405 research outputs found
Constraints on positron annihilation kinematics in the inner Galaxy
Context. The annihilation of cosmic positrons with electrons in the interstellar medium results in the strongest persistent γ-ray line signal in the sky. For the past 50 yr, this 511 keV emission - predominantly from the galactic bulge region and from a low surface-brightness disk - has puzzled observers and theoreticians. A key issue for understanding positron astrophysics is found in cosmic-ray propagation, especially at low kinetic energies (≲ 10 MeV). Aims. We want to shed light on how positrons propagate and the resulting morphology of the annihilation emission. We approach this "positron puzzle" by inferring kinematic information of the 511 keV line in the inner radian of the Galaxy. This constrains propagation scenarios and positron source populations in the Milky Way. Methods. By dissecting the positron annihilation emission as measured with INTEGRAL/SPI, we derived spectra for individual and independent regions in the sky. The centroid energies of these spectra around the 511 keV line are converted into Doppler shifts, representing the line-of-sight velocity along different galactic longitudes. This results in a longitude-velocity diagram of positron annihilation. From high-resolution spectra, we also determined Doppler-broadening from γ-ray line shape parameters to study annihilation conditions as they vary with galactic longitude. Results. We found line-of-sight velocities in the 511 keV line that are consistent with zero, as well as with galactic rotation from CO measurements (2-3 km s -1 deg -1), and measurements of radioactive 26Al (7.5-9.5 km s -1 deg -1). The velocity gradient in the inner ±30° is determined to be 4 ± 6 km s -1 deg -1. The width of the 511 keV line is constant as a function of longitude at 2.43 ± 0.14 keV, with possibly different values towards the disk. The positronium fraction is found to be 1.0 along the galactic plane. Conclusions. The weak signals in the disk leave the question open of whether positron annihilation is associated with the high velocities seen in 26Al or rather with ordinarily rotating components of the Milky Way's interstellar medium. We confirm previous results that positrons are slowed down to the 10 eV energy scale before annihilation and constrain bulk Doppler-broadening contributions to ≲ 1.25 keV in the inner radian. Consequently, the true annihilation conditions remain unclear.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio
RAMSSES – Realisation and Demonstration of Advanced Material Solutions for Sustainable and Efficient Ships
The RAMSSES project aims to show the benefits of advanced materials in maritime applications by implementing 13 market driven demo cases. The entire process chain and a wide range of applications (structural components, equipment, ship integration, repair) are covered. Installation and assessment of demonstrators on shore or on board will reveal the high technology readiness. The test program, based on risk assessment and supervised by rule making bodies, targets on ensuring relevance for commercial approval beyond the project. While demonstrators will support commercialisation of specific products, RAMSSES is also engaged strategically in enabling more rapid and agile material innovation in the European Maritime industry. The first key element is a knowledge repository for test data and best practice procedures, allowing reuse of such information for similar future cases. Secondly, standardised risk scenarios will help easing approval processes in the future, and finally a new materials innovation platform will enhance continuous technology transfer within the maritime sector and beyond
Modular decomposition of protein-protein interaction networks
We introduce an algorithmic method, termed modular decomposition, that defines the organization of protein-interaction networks as a hierarchy of nested modules. Modular decomposition derives the logical rules of how to combine proteins into the actual functional complexes by identifying groups of proteins acting as a single unit (sub-complexes) and those that can be alternatively exchanged in a set of similar complexes. The method is applied to experimental data on the pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)/NFκB transcription factor pathway
Semileptonic Hyperon Decays
We review the status of hyperon semileptonic decays. The central issue is the
element of the CKM matrix, where we obtain . This
value is of similar precision, but higher, than the one derived from ,
and in better agreement with the unitarity requirement,
. We find that the Cabibbo model gives an
excellent fit of the existing form factor data on baryon beta decays ( for 3 degrees of freedom) with , , and no indication of flavour-SU(3)-breaking effects. We
indicate the need of more experimental and theoretical work, both on hyperon
beta decays and on decays.Comment: 37 pages, 8 figures, 4 tables, Final version of this material is
scheduled to appear in the Annual Review of Nuclear and Particle Science Vol.
