Rashbons: properties and their significance

In the presence of a synthetic non-Abelian gauge field that produces a Rashba-like spin-orbit interaction, a collection of weakly interacting fermions undergoes a crossover from a Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) ground state to a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) ground state when the strength of the gauge field is increased (Vyasanakere et al 2011 Phys. Rev. B 84 014512). The BEC that is obtained at large gauge coupling strengths is a condensate of tightly bound bosonic fermion pairs. The properties of these bosons are solely determined by the Rashba gauge field-hence called rashbons. In this paper, we conduct a systematic study of the properties of rashbons and their dispersion. This study reveals a new qualitative aspect of the problem of interacting fermions in non-Abelian gauge fields, i.e. that the rashbon state ceases to exist when the center-of-mass momentum of the fermions exceeds a critical value that is of the order of the gauge coupling strength. The study allows us to estimate the transition temperature of the rashbon BEC and suggests a route to enhance the exponentially small transition temperature of the system with a fixed weak attraction to the order of the Fermi temperature by tuning the strength of the non-Abelian gauge field. The nature of the rashbon dispersion, and in particular the absence of the rashbon states at large momenta, suggests a regime in parameter space where the normal state of the system will be a dynamical mixture of uncondensed rashbons and unpaired helical fermions. Such a state should show many novel features including pseudogap physics.

Mass of highly magnetized white dwarfs exceeding the Chandrasekhar limit: An analytical view

In recent years a number of white dwarfs have been observed with very high surface magnetic fields. We can expect that the magnetic field in the core of these stars would be much higher (similar to 10(14) G). In this paper, we analytically study the effect of high magnetic field on relativistic cold electron, and hence its effect on the stability and the mass-radius relation of a magnetic white dwarf. In strong magnetic fields, the equation of state of the Fermi gas is modified and Landau quantization comes into play. For relatively very high magnetic fields (with respect to the average energy density of matter) the number of Landau levels is restricted to one or two. We analyze the equation of states for magnetized electron degenerate gas analytically and attempt to understand the conditions in which transitions from the zeroth Landau level to first Landau level occurs. We also find the effect of the strong magnetic field on the star collapsing to a white dwarf, and the mass-radius relation of the resulting star. We obtain an interesting theoretical result that it is possible to have white dwarfs with mass more than the mass set by Chandrasekhar limit.

Tuning the magnetic ground state in LixNi(2-x)O2

The experimental determination of the magnetic ground state of triangular lattice anti-ferromagnet LiNiO2 is an intriguing problem as the system is prone to be Li deficient. We have been successful in preparing nearly stoichiometric LiNiO2 showing an anti-ferromagnetic ground state with an ordering temperature similar to 12 K. As the Li deficiency increases the sample exhibits spin glass behavior evidenced by a shift in the spin glass freezing temperature as a function of frequency in the ac susceptibility studies. As the Li deficiency crosses a critical limit, the sample becomes ferromagnetic in nature. We are able to tune the ferromagnetic transition temperature up to 240 K by varying the Li content. Finally, we have constructed a magnetic phase diagram. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. doi:10.1063/1.3675997]

Large mass splittings for fourth generation fermions allowed by LHC Higgs boson exclusion

In the context of the standard model with a fourth generation, we explore the allowed mass spectra in the fourth-generation quark and lepton sectors as functions of the Higgs mass. Using the constraints from unitarity and oblique parameters, we show that a heavy Higgs allows large mass splittings in these sectors, opening up new decay channels involving W emission. Assuming that the hints for a light Higgs do not yet constitute an evidence, we work in a scenario where a heavy Higgs is viable. A Higgs heavier than similar to 800 GeV would in fact necessitate either a heavy quark decay channel t' -> b'W/b' -> t'W or a heavy lepton decay channel tau' -> nu'W as long as the mixing between the third and fourth generations is small. This mixing tends to suppress the mass splittings and hence the W-emission channels. The possibility of the W-emission channel could substantially change the search strategies of fourth-generation fermions at the LHC and impact the currently reported mass limits.

Sensitive Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for the Determination of Olanzapine in Human Urine

A sensitive and selective liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS-MS) method was developed to determine olanzapine (OLZ) in human urine. After solid-phase extraction with SPE cartridge, the urine sample was analysed on a C-18 column (Symmetry 3.5 mu m, 50 x 4.6 mm i.d) interfaced with a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer. Positive electrospray ionization was employed as the ionization source. The mobile phase consisted of ammonium acetate (pH 7.8)-acetonitrile (10:90, v/v). The method was linear over a concentration range of 1-100 ngml(-1). The lower limit of quantitation was 1 ngml(-1). The intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviation across three validation runs over the entire concentration range was < 11.5 %. The accuracy determined at three concentrations (8.0, 50.0 and 85.0 ngml(-1) OLZ) was within +/- 1.21 % in terms of relative errors.

