1,344 research outputs found
Smoluchowski's equation for cluster exogenous growth
We introduce an extended Smoluchowski equation describing coagulation
processes for which clusters of mass s grow between collisions with
. A physical example, dropwise condensation is provided, and
its collision kernel K is derived. In the general case, the gelation criterion
is determined. Exact solutions are found and scaling solutions are
investigated. Finally we show how these results apply to nucleation of discs on
a planeComment: Revtex, 4 pages (multicol.sty), 1 eps figures (uses epsfig
Undergraduate research in primary care: Is it sustainable?
To describe the research project component of the BSc in Primary Health Care and to discuss the issues faced by students and faculty in attempting to complete a student-led research project. Medical schools increasingly expect medical students to undertake research as part of intercalated BScâs or in self-selected study modules. This research has historically been laboratory based, âpiggybackingâ onto existing projects. Projects initiated by students themselves and studies in primary care or community settings are more unusual. A qualitative study, based on interviews with students and examiners, triangulated with data from the peer review process and personal observations on the running of the course. A London medical school, running an intercalated BSc in Primary Health Care. We interviewed 24 of 26 students and two external examiners during the interview period of the study. Students successfully undertook research, from initial question through to publication. Overall, 90 dissertations were completed since 1997, of which half used a qualitative methodology (45/90). Ten projects have subsequently been published; there were also 16 conference presentations and 6 research letters. Themes from the interview data include: the studentsâ strong sense of project ownership, the difficulties of being a novice researcher, the difficulties posed by the research governance hurdles, the beneficial and for some students adverse impact (stress and coping with unsuccessful projects) and finally, the impact on their careers. Students gain considerably from this learning process, not only by undertaking their own research, but they also gain in terms of acquisition of transferable skills such as critical appraisal and improved self-directedness. Project completion and publication rates suggest that programmes developing undergraduate initiated research projects can be as successful as those for other novice researchers. The student-led project is a fragile endeavour, but currently is sustainable. © 2008, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved
Is it really possible to grow isotropic on-lattice diffusion-limited aggregates?
In a recent paper (Bogoyavlenskiy V A 2002 \JPA \textbf{35} 2533), an
algorithm aiming to generate isotropic clusters of the on-lattice
diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA) model was proposed. The procedure consists
of aggregation probabilities proportional to the squared number of occupied
sites (). In the present work, we analyzed this algorithm using the noise
reduced version of the DLA model and large scale simulations. In the noiseless
limit, instead of isotropic patterns, a () rotation in the
anisotropy directions of the clusters grown on square (triangular) lattices was
observed. A generalized algorithm, in which the aggregation probability is
proportional to , was proposed. The exponent has a nonuniversal
critical value , for which the patterns generated in the noiseless limit
exhibit the original (axial) anisotropy for and the rotated one
(diagonal) for . The values and were found for square and triangular lattices, respectively.
Moreover, large scale simulations show that there are a nontrivial relation
between noise reduction and anisotropy direction. The case (\bogo's
rule) is an example where the patterns exhibit the axial anisotropy for small
and the diagonal one for large noise reduction.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figure
Aggregation in a mixture of Brownian and ballistic wandering particles
In this paper, we analyze the scaling properties of a model that has as
limiting cases the diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA) and the ballistic
aggregation (BA) models. This model allows us to control the radial and angular
scaling of the patterns, as well as, their gap distributions. The particles
added to the cluster can follow either ballistic trajectories, with probability
, or random ones, with probability . The patterns were
characterized through several quantities, including those related to the radial
and angular scaling. The fractal dimension as a function of
continuously increases from (DLA dimensionality) for
to (BA dimensionality) for . However, the
lacunarity and the active zone width exhibt a distinct behavior: they are
convex functions of with a maximum at . Through the
analysis of the angular correlation function, we found that the difference
between the radial and angular exponents decreases continuously with increasing
and rapidly vanishes for , in agreement with recent
results concerning the asymptotic scaling of DLA clusters.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures. accepted for publication on PR
Young stars and dust in AFGL437: NICMOS/HST polarimetric imaging of an outflow source
We present near infrared broad band and polarimetric images of the compact
star forming cluster AFGL437 obtained with the NICMOS instrument aboard HST.
