4,134 research outputs found
INVESTIGATION ON THE DISCRETIZATION OF THE REALISTIC IRREGULAR WAVE GENERATION REGION THROUGH THE WAVEMIMO METHODOLOGY
Aiming to contribute to the research related to the sea wave energy conversion, the present paper approaches an investigation of the discretization used in the region of imposition of the prescribed velocity boundary condition, which is necessary for the WaveMIMO methodology. This methodology is employed for the numeric generation of irregular waves based on realistic sea state data. These data (obtained from TOMAWAC software in the present study) are treated to obtain orbital profiles of wave propagation velocity, which are imposed as boundary conditions on the wave channel. In this study, the realistic data considered refers to a point close to the Molhes da Barra, located on the coast of the municipality of Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The numerical simulations were performed in Fluent, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software based on the finite volume method (FVM). The volume of fluid (VOF) multiphase model was used on the treatment of the water-air interface. Free surface elevation data obtained when the region of imposition of the prescribed velocity boundary condition was subdivided into 8, 11 and 14 segments were compared. The results found show that the 14 segments discretization represents more precisely the free surface elevation of irregular waves
Population gradients and photometric metallicities in early- and transition-type dwarf galaxies: Clues from the Sculptor group
We focus on the resolved stellar populations of one early- and four
transition-type dwarf galaxies in the Sculptor group, with the aim to examine
the potential presence of population gradients and place constraints on their
mean metallicities. We use deep HST images to construct CMDs, from which we
select stellar populations that trace different evolutionary phases in order to
constrain their range of ages and metallicities, as well as to examine their
spatial distribution. In addition, we use the resolved stars in the RGB in
order to derive photometric metallicities. All studied dwarfs contain
intermediate-age stars with ages of ~1Gyr and older as traced by the luminous
asymptotic giant branch and red clump stars, while the transition-type dwarfs
contain also stars younger than ~1Gyr as traced by a young main sequence and
vertical red clump stars. Moreover, the spatial distribution of the stars that
trace different evolutionary phases shows a population gradient in all
transition-type dwarfs. The derived error-weighted mean metallicities, assuming
purely old stellar populations, range from -1.5dex for ESO294-G010 to -1.9dex
for Scl-dE1, and should be considered as lower limits to their true
metallicities. Assuming intermediate-age stellar populations to dominate the
dwarfs, we derive upper limits for the metallicities that are 0.3 to 0.2 dex
higher than the metallicities derived assuming purely old populations. We
discuss how photometric metallicity gradients are affected by the
age-metallicity degeneracy, which prevents strong conclusions regarding their
actual presence. Finally, the transition-type dwarfs lie beyond the virial
radius of their closest bright galaxy, as also observed for the LG
transition-type dwarfs. Scl-dE1 is the only dSph in our sample and is an
outlier in a potential morphology-distance relation, similar as the two
isolated dSphs of the LG, Tucana and Cetus.Comment: A&A published; 21 pages, 16 figures, 3 appendices; replaced to match
the published versio
Emergence of magnetism in graphene materials and nanostructures
Magnetic materials and nanostructures based on carbon offer unique
opportunities for future technological applications such as spintronics. This
article reviews graphene-derived systems in which magnetic correlations emerge
as a result of reduced dimensions, disorder and other possible scenarios. In
particular, zero-dimensional graphene nanofragments, one-dimensional graphene
nanoribbons, and defect-induced magnetism in graphene and graphite are covered.
Possible physical mechanisms of the emergence of magnetism in these systems are
illustrated with the help of computational examples based on simple model
Hamiltonians. In addition, this review covers spin transport properties,
proposed designs of graphene-based spintronic devices, magnetic ordering at
finite temperatures as well as the most recent experimental achievements.Comment: tutorial-style review article -- 18 pages, 19 figure
Bi-local Construction of Sp(2N)/dS Higher Spin Correspondence
We derive a collective field theory of the singlet sector of the Sp(2N) sigma
model. Interestingly the hamiltonian for the bilocal collective field is the
same as that of the O(N) model. However, the large-N saddle points of the two
models differ by a sign. This leads to a fluctuation hamiltonian with a
negative quadratic term and alternating signs in the nonlinear terms which
correctly reproduces the correlation functions of the singlet sector. Assuming
the validity of the connection between O(N) collective fields and higher spin
fields in AdS, we argue that a natural interpretation of this theory is by a
double analytic continuation, leading to the dS/CFT correspondence proposed by
Anninos, Hartman and Strominger. The bi-local construction gives a map into the
bulk of de Sitter space-time. Its geometric pseudospin-representation provides
a framework for quantization and definition of the Hilbert space. We argue that
this is consistent with finite N grassmanian constraints, establishing the
bi-local representation as a nonperturbative framework for quantization of
Higher Spin Gravity in de Sitter space.Comment: 1 figur
Turbulence measurements in positive surges and bores
A positive surge results from a sudden change in flow that increases the flow depth. New experiments were conducted in a large channel. Most positive surge tests were conducted with a horizontal bed slope, a constant flow rate and uncontrolled flow conditions. The only dependant variable was the downstream gate opening after closure. Detailed turbulence measurements were performed with high-temporal resolution using side-looking acoustic Doppler velocimetry. Two types of positive surge were observed: undular surge for Froude numbers less than 1.7, and weak (breaking) surges above. Instantaneous velocity measurements beneath advancing surges showed a marked effect of the surge passage on the velocity field. Streamwise velocities showed rapid flow deceleration at all vertical elevations. Large fluctuations of longitudinal and transverse velocities were recorded beneath the surges, including some unsteady flow recirculation beneath a weak surge front. Turbulent stresses were deduced from high-pass filtered data. The results showed large normal and tangential Reynolds stresses beneath the surges. A comparison between undular and weak surges suggested some major difference. In weak surge flows, the data showed rapid flow separation beneath the surge front. In undular surges, maximum Reynolds stresses were observed beneath and just before each wave crest behind the leading wave
