385 research outputs found
Effect of boundaries on the force distributions in granular media
The effect of boundaries on the force distributions in granular media is
illustrated by simulations of 2D packings of frictionless, Hertzian spheres. To
elucidate discrepancies between experimental observations and theoretical
predictions, we distinguish between the weight distribution {\cal P} (w)
measured in experiments and analyzed in the q-model, and the distribution of
interparticle forces P(f). The latter one is robust, while {\cal P}(w) can be
obtained once the local packing geometry and P(f) are known. By manipulating
the (boundary) geometry, we show that {\cal P}(w) can be varied drastically.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
EPIC 219388192 b - an inhabitant of the brown dwarf desert in the Ruprecht 147 open cluster
We report the discovery of EPIC 219388192 b, a transiting brown dwarf in a
5.3-day orbit around a member star of Ruprecht-147, the oldest nearby open
cluster association, which was photometrically monitored by K2 during its
Campaign 7. We combine the K2 time-series data with ground-based adaptive
optics imaging and high resolution spectroscopy to rule out false positive
scenarios and determine the main parameters of the system. EPIC 219388192 b has
a radius of =~ and mass of
=~, yielding a mean density of
~. The host star is nearly a Solar twin with
mass =~, radius
=~, effective temperature
=~K and iron abundance [Fe/H]=~dex.
Its age, spectroscopic distance, and reddening are consistent with those of
Ruprecht-147, corroborating its cluster membership. EPIC 219388192 b is the
first brown dwarf with precise determinations of mass, radius and age, and
serves as benchmark for evolutionary models in the sub-stellar regime.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures, 4 tables, submitted to AAS Journal
Interplay between magnetism and superconductivity and appearance of a second superconducting transition in alpha-FeSe at high pressure
We synthesized tetragonal alpha-FeSe by melting a powder mixture of iron and
selenium at high pressure. Subsequent annealing at normal pressure results in
removing traces of hexagonal beta- FeSe, formation of a rather sharp transition
to superconducting state at Tc ~ 7 K, and the appearance of a magnetic
transition near Tm = 120 K. Resistivity and ac-susceptibility were measured on
the annealed sample at hydrostatic pressure up to 4.5 GPa. A magnetic
transition visible in ac-susceptibility shifts down under pressure and the
resistive anomaly typical for a spin density wave (SDW) antiferromagnetic
transition develops near the susceptibility anomaly. Tc determined by the
appearance of a diamagnetic response in susceptibility, increases linearly
under pressure at a rate dTc/dP = 3.5 K/GPa. Below 1.5 GPa, the resistive
superconducting transition is sharp; the width of transition does not change
with pressure; and, Tc determined by a peak in drho/dT increases at a rate ~
3.5 K/GPa. At higher pressure, a giant broadening of the resistive transition
develops. This effect cannot be explained by possible pressure gradients in the
sample and is inherent to alpha-FeSe. The dependences drho(T)/dT show a
signature for a second peak above 3 GPa which is indicative of the appearance
of another superconducting state in alpha-FeSe at high pressure. We argue that
this second superconducting phase coexists with SDW antiferromagnetism in a
partial volume fraction and originates from pairing of charge carriers from
other sheets of the Fermi surface
Environmental Factors in the Relapse and Recurrence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease:A Review of the Literature
The causes of relapse in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are largely unknown. This paper reviews the epidemiological and clinical data on how medications (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, estrogens and antibiotics), lifestyle factors (smoking, psychological stress, diet and air pollution) may precipitate clinical relapses and recurrence. Potential biological mechanisms include: increasing thrombotic tendency, imbalances in prostaglandin synthesis, alterations in the composition of gut microbiota, and mucosal damage causing increased permeability
Measurement of radiative proton capture on F 18 and implications for oxygen-neon novae reexamined
Background: The rate of the F18(p,Îł)Ne19 reaction affects the final abundance of the radioisotope F18 ejected from novae. This nucleus is important as its abundance is thought to significantly influence the first-stage 511-keV and continuum Îł-ray emission in the aftermath of novae. No successful measurement of this reaction existed prior to this work, and the rate used in stellar models had been calculated based on incomplete information from contributing resonances. Purpose: Of the two resonances thought to provide a significant contribution to the astrophysical reaction rate, located at Ec.m.=330 and 665 keV, the former has a radiative width estimated from the assumed analog state in the mirror nucleus, F19, while the latter resonance does not have an analog state assignment, resulting in an arbitrary radiative width being assumed. As such, a direct measurement was needed to establish what role this resonance plays in the destruction of F18 at nova temperatures. This paper extends and takes the place of a previous Letter which reported the strength of the Ec.m.