Strongly magnetized cold degenerate electron gas: Mass-radius relation of the magnetized white dwarf

We consider a relativistic, degenerate electron gas at zero temperature under the influence of a strong, uniform, static magnetic field, neglecting any form of interactions. Since the density of states for the electrons changes due to the presence of the magnetic field (which gives rise to Landau quantization), the corresponding equation of state also gets modified. In order to investigate the effect of very strong magnetic field, we focus only on systems in which a maximum of either one, two, or three Landau level(s) is/are occupied. This is important since, if a very large number of Landau levels are filled, it implies a very low magnetic field strength which yields back Chandrasekhar's celebrated nonmagnetic results. The maximum number of occupied Landau levels is fixed by the correct choice of two parameters, namely, the magnetic field strength and the maximum Fermi energy of the system. We study the equations of state of these one-level, two-level, and three-level systems and compare them by taking three different maximum Fermi energies. We also find the effect of the strong magnetic field on the mass-radius relation of the underlying star composed of the gas stated above. We obtain an exciting result that it is possible to have an electron-degenerate static star, namely, magnetized white dwarfs, with a mass significantly greater than the Chandrasekhar limit in the range 2.3-2.6M(circle dot), provided it has an appropriate magnetic field strength and central density. In fact, recent observations of peculiar type Ia supernovae-SN 2006gz, SN 2007if, SN 2009dc, SN 2003fg-seem to suggest super-Chandrasekhar-mass white dwarfs with masses up to 2.4-2.8M(circle dot) as their most likely progenitors. Interestingly, our results seem to lie within these observational limits.

Lipopeptides from the Banyan Endophyte, Bacillus subtilis K1: Mass Spectrometric Characterization of a Library of Fengycins

Mass spectrometric analysis of a banyan endophyte, Bacillus subtilis K1, extract showing broad spectrum antifungal activity revealed a complex mixture of lipopeptides, iturins, surfactins, and fengycins. Fractionation by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) facilitated a detailed analysis of fengycin microheterogeneity. Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometric studies permitted the identification of several new fengycin variants. Four major sites of heterogeneity are identified: (1) N-terminus beta-hydroxy fatty acid moiety, where chain length variation and the presence of unsaturation occur, (2) position 6 (Ala/Val/Ile/Leu), (3) position 10 (Val/Ile) within the macrocyclic ring, and (4) Gln to Glu replacement at position 8, resulting in fengycin variants that differ in mass by 1 Da. Diagnostic fragment ions provide a quick method for localizing the sites of variation in the macrocycle or the linear segment. Subsequent establishment of the sequences is achieved by MS/MS analysis of linear fengycin species produced by hydrolysis of the macrocyclic lactone. Unsaturation in the fatty acid chain and the presence of linear precursors in the B. subtilis K1 extract are also established by mass spectrometry. The anomalous distribution of intensities within isotopic multiplets is a diagnostic for Gln/Glu replacements. High resolution mass spectrometry facilitates the identification of fengycin species differing by 1 Da by localizing the variable position (Gln(8)/Glu(8)) in the fengycin variants.

A spring-mass-lever model, stiffness and inertia maps for single-input, single-output compliant mechanisms

A spring-mass-lever (SML) model is introduced in this paper for a single-input-single-output compliant mechanism to capture its static and dynamic behavior. The SML model is a reduced-order model, and its five parameters provide physical insight and quantify the stiffness and inertia(1) at the input and output ports as well as the transformation of force and displacement between the input and output. The model parameters can be determined with reasonable accuracy without performing dynamic or modal analysis. The paper describes two uses of the SML model: computationally efficient analysis of a system of which the compliant mechanism is a part; and design of compliant mechanisms for the given user-specifications. During design, the SML model enables determining the feasible parameter space of user-specified requirements, assessing the suitability of a compliant mechanism to meet the user-specifications and also selecting and/or re-designing compliant mechanisms from an existing database. Manufacturing constraints, material choice, and other practical considerations are incorporated into this methodology. A micromachined accelerometer and a valve mechanism are used as examples to show the effectiveness of the SML model in analysis and design. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

On the height of fall of dropping mass in SASW measurements for asphaltic road pavements

A number of spectral analysis of surface waves (SASW) tests were performed on asphaltic road pavements by dropping a metallic 6.5 kg sphere, from a height (H) ranging from 1 to 3 m. Various combinations of source to first receiver distance (S) and receiver spacing (X) were employed. By increasing the height of the fall of the dropping mass, the maximum wavelength (lambda(max)), up to which the shear wave velocity profile can be predicted with the usage of the SASW measurements, was found to increase continuously. The height of fall of the dropping mass also seems to affect the admissible range of the wavelength for given combinations of X and S. Irrespective of different chosen combinations of S, X and H, a unique combined dispersion curve was generated in all the cases for a given pavement site as long as the threshold minimum value of the coherence function is greater than 0.90.

