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At least 469 records · Page 26

Flattening of the EFT-hedron: supersymmetric positivity bounds and the search for string theory

We examine universal positivity constraints on 2 → 2 scattering in 4d planar N = 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory with higher-derivative corrections. We present numerical evidence that the convex region of allowed Wilson coefficients (the “EFT-hedron”) flattens completely along about one-third of its dimensions when an increasing number of constraints on the spectral density from crossing-symmetry are included. Our analysis relies on the formulation of the positivity constraints as a linear optimization problem, which we implement using two numerical solvers, SDPB and CPLEX. Motivated by the flattening, we propose a novel partially resummed low-energy expansion of the 2 → 2 amplitude. As part of the analysis, we provide additional evidence in favor of the conjecture [1] that the Veneziano amplitude is the only amplitude compatible with both S-matrix bootstrap constraints and string monodromy.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Analyzing Space-Based Interferometric Measurements of Stars and Network Measurements of Gamma-Ray Bursts

Since the announcement of the discovery of sources of bursts of gamma-ray radiation in 1973, hundreds more reports of such bursts have now been published. Numerous artificial satellites have been equipped with gamma-ray detectors including the very successful Compton Gamma Ray Observatory BATSE instrument. Unfortunately, we have made no progress in identifying the source(s) of this high energy radiation. We suspected that this was a consequence of the method used to define gamma-ray burst source "error boxes." An alternative procedure to compute gamma-ray burst source positions, with a purely physical underpinning, was proposed in 1988 by Taff. Since then we have also made significant progress in understanding the analytical nature of the triangulation problem and in computing actual gamma-ray burst positions and their corresponding error boxes. For the former, we can now mathematically illustrate the crucial role of the area occupied by the detectors, while for the latter, the Atteia et al. (1987) catalog has been completely re-reduced. There are very few discrepancies in locations between our results and those of the customary "time difference of arrival" procedure. Thus, we have numerically demonstrated that the end result, for the positions, of these two very different-looking procedures is the same. Finally, for the first time, we provide a sample of realistic "error boxes" whose non-simple shapes vividly portray the difficulty of burst source localization.

Taff, L. G.↗

The genome of the naturally evolved obesity-prone Ossabaw miniature pig

The feral pigs of Ossabaw Island (USA) have an outstanding propensity to obesity and develop complete metabolic syndrome (MetS) upon prolonged high energy dieting. We now report the first high quality genome of the Ossabaw pig with Contig N50 of ~6.03 Mb, significantly higher than most other published pig genomes. Genomic comparison to Duroc reveals that variations including SNPs, INDELs and one ~2 Mb inversion identified in Ossabaw pig may be related to its “thrifty” phenotype. Finally, an important positively selected gene (PSG) was found to be LEPR (leptin receptor) containing two positively selected sites which may lead to pseudogenization of this gene with possible significant effects on obesity and inflammation development. This work provides the first complete mapping of a genome representing a naturally ‘feast and famine’ evolved phenotype of MetS, serving as a blueprint to guide the search for new targets and new biomarkers for obesity comorbidities.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Simulated breath waveform control

Subsystem was developed which provides twelve waveform controls to breath drive mechanism. Twelve position, magnetically actuated rotary switch is connected to one end of crankshaft drive, such that it makes one complete revolution for each simulated breath. Connections with common wired point are included in modifications made to standard motor speed controller.

Bartlett, R. G.↗

Coverage by land, sea, and airplane surveys, 1900-1967.

The worldwide coverage of the earth by land, sea, and aircraft magnetic surveys since the beginning of the 20th century is shown on three world maps for surface surveys spanning the periods of 1900-1930, 1930-1955, and 1955-1967, respectively, on a fourth map for ship-towed magnetometer surveys performed after 1956, and on a fifth map for 1953-1966 airborne survey data. The technique used, involving a position plotting of each measurement with a microfilm plotter, results in the appearance of heavily surveyed regions as completely darkened areas. The coverage includes measurements at about 100,000 land stations, airborne measurements at over 90,000 points, and marine measurements at over 25,000 points. The marine measurements cover over 1,000,000 km of trackline.

