347 research outputs found
Neutral perfect fluids of Majumdar-type in general relativity
We consider the extension of the Majumdar-type class of static solutions for
the Einstein-Maxwell equations, proposed by Ida to include charged perfect
fluid sources. We impose the equation of state and discuss
spherically symmetric solutions for the linear potential equation satisfied by
the metric. In this particular case the fluid charge density vanishes and we
locate the arising neutral perfect fluid in the intermediate region defined by
two thin shells with respective charges and . With its innermost flat
and external (Schwarzschild) asymptotically flat spacetime regions, the
resultant condenser-like geometries resemble solutions discussed by Cohen and
Cohen in a different context. We explore this relationship and point out an
exotic gravitational property of our neutral perfect fluid. We mention possible
continuations of this study to embrace non-spherically symmetric situations and
higher dimensional spacetimes.Comment: 9 page
Tinea nigra by Hortaea werneckii, a report of 22 cases from Mexico
Tinea nigra is a superficial mycosis caused by Hortaea werneckii.
It is an infrequent asymptomatic infection that affects human palms and soles,
and is mostly observed in tropical countries. We evaluate retrospectively
twenty-two confirmed cases of tinea nigra from a total of eleven yr
(1997–2007) and discuss the epidemiology, clinical features and
treatment of this disease. In twelve cases, adults were involved, in 10,
children. In nineteen cases the disorder was located on palms of hands and in
three on soles of feet. In all cases, the obtained isolates were
morphologically identified as Hortaea werneckii and the
identification of ten isolates was retrospectively confirmed with the help of
sequences of the internal transcribed spacer regions of the ribosomal DNA. The
patients received topical treatment with Whitfield ointment, ketoconazole,
bifonazole, or terbinafine. Treatment with keratolytic agents and topical
antifungals was effective
Experimental Tests of Factorization in Charmless Non-Leptonic Two-Body B Decays
Using a theoretical framework based on the next-to-leading order QCD-improved
effective Hamiltonian and a factorization Ansatz for the hadronic matrix
elements of the four-quark operators, we reassess branching fractions in
two-body non-leptonic decays , involving the lowest lying
light pseudoscalar and vector mesons in the standard model. Using
the sensitivity of the decay rates on the effective number of colors, , as
a criterion of theoretical predictivity, we classify all the current-current
(tree) and penguin transitions in five different classes. The recently measured
charmless two-body decays and charge conjugates) are
dominated by the -stable QCD penguins (class-IV transitions) and their
estimates are consistent with data. The measured charmless and transition ,
on the other hand, belong to the penguin (class-V) and tree (class-III)
transitions. The class-V penguin transitions are in general more difficult to
predict. We propose a number of tests of the factorization framework in terms
of the ratios of branching ratios for some selected decays
involving light hadrons and , which depend only moderately on the
form factors. We also propose a set of measurements to determine the effective
coefficients of the current-current and QCD penguin operators. The potential
impact of decays on the CKM phenomenology is emphasized by
analyzing a number of decay rates in the factorization framework.Comment: 64 pages (LaTex) including 13 figures, requires epsfig.sty; submitted
to Phys. Rev.
The Similarity Hypothesis in General Relativity
Self-similar models are important in general relativity and other fundamental
theories. In this paper we shall discuss the ``similarity hypothesis'', which
asserts that under a variety of physical circumstances solutions of these
theories will naturally evolve to a self-similar form. We will find there is
good evidence for this in the context of both spatially homogenous and
inhomogeneous cosmological models, although in some cases the self-similar
model is only an intermediate attractor. There are also a wide variety of
situations, including critical pheneomena, in which spherically symmetric
models tend towards self-similarity. However, this does not happen in all cases
and it is it is important to understand the prerequisites for the conjecture.Comment: to be submitted to Gen. Rel. Gra
Supermassive Black Hole Binaries: The Search Continues
Gravitationally bound supermassive black hole binaries (SBHBs) are thought to
be a natural product of galactic mergers and growth of the large scale
structure in the universe. They however remain observationally elusive, thus
raising a question about characteristic observational signatures associated
with these systems. In this conference proceeding I discuss current theoretical
understanding and latest advances and prospects in observational searches for
SBHBs.Comment: 17 pages, 4 figures. To appear in the Proceedings of 2014 Sant Cugat
Forum on Astrophysics. Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings, ed.
C.Sopuerta (Berlin: Springer-Verlag
Atmospheric effects on extensive air showers observed with the Surface Detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory
Atmospheric parameters, such as pressure (P), temperature (T) and density,
affect the development of extensive air showers initiated by energetic cosmic
rays. We have studied the impact of atmospheric variations on extensive air
showers by means of the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory. The
rate of events shows a ~10% seasonal modulation and ~2% diurnal one. We find
that the observed behaviour is explained by a model including the effects
associated with the variations of pressure and density. The former affects the
longitudinal development of air showers while the latter influences the Moliere
radius and hence the lateral distribution of the shower particles. The model is
validated with full simulations of extensive air showers using atmospheric
profiles measured at the site of the Pierre Auger Observatory.Comment: 24 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Astroparticle
Physic
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