Performance Improvement of QPSK Signal Predetection EGC Diversity Receiver

This paper proposes a modification of quadrature phase-shift-keying (QPSK) signal diversity reception with predetection equal gain combiner (EGC). The EGC combining is realized by using the constant modulus algorithm (CMA). Carrier synchronization is performed by the phase locked loop (PLL). Comparative analysis of the modified and ordinary diversity receiver in the presence of carrier frequency offset in the additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel, as well as in Rician fading channel is shown. The proposed diversity receiver allows significant frequency offset compared to the diversity receiver that uses only PLL, and the error probability of the proposed receiver is very close to the error probability of the receiver with only PLL and zero frequency offset. The functionality of the proposed diversity receiver, as well as its properties is experimentally verified on a system based on universal software radio peripheral (USRP) hardware. The performed comparison confirms the expected behavior of the system

On the influence of Stark broadening on Si I lines in stellar atmospheres

We study the influence of Stark broadening and stratification effects on Si\i lines in the rapidly oscillating (roAp) star 10 Aql, where the Si\i 6142.48 \AA and 6155.13 \AA lines are asymmetrical and shifted. First we have calculated Stark broadening parameters using the semiclassical perturbation method for three Si\i lines: 5950.2 \AA, 6142.48 \AA and 6155.13 \AA. We revised the synthetic sp$ calculation code taking into account both Stark width and shift for these lines. From the comparison of our calculations with the observations we found that Stark broadening + the stratification effect can explain asymmetry of the Si\i 6142.48 \AA and 6155.13 \AA lines in the atmospere of roAp star 10 Aql.Comment: Accepted to A&

High-resolution FUSE and HST ultraviolet spectroscopy of the white dwarf central star of Sh 2-216

LS V +4621 is the DAO-type central star of the planetary nebula Sh 2-216. We perform a comprehensive spectral analysis of high-resolution, high-S/N ultraviolet observations obtained with FUSE and STIS aboard the HST as well as the optical spectrum of LS V +4621 by means of state-of-the-art NLTE model-atmosphere techniques in order to compare its photospheric properties to theoretical predictions from stellar evolution theory as well as from diffusion calculations. From the N IV - NV, O IV - O VI, Si IV - Si V, and Fe V - Fe VII ionization equilibria, we determined an effective temperature of 95 +/- 2 kK with high precision. The surface gravity is log g = 6.9 +/- 0.2. An unexplained discrepancy appears between the spectroscopic distance d = 224 +46/-58 pc and the parallax distance d = 129 +6/-5 pc of LS V +4621. For the first time, we have identified Mg IV and Ar VI absorption lines in the spectrum of a hydrogen-rich central star and determined the Mg and Ar abundances as well as the individual abundances of iron-group elements (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni). With the realistic treatment of metal opacities up to the iron group in the model-atmosphere calculations, the so-called Balmer-line problem (found in models that neglect metal-line blanketing) vanishes. Spectral analysis by means of NLTE model atmospheres has presently arrived at a high level of sophistication, which is now hampered largely by the lack of reliable atomic data and accurate line-broadening tables. Strong efforts should be made to improve upon this situation.Comment: 13 pages, 20 figure

Perceived need of, and interest in, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis amongst men who have sex with men attending three sexual health clinics in London, UK

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has proven efficacy in reducing the risk of HIV infection in men who have sex with men (MSM), but has not yet been commissioned in the UK. The aim of this study was to investigate perceived need and benefit (or experience of) PrEP among HIV-negative MSM attending sexual health clinics. HIV-negative MSM attending three sexual health centres in London, UK were opportunistically invited to complete a questionnaire. Data collected comprised demographic data and sexual and drug use behaviours as well as questions regarding perceptions of risk and need for PrEP. Logistic regression analysis was undertaken to identify variables predicting acceptability of, and intention to use, PrEP. In addition, data were gathered in respondents already taking PrEP. Eight hundred and thirty-nine questionnaires were analysed. The median age of respondents was 35 years (IQR 28–41, range 18–78), 650 (77%) were of white ethnicity and 649 (77%) had a university education. Four hundred and fifty-six (54%) reported at least one episode of condomless anal sex in the preceding three months, 437 (52%) reported recreational drug use in the preceding three months and 311 (37%) had been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection within the preceding six months. Four hundred and sixty-three (64%) of 726 strongly agreed with the statement ‘I think I would benefit from PrEP’. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that having receptive anal intercourse (RAI) without condoms, having an awareness of the risk of unprotected RAI and having belief in the effectiveness of PrEP were independent predictors for someone thinking they would benefit from taking PrEP. Eight percent of respondents (59/724) had already taken or were currently taking PrEP. The results suggest that individuals at risk are likely to perceive themselves as benefiting from PrEP. The majority perceived their risk of acquiring HIV and benefit from PrEP accurately. Overall they appeared to have little concern over the use of PrEP and generally positive attitudes. Further investigation is warranted to understand why those at risk do not perceive benefit from PrEP

