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At least 829 records · Page 46

Primordial statistical anisotropies: the effective field theory approach

In this work we present the effective field theory of primordial statistical anisotropies generated during anisotropic inflation involving a background U(1) gauge field. Besides the usual Goldstone boson associated with the breaking of time diffeomorphism we have two additional Goldstone bosons associated with the breaking of spatial diffeomorphisms. We further identify these two new Goldstone bosons with the expected two transverse degrees of the U(1) gauge field fluctuations. Upon defining the appropriate unitary gauge, we present the most general quadratic action which respects the remnant symmetry in the unitary gauge. The interactions between various Goldstone bosons leads to statistical anisotropy in curvature perturbation power spectrum. Calculating the general results for power spectrum anisotropy, we recover the previously known results in specific models of anisotropic inflation. In addition, we present novel results for statistical anisotropy in models with non-trivial sound speed for inflaton fluctuations. Also we identify the interaction which leads to birefringence-like effects in anisotropic power spectrum in which the speed of gauge field fluctuations depends on the direction of the mode propagation and the two polarization of gauge field fluctuations contribute differently in statistical anisotropy. As another interesting application, our EFT approach naturally captures interactions generating parity violating statistical anisotropies.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

HOW TO FIND YOUNG MASSIVE CLUSTER PROGENITORS

We propose that bound, young massive stellar clusters form from dense clouds that have escape speeds greater than the sound speed in photo-ionized gas. In these clumps, radiative feedback in the form of gas ionization is bottled up, enabling star formation to proceed to sufficiently high efficiency so that the resulting star cluster remains bound even after gas removal. We estimate the observable properties of the massive proto-clusters (MPCs) for existing Galactic plane surveys and suggest how they may be sought in recent and upcoming extragalactic observations. These surveys will potentially provide a significant sample of MPC candidates that will allow us to better understand extreme star-formation and massive cluster formation in the Local Universe.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

On the significance of density-induced speed of sound variations on US-guided radiotherapy

Purpose: To show the effect of speed of sound (SOS) aberration on ultrasound guided radiotherapy (US-gRT) as a function of implemented workflow. US systems assume that SOS is constant in human soft tissues (at a value of 1540 m/s), while its actual nonuniform distribution produces small but systematic errors of up to a few millimeters in the positions of scanned structures. When a coregistered computerized tomography (CT) scan is available, the US image can be corrected for SOS aberration. Typically, image guided radiotherapy workflows implementing US systems only provide a CT scan at the simulation (SIM) stage. If changes occur in geometry or density distribution between SIM and treatment (TX) stage, SOS aberration can change accordingly, with a final impact on the measured position of structures which is dependent on the workflow adopted. Methods: Four basic scenarios were considered of possible changes between SIM and TX: (1) No changes, (2) only patient position changes (rigid rotation-translation), (3) only US transducer position changes (constrained on patient's surface), and (4) patient tissues thickness changes. Different SOS aberrations may arise from the different scenarios, according to the specific US-gRT workflow used: intermodality (INTER) where TX US scans are compared to SIM CT scans; intramodality (INTRA) where TX US scans are compared to SIM US scans; and INTERc and INTRAc where all US images are corrected for SOS aberration (using density information provided by SIM CT). For an experimental proof of principle, the effect of tissues thickness change was simulated in the different workflows: a dual layered phantom was filled with layers of sunflower oil (SOS 1478 m/s), water (SOS 1482 m/s), and 20% saline solution (SOS 1700 m/s). The phantom was US scanned, the layer thicknesses were increased and the US scans were repeated. The errors resulting from the different workflows were compared. Results: Theoretical considerations show that workflows implementing SOS correction based on SIM-CT scan (INTERc, INTRAc) give null errors in all scenarios except when tissues thickness changes, where an error proportional to the degree of change in SOS maps between SIM and TX ({Delta}SOS) occurs. An uncorrected workflow such as INTER produces in all scenarios a pure SOS error, while uncorrected INTRA produces a null error for rotation-translation of the patient, a {Delta}SOS error for changing tissues thickness and an error proportional to the degree of SOS distribution change along the different lines of view when shifting the transducer. The dual layered phantom demonstrated experimentally that the effect of SOS change between SIM and TX is clinically nonrelevant, being less than the intrinsic resolution of imaging systems, even when a substantial change in thicknesses is applied, provided that a SIM-CT-based SOS aberration correction is applied. Noncorrected workflows produce errors up to 4 mm for INTER and to 3 mm for INTRA in the phantom test. Conclusions: A SOS correction is advantageous for all US-gRT workflows and clinical cases, where the effect of SOS change can be considered a second order effect.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Preliminary experiments on the noise generated by target-type thrust reverser models

