133 research outputs found
Geometrical locus of massive test particle orbits in the space of physical parameters in Kerr space-time
Gravitational radiation of binary systems can be studied by using the
adiabatic approximation in General Relativity. In this approach a small
astrophysical object follows a trajectory consisting of a chained series of
bounded geodesics (orbits) in the outer region of a Kerr Black Hole,
representing the space time created by a bigger object. In our paper we study
the entire class of orbits, both of constant radius (spherical orbits), as well
as non-null eccentricity orbits, showing a number of properties on the physical
parameters and trajectories. The main result is the determination of the
geometrical locus of all the orbits in the space of physical parameters in Kerr
space-time. This becomes a powerful tool to know if different orbits can be
connected by a continuous change of their physical parameters. A discussion on
the influence of different values of the angular momentum of the hole is given.
Main results have been obtained by analytical methods.Comment: 26 pages, 12 figure
Rotating black hole orbit functionals in the frequency domain
In many astrophysical problems, it is important to understand the behavior of
functions that come from rotating (Kerr) black hole orbits. It can be
particularly useful to work with the frequency domain representation of those
functions, in order to bring out their harmonic dependence upon the fundamental
orbital frequencies of Kerr black holes. Although, as has recently been shown
by W. Schmidt, such a frequency domain representation must exist, the coupled
nature of a black hole orbit's and motions makes it difficult to
construct such a representation in practice. Combining Schmidt's description
with a clever choice of timelike coordinate suggested by Y. Mino, we have
developed a simple procedure that sidesteps this difficulty. One first Fourier
expands all quantities using Mino's time coordinate . In particular,
the observer's time is decomposed with . The frequency domain
description is then built from the -Fourier expansion and the
expansion of . We have found this procedure to be quite simple to implement,
and to be applicable to a wide class of functionals. We test the procedure
using a simple test function, and then apply it in a particularly interesting
case, the Weyl curvature scalar used in black hole perturbation
theory.Comment: 16 pages, 2 figures. Submitted to Phys Rev D. New version gives a
vastly improved algorithm due to Drasco for computing the Fourier transforms.
Drasco has been added as an author. Also fixed some references and
exterminated a small herd of typos; final published versio
Covariant Calculation of General Relativistic Effects in an Orbiting Gyroscope Experiment
We carry out a covariant calculation of the measurable relativistic effects
in an orbiting gyroscope experiment. The experiment, currently known as Gravity
Probe B, compares the spin directions of an array of spinning gyroscopes with
the optical axis of a telescope, all housed in a spacecraft that rolls about
the optical axis. The spacecraft is steered so that the telescope always points
toward a known guide star. We calculate the variation in the spin directions
relative to readout loops rigidly fixed in the spacecraft, and express the
variations in terms of quantities that can be measured, to sufficient accuracy,
using an Earth-centered coordinate system. The measurable effects include the
aberration of starlight, the geodetic precession caused by space curvature, the
frame-dragging effect caused by the rotation of the Earth and the deflection of
light by the Sun.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure, to be submitted to Phys. Rev.
On the relation of Thomas rotation and angular velocity of reference frames
In the extensive literature dealing with the relativistic phenomenon of
Thomas rotation several methods have been developed for calculating the Thomas
rotation angle of a gyroscope along a circular world line. One of the most
appealing concepts, introduced in \cite{rindler}, is to consider a rotating
reference frame co-moving with the gyroscope, and relate the precession of the
gyroscope to the angular velocity of the reference frame. A recent paper
\cite{herrera}, however, applies this principle to three different co-moving
rotating reference frames and arrives at three different Thomas rotation
angles. The reason for this apparent paradox is that the principle of
\cite{rindler} is used for a situation to which it does not apply. In this
paper we rigorously examine the theoretical background and limitations of
applicability of the principle of \cite{rindler}. Along the way we also
establish some general properties of {\it rotating reference frames}, which may
be of independent interest.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figure
A theoretical and empirical investigation of nutritional label use
Due in part to increasing diet-related health problems caused, among others, by obesity, nutritional labelling has been considered important, mainly because it can provide consumers with information that can be used to make informed and healthier food choices. Several studies have focused on the empirical perspective of nutritional label use. None of these studies, however, have focused on developing a theoretical economic model that would adequately describe nutritional label use based on a utility theoretic framework. We attempt to fill this void by developing a simple theoretical model of nutritional label use, incorporating the time a consumer spends reading labels as part of the food choice process. The demand equations of the model are then empirically tested. Results suggest the significant role of several variables that flow directly from the model which, to our knowledge, have not been used in any previous empirical work
Predictions of total and total reaction cross sections for nucleon-nucleus scattering up to 300 MeV
Total reaction cross sections are predicted for nucleons scattering from various nuclei. Projectile energies to 300 MeV are considered. So also are mass variations of those cross sections at selected energies. All predictions have been obtained from coordinate space optical potentials formed by full folding effective two-nucleon (NN) interactions with one body density matrix elements (OBDME) of the nuclear ground states. Good comparisons with data result when effective NN interactions defined by medium modification of free NN t matrices are used. Coupled with analyses of differential cross sections, these results are sensitive to details of the model ground states used to describe nuclei
