Neutrino experiments

DOE PAGES

Lesko, K. T.

2004-02-24

This review examines a wide variety of experiments investigating neutrino interactions and neutrino properties from a variety of neutrino sources. We have witnessed remarkable progress in the past two years in settling long standing problems in neutrino physics and uncovering the first evidence for physics beyond the Standard Model in nearly 30 years. Here this paper briefly reviews this recent progress in the field of neutrino physics and highlights several significant experimental arenas and topics for the coming decade of particular interest. These highlighted experiments include the precision determination of oscillation parameters including θ 13, θ 12, Δm 12 2more » and Δm 23 2 as well as a number of fundamental properties are likely to be probed included nature of the neutrino (Majorana versus Dirac), the number of neutrino families and the neutrino’s absolute mass.« less

Billiards in the Classroom: Learning Physics with Microworlds.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bertz, Michael D.

1997-01-01

Trickshot! is an exploratory environment that allows learners to experiment with various physical properties to develop an intuitive understanding of the behavior of objects in physical systems. The software is geared to secondary students with little exposure to pool or physics. When used in conjunction with meaningful class activities, such an…

Experiments to Investigate the Acoustic Properties of Sound Propagation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dagdeviren, Omur E.

2018-01-01

Propagation of sound waves is one of the fundamental concepts in physics. Some of the properties of sound propagation such as attenuation of sound intensity with increasing distance are familiar to everybody from the experiences of daily life. However, the frequency dependence of sound propagation and the effect of acoustics in confined…

The Self-Assembly Properties of a Benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide Derivative

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stals, Patrick J. M.; Haveman, Jan F.; Palmans, Anja R. A.; Schenning, Albertus P. H. J.

2009-01-01

A series of experiments involving the synthesis and characterization of a benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide derivative and its self-assembly properties are reported. These laboratory experiments combine organic synthesis, self-assembly, and physical characterization and are designed for upper-level undergraduate students to introduce the topic of…

Electrochemical deposited nickel nanowires: influence of deposition bath temperature on the morphology and physical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sofiah, A. G. N.; Kananathan, J.; Samykano, M.; Ulakanathan, S.; Lah, N. A. C.; Harun, W. S. W.; Sudhakar, K.; Kadirgama, K.; Ngui, W. K.; Siregar, J. P.

2017-10-01

This paper investigates the influence of the electrolytic bath temperature on the morphology and physical properties of nickel (Ni) nanowires electrochemically deposited into the anodic alumina oxide porous membrane (AAO). The synthesis was performed using nickel sulfate hexahydrate (NiSO4.6H2O) and boric acid (H3BO3) as an electrolytic bath for the electrochemical deposition of Ni nanowires. During the experiment, the electrolyte bath temperature varied from 40°C, 80°C, and 120°C. After the electrochemical deposition process, AAO templates cleaned with distilled water preceding to dissolution in sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution to obtain free-standing Ni nanowires. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis were employed to characterize the morphology and physical properties of the synthesized Ni nanowires. Finding reveals the electrodeposition bath temperature significantly influences the morphology and physical properties of the synthesized Ni nanowires. Rougher surface texture, larger crystal size, and longer Ni nanowires obtained as the deposition bath temperature increased. From the physical properties properties analysis, it can be concluded that deposition bath temperature influence the physical properties of Ni nanowires.

Status and perspectives of neutrino physics at present and future experiments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pagliarone, Carmine Elvezio, E-mail: pagliarone@unicas.it, E-mail: carmine.pagliarone@lngs.infn.it; Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso

2016-03-25

Neutrino Physics and Dark Matter searches play a crucial role in nowadays Particle and Astroparticle Physics. The present review paper will describe general properties of neutrinos and neutrino mass phenomenology (Dirac and Majorana masses). Space will be dedicated to the experimental attempts to answer the question of the neutrino mass hierarchy. We will give, then, a short review of the results of part of the experiments that have been running so far. We will also shortly summarize future experiments that plan to explore this very wide scientific area.

Intuitive experimentation in the physical world.

PubMed

Bramley, Neil R; Gerstenberg, Tobias; Tenenbaum, Joshua B; Gureckis, Todd M

2018-06-06

Many aspects of our physical environment are hidden. For example, it is hard to estimate how heavy an object is from visual observation alone. In this paper we examine how people actively "experiment" within the physical world to discover such latent properties. In the first part of the paper, we develop a novel framework for the quantitative analysis of the information produced by physical interactions. We then describe two experiments that present participants with moving objects in "microworlds" that operate according to continuous spatiotemporal dynamics similar to everyday physics (i.e., forces of gravity, friction, etc.). Participants were asked to interact with objects in the microworlds in order to identify their masses, or the forces of attraction/repulsion that governed their movement. Using our modeling framework, we find that learners who freely interacted with the physical system selectively produced evidence that revealed the physical property consistent with their inquiry goal. As a result, their inferences were more accurate than for passive observers and, in some contexts, for yoked participants who watched video replays of an active learner's interactions. We characterize active learners' actions into a range of micro-experiment strategies and discuss how these might be learned or generalized from past experience. The technical contribution of this work is the development of a novel analytic framework and methodology for the study of interactively learning about the physical world. Its empirical contribution is the demonstration of sophisticated goal directed human active learning in a naturalistic context. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Enthalpy of Vaporization by Gas Chromatography: A Physical Chemistry Experiment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ellison, Herbert R.

2005-01-01

An experiment is conducted to measure the enthalpy of vaporization of volatile compounds like methylene chloride, carbon tetrachloride, and others by using gas chromatography. This physical property was measured using a very tiny quantity of sample revealing that it is possible to measure the enthalpies of two or more compounds at the same time.

Localization and physical properties experiments conducted by Spirit at Gusev crater

USGS Publications Warehouse

Arvidson, R. E.; Anderson, R.C.; Bartlett, P.; Bell, J.F.; Blaney, D.; Christensen, P.R.; Chu, P.; Crumpler, L.; Davis, K.; Ehlmann, B.L.; Fergason, R.; Golombek, M.P.; Gorevan, S.; Grant, J. A.; Greeley, R.; Guinness, E.A.; Haldemann, A.F.C.; Herkenhoff, K.; Johnson, J.; Landis, G.; Li, R.; Lindemann, R.; McSween, H.; Ming, D. W.; Myrick, T.; Richter, L.; Seelos, F.P.; Squyres, S. W.; Sullivan, R.J.; Wang, A.; Wilson, Jim

2004-01-01

The precise location and relative elevation of Spirit during its traverses from the Columbia Memorial station to Bonneville crater were determined with bundle-adjusted retrievals from rover wheel turns, suspension and tilt angles, and overlapping images. Physical properties experiments show a decrease of 0.2% per Mars solar day in solar cell output resulting from deposition of airborne dust, cohesive soil-like deposits in plains and hollows, bright and dark rock coatings, and relatively weak volcanic rocks of basaltic composition. Volcanic, impact, aeolian, and water-related processes produced the encountered landforms and materials.

Localization and physical properties experiments conducted by Spirit at Gusev Crater.

PubMed

Arvidson, R E; Anderson, R C; Bartlett, P; Bell, J F; Blaney, D; Christensen, P R; Chu, P; Crumpler, L; Davis, K; Ehlmann, B L; Fergason, R; Golombek, M P; Gorevan, S; Grant, J A; Greeley, R; Guinness, E A; Haldemann, A F C; Herkenhoff, K; Johnson, J; Landis, G; Li, R; Lindemann, R; McSween, H; Ming, D W; Myrick, T; Richter, L; Seelos, F P; Squyres, S W; Sullivan, R J; Wang, A; Wilson, J

2004-08-06

The precise location and relative elevation of Spirit during its traverses from the Columbia Memorial station to Bonneville crater were determined with bundle-adjusted retrievals from rover wheel turns, suspension and tilt angles, and overlapping images. Physical properties experiments show a decrease of 0.2% per Mars solar day in solar cell output resulting from deposition of airborne dust, cohesive soil-like deposits in plains and hollows, bright and dark rock coatings, and relatively weak volcanic rocks of basaltic composition. Volcanic, impact, aeolian, and water-related processes produced the encountered landforms and materials.

National Synchrotron Light Source annual report 1988

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hulbert, S.; Lazarz, N.; Williams, G.

1988-01-01

This report discusses the experiment done at the National Synchrotron Light Source. Most experiments discussed involves the use of the x-ray beams to study physical properties of solid materials. (LSP)

An investigation of the effects of relevant samples and a comparison of verification versus discovery based lab design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rieben, James C., Jr.

This study focuses on the effects of relevance and lab design on student learning within the chemistry laboratory environment. A general chemistry conductivity of solutions experiment and an upper level organic chemistry cellulose regeneration experiment were employed. In the conductivity experiment, the two main variables studied were the effect of relevant (or "real world") samples on student learning and a verification-based lab design versus a discovery-based lab design. With the cellulose regeneration experiment, the effect of a discovery-based lab design vs. a verification-based lab design was the sole focus. Evaluation surveys consisting of six questions were used at three different times to assess student knowledge of experimental concepts. In the general chemistry laboratory portion of this study, four experimental variants were employed to investigate the effect of relevance and lab design on student learning. These variants consisted of a traditional (or verification) lab design, a traditional lab design using "real world" samples, a new lab design employing real world samples/situations using unknown samples, and the new lab design using real world samples/situations that were known to the student. Data used in this analysis were collected during the Fall 08, Winter 09, and Fall 09 terms. For the second part of this study a cellulose regeneration experiment was employed to investigate the effects of lab design. A demonstration creating regenerated cellulose "rayon" was modified and converted to an efficient and low-waste experiment. In the first variant students tested their products and verified a list of physical properties. In the second variant, students filled in a blank physical property chart with their own experimental results for the physical properties. Results from the conductivity experiment show significant student learning of the effects of concentration on conductivity and how to use conductivity to differentiate solution types with the use of real world samples. In the organic chemistry experiment, results suggest that the discovery-based design improved student retention of the chain length differentiation by physical properties relative to the verification-based design.

Properties of the Top Quark

DOE PAGES

Déliot, Frédéric; Hadley, Nicholas; Parke, Stephen; ...

2014-10-19

We report that the top quark is the heaviest known elementary particle, and it is often seen as a window to search for new physics processes in particle physics. A large program to study the top-quark properties has been performed both at the Tevatron and LHC colliders by the D0, CDF, ATLAS and CMS experiments. The most recent results are discussed here in this article.

A Comparison of the Degree of Student Satisfaction Using a Simulation or a Traditional Wet Lab to Teach Physical Properties of Ice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Crandall, Philip G.; O'Bryan, Corliss A.; Killian, Susan A.; Beck, Dennis E.; Jarvis, Nathan; Clausen, Ed

2015-01-01

It is often difficult to offer food chemistry students traditional, hands-on laboratory experiences due to lack of funds for equipment, insufficient laboratory space, or the nature of distance education. A traditional wet laboratory exercise was developed to demonstrate the effects of the physical properties of ice formation when making…

Dynamical and Physical Properties of 65803 Didymos, the AIDA Mission Target

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campo Bagatin, A.; Richardson, D. C.; Tsiganis, K.; Cheng, A. F.; Michel, P.

2017-09-01

The near-Earth asteroid (NEA) 65803 Didymos is a binary system and is the target of the proposed Asteroid Impact & Deflection Assessment (AIDA) mission, which combines an orbiter (Asteroid Impact Mission, AIM, or the reduced-scope AIM Deflection Demonstration, AIM-D2) [1, 2] and a kinetic impactor experiment (Double Asteroid Redirection Test, DART) planned to impact the secondary of the Didymos binary system in October, 2022 [3]. The Dynamical and Physical Properties of Didymos Working Group supports the AIDA mission by addressing questions related to understanding the dynamical state of the system and inferring the physical properties of the components

Simple Experiment for Studying the Properties of a Ferromagnetic Material.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sood, B. R.; And Others

1980-01-01

Describes an undergraduate physics experiment for studying Curie temperature and Curie constant of a ferromagnetic material. The exchange field (Weiss field) has been estimated by using these parameters. (HM)

MRI Experiments for Introductory Physics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taghizadeh, Sanaz; Lincoln, James

2018-01-01

The introductory physics classroom has long educated students about the properties of the atom and the nucleus. But absent from these lessons has been an informed discussion of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and its parent science nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Physics teachers should not miss the opportunity to instruct upon this highly…

Impact of Desalination on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Lanzhou Loess

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bing, Hui; Zhang, Ying; Ma, Min

2017-12-01

Soluble salt in soil has a significant influence on the physical and mechanical properties of the soil. We performed desalination experiments on Lanzhou loess, a typical sulfate saline soil, to study the effects of salt on the physical and mechanical properties of the loess and compare variations in the soil properties after desalination. The Atterberg limits of the soil increased after desalination as a result of changes in the soil particle composition and grain refinement. The shear and uniaxial compressive strength of the soil increased as a result of decreased calcitic cementation and other changes to the soil structure. Scanning electron microstructure (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) procedures revealed changes to the microstructure and pore-size distribution of the Lanzhou loess after desalination.

Associations of Teen Dating Violence Victimization With School Violence and Bullying Among US High School Students*

PubMed Central

Vivolo-Kantor, Alana M.; Olsen, Emily O’malley; Bacon, Sarah

2016-01-01

BACKGROUND Teen dating violence (TDV) negatively impacts health, mental and physical well-being, and school performance. METHODS Data from a nationally representative sample of high school students participating in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) are used to demonstrate associations of physical and sexual TDV with school violence-related experiences and behaviors, including bullying victimization. Bivariate and adjusted sex-stratified regressions assessed relationships between TDV and school violence-related experiences and behaviors. RESULTS Compared to students not reporting TDV, those experiencing both physical and sexual TDV were more likely to report carrying a weapon at school, missing school because they felt unsafe, being threatened or injured with a weapon on school property, having a physical fight at school, and being bullied on school property. CONCLUSIONS School-based prevention efforts should target multiple forms of violence. PMID:27374352

Mechanical, thermal, and moisture properties of plastics with bean as filler

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Experiments on polymers using beans as fillers are reported herein. We are looking for desirable mechanical, thermal and moisture properties at economical costs. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is studied as the polymeric matrix because it is available and biodegradable. Although the physical properties are...

[Cariogenic properties of various snacks in animal experiments].

PubMed

Karle, E J; Gehring, F; Trautner, K

1977-09-01

In a conventional animal experiment with rats, the cariogenic properties of different snacks were studied and compared. Bananas caused the highest caries incidence, apples the lowest. In between ranged the caries values of two other tested sweets, wafers and gum drops. The differences in caries incidence were due to specific chemo-physical properties (stickiness, fat content). In addition to the evaluation of caries incidence, microbiological plaque examinations and sugar analyses of the tested substances were carried out.

Structure, processing, and properties of potatoes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lloyd, Isabel K.; Kolos, Kimberly R.; Menegaux, Edmond C.; Luo, Huy; McCuen, Richard H.; Regan, Thomas M.

1992-06-01

The objective of this experiment and lesson intended for high school students in an engineering or materials science course or college freshmen is to demonstrate the relation between processing, structure, and thermodynamic and physical properties. The specific objectives are to show the effect of structure and structural changes on thermodynamic properties (specific heat) and physical properties (compressive strength); to illustrate the first law of thermodynamics; to compare boiling a potato in water with cooking it in a microwave in terms of the rate of structural change and the energy consumed to 'process' the potato; and to demonstrate compression testing.

Structure, processing, and properties of potatoes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lloyd, Isabel K.; Kolos, Kimberly R.; Menegaux, Edmond C.; Luo, Huy; Mccuen, Richard H.; Regan, Thomas M.

1992-01-01

The objective of this experiment and lesson intended for high school students in an engineering or materials science course or college freshmen is to demonstrate the relation between processing, structure, and thermodynamic and physical properties. The specific objectives are to show the effect of structure and structural changes on thermodynamic properties (specific heat) and physical properties (compressive strength); to illustrate the first law of thermodynamics; to compare boiling a potato in water with cooking it in a microwave in terms of the rate of structural change and the energy consumed to 'process' the potato; and to demonstrate compression testing.

Measurement of the optical and the physical properties of a liquid scintillator containing water at different times and under different environmental conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Seung Chan; Joo, Kyung Kwang; Kim, Ba Ro; Shin, Chang Dong; So, Sun Heang; Yeo, In Sung

2014-10-01

In this paper, we describe the optical and the physical properties of a liquid scintillator (LS) containing water with long-term stability. Gadolinium (Gd) is loaded into the liquid scintillator to increase the intensity of the neutron capture signal. If a successful neutrino experiment is to be performed, the Gd-loaded liquid scintillator (GdLS) must be stable over the entire duration of the experiment. If water is contained inside the GdLS, the optical and the physical parameters of the GdLS may change. We, therefore, briefly describe several characteristics of GdLS samples with various water contents under different environmental conditions. Measurements of the water content, Gd concentration, transmittance, and light yield (LY) were performed over 600 days.

Military Wives' Transition and Coping: Deployment and the Return Home

PubMed Central

Marnocha, Suzanne

2012-01-01

The objective of this qualitative study is to explore the experiences of wives of deployed soldiers. Semistructured interviews were used to answer the research questions. Meleis' Transitions Theory was used to guide the understanding of the wives' experiences. Phase One: news of deployment, property of awareness, themes of emotional chaos and making preparations. Phase Two: during deployment, property of engagement, themes of taking the reins and placing focus elsewhere, along with the property of change and difference, with themes of emotional and physical turmoil, staying strong, and reaching out. Phase Three: after deployment, property of time span, themes of absence makes the heart grow fonder and reestablishing roles. The study concluded that the wife often feels forgotten during deployment. Nurses can give better care by understanding how the different phases of deployment and separation affect the wife's coping ability and her physical and emotional health. PMID:22844613

Physics of Colloids in Space-2 (PCS-2)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sankaran, Subramanian; Gasser, Urs; Manley, Suliana; Valentine, Megan; Prasad, Vikram; Rudhardt, Daniel; Bailey, Arthur; Dinsmore, Anthony; Segre, Phil; Doherty, Michael P.

2001-01-01

The Physics of Colloids-2 (PCS-2) experiment is aimed at investigating the basic physical properties of several types of colloidal suspensions. The three broad classes of colloidal systems of interest are binary colloids, colloid-polymer mixtures, and fractal gels. The objective is to understand their phase behavior as well as the kinetics of the phase transitions in the absence of gravity. The nucleation, growth, and morphology characteristics of the crystals and gels that form would be studied using confocal microscopy. These will be observed directly with excellent time resolution, and therefore extensive information about the different phases and their growth mechanisms will be gained. With the laser tweezers, it will be possible to measure the strength of these structures and to modify them in a controlled way, and the spectrophotometer will provide the possibility to probe their optical properties. We believe that this experiment will provide the basis for future 'colloid engineering' in which complicated structures with novel properties (e.g., photonic crystals) will be grown by controlled self-assembly.

Glasses and Liquids Low on the Energy Landscape Prepared by Physical Vapor Deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dalal, Shakeel; Fakhraai, Zahra; Ediger, Mark

2014-03-01

The lower portions of the potential energy landscape for glass-forming materials such as polymers and small molecules were historically inaccessible by experiments. Physical vapor deposition is uniquely able to prepare materials in this portion of the energy landscape, with the properties of the deposited material primarily modulated by the substrate temperature. Here we report on high-throughput experiments which utilize a temperature gradient stage to enable rapid screening of vapor-deposited organic glasses. Using ellipsometry, we characterize a 100 K range of substrate temperatures in a single experiment, allowing us to rapidly determine the density, kinetic stability, fictive temperature and molecular orientation of these glasses. Their properties fall into three temperature regimes. At substrate temperatures as low as 0.97Tg, we prepare materials which are equivalent to the supercooled liquid produced by cooling the melt. Below 0.9Tg (1.16TK) the properties of materials are kinetically controlled and highly tunable. At intermediate substrate temperatures we are able to produce materials whose bulk properties match those expected for the equilibrium supercooled liquid, down to 1.16TK, but are structurally anisotropic.

Experimental Investigation on Thermal Physical Properties of an Advanced Polyester Material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guangfa, Gao; Shujie, Yuan; Ruiyuan, Huang; Yongchi, Li

Polyester materials were applied widely in aircraft and space vehicles engineering. Aimed to an advanced polyester material, a series of experiments for thermal physical properties of this material were conducted, and the corresponding performance curves were obtained through statistic analyzing. The experimental results showed good consistency. And then the thermal physical parameters such as thermal expansion coefficient, engineering specific heat and sublimation heat were solved and calculated. This investigation provides an important foundation for the further research on the heat resistance and thermodynamic performance of this material.

Characterization of Thermo-Physical Properties of EVA/ATH: Application to Gasification Experiments and Pyrolysis Modeling.

PubMed

Girardin, Bertrand; Fontaine, Gaëlle; Duquesne, Sophie; Försth, Michael; Bourbigot, Serge

2015-11-20

The pyrolysis of solid polymeric materials is a complex process that involves both chemical and physical phenomena such as phase transitions, chemical reactions, heat transfer, and mass transport of gaseous components. For modeling purposes, it is important to characterize and to quantify the properties driving those phenomena, especially in the case of flame-retarded materials. In this study, protocols have been developed to characterize the thermal conductivity and the heat capacity of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) flame retarded with aluminum tri-hydroxide (ATH). These properties were measured for the various species identified across the decomposition of the material. Namely, the thermal conductivity was found to decrease as a function of temperature before decomposition whereas the ceramic residue obtained after the decomposition at the steady state exhibits a thermal conductivity as low as 0.2 W/m/K. The heat capacity of the material was also investigated using both isothermal modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and the standard method (ASTM E1269). It was shown that the final residue exhibits a similar behavior to alumina, which is consistent with the decomposition pathway of EVA/ATH. Besides, the two experimental approaches give similar results over the whole range of temperatures. Moreover, the optical properties before decomposition and the heat capacity of the decomposition gases were also analyzed. Those properties were then used as input data for a pyrolysis model in order to predict gasification experiments. Mass losses of gasification experiments were well predicted, thus validating the characterization of the thermo-physical properties of the material.

Characterization of Thermo-Physical Properties of EVA/ATH: Application to Gasification Experiments and Pyrolysis Modeling

PubMed Central

Girardin, Bertrand; Fontaine, Gaëlle; Duquesne, Sophie; Försth, Michael; Bourbigot, Serge

2015-01-01

The pyrolysis of solid polymeric materials is a complex process that involves both chemical and physical phenomena such as phase transitions, chemical reactions, heat transfer, and mass transport of gaseous components. For modeling purposes, it is important to characterize and to quantify the properties driving those phenomena, especially in the case of flame-retarded materials. In this study, protocols have been developed to characterize the thermal conductivity and the heat capacity of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) flame retarded with aluminum tri-hydroxide (ATH). These properties were measured for the various species identified across the decomposition of the material. Namely, the thermal conductivity was found to decrease as a function of temperature before decomposition whereas the ceramic residue obtained after the decomposition at the steady state exhibits a thermal conductivity as low as 0.2 W/m/K. The heat capacity of the material was also investigated using both isothermal modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and the standard method (ASTM E1269). It was shown that the final residue exhibits a similar behavior to alumina, which is consistent with the decomposition pathway of EVA/ATH. Besides, the two experimental approaches give similar results over the whole range of temperatures. Moreover, the optical properties before decomposition and the heat capacity of the decomposition gases were also analyzed. Those properties were then used as input data for a pyrolysis model in order to predict gasification experiments. Mass losses of gasification experiments were well predicted, thus validating the characterization of the thermo-physical properties of the material. PMID:28793682

Experimenting with brass musical instruments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lo Presto, Michael C.

2003-07-01

With the aid of microcomputer hardware and software for the introductory physics laboratory, I have developed several experiments dealing with the properties of brass musical instruments that could be used when covering sound anywhere from an introductory physics laboratory to a course in musical acoustics, or even independent studies. The results of these experiments demonstrate in a quantitative fashion the effects of the mouthpiece and bell on the frequencies of the sound waves and thus the musical pitches produced. Most introductory sources only discuss these effects qualitatively.

Lipid membranes and single ion channel recording for the advanced physics laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klapper, Yvonne; Nienhaus, Karin; Röcker, Carlheinz; Ulrich Nienhaus, G.

2014-05-01

We present an easy-to-handle, low-cost, and reliable setup to study various physical phenomena on a nanometer-thin lipid bilayer using the so-called black lipid membrane technique. The apparatus allows us to precisely measure optical and electrical properties of free-standing lipid membranes, to study the formation of single ion channels, and to gain detailed information on the ion conduction properties of these channels using statistical physics and autocorrelation analysis. The experiments are well suited as part of an advanced physics or biophysics laboratory course; they interconnect physics, chemistry, and biology and will be appealing to students of the natural sciences who are interested in quantitative experimentation.

Physics of Colloids in Space: Flight Hardware Operations on ISS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Doherty, Michael P.; Bailey, Arthur E.; Jankovsky, Amy L.; Lorik, Tibor

2002-01-01

The Physics of Colloids in Space (PCS) experiment was launched on Space Shuttle STS-100 in April 2001 and integrated into EXpedite the PRocess of Experiments to Space Station Rack 2 on the International Space Station (ISS). This microgravity fluid physics investigation is being conducted in the ISS U.S. Lab 'Destiny' Module over a period of approximately thirteen months during the ISS assembly period from flight 6A through flight 9A. PCS is gathering data on the basic physical properties of simple colloidal suspensions by studying the structures that form. A colloid is a micron or submicron particle, be it solid, liquid, or gas. A colloidal suspension consists of these fine particles suspended in another medium. Common colloidal suspensions include paints, milk, salad dressings, cosmetics, and aerosols. Though these products are routinely produced and used, we still have much to learn about their behavior as well as the underlying properties of colloids in general. The long-term goal of the PCS investigation is to learn how to steer the growth of colloidal structures to create new materials. This experiment is the first part of a two-stage investigation conceived by Professor David Weitz of Harvard University (the Principal Investigator) along with Professor Peter Pusey of the University of Edinburgh (the Co-Investigator). This paper describes the flight hardware, experiment operations, and initial science findings of the first fluid physics payload to be conducted on ISS: The Physics of Colloids in Space.

NuSTEC1 White Paper: Status and challenges of neutrino-nucleus scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alvarez-Ruso, L.; Sajjad Athar, M.; Barbaro, M. B.; Cherdack, D.; Christy, M. E.; Coloma, P.; Donnelly, T. W.; Dytman, S.; de Gouvêa, A.; Hill, R. J.; Huber, P.; Jachowicz, N.; Katori, T.; Kronfeld, A. S.; Mahn, K.; Martini, M.; Morfín, J. G.; Nieves, J.; Perdue, G. N.; Petti, R.; Richards, D. G.; Sánchez, F.; Sato, T.; Sobczyk, J. T.; Zeller, G. P.

2018-05-01

The precise measurement of neutrino properties is among the highest priorities in fundamental particle physics, involving many experiments worldwide. Since the experiments rely on the interactions of neutrinos with bound nucleons inside atomic nuclei, the planned advances in the scope and precision of these experiments require a commensurate effort in the understanding and modeling of the hadronic and nuclear physics of these interactions, which is incorporated as a nuclear model in neutrino event generators. This model is essential to every phase of experimental analyses and its theoretical uncertainties play an important role in interpreting every result. In this White Paper we discuss in detail the impact of neutrino-nucleus interactions, especially the nuclear effects, on the measurement of neutrino properties using the determination of oscillation parameters as a central example. After an Executive Summary and a concise Overview of the issues, we explain how the neutrino event generators work, what can be learned from electron-nucleus interactions and how each underlying physics process - from quasi-elastic to deep inelastic scattering - is understood today. We then emphasize how our understanding must improve to meet the demands of future experiments. With every topic we find that the challenges can be met only with the active support and collaboration among specialists in strong interactions and electroweak physics that include theorists and experimentalists from both the nuclear and high energy physics communities.

NuSTEC White Paper: Status and Challenges of Neutrino-Nucleus Scattering

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Alvarez-Ruso, L.; et al.

The precise measurement of neutrino properties is among the highest priorities in fundamental particle physics, involving many experiments worldwide. Since the experiments rely on the interactions of neutrinos with bound nucleons inside atomic nuclei, the planned advances in the scope and precision of these experiments requires a commensurate effort in the understanding and modeling of the hadronic and nuclear physics of these interactions, which is incorporated as a nuclear model in neutrino event generators. This model is essential to every phase of experimental analyses and its theoretical uncertainties play an important role in interpreting every result. In this White Papermore » we discuss in detail the impact of neutrino-nucleus interactions, especially the nuclear effects, on the measurement of neutrino properties using the determination of oscillation parameters as a central example. After an Executive Summary and a concise Overview of the issues, we explain how the neutrino event generators work, what can be learned from electron-nucleus interactions and how each underlying physics process - from quasi-elastic to deep inelastic scattering - is understood today. We then emphasize how our understanding must improve to meet the demands of future experiments. With every topic we find that the challenges can be met only with the active support and collaboration among specialists in strong interactions and electroweak physics that include theorists and experimentalists from both the nuclear and high energy physics communities.« less

The Perception of Materials through Oral Sensation

PubMed Central

Howes, Philip D.; Wongsriruksa, Supinya; Laughlin, Zoe; Witchel, Harry J.; Miodownik, Mark

2014-01-01

This paper presents the results of a multimodal study of oral perception conducted with a set of material samples made from metals, polymers and woods, in which both the somatosensory and taste factors were examined. A multidimensional scaling analysis coupled with subjective attribute ratings was performed to assess these factors both qualitatively and quantitatively. The perceptual somatosensory factors of warmth, hardness and roughness dominated over the basic taste factors, and roughness was observed to be a less significant sensation compared to touch-only experiments. The perceptual somatosensory ratings were compared directly with physical property data in order to assess the correlation between the perceived properties and measured physical properties. In each case, a strong correlation was observed, suggesting that physical properties may be useful in industrial design for predicting oral perception. PMID:25136793

Physical Properties of Granulates Used in Analogue Experiments of Caprock Failure and Sediment Remobilisation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kukowski, N.; Warsitzka, M.; May, F.

2014-12-01

Geological systems consisting of a porous reservoir and a low-permeable caprock are prone to hydraulic fracturing, if pore pressure rises to the effective stress. Under certain conditions, hydraulic fracturing is associated with sediment remobilisation, e.g. sand injections or pipes, leading to reduced seal capacity of the caprock. In dynamically scaled analogue experiments using granular materials and air pressure, we intent to investigate strain patterns and deformation mechanisms during caprock failure and fluidisation of shallow over-pressured reservoirs. The aim of this study is to improve the understanding of leakage potential of a sealing formation and the fluidisation potential of a reservoir formation depending on rock properties and effective stress. For reliable interpretation of analogue experiments, physical properties of analogue materials, e.g. frictional strength, cohesion, density, permeability etc., have to be correctly scaled according to those of their natural equivalents. The simulation of caprock requires that the analogue material possess a low permeability and is capable to shear failure and tensional failure. In contrast, materials representing the reservoir have to possess high porosity and low shear strength. In order to find suitable analogue materials, we measured the stress-strain behaviour and the permeability of over 25 different types of natural and artificial granular materials, e.g. glass powder, siliceous microspheres, diatomite powder, loess, or plastic granulate. Here, we present data of frictional parameters, compressibility and permeability of these granular materials characterized as a function of sphericity, grain size, and density. The repertoire of different types of granulates facilitates the adjustment of accurate mechanical properties in the analogue experiments. Furthermore, conditions during seal failure and fluidisation can be examined depending on the wide range of varying physical properties.

Physical and Hydraulic Properties at Recently Burned and Long-Unburned Boreal Forest Areas in Interior Alaska, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ebel, B. A.; Koch, J. C.; Walvoord, M. A.

2017-12-01

Boreal forest regions in interior Alaska, USA are subject to recurring wildfire disturbance and climate shifts. These "press" and "pulse" disturbances impact water, solute, carbon, and energy fluxes, with feedbacks and consequences that are not adequately characterized. The NASA Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE) seeks to understand susceptibility to disturbance in boreal regions. Subsurface physical and hydraulic properties are among the largest uncertainties in cryohydrogeologic modeling aiming to predict impacts of disturbance in Arctic and boreal regions. We address this research gap by characterizing physical and hydraulic properties of soil across a gradient of sites covering disparate soil textures and wildfire disturbance in interior Alaska. Samples were collected in the field within the domain of the NASA ABoVE project and analyzed in the laboratory. Physical properties measured include soil organic matter fraction, soil-particle size distribution, dry bulk density, and saturated soil-water content. Hydraulic properties measured include soil-water retention and field-saturated hydraulic conductivity using tension infiltrometers (-1 cm applied pressure head). The physical and hydraulic properties provide the foundation for site conceptual model development, cryohydrogeologic model parameterization, and integration with geophysical data. This foundation contributes to the NASA ABoVE objectives of understanding the underlying physical processes that control vulnerability in Arctic and Boreal landscapes.

Physical properties of the martian surface from the viking 1 lander: preliminary results.

PubMed

Shorthill, R W; Hutton, R E; Moore, H J; Scott, R F; Spitzer, C R

1976-08-27

The purpose of the physical properties experiment is to determine the characteristics of the martian "soil" based on the use of the Viking lander imaging system, the surface sampler, and engineering sensors. Viking 1 lander made physical contact with the surface of Mars at 11:53:07.1 hours on 20 July 1976 G.M.T. Twenty-five seconds later a high-resolution image sequence of the area around a footpad was started which contained the first information about surface conditions on Mars. The next image is a survey of the martian landscape in front of the lander, including a view of the top support of two of the landing legs. Each leg has a stroke gauge which extends from the top of the leg support an amount equal to the crushing experienced by the shock absorbers during touchdown. Subsequent images provided views of all three stroke gauges which, together with the knowledge of the impact velocity, allow determination of "soil" properties. In the images there is evidence of surface erosion from the engines. Several laboratory tests were carried out prior to the mission with a descent engine to determine what surface alterations might occur during a Mars landing. On sol 2 the shroud, which protected the surface sampler collector head from biological contamination, was ejected onto the surface. Later a cylindrical pin which dropped from the boom housing of the surface sampler during the modified unlatching sequence produced a crater (the second Mars penetrometer experiment). These two experiments provided further insight into the physical properties of the martian surface.

Physical properties of the martian surface from the Viking 1 lander: preliminary results

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shorthill, R.W.; Hutton, R.E.; Moore, H.J. II

1976-08-27

The purpose of the physical properties experiment is to determine the characteristics of the martian ''soil'' based on the use of the Viking lander imaging system, the surface sampler, and engineering sensors. Viking 1 lander made physical contact with the surface of Mars at 11:53:07.1 hours on 20 July 1976 G.M.T. Twenty-five seconds later a high-resolution image sequence of the area around a footpad was started which contained the first information about surface conditions on Mars. The next image is a survey of the martian landscape in front of the lander, including a view of the top support of twomore » of the landing legs. Each leg has a stroke gauge which extends from the top of the leg support an amount equal to the crushing experienced by the shock absorbers during touchdown. Subsequent images provided views of all three stroke gauges which, together with the knowledge of the impact velocity, allow determination of ''soil'' properties. In the images there is evidence of surface erosion from the engines. Several laboratory tests were carried out prior to the mission with a descent engine to determine what surface alterations might occur during a Mars landing. On sol 2 the shroud, which protected the surface sampler collector head from biological contamination, was ejected onto the surface. Later a cylindrical pin which dropped from the boom housing of the surface sampler during the modified unlatching sequence produced a crater (the second Mars penetrometer experiment). These two experiments provided further insight into the physical properties of the martian surface.« less

Determining the Intermolecular Potential Energy in a Gas: A Physical Chemistry Experiment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olbregts, J.; Walgraeve, J. P.

1976-01-01

Describes an experiment in which gas viscosity coefficients over a large temperature range are used to determine the parameters of the intermolecular potential energy and other properties such as virial coefficients. (MLH)

Crucial Experiments in Quantum Physics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Trigg, George L.

The six experiments included in this monography are titled Blackbody Radiation, Collision of Electrons with Atoms, The Photoelectric Effect, Magnetic Properties of Atoms, The Scattering of X-Rays, and Diffraction of Electrons by a Crystal Lattice. The discussion provides historical background by giving description of the original experiments and…

Experiments with Zeolites at the Secondary-School Level: Experience from The Netherlands.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coker, Eric N.; Davis, Pamela J.; Kerkstra, Aonne; van Bekkum, Herman

1999-01-01

Describes the physical and chemical structure of zeolites and presents a series of experiments demonstrating some of the properties of these chemicals, including investigations of the hardness of tap water and the water-softening capabilities of various laundry detergents. Contains 13 references. (WRM)

Investigation of the relationship between CO2 reservoir rock property change and the surface roughness change originating from the supercritical CO2-sandstone-groundwater geochemical reaction at CO2 sequestration condition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Minhee; Wang, Sookyun; Kim, Seyoon; Park, Jinyoung

2015-04-01

Lab scale experiments were performed to investigate the property changes of sandstone slabs and cores, resulting from the scCO2-rock-groundwater reaction for 180 days under CO2 sequestration conditions (100 bar and 50 °C). The geochemical reactions, including the surface roughness change of minerals in the slab, resulted from the dissolution and the secondary mineral precipitation for the sandstone reservoir of the Gyeongsang basin, Korea were reproduced in laboratory scale experiments and the relationship between the geochemical reaction and the physical rock property change was derived, for the consideration of successful subsurface CO2 sequestration. The use of the surface roughness value (SRrms) change rate and the physical property change rate to quantify scCO2-rock-groundwater reaction is the novel approach on the study area for CO2 sequestration in the subsurface. From the results of SPM (Scanning Probe Microscope) analyses, the SRrms for each sandstone slab was calculated at different reaction time. The average SRrms increased more than 3.5 times during early 90 days reaction and it continued to be steady after 90 days, suggesting that the surface weathering process of sandstone occurred in the early reaction time after CO2 injection into the subsurface reservoir. The average porosity of sandstone cores increased by 8.8 % and the average density decreased by 0.5 % during 90 days reaction and these values slightly changed after 90 days. The average P and S wave velocities of sandstone cores also decreased by 10 % during 90 days reaction. The trend of physical rock property change during the geochemical reaction showed in a logarithmic manner and it was also correlated to the logarithmic increase in SRrms, suggesting that the physical property change of reservoir rocks originated from scCO2 injection directly comes from the geochemical reaction process. Results suggested that the long-term estimation of the physical property change for reservoir rocks in CO2 injection site could be possible from the extrapolation process of SRrms and rocks property change rates, acquired from laboratory scale experiments. It will be aslo useful to determine the favorite CO2 injection site from the viewpoint of the safety.

Segmentation-less Digital Rock Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tisato, N.; Ikeda, K.; Goldfarb, E. J.; Spikes, K. T.

2017-12-01

In the last decade, Digital Rock Physics (DRP) has become an avenue to investigate physical and mechanical properties of geomaterials. DRP offers the advantage of simulating laboratory experiments on numerical samples that are obtained from analytical methods. Potentially, DRP could allow sparing part of the time and resources that are allocated to perform complicated laboratory tests. Like classic laboratory tests, the goal of DRP is to estimate accurately physical properties of rocks like hydraulic permeability or elastic moduli. Nevertheless, the physical properties of samples imaged using micro-computed tomography (μCT) are estimated through segmentation of the μCT dataset. Segmentation proves to be a challenging and arbitrary procedure that typically leads to inaccurate estimates of physical properties. Here we present a novel technique to extract physical properties from a μCT dataset without the use of segmentation. We show examples in which we use segmentation-less method to simulate elastic wave propagation and pressure wave diffusion to estimate elastic properties and permeability, respectively. The proposed method takes advantage of effective medium theories and uses the density and the porosity that are measured in the laboratory to constrain the results. We discuss the results and highlight that segmentation-less DRP is more accurate than segmentation based DRP approaches and theoretical modeling for the studied rock. In conclusion, the segmentation-less approach here presented seems to be a promising method to improve accuracy and to ease the overall workflow of DRP.

Analysis and Simulation of Far-Field Seismic Data from the Source Physics Experiment

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-01

ANALYSIS AND SIMULATION OF FAR-FIELD SEISMIC DATA FROM THE SOURCE PHYSICS EXPERIMENT Arben Pitarka, Robert J. Mellors, Arthur J. Rodgers, Sean...Security Site (NNSS) provides new data for investigating the excitation and propagation of seismic waves generated by buried explosions. A particular... seismic model. The 3D seismic model includes surface topography. It is based on regional geological data, with material properties constrained by shallow

What Is Physical Oceanography? A Learning Experience for Coastal and Oceanic Awareness Studies, No. 217. [Project COAST].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Delaware Univ., Newark. Coll. of Education.

This unit is concerned with an overview of physical oceanography - the study of currents, tides, waves, and particle movements. The activities are designed for use by junior high school age students. Included in the unit are activities related to properties of sea water, physical phenomena of the ocean, and physical features of the ocean.…

Computational studies of physical properties of Nb-Si based alloys

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ouyang, Lizhi

2015-04-16

The overall goal is to provide physical properties data supplementing experiments for thermodynamic modeling and other simulations such as phase filed simulation for microstructure and continuum simulations for mechanical properties. These predictive computational modeling and simulations may yield insights that can be used to guide materials design, processing, and manufacture. Ultimately, they may lead to usable Nb-Si based alloy which could play an important role in current plight towards greener energy. The main objectives of the proposed projects are: (1) developing a first principles method based supercell approach for calculating thermodynamic and mechanic properties of ordered crystals and disordered latticesmore » including solid solution; (2) application of the supercell approach to Nb-Si base alloy to compute physical properties data that can be used for thermodynamic modeling and other simulations to guide the optimal design of Nb-Si based alloy.« less

"Hearing" Electromagnetic Waves

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rojo, Marta; Munoz, Juan

2014-01-01

In this work, an educational experience is described in which a microwave communication link is used to make students aware that all electromagnetic waves have the same physical nature and properties. Experimental demonstrations are linked to theoretical concepts to increase comprehension of the physical principles underlying electromagnetic…

Selective correlations in finite quantum systems and the Desargues property

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lei, C.; Vourdas, A.

2018-06-01

The Desargues property is well known in the context of projective geometry. An analogous property is presented in the context of both classical and Quantum Physics. In a classical context, the Desargues property implies that two logical circuits with the same input show in their outputs selective correlations. In general their outputs are uncorrelated, but if the output of one has a particular value, then the output of the other has another particular value. In a quantum context, the Desargues property implies that two experiments each of which involves two successive projective measurements have selective correlations. For a particular set of projectors, if in one experiment the second measurement does not change the output of the first measurement, then the same is true in the other experiment.

A quantum renaissance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aspelmeyer, Markus; Zeilinger, Anton

2008-07-01

Pure curiosity has been the driving force behind many groundbreaking experiments in physics. This is no better illustrated than in quantum mechanics, initially the physics of the extremely small. Since its beginnings in the 1920s and 1930s, researchers have wanted to observe the counterintuitive properties of quantum mechanics directly in the laboratory. However, because experimental technology was not sufficiently developed at the time, people like Niels Bohr, Albert Einstein, Werner Heisenberg and Erwin Schrödinger relied instead on "gedankenexperiments" (thought experiments) to investigate the quantum physics of individual particles, mainly electrons and photons.

A demonstration experiment for studying the properties of saturated vapor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grebenev, Igor V.; Lebedeva, Olga V.; Polushkina, Svetlana V.

2017-11-01

The paper proposes an important demonstration experiment that can be used at secondary schools in physics. The described experiment helps students learn the main concepts of the topic ‘saturated vapor’, namely, evaporation, condensation, dynamic equilibrium, saturation vapor, partial pressure, and the dependence of saturated vapor pressure on temperature.

Simulation of Physical Experiments in Immersive Virtual Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Noor, Ahmed K.; Wasfy, Tamer M.

2001-01-01

An object-oriented event-driven immersive Virtual environment is described for the creation of virtual labs (VLs) for simulating physical experiments. Discussion focuses on a number of aspects of the VLs, including interface devices, software objects, and various applications. The VLs interface with output devices, including immersive stereoscopic screed(s) and stereo speakers; and a variety of input devices, including body tracking (head and hands), haptic gloves, wand, joystick, mouse, microphone, and keyboard. The VL incorporates the following types of primitive software objects: interface objects, support objects, geometric entities, and finite elements. Each object encapsulates a set of properties, methods, and events that define its behavior, appearance, and functions. A container object allows grouping of several objects. Applications of the VLs include viewing the results of the physical experiment, viewing a computer simulation of the physical experiment, simulation of the experiments procedure, computational steering, and remote control of the physical experiment. In addition, the VL can be used as a risk-free (safe) environment for training. The implementation of virtual structures testing machines, virtual wind tunnels, and a virtual acoustic testing facility is described.

Evaluation of ground-penetrating radar to detect free-phase hydrocarbons in fractured rocks - Results of numerical modeling and physical experiments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lane, J.W.; Buursink, M.L.; Haeni, F.P.; Versteeg, R.J.

2000-01-01

The suitability of common-offset ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to detect free-phase hydrocarbons in bedrock fractures was evaluated using numerical modeling and physical experiments. The results of one- and two-dimensional numerical modeling at 100 megahertz indicate that GPR reflection amplitudes are relatively insensitive to fracture apertures ranging from 1 to 4 mm. The numerical modeling and physical experiments indicate that differences in the fluids that fill fractures significantly affect the amplitude and the polarity of electromagnetic waves reflected by subhorizontal fractures. Air-filled and hydrocarbon-filled fractures generate low-amplitude reflections that are in-phase with the transmitted pulse. Water-filled fractures create reflections with greater amplitude and opposite polarity than those reflections created by air-filled or hydrocarbon-filled fractures. The results from the numerical modeling and physical experiments demonstrate it is possible to distinguish water-filled fracture reflections from air- or hydrocarbon-filled fracture reflections, nevertheless subsurface heterogeneity, antenna coupling changes, and other sources of noise will likely make it difficult to observe these changes in GPR field data. This indicates that the routine application of common-offset GPR reflection methods for detection of hydrocarbon-filled fractures will be problematic. Ideal cases will require appropriately processed, high-quality GPR data, ground-truth information, and detailed knowledge of subsurface physical properties. Conversely, the sensitivity of GPR methods to changes in subsurface physical properties as demonstrated by the numerical and experimental results suggests the potential of using GPR methods as a monitoring tool. GPR methods may be suited for monitoring pumping and tracer tests, changes in site hydrologic conditions, and remediation activities.The suitability of common-offset ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to detect free-phase hydrocarbons in bedrock fractures was evaluated using numerical modeling and physical experiments. The results of one- and two-dimensional numerical modeling at 100 megahertz indicate that GPR reflection amplitudes are relatively insensitive to fracture apertures ranging from 1 to 4 mm. The numerical modeling and physical experiments indicate that differences in the fluids that fill fractures significantly affect the amplitude and the polarity of electromagnetic waves reflected by subhorizontal fractures. Air-filled and hydrocarbon-filled fractures generate low-amplitude reflections that are in-phase with the transmitted pulse. Water-filled fractures create reflections with greater amplitude and opposite polarity than those reflections created by air-filled or hydrocarbon-filled fractures. The results from the numerical modeling and physical experiments demonstrate it is possible to distinguish water-filled fracture reflections from air- or hydrocarbon-filled fracture reflections, nevertheless subsurface heterogeneity, antenna coupling changes, and other sources of noise will likely make it difficult to observe these changes in GPR field data. This indicates that the routine application of common-offset GPR reflection methods for detection of hydrocarbon-filled fractures will be problematic. Ideal cases will require appropriately processed, high-quality GPR data, ground-truth information, and detailed knowledge of subsurface physical properties. Conversely, the sensitivity of GPR methods to changes in subsurface physical properties as demonstrated by the numerical and experimental results suggests the potential of using GPR methods as a monitoring tool. GPR methods may be suited for monitoring pumping and tracer tests, changes in site hydrologic conditions, and remediation activities.

Studies of land-cover, land-use, and biophysical properties of vegetation in the Large Scale Biosphere Atmosphere experiment in Amazonia.

Treesearch

Dar A. Robertsa; Michael Keller; Joao Vianei Soares

2003-01-01

We summarize early research on land-cover, land-use, and biophysical properties of vegetation from the Large Scale Biosphere Atmosphere (LBA) experiment in Amazoˆnia. LBA is an international research program developed to evaluate regional function and to determine how land-use and climate modify biological, chemical and physical processes there. Remote sensing has...

Associations of Teen Dating Violence Victimization With School Violence and Bullying Among US High School Students.

PubMed

Vivolo-Kantor, Alana M; Olsen, Emily O'Malley; Bacon, Sarah

2016-08-01

Teen dating violence (TDV) negatively impacts health, mental and physical well-being, and school performance. Data from a nationally representative sample of high school students participating in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) are used to demonstrate associations of physical and sexual TDV with school violence-related experiences and behaviors, including bullying victimization. Bivariate and adjusted sex-stratified regressions assessed relationships between TDV and school violence-related experiences and behaviors. Compared to students not reporting TDV, those experiencing both physical and sexual TDV were more likely to report carrying a weapon at school, missing school because they felt unsafe, being threatened or injured with a weapon on school property, having a physical fight at school, and being bullied on school property. School-based prevention efforts should target multiple forms of violence. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Experimental Investigation on Thermal Physical Properties of an Advanced Glass Fiber Composite Material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guangfa, Gao; Yongchi, Li; Zheng, Jing; Shujie, Yuan

Fiber reinforced composite materials were applied widely in aircraft and space vehicles engineering. Aimed to an advanced glass fiber reinforced composite material, a series of experiments for measuring thermal physical properties of this material were conducted, and the corresponding performance curves were obtained through statistic analyzing. The experimental results showed good consistency. And then the thermal physical parameters such as thermal expansion coefficient, engineering specific heat and sublimation heat were solved and calculated. This investigation provides an important foundation for the further research on the heat resistance and thermodynamic performance of this material.

Comprehensive Experiments on Subcritical Assemblies of Cascade Reactor Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zavyalov, N. V.; Il'kaev, R. I.; Kolesov, V. F.; Ivanin, I. A.; Zhitnik, A. K.; Kuvshinov, M. I.; Nefedov, Yu. Ya.; Punin, V. T.; Tel'nov, A. V.; Khoruzhi, V. Kh.

2017-12-01

Cascade reactors attract particular attention because of their capability of improving the parameters of pulsed reactors and achieving the feasibility of electronuclear facilities. The paper presents the results of three series of experiments on uranium-neptunium cascade assemblies at the Institute of Nuclear and Radiation Physics of the All-Russian Research Institute of Experimental Physics conducted in 2003-2004. The experiments confirmed theoretical conclusions on positive properties of cascade blankets and effectiveness of using neptunium-237 as a means of creating a one-sided connection between the sections.

Probing the frontiers of particle physics with tabletop-scale experiments.

PubMed

DeMille, David; Doyle, John M; Sushkov, Alexander O

2017-09-08

The field of particle physics is in a peculiar state. The standard model of particle theory successfully describes every fundamental particle and force observed in laboratories, yet fails to explain properties of the universe such as the existence of dark matter, the amount of dark energy, and the preponderance of matter over antimatter. Huge experiments, of increasing scale and cost, continue to search for new particles and forces that might explain these phenomena. However, these frontiers also are explored in certain smaller, laboratory-scale "tabletop" experiments. This approach uses precision measurement techniques and devices from atomic, quantum, and condensed-matter physics to detect tiny signals due to new particles or forces. Discoveries in fundamental physics may well come first from small-scale experiments of this type. Copyright © 2017 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

Role of differential physical properties in emergent behavior of 3D cell co-cultures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolbman, Dan; Das, Moumita

2015-03-01

The biophysics of binary cell populations is of great interest in many biological processes, whether the formation of embryos or the initiation of tumors. During these processes, cells are surrounded by other cell types with different physical properties, often with important consequences. For example, recent experiments on a co-culture of breast cancer cells and healthy breast epithelial cells suggest that the mechanical mismatch between the two cell types may contribute to enhanced migration of the cancer cells. Here we explore how the differential physical properties of different cell types may influence cell-cell interaction, aggregation, and migration. To this end, we study a proof of concept model- a three-dimensional binary system of interacting, active, and deformable particles with different physical properties such as elastic stiffness, contractility, and particle-particle adhesion, using Langevin Dynamics simulations. Our results may provide insights into emergent behavior such as segregation and differential migration in cell co-cultures in three dimensions.

The Fall of Parity.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Forman, Paul

1982-01-01

Physicists had assumed that the world is distinguishable from its mirror image and constructed theories to ensure that the corresponding mathematical property (parity) is conserved in all subatomic processes. However, a scientific experiment demonstrated an intrinsic handedness to at least one physical process. The experiment, equipment, and…

Review of alternative fuels data bases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harsha, P. T.; Edelman, R. B.

1983-01-01

Based on an analysis of the interaction of fuel physical and chemical properties with combustion characteristics and indicators, a ranking of the importance of various fuel properties with respect to the combustion process was established. This ranking was used to define a suite of specific experiments whose objective is the development of an alternative fuels design data base. Combustion characteristics and indicators examined include droplet and spray formation, droplet vaporization and burning, ignition and flame stabilization, flame temperature, laminar flame speed, combustion completion, soot emissions, NOx and SOx emissions, and the fuels' thermal and oxidative stability and fouling and corrosion characteristics. Key fuel property data is found to include composition, thermochemical data, chemical kinetic rate information, and certain physical properties.

The Intermediate Neutrino Program

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Adams, C.; Alonso, J. R.; Ankowski, A. M.

2017-04-03

The US neutrino community gathered at the Workshop on the Intermediate Neutrino Program (WINP) at Brookhaven National Laboratory February 4-6, 2015 to explore opportunities in neutrino physics over the next five to ten years. Scientists from particle, astroparticle and nuclear physics participated in the workshop. The workshop examined promising opportunities for neutrino physics in the intermediate term, including possible new small to mid-scale experiments, US contributions to large experiments, upgrades to existing experiments, R&D plans and theory. The workshop was organized into two sets of parallel working group sessions, divided by physics topics and technology. Physics working groups covered topicsmore » on Sterile Neutrinos, Neutrino Mixing, Neutrino Interactions, Neutrino Properties and Astrophysical Neutrinos. Technology sessions were organized into Theory, Short-Baseline Accelerator Neutrinos, Reactor Neutrinos, Detector R&D and Source, Cyclotron and Meson Decay at Rest sessions.This report summarizes discussion and conclusions from the workshop.« less

Inferring mass in complex scenes by mental simulation.

PubMed

Hamrick, Jessica B; Battaglia, Peter W; Griffiths, Thomas L; Tenenbaum, Joshua B

2016-12-01

After observing a collision between two boxes, you can immediately tell which is empty and which is full of books based on how the boxes moved. People form rich perceptions about the physical properties of objects from their interactions, an ability that plays a crucial role in learning about the physical world through our experiences. Here, we present three experiments that demonstrate people's capacity to reason about the relative masses of objects in naturalistic 3D scenes. We find that people make accurate inferences, and that they continue to fine-tune their beliefs over time. To explain our results, we propose a cognitive model that combines Bayesian inference with approximate knowledge of Newtonian physics by estimating probabilities from noisy physical simulations. We find that this model accurately predicts judgments from our experiments, suggesting that the same simulation mechanism underlies both peoples' predictions and inferences about the physical world around them. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Experimental econophysics: Complexity, self-organization, and emergent properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, J. P.

