21,973 research outputs found
Hidden Broad Line Seyfert 2 Galaxies in the CfA and 12micron Samples
We report the results of a spectropolarimetric survey of the CfA and 12micron
samples of Seyfert 2 galaxies (S2s). Polarized (hidden) broad line regions
(HBLRs) are confirmed in a number of galaxies, and several new cases
(F02581-1136, MCG -3-58-7, NGC 5995, NGC 6552, NGC 7682) are reported. The
12micron S2 sample shows a significantly higher incidence of HBLR (50%) than
its CfA counterpart (30%), suggesting that the latter may be incomplete in
hidden AGNs. Compared to the non-HBLR S2s, the HBLR S2s display distinctly
higher radio power relative to their far-infrared output and hotter dust
temperature as indicated by the f25/f60 color. However, the level of
obscuration is indistinguishable between the two types of S2. These results
strongly support the existence of two intrinsically different populations of
S2: one harboring an energetic, hidden S1 nucleus with BLR, and the other, a
``pure S2'', with weak or absent S1 nucleus and a strong, perhaps dominating
starburst component. Thus, the simple purely orientation-based unification
model is not applicable to all Seyfert galaxies.Comment: 5 pages with embedded figs, ApJ Letters, in pres
Micro-Brillouin spectroscopy mapping of the residual density field induced by Vickers indentation in a soda-lime silicate glass
High-resolution Brillouin scattering is used to achieve 3-dimensional maps of
the longitudinal acoustic mode frequency shift in soda-lime silicate glasses
subject to Vickers indentations. Assuming that residual stress-induced effects
are simply proportional to density changes, residual densification fields are
obtained. The density gradient is nearly isotropic, confirming earlier optical
observations made on a similar glass. The results show that Brillouin
micro-spectroscopy opens the way to a fully quantitative comparison of
experimental data with predictions of mechanical models for the identification
of a constitutive law.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, revised version, to appear in Appl. Phys. Let
Investigating affordances of virtual worlds for real world B2C e-commerce
Virtual worlds are three-dimensional (3D) online persistent multi-user environments where users interact through avatars. The literature suggests that virtual worlds can facilitate real world business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce. However, few real world businesses have adopted virtual worlds for B2C e-commerce. In this paper, we present results from interviews with consumers in a virtual world to investigate how virtual worlds can support B2C e-commerce. A thematic analysis of the data was conducted to uncover affordances and constraints of virtual worlds for B2C e-commerce. Two affordances (habitability and appearance of realness) and one constraint (demand for specialised skill) were uncovered. The implications of this research for designers are (1) to provide options to consumers that enable them to manage their online reputation, (2) to focus on managing consumers’ expectations and (3) to facilitate learning between consumers
Arithmetic computation with probability words and numbers
Probability information is regularly communicated to experts who must fuse multiple estimates to support decision-making. Such information is often communicated verbally (e.g., “likely”) rather than with precise numeric (point) values (e.g., “.75”), yet people are not taught to perform arithmetic on verbal probabilities. We hypothesized that the accuracy and logical coherence of averaging and multiplying probabilities will be poorer when individuals receive probability information in verbal rather than numerical point format. In four experiments (N = 213, 201, 26, and 343, respectively), we manipulated probability communication format between-subjects. Participants averaged and multiplied sets of four probabilities. Across experiments, arithmetic accuracy and coherence was significantly better with point than with verbal probabilities. These findings generalized between expert (intelligence analysts) and non-expert samples and when controlling for calculator use. Experiment 4 revealed an important qualification: whereas accuracy and coherence were better among participants presented with point probabilities than with verbal probabilities, imprecise numeric probability ranges (e.g., “.70 to .80”) afforded no computational advantage over verbal probabilities. Experiment 4 also revealed that the advantage of the point over the verbal format is partially mediated by strategy use. Participants presented with point estimates are more likely to use mental computation than guesswork, and mental computation was found to be associated with better accuracy. Our findings suggest that where computation is important, probability information should be communicated to end users with precise numeric probabilities
Electron transport through rectifying self-assembled monolayer diodes on silicon: Fermi level pinning at the molecule-metal interface
We report the synthesis and characterization of molecular rectifying diodes
on silicon using sequential grafting of self-assembled monolayers of alkyl
chains bearing a pi group at their outer end (Si/sigma-pi/metal junctions). We
investigate the structure-performance relationships of these molecular devices
and we examine to what extent the nature of the pi end-group (change in the
energy position of their molecular orbitals) drives the properties of these
molecular diodes. For all the pi-groups investigated here, we observe
rectification behavior. These results extend our preliminary work using phenyl
and thiophene groups (S. Lenfant et al., Nano Letters 3, 741 (2003)).The
experimental current-voltage curves are analyzed with a simple analytical
model, from which we extract the energy position of the molecular orbital of
the pi-group in resonance with the Fermi energy of the electrodes. We report
the experimental studies of the band lineup in these silicon/alkyl-pi
conjugated molecule/metal junctions. We conclude that Fermi level pinning at
the pi-group/metal interface is mainly responsible for the observed absence of
dependence of the rectification effect on the nature of the pi-groups, even
though they were chosen to have significant variations in their electronic
molecular orbitalsComment: To be published in J. Phys. Chem.
