56,854 research outputs found
Two-temperature coronal flow above a thin disk
We extended the disk corona model (Meyer & Meyer-Hofmeister 1994; Meyer, Liu,
& Meyer-Hofmeister 2000a) to the inner region of galactic nuclei by including
different temperatures in ions and electrons as well as Compton cooling. We
found that the mass evaporation rate and hence the fraction of accretion energy
released in the corona depend strongly on the rate of incoming mass flow from
outer edge of the disk, a larger rate leading to more Compton cooling, less
efficient evaporation and a weaker corona. We also found a strong dependence on
the viscosity, higher viscosity leading to an enhanced mass flow in the corona
and therefore more evaporation of gas from the disk below. If we take accretion
rates in units of the Eddington rate our results become independent on the mass
of the central black hole. The model predicts weaker contributions to the hard
X-rays for objects with higher accretion rate like narrow-line Seyfert 1
galaxies (NLS1s), in agreement with observations. For luminous active galactic
nuclei (AGN) strong Compton cooling in the innermost corona is so efficient
that a large amount of additional heating is required to maintain the corona
above the thin disk.Comment: 17 pages, 6 figures. ApJ accepte
Diffusion and Interdiffusion in Binary Metallic Melts
We discuss the dependence of self- and interdiffusion coefficients on
temperature and composition for two prototypical binary metallic melts, Al-Ni
and Zr-Ni, in molecular-dynamics (MD) computer simulations and the
mode-coupling theory of the glass transition (MCT). Dynamical processes that
are mainly entropic in origin slow down mass transport (as expressed through
self diffusion) in the mixture as compared to the ideal-mixing contribution.
Interdiffusion of chemical species is a competition of slow kinetic modes with
a strong thermodynamic driving force that is caused by non-entropic
interactions. The combination of both dynamic and thermodynamic effects causes
qualitative differences in the concentration dependence of self-diffusion and
interdiffusion coefficients. At high temperatures, the thermodynamic
enhancement of interdiffusion prevails, while at low temperatures, kinetic
effects dominate the concentration dependence, rationalized within MCT as the
approach to its ideal-glass transition temperature . The Darken equation
relating self- and interdiffusion qualitatively reproduces the
concentration-dependence in both Zr-Ni and Al-Ni, but quantitatively, the
kinetic contributions to interdiffusion can be slower than the lower bound
suggested by the Darken equation. As temperature is decreased, the agreement
with Darken's equation improves, due to a strong coupling of all kinetic modes
that is a generic feature predicted by MCT.Comment: 16 pages, 12 figure
Morphological operators for very low bit rate video coding
This paper deals with the use of some morphological tools for video coding at very low bit rates. Rather than describing a complete coding algorithm, the purpose of this paper is to focus on morphological connected operators and segmentation tools that have proved to be attractive for compression.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version
Continuum theory of tilted chiral smectic phases
We demonstrate that the sequence of distorted commensurate phases observed in
tilted chiral smectics is explained by the gain in electrostatic energy due to
the lock-in of the unit cell to a number of layers which is the integer closest
to the ratio pitch over thickness of the subjacent Sm-C phase. We
also explain the sign change of the helicity in the middle of the sequence by a
balance between two twist sources one intrinsic and another due to the
distortion of the Sm-C
A Note on Bimodal Accretion Disks
The existence of bimodal disks is investigated. Following a simple argument
based on energetic considerations we show that stationary, bimodal accretion
disk models in which a Shakura--Sunyaev disk (SSD) at large radii matches an
advection dominated accretion flow (ADAF) at smaller radii are never possible
using the standard slim disk approach, unless some extra energy flux is
present. The same argument, however, predicts the possibility of a transition
from an outer Shapiro--Lightman--Eardley (SLE) disk to an ADAF, and from a SLE
disk to a SSD. Both types of solutions have been found.Comment: 9 pages including 9 figures, accepted for publication in The
Astrophysical Journa
Operationalising a Threshold Concept in Economics: A Pilot Study Using Multiple Choice Questions on Opportunity Cost
This paper addresses the emerging educational framework that envisions threshold concepts as mediators of learning outcomes. While the threshold concepts framework is highly appealing on a theoretical level, few researchers have attempted to measure threshold concept acquisition empirically. Achieving this would open a new arena for exploration and debate in the threshold concepts field, and provide potential results to inform teaching practice. We begin the process of operationalising threshold concepts in economics by attempting to measure students' grasp of the threshold concept of opportunity cost in an introductory economics class. We suggest two potential measures and correlate them with an array of ex ante and ex post variables, including students' expectations of success, prior misconceptions about economics and the work of economists, and actual success in the course. Results cast new light onto the factors that influence the acquisition of threshold concepts, the relationship between threshold concept acquisition and final learning outcomes, and the empirical viability of threshold concepts generally.
Development of advanced fuel cell system, phase 3
A multiple task research and development program was performed to improve the weight, life, and performance characteristics of hydrogen-oxygen alkaline fuel cells for advanced power systems. Gradual wetting of the anode structure and subsequent long-term performance loss was determined to be caused by deposition of a silicon-containing material on the anode. This deposit was attributed to degradation of the asbestos matrix, and attention was therefore placed on development of a substitute matrix of potassium titanate. An 80 percent gold 20 percent platinum catalyst cathode was developed which has the same performance and stability as the standard 90 percent gold - 10 percent platinum cathode but at half the loading. A hybrid polysulfone/epoxy-glass fiber frame was developed which combines the resistance to the cell environment of pure polysulfone with the fabricating ease of epoxy-glass fiber laminate. These cell components were evaluated in various configurations of full-size cells. The ways in which the baseline engineering model system would be modified to accommodate the requirements of the space tug application are identified
Development of advanced fuel cell system, phase 2
A multiple task research and development program was performed to improve the weight, life, and performance characteristics of hydrogen-oxygen alkaline fuel cells for advanced power systems. Development and characterization of a very stable gold alloy catalyst was continued from Phase I of the program. A polymer material for fabrication of cell structural components was identified and its long term compatibility with the fuel cell environment was demonstrated in cell tests. Full scale partial cell stacks, with advanced design closed cycle evaporative coolers, were tested. The characteristics demonstrated in these tests verified the feasibility of developing the engineering model system concept into an advanced lightweight long life powerplant
Heavy Meson Production in NN Collisions with Polarized Beam and Target -- A new facility for COSY
The study of near--threshold meson production in pp and pd collisions
involving polarized beams and polarized targets offers the rare opportunity to
gain insight into short--range features of the nucleon--nucleon interaction.
The Cooler Synchrotron COSY at FZ--J\"ulich is a unique environment to perform
such studies. Measurements of polarization observables require a cylindrically
symmetrical detector, capable to measure the momenta and the directions of
outgoing charged hadrons. The wide energy range of COSY leads to momenta of
outgoing protons to be detected in a single meson production reaction between
300 and 2500 MeV/c. Scattering angles of protons to be covered extend to about
in the laboratory system. An azimuthal angular coverage of the
device around 98% seems technically achievable. The required magnetic
spectrometer could consist of a superconducting toroid, providing fields around
3 T.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure, submitted to Czechoslovak Journal of Physic
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