=665 keV resonance. Method: The DRAGON recoil separator was used to directly measure the strength of the important 665-keV resonance in this reaction, in inverse kinematics, by observing Ne19 reaction products. A radioactive F18 beam was provided by the ISAC facility at TRIUMF. R-matrix calculations were subsequently used to evaluate the significance of the results at astrophysical energies. Results: We report the direct measurement of the F18(p,Îł)Ne19 reaction with the reevaluation of several detector efficiencies and the use of an updated Ne19 level scheme in the reaction rate analysis. The strength of the 665-keV resonance (Ex=7.076 MeV) is found to be an order of magnitude weaker than currently assumed in nova models. An improved analysis of the previously reported data is presented here, resulting in a slightly different value for the resonance strength. These small changes, however, do not alter the primary conclusions. Conclusions: Reaction rate calculations definitively show that the 665-keV resonance plays no significant role in the destruction of F18 at nova temperatures
Why alternative teenagers self-harm: exploring the link between non-suicidal self-injury, attempted suicide and adolescent identity
Background:
The term âself-harmâ encompasses both attempted suicide and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Specific adolescent subpopulations such as ethnic or sexual minorities, and more controversially, those who identify as âAlternativeâ (Goth, Emo) have been proposed as being more likely to self-harm, while other groups such as âJocksâ are linked with protective coping behaviours (for example exercise). NSSI has autonomic (it reduces negative emotions) and social (it communicates distress or facilitates group âbondingâ) functions. This study explores the links between such aspects of self-harm, primarily NSSI, and youth subculture.<p></p>
Methods:
An anonymous survey was carried out of 452 15 year old German school students. Measures included: identification with different youth cultures, i.e. Alternative (Goth, Emo, Punk), Nerd (academic) or Jock (athletic); social background, e.g. socioeconomic status; and experience of victimisation. Self-harm (suicide and NSSI) was assessed using Self-harm Behavior Questionnaire and the Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation (FASM).<p></p>
Results:
An âAlternativeâ identity was directly (râââ0.3) and a âJockâ identity inversely (râââ-0.1) correlated with self-harm. âAlternativeâ teenagers self-injured more frequently (NSSI 45.5% vs. 18.8%), repeatedly self-injured, and were 4â8 times more likely to attempt suicide (even after adjusting for social background) than their non-Alternative peers. They were also more likely to self-injure for autonomic, communicative and social reasons than other adolescents.<p></p>
Conclusions:
About half of âAlternativeâ adolescentsâ self-injure, primarily to regulate emotions and communicate distress. However, a minority self-injure to reinforce their group identity, i.e. âTo feel more a part of a groupâ
Modulatory Role for Retinoid-related Orphan Receptor α in Allergen-induced Lung Inflammation
Rationale: Nuclear receptors play a critical role in the regulation of inflammation, thus representing attractive targets for the treatment of asthma
Transiting exoplanets from the CoRoT space mission: XXIX. The hot Jupiters CoRoT-30 b and CoRoT-31 b
We report the discovery as well as the orbital and physical characterizations of two new transiting giant exoplanets, CoRoT-30 b and CoRoT-31 b, with the CoRoT space telescope. Methods. We analyzed two complementary data sets: photometric transit light curves measured by CoRoT, and radial velocity curves measured by the HARPS spectrometer. To derive the absolute masses and radii of the planets, we modeled the stars from available magnitudes and spectra. Results. We find that CoRoT-30 b is a warm Jupiter on a close-to-circular 9.06-day orbit around a G3V star with a semi-major axis of about 0.08 AU. It has a radius of 1.01 \ub1 0.08 RJ, a mass of 2.90 \ub1 0.22 MJ, and therefore a mean density of 3.45 \ub1 0.65 g cm-3. The hot Jupiter CoRoT-31 b is on a close-to-circular 4.63-day orbit around a G2 IV star with a semi-major axis of about 0.05 AU. It has a radius of 1.46 \ub1 0.30 RJ, a mass of 0.84 \ub1 0.34 MJ, and therefore a mean density of 0.33 \ub1 0.18 g cm-3. Conclusions. Neither system seems to support the claim that stars hosting planets are more depleted in lithium. The radii of both planets are close to that of Jupiter, but they differ in mass; CoRoT-30 b is ten times denser than CoRoT-31 b. The core of CoRoT-30 b would weigh between 15 and 75 Earth masses, whereas relatively weak constraints favor no core for CoRoT-31 b. In terms of evolution, the characteristics of CoRoT-31 b appear to be compatible with the high-eccentricity migration scenario, which is not the case for CoRoT-30 b. The angular momentum of CoRoT-31 b is currently too low for the planet to evolve toward synchronization of its orbital revolution with stellar rotation, and the planet will slowly spiral-in while its host star becomes a red giant. CoRoT-30 b is not synchronized either: it looses angular momentum owing to stellar winds and is expected reach steady state in about 2 Gyr. CoRoT-30 and 31, as a pair, are a truly remarkable example of diversity in systems with hot Jupiters
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