MSSM Anatomy of the Polarization Puzzle in B --> phi K* Decays

We analyze the $B \to \phi K^{*}$ polarization puzzle in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) including the neutral Higgs boson (NHB) contributions. To calculate the non-factorizable contributions to hadronic matrix elements of operators, we have used the QCD factorization framework to the $\alpha_s$ order. It is shown that the recent experimental results of the polarization fractions in $B\to \phi K^{*}$ decays, which are difficult to be explained in SM, could be explained in MSSM if there are flavor non-diagonal squark mass matrix elements of 2nd and 3rd generations, which also satisfy all relevant constraints from known experiments ($B\to X_s\gamma, B_s\to \mu^+\mu^-, B\to X_s \mu^+\mu^-, B\to X_s g, \Delta M_s$, etc.). We have shown in details that the experimental results can be accommodated with the flavor non-diagonal mass insertion of chirality RL, RL+LR, RR, or LL+ RR when the NHB contributions as well as $\mathcal{O}(\alpha_s)$ corrections of hadronic matrix elements of operators are included. However the branching ratios for the decay are smaller than the experimental measurements.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures, minor revision and references adde

Evidence for Hidden Nearby Companions to Hot Jupiters

The first discovered extrasolar worlds -- giant, ``hot Jupiter'' planets on short-period orbits -- came as a surprise to solar-system-centric models of planet formation, prompting the development of new theories for planetary system evolution. The near-absence of observed nearby planetary companions to hot Jupiters has been widely quoted as evidence in support of high-eccentricity tidal migration: a framework in which hot Jupiters form further out in their natal protoplanetary disks before being thrown inward with extremely high eccentricities, stripping systems of any close-in planetary companions. In this work, we present new results from a search for transit timing variations across the full four-year Kepler dataset, demonstrating that at least $12\pm6\%$ of hot Jupiters have a nearby planetary companion. This subset of hot Jupiters is expected to have a quiescent dynamical history such that the systems could retain their nearby companions. We also demonstrate a ubiquity of nearby planetary companions to warm Jupiters ($\geq70\pm{16}\%$), indicating that warm Jupiters typically form quiescently. We conclude by combining our results with existing observational constraints to propose an ``eccentric migration'' framework for the formation of short-period giant planets through post-disk dynamical sculpting in compact multi-planet systems. Our framework suggests that hot Jupiters constitute the natural end stage for giant planets spanning a wide range of eccentricities, with orbits that reach small enough periapses -- either from their final orbital configurations in the disk phase, or from eccentricity excitation in the post-disk phase -- to trigger efficient tidal circularization.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figures, Accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journa

A feedback-driven bubble G24.136+00.436: a possible site of triggered star formation

We present a multi-wavelength study of the IR bubble G24.136+00.436. The J=1-0 observations of $^{12}$CO, $^{13}$CO and C$^{18}$O were carried out with the Purple Mountain Observatory 13.7 m telescope. Molecular gas with a velocity of 94.8 km s$^{-1}$ is found prominently in the southeast of the bubble, shaping as a shell with a total mass of $\sim2\times10^{4}$ $M_{\odot}$. It is likely assembled during the expansion of the bubble. The expanding shell consists of six dense cores. Their dense (a few of $10^{3}$ cm$^{-3}$) and massive (a few of $10^{3}$ $M_{\odot}$) characteristics coupled with the broad linewidths ($>$ 2.5 km s$^{-1}$) suggest they are promising sites of forming high-mass stars or clusters. This could be further consolidated by the detection of compact HII regions in Cores A and E. We tentatively identified and classified 63 candidate YSOs based on the \emph{Spitzer} and UKIDSS data. They are found to be dominantly distributed in regions with strong emission of molecular gas, indicative of active star formation especially in the shell. The HII region inside the bubble is mainly ionized by a $\sim$O8V star(s), of the dynamical age $\sim$1.6 Myr. The enhanced number of candidate YSOs and secondary star formation in the shell as well as time scales involved, indicate a possible scenario of triggering star formation, signified by the "collect and collapse" process.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures, 4 tables, accepted by Ap

IDEF method-based simulation model design and development

The purpose of this study is to provide an IDEF method-based integrated framework for a business process simulation model to reduce the model development time by increasing the communication and knowledge reusability during a simulation project. In this framework, simulation requirements are collected by a function modeling method (IDEF0) and a process modeling method (IDEF3). Based on these requirements, a common data model is constructed using the IDEF1X method. From this reusable data model, multiple simulation models are automatically generated using a database-driven simulation model development approach. The framework is claimed to help both requirement collection and experimentation phases during a simulation project by improving system knowledge, model reusability, and maintainability through the systematic use of three descriptive IDEF methods and the features of the relational database technologies. A complex semiconductor fabrication case study was used as a testbed to evaluate and illustrate the concepts and the framework. Two different simulation software products were used to develop and control the semiconductor model from the same knowledge base. The case study empirically showed that this framework could help improve the simulation project processes by using IDEF-based descriptive models and the relational database technology. Authors also concluded that this framework could be easily applied to other analytical model generation by separating the logic from the dataPeer Reviewe

GA-Based Model Predictive Control of Semi-Active Landing Gear

AbstractSemi-active landing gear can provide good performance of both landing impact and taxi situation, and has the ability for adapting to various ground conditions and operational conditions. A kind of Nonlinear Model Predictive Control algorithm (NMPC) for semi-active landing gears is developed in this paper. The NMPC algorithm uses Genetic Algorithm (GA) as the optimization technique and chooses damping performance of landing gear at touch down to be the optimization object. The valve's rate and magnitude limitations are also considered in the controller's design. A simulation model is built for the semi-active landing gear's damping process at touchdown. Drop tests are carried out on an experimental passive landing gear systerm to validate the parameters of the simulation model. The result of numerical simulation shows that the isolation of impact load at touchdown can be significantly improved compared to other control algorithms. The strongly nonlinear dynamics of semi-active landing gear coupled with control valve's rate and magnitude limitations are handled well with the proposed controller