2,177 research outputs found
Quantum Brayton cycle with coupled systems as working substance
We explore the quantum version of Brayton cycle with a composite system as
the working substance. The actual Brayton cycle consists of two adiabatic and
two isobaric processes. Two pressures can be defined in our isobaric process,
one corresponds to the external magnetic field (characterized by ) exerted
on the system, while the other corresponds to the coupling constant between the
subsystems (characterized by ). As a consequence, we can define two types
of quantum Brayton cycle for the composite system. We find that the subsystem
experiences a quantum Brayton cycle in one quantum Brayton cycle (characterized
by ), whereas the subsystem's cycle is of quantum Otto in another Brayton
cycle (characterized by ). The efficiency for the composite system equals
to that for the subsystem in both cases, but the work done by the total system
are usually larger than the sum of work done by the two subsystems. The other
interesting finding is that for the cycle characterized by , the subsystem
can be a refrigerator while the total system is a heat engine. The result in
the paper can be generalized to a quantum Brayton cycle with a general coupled
system as the working substance.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, accepted by Phys. Rev.
Integration of the Forward Detectors inside the LHC Machine
Several forward detectors have been installed in the LHC long straight sections located on each side of the experimental caverns. Most of these detectors have been designed by the LHC experiments to study the forward physics while some of them are dedicated to the measurement of the LHC luminosity. The integration and the installation of the forward detectors have required an excellent coordination between the experiments and the different CERN groups involved into the design and the installation of the LHC accelerator. In some cases the integration of these detectors has required a modification of the standard beam lines in order to maximise their physics potential. Finally, additional systems have been installed in the LHC tunnel to ensure the operation of the forward detectors in a high radiation environment
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Dielectric spectroscopy study of thermally-aged extruded model power cables
âModelâ extruded power cables, having a much reduced geometry but using the same extrusion techniques and materials as full-sized cables, have been examined using dielectric spectroscopy techniques to study their thermal ageing effects. Cables insulated with homo-polymer XLPE and co-polymer of XLPE with micron-sized ethylene-butyl-acrylate (EBA) islands were studied by both frequency-domain and time-domain dielectric spectroscopy techniques after accelerated thermal ageing under 135°C for 60 days. In the frequency domain, a frequency response analyzer (FRA) was used to measure the frequency range from 10-4Hz to 1Hz at temperatures from 20°C to 80°C. In the time domain, a special charging/discharging current measurement system was developed to measure the frequencies from 10-1Hz to 102Hz. These techniques were chosen to cope with the extremely low dielectric losses of the model cables. The results are compared with those from new model power cables that were degassed at 80°C for 5 days. Thermal ageing was found to increase the low-frequency conductivity, permittivity and the discharging current. Both homo- and co-polymer cables have substantial increase of dielectric loss after ageing
The Equation of State and the Hugoniot of Laser Shock-Compressed Deuterium
The equation of state and the shock Hugoniot of deuterium are calculated
using a first-principles approach, for the conditions of the recent shock
experiments. We use density functional theory within a classical mapping of the
quantum fluids [ Phys. Rev. Letters, {\bf 84}, 959 (2000) ]. The calculated
Hugoniot is close to the Path-Integral Monte Carlo (PIMC) result. We also
consider the {\it quasi-equilibrium} two-temperature case where the Deuterons
are hotter than the electrons; the resulting quasi-equilibrium Hugoniot mimics
the laser-shock data. The increased compressibility arises from hot
pairs occuring close to the zero of the electron chemical potential.Comment: Four pages; One Revtex manuscript, two postscipt figures; submitted
to PR
Minimal work principle: proof and counterexamples
The minimal work principle states that work done on a thermally isolated
equilibrium system is minimal for adiabatically slow (reversible) realization
of a given process. This principle, one of the formulations of the second law,
is studied here for finite (possibly large) quantum systems interacting with
macroscopic sources of work. It is shown to be valid as long as the adiabatic
energy levels do not cross. If level crossing does occur, counter examples are
discussed, showing that the minimal work principle can be violated and that
optimal processes are neither adiabatically slow nor reversible. The results
are corroborated by an exactly solvable model.Comment: 13 pages, revtex, 2 eps figure
UVA-1 phototherapy as adjuvant treatment for eosinophilic fasciitis: in vitro and in vivo functional characterization
