6,608 research outputs found
Stochastic axial compressor variable geometry schedule optimisation
The design of axial compressors is dictated by the maximisation of flow
efficiency at on design conditions whereas at part speed the requirement for
operation stability prevails. Among other stability aids, compressor variable
geometry is employed to rise the surge line for the provision of an adequate
surge margin. The schedule of the variable vanes is in turn typically obtained
from expensive and time consuming rig tests that go through a vast combination
of possible settings. The present paper explores the suitability of stochastic
approaches to derive the most flow efficient schedule of an axial compressor for
a minimum variable user defined value of the surge margin. A genetic algorithm
has been purposely developed and its satisfactory performance validated against
four representative benchmark functions. The work carries on with the necessary
thorough investigation of the impact of the different genetic operators employed
on the ability of the algorithm to find the global extremities in an effective
and efficient manner. This deems fundamental to guarantee that the algorithm is
not trapped in local extremities. The algorithm is then coupled with a
compressor performance prediction tool that evaluates each individual's
performance through a user defined fitness function. The most flow efficient
schedule that conforms to a prescribed surge margin can be obtained thereby fast
and inexpensively. Results are produced for a modern eight stage high bypass
ratio compressor and compared with experimental data available to the research.
The study concludes with the analysis of the existent relationship between surge
margin and flow efficiency for the particular compressor under scrutiny. The
study concludes with the analysis of the existent relationship between surge
margin and flow efficiency for the particular compressor under scrutiny
Interacting Particles and Strings in Path and Surface Representations
Non-relativistic charged particles and strings coupled with abelian gauge
fields are quantized in a geometric representation that generalizes the Loop
Representation. We consider three models: the string in self-interaction
through a Kalb-Ramond field in four dimensions, the topological interaction of
two particles due to a BF term in 2+1 dimensions, and the string-particle
interaction mediated by a BF term in 3+1 dimensions. In the first case one
finds that a consistent "surface-representation" can be built provided that the
coupling constant is quantized. The geometrical setting that arises corresponds
to a generalized version of the Faraday's lines picture: quantum states are
labeled by the shape of the string, from which emanate "Faraday`s surfaces". In
the other models, the topological interaction can also be described by
geometrical means. It is shown that the open-path (or open-surface) dependence
carried by the wave functional in these models can be eliminated through an
unitary transformation, except by a remaining dependence on the boundary of the
path (or surface). These feature is closely related to the presence of
anomalous statistics in the 2+1 model, and to a generalized "anyonic behavior"
of the string in the other case.Comment: RevTeX 4, 28 page
Pressure dependence of the melting mechanism at the limit of overheating in Lennard-Jones crystals
We study the pressure dependence of the melting mechanism of a surface free
Lennard-Jones crystal by constant pressure Monte Carlo simulation. The
difference between the overheating temperature() and the
thermodynamical melting point() increase for increasing pressure. When
particles move into the repulsive part of the potential the properties at
change. There is a crossover pressure where the volume jump becomes
pressure-independent. The overheating limit is pre-announced by thermal
excitation of big clusters of defects. The temperature zone where the system is
dominated by these big clusters of defects increases with increasing pressure.
Beyond the crossover pressure we find that excitation of defects and clusters
of them start at the same temperature scale related with .Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in Physical Review
Multidisciplinary approaches to the Amazonian past: Introduction to the theme issue
This theme issue presents collaborative research by anthropologists, linguists, archaeologists, geneticists, historians and biogeographers, who work across disciplinary boundaries to investigate the Amazonian past. Amazonia is a fertile ground in which to develop such multidisciplinary approaches because its relative paucity of documentary records makes other sources of evidence regarding the past more important; because multidisciplinary approaches are well suited to address important unanswered questions in Amazonian history; and because a recent and dramatic reappraisal of the region's past make this an exciting time to conduct this sort of research. The papers in this theme issue feature different combinations of academic disciplines, and they address different geographical regions and historical periods, but all of them show how combining insights from different fields can help illuminate aspects of the Amazonian past that would otherwise remain obscure to them all
The influence of massive stars in the interstellar medium of IC 1613: the supernova remnant S8 and the nebula S3 associated with a WO star
We present a detailed kinematical analysis of two selected nebulae in the
Local Group irregular galaxy IC 1613. The nebulae are: S8, the only known
supernova remnant in this galaxy, and S3, a Wolf-Rayet nebula associated with
the only WO star in this galaxy. For S8, we have obtained and analyzed its
radial velocity field, where we found complex profiles which can be fitted by
several velocity components. These profiles also show the presence of high
velocity, low density gas. From this, we have obtained the expansion velocity,
estimated the preshock density and calculated the basic kinematical parameters
of this SNR. We suggest that in S8 we are seing a SNR partially hidden by dust.