2015-03-01

Experimental econophysics is concerned with statistical physics of humans in the laboratory, and it is based on controlled human experiments developed by physicists to study some problems related to economics or finance. It relies on controlled human experiments in the laboratory together with agent-based modeling (for computer simulations and/or analytical theory), with an attempt to reveal the general cause-effect relationship between specific conditions and emergent properties of real economic/financial markets (a kind of complex adaptive systems). Here I review the latest progress in the field, namely, stylized facts, herd behavior, contrarian behavior, spontaneous cooperation, partial information, and risk management. Also, I highlight the connections between such progress and other topics of traditional statistical physics. The main theme of the review is to show diverse emergent properties of the laboratory markets, originating from self-organization due to the nonlinear interactions among heterogeneous humans or agents (complexity).

Role of physical properties of liquids in cavitation erosion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thiruvengadam, A.

1974-01-01

The dependence of erosion rates on the ambient temperature of water is discussed. The assumption that the gas inside the bubble is compressed adiabatically during collapse gives better agreement with experiments than the assumption that the gas is isothermally compressed. Acoustic impedance is an important liquid parameter that governs the erosion intensity in vibratory devices. The investigation reveals that the major physical properties of liquids governing the intensity of erosion include density, sound speed, surface tension, vapor pressure, gas content, and nuclei distribution.

Association of Violence against Partner and Former Victim Experiences: A Sample of Clients Voluntarily Attending Therapy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Askeland, Ingunn Rangul; Evang, Are; Heir, Trond

2011-01-01

The authors addressed the associations between childhood and adolescence victimization and partner violence in adulthood. Data were collected on 480 men voluntarily attending therapy with a semistructured interview that assessed (a) violent behavior, categorized as physical violence, physical controlling behavior, property violence,…

Skeptical notes on a physics of passage.

PubMed

Huggett, Nick

2014-10-01

This paper investigates the mathematical representation of time in physics. In existing theories, time is represented by the real numbers, hence their formal properties represent properties of time: these are surveyed. The central question of the paper is whether the existing representation of time is adequate, or whether it can or should be supplemented: especially, do we need a physics incorporating some kind of "dynamical passage" of time? The paper argues that the existing mathematical framework is resistant to such changes, and might have to be rejected by anyone seeking a physics of passage. Then it rebuts two common arguments for incorporating passage into physics, especially the claim that it is an element of experience. Finally, the paper investigates whether, as has been claimed, causal set theory provides a physics of passage. © 2014 New York Academy of Sciences.

Teaching Optics Topics in College Physics Laboratory*

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kezerashvili, Roman Y.

2006-12-01

We propose a list of designed experiments that could be presented at the laboratory class in the second semester of College and University Physics courses to study properties of light. The study of light can be organized into three domains: geometric optics, wave optics and quantum optics. These domains are not strictly disjoint. In the sets of experiments for the first domain students study the laws of reflection and refraction of light by measuring the dependence of the angles of reflection and refraction on the angle of incident, spherical mirrors and lenses, geometric optics of human eye. In the sets of experiments for the second domain students study the wave properties of light: dispersion, interference, diffraction and polarization. Experiments designed to verify the Malus's law and measure the Brewster's angle, determine the wavelength of laser light and study the interference on a transmission and reflection diffraction grating, diffraction on the different size slits and wires. The purposes of experiments for the third domain are to study the spectral lines of different gases, determine the Rydberg's constant from the spectrum of hydrogen atom, and verify the laws of the photoelectric effect and Einstein's quantum idea. The objectives of all experiments are to show the real action of physics laws, help students better understand and visualize the subject of the lecture. *Supported by US Department of Education grant P120A060052

Effect of specimen size and grain orientation on the mechanical and physical properties of NBG-18 nuclear graphite

DOE PAGES

Vasudevamurthy, G.; Byun, T. S.; Pappano, Pete; ...

2015-03-13

Here we present a comparison of the measured baseline mechanical and physical properties of with grain (WG) and against grain (AG) non-ASTM size NBG-18 graphite. The objectives of the experiments were twofold: (1) assess the variation in properties with grain orientation; (2) establish a correlation between specimen tensile strength and size. The tensile strength of the smallest sized (4 mm diameter) specimens were about 5% higher than the standard specimens (12 mm diameter) but still within one standard deviation of the ASTM specimen size indicating no significant dependence of strength on specimen size. The thermal expansion coefficient and elastic constantsmore » did not show significant dependence on specimen size. Lastly, experimental data indicated that the variation of thermal expansion coefficient and elastic constants were still within 5% between the different grain orientations, confirming the isotropic nature of NBG-18 graphite in physical properties.« less

Measuring the Experience and Perception of Suffering

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schulz, Richard; Monin, Joan K.; Czaja, Sara J.; Lingler, Jennifer H.; Beach, Scott R.; Martire, Lynn M.; Dodds, Angela; Hebert, Randy S.; Zdaniuk, Bozena; Cook, Thomas B.

2010-01-01

Purpose: Assess psychometric properties of scales developed to assess experience and perception of physical, psychological, and existential suffering in older individuals. Design and Methods: Scales were administered to 3 populations of older persons and/or their family caregivers: individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and their family…

Project Physics Handbook 3, The Triumph of Mechanics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA. Harvard Project Physics.

Ten experiments and 27 activities are presented in this handbook. The experiments are related to collisions, energy conservation, speed measurements, thermometry, calorimetry, gas properties, wave motions, and acoustic problems. The activities are concerned with stroboscopic photographs in collision, elastic impact, mass conservation, exchange of…

'Own-Label' Versus Branded Commercial Dental Resin Composite Materials: Mechanical And Physical Property Comparisons.

PubMed

Shaw, Kathryn; Martins, Ricardo; Hadis, Mohammed Abdul; Burke, Trevor; Palin, William

2016-09-01

A majority of dental materials are manufactured by companies who have experience in the field. However, a number of "own label" materials have become available, principally marketed by distributors and other companies with little or no experience in the field. These materials are attractive because of their reduced cost, but they may have no research on which clinicians might base their potential performance. It is therefore the purpose of this work to compare the performance of different batches of a number of "own-label" dental materials with a similar number from manufacturers with experience in the field, using a variety of laboratory test regimes which include filler determination, degree of conversion, flexural strength and flexural modulus, in order to evaluate key material properties. The results indicated that own-label dental resin composites produced similar results to materials from established companies in terms of flexural strength characteristics and degree of conversion. However, a greater batch-to-batch variation in several mechanical and physical properties of the own-label materials was noted. Copyright© 2016 Dennis Barber Ltd.

Schizophrenia: An Impairment in the Capacity to Perceive Affordances

PubMed Central

Kim, Nam-Gyoon; Kim, Hakboon

2017-01-01

Phenomenological psychopathologists conceptualize schizophrenia as a self-disorder involving profound distortions of selfhood. For James Gibson, “to perceive the world is to coperceive oneself.” If the sense of self is disturbed in individuals with schizophrenia, this could also lead to disturbances in these individuals’ ability to perceive affordances, environmental properties taken with reference to the perceiver’s action capabilities (e.g., a rigid surface affording ‘walk-on-able,’ chairs ‘sit-on-able,’ and so on). To test this hypothesis, three experiments investigated schizophrenia patients’ affordance perception. Participants were presented with a photo of a common object on the computer and then asked to judge its secondary affordance (a non-designed function) in a two-choice reaction time task in Experiment 1 and in a yes/no task in Experiment 2. Schizophrenia participants performed less accurately and more slowly than controls. To rule out visual impairment as a contributing factor, in Experiment 3, participants identified physical properties (color, shape, material composition) of the objects. Schizophrenia participants were as accurate as controls and responded faster than in the previous experiments. Results suggest that the capacity to perceive affordances is likely impaired in people with schizophrenia, although the capacity to detect the object’s physical properties is kept intact. Inability to perceive affordances, those functionally significant properties of the surrounding environment, may help explain why schizophrenia patients may appear as somewhat detached from the world. PMID:28701973

Physical properties of compact toroids generated by a coaxial source

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Henins, I.; Hoida, H.W.; Jarboe, T.R.

1980-01-01

In the CTX experiments we have been studying CTs generated with a magnetized coaxial plasma gun. CTs have been generated in prolate and oblate cylindrically symmetric metallic flux conservers. The plasma and magnetic field properties are studied through the use of magnetic probes, Thomson scattering, interferometry, and spectroscopy.

Geometry as an Object of Experience: The Missed Debate between Poincare and Einstein

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hacyan, Shahen

2009-01-01

According to Poincare, a geometry cannot be an object of experience since any geometrical experiment must be realized with physical objects, such as rulers and light rays, and it is only their properties that can be tested. This position was apparently refuted by general relativity and the successful confirmation of its predictions by astronomical…

Electrochromic WO[subscript 3] Films: Nanotechnology Experiments in Instrumental Analysis and Physical Chemistry Laboratories

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hepel, Maria

2008-01-01

This experiment teaches students the methodology of investigating novel properties of materials using new instrumental techniques: atomic force microscopy (AFM), electrochemical quartz crystal nanobalance (EQCN), voltammetric techniques (linear potential scan and chronoamperometry), and light reflectance measurements. The unique capabilities of…

Feshbach Prize: New Phenomena and New Physics from Strongly-Correlated Quantum Matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carlson, Joseph A.

2017-01-01

Strongly correlated quantum matter is ubiquitous in physics from cold atoms to nuclei to the cold dense matter found in neutron stars. Experiments from table-top to the extremely large scale experiments including FRIB and LIGO will help determine the properties of matter across an incredible scale of distances and energies. Questions to be addressed include the existence of exotic states of matter in cold atoms and nuclei, the response of this correlated matter to external probes, and the behavior of matter in extreme astrophysical environments. A more complete understanding is required, both to understand these diverse phenomena and to employ this understanding to probe for new underlying physics in experiments including neutrinoless double beta decay and accelerator neutrino experiments. I will summarize some aspects of our present understanding and highlight several important prospects for the future.

Chemistry in Soap Bubbles.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Albert W. M.; Wong, A.; Lee, H. W.; Lee, H. Y.; Zhou, Ning-Huai

2002-01-01

Describes a laboratory experiment in which common chemical gases are trapped inside soap bubbles. Examines the physical and chemical properties of the gases such as relative density and combustion. (Author/MM)

Lorentz Invariance:. Present Experimental Status

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lämmerzahl, Claus

2006-02-01

Being one of the pillars of modern physics, Lorentz invariance has to be tested as precisely as possible. We review the present status of laboratory tests of Lorentz invariance. This includes the tests of properties of light propagation which are covered by the famous Michelson-Morley, Kennedy-Thorndike, and Ives-Stilwell experiments, as well as tests on dynamical properties of matter as, e.g., tests exploring the maximum velocity of massive particles or tests of the isotropy of quantum particles in Hughes-Drever experiments.

Laboratory experiments in the study of the chemistry of the outer planets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scattergood, Thomas W.

1987-01-01

It is shown that much information about planetary chemistry and physics can be gained through laboratory work. The types of experiments relevant to planetary research concern fundamental properties, spectral/optical properties, 'Miller-Urey' syntheses, and detailed syntheses. Specific examples of studies of the chemistry in the atmosphere of Titan are described with attention given to gas phase chemistry in the troposphere and the composition of model Titan aerosols. A list of work that still needs to be done is provided.

Determination of the Quantum Efficiency of a Light Detector

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kraftmakher, Yaakov

2008-01-01

The "quantum efficiency" (QE) is an important property of a light detector. This quantity can be determined in the undergraduate physics laboratory. The experimentally determined QE of a silicon photodiode appeared to be in reasonable agreement with expected values. The experiment confirms the quantum properties of light and seems to be a useful…

A Functional Definition of Scale

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Curtis, J. William

1971-01-01

An extension of the concept of scale is proposed whereby through perceptual experiences a relationship is achieved between the physical properties of the environment and the sensory responses of man. (Author)

Near infrared spectrum simulation applied to human skin for diagnosis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsai, Chen-Mu; Fang, Yi-Chin; Wang, Chih-Yu; Chiu, Pin-Chun; Wu, Guo-Ying; Zheng, Wei-Chi; Chemg, Shih-Hao

2007-11-01

This research proposes a new method for skin diagnose using near infrared as the light source (750nm~1300nm). Compared to UV and visible light, near infrared might penetrate relatively deep into biological soft tissue in some cases although NIR absorption property of tissue is not a constant for water, fat, and collagen etc. In the research, NIR absorption and scattering properties for skin are discussed firstly using the theory of molecule vibration from Quantum physics and Solid State Physics; secondly the practical model for various NIR absorption spectrum to skin tissue are done by optical simulation for human skin. Finally, experiments are done for further identification of proposed model for human skin and its reaction to near infrared. Results show success with identification from both theory and experiments.

Experimental Neutrino Physics

ScienceCinema

Walter, Chris

2018-01-12

In this talk, I will review how a set of experiments in the last decade has given us our current understanding of neutrino properties.  I will show how experiments in the last year or two have clarified this picture, and will discuss how new experiments about to start will address remaining questions.  I will particularly emphasize the relationship between various experimental techniques.

Influence of Halide Solutions on Collagen Networks: Measurements of Physical Properties by Atomic Force Microscopy

PubMed Central

Kempe, André; Lackner, Maximilian

2016-01-01

The influence of aqueous halide solutions on collagen coatings was tested. The effects on resistance against indentation/penetration on adhesion forces were measured by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the change of Young's modulus of the coating was derived. Comparative measurements over time were conducted with halide solutions of various concentrations. Physical properties of the mesh-like coating generally showed large variability. Starting with a compact set of physical properties, data disperse after minutes. A trend of increase in elasticity and permeability was found for all halide solutions. These changes were largest in NaI, displaying a logical trend with ion size. However a correlation with concentration was not measured. Adhesion properties were found to be independent of mechanical properties. The paper also presents practical experience for AFM measurements of soft tissue under liquids, particularly related to data evaluation. The weakening in physical strength found after exposure to halide solutions may be interpreted as widening of the network structure or change in the chemical properties in part of the collagen fibres (swelling). In order to design customized surface coatings at optimized conditions also for medical applications, halide solutions might be used as agents with little impact on the safety of patients. PMID:27721994

Scientist in the Classroom: The First Year Highlights of a Plasma Outreach Program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagy, A.; Danielson, C. A.; Lee, R. L.; Winter, P. S.; Valentine, J. R.

1999-11-01

The General Atomics education program ``Scientist in the Classroom'' uses scientists, engineers, and technicians to discuss plasma physics with students in the classroom. A program goal is to make science an enjoyable experience while showing students how plasma physics plays an important role in their world. A fusion overview is presented, including topics on energy and environment. Using hands-on equipment, students manipulate plasma discharges using magnetic fields and observe their spectral properties. Students also observe physical properties of liquid nitrogen, infrared waves, and radioactive particles. The benefit of this program, relative to facility tours, is that it optimizes cost and scheduling between the scientific staff and students. This program and its equipment are receiving accolades as an adjunct teaching option available to schools at no cost. This year we have presented to over 1000 students at 11 schools. Student exit interviews reflect strong positive comments regarding their hands-on learning experience and science appreciation.

Effects of stress paths on physical properties of sediments at the Nankai Trough subduction zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kitajima, H.; Saffer, D. M.

2011-12-01

Stress states are one of the most important factors governing deformation modes and fault strength. In subduction systems where tectonic stress is large, sediments are subjected to complicated stress conditions in time and space. Because direct measurements of stress are very limited, stress conditions at depths have been estimated by combining seismic reflection data with empirical relations between compressional-wave, porosity, and effective stress [Tsuji et al., 2008; Tobin and Saffer, 2009]. However, most of the empirical relations are derived from experiments conducted under isotropic conditions, and do not account for the more complicated stress states expected in active subduction-accretion complexes. In this study, we aim to derive relations between physical properties and stress states from triaxial deformation experiments on sediments. During the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (NanTroSEIZE) Expeditions 314, 315, 319, 322, and 333, core samples were recovered from shallow boreholes into the accretionary prism and two sites seaward of the deformation front (reference sites). We used core samples from reference sites (Sites C0011 and C0012) for this study because they represent input material for the subduction system, and have not been subjected to tectonic compression in the accretionary wedge. In our deformation tests, samples are loaded under a range of different stress paths including isotropic loading, triaxial compression, and triaxial extension by controlling axial stress (up to 100 MPa), confining pressure (up to 100 MPa), and pore pressure (0.5-28 MPa). During tests, all pressures, axial displacement, and pore volume change were monitored. Permeability, and ultrasonic velocity were also measured during the tests. Two experiments have been conducted on samples taken from the core 322-C0011B-19R-5 (Lower Shikoku Basin hemipelagic mudstone, initial porosity of 43 %). The first test was conducted under istotropic loading and unloading by (1) increase and decrease in confining pressure, and (2) decrease and increase in pore pressure. The evolution of physical properties depends on effective pressure regardless of whether confining pressure or pore pressure is controlled. As effective pressure increases from 0.2 to 30 MPa, porosity decreases from 43 to 18 %, permeability decreases from 1.1×10-18 to 4.1×10-20 m2, and compressional-wave velocity increases from 1.76 to 2.5 km/s, respectively. The same physical properties do not fully recover during unloading, which corresponds to overconsolidated or overpressured condition. The second test included various loading paths including triaxial compression and extension, and drained and undrained condition of pore pressure. The results indicate that the evolution of physical properties be dependent on both effective mean stress and differential stress. The experimental results suggest that it is important to consider consolidation state and loading paths. We will present more experimental results and derive relations between physical properties and stress states.

Amorphous Iron Borides: Preparation, Structure and Magnetic Properties.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-09-28

temperature. External magnetic field experiments were performed in a superconducting solenoid with both source and absor- ber at 4.2 K. The observed...D-Ai20 919 AMORPHOUS IRON BORIDES: PREPARATION STRUCTURE AND i/i MAGNETIC PROPERTIES(U) JOHNS HOPKINS UNIV LAUREL NO APPLIED PHYSICS LRB K MOORJRNI...NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANOANOS-93-A 10 AMORPHOUS IRON BORIDES: PREPARATION, STRUCTURE ~AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES FINAL REPORT Kishin Moorjani September 1982 U

The amazing graphene: an educational bridge connecting different physics concepts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Persano Adorno, Dominique; Bellomonte, Leonardo; Pizzolato, Nicola

2018-01-01

The purpose of this work is to present a learning workshop covering various physics concepts aimed at strengthening physics/engineering student understanding about the remarkable properties of two dimensional materials, graphene in particular. At the basis of this learning experience is the idea of blending and interconnecting separate pieces of knowledge already acquired by undergraduates in different courses and to help them visualize and link the concepts lying beyond separate chunks of information or equations. Graphene represents an appropriate unifying framework to achieve this task in view of its monatomic structure and various exotic processes peculiar to this and some other two dimensional crystals. We first discuss essential elements of group theory and their application to the symmetry properties of graphene with the aim of presenting to physics/electronic engineering undergraduates that in a system characterized by symmetry properties such as a crystal, the acquisition of the solutions of the Schrödinger equation is simpler and easier to visualize than when these properties are ignored. We have then selected and discussed some remarkable properties of graphene: the linear electron energy-momentum dispersion relation in proximity of some edge points of the Brillouin zone; the consequential massless Dirac behaviour of the electrons; their tunnelling behaviour and the related Klein paradox; the chiral behaviour of electrons and holes; the fractional quantum Hall effect in massless particles; and the quantum behaviour of correlated quasiparticles observable at macroscopic level. These arguments are presented in a context covering related pieces of knowledge about classical, quantum and relativistic mechanics. Finally, we mention current applications and possible future ones with the aim of providing students with an expertise that could be useful for further work experiences and scientific investigations regarding new materials, having far-reaching implications in various fields such as basic physics, materials science and engineering applications.

Towards Primary School Physics Teaching and Learning: Design Research Approach. Research Report 256

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Juuti, Kalle

2005-01-01

This thesis describes a project to design a primary school physics learning environment which takes into account teachers' needs, design procedures, properties of the learning environment, and pupil learning outcomes. The project's design team has wide experience in research and development work in relation to science education, the use of ICT in…

Experiment Definition Using the Space Laboratory, Long Duration Exposure Facility, and Space Transportation System Shuttle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sheppard, Albert P.; Wood, Joan M.

1976-01-01

Candidate experiments designed for the space shuttle transportation system and the long duration exposure facility are summarized. The data format covers: experiment title, Experimenter, technical abstract, benefits/justification, technical discussion of experiment approach and objectives, related work and experience, experiment facts space properties used, environmental constraints, shielding requirements, if any, physical description, and sketch of major elements. Information was also included on experiment hardware, research required to develop experiment, special requirements, cost estimate, safety considerations, and interactions with spacecraft and other experiments.

Comptational Design Of Functional CA-S-H and Oxide Doped Alloy Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Shizhong; Chilla, Lokeshwar; Yang, Yan; Li, Kuo; Wicker, Scott; Zhao, Guang-Lin; Khosravi, Ebrahim; Bai, Shuju; Zhang, Boliang; Guo, Shengmin

Computer aided functional materials design accelerates the discovery of novel materials. This presentation will cover our recent research advance on the Ca-S-H system properties prediction and oxide doped high entropy alloy property simulation and experiment validation. Several recent developed computational materials design methods were utilized to the two systems physical and chemical properties prediction. A comparison of simulation results to the corresponding experiment data will be introduced. This research is partially supported by NSF CIMM project (OIA-15410795 and the Louisiana BoR), NSF HBCU Supplement climate change and ecosystem sustainability subproject 3, and LONI high performance computing time allocation loni mat bio7.

The Whiteness of Things and Light Scattering

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gratton, L. M.; Lopez-Arias, T.; Calza, G.; Oss, S.

2009-01-01

We discuss some simple experiments dealing with intriguing properties of light and its interaction with matter. In particular, we show how to emphasize that light reflection, refraction and scattering can provide a proper, physical description of human perception of the "colour" white. These experiments can be used in the classroom with an enquiry…

Optical closure experiments for biomass smoke aerosols

Treesearch

L. A. Mack; E. J. T. Levin; S. M. Kreidenweis; D. Obrist; H. Moosmuller; K. A. Lewis; W. P. Arnott; G. R. McMeeking; A. P. Sullivan; C. E. Wold; W.-M. Hao; J. L. Collett; W. C. Malm

2010-01-01

A series of laboratory experiments at the Fire Laboratory at Missoula (FLAME) investigated chemical, physical, and optical properties of fresh smoke samples from combustion of wildland fuels that are burned annually in the western and southeastern US The burns were conducted in the combustion chamber of the US Forest Service Fire Sciences Laboratory in Missoula,...

Connecting QGP-Heavy Ion Physics to the Early Universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rafelski, Johann

2013-10-01

We discuss properties and evolution of quark-gluon plasma in the early Universe and compare to laboratory heavy ion experiments. We describe how matter and antimatter emerged from a primordial soup of quarks and gluons. We focus our discussion on similarities and differences between the early Universe and the laboratory experiments.

Macronutrients use efficiency and changes in chemical properties of an oxisol as influenced by phosphorus fertilization and tropical cover crops

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Cover crops are important components of copping systems due to their beneficial effects on soil physical, chemical and biological properties. A green house experiment was conducted to evaluate influence of phosphorus (P) fertilization on nutrient use efficiency of 14 tropical cover crops. The P leve...

Hydrogen in Earths Lowermost Mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Townsend, J. P.; Tsuchiya, J.; Bina, C. R.; Jacobsen, S. D.; Liu, Z.

2013-12-01

The lowermost mantle (D') is characterized by pronounced elastic anisotropy and elevated seismic attenuation. The presence of the post-perovskite (PPv) phase in the D' layer would contribute to these seismic observables, and therefore the influence of compositional variability on the physical properties of PPv should be explored to test mineralogical models of D' against the observed seismic structure. Here, we explore the influence of hydrogen on the physical properties of the PPv phase by first-principles calculations using density functional theory. The presence of hydrogen in the core-mantle boundary region, either as primordial H diffused from the liquid outer core or added by deeply subducted slabs, could potentially influence PPv physical properties and its phase stability. The OH-storage capacity of perovskite is likely much lower than PPv so the presence of OH could also influence the structure of D'. In the upper mantle, even small amounts of OH at concentrations less than 0.1 wt% can influence elastic properties and lattice preferred orientation. To study the possible influence of hydrogen on the physical properties of PPv, we have determined a stable hydrogen defect structure for PPv and its associated elastic properties, thermal stability, and IR signature. We will present a comparison of the observed elastic properties of the D' region with the calculated elastic properties of hPPv, as well as calculated FTIR spectra for comparison to ongoing experiments using a new CO2 laser-heating system and synchrotron-FTIR spectroscopy at the National Synchrotron Light Source.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

A. Brooks; A.H. Reiman; G.H. Neilson

High-beta, low-aspect-ratio (compact) stellarators are promising solutions to the problem of developing a magnetic plasma configuration for magnetic fusion power plants that can be sustained in steady-state without disrupting. These concepts combine features of stellarators and advanced tokamaks and have aspect ratios similar to those of tokamaks (2-4). They are based on computed plasma configurations that are shaped in three dimensions to provide desired stability and transport properties. Experiments are planned as part of a program to develop this concept. A beta = 4% quasi-axisymmetric plasma configuration has been evaluated for the National Compact Stellarator Experiment (NCSX). It has amore » substantial bootstrap current and is shaped to stabilize ballooning, external kink, vertical, and neoclassical tearing modes without feedback or close-fitting conductors. Quasi-omnigeneous plasma configurations stable to ballooning modes at beta = 4% have been evaluated for the Quasi-Omnigeneous Stellarator (QOS) experiment. These equilibria have relatively low bootstrap currents and are insensitive to changes in beta. Coil configurations have been calculated that reconstruct these plasma configurations, preserving their important physics properties. Theory- and experiment-based confinement analyses are used to evaluate the technical capabilities needed to reach target plasma conditions. The physics basis for these complementary experiments is described.« less

Measurements of Photoelectric Yield and Physical Properties of Individual Lunar Dust Grains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbas, M. M.; Tankosic, D.; Craven, P. D.; Spann, J. F.; LeClair, A.; West, F. A.; Taylor, L.; Hoover, R.

2005-01-01

Micron size dust grains levitated and transported on the lunar surface constitute a major problem for the robotic and human habitat missions for the Moon. It is well known since the Apollo missions that the lunar surface is covered with a thick layer of micron/sub-micron size dust grains. Transient dust clouds over the lunar horizon were observed by experiments during the Apollo 17 mission. Theoretical models suggest that the dust grains on the lunar surface are charged by the solar UV radiation as well as the solar wind. Even without any physical activity, the dust grains are levitated by electrostatic fields and transported away from the surface in the near vacuum environment of the Moon. The current dust charging and the levitation models, however, do not fully explain the observed phenomena. Since the abundance of dust on the Moon's surface with its observed adhesive characteristics is believed to have a severe impact on the human habitat and the lifetime and operations of a variety of equipment, it is necessary to investigate the phenomena and the charging properties of the lunar dust in order to develop appropriate mitigating strategies. We will present results of some recent laboratory experiments on individual micro/sub-micron size dust grains levitated in electrodynamic balance in simulated space environments. The experiments involve photoelectric emission measurements of individual micron size lunar dust grains illuminated with UV radiation in the 120-160 nm wavelength range. The photoelectric yields are required to determine the charging properties of lunar dust illuminated by solar UV radiation. We will present some recent results of laboratory measurement of the photoelectric yields and the physical properties of individual micron size dust grains from the Apollo and Luna-24 sample returns as well as the JSC-1 lunar simulants.

SiC/SiC Cladding Materials Properties Handbook

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Snead, Mary A.; Katoh, Yutai; Koyanagi, Takaaki

When a new class of material is considered for a nuclear core structure, the in-pile performance is usually assessed based on multi-physics modeling in coordination with experiments. This report aims to provide data for the mechanical and physical properties and environmental resistance of silicon carbide (SiC) fiber–reinforced SiC matrix (SiC/SiC) composites for use in modeling for their application as accidenttolerant fuel cladding for light water reactors (LWRs). The properties are specific for tube geometry, although many properties can be predicted from planar specimen data. This report presents various properties, including mechanical properties, thermal properties, chemical stability under normal and offnormalmore » operation conditions, hermeticity, and irradiation resistance. Table S.1 summarizes those properties mainly for nuclear-grade SiC/SiC composites fabricated via chemical vapor infiltration (CVI). While most of the important properties are available, this work found that data for the in-pile hydrothermal corrosion resistance of SiC materials and for thermal properties of tube materials are lacking for evaluation of SiC-based cladding for LWR applications.« less

Use of Bratwurst Sausage as a Model Cadaver in Introductory Physics for the Life Sciences Lab Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sidebottom, David

2015-09-01

The general physics course that is taught in most departments as a service course for pre-med or pre-health students is undergoing a large shift in course content to better appeal to this group of learners. This revision also extends to the laboratory component, where more emphasis is being placed on teaching physics through biological examples. Here, two undergraduate-level lab experiments, one dealing with buoyancy and the other with heat transfer, are described. The two labs were designed specifically to appeal to pre-med students taking introductory physics, and their novelty arises from the use of a bratwurst sausage as a miniature model cadaver. Results suggest that the sausage provides a suitable approximation to the mass density and thermal properties of the human body.

Laboratory Studies of the Optical Properties and Condensation Processes of Cosmic Dust Grains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abbas, M. M.; Craven, P. D.; Spann, J. F.; Tankosic, D.; LeClair, A.; West, E.; Sheldon, R.; Witherow, W. K.; Gallagher, D. L.; Adrian, M. L.

2002-01-01

A laboratory facility for conducting a variety of experiments on single isolated dust particles of astrophysical interest levitated in an electrodynamics balance has been developed at NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center. The objective of the research is to employ this experimental technique for studies of the physical and optical properties of individual cosmic dust grains of 0.1-100 micron size in controlled pressure/temperatures environments simulating astrophysical conditions. The physical and optical properties of the analogs of interstellar and interplanetary dust grains of known composition and size distribution will be investigated by this facility. In particular, we will carry out three classes of experiments to study the micro-physics of cosmic dust grains. (1) Charge characteristics of micron size single dust grains to determine the photoelectric efficiencies, yields, and equilibrium potentials when exposed to UV radiation. (2) Infrared optical properties of dust particles (extinction coefficients and scattering phase functions) in the 1-30 micron region using infrared diode lasers and measuring the scattered radiation. (3) Condensation experiments to investigate the condensation of volatile gases on colder nucleated particles in dense interstellar clouds and lower planetary atmospheres. The condensation experiments will involve levitated nucleus dust grains of known composition and initial mass (or m/q ratio), cooled to a temperature and pressure (or scaled pressure) simulating the astrophysical conditions, and injection of a volatile gas at a higher temperature from a controlled port. The increase in the mass due to condensation on the particle will be monitored as a function of the dust particle temperature and the partial pressure of the injected volatile gas. The measured data will permit determination of the sticking coefficients of volatile gases and growth rates of dust particles of astrophysical interest. Some preliminary results based on measurements of photoelectric emission and radiation pressure on single isolated 0.2 to 6.6 micron size silica particles exposed to UV radiation at 120-200 nm and green laser light at 532 nm are presented.

Using a Physics Experiment in a Lecture Setting to Engage Biology Students with the Concepts of Poiseuille's Law

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Breckler, Jennifer L.; Christensen, Tina; Sun, Wendy

2013-01-01

Biology students enrolled in a typical undergraduate physiology course encounter Poiseuille's law, a physics equation that describes the properties governing the flow of blood through the circulation. According to the equation, a small change in vessel radius has an exponential effect on resistance, resulting in a larger than expected change in…

Process depending morphology and resulting physical properties of TPU

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Frick, Achim, E-mail: achim.frick@hs-aalen.de; Spadaro, Marcel, E-mail: marcel.spadaro@hs-aalen.de

2015-12-17

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a rubber like material with outstanding properties, e.g. for seal applications. TPU basically provides high strength, low frictional behavior and excellent wear resistance. Though, due to segmented structure of TPU, which is composed of hard segments (HSs) and soft segments (SSs), physical properties depend strongly on the morphological arrangement of the phase separated HSs at a certain ratio of HSs to SSs. It is obvious that the TPU deforms differently depending on its bulk morphology. Basically, the morphology can either consist of HSs segregated into small domains, which are well dispersed in the SS matrix ormore » of few strongly phase separated large size HS domains embedded in the SS matrix. The morphology development is hardly ruled by the melt processing conditions of the TPU. Depending on the morphology, TPU provides quite different physical properties with respect to strength, deformation behavior, thermal stability, creep resistance and tribological performance. The paper deals with the influence of important melt processing parameters, such as temperature, pressure and shear conditions, on the resulting physical properties tested by tensile and relaxation experiments. Furthermore the morphology is studied employing differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), transmission light microscopy (TLM), scanning electron beam microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron beam microscopy (TEM) investigations. Correlations between processing conditions and resulting TPU material properties are elaborated. Flow and shear simulations contribute to the understanding of thermal and flow induced morphology development.« less

Phonation threshold pressure: Comparison of calculations and measurements taken with physical models of the vocal fold mucosa

PubMed Central

Fulcher, Lewis P.; Scherer, Ronald C.

2011-01-01

In an important paper on the physics of small amplitude oscillations, Titze showed that the essence of the vertical phase difference, which allows energy to be transferred from the flowing air to the motion of the vocal folds, could be captured in a surface wave model, and he derived a formula for the phonation threshold pressure with an explicit dependence on the geometrical and biomechanical properties of the vocal folds. The formula inspired a series of experiments [e.g., R. Chan and I. Titze, J. Acoust. Soc. Am 119, 2351–2362 (2006)]. Although the experiments support many aspects of Titze’s formula, including a linear dependence on the glottal half-width, the behavior of the experiments at the smallest values of this parameter is not consistent with the formula. It is shown that a key element for removing this discrepancy lies in a careful examination of the properties of the entrance loss coefficient. In particular, measurements of the entrance loss coefficient at small widths done with a physical model of the glottis (M5) show that this coefficient varies inversely with the glottal width. A numerical solution of the time-dependent equations of the surface wave model shows that adding a supraglottal vocal tract lowers the phonation threshold pressure by an amount approximately consistent with Chan and Titze’s experiments. PMID:21895097

Phonation threshold pressure: comparison of calculations and measurements taken with physical models of the vocal fold mucosa.

PubMed

Fulcher, Lewis P; Scherer, Ronald C

2011-09-01

In an important paper on the physics of small amplitude oscillations, Titze showed that the essence of the vertical phase difference, which allows energy to be transferred from the flowing air to the motion of the vocal folds, could be captured in a surface wave model, and he derived a formula for the phonation threshold pressure with an explicit dependence on the geometrical and biomechanical properties of the vocal folds. The formula inspired a series of experiments [e.g., R. Chan and I. Titze, J. Acoust. Soc. Am 119, 2351-2362 (2006)]. Although the experiments support many aspects of Titze's formula, including a linear dependence on the glottal half-width, the behavior of the experiments at the smallest values of this parameter is not consistent with the formula. It is shown that a key element for removing this discrepancy lies in a careful examination of the properties of the entrance loss coefficient. In particular, measurements of the entrance loss coefficient at small widths done with a physical model of the glottis (M5) show that this coefficient varies inversely with the glottal width. A numerical solution of the time-dependent equations of the surface wave model shows that adding a supraglottal vocal tract lowers the phonation threshold pressure by an amount approximately consistent with Chan and Titze's experiments. © 2011 Acoustical Society of America

Matter under extreme conditions experiments at the Linac Coherent Light Source

DOE PAGES

Glenzer, S. H.; Fletcher, L. B.; Galtier, E.; ...

2015-12-10

The Matter in Extreme Conditions end station at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is a new tool enabling accurate pump-probe measurements for studying the physical properties of matter in the high-energy density physics regime. This instrument combines the world’s brightest x-ray source, the LCLS x-ray beam, with high-power lasers consisting of two nanosecond Nd:glass laser beams and one short-pulse Ti:sapphire laser. These lasers produce short-lived states of matter with high pressures, high temperatures or high densities with properties that are important for applications in nuclear fusion research, laboratory astrophysics and the development of intense radiation sources. In the firstmore » experiments, we have performed highly accurate x-ray diffraction and x-ray Thomson scattering techniques on shock-compressed matter resolving the transition from compressed solid matter to a co-existence regime and into the warm dense matter state. Furthermore, these complex charged-particle systems are dominated by strong correlations and quantum effects. They exist in planetary interiors and laboratory experiments, e.g., during high-power laser interactions with solids or the compression phase of inertial confinement fusion implosions. Applying record peak brightness X rays resolves the ionic interactions at atomic (Ångstrom) scale lengths and measure the static structure factor, which is a key quantity for determining equation of state data and important transport coefficients. Simultaneously, spectrally resolved measurements of plasmon features provide dynamic structure factor information that yield temperature and density with unprecedented precision at micron-scale resolution in dynamic compression experiments. This set of studies demonstrates our ability to measure fundamental thermodynamic properties that determine the state of matter in the high-energy density physics regime.« less

Hopkins during CFE-2 Experiment

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-11-20

ISS038-E-005962 (19 Nov. 2013) --- NASA astronaut Michael Hopkins, Expedition 38 flight engineer, conducts a session with the Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE-2) in the Harmony node of the International Space Station. CFE is a suite of fluid physics experiments that investigate how fluids behave in microgravity which could benefit water and fuel delivery systems on future spacecraft. Scientists designed the Capillary Flow Experiment-2 to study properties of fluids and bubbles inside containers with a specific 3-D geometry.

Affective Beliefs Influence the Experience of Eating Meat

PubMed Central

Anderson, Eric C.; Barrett, Lisa Feldman

2016-01-01

People believe they experience the world objectively, but research continually demonstrates that beliefs influence perception. Emerging research indicates that beliefs influence the experience of eating. In three studies, we test whether beliefs about how animals are raised can influence the experience of eating meat. Samples of meat were paired with descriptions of animals raised on factory farms or raised on humane farms. Importantly, the meat samples in both conditions were identical. However, participants experienced the samples differently: meat paired with factory farm descriptions looked, smelled, and tasted less pleasant. Even basic properties of flavor were influenced: factory farmed samples tasted more salty and greasy. Finally, actual behavior was influenced: participants consumed less when samples were paired with factory farm descriptions. These findings demonstrate that the experience of eating is not determined solely by physical properties of stimuli—beliefs also shape experience. PMID:27556643

MEDUSA: The ExoMars experiment for in-situ monitoring of dust and water vapour

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colangeli, L.; Lopez-Moreno, J. J.; Nørnberg, P.; Della Corte, V.; Esposito, F.; Mazzotta Epifani, E.; Merrison, J.; Molfese, C.; Palumbo, P.; Rodriguez-Gomez, J. F.; Rotundi, A.; Visconti, G.; Zarnecki, J. C.; The International Medusa Team

2009-07-01

Dust and water vapour are fundamental components of the Martian atmosphere. In view of tracing the past environmental conditions on Mars, that possibly favoured the appearing of life forms, it is important to study the present climate and its evolution. Here dust and water vapour have (and have had) strong influence. Of major scientific interest is the quantity and physical, chemical and electrical properties of dust and the abundance of water vapour dispersed in the atmosphere and their exchange with the surface. Moreover, in view of the exploration of the planet with automated systems and in the future by manned missions, it is of primary importance to analyse the hazards linked to these environmental factors. The Martian Environmental Dust Systematic Analyser (MEDUSA) experiment, included in the scientific payload of the ESA ExoMars mission, accommodates a complement of sensors, based on optical detection and cumulative mass deposition, that aims to study dust and water vapour in the lower Martian atmosphere. The goals are to study, for the first time, in-situ and quantitatively, physical properties of the airborne dust, including the cumulative dust mass flux, the dust deposition rate, the physical and electrification properties, the size distribution of sampled particles and the atmospheric water vapour abundance versus time.

Geophysical Properties of Hard Rock for Investigation of Stress Fields in Deep Mines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tibbo, M.; Young, R. P.; Schmitt, D. R.; Milkereit, B.

2014-12-01

A complication in geophysical monitoring of deep mines is the high-stress dependency of the physical properties of hard rocks. In-mine observations show anisotropic variability of the in situ P- and S-wave velocities and resistivity of the hard rocks that are likely related to stress field changes. As part of a comprehensive study in a deep, highly stressed mine located in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, data from in situ monitoring of the seismicity, conductivity, stress, and stress dependent physical properties has been obtain. In-laboratory experiments are also being performed on borehole cores from the Sudbury mines. These experiments will measure the Norite borehole core's properties including elastic modulus, bulk modulus, P- and S-wave velocities, and density. Hydraulic fracturing has been successfully implemented in industries such as oil and gas and enhanced geothermal systems, and is currently being investigated as a potential method for preconditioning in mining. However, further research is required to quantify how hydraulic fractures propagate through hard, unfractured rock as well as naturally fractured rock typically found in mines. These in laboratory experiments will contribute to a hydraulic fracturing project evaluating the feasibility and effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing as a method of de-stressing hard rock mines. A tri-axial deformation cell equipped with 18 Acoustic Emission (AE) sensors will be used to bring the borehole cores to a tri-axial state of stress. The cores will then be injected with fluid until the the hydraulic fracture has propagated to the edge of the core, while AE waveforms will be digitized continuously at 10 MHz and 12-bit resolution for the duration of each experiment. These laboratory hydraulic fracture experiments will contribute to understanding how parameters including stress ratio, fluid injection rate, and viscosity, affect the fracturing process.

Overview of the Fire Lab at Missoula Experiments (FLAME)

Treesearch

S. M. Kreidenweis; J. L. Collett; H. Moosmuller; W. P. Arnott; WeiMin Hao; W. C. Malm

2010-01-01

The Fire Lab at Missoula Experiments (FLAME) used a series of open biomass burns, conducted in 2006 and 2007 at the Forest Service Fire Science Laboratory in Missoula, MT, to characterize the physical, chemical and optical properties of biomass combustion emissions. Fuels were selected primarily based on their projected importance for emissions from prescribed and wild...

Organic Materials in the Undergraduate Laboratory: Microscale Synthesis and Investigation of a Donor-Acceptor Molecule

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pappenfus, Ted M.; Schliep, Karl B.; Dissanayake, Anudaththa; Ludden, Trevor; Nieto-Ortega, Belen; Lopez Navarrete, Juan T.; Ruiz Delgado, M. Carmen; Casado, Juan

2012-01-01

A series of experiments for undergraduate courses (e.g., organic, physical) have been developed in the area of small molecule organic materials. These experiments focus on understanding the electronic and redox properties of a donor-acceptor molecule that is prepared in a convenient one-step microscale reaction. The resulting intensely colored…

Physics and chemistry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moskovits, Martin; Allamandola, Lou; Becker, Christopher; Freund, Friedemann; Freund, M.; Haff, P.; Tarter, Jill; Walton, Otis; Weitz, David; Werner, Brad

1987-01-01

The following types of experiments for a proposed Space Station Microgravity Particle Research Facility are described: (1) rheology of assemblies of inelastic, frictional particles; (2) grain dynamics in zero gravity; (3) properties of tenuous fractal aggregates; (4) orientation of weakly ferroelectric dust grains; (5) supersonic nozzle beam; and (6) some astrophysical cluster experiments. The required capabilities and desired hardware for the facility are detailed.

Consciousness: here, there and everywhere?

PubMed

Tononi, Giulio; Koch, Christof

2015-05-19

The science of consciousness has made great strides by focusing on the behavioural and neuronal correlates of experience. However, while such correlates are important for progress to occur, they are not enough if we are to understand even basic facts, for example, why the cerebral cortex gives rise to consciousness but the cerebellum does not, though it has even more neurons and appears to be just as complicated. Moreover, correlates are of little help in many instances where we would like to know if consciousness is present: patients with a few remaining islands of functioning cortex, preterm infants, non-mammalian species and machines that are rapidly outperforming people at driving, recognizing faces and objects, and answering difficult questions. To address these issues, we need not only more data but also a theory of consciousness-one that says what experience is and what type of physical systems can have it. Integrated information theory (IIT) does so by starting from experience itself via five phenomenological axioms: intrinsic existence, composition, information, integration and exclusion. From these it derives five postulates about the properties required of physical mechanisms to support consciousness. The theory provides a principled account of both the quantity and the quality of an individual experience (a quale), and a calculus to evaluate whether or not a particular physical system is conscious and of what. Moreover, IIT can explain a range of clinical and laboratory findings, makes a number of testable predictions and extrapolates to a number of problematic conditions. The theory holds that consciousness is a fundamental property possessed by physical systems having specific causal properties. It predicts that consciousness is graded, is common among biological organisms and can occur in some very simple systems. Conversely, it predicts that feed-forward networks, even complex ones, are not conscious, nor are aggregates such as groups of individuals or heaps of sand. Also, in sharp contrast to widespread functionalist beliefs, IIT implies that digital computers, even if their behaviour were to be functionally equivalent to ours, and even if they were to run faithful simulations of the human brain, would experience next to nothing.

Consciousness: here, there and everywhere?

PubMed Central

Tononi, Giulio; Koch, Christof

2015-01-01

The science of consciousness has made great strides by focusing on the behavioural and neuronal correlates of experience. However, while such correlates are important for progress to occur, they are not enough if we are to understand even basic facts, for example, why the cerebral cortex gives rise to consciousness but the cerebellum does not, though it has even more neurons and appears to be just as complicated. Moreover, correlates are of little help in many instances where we would like to know if consciousness is present: patients with a few remaining islands of functioning cortex, preterm infants, non-mammalian species and machines that are rapidly outperforming people at driving, recognizing faces and objects, and answering difficult questions. To address these issues, we need not only more data but also a theory of consciousness—one that says what experience is and what type of physical systems can have it. Integrated information theory (IIT) does so by starting from experience itself via five phenomenological axioms: intrinsic existence, composition, information, integration and exclusion. From these it derives five postulates about the properties required of physical mechanisms to support consciousness. The theory provides a principled account of both the quantity and the quality of an individual experience (a quale), and a calculus to evaluate whether or not a particular physical system is conscious and of what. Moreover, IIT can explain a range of clinical and laboratory findings, makes a number of testable predictions and extrapolates to a number of problematic conditions. The theory holds that consciousness is a fundamental property possessed by physical systems having specific causal properties. It predicts that consciousness is graded, is common among biological organisms and can occur in some very simple systems. Conversely, it predicts that feed-forward networks, even complex ones, are not conscious, nor are aggregates such as groups of individuals or heaps of sand. Also, in sharp contrast to widespread functionalist beliefs, IIT implies that digital computers, even if their behaviour were to be functionally equivalent to ours, and even if they were to run faithful simulations of the human brain, would experience next to nothing. PMID:25823865

Lunar Science Conference, 4th, Houston, Tex., March 5-8, 1973, Proceedings. Volume 1 - Mineralogy and petrology. Volume 2 - Chemical and isotope analyses. Organic chemistry. Volume 3 - Physical properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gose, W. A.

1973-01-01

The mineralogy, petrology, chemistry, isotopic composition, and physical properties of lunar materials are described in papers detailing methods, results, and implications of research on samples returned from eight lunar landing sites: Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, and Luna 16 and 20. The results of experiments conducted or set up on the lunar surface by the astronauts are also described along with observations taken from Command Modules and subsatellites. Major topics include general geology, soil and breccia studies, petrologic studies, mineralogic analyses, elemental compositions, radiometric age determinations, rare gas chemistry, radionuclides, organogenic compounds, particle track records, thermal properties, seismic studies, resonance studies, orbital mapping, lunar atmosphere, magnetic studies, electrical studies, optical properties, and microcratering. Individual items are announced in this issue.

Physical properties of the human head: mass, center of gravity and moment of inertia.

PubMed

Yoganandan, Narayan; Pintar, Frank A; Zhang, Jiangyue; Baisden, Jamie L

2009-06-19

This paper presents a synthesis of biomedical investigations of the human head with specific reference to certain aspects of physical properties and development of anthropometry data, leading to the advancement of dummies used in crashworthiness research. As a significant majority of the studies have been summarized as reports, an effort has been made to chronologically review the literature with the above objectives. The first part is devoted to early studies wherein the mass, center of gravity (CG), and moment of inertia (MOI) properties are obtained from human cadaver experiments. Unembalmed and preserved whole-body and isolated head and head-neck experiments are discussed. Acknowledging that the current version of the Hybrid III dummy is the most widely used anthropomorphic test device in motor vehicle crashworthiness research for frontal impact applications for over 30 years, bases for the mass and MOI-related data used in the dummy are discussed. Since the development and federalization of the dummy in the United States, description of methods used to arrive at these properties form a part of the manuscript. Studies subsequent to the development of this dummy including those from the US Military are also discussed. As the head and neck are coupled in any impact, and increasing improvements in technology such as advanced airbags, and pre-tensioners and load limiters in manual seatbelts affect the kinetics of the head-neck complex, the manuscript underscores the need to pursue studies to precisely determine all the physical properties of the head. Because the most critical parameters (locations of CG and occipital condyles (OC), mass, and MOI) have not been determined on a specimen-by-specimen basis in any single study, it is important to gather these data in future experiments. These critical data will be of value for improving occupant safety, designing advanced restraint systems, developing second generation dummies, and assessing the injury mitigating characteristics of modern vehicle components in all impact modalities.

Feynman-diagrams approach to the quantum Rabi model for ultrastrong cavity QED: stimulated emission and reabsorption of virtual particles dressing a physical excitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Stefano, Omar; Stassi, Roberto; Garziano, Luigi; Frisk Kockum, Anton; Savasta, Salvatore; Nori, Franco

2017-05-01

In quantum field theory, bare particles are dressed by a cloud of virtual particles to form physical particles. The virtual particles affect properties such as the mass and charge of the physical particles, and it is only these modified properties that can be measured in experiments, not the properties of the bare particles. The influence of virtual particles is prominent in the ultrastrong-coupling regime of cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED), which has recently been realised in several condensed-matter systems. In some of these systems, the effective interaction between atom-like transitions and the cavity photons can be switched on or off by external control pulses. This offers unprecedented possibilities for exploring quantum vacuum fluctuations and the relation between physical and bare particles. We consider a single three-level quantum system coupled to an optical resonator. Here we show that, by applying external electromagnetic pulses of suitable amplitude and frequency, each virtual photon dressing a physical excitation in cavity-QED systems can be converted into a physical observable photon, and back again. In this way, the hidden relationship between the bare and the physical excitations can be unravelled and becomes experimentally testable. The conversion between virtual and physical photons can be clearly pictured using Feynman diagrams with cut loops.

Final Technical Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wijewardhana, Rohana; Argyres, Philip

2014-11-03

Task A - Theory Research in theoretical physics in the Department of Physics at the University of Cincinnati has been funded by the U.S. Department of Energy starting in 1984. Professors Peter Suranyi, Louis Witten, Fred Mansouri, L.C.R. Wijewardhana, Alexander Kagan and Philip Argyres have served as P.I.'s of the Cincinnati DOE theory task. Task B - Heavy Flavor Physics Research in experimental particle physics in the Department of Physics at the University of Cincinnati has been funded by the U.S. Department of Energy since 1999. Professor Kay Kinoshita has served as P.I. on Task B since its inception. Taskmore » C - Neutrinos Over the past three years, Task C has been measuring the properties of neutrinos with the MiniBooNE and Daya Bay detectors and building two new neutrino experiments: MicroBooNE and LArIAT. In addition, the PI (Randy Johnson) has joined the long leadtime experiment, LBNE, and has participated in the R&D report for CHiPs. Results and progress on each of these experiments will be summarized below.« less

Teaching Physics from a Reduced Gravity Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benge, Raymond D.; Young, C.; Davis, S.; Worley, A.; Smith, L.; Gell, A.

2010-01-01

This poster reports on an educational experiment flown in January 2009 as part of NASA's Microgravity University program. The experiment flown was an investigation into the properties of harmonic oscillators in reduced gravity. Harmonic oscillators are studied in every introductory physics class. The equation for the period of a harmonic oscillator does not include the acceleration due to gravity, so the period should be independent of gravity. However, the equation for the period of a pendulum does include the acceleration due to gravity, so the period of a pendulum should appear longer under reduced gravity (such as lunar or Martian gravity) and shorter under hyper-gravity. Typical homework problems for introductory physics classes ask questions such as "What would be the period of oscillation if this experiment were performed on the Moon or Mars?” This gives students a chance to actually see the effects predicted by the equations. These environments can be simulated aboard an aircraft. Video of the experiments being performed aboard the aircraft is to be used in introductory physics classes. Students will be able to record information from watching the experiment performed aboard the aircraft in a similar manner to how they collect data in the laboratory. They can then determine if the experiment matches theory. Video and an experimental procedure are being prepared based upon this flight, and these materials will be available for download by faculty anywhere with access to the internet who wish to use the experiment in their own classrooms in both college and high school physics classes.

Vapor Cartesian diver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grebenev, Igor V.; Lebedeva, Olga V.; Polushkina, Svetlana V.

2018-07-01

The article proposes a new research object for a general physics course—the vapour Cartesian diver, designed to study the properties of saturated water vapour. Physics education puts great importance on the study of the saturated vapour state, as it is related to many fundamental laws and theories. For example, the temperature dependence of the saturated water vapour pressure allows the teacher to demonstrate the Le Chatelier’s principle: increasing the temperature of a system in a dynamic equilibrium favours the endothermic change. That means that increasing the temperature increases the amount of vapour present, and so increases the saturated vapour pressure. The experimental setup proposed in this paper can be used as an example of an auto-oscillatory system, based on the properties of saturated vapour. The article describes a mathematical model of physical processes that occur in the experiment, and proposes a numerical solution method for the acquired system of equations. It shows that the results of numerical simulation coincide with the self-oscillation parameters from the real experiment. The proposed installation can also be considered as a model of a thermal engine.

Peer-to-Peer Instruction with Interactive Demonstrations in Upper Level Astronomy Courses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gelderman, Richard

2013-06-01

Spectral and polarization properties of light are topics that most intro physics courses barely touch. Students therefore rarely have any useful experience to draw on when those topics come up in an upper level astronomy class. This means that they approach problems dealing with spectra or polarization as plug-and-chug mathematics applications, devoid of physical context. We have been addressing such dilemmas by using interactive demonstrations in the lecture meeting to give students direct experience with polarization filters, diffraction gratings, spectral sources, and situations requiring them to analyze sources based on the observed polarization of spectral properties. Each student individually predicts the outcomes for a demonstration. Students then collaborate within in a group of three to discuss their prediction, reporting the group’s consensus prediction. After observing the demonstration, students in the group compare their predictions to the results, and attempt to explain the phenomena. Based on curricular reforms in physics education, these methods have provided our students with the ability to much more than just manipulate equations related to spectroscopic and polarization analysis.

The Influence of Fuelbed Physical Properties on Biomass Burning Emissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Urbanski, S. P.; Lincoln, E.; Baker, S. P.; Richardson, M.

2014-12-01

Emissions from biomass fires can significantly degrade regional air quality and therefore are of major concern to air regulators and land managers in the U.S. and Canada. Accurately estimating emissions from different fire types in various ecosystems is crucial to predicting and mitigating the impact of fires on air quality. The physical properties of ecosystems' fuelbeds can heavily influence the combustion processes (e.g. flaming or smoldering) and the resultant emissions. However, despite recent progress in characterizing the composition of biomass smoke, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding the linkage between basic fuelbed physical properties and emissions. In laboratory experiments we examined the effects of fuelbed properties on combustion efficiency (CE) and emissions for an important fuel component of temperate and boreal forests - conifer needles. The bulk density (BD), depth (DZ), and moisture content (MC) of Ponderosa Pine needle fuelbeds were manipulated in 75 burns for which gas and particle emissions were measured. We found CE was negatively correlated with BD, DZ and MC and that the emission factors of species associated with smoldering combustion processes (CO, CH4, particles) were positively correlated with these fuelbed properties. The study indicates the physical properties of conifer needle fuelbeds have a significant effect on CE and hence emissions. However, many of the emission models used to predict and manage smoke impacts on air quality assume conifer litter burns by flaming combustion with a high CE and correspondingly low emissions of CO, CH4, particles, and organic compounds. Our results suggest emission models underestimate emissions from fires involving a large component of conifer needles. Additionally, our findings indicate that laboratory studies of emissions should carefully control fuelbed physical properties to avoid confounding effects that may obscure the effects being tested and lead to erroneous interpretations.

