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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.

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At least 91 records · Page 5

On the transient spatial localization model

Significant discrepancies relevant to helioseismology between experimental and theoretical photon absorption by plasmas remain unresolved. Interestingly, a new process called transient spatial localization (TSL), where the plasma perturbs the final states in photon ionization processes, ostensibly enhances cross-sections resolving the extant discrepancies. The TSL model, however, is shown to involve ad hoc formulas not derived from fundamental principles and systematic approximations. Additionally, a variant of the TSL model, which claimed to enhance electron collisional ionization, is inconsistent with the Schrodinger equation and fails to reproduce known results.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Tuning MXene Surface Terminations for Strategic Control of Physical Properties

Scientific Achievement • Ti3C2Tx surfaces with a higher hydroxyl group concentration play a pivotal role in surface properties and were found to be thermodynamically stable. • From the electronic bonding analysis, the charge density difference and electron localization function demonstrated a significant electron localization at the hydroxyl group, which results in a locally induced dipole on the surface. • A large tunability in the work function is found from different concentrations of functional groups on the surface which can be controlled by the concentration of HF used for etching of the MAX phase to produce the resulting MXene. Research Details • The influence of termination group distribution on the surface of Ti3C2Tx MXenes from various etching concentrations of HF was evaluated • The work functions of Ti3C2Tx MXenes with differing concentrations of functional groups were determined • The influence of termination group clustering on the surface of Ti3C2Tx MXenes was investigated by visualization of the electron localization function and charge density difference

Ward, Patrick A.↗

Effects of local vibrations on the dynamics of space truss structures

The paper discusses the influence of local member vibrations on the dynamics of repetitive space truss structures. Several focus problems wherein local member vibration modes are in the frequency range of the global truss modes are discussed. Special attention is given to defining methods that can be used to identify the global modes of a truss structure amidst many local modes. Significant interactions between the motions of local member vibrations and the global behavior are shown to occur in truss structures when: (1) the natural frequencies of the individual members for clamped-clamped boundary conditions are in the vicinity of the global truss frequency; and (2) the total mass of the individual members represents a large portion of the mass of the whole structure. The analysis is carried out with a structural analysis code which uses exact member theory. The modeling detail required using conventional finite element codes to adequately represent such a class of problems is examined. The paper concludes with some practical considerations for the design and dynamic testing of structures which might exhibit such behavior.

Warnaar, Dirk B.↗

Localization in one-dimensional random superlattices

The localization of electrons in intentionally disordered superlattices is simulated. By studying the density of states and the localization length, significant variation of the degree of localization is found with the type of random stacking sequence is found. It is predicted that more enhancement of luminescence can be achieved with new types or stacking sequences.

Su, W. P.↗

Dispersal, habitat filtering, and eco-evolutionary dynamics as drivers of local and global wetland viral biogeography

Abstract Wetlands store 20–30% of the world’s soil carbon, and identifying the microbial controls on these carbon reserves is essential to predicting feedbacks to climate change. Although viral infections likely play important roles in wetland ecosystem dynamics, we lack a basic understanding of wetland viral ecology. Here 63 viral size-fraction metagenomes (viromes) and paired total metagenomes were generated from three time points in 2021 at seven fresh- and saltwater wetlands in the California Bodega Marine Reserve. We recovered 12,826 viral population genomic sequences (vOTUs), only 4.4% of which were detected at the same field site two years prior, indicating a small degree of population stability or recurrence. Viral communities differed most significantly among the seven wetland sites and were also structured by habitat (plant community composition and salinity). Read mapping to a new version of our reference database, PIGEONv2.0 (515,763 vOTUs), revealed 196 vOTUs present over large geographic distances, often reflecting shared habitat characteristics. Wetland vOTU microdiversity was significantly lower locally than globally and lower within than between time points, indicating greater divergence with increasing spatiotemporal distance. Viruses tended to have broad predicted host ranges via CRISPR spacer linkages to metagenome-assembled genomes, and increased SNP frequencies in CRISPR-targeted major tail protein genes suggest potential viral eco-evolutionary dynamics in response to both immune targeting and changes in host cell receptors involved in viral attachment. Together, these results highlight the importance of dispersal, environmental selection, and eco-evolutionary dynamics as drivers of local and global wetland viral biogeography.

