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At least 613 records · Page 34

Structure Perception in 3D Point Clouds: Preprint

Understanding human perception is critical to the design of ef- fective visualizations. The relative benefits of using 2D versus 3D techniques for data visualization is a complex decision space, with varying levels of uncertainty and disagreement in both the liter- ature and in practice. This study aims to add easily reproducible, empirical evidence on the role of depth cues in perceiving structures or patterns in 3D point clouds. We describe a method to synthesize a 3D point cloud that contains a 3D structure, where 2D projec- tions of the data strongly resemble a Gaussian distribution. We performed a within-subjects structure identification study with 128 participants that compared scatterplot matrices (canonical 2D projections) and 3D scatterplots under three types of motion: rota- tion, xy-translation, and z-translation. We found that users could consistently identify three separate hidden structures under ro- tation, while those structures remained hidden in the scatterplot matrices and under translation. This work contributes a set of 3D point clouds that provide definitive examples of 3D patterns per- ceptible in 3D scatterplots under rotation but imperceptible in 2D scatterplots.

data analysis↗

Tropospheric Waveguide Teleconnections and Their Seasonality

Abstract One-point correlation maps of the subseasonal variability of 200-hPa meridional wind in nature and an atmospheric general circulation model are systematically analyzed to quantify the impact of the climatological-mean jets on tropospheric covariability as a result of the jets acting as waveguides for the propagation of Rossby waves. As anticipated by linear theory, signatures of jet influence are detected in terms of (i) the geographical position of the strongest teleconnections, (ii) the zonal orientation and extent of prominent patterns of variability, and (iii) the scale of the features that make up those patterns. Further evidence of jet waveguide influence comes from examining the seasonality of these teleconnection attributes. During winter, covariability can be essentially circumglobal, while during summer it tends to be confined within two separate sectors of the globe where the jets are especially strong. Experiments with a multilevel linear planetary wave model confirm that the analyzed characteristics of teleconnections in the waveguides can be attributed to the action of the mean state; no organization to the anomalous forcing of the atmosphere is required to produce these properties. Some attributes, however, depend on the presence of zonal variations in the climatological-mean state that are of similar scale to the teleconnection patterns themselves.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Curved Diffractive X-ray Optics for X-ray Astronomy

We report on a concept for curved diffractive X-ray optics (CDXO). CDXO would enable potential new optical designs for X-ray instruments, such as a two element spectrometer, in which the secondary element of an X-ray mirror pair is patterned with an X-ray grating. A two-element spectrometer design eliminates the grating assembly, resulting in decreased instrument mass and reduced power requirements. In addition, a two-element spectrometer may realize cost/schedule savings by eliminating a separate grating alignment effort, and yield increased effective area over three element designs. We present a raytrace concept study of a two-element spectrometer compact enough to fit within a sounding rocket payload. We also review the progress made in electron-beam lithography (EBL) techniques that would enable curved diffractive X-ray optics to be patterned, and outline a procedure by which the accuracy of the EBL patterning process can be measured interferometrically.

Casey T. DeRoo↗

Magnetotail views at 33R(sub E): IMP 8 magnetometer observations

This paper presents magnetic field vector (B) maps, electric current vector (curl B) maps, magnetic force (JxB) contour maps, and total field contour maps covering the full tail cross section in the yz plane. The maps are based on 16 years of 5-min averages of Interplanetary Monitoring Platform (IMP) 8 magnetic field data. During this time, IMP 8 traversed the tail between -25R(sub E) and -40R(sub E) in the x direction. Its average x distance was -33R(sub E). For this average distance we show separate maps for low and high dipole tilts, corresponding to equinox and northern hemisphere summer seasons. The low-tilt (equinox) maps show symmetrical field and current patterns; the high-tilt (solstice) maps show the cross-tail current sheet arcing above the equatorial diagonal in the center and dipping below it on the flanks. The shape of warped current sheet fits Fairfield's (1980) displaced ellipse model fairly well. The distance at which the current sheet is hinged to the magnetic equator is found to be 9.88R(sub E) and is independent of Kp. The z profile of current density shows a central peak, 3R(sub E) full width at half maximum, and smaller, flanking shoulders. A Harris sheet profile with a 7R(sub E) thickness fits the B(sub x) profile. Though these are magnetic field data, the JxB maps clearly outline the plasma sheet. This approach also gives 7R(sub E) thickness. Many of the average field and current features inferred and demonstrated in earlier studies are confirmed here; some of them are seen for the first time in full cross-section view. Among new features revealed are a large current vortex in the winter hemisphere lobe, a dawn-dusk asymmetry in the JxB force in the plasma sheet (it is stronger on the duskside), and a separation of the cross-tail current sheet into core and wing parts.