The Effect of New Experimental System Design Related to the Plasma State on Achievement of Candidate Elementary Science Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Korkmaz, S. D.; Aybek, E. C.; Pat, S.

2015-01-01

The educational objectives related to the plasma state of matter, which comprises more than 90% of our universe, are located in the "properties of substances" unit in the 9th grade high school physics course curriculum. If there are physical and technical limitations while performing an experiment, the use of different techniques is…

GEOELECTRICAL EVIDENCE OF MICROBIAL DEGRADATION OF DIESEL CONTAMINATED SEDIMENTS

EPA Science Inventory

The alteration of physical properties by microbial activity in petroleum contaminated sediments was investigated using geophysical techniques in laboratory column experiments. Microbial population growth was determined by the Most Probable Number technique (MPN), community dynami...

Adaptive method for electron bunch profile prediction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Scheinker, Alexander; Gessner, Spencer

2015-10-01

We report on an experiment performed at the Facility for Advanced Accelerator Experimental Tests (FACET) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, in which a new adaptive control algorithm, one with known, bounded update rates, despite operating on analytically unknown cost functions, was utilized in order to provide quasi-real-time bunch property estimates of the electron beam. Multiple parameters, such as arbitrary rf phase settings and other time-varying accelerator properties, were simultaneously tuned in order to match a simulated bunch energy spectrum with a measured energy spectrum. The simple adaptive scheme was digitally implemented using matlab and the experimental physics and industrial controlmore » system. The main result is a nonintrusive, nondestructive, real-time diagnostic scheme for prediction of bunch profiles, as well as other beam parameters, the precise control of which are important for the plasma wakefield acceleration experiments being explored at FACET. © 2015 authors. Published by the American Physical Society.« less

Towards Quantum Experiments with Human Eye Detectors Based on Cloning via Stimulated Emission ?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Martini, Francesco

2010-05-01

In a recent theoretical paper published in Physical Review Letters, Sekatsky, Brunner, Branciard, Gisin, Simon report an extended investigation on some properties of the human eye that affect its behavior as a quantum detector. We believe that the content of this work, albeit appealing at fist sight, is highly questionable simply because the human eye cannot be adopted as a sensing device within any quantum measurement apparatus. Furthermore, the criticism raised by these Authors against a real experiment on Micro—Macro entanglement recently published in Physical Review Letters (100, 253601, 2008) is found misleading and misses its target.

Microwave remote sensing of sea ice in the AIDJEX Main Experiment. [Arctic Ice Dynamics Joint Experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Campbell, W. J.; Wayenberg, J.; Ramseyer, J. B.; Ramseier, R. O.; Vant, M. R.; Weaver, R.; Redmond, A.; Arsenault, L.; Gloersen, P.; Zwally, H. J.

1978-01-01

A microwave remote sensing program of sea ice in the Beaufort Sea was conducted during the Arctic Ice Dynamics Joint Experiment (AIDJEX). Several types of both passive and active sensors were used to perform surface and aircraft measurements during all seasons of the year. In situ observations were made of physical properties (salinity, temperature, density, surface roughness), dielectric properties, and passive microwave measurements were made of first-year, multiyear, and first-year/multiyear mixtures. Airborne passive microwave measurements were performed with the electronically scanning microwave radiometer while airborne active microwave measurements were performed by synthetic aperture radar, X- and L-band radar, and a scatterometer.

The roots of physics students' motivations: Fear and integrity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Van Dusen, Ben

Too often, physics students are beset by feelings of failure and isolation rather than experiencing the creative joys of discovery that physics has to offer. This dissertation research was founded on the desire of a teacher to make physics class exciting and motivating to his students. This work explores how various aspects of learning environments interact with student motivation. This work uses qualitative and quantitative methods to explore how students are motivated to engage in physics and how they feel about themselves while engaging in physics. The collection of four studies in this dissertation culminates in a sociocultural perspective on motivation and identity. This perspective uses two extremes of how students experience physics as a lens for understanding motivation: fear and self-preservation versus integrity and self-expression. Rather than viewing motivation as a property of the student, or viewing students as inherently interested or disinterested in physics, the theoretical perspective on motivation and identity helps examine features of the learning environments that determine how students' experience themselves through physics class. This perspective highlights the importance of feeling a sense of belonging in the context of physics and the power that teachers have in shaping students' motivation through the construction of their classroom learning environments. Findings demonstrate how different ways that students experience themselves in physics class impact their performance and interest in physics. This dissertation concludes with a set of design principles that can foster integration and integrity among students in physics learning environments.

Scaling effects in direct shear tests

USGS Publications Warehouse

Orlando, A.D.; Hanes, D.M.; Shen, H.H.

2009-01-01

Laboratory experiments of the direct shear test were performed on spherical particles of different materials and diameters. Results of the bulk friction vs. non-dimensional shear displacement are presented as a function of the non-dimensional particle diameter. Simulations of the direct shear test were performed using the Discrete Element Method (DEM). The simulation results show Considerable differences with the physical experiments. Particle level material properties, such as the coefficients of static friction, restitution and rolling friction need to be known a priori in order to guarantee that the simulation results are an accurate representation of the physical phenomenon. Furthermore, laboratory results show a clear size dependency on the results, with smaller particles having a higher bulk friction than larger ones. ?? 2009 American Institute of Physics.

Quantum physics and the beam splitter mystery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hénault, François

2015-09-01

Optical lossless beam splitters are frequently encountered in fundamental physics experiments regarding the nature of light, including "which-way" determination or the EPR paradox and their measurement apparatus. Although they look as common optical components at first glance, their behaviour remains somewhat mysterious since they apparently exhibit stand-alone particle-like features, and then wave-like characteristics when inserted into a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. In this communication are examined and discussed some basic properties of these beamssplitters, both from a classical optics and quantum physics point of view. Herein the most evident convergences and contradictions are highlighted, and the results of a few emblematic experiments demonstrating photon existence are discussed. Alternative empirical models are also proposed in order to shed light on some remaining issues.

Children's judgments about ownership rights and body rights: Evidence for a common basis.

PubMed

Van de Vondervoort, Julia W; Meinz, Paul; Friedman, Ori

2017-03-01

We report two experiments supporting the theory that children's understanding of ownership rights is related to their notions of body rights. Experiment 1 investigated 4- to 7-year-olds' (N=123) developing sensitivity to physical contact in their judgments about the acceptability of behaving in relation to owned objects and body parts. Experiment 2 used a simpler design to investigate this in 3- and 4-year-olds (N=112). Findings confirmed two predictions of the theory. First, in both experiments, children's judgments about ownership and body rights were similarly affected by physical contact. Second, judgments about both kinds of rights were yoked in development; age-related changes in judgments about ownership rights were paralleled by changes in judgments about body rights. Our findings have additional import for theories of ownership rights because they suggest that physical contact may be a crucial factor in whether behaviors targeting property are judged to be permissible. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The long journey to the Higgs boson and beyond at the LHC: Emphasis on CMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Virdee, Tejinder Singh

2016-11-01

Since 2010 there has been a rich harvest of results on standard model physics by the ATLAS and CMS experiments operating on the Large Hadron Collider. In the summer of 2012, a spectacular discovery was made by these experiments of a new, heavy particle. All the subsequently analysed data point strongly to the properties of this particle as those expected for the Higgs boson associated with the Brout-Englert-Higgs mechanism postulated to explain the spontaneous symmetry breaking in the electroweak sector, thereby explaining how elementary particles acquire mass. This article focuses on the CMS experiment, the technological challenges encountered in its construction, describing some of the physics results obtained so far, including the discovery of the Higgs boson, and searches for the widely anticipated new physics beyond the standard model, and peer into the future involving the high-luminosity phase of the LHC. This article is complementary to the one by Peter Jenni4 that focuses on the ATLAS experiment.

THE EFFECT OF CHLORINATION OF NUCLEOTIDE BASES ON THE CONFORMATIONAL PROPERTIES OF THYMIDINE MONOPHOSPHATE.

PubMed

Mukhina, T M; Nikolaienko, T Yu

2015-01-01

Recent studies on Escherichia coli bacteria cultivation, in which DNA thymine was replaced with 5-chlorouracil have refreshed the problem of understanding the changes to physical properties of DNA monomers resultant from chemical modifications. These studies have shown that the replacement did not affect the normal activities and division of the bacteria, but has significantly reduced its life span. In this paper a comparative analysis was carried out by the methods of computational experiment of a set of 687 possible conformers of natural monomeric DNA unit (2'-deoxyribonucleotide thymidine monophosphate) and 660 conformers of 5-chloro-2'-deoxyuridine monophosphate - a similar molecules in which the natural nitrogenous base thymine is substituted with 5-chlorouracil. Structures of stable conformers of the modified deoxyribonucleotide have been obtained and physical factors, which determine their variation from the conformers of the unmodified molecule have been analyzed. A comparative analysis of the elastic properties of conformers of investigated molecules and non-covalent interactions present in them was conducted. The results can be usedfor planning experiments on synthesis of artficial DNA suitable for incorporation into living organisms.

Experiment and simulation of the fabrication process of lithium-ion battery cathodes for determining microstructure and mechanical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forouzan, Mehdi M.; Chao, Chien-Wei; Bustamante, Danilo; Mazzeo, Brian A.; Wheeler, Dean R.

2016-04-01

The fabrication process of Li-ion battery electrodes plays a prominent role in the microstructure and corresponding cell performance. Here, a mesoscale particle dynamics simulation is developed to relate the manufacturing process of a cathode containing Toda NCM-523 active material to physical and structural properties of the dried film. Particle interactions are simulated with shifted-force Lennard-Jones and granular Hertzian functions. LAMMPS, a freely available particle simulator, is used to generate particle trajectories and resulting predicted properties. To make simulations of the full film thickness feasible, the carbon binder domain (CBD) is approximated with μm-scale particles, each representing about 1000 carbon black particles and associated binder. Metrics for model parameterization and validation are measured experimentally and include the following: slurry viscosity, elasticity of the dried film, shrinkage ratio during drying, volume fraction of phases, slurry and dried film densities, and microstructure cross sections. Simulation results are in substantial agreement with experiment, showing that the simulations reasonably reproduce the relevant physics of particle arrangement during fabrication.

Capillary Flow Experiment

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-06-19

ISS040-E-015539 (19 June 2014) --- NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, Expedition 40 flight engineer, conducts a session with the Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE-2) in the Harmony node of the International Space Station. CFE is a suite of fluid physics experiments that investigate how fluids behave in microgravity which could benefit water and fuel delivery systems on future spacecraft. Scientists designed the CFE-2 to study properties of fluids and bubbles inside containers with a specific 3-D geometry.

Orbiting solar observatory 8 high resolution ultraviolet spectrometer experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1980-01-01

Oscillations, physical properties of the solar atmosphere, motions in the quiet solar atmosphere, coronal holes, motions in solar active regions, solar flares, the structure of plage regions, an atlas, and aeronomy are summarized. Photometric sensitivity, scattered light, ghosts, focus and spectral resolution, wavelength drive, photometric sensitivity, and scattered light, are also summarized. Experiments are described according to spacecraft made and experiment type. Some of the most useful data reduction programs are described.

Application of the finite-field coupled-cluster method to calculate molecular properties relevant to electron electric-dipole-moment searches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abe, M.; Prasannaa, V. S.; Das, B. P.

2018-03-01

Heavy polar diatomic molecules are currently among the most promising probes of fundamental physics. Constraining the electric dipole moment of the electron (e EDM ), in order to explore physics beyond the standard model, requires a synergy of molecular experiment and theory. Recent advances in experiment in this field have motivated us to implement a finite-field coupled-cluster (FFCC) approach. This work has distinct advantages over the theoretical methods that we had used earlier in the analysis of e EDM searches. We used relativistic FFCC to calculate molecular properties of interest to e EDM experiments, that is, the effective electric field (Eeff) and the permanent electric dipole moment (PDM). We theoretically determine these quantities for the alkaline-earth monofluorides (AEMs), the mercury monohalides (Hg X ), and PbF. The latter two systems, as well as BaF from the AEMs, are of interest to e EDM searches. We also report the calculation of the properties using a relativistic finite-field coupled-cluster approach with single, double, and partial triples' excitations, which is considered to be the gold standard of electronic structure calculations. We also present a detailed error estimate, including errors that stem from our choice of basis sets, and higher-order correlation effects.

Novel instrument for characterizing comprehensive physical properties under multi-mechanical loads and multi-physical field coupling conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Changyi; Zhao, Hongwei; Ma, Zhichao; Qiao, Yuansen; Hong, Kun; Ren, Zhuang; Zhang, Jianhai; Pei, Yongmao; Ren, Luquan

2018-02-01

Functional materials represented by ferromagnetics and ferroelectrics are widely used in advanced sensor and precision actuation due to their special characterization under coupling interactions of complex loads and external physical fields. However, the conventional devices for material characterization can only provide a limited type of loads and physical fields and cannot simulate the actual service conditions of materials. A multi-field coupling instrument for characterization has been designed and implemented to overcome this barrier and measure the comprehensive physical properties under complex service conditions. The testing forms include tension, compression, bending, torsion, and fatigue in mechanical loads, as well as different external physical fields, including electric, magnetic, and thermal fields. In order to offer a variety of information to reveal mechanical damage or deformation forms, a series of measurement methods at the microscale are integrated with the instrument including an indentation unit and in situ microimaging module. Finally, several coupling experiments which cover all the loading and measurement functions of the instrument have been implemented. The results illustrate the functions and characteristics of the instrument and then reveal the variety in mechanical and electromagnetic properties of the piezoelectric transducer ceramic, TbDyFe alloy, and carbon fiber reinforced polymer under coupling conditions.

Rheological properties of cross-linked hyaluronic acid dermal fillers.

PubMed

Santoro, Stefano; Russo, Luisa; Argenzio, Vincenzo; Borzacchiello, Assunta

2011-01-01

Ha based dermal fillers in recent years aroused big interest in the area of cosmetic surgery for the rejuvenation of the dermis. There is not a ideal dermal filler (DF) for all applications and in commerce there are many types of DF that differ for their chemical-physical properties. So the aim of this paper is to correlate the rheological and physical properties of different DF to their clinical effectiveness. In this frame the samples have been subjected to oscillation dynamic rheological and steady shear measurements. Our results demonstrate that the viscoelastic properties of different DF varie strongly also considering fillers of the same family. Furthermore it was found that the materials physical properties influence significantly the performance of dermal filler. In particular the clinical data appear to correlate with the concentration of the polymer and with the product between the concentration and the percent elasticity, so these should be crucial parameters for the clinical performance of DF. So rheological data can be a tool to have an indication on the efficacy and longevity of DF but it has to be considered that production technology, in-vivo-conditions, injector skills and experience influence them also significantly.

Hadfield during InSPACE Experiment in the U.S. Laboratory

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-12-31

View of Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Chris Hadfield,Expedition 34 Flight Engineer (FE), during the Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions 3 (InSPACE-3) experiment. InSPACE-3 collects and records data on fluids containing ellipsoid-shaped particles that change the physical properties of the fluids in response to magnetic fields. Photo was taken during Expedition 34.

LDEF-space environmental effects on materials: Composites and silicone coatings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Petrie, Brian C.

1991-01-01

The objective of the Lockheed experiment is to evaluate the effects of long term low Earth orbit environments on thermal control coatings and organic matrix/fiber reinforced composites. Two diverse categories are reported: silicone coatings and composites. For composites physical and structural properties were analyzed; results are reported on mass/dimensional loss, microcracking, short beam shear, CTE, and flexural properties. The changes in thermal control properties, mass, and surface chemistry and morphology are reported and analyzed for the silicon coatings.

Drift studies--comparison of field and wind tunnel experiments.

PubMed

Stadler, R; Regenauer, W

2005-01-01

Drift at pesticide application leads to a pollution of non-target crops, non-target species and surface water. Spray drift is influenced by many factors like environmental conditions, vegetation, technical conditions, and physical properties of the tank mixes and influenced by Chemicals. Field experiments to characterise spray drift effects with the risk of permanent changing weather conditions can be supported by wind tunnel experiments. Wind tunnel experiments do not lead to the same soil deposition curves like field experiments, but the ratio of drift reduction potential is comparable.

Experiments to investigate the acoustic properties of sound propagation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dagdeviren, Omur E.

2018-07-01

Propagation of sound waves is one of the fundamental concepts in physics. Some of the properties of sound propagation such as attenuation of sound intensity with increasing distance are familiar to everybody from the experiences of daily life. However, the frequency dependence of sound propagation and the effect of acoustics in confined environments are not straightforward to estimate. In this article, we propose experiments, which can be conducted in a classroom environment with commonly available devices such as smartphones and laptops to measure sound intensity level as a function of the distance between the source and the observer and frequency of the sound. Our experiments and deviations from the theoretical calculations can be used to explain basic concepts of sound propagation and acoustics to a diverse population of students.

Remote atmospheric probing by ground to ground line of sight optical methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lawrence, R. S.

1969-01-01

The optical effects arising from refractive-index variations in the clear air are qualitatively described, and the possibilities are discussed of using those effects for remotely sensing the physical properties of the atmosphere. The effects include scintillations, path length fluctuations, spreading of a laser beam, deflection of the beam, and depolarization. The physical properties that may be measured include the average temperature along the path, the vertical temperature gradient, and the distribution along the path of the strength of turbulence and the transverse wind velocity. Line-of-sight laser beam methods are clearly effective in measuring the average properties, but less effective in measuring distributions along the path. Fundamental limitations to the resolution are pointed out and experiments are recommended to investigate the practicality of the methods.

MRI experiments for introductory physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taghizadeh, Sanaz; Lincoln, James

2018-04-01

The introductory physics classroom has long educated students about the properties of the atom and the nucleus. But absent from these lessons has been an informed discussion of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and its parent science nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Physics teachers should not miss the opportunity to instruct upon this highly relevant application of modern physics, especially with so many of our students planning to pursue a career in medicine. This article provides an overview of the physics of MRI and gives advice on how physics teachers can introduce this topic. Also included are some demonstration activities and a discussion of a desktop MRI apparatus that may be used by students in the lab or as a demo.

Loop Analysis of Causal Feedback in Epidemiology: An Illustration Relating To Urban Neighborhoods and Resident Depressive Experiences

PubMed Central

2008-01-01

The causal feedback implied by urban neighborhood conditions that shape human health experiences, that in turn shape neighborhood conditions through a complex causal web, raises a challenge for traditional epidemiological causal analyses. This article introduces the loop analysis method, and builds off of a core loop model linking neighborhood property vacancy rate, resident depressive symptoms, rate of neighborhood death, and rate of neighborhood exit in a feedback network. I justify and apply loop analysis to the specific example of depressive symptoms and abandoned urban residential property to show how inquiries into the behavior of causal systems can answer different kinds of hypotheses, and thereby compliment those of causal modeling using statistical models. Neighborhood physical conditions that are only indirectly influenced by depressive symptoms may nevertheless manifest in the mental health experiences of their residents; conversely, neighborhood physical conditions may be a significant mental health risk for the population of neighborhood residents. I find that participatory greenspace programs are likely to produce adaptive responses in depressive symptoms and different neighborhood conditions, which are different in character to non-participatory greenspace interventions. PMID:17706851

Characterization of maximally random jammed sphere packings. III. Transport and electromagnetic properties via correlation functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klatt, Michael A.; Torquato, Salvatore

2018-01-01

In the first two papers of this series, we characterized the structure of maximally random jammed (MRJ) sphere packings across length scales by computing a variety of different correlation functions, spectral functions, hole probabilities, and local density fluctuations. From the remarkable structural features of the MRJ packings, especially its disordered hyperuniformity, exceptional physical properties can be expected. Here we employ these structural descriptors to estimate effective transport and electromagnetic properties via rigorous bounds, exact expansions, and accurate analytical approximation formulas. These property formulas include interfacial bounds as well as universal scaling laws for the mean survival time and the fluid permeability. We also estimate the principal relaxation time associated with Brownian motion among perfectly absorbing traps. For the propagation of electromagnetic waves in the long-wavelength limit, we show that a dispersion of dielectric MRJ spheres within a matrix of another dielectric material forms, to a very good approximation, a dissipationless disordered and isotropic two-phase medium for any phase dielectric contrast ratio. We compare the effective properties of the MRJ sphere packings to those of overlapping spheres, equilibrium hard-sphere packings, and lattices of hard spheres. Moreover, we generalize results to micro- and macroscopically anisotropic packings of spheroids with tensorial effective properties. The analytic bounds predict the qualitative trend in the physical properties associated with these structures, which provides guidance to more time-consuming simulations and experiments. They especially provide impetus for experiments to design materials with unique bulk properties resulting from hyperuniformity, including structural-color and color-sensing applications.

Effect of Nano Silica on the Physical Property of Porous Concrete Pavement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yusak, Mohd Ibrahim Mohd; Ezree Abdullah, Mohd; Putra Jaya, Ramadhansyah; Rosli Hainin, Mohd; Ibrahim, Mohd Haziman Wan

2017-08-01

Rice husk can be categorized as an organic waste material from paddy industries. Silica is a major inorganic element of the rice husk. The aim of present study is to evaluate the effect of Nano silica on the physical properties of porous concrete pavement. Rice husk has been burned in the furnace (650°C for 6 hours) and ground for four different grinding times (33, 48, 63 and 81 hours). Five types of mixes were prepared to evaluate the different Nano silica grinding time. A Nano silica dosage of 10% by weight of binder was used throughout the experiments. The physical properties were examined through compressive strength, transmission electron microscopy and x-ray fluorescence. The experimental results indicate that the different Nano size gives a different effect to porous concrete strength. Based on the results obtained, Nano silica ground for 63 hours (65.84nm) gives the best result and performance to porous concrete pavement specimens.

Laboratory measurements of P- and S-wave anisotropy in synthetic rocks by 3D printing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kong, L.; Ostadhassan, M.; Tamimi, N.; Li, C.; Alexeyev, A.

2017-12-01

Synthetic rocks have been widely used to realize the models with controlled factors in rock physics and geomechanics experiments. Additive manufacturing technology, known as 3D printing, is becoming a popular method to produce the synthetic rocks as the advantages of timesaving, economics, and control. In terms of mechanical properties, the duplicability of 3D printed rock towards a natural rock has been studied whereas the seismic anisotropy still remains unknown as being the key factor in conducting rock physics experiments. This study utilized a 3D printer with gypsum as the ink to manufacture a series of synthetic rocks that have the shapes of octagonal prisms, with half of them printed from lateral and another half from the bottom. An ultrasonic investigation system was set up to measure the P- and S- wave velocities at different frequencies while samples were under dry conditions. The results show the impact of layered property on the P- and S- wave velocities. The measurement results were compared with the predicted results of Hudson model, demonstrating that the synthetic rock from 3D printing is a transverse isotropic model. The seismic anisotropy indicates that the availability of using 3D printed rocks to duplicate natural rocks for the purpose of recreating the experiments of rock physics. Future experiments will be performed on the dependence of seismic anisotropy on fracture geometry and density in 3D printed synthetic rocks.

New Experiments with Antiprotons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaplan, D. M.

2011-12-01

Fermilab operates the world's most intense antiproton source. Recently proposed experiments can use those antiprotons either parasitically during Teva-tron Collider running or after the Tevatron Collider finishes in about 2011. For example, the annihilation of 8 GeV antiprotons might make the world's most intense source of tagged D0 mesons, and thus the best near-term opportunity to study charm mixing and search for new physics via its CP-violation signature. Other possible precision measurements include properties of the X(3872) and the charmonium system. An experiment using a Penning trap and an atom interferometer could make the world's first measurement of the gravitational force on antimatter. These and other potential measurements using antiprotons could yield a broad physics program at Fermilab in the post-Tevatron era.

The Physics of Ultrabroadband Frequency Comb Generation and Optimized Combs for Measurements in Fundamental Physics

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-07-02

great potential of chalcogenide microwires for applications in the mid-IR ranging from absorption spectroscopy to entangled photon pairs generation...modulation instability) gain. Stochastic nonlinear Schrödinger equation simulations were shown to be in very good agreement with experiment. This...as the seed coherence decreases. Stochastic nonlinear Schrödinger equation simulations of spectral and noise properties are in excellent agreement with

Nicholas Metropolis Award for Outstanding Doctoral Thesis Work in Computational Physics Talk: Understanding Nano-scale Electronic Systems via Large-scale Computation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Chao

2009-03-01

Nano-scale physical phenomena and processes, especially those in electronics, have drawn great attention in the past decade. Experiments have shown that electronic and transport properties of functionalized carbon nanotubes are sensitive to adsorption of gas molecules such as H2, NO2, and NH3. Similar measurements have also been performed to study adsorption of proteins on other semiconductor nano-wires. These experiments suggest that nano-scale systems can be useful for making future chemical and biological sensors. Aiming to understand the physical mechanisms underlying and governing property changes at nano-scale, we start off by investigating, via first-principles method, the electronic structure of Pd-CNT before and after hydrogen adsorption, and continue with coherent electronic transport using non-equilibrium Green’s function techniques combined with density functional theory. Once our results are fully analyzed they can be used to interpret and understand experimental data, with a few difficult issues to be addressed. Finally, we discuss a newly developed multi-scale computing architecture, OPAL, that coordinates simultaneous execution of multiple codes. Inspired by the capabilities of this computing framework, we present a scenario of future modeling and simulation of multi-scale, multi-physical processes.

CFE-2 ICF-9 Experiment

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-01-03

ISS038-E-025016 (3 Jan. 2014) --- NASA astronaut Rick Mastracchio, Expedition 38 flight engineer, conducts a session with the Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE-2) in the Harmony node of the International Space Station. CFE is a suite of fluid physics experiments that investigate how fluids behave in microgravity which could benefit water and fuel delivery systems on future spacecraft. Scientists designed the CFE-2 to study properties of fluids and bubbles inside containers with a specific 3-D geometry.

Capillary Flow Experiment

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-06-19

ISS040-E-015545 (19 June 2014) --- European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst, Expedition 40 flight engineer, conducts a session with the Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE-2) in the Harmony node of the International Space Station. CFE is a suite of fluid physics experiments that investigate how fluids behave in microgravity which could benefit water and fuel delivery systems on future spacecraft. Scientists designed the CFE-2 to study properties of fluids and bubbles inside containers with a specific 3-D geometry.

Capillary Flow Experiment

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-06-19

ISS040-E-015532 (19 June 2014) --- European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst, Expedition 40 flight engineer, conducts a session with the Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE-2) in the Harmony node of the International Space Station. CFE is a suite of fluid physics experiments that investigate how fluids behave in microgravity which could benefit water and fuel delivery systems on future spacecraft. Scientists designed the CFE-2 to study properties of fluids and bubbles inside containers with a specific 3-D geometry.

Capillary Flow Experiment

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-06-19

ISS040-E-015523 (19 June 2014) --- European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst, Expedition 40 flight engineer, conducts a session with the Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE-2) in the Harmony node of the International Space Station. CFE is a suite of fluid physics experiments that investigate how fluids behave in microgravity which could benefit water and fuel delivery systems on future spacecraft. Scientists designed the CFE-2 to study properties of fluids and bubbles inside containers with a specific 3-D geometry.

Capillary Flow Experiment

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-06-19

ISS040-E-015543 (19 June 2014) --- European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst, Expedition 40 flight engineer, conducts a session with the Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE-2) in the Harmony node of the International Space Station. CFE is a suite of fluid physics experiments that investigate how fluids behave in microgravity which could benefit water and fuel delivery systems on future spacecraft. Scientists designed the CFE-2 to study properties of fluids and bubbles inside containers with a specific 3-D geometry.

Capillary Flow Experiment

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-06-19

ISS040-E-015536 (19 June 2014) --- European Space Agency astronaut Alexander Gerst, Expedition 40 flight engineer, conducts a session with the Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE-2) in the Harmony node of the International Space Station. CFE is a suite of fluid physics experiments that investigate how fluids behave in microgravity which could benefit water and fuel delivery systems on future spacecraft. Scientists designed the CFE-2 to study properties of fluids and bubbles inside containers with a specific 3-D geometry.

Long Duration Exposure Facility M0003-5 recent results on polymeric films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hurley, Charles J.; Jones, Michele D.

1992-01-01

The M0003-5 polymeric film specimens orbited on the LDEF M0003 Space Environment Effects on Spacecraft Materials were a part of a Wright Laboratories Materials Directorate larger thermal control materials experiment. They were selected from new materials which emerged from development programs during the 1978-1982 time frame. Included were materials described in the technical literature which were being considered or had been applied to satellites. Materials that had been exposed on previous satellite materials experiments were also included to provide data correlation with earlier space flight experiments. The objective was to determine the effects of the LDEF environment on the physical and optical properties of polymeric thin film thermal control materials, the interaction of the LDEF environment with silvered spacecraft surfaces, and the performance of low outgassing adhesives. Sixteen combinations of various polymeric films, metallized and unmetallized, adhesively bonded and unbonded films were orbited on LDEF in the M0003-5 experiment. The films were exposed in two separate locations on the vehicle. One set was exposed on the direct leading edge of the satellite. The other set was exposed on the direct trailing edge of the vehicle. The purpose of the experiment was to understand the changes in the properties of materials before and after exposure to the space environment and to compare the changes with predictions based on laboratory experiments. The basic approach was to measure the optical and physical properties of materials before and after long-term exposure to a low earth orbital environment comprised of UV, VUV, electrons, protons, atomic oxygen, thermal cycling, vacuum, debris and micrometeoroids. Due to the unanticipated extended orbital flight of LDEF, the polymeric film materials were exposed for a full five years and ten months to the space environment.

Anisotropic physical properties of myocardium characterized by ultrasonic measurements of backscatter, attenuation, and velocity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baldwin, Steven L.

The goal of elucidating the physical mechanisms underlying the propagation of ultrasonic waves in anisotropic soft tissue such as myocardium has posed an interesting and largely unsolved problem in the field of physics for the past 30 years. In part because of the vast complexity of the system being studied, progress towards understanding and modeling the mechanisms that underlie observed acoustic parameters may first require the guidance of careful experiment. Knowledge of the causes of observed ultrasonic properties in soft tissue including attenuation, speed of sound, and backscatter, and how those properties are altered with specific pathophysiologies, may lead to new noninvasive approaches to the diagnosis of disease. The primary aim of this Dissertation is to contribute to an understanding of the physics that underlies the mechanisms responsible for the observed interaction of ultrasound with myocardium. To this end, through-transmission and backscatter measurements were performed by varying acoustic properties as a function of angle of insonification relative to the predominant myofiber direction and by altering the material properties of myocardium by increased protein cross-linking induced by chemical fixation as an extreme form of changes that may occur in certain pathologies such as diabetes. Techniques to estimate acoustic parameters from backscatter were broadened and challenges to implementing these techniques in vivo were addressed. Provided that specific challenges identified in this Dissertation can be overcome, techniques to estimate attenuation from ultrasonic backscatter show promise as a means to investigate the physical interaction of ultrasound with anisotropic biological media in vivo. This Dissertation represents a step towards understanding the physics of the interaction of ultrasonic waves with anisotropic biological media.

The evolving energy budget of accretionary wedges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McBeck, Jessica; Cooke, Michele; Maillot, Bertrand; Souloumiac, Pauline

2017-04-01

The energy budget of evolving accretionary systems reveals how deformational processes partition energy as faults slip, topography uplifts, and layer-parallel shortening produces distributed off-fault deformation. The energy budget provides a quantitative framework for evaluating the energetic contribution or consumption of diverse deformation mechanisms. We investigate energy partitioning in evolving accretionary prisms by synthesizing data from physical sand accretion experiments and numerical accretion simulations. We incorporate incremental strain fields and cumulative force measurements from two suites of experiments to design numerical simulations that represent accretionary wedges with stronger and weaker detachment faults. One suite of the physical experiments includes a basal glass bead layer and the other does not. Two physical experiments within each suite implement different boundary conditions (stable base versus moving base configuration). Synthesizing observations from the differing base configurations reduces the influence of sidewall friction because the force vector produced by sidewall friction points in opposite directions depending on whether the base is fixed or moving. With the numerical simulations, we calculate the energy budget at two stages of accretion: at the maximum force preceding the development of the first thrust pair, and at the minimum force following the development of the pair. To identify the appropriate combination of material and fault properties to apply in the simulations, we systematically vary the Young's modulus and the fault static and dynamic friction coefficients in numerical accretion simulations, and identify the set of parameters that minimizes the misfit between the normal force measured on the physical backwall and the numerically simulated force. Following this derivation of the appropriate material and fault properties, we calculate the components of the work budget in the numerical simulations and in the simulated increments of the physical experiments. The work budget components of the physical experiments are determined from backwall force measurements and incremental velocity fields calculated via digital image correlation. Comparison of the energy budget preceding and following the development of the first thrust pair quantifies the tradeoff of work done in distributed deformation and work expended in frictional slip due to the development of the first backthrust and forethrust. In both the numerical and physical experiments, after the pair develops internal work decreases at the expense of frictional work, which increases. Despite the increase in frictional work, the total external work of the system decreases, revealing that accretion faulting leads to gains in efficiency. Comparison of the energy budget of the accretion experiments and simulations with the strong and weak detachments indicate that when the detachment is strong, the total energy consumed in frictional sliding and internal deformation is larger than when the detachment is relatively weak.

Density Determination of Metallic Melts from Diffuse X-Ray Scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brauser, N.; Davis, A.; Greenberg, E.; Prakapenka, V. B.; Campbell, A.

2017-12-01

Liquids comprise several important structural components of the deep Earth, for example, the present outer core and a hypothesized magma ocean early in Earth history. However, the physical properties of the constituent materials of these structures at high pressures and temperatures are less well constrained than their crystalline counterparts. Determination of the physical properties of these liquids can inform geophysical models of the composition and structure of the Earth, but methods for studying the physical properties of liquids at high pressure and temperatures are underdeveloped. One proposed method for direct determination of density of a melt requires analysis of the diffuse scattered X-ray signal of the liquid. Among the challenges to applying this technique to high-pressure melts within a laser heated diamond anvil cell are the low signal-to-noise ratio and overlapping diffraction peaks from the crystalline components of the sample assembly interfering with the diffuse scattering from the liquid. Recent advances in instrumentation at synchrotron X-ray sources have made this method more accessible for determination of density of melted material. In this work we present the technique and report the densities of three high-pressure melts of the FCC metals iron, nickel, and gold derived from diffuse scattered X-ray spectra collected from in situ laser-heated diamond anvil cell synchrotron experiments. The results are compared to densities derived from shock wave experiments.

Thermodynamics of the Rhodamine B Lactone--Zwitterion Equilibrium.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hinckley, Daniel A.; Seybold, Paul G.

1987-01-01

Discusses the benefits of thermochromic transformations for studying thermodynamic properties. Describes an experiment that uses a commercially available dye, attains equilibrium rapidly, employs a simple, single-beam spectrophotometer, and is suitable for both physical chemistry and introductory chemistry laboratories. (TW)

The Obtaining of Oil from an Oil Reservoir.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dawe, R. A.

1979-01-01

Discusses the mechanics of how an actual oil reservoir works and provides some technical background in physics. An experiment which simulates an oil reservoir and demonstrates quantitatively all the basic concepts of oil reservoir rock properties is also presented. (HM)

Conceptual design of a pulsed-power accelerator optimized for megajoule-class 1-TPa dynamic-material-physics experiments

DOE PAGES

Stygar, William A.; Reisman, David B.; Stoltzfus, Brian S.; ...

2016-07-07

In this study, we have developed a conceptual design of a next-generation pulsed-power accelerator that is optmized for driving megajoule-class dynamic-material-physics experiments at pressures as high as 1 TPa. The design is based on an accelerator architecture that is founded on three concepts: single-stage electrical-pulse compression, impedance matching, and transit-time-isolated drive circuits. Since much of the accelerator is water insulated, we refer to this machine as Neptune. The prime power source of Neptune consists of 600 independent impedance-matched Marx generators. As much as 0.8 MJ and 20 MA can be delivered in a 300-ns pulse to a 16-mΩ physics load;more » hence Neptune is a megajoule-class 20-MA arbitrary waveform generator. Neptune will allow the international scientific community to conduct dynamic equation-of-state, phase-transition, mechanical-property, and other material-physics experiments with a wide variety of well-defined drive-pressure time histories. Because Neptune can deliver on the order of a megajoule to a load, such experiments can be conducted on centimeter-scale samples at terapascal pressures with time histories as long as 1 μs.« less

LWD lithostratigraphy, physical properties and correlations across tectonic domains at the NanTroSEIZE drilling transect, Nankai Trough subduction zone, Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tudge, J.; Webb, S. I.; Tobin, H. J.

2013-12-01

Since 2007 the Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (NanTroSEIZE) has drilled a total of 15 sites across the Nankai Trough subduction zone, including two sites on the incoming sediments of the Philippine Sea plate (PSP). Logging-while-drilling (LWD) data was acquired at 11 of these sites encompassing the forearc Kumano Basin, upper accretionary prism, toe region and input sites. Each of these tectonic domains is investigated for changes in physical properties and LWD characteristics, and this work fully integrates a large data set acquired over multiple years and IODP expeditions, most recently Expedition 338. Using the available logging-while-drilling data, primarily consisting of gamma ray, resistivity and sonic velocity, a log-based lithostratigraphy is developed at each site and integrated with the core, across the entire NanTroSEIZE transect. In addition to simple LWD characterization, the use of Iterative Non-hierarchical Cluster Analysis (INCA) on the sites with the full suite of LWD data clearly differentiates the unaltered forearc and slope basin sediments from the deformed sediments of the accretionary prism, suggesting the LWD is susceptible to the subtle changes in the physical properties between the tectonic domains. This differentiation is used to guide the development of tectonic-domain specific physical properties relationships. One of the most important physical property relationships between is the p-wave velocity and porosity. To fully characterize the character and properties of each tectonic domain we develop new velocity-porosity relationships for each domain found across the NanTroSEIZE transect. This allows the porosity of each domain to be characterized on the seismic scale and the resulting implications for porosity and pore pressure estimates across the plate interface fault zone.

Reflux physics and an operational scenario for the spheromak

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hooper, E. B.

2010-07-20

The spheromak [1] is a toroidal magnetic confinement geometry for plasma with most of the magnetic field generated by internal currents. It has been demonstrated to have excellent energy confinement properties: A peak electron temperature of 0.4 keV was achieved in the Compact Torus Experiment (CTX) experiment [2] and of 0.5 keV in the Sustained Spheromak Physics Experiment (SSPX) [3]. In both cases the plasmas were decaying slowly following formation and (in SSPX) sustainment by coaxial helicity injection (CHI) [4]. In SSPX, power balance analysis during this operational phase yielded electron thermal conductivities in the core plasma in the rangemore » of 1-10 m 2/s [5, 6], comparable to the tokamak L-mode. These results motivate the consideration of possible operating scenarios for future fusion experiments or even reactors.« less

Physical property measurements on analog granites related to the joint verification experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, Randolph J., III; Coyner, Karl B.; Haupt, Robert W.

1990-08-01

A key element in JVE (Joint Verification Experiment) conducted jointly between the United States and the USSR is the analysis of the geology and physical properties of the rocks in the respective test sites. A study was initiated to examine unclassified crystalline rock specimens obtained from areas near the Soviet site, Semipalatinsk and appropriate analog samples selected from Mt. Katadin, Maine. These rocks were also compared to Sierra White and Westerly Granite which have been studied in great detail. Measurements performed to characterize these rocks were: (1) Uniaxial strain with simultaneous compressional and shear wave velocities; (2) Hydrostatic compression to 150 MPa with simultaneous compressional and shear wave velocities; (3) Attenuation measurements as a function of frequency and strain amplitude for both dry and water saturated conditions. Elastic moduli determined from the hydrostatic compression and uniaxial strain test show that the rock matrix/mineral properties were comparable in magnitudes which vary within 25 percent from sample to sample. These properties appear to be approximately isotropic, especially at high pressures. However, anisotropy evident for certain samples at pressures below 35 MPa is attributed to dominant pre-existing microcrack populations and their alignments. Dependence of extensional attenuation and Young's modulus on strain amplitude were experimentally determined for intact Sierra White granite using the hysteresis loop technique.

Manufacturing of calcium, lithium and molybdenum targets for use in nuclear physics experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kheswa, N. Y.; Papka, P.; Buthelezi, E. Z.; Lieder, R. M.; Neveling, R.; Newman, R. T.

2010-02-01

This paper describes methods used in the manufacturing of chemically reactive targets such as calcium ( natCa), lithium-6 ( 6Li) and molybdenum-97 ( 97Mo) for nuclear physics experiments at the iThemba LABS cyclotron facility (Faure, South Africa). Due to the chemical properties of these materials a suitable and controlled environment was established in order to minimize oxygen contamination of targets. Calcium was prepared by means of vacuum evaporation while lithium was cold rolled to a desired thickness. In the case of molybdenum, the metallic powder was melted under vacuum using an e-gun followed by cold rolling of the metal bead to a desired thickness. In addition, latest developments toward the establishment of a dedicated nuclear physics target laboratory are discussed.

A prestorage method to measure neutron transmission of ultracold neutron guides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blau, B.; Daum, M.; Fertl, M.; Geltenbort, P.; Göltl, L.; Henneck, R.; Kirch, K.; Knecht, A.; Lauss, B.; Schmidt-Wellenburg, P.; Zsigmond, G.

2016-01-01

There are worldwide efforts to search for physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. Precision experiments using ultracold neutrons (UCN) require very high intensities of UCN. Efficient transport of UCN from the production volume to the experiment is therefore of great importance. We have developed a method using prestored UCN in order to quantify UCN transmission in tubular guides. This method simulates the final installation at the Paul Scherrer Institute's UCN source where neutrons are stored in an intermediate storage vessel serving three experimental ports. This method allowed us to qualify UCN guides for their intended use and compare their properties.

Reproducing sterile neutrinos and the behavior of flavor oscillations with superconducting-magnetic proximity effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baker, Thomas E.

2016-03-01

The physics of a superconductor subjected to a magnetic field is known to be equivalent to neutrino oscillations. Examining the properties of singlet-triplet oscillations in the magnetic field, a sterile neutrino is suggested to be represented by singlet Cooper pairs and moderates flavor oscillations between three flavor neutrinos (triplet Cooper pairs). A superconductor-exchange spring system's rotating magnetization profile is used to simulate the mass-flavor oscillations in the neutrino case and the physics of neutrino oscillations are discussed. Connecting the condensed matter system and the particle physics system with this analogy may allow for the properties of the condensed matter system to inform neutrino experiments. Support is graciously acknowledged from the Pat Beckman Memorial Scholarship from the Orange County Chapter of the Achievement Rewards for College Scientists Foundation.

MOLECULAR THERMODYNAMICS IN THE DESIGN OF SUBSTITUTE SOLVENTS

EPA Science Inventory

The use of physical properties and fluid behavior from molecular thermodynamics can lead to better decision making in the design of substitute solvents and can greatly reduce the expense and time required to find substitutes compared to designing solvents by experiment. this pape...

Metaphorically Feeling: Comprehending Textural Metaphors Activates Somatosensory Cortex

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lacey, Simon; Stilla, Randall; Sathian, K.

2012-01-01

Conceptual metaphor theory suggests that knowledge is structured around metaphorical mappings derived from physical experience. Segregated processing of object properties in sensory cortex allows testing of the hypothesis that metaphor processing recruits activity in domain-specific sensory cortex. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging…

The soil management assessment framework: A potential soil health assessment tool

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) was developed in the 1990s utilizing Systems Engineering and Ecology experiences with scoring functions to normalize disparate soil physical, chemical, and biological indicator data representing critical properties and processes associated with soil qu...

The use of minimal spanning trees in particle physics

DOE PAGES

Rainbolt, J. Lovelace; Schmitt, M.

2017-02-14

Minimal spanning trees (MSTs) have been used in cosmology and astronomy to distinguish distributions of points in a multi-dimensional space. They are essentially unknown in particle physics, however. We briefly define MSTs and illustrate their properties through a series of examples. We show how they might be applied to study a typical event sample from a collider experiment and conclude that MSTs may prove useful in distinguishing different classes of events.

The use of minimal spanning trees in particle physics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rainbolt, J. Lovelace; Schmitt, M.

Minimal spanning trees (MSTs) have been used in cosmology and astronomy to distinguish distributions of points in a multi-dimensional space. They are essentially unknown in particle physics, however. We briefly define MSTs and illustrate their properties through a series of examples. We show how they might be applied to study a typical event sample from a collider experiment and conclude that MSTs may prove useful in distinguishing different classes of events.

Geometric calculus-based postulates for the derivation and extension of the Maxwell equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McClellan, Gene E.

2012-09-01

Clifford analysis, particularly application of the geometric algebra of three-dimensional physical space and its associated geometric calculus, enables a compact formulation of Maxwell's electromagnetic (EM) equations from a set of physically relevant and mathematically pleasing postulates. This formulation results in a natural extension of the Maxwell equations yielding wave solutions in addition to the usual EM waves. These additional solutions do not contradict experiment and have three properties in common with the apparent properties of dark energy. These three properties are that the wave solutions 1) propagate at the speed of light, 2) do not interact with ordinary electric charges or currents, and 3) possess retrograde momentum. By retrograde momentum, we mean that the momentum carried by such a wave is directed oppositely to the direction of energy transport. A "gas" of such waves generates negative pressure.

Colloidal Disorder-Order Transition Experiment Probes Particle Interactions in Microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

Everything in the universe is made up of the same basic building blocks - atoms. All physical properties of matter such as weight, hardness, and color are determined by the kind of atoms present and the way they interact with each other. The Colloidal Disorder-Order Transition (CDOT) shuttle flight experiment tested fundamental theories that model atomic interactions. The experiment was part of the Second United States Microgravity Laboratory (USML-2) aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, which flew from October 20 to November 5, 1995.

CFE-2 Experiment ICF-5 in the Node 2

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-01-03

ISS038-E-025000 (3 Jan. 2014) --- NASA astronaut Rick Mastracchio, Expedition 38 flight engineer, speaks in a microphone while conducting a session with the Capillary Flow Experiment (CFE-2) in the Harmony node of the International Space Station. CFE is a suite of fluid physics experiments that investigate how fluids behave in microgravity which could benefit water and fuel delivery systems on future spacecraft. Scientists designed the CFE-2 to study properties of fluids and bubbles inside containers with a specific 3-D geometry.

Study to perform preliminary experiments to evaluate particle generation and characterization techniques for zero-gravity cloud physics experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Katz, U.

1982-01-01

Methods of particle generation and characterization with regard to their applicability for experiments requiring cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) of specified properties were investigated. Since aerosol characterization is a prerequisite to assessing performance of particle generation equipment, techniques for characterizing aerosol were evaluated. Aerosol generation is discussed, and atomizer and photolytic generators including preparation of hydrosols (used with atomizers) and the evaluation of a flight version of an atomizer are studied.

The Role of Laboratory-Based Studies of the Physical and Biological Properties of Sea Ice in Supporting the Observation and Modeling of Ice Covered Seas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Light, B.; Krembs, C.

2003-12-01

Laboratory-based studies of the physical and biological properties of sea ice are an essential link between high latitude field observations and existing numerical models. Such studies promote improved understanding of climatic variability and its impact on sea ice and the structure of ice-dependent marine ecosystems. Controlled laboratory experiments can help identify feedback mechanisms between physical and biological processes and their response to climate fluctuations. Climatically sensitive processes occurring between sea ice and the atmosphere and sea ice and the ocean determine surface radiative energy fluxes and the transfer of nutrients and mass across these boundaries. High temporally and spatially resolved analyses of sea ice under controlled environmental conditions lend insight to the physics that drive these transfer processes. Techniques such as optical probing, thin section photography, and microscopy can be used to conduct experiments on natural sea ice core samples and laboratory-grown ice. Such experiments yield insight on small scale processes from the microscopic to the meter scale and can be powerful interdisciplinary tools for education and model parameterization development. Examples of laboratory investigations by the authors include observation of the response of sea ice microstructure to changes in temperature, assessment of the relationships between ice structure and the partitioning of solar radiation by first-year sea ice covers, observation of pore evolution and interfacial structure, and quantification of the production and impact of microbial metabolic products on the mechanical, optical, and textural characteristics of sea ice.

Comparison of electromagnetic and hadronic models generated using Geant 4 with antiproton dose measured in CERN.

PubMed

Tavakoli, Mohammad Bagher; Reiazi, Reza; Mohammadi, Mohammad Mehdi; Jabbari, Keyvan

2015-01-01

After proposing the idea of antiproton cancer treatment in 1984 many experiments were launched to investigate different aspects of physical and radiobiological properties of antiproton, which came from its annihilation reactions. One of these experiments has been done at the European Organization for Nuclear Research known as CERN using the antiproton decelerator. The ultimate goal of this experiment was to assess the dosimetric and radiobiological properties of beams of antiprotons in order to estimate the suitability of antiprotons for radiotherapy. One difficulty on this way was the unavailability of antiproton beam in CERN for a long time, so the verification of Monte Carlo codes to simulate antiproton depth dose could be useful. Among available simulation codes, Geant4 provides acceptable flexibility and extensibility, which progressively lead to the development of novel Geant4 applications in research domains, especially modeling the biological effects of ionizing radiation at the sub-cellular scale. In this study, the depth dose corresponding to CERN antiproton beam energy by Geant4 recruiting all the standard physics lists currently available and benchmarked for other use cases were calculated. Overall, none of the standard physics lists was able to draw the antiproton percentage depth dose. Although, with some models our results were promising, the Bragg peak level remained as the point of concern for our study. It is concluded that the Bertini model with high precision neutron tracking (QGSP_BERT_HP) is the best to match the experimental data though it is also the slowest model to simulate events among the physics lists.

Measuring the elasticity of plant cells with atomic force microscopy.

PubMed

Braybrook, Siobhan A

2015-01-01

The physical properties of biological materials impact their functions. This is most evident in plants where the cell wall contains each cell's contents and connects each cell to its neighbors irreversibly. Examining the physical properties of the plant cell wall is key to understanding how plant cells, tissues, and organs grow and gain the shapes important for their respective functions. Here, we present an atomic force microscopy-based nanoindentation method for examining the elasticity of plant cells at the subcellular, cellular, and tissue level. We describe the important areas of experimental design to be considered when planning and executing these types of experiments and provide example data as illustration. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Kansei engineering as a tool for the design of in-vehicle rubber keypads.

PubMed

Vieira, Joana; Osório, Joana Maria A; Mouta, Sandra; Delgado, Pedro; Portinha, Aníbal; Meireles, José Filipe; Santos, Jorge Almeida

2017-05-01

Manufacturers are currently adopting a consumer-centered philosophy which poses the challenge of developing differentiating products in a context of constant innovation and competitiveness. To merge both function and experience in a product, it is necessary to understand customers' experience when interacting with interfaces. This paper describes the use of Kansei methodology as a tool to evaluate the subjective perception of rubber keypads. Participants evaluated eleven rubber keys with different values of force, stroke and snap ratio, according to seven Kansei words ranging from "pleasantness" to "clickiness". Evaluation data was collected using the semantic differential technique and compared with data from the physical properties of the keys. Kansei proved to be a robust method to evaluate the qualitative traits of products, and a new physical parameter for the tactile feel of "clickiness" is suggested, having obtained better results than the commonly used Snap Ratio. It was possible to establish very strong relations between Kansei words and all physical properties. This approach will result in guidance to the industry for the design of in-vehicle rubber keypads with user-centered concerns. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Physically Based Modeling and Simulation with Dynamic Spherical Volumetric Simplex Splines

PubMed Central

Tan, Yunhao; Hua, Jing; Qin, Hong

2009-01-01

In this paper, we present a novel computational modeling and simulation framework based on dynamic spherical volumetric simplex splines. The framework can handle the modeling and simulation of genus-zero objects with real physical properties. In this framework, we first develop an accurate and efficient algorithm to reconstruct the high-fidelity digital model of a real-world object with spherical volumetric simplex splines which can represent with accuracy geometric, material, and other properties of the object simultaneously. With the tight coupling of Lagrangian mechanics, the dynamic volumetric simplex splines representing the object can accurately simulate its physical behavior because it can unify the geometric and material properties in the simulation. The visualization can be directly computed from the object’s geometric or physical representation based on the dynamic spherical volumetric simplex splines during simulation without interpolation or resampling. We have applied the framework for biomechanic simulation of brain deformations, such as brain shifting during the surgery and brain injury under blunt impact. We have compared our simulation results with the ground truth obtained through intra-operative magnetic resonance imaging and the real biomechanic experiments. The evaluations demonstrate the excellent performance of our new technique. PMID:20161636

Multiphase flows of N immiscible incompressible fluids: A reduction-consistent and thermodynamically-consistent formulation and associated algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, S.

2018-05-01

We present a reduction-consistent and thermodynamically consistent formulation and an associated numerical algorithm for simulating the dynamics of an isothermal mixture consisting of N (N ⩾ 2) immiscible incompressible fluids with different physical properties (densities, viscosities, and pair-wise surface tensions). By reduction consistency we refer to the property that if only a set of M (1 ⩽ M ⩽ N - 1) fluids are present in the system then the N-phase governing equations and boundary conditions will exactly reduce to those for the corresponding M-phase system. By thermodynamic consistency we refer to the property that the formulation honors the thermodynamic principles. Our N-phase formulation is developed based on a more general method that allows for the systematic construction of reduction-consistent formulations, and the method suggests the existence of many possible forms of reduction-consistent and thermodynamically consistent N-phase formulations. Extensive numerical experiments have been presented for flow problems involving multiple fluid components and large density ratios and large viscosity ratios, and the simulation results are compared with the physical theories or the available physical solutions. The comparisons demonstrate that our method produces physically accurate results for this class of problems.

Reference analysis of the signal + background model in counting experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Casadei, D.

2012-01-01

The model representing two independent Poisson processes, labelled as ``signal'' and ``background'' and both contributing additively to the total number of counted events, is considered from a Bayesian point of view. This is a widely used model for the searches of rare or exotic events in presence of a background source, as for example in the searches performed by high-energy physics experiments. In the assumption of prior knowledge about the background yield, a reference prior is obtained for the signal alone and its properties are studied. Finally, the properties of the full solution, the marginal reference posterior, are illustrated with few examples.

Liquid Structures and Physical Properties -- Ground Based Studies for ISS Experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kelton, K. F.; Bendert, J. C.; Mauro, N. A.

2012-01-01

Studies of electrostatically-levitated supercooled liquids have demonstrated strong short- and medium-range ordering in transition metal and alloy liquids, which can influence phase transitions like crystal nucleation and the glass transition. The structure is also related to the liquid properties. Planned ISS experiments will allow a deeper investigation of these results as well as the first investigations of a new type of coupling in crystal nucleation in primary crystallizing liquids, resulting from a linking of the stochastic processes of diffusion with interfacial-attachment. A brief description of the techniques used for ground-based studies and some results relevant to planned ISS investigations are discussed.

Coarse-Grained Models for Protein-Cell Membrane Interactions

PubMed Central

Bradley, Ryan; Radhakrishnan, Ravi

2015-01-01

The physiological properties of biological soft matter are the product of collective interactions, which span many time and length scales. Recent computational modeling efforts have helped illuminate experiments that characterize the ways in which proteins modulate membrane physics. Linking these models across time and length scales in a multiscale model explains how atomistic information propagates to larger scales. This paper reviews continuum modeling and coarse-grained molecular dynamics methods, which connect atomistic simulations and single-molecule experiments with the observed microscopic or mesoscale properties of soft-matter systems essential to our understanding of cells, particularly those involved in sculpting and remodeling cell membranes. PMID:26613047

Universal interface of TAUOLA: Technical and physics documentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davidson, N.; Nanava, G.; Przedziński, T.; Richter-Waş, E.; Waş, Z.

