4,117 research outputs found
Low Velocity Granular Drag in Reduced Gravity
We probe the dependence of the low velocity drag force in granular materials
on the effective gravitational acceleration (geff) through studies of spherical
granular materials saturated within fluids of varying density. We vary geff by
a factor of 20, and we find that the granular drag is proportional to geff,
i.e., that the granular drag follows the expected relation Fprobe = {\eta}
{\rho}grain geff dprobe hprobe^2 for the drag force, Fprobe on a vertical
cylinder with depth of insertion, hprobe, diameter dprobe, moving through
grains of density {\rho}grain, and where {\eta} is a dimensionless constant.
This dimensionless constant shows no systematic variation over four orders of
magnitude in effective grain weight, demonstrating that the relation holds over
that entire range to within the precision of our data
L^2 torsion without the determinant class condition and extended L^2 cohomology
We associate determinant lines to objects of the extended abelian category
built out of a von Neumann category with a trace. Using this we suggest
constructions of the combinatorial and the analytic L^2 torsions which, unlike
the work of the previous authors, requires no additional assumptions; in
particular we do not impose the determinant class condition. The resulting
torsions are elements of the determinant line of the extended L^2 cohomology.
Under the determinant class assumption the L^2 torsions of this paper
specialize to the invariants studied in our previous work. Applying a recent
theorem of D. Burghelea, L. Friedlander and T. Kappeler we obtain a Cheeger -
Muller type theorem stating the equality between the combinatorial and the
analytic L^2 torsions.Comment: 39 page
MIRAGE: A Model for Ultra-High-Speed Protocol Analysis and Design
Current protocols are expected to become inefficient if used at speeds in excess of 1 Gigabit per second. While this premise is widely accepted, no model exists to explain the phenomenon. We define a model for understanding protocols which is aimed at explaining why such a barrier exists, and indicates alternate designs which do not have this limit.
Existing protocols are akin to classical mechanics; 1 Gigabit/second is the speed near which relativistic effects emerge. In order to account for these effects, we need to express knowledge at a distance, latent measurement, and uncertainty as real entities, not negligible estimates. The result is a model which expresses not only existing protocols, and may contribute to a better understanding of the Gigabit communications domain
Supersymmetry, homology with twisted coefficients and n-dimensional knots
Let be any natural number. Let be any -dimensional knot in
. We define a supersymmetric quantum system for with the following
properties. We firstly construct a set of functional spaces (spaces of
fermionic \{resp. bosonic\} states) and a set of operators (supersymmetric
infinitesimal transformations) in an explicit way. Thus we obtain a set of the
Witten indexes for . Our Witten indexes are topological invariants for
-dimensional knots. Our Witten indexes are not zero in general. If is
equivalent to the trivial knot, all of our Witten indexes are zero. Our Witten
indexes restrict the Alexander polynomials of -knots. If one of our Witten
indexes for an -knot is nonzero, then one of the Alexander polynomials
of is nontrivial. Our Witten indexes are connected with homology with
twisted coefficients. Roughly speaking, our Witten indexes have path integral
representation by using a usual manner of supersymmetric theory.Comment: 10pages, no figure
A comparison of arbitration procedures for risk averse disputants
We propose an arbitration model framework that generalizes many previous quantitative models of final offer arbitration, conventional arbitration, and some proposed alternatives to them. Our model allows the two disputants to be risk averse and assumes that the issue(s) in dispute can be summarized by a single quantifiable value. We compare the performance of the different arbitration procedures by analyzing the gap between the disputants' equilibrium offers and the width of the contract zone that these offers imply. Our results suggest that final offer arbitration should give results superior to those of conventional arbitration.Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Discovery Gran
Space power distribution system technology. Volume 2: Autonomous power management
Electrical power subsystem requirements, power management system functional requirements, algorithms, power management subsystem, hardware development, and trade studies and analyses are discussed
Space power distribution system technology. Volume 1: Reference EPS design
The multihundred kilowatt electrical power aspects of a mannable space platform in low Earth orbit is analyzed from a cost and technology viewpoint. At the projected orbital altitudes, Shuttle launch and servicing are technically and economically viable. Power generation is specified as photovoltaic consistent with projected planning. The cost models and trades are based upon a zero interest rate (the government taxes concurrently as required), constant dollars (1980), and costs derived in the first half of 1980. Space platform utilization of up to 30 years is evaluated to fully understand the impact of resupply and replacement as satellite missions are extended. Such lifetimes are potentially realizable with Shuttle servicing capability and are economically desirable
Mitigation and screening for environmental assessment
This article considers how, as a matter of law and policy, mitigation measures should be taken into account in determining whether a project will have significant environmental effects and therefore be subject to assessment under the EU Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive. This is not straightforward: it is problematic to distinguish clearly between an activity and the measures proposed to minimise or mitigate for the adverse consequences of the activity. The issue is a salient one in impact assessment law, but under-explored in the literature and handled with some difficulty by the courts. I argue that there is an unnecessarily and undesirably narrow approach currently taken under the EIA Directive, which could be improved upon by taking a more adaptive approach; alternatively a heightened standard of review of ‘significance’, and within this of the scope for mitigation measures to bring projects beneath the significance threshold, may also be desirable
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