A Process-Oriented Architecture for Complex System Modelling

A fine-grained massively-parallel process-oriented model of platelets (potentially artificial) within a blood vessel is presented. This is a CSP inspired design, expressed and implemented using the occam-pi language. It is part of the TUNA pilot study on nanite assemblers at the universities of York, Surrey and Kent. The aim for this model is to engineer emergent behaviour from the platelets, such that they respond to a wound in the blood vessel wall in a way similar to that found in the human body -- i.e. the formation of clots to stem blood flow from the wound and facilitate healing. An architecture for a three dimensional model (relying strongly on the dynamic and mobile capabilities of occam-pi) is given, along with mechanisms for visualisation and interaction. The biological accuracy of the current model is very approximate. However, its process-oriented nature enables simple refinement (through the addition of processes modelling different stimulants/inhibitors of the clotting reaction, different platelet types and other participating organelles) to greater and greater realism. Even with the current system, simple experiments are possible and have scientific interest (e.g. the effect of platelet density on the success of the clotting mechanism in stemming blood flow: too high or too low and the process fails). General principles for the design of large and complex system models are drawn. The described case study runs to millions of processes engaged in ever-changing communication topologies. It is free from deadlock, livelock, race hazards and starvation em by design, employing a small set of synchronisation patterns for which we have proven safety theorems

Comparison study on AIS data of ship traffic behavior

AIS (Automatic Identification System) data provides valuable input parameters in ship traffic simulation models for maritime risk analysis and the prevention of shipping accidents. This article reports on the detailed comparisons of AIS data analysis between a Dutch case and a Chinese case. This analys is focuses on restricted waterways to support inland waterway simulations, comparing the differences between a narrow waterway in the Netherlands (the Port of Rotterdam) and a wide one in China (wide water way of Yangtze River close to the SuTong Bridge). It is shown that straightforward statistical distributions can be used to characterise lateral position, speed, heading and interval times for different types and sizes of ships. However, the distributions for different characteristics of ship behaviours differ significantly

Modelling of gas dynamical properties of the KATRIN tritium source and implications for the neutrino mass measurement

The KATRIN experiment aims to measure the effective mass of the electron antineutrino from the analysis of electron spectra stemming from the beta-decay of molecular tritium with a sensitivity of 200 meV. Therefore, a daily throughput of about 40 g of gaseous tritium is circulated in a windowless source section. An accurate description of the gas flow through this section is of fundamental importance for the neutrino mass measurement as it significantly influences the generation and transport of beta-decay electrons through the experimental setup. In this paper we present a comprehensive model consisting of calculations of rarefied gas flow through the different components of the source section ranging from viscous to free molecular flow. By connecting these simulations with a number of experimentally determined operational parameters the gas model can be refreshed regularly according to the measured operating conditions. In this work, measurement and modelling uncertainties are quantified with regard to their implications for the neutrino mass measurement. We find that the systematic uncertainties related to the description of gas flow are represented by $\Delta m_{\nu}^2=(-3.06\pm 0.24)\cdot10^{-3}$ eV$^2$, and that the gas model is ready to be used in the analysis of upcoming KATRIN data.Comment: 28 pages, 13 figure

Measurement of the neutron lifetime using a gravitational trap and a low-temperature Fomblin coating

We present a new value for the neutron lifetime of 878.5 +- 0.7 stat. +- 0.3 syst. This result differs from the world average value (885.7 +- 0.8 s) by 6.5 standard deviations and by 5.6 standard deviations from the previous most precise result. However, this new value for the neutron lifetime together with a beta-asymmetry in neutron decay, Ao, of -0.1189(7) is in a good agreement with the Standard Model.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures; extended content with some correction

Hydrodynamic modelling of gas-particle flows in riser reactors.

Complex hydrodynamic behavior of circulating fluidized beds makes their scale-up very complicated. In particular, large-scale lateral solids segregation causes a complex two-phase flow pattern which influences significantly their performance. Lateral solids segregation has been attributed to direct collisional interactions between particles as well as to interaction between gas-phase eddies and dispersed particles. However, these phenomena have not been investigated thoroughly. \ud This article discusses an advanced 2-D hydrodynamic model developed for circulating fluidized beds based on the two-fluid concept. Because theory to model the interaction between gas-phase eddies and dispersed particles is not available, turbulence was modeled on a macroscopic scale using a modified Prandtl mixing length model. To model the influence of direct particle-particle collisions the kinetic theory for granular flow was applied based on the Chapman-Enskog theory of dense gases. For model validation purposes, a cold flow circulating fluidized bed was employed in which sand was transported with air as fluidizing agent. The column is equipped with pressure transducers to measure the axial pressure profile and with a reflective optical fiber probe to measure the local solids concentration and axial solids velocity. Theoretically calculated solids concentration and axial solids velocity agree satisfactorily with experiment, especially when one realizes that the model contains no adjustable parameters. In general, however, the model slightly underpredicted the experimentally observed lateral solids segregation and yielded a more peaked velocity profile compared to its experimental counterpar

Modelling Collision Potentials in Port Anchorages: Application of the Navigational Traffic Conflict Technique (NTCT)

Despite the extent of works done on modelling port water collisions, not much research effort has been devoted to modelling collisions at port anchorages. This paper aims to fill this important gap in literature by applying the Navigation Traffic Conflict Technique (NTCT) for measuring the collision potentials in anchorages and for examining the factors contributing to collisions. Grounding on the principles of the NTCT, a collision potential measurement model and a collision potential prediction model were developed. These models were illustrated by using vessel movement data of the anchorages in Singapore port waters. Results showed that the measured collision potentials are in close agreement with those perceived by harbour pilots. Higher collision potentials were found in anchorages attached to shoreline and international fairways, but not at those attached to confined water. Higher operating speeds, larger numbers of isolated danger marks and day conditions were associated with reduction in the collision potentials

Experimental investigation of the low molecular weight fluoropolymer for the ultracold neutrons storage

The experimental setup for examining the low-molecular-weight fluoropolymer CF$_{3}$(CF$_{2})_{3}$-O-CF$_{2}$-O-(CF$_{2})_{3}$CF$_{3}$, which is a promising coating material for the walls of storage chambers for ultracold neutrons, is described. The results are detailed. The measurement data are interpreted in the model of a multilayer complex quantum-mechanical potential of the chamber walls.Comment: Corrected version of the paper published in Phys. of Part. and Nucl Lett., 15 (No.5) (2018) 54