2012-03-01

Because of their narrow width, τ decays can be well separated from their production process. Only spin degrees of freedom connect these two parts of the physics process of interest for high energy collision experiments. In the following, we present a Monte Carlo algorithm which is based on that property. The interface supplements events generated by other programs, with τ decays. Effects of spin, including transverse degrees of freedom, genuine weak corrections or of new physics may be taken into account at the time when a τ decay is generated and written into an event record. The physics content of the C++ interface is already now richer than its FORTRAN predecessor.

The language of the arrows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2015-10-01

I think and hope that most experienced physics and astronomy teachers would agree that teaching is both a science and a creative art. There is a way to creatively introduce vectors into introductory astronomy that lets students learn some basic, but fundamental, physics and at the same time demonstrates that mathematics need not be a barrier in a science course. The approach is entirely graphical in that it is based on the geometric properties of vectors and is implemented by drawing diagrams. Despite the simplicity, it allows astronomy students to experience genuine physics reasoning at about the same level of a conceptual physics course (and possibly a higher level).

A comprehensive combustion model for biodiesel-fueled engine simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brakora, Jessica L.

Engine models for alternative fuels are available, but few are comprehensive, well-validated models that include accurate physical property data as well as a detailed description of the fuel chemistry. In this work, a comprehensive biodiesel combustion model was created for use in multi-dimensional engine simulations, specifically the KIVA3v R2 code. The model incorporates realistic physical properties in a vaporization model developed for multi-component fuel sprays and applies an improved mechanism for biodiesel combustion chemistry. A reduced mechanism was generated from the methyl decanoate (MD) and methyl-9-decenoate (MD9D) mechanism developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. It was combined with a multi-component mechanism to include n-heptane in the fuel chemistry. The biodiesel chemistry was represented using a combination of MD, MD9D and n-heptane, which varied for a given fuel source. The reduced mechanism, which contained 63 species, accurately predicted ignition delay times of the detailed mechanism over a range of engine-specific operating conditions. Physical property data for the five methyl ester components of biodiesel were added to the KIVA library. Spray simulations were performed to ensure that the models adequately reproduce liquid penetration observed in biodiesel spray experiments. Fuel composition impacted liquid length as expected, with saturated species vaporizing more and penetrating less. Distillation curves were created to ensure the fuel vaporization process was comparable to available data. Engine validation was performed against a low-speed, high-load, conventional combustion experiments and the model was able to predict the performance and NOx formation seen in the experiment. High-speed, low-load, low-temperature combustion conditions were also modeled, and the emissions (HC, CO, NOx) and fuel consumption were well-predicted for a sweep of injection timings. Finally, comparisons were made between the results of biodiesel composition (palm vs. soy) and fuel blends (neat vs. B20). The model effectively reproduced the trends observed in the experiments.

Study of the dynamic properties and effects of temperature using a spring model for the bouncing ball

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wadhwa, Ajay

2013-05-01

We studied the motion of a bouncing ball by representing it through an equivalent mass-spring system executing damped harmonic oscillations. We represented the elasticity of the system through the spring constant ‘k’ and the viscous damping effect, causing loss of energy, through damping constant ‘c’. By including these two factors we formed a differential equation for the equivalent mass-spring system of the bouncing ball. This equation was then solved to study the elastic and dynamic properties of its motion by expressing them in terms of experimentally measurable physical quantities such as contact time, coefficient of restitution, etc. We used our analysis for different types of ball material: rubber (lawn-tennis ball, super ball, soccer ball and squash ball) and plastic (table-tennis ball) at room temperature. Since the effect of temperature on the bounce of a squash ball is significant, we studied the temperature dependence of its elastic properties. The experiments were performed using audio and surface-temperature sensors interfaced with a computer through a USB port. The work presented here is suitable for undergraduate laboratories. It particularly emphasizes the use of computer interfacing for conducting conventional physics experiments.

Electric Conduction in Solids: a Pedagogical Approach Supported by Laboratory Measurements and Computer Modelling Environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonura, A.; Capizzo, M. C.; Fazio, C.; Guastella, I.

2008-05-01

In this paper we present a pedagogic approach aimed at modeling electric conduction in semiconductors, built by using NetLogo, a programmable modeling environment for building and exploring multi-agent systems. `Virtual experiments' are implemented to confront predictions of different microscopic models with real measurements of electric properties of matter, such as resistivity. The relations between these electric properties and other physical variables, like temperature, are, then, analyzed.

What Is the True Color of Fresh Meat? A Biophysical Undergraduate Laboratory Experiment Investigating the Effects of Ligand Binding on Myoglobin Using Optical, EPR, and NMR Spectroscopy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Linenberger, Kimberly; Bretz, Stacey Lowery; Crowder, Michael W.; McCarrick, Robert; Lorigan, Gary A.; Tierney, David L.

2011-01-01

With an increased focus on integrated upper-level laboratories, we present an experiment integrating concepts from inorganic, biological, and physical chemistry content areas. Students investigate the effects of ligand strength on the spectroscopic properties of the heme center in myoglobin using UV-vis, [superscript 1]H NMR, and EPR…

Determination of the mechanical and physical properties of cartilage by coupling poroelastic-based finite element models of indentation with artificial neural networks.

PubMed

Arbabi, Vahid; Pouran, Behdad; Campoli, Gianni; Weinans, Harrie; Zadpoor, Amir A

2016-03-21

One of the most widely used techniques to determine the mechanical properties of cartilage is based on indentation tests and interpretation of the obtained force-time or displacement-time data. In the current computational approaches, one needs to simulate the indentation test with finite element models and use an optimization algorithm to estimate the mechanical properties of cartilage. The modeling procedure is cumbersome, and the simulations need to be repeated for every new experiment. For the first time, we propose a method for fast and accurate estimation of the mechanical and physical properties of cartilage as a poroelastic material with the aid of artificial neural networks. In our study, we used finite element models to simulate the indentation for poroelastic materials with wide combinations of mechanical and physical properties. The obtained force-time curves are then divided into three parts: the first two parts of the data is used for training and validation of an artificial neural network, while the third part is used for testing the trained network. The trained neural network receives the force-time curves as the input and provides the properties of cartilage as the output. We observed that the trained network could accurately predict the properties of cartilage within the range of properties for which it was trained. The mechanical and physical properties of cartilage could therefore be estimated very fast, since no additional finite element modeling is required once the neural network is trained. The robustness of the trained artificial neural network in determining the properties of cartilage based on noisy force-time data was assessed by introducing noise to the simulated force-time data. We found that the training procedure could be optimized so as to maximize the robustness of the neural network against noisy force-time data. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Exposure to space radiation of high-performance infrared multilayer filters and materials technology experiment (A0056)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hawkins, Gary J.; Seeley, John S.; Hunneman, Roger

1992-01-01

Infrared optical multilayer filters and materials were exposed to the space environment of low Earth orbit on LDEF. The effects are summarized of that environment on the physical and optical properties of the filters and materials flown.

Filtrates and Residues: Ice Cream: Delicious Chemistry.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martino, James

1983-01-01

An experiment involving preparation of ice cream is conducted after students complete units on solutions, atomic structure, molecular architecture, and bonding. The laboratory gives practical illustration of relation of physical properties to bond type and solution theory developed. Materials needed, procedures used, and questions asked are…

Change in the Classroom.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rosner, Marc Alan

1997-01-01

Presents numismatic experiments that cover a range of topics that tie physical science and chemistry to society and history. Discusses measuring length; measuring mass; metals, alloys, and amalgams; reactivity of metals and electrochemistry; reactions of metals with acids; money to burn; magnetic properties of coins; inertia; refraction;…

Microbial degradation of Cold Lake Blend and Western Canadian Select Dilbits in Freshwater

EPA Science Inventory

Although there are different physical and chemical properties between conventional crude oils and diluted bitumen (dilbit) information on the biodegradation patterns of dilbit is scarce. To address this issue, treatability experiments were conducted with two types of dilbits at 5...

Chapter 24: Two- and Three-Dimensional Electronic Modeling of Thin-Film Solar Cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kanevce, Ana; Metzger, Wyatt K

2016-07-22

Modeling can provide physical insight to device operation, help distinguish important material properties from unimportant properties, predict trends, and help interpret experimental data. Numerical modeling is also useful to simulate different electro-optical experiments, in the presence of grain boundaries (GBs) and nonplanar junctions and geometries, and to help interpret data obtained in such experiments. This chapter presents methods for effective multidimensional modeling. The first step in creating a computational model is defining and providing discretization of a 2D area or a 3D volume. Two main approaches to the discretization have been used for studying solar cells: equivalent-circuit modeling and solvingmore » semiconductor equations. The chapter gives some examples of problems that were addressed with 2D or 3D modeling and the knowledge that was gained through them. Multidimensional modeling including GBs and other material variations is necessary to explain the device physics and experimental results present in diverse thin-film technologies.« less

Physical properties, structure, and shape of radioactive Cs from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident derived from soil, bamboo and shiitake mushroom measurements.

PubMed

Niimura, Nobuo; Kikuchi, Kenji; Tuyen, Ninh Duc; Komatsuzaki, Masakazu; Motohashi, Yoshinobu

2015-01-01

We conducted an elution experiment with contaminated soils using various aqueous reagent solutions and autoradiography measurements of contaminated bamboo shoots and shiitake mushrooms to determine the physical and chemical characteristics of radioactive Cs from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Based on our study results and data in the literature, we conclude that the active Cs emitted by the accident fell to the ground as granular non-ionic materials. Therefore, they were not adsorbed or trapped by minerals in the soil, but instead physically adhere to the rough surfaces of the soil mineral particles. Granular Cs* can be transferred among media, such as soils and plants. The physical properties and dynamic behavior of the granular Cs* is expected to be helpful in considering methods for decontamination of soil, litter, and other media. Copyright © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Analysis of GEANT4 Physics List Properties in the 12 GeV MOLLER Simulation Framework

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haufe, Christopher; Moller Collaboration

2013-10-01

To determine the validity of new physics beyond the scope of the electroweak theory, nuclear physicists across the globe have been collaborating on future endeavors that will provide the precision needed to confirm these speculations. One of these is the MOLLER experiment - a low-energy particle experiment that will utilize the 12 GeV upgrade of Jefferson Lab's CEBAF accelerator. The motivation of this experiment is to measure the parity-violating asymmetry of scattered polarized electrons off unpolarized electrons in a liquid hydrogen target. This measurement would allow for a more precise determination of the electron's weak charge and weak mixing angle. While still in its planning stages, the MOLLER experiment requires a detailed simulation framework in order to determine how the project should be run in the future. The simulation framework for MOLLER, called ``remoll'', is written in GEANT4 code. As a result, the simulation can utilize a number of GEANT4 coded physics lists that provide the simulation with a number of particle interaction constraints based off of different particle physics models. By comparing these lists with one another using the data-analysis application ROOT, the most optimal physics list for the MOLLER simulation can be determined and implemented. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 714001.

Cosmology of Universe Particles and Beyond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Wei

2016-06-01

For the first time in history, all properties of cosmology particles are uncovered and described concisely and systematically, known as the elementary particles in contemporary physics.Aligning with the synthesis of the virtual and physical worlds in a hierarchical taxonomy of the universe, this theory refines the topology framework of cosmology, and presents a new perspective of the Yin Yang natural laws that, through the processes of creation and reproduction, the fundamental elements generate an infinite series of circular objects and a Yin Yang duality of dynamic fields that are sequenced and transformed states of matter between the virtual and physical worlds.Once virtual objects are transformed, they embody various enclaves of energy states, known as dark energy, quarks, leptons, bosons, protons, and neutrons, characterized by their incentive oscillations of timestate variables in a duality of virtual realities: energy and time, spin and charge, mass and space, symmetry and antisymmetry.As a consequence, it derives the fully-scaled quantum properties of physical particles in accordance with numerous historical experiments, and has overcome the limitations of uncertainty principle and the Standard Model, towards concisely exploring physical nature and beyond...

B physics and Quarkonia in CMS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fiorendi, Sara

2017-12-01

The heavy-flavor sector offers the opportunity to perform indirect tests of beyond the Standard Model physics through precision measurements and of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) through particle production studies. A review of recent measurements on heavy flavors from the CMS experiment is presented. Results are based on data collected during LHC Run I and Run II and include measurements of heavy flavor production and properties, rare decays, CP violation, exotic and standard quarkonia. Warning, no authors found for 2017EPJWC.16407006.

Challenging the standard model by high-precision comparisons of the fundamental properties of protons and antiprotons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ulmer, S.; Mooser, A.; Nagahama, H.; Sellner, S.; Smorra, C.

2018-03-01

The BASE collaboration investigates the fundamental properties of protons and antiprotons, such as charge-to-mass ratios and magnetic moments, using advanced cryogenic Penning trap systems. In recent years, we performed the most precise measurement of the magnetic moments of both the proton and the antiproton, and conducted the most precise comparison of the proton-to-antiproton charge-to-mass ratio. In addition, we have set the most stringent constraint on directly measured antiproton lifetime, based on a unique reservoir trap technique. Our matter/antimatter comparison experiments provide stringent tests of the fundamental charge-parity-time invariance, which is one of the fundamental symmetries of the standard model of particle physics. This article reviews the recent achievements of BASE and gives an outlook to our physics programme in the ELENA era. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue `Antiproton physics in the ELENA era'.

Challenging the standard model by high-precision comparisons of the fundamental properties of protons and antiprotons.

PubMed

Ulmer, S; Mooser, A; Nagahama, H; Sellner, S; Smorra, C

2018-03-28

The BASE collaboration investigates the fundamental properties of protons and antiprotons, such as charge-to-mass ratios and magnetic moments, using advanced cryogenic Penning trap systems. In recent years, we performed the most precise measurement of the magnetic moments of both the proton and the antiproton, and conducted the most precise comparison of the proton-to-antiproton charge-to-mass ratio. In addition, we have set the most stringent constraint on directly measured antiproton lifetime, based on a unique reservoir trap technique. Our matter/antimatter comparison experiments provide stringent tests of the fundamental charge-parity-time invariance, which is one of the fundamental symmetries of the standard model of particle physics. This article reviews the recent achievements of BASE and gives an outlook to our physics programme in the ELENA era.This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Antiproton physics in the ELENA era'. © 2018 The Authors.

Challenging the standard model by high-precision comparisons of the fundamental properties of protons and antiprotons

PubMed Central

Mooser, A.; Nagahama, H.; Sellner, S.; Smorra, C.

2018-01-01

The BASE collaboration investigates the fundamental properties of protons and antiprotons, such as charge-to-mass ratios and magnetic moments, using advanced cryogenic Penning trap systems. In recent years, we performed the most precise measurement of the magnetic moments of both the proton and the antiproton, and conducted the most precise comparison of the proton-to-antiproton charge-to-mass ratio. In addition, we have set the most stringent constraint on directly measured antiproton lifetime, based on a unique reservoir trap technique. Our matter/antimatter comparison experiments provide stringent tests of the fundamental charge–parity–time invariance, which is one of the fundamental symmetries of the standard model of particle physics. This article reviews the recent achievements of BASE and gives an outlook to our physics programme in the ELENA era. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Antiproton physics in the ELENA era’. PMID:29459414

The effect of varying the introduction mode of reactants on electrical, physical and thermal stability properties of polypyrrole synthesized with CTAB

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vahidi, K.; Jalili, Y. Seyed; Salar Elahi, A.

2017-10-01

Electrical and physical properties of conducting polymers are generally enhanced via modifications in the chemical structure of the final product, there appears to be a void in facile physical means to improve the materials' properties without utilizing additives which remain in the final product as impurity. In this research, we presented the effect of altering the introduction method of reactants in emulsion polymerization of PPy with CTAB on the electrical, physical and stability properties of the final product. Three samples were prepared: one via a conventional non-emulsion polymerization method as a reference sample, the second in which the reactants were added simultaneously and the goal sample in which the monomer/surfactant mixture was allowed to be stirred separately then it was added dropwise to the oxidant solution. UV-vis, FTIR, 4-point Van Derr Paw probe, FESEM and contact angle measurements were used to investigate optical, electrical, physical, heat stability and solubility properties of the samples. The results indicate that since in the final sample a higher portion of the reaction occurred on the hydrophobic interior of the micelles, the final material had a lower number of structural and chemical defects which leads to higher conjugation lengths and thus higher properties such as a 9-fold difference in conductivity and improved solubility and thermal stability. The novelty of this work lies in the simplicity of the alterations that have been made, both in terms of optimization of the synthetic route which had been thoroughly investigated and also in terms of the differences that our work poses compared to that of the others; namely: the parameters have been thoroughly studied and analyzed but not the method of addition as in our experiments the sequence of addition and the method of addition of the reactants were altered to observe their effect on the physical and the electronic properties which has led to the conclusion that in case of drop-wise addition, a larger portion of the reaction occurs inside the micelles hence giving rise to inhibition of the defect-producing chemical bonds which is supported by the analysis in our investigations.

Exploring warm dense matter using quantum molecular dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clérouin, J.; Mazevet, S.

2006-06-01

For dense plasmas produced in shock experiments, the influence of the media on the isolated atomic properties can no longer be treated as a perturbation and conventional atomic physics approaches usually fail. Recently, quantum molecular dynamics (QMD) has been used to successfully predict static, dynamical and optical properties in this regime within the framework of a first principle method. In this short report, we illustrate the usefulness of the method for dense plasmas with a few selected examples: the equation of state of liquid deuterium, the electrical properties of expanded metals, the optical properties of shocked insulators, and the interaction of femto-second lasers with gold thin films.

Direct fusion of geostationary meteorological satellite visible and infrared images based on thermal physical properties.

PubMed

Han, Lei; Wulie, Buzha; Yang, Yiling; Wang, Hongqing

2015-01-05

This study investigated a novel method of fusing visible (VIS) and infrared (IR) images with the major objective of obtaining higher-resolution IR images. Most existing image fusion methods focus only on visual performance and many fail to consider the thermal physical properties of the IR images, leading to spectral distortion in the fused image. In this study, we use the IR thermal physical property to correct the VIS image directly. Specifically, the Stefan-Boltzmann Law is used as a strong constraint to modulate the VIS image, such that the fused result shows a similar level of regional thermal energy as the original IR image, while preserving the high-resolution structural features from the VIS image. This method is an improvement over our previous study, which required VIS-IR multi-wavelet fusion before the same correction method was applied. The results of experiments show that applying this correction to the VIS image directly without multi-resolution analysis (MRA) processing achieves similar results, but is considerably more computationally efficient, thereby providing a new perspective on VIS and IR image fusion.

Direct Fusion of Geostationary Meteorological Satellite Visible and Infrared Images Based on Thermal Physical Properties

PubMed Central

Han, Lei; Wulie, Buzha; Yang, Yiling; Wang, Hongqing

2015-01-01

This study investigated a novel method of fusing visible (VIS) and infrared (IR) images with the major objective of obtaining higher-resolution IR images. Most existing image fusion methods focus only on visual performance and many fail to consider the thermal physical properties of the IR images, leading to spectral distortion in the fused image. In this study, we use the IR thermal physical property to correct the VIS image directly. Specifically, the Stefan-Boltzmann Law is used as a strong constraint to modulate the VIS image, such that the fused result shows a similar level of regional thermal energy as the original IR image, while preserving the high-resolution structural features from the VIS image. This method is an improvement over our previous study, which required VIS-IR multi-wavelet fusion before the same correction method was applied. The results of experiments show that applying this correction to the VIS image directly without multi-resolution analysis (MRA) processing achieves similar results, but is considerably more computationally efficient, thereby providing a new perspective on VIS and IR image fusion. PMID:25569749

The upgraded Large Plasma Device, a machine for studying frontier basic plasma physics.

PubMed

Gekelman, W; Pribyl, P; Lucky, Z; Drandell, M; Leneman, D; Maggs, J; Vincena, S; Van Compernolle, B; Tripathi, S K P; Morales, G; Carter, T A; Wang, Y; DeHaas, T

2016-02-01

In 1991 a manuscript describing an instrument for studying magnetized plasmas was published in this journal. The Large Plasma Device (LAPD) was upgraded in 2001 and has become a national user facility for the study of basic plasma physics. The upgrade as well as diagnostics introduced since then has significantly changed the capabilities of the device. All references to the machine still quote the original RSI paper, which at this time is not appropriate. In this work, the properties of the updated LAPD are presented. The strategy of the machine construction, the available diagnostics, the parameters available for experiments, as well as illustrations of several experiments are presented here.

Equations of State for Mixtures: Results from DFT Simulations of Xenon/Ethane Mixtures Compared to High Accuracy Validation Experiments on Z

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magyar, Rudolph

2013-06-01

We report a computational and validation study of equation of state (EOS) properties of liquid / dense plasma mixtures of xenon and ethane to explore and to illustrate the physics of the molecular scale mixing of light elements with heavy elements. Accurate EOS models are crucial to achieve high-fidelity hydrodynamics simulations of many high-energy-density phenomena such as inertial confinement fusion and strong shock waves. While the EOS is often tabulated for separate species, the equation of state for arbitrary mixtures is generally not available, requiring properties of the mixture to be approximated by combining physical properties of the pure systems. The main goal of this study is to access how accurate this approximation is under shock conditions. Density functional theory molecular dynamics (DFT-MD) at elevated-temperature and pressure is used to assess the thermodynamics of the xenon-ethane mixture. The simulations are unbiased as to elemental species and therefore provide comparable accuracy when describing total energies, pressures, and other physical properties of mixtures as they do for pure systems. In addition, we have performed shock compression experiments using the Sandia Z-accelerator on pure xenon, ethane, and various mixture ratios thereof. The Hugoniot results are compared to the DFT-MD results and the predictions of different rules for combing EOS tables. The DFT-based simulation results compare well with the experimental points, and it is found that a mixing rule based on pressure equilibration performs reliably well for the mixtures considered. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

Preformulation considerations for controlled release dosage forms. Part I. Selecting candidates.

PubMed

Chrzanowski, Frank

2008-01-01

The physical-chemical properties of interest for controlled release (CR) dosage form development presented are based on the author's experience. Part I addresses selection of the final form based on a logical progression of physical-chemical properties evaluation of candidate forms and elimination of forms with undesirable properties from further evaluation in order to simplify final form selection. Several candidate forms which could include salt, free base or acid, polymorphic and amorphic forms of a new chemical entity (NCE) or existing drug substance (DS) are prepared and evaluated for critical properties in a scheme relevant to manufacturing processes, predictive of problems, requiring small amounts of test materials and simple analytical tools. A stability indicating assay is not needed to initiate the evaluation. This process is applicable to CR and immediate release (IR) dosage form development. The critical properties evaluated are melting, crystallinity, solubilities in water, 0.1 N HCl, and SIF, hygrodymamics, i.e., moisture sorption and loss at extremes of RH, and LOD at typical wet granulation drying conditions, and processability, i.e., corrosivity, and filming and/or sticking upon compression.

Battlefield Environment Obscuration Handbook. Volume I

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-12-01

consider only the radiometric properties of the surface whereas in another section we consider the physical properties of the soil . The general...and more arid, though it does not consist of sandy desert but rather, rocky soil and scrub brush. No part of Syria is much more than 300 miles from a...where p is average soil . density and V is measured crater volume. Around 1960, a project was undertaken by the U.S. Army Waterways Experiment Station

Single molecules and single nanoparticles as windows to the nanoscale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caldarola, Martín; Orrit, Michel

2018-05-01

Since the first optical detection of single molecules, they have been used as nanometersized optical sensors to explore the physical properties of materials and light-matter interaction at the nanoscale. Understanding nanoscale properties of materials is fundamental for the development of new technology that requires precise control of atoms and molecules when the quantum nature of matter cannot be ignored. In the following lines, we illustrate this journey into nanoscience with some experiments from our group.

Optimizing the physical-chemical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) on Cu(II) adsorption.

PubMed

Rosenzweig, Shirley; Sorial, George A; Sahle-Demessie, Endalkachew; McAvoy, Drew C

2014-08-30

Systematic experiments of copper adsorption on 10 different commercially available nanomaterials were studied for the influence of physical-chemical properties and their interactions. Design of experiment and response surface methodology was used to develop a polynomial model to predict maximum copper adsorption (initial concentration, Co=10mg/L) per mass of nanomaterial, qe, using multivariable regression and maximum R-square criterion. The best subsets of properties to predict qe in order of significant contribution to the model were: bulk density, ID, mesopore volume, tube length, pore size, zeta-charge, specific surface area and OD. The highest experimental qe observed was for an alcohol-functionalized MWCNT (16.7mg/g) with relative high bulk density (0.48g/cm(3)), ID (2-5nm), 10-30μm long and OD<8nm. Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) showed poor adsorptive capacity associated to stacked-nanoplatelets, but good colloidal stability due to high functionalized surface. Good adsorption results for pristine SWCNT indicated that tubes with small diameter were more associated with good adsorption than functionalized surface. XPS and ICP analysis explored surface chemistry and purity, but pHpzc and zeta-charge were ultimately applied to indicate the degree of functionalization. Optimum CNT were identified in the scatter plot, but actual manufacturing processes introduced size and shape variations which interfered with final property results. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Candle Flames in Microgravity Experiment

NASA Image and Video Library

1992-07-09

Closeup view inside glovebox showing a candle flame. The Candle Flames in Microgravity experiment is carried onboard Columbia to examine whether candle flames can be sustained in space; to study the interaction and physical properties of diffusion flames. In space, where buoyancy-driven convection is reduced, the role diffusion plays in sustaining candle flames can be isolated. Results have implications for other diffusion flame studies. Diffusion flames are the most common type of flame on Earth.

Friction and wear properties of novel HDPE--HAp--Al2O3 biocomposites against alumina counterface.

PubMed

Bodhak, Subhadip; Nath, Shekhar; Basu, Bikramjit

2009-03-01

In an effort to enhance physical properties of biopolymers (high-density polyethylene, HDPE) in terms of elastic modulus and hardness, various ceramic fillers, like alumina (Al2O3) and hydroxyapatite (HAp) are added, and therefore it is essential to assess the friction and wear resistance properties of HDPE biocomposites. In this perspective, HDPE composites with varying ceramic filler content (upto 40 vol%) were fabricated under the optimal compression molding conditions and their friction and wear properties were evaluated against Al2O3 at fretting contacts. All the experiments were conducted at a load of 10 N for duration of 100,000 cycles in both dry as well as simulated body fluid (SBF). Such planned set of experiments has been designed to address three important issues: (a) whether the improvement in physical properties (hardness, E-modulus) will lead to corresponding improvement in friction and wear properties; (b) whether the fretting in SBF will provide sufficient lubrication in order to considerably enhance the tribological properties, as compared to that in ambient conditions; and (c) whether the generation of wear debris particles be reduced for various compositionally modified polymer composites, in comparison to unreinforced HDPE. The experimental results indicate the possibility of achieving extremely low coefficient of friction (COF approximately 0.047) as well as higher wear resistance (wear rate in the order of approximately 10(-7) mm3 N(-1) m(-1)) with the newly developed composites in SBF. A low wear depth of 3.5-4 microm is recorded, irrespective of fretting environment. Much effort has been put forward to correlate the friction and wear mechanisms with abrasion, adhesion, and wear debris formation.

Relational versus absolute representation in categorization.

PubMed

Edwards, Darren J; Pothos, Emmanuel M; Perlman, Amotz

2012-01-01

This study explores relational-like and absolute-like representations in categorization. Although there is much evidence that categorization processes can involve information about both the particular physical properties of studied instances and abstract (relational) properties, there has been little work on the factors that lead to one kind of representation as opposed to the other. We tested 370 participants in 6 experiments, in which participants had to classify new items into predefined artificial categories. In 4 experiments, we observed a predominantly relational-like mode of classification, and in 2 experiments we observed a shift toward an absolute-like mode of classification. These results suggest 3 factors that promote a relational-like mode of classification: fewer items per group, more training groups, and the presence of a time delay. Overall, we propose that less information about the distributional properties of a category or weaker memory traces for the category exemplars (induced, e.g., by having smaller categories or a time delay) can encourage relational-like categorization.

Convexities move because they contain matter.

PubMed

Barenholtz, Elan

2010-09-22

Figure-ground assignment to a contour is a fundamental stage in visual processing. The current paper introduces a novel, highly general dynamic cue to figure-ground assignment: "Convex Motion." Across six experiments, subjects showed a strong preference to assign figure and ground to a dynamically deforming contour such that the moving contour segment was convex rather than concave. Experiments 1 and 2 established the preference across two different kinds of deformational motion. Additional experiments determined that this preference was not due to fixation (Experiment 3) or attentional mechanisms (Experiment 4). Experiment 5 found a similar, but reduced bias for rigid-as opposed to deformational-motion, and Experiment 6 demonstrated that the phenomenon depends on the global motion of the effected contour. An explanation of this phenomenon is presented on the basis of typical natural deformational motion, which tends to involve convex contour projections that contain regions consisting of physical "matter," as opposed to concave contour indentations that contain empty space. These results highlight the fundamental relationship between figure and ground, perceived shape, and the inferred physical properties of an object.

Effects of different combinations of “Baoshiling” on soil physical and chemical properties of Huangguogan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Y. H.; Wang, Z. H.; Xiong, B.; Qiu, X.; Liao, L.; Shun, G. C.; Huang, S. J.; Dong, Z. X.; Liu, X. Y.; Xi, L. J.

2017-08-01

The research is done on the Huangguogan (unique citrus breed in Sichuan, China). The experiment setted 27 groups of “Baoshiling” (self-study compound fertilizer) fertilization treatment to explore the “Baoshiling” different combinations on soil physical and chemical properties of Huangguogan. The results showed that all the combinations had improved the soil of Huangguogan orchard. The combination of A3B2C2 had the best effect. The best Fertilization management measures was “Baoshiling” bud flowering fertilizer 2kg, stable fruit fertilizer 2kg, strong fruit fertilizer 2kg. It could reduce the pH of soil and the bulk density of soil, increase the available nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium and urease activity.

Variation in the anthropomorphization of supernatural beings and its implications for cognitive theories of religion.

PubMed

Shtulman, Andrew

2008-09-01

The cognitive study of religion has been highly influenced by P. Boyer's (2001, 2003) claim that supernatural beings are conceptualized as persons with counterintuitive properties. The present study tests the generality of this claim by exploring how different supernatural beings are conceptualized by the same individual and how different individuals conceptualize the same supernatural beings. In Experiment 1, college undergraduates decided whether three types of human properties (psychological, biological, physical) could or could not be attributed to two types of supernatural beings (religious, fictional). On average, participants attributed more human properties to fictional beings, like fairies and vampires, than to religious beings, like God and Satan, and they attributed more psychological properties than nonpsychological properties to both. In Experiment 2, 5-year-old children and their parents made both open-ended and closed-ended property attributions. Although both groups of participants attributed a majority of human properties to the fictional beings, children attributed a majority of human properties to the religious beings as well. Taken together, these findings suggest that anthropomorphic theories of supernatural-being concepts, though fully predictive of children's concepts, are only partially predictive of adults' concepts. (c) 2008 APA, all rights reserved.

Subsurface high resolution definition of subsurface heterogeneity for understanding the biodynamics of natural field systems: Advancing the ability for scaling to field conditions. 1998 annual progress report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Majer, E.L.; Brockman, F.J.

1998-06-01

'This research is an integrated physical (geophysical and hydrologic) and microbial study using innovative geophysical imaging and microbial characterization methods to identify key scales of physical heterogeneities that affect the biodynamics of natural subsurface environments. Data from controlled laboratory and in-situ experiments at the INEEL Test Area North (TAN) site are being used to determine the dominant physical characteristics (lithologic, structural, and hydrologic) that can be imaged in-situ and correlated with microbial properties. The overall goal of this research is to contribute to the understanding of the interrelationships between transport properties and spatially varying physical, chemical, and microbiological heterogeneity. Themore » outcome will be an improved understanding of the relationship between physical and microbial heterogeneity, thus facilitating the design of bioremediation strategies in similar environments. This report summarizes work as of May 1998, the second year of the project. This work is an extension of basic research on natural heterogeneity first initiated within the DOE/OHER Subsurface Science Program (SSP) and is intended to be one of the building blocks of an integrated and collaborative approach with an INEEL/PNNL effort aimed at understanding the effect of physical heterogeneity on transport properties and biodynamics in natural systems. The work is closely integrated with other EMSP projects at INEEL (Rick Colwell et al.) and PNNL (Fred Brockman and Jim Fredrickson).'« less

Micro-Satellite Impact Tests to Investigate Multi-Layer Insulation Fragments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murakami, Junko; Hanada, Toshiya; Liou, J.-C.; Stansbery, Eugene

2009-03-01

This paper summarizes two satellite impact experiments completed in 2008. The objective of the experiments is to investigate the physical properties of satellite fragments, including those originated from Multi-Layer Insulation and a solar panel. One test generated approximately 1,800 fragments while the other produced only 1,000 fragments. This difference came from the number of needle-like fragments from carbon fiber reinforced plastics. All collected fragments were analyzed using the same method as described in the NASA standard breakup model and compared with the breakup model. This paper will present: (1) the area-to-mass ratio, size, and mass distributions of the fragments, and (2) the differences in fragment properties between the two tests.

Rheological properties, shape oscillations, and coalescence of liquid drops with surfactants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Apfel, R. E.; Holt, R. G.

1990-01-01

A method was developed to deduce dynamic interfacial properties of liquid drops. The method involves measuring the frequency and damping of free quadrupole oscillations of an acoustically levitated drop. Experimental results from pure liquid-liquid systems agree well with theoretical predictions. Additionally, the effects of surfactants is considered. Extension of these results to a proposed microgravity experiment on the drop physics module (DPM) in USML-1 are discussed. Efforts are also underway to model the time history of the thickness of the fluid layer between two pre-coalescence drops, and to measure the film thickness experimentally. Preliminary results will be reported, along with plans for coalescence experiments proposed for USML-1.

Bandwagon effects and error bars in particle physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeng, Monwhea

2007-02-01

We study historical records of experiments on particle masses, lifetimes, and widths, both for signs of expectation bias, and to compare actual errors with reported error bars. We show that significant numbers of particle properties exhibit "bandwagon effects": reported values show trends and clustering as a function of the year of publication, rather than random scatter about the mean. While the total amount of clustering is significant, it is also fairly small; most individual particle properties do not display obvious clustering. When differences between experiments are compared with the reported error bars, the deviations do not follow a normal distribution, but instead follow an exponential distribution for up to ten standard deviations.

Observation of DNA Molecules Using Fluorescence Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ito, Takashi

2008-01-01

This article describes experiments for an undergraduate instrumental analysis laboratory that aim to observe individual double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) molecules using fluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). dsDNA molecules are observed under several different conditions to discuss their chemical and physical properties. In…

The tri-soil experiment: do plants discriminate among vegetation soil types?

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

We tested if rooting mass and root nutrient uptake of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) or creeping wildrye (Leymus triticoides) were influenced by vegetation soil type. Three soil types (A horizons), similar in gross physical and chemical properties, were freshly-collected. The soils varied in the veget...

Stereotype Formation: Biased by Association

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Le Pelley, Mike E.; Reimers, Stian J.; Calvini, Guglielmo; Spears, Russell; Beesley, Tom; Murphy, Robin A.

2010-01-01

We propose that biases in attitude and stereotype formation might arise as a result of learned differences in the extent to which social groups have previously been predictive of behavioral or physical properties. Experiments 1 and 2 demonstrate that differences in the experienced predictiveness of groups with respect to evaluatively neutral…

INFLUENCE OF CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL MUTAGENIC FACTORS ON THE VIRUS of tick-BORNE ENCEPHALITIS

DTIC Science & Technology

In experiments the chemicals azouridine, azouracil, 5-bromuracil, formaldehyde, urethan and proflavine were used as mutagenic agents. The influence of...with passaging (tests with proflavine ). Subject to further study is the problem of the reversibility of these properties, and also the fixing of

Control of rabbit myxomatosis in Poland.

PubMed

Górski, J; Mizak, B; Chrobocińska, M

1994-09-01

The authors present an epizootiological analysis of myxomatosis in Poland. The biological, physical and chemical properties of virus strains used for the production and control of 'Myxovac M' vaccine are discussed. The long-term stability, safety and efficacy of the vaccine are demonstrated. Laboratory experiments were confirmed in large-scale field observations.

A Case for More Multiple Scattering Lidar from Space: Analysis of Four LITE Pulses Returned from a Marine Stratocumulus Deck

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, Anthony B.; Winker, David M.

2011-01-01

Outline: (1) Signal Physics for Multiple-Scattering Cloud Lidar, (2) SNR Estimation (3) Cloud Property Retrievals (3a) several techniques (3b) application to Lidar-In-space Technology Experiment (LITE) data (3c) relation to O2 A-band

Prediction of Transport Properties of Permeants through Polymer Films. A Simple Gravimetric Experiment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Britton, L. N.; And Others

1988-01-01

Considers the applicability of the simple emersion/weight-gain method for predicting diffusion coefficients, solubilities, and permeation rates of chemicals in polymers that do not undergo physical and chemical deterioration. Presents the theoretical background, procedures and typical results related to this activity. (CW)

FREEDOM TO MOVE.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

CARPENTER, ETHELOUISE; SHIPLEY, FERNE

PLAY WHICH INVOLVES NATURAL MOVEMENT HELPS THE CHILD TO LEARN ABOUT THE PROPERTIES OF MATTER AND ABOUT HIMSELF. AN EXPANSIVE AND VERSATILE USE OF SPACE FOR LIVING INCREASES WITH EXPLORATION. FREEDOM TO MOVE IS INTELLECTUAL AND EMOTIONAL, AS WELL AS PHYSICAL. NEW EXPERIENCES ARISING OUT OF CURIOSITY AND INTERACTION WITH HIS OWN FAMILY AND OTHER…

The effects of different dry roast parameters on peanut quality using an industrial, belt-type roaster simulator

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Recent lab scale experiments demonstrated that peanuts roasted to equivalent surface colors at different temperature/time combinations can vary substantially in chemical and physical properties related to product quality. This study expanded that approach to a pilot plant scale roaster that simulate...

Hybrid layers deposited by an atmospheric pressure plasma process for corrosion protection of galvanized steel.

PubMed

Del Frari, D; Bour, J; Bardon, J; Buchheit, O; Arnoult, C; Ruch, D

2010-04-01

Finding alternative treatments to reproduce anticorrosion properties of chromated coatings is challenging since both physical barrier and self-healing effects are needed. Siloxane based treatments are known to be a promising way to achieve physical barrier coatings, mainly plasma polymerized hexamethyldisiloxane (ppHMDSO). In addition, it is known that cerium-based coatings can also provide corrosion protection of metals by means of self-healing effect. In this frame, innovative nanoAlCeO3/ppHMDSO layers have thus been deposited and studied. These combinations allow to afford a good physical barrier effect and active properties. Liquid siloxane and cerium-based particles mixture is atomized and introduced as precursors into a carrier gas. Gas mixture is then injected into an atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) where plasma polymerization of the siloxane precursor occurs. The influence of cerium concentration on the coating properties is investigated: coating structure and topography have been studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and interferometry, and corrosion resistance of these different coatings is compared by electrochemistry techniques: polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Potential self-healing property afforded by cerium in the layer was studied by associating EIS measurements and nanoscratch controlled damaging. Among the different combinations investigated, mixing of plasma polymerized HMDSO and AICeO3 nanoparticles seems to give promising results with a good physical barrier and interesting electroactive properties. Indeed, corrosion currents measured on such coatings are almost as low as those measured with the chromated film. Combination of nanoscratch damaging of layers with EIS experiments to investigate self-healing also allow to measure the active protection property of such layers.

Influence of soil amendments made from digestate on soil physics and the growth of spring wheat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dietrich, Nils; Knoop, Christine; Raab, Thomas; Krümmelbein, Julia

2016-04-01

Every year 13 million tons of organic wastes accumulate in Germany. These wastes are a potential alternative for the production of energy in biogas plants, especially because the financial subventions for the cultivation of renewable resources for energy production were omitted in 2014. The production of energy from biomass and organic wastes in biogas plants results in the accumulation of digestate and therefore causes the need for a sustainable strategy of the utilization of these residues. Within the scope of the BMBF-funded project 'VeNGA - Investigations for recovery and nutrient use as well as soil and plant-related effects of digestate from waste fermentation' the application of processed digestate as soil amendments is examined. Therefore we tested four different mechanical treatment processes (rolled pellets, pressed pellets, shredded compost and sieved compost) to produce soil amendments from digestate with regard to their impact on soil physics, soil chemistry and the interactions between plants and soil. Pot experiments with soil amendments were performed in the greenhouse experiment with spring wheat and in field trials with millet, mustard and forage rye. After the first year of the experiment, preliminary results indicate a positive effect of the sieved compost and the rolled pellets on biomass yield of spring wheat as compared to the other variations. First results from the Investigation on soil physics show that rolled pellets have a positive effect on the soil properties by influencing size and distribution of pores resulting in an increased water holding capacity. Further ongoing enhancements of the physical and chemical properties of the soil amendments indicate promising results regarding the ecological effects by increased root growth of spring wheat.

Statistical physics of human beings in games: Controlled experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Yuan; Huang, Ji-Ping

2014-07-01

It is important to know whether the laws or phenomena in statistical physics for natural systems with non-adaptive agents still hold for social human systems with adaptive agents, because this implies whether it is possible to study or understand social human systems by using statistical physics originating from natural systems. For this purpose, we review the role of human adaptability in four kinds of specific human behaviors, namely, normal behavior, herd behavior, contrarian behavior, and hedge behavior. The approach is based on controlled experiments in the framework of market-directed resource-allocation games. The role of the controlled experiments could be at least two-fold: adopting the real human decision-making process so that the system under consideration could reflect the performance of genuine human beings; making it possible to obtain macroscopic physical properties of a human system by tuning a particular factor of the system, thus directly revealing cause and effect. As a result, both computer simulations and theoretical analyses help to show a few counterparts of some laws or phenomena in statistical physics for social human systems: two-phase phenomena or phase transitions, entropy-related phenomena, and a non-equilibrium steady state. This review highlights the role of human adaptability in these counterparts, and makes it possible to study or understand some particular social human systems by means of statistical physics coming from natural systems.

Does management intensity in inter rows effect soil physical properties in Austrian and Romanian vineyards?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bauer, Thomas; Strauss, Peter; Stiper, Katrin; Klipa, Vladimir; Popescu, Daniela; Winter, Silvia; Zaller, Johann G.

2016-04-01

Successful viticulture is mainly influenced by soil and climate. The availability of water during the growing season highly influences wine quality and quantity. To protect soil from being eroded most of the winegrowers keep the inter row zones of the vineyards green. Greening also helps to provide water-stress to the grapes for harvesting high quality wines. However, these greening strategies concerning the intensity of inter row management differ from farm to farm and are mainly based on personal experience of the winegrowers. However to what extent different inter row management practices affect soil physical properties are not clearly understood yet. To measure possible effects of inter row management in vineyards on soil physical parameters we selected paired vineyards with different inter row management in Austria and Romania. In total more than 7000 soil analysis were conducted for saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, soil water retention, water stable aggregates, total organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, potassium, phosphorous, soil texture, bulk density and water infiltration. The comparison between high intensity management with at least one soil disturbance per year, medium intensity with one soil disturbance every second inter row per year and low intensity management with no soil disturbance since at least 5 years indicates that investigated soil physical properties did not improve for the upper soil layer (3-8cm). This is in contrast to general perceptions of improved soil physical properties due to low intensity of inter row management, i.e. permanent vegetated inter rows. This may be attributed to long term and high frequency mechanical stress by agricultural machinery in inter rows.

Imaging experiment: The Viking Lander

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mutch, T.A.; Binder, A.B.; Huck, F.O.; Levinthal, E.C.; Morris, E.C.; Sagan, C.; Young, A.T.

1972-01-01

The Viking Lander Imaging System will consist of two identical facsimile cameras. Each camera has a high-resolution mode with an instantaneous field of view of 0.04??, and survey and color modes with instantaneous fields of view of 0.12??. Cameras are positioned one meter apart to provide stereoscopic coverage of the near-field. The Imaging Experiment will provide important information about the morphology, composition, and origin of the Martian surface and atmospheric features. In addition, lander pictures will provide supporting information for other experiments in biology, organic chemistry, meteorology, and physical properties. ?? 1972.

Solid harmonic wavelet scattering for predictions of molecule properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eickenberg, Michael; Exarchakis, Georgios; Hirn, Matthew; Mallat, Stéphane; Thiry, Louis

2018-06-01

We present a machine learning algorithm for the prediction of molecule properties inspired by ideas from density functional theory (DFT). Using Gaussian-type orbital functions, we create surrogate electronic densities of the molecule from which we compute invariant "solid harmonic scattering coefficients" that account for different types of interactions at different scales. Multilinear regressions of various physical properties of molecules are computed from these invariant coefficients. Numerical experiments show that these regressions have near state-of-the-art performance, even with relatively few training examples. Predictions over small sets of scattering coefficients can reach a DFT precision while being interpretable.

The surface-to-volume ratio in thermal physics: from cheese cube physics to animal metabolism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Planinšič, Gorazd; Vollmer, Michael

2008-03-01

The surface-to-volume ratio is an important quantity in thermal physics. For example it governs the behaviour of heating or cooling of physical objects as a function of size like, e.g. cubes or spheres made of different material. The starting point in our paper is the simple physics problem of how cheese cubes of different sizes behave if heated either in a conventional oven or in a microwave oven. The outcome of these experiments depends on a balance between heating and cooling with the surface-to-volume ratio (S/V) as the key parameter. The role of (S/V) becomes most obvious in studying cooling curves of differently sized objects like cubes or spheres, alone. Besides problems in thermal physics, the surface-to-volume ratio has many important applications in biochemistry, chemistry and biology. It allows us to draw general conclusions concerning the thermal and mechanical properties of different-sized animals, in particular their metabolism. Hence, this topic offers rich contexts for interdisciplinary teaching. An example presented in this paper starts in physics while studying thermal properties of cheese cubes and ends up in biology by discussing the differences in food intake of animals from small mice to huge elephants.

Characterizing the Physical and Thermal Properties of Planetary Regolith at Low Temperatures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mantovani, James G.; Swanger, Adam; Townsend, Ivan I., III; Sibille, Laurent; Galloway, Gregory

2014-01-01

The success or failure of in-situ resource utilization for planetary surface exploration-whether for science, colonization, or commercialization-relies heavily on the design and implementation of systems that can effectively process planetary regolith and exploit its potential benefits. In most cases, this challenge necessarily includes the characterization of regolith properties at low temperatures (cryogenic). None of the nearby solar system destinations of interest, such as the moon, Mars and asteroids, possess a sufficient atmosphere to sustain the consistently "high" surface temperatures found on Earth. Therefore, they can experience permanent cryogenic temperatures or dramatic cyclical changes in surface temperature. Characterization of physical properties (e.g., specific heat, thermal and electrical conductivity) over the entire temperature profile is important when planning a mission to a planetary surface; however, the impact on mechanical properties due to the introduction of icy deposits must also be explored in order to devise effective and robust excavation technologies. The Granular Mechanics and Regolith Operations Laboratory and the Cryogenics Test Laboratory at NASA Kennedy Space Center are developing technologies and experimental methods to address these challenges and to aid in the characterization of the physical and mechanical properties of regolith at cryogenic temperatures. This paper will review the current state of knowledge concerning planetary regolith at low temperature, including that of icy regolith, and describe efforts to manipulate icy regolith through novel penetration and excavation techniques.

Long Duration Exposure Facility M0003-5 thermal control coatings on DoD flight experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hurley, Charles J.; Lehn, William L.

1992-01-01

The M0003-5 thermal control coatings and materials orbited on the LDEF M0003 Space Environment Effects on Spacecraft Materials were a part of a Wright Laboratories Materials Directorate larger experiment. They were selected from new materials which emerged from development programs during the 1978-1982 time frame. Included were materials described in the technical literature which were being considered or had been applied to satellites. Materials that had been exposed on previous satellite materials experiments were also included to provide data correlation with earlier space flight experiments. The objective was to determine the effect of the LDEF environment on the physical and optical properties of thermal control coatings and materials. One hundred and two specimens of various pigmented organic and inorganic coatings, metallized polymer thin films, optical solar reflectors, and mirrors were orbited on LDEF. The materials were exposed in four separate locations on the vehicle. The first set was exposed on the direct leading edge of the satellite. The second set was exposed on the direct trailing edge of the vehicle. The third and fourth sets were exposed in environmental exposure control canisters (EECC) located 30 degrees off normal to the leading and trailing edges. The purpose of the experiment was to understand the changes in the properties of materials before and after exposure to the space environment and to compare the changes with predictions based on laboratory experiments. The basic approach was to measure the optical and physical properties of materials before and after long-term exposure to a low earth orbital environment comprised of UV, VUV, electrons, protons, atomic oxygen, thermal cycling, vacuum, debris, and micrometeoroids. Due to the unanticipated extended orbital flight of LDEF, the thermal control coatings and materials in the direct leading and trailing edge were exposed for a full five years and ten months to the space environment and the canister materials were exposed for approximately one year to the full environment.

Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene: Optical features at millimeter wavelengths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Alessandro, G.; Paiella, A.; Coppolecchia, A.; Castellano, M. G.; Colantoni, I.; de Bernardis, P.; Lamagna, L.; Masi, S.

2018-05-01

The next generation of experiments for the measurement of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) requires more and more the use of advanced materials, with specific physical and structural properties. An example is the material used for receiver's cryostat windows and internal lenses. The large throughput of current CMB experiments requires a large diameter (of the order of 0.5 m) of these parts, resulting in heavy structural and optical requirements on the material to be used. Ultra High Molecular Weight (UHMW) polyethylene (PE) features high resistance to traction and good transmissivity in the frequency range of interest. In this paper, we discuss the possibility of using UHMW PE for windows and lenses in experiments working at millimeter wavelengths, by measuring its optical properties: emissivity, transmission and refraction index. Our measurements show that the material is well suited to this purpose.

Physical and Mechanical Properties of Surface Sediments and methane hydrate-bearing sediments in the Shenhu area of South China Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, J.; Shen, Z.; Jia, Y.

2017-12-01

Methane hydrates are superior energy resources and potential predisposing factors of geohazard. With the success in China's persistent exploitation of methane hydrates in the Shenhu area of South China Sea for 60 days, there is an increasing demand for detailed knowledge of sediment properties and hazard assessment in this area. In this paper, the physical and mechanical properties of both the surface sediments and methane hydrate-bearing sediments (MHBS) in the exploitation area, the Shenhu area of South China Sea, were investigated using laboratory geotechnical experiments, and triaxial tests were carried out on remolded sediment samples using a modified triaxial apparatus. The results show that sediments in this area are mainly silt with high moisture content, high plasticity, low permeability and low shear strength. The moisture content and permeability decrease while the shear strength increases with the increasing depth. The elastic modulus and peak strength of MHBS increase with the increasing effective confining pressure and higher hydrate saturation. The cohesion increases with higher hydrate saturation while the internal friction angle is barely affected by hydrate saturation. The obtained results demonstrate clearly that methane hydrates have significant impacts on the physical and mechanical properties of sediments and there is still a wide gap in knowledge about MHBS.

Nus and anti-nus from MiniBooNE: searching for the shadow of the ghost

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mills, Geoffrey B

2009-01-01

The latest results from MiniBooNE, the short baseline neutrino experiment operating on the 8 GeV booster's neutrino beam line (the BNB) at Fermilab, are discussed. The standard three active generation model of neutrino oscillations is now grounded firmly by experimental data. Studying the properties of neutrinos at the few percent level and below may uncover new properties of neutrinos and their oscillations and provide a path to physics beyond the standard neutrino model.

Variance fluctuations in nonstationary time series: a comparative study of music genres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jennings, Heather D.; Ivanov, Plamen Ch.; De Martins, Allan M.; da Silva, P. C.; Viswanathan, G. M.

2004-05-01

An important problem in physics concerns the analysis of audio time series generated by transduced acoustic phenomena. Here, we develop a new method to quantify the scaling properties of the local variance of nonstationary time series. We apply this technique to analyze audio signals obtained from selected genres of music. We find quantitative differences in the correlation properties of high art music, popular music, and dance music. We discuss the relevance of these objective findings in relation to the subjective experience of music.

Chaotic Model for Lévy Walks in Swarming Bacteria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ariel, Gil; Be'er, Avraham; Reynolds, Andy

2017-06-01

We describe a new mechanism for Lévy walks, explaining the recently observed superdiffusion of swarming bacteria. The model hinges on several key physical properties of bacteria, such as an elongated cell shape, self-propulsion, and a collectively generated regular vortexlike flow. In particular, chaos and Lévy walking are a consequence of group dynamics. The model explains how cells can fine-tune the geometric properties of their trajectories. Experiments confirm the spectrum of these patterns in fluorescently labeled swarming Bacillus subtilis.

Complex Study of the Physical Properties of Reticulated Vitreous Carbon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alifanov, O. M.; Cherepanov, V. V.; Morzhukhina, A. V.

2015-01-01

We give an example of using a two-level identifi cation system incorporating an augmented mathematical model covering the structure, the thermal, electrophysical, and optical properties of nonmetallic ultraporous reticulated materials. The model, when combined with a nonstationary thermal experiment and methods of the theory of inverse heat transfer problems, permits determining the little studied characteristics of the above materials. We present some of the results of investigations of reticulated vitreous carbon confirming the possibility of using it in a number of engineering applications.

How contrast situations affect the assignment of causality in symmetric physical settings.

PubMed

Beller, Sieghard; Bender, Andrea

2014-01-01

In determining the prime cause of a physical event, people often weight one of two entities in a symmetric physical relation as more important for bringing about the causal effect than the other. In a broad survey (Bender and Beller, 2011), we documented such weighting effects for different kinds of physical events and found that their direction and strength depended on a variety of factors. Here, we focus on one of those: adding a contrast situation that-while being formally irrelevant-foregrounds one of the factors and thus frames the task in a specific way. In two experiments, we generalize and validate our previous findings by using different stimulus material (in Experiment 1), by applying a different response format to elicit causal assignments, an analog rating scale instead of a forced-choice decision (in Experiment 2), and by eliciting explanations for the physical events in question (in both Experiments). The results generally confirm the contrast effects for both response formats; however, the effects were more pronounced with the force-choice format than with the rating format. People tended to refer to the given contrast in their explanations, which validates our manipulation. Finally, people's causal assignments are reflected in the type of explanation given in that contrast and property explanations were associated with biased causal assignments, whereas relational explanations were associated with unbiased assignments. In the discussion, we pick up the normative questions of whether or not these contrast effects constitute a bias in causal reasoning.

A rational explanation of wave-particle duality of light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rashkovskiy, S. A.

2013-10-01

The wave-particle duality is a fundamental property of the nature. At the same time, it is one of the greatest mysteries of modern physics. This gave rise to a whole direction in quantum physics - the interpretation of quantum mechanics. The Wiener experiments demonstrating the wave-particle duality of light are discussed. It is shown that almost all interpretations of quantum mechanics allow explaining the double-slit experiments, but are powerless to explain the Wiener experiments. The reason of the paradox, associated with the wave-particle duality is analyzed. The quantum theory consists of two independent parts: (i) the dynamic equations describing the behavior of a quantum object (for example, the Schrodinger or Maxwell equations), and (ii) the Born's rule, the relation between the wave function and the probability of finding the particle at a given point. It is shown that precisely the Born's rule results in paradox in explaining the wave-particle duality. In order to eliminate this paradox, we propose a new rational interpretation of the wave-particle duality and associated new rule, connecting the corpuscular and wave properties of quantum objects. It is shown that this new rational interpretation of the wave-particle duality allows using the classic images of particle and wave in explaining the quantum mechanical and optical phenomena, does not result in paradox in explaining the doubleslit experiments and Wiener experiments, and does not contradict to the modern quantum mechanical concepts. It is shown that the Born's rule follows immediately from proposed new rules as an approximation.