Kaymaz, Zerefsan↗

Nucleation is more than critical: A case study of the electroweak phase transition in the NMSSM

Electroweak baryogenesis is an attractive mechanism to generate the baryon asymmetry of the Universe via a strong first order electroweak phase transition. We compare the phase transition patterns suggested by the vacuum structure at the critical temperatures, at which local minima are degenerate, with those obtained from computing the probability for nucleation via tunneling through the barrier separating local minima. Heuristically, nucleation becomes difficult if the barrier between the local minima is too high, or if the distance (in field space) between the minima is too large. As an example of a model exhibiting such behavior, we study the Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model, whose scalar sector contains two SU(2) doublets and one gauge singlet. We find that the calculation of the nucleation probabilities prefers different regions of parameter space for a strong first order electroweak phase transition than the calculation based solely on the critical temperatures. Our results demonstrate that analyzing only the vacuum structure via the critical temperatures can provide a misleading picture of the phase transition patterns, and, in turn, of the parameter space suitable for electroweak baryogenesis.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Exploratory flight investigation of aircraft response to the wing vortex wake generated by jet transport aircraft

The effect of intercepting wing tip vortices generated by large jet transports, including jumbo jets, over separation distances from 1 nautical mile to 15 nautical miles is evaluated on the basis of the response of a vortex probe airplane in the roil mode. The vortex probe test aircraft included a representative general aviation airplane, an executive jet, a fighter, and light and medium weight jet transports. The test conditions and airplane configurations were comparable to those normally used during takeoff, landing, or holding pattern operations. For flight safety the tests were performed at altitudes from 9500 feet to 12,500 feet. In addition to an evaluation of the probe airplane response, a flight test technique is suggested for determining minimum separation distance, using as variable the ratio of vortex-induced roll acceleration to maximum lateral control acceleration and the gross weight of the generating aircraft.

Andrews, W. H.↗

Aftershock sequence of the 2011 Virginia earthquake derived from the dense AIDA array and backprojection

After the 23 August 2011 Mineral, Virginia, earthquake, a temporary dense array (Aftershock Imaging with Dense Arrays (AIDA)) consisting of ~200 stations was deployed at 200-400 m spacing near the epicenter for 12 days. Backprojection of the data was used to automatically detect and locate aftershocks. The co-deployment of a traditional aftershock network of 36 stations at ~2-10 km spacing enables a quantitative comparison. The AIDA backprojection aftershock catalog is complete to magnitude -1.0 and includes events as small as M-1.8. For comparison, the traditional network was complete to M-0.3 for the same time period. The AIDA backprojection catalog observes the same major patterns of seismicity in the epicentral region, but additional details are illuminated. The primary zone of seismicity is not a single fault but is a tabular zone of multiple small faults, this zone has a subtle concave shape along strike and with depth, and a broader zone of new events is observed at shallow depth. In addition, a new separate, shallow cluster was detected and located to the east of the main aftershock zone. The addition of smaller events to the catalog did not change the b-value or the temporal decay constant, but illuminated spatial and temporal patterns. Both the b-value and temporal decay constant are different for 12 days than for 4 months and are different at < 3km depth than at greater depth. Very low b-value, especially at greater depth, is consistent with observed very high stress drops. Conclusively, the results indicate the benefits of dense arrays and auto-detection by backprojection for aftershock studies. And finally, the reduced detection threshold and higher spatial resolution enabled the study of earthquake mechanisms and strain transfer at an unprecedented small scale.

Beskardes, Gungor Didem↗

Significant enhancement in structural, dielectric, piezoelectric and ferromagnetic properties of Ba0.9Sr0.1Zr0.1Ti0.9O3-CoFe2O4 multiferroic composites

Highlights: • (1-x)Ba{sub 0.9}Sr{sub 0.1}Zr{sub 0.1}Ti{sub 0.9}O{sub 3}-(x)CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} multiferroic composite has been synthesized using mechano-chemical activation technique. • An improvement in dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties over the pristine BSZT sample has been observed. • The composite samples also show a substantial enhancement in ferromagnetic characteristics compare to bare BSZT sample. - Abstract: Multiferroic composites (1 − x)Ba{sub 0.9}Sr{sub 0.1}Zr{sub 0.1}Ti{sub 0.9}O{sub 3}-(x)CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} (x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20 & 0.30) were prepared using mechanochemical activation method. Rietveld refined XRD patterns confirm the diphasic nature of composite samples. All of the diffraction peaks of (1 − x)BSZT-(x)CFO can be identified for the separate perovskite (BSZT) and inverse spinal (CFO) phases and no other impurity phase were observed for the composites. (1 − x)BSZT-(x)CFO sample with x = 0.05 have shown significant improvement in microstructural, dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties over the pristine BSZT sample. Such an improvement in electrical properties can be attributed to larger grain size, improved density and easier ferroelectric domain wall motion inside the grain. Dielectric breakdown strength of the composites also shows a similar trend and is observed to be maximum for the sample with x = 0.05 CFO concentration. The composite samples also show a substantial enhancement in ferromagnetic characteristics and increases progressively with increase in ferrite (CFO) content.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Structured interactions drive abrupt transitions in the spatial organization of microbial communities

