Polytropes in plasmas described by kappa distributions – Application in atmospheric modelling

The paper derives the complete formulations of polytropic behaviour for plasmas described by kappa distributions. This is achieved by employing both positive and negative types of phase-space kappa distributions of a Hamiltonian for a nonzero potential energy, while the cases of positive and negative potential energies are analysed separately. Then, we develop the general polytropic-barometric formula that describes the profiles of density, temperature, and thermal pressure. Furthermore, it is shown how the kappa and polytropic indices can be derived from observational measurements of the temperature altitude gradient. As an example, we calculated the kappa κ ≈ 3.35 and polytropic γ ≈ 0.74 indices of the terrestrial atmosphere at ∼100 km, revealing the existence of heating processes that add thermal energy to atmospheric particles.     

Wave–particle duality in a Raman atom interferometer

We theoretically investigate the wave–particle duality based on a Raman atom interferometer, via the interaction between the atom and Raman laser, which is similar to the optical Mach–Zehnder interferometer. The wave and which-way information are stored in the atomic internal states. For the φ- π- π /2 type of atom interferometer, we find that the visibility(V) and predictability(P) still satisfy the duality relation, P2+ V2≤ 1.     

Pinning down neutrino oscillation parameters in the 2–3 sector with a magnetised atmospheric neutrino detector: a new study

We determine the sensitivity to neutrino oscillation parameters from a study of atmospheric neutrinos in a magnetised detector such as the ICAL at the proposed India-based Neutrino Observatory. In such a detector, which can separately count \(\nu _\mu \) and \(\overline{\nu }_\mu \)-induced events, the relatively smaller (about 5%) uncertainties on the neutrino–antineutrino flux ratios translate to a constraint in the \(\chi ^2\) analysis that results in a significant improvement in the precision with which neutrino oscillation parameters such as \(\sin ^2\theta _{23}\) can be determined. Such an effect is unique to all magnetisable detectors and constitutes a great advantage in determining neutrino oscillation parameters using such detectors. Such a study has been performed for the first time here. Along with an increase in the kinematic range compared to earlier analyses, this results in sensitivities to oscillation parameters in the 2–3 sector that are comparable to or better than those from accelerator experiments where the fluxes are significantly higher. For example, the \(1\sigma \) precisions on \(\sin ^2\theta _{23}\) and \(|\Delta {m^2_{32(31)}}|\) achievable for 500 kton year exposure of ICAL are \({\sim }9\) and \({\sim }2.5\)%, respectively, for both normal and inverted hierarchies. The mass hierarchy sensitivity achievable with this combination when the true hierarchy is normal (inverted) for the same exposure is \(\Delta \chi ^2\approx 8.5\) (\(\Delta \chi ^2\approx 9.5\)).     

MoEDAL – a new light on the high-energy frontier

In 2010, the MoEDAL (MOnopole and Exotics Detector at the LHC) experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) was unanimously approved by European Centre for Nuclear Research’s Research Board to start data taking in 2015. MoEDAL is a pioneering experiment designed to search for highly ionising manifestations of new physics such as magnetic monopoles or massive (pseudo-)stable charged particles. Its groundbreaking physics programme defines a number of scenarios that yield potentially revolutionary insights into such foundational questions as: are there extra dimensions or new symmetries; does magnetic charge exist; what is the nature of dark matter; and, how did the Big Bang develop. MoEDAL’s purpose is to meet such far-reaching challenges at the frontier of the field. The innovative MoEDAL detector employs unconventional methodologies tuned to the prospect of discovery physics. The largely passive MoEDAL detector, deployed at Point 8 on the LHC ring, has a dual nature. First, it acts like a giant camera, comprised of nuclear track detectors – analysed offline by ultra fast scanning microscopes – sensitive only to new physics. Second, it is uniquely able to trap the particle messengers of physics beyond the Standard Model for further study. MoEDAL’s radiation environment is monitored by a state-of-the-art real-time TimePix pixel detector array. A new MoEDAL sub-detector designed to extend MoEDAL reach to mini-charged, minimally ionising particles is under study.     

The Λ particle as a probe of deeply bound single particle states in heavy nuclei

Decay rates of excited states in heavy hypernuclei have been calculated using shell model wave functions. The nuclear Auger effect determines the widths of the states in most cases. The exception is the radiative decay for theΛ particle in the 1p and in exceptional cases also 1d shell. In general, the natural widths of the highly excited states below the threshold for theΛ emission are smaller than the spacing between theΛ shells. Spectroscopy ofΛ bound states in heavy hypernuclei thus seems to be feasible.     

