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At least 325 records · Page 18

Low-Cost, User-Friendly, Rapid Analysis of Dynamic Data System Established

An issue of primary importance to the development of new jet and certain other airbreathing combined-cycle powered aircraft is the advancement of airframe-integrated propulsion technologies. Namely, engine inlets and their systems and subsystems are required to capture, convert, and deliver the atmospheric airflow demanded by such engines across their operating envelope in a form that can be used to provide efficient, stable thrust. This must be done while also minimizing aircraft drag and weight. Revolutionary inlet designs aided by new technologies are needed to enable new missions. An unwanted byproduct of pursuing these inlet technologies is increased time-variant airflow distortion. Such distortions reduce propulsion system stability, performance, operability, and life. To countermand these limitations and fully evaluate the resulting configurations, best practices dictate that this distortion be experimentally measured at large scale and analyzed. The required measurements consist of those made by an array of high-response pressure transducers located in the flow field at the aerodynamic interface plane (AIP) between the inlet and engine. Although the acquisition of the necessary pitot-pressure time histories is relatively straight-forward, until recent years, the analysis has proved to be very time-consuming, tedious, and expensive. To transform the analysis of these data into a tractable and timely proposition, researchers at the NASA Glenn Research Center created and established the Rapid Analysis of Dynamic Data (RADD) system. The system provides complete, near real-time analysis of time-varying inlet airflow distortion datasets with report quality output. This fully digital approach employs Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) binary data file format standardization to establish data-acquisition-system-independent processing on low cost personal computers. Features include invalid instrumentation code-out, logging, and multiple replacement schemes as needed for each channel of instrumentation. The AIP pressure distribution can be interpolated to simulate measurements by alternate AIP probe arrays, if desired. In addition, the RADD system provides for the application of filters that can be used to focus the analysis on the frequency range of interest.

Arend, David J.↗

A four-hour orbital period of the X-ray burster 4U/MXB1636-53

The characterization of X-ray burst sources and other, non-bursting galactic bulge X-ray sources as low-mass close binary systems is generally accepted. The companion stars of the transient burst sources Aql X-1 and Cen X-4 are of spectral types G7-K3V and K3-7V, respectively. If these stars fill their Roche lobe, their orbital periods are in the range of 5-8 hr. X-ray observations offer evidence for a Cen X-4 orbital period of about 8 hr. An analysis of average optical properties yields values for the typical companion star masses and orbital periods of this class of low-mass X-ray binaries of about 0.6 solar masses and 6 hr, respectively.

Pedersen, H.↗

Evaporation of binary mixtures in microgravity

The motivation of this research is to obtain a better understanding of phase-change heat transfer within single and binary liquid meniscii, both in 1-g and 0-g environments. During phase 1 and part of phase 2, in a glass test cell with an inclined heated plate, 1-6 experiments on pentane with additions of decane up to 3% were conducted to determine the optimum concentration that will exhibit the maximum heat transfer and stability. During phase 2 emphasis was given to explore fundamental research issues and to ultimately develop a reliable capillary pumped loop (CPL) device for low gravity. In related experimental work, it was found that thermocapillary stresses near the contract line could result in a degraded wettability which ultimately could explain the observed failure of CPL devices in zero-gravity environment. Therefore, the current experimental effort investigates the effect of adding binary constituents in improving the thermocapillary characteristics near the contact line within the loop configuration. Achievements during second phase include: (1) Further enhancement of Central State University's Microgravity Laboratory by adding or improving upon capabilities of photography, video imaging, fluid visualization, and general experimental testing capabilities; (2) Experimental results for the inclined plate cell; (3) Modeling effort with a detailed scaling analysis; (4) Additional testing with a tube loop configuration to extend experimental work by Dickens, et al.; (5) Fabrication of a capillary loop to be tested using binary fluid (pentane/decane). The device that has been recently completed will be set up horizontally so that the effect of gravity on the performance is negligible. Testing will cover a wide range of parameters such as decane/pentane concentration, heat input value, heat input location (below or above meniscus), and loop temperature.

