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THE CASE FOR PSR J1614–2230 AS A NICER TARGET

The Neutron star Interior Composition ExploreR (NICER) is expected to launch in 2017 and will gather X-ray data on neutron stars and other high-energy sources from a berth on the International Space Station. Its prime scientific goal is to measure the masses and radii of non-accreting neutron stars via fits to the energy-dependent waveforms produced by the rotation of hot spots on their surfaces. These measurements will provide valuable input to theoretical models of cold matter beyond nuclear density. Here we propose that PSR J1614−2230, despite its low count rate, is a promising source to observe with NICER. The reason is that XMM-Newton observations suggest that the fractional oscillation amplitude from PSR J1614−2230 could be high enough that this star cannot be very compact. We show that if we analyze 0.5 Ms of NICER data and 0.1 Ms of nearby off-source data and combine that analysis with the known mass of this star, we would find a robust lower limit to the radius with a statistical uncertainty of only ∼0.5−0.7 km. We also show that even if there is an unmodeled nonthermal component modulated at the pulsation frequency, good statistical fits could rule out significant biases. The low count rate will make reliable upper limits on the radius difficult, but the lower limit could rule out some equations of state that are currently being discussed. This analysis would require a good estimate of the non-source background, so Chandra observations of the vicinity of PSR J1614−2230 would be helpful.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Completion of the Edward Air Force Base Statistical Guidance Wind Tool

The goal of this task was to develop a GUI using EAFB wind tower data similar to the KSC SLF peak wind tool that is already in operations at SMG. In 2004, MSFC personnel began work to replicate the KSC SLF tool using several wind towers at EAFB. They completed the analysis and QC of the data, but due to higher priority work did not start development of the GUI. MSFC personnel calculated wind climatologies and probabilities of 10-minute peak wind occurrence based on the 2-minute average wind speed for several EAFB wind towers. Once the data were QC'ed and analyzed the climatologies were calculated following the methodology outlined in Lambert (2003). The climatologies were calculated for each tower and month, and then were stratified by hour, direction (10" sectors), and direction (45" sectors)/hour. For all climatologies, MSFC calculated the mean, standard deviation and observation counts of the Zminute average and 10-minute peak wind speeds. MSFC personnel also calculated empirical and modeled probabilities of meeting or exceeding specific 10- minute peak wind speeds using PDFs. The empirical PDFs were asymmetrical and bounded on the left by the 2- minute average wind speed. They calculated the parametric PDFs by fitting the GEV distribution to the empirical distributions. Parametric PDFs were calculated in order to smooth and interpolate over variations in the observed values due to possible under-sampling of certain peak winds and to estimate probabilities associated with average winds outside the observed range. MSFC calculated the individual probabilities of meeting or exceeding specific 10- minute peak wind speeds by integrating the area under each curve. The probabilities assist SMG forecasters in assessing the shuttle FR for various Zminute average wind speeds. The A M ' obtained the processed EAFB data from Dr. Lee Bums of MSFC and reformatted them for input to Excel PivotTables, which allow users to display different values with point-click-drag techniques. The GUI was created from the PivotTables using VBA code. It is run through a macro within Excel and allows forecasters to quickly display and interpret peak wind climatology and probabilities in a fast-paced operational environment. The GUI was designed to look and operate exactly the same as the KSC SLF tool since SMG forecasters were already familiar with that product. SMG feedback was continually incorporated into the GUI ensuring the end product met their needs. The final version of the GUI along with all climatologies, PDFs, and probabilities has been delivered to SMG and will be put into operational use.

Dreher, Joseph G.↗

On the Nature of the mHz X-Ray QPOs from ULX M82 X-1: Evidence for Timing-Spectral (anti) Correlation

Using all the archival XMM-Newton X-ray (3-10 keV) observations of the ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) M82 X-1 we searched for a correlation between its variable mHz quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) frequency and its energy spectral power-law index. These quantities are known to correlate in stellar mass black holes (StMBHs) exhibiting Type-C QPOs (approx 0.2-15 Hz). The detection of such a correlation would strengthen the identification of its mHz QPOs as Type-C and enable a more reliable mass estimate by scaling its QPO frequencies to those of Type-C QPOs in StMBHs of known mass. We resolved the count rates of M82 X-1 and a nearby bright ULX (source 5/X42.3+59) through surface brightness modeling and identify observations in which M82 X-1 was at least as bright as source 5. Using only those observations, we detect QPOs in the frequency range of 36-210 mHz during which the energy spectral power-law index varied from 1.7-2.2. Interestingly, we find evidence for an anti-correlation (Pearsons correlation coefficient = -0.95) between the power-law index and the QPO centroid frequency. While such an anti-correlation is observed in StMBHs at high Type-C QPO frequencies (approx 5-15 Hz), the frequency range over which it holds in StMBHs is significantly smaller (factor of approx 1.5-3) than the QPO range reported here from M82 X-1 (factor of 6). However, it remains possible that contamination from source 5 can bias our result. Joint Chandra/XMM-Newton observations in the future can resolve this problem and confirm the timing-spectral anti-correlation reported here.

