The United States and others should consider adopting a different approach to estimating costs and benefits in light of uncertainty.
In economic project analysis, the rate at which future benefits ...and costs are discounted relative to current values often determines whether a project passes the benefit-cost test. This is especially true of projects with long time horizons, such as those to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Whether the benefits of climate policies, which can last for centuries, outweigh the costs, many of which are borne today, is especially sensitive to the rate at which future benefits are discounted. This is also true of other policies, e.g., affecting nuclear waste disposal or the construction of long-lived infrastructure.
Gamma photons with an average energy of 1.25 MeV are well-known to generate large amounts of defects in semiconductor electronic devices. Here we investigate the novel effect of gamma radiation on ...diffusive memristors based on metallic silver nanoparticles dispersed in a dielectric matrix of silica. Our experimental findings show that after exposure to radiation, the memristors and artificial neurons made of them demonstrate much better performance in terms of stable volatile resistive switching and higher spiking frequencies, respectively, compared to the pristine samples. At the same time we observe partial oxidation of silver and reduction of silicon within the switching silica layer. We propose nanoinclusions of reduced silicon distributed across the silica layer to be the backbone for metallic nanoparticles to form conductive filaments, as supported by our theoretical simulations of radiation-induced changes in the diffusion process. Our findings propose a new opportunity to engineer the required characteristics of diffusive memristors in order to emulate biological neurons and develop bio-inspired computational technology.
Gamma photons were used to break Si-O bonds in silicon oxide-based volatile memristor devices. The corresponding radiation-induced nanodefects were shown to significantly improve the resistive switching performance.
Separation of the anomalous Nernst and spin Seebeck voltages in bilayer devices is often problematic when both layers are metallic, and the anomalous Nernst effect (ANE) becomes non-negligible. ...Co2MnSi, a strong candidate for the spin generator in spin Seebeck devices, is a predicted half-metal with 100% spin polarisation at the Fermi energy, however, typically B2 or L21 order is needed to achieve this. We demonstrate the optimisation of thin film growth of Co2MnSi on glass, where choice of deposition and annealing temperature can promote various ordered states. The contribution from the ANE is then investigated to inform future measurements of the spin Seebeck. A maximum ANE coefficient of 0.662 µV K−1 is found for an A2 disordered polycrystalline Co2MnSi film. This value is comparable to ordered Heusler thin films deposited onto single crystal substrates but obtained at a far lower fabrication temperature and material cost.
Spiral galaxies are observed to exhibit a range of morphologies, in particular in the shape of spiral arms. A key diagnostic parameter is the pitch angle, which describes how tightly wound the spiral ...arms are. Observationally and analytically, a correlation between pitch angle and galactic shear rate has been detected. For the first time, we examine whether this effect is detected in N-body simulations by calculating and comparing pitch angles of both individual density waves and overall spiral structure in a suite of N-body simulations. We find that higher galactic shear rates produce more tightly wound spiral arms, both in individual mode patterns (density waves) and in the overall density enhancement. Although the mode pattern pitch angles by construction remain constant with time, the overall logarithmic spiral arm winds over time, which could help to explain the scatter in the relation between pitch angle versus shear seen from observations. The correlation between spiral arm pitch angle and galactic shear rate that we find in N-body simulations may also explain why late Hubble type of spiral galaxies tend to have more open arms.
