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At least 91 records · Page 5

Correlated $\ n-γ$ angular distributions from the $\ Q$ = 4.4398 MeV 12 C ($\ n, n' γ$) reaction for incident neutron energies from 6.5 MeV to 16.5 MeV

Neutron scattering cross sections and angular distributions represent one of the most glaring sources of uncertainty in calculations of nuclear systems. Even simple nuclei like 12 C show indications of errors in nuclear databases for scattering reactions. Measurements of inelastic neutron scattering have historically measured either the scattered neutrons or the nuclear deexcitation $\ γ$ emission. Only a very small number of experiments attempted correlated measurements of both the neutron and $\ γ$ data simultaneously, even though these $\ n-γ$ correlations could be essential for understanding particle transport in nuclear systems. In this work we describe a measurement of the $\ n, γ$, and correlated $\ n-γ$ angular distributions from the $\ Q$ = 4.4398 MeV 12 C ($\ n, n'γ$) reaction in a single experiment using an EJ-309 liquid scintillator detector array with wide angular coverage, and with a continuous incident neutron energy range from 6.5 to 16.5 MeV. We also provide a thorough covariance description of these results, including normalization of the probability distribution. While the measured n distributions agree well with the relatively large number of available literature measurements, there are comparatively very few measurements of the γ distributions from this reaction. However, our data support the presence of a nonzero α 4 Legendre polynomial component of the γ angular distribution suggested in past measurements, which is currently not incorporated in the ENDF/B-VIII.0 library despite the use of these same literature data for evaluation of the 12 C ($\ n, n'γ$) cross section. The correlated $\ n-γ$ distribution measurements are limited to three measurements at incident neutron energies near 14 MeV. Our results do not generally agree with any of these literature measurements. We observe clear indications of significant changes in the $\ n$ distribution for specific $\ γ$-detection angles and vice versa especially near thresholds for other reaction channels, which shows the potential for significant bias in experiments that, for example, tag on inelastic scattering using a single or small number of $\ γ$ -detection angles and could impact particle transport calculations.

6 ≤ A ≤ 19↗

Quantifying Uncertainty in All-to-All Estimates of Space Object Conjunction Probabilities using U-Statistics

Predicting space object conjunctions is inherently probabilistic due to initial state and orbit model uncertainty. A commonly considered Monte Carlo estimator of the conjunction probability is the ’all-to-all’ estimator. Given independent random samples of the trajectories of both objects, the estimator is the percentage of all pairs of trajectories that result in a conjunction. Intuitively, the all-to-all estimator is the best possible estimator of the conjunction probability since it considers all pairs of Monte Carlo samples. However, its distribution is not available in closed-form, which limits its use in practice and makes this intuition difficult to make rigorous. In this paper, the all-to-all estimator is identified as a U-statistic, which implies that it has several favorable properties. Specifically, the estimator is the minimum variance unbiased estimator of the conjunction probability and is asymptotically Gaussian distributed. An approximate confidence interval for the conjunction probability is obtained from an estimate of the asymptotic Gaussian distribution. We show how to efficiently compute the confidence interval and demonstrate that the interval has the nominal coverage level. The confidence intervals are also seen to be narrower than those based on the commonly-used each-to-each estimator. Furthermore, the all-to-all estimator is shown to allow different Monte Carlo sample sizes, whereas the each-to-each estimator requires equal sample sizes.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Dark Energy Survey Year 3 results: Curved-sky weak lensing mass map reconstruction

ABSTRACT We present reconstructed convergence maps, mass maps, from the Dark Energy Survey (DES) third year (Y3) weak gravitational lensing data set. The mass maps are weighted projections of the density field (primarily dark matter) in the foreground of the observed galaxies. We use four reconstruction methods, each is a maximum a posteriori estimate with a different model for the prior probability of the map: Kaiser–Squires, null B-mode prior, Gaussian prior, and a sparsity prior. All methods are implemented on the celestial sphere to accommodate the large sky coverage of the DES Y3 data. We compare the methods using realistic ΛCDM simulations with mock data that are closely matched to the DES Y3 data. We quantify the performance of the methods at the map level and then apply the reconstruction methods to the DES Y3 data, performing tests for systematic error effects. The maps are compared with optical foreground cosmic-web structures and are used to evaluate the lensing signal from cosmic-void profiles. The recovered dark matter map covers the largest sky fraction of any galaxy weak lensing map to date.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Geologic mapping and mineral resource inventory by ERTS-1 satellite data in South America

The author has identified the following significant results. ERTS-1 data clearly provide significant contribution of new information on the remote areas of South America. Salar deposits have been measured and compared with those shown on World Navigation Charts; remarkable differences have been found in shape, size, number, and distribution. Repetitive coverage should enable us to develop an index of seasonal and annual environmental trends that can be compared with those of the Northern Hemisphere. New lineations, many of which are probably faults, have been found in Venezuela, Bolivia, and northern Argentina. Circular features, some of volcanic origin, have been recognized that are not shown on existing maps. The courses of several rivers have been revised and our Venezuelan counterparts report that a major new river has been recognized and charted. Large mining operations, such as the open pit copper mine of Chuquicamata in northern Chile, are recognizable and can be studied in their regional context.

