New model for vortex-induced vibration of catenary riser

This paper presents a new theoretical model capable of predicting the vortex-induced vibration response of a steel catenary riser subject to a steady uniform current. The equations governing riser in-plane/out-ofplane (cross-flow/in-line) motion are based on a pinned beam-cable model accounting for overall effects of bending, extensibility, sag, inclination and structural nonlinearities. The empirically hydrodynamic model is based on nonlinear wake oscillators describing the fluctuating lift/drag forces. Depending on the potentially vortex-induced modes and system parameters, a reduced-order fluid-structure interaction model is derived which entails a significantly reduced computational time effort. Parametric results reveal maximum response amplitudes of risers, along with the occurrence of uni-modal lock-in phenomenon

Spin Observables for Polarizing Antiprotons

The PAX project at GSI Darmstadt plans to polarize an antiproton beam by repeated interaction with a hydrogen target in a storage ring. Many of the beam particles are required to remain within the ring after interaction with the target, so small scattering angles are important. Hence we concentrate on low momentum transfer (small t), a region where electromagnetic effects dominate the hadronic effects. A colliding beam of polarized electrons with energy sufficient to provide scattering of antiprotons beyond ring acceptance may polarize an antiproton beam by spin filtering. Expressions for spin observables are provided and are used to estimate the rate of buildup of polarization of an antiproton beam.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, to be published in the Proceedings of the 17th International Spin Physics Symposium (SPIN 2006), Kyoto, Japan; October 2-7, 200

Dynamics of polarization buildup by spin filtering

There has been much recent research into polarizing an antiproton beam, instigated by the recent proposal from the PAX (Polarized Antiproton eXperiment) project at GSI Darmstadt. It plans to polarize an antiproton beam by repeated interaction with a polarized internal target in a storage ring. The method of polarization by spin filtering requires many of the beam particles to remain within the ring after scattering off the polarized internal target via electromagnetic and hadronic interactions. We present and solve sets of differential equations which describe the buildup of polarization by spin filtering in many different scenarios of interest to projects planning to produce high intensity polarized beams. These scenarios are: 1) spin filtering of a fully stored beam, 2) spin filtering while the beam is being accumulated, i.e. unpolarized particles are continuously being fed into the beam, 3) the particle input rate is equal to the rate at which particles are being lost due to scattering beyond ring acceptance angle, the beam intensity remaining constant, 4) increasing the initial polarization of a stored beam by spin filtering, 5) the input of particles into the beam is stopped after a certain amount of time, but spin filtering continues. The rate of depolarization of a stored polarized beam on passing through an electron cooler is also shown to be negligible.Comment: 15 pages, references added, introduction elaborated on, some variables defined in more detail. Submitted to Eur. Phys. J.

Biomechanical demands differentiate transitioning vs. continuous stair ascent gait in older women

Background Stair ascent mechanics change with age, but little is known about the differing functional demands of transitioning and continuous ascent. Work investigating the risky transition from gait to ascent is sparse, and the strategies that older adults adopt to achieve these demanding tasks have not been investigated. Methods This study compared the biomechanics of a 2-step transitional (floor-to-step2) and continuous ascent cycle (step1-to-step3) and investigated the role of limb preference in relation to dynamometer-derived knee strength during this transition. A biomechanical analysis of 36 women (60–83 years) ascending a 3-step staircase was conducted. Findings The 2-step transitioning cycle was completed quicker, with a larger range of motion, increased forces, larger knee flexor and dorsiflexor moments and ankle powers (P ≤ 0.05), but reduced hip and knee flexion, smaller hip extensor moments and hip and knee powers compared to continuous ascent. During the transition, 44% of the participants demonstrated a consistent limb preference. In these cases large between-limb extensor strength differences existed (13.8%) and 71% of these participants utilised the stronger limb to execute the 2-step transitional cycle. Interpretation The preferential stronger-limb 2-step transitioning strategy conflicts with previous recommendations of a stronger lead limb for frail/asymmetric populations. Our findings suggest that most healthy older women with large between-limb differences utilise the stronger limb to achieve the considerable propulsion required to redirect momentum during the 2-step transition. The biomechanical demands of ascent, relative to limb strength, can inform exercise programmes by targeting specific muscle groups to help older adults maintain/improve general functioning

