719 research outputs found
A simple model for electron plasma heating in supernova remnants
Context: Multiwavelength observations of supernova remnants can be explained
within the framework of diffusive shock acceleration theory, which allows
effective conversion of the explosion energy into cosmic rays. Although the
models of nonlinear shocks describe reasonably well the nonthermal component of
emission, certain issues, including the heating of the thermal electron plasma
and the related X-ray emission, still remain open.
Methods: Numerical solution of the equations of the Chevalier model for
supernova remnant evolution, coupled with Coulomb scattering heating of the
electrons.
Results: The electron temperature and the X-ray thermal Bremsstrahlung
emission from supernova remnants have been calculated as functions of the
relevant parameters. Since only the Coulomb mechanism was considered for
electron heating, the values obtained for the electron temperatures should be
treated as lower limits. Results from this work can be useful to constrain
model parameters for observed SNRs.Comment: Accepted to A&A as a research not
Sequence effects in the categorization of tones varying in frequency
In contrast to exemplar and decision-bound categorization models, the memory and contrast models described here do not assume that long-term representations of stimulus magnitudes are available. Instead, stimuli are assumed to be categorized using only their differences from a few recent stimuli. To test this alternative, the authors examined sequential effects in a binary categorization of 10 tones varying in frequency. Stimuli up to 2 trials back in the sequence had a significant effect on the response to the current stimulus. The effects of previous stimuli interacted with one another. A memory and contrast model, according to which only ordinal information about the differences between the current stimulus and recent preceding stimuli is used, best accounted for these dat
10Gbit/s transmission over 700km of standard single mode fibre with a 10cm chirped fibre grating compensator and duobinary transmitter
The advent of erbium-doped fibre amplifiers makes optical fibre transmission in the 1.55µm wavelength window very attractive. However, with the large amounts of standard non-dispersion shifted fibres (NDSF) already installed, high bit rate transmission is restricted by the large dispersion of these fibres at 1.55µm, unless compensating techniques are used. A number of approaches have been put forward to address this issue, such as dispersion compensating fibre, mid-point spectral inversion, dispersion-supported transmission, solitons, and chirped fibre Bragg gratings. Of these, fibre gratings are attractive as they are passive, linear devices, highly dispersive yet compact and relatively easy to fabricate in large numbers. In recent years, progress in the use of fibre grating-based compensation for 10 Gbit/s transmission has been rapid, with distances reported from 160km, 220km, 270km, 400km and most recently to 540 km. In this work, we demonstrate that 10 Gbit/s transmission up to 700 km of NDSF is achievable with a single 10 cm long chirped fibre grating in combination with a reduced bandwidth phase-alternating duobinary transmitter
Highly Ionized Potassium Lines in Solar X-ray Spectra and the Abundance of Potassium
The abundance of potassium is derived from X-ray lines observed during flares
by the RESIK instrument on the solar mission CORONAS-F between 3.53 A and 3.57
A. The lines include those emitted by He-like K and Li-like K dielectronic
satellites, which have been synthesized using the CHIANTI atomic code and newly
calculated atomic data. There is good agreement of observed and synthesized
spectra, and the theoretical behavior of the spectra with varying temperature
estimated from the ratio of the two GOES channels is correctly predicted. The
observed fluxes of the He-like K resonance line per unit emission measure gives
log A(K) = 5.86 (on a scale log A(H) = 12), with a total range of a factor 2.9.
This is higher than photospheric abundance estimates by a factor 5.5, a
slightly greater enhancement than for other elements with first ionization
potential (FIP) less than about 10 eV. There is, then, the possibility that
enrichment of low-FIP elements in coronal plasmas depends weakly on the value
of the FIP which for K is extremely low (4.34 eV). Our work also suggests that
fractionation of elements to form the FIP effect occurs in the low chromosphere
rather than higher up, as in some models.Comment: 14 pages, 3 figure
A new approach to analyzing solar coronal spectra and updated collisional ionization equilibrium calculations. II. Additional ionization rate coefficients
We have reanalyzed SUMER observations of a parcel of coronal gas using new
collisional ionization equilibrium (CIE) calculations. These improved CIE
fractional abundances were calculated using state-of-the-art electron-ion
recombination data for K-shell, L-shell, Na-like, and Mg-like ions of all
elements from H through Zn and, additionally, Al- through Ar-like ions of Fe.