Abstract
The XMM-Newton Serendipitous Ultraviolet Source Survey (XMM-SUSS) is a catalogue of ultraviolet (UV) sources detected serendipitously by the Optical Monitor (XMM-OM) on board the XMM-Newton ...observatory. The catalogue contains UV-detected sources collected from 2417 XMM-OM observations in one to six broad-band UV and optical filters, made between 2000 February 24 and 2007 March 29. The primary contents of the catalogue are source positions, magnitudes and fluxes in one to six passbands, and these are accompanied by profile diagnostics and variability statistics. XMM-SUSS is populated by 753 578 UV source detections above a 3σ signal-to-noise ratio threshold limit which relate to 624 049 unique objects. Taking account of substantial overlaps between observations, the net sky area covered is 29-54 deg2, depending on UV filter. The magnitude distributions peak at m
AB = 20.2, 20.9 and 21.2 in UVW2 (λeff = 2120 Å), UVM2 (λeff = 2310 Å) and UVW1 (λeff = 2910 Å), respectively. More than 10 per cent of the sources have been visited more than once using the same filter during XMM-Newton operation, and >20 per cent of sources are observed more than once per filter during an individual visit. Consequently, the scope for science based on temporal source variability on time-scales of hours to years is broad. By comparison with other astrophysical catalogues we test the accuracy of the source measurements and define the nature of the serendipitous UV XMM-OM source sample. The distributions of source colours in the UV and optical filters are shown together with the expected loci of stars and galaxies, and indicate that sources which are detected in multiple UV bands are predominantly star-forming galaxies and stars of type G or earlier.
The Swift Gamma-Ray Burst Mission Gehrels, N; Chincarini, G; Giommi, P ...
The Astrophysical journal,
08/2004, Letnik:
611, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The Swift mission, scheduled for launch in 2004, is a multiwavelength observatory for gamma-ray burst (GRB) astronomy. It is a first-of-its-kind autonomous rapid-slewing satellite for transient ...astronomy and pioneers the way for future rapid-reaction and multiwavelength missions. It will be far more powerful than any previous GRB mission, observing more than 100 bursts yr super(-1) and performing detailed X-ray and UV/optical afterglow observations spanning timescales from 1 minute to several days after the burst. The objectives are to (1) determine the origin of GRBs, (2) classify GRBs and search for new types, (3) study the interaction of the ultrarelativistic outflows of GRBs with their surrounding medium, and (4) use GRBs to study the early universe out to z > 10. The mission is being developed by a NASA-led international collaboration. It will carry three instruments: a new-generation wide-field gamma-ray (15-150 keV) detector that will detect bursts, calculate 1arcmin-4arcmin positions, and trigger autonomous spacecraft slews; a narrow-field X-ray telescope that will give 5arc sec positions and perform spectroscopy in the 0.2-10 keV band; and a narrow-field UV/optical telescope that will operate in the 170-600 nm band and provide 0!!3 positions and optical finding charts. Redshift determinations will be made for most bursts. In addition to the primary GRB science, the mission will perform a hard X-ray survey to a sensitivity of approx1 mcrab (approx2 x 10 super(-11) ergs cm super(-2) s super(-1) in the 15-150 keV band), more than an order of magnitude better than HEAO 1 A-4. A flexible data and operations system will allow rapid follow-up observations of all types of high-energy transients, with rapid data downlink and uplink available through the NASA TDRSS system. Swift transient data will be rapidly distributed to the astronomical community, and all interested observers are encouraged to participate in follow- up measurements. A Guest Investigator program for the mission will provide funding for community involvement. Innovations from the Swift program applicable to the future include (1) a large-area gamma-ray detector using the new CdZnTe detectors, (2) an autonomous rapid-slewing spacecraft, (3) a multiwavelength payload combining optical, X-ray, and gamma-ray instruments, (4) an observing program coordinated with other ground-based and space-based observatories, and (5) immediate multiwavelength data flow to the community. The mission is currently funded for 2 yr of operations, and the spacecraft will have a lifetime to orbital decay of approx8 yr.
