10,105 research outputs found
Modeling the light curves of ultraluminous X-ray sources as precession
We present a freely available xspec model for the modulations seen in the
long-term light curves of multiple ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs). By
incorporating the physics of multiple electron scatterings (ray traced with a
Monte-Carlo routine), we go beyond analytical predictions and show that the
geometrical beaming of radiation in the conical outflow can be more than a
factor of 100 for opening angles smaller than . We apply our new
model to the long-term, well sampled Swift light curve of the recently
confirmed ULX pulsar NGC 5907 X-1 with an established period of 78 days. Our
results suggest that geometrical beaming together with a slight precession of
the conical wind can describe the light curve with a consistent set of
parameters for the wind. The small opening angle of roughly
implies a highly super-critical flow and boosting
factors at the order of that would yield a fairly
low surface magnetic field strength of Gauss.Comment: accepted by MNRAS for publication (7 pages, 6 figures
Insulation for cryogenic tanks has reduced thickness and weight
Dual seal insulation, consisting of an inner layer of sealed-cell Mylar honeycomb core and an outer helium purge channel of fiber glass reinforced phenolic honeycomb core, is used as a thin, lightweight insulation for external surfaces of cryogenic-propellant tanks
A unified approach to linking experimental, statistical and computational analysis of spike train data
A fundamental issue in neuroscience is how to identify the multiple biophysical mechanisms through which neurons generate observed patterns of spiking activity. In previous work, we proposed a method for linking observed patterns of spiking activity to specific biophysical mechanisms based on a state space modeling framework and a sequential Monte Carlo, or particle filter, estimation algorithm. We have shown, in simulation, that this approach is able to identify a space of simple biophysical models that were consistent with observed spiking data (and included the model that generated the data), but have yet to demonstrate the application of the method to identify realistic currents from real spike train data. Here, we apply the particle filter to spiking data recorded from rat layer V cortical neurons, and correctly identify the dynamics of an slow, intrinsic current. The underlying intrinsic current is successfully identified in four distinct neurons, even though the cells exhibit two distinct classes of spiking activity: regular spiking and bursting. This approach – linking statistical, computational, and experimental neuroscience – provides an effective technique to constrain detailed biophysical models to specific mechanisms consistent with observed spike train data.Published versio
Hysterectomy, endometrial ablation, and levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine system (Mirena) for treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding : cost effectiveness analysis
Peer reviewedPublisher PD
Full capacitance matrix of coupled quantum dot arrays: static and dynamical effects
We numerically calculated the full capacitance matrices for both
one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) quantum-dot arrays. We found it
is necessary to use the full capacitance matrix in modeling coupled quantum dot
arrays due to weaker screening in these systems in comparison with arrays of
normal metal tunnel junctions. The static soliton potential distributions in
both 1D and 2D arrays are well approximated by the unscreened (1/r) coulomb
potential, instead of the exponential fall-off expected from the often used
nearest neighbor approximation. The Coulomb potential approximation also
provides a simple expression for the full inverse capacitance matrix of uniform
quantum dot arrays. In terms of dynamics, we compare the current-voltage (I-V)
characteristics of voltage biased 1D arrays using either the full capacitance
matrix or its nearest neighbor approximation. The I-V curves show clear
differences and the differences become more pronounced when larger arrays are
considered.Comment: 8 pages preprint format, 3 PostScript figure
Simulation of the Zero Temperature Behavior of a 3-Dimensional Elastic Medium
We have performed numerical simulation of a 3-dimensional elastic medium,
with scalar displacements, subject to quenched disorder. We applied an
efficient combinatorial optimization algorithm to generate exact ground states
for an interface representation. Our results indicate that this Bragg glass is
characterized by power law divergences in the structure factor . We have found numerically consistent values of the coefficient for
two lattice discretizations of the medium, supporting universality for in
the isotropic systems considered here. We also examine the response of the
ground state to the change in boundary conditions that corresponds to
introducing a single dislocation loop encircling the system. Our results
indicate that the domain walls formed by this change are highly convoluted,
with a fractal dimension . We also discuss the implications of the
domain wall energetics for the stability of the Bragg glass phase. As in other
disordered systems, perturbations of relative strength introduce a new
length scale beyond which the perturbed ground
state becomes uncorrelated with the reference (unperturbed) ground state. We
have performed scaling analysis of the response of the ground state to the
perturbations and obtain . This value is consistent with the
scaling relation , where characterizes the
scaling of the energy fluctuations of low energy excitations.Comment: 20 pages, 13 figure
Extension rates across the northern Shanxi Grabens, China, from Quaternary geology, seismicity and geodesy
Discrepancies between geological, seismic and geodetic rates of strain can indicate that rates of crustal deformation, and hence seismic hazard, are varying through time. Previous studies in the northern Shanxi Grabens, at the northeastern corner of the Ordos Plateau in northern China, have found extension rates of anywhere between 0 and 6 mm a−1 at an azimuth of between 95° and 180°. In this paper we determine extension rates across the northern Shanxi Grabens from offset geomorphological features and a variety of Quaternary dating techniques (including new IRSL and Ar-Ar ages), a Kostrov summation using a 700 yr catalogue of historical earthquakes, and recent campaign GPS measurements. We observe good agreement between Quaternary, seismic and geodetic rates of strain, and we find that the northern Shanxi Grabens are extending at around 1–2 mm a−1 at an azimuth of ≈151°. The azimuth of extension is particularly well constrained and can be reliably inferred from catalogues of small earthquakes. We do not find evidence for any substantial variations in extension rate through time, though there is a notable seismic moment rate deficit since 1750. This deficit could indicate complex fault interactions across large regions, aseismic accommodation of deformation, or that we are quite late in the earthquake cycle with the potential for larger earthquakes in the relatively near future
Measuring functional renormalization group fixed-point functions for pinned manifolds
Exact numerical minimization of interface energies is used to test the
functional renormalization group (FRG) analysis for interfaces pinned by
quenched disorder. The fixed-point function R(u) (the correlator of the
coarse-grained disorder) is computed. In dimensions D=d+1, a linear cusp in
R''(u) is confirmed for random bond (d=1,2,3), random field (d=0,2,3), and
periodic (d=2,3) disorders. The functional shocks that lead to this cusp are
seen. Small, but significant, deviations from 1-loop FRG results are compared
to 2-loop corrections. The cross-correlation for two copies of disorder is
compared with a recent FRG study of chaos.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
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