Numerical Simulations of Gamma-Ray Burst Explosions

Gamma-ray bursts are a complex, non-linear system that evolves very rapidly through stages of vastly different conditions. They evolve from scales of few hundred kilometers where they are very dense and hot to cold and tenuous on scales of parsecs. As such, our understanding of such a phenomenon can truly increase by combining theoretical and numerical studies adopting different numerical techniques to face different problems and deal with diverse conditions. In this review, we will describe the tremendous advancement in our comprehension of the bursts phenomenology through numerical modeling. Though we will discuss studies mainly based on jet dynamics across the progenitor star and the interstellar medium, we will also touch upon other problems such as the jet launching, its acceleration, and the radiation mechanisms. Finally, we will describe how combining numerical results with observations from Swift and other instruments resulted in true understanding of the bursts phenomenon and the challenges still lying ahead.Comment: 14 Pages, Journal of High Energy Astrophysics for the dedicated issue: "Swift: Ten Years of Discovery", in pres

Effects of a competitive period on the anthropometric profile of soccer referees

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el efecto de un periodo competitivo de 10 semanas sobre las características antropométricas, la composición corporal y el somatotipo de árbitros de fútbol. 14 árbitros de fútbol (28,8 ± 5,1 años) de distintas categorías nacionales de fútbol de España participaron en este estudio. Se observó un descenso significativo tras este periodo competitivo en el sumatorio de ocho pliegues (Δ = -6,07%, p < 0,05, d = 0,38, bajo). Además, se observó un descenso significativo en el porcentaje de masa adiposa (Δ= -2,29%, p < 0,05, d = 0,19, trivial) y en el componente endomorfo (Δ= -6,82%, p < 0,05, d = 0,32, bajo) en el postest. Un periodo competitivo de 10 semanas parece ser suficiente como para provocar modificaciones en el somatotipo y un descenso del sumatorio de pliegues y de la masa adiposa en árbitrosThe aim of this study was to analyze the effect of a 10-week competitive period on body composition, anthropometric characteristics and somatotype in soccer referees. Fourteen officials (28.8 ± 5.1 yr) from different national soccer categories of Spain took part in the study. A decrease in the sum of eight skinfold thicknesses (Δ = -6.07%, p < 0.05, d = 0.38, low) was observed after the competitive period. Moreover, decreases in adipose mass (Δ= -2.29%, p < 0.05, d = 0.19, trivial) and endomorphic component were also observed. A 10-week competitive period has demonstrated to decrease both skinfold thicknesses and adipose mass, changing the somatotype of the referee

Group delay in THz spectroscopy with ultra-wideband log-spiral antennae

We report on the group delay observed in continuous-wave terahertz spectroscopy based on photomixing with phase-sensitive homodyne detection. We discuss the different contributions of the experimental setup to the phase difference \Delta\phi(\nu) between transmitter arm and receiver arm. A simple model based on three contributions yields a quantitative description of the overall behavior of \Delta\phi(\nu). Firstly, the optical path-length difference gives rise to a term linear in frequency. Secondly, the ultra-wideband log-spiral antennae effectively radiate and receive in a frequency-dependent active region, which in the most simple model is an annular area with a circumference equal to the wavelength. The corresponding term changes by roughly 6 pi between 100 GHz and 1 THz. The third contribution stems from the photomixer impedance. In contrast, the derivative (d\Delta\phi / d\nu) is dominated by the contribution of periodic modulations of \Delta\phi(\nu) caused by standing waves, e.g., in the photomixers' Si lenses. Furthermore, we discuss the Fourier-transformed spectra, which are equivalent to the waveform in a time-domain experiment. In the time domain, the group delay introduced by the log-spiral antennae gives rise to strongly chirped signals, in which low frequencies are delayed. Correcting for the contributions of antennae and photomixers yields sharp peaks or "pulses" and thus facilitates a time-domain-like analysis of our continuous-wave data.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figure