Environmental Sciences & Ecology↗

Nanoindentation-Enhanced Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

We combine nanoindentation, herein achieved using atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based pulsed-force lithography, with tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) and imaging. Our approach entails indentation and multimodal characterization of otherwise flat Au substrates, followed by chemical functionalization and TERS spectral imaging of the indented nanostructures. We find that the resulting structures, which vary in shape and size depending on the tip used to produce them, may sustain nano-confined and significantly enhanced local fields. We take advantage of the latter and illustrate TERS-based ultrasensitive detection/chemical fingerprinting as well as chemical reaction imaging – all using a single platform for nano-lithography, topographic imaging, hyperspectral dark field optical microscopy, and TERS.

Wang, Chih-Feng↗

Estimating Large Global Significances with a New Monte Carlo Extrapolation Method

In particle physics, it is needed to evaluate the possibility that excesses of events in mass spectra are due to statistical fluctuations as quantified by the standards of local and global significances. Without prior knowledge of a particle’s mass, it is especially critical to estimate its global significance. The usual approach is to count the number of times a significance limit is exceeded in a collection of simulated Monte Carlo (MC) “toy experiments”. To demonstrate this conventional method for global significance, we performed simulation studies according to a recent Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) result to show its effectiveness. However, this counting method is not practical for computing large global significances. To address this problem, we developed a new “extrapolation” method to evaluate the global significance. We compared the global significance estimated by our new method with that of the conventional approach, and verified its feasibility and effectiveness. This method is also applicable for cases where only small toy MC samples are available. In this approach, the significance is calculated based on p-values, assuming symmetrical Gaussian distributions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

X-ray sensor development for magnetospheric research

The ARPA-301 data on the P78-1 satellite provide information on the long-term X-ray environment; specifically, the distributions in total X-ray intensities and energy spectral parameters and the spatial extents of the X-ray sources. The average X-ray intensity near noontime was found to decrease with increasing local time whereas the opposite trend occurs around midnight. At both of these local times, the average flux increases with increasing level of geomagnetic activity. The distributions in flux are also considered for given local time intervals and these span a large dynamic range. The temporal correlation between the X-ray flux in different local time sectors is found to decrease with increasing difference in local time. The average spectral shapes do not depend significantly upon local time or geomagnetic activity.

Imhof, W. L.↗

Analysis of Vegetation Index Variations and the Asian Monsoon Climate

Vegetation growth depends on local climate. Significant anthropogenic land cover and land use change activities over Asia have changed vegetation distribution as well. On the other hand, vegetation is one of the important land surface variables that influence the Asian Monsoon variability through controlling atmospheric energy and water vapor conditions. In this presentation, the mean and variations of vegetation index of last decade at regional scale resolution (5km and higher) from MODIS have been analyzed. Results indicate that the vegetation index has been reduced significantly during last decade over fast urbanization areas in east China, such as Yangtze River Delta, where local surface temperatures were increased significantly in term of urban heat Island. The relationship between vegetation Index and climate (surface temperature, precipitation) over a grassland in northern Asia and over a woody savannas in southeast Asia are studied. In supporting Monsoon Asian Integrated Regional Study (MAIRS) program, the data in this study have been integrated into Giovanni, the online visualization and analysis system at NASA GES DISC. Most images in this presentation are generated from Giovanni system.

Shen, Sunhung↗

Diurnal modulation of the quiet time penetrating electron flux

Three sounding rocket measurements of energetic electron precipitation in the 65 to 80 km altitude range above Siple Station, Antarctica suggest a possible diurnal modulation of the precipitation. Flights made on January 10 and 11, 1981, to investigate this possibility showed that no electrons were present after local noon, while a significant flux of penetrating electrons was observed the following day near local dawn, even though the level of magnetic activity was higher during the postnoon flight. A prevous flight from Siple Station also observed a large flux of penetrating electrons near local dawn. Calculations of electron drift trajectories in a model magnetic field indicate that moderate values of the convection electric field could cause significant local time variations in the penetrating electron flux at the western edge of the South Atlantic anomaly. These calculations indicate that Siple Station is shadowed by eastern Siberia when it is at local noon, but not when it is at local dawn.

