1,505 research outputs found
Dynamic roughening of the magnetic flux landscape in YBaCuO
We study the magnetic flux landscape in YBaCuO thin films as
a two dimensional rough surface. The vortex density in the superconductor forms
a self-affine structure in both space and time. This is characterized by a
roughness exponent and a growth exponent .
This is due to the structure and distribution of flux avalanches in the
self-organized critical state, which is formed in the superconductor. We also
discuss our results in the context of other roughening systems in the presence
of quenched disorder.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Physica
The Torus Universe in the Polygon Approach to 2+1-Dimensional Gravity
In this paper we describe the matter-free toroidal spacetime in 't Hooft's
polygon approach to 2+1-dimensional gravity (i.e. we consider the case without
any particles present). Contrary to earlier results in the literature we find
that it is not possible to describe the torus by just one polygon but we need
at least two polygons. We also show that the constraint algebra of the polygons
closes.Comment: 18 pages Latex, 13 eps-figure
Broad Absorption Line Variability in Radio-Loud Quasars
We investigate C IV broad absorption line (BAL) variability within a sample
of 46 radio-loud quasars (RLQs), selected from SDSS/FIRST data to include both
core-dominated (39) and lobe-dominated (7) objects. The sample consists
primarily of high-ionization BAL quasars, and a substantial fraction have large
BAL velocities or equivalent widths; their radio luminosities and
radio-loudness values span ~2.5 orders of magnitude. We have obtained 34 new
Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET) spectra of 28 BAL RLQs to compare to earlier SDSS
data, and we also incorporate archival coverage (primarily dual-epoch SDSS) for
a total set of 78 pairs of equivalent width measurements for 46 BAL RLQs,
probing rest-frame timescales of ~80-6000 d (median 500 d). In general, only
modest changes in the depths of segments of absorption troughs are observed,
akin to those seen in prior studies of BAL RQQs. Also similar to previous
findings for RQQs, the RLQs studied here are more likely to display BAL
variability on longer rest-frame timescales. However, typical values of
|Delta_EW| and |Delta_EW|/ are about 40+/-20% lower for BAL RLQs when
compared with those of a timescale-matched sample of BAL RQQs. Optical
continuum variability is of similar amplitude in BAL RLQs and BAL RQQs; for
both RLQs and RQQs, continuum variability tends to be stronger on longer
timescales. BAL variability in RLQs does not obviously depend upon their radio
luminosities or radio-loudness values, but we do find tentative evidence for
greater fractional BAL variability within lobe-dominated RLQs. Enhanced BAL
variability within more edge-on (lobe-dominated) RLQs supports some geometrical
dependence to the outflow structure.Comment: 27 pages, 16 figures, 6 tables, accepted to MNRAS, full Appendix A at
http://www.macalester.edu/~bmille13/balrlqs.htm
The 2+1 Kepler Problem and Its Quantization
We study a system of two pointlike particles coupled to three dimensional
Einstein gravity. The reduced phase space can be considered as a deformed
version of the phase space of two special-relativistic point particles in the
centre of mass frame. When the system is quantized, we find some possibly
general effects of quantum gravity, such as a minimal distances and a foaminess
of the spacetime at the order of the Planck length. We also obtain a
quantization of geometry, which restricts the possible asymptotic geometries of
the universe.Comment: 59 pages, LaTeX2e, 9 eps figure
Money Laundering and Lawyers
The federal government has recently enacted money laundering laws to track and discourage the use of money generated by crime. Because some of that money is used to pay legal fees, the laws have a direct impact on lawyers. The laws increase the risk of prosecution for lawyers, inhibit some methods of fee payment, and make some cases less attractive financially. Generally, the laws make law practice more complicated and risky.
The laws have been criticized for their impact on criminal defense lawyers. Critics have raised three broad objections. The first objection is constitutional. Critics have also objected to the laws on ethical grounds, claiming that they force lawyers to act unethically. The third objection is based on the practical impact of the laws. Critics claim the laws chill the relationship between lawyers and clients, drive some lawyers out of criminal work, and give prosecutors too much power to disqualify defense lawyers.
The constitutional questions have so far been resolved in favor of the government, but objections to the money laundering laws on the other two grounds need to be examined. Although the laws are constitutional as applied to criminal defense lawyers, the question remains whether that application is wise. Based on the laws’ ethical and practical impact, many claim that it is not. Nowhere in the literature have the laundering laws been analyzed in terms of their collective impact on criminal defense lawyers.
This article does that analysis. It begins by examining how the federal money laundering laws apply to criminal defense lawyers when they receive fees for their work. The article then explores whether and how the laws cause criminal defense lawyers to act unethically. The article next analyzes the practical impact of the laws on these lawyers. This article concludes that while the ethical criticisms of the laws are largely unfounded, there is legitimate, though as yet undocumented, concern about their practical impact on our criminal justice system
(2+1)-Gravity Solutions with Spinning Particles
We derive, in 2+1 dimensions, classical solutions for metric and motion of
two or more spinning particles, in the conformal Coulomb gauge introduced
previously. The solutions are exact in the -body static case, and are
perturbative in the particles' velocities in the dynamic two-body case. A
natural boundary for the existence of our gauge choice is provided by some
``CTC horizons'' encircling the particles, within which closed timelike curves
occur.Comment: 30 pages, LaTeX, no figure
Reproductive ecology of the Mountain Dragon, Rankinia (Tympanocryptis) diemensis (Reptilia: Squamata: Agamidae) in Tasmania
The mountain dragon, Rankinta (7ympanocryptis) diemensis (Gray, 1841), is the only member of the Agamidae in Tasmania. It occurs in some of the coldest regions occupied by any dragon in Australia, and is found in a variety of habitats ranging from coastal heath to alpine scrub. This paper examines the reproductive ecology of R. diemensis in the most southerly range of its distribution, providing baseline data on timing of reproductive events, reproductive cycles, nesting behaviour and ovipositioning, clutch characteristics and incubation conditions. Winter torpor lasts approximately seven months with males emerging in early September and spermatogenesis occurring from September-November. Females emerge later, with vitellogenesis occurring from September-December. Gravid females may be found between October and January, but females are non-vitellogenic from late December until the following season. The first clutch is typically laid from October--December, with a variable clutch size (2-11 eggs). Females store sperm and a second clutch may be laid five weeks after the first. Eggs incubated in artificial enclosures at low altitude hatched after 72--106 days, after experiencing an average daily temperature
of 19°-22°C, and a range of 50-39°C
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