Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “sampling statistics”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 379 records · Page 21

Discovery of a Cool, Metal-rich Gas Reservoir in the Outskirts of z ≈ 0.5 Clusters

We built the first-ever statistically significant sample of ≈80,000 background quasar–foreground cluster pairs to study the cool, metal-rich gas in the outskirts (>R 500 ) of z ≈ 0.5 clusters with a median mass of ≈10 14.2 M ⊙ . The sample was obtained by crossmatching the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) cluster catalog of Wen & Han and the SDSS quasar catalog of Lyke et al. The median impact parameter (ρcl) of the clusters from the quasar sightlines is 2.4 Mpc (median ρ cl /R 500 = 3.6). A strong Mg II, along with marginal Fe II, absorption is detected in the mean and median stacked spectra of the quasars with a total Mg II rest-frame equivalent width (${W}_{r}^{2796+2803}$) of 0.034 ± 0.005 Å (7σ) and 0.010 ± 0.003 Å (3σ), respectively. The ${W}_{r}^{2796+2803}$ shows a declining trend with increasing ρcl and ρcl/R 500 , but does not show any significant trend with mass (M 500 ) or redshift (z cl ) within the small M500 and z cl ranges probed here. The Mg II absorption signal and the trends persist even if we exclude the quasar–cluster pairs where the background quasars may be probing the circumgalactic medium of bright galaxies with impact parameters <300 kpc. The Mg II (and Fe II) absorption reported here is the first detection of its kind. It indicates the presence of a cool, metal-rich gas reservoir surrounding galaxy clusters out to several R 500 . We suggest that the metal-rich gas in the cluster outskirts arise from stripped materials and that gas stripping may be important out to large clustocentric distances (>3R 500 ).

Intergalactic medium↗

High-precision Galaxy Clustering Predictions from Small-volume Hydrodynamical Simulations via Control Variates

Abstract Cosmological simulations of galaxy formation are an invaluable tool for understanding galaxy formation and its impact on cosmological parameter inference from large-scale structures. However, their high computational cost is a significant obstacle for running simulations that probe cosmological volumes comparable to those analyzed by contemporary large-scale structure experiments. In this work, we explore the possibility of obtaining high-precision galaxy clustering predictions from small-volume hydrodynamical simulations such as MillenniumTNG and FLAMINGO via control variates. In this approach, the hydrodynamical full-physics simulation is paired with a matched low-resolution gravity-only simulation. By learning the galaxy–halo connection from the hydrodynamical simulation and applying it to the gravity-only counterpart, one obtains a galaxy population that closely mimics the one in the more expensive simulation. One can then construct an estimator of galaxy clustering that combines the clustering amplitudes in the small-volume hydrodynamical and gravity-only simulations with clustering amplitudes in a large-volume gravity-only simulation. Depending on the galaxy sample, clustering statistic, and scale, this galaxy clustering estimator can have an effective volume of up to around 100 times the volume of the original hydrodynamical simulation in the nonlinear regime. With this approach, we can construct galaxy clustering predictions from existing simulations that are precise enough for mock analyses of next-generation large-scale structure surveys such as the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument and the Legacy Survey of Space and Time.

Doytcheva, Alexandra (ORCID:0009000111254888)↗

The Velocity Map Asymmetry of Ionized Gas in MaNGA. I. The Catalog and General Properties

The SDSS-IV MaNGA survey has measured two-dimensional maps of emission-line velocities for a statistically powerful sample of nearby galaxies. The asymmetric features of these kinematics maps reflect the nonrotational component of a galaxy’s internal motion of ionized gas. In this study, we present a catalog of kinematic asymmetry measurements of the H α velocity map of a sample of 5353 MaNGA galaxies. Based on this catalog, we find that “special” galaxies (e.g., merging galaxies, barred galaxies, and active galactic nucleus host galaxies) contain more galaxies with highly asymmetric velocity maps. However, we notice that more than half of galaxies with high kinematic asymmetry in our sample are quite “regular.” For those “regular” galaxies, kinematic asymmetry shows a significant anticorrelation with stellar mass at log M * < 9.7 , while such a trend becomes very weak at log M * > 9.7 . Moreover, at a given stellar mass, the kinematic asymmetry shows weak correlations with photometric morphology, star formation rate, and environment, while it is independent of H i gas content. We also have quantified the observational effects in the kinematic asymmetry measurement. We find that both the signal-to-noise ratio of H α flux and disk inclination angle contribute to the measures of kinematic asymmetry, while the physical spatial resolution is an irrelevant factor inside the MaNGA redshift coverage.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Microbiological testing of Skylab foods.

Review of some of the unique food microbiology problems and problem-generating circumstances the Skylab manned space flight program involves. The situations these problems arise from include: extended storage times, variations in storage temperatures, no opportunity to resupply or change foods after launch of the Skylab Workshop, first use of frozen foods in space, first use of a food-warming device in weightlessness, relatively small size of production lots requiring statistically valid sampling plans, and use of food as an accurately controlled part in a set of sophisticated life science experiments. Consideration of all of these situations produced the need for definite microbiological tests and test limits. These tests are described along with the rationale for their selection. Reported test results show good compliance with the test limits.

Heidelbaugh, N. D.↗

A statistical method for treating molecular line opacities

A method for treating atomic and molecular line opacities in cool stellar atmospheres by a statistical opacity sampling is investigated. Under the usual assumptions of plane-parallel geometry, radiative equilibrium, hydrostatic equilibrium, and LTE, each radiative quantity is computed monochromatically at each chosen frequency and depth without any averaging of the opacity. The number of frequencies needed to allow an accurate integration of the energy flux over a given spectral interval is investigated as a function of depth, including opacity for both CN and C2. This method is extended to the calculation of a model atmosphere of a star, and the effect of the number and placement of frequency points is studied. The method is applied to treating molecular lines of CO, C2, and CN in a cool carbon star. Significant advantages of the opacity sampling method are its flexibility, which permits computation of models having arbitrary variations of chemical composition and of opacity with wavelength and depth, and generalizability to include departures from LTE.

Sneden, C.↗

Closure and ratio correlation analysis of lunar chemical and grain size data

Major element and major element plus trace element analyses were selected from the lunar data base for Apollo 11, 12 and 15 basalt and regolith samples. Summary statistics for each of the six data sets were compiled, and the effects of closure on the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient were investigated using the Chayes and Kruskal approximation procedure. In general, there are two types of closure effects evident in these data sets: negative correlations of intermediate size which are solely the result of closure, and correlations of small absolute value which depart significantly from their expected closure correlations which are of intermediate size. It is shown that a positive closure correlation will arise only when the product of the coefficients of variation is very small (less than 0.01 for most data sets) and, in general, trace elements in the lunar data sets exhibit relatively large coefficients of variation.

Butler, J. C.↗

Acoustic emission spectral analysis of fiber composite failure mechanisms

The acoustic emission of graphite fiber polyimide composite failure mechanisms was investigated with emphasis on frequency spectrum analysis. Although visual examination of spectral densities could not distinguish among fracture sources, a paired-sample t statistical analysis of mean normalized spectral densities did provide quantitative discrimination among acoustic emissions from 10 deg, 90 deg, and plus or minus 45 deg, plus or minus 45 deg sub s specimens. Comparable discrimination was not obtained for 0 deg specimens.

Egan, D. M.↗

An evaluation of electrochemical concentration Cell (ECC) sonde measurements of atmospheric ozone

Using Dobson spectrophotometer measurements of total ozone as a comparison, an analysis of the electrochemical concentration cell (ECC) ozonesonde's measurement accuracy is presented. Days of conjunctive ECC-Dobson observations (from 1970 to 1976 at Wallops Flight Center) provide a set of 123 pairs of total ozone values. Sample set statistics are generated with means and standard deviations of total ozone values and differences being noted. An in-depth study of factors such as time assumptions used in calculating residual ozone, and other possible sources of errors are examined. A study of ECC ozone profiles is also presented with an evaluation of sonde measurement of seasonal trends, altitude or peak ozone concentration, and other important ozone parameters. Short-period changes in total ozone using Dobson data during the observational period are also described.

Geraci, M. J.↗

An evaluation of electrochemical concentration cell sonde measurements of atmospheric ozone

Using Dobson spectrophotometer measurements of total ozone as a comparison, an analysis of the Electrochemical Concentration Cell (ECC) ozonesonde's measurement accuracy is presented. Days of conjunctive ECC-Dobson observations (from 1970 to 1976 at Wallops Flight Center) provide a set of 123 pairs of total ozone values. Sample set statistics are generated with means and standard deviations of total ozone values and differences being noted. An in-depth study of factors such as time differences between associated observations, integration techniques used, assumptions used in calculating residual ozone and other possible sources of errors are examined. Short-period changes in total ozone using Dobson data during the observational period are also described.

Geraci, M. J.↗

The HEAO A-2 survey of Abell clusters and the X-ray luminosity function

The HEAO A-2 all sky data base was surveyed for 2-10KeV X-rau emission from the 225 Abell clusters og galaxies listed in Abell's (1958) catalog which are of distance class four or less, and are within the fraction of the sky surveyed completely by Abell. Thirty-two identifications of clusters with X-ray sources were made, for which 2-10 KeV fluxes and 90% error boxes are presented. Twelve of these identification are new. The X-ray luminosity function was derived for this statistically complete sample and the best exponential fit was found to be f(L) = 20.2 x 10 to the minus 8 power exp (-l(44)/1.9) per cu Mpc 2-10KeV. The relationship between X-ray luminosity and richness was examined and a correlation was found for richness classes 0, 1, and 2. The relationship of X-rau luminosity, Bautz-Morgan type, and Rood-Sastry type was examined. It was found that BM type I's and RS type cD and B have the greatest average luminosity. The contribution of clusters to the X-ray background was calculated from the luminosity function and was found to be 5%, and with 90% certainty, less than 8% in the 2-10 KeV band pass.

Mckee, J. D.↗

The HEAO A-2 survey of Abell clusters and the X-ray luminosity function

A statistically complete sample of 225 Abell clusters has been examined. Twelve new identifications of clusters with X-ray sources have been made. It is found that (1) Lx is roughly correlated with richness for richness classes 0, 1, and 2; (2) Lx is well correlated with Rood-Sastry type and only loosely correlated with Bautz-Morgan type; and (3) the cluster contribution to the X-ray background is less than or equal to 5% between 2 and 10 keV.

Mckee, J. D.↗

A design methodology for nonlinear systems containing parameter uncertainty

In the present design methodology for nonlinear systems containing parameter uncertainty, a generalized sensitivity analysis is incorporated which employs parameter space sampling and statistical inference. For the case of a system with j adjustable and k nonadjustable parameters, this methodology (which includes an adaptive random search strategy) is used to determine the combination of j adjustable parameter values which maximize the probability of those performance indices which simultaneously satisfy design criteria in spite of the uncertainty due to k nonadjustable parameters.

Young, G. E.↗

Preliminary design of an Earth-based debris detection system using current technology and existing installations

Assessment of debris hazard requires the determination of debris down to mm sizes for near-Earth orbits and near-stationary points. It is necessary to obtain reasonable orbits for a statistically significant sample of the debris population. Several ground-based techniques for detection are available. Radar detection was used to obtain information of existing debris population. Another technique is optical detection. The possibilities and application of optical detection with state-of-the-art instrumentation is studied.

Morgan, T. H.↗

The Seasonal Cycle of Storminess as Measured by Band-Pass Fluctuations

A sample of statistics, namely the seasonal cycle of baroclinic storms, as represented by bandpass filtered geopotential height variances at 850 mb is presented. The particular filter used is that suggested by Blackmon and White (1982), and retains periods of approximately 2.5 to 10 days. The time series of height (at each grid point) were filtered by removing the annual and semiannual cycles for that point, and by removing zonal wavenumbers higher than 20. The bandpass filter was then applied. The height variances of the filtered fields were then computed for each winter season, each spring, each summer season, and each fall season. These variances were then averaged by season. Maps of the standard deviation are shown. Figures show clearly the seasonal cycle of bandpass fluctuations. The major seasonal variation is seen to consist mostly of a summertime weakening and shift; spring and fall appear nearly identical to winter. The corresponding results at 500 mb are similar, but with the stormtrack variance being slightly larger in spring and fall compared to winter.

Straus, D. M.↗

Mapping the Structure of Heterogeneous Materials

Image-processing microdensitometer/Fourier analyzer yields statistics of subcomponent distribution. Nondestructive method for studying structure heterogeneous materials uses energy-dispersive X-ray analysis in scanning electron microscope. Scanning microdensitometer/Fourier analyzer (SMFA) is applied to SEM images to obtain statistics about sample structure. Method originally developed for studying effect on combustion of fine structure of composite solid propellants.

Strand, L. D.↗

A simple, objective analysis scheme for scatterometer data

A simple economical objective analysis scheme is devised and tested on real scatterometer data. It is designed to treat dense data such as those of the Seasat A Satellite Scatterometer (SASS) for individual or multiple passes, and preserves subsynoptic scale features. Errors are evaluated with the aid of sampling ('bootstrap') statistical methods. In addition, sensitivity tests have been performed which establish qualitative confidence in calculated fields of divergence and vorticity. The SASS wind algorithm could be improved; however, the data at this point are limited by instrument errors rather than analysis errors. The analysis error is typically negligible in comparison with the instrument error, but amounts to 30 percent of the instrument error in areas of strong wind shear. The scheme is very economical, and thus suitable for large volumes of dense data such as SASS data.

Levy, G.↗

On the completeness of the Medium Sensitivity Survey quasar sample

The Medium Sensitivity Survey (MSS) quasar sample is being used more and more to study quasar properties in general and to analyze the relationship between X-ray-selected and optically selected quasars in particular. These studies have recently shown that current knowledge of the properties of optically selected quasars (luminosity function, evolution, X-ray to optical luminosity ratio) leads to the prediction that many more X-ray-selected quasars should have been detected than are actually observed. Prompted by this fact, a detailed examination of possible causes of incompleteness of the MSS quasar sample has been undertaken, paying particular attention to the problem of photoelectric absorption due to the interstellar medium within the Galaxy. It is found that there is no evidence of a loss of sources due to the effects considered, and that the MSS quasar sample is statistically complete.

Maccacaro, T.↗

The space density of classical novae

A survey for Galactic plane ultraviolet-excess objects has been performed to obtain a statistically complete sample of cataclysmic variables from which to derive a space density. Six previously cataloged objects were recovered in the survey area of about 1000 sq deg, while one new nova was found, and two candidate cataclysmic variables were discovered. The resultant space densities of dwarf and novalike variables are consistent with previous determinations, while the nova space density is in good agreement with the recent determination of Patterson (1984), but is considerably lower than that of Bath and Shaviv (1978). However, if novae fade considerably between outbursts, as seems to be the case for the oldest recovered nova, CK Vulpeculae (1670), then the space density derived here may be greatly underestimated.

Downes, R. A.↗