Swift X-ray Observations of Classical Novae

The new gamma-ray burst mission Swift has obtained pointed observations of several classical novae in outburst. We analyzed all the observations of classical novae from the Swift archive up to 30 June, 2006. We analyzed usable observations of 12 classical novae and found 4 non-detections, 3 weak sources and 5 strong sources. This includes detections of 2 novae exhibiting spectra resembling those of Super Soft X-ray binary Source spectra (SSS) implying ongoing nuclear burning on the white dwarf surface. With these new Swift data, we add to the growing statistics of the X-ray duration and characteristics of classical novae.Comment: Accepted for ApJ; this version contains additional material: 18 pages, 16 figure

Sinking properties of some phytoplankton shapes and the relation of form resistance to morphological diversity of plankton – an experimental study

Form resistance (Phi) is a dimensionless number expressing how much slower or faster a particle of any form sinks in a fluid medium than the sphere of equivalent volume. Form resistance factors of PVC models of phytoplankton sinking in glycerin were measured in a large aquarium (0.6 x 0.6 x 0.95 m). For cylindrical forms, a positive relationship was found between Phi and length/ width ratio. Coiling decreased Phi in filamentous forms. Form resistance of Asterionella colonies increased from single cells up to 6-celled colonies than remained nearly constant. For Fragilaria crotonensis chains, no such upper limit to Phi was observed in chains of up to 20 cells ( longer ones were not measured). The effect of symmetry on Phi was tested in 1 - 6-celled Asterionella colonies, having variable angles between the cells, and in Tetrastrum staurogeniaeforme coenobia, having different spine arrangements. In all cases, symmetric forms had considerably higher form resistance than asymmetric ones. However, for Pediastrum coenobia with symmetric/asymmetric fenestration, no difference was observed with respect to symmetry. Increasing number and length of spines on Tetrastrum coenobia substantially increased Phi. For a series of Staurastrum forms, a significant positive correlation was found between arm-length/cell-width ratio and Phi: protuberances increased form resistance. Flagellates (Rhodomonas, Gymnodinium) had a Phi 1. The highest value ( Phi = 8.1) was established for a 20-celled Fragilaria crotonensis chain. Possible origin of the so-called 'vital component' ( a factor that shows how much slower viable populations sink than morphologically similar senescent or dead ones) is discussed, as is the role of form resistance in evolution of high diversity of plankton morphologies

Lunar elemental composition and ivestigations with D-CIXS x-ray mapping spectrometer on SMART-1

The D-CIXS Compact X-ray Spectrometer on ESA SMART-1 successfully launched in Sept 2003 can derive 45 km resolution images of the Moon with a spectral resolution of 185 eV, providing the first high-resolution global map of rock forming element abundances

Observations of Past Lunar Landing Sites by the D-CIXS X-Ray Spectrometer on SMART-1

D-CIXS initial observations show a first unambiguous remote sensing of calcium in the lunar regolith. Data obtained are broadly consistent with current understanding of mare and highland composition. Ground truth is provided by the returned Apollo and Luna sample sets

Optical creation of vibrational intrinsic localized modes in anharmonic lattices with realistic interatomic potentials

Using an efficient optimal control scheme to determine the exciting fields, we theoretically demonstrate the optical creation of vibrational intrinsic localized modes (ILMs) in anharmonic perfect lattices with realistic interatomic potentials. For systems with finite size, we show that ILMs can be excited directly by applying a sequence of femtosecond visible laser pulses at THz repetition rates. For periodic lattices, ILMs can be created indirectly via decay of an unstable extended lattice mode which is excited optically either by a sequence of pulses as described above or by a single picosecond far-infrared laser pulse with linearly chirped frequency. In light of recent advances in experimental laser pulse shaping capabilities, the approach is experimentally promising.Comment: 20 pages, 7 eps figures. Accepted, Phys. Rev.

Light-Front Bethe-Salpeter Equation

A three-dimensional reduction of the two-particle Bethe-Salpeter equation is proposed. The proposed reduction is in the framework of light-front dynamics. It yields auxiliary quantities for the transition matrix and the bound state. The arising effective interaction can be perturbatively expanded according to the number of particles exchanged at a given light-front time. An example suggests that the convergence of the expansion is rapid. This result is particular for light-front dynamics. The covariant results of the Bethe-Salpeter equation can be recovered from the corresponding auxiliary three-dimensional ones. The technical procedure is developed for a two-boson case; the idea for an extension to fermions is given. The technical procedure appears quite practicable, possibly allowing one to go beyond the ladder approximation for the solution of the Bethe-Salpeter equation. The relation between the three-dimensional light-front reduction of the field-theoretic Bethe-Salpeter equation and a corresponding quantum-mechanical description is discussed.Comment: 42 pages, 5 figure

Studies on metal-organic frameworks of Cu(II) with isophthalate linkers for hydrogen storage