Visualization of polarization state and its application in optics classroom teaching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lei, Bing; Liu, Wei; Shi, Jianhua; Wang, Wei; Yao, Tianfu; Liu, Shugang

2017-08-01

Polarization of light and the related knowledge are key and difficult points in optical teaching, and they are difficult to be understood since they are very abstract concepts. To help students understand the polarization properties of light, some classroom demonstration experiments have been constructed by employing the optical source, polarizers, wave plates optical cage system and polarization axis finder (PAF). The PAF is a polarization indicating device with many linear polarizing components concentric circles, which can visualize the polarization axis's direction of linearly polarized light intuitively. With the help of these demonstration experiment systems, the conversion and difference between the linear polarized light and circularly polarized light have been observed directly by inserting or removing a quarter-wave plate. The rotation phenomenon of linearly polarized light's polarization axis when it propagates through an optical active medium has been observed and studied in experiment, and the strain distribution of some mounted and unmounted lenses have also been demonstrated and observed in experiment conveniently. Furthermore, some typical polarization targets, such as liquid crystal display (LCD), polarized dark glass and skylight, have been observed based on PAF, which is quite suitable to help students understand these targets' polarization properties and the related physical laws. Finally, these demonstration experimental systems have been employed in classroom teaching of our university in physical optics, optoelectronics and photoelectric detection courses, and they are very popular with teachers and students.

Characterization of PbWO4 crystals for high-energy physics experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, M. J.; Park, H.; Kim, H. J.

2016-09-01

High-energy physics (HEP) experiments have employed many new types of scintillators. Specifically, bismuth germanate, thallium-doped cesium iodide, and lead tungstate (PbWO4, PWO) have been used for the L3 experiment; CLEO II, Belle and BES-III; and CMS, respectively. PWO has particularly beneficial properties, such as high density, fast decay time, short radiation length and radiation hardness. In this study, we tested the PWO crystals at low temperatures to determine their applicability in future calorimeters. Various crystals from the Proton Antiproton Annihilations at Darmstadt (PANDA) experiment in Giessen, the Bogoroditsk Techno-Chemical Plant (BTCP) in Russia and by Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SICCAS) in China were investigated. We studied the scintillation properties of PWO crystals, such as their X-ray luminescence, relative light yields, absolute light yields, energy resolutions, decay times and longitudinal uniformities of their light yields. In addition, we measured the temperature dependences of the light yields and decay times by using a 137Cs γ-ray source. The emission spectra of the PWO crystals consisted of a broad band from 350 nm to 700 nm, and the peak emission wavelength in each spectrum was 420 nm. The emission spectra of the PWO crystals from SICCAS were slightly shifted to longer wavelengths compared with those of the crystals from the other institutions.

The relationship between types of childhood victimisation and young adulthood criminality.

PubMed

Howell, Kathryn H; Cater, Åsa K; Miller-Graff, Laura E; Schwartz, Laura E; Graham-Bermann, Sandra A

2017-10-01

Previous research suggests that some types of childhood abuse and neglect are related to an increased likelihood of perpetrating criminal behaviour in adulthood. Little research, however, has examined associations between multiple different types of childhood victimisation and adult criminal behaviour. We sought to examine the contribution of multiple and diverse childhood victimisations on adult criminal behaviour. Our central hypothesis was that, after controlling for gender, substance use and psychopathy, each type of childhood victimisation - specifically experience of property offences, physical violence, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and witnessed violence - would be positively and independently related to criminal behaviour in young adults. We examined data from a large, nationally representative sample of 2244 young Swedish adults who reported at least one form of victimisation, using hierarchical regression analysis to also account for gender, substance use and psychopathy. Experiences of physical assaults, neglect and witnessing violence as a child were significantly associated with adult criminal behaviour, but not experiences of property, verbal or sexual victimizations. Our findings help to identify those forms of harm to children that are most likely to be associated with later criminality. Even after accounting for gender, substance misuse and psychopathology, childhood experience of violence - directly or as a witness - carries risk for adulthood criminal behaviour, so such children need targeted support and treatment. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Physics of Granular Materials: Investigations in Support of Astrobiology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marshall, John R.

2002-01-01

This publication list is submitted as a summary of the work conducted under Cooperative Agreement 1120. The goal of the 1120 research was to study granular materials within a planetary, astrophysical, and astrobiological context. This involved research on the physical, mechanical and electrostatic properties of granular systems, as well as the examination of these materials with atomic force microscopy and x-ray analysis. Instruments for analyzing said materials in planetary environments were developed, including the MECA (Mars Environment Compatibility Assessment) experiment for the MSP '01 lander, the ECHOS/MATADOR experiment for the MSP '03 lander, an ISRU experiment for the '03 lander, and MiniLEAP technology. Flight experiments for microgravity (Space Station and Shuttle) have also been developed for the study of granular materials. As expressed in the publications, work on 1120 encompassed laboratory research, theoretical modeling, field experiments, and flight experiments: a series of successful new models were developed for understanding the behavior of triboelectrostatically charged granular masses, and 4 separate instruments were selected for space flight. No inventions or patents were generated by the research under this Agreement.

The High-Luminosity upgrade of the LHC: Physics and Technology Challenges for the Accelerator and the Experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmidt, Burkhard

2016-04-01

In the second phase of the LHC physics program, the accelerator will provide an additional integrated luminosity of about 2500/fb over 10 years of operation to the general purpose detectors ATLAS and CMS. This will substantially enlarge the mass reach in the search for new particles and will also greatly extend the potential to study the properties of the Higgs boson discovered at the LHC in 2012. In order to meet the experimental challenges of unprecedented pp luminosity, the experiments will need to address the aging of the present detectors and to improve the ability to isolate and precisely measure the products of the most interesting collisions. The lectures gave an overview of the physics motivation and described the conceptual designs and the expected performance of the upgrades of the four major experiments, ALICE, ATLAS, CMS and LHCb, along with the plans to develop the appropriate experimental techniques and a brief overview of the accelerator upgrade. Only some key points of the upgrade program of the four major experiments are discussed in this report; more information can be found in the references given at the end.

Setting semantics: conceptual set can determine the physical properties that capture attention.

PubMed

Goodhew, Stephanie C; Kendall, William; Ferber, Susanne; Pratt, Jay

2014-08-01

The ability of a stimulus to capture visuospatial attention depends on the interplay between its bottom-up saliency and its relationship to an observer's top-down control set, such that stimuli capture attention if they match the predefined properties that distinguish a searched-for target from distractors (Folk, Remington, & Johnston, Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception & Performance, 18, 1030-1044 1992). Despite decades of research on this phenomenon, however, the vast majority has focused exclusively on matches based on low-level physical properties. Yet if contingent capture is indeed a "top-down" influence on attention, then semantic content should be accessible and able to determine which physical features capture attention. Here we tested this prediction by examining whether a semantically defined target could create a control set for particular features. To do this, we had participants search to identify a target that was differentiated from distractors by its meaning (e.g., the word "red" among color words all written in black). Before the target array, a cue was presented, and it was varied whether the cue appeared in the physical color implied by the target word. Across three experiments, we found that cues that embodied the meaning of the word produced greater cuing than cues that did not. This suggests that top-down control sets activate content that is semantically associated with the target-defining property, and this content in turn has the ability to exogenously orient attention.

Influence of boric acid (H3BO3) concentration on the physical properties of electrochemical deposited nickel (Ni) nanowires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kananathan, J.; Sofiah, A. G. N.; Samykano, M.; Ulakanathan, S.; Lah, N. A. C.; Harun, W. S. W.; Sudhakar, K.; Kadirgama, K.; Ngui, W. K.; Siregar, J. P.

2017-10-01

Authors have investigated the influence of the stabilizer (Boric Acid) concentration during the template-assisted electrochemical deposition of Nickel (Ni) nanowires in Anodic Alumina Oxide (AAO) templates. The synthesis was performed using Ni Sulfate Hexahydrate (NiSO4.6H2O) as metal salts and Boric Acid (H3BO3) as a stabilizer. The mixture of both solutions creates electrolyte and utilized for the electrochemical deposition of Ni nanowires. During the experiment, the boric acid concentration varied between 5 g/L, 37.5 g/L and 60 g/L with a deposition temperature of 80 °C (constant). After the electrochemical deposition process, AAO templates were cleaned with distilled water before dissolution in Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) solution to obtain the freestanding Ni nanowires. Physical properties of the synthesized Ni nanowires were analyzed using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The physical properties of obtained Ni nanowires has eloborated by taking into account the effect of boric acid concentration on the surface morphology, growth length, elemental composition and crystal orientation crystal of the synthesized nickel nanowires. The finding exposes that the boric acid concentration does not influence all aspects in the physicals properties of the synthesized Ni nanowires. The boric acid concentration did not affect the surface texture and crystal orientation. However, shorter Ni nanowires obtained as the concentration of boric acid increased.

Relativity, entanglement and the physical reality of the photon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiwari, S. C.

2002-04-01

Recent experiments on the classic Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) setting claim to test the compatibility between nonlocal quantum entanglement and the (special) theory of relativity. Confirmation of quantum theory has led to the interpretation that Einstein's image of physical reality for each photon in the EPR pair cannot be maintained. A detailed critique on two representative experiments is presented following the original EPR notion of local realism. It is argued that relativity does not enter into the picture, however for the Bell-Bohm version of local realism in terms of hidden variables such experiments are significant. Of the two alternatives, namely incompleteness of quantum theory for describing an individual quantum system, and the ensemble view, it is only the former that has been ruled out by the experiments. An alternative approach gives a statistical ensemble interpretation of the observed data, and the significant conclusion that these experiments do not deny physical reality of the photon is obtained. After discussing the need for a photon model, a vortex structure is proposed based on the space-time invariant property-spin, and pure gauge fields. To test the prime role of spin for photons and the angular-momentum interpretation of electromagnetic fields, experimental schemes feasible in modern laboratories are suggested.

Preservation of physical properties with Ensemble-type Kalman Filter Algorithms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janjic, T.

2017-12-01

We show the behavior of the localized Ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) with respect to preservation of positivity, conservation of mass, energy and enstrophy in toy models that conserve these properties. In order to preserve physical properties in the analysis as well as to deal with the non-Gaussianity in an EnKF framework, Janjic et al. 2014 proposed the use of physically based constraints in the analysis step to constrain the solution. In particular, constraints were used to ensure that the ensemble members and the ensemble mean conserve mass and remain nonnegative through measurement updates. In the study, mass and positivity were both preserved by formulating the filter update as a set of quadratic programming problems that incorporate nonnegativity constraints. Simple numerical experiments indicated that this approach can have a significant positive impact on the posterior ensemble distribution, giving results that were more physically plausible both for individual ensemble members and for the ensemble mean. Moreover, in experiments designed to mimic the most important characteristics of convective motion, it is shown that the mass conservation- and positivity-constrained rain significantly suppresses noise seen in localized EnKF results. This is highly desirable in order to avoid spurious storms from appearing in the forecast starting from this initial condition (Lange and Craig 2014). In addition, the root mean square error is reduced for all fields and total mass of the rain is correctly simulated. Similarly, the enstrophy, divergence, as well as energy spectra can as well be strongly affected by localization radius, thinning interval, and inflation and depend on the variable that is observed (Zeng and Janjic, 2016). We constructed the ensemble data assimilation algorithm that conserves mass, total energy and enstrophy (Zeng et al., 2017). With 2D shallow water model experiments, it is found that the conservation of enstrophy within the data assimilation effectively avoids the spurious energy cascade of rotational part and thereby successfully suppresses the noise generated by the data assimilation algorithm. The 14-day deterministic and ensemble free forecast, starting from the initial condition enforced by both total energy and enstrophy constraints, produces the best prediction.

Physical properties of Ce-TZP at cryogenic temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Y. M.; Chen, Z.; Zhou, M.; Huang, R. J.; Huang, C. J.; Li, L. F.

2014-01-01

Electrical insulators, which are used to insulate cryogenic supply lines and conductor windings, are critical units in superconducting TOKAMAK magnets. Electrical insulators used in superconducting magnets fall into axial and radial insulators. These insulators can be made from glass ribbon epoxy densification and have been used in the Experiment Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). The properties of Ce-TZP can satisfy the requirement of electrical insulators. In this paper, thermal conductivity, mechanical properties and coefficient of thermal expansion of Ce-TZP have been investigated at cryogenic temperatures. Results indicate that the Ce-TZP shows better properties than epoxy and it demonstrates that the Ce-TZP can be used as insulation material in superconducting magnets.

Actoprotective effect of ginseng: improving mental and physical performance

PubMed Central

Oliynyk, Sergiy; Oh, Seikwan

2013-01-01

Actoprotectors are preparations that increase the mental performance and enhance body stability against physical loads without increasing oxygen consumption. Actoprotectors are regarded as a subclass of adaptogens that hold a significant capacity to increase physical performance. The focus of this article is studying adaptogen herbs of genus Panax (P. ginseng in particular) and their capabilities as actoprotectors. Some animal experiments and human studies about actoprotective properties of genus Panax attest that P. ginseng (administered as an extract) significantly increased the physical and intellectual work capacities, and the data provided suggests that ginseng is a natural source of actoprotectors. Preparations of ginseng can be regarded as potential actoprotectors which give way to further research of its influence on physical and mental work capacity, endurance and restoration after exhaustive physical loads while compared with reference actoprotectors. PMID:23717168

COHERENT constraints to conventional and exotic neutrino physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papoulias, D. K.; Kosmas, T. S.

2018-02-01

The process of neutral-current coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering, consistent with the Standard Model (SM) expectation, has been recently measured by the COHERENT experiment at the Spallation Neutron Source. On the basis of the observed signal and our nuclear calculations for the relevant Cs and I isotopes, the extracted constraints on both conventional and exotic neutrino physics are updated. The present study concentrates on various SM extensions involving vector and tensor nonstandard interactions as well as neutrino electromagnetic properties, with an emphasis on the neutrino magnetic moment and the neutrino charge radius. Furthermore, models addressing a light sterile neutrino state and scenarios with new propagator fields—such as vector Z' and scalar bosons—are examined, and the corresponding regions excluded by the COHERENT experiment are presented.

TSR: A storage and cooling ring for HIE-ISOLDE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Butler, P. A.; Blaum, K.; Davinson, T.; Flanagan, K.; Freeman, S. J.; Grieser, M.; Lazarus, I. H.; Litvinov, Yu. A.; Lotay, G.; Page, R. D.; Raabe, R.; Siesling, E.; Wenander, F.; Woods, P. J.

2016-06-01

It is planned to install the heavy-ion, low-energy ring TSR, currently at the Max-Planck-Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, at the HIE-ISOLDE facility in CERN, Geneva. Such a facility will provide a capability for experiments with stored, cooled secondary beams that is rich and varied, spanning from studies of nuclear ground-state properties and reaction studies of astrophysical relevance, to investigations with highly-charged ions and pure isomeric beams. In addition to experiments performed using beams recirculating within the ring, the cooled beams can be extracted and exploited by external spectrometers for high-precision measurements. The capabilities of the ring facility as well as some physics cases will be presented, together with a brief report on the status of the project.

Particle physics today, tomorrow and beyond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ellis, John

2018-01-01

The most important discovery in particle physics in recent years was that of the Higgs boson, and much effort is continuing to measure its properties, which agree obstinately with the Standard Model, so far. However, there are many reasons to expect physics beyond the Standard Model, motivated by the stability of the electroweak vacuum, the existence of dark matter and the origin of the visible matter in the Universe, neutrino physics, the hierarchy of mass scales in physics, cosmological inflation and the need for a quantum theory for gravity. Most of these issues are being addressed by the experiments during Run 2 of the LHC, and supersymmetry could help resolve many of them. In addition to the prospects for the LHC, I also review briefly those for direct searches for dark matter and possible future colliders.

A review on ab initio studies of static, transport, and optical properties of polystyrene under extreme conditions for inertial confinement fusion applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, S. X.; Collins, L. A.; Boehly, T. R.; Ding, Y. H.; Radha, P. B.; Goncharov, V. N.; Karasiev, V. V.; Collins, G. W.; Regan, S. P.; Campbell, E. M.

2018-05-01

Polystyrene (CH), commonly known as "plastic," has been one of the widely used ablator materials for capsule designs in inertial confinement fusion (ICF). Knowing its precise properties under high-energy-density conditions is crucial to understanding and designing ICF implosions through radiation-hydrodynamic simulations. For this purpose, systematic ab initio studies on the static, transport, and optical properties of CH, in a wide range of density and temperature conditions (ρ = 0.1 to 100 g/cm3 and T = 103 to 4 × 106 K), have been conducted using quantum molecular dynamics (QMD) simulations based on the density functional theory. We have built several wide-ranging, self-consistent material-properties tables for CH, such as the first-principles equation of state, the QMD-based thermal conductivity (κQMD) and ionization, and the first-principles opacity table. This paper is devoted to providing a review on (1) what results were obtained from these systematic ab initio studies; (2) how these self-consistent results were compared with both traditional plasma-physics models and available experiments; and (3) how these first-principles-based properties of polystyrene affect the predictions of ICF target performance, through both 1-D and 2-D radiation-hydrodynamic simulations. In the warm dense regime, our ab initio results, which can significantly differ from predictions of traditional plasma-physics models, compared favorably with experiments. When incorporated into hydrocodes for ICF simulations, these first-principles material properties of CH have produced significant differences over traditional models in predicting 1-D/2-D target performance of ICF implosions on OMEGA and direct-drive-ignition designs for the National Ignition Facility. Finally, we will discuss the implications of these studies on the current small-margin ICF target designs using a CH ablator.

Dannie Heineman Prize for Mathematical Physics: Applying mathematical techniques to solve important problems in quantum theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bender, Carl

2017-01-01

The theory of complex variables is extremely useful because it helps to explain the mathematical behavior of functions of a real variable. Complex variable theory also provides insight into the nature of physical theories. For example, it provides a simple and beautiful picture of quantization and it explains the underlying reason for the divergence of perturbation theory. By using complex-variable methods one can generalize conventional Hermitian quantum theories into the complex domain. The result is a new class of parity-time-symmetric (PT-symmetric) theories whose remarkable physical properties have been studied and verified in many recent laboratory experiments.

Advances in antihydrogen physics.

PubMed

Charlton, Mike; Van der Werf, Dirk Peter

2015-01-01

The creation of cold antihydrogen atoms by the controlled combination of positrons and antiprotons has opened up a new window on fundamental physics. More recently, techniques have been developed that allow some antihydrogen atoms to be created at low enough kinetic energies that they can be held inside magnetic minimum neutral atom traps. With confinement times of many minutes possible, it has become feasible to perform experiments to probe the properties of the antiatom for the first time. We review the experimental progress in this area, outline some of the motivation for studying basic aspects of antimatter physics and provide an outlook of where we might expect this field to go in the coming years.

Physical data measurements and mathematical modelling of simple gas bubble experiments in glass melts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weinberg, Michael C.

1986-01-01

In this work consideration is given to the problem of the extraction of physical data information from gas bubble dissolution and growth measurements. The discussion is limited to the analysis of the simplest experimental systems consisting of a single, one component gas bubble in a glassmelt. It is observed that if the glassmelt is highly under- (super-) saturated, then surface tension effects may be ignored, simplifying the task of extracting gas diffusivity values from the measurements. If, in addition, the bubble rise velocity is very small (or very large) the ease of obtaining physical property data is enhanced. Illustrations are given for typical cases.

Biofilm growth in porous media: Experiments, computational modeling at the porescale, and upscaling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peszynska, Malgorzata; Trykozko, Anna; Iltis, Gabriel; Schlueter, Steffen; Wildenschild, Dorthe

2016-09-01

Biofilm growth changes many physical properties of porous media such as porosity, permeability and mass transport parameters. The growth depends on various environmental conditions, and in particular, on flow rates. Modeling the evolution of such properties is difficult both at the porescale where the phase morphology can be distinguished, as well as during upscaling to the corescale effective properties. Experimental data on biofilm growth is also limited because its collection can interfere with the growth, while imaging itself presents challenges. In this paper we combine insight from imaging, experiments, and numerical simulations and visualization. The experimental dataset is based on glass beads domain inoculated by biomass which is subjected to various flow conditions promoting the growth of biomass and the appearance of a biofilm phase. The domain is imaged and the imaging data is used directly by a computational model for flow and transport. The results of the computational flow model are upscaled to produce conductivities which compare well with the experimentally obtained hydraulic properties of the medium. The flow model is also coupled to a newly developed biomass-nutrient growth model, and the model reproduces morphologies qualitatively similar to those observed in the experiment.

Heavy-ion physics with the ALICE experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider.

PubMed

Schukraft, J

2012-02-28

After close to 20 years of preparation, the dedicated heavy-ion experiment A Large Ion Collider Experiment (ALICE) took first data at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) accelerator with proton collisions at the end of 2009 and with lead nuclei at the end of 2010. After a short introduction into the physics of ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions, this article recalls the main design choices made for the detector and summarizes the initial operation and performance of ALICE. Physics results from this first year of operation concentrate on characterizing the global properties of typical, average collisions, both in proton-proton (pp) and nucleus-nucleus reactions, in the new energy regime of the LHC. The pp results differ, to a varying degree, from most quantum chromodynamics-inspired phenomenological models and provide the input needed to fine tune their parameters. First results from Pb-Pb are broadly consistent with expectations based on lower energy data, indicating that high-density matter created at the LHC, while much hotter and larger, still behaves like a very strongly interacting, almost perfect liquid.

Porous media augmented with biochar for the retention of E. coli

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolotouros, Christos A.; Manariotis, Ioannis D.; Karapanagioti, Hrissi K.

2016-04-01

A significant number of epidemic outbreaks has been attributed to waterborne fecal-borne pathogenic microorganisms from contaminated ground water. The transport of pathogenic microorganisms in groundwater is controlled by physical and chemical soil properties like soil structure, texture, percent water saturation, soil ionic strength, pore-size distribution, soil and solution pH, soil surface charge, and concentration of organic carbon in solution. Biochar can increase soil productivity by improving both chemical and physical soil properties. The mixing of biochar into soils may stimulate microbial population and activate dormant soil microorganisms. Furthermore, the application of biochar into soil affects the mobility of microorganisms by altering the physical and chemical properties of the soil, and by retaining the microorganisms on the biochar surface. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of biochar mixing into soil on the transport of Escherichia coli in saturated porous media. Initially, batch experiments were conducted at two different ionic strengths (1 and 150 mM KCl) and at varying E. coli concentrations in order to evaluate the retention of E. coli on biochar in aqueous solutions. Kinetic analysis was conducted, and three isotherm models were employed to analyze the experimental data. Column experiments were also conducted in saturated sand columns augmented with different biochar contents, in order to examine the effect of biochar on the retention of E. coli. The Langmuir model fitted better the retention experimental data, compared to Freundlich and Tempkin models. The retention of E. coli was enhanced at lower ionic strength. Finally, biochar-augmented sand columns were more capable in retaining E. coli than pure sand columns.

26 CFR 1.482-3 - Methods to determine taxable income in connection with a transfer of tangible property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

..., packaging, repackaging, labelling, or minor assembly do not ordinarily constitute physical alteration... affect the reliability of the comparison. Finally, the reliability of profit measures based on gross..., in the age of plant and equipment), business experience (such as whether the business is in a start...

26 CFR 1.482-3 - Methods to determine taxable income in connection with a transfer of tangible property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

..., packaging, repackaging, labelling, or minor assembly do not ordinarily constitute physical alteration... affect the reliability of the comparison. Finally, the reliability of profit measures based on gross..., in the age of plant and equipment), business experience (such as whether the business is in a start...

Prism Foil from an LCD Monitor as a Tool for Teaching Introductory Optics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Planinsic, Gorazd; Gojkosek, Mihael

2011-01-01

Transparent prism foil is part of a backlight system in LCD monitors that are widely used today. This paper describes the optical properties of the prism foil and several pedagogical applications suitable for undergraduate introductory physics level. Examples include experiments that employ refraction, total internal reflection, diffraction and…

Determining Young's Modulus by Measuring Guitar String Frequency

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Polak, Robert D.; Davenport, Adam R. V.; Fischer, Andrew; Rafferty, Jared

2018-01-01

Values for physical constants are commonly given as abstractions without building strong intuition, and are too often utilized solely in the pursuit of more easily conceptualized properties. The goal of this experiment is to remove the obscurity behind Young's modulus by exploring the phenomena associated with it--namely, the frequency of a…

Disruption of Attention by Irrelevant Stimuli in Serial Recall

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lange, Elke B.

2005-01-01

In four experiments the behavioral consequences of an involuntary attentional distraction concerning memory performance was investigated. The working memory model of Cowan (1995) predicts a performance deficit for memory representations that are held in an active state when the focus of attention is distracted by a change in physical properties.…

Influence of pumice and plant roots on substrate physical properties over time

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that either pumice or plant roots maintain air space and porosity over time, or renders substrates more resistant to shrinkage. Treatment design was a 3×2 factorial with three substrate types and either presence or absence of a plant. The three su...

A Simple Molecular Dynamics Lab to Calculate Viscosity as a Function of Temperature

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eckler, Logan H.; Nee, Matthew J.

2016-01-01

A simple molecular dynamics experiment is described to demonstrate transport properties for the undergraduate physical chemistry laboratory. The AMBER package is used to monitor self-diffusion in "n"-hexane. Scripts (available in the Supporting Information) make the process considerably easier for students, allowing them to focus on the…

Visual Imagery for Letters and Words. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weber, Robert J.

In a series of six experiments, undergraduate college students visually imagined letters or words and then classified as rapidly as possible the imagined letters for some physical property such as vertical height. This procedure allowed for a preliminary assessment of the temporal parameters of visual imagination. The results delineate a number of…

2011 NRL REVIEW

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

other mechanism ? What accelerates the solar wind? What are the near- Sun plasma properties (particle density, magnetic field)? Does the solar wind come...microstructure character iza tion, elec tronic ceramics, solid-state physics, fiber optics, electro-optics, microelectronics, fracture mechan ics...computational fluid mechanics , experi mental structural mechanics , solid me chan ics, elastic/plastic fracture mechanics , materials, finite-element

Isolation and characterization of a Ca/sup 2 +/ carrier candidate from calf heart inner mitochondrial membrane

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jeng, A.Y.

1979-01-01

A protein was isolated from calf heart inner mitochondrial membrane with the aid of an electron paramagnetic resonance assay based on the relative binding properties of Ca/sup 2 +/, Mn/sup 2 +/, and Mg/sup 2 +/ to the protein. Partial delipidation of the protein was performed by using either the organic solvent extraction procedure or the silicic acid column chromatography. Control experiments indicated that the Ca/sup 2 +/ transport properties of the isolated protein were not due to the contaminating phospholipids. A complete delipidation procedure was developd by using Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Further characterization of the physical and chemicalmore » properties of the delipidated protein showed that delipidated protein becomes more hydrophobic in the presence of Ca/sup 2 +/ and alkaline pH in the organic solvent extraction experiments. Two possible models of calciphorin-mediated Ca/sup 2 +/ transport in mitochondria are proposed. (PCS)« less

Ultrasonic synthesis of In-doped SnS nanoparticles and their physical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jamali-Sheini, Farid; Cheraghizade, Mohsen; Yousefi, Ramin

2018-05-01

Indium (In)-doped Tin (II) Sulfide (SnS) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized by an ultra-sonication method and their optical, electrical, dielectric and photocatalytic properties were investigated. XRD patterns of the obtained NPs indicated formation of orthorhombic polycrystalline SnS. Field emission scanning electron microscopy exhibited flower-like NPs with particle sizes below 100 nm for both SnS and In-doped SnS samples. Optical analysis showed a decrease in energy band gap of SnS NPs upon In doping. In addition, electrical results demonstrated p-type nature of the synthesized SnS NPs and enhanced electrical conductivity of the NPs due to increased tin vacancy. Dielectric experiments on SnS NPs suggested an electronic polarizations effect to be responsible for changing dielectric properties of the particles, in terms of frequency. Finally, photocatalytic experiments revealed that high degradation power can be obtained using In-doped SnS NPs.

Heating efficiency evaluation with mimicking plasma conditions of integrated fast-ignition experiment.

PubMed

Fujioka, Shinsuke; Johzaki, Tomoyuki; Arikawa, Yasunobu; Zhang, Zhe; Morace, Alessio; Ikenouchi, Takahito; Ozaki, Tetsuo; Nagai, Takahiro; Abe, Yuki; Kojima, Sadaoki; Sakata, Shohei; Inoue, Hiroaki; Utsugi, Masaru; Hattori, Shoji; Hosoda, Tatsuya; Lee, Seung Ho; Shigemori, Keisuke; Hironaka, Youichiro; Sunahara, Atsushi; Sakagami, Hitoshi; Mima, Kunioki; Fujimoto, Yasushi; Yamanoi, Kohei; Norimatsu, Takayoshi; Tokita, Shigeki; Nakata, Yoshiki; Kawanaka, Junji; Jitsuno, Takahisa; Miyanaga, Noriaki; Nakai, Mitsuo; Nishimura, Hiroaki; Shiraga, Hiroyuki; Nagatomo, Hideo; Azechi, Hiroshi

2015-06-01

A series of experiments were carried out to evaluate the energy-coupling efficiency from heating laser to a fuel core in the fast-ignition scheme of laser-driven inertial confinement fusion. Although the efficiency is determined by a wide variety of complex physics, from intense laser plasma interactions to the properties of high-energy density plasmas and the transport of relativistic electron beams (REB), here we simplify the physics by breaking down the efficiency into three measurable parameters: (i) energy conversion ratio from laser to REB, (ii) probability of collision between the REB and the fusion fuel core, and (iii) fraction of energy deposited in the fuel core from the REB. These three parameters were measured with the newly developed experimental platform designed for mimicking the plasma conditions of a realistic integrated fast-ignition experiment. The experimental results indicate that the high-energy tail of REB must be suppressed to heat the fuel core efficiently.

Intuitive reasoning about abstract and familiar physics problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaiser, Mary Kister; Jonides, John; Alexander, Joanne

1986-01-01

Previous research has demonstrated that many people have misconceptions about basic properties of motion. Two experiments examined whether people are more likely to produce dynamically correct predictions about basic motion problems involving situations with which they are familiar, and whether solving such problems enhances performance on a subsequent abstract problem. In experiment 1, college students were asked to predict the trajectories of objects exiting a curved tube. Subjects were more accurate on the familiar version of the problem, and there was no evidence of transfer to the abstract problem. In experiment 2, two familiar problems were provided in an attempt to enhance subjects' tendency to extract the general structure of the problems. Once again, they gave more correct responses to the familiar problems but failed to generalize to the abstract problem. Formal physics training was associated with correct predictions for the abstract problem but was unrelated to performance on the familiar problems.

A Theoretical Framework for Calibration in Computer Models: Parametrization, Estimation and Convergence Properties

DOE PAGES

Tuo, Rui; Jeff Wu, C. F.

2016-07-19

Calibration parameters in deterministic computer experiments are those attributes that cannot be measured or available in physical experiments. Here, an approach to estimate them by using data from physical experiments and computer simulations. A theoretical framework is given which allows us to study the issues of parameter identifiability and estimation. We define the L 2-consistency for calibration as a justification for calibration methods. It is shown that a simplified version of the original KO method leads to asymptotically L 2-inconsistent calibration. This L 2-inconsistency can be remedied by modifying the original estimation procedure. A novel calibration method, called the Lmore » 2 calibration, is proposed and proven to be L 2-consistent and enjoys optimal convergence rate. Furthermore a numerical example and some mathematical analysis are used to illustrate the source of the L 2-inconsistency problem.« less

Bonner Prize Address: Measurements of the electromagnetic properties of nucleons and nuclei at short distance scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raymond, Arnold

2000-04-01

The talk will present the story of a series of experiments, beginning in 1973 and continuing today, that have measured the internal structure of nuclei and the nucleons using high energy beams of electrons and photons at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. These experiments have probed nuclear and nucleon structure in the energy and momentum transfer region where the meson-nucleon description merges with the quark-gluon picture. The experiments have worked at the border between nuclear and particle physics, and were conducted by large collaborative teams. Some were carried out in the context of a special program, called NPAS (Nuclear Physics at SLAC). The early results from these measurements helped stimulate the ideas and helped train and motivate the physicists who went on to build the Jefferson Laboratory. A brief summary of some highlights from the early measurements and updates on recent results will be given.

Tailoring sphere density for high pressure physical property measurements on liquids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Secco, R. A.; Tucker, R. F.; Balog, S. P.; Rutter, M. D.

2001-04-01

We present a new method of tailoring the density of a sphere for use as a probe in high pressure-temperature physical property experiments on liquids. The method consists of a composite sphere made of an inner, high density, metallic, spherical core and an exterior, low density, refractory, spherical shell or mantle. Micromechanical techniques are used to fabricate the composite sphere. We describe a relatively simple mechanical device that can grind hemispherical recesses as small as 200 μm in diameter in sapphire and as small as 500 μm in diameter in ruby hemispheres. Examples of composite spheres made with a Pt or WC core and Al2O3 shell used in metallic liquids pressurized to 16 GPa and 1900 K are shown.

A magnetically focused molecular beam of ortho-water.

PubMed

Kravchuk, T; Reznikov, M; Tichonov, P; Avidor, N; Meir, Y; Bekkerman, A; Alexandrowicz, G

2011-01-21

Like dihydrogen, water exists as two spin isomers, ortho and para, with the nuclear magnetic moments of the hydrogen atoms either parallel or antiparallel. The ratio of the two spin isomers and their physical properties play an important role in a wide variety of research fields, ranging from astrophysics to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Unlike ortho and para H(2), however, the two water isomers remain challenging to separate, and as a consequence, very little is currently known about their different physical properties. Here, we report the formation of a magnetically focused molecular beam of ortho-water. The beam we formed also had a particular spin projection. Thus, in the presence of holding magnetic fields, the water molecules are hyperpolarized, laying the foundation for ultrasensitive NMR experiments in the future.

Theta Oscillations in Visual Cortex Emerge with Experience to Convey Expected Reward Time and Experienced Reward Rate

PubMed Central

Zold, Camila L.

2015-01-01

The primary visual cortex (V1) is widely regarded as faithfully conveying the physical properties of visual stimuli. Thus, experience-induced changes in V1 are often interpreted as improving visual perception (i.e., perceptual learning). Here we describe how, with experience, cue-evoked oscillations emerge in V1 to convey expected reward time as well as to relate experienced reward rate. We show, in chronic multisite local field potential recordings from rat V1, that repeated presentation of visual cues induces the emergence of visually evoked oscillatory activity. Early in training, the visually evoked oscillations relate to the physical parameters of the stimuli. However, with training, the oscillations evolve to relate the time in which those stimuli foretell expected reward. Moreover, the oscillation prevalence reflects the reward rate recently experienced by the animal. Thus, training induces experience-dependent changes in V1 activity that relate to what those stimuli have come to signify behaviorally: when to expect future reward and at what rate. PMID:26134643

Studying generalised dark matter interactions with extended halo-independent methods

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kahlhoefer, Felix; Wild, Sebastian

2016-10-20

The interpretation of dark matter direct detection experiments is complicated by the fact that neither the astrophysical distribution of dark matter nor the properties of its particle physics interactions with nuclei are known in detail. To address both of these issues in a very general way we develop a new framework that combines the full formalism of non-relativistic effective interactions with state-of-the-art halo-independent methods. This approach makes it possible to analyse direct detection experiments for arbitrary dark matter interactions and quantify the goodness-of-fit independent of astrophysical uncertainties. We employ this method in order to demonstrate that the degeneracy between astrophysicalmore » uncertainties and particle physics unknowns is not complete. Certain models can be distinguished in a halo-independent way using a single ton-scale experiment based on liquid xenon, while other models are indistinguishable with a single experiment but can be separated using combined information from several target elements.« less

Higher-Order Advection-Based Remap of Magnetic Fields in an Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian Code

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cornille, Brian; White, Dan

2017-10-01

We will present methods formulated for the Eulerian advection stage of an arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian code for the new addition of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects. The various physical fields are advanced in time using a Lagrangian formulation of the system. When this Lagrangian motion produces substantial distortion of the mesh, it can be difficult or impossible to progress the simulation forward. This is overcome by relaxation of the mesh while the physical fields are frozen. The code has already successfully been extended to include evolution of magnetic field diffusion during the Lagrangian motion stage. This magnetic field is discretized using an H(div) compatible finite element basis. The advantage of this basis is that the divergence-free constraint of magnetic fields is maintained exactly during the Lagrangian motion evolution. Our goal is to preserve this property during Eulerian advection as well. We will demonstrate this property and the importance of MHD effects in several numerical experiments. In pulsed-power experiments magnetic fields may be imposed or spontaneously generated. When these magnetic fields are present, the evolution of the experiment may differ from a comparable configuration without magnetic fields. Prepared by LLNL under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344. Supported by DOE CSGF under Grant Number DE-FG02-97ER25308.

Transversality of electromagnetic waves in the calculus-based introductory physics course

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burko, Lior M.

2008-11-01

Introductory calculus-based physics textbooks state that electromagnetic waves are transverse and list many of their properties, but most such textbooks do not bring forth arguments why this is so. Both physical and theoretical arguments are at a level appropriate for students of courses based on such books, and could be readily used by instructors of such courses. Here, we discuss two physical arguments (based on polarization experiments and on lack of monopole electromagnetic radiation) and the full argument for the transversality of (plane) electromagnetic waves based on the integral Maxwell equations. We also show, at a level appropriate for the introductory course, why the electric and magnetic fields in a wave are in phase and the relation of their magnitudes.

Hooke's Law and the Stiffness of a Plastic Spoon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pestka, Kenneth A.; Warren, Cori

2012-11-01

The study of elastic properties of solids is essential to both physics and engineering. Finding simple, easy-to-visualize examples to demonstrate these concepts is often difficult. In a previous article written by one of us (KAPII), a simple method for determining Youngs modulus using marshmallows was given. In this article we will illustrate another method to explore elastic properties of everyday materials. This experiment uses a common plastic spoon exposed to a transverse force in order to determine the stiffness constant, yield point, and rupture point of the plastic spoon. In addition, much like the "Youngs Modulus of a Marshmallow" activity, this experiment visually demonstrates Hooke's law, is fun and easy to perform, and leaves a lasting impression on the students.

Study on the properties of chromium residue-cement matrices (CRCM) and the influences of superplasticizers on chromium(VI)-immobilising capability of cement matrices.

PubMed

Shi, Hui-Sheng; Kan, Li-Li

2009-03-15

The study of cementitious activity of chromium residue (CR) was carried out to formulate the properties of chromium residue-cement matrices (CRCM) by blending CR with Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The particle size distribution, microstructures of CR were investigated by some apparatuses, and physical properties, leaching behavior of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] of CRCM were also determined by some experiments. Three types of commonly used superplasticizers (sulphonated acetone formaldehyde superplasticizer (J1), polycarboxylate-based superplasticizer (J2) and naphthalene superplasticizer (J3)) were chosen to investigate their influences on the physical properties and the Cr(VI)-immobilisation in the leachate of the CRCM hardened pastes. The results show that the CR has a certain cementitious activity. The incorporation of CR improves the pore size distribution of CRCM. The Cr(VI) concentrations in the leachate of CRCM significantly decrease by incorporation of J2. Among three superplasticizers, J2 achieves lowest Cr(VI) leaching ratio. Based on this study, it is likely to develop CR as a potential new additive used in cement-based materials.

Distribution of physical properties and timing of relative uplift in upper plate off Costa Rica: IODP Expedition 344

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saiki, A.; Hashimoto, Y.

2015-12-01

Evolution of physical properties in subduction zone is a key to understand lithification processes, location of decollement, and stress distribution. In this study, we examined the physical properties of sediments using on-board data and laboratory experimental data on sediments obtained off Costa Rica margin. Target sites are in the Integrate Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 344 off Costa Rica, including reference sites (U1381 and U1414), mid-slope site (U1378, U1380) and upper-slope site (U1413). Seven samples from reference sites were analyzed. Laboratory experiments for velocity and porosity measurements were conducted with variation of effective pressure. Velocity-porosity relationships from on-board data and from laboratory experiments are comparable. The porosity-effective pressure curves under isotropic condition were converted to the curves under uniaxial condition (Teeuw, 1971). Using the normal consolidation curves under uniaxial stress conditions, we converted onboard porosity to effective pressure and fluid pressure. In reference sites, hydrostatic fluid pressure was estimated as expected as a reference sites, suggesting that porosity-effective pressure relationship was obtained correctly by experiments and it can be adapted to estimation of fluid pressure for the wedge sites. The porosity-effective pressure relationship under isotropic conditions were used for the estimation in wedge sites. In wedge sites, estimated pore pressures show lower than hydrostatic pressure, suggesting that onboard porosity was lower than that under normal compaction. The lower porosity can be caused by relative uplift from deeper portion. The amount of relative uplift can be estimated by differences in porosity-depth relationships between onboard data and experimental data. The amount of relative uplift for each site shows more than ~1000m up to ~5000m. The small error in porosity depth curve from experimental data makes relative uplift larger or smaller exponentially in the deeper portion. The increment of relative uplift, however, starts from about 1Ma in each site, suggesting some events were occurred at the timing. Laboratory experiments under differential stress should be conducted in the near future because smaller porosity is expected under differential stress conditions.

Inverse Perovskites - A New Platform For 3D Dirac Electron Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rost, A. W.; Kim, J.; Shota, S.; Hayama, K.; Abdolazimi, V.; Bruin, J. A. N.; Muehle, C.; Schnyder, A.; Yaresko, A. N.; Nuss, J.; Takagi, H.

3D Dirac semimetals show a wealth of phenomena including ultrahigh mobility, extreme transverse magnetoresistance and potential for negative longitudinal magnetoresistance. Furthermore, by introducing a gap these are often found to be topological crystalline insulators. Here, I will introduce our experiments on a new family of 3D Dirac materials - the inverse perovskites A3BO (A =Ca,Sr,Eu/B =Pb,Sn). These open up the possibility to chemically control the properties of Dirac electrons including (i) the anisotropy of the Dirac dispersion, (ii) role of spin orbit coupling, and (iii) magnetism. Our physical property measurements show all (Ca/Sr)3(Pb/Sn)O compounds host Dirac electrons at the Fermi energy with no other bands crossing EF. Quantum oscillations unveil small Fermi surfaces (frequencies <5 T) and light carriers (<0.02 me) only consistent with Dirac electrons. With the successful synthesis of Sr3Pb0.5Sn0.5O this group of materials therefore offers a unique chemical control over the physical properties of 3D Dirac electrons. Crucially, Eu3(Pb/Sn)O compounds allow for the introduction of magnetism. I will discuss the implications of this in particular with respect to surface states in these topological crystalline insulators.

Tailoring the physical properties of Ni-based single-phase equiatomic alloys by modifying the chemical complexity

DOE PAGES

Jin, Ke; Sales, Brian C.; Stocks, George Malcolm; ...

2016-02-01

We discovered that equiatomic alloys (e.g. high entropy alloys) have recently attracted considerable interest due to their exceptional properties, which might be closely related to their extreme disorder induced by the chemical complexity. To understand the effects of chemical complexity on their fundamental physical properties, a family of (eight) Ni-based, face-center-cubic (FCC), equiatomic alloys, extending from elemental Ni to quinary high entropy alloys, has been synthesized, and their electrical, thermal, and magnetic properties are systematically investigated in the range of 4–300 K by combining experiments with ab initio Korring-Kohn-Rostoker coherent-potential-approximation (KKR-CPA) calculations. The scattering of electrons is significantly increased duemore » to the chemical (especially magnetic) disorder. It has weak correlation with the number of elements but strongly depends on the type of elements. Thermal conductivities of the alloys are largely lower than pure metals, primarily because the high electrical resistivity suppresses the electronic thermal conductivity. Moreover, the temperature dependence of the electrical and thermal transport properties is further discussed, and the magnetization of five alloys containing three or more elements is measured in magnetic fields up to 4 T.« less

Relativistic calculations of atomic properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaur, Jasmeet; Sahoo, B. K.; Arora, Bindiya

2017-04-01

Singly charged ions are engaging candidates in many areas of Physics. They are especially important in astrophysics for evaluating the radiative properties of stellar objects, in optical frequency standards and for fundamental physics studies such as searches for permanent electric dipole moments and atomic parity violation. Interpretation of these experiments often requires a knowledge of their transition wavelengths and electric dipole amplitudes. In this work, we discuss the calculation of various properties of alkaline earth ions. The relativistic all-order SD method in which all single and double excitations of the Dirac-Fock wave function are included, is used to calculate these atomic properties. We use this method for evaluation of electric dipole matrix elements of alkaline earth ions. Combination of these matrix elements with experimental energies allow to obtain the polarizabilities of ground and excited states of ions. We discuss the applications of estimated polarizabiities as a function of imaginary frequencies in the calculations of long-range atom-ion interactions. We have also located the magic wavelengths for nS1 / 2 - nD3 / 2 , 5 / 2 transitions of alkaline earth ions. These calculated properties will be highly valuable to atomic and astrophysics community. UGC-BSR Grant No. F.7-273/2009/BSR.

Physical properties of elongated magnetic particles: magnetization and friction coefficient anisotropies.

PubMed

Vereda, Fernando; de Vicente, Juan; Hidalgo-Alvarez, Roque

2009-06-02

Anisotropy counts: A brief review of the main physical properties of elongated magnetic particles (EMPs) is presented. The most important characteristic of an EMP is the additional contribution of shape anisotropy to the total anisotropy energy of the particle, when compared to spherical magnetic particles. The electron micrograph shows Ni-ferrite microrods fabricated by the authors.We present an overview of the main physical properties of elongated magnetic particles (EMPs), including some of their more relevant properties in suspension. When compared to a spherical magnetic particle, the most important characteristic of an EMP is an additional contribution of shape anisotropy to the total anisotropy energy of the particle. Increasing aspect ratios also lead to an increase in both the critical single-domain size of a magnetic particle and its resistance to thermally activated spontaneous reversal of the magnetization. For single-domain EMPs, magnetization reversal occurs primarily by one of two modes, coherent rotation or curling, the latter being facilitated by larger aspect ratios. When EMPs are used to prepare colloidal suspensions, other physical properties come into play, such as their anisotropic friction coefficient and the consequent enhanced torque they experience in a shear flow, their tendency to align in the direction of an external field, to form less dense sediments and to entangle into more intricate aggregates. From a more practical point of view, EMPs are discussed in connection with two interesting types of magnetic colloids: magnetorheological fluids and suspensions for magnetic hyperthermia. Advances reported in the literature regarding the use of EMPs in these two systems are included. In the final section, we present a summary of the most relevant methods documented in the literature for the fabrication of EMPs, together with a list of the most common ferromagnetic materials that have been synthesized in the form of EMPs.

Laboratory light scattering measurements on "natural" particles with the PROGRA2 experiment: an overview

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hadamcik, E.; Rrenard, J.; Levasseur-Regourd, A. C.; Worms, J. C.

Polarimetric phase curves were obtained with the PROGRA2 instrument for different particles: glass beads, polyhedral solids, rough particles, dense aggregates and aggregates with porosity higher than 90 %. The main purpose of these measurements is to build a large database, which allows interpreting remote sensing observations of solar system bodies. For some samples numerical or experimental models (i.e. DDA, stochastically built particles, microwave analogue) and laboratory experiments are compared to better disentangle the involved physical properties. This paper gives some main results of the experiment, and their applications to Earth atmosphere, comets and asteroids.

Physics in ordered and disordered colloidal matter composed of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgel particles.

PubMed

Yunker, Peter J; Chen, Ke; Gratale, Matthew D; Lohr, Matthew A; Still, Tim; Yodh, A G

2014-05-01

This review collects and describes experiments that employ colloidal suspensions to probe physics in ordered and disordered solids and related complex fluids. The unifying feature of this body of work is its clever usage of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microgel particles. These temperature-sensitive colloidal particles provide experimenters with a 'knob' for in situ control of particle size, particle interaction and particle packing fraction that, in turn, influence the structural and dynamical behavior of the complex fluids and solids. A brief summary of PNIPAM particle synthesis and properties is given, followed by a synopsis of current activity in the field. The latter discussion describes a variety of soft matter investigations including those that explore formation and melting of crystals and clusters, and those that probe structure, rearrangement and rheology of disordered (jammed/glassy) and partially ordered matter. The review, therefore, provides a snapshot of a broad range of physics phenomenology which benefits from the unique properties of responsive microgel particles.

Sorbent control of trace metals in sewage sludge combustion and incineration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naruse, I.; Yao, H.; Mkilaha, I. S. N.

2003-05-01

Coal and wastes combustion have become an important issue not only in terms of energy generation but also environmental conservation. The need for alternative fuels and wastes management has made the two energy sources of importance. However, the utilization of the two is faced with problems of impurity trace metals in the fuel. These metals usually speciate during combustion or incineration leading to generation of fumes and subsequently particles. This paper reports on the study aimed at understanding the speciation of trace metals and their emission from combustion systems as particulates. Experiments carried out using a down-flow furnace and theoretical study carried out using lead, chromium and cadmium as basic metals had shown that their speciation and subsequent emission is controlled by both chemical composition and physical properties of the fuel. The physical and chemical and physical properties of the fuel and their respective compounds and the operating conditions of the incineration and combustion system control the enrichment of the particles with trace metals.

Maximizing the Adjacent Possible in Automata Chemistries.

PubMed

Hickinbotham, Simon; Clark, Edward; Nellis, Adam; Stepney, Susan; Clarke, Tim; Young, Peter

2016-01-01

Automata chemistries are good vehicles for experimentation in open-ended evolution, but they are by necessity complex systems whose low-level properties require careful design. To aid the process of designing automata chemistries, we develop an abstract model that classifies the features of a chemistry from a physical (bottom up) perspective and from a biological (top down) perspective. There are two levels: things that can evolve, and things that cannot. We equate the evolving level with biology and the non-evolving level with physics. We design our initial organisms in the biology, so they can evolve. We design the physics to facilitate evolvable biologies. This architecture leads to a set of design principles that should be observed when creating an instantiation of the architecture. These principles are Everything Evolves, Everything's Soft, and Everything Dies. To evaluate these ideas, we present experiments in the recently developed Stringmol automata chemistry. We examine the properties of Stringmol with respect to the principles, and so demonstrate the usefulness of the principles in designing automata chemistries.

Bridging the physical scales in evolutionary biology: From protein sequence space to fitness of organisms and populations

PubMed Central

Bershtein, Shimon; Serohijos, Adrian W.R.; Shakhnovich, Eugene I.

2016-01-01

Bridging the gap between the molecular properties of proteins and organismal/population fitness is essential for understanding evolutionary processes. This task requires the integration of the several physical scales of biological organization, each defined by a distinct set of mechanisms and constraints, into a single unifying model. The molecular scale is dominated by the constraints imposed by the physico-chemical properties of proteins and their substrates, which give rise to trade-offs and epistatic (non-additive) effects of mutations. At the systems scale, biological networks modulate protein expression and can either buffer or enhance the fitness effects of mutations. The population scale is influenced by the mutational input, selection regimes, and stochastic changes affecting the size and structure of populations, which eventually determine the evolutionary fate of mutations. Here, we summarize the recent advances in theory, computer simulations, and experiments that advance our understanding of the links between various physical scales in biology. PMID:27810574

Bridging the physical scales in evolutionary biology: from protein sequence space to fitness of organisms and populations.

PubMed

Bershtein, Shimon; Serohijos, Adrian Wr; Shakhnovich, Eugene I

2017-02-01

Bridging the gap between the molecular properties of proteins and organismal/population fitness is essential for understanding evolutionary processes. This task requires the integration of the several physical scales of biological organization, each defined by a distinct set of mechanisms and constraints, into a single unifying model. The molecular scale is dominated by the constraints imposed by the physico-chemical properties of proteins and their substrates, which give rise to trade-offs and epistatic (non-additive) effects of mutations. At the systems scale, biological networks modulate protein expression and can either buffer or enhance the fitness effects of mutations. The population scale is influenced by the mutational input, selection regimes, and stochastic changes affecting the size and structure of populations, which eventually determine the evolutionary fate of mutations. Here, we summarize the recent advances in theory, computer simulations, and experiments that advance our understanding of the links between various physical scales in biology. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Optical and Excitonic Properties of Atomically Thin Transition-Metal Dichalcogenides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berkelbach, Timothy C.; Reichman, David R.

2018-03-01

Starting with the isolation of a single sheet of graphene, the study of layered materials has been one of the most active areas of condensed matter physics, chemistry, and materials science. Single-layer transition-metal dichalcogenides are direct-gap semiconducting analogs of graphene that exhibit novel electronic and optical properties. These features provide exciting opportunities for the discovery of both new fundamental physical phenomena as well as innovative device platforms. Here, we review the progress associated with the creation and use of a simple microscopic framework for describing the optical and excitonic behavior of few-layer transition-metal dichalcogenides, which is based on symmetry, band structure, and the effective interactions between charge carriers in these materials. This approach provides an often quantitative account of experiments that probe the physics associated with strong electron–hole interactions in these quasi two-dimensional systems and has been successfully employed by many groups to both describe and predict emergent excitonic behavior in these layered semiconducting systems.

Polymer-Based Nanocomposites: An Internship Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cebe, Peggy; Cherdack, Daniel; Seyhan Ince-Gunduz, B.; Guertin, Robert; Haas, Terry; Valluzzi, Regina

2007-03-01

We report on our summer internship program in Polymer-Based Nanocomposites, for deaf and hard of hearing undergraduates who engage in classroom and laboratory research work in polymer physics. The unique attributes of this program are its emphasis on: 1. Teamwork; 2. Performance of a start-to-finish research project; 3. Physics of materials approach; and 4. Diversity. Students of all disability levels have participated in this program, including students who neither hear nor voice. The classroom and laboratory components address the materials chemistry and physics of polymer-based nanocomposites, crystallization and melting of polymers, the interaction of X-rays and light with polymers, mechanical properties of polymers, and the connection between thermal processing, structure, and ultimate properties of polymers. A set of Best Practices is developed for accommodating deaf and hard of hearing students into the laboratory setting. The goal is to bring deaf and hard of hearing students into the larger scientific community as professionals, by providing positive scientific experiences at a formative time in their educational lives.

A Monte Carlo software for the 1-dimensional simulation of IBIC experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forneris, J.; Jakšić, M.; Pastuović, Ž.; Vittone, E.

2014-08-01

The ion beam induced charge (IBIC) microscopy is a valuable tool for the analysis of the electronic properties of semiconductors. In this work, a recently developed Monte Carlo approach for the simulation of IBIC experiments is presented along with a self-standing software equipped with graphical user interface. The method is based on the probabilistic interpretation of the excess charge carrier continuity equations and it offers to the end-user the full control not only of the physical properties ruling the induced charge formation mechanism (i.e., mobility, lifetime, electrostatics, device's geometry), but also of the relevant experimental conditions (ionization profiles, beam dispersion, electronic noise) affecting the measurement of the IBIC pulses. Moreover, the software implements a novel model for the quantitative evaluation of the radiation damage effects on the charge collection efficiency degradation of ion-beam-irradiated devices. The reliability of the model implementation is then validated against a benchmark IBIC experiment.