This suggestion comes from the fact that the SNR is located between two
superbubbles where a ridge of obscured material unveils the existence of dust.
Moreover, we show that this hypothesis prevails when energetic arguments are
taken into account. In the case of S3, this nebula shows bipolar structure. By
means of its kinematics, we have analyzed its two lobes, the ``waist'', as well
as its relation with the nearest superbubbles. For the first time we are able
to see closed the NW lobe, showing a clover leaf shape. This fact allows a
better quantitative knowledge of the nebula as a whole. Furthermore, we found
evidence of an expansion motion in the NW lobe. In the light of our results, we
can express that these nebulae are the product of very massive stellar
evolution. It is surprising the influence these stars still have in shaping
their surrounding gas, and on the energy liberation towards the interstellar
medium of this galaxy.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal, July issue. 11
pages, 12 figures. High resolution figures can be found at
http://www.inaoep.mx/~mago/PAPERS/AJ
A Geometric Approach to Massive p-form Duality
Massive theories of abelian p-forms are quantized in a generalized
path-representation that leads to a description of the phase space in terms of
a pair of dual non-local operators analogous to the Wilson Loop and the 't
Hooft disorder operators. Special atention is devoted to the study of the
duality between the Topologically Massive and the Self-Dual models in 2+1
dimensions. It is shown that these models share a geometric representation in
which just one non local operator suffices to describe the observables.Comment: 26 pages, LaTeX. The discussion about the equivalence between the
Proca model and two seldual models, with opposite spins, was eliminated.
Typos correcte
Educación para la salud desde una oficina de farmacia : campaña para la detección precoz de la diabetes
Dynamic stability of crack fronts: Out-of-plane corrugations
The dynamics and stability of brittle cracks are not yet fully understood.
Here we use the Willis-Movchan 3D linear perturbation formalism [J. Mech. Phys.
Solids {\bf 45}, 591 (1997)] to study the out-of-plane stability of planar
crack fronts in the framework of linear elastic fracture mechanics. We discuss
a minimal scenario in which linearly unstable crack front corrugations might
emerge above a critical front propagation speed. We calculate this speed as a
function of Poisson's ratio and show that corrugations propagate along the
crack front at nearly the Rayleigh wave-speed. Finally, we hypothesize about a
possible relation between such corrugations and the long-standing problem of
crack branching.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures + supplementary informatio
Inhomogeneous molecular ring around the B[e] supergiant LHA 120-S 73
We aim to improve our knowledge on the structure and dynamics of the
circumstellar disk of the LMC B[e] supergiant LHA 120-S 73. High-resolution
optical and near-IR spectroscopic data were obtained over a period of 16 and 7
years, respectively. The spectra cover the diagnostic emission lines from
[CaII] and [OI], as well as the CO bands. These features trace the disk at
different distances from the star. We analyzed the kinematics of the individual
emission regions by modeling their emission profiles. A low-resolution
mid-infrared spectrum was obtained as well, which provides information on the
composition of the dusty disk. All diagnostic emission features display
double-peaked line profiles, which we interpret as due to Keplerian rotation.
We find that LHA 120-S 73 is surrounded by at least four individual rings of
material with alternating densities (or by a disk with strongly non-monotonic
radial density distribution). Moreover, we find that the molecular ring must
have gaps or at least strong density inhomogeneities, or in other words, a
clumpy structure. The mid-infrared spectrum displays features of oxygen- and
carbon-rich grain species, which indicates a long-lived, stable dusty disk. We
cannot confirm the previously reported high value for the stellar rotation
velocity. The line profile of HeI 5876 A is strongly variable in both width and
shape and resembles of those seen in non-radially pulsating stars. A proper
determination of the real underlying stellar rotation velocity is hence not
possible. The existence of multiple stable and clumpy rings of alternating
density recalls ring structures around planets. Although there is currently
insufficient observational evidence, it is tempting to propose a scenario with
one (or more) minor bodies or planets revolving around LHA 120-S 73 and
stabilizing the ring system, in analogy to the shepherd moons in planetary
systems.Comment: 14 pages, 13 figure, accepted for pulication in A&
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