32,208 research outputs found
PQCD Analysis of Parton-Hadron Duality
We propose an extraction of the running coupling constant of QCD in the
infrared region from experimental data on deep inelastic inclusive scattering
at Bjorken x -> 1. We first attempt a perturbative fit of the data that extends
NLO PQCD evolution to large x values and final state invariant mass, W, in the
resonance region. We include both target mass corrections and large x
resummation effects. These effects are of order O(1/Q^2), and they improve the
agreement with the Q^2 dependence of the data. Standard analyses require the
presence of additional power corrections, or dynamical higher twists, to
achieve a fully quantitative fit. Our analysis, however, is regulated by the
value of the strong coupling in the infrared region that enters through large x
resummation effects, and that can suppress, or absorb, higher twist effects.
Large x data therefore indirectly provide a measurement of this quantity that
can be compared to extractions from other observables.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure
General tooth boundary conditions for equation free modelling
We are developing a framework for multiscale computation which enables models
at a ``microscopic'' level of description, for example Lattice Boltzmann, Monte
Carlo or Molecular Dynamics simulators, to perform modelling tasks at
``macroscopic'' length scales of interest. The plan is to use the microscopic
rules restricted to small "patches" of the domain, the "teeth'', using
interpolation to bridge the "gaps". Here we explore general boundary conditions
coupling the widely separated ``teeth'' of the microscopic simulation that
achieve high order accuracy over the macroscale. We present the simplest case
when the microscopic simulator is the quintessential example of a partial
differential equation. We argue that classic high-order interpolation of the
macroscopic field provides the correct forcing in whatever boundary condition
is required by the microsimulator. Such interpolation leads to Tooth Boundary
Conditions which achieve arbitrarily high-order consistency. The high-order
consistency is demonstrated on a class of linear partial differential equations
in two ways: firstly through the eigenvalues of the scheme for selected
numerical problems; and secondly using the dynamical systems approach of
holistic discretisation on a general class of linear \textsc{pde}s. Analytic
modelling shows that, for a wide class of microscopic systems, the subgrid
fields and the effective macroscopic model are largely independent of the tooth
size and the particular tooth boundary conditions. When applied to patches of
microscopic simulations these tooth boundary conditions promise efficient
macroscale simulation. We expect the same approach will also accurately couple
patch simulations in higher spatial dimensions.Comment: 22 page
Modelling and simulation framework for reactive transport of organic contaminants in bed-sediments using a pure java object - oriented paradigm
Numerical modelling and simulation of organic contaminant reactive transport in the environment is being increasingly
relied upon for a wide range of tasks associated with risk-based decision-making, such as prediction of contaminant
profiles, optimisation of remediation methods, and monitoring of changes resulting from an implemented remediation
scheme. The lack of integration of multiple mechanistic models to a single modelling framework, however, has
prevented the field of reactive transport modelling in bed-sediments from developing a cohesive understanding of
contaminant fate and behaviour in the aquatic sediment environment. This paper will investigate the problems involved
in the model integration process, discuss modelling and software development approaches, and present preliminary
results from use of CORETRANS, a predictive modelling framework that simulates 1-dimensional organic contaminant
reaction and transport in bed-sediments
A microgravity isolation mount
The design and preliminary testing of a system for isolating microgravity sensitive payloads from spacecraft vibrational and impulsive disturbances is discussed. The Microgravity Isolation Mount (MGIM) concept consists of a platform which floats almost freely within a limited volume inside the spacecraft, but which is constrained to follow the spacecraft in the long term by means of very weak springs. The springs are realized magnetically and form part of a six degree of freedom active magnetic suspension system. The latter operates without any physical contact between the spacecraft and the platform itself. Power and data transfer is also performed by contactless means. Specifications are given for the expected level of input disturbances and the tolerable level of platform acceleration. The structural configuration of the mount is discussed and the design of the principal elements, i.e., actuators, sensors, control loops and power/data transfer devices are described. Finally, the construction of a hardware model that is being used to verify the predicted performance of the MGIM is described
Self-consistent simulations of a von K\'arm\'an type dynamo in a spherical domain with metallic walls
We have performed numerical simulations of boundary-driven dynamos using a
three-dimensional non-linear magnetohydrodynamical model in a spherical shell
geometry. A conducting fluid of magnetic Prandtl number Pm=0.01 is driven into
motion by the counter-rotation of the two hemispheric walls. The resulting flow
is of von K\'arm\'an type, consisting of a layer of zonal velocity close to the
outer wall and a secondary meridional circulation. Above a certain forcing
threshold, the mean flow is unstable to non-axisymmetric motions within an
equatorial belt. For fixed forcing above this threshold, we have studied the
dynamo properties of this flow. The presence of a conducting outer wall is
essential to the existence of a dynamo at these parameters. We have therefore
studied the effect of changing the material parameters of the wall (magnetic
permeability, electrical conductivity, and thickness) on the dynamo. In common
