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At least 523 records · Page 29

Velocities of Pine Island and Thwaites glaciers, West Antarctica, from ERS-1 SAR images

Average velocities of Pine Island and Thwaites glaciers (West Antarctica) were measured for the time periods between 1992 and 1994 by tracking ice-surface patterns. Velocities of the central flow of the Pine Island glacier range from 1.5 km/yr above the grounding line (separating the grounded from the floating parts of a glacier) to 2.8 km/yr near the terminus; velocities of the central Thwaites glacier range from 2.2 km/yr above the grounding line to 3.4 km/yr at the limit of measurements on the tongue. Both glaciers show an increase in velocity of about 1 km/yr where they cross their grounding lines. The velocities derived from ERS-1 images are higher than those previously derived from Landsat images, perhaps reflecting acceleration of the glaciers. Both glaciers are exceptionally fast. The high velocities may be due to high precipitation rates over West Antarctica and the lack of a major buttressing ice shelf.

Lucchita, Baerbel K.↗

Aeolian Sediment Transport Pathways and Aerodynamics at Troughs on Mars

Interaction between wind regimes and topography can give rise to complex suites of aeolian landforms. This paper considers aeolian sediment associated wit11 troughs on Mars and identifies a wider range of deposit types than has previously been documented. These include wind streaks, falling dunes, "lateral" dunes, barchan dunes, linear dunes, transverse ridges, sand ramps, climbing dunes, sand streamers, and sand patches. The sediment incorporated into these deposits is supplied by wind streaks and ambient Planitia sources as well as originating within the trough itself, notably from the trough walls and floor. There is also transmission of sediment between d~~neTsh. e flow dynamics which account for the distribution of aeolian sediment have been modeled using two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics. The model predicts flow separation on the upwind side of the trough followed by reattachment and acceleration at the downwind margin. The inferred patterns of sediment transport compare well with the distribution of aeolian forms. Model data indicate an increase of wind velocity by approx. 30 % at the downwind trough margin. This suggests that the threshold wind speed necessary for sand mobilization on Mars will be more freq~~entmlye t in these inclined locations.

Bourke, Mary C.↗

Large Scale Transcriptional Analysis of Legacy Spaceflight Tissues from the NASA Institutional Scientific Collection

The NASA Institutional Scientific Collection (ISC) has amassed a collection of valuable space biology samples spanning from early Space Shuttle missions to recent missions on the International Space Station (ISS). However, the full potential of this archive has not been realized, with many samples having been stored for decades without being re-accessed. Given the pace of analytical advancement since the ISC began accumulating samples, we undertook a systematic transcriptional analysis of these samples to reveal additional patterns that may have been missed during the original investigations. We selected 93 mouse and rat samples from 5 separate Space Shuttle, ISS and ground-analogue studies with a focus on muscle, spleen and thymus tissues to allow identification of important changes related to musculoskeletal unloading and immune function. RNA extracted from these tissues was consistently of a quality and we are now generating transcriptional profiling data from sample set. This resulting data will be immediately released through the GeneLab data systems for open analysis by the space biology community. While this study will stand on its own, it will also serve as a model for future, comprehensive, analyses of the ISC.

Rodent↗

Measurement and modification of the EEG and related behavior

Electrophysiological changes in the sensorimotor pathways were found to accompany the effect of rhythmic EEG patterns in the sensorimotor cortex. Additionally, several striking behavioral changes were seen, including in particular an enhancement of sleep and an elevation of seizure threshold to epileptogenic agents. This raised the possibility that human seizure disorders might be influenced therapeutically by similar training. Our objective in human EEG feedback training became not only the facilitation of normal rhythmic patterns, but also the suppression of abnormal activity, thus requiring complex contingencies directed to the normalization of the sensorimotor EEG. To achieve this, a multicomponent frequency analysis was developed to extract and separate normal and abnormal elements of the EEG signal. Each of these elements was transduced to a specific component of a visual display system, and these were combined through logic circuits to present the subject with a symbolic display. Variable criteria provided for the gradual shaping of EEG elements towards the desired normal pattern. Some 50-70% of patients with poorly controlled seizure disorders experienced therapeutic benefits from this approach in our laboratory, and subsequently in many others. A more recent application of this approach to the modification of human brain function in our lab has been directed to the dichotomous problems of task overload and underload in the contemporary aviation environment. At least 70% of all aviation accidents have been attributed to the impact of these kinds of problems on crew performance. The use of EEG in this context has required many technical innovations and the application of the latest advances in EEG signal analysis. Our first goal has been the identification of relevant EEG characteristics. Additionally, we have developed a portable recording and analysis system for application in this context. Findings from laboratory and in-flight studies suggest that we will be able to detect appropriate changes in brain function, and feed this information to on-board computers for modification of mission requirements and/or crew status.

Sterman, M. B.↗

Hydrodynamics of countercurrent flows in a structured packed column: effects of initial wetting and dynamic contact angle

The structured packed column has gained considerable attention as a prospective technology to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions from thermal power plants. The computational flow investigation of such systems is a multiscale problem, and local hydrodynamics plays a key role in overall column efficiency. Accordingly, multiphase flow studies in the representative elementary unit (REU) of a packed column can offer insights into the local flow behavior such as flow pattern, interfacial area, etc. The interfacial area plays a key role in the overall interphase mass transfer and thereby in separation efficiency. The predicted effective area matches well with corresponding ones in experiments for Mellapak 250.Y packings. The contact angle (i.e., solid substrate behavior) is one of the critical factors that dictates wettings, and thereby the interfacial area. The dynamic contact angle (DCA) was considered in order to explore the effects of contact angle hysteresis on the interfacial area. DCA has more pronounced impact on the interfacial area for a solvent possessing a higher value of surface tension and equilibrium contact angle. The interfacial area shows temporal undulation and does not achieve a pseudo steady state due to the capillary force. In contrary, the interfacial area gets a net value for a solvent having low surface tension value. Further, specification of the static contact angle at the solid substrate shows the least value of the interfacial area. We also extensively studied the effect of the initial sheet condition (dry vs wet) on the interfacial area. The initially wetted sheets show slightly higher value of the interfacial area as compared to the initially dry sheets at a fixed flow rate for a solvent having high surface tension value. Wetting hysteresis decreases with increasing liquid loads. On the other hand, wetting hysteresis does not occur for a solvent having value of low surface tension and equilibrium contact angle.

structured packings, dynamic contact angle, interf↗

Quantum Light Emission from Coupled Defect States in DNA-Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes

Solid-state single-photon sources are essential building blocks for quantum photonics and quantum information technologies. This study demonstrates promising single-photon emission from quantum defects generated in single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by covalent reaction with guanine nucleotides in their single-stranded DNA coatings. Low-temperature photoluminescence spectroscopy and photon-correlation measurements on individual guanine-functionalized SWCNTs (GF-SWCNTs) indicate that multiple, closely spaced guanine defect sites within a single ssDNA strand collectively form an exciton trapping potential that supports a localized quantum state capable of room-temperature single-photon emission. In addition, exciton traps from adjacent ssDNA strands are weakly coupled to give cross-correlations between their separate photon emissions. Theoretical modeling identifies coupling mechanism as a capture of band-edge excitons. Finally, because the spatial pattern of nanotube functionalization sites can be readily controlled by selecting ssDNA base sequences, GF-SWCNTs should become a versatile family of quantum light emitters with engineered properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Data transmission by quantum matter wave modulation

Abstract Classical communication schemes exploiting wave modulation are the basis of our information era. Quantum information techniques with photons enable future secure data transfer in the dawn of decoding quantum computers. Here we demonstrate that also matter waves can be applied for secure data transfer. Our technique allows the transmission of a message by a quantum modulation of coherent electrons in a biprism interferometer. The data is encoded in the superposition state by a Wien filter introducing a longitudinal shift between separated matter wave packets. The transmission receiver is a delay line detector performing a dynamic contrast analysis of the fringe pattern. Our method relies on the Aharonov–Bohm effect but does not shift the phase. It is demonstrated that an eavesdropping attack will terminate the data transfer by disturbing the quantum state and introducing decoherence. Furthermore, we discuss the security limitations of the scheme due to the multi-particle aspect and propose the implementation of a key distribution protocol that can prevent active eavesdropping.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Exploring Continuous Seismic Data at an Industry Facility Using Unsupervised Machine Learning

Seismic data recorded at industrial sites contain valuable information on anthropogenic activities. With advances in machine learning and computing power, new opportunities have emerged to explore the seismic wavefield in these complex environments. We applied two unsupervised machine learning algorithms to analyze continuous seismic data collected from an industrial facility in Texas, United States. The Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection for Dimension Reduction algorithm was used to reduce the dimensionality of the data and generate 2D embeddings. Then, the Hierarchical Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise method was employed to automatically group these embeddings into distinct signal clusters. Our analysis of over 1400 hr (around 59 days) of continuous seismic data revealed five and seven signal clusters at two separate stations. At both stations, we identified clusters associated with background noise and vehicle traffic, with the latter’s temporal patterns aligning closely with the facility’s work schedule. Furthermore, the algorithms detected signal clusters from unknown sources and underline the ability of unsupervised machine learning for uncovering previously unrecognized patterns. Our analysis demonstrates the effectiveness of unsupervised approaches in examining continuous seismic data without requiring prior knowledge or pre-existing labels.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Pieces of the ancient lunar crust - Ages and composition of clasts in consortium breccia 67915

The composition and chronology of clasts representing three minor lithologies in consortium breccia 67915 are discussed. The lithologies studied are: sodic ferrogabbro, pristine troctolitic anorthosite (67915,26), and granulitic troctolitic anorthosite (67915,67). These lithologies were presumed to represent samples of the ancient lunar crust. The pristine troctolitic anorthosite, a typical member of the pristine anorthosite suite, contains little or no trapped liquid consistent with its two-phase mineralogy. The plagioclase separates have Ar-39-Ar-40 plateau ages of 4.10 + or - 0.06 b.y., and a final rise in the age pattern may represent a 'memory' of the earlier evolution. The granulitic troctolitic anorthosite, which has 13 times larger REE abundances, displays a continuous rise of the Ar-40/Ar-39 ratio. The last 25 percent of the Ar-39 release data establish a minimum age of over 3.5 b.y., but the Pu-244/Nd chronology suggests an age of about 4.3 b.y. The sodic ferrogabbro samples, which appear to be members of the Mg-gabbronorite group of pristine rocks, show large Ar losses but indicate plateaus in the low-temperature data, suggesting a metamorphic event more recently than 260 m.y. ago, a time that is consistent with the North Ray impact event 50 m.y. ago.

Marti, K.↗

Near-field testing of the 30 GHz TRW proof-of-concept multibeam antenna

Near-field testing was conducted on the 30 GHz TRW proof-of-concept (POC) Multibeam Antenna (MBA). The TRW POC MBA is a dual offset Cassegrain reflector system using a 2.7 m main reflector. This configuration was selected to assess the ability to create both multiple fixed and scanned spot beams. The POC configuration investigated frequency reuse via spatial separation of beams, polarization selectivity and time division multiple access scanning at 30 GHz. Measurements of directivity, sidelobe level, and pattern were made at NASA Lewis Research Center's Near-Field Antenna Test Facility. Presented in this paper are complete results of these measurements. Included is a detailed discussion of all testing procedures and parameters. Results of additional testing used to evaluate diffraction effects of the subreflector and distortions of the main reflector are also presented.

Kunath, R. R., Jr.↗

The separated polar winter stratopause - A gravity wave driven climatological feature

An examination of satellite-derived temperatures reveals that the winter polar stratopause is usually elevated and warmer than the adjacent midlatitude stratopause. This separated stratopause occurs in both hemispheres, but is more pronounced and persistent in the southern winter. It descends with time towards spring and exhibits week-to-week variability. Observational diagnostics and results from a two-dimensional model suggest that gravity-wave driving can account for this separated polar stratopause by driving a meridional circulation, with downwelling over the winter pole. In the model, the solar heating pattern induces stronger winter westerlies than summer easterlies, which leads to a stronger gravity-wave-driven circulation in the winter hemisphere. Spherical geometry and the high latitude location of the winter westerly jet combine to yield a concentrated region of downwelling. Model results suggest that descent of the temperature maximum with time is probably caused by wave/mean-flow interaction.

Hitchman, Matthew H.↗

Supercritical fluid extraction and characterization of lipids from algae Scenedesmus obliquus

Lipids were extracted from a protein concentrate of green algae (Scenedesmus obliquus), using a one-step supercritical carbon dioxide extraction procedure in presence of ethanol as an entrainer, and were characterized. The compositions of neutral lipids, glycolipids, and phospholipids, separated into individual components by column, thin-layer, and gas-liquid chromatography procedures, are presented. Fatty acid composition patterns indicated that the major fatty acids were 16:0, 16:1, 16:2, 16:3, 16:4, 18:1, 18:2, and 18:3. The lipids of S. obliquus were found to contain relatively high concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids and essential fatty acids.

Choi, K. J.↗

s-process Ba, Nd, and Sm in presolar SiC from the Murchison meteorite

Ion microprobe isotopic measurements of Ba, Nd, and Sm in the K-series SiC size separates on which noble gas measurements were made by Lewis et al. (1990) are reported. All elements show isotopic abundance patterns characteristic for the s-process. The Ba-134/Ba-136 ratios are distinct from solar, indicating that s-Ba in SiC is different from that in the solar system. Ba-138/Ba-136 ratios decrease with grain size; if interpreted as being due to different neutron exposures, this trend is opposite of that shown by the Kr-86/Kr-82 ratios. Although other isotropic ratios for Ba and those for Nd and Sm differ in detail from theoretical predictions, the disagreements probably being due to uncertainties in the n-capture cross sections and simplifications in the models, the general agreement of the data with models of s-process nucleosynthesis support an AGB star origin for the relatively fine-grain SiC under consideration. Ba-136 in SiC is up to 85 percent pure s-process.

Zinner, Ernst↗

Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV: Mars: Remote Sensing and Terrestrial Analogs

The session "Mars: Remote Sensing and Terrestrial Analogs" included the following:Physical Meaning of the Hapke Parameter for Macroscopic Roughness: Experimental Determination for Planetary Regolith Surface Analogs and Numerical Approach; Near-Infrared Spectra of Martian Pyroxene Separates: First Results from Mars Spectroscopy Consortium; Anomalous Spectra of High-Ca Pyroxenes: Correlation Between Ir and M ssbauer Patterns; THEMIS-IR Emissivity Spectrum of a Large Dark Streak near Olympus Mons; Geomorphologic/Thermophysical Mapping of the Athabasca Region, Mars, Using THEMIS Infrared Imaging; Mars Thermal Inertia from THEMIS Data; Multispectral Analysis Methods for Mapping Aqueous Mineral Depostis in Proposed Paleolake Basins on Mars Using THEMIS Data; Joint Analysis of Mars Odyssey THEMIS Visible and Infrared Images: A Magic Airbrush for Qualitative and Quantitative Morphology; Analysis of Mars Thermal Emission Spectrometer Data Using Large Mineral Reference Libraries ; Negative Abundance : A Problem in Compositional Modeling of Hyperspectral Images; Mars-LAB: First Remote Sensing Data of Mineralogy Exposed at Small Mars-Analog Craters, Nevada Test Site; A Tool for the 2003 Rover Mini-TES: Downwelling Radiance Compensation Using Integrated Line-Sight Sky Measurements; Learning About Mars Geology Using Thermal Infrared Spectral Imaging: Orbiter and Rover Perspectives; Classifying Terrestrial Volcanic Alteration Processes and Defining Alteration Processes they Represent on Mars; Cemented Volcanic Soils, Martian Spectra and Implications for the Martian Climate; Palagonitic Mars: A Basalt Centric View of Surface Composition and Aqueous Alteration; Combining a Non Linear Unmixing Model and the Tetracorder Algorithm: Application to the ISM Dataset; Spectral Reflectance Properties of Some Basaltic Weathering Products; Morphometric LIDAR Analysis of Amboy Crater, California: Application to MOLA Analysis of Analog Features on Mars; Airborne Radar Study of Soil Moisture at a Mars Analog Site: Tohachi Wash/Little Colorado River; and Antarctic Dry Valleys: Modification of Rocks and Soils and Implications for Mars The Arkaroola Mars Analogue Region, South Australia.

Source record↗

Large Field-of-View KD*P Modulator for Solar Polarization Measurements

This paper will describe the evolution of the Marshall Space Flight Center electro-optical polarimeter with emphasis on the field of view characteristics of the its KD*P modulator. Understanding the field of view characteristics was essential to the success of the MSFC vector magnetograph. The paper will show how the field of view errors of KD*P look similar to the polarization patterns seen in simple sunspots and why the placement of the KD*P in a collimated beam was essential in separating the instrumental polarization from the solar signal. Finally, this paper will describe a modulator design which minimizes those field-of-view errors.

West, E. A.↗

Large Field-of-view KD*P Modulator for Solar Polarization Measurements

This paper will describe the evolution of the Marshall Space Flight Center electro-optical polarimeter with emphasis on the field of view characteristics of the its KD*P modulator. Understanding the field of view characteristics was essential to the success of the MSFC vector magnetograph. The paper will show how the field of view errors of KD*P look similar to the polarization patterns seen in simple sunspots and why the placement of the KD*P in a collimated beam was essential in separating the instrumental polarization from the solar signal. Finally, this paper will describe a modulator design which minimizes those field-of-view errors and will used in the new magnetograph development program at the University of Alabama, Huntsville.

West, Edward A.↗

Changes in the Extent of Surface Mining and Reclamation in the Central Appalachians Detected Using a 1976-2006 Landsat Time Series

Surface mining and reclamation is the dominant driver of land cover land use change (LCLUC) in the Central Appalachian Mountain region of the Eastern U.S. Accurate quantification of the extent of mining activities is important for assessing how this LCLUC affects ecosystem services such as aesthetics, biodiversity, and mitigation of flooding.We used Landsat imagery from 1976, 1987, 1999 and 2006 to map the extent of surface mines and mine reclamation for eight large watersheds in the Central Appalachian region of West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. We employed standard image processing techniques in conjunction with a temporal decision tree and GIS maps of mine permits and wetlands to map active and reclaimed mines and track changes through time. For the entire study area, active surface mine extent was highest in 1976, prior to implementation of the Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act in 1977, with 1.76% of the study area in active mines, declining to 0.44% in 2006. The most extensively mined watershed, Georges Creek in Maryland, was 5.45% active mines in 1976, declining to 1.83% in 2006. For the entire study area, the area of reclaimed mines increased from 1.35% to 4.99% from 1976 to 2006, and from 4.71% to 15.42% in Georges Creek. Land cover conversion to mines and then reclaimed mines after 1976 was almost exclusively from forest. Accuracy levels for mined and reclaimed cover was above 85% for all time periods, and was generally above 80% for mapping active and reclaimed mines separately, especially for the later time periods in which good accuracy assessment data were available. Among other implications, the mapped patterns of LCLUC are likely to significantly affect watershed hydrology, as mined and reclaimed areas have lower infiltration capacity and thus more rapid runoff than unmined forest watersheds, leading to greater potential for extreme flooding during heavy rainfall events.

Townsend, Philip A.↗

CdZnTe Image Detectors for Hard-X-Ray Telescopes

Arrays of CdZnTe photodetectors and associated electronic circuitry have been built and tested in a continuing effort to develop focal-plane image sensor systems for hard-x-ray telescopes. Each array contains 24 by 44 pixels at a pitch of 498 m. The detector designs are optimized to obtain low power demand with high spectral resolution in the photon- energy range of 5 to 100 keV. More precisely, each detector array is a hybrid of a CdZnTe photodetector array and an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) containing an array of amplifiers in the same pixel pattern as that of the detectors. The array is fabricated on a single crystal of CdZnTe having dimensions of 23.6 by 12.9 by 2 mm. The detector-array cathode is a monolithic platinum contact. On the anode plane, the contact metal is patterned into the aforementioned pixel array, surrounded by a guard ring that is 1 mm wide on three sides and is 0.1 mm wide on the fourth side so that two such detector arrays can be placed side-by-side to form a roughly square sensor area with minimal dead area between them. Figure 1 shows two anode patterns. One pattern features larger pixel anode contacts, with a 30-m gap between them. The other pattern features smaller pixel anode contacts plus a contact for a shaping electrode in the form of a grid that separates all the pixels. In operation, the grid is held at a potential intermediate between the cathode and anode potentials to steer electric charges toward the anode in order to reduce the loss of charges in the inter-anode gaps. The CdZnTe photodetector array is mechanically and electrically connected to the ASIC (see Figure 2), either by use of indium bump bonds or by use of conductive epoxy bumps on the CdZnTe array joined to gold bumps on the ASIC. Hence, the output of each pixel detector is fed to its own amplifier chain.

Chen, C. M. Hubert↗