Spectral Statistics of the Two-Body Random Ensemble Revisited

Using longer spectra we re-analyze spectral properties of the two-body random ensemble studied thirty years ago. At the center of the spectra the old results are largely confirmed, and we show that the non-ergodicity is essentially due to the variance of the lowest moments of the spectra. The longer spectra allow to test and reach the limits of validity of French's correction for the number variance. At the edge of the spectra we discuss the problems of unfolding in more detail. With a Gaussian unfolding of each spectrum the nearest neighbour spacing distribution between ground state and first exited state is shown to be stable. Using such an unfolding the distribution tends toward a semi-Poisson distribution for longer spectra. For comparison with the nuclear table ensemble we could use such unfolding obtaining similar results as in the early papers, but an ensemble with realistic splitting gives reasonable results if we just normalize the spacings in accordance with the procedure used for the data.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figure

Generalized seniority from random Hamiltonians

We investigate the generic pairing properties of shell-model many-body Hamiltonians drawn from ensembles of random two-body matrix elements. Many features of pairing that are commonly attributed to the interaction are in fact seen in a large part of the ensemble space. Not only do the spectra show evidence of pairing with favored J=0 ground states and an energy gap, but the relationship between ground state wave functions of neighboring nuclei show signatures of pairing as well. Matrix elements of pair creation/annihilation operators between ground states tend to be strongly enhanced. Furthermore, the same or similar pair operators connect several ground states along an isotopic chain. This algebraic structure is reminiscent of the generalized seniority model. Thus pairing may be encoded to a certain extent in the Fock space connectivity of the interacting shell model even without specific features of the interaction required.Comment: 10 pages, 7 figure

Preliminary shielding estimates for the proposed National ISOL Radioactive Ion Beam (RIB) Facility at Oak Ridge

ORNL built a first-generation Radioactive Ion Beam (RIB) facility for astrophysics and nuclear physics research; it was named Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility (HRIBF) and is based on the Isotope Separator On Line (ISOL) technique. Planning is underway for a second- generation facility, the National ISOL RIB facility at Oak Ridge; it will build on the existing HRIBF and may utilize many existing components and shielded areas. Preliminary upgrade plan for the new facility includes: adding a superconducting booster for the tandem accelerator; replacing the 1960-vintage, 60-MeV proton, 50-microamp ORIC (Oak Ridge Isochronous Cyclotron) with a modern 200-MeV proton, 200-microamp cyclotron; and building a high-power {sup 238}U fission target to accept the 200-MeV proton beam. This report summarizes the results of a preliminary 1-D shielding analysis of the proposed upgrade, to determine the shielding requirements for a 0.25 mrem/h dose rate at the external surface of the exclusion area. Steel shielding weights ranging from 60 to 100 metric tons, were considered manageable; these could be reduced by a factor of 2 to 3 if the orientation of the proposed target station was changed

Bifurcations in the wake of a thick circular disk

Using DNS, we investigate the dynamics in the wake of a circular disk of aspect ratio χ = d/w = 3(where d is the diameter and w the thickness) embedded in a uniform flow of magnitude U0 perpendicular to its symmetry axis. As the Reynolds number Re = U0d/ν is increased, the flow is shown to experience an original series of bifurcations leading to chaos. The range Re ∈ [150, 218] is analysed in detail. In this range, five different non-axisymmetric regimes are successively encountered, including states similar to those previously identified in the flow past a sphere or an infinitely thin disk, as well as a new regime characterised by the presence of two distinct frequencies. A theoretical model based on the theory of mode interaction with symmetries, previously introduced to explain the bifurcations in the flow past a sphere or an infinitely thin disk (Fabre et al. in Phys Fluids 20:051702, 2008), is shown to explain correctly all these results. Higher values of the Reynolds number, up to 270, are also considered. Results indicate that the flow encounters at least four additional bifurcations before reaching a chaotic state

Law of the leading digits and the ideological struggle for numbers

Benford's law states that the occurrence of significant digits in many data sets is not uniform but tends to follow a logarithmic distribution such that the smaller digits appear as first significant digits more frequently than the larger ones. We investigate here numerical data on the country-wise adherent distribution of seven major world religions i.e. Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism and Baha'ism to see if the proportion of the leading digits occurring in the distribution conforms to Benford's law. We find that the adherent data of all the religions, except Christianity, excellently does conform to Benford's law. Furthermore, unlike the adherent data on Christianity, the significant digit distribution of the three major Christian denominations i.e. Catholicism, Protestantism and Orthodoxy obeys the law. Thus in spite of their complexity general laws can be established for the evolution of the religious groups.Comment: 11 pages, 11 figures, 3 tables, title changed to "The law of the leading digits and the world religions" for journal version in publicatio

Relative value of ruminally degradable and undegradable protein on the utilization of low-quality prairie hay by steers

An experiment was performed to investigate the impact of providing six levels of ruminally degradable protein (RDP; protein that is available to ruminal microbes) in combination with two levels of ruminally undegradable protein (RUP; protein that is not available to the ruminal microbes, but can be digested directly by cattle) on the intake and digestion of low-quality prairie hay. Twelve steers were provided unlimited access to low-quality prairie hay (5.3% crude protein and 71.7% neutral detergent fiber) throughout the trial. To simulate dietary RUP, casein was infused abomasally once daily at either 0 or 0.087% of body weight. To simulate dietary RDP, casein was infused ruminally once daily at 0, 0.029, 0.058, 0.087, 0.116, or 0.145% of body weight. As provision of RDP increased, forage intake and fiber digestion increased. Supplementing with RUP alone increased forage intake but not fiber digestion, although the intake response was not as large as providing the same amount of RDP. In conclusion, RUP is less efficient than RDP in stimulating forage intake and digestion

Maize Weevil: A Search for Resistance in Converted Exotic Sorghum Kernels.

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Shielding and neutronic optimization of the National Spallation Neutron Source (NSNS)

Studies are now underway to establish initial design characteristics for the pulsed neutron source NSNS facility and to optimize the design. In this paper the methodology of calculation is presented together with the calculated facility characteristics. Optimization studies are discussed and initial results shown. This paper addresses the target station of the NSNS

Regular spectra in the vibron model with random interactions

The phenomenom of emerging regular spectral features from random interactions is addressed in the context of the vibron model. A mean-field analysis links different regions of the parameter space with definite geometric shapes. The results that are, to a large extent, obtained in closed analytic form, provide a clear and transparent interpretation of the high degree of order that has been observed in numerical studies.Comment: 19 pages, 8 figures, 2 tables. Physical Review C, in pres