Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS): An investigator's guide to TIMS data

The Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS) is a NASA aircraft scanner providing six channel spectral capability in the thermal infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Operating in the atmospheric window region (8 to 12 micrometers) with a channel sensitivity of approximately 0.1 C, TIMS may be used whenever an accurate measure of the Earth's surface is needed. A description of this scanner is provided as well as a discussion of data acquisition and reduction

Expanding the use of real-time electromagnetic tracking in radiation oncology.

In the past 10 years, techniques to improve radiotherapy delivery, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) for both inter- and intrafraction tumor localization, and hypofractionated delivery techniques such as stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), have evolved tremendously. This review article focuses on only one part of that evolution, electromagnetic tracking in radiation therapy. Electromagnetic tracking is still a growing technology in radiation oncology and, as such, the clinical applications are limited, the expense is high, and the reimbursement is insufficient to cover these costs. At the same time, current experience with electromagnetic tracking applied to various clinical tumor sites indicates that the potential benefits of electromagnetic tracking could be significant for patients receiving radiation therapy. Daily use of these tracking systems is minimally invasive and delivers no additional ionizing radiation to the patient, and these systems can provide explicit tumor motion data. Although there are a number of technical and fiscal issues that need to be addressed, electromagnetic tracking systems are expected to play a continued role in improving the precision of radiation delivery

Tracking and data systems support for the Helios project. Volume 2: DSN support of Project Helios April 1975 - May 1976

Deep Space Network activities in the development of the Helios B mission from planning through entry of Helios 2 into first superior conjunction (end of Mission Phase II) are summarized. Network operational support activities for Helios 1 from first superior conjunction through entry into third superior conjunction are included

An exploration of an equine facilitated intervention with young offenders.

This research reports a qualitative study to explore the behavioural responses to, and reported reflections from Young Offenders undertaking an Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL) Intervention in prison in the UK. Learning was facilitated by an instructor and the participants were taught introductory natural horsemanship skills. Establishments holding young adult prisoners are typically characterised by increased disruption to the regime, and with greater incidents of violence, bullying and conflict than in other types of prison. A resulting challenge for those working with young prisoners is the need to respond to increased levels of social isolation, and difficulties in managing impulsivity, problem solving, temper and conduct. It is hoped that this research will provide some initial evidence to contribute to ideas around the nature of learning practical positive skills and knowledge through inter species interactions

Numerical investigation of high-pressure combustion in rocket engines using Flamelet/Progress-variable models

The present paper deals with the numerical study of high pressure LOx/H2 or LOx/hydrocarbon combustion for propulsion systems. The present research effort is driven by the continued interest in achieving low cost, reliable access to space and more recently, by the renewed interest in hypersonic transportation systems capable of reducing time-to-destination. Moreover, combustion at high pressure has been assumed as a key issue to achieve better propulsive performance and lower environmental impact, as long as the replacement of hydrogen with a hydrocarbon, to reduce the costs related to ground operations and increase flexibility. The current work provides a model for the numerical simulation of high- pressure turbulent combustion employing detailed chemistry description, embedded in a RANS equations solver with a Low Reynolds number k-omega turbulence model. The model used to study such a combustion phenomenon is an extension of the standard flamelet-progress-variable (FPV) turbulent combustion model combined with a Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equation Solver (RANS). In the FPV model, all of the thermo-chemical quantities are evaluated by evolving the mixture fraction Z and a progress variable C. When using a turbulence model in conjunction with FPV model, a probability density function (PDF) is required to evaluate statistical averages of chemical quantities. The choice of such PDF must be a compromise between computational costs and accuracy level. State- of-the-art FPV models are built presuming the functional shape of the joint PDF of Z and C in order to evaluate Favre-averages of thermodynamic quantities. The model here proposed evaluates the most probable joint distribution of Z and C without any assumption on their behavior.Comment: presented at AIAA Scitech 201

Minimal immersions of closed surfaces in hyperbolic three-manifolds

We study minimal immersions of closed surfaces (of genus $g \ge 2$) in hyperbolic 3-manifolds, with prescribed data $(\sigma, t\alpha)$, where $\sigma$ is a conformal structure on a topological surface $S$, and $\alpha dz^2$ is a holomorphic quadratic differential on the surface $(S,\sigma)$. We show that, for each $t \in (0,\tau_0)$ for some $\tau_0 > 0$, depending only on $(\sigma, \alpha)$, there are at least two minimal immersions of closed surface of prescribed second fundamental form $Re(t\alpha)$ in the conformal structure $\sigma$. Moreover, for $t$ sufficiently large, there exists no such minimal immersion. Asymptotically, as $t \to 0$, the principal curvatures of one minimal immersion tend to zero, while the intrinsic curvatures of the other blow up in magnitude.Comment: 16 page

Doubly connected minimal surfaces and extremal harmonic mappings

The concept of a conformal deformation has two natural extensions: quasiconformal and harmonic mappings. Both classes do not preserve the conformal type of the domain, however they cannot change it in an arbitrary way. Doubly connected domains are where one first observes nontrivial conformal invariants. Herbert Groetzsch and Johannes C. C. Nitsche addressed this issue for quasiconformal and harmonic mappings, respectively. Combining these concepts we obtain sharp estimates for quasiconformal harmonic mappings between doubly connected domains. We then apply our results to the Cauchy problem for minimal surfaces, also known as the Bjorling problem. Specifically, we obtain a sharp estimate of the modulus of a doubly connected minimal surface that evolves from its inner boundary with a given initial slope.Comment: 35 pages, 2 figures. Minor edits, references adde

Physics in Riemann's mathematical papers

Riemann's mathematical papers contain many ideas that arise from physics, and some of them are motivated by problems from physics. In fact, it is not easy to separate Riemann's ideas in mathematics from those in physics. Furthermore, Riemann's philosophical ideas are often in the background of his work on science. The aim of this chapter is to give an overview of Riemann's mathematical results based on physical reasoning or motivated by physics. We also elaborate on the relation with philosophy. While we discuss some of Riemann's philosophical points of view, we review some ideas on the same subjects emitted by Riemann's predecessors, and in particular Greek philosophers, mainly the pre-socratics and Aristotle. The final version of this paper will appear in the book: From Riemann to differential geometry and relativity (L. Ji, A. Papadopoulos and S. Yamada, ed.) Berlin: Springer, 2017