18,428 research outputs found
Comparison of primordial tensor power spectra from the deformed algebra and dressed metric approaches in loop quantum cosmology
Loop quantum cosmology tries to capture the main ideas of loop quantum
gravity and to apply them to the Universe as a whole. Two main approaches
within this framework have been considered to date for the study of
cosmological perturbations: the dressed metric approach and the deformed
algebra approach. They both have advantages and drawbacks. In this article, we
accurately compare their predictions. In particular, we compute the associated
primordial tensor power spectra. We show -- numerically and analytically --
that the large scale behavior is similar for both approaches and compatible
with the usual prediction of general relativity. The small scale behavior is,
the other way round, drastically different. Most importantly, we show that in a
range of wavenumbers explicitly calculated, both approaches do agree on
predictions that, in addition, differ from standard general relativity and do
not depend on unknown parameters. These features of the power spectrum at
intermediate scales might constitute a universal loop quantum cosmology
prediction that can hopefully lead to observational tests and constraints. We
also present a complete analytical study of the background evolution for the
bouncing universe that can be used for other purposes.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figure
SN 2005 gj: Evidence for LBV supernovae progenitors?
There has been mounting observational evidence in favour of Luminous Blue
Variables (LBVs) being the direct progenitors of supernovae. Here we present
possibly the most convincing evidence yet for such progenitors. We find
multiple absorption component P-Cygni profiles of hydrogen and helium in the
spectrum of SN 2005gj, which we interpret as being an imprint of the
progenitors mass-loss history. Such profiles have previously only been detected
in Luminous Blue Variables. This striking resemblance of the profiles, along
with wind velocities and periods consistent with LBV's leads us to connect SN
2005gj to an LBV progenitor.Comment: Accepted as a letter to A&A, 4 pages,3 figure
Multipole Expansion of Bremsstrahlung in Intermediate Energy Heavy Ion Collisions
Using a multipole expansion of the radiated field generated by a classical
electric current, we present a way to interprete the bremsstrahlung spectra of
low energy heavy ion collisions. We perform the calculation explicitely for the
system ^{12}C+ ^{12}C at 84AMeV and compare the result with the experimental
data of E. Grosse et al. Using simple model assumptions for the electromagnetic
source current we are able to describe the measured data in terms of coherent
photon emission. In this context, the information contained in the measured
data is discussed.Comment: LaTex, 4 Figure
Calculation of electrostatic fields using quasi-Green's functions: application to the hybrid Penning trap.
Penning traps offer unique possibilities for storing, manipulating and investigating charged particles with high sensitivity and accuracy. The widespread applications of Penning traps in physics and chemistry comprise e.g. mass spectrometry, laser spectroscopy, measurements of electronic and nuclear magnetic moments, chemical sample analysis and reaction studies. We have developed a method, based on the Green's function approach, which allows for the analytical calculation of the electrostatic properties of a Penning trap with arbitrary electrodes. The ansatz features an extension of Dirichlet's problem to nontrivial geometries and leads to an analytical solution of the Laplace equation. As an example we discuss the toroidal hybrid Penning trap designed for our planned measurements of the magnetic moment of the (anti)proton. As in the case of cylindrical Penning traps, it is possible to optimize the properties of the electric trapping fields, which is mandatory for high-precision experiments with single charged particles. Of particular interest are the anharmonicity compensation, orthogonality and optimum adjustment of frequency shifts by the continuous SternGerlach effect in a quantum jump spectrometer. The mathematical formalism developed goes beyond the mere design of novel Penning traps and has potential applications in other fields of physics and engineering
The efficacy of mupirocin ointment and chlorhexidine body scrubs in the eradication of nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus among patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis
Patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis have a high prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage, which may lead to serious infections. Mupirocin ointment has been used intranasally to eradicate S. aureus carriage in health human volunteers and health care workers. Chlorhexidine, an antiseptic with excellent antistaphylococcal activity, is widely used for handwashing and skin cleansing. METHODS: Anterior nares cultures were obtained from patients older than 18 years who were undergoing long-term hemodialysis. Patients with S. aureus nasal carriage were enrolled in the study. Axillae and groins were cultured. Patients were given mupirocin ointment intranasally twice per day for 7 days and chlorhexidine body scrubs daily for the first 3 days. Follow-up cultures were obtained from anterior nares, axillae, and groins at 1 day, and 1, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: One day after completion of treatment nasal carriage was eradicated in 83% of patients (15/18). After 12 weeks, 69% of patients (11/16) were free of nasal carriage. CONCLUSIONS: Success rates of eradication were excellent compared with those in other published reports. This simple and effective regimen had no major side effect
Spectroscopic and photometric oscillatory envelope variability during the S Doradus outburst of the Luminous Blue Variable R71
To better understand the LBV phenomenon, we analyze multi-epoch and
multi-wavelength spectra and photometry of R71. Pre-outburst spectra are
analyzed with the radiative transfer code CMFGEN to determine the star's
fundamental stellar parameters. During quiescence, R71 has an effective
temperature of and a luminosity of
log = 5.78 and is thus a classical LBV, but at the lower
luminosity end of this group. We determine its mass-loss rate to yr. We present R71's spectral energy distribution
from the near-ultraviolet to the mid-infrared during its present outburst.
