Electron beam fluorescence measurements in the Boeing hypersonic shock tunnel

The Calspan electron beam fluorescence (EBF) measurement system is described along with the results of measurements made in hypersonic flow. Numerous self-emitting metallic species were identified, many of which may be associated with an aging/erosion process within the B30HST. Because there were only 16 tunnel runs, it was only possible to obtain spectral measurements over a limited range of wavelengths and time sampling periods. Many spectral features of the flow remain uninvestigated. Because flow self-emission is important to all optical diagnostic techniques, it is recommended that additional spectral studies by performed. The three electron beam-excited species that were identified are nitrogen, helium, and nitric oxide. The high metallic radiation background interfered with attempts to obtain the time-wise variation of N2 density and He radiation with the optical fiber/PMT channels. In the case of the N2 density measurements the result of interference was increased uncertainty. Unfortunately, the interference caused the time-wise He measurements to fail completely. It is recommended that the electron beam be modulated to provide discrimination against the background radiation in future N2 density measurements. Careful data reduction produced useful measurements of N2 vibrational temperature, even though the high background from metallic species significantly increased measurement uncertainty. Perhaps the recommended additional spectral studies would reveal N2(+) First Negative System band-pair regions having less background. Detection of the He arrival was easily accomplished with the spectrometer/array detector system. Because of this, it is recommended that this means of detecting He arrival be used in the future. With proper calibrations of the system an He number density could be obtained. Although the flow conditions were out of limits for the run in which the NO spectrum was recorded, the usefulness of the NO spectrum for determination of free-stream rotational temperature was demonstrated and should be exploited in future experiments. Indeed, based on the strong NO signals, it is recommended that lower resolution NO spectra be obtained to provide a measure of NO vibrational temperature in the same manner that the N2 temperature was obtained

Calculating Phases Between B => K* pi Amplitudes

A phase $\Delta \Phi$ between amplitudes for $B^0 \to K^{*0} \pi^0$ and $B^0 \to K^{*+} \pi^-$ plays a crucial role in a method for constraining Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) parameters. We present a general argument for destructive interference between amplitudes for $B^0 \to K^{*+} \pi^-$ and $B^0 \to K^{*0} \pi^0$ forming together a smaller $I(K^* \pi) = 3/2$ amplitude. Applying flavor SU(3) and allowing for conservative theoretical uncertainties, we obtain lower limits on $|\Delta \Phi|$ and its charge-conjugate. Values of these two phases favored by the BaBar Collaboration are in good agreement with our bounds.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures; slight revisions and clarification

Parity Doubling and SU(2)_L x SU(2)_R Restoration in the Hadron Spectrum

We construct the most general nonlinear representation of chiral SU(2)_L x SU(2)_R broken down spontaneously to the isospin SU(2), on a pair of hadrons of same spin and isospin and opposite parity. We show that any such representation is equivalent, through a hadron field transformation, to two irreducible representations on two hadrons of opposite parity with different masses and axial couplings. This implies that chiral symmetry realized in the Nambu-Goldstone mode does not predict the existence of degenerate multiplets of hadrons of opposite parity nor any relations between their couplings or masses.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure; v3: Note added to clarify implications for hadrons that do not couple to pions: Chiral symmetry can be realized linearly on such states, leading to parity doubling. To the extent that they are parity doubled, these hadrons must decouple from pions, a striking prediction that can be tested experimentally. This applies to the work of L. Glozman and collaborator

Stem cell mechanobiology

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that are capable of proliferation, self-maintenance and differentiation towards specific cell phenotypes. These processes are controlled by a variety of cues including physicochemical factors associated with the specific mechanical environment in which the cells reside. The control of stem cell biology through mechanical factors remains poorly understood and is the focus of the developing field of mechanobiology. This review provides an insight into the current knowledge of the role of mechanical forces in the induction of differentiation of stem cells. While the details associated with individual studies are complex and typically associated with the stem cell type studied and model system adopted, certain key themes emerge. First, the differentiation process affects the mechanical properties of the cells and of specific subcellular components. Secondly, that stem cells are able to detect and respond to alterations in the stiffness of their surrounding microenvironment via induction of lineage-specific differentiation. Finally, the application of external mechanical forces to stem cells, transduced through a variety of mechanisms, can initiate and drive differentiation processes. The coalescence of these three key concepts permit the introduction of a new theory for the maintenance of stem cells and alternatively their differentiation via the concept of a stem cell 'mechano-niche', defined as a specific combination of cell mechanical properties, extracellular matrix stiffness and external mechanical cues conducive to the maintenance of the stem cell population.<br/