593 research outputs found
Water quality modeling using geographic information system (GIS) data
Protection of the environment and natural resources at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is of great concern. The potential for surface and ground water quality problems resulting from non-point sources of pollution was examined using models. Since spatial variation of parameters required was important, geographic information systems (GIS) and their data were used. The potential for groundwater contamination was examined using the SEEPAGE (System for Early Evaluation of the Pollution Potential of Agricultural Groundwater Environments) model. A watershed near the VAB was selected to examine potential for surface water pollution and erosion using the AGNPS (Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution) model
Improving the Accuracy for the Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment (L-THIA) Model
Urbanization increases runoff by changing land use types from less impervious to impervious covers. Improving the accuracy of a runoff assessment model, the Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment (L-THIA) Model, can help us to better evaluate the potential uses of Low Impact Development (LID) practices aimed at reducing runoff, as well as to identify appropriate runoff and water quality mitigation methods. Several versions of the model have been built over time, and inconsistencies have been introduced between the models. To improve the accuracy and consistency of the model, the equations and parameters (primarily curve numbers in the case of this model) were reviewed and documented. Two methods were pursued to conduct this work. First, curve numbers used in the current L-THIA model and related papers were identified and summarized. Second, the spreadsheet and code of this model were reviewed to correct the logic in the L-THIA model. A new Curve Number spreadsheet was built to summarize the curve numbers with clear descriptions. The values of the curve numbers remained the same in the model. Improved logic in combining curve numbers has been added to the model, while errors in code in the model have been fixed. In conclusion, the accuracy and consistency of the L-THIA model were improved by validating the curve numbers and better defining the code logic. Tests are needed to examine the updated version of the L-THIA model
Hard-disk equation of state: First-order liquid-hexatic transition in two dimensions with three simulation methods
We report large-scale computer simulations of the hard-disk system at high
densities in the region of the melting transition. Our simulations reproduce
the equation of state, previously obtained using the event-chain Monte Carlo
algorithm, with a massively parallel implementation of the local Monte Carlo
method and with event-driven molecular dynamics. We analyze the relative
performance of these simulation methods to sample configuration space and
approach equilibrium. Our results confirm the first-order nature of the melting
phase transition in hard disks. Phase coexistence is visualized for individual
configurations via the orientational order parameter field. The analysis of
positional order confirms the existence of the hexatic phase.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, 2 table
CLIPS interface development tools and their application
A package of C-based PC user interface development functions has been developed and integrated into CLIPS. The primary function is ASK which provides a means to ask the user questions via multiple choice menus or the keyboard and then returns the user response to CLIPS. A parameter-like structure supplies information for the interface. Another function, SHOW, provides a means to paginate and display text. A third function, TITLE, formats and displays title screens. A similar set of C-based functions that are more general and thus will run on UNIX and machines have also been developed. Seven expert system applications were transformed from commercial development environments into CLIPS and utilize ASK, SHOW, and TITLE. Development of numerous new expert system applications using CLIPS and these interface functions has started. These functions greatly reduce the time required to build interfaces for CLIPS applications
Tumor-specific T cells signal tumor destruction via the lymphotoxin β receptor
BACKGROUND: Previously, we reported that adoptively transferred perforin k/o (PKO), and IFN-γ k/o (GKO), or perforin/IFN-γ double k/o (PKO/GKO) effector T cells mediated regression of B16BL6-D5 (D5) pulmonary metastases and showed that TNF receptor signaling played a critical role in mediating tumor regression. In this report we investigated the role of lymphotoxin-α (LT-α) as a potential effector molecules of tumor-specific effector T cells. METHODS: Effector T cells were generated from tumor vaccine-draining lymph node (TVDLN) of wt, GKO, LT-α deficient (LKO), or PKO/GKO mice and tested for their ability to mediate regression of D5 pulmonary metastases in the presence or absence of LT-βR-Fc fusion protein or anti-IFN-γ antibody. Chemokine production by D5 tumor cells was determined by ELISA, RT-PCR and Chemotaxis