9,469 research outputs found
Investigation of planetary ionospheres
Feasibility of using radio sounding techniques to investigate ionospheric properties of planet
Hail potential in Europe based on a regional climate model hindcast
comprehensive, reliable, and consistent information about hail frequency and intensity in Europe is not available. To overcome this constraint, we developed a logistic hail model that quantifies the potential of the atmosphere to form hailstorms. The model is based on a combination of appropriate hail-relevant meteorological parameters. This paper presents the application of an adjusted version of the logistic model with the objective being to estimate the hail potential across Europe based on dynamically downscaled National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research1 reanalysis over a long-term period of 60 years (1951â2010). The model output, in terms of the potential hail index (PHI), identified several hot spots that are well known from other observational studies. Time series of the PHI over the 60 year period show a high correlation at different sites across Europe and high annual and multiannual variability, but no overall trend
A Chandra Study of the Effects of a Major Merger on the Structure of Abell 2319
We present an analysis of a Chandra observation of the massive, nearby galaxy
cluster Abell 2319. A sharp surface brightness discontinuity--suggested by
previous, lower angular resolution X-ray imaging--is clearly visible in the
ACIS image. This roughly 300kpc feature suggests that a major merger is taking
place with a significant velocity component perpendicular to the line of sight.
The cluster emission-weighted mean temperature is 11.8+/-0.6kev, somewhat
higher than previous temperature measurements. The Chandra temperature map of
A2319 reveals substructure resembling that anticipated based on hydrodynamic
simulations of cluster mergers. The merger feature shows a pressure change
across the surface brightness discontinuity by a factor of <=2.5. The higher
density side of the front has a lower temperature, suggesting the presence of a
cold front similar to those in many other merging clusters. The velocity of the
front is roughly sonic.
We compare bulk properties of the ICM and galaxies in A2319 to the same
properties in a large sample of clusters as a way of gauging the effects of the
major merger. Interestingly, by comparing A2319 to a sample of 44 clusters
studied with the ROSAT PSPC we find that the X-ray luminosity, isophotal size,
and ICM mass are consistent with the expected values for a cluster of its
temperature; in addition, the K-band galaxy light is consistent with the
light--temperature scaling relation derived from a sample of about 100 clusters
studied with 2MASS. Together, these results indicate either that the merger in
A2319 has not been effective at altering the bulk properties of the cluster, or
that there are large but correlated displacements in these quantities.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, ApJ Submitte
QED self-energy contribution to highly-excited atomic states
We present numerical values for the self-energy shifts predicted by QED
(Quantum Electrodynamics) for hydrogenlike ions (nuclear charge ) with an electron in an , 4 or 5 level with high angular momentum
(). Applications include predictions of precision transition
energies and studies of the outer-shell structure of atoms and ions.Comment: 20 pages, 5 figure
alpha-nucleus potentials for the neutron-deficient p nuclei
alpha-nucleus potentials are one important ingredient for the understanding
of the nucleosynthesis of heavy neutron-deficient p nuclei in the astrophysical
gamma-process where these p nuclei are produced by a series of (gamma,n),
(gamma,p), and (gamma,alpha) reactions. I present an improved alpha-nucleus
potential at the astrophysically relevant sub-Coulomb energies which is derived
from the analysis of alpha decay data and from a previously established
systematic behavior of double-folding potentials.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
Calculation of the Electron Self Energy for Low Nuclear Charge
We present a nonperturbative numerical evaluation of the one-photon electron
self energy for hydrogenlike ions with low nuclear charge numbers Z=1 to 5. Our
calculation for the 1S state has a numerical uncertainty of 0.8 Hz for hydrogen
and 13 Hz for singly-ionized helium. Resummation and convergence acceleration
techniques that reduce the computer time by about three orders of magnitude
were employed in the calculation. The numerical results are compared to results
based on known terms in the expansion of the self energy in powers of (Z
alpha).Comment: 10 pages, RevTeX, 2 figure
Physiological Responses and Physical Performance during Football in the Heat
PURPOSE: To examine the impact of hot ambient conditions on physical performance and physiological responses during football match-play. METHODS: Two experimental games were completed in temperate (⌠21°C; CON) and hot ambient conditions (⌠43°C; HOT). Physical performance was assessed by match analysis in 17 male elite players during the games and a repeated sprint test was conducted after the two game trials. Core and muscle temperature were measured and blood samples were obtained, before and after the games. RESULTS: Muscle and core temperatures were ⌠1°C higher (P<0.05) in HOT (40.3 ± 0.1 and 39.5 ± 0.1°C, respectively) compared to CON (39.2 ± 0.1 and 38.3 ± 0.1°C). Average heart rate, plasma lactate concentration, body weight loss as well as post-game sprint performance were similar between the two conditions. Total game distance declined (P<0.05) by 7% and high intensity running (>14 km â
