38,195 research outputs found
The impact of stochastic physics on climate sensitivity in EC-Earth
Stochastic schemes, designed to represent unresolved sub-grid scale
variability, are frequently used in short and medium-range weather forecasts,
where they are found to improve several aspects of the model. In recent years,
the impact of stochastic physics has also been found to be beneficial for the
model's long term climate. In this paper, we demonstrate for the first time
that the inclusion of a stochastic physics scheme can notably affect a model's
projection of global warming, as well as its historical climatological global
temperature. Specifically, we find that when including the 'stochastically
perturbed parametrisation tendencies' scheme (SPPT) in the fully coupled
climate model EC-Earth v3.1, the predicted level of global warming between 1850
and 2100 is reduced by 10% under an RCP8.5 forcing scenario. We link this
reduction in climate sensitivity to a change in the cloud feedbacks with SPPT.
In particular, the scheme appears to reduce the positive low cloud cover
feedback, and increase the negative cloud optical feedback. A key role is
played by a robust, rapid increase in cloud liquid water with SPPT, which we
speculate is due to the scheme's non-linear interaction with condensation.Comment: Under review in Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmosphere
Two-Point Functions of Coulomb Gauge Yang-Mills Theory
The functional approach to Coulomb gauge Yang-Mills theory is considered
within the standard, second order, formalism. The Dyson-Schwinger equations and
Slavnov-Taylor identities concerning the two-point functions are derived
explicitly and one-loop perturbative results are presented.Comment: 12 pages, no figure
Data Driven Surrogate Based Optimization in the Problem Solving Environment WBCSim
Large scale, multidisciplinary, engineering designs are always difficult due to the complexity and dimensionality of these problems. Direct coupling between the analysis codes and the optimization routines can be prohibitively time consuming due to the complexity of the underlying simulation codes. One way of tackling this problem is by constructing computationally cheap(er) approximations of the expensive simulations, that mimic the behavior of the simulation model as closely as possible. This paper presents a data driven, surrogate based optimization algorithm that uses a trust region based sequential approximate optimization (SAO) framework and a statistical sampling approach based on design of experiment (DOE) arrays. The algorithm is implemented using techniques from two packages—SURFPACK and SHEPPACK that provide a collection of approximation algorithms to build the surrogates and three different DOE techniques—full factorial (FF), Latin hypercube sampling (LHS), and central composite design (CCD)—are used to train the surrogates. The results are compared with the optimization results obtained by directly coupling an optimizer with the simulation code. The biggest concern in using the SAO framework based on statistical sampling is the generation of the required database. As the number of design variables grows, the computational cost of generating the required database grows rapidly. A data driven approach is proposed to tackle this situation, where the trick is to run the expensive simulation if and only if a nearby data point does not exist in the cumulatively growing database. Over time the database matures and is enriched as more and more optimizations are performed. Results show that the proposed methodology dramatically reduces the total number of calls to the expensive simulation runs during the optimization process
Localized spectral asymptotics for boundary value problems and correlation effects in the free Fermi gas in general domains
We rigorously derive explicit formulae for the pair correlation function of
the ground state of the free Fermi gas in the thermodynamic limit for general
geometries of the macroscopic regions occupied by the particles and arbitrary
dimension. As a consequence we also establish the asymptotic validity of the
local density approximation for the corresponding exchange energy. At constant
density these formulae are universal and do not depend on the geometry of the
underlying macroscopic domain. In order to identify the correlation effects in
the thermodynamic limit, we prove a local Weyl law for the spectral asymptotics
of the Laplacian for certain quantum observables which are themselves dependent
on a small parameter under very general boundary conditions
Light composite Higgs boson from the normalized Bethe-Salpeter equation
Scalar composite boson masses have been computed in QCD and Technicolor
theories with the help of the homogeneous Bethe-Salpeter equation (BSE),
resulting in a scalar mass that is twice the dynamically generated fermion or
technifermion mass (). We show that in the case of walking (or
quasi-conformal) technicolor theories, where the behavior with the
momenta may be quite different from the one predicted by the standard operator
product expansion, this result is incomplete and we must consider the effect of
the normalization condition of the BSE to determine the scalar masses. We
compute the composite Higgs boson mass for several groups with technifermions
in the fundamental and higher dimensional representations and comment about the
experimental constraints on these theories, which indicate that models based on
walking theories with fermions in the fundamental representation may, within
the limitations of our approach, have masses quite near the actual direct
exclusion limit.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, minor corrections, to appear in Physical Review
Hadronic unquenching effects in the quark propagator
We investigate hadronic unquenching effects in light quarks and mesons.