Microsoft excel spreadsheets for calculation of P-V-T relations and thermodynamic properties from equations of state of MgO, diamond and nine metals as pressure markers in high-pressure and high-temperature experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sokolova, Tatiana S.; Dorogokupets, Peter I.; Dymshits, Anna M.; Danilov, Boris S.; Litasov, Konstantin D.

2016-09-01

We present Microsoft Excel spreadsheets for calculation of thermodynamic functions and P-V-T properties of MgO, diamond and 9 metals, Al, Cu, Ag, Au, Pt, Nb, Ta, Mo, and W, depending on temperature and volume or temperature and pressure. The spreadsheets include the most common pressure markers used in in situ experiments with diamond anvil cell and multianvil techniques. The calculations are based on the equation of state formalism via the Helmholtz free energy. The program was developed using Visual Basic for Applications in Microsoft Excel and is a time-efficient tool to evaluate volume, pressure and other thermodynamic functions using T-P and T-V data only as input parameters. This application is aimed to solve practical issues of high pressure experiments in geosciences and mineral physics.

Status of diamond particle detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krammer, M.; Adam, W.; Bauer, C.; Berdermann, E.; Bogani, F.; Borchi, E.; Bruzzi, M.; Colledani, C.; Conway, J.; Dabrowski, W.; Delpierre, P.; Deneuville, A.; Dulinski, W.; van Eijk, B.; Fallou, A.; Fish, D.; Foulon, F.; Friedl, M.; Gan, K. K.; Gheeraert, E.; Grigoriev, E.; Hallewell, G.; Hall-Wilton, R.; Han, S.; Hartjes, F.; Hrubec, J.; Husson, D.; Kagan, H.; Kania, D.; Kaplon, J.; Kass, R.; Knöpfle, K. T.; Manfredi, P. F.; Meier, D.; Mishina, M.; LeNormand, F.; Pan, L. S.; Pernegger, H.; Pernicka, M.; Re, V.; Riester, G. L.; Roe, S.; Roff, D.; Rudge, A.; Schnetzer, S.; Sciortino, S.; Speziali, V.; Stelzer, H.; Stone, R.; Tapper, R. J.; Tesarek, R.; Thomson, G. B.; Trawick, M.; Trischuk, W.; Turchetta, R.; Walsh, A. M.; Wedenig, R.; Weilhammer, P.; Ziock, H.; Zoeller, M.

1998-11-01

To continue the exciting research in the field of particle physics new accelerators and experiments are under construction. In some of these experiments, e.g. ATLAS and CMS at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN or HERA-B at DESY, the detectors have to withstand an extreme environment. The detectors must be radiation hard, provide a very fast signal, and be as thin as possible. The properties of CVD diamond allow to fulfill these requirements and make it an ideal material for the detectors close to the interaction region of these experiments, i.e. the vertex detectors or the inner trackers. The RD42 collaboration is developing diamond detectors for these applications. The program of RD42 includes the improvement of the charge collection properties of CVD diamond, the study of the radiation hardness and the development of low-noise radiation hard readout electronics. An overview of the progress achieved during the last years will be given.

Novel models on fluid's variable thermo-physical properties for extensive study on convection heat and mass transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shang, De-Yi; Zhong, Liang-Cai

2017-01-01

Our novel models for fluid's variable physical properties are improved and reported systematically in this work for enhancement of theoretical and practical value on study of convection heat and mass transfer. It consists of three models, namely (1) temperature parameter model, (2) polynomial model, and (3) weighted-sum model, respectively for treatment of temperature-dependent physical properties of gases, temperature-dependent physical properties of liquids, and concentration- and temperature-dependent physical properties of vapour-gas mixture. Two related components are proposed, and involved in each model for fluid's variable physical properties. They are basic physic property equations and theoretical similarity equations on physical property factors. The former, as the foundation of the latter, is based on the typical experimental data and physical analysis. The latter is built up by similarity analysis and mathematical derivation based on the former basic physical properties equations. These models are available for smooth simulation and treatment of fluid's variable physical properties for assurance of theoretical and practical value of study on convection of heat and mass transfer. Especially, so far, there has been lack of available study on heat and mass transfer of film condensation convection of vapour-gas mixture, and the wrong heat transfer results existed in widespread studies on the related research topics, due to ignorance of proper consideration of the concentration- and temperature-dependent physical properties of vapour-gas mixture. For resolving such difficult issues, the present novel physical property models have their special advantages.

A Study of Particle Beam Spin Dynamics for High Precision Experiments

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fiedler, Andrew J.

In the search for physics beyond the Standard Model, high precision experiments to measure fundamental properties of particles are an important frontier. One group of such measurements involves magnetic dipole moment (MDM) values as well as searching for an electric dipole moment (EDM), both of which could provide insights about how particles interact with their environment at the quantum level and if there are undiscovered new particles. For these types of high precision experiments, minimizing statistical uncertainties in the measurements plays a critical role. \\\\ \\indent This work leverages computer simulations to quantify the effects of statistical uncertainty for experimentsmore » investigating spin dynamics. In it, analysis of beam properties and lattice design effects on the polarization of the beam is performed. As a case study, the beam lines that will provide polarized muon beams to the Fermilab Muon \\emph{g}-2 experiment are analyzed to determine the effects of correlations between the phase space variables and the overall polarization of the muon beam.« less

"Who does this body belong to?" The development and psychometric evaluation of the Body Experience during Pregnancy Scale.

PubMed

Talmon, Anat; Ginzburg, Karni

2018-05-25

Women's experiences of their bodies during pregnancy may reflect their reactions to concrete physical changes as well as self-representations during the transition to motherhood. However, adequate measures of the body experience during pregnancy are lacking. This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of a new measure, the Body Experience during Pregnancy Scale (BEPS). In Study 1, the BEPS was administered to 423 pregnant women. In Study 2, 373 pregnant women completed the BEPS, as well as questionnaires assessing body shame, disrupted body boundaries, and well-being. Three BEPS subscales emerged from Study 1: body agency, body estrangement, and body visibility. In Study 2, a confirmatory factor analysis replicated the scale's structure. The factors were significantly correlated with measures of body shame, disrupted body boundaries, and well-being. The results of the present analyses suggest that the BEPS has good psychometric properties, making it useful in future research. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An Overview of Regional Experiments on Biomass Burning Aerosols and Related Pollutants in Southeast Asia: From BASE-ASIA and the Dongsha Experiment to 7-SEAS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, Neng-Huei; Tsay, Si-Chee; Maring, Hal B.; Yen, Ming-Cheng; Sheu, Guey-Rong; Wang, Sheng-Hsiang; Chi, Kai Hsien; Chuang, Ming-Tung; Ou-Yang, Chang-Feng; Fu, Joshua S.;

Mechanical testing of bones: the positive synergy of finite-element models and in vitro experiments.

PubMed

Cristofolini, Luca; Schileo, Enrico; Juszczyk, Mateusz; Taddei, Fulvia; Martelli, Saulo; Viceconti, Marco

2010-06-13

Bone biomechanics have been extensively investigated in the past both with in vitro experiments and numerical models. In most cases either approach is chosen, without exploiting synergies. Both experiments and numerical models suffer from limitations relative to their accuracy and their respective fields of application. In vitro experiments can improve numerical models by: (i) preliminarily identifying the most relevant failure scenarios; (ii) improving the model identification with experimentally measured material properties; (iii) improving the model identification with accurately measured actual boundary conditions; and (iv) providing quantitative validation based on mechanical properties (strain, displacements) directly measured from physical specimens being tested in parallel with the modelling activity. Likewise, numerical models can improve in vitro experiments by: (i) identifying the most relevant loading configurations among a number of motor tasks that cannot be replicated in vitro; (ii) identifying acceptable simplifications for the in vitro simulation; (iii) optimizing the use of transducers to minimize errors and provide measurements at the most relevant locations; and (iv) exploring a variety of different conditions (material properties, interface, etc.) that would require enormous experimental effort. By reporting an example of successful investigation of the femur, we show how a combination of numerical modelling and controlled experiments within the same research team can be designed to create a virtuous circle where models are used to improve experiments, experiments are used to improve models and their combination synergistically provides more detailed and more reliable results than can be achieved with either approach singularly.

CDF Top Physics

DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

Tartarelli, G. F.; CDF Collaboration

1996-05-01

The authors present the latest results about top physics obtained by the CDF experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron collider. The data sample used for these analysis (about 110 pb{sup{minus}1}) represents almost the entire statistics collected by CDF during four years (1992--95) of data taking. This large data size has allowed detailed studies of top production and decay properties. The results discussed here include the determination of the top quark mass, the measurement of the production cross section, the study of the kinematics of the top events and a look at top decays.

Amplitude, frequency, and timbre with the French horn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konz, Nicholas; Ruiz, Michael J.

2018-07-01

The French horn is used to introduce the three basic properties of periodic waves: amplitude, frequency, and waveform. These features relate to the perceptual characteristics of loudness, pitch, and timbre encountered in everyday language. Visualizations are provided in the form of oscilloscope screenshots, spectrograms, and Fourier spectra to illustrate the physics. Introductory students will find the musical relevance interesting as they experience a real-world application of physics. Demonstrations playing the French horn are provided in an accompanying video (Ruiz 2018 Video: Amplitude, frequency, and timbre with the French horn http://mjtruiz.com/ped/horn/).

A general design strategy for block copolymer directed self-assembly patterning of integrated circuits contact holes using an alphabet approach.

PubMed

Yi, He; Bao, Xin-Yu; Tiberio, Richard; Wong, H-S Philip

2015-02-11

Directed self-assembly (DSA) is a promising lithography candidate for technology nodes beyond 14 nm. Researchers have shown contact hole patterning for random logic circuits using DSA with small physical templates. This paper introduces an alphabet approach that uses a minimal set of small physical templates to pattern all contacts configurations on integrated circuits. We illustrate, through experiments, a general and scalable template design strategy that links the DSA material properties to the technology node requirements.

Role of differential physical properties in the collective mechanics and dynamics of tissues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Moumita

Living cells and tissues are highly mechanically sensitive and active. Mechanical stimuli influence the shape, motility, and functions of cells, modulate the behavior of tissues, and play a key role in several diseases. In this talk I will discuss how collective biophysical properties of tissues emerge from the interplay between differential mechanical properties and statistical physics of underlying components, focusing on two complementary tissue types whose properties are primarily determined by (1) the extracellular matrix (ECM), and (2) individual and collective cell properties. I will start with the structure-mechanics-function relationships in articular cartilage (AC), a soft tissue that has very few cells, and its mechanical response is primarily due to its ECM. AC is a remarkable tissue: it can support loads exceeding ten times our body weight and bear 60+ years of daily mechanical loading despite having minimal regenerative capacity. I will discuss the biophysical principles underlying this exceptional mechanical response using the framework of rigidity percolation theory, and compare our predictions with experiments done by our collaborators. Next I will discuss ongoing theoretical work on how the differences in cell mechanics, motility, adhesion, and proliferation in a co-culture of breast cancer cells and healthy breast epithelial cells may modulate experimentally observed differential migration and segregation. Our results may provide insights into the mechanobiology of tissues with cell populations with different physical properties present together such as during the formation of embryos or the initiation of tumors. This work was partially supported by a Cottrell College Science Award.

Active Prior Tactile Knowledge Transfer for Learning Tactual Properties of New Objects

PubMed Central

Feng, Di

2018-01-01

Reusing the tactile knowledge of some previously-explored objects (prior objects) helps us to easily recognize the tactual properties of new objects. In this paper, we enable a robotic arm equipped with multi-modal artificial skin, like humans, to actively transfer the prior tactile exploratory action experiences when it learns the detailed physical properties of new objects. These experiences, or prior tactile knowledge, are built by the feature observations that the robot perceives from multiple sensory modalities, when it applies the pressing, sliding, and static contact movements on objects with different action parameters. We call our method Active Prior Tactile Knowledge Transfer (APTKT), and systematically evaluated its performance by several experiments. Results show that the robot improved the discrimination accuracy by around 10% when it used only one training sample with the feature observations of prior objects. By further incorporating the predictions from the observation models of prior objects as auxiliary features, our method improved the discrimination accuracy by over 20%. The results also show that the proposed method is robust against transferring irrelevant prior tactile knowledge (negative knowledge transfer). PMID:29466300

Studies of solid carbon dioxide in interstellar ice analogs subject to thermal processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

White, Douglas W.

2010-09-01

Solid CO2 has been detected in many lines of sight in the interstellar medium from infrared observatories. Spectral profiles from space-based observatories have suggested that CO2 on icy grain mantles is mixed with other common molecules such as H2O and CH 3OH in interstellar regions and that thermal annealing has occurred. The vibrational mode at 658 cm-1 (15.2 mum) is suspected to be a powerful diagnostic tool as to the composition of species on icy grain mantles as well as thermal histories. However, previous studies have not systematically investigated ice composition and temperature. Laboratory spectra of interstellar ice analogs have been created in this study order to better understand the physical properties of solid CO2 in these interstellar environments. Existing databases of ice composition studies and effects of ice thermal history were updated in this study to include a more systematic approach. The 658 cm-1 (15.2 mum) bending mode feature of CO2 is examined here and the subsequent astrophysical implications stated. In the first set of experiments, 47 mixtures of H2O,CH3OH, andCO2 were slowly warmed and mid-infrared absorption spectra were recorded at 5K intervals. The second set of experiments involved examining the CO2 bending mode feature of 10 different CO2-containing ice mixtures at different temperatures where ice segregation was suspected. In these experiments, the ice mixtures were slowly heated to the desired temperature for increasing time intervals before cooling down and recording mid-IR absorption spectra. These studies may be used to analyze IR data from space-based observatories such as the Spitzer Space Telescope Infrared Spectrograph as well other future IR observations of the interstellar medium. Finally, mass spectroscopy measurements were taken from temperature programmed desorption (TPD) experiments performed on several binary mixtures of H2O + CO2 and CH 3OH + CO2. Physical properties such as desorption energy of CO2 can be determined from the TPD traces of these experiments. The work provided here addresses the physical properties of solid CO 2 thermally processed in ice mixtures in interstellar environments by laboratory simulations spectroscopically analyzed by mid-infrared absorption profiles and TPD.

The wavelet response as a multiscale characterization of scattering processes at granular interfaces.

PubMed

Le Gonidec, Yves; Gibert, Dominique

2006-11-01

We perform a multiscale analysis of the backscattering properties of a complex interface between water and a layer of randomly arranged glass beads with diameter D=1 mm. An acoustical experiment is done to record the wavelet response of the interface in a large frequency range from lambda/D=0.3 to lambda/D=15. The wavelet response is a physical analog of the mathematical wavelet transform which possesses nice properties to detect and characterize abrupt changes in signals. The experimental wavelet response allows to identify five frequency domains corresponding to different backscattering properties of the complex interface. This puts quantitative limits to the validity domains of the models used to represent the interface and which are flat elastic, flat visco-elastic, rough random half-space with multiple scattering, and rough elastic from long to short wavelengths respectively. A physical explanation based on Mie scattering theory is proposed to explain the origin of the five frequency domains identified in the wavelet response.

Inflammatory response study of gellan gum impregnated duck's feet derived collagen sponges.

PubMed

Song, Jeong Eun; Lee, Seon Eui; Cha, Se Rom; Jang, Na Keum; Tripathy, Nirmalya; Reis, Rui L; Khang, Gilson

2016-10-01

Tissue engineered biomaterials have biodegradable and biocompatible properties. In this study, we have fabricated sponges using duck's feet derived collagen (DC) and gellan gum (GG), and further studied its inflammatory responses. The as-prepared duck's feet DC/GG sponges showed the possibility of application as a tissue engineering material through in vitro and in vivo experiments. The physical and chemical properties of sponges were characterized by compression strength, porosity, and scanning electron microscopy, etc. In vitro cell viability were investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. An inflammatory response was studied after seeding RAW264.7 cells on as-fabricated sponges using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. In vivo studies were carried out by implanting in subcutaneous nude mouse followed by extraction, histological staining. Collectively, superior results were showed by DC/GG sponges than GG sponge in terms of physical property and cell proliferation and thus can be considered as a potential candidate for future tissue engineering applications.

Construction material processed using lunar simulant in various environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chase, Stan; Ocallaghan-Hay, Bridget; Housman, Ralph; Kindig, Michael; King, John; Montegrande, Kevin; Norris, Raymond; Vanscotter, Ryan; Willenborg, Jonathan; Staubs, Harry

1995-01-01

The manufacture of construction materials from locally available resources in space is an important first step in the establishment of lunar and planetary bases. The objective of the CoMPULSIVE (Construction Material Processed Using Lunar Simulant In Various Environments) experiment is to develop a procedure to produce construction materials by sintering or melting Johnson Space Center Simulant 1 (JSC-1) lunar soil simulant in both earth-based (1-g) and microgravity (approximately 0-g) environments. The characteristics of the resultant materials will be tested to determine its physical and mechanical properties. The physical characteristics include: crystalline, thermal, and electrical properties. The mechanical properties include: compressive tensile, and flexural strengths. The simulant, placed in a sealed graphite crucible, will be heated using a high temperature furnace. The crucible will then be cooled by radiative and forced convective means. The core furnace element consists of space qualified quartz-halogen incandescent lamps with focusing mirrors. Sample temperatures of up to 2200 C are attainable using this heating method.

New contributions to physics by Prof. C. N. Yang: 2009-2011

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Zhong-Qi

2016-01-01

In a seminal paper of 1967, Professor Chen Ning Yang found the full solution of the one-dimensional Fermi gas with a repulsive delta function interaction by using the Bethe ansatz and group theory. This work with a brilliant discovery of the Yang-Baxter equation has been inspiring new developments in mathematical physics, statistical physics, and many-body physics. Based on experimental developments in simulating many-body physics of one-dimensional systems of ultracold atoms, during a period from 2009 to 2011, Prof. Yang published seven papers on the exact properties of the ground state of bosonic and fermionic atoms with the repulsive delta function interaction and a confined potential to one dimension. Here I would like to share my experience in doing research work fortunately under the direct supervision of Prof. Yang in that period.

New Contributions to Physics by Prof. C. N. Yang: 2009-2011

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Zhong-Qi

In a seminal paper of 1967, Professor Chen Ning Yang found the full solution of the one-dimensional Fermi gas with a repulsive delta function interaction by using the Bethe ansatz and group theory. This work with a brilliant discovery of the Yang-Baxter equation has been inspiring new developments in mathematical physics, statistical physics, and many-body physics. Based on experimental developments in simulating many-body physics of one-dimensional systems of ultracold atoms, during a period from 2009 to 2011, Prof. Yang published seven papers on the exact properties of the ground state of bosonic and fermionic atoms with the repulsive delta function interaction and a confined potential to one dimension. Here I would like to share my experience in doing research work fortunately under the direct supervision of Prof. Yang in that period.

Linear elastic properties derivation from microstructures representative of transport parameters.

PubMed

Hoang, Minh Tan; Bonnet, Guy; Tuan Luu, Hoang; Perrot, Camille

2014-06-01

It is shown that three-dimensional periodic unit cells (3D PUC) representative of transport parameters involved in the description of long wavelength acoustic wave propagation and dissipation through real foam samples may also be used as a standpoint to estimate their macroscopic linear elastic properties. Application of the model yields quantitative agreement between numerical homogenization results, available literature data, and experiments. Key contributions of this work include recognizing the importance of membranes and properties of the base material for the physics of elasticity. The results of this paper demonstrate that a 3D PUC may be used to understand and predict not only the sound absorbing properties of porous materials but also their transmission loss, which is critical for sound insulation problems.

Diffusion in liquid metal systems. [information on electrical resistivity and thermal conductivity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ukanwa, A. O.

1975-01-01

Physical properties of twenty liquid metals are reported; some of the data on such liquid metal properties as density, electrical resistivity, thermal conductivity, and heat capacity are summarized in graphical form. Data on laboratory handling and safety procedure are summarized for each metal; heat-transfer-correlations for liquid metals under various conditions of laminar and turbulent flow are included. Where sufficient data were available, temperature equations of properties were obtained by the method of least-squares fit. All values of properties given are valid in the given liquid phase ranges only. Additional tabular data on some 40 metals are reported in the appendix. Included is a brief description of experiments that were performed to investigate diffusion in liquid indium-gallium systems.

Experimental Neutrino Physics: Final Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lane, Charles E.; Maricic, Jelena

2012-09-05

Experimental studies of neutrino properties, with particular emphasis on neutrino oscillation, mass and mixing parameters. This research was pursued by means of underground detectors for reactor anti-neutrinos, measuring the flux and energy spectra of the neutrinos. More recent investigations have been aimed and developing detector technologies for a long-baseline neutrino experiment (LBNE) using a neutrino beam from Fermilab.

Using Inquiry to Learn about Soil: A Fourth Grade Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Magee, Paula A.; Wingate, Elisha

2014-01-01

In this article, we describe a fourth-grade inquiry unit on soil. The unit was designed and taught by preservice elementary teachers as part of a university science methods course. Using a student-driven inquiry approach to designing curriculum, the unit engaged fourth graders in learning about the physical properties soil, erosion, worms, and…

The Pressure Cooker: A Module on the Properties of Matter. Tech Physics Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Technical Education Research Center, Cambridge, MA.

Experiments to provide an understanding of the principles related to the pressure cooker are presented. Objectives included are designed to provide the learner with the ability to calibrate a thermistor for measuring temperature; explain the meaning of latent and specific heat; calculate latent and specific heat; use a Bourdon tube pressure gauge…

Psychological Benefits of Leisure Participation: A Taxonomy of Leisure Activities Based on Their Need-Gratifying Properties.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tinsley, Howard E. A.; Eldredge, Barbara D.

1995-01-01

Proposes a needs-based taxonomy of leisure activities. Study participants (n=3,771) indicated the extent to which leisure activities met different psychological needs. Results support theories that leisure experiences affect individuals' physical and mental health. Provides a taxonomy of 12 leisure activity clusters so as to allow greater…

Using a High-Speed Camera to Measure the Speed of Sound

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hack, William Nathan; Baird, William H.

2012-01-01

The speed of sound is a physical property that can be measured easily in the lab. However, finding an inexpensive and intuitive way for students to determine this speed has been more involved. The introduction of affordable consumer-grade high-speed cameras (such as the Exilim EX-FC100) makes conceptually simple experiments feasible. Since the…

Determining the Energetics of the Hydrogen Bond through FTIR: A Hands-On Physical Chemistry Lab Experiment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guerin, Abby C.; Riley, Kristi; Rupnik, Kresimir; Kuroda, Daniel G.

2016-01-01

Hydrogen bonds are very important chemical structures that are responsible for many unique and important properties of solvents, such as the solvation power of water. These distinctive features are directly related to the stabilization energy conferred by hydrogen bonds to the solvent. Thus, the characterization of hydrogen bond energetics has…

The Amateur Scientist: Funny Things Happen When Drops of Oil or Other Substances Are Placed on Water.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walker, Jearl

1983-01-01

Discusses solubility interactions of various oils placed on the surface of water and other liquids, explained using the basic forces of gravity, electrical attraction, and quantum mechanics (non-mathematical). Hydrogen and ionic bonding between oleic acid/water is analyzed. An experiment to determine physical properties of the oleic acid molecule…

Adaptive-Grid Methods for Phase Field Models of Microstructure Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dantzig, Jonathan A.; Goldenfeld, Nigel

2001-01-01

Modeling solidification microstructures has become an area of intense study in recent years. The properties of large scale cast products, ranging from automobile engine blocks to aircraft components and other industrial applications, are strongly dependent on the physics that occur at the mesoscopic and microscopic length scales during solidification. The predominant morphology found in solidification microstructures is the dendrite, a tree-like pattern of solid around which solidification proceeds. The microscopic properties of cast products are determined by the length scales of these dendrites, and their associated segregation profiles. For this reason understanding the mechanisms for pattern selection in dendritic growth has attracted a great deal of interest from the experimental and theoretical communities. In particular, a great deal of research has been undertaken to understand such issues as dendrite morphology, shape and growth speed. Experiments on dendrite evolution in pure materials by Glicksman and coworkers on succinonitrile (SCN), and more recently pivalic acid (PVA), as well as other transparent analogs of metals, have provided tests of theories for dendritic growth, and have stimulated considerable theoretical progress. These experiments have clearly demonstrated that in certain parameter ranges the physics of the dendrite tip can be characterized by a steady value for the dendrite tip velocity, radius of curvature and shape. Away from the tip, the time-dependent dendrite exhibits a characteristic sidebranching as it propagates, which is not yet well understood. These experiments are performed by observing individual dendrites growing into an undercooled melt. The experiments are characterized by the dimensionless undercooling. Most experiments are performed at low undercooling.

Relationship between nano/micro structure and physical properties of TiO2-sodium caseinate composite films.

PubMed

Montes-de-Oca-Ávalos, Juan Manuel; Altamura, Davide; Candal, Roberto Jorge; Scattarella, Francesco; Siliqi, Dritan; Giannini, Cinzia; Herrera, María Lidia

2018-03-01

Films obtained by casting, starting from conventional emulsions (CE), nanoemulsions (NE) or their gels, which led to different structures, with the aim of explore the relationship between structure and physical properties, were prepared. Sodium caseinate was used as the matrix, glycerol as plasticizer, glucono-delta-lactone as acidulant to form the gels, and TiO 2 nanoparticles as reinforcement to improve physical behavior. Structural characterization was performed by SAXS and WAXS (Small and Wide Angle X-ray Scattering, respectively), combined with confocal and scanning electron microscopy. The results demonstrate that the incorporation of the lipid phase does not notably modify the mechanical properties of the films compared to solution films. Films from NE were more stable against oil release than those from CE. Incorporation of TiO 2 improved mechanical properties as measured by dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA) and uniaxial tensile tests. TiO 2 macroscopic spatial distribution homogeneity and the nanostructure character of NE films were confirmed by mapping the q-dependent scattering intensity in scanning SAXS experiments. SAXS microscopies indicated a higher intrinsic homogeneity of NE films compared to CE films, independently of the TiO 2 load. NE-films containing structures with smaller and more homogeneously distributed building blocks showed greater potential for food applications than the films prepared from sodium caseinate solutions, which are the best known films. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Analysis of MSS (Marine Seismic System) and OBS (Ocean Bottom Seismograph) Data Collected during the NGENDEI Seismic Experiment

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-08-01

34Wave-wave interactions, microseisms, and infra - sonic ambient noise in the ocean," J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 78, 981-994, 1985. 8. R. G. Adair, J. A...properties were very con- sistent. Sonic velocities measured at 400 kliz with a Hamilton Frame Velocimeter varied only slightly from 1.5 kilometers/second...physical properties measurements. This sample gave a much higher sonic velocity of 3.8 kilometers/second and a wet bulk desity of 2.46 Mg/m*3. A thin

Causality as an emergent macroscopic phenomenon: The Lee-Wick O(N) model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grinstein, Benjamin; O'Connell, Donal; Wise, Mark B.

2009-05-15

In quantum mechanics the deterministic property of classical physics is an emergent phenomenon appropriate only on macroscopic scales. Lee and Wick introduced Lorentz invariant quantum theories where causality is an emergent phenomenon appropriate for macroscopic time scales. In this paper we analyze a Lee-Wick version of the O(N) model. We argue that in the large-N limit this theory has a unitary and Lorentz invariant S matrix and is therefore free of paradoxes in scattering experiments. We discuss some of its acausal properties.

Martian physical properties experiments: The Viking Mars Lander

USGS Publications Warehouse

Shorthill, R.W.; Hutton, R.E.; Moore, H.J.; Scott, R.F.

1972-01-01

Current data indicate that Mars, like the Earth and Moon, will have a soil-like layer. An understanding of this soil-like layer is an essential ingredient in understanding the Martian ecology. The Viking Lander and its subsystems will be used in a manner similar to that used by Sue Surveyor program to define properties of the Martian "soil". Data for estimates of bearing strength, cohesion, angle of internal friction, porosity, grain size, adhesion, thermal inertia, dielectric constants, and homogeneity of the Martian surface materials will be collected. ?? 1972.

Extracting physical chemistry from mechanics: a new approach to investigate DNA interactions with drugs and proteins in single molecule experiments.

PubMed

Rocha, M S

2015-09-01

In this review we focus on the idea of establishing connections between the mechanical properties of DNA-ligand complexes and the physical chemistry of DNA-ligand interactions. This type of connection is interesting because it opens the possibility of performing a robust characterization of such interactions by using only one experimental technique: single molecule stretching. Furthermore, it also opens new possibilities in comparing results obtained by very different approaches, in particular when comparing single molecule techniques to ensemble-averaging techniques. We start the manuscript reviewing important concepts of DNA mechanics, from the basic mechanical properties to the Worm-Like Chain model. Next we review the basic concepts of the physical chemistry of DNA-ligand interactions, revisiting the most important models used to analyze the binding data and discussing their binding isotherms. Then, we discuss the basic features of the single molecule techniques most used to stretch DNA-ligand complexes and to obtain "force × extension" data, from which the mechanical properties of the complexes can be determined. We also discuss the characteristics of the main types of interactions that can occur between DNA and ligands, from covalent binding to simple electrostatic driven interactions. Finally, we present a historical survey of the attempts to connect mechanics to physical chemistry for DNA-ligand systems, emphasizing a recently developed fitting approach useful to connect the persistence length of DNA-ligand complexes to the physicochemical properties of the interaction. Such an approach in principle can be used for any type of ligand, from drugs to proteins, even if multiple binding modes are present.

Ecohydrological Interfaces as Dynamic Hotspots of Biogeochemical Cycling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krause, Stefan; Lewandowski, Joerg; Hannah, David; McDonald, Karlie; Folegot, Silvia; Baranov, Victor

2016-04-01

Ecohydrological interfaces, represent the boundaries between water-dependent ecosystems that can alter substantially the fluxes of energy and matter. There is still a critical gap of understanding the organisational principles of the drivers and controls of spatially and temporally variable ecohydrological interface functions. This knowledge gap limits our capacity to efficiently quantify, predict and manage the services provided by complex ecosystems. Many ecohydrological interfaces are characterized by step changes in microbial metabolic activity, steep redox gradients and often even thermodynamic phase shifts, for instance at the interfaces between atmosphere and water or soil matrix and macro-pores interfaces. This paper integrates investigations from point scale laboratory microcosm experiments with reach and subcatchment scale tracer experiments and numerical modeling studies to elaborate similarities in the drivers and controls that constitute the enhanced biogeochemical activity of different types of ecohydrologica interfaces across a range of spatial and temporal scales. We therefore combine smart metabolic activity tracers to quantify the impact of bioturbating benthic fauna onto ecosystem respiration and oxygen consumption and investigate at larger scale, how microbial metabolic activity and carbon turnover at the water-sediment interface are controlled by sediment physical and chemical properties as well as water temperatures. Numerical modeling confirmed that experimentally identified hotspots of streambed biogeochemical cycling were controlled by patterns of physical properties such as hydraulic conductivities or bioavailability of organic matter, impacting on residence time distributions and hence reaction times. In contrast to previous research, our investigations thus confirmed that small-scale variability of physical and chemical interface properties had a major impact on biogeochemical processing at the investigated ecohydrological interfaces. Our results furthermore indicate that to fully understand spatial patterns and temporal dynamics of ecohydrological interface functioning, including hotspots and hot moments, detailed knowledge of the impacts of biological behavior on the physic-chemical ecosystem conditions, and vice-versa, is required.

Ecohydrological Interfaces as Dynamic Hotspots of Biogeochemical Cycling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krause, S.

2015-12-01

Ecohydrological interfaces, represent the boundaries between water-dependent ecosystems that can alter substantially the fluxes of energy and matter. There is still a critical gap of understanding the organisational principles of the drivers and controls of spatially and temporally variable ecohydrological interface functions. This knowledge gap limits our capacity to efficiently quantify, predict and manage the services provided by complex ecosystems. Many ecohydrological interfaces are characterized by step changes in microbial metabolic activity, steep redox gradients and often even thermodynamic phase shifts, for instance at the interfaces between atmosphere and water or soil matrix and macro-pores interfaces. This paper integrates investigations from point scale microcosm experiments with reach and subcatchment scale tracer experiments and numerical modeling studies to elaborate similarities in the drivers and controls that constitute the enhanced biogeochemical activity of different types of ecohydrologica interfaces across a range of spatial and temporal scales. We therefore combine smart metabolic activity tracers to quantify the impact of bioturbating benthic fauna onto ecosystem respiration and oxygen consumption and investigate at larger scale, how microbial metabolic activity and carbon turnover at the water-sediment interface are controlled by sediment physical and chemical properties as well as water temperatures. Numerical modeling confirmed that experimentally identified hotspots of streambed biogeochemical cycling were controlled by patterns of physical properties such as hydraulic conductivities or bioavailability of organic matter, impacting on residence time distributions and hence reaction times. In contrast to previous research, our investigations thus confirmed that small-scale variability of physical and chemical interface properties had a major impact on biogeochemical processing at the investigated ecohydrological interfaces. Our results furthermore indicate that to fully understand spatial patterns and temporal dynamics of ecohydrological interface functioning, including hotspots and hot moments, detailed knowledge of the impacts of biological behavior on the physic-chemical ecosystem conditions, and vice-versa, is required.

A skeleton family generator via physics-based deformable models.

PubMed

Krinidis, Stelios; Chatzis, Vassilios

2009-01-01

This paper presents a novel approach for object skeleton family extraction. The introduced technique utilizes a 2-D physics-based deformable model that parameterizes the objects shape. Deformation equations are solved exploiting modal analysis, and proportional to model physical characteristics, a different skeleton is produced every time, generating, in this way, a family of skeletons. The theoretical properties and the experiments presented demonstrate that obtained skeletons match to hand-labeled skeletons provided by human subjects, even in the presence of significant noise and shape variations, cuts and tears, and have the same topology as the original skeletons. In particular, the proposed approach produces no spurious branches without the need of any known skeleton pruning method.

Effects of Aging Quartz Sand and Hanford Site Sediment with Sodium Hydroxide on Radionuclide Sorption Coefficients and Sediment Physical and Hydrologic Properties: Final Report for Subtask 2a

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

DI Kaplan; JC Ritter; KE Parker

1998-12-04

Column and batch experiments were conducted in fiscal year 1998 at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to evaluate the effect of varying concentrations of NaOH on the sorptive, physical, and hydraulic properties of two media, a quartz sand and a composite subsurface sediment from the 200-East Area of the Hanford Site. The NaOH solutions were used as a simplified effluent from a low-activity glass waste form. These experiments were conducted over a limited (O-to 10-month) contact time, with respect to the 10,000-to 100,000-year scenarios described in the Immobilized Low-Activity Waste- Performance Assessment (ILAW-PA). Wheq these two solids were put in contactmore » with the NaOH solutions, dissolution was evident by a substantial increase in dissolved Si concentrations in the leachates. Incremental increases in NaOH con- centrations, resulted in corresponding increases in Si concentrations. A number of physical and hydraulic properties also changed as the NaOH concentrations were changed. It was observed that quartz sand was less reactive than the composite sediment. Further, moisture- retention measurements were made on the quartz sand and composite sedimen$ which showed that the NaOH-treated solids retained more water than the non-NaOH-treated solids. Because the other chemical, physical, and hydraulic measurements did not change dramatically after the high-NaOH treatments, the greater moisture retention of the high-NaOH treatments was attributed to a "salt effect" and not to the formation of small particles during the dissolution (weathering). The distribution coefficients (IQ) for Cs and Sr were measured on the NaOH-treated sediments, with decreases from -3,000 to 1,000 and 1,300 to 300 mL/g noted, respectively, at the 0.01-to 1.O-M NaOH levels. There was no apparent trend for the Sr & values with contact time. The lack of such a trend sug- gests that dissolution of sediment particles is not controlling the drop in IQ rather, it is the competition of the added Na in the various treatment solutions. It is clear from these experiments that the background chemistry of the waste-glass Ieachate is likely to have a significant effect on the hydrology and radionuclide geochemistry in the near-field environment of the ILAW.' These experiments provided an important f~st approximation of several chemical and physical processes. Future research, together with the data presented in this repo~ will provide important guidance for the selection of near-field hydraulic and geochemical input data for the ILAW-PA.« less

41 CFR 109-1.5110 - Physical inventories of personal property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Physical inventories of...-INTRODUCTION 1.51-Personal Property Management Standards and Practices § 109-1.5110 Physical inventories of personal property. (a) Physical inventories of those categories of personal property as specified in...

41 CFR 109-1.5110 - Physical inventories of personal property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Physical inventories of...-INTRODUCTION 1.51-Personal Property Management Standards and Practices § 109-1.5110 Physical inventories of personal property. (a) Physical inventories of those categories of personal property as specified in...

41 CFR 109-1.5110 - Physical inventories of personal property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Physical inventories of...-INTRODUCTION 1.51-Personal Property Management Standards and Practices § 109-1.5110 Physical inventories of personal property. (a) Physical inventories of those categories of personal property as specified in...

41 CFR 109-1.5110 - Physical inventories of personal property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Physical inventories of...-INTRODUCTION 1.51-Personal Property Management Standards and Practices § 109-1.5110 Physical inventories of personal property. (a) Physical inventories of those categories of personal property as specified in...

41 CFR 109-1.5110 - Physical inventories of personal property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Physical inventories of...-INTRODUCTION 1.51-Personal Property Management Standards and Practices § 109-1.5110 Physical inventories of personal property. (a) Physical inventories of those categories of personal property as specified in...

Consumers' view on determinants to food satisfaction. A qualitative approach.

PubMed

Andersen, Barbara Vad; Hyldig, Grethe

2015-12-01

The objective of this study was to gain a better understanding of the multiple determinants to food satisfaction from a consumer perspective. The study includes two focus groups with a total of 20 consumers varying in gender, age, employment and food interest. The results were divided into sections based on the main themes that arose from analysing the focus groups; i) sensory properties, ii) physical wellbeing, iii) expectations and desires, iv) the food context and v) comparison of the importance of the various determinants to satisfaction. Factors important for food satisfaction appear before as well as during and after intake. Before intake, the important factors are; expectations and desires based on memories about previous food experiences and the context in which the food is perceived. Physical wellbeing was mentioned important for the feeling of satisfaction, included in physical wellbeing is the experience of an appropriate energy level after intake. In general the sensory experience seems to be the primary determinant to satisfaction. The hedonic experience of eating could be enhanced by the social company and knowledge about the food inclusive health value and origin. Findings from the study will prospectively be used to develop a questionnaire. The questionnaire will be applied in case studies to measure factors influential in food satisfaction. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Simulating Extraterrestrial Ices in the Laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berisford, D. F.; Carey, E. M.; Hand, K. P.; Choukroun, M.

2017-12-01

Several ongoing experiments at JPL attempt to simulate the ice environment for various regimes associated with icy moons. The Europa Penitent Ice Experiment (EPIX) simulates the surface environment of an icy moon, to investigate the physics of ice surface morphology growth. This experiment features half-meter-scale cryogenic ice samples, cryogenic radiative sink environment, vacuum conditions, and diurnal cycling solar simulation. The experiment also includes several smaller fixed-geometry vacuum chambers for ice simulation at Earth-like and intermediate temperature and vacuum conditions for development of surface morphology growth scaling relations. Additionally, an ice cutting facility built on a similar platform provides qualitative data on the mechanical behavior of cryogenic ice with impurities under vacuum, and allows testing of ice cutting/sampling tools relevant for landing spacecraft. A larger cutting facility is under construction at JPL, which will provide more quantitative data and allow full-scale sampling tool tests. Another facility, the JPL Ice Physics Laboratory, features icy analog simulant preparation abilities that range icy solar system objects such as Mars, Ceres and the icy satellites of Saturn and Jupiter. In addition, the Ice Physics Lab has unique facilities for Icy Analog Tidal Simulation and Rheological Studies of Cryogenic Icy Slurries, as well as equipment to perform thermal and mechanical properties testing on icy analog materials and their response to sinusoidal tidal stresses.

Local Atomic Arrangements and Band Structure of Boron Carbide.

PubMed

Rasim, Karsten; Ramlau, Reiner; Leithe-Jasper, Andreas; Mori, Takao; Burkhardt, Ulrich; Borrmann, Horst; Schnelle, Walter; Carbogno, Christian; Scheffler, Matthias; Grin, Yuri

2018-05-22

Boron carbide, the simple chemical combination of boron and carbon, is one of the best-known binary ceramic materials. Despite that, a coherent description of its crystal structure and physical properties resembles one of the most challenging problems in materials science. By combining ab initio computational studies, precise crystal structure determination from diffraction experiments, and state-of-the-art high-resolution transmission electron microscopy imaging, this concerted investigation reveals hitherto unknown local structure modifications together with the known structural alterations. The mixture of different local atomic arrangements within the real crystal structure reduces the electron deficiency of the pristine structure CBC+B 12 , answering the question about electron precise character of boron carbide and introducing new electronic states within the band gap, which allow a better understanding of physical properties. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Teaching from a Microgravity Environment: Harmonic Oscillator and Pendulum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benge, Raymond; Young, Charlotte; Davis, Shirley; Worley, Alan; Smith, Linda; Gell, Amber

2009-04-01

This presentation reports on an educational experiment flown in January 2009 as part of NASA's Microgravity University program. The experiment flown was an investigation into the properties of harmonic oscillators in reduced gravity. Harmonic oscillators are studied in every introductory physics class. The equation for the period of a harmonic oscillator does not include the acceleration due to gravity, so the period should be independent of gravity. However, the equation for the period of a pendulum does include the acceleration due to gravity, so the period of a pendulum should appear longer under reduced gravity (such as lunar or Martian gravity) and shorter under hyper-gravity. These environments can be simulated aboard an aircraft. Video of the experiments being performed aboard the aircraft is to be used in introductory physics classes. Students will be able to record information from watching the experiment performed aboard the aircraft in a similar manner to how they collect data in the laboratory. They can then determine if the experiment matches theory. Video and an experimental procedure are being prepared based upon this flight, and these materials will be available for download by faculty anywhere with access to the internet who wish to use the experiment in their own classrooms.

Thermo-mechanical assessment of full SiC/SiC composite cladding for LWR applications with sensitivity analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Gyanender; Terrani, Kurt; Katoh, Yutai

2018-02-01

SiC/SiC composites are considered among leading candidates for accident tolerant fuel cladding in light water reactors. However, when SiC-based materials are exposed to neutron irradiation, they experience significant changes in dimensions and physical properties. Under a large heat flux application (i.e. fuel cladding), the non-uniform changes in the dimensions and physical properties will lead to build-up of stresses in the structure over the course of time. To ensure reliable and safe operation of such a structure it is important to assess its thermo-mechanical performance under in-reactor conditions of irradiation and elevated temperature. In this work, the foundation for 3D thermo-mechanical analysis of SiC/SiC cladding is put in place and a set of analyses with simplified boundary conditions has been performed. The analyses were carried out with two different codes that were benchmarked against one another and prior results in the literature. A constitutive model is constructed and solved numerically to predict the stress distribution and variation in the cladding under normal operating conditions. The dependence of dimensions and physical properties variation with irradiation and temperature has been incorporated. These robust models may now be modified to take into account the axial and circumferential variation in neutron and heat flux to fully account for 3D effects. The results from the simple analyses show the development of high tensile stresses especially in the circumferential and axial directions at the inner region of the cladding. Based on the results obtained, design guidelines are recommended. For lack of certainty in or tailor-ability for the physical and mechanical properties of SiC/SiC composite material a sensitivity analysis is conducted. The analysis results establish a precedence order of the properties based on the extent to which these properties influence the temperature and the stresses.

Visualizing Earth Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cashman, K. V.; Rust, A.; Stibbon, E.; Harris, R.

2016-12-01

Earth materials are fundamental to art. They are pigments, they are clay, they provide form and color. Earth scientists, however, rarely attempt to make the physical properties of Earth materials visible through art, and similarly many artists use Earth materials without fully understanding their physical and chemical properties. Here we explore the intersection between art and science through study of the physical properties of Earth materials as characterized in the laboratory, and as transferred to paper using different techniques and suspending media. One focus of this collaboration is volcanic ash. Ash is interesting scientifically because its form provides information on the fundamental processes that drive volcanic eruptions, and determines its transport properties, and thus its potential to affect populations far downwind of the volcano. Ash properties also affect its behavior as an art material. From an aesthetic point of view, ash lends a granular surface to the image; it is also uncontrollable, and thus requires engagement between artist and medium. More fundamentally, using ash in art creates an exchange between the medium and the subject matter, and imparts something of the physical, visceral experience of volcanic landscapes to the viewer. Another component of this work uses powdered rock as a printing medium for geologic maps. Because different types of rock create powders with different properties (grain size distributions and shapes), the geology is communicated not only as color, but also by the physical characteristics of the material as it interacts with the paper. More importantly, the use of actual rocks samples as printing material for geologic maps not only makes a direct connection between the map and the material it represents, but also provides an emotional connection between the map, the viewer and the landscape, its colors, textures and geological juxtapositions. Both case studies provide examples not only of ways in which artists can help scientists to visualize materials, but also how artists and scientists can work together to learn from each other. To illustrate this point, our poster will provide opportunities for hands on experimentation with earth materials as artistic media.

Experimental triple-slit interference in a strongly driven V-type artificial atom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dada, Adetunmise C.; Santana, Ted S.; Koutroumanis, Antonios; Ma, Yong; Park, Suk-In; Song, Jindong; Gerardot, Brian D.

2017-08-01

Rabi oscillations of a two-level atom appear as a quantum interference effect between the amplitudes associated with atomic superpositions, in analogy with the classic double-slit experiment which manifests a sinusoidal interference pattern. By extension, through direct detection of time-resolved resonance fluorescence from a quantum-dot neutral exciton driven in the Rabi regime, we experimentally demonstrate triple-slit-type quantum interference via quantum erasure in a V-type three-level artificial atom. This result is of fundamental interest in the experimental studies of the properties of V-type three-level systems and may pave the way for further insight into their coherence properties as well as applications for quantum information schemes. It also suggests quantum dots as candidates for multipath-interference experiments for probing foundational concepts in quantum physics.

Hearing the shape of the Ising model with a programmable superconducting-flux annealer.

PubMed

Vinci, Walter; Markström, Klas; Boixo, Sergio; Roy, Aidan; Spedalieri, Federico M; Warburton, Paul A; Severini, Simone

2014-07-16

Two objects can be distinguished if they have different measurable properties. Thus, distinguishability depends on the Physics of the objects. In considering graphs, we revisit the Ising model as a framework to define physically meaningful spectral invariants. In this context, we introduce a family of refinements of the classical spectrum and consider the quantum partition function. We demonstrate that the energy spectrum of the quantum Ising Hamiltonian is a stronger invariant than the classical one without refinements. For the purpose of implementing the related physical systems, we perform experiments on a programmable annealer with superconducting flux technology. Departing from the paradigm of adiabatic computation, we take advantage of a noisy evolution of the device to generate statistics of low energy states. The graphs considered in the experiments have the same classical partition functions, but different quantum spectra. The data obtained from the annealer distinguish non-isomorphic graphs via information contained in the classical refinements of the functions but not via the differences in the quantum spectra.

Bell violation using entangled photons without the fair-sampling assumption.

PubMed

Giustina, Marissa; Mech, Alexandra; Ramelow, Sven; Wittmann, Bernhard; Kofler, Johannes; Beyer, Jörn; Lita, Adriana; Calkins, Brice; Gerrits, Thomas; Nam, Sae Woo; Ursin, Rupert; Zeilinger, Anton

2013-05-09

The violation of a Bell inequality is an experimental observation that forces the abandonment of a local realistic viewpoint--namely, one in which physical properties are (probabilistically) defined before and independently of measurement, and in which no physical influence can propagate faster than the speed of light. All such experimental violations require additional assumptions depending on their specific construction, making them vulnerable to so-called loopholes. Here we use entangled photons to violate a Bell inequality while closing the fair-sampling loophole, that is, without assuming that the sample of measured photons accurately represents the entire ensemble. To do this, we use the Eberhard form of Bell's inequality, which is not vulnerable to the fair-sampling assumption and which allows a lower collection efficiency than other forms. Technical improvements of the photon source and high-efficiency transition-edge sensors were crucial for achieving a sufficiently high collection efficiency. Our experiment makes the photon the first physical system for which each of the main loopholes has been closed, albeit in different experiments.

ICPP: Charge and Density Coupling in Nonideal Plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fortov, V. E.

2000-10-01

Plasmas with Strong Coulomb Interaction (SCI) are found in astrophysics, planetary physics, inertial confinement fusion, advanced energetics and elsewhere[1]. SCI plasmas can be achieved in: I Dusty plasmas, II Shock-compressed plasmas. I. SCI in low-density dusty (colloidal) plasmas arises from the high charge of micron-size macroparticles[2]. Experiments use glow and inductive RF discharges, combustion flames of gas and solid propellant, ultraviolet light beams, and radioactive decay fluxes. Liquid- and solid-like structures are seen, and phase diagrams and transitions investigated by experiment and simulation. Zero-g experiments on space station Mir and in aircraft clarified the gravity effect on plasma crystal formation. II. Plasma SCI can arise in shock compression of solid and porous metals, noble gases, hydrogen, sulphur, and iodine at megabar pressures [3,4], using high explosive drive. Phase diagram regions were examined, where thermal and pressure ionization exist. Multiple-shock-compressed hydrogen can show metal-like conductivity from pressure ionization. The ``metal-to-dielectric" transition in shock-compressed lithium at 0.5 Mbar was detected and analyzed. Thermodynamics, equation of state, plasma composition, electrical and radiative properties show SCI suppression of discrete electron spectra and strong lowering of ionization potentials, evoking the ``confined-atom" model[5] for SCI and other models[6]. [1] V.E.Fortov, I.T.Yakubov, Physics of Nonideal Plasmas, Hemisphere, N.Y.-London (1989). [2] V.E.Fortov, A.P.Nefedov, O.F.Petrov, Soviet Physics-Uspekhy, 167(1997)1215. [3] V.Gryaznov, I.Iosilevsky, V.Fortov, Contrib. Plasma Physics, 39(1999)89. [4] V.Ya.Temovoi, A.S. Filimonov, V.E.Fortov et al. Proc. XXXVI EHPRG Meeting, Catania, Italy (1998). [5] V.K.Gryaznov, M.V.Zhernokletov et al. Zh. Exp. Teor. Fiz. (Soviet JETP) 78(1980) 573. [6] V.Ebeling, A.Foerster, V.Fortov et al. Thermodynamical Properties of Hot Dense Plasmas, Teubner Verlaggeselschaft , Berlin-Stuttgart, 1991.

Constraints on pulsar masses from the maximum observed glitch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pizzochero, P. M.; Antonelli, M.; Haskell, B.; Seveso, S.

2017-07-01

Neutron stars are unique cosmic laboratories in which fundamental physics can be probed in extreme conditions not accessible to terrestrial experiments. In particular, the precise timing of rotating magnetized neutron stars (pulsars) reveals sudden jumps in rotational frequency in these otherwise steadily spinning-down objects. These 'glitches' are thought to be due to the presence of a superfluid component in the star, and offer a unique glimpse into the interior physics of neutron stars. In this paper we propose an innovative method to constrain the mass of glitching pulsars, using observations of the maximum glitch observed in a star, together with state-of-the-art microphysical models of the pinning interaction between superfluid vortices and ions in the crust. We study the properties of a physically consistent angular momentum reservoir of pinned vorticity, and we find a general inverse relation between the size of the maximum glitch and the pulsar mass. We are then able to estimate the mass of all the observed glitchers that have displayed at least two large events. Our procedure will allow current and future observations of glitching pulsars to constrain not only the physics of glitch models but also the superfluid properties of dense hadronic matter in neutron star interiors.

Properties of iron under core conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, J. M.

2003-04-01

Underlying an understanding of the geodynamo and evolution of the core is knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of iron and iron mixtures under high pressure and temperature conditions. Key properties include the viscosity of the fluid outer core, thermal diffusivity, equations-of-state, elastic properties of solid phases, and phase equilibria for iron and iron-dominated mixtures. As is expected for work that continues to tax technological and intellectual limits, controversy has followed both experimental and theoretical progress in this field. However, estimates for the melting temperature of the inner core show convergence and the equation-of-state for iron as determined in independent experiments and theories are in remarkable accord. Furthermore, although the structure and elastic properties of the solid inner-core phase remains uncertain, theoretical and experimental underpinnings are better understood and substantial progress is likely in the near future. This talk will focus on an identification of properties that are reasonably well known and those that merit further detailed study. In particular, both theoretical and experimental (static and shock wave) determinations of the density of iron under extreme conditions are in agreement at the 1% or better level. The behavior of the Gruneisen parameter (which determines the geothermal gradient and controls much of the outer core heat flux) is constrained by experiment and theory under core conditions for both solid and liquid phases. Recent experiments and theory are suggestive of structure or structures other than the high-pressure hexagonal close-packed (HCP) phase. Various theories and experiments for the elasticity of HCP iron remain in poor accord. Uncontroversial constraints on core chemistry will likely never be possible. However, reasonable bounds are possible on the basis of seismic profiles, geochemical arguments, and determinations of sound velocities and densities at high pressure and temperature.

Mineral Physics and Mantle Evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liebermann, R. C.; Bass, J. D.; Weidner, D. J.

2003-12-01

Don Anderson has been a steadfast patron and constructive critic of mineral physics for more than 40 years. Although he has never actually done an experiment himself [except for perhaps some early work on ice when he was working in Greenland], he has nurtured and supported two generations of experimental mineral physicists throughout the U.S. His role and influence have been especially evident in studies of the elasticity and anelasticity of minerals and the use of such data for interpretation of seismic models of the Earth's mantle. In the 1960s, such acoustic experiments required specimens of centimeter dimensions and could achieve elevated conditions of less than 1 Gigapascal in pressure and a few hundred degrees of Celsius temperature. Today, one can perform such experiments on specimens only a fraction of a milimeter in size and reach pressures of tens of GPa and temperatures in excess of two thousand degrees C. In addition, Anderson's contributions to organized scientific endeavors have extended far beyond his founding role in IRIS to include advising on the establishment of the new Consortium for Materials Properties Research in Earth Sciences [COMPRES]. We ilustrate his remarkable contributions to mineral physics with examples of our own research, some of it done in collaboration with Anderson.

Psychometric properties of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Abuse Short Form (ACE-ASF) among Romanian high school students.

PubMed

Meinck, Franziska; Cosma, Alina Paula; Mikton, Christopher; Baban, Adriana

2017-10-01

Child abuse is a major public health problem. In order to establish the prevalence of abuse exposure among children, measures need to be age-appropriate, sensitive, reliable and valid. This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire Abuse Short Form (ACE-ASF). The ACE-ASF is an 8-item, retrospective self-report questionnaire measuring lifetime physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Data from a nationally representative sample of 15-year-old, school-going adolescents (n=1733, 55.5% female) from the Romanian Health Behavior in School-Based Children Study 2014 (HBSC) were analyzed. The factorial structure of the ACE-ASF was tested with Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and confirmed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Measurement invariance was examined across sex, and internal reliability and concurrent criterion validity were established. Violence exposure was high: 39.7% physical, 32.2% emotional and 13.1% sexual abuse. EFA established a two-factor structure: physical/emotional abuse and sexual abuse. CFA confirmed this model fitted the data well [χ2(df)=60.526(19); RMSEA=0.036; CFI/TLI=0.990/0.986]. Metric invariance was supported across sexes. Internal consistency was good (0.83) for the sexual abuse scale and poor (0.57) for the physical/emotional abuse scale. Concurrent criterion validity confirmed hypothesized relationships between childhood abuse and health-related quality of life, life satisfaction, self-perceived health, bullying victimization and perpetration, externalizing and internalizing behaviors, and multiple health complaints. Results support the ACE-ASF as a valid measure of physical, emotional and sexual abuse in school-aged adolescents. However, the ACE-ASF combines spanking with other types of physical abuse when this should be assessed separately instead. Future research is needed to replicate findings in different youth populations and across age groups. Copyright © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

The behaviour of a vehicle’s suspension system on dynamic testing conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mihon, L.; Lontiş, N.; Deac, S.