Relationship between the cardiovascular capacity and repeated sprints ability in high-standard soccer referees

Los objetivos de este estudio fueron por un lado, describir el rendimiento en una prueba de rendimiento cardiovascular realizada en laboratorio y en otra de esprints repetidos (RSA) en árbitros de fútbol de alto nivel, y por otro lado, analizar la asociación entre los resultados obtenidos en ambas pruebas. Doce árbitros de fútbol de alto nivel (Divisiones 1ª, 2ª y 2ª B, 28,8±5,1 años, 73,2±6,6 kg, 1,8±0,1 m 22,82±1,38 kg·m-2) participaron en el estudio. Los árbitros obtuvieron un consumo máximo de oxígeno (VO2max) de 59,50±4,56ml·kg-1·min-1. El tiempo medio de los esprints repetidos (RSAMedia) en 15 y 30 m fue de 2,54±0,09 s y 4,43±0,14 s, respectivamente, tardando 15,26±0,53 s y 26,60±0,82 s en completar los seis esprints (RSATotal). Los índices de fatiga en 15 y 30 m fueron de 2,25±1,05% y 3,33±1,59% (RSASdec) y de 3,45±2,92% y 6,31±4,63% (RSACambio). Se obtuvieron asociaciones positivas entre distintas variables cardiovasculares y de tiempo en RSA. Por el contrario, el consumo de oxígeno en las intensidades de umbral ventilarorio 1 (VT1) y umbral ventilatorio 2 (VT2) correlacionó negativamente con el índice de fatiga RSASdec. Una mayor capacidad cardiovascular en árbitros de fútbol, a pesar de poder producir un efecto negativo sobre el tiempo empleado en el RSA, puede minimizar la fatiga durante los esprints repetidos

Electric and magnetic dipolar response of Germanium spheres: Interference effects, scattering anisotropy and optical forces

We address the scattering cross sections, and their consequences, for submicrometer Germanium spheres. It is shown that there is a wide window in the near infrared where light scattering by these particles is fully described by their induced electric and magnetic dipoles. In this way, we observe remarkable anisotropic scattering angular distributions, as well as zero forward or backward scattered intensities, which until recently was theoretically demonstrated only for hypothetically postulated magnetodielectric spheres. Also, interesting new effects of the optical forces exerted on these objects are now obtained.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure

Physical Education Classes as a Precursor to the Mediterranean Diet and the Practice of Physical Activity

Physical activity and a healthy, balanced diet are remaining unresolved issues among young people. According to the World Health Organization, young people do not get enough exercise during the week, and physical education classes are the best way to promote healthy habits. This study aims to analyze how the role of the teacher influences the frustration of psychological needs, coping strategies, motivation, and the adoption of healthy eating habits through the Mediterranean diet and the regular practice of physical activity. The study involved 1031 boys and 910 girls between the ages of 13 and 18. To explain the relationships between the different variables included in this study, a model of structural equations has been developed. The results showed that autonomy support negatively predicted the frustration of four psychological needs. The failure to meet four psychological needs negatively predicted resilience. Likewise, resilience positively predicted autonomous motivation, and this positively predicted the Mediterranean diet and the practice of physical activity. Thus, the results obtained in the present study are in line with those of various studies wherein physical education classes were seen to help consolidate healthy living habits

Exception for the zero-forward-scattering theory

Studies on single scattering of electromagnetic waves by magnetic particles were reported in the 1980s by Kerker et al. [J. Opt. Soc. Am. 73, 765 (1983)] . They obtained that very small spherical particles with electric permittivity and magnetic permeability values such that ε=(4−μ)/(2μ+1) do not produce forward scattering. We show here that this condition contains an interesting exception at ( ε=−2 , μ=−2 ) when electric and magnetic resonances are present and around which the scattered field distribution is computed and described showing a polarization-insensitive behavior at the point ( ε=−2 , μ=−2 )