h(-1)) by 26% in HOT compared to CON), but peak sprint speed was 4% higher (P<0.05) in HOT than in CON, while there were no differences in the quantity or length of sprints (>24 km â
h(-1)) between CON and HOT. In HOT, success rates for passes and crosses were 8 and 9% higher (P<0.05), respectively, compared to CON. Delta increase in core temperature and absolute core temperature in HOT were correlated to total game distance in the heat (r = 0.85 and r = 0.53, respectively; P<0.05), whereas, total and high intensity distance deficit between CON and HOT were not correlated to absolute or delta changes in muscle or core temperature. CONCLUSION: Total game distance and especially high intensity running were lower during a football game in the heat, but these changes were not directly related to the absolute or relative changes in core or muscle temperature. However, peak sprinting speed and execution of successful passes and crosses were improved in the HOT condition
Comparison of stimulation patterns for FES-cycling using measures of oxygen cost and stimulation cost
<b>Aim</b><p></p>
The energy efficiency of FES-cycling in spinal cord injured subjects is very much lower than that of normal cycling, and efficiency is dependent upon the parameters of muscle stimulation. We investigated measures which can be used to evaluate the effect on cycling performance of changes in stimulation parameters, and which might therefore be used to optimise them. We aimed to determine whether oxygen cost and stimulation cost measurements are sensitive enough to allow discrimination between the efficacy of different activation ranges for stimulation of each muscle group during constant-power cycling. <p></p>
<b>Methods</b><p></p>
We employed a custom FES-cycling ergometer system, with accurate control of cadence and stimulated exercise workrate. Two sets of muscle activation angles (âstimulation patternsâ), denoted âP1â and âP2â, were applied repeatedly (eight times each) during constant-power cycling, in a repeated measures design with a single paraplegic subject. Pulmonary oxygen uptake was measured in real time and used to determine the oxygen cost of the exercise. A new measure of stimulation cost of the exercise is proposed, which represents the total rate of stimulation charge applied to the stimulated muscle groups during cycling. A number of energy-efficiency measures were also estimated. <p></p>
<b>Results</b><p></p>
Average oxygen cost and stimulation cost of P1 were found to be significantly lower than those for P2 (paired <i>t</i>-test, <i>p</i> < 0.05): oxygen costs were 0.56 ± 0.03 l min<sup>â1</sup> and 0.61 ± 0.04 l min<sup>â1</sup>(mean ± S.D.), respectively; stimulation costs were 74.91 ± 12.15 mC min<sup>â1</sup> and 100.30 ± 14.78 mC min<sup>â1</sup> (mean ± S.D.), respectively. Correspondingly, all efficiency estimates for P1 were greater than those for P2. <p></p>
<b>Conclusion</b><p></p>
Oxygen cost and stimulation cost measures both allow discrimination between the efficacy of different muscle activation patterns during constant-power FES-cycling. However, stimulation cost is more easily determined in real time, and responds more rapidly and with greatly improved signal-to-noise properties than the ventilatory oxygen uptake measurements required for estimation of oxygen cost. These measures may find utility in the adjustment of stimulation patterns for achievement of optimal cycling performance. <p></p>
A constraint on antigravity of antimatter from precision spectroscopy of simple atoms
Consideration of antigravity for antiparticles is an attractive target for
various experimental projects. There are a number of theoretical arguments
against it but it is not quite clear what kind of experimental data and
theoretical suggestions are involved. In this paper we present straightforward
arguments against a possibility of antigravity based on a few simple
theoretical suggestions and some experimental data. The data are: astrophysical
data on rotation of the Solar System in respect to the center of our galaxy and
precision spectroscopy data on hydrogen and positronium. The theoretical
suggestions for the case of absence of the gravitational field are: equality of
electron and positron mass and equality of proton and positron charge. We also
assume that QED is correct at the level of accuracy where it is clearly
confirmed experimentally
Electron Self Energy for the K and L Shell at Low Nuclear Charge
A nonperturbative numerical evaluation of the one-photon electron self energy
for the K- and L-shell states of hydrogenlike ions with nuclear charge numbers
Z=1 to 5 is described. Our calculation for the 1S state has a numerical
uncertainty of 0.8 Hz in atomic hydrogen, and for the L-shell states (2S and
2P) the numerical uncertainty is 1.0 Hz. The method of evaluation for the
ground state and for the excited states is described in detail. The numerical
results are compared to results based on known terms in the expansion of the
self energy in powers of (Z alpha).Comment: 21 pages, RevTeX, 5 Tables, 6 figure
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