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At least 37 records · Page 2

Digital Equivalent Data System for XRF Labeling of Objects

A digital equivalent data system (DEDS) is a system for identifying objects by means of the x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectra of labeling elements that are encased in or deposited on the objects. As such, a DEDS is a revolutionary new major subsystem of an XRF system. A DEDS embodies the means for converting the spectral data output of an XRF scanner to an ASCII alphanumeric or barcode label that can be used to identify (or verify the assumed or apparent identity of) an XRF-scanned object. A typical XRF spectrum of interest contains peaks at photon energies associated with specific elements on the Periodic Table (see figure). The height of each spectral peak above the local background spectral intensity is proportional to the relative abundance of the corresponding element. Alphanumeric values are assigned to the relative abundances of the elements. Hence, if an object contained labeling elements in suitably chosen proportions, an alphanumeric representation of the object could be extracted from its XRF spectrum. The mixture of labeling elements and for reading the XRF spectrum would be compatible with one of the labeling conventions now used for bar codes and binary matrix patterns (essentially, two-dimensional bar codes that resemble checkerboards). A further benefit of such compatibility is that it would enable the conversion of the XRF spectral output to a bar or matrix-coded label, if needed. In short, a process previously used only for material composition analysis has been reapplied to the world of identification. This new level of verification is now being used for "authentication."

Schramm, Harry F.↗

Rapid computation of spectrally integrated non-local thermodynamic equilibrium limb emission

The interpretation of infrared radiance measurements made by satellite-borne limb-scanning broadband radiometers requires accurate and computationally fast techniques with which to evaluate the equation of radiative transfer. This requirement is made even more stringent when analyzing measurements of non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (non-LTE) emission from the terrestrial mesosphere and lower thermosphere. In principle, line-by-line calculations which explicitly account for the departure from thermodynamic equilibrium in both the source functions and the transmittances are necessary. In this paper we extend the emissivity growth approximation (EGA) technique developed for local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) limb radiance for the molecular oxygen dayglow (1.27 micrometers and 762 nm), ozone and carbon dioxide in the 9- to 11-micrometer spectral interval, carbon monoxide (4.6 micrometers), nitric oxide (5.3 micrometers), and the carbon dioxide bands (15 micrometers) are presented. Using the non-LTE form of the EGA, the spectrally integrated limb emission is calculated for 35 tangent heights in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (a total of 1200 atmospheric layers) with line-by-line accuracy in approximately 0.35 s of CPU time on readily available desktop computer hardware, while the corresponding line-by-line calculations may require several minutes. The non-LTE EGA technique will allow kinetic temperature and minor constituend retrieval algorithms to readily include non-LTE efects limited only by the a priori knowledge of the departure from LTE in the observed bands.

Mlynczak, Martin G.↗

Cloud cover analysis with Arctic Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer data. II - Classification with spectral and textural measures

The spectral and textural characteristics of polar clouds and surfaces for a 7-day summer series of AVHRR data in two Arctic locations are examined, and the results used in the development of a cloud classification procedure for polar satellite data. Since spatial coherence and texture sensitivity tests indicate that a joint spectral-textural analysis based on the same cell size is inappropriate, cloud detection with AVHRR data and surface identification with passive microwave data are first done on the pixel level as described by Key and Barry (1989). Next, cloud patterns within 250-sq-km regions are described, then the spectral and local textural characteristics of cloud patterns in the image are determined and each cloud pixel is classified by statistical methods. Results indicate that both spectral and textural features can be utilized in the classification of cloudy pixels, although spectral features are most useful for the discrimination between cloud classes.

