Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Multiple”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,387 records · Page 77

Search for black holes and sphalerons in high-multiplicity final states in proton-proton collisions at $ \sqrt{s}=13 $ TeV

A search in energetic, high-multiplicity final states for evidence of physics beyond the standard model, such as black holes, string balls, and electroweak sphalerons, is presented. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb$^{-1}$ collected with the CMS experiment at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV in 2016. Standard model backgrounds, dominated by multijet production, are determined from control regions in data without any reliance on simulation. No evidence for excesses above the predicted background is observed. Model-independent 95% confidence level upper limits on the cross section of beyond the standard model signals in these final states are set and further interpreted in terms of limits on semiclassical black hole, string ball, and sphaleron production. In the context of models with large extra dimensions, semiclassical black holes with minimum masses as high as 10.1 TeV and string balls with masses as high as 9.5 TeV are excluded by this search. Results of the first dedicated search for electroweak sphalerons are presented. An upper limit of 0.021 is set on the fraction of all quark-quark interactions above the nominal threshold energy of 9 TeV resulting in the sphaleron transition.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Search for new phenomena with large jet multiplicities and missing transverse momentum using large-radius jets and flavour-tagging at ATLAS in 13 TeV pp collisions

A search is presented for particles that decay producing a large jet multiplicity and invisible particles. The event selection then applies a veto on the presence of isolated electrons or muons and additional requirements on the number of b-tagged jets and the scalar sum of masses of large-radius jets. In having explored the full ATLAS 2015-2016 dataset of LHC proton-proton collisions at √s=13 TeV, which corresponds to 36.1 fb -1 of integrated luminosity, no evidence is found for physics beyond the Standard Model. The results are interpreted in the context of simplified models inspired by R-parity-conserving and R-parity-violating supersymmetry, where gluinos are pair-produced. More generic models within the phenomenological minimal supersymmetric Standard Model are also considered.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Milstein Approximation for Advection-Diffusion Equations Driven by Multiplicative Noncontinuous Martingale Noises

In this paper, the strong approximation of a stochastic partial differential equation, whose differential operator is of advection-diffusion type and which is driven by a multiplicative, infinite dimensional, cadlag, square integrable martingale, is presented. A finite dimensional projection of the infinite dimensional equation, for example a Galerkin projection, with nonequidistant time stepping is used. Error estimates for the discretized equation are derived in L{sup 2} and almost sure senses. Besides space and time discretizations, noise approximations are also provided, where the Milstein double stochastic integral is approximated in such a way that the overall complexity is not increased compared to an Euler-Maruyama approximation. Finally, simulations complete the paper.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Resolvent-Techniques for Multiple Exercise Problems

We study optimal multiple stopping of strong Markov processes with random refraction periods. The refraction periods are assumed to be exponentially distributed with a common rate and independent of the underlying dynamics. Our main tool is using the resolvent operator. In the first part, we reduce infinite stopping problems to ordinary ones in a general strong Markov setting. This leads to explicit solutions for wide classes of such problems. Starting from this result, we analyze problems with finitely many exercise rights and explain solution methods for some classes of problems with underlying Lévy and diffusion processes, where the optimal characteristics of the problems can be identified more explicitly. We illustrate the main results with explicit examples.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Multiple Coaxial Catheter System for Reliable Access in Interventional Stroke Therapy

In some patients with acute cerebral vessel occlusion, navigating mechanical thrombectomy systems is difficult due to tortuous anatomy of the aortic arch, carotid arteries, or vertebral arteries. Our purpose was to describe a multiple coaxial catheter system used for mechanical revascularization that helps navigation and manipulations in tortuous vessels. A triple or quadruple coaxial catheter system was built in 28 consecutive cases presenting with acute ischemic stroke. All cases were treated by mechanical thrombectomy with the Penumbra System. In cases of unsuccessful thrombo-aspiration, additional thrombolysis or angioplasty with stent placement was used for improving recanalization. The catheter system consisted of an outermost 8-Fr and an intermediate 6-Fr guiding catheter, containing the inner Penumbra reperfusion catheters. The largest, 4.1-Fr, reperfusion catheter was navigated over a Prowler Select Plus microcatheter. The catheter system provided access to reach the cerebral lesions and provided stability for the mechanically demanding manipulations of thromboaspiration and stent navigation in all cases. Apart from their mechanical role, the specific parts of the system could also provide access to different types of interventions, like carotid stenting through the 8-Fr guiding catheter and intracranial stenting and thrombolysis through the Prowler Select Plus microcatheter. In this series, there were no complications related to the catheter system. In conclusion, building up a triple or quadruple coaxial system proved to be safe and efficient in our experience for the mechanical thrombectomy treatment of acute ischemic stroke.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Spontaneous Regression of Multiple Pulmonary Metastases After Radiofrequency Ablation of a Single Metastasis