Hydrogen (H2) is a promising alternative energy carrier due to its environmental benefits, high energy density and its abundance. However, development of a practical storage system to enable the “Hydrogen Economy” remains a huge challenge. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are an important class of crystalline coordination polymers constructed by bridging metal centers with organic linkers, and show promise for H2 storage due to their high surface area and tuneable properties. We summarize our research on novel porous materials with enhanced H2 storage properties, and describe frameworks derived from 3,5-substituted dicarboxylates (isophthalates) that serve as versatile molecular building blocks for the construction of a range of interesting coordination polymers with Cu(II) ions. A series of materials has been synthesised by connecting linear tetracarboxylate linkers to {Cu(II)2} paddlewheel moieties. These (4,4)-connected frameworks adopt the fof-topology in which the Kagomé lattice layers formed by {Cu(II)2} paddlewheels and isophthalates are pillared by the bridging ligands. These materials exhibit high structural stability and permanent porosity, and the pore size, geometry and functionality can be modulated by variation of the organic linker to control the overall H2 adsorption properties. NOTT-103 shows the highest H2 storage capacity of 77.8 mg g−1 at 77 K, 60 bar among the fof-type frameworks. H2 adsorption at low, medium and high pressures correlates with the isosteric heat of adsorption, surface area and pore volume, respectively. Tri-branched C3-symmetric hexacarboxylate ligands with Cu(II) give highly porous (3,24)-connected frameworks incorporating {Cu(II)2} paddlewheels. These ubt-type frameworks comprise three types of polyhedral cage: a cuboctahedron, truncated tetrahedron and a truncated octahedron which are fused in the solid state in the ratio 1:2:1, respectively. Increasing the length of the hexacarboxylate struts directly tunes the porosity of the resultant material from micro- to mesoporosity. These materials show exceptionally high H2 uptakes owing to their high surface area and pore volume. NOTT-112, the first reported member of this family reported, adsorbs 111 mg g−1 of H2 at 77 K , 77 bar. More recently, enhanced H2 adsorption in these ubt-type frameworks has been achieved using combinations of polyphenyl groups linked by alkynes to give an overall gravimetric gas capacity for NU-100 of 164 mg g−1 at 77 K, 70 bar. However, due to its very low density NU-100 shows a lower volumetric capacity of 45.7 g L-1 compared with 55.9 g L-1 for NOTT-112, which adsorbs 2.3 wt% H2 at 1 bar, 77K. This significant adsorption of H2 at low pressures is attributed to the arrangement of the {Cu24(isophthalate)24} cuboctahedral cages within the polyhedral structure. Free metal coordination positions are the first binding sites for D2, and in these ubt-type frameworks there are two types of Cu(II) centres, one with its vacant site pointing into the cuboctahedral cage and another pointing externally. D2 molecules bind first at the former position, and then at the external open metal sites. However, other adsorption sites between the cusp of three phenyl groups and a Type I pore window in the framework are also occupied. Ligand and complex design feature strongly in enhancing and maximising H2 storage, and, although current materials operate at 77 K, research continues to explore routes to high capacity H2 storage materials that can function at higher temperatures

Light-Front Quantisation as an Initial-Boundary Value Problem

In the light front quantisation scheme initial conditions are usually provided on a single lightlike hyperplane. This, however, is insufficient to yield a unique solution of the field equations. We investigate under which additional conditions the problem of solving the field equations becomes well posed. The consequences for quantisation are studied within a Hamiltonian formulation by using the method of Faddeev and Jackiw for dealing with first-order Lagrangians. For the prototype field theory of massive scalar fields in 1+1 dimensions, we find that initial conditions for fixed light cone time {\sl and} boundary conditions in the spatial variable are sufficient to yield a consistent commutator algebra. Data on a second lightlike hyperplane are not necessary. Hamiltonian and Euler-Lagrange equations of motion become equivalent; the description of the dynamics remains canonical and simple. In this way we justify the approach of discretised light cone quantisation.Comment: 26 pages (including figure), tex, figure in latex, TPR 93-

Has education lost sight of children?

The reflections presented in this chapter are informed by clinical and personal experiences of school education in the UK. There are many challenges for children and young people in the modern education system and for the professionals who support them. In the UK, there are significant gaps between the highly selective education provided to those who pay privately for it and to the majority of those educated in the state-funded system. Though literacy rates have improved around the world, many children, particularly boys, do not finish their education for reasons such as boredom, behavioural difficulties or because education does not ‘pay’. Violence, bullying, and sexual harassment are issues faced by many children in schools and there are disturbing trends of excluding children who present with behavioural problems at school whose origins are not explored. Excluded children are then educated with other children who may also have multiple problems which often just make the situation worse. The experience of clinicians suggests that school-related mental health problems are increasing in severity. Are mental health services dealing with the consequences of an education system that is not meeting children’s needs? An education system that is testing- and performance-based may not be serving many children well if it is driving important decisions about them at increasingly younger ages. Labelling of children and setting them on educational career paths can occur well before they reach secondary schools, limiting potential very early on in their developmental trajectory. Furthermore, the emphasis at school on testing may come at the expense of creativity and other forms of intelligence, which are also valuable and important. Meanwhile the employment marketplace requires people with widely different skills, with an emphasis on innovation, creativity, and problem solving. Is education losing sight of the children it is educating