for the impatient: what makes them appealing, despite their low number statistics with respect to quasars, are the fast variability time-scales. In the first approximation, the physics of the jet-accretion coupling in the innermost regions should be set by the mass/size of the accretor: stellar mass objects vary on 10^5-10^8 times shorter time-scales, making it possible to study variable accretion modes and related ejection phenomena over average Ph.D. time-scales. [Abridged]Comment: 28 pages, 13 figures, To appear in Belloni, T. (ed.): The Jet Paradigm - From Microquasars to Quasars, Lect. Notes Phys. 794 (2009

Representational predicaments for employees: Their impact on perceptions of supervisors\u27 individualized consideration and on employee job satisfaction

A representational predicament for a subordinate vis-à-vis his or her immediate superior involves perceptual incongruence with the superior about the subordinate\u27s work or work context, with unfavourable implications for the employee. An instrument to measure the incidence of two types of representational predicament, being neglected and negative slanting, was developed and then validated through an initial survey of 327 employees. A subsequent substantive survey with a fresh sample of 330 employees largely supported a conceptual model linking being neglected and negative slanting to perceptions of low individualized consideration by superiors and to low overall job satisfaction. The respondents in both surveys were all Hong Kong Chinese. Two case examples drawn from qualitative interviews illustrate and support the conceptual model. Based on the research findings, we recommend some practical exercises to use in training interventions with leaders and subordinates. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC

The Physics of Star Cluster Formation and Evolution

© 2020 Springer-Verlag. The final publication is available at Springer via https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-020-00689-4.Star clusters form in dense, hierarchically collapsing gas clouds. Bulk kinetic energy is transformed to turbulence with stars forming from cores fed by filaments. In the most compact regions, stellar feedback is least effective in removing the gas and stars may form very efficiently. These are also the regions where, in high-mass clusters, ejecta from some kind of high-mass stars are effectively captured during the formation phase of some of the low mass stars and effectively channeled into the latter to form multiple populations. Star formation epochs in star clusters are generally set by gas flows that determine the abundance of gas in the cluster. We argue that there is likely only one star formation epoch after which clusters remain essentially clear of gas by cluster winds. Collisional dynamics is important in this phase leading to core collapse, expansion and eventual dispersion of every cluster. We review recent developments in the field with a focus on theoretical work.Peer reviewe

Dynamic fibre push-out test applied to metal-matrix composites

On a mesuré la résistance interfaciale dynamique entre la fibre et la matrice d'un composite monoaxial à matrice en alliage de titane renforcée par des fibres de carbure de silicium. La méthode de mesure consiste à impacter l'extrémité d'une fibre dans une tranche mince du composite à une vitesse d'environ 2 m/s avec un projectile équipé d'une pointe en diamant. La matrice autour de la partie distale de la fibre est supportée par l'extrémité d'une aiguille hypodermique servant de barre d'Hopkinson. La vitesse axiale du tube, à partir de laquelle on obtient la force, est mesurée au moyen d'un interféromètre. La force dynamique d'extrusion de la fibre mesurée durant ces essais est égale environ au tiers de la force statique mesurée par d'autres dans le même matériau avec des éprouvettes d'épaisseur comparable.The dynamic fiber/matrix interface strength for a silicon-carbide-fiber-reinforced, titanium-alloy metal-matrix composite was measured by impacting the end of a fiber extending through a thin specimen with a diamond-tipped projectile at ≈ 2 m/s. The matrix surrounding the distal end of the fiber was supported on the end of a Hopkinson bar fabricated from hypodermic needle tubing, and an interferometer was used to measure the axial velocity of the tube, from which was obtained the force. The dynamic push-out force measured in these experiments is about one-third the static push-out force measured by others on specimens of the same material at similar thickness

Investigation of Scaling Effects in Elastic-Plastic Ductile Fracture Using the Local Approach

This paper investigates the ability of a simple ductile local fracture model to predict the fracture initiation conditions for geometrically similar specimens of different sizes containing either sharp cracks or blunt notches. The material considered is the high strength, low hardening HY 130 steel. We simulated fracture tests on fatigue-precracked compact tension specimens and three-point bend bars containing blunt notches, using the local fracture model to control crack initiation in the finite element analyses. We compared the results of the simulations with experimental results. The comparison indicates that the model qualitatively predicts the right scaling effects for cracked specimens when a characteristic material length is adequately introduced. However, the model failed to predict the fracture initiation conditions and the scaling behavior of notched specimens. The discrepancy arises because the actual micromechanism leading to fracture initiation at the notch (void growth in a band of localized shear) is different from the mechanism underlying the model (quasi-isotropic void growth). Therefore, new or improved models capable of handling ductile failure by void growth under predominantly shear deformation must be developed to predict ductile fracture initiation conditions and scaling laws for generalized loading and geometric configurations

NUCLEAR START-UP OF THE SPERT IV REACTOR

The Spert IV facility, the initial critical experiment, the initial core, the operational core loading, and core parameter measurements (void and temperature coefficients, control rod worth, neutron flux distributions, etc.) made before initiation of the kinetics testing program are described. (auth