Spectral formation in a radiative shock: application to anomalous X-ray pulsars and soft gamma-ray repeaters

In the fallback disk model for the persistent emission of Anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs) and soft gamma-ray repeaters (SGRs), the hard X-ray emission arises from bulk- and thermal Comptonization of bremsstrahlung photons, which are generated in the accretion column. The relatively low X-ray luminosity of these sources implies a moderate transverse optical depth to electron scattering, with photons executing a small number of shock crossings before escaping sideways. We explore the range of spectral shapes that can be obtained with this model and characterize the most important parameter dependencies. We use a Monte Carlo code to study the crisscrossing of photons in a radiative shock in an accretion column and compute the resulting spectrum. As expected, high-energy power-law X-ray spectra are produced in radiative shocks with photon-number spectral index larger than or about 0.5. We find that the required transverse optical depth is between 1 and 7. Such spectra are observed in low-luminosity X-ray pulsars. We demonstrate here with a simple model that Compton upscattering in the radiative shock in the accretion column can produce hard X-ray spectra similar to those seen in the persistent and transient emission of AXPs and SGRs. In particular, one can obtain a high-energy power-law spectrum, with photon-number spectral index ~ 1 and a cutoff at 100 - 200 keV, with a transverse Thomson optical depth of ~ 5, which is shown to be typical in AXPs/SGRs.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&

Solution of Massless Spin One Wave Equation in Robertson-Walker Space-time

We generalize the quantum spinor wave equation for photon into the curved space-time and discuss the solutions of this equation in Robertson-Walker space-time and compare them with the solution of the Maxwell equations in the same space-time.Comment: 16 Pages, Latex, no figures, An expanded version of paper published in International Journal of Modern Physics A, 17 (2002) 113

First quantized electron and photon model of QED and radiative processes

In this study we combine the classical models of the massive and massless spinning particles, derive the current-current interaction Lagrangian of the particles from the gauge transformations of the classical spinors, and discuss radiative processes in electrodynamics by using the solutions of the Dirac equation and the quantum wave equations of the photon. The longitudinal polarized photon states give a new idea about the vacuum concept in electrodynamics.Comment: LaTeX file, 20 pages, 7 figures. to appear in Canadian Journal of Physic

The expected anisotropy in solid inflation

Solid inflation is an effective field theory of inflation in which isotropy and homogeneity are accomplished via a specific combination of anisotropic sources (three scalar fields that individually break isotropy). This results in specific observational signatures that are not found in standard models of inflation: a non-trivial angular dependence for the squeezed bispectrum, and a possibly long period of anisotropic inflation (to drive inflation, the ''solid'' must be very insensitive to any deformation, and thus background anisotropies are very slowly erased). In this paper we compute the expected level of statistical anisotropy in the power spectrum of the curvature perturbations of this model. To do so, we account for the classical background values of the three scalar fields that are generated on large (superhorizon) scales during inflation via a random walk sum, as the perturbation modes leave the horizon. Such an anisotropy is unavoidably generated, even starting from perfectly isotropic classical initial conditions. The expected level of anisotropy is related to the duration of inflation and to the amplitude of the squeezed bispectrum. If this amplitude is close to its current observational limit (so that one of the most interesting predictions of the model can be observed in the near future), we find that a level of statistical anisotropy F2 gives frozen and scale invariant vector perturbations on superhorizon scales

Development of Diagnostic Tests for Detection of SARS-CoV-2

One of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is to develop accurate and rapid diagnostic tests. There are a number of molecular, serological, and imaging methods that are used to diagnose this infection in hospitals and clinical settings. The purpose of this review paper is to present the available approaches for detecting SARS-CoV-2 and address the advantages and limitations of each detection method. This work includes studies from recent literature publications along with information from the manufacturer\u27s manuals of commercially available SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic products. Furthermore, supplementary information from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and World Health Organization (WHO) is cited. The viral components targeted for virus detection, the principles of each diagnostic technique, and the detection efficiency of each approach are discussed. The potential of using diagnostic tests that were originally developed for previous epidemic viruses is also presented

