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At least 307 records · Page 17

Determining blood and plasma volumes using bioelectrical response spectroscopy

We hypothesized that an electric field (inductance) produced by charged blood components passing through the many branches of arteries and veins could assess total blood volume (TBV) or plasma volume (PV). Individual (N = 29) electrical circuits (inductors, two resistors, and a capacitor) were determined from bioelectrical response spectroscopy (BERS) using a Hewlett Packard 4284A Precision LCR Meter. Inductance, capacitance, and resistance from the circuits of 19 subjects modeled TBV (sum of PV and computed red cell volume) and PV (based on 125I-albumin). Each model (N = 10, cross validation group) had good validity based on 1) mean differences (-2.3 to 1.5%) between the methods that were not significant and less than the propagated errors (+/- 5.2% for TBV and PV), 2) high correlations (r > 0.92) with low SEE (< 7.7%) between dilution and BERS assessments, and 3) Bland-Altman pairwise comparisons that indicated "clinical equivalency" between the methods. Given the limitation of this study (10 validity subjects), we concluded that BERS models accurately assessed TBV and PV. Further evaluations of the models' validities are needed before they are used in clinical or research settings.

NASA Discipline Number 00-00↗

PIV and Rotational Raman-Based Temperature Measurements for CFD Validation in a Single Injector Cooling Flow

NASA's Turbulent Heat Flux (THX) task under the Transformational Tools & Technologies project is focused on acquiring benchmark temperature and velocity data in turbulent shear layers for validation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes. Standard CFD turbulence models lack the ability to accurately calculate a number of fundamental flow phenomena, including the turbulent transport of heat. In nearly all production class Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) CFD codes, a gradient-diffusion approximation is used whereby a constant turbulent Prantdl number, Prt, is used to relate an eddy viscosity calculated for the momentum terms, to the turbulent heat flux terms. The default in most CFD codes is Prt = 0.9, however this is not representative of all flows. As discussed in Yoder et al. (2015) and Reynolds (1974), Prt = 0.7 is felt to be more appropriate for jets. Recent work, as discussed in Yoder (2016a), has explored more complex formulations including variable turbulent Prantdl number models. PARTICLE IMAGE VELOCIMETRY; TEMPERATURE MEASURING INSTRUMENTS; FILM COOLING; HIGH TEMPERATURE GASES; COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS; PREDICTION ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES; TURBULENCE MODELS; RAMAN SPECTRA; VELOCITY; MACH NUMBER; GAS TURBINE ENGINES; NOZZLE FLOW; THERMOCOUPLES; LASER INDUCED FLUORESCENCE; COOLING FLOWS (ASTROPHYSICS); RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY; HEAT FLUX

Wernet, Mark P.↗

Shake-Down Spectroscopy as State- and Site-Specific Probe of Ultrafast Chemical Dynamics

Tracking the multifarious ultrafast electronic and structural changes occurring in a molecule during a photochemical transformation is a challenging endeavor that benefits from recent experimental and computational progress in time-resolved techniques. Measurements of valence electronic states, which provide a global picture of the bonding structure of the molecule, and core electronic states, which provide insight into the local environment, traditionally require different approaches and are often studied separately. Here, we demonstrate that X-ray pulses from a seeded free-electron laser (FEL) enable the measurement of high-resolution, time-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) that capture weak satellite states resulting from shake-down processes in a valence-excited molecule. This approach effectively combines the advantages of both valence- and core-state investigations. We applied this method to investigate photoexcited CS2 molecules, where the role of internal conversion (IC) and intersystem crossing (ISC) in determining the predissociation dynamics is controversial. We present XPS spectra from photoexcited CS2, obtained at the FERMI FEL. High-resolution measurements, compared to the corresponding spectra obtained from accurate multireference quantum chemical calculations, reveal that shake-down satellite channels are highly sensitive to both valence electronic and geometric changes. Previous studies of the predissociation dynamics have led to uncertain assignments of the branching between singlet and triplet excited states. We derive a propensity rule that demonstrates the spin-selectivity of the shake-downs. This selectivity allows us to unequivocally assign contributions from the bright and dark singlet excited states, with populations tracked along the predissociation dynamic pathway.

