6,411 research outputs found
Measurement of Stochastic Entropy Production
Using fluorescence spectroscopy we directly measure entropy production of a
single two-level system realized experimentally as an optically driven defect
center in diamond. We exploit a recent suggestion to define entropy on the
level of a single stochastic trajectory (Seifert, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 95},
040602 (2005)). Entropy production can then be split into one of the system
itself and one of the surrounding medium. We demonstrate that the total entropy
production obeys various exact relations for finite time trajectories.Comment: Phys. Rev. Lett., in pres
PEPSI deep spectra. III. A chemical analysis of the ancient planet-host star Kepler-444
We obtained an LBT/PEPSI spectrum with very high resolution and high
signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of the K0V host Kepler-444, which is known to host
5 sub-Earth size rocky planets. The spectrum has a resolution of R=250,000, a
continuous wavelength coverage from 4230 to 9120A, and S/N between 150 and
550:1 (blue to red). We performed a detailed chemical analysis to determine the
photospheric abundances of 18 chemical elements, in order to use the abundances
to place constraints on the bulk composition of the five rocky planets. Our
spectral analysis employs the equivalent width method for most of our spectral
lines, but we used spectral synthesis to fit a small number of lines that
require special care. In both cases, we derived our abundances using the MOOG
spectral analysis package and Kurucz model atmospheres. We find no correlation
between elemental abundance and condensation temperature among the refractory
elements. In addition, using our spectroscopic stellar parameters and isochrone
fitting, we find an age of 10+/-1.5 Gyr, which is consistent with the
asteroseismic age of 11+/-1 Gyr. Finally, from the photospheric abundances of
Mg, Si, and Fe, we estimate that the typical Fe-core mass fraction for the
rocky planets in the Kepler-444 system is approximately 24 per cent. If our
estimate of the Fe-core mass fraction is confirmed by more detailed modeling of
the disk chemistry and simulations of planet formation and evolution in the
Kepler-444 system, then this would suggest that rocky planets in more
metal-poor and alpha-enhanced systems may tend to be less dense than their
counterparts of comparable size in more metal-rich systems.Comment: in press, 11 pages, 3 figures, data available from pepsi.aip.d
Coupled structural, thermal, phase-change and electromagnetic analysis for superconductors, volume 1
This research program has dealt with the theoretical development and computer implementation of reliable and efficient methods for the analysis of coupled mechanical problems that involve the interaction of mechanical, thermal, phase-change and electromagnetic subproblems. The focus application has been the modeling of superconductivity and associated quantum-state phase-change phenomena. In support of this objective the work has addressed the following issues: (1) development of variational principles for finite elements; (2) finite element modeling of the electromagnetic problem; (3) coupling of thermal and mechanical effects; and (4) computer implementation and solution of the superconductivity transition problem. The research was carried out over the period September 1988 through March 1993. The main accomplishments have been: (1) the development of the theory of parametrized and gauged variational principles; (2) the application of those principled to the construction of electromagnetic, thermal and mechanical finite elements; and (3) the coupling of electromagnetic finite elements with thermal and superconducting effects; and (4) the first detailed finite element simulations of bulk superconductors, in particular the Meissner effect and the nature of the normal conducting boundary layer. The grant has fully supported the thesis work of one doctoral student (James Schuler, who started on January 1989 and completed on January 1993), and partly supported another thesis (Carmelo Militello, who started graduate work on January 1988 completing on August 1991). Twenty-three publications have acknowledged full or part support from this grant, with 16 having appeared in archival journals and 3 in edited books or proceedings
Coupled structural, thermal, phase-change and electromagnetic analysis for superconductors, volume 2
Two families of parametrized mixed variational principles for linear electromagnetodynamics are constructed. The first family is applicable when the current density distribution is known a priori. Its six independent fields are magnetic intensity and flux density, magnetic potential, electric intensity and flux density and electric potential. Through appropriate specialization of parameters the first principle reduces to more conventional principles proposed in the literature. The second family is appropriate when the current density distribution and a conjugate Lagrange multiplier field are adjoined, giving a total of eight independently varied fields. In this case it is shown that a conventional variational principle exists only in the time-independent (static) case. Several static functionals with reduced number of varied fields are presented. The application of one of these principles to construct finite elements with current prediction capabilities is illustrated with a numerical example
Inverse Slope Systematics in High-Energy p+p and Au+Au Reactions
We employ the Monte-Carlo PYTHIA to calculate the transverse mass spectra of
various hadrons and their inverse slopes T* at m_T-m=1.5-2 GeV in p+p reactions
at sqrt(s)=200 GeV. Due to (multiple) minijet production T* increases as a
function of the hadron mass. Moreover, the T*(m) systematics has a
``discontinuity'' at the charm threshold, i.e. the inverse slope of D-mesons is
much higher than that of non-charmed hadrons and even of the heavier Lambda_C
baryon. The experimental observation of this characteristic behaviour in Au+Au
collisions would indicate the absence of c-quark rescattering. In contrast, the
assumption of thermalized partons and hydrodynamical evolution would lead to a
smoothly increasing T*(m), without discontinuity at the charm threshold. The
degree of collective transverse flow, indicated by the slope of the T*(m)
systematics, depends strongly on whether kinetic equilibrium is maintained for
some time after hadronization or not.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figures, REVTEX; mistake in plot of c-quark
mt-distribution corrected, some references adde
Constriction size distributions of granular filters: a numerical study
The retention capability of granular filters is controlled by the narrow constrictions connecting the voids within the filter. The theoretical justification for empirical filter rules used in practice includes consideration of an idealised soil fabric in which constrictions form between co-planar combinations of spherical filter particles. This idealised fabric has not been confirmed by experimental or numerical observations of real constrictions. This paper reports the results of direct, particle-scale measurement of the constriction size distribution (CSD) within virtual samples of granular filters created using the discrete-element method (DEM). A previously proposed analytical method that predicts the full CSD using inscribed circles to estimate constriction sizes is found to poorly predict the CSD for widely graded filters due to an over-idealisation of the soil fabric. The DEM data generated are used to explore quantitatively the influence of the coefficient of uniformity, particle size distribution and relative density of the filter on the CSD. For a given relative density CSDs form a narrow band of similarly shaped curves when normalised by characteristic filter diameters. This lends support to the practical use of characteristic diameters to assess filter retention capability
Procedures to select priority areas for payment for ecosystem services programs.
This work was developed in order to contribute to the application of principles of ecosystem ser-vices in decision-making for water resources management. It aims to identify procedures and meth-odologies used for decision-making in order to select priority areas to be included in projects or programs of compensation for ecosystem services. To do so, methods and experiences to select pri-ority areas were sought in the technical and scientific literature; the key steps used in the selection process of priority areas were identified; then a survey of the procedures adopted to each key step was done considering the literature selected; and, finally, the information collected was analyzed and classified. The results we found showed the main objectives, actions and criteria used to select priority areas for compensation for ecosystem services programs or projects. They also indicate the pressing need for these projects or programs to systematize and share their experiences in this are
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