Fabiano, E.↗

Interference heating from interactions of shock waves with turbulent boundary layers at Mach 6

An experimental investigation of interference heating resulting from interactions of shock waves and turbulent boundary layers was conducted. Pressure and heat-transfer distributions were measured on a flat plate in the free stream and on the wall of the test section of the Langley Mach 6 high Reynolds number tunnel for Reynolds numbers ranging from 2 million to 400 million. Various incident shock strengths were obtained by varying a wedge-shock generator angle (from 10 deg to 15 deg) and by placing a spherical-shock generator at different vertical positions above the instrumented flat plate and tunnel wall. The largest heating-rate amplification factors obtained for completely turbulent boundary layers were 22.1 for the flat plate and 11.6 for the tunnel wall experiments. Maximum heating correlated with peak pressures using a power law with a 0.85 exponent. Measured pressure distributions were compared with those calculated using turbulent free-interaction pressure rise theories, and separation lengths were compared with values calculated by using different methods.

Johnson, C. B.↗

On global gravity anomalies and two-scale mantle convection

The two-scale model of mantle convection developed by Richter and Parsons (1975) predicts that if the depth of the convective layer is about 600 km, then for a plate moving at 10 cm/yr, longitudinal convective rolls will be produced in about 50 million years, and the strike of these rolls indicates the direction of motion of the plate relative to the upper mantle. The paper tests these predictions by examining a new global free air gravity model complete to the 30th degree and order. The free air gravity map developed shows a series of linear positive and negative anomalies (with transverse wavelengths of about 2000 km) spanning the Pacific Ocean, crossing the Pacific rise and striking parallel to the Hawaiian seamounts. It is suggested that the pattern of these anomalies may indicate the presence of longitudinal convective rolls beneath the Pacific plates, a result which tends to support the predictions of Richter and Parsons.

Marsh, B. D.↗

Simultaneous thermal vacuum testing of GPS drives for NavStar

The solar array drive assemblies for the global positioning satellite (GPS) were built and the need to perform thermal vacuum acceptance testing on at least two complete units simultaneously is emphasized. The safety of the flight hardware is of primary importance. It is found that simultaneous space simulation testing of two complete drive packages requires only minor modification to the high vacuum pump stack. Attention is given to upgrading system safeties for high vacuum operation. Major modifications are designed and implemented for the thermal control system and supporting subsystems. The automated thermal control system and test bed hardware are of primary interest.

Brown, T. G.↗

The eccentric Saturnian ringlets at 1.29 R(s) and 1.45 R(s)

The shapes and kinematics of the Titan and Maxwell ringlets of Saturn's C ring are studied. The ringlets are narrow and eccentric, with mean widths of about 25 km for Titan and abut 64 km for Maxwell, and with eccentricities of order 10 to the -4th. They have sharp edges on a scale of about 1 km, normal optical depths of roughly 0.5-2.0, normal optical depth of the surrounding region, and positive linear width-radius relations. The Titan ringlet is the only feature whose dynamics appears to be completely determined by an external satellite; the kinematics of the Maxwell ringlet are determined solely by Saturn's nonspherical gravity field. The comparatively large measured optical depths and large inferred mass extinction coefficients for the ringlets suggest an environment and particle size distribution different from the remainder of the C ring and presumably caused by the mechanism responsible for ring confinement.

Porco, C.↗

Probes of large-scale structure in the Corona Borealis region

The present redshift survey of the Corona Borealis region encompasses redshifts, magnitudes and positions for 83 galaxies covering a 16.4 sq deg region; a complementary survey covers 39.2 sq deg, is complete to m(B)0 of 15.5, and encompasses 37 galaxies. The combined survey furnishes further support for the 'bubble-like' geometry revealed by the shallower CfA survey. The redshift distribution obtained is noted to be very similar to that in the neighboring Bootes region. The structure of voids and surfaces in the galaxy distribution is insensitive to luminosity for M(B)0 of less than about -17.4.

