19,832 research outputs found
Spacetime approach to force-free magnetospheres
Force-Free Electrodynamics (FFE) describes magnetically dominated
relativistic plasma via non-linear equations for the electromagnetic field
alone. Such plasma is thought to play a key role in the physics of pulsars and
active black holes. Despite its simple covariant formulation, FFE has primarily
been studied in 3+1 frameworks, where spacetime is split into space and time.
In this article we systematically develop the theory of force-free
magnetospheres taking a spacetime perspective. Using a suite of spacetime tools
and techniques (notably exterior calculus) we cover 1) the basics of the
theory, 2) exact solutions that demonstrate the extraction and transport of the
rotational energy of a compact object (in the case of a black hole, the
Blandford-Znajek mechanism), 3) the behavior of current sheets, 4) the general
theory of stationary, axisymmetric magnetospheres and 5) general properties of
pulsar and black hole magnetospheres. We thereby synthesize, clarify and
generalize known aspects of the physics of force-free magnetospheres, while
also introducing several new results.Comment: v2: numerous improvements; v3: further improvements, matches
published versio
Graphite fiber-polyimide composite rod end bearings for high-temperature high-load applications
Self-aligning plain spherical and plain cylindical oscillating bearings with self-lubricating elements are composed of 50 weight-percent chopped graphite fibers and 50 weight-percent polyimide
Zirconium, Barium, Lanthanum and Europium Abundances in Open Clusters
We present an analysis of the s-process elements Zr, Ba, and La and the
r-process element Eu in a sample of 50 stars in 19 open clusters. Stellar
abundances of each element are based on measures of a minimum of two lines per
species via both equivalent width and spectrum synthesis techniques. We
investigate cluster mean neutron-capture abundance trends as a function of
cluster age and location in the Milky Way disk and compare them to results
found in other studies in the literature. We find a statistically significant
trend of increasing cluster [Ba/Fe] as a function of decreasing cluster age, in
agreement with recent findings for other open cluster samples, supporting the
increased importance of low-mass asymptotic giant branch stars to the
generation of s-process elements. However, the other s-process elements,
[La/Fe] and [Zr/Fe], do not show similar dependences, in contrast to
theoretical expectations and the limited observational data from other studies.
Conversely, cluster [Eu/Fe] ratios show a slight increase with increasing
cluster age, although with marginal statistical significance. Ratios of
[s/r]-process abundances, [Ba/Eu] and [La/Eu], however, show more clearly the
increasing efficiency of s-process relative to r-process enrichment in open
cluster chemical evolution, with significant increases among younger clusters.
Last, cluster neutron-capture element abundances appear to be independent of
Galactocentric distance. We conclude that a homogeneous analysis of a larger
sample of open clusters is needed to resolve the apparent discrepant
conclusions between different studies regarding s-process element abundance
trends with age to better inform models of galactic chemical evolution.Comment: 24 pages, 13 figures, 10 tables; published in The Astronomical
Journa
Augmented Hypothalamic Corticotrophin-Releasing Hormone mRNA and Corticosterone Responses to Stress in Adult Rats Exposed to Perinatal Hypoxia
Stressful events before or just after parturition alter the subsequent phenotypical response to stress in a general process termed programming. Hypoxia during the period before and during parturition, and in the postnatal period, is one of the most common causes of perinatal distress, morbidity, and mortality. We have found that perinatal hypoxia (prenatal day 19 to postnatal day 14) augmented the corticosterone response to stress and increased basal corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA levels in the parvocellular portion of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in 6-month-old rats. There was no effect on the levels of hypothalamic parvocellular PVN vasopressin mRNA, anterior pituitary pro-opiomelanocortin or CRH receptor-1 mRNA, or hippocampus glucocorticoid receptor mRNA. We conclude that hypoxia spanning the period just before and for several weeks after parturition programmes the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to hyper-respond to acute stress in adulthood, probably as a result of drive from the parvocellular CRH neurones
Photovoltaic system costs using local labor and materials in developing countries
The use of photovoltaic (PV) technology in countries that do not presently have high technology industrial capacity was investigated. The relative cost of integrating indigenous labor (and manufacturing where available) into the balance of the system industry of seven countries (Egypt, Haiti, the Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, and the Phillipines) was determined. The results were then generalized to other countries, at most levels of development. The results of the study imply several conclusions: (1) the cost of installing and maintaining comparable photovoltaic systems in developing countries is less than in the United States; (2) skills and some materials are available in the seven subject countries that may be applied to constructing and maintaining PV systems; (3) there is an interest in foreign countries in photovoltaics; and (4) conversations with foreign nationals suggest that photovoltaics must be introduced in foreign markets as an appropriate technology with high technology components rather than as a high technology system
Predictors of English Health Literacy among U.S. Hispanic Immigrants: The importance of language, bilingualism and sociolinguistic environment
In the United States, data confirm that Spanish-speaking immigrants are particularly affected by the negative health outcomes associated with low health literacy. Although the literature points to variables such as age, educational background and language, only a few studies have investigated the factors that may influence health literacy in this group. Similarly, the role that bilingualism and/or multilingualism play in health literacy assessment continues to be an issue in need of further research. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictors of English health literacy among adult Hispanic immigrants whose self-reported primary language is Spanish, but who live and function in a bilingual community. It also explored issues related to the language of the instrument. An analysis of data collected through a randomized controlled study was conducted. Results identified English proficiency as the strongest predictor of health literacy (p < 0.001). The results further point to the importance of primary and secondary language in the assessment of heath literacy level. This study raises many questions in need of further investigation to clarify how language proficiency and sociolinguistic environment affect health literacy in language minority adults; proposes language approaches that may be more appropriate for measuring health literacy in these populations; and recommends further place-based research to determine whether the connection between language proficiency and health is generalizable to border communities
Thermionic research and development program Final report, 15 Jul. 1966 - 15 Jan. 1968
Thermionic research and development program - improvement of performance of low emitter temperature cesium vapor thermionic converter
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