Transitions between Vortex Rings and Monopole-Antimonopole Chains

In monopole-antimonopole chain solutions of SU(2) Yang-Mills-Higgs theory the Higgs field vanishes at m isolated points along the symmetry axis, whereas in vortex ring solutions the Higgs field vanishes along one or more rings, centered around the symmetry axis. We investigate how these static axially symmetric solutions depend on the strength of the Higgs selfcoupling \lambda. We show, that as the coupling is getting large, new branches of solutions appear at critical values of \lambda. Exhibiting a different node structure, these give rise to transitions between vortex rings and monopole-antimonopole chains.Comment: 14 pages, 18 figures, published in pl

Master of Science

thesisHigh ozone concentrations associated with a winter cold-air pool during the Uintah Basin Winter Ozone Study are investigated. Field campaign observations combined with numerical simulations are analyzed in Utah's Uintah Basin from 1-6 February 2013 when ozone concentrations exceeded 150 ppb. Cold-air pool sensitivity to cloud microphysics and snow cover variations within the Weather Research and Forecasting model simulations are examined, along with their impact on air quality in Community Multiscale Air Quality model simulations. Ice-dominant clouds are found to enhance cold-air pool strength compared to liquid-dominant clouds through increased nocturnal cooling and decreased longwave cloud forcing. The presence of snow cover also strengthens cold-air pool structure by lowering near-surface air temperatures and increasing boundary layer stability due to reduced absorbed solar insolation by the highalbedo snow surface. Snow cover also increases ozone levels by enhancing solar radiation available for photochemical reactions. Flow features affecting Uintah Basin cold-air pools that affect pollutant mixing and air quality within the basin are studied, including: penetration of clean air into the basin from across the surrounding mountains, elevated easterlies within the inversion layer, and diurnal upslope and drainage flows

Gravitating Monopole-Antimonopole Systems at Large Scalar Coupling

We discuss static axially symmetric solutions of SU(2) Einstein-Yang-Mills-Higgs theory for large scalar coupling. These regular asymptotically flat solutions represent monopole-antimonopole chain and vortex ring solutions, as well as new configurations, present only for larger values of the scalar coupling. When gravity is coupled to the Yang-Mills-Higgs system, branches of gravitating solutions emerge from the flat-space solutions, and extend up to critical values of the gravitational coupling constant. For small scalar coupling only two branches of gravitating solutions exist, where the second branch connects to a generalized Bartnik-McKinnon solution. For large scalar coupling, however, a plethora of gravitating branches can be present and indicate the emergence of new flat-space branches.Comment: 29 pages, 13 figure

Treatment of Cyanotoxins in Rivers and River Influenced Groundwater under Ambient and Softened pH Conditions

Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are a common cause of dense algal blooms in rivers, lakes, and ponds throughout the world. These algal blooms are a public health concern because many species of cyanobacteria produce potent toxins (cyanotoxins) that have been implicated in the death of wildlife and domestic animals and in cases of human poisoning. In 2011, a reservoir in the Kansas River system experienced an algal event that resulted in the release of high concentrations of taste and odor compounds and cyanotoxins. While concentrations were much less in the reservoir outlet and decreased in the river, several utilities detected microcystin in their source water. The objective of this project was to determine the effectiveness of common drinking water treatment processes in controlling extracellular cyanotoxin levels, especially at the elevated pH values associated with lime softening, which is practiced by several large utilities drawing water from the Kansas River. Other research has focused on the impact of intracellular and extracellular cyanotoxins; however, since the Kansas River system has primarily seen extracellular cyanotoxins based on monitoring studies to date, this work focused on the treatment and removal of extracellular cyanotoxins. General conclusions for the study include that chlorine, ozone, potassium permanganate, and PAC are all viable options for removing dissolved MC-LR from both raw and softened water. Chlorine dioxide is not an effective barrier for MC-LR; however, when combined with chlorine, it can allow chlorine to remove MC-LR while forming lower concentrations of THMs and HAAs. For raw water treatment, ozone and potassium permanganate are viable options. Ozone is very effective and the required dosages are less than those required to remove taste- and odor-causing chemicals to the same extent (percent removal). Potassium permanganate is also very effective, but its dosage must be controlled so as to avoid sending “pink” water into the distribution system. For softened water at higher pH values, chlorine and PAC are viable options for most utilities. Chlorine is less effective at higher pH values, but the dosage needed can still be reasonable, especially since higher CT values are required for disinfection at higher pH values. For PAC, the required dosage does not appear to be adversely impacted by increased pH, and after lime softening there is less dissolved organic carbon (DOC) present to compete with MC-LR for adsorption sites. Various combination of oxidants were very effective at removing MC-LR from raw water under the conditions tested, but only the combination of ozone and chlorine (added sequentially) provided a high level of MC-LR removal while also reducing formation of both THMs and HAAs. When comparing the effectiveness of ozone and PAC to remove MC-LR and taste and odor compounds, the results showed that MC-LR was removed much more easily with ozone and about the same with PAC. While most of the testing in this project focused on removal of MC-LR, tests were also performed under selected conditions to compare removal of MC-LR with that of MC-RR, anatoxin-a, and cylindrospermopsin. Ozone was tested on raw water spiked with all four of the cyanotoxins, and the results show it was effective for all four. The results of potassium permanganate tests on raw water were inconsistent, but it has been reported to be effective for removal of anatoxin-a, and not for cylindrospermopsin removal. Chlorine did not remove anatoxin-a, but was effective for MC-LR, MC-RR and especially cylindrospermopsin. The results for PAC adsorption for softened water showed it was effective for all four cyanotoxins