Postman, M.↗

Static internal performance of ventral and rear nozzle concepts for short-takeoff and vertical-landing aircraft

The internal performance of two exhaust system concepts applicable to single-engine short-take-off and vertical-landing tactical fighter configurations was investigated. These concepts involved blocking (or partially blocking) tailpipe flow to the rear (cruise) nozzle and diverting it through an opening to a ventral nozzle exit for vertical thrust. A set of variable angle vanes at the ventral nozzle exit were used to vary ventral nozzle thrust angle between 45 and 110 deg relative to the positive axial force direction. In the vertical flight mode the rear nozzle (or tailpipe flow to it) was completely blocked. In the transition flight mode flow in the tailpipe was split between the rear and ventral nozzles and the flow was vectored at both exits for aircraft control purposes through this flight regime. In the cruise flight mode the ventral nozzle was sealed and all flow exited through the rear nozzle.

Re, Richard J.↗

An airborne system for collecting polarization imagery

This paper describes a recently completed electrooptical camera flying onboard the NASA ER-2 high altitude aircraft. The device includes a six-position filter wheel which can be fitted with a combination of polarizing and/or spectral filters. An alternate configuration will include a polarizing filter which can be rotated to any angle under computer control. The camera mount in the nose of the ER-2 can tilt forward or aft up to 40 degrees, both for bidirectional reflectance studies and for image motion compensation (the aircraft moves 34 meters between frame acquisitions). The ground resolution is nominally 5 meters from and altitude of 20 km. Spectral responsivity is that of the silicon imaging array (Kodak KAF-1400). Initial data sets were acquired in support of the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Program Regional Experiment of November, 1991, and will be used to study cirrus cloud properties.

Hildum, Edward A.↗

Wind-tunnel investigation of an N.A.C.A. 23012 airfoil with two arrangements of a wide-chord slotted flap

An investigation has been made in the N.A.C.A. 7- by 10-foot wind tunnel of a large-chord N.A.C.A. 23012 airfoil with several arrangements of a 40-percent-chord slotted flap to determine the section aerodynamic characteristics of the airfoil as affected by slot shape, flap location, and flap deflection. The flap positions for maximum lift, the polar for arrangements considered favorable for take-off and climb, and the complete section aerodynamic characteristics for selected optimum arrangements were determined. A discussion is given of the relative merits of the various arrangements. A comparison is made of slotted flaps of different chords on the N.A.C.A. 23012 airfoil. The best 40-percent-chord slotted flap is only slightly superior to the 25-percent-chord slotted flap from considerations of maximum lift coefficient and low drag for take-off and initial climb.

Harris, Thomas A↗

Wind-tunnel investigation of NACA 23012 airfoil with various arrangements of slotted flaps

An investigation was made in the NACA 7 by 10-foot wind tunnel of a large-chord NACA 23012 airfoil with several arrangements of 25.66 percent chord slotted flaps to determine the section aerodynamic characteristics as affected by slot shape, flap shape, flap location, and flap deflection. The flap position for maximum lift, the polars for arrangements considered favorable for take-off and climb, and the complete section aerodynamic characteristics for selected optimum arrangements were determined. A discussion is given of the relative merits of the various arrangement for certain selected criterions. A comparison is made of a slotted flap on the NACA 23021 airfoil with a corresponding slotted flap previously developed for the NACA 23012 airfoil.

Wenzinger, Carl J↗

Lunar rover navigation concepts

With regard to the navigation of mobile lunar vehicles on the surface, candidate techniques are reviewed and progress of simulations and experiments made up to now are described. Progress that can be made through precursor investigations on Earth is considered. In the early seventies the problem was examined in a series of relevant tests made in the California desert. Meanwhile, Apollo rovers made short exploratory sorties and robotic Lunokhods traveled over modest distances on the Moon. In these early missions some of the required methods were demonstrated. The navigation problem for a lunar traverse can be viewed in three parts: to determine the starting point with enough accuracy to enable the desired mission; to determine the event sequence required to reach the site of each traverse objective; and to redetermine actual positions enroute. The navigator's first tool is a map made from overhead imagery. The Moon was almost completely photographed at moderate resolution by spacecraft launched in the sixties, but that data set provides imprecise topographic and selenodetic information. Therefore, more advanced orbital missions are now proposed as part of a resumed lunar exploration program. With the mapping coverage expected from such orbiters, it will be possible to use a combination of visual landmark navigation and external radio and optical references (Earth and Sun) to achieve accurate surface navigation almost everywhere on the near side of the Moon. On the far side and in permanently dark polar areas, there are interesting exploration targets where additional techniques will have to be used.