Within the non-perturbative continuum framework of Schwinger-Dyson and
Bethe-Salpeter equations we quantify the strength of the back reaction of the
pion onto the quark-gluon interaction. To this end we add a Yang-Mills part of
the interaction such that unquenched lattice results for various current quark
masses are reproduced. We find considerable effects in the quark mass function
at low momenta as well as for the chiral condensate. The quark wave function is
less affected. The Gell--Mann-Oakes-Renner relation is valid to good accuracy
up to pion masses of 400-500 MeV. As a byproduct of our investigation we verify
the Coleman theorem, that chiral symmetry cannot be broken spontaneously when
QCD is reduced to 1+1 dimensions.Comment: 27 pages, 15 figures, minor corrections and clarifications; version
to appear in PR
Self-assembling DNA-caged particles: nanoblocks for hierarchical self-assembly
DNA is an ideal candidate to organize matter on the nanoscale, primarily due
to the specificity and complexity of DNA based interactions. Recent advances in
this direction include the self-assembly of colloidal crystals using DNA
grafted particles. In this article we theoretically study the self-assembly of
DNA-caged particles. These nanoblocks combine DNA grafted particles with more
complicated purely DNA based constructs. Geometrically the nanoblock is a
sphere (DNA grafted particle) inscribed inside a polyhedron (DNA cage). The
faces of the DNA cage are open, and the edges are made from double stranded
DNA. The cage vertices are modified DNA junctions. We calculate the
equilibriuim yield of self-assembled, tetrahedrally caged particles, and
discuss their stability with respect to alternative structures. The
experimental feasability of the method is discussed. To conclude we indicate
the usefulness of DNA-caged particles as nanoblocks in a hierarchical
self-assembly strategy.Comment: v2: 21 pages, 8 figures; revised discussion in Sec. 2, replaced 2
figures, added new reference
Bessel beam propagation: Energy localization and velocity
The propagation of a Bessel beam (or Bessel-X wave) is analyzed on the basis
of a vectorial treatment. The electric and magnetic fields are obtained by
considering a realistic situation able to generate that kind of scalar field.
Specifically, we analyze the field due to a ring-shaped aperture over a
metallic screen on which a linearly polarized plane wave impinges. On this
basis, and in the far field approximation, we can obtain information about the
propagation of energy flux and the velocity of the energy.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure
Underground nuclear power plant siting
This study is part of a larger evaluation of the problems associated with siting nuclear power plants in the next few decades. This evaluation is being undertaken by the Environmental Quality Laboratory of the California Institute of Technology in conjunction with The Aerospace Corporation and several other organizations. Current efforts are directed toward novel approaches to siting plants within the State of California. This report contains the results of efforts performed by The Aerospace Corporation to provide input information to the larger evaluation relative to underground siting of large central station nuclear power plants.
Projections of electric power demand in California and the country as a whole suggest that a major increase in generating capacity will be required. The problem is complicated beyond that of a large but straightforward extension of capital investment by increased emphasis on environmental factors combined with the early stage of commercial application and regulation of nuclear power sources. Hydroelectric power generation is limited by the availability of suitable sites, and fossil fueled plants are constrained by the availability of high quality fuels and the adverse environmental and/or economic impact from the use of more plentiful fuels. A substantial increase in the number of nuclear power plants is now under way. This source of power is expected to provide the maj or portion of increased capacity. Other power sources such as geothermal and nuclear fusion are unlikely to satisfy the national needs due to technical problems and the lack of a comprehensive development program.
