Tidal stability of giant molecular clouds in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Star formation does not occur until the onset of gravitational collapse inside giant molecular clouds. However, the conditions that initiate cloud collapse and regulate the star formation process remain poorly understood. Local processes such as turbulence and magnetic fields can act to promote or prevent collapse. On larger scales, the galactic potential can also influence cloud stability and is traditionally assessed by the tidal and shear effects. In this paper, we examine the stability of giant molecular clouds (GMCs) in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) against shear and the galactic tide using CO data from the Magellanic Mopra Assessment (MAGMA) and rotation curve data from the literature. We calculate the tidal acceleration experienced by individual GMCs and determine the minimum cloud mass required for tidal stability. We also calculate the shear parameter, which is a measure of a clouds susceptibility to disruption via shearing forces in the galactic disk. We examine whether there are correlations between the properties and star forming activity of GMCs and their stability against shear and tidal disruption. We find that the GMCs are in approximate tidal balance in the LMC, and that shear is unlikely to affect their further evolution. GMCs with masses close to the minimal stable mass against tidal disruption are not unusual in terms of their mass, location, or CO brightness, but we note that GMCs with large velocity dispersion tend to be more sensitive to tidal instability. We also note that GMCs with smaller radii, which represent the majority of our sample, tend to more strongly resist tidal and shear disruption. Our results demonstrate that star formation in the LMC is not inhibited by to tidal or shear instability.Comment: 18 pages, 10 Figures, Accepted in PAS

Covariant hamiltonian dynamics

We discuss the covariant formulation of the dynamics of particles with abelian and non-abelian gauge charges in external fields. Using this formulation we develop an algorithm for the construction of constants of motion, which makes use of a generalization of the concept of Killing vectors and tensors in differential geometry. We apply the formalism to the motion of classical charges in abelian and non-abelian monopole fieldsComment: 15 pages, no figure

Spectral multigrid methods for elliptic equations 2

A detailed description of spectral multigrid methods is provided. This includes the interpolation and coarse-grid operators for both periodic and Dirichlet problems. The spectral methods for periodic problems use Fourier series and those for Dirichlet problems are based upon Chebyshev polynomials. An improved preconditioning for Dirichlet problems is given. Numerical examples and practical advice are included

Patterns of antihypertensive prescribing, discontinuation and switching among a Hong Kong Chinese population from over one million prescriptions

Hypertension is an alarming public health problem among Chinese. The present study evaluated the prescribing patterns, discontinuation and switching profiles of antihypertensive agents and their associated factors in one Hong Kong Chinese population. Data were retrieved from computerized records for patients prescribed anti-hypertensive agents in government primary care clinics of Hong Kong from January, 2004 to June, 2007. A total of 1,069,836 antihypertensive drug visits, representing 67,028 patients, were analyzed. The most commonly prescribed drugs were Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs) (49%), b-Blockers (BBs) (46%) and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEIs) (19%). Thiazide diuretic prescribing was low (13%) and on the decline (14% in 2004 to 12% in 2007). Prescribing of ACEIs was rising (16% in 2004 to 23% in 2007). Patients’ age, gender, and socio-economic status were independent predictors of class of anti-hypertensive prescribed but explained less than 3.5% of the variation observed. Drug discontinuation was highest for BBs (21%) and lowest for CCBs (12%). The high rates of discontinuation in BBs remained apparent after controlling for confounding variables. Switching was less common than discontinuation and was most likely with thiazide diuretics. To summarize, prescribing of CCBs and BBs were high and that of thiazide diuretics particularly low in this Chinese population when compared with international trends. CCBs may be a particularly favorable antihypertensive treatment in Chinese, given the high discontinuation rates of BBs and international guidelines advising against the use of BBs as first-line therapy. The low use of thiazide diuretics warrants further clinical and cost effectiveness studies among Chinese

In situ real-time analysis of alloy film composition and segregation dynamics with parallel detection reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy

Real-time measurements of GexSi1 – x/Si(001) composition and segregation dynamics in Sn/Si(001) in molecular beam epitaxy are demonstrated using parallel detection reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy. Parallel detection enables quantitative acquisition of low-loss spectra in a time of < 500 µs and surface composition determination in GexSi1 – x/Si(001) via Ge L2,3 core loss analysis to a precision of approximately 2% in time of order 1 s. Segregation and trapping kinetics of monolayer thickness Sn films during Si epitaxy on Sn-covered Si(100) has also been studied using the Sn M4.5 core loss

On the dominance of J(P)=0(+) ground states in even-even nuclei from random two-body interactions

Recent calculations using random two-body interactions showed a preponderance of J(P)=0(+) ground states, despite the fact that there is no strong pairing character in the force. We carry out an analysis of a system of identical particles occupying orbits with j=1/2, 3/2 and 5/2 and discuss some general features of the spectra derived from random two-body interactions. We show that for random two-body interactions that are not time-reversal invariant the dominance of 0(+) states in this case is more pronounced, indicating that time-reversal invariance cannot be the origin of the 0(+) dominance.Comment: 8 pages, 3 tables and 3 figures. Phys. Rev. C, in pres

Kinetic modeling of LDPE pyrolysis using coats-Redfern method

Pyrolysis of polymer waste can potentially be a source of renewable energy, as it is a possible way to produce liquid fuel. In order to industrialize the process, the kinetic behavior of the pyrolysis has to be well understood. In this study, pyrolysis of virgin low density polyethylene (LDPE) was studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The test was carried out from 303-923 K at 20K/min in a nitrogen atmosphere. The TGA result was used to develop suitable models to calculate the activation energy, E, and pre-exponential factor, A, using Coats-Redfern method. Proximate and elemental analysis was also carried out on the LDPE sample. It was discovered that all reaction models were able to produce satisfactory linear fit of the data, with high correlation coefficients. Therefore, Coats-Redfern method cannot be used alone, but must be coupled with other methods to determine the correct reaction mechanism for the pyrolysis. By assuming first-order reaction, the calculated activation energy and pre-exponential factor are 166.75 kJ/mol and 4.97 x 1011 s-1, respectively

Prospects of cold dark matter searches with an ultra-low-energy germanium detector

The report describes the research program on the development of ultra-low-energy germanium detectors, with emphasis on WIMP dark matter searches. A threshold of 100 eV is achieved with a 20 g detector array, providing a unique probe to the low-mas WIMP. Present data at a surface laboratory is expected to give rise to comparable sensitivities with the existing limits at the $\rm{5 - 10 GeV}$ WIMP-mass range. The projected parameter space to be probed with a full-scale, kilogram mass-range experiment is presented. Such a detector would also allow the studies of neutrino-nucleus coherent scattering and neutrino magnetic moments.Comment: 3 pages, 4 figures, Proceedings of TAUP-2007 Conferenc