5
Recommended from our members
Melt mixed nano composites of PA12 with MWNTs: Influence of MWNT and matrix properties on macrodispersion and electrical properties
Nanocomposites containing four different polyamide 12 (PA12) types and three grades of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared via small-scale melt processing to study the effect of different MWNTs and the influence of polymer properties on the dispersion of the fillers and the electrical properties of the composites. Under the selected mixing conditions the lowest electrical percolation threshold of 0.7. wt.% was found for Nanocyl™ NC7000 in low viscous PA12. Moreover, big influences of the end group functionality (acid or amine excess) and the melt viscosity of the matrix were found. Composites of PA12 with acid excess showed lower percolation thresholds than those based on amine terminated materials. At constant end group ratio low viscous matrices resulted in lower percolation thresholds than high viscous materials. The best MWNT dispersion was obtained in both high viscous PA12 composites. In these systems the mixing speed was varied indicating an optimum concerning electrical conductivity at 150 rpm as compared to 50 and 250 rpm. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd
Semileptonic Hyperon Decays and CKM Unitarity
Using a technique that is not subject to first-order SU(3) symmetry breaking
effects, we determine the element of the CKM matrix from data on
semileptonic hyperon decays. We obtain =0.2250(27). This value is of
similar precision to the one derived from , but higher and in better
agreement with the unitarity requirement, .Comment: 3 pages, 1 tabl
Armut in der Bundesrepublik mehrheitlich kurzfristiger Natur: Längsschnittergebnisse des Sozio-ökonomischen Panels 1984 bis 1989
Auf der empirischen Grundlage des sozio-ökonomischen Panels von 1984 bis 1989 werden Aussagen zur Armut in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland getroffen. Dabei wird ein relatives Armutskonzept verwendet, das Armut im Vergleich zum Bevölkerungsdurchschnitt erfaßt. Nach den Ergebnissen erscheint die Bundesrepublik als eine '75-15-10-Gesellschaft': -75 Prozent aller Personen waren während des Untersuchungszeitraums von sechs Jahren niemals arm; -15 Prozent waren kurzfristig arm, bei insgesamt noch akzeptablem Einkommen; -10 Prozent waren in dem genannten Zeitraum häufig oder dauerhaft arm, bei insgesamt geringem Einkommen. Ein enger Zusammenhang zwischen Arbeitslosigkeit und Armut wird nur teilweise bestätigt. Dies wird u.a. darauf zurückgeführt, daß Armut auch durch Lebensereignisse wie Krankheit und Scheidung verursacht wird, die unabhängig von der Dynamik des Arbeitsmarktes sind. (IAB2
Towards a Dynamical Collision Model of Highly Porous Dust Aggregates
In the recent years we have performed various experiments on the collision
dynamics of highly porous dust aggregates and although we now have a
comprehensive picture of the micromechanics of those aggregates, the
macroscopic understanding is still lacking. We are therefore developing a
mechanical model to describe dust aggregate collisions with macroscopic
parameters like tensile strength, compressive strength and shear strength. For
one well defined dust sample material, the tensile and compressive strength
were measured in a static experiment and implemented in a Smoothed Particle
Hydrodynamics (SPH) code. A laboratory experiment was designed to compare the
laboratory results with the results of the SPH simulation. In this experiment,
a mm-sized glass bead is dropped into a cm-sized dust aggregate with the
previously measured strength parameters. We determine the deceleration of the
glass bead by high-speed imaging and the compression of the dust aggregate by
x-ray micro-tomography. The measured penetration depth, stopping time and
compaction under the glass bead are utilized to calibrate and test the SPH
code. We find that the statically measured compressive strength curve is only
applicable if we adjust it to the dynamic situation with a 'softness'
parameter. After determining this parameter, the SPH code is capable of
reproducing experimental results, which have not been used for the calibration
before.Comment: Accepted by "Proc. Powders and Grains 2009", Publisher AI
- …