1,049 research outputs found
Reflections on a Measurement of the Gravitational Constant Using a Beam Balance and 13 Tons of Mercury
In 2006, a final result of a measurement of the gravitational constant
performed by researchers at the University of Z\"urich was published. A value
of G=6.674\,252(122)\times
10^{-11}\,\mbox{m}^3\,\mbox{kg}^{-1}\,\mbox{s}^{-2} was obtained after an
experimental effort that lasted over one decade. Here, we briefly summarize the
measurement and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this approach.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures accepted for publication in Phil. Trans. R. Soc.
Towards a Graphene-Based Quantum Impedance Standard
Precision measurements of the quantum Hall resistance with alternating
current (ac) in the kHz range were performed on epitaxial graphene in order to
assess its suitability as a quantum standard of impedance. The quantum Hall
plateaus measured with alternating current were found to be flat within one
part in 10^7. This is much better than for plain GaAs quantum Hall devices and
shows that the magnetic-flux-dependent capacitive ac losses of the graphene
device are less critical. The observed frequency dependence of about
-8x10^-8/kHz is comparable in absolute value to the positive frequency
dependence of plain GaAs devices, but the negative sign is attributed to stray
capacitances which we believe can be minimized by a careful design of the
graphene device. Further improvements thus may lead to a simpler and more
user-friendly quantum standard for both resistance and impedance
Compendium for precise ac measurements of the quantum Hall resistance
In view of the progress achieved in the field of the ac quantum Hall effect,
the Working Group of the Comite Consultatif d'Electricite et Magnetisme (CCEM)
on the AC Quantum Hall Effect asked the authors of this paper to write a
compendium which integrates their experiences with ac measurements of the
quantum Hall resistance. In addition to the important early work performed at
the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures and the National Physical
Laboratory, UK, further experience has been gained during a collaboration of
the authors' institutes NRC, METAS, and PTB, and excellent agreement between
the results of different national metrology institutes has been achieved. This
compendium summarizes the present state of the authors' knowledge and reviews
the experiences, tests and precautions that the authors have employed to
achieve accurate measurements of the ac quantum Hall effect. This work shows
how the ac quantum Hall effect can be reliably used as a quantum standard of ac
resistance having a relative uncertainty of a few parts in 10^8.Comment: 26 pages, 8 figure
A Measurement of Newton's Gravitational Constant
A precision measurement of the gravitational constant has been made using
a beam balance. Special attention has been given to determining the
calibration, the effect of a possible nonlinearity of the balance and the
zero-point variation of the balance. The equipment, the measurements and the
analysis are described in detail. The value obtained for G is 6.674252(109)(54)
10^{-11} m3 kg-1 s-2. The relative statistical and systematic uncertainties of
this result are 16.3 10^{-6} and 8.1 10^{-6}, respectively.Comment: 26 pages, 20 figures, Accepted for publication by Phys. Rev.
Twist and writhe dynamics of stiff filaments
This letter considers the dynamics of a stiff filament, in particular the
coupling of twist and bend via writhe. The time dependence of the writhe of a
filament is for a linear filament and for a curved filament. Simulations are used to study the relative
importance of crankshaft motion and tube like motion in twist dynamics.
Fuller's theorem, and its relation with the Berry phase, is reconsidered for
open filamentsComment: 7 Pages with 2 figure
Expression of adhesion molecules and cytokines after coronary artery bypass grafting during normothermic and hypothermic cardiac arrest
Objective: Cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) results in vascular injury and tissue damage which involves leukocyte-endothelial interactions mediated by cytokines and adhesion molecules. This study was designed to demonstrate the effect of normothermic and hypothermic CPB to cytokine and soluble adhesion molecule levels in adults and to determine whether these levels correlate to the patients postoperative course. Design and patients: In 25 patients after normothermic and in 25 patients after hypothermic coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), blood samples for cytokine and soluble adhesion molecule analysis were taken preoperatively, 24, 36, 48 h, and 6 days postoperatively. Soluble adhesion molecules (sE-selectin, sICAM-1) were measured by ELISA and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8) by chemilumenscent-immunoassay. Clinical data were collected prospectively. Results: Postoperatively, adhesion molecule and cytokine levels were significantly elevated after CPB. Mean plasma levels of sICAM-1 was 2.4-fold higher after 6 days. Mean plasma concentration of sE-selectin peaked after 48 h with a 2-fold increase compared to normothermic conditions. In the hypothermia group sICAM-1, sE-selectin, IL-6, and IL-8 showed significantly higher levels (PâȘ0.0057, PâȘ0.0012, PâȘ0.0419, PâȘ0.0145) after 24 h compared to the normothermia group. No clinical differences were seen. Conclusion: Adhesion molecules and cytokines are elevated after CPB. Patients after hypothermic CPB show significant higher sICAM-1, sE-selectin, IL-6, and IL-8 levels after 24 h compared to normothermic conditions. These results are mainly due to longer CPB and crossclamp times but do not alter the patient's postoperative cours
Straightening of Thermal Fluctuations in Semi-Flexible Polymers by Applied Tension
We investigate the propagation of a suddenly applied tension along a
thermally excited semi-flexible polymer using analytical approximations,
scaling arguments and numerical simulation. This problem is inherently
non-linear. We find sub-diffusive propagation with a dynamical exponent of 1/4.
By generalizing the internal elasticity, we show that tense strings exhibit
qualitatively different tension profiles and propagation with an exponent of
1/2.Comment: Latex file; with three postscript figures; .ps available at
http://dept.physics.upenn.edu/~nelson/pull.p
The crust in the pamir: Insights from receiver functions
The Cenozoic convergence between India and Asia has created Earth's thickest crust in the PamirâTibet Plateau by extreme crustal shortening. Here we study the crustal structure of the Pamir and western Tian Shan, the adjacent margins of the Tajik, Tarim, and Ferghana Basins, and the Hindu Kush, using data collected by temporary seismic experiments. We derive, compare, and combine independent observations from P and S receiver functions. The obtained Moho depth varies from ~40 km below the basins to a doubleânormal thickness of 65â75 km underneath the Pamir and Hindu Kush. A Moho doubletâwith the deeper interface down to a depth of ~90 kmâcoincides with the arc of intermediateâdepth seismicity underneath the Pamir, where Asian continental lower crust delaminates and rolls back. The crust beneath most of the Central and South Pamir has a low Vp/Vs ratio (<1.70), suggesting a dominantly felsic composition, probably a result of delamination/foundering of the mafic rocks of the lower crust. Beneath the Cenozoic gneiss domes of the Central and South Pamir, which represent extensional core complexes, the Vp/Vs ratios are moderate to high (~1.75), consistent with the previously observed, midcrustal lowâvelocity zones, implying the presence of crustal partial melts. Even higher crustal average Vp/Vs ratios up to 1.90 are found in the sedimentary basins and along the Main Pamir Thrust. The ratios along the latterâthe active thrust front of the Pamirâmay reflect fluid accumulations within a strongly fractured fault system
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