Mass Ratio and Spot Parameter Estimation from Eclipsing Binary Star Light Curves

Eclipsing binary stars have a rich history of contributing to the field of stellar astrophysics. Most of the available information on the fundamental properties of stars has come from the analysis of observations of binaries. The availability of powerful computers and sophisticated codes that apply physical models has resulted in determinations of masses and radii of sufficient accuracy to provide critical tests of theories of stellar structure and evolution. Despite their sophistication, these codes still require the guiding hand of trained scientists to extract reliable information. The computer code will produce results, but it is still imperative for the analyst to ensure that those results make astrophysical sense, and to ascertain their reliability. Care must be taken to ensure that we are asking the codes for parameters for which there is information in the data. The analysis of synthetic observations with simulated observational errors of typical size can provide valuable insight to the analysis process because the parameters used to generate the observations are known. Such observations are herein analyzed to guide the process of determining mass ratios and spot parameters from eclipsing binary light curves. The goal of this paper is to illustrate some of the subtleties that need to be recognized and treated properly when analyzing binary star data.

Advanced breakup-nucleon enhancement of deuteron-induced reaction cross sections

Following the EUROfusion PPPT-programme action for an advanced modeling approach of deuteron-induced reaction cross sections, as well as specific data evaluations in addition of the TENDL files, an assessment of the details and corresponding outcome for the latter option of TALYS for the breakup model has been carried out. The breakup enhancement obtained in the meantime within computer code TALYS, by using the evaluated nucleon-induced reaction data of TENDL-2019, is particularly concerned. Discussion of the corresponding results, for deuteron-induced reactions on $$^{58}$$ 58 Ni, $$^{96}$$ 96 Zr, and $$^{231}$$ 231 Pa target nuclei up to 200 MeV incident energy, includes limitations still existing with reference to the direct-reaction account.

Learning to create images with computer code

Programming is becoming a part of the school curricula in Norway both in lower and upper secondary education – this includes subjects such as art, design and craft. What can programming contribute to the learning processes of these subjects? ‘Tinkering’ is a creative phase in a learning/working process, emphasising both creation and learning. In this project, visual images are created via computer programming to enhance the main author’s learning. The process is structured into stages. The important phases of the learning process are realised as a result of tinkering with existing codes. An important discovery for the learner, and one key aspect of programming images is that, as a mode, it opens up ways to create repetitions effectively, resulting in various patterns. This turned out to be motivating for the learner. This paper discusses tinkering as a learning process that is relevant to programming within art, design and craft education.

Regulation of the Smart Contract in (Romanian) Civil Law

The research aims to organize, examine, and analyze the provisions on smart contracts available in Romanian civil law. “Smart contracts” are not smart, and are not necessarily contracts, although they can be. As self-executing computer programs, smart contracts are operational on the blockchain and unlike traditional legal contracts, once the agreement has been concluded and the smart contract is set in motion, no party can intervene and it will be executed without interruption, modification, or breach. The crucial question in the final contract law topic is what happens when the smart contract's outcomes deviate from those required by law. To answer this issue, we must first understand that whether a smart contract becomes legally enforceable is determined by several circumstances, together with the unique use case, the type of smart contract employed, and the existing legislation. The paper addresses the subject of determining and regulating smart contracts under Romanian current laws. Particular emphasis is placed on two ambiguous definitions of smart contracts: as computer code and as a civil-law contract. The authors conclude that the concept of smart contracts requires more legal regulation, particularly in terms of managing their meaning and comprehension.

The Notion of "Research Data": Types and Kinds of Research Data in the Context of Data Management Practice

With the rapid development of the concept of Open Science, the quantitative growth of data obtained during the research, scientific attention to the practice of research data management (research data management) increases, which actualizes the definition of “research data” and identifying types of research data within the practice of their management, justification and coverage of the specifics of such data. The methodological tools of the study are based on the terminological method, the use of which was due to the need to identify relevant interpretations of the concept of “research data”, as well as analysis of repositories for data from various fields of science, indexed by re3data.org., in the general areas presented in the register, namely: descriptions of repositories, including information on the types of data deposited by scientists and data curators. The analysis made it possible to define research data as materials obtained and collected to substantiate the scientific results of research in any field and in any form: numerical, textual, computer code, etc., as well as to identify types of data specific to different branches of science, which, in turn, allowed us to conclude the existing data formats, the most common among both natural and human sciences: text, numerical and graphic formats. As a result of the analysis, it was found that research data can be considered textual, numerical, software, archival, graphic and other objects (files) that serve as the basis of the study and the factual basis for scientific conclusions in a particular field of science. It was found that the type of data directly depends on the nature of the study and the characteristics of the discipline or field of research.