They also incorporate the latest recommended electron impact ionization data
for all ions of H through Zn. Improved CIE calculations based on these
recombination and ionization data are presented here. We have also developed a
new systematic method for determining the average emission measure () and
electron temperature () of an isothermal plasma. With our new CIE data and
our new approach for determining average and , we have reanalyzed
SUMER observations of the solar corona. We have compared our results with those
of previous studies and found some significant differences for the derived
and . We have also calculated the enhancement of coronal elemental
abundances compared to their photospheric abundances, using the SUMER
observations themselves to determine the abundance enhancement factor for each
of the emitting elements. Our observationally derived first ionization
potential (FIP) factors are in reasonable agreement with the theoretical model
of Laming (2008).Comment: 147 pages (102 of which are online only tables and figures).
Submitted to ApJ. Version 2 is updated addressing the referee's repor
Absolute identification by relative judgment
In unidimensional absolute identification tasks, participants identify stimuli that vary along a single dimension. Performance is surprisingly poor compared with discrimination of the same stimuli. Existing models assume that identification is achieved using long-term representations of absolute magnitudes. The authors propose an alternative relative judgment model (RJM) in which the elemental perceptual units are representations of the differences between current and previous stimuli. These differences are used, together with the previous feedback, to respond. Without using long-term representations of absolute magnitudes, the RJM accounts for (a) information transmission limits, (b) bowed serial position effects, and (c) sequential effects, where responses are biased toward immediately preceding stimuli but away from more distant stimuli (assimilation and contrast)
Fe XVII X-ray Line Ratios for Accurate Astrophysical Plasma Diagnostics
New laboratory measurements using an Electron Beam Ion Trap (EBIT) and an
x-ray microcalorimeter are presented for the n=3 to n=2 Fe XVII emission lines
in the 15 {\AA} to 17 {\AA} range, along with new theoretical predictions for a
variety of electron energy distributions. This work improves upon our earlier
work on these lines by providing measurements at more electron impact energies
(seven values from 846 to 1185 eV), performing an in situ determination of the
x-ray window transmission, taking steps to minimize the ion impurity
concentrations, correcting the electron energies for space charge shifts, and
estimating the residual electron energy uncertainties. The results for the
3C/3D and 3s/3C line ratios are generally in agreement with the closest theory
to within 10%, and in agreement with previous measurements from an independent
group to within 20%. Better consistency between the two experimental groups is
obtained at the lowest electron energies by using theory to interpolate, taking
into account the significantly different electron energy distributions.
Evidence for resonance collision effects in the spectra is discussed.
Renormalized values for the absolute cross sections of the 3C and 3D lines are
obtained by combining previously published results, and shown to be in
agreement with the predictions of converged R-matrix theory. This work
establishes consistency between results from independent laboratories and
improves the reliability of these lines for astrophysical diagnostics. Factors
that should be taken into account for accurate diagnostics are discussed,
including electron energy distribution, polarization, absorption/scattering,
and line blends.Comment: 29 pages, including 7 figure
Determining the Elemental and Isotopic Composition of the preSolar Nebula from Genesis Data Analysis: The Case of Oxygen
We compare element and isotopic fractionations measured in solar wind samples
collected by NASA's Genesis mission with those predicted from models
incorporating both the ponderomotive force in the chromosphere and conservation
of the first adiabatic invariant in the low corona. Generally good agreement is
found, suggesting that these factors are consistent with the process of solar
wind fractionation. Based on bulk wind measurements, we also consider in more
detail the isotopic and elemental abundances of O. We find mild support for an
O abundance in the range 8.75 - 8.83, with a value as low as 8.69 disfavored. A
stronger conclusion must await solar wind regime specific measurements from the
Genesis samples.Comment: 6 pages, accepted by Astrophysical Journal Letter
Educating the future workforce: building the evidence about interprofessional learning
This paper addresses the theme of interprofessional education for health and social care professionals as it effects on the development of the work force. The drivers for change in the UK, typified by the Bristol Royal Infirmary and Victoria Climbié inquiries and the response to this in the form of Department of Health policy, are discussed. The need for rapid development of the evidence base around this subject is evident form literature reviews of the impact of interprofessional education. Directions for future research and investment in this area are proposed including the need for a stronger theoretical base and for longitudinal studies over extended periods of time in order to examine short, medium and long term outcomes in relation to health care practice
- …