Pasham, Dheeraj R.↗

Charge-Sign Dependent Cosmic-Ray Modulation Observed with the Calorimetric Electron Telescope on the International Space Station

We present the observation of a charge-sign dependent solar modulation of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) with the Calorimetric Electron Telescope onboard the International Space Station over 6 yr, corresponding to the positive polarity of the solar magnetic field. The observed variation of proton count rate is consistent with the neutron monitor count rate, validating our methods for determining the proton count rate. It is observed by the Calorimetric Electron Telescope that both GCR electron and proton count rates at the same average rigidity vary in anticorrelation with the tilt angle of the heliospheric current sheet, while the amplitude of the variation is significantly larger in the electron count rate than in the proton count rate. We show that this observed charge-sign dependence is reproduced by a numerical “drift model” of the GCR transport in the heliosphere. This is a clear signature of the drift effect on the long-term solar modulation observed with a single detector.

O. Adriani↗

The Current State of Radiation Dosimetry in Radionuclide Therapy

Radionuclide therapy combines the specificity of cancer cell targeting with the well-known cytotoxic effects of ionizing radiation. It has the potential to simultaneously eradicate both the primary tumor site as well as the metastatic extent of the disease throughout the body. Despite these advantages, a major limitation of radionuclide therapy is that conventional internal dosimetry methods have failed to accurately predict treatment outcomes in patients. It has been proposed that this shortcoming is due to the fact that therapeutic dosimetry is typically performed using methods developed for diagnostic imaging that do not consider patient specific anatomy, pharmacokinetics and dose heterogeneity. Even worse, dosimetry methods are often completely neglected during treatment planning and dose prescription is based on Body Surface Area/Weight (BSA/BW) and platelet counts. The most widely used internal dosimetry software is OLINDA/EXM (Organ Level Internal Dose Assessment for Exponential Modeling). OLINDA/EXM calculates absorbed doses using the formulism developed by the Medical Internal Radiation Dose (MIRD) committee of the Society of Nuclear Medicine. In its current implementation, OLINDA/EXM requires the use of S factors, which are derived in phantoms that do not accurately represent the actual patient. In addition, OLINDA/EXM assumes that the activity distribution in each organ and tumor is uniform, when it has been well established that activity distributions are often highly heterogeneous. Furthermore, the tumor is not modeled in the phantom, which introduces additional uncertainties in the calculation. Due to these limitations, there is a clear need for improved dosimetry methods for therapeutic nuclear medicine that utilize patient-specific imaging information. A variety of efforts are currently underway to develop such methods. There are two commercial software packages on the market for voxel level internal dosimetry: STRATOS (Philips Technologies, Aachen, Germany) and VoxelDose (DosiSoft, Cachan, France), but both packages are not widely used in clinical practice. In addition, several academic platforms have been developed. Similar to these offerings, RAPID is a robust, fast and multimodal platform. However, RAPID has been designed with tremendous flexibility to perform accurate dosimetry for any radiopharmaceutical in the pre-clinical and clinical setting in order to aid in drug development and to assist in radionuclide therapy treatment planning. This presentation will overview existing dosimetry platforms while focusing on the Monte Carlo-based platform developed at the University of Wisconsin known as RAPID (Radiopharmaceutical Assessment Platform for Internal Dosimetry). RAPID is a robust and universal platform that can provide accurate 3D internal dosimetry for any radiopharmaceutical during both the pre-clinical and clinical stages of drug development as well as clinical treatment planning in TRT. (authors)

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Consistent LDA' + DMFT approach to the electronic structure of transition metal oxides: Charge transfer insulators and correlated metals