Metamaterial based telemetric strain sensing in different materials

Cataloged from PDF version of article.We present telemetric sensing of surface strains on different industrial materials using split-ring-resonator based metamaterials. For wireless strain sensing, we utilize metamaterial array architectures for high sensitivity and low nonlinearity-errors in strain sensing. In this work, telemetric strain measurements in three test materials of cast polyamide, derlin and polyamide are performed by observing operating frequency shift under mechanical deformation and these data are compared with commercially-available wired strain gauges. We demonstrate that hard material (cast polyamide) showed low slope in frequency shift vs. applied load (corresponding to high Young's modulus), while soft material (polyamide) exhibited high slope (low Young's modulus). (C) 2010 Optical Society of America

Osteoselection supported by phase separeted polymer blend films

Cataloged from PDF version of article.The instability of implants after placement inside the body is one of the main obstacles to clinically succeed in periodontal and orthopedic applications. Adherence of fibroblasts instead of osteoblasts to implant surfaces usually results in formation of scar tissue and loss of the implant. Thus, selective bioadhesivity of osteoblasts is a desired characteristic for implant materials. In this study, we developed osteoselective and biofriendly polymeric thin films fabricated with a simple phase separation method using either homopolymers or various blends of homopolymers and copolymers. As adhesive and proliferative features of cells are highly dependent on the physicochemical properties of the surfaces, substrates with distinct chemical heterogeneity, wettability, and surface topography were developed and assessed for their osteoselective characteristics. Surface characterizations of the fabricated polymer thin films were performed with optical microscopy and SEM, their wettabilities were determined by contact angle measurements, and their surface roughness was measured by profilometry. Long-term adhesion behaviors of cells to polymer thin films were determined by F-actin staining of Saos-2 osteoblasts, and human gingival fibroblasts, HGFs, and their morphologies were observed by SEM imaging. The biocompatibility of the surfaces was also examined through cell viability assay. Our results showed that heterogeneous polypropylene polyethylene/polystyrene surfaces can govern Saos-2 and HGF attachment and organization. Selective adhesion of Saos-2 osteoblasts and inhibited adhesion of HGF cells were achieved on micro-structured and hydrophobic surfaces. This work paves the way for better control of cellular behaviors for adjustment of cell material interactions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Design and Realization of a Fully On-Chip High-Q Resonator at 15 GHz on Silicon

Cataloged from PDF version of article.We develop and demonstrate an on-chip resonator working at 15 GHz with a high quality factor (Q-factor) of 93.81 while only requiring a small chip size of 195 mu m x 195 mu m on Si by using our new design methodology. In our design, unlike previous approaches, we avoid the need for any external capacitance for tuning; instead, we utilize the film capacitance as the capacitor of the LC tank circuit and realize a fully on-chip resonator that shows a strong transmission dip of > 30 dB on resonance as required for telemetric-sensing applications. We present the design, theory, methodology, microfabrication, experimental characterization, and theoretical analysis of these resonators. We also demonstrate that the experimental results are in excellent agreement with the theoretical (both analytical and numerical) results. Based on our proof-of-concept demonstration, such high-Q on-chip resonators hold great promise for use in transmissive telemetric sensors

Germplasm Enhancement of Annual Forage Legumes Suitable for Use in Cold Highland Environments

The Central Highlands (CH) of Turkey are characterized by cold winters and dry summers. Under these extreme air temperatures, forage crops are still underexploited as a part of crop rotations. Half of the total vetch hectarage in Turkey is in the CH, and farmers still use the local cultivars that have good adaptability but low yield potential. Therefore, with the aim of identifying and improving the annual forage legume species for the cold and dry environment of the CH, research work was carried out during the 1993/94 and 1994/ 95 crop seasons. Initial results showed that Hungarian vetch (Vicia pannonica) and wooly-pod vetch (Vicia villosa ssp. dasycarpa) were promising vetches for autumn-sowing and utilization for grazing and/ or hay. Narbon vetch (Vicia narbonensis) also performed well in the autumn-sown, and was found suitable to grow for grain and straw yields