Under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), put in place as a result of the Clean Air Amendments of 1990, three regions in the state of Utah are in violation of the NAAQS for PM
10
and ...PM
2.5
(Salt Lake County, Ogden City, and Utah County). These regions are susceptible to strong inversions that can persist for days to weeks. This meteorology, coupled with the metropolitan nature of these regions, contributes to its violation of the NAAQS for PM during the winter. During January-February 2009, 1-hr averaged concentrations of PM
10-2.5
, PM
2.5
, NO
x
, NO
2
, NO, O
3
, CO, and NH
3
were measured. Particulate-phase nitrate, nitrite, and sulfate and gas-phase HONO, HNO
3
, and SO
2
were also measured on a 1-hr average basis. The results indicate that ammonium nitrate averages 40% of the total PM
2.5
mass in the absence of inversions and up to 69% during strong inversions. Also, the formation of ammonium nitrate is nitric acid limited. Overall, the lower boundary layer in the Salt Lake Valley appears to be oxidant and volatile organic carbon (VOC) limited with respect to ozone formation. The most effective way to reduce ammonium nitrate secondary particle formation during the inversions period is to reduce NO
x
emissions. However, a decrease in NO
x
will increase ozone concentrations. A better definition of the complete ozone isopleths would better inform this decision.
Implications: Monitoring of air pollution constituents in Salt Lake City, UT, during periods in which PM
2.5
concentrations exceeded the NAAQS, reveals that secondary aerosol formation for this region is NO
x
limited. Therefore, NO
x
emissions should be targeted in order to reduce secondary particle formation and PM
2.5
. Data also indicate that the highest concentrations of sulfur dioxide are associated with winds from the north-northwest, the location of several small refineries.
We present here the first stellar models on the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram, in which convection is treated according to the new scale-free convection theory (SFC theory) by Pasetto et al. The aim is ...to compare the results of the new theory with those from the classical, calibrated mixing-length (ML) theory to examine differences and similarities. We integrate the equations describing the structure of the atmosphere from the stellar surface down to a few per cent of the stellar mass using both ML theory and SFC theory. The key temperature over pressure gradients, the energy fluxes, and the extension of the convective zones are compared in both theories. The analysis is first made for the Sun and then extended to other stars of different mass and evolutionary stage. The results are adequate: the SFC theory yields convective zones, temperature gradients ∇ and ∇
e
, and energy fluxes that are very similar to those derived from the ‘calibrated’ MT theory for main-sequence stars. We conclude that the old scale dependent ML theory can now be replaced with a self-consistent scale-free theory able to predict correct results, as it is more physically grounded than the ML theory. Fundamentally, the SFC theory offers a deeper insight of the underlying physics than numerical simulations.
•The films exhibit mixed FCC and BCC structure.•With increasing deposition temperature, FCC and BCC reflections reduce associated with loss of Al and Cu.•Surface segregation enriches the surface of ...the films in Al and to a lesser extent Cr.
Pulsed laser deposition has been used to prepare thin films of the high entropy alloy AlCrFeCoNiCu. The 35 nm films were deposited in ultra-high vacuum onto glass at room temperature and above and analysed using X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Films deposited at room temperature exhibit a mix of FCC and BCC reflections, the FCC crystallites having size similar to the film thickness, but the BCC crystallites are larger. The intensity of the reflections from both crystal structures reduce with increasing deposition temperature, the fall in BCC commencing at lower temperature than the FCC associated with a reduction of the content of Al and Cu. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows that the films deposited at room temperature are closer to stoichiometry than those at higher temperatures. An important feature of the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy depth profiles is surface segregation, the outer 3 nm of the high entropy alloy films has higher concentration of Al and, to a lesser extent, Cr.
In this paper, we investigate the impact that realistic scale-dependent systematic effects may have on cosmic shear tomography. We model spatially varying residual galaxy ellipticity and galaxy size ...variations in weak lensing measurements and propagate these through to predicted changes in the uncertainty and bias of cosmological parameters. We show that the survey strategy -- whether it is regular or randomized -- is an important factor in determining the impact of a systematic effect: a purely randomized survey strategy produces the smallest biases, at the expense of larger parameter uncertainties, and a very regularized survey strategy produces large biases, but unaffected uncertainties. However, by removing, or modelling, the affected scales (...-modes) in the regular cases the biases are reduced to negligible levels. We find that the integral of the systematic power spectrum is not a good metric for dark energy performance, and we advocate that systematic effects should be modelled accurately in real space, where they enter the measurement process, and their effect subsequently propagated into power spectrum contributions. (ProQuest: ... denotes formulae/symbols omitted.)
PDF