Key, J.↗

Evaluation of localized muscle fatigue using power spectral density analysis of the electromyogram

Surface electromyograms (EMGs) taken from three upper torso muscles during a push-pull task were analyzed by a power spectral density technique to determine the operational feasibility of the technique for identifying changes in the EMGs resulting from muscular fatigue. The EMGs were taken from four subjects under two conditions (1) in shirtsleeves and (2) in a pressurized space suit. This study confirmed that frequency analysis of dynamic muscle activity is capable of providing reliable data for many industrial applications where fatigue may be of practical interest. The results showed significant effects of the pressurized space suit on the pattern of shirtsleeve fatigue responses of the muscles. The data also revealed (1) reliable differences between muscles in fatigue-induced responses to various locations in the reach envelope at which the subjects were required to perform the push-pull exercise and (2) the differential sensitivity of muscles to the various reach positions in terms of fatigue-related shifts in EMG power.

Lafevers, E. V.↗

Non-Linear Cosmological Power Spectra in Real and Redshift Space

We present an expression for the non-linear evolution of the cosmological power spectrum based on Lagrangian trajectories. This is simplified using the Zel'dovich approximation to trace particle displacements, assuming Gaussian initial conditions. The model is found to exhibit the transfer of power from large to small scales expected in self-gravitating fields. Some exact solutions are found for power-law initial spectra. We have extended this analysis into red-shift space and found a solution for the non-linear, anisotropic redshift-space power spectrum in the limit of plane-parallel redshift distortions. The quadrupole-to-monopole ratio is calculated for the case of power-law initial spectra. We find that the shape of this ratio depends on the shape of the initial spectrum, but when scaled to linear theory depends only weakly on the redshift-space distortion parameter, beta. The point of zero-crossing of the quadrupole, kappa(sub o), is found to obey a simple scaling relation and we calculate this scale in the Zel'dovich approximation. This model is found to be in good agreement with a series of N-body simulations on scales down to the zero-crossing of the quadrupole, although the wavenumber at zero-crossing is underestimated. These results are applied to the quadrupole-to-monopole ratio found in the merged QDOT plus 1.2-Jy-IRAS redshift survey. Using a likelihood technique we have estimated that the distortion parameter is constrained to be beta greater than 0.5 at the 95 percent level. Our results are fairly insensitive to the local primordial spectral slope, but the likelihood analysis suggests n = -2 un the translinear regime. The zero-crossing scale of the quadrupole is k(sub 0) = 0.5 +/- 0.1 h Mpc(exp -1) and from this we infer that the amplitude of clustering is sigma(sub 8) = 0.7 +/- 0.05. We suggest that the success of this model is due to non-linear redshift-space effects arising from infall on to caustic and is not dominated by virialized cluster cores. The latter should start to dominate on scales below the zero-crossing of the quadrupole, where our model breaks down.

Taylor, A. N.↗

Antarctic Ultraviolet Radiation Climatology from Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer Data

This project has successfully produced a climatology of local noon spectral surface irradiance covering the Antarctic continent and the Southern Ocean, the spectral interval 290-700 nm (UV-A, UV-B, and photosynthetically active radiation, PAR), and the entire sunlit part of the year for November 1979-December 1999. Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) data were used to specify column ozone abundance and UV-A (360- or 380-nm) reflectivity, and passive microwave (MW) sea ice concentrations were used to specify the surface albedo over the Southern Ocean. For this latter task, sea ice concentration retrievals from the Nimbus-7 Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) and its successor, the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) were identified with ultraviolet/visible-wavelength albedos based on an empirical TOMS/MW parameterization developed for this purpose (Lubin and Morrow, 2001). The satellite retrievals of surface albedo and UV-A reflectivity were used in a delta-Eddington radiative transfer model to estimate cloud effective optical depth. These optical depth estimates were then used along with the total ozone and surface albedo to calculate the downwelling spectral UV and PAR irradiance at the surface. These spectral irradiance maps were produced for every usable day of TOMS data between 1979-1999 (every other day early in the TOMS program, daily later on).

