Nagel scaling and relaxation in the kinetic Ising model on a n-isotopic chain

The kinetic Ising model on a n-isotopic chain is considered in the framework of Glauber dynamics. The chain is composed of N segments with n sites, each one occupied by a different isotope. Due to the isotopic mass difference, the n spins in each segment have different relaxation times in the absence of the interactions, and consequently the dynamics of the system is governed by multiple relaxation mechanisms. The solution is obtained in closed form for arbitrary n, by reducing the problem to a set of n coupled equations, and it is shown rigorously that the critical exponent z is equal to 2. Explicit results are obtained numerically for any temperature and it is also shown that the dynamic susceptibility satisfies the new scaling (Nagel scaling) proposed for glass-forming liquids. This is in agreement with our recent results (L. L. Goncalves, M. Lopez de Haro, J. Taguena-Martinez and R. B. Stinchcombe, Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 1507 (2000)), which relate this new scaling function to multiple relaxation processes.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, presented at Ising Centennial Colloquium, to be published in the Proceedings (Brazilian Journal of Physics.

ROBERT E. KENNEDY LIBRARY CAL POLY, SAN LUIS OBISPO FIRE PROTECTION ANALYSIS FPE CULMINATING PROJECT

California State University has acquired fire protection services to conduct a survey of and produce a fire protection report that analyzes the current condition of the existing Robert E. Kennedy Library on the Cal Poly campus. The prescriptive analysis of the Library is based on the 2010 California Building- the analysis considers the building a new building and will not consider the building provision for existing buildings as permitted by Chapter 34 of the CBC. A performance-based design using FDS is also analyzed to determine the tenability advantages of providing fire sprinklers within the Library. Non-conforming conditions include, among others, exit extension has non-common use areas opening into the exit extension (i.e., electrical room), and visible/ audible notification coverage deficiencies. The performance-based design fire is based on a “free burn” test conducted using oxygen consumption calorimetry. The tested material included parallel metal open bookshelves with paper material stacked on their shelves. The data from the test produced maximum heat release rate of 1.6 MW. This data was extrapolated to define a fire scenario that produced a 6.2 MW heat release rate based on the configuration of bookshelves and the plentiful amount of fuel (i.e., paper) in the Library stack areas. Based on the time to sprinkler activation, a sprinkler controlled fire is also modeled to compare to the non-sprinklered building condition. It was determined that a 1.1 MW fire was the maximum heat release rate of a sprinklered controlled fire. From the performance-based model it was determined that a sprinklered building improves the tenability conditions and increases the Available Safe Egress Time for the occupants in the building. All in all, it is recommended that the Library be provided with a sprinkler system. It is also recommended that the Library be provided with visual/audible notification appliances in accordance with NFPA 72. It is also recommended that an EVAC system be provided as required by the CBC. Additional recommendations are described within this report. The appendix of this fire protection report includes a proposed sprinkler design for the Library, a fire life safety plan, and a design for the audible/visible notification appliances of the second floor (fire floor)

Technique for detecting warm-hot intergalactic gas in quasar UV spectra

The ionizing spectral energy distribution of quasars exhibits a steepening of the distribution shortward of ~ 1200 A. The change of the power-law index from approximately -1 (near-UV) to -2 (far-UV) has so far been interpreted as being intrinsic to quasars. We consider the possibility that the steepening may result from a tenuous absorption component that is anticorrelated with large mass overdensities. UV sensitive satellites, whose detectors can extend down to 1000 A, can set a useful limit to such an absorption component through the search of a flux increase in the window 1050-1190 A (observer frame) with respect to an extrapolation of the continuum above 1230 A. Since the recent FUSE or HST-STIS data do not show any obvious discontinuity in this region, this effectively rules out the possibility that intergalactic HI absorption is very important, and it is concluded that most if not all of the steepening is intrinsic to quasars. A smaller flux discontinuity of order 1% cannot, however, be ruled out yet and would still be consistent with the warm-hot intergalactic component if it amounts to 30% of the baryonic mass, as predicted by some models of large scale structure formation, provided its temperature lies around 10^{5.5} K.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures and 1 table, accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journal, typos corrected and correction for the faulty scaling of variable n_H^0 with redshif