Bestimmung der spezifischen Wärme unter hohem Druck und Messungen am Materialsystem CePd2(Al,Ga)3

Ziel dieser Arbeit war die Untersuchung von ferromagnetischen Ordnungsübergängen in Schwere Fermionen Systemen unter hohem Druck. Dies ist von besonderem Interesse, da mit steigendem Druck die magnetische Ordnungstemperatur einiger Systeme so weit verkleinert werden kann, dass bei einem kritischen Druck der Ordnungsübergang schließlich bei T=0 stattfindet. Dieser Phasenübergang bei T=0, auch Quantenkritischer Punkt genannt, kann die Systemeigenschaften auch bei höheren Temperaturen dramatisch beeinflussen und zu ungewöhnlichen Temperaturabhängigkeiten der spezifischen Wärme, des elektrischen Widerstandes und der magnetischen Suszeptibilität führen. Ein solcher Quantenkritischer Punkt ist bereits in verschiedenen antiferromagnetischen Legierungen beobachtet worden, jedoch sind ferromagnetische Systeme, die ein solches Verhalten zeigen, selten und bisher wenig untersucht. Die intermetallische Verbindung CePd2Al2Ga ist eines der wenigen ferromagnetischen Schwere Fermionen Systeme, bei denen das Auftreten eines Quantenkritischen Punktes vermutet wurde. In dieser Arbeit werden Messungen der spezifischen Wärme an CePd2Al2Ga bei Drücken bis 2.9 GPa gezeigt. Dabei konnten bei einem kritischen Druck von 2.7 GPa Temperaturabhängigkeiten nachgewiesen werden, wie sie für Systeme nahe am Quantenkritischen Punkt vorhergesagt werden. Zudem wird in dieser Arbeit ein für kalorische Messungen geeigneter 3He-Kryostateneinsatz, eine geeignete Druckzelle und eine speziell für hohe Drücke geeignete Messmethode für die spezifische Wärme vorgestellt.The scope of this work was the investigation of the ferromagnetic phase transition in heavy fermion systems under high pressure. This is of special interest because in some systems increasing pressure decreases the magnetic ordering temperature to a point, where at a critical pressure the phase transition takes place at zero temperature. This zero temperature transition, the so-called quantum critical point, also dramatically affects the system properties at higher temperatures and leads to unusual temperature dependences of the specific heat, the electric resistivity and the magnetic susceptibility. Such a quantum critical point has already been observed in some antiferromagnetic alloys, but ferromagnetic systems showing such behaviour have only rarely been investigated. The intermetallic alloy CePd2Al2Ga is one of the few ferromagnetic systems suspected to have a quantum critical point. In this work specific heat measurements are shown up to a pressure of 2.9GPa. The temperature dependence, found at a critical pressure of 2.7GPa, is as predicted for a system close to a quantum critical point. In addition, a 3He-cryostat suitable for caloric measurements, a suitable pressure cell, and a special specific heat measurement technique suitable for high pressures are shown