Lubin, Dan↗

Fermi-GBM GRBs with Characteristics Similar to GRB 170817A

We present a search for gamma-ray bursts in the Fermi-GBM (Gamma Burst Monitor) 10-year catalog that show similar characteristics to GRB170817A, the first electromagnetic counterpart to a GRB (Gamma-Ray Burst) identified as a binary neutron star (BNS) merger via gravitational wave observations. Our search is focused on a nonthermal pulse, followed by a thermal component,as observed for GRB 170817A. We employ search methods based on the measured catalog parameters and Bayesian Block analysis. Our multipronged approach, which includes examination of the localization and spectral properties of the thermal component, yields a total of 13 candidates, including GRB170817A and the previously reported similar burst, GRB 150101B. The similarity of the candidates is likely caused by the same processes that shaped the gamma-ray signal of GRB170817A, thus providing evidence of a nearby sample of short GRBs resulting from BNS merger events. Some of the newly identified counterparts were observed by other space telescopes and ground observatories, but none of them have a measured redshift. We present an analysis of this subsample, and we discuss two models. From uncovering 13 candidates during a time period of 10 years we predict that Fermi-GBM will trigger on-board on about one burst similar to GRB170817A per year.

von Kienlin, A.↗

Fermi Large Area Telescope Fourth Source Catalog

We present the fourth Fermi Large Area Telescope catalog (4FGL) of gamma-ray sources. Based on the first eight years of science data from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope mission in the energy range from 50 MeV to 1 TeV, it is the deepest yet in this energy range. Relative to the 3FGL catalog, the 4FGL catalog has twice as much exposure as well as a number of analysis improvements, including an updated model for the Galactic diffuse gamma-ray emission, and two sets of light curves (one-year and two-month intervals). The 4FGL catalog includes 5064 sources above 4 sigma significance, for which we provide localization and spectral properties. Seventy-five sources are modeled explicitly as spatially extended, and overall, 358 sources are considered as identified based on angular extent, periodicity, or correlated variability observed at other wavelengths. For 1336 sources, we have not found plausible counterparts at other wavelengths. More than 3130 of the identified or associated sources are active galaxies of the blazar class, and 239 are pulsars.

S. Abdollahi↗

HRDI Observations of Inertia-Gravity Waves in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere

Vertical profiles of High-resolution Doppler imager (HRDI) mesospheric winds have small-scale structure (vertical wavelengths between 10 and 20 km) that is virtually always present. Fourier analysis of HRDI zonal and meridional wind profiles have been carried out, and the spectral characteristics are sorted by latitude, month and local time. Power spectral density (PSD) exhibits a universal exp(-km) structure in the 10-20km wavelength regime, with K lying between 2 and 3. The observed PSD for wavelengths between 10 and 20 km is a factor of 3 higher than a null spectrum constructed from HRDI reported error bars multiplied by randomly varying numbers between -1 and +1. Stokes parameters were consolidated by month into Northern and Southern hemisphere middle and high latitudes belts (40-72 degrees), tidal belts (32-16 degrees) and a tropical belt (8S-8N). Vertical waves between 10 and 15 km in wavelength are about 10-15% polarized everywhere. The inferred propagation direction in the middle and high latitude Southern hemisphere is predominantly meridional during solstice, and significantly more zonal during equinoxes. In the tropical belt, the wave orientations are nearly North-South during solstices, with a slightly higher east-west component during equinox. In the tidal belts where the background wind includes a strong meridional tidal wind, the preferred wave orientation has a significant zonal component during equinox. These findings are consistent with the interpretation of wave filtering by the background wind.

Lieberman, Ruth S.↗

Evidence for active hotspots on Venus from analysis of Magellan gravity data

The 500-Myr average crater retention age for Venus has raised questions about the present-day level of tectonic activity. In this study we examine the relationship between the gravity and topography of four large volcanic swells, Beta, Atla, Bell, and Western Eistla Regiones, for clues about their stage evolution. The Magellan line-of-sight gravity data are inverted using a point mass model of the anomalous mass to solve for the local vertical gravity field. Spectral admittance calculated from both the local gravity inversions and a spherical harmonic model is compared to three models of compensation: local compensation, a 'flexural' model with local and regional compensation of surface and subsurface loads, and a 'hotspot' model of compensation that includes top loading by volcanoes and subsurface loading due to a deep, low density mass anomaly. The coherence is also calculated in each region, but yields an elastic thickness estimate only at Bell Regio. In all models, the long wavelengths are compensated locally. Our results may indicate a relatively old, possibly inactive plume.

