11,372 research outputs found
Periodicities In The X-Ray Intensity Variations of TV Columbae: An Intermediate Polar
We present results from a temporal analysis of the longest and the most
sensitive X-ray observations of TV Columbae--an intermediate polar. The
observations were carried out with the RXTE PCA, ROSAT PSPC, and ASCA. Data
were analyzed using a 1-dimensional CLEAN and Bayesian algorithms. The presence
of a nearly sinusoidal modulation due to the spin of the white dwarf is seen
clearly in all the data, confirming the previous reports based on the EXOSAT
data. An improved period of 1909.7+/-2.5s is derived for the spin from the RXTE
data.The binary period of 5.5hr is detected unambiguously in X-rays for the
first time. Several side-bands due to the interaction of these periods are
observed in the power spectra, thereby suggesting contributions from both the
disk-fed and the stream-fed accretion for TV Col. The accretion disk could
perhaps be precessing as side-bands due to the influence of 4 day period on the
orbital period are seen. The presence of a significant power at certain
side-bands of the spin frequency indicates that the emission poles are
asymmetrically located. The strong power at the orbital side-bands seen in both
the RXTE and ROSAT data gives an indication for an absorption site fixed in the
orbital frame. Both the spin and the binary modulation are found to be
energy-dependent. Increased hardness ratio during a broad dip in the intensity
at binary phase of 0.75--1.0 confirms the presence of a strong attenuation due
to additional absorbers probably from an impact site of the accretion stream
with the disk or magnetosphere. Hardness ratio variations and the energy
dependent modulation depth during the spin modulation can be explained by
partially covered absorbers in the path of X-ray emission region in the
accretion stream.Comment: 34 pages, including 12 figures, Accepted for publication in
Astronomical Journal, scheduled for January 2004 issue (vol. 127
Magnetization Measurements on Single Crystals of Superconducting Ba0.6K0.4BiO3
Extensive measurements of the magnetization of superconducting single crystal
samples of Ba0.6K0.4BiO3} have been made using SQUID and cantilever force
magnetometry at temperatures ranging between 1.3 and 350 K and in magnetic
fields from near zero to 27 T. Hysteresis curves of magnetization versus field
allow a determination of the thermodynamic critical field, the reversibility
field, and the upper critical field as a function of temperature. The lower
critical field is measured seperately and the Ginzburg-Landau parameter is
found to be temperature dependent. All critical fields have higher T = 0 limits
than have been previously noted and none of the temperature dependence of the
critical fields follow the expected power laws leading to possible alternate
interpretation of the thermodynamic nature of the superconducting transition.Comment: 33 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in Philosophical
Magazine B on 7 August 1999. This paper supplies the experimental details for
the argument presented in our PRL 82 (1999) p. 4532-4535 (also at
cond-mat/9904288
Centers and Cocenters of -Hecke algebras
In this paper, we give explicit descriptions of the centers and cocenters of
-Hecke algebras associated to finite Coxeter groups.Comment: 13 pages, a mistake in 4.2 is correcte
Short-Distance Structure of Nuclei
One of Jefferson Lab's original missions was to further our understanding of
the short-distance structure of nuclei. In particular, to understand what
happens when two or more nucleons within a nucleus have strongly overlapping
wave-functions; a phenomena commonly referred to as short-range correlations.