We report two cases of spontaneous regression of multiple pulmonary metastases occurring after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of a single lung metastasis. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first such cases reported. These two patients presented with lung metastases progressive despite treatment with interleukin-2, interferon, or sorafenib but were safely ablated with percutaneous RFA under computed tomography guidance. Percutaneous RFA allowed control of the targeted tumors for >1 year. Distant lung metastases presented an objective response despite the fact that they received no targeted local treatment. Local ablative techniques, such as RFA, induce the release of tumor-degradation product, which is probably responsible for an immunologic reaction that is able to produce a response in distant tumors.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Percutaneous Vertebroplasty in Multiple Myeloma: Prospective Long-Term Follow-Up in 106 Consecutive Patients

Purpose: Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) is a minimally invasive procedure involving the injection of bone cement within a collapsed vertebral body. Although this procedure was demonstrated to be effective in osteoporosis and metastases, few studies have been reported in cases of multiple myeloma (MM). We prospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of PV in the treatment of vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) resulting from MM. Materials and Methods: PV was performed in 106 consecutive MM patients who had back pain due to VCFs, the treatment of which had failed conservative therapies. Follow-up (28.2 {+-} 12.1 months) was evaluated at 7 and 15 days as well as at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and every 6 months after PV. Visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, opioid use, external brace support, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score were recorded. Results: The median pretreatment VAS score of 9 (range 4-10) significantly (P < 0.001) decreased to 1 (range 0-9) after PV. Median pre-ODI values of 82% (range 36-89%) significantly improved to 7% (range 0-82%) (P < 0.001). Differences in pretreatment and posttreatment use of analgesic drug were statistically significant (P < 0.001). The majority of patients (70 of 81; 86%) did not use an external brace after PV (P < 0.001). Conclusion: PV is a safe, effective, and long-lasting procedure for the treatment of vertebral compression pain resulting from MM.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Multiple perspectives on the attribution of the extreme European summer of 2012 to climate change

Summer 2012 was very wet in northern Europe, and unusually dry and hot in southern Europe. We use multiple approaches to determine whether anthropogenic forcing made the extreme European summer of 2012 more likely. Using a number of observation- and model-based methods, we find that there was an anthropogenic contribution to the extremes in southern Europe, with a qualitative consensus across all methodologies. There was a consensus across the methodologies that there has been a significant increase in the risk of hot summers in southern Europe with climate change. Most approaches also suggested a slight drying, but none of the results were statistically significant. The unusually wet summer in northern Europe was made more likely by the observed atmospheric circulation pattern in 2012, but no evidence was found for a long-term trend in circulation.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Modeling Three-Dimensional Fluid-Driven Propagation of Multiple Fractures using TOUGH-FEMM

Here, a novel numerical simulation tool named TOUGH-FEMM is presented and applied to model three-dimensional (3D) hydraulic fracturing in porous rock. The fluid flow in both fractures and porous rock is modeled using TOUGH2, which is a well-established code for analysis of multiphase and multi-component fluid flow. Rock deformations associated with fracture propagation are modeled using finite element-meshfree method (FEMM). FEMM is an approach to simulate fracture propagation without remeshing, in which the fracture path does not need to be predetermined. Fracture mechanics with mixed-mode stress intensity factors are employed to detect fracture instability and determine the direction of fracture propagation. TOUGH-FEMM is confirmed for modeling fluid-driven fracture propagation in 3D through a number of simulation examples, including modeling of hydraulic fracturing laboratory experiments and by comparison to independent numerical simulation results for multiple interacting hydraulic fractures at ten to hundred meter scale.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Application of multiple-isotope and groundwater-age data to identify factors affecting the extent of denitrification in a shallow aquifer near a river in South Korea