Variation of Snowline and Mass Balance of Glaciers of Warwan and Bhut Basins of Western Himalaya Using Remote Sensing Technique

Glaciers are natural reservoirs of fresh water in frozen state and sensitive indicators of climate change. Among all the mountainous glaciated regions, glaciers of Himalayas form one of the largest concentrations of ice outside the Polar Regions. Almost all the major rivers of northern India originate from these glaciers and sustain perennial flow. Therefore, in view of the importance and role of the glaciers in sustaining the life on the Earth, monitoring the health of glaciers is necessary. Glacier's health is monitored in two ways (i) by mapping the change in extent of glaciers (ii) by finding variation in the annual mass balance. This paper has been discussed the later approach for monitoring the health of glaciers of Warwan and Bhut basins. Mass balance of glaciers of these two basins was determined based on the extraction of snow line at the end of ablation season. A series of satellite images of AWiFS sensor were analysed for extraction of snowline on the glaciers for the period of 2005, 2006 and 2007. The snow line at the end of ablation season is used to compute accumulation area ratio (AAR = Accumulation area/Glacier area) for each glacier of basins. An approach based on relationship of AAR to specific mass balance (computed in field) for glaciers of Basapa basin was employed in the present study. Mean of specific mass balance of individual glacier for the year 2005, 2006 and 2007 of Warwan basin was found to be -ve 0.19 m, -ve 0.27 m and -ve 0.2 m respectively. It is 0.05 m, -ve 0.11 m and -ve 0.19 m for Bhut basin. The analysis suggests a loss of 4.3 and 0.83 kmA(3) of glacier in the monitoring period of 3 years for Warwan and Bhut basins respectively. The overall results suggest that the glaciers of Warwan basin and Bhut basins have suffered more loss of ice than gain in the monitoring period of 3 years.

Precision and long-term stability of clumped-isotope analysis of CO2 using a small-sector isotope ratio mass spectrometer

RATIONALE The ratio of the measured abundance of 13C18O bonding CO2 to its stochastic abundance, prescribed by the delta 13C and delta 18O values from a carbonate mineral, is sensitive to its growth temperature. Recently, clumped-isotope thermometry, which uses this ratio, has been adopted as a new tool to elucidate paleotemperatures quantitatively. METHODS Clumped isotopes in CO2 were measured with a small-sector isotope ratio mass spectrometer. CO2 samples digested from several kinds of calcium carbonates by phosphoric acid at 25 degrees C were purified using both cryogenic and gas-chromatographic separations, and their isotopic composition (delta 13C, delta 18O, Delta 47, Delta 48 and Delta 49 values) were then determined using a dual-inlet Delta XP mass spectrometer. RESULTS The internal precisions of the single gas Delta 47 measurements were 0.005 and 0.02 parts per thousand (1 SE) for the optimum and the routine analytical conditions, respectively, which are comparable with those obtained using a MAT 253 mass spectrometer. The long-term variations in the Delta 47 values for the in-house working standard and the heated CO2 gases since 2007 were close to the routine, single gas uncertainty while showing seasonal-like periodicities with a decreasing trend. Unlike the MAT 253, the Delta XP did not show any significant relationship between the Delta 47 and delta 47 values. CONCLUSIONS The Delta XP gave results that were approximately as precise as those of the MAT 253 for clumped-isotope analysis. The temporal stability of the Delta XP seemed to be lower, although an advantage of the Delta XP was that no dependency of delta 47 on Delta 47 was found. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Common Ground Method of Current Injection in Electrical Impedance Tomography