Bacteria possess diverse mechanisms to regulate their motility in response to environmental and physiological signals, enabling them to navigate complex habitats and adapt their behavior. Some of these mechanisms are species specific and enable cells to modulate their movement based on the ecological identity of neighboring species. Here, we introduce a model in which bacteria interact via local signals that either enhance or suppress the motility of neighboring cells depending on species type. Through large-scale simulations and a coarse-grained stochastic model, we demonstrate the emergence of a sharp transition driven by nucleation processes: increasing the density of motility-suppressing interactions drives the system from a fully mixed, motile phase to a state characterized by large, stationary bacterial clusters. Remarkably, in systems with a large number of interacting species, this transition can be triggered solely by altering the structure of the motility-regulation interaction matrix while maintaining species and interaction densities constant. In particular, we find that heterogeneous and modular interactions promote the transition more readily than homogeneous random ones. These findings add a dimension to the theory of motility-induced phase separation and contribute to the ongoing effort to understand microbial interactions, suggesting that structured, nonrandom ones may be key to reproducing commonly observed spatial patterns in microbial communities.

bacterial communities↗

Operational results of simultaneous four-beam delivery at Jefferson Lab

A concept for simultaneous beam delivery to all four CEBAF experimental halls from a single injector and a single main accelerator for the 12 GeV era was proposed in 2012. The original 12 GeV beam delivery plan was for a maximum of three experimental halls at a time as in the 6 GeV era. Therefore, the new concept increases the potential beam time for the experiments up to 33%. This change required minimal modifications to the existing machine. The modifications were mainly timing and pattern changes to the beams in the injector, adding a fourth laser to the photo-cathode gun, and the addition of new RF separators to the highest pass of CEBAF. These changes are now all in place and, for the first time, the full system is operating, producing four simultaneous beams through the accelerator to four different destina-tions. In this paper, in addition to presenting the results of the full system commissioning, we will discuss im-portant details about the new configuration plus some of our operational challenges.

Kazimi, Reza↗

Time series analysis of compressor noise.

Description of a method to determine compressor directivity at discrete frequencies by separation of the tone power from the noise background. The technique developed effected the separation by Fourier analysis of the sound pressure autocorrelation at large lags. This produced experimental directivity results which compared reasonably well with the theoretical patterns except near the compressor axis.

Hardin, J. C.↗

Agricultural land use mapping

The author has identified the following significant results. Agricultural areas were selected or analysis in southeastern Pennsylvania, north central Montana, and southern Texas. These three sites represent a broad range of soils, soil parent materials, climate, modes of agricultural operation, crops, and field sizes. In each of these three sites, ERTS-1 digital data were processed to determine the feasibility of automatically mapping agricultural land use. In Pennsylvania, forest land, cultivated land, and water were separable within a 25,000 acre area. Four classes of water were also classified and identified, using ground truth. A less complex land use pattern was analyzed in Hill County, Montana. A land use map was prepared shown alternating patterns of summer fallow and stubble fields. The location of farmsteads could be inferred, along with that of a railroad line. A river and a creek flowing into the river were discernible. Six categories of water, related to sediment content and depth, were defined in the reservoir held by the Fresno dam. These classifications were completed on a 150 square mile area. Analysis of the data from Texas is in its formative stages. A test site has been selected and a brightness map has been produced.

Mcmurtry, G. J.↗

Intermode calibration of diode-laser spectra using tandem etalons

The paper deals with an approach which can improve the accuracy of etalon calibration of tunable diode-laser (TDL) spectra in the IR and extend absolute calibration among several isolated modes. Two etalons placed in the laser beam produce a combined fringe pattern that, with the aid of a monochromator mode selector, can be used to establish the number of fringes between any two spectral points separated by a large frequency interval. This technique has been applied to several similar cases for calibration of isolated modes or verification of the identity of lines of known frequency.

Jennings, D. E.↗

Crop identification studies using Landsat data Separation of barley from other spring small grains and corn and soybean decision logic

Two labeling procedures were developed which identify various agricultural crops through the use of Landsat data. One procedure separates barley from other spring small grains, and the other identifies corn and soybeans. For both procedures, a minimum data set (critical acquisition time) has been designated. Landsat data in both image format and various graphic displays were used along with ancillary data to obtain information which aided in labeling the spectral signatures. The corn and soybean procedure also employed a structured decision logic. Test results for the barley separation procedure emphasized the importance of obtaining a critical acquisition and showed some success especially in areas where spring crops followed the expected growth patterns. Two tests of the corn and soybean procedure produced good labeling accuracies. Problems with the procedure were easy to identify, and some solutions were implemented for the second test. Automation of various parts of the procedure and extension to other crops and regions were recommended.