We discuss the recently proposed LDA' + DMFT approach providing a consistent parameter-free treatment of the so-called double counting problem arising within the LDA + DMFT hybrid computational method for realistic strongly correlated materials. In this approach, the local exchange-correlation portion of the electron-electron interaction is excluded from self-consistent LDA calculations for strongly correlated electronic shells, e.g., d-states of transition metal compounds. Then, the corresponding double-counting term in the LDA' + DMFT Hamiltonian is consistently set in the local Hartree (fully localized limit, FLL) form of the Hubbard model interaction term. We present the results of extensive LDA' + DMFT calculations of densities of states, spectral densities, and optical conductivity for most typical representatives of two wide classes of strongly correlated systems in the paramagnetic phase: charge transfer insulators (MnO, CoO, and NiO) and strongly correlated metals (SrVO{sub 3} and Sr{sub 2}RuO{sub 4}). It is shown that for NiO and CoO systems, the LDA' + DMFT approach qualitatively improves the conventional LDA + DMFT results with the FLL type of double counting, where CoO and NiO were obtained to be metals. Our calculations also include transition-metal 4s-states located near the Fermi level, missed in previous LDA + DMFT studies of these monoxides. General agreement with optical and the X-ray experiments is obtained. For strongly correlated metals, the LDA' + DMFT results agree well with the earlier LDA + DMFT calculations and existing experiments. However, in general, LDA' + DMFT results give better quantitative agreement with experimental data for band gap sizes and oxygen-state positions compared to the conventional LDA + DMFT method.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

A Fully Non-Metallic Gas Turbine Engine Enabled by Additive Manufacturing

The Non-Metallic Gas Turbine Engine project, funded by NASA Aeronautics Research Institute, represents the first comprehensive evaluation of emerging materials and manufacturing technologies that will enable fully nonmetallic gas turbine engines. This will be achieved by assessing the feasibility of using additive manufacturing technologies to fabricate polymer matrix composite and ceramic matrix composite turbine engine components. The benefits include: 50 weight reduction compared to metallic parts, reduced manufacturing costs, reduced part count and rapid design iterations. Two high payoff metallic components have been identified for replacement with PMCs and will be fabricated using fused deposition modeling (FDM) with high temperature polymer filaments. The CMC effort uses a binder jet process to fabricate silicon carbide test coupons and demonstration articles. Microstructural analysis and mechanical testing will be conducted on the PMC and CMC materials. System studies will assess the benefits of fully nonmetallic gas turbine engine in terms of fuel burn, emissions, reduction of part count, and cost. The research project includes a multidisciplinary, multiorganization NASA - industry team that includes experts in ceramic materials and CMCs, polymers and PMCs, structural engineering, additive manufacturing, engine design and analysis, and system analysis.

Ceramics↗

AGR-5/6/7 Final Release-to-Birth Ratio Data Analysis

AGR-5/6/7 is the last of a series of Advanced Gas Reactor (AGR) experiments conducted in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in support of development and qualification of tristructural isotropic (TRISO) low-enriched fuel for use in the high-temperature gas cooled reactor (HTGR). AGR configuration and irradiation conditions are based on prismatic HTGR technology that is distinguished primarily through the use of helium coolant, a low-power-density ceramic core capable of withstanding very high temperatures, and TRISO-coated particle fuel. The AGR tests provide valuable irradiation-performance data to support fuel process development, qualify fuel for normal operation and accident conditions, and support development and validation of fuel performance and fission-product (FP) transport models and codes. Each AGR test consists of multiple independently controlled and monitored capsules containing fuel compacts placed in a graphite cylinder shrouded by a steel shell. Release-to-birth ratios (R/B) for fission-gas isotopes released from each capsule are calculated from release rates, measured by germanium detectors in the Fission Product Monitoring System (FPMS) installed downstream from each capsule, and birth rates calculated using numerical models of FG generation. The R/Bs are a critical measure of the ability of the fuel kernel, the particle coating layers, and the compact matrix to retain fission-gas atoms, preventing their release into the sweep-gas flow, and the impact of initially defective particles and/or particle-coating failures that occur during irradiation. For fission-gas isotopes, particle failure is defined as failure of all coating layers, allowing gaseous fission atoms to escape from a particle. During the first five cycles (162B ? 165A), R/Bs were stable in the 10-8?10-6 range, and no in-pile particle failures were observed, based on the gross gamma counts. The maximum R/B value of around 2 ? 10-6 for Kr-85m resulted from the presence of as-fabricated exposed kernels (based on the high exposed kernel fraction), the dispersed uranium, and high fuel particle temperatures in Capsule 1. Comparison of capsule-measured R/Bs from these early cycles to predictions using the previously developed AGR R/B model demonstrated FG release from the AGR-5/6/7 TRISO fuel was comparable to that of previous experiments. In addition, the Kr-85m R/B per-exposed-kernel values are comparable to R/B values obtained in AGR-3/4 irradiation experiment and four irradiation experiments performed during 1980s: (1) HRB-17/18, (2) COMEDIE-BD1, (3) HFR B1, and (4) HRB-21. In contrast, all measured R/B values are lower than predictions by the commonly used Richards and German models, which are intentionally conservative. A large number of in-pile particle failures occurred in Capsule 1 by the end of Cycle 166A. During the final four cycles (166A ? 168A), apparent damage to the Capsule 1 gas line appeared to cause FG leakage from that capsule into the other four capsules, resulting in an increase in fission gas (FG) detected in the effluent for all capsules. Isolation of the Capsule 1 gas line during the last three cycles also prevented measurement of its FG release. Thus, R/Bs in all capsules after Cycle 166A are highly uncertain because of undefined amount of leakage from Capsule 1, especially for long-lived isotopes. A few hundred in-pile particle failures were estimated for Capsule 1 before the end of Cycle 166A, but the total number of failures is unknown due to the lack of FG release data in the later cycles. Based primarily on evidence from the gross gamma counts during Cycle 168A, approximately 15 particles failed in Capsule 3 and four particles failed in Capsule 2. In-pile failures in Capsule 3 were anticipated because this capsule was designed to operate beyond the HTGR normal operating temperature range. In contrast, no in-pile failures were identified in the top two capsules (4 and 5) based on the absence of the typical spikes in gross gamma counts and low failure estimates using the AGR model, developed in INL/EXT-14-32970, for R/B of the short-lived isotopes (Kr-89 and Xe-137) with minimal leakage from Capsule 1.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Accurate contrast determination for X-ray speckle visibility spectroscopy