Sheldon, W. R.↗

On the evolution of Saturn's 'Spokes' - Theory

Starting with the assumption that negatively charged micron-sized dust grains may be elevated above Saturn's ring plane by plasma interactions, the subsequent evolution of the system is discussed. The discharge of the fine dust by solar UV radiation produces a cloud of electrons which moves adiabatically in Saturn's dipolar magnetic field. The electron cloud is absorbed by the ring after one bounce, alters the local ring potential significantly, and reduces the local Debye length. As a result, more micron-sized dust particles may be elevated above the ring plane and the spoke grows. This process continues until the electron cloud has dissipated.

Morfill, G. E.↗

Deuterium in the Local Interstellar Medium: Its Cosmological Significance

We report on our ongoing program to measure the deuterium/hydrogen (D/H) ratio and interstellar gas properties along many lines of sight through the local interstellar medium using the HST Goddard High-Resolution Spectrograph. For the line of sight towards Capella (12.5 pc) we had previously found D/H = 1.65(+0.07, -0.18) x 10(exp -5), T = 7000 K, and turbulent velocity 1.66 km/s. These quantities were determined by modeling the interstellar hydrogen and deuterium Lyman alpha lines and the resonance lines of Fe II and Mg II against the background stellar emission-line profiles. We now report on our preliminary analysis of these spectral lines for the line of sight toward Procyon (3.5 pc). We find that D/H = 1.40 +/- 0.05 x 10(exp -5) (+/- 3 sigma) photometric random errors only), which is lower than but perhaps consistent with the value of D/H derived for the Capella line of sight when the systematic errors associated with the uncertain intrinsic Procyon emission line are included. Further analysis of this and other lines of sight are planned to determine whether the D/H ratio varies within the local interstellar medium. We infer the primordial value of D/H from Galactic evolution models and comment on the derived baryon density of the Universe.

Linsky, Jeffrey L.↗

The genetic basis for panicle trait variation in switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum )

Grass species exhibit large diversity in panicle architecture influenced by genes, the environment, and their interaction. The genetic study of panicle architecture in perennial grasses is limited. In this study, we evaluate the genetic basis of panicle architecture including panicle length, primary branching number, and secondary branching number in an outcrossed switchgrass QTL population grown across ten field sites in the central USA through multi-environment mixed QTL analysis. We also evaluate genetic effects in a diversity panel of switchgrass grown at three of the ten field sites using genome-wide association (GWAS) and multivariate adaptive shrinkage. Furthermore, we search for candidate genes underlying panicle traits in both of these independent mapping populations. Overall, 18 QTL were detected in the QTL mapping population for the three panicle traits, and 146 unlinked genomic regions in the diversity panel affected one or more panicle trait. Twelve of the QTL exhibited consistent effects (i.e., no QTL by environment interactions or no QTL × E), and most (four of six) of the effects with QTL × E exhibited site-specific effects. Most (59.3%) significant partially linked diversity panel SNPs had significant effects in all panicle traits and all field sites and showed pervasive pleiotropy and limited environment interactions. Panicle QTL co-localized with significant SNPs found using GWAS, providing additional power to distinguish between true and false associations in the diversity panel.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Significance of selected lineaments in Alabama

Four lineaments in the Alabama Appalachians that appear on ERTS-1 imagery have been geologically analysed. Two of the lineaments appear to have regional geologic significance, showing relationships to structural and stratigraphic frameworks, water and mineral resources, geophysical anomalies, and seismicity. The other two lineaments are of local geologic significance, but, nevertheless, have important environmental implications.

Drahovzal, J. A.↗

Search for a new scalar resonance decaying to a Higgs boson and another new scalar particle in the final state with two bottom quarks and two photons in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV

A search is presented for a new scalar resonance, X, decaying to a standard model Higgs boson and another new scalar particle, Y, in the final state where the Higgs boson decays to a $\text{b}\overline{\text{b} }$ pair, while the Y particle decays to a pair of photons. The search is performed in the mass range 240–1000 GeV for the resonance X, and in the mass range 70–800 GeV for the particle Y, using proton-proton collision data collected by the CMS experiment at $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 132 fb −1 . In general, the data are found to be compatible with the standard model expectation. Observed (expected) upper limits at 95% confidence level on the product of the production cross section and the relevant branching fraction are extracted for the X → YH process, and are found to be within the range of 0.05–2.69 (0.08–1.94) fb, depending on m X and m Y . The most significant deviation from the background-only hypothesis is observed for X and Y masses of 300 and 77 GeV, respectively, with a local (global) significance of 3.33 (0.65) standard deviations.