There are several problems associated with meeting the projected power demand. Chief among these is the location of acceptable and economic plant sites. Indeed a sufficient number of sites may not be found unless changes occur in the procedures for selecting sites, the criteria for accepting sites, or the type of site required. Placement of a nuclear plant underground has been suggested as an alternative to present siting practices. It is postulated that the advantages of underground siting in some situations may more than compensate for added costs so that such facilities could be preferred even where surface sites are available. By virtue of greater safety, reduced surface area requirements, and improved aesthetics, underground sites might also be found where acceptable surface sites are not available.
Four small European reactors have been constructed partially underground but plans for large size commercial plants have not progressed. Consequently, the features of underground power plant siting are not well understood. Gross physical features such as depth of burial, number and size of excavated galleries, equipment layout, and access or exit shafts/tunnels must be specified. Structural design features of the gallery liners, containment structure, foundations, and gallery interconnections must also be identified. Identification of the nuclear, electrical, and support equipment appropriate to underground operation is needed. Operational features must be defined for normal operations, refueling, and construction. Several magazine articles have been published addressing underground concepts. but adequate engineering data is not available to support an evaluation of the underground concept.
There also remain several unresolved questions relative to the advantages of underground siting as well as the costs and other possible penalties associated with this novel approach to siting. These include the degree of increased safety through improved containment; the extent and value of isolation from falling objects, e. g. aircraft; the value of isolation from surface storms and tidal waves; the value of protection from vandalism or sabotage; the extent by which siting constraints are relieved through reduced population-distance requirements or aggravated by underground construction requirements; and the value to be placed upon the aesthetic differences of a less visible facility.
The study described in this report has been directed toward some of these questions and uncertainties. Within the study an effort has been made to identify viable configurations and structural liners for typical light water reactor nuclear power plants. Three configurations are summarized in Section 3. A discussion of the underground gallery liner design and associated structural analyses is presented in Section 4. Also addressed in the study and discussed in Section 5 are some aspects of containment for underground plants. There it is suggested that the need for large separations between the plant and population centers may be significantly reduced, or perhaps eliminated.
Section 6 contains a brief discussion of operational considerations for underground plants. The costs associated with excavation and lining of the underground galleries have been estimated in Section 7. These estimates include an assessment of variations implied by different seismic loading assumptions and differences in geologic media. It is shown that these costs are a small percentage of the total cost of comparable surface plants. Finally, the parameters characterizing an acceptable underground site are discussed in Section 8. Material is also included in the appendices pertaining to foreign underground plants, span limits of underground excavations, potential siting areas for underground plants in the State of California, pertinent data from the Underground Nuclear Test Program, and other supporting technical discussions
A controlled experiment for the empirical evaluation of safety analysis techniques for safety-critical software
Context: Today's safety critical systems are increasingly reliant on
software. Software becomes responsible for most of the critical functions of
systems. Many different safety analysis techniques have been developed to
identify hazards of systems. FTA and FMEA are most commonly used by safety
analysts. Recently, STPA has been proposed with the goal to better cope with
complex systems including software. Objective: This research aimed at comparing
quantitatively these three safety analysis techniques with regard to their
effectiveness, applicability, understandability, ease of use and efficiency in
identifying software safety requirements at the system level. Method: We
conducted a controlled experiment with 21 master and bachelor students applying
these three techniques to three safety-critical systems: train door control,
anti-lock braking and traffic collision and avoidance. Results: The results
showed that there is no statistically significant difference between these
techniques in terms of applicability, understandability and ease of use, but a
significant difference in terms of effectiveness and efficiency is obtained.
Conclusion: We conclude that STPA seems to be an effective method to identify
software safety requirements at the system level. In particular, STPA addresses
more different software safety requirements than the traditional techniques FTA
and FMEA, but STPA needs more time to carry out by safety analysts with little
or no prior experience.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figure in Proceedings of the 19th International
Conference on Evaluation and Assessment in Software Engineering (EASE '15).
ACM, 201
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