153 research outputs found
The United States supreme court and vouchers: equal educational opportunity for students and elementary and secondary schools?
Complex shock structure in the western hot-spot of Pictor A
We have carried out simulations of supersonic light jets in order to model the features observed in optical and radio images of the western hot-spot in the radio galaxy Pictor A. We have considered jets with density ratios η =10[superscript â2] â 10[superscript â4], and Mach numbers ranging between 5 and 50. From each simulation, we have generated raytraced maps of radio surface brightness at a variety of jet inclinations, in order to study the appearance of time-dependent luminous structures in the vicinity of the western hotspot. We compare these rendered images with observed features of Pictor A. A remarkable feature of Pictor A observations is a bar-shaped âïŹlamentâ inclined almost at right angles to the inferred jet direction and extending 24" (10.8h[superscript â1] kpc) along its longest axis. The constraints of reproducing the appearance of this structure in simulations indicate that the jet of Pictor A lies nearly in the plane of the sky. The results of the simulation are also consistent with other features found in the radio image of Pictor A. This ïŹlament arises from the surging behaviour of the jet near the hot-spot; the surging is provoked by alternate compression and decompression of the jet by the turbulent backïŹow in the cocoon. We also examine the arguments for the jet in Pictor A being at a more acute angle to the line of sight and ïŹnd that our preferred orientation is just consistent with the limits on the brightness ratio of the X-ray jet and counter-jet. We determine from our simulations, the structure function of hot-spot brightness and also the cumulative distribution of the ratio of intrinsic hot-spot brightnesses. The latter may be used to quantify the use of hot-spot ratios for the estimation of relativistic effects
Global Extinction Risk for Seahorses, Pipefishes and Their Near Relatives (Syngnathiformes)
Few marine taxa have been comprehensively assessed for their conservation status, despite heavy pressures from fishing, habitat degradation and climate change. Here we report on the first global assessment of extinction risk for 300 species of syngnathiform fishes known as of 2017, using the IUCN Red List criteria. This order of bony teleosts is dominated by seahorses, pipefishes and seadragons (family Syngnathidae). It also includes trumpetfishes (Aulostomidae), shrimpfishes (Centriscidae), cornetfishes (Fistulariidae) and ghost pipefishes (Solenostomidae). At least 6% are threatened, but data suggest a mid-point estimate of 7.9% and an upper bound of 38%. Most of the threatened species are seahorses (Hippocampus spp.: 14/42 species, with an additional 17 that are Data Deficient) or freshwater pipefishes of the genus Microphis (2/18 species, with seven additional that are Data Deficient). Two species are Near Threatened. Nearly one-third of syngnathiformes (97 species) are Data Deficient and could potentially be threatened, requiring further field research and evaluation. Most species (61%) were, however, evaluated as Least Concern. Primary threats to syngnathids are (1) overexploitation, primarily by non-selective fisheries, for which most assessments were determined by criterion A (Hippocampus) and/or (2) habitat loss and degradation, for which assessments were determined by criterion B (Microphis and some Hippocampus). Threatened species occurred in most regions but more are found in East and South-east Asia and in South African estuaries. Vital conservation action for syngnathids, including constraining fisheries, particularly non-selective extraction, and habitat protection and rehabilitation, will benefit many other aquatic species
Energy downconversion between classical electromagnetic fields via a quantum mechanical SQUID ring
We consider the interaction of a quantum mechanical SQUID ring with a classical resonator (a parallel LC tank circuit). In our model we assume that the evolution of the ring maintains its quantum mechanical nature, even though the circuit to which it is coupled is treated classically. We show that when the SQUID ring is driven by a classical monochromatic microwave source, energy can be transferred between this input and the tank circuit, even when the frequency ratio between them is very large. Essentially, these calculations deal with the coupling between a single macroscopic quantum object (the SQUID ring) and a classical circuit measurement device where due account is taken of the nonperturbative behavior of the ring and the concomitant nonlinear interaction of the ring with this device
Persistent entanglement in the classical limit