Size Doesn't Matter: Towards a More Inclusive Philosophy of Biology
notes: As the primary author, O’Malley drafted the paper, and gathered and analysed data (scientific papers and talks). Conceptual analysis was conducted by both authors.publication-status: Publishedtypes: ArticlePhilosophers of biology, along with everyone else, generally perceive life to fall into two broad categories, the microbes and macrobes, and then pay most of their attention to the latter. ‘Macrobe’ is the word we propose for larger life forms, and we use it as part of an argument for microbial equality. We suggest that taking more notice of microbes – the dominant life form on the planet, both now and throughout evolutionary history – will transform some of the philosophy of biology’s standard ideas on ontology, evolution, taxonomy and biodiversity. We set out a number of recent developments in microbiology – including biofilm formation, chemotaxis, quorum sensing and gene transfer – that highlight microbial capacities for cooperation and communication and break down conventional thinking that microbes are solely or primarily single-celled organisms. These insights also bring new perspectives to the levels of selection debate, as well as to discussions of the evolution and nature of multicellularity, and to neo-Darwinian understandings of evolutionary mechanisms. We show how these revisions lead to further complications for microbial classification and the philosophies of systematics and biodiversity. Incorporating microbial insights into the philosophy of biology will challenge many of its assumptions, but also give greater scope and depth to its investigations
A novel formulation of inhaled sodium cromoglicate (PA101) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and chronic cough: a randomised, double-blind, proof-of-concept, phase 2 trial
Background Cough can be a debilitating symptom of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and is difficult to treat. PA101 is a novel formulation of sodium cromoglicate delivered via a high-efficiency eFlow nebuliser that achieves significantly higher drug deposition in the lung compared with the existing formulations. We aimed to test the efficacy and safety of inhaled PA101 in patients with IPF and chronic cough and, to explore the antitussive mechanism of PA101, patients with chronic idiopathic cough (CIC) were also studied. Methods This pilot, proof-of-concept study consisted of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with IPF and chronic cough and a parallel study of similar design in patients with CIC. Participants with IPF and chronic cough recruited from seven centres in the UK and the Netherlands were randomly assigned (1:1, using a computer-generated randomisation schedule) by site staff to receive PA101 (40 mg) or matching placebo three times a day via oral inhalation for 2 weeks, followed by a 2 week washout, and then crossed over to the other arm. Study participants, investigators, study staff, and the sponsor were masked to group assignment until all participants had completed the study. The primary efficacy endpoint was change from baseline in objective daytime cough frequency (from 24 h acoustic recording, Leicester Cough Monitor). The primary efficacy analysis included all participants who received at least one dose of study drug and had at least one post-baseline efficacy measurement. Safety analysis included all those who took at least one dose of study drug. In the second cohort, participants with CIC were randomly assigned in a study across four centres with similar design and endpoints. The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02412020) and the EU Clinical Trials Register (EudraCT Number 2014-004025-40) and both cohorts are closed to new participants. Findings Between Feb 13, 2015, and Feb 2, 2016, 24 participants with IPF were randomly assigned to treatment groups. 28 participants with CIC were enrolled during the same period and 27 received study treatment. In patients with IPF, PA101 reduced daytime cough frequency by 31·1% at day 14 compared with placebo; daytime cough frequency decreased from a mean 55 (SD 55) coughs per h at baseline to 39 (29) coughs per h at day 14 following treatment with PA101, versus 51 (37) coughs per h at baseline to 52 (40) cough per h following placebo treatment (ratio of least-squares [LS] means 0·67, 95% CI 0·48–0·94, p=0·0241). By contrast, no treatment benefit for PA101 was observed in the CIC cohort; mean reduction of daytime cough frequency at day 14 for PA101 adjusted for placebo was 6·2% (ratio of LS means 1·27, 0·78–2·06, p=0·31). PA101 was well tolerated in both cohorts. The incidence of adverse events was similar between PA101 and placebo treatments, most adverse events were mild in severity, and no severe adverse events or serious adverse events were reported. Interpretation This study suggests that the mechanism of cough in IPF might be disease specific. Inhaled PA101 could be a treatment option for chronic cough in patients with IPF and warrants further investigation
Combination of searches for Higgs boson pairs in pp collisions at \sqrts = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector
This letter presents a combination of searches for Higgs boson pair production using up to 36.1 fb(-1) of proton-proton collision data at a centre-of-mass energy root s = 13 TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The combination is performed using six analyses searching for Higgs boson pairs decaying into the b (b) over barb (b) over bar, b (b) over barW(+)W(-), b (b) over bar tau(+)tau(-), W+W-W+W-, b (b) over bar gamma gamma and W+W-gamma gamma final states. Results are presented for non-resonant and resonant Higgs boson pair production modes. No statistically significant excess in data above the Standard Model predictions is found. The combined observed (expected) limit at 95% confidence level on the non-resonant Higgs boson pair production cross-section is 6.9 (10) times the predicted Standard Model cross-section. Limits are also set on the ratio (kappa(lambda)) of the Higgs boson self-coupling to its Standard Model value. This ratio is constrained at 95% confidence level in observation (expectation) to -5.0 < kappa(lambda) < 12.0 (-5.8 < kappa(lambda) < 12.0). In addition, limits are set on the production of narrow scalar resonances and spin-2 Kaluza-Klein Randall-Sundrum gravitons. Exclusion regions are also provided in the parameter space of the habemus Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model and the Electroweak Singlet Model. For complete list of authors see http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physletb.2019.135103</p
- …