31,507 research outputs found
The contrast of magnetic elements in synthetic CH- and CN-band images of solar magnetoconvection
We present a comparative study of the intensity contrast in synthetic CH-band
and violet CN-band filtergrams computed from a high-resolution simulation of
solar magnetoconvection. The underlying simulation has an average vertical
magnetic field of 250 G with kG fields concentrated in its intergranular lanes,
and is representative of a plage region. To simulate filtergrams typically
obtained in CH- and CN-band observations we computed spatially resolved spectra
in both bands and integrated these spectra over 1 nm FWHM filter functions
centred at 430.5 nm and 388.3 nm, respectively. We find that the average
contrast of magnetic bright points in the simulated filtergrams is lower in the
CN-band by a factor of 0.96. This result strongly contradicts earlier
semi-empirical modeling and recent observations, which both etimated that the
bright-point contrast in the CN-band is \emph{higher} by a factor of 1.4. We
argue that the near equality of the bright-point contrast in the two bands in
the present simulation is a natural consequence of the mechanism that causes
magnetic flux elements to be particularly bright in the CN and CH filtergrams,
namely the partial evacuation of these elements and the concomitant weakening
of molecular spectral lines in the filter passbands. We find that the RMS
intensity contrast in the whole field-of-view of the filtergrams is 20.5% in
the G band and 22.0% in the CN band and conclude that this slight difference in
contrast is caused by the shorter wavelength of the latter. Both the
bright-point and RMS intensity contrast in the CN band are sensitive to the
precise choice of the central wavelength of the filter.Comment: 24 pages, 9 figures, submitted to Ap
Gravitational Waves from Axisymmetric, Rotational Stellar Core Collapse
We have carried out an extensive set of two-dimensional, axisymmetric,
purely-hydrodynamic calculations of rotational stellar core collapse with a
realistic, finite-temperature nuclear equation of state and realistic massive
star progenitor models. For each of the total number of 72 different
simulations we performed, the gravitational wave signature was extracted via
the quadrupole formula in the slow-motion, weak-field approximation. We
investigate the consequences of variation in the initial ratio of rotational
kinetic energy to gravitational potential energy and in the initial degree of
differential rotation. Furthermore, we include in our model suite progenitors
from recent evolutionary calculations that take into account the effects of
rotation and magnetic torques. For each model, we calculate gravitational
radiation wave forms, characteristic wave strain spectra, energy spectra, final
rotational profiles, and total radiated energy. In addition, we compare our
model signals with the anticipated sensitivities of the 1st- and 2nd-generation
LIGO detectors coming on line. We find that most of our models are detectable
by LIGO from anywhere in the Milky Way.Comment: 13 pages, 22 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ (v600, Jan.
2004). Revised version: Corrected typos and minor mistakes in text and
references. Minor additions to the text according to the referee's
suggestions, conclusions unchange
Nuclear Matter on a Lattice
We investigate nuclear matter on a cubic lattice. An exact thermal formalism
is applied to nucleons with a Hamiltonian that accommodates on-site and
next-neighbor parts of the central, spin- and isospin-exchange interactions. We
describe the nuclear matter Monte Carlo methods which contain elements from
shell model Monte Carlo methods and from numerical simulations of the Hubbard
model. We show that energy and basic saturation properties of nuclear matter
can be reproduced. Evidence of a first-order phase transition from an
uncorrelated Fermi gas to a clustered system is observed by computing
mechanical and thermodynamical quantities such as compressibility, heat
capacity, entropy and grand potential. We compare symmetry energy and first
sound velocities with literature and find reasonable agreement.Comment: 23 pages, 8 figures (some in color), to be submitted to Phys. Rev.
Solvable senescence model with positive mutations
We build upon our previous analytical results for the Penna model of
senescence to include positive mutations. We investigate whether a small but
non-zero positive mutation rate gives qualitatively different results to the
traditional Penna model in which no positive mutations are considered. We find
that the high-lifespan tail of the distribution is radically changed in
structure, but that there is not much effect on the bulk of the population. Th
e mortality plateau that we found previously for a stochastic generalization of
the Penna model is stable to a small positive mutation rate.Comment: 3 figure
Renormalization of heavy-light currents in moving NRQCD
Heavy-light decays such as , and can be used to constrain the parameters of the Standard
Model and in indirect searches for new physics. While the precision of
experimental results has improved over the last years this has still to be
matched by equally precise theoretical predictions. The calculation of
heavy-light form factors is currently carried out in lattice QCD. Due to its
small Compton wavelength we discretize the heavy quark in an effective
non-relativistic theory. By formulating the theory in a moving frame of
reference discretization errors in the final state are reduced at large recoil.
Over the last years the formalism has been improved and tested extensively.
