Calculation of the thermodynamic properties of a mixture of gases as a function of temperature and pressure

The evaluation of the thermodynamic properties of a gas mixture can be performed using a generalized correlation which makes use of the second virial coefficient. This coefficient is based on statistical mechanics and is a function of temperature and composition, but not of pressure. The method provides results accurate to within 3 percent for gases which are nonpolar or only slightly polar. When applied to highly polar gases, errors of 5 to 10 percent may result. For gases which associate, even larger errors are possible. The sequences of calculations can be routinely programmed for a digital computer. The thermodynamic properties of a mixture of neon, argon and ethane were calculated by such a program. The result will be used for the design of the gas replenishment system for the Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope

Vus and neutron beta decay

We discuss the effect of the recent change of $V_{\rm us}$ by three standard deviations on the standard model predictions for neutron beta decay observables. We also discuss the effect the experimental error bars of $V_{\rm us}$ have on such predictions. Refined precision tests of the standard model will be made by a combined effort to improve measurements in neutron beta decay and in strangeness-changing decays. By itself the former will yield very precise measurements of $V_{\rm ud}$ and make also very precise predictions for $V_{\rm us}$

Effective operator contributions to the oblique parameters

We present a model and process independent study of the contributions from non-Standard Model physics to the oblique parameters S, T and U. We show that within an effective lagrangian parameterization the expressions for the oblique parameters in terms of observables are consistent, while those in terms of the vector-boson vacuum polarization tensors are ambiguous. We obtain the constraints on the scale of new physics derived from current data on S, T and U and note that deviations in U from its Standard Model value would favor a scenario where the underlying physics does not decouple.Comment: 13 pages, RevTe

SAMPEX

The DSN (Deep Space Network) mission support requirements for SAMPEX are summarized. SAMPEX is the first mission of the GSFC Small Explorer Satellite program (SMEX). Its primary scientific objectives are to measure the elemental and isotopic composition of solar energetic particles, anomalous cosmic rays, and galactic cosmic rays over the energy range from approximately one to several hundred MeV per nucleon. The SAMPEX mission objectives are outlined and the DSN support requirements are defined through the presentation of tables and narratives describing the spacecraft flight profile; DSN support coverage; frequency assignments; support parameters for telemetry, command and support systems; and tracking support responsibility

Sea Contributions to Spin 1/2 Baryon Structure, Magnetic Moments, and Spin Distribution

We treat the baryon as a composite system made out of a \lq\lq core" of three quarks (as in the standard quark model) surrounded by a \lq\lq sea" (of gluons and $q\bar{q}$-pairs) which is specified by its total quantum numbers like flavor, spin and color. Specifically, we assume the sea to be a flavor octet with spin 0 or 1 but no color. The general wavefunction for spin 1/2 baryons with such a sea component is given. Application to the magnetic moments is considered. Numerical analysis shows that a scalar (spin 0) sea with an admixture of a vector (spin 1) sea can provide very good fits to the magnetic moment data {\em using experimental errors}. Our best fit automatically gives $g_A/g_V$ for neutron beta decay in agreement with data. This fit also gives reasonable values for the spin distributions of the proton and neutron.Comment: 24 pages, REVTEX. References modifie