Carter, W. D.↗

Cyber Attack Sequences Generation for Electric Power Grid

Security assessment of cyber-physical energy systems (CPESs) such as the electric power grid is a critical operation to maintain availability, reliability, and quality of service in the presence of persistent threats from malicious cyber actors. Existing security assessment approaches such as penetration testing and red teaming rely on subject matter expert experience and forensic cyber analysis of historical events to perform realistic, threat-informed assessments of CPES defense. CPESs have a large attack surface because of the heterogeneity and complexity of underlying topology, devices, measurements, and vulnerabilities. The aforementioned approaches lead to partial coverage of the attack surface with a large set of unknown but possible exploits. There is a need to automate the CPES attack surface discovery and contextualize it for relevant, highly probable, real-world attack scenarios. We propose a methodology and framework to facilitate the discovery of the CPES attack surface. We present a multilayer attack graph with ranked attack sequences to describe CPES failure scenarios. We present a work-in-progress framework that lists key components to automate the attack modeling and sequence generation. We demonstrate the published National Electric Sector Cybersecurity Organization Resource CPES failure scenario to highlight the trustworthiness of generated attack sequences.

Dutta, Ashutosh↗

Cloud and Sun-Glint Statistics Derived from GOES and MODIS Observations Over the Intra-Americas Sea for GEO-CAPE Mission Planning

Knowledge of cloud cover, frequency, and duration is not only important to study cloud dynamics, but also critical in determining when and where to take ocean measurements from geostationary orbits such as the Geostationary Coastal and Air Pollution Events (GEO-CAPE) mission due to the challenges in achieving complete hemispheric coverage of coastal oceans, estuaries, and inland waters at hourly frequency. Using GOES hourly measurements at 4 km nadir resolution between 2006 and 2011, the number of cloud-free hourly observations per day (N(sub cf)) for solar zenith angle Theta(sub 0) less than 80 degrees was estimated for each 0.1 degree location of the Intra-Americas Sea. The number of Sun-glint-affected hourly observations per day [Ns(sub sg)] was also calculated based on the planned GEO-CAPE observation geometry and realistic wind speed. High-latitude and equatorial oceans showed the lowest N(sub cf) (less than 2.4) in all climatological months, and highest N(sub cf) was observed in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and Caribbean (greater than 4.5). Different regions showed differences in seasonality of cloud-free conditions and also showed differences in the hour of a day at which the satellite observations would have the maximal cloud-free and glint-free probability (Temperature maximum). Cloud cover from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) 1 km measurements are greater than 10 degrees higher than those from the MODIS 250 m measurements, supporting ocean color missions at subkilometer resolutions to enhance both spatial coverage and temporal frequency. These findings provide valuable information for GEO-CAPE mission planning to maximize its science value through minimizing the impacts of clouds and Sun glint.

Feng, Lian↗

Global Soil Water Estimates as Landslide Predictor: The Effectiveness of SMOS, SMAP, and GRACE Observations, Land Surface Simulations, and Data Assimilation

This global feasibility study assesses the potential of coarse-scale, gridded soil water estimates for the probabilistic modeling of hydrologically-triggered landslides, using Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity (SMOS), Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) and Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) remote sensing data, Catchment Land Surface Model (CLSM) simulations and six data products based on the assimilation of SMOS, SMAP, and/or GRACE observations into CLSM. SMOS or SMAP observations (~40-km resolution) are only available for less than 20% of the globally reported landslide events, because they are intermittent and uncertain in regions with complex terrain. GRACE terrestrial water storage estimates include 75% of the reported landslides but have coarse spatial and temporal resolutions (monthly, ~300-km). CLSM soil water simulations have the added advantage of complete spatial and temporal coverage, and are found to be able to distinguish between “stable slope” (no landslide) conditions and landslide-inducing conditions in a probabilistic way. Assimilating SMOS and/or GRACE data increases the landslide probability estimates based on soil water percentiles for the reported landslides, relative to model-only estimates at 36-km resolution for the period 2011-2016, unless the CLSM model-only soil water content is already high (≥ 50th percentile). The SMAP Level 4 data assimilation product (at 9-km resolution, period 2015-2019) more generally updates the soil water conditions towards higher landslide probabilities for the reported landslides, but is similar to model-only estimates for the majority of landslides where SMAP data cannot easily be converted to soil moisture owing to complex terrain.