X-ray speckle visibility spectroscopy using X-ray free-electron lasers has long been proposed as a probe of fast dynamics in noncrystalline materials. In this paper, numerical modeling is presented to show how the data interpretation of visibility spectroscopy can be impacted by the nonidealities of real-life X-ray detectors. Using simulated detector data, this work provides a detailed analysis of the systematic errors of several contrast extraction algorithms in the context of low-count-rate X-ray speckle visibility spectroscopy and their origins are discussed. Here, it was found that the finite detector charge cloud and pixel size lead to an unavoidable `degeneracy' in photon position determination, and that the contrasts extracted using different algorithms can all be corrected by a simple linear model. The results suggest that experimental calibration of the correction coefficient at the count rate of interest is possible and essential. This allows computationally lightweight algorithms to be implemented for on-the-fly analysis.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Concurrent X-ray and optical observations of two dwarf novae during eruption

The dwarf novae SU UMa and RU Peg were each observed with the ROSAT Observatory during outburst. SU UMa was also observed twice between outbursts. The spectrum of SU UMa during quiescence is well fitted by a 2.1 keV thermal bremsstrahlung model with a Gaussian line at 0.97 keV absorbed by a column density of 1.4 x 10(exp 20)/sq cm. During the outburst the X-ray count rate dropped by a factor of 3. The outburst spectrum is well fitted to a similar spectrum with a significantly larger absorption. In outburst the mass transfer rate, dot-M, approaches the critical value for the optically thin/thick transition predicted by theoretical models of the boundary layer while the X-ray emission remains optically thin. The best-fit model to the outburst spectrum of RU Peg is a 4.9 keV thermal bremsstrahlung plus a line at 0.89 keV absorbed by a column density of 2.8 x 10(exp 20)/sq cm. The column density is consistent with the upper limit determined for interstellar absorption. The boundary layer at outburst is expected to be optically thick based on the value of dot-M determined from the IUE spectra. There are no ROSAT observations of RU Peg between outbursts, but the flux detected by ROSAT is a factor of 10 lower than that seen with the Einstein Observatory, probably during quiescence. For both CVs the X-ray flux from the boundary layer significantly decreases at the same time that the optical-UV flux greatly increases. We suggest that during outburst most of the boundary layer energy is carried away as kinetic energy of the wind.