Smrekar, Suzanne E.↗

Paradigm for global gyrokinetic turbulence

Using a novel wave-number-advection algorithm, we describe a method to add global profile curvature terms to the local gyrokinetic equations. This approach enables a high-precision global simulation capability without sacrificing the efficiency and spectral accuracy of local simulations. Preliminary numerical results suggest that there are two distinct types of global correction to the local result: (1) a trivial shift of the local result in radius, (2) a non-trivial decorrelation that is roughly equivalent to the well-known E×B shear effect. This interpretation provides a new, intuitive framework for understanding global gyrokinetic simulations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Radiative Energetics of Mineral Dust Aerosols from Ground-Based Measurements

Airborne dust aerosols worldwide contribute a significant part to air quality problems and, to some extent, regional climatic issues (e.g., radiative forcing, hydrological cycle, and primary biological productivity in oceans). Evaluating the direct solar radiative effect of dust aerosols is relatively straightforward due in part to the relatively large SIN ratio in broadband irradiance measurements. The longwave (LW) impact, on the other hand, is rather difficult to ascertain since the measured dust signal level (approx.10 W/sq m) is on the same order as the instrumental uncertainties. Although the magnitude of the LW impact is much smaller than that of the shortwave (SW), it can still have a noticeable influence on the energy distribution of Earth-atmosphere system, particularly due to the strong light-absorptive properties commonly found in many terrestrial minerals. The current effort is part of an ongoing research study to perform a global assessment of dust direct aerosol radiative effects (DARE) during major field deployments of key dust source regions worldwide. In this work we present results stemming from two previous field deployments: the 2006 NASA African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Activities and the 2008 Asian Monsoon Years, both utilizing NASA Goddard's mobile ground-based facility. The former study focused on transported Saharan dust at Sal (16.73degN, 22.93degW), Cape Verde along the west coast of Africa while the latter focused on Asian dust at Zhangye (39.082degN, 100.276degE), China near the source between the Taklimakan and Gobi deserts. Due to the compelling variability in spatial and temporal scale of dust properties during field experiments, a deterministic I-D radiative transfer model constrained by local measurements (i.e., spectral photometry/interferometry and lidar for physical/microphysical, mineralogy, and single-scattering properties) is employed to evaluate dust's local instantaneous SW/LW DARE both at the surface and at the top of the atmosphere along with heating rate profiles for cloud-free atmospheres. In both dust cases the efficiency in the L W DARE is investigated and its significance is compared relative to that of diurnally SW.

