3,604 research outputs found
Single spin optical read-out in CdTe/ZnTe quantum dot studied by photon correlation spectroscopy
Spin dynamics of a single electron and an exciton confined in CdTe/ZnTe
quantum dot is investigated by polarization-resolved correlation spectroscopy.
Spin memory effects extending over at least a few tens of nanoseconds have been
directly observed in magnetic field and described quantitatively in terms of a
simple rate equation model. We demonstrate an effective (68%) all-optical
read-out of the single carrier spin state through probing the degree of
circular polarization of exciton emission after capture of an oppositely
charged carrier. The perturbation introduced by the pulsed optical excitation
serving to study the spin dynamics has been found to be the main source of the
polarization loss in the read-out process. In the limit of low laser power the
read-out efficiency extrapolates to a value close to 100%. The measurements
allowed us as well to determine neutral exciton spin relaxation time ranging
from 3.4 +/- 0.1 ns at B = 0 T to 16 +/- 3 ns at B = 5 T.Comment: to appear in Phys. Rev.
The catalog of short periods stars from the ''Pi of the Sky'' data
Based on the data from the ''Pi of the Sky'' project we made a catalog of the
variable stars with periods from 0.1 to 10 days. We used data collected during
a period of two years (2004 and 2005) and classified 725 variable stars. Most
of the stars in our catalog are eclipsing binaries - 464 (about 64%), while the
number of pulsating stars is 125 (about 17%). Our classification is based on
the shape of the light curve, as in the GCVS catalog. However, some stars in
our catalog were classified as of different type than in the GCVS catalog. We
have found periods for 15 stars present in the GCVS catalog with previously
unknown period.Comment: New Astronomy in prin
Structure-Function Relationships of the Neisserial EptA Enzyme Responsible for Phosphoethanolamine Decoration of Lipid A: Rationale for Drug Targeting
Bacteria cause disease by two general mechanisms: the action of their toxins on host cells and induction of a pro-inflammatory response that can lead to a deleterious cytokine/chemokine response (e.g., the so-called cytokine storm) often seen in bacteremia/septicemia. These major mechanisms may overlap due to the action of surface structures that can have direct and indirect actions on phagocytic or non-phagocytic cells. In this respect, the lipid A (endotoxin) component of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) possessed by Gram-negative bacteria has been the subject of literally thousands of studies over the past century that clearly identified it as a key virulence factor in endotoxic shock. In addition to its capacity to modulate inflammatory responses, endotoxin can also modulate bacterial susceptibility to host antimicrobials, such as the host defense peptides termed cationic antimicrobial peptides. This review concentrates on the phosphoethanolamine (PEA) decoration of lipid A in the pathogenic species of the genus Neisseria [N. gonorrhoeae and N. meningitidis]. PEA decoration of lipid A is mediated by the enzyme EptA (formerly termed LptA) and promotes resistance to innate defense systems, induces the pro-inflammatory response and can influence the in vivo fitness of bacteria during infection. These important biological properties have driven efforts dealing with the biochemistry and structural biology of EptA that will facilitate the development of potential inhibitors that block PEA addition to lipid A
Some Findings Concerning Requirements in Agile Methodologies
gile methods have appeared as an attractive alternative to conventional methodologies. These methods try to reduce the time to market and, indirectly, the cost of the product through flexible development and deep customer involvement. The processes related to requirements have been extensively studied in literature, in most cases in the frame of conventional methods. However, conclusions of conventional methodologies could not be necessarily valid for Agile; in some issues, conventional and Agile processes are radically different. As recent surveys report, inadequate project requirements is one of the most conflictive issues in agile approaches and better understanding about this is needed. This paper describes some findings concerning requirements activities in a project developed under an agile methodology. The project intended to evolve an existing product and, therefore, some background information was available. The major difficulties encountered were related to non-functional needs and management of requirements dependencies
Parallax in “Pi of the Sky” project
The main goal of the “Pi of the Sky” project is search for optical transients (OTs) of astrophysical origin, in particular those related to gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Since March 2011 the project has two running observatories: one in northern Chile and the other one insouthern Spain. This allows for regular observations of a common sky fields, visible from both observatories which are scheduled usually 1–2 h per night. In such a case, the on-line flash recognition algorithm, looking for optical transients, can use parallax information toassure that events observed from both sites have parallax angle smaller than the error of astrometry. On the other hand, the remaining OT candidates can be verified against a hypothesis of being near-Earth objects. This paper presents algorithm using parallax information for identification of near-Earth objects, which might be satellites, or space debris elements. Preliminary results of the algorithm are also presented
GRB 080319B: A Naked-Eye Stellar Blast from the Distant Universe
Long duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) release copious amounts of energy
across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, and so provide a window into the
process of black hole formation from the collapse of a massive star. Over the
last forty years, our understanding of the GRB phenomenon has progressed
dramatically; nevertheless, fortuitous circumstances occasionally arise that
provide access to a regime not yet probed. GRB 080319B presented such an
opportunity, with extraordinarily bright prompt optical emission that peaked at
a visual magnitude of 5.3, making it briefly visible with the naked eye. It was
captured in exquisite detail by wide-field telescopes, imaging the burst
location from before the time of the explosion. The combination of these unique
optical data with simultaneous gamma-ray observations provides powerful
diagnostics of the detailed physics of this explosion within seconds of its
formation. Here we show that the prompt optical and gamma-ray emissions from
this event likely arise from different spectral components within the same
physical region located at a large distance from the source, implying an
extremely relativistic outflow. The chromatic behaviour of the broadband
afterglow is consistent with viewing the GRB down the very narrow inner core of
a two-component jet that is expanding into a wind-like environment consistent
with the massive star origin of long GRBs. These circumstances can explain the
extreme properties of this GRB.Comment: 43 pages, 18 figures, 3 tables, submitted to Nature May 11, 200
"Pi of the Sky" - all-sky, real-time search for fast optical transients
An apparatus to search for optical flashes in the sky is described. It has
been optimized for gamma ray bursts (GRB) optical counterparts. It consists of
2x16 cameras covering all the sky. The sky is monitored continuously and the
data are analysed on-line. It has self-triggering capability and can react to
external triggers with negative delay. The prototype with two cameras has been
installed at Las Campanas (Chile) and is operational from July 2004. The paper
presents general idea and describes the apparatus in detail. Performance of the
prototype is briefly reviewed and perspectives for the future are outlined
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