Surface electrodes are essentially required to be switched for boundary data collection in electrical impedance tomography (Ell). Parallel digital data bits are required to operate the multiplexers used, generally, for electrode switching in ELT. More the electrodes in an EIT system more the digital data bits are needed. For a sixteen electrode system. 16 parallel digital data bits are required to operate the multiplexers in opposite or neighbouring current injection method. In this paper a common ground current injection is proposed for EIT and the resistivity imaging is studied. Common ground method needs only two analog multiplexers each of which need only 4 digital data bits and hence only 8 digital bits are required to switch the 16 surface electrodes. Results show that the USB based data acquisition system sequentially generate digital data required for multiplexers operating in common ground current injection method. The profile of the boundary data collected from practical phantom show that the multiplexers are operating in the required sequence in common ground current injection protocol. The voltage peaks obtained for all the inhomogeneity configurations are found at the accurate positions in the boundary data matrix which proved the sequential operation of multiplexers. Resistivity images reconstructed from the boundary data collected from the practical phantom with different configurations also show that the entire digital data generation module is functioning properly. Reconstructed images and their image parameters proved that the boundary data are successfully acquired by the DAQ system which in turn indicates a sequential and proper operation of multiplexers.

Prediction of Ground Water Levels in the Uplands of a Tropical Coastal Riparian Wetland using Artificial Neural Networks

Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) have been found to be a robust tool to model many non-linear hydrological processes. The present study aims at evaluating the performance of ANN in simulating and predicting ground water levels in the uplands of a tropical coastal riparian wetland. The study involves comparison of two network architectures, Feed Forward Neural Network (FFNN) and Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) trained under five algorithms namely Levenberg Marquardt algorithm, Resilient Back propagation algorithm, BFGS Quasi Newton algorithm, Scaled Conjugate Gradient algorithm, and Fletcher Reeves Conjugate Gradient algorithm by simulating the water levels in a well in the study area. The study is analyzed in two cases-one with four inputs to the networks and two with eight inputs to the networks. The two networks-five algorithms in both the cases are compared to determine the best performing combination that could simulate and predict the process satisfactorily. Ad Hoc (Trial and Error) method is followed in optimizing network structure in all cases. On the whole, it is noticed from the results that the Artificial Neural Networks have simulated and predicted the water levels in the well with fair accuracy. This is evident from low values of Normalized Root Mean Square Error and Relative Root Mean Square Error and high values of Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency Index and Correlation Coefficient (which are taken as the performance measures to calibrate the networks) calculated after the analysis. On comparison of ground water levels predicted with those at the observation well, FFNN trained with Fletcher Reeves Conjugate Gradient algorithm taken four inputs has outperformed all other combinations.

New Mass Limit for White Dwarfs: Super-Chandrasekhar Type Ia Supernova as a New Standard Candle

Type Ia supernovae, sparked off by exploding white dwarfs of mass close to the Chandrasekhar limit, play the key role in understanding the expansion rate of the Universe. However, recent observations of several peculiar type Ia supernovae argue for its progenitor mass to be significantly super-Chandrasekhar. We show that strongly magnetized white dwarfs not only can violate the Chandrasekhar mass limit significantly, but exhibit a different mass limit. We establish from a foundational level that the generic mass limit of white dwarfs is 2.58 solar mass. This explains the origin of overluminous peculiar type Ia supernovae. Our finding further argues for a possible second standard candle, which has many far reaching implications, including a possible reconsideration of the expansion history of the Universe. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.071102

High precision Mg isotope measurements of meteoritic samples by secondary ion mass spectrometry

The possibility of establishing an accurate relative chronology of the early solar system events based on the decay of short-lived Al-26 to Mg-26 (half-life of 0.72 Myr) depends on the level of homogeneity (or heterogeneity) of Al-26 and Mg isotopes. However, this level is difficult. to constrain precisely because of the very high precision needed for the determination of isotopic ratios, typically of +/- 5 ppm. In this study, we report for the first time a detailed analytical protocol developed for high precision in situ Mg isotopic measurements ((25)mg/(24)mg and (26)mg/Mg-24 ratios, as well as Mg-26 excess) by MC-SIMS. As the data reduction process is critical for both accuracy and precision of the final isotopic results, factors such as the Faraday cup (FC) background drift and matrix effects on instrumental fractionation have been investigated. Indeed these instrumental effects impacting the measured Mg-isotope ratios can be as large or larger than the variations we are looking for to constrain the initial distribution of Al-26 and Mg isotopes in the early solar system. Our results show that they definitely are limiting factors regarding the precision of Mg isotopic compositions, and that an under- or over-correction of both FC background instabilities and instrumental isotopic fractionation leads to important bias on delta Mg-25, delta(26)mg and Delta Mg-26 values (for example, olivines not corrected for FC background drifts display Delta Mg-26 values that can differ by as much as 10 ppm from the truly corrected value). The new data reduction process described here can then be applied to meteoritic samples (components of chondritic meteorites for instance) to accurately establish their relative chronology of formation.