Binding of retinoids to uteroglobin

AbstractUteroglobin, a progesterone-binding secretory protein, was shown to bind retinoic acid and retinol in a non-saturable manner, at least up to concentrations of retinoids of 20 μM. Binding is increased about 10-fold by previous reduction of uteroglobin with 10 mM dithothreitol and it is not affected by previous saturation of the progesterone binding site, suggesting different binding sites for the steroid and the retinoids. The results are discussed in relation to a possible physiological role for this protein

Technique for detecting warm-hot intergalactic gas in quasar UV spectra

The ionizing spectral energy distribution of quasars exhibits a steepening of the distribution shortward of ~ 1200 A. The change of the power-law index from approximately -1 (near-UV) to -2 (far-UV) has so far been interpreted as being intrinsic to quasars. We consider the possibility that the steepening may result from a tenuous absorption component that is anticorrelated with large mass overdensities. UV sensitive satellites, whose detectors can extend down to 1000 A, can set a useful limit to such an absorption component through the search of a flux increase in the window 1050-1190 A (observer frame) with respect to an extrapolation of the continuum above 1230 A. Since the recent FUSE or HST-STIS data do not show any obvious discontinuity in this region, this effectively rules out the possibility that intergalactic HI absorption is very important, and it is concluded that most if not all of the steepening is intrinsic to quasars. A smaller flux discontinuity of order 1% cannot, however, be ruled out yet and would still be consistent with the warm-hot intergalactic component if it amounts to 30% of the baryonic mass, as predicted by some models of large scale structure formation, provided its temperature lies around 10^{5.5} K.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures and 1 table, accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journal, typos corrected and correction for the faulty scaling of variable n_H^0 with redshif

No, nonada, monada, en el pensamiento contemporaneo en lengua espanola

Jose Gaos's thorough analysis concerning the logical origin of the grammatical particle "no" establishes as its ultimate ground no meaning functions but sympathetic acts of love and hate. This proposal enables me a new approach to Unamuno's opposite attempt, namely: that of conceiving the negation as the center and core of theoretical reason, of objectifying conscience as opposed to the trends of craving which in origin are infinitely affirmative. Unamuno's concept of "nonada" (something next to nothing) involves a remarkable contention with the axiom that to be a part, a mere part, a fleeting particle of reality, is ultimately nothing

Experimental Robot Model Adjustments Based on Force-Torque Sensor Information

The computational complexity of humanoid robot balance control is reduced through the application of simplified kinematics and dynamics models. However, these simplifications lead to the introduction of errors that add to other inherent electro-mechanic inaccuracies and affect the robotic system. Linear control systems deal with these inaccuracies if they operate around a specific working point but are less precise if they do not. This work presents a model improvement based on the Linear Inverted Pendulum Model (LIPM) to be applied in a non-linear control system. The aim is to minimize the control error and reduce robot oscillations for multiple working points. The new model, named the Dynamic LIPM (DLIPM), is used to plan the robot behavior with respect to changes in the balance status denoted by the zero moment point (ZMP). Thanks to the use of information from force-torque sensors, an experimental procedure has been applied to characterize the inaccuracies and introduce them into the new model. The experiments consist of balance perturbations similar to those of push-recovery trials, in which step-shaped ZMP variations are produced. The results show that the responses of the robot with respect to balance perturbations are more precise and the mechanical oscillations are reduced without comprising robot dynamicsThe research leading to these results received funding from the RoboCity2030-III-CM project (Robótica aplicada a la mejora de la calidad de vida de los ciudadanos. Fase III; S2013/MIT-2748), funded by Programas de Actividades I+D en la Comunidad de Madrid and cofunded by Structural Funds of the EU