The Dirac particle in a one-dimensional “hydrogen atom”

Specific features of the behavior of the spectrum of steady states of the Dirac particle in a regularized ??Coulomb?? potential V??(z) = ?q/(|z| + ??) as a function of the cutting parameter of ?? in 1 + 1 D are investigated. It is shown that in such a one-dimensional relativistic ??hydrogen atom?? at ?? ? 1, the discrete spectrum becomes a quasi-periodic function of ??; this effect depends on the bonding constant analytically and has no nonrelativistic analog. This property of the Dirac spectral problem clearly demonstrates the presence of a physically containable energy spectrum at arbitrary small ?? > 0 and simultaneously the absence of the regular limiting transition to ?? ?? 0. Thus, the necessity of extension of a definition for the Dirac Hamiltonian with irregularized potential in 1 + 1 D is confirmed at all nonzero values of the bonding constant q. It is also noted that the three-dimensional Coulomb problem possesses a similar property at q = Z?? > 1, i.e., when the selfconsistent extension is required for the Dirac Hamiltonian with an irregularized potential.     

Transmission resonance for a Dirac particle in a one-dimensional Hulthén potential

We have solved exactly the two-component Dirac equation in the presence of a spatially one-dimensional Hulthén potential, and presented the Dirac spinors of scattering states in terms of hypergeometric functions. We have derived the reflection and transmission coefficients using the matching condition on the wavefunctions, and investigated the condition for the existence of transmission resonance. Furthermore, we have demonstrated how the transmission resonance depends on the shape of the potential.      

DC discharges in atmospheric air for bio-decontamination – spectroscopic methods for mechanism identification

Three types of DC electrical discharges in atmospheric air (streamer corona, transient spark and glow discharge) were tested for bio-decontamination of bacteria and yeasts in water solution, and spores on surfaces. Static vs. flowing treatment of contaminated water were compared, in the latter the flowing water either covered the grounded electrode or passed through the high voltage needle electrode. The bacteria were killed most efficiently in the flowing regime by transient spark. Streamer corona was efficient when the treated medium flew through the active corona region. The spores on plastic foil and paper surfaces were successfully inactivated by negative corona. The microbes were handled and their population evaluated by standard microbiology cultivation procedures. The emission spectroscopy of the discharges and TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) absorption spectrometric detection of the products of lipid peroxidation of bacterial cell membranes indicated a major role of radicals and reactive oxygen species among the bio-decontamination mechanisms.     

Dosimetric studies of the eye lens using a new dosemeter – Surveys in interventional radiology departments

During interventional radiology (IR) and cardiology (IC) procedures, medical staff can receive high doses to their eye lenses. The Retrospective Evaluation of Lens Injuries and Dose study organized in Argentina in 2010 found incipient opacity in 50% of IC physicians and 41% of IC technicians/nurses. These results, added to the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, which lowered their former occupational equivalent dose limit for the lens, led us to assess the eye lens dose, Hp(3), during interventional procedures.To this end, a new dosemeter was designed and calibrated at the National Atomic Energy Commission of Argentina to evaluate Hp(3). Personal dose equivalent (Hp(10)), and Hp(3) were assessed for 3 months in two IC and IR departments. An Alderson phantom was used to simulate monthly exposures of five occupational staff members.Hp(3) and Hp(10) were obtained monthly for 14 occupational staff members exposed to 121 IR and IC procedures. We concluded that the annual effective dose and Hp(3) were lower than 0.3 and 10 mSv, respectively and the average cumulative Hp(3) for working life was lower than 400 and 200 mSv for physicians and technicians/scrub nurse, respectively. An occupational annual dose constraint of 0.3 mSv was calculated.     