Thompson, Henry J. [Univ. of Southampton (United K↗

Voyager measurement of the rotation period of Saturn's magnetic field

Saturn's radio rotation period was determined using measurements made by the planetary radio astronomy experiment onboard the Voyager spacecraft. The sidereal period deduced, 10 hr 39 min 24 sec ? 7 sec, is within the 10 hr to 11 hr range of optical periods derived from a century of atmospheric spot and Doppler spectroscopy observations. The radio rotation period is presumably that of the planet's magnetic field. A provisional Saturn longitude convention is proposed and equations are provided to compute a longitude ephemeris and to transform between the proposed system and the (10 hr 14 min) system used for the Pioneer 11/Saturn encounter. The degree of longitude smearing which could result over the long term from the merging of data sets organized in this system is evaluated. No evidence of control of the radio emission by any of Saturn's satellites was found.

Desch, M. D.↗

Automated Positioner For A Specimen In A Vacuum Chamber

Custom-build apparatus positions specimen in vacuum system in three translational and one rotational degree of freedom. Operates under manual control, local microprocessor control, or remote computer control via general-purpose interface bus (GPIB), specific control option being selectable by technician. Used to position and orient specimen for secondary-ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS). Apparatus made from relatively inexpensive parts.

Bailey, Sheila G.↗

Fabricating Radial Groove Gratings Using Projection Photolithography

Projection photolithography has been used as a fabrication method for radial grove gratings. Use of photolithographic method for diffraction grating fabrication represents the most significant breakthrough in grating technology in the last 60 years, since the introduction of holographic written gratings. Unlike traditional methods utilized for grating fabrication, this method has the advantage of producing complex diffractive groove contours that can be designed at pixel-by-pixel level, with pixel size currently at the level of 45 45 nm. Typical placement accuracy of the grating pixels is 10 nm over 30 nm. It is far superior to holographic, mechanically ruled or direct e-beam written gratings and results in high spatial coherence and low spectral cross-talk. Due to the smooth surface produced by reactive ion etch, such gratings have a low level of randomly scattered light. Also, due to high fidelity and good surface roughness, this method is ideally suited for fabrication of radial groove gratings. The projection mask is created using a laser writer. A single crystal silicon wafer is coated with photoresist, and then the projection mask, with its layer of photoresist, is exposed for patterning in a stepper or scanner. To develop the photoresist, the fabricator either removes the exposed areas (positive resist) of the unexposed areas (negative resist). Next, the patterned and developed photoresist silicon substrate is subjected to reactive ion etching. After this step, the substrate is cleaned. The projection mask is fabricated according to electronic design files that may be generated in GDS file format using any suitable CAD (computer-aided design) or other software program. Radial groove gratings in off-axis grazing angle of incidence mount are of special interest for x-ray spectroscopy, as they allow achieving higher spectral resolution for the same grating area and have lower alignment tolerances than traditional in-plane grating scheme. This is especially critical for NASA Constellation- X project that will utilize hundreds of gratings all of which need to be precisely aligned for x-ray observation of space.

Iazikov, Dmitri↗

Research on Spectroscopy, Opacity, and Atmospheres

To make my calculations more readily accessible I have set up a web site cfaku5.harvard.edu that can also be accessed by FTP. it has 5 9GB disks that hold all of my atomic and diatomic molecular data, my tables of distribution function opacities, my grids of model atmospheres, colors, fluxes, etc, my program that are ready for distribution, most of my recent papers. Atlases and computed spectra will be added as they are completed. New atomic and molecular calculations will be added as they are completed. I got my atomic programs that had been running on a Cray at the San Diego Supercomputer Center to run on my Vaxes and Alpha. I started with Ni and Co because there were new laboratory analyses that included isotopic and hyperfine splitting. Those calculations are described in the appended abstract for the 6th Atomic Spectroscopy and oscillator Strengths meeting in Victoria last summer. A surprising finding is that quadrupole transitions have been grossly in error because mixing with higher levels has not been included. I now have enough memory in my Alpha to treat 3000 x 3000 matrices. I now include all levels up through n=9 for Fe I and 11, the spectra for which the most information is available. I am finishing those calculations right now. After Fe I and Fe 11, all other spectra are "easy", and I will be in mass production. ATL;LS12, my opacity sampling program for computing models with arbitrary abundances, has been put on the web server. I wrote a new distribution function opacity program for workstations that replaces the one I used on the Cray at the San Diego Supercomputer Center. Each set of abundances would take 100 Cray hours costing $100,000. 1 ran 25 cases. Each of my opacity CDs contains three abundances. I have a new program -iinning on the Alpha that takes about a week. I am going to have to get a faster processor or I will have to dedicate a whole workstation just to opacities.