Experiments are reported on the noise generated by model V-gutter and semicylindrical target-type reversers with circular nozzles. Nozzles were 5.24 and 7.78 cm in diameter. Nozzle pressure ratio ranged from 1.25 to 1.72. The spacing between reversers and nozzle, as well as the reverser orientation, was also varied. More noise was generated with reversers than with the nozzle alone. The measured maximum overall sound pressure level varied with the sixth power of the nozzle exit velocity. Noise levels were more uniform in regard to directivity with reversers than with the nozzle alone. It is concluded that thrust reversers, can be a significant noise problem, especially for STOL aircraft using thrust reversers during approach.

Gutierrez, O. A.↗

Noise generated by STOL core-jet thrust reversers

An experimental investigation on the noise generated by target-type thrust reversers is discussed. The experimental data are normalized and scaled up to sizes suitable for reversing the core jets of a 100,000 lb augmentor-wing-type STOL airplane. The scaling calculations yield perceived noise levels well above the 95-PNdB design goal for both sideline and flyover at 500 ft. V-gutter and semicylindrical reversers were tested with a 5.24-cm-diameter circular nozzle, and a semicylindrical reverser was also tested with a 7.78-cm-diameter circular nozzle. The thrust reversers, in addition to being noisier than the nozzle alone, also had a more uniform directivity. The maximum overall sound pressure level and the effective sound power level both varied with sixth power of the nozzle jet velocity.

Stone, J. R.↗

Noise of deflectors used for flow attachment with STOL-OTW configurations

Future STOL aircraft may utilize engine-over-the-wing installations in which the exhaust nozzles are located above and separated from the upper surface of the wing. An external jet flow deflector can be used with such installations to provide flow attachment to the wing/flap surfaces for lift augmentation. Deflector noise in the flyover plane measured with several model-scale nozzle/deflector/wing configurations is examined. The deflector-associated noise is correlated in terms of velocity and geometry parameters. The data also indicate that the effective overall sound pressure level of the deflector-associated noise peaks in the forward quadrant near 40 deg from the inlet axis.

Vonglahn, U. H.↗

Noise of deflectors used for flow attachment with STOL-OTW configurations

Future STOL aircraft may utilize engine-over-the-wing (OTW) installations in which the exhaust nozzles are located above and separated from the upper surface of the wing. An external jet-flow deflector can be used with such installations to provide flow attachment to the wing/flap surfaces for lift augmentation. In the present work, the deflector noise in the flyover plane measured with several model-scale nozzle/deflector/wing configurations is examined. The deflector-associated noise is correlated in terms of velocity and geometry parameters. The data also indicate that the effective overall sound pressure level of the deflector-associated noise peaks in the forward quadrant near 40 deg from the inlet axis.

Von Glahn, U.↗

An analytical and experimental study of sound propagation and attenuation in variable-area ducts

The performance of sound suppression techniques in ducts that produce refraction effects due to axial velocity gradients was evaluated. A computer code based on the method of multiple scales was used to calculate the influence of axial variations due to slow changes in the cross-sectional area as well as transverse gradients due to the wall boundary layers. An attempt was made to verify the analytical model through direct comparison of experimental and computational results and the analytical determination of the influence of axial gradients on optimum liner properties. However, the analytical studies were unable to examine the influence of non-parallel ducts on the optimum linear conditions. For liner properties not close to optimum, the analytical predictions and the experimental measurements were compared. The circumferential variations of pressure amplitudes and phases at several axial positions were examined in straight and variable-area ducts, hard-wall and lined sections with and without a mean flow. Reasonable agreement between the theoretical and experimental results was obtained.