Anne Felsberg↗

Rate equation for desorbing particles

A rate equation describing the desorption of particles from substrates has been formulated using a simple classical model in terms of the particulate escape probabilities and escape velocities. Numerical results for desorption rates as a function of temperature using simple two-body potentials are calculated for various metallic systems. These results were obtained for the low coverage limits and are found to be in good agreement with experimental findings. The present formulation also provides an improved picture of the physical nature of the commonly discussed parameters, such as the frequency factor, desorption energy, and desorption temperature in relation to observed desorption phenomena.

Halicioglu, T.↗

Digital, Satellite-Based Aeronautical Communication

Satellite system relays communication between aircraft and stations on ground. System offers better coverage with direct communication between air and ground, costs less and makes possible new communication services. Carries both voice and data. Because many data exchanged between aircraft and ground contain safety-related information, probability of bit errors essential.

Davarian, F.↗

Tracker implementation for the orbiter Ku-band communications antenna

Possible implementations and recommendations for the Space Shuttle Ku-Band integrated communications/radar antenna tracking system were evaluated. Communication aspects involving the Tracking Data Relay Satellite (TDRS)/Orbiter Ku-Band link are emphasized. Detailed analysis of antenna sizes, gains and signal-to-noise ratios shows the desirability of using maximum size 36-inch diameter dish and a triple channel monopulse. The use of the original baselined 20 inch dish is found to result in excessive acquisition time since the despread signal would be used in the tracking loop. An evaluation of scan procedures which includes vehicle dynamics, designation error, time for acquisition and probability of acquisition shows that the conical scan is preferred since the time for lock-on for relatively slow look angle rates will be significantly shorter than the raster scan. Significant improvement in spherical coverage may be obtained by reorienting the antenna gimbal to obtain maximum blockage overlap.

Rudnicki, J. F.↗

Integrated Application of Active Controls (IAAC) technology to an advanced subsonic transport project: Current and advanced act control system definition study, volume 1

An active controls technology (ACT) system architecture was selected based on current technology system elements and optimal control theory was evaluated for use in analyzing and synthesizing ACT multiple control laws. The system selected employs three redundant computers to implement all of the ACT functions, four redundant smaller computers to implement the crucial pitch-augmented stability function, and a separate maintenance and display computer. The reliability objective of probability of crucial function failure of less than 1 x 10 to the -9th power per flight of 1 hr can be met with current technology system components, if the software is assumed fault free and coverage approaching 1.0 can be provided. The optimal control theory approach to ACT control law synthesis yielded comparable control law performance much more systematically and directly than the classical s-domain approach. The ACT control law performance, although somewhat degraded by the inclusion of representative nonlinearities, remained quite effective. Certain high-frequency gust-load alleviation functions may require increased surface rate capability.

Hanks, G. W.↗

Sudden ionospheric delay decorrelation and its impact on WAAS

We report a methodology for assessing the impact on WAAS posed by a sudden increase in the level of ionospheric disturbance. The methodology is based upon the forming an estimate of the probability P(D) that a WAAS user will confront a sudden increase in the level of ionospheric disturbance following a period of relative calm. By restricting the tabulation of fit residuals to only those fits where the spatial coverage of the fit points is sufficiently good, we have determined a limiting upper bound of P(D) to be 2x10(sup -6).

ionosphere WAAS GPS↗

Land Use and Mapping

From the standpoint of technology, the most encouraging thing about ERTS has been the level of land-use identification. Land-use detail has exceeded the expectations of the Interagency Steering Committee and the requirements of land-use classification proposed by the Department of Interior. Whereas in the latter instance it was anticipated that only nine classes of land use would probably be identifiable, in fact some 14 to 18 classes have been identified. The success in the level of land-use identification results primarily from the various attributes of the ERTS system. These include the ability to provide repetitive coverage, and in particular seasonal coverage; the ability to image in four bands of the electromagnetic spectrum (green, red, and two near-infrared), which allows for manipulation of various combinations of bands; and the provision by the ERTS system of computer-compatible tapes for machine processing of data. Furthermore, the resolution of ERTS imagery has been better than expected. Although there is some question as to its exact resolving power, it is safe to say objects as small as 100 meters (300 feet) in diameter have been identified. Linear features as narrow as 16 meters (50 feet) can be detected (Figure 1).