Kurucz, Robert L.↗

Chemical Environment and Structural Variations in High Entropy Oxide Thin Film Probed with Electron Microscopy

For this work, we employ analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to correlate the structural and chemical environment variations within a stacked epitaxial thin film of the high entropy oxide (HEO) Mg 0.2 Co 0.2 Ni 0.2 Cu 0.2 Zn 0.2 O (J14), with two layers grown at different substrate temperatures (500 and 200 °C) using pulsed laser deposition (PLD). Electron diffraction and atomically resolved STEM imaging reveal the difference in out-of-plane lattice parameters in the stacked thin film, which is further quantified on a larger scale using four-dimensional STEM (4D-STEM). In the layer deposited at a lower temperature, electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) mapping indicates drastic changes in the oxidation states and bonding environment for Co ions, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) mapping detects more significant cation deficiency. Ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations validate that vacancies on the cation sublattice of J14 result in significant electronic and structural changes. The experimental and computational analyses indicate that low temperatures during film growth result in cation deficiency, an altered chemical environment, and reduced lattice parameters while maintaining a single phase. Our results demonstrate that the complex correlation of configurational entropy, kinetics, and thermodynamics can be utilized for accessing a range of metastable configurations in HEO materials without altering cation proportions, enabling further engineering of functional properties of HEO materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Ultrasonic Resonance Techniques for Materials Research

Mechanical resonances are directly related to the physical behavior of a system at the bulk and microscopic levels. In materials science, resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) has long been a preferred nondestructive method to study mechanical resonances of solids and precisely measure quantitative material properties, namely elasticity. In recent years, advances in computational power and hardware have enabled RUS to be relevant for an increasing range of applications, such as advanced manufacturing. An extension of this technique, nonlinear RUS (NRUS), has been demonstrated to provide unmatched sensitivity to early-stage damage. NRUS was originally developed to probe geologic materials but has become a vital tool in nondestructive evaluation and materials research, offering a powerful means of quantifying and characterizing microstructural nonlinearity in a broad range of materials. This review summarizes recent developments and growth opportunities in RUS and NRUS techniques, modeling, and applications across a wide range of material systems including metals, composites, geomaterials, and explosives.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Smart Payload Development for High Data Rate Instrument Systems

This slide presentation reviews the development of smart payloads instruments systems with high data rates. On-board computation has become a bottleneck for advanced science instrument and engineering capabilities. In order to improve the computation capability on board, smart payloads have been proposed. A smart payload is a Localized instrument, that can offload the flight processor of extensive computing cycles, simplify the interfaces, and minimize the dependency of the instrument on the flight system. This has been proposed for the Mars mission, Mars Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy (MATMOS). The design of this system is discussed; the features of the Virtex-4, are discussed, and the technical approach is reviewed. The proposed Hybrid Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technology has been shown to deliver breakthrough performance by tightly coupling hardware and software. Smart Payload designs for instruments such as MATMOS can meet science data return requirements with more competitive use of available on-board resources and can provide algorithm acceleration in hardware leading to implementation of better (more advanced) algorithms in on-board systems for improved science data return