The extent of denitrification in a small agricultural area near a river in Yangpyeong, South Korea, was determined using multiple isotopes, groundwater age, and physicochemical data for groundwater. The shallow groundwater at one monitoring site had high concentrations of NO{sub 3}-N (74–83 mg L{sup −1}). The δ{sup 15}N-NO{sub 3} values for groundwater in the study area ranged between +9.1 and +24.6‰ in June 2014 and +12.2 to +21.6‰ in October 2014. High δ{sup 15}N-NO{sub 3} values (+10.7 to +12.5‰) in both sampling periods indicated that the high concentrations of nitrate in the groundwater originated from application of organic fertilizers and manure. In the northern part of the study area, some groundwater samples showed elevated δ{sup 15}N-NO{sub 3} and δ{sup 18}O-NO{sub 3} values, which suggest that nitrate was removed from the groundwater via denitrification, with N isotope enrichment factors ranging between −4.8 and −7.9‰ and O isotope enrichment factors varying between −3.8 and −4.9‰. Similar δD and δ{sup 18}O values of the surface water and groundwater in the south appear to indicate that groundwater in that area was affected by surface-water infiltration. The mean residence times (MRTs) of groundwater showed younger ages in the south (10–20 years) than in the north (20–30 years). Hence, it was concluded that denitrification processes under anaerobic conditions with longer groundwater MRT in the northern part of the study area removed considerable amounts of nitrate. This study demonstrates that multi-isotope data combined with physicochemical data and age-dating information can be effectively applied to characterize nitrate contaminant sources and attenuation processes.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

MDTri: robust and efficient global mixed integer search of spaces of multiple ternary alloys: A DIRECT-inspired optimization algorithm for experimentally accessible computational material design

Computational materials design has suffered from a lack of algorithms formulated in terms of experimentally accessible variables. Here we formulate the problem of (ternary) alloy optimization at the level of choice of atoms and their composition that is normal for synthesists. Mathematically, this is a mixed integer problem where a candidate solution consists of a choice of three elements, and how much of each of them to use. This space has the natural structure of a set of equilateral triangles. We solve this problem by introducing a novel version of the DIRECT algorithm that (1) operates on equilateral triangles instead of rectangles and (2) works across multiple triangles. We demonstrate on a test case that the algorithm is both robust and efficient. Lastly, we offer an explanation of the efficacy of DIRECT -- specifically, its balance of global and local search -- by showing that 'potentially optimal rectangles' of the original algorithm are akin to the Pareto front of the 'multi-component optimization' of global and local search.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

A mixed-integer PDE-constrained optimization formulation for constructing electromagnetic cloaks with multiple materials

We study the design of an electromagnetic cloak from multiple materials with an additional constraint on the mass of the cloak. Our problem is an example of a topology optimization problem, and we formulate this problem as a mixed-integer partial-differential equation constrained optimization (MIPDECO) problem, where Maxwell’s equation models the propagation of the wave through the cloak and surrounding medium. We use binary variables to model the assignment of the different materials, and their relevant properties (permittivity and density). The mass constraint adds a nontrivial constraint to this problem. We propose a two-phase strategy to solve this problem. In the first phase, we solve a continuous relaxation, and then propose a new variant of the feasibility pump that exploits the structure of the PDE to obtain an initial integral solution candidate. In the second phase, we use a trust-region approach to improve this incumbent. We also consider a continuation or mesh-sequencing approach to find better solutions faster on consecutively finer meshes. We present detailed numerical results to illustrate the effectiveness of our approaches for constructing multi-material cloaks with a mass constraint.

Calculus of Variations and Optimization↗

Multiple Magnetic Phase Transitions in Mn-deficient Co{sub 0.4}Ni{sub 0.6}Mn{sub 1−x}Ge Compounds