Mid-infrared observations suggest that we are witnessing dust formation and
grain evolution. Semi-regular oscillatory variability in the star's light curve
is observed during the current outburst. Absorption lines develop a second blue
component on a timescale twice that length. The variability may consist of one
(quasi-)periodic component with P ~ 425/850 d with additional variations
superimposed. During its current S Doradus outburst, R71 occupies a region in
the HR diagram at the high-luminosity extension of the Cepheid instability
strip and exhibits similar irregular variations as RV Tau variables. LBVs do
not pass the Cepheid instability strip because of core evolution, but they
develop comparable cool, low-mass, extended atmospheres in which convective
instabilities may occur. As in the case of RV Tau variables, the occurrence of
double absorption lines with an apparent regular cycle may be due to shocks
within the atmosphere and period doubling may explain the factor of two in the
lengths of the photometric and spectroscopic cycles.Comment: 18 pages, 14 figures, submitted to A&
General relativistic gravitational field of a rigidly rotating disk of dust: Solution in terms of ultraelliptic functions
In a recent paper we presented analytic expressions for the axis potential,
the disk metric, and the surface mass density of the global solution to
Einstein's field equations describing a rigidly rotating disk of dust. Here we
add the complete solution in terms of ultraelliptic functions and quadratures.Comment: 5 pages, published in 1995 [Phys. Rev. Lett. 75 (1995) 3046
A quantitative analysis to objectively appraise drought indicators and model drought impacts
Drought monitoring and early warning is an important measure to enhance resilience towards drought. While there are numerous operational systems using different drought indicators, there is no consensus on which indicator best represents drought impact occurrence for any given sector. Furthermore, thresholds are widely applied in these indicators but, to date, little empirical evidence exists as to which indicator thresholds trigger impacts on society, the economy, and ecosystems. The main obstacle for evaluating commonly used drought indicators is a lack of information on drought impacts. Our aim was therefore to exploit text-based data from the European Drought Impact report Inventory (EDII) to identify indicators that are meaningful for region-, sector-, and season-specific impact occurrence, and to empirically determine indicator thresholds. In addition, we tested the predictability of impact occurrence based on the best-performing indicators. To achieve these aims we applied a correlation analysis and an ensemble regression tree approach, using Germany and the UK (the most data-rich countries in the EDII) as test beds. As candidate indicators we chose two meteorological indicators (Standardized Precipitation Index, SPI, and Standardized Precipitation Evaporation Index, SPEI) and two hydrological indicators (streamflow and groundwater level percentiles). The analysis revealed that accumulation periods of SPI and SPEI best linked to impact occurrence are longer for the UK compared with Germany, but there is variability within each country, among impact categories and, to some degree, seasons. The median of regression tree splitting values, which we regard as estimates of thresholds of impact occurrence, was around −1 for SPI and SPEI in the UK; distinct differences between northern/northeastern vs. southern/central regions were found for Germany. Predictions with the ensemble regression tree approach yielded reasonable results for regions with good impact data coverage. The predictions also provided insights into the EDII, in particular highlighting drought events where missing impact reports may reflect a lack of recording rather than true absence of impacts. Overall, the presented quantitative framework proved to be a useful tool for evaluating drought indicators, and to model impact occurrence. In summary, this study demonstrates the information gain for drought monitoring and early warning through impact data collection and analysis. It highlights the important role that quantitative analysis with impact data can have in providing "ground truth" for drought indicators, alongside more traditional stakeholder-led approaches
- …