Girgis, Morris↗

Discrete X-Ray Source Populations and Star-Formation History in Nearby Galaxies

This program aims in understanding the connection between the discrete X-ray source populations observed in nearby galaxies and the history of star-formation in these galaxies. The ultimate goal is to use this knowledge in order to constrain X-ray binary evolution channels. For this reason although the program is primarily observational it has a significant modeling component. During the first year of this study we focused on the definition of a pilot sample of galaxies with well know star-formation histories. A small part of this sample has already been observed and we performed initial analysis of the data. However, the majority of the objects in our sample either have not been observed at all, or the detection limit of the existing observations is not low enough to probe the bulk of their young X-ray binary populations. For this reason we successfully proposed for additional Chandra observations of three targets in Cycle-5. These observations are currently being performed. The analysis of the (limited) archival data for this sample indicated that the X-ray luminosity functions (XLF) of the discrete sources in these galaxies may not have the same shape as is widely suggested. However, any solid conclusions are hampered by the small number of detected sources. For this reason during the second year of this study, we will try to extend the sample in order to include more objects in each evolutionary stage. In addition we are completing the analysis of the Chandra monitoring observations of the Antennae galaxies. The results from this work, apart from important clues on the nature of the most luminous sources (Ultra-luminous X-ray sources; ULXs) provide evidence that source spectral and/or temporal variability does not significantly affect the shape of their X-ray luminosity functions. This is particularly important for comparisons between the XLFs of different galaxies and comparisons with predictions from theoretical models. Results from this work have been presented in several conferences. Refereed journal papers presenting these conclusions are currently in preparation. An important part of this study is the Chandra survey of the Small Magellanic Cloud, our second nearest star- forming galaxy. So far we have been awarded 5 Chandra observations of the central youngest part of the galaxy. These observations will help to study the very faint end of the young X-ray binary populations which is not possible to probe in more distant objects. Results from this study have been presented in several conferences and two papers are in preparation. In addition during year-2 we are planning of undertaking the task of identifying optical counterparts to the X-ray sources, which will help us to isolate interlopers (sources not associated with the SMC) and classify the X-ray binaries which are found to be associated with the SMC. In the theoretical front, the Star-Track X-ray binary population synthesis code which will be used for the modeling of the X-ray binary populations (led by co-I V. Kalogera and C. Belczynski), is complete. A first test using the XLF of the star-forming galaxy NGC-1569 showed remarkable agreement between the observed and the modeled XLF. These results are presented in an ApJ. Letters paper (Belczynski et al, 2004, 601, 147). During year-2 of this study we are planning of performing a parameter study in order to investigate which parameters are most important for the shape of the XLF. In addition we will perform comparisons with observations of other galaxies from our sample as they become available.

Zezas, Andreas↗

DS/LPI autocorrelation detection in noise plus random-tone interference

An analysis is presented of a frequency-noncoherent, two-lag autocorrelation statistic for the wideband detection of random binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) signals in noise plus random multitone interference. It is shown that this detector is quite robust to the presence or absence of interference and its specific parameter values contrary to an energy detector. The rule assumes knowledge of the data rate and the active scenario under H0. The purpose of the paper is to promote the real-time autocorrelation domain and its samples (lags) as a viable approach for detecting random signals in dense environments.

Hinedi, Sami↗

Swift J045106.8-694803: A Highly Magnetised Neutron Star in the Large Magellanic Cloud

We report the analysis of a highly magnetised neutron star in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). The high mass X-ray binary pulsar Swift J045106.8-694803 has been observed with Swift X-ray telescope (XRT) in 2008, The Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) in 2011 and the X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission - Newton (XMM-Newton) in 2012. The change in spin period over these four years indicates a spin-up rate of 5.010.06 s/yr, amongst the highest observed for an accreting pulsar. This spin-up rate can be accounted for using Ghosh and Lambs (1979) accretion theory assuming it has a magnetic field of (1.2 +/= 0.20/0.7) x 10(exp 14) Gauss. This is over the quantum critical field value. There are very few accreting pulsars with such high surface magnetic fields and this is the first of which to be discovered in the LMC. The large spin-up rate is consistent with Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) observations which show that Swift J045106.8-694803 has had a consistently high X-ray luminosity for at least five years. Optical spectra have been used to classify the optical counterpart of Swift J045106.8-694803 as a B0-1 III-V star and a possible orbital period of 21.631 +/- 0.005 days has been found from MACHO optical photometry.