Our high resolution images reveal a well collimated bipolar reflection
nebulosity in the cluster and allow us to identify WK34 as the illuminating
source. The scattered light in the bipolar nebulosity centered on this source
is very highly polarized (up to 79%). Such high levels of polarization implies
a distribution of dust grains lacking large grains, contrary to the usual dust
models of dark clouds. We discuss the geometry of the dust distribution giving
rise to the bipolar reflection nebulosity and make mass estimates for the
underlying scattering material. We find that the most likely inclination of the
bipolar nebulosity, south lobe inclined towards Earth, is consistent with the
inclination of the large scale CO molecular outflow associated with the
cluster, strengthening the identification of WK34 as the source powering it.Comment: 26 pages, 10 figues. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical
Journa
Analysis of patterns formed by two-component diffusion limited aggregation
We consider diffusion limited aggregation of particles of two different
kinds. It is assumed that a particle of one kind may adhere only to another
particle of the same kind. The particles aggregate on a linear substrate which
consists of periodically or randomly placed particles of different kinds. We
analyze the influence of initial patterns on the structure of growing clusters.
It is shown that at small distances from the substrate, the cluster structures
repeat initial patterns. However, starting from a critical distance the initial
periodicity is abruptly lost, and the particle distribution tends to a random
one. An approach describing the evolution of the number of branches is
proposed. Our calculations show that the initial patter can be detected only at
the distance which is not larger than approximately one and a half of the
characteristic pattern size.Comment: Accepted for publication in Physical Review
Engineering geology of British rocks and soils : Lias Group
The report begins with an introduction and a detailed modern assessment of the geology of the
Lias Group in terms of both stratigraphy and lithology. The modern lithostratigraphy is placed in
the context of the old, and sometimes more familiar, usage. The next two chapters deal with the
mineralogy of a suite of samples collected for the project, and an assessment of the nature and
influence of weathering based on a detailed analysis of the Lias dataset held in the BGS National
Geotechnical Properties Database. The following chapters cover geohazards associated with the
Lias Group, and a brief overview of the wide variety of industrial applications for which the Lias
is well known. The geotechnical database forms the basis of the penultimate chapter,
geotechnical properties. The contents of the database are analysed, interpreted, presented in
graphical form, and discussed in terms of statistical variation and in the light of likely
engineering behaviour. The engineering geology of the Lias Group is discussed in the final
chapter, borrowing from the preceding chapters. A comprehensive cited reference list and a
bibliography are provided. In addition to the large number of technical data provided to BGS, a
small data set has been generated by BGS laboratories, particularly in areas where the main
database was deficient, and also in connection with associated BGS studies of the swelling and
shrinkage properties of the Lias Group.
The individual items of data making up the database are not attributed. However, the
contribution of a wide range of consultancies, contractors, authorities, and individuals is
acknowledged. It is hoped that this report will provide a source of useful information to a wide
range of engineers, planners, scientists, and other interested parties concerned with Lias Group
materials.
It should be noted that whilst quantitative technical data are included in this report, these should
not be used as a substitute for proper site investigation
Multifractal Dimensions for Branched Growth
A recently proposed theory for diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA), which
models this system as a random branched growth process, is reviewed. Like DLA,
this process is stochastic, and ensemble averaging is needed in order to define
multifractal dimensions. In an earlier work [T. C. Halsey and M. Leibig, Phys.
Rev. A46, 7793 (1992)], annealed average dimensions were computed for this
model. In this paper, we compute the quenched average dimensions, which are
expected to apply to typical members of the ensemble. We develop a perturbative
expansion for the average of the logarithm of the multifractal partition
function; the leading and sub-leading divergent terms in this expansion are
then resummed to all orders. The result is that in the limit where the number
of particles n -> \infty, the quenched and annealed dimensions are {\it
identical}; however, the attainment of this limit requires enormous values of
n. At smaller, more realistic values of n, the apparent quenched dimensions
differ from the annealed dimensions. We interpret these results to mean that
while multifractality as an ensemble property of random branched growth (and
hence of DLA) is quite robust, it subtly fails for typical members of the
ensemble.Comment: 82 pages, 24 included figures in 16 files, 1 included tabl
Hydrodynamic simulations of shell convection in stellar cores
Shell convection driven by nuclear burning in a stellar core is a common
hydrodynamic event in the evolution of many types of stars. We encounter and
simulate this convection (i) in the helium core of a low-mass red giant during
core helium flash leading to a dredge-down of protons across an entropy
barrier, (ii) in a carbon-oxygen core of an intermediate-mass star during core
carbon flash, and (iii) in the oxygen and carbon burning shell above the
silicon-sulfur rich core of a massive star prior to supernova explosion. Our
results, which were obtained with the hydrodynamics code HERAKLES, suggest that
both entropy gradients and entropy barriers are less important for stellar
structure than commonly assumed. Our simulations further reveal a new dynamic
mixing process operating below the base of shell convection zones.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures .. submitted to a proceedings of conference about
"Red Giants as Probes of the Structure and Evolution of the Milky Way" which
has taken place between 15-17 November 2010 in Rom
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