Burke, James D.↗

Bubble Dynamics, Two-Phase Flow, and Boiling Heat Transfer in Microgravity

This report contains two independent sections. Part one is titled "Terrestrial and Microgravity Pool Boiling Heat Transfer and Critical heat flux phenomenon in an acoustic standing wave." Terrestrial and microgravity pool boiling heat transfer experiments were performed in the presence of a standing acoustic wave from a platinum wire resistance heater using degassed FC-72 Fluorinert liquid. The sound wave was created by driving a half wavelength resonator at a frequency of 10.15 kHz. Microgravity conditions were created using the 2.1 second drop tower on the campus of Washington State University. Burnout of the heater wire, often encountered with heat flux controlled systems, was avoided by using a constant temperature controller to regulate the heater wire temperature. The amplitude of the acoustic standing wave was increased from 28 kPa to over 70 kPa and these pressure measurements were made using a hydrophone fabricated with a small piezoelectric ceramic. Cavitation incurred during experiments at higher acoustic amplitudes contributed to the vapor bubble dynamics and heat transfer. The heater wire was positioned at three different locations within the acoustic field: the acoustic node, antinode, and halfway between these locations. Complete boiling curves are presented to show how the applied acoustic field enhanced boiling heat transfer and increased critical heat flux in microgravity and terrestrial environments. Video images provide information on the interaction between the vapor bubbles and the acoustic field. Part two is titled, "Design and qualification of a microscale heater array for use in boiling heat transfer." This part is summarized herein. Boiling heat transfer is an efficient means of heat transfer because a large amount of heat can be removed from a surface using a relatively small temperature difference between the surface and the bulk liquid. However, the mechanisms that govern boiling heat transfer are not well understood. Measurements of wall temperature and heat flux near the wall would add to the database of knowledge which is necessary to understand the mechanisms of nucleate boiling. A heater array has been developed which contains 96 heater elements within a 2.5 mm square area. The temperature of each heater element is held constant by an electronic control system similar to a hot-wire anemometer. The voltage that is being applied to each heater element can be measured and digitized using a high-speed Analog to Digital (A/D) converter, and this digital information can be compiled into a series of heat-flux maps. Information for up to 10,000 heat flux maps can be obtained each second. The heater control system, the A/D system and the heater array construction are described in detail. Results are presented which show that this is an effective method of measuring the local heat flux during nucleate and transition boiling. Heat flux maps are obtained for pool boiling in FC-72 on a horizontal surface. Local heat flux variations are shown to be three to six times larger than variations in the spatially averaged heat flux.

Chung, Jacob N.↗

A New Lift for Those Who Need It

The eZ-uP device was designed by NASA engineer, Paul Neal, who worked with Kennedy Space Center. He took his idea to RJDesigns & Associates. With refinements, they developed a lightweight aluminium structure to assist the elderly in lifting themselves from seated positions. It can support people in excess of 500 pounds and is quickly assembled without tools. It is completely adjustable to fit under most sofas, chairs, and beds and will not slip on wood or tile floors. Also, it is relatively inexpensive compared to other products on the market. The apparatus is placed under the seat and adjusted so that the hand supports are in front of the person just under shoulder level. The seated person then takes hold and easily lifts himself from the seat. Product still commercially available as of March 2002.

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Completing the Loop: Linking Software Features to Failures

The PITS Modification Script has been under development. Testing, debugging, and optimization of the script are in progress. MSIS has begun population of ODC values from historic issue data. Design of the Linker Tool is also continuing. The quarterly review meeting held on December 17,2003, allowed for a venue to discuss installing the PITS Modification Script to the production version of PITS upon completion and incorporation of ODC into an IV&V project s issue tracking process. Feedback from NASA was positive although any global implementation will likely be timed to coordinate with other activities such as establishment of an IV&V Work Breakdown Structure.

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