Dailey, C. L.↗

Hotspots, basalts, and the evolution of the mantle

It is noted that the trace element concentration patterns of continental and ocean island basalts and of mid-ocean ridge basalts are complementary. Estimates of the relative sizes of the source regions for these fundamentally different basalt types can be arrived at from the trace element enrichment-depletion patterns. Their combined volume occupies the greater part of the mantle above the 670 km discontinuity. It is pointed out that the source regions separated as a result of early mantle differentiation and crystal fractionation from the resulting melt. The mid-ocean ridge basalts source evolved from an eclogite cumulate that gave up its late-stage enriched fluids at various times to the shallower mantle and continental crust. The mid-ocean ridge basalts source is rich in garnet and clinopyroxene, while the continental and ocean island basalt source is a garnet peridotite that has experienced secondary enrichment. These relationships are found to be consistent with the evolution of a terrestrial magma ocean.

Anderson, D. L.↗

A psychophysiological assessment of operator workload during simulated flight missions

The applicability of the dual-task event-related (brain) potential (ERP) paradigm to the assessment of an operator's mental workload and residual capacity in a complex situation of a flight mission was demonstrated using ERP measurements and subjective workload ratings of student pilots flying a fixed-based single-engine simulator. Data were collected during two separate 45-min flights differing in difficulty; flight demands were examined by dividing each flight into four segments: takeoff, straight and level flight, holding patterns, and landings. The P300 ERP component in particular was found to discriminate among the levels of task difficulty in a systematic manner, decreasing in amplitude with an increase in task demands. The P300 amplitude is shown to be negatively correlated with deviations from command headings across the four flight segments.

Kramer, Arthur F.↗

Currents between tethered electrodes in a magnetized laboratory plasma

Laboratory experiments on important plasma physics issues of electrodynamic tethers were performed. These included current propagation, formation of wave wings, limits of current collection, nonlinear effects and instabilities, charging phenomena, and characteristics of transmission lines in plasmas. The experiments were conducted in a large afterglow plasma. The current system was established with a small electron-emitting hot cathode tethered to an electron-collecting anode, both movable across the magnetic field and energized by potential difference up to V approx.=100 T(sub e). The total current density in space and time was obtained from complete measurements of the perturbed magnetic field. The fast spacecraft motion was reproduced in the laboratory by moving the tethered electrodes in small increments, applying delayed current pulses, and reconstructing the net field by a linear superposition of locally emitted wavelets. With this technique, the small-amplitude dc current pattern is shown to form whistler wings at each electrode instead of the generally accepted Alfven wings. For the beam electrode, the whistler wing separates from the field-aligned beam which carries no net current. Large amplitude return currents to a stationary anode generate current-driven microinstabilities, parallel electric fields, ion depletions, current disruptions and time-varying electrode charging. At appropriately high potentials and neutral densities, excess neutrals are ionized near the anode. The anode sheath emits high-frequency electron transit-time oscillations at the sheath-plasma resonance. The beam generates Langmuir turbulence, ion sound turbulence, electron heating, space charge fields, and Hall currents. An insulated, perfectly conducting transmission line embedded in the plasma becomes lossy due to excitation of whistler waves and magnetic field diffusion effects. The implications of the laboratory observations on electrodynamic tethers in space are discussed.

Stenzel, R. L.↗

A Three-Dimensional Coupled Internal/External Simulation of a Film-Cooled Turbine Vane

A three-dimensional Navier-Stokes simulation has been performed for a realistic film-cooled turbine vane using the LeRC-HT code. The simulation includes the flow regions inside the coolant plena and film cooling holes in addition to the external flow. The vane is the subject of an upcoming NASA Glenn Research Center experiment and has both circular cross-section and shaped film cooling holes. This complex geometry is modeled using a multi-block grid which accurately discretizes the actual vane geometry including shaped holes. The simulation matches operating conditions for the planned experiment and assumes periodicity in the spanwise direction on the scale of one pitch of the film cooling hole pattern. Two computations were performed for different isothermal wall temperatures, allowing independent determination of heat transfer coefficients and film effectiveness values. The results indicate separate localized regions of high heat transfer coefficient values, while the shaped holes provide a reduction in heat flux through both parameters. Hole exit data indicate rather simple skewed profiles for the round holes, but complex profiles for the shaped holes with mass fluxes skewed strongly toward their leading edges.

Heidmann, James D.↗