Silber, A.↗

Demonstration and Concept of Operations for a Zero-Knowledge Protocol Passive Imaging Measurement for Arms Control

Here, we present an imaging system that employs zero-knowledge protocols to protect sensitive geometrical information, along with procedures to increase confidence in the result. The goal of this work is to enable the inclusion of warhead confirmation measurements in future arms control treaties. We present a demonstration of both true positive and true negative measurements that validate models and establish authenticating procedures toward meeting acceptance requirements for use in nuclear facilities. We use a two-dimensional time-encoded fast neutron imaging system with an anti-symmetric mask pattern; the fast neutron count values exceeding minimum or maximum thresholds indicate that two measured items are not identical. Laboratory measurements over twenty trials show that alarm rates for negative confirmation measurements are within uncertainties of model predictions. Positive confirmation measurements indicate that alarm rates are large enough to encourage treaty compliance.

Sweany, Melinda Dominique [Sandia National Laborat↗

Grid Refinement Techniques for the 𝜸-Re𝜽𝒕 Transition Model in FUN3D

There has been an increased focus on the overall accuracy and grid convergence of Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS)-based transition models from the recent AIAA and NATO-AVT workshops. Even though satisfactory grid convergence could be achieved for simple two-dimensional flow configurations, it required mesh counts that are substantially larger than those used in typical applications. In this paper, we focus our efforts on understanding how the grid resolution and topology influences the accuracy and convergence of results by studying the Schubauer and Skramstad flat-plate configuration and the NLF-0416 airfoil at an angle of attack equal to five degrees using FUN3D, a second-order finite-volume code. By focusing on these cases, we can analyze both natural and separation-induced transition scenarios. Multiple grid refinement strategies are investigated. First, we determine the relative effectiveness of zonal streamwise refinement in the transition region within structured grids as an alternative to the costly option of globally uniform refinement of a baseline grid. We also complement this zonal technique by globally varying the wall-normal resolution keeping the streamwise resolution fixed. The zonal streamwise refinement can accurately model natural transition in a flat-plate boundary layer and separation-induced transition, but struggles to accurately model natural transition in airfoil flows. A series of unstructured prismatic grids that have similar node counts and viscous wall spacings as the structured hexahedral grids are also tested, and they do not achieve grid convergence until an extremely fine resolution. Last, we employ adjoint-based unstructured grid adaptation in FUN3D to natural and separation-induced transition on the NLF-0416 airfoil. The adjoint-based refinement process converges to the same solution as the baseline family of structured grids, but leads to smaller errors on coarser grids.

Grid Adaptation↗

Grid Refinement Techniques for the 𝜸-Re 𝜽 𝒕 Transition Model in FUN3D

There has been an increased focus on the overall accuracy and grid convergence of Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS)-based transition models from the recent AIAA and NATO-AVT workshops. Even though satisfactory grid convergence could be achieved for simple two-dimensional flow configurations, it required mesh counts that are substantially larger than those used in typical applications. In this paper, we focus our efforts on understanding how the grid resolution and topology influences the accuracy and convergence of results by studying the Schubauer and Skramstad flat-plate configuration and the NLF-0416 airfoil at an angle of attack equal to five degrees using FUN3D, a second-order finite-volume code. By focusing on these cases, we can analyze both natural and separation-induced transition scenarios. Multiple grid refinement strategies are investigated. First, we determine the relative effectiveness of zonal streamwise refinement in the transition region within structured grids as an alternative to the costly option of globally uniform refinement of a baseline grid. We also complement this zonal technique by globally varying the wall-normal resolution keeping the streamwise resolution fixed. The zonal streamwise refinement can accurately model natural transition in a flat-plate boundary layer and separation-induced transition, but struggles to accurately model natural transition in airfoil flows. A series of unstructured prismatic grids that have similar node counts and viscous wall spacings as the structured hexahedral grids are also tested, and they do not achieve grid convergence until an extremely fine resolution. Last, we employ adjoint-based unstructured grid adaptation in FUN3D to natural and separation-induced transition on the NLF-0416 airfoil. The adjoint-based refinement process converges to the same solution as the baseline family of structured grids, but leads to smaller errors on coarser grids.

Grid Adaptation↗

A multigrid solver for semi-implicit global shallow-water models

A multigrid solver is developed for the discretized two-dimensional elliptic equation on the sphere that arises from a semiimplicit time discretization of the global shallow-water equations. Different formulations of the semiimplicit scheme result in variable-coefficient Helmholtz-type equations for which no fast direct solvers are available. The efficiency of the multigrid solver is optimal, in the sense that the total operation count is proportional to the number of unknowns. Numerical experiments using initial data derived from actual 300-mb height and wind velocity fields indicate that the present model has very good accuracy and stability properties.