Herein, we review the results of the (e,e'), (e,e'p) and (e,e'pN) reactions
that have been used at Jefferson Lab to probe this short-distance structure as
well as provide an outlook for future experiments.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures, for publication in Journal of Physics
Force-detected nuclear magnetic resonance: Recent advances and future challenges
We review recent efforts to detect small numbers of nuclear spins using
magnetic resonance force microscopy. Magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM)
is a scanning probe technique that relies on the mechanical measurement of the
weak magnetic force between a microscopic magnet and the magnetic moments in a
sample. Spurred by the recent progress in fabricating ultrasensitive force
detectors, MRFM has rapidly improved its capability over the last decade. Today
it boasts a spin sensitivity that surpasses conventional, inductive nuclear
magnetic resonance detectors by about eight orders of magnitude. In this review
we touch on the origins of this technique and focus on its recent application
to nanoscale nuclear spin ensembles, in particular on the imaging of nanoscale
objects with a three-dimensional (3D) spatial resolution better than 10 nm. We
consider the experimental advances driving this work and highlight the
underlying physical principles and limitations of the method. Finally, we
discuss the challenges that must be met in order to advance the technique
towards single nuclear spin sensitivity -- and perhaps -- to 3D microscopy of
molecules with atomic resolution.Comment: 15 pages & 11 figure
Self-organized dynamics and the transition to turbulence of confined active nematics
We study how confinement transforms the chaotic dynamics of bulk
microtubule-based active nematics into regular spatiotemporal patterns. For
weak confinements, multiple continuously nucleating and annihilating
topological defects self-organize into persistent circular flows of either
handedness. Increasing confinement strength leads to the emergence of distinct
dynamics, in which the slow periodic nucleation of topological defects at the
boundary is superimposed onto a fast procession of a pair of defects. A defect
pair migrates towards the confinement core over multiple rotation cycles, while
the associated nematic director field evolves from a distinct double spiral
towards a nearly circularly symmetric configuration. The collapse of the defect
orbits is punctuated by another boundary-localized nucleation event, that sets
up long-term doubly-periodic dynamics. Comparing experimental data to a
theoretical model of an active nematic, reveals that theory captures the fast
procession of a pair of defects, but not the slow spiral
transformation nor the periodic nucleation of defect pairs. Theory also fails
to predict the emergence of circular flows in the weak confinement regime. The
developed confinement methods are generalized to more complex geometries,
providing a robust microfluidic platform for rationally engineering
two-dimensional autonomous flows
The Potential for Summer-Dormant Perennial Grasses in Mediterranean and Semi-Arid Pastures
In rain-fed Mediterranean and semi-arid areas, herbage production of perennial grasses depends on their ability to grow efficiently during the rainy seasons and to persist over the dry summer. A key survival strategy in these harsh conditions is summer dormancy (Volaire, 2002). Within the species Dactylis glomerata L., two cultivars (cvs.), contrasting in this trait, were compared in order to analyse their suitability in terms of yield and survival in these environments
An iterative algorithm for parametrization of shortest length shift registers over finite rings
The construction of shortest feedback shift registers for a finite sequence
S_1,...,S_N is considered over the finite ring Z_{p^r}. A novel algorithm is
presented that yields a parametrization of all shortest feedback shift
registers for the sequence of numbers S_1,...,S_N, thus solving an open problem
in the literature. The algorithm iteratively processes each number, starting
with S_1, and constructs at each step a particular type of minimal Gr\"obner
basis. The construction involves a simple update rule at each step which leads
to computational efficiency. It is shown that the algorithm simultaneously
computes a similar parametrization for the reciprocal sequence S_N,...,S_1.Comment: Submitte
Observables, gauge invariance, and the role of the observers in the limit from general relativity to special relativity
Some conceptual issues concerning general invariant theories, with special
emphasis on general relativity, are analyzed. The common assertion that
observables must be required to be gauge invariant is examined in the light of
the role played by a system of observers. Some features of the reduction of the
gauge group are discussed, including the fact that in the process of a partial
gauge fixing the reduction at the level of the gauge group and the reduction at
the level of the variational principle do not commute. Distinctions between the
mathematical and the physical concept of gauge symmetry are discussed and
illustrated with examples. The limit from general relativity to special
relativity is considered as an example of a gauge group reduction that is
allowed in some specific physical circumstances. Whether and when the
Poincar\'e group must be considered as a residual gauge group will come out as
a result of our analysis, that applies, in particular, to asymptotically flat
spaces.Comment: 17 page
Effectiveness of repetitive influenza vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection among a cohort of health care workers in Portugal
Vaccination for influenza has been essential over the years to protect the most vulnerable populations. Moreover, it was recently suggested that influenza vaccination might confer some nonspecific immunity to other viruses and be associated with a lower risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) morbidity and mortality. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effectiveness of repetitive influenza vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cohort of health care workers (HCWs). This study was conducted among HCWs at São João University Hospital Center (CHUSJ), Porto, Portugal, a tertiary reference hospital for diagnosis and therapy, one of the largest hospitals in the country with approximately 6000 HCWs. We analyzed databases for influenza vaccination conducted between 2012 and 2019 and COVID-19 laboratory testing retrieved from the first and last registered positive COVID test date before HCW's COVID-19 vaccination started. The study outcome was the incidence of the first SARS-CoV-2 infection, as determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Age and sex were considered potential confounders. We used multivariable Cox regression to estimate odds ratios. Neither the absolute number nor the proportion of influenza shots influenced the risk of getting infected by SARS-CoV-2 (adjusted odds ratio 1.02, 95% CI: 0.9–1.06 and 1.17 95% CI: 0.86–1.58, respectively). Similar findings were observed in most cases when the analysis was restricted by year. The findings from our retrospective observational analysis of a HCWs cohort failed to support any protective effect between repetitive influenza vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection
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