Imputation Estimators Partially Correct for Model Misspecification

Inference problems with incomplete observations often aim at estimating population properties of unobserved quantities. One simple way to accomplish this estimation is to impute the unobserved quantities of interest at the individual level and then take an empirical average of the imputed values. We show that this simple imputation estimator can provide partial protection against model misspecification. We illustrate imputation estimators' robustness to model specification on three examples: mixture model-based clustering, estimation of genotype frequencies in population genetics, and estimation of Markovian evolutionary distances. In the final example, using a representative model misspecification, we demonstrate that in non-degenerate cases, the imputation estimator dominates the plug-in estimate asymptotically. We conclude by outlining a Bayesian implementation of the imputation-based estimation.Comment: major rewrite, beta-binomial example removed, model based clustering is added to the mixture model example, Bayesian approach is now illustrated with the genetics exampl

Nonlinear multi-mode interactions in subsea risers undergoing vortex-induced vibrations

This paper investigates nonlinear multi-mode interactions in subsea risers undergoing vortex-induced vibrations based on a computationally efficient reduced-order fluid-structure interaction model. Cross-flow responses as a result of a steady uniform current are considered. The geometrically nonlinear equations of riser motion are coupled with nonlinear wake oscillators which have been modified to capture the effect of initial curvatures of curved cylinder and to approximate the space-time varying hydrodynamic lift forces. The main objectives are to provide new insights into the vortex-induced vibration characteristics of risers under external and internal resonances and to distinguish nonlinear dynamic behaviors between curved catenary and straight toptensioned risers. The analyses of multi-mode contributions, lock-in regimes, response amplitudes, resonant nonlinear modes and curvatures are carried out and several interesting aspects are highlighted

Quantum repeaters with individual rare-earth ions at telecommunication wavelengths

We present a quantum repeater scheme that is based on individual erbium and europium ions. Erbium ions are attractive because they emit photons at telecommunication wavelength, while europium ions offer exceptional spin coherence for long-term storage. Entanglement between distant erbium ions is created by photon detection. The photon emission rate of each erbium ion is enhanced by a microcavity with high Purcell factor, as has recently been demonstrated. Entanglement is then transferred to nearby europium ions for storage. Gate operations between nearby ions are performed using dynamically controlled electric-dipole coupling. These gate operations allow entanglement swapping to be employed in order to extend the distance over which entanglement is distributed. The deterministic character of the gate operations allows improved entanglement distribution rates in comparison to atomic ensemble-based protocols. We also propose an approach that utilizes multiplexing in order to enhance the entanglement distribution rate.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure

The ATLAS-SPT Radio Survey of Cluster Galaxies

Using a high-performance computing cluster to mosaic 4,787 pointings, we have imaged the 100 sq. deg. South Pole Telescope (SPT) deep-field at 2.1 GHz using the Australian Telescope Compact Array to an rms of 80 $\mu$Jy and a resolution of 8". Our goal is to generate an independent sample of radio-selected galaxy clusters to study how the radio properties compare with cluster properties at other wavelengths, over a wide range of redshifts in order to construct a timeline of their evolution out to $z \sim 1.3$. A preliminary analysis of the source catalogue suggests there is no spatial correlation between the clusters identified in the SPT-SZ catalogue and our wide-angle tail galaxies.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures. Submitted to Proceedings of Science for "The many facets of extragalactic radio surveys: towards new scientific challenges", Bologna, Italy 20-23 October 2015 (EXTRA-RADSUR2015