ROSAT observations of the dwarf starforming galaxy Holmerg II (UGC 4305)

We present ROSAT PSPC and HRI observations of the dwarf irregular galaxy Holmberg II (UGC4305). This is one of the most luminous dwarf galaxies (Lx~ 10^{40} erg s^{-1} cm^{-2}) detected in the ROSAT All-Sky Survey. The X-ray emission comes from a single unresolved point source, coincident with a large HII region which emits intense radio emission. The source is variable on both year and day timescales, clearly favouring accretion into a compact object rather than a supernova remnant or a superbubble interpretation for the origin of the X-ray emission. However, its X-ray spectrum is well-fit by a a Raymond-Smith spectrum with kT~0.8 keV, lower than the temperature of X-ray binaries in nearby spiral galaxies.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRA

Studies of particles associated with air showers of size around 3.10(^5) particles

A study of particles associated with air-showers of median size 3,10(^5) particles has been undertaken. Measurements on muons indicate that the apparatus is inadequate to cope with regions greater than 30 m. from the core. However some interesting results have been produced within this limitation. There is strong evidence for non-random spacing of muons at densities greater than 1 m(^_2). The lateral distribution of hadrons of energy greater than 50 GeV is slightly steeper than for hadrons of energy greater than 10 GeV. The ratio of neutral to charged hadrons is a lot loner than predicted by current production models. A search for precursors to air-shovrers has also been carried out. The results imply that there are a statistically significant number of precursors in the range 20 to 100 us before the arrival of an air-shower. The early chapters concern themselves with measurements that can be made with the flash-tube chamber in isolation. A measurement of the incoherent hadron energy spectrum shows a smoothly falling spectrum between 7.10(^2) GeV and 5.10(^3) GeV of slope 2.7. An, upper limit of 2.3.10(^-8)cm(^-2)st(^-1)sec(^-1) has been placed on the sea level flux of high Z particles

The dispersive self-dual Einstein equations and the Toda lattice

The Boyer-Finley equation, or $SU(\infty)$-Toda equation is both a reduction of the self-dual Einstein equations and the dispersionlesslimit of the $2d$-Toda lattice equation. This suggests that there should be a dispersive version of the self-dual Einstein equation which both contains the Toda lattice equation and whose dispersionless limit is the familiar self-dual Einstein equation. Such a system is studied in this paper. The results are achieved by using a deformation, based on an associative $\star$-product, of the algebra $sdiff(\Sigma^2)$ used in the study of the undeformed, or dispersionless, equations.Comment: 11 pages, LaTeX. To appear: J. Phys.

Fatigue, effort perception and central activation failure in chronic stroke survivors: a TMS and fMRI investigation

Fatigue is commonly seen in stroke survivors and the most common manifestation of fatigue is the requirement of high effort for activities of daily life. In this study we set out to identify the neural correlates of perceived effort and central activation failure, a neurophysiological measure correlated with perceived effort. Methods: Twelve chronic stroke survivors participated in this study. Fatigue levels were quantified using the Fatigue Severity Scale -7, perceived effort was quantified using a 1-10 numerical rating scale while performing an isometric biceps hold task, Central Activation Failure was quantified using the modified twitch interpolation technique using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging was used to measure blood-oxygen-level dependent signal (BOLD) from the brain while the participant performed a hand grip task. Analysis: Following standard pre-processing procedures for fMRI data using SPM software, co-variance of BOLD signal with perceived effort levels and central activation failure was evaluated. Correlation analysis was performed between measures of fatigue and effort. Results: The main findings of this study were 1) high fatigue was associated with high perceived effort 2) higher perceived effort was associated with greater increase in BOLD fMRI activity in pre-SMA and the ipsilateral inferior frontal gyrus with increasing force 3) greater Central Activation Failure was associated with higher increase in BOLD fMRI activity in bilateral caudate, contralateral superior frontal gyrus and pre-motor cortices with increasing force

Harmonic Superspaces in Low Dimensions

Harmonic superspaces for spacetimes of dimension $d\leq 3$ are constructed. Some applications are given.Comment: 16, kcl-th-94-15. Two further references have been added (12 and 13) and a few typographical errors have been correcte

Stringy Black Holes and the Geometry of Entanglement

Recently striking multiple relations have been found between pure state 2 and 3-qubit entanglement and extremal black holes in string theory. Here we add further mathematical similarities which can be both useful in string and quantum information theory. In particular we show that finding the frozen values of the moduli in the calculation of the macroscopic entropy in the STU model, is related to finding the canonical form for a pure three-qubit entangled state defined by the dyonic charges. In this picture the extremization of the BPS mass with respect to moduli is connected to the problem of finding the optimal local distillation protocol of a GHZ state from an arbitrary pure three-qubit state. These results and a geometric classification of STU black holes BPS and non-BPS can be described in the elegant language of twistors. Finally an interesting connection between the black hole entropy and the average real entanglement of formation is established.Comment: 34 pages, 6 figure

Three-dimensional Calculations of High and Low-mass Planets Embedded in Protoplanetary Discs

We analyse the non-linear, three-dimensional response of a gaseous, viscous protoplanetary disc to the presence of a planet of mass ranging from one Earth mass (1 M$_e$) to one Jupiter mass (1 M$_J$) by using the ZEUS hydrodynamics code. We determine the gas flow pattern, and the accretion and migration rates of the planet. The planet is assumed to be in a fixed circular orbit about the central star. It is also assumed to be able to accrete gas without expansion on the scale of its Roche radius. Only planets with masses M \gsim 0.1 M$_J$ produce significant perturbations in the disc's surface density. The flow within the Roche lobe of the planet is fully three-dimensional. Gas streams generally enter the Roche lobe close to the disc midplane, but produce much weaker shocks than the streams in two-dimensional models. The streams supply material to a circumplanetary disc that rotates in the same sense as the planet's orbit. Much of the mass supply to the circumplanetary disc comes from non-coplanar flow. The accretion rate peaks with a planet mass of approximately 0.1 M$_J$ and is highly efficient, occurring at the local viscous rate. The migration timescales for planets of mass less than 0.1 M$_J$, based on torques from disc material outside the planets' Roche lobes, are in excellent agreement with the linear theory of Type I (non-gap) migration for three-dimensional discs. The transition from Type I to Type II (gap) migration is smooth, with changes in migration times of about a factor of 2. Starting with a core which can undergo runaway growth, a planet can gain up to a few M$_J$ with little migration. Planets with final masses of order 10 M$_J$ would undergo large migration, which makes formation and survival difficult.Comment: Accepted by MNRAS, 18 pages, 13 figures (6 degraded resolution). Paper with high-resolution figures available at http://www.astro.ex.ac.uk/people/mbate