Nayfeh, A. H.↗

A comparison of experiment and theory for sound propagation in variable area ducts

An experimental and analytical program has been carried out to evaluate sound suppression techniques in ducts that produce refraction effects due to axial velocity gradients. The analytical program employs a computer code based on the method of multiple scales to calculate the influence of axial variations due to slow changes in the cross-sectional area as well as transverse gradients due to the wall boundary layers. Detailed comparisons between the analytical predictions and the experimental measurements have been made. The circumferential variations of pressure amplitudes and phases at several axial positions have been examined in straight and variable area ducts, with hard walls and lined sections, and with and without a mean flow. Reasonable agreement between the theoretical and experimental results has been found.

Nayfeh, A. H.↗

A unique method to study acoustic transmission through ducts using signal synthesis and averaging of acoustic pulses

An acoustic impulse technique using a loudspeaker driver is developed to measure the acoustic properties of a duct/nozzle system. A signal synthesis method is used to generate a desired single pulse with a flat spectrum. The convolution of the desired signal and the inverse Fourier transform of the reciprocal of the driver's response are then fed to the driver. A signal averaging process eliminates the jet mixing noise from the mixture of jet noise and the internal noise, thereby allowing very low intensity signals to be measured accurately, even for high velocity jets. A theoretical analysis is carried out to predict the incident sound field; this is used to help determine the number and locations of the induct measurement points to account for the contributions due to higher order modes present in the incident tube method. The impulse technique is validated by comparing experimentally determined acoustic characteristics of a duct-nozzle system with similar results obtained by the impedance tube method. Absolute agreement in the comparisons was poor, but the overall shapes of the time histories and spectral distributions were much alike.

Salikuddin, M.↗

Radiation from a double layer jet

The aerodynamic radiation caused by two acoustic point sources located symmetrically on the sides of a double layer jet which produces a velocity discontinuity was examined, with attention given to the effect on the sound by the stream. Basic equations were defined in terms of wave propagation in the fluid in motion and a Fourier transformation. It was found that the radiation due to a point source on one side of the jet is enhanced by the presence of sound transmitted from the other side. The effect is expressed as a function of the reflection coefficient, wherein the reflections take place at the vortex interfaces separating the fluid in motion from the fluid at rest. The intensity patterns were determined to be kidney-shaped, lung-shaped, and heart-shaped, and characterized by a deep valley in the directivity pattern. The significance of the findings for STOL aircraft ejector thrust augmentation is mentioned.

Dash, R.↗

Tone excited jets. I - Introduction

The major objective of the present study is an understanding of the mechanism of broadband jet noise augmentation due to upstream excitation, in terms of the relationship between excitation characteristics, changes in large scale and/or small scale turbulence structure of the jet, and sound radiated to the far field under both static and simulated forward velocity conditions. A systematic set of acoustic measurements was accordingly made for a range of flow conditions in the acoustic research facilities of a large transport aircraft manufacturer. After analyzing acoustic results, turbulence measurements were made with a laser velocimeter for those jet conditions at which jet noise amplification was important. A theory was developed to account for static and in-flight simulation results.

Tanna, H. K.↗

Turbulence measurements and noise generation in a transonic cryogenic wind tunnel

A high-frequency combination probe was used to measure dynamic flow quality in the test section of the NASA Langley 0.3-m Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel. The probe measures fluctuating stagnation (total) temperature and pressure, static pressure, and flow angles in two orthogonal planes. Simultaneous measurements of unsteady total temperature and pressure were also made in the settling chamber of the tunnel. The data show that the stagnation temperature fluctuations remain constant, and the stagnation pressure fluctuations increase by a factor of two, as the flow accelerates from the settling chamber to the test section. In the test section, the maximum rms value of the normalized fluctuating velocity is 0.7 percent. Correlation coefficients failed to show vorticity, entropy, or sound as the dominant mode of turbulence in the tunnel.