Introduction: Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is a rare autoimmune disease causing progressive induration of dermal, hypodermal, and muscularis fascia. The exact pathogenesis is yet to be fully understood, and a validated therapy protocol still lacks. We here aimed to realize a clinicalâfunctional characterization of these patients. Materials and methods: A total of eight patients (five males, 45 years average) were treated with adjuvant high-dose UVA-1 phototherapy (90 J/cm), after having received the standard systemic immunosuppressive protocol (oral methylprednisolone switched to methotrexate). Body lesion mapping, Localized Scleroderma Assessment Tool (LoSCAT), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), High-Resolution Ultrasound (HRUS) (13-17MHz), and ultra HRUS (55â70 MHz) were performed at each examination time taking specific anatomical points. Gene expression analysis at a molecular level and in vitro UVA-1 irradiation was realized on lesional fibroblasts primary cultures. Results: The LoSCAT and the DLQI showed to decrease significantly starting from the last UVA-1 session. A significant reduction in muscularis fascia thickness (â50% on average) was estimated starting from 3 months after the last UVA-1 session and maintained up to 12 months follow-up. Tissues was detected by HRUS. The UVA-1 in vitro irradiation of lesional skin sites cells appeared not to affect their viability. Molecular genes analysis revealed a significant reduction of IL-1Ă and of TGF-Ă genes after phototherapy, while MMPs 1,2,9 gene expression was enhanced. Comment: These preliminary in vivo and in vitro findings suggest that UVA-1 phototherapy is a safe and useful adjuvant therapy able to elicit anti-inflammatory effects and stimulate tissue matrix digestion and remodeling at lesional sites
Perioperative mortality and major cardio-pulmonary complications after lung surgery for non-small cell carcinoma
Objectives: A database of patients operated of lung cancer was analyzed to evaluate the predictive risk factors of operative deaths and life-threatening cardiopulmonary complications. Methods: From 1990 to 1997, data were collected concerning 634 consecutive patients undergoing lung resection for non-small cell carcinoma in an academic medical centre and a regional hospital. Operations were managed by a team of experienced surgeons, anaesthesiologists and chest physicians. Operative mortality was defined as death within 30 days of operation and/or intra-hospital death. Respiratory failure, myocardial infarct, heart failure, pulmonary embolism and stroke were considered as major non-fatal complications. Preoperative risk factors, extent of surgery, pTNM staging, perioperative mortality and major cardiopulmonary complications were recorded and evaluated using chi-square statistics and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Complete data were obtained in 621 cases. The overall operative mortality was 3.2% (n=19). Cardiovascular complications (n=10), haemorrhage (n=4) and sepsis or acute lung injury (n=5) were incriminated as the main causative factors. In addition, there were 13 life-threatening complications (2.1%) consisting in strokes (n=4), myocardial infarcts (n=5), pulmonary embolisms (n=1), acute lung injury (n=1) and respiratory failure (n=2). Four independent predictors of operative death were identified: pneumonectomy, evidence of coronary artery disease (CAD), ASA class 3 or 4 and period 1990-93. In addition, the risk of major complications was increased in hypertensive patients and in those belonging to ASA class 3 or 4. A trend towards improved outcome was observed during the second period, from 1994 to 97. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that perioperative mortality is mainly dependent on the extent of surgery, the presence of CAD and provision of adequate medical and nursing care. Preoperative testing and interventions to reduce the cardiovascular risk factors may help to further improve perioperative outcom
The gravitational mass of Proxima Centauri measured with SPHERE from a microlensing event
Proxima Centauri, our closest stellar neighbour, is a low-mass M5 dwarf
orbiting in a triple system. An Earth-mass planet with an 11 day period has
been discovered around this star. The star's mass has been estimated only
indirectly using a mass-luminosity relation, meaning that large uncertainties
affect our knowledge of its properties. To refine the mass estimate, an
independent method has been proposed: gravitational microlensing. By taking
advantage of the close passage of Proxima Cen in front of two background stars,
it is possible to measure the astrometric shift caused by the microlensing
effect due to these close encounters and estimate the gravitational mass of the
lens (Proxima Cen). Microlensing events occurred in 2014 and 2016 with impact
parameters, the closest approach of Proxima Cen to the background star, of
1\farcs6 0\farcs1 and 0\farcs5 0\farcs1, respectively. Accurate
measurements of the positions of the background stars during the last two years
have been obtained with HST/WFC3, and with VLT/SPHERE from the ground. The
SPHERE campaign started on March 2015, and continued for more than two years,
covering 9 epochs. The parameters of Proxima Centauri's motion on the sky,
along with the pixel scale, true North, and centering of the instrument
detector were readjusted for each epoch using the background stars visible in
the IRDIS field of view. The experiment has been successful and the astrometric
shift caused by the microlensing effect has been measured for the second event
in 2016. We used this measurement to derive a mass of
0.150 (an error of 40\%) \MSun for Proxima
Centauri acting as a lens. This is the first and the only currently possible
measurement of the gravitational mass of Proxima Centauri.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, accepted by MNRA
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