Scientific Highlights from Observations of Active Galactic Nuclei with the MAGIC Telescope

Since 2004, the MAGIC gamma-ray telescope has newly discovered 6 TeV blazars. The total set of 13 MAGIC-detected active galactic nuclei includes well-studied objects at other wavelengths like Markarian 501 and the giant radio galaxy M87, but also the distant the flat-spectrum radio quasar 3C 279, and the newly discovered TeV gamma-ray emitter S5 0716+71. In addition, also long-term and multi-wavelength studies on well-known TeV blazars and systematic searches for new TeV blazars have been carried out. Here we report selected highlights from recent MAGIC observations of extragalactic TeV gamma-ray sources, emphasizing the new physics insights MAGIC was able to contribute.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, submitted to proceedings of "4th Heidelberg International Symposium on High Energy Gamma-Ray Astronomy 2008

Serpentine channels: micro -- rheometers for fluid relaxation times

We propose a novel device capable of measuring the relaxation time of viscoelastic fluids as small as 1\,ms. In contrast to most rheometers, which by their very nature are concerned with producing viscometric or nearly-viscometric flows, here we make use of an elastic instability which occurs in the flow of viscoelastic fluids with curved streamlines. To calibrate the rheometer we combine simple scaling arguments with relaxation times obtained from first normal-stress difference data measured in a classical shear rheometer. As an additional check we also compare these relaxation times to those obtained from Zimm theory and good agreement is observed. Once calibrated, we show how the serpentine rheometer can be used to access smaller polymer concentrations and lower solvent viscosities where classical measurements become difficult or impossible to use due to inertial and/or resolution limitations. In the absence of calibration the serpentine channel can still be a very useful comparative or index device.Comment: accepted for for publication in Lab on a chi

Elevated Depressive Symptoms In A Community Sample Of African-Americans And Whites

This study examined demographic and psychosocial correlates of elevated depressive symptoms among African-Americans and Whites from comparable socioeconomic and neighborhood backgrounds. 851 African-Americans and 597 Whites from adjacent census tracts were interviewed using previously validated indicators of depressive symptoms, social support, religious practices and various demographic characteristics. More Whites than African-Americans reported elevated depressive symptoms and the groups also differed on several demographic variables and psychosocial variables. Employment, marital status and age were salient demographic covariates for African Americans, while income was for Whites. For both groups, social support and church attendance were inversely associated with depressive symptoms. Prayer was positively associated with depressive symptoms. Future research should explore within racial/ethnic group variations in depressive symptoms. Insights also are needed into possible changes over time in the relationship between religious variables and depressive symptoms, and how social support limits depressive symptoms in diverse populations

Cell size error in stochastic particle methods for coagulation equations with advection

The paper studies the approximation error in stochastic particle methods for spatially inhomogeneous population balance equations. The model includes advection, coagulation and inception. Sufficient conditions for second order approximation with respect to the spatial discretization parameter (cell size) are provided. Examples are given, where only first order approximation is observed

A stochastic weighted particle method for coagulation-advection problems

A spatially resolved stochastic weighted particle method for inception--coagulation--advection problems is presented. Convergence to a deterministic limit is briefly studied. Numerical experiments are carried out for two problems with very different coagulation kernels. These tests show the method to be robust and confirm the convergence properties. The robustness of the weighted particle method is shown to contrast with two Direct Simulation Algorithms which develop instabilities

A kinetic equation for the distribution of interaction clusters in rarefied gases

We consider a stochastic particle model governed by an arbitrary binary interaction kernel. A kinetic equation for the distribution of interaction clusters is established. Under some additional assumptions a recursive representation of the solution is found. For particular choices of the interaction kernel (including the Boltzmann case) several explicit formulas are obtained. These formulas are confirmed by numerical experiments. The experiments are also used to illustrate various conjectures and open problems

Stochastic weighted particle methods for population balance equations

A class of stochastic algorithms for the numerical treatment of population balance equations is introduced. The algorithms are based on systems of weighted particles, in which coagulation events are modelled by a weight transfer that keeps the number of computational particles constant. The weighting mechanisms are designed in such a way that physical processes changing individual particles (such as growth, or other surface reactions) can be conveniently treated by the algorithms. Numerical experiments are performed for complex laminar premixed flame systems. Two members of the class of stochastic weighted particle methods are compared to each other and to a direct simulation algorithm. One weighted algorithm is shown to be consistently better than the other with respect to the statistical noise generated. Finally, run times to achieve fixed error tolerances for a real flame system are measured and the better weighted algorithm is found to be up to three times faster than the direct simulation algorithm

Strategic toolkits: seniority, usage and performance in the German SME machinery and equipment sector

This paper examines the strategic tool kit, from a human resource management (HRM) perspective, in terms of usage and impact. Research to date has tended to consider usage, assuming to a certain extent that knowledge and understanding of particular tools suggest that practitioners value them. The research on which this paper is based builds upon the idea that usage indicates satisfaction, but develops the usage theme to investigate which decision-makers are actually engaged in both tool appliance and the strategic process. Of particular interest to the researchers are the educational background, age and seniority of the decision-makers. In addition, potential links with HRM and organizational performance are also explored. The context of the research, the German machinery and equipment sector, provides an insight into the industry's ability to sustain growth in face of increasing international competition. The paper calls for a greater awareness, from a human resource perspective, and utilization of strategic management practice and associated decision-making aids