The outburst decay of the low magnetic field magnetar SGR 0418+5729

We report on the long-term X-ray monitoring of the outburst decay of the low magnetic field magnetar SGR 0418+5729 using all the available X-ray data obtained with RXTE, Swift, Chandra, and XMM-Newton observations from the discovery of the source in 2009 June up to 2012 August. The timing analysis allowed us to obtain the first measurement of the period derivative of SGR 0418+5729: ˙ P = 4(1) × 10−15 s s−1, significant at a ∼3.5σ confidence level. This leads to a surface dipolar magnetic field of Bdip 6 × 1012 G. This measurement confirms SGR 0418+5729 as the lowest magnetic field magnetar. Following the flux and spectral evolution from the beginning of the outburst up to ∼1200 days, we observe a gradual cooling of the tiny hot spot responsible for the X-ray emission, from a temperature of ∼0.9 to 0.3 keV. Simultaneously, the X-ray flux decreased by about three orders of magnitude: from about 1.4 × 10−11 to 1.2 × 10−14 erg s−1 cm−2. Deep radio, millimeter, optical, and gamma-ray observations did not detect the source counterpart, implying stringent limits on its multi-band emission, as well as constraints on the presence of a fossil disk. By modeling the magneto-thermal secular evolution of SGR 0418+5729, we infer a realistic age of ∼550 kyr, and a dipolar magnetic field at birth of ∼1014 G. The outburst characteristics suggest the presence of a thin twisted bundle with a small heated spot at its base. The bundle untwisted in the first few months following the outburst, while the hot spot decreases in temperature and size. We estimate the outburst rate of low magnetic field magnetars to be about one per year per galaxy, and we briefly discuss the consequences of such a result in several other astrophysical contexts.

On the existence of exponential polynomials with prefixed gaps

This paper shows that the conjecture of Lapidus and Van Frankenhuysen on the set of dimensions of fractality associated with a nonlattice fractal string is true in the important special case of a generic nonlattice self-similar string, but in general is false. The proof and the counterexample of this have been given by virtue of a result on exponential polynomials P(z), with real frequencies linearly independent over the rationals, that establishes a bound for the number of gaps of RP, the closure of the set of the real projections of its zeros, and the reason for which these gaps are produced.

The outburst decay of the low magnetic field magnetar SWIFT J1822.3−1606: phase-resolved analysis and evidence for a variable cyclotron feature

We study the timing and spectral properties of the low-magnetic field, transient magnetar SWIFT J1822.3−1606 as it approached quiescence. We coherently phase-connect the observations over a time-span of ∼500 d since the discovery of SWIFT J1822.3−1606 following the Swift-Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) trigger on 2011 July 14, and carried out a detailed pulse phase spectroscopy along the outburst decay. We follow the spectral evolution of different pulse phase intervals and find a phase and energy-variable spectral feature, which we interpret as proton cyclotron resonant scattering of soft photon from currents circulating in a strong (≳1014 G) small-scale component of the magnetic field near the neutron star surface, superimposed to the much weaker (∼3 × 1013 G) magnetic field. We discuss also the implications of the pulse-resolved spectral analysis for the emission regions on the surface of the cooling magnetar.

On the Result of Invariance of the Closure Set of the Real Projections of the Zeros of an Important Class of Exponential Polynomials

In this paper we provide the proof of a practical point-wise characterization of the set RP defined by the closure set of the real projections of the zeros of an exponential polynomial P(z) = Σn j=1 cjewjz with real frequencies wj linearly independent over the rationals. As a consequence, we give a complete description of the set RP and prove its invariance with respect to the moduli of the c′ js, which allows us to determine exactly the gaps of RP and the extremes of the critical interval of P(z) by solving inequations with positive real numbers. Finally, we analyse the converse of this result of invariance.

Background Measurement Techniques and Sensitivity Studies for the SNO+ Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay Search

The control of radioactive backgrounds will be key in the search for neutrinoless double beta decay at the SNO+ experiment. Several aspects of the SNO+ back- grounds have been studied. The SNO+ tellurium purification process may require ultra low background ethanol as a reagent. A low background assay technique for ethanol was developed and used to identify a source of ethanol with measured 238U and 232Th concentrations below 2.8 10^-13 g/g and 10^-14 g/g respectively. It was also determined that at least 99:997% of the ethanol can be removed from the purified tellurium using forced air ow in order to reduce 14C contamination. In addition, a quality-control technique using an oxygen sensor was studied to monitor 222Rn contamination due to air leaking into the SNO+ scintillator during transport. The expected sensitivity of the technique is 0.1mBq/L or better depending on the oxygen sensor used. Finally, the dependence of SNO+ neutrinoless double beta decay sensitivity on internal background levels was studied using Monte Carlo simulation. The half-life limit to neutrinoless double beta decay of 130Te after 3 years of operation was found to be 4.8 1025 years under default conditions.

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay: novel mechanistic insights and biological impact

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) was originally coined to define a quality control mechanism that targets mRNAs with truncated open reading frames due to the presence of a premature termination codon. Meanwhile, it became clear that NMD has a much broader impact on gene expression and additional biological functions beyond quality control are continuously being discovered. We review here the current views regarding the molecular mechanisms of NMD, according to which NMD ensues on mRNAs that fail to terminate translation properly, and point out the gaps in our understanding. We further summarize the recent literature on an ever-rising spectrum of biological processes in which NMD appears to be involved, including homeostatic control of gene expression, development and differentiation, as well as viral defense.

Fission products decay energy : a literature search /

"September 1959."

A user's guide to SHALWV : numerical model for simulation of shallow-water wave growth, propagation and decay /

Includes abstract.

A user's guide to SHALWV, numerical model for simulation of shallow-water wave growth, propagation and decay.

"June 1987."

Computing a perfect strategy for n x [i.e. superscript] n chess requires time exponential in n /

"UILU-ENG 79 1716."

Radix 16 division, multiplication, logarithmic and exponential algorithms based on continued product representations,

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.