Klus, H.↗

The Influence of Silicon Additions on Friction and Wear of Nickel Alloys at Temperatures to 1000 Degrees Fahrenheit

Small additions of silicon have considerable beneficial effect on performance on slider alloys. This effect has most frequently been attributed to increased hardness. The research reported was conducted to consider a hypothesis that the primary role of silicon in slider alloys is one of supporting the formation of protective surface films. Friction and wear data were obtained at temperatures from 75 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit with a series of binary silicon-nickel alloys containing up to 10 percent silicon. Pertinent hot hardness, metallurgical and surface-film analysis data are included. Atmospheres used were air, mixtures of oxygen and argon, a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen, and a halogenated methane gas lubricant. The results show the role of silicon as a film former to be of great importance in success of silicon-containing alloys as slider materials for extreme temperatures. The range of variables studied gave friction coefficients from 0.05 to greater than 10.00 depending on film formation tendencies. Alloys with 5 percent or more silicon having a duplex structure showed the best results. Film formation resulted from surface reactions or the smearing of the softer phase from the alloys having duplex structure.

Buckley, Donald H.↗

Discovery and Modelling of a Flattening of the Positive Cyclotron Line/luminosity Relation in GX 304-1 with RXTE

The Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) observed four outbursts of the accreting Xray binary transient source, GX 304−1 in 2010 and 2011. We present results of detailed 3-100 keV spectral analysis of 69 separate observations, and report a positive correlation between cyclotron line parameters, as well as other spectral parameters, with power-law flux. The cyclotron line energy, width and depth versus flux, and thus luminosity, correlations show a flattening of the relationships with increasing luminosity, which are well described by quasi-spherical or disc accretion that yield the surface magnetic field to be ∼5 × 1012 Gauss. Since HEXTE (High Energy X-ray Timing Experiment) cluster A was fixed aligned with the Proportional Counter Array field of view and cluster B was fixed viewing a background region 1. ◦ 5 off of the source direction during these observations near the end of the RXTE mission, the cluster A background was estimated from cluster B events using HEXTEBACKEST. This made possible the detection of the ∼55 keV cyclotron line and an accurate measurement of the continuum. Correlations of all spectral parameters with the primary 2-10 keV power-law flux reveal it to be the primary driver of the spectral shape. The accretion is found to be in the collisionless shock braking regime.

Rothschild, Richard E.↗

An Overview of ARTMIP’s Tier 2 Reanalysis Intercomparison: Uncertainty in the Detection of Atmospheric Rivers and their Associated Precipitation

Atmospheric rivers, or long but narrow regions of enhanced water vapor transport, are an important component of the hydrologic cycle as they are responsible for much of the poleward transport of water vapor and result in precipitation, sometimes extreme in intensity. Despite their importance, much uncertainty remains in the detection of atmospheric rivers in large datasets such as reanalyses and century scale climate simulations. To understand this uncertainty, the Atmospheric River Tracking Method Intercomparison Project (ARTMIP) developed tiered experiments, including the Tier 2 Reanalysis Intercomparison that is presented here. Eleven detection algorithms submitted hourly tags--binary fields indicating the presence or absence of atmospheric rivers--of detected atmospheric rivers in the Modern Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2) and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts' Reanalysis Version 5 (ERA5) as well as six-hourly tags in the Japanese 55-year Reanalysis (JRA-55). Due to a higher climatological mean for integrated water vapor transport in MERRA-2, atmospheric rivers were detected more frequently relative to the other two reanalyses, particularly in algorithms that use a fixed threshold for water vapor transport. The finer horizontal resolution of ERA5 resulted in narrower atmospheric rivers and an ability to detect atmospheric rivers along resolved coastlines. The fraction of hemispheric area covered by ARs varies throughout the year in all three reanalyses, with different atmospheric river detection tools having different seasonal cycles.