Atomic and Molecular Opacities for Brown Dwarf and Giant Planet Atmospheres

We present a comprehensive description of the theory and practice of opacity calculations from the infrared to the ultraviolet needed to generate models of the atmospheres of brown dwarfs and extrasolar giant planets. Methods for using existing line lists and spectroscopic databases in disparate formats are presented and plots of the resulting absorptive opacities versus wavelength for the most important molecules and atoms at representative temperature/pressure points are provided. Electronic, ro-vibrational, bound-free, bound-bound, free-free, and collision-induced transitions and monochromatic opacities are derived, discussed, and analyzed. The species addressed include the alkali metals, iron, heavy metal oxides, metal hydrides, $H_2$, $H_2O$, $CH_4$, $CO$, $NH_3$, $H_2S$, $PH_3$, and representative grains. [Abridged]Comment: 28 pages of text, plus 22 figures, accepted to the Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, replaced with more compact emulateapj versio

The Near-Infrared and Optical Spectra of Methane Dwarfs and Brown Dwarfs

We identify the pressure--broadened red wings of the saturated potassium resonance lines at 7700 \AA as the source of anomalous absorption seen in the near-infrared spectra of Gliese 229B and, by extension, of methane dwarfs in general. This conclusion is supported by the recent work of Tsuji {\it et al.} 1999, though unlike them we find that dust need not be invoked to explain the spectra of methane dwarfs shortward of 1 micron. We find that a combination of enhanced alkali abundances due to rainout and a more realistic non-Lorentzian theory of resonant line shapes may be all that is needed to properly account for these spectra from 0.5 to 1.0 microns. The WFPC2 $I$ measurement of Gliese 229B is also consistent with this theory. Furthermore, a combination of the blue wings of this K I resonance doublet, the red wings of the Na D lines at 5890 \AA, and, perhaps, the Li I line at 6708 \AA can explain in a natural way the observed WFPC2 $R$ band flux of Gliese 229B. Hence, we conclude that the neutral alkali metals play a central role in the near-infrared and optical spectra of methane dwarfs and that their lines have the potential to provide crucial diagnostics of brown dwarfs. We speculate on the systematics of the near-infrared and optical spectra of methane dwarfs, for a given mass and composition, that stems from the progressive burial with decreasing \teff of the alkali metal atoms to larger pressures and depths.Comment: Revised and accepted to Ap.J. volume 531, March 1, 2000, also available at http://jupiter.as.arizona.edu/~burrows/papers/BMS.p

Theoretical determination of lifetimes of metastable states in Sc III and Y III

Lifetimes of the first two metastable states in Sc^{2+} and Y^{2+} are determined using the relativistic coupled-cluster theory. There is a considerable interest in studying the electron correlation effects in these ions as though their electronic configurations are similar to the neutral alkali atoms, their structures are very different from the latter. We have made a comparative study of the correlation trends between the above doubly ionized systems with their corresponding neutral and singly ionized iso-electronic systems. The lifetimes of the excited states of these ions are very important in the field of astrophysics, especially for the study of post-main sequence evolution of the cool giant stars.Comment: 13 pages, 1 figure and 5 table

Particle and Antiparticle sectors in DSR1 and kappa-Minkowski space-time

In this paper we explore the problem of antiparticles in DSR1 and $\kappa$-Minkowski space-time following three different approaches inspired by the Lorentz invariant case: a) the dispersion relation, b) the Dirac equation in space-time and c) the Dirac equation in momentum space. We find that it is possible to define a map $S_{dsr}$ which gives the antiparticle sector from the negative frequency solutions of the wave equation. In $\kappa$-Poincar\'e, the corresponding map $S_{kp}$ is the antipodal mapping, which is different from $S_{dsr}$. The difference is related to the composition law, which is crucial to define the multiparticle sector of the theory. This discussion permits to show that the energy of the antiparticle in DSR is the positive root of the dispersion relation, which is consistent with phenomenological approaches.Comment: 15 pages, no figures, some references added, typos correcte

Variations of Infinite Derivative Modified Gravity

We consider nonlocal modified Einstein gravity without matter, where nonlocal term has the form $P(R) F(\Box) Q(R)$. For this model, in this paper we give the derivation of the equations of motion in detail. This is not an easy task and presented derivation should be useful to a researcher who wants to investigate nonlocal gravity. Also, we present the second variation of the related Einstein-Hilbert modified action and basics of gravity perturbations.Comment: 22 page

Abundance analysis of two late A-type stars HD 32115 and HD 37594

We have performed abundance analysis of two slowly rotating, late A-type stars, HD 32115 (HR 1613) and HD 37594 (HR 1940), based on obtained echelle spectra covering the spectral range 4000-9850 AAngstrom. These spectra allowed us to identify an extensive line list for 31 chemical elements, the most complete to date for A-type stars. Two approaches to abundance analysis were used, namely a ``manual'' (interactive) and a semi-automatic procedure for comparison of synthetic and observed spectra and equivalent widths. For some elements non-LTE (NLTE) calculations were carried out and the corresponding corrections have been applied. The abundance pattern of HD 32115 was found to be very close to the solar abundance pattern, and thus may be used as an abundance standard for chemical composition studies in middle and late A stars. Further, its H-alpha line profile shows no core-to-wing anomaly like that found for cool Ap stars and therefore also may be used as a standard in comparative studies of the atmospheric structures of cool, slowly rotating Ap stars. HD 37594 shows a metal deficiency at the level of -0.3 dex for most elements and triangle-like cores of spectral lines. This star most probably belongs to the Delta Scuti group.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure