28,324 research outputs found
A radial mode ultrasonic horn for the inactivation of <i>Escherichia coli</i> K12
Tuned cylindrical radial mode ultrasonic horns offer advantages over ultrasonic probes in the design of flow-through devices for bacterial inactivation. This study presents a comparison of the effectiveness of a radial horn and probe in the inactivation of Escherichia coli K12. The radial horn is designed using finite element analysis and the predicted modal parameters are validated using experimental modal analysis. A validated finite element model of the probe is also presented. Visual studies of the cavitation fields produced by the radial horn and probe are carried out using luminol and also backlighting to demonstrate the advantages of radial horns in producing a more focused cavitation field with widely dispersed streamers. Microbiological studies show that, for the same power density, better inactivation of E. coli K12 is achieved using the radial horn and, also, the radial horn offers greater achievable power density resulting in further improvements in bacterial inactivation. The radial horn is shown to be more effective than the probe device and offers opportunities to design in-line flow-through devices for processing applications
Analytic solutions of the magnetic annihilation and reconnection problems. I. Planar flow profiles
The phenomena of steady-state magnetic annihilation and reconnection in the vicinity of magnetic nulls are considered. It is shown that reconnective solutions can be derived by superposing the velocity and magnetic fields of simple magnetic annihilation models. These solutions contain most of the previous models for magnetic merging and reconnection, as well as introducing several new solutions. The various magnetic dissipation mechanisms are classified by examining the scaling of the Ohmic diffusion rate with plasma resistivity. Reconnection solutions generally allow more favorable "fast" dissipation scalings than annihilation models. In particular, reconnection models involving the advection of planar field components have the potential to satisfy the severe energy release requirements of the solar flare. The present paper is mainly concerned with magnetic fields embedded in strictly planar flowsâa discussion of the more complicated three-dimensional flow patterns is presented in Part II [Phys. Plasmas 4, 110 (1997)]
The XMM-Newton spectral-fit database
The XMM-Newton spectral-fit database is an ongoing ESA funded project aimed
to construct a catalogue of spectral-fitting results for all the sources within
the XMM-Newton serendipitous source catalogue for which spectral data products
have been pipeline-extracted (~ 120,000 X-ray source detections). The
fundamental goal of this project is to provide the astronomical community with
a tool to construct large and representative samples of X-ray sources by
allowing source selection according to spectral properties.Comment: Conference proceedings of IAU Symposium 304: Multiwavelength AGN
surveys and studie
Hall current effects in dynamic magnetic reconnection solutions
The impact of Hall current contributions on flow driven planar magnetic merging solutions is discussed. The Hall current is important if the dimensionless Hall parameter (or normalized ion skin depth) satisfies cH>Ρ where Ρ is the inverse Lundquist number for the plasma. A dynamic analysis of the problem shows, however, that the Hall current initially manifests itself, not by modifying the planar reconnection field, but by inducing a non-reconnecting perpendicular "separator" component in the magnetic field. Only if the stronger condition c2/H > Ρ is satisfied can Hall currents be expected to affect the planar merging. These analytic predictions are then tested by performing a series of numerical experiments in periodic geometry, using the full system of planar magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations. The numerical results confirm that the nature of the merging changes dramatically when the Hall coupling satisfies c2/H > Ρ. In line with the analytic treatment of sheared reconnection, the coupling provided by the Hall term leads to the emergence of multiple current layers that can enhance the global Ohmic dissipation at the expense of the reconnection rate. However, the details of the dissipation depend critically on the symmetries of the simulation, and when the merging is "head-on" (i.e., comprises fourfold symmetry) the reconnection rate can be enhanced
Gravitational wave energy spectrum of a parabolic encounter
We derive an analytic expression for the energy spectrum of gravitational
waves from a parabolic Keplerian binary by taking the limit of the Peters and
Matthews spectrum for eccentric orbits. This demonstrates that the location of
the peak of the energy spectrum depends primarily on the orbital periapse
rather than the eccentricity. We compare this weak-field result to strong-field
calculations and find it is reasonably accurate (~10%) provided that the
azimuthal and radial orbital frequencies do not differ by more than ~10%. For
equatorial orbits in the Kerr spacetime, this corresponds to periapse radii of
rp > 20M. These results can be used to model radiation bursts from compact
objects on highly eccentric orbits about massive black holes in the local
Universe, which could be detected by LISA.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. Minor changes to match published version; figure
1 corrected; references adde
Bessel beam propagation: Energy localization and velocity
The propagation of a Bessel beam (or Bessel-X wave) is analyzed on the basis
of a vectorial treatment. The electric and magnetic fields are obtained by
considering a realistic situation able to generate that kind of scalar field.
