Unambiguous determination of gravitational waveforms from binary black hole mergers

Gravitational radiation is properly defined only at future null infinity (\scri), but in practice it is estimated from data calculated at a finite radius. We have used characteristic extraction to calculate gravitational radiation at \scri for the inspiral and merger of two equal mass non-spinning black holes. Thus we have determined the first unambiguous merger waveforms for this problem. The implementation is general purpose, and can be applied to calculate the gravitational radiation, at \scri, given data at a finite radius calculated in another computation.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, published versio

Initial data transients in binary black hole evolutions

We describe a method for initializing characteristic evolutions of the Einstein equations using a linearized solution corresponding to purely outgoing radiation. This allows for a more consistent application of the characteristic (null cone) techniques for invariantly determining the gravitational radiation content of numerical simulations. In addition, we are able to identify the {\em ingoing} radiation contained in the characteristic initial data, as well as in the initial data of the 3+1 simulation. We find that each component leads to a small but long lasting (several hundred mass scales) transient in the measured outgoing gravitational waves.Comment: 18 pages, 4 figure

Strategies for the characteristic extraction of gravitational waveforms

We develop, test, and compare new numerical and geometrical methods for improving the accuracy of extracting waveforms using characteristic evolution. The new numerical method involves use of circular boundaries to the stereographic grid patches which cover the spherical cross sections of the outgoing null cones. We show how an angular version of numerical dissipation can be introduced into the characteristic code to damp the high frequency error arising form the irregular way the circular patch boundary cuts through the grid. The new geometric method involves use of the Weyl tensor component Psi4 to extract the waveform as opposed to the original approach via the Bondi news function. We develop the necessary analytic and computational formula to compute the O(1/r) radiative part of Psi4 in terms of a conformally compactified treatment of null infinity. These methods are compared and calibrated in test problems based upon linearized waves

A comparison of vertical and horizontal reactive strength index variants and association with change of direction performance

This study sought to investigate the inter-relationship between different vertical and horizontal variants of reactive strength index (RSI) and change of direction performance. Thirty-one male volleyball players (age: 22.4 ± 3.9 years), performed bilateral drop jumps (DJ), bilateral and unilateral countermovement jumps (CMJ), and triple hops for distance. The RSI was calculated as the ratio of jump height and contact time (DJ), jump height and time to take off (CMJ), and flight time or hop distance and contact time (triple hop), and 505 change of direction test. RSI obtained from DJ and CMJ tasks exhibited excellent trial-to-trial reliability (ICC = 0.91-0.94), while triple hop based RSI had only moderate reliability (ICC = 0.67-0.74). The relationships among different RSI variants were moderate to high (i.e. DJ to CMJ: r = 0.57-0.69; p ≤ 0.004; DJ to triple hop: r = 0.54-0.66; p ≤ 0.021 and CMJ to triple hop: r = 0.42-0.63; p ≤ 0.037). For the triple hop, the associations between RSI based on hop flight time and RSI based on hop distance were high for hop 1-2 (r = 0.77-0.83; p < 0.001) and very high for hop 2-3 (r = 0.91-0.92; p < 0.001). All RSI variants were in small to moderate negative correlation with 505 test performance (r = -0.38 to -0.45; p ≤ 0.042). The agreement in inter-limb asymmetry direction between in RSI from unilateral CMJ and triple hop RSI variables was slight to moderate (Kappa coefficient = 0.06-0.36). In conclusion, although inter-relationships between RSI variants were moderate to high, the direction of inter-limb asymmetry was inconsistent, highlighting the notion of movement variability in limb dominance

Factors influencing bilateral deficit and inter-limb asymmetry of maximal and explosive strength: motor task, outcome measure and muscle group

Purpose The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of strength outcome (maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque vs. rate of torque development (RTD)), motor task (unilateral vs. bilateral) and muscle group (knee extensors vs. flexors) on the magnitude of bilateral deficits and inter-limb asymmetries in a large heterogeneous group of athletes. Methods 259 professional/semi-professional athletes from different sports (86 women aged 21 ± 6 years and 173 men aged 20 ± 5 years) performed unilateral and bilateral “fast and hard” isometric maximal voluntary contractions of the knee extensors and flexors on a double-sensor dynamometer. Inter-limb asymmetries and bilateral deficits were compared across strength outcomes (MVC torque and multiple RTD measures), motor tasks and muscle groups. Results Most RTD outcomes showed greater bilateral deficits than MVC torque for knee extensors, but not for knee flexors. Most RTD outcomes, not MVC torque, showed higher bilateral deficits for knee extensors compared to knee flexors. For both muscle groups, all RTD measures resulted in higher inter-limb asymmetries than MVC torque, and most RTD measures resulted in greater inter-limb asymmetries during unilateral compared to bilateral motor tasks. Conclusions The results of the present study highlight the importance of outcome measure, motor task and muscle group when assessing bilateral deficits and inter-limb asymmetries of maximal and explosive strength. Compared to MVC torque and bilateral tasks, RTD measures and unilateral tasks could be considered more sensitive for the assessment of bilateral deficits and inter-limb asymmetries in healthy professional/semi-professional athletes