Tsay, Si-Chee↗

Exploring the Longwave Radiative Effects of Dust Aerosols

Dust aerosols not only affect air quality and visibility where they pose a significant health and safety risk, but they can also play a role in modulating the energy balance of the Earth-atmosphere system by directly interacting with local radiative fields. Consequently, dust aerosols can impact regional climate patterns such as changes in precipitation and the evolution of the hydrological cycle. Assessing the direct effect of dust aerosols at the solar wavelengths is fairly straightforward due in part to the relatively large signal-to-noise ratio in broadband irradiance measurements. The longwave (LW) impacts, on the other hand, are rather difficult to ascertain since the measured dust signal level (10 Wm-2) is on the same order as the instrumental uncertainties. Moreover, compared to the shortwave (SW), limited experimental data on the LW optical properties of dust makes it a difficult challenge for constraining the LW impacts. Owing to the strong absorption features found in many terrestrial minerals (e.g., silicates and clays), the LW effects, although much smaller in magnitude compared to the SW, can still have a sizeable impact on the energetics of the Earth-atmosphere system, which can potentially trigger changes in the heat and moisture surface budgets, and dynamics of the atmosphere. The current endeavor is an integral part of an on-going research study to perform detailed assessments of dust direct aerosol radiative effects (DARE) using comprehensive global datasets from NASA Goddards mobile ground-based facility (cf. http://smartlabs.gsfc.nasa.gov/) during previous field experiments near key dust source regions. Here we examine and compare the results from two of these studies: the 2006 NASA African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Activities and the 2008 Asian Monsoon Years. The former study focused on transported Saharan dust at Sal Island (16.73N, 22.93W), Cape Verde along the west coast of Africa while the latter focused on Asian dust at Zhangye China (39.082N, 100.276E), a semi-arid region between the Taklimakan and Gobi deserts. NASA Goddards Giovanni system is used to help map out the spatial distribution of retrieved aerosol optical depths across the latter desert regions. 1-D radiative transfer model constrained by local measurements, including spectral photometry/interferometry and lidar for characterizing the spatiotemporal variability in dust properties and atmospheric conditions, is employed to evaluate the local instantaneous LW DARE of dust both at the surface and at the top of the atmosphere along with heating rate profiles for cloud-free atmospheres. The efficiency in LW DARE and its significance relative to the diurnally averaged SW effects are explored and compared in both studies. Found to be non-negligible, LW DARE is an important component in the study of regional climate variation with important implications for more detailed global assessments.

Hansell, Richard A., Jr.↗

A statistical study of Pc 1-2 magnetic pulsations in the equatorial magnetosphere. I - Equatorial occurrence distributions. II - Wave properties

AMPTE CCE magnetic field data from a period spanning a complete local time revolution of the satellite orbit major axis are used to examine the occurrence distribution of transverse narrowband Pc 1-2 emissions in the equatorial magnetosphere from L = 3.5 to L = 9 at all local times. Three examples are presented to illustrate the properties of events occurring at dawn, noon, and dusk. The early afternoon outer magnetosphere is found to be the dominant site for electromagnetic ion cyclotron wave occurrence. Pc 1-2 exhibited a radial structure with a gap between high- and low-L events. The example intervals indicate that a significant local time variation of wave properties may exist. Distributions are presented of narrowband Pc 1-2 frequency, ellipticity, normalized frequency and spectral power vs local time, L, and magnetic latitude, using the data base of more than 9000 events obtained from AMPTE CCE magnetometer data. Events occurring in the region 0300-0900 MLT, L greater than 7 are distinctly different from the remainder of Pc 1-2. The unique features of this population are linear polarization at all latitudes and high normalized frequency, 0.4 to 0.5 on average.

Anderson, B. J.↗

Solute clustering in polycrystals: Unveiling the interplay of grain boundary junction and long-range solute attraction effects

Spectral analysis of local atomic environments has become a powerful tool for studying solute atom segregation and interactions at grain boundaries in nanocrystalline alloys. When applied to individual grain boundaries, the spectral analysis has shown that solute-solute interaction can be either attractive or repulsive, with long-range relative attraction enhancing the likelihood for solute atoms to begin clustering. In this article, we combine this analysis with a new grain-boundary structure descriptor based on grain-boundary atom coordination, to investigate the impact of grain-boundary junctions on solute atom segregation in polycrystals. Specifically, we systematically characterize the tendency of solute clusters to begin forming at various types of ordinary grain boundaries, triple junctions, and high-order junctions in Ag polycrystals containing either Ni or Cu solute atoms. Our findings demonstrate that the formation of solute clusters at grain boundaries is primarily driven by long-range relative solute attraction, rather than short-range solute-solute interactions. Furthermore, this effect is most pronounced near grain-boundary junctions. Our study highlights the multiscale nature of solute segregation at crystalline interfaces and provides new insights into the complex phenomena governing heterogeneous solute segregation in grain-boundary networks.

Grain-boundary junction↗