Specifically, we analyze the field due to a ring-shaped aperture over a
metallic screen on which a linearly polarized plane wave impinges. On this
basis, and in the far field approximation, we can obtain information about the
propagation of energy flux and the velocity of the energy.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure
Subduction Duration and Slab Dip
The dip angles of slabs are among the clearest characteristics of subduction zones, but the factors that control them remain obscure. Here, slab dip angles and subduction parameters, including subduction duration, the nature of the overriding plate, slab age, and convergence rate, are determined for 153 transects along subduction zones for the present day. We present a comprehensive tabulation of subduction duration based on isotopic ages of arc initiation and stratigraphic, structural, plate tectonic and seismic indicators of subduction initiation. We present two ages for subduction zones, a longâterm age and a reinitiation age. Using cross correlation and multivariate regression, we find that (1) subduction duration is the primary parameter controlling slab dips with slabs tending to have shallower dips at subduction zones that have been in existence longer; (2) the longâterm age of subduction duration better explains variation of shallow dip than reinitiation age; (3) overriding plate nature could influence shallow dip angle, where slabs below continents tend to have shallower dips; (4) slab age contributes to slab dip, with younger slabs having steeper shallow dips; and (5) the relations between slab dip and subduction parameters are depth dependent, where the ability of subduction duration and overriding plate nature to explain observed variation decreases with depth. The analysis emphasizes the importance of subduction history and the longâterm regional state of a subduction zone in determining slab dip and is consistent with mechanical models of subduction
Stochastic Trends and Economic Fluctuations
Recent developments in macroeconomic theory emphasize that transient economic fluctuations can arise as responses to changes in long run factors -- in particular, technological improvements -- rather than short run factors. This contrasts with the view that short run fluctuations and shifts in long run trends are largely unrelated. We examine empirically the effect of shifts in stochastic trends that are common to several macroeconomic series. Using a linear time series model related to a VAR, we consider first a system with GNP, consumption and investment with a single common stochastic trend; we then examine this system augmented by money and prices and an additional stochastic trend. Our results suggest that movements in the "real" stochastic trend account for one-half to two-thirds of the variation in postwar U.S. GNP.
Recommended from our members
Report on a mission to Thailand and Bangladesh, 11 March - 12 April 1991 to conduct a socio-economic survey of aquaculture and feed utilisation
The scope for development of small-scale aquaculture as an income generating activity is considerable. Aquaculture has a number of advantages for those with the necessary access to water resources. These include high returns to labour, low initial capital outlay and excellent synthesis within the existing farming and socio-economic system. The mission was particularly struck by the possibilities presented by semi-intensive approaches to increasing yields. These include supplementary feeding and pond fertilisation. Greatly increased production is possible without the complex technology, management know-how or large amounts of working capital usually associated with intensive fish farming in developed countries. The development of appropriate fish production strategies in collaboration with farmers has proved particularly successful, producing widely extendable recommendations which are highly robust. The value of pre-project social and economic appraisal was also highlighted. Where this had been absent, projects were inadequately designed to meet the needs of the market. The mission made particular note of those projects which endeavoured to adopt a demand-led approach. These were markedly more successful than those which were technology led and neglected the needs of the end user. Key social and economic constraints to further development are: provision of credit, access to resources by disadvantaged groups, particularly women, and marketing of fish. Technical constraints were considered subordinate to access to know-how. The use of a process approach to developing new technologies was seen to achieve higher rates of adoption. By this we mean a step-by-step progression in partnership with the beneficiaries in which the perceived needs of the collaborators are addressed iteratively, combining available knowledge and technical know-how to produce pragmatic and usable solutions. There is now, and will be in the future, an increasing need for simple feed for fish. The development and utilisation of feed resources within existing farming systems should follow the approach outlined above and elsewhere in this document. The possible financial, economic and social benefits from increased utilisation of aquatic resources in this way are great. A number of opportunities exist for N1U and these are utlined. In addition, it is recommended that NRI consider its current work programme in the area of small-scale aquaculture farming systems in the light of these findings. The expansion of demand for know-how presents opportunities for consolidation of our comparative advantages, particularly in the areas of socio-economics, social development, farming systems research, feed technology, and process technology
Three-dimensional theory of stimulated Raman scattering
We present a three-dimensional theory of stimulated Raman scattering
(SRS) or superradiance. In particular we address how the spatial and temporal
properties of the generated SRS beam, or Stokes beam, of radiation depends on
the spatial properties of the gain medium. Maxwell equations for the Stokes
field operators and of the atomic operators are solved analytically and a
correlation function for the Stokes field is derived. In the analysis we
identify a superradiating part of the Stokes radiation that exhibit beam
characteristics. We show how the intensity in this beam builds up in time and
at some point largely dominates the total Stokes radiation of the gain medium.
We show how the SRS depends on geometric factors such as the Fresnel number and
the optical depth, and that in fact these two factors are the only factors
describing the coherent radiation.Comment: 21 pages 14 figure
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