Strength, jumping and change of direction speed asymmetries in soccer, basketball and tennis players

Despite growing research in the field of inter-limb asymmetries (ILAs), little is known about the variation of ILAs in different populations of athletes. The purpose of this study was to compare ILAs among young basketball, soccer and tennis players. ILAs were assessed in three different types of tests (strength, jumping and change of direction (CoD) speed), each including different tasks: (1) bilateral and unilateral counter movement jump, (2) isometric strength of knee extensors (KE) and knee flexors (KF), and (3) 90° and 180° CoD. Generally, the absolute metrics showed strong reliability and revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) among the three groups in KE maximal torque, KE and KF rate of force development and in both CoD tests. For jumping ILAs, power and force impulse metrics exhibited significant between-limb differences between groups, compared to jump height. For strength and CoD speed ILAs, only KF maximal torque and 180° CoD exhibited significant differences between groups. Greater KF strength ILAs in soccer players and counter-movement jump ILAs in tennis players are most probably the result of sport-specific movement patterns and training routines. Sport practitioners should be aware of the differences in ILAs among sports and address training programs accordingly

Tunneling between Dilute GaAs Hole Layers

We report interlayer tunneling measurements between very dilute two-dimensional GaAs hole layers. Surprisingly, the shape and temperature-dependence of the tunneling spectrum can be explained with a Fermi liquid-based tunneling model, but the peak amplitude is much larger than expected from the available hole band parameters. Data as a function of parallel magnetic field reveal additional anomalous features, including a recurrence of a zero-bias tunneling peak at very large fields. In a perpendicular magnetic field, we observe a robust and narrow tunneling peak at total filling factor $\nu_T=1$, signaling the formation of a bilayer quantum Hall ferromagnet.Comment: Revised to include additional data, new discussion

High-powered Gravitational News

We describe the computation of the Bondi news for gravitational radiation. We have implemented a computer code for this problem. We discuss the theory behind it as well as the results of validation tests. Our approach uses the compactified null cone formalism, with the computational domain extending to future null infinity and with a worldtube as inner boundary. We calculate the appropriate full Einstein equations in computational eth form in (a) the interior of the computational domain and (b) on the inner boundary. At future null infinity, we transform the computed data into standard Bondi coordinates and so are able to express the news in terms of its standard $N_{+}$ and $N_{\times}$ polarization components. The resulting code is stable and second-order convergent. It runs successfully even in the highly nonlinear case, and has been tested with the news as high as 400, which represents a gravitational radiation power of about $10^{13}M_{\odot}/sec$.Comment: 24 pages, 4 figures. To appear in Phys. Rev.

Theory of Bubble Nucleation and Cooperativity in DNA Melting

The onset of intermediate states (denaturation bubbles) and their role during the melting transition of DNA are studied using the Peyrard-Bishop-Daxuois model by Monte Carlo simulations with no adjustable parameters. Comparison is made with previously published experimental results finding excellent agreement. Melting curves, critical DNA segment length for stability of bubbles and the possibility of a two states transition are studied.Comment: 4 figures. Accepted for publication in Physical Review Letter

Managing the patient with osteogenesis imperfecta: a multidisciplinary approach

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heterogeneous heritable connective tissue disorder characterized by low bone density. The type and severity of OI are variable. The primary manifestations are fractures, bone deformity, and bone pain, resulting in reduced mobility and function to complete everyday tasks. OI affects not only the physical but also the social and emotional well-being of children, young people, and their families. As such, medical, surgical, and allied health professionals' assessments all play a role in the management of these children. The multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of children and young people living with OI seeks to provide well-coordinated, comprehensive assessments, and interventions that place the child and family at the very center of their care. The coordinated efforts of a multidisciplinary team can support children with OI to fulfill their potential, maximizing function, independence, and well-being