ARTMIP↗

Evidence for Orbital Decay of RX J1914.4+2456: Gravitational Radiation and the Nature of the X-Ray Emission

RX J1914.4+2456 is a candidate double-degenerate binary (AM CVn) with a putative 569 s orbital period. If this identification is correct, then it has one of the shortest binary orbital periods known, and gravitational radiation should drive the orbital evolution and mass transfer if the binary is semi-detached. Here we report the results of a coherent timing study of the archival ROSAT data for RX J1914.4+2456. We performed a phase coherent timing analysis using all five ROSAT observations spanning a four-year period. We demonstrate that all the data can be phase connected, and we show that the 1.756 mHz orbital frequency is increasing at a rate of 1.5 +/- 0.4 x 10(exp -17) Hz/s consistent with the expected loss of angular momentum from the binary system via gravitational radiation. In addition to providing evidence for the emission of gravitational waves, our measurement of the orbital v(dot) constrains models for the X-ray emission and the nature of the secondary. If stable mass accretion drives the X-ray flux, then a positive v(dot) is inconsistent with a degenerate donor. A helium burning dwarf is compatible if indeed such systems can have periods as short as that of RX J1914.4+2456, an open theoretical question. Our measurement of a positive v(dot) is consistent with the unipolar induction model of Wu et al. which does not require accretion to drive the X-ray flux. We discuss how future timing measurements of RX J1914.4+2456 (and systems like it) with for example, Chandra and XMM-Newton, can provide a unique probe of the interaction between mass loss and gravitational radiation. We also discuss the importance of such measurements in the context of gravitational wave detection from space, such as is expected in the future with the LISA mission.

Strohmayer, Tod E.↗

Diffusion analysis for two-phase metal-matrix composite

Diffusion controlled filament matrix interaction in a metal matrix composite, where the filaments and matrix comprise a two phase binary alloy system, was mathematically modeled. The problem of a diffusion controlled, two phase moving interface by means of a one dimensional, variable grid, finite difference technique was analyzed. Concentration dependent diffusion coefficients and equilibrium solubility limits were used, and the change in filament diameter and compositional changes in the matrix were calculated as a function of exposure time at elevated temperatures. With the tungsten nickel (W-Ni) system as a model composite system, unidirectional composites containing from 0.06 to 0.44 initial filament volume fraction were modeled. Compositional changes in the matrix were calculated by superposition of the contributions from neighboring filaments. Alternate methods for determining compositional changes between first and second nearest neighbor filaments were also considered. The results show the relative importance of filament volume fraction, filament diameter, exposure temperature, and exposure time as they affect the rate and extent of filament matrix interaction.

Tenney, D. R.↗

Association Between Vascular Density and Loss of Protective RAS During Early NPDR by Fractal Dimension

Purpose: Our hypothesis predicts that blood vessels within the retina increase in density during early-stage nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), based on previous results of a small retrospective study. For the current prospective study, the remodeling of arteries and veins during progression of early NPDR is assessed by a repertoire of parameters that includes the fractal dimension (D(sub f) ). In complex structures such as branching vascular trees, D(sub f) is a sensitive measure of space-filing capacity. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is implicated in DR pathogenesis and the function of circulating angiogenic cells (CACs), a critical bone marrow-derived population instrumental in vascular repair. Methods: Arterial and venous branching patterns were extracted from images of 6 normal controls and 3 early NPDR subjects (2 moderate, 1 mild) acquired by Heidelberg Spectralis (Registered Trademark) OCT following fluorescein angiography (FA). The vascular branching patterns were analyzed by NASAs VESsel GENeration Analysis (VESGEN) software, in which skeletonized representations were generated automatically to yield D(sub f) by the box-counting method. For binary 2D images, D(sub f) varies between limiting Euclidean dimensions of 1 and 2. Peripheral blood of diabetics and controls was collected for CD34+ CAC isolation. The gene expression of RAS in CACs was assessed by qPCR for Mas receptor to Ang-(1-7). The vasoreparative function of the CACs was measured by migration ability toward CXCL12 (SDF-1). Results: By D(sub f), venous and arterial densities were 1.370 +/- 0.006 and 1.329 +/- 0.016 for early NPDR, compared to 1.318 +/- 0.012 and 1.320 +/- 0.036 for control. The space filling capacity in early NPDR measured by D(sub f), a sensitive parameter, therefore demonstrated a pronounced increase for veins, but not for arteries. Mas receptor mRNA in CACs was increased in diabetics without DR but reduced with onset of NPDR, indicating possible loss of compensation of protective RAS during early DR. Migratory dysfunction of CD34+ cells was further associated with DR. Conclusions: As assessed by the fractal dimension in our preliminary study, the space-filling capacity of veins, but not arteries, was greater in early NPDR than in control. Larger patient populations will be examined as we complete our ongoing longitudinal study. Results further suggest the protective RAS axis within diabetic CACs is lost early in DR and is associated with increased vascular remodeling as evidenced by VESGEN analysis.

