1,156 research outputs found
Simulated Dark-Matter Halos as a Test of Nonextensive Statistical Mechanics
In the framework of nonextensive statistical mechanics, the equilibrium
structures of astrophysical self-gravitating systems are stellar polytropes,
parameterized by the polytropic index n. By careful comparison to the
structures of simulated dark-matter halos we find that the density profiles, as
well as other fundamental properties, of stellar polytropes are inconsistent
with simulations for any value of n. This result suggests the need to
reconsider the applicability of nonextensive statistical mechanics (in its
simplest form) to equilibrium self-gravitating systems.Comment: Accepted for publication in Physical Review
Multitechnique testing of the viscous decretion disk model I. The stable and tenuous disk of the late-type Be star CMi
The viscous decretion disk (VDD) model is able to explain most of the
currently observable properties of the circumstellar disks of Be stars.
However, more stringent tests, focusing on reproducing multitechnique
observations of individual targets via physical modeling, are needed to study
the predictions of the VDD model under specific circumstances. In the case of
nearby, bright Be star CMi, these circumstances are a very stable
low-density disk and a late-type (B8Ve) central star. The aim is to test the
VDD model thoroughly, exploiting the full diagnostic potential of individual
types of observations, in particular, to constrain the poorly known structure
of the outer disk if possible, and to test truncation effects caused by a
possible binary companion using radio observations. We use the Monte Carlo
radiative transfer code HDUST to produce model observables, which we compare
with a very large set of multitechnique and multiwavelength observations that
include ultraviolet and optical spectra, photometry covering the interval
between optical and radio wavelengths, optical polarimetry, and optical and
near-IR (spectro)interferometry. Due to the absence of large scale variability,
data from different epochs can be combined into a single dataset. A parametric
VDD model with radial density exponent of = 3.5, which is the canonical
value for isothermal flaring disks, is found to explain observables typically
formed in the inner disk, while observables originating in the more extended
parts favor a shallower, = 3.0, density falloff. Modeling of radio
observations allowed for the first determination of the physical extent of a Be
disk (35 stellar radii), which might be caused by a binary
companion. Finally, polarization data allowed for an indirect measurement of
the rotation rate of the star, which was found to be , i.e.,
very close to critical.Comment: 19 pages (35 including online material), 17 figures, 2 online
figures, 2 online tables with dat
The HgMn Binary Star Phi Herculis: Detection and Properties of the Secondary and Revision of the Elemental Abundances of the Primary
Observations of the Mercury-Manganese star Phi Herculis with the Navy
Prototype Optical Interferometer (NPOI) conclusively reveal the previously
unseen companion in this single-lined binary system. The NPOI data were used to
predict a spectral type of A8V for the secondary star Phi Her B. This
prediction was subsequently confirmed by spectroscopic observations obtained at
the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory. Phi Her B is rotating at 50 +/-3
km/sec, in contrast to the 8 km/sec lines of Phi Her A. Recognizing the lines
from the secondary permits one to separate them from those of the primary. The
abundance analysis of Phi Her A shows an abundance pattern similar to those of
other HgMn stars with Al being very underabundant and Sc, Cr, Mn, Zn, Ga, Sr,
Y, Zr, Ba, Ce, and Hg being very overabundant.Comment: Accepted to ApJ, 45 pages, 11 figure
Understanding the Geometry of Astrophysical Magnetic Fields
Faraday rotation measurements have provided an invaluable technique with
which to measure the properties of astrophysical magnetized plasmas.
Unfortunately, typical observations provide information only about the
density-weighted average of the magnetic field component parallel to the line
of sight. As a result, the magnetic field geometry along the line of sight, and
in many cases even the location of the rotating material, is poorly
constrained. Frequently, interpretations of Faraday rotation observations are
dependent upon underlying models of the magnetic field being probed (e.g.,
uniform, turbulent, equipartition). However, we show that at sufficiently low
frequencies, specifically below roughly 13 (RM/rad m^-2)^(1/4) (B/G)^(1/2) MHz,
the character of Faraday rotation changes, entering what we term the
``super-adiabatic regime'' in which the rotation measure is proportional to the
integrated absolute value of the line-of-sight component of the field. As a
consequence, comparing rotation measures at high frequencies with those in this
new regime provides direct information about the geometry of the magnetic field
along the line of sight. Furthermore, the frequency defining the transition to
this new regime, nu_SA, depends directly upon the local electron density and
magnetic field strength where the magnetic field is perpendicular to the line
of sight, allowing the unambiguous distinction between Faraday rotation within
and in front of the emission region. Typical values of nu_SA range from 10 kHz
to 10 GHz, depending upon the details of the Faraday rotating environment. In
particular, for resolved AGN, including the black holes at the center of the
Milky Way (Sgr A*) and M81, nu_SA ranges from roughly 10 MHz to 10 GHz, and
thus can be probed via existing and up-coming ground-based radio observatories.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, submitted to Ap
Performance of Sensitivity based NMPC Updates in Automotive Applications
In this work we consider a half car model which is subject to unknown but
measurable disturbances. To control this system, we impose a combination of
model predictive control without stabilizing terminal constraints or cost to
generate a nominal solution and sensitivity updates to handle the disturbances.
For this approach, stability of the resulting closed loop can be guaranteed
using a relaxed Lyapunov argument on the nominal system and Lipschitz
conditions on the open loop change of the optimal value function and the stage
costs. For the considered example, the proposed approach is realtime applicable
and corresponding results show significant performance improvements of the
updated solution with respect to comfort and handling properties.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figure
Optics-less smart sensors and a possible mechanism of cutaneous vision in nature
Optics-less cutaneous (skin) vision is not rare among living organisms,
though its mechanisms and capabilities have not been thoroughly investigated.
This paper demonstrates, using methods from statistical parameter estimation
theory and numerical simulations, that an array of bare sensors with a natural
cosine-law angular sensitivity arranged on a flat or curved surface has the
ability to perform imaging tasks without any optics at all. The working
principle of this type of optics-less sensor and the model developed here for
determining sensor performance may be used to shed light upon possible
mechanisms and capabilities of cutaneous vision in nature
Probing the central black hole in M87 with gamma-rays
Recent high-sensitivity observation of the nearby radio galaxy M87 have
provided important insights into the central engine that drives the large-scale
outflows seen in radio, optical and X-rays. This review summarizes the
observational status achieved in the high energy (HE;<100 GeV) and very high
energy (VHE; >100 GeV) gamma-ray domains, and discusses the theoretical
progress in understanding the physical origin of this emission and its relation
to the activity of the central black hole.Comment: Invited compact review to be published in Modern Physics Letters A;
19 pages, 4 figure
Avian oncogenesis induced by lymphoproliferative disease virus: a neglected or emerging retroviral pathogen?
Lymphoproliferative disease virus (LPDV) is an exogenous oncogenic retrovirus that induces lymphoid tumors in some galliform species of birds. Historically, outbreaks of LPDV have been reported from Europe and Israel. Although the virus has previously never been detected in North America, herein we describe the widespread distribution, genetic diversity, pathogenesis, and evolution of LPDV in the United States. Characterization of the provirus genome of the index LPDV case from North America demonstrated an 88% nucleotide identity to the Israeli prototype strain. Although phylogenetic analysis indicated that the majority of viruses fell into a single North American lineage, a small subset of viruses from South Carolina were most closely related to the Israeli prototype. These results suggest that LPDV was transferred between continents to initiate outbreaks of disease. However, the direction (New World to Old World or vice versa), mechanism, and time frame of the transcontinental spread currently remain unknown
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