with previous studies, we find that dynamos are obtained only when either the
conductivity or the permeability is sufficiently large. However, we find that
the effect of these two parameters on the dynamo process are different and can
even compete to the detriment of the dynamo. Our self-consistent approach allow
us to analyze in detail the dynamo feedback loop. The dynamos we obtain are
typically dominated by an axisymmetric toroidal magnetic field and an axial
dipole component. We show that the ability of the outer shear layer to produce
a strong toroidal field depends critically on the presence of a conducting
outer wall, which shields the fluid from the vacuum outside. The generation of
the axisymmetric poloidal field, on the other hand, occurs in the equatorial
belt and does not depend on the wall properties.Comment: accepted for publication in Physical Review
Sickle cell disease in Sierra Leone: a neglected problem
Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is common in Sierra Leone although its exact prevalence, incidence and clinical spectrum are unknown.Methods: Using a statistical package, StatsDirect (Altrincham, United Kingdom) we analyzed the demographic characteristics, presentations, acute events, treatments and clinical outcomes in a cohort of SCD patients attending sickle cell clinics in Freetown, Sierra Leone between February 2007 and August 2010.Results: There were 446 patients, median age of 13 years. Of these, 435 were homozygotes (HbSS), median age 13 years also. There were 248 females, median age 12.5 and 198 males, median age 14, resulting in a male:female ratio of 0.79. Eleven (2.4%) were Sickle Cell-HbC disease, median age 14 years. Patients demonstrated many of the typical features of SCD. The most common reason for hospital admission was bone pain crisis associated with an infection, followed by severe anemia. Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, leg ulcers, septic osteomyelitis and gallstones were seen in 0.22% of patients, but strokes and acute chest syndrome were not observed. The death rate was 2.51/100 patient years observation with an estimated mean survival of 3.6 years (CI 3.2-3.7). Severe anemia was implicated in the death of 8 patients (50%), whereas only 2 deaths (12.5%) were attributable to bone pain crisis. One death (6.25%) was associated with pregnancy complicated by severe anemia and another with an adverse blood transfusion event.Conclusion: The clinical outcomes in this series highlight the need for a more comprehensive provision of care for SCD patients in Sierra Leone.Keywords: Sickle cell disease, Sierra Leone, survival, anaemia, haemoglobinopath
Newly Discovered Bright z~9-10 Galaxies and Improved Constraints on Their Prevalence Using the Full CANDELS Area
We report the results of an expanded search for z~9-10 candidates over the
~883 arcmin^2 CANDELS+ERS fields. This study adds 147 arcmin^2 to the search
area we consider over the CANDELS COSMOS, UDS, and EGS fields, while expanding
our selection to include sources with bluer J_{125}-H_{160} colors than our
previous J_{125}-H_{160}>0.5 mag selection. In searching for new z~9-10
candidates, we make full use of all available HST, Spitzer/IRAC, and
ground-based imaging data. As a result of our expanded search and use of
broader color criteria, 3 new candidate z~9-10 galaxies are identified. We also
find again the z=8.683 source previously confirmed by Zitrin+2015. This brings
our sample of probable z~9-11 galaxy candidates over the CANDELS+ERS fields to
19 sources in total, equivalent to 1 candidate per 47 arcmin^2 (1 per 10
WFC3/IR fields). To be comprehensive, we also discuss 28 mostly lower
likelihood z~9-10 candidates, including some sources that seem to be reliably
at z>8 using the HST+IRAC data alone, but which the ground-based data show are
much more likely at z<4. One case example is a bright z~9.4 candidate COS910-8
which seems instead to be at z~2. Based on this expanded sample, we obtain a
more robust LF at z~9 and improved constraints on the volume density of bright
z~9 and z~10 galaxies. Our improved z~9-10 results again reinforce previous
findings for strong evolution in the UV LF at z>8, with a factor of ~10
evolution seen in the luminosity density from z~10 to z~8.Comment: 22 pages, 12 figures, 6 tables, accepted for publication in the
Astrophysical Journa
A Spectroscopic Redshift Measurement for a Luminous Lyman Break Galaxy at z=7.730 using Keck/MOSFIRE
We present a spectroscopic redshift measurement of a very bright Lyman break
galaxy at z=7.7302+-0.0006 using Keck/MOSFIRE. The source was pre-selected
photometrically in the EGS field as a robust z~8 candidate with H=25.0 mag
based on optical non-detections and a very red Spitzer/IRAC [3.6]-[4.5]
broad-band color driven by high equivalent width [OIII]+Hbeta line emission.
The Lyalpha line is reliably detected at 6.1 sigma and shows an asymmetric
profile as expected for a galaxy embedded in a relatively neutral
inter-galactic medium near the Planck peak of cosmic reionization. The line has
a rest-frame equivalent width of EW0=21+-4 A and is extended with
V_FWHM=360+90-70 km/s. The source is perhaps the brightest and most massive z~8
Lyman break galaxy in the full CANDELS and BoRG/HIPPIES surveys, having
assembled already 10^(9.9+-0.2) M_sol of stars at only 650 Myr after the Big
Bang. The spectroscopic redshift measurement sets a new redshift record for
galaxies. This enables reliable constraints on the stellar mass, star-formation
rate, formation epoch, as well as combined [OIII]+Hbeta line equivalent widths.
The redshift confirms that the IRAC [4.5] photometry is very likely dominated
by line emission with EW0(OIII+Hbeta)= 720-150+180 A. This detection thus adds
to the evidence that extreme rest-frame optical emission lines are a ubiquitous
feature of early galaxies promising very efficient spectroscopic follow-up in
the future with infrared spectroscopy using JWST and, later, ELTs.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, small updates to match ApJL accepted versio
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