46,116 research outputs found
Transonic flutter and gust-response tests and analyses of a wind-tunnel model of a torsion free wing airplane
An exploratory study of a 1/5.5 size, complete airplane version of a torsion free wing (TFW) fighter aircraft was conducted. The TFW consisted of a wing/boom/canard assembly on each fuselage side that was interconnected by a common pivot shaft so that the TFW could rotate freely in pitch. The effect of the TFW was evaluated by comparing data obtained with the TFW free and the TFW locked to the fuselage. With the model mounted on cables to simulate an airplane free flying condition, flutter boundaries were measured at Mach number (M) from 0.85 to 1.0 and gust responses at M = 0.65 and 0.90. The critical flutter mode for the TFW free configuration was found experimentally to occur at M = 0.95 and had the rigid TFW pitch mode as its apparent aerodynamic driver
Aircrew coordination and decisionmaking: Peer ratings of video tapes made during a full mission simulation
Six professionally active, retired captains rated the coordination and decisionmaking performances of sixteen aircrews while viewing videotapes of a simulated commercial air transport operation. The scenario featured a required diversion and a probable minimum fuel situation. Seven point Likert-type scales were used in rating variables on the basis of a model of crew coordination and decisionmaking. The variables were based on concepts of, for example, decision difficulty, efficiency, and outcome quality; and leader-subordin ate concepts such as person and task-oriented leader behavior, and competency motivation of subordinate crewmembers. Five-front-end variables of the model were in turn dependent variables for a hierarchical regression procedure. The variance in safety performance was explained 46%, by decision efficiency, command reversal, and decision quality. The variance of decision quality, an alternative substantive dependent variable to safety performance, was explained 60% by decision efficiency and the captain's quality of within-crew communications. The variance of decision efficiency, crew coordination, and command reversal were in turn explained 78%, 80%, and 60% by small numbers of preceding independent variables. A principle component, varimax factor analysis supported the model structure suggested by regression analyses
Galaxies into the Dark Ages
We consider the capabilities of current and future large facilities operating
at 2\,mm to 3\,mm wavelength to detect and image the [CII] 158\,m line
from galaxies into the cosmic "dark ages" ( to 20). The [CII] line
may prove to be a powerful tool in determining spectroscopic redshifts, and
galaxy dynamics, for the first galaxies. We emphasize that the nature, and even
existence, of such extreme redshift galaxies, remains at the frontier of open
questions in galaxy formation. In 40\,hr, ALMA has the sensitivity to detect
the integrated [CII] line emission from a moderate metallicity, active
star-forming galaxy [; star formation rate (SFR) =
5\,\,yr], at at a significance of 6. The
next-generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) will detect the integrated [CII] line
emission from a Milky-Way like star formation rate galaxy (, SFR = 1\,\,yr), at at a significance
of 6. Imaging simulations show that the ngVLA can determine rotation
dynamics for active star-forming galaxies at , if they exist. Based
on our very limited knowledge of the extreme redshift Universe, we calculate
the count rate in blind, volumetric surveys for [CII] emission at
to 20. The detection rates in blind surveys will be slow (of order unity per
40\,hr pointing). However, the observations are well suited to commensal
searches. We compare [CII] with the [OIII] 88m line, and other ancillary
information in high galaxies that would aid these studies.Comment: 11pages, 8 figures, Accepted for the Astrophysical Journa
Particle-in-cell simulation of a mildly relativistic collision of an electron-ion plasma carrying a quasi-parallel magnetic field: Electron acceleration and magnetic field amplification at supernova shocks
Plasma processes close to SNR shocks result in the amplification of magnetic
fields and in the acceleration of electrons, injecting them into the diffusive
acceleration mechanism. The acceleration of electrons and the B field
amplification by the collision of two plasma clouds, each consisting of
electrons and ions, at a speed of 0.5c is investigated. A quasi-parallel
guiding magnetic field, a cloud density ratio of 10 and a plasma temperature of
25 keV are considered. A quasi-planar shock forms at the front of the dense
plasma cloud. It is mediated by a circularly left-hand polarized
electromagnetic wave with an electric field component along the guiding
magnetic field. Its propagation direction is close to that of the guiding field
and orthogonal to the collision boundary. It has a low frequency and a
wavelength that equals several times the ion inertial length, which would be
indicative of a dispersive Alfven wave close to the ion cyclotron resonance
frequency of the left-handed mode (ion whistler), provided that the frequency
is appropriate. However, it moves with the super-alfvenic plasma collision
speed, suggesting that it is an Alfven precursor or a nonlinear MHD wave such
as a Short Large-Amplitude Magnetic Structure (SLAMS). The growth of the
magnetic amplitude of this wave to values well in excess of those of the
quasi-parallel guiding field and of the filamentation modes results in a
quasi-perpendicular shock. We present evidence for the instability of this mode
to a four wave interaction. The waves developing upstream of the dense cloud
give rise to electron acceleration ahead of the collision boundary. Energy
equipartition between the ions and the electrons is established at the shock
and the electrons are accelerated to relativistic speeds.Comment: 16 pages, 18 figures, Accepted for publication by Astron & Astrophy
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