Barros, Saulo R. M.↗

Short-term favorable weather conditions are an important control of interannual variability in carbon and water fluxes

Ecosystem models often perform poorly in reproducing interannual variability in carbon and water fluxes, resulting in considerable uncertainty when estimating the land-carbon sink. While many aggregated variables (growing season length, seasonal precipitation, or temperature) have been suggested as predictors for interannual variability in carbon fluxes, their explanatory power is limited and uncertainties remain as to their relative contributions. Recent results show that the annual count of hours where evapotranspiration (ET) is larger than its 95th percentile is strongly correlated with the annual variability of ET and gross primary production (GPP) in an ecosystem model. This suggests that the occurrence of favorable conditions has a strong influence on the annual carbon budget. Here we analyzed data from eight forest sites of the AmeriFlux network with at least 7 years of continuous measurements. We show that for ET and the carbon fluxes GPP, ecosystem respiration (RE), and net ecosystem production, counting the “most active hours/days” (i.e., hours/days when the flux exceeds a high percentile) correlates well with the respective annual sums, with correlation coefficients generally larger than 0.8. Phenological transitions have much weaker explanatory power. By exploiting the relationship between most active hours and interannual variability, we classify hours as most active or less active and largely explain interannual variability in ecosystem fluxes, particularly for GPP and RE. Our results suggest that a better understanding and modeling of the occurrence of large values in high-frequency ecosystem fluxes will result in a better understanding of interannual variability of these fluxes.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Gravity at the horizon: on relativistic effects, CMB-LSS correlations and ultra-large scales in Horndeski's theory

We address the impact of consistent modifications of gravity on the largest observable scales, focusing on relativistic effects in galaxy number counts and the cross-correlation between the matter large scale structure (LSS) distribution and the cosmic microwave background (CMB). Our analysis applies to a very broad class of general scalar-tensor theories encoded in the Horndeski Lagrangian and is fully consistent on linear scales, retaining the full dynamics of the scalar field and not assuming quasi-static evolution. As particular examples we consider self-accelerating Covariant Galileons, Brans-Dicke theory and parameterizations based on the effective field theory of dark energy, using the hi class code to address the impact of these models on relativistic corrections to LSS observables. We find that especially effects which involve integrals along the line of sight (lensing convergence, time delay and the integrated Sachs-Wolfe effect—ISW) can be considerably modified, and even lead to O(1000%) deviations from General Relativity in the case of the ISW effect for Galileon models, for which standard probes such as the growth function only vary by O(10%). These effects become dominant when correlating galaxy number counts at different redshifts and can lead to ∼ 50% deviations in the total signal that might be observable by future LSS surveys. Because of their integrated nature, these deep-redshift cross-correlations are sensitive to modifications of gravity even when probing eras much before dark energy domination. We further isolate the ISW effect using the cross-correlation between LSS and CMB temperature anisotropies and use current data to further constrain Horndeski models. Forthcoming large-volume galaxy surveys using multiple-tracers will search for all these effects, opening a new window to probe gravity and cosmic acceleration at the largest scales available in our universe.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Quark counting, Drell-Yan West, and the pion wave function

The relation between the pion's quark distribution function, 𝑞⁡(𝑥), its light-front wave function, and the elastic charge form factor, 𝐹⁡(Δ 2 ), is explored. The square of the leading-twist pion wave function at a special probe scale, 𝜁 𝐻 , is determined using models and Poincaré covariance from realistic results for 𝑞⁡(𝑥). This wave function is then used to compute form factors with the result that the Drell-Yan-West and quark counting relationships are not satisfied. A new relationship between 𝑞⁡(𝑥) and 𝐹⁡(Δ 2 ) is proposed.

Form factors↗

Experimental Validation of MCNP Models for PINS Shadow Shield Mockups

MCNP has been regarded as an indispensable tool in development of radiation detection systems, and it is cost effective, thanks to advances in computing power, to simulate various conceptual designs without even fabricating them. Development of various PINS systems have also benefited from MCNP modeling and simulation. MCNP models of PINS systems have been frequently used to understand detector responses and to fill the gap in experimental data. Recently, a backpack version PINS system was announced to be developed. When the neutron generator and the HPGe detector are built by external vendors, the shadow shield is the component to be designed to maximize the performance while meeting the sponsor’s requirements. In order to utilize MCNP modeling and simulation to find the best specification of the shadow shield, a campaign of PINS lab measurements with a few shadow shield mockups has been conducted to validate MCNP simulation results. This study is intended to validate MCNP simulations and models in preparation of another more extensive simulation study. Validation of neutron flux is also discussed later in this report even though neutron counts were not measured experimentally.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