Interest Groups, NGOs or Civil Society Organisations? The Framing of Non-State Actors in the EU
Scholars have used varying terminology for describing non-state entities seeking to influence public policy or work with the EU’s institutions. This paper argues that the use of this terminology is not and should not be random, as different ‘frames’ come with different normative visions about the role(s) of these entities in EU democracy. A novel bibliometric analysis of 780 academic publications between 1992 and 2020 reveals that three frames stand out: The interest group frame, the NGO frame, as well as the civil society organisation frame; a number of publications also use multiple frames. This article reveals the specific democratic visions contained in these frames, including a pluralist view for interest groups; a governance view for NGOs as ‘third sector’ organisations, and participatory and deliberative democracy contributions for civil society organisations. The use of these frames has dynamically changed over time, with ‘interest groups’ on the rise. The results demonstrate the shifting focus of studies on non-state actors in the EU and consolidation within the sub-field; the original visions of European policy-makers emerging from the 2001 White Paper on governance may only partially come true
Drop Traffic in Microfluidic Ladder Networks with Fore-Aft Structural Asymmetry
We investigate the dynamics of pairs of drops in microfluidic ladder networks
with slanted bypasses, which break the fore-aft structural symmetry. Our
analytical results indicate that unlike symmetric ladder networks, structural
asymmetry introduced by a single slanted bypass can be used to modulate the
relative drop spacing, enabling them to contract, synchronize, expand, or even
flip at the ladder exit. Our experiments confirm all these behaviors predicted
by theory. Numerical analysis further shows that while ladder networks
containing several identical bypasses are limited to nearly linear
transformation of input delay between drops, mixed combination of bypasses can
cause significant non-linear transformation enabling coding and decoding of
input delays.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure
Peripheral N Scattering: A Tool For Identifying The Two Pion Exchange Component Of The NN Potential
We study elastic N scattering and produce a quantitative correlation
between the range of the effective potential and the energy of the system. This
allows the identification of the waves and energies for which the scattering
may be said to be peripheral. We then show that the corresponding phase shifts
are sensitive to the tail of the NN potential, which is due to the exchange of
two pions. However, the present uncertainties in the experimental phase shifts
prevent the use of N scattering to discriminate the existing models
for the NN interaction.Comment: 19 pages, 6 PostScript figures, RevTeX, to be appear in Phys. Rev.
The MentDis_ICF65+ study protocol: prevalence, 1-year incidence and symptom severity of mental disorders in the elderly and their relationship to impairment, functioning (ICF) and service utilisation.
Background: The EU currently lacks reliable data on the prevalence and incidence of mental disorders in older people. Despite the availability of several national and international epidemiological studies, the size and burden of mental disorders in the elderly remain unclear due to various reasons. Therefore, the aims of the MentDis_ICF65+ study are (1) to adapt existing assessment instruments, and (2) to collect data on the prevalence, the incidence, and the natural course and prognosis of mental disorders in the elderly. Method/design: Using a cross-sectional and prospective longitudinal design, this multi-centre study from six European countries and associated states (Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland) is based on
age-stratified, random samples of elderly people living in the community. The study program consists of three phases: (1) a methodological phase devoted primarily to the adaptation of age- and gender-specific assessment tools for older people (e.g., the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, CIDI) as well as psychometric evaluations including translation, back translation; (2) a baseline community study in all participating countries to
assess the lifetime, 12 month and 1 month prevalence and comorbidity of mental disorders, including prior course, quality of life, health care utilization and helpseeking, impairments and participation and, (3) a 12 month follow-up of all baseline participants to monitor course and outcome as well as examine predictors. Discussion: The study is an essential step forward towards the further development and improvement of
harmonised instruments for the assessment of mental disorders as well as the evaluation of activity impairment and participation in older adults. This study will also facilitate the comparison of cross-cultural results. These results will have bearing on mental health care in the EU and will offer a starting point for necessary structural changes to be initiated for mental health care policy at the level of mental health care politics
Roy-Steiner equations for pion-nucleon scattering
Starting from hyperbolic dispersion relations, we derive a closed system of
Roy-Steiner equations for pion-nucleon scattering that respects analyticity,
unitarity, and crossing symmetry. We work out analytically all kernel functions
and unitarity relations required for the lowest partial waves. In order to
suppress the dependence on the high-energy regime we also consider once- and
twice-subtracted versions of the equations, where we identify the subtraction
constants with subthreshold parameters. Assuming Mandelstam analyticity we
determine the maximal range of validity of these equations. As a first step
towards the solution of the full system we cast the equations for the
partial waves into the form of a Muskhelishvili-Omn\`es
problem with finite matching point, which we solve numerically in the
single-channel approximation. We investigate in detail the role of individual
contributions to our solutions and discuss some consequences for the spectral
functions of the nucleon electromagnetic form factors.Comment: 106 pages, 18 figures; version published in JHE
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