Numerical Algorithm for Detecting Ion Diffusion Regions in the Geomagnetic Tail with Applications to MMS Tail Season May 1 -- September 30, 2017

We present a numerical algorithm aimed at identifying ion diffusion regions (IDRs) in the geomagnetic tail, and test its applicability. We use 5 criteria applied in three stages. (i) Correlated reversals (within 90 s) of Vx and Bz (at least 2 nT about zero; GSM coordinates); (ii) Detection of Hall electric and magnetic field signatures; and (iii) strong (>10 mV/m) electric fields. While no criterion alone is necessary and sufficient, the approach does provide a robust, if conservative, list of IDRs. We use data from the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS) spacecraft during a 5-month period (May 1 to September 30, 2017) of near-tail orbits during the declining phase of the solar cycle. We find 148 events satisfying step 1, 37 satisfying steps 1 and 2, and 17 satisfying all three, of which 12 are confirmed as IDRs. All IDRs were within the X-range [-24, -15] RE mainly on the dusk sector and the majority occurred during traversals of a tailward-moving X-line. 11 of 12 IDRs were on the dusk-side despite approximately equal residence time in both the pre- and post-midnight sectors (56.5% dusk vs 43.5% dawn). MMS could identify signatures of 4 quadrants of the Hall B-structure in 3 events and 3 quadrants in 7 of the remaining 12 confirmed IDRs identified. The events we report commonly display Vx reversals greater than 400 km/s in magnitude, normal magnetic field reversals often >10 nT in magnitude, maximum DC |E| which are often well in excess of the threshold for stage 3. Our results are then compared with the set of IDRs identified by visual examination from Cluster in the years 2000-2005.Comment: In Submission at JGR:Space Physic

Impact pressure probe response characteristics in high speed flows, with transition Knudsen numbers

Impact pressure probe response characteristics in free-molecular and continuum flows with transition Knudsen number

Central Charge and the Andrews-Bailey Construction

From the equivalence of the bosonic and fermionic representations of finitized characters in conformal field theory, one can extract mathematical objects known as Bailey pairs. Recently Berkovich, McCoy and Schilling have constructed a `generalized' character formula depending on two parameters \ra and $\r2$, using the Bailey pairs of the unitary model $M(p-1,p)$. By taking appropriate limits of these parameters, they were able to obtain the characters of model $M(p,p+1)$, $N=1$ model $SM(p,p+2)$, and the unitary $N=2$ model with central charge $c=3(1-{\frac{2}{p}})$. In this letter we computed the effective central charge associated with this `generalized' character formula using a saddle point method. The result is a simple expression in dilogarithms which interpolates between the central charges of these unitary models.Comment: Latex2e, requires cite.sty package, 13 pages. Additional footnote, citation and reference

Water quality map of Saginaw Bay from computer processing of LANDSAT-2 data

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

Impact pressure probe reponse characteristics in high speed flows with transition knudsen numbers

Impact pressure probe response characteristics in high speed flows with transition Knudsen number

Microgravity: A Teacher's Guide With Activities in Science, Mathematics, and Technology

The purpose of this curriculum supplement guide is to define and explain microgravity and show how microgravity can help us learn about the phenomena of our world. The front section of the guide is designed to provide teachers of science, mathematics, and technology at many levels with a foundation in microgravity science and applications. It begins with background information for the teacher on what microgravity is and how it is created. This is followed with information on the domains of microgravity science research; biotechnology, combustion science, fluid physics, fundamental physics, materials science, and microgravity research geared toward exploration. The background section concludes with a history of microgravity research and the expectations microgravity scientists have for research on the International Space Station. Finally, the guide concludes with a suggested reading list, NASA educational resources including electronic resources, and an evaluation questionnaire

Ethnic variations in the relationship between multiple stress domains and use of several types of tobacco/nicotine products among a diverse sample of adults.

IntroductionFinancial strain and discrimination are consistent predictors of negative health outcomes and maladaptive coping behaviors, including tobacco use. Although there is considerable information exploring stress and smoking, limited research has examined the relationship between patterns of stress domains and specific tobacco/nicotine product use. Even fewer studies have assessed ethnic variations in these relationships.MethodsThis study investigated the relationship between discrimination and financial strain and current tobacco/nicotine product use and explored the ethnic variation in these relationships among diverse sample of US adults (N = 1068). Separate logistic regression models assessed associations between stress domains and tobacco/nicotine product use, adjusting for covariates (e.g., age, gender, race/ethnicity, and household income). Due to statistically significant differences, the final set of models was stratified by race/ethnicity.ResultsHigher levels of discrimination were associated with higher odds of all three tobacco/nicotine product categories. Financial strain was positively associated with combustible tobacco and combined tobacco/nicotine product use. Financial strain was especially risky for Non-Hispanic Whites (AOR:1.191, 95%CI:1.083-1.309) and Blacks/African Americans (AOR:1.542, 95%CI:1.106-2.148), as compared to other groups, whereas discrimination was most detrimental for Asians/Pacific Islanders (AOR:3.827, 95%CI:1.832-7.997) and Hispanics/Latinas/Latinos (AOR:2.517, 95%CI:1.603-3.952).ConclusionsFindings suggest discrimination and financial stressors are risk factors for use of multiple tobacco/nicotine products, highlighting the importance of prevention research that accounts for these stressors. Because ethnic groups may respond differently to stress/strain, prevention research needs to identify cultural values, beliefs, and coping strategies that can buffer the negative consequences of discrimination and financial stressors

Residual acceleration data on IML-1: Development of a data reduction and dissemination plan

The research performed consisted of three stages: (1) identification of sensitive IML-1 experiments and sensitivity ranges by order of magnitude estimates, numerical modeling, and investigator input; (2) research and development towards reduction, supplementation, and dissemination of residual acceleration data; and (3) implementation of the plan on existing acceleration databases

A Feynman-Kac Formula for Anticommuting Brownian Motion

Motivated by application to quantum physics, anticommuting analogues of Wiener measure and Brownian motion are constructed. The corresponding Ito integrals are defined and the existence and uniqueness of solutions to a class of stochastic differential equations is established. This machinery is used to provide a Feynman-Kac formula for a class of Hamiltonians. Several specific examples are considered.Comment: 21 page