Beyond Standard Model↗

Effects of Local Compression on Peroneal Nerve Function in Humans

A new apparatus was developed to compress the anterior compartment selectively and reproducibly in humans. Thirty-five normal volunteers were studied to determine short-term thresholds of local tissue pressure that produce significant neuromuscular dysfunction. Local tissue fluid pressure adjacent to the deep peroneal nerve was elevated by the compression apparatus and continuously monitored for 2-3 h by the slit catheter technique. Elevation of tissue fluid pressure to within 35-40 mm Hg of diastolic blood pressure (approx. 40 mm Hg of in situ pressure in our subjects) elicited a consistent progression of neuromuscular deterioration including, in order, (a) gradual loss of sensation, as assessed by Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, (b) subjective complaints, (c) reduced nerve conduction velocity, (d) decreased action potential amplitude of the extensor digitorum brevis muscle, and (e) motor weakness of muscles within the anterior compartment. Generally, higher intracompartment at pressures caused more rapid deterioration of neuromuscular function. In two subjects, when in situ compression levels were 0 and 30 mm Hg, normal neuromuscular function was maintained for 3 h. Threshold pressures for significant dysfunction were not always the same for each functional parameter studied, and the magnitudes of each functional deficit did not always correlate with compression level. This variable tolerance to elevated pressure emphasizes the need to monitor clinical signs and symptoms carefully in the diagnosis of compartment syndromes. The nature of the present studies was short term; longer term compression of myoneural tissues may result in dysfunction at lower pressure thresholds.

Hargens, Alan R.↗

Local electrical degradations of solid-state electrolyte by nm-scale operando imaging of ionic and electronic transports

We report on degradation mechanisms of solid-state electrolyte (SSE) based on insights from nm-scale ionic conduction and electronic leakage for solid-state batteries. The significantly different local degradations revealed by nm-scale ionic and electronic transport imaging demonstrate the need for this nm-scale investigation. State-of-the-art lithium-ion conductive glass ceramic (Li 2 O–Al 2 O 3 –SiO 2 –P 2 O5–TiO2-GeO2) SSE shows at least two types of degradations spatially separated within the SSE, namely: (1) ionic conduction blocking and slight electronic leaking and (2) highly electronic shunting. Degradation was significantly suppressed by application of a Li-containing polyacrylonitrile thin coating on both sides of the ceramic SSE. With this coating, the ionic conduction was not reduced by the extensive cycling; instead, it improved slightly, although accompanied by a slight increase in electronic leaking. Our nm-scale transport imaging was achieved using an atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based half-cell setup and a logarithmic-scale amplifier with current sensitivity down to the fA (10-15 A) range. This half-cell setup consisting of an AFM-probe/SSE/Li structure can distinguish the ionic from the electronic current by flipping the bias-voltage polarity. This nm-scale operando imaging opens up novel characterization of ionic and electronic transport in the field of solid-state batteries.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Search for resonant and non-resonant Higgs boson pair production in the $b\overline{b}{\tau}^{+}{\tau}^{-}$ decay channel using 13 TeV $pp$ collision data from the ATLAS detector

A search for Higgs boson pair production in events with two $b$-jets and two $τ$-leptons is presented, using a proton–proton collision dataset with an integrated luminosity of 139 fb -1 collected at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC. Higgs boson pairs produced non-resonantly or in the decay of a narrow scalar resonance in the mass range from 251 to 1600 GeV are targeted. Events in which at least one $τ$-lepton decays hadronically are considered, and multivariate discriminants are used to reject the backgrounds. No significant excess of events above the expected background is observed in the non-resonant search. The largest excess in the resonant search is observed at a resonance mass of 1 TeV, with a local (global) significance of 3.1$σ$ (2.0$σ$). Observed (expected) 95% confidence-level upper limits are set on the non-resonant Higgs boson pair-production cross-section at 4.7 (3.9) times the Standard Model prediction, assuming Standard Model kinematics, and on the resonant Higgs boson pair-production cross-section at between 21 and 900 fb (12 and 840 fb), depending on the mass of the narrow scalar resonance.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