Virtex-4↗

NASA Tech Briefs, September 2012

Topics covered include: Beat-to-Beat Blood Pressure Monitor; Measurement Techniques for Clock Jitter; Lightweight, Miniature Inertial Measurement System; Optical Density Analysis of X-Rays Utilizing Calibration Tooling to Estimate Thickness of Parts; Fuel Cell/Electrochemical Cell Voltage Monitor; Anomaly Detection Techniques with Real Test Data from a Spinning Turbine Engine-Like Rotor; Measuring Air Leaks into the Vacuum Space of Large Liquid Hydrogen Tanks; Antenna Calibration and Measurement Equipment; Glass Solder Approach for Robust, Low-Loss, Fiber-to-Waveguide Coupling; Lightweight Metal Matrix Composite Segmented for Manufacturing High-Precision Mirrors; Plasma Treatment to Remove Carbon from Indium UV Filters; Telerobotics Workstation (TRWS) for Deep Space Habitats; Single-Pole Double-Throw MMIC Switches for a Microwave Radiometer; On Shaft Data Acquisition System (OSDAS); ASIC Readout Circuit Architecture for Large Geiger Photodiode Arrays; Flexible Architecture for FPGAs in Embedded Systems; Polyurea-Based Aerogel Monoliths and Composites; Resin-Impregnated Carbon Ablator: A New Ablative Material for Hyperbolic Entry Speeds; Self-Cleaning Particulate Prefilter Media; Modular, Rapid Propellant Loading System/Cryogenic Testbed; Compact, Low-Force, Low-Noise Linear Actuator; Loop Heat Pipe with Thermal Control Valve as a Variable Thermal Link; Process for Measuring Over-Center Distances; Hands-Free Transcranial Color Doppler Probe; Improving Balance Function Using Low Levels of Electrical Stimulation of the Balance Organs; Developing Physiologic Models for Emergency Medical Procedures Under Microgravity; PMA-Linked Fluorescence for Rapid Detection of Viable Bacterial Endospores; Portable Intravenous Fluid Production Device for Ground Use; Adaptation of a Filter Assembly to Assess Microbial Bioburden of Pressurant Within a Propulsion System; Multiplexed Force and Deflection Sensing Shell Membranes for Robotic Manipulators; Whispering Gallery Mode Optomechanical Resonator; Vision-Aided Autonomous Landing and Ingress of Micro Aerial Vehicles; Self-Sealing Wet Chemistry Cell for Field Analysis; General MACOS Interface for Modeling and Analysis for Controlled Optical Systems; Mars Technology Rover with Arm-Mounted Percussive Coring Tool, Microimager, and Sample-Handling Encapsulation Containerization Subsystem; Fault-Tolerant, Real-Time, Multi-Core Computer System; Water Detection Based on Object Reflections; SATPLOT for Analysis of SECCHI Heliospheric Imager Data; Plug-in Plan Tool v3.0.3.1; Frequency Correction for MIRO Chirp Transformation Spectroscopy Spectrum; Nonlinear Estimation Approach to Real-Time Georegistration from Aerial Images; Optimal Force Control of Vibro-Impact Systems for Autonomous Drilling Applications; Low-Cost Telemetry System for Small/Micro Satellites; Operator Interface and Control Software for the Reconfigurable Surface System Tri-ATHLETE; and Algorithms for Determining Physical Responses of Structures Under Load.

Source record↗

PandExo: A Community Tool for Transiting Exoplanet Science with JWST and HST

As we approach the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) era, several studies have emerged that aim to (1) characterize how the instruments will perform and (2) determine what atmospheric spectral features could theoretically be detected using transmission and emission spectroscopy. To some degree, all these studies have relied on modeling of JWST's theoretical instrument noise. With under two years left until launch, it is imperative that the exoplanet community begins to digest and integrate these studies into their observing plans, as well as think about how to leverage the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) to optimize JWST observations. To encourage this and to allow all members of the community access to JWST & HST noise simulations, we present here an open-source Python package and online interface for creating observation simulations of all observatory-supported timeseries spectroscopy modes. This noise simulator, called PandExo, relies on some aspects of Space Telescope Science Institute's Exposure Time Calculator, Pandeia. We describe PandExo and the formalism for computing noise sources for JWST. Then we benchmark PandExoʼs performance against each instrument team's independently written noise simulator for JWST, and previous observations for HST. We find that PandExo is within 10% agreement for HST/WFC3 and for all JWST instruments.

Batalha, Natasha E.↗

Formation of niobium hydride precipitates in superconducting qubits

We report evidence for the formation of niobium hydride phase within niobium films on silicon substrates in superconducting qubits fabricated at Rigetti Computing. For this study, we combined complementary techniques—including room-temperature and cryogenic atomic force microscopy (AFM), synchrotron x-ray diffraction, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS)—to directly reveal the existence of niobium hydride precipitates on the surface of superconducting qubits. Upon cryogenic cooling, we observed variation in the size and morphology of the hydrides, ranging from small (∼5 nm) irregular shapes to large (∼10–100 nm) domains within the Nb grains, which were fully converted to niobium hydrides. Since niobium hydrides are nonsuperconducting and can easily change in size and location upon different cooldowns to cryogenic temperature, our finding highlights a previously unknown source of decoherence in superconducting qubits. This contributes to quasiparticle losses, offering a potential explanation for changes in qubit performance upon cooldowns. Finally, by leveraging the RF performance of a 3D bulk Nb resonator, we quantify RF dissipation in a superconducting qubit caused by hydrogen concentration variation, and propose a practical engineering pathway to mitigate the formation of Nb hydrides for superconducting qubit applications.