Natural radioactivity in groundwater – a review

The issue of natural radioactivity in groundwater is reviewed, with emphasis on those radioisotopes which contribute in a significant way to the overall effective dose received by members of the public due to the intake of drinking water originating from groundwater systems. The term ‘natural radioactivity’ is used in this context to cover all radioactivity present in the environment, including man-made (anthropogenic) radioactivity. Comprehensive discussion of radiological aspects of the presence of natural radionuclides in groundwater, including an overview of current regulations dealing with radioactivity in drinking water, is provided. The presented data indicate that thorough assessments of the committed doses resulting from the presence of natural radioactivity in groundwater are needed, particularly when such water is envisaged for regular intake by infants. They should be based on a precise determination of radioactivity concentration levels of the whole suite of radionuclides, including characterisation of their temporal variability. Equally important is a realistic assessment of water intake values for specific age groups. Only such an evaluation may provide the basis for possible remedial actions.     

Tannic acid NPs – Synthesis and immobilization onto a solid surface in a one-step process and their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties

Tannic acid nanoparticles were synthesized from an aqueous solution without the use of stabilizers via a sonochemical process. In order to avoid the dissolution of the formed nanoparticles, the sonochemical reaction was performed in the presence of a cotton fabric: following their formation, the tannic acid nanoparticles were embedded into the cotton substrate in a one-step process. The bioactive properties of the tannic acid coated surface were examined towards the inhibition of myeloperoxidase and collagenase, two major enzymes related with inflammatory processes. In addition, the antibacterial activity of the tannic acid nanoparticles coated textiles was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.     

Linear optimal control for tracking a single fluorescent particle in a confocal microscope

We study the problem of localizing and tracking in a confocal laser scanning microscope a single fluorescent particle diffusing in three dimensions. The position of the particle is estimated from a collection of intensity measurements using a novel analytical algorithm. This estimator is then combined with a tracking algorithm based on a linear quadratic Gaussian controller to steer the detection volume of the microscope and follow the molecule. The feasibility of the approach is demonstrated through numerical simulations. These results indicate that, in such a system, tracking in three dimensions of a particle moving with a diffusion constant larger than 1 μm²/s is possible without the need for additional sensors or lasers.     

Approximate path integral solution for a Dirac particle in a deformed Hulthén potential

The problem of a Dirac particle moving in a deformed Hulthén potential is solved in the framework of the path integral formalism. With the help of the Biedenharn transformation, the construction of a closed form for the Green’s function of the second-order Dirac equation is done by using a proper approximation to the centrifugal term and the Green’s function of the linear Dirac equation is calculated. The energy spectrum for the bound states is obtained from the poles of the Green’s function. A Dirac particle in the standard Hulthén potential (q = 1) and a Dirac hydrogen-like ion (q = 1 and a → ∞) are considered as particular cases.     

Analysis of two-torus in a new four-dimensional autonomous system

In this paper, we report the dynamical behaviours of a four-dimenslonal autonomous continuous dissipative system analysed when the parameter is varied in the range we are interested in. The system changes its dynamical modes between periodic motion and quasiperiodic motion. Furthermore, the existence of two-torus is investigated numerically by means of Lyapunov exponents. By taking advantage of phase portraits and Poincaré sections, two types of the two-torus are observed and proved to have the structure of ring torus and horn torus, both of which are known to be the standard tori.     

The density wave in a new anisotropic continuum model

In this paper the new continuum traffic flow model proposed by Jiang et al is developed based on an improved car-following model, in which the speed gradient term replaces the density gradient term in the equation of motion. It overcomes the wrong-way travel which exists in many high-order continuum models. Based on the continuum version of car-following model, the condition for stable traffic flow is derived. Nonlinear analysis shows that the density fluctuation in traffic flow induces a variety of density waves. Near the onset of instability, a small disturbance could lead to solitons determined by the Korteweg-de-Vries （KdV） equation, and the soliton solution is derived.     

A classical particle in a Poincaré gauge field as a model for the gravitational interaction

The geometrical and mechanical aspects of a particle interacting with a Poincaré gauge field are considered and the relation with a gravitational interaction is studied.     

Pattern formation in a predator–prey model with spatial effect

In this paper, spatial dynamics in the Beddington–DeAngelis predator–prey model with self-diffusion and cross-diffusion is investigated. We analyze the linear stability and obtain the condition of Turing instability of this model. Moreover, we deduce the amplitude equations and determine the stability of different patterns. Numerical simulations show that this system exhibits complex dynamical behaviors. In the Turing space, we find three types of typical patterns. One is the coexistence of hexagon patterns and stripe patterns. The other two are hexagon patterns of different types. The obtained results well enrich the finding in predator–prey models with Beddington–DeAngelis functional response.