Phase-dependent X-ray observations of the beta Lyrae system: No eclipse in the soft band

We report on observations of the eclipsing and interacting binary beta Lyrae from the Suzaku X-ray telescope. This system involves an early B star embedded in an optically and geometrically thick disk that is siphoning atmospheric gases from a less massive late B II companion. Motivated by an unpublished X-ray spectrum from the Einstein X-ray telescope suggesting unusually hard emission, we obtained time with Suzaku for pointings at three different phases within a single orbit. From the XIS detectors, the softer X-ray emission appears typical of an early-type star. What is surprising is the remarkably unchanging character of this emission, both in luminosity and in spectral shape, despite the highly asymmetric geometry of the system. We see no eclipse effect below 10 keV. The constancy of the soft emission is plausibly related to the wind of the embedded B star and Thomson scattering of X-rays in the system, although it might be due to extended shock structures arising near the accretion disk as a result of the unusually high mass-transfer rate. There is some evidence from the PIN instrument for hard emission in the 10-60 keV range. Follow-up observations with the RXTE satellite will confirm this preliminary detection.Comment: to appear in A&A Letter

Relativistic N-Boson Systems Bound by Oscillator Pair Potentials

We study the lowest energy E of a relativistic system of N identical bosons bound by harmonic-oscillator pair potentials in three spatial dimensions. In natural units the system has the semirelativistic ``spinless-Salpeter'' Hamiltonian H = \sum_{i=1}^N \sqrt{m^2 + p_i^2} + \sum_{j>i=1}^N gamma |r_i - r_j|^2, gamma > 0. We derive the following energy bounds: E(N) = min_{r>0} [N (m^2 + 2 (N-1) P^2 / (N r^2))^1/2 + N (N-1) gamma r^2 / 2], N \ge 2, where P=1.376 yields a lower bound and P=3/2 yields an upper bound for all N \ge 2. A sharper lower bound is given by the function P = P(mu), where mu = m(N/(gamma(N-1)^2))^(1/3), which makes the formula for E(2) exact: with this choice of P, the bounds coincide for all N \ge 2 in the Schroedinger limit m --> infinity.Comment: v2: A scale analysis of P is now included; this leads to revised energy bounds, which coalesce in the large-m limi

Making color infrared film a more effective high altitude sensor

Infrared color film for remote sensors at high altitude

Mass measuring system Patent

Apparatus for measuring human body mass in zero or reduced gravity environmen

Preparation of ordered poly /arylenesiloxane/ polymers

Preparation of ordered poly/arylenesiloxane/ polymer

Longitudinal Oscillations in Bounded Magnetoplasmas

Fine structure in absorption due to Buchsbaum-Hasegawa modes is observed over a wider range of magnetic fields than previously reported (omegac/omega = 0.5−0.985). The basic theory is satisfactory only near the cyclotron harmonic

Detection and location of metallic objects imbedded in nonmetallic structures

Small battery operated eddy current proximity measuring device detects and locates metal objects the size of a dime at distances up to one foot within nonmetallic structures. This device weighs approximately two pounds, occupies approximately 60 cubic inches, and is battery powered

Miniature sonar fish tag

Self-powered sonar device may be implanted in body of fish. It transmits signal that can be detected with portable tracking gear or by automatic detection-and-tracking system. Operating life of over 4000 hours may be expected. Device itself may be used almost indefinitely

On the rigidity theorems for Lagrangian translating solitons in pseudo-Euclidean space II

Let $u$ be a smooth convex function in $\mathbb{R}^{n}$ and the graph $M_{\nabla u}$ of $\nabla u$ be a space-like translating soliton in pseudo-Euclidean space $\mathbb{R}^{2n}_{n}$ with a translating vector $\frac{1}{n}(a_{1}, a_{2}, \cdots, a_{n}; b_{1}, b_{2}, \cdots, b_{n})$, then the function $u$ satisfies $$\det D^{2}u=\exp \left\{ \sum_{i=1}^n- a_i\frac{\partial u}{\partial x_{i}} +\sum_{i=1}^n b_ix_i+c\right\} \qquad \hbox{on}\qquad\mathbb R^n$$ where $a_i$, $b_i$ and $c$ are constants. The Bernstein type results are obtained in the course of the arguments.Comment: 9 page

Thermodynamics and kinetics of the Mg65Cu25Y10 bulk metallic glass forming liquid

The thermodynamics and kinetics of the bulk metallic glass forming Mg65Cu25Y10 liquid were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and three-point beam bending. The experiments lead to the determination of the thermodynamic functions as well as the viscosity of the supercooled liquid. The viscosity shows a temperature dependence, which is consistent with that of a strong glass similar to Zr–Ti–Cu–Ni–Be bulk metallic glasses or sodium silicate glasses. This contrasts with more fragile conventional metallic glass formers or pure metals. The relatively weak temperature dependence of the thermodynamic functions of the supercooled liquid is related to these sluggish kinetics in the supercooled liquid. Entropy, viscosity, and kinetic glass transition are compared in the frameworks of the fragility concept and the Adam–Gibbs theory. Strong liquid behavior retards the formation of crystals kinetically and thermodynamically