2018-01-01

The paper presents a car suspension’s behaviour on dynamic testing conditions through theoretical and mathematical simulation on specific model, on the single traction wheel, according to the real vehicle and by experiment on the test bench by reproducing the road’s geometry and vehicle’s speed and measuring the acceleration and damping response of the suspension system on that wheel. There are taking in consideration also the geometry and properties of the tyre-wheel model and physical wheel’s properties. The results are important due to the suspension’s model properties which allows to extend the theory and applications to the whole vehicle for improving the vehicle’s dynamics.

Thermal Properties of Matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khachan, Joe

2018-02-01

The ancient Greeks believed that all matter was composed of four elements: earth, water, air, and fire. By a remarkable coincidence (or perhaps not), today we know that there are four states of matter: solids (e.g. earth), liquids (e.g. water), gasses (e.g. air) and plasma (e.g. ionized gas produced by fire). The plasma state is beyond the scope of this book and we will only look at the first three states. Although on the microscopic level all matter is made from atoms or molecules, everyday experience tells us that the three states have very different properties. The aim of this book is to examine some of these properties and the underlying physics.

Status Report - Cane Fiberboard Properties And Degradation Rates For Storage Of The 9975 Shipping Package In KAC

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Daugherty, W.

Thermal, mechanical and physical properties have been measured on cane fiberboard samples following accelerated aging for up to approximately 10 years. The aging environments have included elevated temperature < 250 ºF (the maximum allowed service temperature for fiberboard in 9975 packages) and elevated humidity. The results from this testing have been analyzed, and aging models fit to the data. Correlations relating several properties (thermal conductivity, energy absorption, weight, dimensions and density) to their rate of change in potential storage environments have been developed. Combined with an estimate of the actual conditions the fiberboard experiences in KAC, these models allow developmentmore » of service life predictions.« less

Nikola Tesla, the Ether and his Telautomaton

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milar, Kendall

2014-03-01

In the nineteenth century physicists' understanding of the ether changed dramatically. New developments in thermodynamics, energy physics, and electricity and magnetism dictated new properties of the ether. These have traditionally been examined from the perspective of the scientists re-conceptualizing the ether. However Nikola Tesla, a prolific inventor and writer, presents a different picture of nineteenth century physics. Alongside the displays that showcased his inventions he presented alternative interpretations of physical, physiological and even psychical research. This is particularly evident in his telautomaton, a radio remote controlled boat. This invention and Tesla's descriptions of it showcase some of his novel interpretations of physical theories. He offered a perspective on nineteenth century physics that focused on practical application instead of experiment. Sometimes the understanding of physical theories that Tesla reached was counterproductive to his own inventive work; other times he offered new insights. Tesla's utilitarian interpretation of physical theories suggests a more scientifically curious and invested inventor than previously described and a connection between the scientific and inventive communities.

The development and manufacture of wood composite wind turbine rotors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zuteck, M. D.

1982-01-01

The physical properties, operational experience, and construction methods of the wood/epoxy composite MOD 0A wind turbine blades are considered. Blades of this type have accumulated over 10,000 hours of successful operation at the Kahuku, Hawaii and Block Island, Rhode Island test sites. That body of experience is summarized and related to the structural concepts and design drivers which motivated the original design and choice of interior layout. Actual manufacturing experience and associated low first unit costs for these blades, as well as projections for high production rates, are presented. Application of these construction techniques to a wide range of other blade sizes is also considered.

Optimization of barrel temperature and kidney bean flour percentage based on various physical properties of extruded snacks.

PubMed

Agathian, G; Semwal, A D; Sharma, G K

2015-07-01

The aim of the experiment was to optimize barrel temperature (122 to 178 ± 0.5 °C) and red kidney bean flour percentage (KBF) (12 to 68 ± 0.5 %) based on physical properties of extrudates like flash off percentage, water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI), bulk density (BD), radial expansion ratio (RER) and overall acceptability (OAA) using single screw extruder. The study was carried out by central composite rotatable design (CCRD) using Response surface methodology (RSM) and moisture content of feed was kept as constant 16.0 ± 0.5 % throughout experiments. Mathematical models for various responses were found to fit significantly (P < 0.05) for prediction. Optimization of experimental conditions was carried out using numerical optimization technique and the optimum barrel temperature and kidney bean flour percentage were 120 °C (T1) & 142.62 °C (T2 = T3) and 20 % respectively with desirability value of 0.909. Experiments were carried out using predicted values and verified using t-test and coefficient of variation percentage. Extruded snack prepared with rice flour (80 %) and kidney bean flour (20 %) at optimized conditions was accepted by the taste panellists and above 20 % KB incorporation was found to decrease overall acceptability score.

Generator Set Durability Testing Using 25% ATJ Fuel Blend

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-02-01

Table Page Table 1. Chemical & Physical Properties of Evaluated 25% ATJ Blend .................................................... 3 Table 2... Chemical & Physical Properties of Evaluated 25% ATJ Blend .................................................... 4 Table 3. Chemical & Physical...Properties of Evaluated 25% ATJ Blend .................................................... 5 Table 4. Chemical & Physical Properties of Evaluated 25

Time measurements with a mobile device using sound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wisman, Raymond F.; Spahn, Gabriel; Forinash, Kyle

2018-05-01

Data collection is a fundamental skill in science education, one that students generally practice in a controlled setting using equipment only available in the classroom laboratory. However, using smartphones with their built-in sensors and often free apps, many fundamental experiments can be performed outside the laboratory. Taking advantage of these tools often require creative approaches to data collection and exploring alternative strategies for experimental procedures. As examples, we present several experiments using smartphones and apps that record and analyze sound to measure a variety of physical properties.

Spatial variability in mycorrhizal hyphae and nutrient and water availability in a soil-weathered bedrock profile

Treesearch

L.M. Egerton-Warburton; R.C. Graham; K.R. Hubbert

2003-01-01

We documented the spatial distribution, abundance and molecular diversity of mycorrhizal hyphae and physical and chemical properties of soil-weathered bedrock in a chaparral community that experiences seasonal drought. Because plants in this community were known to rely on bedrock-stored water during the summer, the data were used to evaluate the potential role of...

On the Determination of the Emission Wavelength of an Infrared LED with Common Laboratory Instruments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

RayChaudhuri, Barun

2011-01-01

This work demonstrates an experiment on the optoelectronic properties of a p-n junction suitable for students of undergraduate physics. It investigates, from an educational point of view, the origin of the wavelength of radiation emitted by a light emitting diode (LED) and determines the emission wavelength of an infrared LED without using…

Preparation, Characterization, and Postsynthetic Modification of Metal-Organic Frameworks: Synthetic Experiments for an Undergraduate Laboratory Course in Inorganic Chemistry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sumida, Kenji; Arnold, John

2011-01-01

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are crystalline materials that are composed of an infinite array of metal nodes (single ions or clusters) linked to one another by polyfunctional organic compounds. Because of their extraordinary surface areas and high degree of control over the physical and chemical properties, these materials have received much…

You Get What You Need: An Examination of Purpose-Based Inheritance Reasoning in Undergraduates, Preschoolers, and Biological Experts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ware, Elizabeth A.; Gelman, Susan A.

2014-01-01

This set of seven experiments examines reasoning about the inheritance and acquisition of physical properties in preschoolers, undergraduates, and biology experts. Participants (N = 390) received adoption vignettes in which a baby animal was born to one parent but raised by a biologically unrelated parent, and they judged whether the offspring…

Sand and Dust on Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Greeley, Ronald; Haberle, Robert M.

1991-01-01

Mars is a planet of high scientific interest. Various studies are currently being made that involve vehicles that have landed on Mars. Because Mars is known to experience frequent wind storms, mission planners and engineers require knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of Martian windblown sand and dust, and the processes involved in the origin and evolution of sand and dust storms.

An Analysis of the Units "I'm Learning My Past" and "The Place Where We Live" in the Social Studies Textbook Related to Critical Thinking Standards

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aybek, Birsel; Aslan, Serkan

2016-01-01

Problem Statement: Various research have been conducted investigating the quality and quantity of textbooks such as wording, content, design, visuality, physical properties, activities, methods and techniques, questions and experiments, events, misconceptions, organizations, pictures, text selection, end of unit questions and assessments, indexes…

Transversality of Electromagnetic Waves in the Calculus--Based Introductory Physics Course

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burko, Lior M.

2009-05-01

Introductory calculus--based physics textbooks state that electromagnetic waves are transverse and list many of their properties, but most such textbooks do not bring forth arguments why this is so. Both physical and theoretical arguments are at a level appropriate for students of courses based on such books, and could be readily used by instructors of such courses. Here, we discuss two physical arguments (based on polarization experiments and on lack of monopole electromagnetic radiation), and the full argument for the transversality of (plane) electromagnetic waves based on the integral Maxwell equations. We also show, at a level appropriate for the introductory course, why the electric and magnetic fields in a wave are in phase and the relation of their magnitudes. We have successfully integrated this approach in the calculus--based introductory physics course at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Recent Advances and Future Prospects in Fundamental Symmetries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plaster, Brad

2017-09-01

A broad program of initiatives in fundamental symmetries seeks answers to several of the most pressing open questions in nuclear physics, ranging from the scale of the neutrino mass, to the particle-antiparticle nature of the neutrino, to the origin of the matter-antimatter asymmetry, to the limits of Standard Model interactions. Although the experimental program is quite broad, with efforts ranging from precision measurements of neutrino properties; to searches for electric dipole moments; to precision measurements of magnetic dipole moments; and to precision measurements of couplings, particle properties, and decays; all of these seemingly disparate initiatives are unified by several common threads. These include the use and exploitation of symmetry principles, novel cross-disciplinary experimental work at the forefront of the precision frontier, and the need for accompanying breakthroughs in development of the theory necessary for an interpretation of the anticipated results from these experiments. This talk will highlight recent accomplishments and advances in fundamental symmetries and point to the extraordinary level of ongoing activity aimed at realizing the development and interpretation of next-generation experiments. This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Nuclear Physics, under Award Number DE-SC-0014622.

Impact of living mulches on the physical properties of Planosol in monocropped maize cultivation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romaneckas, Kęstutis; Adamavičienė, Aida; Šarauskis, Egidijus; Kriaučiūnienė, Zita; Marks, Marek; Vaitauskienė, Kristina

2018-04-01

The complex mutual interactions between soil properties and plants in high-biodiversity mono-cropping agro ecosystems have not been widely investigated. For this purpose, during 2009-2011, a stationary field experiment was conducted at the Experimental Station of the Aleksandras Stulginskis University to establish the effect of a multi-component agrocenose (maize, living mulch, weeds) on the physical properties of the soil. Spring oilseed rape, white mustard, spring barley, Italian ryegrass, black medic, Persian clover and red clover were sown as living mulch into maize inter-rows. The stability of >1.0 mm aggregates increased between the beginning and end of the maize vegetative period in almost all of the crops containing living mulch. The greatest competition for moisture content between the inter-crops and maize was observed at the beginning of the vegetative period because of living mulches of long growing seasons using the most moisture. In many cases, the shear strength of the soil was significantly reduced by the living mulch in the middle of summer, when it covered the maize inter-rows. These findings show that the monocropping of maize with living mulch stabilises or improves the physical characteristics of the soil, highlighting its potential for sustainable maize growing.

Dynamics of Physical and Physicochemical Properties of Urban Soils under the Effect of Ice-Melting Salts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Azovtseva, N. A.; Smagin, A. V.

2018-01-01

Physical (water content, density, and air and water regimes) and physicochemical (electrical conductivity, pH, and SAR) properties of urban soils were investigated on test plots of Moscow to evaluate their dynamics under anthropogenic impact. The wilting point and the dependence of the capillary-sorption and total water potentials of the soil water content were determined in laboratory experiments with natural and artificially saline soil samples to evaluate the effect of salt antifreeze substances on water availability for plants under conditions of active application of deicing reagents. Seasonal dynamics of these parameters were investigated. It was found that electrolytes display a steady tendency for the accumulation and redistribution in the root zone rather than for their deep leaching despite humid climatic conditions in Moscow megalopolis. In summer, regular droughts result in drying of the root zone to critical values and to the concentration of electrolytes up to the values that make the total water potential of soil unsuitable for water uptake by roots. The key factor of soil degradation under the impact of electrolytes is the soil dispersity: the finer the texture, the higher the soil salinization and solonetzicity and the stronger irreversible changes in the soil water retention capacity and physical properties.

Physical properties of extruded products from three Mexican common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars.

PubMed

Rocha-Guzman, N E; Gallegos-Infante, J A; Gonzalez-Laredo, R F; Bello-Perez, A; Delgado-Licon, E; Ochoa-Martinez, A; Prado-Ortiz, M J

2008-09-01

The physical properties of extruded products from three Mexican common bean cultivars were investigated. Common bean cultivars Flor de Mayo, Pinto Villa and Bayo Victoria from the same harvesting season (2006) were used in this work. Beans were milled and the flour was hydrated to 24, 26 and 28 g of water/100 g of dry weight. Two temperatures, 130 degrees C and 165 degrees C at the end of the extruder barrel without die, were experimented. Common bean flour extrudates were evaluated for water absorption index (WAI), water absorption capacity (WAC), oil absorption capacity (OAC), and emulsifying capacity (EC). Flor de Mayo extrudates showed the highest WAC and WAI values. Thus starch from Flor de Mayo beans showed minor restricted water availability. In all cases, the OAC of extruded products was lower than the crude bean flour. The EC for Bayo Victoria flour increased as a consequence of the extrusion process. The EC for Flor de Mayo was higher at lower temperature and lower moisture content than Pinto Villa and Bayo Victoria beans. EC behavior of Pinto Villa was similar to Bayo cultivar. These results indicate that it is possible to produce new extruded products with good physical properties from these common bean cultivars.

Physics of Colloids in Space (PCS) Flight Hardware Developed

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koudelka, John M.

2001-01-01

investigation that will be located in an Expedite the Process of Experiments to Space Station (EXPRESS) Rack. The investigation will be conducted in the International Space Station U.S. laboratory, Destiny, over a period of approximately 10 months during the station assembly period from flight 6A through flight UF-2. This experiment will gather data on the basic physical properties of colloids by studying three different colloid systems with the objective of understanding how they grow and what structures they form. A colloidal suspension consists of fine particles (micrometer to submicrometer) suspended in a fluid for example, paints, milk, salad dressings, and aerosols. The long-term goal of this investigation is to learn how to steer the growth of colloidal suspensions to create new materials and new structures. This experiment is part of a two-stage investigation conceived by Professor David Weitz of Harvard University along with Professor Peter Pusey of the University of Edinburgh. The experiment hardware was developed by the NASA Glenn Research Center through contracts with Dynacs, Inc., and ZIN Technologies.

Challenges in Characterizing Low-Temperature Regolith Properties

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swanger, Adam Michael; Mantovani, James G.

2014-01-01

The success or failure of in-situ resource utilization for planetary surface exploration--be it for scientific, colonization or commercialization purposes--relies heavily on the ability to design and implement systems which effectively process the associated regolith and exploit its benefits. In most cases this challenge necessarily includes the characterization of low-temperature (cryogenic) properties; as many celestial destinations of interest, such as the moon, Mars and asteroids, have little or no atmosphere to help sustain the consistently "high" surface temperatures seen on planets such as Earth, and therefore can experience permanent cryogenic temperatures or dramatic cyclical changes. Characterization of physical properties (such as specific heat, thermal and electrical conductivity, etc.) over the entire temperature profile is undoubtedly an important piece of the puzzle; however, the impact on mechanical properties due to the introduction of icy deposit must also be explored in order to devise effective and robust excavation technologies. Currently the Granular Mechanics and Regolith Operations Lab and the Cryogenics Test Lab at NASA Kennedy Space Center are developing technologies and experimental methods to address these challenges and aid in the characterization of physical and mechanical properties of regolith at cryogenic temperatures. This presentation will review the current state of knowledge concerning lunar regolith at low temperature including that of icy regolith.

Density Functional Methods for Shock Physics and High Energy Density Science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Desjarlais, Michael

2017-06-01

Molecular dynamics with density functional theory has emerged over the last two decades as a powerful and accurate framework for calculating thermodynamic and transport properties with broad application to dynamic compression, high energy density science, and warm dense matter. These calculations have been extensively validated against shock and ramp wave experiments, are a principal component of high-fidelity equation of state generation, and are having wide-ranging impacts on inertial confinement fusion, planetary science, and shock physics research. In addition to thermodynamic properties, phase boundaries, and the equation of state, one also has access to electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and lower energy optical properties. Importantly, all these properties are obtained within the same theoretical framework and are manifestly consistent. In this talk I will give a brief history and overview of molecular dynamics with density functional theory and its use in calculating a wide variety of thermodynamic and transport properties for materials ranging from ambient to extreme conditions and with comparisons to experimental data. I will also discuss some of the limitations and difficulties, as well as active research areas. Sandia is a multi-program laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

Physical-chemical property based sequence motifs and methods regarding same

DOEpatents

Braun, Werner [Friendswood, TX; Mathura, Venkatarajan S [Sarasota, FL; Schein, Catherine H [Friendswood, TX

2008-09-09

A data analysis system, program, and/or method, e.g., a data mining/data exploration method, using physical-chemical property motifs. For example, a sequence database may be searched for identifying segments thereof having physical-chemical properties similar to the physical-chemical property motifs.

Challenges for the Modern Science in its Descend Towards Nano Scale

PubMed Central

Uskoković, Vuk

2013-01-01

The current rise in the interest in physical phenomena at nano spatial scale is described hereby as a natural consequence of the scientific progress in manipulation with matter with an ever higher sensitivity. The reason behind arising of the entirely new field of nanoscience is that the properties of nanostructured materials may significantly differ from their bulk counterparts and cannot be predicted by extrapolations of the size-dependent properties displayed by materials composed of microsized particles. It is also argued that although a material can comprise critical boundaries at the nano scale, this does not mean that it will inevitably exhibit properties that endow a nanomaterial. This implies that the attribute of “nanomaterial” can be used only in relation with a given property of interest. The major challenges faced with the expansion of resolution of the materials design, in terms of hardly reproducible experiments, are further discussed. It is claimed that owing to an unavoidable interference between the experimental system and its environment to which the controlling system belongs, an increased fineness of the experimental settings will lead to ever more difficulties in rendering them reproducible and controllable. Self-assembly methods in which a part of the preprogrammed scientific design is substituted with letting physical systems spontaneously evolve into attractive and functional structures is mentioned as one of the ways to overcome the problems inherent in synthetic approaches at the ultrafine scale. The fact that physical systems partly owe their properties to the interaction with their environment implies that each self-assembly process can be considered a co-assembly event. PMID:26491428

AGC 2 Irradiated Material Properties Analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rohrbaugh, David Thomas

2017-05-01

The Advanced Reactor Technologies Graphite Research and Development Program is conducting an extensive graphite irradiation experiment to provide data for licensing of a high temperature reactor (HTR) design. In past applications, graphite has been used effectively as a structural and moderator material in both research and commercial high temperature gas cooled reactor designs. , Nuclear graphite H 451, used previously in the United States for nuclear reactor graphite components, is no longer available. New nuclear graphite grades have been developed and are considered suitable candidates for new HTR reactor designs. To support the design and licensing of HTR core componentsmore » within a commercial reactor, a complete properties database must be developed for these current grades of graphite. Quantitative data on in service material performance are required for the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of each graphite grade, with a specific emphasis on data accounting for the life limiting effects of irradiation creep on key physical properties of the HTR candidate graphite grades. Further details on the research and development activities and associated rationale required to qualify nuclear grade graphite for use within the HTR are documented in the graphite technology research and development plan.« less

Quantum Foundations of Quantum Information

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffiths, Robert

2009-03-01

The main foundational issue for quantum information is: What is quantum information about? What does it refer to? Classical information typically refers to physical properties, and since classical is a subset of quantum information (assuming the world is quantum mechanical), quantum information should--and, it will be argued, does--refer to quantum physical properties represented by projectors on appropriate subspaces of a quantum Hilbert space. All sorts of microscopic and macroscopic properties, not just measurement outcomes, can be represented in this way, and are thus a proper subject of quantum information. The Stern-Gerlach experiment illustrates this. When properties are compatible, which is to say their projectors commute, Shannon's classical information theory based on statistical correlations extends without difficulty or change to the quantum case. When projectors do not commute, giving rise to characteristic quantum effects, a foundation for the subject can still be constructed by replacing the ``measurement and wave-function collapse'' found in textbooks--an efficient calculational tool, but one giving rise to numerous conceptual difficulties--with a fully consistent and paradox free stochastic formulation of standard quantum mechanics. This formulation is particularly helpful in that it contains no nonlocal superluminal influences; the reason the latter carry no information is that they do not exist.

Studying the physical basis of global warming: thermal effects of the interaction between radiation and matter and greenhouse effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Besson, Ugo; De Ambrosis, Anna; Mascheretti, Paolo

2010-03-01

We present a teaching module dealing with the thermal effects of interaction between radiation and matter, the infrared emission of bodies and the greenhouse effect devoted to university level and teacher education. The module stresses the dependence of the optical properties of materials (transparency, absorptivity and emissivity) on radiation frequency, as a result of interaction between matter and radiation. Multiple experiences are suggested to favour a progressive construction of knowledge on the physical aspects necessary to understand the greenhouse effect and global warming. Some results obtained with university students are briefly reported.

Cirrus Susceptibility to Changes in Ice Nuclei: Physical Processes, Model Uncertainties, and Measurement Needs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jensen, Eric

2017-01-01

In this talk, I will begin by discussing the physical processes that govern the competition between heterogeneous and homogeneous ice nucleation in upper tropospheric cirrus clouds. Next, I will review the current knowledge of low-temperature ice nucleation from laboratory experiments and field measurements. I will then discuss the uncertainties and deficiencies in representations of cirrus processes in global models used to estimate the climate impacts of changes in cirrus clouds. Lastly, I will review the critical field measurements needed to advance our understanding of cirrus and their susceptibility to changes in aerosol properties.

Numerical Simulation of Thermal Performance of Glass-Fibre-Reinforced Polymer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Yuchao; Jiang, Xu; Zhang, Qilin; Wang, Qi

2017-10-01

Glass-Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP), as a developing construction material, has a rapidly increasing application in civil engineering especially bridge engineering area these years, mainly used as decorating materials and reinforcing bars for now. Compared with traditional construction material, these kinds of composite material have obvious advantages such as high strength, low density, resistance to corrosion and ease of processing. There are different processing methods to form members, such as pultrusion and resin transfer moulding (RTM) methods, which process into desired shape directly through raw material; meanwhile, GFRP, as a polymer composite, possesses several particular physical and mechanical properties, and the thermal property is one of them. The matrix material, polymer, performs special after heated and endue these composite material a potential hot processing property, but also a poor fire resistance. This paper focuses on thermal performance of GFRP as panels and corresponding researches are conducted. First, dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMA) experiment is conducted to obtain the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the object GFRP, and the curve of bending elastic modulus with temperature is calculated according to the experimental data. Then compute and estimate the values of other various thermal parameters through DMA experiment and other literatures, and conduct numerical simulation under two condition respectively: (1) the heat transfer process of GFRP panel in which the panel would be heated directly on the surface above Tg, and the hot processing under this temperature field; (2) physical and mechanical performance of GFRP panel under fire condition. Condition (1) is mainly used to guide the development of high temperature processing equipment, and condition (2) indicates that GFRP’s performance under fire is unsatisfactory, measures must be taken when being adopted. Since composite materials’ properties differ from each other and their high temperature parameters can’t be obtained through common methods, some parameters are estimated, the simulation is to guide the actual high temperature experiment, and the parameters will also be adjusted by then.

An Assessment of the Subseasonal Forecast Performance in the Extended Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sinsky, E.; Zhu, Y.; Li, W.; Guan, H.; Melhauser, C.

2017-12-01

Optimal forecast quality is crucial for the preservation of life and property. Improving monthly forecast performance over both the tropics and extra-tropics requires attention to various physical aspects such as the representation of the underlying SST, model physics and the representation of the model physics uncertainty for an ensemble forecast system. This work focuses on the impact of stochastic physics, SST and the convection scheme on forecast performance for the sub-seasonal scale over the tropics and extra-tropics with emphasis on the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO). A 2-year period is evaluated using the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Global Ensemble Forecast System (GEFS). Three experiments with different configurations than the operational GEFS were performed to illustrate the impact of the stochastic physics, SST and convection scheme. These experiments are compared against a control experiment (CTL) which consists of the operational GEFS but its integration is extended from 16 to 35 days. The three configurations are: 1) SPs, which uses a Stochastically Perturbed Physics Tendencies (SPPT), Stochastic Perturbed Humidity (SHUM) and Stochastic Kinetic Energy Backscatter (SKEB); 2) SPs+SST_bc, which uses a combination of SPs and a bias-corrected forecast SST from the NCEP Climate Forecast System Version 2 (CFSv2); and 3) SPs+SST_bc+SA_CV, which combines SPs, a bias-corrected forecast SST and a scale aware convection scheme. When comparing to the CTL experiment, SPs shows substantial improvement. The MJO skill has improved by about 4 lead days during the 2-year period. Improvement is also seen over the extra-tropics due to the updated stochastic physics, where there is a 3.1% and a 4.2% improvement during weeks 3 and 4 over the northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere, respectively. Improvement is also seen when the bias-corrected CFSv2 SST is combined with SPs. Additionally, forecast performance enhances when the scale aware convection scheme (SPs+SST_bc+SA_CV) is added, especially over the tropics. Among the three experiments, the SPs+SST_bc+SA_CV is the best configuration in MJO forecast skill.

QSAR Methods.

PubMed

Gini, Giuseppina

2016-01-01

In this chapter, we introduce the basis of computational chemistry and discuss how computational methods have been extended to some biological properties and toxicology, in particular. Since about 20 years, chemical experimentation is more and more replaced by modeling and virtual experimentation, using a large core of mathematics, chemistry, physics, and algorithms. Then we see how animal experiments, aimed at providing a standardized result about a biological property, can be mimicked by new in silico methods. Our emphasis here is on toxicology and on predicting properties through chemical structures. Two main streams of such models are available: models that consider the whole molecular structure to predict a value, namely QSAR (Quantitative Structure Activity Relationships), and models that find relevant substructures to predict a class, namely SAR. The term in silico discovery is applied to chemical design, to computational toxicology, and to drug discovery. We discuss how the experimental practice in biological science is moving more and more toward modeling and simulation. Such virtual experiments confirm hypotheses, provide data for regulation, and help in designing new chemicals.

41 CFR 109-1.5107 - Physical protection of personal property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Physical protection of personal property. 109-1.5107 Section 109-1.5107 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property...-INTRODUCTION 1.51-Personal Property Management Standards and Practices § 109-1.5107 Physical protection of...

41 CFR 109-1.5107 - Physical protection of personal property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Physical protection of personal property. 109-1.5107 Section 109-1.5107 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property...-INTRODUCTION 1.51-Personal Property Management Standards and Practices § 109-1.5107 Physical protection of...

41 CFR 109-1.5107 - Physical protection of personal property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Physical protection of personal property. 109-1.5107 Section 109-1.5107 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property...-INTRODUCTION 1.51-Personal Property Management Standards and Practices § 109-1.5107 Physical protection of...

41 CFR 109-1.5107 - Physical protection of personal property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Physical protection of personal property. 109-1.5107 Section 109-1.5107 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property...-INTRODUCTION 1.51-Personal Property Management Standards and Practices § 109-1.5107 Physical protection of...

41 CFR 109-1.5107 - Physical protection of personal property.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Physical protection of personal property. 109-1.5107 Section 109-1.5107 Public Contracts and Property Management Federal Property...-INTRODUCTION 1.51-Personal Property Management Standards and Practices § 109-1.5107 Physical protection of...

Electrostatic atomization--Experiment, theory and industrial applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okuda, H.; Kelly, Arnold J.

1996-05-01

Experimental and theoretical research has been initiated at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory on the electrostatic atomization process in collaboration with Charged Injection Corporation. The goal of this collaboration is to set up a comprehensive research and development program on the electrostatic atomization at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory so that both institutions can benefit from the collaboration. Experimental, theoretical and numerical simulation approaches are used for this purpose. An experiment consisting of a capillary sprayer combined with a quadrupole mass filter and a charge detector was installed at the Electrostatic Atomization Laboratory to study fundamental properties of the charged droplets such as the distribution of charges with respect to the droplet radius. In addition, a numerical simulation model is used to study interaction of beam electrons with atmospheric pressure water vapor, supporting an effort to develop an electrostatic water mist fire-fighting nozzle.

Significant-Loophole-Free Test of Bell's Theorem with Entangled Photons.

PubMed

Giustina, Marissa; Versteegh, Marijn A M; Wengerowsky, Sören; Handsteiner, Johannes; Hochrainer, Armin; Phelan, Kevin; Steinlechner, Fabian; Kofler, Johannes; Larsson, Jan-Åke; Abellán, Carlos; Amaya, Waldimar; Pruneri, Valerio; Mitchell, Morgan W; Beyer, Jörn; Gerrits, Thomas; Lita, Adriana E; Shalm, Lynden K; Nam, Sae Woo; Scheidl, Thomas; Ursin, Rupert; Wittmann, Bernhard; Zeilinger, Anton

2015-12-18

Local realism is the worldview in which physical properties of objects exist independently of measurement and where physical influences cannot travel faster than the speed of light. Bell's theorem states that this worldview is incompatible with the predictions of quantum mechanics, as is expressed in Bell's inequalities. Previous experiments convincingly supported the quantum predictions. Yet, every experiment requires assumptions that provide loopholes for a local realist explanation. Here, we report a Bell test that closes the most significant of these loopholes simultaneously. Using a well-optimized source of entangled photons, rapid setting generation, and highly efficient superconducting detectors, we observe a violation of a Bell inequality with high statistical significance. The purely statistical probability of our results to occur under local realism does not exceed 3.74×10^{-31}, corresponding to an 11.5 standard deviation effect.

Impact of roots, mycorrhizas and earthworms on soil physical properties as assessed by shrinkage analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milleret, R.; Le Bayon, R.-C.; Lamy, F.; Gobat, J.-M.; Boivin, P.

2009-07-01

SummarySoil biota such as earthworms, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant roots are known to play a major role in engineering the belowground part of the terrestrial ecosystems, thus strongly influencing the water budget and quality on earth. However, the effect of soil organisms and their interactions on the numerous soil physical properties to be considered are still poorly understood. Shrinkage analysis allows quantifying a large spectrum of soil properties in a single experiment, with small standard errors. The objectives of the present study were, therefore, to assess the ability of the method to quantify changes in soil properties as induced by single or combined effects of leek roots ( Allium porrum), AMF ( Glomus intraradices) and earthworms ( Allolobophora chlorotica). The study was performed on homogenised soil microcosms and the experiments lasted 35 weeks. The volume of the root network and the external fungal hyphae was measured at the end, and undisturbed soil cores were collected. Shrinkage analysis allowed calculating the changes in soil hydro-structural stability, soil plasma and structural pore volumes, soil bulk density and plant available water, and structural pore size distributions. Data analysis revealed different impacts of the experimented soil biota on the soil physical properties. At any water content, the presence of A. chlorotica resulted in a decrease of the specific bulk volume and the hydro-structural stability around 25%, and in a significant increase in the bulk soil density. These changes went with a decrease of the structural pore volumes at any pore size, a disappearing of the thinnest structural pores, a decrease in plant available water, and a hardening of the plasma. On the contrary, leek roots decreased the bulk soil density up to 1.23 g cm -3 despite an initial bulk density of 1.15 g cm -3. This increase in volume was accompanied with a enhanced hydro-structural stability, a larger structural pore volume at any pore size, smaller structural pore radii and an increase in plant available water. Interestingly, a synergistic effect of leek roots and AMF in the absence of the earthworms was highlighted, and this synergistic effect was not observed in presence of earthworms. The structural pore volume generated by root and AMF growth was several orders of magnitude larger than the volume of the organisms. Root exudates as well as other AMF secretion have served as carbon source for bacteria that in turn would enhance soil aggregation and porosity, thus supporting the idea of a self-organization of the soil-plant-microbe complex previously described.

The Nucleon Axial Form Factor and Staggered Lattice QCD

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Meyer, Aaron Scott

The study of neutrino oscillation physics is a major research goal of the worldwide particle physics program over the upcoming decade. Many new experiments are being built to study the properties of neutrinos and to answer questions about the phenomenon of neutrino oscillation. These experiments need precise theoretical cross sections in order to access fundamental neutrino properties. Neutrino oscillation experiments often use large atomic nuclei as scattering targets, which are challenging for theorists to model. Nuclear models rely on free-nucleon amplitudes as inputs. These amplitudes are constrained by scattering experiments with large nuclear targets that rely on the very samemore » nuclear models. The work in this dissertation is the rst step of a new initiative to isolate and compute elementary amplitudes with theoretical calculations to support the neutrino oscillation experimental program. Here, the eort focuses on computing the axial form factor, which is the largest contributor of systematic error in the primary signal measurement process for neutrino oscillation studies, quasielastic scattering. Two approaches are taken. First, neutrino scattering data on a deuterium target are reanalyzed with a model-independent parametrization of the axial form factor to quantify the present uncertainty in the free-nucleon amplitudes. The uncertainties on the free-nucleon cross section are found to be underestimated by about an order of magnitude compared to the ubiquitous dipole model parametrization. The second approach uses lattice QCD to perform a rst-principles computation of the nucleon axial form factor. The Highly Improved Staggered Quark (HISQ) action is employed for both valence and sea quarks. The results presented in this dissertation are computed at physical pion mass for one lattice spacing. This work presents a computation of the axial form factor at zero momentum transfer, and forms the basis for a computation of the axial form factor momentum dependence with an extrapolation to the continuum limit and a full systematic error budget.« less

Characterization and evaluation in vivo of baicalin-nanocrystals prepared by an ultrasonic-homogenization-fluid bed drying method.

PubMed

Shi-Ying, Jin; Jin, Han; Shi-Xiao, Jin; Qing-Yuan, Lv; Jin-Xia, Bai; Chen, Hong-Ge; Rui-Sheng, Li; Wei, Wu; Hai-Long, Yuan

2014-01-01

To improve the absorption and bioavailability of baicalin using a nanocrystal (or nanosuspension) drug delivery system. A tandem, ultrasonic-homogenization-fluid bed drying technology was applied to prepare baicalin-nanocrystal dried powders, and the physicochemical properties of baicalin-nanocrystals were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, photon correlation spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, physical stability, and solubility experiments. Furthermore, in situ intestine single-pass perfusion experiments and pharmacokinetics in rats were performed to make a comparison between the microcrystals of baicalin and pure baicalin in their absorption properties and bioavailability in vivo. The mean particle size of baicalin-nanocrystals was 236 nm, with a polydispersity index of 0.173, and a zeta potential value of -34.8 mV, which provided a guarantee for the stability of the reconstituted nanosuspension. X-Ray diffraction results indicated that the crystallinity of baicalin was decreased through the ultrasonic-homogenization process. Physical stability experiments showed that the prepared baicalin-nanocrystals were sufficiently stable. It was shown that the solubility of baicalin in the form of nanocrystals, at 495 μg·mL(-1), was much higher than the baicalin-microcrystals and the physical mixture (135 and 86.4 μg·mL(-1), respectively). In situ intestine perfusion experiments demonstrated a clear advantage in the dissolution and absorption characteristics for baicalin-nanocrystals compared to the other formulations. In addition, after oral administration to rats, the particle size decrease from the micron to nanometer range exhibited much higher in vivo bioavailability (with the AUC(0-t) value of 206.96 ± 21.23 and 127.95 ± 14.41 mg·L(-1)·h(-1), respectively). The nanocrystal drug delivery system using an ultrasonic-homogenization-fluid bed drying process is able to improve the absorption and in vivo bioavailability of baicalin, compared with pure baicalin coarse powder and micronized baicalin. Copyright © 2014 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The NASA Materials Science Research Program: It's New Strategic Goals and Opportunities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schlagheck, Ronald A.; Stagg, Elizabeth

2004-01-01

In the past year, the NASA s Office of Biological and Physical Research (OBPR) has formulated a long term plan to perform strategical and fundamental research bringing together physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering to solve problems needed for current and future agency mission goals. Materials Science is one of basic disciplines within the Enterprise s Division of Physical Sciences Research. The Materials Science Program participates to utilize effective use of International Space Station (ISS) and various world class ground laboratory facilities to solve new scientific and technology questions and transfer these results for public and agency benefits. The program has recently targeted new investigative research in strategic areas necessary to expand NASA knowledge base for exploration of the universe and some of these experiments will need access to the microgravity of space. The program is implementing a wide variety of traditional ground and flight based research related types of fundamental science related to materials crystallization, fundamental processing, and properties characterization in order to obtain basic understanding of various phenomena effects and relationships to the structures, processing, and properties of materials. , In addition new initiatives in radiation protection, materials for propulsion and In-space fabrication and repair focus on research helping the agency solve problems needed for future transportation into the solar system. A summary of the types and sources for this research is presented including those experiments planned for a low gravity environment. Areas to help expand the science basis for NASA future missions are described. An overview of the program is given including the scope of the current and future NASA Research Announcements with emphasis on new materials science initiatives. A description of the planned flight experiments to be conducted on the International Space Station program along with the planned facility class Materials Science Research Rack (MSRR) and Microgravity Glovebox (MSG) type investigations. Some initial results from the first three materials experiments are given.

Organic farming and cover crops as an alternative to mineral fertilizers to improve soil physical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sánchez de Cima, Diego; Luik, Anne; Reintam, Endla

2015-10-01

For testing how cover crops and different fertilization managements affect the soil physical properties in a plough based tillage system, a five-year crop rotation experiment (field pea, white potato, common barley undersown with red clover, red clover, and winter wheat) was set. The rotation was managed under four different farming systems: two conventional: with and without mineral fertilizers and two organic, both with winter cover crops (later ploughed and used as green manure) and one where cattle manure was added yearly. The measurements conducted were penetration resistance, soil water content, porosity, water permeability, and organic carbon. Yearly variations were linked to the number of tillage operations, and a cumulative effect of soil organic carbon in the soil as a result of the different fertilization amendments, organic or mineral. All the systems showed similar tendencies along the three years of study and differences were only found between the control and the other systems. Mineral fertilizers enhanced the overall physical soil conditions due to the higher yield in the system. In the organic systems, cover crops and cattle manure did not have a significant effect on soil physical properties in comparison with the conventional ones, which were kept bare during the winter period. The extra organic matter boosted the positive effect of crop rotation, but the higher number of tillage operations in both organic systems counteracted this effect to a greater or lesser extent.

Comparisons of CTH simulations with measured wave profiles for simple flyer plate experiments

DOE PAGES

Thomas, S. A.; Veeser, L. R.; Turley, W. D.; ...

2016-06-13

We conducted detailed 2-dimensional hydrodynamics calculations to assess the quality of simulations commonly used to design and analyze simple shock compression experiments. Such simple shock experiments also contain data where dynamic properties of materials are integrated together. We wished to assess how well the chosen computer hydrodynamic code could do at capturing both the simple parts of the experiments and the integral parts. We began with very simple shock experiments, in which we examined the effects of the equation of state and the compressional and tensile strength models. We increased complexity to include spallation in copper and iron and amore » solid-solid phase transformation in iron to assess the quality of the damage and phase transformation simulations. For experiments with a window, the response of both the sample and the window are integrated together, providing a good test of the material models. While CTH physics models are not perfect and do not reproduce all experimental details well, we find the models are useful; the simulations are adequate for understanding much of the dynamic process and for planning experiments. However, higher complexity in the simulations, such as adding in spall, led to greater differences between simulation and experiment. Lastly, this comparison of simulation to experiment may help guide future development of hydrodynamics codes so that they better capture the underlying physics.« less

Effect of electronegative additives on physical properties and chemical activity of gas discharge plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuznetsov, D. L.; Filatov, I. E.; Uvarin, V. V.

2018-01-01

Effect of electronegative additives (oxygen O2, sulfur dioxide SO2, carbon disulfide CS2, and carbon tetrachloride CCl4) on physical properties and chemical activity of plasma formed by pulsed corona discharge and by non-self-sustained discharge supported by pulsed electron beam in atmospheric pressure gas mixtures was investigated. It is shown that a decrease in discharge current depends on a sort of the additive and on its concentration. The reason is the difference in rate constants of electron attachment processes for the above molecules. In experiments on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) conversion in air by streamer corona it is obtained that an addition of CCl4 both decreases the discharge current amplitude and increases the VOCs conversion degree. An installation for investigation of electron attachment processes and for study of toxic impurities conversion in plasma formed by non-self-sustained discharge initiated by pulsed nanosecond electron beam is created.

Adaptive resolution simulation of oligonucleotides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Netz, Paulo A.; Potestio, Raffaello; Kremer, Kurt

2016-12-01

Nucleic acids are characterized by a complex hierarchical structure and a variety of interaction mechanisms with other molecules. These features suggest the need of multiscale simulation methods in order to grasp the relevant physical properties of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and RNA using in silico experiments. Here we report an implementation of a dual-resolution modeling of a DNA oligonucleotide in physiological conditions; in the presented setup only the nucleotide molecule and the solvent and ions in its proximity are described at the atomistic level; in contrast, the water molecules and ions far from the DNA are represented as computationally less expensive coarse-grained particles. Through the analysis of several structural and dynamical parameters, we show that this setup reliably reproduces the physical properties of the DNA molecule as observed in reference atomistic simulations. These results represent a first step towards a realistic multiscale modeling of nucleic acids and provide a quantitatively solid ground for their simulation using dual-resolution methods.

Whistlers, helicons, and lower hybrid waves: The physics of radio frequency wave propagation and absorption for current drive via Landau damping

DOE PAGES

Pinsker, Robert I.

2015-09-24

This introductory-level tutorial article describes the application of plasma waves in the lower hybrid range of frequencies for current drive in tokamaks. Wave damping mechanisms in a nearly collisionless hot magnetized plasma are briefly described, and the connections between the properties of the damping mechanisms and the optimal choices of wave properties (mode, frequency, wavelength) are explored. The two wave modes available for current drive in the lower hybrid range of frequencies (LHRF) are described and compared. The terms applied to these waves in different applications of plasma physics are elucidated. Here, the character of the ray paths of thesemore » waves in the LHRF is illustrated in slab and toroidal geometries. An upcoming experiment on one of these two wave modes, the “helicon” or “whistler”, to be carried out on the DIII-D tokamak, is described.« less

Sintering mantle mineral aggregates with submicron grains: examples of olivine and clinopyroxene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsubokawa, Y.; Ishikawa, M.

2017-12-01

Physical property of the major mantle minerals play an important role in the dynamic behavior of the Earth's mantle. Recently, it has been found that nano- to sub-micron scale frictional processes might control faulting processes and earthquake instability, and ultrafine-grained mineral aggregates thus have attracted the growing interest. Here we investigated a method for preparing polycrystalline clinoyproxene and polycrystalline olivine with grain size of sub-micron scale from natural crystals, two main constituents of the upper mantle. Nano-sized powders of both minerals are sintered under argon flow at temperatures ranging from 1130-1350 °C for 0.5-20 h. After sintering at 1180 °C and 1300 °C, we successfully fabricated polycrystalline clinopyroxene and polycrystalline olivine with grain size of < 500 nm, respectively. Our experiments demonstrate future measurements of ultrafine-grained mineral aggregates on its physical properties of Earth's mantle.

A Multi-physics Approach to Understanding Low Porosity Soils and Reservoir Rocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prasad, M.; Mapeli, C.; Livo, K.; Hasanov, A.; Schindler, M.; Ou, L.

2017-12-01

We present recent results on our multiphysics approach to rock physics. Thus, we evaluate geophysical measurements by simultaneously measuring petrophysical properties or imaging strains. In this paper, we present simultaneously measured acoustic and electrical anisotropy data as functions of pressure. Similarly, we present strains and strain localization images simultaneously acquired with acoustic measurements as well as NMR T2 relaxations on pressurized fluids as well as rocks saturated with these pressurized fluids. Such multiphysics experiments allow us to constrain and assign appropriate causative mechanisms to development rock physics models. They also allow us to decouple various effects, for example, fluid versus pressure, on geophysical measurements. We show applications towards reservoir characterization as well as CO2 sequestration applications.

Physical root-soil interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolb, Evelyne; Legué, Valérie; Bogeat-Triboulot, Marie-Béatrice

2017-12-01

Plant root system development is highly modulated by the physical properties of the soil and especially by its mechanical resistance to penetration. The interplay between the mechanical stresses exerted by the soil and root growth is of particular interest for many communities, in agronomy and soil science as well as in biomechanics and plant morphogenesis. In contrast to aerial organs, roots apices must exert a growth pressure to penetrate strong soils and reorient their growth trajectory to cope with obstacles like stones or hardpans or to follow the tortuous paths of the soil porosity. In this review, we present the main macroscopic investigations of soil-root physical interactions in the field and combine them with simple mechanistic modeling derived from model experiments at the scale of the individual root apex.

Physical root-soil interactions.

PubMed

Kolb, Evelyne; Legué, Valérie; Bogeat-Triboulot, Marie-Béatrice

2017-11-16

Plant root system development is highly modulated by the physical properties of the soil and especially by its mechanical resistance to penetration. The interplay between the mechanical stresses exerted by the soil and root growth is of particular interest for many communities, in agronomy and soil science as well as in biomechanics and plant morphogenesis. In contrast to aerial organs, roots apices must exert a growth pressure to penetrate strong soils and reorient their growth trajectory to cope with obstacles like stones or hardpans or to follow the tortuous paths of the soil porosity. In this review, we present the main macroscopic investigations of soil-root physical interactions in the field and combine them with simple mechanistic modeling derived from model experiments at the scale of the individual root apex.

A physical zero-knowledge object-comparison system for nuclear warhead verification

PubMed Central

Philippe, Sébastien; Goldston, Robert J.; Glaser, Alexander; d'Errico, Francesco

2016-01-01

Zero-knowledge proofs are mathematical cryptographic methods to demonstrate the validity of a claim while providing no further information beyond the claim itself. The possibility of using such proofs to process classified and other sensitive physical data has attracted attention, especially in the field of nuclear arms control. Here we demonstrate a non-electronic fast neutron differential radiography technique using superheated emulsion detectors that can confirm that two objects are identical without revealing their geometry or composition. Such a technique could form the basis of a verification system that could confirm the authenticity of nuclear weapons without sharing any secret design information. More broadly, by demonstrating a physical zero-knowledge proof that can compare physical properties of objects, this experiment opens the door to developing other such secure proof-systems for other applications. PMID:27649477

A physical zero-knowledge object-comparison system for nuclear warhead verification.

PubMed

Philippe, Sébastien; Goldston, Robert J; Glaser, Alexander; d'Errico, Francesco

2016-09-20

Zero-knowledge proofs are mathematical cryptographic methods to demonstrate the validity of a claim while providing no further information beyond the claim itself. The possibility of using such proofs to process classified and other sensitive physical data has attracted attention, especially in the field of nuclear arms control. Here we demonstrate a non-electronic fast neutron differential radiography technique using superheated emulsion detectors that can confirm that two objects are identical without revealing their geometry or composition. Such a technique could form the basis of a verification system that could confirm the authenticity of nuclear weapons without sharing any secret design information. More broadly, by demonstrating a physical zero-knowledge proof that can compare physical properties of objects, this experiment opens the door to developing other such secure proof-systems for other applications.

A physical zero-knowledge object-comparison system for nuclear warhead verification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Philippe, Sébastien; Goldston, Robert J.; Glaser, Alexander; D'Errico, Francesco

2016-09-01

Zero-knowledge proofs are mathematical cryptographic methods to demonstrate the validity of a claim while providing no further information beyond the claim itself. The possibility of using such proofs to process classified and other sensitive physical data has attracted attention, especially in the field of nuclear arms control. Here we demonstrate a non-electronic fast neutron differential radiography technique using superheated emulsion detectors that can confirm that two objects are identical without revealing their geometry or composition. Such a technique could form the basis of a verification system that could confirm the authenticity of nuclear weapons without sharing any secret design information. More broadly, by demonstrating a physical zero-knowledge proof that can compare physical properties of objects, this experiment opens the door to developing other such secure proof-systems for other applications.

A physical zero-knowledge object-comparison system for nuclear warhead verification

DOE PAGES

Philippe, Sébastien; Goldston, Robert J.; Glaser, Alexander; ...

2016-09-20

Zero-knowledge proofs are mathematical cryptographic methods to demonstrate the validity of a claim while providing no further information beyond the claim itself. The possibility of using such proofs to process classified and other sensitive physical data has attracted attention, especially in the field of nuclear arms control. Here we demonstrate a non-electronic fast neutron differential radiography technique using superheated emulsion detectors that can confirm that two objects are identical without revealing their geometry or composition. Such a technique could form the basis of a verification system that could confirm the authenticity of nuclear weapons without sharing any secret design information.more » More broadly, by demonstrating a physical zero-knowledge proof that can compare physical properties of objects, this experiment opens the door to developing other such secure proof-systems for other applications.« less

A physical zero-knowledge object-comparison system for nuclear warhead verification

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Philippe, Sébastien; Goldston, Robert J.; Glaser, Alexander

Zero-knowledge proofs are mathematical cryptographic methods to demonstrate the validity of a claim while providing no further information beyond the claim itself. The possibility of using such proofs to process classified and other sensitive physical data has attracted attention, especially in the field of nuclear arms control. Here we demonstrate a non-electronic fast neutron differential radiography technique using superheated emulsion detectors that can confirm that two objects are identical without revealing their geometry or composition. Such a technique could form the basis of a verification system that could confirm the authenticity of nuclear weapons without sharing any secret design information.more » More broadly, by demonstrating a physical zero-knowledge proof that can compare physical properties of objects, this experiment opens the door to developing other such secure proof-systems for other applications.« less

Angular Dispersions in Terahertz Metasurfaces: Physics and Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiu, Meng; Jia, Min; Ma, Shaojie; Sun, Shulin; He, Qiong; Zhou, Lei

2018-05-01

Angular dispersion—the response of a metasurface strongly depending on the impinging angle—is an intrinsic property of metasurfaces, but its physical origin remains obscure, which hinders its applications in metasurface design. We establish a theory to quantitatively describe such intriguing effects in metasurfaces, and we verify it by both experiments and numerical simulations on a typical terahertz metasurface. The physical understanding gained motivates us to propose an alternative strategy to design metadevices exhibiting impinging-angle-dependent multifunctionalities. As an illustration, we design a polarization-control metadevice that can behave as a half- or quarter-wave plate under different excitation angles. Our results not only reveal the physical origin of the angular dispersion but also point out an additional degree of freedom to manipulate light, both of which are important for designing metadevices facing versatile application requests.

Physics and Chemistry of Earth Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Navrotsky, Alexandra

1994-11-01

Stressing the fundamental solid state behavior of minerals, and emphasizing both theory and experiment, this text surveys the physics and chemistry of earth materials. The author begins with a systematic tour of crystal chemistry of both simple and complex structures (with completely new structural drawings) and discusses how to obtain structural and thermodynamic information experimentally. Dr. Navrotsky also reviews the quantitative concepts of chemical bonding--band theory, molecular orbit and ionic models. She then covers physical properties and relates microscopic features to macroscopic thermodynamic behavior and treats high pressure phase transitions, amorphous materials and solid state reactions. The author concludes with a look at the interface between mineral physics and materials science. Highly illustrated throughout, this book fills the gap between undergraduate texts and specialized review volumes and is appropriate for students and researchers in earth science and materials science.

A review on ab initio studies of static, transport, and optical properties of polystyrene under extreme conditions for inertial confinement fusion applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Collins, L. A.; Boehly, T. R.; Ding, Y. H.

Polystyrene (CH), commonly known as “plastic,” has been one of the widely used ablator materials for capsule designs in inertial confinement fusion (ICF). Knowing its precise properties under high-energy-density conditions is crucial to understanding and designing ICF implosions through radiation–hydrodynamic simulations. For this purpose, systematic ab initio studies on the static, transport, and optical properties of CH, in a wide range of density and temperature conditions (ρ= 0.1 to 100 g/cm 3 and T = 10 3 to 4 × 10 6K), have been conducted using quantum molecular dynamics (QMD) simulations based on the density functional theory. We have builtmore » several wide-ranging, self-consistent material-properties tables for CH, such as the first-principles equation of state (FPEOS), the QMD-based thermal conductivity (Κ QMD) and ionization, and the first-principles opacity table (FPOT). This paper is devoted to providing a review on (1) what results were obtained from these systematic ab initio studies; (2) how these self-consistent results were compared with both traditional plasma-physics models and available experiments; and (3) how these first-principles–based properties of polystyrene affect the predictions of ICF target performance, through both 1-D and 2-D radiation–hydrodynamic simulations. In the warm dense regime, our ab initio results, which can significantly differ from predictions of traditional plasma-physics models, compared favorably with experiments. When incorporated into hydrocodes for ICF simulations, these first-principles material properties of CH have produced significant differences over traditional models in predicting 1-D/2-D target performance of ICF implosions on OMEGA and direct-drive–ignition designs for the National Ignition Facility. Lastly, we will discuss the implications of these studies on the current small-margin ICF target designs using a CH ablator.« less

A review on ab initio studies of static, transport, and optical properties of polystyrene under extreme conditions for inertial confinement fusion applications

DOE PAGES

Collins, L. A.; Boehly, T. R.; Ding, Y. H.; ...

2018-03-23

Polystyrene (CH), commonly known as “plastic,” has been one of the widely used ablator materials for capsule designs in inertial confinement fusion (ICF). Knowing its precise properties under high-energy-density conditions is crucial to understanding and designing ICF implosions through radiation–hydrodynamic simulations. For this purpose, systematic ab initio studies on the static, transport, and optical properties of CH, in a wide range of density and temperature conditions (ρ= 0.1 to 100 g/cm 3 and T = 10 3 to 4 × 10 6K), have been conducted using quantum molecular dynamics (QMD) simulations based on the density functional theory. We have builtmore » several wide-ranging, self-consistent material-properties tables for CH, such as the first-principles equation of state (FPEOS), the QMD-based thermal conductivity (Κ QMD) and ionization, and the first-principles opacity table (FPOT). This paper is devoted to providing a review on (1) what results were obtained from these systematic ab initio studies; (2) how these self-consistent results were compared with both traditional plasma-physics models and available experiments; and (3) how these first-principles–based properties of polystyrene affect the predictions of ICF target performance, through both 1-D and 2-D radiation–hydrodynamic simulations. In the warm dense regime, our ab initio results, which can significantly differ from predictions of traditional plasma-physics models, compared favorably with experiments. When incorporated into hydrocodes for ICF simulations, these first-principles material properties of CH have produced significant differences over traditional models in predicting 1-D/2-D target performance of ICF implosions on OMEGA and direct-drive–ignition designs for the National Ignition Facility. Lastly, we will discuss the implications of these studies on the current small-margin ICF target designs using a CH ablator.« less

Effects of nanoscale aggregation on mechanical properties and local dynamics of precise acid- and ion-containing polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Middleton, Luri Robert

Acid- and ion-containing polymers have interchain interactions that alter polymer behavior at the nano, micro, and bulk length scales. Strong secondary-bonds act as thermo-reversible physical crosslinks between chains which drive self-assembly. Tuning theses interactions can modify bulk polymer properties including stiffness, toughness, melt viscosity, resilience, clarity, abrasion resistance and puncture resistance. Furthermore, understanding and improving the relevant factors that control transport properties would have vast implications on developing solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) for technologically important applications including water desalination, ion exchange membranes and microelectronics. This thesis explores the structure - processing - morphology - property relationships of acid and ionic functionalized polymers. Improvements in synthetic techniques and advancements in characterization methods have enabled new studies of associating polymer systems. Synthesis of entangled, high molecular weight, linear polyethylene (PE) chains functionalized with interacting pendant groups (acidic or ionic) placed periodically along the polymer backbone represent a new class of associating polymers. These polymers with periodic distributions of acid groups are much more homogenous than the commercially available polymers. Previous studies of these polymers with greater structural homogeneity revealed great variety in morphologies of the nano-aggregated polar groups within the non-polar polymer matrix. This thesis correlated the morphologies with bulk properties through real-time X-ray scattering and tensile deformation at a range of temperatures and sample compositions. New, transient morphologies and hierarchical morphologies were observed which coincided with unusual tensile strain hardening. These results indicate that improvements in synthetic control of polymers can enhance physical properties such as tensile strain-hardening, through cooperative bonding between chains. The structural regularity of precise polyethylenes also enables robust comparisons between experiments and computer simulations. At pico- to nano-seconds time scales and length scales of polymer and aggregate dynamics, neutron scattering and molecular dynamics simulations were combined to extend the knowledge of the molecular-level aggregated polymer dynamics. These experiments provide a baseline for future studies of ion-conduction in associating polymer melts.

