1,245 research outputs found
Transport in rough self-affine fractures
Transport properties of three-dimensional self-affine rough fractures are
studied by means of an effective-medium analysis and numerical simulations
using the Lattice-Boltzmann method. The numerical results show that the
effective-medium approximation predicts the right scaling behavior of the
permeability and of the velocity fluctuations, in terms of the aperture of the
fracture, the roughness exponent and the characteristic length of the fracture
surfaces, in the limit of small separation between surfaces. The permeability
of the fractures is also investigated as a function of the normal and lateral
relative displacements between surfaces, and is shown that it can be bounded by
the permeability of two-dimensional fractures. The development of channel-like
structures in the velocity field is also numerically investigated for different
relative displacements between surfaces. Finally, the dispersion of tracer
particles in the velocity field of the fractures is investigated by analytic
and numerical methods. The asymptotic dominant role of the geometric
dispersion, due to velocity fluctuations and their spatial correlations, is
shown in the limit of very small separation between fracture surfaces.Comment: submitted to PR
Bounds on the electromagnetic interactions of excited spin-3/2 leptons
We discuss possible deviations from QED produced by a virtual excited
spin-3/2 lepton in the reaction . Data recorded
by the OPAL Collaboration at a c.m. energy are used to
establish bounds on the nonstandard-lepton mass and coupling strengths.Comment: Latex, 5 pages, 7 ps figures. To be published in Phys. Rev.
Spin echo small angle neutron scattering using a continuously pumped He-3 neutron polarisation analyser
We present a new instrument for spin echo small angle neutron scattering (SESANS) developed at the Low Energy Neutron Source at Indiana University. A description of the various instrument components is given along with the performance of these components. At the heart of the instrument are a series of resistive coils to encode the neutron trajectory into the neutron polarisation. These are shown to work well over a broad range of neutron wavelengths. Neutron polarisation analysis is accomplished using a continuously operating neutron spin filter polarised by Rb spin-exchange optical pumping of 3He. We describe the performance of the analyser along with a study of the 3He polarisation stability and its implications for SESANS measurements. Scattering from silica Stöber particles is investigated and agrees with samples run on similar instruments
The effect of carbohydrate ingestion on the motor skill proficiency of soccer players
This study examined the effects of ingesting a glucose-polymer (GP) solution on the motor skill proficiencies of association football (soccer) players from two teams playing during two matches in a cool environment. Fifteen minutes before each match and at halftime, players from both teams ingested 5 ml/kg of either placebo or a 6.9% GP solution. GP ingestion did not improve tackling, heading, dribbling, or shooting ability. On the contrary, the mean of successful tackles was lower with GP ingestion than with placebo. The success rate for heading, dribbling, and shooting also tended to be lower in the GP than in the placebo condition. In contrast, success in passing and ball control was similar in the two conditions. Improvements in passing and ball control may have been related to a decrease in the intensity of play in the second half of the game. These data indicate that there are no measurable benefits of GP ingestion for the motor skill proficiencies of soccer players during games played in a cool environment.IS
Equivalence of the realized input and output oriented indirect effects metrics in ecological network analysis
A new understanding of the consequences of how ecosystem elements are
interconnected is emerging from the development and application of Ecological
Network Analysis. The relative importance of indirect effects is central to
this understanding, and the ratio of indirect flow to direct flow (I/D) is one
indicator of their importance. Two methods have been proposed for calculating
this indicator. The unit approach shows what would happen if each system member
had a unit input or output, while the realized technique determines the ratio
using the observed system inputs or outputs. When using the unit method, the
input oriented and output oriented ratios can be different, potentially leading
to conflicting results. However, we show that the input and output oriented I/D
ratios are identical using the realized method when the system is at steady
state. This work is a step in the maturation of Ecological Network Analysis
that will let it be more readily testable empirically and ultimately more
useful for environmental assessment and management.Comment: 13 pages, 1 figure, 1 tabl
Reproductive Isolation in a Threespine Stickleback Hybrid Zone
In many estuarine sites, morphological and genetic differences between anadromous and freshwater threespine sticklebacks are maintained despite breeding in sympatry. Here, we investigate the maintenance of this morphological divergence in a natural hybrid zone in the River Tyne, Scotland. We provide a morphological description of the hybrid zone, and using a Bayesian MCMC approach, identified distinct anadromous and freshwater genetic clusters. Anadromous and freshwater sticklebacks breed in spatial and temporal sympatry in the lower reaches of the River Tyne. The frequency of hybrids within these sites (33%) indicates prezygotic isolation is not complete, and suggests that assortative mating is not strong. However, significant heterozygote deficit and cytonuclear disequilibrium in juveniles collected from sympatric sites confirms that barriers to gene flow exist between the morphs in the wild. In addition, we found no evidence of a directional bias in hybridisation, although hybrids with anadromous mothers were more common because anadromous females outnumbered freshwater females within the hybrid zone. We discuss the potential contribution of temporal, spatial, and sexual prezygotic barriers to the observed reproductive isolation as well as postzygotic selection against hybrid zygotes or fry
Search for the glueball candidates f0(1500) and fJ(1710) in gamma gamma collisions
Data taken with the ALEPH detector at LEP1 have been used to search for gamma
gamma production of the glueball candidates f0(1500) and fJ(1710) via their
decay to pi+pi-. No signal is observed and upper limits to the product of gamma
gamma width and pi+pi- branching ratio of the f0(1500) and the fJ(1710) have
been measured to be Gamma_(gamma gamma -> f0(1500)). BR(f0(1500)->pi+pi-) <
0.31 keV and Gamma_(gamma gamma -> fJ(1710)). BR(fJ(1710)->pi+pi-) < 0.55 keV
at 95% confidence level.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure
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