A Grid of Relativistic, non-LTE Accretion Disk Models for Spectral Fitting of Black Hole Binaries

Self-consistent vertical structure models together with non-LTE radiative transfer should produce spectra from accretion disks around black holes which differ from multitemperature blackbodies at levels which may be observed. High resolution, high signal-to-noise observations warrant spectral modeling which both accounts for relativistic effects, and treats the physics of radiative transfer in detail. In Davis et al. (2005) we presented spectral models which accounted for non-LTE effects, Compton scattering, and the opacities due to ions of abundant metals. Using a modification of this method, we have tabulated spectra for black hole masses typical of Galactic binaries. We make them publicly available for spectral fitting as an Xspec model. These models represent the most complete realization of standard accretion disk theory to date. Thus, they are well suited for both testing the theory's applicability to observed systems and for constraining properties of the black holes, including their spins.Comment: 7 pages, emulate ApJ, accepted to Ap

Back to bundles: Deflating property rights, again

Copyright © 2014 Cambridge University PressFollowing Wesley Hohfeld's pioneering analyses, which demonstrated that the folk concept of ownership conflated a variety of distinct legal relations, a deflationary bundle theory regarding those relations as essentially unconnected held sway for much of the subsequent century. In recent decades, this theory has been thought too diffuse; it seems counterintuitive to insist, for instance, that rights of possession and alienation over a property are associated only contingently. Accordingly, scholars such as James Penner and James Harris have advanced theories that revive the concept of ownership, identifying some instances of property as paradigmatic, and regarding others as conceptually subsidiary. I propose a new interpretation of the bundle theory, based on David Lewis's idea of Humean supervenience among physical particles. I critically examine the major antibundle positions, arguing that their criticisms result from confusion about the claims of the bundle theory, which remains the best account of property rights available. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014

Spectral and Spatial Coherent Emission of Thermal Radiation from Metal-Semiconductor Nanostructures

The spectral and spatial radiative properties of coherent thermal emission in the mid- and far-IR through the use of micro and nano-structured metal-semiconductor materials were designed and demonstrated experimentally. Using an implementation of the Rigorous Coupled Wave Analysis and Computer Simulation Technology (CST), two structures were designed to selectively emit at mid- and far-IR wavelengths, a 1-D truncated multilayer resonator and a 3-D hybrid photonic crystal (PC)-multilayer. A High Impulse Power Magnetron Sputtering (HIPIMS) deposition technique was used to fabricate two silver-germanium-silver (Ag-Ge-Ag) resonating structures with layer thicknesses of 6-240-160 nm for one sample and 6-700-200 nm for the other. Ellipsometric measurements showed significant disagreement between HIPIMS-deposited material properties and bulk values found in literature. From radiance measurements, spectral emittance was directly derived and compared to the emittance inferred from reflectance measurements. It was established that inferring emittance can help to approximate the expected emission from a structure, but it is not an exact method of determining the actual emittance. Using CST, the PC-multilayer was modeled to examine its spatial coherence. Initial fabrication results of the PC-multilayer involving both HIPIMS deposition of a Ge-Ag-Ge-Ag (4-12-270-200 nm) multilayer, and focused ion beam milling of a square hole array are also presented

Design and control of the energy management system of a smart vehicle

This thesis demonstrates the design of two high efficiency controllers, one non-predictive and the other predictive, that can be used in both parallel and power-split connected plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Simulation models of three different commercially available vehicles are developed from measured data for necessary testing and comparisons of developed controllers. Results prove that developed controllers perform better than the existing controllers in terms of efficiency, fuel consumption, and emissions

Experimental validation of phase space conduits of transition between potential wells

A phase space boundary between transition and non-transition, similar to those observed in chemical reaction dynamics, is shown experimentally in a macroscopic system. We present a validation of the phase space flux across rank one saddles connecting adjacent potential wells and confirm the underlying phase space conduits that mediate the transition. Experimental regions of transition are found to agree with the theory to within 1\%, suggesting the robustness of phase space conduits of transition in a broad array of two or more degree of freedom experimental systems, despite the presence of small dissipation.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure

Reducing Pastor-Dependency in the New Market Seventh-day Adventist Church Through Self-Managed Ministry Teams