Visualisation Tools for Multi-Perspective, Cross-Sector, Long-Term Infrastructure Performance Evaluation
Across different infrastructure sectors there are systems that help to monitor the current and near-future operation
and performance of a particular system. Whilst Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems are critical
to maintaining acceptable levels of functionality, they do not provide insights over the longer timescales across which
strategic investment decisions play out. To understand how individual or multiple, interdependent, infrastructure
sectors perform over longer timescales, capacity/demand modelling is required. However, the outputs of such
models are often a complex high-dimensionality result-set, and this complexity is further compounded when crosssector
evaluation is required. To maximise utility of such models, tools are required that can process and present
key outputs. In this paper we describe the development of prototype tools for infrastructure performance evaluation
in relation to different strategic decisions and the complex outputs generated from capacity and demand models of
five infrastructure sectors (energy, water, waste water, solid waste, transport) investigated within the UK Infrastructure
Transitions Research Consortium (ITRC). By constructing tools that expose various dimensions of the model outputs,
a user is able to take greater control over the knowledge discovery process
Chemical pre-processing of cluster galaxies over the past 10 billion years in the IllustrisTNG simulations
We use the IllustrisTNG simulations to investigate the evolution of the
mass-metallicity relation (MZR) for star-forming cluster galaxies as a function
of the formation history of their cluster host. The simulations predict an
enhancement in the gas-phase metallicities of star-forming cluster galaxies
(10^9< M_star<10^10 M_sun) at z<1.0 in comparisons to field galaxies. This is
qualitatively consistent with observations. We find that the metallicity
enhancement of cluster galaxies appears prior to their infall into the central
cluster potential, indicating for the first time a systematic "chemical
pre-processing" signature for {\it infalling} cluster galaxies. Namely,
galaxies which will fall into a cluster by z=0 show a ~0.05 dex enhancement in
the MZR compared to field galaxies at z<0.5. Based on the inflow rate of gas
into cluster galaxies and its metallicity, we identify that the accretion of
pre-enriched gas is the key driver of the chemical evolution of such galaxies,
particularly in the stellar mass range (10^9< M_star<10^10 M_sun). We see
signatures of an environmental dependence of the ambient/inflowing gas
metallicity which extends well outside the nominal virial radius of clusters.
Our results motivate future observations looking for pre-enrichment signatures
in dense environments.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS Letter
First Measurement of a Rapid Increase in the AGN Fraction in High-Redshift Clusters of Galaxies
We present the first measurement of the AGN fraction in high-redshift
clusters of galaxies (z~0.6) with spectroscopy of one cluster and archival data
for three additional clusters. We identify 8 AGN in all four of these clusters
from the Chandra data, which are sensitive to AGN with hard X-ray (2-10keV)
luminosity L_{X,H} > 10^43 erg/s in host galaxies more luminous than a rest
frame M_R < -20 mag. This stands in sharp contrast to the one AGN with L_{X,H}
> 10^43 erg/s we discovered in our earlier study of eight low-redshift clusters
with z=0.06-0.31 (average z~0.2). Three of the four high-redshift cluster
datasets are sensitive to nearly L_{X,H} > 10^42 erg/s and we identify seven
AGN above this luminosity limit, compared to two in eight, low-redshift
clusters. Based on membership estimates for each cluster, we determine that the
AGN fraction at z~0.6 is f_A(L_X>10^42;M_R<-20) = 0.028 (+0.019/-0.012) and
f_A(L_X>10^43;M_R<-20) = 0.020 (+0.012/-0.008). These values are approximately
a factor of 20 greater than the AGN fractions in lower-redshift (average z~0.2)
clusters of galaxies and represent a substantial increase over the factors of
1.5 and 3.3 increase, respectively, in the measured space density evolution of
the hard X-ray luminosity function over this redshift range. Potential
systematic errors would only increase the significance of our result. The
cluster AGN fraction increases more rapidly with redshift than the field and
the increase in cluster AGN indicates the presence of an AGN Butcher-Oemler
Effect.Comment: ApJL Accepted, 5 pages, 2 figure
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