Ng, W. F.↗

Acoustical evaluation of the NASA Lewis 9 by 15 foot low speed wind tunnel

The test section of the NASA Lewis 9- by 15-Foot Low Speed Wind Tunnel was acoustically treated to allow the measurement of acoustic sources located within the tunnel test section under simulated free field conditions. The treatment was designed for high sound absorption at frequencies above 250 Hz and to withstand tunnel airflow velocities up to 0.2 Mach. Evaluation tests with no tunnel airflow were conducted in the test section to assess the performance of the installed treatment. This performance would not be significantly affected by low speed airflow. Time delay spectrometry tests showed that interference ripples in the incident signal resulting from reflections occurring within the test section average from 1.7 dB to 3.2 dB wide over a 500 to 5150 Hz frequency range. Late reflections, from upstream and downstream of the test section, were found to be insignificant at the microphone measuring points. For acoustic sources with low directivity characteristics, decay with distance measurements in the test section showed that incident free field behavior can be measured on average with an accuracy of +/- 1.5 dB or better at source frequencies from 400 Hz to 10 kHz. The free field variations are typically much smaller with an omnidirectional source.

Dahl, Milo D.↗

The absorption and emission spectrum of radiative cooling galactic fountain gas

We have calculated the time-dependent, nonequilibrium thermal and ionization history of gas cooling radiatively from 10(exp 6) K in a one-dimensional, planar, steady-state flow model of the galactic fountain, including the effects of radiative transfer. Our previous optically thin calculations explored the effects of photoionization on such a flow and demonstrated that self-ionization was sufficient to cause the flow to match the observed galactic halo column densities of C 4, Si 4, and N 5 and UV emission from C 4 and O 3 in the constant density (isochoric) limit, which corresponded to cooling regions homogeneous on scales D less than or approximately equal to 1 kpc. Our new calculations which take full account of radiative transfer confirm the importance of self-ionization in enabling such a flow to match the data but allow a much larger range for cooling region sizes, i.e. D(sub 0) greater than or approximately equal to 15 pc. For an initial flow velocity v(sub 0) approximately equal to 100 km/s, comparable to the sound speed of a 10(exp 6) K gas, the initial density is found to be n(sub h,0) is approximately 2 x 10(exp -2) cm(exp -3), in reasonable agreement with other observation estimates, and D(sub 0) is approximately equal to 40 pc. We also compare predicted H(alpha) fluxes, UV line emission, and broadband x-ray fluxes with observed values. One dimensional numerical hydrodynamical calculations including the effects of radiative cooling are also presented.

Benjamin, Robert A.↗

Analysis of W. F. Durand's and E. P. Lesley's propeller tests

This report is a critical study of the results of propeller model tests with the view of obtaining a clear insight into the mechanism of the propeller action and of examining the soundness of the physical explanation generally given. The nominal slip-stream velocity is plotted against the propeller tip velocity, both measured by the velocity of flight as a unit. Within the range corresponding to conditions of flight, the curve thus obtained is a straight line. Its inclination depends chiefly on the effective blade width, its position on the effective pitch. These two quantities can therefore be determined from the result of each propeller test. Both can easily be estimated therefrom for new propellers of similar type. Thus, a simple method for the computation of propellers suggests itself.

Munk, Max M↗

Experimental Verification of the Theory of Wind-Tunnel Boundary Interference

The results of an experimental investigation on the boundary-correction factor are presented in this report. The values of the boundary-correction factor from the theory, which at the present time is virtually completed, are given in the report for all conventional types of tunnels. With the isolation of certain disturbing effects, the experimental boundary-correction factor was found to be in satisfactory agreement with the theoretically predicted values, thus verifying the soundness and sufficiency of the theoretical analysis. The establishment of a considerable velocity distortion, in the nature of a unique blocking effect, constitutes a principal result of the investigation.

Theodorsen, Theodore↗

Diffusive and Radiative Transport in Fires Experiment: DARTFire

A low velocity, opposed-flow, flame spread experiment designed for execution on a sounding rocket is described. Early results of infrared and ultraviolet-visible imaging using video cameras and narrow band filters are described along with planned digital image data reduction. Measured and computed spread rates show that the classical thermal regime for flame spread over thick PMMA persists, for 50% O2, down to about 5 cm/s, at which point a transition to a microgravity regime in which radiation eventually leads to extinction in at least a quiescent environment. The microgravity regime of flame spread is then distinct from the thermal and kinetic regimes previously identified.

Olson, Sandra L.↗