Problem Between 2004 and 2015, members of the New Market Seventh-day Adventist Church independently—that is, apart from the pastoral staff—initiated only a handful of new ministries (either for in-reach or outreach) and only occasionally attempted to substantially improve existing ministries. This stunted the church’s ability to reach, baptize, and mature new members. Two professional assessments of the church indicated that this problem was caused largely by an unhealthy dependence on the pastoral staff to make the majority of substantive ministry decisions. Method Self-managed ministry teams were implemented into a significant portion of the church over a period of 18 months using a two-phase process. Their effectiveness at reducing pastor-dependency was assessed at the end of the 18 months on the basis of personal interviews, group interviews, personal observations, and the use of three evaluation instruments, the largest of which was a 61-question instrument adapted from professionally-formulated instruments used in the business world and the social sciences. Results Eighteen self-managed ministry teams were started during the 18-month period. Nine of these failed to survive more than a few weeks beyond their launch. However, the remaining nine (comprised of 58 people total) went on to establish significant ministry-oriented contact with more than 160 new people in the community who were not members of the New Market Church. The teams also recruited an additional 48 church members to assist in carrying out the teams’ various ministries. All of this activity was formulated and executed apart from the pastoral staff. Conclusions Self-managed ministry teams can dramatically reduce dependence on the pastor in making substantive ministry decisions, including the starting and execution of new ministries. Self-managed teams can thus be a viable means for church members to more closely approximate the ministry arrangement of the New Testament priesthood and the early Seventh-day Adventist Church. While the results from the surviving teams were excellent, further study is needed to understand why the other nine teams did not survive

A Group Theoretic Tabu Search Approach to the Traveling Salesman Problem

The traveling salesman problem (TSP) is a combinatorial optimization problem that is mathematically modeled as a binary integer program. The TSP is a very important problem for the operations research academician and practitioner. This research demonstrates a Group Theoretic Tabu Search (GTTS) Java algorithm for the TSP. The tabu search metaheuristic continuously finds near-optimal solutions to the TSP under various different implementations. Algebraic group theory offers a more formal mathematical setting to study the TSP providing a theoretical foundation for describing tabu search. Specifically, this thesis uses the Symmetric Group on n letters, S(n), which is the set of all n! permutations on n letters whose binary operation is permutation multiplication, to describe the TSP solution space. Thus, the TSP is studied as a permutation problem rather than an integer program by applying the principles of group theory to define the tabu search move and neighborhood structure. The group theoretic concept of conjugation (an operation involving two group elements) simplifies the move definition as well as the intensification and diversification strategies. Conjugation in GTTS diversifies the search by allowing large rearrangement moves within a tour in a single move operation. Empirical results are presented along with the theoretical motivations for the research

Effects of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) in Long Distance Runners

The purpose was to measure the effects of intermittent pneumatic compression (NormaTec, NT) on muscle inflammation after long distance running. Methods: Ten long distance runners, five males and five females, ages 18-55 years performed two, 20 mile runs at 70 VO2 max. The runs were followed by either no treatment (control) or NT treatment for five consecutive days. For the NT run, subjects were treated for one hour immediately following the run and daily for five days after. For the control run, subjects did not receive any treatment. Serum C - reactive protein (CRP), a marker of muscle inflammation, was measured pre and post run and daily thereafter for five days for both trials. Repeated measures ANOVA and two-way ANOVA were used to assess treatment differences. Results: The results indicated no significant difference (P \u3e 0.05) between the control and treatment runs in CRP levels. There was also no gender differences or order effect of runs. Subjective pain ratings indicated no significant difference in pain between the control and treatment runs except when comparing the first run compared to the second run (regardless of whether the first run was a treatment or control run) there was a significant difference in which the subjects experienced less pain on the second run. There was no significant difference in mean weight loss, fluid intake, sweat rate, heart rate, percentage of maximum heart rate, or percentage of maximum VO2 max. There was, however, a significant difference (P = 0.038) in running time when comparing the control run (196.2 minutes) against the treatment run (204.8 minutes). Conclusions: Although the test subjects recovered one day earlier when using the NT device (Day 4) compared to the control (Day 5), this difference was not significan