The structural and magnetic transition in Mn-deficient Co{sub 0.4}Ni{sub 0.6}Mn{sub 1−x}Ge was investigated by DC magnetization and temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction measurements. By introducing Mn vacancies in the stoichiometric Co{sub 0.4}Ni{sub 0.6}MnGe compound, multiple magnetic phase transitions and tunable martensitic transitions were observed. A paramagnetic martensite (Ni{sub 2}In-type structure) to ferromagnetic austenite (TiNiSi-type structure) transition was realized in Co{sub 0.4}Ni{sub 0.6}Mn{sub 0.98}Ge around 275 K. A large volume expansion of 2.6% accompanied this transition. In addition, a martensitic transition induced by the magnetic field was also observed near room temperature. Furthermore, a significant magnetic entropy variation of − 21.3 J/kg K at 263 K (∆B = 5 T) was obtained in the Co{sub 0.4}Ni{sub 0.6}Mn{sub 0.98}Ge compound.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Once More on the Lattice of Subvarieties of the Wreath Product of the Variety of Semilattices and the Variety of Semigroups with Zero Multiplication

It is known that the monoid wreath product of any two semigroup varieties that are atoms in the lattice of all semigroup varieties may have a finite as well as an infinite lattice of subvarieties. If this lattice is finite, then as a rule it has at most eleven elements. This was proved in a paper of the author in 2007. The exclusion is the monoid wreath product Sl w N{sub 2} of the variety of semilattices and the variety of semigroups with zero multiplication. The number of elements of the lattice L(Sl w N{sub 2}) of subvarieties of Sl w N{sub 2} is still unknown. In a previous paper, we have shown that the lattice L(Sl w N{sub 2}) contains a sublattice having 33 elements. In the present paper, it is proved that the lattice under consideration has exactly three maximal subvarieties. As a first application of the obtained results we calculate the finite basis of the lattice union of the variety of all semilattices and the largest variety among subvarieties of our lattice having at least one heterotypic identity. As a second application we show that the considered lattice of subvarieties has at least 39 elements.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Sequential chemical separations and multiple ion counting ICP-MS for 241 Pu– 241 Am– 237 Np dating of environmental collections on a single aliquot

In this study, we have developed a combined sequential chemical separation procedure and multiple ion counting ICP-MS measurement method for isotopic measurements of Am in environmental samples. This, in conjunction with established resin bead TIMS measurements for Pu and Np, allows us to measure long-lived Pu–Np–Am nuclides in environmental samples on a single solution aliquot. This single aliquot method reduces time lines and maximizes sample utility for the measurements, improving sensitivity, precision, and accuracy over prior methods. Finally, we have evaluated this new method with environmental reference materials and have obtained accurate results on samples with > 3E6 atoms 241 Am.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Representing heterogeneity in structural relationships among multiple choice variables using a latent segmentation approach

Travel model systems often adopt a single decision structure that links several activity-travel choices together. The single decision structure is then used to predict activity-travel choices, with those downstream in the decision-making chain influenced by those upstream in the sequence. The adoption of a singular sequential causal structure to depict relationships among activity-travel choices in travel demand model systems ignores the possibility that some choices are made jointly as a bundle as well as the possible presence of structural heterogeneity in the population with respect to decision-making processes. As different segments in the population may adopt and follow different causal decision-making mechanisms when making selected choices jointly, it would be of value to develop simultaneous equations model systems relating multiple endogenous choice variables that are able to identify population subgroups following alternative causal decision structures. Because the segments are not known a priori, they are considered latent and determined endogenously within a joint modeling framework proposed in this paper. The methodology is applied to a national mobility survey data set to identify population segments that follow different causal structures relating residential location choice, vehicle ownership, and car-share and mobility service usage. It is found that the model revealing three distinct latent segments best describes the data, confirming the efficacy of the modeling approach and the existence of structural heterogeneity in decision-making in the population. Future versions of activity-travel model systems should strive to incorporate such structural heterogeneity to better reflect varying decision processes across population subgroups.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

A parallel evolutionary multiple-try metropolis Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm for sampling spatial partitions

We develop an Evolutionary Markov Chain Monte Carlo (EMCMC) algorithm for sampling spatial partitions that lie within a large, complex, and constrained spatial state space. Our algorithm combines the advantages of evolutionary algorithms (EAs) as optimization heuristics for state space traversal and the theoretical convergence properties of Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithms for sampling from unknown distributions. Local optimality information that is identified via a directed search by our optimization heuristic is used to adaptively update a Markov chain in a promising direction within the framework of a Multiple-Try Metropolis Markov Chain model that incorporates a generalized Metropolis-Hastings ratio. We further expand the reach of our EMCMC algorithm by harnessing the computational power afforded by massively parallel computing architecture through the integration of a parallel EA framework that guides Markov chains running in parallel.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