Sung, Zuhawn [Fermi National Accelerator Laborator↗

Capturing many-body correlation effects with quantum and classical computing

Theoretical descriptions of excited states of molecular systems in high-energy regimes are crucial for supporting and driving many experimental efforts at light source facilities. However, capturing their complicated correlation effects requires formalisms that provide a hierarchical infrastructure of approximations. These approximations lead to an increased overhead in classical computing methods and, therefore, decisions regarding the ranking of approximations and the quality of results must be made on purely numerical grounds. The emergence of quantum computing methods has the potential to change this situation. Here, in this study, we demonstrate the efficiency of the quantum phase estimator (QPE) in identifying core-level states relevant to x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We compare and validate the QPE predictions with exact diagonalization and real-time equation-of-motion coupled-cluster formulations, which are some of the most accurate methods for states dominated by collective correlation effects.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Spin Polarization Enhanced Ethanol Selectivity in Electrocatalytic CO 2 Reduction on the Paramagnetic CuO Surface

We report an electrochemical CO 2 reduction reaction catalyzed by a paramagnetic and conductive CuO/Cu interface with spins polarized by a moderate external magnetic field (MF) of similar to 800 gauss, achieving a similar to 30% increase in CO 2 -to-C 2+ Faradaic efficiency (FE) compared to that in the absence of the MF in a flow cell electrolyzer. At a current density of 400 mA/cm 2 , the CO 2 -to-C 2+ FE reached 86.7 ± 2.7% with 47.9 ± 1.4% cathodic energy efficiency (EE) in contrast to the CO 2 -to-C 2+ FE of 67.6% with 36.4% of EE in the absence of MF. Notably, ethanol production exhibits a much higher response to the MF (similar to 55.6% increase in FE) than ethylene (similar to 6.4% increase in FE) at 400 mA/cm 2 . In situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) captured magnetic-field-enhanced *CO coverage and ethanol-forming C 2 intermediates on CuO/Cu, providing direct spectroscopic evidence of spin-modulated pathway selection. Here, computational study suggests that the enhancement of ethanol selectivity is due to the reduced reaction kinetic barrier under MF, while the ethylene selectivity is less affected, mainly due to the insensitivity of the kinetic barriers under MF.

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS↗

The dissociation energy of He2(+)

Ab initio potential energy curves for He2(+) are computed using full CI wavefunctions in conjuction with large Gaussian and Slater basis sets. The computed curves yield rotational-vibrational transitions with errors of less than 1/cm. They also yield quasi-bound levels with energies and lifetimes in reasonable agreement with translational spectroscopy measurements. The best D(e) is estimated to be 2.470 eV. Green's function Monte Carlo calculations yield a very similar value, 2.466 + or - 0.005.

Bauschlicher, Charles W., Jr.↗

Synthesis of Submillimeter Radiation for Spectroscopy

The frequency-multiplier submillimeter spectrometer (FMSS) is a laboratory apparatus for far-infrared molecular spectroscopy, embodying several advances over prior such apparatuses. The most innovative part of the FMSS is a source of monochromatic submillimeter- wavelength radiation that can be tuned over a wide frequency range, as needed for trace gas analyses and molecular- structure studies for which such apparatuses are typically used. The radiation source features a modular design and is built mostly from commercially available components. It includes a computer-controlled radio-frequency synthesizer, amplifiers, and frequency multipliers of a type heretofore used in local oscillators for heterodyne far-infrared receivers. In conjunction with the rest of the apparatus, this source makes it possible to perform measurements over large portions of the submillimeter-wavelength spectrum with resolution, accuracy, and sensitivity greater than those achievable in Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. In comparison with prior laboratory submillimeter- wavelength radiation sources, this source is much lighter in weight, less cumbersome, less power-hungry, and capable of sustained operation with less intervention by laboratory personnel. Also, unlike some prior submillimeter-wavelength sources, this source does not require a high-voltage power source. As shown in more detail in the figure, the radiation source includes a sweep frequency synthesizer connected to an external waveform generator, the output of which is used as a reference signal. The synthesizer is computer-controlled through a standard general-purpose interface bus (GPIB) and is operated in phase-locked continuous- wave mode for all measurements. The synthesizer output ranges in frequency from 11 to 18 GHz. For suppression of frequency spurs and harmonics, the output of the frequency synthesizer is fed through a tunable yttrium iron garnet (YIG) filter, which is swept in frequency simultaneously with the frequency synthesizer.

Maiwald, Frank↗