Surface Color Perception and Equivalent Illumination Models

PubMed Central

Brainard, David H.; Maloney, Laurence T.

2011-01-01

Vision provides information about the properties and identity of objects. The ease with which we make such judgments belies the difficulty of the information-processing task that accomplishes it. In the case of object color, retinal information about object reflectance is confounded with information about the illumination as well as about the object’s shape and pose. Because of these factors, there is no obvious rule that allows transformation of the retinal images of an object to a color representation that depends primarily on the object’s surface reflectance properties. Despite the difficulty of this task, however, under many circumstances object color appearance is remarkably stable across scenes in which the object is viewed. Here we review experiments and theory that aim to understand how the visual system stabilizes the color appearance of object surfaces. Our emphasis is on a class of models derived from explicit analysis of the computational problem of estimating the physical properties of illuminants and surfaces from the information available in the retinal image and experiments that test these models. We argue that this approach has considerable promise for allowing generalization from simplified laboratory experiments to richer scenes that more closely approximate natural viewing. PMID:21536727

Acoustic parameters inversion and sediment properties in the Yellow River reservoir

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Chang-Zheng; Yang, Yong; Wang, Rui; Yan, Xiao-Fei

2018-03-01

The physical properties of silt in river reservoirs are important to river dynamics. Unfortunately, traditional techniques yield insufficient data. Based on porous media acoustic theory, we invert the acoustic parameters for the top river-bottom sediments. An explicit form of the acoustic reflection coefficient at the water-sediment interface is derived based on Biot's theory. The choice of parameters in the Biot model is discussed and the relation between acoustic and geological parameters is studied, including that between the reflection coefficient and porosity and the attenuation coefficient and permeability. The attenuation coefficient of the sound wave in the sediments is obtained by analyzing the shift of the signal frequency. The acoustic reflection coefficient at the water-sediment interface is extracted from the sonar signal. Thus, an inversion method of the physical parameters of the riverbottom surface sediments is proposed. The results of an experiment at the Sanmenxia reservoir suggest that the estimated grain size is close to the actual data. This demonstrates the ability of the proposed method to determine the physical parameters of sediments and estimate the grain size.

Geotechnical sensing using electromagnetic attenuation between radio transceivers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghazanfari, Ehsan; Pamukcu, Sibel; Yoon, Suk-Un; Suleiman, Muhannad T.; Cheng, Liang

2012-12-01

Monitoring the onset of a geo-event such as the intrusion of a chemical plume or a slow progressive mass slide that results in marked changes in the physical properties of the host soil could be potentially accomplished using a distributed network of embedded radio transceivers. This paper introduces a new concept of subsurface geo-event monitoring, which takes advantage of the spatial and temporal variations in signal strength of electromagnetic (EM) waves transmitted within the net of distributed radios within a sensing area. Results of experiments in the laboratory and the field demonstrated that variations in EM signal strength could be used to detect physical changes in the subsurface. Changes in selected physical properties of host soil including water content, density, and formation of discontinuities could be discerned from the changes in the signal strength of the transmitted wave between embedded radio transceivers. Good agreement was observed between a theoretical model and the experimental results for inter-transceiver distances less than 55 cm. These results demonstrated a viable new approach for distributed sensing and monitoring of subsurface hazards for civil infrastructure within a networked domain of radio transceivers.

Tocopherol Activity Correlates with its Location in a Membrane: A New Perspective on the Anti-Oxidant Vitamin E

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Marquardt, Drew; Williams, Justin; Kucerka, Norbert

2013-01-01

We show evidence of an antioxidant mechanism for vitamin E which correlates strongly with its physical location in a model lipid bilayer. This data addresses the overlooked problem of the physical distance between the vitamin's reducing hydrogen and lipid acyl chain radicals. Our combined data from neutron diffraction, NMR and UV spectroscopy experiments, all suggest that reduction of reactive oxygen species and lipid radicals occurs specifically at the membrane's hydrophobic-hydrophilic interface. The latter is possible when the acyl chain snorkels to the interface from the hydrocarbon matrix. Moreover, not all model lipids are equal in this regard, as indicated bymore » the small differences in vitamin's location. The present result is a clear example of the importance of lipid diversity in controlling the dynamic structural properties of biological membranes. Importantly, our results suggest that measurements of aToc oxidation kinetics, and its products, should be revisited by taking into consideration the physical properties of the membrane in which the vitamin resides.« less

An Internship Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in Polymer-Based Nanocomposites

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cebe,P.; Cherdack, D.; Guertin, R.

2006-01-01

We report on our summer internship program in Polymer-Based Nanocomposites, for deaf and hard of hearing undergraduates who engage in classroom and laboratory research work in polymer physics. The unique attributes of this program are its emphasis on: 1. Teamwork; 2. Performance of a start-to-finish research project; 3. Physics of materials approach; and 4. Diversity. Students of all disability levels have participated in this program, including students who neither hear nor voice. The classroom and laboratory components address the materials chemistry and physics of polymer-based nanocomposites, crystallization and melting of polymers, the interaction of X-rays and light with polymers, mechanicalmore » properties of polymers, and the connection between thermal processing, structure, and ultimate properties of polymers. A set of Best Practices is developed for accommodating deaf and hard of hearing students into the laboratory setting. The goal is to bring deaf and hard of hearing students into the larger scientific community as professionals, by providing positive scientific experiences at a formative time in their educational lives.« less

Observing patchy reionization with future CMB polarization experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, A.; Lapi, A.; Spergel, D.; Baccigalupi, C.

2018-05-01

We study the signal from patchy reionization in view of the future high accuracy polarization measurements of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). We implement an extraction procedure of the patchy reionization signal analogous to CMB lensing. We evaluate the signal to noise ratio (SNR) for the future Stage IV (S4) CMB experiment. The signal has a broad peak centered on the degree angular scales, with a long tail at higher multipoles. The CMB S4 experiment can effectively constrain the properties of reionization by measuring the signal on degree scales. The signal amplitude depends on the properties of the structure determining the reionization morphology. We describe bubbles having radii distributed log-normally. The expected S/N is sensitive to the mean bubble radius: bar R=5 Mpc implies S/N ≈ 4, bar R=10 Mpc implies S/N ≈ 20. The spread of the radii distribution strongly affects the integrated SNR, that changes by a factor of 102 when σlnr goes from ln 2 to ln 3. Future CMB experiments will thus place important constraints on the physics of reionization.

Atomic-level simulation of ferroelectricity in perovskite solid solutions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sepliarsky, M.; Instituto de Fisica Rosario, CONICET-UNR, Rosario,; Phillpot, S. R.

2000-06-26

Building on the insights gained from electronic-structure calculations and from experience obtained with an earlier atomic-level method, we developed an atomic-level simulation approach based on the traditional Buckingham potential with shell model which correctly reproduces the ferroelectric phase behavior and dielectric and piezoelectric properties of KNbO{sub 3}. This approach now enables the simulation of solid solutions and defected systems; we illustrate this capability by elucidating the ferroelectric properties of a KTa{sub 0.5}Nb{sub 0.5}O{sub 3} random solid solution. (c) 2000 American Institute of Physics.

Aerosol chemistry in GLOBE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clarke, Antony D.; Rothermel, Jeffry; Jarzembski, Maurice A.

1993-01-01

This task addresses the measurement and understanding of the physical and chemical properties of aerosol in remote regions that are responsible for aerosol backscatter at infrared wavelengths. Because it is representative of other clean areas, the remote Pacific is of extreme interest. Emphasis is on the determination size dependent aerosol properties that are required for modeling backscatter at various wavelengths and upon those features that may be used to help understand the nature, origin, cycling and climatology of these aerosols in the remote troposphere. Empirical relationships will be established between lidar measurements and backscatter derived from the aerosol microphysics as required by the NASA Doppler Lidar Program. This will include the analysis of results from the NASA GLOBE Survey Mission Flight Program. Additional instrument development and deployment will be carried out in order to extend and refine this data base. Identified activities include participation in groundbased and airborne experiments. Progress to date includes participation in, analysis of, and publication of results from Mauna Loa Backscatter Intercomparison Experiment (MABIE) and Global Backscatter Experiment (GLOBE).

A Brief Survey of the Equilibrium and Transport Properties of Critical Fluids and the Degree to Which Microgravity is Required for Their Experimental Investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ferrell, Richard A.

1996-01-01

The modern theory of second order phase transitions is very successful in calculating the critical exponents as an asymptotic expansion in powers of epsilon = 4 - D, the deviation of D = 3, the spatial dimension of the actual physical system from that of the abstract four-dimensional reference model. This remarkable mathematical 'tour de force' leaves unanswered, however, many fundamental questions concerning the exact nature of how the fluctuations interact. I discuss here some experiments which would help to further our understanding of the equilibrium critical properties. Especially promising would be a measurement of the temperature dependence of the turbidity very close to the critical point. This has the promise of determining the small and elusive but fundamentally important anomalous dimension exponent eta. I also review various ways of measuring the critical transport coefficients and point out some cases where ground based experiments may usefully supplement flight experiments.

Structures and properties of materials recovered from high shock pressures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nellis, W.J.

1994-03-01

Shock compression produces high dynamic pressures, densities, temperatures, and their quench rates. Because of these extreme conditions, shock compression produces materials with novel crystal structures, microstructures, and physical properties. Using a 6.5-m-long two-stage gun, we perform experiments with specimens up to 10 mm in diameter and 0.001--1 mm thick. For example, oriented disks of melt-textured superconducting YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7} were shocked to 7 GPa without macroscopic fracture. Lattice defects are deposited in the crystal, which improve magnetic hysteresis at {approximately}1 kOe. A computer code has been developed to simulate shock compaction of 100 powder particles. Computations will be comparedmore » with experiments with 15--20 {mu}m Cu powders. The method is applicable to other powders and dynamic conditions.« less

Porous silicon and diatoms micro-shells: an example of inverse biomimetic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Tommasi, Edoardo; Rea, Ilaria; Rendina, Ivo; De Stefano, Luca

2011-05-01

Porous silicon (PSi) is by far a very useful technological platform for optical monitoring of chemical and biological substances and due to its peculiar physical and morphological properties it is worldwide used in sensing experiments. On the other hand, we have discovered a natural material, the micro-shells of marine diatoms, ubiquitous unicellular algae, which are made of hydrated amorphous silica, but, most of all, show geometrical structures made of complex patterns of pores which are surprisingly similar to those of porous silicon. Moreover, under laser irradiation, this material is photoluminescent and the photoluminescence is very sensitive to the surrounding atmosphere, which means that the material can act as a transducer. Starting from our experience on PSi devices, we explore the optical and photonic properties of marine diatoms micro-shells in a sort of inverse biomimicry.

Results of the Thailand Warm-Cloud Hygroscopic Particle Seeding Experiment.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silverman, Bernard A.; Sukarnjanaset, Wathana

2000-07-01

A randomized, warm-rain enhancement experiment was carried out during 1995-98 in the Bhumibol catchment area in northwestern Thailand. The experiment was conducted in accordance with a randomized, floating single-target design. The seeding targets were semi-isolated, warm convective clouds, contained within a well-defined experimental unit, that, upon qualification, were selected for seeding or not seeding with calcium chloride particles in a random manner. The seeding was done by dispensing the calcium chloride particles at an average rate of 21 kg km1 per seeding pass into the updrafts of growing warm convective clouds (about 1-2 km above cloud base) that have not yet developed or, at most, have just started to develop a precipitation radar echo. The experiment was carried out by the Bureau of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation (BRRAA) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives as part of its Applied Atmospheric Resources Research Program, Phase 2.During the 4 yr of the experiment, a total of 67 experimental units (34 seeded and 33 nonseeded units) were qualified in accordance with the experimental design. Volume-scan data from a 10-cm Doppler radar at 5-min intervals were used to track each experimental unit, from which various radar-estimated properties of the experimental units were obtained. The statistical evaluation of the experiment was based on a rerandomization analysis of the single ratio of seeded to unseeded experimental unit lifetime properties. In 1997, the BRRAA acquired two sophisticated King Air 350 cloud-physics aircraft, providing the opportunity to obtain physical measurements of the aerosol characteristics of the environment in which the warm clouds grow, of the hydrometeor characteristics of seeded and unseeded clouds, and of the calcium chloride seeding plume dimensions and particle size distribution-information directly related to the effectiveness of the seeding conceptual model that was not directly available up to then.The evaluation of the Thailand warm-rain enhancement experiment has provided statistically significant evidence and supporting physical evidence that the seeding of warm convective clouds with calcium chloride particles produced more rain than was produced by their unseeded counterparts. An exploratory analysis of the time evolution of the seeding effects resulted in a significant revision to the seeding conceptual model.

Effects of sintering atmosphere on the physical and mechanical properties of modified BOF slag glass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dai, Wen-bin; Li, Yu; Cang, Da-qiang; Zhou, Yuan-yuan; Fan, Yong

2014-05-01

This study proposes an efficient way to utilize all the chemical components of the basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag to prepare high value-added glass-ceramics. A molten modified BOF slag was converted from the melting BOF slag by reducing it and separating out iron component in it, and the modified BOF slag was then quenched in water to form glasses with different basicities. The glasses were subsequently sintered in the temperature range of 600-1000°C in air or nitrogen atmosphere for 1 h. The effects of different atmospheres on the physical and mechanical properties of sintered samples were studied by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by conducting experiment on evaluating the sintering shrinkage, water absorption and bulk density. It is found that the kinetics of the sintering process is significantly affected by sintering atmosphere. In particular, compared with sintering in air atmosphere, sintering in N2 atmosphere promotes the synergistic growth of pyroxene and melilite crystalline phases, which can contribute to better mechanical properties and denser microstructure.

Pressurizing Field-Effect Transistors of Few-Layer MoS 2 in a Diamond Anvil Cell

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Yabin; Ke, Feng; Ci, Penghong

Hydrostatic pressure applied using diamond anvil cells (DAC) has been widely explored to modulate physical properties of materials by tuning their lattice degree of freedom. Independently, electrical field is able to tune the electronic degree of freedom of functional materials via, for example, the field-effect transistor (FET) configuration. Combining these two orthogonal approaches would allow discovery of new physical properties and phases going beyond the known phase space. Such experiments are, however, technically challenging and have not been demonstrated. In this paper, we report a feasible strategy to prepare and measure FETs in a DAC by lithographically patterning the nanodevicesmore » onto the diamond culet. Multiple-terminal FETs were fabricated in the DAC using few-layer MoS 2 and BN as the channel semiconductor and dielectric layer, respectively. It is found that the mobility, conductance, carrier concentration, and contact conductance of MoS 2 can all be significantly enhanced with pressure. Finally, we expect that the approach could enable unprecedented ways to explore new phases and properties of materials under coupled mechano-electrostatic modulation.« less

Comparison of stimulated and spontaneous laser-radar methods for the remote sensing of ocean physical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leonard, Donald A.; Sweeney, Harold E.

1990-09-01

The physical properties of ocean water, in the top few ten meters, are of great interest in the scientific, engineering, and general oceanographic communities. Subsurface profiles of temperature, salinity, and sound speed measured by laser radar in real time on a synoptic basis over a wide area from an airborne platform would provide valuable information complementary to the data that is now readily available. The laser-radar technique specifically applicable to ocean sensing uses spectroscopic analysis of the inelastic backscattered optical signal. Two methods have received considerable attention for remote sensing and both have been demonstrated in field experiments. These are spontaneous Raman1 and spontaneous Brillouin2 scattering. A discussion of these two processes and a comparison of their properties that are useful for remote sensing was presented3 at SPIE Ocean Optics IX. This paper compares ocean remote sensing using stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) processes with better known spontaneous methods. The results of laboratory measurements of temperature using SBS and some preliminary results of SRS are presented with extensions to performance estimates of potential field systems.

Physical, Mental, and Financial Impacts From Drought in Two California Counties, 2015.

PubMed

Barreau, Tracy; Conway, David; Haught, Karen; Jackson, Rebecca; Kreutzer, Richard; Lockman, Andrew; Minnick, Sharon; Roisman, Rachel; Rozell, David; Smorodinsky, Svetlana; Tafoya, Dana; Wilken, Jason A

2017-05-01

To evaluate health impacts of drought during the most severe drought in California's recorded history with a rapid assessment method. We conducted Community Assessments for Public Health Emergency Response during October through November 2015 in Tulare County and Mariposa County to evaluate household water access, acute stressors, exacerbations of chronic diseases and behavioral health issues, and financial impacts. We evaluated pairwise associations by logistic regression with pooled data. By assessment area, households reported not having running water (3%-12%); impacts on finances (25%-39%), property (39%-54%), health (10%-20%), and peace of mind (33%-61%); worsening of a chronic disease (16%-46%); acute stress (8%-26%); and considering moving (14%-34%). Impacts on finances or property were each associated with impacts on health and peace of mind, and acute stress. Drought-impacted households might perceive physical and mental health effects and might experience financial or property impacts related to the drought. Public Health Implications. Local jurisdictions should consider implementing drought assistance programs, including behavioral health, and consider rapid assessments to inform public health action.

CMS Physics Technical Design Report, Volume II: Physics Performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

CMS Collaboration

2007-06-01

CMS is a general purpose experiment, designed to study the physics of pp collisions at 14 TeV at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). It currently involves more than 2000 physicists from more than 150 institutes and 37 countries. The LHC will provide extraordinary opportunities for particle physics based on its unprecedented collision energy and luminosity when it begins operation in 2007. The principal aim of this report is to present the strategy of CMS to explore the rich physics programme offered by the LHC. This volume demonstrates the physics capability of the CMS experiment. The prime goals of CMS are to explore physics at the TeV scale and to study the mechanism of electroweak symmetry breaking—through the discovery of the Higgs particle or otherwise. To carry out this task, CMS must be prepared to search for new particles, such as the Higgs boson or supersymmetric partners of the Standard Model particles, from the start-up of the LHC since new physics at the TeV scale may manifest itself with modest data samples of the order of a few fb -1 or less. The analysis tools that have been developed are applied to study in great detail and with all the methodology of performing an analysis on CMS data specific benchmark processes upon which to gauge the performance of CMS. These processes cover several Higgs boson decay channels, the production and decay of new particles such as Z' and supersymmetric particles, B s production and processes in heavy ion collisions. The simulation of these benchmark processes includes subtle effects such as possible detector miscalibration and misalignment. Besides these benchmark processes, the physics reach of CMS is studied for a large number of signatures arising in the Standard Model and also in theories beyond the Standard Model for integrated luminosities ranging from 1 fb -1 to 30 fb -1 . The Standard Model processes include QCD, B -physics, diffraction, detailed studies of the top quark properties, and electroweak physics topics such as the W and Z 0 boson properties. The production and decay of the Higgs particle is studied for many observable decays, and the precision with which the Higgs boson properties can be derived is determined. About ten different supersymmetry benchmark points are analysed using full simulation. The CMS discovery reach is evaluated in the SUSY parameter space covering a large variety of decay signatures. Furthermore, the discovery reach for a plethora of alternative models for new physics is explored, notably extra dimensions, new vector boson high mass states, little Higgs models, technicolour and others. Methods to discriminate between models have been investigated. This report is organized as follows. Chapter 1, the Introduction, describes the context of this document. Chapters 2 6 describe examples of full analyses, with photons, electrons, muons, jets, missing E T , B-mesons and τ's, and for quarkonia in heavy ion collisions. Chapters 7 15 describe the physics reach for Standard Model processes, Higgs discovery and searches for new physics beyond the Standard Model.

Unifying the concept of consciousness across the disciplines: A concept-based, cross-cultural approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jones, Peter N.

The majority of studies concerning consciousness have examined and modeled the concept of consciousness in terms of particular lines of inquiry, a process that has circumscribed the general applicability of any results from such approaches. The purpose of this dissertation was to study consciousness from a concept-based, cross-cultural approach and to attempt to unify the concept across the cultures examined. The 4 cultures are the academic disciplines of philosophy, physics, psychology, and anthropology. Consciousness was examined in terms of how the concept is framed and where the major limitations in each line of inquiry occur. The rationale for examining consciousness as a concept across 4 cultures was to determine whether there was any common component in each line's framing that could be used to unify the concept. The study found that experience itself was the primary unifying factor in each field's framing and that experience was treated as a nonreducible property within each line of inquiry. By taking experience itself (but not subjective experience) as a fundamental property, each culture's concept of consciousness becomes tractable. As such, this dissertation argues that experience should be taken as a fundamental property of the concept. The significance of this analysis is that by taking experience as a fundamental property, it becomes possible to unify the concept across the 4 cultures. This unification is presented as a unity thesis, which is a theory arguing for unification of the concept based on the fundamental of experience. Following this theoretical examination, this paper discusses several key implications of the unity thesis, including implications of the unity thesis for the current status of altered states of consciousness and for the so-called hard and easy problems associated with the concept (at least within Occidental ontology). It is argued that the so-called hard problem does not exist when experience is taken as a fundamental property of ontological reality and that altered states of consciousness are in fact better understood as access states of consciousness based on unity thesis. The dissertation concludes with suggestions for further lines of research.

Training demands on clerk burnout: determining whether achievement goal motivation orientations matter.

PubMed

Lin, Chia-Der; Lin, Blossom Yen-Ju

2016-08-22

In the education field, learning experiences are considered learners' properties and are viewed as a key determinant in explaining learners' learning processes, especially for training novices such as clerks with varying levels of commitment to the medical profession. This study explored whether clerks' achievement goal motivation orientations might buffer the negative well-being to a certain extent, considering their training demands during clinical training. Ninety-four clerks at a tertiary medical center were longitudinally traced during their 2-year clerkship spanning from September 2013 to April 2015. Web-based, validated, structured, self-administered questionnaires were used to evaluate the clerks' properties of achievement goal motivation orientation and personal background at the beginning of the clerkship. Regular surveys were conducted to evaluate their perceptions of training demands and burnout at each specialty rotation. Overall, 2230 responses were analyzed, and linear mixed-effects models were used to examine the repeated measures of the clerks. The results revealed that higher perceived psychological and physical demands of training were related to higher perceived burnout during the 2-year clerkship. Although both the clerks' task and ego orientations were related to reduced burnout (direct effects), only task orientation was indicated to exert a buffering effect on their perception of physical demands on burnout in the 1st year of the clerkship. Considering the negative effects of training demands (psychological and physical), we observed a limited effect of the task achievement motivation orientation of medical students; therefore, additional studies might focus on strategies to facilitate medical students in clerkships in addressing both the psychological and physical demands inherent in training workplaces to improve their learning experience and well-being.

Effect of atmospheric scattering and surface reflection on upwelling solar radiation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Suttles, J. T.; Barkstrom, B. R.; Tiwari, S. N.

1981-01-01

A study is presented of the solar radiation transfer in the complete earth-atmosphere system, and numerical results are compared with satellite data obtained during the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment on Nimbus 6, in August, 1975. Emphasis is placed on the upwelling radiance distribution at the top of the atmosphere, assumed to be at 50 km. The numerical technique is based on the finite difference method, which includes azimuth and spectral variations for the entire solar wavelength range. Detailed solar properties, atmospheric physical properties, and optical properties are used. However, since the property descriptions are based on a trade-off between accuracy and computational realities, aerosol and cloud optical properties are treated with simple approximations. The radiative transfer model is in good agreement with the satellite radiance observations. The method provides a valuable tool in analyzing satellite- and ground-based radiation budget measurements and in designing instrumentation.

Influence of CaCO3 and SiO2 additives on magnetic properties of M-type Sr ferrites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Ching-Chien; Jiang, Ai-Hua; Hung, Yung-Hsiung; Liou, Ching-Hsuan; Wang, Yi-Chen; Lee, Chi-Ping; Hung, Tong-Yin; Shaw, Chun-Chung; Kuo, Ming-Feng; Cheng, Chun-Hu

2018-04-01

An experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of CaCO3 and SiO2 additives on the magnetic and physical properties of M-type Sr ferrites by changing experimental parameters such as the additive composition and Ca/Si ratio. Specimens were prepared by conventional ceramic techniques. It was found that the magnetic properties (Br = 4.42 kG, iHc = 3.32 kOe and (BH)max = 4.863 MGOe) were considerably improved upon adding CaCO3 = 1.1% and SiO2 = 0.4 wt% together with Co3O4, and the mechanical properties thereof were acceptable for motor applications. It was revealed that CaCO3 and SiO2 additives led to an upswing in the magnetic properties via the enhancement of uniform grain growth, particle alignment, and the densification of Sr ferrite.

Immersive realities: articulating the shift from VR to mobile AR through artistic practice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Margolis, Todd; Cornish, Tracy; Berry, Rodney; DeFanti, Thomas A.

2012-03-01

Our contemporary imaginings of technological engagement with digital environments has transitioned from flying through Virtual Reality to mobile interactions with the physical world through personal media devices. Experiences technologically mediated through social interactivity within physical environments are now being preferenced over isolated environments such as CAVEs or HMDs. Examples of this trend can be seen in early tele-collaborative artworks which strove to use advanced networking to join multiple participants in shared virtual environments. Recent developments in mobile AR allow untethered access to such shared realities in places far removed from labs and home entertainment environments, and without the bulky and expensive technologies attached to our bodies that accompany most VR. This paper addresses the emerging trend favoring socially immersive artworks via mobile Augmented Reality rather than sensorially immersive Virtual Reality installations. With particular focus on AR as a mobile, locative technology, we will discuss how concepts of immersion and interactivity are evolving with this new medium. Immersion in context of mobile AR can be redefined to describe socially interactive experiences. Having distinctly different sensory, spatial and situational properties, mobile AR offers a new form for remixing elements from traditional virtual reality with physically based social experiences. This type of immersion offers a wide array of potential for mobile AR art forms. We are beginning to see examples of how artists can use mobile AR to create social immersive and interactive experiences.

Developing a Stand Alone Sun Photometer for Ships and Buoys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Porter, John N.

1997-01-01

During November and December 1995 the first Aerosol Characterization Experiment (ACE 1) was carried to characterize the aerosol physical and optical properties in the clean marine atmosphere near Tasmania in the South Pacific. As part of this effort, and with funding from this proposal, we installed a sun photometer on the R/V Discoverer and a spectro-photometer on the NOAA C-130 aircraft.

Modeling the Tendency for Music to Induce Movement in Humans: First Correlations with Low-Level Audio Descriptors across Music Genres

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Madison, Guy; Gouyon, Fabien; Ullen, Fredrik; Hornstrom, Kalle

2011-01-01

"Groove" is often described as the experience of music that makes people tap their feet and want to dance. A high degree of consistency in ratings of groove across listeners indicates that physical properties of the sound signal contribute to groove (Madison, 2006). Here, correlations were assessed between listeners' ratings and a number…

Chemical Properties and Change. Fourth Grade. Revised. Anchorage School District Elementary Science Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Butler, John, Ed.

In this unit students are asked to mix materials together and look closely at what happens. From this experience, plus teacher input, they are introduced to the concept that matter is made of small particles which cannot be seen, but can be manipulated. Students learn the difference between a physical and a chemical change and that there are four…

Transmission experiment of elastic waves with short wavelengths through a highly porous sand soil during water injection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakayama, M.; Kawakata, H.; Hirano, S.; Doi, I.; Takahashi, N.

2016-12-01

Transmitted waves at high frequencies attenuate strongly through highly porous media such as shallow ground, although the waves enable us to investigate physical properties of the media with high-spatial resolutions. Nakayama et al. (2015, AGU) tried to investigate the spatio-temporal variations in physical properties of a highly porous sand soil during water injection in laboratory. Accelerometers installed in the sand soil received only the signals of no higher than 0.5 kHz, although they used rectangular waveforms as input signals. The wavelength corresponding to 0.5 kHz is about 400 mm because the measured wave velocity is about 200 m/s. The wavelength is comparable to the path lengths of the transmitted waves, so that it cannot be discussed how the temporal variations in physical properties depend on the paths. In this study, we try to transmit waves with wavelengths much shorter than a sand soil and path lengths through a highly porous sand soil. We make a sand soil (750 mm long, 300 mm wide, and 300 mm high) with porosity about 40%. We install a shaker as a wave source at a deep part in the sand soil. In addition, we install accelerometers, pore pressure gauges, and electrodes at different depths. We inject tap water into the sand soil from the bottom, and record transmitted waves together with pore pressure and electrode voltage until the sand soil becomes saturated. Note that we adopt sweep signals (0.1-10 kHz) as the source so that the shaker can generate high frequency waves more strongly than rectangular signals. Accelerometers receive the signals at least up to 5 kHz during the experiment (Figure 1). The wavelength corresponding to 5 kHz is about 40 mm. In conclusion, we succeed in detecting transmitted waves propagating through the highly porous sand soil whose path lengths are about ten times their wave lengths. Acknowledgment: We are grateful to Takayoshi Kishida for supporting the experiment. This work is supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Numbers JP15H02996 and 26750135.

Numerical Simulation of Electrical Properties of Carbonate Reservoir Rocks Using µCT Images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colgin, J.; Niu, Q.; Zhang, C.; Zhang, F.

2017-12-01

Digital rock physics involves the modern microscopic imaging of geomaterials, digitalization of the microstructure, and numerical simulation of physical properties of rocks. This physics-based approach can give important insight into understanding properties of reservoir rocks, and help reveal the link between intrinsic rock properties and macroscopic geophysical responses. The focus of this study is the simulation of the complex conductivity of carbonate reservoir rocks using reconstructed 3D rock structures from high-resolution X-ray micro computed tomography (µCT). Carbonate core samples with varying lithofacies and pore structures from the Cambro-Ordovician Arbuckle Group and the Upper Pennsylvanian Lansing-Kansas City Group in Kansas are used in this study. The wide variations in pore geometry and connectivity of these samples were imaged using µCT. A two-phase segmentation method was used to reconstruct a digital rock of solid particles and pores. We then calculate the effective electrical conductivity of the digital rock volume using a pore-scale numerical approach. The complex conductivity of geomaterials is influenced by the electrical properties and geometry of each phase, i.e., the solid and fluid phases. In addition, the electrical double layer that forms between the solid and fluid phases can also affect the effective conductivity of the material. In the numerical modeling, the influence of the electrical double layer is quantified by a complex surface conductance and converted to an apparent volumetric complex conductivity of either solid particles or pore fluid. The effective complex conductivity resulting from numerical simulations based on µCT images will be compared to results from laboratory experiments on equivalent rock samples. The imaging and digital segmentation method, assumptions in the numerical simulation, and trends as compared to laboratory results will be discussed. This study will help us understand how microscale physics affects macroscale electrical conductivity in porous media.

Patterns and determinants of wood physical and mechanical properties across major tree species in China.

PubMed

Zhu, JiangLing; Shi, Yue; Fang, LeQi; Liu, XingE; Ji, ChengJun

2015-06-01

The physical and mechanical properties of wood affect the growth and development of trees, and also act as the main criteria when determining wood usage. Our understanding on patterns and controls of wood physical and mechanical properties could provide benefits for forestry management and bases for wood application and forest tree breeding. However, current studies on wood properties mainly focus on wood density and ignore other wood physical properties. In this study, we established a comprehensive database of wood physical properties across major tree species in China. Based on this database, we explored spatial patterns and driving factors of wood properties across major tree species in China. Our results showed that (i) compared with wood density, air-dried density, tangential shrinkage coefficient and resilience provide more accuracy and higher explanation power when used as the evaluation index of wood physical properties. (ii) Among life form, climatic and edaphic variables, life form is the dominant factor shaping spatial patterns of wood physical properties, climatic factors the next, and edaphic factors have the least effects, suggesting that the effects of climatic factors on spatial variations of wood properties are indirectly induced by their effects on species distribution.

Galactic Cosmic Ray Event-Based Risk Model (GERM) Code

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cucinotta, Francis A.; Plante, Ianik; Ponomarev, Artem L.; Kim, Myung-Hee Y.

2013-01-01

This software describes the transport and energy deposition of the passage of galactic cosmic rays in astronaut tissues during space travel, or heavy ion beams in patients in cancer therapy. Space radiation risk is a probability distribution, and time-dependent biological events must be accounted for physical description of space radiation transport in tissues and cells. A stochastic model can calculate the probability density directly without unverified assumptions about shape of probability density function. The prior art of transport codes calculates the average flux and dose of particles behind spacecraft and tissue shielding. Because of the signaling times for activation and relaxation in the cell and tissue, transport code must describe temporal and microspatial density of functions to correlate DNA and oxidative damage with non-targeted effects of signals, bystander, etc. These are absolutely ignored or impossible in the prior art. The GERM code provides scientists data interpretation of experiments; modeling of beam line, shielding of target samples, and sample holders; and estimation of basic physical and biological outputs of their experiments. For mono-energetic ion beams, basic physical and biological properties are calculated for a selected ion type, such as kinetic energy, mass, charge number, absorbed dose, or fluence. Evaluated quantities are linear energy transfer (LET), range (R), absorption and fragmentation cross-sections, and the probability of nuclear interactions after 1 or 5 cm of water equivalent material. In addition, a set of biophysical properties is evaluated, such as the Poisson distribution for a specified cellular area, cell survival curves, and DNA damage yields per cell. Also, the GERM code calculates the radiation transport of the beam line for either a fixed number of user-specified depths or at multiple positions along the Bragg curve of the particle in a selected material. The GERM code makes the numerical estimates of basic physical and biophysical quantities of high-energy protons and heavy ions that have been studied at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) for the purpose of simulating space radiation biological effects. In the first option, properties of monoenergetic beams are treated. In the second option, the transport of beams in different materials is treated. Similar biophysical properties as in the first option are evaluated for the primary ion and its secondary particles. Additional properties related to the nuclear fragmentation of the beam are evaluated. The GERM code is a computationally efficient Monte-Carlo heavy-ion-beam model. It includes accurate models of LET, range, residual energy, and straggling, and the quantum multiple scattering fragmentation (QMSGRG) nuclear database.

Analytical one-dimensional model for laser-induced ultrasound in planar optically absorbing layer.

PubMed

Svanström, Erika; Linder, Tomas; Löfqvist, Torbjörn

2014-03-01

Ultrasound generated by means of laser-based photoacoustic principles are in common use today and applications can be found both in biomedical diagnostics, non-destructive testing and materials characterisation. For certain measurement applications it could be beneficial to shape the generated ultrasound regarding spectral properties and temporal profile. To address this, we studied the generation and propagation of laser-induced ultrasound in a planar, layered structure. We derived an analytical expression for the induced pressure wave, including different physical and optical properties of each layer. A Laplace transform approach was employed in analytically solving the resulting set of photoacoustic wave equations. The results correspond to simulations and were compared to experimental results. To enable the comparison between recorded voltage from the experiments and the calculated pressure we employed a system identification procedure based on physical properties of the ultrasonic transducer to convert the calculated acoustic pressure to voltages. We found reasonable agreement between experimentally obtained voltages and the voltages determined from the calculated acoustic pressure, for the samples studied. The system identification procedure was found to be unstable, however, possibly from violations of material isotropy assumptions by film adhesives and coatings in the experiment. The presented analytical model can serve as a basis when addressing the inverse problem of shaping an acoustic pulse from absorption of a laser pulse in a planar layered structure of elastic materials. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

ROCK AND SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AT THE MER GUSEV CRATER AND MERIDIANI PLANUM LANDING SITES

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ming, Douglas W.; Richter, L.; Arvidson, R.; Bell, J.; Cabrol, N.; Gorevan, S.; Greeley, R.; Herkenhoff, K.

2006-01-01

Following the successful landings of both Mars Exploration Rover (MER) vehicles at Gusev Crater and Meridiani Planum, respectively, their Athena suite of instruments is being used to study the geologic history of these two very different landing sites on Mars that had been selected on the basis of showing different types of evidence for aqueous processes in the planet s past. Utilizing the on-board instruments as well as the rovers mobility system, a wide range of physical properties investigations is carried out as well - the subject of this abstract - that provide additional information on the geology and processes at the sites. Results of the mission in general as well as of the physical properties studies thus far greatly exceed expectations in that observations and measurements by both vehicles show a rich variety in materials and processes: the Gusev site in the vicinity of the lander is remarkably flat and generally devoid of large rocks along traverses up to the time of this writing (approx.Sol 50) and suggestive of a deflated surface with generally only thin veneers of bright dust while exhibiting evidence of a widespread occurrence of a crust from cemented fines that has been observed to fail in the form of blocky clods when disturbed by vehicle rolling action; numerous small and shallow depressions - presumably created by impacts - are observed at the site which are infilled with bright, fine-grained material that likewise appears indurated and which was studied by a trenching experiment; small ripple bedforms are scattered across the site and were characterized in terms of particle size distributions. At the Meridiani site, studies so far - up to approx.Sol 33 - have focussed on soils and the rock outcrop encountered within the approx.20 m diameter crater that the spacecraft came to rest in: from a physical properties point of view, a mantle of dark, well-sorted, apparently basaltic sand with small to moderate cohesion has been of interest - and has been studied by a trenching experiment - as well as a fine-grained unit underlying the mantle at least locally within the crater. Rock grindings were accomplished successfully at both sites at the time of this writing, suggesting different strengths of the two targets (the basaltic rock nicknamed Adirondack at Gusev and the Meridiani rock outcrop) in addition to enabling compositional measurements below the original rock surfaces.

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

1997-06-27

This is a computer generated model of a ground based casting. The objective of the therophysical properties program is to measure thermal physical properties of commercial casting alloys for use in computer programs that predict soldification behavior. This could reduce trial and error in casting design and promote less scrap, sounder castings, and less weight. In order for the computer models to reliably simulate the details of industrial alloy solidification, the input thermophysical property data must be absolutely reliable. Recently Auburn University and TPRL Inc. formed a teaming relationship to establish reliable measurement techniques for the most critical properties of commercially important alloys: transformation temperatures, thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, specific heat, latent heat, density, solid fraction evolution, surface tension, and viscosity. A new initiative with the American Foundrymens Society has been started to measure the thermophysical properties of commercial ferrous and non-ferrous casting alloys and make the thermophysical property data widely available. Development of casting processes for the new gamma titanium aluminide alloys as well as existing titanium alloys will remain a trial-and-error procedure until accurate thermophysical properties can be obtained. These molten alloys react with their containers on earth and change their composition - invalidating the measurements even while the data are being acquired in terrestrial laboratories. However, measurements on the molten alloys can be accomplished in space using freely floating droplets which are completely untouched by any container. These data are expected to be exceptionally precise because of the absence of impurity contamination and buoyancy convection effects. Although long duration orbital experiments will be required for the large scale industrial alloy measurement program that results from this research, short duration experiments on NASA's KC-135 low-g aircraft are already providing preliminary data and experience.

Smartphones as experimental tools to measure acoustical and mechanical properties of vibrating rods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

González, Manuel Á.; González, Miguel Á.

2016-07-01

Modern smartphones have calculation and sensor capabilities that make them suitable for use as versatile and reliable measurement devices in simple teaching experiments. In this work a smartphone is used, together with low cost materials, in an experiment to measure the frequencies emitted by vibrating rods of different materials, shapes and lengths. The results obtained with the smartphone have been compared with theoretical calculations and the agreement is good. Alternatively, physics students can perform the experiment described here and use their results to determine the dependencies of the obtained frequencies on the rod characteristics. In this way they will also practice research methods that they will probably use in their professional life.

Inertial frames and breakthrough propulsion physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Millis, Marc G.

2017-09-01

The term ;Breakthrough Propulsion Physics; comes from the NASA project by that name which examined non-rocket space drives, gravity control, and faster-than-light travel. The focus here is on space drives and the related unsolved physics of inertial frames. A ;space drive; is a generic term encompassing any concept for using as-yet undiscovered physics to move a spacecraft instead of existing rockets, sails, or tethers. The collective state of the art spans mostly steps 1-3 of the scientific method: defining the problem, collecting data, and forming hypotheses. The key issues include (1) conservation of momentum, (2) absence of obvious reaction mass, and (3) the net-external thrusting requirement. Relevant open problems in physics include: (1) the sources and mechanisms of inertial frames, (2) coupling of gravitation to the other fundamental forces, and (3) the nature of the quantum vacuum. Rather than following the assumption that inertial frames are an immutable, intrinsic property of space, this paper revisits Mach's Principle, where it is posited that inertia is relative to the distant surrounding matter. This perspective allows conjectures that a space drive could impart reaction forces to that matter, via some as-yet undiscovered interaction with the inertial frame properties of space. Thought experiments are offered to begin a process to derive new hypotheses. It is unknown if this line of inquiry will be fruitful, but it is hoped that, by revisiting unsolved physics from a propulsion point of view, new insights will be gained.

Physical properties of forest soils

Treesearch

Charles H. Perry; Michael C. Amacher

2007-01-01

Why Are Physical Properties of the Soil Important? The soil quality indicator, when combined with other data collected by the FIA program, can indicate the current rates of soil erosion, the extent and intensity of soil compaction, and some basic physical properties of the forest floor and the top 20 cm of soil. In this report, two particular physical properties of the...

A common-garden study of resource-island effects on a native and an exotic, annual grass after fire

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hoover, Amber N.; Germino, Matthew J.

2012-01-01

Plant-soil variation related to perennial-plant resource islands (coppices) interspersed with relatively bare interspaces is a major source of heterogeneity in desert rangelands. Our objective was to determine how native and exotic grasses vary on coppice mounds and interspaces (microsites) in unburned and burned sites and underlying factors that contribute to the variation in sagebrush-steppe rangelands of the Idaho National Lab, where interspaces typically have abiotic crusts. We asked how the exotic cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) and native bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata [Pursh] A. Löve) were distributed among the microsites and measured their abundances in three replicate wildfires and nearby unburned areas. We conducted a common-garden study in which soil cores from each burned microsite type were planted with seed of either species to determine microsite effects on establishment and growth of native and exotic grasses. We assessed soil physical properties in the common-garden study to determine the intrinsic properties of each microsite surface and the retention of microsite soil differences following transfer of soils to the garden, to plant growth, and to wetting/drying cycles. In the field study, only bluebunch wheatgrass density was greater on coppice mounds than interspaces, in both unburned and burned areas. In the common-garden experiment, there were microsite differences in soil physical properties, particularly in crust hardness and its relationship to moisture, but soil properties were unaffected by plant growth. Also in the experiment, both species had equal densities yet greater dry mass production on coppice-mound soils compared to interspace soils, suggesting microsite differences in growth but not establishment (likely related to crust weakening resulting from watering). Coppice-interspace patterning and specifically native-herb recovery on coppices is likely important for postfire resistance of this rangeland to cheatgrass.

Quantification of Optical and Physical Properties of Combustion-Generated Carbonaceous Aerosols (

PubMed Central

Perera, Inoka Eranda; Litton, Charles D.

2016-01-01

A series of experiments were conducted to quantify and characterize the optical and physical properties of combustion-generated aerosols during both flaming and smoldering combustion of three materials common to underground mines—Pittsburgh Seam coal, Styrene Butadiene Rubber (a common mine conveyor belt material), and Douglas-fir wood—using a combination of analytical and gravimetric measurements. Laser photometers were utilized in the experiments for continuous measurement of aerosol mass concentrations and for comparison to measurements made using gravimetric filter samples. The aerosols of interest lie in the size range of tens to a few hundred nanometers, out of range of the standard photometer calibration. To correct for these uncertainties, the photometer mass concentrations were compared to gravimetric samples to determine if consistent correlations existed. The response of a calibrated and modified combination ionization/photoelectric smoke detector was also used. In addition, the responses of this sensor and a similar, prototype ionization/photoelectric sensor, along with discrete angular scattering, total scattering, and total extinction measurements, were used to define in real time the size, morphology, and radiative transfer properties of these differing aerosols that are generally in the form of fractal aggregates. SEM/TEM images were also obtained in order to compare qualitatively the real-time, continuous experimental measurements with the visual microscopic measurements. These data clearly show that significant differences exist between aerosols from flaming and from smoldering combustion and that these differences produce very different scattering and absorption signatures. The data also indicate that ionization/photoelectric sensors can be utilized to measure continuously and in real time aerosol properties over a broad spectrum of applications related to adverse environmental and health effects. PMID:27546898

Quantification of Optical and Physical Properties of Combustion-Generated Carbonaceous Aerosols (

PubMed

Perera, Inoka Eranda; Litton, Charles D

2015-03-01

A series of experiments were conducted to quantify and characterize the optical and physical properties of combustion-generated aerosols during both flaming and smoldering combustion of three materials common to underground mines-Pittsburgh Seam coal, Styrene Butadiene Rubber (a common mine conveyor belt material), and Douglas-fir wood-using a combination of analytical and gravimetric measurements. Laser photometers were utilized in the experiments for continuous measurement of aerosol mass concentrations and for comparison to measurements made using gravimetric filter samples. The aerosols of interest lie in the size range of tens to a few hundred nanometers, out of range of the standard photometer calibration. To correct for these uncertainties, the photometer mass concentrations were compared to gravimetric samples to determine if consistent correlations existed. The response of a calibrated and modified combination ionization/photoelectric smoke detector was also used. In addition, the responses of this sensor and a similar, prototype ionization/photoelectric sensor, along with discrete angular scattering, total scattering, and total extinction measurements, were used to define in real time the size, morphology, and radiative transfer properties of these differing aerosols that are generally in the form of fractal aggregates. SEM/TEM images were also obtained in order to compare qualitatively the real-time, continuous experimental measurements with the visual microscopic measurements. These data clearly show that significant differences exist between aerosols from flaming and from smoldering combustion and that these differences produce very different scattering and absorption signatures. The data also indicate that ionization/photoelectric sensors can be utilized to measure continuously and in real time aerosol properties over a broad spectrum of applications related to adverse environmental and health effects.

The observation of the physicochemical change of rock under freeze-thawing experiment: CLSM, XRD and ICP analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, J.; Chae, B.; Chon, C.; Jeong, J.

2013-12-01

Abstract : In order to understand the progress of the physical weathering of rock sample, we managed freeze-thawing experiment at temperature of up to 40C from -20C taking into account of South Korea. In this study, the time was held by two hours the temperature of the maximum (40C) and minimum (-20C) and the experiments were carried out at intervals of one hour rising and falling. We have run the experiment about 120 cycle with the cycle of -20C from 40C experiment. We measured the physical properties of rock samples after each 20 cycle has elapsed by using confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and observed changes in roughness of rock samples surface. We also analyzed the mineral of rock sample using the XRD analysis and observing the change in chemical composition of solution used in the experiment by using ICP analysis. Through the above process, we observed physico-chemical changes in the rock sample due to freeze-thaw cycles. To analysis of the line roughness parameter we used set by the 10 vertical and horizontal cross section line on the surface and surface roughness parameter was analyzed by using the area on the surface. Through such a process, while the freeze-thawing experiment is advanced, it was studied how the physical roughness and chemical composition were changed. As a result, it was possible to observe a change in the mineral component of the particular dissolved in the solution and it was able to observe the characteristic changes of the parameters of the roughness of the lines and surfaces.

Fifth-grade children's daily experiences of peer victimization and negative emotions: moderating effects of sex and peer rejection.

PubMed

Morrow, Michael T; Hubbard, Julie A; Barhight, Lydia J; Thomson, Amanda K

2014-10-01

This study examined the relations of fifth-grade children's (181 boys and girls) daily experiences of peer victimization with their daily negative emotions. Children completed daily reports of peer victimization and negative emotions (sadness, anger, embarrassment, and nervousness) on up to eight school days. The daily peer victimization checklist was best represented by five factors: physical victimization, verbal victimization, social manipulation, property attacks, and social rebuff. All five types were associated with increased negative daily emotions, and several types were independently linked to increased daily negative emotions, particularly physical victimization. Girls demonstrated greater emotional reactivity in sadness to social manipulation than did boys, and higher levels of peer rejection were linked to greater emotional reactivity to multiple types of victimization. Sex and peer rejection also interacted, such that greater rejection was a stronger indicator of emotional reactivity to victimization in boys than in girls.

Patient initiated aggression - prevalence and impact for general practice staff.

PubMed

Herath, Pushpani; Forrest, Laura; McRae, Ian; Parker, Rhian

2011-06-01

Patient initiated aggression toward general practice staff can cause distress among staff, however, it is unknown how frequently practice staff experience patient aggression in the workplace. The aim of this study is to determine the national prevalence of patient aggression toward general practice staff. A clustered cross sectional survey involving general practice staff working in Australia. A questionnaire was posted to 1109 general practices nationally and 217 questionnaires were completed and returned (19.6% response rate). It was found that verbal aggression is commonly experienced by practice staff, particularly receptionists, whereas physical aggression is infrequent. Staff working in larger practices experience more verbal aggression and property damage or theft and it was reported that verbal aggression has a greater impact on staff wellbeing than physical aggression. This study provides some national evidence of the prevalence of patient aggression toward general practice staff. This may inform the development of policy and procedures.

Moments in the Life of a Scientist

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rossi, Bruno

1990-08-01

Bruno Rossi has long been an influential figure in diverse areas of physics and in this volume he presents a fascinating account of his life and work as an experimental physicist. He discusses his scientific contributions, from experiments that played a major role in establishing the nature and properties of cosmic rays to those establishing the existence of a solar wind and others that laid the foundations of X-ray astronomy. Rossi provides close insight into his actual experiences as a scientist and the motivations that gave direction to his research, and he recounts the beginning of very significant stages in high energy physics and space research. He writes evocatively of the many places where he worked--of Florence, Arcetri, Padua, and Venice, of the mountains of Colorado and the deserts of New Mexico. His narrative also provides insight into the life of a Jewish family in fascist Italy. The text is accompanied by photographs taken throughout Rossi's career.

Princeton University High Energy Physics Research

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Marlow, Daniel R.

This is the Final Report on research conducted by the Princeton Elementary Particles group over the approximately three-year period from May 1, 2012 to April 30, 2015. The goal of our research is to investigate the fundamental constituents of matter, their fields, and their interactions; to understand the properties of space and time; and to study the profound relationships between cosmology and particle physics. During the funding period covered by this report, the group has been organized into a subgroup concentrating on the theory of particles, strings, and cosmology; and four subgroups performing major experiments at laboratories around the world: CERN, Daya Bay, Gran Sasso as well as detector R\\&D on the Princeton campus. Highlights in of this research include the discovery of the Higgs Boson at CERN and the measurement ofmore » $$\\sin^22\\theta_{13}$$ by the Daya Bay experiment. In both cases, Princeton researchers supported by this grant played key roles.« less

Experimenting with musical intervals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lo Presto, Michael C.

2003-07-01

When two tuning forks of different frequency are sounded simultaneously the result is a complex wave with a repetition frequency that is the fundamental of the harmonic series to which both frequencies belong. The ear perceives this 'musical interval' as a single musical pitch with a sound quality produced by the harmonic spectrum responsible for the waveform. This waveform can be captured and displayed with data collection hardware and software. The fundamental frequency can then be calculated and compared with what would be expected from the frequencies of the tuning forks. Also, graphing software can be used to determine equations for the waveforms and predict their shapes. This experiment could be used in an introductory physics or musical acoustics course as a practical lesson in superposition of waves, basic Fourier series and the relationship between some of the ear's subjective perceptions of sound and the physical properties of the waves that cause them.

Ultracold Nonreactive Molecules in an Optical Lattice: Connecting Chemistry to Many-Body Physics.

PubMed

Doçaj, Andris; Wall, Michael L; Mukherjee, Rick; Hazzard, Kaden R A

2016-04-01

We derive effective lattice models for ultracold bosonic or fermionic nonreactive molecules (NRMs) in an optical lattice, analogous to the Hubbard model that describes ultracold atoms in a lattice. In stark contrast to the Hubbard model, which is commonly assumed to accurately describe NRMs, we find that the single on-site interaction parameter U is replaced by a multichannel interaction, whose properties we elucidate. Because this arises from complex short-range collisional physics, it requires no dipolar interactions and thus occurs even in the absence of an electric field or for homonuclear molecules. We find a crossover between coherent few-channel models and fully incoherent single-channel models as the lattice depth is increased. We show that the effective model parameters can be determined in lattice modulation experiments, which, consequently, measure molecular collision dynamics with a vastly sharper energy resolution than experiments in a free-space ultracold gas.

Nuclear-Structure Physics with MINIBALL at HIE-ISOLDE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reiter, P.; MINIBALL Collaboration

2018-02-01

The MINIBALL spectrometer utilizes successfully a variety of post-accelerated radioactive ion beams provided by the new HIE-ISOLDE accelerator at CERN. In-beam γ-ray spectroscopy after Coulomb excitation (CE) or transfer reactions is performed with optimized setups of ancillary detectors for particle detection. The physics program covers a wide range of shell model investigations. Exotic heavy ion beams will enable unique studies of collective properties up to the actinide region. First data taking with HIE-ISOLDE beams started recently. The higher energies and intensities of the new post-accelerator provides a promising perspective for a new generation of MINIBALL experiments. Intriguing first results were obtained by employing beams of 74,76,78Zn, 110,132Sn, 144Xe with beam energies in the range of 4.0 - 5.5 MeV/u for CE experiments at ‘safe’ energies. In all cases first results for various B(Eλ) values for these isotopes were obtained.

BM@N and MPD experiments at NICA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kekelidze, Vladimir; Kolesnikov, Vadim; Sorin, Alexander

2018-02-01

The project NICA (Nuclotron-based Ion Collider fAcility) aims to study hot and baryon rich QCD matter in heavy ion collisions in the energy range = 4 - 11 GeV. The rich heavy-ion physics program will be performed at two experiments, BM@N (Baryonic Matter at Nuclotron) at beams extracted from the Nuclotron, and at MPD (Multi-Purpose Detector) at the NICA collider. This program covers a variety of phenomena in strongly interacting matter of the highest baryonic density, which includes study of collective effects, production of hyperon and hypernuclei, in-medium modification of meson properties, and event-by-event fluctuations.

Liquid Argon TPC Signal Formation, Signal Processing and Hit Reconstruction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Baller, Bruce

2017-03-11

This document describes the early stage of the reconstruction chain that was developed for the ArgoNeuT and MicroBooNE experiments at Fermilab. These experiments study accelerator neutrino interactions that occur in a Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber. Reconstructing the properties of particles produced in these interactions requires knowledge of the micro-physics processes that affect the creation and transport of ionization electrons to the readout system. A wire signal deconvolution technique was developed to convert wire signals to a standard form for hit reconstruction, to remove artifacts in the electronics chain and to remove coherent noise.