assays. RESULTS: Stimulated effector T cells from wt, GKO, or PKO/GKO mice expressed ligands for LT-β receptor (LT-βR). D5 tumor cells were found to constitutively express the LT-βR. Administration of LT-βR-Fc fusion protein completely abrogated the therapeutic efficacy of GKO or PKO/GKO but not wt effector T cells (p < 0.05). Consistent with this observation, therapeutic efficacy of effector T cells deficient in LT-α, was greatly reduced when IFN-γ production was neutralized. While recombinant LT-α1β2 did not induce apoptosis of D5 tumor cells in vitro, it induced secretion of chemokines by D5 that promoted migration of macrophages. CONCLUSION: The contribution of LT-α expression by effector T cells to anti-tumor activity in vivo was not discernable when wt effector T cells were studied. However, the contribution of LT-β R signaling was identified for GKO or PKO/GKO effector T cells. Since LT-α does not directly induce killing of D5 tumor cells in vitro, but does stimulate D5 tumor cells to secrete chemokines, these data suggest a model where LT-α expression by tumor-specific effector T cells interacts via cross-linking of the LT-βR on tumor cells to induce secretion of chemokines that are chemotactic for macrophages. While the contribution of macrophages to tumor elimination in our system requires additional study, this model provides a possible explanation for the infiltration of inate effector cells that is seen coincident with tumor regression
Scalar mesons moving in a finite volume and the role of partial wave mixing
Phase shifts and resonance parameters can be obtained from finite-volume
lattice spectra for interacting pairs of particles, moving with nonzero total
momentum. We present a simple derivation of the method that is subsequently
applied to obtain the pi pi and pi K phase shifts in the sectors with total
isospin I=0 and I=1/2, respectively. Considering different total momenta, one
obtains extra data points for a given volume that allow for a very efficient
extraction of the resonance parameters in the infinite-volume limit.
Corrections due to the mixing of partial waves are provided. We expect that our
results will help to optimize the strategies in lattice simulations, which aim
at an accurate determination of the scattering and resonance properties.Comment: 19 pages, 12 figure
Dynamical coupled-channel approaches on a momentum lattice
Dynamical coupled-channel approaches are a widely used tool in hadronic
physics that allow to analyze different reactions and partial waves in a
consistent way. In such approaches the basic interactions are derived within an
effective Lagrangian framework and the resulting pseudo-potentials are then
unitarized in a coupled-channel scattering equation. We propose a scheme that
allows for a solution of the arising integral equation in discretized momentum
space for periodic as well as twisted boundary conditions. This permits to
study finite size effects as they appear in lattice QCD simulations. The new
formalism, at this stage with a restriction to S-waves, is applied to
coupled-channel models for the sigma(600), f0(980), and a0(980) mesons, and
also for the Lambda(1405) baryon. Lattice spectra are predicted.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure
The , interaction in finite volume and the resonance
In this work the interaction of the coupled channels and
in an SU(4) extrapolation of the chiral unitary theory, where the
resonance appears as dynamically generated from that
interaction, is extended to produce results in finite volume. Energy levels in
the finite box are evaluated and, assuming that they would correspond to
lattice results, the inverse problem of determining the phase shifts in the
infinite volume from the lattice results is solved. We observe that it is
possible to obtain accurate phase shifts and the position of the
resonance, but it requires the explicit consideration of the
two coupled channels. We also observe that some of the energy levels in the box
are attached to the closed channel, such that their use to induce the phase shifts via L\"uscher's formula leads to incorrect results.Comment: 10 pages, 13 figures, accepted for publication in Eur. Phys. J.
Strangeness production in proton-proton and proton-nucleus collisions
In these lectures we discuss the investigation of the strange meson
production in proton-proton () and in proton-nucleus () reactions
within an effective Lagrangian model. The kaon production proceeds mainly via
the excitations of (1650), (1710), and (1720) resonant
intermediate nucleonic states, in the collision of two initial state nucleons.
Therefore, the strangeness production is expected to provide information about
the resonances lying at higher excitation energies. For beam energies very
close to the kaon production threshold the hyperon-proton final state
interaction effects are quite important. Thus, these studies provide a check on
the models of hyperon-nucleon interactions. The in-medium production of kaons
show strong sensitivity to the self energies of the intermediate mesons.Comment: 16 pages, 9 figures, Talk presented in the workshop on Hadron
Physics, Puri, India, March 7-17,200
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