The apparent difficulty in recovering classical nonlinear dynamics and chaos from standard quantum mechanics has been the subject of a great deal of interest over the last 20 years. For open quantum systemsâthose coupled to a dissipative environment and/or a measurement deviceâit has been demonstrated that chaotic-like behaviour can be recovered in the appropriate classical limit. In this paper, we investigate the entanglement generated between two nonlinear oscillators, coupled to each other and to their environment. Entanglementâthe inability to factorize coupled quantum systems into their constituent partsâis one of the defining features of quantum mechanics. Indeed, it underpins many of the recent developments in quantum technologies. Here, we show that the entanglement characteristics of two 'classical' states (chaotic and periodic solutions) differ significantly in the classical limit. In particular, we show that significant levels of entanglement are preserved only in the chaotic-like solutions
A chromosomally integrated bacteriophage in invasive meningococci
Cerebrospinal meningitis is a feared disease that can cause the death of a previously healthy individual within hours. Paradoxically, the causative agent, Neisseria meningitidis, is a common inhabitant of the human nasopharynx, and as such, may be considered a normal, commensal organism. Only in a small proportion of colonized people do the bacteria invade the bloodstream, from where they can cross the bloodâbrain barrier to cause meningitis. Furthermore, most meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria belonging to only a few of the phylogenetic groups among the large number that constitute the population structure of this genetically variable organism. However, the genetic basis for the differences in pathogenic potential remains elusive. By performing whole genome comparisons of a large collection of meningococcal isolates of defined pathogenic potential we brought to light a meningococcal prophage present in disease-causing bacteria. The phage, of the filamentous family, excises from the chromosome and is secreted from the bacteria via the type IV pilin secretin. Therefore, this element, by spreading among the population, may promote the development of new epidemic clones of N. meningitidis that are capable of breaking the normal commensal relationship with humans and causing invasive disease
ac Josephson effect in the resonant tunneling through mesoscopic superconducting junctions
We investigate ac Josephson effect in the resonant tunneling through
mesoscopic superconducting junctions. In the presence of microwave irradiation,
we show that the trajectory of multiple Andreev reflections can be closed by
emitting or absorbing photons. Consequently, photon-assisted Andreev states are
formed and play the role of carrying supercurrent. On the Shapiro steps, dc
component appears when the resonant level is near a series of positions with
spacing of half of the microwave frequency. Analytical result is derived in the
limit of infinite superconducting gap, based on which new features of ac
Josephson effect are revealed.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure
Quantum teleportation of entangled coherent states
We propose a simple scheme for the quantum teleportation of both bipartite
and multipartite entangled coherent states with the successful probability 1/2.
The scheme is based on only linear optical devices such as beam splitters and
phase shifters, and two-mode photon number measurements. The quantum channels
described by multipartite maximally entangled coherent states are readily made
by the beam splitters and phase shifters.Comment: 4 pages, no figure
An automated archival VLA transients survey
In this paper we present the results of a survey for radio transients using data obtained from the Very Large Array archive. We have reduced, using a pipeline procedure, 5037 observations of the most common pointings - i.e. the calibrator fields. These fields typically contain a relatively bright point source and are used to calibrate 'target' observations: they are therefore rarely imaged themselves. The observations used span a time range Ë1984-2008 and consist of eight different pointings, three different frequencies (8.4, 4.8 and 1.4 GHz) and have a total observing time of 435 h. We have searched for transient and variable radio sources within these observations using components from the prototype LOFAR transient detection system. In this paper we present the methodology for reducing large volumes of Very Large Array data; and we also present a brief overview of the prototype LOFAR transient detection algorithms. No radio transients were detected in this survey, therefore we place an upper limit on the snapshot rate of GHz frequency transients >8.0 mJy to φ0.032 deg-2 that have typical time-scales 4.3 to 45.3 d. We compare and contrast our upper limit with the snapshot rates - derived from either detections or non-detections of transient and variable radio sources - reported in the literature. When compared with the current Log N-Log S distribution formed from previous surveys, we show that our upper limit is consistent with the observed population. Current and future radio transient surveys will hopefully further constrain these statistics, and potentially discover dominant transient source populations. In this paper we also briefly explore the current transient commissioning observations with LOFAR, and the impact they will make on the field
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