Simulating Distributed Systems

The simulation framework developed within the "Models of Networked Analysis at Regional Centers" (MONARC) project as a design and optimization tool for large scale distributed systems is presented. The goals are to provide a realistic simulation of distributed computing systems, customized for specific physics data processing tasks and to offer a flexible and dynamic environment to evaluate the performance of a range of possible distributed computing architectures. A detailed simulation of a large system, the CMS High Level Trigger (HLT) production farm, is also presented

High-Precision Thermodynamics and Hagedorn Density of States

We compute the entropy density of the confined phase of QCD without quarks on the lattice to very high accuracy. The results are compared to the entropy density of free glueballs, where we include all the known glueball states below the two-particle threshold. We find that an excellent, parameter-free description of the entropy density between 0.7Tc and Tc is obtained by extending the spectrum with the exponential spectrum of the closed bosonic string.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Simulation of the Burridge-Knopoff Model of Earthquakes with Variable Range Stress Transfer

Simple models of earthquake faults are important for understanding the mechanisms for their observed behavior, such as Gutenberg-Richter scaling and the relation between large and small events, which is the basis for various forecasting methods. Although cellular automaton models have been studied extensively in the long-range stress transfer limit, this limit has not been studied for the Burridge-Knopoff model, which includes more realistic friction forces and inertia. We find that the latter model with long-range stress transfer exhibits qualitatively different behavior than both the long-range cellular automaton models and the usual Burridge-Knopoff model with nearest neighbor springs, depending on the nature of the velocity-weakening friction force. This result has important implications for our understanding of earthquakes and other driven dissipative systems.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, published on Phys. Rev. Let

Total focussing method for volumetric imaging in immersion non destructive evaluation

This paper describes the use of a 550 (25x22) element 2MHz 2D piezoelectric composite array in immersion mode to image an aluminum test block containing a collection of artificial defects. The defects included a 1mm diameter side-drilled hole, a collection of 1mm slot defects with varying degrees of skew to the normal and a flat bottomed hole. The data collection was carried out using the full matrix capture; a scanning procedure was developed to allow the operation of the large element count array through a conventional 64-channel phased array controller. A 3D TFM algorithm capable of imaging in a dual media environment was implemented in MATLAB for the offline processing the raw scan data. This algorithm facilitates the creation of 3D images of defects while accounting for refraction effects at material boundaries. In each of the test samples interrogated the defects, and their spatial position, are readily identified using TFM. Defect directional information has been characterized using VTFM for defect exhibiting angles up to and including 45o of skew

Comparison of prediction methods and studies of relaxation in hypersonic turbulent nozzle-wall boundary layers

Turbulent boundary layer measurements on axisymmetric hypersonic nozzle wall

Patterns of contribution to citizen science biodiversity projects increase understanding of volunteers’ recording behaviour

The often opportunistic nature of biological recording via citizen science leads to taxonomic, spatial and temporal biases which add uncertainty to biodiversity estimates. However, such biases may also give valuable insight into volunteers’ recording behaviour. Using Greater London as a case-study we examined the composition of three citizen science datasets – from Greenspace Information for Greater London CIC, iSpot and iRecord - with respect to recorder contribution and spatial and taxonomic biases, i.e. when, where and what volunteers record. We found most volunteers contributed few records and were active for just one day. Each dataset had its own taxonomic and spatial signature suggesting that volunteers’ personal recording preferences may attract them towards particular schemes. There were also patterns across datasets: species’ abundance and ease of identification were positively associated with number of records, as was plant height. We found clear hotspots of recording activity, the 10 most popular sites containing open water. We note that biases are accrued as part of the recording process (e.g. species’ detectability) as well as from volunteer preferences. An increased understanding of volunteer behaviour gained from analysing the composition of records could thus enhance the fit between volunteers’ interests and the needs of scientific projects

Vlasov simulation in multiple spatial dimensions

A long-standing challenge encountered in modeling plasma dynamics is achieving practical Vlasov equation simulation in multiple spatial dimensions over large length and time scales. While direct multi-dimension Vlasov simulation methods using adaptive mesh methods [J. W. Banks et al., Physics of Plasmas 18, no. 5 (2011): 052102; B. I. Cohen et al., November 10, 2010, http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2010.DPP.NP9.142] have recently shown promising results, in this paper we present an alternative, the Vlasov Multi Dimensional (VMD) model, that is specifically designed to take advantage of solution properties in regimes when plasma waves are confined to a narrow cone, as may be the case for stimulated Raman scatter in large optic f# laser beams. Perpendicular grid spacing large compared to a Debye length is then possible without instability, enabling an order 10 decrease in required computational resources compared to standard particle in cell (PIC) methods in 2D, with another reduction of that order in 3D. Further advantage compared to PIC methods accrues in regimes where particle noise is an issue. VMD and PIC results in a 2D model of localized Langmuir waves are in qualitative agreement

Quantum Black Holes

Static solutions of large-$N$ quantum dilaton gravity in $1+1$ dimensions are analyzed and found to exhibit some unusual behavior. As expected from previous work, infinite-mass solutions are found describing a black hole in equilibrium with a bath of Hawking radiation. Surprisingly, the finite mass solutions are found to approach zero coupling both at the horizon and spatial infinity, with a ``bounce'' off of strong coupling in between. Several new zero mass solutions -- candidate quantum vacua -- are also described.Comment: 14 pages + 6 figure

Supersymmetric black rings and three-charge supertubes

We present supergravity solutions for 1/8-supersymmetric black supertubes with three charges and three dipoles. Their reduction to five dimensions yields supersymmetric black rings with regular horizons and two independent angular momenta. The general solution contains seven independent parameters and provides the first example of non-uniqueness of supersymmetric black holes. In ten dimensions, the solutions can be realized as D1-D5-P black supertubes. We also present a worldvolume construction of a supertube that exhibits three dipoles explicitly. This description allows an arbitrary cross-section but captures only one of the angular momenta.Comment: 59 pages, 6 figures; v2: minor correction

Rotor redesign for a highly loaded 1800 ft/sec tip speed fan. 3: Laser Doppler velocimeter report

Laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) techniques were employed for testing a highly loaded, 550 m/sec (1800 ft/sec) tip speed, test fan stage, the objective to provide detailed mapping of the upstream, intrablade, and downstream flowfields of the rotor. Intrablade LDV measurements of velocity and flow angle were obtained along four streamlines passing through the leading edge at 45%, 69%, 85%, and 95% span measured from hub to tip, at 100% of design speed, peak efficiency; 100% speed, near surge; and 95% speed, peak efficiency. At the design point, most passages appeared to have a strong leading edge shock, which moved forward with increasing strength near surge and at part speeds. The flow behind the shock was of a complex mixed subsonic and supersonic form. The intrablade flowfields were found to be significantly nonperiodic at 100% design speed, peak efficiency