Systematic uncertainties are reduced by renormalizing the m(oving)NRQCD action
and heavy-light decay operators. The theory differs from QCD only for large
loop momenta at the order of the lattice cutoff and the calculation can be
carried out in perturbation theory as an expansion in the strong coupling
constant. In this paper we calculate the one loop corrections to the
heavy-light vector and tensor operator. Due to the complexity of the action the
generation of lattice Feynman rules is automated and loop integrals are solved
by the adaptive Monte Carlo integrator VEGAS. We discuss the infrared and
ultraviolet divergences in the loop integrals both in the continuum and on the
lattice. The light quarks are discretized in the ASQTad and highly improved
staggered quark (HISQ) action; the formalism is easily extended to other quark
actions.Comment: 24 pages, 11 figures. Published in Phys. Rev. D. Corrected a typo in
eqn. (51
Core-Collapse Simulations of Rotating Stars
We present the results from a series of two-dimensional core-collapse
simulations using a rotating progenitor star. We find that the convection in
these simulations is less vigorous because a) rotation weakens the core bounce
which seeds the neutrino-driven convection and b) the angular momentum profile
in the rotating core stabilizes against convection. The limited convection
leads to explosions which occur later and are weaker than the explosions
produced from the collapse of non-rotating cores. However, because the
convection is constrained to the polar regions, when the explosion occurs, it
is stronger along the polar axis. This asymmetric explosion can explain the
polarization measurements of core-collapse supernovae. These asymmetries also
provide a natural mechanism to mix the products of nucleosynthesis out into the
helium and hydrogen layers of the star. We also discuss the role the collapse
of these rotating stars play on the generation of magnetic fields and neutron
star kicks. Given a range of progenitor rotation periods, we predict a range of
supernova energies for the same progenitor mass. The critical mass for black
hole formation also depends upon the rotation speed of the progenitor.Comment: 16 pages text + 13 figures, submitted to Ap
Nucleosynthesis and Clump Formation in a Core Collapse Supernova
High-resolution two-dimensional simulations were performed for the first five
minutes of the evolution of a core collapse supernova explosion in a 15 solar
mass blue supergiant progenitor. The computations start shortly after bounce
and include neutrino-matter interactions by using a light-bulb approximation
for the neutrinos, and a treatment of the nucleosynthesis due to explosive
silicon and oxygen burning. We find that newly formed iron-group elements are
distributed throughout the inner half of the helium core by Rayleigh-Taylor
instabilities at the Ni+Si/O and C+O/He interfaces, seeded by convective
overturn during the early stages of the explosion. Fast moving nickel mushrooms
with velocities up to about 4000 km/s are observed. This offers a natural
explanation for the mixing required in light curve and spectral synthesis
studies of Type Ib explosions. A continuation of the calculations to later
times, however, indicates that the iron velocities observed in SN 1987 A cannot
be reproduced because of a strong deceleration of the clumps in the dense shell
left behind by the shock at the He/H interface.Comment: 8 pages, LaTeX, 2 postscript figures, 2 gif figures, shortened and
slightly revised text and references, accepted by ApJ Letter
Latest Developments in Aluminium Reduction
SINCE the end of the Second World War the total global production of virgin aluminium has increased very rapidly. In the year 1945 it amounted to approximately 0.85 million tons a year, whereas for 1960 about 5 million tons may be
estimated. The production of aluminium has grown during this time to be one of the most important industries. Although the aluminium works have often been subject to a certain criticism on account of the inflexibility of the extraction process-since in the main the fused salt ele-ctrolysis has not altered until this day-developments in the matter of cell design and operating methods have made considerable progress. With regard to further awaited expansion of aluminium production plants, there exists a lively interest to expedite developments to improve cell and building layout and to ensure a more economic operat-ion in order to reduce the previous relatively high inve-stment and operating costs.
Experience tells us that two types of electrolytic cells have proved their merits, namely :
(a) Cells with prebaked anodes
(b) Cells with self-baking anode
The extent and practice of inclusion in independent schools in South Africa
In line with international trends in education, South Africa has embraced inclusive
education as the means by which learners who experience barriers to learning will be educated. As inclusion is beginning to be realised in South African schools, a gap in the emerging research base on inclusive education is that of inclusion in the independent sector. A study was undertaken to establish the extent to which learners who experience barriers to learning are included in independent schools belonging to ISASA (the largest independent schools association in South Africa) and the practices that facilitate inclusion. The results of a survey administered to principals were analysed quantitatively and
reveal that most ISASA schools include learners who experience various barriers to learning and employ inclusive practices that are described in the international literature. We report on salient aspects emerging from the study and focus on the diversity of learners found in ISASA schools, as well as the inclusive practices found at school-wide, classroom, and individual levels. The practices described are the provision of on-site specialist personnel, support for teachers, building modifications to ensure access by persons using wheelchairs and various instructional practices and assessment adaptations. Recommendations
arising from the study may give direction to South African schools pursuing inclusivity. South African Journal of Education Vol. 29 (1) 2009: pp. 105-12
Dynamic behavior of porous electrode systems final report
Mathematical model of flooded porous electrodes under dynamic and static conditions - Methods for measuring porous electrode reaction distributio
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