Case Report of Rare Mycobacterium Isolated from Mediastinal Abscess

Introduction Mycobacterium arupense, a member of the Mycobacterium terrae complex identified in 2016, rarely causes infections despite isolation from multiple environmental sources, including water, soil and fish tanks.1 Case reports have described tenosynovitis, osteomyelitis and disseminated infection in an immunocompromised host.1-3 Here we describe a case of M. arupense identified in a polymicrobial mediastinal abscess in a pediatric patient subsequently diagnosed with autosomal dominant hyper-IgE syndrome (AD-HIES). Case Description A 4-year-old female with a history of pneumonia, herpetic skin infection, orbital cellulitis, and eczema presented in respiratory distress with concern for pneumonia. Imaging revealed a posterior mediastinal abscess which was drained on Day 3. Blood cultures identified Streptococcus anginosus, and the abscess fluid grew Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus mitis/oralis and Candida albicans. An esophagram and esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed an esophageal sinus opening and fistula draining into the mediastinal abscess. After surgical closure, the fistula recurred, and an esophageal wound vacuum assisted closure (VAC) was placed. On Day 25, the initial acid-fast bacillus (AFB) abscess culture became positive, and ethambutol, rifampin, azithromycin and amikacin were started. The AFB was identified as M. arupense, and treatment was modified to clarithromycin, rifabutin, and ethambutol. Her course was complicated by drug-induced neutropenia and transaminitis. She received in total 61 days of antifungal, 58 days of antibacterial, and 40 days of M. arupense coverage. Due to the atypical infection, immune evaluation was performed and demonstrated low Th17 lymphocytes. Genetic testing detected a heterozygous pathogenic missense variant in STAT3 (c.2141C\u3eT) consistent with AD-HIES. Discussion This is the first case report of M. arupense isolated from a mediastinal abscess. Most M. arupense infections are secondary to direct inoculation injuries with resulting tenosynovitis and osteomyelitis.1,3 It is recognized as a possible respiratory tract colonizer, and therefore must meet clinical and microbiological criteria for diagnosis of NTM pulmonary disease.4,5 Limited susceptibility data has shown 97.5-100% of isolates susceptible to clarithromycin, ethambutol, and rifabutin. 3 Empiric therapy with these three drugs is recommended pending susceptibility data. Treatment duration data is limited but adequate source control is needed as shown here. Evaluation of inborn errors of immunity should be considered in atypical and severe infections, which led to the diagnosis of AD-HIES. AD-HIES due to dominant-negative mutations in STAT3 is characterized by elevated IgE, eczema, connective tissue and skeletal abnormalities, vascular malformations, and recurrent skin and pulmonary infections.6,7 Loss of STAT3 activation and Th17 response underlies our subject’s susceptibility to mycobacterial disease.8https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/chri_forum/1058/thumbnail.jp

Membrane Process for Biological Treatment of Contaminated Gas Streams

A Hollow Fiber Membrane Bioreactor Was Investigated for Control of Air Emissions of Biodegradable Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). in the Membrane Bioreactor, Gases Containing VOCs Pass through the Lumen of Microporous Hydrophobic Hollow Fiber Membranes. Soluble Compounds Diffuse through the Membrane Pores and Partition into a VOC Degrading Biofilm. the Hollow Fiber Membranes Serve as a Support for the Microbial Population and Provide a Large Surface Area for VOC and Oxygen Mass Transfer. Experiments Were Performed to Investigate the Effects of Toluene Loading Rate, Gas Residence Time, and Liquid Phase Turbulence on Toluene Removal in a Laboratory-Scale Membrane Bioreactor. Initial Acclimation of the Microbial Culture to Toluene Occurred over a Period of Nine Days, after Which a 70% Removal Efficiency Was Achieved at an Inlet Toluene Concentration of 200 Ppm and a Gas Residence Time of 1.8 S (Elimination Capacity of 20 G M-3 Min-1). at Higher Toluene Loading Rates, a Maximum Elimination Capacity of 42 G M-3 Min-1 Was Observed. in the Absence of a Biofilm (Abiotic Operation), Mass Transfer Rates Were Found to Increase with Increasing Liquid Recirculation Rates. Abiotic Mass Transfer Coefficients Could Be Estimated using a Correlation of Dimensionless Parameters Developed for Heat Transfer. Liquid Phase Recirculation Rate Had No Effect on Toluene Removal When the Biofilm Was Present, However. Three Models of the Reactor Were Created: A Numeric Model, a First-Order Flat Sheet Model, and a Zero-Order Flat Sheet Model. Only the Numeric Model Fit the Data Well, Although Removal Predicted as a Function of Gas Residence Time Disagreed Slightly with that Observed. a Modification in the Model to Account for Membrane Phase Resistance Resulted in an Underprediction of Removal. Sensitivity Analysis of the Numeric Model Indicated that Removal Was a Strong Function of the Liquid Phase Biomass Density and Biofilm Diffusion Coefficient, with Diffusion Rates Below 10-9 M2 S-1 Resulting in Decreased Removal Rates

