26,203 research outputs found
Fuel cells for power generation and organic waste treatment on the island of Mull
In-situ use of biomass and organic waste streams have the potential to provide the key to energy self sustainability for islands and remote communities. Traditionally biogas fuels have been used in combustion engines for electric power generation. However, fuel cells offer the prospect of achieving higher generating efficiencies, and additionally, important environmental benefits can be achieved by way of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, whilst providing a carbon sink. This paper presents the design details of a biogas gas plant and fuel cell installation that will provide a practical solution on an island (and be applicable in other remote and rural areas) where connection to the grid can be expensive, and where biofuels can be produced on site at no significant extra cost
Collide and Conquer: Constraints on Simplified Dark Matter Models using Mono-X Collider Searches
The use of simplified models as a tool for interpreting dark matter collider
searches has become increasingly prevalent, and while early Run II results are
beginning to appear, we look to see what further information can be extracted
from the Run I dataset. We consider three `standard' simplified models that
couple quarks to fermionic singlet dark matter: an -channel vector mediator
with vector or axial-vector couplings, and a -channel scalar mediator. Upper
limits on the couplings are calculated and compared across three alternate
channels, namely mono-jet, mono- (leptonic) and mono- (hadronic). The
strongest limits are observed in the mono-jet channel, however the
computational simplicity and absence of significant -channel model width
effects in the mono-boson channels make these a straightforward and competitive
alternative. We also include a comparison with relic density and direct
detection constraints.Comment: 32 pages, 8 figures; v2: minor changes, conclusion unchanged, matches
published versio
High-precision spectroscopy of ultracold molecules in an optical lattice
The study of ultracold molecules tightly trapped in an optical lattice can
expand the frontier of precision measurement and spectroscopy, and provide a
deeper insight into molecular and fundamental physics. Here we create, probe,
and image microkelvin Sr molecules in a lattice, and demonstrate
precise measurements of molecular parameters as well as coherent control of
molecular quantum states using optical fields. We discuss the sensitivity of
the system to dimensional effects, a new bound-to-continuum spectroscopy
technique for highly accurate binding energy measurements, and prospects for
new physics with this rich experimental system.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figure
Corotating energetic particle and fast plasma streams in the inner and outer solar system: Radial dependence and energy spectra
Interplanetary acceleration processes are shown as the most plausible explanation for the observed corotating energetic particle events. The relation between the energetic particle events and the properties of the high speed solar wind streams observed at 1 AU were investigated along with the form of the energy spectrum of the corotating energetic particle streams and its variation with respect to CIR boundaries and with radial distance. It is shown that: (1) at 1 AU a correlation exists between the j particle intensity and the solar wind velocity measured during the rising part of the event, of the form I is proportional to exp (V sub sw/V sub o); and (2) the energy spectra from .5 to 20 MeV are well represented by an exponential in momentum of the form dJ/dP = C exp (-P/P sub o). This representation is found to apply from .45 AU to beyond 5 AU. The variation of P sub o with respect to the CIR boundaries was studied using a method of superposed epoch analysis. It is shown that at 1 AU the spectrum remains constant during the first two days and then progressively flattens; between 3-4AU
The radial variation of corotating energetic particle streams in the inner and outer solar system
The radial gradient of long-lived, corotating energetic particle streams was measured using observations of .9-2.2 MeV protons from Helios 1 and 2, IMP 7, Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11. A positive gradient of approximately 350% per AU is found between .3 AU and 1 AU. Between 1 AU and some 3-5 AU, the gradient is variable with an average value of 100% per AU which is consistent with earlier statistical results. A comparison between measurements at 9 AU and approximately 4 AU shows a negative gradient which is variable from -40 to -100% per AU. Possible solar latitudinal effects on these gradient studies are also discussed. Using solar wind and magnetic field data from Helios 1 between 1 AU and .3 AU, the relation between corotating energetic particle events in the inner solar system and the interplanetary medium is examined. It is found that the energetic particles are contained inside the high speed solar wind stream in a region adjacent to the interaction region between low speed and high speed streams
Fluorescence-based incision assay for human XPF-ERCC1 activity identifies important elements of DNA junction recognition
The structure-specific endonuclease activity of the human XPFāERCC1 complex is essential for a number of DNA processing mechanisms that help to maintain genomic integrity. XPFāERCC1 cleaves DNA structures such as stemāloops, bubbles or flaps in one strand of a duplex where there is at least one downstream single strand. Here, we define the minimal substrate requirements for cleavage of stemāloop substrates allowing us to develop a real-time fluorescence-based assay to measure endonuclease activity. Using this assay, we show that changes in the sequence of the duplex upstream of the incision site results in up to 100-fold variation in cleavage rate of a stem-loop substrate by XPF-ERCC1. XPFāERCC1 has a preference for cleaving the phosphodiester bond positioned on the 3ā²-side of a T or a U, which is flanked by an upstream T or U suggesting that a T/U pocket may exist within the catalytic domain. In addition to an endonuclease domain and tandem helixāhairpināhelix domains, XPF has a divergent and inactive DEAH helicase-like domain (HLD). We show that deletion of HLD eliminates endonuclease activity and demonstrate that purified recombinant XPFāHLD shows a preference for binding stemāloop structures over single strand or duplex alone, suggesting a role for the HLD in initial structure recognition. Together our data describe features of XPFāERCC1 and an accepted model substrate that are important for recognition and efficient incision activity
Optical Production of Stable Ultracold Sr Molecules
We have produced large samples of ultracold Sr molecules in the
electronic ground state in an optical lattice. The molecules are bound by 0.05
cm and are stable for several milliseconds. The fast, all-optical method
of molecule creation via intercombination line photoassociation relies on a
near-unity Franck-Condon factor. The detection uses a weakly bound vibrational
level corresponding to a very large dimer. This is the first of two steps
needed to create Sr in the absolute ground quantum state. Lattice-trapped
Sr is of interest to frequency metrology and ultracold chemistry.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
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