vascular↗

Discovery of a 7.1 hour period and eclipses from MXB 1659-29

A 7.1 hr period has been discovered in the X-ray emission from the 'transient' X-ray burst source MXB 1659-29. Erratic variations in X-ray flux are seen during approximately 25 percent of the 7.1 hr cycle; at the end of this period, a stable dip in the flux occurs. Further analysis indicates that this dip is, in all probability, an eclipse by the companion star in the low-mass binary system. The short (about 15 minute) eclipse duration is used to refine the period determination (7.114104 + or - 0.000168 hr) and to constrain the companion star mass and binary system parameters. The companion star is found to be in the range 0.25-0.9 solar mass; probabilistic arguments and observations of cataclysmic variables with comparable periods indicate that the companion star is most likely less massive than the standard theories would indicate.

Cominsky, L. R.↗

High pressure cosmochemistry applied to major planetary interiors: Experimental studies

Progress is reported on a project to determine the properties and boundaries of high pressure phases of the H2-He-H2O-NH3-CH4 system that are needed to constrain theoretical models of the interiors of the major planets. This project is one of the first attempts to measure phase equilibria in binary fluid-solid systems in diamond anvil cells. Vibrational spectroscopy, direct visual observations, and X-ray diffraction crystallography of materials confined in externally heated cells are the primary experimental probes. Adiabats of these materials are also measured in order to constrain models of heat flow in these bodies and to detect phase transitions by thermal anomalies. Initial efforts involve the NH3-H2O binary. This system is especially relevant to models for surface reconstruction of the icy satellites of Jupiter and Saturn. Thermal analysis experiments were completed for the P-X space, p4GPa:0 or = 0.50, near room temperature. The cryostat, sample handling equipment, and optics needed to extend the optical P-T-X work below room temperature was completed.

Nicol, M. F.↗

Buoyancy-driven instability in a vertical cylinder: Binary fluids with Soret effect. I - General theory and stationary stability results

The buoyancy-driven instability of a monocomponent or binary fluid completely contained in a vertical circular cylinder is investigated, including the influence of the Soret effect for the binary mixture. The Boussinesq approximation is used, and the resulting linear stability problem is solved using a Galerkin technique. The analysis considers fluid mixtures ranging from gases to liquid metals. The flow structure is found to depend strongly on both the cylinder aspect ratio and the magnitude of the Soret effect. The predicted stability limits are shown to agree closely with experimental observations.

Hardin, G. R.↗

H-beta photometry of V1010 Ophiuchi

An analysis is presented of previously unpublished intermediate and narrow band H-beta light curves of the short period eclipsing binary V1010 Oph. The temperature of the primary is determined directly by comparing the UV continuum with Kurucz model atmospheres and solve the broadband lightcurve using the Wilson-Devinney program. The present solution has the primary filling its Roche lobe while the secondary is detached from its lobe. An asymmetry in the light curve in which first quadrature (0.25 P) is brighter than the second quadrature (0.75 P) may be the result of local heating of the inner surface of the secondary by mass transfer from the primary. The present semidetached solution indicates that the system is probably evolved.

Corcoran, M. F.↗

RXTE Observations of A1744-361: Correlated Spectral and Timing Behavior

We analyze Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) Proportional Counter Array (PCA) data of the transient low mass X-ray binary (LMXB) system A1744-361. We explore the X-ray intensity and spectral evolution of the source, perform timing analysis, and find that A1744-361 is a weak LMXB, that shows atoll behavior at high intensity states. The color-color diagram indicates that this LMXB was observed in a low intensity spectrally hard (low-hard) state and in a high intensity banana state. The low-hard state shows a horizontal pattern in the color-color diagram, and the previously reported dipper QPO appears only during this state. We also perform energy spectral analyses, and report the first detection of broad iron emission line and iron absorption edge from A1744-361.

Bhattacharyya, Sudip↗