Gravitating Stationary Dyons and Rotating Vortex Rings

We construct dyons, and electrically charged monopole-antimonopole pairs and vortex rings in Yang-Mills-Higgs theory coupled to Einstein gravity. The solutions are stationary, axially symmetric and asymptotically flat. The dyons with magnetic charge $n\ge 2$ represent non-static solutions with vanishing angular momentum. The electrically charged monopole-antimonopole pairs and vortex rings, in contrast, possess vanishing magnetic charge, but finite angular momentum, equaling $n$ times their electric charge.Comment: 2 references adde

Cyclische Diazastannylene. - XIX : Zur Reaktion eines Bis-(amino)germylens, - stannylens und -plumbylens mit Phosphortrichlorid und 2,3-Dimethyl-1,3- butadien

Das cyclische Bis(amino)germylen 1 reagiert mit PCl3 unter dreifacher Insertion in die P—Cl-Bindungen und Bildung von [Me2Si(NtBu)2Ge(Cl)]3P (4). 4 kristallisiert triklin in der Raumgruppe P1 mit den Gitterkonstanten: a = 1955,2(9), b = 1378,3(6), c = 1074,3(5) pm, alpha = 90,4(1), beta = 121,6(1), gamma = 97,9(1)° und Z = 2. Nach Röntgenstrukturanalyse besitzt 4 nahezu C3h-Symmetrie, wobei alle Germanium-, Chlor-, und Siliciumatome fast exakt in einer Ebene liegen, zu der die GeN2Si-Ringe senkrecht ausgerichtet sind. Von den schwereren Atomen stört lediglich das Phosphoratom durch eine leicht pyramidale Konfiguration (Ge—P—Ge = 115,0(2)°) die Spiegelsymmetrie. Wichtige mittlere Bindungslängen sind: Ge—P = 231,0(4), Ge—N = 182,4(7), Ge—Cl = 217,9(2) und Si—N = 173,6(7) pm. Die ungewöhnliche, nahezu trigonal planare Koordination des Phosphoratoms in 4 kann mit den besonderen sterischen Gegebenheiten erklärt werden. PCl3 oxidiert das Zinnatom im Bis(amino)stannylen 2 unter Bildung von Me2Si(NtBu)2SnCl2(5); als weiteres Produkt bildet sich ein amorpher Festkörper der analytischen Zusammensetzung (PCl)n. Im Unterschied zu 1 und 2 behält das Bleiatom bei der Umsetzung des Bis(amino)plumbylens 3 mit PCl3 seine Oxydationsstufe bei: in einer Sustitutionsreaktion entstehen Me2Si(NtBu)2PCl (6) und PbCl2. 2, 3-Dimethyl-1, 3-butadien reagiert nur mit dem Germylen 1 zu einem Cycloadditionsprodukt 7 (10%), in dem das Germaniuamtom als Spirozentrum einen SiN2Ge-Vierring mit einem GeC4-Fünfring verknüpft, und zu einem Polymer 8 (90%), dem die gleiche Bruttozusammensetzung zukommt. 2 und 3 dagegen setzen sich mit dem 1, 3-Dien nicht um