Lindgren, D. T.↗

Emergent constraints on future methane emissions from global wetlands

Future methane (CH 4 ) emissions from natural wetlands are predicted to increase due to global warming, leading to positive feedback on climate change. However, the magnitude of this increase remains highly uncertain. Here we present novel ensemble simulations of seven state-of-the-art terrestrial biosphere models to estimate wetland CH 4 emissions (eCH 4 ) during the twenty-first century. Our estimates suggest that for every 1 °C increase in global land surface temperature, there is a 24 ± 10 Tg CH 4 yr −1 increase in eCH 4 . We also identify an emergent relationship between contemporary temperature dependence and projected eCH 4 . When constrained by 163 site-year eddy-covariance measurements of eCH 4 , we show that wetland emissions can increase by 50–60% by the 2090s relative to the 2010s under a high-warming scenario. The projected decadal increase in eCH 4 from the 2010–2019 baseline to the 2030s would very likely (90% probability) offset an amount equivalent in scale to 8–10% of anthropogenic eCH 4 at the 2020 level, comparable to the reductions committed under the Global Methane Pledge. However, the constraint is dominated by mid- and high-latitude observations, with limited tropical coverage, and uncertainties in projected wetland inundation contribute substantially to uncertainty in eCH 4 . Our findings reduce the uncertainty in projected wetland methane–climate feedback and highlight its potential impacts on methane mitigation efforts to slow global warming.

Zhang, Zhen [Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Be↗

Uniting Space, Ground and Underwater Measurements for Improved Estimates of Rain Rate

Global precipitation is monitored from a variety of platforms including space-borne, ground- and ocean-based platforms. Intercomparisons of these observations are crucial to validating the measurements and providing confidence for each measurement technique. Probability distribution functions of rain rates are used to compare satellite and ground-based radar observations. A preferred adjustment technique for improving rain rate distribution estimates is identified using measurements from ground-based radar and radar and rain gauges within the coverage area of the radar. The underwater measurement of rainfall shows similarities to radar measurements, but with intermediate spatial resolution and high temporal resolution. Reconciling these different measurement techniques provides understanding and confidence for all of the methods.

Amitai, E.↗

Coronal Temperatures

The solid state spectrometer (SSS) on the Einstein Observatory (HEAO 2) was sensitive in the energy range 0.5 to 4.5 keV to fluxes as low as 4x10 to the 12th power ergs/cu cm/s. Good spectra were obtained for 19 stars, including Algol, 7 RS CVn systems, 2 dMe stars, 2 W UMa binaries, 1 GV single star, and 3 0B supergiants, 2 BV stars and 1 07 binary. This is a very incomplete survey of stellar coronae, but it does include coverage of several late and early types and usually more than 1 sample of the class. The results for these stars suggest two generalizations despite the small numbers: (1) there is a broad variety of X-ray spectra of stellar coronae; and (2) there probably are X-ray spectral types (X-ray coronae of stars of similar other properties have similar temperatures). Evidence indicating that some emission distributions are bimodal is discussed. Finally, some remarks are made concerning the spectra of the early type stars and constraints on the presence of very high temperatures.

Swank, J. H.↗

The scientific case for magnetic field satellites

To make full use of modern magnetic data and the paleomagnetic record, we must greatly improve our understanding of how the geodynamo system works. It is clearly nonlinear, probably chaotic, and its dimensionless parameters cannot yet be reproduced on a laboratory scale. It is accessible only to theory and to measurements made at and above the earth's surface. These measurements include essentially all geophysical types. Gravity and seismology give evidence for undulations in the core-mantle boundary (CMB) and for temperature variations in the lower mantle which can affect core convection and hence the dynamo. VLBI measurements of the variations in the Chandler wobble and length of day are affected by, among other things, the electromagnetic and mechanical transfer of angular momentum across the CMB. Finally, measurements of the vector magnetic field, its intensity, or its direction, give the most direct access to the core dynamo and the electrical conductivity of the lower mantle. The 120 gauss coefficients of degrees up to 10 probably come from the core, with only modest interference by mantle conductivity and crustal magnetization. By contrast, only three angular accelerations enter the problem of angular momentum transfer across the CMB. Satellite measurements of the vector magnetic field are uniquely able to provide the spatial coverage required for extrapolation to the CMB, and to isolate and measure certain magnetic signals which to the student of the geodynamo represent noise, but which are of great interest elsewhere in geophysics. Here, these claims are justified and the mission parameters likely to be scientifically most useful for observing the geodynamo system are described.

Backus, George E.↗

Kinematic misalignments in remnants of multiple mergers

Observations indicate that the rotation and minor axes in elliptical galaxies are usually well aligned. However, computer models of dissipationless mergers of pairs of disk galaxies have failed to establish such a correlation, implying that most ellipticals probably did not originate in this manner. Here we consider remnants produced from repeated merging in small groups of a half-dozen or so disk galaxies and find that the internal kinematics of such objects are more representative of actual elliptical galaxies. Although our coverage of parameter space is not complete, the remnants produced in our simulations invariably possess small kinematic misalignments. These results suggest that the majority of elliptical galaxies have had evolutionary histories more complex than those envisaged by simple merger hypotheses.

Weil, Melinda L.↗