STRESS DISTRIBUTION IN THE HOLLOW STIFFENED HYBRID LAMINATED COMPOSITE PANELS IN SHIP STRUCTURES UNDER SINUSOIDAL LOADING

A simplified hollow stiffened hybrid laminated plate model has been developed for the marine structures. The detailed stress analysis through the thickness of the stiffened plate based on the higher order shear deformation theory has been carried out under sinusoidal loading. The hybrid laminates are made by wrapping the GFRP laminates with CFRP at the outermost layers of the stiffened panel. This hybridization technique can be an optimum solution from the point of view of cost reduction as well as enhancement of strength properties. The layer-wise stresses for the stiffened plate have been calculated in the present paper. A 3D polynomial curve fitting technique has been used to obtain higher accuracy and consistency in the computation of stresses. The computer code has been developed using MATLAB considering the plates as eight noded isoparametric plate bending element and the stiffener has been modeled as three noded isoparametric beam element. The stiffened panel has also been analysed using the ANSYS14.0 software package considering 2D model. The results obtained from the present formulation have been compared with those available in the published literature to validate the present formulation. The stiffened panels made of GFRP, CFRP and GFRP-CFRP hybrid laminates have been studied here. An extensive parametric study has been carried out with varying fibre content in the laminates.

Reproducible Research in R: A Tutorial on How to Do the Same Thing More Than Once

Computational reproducibility is the ability to obtain identical results from the same data with the same computer code. It is a building block for transparent and cumulative science because it enables the originator and other researchers, on other computers and later in time, to reproduce and thus understand how results came about, while avoiding a variety of errors that may lead to erroneous reporting of statistical and computational results. In this tutorial, we demonstrate how the R package repro supports researchers in creating fully computationally reproducible research projects with tools from the software engineering community. Building upon this notion of fully automated reproducibility, we present several applications including the preregistration of research plans with code (Preregistration as Code, PAC). PAC eschews all ambiguity of traditional preregistration and offers several more advantages. Making technical advancements that serve reproducibility more widely accessible for researchers holds the potential to innovate the research process and to help it become more productive, credible, and reliable.

Blockchain Technology in Copyright

Introduction: the paper examines the potential of blockchain technology and blockchain-based smart contracts in respect of copyright. Copyright has long been secured through technical means, in particular, through digital rights management. With the advent of blockchain technology, a new era is expected in the field of administration and enforcement of copyright using computer code, therefore, the author sets the goal of investigating the essence and capabilities of blockchain technology. Methods: the methodological framework for the study is a set of methods of scientific cognition, among which the main ones are the methods of consistency and analysis. Results: based on the analysis of the experience of foreign countries, the essence of blockchain technology and the smart contract is investigated. The paper presents the recommendations on the use of blockchain technology as a form of regulatory ordering, which can express public and private goals. Conclusions: as a result of the study, the role of blockchain as one of the methods of copyright protection and its potential is identified, and also how blockchain technology can affect the ways of distributing copyrighted content in the digital world is considered. It is established that such a technology can provide an unprecedented level of access to copyright information, transparency, and traceability of its subsequent changes. The instant receipt of remuneration and the availability of the technical possibility of sovereign ownership of the produced digital content are attractive to copyright holders. Blockchain technology has gained universal attention as a developing information security system and over the years will become a powerful component of protecting the results of intellectual activity.

Numerical validation of pressure and flow characteristics across a control valve in a feed line

This work is intended to understand the variation of pressure and flow at the pump inlet of liquid rocket engine. The opening and closure of the valve upstream of the pump features complex phenomenon. The opening and closing of the valve cause pressure and flow variations at the pump inlet which may lead to combustion instabilities in combustion chamber of engine, hydraulic transients in feedlines, and off-design operation of turbo-pumps which are fundamental to the efficient testing and operation of engine. A numerical model to predict the pressure and flow transients across a control valve for different rate of opening in fluid feed systems has been developed using first-order finite difference technique. In case of flow in pipes, the velocity and pressure is governed by momentum and continuity equations. A computer code for the prediction of fluid transients is developed based on method of characteristics for one-dimensional fluid flow in pipelines and compared with test data for validation. The control valve is considered to be in-line with the feed line and modeled based on the valve coefficient vs. percent opening of valve. This model can subsequently be used to predict the effect of opening/closing time of the valve on pressure surges across the control valve and corresponding flow rate in the feedline for different opening of the valve.